100 Years of History Comes Alive At Canadian Prep School with the Aid of Christie Technology

Appleby College, an Oakville, Ontario-based prep school, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with the aid of 26 Christie HD10K-M 3-chip DLP projectors installed and managed by Metalworks Production Group, a live event company.

With the projectors installed 18-feet high in a 360-degree circle around the interior of Appleby Arena, Metalworks knew the concept presented challenges in drafting and designing the rigging. According to Mitch Mazerolle, technical director, Metalworks Production Group, 26 projectors flown at precise distances from the 360-degree surface made it a challenge to get the lens throw exact for the fixed lenses.

Christie Projectors Light up the Hockey Arena at Appleby College

“We were dealing with a low-ceiling hockey rink and several projectors so everything was very tight. Given the configuration and height, we knew the edge blending needed to be precise but I spoke extensively with Geoff Chick (central and western regional sales manager, Christie) and John Hallman (senior manager, regional sales, Christie) and they helped immensely,� said Andrew McLaren, video department manager, Metalworks. “Metalworks is extremely pleased with the flexibility and powerful nature of the (embedded) Christie Twist technology. The blending and warping worked perfectly, making for a visually stimulating and tastefully done presentation.�

Christie Twist enables full image warping and advanced edge blending through the control of a powerful and easy to use Graphic User Interface. Users can expertly control edge-blended multiple curved images seamlessly. Images can be warped to fit virtually any dimension or shape display with perfect pixel-to-pixel alignment.

With a century of Appleby College history to look back upon, three era-specific segments – including photos dating back to 1912 – were displayed. The first era featured memories from the school’s 1912 opening until the end of the 1940s with the second part covering the 1950s through the 1980s. The third part featured the 1990s to the present. The college contributed archival footage and Metalworks assembled digitally animated content segments – including digitally animated photos. Superimposed over the photos was custom-made animation. Bob Spencer, President of Metalworks, pitched the 360-degree blend concept for the show and the client was both immediately interested and extremely happy with the outcome.

“Metalworks is a Canadian company and it was a big plus to use a locally manufactured product. In fact, Metalworks is looking to increase its relationship with Christie and having its manufacturing facility just down the road is a big plus for us,� said McLaren. “We know there are other companies out there but for us, the dominoes all fell in the right place and the only logical choice was Christie. We’ve worked with Christie before and Christie products are reliable; we had 26 Christie projectors going and didn’t have to touch them for any reason. That is huge.�

“Considering everything Christie has to offer, it was a no-brainer to work with the company,� Mazerolle concluded. “For the price and ability to do what was required, the Christie HD10K-M projectors provided the idea solution. We are truly impressed with the capabilities of the technology and Christie made us look great.�

Manufacturer’s Participation in United Way’s “Backpacks 4 Kids� Program Provides Much Needed Supplies

Woodland Park, NJ — FSR, a Passaic County-based manufacturer, has partnered with United Way of Passaic County to make sure that local students have the supplies they need to maximize their school experience. FSR donated 50 backpacks stuffed with pens, pencils, erasers, crayons and notebooks, along with 50 lunch boxes to United Way for “Backpacks 4 Kidsâ€�, the organization’s school supply program – the largest of its kind in Passaic County.

Part of a larger United Way initiative and a combined effort between area businesses, “Backpacks 4 Kids� strives to send students back to school in the Fall armed with the tools they need to succeed.

“It’s our privilege to help the kids as they start a new school year,� said Jan Sandri, FSR’s president. “FSR is a part of the fabric of Passaic County, and we continue to support the United Way and their staff in their unwavering belief that children from all walks of life can succeed if they have the proper tools.�

“Education is one of the primary building blocks of a successful career and financial stability,� said Yvonne Zuidema, CEO/President of the United Way of Passaic County. “We are grateful to Jan Sandri and FSR, as well as our other local businesses, for their generous support of programs that help cultivate the community leaders of the future.�

FSR manufactures audio and video switching, control products, and connectivity boxes, from its headquarters in Woodland Park, NJ.

