Viewpoint

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    Viewpoint: Yes, Darn It, AV Pros Matter

    Last month i had the privilege of speaking at a vendor summit held by pro AV distributor Stampede near the company's new headquarters outside Buffalo, N.Y. In the audience were representatives from display and projector manufacturers such as NEC, Panasonic, Epson, InFocus, Samsung, Optoma, Hitachi...

     

AV Intelligence

5-Minute Interview

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    5 Minute Interview: Adam Neale

    As immersive AV goes mainstream, the job of serving intricate, high-resolution media to nontraditional surfaces (curved screens, domes, globes) becomes a challenge. In October, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry opened an exhibit called You! The Experience with a 13-foot-tall virtual heart...

     

Marketwatch

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    Testing the Market's Bottom

    Last month, InfoComm International released its latest Economic Snapshot, a regular report on how the pro AV industry feels about its financial health. The October 2009 results closely resemble those from July 2009, when AV pros acknowledged that business had fallen off.

     

Pop Quiz

Other Articles

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    AV Intelligence: Mainstream Immersion

    Imagine it's time to renew a company's luxury box seats for the local sports franchise, but the arena is getting a face-lift. What if the view changes? Madison Square Garden is going through just such a renovation and it wants current and prospective customers to experience what the new luxury...

     

Community Views

Parallax View

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    Get Ready for More Paradigm Shifts

    Have you seen all the Ethernet-connected HDTVs on the market today? Do you have the skills it will take to build an IPTV network? Parallax View columnist and 2008 InfoComm Educator of the Year Pete Putman has a new lesson for you. Learn the finer points of software switching before you're left in...

     

Consultant's Connection

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    Ethernet AVB, Promise Fulfilled

    It's been a long time coming. Today's Ethernet AVB standard for digital AV networks resembles some of those long-ago platforms that didn't quite pan out.

     

Sustainable AV

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    Forget Green AV...For Now

    If figuring out how green AV applies to your company has you pulling your hair out, take a step back and work on the bigger picture. When sustainability in your AV systems evolve from a strategy of corporate responsibility, it's a lot easier to accomplish your goals. Columnist Midori Connolly...

     

Features

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    Say What? Intelligibility in the Spotlight

    Mass notification systems are part security, part fire safety, and (increasingly) part AV. And while life safety and AV systems don't typically interoperate, forthcoming code changes by the National Fire Protection Association may change that, creating opportunities for AV professionals and...

     
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    10 Ways to Better AV Systems (plus one bonus, limited-time doozy)

    We polled manufacturers, integrators, and end users to help identify lingering pain points and asked them for quick solutions and insights. Depending on what you're working on, you should be able to find a handful of these tips worth clipping out and stuffing in your back pocket for future...

     

Install Solutions

Corporate Install

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    Office Space

    When Office Depot called on architecture firm HOK to design its new global headquarters in BocaRaton, Fla., collaboration was a priority. From the low-height cubicle walls to the open layouts of glass and windows, the company wanted everything, including upscale amenities and all the installed AV...

     
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    Green Install: A True Test of Green AV

    If you installed AV systems in a group's new headquarters and those headquarters subsequently received a Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, does it mean those AV systems were green? What if the group whose...

     

Tools & Tech

Feature

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    Tools & Tech: Realities of Green AV Design

    There has been a lot of talk recently about green AV, but what really goes into designing a green AV solution? One AV consultant and member of InfoComm's Green AV Task Force starts to peel back the layers and reveals key considerations for achieving energy efficiency in a typical classroom install...

     

Software Suite

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    Software Suite: Not Just Another Signage CMS

    NEC Display Solutions made news last month when it launched Vukunet, a new centralized online software platform that links digital signage ad buyers to digital signage networks. What went underreported was the fact that NEC was also offering a free content management system to companies that joined...

     

Bright Idea

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    Bright Idea: Built-In USB

    The humble USB port is often at the intersection of AV and IT. In classrooms and conference centers, users increasingly show up with a presentation on a thumb drive or some other device that needs to be integrated with the AV via USB. But elegantly installing USB ports in lecterns, desks, or...

     

Spec to Spec

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    Professional HDMI Matrix Switchers

    Put 100 AV integrators in a room and ask how many of them think HDMI is bad for business and nearly 100 hands will go up. Put manufacturers in a room and they'll say they're just fielding requests to add HDMI ports to their pro AV products.

     

Audio Files

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    Behind the Design

    Jack Wrightson is a founding principal at Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, an acoustical consulting and electronic systems design firm in Dallas. While well known for work in sports, convention center, and concert venues, WJHW also provides services on corporate, educational, and performing...

