AV Intelligence

Tech Tips

  • Resolving Sync Issues

    Helpful tips aimed at resolving problems with synchronizing video, video playback and audio-video synchronization.

     
  • Q & A: Conferencing Solution

    A reader sends in a question regarding wiring a large room with an audio-only teleconferencing system.

     

5-Minute Interview

  • 5-Minute Interview

    Mario Maltese, CEO, Audio Visual Resources Inc., an AV design-build and systems testing company based in Williston Park, NY. Maltese recently released his book “AV 9000: Defining Quality in Engineered Audio Visual Systems.” He's also a senior faculty member of the InfoComm International Academy...

     

Pop Quiz

Other Articles

  • Capitalizing On HD Content Delivery

    Delivering customized, targeted high-definition video content — programming and advertising — to audiences all over the world is the mission of the new Managed Media Services division recently launched by Minneapolis-based AV integrator, manufacturer, and service company Electrosonic Systems Inc.

     

Community Views

Parallax View

  • Infocomm 2006

    Although InfoComm has transitioned to an applications show, there were plenty of interesting product introductions.

     

Consultant's Connection

  • Still Holding A Grudge?

    Animosity between consultants and integrators used to be a stereotype. Times have changed, but the change isn't yet universal.

     

Sound Insight

  • Which Pin Is Hot?

    The polarity debate was settled long ago. Here are some caveats regarding the proper polarization of sound system components.

     

Viewpoint

  • IEM Lawsuits Waiting To Happen?

    Maybe it was inevitable that a Louisiana iPod owner is suing Apple for hearing damage allegedly caused by the device's earbuds and their “lack” of adequate warnings. Is it just a matter of time before the same fate befalls manufacturers and resellers of in-ear monitors (IEMs) used in pro AV...

     

Features

  • Getting Through The Firewall

    When business communications are interrupted, the financial ramifications can range from a slight annoyance to simply disastrous. This is why research firm In-Stat expects $3.8 billion will be spent on firewall products this year alone.

     
  • When To Branch Out

    Like a houseplant with roots busting out of a clay pot, a healthy small business will eventually reach the point where the confines of its region won't sustain growth. At some point, the operation has to branch out, but how do you know when the time is right?

     
  • In Control

    The high end of the residential market has given rise to sophisticated whole-house automation systems that do everything from controlling a home theater to turning on the lawn sprinklers when that door-to-door solicitor just won't go away. But the kinds of control systems being designed for these...

     
  • Protecting Your Intellectual Property

    The AV industry is waking up to the broad issue of intellectual property (IP) – the tangible and occasionally intangible products of designers of all stripes at AV systems solutions providers. Potentially encompassing everything from software to shop drawings to project design specifications...

     

Install Solutions

Health Care Install

  • Video Production Hits New Level

    Postoperative surgical site infections are a major, unwanted complication in hospitals around the country. The need for proper sterilization of all tools and equipment in the operating room (OR) is imperative. But that need for sterilization increasingly extends to the AV equipment that's showing...

     

Sports Install

  • Campus Showcases Versatile AV

    The new Kenyon College Athletic Center shimmers in glass and steel, providing a new focal point to the college's 1,000-acre campus in Gambier, OH. Impressive as the Athletic Center is from the outside, it's equally remarkable within, not only for the quality of its facilities, but also for the...

     

Transportation Install

  • AV Takes Flight In Busy Terminal

    Few airports have rivaled Chicago's O'Hare Airport as a traveler's nightmare. But in a bid to repair that reputation, the city-owned airport, in concert with its largest tenant, United Airlines, has deployed a sophisticated high-definition digital video electronic messaging and display system in...

     

ProAV's Guide to Doing Business

Other Articles

  • Guide to Doing Business in Sports AV

    PRO AV's essential industry guide, with crucial tips for positioning your company to leverage: market trends, AV spending patterns, and economic factors that affect the market.

