PixelFLEX, innovators of the industry’s most flexible, lightweight and durable LED video screens, announced today the introduction of colored panels to meet customer demand. The new colored panels, available in red, blue, white and green, are ideal for theaters and touring musicians looking to produce unique visual effects. The new line of panels also opens up additional market opportunities for PixelFLEX, such as professional photography, as the easy-to-use, easy-to-set-up LED curtains can be used to create vivid background imagery.

The colored panels, made of DFR velvet drapery, come in a variety of resolutions, including 18mm, 20mm, 30mm, 37.5mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm, offering video display solutions to meet any and all imagery needs. Just as with their original LED Curtains, videos and images can be sent to PixelFLEX’s colored screens using any computer with a DVI-D connection. Each typical screen panel is approximately 8×4, but modifications can be made easily to meet specific needs of the consumer – panels can be attached together with PixelFLEX’s proprietary quicklock system.

Flexible in all directions, PixelFLEX LED Curtains are able to bend and shape around structures for a more creative display effect and can be stored in a single road case to simplify shipping. This flexibility, in combination with the product’s extraordinary light weight – PixelFLEX LED colored Curtains range from 4.5 lbs to 19.9 lbs per square meter, which is 60 to 90 percent less than most other LED video screens – provides substantial savings on transportation costs and space.

“We’ve received an enormous amount of interest from theatre production departments and musicians for our original LED video panels because of the ease of use and mobility, as well as the cost efficiencies achieved from being able to pack them in a single touring case,” said Jeremy Byrd, president and founder of PixelFLEX. “The introduction of colored panels provides even greater flexibility to our customers to meet their project requirements, while providing them with the same benefits as our original offerings.”

For more information on PixelFLEX and its growing line of flexible, lightweight LED video screens, visit www.LEDCurtain.com. Follow PixelFLEX at www.Facebook.com/PixelFLEXUSA and @LEDCurtain.

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. has announced the availability of Version 1.51 firmware upgrade for the CL Digital Console Series.

New features include Scene Preview functionality; the Help function is further supported by an on-screen reference guide, which once loaded, resides in the console permanently. The recently launched Ri8-D, Ro8-D, and NXAmp with NXDT104 have been added as Dante devices that can be detected/patched into the CL Series. A CUE LEVEL knob has been added to the CUE section, allowing adjustment of the CUE level and can be assigned to a custom fader or user defined knob. The HPF in the Parametric EQ section has been improved with an option for a slope of -12dB/oct or -6dB/oct.

Yamaha CL Version 1.51 also includes improvements to the DANTE SETUP screen, and a NEW I/O DEVICE screen, separate from the VIRTUAL RACK screen has been added, allowing for more flexible control and management of each I/O device.

“Our company continually strives to make significant improvements and additions of key features and benefits to systems’ firmware that will be beneficial to our customers,� states Kevin Kimmel, Systems Application Engineer, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. “Version 1.51 for the CL Series is proof that we don’t just put a new product out, we continue to improve on that product based on input from our end users.�

Yamaha CL Version 1.51 firmware upgrade is available now, free of charge via download at 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 features include multi-channel capture support and ISO recording to H.264, DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO HD

Matrox Video today announced support for Telestream Wirecast 4.2.4 for Windows software and new features across the entire line of Matrox® MXO2™ capture devices and the Mojito MAX™ I/O card. Multiple Matrox I/O products can now be used to provide multi-channel capture for streaming and ISO recording of live events. In addition, Matrox ISO recording now supports direct capture to H.264 on Matrox I/O products with MAX and direct capture to DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO HD on all products enabling post-event editing using popular apps from Adobe, Apple and Avid.

“We’ve opened up Matrox ISO recording to include additional codecs so that all of our customers can use their NLE of choice for post-event editing of live productions,� said Wayne Andrews, product manager at Matrox. “Wirecast users are sure to find the exact digital and analog video and audio connectivity they need in the versatile Matrox product line and they can add additional channels as their budgets allow.�

Matrox streaming production solutions for Wirecast will be demonstrated at the 2013 NAB Show in booth SL4616.

Price and availability
Matrox MXO2 devices are priced starting at $449 US (£338, €382) not including local taxes and delivery. Matrox Mojito MAX is priced at $995 US (£749, €799). Matrox products are available through a worldwide network of authorized dealers. Support for Wirecast 4.2.4 for Windows is part of Matrox driver release 7.3 which is available to registered users as a free download from the Matrox website.

About Matrox
Matrox Video is a technology and market leader in the field of HD and SD digital video hardware and software for accelerated H.264 encoding, realtime editing, audio/video input/output, streaming, A/V signal conversion, capture/playout servers, channel-in-a box systems and CGs. Matrox’s Emmy award-winning technology powers a full range of multi-screen content creation and delivery platforms used by broadcasters, telcos, cable operators, post-production facilities, videographers and A/V professionals worldwide. Founded in 1976, Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. For more information, visit www.matrox.com/video.

SEATAC, WA — More than 100 people attended last month’s Audio, Visual, Lighting Conference and Expo (AVL Expo) at Experience Church in Puyallup, Wash. Produced by professional video and audio systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS), in collaboration with ExperienceChurch.tv®, the one-day conference included an exhibit hall and educational sessions specifically tailored for the worship community.

