With all that is happening in the world, and not to make light of the potentially serious consequences of the CrowdStrike upgrade debacle, I am offering a bit of levity.

Like most weekday mornings, Friday, July 19, 2024, was busy and I had a doctor’s appointment added to my calendar. To avoid the inevitable backlog of delays with doctor’s visits, I request the first appointment of the day, which is often 7:30 a.m. Luckily, I was the first one on the schedule today to have a scan done on my knee. When I arrived, I was told there were some system delays. Upon starting up the computer that runs the scanning software, technicians were greeted with the blue screen of death. I was finally able to have the scan done, and when I was leaving, one of the nurses said that several surgeries had been canceled for the day.

During the drive to my appointment, I listened to NPR reporting on a global IT system outage. Immediately, I assumed it was another cyberattack. As we all know by now, there was a global IT outage attributed to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which issued a software update, causing machines running Microsoft Windows to crash.

On my way home from getting my knee scanned, I stopped at the supermarket to pick up dinner. I used my debit card at checkout, but it took what seemed like an eternity for the receipt to be dispensed. A store associate said they were working on the system because it had crashed earlier.

Getting back to work, I downloaded some images sent to me for an article, all dated December 31, 1979.

Future’s IT department, based in the UK, issued an email stating that our human capital management system is undergoing a “service disruption.” They didn’t say it was CrowdStrike, and I am not saying it was. I’ll assume my boss will approve my request for time off for knee surgery in October.

Not only am I not an expert in such things, but apart from being the IT director for the Davis family, I have no IT qualifications. However, I have interviewed many IT folks, and one of the common threads I hear from them is that when rolling out a global upgrade, make sure you test it on a small scale first.

[Broadcasters Grapple With Global IT Outage]

AJA Video Systems is introducing Desktop Software v16.2 for all KONA, Io and T-TAP Pro products, in addition to AJA SDK v16.2 for Developer Partners. This feature-rich release introduces a wide range of workflow enhancements, including the latest macOS support; new OBS Studio compatibility; improved 12-bit, 444, RGB workflows for 4K/UltraHD; upgraded LUT functionality; new codec and special playback support in Control Room; and expanded multichannel audio. The release also underpins the launch of Io X3, the newest addition to AJA's Io lineup of powerful Thunderbolt 3 connected mobile capture and output devices.

[JA Announces T-TAP Pro]

Desktop Software v16.2 is available now as a free download from the AJA website and includes support for macOS Monterey and Windows 11. Once Desktop Software is installed on a system running OBS Studio v27.2 or later, select AJA devices will be immediately available for multi- or single-channel capture and switching up to 4K/UltraHD 30p and 2K/HD 60p. OBS Project core contributor Colin Edwards noted: "With the release of the new AJA plug-in for OBS Studio, users have even more choices for integrating OBS into professional broadcast workflows. This plugin sets a new standard for reliability and customization when working with broadcast hardware. AJA has set an example for other hardware manufactures by open-sourcing their SDK and driver source code. We would like to thank the AJA engineers who have worked with us to make this happen."

[AJA Introduces New Gateway Appliance for NDI/SDI Conversion]

Desktop Software v16.2 also enables greater flexibility and more accurate, vivid 4K/UltraHD color workflows, courtesy of new 12-bit, 4:4:4, RGB firmware for KONA 5 and Corvid 44 12G, with support for a full 12-bit pipeline across capture to color space conversion and output. This functionality is backed by an upgrade to the .cube format for all 12-bit and 10-bit LUT capabilities, bringing greater compatibility between AJA hardware and third-party color and mastering applications. Workflow options with included AJA Control Room software are expanded through the addition of H.264 and H.265 capture and playback up to 2K/HD 60p, including Timecode and Closed Captioning support, and further provide seamless compatibility with mobile devices, PCs and AJA Ki Pro GO media. This release also includes new deep memory buffer capabilities for Control Room to maintain steady and pristine playback in the event that storage or network bottlenecks interrupt the flow of data from storage to the video output host. With the introduction of Io X3, a new MultiView feature allows up to four incoming SDI sources to be monitored on a single external HDMI monitor, providing a confidence view for multi-channel workflows with OBS Studio and Telestream Wirecast.

SDK v16.2 Now Available via Open Source

In addition to the traditional AJA Developer Program enrollment, AJA's world-class SDK v16.2 is also now available via Open Source, offering multiple options for developers looking to incorporate powerful AJA technologies into product design and development. SDK v16.2 also introduces a host of new features, including 64/32 audio channel support with KONA 5, Corvid 44 12G, Corvid 88, and Corvid 44, enabling users to ingest and output up to 64 discrete audio channels across multiple SDI links, perfect for the latest 8K workflows that require 22.2 audio mastering.

[AJA Releases Mini-Config v2.26.2]

AJA Desktop Software v16.2 is now available as a free download from AJA's support page, and AJA SDK v16.2 is accessible to participants of the AJA Developer Program as a free download from AJA's Developer Partner site. The Open Source Developer community can access the AJA SDK from AJA's GitHub page.

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.

The What: Christie has announced the release of Version 2.5 of Christie Mystique, an automated camera-based alignment software solution designed to simplify and automate the process of warping and blending multiple projectors into a single, seamless canvas. 

The What Else: With Version 2.5, Mystique Essentials and Pro Venue Editions offer two new features to improve overall image fidelity and uniformity in blended projector arrays when projecting on a flat or curved surface.

[Christie Launches Core Series II LED Video Wall Tiles]

For installations where the projection surface is dirty, discolored, or non-uniform, these visual imperfections can get in the way of projecting a great image. Mystique’s new background compensation feature uses a color camera to detect large contrast differences on a screen or projection surface and makes automatic adjustments to compensate for surface anomalies to provide a more uniform projected image, so the focus stays on the projected content, not the background quality.

Adjusting for color and brightness uniformity across projectors in an array to ensure the blend areas are not visible can be a challenging and time-consuming manual process, especially if using projectors of different ages. With the new automated color and brightness uniformity feature, Mystique quickly makes the adjustments with a mouse click, with camera-based accuracy, to display one seamless image.

“Christie Mystique saves both set-up time and costs, while delivering freedom to project almost anywhere,” said Joel St-Denis, senior product manager, Christie. “Mystique takes the guesswork out of multi-projector systems, so that the focus is on delivering an amazing experience for audiences. It is an essential tool for anyone installing a blended projector array.”

The Bottom Line: Mystique is available in five editions, each designed to meet the unique needs of different applications: Mystique Lite, Essentials, Pro Venue, Premium, and Large Scale Experience Editions. Christie Mystique Version 2.5 is available for download now.

More often than not, the go-to solution for a system that is not satisfying users’ needs is to purchase new equipment and start over with a new installation. Whether or not perception is reality, it is commonly thought that operational defects are tied to the brand of equipment being used and that by simply replacing the equipment is the best course of action to remedy the problem. The truth is that an improperly designed, installed, programmed, or configured system will not work no matter what equipment is used. There are circumstances when a device may not fit the need, doesn't offer the desired functionality, or is beyond its lifespan; however, in many circumstances, the custom programming or system configuration is the key variable in the overall success of the system, as fittingly stated in an old proverb, "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link." 

[Tips for Training Your Team]

Applying this proverb to AV, the saying becomes "a system is only as good as its weakest component." Therefore, the best design and equipment can be undermined by improper installation, setup, or programming. Conversely, and contrary to some common beliefs, control programming or configuration can’t overcome some equipment limitations, design shortcomings, or an improper installation. 

Another variable contributing to operational satisfaction is the ability to clearly understand and address user needs. Even though existing systems were likely designed and programmed to work as specified based on an original set of requirements at the time of implementation, their effectiveness and value gradually declines as users’ needs, technology advancements, workflow variations, and new business requirements change over time. Despite the possibility that this degradation may be remedied by purchasing new hardware or installing the latest and greatest technologies, viable alternatives also exist, such as modifying control system programming and updating firmware in existing equipment to unlock new capabilities and features.

For existing systems, it may be the case that certain features were not available when the equipment was initially installed and commissioned. However, with most modern network appliances, operational improvements, added functionality, and advanced capabilities can be enabled with a simple firmware update. Thus, without changing hardware or doing any installation, system functionality can be enriched simply by updating firmware. Additionally, with modifications to control programming or device configuration, systems can be transformed from being borderline antiquated to having state-of-the-art features.

A great example of this concept can be seen with iOS or Android devices. While there are advantages to getting the latest and greatest phone or tablet, most features and functionality are available to all devices with supported hardware through a free operating system upgrade. Users have the ability to enhance the capabilities and experience of their existing equipment without a new or additional hardware purchase. The same approach holds true for Mac and PC users.

Yet another way to get more out of existing equipment is to leverage the devices’ external API (Application Programming Interface). An API provides the commands and responses that allow third-party entities, such as a control system or software application, to communicate and exchange information with the device. Along with upgrades to device features, firmware updates may also reveal added integration opportunities via API enhancements. 

While the typical or base functionality of a device may be the primary selling point and applicable for most use cases, many products also support advanced features that are not commonly considered for everyday applications. By exploring the depths of the product’s capabilities and being comfortable working with its API, additional functionality and controls may be uncovered that can be utilized to address specific user needs or provide the key to modernized solutions.

Tapping into an API can also provide the ability to repurpose existing equipment to address new needs through cost-effective software upgrades in lieu of discarding functional hardware and incurring design, installation, and procurement costs. One example can be seen in leveraging the capabilities of hardware codecs. With the move to software conferencing, an installed codec along with accompanying cameras seems to have diminished in value. However, the opportunity to maintain the existing video infrastructure and camera control through the codec hardware is possible, despite the codec seldom being used for its primary function of video calling. Rather than purchasing new cameras and switching equipment, camera control and source routing can be supported via the codec’s API with the codec output connected to PC or unified communications appliance supporting software conferencing.

Furthermore, touchpanels dedicated to codecs can be customized to include control of peripheral devices for rooms that either don't warrant a third-party control system or have expanded needs that go beyond the base codec functionality. The value of building upon the existing hardware solution is realized not only through the cost savings of avoiding new equipment purchases and accompanying installation, but also by maintaining familiarity and consistency with the established user interface and functionality standards.

Similarly, many audio DSP manufacturers are adding a control component to their products to expand their functionality beyond the device’s primary role of audio mixing, volume control, and conference controls. With the addition of a control element, the audio DSP not only supports a method for operating its typical features, it can also be expanded to operate other IP-controlled devices that can be integrated through an external API. Whether with a dedicated touchpanel or a web tablet browsing to an HTML5 user interface using a WebSocket connection, the ability to implement an integrated system from a single device that can be programmed or configured to support both audio and control is a seemingly efficient and cost-effective way to get more from existing hardware and minimize the effort and expense of additional equipment, design, and installation.

Another product category whose functionality can be expanded by leveraging advanced features through an API is wireless presentation systems. Often, these products require limited, if any, control to perform their typical functionality of source connection and display. However, through an external API, the ability may exist to connect multiple devices, select between video layouts, implement video processing effects, manage connections, and share sources between devices or systems.

The relevance of these ideas not only brings to light the value of control, programming, and the power of an API, it also helps to address clients’ ever-shrinking budgets, offset the impact of hardware backorders (caused by increased demand, difficulties in supply chain, chip shortages, etc.), protect manufacturers' brands, and maintain a favorable reputation of being able to effectively address clients’ needs without unnecessary cost. While physical system upgrades may seem to be the easier and more straightforward path to addressing a user’s need, they can turn out to be more involved, time consuming, costly for the client, and less effective. 

Additionally, the opportunity to think outside the box and leverage a prior investment though creative software solutions will likely provide differentiation and appeal to a client's desire to be innovative. Rather than defaulting to replacing seemingly good hardware with others that may not be more effective without additional design, installation, programming, configuration, and setup, existing equipment and system lifespan can be extended providing more options for the future.

The What: Sony Electronics recently launched the Version 3.0 update for the BRC-X400, SRG-X400, and SRG-X120 cameras, which will support the SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) protocol, bringing high-quality video transmission with low latency.

The What Else: The SRT Alliance, which Sony joined in January 2021, offers an open-source protocol that combines encryption, packet loss recovery, and jitter prevention technologies to preserve video stream quality and integrity. SRT harnesses the latest developments in real-time IP communications, enhancing conventional network error recovery methods to deliver stable, low-latency media streams. Additionally, the update supports Sony's Adaptive Rate Control function, designed to provide a more stable connection, optimized for the network environment and available bandwidth by controlling bitrate based on fluctuation of bandwidth.

[The Latest Pro PTZ Cameras for Conferencing]

This update also supports RTMP/RTMPS (Real Time Messaging) Protocol. The cameras will directly stream live videos to social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook through a simple and quick connection.

Sony Electronics also recently launched the new “Virtual Webcam Driver for Remote Camera” application, which turns remote cameras into web conference and lecture tools that achieve professional image quality.

Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems, the application can be installed onto any PC and paired with select Sony’s remote cameras (BRC-X400, SRG-X400, SRG-X120, SRG-XP1, SRG-XB25) and Edge Analytics Appliance (REA-C1000). The setup does not require additional devices and allows users to connect up to five cameras with one PC. The setup is useful for capturing lectures, seminars, and conferences and provides users with the freedom to choose their preferred virtual meeting applications.