     

Tools & Tech

Peer Review

What's Next

  • Ball Of Sound

    Are soccer fields the only place you'll see triangular-faceted icosahedrons? For now, yes, but those shapes could begin appearing in concert halls and movie theatres in the form of loudspeakers, thanks to research by the University of California Berkeley's Center for New Music and Audio...

     

New Products

Other Articles

  • Audio Distribution System

    The Adagio AADS audio distribution system from Crestron provides audio signal routing, processing, and amplification for up to six rooms.

     
  • Public Address System

    The Orient Express 400 (OEX-400) compact PA system from ALTO is designed for use in schools and churches.

     
  • Media Server

    The HDcodex DML-200c from CodexNovus is designed for trade show displays, corporate boardrooms, point-of-purchase kiosks in AV dealer showrooms, and public display applications.

     
  • Active Subwoofer

    Mackie has introduced the SWA2801z active subwoofer, which includes dual 18-inch drivers, a built-in 800 W FR Series power amplifier, and the company's active onboard electronics.

     
  • Multimode Router Control Panel

    Utah Scientific's UCP-MM multimode router control panel includes 16 input selector buttons — each with eight-character LCD display, and four high-resolution touchscreen LCD displays.

     
  • LCD Projector

    Targeted for use in boardroom and house of worship applications, the Work Big IN42 LCD projector from InFocus has native XGA (1024x768) resolution, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 3,500 lumens of brightness.

     
  • KVM Extender

    The Gefen DVI-3000 HD KVM sender/receiver system digitally transmits DVI, USB, keyboard/mouse, and RS232C controls up to 6.25 miles.

     
  • Surge Protector

    Lowell Manufacturing has introduced the ACSPR-RPC1-1509 surge protector with auto-reset over/under-voltage protection and remote power control.

     
  • UHF Wireless Systems

    Audio-Technica's 700 Series Freeway professional UHF wireless systems are available in handheld, headworn, lavalier, guitar, and bodypack configurations. Designed for live performance, house of worship, and public address applications, the systems' receivers include balanced XLR and unbalanced...

     
  • HD Videoconferencing Solutions

    Tandberg's Centric 1700 MXP desktop videoconferencing solution includes an integrated high-definition camera and a 20-inch flat-screen monitor that switches between PC functions and videoconferencing capabilities.

     
  • AV System Design Software

    Altinex has introduced its AVSnap v2.7.0 AV system design and integration software. The software's Internet Meeting function enables up to 128 users to simultaneously communicate and view AVSnap drawings and project libraries in real time.

     
  • Plasma Displays

    Panasonic's 9-Series high-definition professional plasma displays include the 50-inch TH-50PH9UK (pictured here), the 42-inch TH-42PH9UK, the 37-inch TH-37PH9UK, and the 42-inch TH-42PS9UK. The displays feature 16-bit digital signal processing, improved sub-field driving technology to reproduce 3...

     
  • XGA Data/Video Projector

    The EIKI LC-X71 XGA Boardroom Series portable data/video projector features 5,500 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.

     
  • Floor-Standing Loudspeaker

    Designed for use in custom installation applications, Canton's Vento Reference 1 DC is a 3 1/2-way floor-standing loudspeaker that includes two 7-inch aluminum mid-range drivers, one aluminum-manganese tweeter, and two 12-inch aluminum cone woofers.

     
  • Document Camera

    The ELMO TT-02u document camera with USB connection is designed for education applications. The TT-02u can handle documents up to 11x17 inches, as well as microscopic slides in microscope viewing modes.

     
  • Wireless Ethernet Access Point

    The NXA-WAP250G 802.11b/g wireless access point from AMX features wireless encryption standards, including WPA2, WPA, 802.1x, MAC address filtering, and 64-bit/128-bit WEP encryption. The product is RoHS compliant and includes multiple VLAN support.

