AV Intelligence

Tech Tips

  • Understanding Thiele-Small Parameters

    The Thiele-Small (T-S) parameters are commonly used by engineers to define the relationship between a speaker and a particular enclosure. But they can also provide some measures describing loudspeaker components that defy marketing interpretation.

     

5-Minute Interview

  • 5-Minute Interview: Mark Pickard

    Director of marketing at Sonance since June 11, Mark Pickard began his career in aerospace engineering at Northrup Grumman. His intro to the pro AV industry was working on displays for a video company, followed by six years at Epson, he then time spent at Toshiba and Samsung.

     

Marketwatch

  • Revenue And Profit

    One consistent trend that we see in industry surveys is that most AV firms consider the "corporate" vertical as a primary market for their business. This month's MarketWatch survey confirms that the corporate vertical is also the top revenue producer -- over 50 percent of respondents say so.

     

Pop Quiz

Community Views

Parallax View

  • Signal Switch

    MANY AMERICANS aren't aware of the impending analog TV shut-off on Feb. 17, 2009, and Congress is "becoming concerned" how the lack of analog TV will affect their constituents, a recent news article reports.

     

Consultant's Connection

Viewpoint

  • Worlds Of Opportunity

    One of the more challenging conditions brought on by the ongoing convergence of technology-based industries is the blending of languages.

     

Features

  • Casting A Wider Net

    Crossroads Community Church in Adrian, Mich., a “portable” church using audio and video components that are stowed after each event, Crossroads is burdened by neither worship traditions nor the need for an elaborate physical space. Like a growing number of technology consumers, Crossroads turns to...

     

  • Adventures In RF Design

    The impending transition from analog television to digital television (DTV) brings with it many problems and issues that have yet to be resolved, the biggest of which may be education.

     

Install Solutions

Education Install

  • Teaching The Teachers

    The John M. Perzel Education & Technology Center is the flagship technology building on the campus of Holy Family University in Philadelphia, featuring modern presentation technologies and videoconferencing with all AV systems standardized on a building-wide control system from AMX Corp.

     

Rental and Staging

  • Sharing The Same Stage

    Show Department, a show staging company that provides temporary staging services, tackles spatial challenges and tight time constraints for the biennial Walgreens management event.

     

Retail/Restaurants Install

  • Redefined By Design

    Built over an old ocean pier, the new Pier at Caesars in Atlantic City is home to Game-On, the ultimate sports bar for any sports fan.

     

Tools & Tech

Peer Review

  • Peer Review: Sonance 875D SE Multi-Channel Amplifier

    We install hundreds of architectural audio distribution amplifiers each year in high-end residences, and we have very specific needs. . .The Sonance 875D SE Multi-Channel Amplifier is literally the ideal response to our ideal specification, one that historically did not exist.

     

What's Next

  • On The Go

    CALL IT A MARRIAGE of convenience: The 2008 InfoComm show will be co-located with NXTcomm, a trade show for telecom vendors and service providers. That's good news for mobile videoconferencing, which should benefit from the ongoing convergence of telecom and pro AV.

     

New Products

Other Articles

  • Video Switcher

    Echolab Corporation announces a multidefinition video switcher, called OvationMD.

     

  • Switcher

    The VS-41HD from Kramer Electronics is a switcher for SDI (SMPTE 259M and SMPTE344M) and HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) digital video signals that has the ability to switch one of four inputs to two identical outputs.

     

  • Speaker Selectors

    ATON premiers the Dynamic Level Adjustment (DLA) series of speaker selectors, designed for multiroom routing and audio level control, and offering both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) control.

     

  • HD AV Capture Card

    ViewCast is now shipping its new HD video capture card, the Osprey-700 HD.

     

  • 16-Port Hub

    Pragmatic Communications Systems announces the PH-16, an 16-output hub for audio distribution over Cat5 cables from any Pragmatic PADS PT or PTI transmitter.

     

  • Architectural Loudspeakers

    The Storm Series of ceiling, in-wall, LCR home theater, and outdoor speakers from ATON feature custom components, networks, and materials typically found in more expensive loudspeakers.

     

  • Cord Management Clip

    Bretford now includes a complimentary cord minder cable management accessory with three of its Basics Brand (BB) wide-body TV carts.

