In a building full of black rectangular boxes you might overlook Communications Specialties new Fiberlink Matrix. But if you work on budget-sensitive projects that require a lot of routing, it could be the most business-friendly Infocomm debut you’ll see this year because it attacks an entrenched problem. You’re all familiar with the configuration limitations of routers (multiply by 8in/8out). We’ve all seen routers from the back—32 jam-packed outs, 2 lonely ins, and a bunch of empty connectors sitting in front of idle processors.

The Fiberlink Matrix (OM32 Fiber Optic Matrix/Signal Router) allows you to configure one I, one O at a time. The box remains the same but where there were empty pins there are plugs and where there were idle processors there is…nothing. Nothing you have to buy and not use. This new paradigm allows Communications Specialties to dramatically disrupt pricing on optical routers, because they can effectively price by the exact number of I/Os required by the individual application. This may not mean an enormous amount on a one-router job, but for installations that require multiples, the savings could virtually be your margin.

Orlando, Florida, June 17, 2009: Electro-Voice has been building the world’s most trusted touring sound systems since the industry began. Tour X condenses every ounce of EV’s tour-proven engineering expertise into a complete line of multi-purpose loudspeakers designed to deliver the ultimate audio experience for portable or installed applications. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

Press release

X2O Media announced that it will be demonstrating the latest version of its X2O Web Portal at InfoComm 09. The X2O Web Portal is a comprehensive Web-based platform for managing, planning, and scheduling content for digital signage networks of any size. By combining network monitoring, content management, live data feed management, advertising campaign tools, and customizable reporting features, the X2O Web Portal provides unprecedented power through an intuitive Web interface that greatly reduces the resources and time required to set up, control, and maintain a digital signage network. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

More companies took the show as an opportunity to make announcements, such as the agreement between Yamaha and Audinate. As of this month, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems will handle North American distribution of Audinate’s Dante-MY16-AUD networking card. The Dante-MY16-AUD card is compatible with a wide range of Yamaha products and fits in the MY16 slots of processors and power amps, providing bi-directional audio and networking functionality.

More signs of springtime for the economy: more…

Press release

At InfoComm 09, JBL is introducing the Control Contractor 50 series, a nonpowered, surface-mount, subwoofer-satellite loudspeaker system for applications where wide-bandwidth, high-fidelity foreground/background music is required. The Control 50′s stylish appearance, easy mounting, and compatibility with JBL’s Control 40 series in-ceiling models make it the most versatile subwoofer-satellite system in its class. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

It’s hard to pick a true favorite, but if I did…. So, Rich Zweibel and John Britton (the Media Matrix guys) inevitably had a next-gen idea–how could they not? They took their idea to QSC and the result is the Infocomm 2009 debut of Q-Sys. Not the greatest name, but nevermind. You’re going to want to know much more about this than I can tell you in a blog post, so at the end of this post I’ll provide some links and a schedule of Certification Training for systems designers and integrators.

You’ll need to learn about this, not only to do your job if you work with big installs, but to understand some key things about the future of DSP even if you work on a smaller scale. Besides if you like elegant technology, it’s just fun. Caveat here: I haven’t seen it work. I do know it’s already specified into some very high profile jobs with at least one very notoriously picky client. But for now, I’m so far impressed with the the idea, the design, and of course the personnel–Rich and John have made significant contributions to this industry going back to Cobranet.

On the booth I scratched the surface with Gerry Tschetter. He walked me through the basics of this new paradigm for audio routing, processing, control and monitoring. more…

Press release

Universal Remote Control unveiled the MX-5000, a wand-style two-way color touchscreen remote control designed to serve as the primary user interface for a networked commercial or residential AV installation. Sanctity URC, which has provided tens of millions of remote controls to consumers, residential custom installers, and subscription cable customers, as well as consumer electronics manufacturers through its substantial OEM business, is officially entering the commercial market at InfoComm 09. Its solution-focused approach will address various installation scenarios in relatively inexpensive and more easily programmable ways than current solutions do. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

Press release

The Electro-Voice N8000-1500 represents all that is state-of-the-art in pro audio signal processing. Based on the technology in the Electro-Voice NetMax N8000, this technology has proven itself time and again in the most demanding installations and live performances. In venues as varied as the World Cup, LIVE8, the Houston Rodeo, and Kenny Chesney’s tours, NetMax has established itself as a roadworthy tool that can take even the most sophisticated PA systems to the next level. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

Press release

Powersoft Advanced Technologies, a manufacturer of superior-quality digital power amplifiers for the professional audio market, is proud to present the first two models of its new Installation Series at InfoComm 09 (Booth 6384), the Duecanali5204 and Duecanali3904. These amplifiers are installation versions of the K-3 and newly introduced K-2, delivering an efficient and reliable energy-saving design in a compact 1RU space, while still maintaining high-output wattage and crystal clear audio. The design offers 40 percent to 60 percent savings on operating costs over traditional amplifiers of the same power rating. Read on at The Briefing Room

More InfoComm 09 news from The Briefing Room

I wrote earlier about the LOUD organizational changes; this afternoon my visit to the Martin demo room (202C) was more about simple, primal pleasures. A big sub. It’s good they made it, you know it will be great and you can hear it yourself if you’re here. Here’s the picture–and another one for scale. It’s enormous. Makes me want to go to Glastonbury.