     

New Products

Audio

Video

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    LED Videowall

    Barco's new OL series of videowall products feature LED rear projection and Sense6 sensor technology, which the company says coordinates with multiple rear-projection modules to provide image stability across the videowall screens.

     
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    Wireless Video System

    New from Black Box, the Wireless Video Presentation System II (AC1131A) allows multiple PC or Mac laptop users to stream audio and video from their computers, says the company.

     
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    3LCD Projector

    The new PLC-XF1000 from Sanyo is a two-lamp, 3LCD projector that offers 12,000 lumens of brightness.

     
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    Digital Signage

    Christie has rolled out what it calls MicroTiles, which are modular display tiles that can be arranged into videowalls of varying sizes and shapes with just a 1 mm gap between tiles, according to the company.

     

Signal Management

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    Standby Switcher

    The new VS-211HDxl 2x1 automatic standby switcher from Kramer automatically switches to the secondary input when the primary signal is lost, and switches back once the signal is restored.

     
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    Touch Screen

    The NXT-700 is a new hybrid from Aurora Multimedia that integrates a control system processor and multiple ports into a Web-based, touchscreen controller.

     
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    Matrix Switcher

    Gefen's new 16x16 DVI Matrix delivers one-to-one or one-to-many video distribution.

     
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    Mini Controller

    Altinex's first product in its Neutron Series controller line, the CP500-110 Mini-Contoller, is designed to extend the capabilities of the company's MultiTouch line of touch panels, providing multipoint device control from a compact, Ethernet-based unit.

     

Cables & Accessories

Cheat Sheet

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    Choosing the Right 3D Technology

    Get ready. There's about to be a rush on video systems that display movies, images, and graphical information in three dimensions. Knowing the differences among 3D technologies is a key first step.

     

Web Only

  • Blu-ray Finalizes 3D Spec

    The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announced finalization and release of its Blu-ray 3D specification. The specification, which represents the work of the leading Hollywood studios and consumer electronic and computer manufacturers, will enable the entertainment industry to deliver the 3D...

     
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    Barco Debuts 3-Chip WUXGA DLP Projector

    Barco last week launched the RLM-W6, a three-chip DLP projector with WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution at the price of a single-chip DLP projector, according to the company.

     
  • Sencore Improves on MP500 HDMI Analyzer

    Sencore announced several enhancements to its MP500 MediaPro Handheld Generator and HDMI Analyzer.

     
  • Polycom Boosts Flexibility of Telepresence Systems

    Polycom recently announced new capabilities for its telepresence solutions in order to give customers greater flexibility in the use and management of telepresence suites throughout their organization, the company said.

     
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    Extron Ships TouchLink Cable Cubby

    Extron Electronics announced availability of the TLP 350CV TouchLink 3.5-inch Cable Cubby Touchpanel, the latest addition to the company's configurable control system family. Extron rolled previewed the TouchLink family at InfoComm 09 in June.

     
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    SurgeX Supports Installs Worldwide

    SurgeX , through a recent partnership with International Audio Group (IAG), announced the global launch of its SX1200 product range, designed with power ratings and connectivity compatible with the rest of the world.

     
  • Sencore Radiance Processors Get PIP

    Sencore last week announced new features for its Radiance series of video processors. The Radiance XD and XE now include a picture-in-picture capability that permits theater viewers to preview other available input video programs. The setup menu provides ten picture-in-picture setup configurations...

     
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    Clear-Com Names NW Rep

    Clear-Com Communication Systems, which makes professional intercom systems, announced it appointed Jay Wallace as regional sales manager for the northwest region.

     
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    Xantech Taps Former Sony Exec to Lead Sales

    Xantech Corp., which makes whole-house entertainment and automation systems, announced the addition of Tom Harvey as director of sales. Harvey comes to Xantech with over 25 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry.

     
  • NEC Rolls Out Four New NP Series Projectors

    NEC Display Solutions of America will begin shipping the new NP2200 and NP1200 projectors for education and corporate environments this month, while the recently unveiled the NP510WS and NP610S short-throw projectors will ship in January.

     
  • Leading Companies Form HD Distribution Alliance

    LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Valens Semiconductor announced this week they would start a cross-industry alliance to promote and standardize HDBaseT technology for whole-home distribution of uncompressed HD multimedia content.

     
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    Projectiondesign Premieres WQXGA Projector

    This week Projectiondesign unveiled its new F35 series DLP projector, the company's first to feature a Texas Instruments WQXGA DLP chip, with 2,560 x 1,600 resolution.

