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maximum performance and robustness.” InFocus’s new Jupiter StreamPoint streaming encoders was showcased alongside its PixelNet 2.0 distributed display wall system. StreamPoint encoders deliver up to four concurrent video streams and audio recordings, in 1080p HD or 4K UHD resolution. They enable users to upgrade nearly any display wall or collaborative visualisation system with technology for streaming and recording video. PixelNet 2.0 has added native support for 4K video, fibre network, and audio for a scalable UHD video distribution system that can support an unlimited number of inputs and displays in multiple locations globally. Among a staggering 40 new products announced by CYP was its Adaptive Visual Lossless Compression (AVLC). Described by the company as groundbreaking, AVLC is said to deliver genuine 4K UHD signals in perfect quality up to 70ms over a single run of Cat5e/6/7 cable. CYP is implementing AVLC into its range of HDBaseT extenders and matrixes. According to CYP, AVLC is important because, despite HDBaseT’s 10.2Gbps bandwidth limitation, AVLC can pass the 18Gbps data feeds required for 4K UHD HDMI video sources, up to and including 4K@60Hz (4:4:4, 8-bit), as well as 10/12-bit sources with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision. Also talking compression was intoPIX, which presented the latest advances of its TICO compression technology. This is moving into the final stages of standardisation as a new ISO image coding technology, called JPEG-XS. This will offer more compression efficiency while still retaining zero-millisecond latency and lossless quality, the company said. Xilinx has its eyes on the 8K market, and demonstrated a DisplayPort 1.4 FPGA core chip for transmitting and receiving uncompressed media streams up to 8K. “The entire industry is moving to 8K, from camera sensors to display panels,” said Ramesh Lyer, director pro AV and broadcast vertical marketing. “8K requires some type of connectivity for the video feed, and we have been investing in DisplayPort and HDMI technologies for the last five years.” The company also showcased a 4K-over-IP solution for transporting AV over IP networks. It uses the SMPTE 2110 standard, adopted by the broadcast industry for transporting media over IP.
Signal processing/management Barco was showing its Enterprise Virtual Matrix solution, which offers IP-based uncompressed video, audio and USB switching. The Enterprise Virtual Matrix, the company claims, brings the virtual matrix concept to the next level for use cases where no compromise
NETWORKING AND CONNECTIVITY can be made in latency, image quality or functionality, including high-resolution 3D and multi-projector synchronised set-ups. Crestron was demonstrating its cloud-based provisioning platform XiO Cloud. This enables centralised enterprise-wide configuration, monitoring, management and control of various Crestron hardware including DigitalMedia systems. Using drag-and-drop functionality, devices can be named, configured, and organised by groups and subgroups, with live monitoring and status reporting for all devices. Settings and firmware updates can be silently pushed to one or many devices. Kramer Electronics launched Kramer Network 2.0, an enterprise management platform designed to help users easily configure and manage their entire Kramer product range, Dante devices and third-party devices from anywhere in the world. “Kramer Network 2.0 was designed after a thorough research and development process which included feedback from customers in need of a true, all-encompassing management solution”, said David Margolin, vice president of marketing at Kramer. Kramer Network 2.0 is claimed to have all the features and capabilities for managing any AV deployment. Configuration time is reduced due to automated device detection and simplified firmware management in a consolidated device history log. Kramer Network also proactively generates email alerts and/or SNMP traps, making sure critical issues don’t go unnoticed. Kramer Network is available as a softwareonly solution or as a package – pre-installed on an industry standard server with audio DSP functionality. tvONE launched the CORIOview 4K multiwindow processor, which handles up to eight sources. Designed for ease of use and plug-andplay operation, CORIOview features auto-layout functionality which automates preset selection. For more advanced applications, users can take full control via the unit’s front panel, which gives access to user-definable or pre-programmable presets, video and audio switching. An info button displays on-screen information about the source and window selection. First-time ISE exhibitor Vitec was showcasing EZ TV, a broadcast-grade IPTV and digital signage platform. While EZ TV as a platform has been around for the last 10 years, the company has just integrated a new signage system into the IPTV solution, specifically for companies looking at AV systems. Targeted at enterprises, sports stadiums and arenas, and government agencies, EZ TV combines low-latency, broadcast-quality IPTV distribution with powerful digital signage capabilities.
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Audio over IP Merging Technologies announced enhancements to Aneman, described as the first cross-platform and cross-vendor audio network manager for audio-over-IP applications. Aneman allows the connection, monitoring and management of networked audio devices, particularly AES67, and as an open solution it allows new manufacturers to adapt it to their specific devices. The basic version, downloadable free, is designed to control any network featuring Merging Technologies devices, plus other partners’ equipment. ISE 2018 saw the launch of the Enterprise version, which can offer this capability to other manufacturers’ products, as well as the ability to manage larger networks. Audinate was showing Dante IP Core, a soft IP solution for audio manufacturers. This allows OEMs working with FPGA-based designs to add Dante audio connectivity to AV products at a lower cost and with greater flexibility than ever before. According to the company, development teams can save time, reduce BOM costs and minimise their internal footprint by using a single FPGA to implement both product applications and Dante audio networking. Dante IP Core is claimed to run efficiently alongside OEM product applications such as ASRC, audio encryption, and signal processing on a range of Xilinx FPGAs. This provides channel counts up to 512 x 512 with ultra-low latency and sub-microsecond synchronisation. ZeeVee was demonstrating its ZyPer4K video distribution solution, which offers virtual plug-and-play configuration with nearly any commercial off-the-shelf 10Gb Ethernet switch using the ZeeVee Management platform. Now in its third generation, ZyPer4K offers full HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 capability including support for uncompressed, ultra-low latency 4K video. Optional inputs for DisplayPort, HD-SDI and analogue are available for tailoring to specific applications. ZyPer4K incorporates Icron’s SwitchableUSB protocols, which enable users to switch USB 2.0 signals dynamically in conjunction with video; additionally, Icron’s Simultaneous Users Interaction enables ZeeVee’s MultiView function to monitor up to seven sources on a single display.