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Industry News

Telepresence to Reach USD2.7 Billion by 2015

Despite the tough economic environment, sales of telepresence hardware, software and services grew to $567 million in 2009, says ABI Research in a new study.

"Nearly any size company has access to telepresence and video conferencing services," says David Lemelin, director of the ABI's Enterprise Communications Research Service. "Suppliers are helping businesses transition to telepresence by introducing personal and room-based HD video conferencing solutions. Telepresence room rentals are also on the rise."

Expanding the options for access to telepresence products and services is critical for maintaining strong market growth.

"Video conferencing products that are a step above 'talking heads' at reasonable price points allow companies to experience the benefits and incorporate them into their business processes," adds Enterprise practice director Dan Shey. "This begins a cycle of growth that will lead to using true telepresence systems."

Factors that will drive the telepresence market 4X to reach $2.7 billion by 2015:

• Saving on travel costs particularly for companies experiencing supply chain expansion;
• Suppliers targeting companies with legacy video teleconferencing systems and expanding telepresence system interoperability;
• Telepresence enhanced with unified communications features such as whiteboards, document sharing and webcam videos;
• Growth of managed and cloud telepresence services from vendors such as Glowpoint, BT Onesource, Verizon and AT&T;
• Telepresence products for mobile employees and devices such as laptops and iPhones.

To read the entire study, go here:  http://www.abiresearch.com/press/1636-Telepresence+at+an+Inflection+Point%3B+Sales+Projected+to+Reach+%242.7+Billion+by+2015

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Christie Wins Inaugural "Green AV" Award

At the InfoComm 100 conference, Christie was named this year's Green AV Award winner.

The Green AV Award recognizes organizations for their commitment to social responsibility, sustainability and the environment.

"Sustainability practices are important for the future of the AV industry," said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. "InfoComm is pleased to issue these first Green AV Awards to those who are paving the way for a greener and stronger audiovisual industry. Christie is a great example of an organization whose commitment to the environment extends to all areas of their company."

Environmental initiatives Christie has undertaken include:

• Successfully registering two manufacturing plants to the internationally recognized environmental standard, ISO 14001
• Leading the way with products that are among the highest lumen per watt output efficiency for 3-chip DLP projectors
• Introducing energy-efficient stand-by modes for new projector models, and developing next generation solid state LED illumination technology that is more environmentally friendly
• Achieving an impressive 82 percent waste diversion rate at the Canadian manufacturing facility through effective management of recycle streams including electronic waste and organics (food waste)
• Reducing electrical consumption by 13 percent per employee within the first year through a "Power Down" energy conservation program
• Reducing natural gas usage by 41 percent
• Carpooling programs and employee awareness campaigns such as "Lunch n' Learn" sessions to encourage employees to adopt environmentally responsible practices at home

Other award winners in the Green AV Award category include AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions and Waveguide Consulting Inc.

Christie Digital can be found at: http://www.christiedigital.com/emeaen

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Projection

Canon Launches Six New Projectors

In launching two WXGA (1280x800) and four XGA (1024x768) projectors, Canon claims they’ve got the greenest projectors on the market with the six models dubbed the LV-8310, LV-8215, LV-7385, LV-7380, LV-7285 and LV-7280 – all 3LCD, LCoS (reflective LCD) projectors.  Claiming to all have at least a 4000-hour mercury-free lamp, a 1-watt stand-by mode and lower wattage lamps than other portable projectors on the market, Canon is betting its future on these models. Each has at least 2200 ANSI lumens output, with the brightest being the flagship LV-7385 (an XGA model) being the brightest at 3500 lumens.  Each projector is both RS 232 and IP controllable.

For more information, go to:  http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=109

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Samsung to Debut World's Brightest Pico Projector - 30 Lumens!

Weighing less than an iPhone, Samsung's first Pico LED projector, the H03, will feature 30 ANSI brightness in a lightweight, fairly cool looking design – but it’s not official, yet.

Samsungs says the H03 has been designed to provide the world's brightest pico display solution with an "ultra-efficient" LED lamp that gives more than 30,000 hours of lamp life. The projector can be powered by a removable battery pack or via a power cable (for both office use and a movie at home).

