Here’s a closer look at some of the AV news, products and projects you might have missed this week. We call it AV News to Know:
New AV Products
Platinum Tools to Give Away ezEX-mini Termination and Test Kits at ISE 2020
Platinum Tools will be giving away four new ezEX-mini termination and test kits during ISE 2020 in Amsterdam Feb. 11-14 at RAI Amsterdam (stand #14-K165).
Potential winners only need to come to the Platinum Tools booth during the show and get their badges scanned in order to gain entry to the giveaway. One winner will be awarded each day of the show.
The ezEX-mini Termination and Test Kit giveaway includes:
- EXO Crimp Frame with EXO-EX Die
- 5-Inch Electricians Scissors
- Cat5e/6 Cable Jacket Stripper
- Crimp tool for shielded connectors
- New ezEX38 Connectors for smaller diameter cable
- ezEX44 & ezEX48 connectors
- ezEX44 external shielded connectors
- T109C MapMaster mini Cable Tester
- Hanging Pouch
Matrox Expands QuadHead2Go Family
Matrox this week announced the addition of Matrox QuadHead2Go Q155 multi-monitor controllers to the QuadHead2Go family.
Featuring HDMI input support on both appliance and PCI Express card form factors, the units are purpose-built to drive four Full HD displays from a single 4K HDMI source for digital signage-based video wall designs.
OEMs, system integrators, and AV installers can also combine multiple QuadHead2Go Q155 multi-monitor controllers to deploy artistic and emerging video walls of any type and size, while delivering video content across all screens.
Matrox QuadHead2Go Q155 multi-monitor controllers will be in action at ISE 2020 (stand 11-D120).
MuxLab Premiers New HDMI 2.0 over IP Solution at ISE 2020
MuxLab will debut the HDMI 2.0 over IP PoE extender, 4K/60 (model 500779), at ISE 2020 (stand 1-N110).
This transceiver may be configured to operate as a transmitter or receiver to deliver HDMI at up to 4K (3840×2160) @60Hz (4:4:4) via a 1Gbps ethernet switch.
AV can be delivered in one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many configurations when riding on the IP-based network.
HDMI sources and displays can connect to the transmitter and receiver from up to 330ft (100m) away from the Ethernet Switch using CAT5e/6 cable. A directional IR port and an RS232 port allow for the remote control of end devices.
Plus, two-channel audio can be inserted and extracted separately.
Tripleplay Announces Integration with Mersive Solstice Ahead of ISE 2020
Tripleplay this week announced integration with wireless collaboration platform Mersive Solstice, enabling unified meeting room content sharing and digital signage display. This integration will be demonstrated for the first time at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2020 in stand 10-N155.
This new integration will allow seamless transitioning between Solstice meeting room content sharing and Tripleplay’s digital signage solution, utilizing screen time throughout organizations to enhance staff communications and engagement. Some of the solution’s key features include:
- Distribution of content to any Solstice-enabled display
- Easy management of displays across the enterprise
- Display of Tripleplay Digital Signage content
- Digital Signage and wireless content sharing on one platform
Exterity To Launch New IP Video And Digital Signage Products at ISE 2020
Exterity announced this week it will launch an array of new products at Integrated Systems Europe (stand #10-K163).
The latest products and solutions to be showcased at ISE 2020 include:
- New 4K media player with 4K 60fps graphics and animations capability: the new AvediaPlayer m9605 media player with the ability to integrate both 4K video and 4K 60fps graphics and animations into digital signage.
- New ArtioFlow workflow app: ArtioFlow enables the creation of time-saving workflows by simply dragging a series of actions across the IPTV system – such as power on, set volume or channel change – to create action sequences.
- New Pro:Idiom Gateway: The latest addition to the Exterity AvediaStream Gateway family supports content-protected live TV and radio from satellite sources and streams it securely across an IP network.
- New AvediaStream g4401 IP-IP Gateway: The launch of the new g4401 IP-IP Gateway means that two paired Exterity gateways can send and receive secure and reliable video streams over the internet using the SRT protocol.
Audio Visual Projects
BrightSign and DigiComm Create ‘Cracking Glass’ Floor in World’s Tallest Building
Burj Floor 11 from PR BrightSign on Vimeo.
BrightSign, LLC and Dubai-based system integrator DigiComm announced the completion of a sensational new attraction on the 125th floor of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa. At 160 stories and more than 2,717 feet tall, the skyscraper has been wowing visitors for almost 10 years.
Tower owners Emaar Properties created a new attraction on the 125th floor of the building known as At the Top, which receives around 10,000 visitors per day. Together with LG, they developed an interactive, realistic simulation of a glass floor above the city that appears to crack when stepped on.
“They wanted something really spectacular and very entertaining,” says DigiComm CEO Abdul Bakhrani, whose company created the content, media and special effects for the attraction, as well as for other installations within the building including the VR experience.
Eighteen 55-inch LG OLED 8K-resolution screens make up the floor, powered by two BrightSign XT1144 expanded I/O players. The screens display a highly realistic visual animation of the city 1,496 feet below, which changes according to the time and season, scheduled and controlled by the BrightSign players.
