Systems Integration Asia April-May 2014

Vol. 13 Issue 4 ~ April - May 2014

AUDIO • VISUAL • LIGHT • CONTROL SYSTEMS MCI (P) 035/04/2014 PPS 1669/08/2013 (022992)

AV Science at the Choudhry Ranbir Singh Auditorium

• Lutron Electronics on Smart Living

• ISE 2014 Review

w w w . s y s t e m s i n t e g r a t i o n a s i a . c o m

Vol. 13 Issue 4 ~ April - May 2014

AUDIO • VISUAL • LIGHT • CONTROL SYSTEMS MCI (P) 035/04/2014 PPS 1669/08/2013 (022992)

AV Science at the Choudhry Ranbir Singh Auditorium

• Lutron Electronics on Smart Living

• ISE 2014 Review

w w w . s y s t e m s i n t e g r a t i o n a s i a . c o m

Christie Display Technology Used at India’s Biggest Projection Mapping Event

Projection Design: BARTKRESA design

A total of 40 Christie Roadster Series projectors light up the opening ceremony of Lusofonia Games in Goa, India.

Christie’s Indian partners Audio Design and Video Design installed 40 Christie® Roadster S+20K, Roadster S+22K-J and Roadster HD20K-J 3-chip DLP® projectors for the opening of Lusofonia Games 2014, making it the biggest projection mapping event ever staged in India.The stunning visuals were created by award-winning projection designer Bart Kresa and his team, which showcased the rich history and heritage of Indian and Goan culture.

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CHINA-BEIJING ph: +86 10 6561 0240 sales-china@christiedigital.com

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CONTENTS 87

Vol. 13 Issue 4 ~ April – May 2014

84 92

04 FIRST WORDS 06 NEWS

24 SOLUTIONS UPDATE 28 TECH FOCUS EXHIBITION PREVIEW 30 CommunicAsia2014 32 PALM Expo India EXHIBITION REVIEW 34 ISE 2014 TECH TALK 52 Digital Cooking: 4K Cookbook for Beginners INDIA & MIDDLE EAST COLUMN 56 News Interviews 64 AMX India: Moving to the next level

66 Hitachi: Rearing to capitalize on ProAV projection potential 68 HARMAN: Creating Professionals for the future Installations 70 AV Science integrates the Choudhry Ranbir Singh Auditorium 74 Guwahati High Court extending ICT jurisdiction (Part 2) 77 Electro-Voice delivers at KBITS DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE 78 Digital Signage in the Corporate realm 80 Implementing Digital Signage effectively 82 The Interaction Company: Championing the cause for Interactivity 84 Digital Signage deployment at The Star Performing Arts Centre

INSTALLATIONS 86 Audica Professional at the first McDonalds in Vietnam 87 dnp Cross Prism Screens used

by KBS Korea 89 Shuttle ensuring National Immigration Security in Taiwan 90 Media-Go integrates at the Lingnan University Psychology Lab in Hong Kong 91 Bosch delivers integrated security system for The Star in Singapore VOICE BOX 92 Sanecore continues to escalate Symetrix business in China 94 Smart Living: Lowering carbon footprint and saving cost 97 4K will fuel the adoption of HDBaseT throughout Asia

04

FIRST WORDS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

INDIA AND MIDDLE EAST EDITOR Ram Bhavanashi ram@spinworkz.com

WRITER Elissa Nadine elissa@spinworkz.com

DIGITAL PLATFORM WRITER Rosalind Tan rosalind@spinworkz.com

ADMIN & CIRCULATION Julie Tan admin@spinworkz.com

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Jimmy Chin jimmy@spinworkz.com

MEDIA REP IN NORTH AMERICA Broadcast Media International Michael J. Mitchell Tel: +1 631 673 0072 mjmitchell@broadcast-media.tv

PRINTED BY PUBLISHED BY Stamford Press Pte Ltd Spinworkz Pte Ltd 51 Bukit Batok Crescent #06-10 Unity Centre, Singapore 658077 Tel: (65) 6316 2716 Fax: (65) 63162715 www.spinworkz.com Disclaimer Systems Integration Asia is published 6 times a year. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine is to be reproduced, whether mechanical or electronic without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the publisher. Unsolicited contributions are welcome but the editor reserves the discretion to use them. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy and honesty in both editorial and advertising content at press time, the publisher will not be liable for any inaccuracies.

ISE Europe as expected was busy...in fact it was so busy that a number of exhibitors declared that it was their busiest show ever. Of course the visitor numbers speak for themselves.

Next year, the organisers are expecting to squeeze in more exhibitors due to demand and I will not be surprised if the number of visitors break this year’s record!

Will we ever see such a show in Asia? I really doubt it. Not because the industry is not active or growing but just the geographical connectivity and language alone will not make it possible.

4K was of course the key highlight in ISE. The big difference with 4K compared to the hype of 3D is that there is strong traction for the standard to be adopted and delivered. 4K systems will soon hit the market that can manage the entirechain from front end to back end. 4K however does put a strain on every part of the system as it requires every aspect of the 4K chain to perform flawlessly to deliver the resolution. Thus if systems need to be upgraded to adopt 4K, it might become a technical hurdle for some.

The question then becomes do we really need 4K? Well for one it will surely deliver crisp and much better video quality. From a consumer’s viewpoint he or she will enjoy the entertainment better. From a commercial viewpoint there are many benefits, in a digital signage environment messages will be clearer and sharper, from a medical standpoint, sharper images in the operation theatre will be a bonus for surgeons and in the corporate environment, video conferencing, collaboration and design model aspects will tremendously benefit from 4K. So it is very possible that in the next 4 to 6 years 4K would become a norm.

For the AV industry there are challenges with one being the distribution and managing of 4K uncompressed video in a network and the other simply being cost related issues as clients may not necessarily invest in 4K. The odd thing is that in some countries in Asia people are still moving from analogue to digital and HD is still not fully embraced so though 4K is a real possibility now, adoption might take a while.

Well we have the opportunity to find out from the industry in China on their views about the adoption of 4K when InfoComm China takes place from 9-11 April. This is another InfoComm exhibition that has shown steady growth year on year. It also showcases really high-end technology from some of the Chinese manufacturers. We hope to see you there.

Thomas Richard Prakasam Publisher/Editorial Director thomas@spinworkz.com

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NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Revolabs announces acquisition by Yamaha Corporation INTERNATIONAL: Revolabs has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Yamaha Corporation.

The merger of the two companies will help Yamaha further grow its enterprise presence for audio equipment.

Yamaha has also been developing, manufacturing, and selling voice communication devices and professional audio equipment for the expanding audio equipment market for many years, and the sharing of product lines, technology, know-how, and sales networks of both companies will enable the Yamaha Group to provide highquality solutions for the diversifying needs of the market.

“With the market for conference room equipment expected to expand worldwide, I am extremely happy to welcome Revolabs — a company that has earned a high level of trust from customers and grown rapidly in this market — as a member of the Yamaha Group,” said Takuya Nakata,

president of Yamaha Corporation.

“Revolabs’ ethos of creating products that provide value for customers with strong technical capabilities as a base meshes well with the Yamaha Group’s corporate philosophy. By combining Revolabs’ wireless microphone systems and wireless conference phones with Yamaha’s voice communication devices and professional audio equipment, we expect to be able to create even more appealing solutions for our customers.

In the future we aim to accelerate our progress in expanding sales in the electronics business domain, one of the goals announced in the Yamaha Management Plan 2016, our mediumterm management plan, by combining the technology and know-how of both companies.”

Revolabs will continue to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation and execute on its existing roadmap with the current management team. The transaction was expected to

be completed by the end of March 2014 after receipt of customary regulatory approvals. Moelis & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Revolabs in connection with the transaction.

“Since we started the company in 2005, Revolabs has shown an ability to innovate and bring exciting products to the market,” said Jean-Pierre Carney, CEO and founder of Revolabs.

“We’ve grown a strong team, have an exciting roadmap with industry-leading technology, and were already on track to more than double our revenues this year. Taking advantage of the strengths of the two companies will make our solutions stronger and expand our reach around the globe. There are a lot of great synergies between Yamaha and Revolabs, and our customers will receive the most benefit from this merger.” www.revolabs.com

AMX Asia Pacific takes top honours SINGAPORE: AMX Asia Pacific office based in Singapore has won the Office of the Year 2013 award within the AMX Network with its highest sales performance in the year 2013. Robin Enlund who heads the AMX Asia Pacific office comments, “We are well positioned as an AV company in an IT World both in terms of solutions and skilled staff and this has helped push our sales.” Some of the big projects that AMX Asia Pacific has been and is currently involved in include the Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore Stock Exchange, Singapore National Arts Centre, Royal Dutch Shell Asia Pacific HQ in Singapore, the Brunei Courts, as well as the Globe Tower and Wells Fargo in the Philippines.

“Going forward it looks promising. Our first quarter for this year is the best

that the Asia Pacific has ever had and we of course hope for the momentum to continue,” says Robin. He adds, “I actually think this augurs well for the AV industry as a whole. Many of the Multinationals have their HQ in

Singapore due to the good business environment and this provides us with business opportunities.” www.amx.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

AMX opens their first Experience Centre in Asia we will build on our promise of providing the highest quality products and services,” said Peter Low.

CHINA: Held in January 2014, the Experience Centre opening ceremony was officiated by AMX Asia CEO, Peter Low, in the presence of consultants, dealers, agents and customers of AMX from Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Mainland China. Alongside Peter Low, was Melissa Puran, Business Development Director from AMX Singapore.

Congratulations were also received live via video conference link to the AMX Global Headquarters in Richardson, Texas from AMX President & CEO, Rashid M. Skaf, Robert Noble (Chief Technology Officer), Scott Bahr (Executive Vice President Global Sales),

Modero Wall

and Niclas Brattberg (Vice President Sales, MEEAP).

“It is with great pride that we open the AMX Innovation Technology Experience Center in Beijing, providing visitors the opportunity to gets some hands-on time with our latest products including the beautiful range of our Modero touch panels. The opening of this new Experience Center in the same location as the recently revamped AMX University training facilities, demonstrates our long-term commitment to strengthen the support and training we offer to our dealers and customers. China is a very important market to us and we are confident that with these new facilities

The Experience Center in Beijing was designed around the theme of Innovation. A wide selection of AMX products including the Modero X and Modero S series of touch panels, Hydraport connection manager, Enova Digital Media and All-In-One Presentation Switchers can be found on display, fully functional and available for live demonstrations. AMX Inspired Signage and Resource Management Suite software have also been configured for the local market and feature Chinese language support. All these products have been specially designed to simplify the use of technology in meeting rooms, auditoriums, hotel suites and luxury residences.

Niclas Brattberg said this is a new landmark in the AMX history in Mainland China. “Our new Experience Center raises the standard in the industry to an elite level. We welcome all AMX users, clients, dealers and consultants to visit.”

The Beijing AMX Experience Center is located at B2801 Tianyuangang Center No. C2, North Section of East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District. Please call 010-84464880 to arrange for a product overview and demonstration. www.amx.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Crestron licenses Audinate Dante™ Media Networking Solution

Pavlik, Crestron Director of Architecture & Design. “Dante is a proven networking technology that already has an ecosystem of hundreds of OEM products in the market, with tens of thousands of installations worldwide.

INTERNATIONAL: Crestron announced that it has licensed Audinate’s Dante™ media networking solution. The Dante solution is the market leader for digital media networking. The association between Crestron and Audinate enables Crestron to integrate Dante into any of its products.

Crestron is a leader in design and manufacturing of control and automation systems for corporate, industrial, educational and residential markets.

Offering the broadest line of hardware and software in the industry, Crestron is the definitive source for centrally

and globally controlling, managing and presenting information on a single, integrated network.

Dante allows digital audio and control to be distributed via standard Ethernet networks, with near-zero latency and perfect synchronization. Dante’s technology enables even a complex network to configure itself quickly, making system installation simple and easy to use.

“We have selected Dante because it has become the most widely adopted media networking technology,” states John

”Crestron is synonymous with control and management of AV installation equipment,” states Lee Ellison CEO of Audinate. “Crestron has always designed products that enhance the customer experience. Combined with Dante’s unparalleled performance, we are excited about the capabilities this offers to system integrators.”

Crestron will update its network of integrators and partners when new products with Dante are available. www.crestron.com

25 years on and Epson's 3LCD Technology achieves Number One status once again INTERNATIONAL: On the 25th Anniversary of the development of its revolutionary 3LCD technology, Epson, the world leader in projectors, has once again been named the world’s number one projector brand. This is the 13th year in a row that Epson has received this accolade. This is according to the latest results for 2013 released by projector market research firm, Futuresource Consulting.

Over the past 13 years, Epson has shown steady growth in market share, year-onyear, increasing to 28.2% market share in 2013, over 26.4% in 2012. This means that almost one-in-three projectors purchased in 2013 was an Epson projector.

Globally, the sales of Epson projectors was, in fact, so strong that the combined sales volumes of the second, third and fourth ranked projector brands did not match that of Epson’s projector sales volume, which was in excess of 2

million units. In the major countries in the South East Asia region, projector sales for Epson reached over a hundred thousand units, an increase of 3% over the previous year.

To add to this accolade, Epson has also been named the number one dedicated home cinema projector brand for the 9th year running. According to figures provided by Futuresource Consulting, Epson held 39.4% market share in 2013.

“Even though this is the 13th year that we have achieved this prestigious accolade, it does not diminish our drive to continually improve,” says Koichi Endo, Managing Director of Epson Southeast Asia. “Our customers have shown a discerning eye in choosing the very best projectors and we feel we have a responsibility to live up to, and exceed their expectations. It is this dedication to innovation that has led to Epson being named the world’s number one projector brand in both the business and home

cinema markets, and it continues to be a great honour.”

The strength of Epson’s projectors – which has led to the past 13 years of being named World’s Number One Projector Brand – lies in the revolutionary 3LCD technology. First introduced in 1989, Epson’s 3LCD technology creates astoundingly beautiful images in bright, natural colour without dither noise or colour breakup. 3LCD projectors are also gentler on the eyes and offer smoother video playback, as they utilize three separate liquid crystal panels to form a continuous image containing all colours.

2014 marks the 25th Anniversary of the development of Epson’s revolutionary 3LCD technology. www.epson.com.sg

NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

11

Tightrope Media Systems and BrightSign announce Digital Signage partnership

BrightSign XD1230

INTERNATIONAL: Tightrope and BrightSign announce a partnership that brings complementary strengths of each company together for a powerful digital signage solution.

The partnership aims to make affordable content creation, advanced management, and media playout across large out-of-home networks a reality.

BrightSign is the market leader in digital signage media players, specializing in large deployments and having

successfully deployed more than 500,000 units worldwide. That scalability and BrightSign's signature reliability, combined with the dynamic content capabilities and advanced user features of Tightrope’s Carousel system, produces a cost-efficient yet sophisticated digital signage platform for large-scale deployments.

"BrightSign specializes in designing and building bulletproof hardware for all kinds of digital signage applications,” said Jeff Hastings, CEO, BrightSign.

Our continued growth and market penetration is due to our reputation for delivering extreme reliability and advanced hardware features such as the powerful video engine and hardwareaccelerated HTML5 rendering engine in the BrightSign XD product line.

To further serve the diverse needs of

our customers, we are dedicated to integrating our hardware platform with leading CMS providers and proud to announce our partnership with Tightrope."

“With this integration, Carousel becomes the centralized platform that incorporates all users, content, channels, zones, scheduling and thirdparty data integration into a single common interface that is easy to use,” said Eric Henry, Signage Solutions Lead, Tightrope Media Systems. “BrightSign users can take advantage of these comprehensive, advanced features in Carousel to build more dynamic content, while retaining the affordable, reliable BrightSign media players they trust.” www.brightsign.biz www.trms.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

AVnu Alliance announces first AVnu-Certified AVB products INTERNATIONAL: AVnu Alliance®, the industry consortium that certifies Audio Video Bridging (AVB) products for interoperability, has announced the first AVnu-certified AVB series of switches from Extreme Networks. The Extreme Networks Summit® X440 Series of stackable switches has passed all testing for certification and will now bear the AVnu-certified Logo.

"We are thrilled to announce the first AVnu-certified family of switches from Extreme Networks. This is just the first of many AVnu-certified products to come, but an important start. We are proud of Extreme Networks' dedication to furthering the momentum of AVB," said AVnu Alliance President, Rick Kreifeldt."The Alliance chose to do more than simply connect products together and check that they can connect and stream. Instead, we developed a robust set of hundreds of conformance tests that ensure devices implement AVB standards consistently-- which is the only way to ensure interoperability."

Once a product has passed the testing procedures at an AVnu-appointed test house, the member manufacturer may use the AVnu certification logo on that device. This is the first and only independent AV networking certification test program.

"AVB provides an infrastructure that supports a level of scalability and flexibility that is extremely important for our switches. We put our Summit® X440 Series of stackable switches through the extensive testing and are extremely proud to announce it as the first AVnucertified switch series on the market," said Todd Acree, Director of Product Management at Extreme Networks, AVnu Alliance member. "We chose to pursue AVnu standards and certification of our Summit X440 Series switches because having technology that meets this standard takes the complexity of managing and optimizing the network out of the question, thereby simplifying system design, costs and maintenance, all while improving performance, reliability and overall network functionality."

