Despite having a lousy position in North Hall (N7453), Pantel is still stopping passersby. The company’s weather-proof panels are only a year in production, so Pantel is a little less well-known. But that’s about to change.

It’s all about the water when you’re in the company’s miniscule booth (well, water and the live music funneling over from stage just yonder; it makes the water seem even flashier). The water that’s being sprayed on the company’s displays is a slick graphic, hence the stopping. And the water being sprayed on the mirror-like unit? That’s a water-proof display unit that’s going into Hard Rock Hotel showers. more…

A company known for its imaging prowess, Canon was already making its own glass for AISYS optical systems that are found in its Realis line of LCoS projectors. But now Canon has taken another piece of the imaging puzzle in house: The panels themselves. The results of that move should hit the market soon after the show with two new Realis projectors, the WUX10 and the SX80.

The WUX10 is a WUXGA projector (1920×1200) with the native 16:10 aspect ratios found on most computers. Not only will it project the native resolution of 1080i HD video, but the WUX10 will also the desktops of the highest resolution computer monitors pixel-for-pixel. The projector offers 3200 lumens and a 1.5X powered zoom lens. At around $12,000 MSRP, the WUX10′s the target market is the higher-end corporate boardroom. more…

Sanyo really wanted to impress; somehow the four-piece orchestra didn’t seem to fit though, but it was a nice relaxing touch at the end of the day. After a delayed start and ironically multiple mic checks, the presentation got under way. Company VP Keiichi Yodoshi gave the storied history of the company’s projector timeline; Sanyo released its first projector model in 1989, and last year, the company released its first super-short-throw projector, with many milestone models sprinkled throughout. It really signified how far the company and the technology has come, and just where the company is headed: 8.8 million Sanyo units are projected to be sold in 2010, working from a steady 15 percent yearly increase average of projector market saturation the company has seen. more…

The big news over at Hitachi‘s booth wasn’t just projectors; it’s done that well. This year, the company is taking on more of the interactive whiteboard share, combining both the company’s short-throw projectors and interactive touchscreen technology. more…

Nothing is changing the retail experience like digital signage, but add interactivity, and it’s a whole new ROI playing field. DT Research (N7425) announced the expansion of the WebDT Signage System to include 12in. (DS1200), 42in. (DS4200), and 65in. (DS6500) displays, all with the ability to go interactive.

The DS1200 includes a built-in media player, but it’s the touchscreen option that really zeroes in on what Director of Business Development John Ochoa says is a new trend: combining interactive kiosks-type devices and digital signage players into one unit. more…

AMX continues to simplify technology with its introduction of a new, pre-packaged solution that provides AMX dealers with the tools they need to sell, design and install complex meeting room systems. AMXmeetingroom simplifies set up and execution for faster installations, higher reliability and increased dealer profitability. This first-of-its-kind solution includes all functional system programming and can be fully operational within only a few minutes. AMX is demonstrating AMXmeetingroom in booth C2902 at InfoComm 2008, being held June 18 – 20 in Las Vegas. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 08 news from The Briefing Room

MediaPointe is taking the YouTube craze to heart. Recognizing that every individual—and company, institution, and facility—is a content creator, MediaPointe is releasing its MediaPointe Ensemble, a server that stores and streams video files over a network. It’s an organized collection pool for all the disparate content. The company is saying its YouTube for the office or school. more…

For a company that made such a huge splash at last year’s InfoComm with its new SpectraPulse audioconferencing technology, it’s no surprise that for Audio-Technica, InfoComm 2008 is going to be a relatively quiet show – at least in terms of new product introductions. The company has completely redesigned its booth and recently made an effort toward uniform branding across all the markets it serves.

Dan Montecalvo, marketing manager with A-T, says the company’s been pleased with the rate of adoption of the high-end SpectraPulse system, which runs about $24,000 retail for a seven-channel conference room system. It’s an appealing choice for businesses that value ultra-reliable security over a remote slice of the digital spectrum. more…