Extron’s new USB Hub4 Released

Extron Electronics is pleased to announce that the new USB HUB4, Four-Port USB 2.0 Hub for architectural mount applications is now shipping. The USB HUB4 allows the sharing of up to four USB devices on a single host port and is available in two versions: AAP – Architectural Adapter Plate and MAAP – Mini Architectural Adapter Plate. It streamlines integration by eliminating the need for separate USB Host ports and their cables, and is ideal for any environment where multiple USB devices must share a single USB port.

“A/V integrators often face the challenge of where to mount a USB hub in lecterns, A/V control desks, and other architectural applications,” says Casey Hall, Extron Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America. “The USB HUB4 provides a simple, elegant solution for USB connectivity in boardrooms, classrooms, and similar environments.”

For integration flexibility, the USB HUB4 is equipped with both USB “Mini” Type B and captive screw host inputs. The captive screw input is ideal for installation in lecterns, junction boxes, and other space-constrained applications. The USB HUB4 also provides 5V, 500mA on each output, delivering power to multiple peripherals such as mass storage devices, keyboards, mice, or other HID – Human Interface Devices. Both versions of the USB HUB4 are designed to mount easily in Cable Cubby® furniture-mountable access enclosures, HSA – Hideaway® Surface Access enclosures, AVTrac® floor-mounted raceway for A/V connectivity, wallplates, and other products that accept a double space AAP or MAAP.

via [press release]

Crestron to Open Design and Technology Experience Center

Crestron announced today the upcoming opening of its state-of-the-art Experience Center located at its world headquarters in Rockleigh, NJ. The new multi-million dollar interactive environment celebrates the company’s 40 years of innovation and leadership. The fully immersive experience will provide integrators, architects and designers with a space to introduce clients to Crestron, meet with Crestron executives, collaborate with system designers and to demonstrate the latest state-of-the-art technology in elegantly appointed, functioning application environments. The 8,000 square foot suite features an atrium-style reception area, cutting edge multimedia presentation room, sophisticated video conferencing boardroom, Theo Kalomirakis Home Theater and an expansive interactive design lab.

The center is a compelling destination location and one of the highlights of a complete tour of the Crestron campus, a small city dedicated to innovation, engineering and client support. In addition to the Experience Center, Crestron will open its doors to business partners and guests for an inside look at the sophisticated, and until now, rarely seen 100,000 square-foot Research Center, where more than 350 engineers are developing the products and technologies of tomorrow; the 150,000 square foot manufacturing plant; the 50,000 square foot pre-production facility, and the 50,000 square foot worldwide distribution center. The appointment-only tours provide a compelling, in-depth look into the world of Crestron, to fully understand and appreciate the level of commitment, investment and expertise of Crestron, why it’s the global leader in digital HD technology and control solutions.

“Some people know us, and think of us as a big company and industry leader. Others may not have heard of us at all,” explains Crestron Executive Vice President, Randy Klein. “But to come here and see it all firsthand is always an eye-opening experience. It’s hard to imagine what we have and what we’re doing. You really have to come and see for yourself.”

The expansive new Experience Center was designed by world-renowned interior designer Andres Escobar. Fashionably appointed with the finest fixtures and furnishings, the center elegantly blends chic design with cutting-edge technology. Guests walk through the terrazzo entrance way and are transported from a typical corporate reception area into a bright, open grand atrium with rounded walls and a high ceiling that features geometric skylights.

“When you walk through the doors you immediately know this is not a typical showroom or demo area,” observes Klein. “We didn’t rent or move into a generic commercial space. We started with a clean slate and challenged Andres to design a modern space that would create a unique atmosphere that would facilitate creativity and collaboration, and where we could also host events and showcase technology.”

The reception area features a 7.1 in-ceiling surround sound system, Digital Projection HD projector and Stewart Filmscreen StarGlas screen, Hubbell Lighting fixtures, Philips Color Kinetics three-color LED chase lights, Renaissance Lighting LED downlights, a custom made wave-shaped stainless steel counter with a quartz countertop and leather high-back stools. LED lights are installed throughout the center, and are dimmed and controlled from Crestron touchpanels to establish the desired ambiance for various occasions, such as a sales meeting or corporate event.