The Bottom Line: With support for SRT, the cameras are well suited for use in a wide range of applications including remote production, seminars, live events, education, and faith, among others.

This application is available now and can be downloaded here.

The What:DVIGear has released DisplayNet 3.1 with upgrades including a new scripting engine that enables code-free system programming, as well as enhancements to DisplayNet’s EDID Management functionality.

The What Else: DisplayNet 3.1 introduces two types of recallable Presets: Scripts and Snapshots. Snapshots capture the state of an entire system and allow for single-click restoration of system configurations. Scripts store sequences of specific commands that can be recalled on demand. Scripts can be recorded from sequences of actions performed in DisplayNet Manager and edited manually as needed. System programmers can leverage DisplayNet’s Script recording functionality to create and run complex sequences of API commands, without editing a single line of code. 

[DVIGear Expands HyperLight AOC Line]

Also included in the DisplayNet 3.1 update are major enhancements to EDID Management. Users can now view information about EDIDs stored in the library, as well as detailed information about connected displays. DisplayNet 3.1 also allows users to quickly change the active EDID on a transmitter directly from the device configuration panel, making device configuration and system setup easy and straightforward.

In addition to these features, DisplayNet 3.1 delivers various bugfixes, as well as user interface improvements, such as an improved Console font and the ability to set custom colors for the Console and Preset Editor features. These improvements come alongside updates to core backend frameworks for improved application performance. 

The Bottom Line: DisplayNet 3.1 includes numerous features to improve the SDVoE-based AV Distribution product line. The update is available now for free to all existing DisplayNet customers.

The What: Bose Professional released ControlSpace Designer 5.9.1, an update to its veteran solution to provide all the necessary tools and functions to configure audio signal processing and network operation of Bose’s digital signal processors and amplifiers. ControlSpace Remote 2.10 was also released with a number of improvements, including bug fixes. ControlSpace Remote provides wired or wireless control of networked Bose Professional system components. 

The What Else: ControlSpace Designer 5.9.1 includes numerous improvements to the design and operation of Bose Professional sound systems, including support for AES67 and Dante Domain Manager on all Dante-enabled hardware to improve interoperability and ease of management in enterprise networks. 

[The Integration Guide to Dante-Enabled AV]

Also included are enhancements to the system commissioning experience and updated compatibility with third-party devices; updated firmware to support these improvements is included with the software release.  ControlSpace Designer 5.9.1. also includes EQ support for newly introduced DesignMax pendant and AMM multipurpose loudspeakers. 

The ControlSpace Remote 2.10 update provides wired or wireless control of networked Bose Professional system components. ControlSpace Remote builder software is used by the system designer to create custom control panels that are sent to the ControlSpace Remote app for operation by end users. Using control panel templates from within Bose ControlSpace builder, designers are able to quickly create unique interfaces for control of Bose networked pro audio systems running on iOS and Android devices. 

The Bottom Line: Visit pro.bose.com to download ControlSpace Designer 5.9.1 now and watch for ControlSpace Remote 2.10 coming soon.

The What: Electro-Voice has introduced Preview, a new platform-independent software application designed to configure Electro-Voice line-array loudspeakers for optimized coverage. The software provides efficient system setup by creating visualizations of coverage, SPL, frequency response, and precise mechanical load calculations.

The What Else: Preview features a full-color 3D interface with user-friendly, flexible tools and a streamlined workflow. This helps specifiers, designers, and audio engineers quickly calculate the ideal configurations and positioning of line arrays, as well as the angles between loudspeaker elements, amplifier drive and delay requirements, and other system design parameters. The software also recommends mechanically valid combinations of loudspeakers and rigging hardware. These combined features ensure that the arrays deliver the best possible performance in any venue—whether flown or ground stacked.

The application also includes a detailed report generation function and a powerful project file database, providing users with detailed acoustical and mechanical information. This timesaving database allows specifiers, designers and audio engineers to import existing designs and to store new project files, drawings, and templates. 

The Bottom Line: The first full public-release version of Preview will support most Electro-Voice touring and install line-array models, including X1(i), X2(i), XLC, XLD and XLE, as well as complementary subwoofers. More models will be added in future versions.

Windows and Mac OS versions of the software are available as free downloads here: https://products.electrovoice.com/emea/en/preview/

The What: NDI has unveiled NDI version 5, with updates that make it possible for users to connect to any device, in any location, anywhere in the world, allowing it to work with almost any video application. 

The What Else: New to the NDI Tools free download with NDI 5 is NDI Bridge. Forming a secure bridge between any NDI network regardless of location, NDI Bridge aims to redefine the concept of “remote workflows,” opening up new opportunities for live video production.

[Elevating Your Streaming Production Quality]

Also new to NDI Tools, NDI Remote allows anyone using a URL to contribute live audio and video using an internet-connected device, like a smartphone or a web browser, to another point anywhere in the world. 

The benefits of NDI’s optimized codec and transport protocols provide ease of use across existing networks. Other selected benefits of NDI 5 are:

• NDI Audio Direct: Enables integration of NDI audio into software-based audio workflows, be they across a local network, in the cloud, or hybrid
• Reliable UDP: RUDP transfer makes WAN and Wi-Fi connections more resilient with less configuration required
• Apple Support: Full support for Apple silicon systems, bringing full NDI capability to all macOS, iOS, tvOS, and iPadOS devices
• Improved Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro support: Adobe Premiere and After Effects plugin now features improved audio workflow. Updated plug-in allows output for Final Cut Pro with real-time audio and video frame buffer output
• Many other benefits are available, including support for genlock, selection of network adapters, and more.

In addition, the free NDI Tools download has been reimagined for NDI 5, with a new interface and guidance built in.

[The Technology Manager's Guide to Videoconferencing and Streaming]

“NDI is designed to harness the massive creative potential of software and networks, allowing anyone to work with video—and have fun doing it,” said Dr. Andrew Cross, president of Research and Development for the Vizrt Group. “All devices in the world are already connected. Now with NDI 5, you can easily build shows and share video between them, for free.”

The Bottom Line: The version 5 release of the NDI now allows users to share live, high-quality, low-latency video with anyone else in real time, using billions of devices.

The NDI 5 SDK and NDI Tools will be available for download in June. Anyone wishing to be notified once they are available can register here. 

The What: disguise has announced the public release of its Extended Reality (xR) solution as part of its r18 software launch. 

The What Else: The xR workflow used by XR Studios to power Katy Perry’s performance at the American Idol season 18 finale has opened up a new world of opportunities in immersive real-time production in the past year, offering a safe and innovative alternative for shows and live events, allowing these to resume virtually. 

[Future Vision: Volvo Tests New Car Designs by Driving With an XR Headset]

Backed by the Carlyle Group and Epic Games, disguise has revolutionized xR and virtual production, powering over 230 productions across live entertainment, film and episodic TV, corporate events, and TV and sports broadcast to date. Over 165 disguise xR stages have been built in 35 countries to support the growing demand.

First introduced at the IBC Show in 2018, disguise xR has since undergone intensive field testing and refining as disguise collaborated with a select group of its talented creative and technical partners to turn xR into a robust, reliable, and flexible solution for productions of any scale or complexity. 

r18 will also release disguise’s cluster rendering feature. Developed in partnership with Unreal Engine, disguise cluster rendering will unlock new possibilities for immersive content of the highest quality, detail, and framerate at any scale. Users can deliver photorealistic scenes to large scale content displays on any surface from installations to corporate displays.  

r18 users will also enjoy full support for the ACES cinematic standard. ACES will allow them to own the content color management process and trust the composite onto the final screen to render truly dynamic and visually engaging output.

r18 will also see the launch of a brand new virtual production course available for free on the disguise elearning platform, demonstrating how the workflow can help VFX teams push boundaries in film and TV production.

The Bottom Line: The public release of xR aims to significantly reduce the barrier of entry to cutting-edge productions, unlocking the power to create any world, from one location. disguise xR integrates with leading LED, real-time content and camera tracking technologies to power immersive virtual environments of the highest standards. This technology-agnostic feature gives users the freedom to choose the tools they want to create the story they envision with confidence. 

The What: BenQ is partnering with Meeting Room 365 to natively integrate the scheduling and productivity software suite into its corporate large-format displays, including its CP Series DuoBoard interactive displays and CS Series smart presentation displays.

The What Else: By implementing Meeting Room 365, BenQ's DuoBoard and CS Series now display a weekly meeting schedule, organizer, and subject matter information, allowing users to see room availability and book reservations. Meeting participants can also quickly access Microsoft Outlook, Office 365, Exchange, and Google Workspace via Meeting Room 365 integration, enabling corporate users, IT managers, and solution providers to confidently deploy BenQ corporate displays.

[BenQ Debuts CS Series Meeting Room Display]

BenQ's corporate large-format displays, including the company's lineup of DuoBoard interactive displays and digital signage, provide advanced visual communication, meeting room automation, and collaborative conferencing. 

"Meeting rooms are the most dynamic environment of an enterprise, which requires that employees be able to easily and quickly reserve and utilize those spaces," said Penny Su, business unit director, Google Jamboard and Enterprise Collaboration Solutions. “Meeting Room 365 creates a professional and simple way to add room displays to the office and have highly visual confirmation of room status. This partnership continues our dedication to creating full-service solutions that are integrated with the variety of systems and applications that make ideas come together and businesses run more smoothly and productively."

The Bottom Line: With Meeting Room 365 pre-installed on DuoBoard and CS corporate meeting room displays, the most common tasks conducted in enterprise and SMB conference room installations are now streamlined.

The What: Vizrt has announced Vizrt Channel Branding, designed to make complex channel branding graphics easier for customers faced with the growing need to promote more content across more channels. 

The What Else: Vizrt Channel Branding software allows users to import data from traffic and scheduling applications to automatically create playlists that reduce manual processes. Rapid, up-to-second sync with automation systems for data and trigger control, guarantees every single element is played out at exactly the right time. This can be changed down to the wire without fear of error. Accurate content delivery, dynamic data-driven graphics, automatic error checks all go to provide a smooth operator workflow, a great experience for the audience, and high levels of brand consistency across numerous simultaneous formats.

[How to Amp Up Your Visual Storytelling]

One operator can control multiple channels from a single interface, which can scale up and down to any number of channels without significantly changing the workflow. Vizrt’s graphics branding solution augments the technical capabilities of master control environments and the marketing capabilities of promotional departments to serve anything from single-channel facilities up to large network operations that manage multiple broadcast, web, and mobile channels.

“Vizrt Channel Branding acts as an extension to promotional and marketing departments of media organizations,” said Daniel Nergard, president of Vizrt. “It lets broadcasters protect and promote their most important asset—their identity—and enables them to hold onto audience engagement across channels and through promotional breaks and at the same time, powerfully reinforce their brand equity. When all this is possible for a single operator to manage and monitor for multiple channels, it becomes a true competitive differentiator for media producers.”

The Bottom Line: With Vizrt Channel Branding, media houses can make more efficient usage of their resources across multiple Vizrt graphics solutions. From real-time on-air news graphics through virtual sets and augmented reality to custom channel branding, assets and skills can be leveraged to create a final product for multiple outputs. This results in much more efficient use of design staff, time, and created content elements.

Broadcasters, marketing and promotions departments, and master control technical departments can all benefit from Vizrt Channel Branding software’s ability to adapt and scale up and down to meet rapidly changing production needs.

Vizrt Channel Branding is available exclusively via Flexible Access in annual or month-to-month payment plans.

The What: Optoma has announced a partnership to offer Vizetto’s Reactiv SUITE solutions on Optoma’s Creative Touch 5-Series Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs). Reactiv SUITE is an ecosystem of software products designed to improve remote meetings.

The What Else: Reactiv SUITE’s Digital Table feature allows users to present any combination of content including pictures, decks, documents, videos, or web sites. The software also allows professionals to share content, have non-linear interactions with remote participants, fluidly pull up content and media, engage in discussions, and visually markup documents. Through the platform’s interactive features, individuals can creatively communicate their message and engage audiences as opposed to presenting static data and images using antiquated screensharing.  

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Collaboration in the Post-COVID World

The Reactiv SUITE Windows-based software is a one-year bundled solution on Optoma’s Creative Touch 5-Series Interactive Flat Panels, featuring 4K UHD resolution, anti-glare glass, fingerprint-resistant panel, a 178-degree wide-viewing angle, and cTUVus Eye Comfort Certification for low-blue light and flicker-free operation. The Creative Touch IFPs also come with precise dual-tip pens that mimic a real whiteboard experience for easy annotation. 

“Our Creative Touch 5-Series Interactive Flat Panels are built with intuitive features to provide flexible solutions for the corporate and education market segments,” said Simon Jonas, commercial category manager at Optoma Europe. “By partnering with Vizetto and incorporating the Reactiv SUITE software, we are able to offer an elevated engagement solution that drives significant value to our customers.”

“The Optoma team is as dedicated as we are in providing solutions to increase engagement with customers, internal team members, and suppliers using innovative new technologies like Reactiv SUITE,” said Av Utukuri, CEO and founder of Vizetto. “The combination of Optoma’s innovative hardware coupled with Reactiv SUITE will deliver a completely integrated solution that dramatically reduces Zoom fatigue to customers worldwide.”  

The Bottom Line: Reactiv SUITE features Reactiv STAGE, which enables participants to present, visually markup, and arrange and compare any documents; and Reactiv SCRIBBLE, which allows users to write, illustrate, type, and share complex layouts to convey ideas creatively and effectively.  

