Devices that make a difference: Contact Closure to Serial – the Programmable GPI/Contact Closure Serial Interface (RGB 16-FP) from RGB Spectrum

Every get frustrated when designing a system, when you have the system all planned and then you find that one component will not work with the control system as it does not have a format that is supported therefore you have to alter the design and it becomes a compromise…….

RGB Spectrum has announced the Programmable GPI/Contact Closure Serial Interface (RGB 16-FP) – which solves the contact closure to serial issue and it is fully programmable for any system using free software from Hall Research….

Many sensors and systems indicate a change of state or alert via a contact closure. A simple contact closure must be translated into a command that directs a computer or other device to perform a specific function. A display processor like the SuperView® or MediaWall®, for example, can be directed to perform tasks by sending it the appropriate command string over the serial port. The GPI/Contact Closure Interface is a solution for translating contact closures into serial commands.

The Model RGB 16-FP is a programmable RS-232 serial device designed to control any device with serial port. Commands can be any ASCII (or non-ASCII) data with programmable delays embedded in the string.

For more information see

http://www.rgb.com/en/News/ViewNews.asp?page=News%2FProductAnnouncements%2FGpio

Peek at new Samsung automagic wall mount for TVs

Samsung just announced their new remote controlled wall mount for the new TV line up. We snapped some video of the wall mount in action at a partner showcase event in Sydney. More info to come….

read more | digg story

How We Will Use Technology In The Near Future

I have a standard presentation I do on the future of technology……and I say that I am guessing about what may come………here’s a 6 minute video which shows several future daily life situations: at home, in the car and going out with friends. See for yourself how technology will be embedded in our lives.

It’s though provoking if nothing else……..click “read more” to access the video…..

read more | digg story

ConferAce.com – New rapid on-line brainstorming service!

ConferAce allows you to create a discussion (or, in other words, a brainstorm) with only one click and without registration! This is a new service that provides an online solution to Brainstorming……and it’s free. Access to this discussion will be available only to those, to whom you will send its link. Everyone of them can suggest a solution to the problem and assess other solutions to find the best one in the end!

I have as yet have not tried it out fully….so any comments and feedback would be useful….but this is the way all our communication is going to go…..Now the trick is how do we make this work with traditional AV solutions…..because we are going to have too!

read more | digg story

TechFest 2007 by Visionaire

Last week Deepak and I were invited to Dubai by Visionaire FZE to attend TechFest 2007 by Visionaire. We spent 2 days with the Visionaire Team at the Campus@Visionaire reviewing the latest in high technology solutions for Education, Corporate, Hospitality and a range of other verticals.

The Campus @ Visionaire has dedicated demonstration spaces for the Future of Shared Workspace and Immersive Collaborative Environments. Built to exactness in terms of demonstrating State-of-the-Art Technology every venue at The Campus@Visionaire reflected a synergy between High-Tech and High-Touch.

At this Campus we saw practical demonstrations of fully equipped and live high performance environments. Visionaire demonstrated a number of new technologies to provide futuristic solutions such as their Immersive Collaboration Room, and a high tech video conferencing facility featuring a 103” Panasonic Plasma. The building houses a complete renovated and updated corporate briefing center demonstrating the latest in corporate technology and several other venues for demonstrating interactive meetings, collaborative distance learning, video-conferencing, board rooms, networked learning, smart-home, smart-class and theatre expositions. Each tech-space had a unique application displayed and demonstrated in real time. All the venues are e-controlled and managed from a master control room.

Visionaire also entertained all of the participants to the Jumana – Secret of the Desert Show at Al Sahra Desert Resort for a amazing show featuring lasers, water screens and pyrotechnics and many other effects never seen before in the Middle East……a technology marvel telling an age old story.

Deepak and I would both like to thank Aseem and Aneeta Gupta and the Visionaire Team for showing us such hospitality and such a range of new technologies.

More information on Visionaire can be found at www.govisionaire.com.

See further posts for what we saw during our visit.

Kelvin Ashby-King | Techlogique Consulting Group

High Definition Video Conferencing from Aethra

Also at TechFest 2007 by Visionaire we were introducted to Aethra’s new line of high definition video conferencing. Awsome quality at what we understand will be a very attractive price…..take a look for yourself and see the difference. This is the 4th system for HDVC that we have seen demonstrated in the last 3 weeks and this is certainly a contender for the best seen yet.

Below we have include a press release from Aethra regarding their new HD offerings. For further information on Aethra in the Middle East contact Visionaire on www.govisionaire.com

Aethra SpA, a leader in the global video communication market, today announced that one of its systems was judged among the ten best new videoconferencing systems of 2006 by Videoconferencing Insight, www.vcinsight.com, the web-based newsletter, internationally recognised as one of the top authorities on the world video communications scenario since 1996.

The Aethra system chosen by Videoconferencing Insight is the Aethra Vega X7 high definition (HD) visual communication system.

According to Videoconferencing Insight Editor Richard Line, HD is the way forward for the videoconferencing industry “There is no doubt that most users will prefer a High Definition (HD) videoconferencing system if they can afford it. In two years time, few users will think of buying an obsolete SD-only VC system,” explains Richard Line in the introduction to his choice of the ten best VC solutions of 2006.

