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AV Technology recently sat down with Steve Bogart, business development for Education in North America at Atlona, to discuss classroom technology trends and how the company addresses those needs. Atlona has a presence in and serves the similar but different AV technology needs of K-12 and those of higher education.

K-12 Trend

Classroom AV and PA systems around the school are often not integrated. "The core of the K-12 classroom is the interactive display, but there is a separate audio system for emergency notifications," Bogart said. This kind of integration is an area of focus at Atlona. "For instance, it's a problem if the program audio in a classroom is playing while a separate system announces a critical message. If the audio for that video program doesn't mute, the message could be missed. We have developed a system where we monitor the paging system to mute in-room audio to ensure critical messages are heard." This integrates the emergency notification system into the AV system.

Bogart noted that technologies in K-12 classrooms tend to run as disparate systems. "There could be an emergency notification system and a lock system, but there hasn't been any real integration of those into classroom audio technologies." 

Higher Ed Trend

During the past decade, there has been a growing trend for AV departments to take on more programming of AV systems. "There has been a push where institutions are becoming more self-reliant," Bogart said. "They can't call an integrator and do a truck roll to send a technician out to make minor changes. The Atlona Velocity AV control system is meant to be edited in real-time and much easier to develop a program than traditional systems." This doesn't replace the relationship with an integrator. "Integrators will often provide installation services, but we're finding a lot of institutions have staff that are doing some of the installations of smaller systems," Bogart added. "If it's a whole new building, usually there's a consultant, drawings involved, and much more integrator involvement. We have no intention of ever selling directly or having a direct agreement with an end user." 

Making It Easy—for Everyone

During the past few years, teachers and instructors learned to embrace classroom technologies, but ease of use became a rallying cry. "We're finding institutions are becoming less brand-loyal and more technology-specific," Bogart said. What is most important is that the interface is familiar from room to room. "An instructor doesn't know what glass they're touching, and they don't care, they just want to know that they can hit the "system on" button, and it will turn on.

Atlona recently started shipping its new VKP-8E Velocity 8 button keypad controller. Do we need another keypad on the market, you say? Yes! Bogart shared, "The big difference with this keypad that I hadn't seen in the industry is the unique flexibility during provisioning. An integrator can set it up and invite the end user to the configuration. Maybe they just have view rights, or maybe they have full admin rights. Then, once the project is done, they can transfer ownership over." 

The VKP-8E Velocity 8-button keypad controller is a cloud-based solution but doesn't have to be deployed in the cloud. "If the institution doesn't want to leave it cloud-based, you can just put it in local mode, and it runs locally," Bogart said. The cloud gives it a lot of flexibility and a lot of power either as a standalone control system or integrated into a full Velocity system."

Atlona Supports

In support of its channel integrators, Bogart said, "We offer free training certification for integrators and end users on Atlona products."

Bogart has quickly become a highly regarded thought leader in the ed tech world and recently began a series of EdTech Talks. Check out the first one, Multicast for the AV Professional in Education.

Check out Atlona's Education Technology VIP Program, built to serve AV and IT professionals in the K-12 and higher education communities. The qualification process is easy; just complete the online form.

What about support when you need an extra hand? "An end user can call into our support line just like an integrator can," said Bogart. The hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST, and weekend appointments are available.

Atlona, a Panduit company, is a leading manufacturer of AV distribution, AV over IP, collaboration, and control solutions. Our core brand vision is to improve technology for the sharing of ideas, through innovative AV products used every day in a wide variety of commercial and educational applications. Atlona prioritizes quality, user experience, simplicity, and management in every product we develop. More information about Atlona is available at atlona.com

Download NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Hybrid Work 2024

42 AV/IT Thought Leaders share their perspectives and insights into trends that will play a role in the workplace culture, space planning, and technologies in the coming year.

Hybrid In Action: An employee-centered approach to collaboration technology is at the heart of one software company’s new, state-of-the-art flagship facility.

AV/IT Team: For a growing shared workplace franchise, comprehensive sound masking leads to improved tenant satisfaction and retention.

8 Case Studies: University Refreshes Hybrid Learning Strategy | The Power of Remote Production | Security Operations Get a Pro Display Upgrade | A Long-Awaited Conference Space Solution | LED Video Walls Light Up Corporate Headquarters | Powerful AV Over IP Brings Media Center to Life | Blending the Digital and Natural Worlds | Space Booking Shifts into High Gear

34 Products that Facilitate Hybrid

BONUS: Best of Show Awards from ISE 2024 

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Download NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to 2024 Company Roadmaps

2024 Company Roadmaps Exclusive access to the roadmaps of 42 industry-leading AV/IT manufacturers and solutions providers. We talked with CEOs, COOs, CIOs, CTOs, presidents, executive vice presidents and vice presidents, directors of product, sales, and global marketing, co-founders, chief innovation officers, and so many more involved in the direction of the companies they represent to bring you a rare insider's perspective.

Bringing Hybrid Workers Closer Together: The AV/IT team at Sharp Business Systems is on a mission to illustrate smart office technology that elevates the work experience and addresses the needs of the modern hybrid workforce.

Five Use-cases with a Fresh Perspective: The Future of Remote Collaboration at Microsoft's Global Workplaces | The Perfect Recipe for Remote Learning | Immersive Audio for Fitness Enthusiasts | A Long-Overdue Visual Upgrade | Hospital Donors Recognized in Fine-Pitch LED

Products That Matter for 2024 Plus products announced at Integrated Systems Europe.

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Download NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Great Installs of 2023

24 Great Installs of 2023 We present 24 outstanding installations that span multiple applications: An experience that can be seen from space | The shape of the new collaboration | Immersive and interactive experiences | Command and control | Esports that level up | Refined audio in a house of worship, a meeting space and classroom | Engaging casinos | An airport that informs | and more!

Celebrating 10 AV/IT Teams behind the great installs of 2023 within higher education: University of Nevada, Las Vegas | University of Southern California | University of Québec in Montreal School of Management | James B. Hunt Jr. Library at North Carolina State University (NC State) | Stevens Institute of Technology | North Carolina State University (NC State) | Sonic College | Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology | Institut de Recherche contre les Cancers de l’Appareil Digestif | City University of Hong Kong 

21 AV/IT Industry Thought Leaders on how their companies support AV/IT managers in creating a successful experience. While some responses are similar, the offerings and philosophies are nuanced.

19 Products That Matter for 2024

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to What’s Trending in Esports

DOWNLOAD the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to What’s Trending in Esports and learn why, where and how esports is expanding. 

22 AV/IT Thought Leaders from across the esports space share their thoughts on setting up an esports program at any level, the technologies that make a difference, as well as the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

AV/IT Team: Go inside one of the best esports arenas in America. A custom, 20-foot-wide video wall serves as the centerpiece of extreme gaming and diverse multimedia applications at one of the nation’s top esports facilities.

5 Case Studies: Festival-Scale Cabling, Made Simple | An Esports Powerhouse in the Big East | Nurturing Future Production Professionals | Audio, Control, and Switching Take the Win | Another Link in the Esports Pipeline

31 Pro AV Best in Market 2023 Award Winners: New or newly upgraded products from AV/IT companies were recognized in the inaugural program. 

26 Esports Products that help propel the game.   

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Collaboration Near & Far 

Download the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Collaboration Near & Far and learn why Bring Your Own Device, Bring Your Own Meeting, and even, Bring Yourself have undergone a paradigm shift.

34 Thought Leaders from across the AV/IT industry discuss the new hybrid workplace and the elements that make up a successful collaboration environment—near and far.

2 AV/IT Teams: Implementing a frictionless, global collaboration solution at WeWork was a true team effort. | From Barbie to Hot Wheels, customer presentations and corporate productions at Mattel are all about education, engagement, and collaboration.

5 Case Studies: A Quiet Environment for Private Conversation | Making the Dream Work with Teams | Giving Back Through Collaboration | A 360-Degree Business Approach | Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Costs

42 Products that enable collaboration, content sharing, intelligible audio, and clear visuals.

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to The State of AVoX 

Download the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to The State of AVoX and learn why industry thought leaders are bullish on the pace of the AV/IT conversion.

34 Thought Leaders from across the AV industry answer the questions that are foremost on the minds of AV/IT teams looking to take networked AV to the next level.

AV/IT Team Carefully specified and implemented technology by the Stevens Institute of Technology’s AV/IT dream team acts as a frictionless facilitator, enabling effortless connections between students, teachers, and course material.

7 Case Studies Control Upgrade for Underwater Operations | Taking Control of Public Safety | Manufacturing Solutions Meet Control Solutions | AV-over-IP Ties It Together for Medical School | Seamless Networking on The Strip | Streamlined Security and Mobility | School Principal Broadcasts Positivity

35 Products That Matter AV/IT enterprise and campus-worthy AV solutions that convert, serve, stream, transmit, receive, control, amplify, streamline, and so much more.

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During a virtual worldwide event on September 21, 2023, Harman Professional announced its new AMX MUSE Automation Controllers. The powerful, secure, and reliable devices provide a dedicated computing resource running HARMAN Professional's AMX MUSE automation platform. 

Built on HARMAN's ultra-secure Linux platform, AMX MUSE controllers are designed to surpass the requirements of the most secure installations. They can be used in any environment where AV systems, software applications, or other devices require control and automation. The controllers are ideal for supporting government, financial, and other applications with ultra-secure needs.

AMX MUSE Automation Controllers feature a modern embedded processor that is ten times faster than the processor in AMX NX Controllers. The rugged, industrial-grade onboard eMMC storage is reliable and designed to deliver decades of high-access 24/7 mission-critical operation.

Multiple scripting languages ensure that AMX MUSE Automation Controllers are versatile, supporting a wide range of developers. The controllers can simultaneously process a virtually unlimited number of scripts written in JavaScript, Python, or Groovy.

To support No-Code/Low-Code programming, AMX MUSE Automation Controllers include native support for visual flow-based development using the Node-RED development tool.