Extreme Networks' AVB Summit X440 Series, now AVnu-certified, is a stackable switch that extends the benefits of the ExtremeXOS® operating system to intelligent, affordable, edge switching for professional audio/video applications, where data, audio and video co-exist on a single standards-based network.

IT managers and AV integrators benefit from simplified deployments, enhanced quality of service and reduced costs from a converged network.

The AVnu-Certified Extreme Networks Summit X440 Series Switch was demonstrated in the AVnu Alliance Pavilion at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), earlier this month.

AVnuCertification is open for switches and professional audio products at its appointed testing house, University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL). Any member with a Professional-Audio product or switch may enter it into certification testing. www.avnu.org www.extremenetworks.com

tvONE now offers InfoComm Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Accredited Training Courses TAIWAN: tvONE has announced that several of their training academy programs now qualify for InfoComm Technology Specialist (CTS) renewal units (RU). tvONE partnered with InfoComm and their RU provider program to strengthen their commitment to the continuing education of CTS professionals in the

industry. tvONE now offers five courses that are CTS certified. These are:

• HDBaseT Extension (2 Hours, 1RU Credit)

• tvONE Introduction (3 Hours, 1 ½ RU Credits) • CORIO Video Scaling Technology (3 Hours, 1 ½ RU Credits) • CORIO Creative Video Wall Design (3 Hours, 1 ½ RU Credits) • Magenta UTP & Fiber Extension and Switching (3 Hours, 1 ½ RU Credits)

tvONE offers its accredited courses inperson in Maidenhead,Berkshire, UK. To register for an upcoming training event, participants can enroll online through their training website at http://www. tvone.com/trainingINT.shtml www.tvone.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

ClearOne secures continued access to wireless microphones through acquisition INTERNATIONAL: ClearOne, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRO) has announced the acquisition of Sabine, Inc., solidifying the company’s industry-leading portfolio of professional microphones. With the addition of Sabine, ClearOne will have reliable and exclusive access to the wireless microphones that are a critical component of ClearOne’s complete microphone portfolio. Under the terms of the transaction, ClearOne will pay approximately $7.5 million in cash and $1.5 million in ClearOne shares. In addition, ClearOne will assume and pay off Sabine debt of $1.25 million and make earn-out payments over the next three years, based on achievement of certain performance criteria.

Sabine has partnered successfully with ClearOne since late 2012, supplying the wireless microphone systems sold under

the ClearOne brand. These microphones complement ClearOne’s CONVERGE® Pro and INTERACT® Pro products, driving sales of the company’s broader product line. The wireless microphone systems lead the industry in features, performance and pricing.

“The wireless microphone product has performed well and has driven sales across our Pro portfolio since its introduction more than a year ago,” said Zee Hakimoglu, Chairman and CEO of ClearOne. “This strategic acquisition is critical to solidifying our leadership position in this high-growth market and positions us for accelerated development of installed audio and visual collaboration solutions.”

“We look forward to combining resources with ClearOne to offer a complete portfolio of professional

products to a global customer base,” said Doran Oster, founder and CEO of Sabine, Inc. “We are pleased to join a company with a track record that reflects our shared vision for product innovation and quality.”

ClearOne’s WS800 wireless microphone systems include four new models of wireless microphones/transmitters and a base-station receiver with either 4 or 8 channels, which connects to professional audio mixers. The wireless system combines ease-of-use with the most reliable security and power.

ClearOne expects to maintain Sabine operations at its current headquarters in Alachua, Florida. www.clearone.com

Bosch Security Systems, Vietnam holds its Certified Partner conference the orphanage. By showing care to the less fortunate, the relationship between STVN and its partners was brought to a whole new level.

Attendees of the Certified Partner conference

VIETNAM: Bosch Security Systems, Vietnam (STVN) held its annual, 2-day partner conference in Hanoi, to review the Bosch Security Certified Partner (BSCP) program and to enhance partner relations. More than 20 partners from Vietnam and Cambodia attended the event with STVN recognizing the excellent sales performance from the partners with awards like, Fastest Growth Partner and Best New Member Award.

Over the 2 days, STVN presented a business review of 2013, shared the

business strategy for 2014 and provided updates for the BSCP program and marketing communication plan. The meeting ended with a review of the 2014 action plan based on the outcomes from 2013. This session made the participants see the commitment in continuous improvement processes to enhance STVN’s business operations.

To end off the event, all attendees visited the SOS Hanoi orphanage where more than 150 children are living. With donations of food and money, some cheer was brought to the children at

Through this conference, many potential partners were motivated by the strategies set in place for 2014 and expressed their commitment to meet sales targets, to become BSCPs in 2015.

This is a positive sign for both STVN and its partners to scale new heights together in 2014. www.boschsecurity.asia

Visit to the SOS Hanoi orphanage was held as part of the event

Âź in.

UTB Contour Designed for 4K and Ultra HD. The UTB Contour features an ultra thin bezel frame and the latest technology in projection surfaces to maximize the technology of your projector. Behind each Da-Lite Surface is a proprietary, environmentally friendly chemical formula. And it means there is a better surface for your image.

DA-LITE.COM Š2014 Milestone AV Technologies LLC

16

NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Yamaha holds successful launch of Commercial Installation Solutions The Yamaha team

SINGAPORE: The 5th and 6th of March saw Yamaha Singapore hold the interest of consultants and system integrators with their range of Commercial Installation Solutions. The initial one day event was stretched to two days due to overwhelming interest from the industry in Singapore.

sofrware; XMV Series Multi-Channel Power Amplifiers, VXC Series Ceiling Speakers and the VXS Series Surface Mount Speakers. In addition, the DCP Series wall mount digital controllers that included the wireless version was on showcase, to highlight control options in an installation environment.

Held at the Yamaha-Digital Audio Creative Centre in Singapore, the halfday programme provided Yamaha the opportunity to showcase their full range of Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS), which are available for shipping immediately.

The entire products lineup was developed and centred with the core concepts in 6 key values. They are Yamaha Quality, Efficiency, Reliability, Simplicity, Flexibility and Expandability.

The CIS products have the honour of winning the Good Design Award 2013 in Japan. The Good Design Award is part of a comprehensive design promotion program organized by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

The award and related “G-mark� symbol were established in 1957 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (precursor to the current Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry), and have been a standard by which designs that contribute to society and industry have been honoured for more than 50 years.

The event saw the introduction and detailed key advantages presented of the MTX Series Signal Processors accompanied by the MTX Editor

VXC Ceiling speakers

VXS Series Surface Mount Speakers

The message to the attendees was that though each of the products offers its own individual advantages and benefits, using them in combination will simultaneously maximise their performance while simplifying system design.

Following the presentation, attendees listened to a demonstration of the VXS and VXC series in various modes thus enabling them to appreciate the clear crisp sound reproduction from the systems. The final demonstration showcased the AEC settings within the MTX5-D in action. The MY4-AEC card is especially effective for multi-location meetings and in large conference rooms. www.yamaha.com.sg www.yamahaproaudio.com

DCP Series wall mount digital controllers

MTX Series Signal Processors

NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

19

Philippe Vitali heads Analog Way's new Integration and Application Software team and manage a new R&D team, working particularly on tools and other services to supplement its lines of Mixers & Seamless Switchers.

Philippe Vitali, Integration and Application Software Director, Analog Way

INTERNATIONAL: Analog Way, has announced the appointment of Philippe Vitali as Integration and Application Software Director. Philippe Vitali will manage Analog Way’s new R&D team dedicated to the development of accessories and tools for the integration of its lines of processors.

Based in Analog Way’s headquarters near Paris - France, Philippe Vitali joined the company a few months ago to form

Philippe has a strong background in software development and team management, gained within leading global companies. Now in charge of Analog Way’s new Integration and Application Software department, Philippe and his team will work on the development of solutions to easily deploy Analog Way’s systems into automation and IT environments. This will include the creation of drivers enabling third party control, mobile applications to control the company’s devices, and remote maintenance solutions. In addition, Philippe Vitali will also provide services to support integrators and consulting firms in the integration of Analog Way’s processors.

The new Integration and Application Software team already released a complete series of drivers to facilitate the integration of its LiveCoreTM and MidraTM series of Mixers & Seamless

Switchers. These systems can now be controlled through AMX and Crestron 2 and 3-series control systems.

Packages are available online, with full documentation and ready-to-use samples.

“I’m excited to join Analog Way as Integration and Application Software Director”, comments Philippe Vitali.

“Whether you need to control AV presentations, distribute live or produced content in event venues or in secured command centers, Analog Way will assist you with solutions to make your job easier.”

Adrien Corso, Analog Way’s CEO comments: “Analog Way is determined to reinforce its presence in the Systems Integration market. With the nomination of Philippe and his team, we’re confident that we will provide all necessary tools and support to integrators in order to improve their experience with our systems.” www.analogway.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Christie showcases next generation visualization solutions at inaugural insight forum

SOUTH KOREA: Christie®, demonstrated its expertise in next generation visualization solutions during the inaugural Christie Insight Forum “The Next Leap of Visualization” that was held on March 12, at Intercity Hotel Daejeon in South Korea. The event showcased highly immersive and interactive advanced visualization technologies that are ideal for industries such as architectural, aerospace, automotive and more.

One of the main demonstrations was the Christie Mirage 4K25 3-chip DLP® 3D projector, which presents a quantum leap in image processing with 4K 3D graphics boasting an astounding 4096 x 2160 resolution, 25,000 lumens and 120Hz output for unprecedented image fidelity, life-like vibrant colours and the brightest 3D immersive experience.

Also on display was the Christie Mirage HD10K-M 3-chip DLP® 3D projector.

Engineered specifically for 3D applications, the Christie Mirage Series is built on DLP® technology and features

an advanced set of uniquely-Christie technologies, such as Christie TruLife™ electronics, to produce unrivalled image quality, stability and reliability. It offers accurate, true-to-life and detailed images for all types of high-resolution and immersive environments.

Christie also displayed its award-winning Christie® MicroTiles®, trusted by leading brands and institutions for their ability to capture the audience’s attention with spectacular colours, superior image quality and modular flexibility.

Visitors to the Christie Insight Forum also experienced Christie® Brio, a presentation and collaboration system which enables true multi-site meeting collaboration regardless of the technology used or geographic location of participants.

About 100 guests from various fields such as mechanical, nuclear energy, architectural, aerospace and automotive industries attended the event, which included keynote addresses and

presentations by Christie executives, as well as presentations on topics related to virtual reality and visualization technologies by Dr Kazuhiko Hamamoto, professor of Information Media Technology, Tokai University; Mr Junard Lee, sales manager, Professional Solution Group, NVIDIA®; and Dr Alexis Vartanian, chief technology officer, TechViz. “The inaugural Christie Insight Forum “The Next Leap of Visualization” showcased our highly advanced, next generation visual solutions, as well as brought together prominent members of various industries who shared their expertise and insights on the current and future trends of visualization technologies,” said Lin Yu, vice president, Christie Asia Pacific. “Our hope was to reach out to stakeholders from numerous fields who are keen to make use of the practically unlimited application possibilities offered by our leading visualization solutions.” www.christiedigital.com

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ADVERTORIAL SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Crestron Asia Demonstrates Industry’s First Endto-End 4K Matrix Switching and Large-Scale Distribution Solution at InfoComm China 2014 Crestron DigitalMedia™ Fully Supports 4K Ultra HD Displays a personal device that many companies already use on a daily basis. Crestron RL™ extends Lync® experience to the conference room, which enables groups to communicate and collaborate in realtime regardless of their physical location.

InfoComm China Summit Program Crestron Asia will present in the following Summit Programs:

Crestron Asia Limited (“Crestron Asia”), the Asia headquarters of Crestron Electronics, Inc. (“Crestron”) which is the world's leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, will showcase its latest technology and intelligent equipment from 9th to 11th Apr 2014, at the Beijing National Convention Center Booth PC1-01.

During the show, Crestron will demonstrate its complete range of 4K DigitalMedia™ switching and video distribution devices for the first time in Asia.

video quality for large-scale enterprises and customers. 4K displays are quickly establishing a strong foothold in both professional and consumer markets.

However, up to now, video distribution technology is generally not available to transmit 4K content throughout a home or business, to multiple rooms, or over long distance. When it comes to emerging video distribution technology in the digital arena, Crestron is taking the lead again with the first complete 4K solution.

Crestron Asia will keep using its distinguished market positioning “Integrated by Design™” as the theme of this exhibition. The booth will be mainly divided into five sections including DigitalMedia™, Crestron RL™, Lighting Control, Enterprise Management Software, Keypads and Touchpanels. At Crestron’s booth, visitors will have a first-hand look at Crestron’s breakthrough products and innovations at the show.

About 4K Ultra HD At a display resolution up to 4096x2160, 4K Ultra HD TVs provide resolutions that are four times higher than the current standard of full HD 1920x1080, also commonly referred to as 1080p. Just as 720p and then 1080p quickly became high-definition display standards in the last decade, 4K Ultra HD is on its way to becoming the format for television, movies, corporate presentations, and imaging.

Highlights at the exhibition:

Crestron RL™ - Comprehensive Group Collaboration Solution Crestron RL™, the new powerful group collaboration solution for the conference room, will make its debut in the show. The Crestron RL™ solution is based on Microsoft® Lync® 2013, a full-featured communication system that provides video, voice, interactive content sharing, presence, and chat from

DigitalMedia™ - Leading The Way In 4K Crestron will debut its new revolutionary product, the 128x128 DigitalMedia™ Switcher (DM-MD128X128). It supports 4K high-definition display specifications (4K Ultra High-Definition) and provides the highest screen and projection quality, brings high-performance audio and

1. Date: 9th Apr 2014 Time: 11:00am – 11:50am Topic: 10 Best Practices for Digital System Design Venue: The Arena @ Hall P, 4/F Speaker: Mr. Keven Pang, Business Development Manager - DM (China), Crestron Asia Limited 2. Date: 9th Apr 2014 Time: 4:00pm – 4:50pm Topic: The Challenges and Opportunities of the AV Industry Venue: The Arena @ Hall P, 4/F Speaker: Mr. Eric Ge, Business Development Manager - Education (China), Crestron Asia Limited 3. Date: 10th Apr 2014 Time: 2:00pm – 2:50pm Topic: How One Building Platform on the Network Can Give You Happier Clients Venue: Room 306, 3/F Speaker: Ms. Lilian Yan, Technical Engineer, Crestron Asia Limited www.crestronasia.com

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Revolabs: FLX™ UC 1000 IP Conference Phone The FLX™ UC 1000 IP Conference Phone ensures astounding audio capture and delivery via premium tweeter and midwoofer elements, four microphones, and an ultra-wide frequency response.

It also features SIP support to its USB capabilities thus bringing exceptional performance to any major IP telephony environment, both on-premises and in the cloud. Equipped with full-duplex

technology, the FLX UC 1000 enables crystal-clear audio exchanges between conferencing participants and to push audio quality even further, the device provides an increased frequency range up to 20,000 Hz to deliver superior sound performance in any audio setting. www.revolabs.com

Aviom: D800-Dante A-Net Distributor This unit distributes audio and power to up to eight Aviom personal mixers and make Aviom systems easier to integrate with various digital consoles and networks. The D800-Dante A-Net Distributor simplifies connections to the Aviom personal mixers by making it possible to connect directly to any Dante console or network. With the unit, 64 channels from the network can be available to the personal mixers in the system. Each performer with an A360 Personal Mixer can mix those channels he or she wants from this pool of 64

available channels. The unit also offers the new Network Mix Back™ feature.

Network Mix Back sends a digital copy of the stereo mix output from each A360 Personal Mixer connected to the D800-Dante back to the Dante network or to an AN-16/o v.4 Output Module for simplified connections to musicians’ wireless in-ear transmitters.

With Network Mix Back, transmitters for wireless in-ears can easily be set up off stage and cabling for the personal mixers on stage is simplified. In addition, the D800-Dante serves as a communications

hub for iOS devices connected via an Ethernet WiFi router. iOS support for the A360 is scheduled for release later this year. www.aviom.com

Sony: Vision Presenter PWA-VP100

Sony’s Vision Presenter uses a 4K viewing system which can display four times as much information as HD, allowing information from multiple sources to appear together in high quality, even on a large screen. It is also extremely easy

to operate using either a conventional wireless mouse or tablet device., which allows for interaction operations to be performed regardless of where the system is located. Sony’s Vision Presenter viewing system is able to select a layout pattern of your choice and display information from various sources at the same time.