About FSR
FSR, established in 1981, manufactures a wide variety of products for the audio / video, education, hospitality, government, and religious markets, including AV floor, wall, table, and ceiling connectivity boxes, as well as a full line of interfaces, distribution amplifiers, matrix switchers, seamless switchers and CAT-5 solutions.

All FSR products are designed and manufactured in its Woodland Park, NJ facility. The company is an Energy Star Partner and complies with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to demonstrate its deep commitment to preserving the planet. FSR offers live 24/7 technical and sales support throughout the country from expertly trained technicians and sales representatives. For more information: www.fsrinc.com.

FSR Contact: Jan Sandri
973-785-4347 • sales@fsrinc.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications
Harriet Diener
845-512-8283 • harriet@desertmooncomm.com

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Hosted by Katie Couric with performances by Tony Bennett and his quartet with a special guest performance by Sting, the annual Exploring the Arts (ETA) fundraiser held October 4 at Cipriani’s mid-town in New York City raised $1.2 million. A star-studded red carpet affair, benefactors attending included Alec Baldwin, Jon Bon Jovi, Bryant Gumbel, Donna Karan, Lorraine Bracco, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Walters, and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

ETA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by Tony Bennett and his wife, Susan Benedetto. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the role of the arts in public high school education. ETA currently supports 14 partner schools in all five boroughs of New York City and reaches more than 10,000 public school students, the majority of who live below the poverty line. ETA’s flagship school, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts located in Astoria, Queens (the birthplace of Mr. Bennett), was founded by the Bennetts and opened in 2001.

Bennett is set to release VIVA DUETS on October 22, a CD featuring Latin recording artists, and The ZEN OF BENNETT, which was created and conceived by son Danny with a theatrical opening in NYC on October 24 (LA, SF, Chicago on November 2). In November, Bennett’s latest book “Life Is A Gift� will be released.

Audio production for the gala was provided by ACIR Professional (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), and included a Yamaha CL5 digital audio console with two RIO 3224-D remote I/Os used at front of house, a Yamaha PM5D-RH used for monitors, and Yamaha T3n amplifiers for monitor wedges. Additional products brought in by ACIR included Shure, A-T, Heil, Neuman and Sennheiser microphones and wireless monitor systems. The company also provided all of the backline instruments. Bennett LD, Ron Farino, designed the lighting for the event.

Long-time Bennett front of house engineer, production manager for the event, and co-owner of ACIR professional had his first opportunity to mix the show on the new Yamaha CL5. An avid fan of the Yamaha PM1D and PM5D, Young said using the CL5 for its compactness certainly made sense based on the footprint allocated for FOH in the Cipriani room. “I was quite pleased about the performance of the CL5 and how well it sounded,� states Young. “The console is very easy to navigate.�

For more information on Exploring the Arts, visit www.exploringthearts.org.

For more information on ACIR Professional, visit www.acirpro.com.

For more information on the Yamaha CL5, visit www.yamahaca.com.

-END-

PHOTO ID: Tom Young, Bennett’s front of house engineer and production manager

PHOTO CREDIT: Digital Warmth

About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

Christie®, which introduced the world’s first true solid state simulation projector, the Christie Matrix StIM™, held its third educational forum dedicated to the world of visual system requirements for the simulation industry. Open to the general simulation community and geared towards engineers and technical specialists, the one-day SIM University was held in Dayton, Ohio, home of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

This free full-day session, the third to be organized by Christie since 2011, is designed to increase knowledge of various visual system requirements by bringing together leading industry experts for presentations, Qs&As, an Ask-the-Expert panel discussion and informal one-to-one conversations.

In the session, experts from FlightSafety International, Visual Performance and Christie, covered topics ranging from image quality, night vision goggle training system setup and calibration to projector specifications, and color, brightness and latency, system maintenance considerations, glass vs. Mylar mirrors and stereoscopic/collimated display systems.

Christie recognizes leading experts Dr. Charles Lloyd, Visual Performance, LLC, and Doug Gill and Justin Knaplund of FlightSafety International for contributing to the simulation day educational program.

Simulation and training specialists wanting to learn more about the SIM University program and interested in registering for upcoming sessions can email the SIM University team.