Fifteen Nexmosphere XDW-M44 sensors are used in the installation. On one side, there are seven Nexmosphere sensors connected to the RS232 XM-350 Xperience Controller, and on the other there are eight sensors connected.
These Xperience Controllers then link up to the BrightSign XT1144 media players.
When a visitor trips a sensor, a virtual crack starts forming on the skywalk floor and escalates; as they keep walking, the glass is cracking beneath them. The high-resolution CGI graphics combined with synchronized audio results in a sensation of glass cracking beneath the visitor’s feet, 125 floors up.
Shanghai Circus World Brings Performances to Life
To create immersive, spectacular lighting displays for the reopening of the Shanghai Circus World, Guangzhou Bai MingHui Lighting Technology Co. LTD equipped the venue with Martin by HARMAN lighting fixtures.
Built in 1999, Shanghai Circus World is home to the renowned ‘Era ─ Intersection of Time’ show, which combines traditional Chinese acrobatics with Western entertainment.
Located in the heart of Shanghai, Circus World features a 1,638-seat theater with a golden dome roof. Over the years, the venue has become a cultural landmark and earned the nickname of the Golden Pineapple.
In 2018, Shanghai Circus World closed for a series of cosmetic and technical renovations, which included upgrading their aging lighting rig. Shanghai Circus World hired AV integrators Guangzhou Bai MingHui Lighting Technology Co. LTD to install 121 Martin lighting fixtures.
Guangzhou deployed 53 Martin MAC Axiom hybrid fixtures to provide designers with a versatile, all-in-one fixture capable of creating a variety of looks including tight beams, sharp spots and more. To create soft wash effects with unique and expressive colors, Guangzhou installed 36 Martin MAC Quantum Wash fixtures.
To provide additional coverage, Guangzhou deployed 15 Martin MAC Aura XB wash fixtures. In order to create immersive, sensational lighting effects, Guangzhou selected 10 Martin MAC Viper AirFX fixtures with discharge-based aerial effects.
To highlight key performers and scenery, Guangzhou equipped Circus World with Martin MAC Quantum Profile fixtures.
Decorated in black, gray, and gold, Circus World can be adapted to suit a wide range of events based on the lighting display. Circus World’s new Martin lighting rig makes it easier than ever for lighting designers to control the ambiance of the theater to meet a variety of performance needs.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival Chooses DPA Microphones for Frenzied Changeover Schedule
As the sound department manager for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Joshua Horvath is part of the team responsible for producing up to 11 different shows in three theatres daily from February through October.
The OSF produces Shakespeare, classics, musicals, plays with live music and new works in its three spaces: the Angus Bowmer Theatre, a 600-seat wide proscenium space; the Thomas Theatre, a 300-seat multi-configuration venue; and the flagship Allen Elizabethan Theatre, a 1,200-seat outdoor-proscenium hall.
During the season, Horvath utilizes 20-30 DPA 4061 lavaliers, 10 4066 headsets and eight 4099 instrument mics. Almost every day, the Bowmer and Thomas theaters have two different shows each.
“We go from one play to another play with a band onstage or a Shakespeare to a 30-person musical with a seven-person pit,” said Horvath.
People and Places
Almo Expands Partnership with Sony
Almo Professional A/V this week announced an expansion of its partnership with Sony Electronics to distribute Sony Imaging Products & Solutions in the U.S.
Previously only available in Latin America, Almo is now providing its partners with access to Sony’s Professional BRAVIA displays, full line of 3LCD professional projectors, and PTZ cameras in the U.S.
Sony has also joined the 2020 Almo E4 Experience, coming to Santa Clara, Calif., on March 13 and Washington, D.C. on April 3.
Analog Way Joins SDVoE Alliance in Advance of ISE 2020
The SDVoE Alliance this week announced Analog Way has joined the alliance as an adopting member.
“Analog Way has always been committed to offering the latest generation of input/output technologies on its systems and has chosen SDVoE as a way to extend its product lines’ I/O capabilities to provide high-bandwidth Ethernet-based AV signals,” said Philippe Vitali, marketing and communications director at Analog Way. “We are enthusiastic about being able to deliver cutting-edge SDVoE technology and performance to our customers worldwide.”
“Analog Way is known not only for their rugged, reliable, user-friendly products, but also for their customer commitment and extensive training programs,” said Justin Kennington, president of the SDVoE Alliance.
“We welcome them to the SDVoE Alliance and eagerly anticipate the contributions they will make to the goals of the alliance in educating designers, integrators and tech managers, as we all work to transform the matrix,” he said.
At ISE 2020, Analog Way will be in stand 3-B130. The SDVoE Alliance will be in stand 1-F40.
Acoustic Design Systems Hires First Director of Marketing
Acoustic Design Systems (ADS) this week announced the hiring of Amanda Crigar as the company’s director of marketing and business development to round out its executive team.
Crigar recently joined ADS permanently after 10 years of consulting with the company on business development, strategic planning and marketing initiatives. In this new role, she will be responsible for managing the company’s marketing, overseeing sales and developing new business opportunities.
Crigar brings more than 15 years of industry experience, including advertising, sales, security and business operations.
