My parents were not hoarders, but they did grow up in the Great Depression, so throwing away perfectly good items was considered just shy of a mortal sin in their eyes. Unfortunately for my wife, I have inherited this mindset. That's why I have a small assortment (read: several bins) of electronics and associated cables in my office closet. I could probably be forgiven if that was the extent of my gear and cable collection. But let's head out to the garage, shall we?

We haven't had a home phone for some time, but I kept a corded phone in a bin out there, just in case. And a wireless phone system, just in case, too. Maybe you can attribute that to paranoia, but when you see the tackle box reallocated for cables, a cardboard box designed to hold reams of copy paper filled with more cables, a multi-drawer plastic storage cabinet designed to hold nuts and bolts packed with more cables, and more cables piled on the previously mentioned items holding other cables, you begin to see the problem.

During the last Black Friday consumer spending frenzy, I treated myself to a new workbench for the garage. My previous model was a cheap, metal thing I bought more as a placeholder than a permanent option. More than 20 years later, the placeholder was still there, but its front door wouldn't stay closed and the work surface was no longer stable. However, the new workbench has a different drawer layout, so my stash of cables had to be reduced so they would fit.

Turns out I had enough coax to wire up a TV in every room in the house and then some. There was also an abundance of phone cables and plenty of Cat 5, too. There's less of all of these now, but still a decent supply.

I kept the XLR and HDMI cables, as well as an S-VHS cable (for sentimental reasons, I suppose), optical audio cables, some speaker wire, and a spare power cable or two. There's also a few spare composite cables and RCA cables, so if VHS or even DVD come back into fashion like vinyl, I'm all set.

Then came the sticky cables. Those were an easy toss, same as the ones with corroded connectors. I also found the spare power cable for my Xbox 360, a gaming system I traded in maybe a decade ago. Plus, I found cables and accessories for TiVo, a platform I abandoned years ago, as well as cables I could not identify. I even found a pair of BBQ tongs among the collection. I really wish that was a joke.

Why do I feel secure in sharing the embarrassing details of my recent purge? It's because I know there are many of you out there dismissing my cable crisis with a backhanded wave and a half-hearted razzberry. "You think that's a lot of cables," you're thinking, "we have a whole [shelving unit, closet, office, loft, fill-in-the-blank] filled with cables."

So, here's my question: Why?

Peace of mind is important, particularly when your job revolves around live production or presentations. Beyond the cables you likely keep in your portable bag of tricks for diagnostics and quick fixes, how redundant does your spare cable stash need to be? Is there a place for every cable, and is every cable in its place? Are there outdated cables that, even if everything goes wrong, will never get put back into service? (Speaking of service, you should probably check and see if all those cables still work. )

Clearly, I'm not the guy telling you to eliminate your unused cable inventory. I still have a healthy (and redundant) personal stockpile. Odds are I won't ever need most of them, but I might need some of them. With my recent reorganization, I also know it'll be easy to access them if that time comes. To me, that's worth a drawer in my workbench. How much storage space is it worth to you?

The City of Austin government access channel, ATXN, has made the move to a completely 4K environment with the aid of Canare 4K-capable 12G-SDI cables, video patchbays, and BNC connectors. The station’s chief engineer, Garry Wilkison, and local integrator Kvasir Systems directed the recent upgrades.

As ATXN covers live events up to three times a day both online and via cable networks, Wilkison knew that Canare was the right choice for the upgrade. “I’ve been using Canare for years,” he said. “In my role, I usually specify all the equipment for an install, and I have been going back to Canare since the old analog days. Years ago, Canare created a cable stripping tool that was perfect for just about every use. That’s what initially sold me on the brand. Today, I especially like Canare cables as they meet all the performance specifications I require. Also, the connectors, particularly the BNC-type connectors, are wonderful. I spec Canare whenever possible, and it’s one of my top choices.”

[USB-C: One Size Fits All?] 

According to Wilkison, the greatest challenge with the upgrade was the size and scope. “This is a huge facility,” he added. “We have three studios within the building and four remote locations from which we go live. So, we have more facilities and coverage than any broadcast station in the area. We also operate four streaming channels, many of which are live at the same time, several times a week.”

To provide unfettered coverage across multiple feeds daily, Wilkison knew that ATXN needed cables it could rely on. As chief engineer, he was able to specify the equipment he wanted for the new install, and he let Kvasir Systems know that Canare was his choice for the upgrade. The result was a variety of Canare 12G-SDI patchbays, coax cables and BNC connectors. Included among these were the new SMPTE-compliant 32MCKA-ST patchbay, which offers fully normalized capabilities without the need for patch cords or looping plugs. Available in a variety of rack sizes, the 32MCKA features Canare’s renowned micro-video ports and standard BNC rear connections, as well as a newly developed touch spring-type switch and dust-proof shutter design on the front patch.

As longtime specifiers of Canare equipment, the team at Kvasir Systems supported Wilkison’s choices. “When it came time to upgrade ATXN to an HD 1080 workflow that could migrate to 4K/UHD/12G as needed, we knew that Canare’s 12G/4K patchbays and cables would be the perfect solution," explained Jim Zeiner, account executive at Kvasir Systems. “Canare delivered in sales and service, as always.”

In the main studio, the team also integrated the L-CUHD Series Coax Cables, which are specifically designed for 12G-SDI applications and feature a maximum transmission distance of 100m or longer.

[Can NDI Become Ubiquitous?] 

As the move to 4K required a complete renovation, the ATXN broadcast team remained working in the same facility while changes happened around them. Wilkison and his staff continued to produce coverage and provide the City of Austin news live on air. With a majority of the new Canare equipment already installed in the facility, the network was able to continue to run daily until the upgrade was complete. Additionally, the brand’s cables, panels and connectors made for quick installation and reliability that ensured that the station could quickly move into the future of broadcasting.

DEFENDER recently released its new XPRESS Series. These drop-over cable protectors, which feature a cable duct, are available in two versions (XPRESS 40 and XPRESS 100) with 40mm and 100mm wide cable ducts and can be quickly and easily placed over cables and hoses that have already been laid. This makes XPRESS cable protectors suitable for a variety of outdoor and indoor uses at events, festivals, Christmas markets, trade fairs, shopping centers, studios, or offices. In addition, the XPRESS models have the DEFENDER 3D LaserGrip surface for particularly high slip and tread resistance, even when driven over with trolleys, wheelbarrows or bicycles.

[Here's How NPARALLEL Achieves Plug-and-Play Meeting Experience]
 
The XPRESS 40 (1005x125x20mm) and XPRESS 100 (1005x250x40mm) cable protectors offer the fastest handling of all DEFENDER models. The lack of a base is a major factor in this, making the cable protector particularly easy to install in existing cable routes. While a simple cable protection mat is often used in similar cases, the XPRESS cable protectors provide a much more robust and safe solution for people and materials. Despite their low weight, the XPRESS cable protectors have a high load-bearing capacity of 0.5 tons per 20x20cm area laid, which means that even cars can drive over them without any problems.
 
As with the Micro and MIDI 5 2D Series, the innovative 3D LaserGrip surface also provides XPRESS cable protectors with special slip-and-step resistance. With its special shape and surface structure, it also minimizes the risk of accidentally moving an entire cable protector line.

[Pro AV 2023: Trends to Watch]
 
DEFENDER cable protectors do not contain toxic, environmentally harmful PVC, and they are produced sustainably. The XPRESS Series uses a stable, break-proof TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which is mainly made from recycled plastics and gives the cable protectors a high durability.

Leviton is introducing a new Category 6A cable called LM-RDT (Leviton Manufacturing Reduced Diameter Technology). This UTP plenum cable features an outside diameter (OD) of only 0.230 inches, making it ideal for cable upgrades, retrofit applications, or areas where space is at a premium.

[Leviton Acquires Berk-Tek]

LM-RDT achieves a smaller OD by eliminating the cable cross-filler while maintaining CAT-6A performance through Leviton Precision Twist Technology. This proprietary technology precisely controls the cable's twist, enabling CAT-6A performance in a much smaller form factor. LM-RDT also incorporates new Leviton FLX-1 advanced polymer technology into the plenum-rated cable jacket for greater flexibility and easier routing through cable pathways.

[Berk-Tek and Leviton Form Technologies Alliance]

The LM-RDT cable, available now, is part of two new Leviton end-to-end systems: the high-performance Atlas-X1 LM-RDT System and the economical eXtreme LM-RDT System. Both systems are designed to accommodate high-bandwidth applications where pathway space is at a premium.

C2G is now offering USB-C Extender Transmitter to Receiver Kits for classrooms, conference rooms and huddle spaces needing a simple yet powerful solution for extending USB signals beyond their native 16.4-foot length limitation.

"Almost every laptop and mobile device available now utilizes at least one USB-C port, making USB-C near ubiquitous in education and corporate applications," said Jennifer Crotinger, product Manager, C2G, a brand of Legrand. "However, users often need that signal to go much farther than USB-C allows. Our new kits provide a high-quality, easy-to-install solution."

The C2G 1-Port USB-C Extender Transmitter to Receiver Kits provide increased bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds, up to 5Gbps, at lengths up to 33 feet. The solution offers bus power with optional 5V 3A DC input (not included). Completely plug and play, no software or drivers are required, ensuring quick, easy, and reliable installation. AV professionals and tech staff can reduce cable clutter by running the included 33-feet link cable between connections. The kits are available in two models: C2G54278 and the plenum-rated C2G54279. C2G also offers a full line of HDMIHDBaseT products that complement extenders.

The What: Audinate has announced the immediate availability of the Dante AVIO USB-C adapter, which allows the latest mobile devices and computers to connect to any Dante audio network for playout or recording.

The What Else: The Dante AVIO USB-C adapter connects to devices with USB-C or A ports (cables included) to deliver and receive two channels of audio over a Dante audio network. It requires no additional drivers and works with any application, making it well suited for rapid setup of conference rooms, background music, and more.

[Audinate’s Dante Adds At-Home Capabilities to Broadcasts at The University of Miami]

The Dante AVIO USB-C adapter may be powered via USB or PoE. When connected to a PoE Ethernet switch, 7.5 watts of power is available to USB-C compatible mobile devices, enabling smartphones and tablets to remain charged while connected to a Dante network.

