Liberty Wire & Cable Offers ‘Green Market’-Friendly Halogen-Free Cables

Global Supplier Leads Industry in Products Complying with Spreading ‘Low Smoke, Zero Halogen’ Standards for Safer Insulation Materials
Liberty Wire & Cable, worldwide supplier of a broad and expanding range of wire and cable products for the audio/video trade, offers a wide selection of environmentally friendly Halogen-Free wire and cable products. The products comply with spreading Green Market requirements for eliminating potentially dangerous chemicals from common insulation materials like PVC. When burned, the chemicals produce heavy smoke, corrosive gases and hazardous fumes.
Liberty’s Halogen-Free wire and cable products also comply with spreading legislation requiring the use of so-called Low Smoke, Zero Halogen (LSZH) materials, and reflect the company’s role as a leader in the manufacture of socially responsible, environmentally friendly products.
y governments, particularly in Europe and Japan, are considering LSZH legislation requiring the elimination of halogen as well as chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine. All are present in the PVC compounds widely used for more than half a century as insulation for wire and cable products.
While PVC has many valuable qualities, it also releases corrosive gases and hazardous fumes when burned. This can create dangerous situations even in otherwise minor fires. As a result, Liberty is increasingly replacing PVC with Halogen-Free insulation that complies with LSZH requirements by minimizing toxic smoke and fumes, and eliminating corrosive gases.
In other areas as well, Liberty has demonstrated its industry-leading commitment to manufacturng environmentally friendly, socially responsible products. More than 90 percent of Liberty’s 6,000-plus products, for example, already also comply with the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, a major initiative that mandates reductions in lead and five other harmful chemicals.

Pioneer isn’t abandoning Kuro plasma, expects same-quality panels from Matsushita

If you’re all broken up about Pioneer’s seeming exit of the plasma business, take heart. Pioneer Executive Vice President Russ Johnston claims Pioneer’s plans aren’t to abandon Kuro-quality plasma displays in any way. The move to an outside manufacturer (Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic) is designed to cut cost in plasma production, but Pioneer still plans to maintain its premium edge over competitors. “The number-one goal is to make sure we can maintain our differentiation,” said Russ, “and specifically our Kuro difference in the marketplace.” Apparently Pioneer will be still be responsible for the video circuit and processing, the color filter strategy and other such secret sauce, and the company is confident Matsushita can step up to the Pioneer level of panel production — even if it might involve sharing a few trade secrets along the way. Apparently Matsushita is slated to start providing the modules by 2009.

via [engadet]

Minority Report-like interface gets demoed at CeBIT

It’s far from the first Minority Report-like interface to make the rounds, but that doesn’t seem to have prevented the massive setup pictured above from drawing a crowd at CeBIT, which one attendee thankfully captured on video. As you can see for yourself after the break, the rig lets you do all the usual moving, flipping and resizing, without the need for pesky gloves or silly headgear. Needless to say, there’s no indication as to where this particular bit of technology is headed next, but it seems safe to assume that it’ll become a fixture of trade shows for years to come.

via [engadget]

Sanyo’s LP-XW60 LCD projector claims be to industry’s “smallest and lightest”

Sanyo announces a new ultra portable office-use projector, the LP-XW60, the industry’s smallest and lightest LCD projector available to date.  (This needs to be verified)   The small and lightweight projector has been designed for widespread use by that on-the-go such as traveling businessmen, as well as in business offices and classrooms. The new Sanyo LP-XW60 LCD projector is packed full with features such as automatic keystone correction, automatic input signal detection, an adjustable color mode depending on projection surface color, and an easy-off function allowing users to pull the plug and store the projector without having to wait for a cool-down cycle.