Using Sony’s professional WUXGA projectors equipped with edge-blending functionality, Vision Presenter allows

images from two projectors to be ‘tiled’ seamlessly to create super-sized image displays up to 3552 x 1200. Vision Presenter is able to control Sony’s PTZ cameras, the SRG series (SRG-120DH, SRG-300H) and BRC series (BRC-H900, BRC-Z700, BRC-Z330), through a remote-control function pop-up on the screen. It can control the Pan/Tilt/Zoom of the camera position, allowing users to present live video images on the screen. pro.sony-asia.com

Leaf: LTXP64 6x4 HDMI Matrix Switch The 6x4 HDMI Matrix is capable of switching 6 unique HDMI sources to 4 independent zones, while supporting full 1080P/60 resolution, 3D, and Dolby Digital and DTS-HD audio formats. The 1RU Rack Space makes the LTXP64 easy to install and with the help of Leaf's EZCalibration system, set-up is a breeze. To minimize EDID errors, the LTXP64 also

boasts Leaf's unique Zone Lock feature, which provides the ability to lock a source to a particular zone, allowing the passage of specific EDID data and ensuring that the display and source correctly interact. With a sleek frontdesign, the LTXP64 can be controlled simply via front panel buttons while maintaining

its ability to be integrated into most common control systems via IP or RS232 Control. www.leafaudio.com

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

dnp: Improved Supernova STS Screen — which focuses projected light and passes it directly towards the viewers.

In this instance it optimises the output of Ultra Short Throw projectors; this enables the projector to be mounted directly on the back wall (or on a short projector-arm), projecting onto the screen from a steep angle in classroom and small meeting room situations.

The Supernova concept remains the same — with a unique front projection screen and built-in Fresnel lens structure

The upgraded version offers wider viewing angles, improved image flatness and uniformity, wider frame for easier alignment of projected images and stylish black/silver frame.

Supernova STS thus provides superior image quality, even in high ambient light conditions and in combination with an ultra short throw projector it provides a highly cost-effective alternative to flat panels in the 80-100" range, delivering similar contrast but at a lower price point. dnp Supernova STS is available up to a 100" display, in 16:9 and 92" in 16:10 format. The screen can be installed with the projector either above or below it. www.dnp-screens.com

Aver: EVC130P The EVC130P is the latest addition to the EVC Series. The EVC Series is an ‘all-in-one’ video conferencing solution, providing a compact HD codec, full HD1080p video resolution, advanced microphone array and AVer’s industryleading 3-year standard warranty, all at a strikingly cost-effective price.

AVer’s latest solution, the EVC130P, guarantees that users experience natural, real-time video communication.

Equipped with a PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) 16X optical zoom camera, it provides a more suitable solution for larger conference rooms or auditoriums, whilst still being able to zoom in if necessary.

The microphone array represents a leap forward for AVer, combining proprietary technology, an ingenious hardware design and sophisticated audio processing to produce clear, true-to-life sound. This is all in addition to a variety of value-added features and exclusive

tools, such as AVer’s High Efficiency Lost Packet Recovery mechanism, or HELPeR™. www.aver.com

Extron: 12 new Powerful TouchLink Pro Touchpanels

The 12 TouchLink Pro touchpanel models come with faster processing, more memory, and enhanced security.

Five of these models are available in new 5”, 12”, and 15” sizes with vibrant, capacitive touchscreens and ultraresponsive control surfaces. The four largest models feature edge-to-edge

glass and video preview inputs that support high resolution HDCPcompliant video from HDMI sources and Extron XTP devices. All TouchLink Pro touchpanels work with the new IP Link Pro family of control processors and are fully customizable using Extron GUI Designer software. In addition to these touchpanels, Extron is also introducing the TLI Pro 101 TouchLink Interface, which allows third party touchscreen

displays to be used as control interfaces within an Extron Pro Series control system.

TouchLink Pro interfaces are designed with GUI Designer software, which offers ready-to-use templates and resource kits for a wide variety of rooms and presentation environments. TouchLink Pro touchpanels are available in a variety of form factors and mounting options, and all models provide streamlined integration features, including power and communications connectivity over a single Ethernet cable. www.extron.com

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TECH FOCUS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Christie Brio tackles effortless collaborations across remote sites with BYOD connectivity to boot What does Christie Brio do?

Developed by Christie, Brio enables multiple attendees at meetings to run audio and video presentations from their own devices, without scrambling for matching display cables and adapters, plugging in dongles or installing and configuring new software to get it working.

Christie Brio makes it effortless to meet, share information and work together across multiple sites while automatically coordinating up to five simultaneous video and audio presentations on a maximum of two meeting room displays.

Geographic distance is no limit for Christie Brio – presentations and high quality media are shared between

sites quickly and easily so that team collaboration has never been easier.

device information or content is loaded or saved on a Christie Brio node.

Brio allows the user to connect and present virtually; collaborate in realtime; display high-quality uncompressed 1080p video sources within a meeting room or stream video between remote sites at up to 30 fps; and keep information secure, as no personal

What are Brio's Key features?

Connect and present virtually - Just a couple of mouse clicks adds your information to the composited meeting room screen generated by a Christie Brio node. The nodes can be quickly connected via locally-managed IP

TECH FOCUS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

29

added to a meeting as a thought occurs, with their information showing on that meeting room display in seconds.

How is the Brio set up?

Using a single, low-cost hardware Brio node, any meeting room can automatically show the screens on up to five computers on that room’s displays.

Once the content is processed by the node it can also be made available to other Brio nodes via ethernet. In this way a variety of information - including PowerPoint and Keynote presentations, audio, digital whiteboards, and videoconferencing sessions - can be shown on any display attached to the Brio node, and shared with all the displays in the same meeting.

networks to form a multi-site meeting where all participants see the same content. Featuring support for Airplay and Mirroring for Apple iOS devices and Miracast for Android devices, Brio is uniquely designed for the most discerning users.

Collaborate in real-time - In addition to video and audio, Brio also takes full advantage of interactive whiteboard technology. Users in multiple locations can work together on notes and sketches. Any Brio node connected to a meeting allows users, anywhere, to contribute to that whiteboard session.

Video keeps things interesting - Display high-quality uncompressed 1080p video at 60 fps from sources within a meeting room connection or stream video between sites at up to 30 fps.

Audio as it should be - With Brio, audio input is streamed through the wireless protocol or connected to Brio with standard jacks. The combined audio output is then connected to the meeting room sound system, and meeting participants still maintain individual control of their presentation’s

audio volume. Audio is also shared with attached Brio nodes.

Keep information secure - No personal device information or content is loaded or saved on a Christie Brio node.

Communication with or between nodes can be limited to invited users only.

How would it work for participants in a meeting environment?

Straightforward to install and use, Brio uses wired or wireless connections to automatically share multiple presentations showing simultaneously on either one or two meeting room screens. Whether participants use Macs or PCs, iPads or Android tablets, or smartphones, presentations can be

Brio nodes can be connected via network to multiple worksites on a corporate campus, or across the country.

All Brio nodes added to a meeting will see the same presentations, and any Brio node user can share a presentation in the meeting. Brio makes interactive collaboration across multiple rooms and offices straightforward, seamless and immediate, plus the cost of Brio nodes is low enough to equip even remote users in home offices.

Connecting laptops to a Brio node automatically allows their screens to be shared with all displays connected in a Brio meeting, and the platform intelligently displays material in the correct aspect ratio. For multi-site meetings participants use an intuitive network interface to login and set up.

Brio also fully supports smart devices like tablets running Windows 7 or 8, Apple iOS and Android. Both the node control and presentation connection work the same for tablets and smartphones as they do for PCs and Macs.

Christie Brio nodes fit in standard 19inch IT racks or can sit on their own. The system supports dual-link and single-link DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI. Brio can handle a maximum of five sources.

This is a sponsored article by Christie www.christiedigital.com

30

EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

CommunicAsia2014, EnterpriseIT2014 and BroadcastAsia2014 Showcase Breakthrough Technologies for an Increasingly Connected World Social media, big data analytics, OTT, multi-platform screening and CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) are some key trends to watch in 2014. These trends are fuelled by a steep increase in consumption of data and entertainment on mobile devices, especially in Asia Pacific.

End-users now seek reliable and seamless services on the go; and the industry is responding with a proliferation of cutting-edge solutions such as business analytics, cloud services, social TV, and second/multi screens that help consumers stay connected in an evolving digital world.

“As the dominance of mobility proliferates in every aspect of our lives, businesses in Asia need to be agile and flexible to reach out to the always-connected consumer, while maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Our comprehensive showcase of the latest products and solutions including connected devices, multiscreen broadcasting, satellite mobility applications and ultra HD, across CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia will enable companies to explore sustainable business models to remain competitive and current,� says Victor Wong, Project Director of Communication Events, Singapore Exhibition Services.

The application of these technologies will be intertwined throughout the three exhibitions and conferences.

Visitors will not only get to experience the convergence of technologies, they will also get to unlock new business pathways with access to networking with major global industry players.

Where Mobility and Connectivity Take Centre Stage

Enabling technologies for the entire mobile ecosystem, ranging from satellite communications, embedded technology, mobile technologies to multi-platform screening and broadcasting, will come together during

EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 CommunicAsia2014, EnterpriseIT2014 and BroadcastAsia2014 when the industry’s most established event opens from 17 to 20 June 2014 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

CommunicAsia2014 together with EnterpriseIT2014 will demonstrate how various technologies connect people, enterprises and cities with three new thematic clusters – NXT Cities, NXT Enterprises and NXT Connected Services.

A part of CommunicAsia2014, SatComm2014 will return to provide a strategic base for the global satellite community to showcase the latest satellite communications and turnkey solutions that meets the critical needs of Asia's entire mobile ecosystem.

BroadcastAsia2014 will feature the hottest state-of-the-art technologies and solutions from acquisition to production to delivery that will enhance the multi-

screen experience for users ‘on the go’. Key highlights include a focus on sportscasting, as well as the return of ProfessionalAudioTechnology and the Cinematography / Film / Production Zone.

31

presented by C-level industry thoughtleaders.

Knowledge Transfer Platform Held alongside CommuniAsia and BroadcastAsia, the CommunicAsia2014 and BroadcastAsia2014 conferences bring a knowledge transfer hub and networking platform for attendees to debate and discuss critical upcoming trends such as disruptive technologies in the ICT and broadcast market landscapes, industry risk factors and models for success that will enable companies to ride the mobility wave and remain profitable.

The CommunicAsia2014 Summit will cover the latest hot topics including the ‘Internet of Things’, the rise of VSAT mobility solutions for land, air and sea, enterprise consumerisation and CYOD,

BroadcastAsia2014 International Conference will delve deep into OTT as well as the role of social media in the future of TV, whilst the Creative Content Production Conference 2014 will focus on content creation and distribution, and the technical aspects of 4K. An insightful series of conference tracks will cover the latest disruptive technologies that enable companies to increase eyeballs, with specialised tracks on Asian audiences and strategies for success in Asia.

CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia saw more than 51,000 trade attendees from 100 different countries/regions in 2013.

For show updates, please visit www.CommunicAsia.com, www.goto-EnterpriseIT.com and www.Broadcast-Asia.com.

Shows at a glance: CommunicAsia2014 / EnterpriseIT2014 Exhibition

BroadcastAsia2014 Exhibition

Incorporating:

SatComm2014

ProfessionalAudioTechnology2014

Date:

17 - 20 June 2014

17 - 20 June 2014

Venue:

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Opening Hours:

17 - 19 June 2014: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm 20 June 2014: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

17 - 19 June 2014: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm 20 June 2014: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Admission:

Business and trade professionals only

Business and trade professionals only

Visitor Registration:

www.communicasia.com www.goto-enterpriseit.com

www.broadcast-asia.com

Conferences at a glance: CommunicAsia2014 Summit

BroadcastAsia2014 International Conference & Creative Content Production Conference

Date:

17 – 20 June 2014

17 – 20 June 2014

Venue:

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Admission:

Registered delegates only

Registered delegates only

Registration:

http://www.communicasia.com/index.php/ conference/fees-registration/

http://www.broadcast-asia.com/index.php/ conference/fees-registration/

32

EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

PALM Expo 2014 to showcase the latest trends and technologies in the pro audio biz Year on year PALM promises to offer something new and innovative which attracts lots of visitor to come and visit the show, and also familiarises them with new market trends.

PALM reinvents itself this year with added features

The sound, stage, lighting, DJ gear, music production, pro audio and systems integration technology is growing at a ferocious and competitive pace. It only gives PALM Expo – India’s only trade fair in this segment – a motivating and effective reason, to create a platform showcasing quality and quantity at its best.

Looking Back PALM Expo, this year, enters its 14th edition, with new ideas keeping everything in mind catering to a large gamut of exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and industry people. Since its inception, PALM has been thriving and meeting the industry demands by adding new verticals and sections to the exhibit.

PALM promises to be India’s only B2B show which offers products related light sound & stage, lighting & effects, DJ gear, music production, pro audio systems and systems integration.

Historically, PALM™ Expo has always been a show that’s grown in strength and performance over the past 13 years, with every year witnessing several new world class brands flooding the exhibit space that invariably would feature a larger floor area than the previous year. To put this into statistical figures, in 2013, 117 exhibitors across a gross space

of 12,000sq.mt. PALM witnessed an attendance of over 16,000 visitors.

For PALM™ Expo 2014 though, Diversified Communications India, the organizers of the mammoth expo, have decided to up the tempo in terms of the expo deliverables towards the industry.

The exhibit will continue to grow in it’s the position as India’s only international trade platform for our industry to do business.

By delivering a much larger exhibit space as compared to 2013, PALM promises to bring in new national and international brands on board that would in turn open up potential buyers in the market.

The new brands will get an opportunity to exhibit their new products and ideas which was never done in the country. Increasing number of brands participating at PALM helps potential buyers to look forward to such a show which offers everything pertaining to this industry and that too, all under one roof.

This year PALM has some exciting extended features which will not only have the participation of the visitors but also help them to understand the products very well.

PALM show features and highlights include the HARMAN PALM Live Arena, PALM DJ Soundscape, PALM Live Rigging Workshop, PALM Conference & Seminar, PALM Innovation Spotlight, 3rd PALM Light Sound & Awards, 8th PALM IRA Awards, PALM System Integration Awards, PALM Integration for Entertainment Demo, and the Open Air Line Array Demo.

The HARMAN PALM Live Arena The arena is not only a stage for performers but it also allows the artists to evaluate and analyse how they can enhance their audio requirements and deliver the best sound quality. Located centrally between Hall 1 & 5, the HARMAN PALM Live Arena enjoys its own private space as stage, sound, light and music game.

PALM Demo Qube This year PALM has come up with a new concept by the name of PALM Demo Qube. This feature will allow audio companies to demonstrate their products and latest features with ease in a very private cube structure that will be specially created. The PALM Demo Qube

EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

will be conveniently located just outside exhibition Hall 1.

PALM DJ Soundscape PALM Expo has refurbished its flagship feature, The PALM DJ Champion to PALM DJ Soundscape and created a 3 day exclusive arena only for DJs. The PALM DJ Conference & Workshop will be hosted on all the 3 days of the trade show within the exhibition hall. Top renowned speakers from the Industry will disseminate and share their experience, views and knowledge within the music iIndustry in India and the fast growing DJ segment. The 3 day conference and workshop will provide DJs an opportunity to learn, network and gain knowledge on the industry and also see latest products and technologies available on the exhibit floor.

Open Air Line Array Demo The Open Air Line Array Demo is conducted in the open space at the venue grounds. It will provide an excellent opportunity to 8 exhibitors who will present their latest line array systems in realistic conditions to over 3500* interested buyers from rental and event background.

PALM Live Rigging Workshop The PALM Live Rigging & Trussing Workshop is a feature that delivers the much needed quality information, knowledge and skills required to efficiently perform standard rigging and trussing procedures. In 2013, the workshop hosted live demonstrations which were conducted by highly respected and renowned professionals from Prolyte. The feature covered the regulations, safety requirements along with many other basic concepts that riggers must be well versed with.

PALM Conference & Seminar With the clear intent to boost the knowledge quotient of the Indian industry professionals, the 2013 PALM Conference & Seminar Program was meticulously programmed to encompass the need of the hour for the Indian market.

This year as well, the PALM Conference & Seminar aims to address and discuss the trends in technology and innovations in the pro audio industry.

PALM Innovation Spotlight This is a feature chalked out as an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their latest products that are distinguished by technologically advanced features as a ready reference to all visitors. In 2013 the segment promoted the technological advancement of the industry, as it showcased 19 products ranging from across segments like live sound, music production, install & system integration, and lighting– all of which were kept live on display.

3rd PALM Sound & Light Awards PALM Sound & Light Awards recognises and honours outstanding service in the field of stage, sound & light. The 2013 edition of the PALM™ Expo witnessed the PALM Sound & Light Awards spread over 8 technical categories addition to two new categories in the form of Best Audio Monitoring Engineer & Best Event Management & Production Company.

8th IRA Awards Into its 8th glorious edition, the Indian Recording Arts (IRA) Awards are the first ever music awards that recognize the music, recording and engineering talent in India. Selected by leading musicians and recording professionals, IRA Awards felicitate the music maestros and the technical and creative contributions by leading sound recordists.

PALM System Integration Awards The PALM System Integration Awards is an effort toward recognising and honouring global industry stalwarts for their outstanding service in system integration. In 2013, the first ever edition

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of the PALM System Integration Awards, felicitatied three global industry stalwarts by awarding Bose Corporation India with the Project Performance Award, veteran projection expert Bart Kresa with the Creative Direction Award, and finally video technology veteran & expert Adela Kriland with the Education & Support Award.