“The new Dante AVIO USB-C is the logical evolution of our immensely popular USB model,” said Mark Gerrard, senior product manager at Audinate. “With native support for the ports on the latest tablets, phones and computers, Dante AVIO USB-C adds pass-through power to make it the indispensable tool for connecting devices to Dante audio networks.”

The Bottom Line: Compact and rugged, the Dante AVIO family of adapters allow users to use non-Dante analog, USB, AES3/EBU, or Bluetooth audio equipment with a Dante audio network.

The What: ARISTA Corporation has announced the ARS-200-HD HDMI Audio to Dante Audio converter and the ARS-200-DH Dante Audio Stream to HDMI Audio converter.

The What Else: The ARS-200-HD extracts audio from devices like DVD players and converts the audio stream to Dante format. This enables the audio signals to be transmitted over long distance and used with public address (PA) systems—ensuring that everyone can hear the sound that accompanies the visuals. The converter/interface uses an HDMI Type A female connector for HDMI input and an HDMI Type A female connector for video loopback output. The HDMI input and loopback output maximum supported video resolution is 4096x2160 / 3840x2160 at 60Hz (4:4:4).

Related: The Integration Guide to Dante-Enabled AV

ARISTA’s ARS-200-DH Dante Audio Stream to HDMI converter is well suited for presentation environments where audio is being handled via Dante in order to cover long distances, such as in a large hall while audio and video is desired in the most outlying areas. In such cases, Dante audio is being received by the ARS-200-DH while it is also receiving video input via HDMI. In this case, the ARS-200-DH merges the audio with the HDMI signal so that it can feed external displays. The ARS-200-DH outputs stereo audio (20Hz–20kHz) with a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz. Maximum video resolution is 4096 x 2160 / 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz (4:4:4) and both the video input and the video loopback ports are HDMI Type A female connectors.

Power for both the ARS-200-HD and the ARS-200-DH can be handled via either a DC 12V feed or PoE (Power over Ethernet). Both units are housed in a rugged metal housing, and the dimensions for both units are 3.3 x 3.9 x 1.1 inch.

“The ARS-200-HD and ARS-200-DH are two new building blocks adding to Arista’s Pro Audio products baseline and filling the products gap in the audio installation market,” said Paul Shu, ARISTA’s president of sales and marketing. “The ARS-200-HD enables the integrator to add HDMI audio into a Dante audio network and the ARS-200-HD enables integrators to add Dante audio to HDMI audio output in a very quick and easy installation. I believe these two new products can help integrators streamline their installations, saving time and effort in the process.”

The Bottom Line: The ARISTA ARS-200-HD and ARS-200-DH are designed for presentation environments where audio needs to be converted from one format to the other and where long-distance transmission is involved.

The What: Magenta Research by tvONE has announced new low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) active optical cables. The new active optical cables feature both DisplayPort 1.4 (MG-AOC-883) and HDMI 2.0 (MG-AOC-663) options, from lengths of 10 to 100 meters (328 feet).

The What Else: These cables support up to 4K60 4:4:4 with no compression or latency up to 328 feet (100m) and without the need for external power.

Related: tvONE Ships CORIOmaster2 Video Processor 

The LSZH active optical cables expand on the existing Magenta Research active optical cable product line, featuring DisplayPort 1.4 active optical cables (MG-AOC-88x) and HDMI 2.0 active optical cables (MG-AOC-66x) available in plenum and non-plenum, as well as the newly added armored active optical cables (MG-AOC-66A & MG-AOC-88A) for rental and staging applications. The cables provide a robust solution for extending ultra-high resolution over long distances.

“Extending these high-resolution signals at great distances is a challenge,” said Mark Armon, global product manager at tvONE. “But the most annoying part of extending something is when you only have to go 10 meters. Active optical cables offer a simple and cost-effective solution for this problem.”

The Bottom Line: The new low-smoke zero-halogen cables provide a simple solution for extending high-resolution signals over long distances in applications where smoke emission and toxic fumes pose a risk to human health in the event of a fire.  

The What: Logitech has launched Swytch, an enhancement to Logitech room solutions including Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms that enables users to join meetings for other videoconferencing systems from a laptop. 

The What Else: Swytch, a compact, one-cable laptop link, enables users to utilize a laptop to run meetings with any videoconferencing platform, webinar, or streaming software. With Swytch, joining video services is seamless, especially for those transitioning to modern platforms like Zoom or Teams from legacy services. Plug in the Swytch USB connector to a laptop to quickly get high-quality, native support of almost any external video meeting service, regardless of the room standard. Once the meeting is finished, unplug Swytch from the laptop to leave the room ready for the next video meeting. 

Related: Exclusive: Crestron, Logitech Leaders Discuss Their New Partnership

With bring your own meeting (BYOM) support, users can use Microsoft Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms to connect a laptop to the room’s display, camera, and audio devices for meetings hosted on other services. Swytch consolidates HDMI and USB into one cable to enable screen mirroring at resolutions up to 4K with clear audio. Swytch also provides up to 60W of power for laptops that charge via USB-C. Designed for universal compatibility, Swytch works with laptops using USB 3.0 or higher with Type A or Type C and DisplayLink drivers, including Windows 10 laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks.

Compatibility with Logitech Sync makes it easier for IT to monitor and manage Swytch together with other meeting room devices, including Logitech MeetUp, Rally, and Tap, and Swytch mounts cleanly via a magnetic mount, keeping tabletops clean and organized.

“Most room solutions are great and have made strides in becoming easier to use, but it’s often difficult to join meetings with any video service you want,” said Scott Wharton, vice president and general manager of Logitech Video Collaboration. “For video to become ubiquitous, joining video calls with different platforms needs to become as easy as making a telephone call. With Swytch, we’re taking it a step beyond ‘making every room a meeting room’ and enabling a native experience in conference rooms that anyone can use and enjoy.”

The Bottom Line: With Logitech Swytch, users can switch control of the camera, audio devices, and display in meeting rooms to their laptop using a single USB connection.

Logitech Swytch will be available for purchase globally starting later this month. Pricing starts at $999 and varies by country. 

The What: Arlington has released new cable hooks that support up to 90 Cat 5e cables with the center radius of bundle spread over a 2-inch opening.

The What Else: The new cables are available in three styles—one in heavy duty non-corrosive plastic and two in steel—and feature a 25 lb. support rating.

They attach easily to supports, beam clamps, and struts, and are listed for air handling spaces.

The Bottom Line: The new cables are stackable in parallel or perpendicular orientation for vertical support of multiple tiers of cable.

In honor of Independence Day, we asked pro AV manufacturers to tell us about their Made in the U.S.A. products.

Scroll through the gallery below to see pro AV products proudly made in America.

*Editor's Note: These products were all made in America, according to the companies, at the time of publication. 

The transition to HDMI 2.0 was overwhelmingly driven by the urge to support higher resolution signals, notably 4K HDR 4:4:4 with a 600-megapixel flow rate. HDMI 2.0 is furthermore built to accommodate the carriage of 8K signals which, while still some years away, will eventually become an important part of the AV ecosystem. In the meantime, the industry eagerly awaits what HDMI 2.1 and future specs will offer for visual quality benefits.

Surprisingly, many cables on the market today are still limited to 1080p and 4K 4:2:0. On a short transmissions, the viewer might still receive and see a 4K image using these connections. In any scenario, a quick 10-to-20 second test will generally help determine the capabilities to carry HDMI 2.0/1.4/1.2 signals over each connection. The kind of tests you run will make a big difference as to how quickly the problems are solved, if at all.

Related: New Mandatory HDMI Cable Certification Assures HDMI 2.1, 8K Support

There are a number of testing options on the market today, though many fall short when it comes to HDMI testing. Most HDMI testers focus on pattern testing versus physical layer testing. These pattern-oriented devices understand how to read a video stream, and run through a loop with the HDMI cable from transmission to receipt. These provide an appropriate comparison of the pixel levels through the loop, and confirm that the cables can carry HDMI 2.0, for example. 

This provides value to a degree, but there are additional physical layers in the mix that can adversely affect signal integrity. The wiring inside the HDMI cable can have a remarkable influence. In the short term, the video activated and transmitted through the cable will work fine, and the image will appear exact, even if there is damage on or underneath the shielding. 

Testing the cable itself will identify these more advanced issues. For example, one increasingly common problem is the reduction of shielded wire from within the cable. HDMI cables have 18 standard conductors for video, audio, Ethernet, and data moving over twisted pairs of wiring inside. Each of these wires should be shielded to maximize performance, which represents a 19th conductor.

Testing with a pattern generator will provide return information that suggest all 19 conductors are functioning properly. For short cable runs, this may happen even if there are issues with some of the conductors. The problems visibly surface on longer cable runs, and/or if there is a continuous signal moving through shorter cables for hours. For example, a 24/7-hour system with internal conductor shortcomings will gradually leak outside the wiring. This will inevitably cause signal degradation and ultimately affect performance.

There is no question that testing with an HDMI pattern generator will affect the overall depth and integrity of test. HDMI transmitters and receivers use equalization for error correction to improve the HDMI transmission. Not all the HDMI transmitters/receivers use the same equalization, which means that testing high-bandwidth HDMI signals with a pattern generator will often hide issues caused by the cable’s physical layer and associated wiring quality.

Modular Connections

This can feel like a complicated situation for tech managers that have no way to reliably troubleshoot the connections. Perhaps the integrator installed the system and verified integrity through a pattern generator, and everything checked out. 

Then, perhaps, the system remained dormant over a holiday week or between semesters after the integrator left the job site. The moment the system was turned on with the goal of passing 18Gpbs, the video drops surfaced. There is no HDBaseT extension—just a 3-foot cable connecting the source and sync devices. The HDMI cable simply cannot carry the high-bandwidth content between the two points. 

There is also the issue of overuse. Consider a meeting space where user after user is connecting to an HDMI cable. Most HDMI cables can accommodate up to 500 connections and disconnections, but the possibility of earlier damage certainly exists to do a more consistent flow of different users. Today’s more diverse, portable test devices will help installers verify signal presence and integrity through a variety of key parameters, including activation of links to transmit through the cable, even without a source or sink to receive the signal; the quality of transmission on the uplink (much higher bandwidth) and downlink; and improper terminations or crimps that cause faults through the twisted pair wires.

