Christie® is pleased to announce that the Christie Interactivity Kit is now shipping. Powered by Baanto™ ShadowSense™, the Christie Interactivity Kit is a distinctive solution for adding multi-touch interactivity to any digital display.

Designed in pieces that fit perfectly around Christie® MicroTiles®, the Christie Interactivity Kit can be configured into 84 different sizes. The kit can accommodate practically any large format display up to 21.4 feet wide and 6 feet high, or a Christie MicroTiles array measuring up to 16-units wide by 6-units tall.

The easy-to-use, field-installable kits simply attach around the display wall perimeter and plug into a computer USB port without need for drivers. Windows® 7 automatically recognizes the Christie Interactivity Kit as a multi-touch device and no manual calibration of sensors or cameras is required. Using breakthrough Baanto™ ShadowSense™ technology, Christie Interactivity Kit offers excellent performance with high touch accuracy and fast response times that support up to 18 touches on a large-format display.

Christie Interactivity Kit – The Simple Answer
“Many large-format touch technologies struggle with touch accuracy and response time, especially with multi-touch,� explained Richard Heslett, senior product manager, Business Products, Christie. “Typically you have to manually position and calibrate cameras, and install special drivers or software that must be running on the computer in order for the system to work.�

Christie’s Interactivity Kit solves this problem by detecting the video wall’s size and configuration, and simply connecting to the computer’s USB port. When used with Windows® 7, which offers native support for multi-touch, the Interactivity Kit is automatically recognized as a multi-touch device.

“In addition to saving the time and effort of calibrating sensors and installing drivers,� continued Heslett, “the Interactivity Kit is both lightweight and small for easy shipping and maneuvering into buildings while special brackets for MicroTiles handle the alignment.�

Applications for Christie Interactivity Kit
“With their stunning image quality, colors and resolution, Christie MicroTiles are the perfect medium for large format interactivity,� added Heslett. “For example, on broadcast sets, where MicroTiles are very popular, an on-air commentator can analyze a sports event or election results using the Interactivity Kit on a large presentation wall. Because of their modularity, MicroTiles and the Interactivity Kit are both easy to move around and flexible in size, so they are ideal for temporary events and trade shows. Rental stagers can purchase one set of gear and create a multitude of different shapes and sizes with it.

“Other great applications include museums and public institutions where visitors want to explore and learn, higher education where students want to learn and connect with each other, and corporate spaces where information needs to be shared and analyzed by colleagues in a collaborative setting.�

Benefits of Christie Interactivity Kit:

-True multi-touch performance with excellent accuracy, resolution and response rates for large-format applications.

-Up to 18 touches on a 16 by 6 array (21.4 feet wide by 6 feet high).

-Ease of setup with USB connection and no drivers required.

-No manual calibration of sensors or cameras.

-Recognized by Windows® 7 natively as a multi-touch device.

-Seamless integration with Christie MicroTiles and Christie JumpStart.

“Now shipping, the Christie Interactivity Kit is an exciting breakthrough technology for creating large-format, multi-touch displays that was not possible until now – there is nothing like it. This technology opens up all kinds of new possibilities for connecting people with each other and with information, and for delivering impactful, branded experiences,� Heslett concluded.

Insertion of attention-grabbing facts before advertisements help keep customers focused on business message

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, January 29, 2013 — Barix will highlight its complete IP audio streaming and insertion solution at Digital Signage Expo (Las Vegas Convention Center, February 27-28, Booth 151), demonstrating how businesses can cost-effectively deliver targeted, dynamic messages to consumers as part of a comprehensive, custom audio program.

The Barix solution incorporates partner MOH Technology’s Adiosys ad insertion software with its Exstreamer IP decoders for audio playout. Andrew Stadheim, president of Barix Technology, U.S., says that businesses can use the complete solution to more effectively reach consumers — notably through insertion of news headlines, weather and other local-interest facts prior to ads and promotional messages.