New Boxes Offer High Capacity, Pleasing Aesthetics and Ease of Installation

Woodland Park, NJ – FSR, manufacturer of audio and video switching, control products, and connectivity boxes, has announced the addition of fire-rated 6� and 8� Poke-Thru floor boxes as part of its SmartFit family of products.

The easy-to-install, sturdy boxes, available in 6� and 8� sizes, present a high-capacity solution with an ultra-low profile design that eliminates the trip hazard frequently present in competitive products. The covers, available in three architectural finishes: brushed aluminum, brushed brass, and black, mix pleasing aesthetics with functionality. The entire cover door swings open 180° with two smaller cable access doors that fold down for cable egress while the cover door is secure. Each box features a variety of sub-plates that can be configured to allow the power, audio, video and data connections needed for nearly every application thus addressing the challenge of insufficient capacity.

All SmartFit poke-thru floor boxes are UL listed in Canada and the United States for fire and scrub water.

For additional information regarding the SmartFit family visit www.fsrinc.com or contact FSR directly at (800) 332-3771 or at sales@fsrinc.com.

About FSR
FSR, established in 1981, manufactures a wide variety of products for the audio / video, education, hospitality, government, and religious markets, including AV floor, wall, table, and ceiling connectivity boxes, as well as a full line of interfaces, distribution amplifiers, matrix switchers, seamless switchers and CAT-5 solutions.

FSR complies with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is a woman owned business. FSR offers live 24/7 technical and sales support throughout the country from expertly trained technicians and sales representatives. For more information visit www.fsrinc.com.

###

FSR Contact: Jan Sandri
973-785-4347 • sales@fsrinc.com
Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications
Harriet Diener
845-512-8283 • harriet@desertmooncomm.com

In 2010 the Virginia Tech swimming and diving teams moved their home to the Christiansburg Aquatic Center after decades at the pool inside War Memorial Gym on Virginia Tech campus. Built in cooperation with the town of Christiansburg and Virginia Tech, the 64,000 square-foot facility features a full-size, 50-meter Olympic-style pool – double the length of the pool at their previous location. The facility also features two 1-meter springboards, two 3-meter springboards and a diving tower with 5-, 7.5- and 10-meter platforms. The venue can seat up to 1,000 spectators that can watch the swim meets on the massive scoreboard and video board adjacent to the diving boards and platforms.

In the winter of 2012, the facility drew conference-wide recognition by serving as the hosts for the ACC Championships. “We wanted to make sure we were capable of streaming live SD video to the cable networks, showing live HD video on our video board and still be able to make DVD copies for our participants,� explained Kevin Hicks, Director of Broadcasting and Visual Media at Virginia Tech.

After bringing in Jim Hogan of IES Commercial, Inc. – and a year of convincing, planning and designing – they installed an HD/SD Vaddio camera system. “Originally they wanted to put in a broadcast cable system for TV coverage,� says Hogan. “When it came down to it they thought, ‘Why put in all this expensive broadcast equipment when it might only be used once in a while – and they wanted the ability to do streaming with multiple cameras. We suggested the Vaddio systems.�

Four WallVIEW HD-19 cameras and a WallVIEW 100 camera are placed throughout the pool area. The original locations of the HD-19 cameras had to be altered in order to capture the height of both the low and high diving boards. One HD-19 is placed about 20 feet above the stands on the second level of the pool deck. Another camera is placed below the pool deck for shooting straight at the swimmers as they swim toward the camera, while an additional two HD-19 cameras capture both the stands and the diving platforms. The standard definition WallVIEW 100 sits about 20 feet above the pool deck for capturing the scoreboard showing swim meet results.
“There was concern about how the cameras would react to the moisture, as the swimming pool is a closed room,� stated Hogan. “We originally priced it with environmental closures, but due to budgetary constraints and having to run electricity, we ended up not doing so. But it ended up not being an issue at all. Even though the cameras are around an indoor swimming facility, its pretty dry, so the Vaddio cameras ended up working well in the conditions.�

