NEW NILES INGENIOUS IR® INFRARED EXTENDER SYSTEMS NOW SHIPPING

Interference-resistant technology eliminates system design compromises while enhancing range and angle of operation

Niles Audio Corporation, today announced that the redesigned line of Ingenious IR® Infrared Extender Systems along with three new IR Anywhere® Kits are now shipping to dealers nationwide. The redesign substantially reduces interference from all flat panel televisions, including LCD and plasma types, while simultaneously extending the range of operation and off-axis pick-up response. The new technology delivers reliable infrared reception and control in a broader range of environments including near plasma and LCD televisions, under fluorescent lights and in areas of indirect sunlight. The three new IR Anywhere Kits have been designed to provide installers with all of the necessary infrared extended system components required to reliably control hidden audio/video components for a variety of applications. “This year we have completely updated our infrared extender systems to provide even higher performance and reliability,” said Frank Sterns, president of Niles. “Niles’ new Ingenious IR products are substantially immune to the interferences caused by LCD and plasma televisions, fluorescent lights, and operate in indirect sunlight; so custom installers can provide their customers with reliable control of remotely located audio/video components in virtually any environment,” Sterns added. A Niles infrared extender system consists of three components: a sensor to receive infrared commands, a main system unit (MSU) to process/distribute infrared commands received by the sensor and a flasher to transmit infrared commands from the MSU to infrared-controlled audio/video components. Niles makes a variety of application-specific sensors, which include: miniature surface-mount, table-top, miniature flush-mount, wall mount and ceiling mount models. The Ingenious IR lineup includes six main system units (MSUs) for receiving commands from up to 24 sensors and processing/distributing those commands to up to four separate zones. There are five types of flashers in the lineup including: high-output, single and dual headed models with or without visual feedback for monitoring infrared command activity.

via [press release] 

Da-Lite Adds Ultra Wide Angle Fabric

Da-Lite Screen Company is pleased to announce the latest addition to their fabric offerings, Ultra Wide Angle. Ultra Wide Angle is a flexible vinyl rear projection surface with a 0.70 gain and 80° viewing half angle. It is designed for applications where exceptionally wide viewing angles are desired and ambient light is controlled. Based on its ability to diffuse light uniformly, Ultra Wide Angle fabric is ideal for installations utilizing multiple projection edge blending or wide format screens with short focal length projection lenses. By virtue of its characteristics, Ultra Wide Angle fabric dramatically reduces the potential of hot spotting.

For more information visit da-lite.com

via [press release]

TWISTER 2 SYSTEMS-NEW FROM FSR

FSR announced the new Twister 2 CAT-5 Systems. The audio/video Twister 2 is capable of sending high resolution video and stereo audio over long distances on CAT-5 cable with an optional skew compensation feature.. The RS-232 Data/IR Twister 2 is designed for applications requiring the transport of RS-232 data and /or IR control data over long distances on CAT-5 Cable. Select either a sleek one-gang decora style unit or a functional brick style unit.
The Twister 2 Systems expand the popular Twister family of CAT-5 Transmission systems offered from FSR. All products are made in the USA and are available from stock.

via [press release] Contact www.fsrinc.com

New Extension System from Gefen Splits One VGA Video Signal and Distributes It Up To 1000

When you need to generate the same video for two displays located in a remote location, Gefen’s new 2X VGA Extender can deliver. This sender/receiver system does double duty, offering a clean split and the ability to extend two displays up to 1000 feet. Ideal for consolidating the delivery of VGA video signals, the 2X VGA Extender allows both displays to be extended over just one CAT-5e cable. At distances up to 1000 feet, resolutions are supported up to 1080p or 1920×1200 for computer displays, making this an effective performer for high quality digital signage and professional audio/video applications. Designed for a simple installation, the 2X VGA Extender takes just seconds to install. The sender unit connects to the VGA source; the receiver connects to both extended displays. The system uses a 5v power supply at the sender’s location; no power is needed remotely. via [press release]

Adder Announces Availability of USB Keyboard, Video and Mouse Extender with Stereo Audio

Adder, a leading developer of KVM switches, extenders and KVM over IP solutions, today announced the availability of the AdderLink X Series X200 extenders. The AdderLink X200 is a full-featured USB keyboard, video and mouse extender with stereo audio capabilities, supporting resolutions up to 1920 x 1200.