Additionally, these Controllers natively support HARMAN's HControl (open-API), HiQnet (legacy HARMAN audio devices), and ICSP (legacy AMX control devices) protocols, making them the ideal automation processor for any space, environment, or application—old and new.

AMX MUSE exponentially increases the possibilities for technicians and IT managers of all skillsets to deliver incredibly advanced automation in a modern market.

Visit AMX MUSE for more product information.

DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Visualization Technologies 

Download the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Visualization Technologies and learn how you can entice and engage students, employees, and visitors using today’s latest display solutions.

34 Thought Leaders from across the AV industry–from mounting, to panels, to projection—share their thoughts on the current state of the visualization ecosystem, where it’s going, and what decision-makers should bear in mind when planning for their next purchases.

AV/IT Team With the help of an elite digital art duo, a Florida casino uses laser projectors to dazzle both visitors and passers-by year-round.

8 Case Studies Digital art imitates life | Standardizing on displays transforms university campus | A fail-safe emergency operations solution | Wave of the future crests | The inspiration lab | Video wall drives vehicle design | Mounting a tavern TV takeover | A contemporary conference room display makeover

32 Products That Matter AV/IT enterprise and campus-worthy visualization solutions will make you shine

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Next-Gen Audio BONUS: Best of Show, InfoComm 2023 Award-Winning Products

For the past three years, the most common refrain during a video conference is, “You’re on mute.” That is an easy enough fix. But if that were the only issue regarding speech intelligibility, then we wouldn’t have created the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to Next-Gen Audio.

14 Thought Leaders share technology suggestions, best practices, and some sound advice for ensuring the near and far ends of the conversation are intelligible.

The AV/IT Team at Middle Tennessee State University has gone all-in and upgraded every classroom to improve audio quality for hybrid students.

3 Case Studies An audio upgrade for an Oslo landmark. | Hybrid learning tech that means business. | Teleconferencing that exceeds expectations.

22 Products That Matter AV/IT enterprise- and campus-worthy audio products and solutions.

BONUS: Introducing the Best of InfoComm Check out the winners of the InfoComm 2023 Best of Show for AV Technology, Digital Signage, and Tech&Learning publications.

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager's Guide to AV Control in a Hybrid World

AV control has a new mission: Make the return to the office an easy choice for employees, make BYOD and BYOM the standard, make interoperability easier to attain, and make AV control more flexible and cost-effective so that it is an option for all companies and institutions.

Too much to ask?

Check out the AV Technology Manager’s Guide to AV Control in a Hybrid World and find out. 

23 AV/IT Industry Thought Leaders share their thoughts on the opportunities AV control provides in today’s environment and what developments they see on the horizon.

The AV/IT Team at Tokyo University of Science explored ways of connecting students and instructors virtually, and quickly made classes available using Zoom, and now has hybrid learning down to a science.

4 Case Studies: EVS uses KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse) in its 12 training rooms worldwide. | Berkeley Prep School rolled out a fully networked audio solution that can be managed offsite. | Warren County Public Schools chose a platform that protects and prioritizes teachers’ wireless connections. | The University of Manchester Engineering Campus Development created a highly flexible teaching and research environment. 

18 Products That Matter: AV/IT enterprise and campus-worthy products are in control. 

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DOWNLOAD NOW >> AV Technology Manager's Guide to Next-Gen Streaming

Today, most content streamed from enterprise, higher ed, or other markets can have a near- or broadcast-quality setup that is easier to use and requires fewer technical experts. Artificial intelligence and pattern recognition built into cameras and microphones have made it easier and more cost-effective to live-stream from just about any environment to just about anywhere. Automated workflows have enabled professors to stream classroom instruction with little training needed.

 The Guide to Next-Gen Streaming explores these trends, new products and more!

25 AV/IT Industry Thought Leaders share their insights into trends and best practices for the next-gen streaming media ecosystem.

6 Case Studies embrace broadcast-quality

Microsoft’s AV/IT Team transforms video production to broadcast the company’s Global All-Hands events to its workforce.

25 AV/IT Products for Next-Gen Streaming: Live production platforms and ecosystems, ultra-low latency codecs, streaming processors, UBS devices, cloud solutions, EPTZ’s, cables, microphones, AI cameras, content sharing, video management, cellular bonding, broadcast cameras, and more!

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Crestron has announced the expansion of their room control portfolio with key enhancements to Crestron VC-4 Virtual Control. A software-based control solution, VC-4 complements the industry-leading Crestron hardware-based control systems by offering a more scalable alternative with the same powerful functionality.

VC-4 expands the range of choices enterprise IT managers have for their in-room control platform, providing a scalable software control platform while maintaining support for existing hardware-based solutions. Capable of supporting up to 500 spaces on a single server, VC-4 enables mass deployment of customized or standardized configurations with the press of a button, delivering significant savings of time and labor costs while dramatically increasing the overall control platform lifecycle.

[ Crestron Roadmap 2022 ]

Swift and Secure Scalability

The explosion of hybrid work and the proliferating need for additional collaboration spaces has forced enterprise IT teams to configure more rooms than ever before. The purpose-built VC-4 software-based solution will accelerate deployment for this ever-expanding array of rooms. Crestron VC-4 enables IT specialists to design and configure a room’s UC, AV, and control solutions, save those configurations, and then automate them in a fraction of the time. This significantly cuts down on labor costs for common applications as VC-4 streamlines the custom configuration experience. Since it is integrated with standard programming languages, including C# for IT and SIMPL for AV professionals, it won’t require any new training to execute. 

[ The Inside Story: Crestron to Acquire 1 Beyond ]

Native SIMPL integration brings complete parity to the thousands of certified Crestron programmers. The standards-based design unlocks reliability and scalability essential in today’s increasingly digital business environment and works seamlessly in conjunction with broader Crestron ecosystems like Flex Digital Workplace Technology and DigitalMedia Content Distribution to provide an integrated user experience with advanced functionality. VC-4 also comes equipped with the XiO Cloud Technology Operations Management platform, providing device lifecycles management, control, and remote support to maintain operational standards and maximize room uptime efficiently at scale, while providing enhanced data insights from a single dashboard.

The standards-based, service-oriented architecture of VC-4 also enables IT teams to leverage existing IT infrastructure for redundancy and fault tolerance and as an on-premises solution, it supports enterprise-grade security protocols. All functionality on VC-4 is executed from the server and not in the public cloud, which enables local data storage and greater control over security patches and server maintenance with cloud-based firmware updates as well.

“The VC-4 software solution provides users a comprehensive range of enterprise room control solutions that will deliver immense value at scale,” said Toine C. Leerentveld, senior group product manager, Control Solutions for Crestron. “No matter what preferences an enterprise IT team has, the addition of VC-4 to our room control portfolio means that Crestron will have a solution to suit every need.”

Pricing and Availability

At just $1000/room, VC-4 offers value for scaled environments. A simple one-time purchase model grants users a perpetual license. A free trial of VC-4 is available today through the Crestron website here.

At Texas' newest indoor waterpark, The Cove at The Lakefront, exciting aquatic attractions are combined with a retractable roof and high-tech AV solutions to create an atmosphere unlike any other indoor waterpark in the country. The entire park's audio and video is managed through a Control4 automation system, including a giant 30-foot-wide DVLED display, offering staff full control and flexibility to respond to guest requests while ensuring important messages are broadcast to the right areas.

[Control Concepts Announces New Control4 Offering]

According to custom integrator Steve Withey, president and CEO of Elite AV Innovations, The Cove's technology enables different TV and music to play across 18 video displays and 11 distinct audio zones, while rentable private cabanas and party rooms offer guests direct control of local content.

[Control4 Acquires NEEO]

"With the ability to easily adjust music and TV content throughout the park, in addition to a public address system that can quickly override audio in specified areas, The Cove has full wireless control of the guest experience," Withey said. "There's no other attraction I know of where a family can relax in a private cabana with user-controlled TV and audio while watching real-time video of guests surfing in a FlowRider surfing pool projected on a 30-foot-wide DVLED display. It's one-of-a-kind."

The DVLED display was designed to stretch over the full width of the surfing pool, and it's the first thing people see when they walk inside. Using the Control4 app on iPads or mobile phones, park staff can use the display as a single large screen or split it to broadcast two separate video feeds. One of the most popular uses of the display is to highlight people having fun in the park through the use of two interior facing PTZ surveillance cameras that can focus on various areas, including the surf pool itself.

[Control4 OS 3.2.2 Software I[date Fully Supports the OVRC Ecosystem]

The public address system includes multiple microphones conveniently located throughout the building, as well as a wireless unit that can be carried around the park. When staff needs to make an announcement, they use a custom-programmed Control4 6-button configurable keypad to turn on the microphone, mute the music in desired audio zones, and then broadcast the microphone audio to only those areas.

[SnapAV Rebrands as Snap One]

Guests who rent private party rooms for birthdays and other occasions can use wall-mounted 6-button keypads to select and control music and TV and can even play their own content using a convenient HDMI connection. The private cabanas offer groups a convenient relaxation and meeting place with comfortable couches, a mini-fridge and an individually controlled TV.

Knowing that user-operated remote controls in a waterpark is a recipe for wet remotes, Elite AV Innovations opted not to use expensive touchscreen models in each cabana. Instead, they built a video distribution system with custom-labeled channels that enables the use of normal TV remotes. Utilizing nine cable boxes each tuned to a different channel, the system empowers The Cove to label all nine feeds with unique names, and then allow guests to choose a feed with the remote just like a normal TV station. This provides users control of local media without requiring direct access to the Control4 system.

[Responding to Partners, SnapAV Intros Single-Rack WattBox 800 Model]

Withey also made opening and closing the park simpler for staff by programming a button in the Control4 interface that automatically turns every TV and speaker on or off.