     
  • Digital Signage Player

    KeyWest Technology's MediaXtreme MX-A digital signage player includes a standard 200 GB hard drive, which is expandable up to 400 GB. The MX-A supports video and CATV input with a video scaler.

     
  • Digital Music Server

    The Xantech XMUSIC digital music server features a 160 GB hard drive for storing up to 2,800 hours of music. The XMUSIC server can be controlled through IR or RS232 commands, and can simultaneously play up to four songs to create four separate musical zones.

     
  • LCD Monitor

    The LVM-47W1 47-inch flat-panel LCD monitor from Westinghouse Digital Electronics provides 1920x1080 progressive-scan resolution, as well as six HD input connectors for computer, video, and gaming devices.

     
  • Digital Media Server

    The Adtec Digital Soloist 4111 HD digital media server supports MPEG-4, H.264, MPEG-2, and VC-1 HD and SD media playback from hard drive, IP stream decoding, Cable QAM, Satellite QPSK, terrestrial ATSC, and DVB-T interfaces.

     
  • Display Wall Processor

    The Jupiter Systems Fusion 960 Display Wall Processor includes upgraded features for use in control room projects.

     
  • Screen Masking Panels

    The Fast-Fold Masking Panels from Da-Lite Screen Company allow native HDTV (16:9) aspect ratio projection screens to be masked to NTSC video (4:3).

     
  • WXGA Projector

    Boxlight has introduced the Broadview WXGA (1280x768) projector, which is designed for corporate and portable presentation applications. The projector has a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, and 2,600 ANSI lumens of brightness.

     
  • Disk Recorder

    The V1-HD/LE disk recorder from Doremi Labs provides real-time recording and HD video playback for AV applications. The V1-HD/LE is designed for use with high-resolution video projectors, plasmas, and LCD displays in theme parks, museums, concerts, and stage events.

     
  • Network Media Player

    ViewSonic's NMP-500 Network Media Player includes a fully featured Mozilla Web browser. The device streams high-definition content from the Internet, supporting animations and high-definition video from Flash, Dreamweaver, and Frontpage at up to 20 MB/s.

     
  • Sequencing Controller

    The Middle Atlantic Products MPR-SEQ six-step sequencing controller, which can be installed internally in the company's Modular Power Raceway System or as a standalone module, sequentially powers on AV components.

     
  • Digital Signage Solutions

    Triveni Digital's SkyScraper Ensignia digital signage products and SkyScraper Emergency Services Network emergency alert network systems are extensions of the company's content distribution platform.

     
  • Power Amplifiers

    Dynacord's CL series includes the CL 2000, CL 1600, CL 1200, and CL 800 models. Each model includes low-emission torroidal transformers, and is protected against overheating, overloading, short-cuts, and HF or DC at output via relay switches.

     
  • Video Processing Chip

    Silicon Optix's Reon-VX fully-programmable Realta chip offers HQV four-field, motion-adaptive, per-pixel, high-definition de-interlacing for sharp HD images.

     
  • LED Display

    The OLite 612 LED display from Barco is designed for indoor and outdoor use in rental & staging and creative applications.

     
  • Curved Projection Screens

    The TheaterCurve projection screens from Screen Research include curved 1.78 and 2.35 aspect ratio models. The screens, which feature ClearPix screen material, are available in sizes from 50 to 270 inches wide.

     
  • Flat-Panel Display Ceiling Mount

    The 42-inch Flat Panel TV Ceiling Mount from Peerless is designed for use in digital signage applications in retail locations.

     
  • Subwoofer System

    The Bag End P-S18E-AD self-powered, low-profile, single 18-inch subwoofer system measures 15 inches high and weighs 74 pounds. The product incorporates a 1,000 W Bag End Minima One amplifier and the company's INFRA signal processor.

     
  • WXGA Projector

    Mitsubishi's SD2000U wide format, high-definition professional projector is designed for installation imaging requiring a native 16:9 aspect ratio.

