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
Shure Expands Microflex Advance Array Microphone Portfolio with MXA710 for Premium Audio Capture
Shure this week launched the MXA710 linear array microphone as the latest product in its Microflex Advance array microphone line. This new model is “designed for high-quality audio capture in premium AV conferencing environments,” according to the company announcement.
Whether it’s under or next to a wall-mounted display, suspended from the ceiling or flush mounted in a table, the low-profile form factor of the MXA710 “blends into any meeting room aesthetic without sacrificing audio quality,” according to the Shure announcement.
Patented Steerable Coverage technology captures audio anywhere in the room, featuring four lobes with the 2-foot array, and eight lobes with 4-foot array.
SunBriteTV Boosts Brightness, Connectivity and 4K Performance with Pro2 Series Outdoor Displays
SunBriteTV, a SnapAV brand, this week announced the Pro 2 Series with 4K UHD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) in 49″, 55″, and 65″ sizes.
The Pro 2 Series features a high-brightness, commercial-grade screen for full-sun and high-traffic locations. Expanded connectivity options include HDBaseT and IP control, along with OvrC remote monitoring and management capabilities.
Maxell Pro AV Provides House of Worship Facilities an Opportunity To Connect With The Community
Maxell Pro AV recently released its lecture capture collaboration station, the MA-XL1, designed to help house of worship facilities of any size stream and upload services online for their congregations.
The MA-XL1 is designed to record, save and stream content using a menu screen. With 10 different video sources and multiple audio inputs available, users have the ability to choose up to three to use simultaneously during the recording/streaming session.
That allows house of worship leaders the opportunity to stream their video, guide the congregation with visual slides and connect to their phone or tablet to share music at the same time.
Lifesize Unveils Hands-Free Video Meeting Experience with Alexa for Business Integration
Lifesize recently announced a new native integration with the Alexa for Business intelligent assistant from Amazon Web Services.
Customers will have access to voice-activated controls via their existing Lifesize meeting room systems, without requiring additional hardware. As part of the launch, Lifesize and AWS will offer 90 days of complimentary service for joint customers to trial Lifesize with Alexa for Business.
Enplug Unveils New Digital Signage Tools to Help Organizations Return to Work
Enplug recently unveiled a suite of new digital signage tools and visual assets to help organizations safely return to work as coronavirus-related restrictions begin to ease.
Enplug’s cloud-based digital signage software platform “makes it easy for business leaders and communications professionals to seamlessly communicate important operational updates, social distancing guidelines and compliance information in real time,” the company announcement says.
Enplug’s library of COVID-19 templates can be downloaded for free and used on any digital signage platform.
Audio Visual Projects
Furniture Solutions for Cybersecurity Training on Wheels
IBM’s X-Force Command Cyber Tactical Operations Center (C-TOC) is unlike anything seen before in cybersecurity training. The training simulation and security operations center is on wheels in the form of a 23-ton semi tractor-trailer.
Modeled after mobile command centers used by the military and first responders, C-TOC is a fully operational cyber range. It is capable of running an entire corporate IT environment for immersive breach response training exercises.
It can also be configured as a sterile environment for cyberinvestigations or as an onsite cyber watch floor for special security events. The X-Force Cyber Range was born out of addressing IBM’s need to reach customers across Europe.
“We saw a need to create a simulation center for our clients,” said Natthapol Prakongpan, technical director for X-Force Threat Intelligence and Integration Lab. “Before the C-TOC, there was no way for us to showcase the technology and innovation we have that could help them.”
Furnishing a Cyber Range
Once it was determined to take IBM’s cybersecurity training on the road, the team at IBM called on Winsted, who had furnished some of the company’s other operations centers.
In a cybersecurity training environment, sightlines are key. With flexible monitor positioning, operators can easily view what’s on their screen, while also viewing what the instructor is showing them on the main screen.
“We’ve created mobile control centers before, but nothing like this,” said Kyle Carter, lead designer for Winsted. “We needed to fit a 20-person control room and conference room into a tractor-trailer.”