With so much technology involved in the park's guest experience and daily operations, Withey needed a convenient way to troubleshoot minor issues such as periodically resetting equipment. Using a WattBox power conditioner with OvrC capabilities, he can receive push alerts for any issues and initiate power cycles from his office, his home, or wherever he might be without needing to travel to the park. It's part of the main equipment rack, made by Strong, which is located in a closet on the mezzanine level where it's protected from moisture and chlorine. The rack also includes a 10-inch Control4 touchpanel that affords full access to the system.

"Ensuring the technology is always working is as essential to the park as ensuring there is always water in the pools," Withey said. "Through OvrC, I'm able to detect and solve a number of common problems immediately regardless of where I am. Without this solution, we would have to send a technician for something as simple as resetting a TV or router, incurring unnecessary costs for both us and the park. I love not having to jump in a truck at 7 a.m. on a Saturday and drive 30 minutes to do two minutes of work."

In addition to the interior cameras, the property features nearly two dozen exterior models that provide full surveillance coverage that can be viewed through any Control4 interface or the mobile app, giving the owners enhanced peace of mind no matter where they are.

tvONE is issuing updates to its CORIOmaster app, a simple yet powerful control tool for the CORIOmaster family of video processing systems. The latest version, v1.5, allows secure connectivity and includes support for the newest generation video processor, CORIOmaster2. With this app, users have access to the powerful CORIOmaster video wall processing systems in the palm of their hands.

The CORIOmaster app is a free application for smartphones and tablets that extends the control of CORIOmaster video walls onto mobile platforms. The app provides a secure wireless control platform, allowing users to control CORIOmaster wirelessly on an internal Wi-Fi network.

[tvONE and Green Hippo Move to 'Localized Tradeshow' Events in Light of Pandemic's Continuing Impact on Gatherings]

Users can execute all simple control functions with ease through the CORIOmaster app from any CORIOmaster unit, including CORIOmaster, CORIOmaster mini, CORIOmaster micro and CORIOmaster2. Functionality includes viewing all canvases, viewing the selected "source to window" assignments, activating presets, switching inputs and assigning fresh sources to windows.

[tvONE Updates CORIOmaster2 Video Processor]

For advanced users, create and execute powerful automated rules and sequences in the Macro Editor. For example, users can choose from different sequences of internally saved media, still, or IP feeds for playback directly from a mobile device. Additionally, more sophisticated control is possible by sending single or command chains using API commands set.

To download CORIOmaster app for Apple devices: Search "CORIOmaster" in the Apple Store. To download CORIOmaster app for Android devices: Search "CORIOmaster" in Google PLAY.

TASCAM is introducing the Version 1.30 firmware update for the Model 12 Integrated Production Suite. As a sophisticated desktop tool for music and multimedia creation, the Model 12 incorporates a mixer with I/O and analog-style controls, multitrack recorder, a USB audio/MIDI interface, DAW control functions, and a wealth of podcasting capabilities including mix-minus and smartphone input capability. With the new V1.30 firmware update, this versatile production tool gains additional functions that further enhance its ability.

The V1.30 firmware update increases the Model 12's DAW control surface integration. This latest update adds Studio One from PreSonus, Reaper from Cockos, Inc., and Cubasis 3.3 from Steinberg. This is in addition to existing support for Avid's Pro Tools, Apple Logic, MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) Digital Performer, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live and Cakewalk by BandLab. Supported functions include basic external DAW control (Faders, Mutes, Pans, Solos, Record arm, Play, Record, Stop, FF/REW, and Jog) using integrated HUI/MCU protocol emulation for tactile control.

The ability to accurately monitor one's work is crucial to successful production. In this regard, the Model 12's dual headphone jacks that facilitate monitoring of two discrete headphone mixes simultaneously is an important feature. With the V1.30 update, this capability has been expanded to include Main Mix Pre to Phone Source selection in addition to Main Mix Post. Prior to V1.30, when working with headphones only, without producing sound from the speakers with Main Mix Post, the sound of the headphone output was muted when Main Mix was muted.

When working on podcasts or other streaming media projects, the ability to have clean, accurate sound delivered through one's computer speakers is of paramount importance. The V1.30 firmware update also adds a level attenuation function with a range of 0-40dB for the Model 12's Main and Sub outputs. Whereas a small PC speaker could easily be overloaded resulting in distorted sound without raising the Master fader much at all, V1.30 corrects this situation.

For Model 12 owners who have not updated their systems in a while, two important previous updates should be noted. For streaming media applications, an Output Delay for Synchronized Audio/Video Streaming was added in V1.20. The output delay (adjustable from 0 - 2000ms) creates stable sync between streamed audio and video for all networks and video systems. This easy to set-up function enables dual Audio Delay for both the USB and Main outputs (Main output can be selected On/Off). In addition, it is possible to monitor the output delay signal by headphones if the Main output on has been selected.

Equally noteworthy, a VAMP playback function was added with the V1.11 firmware update. The VAMP playback function provides seamless loop playback between two selected points in a song. In addition to being a valuable tool for individual practice or ensemble rehearsals, it can be used during live playback for extended solos/jams, or repeated playback of a selected track only. As many as ten VAMP points can be specified for an individual song.

To acquire these updates for the Model 12 Integrated Production Suite, visit https://tascam.com/us/product/model_12/download.

Simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-understand end-user control is an ultimate goal of AV installations--a system's capabilities simply are irrelevant if the client can't figure out how to operate it. With many systems, complicated and expensive programing is necessary to deliver such an end-user experience, where specialist knowledge is required for even minor system updates. Now, with the addition of source control to the free iOS KD App from Key Digital, the already sophisticated yet user-friendly app offers powerful, concise control of Key Digital App Ready devices at no cost, with no programming. Not only does KD App control Key Digital's comprehensive line of AV over IP encoder/decoder, switcher, matrix, multi-view and video wall devices, but, with the IR and IP PJLink control capabilities of connected system devices, control can also be extended to many display brands and source devices.

KD App was introduced as a single-function application to give end users portable and self-contained control of select Key Digital devices. As capabilities have been added to the app, it has grown into a broadly featured control solution that includes end-user-defined presets, input/output switching, video preview, intuitive finger-drag video wall control, friendly device names, display control, CEC and local input selection--with source control now added to round out the feature set.

Once KD App is downloaded from the Apple App Store and the iPhone or iPad linked into the shared network, the app auto-populates with all connected Key Digital devices. From a given device's pre-built KD App GUI, inputs and outputs can be selected, video walls mapped, presets created or recalled and additional device specific features managed. User-defined presets allow system-wide configuration for customers' recurring needs, from a watch party in a sports bar setting to a staff meeting in a board room.

The functionality of the free KD App across a host of Key Digital devices can be explored using the app's built-in demo mode (which also serves as an effective sales tool for integrators).

KD App download here: apps.apple.com/us/app/key-digital/id686128651

Amber Solutions' patented Indestructible AC Switch has achieved a new milestone towards productization with the debut of a fully demonstrable, solid-state based regulation/control/protection technology platform for the digital control of electricity.

According to Amber CEO Thar Casey, the new platform delivers full validation of its digital protection of solid-state architecture from broad-based transient power conditions within the hostile AC Mains environment.

The singular technology platform digitally detects and protects solid-state architecture against a range of destructive electrical conditions, including short circuit, overvoltage, inductive load kickback, overcurrent, and overloads. Until Amber, such broad protection in AC power environments was a key hurdle for AC solid-state based power management, without costly, lower quality old tech-based components, which pressure standard form factor sizes and therefore limit feature capabilities of products.

"Our ability to now demonstrate such a breadth of electrical protection by our breakthroughs in a single solid-state platform means that a wide range of electrical products now have a clear path to true next generation architecture and functions that fully leverage the breakthrough advantages of Amber's silicon chip-based power management technologies," Casey said.

"Amber's breakthroughs in a silicon chip enable dramatically smaller size footprint of electrical products' power management and integration of modern intelligence features for much more dynamic delivery, both of which result in a substantial expansion of new functions in electrical products, without deviating from standard form factors like the single gang box and the retrofit circuit breaker."

Amber recently released a video demonstration of one specific example of the Amber Indestructible AC Switch's capability--successfully suppressing 450 inductive load surges (typically thousands of volts each) over 15 consecutive minutes to just 260 volts each.

Utelogy Corporation's U-Computer Platform now provides easy integration with Windows-based Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) devices for monitoring management and control to deliver actionable intelligence to the workplace.

Microsoft Teams' MTR version is increasingly being deployed by organizations to support hybrid work environments and manage collaborations between remote and on-site employees. As office spaces reopen, IT departments need solutions that meet returning employees' heightened meeting expectations and also ensure those staying off-site have experiences equal to those of their on-site colleagues.

In conjunction with hardware support, Utelogy supports the Microsoft Teams UC soft codec. Its platform monitors the status of MTR peripherals, connections, calls in progress, presence and more. Operations teams can gather detailed analytics on MTR-equipped rooms directly from the Utelogy platform which helps to improve system uptime and allows staff to make data-driven decisions.

To ensure seamless online experiences, Utelogy has expanded its management and monitoring capabilities to provide robust, real-time data and monitoring of Windows-based MTR devices, including Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500l; Poly Studio X series; HP Slice; Logitech Tap (with NUC PC); Yealink MVC and Crestron Flex/UC Engine.

This integration delivers a range of benefits, including reduced operational costs, automated room-ready tests and increased proactive service management. Organizations can easily troubleshoot and resolve device errors, receive instant alert notifications about device or system health and ultimately create better user experiences.

Datapath has enhanced its Aetria solution by reinforcing system resiliency, broadening scope for KVM control as well as offering secure mobile device control.

Aetria from Datapath brings the design, control and management of control room video under a single interface. Engineered specifically for critical 24/7 applications, all Aetria components are designed, built and tested to ensure maximum reliability. To provide complete system resiliency, Aetria now supports automatic failover for the central network manager appliance. A secondary network manager is configured as a hot-standby, which is automatically invoked if the primary appliance fails.

Configuration, management and monitoring of both network manager appliances is done in the centralized Aetria Command Center interface, where manual switchovers can also be invoked if required.