The cameras are controlled by a ProductionVIEW HD MV camera control switcher/mixer with a built-in multiviewer. The system works really smoothly explains Hicks. “We were able to easily bring in and mix both the standard definition and high definition outputs from the different cameras. Streaming the video in SD and displaying the HD video on the video board was really big for us.�
Hicks is streaming with Windows Media Encoder and a deal with CBS Sports Interactive hosts the videos online.
“We’ve been very happy with the final products. What was kind of neat about it was the fact that Kevin wasn’t really interested in Vaddio, being a broadcast guy. He kept making these other suggestions and I said, ‘Come on man, give it a chance and check it out – and he is so happy and tickled to death with the way it works.�

About Vaddio

Vaddio is the premiere global manufacturer of PTZ cameras, specialty camera control systems and professional USB peripherals used in the audiovisual, videoconference and broadcast marketplaces. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., Vaddio stands behind manufacturing innovative, quality technology your customers demand. You want cost-effective equipment that’s easy to install and reliable to operate. Vaddio serves integrators and operators alike – with broadcast-quality PTZ cameras and control systems that deliver the performance you need with the convenience you demand. More information can be found at vaddio.com or by phone at (800) 572.2011.

About IES

Built on a handful of the best – and safest – contracting companies in the country, IES came together to create a national electrical, AV integration and communications service provider. With more than 600 active projects and more than 2,400 dedicated professionals, IES has designed, installed and serviced everything from large-scale data centers to smaller solutions in the commercial, industrial, residential and educational marketplaces. The idea behind IES has always been to power progress. More information can be found at www.ies-co.com.

BUENA PARK, Calif.—On Tuesday, November 27, TC Furlong will host a Digital Console Showcase at the Moody Church, 1635 N. LaSalle Drive in Chicago from 3:00 – 8:00 pm CST in Rooms 107/108. The Showcase will include the new Yamaha CL Digital Console Series including the CL1, CL3 and CL5, and Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems staff will be on hand for demos and to answer questions. The TC Furlong event is free and open to the public but space is limited so RSVP early at 847-367-9588.

For more information visit www.tcfurlong.com.

For directions to the Moody Church, visit http://www.moodychurch.org.

For more information on the Yamaha CL Digital Console Series, visit www.yamahaca.com.

-END-

About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

New VW30 Series at the Forefront of Design and Performance

IRVINE, Calif. — Oct. 11, 2012 — BenQ America Corp. today introduced its latest innovation — the VW30 Series of vertical alignment (VA) LED monitors — a combination of forward-thinking features and sleek minimalistic design. With full MacBook(R) compatibility, LED backlighting, and VA panel technology, the all-white VW30 Series is designed to provide premium visual experiences with a touch of sophistication. Powerful yet simple, the monitors offer an elegant alternative intended to inspire today’s creative and eco-friendly lifestyles. more

WOODBURY, NEW YORK – Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd., today announced that Radio-TV-Film students at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas used four of the department’s six Hitachi Z-HD5000 HDTV studio production cameras to produce three half-hour episodes of an original sitcom, “Peppuccinos.�

The sitcom—created and produced by Noah Sargent while an undergraduate senior in the spring of 2012—takes place in a shop that offers coffee on one side and pizza on the other, hence the name “Peppuccinos.�

Sargent and fellow radio-TV-film students volunteered their time to tackle every aspect of the demanding multi-camera production—including scriptwriting, manning cameras, technical directing, lighting design, audio recording, and music composition. They also had help from UNT theater students who lent their acting talents to bring the project to life while cameras rolled before a small studio audience.

“This was one of the most ambitious projects we’ve attempted, and the results were impressive. Were it not for the quality of these Hitachi cameras, we probably wouldn’t have attempted this,� said James M. Martin, a senior lecturer at the University of North Texas and technical supervisor of the sitcom. “The Hitachi cameras produced excellent HD image quality, and the students were able to ‘dial in’ the exact look they wanted because the camera shading controls were so easy to use.�

All six Hitachi cameras—purchased through Hitachi dealer Burst Communications in Houston—are outfitted with Hitachi CU-HD500 camera control units (CCUs) and RU-1000VR remote control panels.

