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Industry News

Barco Buys Element Labs

Barco has acquired the products, intellectual property (IP) rights and know-how of Element Labs, an LED video systems company based in Santa Clara, California. With a focus on mid-end market requirements in rental, staging and fixed installations, the Element Labs products will complement Barco's existing LED product range.

Barco told rAVe that the “Element Labs” name basically ceases to exist, effective immediately, and structured as an asset sales transaction, Barco obtains all product designs, rights and intellectual property of Element Labs, without assuming the liabilities of the former EL-company (aka: a good deal). The core team of Element Labs in Santa Clara, California, will function as Barco's competence center for creative LED solutions, whereas Barco Kuurne (Belgium) will remain the competence center for tiled LED solutions.

For complete details, go to:  http://www.barco.com/corporate/pressrelease/2499/

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HDMI 1.4a Spec Released

HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, announced last week, the release of HDMI Specification Version 1.4a - featuring key enhancements for 3D applications including the addition of mandatory 3D formats for broadcast content as well as the addition of the 3D format referred to as Top-and-Bottom. The complete HDMI Specification Version 1.4a, along with the 1.4a version of the Compliance Test Specification (CTS), is available to Adopters on the HDMI Adopter Extranet.

An extraction of the 3D portion of Specification Version 1.4a is available for public download on the HDMI Web site at http://www.hdmi.org. The purpose of the extraction document is to provide public access to the 3D portion of the HDMI Specification for those companies and organizations that are not HDMI Adopters but require access to this portion of the Specification.

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Want to Know Why SMART Technologies Is So Profitable?

Nearly 750,000 interactive white boards (IWBs) sold worldwide in 2009 and now the market will surge again to top 1 million sales in 2010, says Futuresource Consulting.

"All regions experienced major growth last year, spread across multiple countries rather than localized hotspots," says Colin Messenger, Senior Consultant, Futuresource. "Back in 2005 only three countries sold more than 10,000 IWBs; last year we saw 12 countries hit this level. Driven by continued technological developments, our projections show that one in six classrooms will have an interactive whiteboard by 2012. There is a justifiably strong mood of optimism amongst manufacturers."

In the 66 countries covered within the Futuresource report, Messenger calculates there are over 31 million classrooms, a huge market potential for companies operating within this sector.

"Our research has shown there have been no real signs of recession in education technology," says Messenger. "Few markets hold the promise of education, where we'll see very strong sales growth for at least the next five years."

Complete details can be found here:  http://www.futuresource-consulting.com/

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VESA Finishes DisplayPort v1.2 Spec

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) unveils DisplayPort Version 1.2, the comprehensive extension to the original DisplayPort standard with many new benefits:

• 2x the maximum data transfer rate from DisplayPort v1.1a (10.8 Gbps to 21.6 Gbps) for higher performance 3D stereo displays, higher resolutions and color depths, and faster refresh rates
• multiple monitor support from a desktop or notebook computer using only one DisplayPort connector
• and the ability to transport USB data between a PC and Display, supporting Display USB functions such as a webcam and USB hub.

DisplayPort v1.2 is backward compatible with existing DisplayPort v1.1a systems, including existing cables and the Mini DisplayPort connector.

DisplayPort v1.2 supports "multi-streaming" for protected content and high performance apps such as 3D gaming. This enables the use of multiple monitors connected by cable in a daisy chain or hub configuration.

While the current standard supports one 2560x1600 monitor at 60Hz, DisplayPort v1.2 can support two such monitors with one cable, or four 1920x1200 monitors. Many other combinations are possible, including multiple video sources, multiple displays (even at different resolutions) and multiple audio speakers.

Want all the details? Go here:  http://www.vesa.org/

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Minicom Spins Out its Digital Signage Division

Minicom Advanced Systems, a developer of remote access, KVM, and digital signage solutions has announced that it would spinout its digital signage division ("MDS"). The new company simultaneously announced that it had raised $6 million to finance its operations independently. The investment, which was led by Jerusalem Venture Partners and joined by Aviv Ventures, will enable the company to broaden its platform from its new offices in Jerusalem's JVP Media Quarter.

According to MDS' CEO, Ronni Guggenheim, "This investment is the natural next step in MDS' lifecycle. The support of our investors positions us to explore inorganic growth options and to drive teh acceleraion of our product roadmap towards the establishment of MDS as a full scale enabling platform in the digital signage market."