Digital signage and robust content management are no longer bells and whistles when it comes to running a business; they are critical engagement tools that promote public safety and productivity alike. Efficiency remains a priority as operations come back to life across industries, but public health initiatives to combat COVID-19 are more critical than ever to halt viral spread. 

With the latest innovations in digital signage software, managers have no shortage of options for building a solid foundation for public health, and even when the time comes for companies shift away from COVID restrictions, there are still bountiful opportunities to leverage the displays and sensors for check-in and virtual receptionist to enhance safety, agility, and long-term remote work trends. Today’s implementations are slated to transform facilities to offer a better, more dynamic experience. Let’s dive into three ways that digital content and displays are supporting public safety and the long-term return to normal. 

A Fresh Start at the Entrance 

Digital signage software has evolved with the COVID-19 crisis to offer access control technologies and efficient methods of monitoring occupancy. Check-in kiosks are spiking in popularity, positioned at points of entry to present surveys and questionnaires to guests upon arrival. With the right content management software, managers can customize welcome screens with their local or company guidelines to communicate critical public safety information and prompt visitors to complete wellness surveys directly on the screen, or via their mobile device to reduce touch points on public touch screens. 

Voice control prompts are also becoming increasingly popular to reduce physical touchpoints, along with virtual receptionist solutions that allow administrators to safely video chat and check in occupants via a live video stream. When coupled with other innovations in digital signage software—touch-free check-in and COVID-19 screening, facial and mask recognition, multi-user tracking, and thermal scanning—AV managers have a robust and unique setup to reduce viral spread. 

Get to Where You’re Going ... and Stay Safe When You Arrive

Beyond entry control, hotdesking and room scheduling technologies improve the visitor experience and ensure safety at other touchpoints throughout the building. Hotdesking leverages wayfinding and room booking in tandem to communicate occupancy and room availability on-screen with easy-to-update, real-time, color coded mapping, helping occupants arrive at their destination in a facility with fewer touchpoints. 

The data-driven hotdesking process can be vital in reassuring guests that their space has been recently cleaned and can also provide precise direction for contact-tracing. Managers can leverage this technology to support social distancing by reconfiguring occupancies and navigation based on patterns and risks gleaned in the data, an invaluable and effective resource for closely monitor safety while driving business processes. 

The Bridge from Point A to Point B

Wayfinding throughout the building bridges access control and hotdesking for seamless and low risk navigation. Digital wayfinding prompts positioned throughout the building, in tandem with voice and mobile control, reduce physical touchpoints, and keep guests on track to their destination. 

Secure mobile technology allows guests to carry companies’ custom wayfinding maps and directions within individual mobile devices for a smooth, contactless, and accessible way of navigating the premises. By simply scanning a unique QR code on a public signage screen, users receive wayfinding information on their web browser tablet to streamline navigation and contract tracing to a single device.

By implementing the recent innovations in content management software and wayfinding, AV integrators are uniquely positioned to support business continuity while promoting both a safe and creative experience for occupants. 

To build or to buy? When it comes to business-critical software, this is a decision that many companies face and we see this consideration come up frequently with digital signage networks.

Imagine that you’re in need of a new home. You have two options:

• You can buy a house that is already built, choosing the one that best matches your list of requirements.
• You can build a house from the ground up, designing every aspect from scratch to exactly fit your needs.

While the benefits of building a completely customized home may sound enticing, the strain on time, money and resources makes that impossible for most and impractical for many. The concept is similar when thinking about your digital signage.

When evaluating the decision of whether to invest in developing in-house software or partnering with an outside provider, there are a few key factors to consider: cost, control, maintenance and innovation.

Cost

Robust infrastructure comes at a price, whether it’s from hiring a team of engineers to build your software or licensing it from a provider. Just like building a house, developing software from the ground up typically comes with many unforeseen or hidden costs. 

When buying, you have more say over the price. However, it’s important to do your research, as many providers have hidden costs such as onboarding fees. Prices vary based on network size and the sophistication of the software. It’s worth investing in a software that can grow with your network and support things like advertising that you might not need today, but will be beneficial to your business in the future.

Control

It’s important to ensure that any partner you may be evaluating will still provide you full control over your network operations and content management. If your signage network plans to monetize through advertising, you’ll need to select inventory for sale, manage direct and programmatic sales, and reserve dedicated spots all from one simplified platform. Custom alerts and user restrictions can provide confidence that your network is running efficiently.

Maintenance

As your network grows, changes will need to be made to your infrastructure as well. If you’re considering in-house building, make sure to dedicate budget and resources for maintenance as well as continuity. Too many networks suffer from poorly maintained code bases that were developed years ago by an employee that has since left the company! 

When considering partners, you’ll want to validate that they have a dedicated team of engineers working on updates and improvements to ensure your software is up to date with the latest technology. One of the biggest reasons to work with a vendor is that you benefit from the improvements they make to the platform, even if you didn’t ask for them. 

When it comes to maintenance, you’ll need to be able to seamlessly roll out changes across your network. You’ll want to look for a partner that offers web-based diagnostics, meaning you can register, configure, monitor and upgrade players remotely.

Innovation

As an operator, you shouldn’t have to dedicate significant time to maintaining your basic infrastructure. Too many operators spend their time managing servers, building basic ad-serving functionality and generally reinventing the wheel. Instead, your focus should be on what makes your network special, draws the attention of consumers, and is appealing to buyers.

Your technology should empower you to customize and control the on-screen experience—build custom apps for anything ranging from transit updates to weather notifications, all based on web-standard technology (HTML, JavaScript, CSS). 

If your company’s core competency isn’t building software, then buying software that is designed to handle your network of the future is the best solution for you. Work with a provider who has a team in place to update and maintain your infrastructure and give you the flexibility to manage and customize your network to meet your needs. 

The What: Vizrt has announced Vizrt Production Control, a solution for end-to-end software-based production, graphics, control, and automation for daily news, live sports, and other live productions. Vizrt Production Control is one of five software Solution Suites made available exclusively via Flexible Access. Flexible Access allows customers to adapt and scale their production software up and down to meet rapidly changing production needs.  

The What Else: Vizrt Production Control can be deployed on premises using commercial off-the-shelf hardware or virtualized in cloud environments. Customers choose from three tiers of production control capabilities and options to suit specific requirements. Producers can manage entire programs from a single solution that aims to redefine the need for traditional control rooms. Advanced Vizrt graphics creation and control is available for the most demanding content enhancement through cutting-edge and real-time 3D graphics, and data-driven elements. 

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Videoconferencing and Streaming

Production Control automation is designed to streamline productions, reduce errors, and remotely control all production systems. Producers can use the same assets and templates across multiple production sites for more consistent results while focusing their time and effort on producing engaging content. Show setup and preparation takes mere minutes, further improving the efficiency and allocation of resources.

“The software revolution has been adopted at a slower pace inside the central core of the TV station: the control room,” said Daniel Nergard, president of Vizrt. “This constrains storytellers from being as productive, effective, and creative as they want to be. Vizrt Production Control changes that reality. This comprehensive software-driven suite is both powerful and agile, letting the storyteller choose how to deploy, where to produce from, and which day-to-day tasks to automate.”

The Bottom Line: Vizrt Production Control reimagines the control room with the vision that great content can be made anywhere, at any time, by anyone. The exponential growth in live content creation complexity is now matched by the adaptability and scalability of Vizrt Production Control offered in annual or month-to-month software plans. 

Vizrt Production Control is available exclusively via Flexible Access in annual or month-to-month payment plans.

The What: Telestream, a provider of workflow automation, media processing, monitoring and test and measurement solutions, has launched Telestream DIVA, the latest iteration of its DIVA software suite for digital asset management.

The What Else: Enhancements to Telestream DIVA include a new simplified REST API, full integration of DIVA Command into DIVA Core, more flexible options for cloud uploads and storage management, and extended migration services and restore capabilities.

Related: Product Review: Extron SMP 351 Streaming Media Processor

Telestream DIVA Core's new simplified REST API provides core control, monitoring, configuration, and analytics endpoints. The API dialect is modeled after S3 and uses standard commands such as get, put, list, copy, delete, move, etc. for easier integration work. 

Monitoring options are likewise extended in Telestream DIVA, which supports more than 40 resource and request endpoints for monitoring services. The software features analytics endpoints for reporting on nearly 50 unique events generated by the Telestream DIVA analytics engine. The REST API now also includes support for license import and export. Because DIVA Command is now fully integrated into Telestream DIVA Core and hosted on the Telestream DIVA Core REST API Gateway, users enjoy simpler installation and configuration.

Newly added support for multithreading and multipart for S3 and related storage protocols, including Microsoft Azure, greatly improves transfer speeds with certain types of files. Users also have the option of using media priority to control cloud instance selection.

Migration services now allow users to restrict the number of simultaneous requests across all jobs. The addition of a new "restore tier" option enables users to apply the restore tier to the source in the transfer when restoring to an S/D. Along with these enhancements, Telestream DIVA includes minor updates across the software suite that improve overall performance.

"With an array of recent enhancements, Telestream DIVA is a valuable new member of our technology portfolio," said Geoff Tognetti, SVP at Telestream. "The software suite's robust feature set and proven performance give our customers reliable, flexible asset management across on-premise and cloud, in support of all variety of modern media processing applications. The ability to have assets in a hybrid environment allows customers to use the most cost-effective storage for their assets; and features like Partial File Restore and Storage Plan Manager provide the means to efficiently move those assets when needed."

The Bottom Line: Now with access to more than 50 configuration endpoints, users have the headroom to configure every resource in Telestream DIVA. Twenty core control endpoints support numerous new control requests to further streamline content and storage management.

The What: Symetrix has released the latest version of its free Composer programming software for Edge, Radius NX, Prism, and Solus NX DSPs with multiple new features.

The What Else: Composer 8.0 has been enhanced with Lua scripting, which allows users to create custom Intelligent Modules for Composer. These Intelligent Modules allow the software to control and monitor any device that can be controlled by a third-party control system or provide system logic functionality which previously required large and complex logic programming. 

Related: Symetrix Introduces xIO Bluetooth Dante-Enabled Endpoint

For example, a council chamber audio system could be programmed so that as each person presses their mic button to speak, they're placed in a queue. When each person is finished speaking, the mic of the next person in the queue is automatically unmuted and their indicator LED illuminated. This can be accomplished with logic programming, but it requires large, very complex combinations of objects. Implementing the same functionality with Lua scripting is a simple task that can be programmed and tested in a few hours.

Intelligent Modules created using Lua Scripting in Composer 8.0 are identical to the native Intelligent Modules delivered with Composer and work with both new and existing Symetrix devices compatible with Composer. There is no activation or licensing fee for creating or using Lua scripted Intelligent Modules in Composer.

The Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) cards for the Radius NX have a new configuration option that increases the total number of AEC channels when using discrete AEC references. When processing AEC, the AEC channels in each room need to receive an AEC reference signal specific to that room which presents an increased processing load for the DSP chip.

With Composer 8.0, the Radius NX with AEC-2 card is now capable of up to 12 channels of simultaneous AEC. This enables a single Radius NX to manage as many as 12 different rooms. The increase in AEC capability may also be realized in existing installations where Radius NX DSPs with AEC cards have been installed, requiring only a firmware update. The Radius NX with AEC-1 card is now capable of processing six discreet AEC references. 

Audio recording functionality in the Radius NX is now joined by audio playback. Audio systems often include a message playback device for audio cues such as classroom bells, airport parking messages, retail store closing announcements, or background music. The Radius NX can play up to eight audio tracks simultaneously from a local USB drive.

Each audio playback module in the Radius NX can include one to eight channels of audio up to a combined total of eight tracks per Radius NX. Playback modules are individually controlled for manual or automatic playback, track/playlist selection, loop, shuffle, repeat, and auto start. Support is provided for multi-channel audio files including LCR, 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1 recordings.

Total audio playback time for the Radius NX is dependent on the size of the USB drive being used. A 512GB drive can provide over 1,600 hours of CD-quality playback for less than $75 and there are no fees to activate or enable playback functionality.

The Radius NX Media Manager is a browser-based feature providing upload, download, playlist, and organization functions for recordings on the USB drive of the Radius NX. Whether a Radius NX is playing background music, announcement messages, or timing chimes, audio files need to be uploaded to the Radius NX before they can be played and organized on the drive. 

As with the audio recording feature, audio files on the Radius NX can be accessed with an FTP client connected to the Radius NX, but the Radius NX Media Manager also provides full control of all media files on the device using any web browser. By accessing the Radius NX with a web browser, a user can upload files from a computer to the Radius NX, organize those files into folders for access, create and organize playlists as needed, and move audio files individually or in groups to simplify building or maintaining an audio library for the Radius NX. The Radius NX Media Manager is available for free on any Radius NX by simply updating to Composer 8.0 and connecting a USB drive.

The Bottom Line: Composer 8.0 for Windows expands the power of the Symetrix ecosystem with multiple new features including Lua Scripting, Radius NX AEC Enhancement, Audio Playback, and Media Manager.

The What: Christie has announced the release of software version 6.5 of its Pandoras Box media server, featuring a new render engine that can handle more video files or higher resolutions and avoid color banding. The new version 6.5 will be on display at the Christie booth EA2-01 at InfoComm China in Beijing Sept 28-30 and available for download here in October 2020.

