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
Spinitar Introduces Welcome-Check
Spinitar this week announced the launch of Welcome-Check, a hands-free temperature and facial recognition solution.
Using advanced thermal imaging technology, Welcome-Check “has the ability to provide organizations and institutions with real-time protection and advanced facial recognition capabilities,” according to the Spinitar announcement.
The touchless imaging device “is capable of providing users with immediate human body temperature readings and can hold up to 30,000 images, tracking multiple people simultaneously,” the announcement says.
Lifesize Announces Enterprise-Grade End-to-End Encryption
Lifesize this week announced comprehensive end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all group and point-to-point video conferencing calls.
As part of the release, which will be automatically deployed on a rolling basis in Q3 2020, all Lifesize customers globally will be able to end-to-end encrypt any video meeting using the Lifesize desktop, mobile or web applications or using Lifesize’s family of 4K meeting room systems.
Upon release of Lifesize E2EE, meeting hosts on all Lifesize subscription and free plans will be able to end-to-end encrypt their audio and video streams with a key that is securely shared among meeting participants.
Media will be encrypted from each participant, stay encrypted while in transit and on Lifesize servers, and will only be able to be decrypted on clients that have the key. Lifesize will also provide customers the option to manage their own encryption keys.
ClearOne COLLABORATE Versa Room CT Now Shipping Worldwide
ClearOne this week announced worldwide shipping of COLLABORATE Versa Room CT, which “provides all the audio and video components and accessories needed for exceptional room cloud-based video collaboration.”
At the heart of the system is the USB-enabled Beamforming Mic Array Ceiling Tile (BMA CTH), which uses onboard processing to perform acoustic echo cancellation, noise cancellation and beam selection in small and medium-sized conference rooms.
In addition to the BMA CTH, peripheral components and accessories create a complete room solution The COLLABORATE Versa Hub provides a single-cable connection to the laptop or room computer for cloud-based collaboration. The UNITE 50 4K camera provides a 120-degree wide-angle field of view.
Two 10-watt power amps, built into the BMA CTH, drive the included 8-inch ceiling speakers. The system also includes a 50-foot CAT6 cable, 33-foot USB extender cable, PoE kit, ceiling speakers and 50 feet of speaker cable.
BriefCam Announces Video Analytics Innovation
BriefCam this week announced new capabilities to its product portfolio with v5.6.1 of its video content analytics platform. The new capabilities will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support the safe and responsible re-opening across the globe.
New features available in v5.6.1 include proximity identification, face mask detection and occupancy controller.
Extron Channel Count Expansion for Dante Systems Now Available
Extron this week announced the immediate availability of the XMP 240 expansion matrix processor, featuring a mix matrix with 24 channels of acoustic echo cancellation and 48×48 Dante connectivity in only a half rack space.
The XMP 240 can also be used standalone for matrix processing in an all network audio system. When connected to a DMP Plus Series processor via Dante or the EXP expansion port, it creates a complete system with up to 36 channels of AEC, a USB audio interface, analog connectivity and optional VoIP.
A system expanded with an XMP 240 is capable of supporting multiple beam forming microphone arrays alongside numerous other Dante sources, with enough outputs to support multiple zones and destination devices.
Studio Technologies’ Model 207 Optimizes Workflow for esports
The Model 207 eSports Console from Studio Technologies “helps to make esports events more compelling by opening the lines of communication, allowing production personnel, team coaches and fans to hear what the players are discussing during game play.”
The solution also provides the added benefit of preventing teams from hearing their competitors or the event commentators.
The Model 207 is optimized to address the microphone, headphone monitoring and personal computer audio interfacing needs of esports players.
Housed in a tabletop enclosure, the unit incorporates both analog and Dante audio-over-Ethernet technology to allow direct integration with a player’s headset, gaming computer, and Ethernet-based audio network.
In just minutes, an eSports player’s location or “position” can be integrated into a sophisticated live event application.
Audio Visual Projects
VIVOTEK Joins Enova Robotics Police Robot Project in Tunisia
VIVOTEK is part of the police robot “P-Guard” project in Tunisia, produced by ENOVA Robotics and deployed on the streets by the interior ministry of Tunisia to impose lockdown restrictions on citizens and to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The police robot, “P-Guard,” was originally invented for security patrols of sensitive open areas. To deliver 360 degree, zero blind-spot surround imagery, each P-Guard robot is equipped with two VIVOTEK MS9390-HV 180-degree panoramic network cameras.
The MS9390-HV features dual 4-megapixel wide-angle lenses, 180-degree panoramic views, and IR illuminators effective up to 20 meters. Also, the face-shaped housing design of MS9390-HV makes the P-Guard robot look friendlier to citizens.
With its field-beating cameras, Lidar technology, and extensive network connectivity, the P-Guard can be remotely operated to perform security missions to all corners of the city, making sure that people are staying at home during the nationwide quarantine.
“Over recent years, VIVOTEK has aspired to become the ‘eye’ in IoT,” said VIVOTEK president Alex Liao. “While the world is facing a challenge that no one has imagined before, VIVOTEK hopes to contribute to society by securing people’s safety in smarter ways.”
University of Connecticut Upgrades Audio at Gampel Pavilion
The Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on the campus of the University of Connecticut recently received an audio upgrade provided by a Bose Professional ShowMatch line array loudspeaker system.
North Haven, Conn.-based firm HB Communications Inc. and Warwick, R.I.-based firm Ambient Sound Inc. collaborated with the UConn athletic department to deliver a solution that provided consistent coverage and voice intelligibility at the Gampel Pavilion, the home venue for UConn basketball.
As the centerpiece of the UConn Sports Center, it is the largest on-campus arena in New England, serving both men’s and women’s championship basketball and women’s volleyball since 1990. The campus landmark totals more than 171,000 square feet in its main area, with a maximum capacity of more than 10,000 spectators.
The Bose Professional audio solution consists of 48 ShowMatch loudspeakers, eight RoomMatch RMS218 subwoofers and 26 PowerMatch PM8500N networked power amplifiers. The scale of the installation, in terms of both physical footprint and technical complexity, makes it among the largest Bose ShowMatch systems commissioned to date.
“Our main goals were to enhance our gameday experience for our fans as well as our student-athletes,” said David Kaplan, assistant director of athletics at the University of Connecticut.
Mario Pregoni, production manager and audio engineer at Ambient Sound, serves as the house engineer and overall operator for the system on gameday activities.
“We have the game announcer, doing team intros, play calls and PR reads, and video content supplied by sponsors,” he said. “Sometimes during TV breaks or time-outs, we have a game host on the court using wireless mics for fan contests and ceremonial events, or the DJ plays music to keep the crowd pumped.”
People and Places
Kinly Announces Acquisition of AVMI
Kinly this week announced the acquisition of AVMI., a move Kinly officials say “strengthens Kinly’s position as Europe’s No. 1 player and firmly establishes Kinly as a global top 3 provider of video collaboration services.
Kinly and AVMI operate in more than 20 locations throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia Pacific, serving clients in more than 125 countries with more than 1,200 employees.
Graham Hendry Joins Renkus-Heinz
Renkus-Heinz has appointed Graham Hendry as VP of strategic development.
The new role “places Hendry in a position to develop and execute the creative vision in both product and market development,” according to the company announcement.
The majority of Hendry’s career was spent with Tannoy and TC Group, where he began on the research and development engineering team in 1990.
After a stint in commercial integration from 1998 to 2002, he returned to Tannoy – and the brand’s ownership teams at TC Group International and later, Music Group – in roles including engineering director, business development director, VP of solutions and brand leader.