These and other problems can be identified and fixed on the spot, without the need to bring in a 4K display or projectors to confirm and evaluate the link. Special HDMI test modules are emerging to connect the tester directly to the wire, and return detailed physical layer readings to the handheld or a connected laptop. This allows the tech manager to immediately confirm whether the HDMI cable can reliably carry high-bandwidth signals over the long term by performing tests that transmit the video, verify terminations, and verify cable quality.

Attaching a professional HDMI module to both ends of the cable will provide instant access to crucial cable-quality data, including the presence of each of the 19 HDMI-standard conductors, with instant feedback on missing or defective wiring (called an HDMI Swipe Test); HDMI bandwidth requirements for signal carriage (called an HDMI compatibility test); confirmation if any of the cable’s conductors are shorted or missing; and gauge (AWG) measurements for each of the conductors.

A final important consideration is certification. This is something that tech managers cannot achieve with a common network analyzer, for example. Devices that can immediately offer a report that displays the minimum and maximum parameters, provide details on signal degradation and improvement, and what artifacts influenced the transmission provide major benefits to everyone involved. 

Manufacturers’ warranties are further protected through a certification report that verifies the performance of their equipment. Furthermore, if problems arise several months down the road, comparisons of the initial certification can be made with the current measurements to isolate problems and failures. For example, if someone ran electrical wiring for an air conditioner next to the AV system, that can be isolated as an outside interference problem.

The ability to accurately and thoroughly test each cable’s quality and performance is paramount to long-term viability of a new AV system. Using a modern HDMI test device will better assure the end user that their system can move high-quality, high-resolution signals with maximum integrity, while having better insight into a broader array of testing parameters. 

Ariel Marcus is co-founder and chief technology officer at MSolutions.

The What: Extron has begun shipping the NBP 1200C, a furniture-mountable Cable Cubby enclosure with a Network Button Panel integrated directly into the lid. 

The What Else: It conveniently combines intuitive AV control, connectivity, and power, and works with all Extron Pro Series control systems and HC 400 Series products. The flip-up button panel has 10 customizable soft-touch buttons that are backlit for operation in low-light environments. The NBP 1200C enables integrators to deploy a contemporary, furniture-mountable Network Button Panel with cable management and easy access to AV connectivity and power. The NBP 1200C is available in black annodized and brushed aluminum finishes.

The NBP 1200C can be customized using the Cable Cubby Builder, an interactive tool that guides users through the process of selecting AC power modules, AV connectivity, cables, and installation accessories. As you build your Cable Cubby, a bill of materials is prepared automatically. When you’re finished, the Builder allows you to review your Cable Cubby and make any last-minute changes before placing your order. Please note that a Dealer Login is required for this tool.

Related: MSolutions Adds Testing Profile for Extron XTP DTP 24 Cables to MS-TestPro

"Our family of Network Button Panels continues to grow; and this new NBP 1200C fulfills requests from customers for a furniture-mounted Cable Cubby version," said Casey Hall, vice president of sales and marketing, Extron. "This NBP is the perfect choice for applications requiring discreetly-mounted AV control that also offers convenient AV data and power connections."

The Bottom Line: The fully-customizable control panel works with a control processor to perform a wide variety of AV system functions such as display on/off, input switching, volume control, and more.

MSolutions has upgraded its MS-TestPro HDBaseT tester with a profile for verifying the integrity of Extron’s XTP DTP 24 Shielded Twisted Pair Cables. The handheld test device provides data to analyze the status and stability of HDBaseT installations. 

Features include quick signal analysis, built-in monitoring, logging and diagnostics capabilities, and comprehensive troubleshooting tools. By selecting the Extron cable profile, all parameters necessary to certify the link quality and status are compiled and summarized for immediate use. Users can generate an HDBaseT test report to certify link quality and status. This report can be saved as a PDF file and included with system commissioning documentation. The integration of the Extron XTP DTP 24 cable profile into the MS-TestPro analyzer guarantees the highest performance and reliability within your DTP and XTP installations.

Related: Extron Now Shipping DTP2 CrossPoint 82 4K60 Presentation Matrix Switcher

"The ability to test XTP DTP 24 cable installations with the MS-TestPro is an exciting development," said Casey Hall, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Extron. "Its convenient certification report provides the details needed to perform system commissioning while ensuring your cable infrastructure delivers professional results."

“Systems integrators have long lacked reliable, cost-effective test tools built with the AV industry in mind,” said Eliran Toren, CEO, MSolutions. “As we bring our message to more AV integrators worldwide, we are strategically partnering with industry leaders such as Extron that value innovation and interoperability. Using our MS-TestPro device, Extron installers can rest assured that they can test and certify cabling infrastructure with speed and accuracy, and leave job sites with peace of mind that their installed systems will function as advertised.”

XTP DTP 24 cable is performance-optimized, twisted pair cable that features 24 AWG solid copper conductors within overall braid and foil shields. It utilizes an SF/UTP Shielded Foil/Unshielded Twisted Pair design for high performance in digital video and audio distribution system applications. Both non-plenum and plenum-rated versions enable signal extension of AV, control, Ethernet, and power up to 330 feet (100 meters). XTP DTP 24 cable is available in lengths from three feet to 300 feet (90 cm to 91.4 meters) and in bulk spools of 1,000 feet (305 meters).

Atlona’s U.S. customers can now buy 57 Panduit connectivity and routing products direct from Atlona, enabling integrators and consultants to specify complete end-to-end solutions for AV environments from one supplier. The initiative provides Atlona customers with access to Panduit mounting, cabling, and cable management solutions via Atlona’s website or through Atlona representatives.

[Atlona, Panduit Leaders Talk Business One Year After Acquisition]

Panduit Connectivity and Routing Products for AV systems comprise a collection of table boxes, wall boxes, coupler modules, above-floor raceways, and patch cables. These products were carefully selected to complement Atlona extension, switching, and control systems, allowing integrators to discreetly install AV devices and manage cabling in conference rooms, huddle spaces, classrooms, training spaces, and other commercial AV environments.

Specific Panduit options for AV integrators include:

• Table Box Products – Tilt up and Nook style solutions for providing AV connectivity and power at a conference room table or podium
• AV Coupler Modules – Allow customization of AV and data connectivity in table boxes
• AV In-Wall Boxes – Ideal for installing active equipment and managing cables behind a flat panel display or projection screen
• Above Floor Raceway – ADA compliant pathway for environments where it is not possible to use floor or ceiling conduit
• Patch Cables – Shielded and unshielded twisted pair cabling for reliable transmission of AV over IP, HDBaseT, and network data

“One year into Panduit’s acquisition of Atlona, we continue to work together to bring tangible benefits and complete working solutions to our customers,” said Ilya Khayn, CEO, Atlona. “Panduit is a well-known and trusted innovator of cabling, connectivity, and infrastructure products. Together, we can provide complete signal distribution and management solutions that are vital for any modern meeting space or AV environment, without the burden of separate purchasing and with the benefits of common customer support.”

The What: Making its debut at ISE 2020 (Stand 1-F20) Kramer’s K-SPIDER is a multiformat plug-and-play adapter cable designed to bring convenience to collaboration environments.

[Kramer Says New KDS-10 4K Transceiver Delivers 'Ultimate AVoIP Freedom']

The What Else: K-SPIDER replaces multiple separate cables, adapters, and dongles with a single multi-head cable, which provides a single multiformat adapter solution for full 4K60 digital video.

Technical highlights of the K-SPIDER include: 4K60 4:4:4 (6 Gbps), as specified in HDMI 2.0, and support for HDCP 1.4 and 2.2. K-SPIDER is also compliant with DisplayPort Specification 1.2a for 1.62 Gbps, 2.7 Gbps, and 5.4 Gbps. 

K-SPIDER’s adapter design provides AV/IT professionals with a fully featured, flexible solution that saves on installation time and costs, replacing the cumbersome variety of cables, adapters, and dongles needed for a meeting space installation with one cable. This approach provides one streamlined multiformat adapter solution for full 4K60 digital video. 

Kramer K-SPIDER supports a wide range of digital connections for laptops and mobile devices, maximizes versatility and convenience for participants, and makes setup a fast and seamless experience. K-SPIDER includes HDMI, DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, and USB C inputs and an HDMI output.

The Bottom Line: With the K-SPIDER, everything required by end users is provided, removing the need for participants to bring in the right dongles to meetings. The single-head, multiformat Kramer K-SPIDER is well suited for modern meeting spaces, schools, or any collaboration space requiring connectivity and full 4K60 digital video. 

To read more ISE 2020 news, visit avnetwork.com/tag/ise.

The What: Key Digital has launched a new line of plenum active optical HDMI fiber cables available in lengths from 10m (33 feet) to 100m (328 feet).

The What Else: This active optical copper hybrid cable series offers the latest in 4K resolutions with Ultra HD/4K support up to 4096x2160 or 3840x2160 50/60Hz at 4:4:4 with 18 Gbps bandwidth high speed performance for the latest HDMI video specifications. Key Digital Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cables are directional with each head containing specific handling for optimal performance.

The Key Digital Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cables include KD-AOCH33P, KD-AOCH49P, KD-AOCH66P, KD-AOCH98P, KD-AOCH131P, KD-AOCH164P, and KD-AOCH328P.

With 28 AWG measurement, Key Digital Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cables are thin, flexible, and support a tighter bend radius than traditional HDMI. Key Digital’s Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cables are HDCP 2.2 compliant and backward compatible with previous HDCP versions.

These cables have been designed using Open Eye Technology and each is tested for noise-free performance. Key Digital Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cable series has deep color support up to 4K 24/25/30Hz 4:4:4/12 bits or 50/60Hz 4:2:0/12 bit as well as HDR10 (High Dynamic Range). 

Key Digital Plenum Active Optical HDMI Fiber cables supports Audio Return Channel (ARC), allowing audio to be returned from the display back to the HDMI source for amplification and display. Support for digital audio formats includes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and DTS-HD Master Audio. The Ethernet channel on the cables supports up to 100Mb/s of Ethernet speeds between two HDMI connected devices.

