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| A Primedia Property | |
| July 27, 2004 | |
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Table of Contents Corporate A/V Top Story In AV spaces, form and function often an uneasy pairing Installation News Colorado Bureau of Investigations chooses SLS loudspeakers Hitachi interactive whiteboard serves Middle Atlantic training center Product News Azden debuts new powered speaker system NEC ships new VT series projectors Polycom introduces VSX 8000 series ADVERTISEMENT For over 30 years, Comprehensive has been the professional's choice for premium interface and multimedia products. The new 2004 Comprehensive catalog is packed with thousands of new products including Comprehensive's world famous cables and the latest from Belden, Canare, Kramer, Neutrik much more. Click here for your free copy or shop online at our website www.comprehensiveinc.com Corporate A/V Top Story In AV spaces, form and function often an uneasy pairing Mark Brown, design engineer in the New York office of SPL Integrated Systems, believes AV technology has reached a point where "there's almost nothing that can't be done." Similarly, Michael J. Smith, Jr., director of strategic initiatives at HB Communications in North Haven, Connecticut, says, "Many new technologies have made it easier for the AV professional to adapt functional requirements to meet aesthetic needs." But somehow, the relationship between aesthetics and AV technology can still get testy as form and function keep bumping heads. "It happens more often than we like to admit," says Jim Colquhoun, vice president/systems integration at Audio Visual Innovations in Tampa, Florida. "It was an architect who first coined the phrase that 'form follows function.' Alas, not all architects and designers follow this dictum," says Smith. "The AV folks are often told simply to 'make it work' within given aesthetic constraints." Smith can toss off a list of areas in which design and functionality often come into conflict, beginning with ambient sound and lighting and proceeding through adequate space for ventilation and electronics, millwork details, loudspeaker locations, microphone locations, and adequate lighting and sight lines for videoconferencing. Many conflicts begin when the space designer tries to hide the technology. "It's really easy to build a box around a projector, and then the client is wondering why the projector is overheating and lamps keep burning out," Brown says. When the architect's design calls for hidden technology, he adds, it's especially important for the AV integrator to review millwork shop drawings and other plans, precisely to be sure that everything will fit and there will be adequate space for ventilation and cabling. "There's a drive to make our stuff invisible at no cost," says Colquhoun. If the client has a boardroom, they don't want to see microphones, or they don't want to add any more clutter to the ceiling. And if they want to put up artwork it always goes right where the projection screen or plasma would go." The answer, experts agree, is for the AV specialist to be more involved in the earlier stages of design -- and to bring a more open mind to the whole process. "We own most of the problem," says Colquhoun. He notes that most AV professionals started out as technical experts and have grown into their roles as integrators. "We tend to think technology rather than solutions," he says. "We have to understand the design world, and too many of us have not lived there enough." Smith believes major advances in AV technology -- including higher-brightness projectors, digital audio signal processing, more flexible control systems and enhanced network connectivity -- give the AV integrator the tools to answer aesthetic demands more effectively. Brown notes it is also important for the AV integrator to seek out opportunities for collaboration with the designer, rather than becoming wed to specific approaches or equipment. For example: "Videoconference lighting fixtures are really ugly and architects hate them," he comments. AV people, in contrast, may like these ugly fixtures because they're easy to install, fit well into ceiling grids and deliver good light output from small packages. It's a perfect opportunity to meet halfway, Brown says. "Here is where we can say, I don't necessarily need this fixture, but this is how many foot candles of light I need on the faces," he explains. Colquhoun agrees. He believes it's up to the AV specialist to "be creative in support of the architect," educating designers about the wide palette of aesthetic choices today's AV technology can support. "At any point in the project," concludes Smith, "experience and creativity are the best allies." Installation News Colorado Bureau of Investigations chooses SLS loudspeakers SLS Loudspeakers, a division of SLS International Inc., recently announced that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has selected and installed multiple SLS loudspeakers in its Crime Scene Laboratory Conference and Training Facility in Pueblo, Colorado. "These kinds of installations, which reveal previously unknown markets, are among the most exciting to us," says Jeff Lowry director of marketing for SLS Loudspeakers. "This planar-ribbon technology is quickly becoming a new norm in the critical-listening world. We believe that the purchase by CBI creates an important reference account and could result in significant opportunities for us in the area of law enforcement." Dan Keller and Wally Mark of Heavenly Sound, a design/build audio consultant firm in Colorado Springs, Colorado, completed the installation. "The sound is so consistent throughout the training room that no matter where you stand, the coverage is perfect," says Dave Dalenhauer a 10-year CBI agent. "We have installed an entire multimedia suite, including a state-of-the-art Smartboard that is used on a daily basis for everything from viewing and accessing evidence to week-long crime-scene training seminars for various law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado. The