“The feedback we received was fantastic, and the sessions were very well attended,� said Arco Groenenberg, ABS vice president of sales and marketing. “This was our fifth AVL Expo since 2009, and we saw a lot of new faces. It’s really become an important event for churches in the Northwest that want to maximize their AV resources.�

“I think people were ready to regain their vision after the fiscal challenges most churches faced,� added Dennis Cummins, Pastor at Experience Church.tv. “People were looking with a fresh and more realistic approach to what was possible in their budget domains. They also appreciated being in the ‘real world’ of an everyday church, not a mega church or expo hall.�

The conference schedule featured nine educational sessions, as well as a panel discussion to close the program. Sessions covered a variety of topics, including I-MAG (image magnification), multi-site content distribution, and live production.

Cummins said the branding session had a noticeable impact on attendees. “It really made people think how to use their media to communicate their message and better unify their message,� he explained, “and gave them great confidence in moving ahead in purchasing equipment.�

About ABS:

Based in SeaTac, WA, ABS (Advanced Broadcast Solutions) delivers customized, technologically superior solutions for broadcast, corporate, house of worship, entertainment, government, and educational facilities – from design and integration to installation and support services. Since 1982, its experienced technical staff has installed more than 700 systems for clients including Fisher Communications, Cowles California Media, Real Networks, Cisco Systems, and Microsoft Studios. For more information, call 206-870-0244 or visit www.advancedbroadcastsolutions.com.

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.

GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA: Not content to rest on its laurels, Danley Sound Labs announces improvements to many of its already highly-regarded SH-Series full-range loudspeakers. The new versions are identified by the suffix “HO,� which stands for “high output.� For example, the if one wishes to get the most performance out of the Danley SH-96 they should order the Danley SH-96 HO. The new designs use a more powerful two-way high frequency. As a result, the low- and mid-frequency drivers can now be driven to their full potential while still maintaining Danley’s characteristic frequency response, phase response, and fidelity. In conjunction, the new designs use a new crossover and have additional options for bi-amping and for changing the low-frequency impedance. Because the cabinets themselves haven’t changed, the new versions retain the coverage and frequency loss patterns of the originals. The new models include the SH-95 HO, SH-96 HO, SH-64 HO

“The original versions can be easily modified to become the new ‘High Output’ versions,� explained Ivan Beaver, lead engineer at Danley Sound Labs. “It just takes the new high frequency driver, a new crossover, and a new switch panel.� In addition, the midrange drivers are also wired a little differently, which is incorporated as part of the new crossover wiring harness. “There are two options on the new switch panel,� said Beaver. “First, there’s a biamp/passive switch. In passive mode, the new cabinets run pretty much like the old versions, except that the mid/high section will be relatively louder than the woofers, assuming the woofers are running at 8ohms.�

He continued, “And that’s the second option. Users can select a woofer impedance of either 2ohms or 8ohms. Some people do not like to run at 2ohms, whereas others may need the additional output when using smaller amplifiers. The wire run should also be considered when choosing the impedance. With a 2ohm load there will be more loss across the wire. How much loss will depend on the size of the wire and the length of the run. An 8ohm load will have a higher damping factor than a 2ohm load, and it is of course easier to bridge an amp into an 8ohm load than into a 2ohm load.� In biamp mode, the mid/high section takes the crossover circuitry and the low section thus has no built-in crossover.

Because the new switch panel cannot be expected to operate reliably if left exposed to the elements, weatherized versions of the new High Output loudspeakers must be pre-ordered with specified biamping and impedance settings.

ABOUT DANLEY SOUND LABS Danley Sound Labs is the exclusive home of Tom Danley, one of the most innovative loudspeaker designers in the industry today and recognized worldwide as a pioneer for “outside the box” thinking in professional audio technology. www.danleysoundlabs.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

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.

LAKELAND, Florida — HARMAN’s Soundcraft Studer mobile truck will be coming to the First Baptist Church at the Mall on March 4 and 5, 2013 for Open House sessions focusing on live sound mixing for houses of worship. The Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida can accommodate almost 2,500 congregants and is equipped with a Studer Vista 5 M2 digital console.

The sessions will provide hands-on training about how to use Soundcraft and Studer consoles in a house of worship environment, along with instruction about the particular requirements of house of worship mixing and audio production for live sound and broadcast.

“Mixing audio for a house of worship can be just as complex and demanding as mixing sound for a rock concert or theater production, especially when you have to mix a full praise band, choir, preacher and others, deal with the acoustics of a large sanctuary or mega church and possibly also create separate mixes for a live broadcast, recording, foyer and other areas� said Katy Templeman-Holmes of Soundcraft Studer. “The Open House is an opportunity to learn from us and from some of our users basic through advanced theory to hands-on tips and tricks on how to get the most out of Soundcraft and Studer consoles and the specific features that make them ideal for house of worship applications.�

Attendees will have the opportunity to work with Soundcraft and Studer factory experts to receive demos and training on various consoles, from their general operation and signal flow to the consoles’ unique features. Jason Bethune of HARMAN Professional’s regional rep firm Dobbs Stanford will be on hand both days to cover all HARMAN-related questions.

The Open House will be held at the First Baptist Church at the Mall, 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801. Details are available at usa.soundcraft.com.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

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

MS1600X Multi Screen Appliance

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.