The most challenging and unique aspect of the C-TOC project was the room’s requirement of needing to be built and then torn down after every use. Winsted had to reevaluate their entire fabrication process in response, as they couldn’t use standard hardware.
“Most of what we build is meant to stay in the same form for 40 years,” said Carter. “That was the biggest challenge.”
Winsted fabricated the furniture in C-TOC with quick-release tools so that its crew could create and tear down an entire control room in less than one hour. The C-TOC control room is retrofitted with 20 workstations, featuring Winsted’s Corian work surface with a logo inlay.
The workstations also feature the Slat-Wall adjustable monitor mount system. A conference room consoles sits adjacent to the main control room.
“We threw a challenge at Winsted, and the whole build process, from the first discussion to the final delivery, was four months,” said Prakongpan. “Everything is performing as well as we expected.”
In 2019, the C-TOC mobile cybersecurity range was activated 26 times, visiting 18 different cities across 13 different countries. In total, C-TOC has covered 16,000 miles and has served 1,300+ customers across all industries.
Alcorn McBride V4X Show Controller Delivers for “This Is Holland” Flying Theater Attraction in Amsterdam
Since its opening in Amsterdam North in 2018, “This Is Holland” has become one of the city’s go-to destinations.
The only flying theater attraction in The Netherlands – and the only one in Benelux – “This Is Holland” features a 5D flight simulation, with wind and water effects, as the audience soars over some of the country’s most iconic spots.
Alcorn McBride’s V4X all-purpose show controller serves as the attraction’s building control system, with 120 devices under its control.
At “This Is Holland,” the visitor experience begins with a fun history lesson as guests move up through the circular building.
Interactives, projection mapping and a Pepper’s ghost effect are used to interpret information about the history of ‘Holland’ before guests arrive at the flying theatre dome screen where an 8-minute film takes them across The Netherlands to Dutch world heritage sites, bulb fields and Amsterdam’s canals.
More than 30 hours of helicopter footage was edited for the final film, which also includes a CG storm sequence.
“Not many rides that one would typically find in a theme park offer such an amazing experience to become a stand-alone attraction,” said Kevin Mohr, technical design expert with Leisure Expert Group in Amsterdam.
“The first three months, visitors needed to get used to this new entertainment concept and after that This is Holland’s popularity really took off. Now, most visitors are return visitors: They want to experience the attraction a second or third time,” he said.
Mohr, who has used Alcorn McBride equipment on other projects, selected the V4X show controller to manage building control of 120 devices. Among those devices are elevator trips, doors that open to admit 40 guests at a time to the ride, the film’s start and stop times, building lighting and BGM.
“This is a stand-alone attraction that’s open every day, from 10 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m.,” said Mohr. If there’s one failing link, we won’t be able to open. We needed a system that will work every day, every time.”
The V4X features Alcorn McBride’s ShowTouch interfaces for easy use by non-technical operators.
“This is a really complex building, and we need good communications to maintain ideal guest flow,” said Mohr. “For example, the number of elevator trips necessary to reach ride capacity or how fast people are entering the flying theater.”
He notes that the attraction opened with four ShowTouch screen users and is now up to 10.
“We’ve discovered extra information, extra places in the building to help managers better control the flow of guests and make for a better experience,” said Mohr. “We also have more projectors and more video players attached to the system than before.”
People and Places
Bosch Announces Summer Showcase 2020 Schedule
The Bosch Communications Systems family of brands will be hosting its 2020 Summer Showcase June 22-26 virtually.
Attendees will encounter and experience the company’s latest innovations, including Bosch conferencing and public address systems, Dynacord electronics and software, Electro-Voice loudspeakers and microphones and RTS intercom systems.
L-Acoustics Accelerates Plans for Blended Training with Online Education Platform
Maxime Menelac on L-ISA Training
L-Acoustics will re-open in-person education programs this month, but the company is also pre-launching a new online education platform.
The first program on the platform is a complete, but remote, version of its renowned System Fundamentals training, a prerequisite for all other L-Acoustics training modules.
Registration for both online and in-person trainings is accessible on the L-Acoustics website.