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Conferencing

Polycom Intros Open Collaboration for AV Integrators

Polycom has launched what they are calling the Open Collaboration Network, a new initiative that aims to improve productivity through seamless voice and video communications.

What is it? Bringing together AT&T, Avaya/Nortel, BroadSoft, British Telecom, IBM, Juniper, HP, Microsoft, and Siemens, the program seeks to encourage interoperability and connectivity so partners can deliver fully integrated, end-to-end solutions.  Instead of trying to explain it all here, go listed to this podcast from Jim Kruger, Polycom VP of Solution Product Marketing, on how it works (skip the hokey music and intro):  http://www.polycomondemand.com/podcasts/index.php/2010/03/03/53-polycom-open-collaboration-network

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Projection

JVC Adds 4K D-ILA

Dubbed the DLA-SH7NLG, JVC's new D-ILA claims 5,000 ANSI lumens, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and a native resolution of 4096x2400 using a reflective LCD technology. Using dual 330W ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps (they can be operated simultaneously or one at a time), the new D-ILA is aimed at super high-end staging, digital cinema (although JVC is not an approved digital cinema projector vendor), large-venue projection as well as multi-image projection (it's capable of projecting four native 1080p images in a 2x2 grid).

It's a power hog though - using 1.1kW of power, it's certainly not a "green" product but it's bright. See all the specs at http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101793

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Integrator Solutions

Kramer Launches EDID Emulator

As part of the Kramer TOOLS line, the new VA-1VGAN captures and emulates the EDID data of a display.  EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is a data-structure consisting of 128 pieces of information that a display provides to the graphics card of a connected computer source. The EDID describes the display’s capabilities so that the source can output the best possible signal for that display.  The source and the display exchange this information over the Display Data Channel 2 (DDC2) using pins 12 and 15 of a standard 15-pin HD computer graphics video signal connector.

According to Kramer, the VA-1VGAN ensures that if a display is turned off, temporarily disconnected or is out of communication with the source, the source continues to output the best possible signal resolution.  The VA-1VGAN makes the source think that the display is still directly connected even when the EDID information is unavailable.

For complete specs, go here:  http://www.kramer-us.com/products/model.asp?pid=1597&sf=220

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Extron Launches New Control Associate Certification Program

Extron Electronics launched the new Extron Control Associate certification program designed to provide recognition for individuals who understand the best practices for planning, design, and implementation of a complete configurable control system. Available to anyone who has already earned the Extron A/V Associate designation, Extron Control Associate certification is earned through successful completion of an online or instructor-led training course and an Extron-proctored exam. Classroom instruction and exams will be conducted at Extron's training facilities in Anaheim, CA and Raleigh, NC, as well as other locations throughout the United States.

The Extron Control Associate certification program is ideal for individuals who are required to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot A/V control systems, including design engineers, system integrator installers, system integrator project managers, control system programmers, and sales professionals. Detailed information on all of Extron's certifications is available at http://www.extron.com/certified

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Home 3D 

LG Unveils World's First Full LED 3D TV

LG Electronics (LG), unveiled the world's first full LED 3D TV, the LX9500, in Korea on 26th March.

According to LG, the LX9500 uses an innovative backlight structure to deliver spectacular pictures for the ultimate 3D experience. Illuminated by panels of LEDs directly behind the screen (the 55-inch model boasts 1,200 LEDs), the Full LED display provides images of exceptional brightness and clarity and is complemented by a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and TruMotion 400Hz (480Hz).

The LX9500 is only 22.3mm slim and features a 16mm super-narrow bezel and supports Multi Picture Format - this means viewers can immediately see images snapped with 3D cameras without having to first convert them on their PCs.

The LX9500 employs shutter glasses (model: AG-S100) that adds depth by alternatively blocking one lens at a time in sync with the screen's refresh rate. The glasses are made so that they are comfortable enough to wear for an extended period of time and recharge via USB for up to 40 hours of uninterrupted viewing pleasure.

LG is committed to securing a dominant position in this fast growing market expected to surpass 80 million units by 2014, and aiming to acheive 25 percent share of 3D market in 2010. Available in 47 and 55-inch version, the TVs will be available to consumers first in Korea followed by North America, Europe, Singapore and other key markets by early May.

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Home Audio

NetStreams and Atlantic Partner for 100 Percent Digital Stream and IP-Based Speaker System

Part of the Atlantic Technology speaker line and dubbed the ICTS-6.1-IP, the new in-ceiling speakers allow for the speaker's crossover and equalization functions to be performed digitally upstream, in a NetStreams amplifier - connected to each speaker via a Phoenix port. The combination of the Atlantic speakers with a NetStreams SpeakerLinX amplifier, such as the NS-SL254, and the pre-loaded Atlantic crossover/equalization files can be custom dialed to the exact crossover and equalization desired through a 100 percent digital and networked based system.