Furthermore, users are now able to operate the platform from their phone, tablet or mobile device. With Datapath's secure user rights management applied, users can load any pre-saved layout onto any connected video wall, wherever they are in the world.

Aetria Workstation now supports direct monitoring and control of Arqa sources. Integration with Datapath's Arqa AVoIP solution enables secure, hardware-based access to multiple remote sources in Aetria. Operators get real-time control of sources as if they were hosted locally. To enable this, an Arqa receiver is connected to capture card in the workstation PC. Arqa sources are then made available for viewing and KVM control from within the Aetria Workstation interface. KVM switching is done automatically as the operator requests a specific source.

Finally, the Designer component of Aetria now has a built-in tutorial and example solution design for new users, making the design process even easier. A virtual Server Room location has been created to allow adding of any Aetria Network Managers and/or required source transmitters to the project design.

Joshua Joseph has joined TEKVOX as Vice President of Sales. For the past seven years Joseph served as an account executive and Ed-Tech Solution Consultant at Trox, where he empowered Greater Houston area school districts and educators to use technology to improve the learning landscape.

A 2006 graduate of the University of North Texas, Joseph was previously a University Development Representative (COE Online Division) for Grand Canyon University and Senior Admissions Representative for Corinthian Colleges.

"When I came into the AV industry in 2014, I immediately saw the impact that technology has on educators and students alike," Joseph recalls. "By joining TEKVOX I will help to further the mission of demystifying AV with TEKVOX's factory built, pre-programmed solutions, solutions that work from Day One and are simple and easy to use for the person who installs and maintains the system to everyday users."

Fresh off an exciting company launch, Xyte is entering into a strategic partnership with the SDVoE Alliance. The partnership will bring Xyte's cloud connectivity platform to all 54 SDVoE Alliance members, providing a unified monitoring and management platform for more than 700 member products.

Xyte's AV platform, Workplace by Xyte, will offer more than remote monitoring and management to SDVoE Alliance members, including the ability to gather usage and performance analytics, and provide direct online customer service including technical support. Xyte will also offer SDVoE Alliance member manufacturers an end-to-end cloud-based platform to run their entire "Hardware-As-A-Service" (HaaS) business. This includes support for what Xyte calls "Digital Products," an innovative approach that allows manufacturers to remotely enable device features through subscriptions. Xyte's novel HaaS will also help SDVoE Alliance members better support their channels and customers and develop new recurring revenue streams.

System integrators that use SDVoE member products will also have free access to the platform. These companies can quickly specify SDVoE products into their projects, and remotely manage and monitor all SDVoE member devices across their installations. They can even offer their own custom managed services for their end customers, based on Xyte's platform, and proactively and remotely support their customers.

According to SDVoE Alliance President Justin Kennington, IT departments with increasing responsibility for AV systems want a singular platform to remotely access AV devices on their network, as opposed to having a dedicated monitoring platform for each component. "We can now build a scalable monitoring platform through the cloud that connects all of our member products to the Xyte ecosystem" says Kennington.

While the AV industry has been slow to adopt cloud technologies, Kennington believes that the simplicity and accessibility of Xyte's platform will accelerate the transition to more cloud-based systems and services, similar to how organizations like the SDVoE Alliance have advanced AV over IP acceptance.

The SDVoE Alliance will also support technology migration for members as they on-board with Xyte. SDVoE's open API includes automatic connectivity to Xyte's platform, without requiring programmers to perform manual coding.

Xyte CEO Omer Brookstein notes that the Xyte API has already been implemented into the SDVoE chipset.

"Xyte is coming into the industry at a time when AV professionals are ready to embrace the opportunities of the cloud," said Omer Brookstein, CEO, Xyte. "From cloud monitoring to paradigm-shifting HaaS business models, we are prepared to help manufacturing, integration, and reseller partners take their operations and businesses into bold new directions. Having SDVoE on board as an early partner will only help to send the message that Xyte is in a strong position to lead that transition."

Related: Xyte Launches First Hardware-as-a-Service Cloud Platform

The What: MaxHub is introducing the P22MB Smart Lectern, the ideal solution for centralized and wireless control of any meeting or presentation. 

The What Else: This would not be a MaxHub podium if it didn't incorporate innovative design in terms of the electronics typically encountered in meeting and presentation environments. With its wireless connectivity, the MaxHub P22MB eliminates many of the cables typically encountered in meeting/presentation environments.

Right from the podium, presenters can control their entire presentation system, including the integrated lectern microphones. This is accomplished via the podium's innovative 21.5-inch interactive touchscreen. With this display, presenters have full control of, for example, their Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. And right from the screen, they can annotate important points without having to use a mouse. The P22MB podium also features pre-installed white boarding and collaboration software, along with wireless sharing that enables a laptop to be easily included in the presentation.

The Bottom Line: Meeting leaders and presenters will certainly appreciate the P22MB's thoughtful design. This feature-rich podium's integrated wheels make it easy to position the podium in the best on-stage location. Equally important, presenters will find the ability to electronically adjust the podium's surface to the optimum height an important benefit that aids one's ability to feel comfortable in front of an audience while maximizing their ability to interact with their notes and other meeting materials. The MaxHub P22MB Smart Lectern is expected to be available this month.

At InfoComm, iRoom is showcasing an expanded portfolio of a global Apple-certified Premium iPad Docking solutions, including its flagship touchDock motorized docking station that fits all current iPads models and its new touchDock Mini.

iRoom iO's premier docking station, the touchDock boasts outstanding craftsmanship and scratch-resistant  tempered glass. touchDock offers vertical or horizontal in-wall flush mounting with flexible installation capabilities and simple motorized iPad removal when needed for mobile use. Its built-in control processor delivers AV control independent of the iPad. Smart Battery Management is an added feature for prolonging the iPad's battery life.

New to the mix is the touchDock Mini, which is identical to other touchDock models save for its smaller size. Mini is compatible with  iPad mini generations 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Theft is always an issue with displayed electronics. The touchDock and touchDock Mini offer code-protected antitheft protection to ensure security and ease of access, with hands-free unlocking and motorized removal. 

The touchDock systems are compatible with Crestron, Control4. Lutron, RTI, EnOcean, Savant and other professional control systems. touchDock easily connects to all popular IoT services (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, EnOcean, or Apple HomeKit). 

The touchDock and touchDock Mini systems that ship this month will feature the newly announced Dynamic Sensor Package to monitor room temperature, humidity, light and air quality (CO2). iRoom's iPad dashboard gives the user sensor status information at a glance. Third-party control systems can act on sensor statuses to trigger threshold-based alerts or control functions based on threshold. (For example, if the brightness in the room falls under a defined threshold, the control system turns the room lights on.) Older touchDock units can be easily upgraded. The Dynamic Room Sensor Package is now included with all iRoom iO touchDock models, all iTop OnWall and iTop Pro and iTop Plus tabletop models.

iRoom also is introducing four new color options for its iTop on-wall and tabletop docking stations. iTop OnWall and iTop Tabletop, which are made of high-quality aluminum and glass materials that perfectly match the Apple design, are now available in 14 color combinations.  The two glass bezel selections, black or white, and seven aluminum base color options, green (new), blue (new), silver, rose, apricot, gold and black, total 14 combinations to match any device or room décor.

iTop's adjustable, sliding charging connector enables a perfect fit for all current iPad models, (from the iPad mini up to the iPad Pro 12.9-inch) and its tough locking structure makes the iTop OnWall and Tabletop safe, flexible, and purposeful for the entire family or multiple business users.

The What: Just Add Power is introducing its new Advanced Matrix Programmer (AMP) software for multicast switching systems at InfoComm 2021. 

The What Else: Just Add Power's AMP software is designed for environments with existing infrastructure or special network requirements that don't allow for a dedicated AV distribution switch. AMP consolidates and streamlines the process of setting up individual Just Add Power devices--discovering them on the local network, presenting them in a list, and allowing installers to name them, configure their IP addresses, and assign channels to transmitters--while assisting with updates when new firmware is released. Once the Just Add Power system is configured, AMP provides a user interface to control source switching.

The Bottom Line: To see the new AMP software in action, visit Just Add Power in Booth 2733 at InfoComm 2021.

At InfoComm 2021, Key Digital (Booth 2824) is rolling out an expansive line of new products, from a range of soft-codec-enabled HDBaseT switchers and extenders to a free KD App that offers powerful and extensive control of Key Digital AV products via TCP/IP directly from iOS devices without programming.

New HDBaseT switchers and extenders are soft-codec-enabled to create a connectivity hub for USB cameras and mics, audio DSP and keyboard/mouse/touchscreen extension. Connected computers interface with extended devices by way of USB host and device ports on receiver units and device ports on select KD switchers. This product family includes the KD-X4X1WUTX 4K/18G @ 100m HDBT Power over HDBaseT (PoH) 3-gang, wall plate switcher with 2xHDMI, Display Port and USB-C inputs, USB and LAN interconnectivity. The auto-switching KD-X3X1WUTX 3-gang wall plate is similarly spec'd as a transmitter, with HDMI, Display Port and VGA inputs, USB 2.0 and audio de-embedding.

Key Digital’s KD-BYOD4K Wireless Presentation Gateway is an affordable, simple-to-operate, all-in-one, Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) collaboration solution for corporate meeting and presentation environments, educational facilities and hospitality. The KD-BYOD4K accommodates a high-definition wireless connection for contactless content casting from laptops, tablets and smartphones, accommodating all major operating platform. After a 10-minute or less initial setup, support apps for laptops and Android can be quickly loaded for connection, with direct native connection for devices utilizing Chromecast or Apple's AirPlay. Up to four contributors may cast content simultaneously and screen layouts are automatically adjusting. 

The KD-CAMUSB PTZ camera is an ideal solution for huddle spaces, conference and board rooms and lecture halls. Its USB 2.0 interface is universally compatible across all computer operating systems and the KD-CAMUSB supports all popular video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The autofocus KD-CAMUSB, also in use on the TOA booth (6055), offers resolutions from 320x240p @ 30 fps up to 1920x1080p @ 30fps, a pan range of ±170 degrees, tilt range of -30 degrees to +90 degrees, and up to 10x zoom. Up to 12 presets can be created.