HP expands telepresence offerings with Halo Collaboration Center

Although we’ve got a special place in our hearts for Cisco’s 1080p-lovin’ TelePresence Meeting system, HP’s own Halo Collaboration Center ain’t too shabby. Announced today as the newest member of its expanding Halo platform, the aforementioned center comes in two- and four-seat iterations and prides itself on being simple to install in a plethora of locations. Additionally, each unit is designed to “operate seamlessly with existing Halo products,” and just in case you were hoping to have work follow you all the way back to the hotel, HP also announced that it’s teaming up with Marriott International to install Halo Meeting Rooms in select facilities. Now, figure out how to actually get a Halo 3 deathmatch going on these things and their value increases astronomically.

Read – HP Introduces New Halo Telepresence Product, Marquee Customer Wins
Read – HP and Marriott International Form Alliance to Open “Public Access” Halo Telepresence Rooms

via [engadet]

Ewgeco energy monitor aims to curb your consumption habits

It’s far from the first energy monitor we’ve seen, but this new so-called Ewgeco device does look to be one of the more sophisticated offerings so far, with it not only promising to keep tabs on your electricity use, but your water and gas consumption as well. That’s apparently done with the aid of sensors that wirelessly transfer readings to the main device, which translates the information into easy to read bars that light up green, red, or amber depending on your level of consumption. Unfortunately, the device is only being sold to businesses at the moment, and it’s not exactly plug-and-play either, with one of the company engineers required to install it, and a week needed for the Ewgeco to get used to your normal usage patterns.

via [engadget]

Arthur C. Clarke, inventor of satellite, visionary in technology, dead at 90

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Today is a very sad day in our little world. It’s been reported that Arthur C. Clarke, among the most influential visionaries in technology and a personal hero of the Techlogique Team, has died in hospital care at the age of 90. Along with his many written works (such as the infamous and immeasurably influential 2001: A Space Odyssey), Clarke was possibly best known for conceptualizing the geostationary communications satellite — clearly one of the most important technological innovations in history.

Arthur, you’ll be dearly missed

Avocent Wirelessly Delivers HD Video and Audio for Digital Signage

 

Avocent Corporation (Nasdaq: AVCT) recently introduced a new version of the Emerge® MPX extender, the MPX1500 high-definition (HD) multipoint extender, which wirelessly distributes HD content from a single source to multiple destinations. Emerge MPX extenders can be deployed for a variety of professional video applications, such as digital signage – providing panels with live content, entertainment and advertising in retail outlets, theaters, restaurants, airports, etc. The MPX1500 has added new functionality for centrally managing the MPX extender devices over the Internet.

The AV infrastructure created by the MPX extenders can be centrally accessed and controlled through a Web management interface. This latest version of the MPX extender greatly expands the status information available, enabling not only general troubleshooting of connections, but more specific details to ensure uptime and reliability. AV and IT managers can now connect to each individual transmitter and receiver to reboot, update, adjust the luminance and chrominance, change the frequency the radio transmits, and various other tuning parameters. For a widely dispersed digital signage network, this eliminates the need to send technical staff onsite for troubleshooting and repairs.

“When it comes to digital signage, Avocent provides the connectivity piece of the puzzle – we’re the only vendor who can deliver content wirelessly from a source to multiple displays, enabling broader reach and further penetration by eliminating the need for a physical wired connection to deliver audio and video,” said Mitch Friend, senior vice president and general manager of Avocent. “With the introduction of the MPX1500, we’ve added a number of features to make it easier for integrators to use and centrally manage their digital signage systems.”

The MPX1500 receiver has a universal media port based upon a digital video interface (DVI) connector, supporting a wide range of analog and digital video formats rather than requiring separate interface modules. The new MPX extender is dramatically smaller than the previous version making mounting the device easier and more convenient.

Additional details about the MPX1500 and the entire Emerge MPX family can be found at  www.avocent.com/proav

dnp’s SUPERNOVA EPIC SCREEN NOW SHIPPING

 

dnp denmark, the world’s leading supplier of optical projection screen technology and developer of the first-ever screen that allows viewing in brightly lit environments, announced that its revolutionary Supernova™ Epic Screen is now shipping.