The What Else: The 10-bit color depth playback delivers the Rec.2020 color gamut for HDR applications and 4K resolution, while preserving the full color palette (4:4:4) without any chroma subsampling for the best image quality. With accessories like AirScan, an IR-laser multi-touch sensor, motion-controlled user interfaces can be added to create an interactive multimedia display. AirScan, combined with Christie Widget Designer interactive application builder, enables touchless digital content interactivity with the display only a few feet in front of the user.

Related: Christie Mirage Projectors Power 8K Visuals at Mexico Science Museum

The Pandoras Box family of media servers seamlessly integrates with Christie Spyder X80, Christie Terra, Christie RGB projectors, and Christie MicroTiles LED and is utilized by content and projection designers and rental stagers around the world, including the Xpark Aquarium in Taipei, National Opera in Amsterdam, Gyeongnam Masan Robot Land in South Korea, Lufthansa’s 100 anniversary celebration, and FIBA Basketball World Cup.

“Customers will be amazed by the image quality we can now deliver across our Christie products,” said Markus Zeppenfeld, product manager, Christie. “Providing artifact-free 10-bit images in 240Hz lifts solutions to an entirely new quality level. It’s stunning to see those perfect colors projected or on an LED video wall. Using DPX sequences directly in Pandoras Box eases the workflow as it requires no additional encoding. Colors are kept perfect and lossless, while it minimizes the user’s involvement and allows for the best playback performance.”

The Bottom Line: Pandoras Box is a family of hardware and software tools for real-time, high-frame-rate 3D stereoscopic video playback and processing. Its 3D compositing, warping, rendering, and interactive capabilities are well suited for the production of live events, projection on uneven outdoor structures, or for driving displays such as LED video walls.

The What: Nialli has announced its first product, Nialli Visual Planner, a cloud-based application that is designed to make it easy to digitally transform the paper-based planning processes used in lean construction.

The What Else: Nialli Visual Planner is modeled after the Lean Construction Institute’s Last Planner System (LPS), a production control system that follows principles such as just-in-time delivery, value stream mapping, and pull planning. 

Nialli Visual Planner can be used by all project stakeholders on any device and from any location, providing the flexibility of having any combination of co-located and remote participants during planning sessions. The solution can also be used on large interactive surfaces to replicate the paper-based big wall experience with which many construction teams are familiar. 

The Bottom Line: By making the process digital, Nialli Visual Planner increases visibility into team progress, and the status of a single task or activity can be updated on the spot, with all data being captured for post-analysis.

The What: Visix has released version 1.35 of its AxisTV Signage Suite digital signage content management software. 

The What Else: Version 1.35 has a new drag-n-drop widget that supports integration with Google Sheets to let users pull and show real-time updates on screens while maintaining source data in Google Drive. The recently released Voice Recognizer widget has also been expanded with improved timeout and inactivity options. The desktop design application, AxisTV Design, now synchronizes up to 50 percent faster with the AxisTV Manage CMS.

Related: Visix Launches Voice-Activated Digital Signage for Any Display 

The release also expands options for quick content with the addition of Pick & Fill messages in the CMS. Users can choose from an assortment of professionally designed templates that let them fill in text and images, and the WYSIWYG workspace lets them see a live preview of the finished message in the web browser as they work.

 AxisTV Signage Suite v.1.35 also addresses integrated platform updates and end-of-life plans. The Web Browser widget now supports custom codecs, as well as updated source code from Google that has over 60 significant improvements for in-browser playback.

The Exchange widget now supports Office 365 Modern Authentication based on OAuth 2.0 for secure delegated access due to Microsoft’s plans for dropping support for Basic Authentication in October 2020. Visix has also removed Adobe Flash Player from all AxisTV Signage Suite apps because it will reach end-of-life in December 2020 and no longer be supported by major web browsers by the end of the year.

“As more people move to managing both their data and communications in the cloud, we’re continuously evolving and expanding our content management options to match that experience,” said Sean Matthews, CEO and president of Visix. “We want to make messaging to digital signs and other endpoints as fast and effortless as possible, so we’re exploiting online advancements in all of our apps—from design and scheduling to playback.”

The Bottom Line: The v. 1.35 release expands the speed and functionality of AxisTV Signage Suite with new and improved widgets, new content creation tools, and backend enhancements.

The What: Nureva has released Nureva Console, a cloud-based platform that enables organizations to manage their Nureva audio conferencing systems across multiple locations. This is done from a single, secure dashboard that eliminates the need for IT managers to physically visit meeting rooms to configure and monitor their audio systems. 

The What Else: IT admins are tasked with managing users and devices across an increasingly distributed workforce, a shift that recent research from Global Workplace Analytics suggests may become permanent. Nureva Console supports this shift by making it easier for IT staff to manage and monitor all Nureva audio systems remotely. Through Nureva Console’s dashboard, IT staff can enroll their Nureva audio systems and then manage them from anywhere. 

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Remote Monitoring 

In a live list view, they can see all devices, what rooms they’re in, whether the system is online, what version of firmware is running, and if an update is available. The ability to drill further into the system information of a device lets IT push out an update and manage device settings, such as the microphone, speaker, bass and treble levels, and even change what is shown on the HDL200 system’s display. This keeps customers in control of all their Nureva audio systems, whether there is 1 or 10,000 to configure, monitor and manage remotely. With regular firmware updates, Nureva audio systems are always advancing to meet the evolving needs of business and learning environments. Once a Nureva audio system is enrolled through Nureva Console, customers also receive an additional year of warranty, from two years to three. Nureva Console provides the infrastructure for future integrations between Nureva audio systems and third-party solutions. For example, in the near term, IT managers can use Nureva Console to integrate their room booking and room control systems with Nureva’s HDL200 system to display room availability and exercise further in-room control.

“With the growing trend toward distributed teams, Nureva Console makes it easy for IT staff to get a global view of all their Nureva audio systems from anywhere,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “We are excited to offer customers a complimentary service that delivers full remote management capabilities and flexibility for broad deployment of Nureva’s audio systems.”

The Bottom Line: Nureva Console combines a client application that installs on meeting room computers with a cloud-based dashboard that can be accessed from anywhere. Together, they provide an intelligent platform to enroll, configure, and maintain every Nureva audio system.

The What: Epson has released a new version of Epson Projector Professional Tool (EPPT), a free software utility that helps users set up multiple Epson networked projectors in a large space. 

The What Version 1.3 provides support for macOS for the first time, in addition to Windows. The software enables users to control projectors without a remote, including lens shift, shutter, and power. Intuitive operation allows for control of multiple networked projectors—projectors in the same network are automatically found and displayed. Users can access built-in tools in the Pro L-Series projectors including geometric correction and edge blending, and auto calibration quickly adjusts the brightness and color of networked projectors via their built-in cameras. With tiling assist, the software helps deliver seamless multi-projector displays. This functionality is currently available for the Epson Pro L20000UNL and Pro L12000QNL.

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Projectors and Screens 

“The EPPT software has been very well received and we’ve seen many live event production companies leverage this tool to execute unique projection applications,” said Ramzi Shakra, product manager, large venue projectors, Epson America, Inc. “We are excited to launch the latest version with updated functionality and support for macOS, allowing even more users to take advantage of this advanced and intuitive software.”

The Bottom Line: This software is designed to provide easy access to the projection features built into the Epson Pro L-Series laser projectors, including geometric correction, edge blending, auto color calibration, and screen matching.

The Epson Projector Professional Tool is available for free and works with macOS 10.12 / 10.13 / 10.14 and Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 devices. 

The What: Disguise has launched r17.3, its latest software release that delivers an improved workflow for enhanced efficiency and successful completion of projects post-lockdown. 

The What Else: New features include Indirections, Multi-layer Editing, Object Assignment Hotkeys, Crossfaded Loop Section Mode, as well as a number of improvements and bug fixes to further streamline the user experience.

Related: ‘Disguise OnDemand’ Launches With Free Software, Training 

Headlining the release is the introduction of “Indirections,” which gives all new flexibility to change keyframe objects. Users can now quickly change keyframe objects such as mappings, video clips, textures, and configurations remotely via third-party protocols such as OSC, DMX, or a dedicated API. 

The new “Multi-layer Editing” feature, allows users to edit multiple layers quickly, saving time sequencing and simplifying workflows by assigning common parameter values across layers. The ability to select multiple layers and keyframe values to layers simultaneously allows users to respond to feedback fast, and ensure time onsite is maximized.

Also included in r17.3 is “Object Assignment Hotkeys” allowing users to tailor their workflows for speed and ease of use by assigning your own custom keyboard shortcuts for supported objects. Quickly iterate through layers to make creative changes, and keep up the momentum to deliver the production.

The addition of a “Reference Point Manager” allows users to stay on top of multiple projectors by viewing projector calibration points in a list format, which makes muting, unmuting, and locking points easier to accomplish.

r17.3 also offers time savings in post-production with the new “Crossfaded Loop Section Mode.” Decide how media will loop in the moment, crossfade from the end of the section to the beginning, or jump to the right place in the track for a take without having to play through the entire clip.

The Bottom Line: The improvements to functionality unlock new workflows for applications like esports, making changes to the visual experience in response to gameplay, for example, to spotlight who is leading the match at any given time.

disguise r17.3 is available to download now from www.download.disguise.one

The What: Christie has launched Christie Mystique Lite and Christie Conductor, two new free software solutions designed to make it easier for customers to install and maintain seamlessly blended images and monitor and control their projection systems.

The What Else: Christie Mystique is a camera-based alignment and recalibration solution for supported Christie projectors that can quickly install, align, calibrate, and maintain multi-projection systems.

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Projectors and Screens 

Like the other software editions in the Mystique family, Christie Mystique Lite removes the time-consuming work of image alignment in multi-projector arrays. Mystique Lite is a free software download. It works with an inexpensive third-party webcam to warp, blend, and align up to three supported Christie projectors in a single horizontal projector array on a flat surface or screen with the press of a button. The intuitive interface automatically detects the projectors and webcam, allowing users to mark the corners of their screen to then align, blend, and warp an image. For more complex applications, there is an upgrade path to any of the other Mystique editions.

Christie Conductor is a free monitoring and control software solution for up to 256 Christie 3DLP projectors. Conductor enables end users to proactively diagnose technical issues, execute repetitive processes with a single click, and keep projectors working optimally, reducing the risk of downtime and saving hours of manual work. Originally designed for the Al Wasl Plaza dome at Expo 2020 Dubai to monitor and control the 252 Christie D4K40-RGB projectors installed, Conductor allows operators to perform remote firmware updates of many projectors at once, view the health status of multiple projectors via a list or status map, as well as automatically power up and down the projectors, all from their desktop.

“Mystique Lite and Conductor software save time and make complex projection systems easier to operate and maintain, removing hours of manual work,” said Brad Martin, senior product manager, Christie. “Both are available for our newest 3DLP projector, Griffyn 4K32-RGB, which is not only the smallest and quietest 34,000 lumen RGB pure laser projector on the market, it’s now easier to manage.”

The Bottom Line: Multi-projector arrays, projection mapping, and complex screen shapes and surfaces require expert image configuration, alignment, warping and blending—processes that can take hours of painstaking work. These setups are also often in inaccessible locations, making monitoring difficult. Christie Mystique Lite and Christie Conductor software solutions are designed to make it easier to set up and maintain these deployments.

Christie Mystique Lite will be available early July, and Christie Conductor is available now for free download at www.christiedigital.com.

The What: Navori Labs has announced the immediate availability of QL 2.2.5, the latest version of its digital signage software. The new version delivers a refreshed software suite with 16 innovations that emphasizes an improved user experience across its core components, while integrating new features that address emerging digital signage trends.

The What Else: Navori’s QL is offered in two versions, QL Express and QL Professional. The platform comprises three main components: QL Server, available in the Navori Cloud or as an on-premise solution; QL Content Manager, a user-friendly web-based UI for desktop and mobile devices; and QL Player, the cross-platform media player software for delivering multi-zone, multi-threaded, and multi-layered content. All receive substantial updates in QL 2.2.5.

[Download the 2020 Digital Signage Best Practices Guide]

The Bottom Line: The most significant improvements focus on QL Content Manager, which applies the latest programming and proprietary languages within its completely rewritten software. These enhancements accelerate UI functions by eight times the speed of its preceding version, with a 50 percent reduction in server load to support faster processing. The latest version also adopts the highest security standards, with certification to host tens of thousands of players for large-scale digital signage networks.

The What: Magewell has announced version 3.2 of its free Capture Express software that expands the application's live streaming capabilities with new support for multiple streaming technologies including the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol developed and open-sourced by Haivision. 

The What Else: Already supporting the RTMP protocol in earlier releases, version 3.2 further expands the software's streaming flexibility with support for the SRT protocol as well as MPEG-TS over UDP or RTP. Capture Express 3.2 automatically detects compatible graphics hardware in the host system and leverages GPU-accelerated H.264 encoding when possible, using the CPU for encoding only as necessary. Capture Express runs on the Windows operating system and is compatible with all current Magewell capture product lines.

The Bottom Line: While Magewell capture devices feature extensive compatibility with popular third-party software for streaming, live production, web conferencing, lecture capture and more, the Capture Express software offers Magewell users a lightweight, dedicated tool for recording, previewing or streaming input sources up to 4K at 60 frames per second.

To read more InfoComm Connected stories, visit avnetwork.com/tag/infocomm.