A special feature of the AdderLink X200 is the integrated two port KVM switch, allowing control of two target devices, each up to 300 m/1000 ft. away using a single keyboard and mouse. The AdderLink X200 receiver can also be used as a remote user station for the AdderView CATx range of KVM switches. AdderLink X200 has been designed for use in applications where up to two computers can have their keyboard, video, audio and mouse control extended up to 300 m/1000 ft. across CAT5 or higher UTP cable. The AdderLink X200 provides real time keyboard and mouse performance along with high-definition, high-resolution screen display. “As USB technologies continue to gain popularity, we are introducing the X200 series of KVM extenders to fill a market need for a solution that delivers USB functionality coupled with unsurpassed stereo and audio capabilities,” said Nigel Dickens, Adder’s Technical Director. “The AdderLink X200 coupled with the AdderView CATx switch allows for multiple computers to be controlled at distances of up to 300 m/1000 ft. via a single USB keyboard, mouse and monitor.”

The AdderLink X200 has many integrated features that maintain audio and video clarity, such as skew correction with a 300MHz bandwidth, video compensation to adjust the picture sharpness and brightness, 44.1 kHz digital stereo high fidelity audio for speakers and DDC for automatic video setup, plus USB emulation and country code reporting (SUN and MAC CPUs). The AdderLink X200 is currently available in three different models (X200-USB/P) 100 m/300 ft. extender pair, USB CAM, no audio, no de-skew, (X200A-USB/P) 100 m/300 ft. extender pair, USB CAM, with audio, no de-skew and (X200AS-USB/P) 300 m/1000 ft. extender pair, USB CAM, with audio and de-skew. Additional information can be found at: AdderLink X200 About Adder Corporation

For more information visit http://www.adder.com.

Teac’s HD-R1 recorder stores audio on CompactFlash

Scouting a 1U, rackmountable two-channel audio recorder? What about a solid state version? If you just so happened to answer yes to the previous questions, Teac’s got you covered. The outfit’s HD-R1 Recorder relies on CompactFlash cards to store up to 24-bit / 48kHz PCM or MP3 files and can be controlled remotely via LAN or RS-232C. Additionally, the unit touts a USB port, mic preamps, phantom power, RCA, XLR, Euroblock and S/PDIF inputs, and the blue-backlit display is a nice touch, too. Teac has apparently been busy showing its new toy off at Inter BEE 2007, but those tempted by the above specs can secure their own for around $1,100.

via [Engadget]

Olympus creates 360-degree HD camera and projector

Sure, regular HD is nice — you really get a gander at an anchorman’s makeup, and the stars’ wrinkles are shocking — but does it go far enough? Olympus doesn’t think so. The camera company — long known to bring the goods on the picture-takin’ end — has just created the first 360-degree, 1080i camera and projection solution. Utilizing a proprietary system based around an “axisymmetric free-form-surface lens,” the camera can shoot video at horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 360-and-50-degrees, respectively; the images can then be projected in the same range by a separate unit. Obviously, you won’t see this in the consumer sector any time soon, but it does open some pretty interesting opportunities for installations and security alike.

via [Engadget]

Sanyo’s LVT-WD40 waterproof portable TV

For a couple seconds there we couldn’t quite figure out what we’d do with a waterproof portable TV to call our very own, since jogging through the rain while watching our favorite shows on 1seg seems a little bit melodramatic, but Sanyo says its aiming this LVT-WD40 thing at bathroom and kitchen usage, which makes a bit more sense. Features are pretty standard, the 4-inch LCD sports a 480 x 272 resolution, and Sanyo claims about six hours of battery life. Unfortunately, while the player can be used anywhere — including being fully submerged in a bathtub — its media capabilities seems to be more limited, since there’s no media compatibility to speak of beyond the standard 1seg TV access. This one’s selling on the 21st in Japan for 50,000 yen ($453 US).

via [Engadget]

Oculon’s Hikari Pro920 might be the world’s tiniest projector

On the lookout for portable projection? Sure, us too. That’s why we were pleased to see these new Oculon Hikari Pro1440 and Pro920 (pictured) projectors land in our tips box this morning. The pair can project a 15- or 20-inch display from a distance of just 2-feet. The $399 Pro1440 LCoS model throws 250 lumens across a 20-inch, 800 x 600 pixel display from Composite or D-Sub15 RGB connected sources including game consoles, laptops, and portable media players. Things drop down to 25 lumens across a 15-inch, 640 x 480 pixel display for the $299 Pro920 which measures just 86 x 44 x 85-mm. “World’s tiniest,” as Oculon claims? Maybe. At least until TI and Microvision get their acts together.

via [Engadget]

Lumenlab shoves PC inside 42-inch 1080p display, calls it Q

There’s all-in-one PCs, and then there’s the Q. This behemoth sports a unique identity crisis, as it attempts to pose as an aluminum-framed HDTV while featuring a full-fledged computer within. Nevertheless, the 42-inch Q packs a 1080p panel, compatibility with the Lumenlab’s own Hotwire PnP powerline networking technology, a fanless design, 1TB of HDD storage, 2GB of RAM and an Intel Core Duo processor. Unfortunately, details beyond that are fairly slim, but we should get a better idea of specifications and pricing when its ship date draws closer.

via [Engadget]