13 InfoComm Products that Break New Ground

Biamp introduced TesiraLUX, an encoder/decoder pair that introduces low-latency 4K networked video distribution to its Tesira platform. The siblings, as they’re called, transport both audio and video signals over a single network using AVB (audio video bridging). The TesiraLUX product line will initially include an AVB video encoder (TesiraLUX IDH-1) and an AVB video decoder (TesiraLUX OH-1). The encoder features one HDMI port, one DisplayPort port, and two mic/line-level analog inputs. The decoder includes one HDMI port and two line-level analog outputs. TesiraLUX supports the latest advancements in video formats, including 4096x2160 at 60-Hz, high dynamic range (HDR) and the Rec. 2020 color space. It can accept video at up to 16-bit color depth with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, as well as supports 8 channels of embedded PCM audio, which can be broken out to be routed and processed independently.

“This is a great release for us,” said Atlona’s Garth Lobban, during InfoComm 2016. The director of marketing wasn’t simply talking about the three new half-rack models from Atlona’s new OmniStream AV over IP product family that it introduced during the show in Las Vegas. His comment on day 3 of the event was more of a reflection on how integrators visiting Atlona’s booth had reacted to the new offers.

These products are specially designed to be robust and scalable for the Pro AV market and create the ability to truly stream “any to any, many to many” over a standard Gigibit network.

Atlona’s OmniStream products are expected to ship in September 2016, according to Lobban.

Kramer, which previously released cloud-based control solution K-Touch, is releasing an entirely new cloud-based solution in Kramer Control that offers drag-and-drop configuration, works on any interface, on any operating system and is designed to cut customers’ automation costs significantly opening budgets up potentially for new rooms and applications.

“K-touch was a jumping off point. We’re taking it to an entirely different level,” Hoffman says. Kramer Control “is modern, built from the ground up, smart, aware, one brain in your system. [It] will be able to communicate with every other brain without the need for programming.”

Crestron Studio software has been redesigned from the ground up to power, speed, and simplify AV system design in ways that were not possible before. Whether you’re a seasoned Crestron programmer or programming a Crestron system for the first time, Crestron Studio makes it easy to create intuitive graphical user interfaces without having to write a single line of code.

All you have to do is draw your signal flow diagram like you normally do. All the functionality, the GUI, and the hooks to Crestron Fusion are automatically generated behind the scenes and Crestron validates all the code. Crestron Studio also takes advantage of Smart Graphics to enable simple gestures navigation, swiping, and kinetic effects such as knobs, sliders, gauges, and scrolling lists, common in smartphones and tablets. Then save the project and apply it to every similar room to save time.

It was all about options – both wired and wireless mics – in Audio-Technica’s Infocomm 2016 booth. But since there has been a lot of enthusiasm around ceiling-mounted microphones lately and Audio-Technica introduced two Dante-enabled ceiling-mounted mics – the ATND931 Dante six-inch gooseneck microphone and ATND933 Dante hanging microphone. They standard with the new ATND8734 Microphone Ceiling Mount Power Module with Dante Network Output, which Audio-Technica says offers a simple and cost-effective solution for integrating these new microphones with a Dante network without the need for a separate, standalone audio interface.

The company added that the ATND931 and ATND933 join the ATND8677 Microphone Desk Stand and ATND971 Network Boundary Microphone as the world’s first wired microphone products to transmit both audio and control data using the Dante network protocol. A simple Ethernet connection allows these microphones (powered by network PoE) to communicate across an existing network of Dante-enabled devices.

Shure may have unveiled at ISE 2016 its Microflex Advance line of networked ceiling and table array microphones, audio interfaces and control software for enhanced AV conferencing, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a big draw at InfoComm 2016.

Microphones in the ceiling used to mean sacrificing audio quality for convenience, said associate VP of Global Product management Scott Sullivan, adding that that conflict created a challenge for the Shure. “It really raised the bar for product development.”

The Microflex Advanced microphones come in two options: table array and ceiling array. The table array mics are sleek in design and light up with LED colors to show which speaker the mic is picking up on at the time. The ceiling array microphones can be disguised as ceiling tiles or hung easily several inches below the ceiling, in a similar place a ceiling projector might be. Both mic options are controlled through Intellimix system software through a web-based GUI, are Dante-enabled and feature echo reduction.

BrightBeacon improves the overall digital signage experience by increasing audience engagement and creating a highly targeted, personal experience on two screens. Using Bluetooth and beacon technologies, 2-way communication between BrightSign digital signage and mobile devices is achieved and allows for the delivery of highly targeted promotions based on location as well the ability to control digital signage playback from a mobile device.