With the simplification of systems, the availability of training, the move toward the adoption of modern programming languages, and the rise in configuration or “no programming required” options, it can be tempting to simply hire a programmer or contract a resource that can write code to make AV systems work. While this seemingly easy win may satisfy immediate needs, it may also provide a false sense of security and prove to be a very costly error when it comes to the long-term success of AV systems within an organization. 

Long gone are the days of outfitting only a select few specialty rooms with independent, bespoke systems. More commonly, technology-outfitted systems are found in various capacities and larger quantities throughout a facility, organization, or enterprise. With that, as system quantities grow to the hundreds or thousands, the need for consistency, scalability, reliability, ease of implementation, and efficiency of management and maintenance are paramount. 

Related: How Software Can Extend Your Systems' Upgrade Cycle

One viable solution to address these growing needs is to establish standardization in design, equipment selection, and system functionality. Standardization can be achieved with various approaches ranging from static, out-of-the-box solutions to a customized, programmed solution that is built for reuse and scalability. Both can be implemented in large quantities with consistency and low effort. Where the static solution provides hardline constraints regarding variations in functionality, capabilities, or equipment, the customized solution is developed to accommodate pre-established variations in system types, equipment, or functionality and planned accommodations for future modification and growth.

When it comes to the custom-standardized approach, big-picture planning becomes critical to the long-term success of the solution. One of the key elements of this plan is having a holistic approach to architecting a software solution that accommodates system needs beyond the current requirements or system definition and serves as a foundation for longevity, growth, and efficiency. 

It can be very easy to be lulled into addressing systems on a one-off basis, rather than investing in standardization. For reasons of time constraints, limited resources, scheduling demands, specific needs, or seemingly lower upfront costs, choices are often made to address system programming on a per project basis. However, failure to consider the bigger picture and have an overall strategy for software architecture, development, deployment, and maintenance that aligns with system design, room requirements, and user needs will prove to be detrimental to the long-term effectiveness of the AV systems within an organization.

A common challenge often expressed by technology managers is the increasing demand of managing and supporting their large quantities of systems with a very limited staff. One way to ease this burden can be through investing in an enterprise software solution with a single, scalable code base rather than supporting a collection of unique programs written with limited foresight and consistency. The former offers a solution for the exponential challenges of support, maintenance, and upgradability that the latter creates.

As system totals grow year after year, the need for standardization in design, equipment selection, and system functionality must become a priority. An effective standardization plan should also include a software development strategy that first begins with architecting a solid foundation and guidelines that define how code should be written. 

There are several key characteristics that should be considered when approaching an enterprise standardization plan and software architecture:

All systems will change. Whether substituting devices for new makes and models, upgrading features or functionality, or addressing user preference adjustments, ease and efficiency of software modification and maintenance is a necessity. An effective software solution should be built to accommodate future device changes, upgrades, or modification requests.

Even identical systems have differences. This may seem like an oxymoron, but it’s true! Provisions for easily addressing the unique aspects of “identical” systems using the same code base need to be considered. Whether it is changing IP addresses, room names, button labels, automation settings, or requirements of a specific space, systems that have the same design and functionality must have a way of addressing subtle differences without creating one-off programs.

Different system types don’t need to have different source code. By strategically designing systems and creatively architecting software, multiple system types or variations can all be supported within a singular code base. The ability to select between pre-defined system types or enable individual components or features without modifying code is key.

A software management plan is critical. From the testing procedures and validation of software releases, to documenting revisions, to securing and storing source code, to tracking and updating versions in the field, a plan for software deployment is vital for the long-term success and viability of AV systems. Standardized solutions with a single code base greatly help with a move toward a successful enterprise solution; however, only with a commitment to defining and implementing software management policies and procedures can the true benefits be guaranteed.

A dynamic (rather than static) user interface design is key. Just as it is critical to establish a standardization approach for the control code, developing a flexible, scalable, and future-proof approach for the user interface design is a vital part of the success of a large-scale deployment. While user interface designs must maintain consistency in look and feel and support the required system functionality, they should not be approached as static objects. An effective user interface design should be built to accommodate change and system differences using variable options that can be adjusted, displayed, or hidden in runtime as systems require. The result being a single user interface source file to complement the single code base.

Although there will always be a need for customization and the one-off, bespoke systems that demonstrate the creative, solution-oriented, and/or artistic nature of AV solutions, as more enterprises invest in a growing number of AV systems for their operational requirements, a business-like approach needs to be taken to satisfy the need for consistency, reliability, ease of maintenance, and rapid deployment, which can be found in developing standardization. It is important to understand that this move toward standardization requires not only a focus on hardware, but also involves a fully planned, architected, and professional approach to software. While this is may be a new concept and a departure from the typical approach where changes in mindset, additional efforts, and an investment in the future will be necessary, the payoff of value, sustainability, and efficiency will be significant. 

Steve Greenblatt, CTS, is president and founder of Control Concepts, a provider of specialized software and services for the audiovisual industry.

The What: Nureva has added connectors in Span Workspace to allow users to show dependencies between notes with red lines, as would be done during analog brainstorming sessions and structured activities like PI Planning. 

The What Else: Companies that have implemented frameworks such as Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and Scrum@Scale need digital alternatives as the changed work environment has forced them to collaborate remotely. These frameworks help larger organizations adopt agile methodologies and deliver products and services faster, and connectors are a key part of the process. When a note is selected in Span Workspace, connector points appear on each side of the note. Users can simply click on a point and drag the connector to any other note on a canvas. The red lines that connect the notes will adjust as the notes are moved. Every change that is made on the canvas will be seen in real time by all other team members working in the same canvas, no matter where they are.

Related: Nureva Debuts Nureva Console Management Platform

Connectors spot which features or stories will not be delivered until multiple teams complete their dependencies. Because everyone can interact with the canvas at the same time, key details aren’t left out and risks are easier to identify and assess. Connectors also make it possible to spot at a glance the projects that have no dependencies at all and can be completed independently. Connectors and other recently added features in Span Workspace, such as agile templates, starter canvases for agile activities and integration with Jira Software, help agile teams keep their ceremonies focused and collaborative. 

“A growing number of Span Workspace users are SAFe practitioners, and they’ve highlighted the need for this feature,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “With so many of our customers working remotely, connectors make it simpler to virtually map out the work ahead and get products to market faster.”

The Bottom Line: Because Span Workspace is a cloud-based platform designed for real-time teamwork, it also allows distributed agile teams to work together in a shared digital space. Distributed participants can quickly contribute to every sprint planning session, stand-up meeting and retrospective as if they were together in the same room, without compromising teamwork or the agile process. This greatly accelerates agile processes and overcomes many of the challenges associated with distributed agile teams.

Whether it’s in response to limited resources, budgetary restrictions, or an economic downturn, the opportunity to get more from existing systems can be accomplished without the need to upgrade hardware or radically change installations.

The easiest element to modify when looking to improve system performance, add functionality, and/or adjust the user interface is the software that runs the system. Whether adjusting control system programming, audio DSP configuration, or updating device firmware, the software aspect of AV systems may be the least tangible, but can have the biggest impact on the user experience and client satisfaction.

Related: Using Frameworks to Streamline AV System Design

Those who overlook the benefit of well-developed software or seek the opportunity to profit from the sale of new hardware are doing their clients a disservice. While the easier and more familiar upgrade path may be installing the latest and greatest equipment, the results will only be as good as the software running the system. This would be similar to rebuilding the body of a car without addressing issues with the engine. On the flip side, software improvements can benefit just about any system as long as the equipment is installed well and in good working order.

Software upgrades that are done in a purposeful, well planned, and effectively implemented manner can change not only the overall effectiveness of a system, but can change the users' perception as well. Everything from a simpler, modernized user interface to a streamlined, more efficient operation contributes to the overall client satisfaction. Despite the technical specifications of the equipment or the skill and effort that goes into the system installation, neither have the same contribution to the usability or success of the system as the software.

Here are some ways that software upgrades can provide a significant impact to system performance without hardware or installation changes:

Resolve Performance Issues

Too often, AV systems are tested in a cursory manner when installation is complete, only to find issues weeks or months after the project has been signed off on. This is not necessarily an indication of faulty equipment, improper installation, inadequate testing, or poor programming, it can also be a result of any of the following:

• Users operating the system in a manner that was not initially expected or intended
• Firmware upgrades on any of the equipment that change the way the device performs
• Changes in workflow or user preferences that result in new operational needs

Update Firmware for Networked Devices

Firmware updates for AV equipment used to be solely about addressing unique issues or adding obscure features. As such, they were deemed optional or risky with the concern of “breaking” something that used to work. While that risk factor may still be real, firmware updates need to also be looked at as an essential part of keeping systems secure. 

Related: Engineering AV Control Like a Software Developer

As with most IT appliances, updates to firmware provide security patches that address network vulnerabilities. As the AV industry continues to leverage the network, AV professionals and organizations need to be more attentive to keeping firmware versions updated and avoiding potential risks to client networks.

Modernize the UI

Just like it is easy to judge a book by its cover, the look and flow of a user interface often establishes the user’s perspective on an entire system. While the system may operate properly and perform the functionality that is needed, the user experience will have a direct impact on their overall satisfaction. 

Modernizing graphics, simplifying operation, and leveraging a consistent look and feel from system to system are all great examples of how an updated user interface can impact ease of use and perception to improve outcomes.

Implement Backend Technician Controls

The operation of AV systems does not have to be limited solely to what is important to typical users. Support staff and technology managers have their own set of needs that should be identified and addressed within the control system operation. These controls, which are not intended for average users, provide means for troubleshooting, accessing advanced features of equipment, or adjustment of system setup or configuration. 

Some examples of technician controls may be the ability to verify device communication, change microphone levels, perform manual switching of sources and destinations, or change timing of automatic system shutdown. While these controls are important to maintaining system performance, they are not geared toward users. Thus, they typically reside on a hidden touchpanel page or a webpage that is not user accessible.

Improve Audio Intelligibility

Most AV systems utilize some type of software-driven audio DSP to handle conferencing, sound reinforcement, and/or voice lift. Although it may be easy to get a system operational using default settings to demonstrate operation and/or test signal flow, configuration of the audio DSP requires specific audio knowledge and skills in order to obtain optimal sound. Systems that are not set up and adjusted to meet specific room acoustics and performance levels will experience instability and irregular behaviors.

Since audio quality and the performance of an audio DSP can be subject to a variety of environmental conditions including room layout, furniture, wall coverings, air handling, and the number of participants in the room to name a few, maintaining optimal performance may require adjustment of the audio DSP over time. Additionally, being that characteristics of each space may be unique despite using the same base configuration file, each room may require a different set of adjustments. These adjustments of the audio DSP configuration and level settings within software can improve system performance and user satisfaction without changing hardware or installation.

Although software is hard to value due to its intangible nature, it is a vital part of any integrated AV system. It can also be the easiest part of a system to upgrade, while providing the biggest return. Software doesn’t have a finite lifespan, and it can grow and scale to meet changing needs, making it a sound investment. When considering system upgrades, take time to evaluate the need and define the desired result. Before defaulting to a hardware solution, explore the solutions that software can offer.

Steve Greenblatt, CTS, is president and founder of Control Concepts, a provider of specialized software and services for the audiovisual industry.

The What: Symetrix has released Composer 7.3, the latest version of its Windows programming software for Edge, Radius NX, Prism, and Solus NX DSPs. 

The What Else: New features in this update include multitrack audio recording, web-based event scheduler, support for new W Series remotes, new device integrations, and more.

Related: Symetrix Announces New T-5 Gen 2 Touchscreen Controller

Multitrack Audio Recording allows a Radius NX device to record up to eight tracks of audio simultaneously to an external USB device. Audio tracks may be recorded individually or grouped into multi-channel modules of up to eight channels per module.

The designer places one or more Recording Modules into the Design window of a Radius NX processor in Symetrix Composer. Each Recording Module has its own start/stop controls, assignable storage location on the USB drive, file naming configuration, and audio settings.

The W Series remotes expand Symetrix’s control options with IP-based remote controls powered by PoE. With four variants providing different combinations of rotary encoders, momentary buttons, and OLED displays, W Series remotes provide system designers with flexible control options that can be deployed with an Ethernet connection to a PoE switch or an inline PoE power injector. 

W Series remotes leverage the same familiar programming interface used to program Symetrix ARC remotes and are available in black or white versions for both US and UK/EU form factors.

The Web-based Event Scheduler and all Control Server apps are designed to provide simple, direct access to system control from any device with a web browser regardless of the manufacturer or operating system of that device.

From any device with a web browser, a user can view existing scheduled events, make changes to existing events, or add new events. This eliminates the need for a dedicated computer running Composer software for adding/editing events. Users are able to control the functionality of the system without having access to modify the DSP programming of the system. 

The Web-based Event Scheduler can also be accessed by any computer on the local network allowing administration of the system from anywhere within the local networking cloud.

Symetrix Composer 7.3 also adds Intelligent Module support for direct integration of: 

• Alcorn McBride V-Page paging station 
• Attero Tech Zip4 paging station 
• Audix Network Device Control DN4 and DN43 microphone interfaces 
• ClockAudio TIM-1000 microphone 
• Linea Research amplifiers 
• Powersoft Mezzo amplifiers 
• Visionary Solutions E4100 and D4100 encoder/decoder

Intelligent Modules allow Symetrix Composer to bring the same level of native control previously available only for Symetrix DSP devices to Symetrix I/O devices and non-Symetrix hardware. This includes direct integration with ARC and W Series remotes, real-time control of parameters, access to logic integration, and more. 