The KD-MLV4x2Pro is an HDMI/VGA/HDBaseT seamless presentation matrix switcher and multi-view tiling processor and includes a KD-X222PORx HDBaseT extender receiver with Power over HDBaseT. KD-MLV4x2Pro users can create and store custom multi-view layouts and recall custom presets for linked/mirrored outputs in 1080p (2K) or utilize the native Quadrant Mode (4K or 2K) with independent output of four equally-sized windows. The seamless switching allows uninterrupted transitions during source selection. Image layering allows stacked images with customizable priority settings. Window transparency and border control are built in.

Not least of all, Key Digital's free KD App offers powerful and extensive control of Key Digital AV products via TCP/IP directly from iOS devices without programming. When the App is running on a network, all Key Digital App-Ready IP-enabled products on the network are automatically detected and ready for easy access and control. The App also offers multiview and video wall parameter control such as screen modes and bezels selection on the KD-MLV4x2Pro multiview presentation switcher and KD-VW4x4Pro video wall switcher and processor. The Key Digital App is available for free for iPhone and iPad on the Apple App Store and can be run in demo mode.

Modus VR is adding more than 20 popular Crestron products to the Modus VR product library as an initial offering. The solutions span enterprise, unified communications, and residential market segments. Visitors to InfoComm 2021 can experience live use of the immersive Modus VR platform to create room layouts using Crestron products and pretest the viability of their space and technology with advanced accuracy. Demonstrations will be available at the Modus VR exhibit in Booth 3735; training webinars are planned later this year.

"Crestron products are used by the vast majority of both enterprise and residential Modus VR customers," said Modus VR Founder Ken Brueck. "Crestron is recognized as a market leader and has been one of the most requested brands to add to our ever-expanding AV and technology library. We're excited to work closely with them and support our customers and the industry. Collaborating with Crestron also sends a strong message to our customers that we're investing in this sector for the long haul as we continue to focus on the solutions and manufacturers that matter most to our dealers and their clients."

"Modus VR is taking the product specification process to a whole new level with its VR technology," said Bob Bavolacco, Director of Technology Partner Programs for Crestron. "Modus VR provides one of the most effective ways for Crestron dealers to pre-model installations, bring projects to life and reach consensus about even the most complicated projects quickly and efficiently, and Crestron is excited to leverage the benefits of this growing technology."

Related: Modus VR Expands Its Virtual Reality 3D Software into Commercial Design

Over the last several months, many Crestron dealers have been asking for solutions through the Modus VR application. Now, users can now see actual Crestron product specifications, such as audio and occupancy sensor projection patterns, so they will quickly know whether a specific solution is right for their needs, thanks to Modus VR.

Modus VR subscriptions include unlimited use, training and support for the entire suite of Modus Products. Frequent updates to the platform are included with every license and are easily upgraded through the Modus VR Launcher. Using innovative Modus VR technology and consumer-grade VR headsets, integrators and space-planning stakeholders can pretest physical equipment/furniture configurations, demonstrate layouts in true scale and attain consensus for greater satisfaction and faster decision making. Modus VR suite also offers a full portfolio of design tools including remote design sessions without VR equipment, Modus Docs to rapidly generate professional line drawings, Modus Photo for high quality renders and Modus 360 for online viewing of 3D spaces anywhere in the world.

The What: In its first-ever visit to InfoComm, Blustream is spotlighting its latest AV distribution solutions at Booth 3743. On display are Blustream's AMF41W and AMF42AU 4K multiformat presentation switches, the IP250UHD 4K multicast video-over-IP platform featuring Dante(r) integration, and the HEX18G-KIT uncompressed, unconverted 18Gbps HDMI over HDBaseT extender set.

The What Else: The AMF41W presentation switch features four HDMI, AirPlay, and Miracast inputs to a single HDMI output. The unit offers an onboard 2.4/5GHz WiFi hotspot that eliminates the complexity of setting up guest wireless networks and boasts a multi-viewing capability with configurable screen layouts, support for seven concurrent video signals, and more. The AMF42AU presentation switch offers one USB-C and three HDMI 2.0 inputs to one HDBaseT and two HDMI 2.0 outputs. Enhanced features include seamless switching, independent video scaling on outputs, and MIC input with audio mixing.

Adding to the Blustream IP200UHD family of products, the IP250UHD-TX transmitter and IP250UHD-RX video scaling receiver distribute UHD and 4K video with HDCP 2.2 up to 328 feet over a single category or fiber cable. The video-over-IP platform allows integrators to input two audio channels from the video-over-IP system for playout on Dante-enabled devices and extract two channels from the Dante network for playout across the Blustream system.

The HEX18G-KIT supports the HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification, including 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video, and HDCP 2.3/2.2. The HEX18G-TX transmitter and HEX18G-RX receiver support uncompressed distribution of the latest HDR resolutions--including HDR10/10+ and Dolby Vision--for outstanding picture quality. HDMI re-clocking on the HDBaseT receiver helps to resolve HDMI HDCP, compatibility, and handshaking issues. The extender set supports all known HDMI audio formats, in addition to bi-directional IR, RS-232, and power over cable.

The Bottom Line: More information is available at www.blustream-us.com.

Kramer Electronics has partnered with Zignage, a U.S.-based digital signage provider, to bring to market an emergency notification solution that integrates with the Kramer VIA and Kramer Control platforms. Designed specifically for education and enterprise markets, classrooms, and boardrooms, this all-in-one solution will enable critical information in a visual format to reach a large aggregation of students and workers.

This solution will help manage hybrid campuses and workplaces and to escalate alerts in all existing and new displays used for content sharing.  The solution is integrated with any established emergency management systems and propagating the alerts in areas that can't be reached. The Kramer-Zignage solution enables the display take-over in the classroom or boardroom where emergency alert systems have no ability to do so, and alerts students/workers that an emergency is in process. 

The solution includes a generic Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) alert capability with an ability to preset trigger sequence, beyond any on-premises specific solution that an existing emergency alert system does. It enables organizations to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alerts to be completely automated and have it engaged with a designated user acting as a role-based approver, rather than initiator of the message/alert.

“The combination of our wireless sharing and collaboration product line with Zignage software will provide corporations and educational institutions with extended safety features and a seamless way to instantly update the content on digital displays aside from core audio information,” says Kramer VP, Corporate Development and Strategy, Aviv Ron. “This will also help businesses to further advance hybrid ways of collaborating. Connecting physical technology to the digital world through services like Zignage’s expands the capabilities of the Professional AV systems to include digital signage and wayfinding options, in addition to content sharing and video conferencing features.”

“Now more than ever, schools and universities are seeing the value in being able to quickly and efficiently share important information through emergency alerts. We have seen a sharp increase in enquiries about safe-guarding technology and software,” says Zignage CEO Alex Epshteyn. “Our collaboration with Kramer to integrate into technologies being rapidly adopted by the education sector creates a cost-effective and reliable solution to transform ordinary displays into digital signage and wayfinding beacons.”

A studio in Las Vegas is setting a new standard for immersive virtual event spaces. 

COVID-19 forced Marina Worre to relocate multiple events that were to have taken place last year at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Unable to find a space suitable for hosting and interacting with potentially tens of thousands of attendees, Worre got inventive and took on the challenge herself. The result is Worre Studios, a 25,000-square-foot production studio and virtual event space that opened in Las Vegas in December. 

Advanced LED Displays, a division of Agility AVL, designed and integrated Worre Studios, which features 360° curved LED displays with more than 65 million pixels. The integration team chose a Christie Spyder X80 multi-windowing processor to drive content to the massive walls.

Every Seat Is a Front-Row Seat

The space required broadcast-quality audio, video equipment and displays capable of hosting live events with real-time interactivity between hosts and attendees. "The most important aspect in designing the studio was to create a space that gave every attendee a front row seat, as well as the ability to interact with the event hosts," said Worre.

The project began in mid-September 2020, with Advanced LED Displays sourcing LED, trusses, and lighting for the space. "Most LED takes 60 to 90 days to manufacture, so that was a big obstacle right out of the gate. And then determining how long it was going to take us to build it, and install all of the other pieces," said Art Martinez, vice president, business development, Advanced LED Displays.

[ Phoenix Suns Arena Adds Massive Pavilion Video Wall ] 

Martinez and his team designed freestanding curved LED walls. "The walls grew in size, and tightened in radius," Martinez said of the installation. "At that point we knew we needed some serious processing to handle it—and most processors can't handle a wall of this size. It was not an option to do anything other than the Spyder X80."

The Christie Spyder X80 multi-screen windowing processor can control up to 80 million pixels with 24 inputs and 16 outputs, and with image processing in 4K@60Hz. One Spyder X80 was installed to drive content to the wall, and one as a backup.

The two curved video walls are 73 feet wide by 14 feet tall; the other two are 25 feet wide by 14 feet tall. "After the walls were built, Marina asked if I could move one of the large walls to the other end of the room to accommodate space for an audience and prepare for hybrid events in the future. I accepted the challenge and designed a set of tracks recessed into the concrete floor for one of the large walls to move across the room," said Martinez.

In-Person, Virtual, and Hybrid Events

The result is a studio capable of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events, where presenters can seamlessly interact with thousands of participants virtually, reach millions through pretty much any social media channel, stream through platforms including Twitter and YouTube, and host a live audience.

[ Christie Spyder X80 Manages Visuals on 350-Foot LED Wall at One Times Square ] 

"Events are fully interactive, and we host guests from all around the world. With our real-time translation platform, we've removed the language barrier, so everyone can have the same live experience," said Worre. "The studio was built for our needs originally, but given its success and the demand for a pliable space with this technology, it's now available for any event. We have hosted seminars, done product launches using the Spyder that reached more than 10 million viewers, and we even recorded a music video."

