Christie® is providing best-in-class digital projection to the newly-renovated Laemmle Royal Theatre in Santa Monica, bringing 21st century projection to guests and the first boothless cinema within Los Angeles. The conversion to digital was part of an upgrade made throughout the Laemmle chain.

“Being 100 percent digital made the renovation easier as we were able to carve out multiple auditoriums without having to allocate additional space for a projection booth,� said Greg Laemmle, president of the company. “We got back space in the old projection booth which has now been put to other uses. And we also avoided the cost of building new booth space. It’s great to have all the equipment, including our Library Management Server (LMS), as part of the box office. That way, staff can input movie files and set playlists while still being available to customers.�

In addition to digital projection, the newly-restored theater has stadium seating and three screens instead of one, which will allow it to expand its programming and offer more choices to its guests. Prior to the renovation, The Royal was one of the last ‘one screeners’ in the city.

With eight locations and 41 screens throughout Los Angeles, the independent Laemmle chain was started by Laemmle’s grandfather and great-uncle in 1938, and has highlighted the work of independent filmmakers. It also carries mainstream titles such as “Hitchcock� and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.� The Royal re-opened in late December, 2012 with LA’s exclusive engagement of “Amour.� With the conversion of The Royal, a traditional cinema built in the 1920s, the chain is now 100 percent digital.

“We have a long history of working with Christie. We had our share of hiccups during the conversion process, but the Christie team has been very responsive. We truly feel they’ve been our partners in getting the art house scene switched over to digital. They took the time to understand how our world is a little different from the world of major studio exhibitors, and were willing to adjust to come up with a better program,� said Laemmle.

Craig Sholder, vice president, Entertainment Solutions, Christie, said the firm is proud to be part of the renovation of The Royal, and the digital upgrade throughout the chain.

“It’s important to Christie to work with each customer to create the solution that works best with their unique needs. Independent cinemas are a vibrant part of the industry and it’s our pleasure to help them make the transition from film to digital.�

Christie integration partner Southern California Cinetech managed the conversion to digital throughout the chain. Cinetech installed Christie CP2210 and CP2220 projectors from the Christie Solaria® Series digital projectors, and orchestrated the Christie Virtual Print Fee (VPF) financing plan, with Christie’s Managed Services team providing monitoring and maintenance services.

The Christie Solaria Series meets both exhibition and post production studios’ demands for 2D and 3D presentations for feature film and alternative content. With more than 36,000 installations around the world, Christie’s knowledge and experience with digital projection is unmatched in the industry.

At Winter NAMM, the musical instrument industry’s signature trade show, standing out from the crowd is always a challenge. To get the attention of attendees, exhibitors rely on companies such as Guruz Media, a leading full-service marketing agency, to attract prospective customers to their booths.

Working on behalf of exhibitor Sabian Cymbals, Guruz Media developed an innovative and eye-catching 16′ tall by 8′ diameter tower of cymbals stretching from the ground to high above the trade show floor. To ensure the tower of cymbals would capture the attention of visitors no matter where they were, Guruz added a PixelFLEX LED video curtain wall as a backdrop.

Exceptionally light weight and extremely flexible, the PixelFLEX curtain was the perfect solution for creating a column of bold-colored LED lighting inside the interior of the cymbal tower that was sure to turn heads. According to Doug Webber, chief creative officer for Guruz, mission accomplished.

“Anybody can go to a trade show and rent big screens for their booth, but when it comes down to it, there has to be something that pushes it over the top to really get people to notice,” Webber said. “Whether that is something of the unexpected, or just maybe huge, like the cymbal tower. As soon as I saw the PixelFLEX screens online and how they could bend around nearly any shape or structure, I knew how I could use them at Winter NAMM to make a difference for my client at the show.”

For the cymbal tower backdrop at Winter NAMM, Guruz used 12 panels of PixelFLEX’s 20mm LED video curtain. Featuring 2500 pixels PSM (Per Square Meter) and 3240 nit brightness, PixelFLEX’s curtain provided Webber and his team a solution that was easy to set up and operate – benefits to trade show support that cannot be understated.

“We were trying to create an architectural design element that had some movement, visually speaking, going on inside the tower,” Webber said. “We found a nice piece of digital juice eye candy, colorized it to match the rest of the branding in the booth, and just allowed it to loop over and over again on the PixelFLEX screens.