     
  • Glowpoint Designs Conferencing Diagnostics Tool

    Glowpoint recently launched Video Room Sweep (VRS), an automated diagnostic application for telepresence and videoconferencing environments. According to the company, VRS performs a comprehensive sweep and emulation of video sessions for all telepresence and videoconferencing components.

     
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    OWI Expands Self-Amplified Speaker Line

    OWI has added an amplified surface mount loudspeaker package to its selection of self-amplified speakers. The package includes a 30-watt, self-amplified, two-speaker system, available for $199.

     
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    New Gefen KVM Switcher Accesses Four Computers

    Gefen has launched its next generation 4x1 KVM DVI DL Switcher, a new version that supports the connection of one display using single- or dual-link DVI, supporting resolutions up to 3,840 x 2,400.

     
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    Kramer Intros Computer Graphics Distro Amp

    This week, Kramer Electronics introduced its new VP-8K 1x8 computer graphics video distribution amplifier. The VP-8K replaces Kramer's VP-8 line of distribution amplifiers (DA) and includes the company's Kr-isp advanced sync processing technology.

     
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    Minicom Ships Signage Wall Platform

    Minicom Digital Signage this week introduced its DS Vision Wall, a high-definition display wall solution specifically designed for the in-store market and powered by YCD Multimedia software.

     
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    Lexicon Ships New Reverb, Effects Processor

    Lexicon has started shipping the new PCM92 Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor. The PCM92 utilizes the latest DSP technology and a collection of classic Lexicon algorithms for live sound and the studio applications, according to the company.

     
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    Barix to Show Low-Cost IP Controller at ISE

    Barix AG, which makes IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, launched the Barionet 50, a low-cost IP automation controller, monitoring device, and visualization system now professional and home applications. Barix will take the wraps off the device at Integrated Systems Europe in...

     
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    IBASE, Scala Combine on Digital Signage Players

    IBASE Technology, a manufacturer of digital signage platforms, and digital signage software developer Scala have partnered to deliver embedded digital signage solutions that enhance hardware and software integration capabilities for systems integrators.

     
  • SoundTube Partners with USAV

    SoundTube Entertainment has become a preferred manufacturing partner for the USAV Group. USAV was founded in 2001 and comprises a group of professional AV integrators from the United States and Canada. According to the company, the group represents more than $350 million in annual revenue.

     
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    Premier Mounts Appoints New National Sales Manager

    Premier Mounts has named Bill Wildman as its new national sales manager. Wildman will be responsible for all dealer, distribution, OEM, and hospitality channels. He will report to vice president of sales Tiffany Dozier-Houck.

     
  • AVI-SPL Welcomes K-12 Specialist to Detroit Office

    AVI-SPL has hired Vince Deur as the education market manager for the AV integrator's Detroit office. Deur will specialize in the K-12 education market in western Michigan, with special emphasis on Smart Technology products.

     
  • Cisco Closes in on Tandberg

    Cisco Systems officials said the company has received acceptances for or purchased shares that represent more than 90 percent of the shares in Tandberg as part of the voluntary public cash offer to acquire all outstanding shares in the telepresence company.

     
  • Simply Reliable Ties the Knot with Crestron

    Simply Reliable Software, the manufacturer of SmartOffice business process software for integrators, has entered into a partnership with Crestron to develop a solution that would enable dealers to design and program systems quickly and easily.

     
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    Planar Launches Lampless LED Projector

    Planar Systems, through its Runco brand, recently unveiled the Runco QuantumColor Q-750i and Q-750d lampless LED projectors to its global dealer network, the company said.

     
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    Crestron Ships New DM Cards, Transmitters

    Crestron's newest DigitalMedia (DM) output card is now available in 20 versions, expanding the capabilities of the modular 8x8 and 16x16 DM matrix switchers.

     
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    Crestron Ships Presentation Audio Amp

    Crestron has begun shipping the MP-AMP30, what the company calls a convenient, low-cost audio amplifier for applications in which audio from source equipment is directly connected to and switched by a video projector.

     
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    Optoma Debuts New 3D HD Projector

    Optoma Technology this week introduced its new HD66 high-definition, 3D-ready home theater projector. The $699 projector supports 3D content in up to 720p resolution based on Texas Instruments' 0.65 DMD DLP chipset with BrilliantColor, according to the company.

     
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    Kramer Releases 3G HD-SDI to HDMI Converter

    Kramer Electronics has announced the release of its new FC-331 3G HD-SDI to HDMI format converter. According to the company, the device converts an SDI audio and video signal to an HDMI output signal with the same resolution and frame rate.