“We are extremely excited to unveil our first-ever plenum-rated HDMI cables,” said Jonathon Ferry, national training manager for Key Digital. “This release is representative of Key Digital’s growth in commercial new-construction audiovisual projects. The flame-retardant and low smoke characteristic cables are UL approved for installation in plenum spaces. These features and certifications go hand-in-hand with the plenum AOCH cable series, which allow AV integrators to extend HDMI 4K/18G signals at an unprecedented length up to 328 feet or 100 meters.”

The Bottom Line: Unlike traditional copper HDMI cabling, the Key Digital active optical copper hybrid cables deliver full 4K/18Gbps signals at greater distances. The signal of the video and audio layer is not subjected to typical signal degradation due to sending the TMDS channel, the heaviest portion of HDMI signals, over optics. A minimal amount of copper wiring is included inside the cables to carry power and essential EDID handshaking information, HDCP authentication, and more.

The What: Fiber optic cable manufacturer VIVIFY has launched XENOS W30, a durable and high-performance fiber optic HDMI 2.0b cable. Offering custom lengths for orders over 50 feet (15.4m), XENOS W30 enables transmission of 4K resolution at 60Hz, 8-bit 4:4:4 or 12-bit 4:2:2, ARC, DTS-HD Master Audio, and HDR10 at cable lengths of up to 328 feet (100 meters).

The What Else: The XENOS W30 cable has a width of 4 millimeters (~0.08 inches) and is only approximately one fifth of the weight of a copper cable of the same length. It was tested to endure over 450 kgf (6400 psi) of ground force pressure before losing signal. The fiber optic construction of the XENOS does not conduct electrical currents, making it fully resistant to electromagnetic interference, lightning, or radio signals.

The Bottom Line: Signal transmission of high bandwidth video and audio over long distances ordinarily requires the use of inflexible, heavy and unwieldy copper HDMI cables and dealing with the hassle of power cords, mounts, and external boxes or converters. With the XENOS, a clear signal of up to 18Gbps is transmitted through a single cable at lengths of up to 328ft (100m); whereas copper cable solutions for HDMI 2.0 at 18Gbps without the use of signal amplifiers is limited to 25ft (7.6m).

The What: ShowMeCables is now offering a new line of commercial-grade Category 5e M12 cable assemblies manufactured by L-com. Designed to provide secure connections for industrial networking applications, the new M12 Ethernet cables are built to endure the harshest environments.

The What Else: With an IP68 rating and industrial outdoor FR-TPE jacket, L-com Cat5e M12 cables are designed for wet and corrosive environments and can be used in industrial applications, factory automation, or in fieldbus networks that have sensors and actuators. With locking threads on either end, the threading around each male pin screws into the female end, which creates a tight seal that is resistant to environmental factors. A variety of industries utilize these L-com Cat5e M12 cables, including manufacturing automation, transportation, agriculture, robotics, and alternative energy.

The Bottom Line: ShowMeCables carries four variations of the L-com Category 5e M12 4 Position IP68 D-coded cables, including male to male, male to female, male to RJ45, and female to RJ45. They are resistant to oil, sunlight, weld splatter, and other environmental factors, are offered in multiple lengths and are available for same day shipping.

The What: KanexPro unveils a line of certified premium high-speed HDMI cables, including Super Slim Certified Premium High-Speed HDMI Cables, Certified Premium High-Speed HDMI Cables, Active Fiber High-Speed HDMI Cables, Active Fiber High-Speed DisplayPort 1.4 Cables, and Active 18G High-Speed HDMI Cables. KanexPro will debut their extensive line of HDMI cables at InfoComm Mexico in partnership with Association Digital Signage LatinoAmerica in booth 123.

The What Else: KanexPro’s Super Slim Premium High-Speed 18Gbps Certified HDMI Cables, available in three-feet (CBL-HDMICERTSS3FT) and six-feet (CBL-HDMICERTSS6FT), are designed to provide unparalleled performance in tight spaces. The 36/34AWG cable is designed for enhanced air flow through racks and cabinets, meanwhile, simplifying wire management. The Super Slim Premium 18Gbps HDMI Cable supports HDMI resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160p @60Hz), including 3D and Multi-View Video. Supporting HDR, HDR10, and DolbyVision Dynamic Range combined with SA-CD, DVD-Audio, DTS-HD Master AudioTM and Dolby TrueHDTM audio standards, the Super Slim Premium 18Gbps HDMI Cable is the ultimate choice for 4K and HDMI display transmission. 

The Premium High-Speed 18Gbps Certified HDMI Cable, available in 15-feet (CBL-HDMICERT15FT) and 25-feet (CBL-HDMICERT25FT), is a CL2 in-wall rated cable designed to run in-wall, between rooms and for extended reach between displays and mounts. Engineered to provide  high-performance speed and resolutions, the Premium High-Speed 18Gbps HDMI Cable supports HDMI resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160p @60Hz), including 3D and Multi-View. Additionally, the Premium 18Gbps HDMI Cable supports HDR, HD10, HLG, and DolbyVision video standards with HD Multi-Channel up to DTS:X and Dolby Atmos audio standards.

[KanexPro to Launch 4K Seamless Presentation Matrix]

KanexPro’s Active Fiber High-Speed DisplayPort 1.4 Cable enables high-quality transmission through active fiber (AOC) at 20-meters (CBL-DP14AOC20M), 30-meters (CBL-DP14AOC30M) and 50-meters (CBL-DP14AOC50M). The Active Fiber DisplayPort 1.4 Cables support the DisplayPort 1.3 specification, which provides up to 32.4 Gbps bandwidth, and features for DisplayPort 1.4, including High Dynamic Range (HDR). The Active Fiber DisplayPort 1.4 Cable delivers uncompressed full-bandwidth transmission to 32.2 Gbps by incorporating HBR3, featuring 8.1 Gbps per lane, up to 50-meters (164-feet) to guarantee compatibility with 8K performance display requirements.

The Bottom Line: Designed for 4K UHD with HRD content, the Active Fiber High-Speed HDMI Cables deliver uncompressed, full-bandwidth 18Gbps HDMI content in various lengths, including 20-meters (CBL-HDMIAOC20M), 30-meters (CBL-HDMIAOC30M) and 50-meters (CBL-HDMIAOC50M). Featuring plenum (CMP) fire safety, the Active Fiber HDMI Cables are approved for use in air duct spaces of commercial and residential building. The Active Fiber HDMI Cables support HDR, HDR10, HLG, and DolbyVision. Plus, HD Multichannel up to DTS:X and DolbyAtmos, SA-CD, DVD-Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby TrueHD.

The What: Neutrik USA has launched the opticalCON DRAGONFLY Fiber Optic Camera Connector Series, the newest addition to the company’s opticalCON family of products.

The What Else: With technology based on fiber lenses and fusion splicing, Neutrik’s DRAGONFLY achieves a robust signal with minimal loss. opticalCON DRAGONFLY combines advantages of lens technology and makes it competitive with physical contact connectivity. DRAGONFLY is based on Neutrik’s patented XB2 Technology. Its fusion splice high-performance lens transmits UHD 4K and 8K signals with very low loss, as the signal surface of the XB2 lens is 322 times larger than physical contact surfaces. This further results in low insensitivity against dust and dirt.

Of particular note, DRAGONFLY offers connectivity against vibration, thus having low potential for damage. It is also field serviceable—thanks to its fusion splice technology—making DRAGONFLY well suited for field broadcast applications. With its high-performance attributes and its reliability, even at extreme temperature fluctuations, DRAGONFLY is designed to be both innovative and future-proof.

Neutrik’s DRAGONFLY’s hybrid connection transmits both power and data over a single connection, with low maintenance intervals. Switching to DRAGONFLY fits into standardized broadcast cutouts, making switching to the product easier. With its reliable push/pull locking mechanism, IP68 rated dust and waterproof rating in mated condition, and proven anti-kink boot design, DRAGONFLY offers a long life of 10,000 mating cycles.

“Neutrik’s opticalCON DRAGONFLY series is yet another innovation for the broadcast and AV market’s fiber requirements,” David Kuklinski, Neutrik USA's applications manager. “This ruggedized and low-maintenance SMPTE hybrid camera connector for indoor and outdoor use will future proof customers’ fiber optic needs for 4K and 8K signals.”

The Bottom Line: The new DRAGONFLY series offers advanced lens technology for the broadcast and AV markets, for robust, reliable connectivity that is engineered to be easier to maintain than common hybrid camera signal transmission systems with almost the same performance.

The What: Key Digital has introduced the KD-AOCH series cables, available in lengths from 33 feet (10m) to 328 feet (100m). This active optical copper hybrid cable series offers the latest in 4K resolutions with Ultra HD/4K support up to 4096x2160 or 3840x2160 50/60Hz at 4:4:4 with 18Gbps bandwidth performance for the latest HDMI video specifications. KD-AOCH cables are directional with each head containing specific handling for optimal performance.

The What Else: The KD-AOCH series cables include KD-AOCH33, KD-AOCH49, KD-AOCH66, KD-AOCH98, KD-AOCH131, KD-AOCH164, KD-AOCH230, KD-AOCH262, and KD-AOCH328. Key Digital’s KD-AOCH series cables are HDCP 2.2 compliant and backward compatible with previous HDCP versions.

The KD-AOCH cables have been designed using Open Eye Technology and each is tested for noise-free performance. KD-AOCH series has deep color support up to 4K 24/25/30Hz 4:4:4/12 bits or 50/60Hz 4:2:0/12 bit as well as HDR10 (High Dynamic Range). 

KD-AOCH supports Audio Return Channel (ARC), allowing audio to be returned from the display back to the HDMI source for amplification and display. Support for digital audio formats includes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and DTS-HD Master Audio. The Ethernet channel on the cables supports up to 100Mb/s of Ethernet speeds between two HDMI connected devices.

“Key Digital active optical copper hybrid cables deliver full 4K/18Gbps signals at greater distances previously unimaginable with traditional copper HDMI cabling,” said Jonathon Ferry, national training manager of Key Digital. “By sending the heaviest portion of HDMI signals, the TMDS channel, over optics the signal of the video and audio layer is not subjected to typical signal degradation. Of course, HDMI cabling must carry power, and therefore such signals must still be carried over a minimal amount of copper wiring inside the KD-AOCH along with essential EDID handshaking information, HDCP authentication, and more.”