With more than 200 cymbals on the tower, it was a perfect solution for filling the negative space between the cymbals,” Webber continued. “On top of that, it was super simple to install and operate. The client [Sabian] was extremely happy and competitors definitely took note. One even mentioned to us that it was the best cymbal display they had ever seen at Winter NAMM. ”

Flexible in all directions and exceptionally durable, PixelFLEX LED Curtains are able to bend and shape around structures for a more creative display effect. For more information on PixelFLEX and its growing line of lightweight LED video screens, visit www.LEDCurtain.com. Follow PixelFLEX at www.Facebook.com/PixelFLEXUSA and @LEDCurtain.

Extron Electronics is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the IN1606, a six input, HDCP-compliant video scaler that includes four HDMI inputs, two universal analog video inputs, and two simultaneous HDMI outputs. The IN1606 accepts a wide variety of video formats including HDMI, HDTV, RGB, and standard definition video. Its high performance video scaling engine features 1080i deinterlacing, Deep Color processing, and seamless switching with support for up to 1920×1200 and 2K output resolutions. Enhanced audio features include six stereo inputs, fixed and variable stereo outputs, two mic/line inputs with ducking and 48 V phantom power, plus HDMI audio embedding and de-embedding. Designed for professional AV integration, the IN1606 offers a complete AV switching system with flexible control options including Ethernet, RS-232, and USB.

“The IN1606 delivers a high performance, one-box solution for today’s presentation systems by combining multi-input switching and signal format flexibility with advanced scaling functionality,” says Casey Hall, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Extron. “Integrators can take advantage of the powerful audio capabilities for fine-tuning to suit the needs of each installation.”

To enhance and simplify integration, the IN1606 features SpeedSwitch™ Technology, which provides exceptional switching speed for HDCP-encrypted content. EDID Minder® and Key Minder® automatically manage EDID communication and HDCP key negotiation between input and output devices to ensure reliable operation. The IN1606 also provides immediate visual confirmation and real-time HDCP status verification, offering valuable feedback to system operators and helpdesk support staff.

With HDMI audio embedding and de-embedding, the IN1606 can insert analog input audio signals onto the HDMI output or extract embedded HDMI audio signals. Audio breakaway allows the analog audio channels to be separated from corresponding video signals so that the audio channels can operate as an independent switcher. The IN1606 also provides control of advanced audio configuration settings, such as audio gain, attenuation, mixing, and ducking, through an intuitive Graphical User Interface.

Visit our Web site at www.extron.com for more information.

CASIO REVOLUTIONIZES STOREFRONT ADVERTISING WITH NEW DIGITAL SIGNAGE
BUSINESS AT DSE 2013

Casio Signage Drives Business and
Offers Infinite Applications

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (FEBRUARY 27, 2013) — Coming off the cusp of a successful Consumer Electronics Show, Casio America, Inc. is pleased to showcase its new digital signage business with its ground-breaking approach to storefront advertising at the Digital Signage Expo. As the hero application of Casio’s new digital signage business, Casio Signage takes a revolutionary new approach by leveraging optimum advertising tools and cloud services to attract new customers and increase repeat business. Casio Signage will be exhibited in Casio’s booth (#147) at the Digital Signage Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 27-28, 2013.

“Storefront advertising must be attractive, interesting and versatile in order to entice consumers to enter an establishment,� said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “Casio Signage offers retailers and business owners a unique way to make consumers feel welcome, while delivering relevant content in a personal manner. We have no doubt that Casio Signage will
set a new standard for storefront advertising and change the industry as a whole.�

Casio Signage is a cutting-edge storefront advertising tool with the ability to captivate passers-by with a realistic-looking character that talks to them. Using a custom designed screen shaped like a character, content is created to match the characteristics needed to bring people into a store. The character’s appearance and voice can be easily changed to keep customers from losing interest and increase store traffic. Casio Signage is compact and requires no installation work, making it easy to place nearly anywhere. It also offers multilingual support or multifunctional options creating a fully customizable system with content that is most relevant for the customer base.

Together with innovative cloud services such as the distribution of digital coupons, stores with Casio Signage will enjoy an edge
over the competition.

Main Features of Casio Signage

• Realistic images help captivate passers-by and attract new customers – The screen itself is shaped like a character or person, and speaks to visitors to get their attention and invite them in.