PALM Integration for Entertainment Demo The Integration for Entertainment showcase in 2013 demonstrated production and playback software systems for multi-display applications from staging to digital signage, to events and fixed installations. Over 2000+ professionals experienced future technologies and trends in system integration of audio, video, lasers and lighting, control automation and visual mapping.

All of this gives the show a new look and feel and also opens avenues for the exhibitors to showcase their product on a larger scale.

Looking at PALM’s success story year on year it is very much evident that this show definitely has something to offer for everyone. PALM has gone global in its marketing by advertising not only in Indian magazines but international also. Today PALM is visible in all top international magazines and online portals like Mondo, Pro Audio Asia, Entertainment Technology Asia, Systems Integration Asia, Worship AVL, Music Trade to name a few. Not only this PALM is also connects to all the industry professional through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pintrest to name a few. The online registration is also picking up in a big way through Google ads and registrations online through PALM website.

PALM Expo aims at disseminating information to all the potential market, and making new developments assessable to the industry people all under one roof. www.palmexpo.in

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

ISE Continues with its Strong Momentum The figures speak for themselves. A record 952 exhibitors who attracted a final total of 51,003 attendees which was a growth of 15% over last year's figures. Also acting as key draws to the event were an enlarged Professional Development programme including off-floor training sessions hosted by ISE’s co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International, with both associations also contributing seminars to the event’s new on-floor Theatres dedicated to Residential and Commercial Solutions.

Between them these sessions attracted over 2,400 people, with InfoComm experiencing an almost three-fold increase in its education traffic over 2013 after offering free session vouchers to every 2014 attendee.

Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events, says: “Our big theme this year was content, and we believe we have delivered on our

promise to enhance our event – and attract more attendees – by offering a combination of technical training, market intelligence, real-world case studies and networking opportunities that is unmatched by any comparable event in Europe.”

While the show’s attendance continues to rise impressively, there has been no dilution in the spending power of ISE’s visitors if the show’s exhibitor rebooking trend is anything to go by. By the time the doors closed on Thursday 6 February, on-site rebooking for ISE 2015 stood at 33,450 net square metres, compared with the 2014 show’s total net footprint of 36,035. The rebooking figure is 10% higher than the equivalent a year ago.

“By all standards of measurement, ISE 2014 was extraordinarily successful,” comments David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD,

Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. “It was a great way to kick off the industry calendar, and a spectacular way to begin InfoComm International’s 75th year. What started out as a small show in Geneva 11 years ago has blossomed into a truly thriving event. That first ISE was an important early step in our association’s journey beyond its US borders, but would be largely unrecognisable to this year’s ISE attendees.”

Indeed walking around the many Halls, they all were busy. Some exhibitors even proclaimed to us that this was their best show ever. So for those who have yet to make the journey to Amsterdam, you should go to see for yourselves why ISE has become what it is. Next year's show dates of 10-12 February also does not clash with the major Chinese New Year festivities. It is worth fighting the weather!

EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

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Exhibit Highlights ABtUS offers Interface panel flexibility

AMX DVX-3156HD-SP

switcher market by demonstrating its ninth and 10th model configurations of the award-winning Enova® DVX All-InOne Presentation Switcher.

The newest Enova DVX-3156HD models (DVX-3156HD-SP and DVX-3156HD-T) feature four built-in AMX DXLinkTM category cable distance transport inputs, which make them ideal for supporting dual room applications as well as conference rooms and classrooms that require multiple distant connections.

Dual room capability is also supported in the upcoming release of Rapid Project Maker 2.0, also just announced at ISE 2014.

ABtUS showcased its flexibility to provide modular interface panels that allows an integrator to mix and match according to his requirements. This ranges across all types of inputs from Universal Power point, Display port, HDMI, VGA, Audio, USB and more in any configuration. The interface panels come finished in sturdy metallic material to ensure ruggedness.

The unique control buttons allows users to switch between inputs and turn on/ off the display conveniently by toggling between these buttons. The concept is really simple but extremely useful for end users. www.abtussingapore.com

AMX new Enova models offer even more remote support for Multiple Connection Points

Focusing on its mission to create AV solutions for an IT world, AMX eased meeting room technology woes for yet another segment of the presentation

The Enova DVX-3156HD features two multi-format inputs to distribute just about any analog or digital source, four HDMI inputs and all the core functionality that has fuelled the growth of the DVX family to ten configurations to date. This includes a complete AV/IT platform for audio, video and networked control and exclusive AMX technologies on every output like SmartScale® for perfectly scaled video on every connected display. Also onboard is InstaGate ProTM, which addresses key constraints and delays posed by HDMI/HDCP, drastically speeding installation time. To boost convenience and lessen install time even further, the Enova DVX-3156HD is integrated into the AMX Rapid Project Maker cloud-based configuration tool to offer dealers the ability to immediately begin incorporating the DVX-3156 into applicable system designs. www.amx.com

Analog Way showcases SmartMatriX2, QuickMatriX and integration options

SmartMatriX2 (Ref.SMX250) and QuickMatriX (Ref.QMX150) are part of Analog Way’s new Midra™ series of

Philippe Vitali, showcasing the new integrated software control

mid-range Mixers/Seamless Switchers.

The products come in 2RU enclosures for optimized air circulation and cooling.

They offer a large variety of connectivity with 10 inputs and 16 input plugs for the SmartMatriX2, and 8 inputs and 14 input plugs for the QuickMatriX, including DVI-D, HDMI and 3G-SDI. Both systems feature 2 outputs, and EDID management is customizable for all computer sources.

The products offer very fast processing and true seamless switching, with synchronous and asynchronous Matrix modes. Outputs can be managed independently.

Also at the show floor was Analog Way’s new R&D team responsible for Integration and Application Software.

The intention is to develop solutions to easily deploy Analog Way’s systems into automation and IT environments. At ISE the team released a complete series of drivers to facilitate the integration of Analog Way’s LiveCore™ and Midra™ series of Mixers and Seamless Switchers.

These systems can now be controlled through AMX and Crestron 2 and 3-series control systems. www.analogway.com

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

AOTO showcases its advance LED Displays

Multichannel audio capacity additionally supports multiple streams, allowing retailers to provide audio signage content in several languages. www.barix.com

Biamp Systems Tesira 2.0 features new Dante card AOTO, founded in 1993 is a world leading LED Display solution provider.

The company’s solutions have been installed in many projects worldwide. At ISE, AOTO showcased a range of their solutions that included a 3mm Outdoor HD Street Furniture Display, 6mm and 10mm pixel Outdoor LED Displays, as well as a 1mm pixel Indoor Display. Also featured was their cloud platform control system. In addition, there was a Glasses free 3D LED TV that was shown in an enclosed room within their booth.

Tseira DAN-1Card

www.szaoto.com

Ronni Guggenheim, CEO of Barix

ATEN promises fastest HDMI Matrix Switch

for consumers and adds value for retailers through mobile connectivity and synchronized promotional content.

ATEN’s VM5808H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch with Scaler offers an intuitive and high-performance solution to route any of eight HDMI video sources to any of eight HDMI displays and resolution types. It utilizes ATEN’s unique seamless engine which integrates advanced video processing technologies such as scaler, clock generator, frame buffer and EDID in its FPGA chips to unify the video formats and deliver continuous video streams, real-time switching and stable signal transmission. The VM5808H is ideal for environments that require real-time video streaming and playback, such as live events, transportation and logistics centers, traffic control centers and surveillance. www.aten.com

Barix gives screens a Voice

Barix showcased a unique retail solution that enhances the shopping experience

The unique solution aims to give the screen a voice, engaging consumers at shopping windows and inside stores through visual content and associated audio streams. A free Barix smartphone app called Barix Audio Point, to be available in traditional App Stores, prompts consumers to scan a QR Code for stream access, which provides relevant and captivating audio content in synchronization with on-screen video. The combination brings higher awareness to promotions, store branding and other messaging through deeper engagement with shoppers – and addresses the retailer’s goal of increasing basket size.

The Barix solution can work with any Digital Signage player to achieve this multi-sensorial approach, with Barix encoding and streaming high-quality audio through access points near each screen. Those access points enable the Wi-Fi connection that delivers audio to mobile devices in perfect harmony with video playing out on screens.

ISE saw the launch of Biamp Systems Tesira® 2.0, the latest version of the company’s flagship family of digital signal processor (DSP)-based media systems. The centerpiece of Tesira 2.0 is TesiraFORTÉ, an all-new series of audio processors that extend Audio Video Bridging (AVB) to applicationspecific settings. TesiraFORTÉ consists of eight pre-configured models (four AVB models and four non-AVB models) designed to bring greater simplicity and more options to today’s conferencing, telephony, and VoIP environments.

Also shipping with Tesira 2.0 is Biamp’s new Dante™-enabled DAN-1 digital server networking card, which, like its current CobraNet® card, functions as a gateway interfae to support 64x64 channels of Dante networked audio. The DAN-1 card provides system integrators with a Dante digital transport within Tesira media systems. While the Tesira platform operates over AVB, with the addition of the DAN-1 card, customers will have the flexibility of integrating with different system types. The DAN-1 can also be used alongside AVB and/or CobraNet in the same Tesira SERVER or SERVER-IO. In addition, Tesira 2.0 includes new firmware and software that enable two Tesira SERVERs to act as a redundant pair — with the secondary Tesira SERVER providing a mirrored backup to prevent any interruption in service in case of failure in the primary SERVER.

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Ideal for corporate, government, and higher education settings, TesiraFORTÉ leverages a customer’s existing cabling infrastructure to enable cost-effective installations wherever there is a need for networked audio. The Tesira network can be set up and managed centrally or remotely, with the ability to incorporate additional Tesira products quickly and easily as needed. Class-leading audio technologies including Sona™ AEC technology, SpeechSense™, and AmbientSense™ provide clear, echofree audio communication within any conference room, auditorium, or training space. Each TesiraFORTÉ solution is equipped with 12 mic/line inputs, 8 mic/ line outputs, 4-pin GPIO, and 128x128 channels of AVB. Each of the 8 TesiraFORTÉ model can be used as a stand-alone system (non-AVB) or within an AVB-networked solution to deliver the specific features and connections needed for each application.

Each device also offers eight-channel USB audio support to interface directly with third-party technology, supporting a variety of conferencing, recording, and background music requirements.

to see and hear the live or archived meeting, as well as access related data, such as agenda points, speakers’ names, voting results, and even documents that are presented during the meeting.

Furthermore, if desired, the system operator can even involve them in the meeting with real-time surveys and opinion polling. For extra convenience, the social media integration feature means that with just one click viewers can share any relevant or important information with their network.

Tim Brooksbank, Chairman at Calibre, will head up this effort within Kramer as well as maintaining his Calibre role: “We will continue independently with our OEM and own-label business activities, but with Calibre-branded products being progressively merged into the Kramer range. I’m really enthusiastic about being able to work so closely with the people at Kramer. Our planned future product developments are particularly interesting and will greatly expand both companies’ capabilities and market.”

The DCN multimedia webcasting solution offers full HD support for crisp, clear video images, and makes use of local buffering so no meeting data is lost, even if the internet connection is down. As an added option, meetings can be password protected ensuring only authorized viewers can watch.

“This strategic co-operation with Calibre is of great benefit to both companies and to our customers alike”, says Dr. Joseph Kramer, Founder, President & Chairman of Kramer Electronics and recent recipient of the 2013 Pioneer of AV Award. “Together we will move forwards developing a comprehensive range of powerful premium video processing and control products for the live events, rental, staging and fixed install markets with a focus on class-leading visual and functional performance. There are exciting times ahead.”

www.boschsecurity.com

Calibre UK and Kramer Electronics officially announce joint co-operation

www.biamp.com

Bosch:DCN multimedia conference system now features advanced webcasting solution (L-R) Ari Gorlin, VP Sales of Kramer with Tim Brooksbank, Chairman of Calibre UK and Aviv Ron, Kramer’s VP Business Development & Strategy

The DCN multimedia webcasting software, is a complete solution for streaming both live and archived meetings to audiences anywhere in the world.

From any location where internet access is available, this software application allows people to follow an event using a standard web browser on their computer, tablet or smartphone. Viewers are able

Calibre UK and Kramer Electronics announced their join co-operation at ISE. Calibre’s key models for the ProAV & Broadcast industries are to be incorporated into Kramer’s product line-up in Q4 this year. This strengthens Kramer’s range by the addition of a new line of premium scalers including powerful low-latency processing, warping, geometry correction and edge-blending with models for fixed installation and rental and staging, as well as models targeted at LED videowalls and television broadcast studios.

To support customers and the implementation of new product introductions, Kramer Electronics will supply dedicated resources to support and market these new models throughout Kramer Electronics’ worldwide network of more than 20 regional offices. www.calibreuk.com www.kramerelectronics.com

Chief’s new ConnexSys mounting solutions is a result of Installers’ feedback

Chief’s ConnexSys Video Wall Mounting System solves common video wall challenges of speed, alignment, serviceability and rigidity.

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Speed issues are resolved by using strut channel to connect multiple displays.

Install a single strut channel and hang the displays. For multiple rows, simply use the height of the screen to measure between each row rail.

According to Chief, Alignment can take up 50-70 percent of the install time, thus Chief’s PowerZoneTM system quickly aligns rows for substantial time savings.

solution to prevent accidental screen shift from occurring when the screen is pulled out.

Crestron unveils its smallest form factor control system ever

ConnexSys is available in landscape (LVS1U) and portrait (LVS1UP) versions with rails, and can be ordered without strut channel LVSXU and LVSXUP so installers can take advantage of longer lengths from local sources. www.chiefmfg.com

PowerZone Adjustment – 6 points of tool-free height, tilt, lateral and depth adjustment are all found in one easy-toaccess location. One tilt pivot point and a floating plane protect the display from damaging twisting and eliminate transfer of torque from the wall to screen. Three levels of lateral adjustment allow for precise alignment and protect screens from unnecessary collisions.

Generous Depth Adjustment – No wall is perfectly flat, and the more screens are added, the more difficult aligning video walls becomes. ConnexSys mounts allow the home position to be set anywhere between 4 to 7.3 (102-186 mm) from the wall for perfect depth. Independent depth adjustments can be made on both sides of the mount to accommodate walls up to 2” out of alignment horizontally.

Serviceability issues are resolved with RapidDraw Display Release – A controlled pull cord release gives installers access to any display on the video wall, removing the possibility of accidental pop-outs from people bumping into screens. The release also protects the displays by reducing the frequency and aggressiveness of screen pushing. Cords can be positioned to pull for release from any side. The mounts can be pulled out up to 13.7 (348 mm) from the wall for ample access space.

Engage the kickstand to 20 degrees for even more room to work.

Rigidity – A particular problem for installers is that displays lose their alignment if they are pulled out for service. Overzealous cleaning crews can also accidentally shift display alignment.

Chief engineers added rigidity to the

CHRISTIE showcases upgraded G Series and debut of Q Series projectors

Q Series projector

The upgraded Christie G Series boasts 6,000 lumens and a single-lamp design.

It is the brightest in its category and provides the exceptional image quality, brightness and dependability that is essential for presentations in board and conference rooms. Each upgraded Christie G Series projector is also equipped with a six-segment colour wheel for the widest possible colour range and more natural, vibrant images.

The Christie G Series delivers a cost effective solution combined with longlife DLP® technology.

Christie’s show-debuting 1-chip DLP® Q Series offers brightness options ranging from 8,500 to 10,000 lumens and XGA, WXGA and WUXGA resolutions. Rental staging customers will notice the Q Series’ difference when blending and warping images from multiple projectors onto flat, curved, hexagonal, or spherical surfaces. Usable in either single or dual-lamp mode, Christie Q Series is equipped with eClarity™ – advanced image processing that significantly enhances images by providing greater image control. www.christiedigital.com

The Crestron RMC3 is an ultra-compact, cost-effective 3-Series Control System® designed to provide control and monitoring for a single display device, AV system, lighting and shading, climate control, security, energy management and many other specialised applications.

Crestron 3-Series provides a pronounced increase in processing power and speed with more memory, rock solid networking and IP control. The RMC3 is a small box that packs a punch. By default it is enabled for running a single program, but with a licence upgrade, you can unleash the full power and take advantage of the unique modular programming architecture to run up to ten programs simultaneously.

Built-in Cresnet and Ethernet connectivity provides support for the full line of Crestron touch screens, keypads, dimmers, shades, thermostats and other peripherals. These connectivity allows the RMC3 to be part of a larger managed control network.

Approximately the size of a deck of playing cards, the RMC3 can be placed just about anywhere with the option to attach it to a flat surface or DIN rail using the provided mounting bracket. It can fit easily behind a video display, above a projector, or under a table, and provides enough control ports to control the display device along with a screen or lift.

Using PoE technology, the RMC3 gets its operating power right through the LAN wiring. In addition to Ethernet, the RMC3 includes a variety of control ports for interfacing with third-party equipment. www.crestron.eu

www.dbaudio.com

The challenges remain consistent, but seldom appear independently. The d&b columns, however, are new and corrective; a unique combination of waveguides and damped ports create a cardioid pattern with a constant horizontal directivity of 90°, whilst the tight vertical dispersion tilts downwards in the low to mid range and is adjustable in the high frequencies. Handy for those who like to comprehend word for word in long, large, high, reverberant spaces with impediments to intelligibility. The d&b xC-Series: positions text clearly.