“Producing these sitcom episodes put our students in a real-world, multi-camera television environment where they could really apply and refine the skills they learned in class,� said Martin. Prior to the “Peppuccinos� project, UNT students primarily produced newscasts, such as “The NTTV Nightly News,� a daily, half-hour news report featuring field reports via Skype; elections coverage for broadcast by local cable systems; as well as a Spanish language program. UNT has won several “Lone Star Emmy Awards for Excellence in Student Broadcasting� and other awards.

This student-driven sitcom production maximized UNT’s video facility resources, especially Studio A where the “Peppuccinos� set and risers for up to 35 audience members were constructed. The larger of two UNT studios, Studio A has an adjacent control room that houses a Ross Vision-M 1.5-M/E multi-format switcher, Compix Synergy 2 dual-channel HD graphics system, Blackmagic Design Videohub router, and a 360 Systems HD Max server.

“Since we installed six Hitachi Z-HD5000 HD cameras in 2010, we’ve transitioned to a fully digital, HD-SDI workflow that helps make the most of the high-quality imagery these cameras capture,� Martin said. “As a university facility, we need to stretch our dollars as far as they can go to provide our students with the best possible studio production experience, and Hitachi enables us to do that.�

The three “Peppuccinos� episodes were staged and recorded in one weekend, and that video is being edited by students using Apple Final Cut Pro. When finished, the shows will air on North Texas Television, a local origination channel devoted to UNT programming that is offered by the local Charter cable system, as well as on UNT’s website.

“This was a unique project that brought two UNT departments together—Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts,� said Martin who collaborated with UNT Theater Professors Adam Chamberlin and Mario Tooch. “Based on the success of these three episodes, we’re looking forward to offering more multi-camera production projects and classes where students can obtain valuable skills and academic credit. Our goal is to prepare our students for the media jobs of the 21st century by giving them training they can’t get anywhere else.�

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 400,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2009 (ended March 31, 2009) consolidated revenues totaled 10,000 billion yen ($102.0 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials, logistics and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at www.hitachi.com.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd. designs, manufacturers and markets video cameras, digital transmission, processing and recording devices for the broadcast television, cable, video production, and industrial vision markets. For more information, please call (516) 921-7200 or visit Hitachi’s web site at http://www.hitachikokusai.us . Hitachi Kokusai Electric, Inc. (TSE, OSE: 6756), is a Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) group company.

Full versions of all press releases and product images are posted on the web site in the pressroom section: www.hitachikokusai.us

Each year audiovisual professionals celebrate the AV industry during a week-long event in October, known as AV week. AV specialists use AV Week as opportunity to raise awareness of the span of AV applications in many markets including business, government and education. Without a doubt, this is also a fine occasion for RelampIt to encourage recycling within the markets that AV touches, and reinforce the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

RelampIt receives thousands of lamps during their month long projector lamp recycling program every year. They anticipate a record number of participants and lamps recycled during the 2012 event.
Kicking off during AV week and extending through the month of October, the annual RelampIt Recycling Raffle is RelampIt’s way of:
• celebrating the AV industry during AV Week
• encouraging participants to recycle, furthering their sustainability initiatives
• continuing to support a cost-free, end of lifetime option for projection lamps

RelampIt’s Lamp Recycling Raffle runs October 15th through November 9th. To participate you are simply required to recycle your projector lamps! Submit a minimum of 20 lamps to the RelampIt Recycling Center, which qualifies you for (1) entry in the lamp recycling raffle. Participants have the opportunity to win one of two prizes, including a grand prize of a brand new front projector. Winners are selected randomly from all eligible entries. The more you recycle, the greater your chances are of winning! Each entry of 20+ lamps will count as (1) entry. Visit www.relampit.com for more details about the RelampIt Recycling Raffle and terms & conditions.

RelampIt provides new lamps in re-certified housings for the projection display industry. RelampIt has developed a process that allows projection lamps to be recertified at a reduced cost without compromising lifetime or performance. RelampIt also offers a no charge projector lamp recycling service. The RelampIt Projector Lamp Recycling Center, focuses on reducing waste and environmental contamination from the lamps found in front and rear projectors.
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