After welcoming guests and understanding their unique interests and needs, the Crestron Experience Center features several fully functional, state-of-the-art rooms in which to demonstrate how the latest technology looks, sounds and functions in a real-world environment. The presentation room and executive boardroom are completely furnished, and feature the latest solutions including a Digital Projection dVision projector and a Pioneer HD display, Hunter Douglas motorized shades and Crestron audio, video and control systems.

Vincent Bruno, Crestron Director of Marketing adds, “These aren’t simulated or mock application vignettes. These are actual installed systems in real fully-operational rooms.” Bruno continues, “No cost was spared and no detail was overlooked, right down to the modern designer bathroom, which is also Crestron controlled.”

The Theo Kalomirakis Home Theater, designed by the father of home theater himself, delivers the highest quality HD video and surround sound experience. Featuring Crestron PROCISE™ 7.3 HD surround sound processing, ADMS Intermedia Delivery System, Digital Projection TITAN three-chip 1080p projector, Stewart Filmscreen 143-inch CineCurve screen, Revel speakers, RPG acoustical room treatments and CinemaTech theater seats, guests are treated to nothing short of media euphoria.

Finally, the interactive design lab features more than 500 Crestron products on display. At their leisure, clients can peruse, compare and evaluate working, fully programmed entertainment systems, touchpanels and remote controls, lighting and HVAC systems. The entire facility has a digital infrastructure, fully wired with Crestron’s revolutionary DigitalMedia™ (DM) Cable, with DM components installed throughout, allowing visitors to experience the only end-to-end digital solution available today.

“It’s one thing to read a spec sheet online or flip through a catalog,” says Bruno. “But step into an environment like this and actually push buttons and watch magic happen is the best way to understand the benefits and value of our solutions.”

The Crestron Experience Center officially opens October 20th.

via [press release]

Clear-Com’s Tempest2400 to Take a Bite of the Big Apple

Clear-Com Communication Systems, a Vitec Group brand, is pleased to announce the East Coast debut of its Tempest2400 wireless intercom system at AES 2009 (Booth 676). Tempest2400 operates in a license-free frequency band where it is fundamentally resistant to interference from other wireless devices, ensuring that communications go off without a hitch in even the most crowded RF environments. Ideal for the rental and staging market as well as live performance applications, it can be operated indoors and outdoors.

By utilizing the 2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) in conjunction with TDMA technology, the Tempest2400 RF scheme avoids the need for licensing and frequency coordination. In addition, once registered to a base station, a beltpack needs no further configuration and roams freely within a single zone area, making it perfect for such highly coordinated productions as festivals and concerts.

Tempest2400 also appeals to those finding it difficult to operate wireless equipment in the 470-698 MHz portion of the UHF band due to an increasingly crowded spectrum. “As it operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band, it is unaffected by regulatory restrictions that inhibit the wireless communications in other frequency bands,” says Chris Barry, Product Manager, Clear-Com. “Its simple set-up requirements and portability also make it a tremendous asset for those looking to use it for multiple types of applications.”

Each base station supports up to five full-duplex, four-audio-channel digital wireless beltpacks; by stacking up to 10 base stations together, 50 independent, full-duplex wireless beltpacks can operate together in a single system.

Tempest2400 features state-of-the-art 2xTX Transmission Voice Data Redundancy, which sends each packet of audio data twice on different frequencies, and through different antennas, ensuring uninterrupted audio communications. It can interoperate with other Clear-Com intercom systems through four-wire and two-wire connections, as well as those from other manufacturers.

Other key features include the iSelect roaming feature, which allows the beltpack user to move from one zone area to the next and quickly switch to a different base station in the new zone area. The T-Desk software, a powerful PC-based control and configuration application, offers the ability to monitor and manage the entire wireless system from a remote location via Ethernet connection to a LAN. A PC running T-Desk can also interface with a base station via direct connection over CAT-5 cable.