Huge room volumes

Extremely reverberant spaces

Parallel wall mounting Large and high ceilings 0QOPTa ZMÆMK\Q^M []ZNIKM[ Visual unobtrusiveness

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Comm Product exhibits new WizarSwitch models

Comm Product from Singapore showcased two new HDMI WizarSwitch models that come with one touch seelctron to control your displays.

The IPC-7AU helps to resolve legacy VGA issues. Featuring HDM and VGA input and output, the Switcher enables conversion of signals either way, be it upstream or downstream. The IPC8UR offers pure HDMI 2inputs and 2outputs. Both models are also able to accommodate interaceive devices with USB selectors.

of six 1.1” dome tweeters. Passive filtering of the 4” drivers minimises unwanted lobes in the vertical plane and adds an approximate five degree downward tilt to the low/mid frequency dispersion. When attached to 24C, the 24C-E cardioid column extension, with a further six 4” low/mid drivers, increases the vertical directivity control by another full octave. Drawing on vast experience in passive loudspeaker design, d&b has developed column loudspeakers with effective horizontal dispersion control. This unique cardioid approach produces constant directivity in the horizontal plane with a broadband attenuation to the rear of 18 dB. Effective horizontal pattern control reduces unwanted reflections and allows increased gain before feedback when working with open microphones; characteristics virtually unknown for column loudspeakers.

www.commproduct.com

www.dbaudio.com

d&b audiotechnik unveils Column expansion

Dataton Manager software previewed

combine text, images, buttons, sliders and other widgets across multiple panels and pages in custom compositions.

Functions are assigned from a library of pre-configured actions with a simple drag-and-drop.

WATCHNET is used to control WATCHOUT shows running on display PCs or Dataton’s WATCHPAX media player. It can manage an unlimited number of systems, including power, lighting and other auxiliary functions in a WATCHOUT show – great for largescale installs such as multiple rooms in a museum or corporate headquarters.

With a single iPad in reception the user can start, control and manage all the WATCHOUT shows from a clear, customdesigned interface. For more advanced uses, WATCHNET offers direct control of WATCHOUT timelines and inputs, with full feedback, to monitor performance.

WATCHNET features a flexible scheduling function for fully automated control. Define days, times and other parameters and let WATCHNET do the rest. The software also manages show updates for adding new media and programming. WATCHNET autodiscovers and monitors WATCHOUT clusters on the network, enabling easy set-up for integrators. www.dataton.se

Three demonstrations daily, introduced listeners to the passively crossed over 24C and 24C-E column loudspeakers from the new xC-Series; fixed installation products aimed squarely at speech reinforcement in demanding acoustic spaces. This Series is specifically intended for the kind of highly reverberant environments where conquering acoustic challenges must balance with aesthetic considerations.

The xC-Series also includes the 16C, a smaller column using four 4” low/mid drivers plus a centrally mounted constant directivity HF horn with 0.75” compression driver. The 24C contains six 4” low/mid drivers and a HF array

Dataton brings new creative possibilities to producers and integrators with the advent of WATCHNET, a powerful multi-tasking server software for custom control, scheduling and managing of Dataton WATCHOUT multi-display shows.

WATCHNET enables interactive control from an unlimited number of panels (iPhone, iPad, Android tablets/ phones and Windows Surface or Mac/ Windows laptop/desktop computers) by leveraging the latest in network and HTML5 technologies. The software features a Windows and Mac-based GUI designer which lets the user easily

Digital Projection showcases working models of World’s First 12,000 Lumen Solid State Laser Projector

Announced in late November, visitors to ISE were able to see the projectors in action. Delivering a stunning 12,000 Lumen output, the HIGHLite Laser 12K boasts 20,000 hours of stable solid-state illumination with a WUXGA resolution.

EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 The projector was developed with an emphasis on ‘Fit and Forget’ – meaning that installers and system integrators can deploy the projector and need not worry about lamp changes or expensive maintenance cycles.

Perfectly suited to all vertical channels, no feature has been overlooked. Edge Blend is included as standard along with geometric correction functionality. Fully active 3D with upto 144 Hz refresh rate offers flicker-free viewing. Dual HDMI 1.4, DVI and 3G-SDI inputs provides the very latest high speed video delivery.

To complement all of this, HDBaseT connectivity allows for the transmission of uncompressed High Definition Video over a CAT5e/6 LAN cable. To suit every application, the lenses range from 0.77:1 to 6.76:1.

On the showfloor, the HIGHLite Laser 12K projectors were lined up to show their projection versatility, stunning quality, lense range and edge blending features through projection to screens installed in different angles.

The DLP and LCD video walls at the booth were powered by Delta’s DVCS and MiNiCON (Embedded Vision Control System) control systems which offered the visitors a chance to touch and feel their advanced functionality.

The IP-based, highly expandable DVCS (Distributive Vision Control System) supports over 10,000 sources and displays while the MiNiCON added significant value to the video wall functionality by delivering up to 60fps performance and stability regardless of the number of inputs and outputs.

The Wide Xtreme megapixel display at the booth, demonstrated how multiple users can access and share content on a super-large digital canvas simultaneously by using their own mobile devices over an existing Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. www.deltadisplays.com

dnp highlights it superior technology with daylight shoot-out

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the live audience to show proof of dnp’s technological advances.

“There is a lot of marketing spin going on when manufacturers appraise their products. Thus we wanted to give people a chance to see the difference with their own eyes. Nothing beats a live demonstration,” says dnp Global Sales & Marketing Manager, Søren Kraemmergaard.

In order to give the combatants an equal chance in the shoot-out, dnp devised a realistic conference room environment, with controllable light levels. All comparisons were made using the same projector and the same image sources. www.dnp-screens.com

Gefen introduces intelligent solutions to extend 4K Ultra HD content

www.digitalprojection.co.uk

Delta showcases its state-ofthe-art display solutions The final duel screen results showing how dnp’s screens have “shot out” the conventional screen

Projection screen specialist dnp denmark threw down the gauntlet and challenged conventional projection screens to a live duel in broad daylight, at ISE. The objective was to show the difference between a conventional white projection screen and an optical projection screen.

Delta’s Ultra Slim series video wall showcased its advanced design and suitability for smart control rooms with a noteworthy depth of < 535mm, lightweight design, super-efficient LED light engines, redundant power supplies, auto alignment and auto colour calibration.

Thus attendees witnessed the live shootout between a typical white projection screen (Gain 1) and two versions of the dnp Supernova Blade Screen equipped with different screen materials. In high ambient light conditions, showing presentations with sharp images and detailed data, it was fascinating to see the dnp screens compare very favourably againt the conventional white screen.

Measurements were taken in front of

Gefen introduced two intelligent new solutions that optimize and manage bandwidth utilization to provide a plug and play implementation of 4k Ultra HD. The new Gefen Extender for HDMI 4k Ultra HD over Fiber delivers resolutions up to 4k (3840x2160@30Hz) together with RS-232 and bi-directional IR using one SC-terminated fiber optic cable.

This long-range solution is effective up to 2000 meters (6600 ft.) in distance.

RS-232 offers an easy method of system automation and control while bi-directional IR facilitates control from both local and extended locations.

Surface-mountable enclosures provide maximum installation flexibility.

The Toolbox ELR (Extra Long Range) Extender for HDMI over one CAT-5 with POL (Power over Line) provides a pointto-point transmission of 4k Ultra HD content with RS-232 and bi-directional IR. POL provides power to the receiver unit using the same single CAT-5 cable,

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

and alleviates the need for an external power supply at the receiver side.

Distances up to 150 meters (490 ft.) at 1080p full HD and up to 100 meters (330 ft.) at 4k Ultra HD can be achieved using this solution. Content is delivered with near zero latency using industrystandard CAT-5 cabling combined with Gefen’s ELR implementation of the HDBaseT® technology. ELR provides value-added features above and beyond the HDBaseT® specification, including EDID management and improved compatibility. This solution is ideal for a high quality signal extension using in-conduit cabling. Users can easily upgrade their audio/video system without uprooting cabling. www.gefen.com

Harman JBL Commercial introduces High-Value, HighPerformance amplifiers and mixers

wiring and the amplifiers’ distributed audio capability simplifies adding volume controls to single- or multiple- speaker zones. All feature a universal power supply for international use and accept an Ethernet control cable for use with the JBL CSR-V wall-mount volume control.

JBL Commercial’s CSM mixers are perfect for background music, paging, security and other uses. Like the CSA amplifiers, the CSM models are simple to set up and use, with a minimum of front panel controls and illuminated rings around the knobs for easy visibility.

All the mixers provide channel, master volume and independent bass and treble controls. The rear panel offers RCA inputs and Euro-block-type mic/line input and output connectors. All models feature priority muting, VOX ducking and mic phantom power and can be used with JBL’s CSR-V wall controller.

image. Additionally, Hitachi’s exclusive Accentualizer technology enhances sharpness, gloss and shadow detail for more realistic image quality while providing greater depth of field.

All four models can be used in tabletop mode, or wall mounted. All provide a full complement of inputs including two HDMI inputs, two computer HD15 inputs, three USB inputs for use with a USB memory stick, wireless adapter or mouse plus component, composite video, audio and mic A/V jacks. All the projectors have computer monitor and audio outputs. In addition, all four models have RS-232C and RJ-45 Ethernet ports. An optional wireless adapter lets users connect their computer to the projectors via a wireless network. The projectors’ PCless presentation feature enables users to project images directly from a USB thumb drive, eliminating the need to connect a computer.

www.harman.com

Harman Commercial Series Mixers

HARMAN’s JBL Commercial introduced six Commercial Series Amplifiers (CSA) and two Commercial Series Mixers (CSM) that combine outstanding value and performance. The CSA amplifiers come in 2 channels with varying 40-watt, 80-watt and 120-watt power as well as 1 channel models with similar varying watt power whereas the CSM features a 28 channel mixer with 8 inputs and 2 outputs and a 14 channel mixer with 4 inputs and 1 output.

The CSA amplifiers incorporate HARMAN’s proprietary DriveCore amplifier IC which offers significantly reduced power consumption, size and weight while delivering outstanding sound quality. All CSA amps are just 1U rack space high and a half-rack wide. All models can operate into 8 ohm and 4 ohm loads and can be used with 70V and 100V distributed audio systems without the need for a separate transformer.

A single amp channel (or 1 channel amplifier) can easily drive multiple speakers without the need for complex

Hitachi raises the bar with four new Ultra Short-Throw projectors

The new 3LCD projectors offer improved image quality, flexible connectivity including powered focus, and wireless networking plus a host of useful convenience features.

The CP-AX2503 and CP-AW2503 deliver 2,700 colour and white light output with XGA and WXGA resolution, respectively, while the CP-AX3503 and CP-AW3003 offer 3,300 and 3,600 colour and white light output with XGA and WXGA resolution, respectively.

All four projectors include Hitachi’s High Dynamic Contrast Range feature that provides a unique ability to alter contrast when ambient light is present and yet preserve the integrity of the

www.hitachi.com

Jupiter Systems Canvas adds mobile aspect

Jupiter’s Aravind Nagarajan showing the mobile app for Canvas

Sharing a common operating picture is essential to effective management.

Canvas enables video, data, applications, and more to be shared with colleagues anywhere, on any device, delivering end-to-end collaboration. Users can now share streams and collaborate from anywhere in the network: at the main display wall, on PCs, and on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Canvas brings a rich set of familiar tools for collaboration and allows them to be used in ways that no other system can. And, unique in the industry, Canvas allows users to annotate directly on live video streams.

EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 With Canvas, smartphones and tablets can also be sources. Point the device camera at anything and share live video with remote colleagues.

Lightware focuses on the big and small of 25G Hybrid

No matter what needs attention or who sees it first, any situation captured in a stream can be shared quickly and easily with team members, regardless of their location.

Kramer Electronics VP-773 Presentation Scaling Switcher features 4 HDMI Inputs & HDBaseT™ Output

The VP-773 offers a versatile feature set that includes Picture-in-Picture functions, Luma-Keying, 2K Resolution, emergency alert notifications, built-in Web pages, and more.

The VP-773 incorporates a certified HDBaseT output port that works flawlessly with all Kramer’s HDBaseT receivers e.g., TP-580R & TP-580RXR, and the WP-580R & WP-580RXR, enabling easy system usage. When partnered with Kramer’s HDBaseT products that support Ultra (Long Reach) mode, and Kramer’s matching cable, the BC−DGKat623, the scaled HDBaseT video image can be sent up to 180m (590ft) in Ultra Mode (with a maximum resolution of 1080p @60Hz, 24 bits per pixel), or 130m in normal mode (1080p @60Hz, 36 bits per pixel). www.kramerelectronics.com

Mitsubishi Electric launches LED upgrade

Mitsubishi replacement engine

www.jupiter.com

Kramer Electronics unveiled the VP-773 Presentation Scaling Switcher, out of a new line that incorporates Kramer’s precision pixel mapping and high quality scaling technology, called PerfectPix™.

Other products in this family are the VP460/1, the VP-770, the AV Award winner VP-771, and the VP-774.

45

Bertrand Jenner and Aaron Lange flanking the two 25G Hybrid models

Lightware’s 25G Hybrid is a complete source to display solution for all video, audio and control formats over a single CAT5/6/7 or fiber cable. It is a comprehensive line of digital matrix switchers, transmitters and receivers that combines switching with a powerful suite of diagnostic software tools. Key features are its incredible speed of 25 Gigabits per second video routing; multilayer switching that provides independent signal switching per media layer; advanced audio functions that is capable of routing 3 different audio layers and of course various control signals. The 160x160 crosspoint matrix frame was introduced first and has now been joined by the smaller but still extremely powerful 80x80 crosspoint matrix frame. Though both 25G Hybrid matrix switchers have been released earlier, they continue to take the industry by storm with their superior technology.

Three new LED-illuminated DLP™ cube engines, which are the latest additions to its Seventy Series control room displays range are designed to enable existing customers to upgrade legacy mercury lamp-based Display Wall systems to the latest high-brightness LED technology. The new products are a direct, slot-in replacement for the older technology but are based on exactly the same architecture to ensure 100% compatibility with existing systems. As well as benefiting from the latest highbrightness LED performance, and in some cases increased resolution, current customers will be able to dramatically extend the lifespan of their existing Display Wall systems while greatly reducing the cost of ownership.

The VS-XE73RU replaces XGA lampbased engines for Mitsubishi’s XL20/ XL21 and XL50 series cubes. The VS-PE73RU replaces XGA lamp-based engines with SXGA+ LED-based engines and is designed for the XL/20/XL21 and XL50 series. Not only does this enable upgrade to LED lighting, but also to higher resolution. Finally, the VS-PE78RU can replace SXGA+ lamp based engines with SXGA+ LED based engines for the PH40 and PH50 series.

The latest generation of Mitsubishi Electric LED cubes offer screen brightnesses up to 1420cd/m² and contrast ratios up to 1600:1, making them ideal for the majority of control room applications. Mitsubishi Electric’s patented Colour Space Control and innovative digital graduation feature ensure superb, edge-to-edge colour and brightness uniformity across the entire screen.

www.lighware.eu www.displays.mitsubishielectric.eu

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

NEC updates Professional Series large format displays

NEC Professional (P Series) large format displays, are designed to exceed the performance, reliability and affordability expectations of every user. The updated range will bring a host of new benefits including a Human Sensor, Near Field Communication (NFC), remote browser control and myriad of industry-first innovations.

The updated range also incorporates an NFC sensor and matching app for Android devices with the objective of using the sensor and app to reduce installation cost, simplify maintenance and store useful information for users.

Installation cost is further reduced by additional capabilities such as an auto Tile Matrix for easy video wall setup and the support for video and signal daisy chaining up to 100 units. All the new additions also incorporate an interface extension slot and NEC’s OPS option slot, which allows for the integration of single board computers and other option slot products based on the NEC/Intel OPS standard without the need to stow external equipment. The new interface extension slot options offer legacy support of old analogue video signals as well as additional digital inputs. www.nec.com

Opticis presents real 4K fibre Extender

The new NEC MultiSync® P Series models, available in sizes 40-, 46-, 55-, 70- and 80-inch, are all high-end, full-featured professional displays designed for heavy retail signage, transportation and other missioncritical 24/7 applications. The updated models bring LED backlighting to the high performance commercial-grade LCD panels. This allows for lower power consumption, a slimmer design and reduced weight compared to predecessors.

One of the innovative new features found in the new P Series is a human sensor, which can be both an energy saver and enabler of creativity. The sensor detects a presence in front of the display and can be used to engage power-saving modes if no-one is present, and can also be configured to change various settings – such as input, volume or brightness – when someone approaches.

WQUXGA resolution (3840x2400) at 60Hz. DP data can be transmitted up to 100m over a duplex LC multi-mode fiber.

The transmitter and receiver supports Dual-mode DP; auxillary PC channel over fiber and multi-stream transport. These plug and play devices can be operated

by USB power or DC power supply and if FCC/CE certified. www.opticis.com

Panasonic launches the world’s first 6,000 lumens laser 1-chip DLP projector

Panasonic PT-RZ670

The PT-RZ670 and PT-RW630 are additions to the company’s existing Solid Shine™ line of projectors, and feature 20,000 hours of working life without lamp replacement and flexible, all angle, installation.