[ Christie Spyder Drives Large-Scale LED Displays at Casino Sports Bar ] 

As a result of these needs, selecting a processor that was not only reliable, but had space to handle additional inputs and outputs as needed, was a requirement. "At Agility AVL, we design and build a lot of sports books, and the Spyder is always our go-to because of the number of layers, up to 24, and the options we have on inputs and outputs. It's something only the Spyder has. And the fact that it can handle 80 million pixels."

Worre Studios • www.worrestudios.com

Hall Technologies is moving its headquarters to Dallas and hopes to have the new facility up and running by Dec. 1. This move comes on the heels of Hall's large-scale expansion over the last year.

"Hall set an aggressive plan to rebrand and evolve the company. Part of that plan was moving our operations to Texas," Hall Technologies CEO Jason Schwartz said in a prepared statement. "Why Texas? Texas checked off all the boxes for us. One of the main reasons we selected Texas is because it's a distribution hub. For our U.S. customers this means expedited shipping and that our products will now be in our customers' hands within two days. That helps our clients keep projects on track, on budget and on time. Our headquarters will also house our Hall Experience Center. We will all be living in a HIVE-enabled environment where control is within reach and used throughout our office and the Experience Center for seamless collaboration. We can't wait to host you in our new office and show your first-hand the power and simplicity of our HIVE ecosystem."

"Our new office will be open and inviting, just like our company culture. We've been setting the building blocks for this over the past year with numerous key players being added to the team, the rebranding, as well as new technology being launched. We've built a rock-solid foundation for tremendous growth and opportunity. I'm excited to see our trajectory," adds Hall Technologies VP, Sales and Marketing, Hal Truax.

Grand opening plans are forthcoming.

The What: Blustream is expanding its line of uncompressed, unconverted 18Gbps HDMI over HDBaseT extension solutions. Available now, the HEX18GARC-KIT extender set uses the latest HDBaseT technology for the distribution of bit-for-bit 4K HDMI video and audio up to 328 feet over a single CAT-6A cable, with support for USB 2.0/KVM, eARC, ARC, and 1Gb Ethernet pass-through. The result is a full HDMI and control solution that leverages nearly all the capabilities in the latest HDBaseT technology.

The What Else: The HEX18GARC-KIT supports the HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification, including 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video, and HDCP 2.3/2.2/1.4. The HEX18GARC-TX transmitter and HEX18GARC-RX receiver support uncompressed distribution of the latest HDR resolutions--including HDR10/10+ and Dolby Vision--for outstanding picture quality. HDMI re-clocking on the HDBaseT receiver helps to resolve HDMI HDCP, compatibility, and handshaking issues

The Bottom Line: With support for USB 2.0 at speeds up to 350Mbps, the HEX18GARC-KIT features an integrated 4-port hub with bi-directionality that provides the ultimate in flexibility when deploying KVM or USB accessories to or from the local or remote location. The extender set supports eARC from the display via HDMI and standard ARC from HDMI and optical (S/PDIF) digital inputs. The device supports all known HDMI audio formats--including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master

Extron is partnering with Somfy to combine Extron control capabilities with Somfy powered products for today's smart-building projects. Facility managers and AV professionals will appreciate the simple installation, setup, automation and control that is possible when an Extron control system is integrated with Somfy powered products. A simple press on the Extron touchscreen allows the user to adjust motorized shades and projection screens, and interact with other AV equipment in the room, enhancing the experience and versatility of lecture halls, conference rooms, and meeting spaces.

Through the integration of Somfy powered products and Extron Control System Drivers and Device Modules, you can access even more smart features. Somfy powered products can work in concert with an occupancy sensor, providing touchfree automatic control. This room automation can raise the shades and projection screen when a room is no longer in use or can lower the appropriate shades in preparation for a presentation based upon lighting level in the room. Somfy powers products from leading motorized shade and projector screen manufacturers such as Hunter Douglas, Stewart Filmscreen, Draper, MechoShade and more.

The Extron control processor communicates with the Somfy powered products via standard control protocols. The shades and projector screens then provide a responsive room control experience as part of the complete smart-building solution. Sensors can be used to trigger automated settings for shades and projector screens based on room occupancy, ambient light level, and more.

The What: VuWall is expanding its VuScape product line with the new VuScape VS10 Video Wall Controller. Compact and powerful, the VS10 is designed for small to mid-sized video wall deployments, powering up to 16 displays. It can be used as a destination or to capture and manage hybrid AV, IP, and IT sources, including web pages, RSS feeds, VNC, and more, allowing them to be encoded and distributed in an AV-over-IP-only infrastructure.

The What Else: Versatility being one of its calling cards, the VS10 can also be used as a complete video wall processor. It features four 4K outputs, allowing it to be used as a KVM workstation; decode ADDERLink ipeps+; perform VNC network capture; integrate with Milestone and Genetec video management systems; and decode IP cameras, websites, and local applications.

The Bottom Line: Its compact form factor allows the VS10 to be installed directly behind displays in scenarios where space is an issue. Easy to install, and with inventory to store, it can be replaced on the fly.

Now in its 40th year, FSR is returning to InfoComm with a lineup that includes the new Modular Linx System with a celling box version that comes pre-wired; the latest Smart-Way Raceway platform to be shown with loads of upgrades; feature-rich Floor and Wall Boxes; and the debut of a new 4 x 1 switcher. All the highlights will be shown in Booth 3121 alongside FSR's tried and trusted infrastructure, collaboration and charging solutions as well as its switcher and scaler families.

FSR's new Modular Linx System (MLS) links it all together. The robust and expandable power platform provides adaptable technology for a flexible workplace, giving team members easy access to power and data for increased employee productivity. The MLS is reconfigurable below the work surface for smaller spaces or expandable as more workstations are added. Interconnecting cables range from two- to eight-feet lengths with connecting cables able to be strung together for longer lengths or to create a separation point. The MLS distribution box stays out of sight, keeping the work surface clear but still keeping it power enabled.

FSR is also introducing CB-MLS, ceiling boxes pre-wired with an MLS starter cable for streamlined installation and power connectivity. With CB-MLS, the electrical contractor can install and power the MLS starter cable at any time during the initial construction phase eliminating the need for multiple return visits to connect AC to the ceiling box after the unit has been hung.

FSR's Smart-Way Raceway is an easy, cost-effective way to get power, data and AV across the room to where it's needed making it the intelligent choice for offices, conference rooms, collaborative work environments or anywhere wire management is desired. A single solution that serves a dual purpose, Smart-Way comes complete with two pairs of edging that allow installation in, or on any carpet, wood, tile, or laminate flooring between .21 inches to .38 nches high, without the need to purchase additional parts

FSR's Smart-Way floor raceway system provides in-feed options to transition power and low voltage cables from the wall, ceiling or below the floor. A female connector bracket installed in the furniture feed device box of the Smart-Way gives it the ability to provide power to the Modular Linx System. The Smart-Way provides the capability to turn 45-degree or 90-degree corners with cables to meet the layout of any room configuration. The kits transition the cables seamlessly around a corner without compromising the minimal bend radius. The two-part tee allows cables to run in both directions to reach the required destination without any complications.

The FL-400 Floor Box features innovative design, quality, durability and longevity--the cornerstones of all FSR floor boxes. The premium five-inch depth box can be installed in wood, concrete or raised access flooring, challenging the concept that only specific floor boxes can be used for specific floor types. The FL-400's cutting edge design allows for a fully divided 4-gang or semi-divided/undivided 5-gang internal configuration. Using this system, both high and low voltage configurations, along with compartment isolation, can be implemented "on the fly" making just about any cabling/connector scenario possible. 

The PWB-CMU8 is a dedicated flat panel project box engineered for installation in eight-inch block walls for education and commercial facilities. The all-metal CMU8 is designed to replace the front of one block to create an attractive surface with no visible jagged block edges once painted. With its 1.5-inch KOs for conduit centered on the opening in the most common two-hole CMU blocks and its included construction cover, design and installation are a breeze.

The DV-T6SS4K-41A is a multi-format presentation scaling switcher with four HDMI inputs and one output. It allows any HDMI source to be shown on the main output display with a breathtaking 4K scaled output. This switcher provides a seamless, automated collaboration system that is simple to use. Just plug in the source and the DV-T6SS4K-41A switches itself and the display on (via CEC or RS-232) and goes to that input. Plug a new source in and the switcher will automatically go to the new input.

The What: Black Box is launching the MCX G2 series, the next generation of the company's MCX multimedia distribution and management system. The MCX G2 series features the performance of the original S9 and S7 series but adds several market-leading features including outstanding source-to-screen latency (less than 18 microseconds), one-port or two-port encoding devices, a video loop-through connection, USB-C and three-port USB 2.0 connectivity, and PoE capability. These features provide for a more flexible solution, faster design/implementation and lower overall cost. 

The What Else: The Black Box MCX takes advantage of SDVoE and modern 10 GbE infrastructure to allow AV and data payloads to exist on the same IT networks. Through advanced chipset technology, common control APIs and interoperability, SDVoE technology ensures zero latency and uncompromised video while offering significant cost savings along with enhanced system flexibility and scalability.

The Bottom Line: Rather than deploy an entirely new network, users can take advantage of the software-defined solution to leverage existing infrastructure for delivery of better-quality audio and video, which can translate to greater customer satisfaction and faster time to revenue.

The What: Extron is upgrading its presentation switchers with quad-core control processors for ultra-fast, dependable and secure performance. The new IPCP Q models within the DTP CrossPoint Series and IN Presentation Switcher Series feature Extron's latest, most powerful control processors.

The What Else: The Extron DTP CrossPoint 4K Series delivers all of the technologically advanced capabilities required to design and integrate an AV system in one enclosure. These versatile matrix switchers are available in 10 x 8, 8 x 6, 8 x 4 and 8 x 2 sizes. They include 4K inputs and outputs, built-in Extron Vector 4K scaling technology, integrated DTP and XTP signal extension, comprehensive audio DSP capabilities with built-in AEC, an integrated audio power amplifier, and a built-in control processor for complete AV system control. 