The Bottom Line: With 28 AWG measurement, KD-AOCH cables are thin and flexible, and support a tighter bend radius than traditional HDMI. The CL3/FT4 UL rated KD-AOCH series cables are approved for in-wall installations.

The What: Hall Research releases the CUSB3-AP USB 3.0 Extender cable, a new addition to its Javelin series of active optical cables.

The What Else: CUSB-AP cables are compatible with virtually all USB 3.0 and 3.1 Gen1 devices, and are a perfect solution for extending 4K USB 3.0 videoconferencing cameras, video capture, docking stations, and other high-speed data communication. 

[InfoComm Inspo: Hall Research]

The cable is a light-weight hybrid of fiber and copper, and is plenum rated to ensure compliance with modern building codes. The small cable ends can be easily pulled through most conduit, and no additional power is required, making the CUSB-AP* a true plug-and-play solution.

The Bottom Line: Available in lengths of 15, 30, and 50 meters, these cables support transparent extension of USB 3.1 Gen1 Super-Speed at data rates of up to 5 Gbps.

FSR has revealed plans to demonstrate additions to its core infrastructure product lines at InfoComm 2019 in booth 3942. The company will show a revamped version of its PWB-100 flat panel display box, a new SmartFit 10-Inch Poke-Thru floor box, and covers for its FL series of floor boxes.

The Revamped PWB-100

The revamped PWB-100 is an installation accessory for any flat panel display. It installs in the wall behind the display allowing the screen to sit flush against the wall. This unit provides a neat and secure environment for audio, video, control, and power connections and can be used with retro installations.

The PWB is delivered with a triple play mounting bracket, one decora device, one low-voltage device, one provided Gem box, and is compatible with FSR’s four and six IPS inserts. The unit is available in white or black and is suitable for painting or other finishing, giving it the flexibility to match any décor. It has a cable exit slot for the display connections and the excess cable can be hidden inside of the box making the entire installation as clean as possible. The cover screws onto the front of the box once all connections are in place.

SmartFit 10-Inch Poke-Thru

FSR’s new 10-Inch Poke-Thru floor box provides capacity, aesthetics, and installation ease. These sturdy core hole products combine flexibility via recessed mounting bracketry to accommodate a wide assortment of power, data, and audio-video connection options. Covers are available in three architectural finishes: brushed aluminum, black and brushed brass, providing an attractive appearance with durability and technology that exceeds UL scrub water testing requirements. The entire cover door swings open 180 degrees and the two smaller cable access doors fold down for cable egress while the cover door is secure. The floor box has eight gang openings: four in the middle, two on top, and two on bottom, and a complete line of sub-plates for device mounting is available to populate the interior, middle, and end areas of the housing. It can handle 0.5- to 2.5-inch conduit connections up to a maximum of eight.

FL Painted Floor Box Covers

FSR’s new FL Painted covers offer a cost-effective solution while still providing versatility. The units feature a silver painted cover with no flange.

The What: MultiDyne Fiber Optic Solutions will introduce its new BULLET series (formerly SilverBULLET) of miniature, rugged, fiber-optic link products at the 2019 NAB Show. In addition to the 12G-capable BULLET for high-bandwidth video launched at IBC, MultiDyne will introduce a Dante-enabled BULLET for digital audio—also capable of Ethernet transport—at NAB. Both innovations will be on display at Booth C5013 in the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 8-11.

The What Else: The latest BULLET transmitters and receivers unveil a significant design transformation that aims to accelerate deployment and streamline systems management. These improvements include interlocked mounting, centralized power, and built-in OLED monitoring—all design enhancements from previous generations that improve ease of use. All BULLET products remain highly portable and economical, making them equally useful for fixed links or last-minute video and audio feeds.

“The BULLET delivers rock-solid reliability for permanent or long-term links, and brings exceptional value for temporary signal extension in studios, compounds, and mobile production applications,” said Frank Jachetta, president, MultiDyne. “Its portability, flexibility and ruggedness makes the product ideal for emergency situations, whether to repair a connection or address an unexpected transport requirement. No solution of its kind can scale as quickly and cost-efficiently to support changing signal requirements.”

Shipping soon, MultiDyne’s 12G BULLET solves the problem of high-bandwidth, single-link transport to and from any video source. Measuring three inches in length, the 12G BULLET connects to the back of any camera, monitor, or other video source, with the ability to add more units without additional power cabling. A camera operator with four video outputs can interlock four units together, and support a multichannel production off of a single power supply without the need for multiple wall warts.

The new BULLET for Dante and Ethernet adds another layer of efficiency to field and mobile production teams managing digital audio feeds over long distances. The common interlocked mounting capability across both products means that users have a quickly scalable and problem-solving option for video, audio, and Ethernet feeds in the field. The interlocked mounting innovation, along with centralized power distribution, are key differentiators from previous BULLET generations and competitive products.

“The Dante and Ethernet BULLET is an ideal problem-solver in scenarios where standard Cat-5 doesn’t quite do the job for moving digital audio to a studio or truck from a distant acquisition point,” Jachetta said. “This solution provides a clean Ethernet connection to move Ethernet or Dante audio over fiber. When used with our 12G BULLET, our customers have very inexpensive Lego-like pieces to build a video and audio transport chain that fits into the palm of a hand. They operate from a single power supply once clipped together due to integrated power distribution.”

The 12G BULLET integrates cable equalization and re-clocking techniques to optimize signal integrity across all short- and long-distance transport needs, removing the presence of jitter from existing signals. Integrated OLED monitoring adds value through consistent readings of jitter rates, signal type, optimal power and more. 

The Bottom Line: BULLET products are available with a special 1RU tray capable of housing up to 24 devices, and support 12G SDI rates down to 5Mbps. This makes the BULLET series well suited for virtually any broadcast and AV-related field acquisition need, from high-end sports production and pre-fibered venues to courtesy feeds, confidence monitoring, and distance learning.

The What: Crestron launched the FT2 Series FlipTops at ISE 2019. The new FT2 FlipTops fit into almost any standard cut-out and can be installed in half the time than most competitive products, according to the company.

The What Else: The FT2 is designed for unobtrusive operation—users push a button and the door silently retracts and disappears. It comes in a black or alloy finish, with no exposed screws or gaps, and features backlit symbols. It is designed for easy installation with a clamping mechanism that swivels into place from above the table, and fits a standard sized cutout. It features one-touch cable retraction and modern power options, including 40W fast charging USB-C and USB-A power.

The Bottom Line: Once installed, the new industrial designs sit flush on the surface and match the décor of nearly any table or lectern. When presenting in a meeting, a single touch of the button on the FT2 FlipTop activates its door, which silently retracts and disappears. All connectors and cables are conveniently revealed at table level to power, rapidly charge, and connect devices. A comprehensive line of accessories is available, ranging from retractors to international power modules.

The What: Extron has begun shipping the HD Pro Plenum Series of active, hybrid optical-copper cables for high-speed transmission of HDMI digital video and audio signals. They support data rates up to 18Gbps, video resolutions up to 4K60 at 4:4:4, HDR, EDID, HDCP, and CEC, as well as all HDMI audio formats.

The What Else: These active cables are unidirectional and draw only nominal power from the connected HDMI source device. Each cable is 0.16 inches (4 mm) in diameter and offers a narrow bend radius, for easier installation and higher performance. Providing the benefits of fiber optics with the simplicity of traditional copper cable, the HD Pro Plenum Series supports 4K60 video signals over long distances up to 300 feet (91.4 meters).

"Our customers wanted a high-performance solution for sending 4K/60 signals with full 4:4:4 color sampling over extended distances that didn't require transmitters and receivers for every endpoint," said Casey Hall, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Extron. "HD Pro Plenum Series cables are a convenient, high-performance solution that easily supports the 18Gbps data rate required to transport 4K60 video and maintain uncompromised signal quality."

The Bottom Line: The HD Pro Plenum Series uses glass multimode fiber, which allows for use in high-interference environments such as data centers and manufacturing facilities. Built-in active circuitry converts the incoming electrical signal into an optical signal on one end and back into an electrical signal on the other. Non-bandwidth intensive or low-speed signals are carried on the integrated copper wires, including EDID, HDCP, CEC, and 5V power. HD Pro Plenum Series cables are designed to provide a combination of performance and price for applications that require direct, long-distance signal connections.

The What: Platinum Tools has launched the new shielded Cat-6A/7 RJ45 (8P8C) modular connector (p/n 106240). The new connector is now available.

The What Else: The connector features a cable jacket outer diameter size range of 0.224 to 0.335 inches and an insulation diameter (conductor) size range of 0.037  0.041 inches. It also features three-prong, 50-micron gold plated contacts, three-piece with liner and spacer bar, and is compatible with Platinum Tools Tele-Titan Xg 2.0 Crimp Tool (P/N 12516C). It is UL and RoHS/FCC compliant.

“Our new shielded Cat-6A/7 RJ45 modular connector is designed to terminate round solid or stranded, 28–26 AWG, Cat-6A/7 network cable,” said John Phillips, Platinum Tools, Inc. product manager. “The connector contains three-prong contacts that hold the wire in place giving a reliable connection, and meets and exceeds 10-gig performance standards.”

The Bottom Line: Designed for both shielded and unshielded cabling, the connector is compatible with Cat-7, Cat-6A, Cat-6E, and Cat-6 cables, and meets ANSI/EIA/TIA/TAA specifications.

The What: Io Audio Technologies has released a the KORE series of heavy duty cable protectors that safeguard audio, power, and industrial cables against damage from trucks, material handling equipment, and people.

The What Else: The cable protectors are a temporary solution for shielding cables in work zones or live event situations. The cable protectors have a multi-channel design that helps keep cables organized and separated into 2, 3, or 5 channels.

Bright yellow tops and caution symbols are visible to oncoming vehicle and foot traffic to warn of the ramp in the road or walkway. The KORE Series cable protectors have a skid resistant rough pattern that will also prevent people from slipping in wet conditions.

The Bottom Line: The rugged cable protectors are easy to setup and can accommodate cables up to 1½ inches in diameter. The ramps feature a single piece design with a top hinged lid for easy access, the KORE Series has a high impact resistance and dynamic load bearing properties of up to 8 tons.

With a puzzle piece design, interlocking the ramps is easy and requires no tools for assembly or breakdown.