The Bottom Line: Available now, Symetrix Composer 7.3 software was created to enable designers to program a complete end-to-end DSP signal path using just one application.

Disguise has enhanced its software with the aim of helping its community meet production challenges while away from their studios. With its latest release, r17.2, disguise introduces improvements to help users optimize their workflow at home, such as Application Mode, and devise new concepts to connect with audiences online with augmented reality and 360 video.

A key addition in r17.2 is the ability to run disguise’s Designer software in Application Mode. This enables Designer to run alongside multiple applications so users can perform tasks concurrently and switch between its software and other apps. With Application Mode, users can pull content from the web into a project to work up concepts and share works in progress with others to communicate progress, gather feedback, and collaborate better.

Related: Glue Launches Next-Gen VR Collaboration Platform for Dispersed Teams

r17.2 introduces support for HTC VIVE tracking accessories, which make it possible to develop AR experiences at home without high-end tracking equipment. HTC VIVE accessories can be used to emulate camera or object tracking systems, so users can work up AR concepts from lockdown in their home office setup, living room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen—wherever they choose to augment their world.

r17.2 also allows users to create simple AR screens without the need for other tools, so they can quickly test out ideas for AR experiences. By making it possible to render layers separately, users can also experience better overall project performance and a cleaner workflow.

With the new Spherical Camera in r17.2, users can now render 360 video content in disguise, engaging content for online audiences. 360 video is also a valuable addition to users’ remote production toolkit, enabling them to test out arrangements, gather feedback, and gain confidence before sharing content. Users with a VR headset can also enter the 360 experience or share with others to view using a VR player.

Available now, r17.2 software is designed to help disguise users reach new creative heights at home during lockdown. The software update can be downloaded here. 

Clear-Com’s Agent-IC mobile app is helping productions around the world operate from the homes of staff and on-screen talent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The app for iOS and Android turns smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices into fully featured intercom panels with connectivity over Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, and LTE networks.

“Clear-Com has always had a broad offering of products and solutions for various workflows and working conditions,” said Bob Boster, president, Clear-Com. “While it would be fair to say we never imagined our current scenario, Agent-IC is providing a simple yet highly effective solution to help production teams working from home all over the world stay connected.”

Related: NewTek Ships Latest TriCaster Mini 4K With Tools for Small Production Teams

Since its launch in 2015, Agent-IC has been used as a communication solution between facility-based staff and production teams on location for field reporting, live event production, remote coordination, and other critical tasks. Local and remote LQ devices can access up to 48 Agent-IC users, where LQ acts as a server for the app. With a Clear-Com’s Eclipse mainframe in the studio, many more Agent-IC users can access the production intercom remotely—the number of users able to access the main intercom can vary depending on the quantity of IP ports on the E-IPA cards.

Broadcast stations of varying sizes throughout the world, including Verizon Media, Philadelphia’s WFMZ/WDPN-TV and Germany’s Home Shopping Europe (HSE24), are now looking to Agent-IC to meet their production needs from home, and in the last two weeks alone, more than 30 customers have added the app to their networks, according to Clear-Com.

For Verizon Media, the adaptive connectivity of its Eclipse frame has allowed production teams to take advantage of their Agent-IC mobile clients, granting full remote access to connect comms to their base intercom system without having anyone in the studio.

“Agent IC has been the communications glue that has allowed Yahoo Finance and Verizon Media to run fully remote productions during the current COVID-19 situation in New York City—a lifesaver,” said Dan Brantigan, Verizon Media’s head of audio.

HSE24 is using Agent-IC as a full-fledged intercom system and for in-ear monitoring, connecting live experts to the bidirectional intercom lines from the main studio to the other external locations. They have been integrating additional Agent-IC licenses into their existing Eclipse intercom system on a need-basis, which has proven to be a cost-effective and easy-to-deploy solution.

“Due to the current situation we had to move some of our live productions to remote offices,” said Norbert Wilinski, broadcast engineer for HSE24. “Thanks to the seamless integration of Clear-Com’s Agent-IC app, remote staff were able to continue producing live content, maintaining our usual workflow and guaranteeing real-time command.”

Jeff Kuhns at WFMZ/WDPN-TV also recognized the practicality and convenience of Agent-IC in today’s circumstances. “With our company requiring our news producers to work from home, Agent-IC has been a vital key to our success and our staff is amazed with the flexibility it has given them. Having a full intercom panel on their mobile device allows them to interact with our production team, news anchors, ENG crews and reporters in real time, from their home office. It’s a vital tool for today’s work environment.”

Multiple options for connectivity help staff in choosing the best option for their geographic location and time of day, depending on local broadband speeds. 3G, 4G, LTE and Wi-Fi network operation allows for load balancing of interaction with the studio—without necessarily using the same network resources as the editing tools—and can help secure communications without endangering the higher bandwidth required for program content such as video and graphics.

“It is important to note that while these home adaptations of intercom systems are crucial in today’s work-from-home landscape, Agent-IC is not likely to replace conventional workflows once this crisis subsides,” Boster clarified. “Not everyone has the space to accommodate the remote production of a sporting event, for example, that can take up to 10 hours, and there are latency issues to address while on Wi-Fi that could be a concern for program content. But for this situation, it is a great interim solution,” he said.

Frameworks are an essential part of a software developer’s arsenal, allowing them to focus on what is unique about a project or need rather than spending time reinventing the wheel on routine components. 

Call it efficiency, laziness, or human nature, most people don’t like doing the same mundane task over and over again with no better result. Without a framework, many software developers find themselves struggling in the weeds of either the heavy lifting of complex coding, or recreating simple code blocks that are essential to their project outcome. Frameworks are commonly used in the software world to provide developers the opportunity to build programs for specific platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS by leveraging libraries created to address common functions or often-used operations, leading to ease of development and increased efficiency. Rather than developing all aspects of software from scratch for each project, building blocks and utilities are pre-developed and stored for reuse, supporting ease of project development.

Related: Engineering AV Control Like a Software Developer

Developing a framework should not be confused with using a template. A template is typically derived from a solution built for a particular need or application that is used as a basis for future projects. Templates are often inefficient as they are not built for scalability or modification and require brute force methods to make them work for different needs. While frameworks may involve a degree of compromise at times, implementing templates when systems are not almost identical involves concession. When a template doesn’t fit a need, it either has to be radically changed or the solution has to be adjusted to fit the requirements of the template, yielding a less than desirable outcome.

A purpose-built framework can virtually eliminate all of the typical challenges of one-off systems—solving many of the common challenges facing technology managers and end-user clients in today’s world of AV. An effective framework does not come without an investment of time, money, research, and vision as to what is needed now and what will be needed in the future from the perspective of user needs, technology trends, design requirements, and business goals. Most of all, a framework requires a commitment to investing in and preserving a structure that will define how systems are designed, developed, tested, deployed, and maintained. Like with templates, temptations will always be present that will challenge the integrity of a framework. As a result, it is critical to maintain discipline and focus to get the most out of a framework for AV solutions and ensure that it satisfies all the needs and goals for which it was intended.

Here are some guidelines for defining an effective framework for AV systems. Start by clearly identifying the functional needs for typical systems that compromise 80 percent of the solutions that are being implemented. Based on specific needs, develop a standard system design that encompasses all of the aggregate components that are in each of the systems. The result will be a master system from which all other typical systems are a subset. This master system may never be deployed as designed, but each variation of all the typical systems will be created from it.

The master system will be the blueprint from architecting the operation of the system as well as the control system program. After thoroughly defining the requirements of the user experience, begin to define the sub-systems, devices, and customized components that will vary from system to system. This may be the number of displays, the quantity of sources, the inclusion of video and audio conferencing, support for various environmental controls, and the ability to change room names, preset names, automation requirements, etc. As all of the specifics are spelled out, the control requirements will be defined and the software architecture can be created, ensuring that the items which will vary from system to system will be handled accordingly—making for ease of adjustment. Lastly, the user interface and business logic that defines the user experience and system operation will be carefully built to support specific needs, provide for a comprehensive solution, and endorse customization.

When developing a system framework, it’s important to include select a robust, modern programming language that can fully support the power of a framework. It is important that AV devices have modules/drivers that are pre-developed and vetted, so that they can be plugged into the control software with little effort and devices can be easily swapped out as needed.

• Utilize a testing lab to simulate as many system types and variations as possible through the development and maintenance period.
• Thoroughly test all variations and functionality with each deployment.
• Maintain thorough and accurate revision history and record keeping to ensure that updates are fully documented and deployed upon release.
• Maintain discipline to ensure that system requirements, modifications, or upgrades do not jeopardize the integrity of the framework.
• Maintain backward compatibility, so that software updates can be applied to all pre-existing systems that have been built on the framework.

Today’s business requirements call for modern solutions that are not only operational and meet users’ needs, but are creative in the way they leverage the constraints of time, money, personnel, and long-term maintenance and upkeep. Having a purpose-built framework to satisfy typical systems that make up at least 80 percent overall needs will go a long way toward modernizing an organization's approach to AV systems. It is by no accident that software developers turn to frameworks to save time, create efficiency, and eliminate the need to reinvent the wheel. Why shouldn’t technology managers, end user organizations, and AV solutions providers do the same?

Steve Greenblatt, CTS, is president and founder of Control Concepts, a provider of specialized software and services for the audiovisual industry.

The What: Magewell has released a new upgrade of its free Capture Express recording application that expands the software's streaming capabilities. Version 3.2 adds new support for multiple streaming technologies including the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol developed and open-sourced by Haivision.

The What Else: Version 3.0 of Capture Express initially offered easy recording and previewing functionality, and the subsequent version 3.1 added the ability to stream H.264-encoded video using the RTMP protocol. Now, version 3.2 further expands the software's streaming flexibility with support for the SRT protocol as well as MPEG-TS over UDP or RTP. Enabling secure, reliable, low-latency video delivery over unpredictable networks, SRT ensures high-quality streaming experiences even over the public internet. Magewell is a member of the SRT Alliance.

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Distance Learning and Streaming

Capture Express 3.2 automatically detects compatible graphics hardware in the host system and leverages GPU-accelerated H.264 encoding when possible, using the CPU for encoding only as necessary. Capture Express runs on the Windows operating system and is compatible with all current Magewell capture product lines—including USB Capture Gen 2 and USB Capture Plus external devices, Pro Capture PCIe cards, and Eco Capture M.2 hardware—as well as Magewell's first-generation capture cards and boxes.

"The importance of streaming as a communication medium has been accentuated in recent weeks by the health crisis the world is facing," said James Liu, VP of Engineering at Magewell. "While we had planned all along to expand the streaming capabilities of Capture Express, the beta release of version 3.2 has become particularly timely given the increased demand for streaming today. Customers who previously used our capture devices primarily for internal production workflows may want to begin streaming to stay in touch with their followers, and Capture Express offers an efficient option for users who don't need the full functionality of a third-party encoding and streaming application."

The Bottom Line: Capture Express software offers Magewell users a lightweight, dedicated tool for recording, previewing or streaming input sources. Originally designed to help users easily verify their input signals and capture devices, Capture Express has evolved into a simple yet full-fledged capture application supporting video up to 4K at 60 frames per second.

The beta version of Capture Express 3.2 is available immediately on Magewell's website.

The Magic Quadrant for Meeting Solutions report published by Gartner in September 2019 stated that by 2024, remote work and changing workforce demographics will impact enterprise meetings so that only 25 percent will take place in person—down from 60 percent from the time the report was issued. This was a reasonable assertion given the facts that were known at the time, but not anymore.

According to the 2018 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29 percent of Americans could work from home, but this number just increased tremendously. While employees within service and labor industries such as agriculture, construction, travel, restaurants, and hospitality have been hard hit, nearly any worker who has the ability to connect to work online is setting up shop at home. 

Software Solutions

Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Meeting Solutions report describes meeting solutions as a blend communications, collaboration, and content sharing to enable informal and formal meetings anywhere. The following is a list of software solutions from three quadrants of the report—Challengers, Leaders, and Visionaries—with an abridged strength and caution section most relevant to AV/IT managers with a remote workers in mind. You can download the full report here.

Adobe

Adobe offers Adobe Connect in SaaS, premises-based, managed service, and dedicated deployment options.

Strength: Adobe’s focus on customers in government, healthcare, financial services, and higher education makes it appealing for environments where a meeting solution must be tailored to specific roles or business needs.

Caution: Adobe has not invested in pursuing some innovations, such as virtual assistants, its own integrated digital whiteboard hardware, or integration with smart devices that competitors have.

BlueJeans

BlueJeans offers its BlueJeans Meetings and Events solutions as SaaS, along with partner endpoints for conference rooms and a cloud-based video interop gateway for Microsoft Teams.

Strength: BlueJeans has a robust video meeting service and is looking to expand its business through strategic partnerships with Dolby (including a Rooms-as-a-Service option), Microsoft, and Facebook.

Caution: BlueJeans supports only SaaS-based delivery with typical licensing models. This approach inhibits adoption by organizations desiring freemium and dedicated deployment options.