The PT-RZ670 and PT-RW630 both boast 6,000 lumens brightness and are WUXGA and WXGA respectively.

Powered by a laser light source, they do not require lamp or filter maintenance for 20,000 hours or more depending on usage. They provide superb colour reproduction thanks to the proprietary Detail Clarity Processor 3 that brings out fine details.

The DPFX-200 transmitter and receiver is a real 4K extender that features Display Port 1.2. It is able to transmit up to

Easy installation allows landscape and portrait mounting as well as vertical/ horizontal/tilting 360 degrees projection without any effect on the life of the light source. In addition, the RZ670 has built in geometric adjustment, enabling projections onto curved and irregular shaped screens, making this the ideal projector in museums, exhibitions and show rooms - where creativity makes a difference. business.panasonic.co.uk/visual-system

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Pexip aims to simplify and revolutionise video conferencing

Simen Teigre, CEO Pexip

Participating for the first time in ISE, Pexip demonstrated their Infinity multipoint video conferencing software.

Pexip Infinity is a ground-breaking concept in video conferencing through its virtualized, scalable and distributed architecture. It simply enables corporations to deploy enterprise-wide HD video conferencing in as little as ten minutes, and to any device.

Pexip Infinity virtualized software can be deployed on VMware or Microsoft Hyper-V and features generic hypervisor support. It runs on standard servers and does not require any custom hardware.

The subscription-based model ensures that users and administrators have instant access to updates and new features as they become available.

Pexip Infinity supports nearly any communication standard, and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft® Lync, Google WebRTC and any standard video and voice protocol.

Today, Pexip has fifty channel partners in thirty countries with a direct Pexip office established in Australia, Singapore and China with 53 employees across the world and growing.

Simen Teigre, CEO at Pexip commented: “We are currently on the fourth version of our software. Because we are subscription based it does not hurt the pockets of our clients too much. Imagine having to install hardware which may become obsolete quite fast. We have seen customers struggling to set up video with technical and commercial

hurdles and our solution enables them to overcome such barriers.”

“In fact we now can count at least three Fortune 500 companies and one Fortune 1000 company as some of our clients as their original concerns about deploying our solution have been allayed. Our challenge now is to ensure that we are able to keep up with our delivery and to work with channel partners to continue to progress. We believe we are revolutionizing the video conferencing segment and enabling more clients to take advantage of video conferencing without the hassle of traditional video conferencing solutions,” said Teigre. www.pexip.com

Prysm targets the TD2 for the collaboration sector

WOW vision’s Collab8 working with Prysm’s TD2

Shown at InfoComm 2013, Prysm presented the TD2 tiles to the European market. This time however, they partnered with WOW Vision to showcase how WOW’s Collab8 can work in tandem with their tiles. The TD2 tiles come in two diagonal sizes of 117” and 190” making it suitable for a medium or large sized Boardroom environment. In addition advanced touch screen options are also available through a third party solution. The TD2 tiles now also features simple power on and off buttons to make it easy for anybody to use. A power sequencer within the system ensures that there are no trips. www.prysm.com

QSC introduces CXD-Q Network Amplifiers for Q-Sys™

Designed specifically for use with the Q-Sys Network Audio Platform, the new CXD-Q Network Amplifier line. CXD-Q

models combine the Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology™ (FAST) found in the CXD/PLD amplifier platform with the same Q-Sys network connectivity and processing to create the ultimate audio routing and power solution for installed sound applications.

Redundant rear-panel Ethernet jacks on the amplifiers makes Q-Sys integration as simple as connecting a standard off-theshelf Ethernet cable. Like other Q-Sys peripherals, adding CXD-Q amplifiers to a new or existing Q-Sys design is easily done via the Q-Sys Designer Schematic Page. Moreover, the on-board Mic/ Line inputs are audio on-ramps onto the Q-Sys network, providing routable inputs to anywhere in the facility.

Housed in a 2U rack-mount configuration, CXD-Q Network Amplifiers feature new QSC proprietary class-D power devices, which enable multi-channel, high performance power.

The CXD-Q lineup includes the CXD4.2Q (400W/CH @ 4 ohms continuous, 500W/ CH burst), the CXD4.3Q (625W/CH @ 4 ohms continuous, 1600W/CH burst) and the CXD4.5Q (1250W/CH @ 4 ohms continuous, 2000W/CH burst) with the CXD4.3Q and CXD4.5Q able to direct drive 70V and 100V systems.

The innovative FAST provides better power allocation by distributing the total amplifier power across one, two, three or all four outputs enabling amp channels to be combined for maximum current or voltage output. The largest models are capable of up to 5,000 watts continuous and peaks of up to 8,000 watts.

The rear panels feature four (4) balanced Euroblock Mic/Line input connectors that are onramps into the Q-Sys system, and four (4) Euroblock touch-proof loudspeaker connectors enabling integrators to terminate wiring before connecting to the amplifier, while GPIO

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

connectors offer additional functionality.

In addition to their outstanding efficiency, the CXD-Q amplifiers’ power saving modes further ensure that energy costs will be kept to a minimum over the life of the installation. www.qsc.com

RTI: Clear Connect Interface Module (CCM-1)

RTI has teamed up with Lutron®, a world-renowned leader in lighting control, to develop a brilliant new solution to redefine highvoltage lighting control. The Clear Connect Interface Module (CCM-1) allows installers to easily integrate select Lutron RadioRA® 2 dimmers, switches, sensors, and plug-in devices into RTI’s cost-effective control systems, while programming the devices natively from RTI’s awardwinning Integration Designer® programming software. Making its ISE debut, the CCM-1 is used to integrate RTI directly with specific Lutron RadioRA 2 devices, which communicate via Lutron’s Clear Connect RF Technology.

The Common Cathode mode means that the red, green and blue LEDS are addressed separately, thereby eliminating the need for a resistor, ensuring that power is not lost to heat and increasing the lifespan of the display.

Thus the display draws a lot less power making it more environmentally friendly and the change in design also means it can achieve a lower pixel pitch making the display platform suitable for closer proximity applications, with the Magnolia 1.5mm pixel pitch launched at the show.

The 1.5mm pixel pitch allows integrators to create a 1920x 1080 Full HD screen at 130”, making this the ideal replacement for rear projection solutions in boardrooms and smaller meeting rooms. www.silicon-core.com

Televic makes radical upgrade of Confidea Wireless

drastically to minimize clutter and to create a more serene, intuitive user interface. The more advanced units with voting functionality now come with a built-in RFID card reader for identification and authentication of the delegate.

Now more than ever, the WCAP+ is a mini central unit that provides all required functionality for stand-alone applications. The powerful built-in webserver offers a mobile-friendly user interface which makes it equally comfortable to control a Confidea system via a desktop computer or a mobile device. The web interface offers basic microphone on-off switching through a simple screen touch or click of the mouse. For entry level systems this presents a further cost reduction as it lessens the need for extra software.

The WCAP+ G3 will eventually connect to the new packet-based low-latency network developed by Televic.

Connecting to this network, which is also the basis of Televic’s flagship uniCOS platform, makes Confidea G3 future proof for working in unison with a uniCOS install as well as with any future Televic product. www.televic.com

www.rticorp.com

SiliconCore stops visitors on their tracks with its 4K Ultra HD LED

Kristoff Hentry with the Confidea G3

SiliconCore’s Magnolia 1.5mm large display product literally stopped visitors on their tracks. The LED manufacturer has found a new way of driving the LEDs using the Common Cathode, rather than the Common Anode.

The 3rd generation of Confidea Wireless is probably the most radical upgrade the product has gone through since its introduction in 2008. The system as a whole has received a fully revised and upgraded wireless engine, offering even more frequencies in various countries.

On the basic discussion-only version, the number of buttons has been reduced

ISE’s co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International, contributed seminars to the event’s new on-floor Theatres dedicated to Residential and Commercial Solutions.

New products.

Live demos.

Special exhibits.

Education.

Networking.

Tours.

All the exciting features and surprises that make InfoComm the show that over 35,000 AV professionals look forward to all year.

Register now with VIP Code SIA.

Conference: June 14-20 Exhibition: June 18-20 Las Vegas, NV infocommshow.org

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TECH TALK Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Digital Cooking: 4K Cookbook for Beginners 4K situation

If you've been reading some of the AV magazines, blogs or attending a few shows lately, or even paid a visit to your local consumer TV shop, you've seen these massive Ultra HD screens (from 55â&#x20AC;? to 84â&#x20AC;?) displayed at sky-high prices.

So how did we end up with super-high resolution displays on these shelves?

From both the Cinema industry and the TV manufacturers. Cinema first adopted Ultra- High Resolution DCI (4096x2160), which was double the width and double the height of their 2K resolution (2048x1080). Essentially, this resulted in four times as many pixels on the screen. Display manufacturers followed by quadrupling their consumer 2K resolution (i.e. 4 times 1920x1080 becomes 3840x2160 or 2160p). So, is 4K a whole new set of pots and pans? Let's look into it further.

4K issues of transport and content Resolution-wise, making 4K displays wasn't too much trouble at all. The big Figure 1

trouble arises when attempting to get 4K content from (the now very few) sources to the display. Refresh rate and colour coding largely affect the amount of data that needs to be transported.

Common refresh rates are 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 frames per second (fps). 24 fps is the Cinema standard, which also become Blu-ray Disc cinema content.

50 and 60 fps are from the TV world, inherited from the power grid frequency, as they were historically the only time base reference available. 25 and 30 fps are refresh rates (leftovers from the interlace-to-progressive transition) that mainly transported content that was upsampled in TV sets. That's what UHD is all about: up-sampling. (See Figure 1) How you transport 4K is also significant, so let's talk about the interfaces, beginning with a nice graph. Just like cookbooks, it's good to have pictures!

4K @24Hz, 25Hz & 30Hz are resolutions supported by HDMI 1.4 in 4:2:2 encoding. The chroma sub-sampling can be achieved because the human

eye is less sensitive to chrominance than luminance. When captured in RGB, the signal is composed of equal amounts of each color, so if you convert it to YCrCb, you'll have a 4:4:4 coding. It means that you transmit 4 bits of luminance and 4 bits of each color-difference components (Cr & Cb). 4:2:2 would result in dropping 2 bits of Cr and 2 bits of Cb for each 4 bits of Luma, reducing the amount of data, and thus reducing the overall bandwidth needed to pass all that information. (See Figure 2) As you can see from Figure 3, the 10 Gbits/s limitation of HDMI 1.4 (10.2Gbps) and HDBaseT (10 Gbps) restrict the transport of 4K signals to 30Hz YCbCr 4:2:2 max (no problems for anything below this limit, like24Hz YCbCr 4:2:0 of Blu-ray, for example).

But computers use RGB 4:4:4 at a stable refresh rate of 60 Hz, which is comfortable for the eyes, and is above what today's interfaces can do. Only the upcoming HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 can transport this signal. If you want to learn more about colour sub-sampling

TECH TALK Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

53

Figure 2

Figure 3

you can read this Wikipedia article by following this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chroma_ subsampling

So the only way to transport 4K at 60Hz for computer applications( using HDMI 1.4 or HDBaseT for the transport) is to downgrade the signal to 4:2:0 (not shown on the the graphic), unfortunately. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Houston, we have a problem

here...â&#x20AC;? Why discard a major part of chrominance, just to get a more stable picture on the display, when it results in a picture which is not compatible with post-production requirements nor the computer world? This is where

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TECH TALK Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

DisplayPort 1.2 makes sense: its large bandwidth is the only one that can transport the full stream (all except 12bits depth, as shown in Figure 3). Postproduction environments like to work on 12bits 4:4:4, and this is their major dilemma currently. They won't have the right environment to handle 4K or 4K DCI, 12bits 4:4:4 @60Hz (they don't want to work day & night on a 24Hz or 30Hz monitor!). The workaround would be to have a workstation environment with a high resolution, and a rendering second display, at UHD (like the new Mac Pro, for example).

Another challenge arose when the TV manufacturers started to promote their freshly “cooked” UHD displays: what content will they show and how can they demonstrate them ? There is no permanent UHD broadcast (at least outside Korea or Japan), and there is no widely adopted broadcast standard either. The same applies with stored media: there is no Blu-ray Disc standard with UHD capabilities. So guess what's behind the UHD sets you've been watching in the shops? USB sticks or hard drives. How do you get rid of transport issues? By having the content decoded locally. This is the cheap workaround.

But as a System Designer you can't tell your customers to have all their content generated in their displays, just because there's no standardized rendering protocol.

The true 4K recipe So we understand now that the Consumer 4K, aka UHD, will create a whole new set of headaches. In professional applications, 4K professional displays are also available, more in form of projectors than in fixed panels, but they are coming. The lack of a unified interface to connect the 4K sources to these displays didn't stop the manufacturers to promote these gorgeous displays. They use four DVI Single-Link feeds, or two DVI DualLink feeds, and lately even four 3G-SDI feeds. And the funny thing is that these transport methods have been achieving 4K since way before UHD was even an acronym, and they are more than reliable.

Aside from this method, you can reduce your HDBaseT links to 70m to be compliant with 4K UHD transmission, check that all your HDMI (real HDMI to HDMI) cables are High Speed with

ethernet (if you're going full speed, let's go full features too), and pray that they are really High-Speed and can achieve the 10 Gbps, as printed on the label.

Marketing has been good for the HDMI cable manufacturers, as now we need “new cables” for compliance with HDMI 2.0 specs (18 Gbps), based on HDMI 1.4 recommendations (see our previous article “Digital Cooking Game 2.0” in SIA's December-January issue). HDMI cables might be easy, but what about the DVI cables? There is no High-Speed DVI cables that are 10 Gbps rated, nor 18 Gbps, so you can say good-bye to the nice anchored connector head of that DVI cable you liked for years: you'll be going 4K full-rate with HDMI “consumer” cables.

On the transport side, you can see on Figure 3, that the for the true “recipe” (4K @60Hz) full-feature (12 bits & 4:4:4) computer content, you'll need to have at least HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 and a 25Gbps bandwidth infrastructure: extenders, matrices, and all your components will need to support that incredible 25Gbps stream. Anything less than 25Gbps will not allow for this transition, so keep that in mind when future proofing your 4K designs.

This article is contributed by Bertrand Jenner, Lightware Visual Engineering Asia Technical Director and Aaron Lange, the Sales Director at Lightware Visual Engineering Asia. You may get in touch with them at bertrand.jenner@lightware.eu and aaron. lange@lightware.eu respectively. SIAsia thanks them for their contribution. If you have an opinion on the piece please do write to thomas@spinworkz.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

dnp seeks new partners/resellers in Asia Paci¿c

dnp denmark is looking to extend its market outreach, by making a number of new strategic partner appointments.

Parwaiz. “This will provide them with a great competitive advantage, which in turn will lead to large profitability.”

The company is seeking AV companies specializing in a number of key segments, including: House of Worship; Broadcast/TV studio; Command and Control rooms; Home Theatre; Conference/meeting rooms and Education, specifically in the Pacific Asia region.

He added that he was looking for individual specialists within their respective areas of expertise rather than general AV suppliers. “We want to attract resellers serving many customers within any of these focused segments,” he confirmed. “Companies should have good references, be good at networking — and most importantly have good access to end-users and consultants.”

“We are interested in engaging with resellers who want to be early adopters and first movers in offering a new state-of-the-art, patented and well proven technology for these segments,” said dnp Area Sales Manager, Anjum

Interested parties in the region should contact Anjum Parwaiz at +45 2167 4059 or ap@dnp.dk

www.dnp-screens.com

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INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

XPlay International launches Hybrid media server XPlay International, the designer of highend media server solutions, announced the release of the XPlay Hybrid. With this new next-gen media solutions model, XPlay aims to roll out high-end solutions for the regular consumer.

AV control automation solutions distribution leader in the Middle East GES – who is the sole distributor for Xplay for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions – will take the high performance system solution into the market segments of MENA. The XPlay Hybrid is a powerful media server that makes 1:1 back-ups from the user’s favorite albums and movies.

Available in two options, the system facilitates the user to decide, Save-Mode or Storage-Mode depending on one’s preference.

The Save-Mode option comes in a combination of as much as four TB, and offers a space for as many as 100 Blu-Rays, 600 DVDs or 6.000 CDs. This includes a Backup option as well. The Storage-Mode, on the other hand, brings in double the the capacity of save-modeas much as eight TB, offering as much double space of 200 Blu-Ray's, 1.200

DVDs or 12,000 CDs. That it’s anyway a storage mode, it doesn’t include the Backup option.

After the consumer has loaded their favourite movies and albums, the server will make sure the loaded media is accessible throughout the entire home network (depending on network setup and conversion settings). Going by that, for example, consumers can listen to all of their albums in high quality Flac format from the Sonos system or from a Linn network player, stream movies directly to a Smartphone/Tablet or even download them to their mobile device to watch on the go.

Thanks to the mobile app- the user can manage the huge movie collection, showing full Meta-Data and the possibility to watch trailers. For instance,

one can scan the barcode on the back of a DVD already in the store and watch the trailer to see if one likes that movie, and add it to one’s wishlist.

