20 Best Products from Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2012

AMX works to make every conceivable native video resolution and aspect ratio suit TVs not of the same ilk, thanks to its SmartScale solution. Ideal for digital signage applications, where source content comes in a variety of forms, the technology scales to perfection. The company mounted 16 screens to demonstrate its point, with resolutions and aspect ratios in combinations such as 1920x1080 and 16:19; 1680x1050 in 16:10, 1024x768 in 4:3; and 1280x1024 in 4:3, to name a few.

Atlona took advantage of all that HDMI and HDBaseT have to offer with its new AT-PRO3HD44M 4x4 matrix switcher. The product uses power over Ethernet to eliminate the need for power on the receiver side, which can be sent 15 watts up to 330 feet away. There’s bi-directional IR for each of the four zones, plus independent RS-232 zone control. HDMI’s audio return channel is supported. Look for the device in June for $2,299, with additional receivers $149.

Christie had its MicroTiles in abundance at its booth and elsewhere. There were at least 400 MicroTiles in Christie’s booth, and the count rose to 500 at ISE thanks to other exhibitors employing them. Can you tell which “shelved” objects are real, and which are images on the six MicroTiles?

Crestron detailed its cost-effective lecture capture system called Capture Live HD. Comprehensive lecture recording, publishing and sharing systems can cost upwards of four to five times what Crestron says is around $4,000 for the bundle. There are no subscription fees or additional software cost with the program, that can grab and stream HD video, and provide one-button command of the record, publish and push to media server process.

Elite Screens is ready to handle the 4K resolution images of such high-powered commercial projectors. Its new 4K material is acoustically transparent and features a super-tight weave with miniscule perforations. The 1.1-gain material will be available for standard fixed and curved screens, in sizes more than 150 diagonal inches ideal for houses of worship and other large-screen environments.

Elite Screens is ready to handle the 4K resolution images of such high-powered commercial projectors. Its new 4K material is acoustically transparent and features a super-tight weave with miniscule perforations. The 1.1-gain material will be available for standard fixed and curved screens, in sizes more than 150 diagonal inches ideal for houses of worship and other large-screen environments.

Big audio came in a small size at Extron. Its XPA 4002 Amplifier doles out 800 watts of convection-cooled power from just a 1U rack size. The Class D amplifier employs Extron’s patented ripple suppression design to keep the product compact, with heat escaping through the ribbing on the sides. To its right is the baby, baby brother in the amplifier family, as the MPA 152 is a 2x15 watt amp.

Munich-based Hetec was showing a couple of opposing display products – one that takes one or two sources and feeds as many as nine screens; the other that takes multiple video sources and tiles and shapes them into a single display. Pictured is the V-Match C9’s work, demonstrated using all nine outputs to fill the nine wall-mounted screens. To the lower right you can see the PC being used for configuration, which includes simple inputs and adjustments for the displays’ signals, resolutions, dimensions and more.

Hitachi’s StarBoard Link EZ2 interactive whiteboard is a modular system that plays nicely even with projectors other than the company’s own. The easy-to-install system secures to a flat surface in a matter of minutes, and allows for a resizable input area between 60 and 90 diagonal inches. The frame pieces are adjustable, with one pulled wider pictured below the fully assembled model. It uses finger-driven technology but almost any pen will work. Stylus pens are optional, while software is included. Target shipment is in the next eight to 10 weeks.

Control room operators will be able to do anything from a simple weather check to mission-critical commands and about any other video-related activity using Jupiter’s Fusion Catalyst 8000. The behemoth processor, shown here being controlled from a console unit provided by partner Winsted, puts “more sources than the customer can provide” on the wall thanks to modularity that accommodates up to 100 dual-DVI inputs, 200 streaming IP sources and 400 video inputs.

This Intelligent Lectern Systems takes high-tech classrooms to another level - partially by being able to raise or lower so educators can stand or sit at their desk with all the day’s curriculum in front of them. There’s also touch control functionality, a 19-inch rack, the convenience to get mic’d up and more.

LG’s e-multiboard classroom system combines five portrait-style monitors or three configured in landscape view. The 60-inch diagonal screens have just 2.8-millimeter seam length (screen-to-screen distance). Plus you can send notes to each other like you were in high school.

Mitsubishi had a wide assortment of visually stunning solutions, including 70 series of rear-projection DLP video walls. Fifteen of the 72-inch 16:10 aspect ratio and LED-backlit cube products fit together for this particular version, while a wall featuring 62-inch sets was on display to its left. The products also have modular architecture so their input boards can contain whatever suits an installation. A new MK4000 outboard processor and D Wall software accompanies the displays.

Video walls were everywhere on the show floor at ISE, and one of the most interesting applications was in NEC’s booth. The company had an Airport Wall on display, with the signage culled from 24 (six-by-four) sets of 55 diagonal inches apiece. The MultiSync X551 UN55” LCD models are designed for the rigors of 24/7 operation and can be fed by NEC servers of 16 or eight outputs.

NuVo Technologies is giving classroom and light commercial environments a sound upgrade with its affordable WA-40 speaker bundle that includes a 40-watt amplifier that can handle up to four sources - including two that can be plugged into the front of the faceplate for on-the-fly convenience - and IR remote control. In Europe it’s a more powerful version of the successful WA-30 product offering 10 fewer watts.

Panasonic’s PT-DZ21K Projector is a sight to behold. Panasonic bills it as the smallest and lightest 20,000 lumens 4K model on the market. The super-bright image was being thrown on to a screen that wasn’t completely flat, to illustrate its ability to overcome installation obstacles and still deliver a flawless picture.

In Planar’s booth, I started with its Indisys Management Suite 2.0 software for control (and especially control rooms). The system lets end-users have ultimate command of their master desktops and networked PCs to create highly informational and quick operation to handle normal and emergency situations.

RBH Sound gave the first showing of its Visage Series VM-615L (which looks identical to the VM-615 pictured) in-ceiling speakers. The product is being targeted for release by mid-April, and features the same seamless edge-to-edge grille look. It has a 1-inch aluminum dome swiveling tweeter, 6.5-inch woofer, magnetic grille and 15-degree offset angle. That should make it suitable for ceilings in which speakers need to be located around the perimeter, delivering home cinema performance in light commercial environments.

Sony’s tiles were a bit funky and elegantly emerald in their content at times. They’re part of the new Ziris Canvas signage stunners.

Turkish OEM video provider Vestel demonstrated a tremendous cross-section of the latest TV products and innovations. A hot one at the show is transparent TV, which puts an image overlaid in front of actual objects so it can provide more information and sometimes interactive.