The H03 comes with a built in speaker and a document reader feature. The projector features PC in (VGA), AV composite in, USB port (for memory, download, external power), head set jack, SD card slot for external memory and a tri-pod fitting for mounting.

It’s not on their website yet as it’s not officially been launched in the US, but when it is, it will be here:  http://www.samsung.com/us/

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Integrator Solutions

SurgeX International Launches SXN1230

SurgeX introduced its SXN1230 surge eliminator and AC power conditioner last month. Housed in a 12"x12"x4" NEMA enclosure, meeting code for use in ceiling plenums, the industrial-grade SXN1230 provides guaranteed surge protection for dedicated power lines.

Designed for international use in 230-volt systems with single-phase requirements, the SXN1230 uses proprietary SurgeX technologies such as Advanced Series Mode surge elimination and Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI filtering.

SurgeX's Advanced Series Mode surge elimination is superior to conventional metal-oxide varistor (MOV) based circuitry or MOV hybrid designs and is completely non-sacrificial. The manufacturer says its "zero let-through" technology stops all surges up to 6000 volts (unlimited surge current) without producing harmful side effects such as ground-wire contamination or common-mode disturbances.

SurgeX International products have a 10-year warranty.

For more information on this, go to:  http://www.surgexinternational.com/products/sxn1230.html

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rAVe Scoop: ClearOne to Launch New Line of StreamNet IP-based AV Distribution and Control Products at InfoComm

At InfoComm, ClearOne will launch the VIEW platform, what they say is a new line of IP-based HD audio/video distribution and control network products based on its patented StreamNet technology.

The VIEW solution claims to offer functionality beyond just AV distribution- it also provides source control, a GUI - graphical user interface-, sensor and relay control – all user controllable and programmable. Distributing AV over IP is an obvious transition in our market and one that rAVe’s been saying is coming for a few years, and the ClearOne’s VIEW has what they are calling LAN Cloud Matrix Switching system, allowing any source to be dynamically routed to any display or audio zone.

The VIEW will debut in hardware form at InfoComm so it’s not on their website, yet.

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Dukane Debuts Circa 1989 Document Camera

Although packed with 2010 features, the new Dukane DVP507 looks like a page out of the 1989 design playbook.  Included with an HD resolution camera, 720p capable recording, 240 picture memory and 15x zoom, the digital HDMI output DVP507 is one of the most advanced document cameras we’ve ever seen or reviewed -- it even features time lapse video recording!

See all the specs at:  http://www.dukane.com/av/products/Item_VisualizersCameras.asp?Model=DVP507

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Sony Showcases New Signage Range for ProAV Market

Sony Professional brought a new range of BRAVIA digital displays to Screen Media Expo. Research and says that by 2012, 60 percent of the digital signage market will be covered by consumer TV products. In response to the proliferation of televisions used in the digital signage market, Sony Professional has created a Bravia range with the functionality of a pro display and the usability of a consumer TV. By including RS232 control and IP networking capability in the new BRAVIA B2B range, Sony offers the capability of performing self-diagnosis and timed power saving. The B2B BRAVIA range has what they are calling a “hotel mode” so user can select a default channel, show the time and limit the sound volume. The new BRAVIA B2B comes in 32", 40", 46" and 55".

Also at Screen Media Expo, Sony has a refreshed version of its Ziris software. The all-new Ziris V7 is an enterprise-strength digital signage software suite, which Sony says is easy to use and has streamlined features for content delivery. A new, unified user interface pushes usability to new levels so that anyone familiar with typical office software will feel at home with Ziris 7 immediately.

Sony also showed its new digital signage player, the BKM-FW55, an eco-friendly full HD embedded digital signage player that actually fits inside the display for tamper-proof, simple, plug-in-and-play digital signage.

See it all at:  http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/view/ShowPressRelease.action?section=SB+SS+ALL+Press+Center&pressrelease=1237478357190&site=biz_en_GB

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Home Control

Both AMX and Crestron Announce iPad Apps to Turn iPad Into Touch Screen HomeAV Interface

Both AMX and Crestron Announce iPad Apps to Turn iPad Into Touch Screen HomeAV Interface

The death of the overpriced, over-bloated touch panels is near – the iPad is well on its way to replacing that (along with a few other inexpensive top-secret touch screen options coming this summer).  In recent weeks, both AMX and Crestron have submitted to actual apps that turn iPads into full-fledged touch screen controllers – doing 90 percent of what their $3,000 touch screen options do for $499.  Not 100 percent, however – just 90 percent.