“You’re hearing this more at gas pumps and in retail stores that place significance on audio programming, where businesses offer a teaser to entice the consumer, and follow with a business-related message,� said Stadheim. “It’s about engaging the listener up front with the goal of driving revenue. Your customers are more likely to tune out if you feed an advertisement right away.�

The Adiosys software offers a simple way for businesses to upload, schedule and target ads, jingles and promos, and simultaneously enable fact-insertion. Meanwhile, Barix Exstreamer devices are IP addressable, with the ability to receive and playout targeted messaging in one or more zones or locations. This ensures that businesses can deliver the right messages to the right locations.

“This gives retailers and other businesses two key advantages: reliable, high-quality audio playout using Barix IP audio devices; and the ability to create a personalized, broadcast-quality audio stream with dynamic messages for each of your locations,� said Stadheim.

Barix offers several Exstreamer device models for in-store media solutions, including the Exstreamer 110 IP audio device with song, title and other stream information in a front panel window; and the Exstreamer 205, which includes built-in amplification to reduce costs and infrastructure at playout locations.

About Barix AG (www.barix.com)
Barix AG, headquartered in Zurich Switzerland, specializes in research and development of state of the art IP based communication and control technology. The company is a long-term and reliable supplier of IP audio and control devices, with more than 150,000 devices shipped in its first decade of business. Barix products are stand-alone and able to remotely connect worldwide over standard networks / Internet offering new and improved solutions to the commercial audio distribution, communication and automation industry. Barix products provide solutions in Audio over IP (audio distribution and monitoring, communication, security) and automation (remote controlling, monitoring and maintenance).

# # #
Barix AG, Seefeldstrasse 303, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 43 43322 11, Fax: +41 44 2742849
Barix Technology Inc, St. Paul, MN – (866) 815-0866

http://www.barix.com

http://www.ip-audio.info

Wide assortment of tried-and-proven media distribution, wire, cable and accessory products for residential and commercial jobs available from Catalyst AV’s 16-locations

Burlington, MA – January 29, 2013 – Catalyst AV, a newly-formed nationwide distribution network serving more than 10,000 integrators from 16-locations stateside — with emphasis on support before, during and after the sale — today announced that it has entered into agreements to nationally distribute Vanco, ICE Cable and PPC.

�Media distribution, a robust network, wire and cable, telecommunications connectors and accessories – these are the cornerstones of today’s complex residential and light commercial installations,� says board member Steve Presti, principal of member-company Easy Access Distribution.

“Catalyst AV’s goal is to benefit installers by delivering the right products and support necessary to execute the demands of job specifications with confidence. We’re quite certain that these well-established brands will help us achieve just that,� added Presti.

The Catalyst AV member-companies are:
• Allnet Distributing (www.allnetdistributing.com) (Midwest)
• Audio Video Warehouse (www.av-warehouse.com) (Nevada, Arizona)
• Custom Plus Distributing (www.customplusdistributing.com) (Pacific NW / Alaska)
• Easy Access Distribution (www.easyaccessdistribution.com) (Northeast)
• Electronic Lane Distributors (www.electroniclane.com) (Southwest)
• Electronics Source (www.electronics-source.com) (Florida and Southeast)
• Electronic Stockroom (www.electronicstockroom.com) (California)
• HCA Distributing (www.hcadist.com) (Rocky Mountains)
• Pioneer Music Company (www.pioneermusicinc.com) (Plains States)
• SPD (www.spmreps.com/sound-product-distributing) (Upstate NY)
• Tech Source Distributors (www.techsourcedist.com) (Mid-Atlantic)

Look for upcoming press releases regarding additional Catalyst AV vendor partner announcements, as well as line shows and training events.

Muto Communications, LLC is Catalyst AV’s PR agency of record. Please direct media inquiries to Paul Muto at paul@mutocomm.com; 631.849.4301.

