BenQ is launching the latest video camera in its DVY family, the DVY32 smart 4K UHD video camera. Compatible with all leading video conferencing platforms, the video camera boasts Zoom certification, BenQ’s color performance technology coupled with a high-performance Sony 4K image sensor, 120-degree-wide field of view with 5-times digital zoom, AI-powered auto framing, two omnidirectional microphones, and H.265 video encoding for smooth streaming with less bandwidth.

“The DVY32 allows organizations to outfit numerous rooms without breaking the bank or compromising on quality,” said Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ America.

[SCN Hybrid World: Seeing Is Believing with Conference Cameras] 

BenQ’s DVY32 ensures:

• Calls look their best: The DVY32 produces vivid 4K UHD video with a 120-degree field of view that lets those on the far end see everyone clearly and in rich detail, making it the perfect videoconference camera for meetings as well as online demos and product launches. BenQ’s enhanced low light performance makes subjects stand out from the dark. With digital pan, tilt, and zoom, users can keep the audience focused on what’s important while the AI-powered auto framing adjusts the shot so that everyone is always on screen. In addition, the smart video camera automatically corrects distortion to stream accurate videos. It also utilizes the latest compression standard, H.265, which requires less bandwidth and ensures smooth streaming even with suboptimal network conditions.
• Calls sound their best: The best audio quality occurs when meetings are face to face, and that’s the standard that the DVY32 achieves. The DVY32 is equipped with two omnidirectional microphones that pick up audio from 26 feet (8 meters) away and minimize distracting background noise. The noise-suppressing microphones tune out background noise, so people don’t miss any information.
• Great meetings from any platform, using any display: The DVY32 passes Zoom standards for optimal video conferencing, but it’s also compatible with all leading video conferencing apps, including TeamViewer Meeting. Its flexible mounting options make it ideal for any computer or smart display. Just mount it, connect it, and start calls right away. For greater flexibility, it can also be put on a table or wall mount.

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

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

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

The Word From the Regions

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

Hardware Beyond the TV Set

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

The Outlook for UHD Content

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

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

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

The What: Christie has launched the Christie UHD861-LT, an 86-inch UHD LCD panel with an integrated touch screen.

The What Else: The panel rounds out the Access Series family of displays, which are available in 55, 65, 75 and 86-inch sizes. Offering a balance between performance and price, the new display is Crestron Connected and features integrated touch and is designed for 16/7 performance, making it ideal for installation in meeting and lecture rooms, and applications including menu boards and kiosks.

The Christie UHD861-LT also features USB playback and an OPS slot for integration with a distributed display solution and ships with one set of interactive presentation and collaboration software. Designed to work with interactive LCD panels, this software gives users the ability to annotate over numerous running applications or web browsers.

The Bottom Line: The Christie UHD861-LT ships in late 2018.

The What: PureLink has launched Media Axis—a wholly proprietary 21st century Ultra HD signal distribution system. Media Axis is the industry’s first large-scale signal management solution to support Ultra HD/4K60 4:4:4 via both native and IP architectures interchangeably, according to the company.

The What Else: Media Axis offers fully modular and scalable systems with frame sizes from 20x20 to 216x216, utilizing its unique Omni-Flex design featuring hot-swappable I/O cards, MCU, AirLift cooling units, and power supplies.

"Media Axis takes Ultra HD signal distribution to the next level, merging native and IP architectures, while delivering HDMI 2.0, HDBaseT, Fiber, 12G-SDI, and IP all together on a single purebred platform," said Howard Schilling, director of sales at PureLink. "In the midst of the video-over-IP revolution that has created as much confusion as anything else, Media Axis delivers on the clear path the industry has been waiting for—a new breed of Ultra HD signal distribution that truly changes the game.”

The Bottom Line: Together with full-featured 4K/60 4:4:4 media processing and auto-scaling powered by the company’s proprietary Motore 2.0 processor, Media Axis delivers an adaptable, forward-thinking solution designed to meet the needs of any application and infrastructure.