Additional benefits of Tempest2400 include an optional remote transceiver that allows remote antenna placement up to 1,500 feet (450 meters) from the base station; data connection and power supplied over standard CAT5e/6 cable with lightweight, fast-charging Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) battery technology in the beltpack; access to one of six relay closures from the beltpack and vibrating call alert. In addition, a flexible battery solution allows beltpacks to operate on standard AA batteries for emergency use; beltpack battery telemetry is displayed in real-time on the beltpack and base station LCDs, indicating how much power is left in each pack.

via [press release]

BELDEN UNVEILS NEW SERIES OF LOW LOSS 50-OHM N CONNECTORS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF RF TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS

Belden a world leader in the development of signal transmission products for the broadcast, enterprise, industrial, building management, and security markets, is pleased to introduce a new line of 50-ohm N Connectors. The new series has been specifically designed and engineered to match the performance of Belden’s RF Coaxial Cables, which feature ultra-low-loss dielectrics (up to 86 percent velocity) for best attenuation in their respective size categories. These 50-ohm cables are tested and verified from 30 MHz to 6 GHz, with a maximum VSWR of 1.25:1. The cable/N connector combination also meets a maximum VSWR of 1.25:1 (equivalent to a return loss of -19 dB).

Developed specifically to meet the requirements of today’s high-speed, low loss applications, the RF Coax Cables and N Connectors can be used in a wide range of RF applications − including cellsite transmissions, broadcast STLs and RPUs, wireless microphone diversity antennas, two-way radio or life/safety system connectivity, and other RF transmission requirements.

The largest cable/connector combination (RF600 Series and NM600/NF600 Connectors) can carry over 5kW at 30 MHz and more than 300W at 6 GHz, making them ideal for low-power television, back-up transmitters, FM and TV translators and repeaters, microwave transmission, and similar applications.

Belden’s 50-ohm N Connector line is comprised of eight (8) Male N Connectors (Plugs) and eight (8) Female N Connectors (Jacks). All eight cable sizes − from the miniature RF100A (Part No. 7805) through the massive RF600 (Part No. 7977) have corresponding male and female connectors in stock, which can be ordered using the same basic part number as the cable: for the RF100 cable line, the male N connector is part number NM100; the female N connector is NF100. A Crimp Tool is also available (Part No. RFCT) that provides a full crimp each and every time.

The 50-ohm N Connectors’ insulators are made of Teflon®, the center contacts are gold-plated, and the outer contacts are either silver or nickel-plated. All other connector parts are nickel-plated bronze with a tarnish-resistant finish.

Most of the RF Cables come in three versions: outdoor (with an A suffix to the part number); riser-rated /indoor (with an R suffix); and direct burial/water protected (with a WB suffix).

via [press release]

New Contemporary Research QMOD-HD HDTV Modulator Does It All

Contemporary Research, the leader in professional HDTV tuning and display control, continues to create innovative, affordable solutions in digital TV origination. An example is their new QMOD-HD HDTV Modulator, which easily converts PC-driven HD VGA and Component into an HDTV digital cable channel.

Retailing for less than $2,400, the QMOD-HD opens the door to cost-effective distribution of digital signage and HD subscriber sources using existing broadband coax cabling in sports, retail and entertainment facilities, corporate offices, colleges, schools and worship centers.

The QMOD-HD accepts HD VGA and Component analog video plus digital or stereo audio, and converts the inputs into a 720p/1080i MPEG2 digital media stream. Then, using the same technology as TV and cable broadcasters, the unit formats and amplifies the signal as an agile QAM digital cable channel. The channel combines easily into existing broadband systems, tuned in by digital, cable-ready receivers in displays and integration HDTV tuners like the CR 232-ATSC. Front-panel buttons and LCD display make for easy setup, and the half-rack space enclosure and low 10W power draw save both space and power.

Scott Hetzler, CR President and developer of QMOD innovations states, “We’ve been researching HDTV solutions for years, and the missing link has always been an affordable way to distribute signage and media over a user’s existing broadband system. After all, broadband is a far more effective carrier of HD video than IP or analog Cat5 cable. With QMOD, that dream is now a reality.

via [press release]

Awesome Digital Wallpaper

I do not normally put lighting into this blog but this was to much to pass up…..and it had an AV twist…..

No LEDs were harmed in the creation of this digital wallpaper for the offices of Hirzberger Events in Vienna. Only projectors were used to illuminate the static black and white stripe wallpaper and make it appear alive. Absolutely stunning.

click here to see the video

HDTV Screens Could Become The Speaker – Emo Labs

TVs might be getting beautifully thinner, but we’re often still forced to use external speaker setups to get decent sound quality. Emo Labs‘ solution: embed a thin and clear “invisible” membrane speaker into the screen itself. Watch it in action:

It’s a completely new type of speaker technology that could also find its way into other thin gadgetry: laptops, LCD monitors, cellphones, photo frames, and hand held consoles.