The What: DVIGear has introduced DVI cables to its HyperLight Series, a new generation of advanced Active Optical Cables (AOC).

The What Else: These cables support the extension of DVI 1.0 signals and, with an optional adapter cable, HDMI. They are fully HDCP 1.4 compliant and support signals with aggregate data rates up to 4.95 Gbps. These features enable HyperLight cables to support any Single-Link DVI resolution with cable lengths up to 100 meters (328 ft.).

Constructed using a hybrid design of 4x POF (Polyfluorinated Optical Fiber) and 6x copper wires, plenum-rated DVIAOC HyperLight Series are rugged, lightweight, and highly flexible with a minimum bend radius of only two millimeters. To minimize cable diameter during installation, two removable DVI docking connectors may be detached, revealing a connector cross-section that measures a mere 13.9 x 14.2 millimeters. The docking connectors include fixation screws for added security, as do removable pull covers. These features make the cables easy to install even in narrow conduits or in plenum air spaces.

These cables are designed for use in mission critical applications where image quality and dependability are paramount. The video signals are transmitted over four optical fibers, making them immune to interference from environmental noise. The optical transmission path provides a very low RFI / EMI profile, which allows the cables to be installed in sensitive applications with strict security requirements. The cables draw power from the connected DVI source, eliminating the need for an external power supply. They support DDC communications for EDID and HDCP.

The Bottom Line: HyperLight AOC cables are ideally suited for applications that require ultra-high resolution DVI signals to be extended over long cable runs with flawless image quality. The DVI-23xxx-AOC Series is attractively priced and available now in a range of cable lengths from 10 meters to 100 meters (32.8 to 328 ft.).

The What: L-com Global Connectivity has released a new series of right-angle Ethernet cable assemblies that feature a high-flex, braid shield cable construction.

The What Else: These cables feature a specialized channel separator and load bar to achieve true Cat5e performance while maintaining a right-angle bend and are fully shielded to limit EMI and RFI interference.

Built with special, braided high-flex cable, these assemblies are rated for 10 million flex cycles at 8x the cable diameter, making them ideal for continuous motion applications.

Cable configuration options in this series include straight RJ45 connectors to 90° up-angle, 90° down-angle, 90° left-angle and 90° right-angle connector options.

The Bottom Line: The cables feature a tinned copper braided shield to protect against EMI/RFI interference and they are EIA568 color-coded for compatibility with standards based installations. These new high-flex cables are ideal for manufacturing, factory automation and robotics applications.

The What: Atlona has begun shipping the Pocket 3H, a new architectural cable access enclosure designed to help systems integrators and end users simplify cable management and keep meeting spaces clean and clutter free.

The What Else: The Pocket 3H (AT-PKT-3H) is an in-table enclosure that accommodates up to three cables, supported in place with an insert that facilitates easy cable access and return. Its low-profile design blends with any modern or traditional décor, and can be installed into a meeting table or other surface up to 2 inches deep.

“The Pocket 3H gives integrators an economical means of discretely running and managing cables for their customers without disrupting the meeting space environment,” said David Shamir, director of product management, Atlona. “We designed Pocket to be the fastest installing cable enclosure—only a 4-inch hole saw is needed to place an opening then the enclosure is dropped in and fixed with a retaining nut. To finish the installation, the Pocket 3H comes with a convenient under-table bag to further conceal cables, as well as cable management hardware including connectors.”

The Bottom Line: In any AV ecosystem, the Pocket 3H supports efficient AV system designs to benefit both presenters at meeting tables and lecterns, as well as the audiences inside these spaces. As a complement to Atlona presentation AV systems, integrators can now specify a complete BYOD and/or collaboration system that includes switching, extension, and simple cable management system. Beyond meeting spaces from small huddle rooms to large conference rooms, the Pocket 3H is also ideal for installation into lecterns in larger spaces, such auditoriums, lecture halls, and large classrooms.

The What: Glensound, the UK-based manufacturer of audio products for the broadcast, sound reinforcement, installation, and theatre markets and ASK Sales have introduced the AoIP22 Dante/AES67 Two Channel Bi-Directional Audio Interface.

The What Else: The new AoIP22 offers versatile connectivity that ensures easy integration into a variety of environments. The interface offers two balanced analog audio inputs on XLR connectors, two balanced analog audio outputs on XLR connectors, and a Neutrik Ethercon RJ45 network connector. When using the free Dante Controller by Audinate, which can control all Dante enabled devices on the network, the AoIP22 is automatically identified. Once discovered, users route audio circuits to/from the AoIP22 with just the click of the mouse.

Glensound’s AoIP22 interface uses the standard 24-bit Dante network resolution and recognizes Dante network sample rates of 44.1/ 48/ 88.2 and 96kS/s. Being AES67 compatible, the AoIP22 supports the AES67 network sample rate of 48 kHz.

A removable belt clip is supplied and fitted to one side of the AoIP22. While not necessarily designed to be worn, this clip makes the interface flexible enough so that the AoIP22 can be hung in many different places. The unit also includes rubber feet—enabling it to be positioned, for example, on a desk or the back of a workbench, without concern for the unit sliding around. The AoIP22 is also designed with cable tie holes in all four corners of the case. These are extremely strong and are well-suited for threading cable ties—providing yet a viable option for temporary installations.

The Bottom Line: Designed to quickly and easily interface existing analog equipment to a Dante/AES67 network audio system, the AoIP22 is powered by PoE (Power over Ethernet)—so only one cable needs to be connected to the network to carry both audio and power, providing flexibility, and saving installation time.

The What: Audience announced the introduction of its Hidden Treasure in-wall power cable, designed to provide AC power delivery in custom-installation audio, multiroom, architectural and other in-wall applications.

The What Else: Audience's Hidden Treasure connects from a home's circuit breaker box to the user's audio system. It is UL CL2-approved for use in 120-volt and 220-volt AC in-wall applications. Hidden Treasure is engineered for maximum signal conductivity, durability, and shielding from electrical interference.

Hidden Treasure features three 10 AWG stranded 99.9999 percent pure oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors. The wire is cryogenically treated to relieve stresses that can be imparted to the wire during manufacturing and to re-align the microstructure in the copper for improved conductivity. The conductors are foil-shielded to provide rejection from external electrical noise. The dielectric (insulation) is made from XLPE cross-linked polyethylene insulation with a PVC sleeve for unmatched durability.

The Bottom Line: Hidden Treasure is flexible and easy to install and has a diameter of approximately 0.75 inches (18 mm). Audience Hidden Treasure AC power cable is currently available at a suggested retail price of $22 per foot.

• The proliferation of 4K ultra high-definition broadcasting and the promise of 8K resolution coming soon are increasing demand for broadcasters to move to high-bandwidth fiber optic cabling solutions. To meet those demands, Optical Cable Corporation (OCC) is introducing a new line of SMPTE cables and enclosures that are designed to address a wide variety of user needs.
• Whether in permanent installations or challenging deployable applications, the effective selection and installation of broadcast cables and connections can involve an assortment of requirements.
• “Some applications require cable capable of exceptional flexibility, hybrid fiber-and-copper configuration, or have varying requirements for flame retardancy,” said Scott Fitzgerald, OCC senior engineer. “This family of SMPTE cable offerings is engineered to handle virtually any application requirement.”
• Among these high-bandwidth, low-signal-loss cables designs are highly flexible cables that enable quick and frequent camera movement, riser/plenum versions for permanent installations, and 3-in-1 SMPTE compatible cables to transport three cameras’ signals in one location with only a single cable run.
• The new OCC line also includes a selection of modular enclosures specifically designed for SMPTE 304 or other commonly used broadcast connections. These advanced designs include full fiber management, integrated splicing capabilities, all include within the enclosure. Models support up to eight ports on the front and back, as well as the ability to accommodate the three-channel stadium cable. All are designed to be mounted in standard 19-inch racks without requiring extra space above or below.
• “These enclosures offer a simplified, scalable solution to many broadcast applications including shallow broadcast connection enclosures (JBT,JBE, JBP),” Fitzgerald said. “Also, the metal construction provides a rigid and durable alternative to the enclosures that are commonly available.”
• Additionally, mobile production trucks, with repeating deploy-and-retrieve operations for sporting events, require a ruggedized tactical cable that will last. OCC recently introduced the Migration Control Technology to address the migration challenge experienced in the broadcast Industry, resulting is extended life of the assemblies and reducing repair costs.
• This new broadcast offering is an extension of OCC’s long history as a leader in providing high-performance fiber optic and connectivity solutions for enterprise and harsh environment communications.

Ali Haghjoo, CEO, Hall Research, is passionate about creating smart extension and connectivity solutions for the pro AV market. In this video, he shows how Hall's new products will save installers valuable time while adding value.

AV distribution company Starin is debuting ProAV Outfitters, a new means of providing complete “deliverables,” at InfoComm 2018 booth C4120.

Over the past year, Starin has developed, prototyped, and piloted a new means of providing complete “deliverables.” It works under the banner ProAV Outfitters. More than a bundle of key components, it is cables, accessories, and all materials.

“Down to the toggle bolt,” said Starin's VP of marketing, Bobby Swartz. “It’s more than a bundle. We have step-by-step instruction sets to enable the least experienced technician to know how to assemble quickly. We used the Ikea assembly model to make it easy. Resulting in our being able to provide the gift of time.”

Versus attempting to source from 30 or more separate providers of components and parts, with the hassle of chasing down arrival and staging. Everything can now come from one place, at one time to the shop or job site. Which in turn, saves procurement and purchasing headaches.

The instruction manuals also give integrators the opportunity to provide provisioning to the Do-It-Yourselfer market where many Higher-Ed and enterprise level organizations that have in-house installation staff.

ProAV Outfitters is not just the name of the service Starin has to assist in enabling growth potential in the market. It is the network of reselling integrators working within the Starin community. ProAV Outfitters is an eco-system. While integrators attack their primary custom projects, they have a fast lane for more business that does not include extra resources.

ProAV Outfitters has two categories of deliverables for integrators to provide, Collaboration Stations and Video Walls. The UC-based Collaboration Stations have Huddle and Conference Room configurations. Designed for Zoom Video Conferencing, Starin has Zoom-approved ZoomRooms with all the brands in the Zoom eco-system. Starin also has packages for any other general Unified Communications platform.