 

• Content is easily updated to increase store traffic  – Retailers simply provide Casio with a still image and text. Casio then animates the image and adds the voice. No video production is required for stores. This process makes it easy to edit the animation for future use.

 

• Compact size that can fit almost anywhere – It features a small 18â€� x 21.10â€� footprint. No installation work is required.

 

• Multilingual support – Available languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more. Customers can select the language they want to hear.

 

• Cloud services are available for unique retail promotions – Casio can provide cloud services such as digital coupons for customers with smartphones.

 

• Long-lasting light source – The originally developed Laser-LED Hybrid Light Source by Casio delivers approximately 20,000 hours of life.

 

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About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution� through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

CASIO SHOWCASES UNIQUE SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS AT DSE 2013 

Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System Offer Innovative Technology
with An Overall Lower Cost of Ownership

LAS VEGAS, NV (FEBRUARY 27, 2013) — Casio America Inc. , a leader in the digital projection industry, is proud to introduce two new systems ideal for a variety of digital signage applications – the Projector Stacking System and the YA-S10 Converter System. Featuring Casio’s LampFree™ LASER & LED Hybrid Light Source, the Projector Stacking System is available in two different models, the XJ SK650 and the XJ-SK600. The YA-S10 Converter System features cutting edge technology that allows a single projector to display images on curved surfaces. Both systems will be exhibited in Casio’s booth (#147) at the Digital Signage Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 27-28, 2013.

“As a leading provider of digital projection technology, we are constantly developing new applications that address the changing needs of the digital projection/signage industry,� said Matt Mustachio, general manager of Casio’s Business Projector Division. “We are confident that our new Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System will increase efficiency and streamline costs for retailers and business owners alike, further raising industry standards and solidifying Casio’s presence as an industry leader.�

The Projector Stacking System, designed with two Casio projectors stacked on top of one another, projects two sharp, high-quality images, which the YA-S10 Converter System control box then merges into one screen. It is available in two different models; the XJ-SK650 and the XJ-SK600. The XJ-SK650 features double stacked Pro Series XJ-H2600 projectors and provides users with up to 6,500 lumens, while the XJ-SK600 features double stacked Signature Series XJ-M250 projectors and provides up to 6,000 lumens. Both of these models provide roughly twice the lumen output provided by a single projector.

The Projector Stacking System includes two (2) projectors, ceiling mount housing and the YA-S10 Converter System control box, which corrects and merges screen images. The system features high-precision correction and an interface that allows easy modifications using a remote control. The YA-S10 Converter System control box focuses on image alignment with each of the projectors in the Stacking System. When the YA-S10 Converter System correction box is connected, both projectors can also project high brightness images at any angle making the Projector Stacking System ideal for digital signage, sports bars, house of worship and many large venue applications.

When used separately Casio’s YA-S10 Converter System enables users to project images onto curved pillars, round areas, flat surfaces or any unique shape. The system is set up to adjust any image misalignment or distortion without the need for additional hardware. Using the YA-S10 Converter System with any Casio LampFree™ projector, images can be corrected for curved surfaces using free-form surface compensation with a lattice of up to 81 grid points for adjustments.

Both the Projector Stacking System and Convex System are powered by Casio’s state-of-the-art LASER & LED HYBRID Light Source, which provides Lamp-Free, eco-friendly data projection at a percentage of the cost of traditional projectors. Casio’s LASER & LED Hybrid Light Source combines blue laser light and a fluorescent element to generate a high output of green light. The green light, blue laser light, and the light emitted by a red LED are projected through a DLP® chip which, in turn, is passed through the projection lens to form an image. This technology achieves an increase in color spectrum compared with a mercury lamp, while lowering a projector’s total cost of ownership and maximizing investment. Since there is only minimal loss of brightness even during long-term use, it is ideal for those heavy-duty applications involving frequent use of projection such as retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, offices and other environments. With an estimated life span of 20,000 hours, both systems ensure low
maintenance and streamlined costs.

Casio’s new Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System are currently available for purchase. For additional information regarding Casio LampFree™ projectors, please visit www.casioprojector.com.