     

  • Multiplane Matrix Switcher

    The SMX System MultiMatrix Series of modular multiplane matrix switchers from Extron Electronics combines multiple independent analog and digital matrix switchers in a field-configurable, modular frame.

     

  • Condenser Touring Mic

    Recently added to beyerdynamic'sTourGroup line is the TG-X 930 condenser microphone.

     

  • Twin Receiver

    Sennheiser recently released the new EM 3732 twin receiver with 90 MHz switching bandwidth.

     

  • Tool-Less Connectors

    ITC (Instant Tool-less Connector) announces its new series of nickel-plated connectors as a complement to its gold-plated series and an alternative to soldering or compression systems.

     

  • Designer AV Shelving

    A designer of audio/video furniture, Bell'O International, introduces a new line of flat-panel shelving called the FP series.

     

  • Flat-Panel Lifts

    The PL Series of flat-panel lifts from Display Devices are intended for high-end residential installations.

     

  • Network Projectors

    Hitachi America introduces two new models of networkable projectors: the CP-X205 and the CP-X305 3LCD.

     

  • High-Powered Amplifiers

    Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems introduces three new high-powered amplifiers, the TX4n, the TX5n, and the TX6n.

     

  • Home Theater Screen

    dnp introduces a new wide screen for fine dedicated home theaters.

     

  • Home Theater Loudspeakers

    A new Custom Theater line was recently unveiled by Bowers & Wilkins.

     

  • Rack-Mount Amplifier

    Gefen's new rack-mountable amplifier splits and sends HDMI audio/video signals to up to 10 HD displays at 1080p, making it ideal for digital signage, education, presentation, and entertainment purposes, according to the company.

     

  • Sample Keypads

    LiteTouch has recently made samples of three of its best-selling keypad styles available for consumer purchase to help potential clients choose the best look for their project.

     

  • Twisted Pair Cables

    Kramer USA introduces two new bulk cables: the BC-XTP (shown) and BCP-XTP XGA Twisted Pair cables are designed to eliminate “skew.”

     

  • HDMI Cables

    The new UltraRun HDMI 1.3a category 2 cable from Accell is claimed to be among the world's longest at up to 131 feet.

     

  • Projector Sound Enclosure

    According to Display Devices, the new SE Series soffit sound enclosure relocates fan noise from projectors away from the viewing area so viewers are not distracted.

     

  • AV Extenders

    QVS introduces a new line of nonpowered audio video extenders that use Cat5e cabling.

     

  • AV Splitter

    Accell debuted its UltraAV 1-2 HDMI Splitter, which the company boasts as a compact and affordable solution for those aiming to expand their entertainment experience.

     

  • In-Ear Audio System

    The IMS 900 in-ear system is the latest addition to beyerdynamic's line of products.

     

  • 16-Gauge Speaker Cable

    The BC-2S is the latest addition to Kramer USA's bulk cable collection.

     

  • Undermount Speaker

    The Horizon 616 (Hz616) is Leon Speakers' first three-channel undermount speaker specifically designed for plus-sized flat screens and projectors.

     

  • Intercom Amplifier

    Tech Works introduces the ICA-202 two-channel audio amplifier, intended for use in integrated push-to-talk systems, such as those found in prisons and security applications.

     

  • Floor-Mount Connectivity System

    For situations where AV devices require connectivity but are not positioned near a wall, Extron Electronics introduces the Extron AVTrac.

     

  • Short-Distance Projector

    Toshiba's Digital Products Division announces its latest advancement in mobile projectors, the TDP-EX20U.

     

  • Keypads and Faceplates

    Vantage/Legrand introduces the Axolute collection of keypads and Italian-designed faceplates for whole-home control solutions.

     

  • Power Management Products

    Panamax/Furman has just released four new MAX power management products intended to improve the audio and video quality of home theater components.

     

  • Remote-Controlled Switchers

    Tributaries announces two new compact remote-controlled HDMI switchers, the HX410 and the HX410A.

     

  • AES 2007 Convention Product Preview

    Products to be found at the 2007 Audio Engineering Society convention, Oct. 5-8 in New York City.

     

Cheat Sheet

  • Soundproofing a Room

    When it comes to room acoustics, most AV pros are concerned with sound reflection and absorption. But sometimes the challenge is keeping exterior sounds from coming in, and keeping interior sound from getting out. This is where soundproofing comes in.