     
  • Digital Signal Processor

    The NEXIA TC digital signal processor from Biamp features eight wideband AEC mic/line inputs, two standard mic/line inputs, four mic/line outputs, and a telephone interface. The internal system design is customizable and can be controlled via software screens, RS232 control systems, and remote...

     
  • Digital Mixing Console

    The Midas XL8 live performance digital mixing console. The XL8 can accommodate up to 96 input insert sends, 96 input insert returns, 96 input compressor external side chain connections, 96 input noise gate external side chain connections, 96 input direct outputs, 51 mix buss insert sends, 51 mix...

     
  • Plasma Displays

    Hitachi America's UltraVision 42-inch 42HDS69 and 55-inch 55HDS69 HDTV plasma displays feature three HDMI and three component inputs, and incorporate the company's PictureMaster HD III video processing technology.

     
  • Digital Signage Software

    The 3M Digital Signage Software – Network Edition version 3.0 from 3M Digital Signage enables users to distribute and play back media files, schedule playlists, and monitor a network of digital signs from any Internet-connected computer.

     
  • RGB Peaking Amplifier

    Extron Electronics' PA 300 RGB Peaking Amplifier drives high-resolution computer-video signals over long cable runs. The PA 300 can drive RGB video signals up to 600 feet via Extron MHR or similar cable, and up to 1,000 feet via Extron RG6 or similar cable.

     
  • In-Wall Loudspeaker

    The Sound Advance SA2C in-wall loudspeaker incorporates the company's Planar Diaphragm Technology. The speaker features a 70/100 V signal transformer, an 8-ohm bypass connection, a 12 dB/octave crossover circuit at 2 kHz, and primary taps for 0.5 W and 1 W, 2 W, 4 W, 8 W, 16 W, and 32 W output.

     
  • 3LCD Projector

    Epson's PowerLite 3100i projector is designed for presentation environments in universities and business conference facilities. The PowerLite 3100i features 3LCD technology, 1.6X optical zoom, + 30-degree keystone adjustment, a 5W speaker, and up to 3,500 ANSI lumens of brightness in XGA (1024x768)...

     
  • Immersive Videoconferencing Environment

    Polycom's RPX RealPresence Experience customizable, immersive videoconferencing environment includes audio, video, lighting, and furniture components.

     
  • Coax Cable

    Rapco International and Horizon Music Inc.'s Easy Pull RGB Coax Cable connects PCs to monitors, projectors, and plasma screens. Targeted for use in SVGA (800x600) video installations, the cable features male and female DIN connectors covered with heat shrink tubing and a plenum jacket.

     
  • Digital Amplifiers

    The DA Series line of digital multichannel amplifiers from TOA Electronics Inc. is designed for multi-zone distributed loudspeaker systems. The DA-250FH provides four 70 V output channels of 250 W or two 140 V channels of 500 W in bridged mode.

     
  • Wireless Conferencing Network

    The Bosch Wireless Digital Conferencing Network (DCN) from Listen Technologies features a central unit and microphone delegate units, which can be controlled by delegates or an operator via remote.

     
  • Large-Venue Projector

    Digital Projection International's LIGHTNING 40HD-T large-venue projector features 21,000 ANSI lumens of brightness. The L40HD-T has a 1,600:1 contrast ratio, up to 2K resolution, and total chassis power consumption of less than 4.5 kW.

     
  • Electric Projection Screen

    The VMAX electric projection screen from Elite Screens includes a black border on all sides of the screen and an extended 16-inch black border on the top of the screen for use with high-ceiling and adjustable drop/rise positioning applications.

     
  • Video Switch

    Belkin's PureAV HDMI Interface 3-to-1 Video Switch connects to and switches as many as three digital video sources, including cable set-top boxes, DVD players, and other devices.

     

Cheat Sheet

  • Terminating Cables

    Properly terminating cables is one of the most critical tasks in any AV project. While every cable and connector type requires a slightly different procedure, here are some common tips and techniques.