###

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets
calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution� through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

New SH940 Brings More Brightness, Simple Operation, and Lower Total Cost of Ownership for Large Venue Applications

IRVINE, Calif. — Feb. 28, 2013 — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations and global DLP(R) projector leader, today introduced the SH940, its latest high-brightness, large-venue projector. With native full HD 1080p resolution, the device offers flexible installation features, Hollywood Quality Video (HQV), and is specifically designed to bring exciting A/V experiences to large spaces at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). more

For the fourth consecutive summer Christie® 3-chip DLP® projectors will be lighting up Ottawa’s famed Parliament Hill with a rich and engaging display that attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually . The gripping narrative of Canadian history via the National Capital Commission’s sound and light show, “Mosaika – Canada Through the Eyes of Its People� begins July 10 and ends September 7 this year.

Accompanied by lights, a 5.1 surround system, and audio track produced by Groupe Phaneauf, the four Christie Roadster S+20K and five Christie Roadster HD18K projectors paint a video canvas onto the 472-feet long by 246-feet tall, six story high Parliament Building Centre Block including the iconic Peace Tower in the middle. One portion features a dramatic 3D segment where the entire structure appears to move in and out in 3D space.

A Journey in Three Acts
Act One explores Canadian landscapes and our founding peoples. The journey begins at Canada’s beautiful west coast, then soars eastward, over the Rocky Mountains, through the foothills and prairies, across the Great Lakes, down the St. Lawrence River, into the Atlantic Ocean, and then northeast to modern-day Newfoundland and Labrador. From here, the audience is taken north, passing ice floes and polar bears, into Canada’s Arctic region, where the aurora borealis dances in the velvety night sky. Along the way, the audience discovers the gorgeous mosaic of natural landscapes, flora and fauna that make up Canada’s diverse natural world.

Canada’s founding peoples are also introduced in Act One, and the storyline carries the audience beyond Canada’s Confederation in 1867. ‘Mosaika’ presents how multitudes of people, ideas and voices have combined in a great discussion to create this country.

Act Two presents Canadian achievements. It begins with the railroad — the great iron link that tied the country together and encouraged westward expansion and settlement. Other achievements are explored, in war and in peace, social achievements that helped to create Canada’s rights and freedoms, as well as Canadian achievements in the arts and culture. Great Canadians are encountered, including Agnes Macphail, Tommy Douglas, Terry Fox and many others.

Act Three is a discussion of Canadian values. In the third act of ‘Mosaika,’ Canadians from across the country are seen and heard, discussing what is important to them, what it means to be Canadian, and their hopes for the future. Their encouraging and inspirational words drive ‘Mosaika’ toward its emotional climax.

From History to Projection Mapping Reality with Christie Reliability
Jean-Marc Beauvalet, manager, technical services, National Capital Commission (NCC), said the NCC used two Christie projectors for the predecessor of the current show; however, ‘Mosaika’ was one of its first forays into multi-projector use and projection mapping.

“Because of our experience with them, we were fully confident using the Christie projectors for ‘Mosaika,’� said Beauvalet. “Christie has played an important role in helping us achieve our goals with this presentation – to reflect what Canada and its history are all about.�

“We had used Christie projectors before and were fully confident of their performance – and, as the projectors play such a crucial role, that made everything else easier to deal with. After Moment Factory – the show designer – did a full pixel mapping of the buildings, our biggest challenge was how to repeat the placement of these projectors to ensure a perfect performance every night. The solution they came up with for the projectors that stayed on the hill was to have the projectors on hydraulic lifts with repeatable heights; they have a sensor that stops them at 120 inches so every performance is exact.�

Not only the production itself but also the public and media reaction impresses the NCC.

“The projection mapping creates something magical that people aren’t expecting – they don’t expect to see their Parliament Building transformed into such beautiful colors and delightful imagery. People say, ‘this is incredible. I never thought I would see anything like this in my life.’ It’s an honor to see visitors and Canadians with smiling faces telling us how wonderful the show experience was,â€� Beauvalet concluded. “With the help of Christie, we have achieved our goal with this presentation – to instill a strong feeling of pride in our country and our capital with a one-of-a-kind free nightly show. I can say that Christie and its technology are extremely reliable. They deliver exactly what they say they will.â€�

“‘Mosaika’ is an extraordinary accomplishment that presents the history of Canada in a way that is entertaining, educational, and visually compelling,� said Kathryn Cress, vice president, global and corporate marketing, Christie. “We are very proud the National Capital Commission selected Christie projectors to be part of this exceptionally innovative and memorable event.�

Extron Electronics is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the DSC 301 HD, a compact HDCP-compliant video scaler. This scaler has an HDMI input, a configurable high resolution analog input, a composite video input, and an HDMI output. Featuring an advanced scaling engine with 30-bit processing and 1080i deinterlacing, the DSC 301 HD delivers uncompromised picture quality for output resolutions up to 1920×1200, including 1080p and 2K. It includes EDID Minder®, automatic input switching, and simplifies system connections by embedding audio from one of the three stereo inputs onto the HDMI output.

