Press release

The Telex RadioCom BTR-80N Narrow Band wireless intercom system offers comprehensive, user-friendly, and versatile set of features. Providing an unprecedented 25kHz of modulated band width, the BTR-80N Narrow Band system will allow more users per channel in the cramped UHF spectrum. Read on at The Briefing Room

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Press release

Neutrik introduces its XX-HD series, a heavy-duty XLR cable connector designed specifically for outdoor use, at InfoComm 09 (Booth 6561). A hybrid metal/rubber design, the new XX-HD Series is both dust and water protected, meeting the requirements of an IP67 rating, by mating it with the related XX-HD cable connector or Neutrik’s MPR-HD chassis connector. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

Vaddio‘s booth was a popular destination for people who like to watch cameras move. The TrackVIEW system can use a number of activation methods to make a conferencing or presentation camera follow the presenter in a much less stilted and mechanical looking way than was previously the norm with such equipment. Pressure mats, IR sensors, and human control can all be linked together and easily selected to allow the TrackVIEW system to do just that—track and view the subject on camera and stay with them. Through the use of multiple types of activation schemes, the system can be adapted to suit just about any environment and it looks like the Vaddio people were having just as much fun demonstrating it as the onlookers were having watching the gadgets work. These gizmos would have made Stanley Kubrik’s HAL, the computer, proud.

I had a good talk this afternoon with Ron Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing, at the Adtec Digital booth. Ron has to be one of the most well-traveled people in the business. Among many other places, he’s been to Europe and seen the way they have embraced digital signage and its huge array of applications there. It appears that in this field, as in others, the U.S. had better have its act together to keep up. The people there have taken a very practical approach and from what Ron tells me, they have gotten a good government-private partnership going to clear obstacles and maintain a very competitive position. While a lot of companies have struggled or gone under completely, Adtec has not only survived but thrived with a good take on the pulse of the industry worldwide. For instance, Adtec has developed applications that really put the often overlooked concept of metadata to work in the real world environment. Machine-generated and human-authored metadata appear to have been used effectively by Adtec in their latest products. It was a real pleasure listening to Ron’s take on the state of this fast moving and dynamic business.

Press release

MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, a provider of fiber-optic-based video and audio transport solutions for broadcast and pro AV applications, is introducing the SilverBullet Mini 3G HD/SDI fiber-optic link at InfoComm 09 (Booth 4629). This two-part transceiver/receiver solution, designed for the transmission of SDI and HD-SDI TV signals over a single-mode fiber optic cable, maintains the signal quality that broadcasters demand—5Mbps to 3Gbps. At just 3in. in length, this cost-effective solution is ideal for a wide variety of pro AV and broadcast applications, including video production and editing, ENG, sports teleproduction, field production, remote camera links, cross-campus production, pre-fibered venues, and courtesy feeds. Read on at The Briefing Room

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If you haven’t seen it yet, check out Panasonic‘s newest jumbo plasma screen—this time, an 85in. professional display showcased in a variety of applications at the Panasonic booth (4441).

While admiring it, I met with Jim Noecker, director of Systems Sales Engineering for Panasonic, who talked me through the display’s merits (50 percent brigher than the monster 103in. Panasonic display, NeoPDP energy-efficient technology, and so on). Among the most cool, and yet disconcerting aspects of the screen, is that it can display a person at their true height when turned vertically (and Panasonic has technology for doing just that). Jim also discussed the company’s very interesting “LCD versus Plasma” demo room display (the Panasonic point, shared by many, is that high-quality plasmas are better for professional displays), and the industry’s moves toward energy efficiency in these different types of displays (lead out, for instance, was easy because it only involved changing solder ingredients in circuitry), and many other interesting things on the mega-display front.

—MG

Partners Brian McCormick and Sean O’Malley, owners since 2007 of Stewart Audio, were eager to discuss this afternoon the fundamental remaking of their company over the past two years. The company still serves its original live-sound amplifier clients, but the new owners, who bought Stewart after lengthy stints in the semiconductor industry, decided to “re-engineer the company and seek new markets,” according to O’Malley.

Thus, today at InfoComm 09, they debuted the company’s new portable (palm-sized) power amps—the AV25 (2-channel Class D amp at 35W and 25W) that weighs less than .5lbs. and is plenum-rated, and other versions of similar size and different power capabilities. Both men say the technology is aimed at the education market—new for Stewart—and is the first of many upcoming moves into new vertical markets. O’Malley suggests that in a difficult economy, the education market is particularly ripe, at least for a certain period of time, as bond and TARP funds for modest infrastructure upgrades begin to circulate in major districts. more…

Press release

At InfoComm 09 Booth #6321, Revolabs announced that three premier providers of conferencing technology products for education and business collaboration have certified Revolabs as a partner in their value-added solution programs. Read on at The Briefing Room

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Bosch brands Midas and Klark Teknik announced at a booth press conference that effective July 1, Midas Consoles North America has been appointed as the exclusive distribution channel for Midas and Klark Teknik in the U.S. and Canada. Based in the Los Angeles-area, Midas Consoles North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of JAM Industries.
The move gives Midas and Klark Teknik direct control of its U.S. distribution channel as it markets the XL8 and PRO6 digital systems in the U.S. market. Midas’ David McNutt said that the existing Midas rep force in North America would be retained. more…

As wonderful as HDMI has been so far, one of its real weak points has been the inability for it to span any serious distance. At InfoComm this morning, Frank Jachetta of MultiDyne introduced the company’s new HDMI-ONE, which takes HDMI video and sound up to distances of 1000 meters on multimode fiber while HDCP data stays intact. Frank also showed the new SilverBullet 3G Fiber Link, an economical solution for taking SDI and HD-SDI signals for a long ride on single-mode fiber. Also on hand from MultiDyne was the new HDSDI Repeater/Transport and HDSDI Fan Out DA with HDMI and Audio monitoring.