Emo Labs calls the tech Edge Motion, and it basically involves the clear layer microflexing to generate soundwaves. Enough to produce a room full of stereo sound—without effecting visual screen quality.

They’ve embedded Edge Motion into a 42-inch TV for the demo below, but there’s still no word on which TV manufacturers, if any, they’ve managed to sign up. The vid comes from this week’s DEMOfall 09 tech showcase, where they won best consumer-oriented product. [Emo Labs via DEMO via Mashable]

35-Foot Interactive Screens Decorate New Microsoft Campus

Made from transparent tubes, the hanging banner-like screens display Max/MSP-generated visuals that never look the same. A combination of thermal sensors, camera-tracking, weather conditions—even local traffic—all affect how images are mixed in real-time.

The screens hang in each of the four building atriums at Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division, and were built by design company Mode Studios. It actually seems like a pretty cool work environment, and staff can also stand in a “hot spot” to control the images by waving around or making sound.

A pretty impressive visual work, but for some reason, I keep imagining Steve Ballmer’s head popping up there—kind of like a cross between Apple’s 1984 ads and Max Headroom. Just saying.

See the video here [Mode Studios]

Panasonic’s 50-inch 3D plasma announced, seeks fine family home

True, Panasonic’s 103-inch 3D television is more desirable, but Panny’s new 50-incher will be more affordable when it comes time to buy your first 3D set. The 1080p TV requires viewers to wear special specs, naturally, in this case, Panasonic’s active “shutter” glasses. As the name implies, the lenses switch in sync with the TV so that the right image is seen by the right eye and the left image is seen by the left eye. All that quick image swapping requires new PDP materials and chips to maintain screen brightness. The new prototype will be on display at Ceatec show in Tokyo next week with plans for commercialization in 2010. You know, assuming anyone wants it.

[engadget]

Mitsubishi HD scoreboard makes the Guinness Book of World Records

Mitsubishi Electric gained yet another entry in the Guinness World Records book with the recognition of its revolutionary Diamond Vision video boards at Cowboys Stadium as the World’s Largest High-Definition Video Display. The official certificate presentation will take place during a pre-game ceremony on September 28, just prior to the Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers Monday Night Football game, which will be aired nationally on ESPN.

The world’s first four-sided, center-hung, high-definition video display in a stadium consists of four Diamond Vision(R) LED video screens, with the two main sideline displays measuring 72 feet high by 160 feet wide, and two Diamond Vision(R) end-zone displays measuring 29 feet high by 51 feet wide. Weighing 600 tons, the screens are suspended 90 feet directly over the center of the playing surface and stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other.

With a total viewing area of 11,393 square-feet, the Diamond Vision(R) display is equal to 3,268 52-inch televisions, and has 10,584,064 LED lights.

“This was probably the most exciting project we’ve ever been involved with,” said Mark Foster, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Diamond Vision Systems. “The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most innovative teams in the NFL, and their new stadium reflects that. These scoreboards and displays are the realization of the Cowboys’ commitment to their fans and the sport. We are very proud that the Cowboys organization turned to Mitsubishi Electric to deliver their vision as part of this incredible project.”

“We’re extremely proud of our world-class Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision screen,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. “We have designed everything about Cowboys Stadium to provide an unequalled experience for our fans, and this screen is the centerpiece of what we have created for them.”

Mitsubishi Electric has now been recognized by Guinness World Records five times for its accomplishments, and the Cowboys’ board is the fourth Diamond Vision screen to be honored by Guinness. The first came in August 2003, for the World’s Longest Video Display for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong which was installed in August 2003. In March 2005, GWR recognized the Diamond Vision(R) LED display at Turner Field in Atlanta as the World’s Largest High-Definition Television Screen, and in September 2005 the Mitsubishi Electric video board at the Japan Racing Association Tokyo Racecourse was certified as the World’s Largest Television Display. In 1993, Mitsubishi Electric was recognized for designing and installing the World’s Fastest Elevator – capable of traveling 750 meters per minute (approximately 28 miles per hour) – at the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, Japan.

[press release]