The DTP2 CrossPoint 82 delivers all the core functionality of a conventional AV system, in a single enclosure that replaces as many as ten separate components. In addition to saving substantial space in a rack, the compact enclosure makes it easy to standardize on a common system design throughout a facility, and to adapt this DTP2 CrossPoint matrix switcher to many different environments where equipment space may be limited.

The IN1808 Series, eight-input seamless presentation switchers with 18 Gbps support and uncompromised 4K/60 @ 4:4:4 video scaling. They feature the Extron-exclusive Vector 4K scaling engine with 30-bit internal video processing for outstanding image upscaling and downscaling.

The IN1608 xi can serve as the central component for audio system integration. It includes eight-input audio switching, two mic/line inputs, HDMI audio embedding and de-embedding, and several audio processing features for mixing, ducking, tone adjustments, and more.

The Bottom Line: Extron's new quad-control processors deliver significantly enhanced processing power and offer up to four times more memory for increased deployment speeds and improved runtime functionality. This new series is designed to excel within even the most demanding AV applications.

The What: Atlona is expanding the range of deployment options for its Velocity IP-enabled AV control platform with the launch of the all-in-one AT-VTPG-1000VL. The new device combines a 10-inch touch panel with an integrated Velocity gateway, simplifying installations that require control of only a single room or AV system.

The What Else: The VTPG-1000VL's 10-inch capacitive touch surface features 1280 x 800 native resolution and provides a large graphical user interface area for easy management of sophisticated control applications. Contemporary, refined styling complements any modern AV environment, while bright LED lighting surrounding the panel's outer frame adds emphasis to AV control functions or visibility to room scheduling status.

The new touch panel's integrated Velocity gateway supports AV system control for one room with up to 24 devices and two scheduling panels, eliminating the need for additional control processors and the space to support them. Intuitive, browser-based configuration enables fast and easy setup by guiding users through adding AV equipment to the room; selecting or customizing user interfaces; and specifying control macros.

Velocity's IP-based architecture reduces components and simplifies cabling by controlling multiple AV devices through the Ethernet connection of the VTPG-1000VL. For AV devices that do not support IP control, Atlona's VCC line of IP command converters offer compatibility with RS-232, IR, and relay/sensor control signals.

The Bottom Line: The VTPG-1000VL is available in black or white versions and includes a dual-purpose glass and wall mount compatible with one-gang US, UK, and EU openings. The optional AT-VTP-VTM tabletop kit enables freestanding placement on a meeting table or lectern, while a standard VESA 75 standard mounting hole pattern provides compatibility with third-party mounts. The VTPG-1000VL is available immediately through Atlona's global network of authorized channel partners.

The What: Adding to the company's line of narrow-pixel-pitch display products, Daktronics is releasing the NPN-6400. This product leverages a new LED technology that increases both contrast and durability while featuring pixel pitch options of 0.7 and 0.9 mm.

The What Else: Tight pixel pitches of 0.7 and 0.9 mm are ideal for very close viewing, where 4K can be achieved in 138 inches and 165 inches diagonally, respectively. Pixel pitches of 1.2 and 1.5 mm are also available in this new product line to achieve 4K in 220 inches and 275 inches diagonally, respectively.

The NPN-6400 product line is built on Daktronics' proprietary Pure Pixel Processing signal platform and uses Daktronics-engineered DI-6000 display interface.

The Bottom Line: Applications where this technology is best suited include command and control rooms, conference and board rooms, auditoriums, and any setting where the audience may be within an arm's reach of the display and rich contrast is valued. The product was built with the professional audiovisual industry in mind and is Buy American Act (BAA) compliant.

The What: PowerVision Tech has officially released its new industrial drone system, PowerVision True Unmanned Aerial Solution, delivering the promise of drones for remote, autonomous data collection missions. The solution deeply integrates the PowerVision Dock, PowerEgg X 8K drone and the PowerVision Cloud web-based software platform.

The What Else: Within the True Unmanned Aerial Solution, PowerVision has solved many limits to deployments of legacy drones, such as limits to range, complex operations and high cost. Now data acquisition drones can be deployed at scale as data acquisition infrastructure, instead of tools to be operated on individual missions.

In order to meet the special demands for the power industry, the PowerVision “True Unmanned Aerial” Solution also supports centimeter-level positioning, solar power supply and transmission extension antennas, which makes deployments more accurate, independent and reliable.

Powered by artificial intelligence, the PowerVision True Unmanned Aerial System streamlines the drone's takeoff, flight, dynamic mission and return to the charging dock autonomously. A single installed solution can cover an area with a radius of 3.1 miles (5km). Multiple units can be connected and installed in an area to cover the large-scale infrastructure projects or assets.

The Bottom Line: This solution can be used widely across countless applications, such as powerline inspections, environmental compliance, O&G asset inspections, facility security, GIS, surveying and mapping.

In an industry governed by flux, there are notable constants. We’re grateful for them. We rely on their steadiness. Their unshakeable presence. Like lighthouses.

Crestron is such a beacon. With its dedication to quality—of its technologies and its relationships—Crestron has become a globally influential, billion-dollar company.

The name Crestron has become synonymous with AV, and it continues to set the pace for workplace technologies, automation, and unified communication (UC) solutions for organizations across virtually every commercial and residential market. Fifty percent of Fortune 500 corporations are Crestron clients, as are the top educational campuses, governmental and transport facilities, and more. Since its founding, in 1971, Crestron has been designing the software and hardware solutions that keep people connected—wherever they are. More than 90 offices across 100 countries back the company’s products, providing sales, concierge-level support, and training.

How does Crestron, a name as familiar as the word audiovisual, manage to stay two steps ahead of the trends?

The culture of excellence starts at the top.

Crestron’s Randy Klein has been a tried-and-true guardian of the Crestron vision and mission for more than 30 years. The last eight years, Klein has served as president and CEO. With that record of success firmly in place, Randy Klein will be retiring in the autumn of 2021 on a high note. Daniel Feldstein, current chairman and COO and the son of Crestron founder George Feldstein, will assume the role of president and CEO.

With great pride in Crestron’s achievements, confidence in the future, and gratitude for his own AV journey, Randy Klein shared some gems of characteristically positive  wisdom.

Culture of Dedication

The ripple effects of COVID have shaken industries large and small, but Crestron is in a “better place than it has ever been,” Klein said. The company thrived during the past 16 months, and they are eager to open new chapters of R&D and channel growth.

As the business landscape continues to shift, Crestron will maintain its commitment to engage with its community, invest, and iterate to meet the needs of an ever-expanding marketplace.  

“We Did It the Hard Way.”

With Randy Klein, there are no shortcuts. “I'm a 100 percenter,” he said. “This industry has been my life.”

For the past three decades, Klein has put his energy and passion into the daily work of growing Crestron—striving to build something truly remarkable. It was a tremendous honor to build on the legacy of George Feldstein, Crestron’s founder, who was “like a father” to Klein.

“Could I ever have imagined we would have achieved this?” Klein enthused. “Not in anybody's wildest dreams. I don't think anybody could. We went from from $1 million, to well over $1 billion.”

Klein shares the billion-dollar figure in context, not to focus on how massive Crestron has become, but of how the team did it. Every single employee at Crestron was crucial to the company’s success.

“What I'm most proud of is that we that did it one product and one customer and one sale at a time,” Klein noted. “Our core belief and our core principles have always been centered around products, people, our customers, and sales. We did it the old-fashioned way. Not through all this other fancy roll-up stuff. We never bought anybody in our life. We did it the hard way.”

Always Revolutionary

Klein fondly recalled early spirited “debates at InfoComm,” fielding complaints that he and Crestron were going to ruin the industry by letting the “computer people” join the AV party.

Here’s how he views it: “We were the first people to discuss digital. I say this in all humility—we singlehandedly transformed the analog industry into a digital industry.”

It was a passion—an obsession, arguably—for which Crestron was criticized. But the team trusted their instincts. They saw the momentum for digital and the migration to mobile devices as inevitable. And the industry is better for it.

 Always Moving Forward

Crestron’s knack for forecasting consumer habits and technology trends—from AV over IP to the cloud—will serve it well, after COVID and well beyond. Klein is confident that the Crestron mission and methodology will continue to carve the paths forward.

“Our resellers [are empowered] to support their users,” he stated. “It is another one of those ways we lead the industry. We help [our resellers] be efficient, help them ensure that they deliver installations that work, every time. That means they're keeping our customers happy. The technology involved evolves in many ways. Some of it is the physical box. Some of it is the software and the UI. And some of it is the tools for how you deploy and support that. It’s really us taking that next step into the future,” Klein said.

Balanced but Confident

Technology is one key to the puzzle, but nurturing talent, offering best-in-class technical training, and raising awareness are also important. Klein remarked: “I’m proud of our commitment and continual work on relationships. We are making huge progress. We've been out there at the forefront forever—teaching people how to program, moving from analog to digital, and the list goes on. But you don't get to do that without sticking your neck out there.”

As the president of Crestron for nearly a decade, Klein knows that embracing change carries risk. Through his tenure, though, he has maintained one solid, core principle: “Never bet the ranch on everything.”

With balance as a centering philosophy, Klein believes that to grow meaningfully, you must take “measured steps forward,” continually, day after day. The alternative is to “lose your balance,” he said.

It’s the delicate balance between smart investment and consistent innovation that has kept Crestron ascending.

Highlights

The return-on-investment equation is an easy one for Crestron. Two recent highlights tell the story. USC, for instance, is the company’s largest educational install to date, with 300 classrooms that are Flex-enabled. It’s also XiO Cloud-connected to 4,000 endpoints across campus.

[ USC Makes Campus-Wide Pivot to Hybrid Learning ] 

In the enterprise, one look at the Williams and Corning companies reveal how Crestron is at the top of its field. Williams, a Fortune 500 company responsible for supplying 30 percent of the natural gas in the United States, has a full Crestron Flex/Microsoft Teams deployment. The installation is “spectacular,” said Klein.