About Catalyst AV
Founded in 2012, Catalyst AV is a network of 11 independent consumer electronics distributors serving the residential and professional AV channels in the U.S. Catalyst AV grants manufacturers a consistent and cohesive nationwide distribution model to more than 10,000 professional integration specialists. Catalyst AV benefits integrators by delivering all the products and support necessary to execute the demands of job specifications with confidence.
The Catalyst AV Board of Directors is Mike Hench (Electronics Source); Steve Presti (Easy Access Distribution) and Wally Whinna (Allnet Distributing). www.catalystav.com

X2O Platform to Power Twitter(TM) Shuffle Videowall in Prysm Stand and Prysm Twitter Cube Application in ISE Press Room

MONTREAL — Jan. 28, 2013 — X2O Media, a provider of software for real-time visual communication applications, today announced that the company will team up with video display provider Prysm Inc. at ISE 2013. At the show, the award-winning X2O platform will drive live tweets to a Prysm videowall in stand 11-H4D, while powering the Prysm Twitter(TM) Cube application in the ISE press room. more

Integrators can be assured that their AV switching and distribution infrastructure will support tomorrow’s technology

Huntsville, Alabama (January 16, 2013) — SVSi, the industry’s leading provider of Networked AV solutions and pioneer in IP-based AV distribution solutions announced today that the technology used in its next generation of Networked Encoders and Decoders is capable of supporting Ultra-HD resolutions of 4K up to 120-Hz and 8K up to 60-Hz. SVSi’s integrators can now be assured that their Networked AV video switching and distribution infrastructure will be able to support tomorrow’s technology.

“I’m very excited to see this growth path in resolution and frame-rate since SVSi technology can readily accommodate Ultra-HD traffic on existing gigabit copper networks without having to wait for next generation 10-gig fiber or copper appliances,” said Andy Whitehead, President of SVSi. “SVSi’s Networked AV technology is capable of 8K at 60-Hz through a single gigabit drop, while Non-IP-based distribution solutions like HDBaseT require 10.2-Gbps to send 4K at 30-Hz.â€�

As Ultra High-Definition (also referred to as Super Hi-Vision) devices make their way into corporate and entertainment venues around the globe, SVSi is engineering its products to accommodate the anticipated demand for the latest adaptation of High Definition. This year’s Consumer Electronic Show proved that Ultra-HD is the next big step in HD mania with mega companies like Samsung, Sharp and Sony who are already showcasing their Ultra-HD innovations. Winning the category of “Best in HDTVs� was Sony’s 56-inch Ultra-HD OLED. Another momentous event for Ultra-HD was during the 2012 London Olympics where the games were broadcasted live from the BBC Radio Theatre, BBC Scotland and the National Media Museum in Bradford using NHK’s 8K Ultra HDTV.

From televisions to camcorders to cellphones to tablets, users can expect Ultra-HD to start making its way into retail stores in the beginning of 2013. As a leading manufacturer of AV distribution equipment, SVSi is making sure that its products provide the most advanced technological benefits for audio and video system designers and installers. Get more out of your AV installation with Networked AV from SVSi.

About SVSi – SVSi’s Networked AV product solutions deliver digital media distribution and matrix switching that simply works. Any combination of analog and digital sources connects easily to any number of outputs over the most reliable switching solution in the industry. Our easy to install, cost-effective products offer point-to-multipoint streaming of HD content over standard IT infrastructure. SVSi., based in Huntsville, Alabama, was founded in 2003, and has reinvented the way high-definition media is delivered to Government, Corporate, Education, Retail, Healthcare, Entertainment and Event Centers and Houses of Worship.

Get more out of your AV installation with Networked AV from SVSi. Distribution | Switching | Recording | Windowing | Wall Processing | Control

For more information, visit www.svsiav.com

If you would like additional information about this topic, or to schedule an interview please call Kevin Deasy at 256-461-7143

The new Christie® WeatherAll Series of LCD outdoor flat panels makes its global debut at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Amsterdam, Netherlands on January 29, setting the standard for outdoor LED-backlit LCD technology. Rugged and versatile, the first of the WeatherAll Series is the 55-inch Christie FHD551-W, a professional grade full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) solution designed to perform in a wide range of applications including outdoor sporting venues, outdoor live events, architectural applications, entertainment parks, public displays, the hospitality and resort industry, transportation services, and numerous other outdoor environments not typically applicable with standard LCD panels.