Here are AMX’s iPad Apps:  http://www.amx.com/ui/apple.asp#AMX_Apps

Here are Crestron’s iPad Apps:  http://www.crestron.com/solutions /apple_mac_iphone_ipod_ipad_control/

So, when will these totally replace the touch screen interface?  Well, let’s be realistic here -- rather quickly. Not in 2010, but by 2012, rAVe projects that using iPads (and other 3rd party sub $500 touch screens) will garner at least 65 percent market share in the HomeAV market.  I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

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Home Audio

SpeakerCraft Launches Line of New Whole House Receivers

SpeakerCraft has announced a new line of amplifiers they’re labeling the Vital Receiver Series. The flagship is a 2-channel model, dubbed the 910 Whole House, and includes seven 130-watt High-Current channels of amplification, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output,  SmartEQ auto setup with included microphone, an XM-Satellite Radio ready, 50 preset AM/FM tuner and Faroujda Torino video chip processing that upconverts to 1080p.

The lower-end model is the 710 and it has 80-watts per channel, two full-range subwoofer outputs, composite video switching (huh?), a front panel A/V input, AM/FM tuner with 30 presets – and even a phono input. 

Both can be found here:  http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:689:Vital%20910

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Vincent Audio Introduces New High-Powered Amplifier and Preamplifier

Vincent Audio has introduced what they are calling “high performance versions” of two of their most popular hybrid vacuum tube/solid-state power amplifiers and preamplifiers. The new Vincent SA-31MK stereo preamplifier and SP-331MK Class A/AB stereo power amplifier are based on the current SA-31 preamplifier and SP-331 Class AB power amplifier, which will continue in the line.

The new models make extensive use of Class A circuitry in the signal path, add additional vacuum-tube stages, and employ precision European resistors (are European resisters better than Chinese ones?) and capacitors in key circuits. The new preamplifier also adds more line inputs, precision electronic level controls, and a wireless remote control.
The Vincent SP-331MK Class A/AB power amplifier’s output stage operates in pure Class A mode for signals up to 10-watts output. It then shifts to Class AB up to its full power rating of 150-Watts into 8 ohms and 300-watts into 4 ohms..

The Vincent SA-31MK was also upgraded for pure Class A operation with a new output stage using two additional 6N16 vacuum tubes including increasing the number of line inputs from four to six channels and adding a remote.

The Vincent Audio SP-331MK and SA-31MK are currently available in black or silver finish. More details can be found at: http://www.vincent-tac.de/de/produkte-nach-linien/powerline/sa-31mk.html

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Crestron Ships HDMI DigitalMedia Wall Plate Transmitter

Crestron told rAVe  that it has started to ship, in limited quantities, their DM-TX-400-3G -- a wall plate transmitter for their DigitalMedia line that includes HDMI, VGA, Audio, control and USB via DigitalMedia cable up to 450’ away.  Crestron says the DM system is designed to provide an upgrade path from analog to digital without replacing installed equipment (e.g., QuickMedia). The Crestron MPS, for example, is engineered to transmit all analog signals from the MPS to the DM-TX-400-3G over one VGA cable. A single DM cable connects the transmitter to a DM matrix switcher or room controller, which sends HDMI to the display.

To learn more, go to: http://www.crestron.com/products/show_products.asp?jump=1&model=DM%2DTX%2D400%2D3G

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Extron Launches Modular DVI Matrix Switchers

Extron just launched the DMS 3600 and DMS 1600, two modular DVI matrix switchers that, as far as rAVe can tell, are the industry’s first modular DVI matrix switchers. They accept various combinations of 4-port DVI input boards, 4-port DVI output boards, and 4x4 DVI input / output boards for switching high-resolution DVI digital video signals without copy protection. The DMS 3600 is an 8U enclosure that can be configured in I/O sizes from 4x4 to 36x36, while the DMS 1600 is a 4U model, configurable from 4x4 to 16x16. A modular, field-upgradable, and hot-swappable design allows for future system expansion, as well as continuous system reliability with a fan assembly and redundant power supplies that can be replaced at any time.

To learn more, go to:  http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=dms1600

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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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