Thanks to its thin, lightweight, and bendable design, Barco’s R-series attach easily to virtually any surface, especially on curved surfaces. Designed for applications in retail, advertising, venues, and visitor attractions, the R-series frees customers from the limitations of traditional LED displays when digitizing their visual communication. The R-series inherits Barco’s Infinipix image processing platform, providing a straightforward web-based interface that enables display configuration, control, monitoring, and maintenance. Currently offered with a 10 mm pixel pitch, the outdoor-rated R10 is the first model of the digital media canvas family that’s being introduced, and it will be shipping from Q3 2016 onwards.

RHODIUM by AESON is Aeson’s patented LED cabinet design.

Unique to Aeson, RHODIUM BY AESON’s cabinet has a native 16:9 aspect ratio. If a screen is purchased with the same number of horizontal and vertical cabinets, the entire screen will have a 16:9 aspect ratio.

A RHODIUM BY AESON LED video screen has the unique ability to be easily accessed from either the front or the rear for servicing. The frame can be suspended, wall mounted, recessed or ground supported.

The patented design allows for the internal connection of power and data cables. As a result that the back of the cabinet is flat and is ideal for wall mounting.

Polycom has been doing incredible things with collaboration over the past year, specifically with the release of its Trio and Centro devices. The Trio is meant for offices, huddle rooms and conference spaces, and includes full color touchscreen, world’s best audio including base, a twenty foot mic pickup, HD voice, acoustic clarity, background noise cancellation and high definition 1080 p video conferencing and content sharing.

RealPresence Centro was built with instinctual human behavior in mind - that people feel more comfortable communicating and collaborating in the round. The base unit includes four touchscreens, five 1080p cameras sewn together for a panoramic view, BYOD receiving, single-click meetings, annotation and content sharing.

Polycom has also worked closely to make sure that its system integrates with Microsoft. Engineers from both companies have worked together to integrate Skype for Business from the bottom up. Skype for Business is extended into these Polycom devices.

Trio can used as telephony instead of a service provider and registers as a Skype for Business end point. When videoconferencing, Polycom keeps the user interface consistent for each video endpoint. A user with Skype for Business will see the Skype for Business setup, while Polycom users will see the Polycom setup, even when collaborating together.

Aurora showcased the industry’s first transceivers for 4K AV distribution over IP at this year’s show. Featuring Aurora’s IPBaseT technology, the IPX and VLX Series Transceivers are single units that can be configured as a transmitter or a receiver. Modes can be changed on the fly to allow for dynamic configurations.

Aurora’s IPBaseT technology combines a variety of 4K IP technologies and features under one unified protocol using a simplified topology. Uncompressed video with zero-latency, visually lossless video with low latency, seamless switching, videowall and multiviewer modes, digital audio, USB 2.0, Ethernet and control are a few of the core capabilities of IPBaseT. It also supports large scalable audio/video matrixing and does so by replacing multiple technologies and products with a “single-box” distributed platform.

Stampede has signed a distribution agreement with VR Studios and is exploring opportunities to incorporate virtual reality into AV installations.

At InfoComm 2016, Samsung showed off its Gear 360 camera, which will start shipping in July. Kevin Vitale, executive vice president of international operations at VR Studios says he sees commercial AV applications of virtual reality in arcades and gaming centers, commercial and industrial facilities and simulation applications, such as training for military newcomers, first responders and medical professionals. He also expects virtual reality to become an increasingly-important part of construction and architecture, including designing data centers, conference rooms and office layouts.

Platinum Tools introduced its brand new Net Chaser Ethernet Speed Certifier and Network Tester at this year’s show.

“Made in the USA, the Net Chaser Ethernet Speed Certifier and Network Tester offers a complete solution to test and speed certify the data-carrying capabilities of Ethernet network cables up to 1 Gb/s by testing for noise in the network, detecting faults in the cable wiring and ensuring that cables are able to support the speed capabilities of active equipment,” explains George Jang, Platinum Tools, Inc. product manager, in a company press release.

To certify Ethernet speed performance of cable runs, the Net Chaser conducts Bit Error Rate (BER) tests by sending data packets down specified cable runs at defined data rates to check for errors at the maximum throughput of the link. The Net Chaser reports on signal quality that can impact high-speed data transmission by measuring signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Skew measurements report on the signal time delay between pairs that can impact Gigabit data transmission.

Finally, the Net Chaser unit provides continuity testing that detects opens, shorts, miswires, split pairs, reversals, and high-resistance faults while accurately measuring distance to faults and total cable length.