Video walls of LED or LCD displays are the second category of deliverables. Barco Uni-See, Neoti, and LG displays enter into the product mix. “We also have additional labor or supervision services. In our early pilot runs with one 12’ x 40’ wall, the team was in and out in two days with time to spare. An almost identical project was eight days from a manufacturer,” said Mitch Rauch, strategic development manager for Starin.

ProAV Outfitters aims to make the customer experience more reliable and enjoyable while helping integrators satisfy new expectations.

Harman Professional Solutions, the global leader in networked audio, video, lighting and control systems, debuted Tuesday the AMX Connectivity and Transport (CT) Series, a family of 4K switching and distribution kits that combine switching, scaling and distance transport into a single kit that includes both a transmitter and receiver.

Two models are available, including a presentation kit targeting simple presentation applications and a conferencing kit that adds USB 2.0 transport and switching for use in web conferencing environments.

Harman is showing the AMX CT Series in booth N1105 at InfoComm 2018.

The AMX CT Series kits deliver added value and flexibility to conferencing and presentation solutions by providing a single, simple to implement solution that offers switching and connectivity where you need it along with unified control of both the transmitter and receiver—all over a single category cable.

“With the continued proliferation of collaboration environments in corporate and education, our customers have been seeking a solution for video switching and transport in rooms with both installed and BYOD sources,” said Paul Krizan, corporate solutions manager at Harman Professional Solutions. “These new connectivity kits provide a solution that is easy to order, design, and implement.”

The AMX CT Series is available in two models:

• AMX Presentation Connectivity and Transport Kit – The Presentation Connectivity and Transport kit was designed to address the needs of simple presentation environments, including 4K switching at the table, transport over category cable and additional connectivity at the receiver for an AMX Acendo Core or a room PC at the receiver, as well as scaling and output to the display. The receiver has built-in scaling, allowing the display to receive content in its native resolution regardless of the source.

• AMX Conferencing Connectivity and Transport Kit – The Conferencing Connectivity and Transport kit was created to target web conferencing solutions where cameras, microphones, and other USB devices are installed in the room. The solution combines multi-format 4K60 video switching, scaling and distance transport with USB 2.0 peripheral switching. This allows dynamic sharing of room USB peripherals such as an AMX Acendo Vibe between visiting laptops, etc., and permanently installed devices such as an Acendo Core or room PC. This ensures excellent sound and visuals for guests whether they are using installed equipment or bringing their own devices.

“We are very excited to introduce the new AMX CT Series to the market,” said Shaun Robinson, VP, enterprise solutions at Harman Professional Solutions. “Leveraging the economies of scale within the Harman supply chain, we are now able to deliver tremendous value to our customers by providing the latest in video switching technology at very competitive pricing. In addition, we are providing the best of both worlds: simple-to-install solutions with auto-switching and no programming required—but solutions that are also NetLinx Native for easy integration into a controlled application.”

The What: ATEN Technology has introduced the UH7230 - Thunderbolt 3 Multiport Dock solution. Designed to create a simplified, yet productive 4K workspace, the UH7230 offers more multiport connectivity and charging capabilities to MacBook or Windows laptops via a single Thunderbolt cable.

The What Else: The UH7230 Thunderbolt 3 Multiport Dock quickly connects peripherals and displays video content from a laptop. Thunderbolt 3 provides high-speed data transfers, powerful performance, and light weight in a single form factor.

“Dongles can be used to transfer the interface, but for mobile workers who use a variety of legacy USB Type A gadgets, the multiple dongle approach can be very inconvenient,” said Rojin Liao, senior product marketing manager, ATEN Technology. “The ATEN Thunderbolt 3 Multiport Dock provides the necessary power to charge multiple devices, daisy chains multiple Thunderbolt devices, drives dual 4K monitors or DisplayPort, and provides easy access for flash or hard drives with multiple USB Type A ports.”

The UH7230 supports dual 4K or 5K resolution for graphics-intensive multitasking, and allows users to connect one 5K display or two 4K displays (one DisplayPort and one Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port). With up to 40Gbps bandwidth, users can transfer files faster, and it supports up to 85W of power delivery for charging a laptop and USB accessories. The UH7230 can provide power to matched USB-C Windows or Mac laptops with PD Profile specifications of 20V/4.25A, 15V/3A, 9V/3A, and 5V/3A.

The Bottom Line: The UH7230 Thunderbolt 3 Multiport Dock is well suited for creative professionals and those who work with high-resolution, graphic-intensive images, video, and CAD drawings, such as video producers, graphic and web designers, architects, or any field requiring optimal quality displays and USB devices. It is now available for $220 USD via ATEN’s channel of distribution and reseller partners.

The What: Platinum Tools' has launched its Keystone Cat6A Jacks (p/ns 751-1 shielded / 752-1 non-shielded).

The What Else: The new Keystone Cat6A Jack’s tool-less design reduces tool cost, since no punchdown tool is required. The color coded wire guide ensures pairs stay in the proper order for quick terminations. This keystone jack is also designed to be resuable, and comes in multiple colors, so it can be used to replace old, worn out jacks or be integrated into newer projects with little difficulty.

“Our new Keystone Cat6A Jack has a tool-less design that is easy and fast to terminate and made to fit industry standard wall plates and unloaded patch panels,” explained Lee Sachs, Platinum Tools' president and general manager. “It even meets Cat6A channel shielded and non-shielded performance up to 100m. It’s a must for installers and technicians across multiple markets.”

The Bottom Line: The Keystone Cat6A Jacks are UL listed, IEC 60512-99-001 PoE compliant, and RoHS compliant. Platinum Tools will feature the Keystone Cat6A Jacks during InfoComm 2018 in Booth C3445.

The What: Inneos has introduced InvisiCable, a complete HDMI 2.0 cabling solution that combines the company’s Real4K optical adapters with a thin, translucent SSF optical fiber for full 18Gbps transmission.

The What Else: The InvisiCable In Room Solution includes 75 feet of InvisiCable on the company’s magnetic Magic Disk. The Magic Disk is only 2.75 inches in diameter and weighs less than 3 ounces. It comes with a small tape backed, metal plate used to affix the magic disk virtually anywhere. The InvisiCable In-Room Solution also includes a set of Real4K Optical Adapters.

The InvisiCable Through Wall Solution includes InvisiCable for in-room use (two 10-foot pre-terminated lengths) with “high pull-strength” fiber for use through walls (one 100-foot pre-terminated length). It also includes standard optical wall plates to connect everything together. The InvisiCable Through Wall Solution also includes a set of Real4K Optical Adapters.

The Bottom Line: InvisiCable is designed to provide the performance of optical cables with clean aesthetics. The InvisiCable In Room and Through Wall Solutions are complete, turnkey kits requiring no knowledge of fiber optic cable installation. All the pieces are pre-terminated and easily snap together using industry standard connectors.

Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company and global provider of cabling technology, has joined the SDVoE Alliance as an adopting member.

Berk-Tek manufactures all the latest infrastructure products with offerings ranging from Category-6A cables for 10GBaseT to loose tube and tight buffered fiber optic cables that are designed for applications ranging from data center to campus LAN environments.

"Berk-Tek’s mission is to provide our customers with solutions that meet both their current and future network needs, while continuously striving to maximize their return on investment,” said Brian Simmons, copper product manager at Berk-Tek. “Central to that is staying ahead of emerging technology and applications. Berk-Tek has long played an important role in the development of Ethernet standards, and with AV increasingly moving to the IP network, we hope to bring our expertise to this emerging market, while leveraging the experience and knowledge of other SDVoE alliance members.”

“SDVoE is the only full-stack solution for pro AV, addressing the entire seven-layer OSI networking framework with solutions at every layer,” said Justin Kennington, president of the SDVoE Alliance. “Berk-tek’s products support the vital Ethernet physical layer, upon which all the other layers are built. We welcome their participation in the alliance and look forward to their contribution to the evolving ecosystem we are creating.”

Some technologies are ahead of their time, but eventually, the future catches up with them. This is the case with fiber optic cable, according to Cleerline Technology Group. “We’re at the tipping point,” Cleerline managing partner Rick Sant told the ISE Daily. “Prices are falling, and more and more fiber-ready devices are appearing. Your typical integrator is now starting to have to consider using fiber for networks or sending 4K video across HDMI. With copper, you have to compress everything.”

One of the biggest challenges facing the fiber optic market has been price of connectors, added Sant: “People looked at fiber and liked what it offered, but then asked, ‘what am I going to plug into?’

“Three years ago, high-end optical connectors typically cost around $3,000 U.S. dealer price; today, some 4K optical connectors sell for less than $500.”

At ISE 2018, Cleerline is showing its fiber optic solution SSF Fiber (it stands for stronger, safer, faster). Cleerline SSF uses a polymer coating that the company claims makes it up to 200 times more durable than conventional fiber. “It’s much easier and faster to terminate,” added Sant. “Any technician who works with a Cat-6 jack can do this.”

He concluded: “We’ve been showing fiber at ISE for the past five years and our sales have skyrocketed over the past 12 months. We’re getting closer to that switchover point where we move from copper to fiber. The future is fiber—and it’s happening now.”

In the professional AV industry, from ISE to InfoComm, systems integrators get a lot of fanfare. Rightfully so. One peek at SCN’s Top 50 Integrators List reveals a staggering array of talents and tenacity, not to mention the billions of dollars of value in complex AV projects. But the readers of AV Technology understand that there is much more to the AV installation story than the integrator. Day to day, hour to hour, the tech manager is the gatekeeper of AV system performance and content. The in-house tech director is in charge of the upkeep and uptime of the wireless AV and collaborative tech that helps users work, learn, collaborate, and thrive.

Margot Douaihy

We’re proud to be one of your tech manager forums. AV Technology’s mission is to bridge the knowledge gap between the AV and IT disciplines and equip you with the information you need to make the best technology decisions for your organizations. Our mission is exemplified by our January 2018 cover story, the stellar Julie Johnston, director of learning spaces Indiana University’s IT division, University Information Technology Services (UITS). In her portfolio, Julie leads the Learning Space team that consists of Student Technology Center, Technology Center Consulting, Learning Space Design, Collaboration Technologies, and Classroom Technology Services and Support. Julie has become a formidable force in the edtech world, and her Mosaic Initiative is now synonymous with exemplary active learning. Her creativity, technical rigor, and passion will inspire you. We are thrilled to share her story.