According to Nadlhy van der Burgt, Founder-CEO of XPlay international, “the possibilities of entertainment with the Xplay Hybrid are immense, and the company is working hard to make them even bigger.”

Currently, the premium movie MetaData base features over 800,000 titles worldwide and grows every day with about 200 titles. If there is a movie which is not recognized yet, the users do not need to worry! Every 24 hours the data base is being checked; if the correct information is already available, and if the user really cannot wait any longer, its possible to contact the XPlay Support and the movie will be added right away using the barcode and Disc-ID. The warranty on the XPlay Hybrid is the same as with its older cousins, i.e. three years. However, the lifetime Service and Support does not apply to this Hybrid model; instead it is for the first year only. http://www.xplay-international.com

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INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Ashly Audio appoints new EMEA Sales Manager product and relationship advice to pro audio manufacturers. Based in the Netherlands, he is well-suited to serve EMEA customers. On behalf of Ashly, van der Logt will travel the region to strengthen and expand business with existing distributors and develop new relationships to sustain and build sales momentum. (from left) Jon Paul Boucher – Ashly Audio COO; Mike van der Logt – Ashly Audio EMEA Sales Manager; Mark Wentling – Ashly Audio CEO.

Spurred by growing demand in foreign markets that has prompted a complete sales reorganization, American signal processing and amplification major Ashly Audio has appointed industry veteran Mike van der Logt of 4M4You, to serve as its sales manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Van der Logt has over 25 years of experience in the industry providing

“Mike has extensive product knowledge, creative ideas for product applications, and a solid history of sales success,” said Mark Wentling CEO at Ashly. “He has a proven ability to develop sales in both new and existing markets, strong analytical and planning skills, and excellent rapport with people and cultures across EMEA. Mike develops meaningful relationships with clients and turns them into solid partners.”

“Ashly Audio would also like to thank Peter Malech of PM Distribution Germany, for his many years of

exemplary representation of Ashly in the EMEA. While Peter is stepping down from his Ashly duties, and assisting in this transition, PM Distribution will also continue on with EMEA representation for other manufacturers.”

“Ashly has been in business for forty years and has a serious legacy in the industry,” said van der Logt. “Ashly’s track record and famous reliability has earned them a lot of loyalty, and I’m excited to build on that kind of success. There is a lot to talk about in Ashly’s extensive product line, from the established workhorses – like the modular ne24.24M processor – to exciting new advances – like the nXSeries amplifiers, which pack tremendous power, higher channel counts, plus Ethernet control, Network Audio, and DSP into just a 2-rack space footprint.” www.ashly.com

Konftel launches its 300 Series Conferencing solution in India Swedish niche conferencing solutions provider Konftel – who is seeking an inroad into potentially growing Indian market – introduced its latest 300 Series Conferencing solutions- claimed to redefine the conferencing market with a unique combination of sophistication and cost-effectiveness.

The Konftel 300 Series – coming in variants of 300IP; 300Wx; and 300M – seeks to address the diverse and demanding market segments of scalable teleconferencing; long-lasting battery powered wireless meetings; and the SIM Card-enabled mobile conferencing for unrestricted communications amongst business executives.

According to Hakan Tylen, PresidentGlobal Sales and Marketing at Konftel, who recently toured India as part of the company’s plans to establish its regional footprint, the Konftel 300 Series

is packed with many smart features and designed for flexible performance.

One of the important features of the system is that it facilitates recording conversations on SD memory cards, while the line mode allows the user to switch between and combine three connectivity technologies- analog, cell phones and USB. The conference guide helps the user make multiparty calls and save call groups. The Konftel 300 is also ideal in larger contexts as it comes with the option of adding expansion microphones, a wireless headset and a PA system too.

“Konftel 300 delivers ultimate sound quality, based on a brand new generation of OmniSound HD, Konftel’s crystal clear audio technology,” said Hakan. “The Konftel 300 has an intriguing Scandinavian design that enhances any conference table.”

Hakan Tylen with PS Tiwari

According to PS Tiwari, Regional Manager-IMEA at Konfitel, the 300 Series is an important introduction for India where customers demand a combination of superlative technology and economic price range. The systems are particularly useful for segments like Education where budgets are a concern but demands of technology are high. That the Konftel 300 series is scalable to any situation, it is hoped to be a welcome solution for the market. www.konftel.com Konftel 300Wx

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INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Hitachi India introduces an exhaustive range of Installation Series Projectors

Hitachi LCD range

document cameras in classrooms or conference systems in meeting rooms.

Hitachi Installation series

Hitachi, a world leader in Digital Learning and Presentation technology, introduced an exhaustive range of their latest nextgeneration Installation Series Projectors that are claimed to revolutionize the Indian market. With an enhanced focus on the high-end projector market, the latest range of sixteen high performance projectors are said to cater to the diverse needs of customers from entertainment, corporate and education segments.

The newly launched projection range is highlighted by the new DLP and LCD technology based 9000, 8000, 5000 and 4000 series projectors that inherently possess Hitachi’s quality and reliability, and also boast high performance with advanced features to deliver exceptional images, rich connectivity, reduced cost of ownership, outstanding installation and operational flexibility.

“We are delighted to serve the professional category projector market with Hitachi’s extensive new line-up of technologically path-breaking Installation Series Projectors,” said Tarun Jain, Country Head-India, at Hitachi Home Electronics Asia (S) Pte. Ltd. “Customers are looking for sophisticated technology and usability in equal measure (today) and these projectors are a result of Hitachi’s efforts to ensure that our products will not only give them the functionality and technical specifications they require, but also a product that will be forward-compatible.”

According to him, being one of the few players in the industry who manufacture

both LCD and DLP technology projectors, Hitachi is uniquely positioned to offer the Indian consumer the best in both technologies. Users will appreciate Hitachi’s new capabilities such as Accentulaizer and HDCR, Dual Colour Wheel, Motorized Lens Shift, 360 degree projection, 2 HDMI input and the upgraded networking software while relying on the established features that deliver simple, cost effective and trouble free day to day operations.

Whether deployed in conference auditoriums, exhibition halls, large lecture theatres or stage productions, audiences are sure to be impressed with the high contrast picture quality that these new projectors deliver whereas AV professionals will appreciate and benefit from flexible installation and easy maintenance.

With AV professionals in mind, Hitachi has also integrated features such as a Central Lens Position and Perfect Fit technology to ensure this innovative range is geared up for simple, user friendly functionality.

The unique Hitachi Accentualizer uses advanced image processing technology to enhance sharpness, gloss and shade to improve image quality and picture clarity to levels comparable to flat panel screens. The Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture feature benefits from two HDMI input connections providing greater flexibility for connection to multiple image devices such as

Other features include compatibility with the new Projector Quick Connection for iOS and the options of wireless connectivity and digital keystone. The Status Monitor displays the present condition of the projector including errors, setup information and error histories while the DICOM Simulation Mode reproduces images with an advanced grayscale level which is ideal for viewing grayscale medical images, such as X-rays for training and educational purposes. The powerful Instant Stack option offers projector synchronisation to operate in dual mode with stacked images for brighter images, alternate mode or automatic fail-safe mode for seamless back-up operation.

Furthermore, to deal with the high demands of installation environments Hitachi has also brought to market a family of optional lenses to accompany the 9000 and 8000 series installation models. The lenses cover a wide range of projection distances and lens shifts, enabling them to adapt to the available space.

“India has been a key market for Hitachi, and, despite the slowdown we have performed fairly well in 2013,” said the Hitachi India Country Head. “Our market share in the projector segment grew to 8 per cent in 2013 from 7 per cent in 2012,” he said and added, “we hope to capture 14 percent of the Indian projector market by 2015, with emphasis on the professional/high-end market."

The entire range of Hitachi Installation Projectors is currently available across the company’s dealer network in India. www.hitachiconsumer.com/in

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INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Biamp appoints Vibhav Singh as North India Area Manager

Biamp Systems, a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems, announced the addition of Vibhav Singh to its growing sales team in India.

Appointed to the post of North India Area Manager, Singh will oversee all sales and installations in the country's northern and eastern areas including

Delhi/NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and the surrounding areas.

In his new position, Singh will support Biamp in strengthening existing relationships with integrators and end users, as well as continue the growth of Biamp audio solutions within the region. Prior to joining Biamp, Singh was Regional Sales Manager for Installed Sound with Harman International and brings five years of professional audio experience in sales, project management, and customer service. As a new member of Biamp's expanding Indian sales team, he is located in New Delhi and reports to Robin Ghose, Regional Manager — SAARC. "Vibhav comes to us at a time of rapid expansion for Biamp in India," said Ghose. "As we continue to grow our market presence, his experience in sales, installed sound, and project management will be instrumental to our success. We are thrilled to have

him onboard and look forward to his involvement during such an exciting time."

"Biamp understands that creating a genuine presence within a marketplace means putting customers first," said Singh. "In addition to being an industry leader in commercial audio solutions, Biamp has taken tangible actions for creating a culture where partnerships thrive. I am delighted to be a part of such a dynamic team."

In addition to supervising sales and installations, Singh has held positions in areas ranging from product promotion, to AV systems integration, to national sales management. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Punjab Technical University and several industry certifications. www.biamp.com

Prosonic Awarded EVI’s 2013 Distributor of the Year Dubai-headquartered distribution company Prosonic General Trading LLC has been awarded ‘Distributor of the Year’ from the Middle East and Africa regions for 2013 by Bosch Communications Systems for its audio brands Dynacord and Electro-Voice.

The felicitation took place as part of the company’s international distribution partners and dealers meet in Amsterdam recently. The grandly organized meet comprised a huge audience and participation of 150 Dynacord and Electro-Voice distribution partners and dealers from about 50 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions.

While a total of 10 distributors were awarded with the accolade for various regions from the EMEA, Prosonic was honoured with the Award from the Middle East and Africa. Mohammed

Reza and Amir Bagheri from Prosonic received the award while Bosch’s VP Sales Communication-EMEA Kamil Kamil Swobodzinski, and MEA Sales Director Klaus Seitz presented the award.

The other important accolades for the Middle East included Dubaiheadquartered Venueteck LLC for ‘best install project,’, Saudi Arabia-based Saudi Rajab Co., for ‘highest business increase,’ and Turkey-based Atempo for ‘best market coverage.’

"With these awards, we want to pay tribute to the commitment of our sales partners," stated Swobodzinski. "At this distributors' meeting, we laid the foundation stone for further growth in the year 2014,” he said, and added, “our distribution partners received first-hand information and were actively integrated into our pre-launch and sales activities."

Prosonic was named “Distributor of the Year” (Middle East and Africa): Klaus Seitz (Sales Director MEA), Mohammad Reza, Amir Bagheri (both from Prosonic) and Kamil Swobodzinski (VP Sales Communication EMEA)

The agenda for the meet, besides the felicitation of Bosch’s EMEA partners, included an update on business developments, a look ahead to the coming year, and the unveiling of new products. An effective multimedia presentation was chosen this year as a means of introducing the latest innovations from Dynacord and ElectroVoice. www.boschcommunications.com

INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

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Sennheiser launches ADN-Wireless Conference System in Middle East Following the overwhelmingly positive response to its recently launched TeamConnect HD audio conferencing system, the Sennheiser Group today expanded its portfolio of solutions for enterprise and public sector organizations with the introduction of ADN-W, the wireless extension of the successful ADN conference system.

Mig Cardamone, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sennheiser Middle East said, “We have identified the demand in the local market for high performance conferencing solutions and have been quick to establish ourselves as a technology leader in the field. With the ADN-W system, Sennheiser has brought its long established industry expertise in wireless audio systems into the business solutions arena. ADN-W expands the success of our popular ADN conferencing system by adding the freedom and flexibility of wireless connectivity. We expect healthy uptake of this solution by hotels, banks, government organizations and our corporate customers.”

Organizations can connect up to 150 wireless discussion units simultaneously while additional units can be added quickly and easily during the conference itself. The system's flexible Ethernet

interface features state-of-the-art technology and allows the conference system to be controlled intuitively from a PC or media control system. The replaceable rechargeable batteries guarantee an operating period of at least 20 hours for the ADN-W discussion units.

As with all Sennheiser audio products, the ADN-W system guarantees clear sound and a comfortable listening experience for all conference participants in the room. In order to exclude all unwanted listeners, audio transmission via the Sennheiser ADN-W conference system is encrypted: AES 128-bit encryption protects the system securely against eavesdropping.

ADN-W runs a simple and intuitive operating system and permits wired components to be seamlessly combined with wireless ones. This allows customers using Sennheiser's existing ADN system to easily expand their solution by adding ADN-W components, and control all discussion units directly through the same central unit.

Maximum user-friendliness is also ensured when it comes to transporting and re-charging the wireless conference system. The flexible ADN-W Case contains dedicated, stackable modules for all system components, as well as

ADN W C1 - The ADN-W chairman unit with the standard gooseneck and capsule attached.

integrated units for re-charging the discussion units. The sturdy charging and transport case can be individually adapted to the size of the system.

Furthermore, Sennheiser will provide regular software updates to continuously improve the ADN-W system and to ensure that it maintains its state-ofthe-art technology. "The numerous features and rapid set-up of the wireless system make ADN-W a very efficient, future-proof solution," explained Mig Cardamone. "And not least, of course, ADN-W also comes in the accustomed modern and elegant design." www.sennheiser.com

Sennheiser Middle East Profits Soar 62 per cent in 2013 German audio major Sennheiser – riding on increased regional adoption of conference and translation systems; wireless audio systems in smart classrooms – recorded yet another year of significant double-digit growth in the Middle East for the year 2013. The company posted an unprecedented 62 per cent year-on-year (YOY) increase in gross profit in the region owing to a number of project wins in the education and hospitality sectors. Contributing to this growth has been a notably strong performance in the consumer electronics

segment where the company saw revenues increase by 52 per cent during the year.

According to Mig Cardamone, Sales and Marketing Manager at Sennheiser Middle East a fresh wave of spending in the region presented a huge opportunity for the company. “There is no doubt that market confidence has returned and investments are now in full swing.

It is an exciting time to be a part of this development,” says Cardamone. “Our success has been due to our ability to

act quickly and to leverage our strong product portfolio, extensive partner and distributor network and streamlined regional logistic and supply chain capabilities,” he explains. “In 2013, we managed to make inroads into a number of new vertical markets as an increasing number of organizations have begun to explore the possibility of utilizing professional audio solutions to gain competitive advantage.” www.sennheiser.com

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INDIA & ME INTERVIEW SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

AMX India: Moving to the next level AMX India, the Indian arm of American control automation major AMX, and one of the leading control automation solutions player in Indian AV market for roughly six years now, recently had a change of guard at the top management level.

The company’s Vice-President (Sales) for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific (MEAAP) Niclas Brattberg since then has been in direct command of the proceedings, having made the AMX India office in Bangalore his ‘second home.’ Assisted by his deputy Paul Lee, Sales Operations Manager for MEAAP, Niclas apparently has his task cut out: Taking AMX India to the ‘next level.’

SIA caught up with the dynamic VP to gain a deeper insight into what the automation leader’s plans for the region. Excerpts: SIAsia: What is AMX India up to at the moment?

Niclas Brattberg, Vice-President (Sales) for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific

Niclas: Two words: expansion and growth. AMX first opened its doors in India back in 2008 as a whollyowned subsidiary and operated by AMX headquarters (from Texas).

The first phase began by laying the foundation. Then the team transitioned to concentrate on building up its dealer channels. Now the team is focusing on expanding our reach into tier-I and -II cities through direct involvement and support from AMX HQ.

SIAsia: Would you be more expressive and elaborate on the objectives and initiatives in the direction of AMX India’s moving to the ‘next level’?

Paul Lee, Sales Operations Manager for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific

Niclas: The main objective of the next phase is to strengthen our presence in all major metropolitan areas and to expand our reach into tier-II cities in India. This effort requires several initiatives. First, we need to expand our team to support and sustain our efforts in the region. Second, we need to build stronger ties with our top partners through joint business objectives and also find partners who are aggressive and are willing to invest in long term growth. Third, we need to develop a perfect alignment with the HQ on all levels of the organization so wherein India can leverage resources of AMX worldwide.

SIAsia: How does the 'next phase' ideation help the AMX India cause in the current market scenario?

Niclas: AMX’s next phase will focus on expanding our presence in different parts of the country while aggressively seeking new opportunities with our trusted partners. Meanwhile, the Indian Audio/Video market is rapidly growing.

Existing customers from segments such as commercial and hospitality continue to show strong steady increase in demand while emerging segments such as education show a lot of promise in the coming years. Therefore, AMX plans to enter new geographical regions while at the same time delivering products and solutions that cater to rapidly evolving market requirements. Here’s an important statistic: 60% of current AMX portfolio did not exist over two years ago and we still continue to innovate.

This kind of market intelligence and rapid innovation along with the “next phase” will allow our team in India to adjust and make sure AMX is aligned with the market.

SIAsia: How does AMX India define its current role and stake in the Indian AV market today?