Cisco

Cisco offers a variety of meeting solutions together with a portfolio of video endpoints that span huddle room solutions to large, customized environments. For premises-based deployments, Cisco Meeting Server is its leading product. Cisco Webex Meetings is offered as SaaS or hybrid deployments. The vendor also offers Cisco Webex Teams as SaaS or hybrid deployments for workstream collaboration.

Strength: Cisco’s range of video infrastructure, endpoint, and application offerings enable more fully integrated deployment options than any other competitor in this Magic Quadrant. Its offering includes hybrid architectures that help maximize quality and security.

Caution: Cisco’s reference customers reported that Webex Meetings should leverage additional plug-ins, applets, or external products to create better workflows with their preferred business applications.

Google

Google offers Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat as SaaS, along with its own and partner-branded conference room endpoints.

Strength: Customers benefit from the ability to create meeting workflows across other G Suite products, as well as from Google’s substantial ecosystem of vendor and software partnerships, to further enhance meeting experiences. Hangouts Meet is included with G Suite, making it compelling and sensible for enterprises that have “gone Google” to get full value out of their investment by using the vendor’s meeting solution.

Caution: Hangouts Meet is included with G Suite as part of a horizontal collaboration offering. As such, unlike some competitors, the Google offering is not customized for particular vertical industries.

Lifesize

Lifesize Icon meeting room systems can be purchased in tandem with a subscription to the Lifesize Cloud conferencing service, or as a standalone endpoint.

Strength: Lifesize has aggressively expanded its efforts with a wide range of licensing offers to meet local preferences for purchase and service platform engagement.

Caution: Lifesize needs to expand its options for improving content delivery and reducing internal network congestion for large video broadcasts, such as town halls and webinars.

LogMeIn

LogMeIn offers GoToMeeting, GoToTraining, GoToWebinar, GoToRoom, GoToConnect, and join.me as SaaS, along with partner endpoints for conference rooms.

Strength: LogMeIn has focused on improving meeting workflows, as evidenced by its extensive integrations to third-party productivity, scheduling, and sales acceleration solutions. It has also focused on developing meeting transcription as a default feature of its products.

Caution: LogMeIn may not be suitable for organizations that desire innovation around physical digital whiteboard meeting endpoints, for which competitors have productized offerings.

Microsoft

Microsoft offers Skype for Business for hybrid, premises-based, dedicated, and managed service deployment. It also offers Skype for Business Online and Microsoft Teams as SaaS. The vendor offers a portfolio of partner-branded conference room endpoints for Microsoft Teams, and its own Surface Hub device for collaboration.

Strength: Microsoft has demonstrated its focus on customer experience by addressing the needs of enterprise IT buyers and common workforce roles, supporting customer success with extensive change-management materials, processes and partners, and with deployments in large customer environments.

Caution: To plan and execute large live meeting broadcasts with Microsoft technologies requires an understanding of multiple products (Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Yammer), multiple event models (e.g., production studio quality or self-service) and possible third-party video delivery optimization (e.g., ECDN, P2P, or multicast).

Pexip

Pexip offers its cloud-based meeting solution platform as SaaS, and its virtualized video infrastructure software, Infinity, as a premises-based or managed service.

Strength: The merger of Pexip with Videxio at the end of 2018 has created a scalable videoconferencing solution that provides a unified experience across mobile, desktop, and conference room endpoints.

Caution: Pexip does not directly offer client- or server-based meeting recording options. However, it does integrate with cloud- and premises-based third-party recording and archiving services.

StarLeaf

StarLeaf offers a SaaS deployment option for its StarLeaf Cloud meeting solution along with its portfolio of conference room endpoints.

Strength: StarLeaf’s video collaboration solution is resonating with buyers seeking a reliable platform that delivers high-quality meeting experiences in its conference rooms. This is evidenced by the vendor’s impressive growth in its targeted markets.

Caution: StarLeaf’s meeting service is offered as SaaS only, which can limit adoption by organizations requiring premises-based or dedicated hosted deployment options.

Zoom

Zoom offers SaaS, hybrid, managed service, and dedicated deployment options for its Zoom Meeting and Zoom Video Webinar solutions, along with its partners’ conference room endpoints.

Strength: Zoom’s wide array of deployment options, including freemium, allows organizations flexibility when considering how best to consume its increasingly popular video collaboration service. Zoom’s rich meeting solution feature set, expanding partner community, and integration with services such as Slack and RingCentral are driving demand for the vendor’s services by end users and IT organizations alike.

Caution: Zoom’s reference customers cite a desire for more integration options for their preferred business applications, as well as better interoperability with external meeting solutions.

The What: NDI, part of the Vizrt Group, announced that it would make available its new NDI|HX Capture for iOS and its NDI|HX Camera for iOS applications for free for the next 60 days. This move comes in response to an increase in mobile game streaming and a worldwide shortage of quality web cameras. 

[NDI Unveils Version 4.5 of its Video-over-IP Technology]

The What Else: With many live sporting events now cancelled, esports are coming to the fore and the NDI|HX Capture app enables broadcasting of the action from mobile game to fans all over the globe. Using NDI, the low-latency, IP-based video standard, the app makes it even easier to bring the audience closer to where an increasing amount of content is created, the mobile gaming screen.

The NDI|HX Camera app turns the iPhone in your pocket into a 4K broadcast quality camera system, optimized for remote live content creation. It can be used by journalists to capture the story wherever they are, which is essential in these days of remote working. For everybody else, the app turns their iPhone in to a high-quality webcam that will work with popular applications like MS Teams, Skype, Zoom, and many more.

Each app uses the latest version of NDI 4.5 to harness the enhanced capabilities for transferring video, audio, and metadata in real time across standard and wireless Ethernet networks. NDI 4.5 leverages breakthroughs in mobile phone connectivity, wireless networking, augmented and virtual reality environments.

“Our customers are the world’s storytellers and right now, unfortunately there is one story that is dominating our lives,” said Michael Hallén, CEO of the Vizrt Group. “Like everyone else, our customers are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and are having to overcome the challenges of staffing shortages and lockdowns. Making these two NDI-powered apps available to all who need them makes it easier for the world’s storytellers to keep us all better informed.”

The Bottom Line: These applications, used in conjunction with the free NDI Tools software, enable the creation of content, be that the action from a mobile game or live video in broadcast quality. Both apps are available now for download from the Apple iOS App Store and normally retail at $10 and $20 respectively.

Both apps are available to download free of charge until June 1, 2020 and require an updated version of the free to download NDI Tools to be installed on the user’s computer.

The What: Disguise has released r17.1 of its Designer software, adding new augmented reality (AR) capabilities and an enhanced user experience. The release coincides with the launch of a six-month free license for the software. 

[disguise and Evolve Media Group Announce New Partnership]

The What Else: The significant workflow improvements introduced in r17.1 enhance the ease of use for specialists delivering augmented reality (AR) experiences with disguise, making it a more compelling option for use in projects for broadcast, esports, and live contexts such as corporate, education, virtual environments and concert touring. As viewing figures surge, it becomes increasingly important to have the right tools available to create AR easily and efficiently and elevate at-home viewing with thrilling visuals.

The disguise solution provides full 3D simulation and camera planning tools that allow workflow specialists to pre-visualize and imagine every pixel of an AR experience ahead of time, communicate and collaborate with other teams, and respond to feedback at every stage of a production.

To date, disguise has already been used to power many major events, including the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the Pakistan Super League, the longest ever accomplished duration of an AR-centered broadcast. AR was critical to the success of the broadcast and enhanced the experience for the 50 million viewers watching from home and around the world. With r17.1, disguise hopes to further enable its community to produce AR experiences.

As well as making it easier to create and deliver AR, the new disguise release also introduces a range of improvements to the software user experience.

With sequenced transitions, users can now transition to anywhere on a timeline using black and white content to define the transition. The feature opens new visual possibilities and saves time previously spent sequencing by simplifying the approach.

The new ability to generate test patterns within the software speeds up workflows by removing the need to leave the software to create test patterns in other tools. Test patterns in a pre-visualization give users confidence in their screen arrangement by letting them see precisely where the divides are between each screen. Test patterns are dynamically generated meaning users can react quickly to adapt a pre-visualization to feedback and on-site changes.

The launch of r17.1 comes in a week when disguise has offered a free six-month subscription promotion for its Designer software. This offer has been made to support the disguise and live events community at a time when it is key for creatives and designers to continue to create and prepare for live projects later in the year.

The Bottom Line: Built with disguise’s community of artists and technicians at its heart, r17.1 dramatically enhances the AR workflow so that its community can produce experiences with ease. With the release, disguise also hopes to help creative studios and production houses access the market opportunity presented by AR with the solution for delivering spectacular and immersive visuals.

For more information, and to download r17.1, click here.

The What: Renewed Vision has announced the availability of ProPresenter 7, the latest version of its flagship live presentation and production software for sporting events, broadcast studios, houses of worship, concerts, and conferences. The first major upgrade of the software in five years, ProPresenter 7 adds support for advanced multiscreen presentations, an improved user interface, and a simplified pricing structure. Renewed Vision (Booth SL7427) will demo ProPresenter 7 at the 2020 NAB Show, taking place April 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

[Renewed Vision Scoreboard, PVP3 Media Server Software Boost Fan Engagement at University of Kentucky]

The Whaty Else: Pro Presenter 7’s multiscreen innovation is powered through a new Announcements Layer, which allows ProPresenter 7 to display different presentations at the same time on different outputs. With multiscreen support, one ProPresenter 7 installation can create a three-screen edge blend, populate IMAG screens and other stage displays, and feed announcements to lobby screens without the need for external image splitters.

The updated Stage Display has its own editor window with a built-in multiviewer to monitor all display outputs. ProPresenter 7 supports SDI and NDI outputs, and automatically detects outputs without restarting for easy setup and configuration.

With a darkened look for easier viewing and operation, the new interface offers a streamlined user experience. From one screen, users can monitor upcoming slides, access and organize all media assets, create playlists, preview any output, and control video playback. ProPresenter 7 has also optimized its search function for more efficient song selection, and slide notes have been redesigned and move to the bottom of the screen.

An all-new editor offers improved functionality to produce better visuals in less time, with dynamic text scaling and linked text boxes, enhanced guides and rulers, data-driven text boxes for countdowns, adjustable shapes with color gradients, and more. ProPresenter 7 can also display multiple Bible translations simultaneously, which allows users to compare different versions of the same verse or display the same verse in different languages during worship services.

Developed at the same time as the Mac version, the Windows version of ProPresenter 7 is 64-bit native for improved performance, stability, and integration with Mac systems. Seat licenses work for both Mac and Windows-based systems, and can be disabled and re-enabled on a per-computer basis.

“Our new multiscreen output ProPresenter 7 is a game changer for live events,” said Brad Weston, president, Renewed Vision. “We’ve made it easy and affordable to create multimedia presentations with different content on multiple screens. Plus, it’s easier than ever to create and organize content with our redesigned interface.”

The Bottom Line: With its new pricing structure, ProPresenter 7 is a complete, integrated solution with no separate modules—a first for ProPresenter that creates an entirely new value proposition. Customers purchase seat licenses for each presentation computer. With ProPresenter 7, Renewed Vision is also unveiling ProPresenter+, an annual option that offers software updates and new functionality to customers in shorter intervals.

ProPresenter 7 is also available as a free download. The free version is not intended for use with an audience, as the output will have a watermark, but it allows users to build shows and presentations that can be transferred to the licensed presentation computer. 

The What: Primestream, a provider of asset management, automation software, and workflow orchestration solutions for media and production operations, has announced the release of its Creative Bridge solution for unifying content creation workflows. As an add-on to Primestream's Xchange web-based media management platform, Creative Bridge allows all members of the content creation team to access any creative tool: Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple Final Cut Pro X, DaVinci Resolve, and Avid Pro Tools.

[Bannister Lake to Showcase Data Management Solutions at NAB 2020]

The What Else: Because all projects and assets within the Xchange platform are connected, users can access those tools seamlessly with Creative Bridge. Additionally, team members can register new assets into the MAM/PAM with rich metadata and organizational folder structures. Personnel across the organization gain greater visibility into media and can quickly search, import, and register managed media.

"Creative teams today want to be more connected and have greater visibility and better unification of the overall workflow, as well as the reliability and security essential to modern media production," said Namdev Lisman, executive vice president of Primestream. "Creative Bridge addresses all of these requirements, enabling accelerated workflows, boosting collaborative capabilities, and improving visibility into media. Establishing convenient and intuitive connections between users and creative tools, this new solution brings greater efficiency and productivity to content creation in any organization."

The Bottom Line: With the addition of Creative Bridge, producers, editors, graphic designers, visual effects artists, and other creatives gain access to multiple creative tools through a single intuitive application.

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, announced that The Update Framework (TUF) is the ninth project to graduate, following Kubernetes, Prometheus, Envoy, CoreDNS, containerd, Fluentd, Jaeger, and Vitess. For projects to move from the maturity level of incubation to graduation, they must demonstrate thriving adoption, an open governance process, and a strong commitment to community, sustainability, and inclusivity.

TUF, an open-source technology that secures software update systems, is the first specification and first security-focused project to graduate. Justin Cappos, associate professor of computer science and engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, initially developed the project in 2009. Cappos is also the first academic researcher to lead a graduated project and TUF is the first project born out of a university to graduate.