SLS speakers are the perfect choice for this facility, where intelligibility, clarity, and size are essential." The lab training room was a perfect proving ground for an installation that concerns critical listening outside of the musical norm. "Agent Dalenhauer and I both think this is an open invitation into the world of audio surveillance and evidence enhancement laboratories throughout the country," says Keller. Agent Dalenhauer has expressed an interest in utilizing the highly accurate SLS ribbon technology in their newly designed enhancement facility, in addition to the training conference room." SLS Loudspeakers designs, manufactures, and markets proprietary ultra-high-fidelity ribbon-driver loudspeakers and sound systems for professional, commercial, and residential applications. For more information, visit www.slsloudspeakers.com. Hitachi interactive whiteboard serves Middle Atlantic training center Hitachi Software recently provided a new StarBoard F-75 interactive whiteboard to enclosure system and technical furniture manufacturer Middle Atlantic Products for its new training center in New Jersey. The whiteboard, truly an interactive communications system, and associated software, advance the level of interactivity previously available and permit presenters to run computer applications and add freehand annotations to the displayed graphics. "We have continued to raise the bar of performance/value in the interactive whiteboard marketplace," said Ralph Zak, director, Hitachi Interactive Communications Group. "The high level of technical complexity of Middle Atlantic Products' product line demands an equally sophisticated presentation technology that can be easily learned and used by staff at all levels. We are pleased that a company of the caliber of Middle Atlantic Products has chosen our Starboard line as the centerpiece of its training center." The new StarBoard F-75 uses a combination of ultrasound and infrared technology to sense the location of pen-type devices near the surface. The surface itself is not an active component and therefore is not prone to any form of degradation, or prone to introduce spurious contact actions into the presentation. The 75-inch display area provides a very large image on which to work and provides pinpoint accuracy in running applications and adding comments and annotations to presentations. Users can annotate presentations precisely using a new hovering capability that allows the pen to move the cursor on the screen without having to make direct contact. Middle Atlantic Products is an industry leader in high-grade, professional metal equipment rack solutions, with numerous innovations to its credit in thermal and cable-management techniques. As such, the company hosts large dealer and employee training sessions for imparting complex technical information. The new Hitachi StarBoard has proved to be the ideal solution for interactive communication in this setting. Middle Atlantic Products' director of marketing, Mark Tracy, has found the StarBoard to be the ideal solution. "The new StarBoard has transformed the way we conduct our training sessions," said Tracy. "The ease of use and high level of interactivity allows us to communicate in ways we never could before." The new StarBoard interactive whiteboard, along with new Software Release 6.0 and a full range of interactive technologies like the new T-15XL StarTablet, permit presenters to operate and annotate presentations as well as external computer applications from the pen-driven StarBoard display. The annotated images may be displayed simultaneously on rear projection or plasma displays, or any size traditional screens using LCD projectors. For more specifications and information about the Interactive Communications Group and Hitachi Software's StarBoard family of products, visit www.hitachi-soft.com, or call (888) 615-9600. Product News Azden debuts new powered speaker system Azden Corporation, long known for its wireless microphone systems, and a primary supplier of wireless systems for several speaker companies, introduced its own unique powered speaker system at during InfoComm 2004 in Atlanta. More than just another powered speaker, the APS 25 Speaker System features four separate audio inputs, two of which are for modular, user-installable, wireless microphone receivers -- VHF (30 channels available), UHF (63-channel switchable) or Infrared (two channels available). The other inputs are for a wired microphone and a wired line output device such as a CD player. All four inputs have their own volume control so that they can be perfectly mixed together. The dual-voltage (110V/220V AC switchable) speaker also features a line output for multi-speaker applications, a variable high-cut control for reducing feedback, a master volume control, and auto on/off circuitry. In addition to the included wall-mounting bracket, the APS 25 Speaker System can be mounted on any mic stand either vertically or horizontally. Designed for small room/crowd installations, the APS 25 Speaker System gives the installer the ability to have the right system for almost any situation. The wireless systems can be addressed by either body-pack lavaliere mics or handheld mics. By attaching one of Azden's plug-in transmitters to the output of the house mixing console, the house feed can be sent to any number of speakers wirelessly. The simple plug-in re-ceivers allow anyone to add or change wireless receivers easily -- without tools. Specially developed for the presentation market, the 31PT transmitter converts a computer's headphone output into a wireless transmitter, which allows audio to be transmitted wirelessly to one or more speakers making for greatly improved presentations without added wires. Available since May, the Azden APS 25 Speaker System retails for $199.95 for the speaker only, while one-channel wireless systems start at $399.00. For more information, visit www.azdencorp.com. NEC ships new VT series projectors NEC Solutions (America) Visual Systems Division announces the shipping of four new portable projectors that are easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to own. These affordable projectors provide superior image display to help people better connect with their audiences, along with one of the industry's leading service and support programs. "With our new VT projectors, users from classroom teachers to corporate executives will find it more cost-effective than ever to connect with their audience," said Ron Gillies, senior vice president and general manager for the Visual Systems Division of NEC Solutions America. "At these prices, it's also a great opportunity to open the market and entice buyers to purchase their first projector." With NEC's new projectors, the company continues to build upon its VT series, adding more features and functionality, while maintaining their portability and ease of use. The VT47, VT470, VT570 and VT670 offer these enhanced features: * Increased brightness better overcomes ambient light in any presentation setting; improved keystone correction automatically projects a square image, even if the projector is tilted. * Plug-and-project installation and automatic synchronization with a computer or video source; features the new NEC style with a sleek, high-gloss, pearlescent, curved design. * Competitive prices; password protection to prevent unauthorized theft; cabinet buttons that lock controls to prevent presentation interference For GSA contract sales, NEC offers VT470GOV and VT670GOV models that comply with NAFTA requirements. These models offer the same features and performance as the VT470 and VT670 projectors. The VT47 and VT470 are both SVGA (800x600 native resolution) projectors, with brightness of 1500 and 2000 ANSI lumens, respectively. The higher-resolution VT570 and VT670 offer 1024x768 native resolution and brightness of 1300 ANSI lumens (VT570) and 2100 ANSI lumens (VT670). The projectors come standard with NEC's comprehensive two-year CustomerCare program, including a two-year parts and labor limited warranty, InstaCare (which provides quick repair and/or replacement), and EcoCare recycling coverage. Estimated street price (ESP) for the projectors starts at $995. The VT series projectors are now available through authorized NEC resellers. For further information on NEC's award-winning line of projection and plasma displays, please visit www.necvisualsystems.com or call 1-800-NEC-INFO. Polycom introduces VSX 8000 series Polycom, a leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today introduced the Polycom VSX 8000 series, videoconferencing systems designed for the needs of systems integrators. Based on the award-winning Polycom VSX architecture, the VSX 8000 series offers a small, rack-mountable solution that includes expansive options for integrating video communications into large conference rooms, educational settings, or other integrated custom-room environments. The Polycom VSX 8000 series ships with VSX software release 7.0, also announced recently. "The Polycom VSX 8000 offers exactly what we were looking for - incredible audio and video quality, professional connector capabilities, a small form factor, and integrated high-resolution data sharing capabilities for custom-room environments," said Jerry Connolly, technical engineer with SPL Integrated Systems, a national systems integrator. "The flexible system works great out-of-the-box and the integration with Polycom SoundStation VTX 1000 conference phones enables truly unique telephone dialing that is simple and intuitive for users. Polycom has impressed us once again with this new best-in-class system." "The VSX 8000 is an impressive system that represents a quantum leap for video systems in terms of quality, ease of use, and overall performance," said Dave Horn, conferencing services manager with Entergy. "The professional connector capabilities make the system easier to integrate into larger rooms, and the customizable interface is great for adapting the system to the specific needs of users. We are a Nortel Networks shop, and the SIP support for the Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server systems is also an important consideration for our future planning and development." The Polycom VSX 8000 series was designed based on integrator requirements, with unique features including professional video connectors and Phoenix audio connectors with balanced line-level input. There's also industry-first integration options with Polycom Vortex installed-room voice systems, Polycom SoundStation VTX 1000 wideband conference phones, and leading conference room control systems such as Crestron and AMX controllers. "The VSX 8000 sets a new standard as the most powerful, feature-rich system for the needs of systems integrators," said Ed Ellett, senior vice president and general manager of video communications at Polycom. "We listened to customers and delivered a system that is receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who have tested it. The VSX 8000 also delivers unprecedented investment protection. It is designed with ample horsepower, which, combined with the underlying Polycom VSX architecture, enables us to continue to deliver unrivaled performance, integration, and convergence with solutions from Polycom and our leading technology partners." Three configurations are available: Polycom VSX 8800 -- Polycom's most powerful videoconferencing system includes video codec and remote, H.239 People+Content with ImageShare, PowerCam Plus camera and a high-fidelity speaker kit and two VSX microphones for optimal quality audio with Polycom StereoSurround. Polycom VSX 8400 -- A powerful videoconferencing system with numerous rear-panel connectors includes video codec and remote, H.239 People+Content with ImageShare, PowerCam camera and VSX microphones. Polycom VSX 8000 -- A video codec designed for integrators -- includes a handheld remote control. Polycom VSX 8000 series systems are scheduled for availability in July through Polycom channel partners. Systems start at $12,999. For more technical information about the VSX 8000 series, visit www.polycom.com. |
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