“Christie is at the forefront in offering what customers need and the WeatherAll Series is designed to be the clear choice in an outdoor weatherproof display solution,� said Frank Anzures, senior product manager, Christie. “First in our WeatherAll Series, the Christie FHD551-W is easy to maintain while providing robustness and the vivid picture quality needed when presenting your message outdoors.�

The Christie FHD551-W features optically bonded glass for increased protection against harsh impacts and scratches in public display environments while enhancing viewability in outdoor venues by reducing reflection. It is designed to provide high contrast ratio, rich vibrant colors, and superior brightness to overcome high ambient light — making it perfect for outdoor use.

The ability to use the Christie FHD551-W in landscape or portrait mode is ideal for rental staging applications, resorts, hotels and restaurants, to provide impactful content in public areas, while being rugged and durable to withstand rain, sleet, snow, and human interaction. The Christie FHD551-W’s integrated speakers and sleek design makes this a visually appealing solution compared to traditional LCD products that would require enclosures when used in outdoor environments.

“The typical flat panel displays are not designed for outdoor use and the risk of damage when exposed to the elements is very high. However, the high definition Christie FHD551-W is designed to be IP56 rated / NEMA4 and has a DACS filtration system to protect it and allow for it to be used in harsh weather conditions and withstand the abuse of public display areas,� said Anzures. “With the addition of optically bonded glass it increases sunlight readability by up to 400 percent when compared with standard flat panels and increases scratch and impact resistance by up to 300 percent.�

For superior dependability in the most challenging outdoor environments, the DACS cooling & filtration system provides a thermostatically-controlled active system that protects sensitive electronics from temperature extremes, moisture, and dust. The advanced easy-clean solution eliminates the need for core filter replacement. The FHD551-W features a weather rating of IP56/NEMA4, providing protection against solid foreign objects such as falling dirt or windblown dust in addition to rain, sleet, snow, ice and splashing or hosed water.

“The Christie FHD551-W can easily manage temperatures ranging from a scorching 45 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) all the way down to a bone chilling minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as rain, snow, dust and high humidity, without those factors affecting performance. This new outdoor flat panel also boasts integrated weatherproof speakers to provide a full solution for outdoor use,� added Anzures.

Benefits of Christie FHD551-W with Optical Bonding
- Improves sunlight readability up to 400 percent.
- Increases impact and scratch resistance up to 300 percent.
- Eliminates parallax: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object.
- Prevents condensation on LCD Panel.
- Significantly improves durability against vibration, extreme temperatures, altitudes, water and dust.
- Vastly improves contrast and color saturation readability.

The Christie FHD551-W is now shipping with a two-year parts and labor warranty, backed by Christie’s renowned customer service and support.

IRVINE, Calif. and GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jan. 24, 2013 — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations, today announced a significant expansion to its U.S. network by partnering with SYNNEX Corporation, a leading distributor of IT and consumer electronics products, and value-added integration services. Effective immediately, SYNNEX VISUALSolv Group and its consumer electronics division, New Age Electronics carry BenQ’s entire product line including projectors, monitors, and interactive flat panel displays (IFPs), ranging in size from 42- to 65-inches. more

The Hosted Buyers Programme and Digital Signage Tours at ISE 2013 will be sponsored by Listen Technologies tour group systems.

(January 23, 2013) Bluffdale, Utah, USA — Listen Technologies Corporation has announced sponsorship of the ISE 2013 Hosted Buyer Programme and Digital Signage Expert Tours via an in-kind donation of its tour group systems.

ISE AV Solution Partners will manage the tours through the show beginning Monday, January 28, 2013 through Thursday January 31, 2013. Programme sponsors this year are AMX, Crestron, Epson, LifeSize, Listen Technologies, NEC, RCF and syscomtec/Easescreen.

Listen’s tour group systems, which transmit the tour guide’s voice to receivers worn by tour participants, will also be used to facilitate the ISE 2013 Digital Signage Tours hosted by Invidis Consulting. The free tour provides an overview of a selection of exhibitors that helps participants understand the various considerations to digital signage including content, screens, software, extension, totems and audience measurement. Tour participants will be able to follow along and hear each presentation through Listen’s tour group system.