[Getting Hardcore About Software]

"We are moving into a new decade where open source software is pervasive and updated seamlessly across our lives through many devices," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO/COO of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "We are thrilled to see TUF secure an important part of the software supply chain and look forward to continue sustaining their community in CNCF."

According to the CNCF, TUF has become an "industry de facto standard for securing software update systems" and is utilized by leading providers of cloud-based services, including Amazon—which recently released a customized open-source version of TUF—Microsoft, Google, Cloudflare, Datadog, DigitalOcean, Docker, IBM, RedHat, VMware, and others.

"We designed TUF so that an organization does not need to be perfect in their operational security," added Cappos. "If a company accidentally makes a signing key public, has a hacker break into their software repository, or if a disgruntled employee goes rogue, the damage they can cause is limited. Defense in depth is key to security, and the security of the software update infrastructure is among the most critical concerns in practice."

For more about TUF,  visit theupdateframework.github.io/.

The What: Nureva has released a free update to the Jira Software integration with Span Workspace, Nureva’s expansive cloud-based digital canvas for visual planning and collaboration. Jira issues that are represented by digital sticky notes in a Span canvas can now be updated either in Jira or in Span Workspace, and the changes will be synchronized between the two platforms.

[Nureva Adds Jira Software Integration to Span Workspace]

The What Else: In August, Nureva announced a one-way sync from Span Workspace to Jira Software, helping development teams visualize sprints by using their personal devices or shared displays to create Jira issues in a Span canvas using notes and groups. This eliminated the inefficiencies associated with transcribing paper sticky notes and adding them to Jira. The two-way sync provided by this second phase of the integration makes it even easier to plan and visualize workflows in Span Workspace while continuing to manage project details in Jira. 

“Since launching our initial integration with Jira Software, we have been excited to see the enthusiastic reactions from agile teams using Span Workspace to make their planning activities more visual and collaborative,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “Developed from their feedback, this new integration extends those benefits to all stages in the process by maintaining a constant connection between the two platforms.”

The Bottom Line: The integration of Jira Software with Span Workspace is designed to allow agile teams to visualize Jira issues in a way that assists with planning activities, team engagement, and collaboration. As a cloud-based platform designed for real-time teamwork, it also allows geographically dispersed teams to work together in a shared digital space. Distributed participants can quickly contribute to every sprint planning session, stand-up meeting, and retrospective as if they were together in the same room, without compromising teamwork or the agile process. 

The full Jira integration is available now at no additional cost to Span Workspace subscribers that have an active user account in Jira Cloud or Jira Server.

The What: The latest firmware upgrade to Panasonic’s AW-UE150 4K/HD HDR-capable pan/tilt/zoom camera has added V-Log support. V-Log enables the easy integration of the AW-UE150 into sophisticated production environments where uncompromised image capture and full creative control over the image can be done later in post.

The What Else:  Working in V-Log, the AW-UE150 enables easy post-production matching to Panasonic’s other V-Log capable cameras: the renowned 4K s35mm VariCams, the newer s35mm AU-EVA1 5.7K handheld and the 2/3” 4K / HD AK-UC4000 studio/field camera system.

Conventional “709”-style video recordings, although perfect for real-time use, can easily clip highlights or limit later post production capabilities. With the AW-UE150 in the V-Log mode, the camera will output 4K and HD signals as V-Log, which can then be recorded. For ease of operator use, an optional V709 monitoring LUT may be added to the HD monitor output, which adds “normal” contrast permitting focus and exposure control. The use of an appropriate LUT box will provide an easy means of adding a desired “look” to the V-Log for use in IMAG or Realtime video display.  

[Panasonic Launches AW-UE150 PTZ Camera and AW-RP150 Remote Controller]

As part of the V-Log capable Panasonic camera family, the AW-UE150 can take advantage of the V-Log/V-Gamut based VariCam LUT Library of prebuilt image options: these are universally applicable across the AW-UE150, the ubiquitous VariCams, the EVA1 and the AK-UC4000 studio camera by means of a simple external LUT box, thus assuring continuity of image matching across all cameras for in-field monitoring or display. The same LUTs or a specifically created show-look LUT is easily applied in post-production to obtain the desired image look and format. Thus, V-Log is a means of acquiring and post-producing camera originals to generate HD, UHD, or even HDR deliverables, all from any of the V-Log capable Panasonic cameras. 

The free Ver. 2.28 upgrade delivers several additional improvements to the AW-UE150, including RTMPS support for live streaming (a protocol now required for live video uploads to social media platforms like Facebook), a preset iris mode, HDMI status menu, a real-time camera data update

ON/OFF mode in the web browser, a dedicated preset thumbnail page in the web browser, additional crop frames on the web GUI, and a TLS1.0/1.1 disable mode to facilitate secure communications.    

The Bottom Line:  Suited for streaming platforms’ demanding criteria, V-Log processing preserves the full scene tonality and color palette of the camera’s imager by means of a very low-contrast signal format (it will look like a very flat image if observed on a standard monitor). However, V-Log enables full control over the image when creatively adjusted in the post-production and grading processes. 

The What: ATEN Technology has launched ATEN Unizon, server-based software that provides AV/IT professionals with the power to manage, monitor, and control ATEN Modular Matrix and Video Matrix solutions in real time.

The What Else: Once ATEN Unizon is installed on the client server, users can access the software remotely through Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge/Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and other mainstream web browsers. With an intuitive interface, ATEN Unizon allows AV/IT administrators to easily perform common tasks and schedule tasks by batch using a grouping function.  In case of abnormal events, it will notify users and allow them to review the system logs of devices monitored by the platform to ensure that issues can be remedied in real-time.

ATEN Unizon key features include: device condition monitoring, global control and scheduling, and access and locations management.

The Bottom Line: ATEN Unizon is available for $2,990 USD MSRP for a basic license through ATEN’s channel of distribution and reseller partners.

The What: Focusrite has released RedNet Control 2.4, a free software update that adds Dante Domain Manager (DDM) and AES67/AES70 compatibility, as well as an AES3 Kill Switch function, background mode, and other enhancements.

The What Else: RedNet Control 2.4 makes all Focusrite Red audio interfaces, plus RedNet devices with Audinate Brooklyn 2, Ultimo, and Ultimo X architecture, compatible with Dante Domain Manager. Specifically, RedNet Control 2.4 recognizes the four distinct levels of system access granted within DDM: Site Administrator, Domain Administrator, Operator, and Guest. As a result, users can be granted access only to the RedNet Control features necessary for their workflow. Those who just need to record audio from an existing subscription, for example, will not be able to make admin-level adjustments such as sample rate changes, or create new audio subscriptions.

[Focusrite Launches Third-Generation Scarlett Range]

Also new in RedNet Control 2.4 is AES3 Kill Switch control for RedNet D16 and RedNet D16R. Currently a RedNet D16R always sends information (a series of zeroes) on its AES3 outputs, making it impossible for downstream devices, such as amplifiers, to distinguish between “mute” and “fault” status. With the new Kill Switch feature, users can set channel pairs to automatically cut the AES3 transmission from the D16R in certain conditions, meaning that downstream devices can identify a failure and deal with it appropriately.

Another new feature in RedNet Control 2.4 is AES67 compatibility for RedNet X2P and RedNet AM2 Ultimo X interfaces. RedNet AM2 and RedNet X2P join RedNet and Red devices as AES67 compatible. This enables interoperability between Dante and different audio networking standards, including RAVENNA. The update also provides AES70 compatibility—the control and monitoring open standard for audio-over-IP devices—for RedNet interfaces.

With version 2.4, RedNet Control 2 can now identify and update specific devices that require a firmware upgrade, as opposed to upgrading all system devices en masse. Lastly, RedNet Control 2.4 can now run as a background application if needed, so MIDI control continues to function when the software window is closed. 

The Bottom Line: RedNet Control 2.4’s new functionality brings advantages to administrators of large networked audio systems, who can now assign the privilege structure of Dante Domain Manager to RedNet Control users.

RedNet Control 2.4 is available now for free download on Mac and PC via your Focusrite customer account if you have a registered Red or RedNet product.

Signagelive, cloud-based digital signage platform, and Quividi, the audience and campaign intelligence platform for DOOH and Digital Signage, announce the deep integration of their platforms. This integration enables any DOOH and Digital Signage networks running Signagelive and Quividi to test, measure, optimize and deliver data-driven contextualized content to best engage and convert audiences.

The combined solution provides marketers with the most detailed level of audience and campaign Intelligence. They can get very fine analytics on the exact audience dynamics for each content play, and also run HTML5 campaigns that instantly react to the actual audience currently watching the screen.

For each content, Quividi determines, in real-time, the number of viewers (broken down by age and gender), their mood, attention time, facial attributes (glasses, beard), as well as the opportunities to see. This data is accessible in VidiCenter, Quividi’s data platform with built-in analytics dashboards and charts. Advertisers get private access to their campaign audience report with rich insights on their real impact.

With this partnership, Signagelive and Quividi are further supporting the evolution of their customers’ communication and monetization strategies towards data-driven and automated DOOH & Digital Signage systems, the two companies said.

The What: With both Canada and the United States gearing up for national elections, Bannister Lake is offering media organizations innovative web-based solutions to complement and augment their on-air presentations and dramatically expand election coverage. 

The What Else: Bannister Lake HTML5-based web widgets use multiple static and real-time data sources to provide online and mobile audiences with easy-to-navigate, map-based visualizations to dig deeper into contextual election data. 

Bannister Lake's development team has taken full advantage of the React JavaScript Framework to build web solutions that are lightweight, fully responsive, and run on the client side. This approach efficiently manages large volumes of election data while dramatically speeding up data retrieval and allowing users to access the solution on any device.

"At Bannister Lake we chose to develop web widgets that fully leverage the client side to avoid each query going back to the server," said Bannister Lake president Georg Hentsch. "This provides a far superior user experience. And by incorporating live results, key demographic data, historical voting patterns, or other important data—all run through our unique development approach—producers can create more compelling journalism."

[Bannister Lake Updates and Enhances Twitter Search, Aggregation, and Management Capabilities]

The highly visual, animated, and interactive web widgets allow users to easily navigate directly to specific election races, districts, or regions to retrieve results. This capability provides broadcasters with more editorial options, allowing their on-air productions to focus on national trends, background, key races, and upsets, while the online presentation can provide a more localized and interactive presentation. Web widgets can be embedded directly into web pages or into applications to take full advantage of audiences using any device.

Web widgets can also be incorporated into on-set presentations via touchscreen displays, allowing presenters to walk viewers through important races and examine election trends.

Bannister Lake offers broadcasters two powerful election software products: Elector, designed for parliamentary style elections and Chameleon, which is equipped with an election module geared toward U.S. elections. Both solutions allow producers to take full advantage of Bannister Lake's query, data management, and RESTful API capabilities.

The Bottom Line: Web widgets expand upon Bannister Lake's expertise in handling election results data while creating exciting new opportunities for journalists to target online and mobile audiences. As broadcast audiences continue to drift online, the solution provides broadcasters with an opportunity to retain audiences with dynamic election graphics synchronized with their on-air presentations.

The What: Datapath has released updates to its WallControl 10 video management software, broadening control scope as well as offering mobile control over the same IP network.

The What Else: With web-interface capability, plus a KVM control function for connected PCs, Wall Control 10 v1.9 offers additional features that provide considerable end-user benefits.

A prime feature on Datapath’s new WallControl 10 v1.9 is the ability to control keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) to source. Using Datapath Agent software, a host of unmanned source PCs delivering content can now be accessed from a WallControl 10 client on the same network, allowing AV and/or IT operators the ability to control and manipulate sources from their workstations.

[Datapath Debuts Next-Gen Video Wall Controller]

Video walls can also be made to be managed on an IP network or offline, enhancing maximum control and security. An office receptionist or department manager, for example, may want the ability to change content on a display from their smartphone, but sensitive content on other video walls would not be accessible.

The Bottom Line: Datapath’s latest version of WallControl 10 allows for browser-based control of video walls. Automatically scaling to any PC, tablet, or smartphone type, this brings WallControl 10 power and flexibility to any device. Users are now able to discover and connect to available walls on a server and open and close layout files with a single click.  

The What: Skykit, which has developed a digital signage content management system (CMS) built on Google Cloud and integrated with G Suite and Drive, has announced the availability of Skykit for Android. The Android offering gives customers an expanded choice of hardware devices that Skykit can support. It also makes Skykit available to organizations that may not be using Chrome. The company debuted the new platform during InfoComm 2019. 

The What Else: Android provides more options for specialized player deployments, including off-the-shelf media players, integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) players, and customized options for both touch and display panels. SoC displays eliminate the need to purchase a media player, saving space and power usage, which is especially beneficial to high volume enterprise installations as it reduces installation times, field service costs, and the overall capital outlay.

“Skykit on Android amplifies the product’s inherent flexibility by supporting a variety of devices running Android all while using our existing cloud services,” said Irfan Khan, CEO of Skykit. “This is simply an expansion of Skykit’s ability to serve our customers’ digital signage requirements.”

The Bottom Line: Skykit is a fully managed SaaS built on Google Cloud Platform which means there is nothing to install, update, or patch for the CMS, device administration, or reporting applications. Its media players are supported by cloud services that are built out on the infinitely scalable Google Cloud. The CMS web-based interface lets users create and edit content with tools they already use—such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Google Slides, YouTube videos, web streams and more—and easily publish content to one screen or thousands with the click of a button.