The What: Sony has announced the BZ35J and BZ30J series displays, which join the previously announced 32-inch FW-32BZ30J model in Sony’s 4K HDR Bravia professional display line. The new models, which range in size from 43 to 75 inches, accommodate corporate and education environments of varying sizes, from large conference rooms and lecture halls to small meeting rooms and huddle spaces, as well as diverse digital signage applications.

The What Else: The high-end BZ35J series, which achieves a brightness of 560–570 nits with a refresh rate of 120Hz, includes the 50-inch FW-50BZ35J and 43-inch FW-43BZ35J.

The mid-range BZ30J lineup, which achieves 440 nits brightness with a refresh rate of 60Hz, includes the 75-inch FW-75BZ30J, 65-inch FW-65BZ30J, 55-inch FW-55BZ30J, 50-inch FW-50BZ30J, and 43-inch FW-43BZ30J. These BZ30J models join the previously announced 32-inch FW-32BZ30J, which offers a brightness of 300 nits.

[The Technology Manager's Guide to the New Era of Digital Signage]

The new BRAVIA displays incorporate Pro Mode, which enables users to customize settings to suit different behaviors based on applications and environments, while One Step Setting allows for quick optimization.

IP control allows for easy installation and integration through support from key partners. Additionally, display mirroring capabilities on the new models provides connectivity through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and both Chromecast built-in and Apple AirPlay 2, allowing for a quick and easy connection from a user’s device.

Both new BRAVIA professional series include a new System on a Chip (SoC) platform, with a built-in Android OS system, that offers an upgraded interface for ease of use, fast boot-up and seamless application integration.

The new displays offer installation-friendly terminals that provide flexibility to meet the demands of the B2B market. They also feature Sony’s latest 4K HDR processor X1, which enhances color, contrast, clarity and motion, as well as TRILUMINOS PRO technology to produce realistic imagery with a wide range of vivid colors.

The Bottom Line: Sony’s portfolio of BRAVIA 4K HDR Professional Displays, including the BZ35J and BZ30J models, is available in sizes ranging from 32 inches up to 100 inches. In North America, the BZ30J series and FW-50BZ35J are expected in the summer, while the FW-43BZ35J is planned for the fall.

More Sony BRAVIA News

Sony Unveils Redesigned Bravia 4K HDR BZ40H Series • Models in Sony’s new BRAVIA BZ40H series of 4K HDR professional displays for the commercial market include the 55-inch FW-55BZ40H, 65-inch FW-65BZ40H, 75-inch FW-75BZ40H, and 85-inch FW-85BZ40H.

TSItouch Brings Touch Operation to BRAVIA Displays • The 55-, 65- and 75-inch models of Sony’s BRAVIA BZ40H professional displays are gaining touchscreen capabilities with the addition of infrared multitouch technology from interactive specialist TSItouch. TSItouch Pulse Type IR technology can detect virtually any input—including a finger, gloved finger, stylus, or pen—and enables multitouch for up to 10 simultaneous touch points.

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

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

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

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

As 2018 draws to a close, consumer interest in 4K UHD continues to climb, receiving a further push due to average retail prices reaching parity with HDTV sets, according to the latest market tracking report from Futuresource Consulting.

“This year, we’re expecting annual 4K UHD TV shipments to power past 100 million units,” said Tristan Veale, market analyst at Futuresource, “and the market will continue to grow with double-digit CAGR throughout our forecasting period to 2022.

“What’s more, high dynamic range—HDR—is beginning to make its presence felt and will be included in over half of all 4K UHD TVs sold worldwide in 2018, though consumer understanding remains limited.”

The Word From the Regions

Looking to the regions, Asia Pacific leads the way in volume, helped along by China, the largest single market for 4K UHD. North America has also seen strong uptake of 4K UHD, with rapidly declining prices and a general preference for larger screens to match the larger-than-average homes in the region. In Europe, the positive picture continues, with Futuresource anticipating shipments to grow by 30 percent this year.

Hardware Beyond the TV Set

The global UHD Blu-ray player market continues to swell, with this year’s shipments on track to almost double the installed base of standalone players. UHD-compatible media streamers are also pushing forward, with shipments rising over 85 percent year-on-year in 2018, accounting for nearly half of all media streamer shipments. Games consoles are also playing their part, significantly increasing the installed base of UHD Blu-ray capable homes and bolstered by consumers updating consoles and taking advantage of upgrades available for both the PlayStation and Xbox.

The Outlook for UHD Content

“When it comes to the content, SVoD remains the primary gateway for consumers to get their UHD fix,” said Veale. “Netflix is the key service driving UHD SVoD spend. Depending on the country, around 20 percent to 30 percent of subscribers have opted for the UHD premium tier.

“UHD Blu-ray content continues to progress ahead of the expectations of many, with global consumer spend on track to reach $360 million this year. UHD Blu-ray has held onto its price premium and, as a result, consumer spend continues to outperform digital sell-through of UHD, despite the volumes being almost identical.