Designed to be used in the very finest dedicated home theaters, the new Supernova Epic Screen provides uncompromised widescreen reproduction of movies in all aspect ratios displaying superior high-contrast images in 100% neutral color. Maintaining a constant image height as in a movie theater, the Supernova Epic’s motorized masking system is fully adjustable from closed to 2.40:1 settings delivering the ultimate viewing experience for even the most demanding videophile.

“The Supernova Epic provides consumers with the absolute best in home theater solutions,” said Manfred Freiberger, senior account manager for dnp USA. “The Epic Screen integrates the benefits of our unique Supernova Screen technology with the advantages of a concave design to provide the ultimate image quality. Additionally, our motorized masking system deals elegantly with films of every available aspect ratio. Our dealers can now offer a premium solution for those who demand the very best. In fact we are so eager for people to see and experience the extraordinary benefits of the Supernova Epic for themselves, that we are offering our dealers a special demo pricing program featuring substantial savings and generous terms beginning March 1st through June 30th. They are cordially invited to contact me personally for details.”

The Supernova Epic Screen has succeeded in bringing a true cinematic experience into the home. It offers the flexibility to beautifully display all formats from 4:3 to ultra-wide 2.40:1 Cinemascope with enhanced resolution, contrast and 100% color accuracy. When used with a projector with an anamorphic lens, the Supernova Epic maintains full image height and unwanted black bars on the top and bottom of the screen are eliminated.

Just as in a real movie theater, the Supernova Epic’s electronically controlled curtains glide silently into place, masking the unused portions of the screen while maintaining constant image height. And when the film is over, the curtains glide fully closed. Additionally, the Supernova Epic features a perfectly curved screen surface that enhances the perceived depth and uniformity of the image. The result: a high-quality, dynamic viewing experience, day or night.

Created using award-winning Supernova Screen technology, the Supernova Epic features high-contrast filters that enable the projected image to be optimally reflected from the screen. With its advanced layer of lenses, it actively combats retro-illumination – where light from the screen image is reflected back onto the screen from the room. The Supernova Epic renders images in 100% neutral color for superior, realistic color reproduction and has a completely passive, shimmer-free front surface. The screen material has been certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) for exceeding the benchmarks of quality that define the best in video performance available for consumers.

The Supernova Epic is available in standard sizes up to 156” with custom sizes available by special order.

Talking Points:

• dnp announced that its revolutionary Supernova Epic Screen is now shipping.

• Offers uncompromised widescreen reproduction of movies in all formats with enhanced resolution, contrast and 100% neutral color rendition.

• Constant image height, improved brightness uniformity and an increased sense of immersion when viewing.

• Curved screen design combined with the award-winning Supernova technology limits the amount of reflected light for a heightened cinematic experience.

• Silent operation of masking curtain easily transitions from fully closed to 2.40:1 with smooth, cinema-like motion.

• Ships in sections for easy transport and installation.

Vista Systems Unveils Additions To Spyder Product Line

Vista Systems has announced the addition of two models to its popular Spyder family of image processors. The Spyder 359 and Spyder 3410 join the already impressive arsenal.

The Spyder 359 takes the system to a new level. Designed to support arrays of up to eight displays, it provides five universal input cards; one universal output card to support a scaled output of the entire aggregate display area, an operator’s monitor or an additional display; and two DX4 output cards, each with four DVI outputs. The system offers five input layers and can accommodate an input expansion frame if required.

“Add it all up and you have a very powerful system in a small footprint,” says Victor Vettorello, Director of Application Engineering.

The Spyder 3410 further builds on the system by providing four universal input cards and10 outputs, eight of which are from two DX4 cards; the other two are universal output cards. Featuring a lot of power in a small package, the frame is designed for heavy display support along with possibility of a scaled output.

The new Spyder 3410 is already being used in an installation for Lehman Bros. which features three 3410s and three Spyder 240 systems.

via [press release]