Here’s one of my show picks. I like the Roland Systems Group VR-5 AV switcher (Mac version debuts here plus Mac remote software). But let’s say you already have an audio or video switcher. Now the upcoming VC-30 will let you combine any audio and video source–actually it doesn’t have to be switchers but see the picture for how a professional-looking live streaming production set up would look. What you don’t see is the simultaneous USB and Firewire out, so you can stream and record (say to Blu-ray) simultaneously–great if you want to stream the sermon and capture to disc at the same time. Also key: built-in offset for audio delay so a single, clean file goes to your content delivery network (CDN) for bulletproof sync. Shipping in July, according to Roland’s Rob Read.

AVI-SPL, the largest global integrator of Pro AV, video conferencing and telepresence systems, has launched a free iPad/iPhone for InfoComm 2011 attendees so they can keep up with all AVI-SPL and show news. Read on at The Wire

If you’re at the show looking for live streaming solutions, find your way to Digital Rapids #IC2378. Their long experience in broadcast translates to the Touchstream appliance for our market and now the new Broadcast Manager software and remote control. The combination simplifies managing multiple seats and setting up redundancy for streaming live in real time to every desktop and device, campus-wide or worldwide. Digital Rapid’s Wesley Thiessen says the world’s largest retailer recently did annual their annual shareholder’s meeting with Touchstreams, NAB screened live to the internet from the show floor also with Touchstream. Now working under Crestron control, it should be one stop in your research for streaming live and simultaneously to multiple points.

Founder of Sennheiser Honored at Leading Industry Conference for his Lasting Contributions to AV Technology

Orlando, Fla. – June 15, 2011: Audio specialist Sennheiser announced that InfoComm International®, the leading trade association representing the professional audio/visual industry, has awarded the late Prof. Dr. Fritz Sennheiser with the Adele De Berri Pioneers of AV Award. John Falcone, president and chief executive officer of Sennheiser USA, accepted the award on behalf of Professor Dr. Sennheiser during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at InfoComm 2011, the world’s largest commercial audio/visual tradeshow. more…

I don’t have a picture of this but want to mention that Vaddio is showing a good application of Audio-Technica’s Spectrapulse wireless conference system at #IC1963. Camera rotates to face the person as they touch the transmitter. Vaddio did a good job at NAB and here of contextualizing their cameras with some cool partner gear.

Califone‘s Tim Ridgway says the new washable headphones are the industry’s first to carry a built in 85db limiter. Califone’s been working with the American Speech and Hearing Association to help promote a campaign to education people about responsible use of personal audio technologies and responding in their own products. i expect to eventually see some of these best practices for dealing with volume and ambient noise levels formalized into regulations. (But as a parent that could just be wishful thinking).

Califone has also brought four new lines of new ultra-rugged headphones all (like the washables) are built from ABS plastic (hard to break and no shards if they do), slotted baffles and–on most models–extra deep ear cuffs. The top of the line Discovery has a foldable noise reducing mic and volume control. The Odyssey same without the mic. The Explorer is mono/stereo switchable and the value-priced 610 has durable, replaceable earpads. There are other features and models in the lines, so go see.

For more see four new headphones debuting at #IC4117. Or watch the related video (one of many that the prolific Ridgway has made).

The new Space Saver line from SurgeX offers more rack space and enables quicker, more efficient set up and management of power at the rear of the rack.

Orlando, FL – InfoComm 2011 – June 15-17 – Booth #2216 – SurgeX, a leader in AC power conditioning and surge elimination products, today announced its new rearmount surge suppressors; the Space Saver line. Regardless of installation size, every integrator faces the same issue: insufficient rack space. With this new line, SurgeX has answered the calls for a more efficient, space saving unit that provides maximum protection for its customers. The line features two products, the Compact Mount and the Vertical Mount and both units can be mounted with plugs facing up or down for maximum convenience and flexibility. The Space Saver line of surge suppression products keeps power distribution neatly organized at the back of the rack and provides easy access to power cable configuration and enables integrators to eliminate the hassles of installing custom length power cords required by large racks. Read on at The Wire

At Auralex #IC962 GM Jeff Lantz took a break from setting up to open a box of acoustic panels with a screwdriver (don’t do this at home) for a quick preview of the new commercial acoustic panels debuting here. A nice, practical addition to the line with a firerated back, class A foam covered in simple beige or black. $64.99 retail for a 2×2.

Usually I’m a sucker for signal management, but this is about cable management.

Here’s what I see the legrand/Wiremold booth #IC977 with Dan Tarkoff, director of business development: brand new elegant floor boxes with a hinged lid and a nice feature that we awkwardly name: sliding cable egress.

Which means that instead of those hazardous pop up things where the cables come out there are little sliding panels under tension that snap in around the cable and leave a much smaller hole for my heels to get stuck in. And they look better. Also check out the new Overfloor Raceway (OFR Series). Sleek, minimally destructive.

Interest around all legrand AV companies including Wiremold was heightened by legrand’s recent acquisition of Middle Atlantic–completed last week. Legrand wants to serve the full breadth of the AV market; it’s nice to see investment in our corner of the world.

Check out legrand’s Infocomm video for a good overview. Or for non-video data on Legrand at Infocomm see here.

We’re laughing with the Audio-Technica guys that this is a little like doing the timeshare tour, but…if you’re a contractor or consultant go have the Audio Technica booth tour at #IC917 and you’ll be entered to win an iPad. Win win.