For more information, go here:  http://www.atlantictechnology.com/default.asp?NodeId=152

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Wisdom Audio Releases Speaker Install Kit for Concrete Walls

Wisdom Audio just launched a new architectural speaker mounting solution for installation within concrete and masonry walls. According to Wisdom, it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum extrusion, the SE enclosure is Wisdom’s most aesthetically pleasing and best performing in-wall mounting enclosure.

Sage Series in-wall speakers (with its integral aluminum back boxes) are mounted via screws into the aircraft-grade aluminum extrusion SE enclosure. The unique flexible rubber-magnetic mounting system then allows for a thin, stainless steel grill to conform to variations in wall surfaces. An included tool is used to obtain a uniform grill distance from the wall’s surface - the grill sort of floats above the wall surface, eliminating the need for a bezel. 

You can see all the details at:  http://www.wisdomaudio.com

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Lutron Ships RadioRA 2

Lutron told rAVe that they had started to ship the long-awaited RadioRA 2 system.  The best way to see this is to watch these two rAVe NOW Videos we shot at CEDIA Expo 2009:

#1: http://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&view=ravevideo&ravevideo_id=333

#2: http://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&view=ravevideo&ravevideo_id=272

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ONKYO Says They Have the World's First 3D THX-Certified Receiver

Onkyo has announced March deliveries of its first 3D-Ready home theater receivers and home theater in a box (HTiB) systems. The new models consist of three A/V receivers and three HTiB systems and all of them support the new HDMI v1.4 connectivity standard (not 1.4a) for new 3D video displays and Audio Return Channel capabilities.  All these new receivers and HTiBs now decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreams, and include new 192-kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown PCM1690 DAC's that are highly resistant to clock jitter and provide a 113-dB dynamic range. Although both Sony and Pioneer introduced 3D-capable receivers in the past month, Onkyo says theirs is the first one that’s THX-certified.

The new TX-SR608 7.2-channel THX-Select2 Plus certified receiver has new power amplifier section that uses three-stage inverted Darlington output topology, and a power boost from 90 to 100 watts. Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processing has been added to its predecessor's Dolby PLIIz capabilities. Additionally, all video sources, including those using the new PC input, and regardless of source resolution, can be upscaled to big and beautiful 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema. The TX-SR608 will also include a front HDMI input, a feature first introduced by Onkyo in 2009. The TX-SR608 will be available in April for $599.

The 5.1-channel TX-SR308 and 7.1-channel TX-SR508 round out this initial announcement of A/V Receivers from Onkyo.

The HTiB package systems, which each consist of a receiver, speakers and a subwoofer, are the 5.1-channel HT-S3300 and 7.1-channel HT-S5300; the latter also includes an iPod dock. Thanks to the HDMI interface and the use of advanced Dolby and DTS codecs, all of these receivers and systems are also capable of decoding lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The new receivers are not on the ONLYO website yet, but when they are, we are told they will be listed here:  http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

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Sanus IR Repeater Kit Ships

Sanus Systems has announced it is now shipping the Sanus Elements ELM501 All-in-One IR Repeater Kit . The ELM501 replicates remote control signals and is a necessary component for allowing smooth operation of AV equipment when the equipment is enclosed in a cabinet or located in a media closet.

The low-cost, all-in-one kit comes with all the necessary elements to control up to four components with a frequency range of 30KHz – 60KHz, and includes both tabletop and hole-mounting options for discreet placement. LED status lights provide power and IR signal indication. The unit also filters undesirable signals from sunlight and plasma TVs for error-free operation.

See all the specs at:  http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/elements/ir-repeater/ELM501

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Final Words

Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe Asia. Thank you for spending time with us as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting the newsletter, or to sign up a friend, visit the website: www.raveproasia.com

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rAVe Asia is produced by Spinworkz Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based publishing house in collaboration with rAVe Publications from the USA.

Spinworkz Pte Lte publishes the bi-monthly print magazine Systems Integration Asia and rAVe Publications is headed by industry visionary Gary Kayye, CTS, and which publishes the following e-newsletters: rAVe ProAV Edition, rAVe HomeAV Edition, rAVe Rental [and Staing], and rAVe Ed [Education].

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