“Broadcast UHD has also received a welcome boost in 2018, with February’s Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup accelerating many broadcasters’ plans to introduce 4K UHD coverage, making high-quality streams available. However, for wider uptake, a reduction in the cost to deliver UHD and HD broadcasts simultaneously is needed. IP delivery is expected to be key to this, at least in the short to medium term.”

The What: Atlona has added a new feature to its OmniStream AV-over-IP platform that will enable distribution of 4K video with Dolby Vision dynamic HDR over standard, off-the-shelf gigabit Ethernet data networks. This capability, unique to Atlona, will soon be available as a licensed feature update to the OmniStream Pro and R-Type Series for commercial and residential networked AV applications, respectively.

The What Else: Dolby Vision is considered an industry leader in terms of its potential to deliver the best possible HDR viewing experience. However, extension and distribution of 4K video with Dolby Vision HDR has been a substantial challenge for AV integrators and manufacturers. AV-over-IP systems currently offer HDR10 or HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) compatibility but not Dolby Vision. Some HDBaseT systems include video compression for 4K HDR, and may be compatible with Dolby Vision, but only at 24 or 30Hz, according to Atlona.

Atlona has developed an algorithm that enables full preservation of Dolby Vision HDR metadata while maintaining visually lossless image encoding and decoding, for full interoperability with Dolby Vision HDR streaming media players, Ultra HD Blu-ray devices, and displays.

In addition to Dolby Vision, OmniStream offers license-free compatibility with HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) at 60Hz.

“Everyone is aware that Dolby Vision with dynamic HDR delivers the best quality images, but the problem is that AV-over-IP systems as well as uncompressed video distribution systems being installed today are not fully compatible, possibly leading to many customer complaints down the line,” said David Shamir, director of product management, Atlona.

The Bottom Line: Atlona’s OmniStream AV-over-IP product line overcomes the limitation of typical video distribution systems over gigabit Ethernet networks that eliminate the metadata necessary for Dolby Vision 12-bit at 60-frame-per-second playback, or uncompressed distribution systems that are limited to only 30 frames per second.

Atlona will demonstrate OmniStream with Dolby Vision at Booth 3015 during the 2018 CEDIA Expo (September 6-8, San Diego Convention Center).

The What: Extron has introduced two new high-performance HDMI switchers that support data rates up to 18Gbps and signals up to 4K60 with 4:4:4 color sampling. The six-input SW6 HD 4K PLUS and the eight-input SW8 HD 4K PLUS are HDCP 2.2 compliant, and support HDR, 12‑bit Deep Color, 3D, and HD lossless audio formats.

The What Else: To enhance and simplify integration, the SW HD 4K PLUS Series provides integrator-friendly features, including automatic input cable equalization, automatic color bit depth management, indicators for monitoring and troubleshooting, as well as peripheral device power on the output. Automatic input cable equalization corrects for signal loss due to lengthy input cables, ensuring signal integrity up to 25 feet (7.6 meters), when used with Extron HDMI Pro Series cable. The SW HD 4K PLUS Series automatically adjusts color bit depth based on the display EDID, preventing color compatibility conflicts between source and display.

Front-panel LED indicators provide immediate visual confirmation of HDCP authentication and signal presence for each input and output. If HDCP-encrypted content is transmitted to a non‑compliant display, a full-screen green signal provides immediate visual confirmation that protected content cannot be viewed on that display. The SW HD 4K PLUS Series also provides +5VDC, 250mA on the HDMI output for powering peripheral devices such as an Extron HD 4K 101 Plus cable equalizer.

"AV designers and integrators have asked for larger 4K60 HDMI switchers that include the same robust feature set as the SW HD 4K PLUS two- and four-input models," said Casey Hall, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Extron. "The new SW6 HD 4K PLUS and SW8 HD 4K PLUS provide the same reliable signal switching of 4K60 at 4:4:4 and user-friendly Ethernet monitoring and control for larger AV system designs."

The Bottom Line: The switchers are designed to be easy to operate using front-panel controls or auto-switching. Ethernet, RS‑232, and contact closure ports provide options for integration with any control system. Both models feature EDID Minder, which maintains continuous EDID communication with connected devices and ensures that the HDMI sources power up properly and maintain correct video output.

The What: Atlona has taken the wraps off its AT-HDR-M2C-QUAD multi-channel audio converter, the company’s newest problem-solver device designed to address next-generation residential and commercial integration requirements.

The What Else: The HDR-M2C-QUAD extracts, decodes, and downmixes multi-channel PCM, Dolby, and DTS audio from four HDMI sources simultaneously, including HDR-enhanced 4K/UHD signals. Atlona will showcase the now-shipping de-embedder and downmixer in booth 3015 at the 2018 CEDIA Expo, taking place Sept. 4-8 in San Diego.