     
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    Crestron Adds Guidebar Technology to Annotator

    Crestron has released its DVPHD High-Definition Annotator with its new Guidebar Technology (DVPHD-GB). According to the company, HD annotation allows presenters to write or draw over live computer and full-motion HD video images using a touch screen or mouse.

     
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    MultiDyne Debuts Embedder, De-embedder Cards

    MultiDyne Video and Fiber Optic Systems, a provider of fiber optic-based AV signal transport and routing solutions, introduced its new openGear-compatible DEM-4322G HD/SD De-embedder and EMB-4321G HD/SD Embedder.

     
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    SIM2 Ships New LED Projector

    SIM2 has begun shipping its single-chip, LED, full HD, DLP projector, the Mico 50. The lamp-free Mico 50 projector uses an LED light source to provide stable color characteristics and quick sequential picture information, according to the company.

     
  • Altinex Earns ISO Certification

    Altinex, which makes signal management products, has received ISO 9001:2008 certification, according to company officials. Altinex had previously been ISO 9001:2000 compliant, but now meets the latest certification standards released by the International Organization for Standardization in late...

     
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    Harman Promotes Paller to Sales VP

    The Harman Music Group announced the promotion of Craig Paller from vice president, domestic sales, to groupwide vice president, worldwide sales. Paller is now responsible for strategic planning and sales initiatives at the brand, market, and dealer level for BSS Audio, dbx Professional, DigiTech...

     
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    Sony Unveils Family of AVCHD Camcorders

    Sony Electronics has launched a new family of professional video products that support the AVCHD format. Designed for professionals and prosumers, the new NXCAM family features solid-state production capabilities.

     
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    Analog Way Launches Six New Switchers

    Analog Way has announced the release of six new high-resolution mixers and switchers featuring multiple scalers.

     
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    New StarBoard Widens Whiteboard Market for Hitachi

    Hitachi Software Engineering America has rolled out the new StarBoard FX-77GII, a whiteboard the company expects to be more accessible to a larger universe of corporate and educational users. This new model reportedly has a lower price point than the original FX DUO StarBoard.

     
  • Glowpoint Integrates Microsoft Exchange for Conferencing

    Managed videoconferencing services provider Glowpoint has unveiled ScheduleSync, a new feature that synchronizes customer desktop calendar and scheduling software with the company's customer web portal. ScheduleSync integrates with Microsoft Exchange, allowing customers to schedule and manage...

     
  • Klein + Hummel to Integrate with Sennheiser and Neumann

    Sennheiser plans to integrate its subsidiary, studio monitor and installed sound manufacturer Klein + Hummel, into the Sennheiser and Neumann companies, officials said. Sennheiser took over sales and development of Klein + Hummel, plus its worldwide rights, in 2005.

     
  • Stampede Recruits More Former Electrograph Staffers

    Amherst, N.Y.-based distributor Stampede has hired three more former Electrograph staffers to its team, company officials announced. With the new additions, Stampede says it has hired 12 of Electrograph's top personnel since the former distributor liquidated last summer.

     
  • FSR Expands Southwestern Presence with New Rep

    FSR, a manufacturer of audio and video switching and control products and connectivity boxes, has named Dobbs Stanford Corp. as the company's representative in several southern states. Dobbs Stanford, established in 1970, will provide local sales and support for FSR's product range from offices in...

     
  • TV One Names New Midwest RSM

    TV One recently appointed Bob Stern to the position of midwest regional sales manager. Stern comes to TV One with an extensive sales background, having spent the past 19 years in the video industry.

     
  • Tandberg Debuts Provisioning Platform

    Tandberg this week introduced a provisioning solution that allows enterprises to deploy Tandberg E20 personal videoconferencing phones and Tandberg Movi PC videoconferencing to thousands of employees. The solution uses new features in Tandberg's Management Suite (TMS) to help eliminate the time...

     
  • Peerless Sponsors AIA Course

    Peerless has begun sponsoring AIA-approved (American Institute of Architects) continuing education courses online at architectCES.com. The course "Lighting for Learning" is expected to be the first of many designed by Peerless to help architects and lighting professionals learn best practices for...

     
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    Christie Launches MicroTiles

    Christie recently launched its new MicroTiles digital technology, creating what the company calls a near-seamless "digital canvas" in almost any shape or size.