And don’t miss our January guide devoted to real-world scenarios for remote monitoring. As our contributing editor, Cindy Davis, argues: “It is no longer ‘good enough’ to have all of your audio and video equipment and systems on the network.” AV connected to the network should provide actionable information in real time for immediate troubleshooting, diagnoses, or analysis. If not, then it’s time to take a fresh look at your monitoring. Dive into this special guide on page A1.

We explore the opportunities and challenges faced by AV pros as they phase into IP broadcast. We always keep a practical side to our coverage, evinced by Nestor Amaya of Coveloz. “We’re definitely not taking the position that it’s go IP or go home. Different distribution platforms require different post-production workflows, and these are more easily implemented using software-based post production applications running on IP.”

IP was central to the AV conversation in 2017, in 2018 the AV/IT convergence story promises to be even more important. I hope you see your own questions, challenges, and passions for technology reflected in our coverage. What do you want to see more (or less of) in 2018? Tweet me @AVTechnologyMag. Best wishes for a rewarding 2018.

INSIDE
• AV Monitoring Gets Real in 2018: Analysis by Cindy Davis
• Quality Monitoring of Remote AV over IP
• Parametric Analysis
• Mission Critical: The AVOC
• Five Case Studies That Make the Case
• Solutions Showcase

Click here for our January 2018 Technology Manager's Guide to Remote Monitoring.

The What: Adder Technology, the IP-based KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) specialist, will be unveiling its latest innovation at next year’s Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) event in Amsterdam. The existing Adder solutions on show at ISE 2018 will include the Adder CCS-PRO8 command and control switch, which allows operators to control up to eight machines across eight (or more) displays using one mouse and keyboard.

The What Else: The Adder CCS-PRO8 also features FreeFlow technology, which enables users to move from one display to the next simply by moving the mouse across a screen border. The new AdderLink XDIP will also be on display. Ideal for small to medium-sized extension and matrix installations, the solution uses existing infrastructure to provide extension and switching between different computers. The AdderLink XDIP can also be used in multiple configurations, features intelligent EDID and a local feed through port.

The Secret: Adder Technology will also be using ISE 2018 to unveil a new, yet-to-be-announced product, the details of which will be released in the build-up to the event. Attendees at ISE 2018 will be the first in the world to see the product and view live demonstrations.

The Why: John Halksworth, senior product manager at Adder Technology, says: “ISE is one of the biggest annual events on our calendar, and we’re looking forward to showing the thousands of attendees how high performance, IP-based KVM technology can bring a wide range of benefits to control rooms and working environments across different industries."

INFO: ISE 2018 will take place on 6-9 February 2018 at the RAI Amsterdam. For more information around Adder Technology’s product range, check out www.adder.com and visit the team at ISE 2018 on stand 10-P182.

Think of all the barriers to entry of installing fiber-optic cabling. Now forget them.

This buyers guide outlines the latest advances in high-bandwidth, high-speed fiber-optic cabling that will be game changers for IT, AV and commercial building stakeholders who are seeking to meet the rapidly growing networking needs of their customers. You will learn:

• How to future-proof your network infrastructure
• Create more robust business operations that lead to greater financial opportunities
• Compare fiber optic cable performance to that of UTP cable
• Compare durability of fiber optic cable to that of standard fiber
• Best practices for fiber optic cable installation

Download here: http://go.newbaymedia.com/l/262762/2017-10-26/3tccx

Should command and control centers be equipped with 4K and 8K video systems—and how should you go about it?

Cutting-edge command center design courtesy of CINEMASSIVE (cinemassive.com)

Take it from a long-time veteran who saw engineers use vector scopes to dissect problems in SD broadcast centers, and who required major doses of caffeine to track icons on monitors at a Sprint Net Ops facility without incurring migraines.

Today, I support mobile command centers, social media control centers, storm centers, and corporate media centers. What they all have in common are dedicated stations to allow SME’s to focus on their own specific duties, and a large display wall that supervisors and directors can scan, switch content to and manipulate layouts so everyone can succeed.

Focus intently on monitors like these all day, and tell me you don’t want the highest possible resolution that’s easiest on your eyes.

We are all familiar with this very odd graphic comparing the three high-def resolutions.

This graphic really used to bother me. It is very easy to misunderstand. Are we looking at three different size displays? Can’t I have a 4K monitor larger than a 8K monitor?

The way I came to understand it was I could have a 25-inch HD monitor, for example, with a decent looking 1920x1080 (Full HD) image. With 4K resolution, I could have a 50-inch monitor and still have the same clear picture without any pixelation. And if I had an 8K monitor, I could have a 100-inch display with the same picture quality of the two smaller displays. The secret is each one of these monitors has approximately 88 PPI (pixels per inch), as you can see on my illustration below.

Or check it out in an excel spread sheet:

Or check out www.IsThisRetina.com or www.CarltonBale.com/does-4k-resolution-matter/

Now about those pixels (Picture Elements): The human eye, assuming 20/20 vision and under the right conditions, can discern between two 90 micrometer dots at 1/60th of a degree at a viewing distance of about one foot. After some whiz-bang mathematical formula that only my 18-year-old son can work out, we can calculate that humans can see about 286 pixels per inch—again, at about one foot away. Now put some regular viewing distances between yourself and the monitor, and as Carlton Bale states, “The benefits of 4K and 8K are marginal.”

Renowned broadcast engineer Mark Schubin of www.SchubinCafe.com, puts the pixel story into perspective. “People don't normally detect resolution. No one looks at a 4K or 8K image and says, ‘My! Look at the increased resolution!’ Under the right conditions, one might say, ‘Wow! Look at the sharpness!’”Just as loudness is not the same as sound-pressure level, sharpness is not the same as resolution. “But human vision has a contrast-sensitivity function. We can see stars because they have tremendous contrast against the night sky. As contrast goes down, we lose both higher and lower resolutions (with the higher disappearing faster).”

So how can 4K and possibly 8K resolutions benefit command and control centers? “It’s about quality at different viewing distances. The operations personnel can get a clear and broad view of content, yet the guys in the trenches can walk up close to any display without the image pixelating in their eyes and brains.”

This is awesome if you have mixed content of image and text—and quite necessary if you are looking at high-def surveillance streams. This is also why 4K is critical for multiscreen displays used Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) companies and their doctors. Doctors can sit at home and watch all kinds of vitals on multiple and simultaneous operations as neurosurgeons work on brains and spinal cords. When stats indicate pending trouble, they can immediately notify the surgeon to back off, saving lives and malpractice lawsuits, because it’s all recorded.

In command and control rooms, we can make things interesting by adding video wall processors. We can place content wherever we want within our media canvas. Although command and control is serious business, typically one could get by with less than a dozen source and destination presets that allow the command center supervisor to help personnel do their jobs.

The contrast sensitivity that Mark Schubin addresses is a crucial consideration when designing command and control spaces. If you have a room that needs or has a large amount of ambient light, emissive displays (monitors) are a good choice. If you have a darker facility (bunker) you can capitalize on using reflective technology (projectors). I personally find projection easier on my eyes, though this may be because I’m assaulted all day with monitors in smaller rooms and my own laptop.

Monitors and projectors each come with pros and cons. A power plant control room where vibration could be factor requires very stable projector mounting solutions. Be aware of line-of-site issues as you add technology If you are adding conferencing ability, you may be limited in the placement of hanging mics.

Also consider that when using a monitor-based video wall, install, repair, and firmware upgrades can be a challenge. So can the build-out of sturdy blocking.

If you are working with command and control centers, you should definitely consider upgrading to 4K and 8K displays—the technicians sitting at them will welcome it. Also consider the room’s conditions and needs in choosing display types and whether to have video walls.

Brett Cohen, CCNA, CTS, DMC-E-4K, is an industry veteran, playing lead roles in satellite communications, transatlantic fiber operations, and almost everything in between, including being an inventor and a chauffeur. Currently, he is an AV Project Coordinator at a large corporate facility. He holds Cisco CCNA and CTS certifications. Connect with him via linkedin.com/in/bretthcohen.

ClearOne’s recently shipping, small-form-factor DIALOG 20 wireless microphone system now features native compatibility with the ClearOne CONVERGE Pro 2 line of mixers, offering integrators increased flexibility and ease in system design.

This new native integration feature utilizes ClearOne’s new P-Link (peripheral link), which allows for PoE (power over Ethernet), audio, and control connections with ClearOne’s CONVERGE Pro 2 DSP mixers. ClearOne’s P-Link allows integrators to connect to ClearOne’s peripheral devices such as the Beamforming Mic Array 2, DIALOG 20 Wireless Mic Receiver, USB Expander, and GPIO Expander.

The DIALOG 20 is a compact, two-channel professional digital wireless system with flexible powering and mounting options, plug-and-play installation, and the ability to connect digitally to ClearOne CONVERGE Pro 2 DSP mixers. It also has standard audio and GPIO interfaces for any third-party audio mixer. It delivers full audio bandwidth through gooseneck, boundary, belt-pack, or handheld transmitters and can connect to any type of audio conferencing or reinforcement system.

Leveraging the full power of ClearOne's robust, adaptive frequency-hopping "spread" spectrum technology within the 2.4GHz unlicensed spectrum, DIALOG 20 offers several advantages over fixed-frequency transmission. Its design is inherently resistant to narrowband interference because it uses a pseudo-random sequence to switch frequency; this makes frequency-hopping signals extremely tough to intercept. The use of 128-bit AES encryption on each hopped frequency further secures the wireless audio transmission.

“ClearOne is a leader in the microphone space because we deliver what customers will appreciate, often before they even know they want it,” said Durai Ramachandiran, ClearOne's senior director of product line management for Pro Voice and AV Distribution. “We engineer our microphones and DSP mixers to maximize performance for flawless audio and control, so integrators are confident that all of our products function optimally together. The DIALOG 20 wireless microphone system also works with any third-party mixer specified by the systems integrator.”

The ability to natively integrate with CONVERGE Pro 2 mixers makes the DIALOG 20 a versatile two-channel wireless microphone system capable of meeting a variety specific user requirements. All current owners of the ClearOne DIALOG 20 wireless system will be able to upgrade and obtain native integration through a software update.