Bringing the downmixing capabilities of Atlona’s popular AT-HDR-M2C to four simultaneous HDMI inputs in a single, 1U, rack-mountable unit, the HDR-M2C-QUAD enables easy integration of multiple HDMI audio sources into whole-house and other distributed audio systems. TOSLINK digital and unbalanced analog audio outputs deliver stereo downmixed audio to displays, multi-zone audio amplifiers and other audio systems, while the ability to pass through each HDMI input to a corresponding HDMI output without downmixing enables flexible integration with Atlona matrix switchers including the AT-HDR-H2H series and AT-UHD-PRO family.

The AT-HDR-M2C-QUAD supports HDMI signals up to 4K/UHD at 60 Hz with 4:4:4 chroma sampling with data rates up to 18 Gbps, and can de-embed HDMI audio with or without being connected to a display or other HDMI destination. HDCP 2.2 compliant and capable of handling all video resolutions, audio formats and color spaces encompassed by the HDMI 2.0b specification, the new audio converter is also compatible with High Dynamic Range formats including 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision at 60 Hz.

The Bottom Line: Integrated audio volume, bass, and treble adjustments eliminate the need for an external DSP to change gain and tone settings, and can be controlled over an IP network through the device’s built-in web interface, the Atlona Management System (AMS 2.0) software, Atlona’s Velocity IP-based AV control platform or third-party control systems.

The HDR-M2C-QUAD is now shipping and is backed by Atlona’s award-winning 10-year limited product warranty and customer support services.

The What: tvONE has begun shipping the 1T-DA-68x Distribution Amplifier series. The series includes 1T-DA-682 (1x2 HDMI 2.0 DA), 1T-DA-684 (1x4 HDMI 2.0 DA), and 1T-DA-688 (1x8 HDMI 2.0 DA).

The What Else: The 1T-DA-68x Distribution Amplifier series provides a high-performance solution for distributing HDMI signals with video output up to 4K2K@60Hz (YUV444) resolutions and HDR (High Dynamic Range Imaging) support, which gives the most life-like video experience.

“We are very excited to offer such powerful HDMI 2.0 devices,” said tvONE global product manager, Mark Armon. “The need to distribute extremely high-quality video and HDCP 2.2 continues to grow and these DAs will help integrators with their solutions.”

The Bottom Line: Support is also offered for up to 32 audio channels with sampling rates up to 192kHz and pass-through of 7.1 channels of digital audio, including high-resolution digital audio formats such as LPCM 7.1CH, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby Atmos. A screw-on power adapter cable prevents inadvertent disconnection of power and integrated flanges allow for easy mounting to a wall or under a table.

The What: Atlona has begun shipping the JunoX 451 HDBT (AT-JUNO-451-HDBT) HDMI and HDBaseT switcher for high dynamic range (HDR) formats, the latest entry in the company’s range of HDR-enabled 4K/UHD signal routing solutions.

The What Else: Combining the features of the JunoX 451 (AT-JUNO-451) 4x1 HDMI switcher with the benefits of HDBaseT for transporting signals over longer distances, the JunoX 451 HDBT features three HDMI inputs alongside one HDBaseT input for receiving video, embedded audio, and Ethernet over Cat-6a or Cat-7 cable up to 330 feet (100 meters). Automatic input selection using hot plug detect (HPD) and active video detection technology intelligently switches between inputs without user intervention when a new source is connected.

The JunoX 451 HDBT supports 4K/UHD video at 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma sampling and is compliant with the HDCP 2.2 content protection specification. Able to pass metadata for HDR content, the Juno X 451 HDBT supports the 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR formats at 60Hz. The new switcher is compatible with all video resolutions, audio formats, and color spaces in the HDMI 2.0b specification, ensuring interoperability with new and emerging 4K/UHD source and display devices.

HDMI audio de-embedding extracts two-channel PCM or multi-channel bitstream audio to the switcher’s TOSLINK optical digital audio output for flexible integration. The JunoX 451 HDBT offers TCP/IP, RS-232, and IR control capabilities and can be configured and managed over a network through its integrated web interface, the Atlona Management System (AMS 2.0) software or Atlona’s Velocity IP-based AV control platform.

“The valuable integration features, reliability, and ease of use of the HDMI-only JunoX 451 have made it very popular with customers and systems integrators for HDR-enhanced residential and commercial switching needs,” said Joshua Castro, Atlona product manager. “We’re pleased to build on these benefits with the JunoX 451 HDBT, leveraging the reliability and convenience of HDBaseT to provide input interface versatility while making it even easier to integrate with shared sources from another room over long distances.”

The Bottom Line: High image quality and compatibility with the latest HDR-equipped sources, projectors, and displays make the JunoX 451 HDBT well suited for detail-intensive professional AV environments. Supporting HDMI data rates up to 18Gbps, the new switcher can receive HDBaseT at data rates up to 10Gbps from current Atlona distribution solutions including the AT-UHD-PRO3 family, AT-UHD-CAT product line, and AT-UHD-SW series, as well as 18Gbps 4K HDR HDBaseT signals from forthcoming Atlona matrix switchers.