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
SurgeX Ships Squid Power Management Device
SurgeX this week announced the shipping of its Squid power management device.
With a design that packs an array of power quality features into a single chassis, Squid streamlines installation and fulfills the needs of collaborative flex environments, home offices, and other tight-spaced AV installs.
Squid packs boxed network control, AC and DC analytics, and front-end protection with patented Multi-Stage surge elimination, along with the remote analytics and monitoring features of the SurgeX enVision in compliance with network security protocols including 802.1x authentication and active directory.
Lowell Mfg. Introduces New Display Mount for Two-Post and Four-Post Racks
Lowell Mfg. Co. has introduced an adjustable mount for flat panel displays and LCD monitors up to 23.9 inches. The DMR-19 works with two- or four-post racks in control rooms or A/V settings.
While Lowell had previously developed display mounts to accommodate custom requests, the new mount will be offered as a standard model in their Rackware line of rack accessories.
The DMR-19 (19 in. x 5 in. x 4U) features a sturdy steel center plate that can be mounted flush or recessed (up to about 4 inches) on the steel mounting ears. Vertical adjustment slots are sized to fit a 75mm or 100mm VESA mounting hole pattern, while multiple access points allow for access to a variety of input/output locations.
Telos Alliance Launches Telos Infinity VIP Virtual Intercom Platform
Telos Alliance has launches Telos Infinity VIP Virtual Intercom Platform.
Infinity VIP delivers communication tools virtually, making cloud-based media production workflows available on any device—smartphone, laptop, desktop, or tablet. Users can even use third-party control devices, like Elgato Stream Deck, to control Telos Infinity VIP.
DVDO H.264/265 Encoder / Decoder Simplify Real-Time Visual Communication
DVDO this week introduced DVDO-H264/5-Encoder and DVDO-H264/5-Decoder, designed to convert Full HD 1080p video from any HDMI source into high-quality H.264/5 streams over IP for use in video walls, matrices and live broadcasts.
DVDO-H264/5-Encoder plugs into any HDMI video source, such as Blu-ray players, PCs, laptops, and cameras, and converts the video into an H.264/265 stream over IP. An encoder can be paired with a decoder to transmit Full HD 1080p video streams up to 100m / 330’ via a single Ethernet cable run, along with audio, USB, and bidirectional IR/RS232 control.
The transceiver set is also PoC capable, so only one power source is required to operate both the encoder and decoder.
Audio Visual Projects
Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum Calls on Videotel
The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum wanted to showcase the sesquicentennial anniversary of the founding of Colorado Springs by General William Jackson Palmer who was captivated by the grandeur of the Rockies and the dramatic rock formations in the foothills and was responsible for the vision that was the foundation for the city it has grown into today.
To celebrate this story, the Pioneer Museum created COS@150 – Colorado Springs at 150 – a 15-exhibit installation, that features the most interesting events in the area’s rich and diverse history one decade at a time.
Houlton Audio Video Applications, an integrator located in Colorado Springs, which has experience helping museum exhibit professionals bring their respective visions for exhibits to life, was retained to work on four of the 15 exhibits that required both audio and video capability.
JJ Houlton, who led the project, chose Videotel Digital’s VP71XD digital signage media players and MOVE touch-less solutions combined with directional IR speakers so visitors would automatically trigger both video and audio by simply approaching and standing in front of each exhibit, requiring no physical interaction to keep visitors safe going forward.
Houlton said he spent hours researching options before selecting Videotel Digital’s VP71XD digital signage player not only because it is reliable, but also because he liked the fact that it has an audio output and could more easily be integrated with MOVE because the combination of both devices made the automatic triggering of the content much easier.
In fact, installation of the Videotel Digital products was so easy that the installation only took two days. It could have been completed in less time, but because there was no electricity immediately available to each exhibit location, he had to take the time to run and hide the necessary cabling to power each exhibit.
He also had to develop content for splash-screens on each of the four exhibits, a process made easy by Videotel Digital’s simple user interface.
The museum’s exhibit designer was so pleased with Houlton’s work that his firm will be retained for another project later this year.
Olympic Gold Medalist, Broadcaster Rowdy Gaines Upgrades to ClearOne Aura
When Rowdy Gaines stepped into the 1984 Olympics to compete in multiple swimming events, he gave his best performance and walked away with three gold medals.
Since retiring from competition, Gaines has made a name for himself as a major TV network swimming commentator and a coveted public speaker, two careers that changed dramatically in 2020 when COVID-19 struck.
After nearly a year spent participating in virtual events and sports coverage through a basic laptop webcam, Gaines recently upgraded his gear to ClearOne Aura cameras and a speakerphone that has completely changed his presentations and capabilities.
“Since the pandemic hit, I’ve done hundreds of video calls and speeches, including for major corporations or Olympic sponsors,” Gaines said. “It took a while to realize that the laptop camera and microphone I was using were pitiful, and the low-quality picture and sound detracted from the audience experience.
With a total of three cameras, Gaines can now offer broadcasters multiple angles while working from home, in addition to utilizing special features such as AI-based automatic framing on the UNITE 50 4K AF that moves and zooms the camera to best capture everyone in a room.
All three cameras also offer remote-controlled pan, tilt and zoom, with the UNITE 50 4K ePTZ offering video up to 4K and up to 3x digital zoom, and the UNITE 200 providing 1080p quality with a 12x optical zoom.
“I work about 25 sporting events a year, and as remote collaboration for broadcast continues to evolve, it’s almost magical to have equipment that I know puts my best face forward and presents an image that’s up to the quality of professional TV production,” Gaines said.
“It’s a confidence booster to know that I can provide the best presentation possible even when I’m on the road, and I’ve already received compliments on the high quality from organizations and event attendees,” he said.
The core of Gaines’ new collaboration gear is the ClearOne Aura Versa 50 package, which combines a UNITE 50 ePTZ camera with a CHAT 150 speakerphone and a Versa USB Hub. The camera offers a 4K, 120-degree ultra-wide view lens with a 3x digital zoom, while the speakerphone delivers HDConference audio and plug-and-play simplicity with the Veras USB Hub.
People and Places
Focusrite Group to Launch New Commercial Audio Brand – Optimal Audio
A new commercial audio brand will be introduced to the market on April 20, when Focusrite plc launches Optimal Audio at a special virtual event.
Optimal Audio will become the Focusrite Group’s seventh brand, adding to Focusrite and Focusrite Pro, Adam Audio, Martin Audio, Novation and Ampify.
SPIRE Executive Joins Kleos Space as U.S.-Based Technical Director
Kleos Space S.A (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company U.S. subsidiary; Kleos Space Inc., has appointed experienced satellite software and systems engineer Vincent (Vinny) Furia as Technical Director.
In the newly created role, Furia will report to the CTO, with responsibility for effective and efficient development and deployment of the Kleos space based systems (progressing towards a constellation of satellite clusters), ground support, analytics and data delivery.
Furia was previously space operations director at nanosatellite operator Spire Global, where he was responsible for managing a constellation of more than 100 satellites and 30 ground stations.
He brings more than eight years’ program and project management experience to Kleos and has 15 years’ expertise in software and systems engineering, including 11 years at global aerospace and defense technology innovator Harris Corporation.