“The DSC 301 HD delivers high performance and a compelling feature set,” says Casey Hall, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Extron. “With its compact form factor and integrator-friendly features, this scaler lends itself to basic conference room applications as well as more complex systems where multiple scalers are deployed into a large signal distribution system.”

The DSC 301 HD offers several features that enhance and simplify AV system setup and operation. For HDMI signals with protected content, Key Minder® authenticates and maintains continuous HDCP encryption between input sources and displays to ensure quick and reliable switching. EDID Minder ensures that the display’s capabilities are communicated to connected video sources to obtain an optimal image. Front panel controls, intuitive on-screen menus, plus USB and RS-232 connections provide flexible control and monitoring capability.

Visit our Web site at www.extron.com for more information.

BURBANK, Washington – February 2013 — Tri-Cities-based sound reinforcement and AV service/rental provider Ford Audio Service, Inc. has now taken delivery of the first L-ACOUSTICS KARA system in Washington State. The initial order was comprised of 24 KARA, accompanied by 12 SB18 and eight SB28 subs, four 12XT coaxial monitors, and eight LA8 amplified controllers.

Located on the southern edge of the state — a five-hour drive southeast of Seattle — Ford Audio is well positioned to service corporate clients, venues, festivals and regional tours throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. more

MS1600X Powers Multiple Digital Signs with Dynamic Full High Definition

One Multi Screen Appliance Powers up to 16 Displays including Multi-Zone Management for Each Screen

Digital Signage Expo, Las Vegas & San Jose, CA – February 27, 2013 – DT Researchâ„¢, Inc., an industry leader in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, today announced the release of the MS1600X, a new signage appliance in the WebDT Signage System line, capable of powering content over up to 16 screens. The MS1600 Multi Screen Appliance enables powerful content streaming on anywhere from 2 to 16 displays, and offers content blending, or tiling, across screens. The MS1600X, along with WebDT Content Manager, provides a fully integrated system with 1080p over up to 16 screens and multi-zone management for up to 16 zones.

The MS1600X is powered by the IntelÃ’ Quad-Core i7 processor, and provides full HD (1080p) video quality to every screen. Running MicrosoftÃ’ WindowsÃ’ operating systems, the WebDT Multi Screen Appliance displays content files in native resolution, so images are sharp and true to original properties, even when presented on multiple displays or large screens, maintaining optimal picture quality.

The MS1600X is ideal for applications that require high-resolution on multiple screens including digital signage walls, menu boards, flight/transportation information, and creative display arrangements. The MS1600X enables dynamic digital signage deployments in spaces where multiple screens are indoors and viewed in shopping malls, entertainment venues, and airports.

Each of the screens powered by the MS1600X can be remotely managed with the WebDT Content Manager software, which is bundled with the appliance. This intuitive interface software is used for organizing, scheduling, and deploying content to the digital signage network. The WebDT Content Manager provides multiple zone support and planning for each display, so that a screen can be divided into up to 16 zones with different content in each zone. With WebDT Content Manager, all screens can show the same content, each screen can play different content, or content can be blended over several screens. The user-friendly WebDT Content Manager also allows users to create many combinations across multiple screens, such as four zones on two screens, two zones on five screens, and hundreds of other possible screen layouts.

The MS1600X Multi Screen Appliance brings top quality performance and is available now.

About DT Research

DT Research™ develops and manufactures web-enabled information appliances for vertical applications. The WebDT family of products is based on embedded computing platforms for secure, reliable, and cost-effective computing. WebDT products include digital signage solutions, wireless tablets, point-of-service handhelds, compact modular systems, and display-integrated information systems. These systems emphasize mobility, wireless connectivity and touch displays. Powered by Windows® Embedded and Windows XP operating systems, WebDT devices offer durability and ease in integration, leading to solutions that can be remotely managed with the comprehensive WebDT Content Manager and WebDT Device Manager software. For more information, visit www.signage.dtri.com

http://signage.dtri.com.

DT Research and WebDT are trademarks of DT Research, Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.