     
  • HaiVision's Makito Supports Analog and DVI

    HaiVision Network Video's latest Makito HD H.264 encoder now supports Component analog as well as DVI inputs. According to the company, the Makito delivers low latency, full-frame rate H.264 encoding of HD video up to 1080p/60, or computer graphics up to 1280x1024/60 (SXGA) resolution. Released on...

     
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    Gepco Rolls Out Distribution Rack

    Gepco International has introduced the HDR1 High Density Distribution Rack, an updated version of the company's original HDR. The new model is electrically isolated, with a 1 RU six-position design and a compact and expandable solution for SMPTE hybrid fiber patching and distribution systems, says...

     
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    Medialon Expands Embedded Controller Series

    Medialon has followed up its Showmaster ST embedded show controller with the new Showmaster Pro and Showmaster iPro.

     
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    RTI ZigBee and Control Processors Now Shipping

    RTI has announced that it has expanded its line of ZigBee and two-way compatible processors with the release of the MRP-64 multiroom control processor and ZRP-6 central control processor.

     
  • Almo Partners with Sanyo

    Almo Professional A/V has aligned with Sanyo North America's Presentation Technology Division to offer Sanyo's line of portable, business, short-throw, and large fixed-installation projectors for education and business applications. Sanyo's outdoor displays for digital signage and rental and...

     
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    Symetrix Taps New VP of Manufacturing

    Symetrix and its associated SymNet, Lucid, and AirTools brands of pro audio processors have recently hired Eric Dies to serve as vice president of manufacturing to improve and innovate the company's production and manufacturing process.

     
  • Almo Hires New Midwest Sales Manager

    Almo Professional A/V announced that AV veteran Dave Maniscalco, formerly of Samsung Electronics America, has joined the company as its new midwest territory sales manager.

     
  • NEC Launches Vukunet Signage Platform

    This week commercial LCD display and projector provider NEC Display Solutions of America unveiled Vukunet the company's innovative web platform for digital out-of-home (DOOH) networks. According to the company, Vukunet solves the main issues facing digital signage network owners, as well as...

     
  • Cisco Expands Digital Signage Offerings

    At the Digital Signage Show in New York, Cisco Systems announced that it has expanded its partner ecosystem and added new features and capabilities to its Cisco Digital Signs solution, with a focus on the creation, management, reporting, and playback of digital media.

     
  • LCD Signage Sales Pick Up Speed

    DisplaySearch, a display market research and consulting firm, indicated in its latest Monthly Large Format Commercial Displays Sell Through Report that large, non-consumer LCDs (26 inches and above) had their highest sell-through quarter ever in U.S. commercial distribution in the third quarter of...

     
  • NSCA and PSA Security Form Partnership

    The National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) and PSA Security Network have announced a partnership involving NSCA's Business & Leadership Conference and the latter's PSA-TEC conference.

     
  • Furman Signs Distribution Agreement with Almo

    Furman announced it has partnered with Almo Professional A/V in an effort to extend its sales and distribution network to professional AV integrators, dealers, and consultants. Under the distribution agreement, Almo will help establish distribution and manage sustained sales growth for Furman's Pro...

     
  • Gefen Extends Range of HDMI Over Cat-5

    Gefen has released its new HDMI v1.3 over Cat-5 ELR (Extra Long Range) extender. The sender/receiver system sends high-definition video with audio, Ethernet, and IR back channel up to 330 feet over a single Cat-5 cable, says the company.

     
  • Stampede Covers SW with Former Electrographer

    AV distributor Stampede has hired Michael Butler, a former Electrograph sales rep, to establish a presence for the company in the southwestern United States.

     
  • AVI-SPL Promotes New GM

    AV communications integrator AVI-SPL has announced the promotion of Patrick Britton to general manager for systems integration in AVI-SPL's Washington, D.C., office. Britton will be expected to manage daily operations, schedule projects, analyze sales and performance data, and lead one of the...

     
  • Biamp Continues to Reorganize

    Biamp has made several organizational changes expected to help position the company for future growth. The changes include additional responsibilities for members of the leadership team, internal promotions, and a new employee hire.

     
  • Hitachi Names New RSM for Northeast

    Hitachi America, Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group, has named Jon Beachdell as its new northeast regional sales manager. Beachdell brings more than 10 years of experience in video, audio, and presentation products for education, corporate, security, and broadcast applications...

     
  • Aviom Appoints New Customer Service Director

    Aviom has promoted Kim Treanor to director of customer service and sales support. In her new position, Treanor will be responsible for overseeing the company's customer, technical, and sales support functions and staff.

     

Other Articles

  • AV-Enhanced Teaching Guides Facility Project