Aethra’s new Vega X7 HD solution has been designed specifically for video meetings with high-definition video. It provides users with higher resolution video, enhanced colours, sharper images, and better audio and performance. It is also compatible with video conferencing systems from other manufacturers, as it supports both wideband audio codecs – G.722.1 Annex C and AAC-LD.

The solution is equipped with a HD-SDI connector for the HD 16:9 camera included in the package. This cutting-edge rack-mounted codec provides the highest quality videoconferencing for customized deployment in rooms of all sizes.

The Vega X7 provides XGA input and output ports for simultaneous dual-stream video for live PC presentations. The integrated Multipoint Conferencing Unit (MCU) connects up to 9 sites in mixed mode (ISDN, IP-H.323 and IP-SIP), with convenient dial-out and dial-in (Meet Me) configuration. Continuous Presence feature enables participants at all sites to view each other simultaneously. The Vega X7 can be integrated into existing conference rooms with audio and video facilities or customized solutions.

“The move to HD videoconferencing is a fundamental part of our on-going strategies”, explains Marco Viezzoli, Aethra CEO. “We are therefore extremely satisfied to see that our HD solution, Vega X7 has been chosen by Videoconferencing Insight as one of the ten best VC solutions of this year. Our goal is to continue creating solutions that perfectly reflect the requirements of the market, such as HD systems, which is why we continue to invest 10-15% of our revenue every year into Research and Development. Aethra has been in the telecommunications business for thirty-five years and this latest step in making HD infrastructure solutions available on the market is just another demonstration of Aethra’s ability to put forth advanced technology,” concludes Marco Viezzoli.

SMART launches the Senteo interactive response system

Last week while attending TechFest2007 by Visionaire (Yes ….. we stole the name for this Blog…of course with permission) one of the leading system integrators in Asia www.visionaire.ca) we saw a brillant application and integration of interactive response system with electronic whiteboard …….during their Festival of Technology held in their Campus in Dubai last week….

Visionaire along with SMART Technologies Inc. announced the Senteo™ interactive response system. The system includes a handheld device for each student in a classroom and a central receiver that allows teachers to send information out to each device and receive information back from each student. The Senteo interactive response system increases one-to-one interaction by allowing teachers to survey and engage students and collect responses to personalize the learning environment. The learning curve for the system is short and a variety of product features, some exclusive to SMART, have been built in. Extensive feedback from educators has been incorporated into the design of this latest product, ensuring it is flexible and user friendly.

The cornerstones of Senteo are ease of use and compatibility. The system comes with Notebook™ collaborative learning software, used in 450,000 classrooms around the world. The system runs with most third-party software, including Microsoft® PowerPoint®, Word and Excel® software, and it works with all interactive whiteboard brands. Radio frequency technology enables students to send responses from anywhere within 30 meters (33 yards) of the receiver. The handheld device boasts an ergonomic design, a large LCD screen, 21 input buttons and a variety of question options that can be viewed on three lines of text.

“Our customers have been asking for an interactive response system to complement their other SMART products,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “Our product line is constantly growing in response to identified needs in the market, and the teachers who have been actively assisting us with the Senteo interactive response system design are enthusiastic about its addition to an ICT-enriched classroom.”

Features

Notebook software
Included with the Senteo interactive response system is Notebook software. The software offers features and resources that help educators, trainers and presenters create, present, manage and teach with digital content. Teachers can write and edit notes in digital ink, import or export PowerPoint presentations, record data and audio, and create quizzes for use with Senteo. Notebook is regularly upgraded and is available as a free download to all SMART customers. It runs on Microsoft Windows® and Mac OS operating systems.

Radio frequency technology
Radio frequency technology enables the handheld device to interact with the receiver with or without a clear line of sight up to 30 meters (33 yards). Both students and teachers can be confident that responses will be accurately received.

Supported question types
Questions can be created in a variety of formats, including multiple choice, true or false, numeric responses and more-than-one-right-answer. Teachers can author their own questions or import them from Word or other third-party question banks.

Quick view icons
These icons enable students to view Senteo’s signal strength, battery life and available networks. Students then have the flexibility to choose a network and classroom option.

LCD screen
An LCD screen gives students an optimal view of the information on their handheld device. The screen will not strain their eyes, and they can see more than one question at a time. The screen also enables students to view their own responses with three lines of text visible.

Long battery life
Two AA batteries power each student device.

Ergonomic design
This student-friendly design includes 21 input buttons for optimal use of the system. The device may be either handheld or rested on a desk surface and operated with one hand.

PowerPoint software plug-in
Questions can easily be added to PowerPoint presentations.

Visionaire can be contacted at www.govisionaire.com and SMART can at www.smarttech.com

Reversa Launches Clarity Holographic Rear Projection Screen

Due to popular demand Reversa have now launched “The Clarity” holographic projection screen. The Clarity is excellent value for money, saving a fortune when compared to other holographic screens available. With a gain of 3.65, 55% transparency and a viewing angle of 170 degrees, the Reversa Clarity provides a beautiful holographic image that can cope with most light conditions. For more information see info@reversausa.com

Hello World – Welcome to TechFest

The object of this blog is to provide information on the latest trends in Audio Visual Technology, New Equipment and General Comment on best practises, industry developments….in fact any issues related to Audio Visual Technology

It is a small start to something that we at Techlogique hope will become a Blog for the AV industry.

Kelvin Ashby-King | Principal Designer | Techlogique Consulting Group | www.techlogique.com