“This year it’s the 5th edition of the Hosted Buyer Programme with more attendees than ever,� noted Stefanie Hanel, Marketing Executive at Integrated Systems Europe. We understand how critical the audio guides are to what we do and are very appreciative of Listen’s support.�

The Listen tour group system includes an LT-700 Portable RF Transmitter with a microphone that allows the tour guide to speak in a normal tone of voice. Each guest will be provided with an LR-400 Portable Digital Display RF Receiver and an LA-164 Ear Speaker. With a transmission range of 150 ft (45.7 m), the tour guide is not subjected to voice strain and guests can stand at a comfortable distance without crowding.

“So often in our industry we plan and prepare for showcasing our technology visually, and often miss how critical it can be to hear the message of what is being shown,� said Cory Schaeffer, Vice President of Sales Worldwide at Listen Technologies. “We are pleased that we can provide the tour group gear to ISE and Invidis Consulting to ensure that their clients will have the best experience possible on the trade show floor.�

Listen Technologies will be providing product demonstrations at ISE of its RF, IR and ListenPoint solutions at Stand #E108.

About Listen Technologies Corporation
Listen Technologies Corporation manufactures and distributes wireless audio products world-wide for use in auditory assistance, soundfield, tour group, language interpretation and conferencing applications. Listen products provide superb audio performance, flexibility and ease of use, making them the ideal choice for schools, houses of worship, factories, entertainment facilities, government agencies and other entities. For more information on Listen solutions, contact Listen Technologies at +1.801.233.8992, or visit www.listentech.com.

Christie® technology took audiences inside the human brain at TEDxCaltech 2013 with its award-winning projection display solutions under the show’s theme, “The Brain.� Digital artist Jon 9, owner of Holonyne Corporation, produced immersive and stimulating backdrops and content related to the brain experts’ presentations that made the audience feel they were “inside� the brain of the conference itself. He also provided improvisational video mixing as accompaniment to musical performers David Torn and Moira Smiley.

Christie solutions included the Christie HD10K-M and Christie Roadster HD20K-J 3-chip DLP® projectors, as well as the multiple award-winning Christie® MicroTiles®, all controlled by the Christie Spyder video processor. Christie MicroTiles were featured on-stage as a free-standing “brick� configuration, its content synchronized with the projected images on three screens behind the performers, utilizing the curved walls of the auditorium to provide a fully immersive experience.

“Throughout my long career in the display industry, I have always looked up to Christie as a market leader that combines technical innovation with robust engineering and an expansive line of products,� said Jon 9. “I was extremely happy to be working with them on this project.�

Jon 9 said he is very grateful for the support from Christie. “Christie enabled us to bring professional display technology into the academic arena at a level that demonstrated the effectiveness of immersive, interactive digital environments within a scientific conference setting. By combining Christie’s high-powered 10K and 20K projectors with an on-stage MicroTiles video wall, and with the flexibility and power of the Christie Spyder, we created an environment that was both highly functional and visually stunning.�

Dr. Michael Roukes, Robert M. Abbey Professor of Physics, Applied Physics, and Bioengineering, and co-director of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech, who was co-organizer of the event, added, “We were very pleased to have Christie as a sponsor of TEDxCaltech. Their visual display products produced absolutely gorgeous visualizations and were vital to helping us provide a fully immersive experience for our audiences.�

Recognized worldwide for its exceptional programs, the Caltech faculty, members of which spoke at the event, have won hundreds of awards over the years, including multiple Nobel Prizes as well as medals of science and technologies.

Extenders Send A/V, IR Control, and Power Over a Single Category Cable

SAN JOSE, Calif.  Jan. 22, 2013  Atlona(R) today announced that the company is now shipping its HDMI(R) extenders featuring HDBaseT-Lite(TM) technology. This extender family sends audio, video, and IR control over a single category cable. The low-cost AT-HDTX (transmitter) and AT-HDRX (receiver) are ideal for moderately-priced home theater installations, extending 1080p up to 230 feet. The AT-HD-IR extender series offers the same solid reliability of HDBaseT-Lite with the addition of IR control functions. Both pairs feature Power over Category Cable (PoCc) to eliminate a power supply for the receiver. more