All Heart

As with most profound changes, Klein’s retirement is “bittersweet,” he said.

“There are some days, I can't believe it. Some days, I am excited. But, as I tell everybody: I know I'm leaving the premises, in body, but never in heart and spirit.”

A luminous promise from an AV pioneer.

Randy Klein’s immense contribution will continue to make a lasting impression.

Related:

Randy Klein to Retire from Crestron

IMCCA Honors Randy Klein, Eric Yuan with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Crestron’s Klein Shares Roadmap at NEXT 2020

The What: ClearOne's new camera control module for AMX Netlinx series control systems is designed to work with ClearOne's BMA 360 Beamforming Microphone Array Ceiling Tile and ClearOne's UNITE 200, or any other pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera that complies with the VISCA control protocol.

The new module  simplifies configuration of the BMA 360's camera control feature and comes with an easy-to-use graphical interface that associates PTZ presets in the camera with BMA 360 Beam Reports.

The What Else: When a local talker activates a given beam in the BMA 360, the control module recalls the associated PTZ preset in the camera. The module also supports returning the camera to a "home" position after a period of no voice activity.

Previously, ClearOne provided sample code and command documentation to help AMX programmers build their own custom camera control modules. While that gave AMX programmers increased flexibility, ClearOne's customers asked for a pre-programmed solution that would cover most camera tracking applications. The new module developed by ClearOne represents a product-quality implementation for control of up to two PTZ cameras per AMX module that is ready for immediate deployment by AV integrators. Multiple instances of this module can be configured to control more than two cameras.

The Bottom Line: According to the company, the new AMX module will save a significant amount of time and labor cost for BMA 360 camera control applications. It is now available as a free software download at www.clearone.com.

The What: Extron is introducing the TLI Pro 201 TouchLink Interface. The TLI Pro 201 allows a third-party 4K touchscreen display to be used as a point of control within an Extron IP Link Pro or Pro xi control system.

The What Else: This unique interface includes a scaled HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI input for video preview, supporting resolutions up to 4K/30. The scaled output supports signal resolutions up to 4K/30 at 4:4:4. The TLI Pro 201 has an embedded universal interactive display driver that supports most touchscreens. In addition, it also features the convenience of PoE, which allows it to receive power and communication over a single Ethernet cable.

The Bottom Line: As with all TouchLink Pro touch panels, the TLI Pro 201 operates using a standard network infrastructure and is easy to install with reliable and cost-effective Ethernet cable. All TouchLink Pro products are customized using Extron GUI Designer software. This powerful interface design software offers ready-to-use resource kits to help design a wide variety of interfaces for rooms and presentation environments.

The What: A virtualized version of the company’s popular WR-5 remote is an upshot of Ashly Audio upgrading its AquaControl software suite.

The What Else: The virtual WR-5 remote operates on commonly used touchscreen devices, allowing end users to quickly and easily control their on-site audio systems with the tap of a digital button. The software also includes additional notifications for preset recall and import, improvements to tips and warnings, and the ability to save and load individual presets to and from files and templates.

The Bottom Line: The upgraded software is part of Ashly's commitment to long-term support of its overall audio solutions platform. In April, Ashly announced an overhaul of its ducker within the AquaControl software that brings improved flexibility and smoothness of operation, free from incorrect triggering and uncomfortable volume changes. This enabled greater customization of priority signal management to deliver a better customer experience in schools, hotels, retail stores and restaurants. The upgrades are part of AquaControl firmware release v1.2.4, available as a free download at www.ashly.com/firmware-updates

The What: Magewell is introducing its new Magewell Cloud multi-device management software. Available free of charge for installation on an on-premises server or cloud hosting platform, the Magewell Cloud software provides centralized configuration and control of multiple Magewell IP encoders and decoders plus powerful stream management features including protocol conversion and SRT gateway functionality.

The What Else: Magewell Cloud supports remote management of all of the company's current hardware solutions for streaming and IP conversion. These include the Ultra Stream family of live streaming and recording appliances; the recently introduced Ultra Encode series of universal live media encoders; and the Pro Convert portfolio of encoders and decoders for bridging traditional video and audio signals with IP media networks using NDI technology and other popular protocols.

Once the Magewell hardware devices have been registered to a Magewell Cloud installation, users can remotely configure device parameters, monitor the status of each device, trigger operational functions--such as starting or stopping encoding--and perform batch firmware upgrades across multiple units of the same model. Administrators can also group devices together and assign permissions for different devices or groups.

The Bottom Line: The Magewell Cloud software is now in beta testing, with general availability expected later in Q3. Users interested in beta testing a pre-release version of the software are invited to submit a request through the Magewell website at www.magewell.com/magewell-cloud.

The What: Extron is now shipping its IPL EXP Series, an easy and secure way to expand AV control. These expansion interfaces pair exclusively with Extron's IPCP Pro xi Series of control processors, which are securely configured with Global Configurator Professional or programmed with Global Scripter. They feature the convenience of PoE and can be controlled, monitored and accessed over the user's network.

The What Else: All the compact control expansion solutions are housed in durable 1U quarter-rack enclosures and offer a broad variety of port types as well as mounting options. The IPL EXP S2, IPL EXP S5 and IPL EXP RIO8 are available now. The IPL EXP 200 will be available at a later date.

The Bottom Line: All models in the IPL EXP I/O Series are housed in a 1 RU, quarter-rack-width enclosures and are rack-mountable using an optional rack shelf. They can also mount on or under tables, lecterns on projector poles, and table legs using an optional Extron ZipClip 200 mounting kit.

The What: tvONE's CORIOmaster video wall processor range can now be controlled by Biamp's Neets product line, thanks to some nifty driver innovations from Biamp's new family of AV control systems.

The What Else: tvONE approached Biamp with a view to enhancing integration between products that would harness the simple UI of the Neets product line to control basic functionality of the CORIOmaster processors. Biamp responded with new drivers for Neets control panels that operate the CORIOmaster family of products simply, efficiently and intuitively. The new drivers enable commands including on/off, source select and preset recall. The drivers are generic and can be used on all future applications where Neets control products and CORIOmaster products are used.

The Bottom Line: The Neets control integration announcement comes hot-on-the-heels of tvONE's software and firmware update for the CORIOmaster2, which offers a wealth of advanced new features, enabling video professionals to create augmented 4K/8K (4K60 4:4:4) video experiences for high-end LED installation, projection edge blends or monitor walls. Additionally, the updates have the potential to enhance a host of application uses, including in healthcare, broadcast, e-sports, live events, education and corporate environments.

The What: Datapath has upgraded its VSN400 video wall controller with a high-performance motherboard for improved performance and support for the latest Intel processors. The updated VSN400 now supports Intel's 10th generation Ice Lake Core i5 processor, with the option to upgrade to intel's Core i7 or i9 where required. In addition, customers can select an optional 128GB RAM upgrade, available for projects that require high performance application support.

The What Else: Datapath's VSN400 is designed for video wall and multi-screen displays applications that require a balanced number of HD capture cards and HD video inputs. When matched with Datapath's broad portfolio of capture cards and graphics cards, the VSN400 can provide up to 64 HD outputs, or 16 outputs in 4K. Combinations of capture cards and graphics card can be matched to users' requirements—Image4K graphics cards and VisionSC-UHD2 capture cards can be combined to provide a true 4K input/4K output system, for example.

The Bottom Line: Designed to work with Datapath's latest Aetria solution, as well as the company's WallControl 10 management software, Datapath's VSN400 is available now.

The What: LEA Professional is strengthening network security with its new 802.1X security protocol for the company's range of Connect Series amplifiers.

The What Else: 802.1X is an IEEE Standard for Port-Based Network Access Control that provides protected authentication for devices on the network and provides secure network access. 802.1X defines authentication controls for any user or device trying to access a LAN or WLAN.

The Bottom Line: This new feature further protects data and equipment from a cyberattack, while also preventing rogue devices from connecting to the local network and releasing viruses, malware or allowing man-in-the-middle attacks.

The What: Genelec is honoring the 15th anniversary of its GLM loudspeaker manager software with the introduction of GLM 4.1, which is compatible with all Genelec Smart Active Monitors and subwoofers. This update offers significant new features and improvements, thanks to the debut of the next-generation AutoCal 2 automatic room calibration algorithm, which delivers a more precise frequency response in a fraction of the time than was previously possible.

The What Else: Drawing on the data from thousands of real-world room calibrations, GLM 4.1 gives the user supreme control over a room's detrimental acoustic influences, producing mixes that translate even more consistently to other rooms and playback systems. Originally introduced in 2006 and based on decades of research, GLM integrates seamlessly with the intelligent DSP hardware within each Genelec Smart Active Monitor, allowing each monitor and subwoofer to be networked, configured and individually calibrated for the user's specific acoustic environment.

GLM's reference microphone kit allows the user's room acoustics to be accurately analyzed, after which each monitor and subwoofer can be automatically calibrated for relative level and relative distance delay, plus subwoofer crossover phase and frequency response. At that point the user has many options for personalization if required, including the calibration of absolute listening level in dB SPL, according to global broadcast, OTT, gaming and film standards. This level of flexibility makes GLM the ideal tool both for users looking to fine tune an already excellent room, and for those working in more challenging spaces not originally designed for creative use.

GLM 4.1's new AutoCal 2 feature takes advantage of detailed background information of each monitor in a system, producing a quicker and more accurate discrimination between direct and reflected sound. The fast calibration speed is further enhanced by a completely new 64-bit architecture and fresh, lean code. GLM 4.1 is therefore a powerful tool for mobile audio engineers and creatives who are regularly working in different locations.

The Bottom Line: With the wide range of listening rooms being used for production today, GLM 4.1 specifically improves the calibration of spaces that are more acoustically "lively" than was once the norm, and assists those choosing to monitor at ultra-nearfield (UNF) distances right down to 50 cms, which is now growing in popularity as a bridge between in-room and headphone monitoring.