Niclas: AMX defines its role in India as the agent of growth. One who leads the Indian Audio/Video market through innovation and setting market trends

INDIA & ME INTERVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

“Here’s an important statistic: 60% of current AMX portfolio did not exist over two years ago and we still continue to innovate.” while establishing industry standards.

Once again, the unit in India is owned and operated by AMX, so AMX is fully committed in developing the market.

SIAsia: Enterprises engaged in 'control automation' solutions have been diversifying into allied areas of manufacturing - Is AMX contemplating the same?

Niclas: The Audio/Video, more specifically the “control automation” landscape has certainly changed over the years and it still continues to rapidly evolve. AMX has been aware of this trend and has developed expertise in many areas while focusing specifically on the following four trends: proliferation of video content, ubiquity of personal/

portable computing, virtualization of products and overall sustainability. As was previously noted, 60% of AMX’s current product portfolio did not exist two years ago. One has to realize that these products did not appear out of vacuum but have been a culmination of research and development these many years. In other words, AMX has been displaying market foresight and diversifying for many years.

SIAsia: What's the most exciting and most concerning thing for AMX India today?

How does it intend to address both?

Niclas: The most exciting and most daunting issue are connected. That is, the explosive growth potential

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and the dynamic nature of the Indian market. And AMX intends to deal with them using strategies outlined by our next phase strategies along with innovative products/solutions. Only the organization that has the market intelligence and the foresight to invest in long term growth can continue to innovate and stay ahead of the game.

In addition, the organization has to be aggressive and ensure the entire team can grow intelligently always taking care to sustain this expansion by cultivating members who are professional and capable. I would like to wrap up by sharing a long standing unofficial motto for AMX employees: “never say that is not my job”. At the end of the day, the members of the organization are the best competitive advantage we have to offer. AMX intends to utilize our talents and professionalism to successfully expand and grow our presence in the market. www.amx.com

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INDIA & ME INTERVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Rearing to capitalize on ProAV projection potential Hitachi India, the Indian arm of Japanese electronics conglomerate Hitachi, while operating a bit quietly for some time, made a big splash in the professional AV circles recently by launching an extensive line-up of 16 high-end installation series projectors- all at one go. The company intends to bring in more solutions in the immediate future, meaning the potential for Hitachi India to up its stakes in India's Pro AV domain.

Tarun Jain, Country Head - Hitachi Home Electronics Asia (S) Pte. Ltd.

SIAsia: What's Hitachi's focus with regards to the Indian AV market?

Tarun: Our top priority has always been to provide Hitachi’s technological excellence, quality and reliability to customers across the board and maintaining a balance between the niche and mass market segments. The distribution, retail and service network is also a crucial element for Hitachi and we have been constantly upgrading our networks to better serve the Indian customers.

This year onward, we plan to enhance focus on the professional projector market. To tap this segment, we have recently introduced an extensive line up of 16 high-end, technologically pathbreaking Installation Series Projectors.

SI Asia caught up with Hitachi India’s Country Head Tarun Jain to delve a bit deeper into the company’s focus and plans for the country. Excerpts: grown 26 per cent annually from 2009 to 2012, and is expected to continue growing at a rate of 25 per cent annually to 2015.

However, this is a challenging market where regional practices vary significantly; business dynamics are often complex; inflation and price sensitivity are decisive elements. Making inroads into the market is more than just meeting your customers. The more crucial strategy is to work with experienced local partners who can help steer around the differing social and political customs to ensure business success in the Indian AV market.

Having said that, India is a priority market for Hitachi and we are geared up to capitalise on the opportunity it offers.

Hitachi’s strengths for the Indian market have been its product design, userfriendly features; near shore inventory for better logistics, especially servicing large orders; competitive pricing; strong distribution network; customer-oriented company trained service; and investment on R&D which brings in unique products that help customers achieve their objective. So, cumulatively, all these factors contribute to a great business prospect, and we are very upbeat about the same.

At the same time, Education, Government and Home will also be vital segments for Hitachi. By mid2014 we are scheduled to launch some technologically advanced, customized projectors serving the needs of all these segments.

SIAsia: Would you be able to do a snapshot SWOT of Indian ProAV vis-a-vis Hitachi's business interests?

Tarun: The Indian AV market (not just the projector market) is the fastest growing in Asia, with tremendous growth potential. As per industry sources, it has

Hitachi projectors in a Church installation

INDIA & ME INTERVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

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including projectors. In the Corporate and Government sectors too, with the IT infrastructure spending becoming an integral part of budgets, projectors have become an essential asset for any organization. High-end projectors for professional usage like cinema, events, retail, branding have always been a big chunk of sales and now with the ever increasing mall and multiplex penetration in tier-2 and -3 markets, this business is only set to soar.

SIAsia: What does the immediate future behold for Hitachi India?

Hitachi projectors playing their part in a Music Concert Hall

SIAsia: How do you compare Indian AV industry with other Asian economies?

Tarun: Worldwide, Asia is the only continent showing growth in the projector market and this growth will be driven mainly by China and India. China is the biggest market for projectors in the world. For Hitachi, it constitutes onethird of the total world market share, primarily owing to huge government procurement for the education sector.

India is the second largest market amongst the Asian economies, followed

by Indonesia.

in the next three years. We, therefore, see an immense growth potential in the overall India market as there is an augmented demand for projectors across sectors - education, government, corporate, entertainment, retail etc.

We look forward to the government giving special focus to the education segment and the upgrading of AV infrastructure. In the personal or home segment, the changing lifestyle of consumers, access to affordable technology, and increase in the spending on electronics has led to an upsurge in the demand for high-end products

For Hitachi, India is a focus market and one of its most important and key market. Currently, the Indian projector market size is around 278,000 and expected to grow to around 538,000 sets by 2017. As you can see from this, there is a huge growth expected from India.

SIAsia: What specific segment in India is promising for Hitachi, and what is not?

Tarun: As I just said, the overall projector market in the country is expected to witness a growth of 18 per cent annually

Hitachi Outdoor Advertising Installation

Tarun: As mentioned earlier, we plan to enhance focus on the professional projector market and we have recently introduced an extensive line up of 16 high-end, technologically path-breaking Installation Series Projectors.

Simultaneously, we will be focusing on the Education, Government and Home segments. We are slated to bring in, over the next few months, some technologically advanced, customized projectors serving the unique needs of the aforementioned segments.

With a wide range of projectors catering to the professional segment as well as the mass market, we are set for a bullish performance, targeting to increase our India market share from 8 per cent in 2013 to 14 per cent by end of 2014. www.hitachi.co.in

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INDIA & ME INTERVIEW SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Creating ‘Professionals’ for the Future: HARMAN style We are seeing a trend in which more businesses in a variety of markets are specifying higher quality audio solutions to enhance their customers’ overall experience. HARMAN is working to ensure that we are adequately educating the integrator community so they are aware of the best system solutions for these market segments to satisfy their customers and be profitable as well.

SIAsia: Which segment/ vertical of the AVSI industry does HARMAN find the most promising? and why?

Audio major HARMAN Professional, has always been known to be an assertive market player. Adding to this assertion, which is reflected in two major acquisitions – Martin Lighting, followed by Duran Audio recently – is HARMAN’s programming initiatives to reach out to wider sections of the market, particularly the audio-visual and systems integration domain.

There appears a renewed activism from the audio giant towards getting aggressive in AV domain.

SIAsia interacted with Prashant Govindan, Sales Director (India) at HARMAN Professional to know what the company is up to.

Excerpts: SIAsia: Tell us about HARMAN India's stakes in AV and SI Industry... What have been HARMAN's specific initiatives in this regard?

Prashant: HARMAN India is one of the largest distribution entities in the professional audio industry in the country today. We are witnessing a tremendous level of growth across a variety of markets. Our core sound reinforcement segment breaks down into two subsections: fixed installs and rental systems.

At HARMAN, one of our major initiatives has been to strategically shift our focus away from selling products to selling system solutions, and at the same time we have started to specialize in vertical markets to ensure we have experts on staff for all areas of our business.

Globally, there has been a shift in audio standards to a good, better, best model which provides integrators with the ability to ensure they are providing the most appropriate solution while meeting the specific audio requirements of a project within the given budget.

Prashant: We see major growth opportunity in the transport segment.

This year we saw the integration of airport communication AV systems from HARMAN Professional at the Bengaluru International Airport. Here we provided a premium information delivery solution that minimizes traveller stress, and ensures a positive airport experience.

This is the first installation in Asia featuring HARMAN’s IDX technology, which is designed to combine audio and visual information delivery.

Having said that, we also see a significant traction building up in the enterprise and education segments. So, there are more opportunities coming our way.

SIAsia: Which segment/ vertical of the AVSI industry does HARMAN find the most challenging? and why?

Prashant: Each market domain presents unique challenges. We, however, feel confident we are able to effectively meet the needs of all key market segments because of our comprehensive product portfolio and our growing India team, which includes individuals who understand and specialize in specific vertical market requirements. In essence,

INDIA & ME INTERVIEW Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

we are trying to address every key vertical of the market with equal ease and customer satisfaction.

SIAsia: HARMAN India has a wide range of product portfolio. Which brand/ model make has maximum appeal to the AVSI industry?

Prashant: Our strength is not in one specific brand/product; it’s rather our overall systems approach in which we can offer a complete audio solution.

HARMAN provides intelligent, highperformance solutions made up of category-leading products from across its world-class range of brands, such as AKG mics and headphones, BSS and dbx signal processors, Crown Amplifiers and JBL loudspeakers.

SIAsia: HARMAN has always been recognized as a leading brand for Entertainmentoriented installs/use. How would you explain a new focus on AV? Prashant: The focus on AV is not necessarily a new one. At HARMAN Professional, we recognize and understand that AV has transformative potential to make entertainment more immersive, retail more engaging, business communications more compelling and education more impactful. So, it’s not something we are talking anew; it’s rather an extension to the already proliferating experiences.

SIAsia: There are some strong and big brands in the AV industry. How does HARMAN intend to match the competion?

Prashant: HARMAN’s range of products and commitment to R&D are unmatched in the industry. The programmes and

campaigns we initiated in India have given us a strong and certain edge over competitive offerings that emphasize the component over the system and the feature over the benefit. Additionally, we are continuously looking at adjacent markets to find ways where we can complement our existing portfolio.

Martin Lighting, a recent acquisition, is an example of HARMAN listening to its customers – and their customers – to reimagine the definition of a system from a component to an audio system, to an Audio Visual system, to an intelligent AV system. We now stand to provide a far more compelling proposition as a complete solution provider than any of our competition.

SIAsia: Most AV system/gear manufacturers are known to have a band of measures to promote their brands. What are HARMAN's initiatives in this respect?

Prashant: Training continues to be the cornerstone of HARMAN’s strategy to reach the customers in every segment.

– The message is that HARMAN India is not only enriching the current generation of engineers and user communities with ‘sound knowledge’ but also creating batches of aspiring, younger professionals who would take these challenges into the future. Moreover, we are not conducting the programmes just at dealer locations; we are taking the initiative to universities.

We have a robust mechanism of reaching out to the participants across regions through regular e-mailers, social media and constant online feedback sessions.

As our initiative carries both direct and indirect benefits to one and all, it has developed quickly, and as a result, we have participants from far reaching locations attending the programs, some of whom we haven’t known or met before.

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Interestingly, the audio basics module of the training essentially caters to anyone, and everyone, who wants to understand the basics of audio. The program is focused on helping users understand the basics of audio technology and best practices, irrespective of the audio brands they work with.

SIAsia: What is the biggest thing that has happened to HARMAN India in recent times in terms of its interests in the AV domain?

Prashant: The acquisition of Martin Lighting has been the biggest development that contributes to HARMAN’s interests in the AV domain.

This move gave us the capability to add lighting to the HARMAN Professional portfolio with the industry’s most direct and effective sales and support programme. Additionally, the acquisition of Duran Audio BV, a global leader in beam-shaping loudspeakers and intelligibility technologies, bolstered HARMAN's stated commitment to advance our technology leadership through both R&D and acquisitions.

SIAsia: What does the near future hold for HARMAN in AV industry?

Prashant: Overall, HARMAN India’s Professional Division in India is wellorganized, equipped and optimally positioned to serve a growing market, and, especially, the unique requirements of a variety of market segments including transportation, hotels, stadiums, theme parks, retail and commercial buildings.

We continue to invest time and resources to strengthen the organization in order to offer effective state-of-the-art solutions suited to the various, different customer requirements. www.harman.in

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INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Choudhry Ranbir Singh Auditorium: Size does matter AV Science at its expansive best in GJU - By Ram Bhavanashi There have been large and expansive installs with exhaustive audio-visual integration fare, and there have also been some unique and innovative weaving of AV environments. The Choudhry Ranbir Singh Auditorium on the campus of Guru Jambheshwar University at Hisar, the ‘Steel City’ of North Indian State of Haryana, however, scores a different note altogether.

Ambitiously expansive, uniquely scalable, and visibly awesome, the arguably grand, multipurpose edifice presents a multitude of structural and textural features integrated into an altogether different AV setting.

SIAsia brings you this exclusive coverage.

Read on: Roughly some 164 km, to the west of India’s national capital New Delhi, lies the city called Hisar – in the NorthWestern State of Haryana – that was some time back identified to be a ‘counter-magnet city’ for the National

Capital Region for development of alternative centre of growth to New Delhi.

While the city has many a laurel to merit the distinction in terms of industrial and agricultural riches, what makes it now additionally notable is for the technological expanse that the locallybased Guru Jambheshwar University (GJU) of Science and Technology created in one of its three edifices that combine to make the Central Core of the campus.

The Ch. Ranbir Singh Auditorium – named after late Choudhry Ranbir Singh, eminent statesman and Freedom-Fighter from the region – doesn’t immediately look like a very ostentatious expression; but rather like a pleasant statement that harmonizes structure with nature.

Created amidst sprawling ‘green and eco-friendly’ environment, the imposing building presents an amazing combine of size and scale in technology harnessing.

While the building is generically named as ‘auditorium,’ it is practically much

more than that as it comprises many other aspects and facilities. Take a look: • One large auditorium (called the Main Auditorium) with a whopping 1900 seat capacity • One medium size seminar hall of 250 seat capacity • Two small size seminar halls of 125 seat capacity each • One video-conferencing room • Central Control Room • One large exhibition hall • IT Security Surveillance • Rehearsal Room for performance • Greenrooms for men and women • A large stage with wooden flooring and imposing lighting grid • Cafeterias

INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 In addition, the venue has an exclusive VIP Entrance and Lounge meant to receive and comfort visiting high-profile dignitaries.

VIP Lounge

Technologically said: • The main auditorium; the three seminar halls, and the videoconferencing facilities are all integrated through an ingenious network and matrix that facilitates transmission of live AV feed from any of the four to the rest three • The AV setting comprises both cinematic as well as presentation scenarios with a 2K DLP projection and 7.1 surround sound set-up for cinematic requirement, and IP-enabled multicasting HD camera system for presentation requirements • The camera system is programmed to automatically focus onto the speaker either on the stage or in the audience • The three Seminar Halls act as separate interactive classrooms as well as one single unit • And, there are more…

has been challenging in many respects, and its realization meant a great deal of achievement. Combining so many features into one single large multipurpose facility, that too for an academic institution was rare. “We are happy that our University possess this, and we are part of it,” says Singh.

“This is admittedly one of the most ambitious installs in the region, if not the country,” explains Gopi Ram Malik, Director of Delhi-based systems integration leader AV Science Technologies Pvt Ltd. “Weaving in such a huge multitude of features and on such a scale is certainly rare in the country.

More, an academic institution doing it is truly incredible,” says Malik. “That is wholly due to the vision and dynamism of the University leadership- the Vice Chancellor, and the Registrar.”

The concept:

When the GJU administration, roughly four years ago, decided to create an all-equipped, technologically futuristic multipurpose facility to host the institution’s dynamically growing requirements well into the future, it apparently was only an ambition. There wasn’t a well-defined vision. That said, when AV Science approached the GJU just as a vendor of AV equipment, it quickly realized there was so much to be

“This project is, perhaps, the most unique, the only one of its kind in the country,” explains Ashok Alhawat, the University’s Superintending Engineer who had been instrumental in the project from concept to completion. “The coming of the facility is a realization of a long-sought dream. We wanted this not just to be the best of breed, but the rarest of the rare,” he says adding, “we got a very prideful facility now.”

For Jitender Singh, the Executive Engineer from the Technical Team that worked through the years to see the fruition of the project, the installation

Main control room

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done. “We realized the need quickly and specified to them what they needed to do to have what they wanted- for each functionality,” explains Malik. The GJU administration too quickly realized the need for a methodical and professional approach to its requirement, took AV Science onboard as the Consultant and Integrator for AV design and deployment.

That meant AV Science spent its time with the Works Department of the GJU to first draft the vision, and then spec for each of the deployment area. “Our job was primarily AV, communication, control, stage design and set-up, and lighting,” Malik explains. “So, that’s a real huge task.”

According to the AV Science chief, the SI had suggested making the seminar halls interactive with streaming video provision; they had to be networked in such a way that proceedings on either side can be beamed live to the other facilities.

The AV deployment – the Main Auditorium:

The Main Auditorium is the face of the whole AV deployment at the GJU. Expansive by any scale, the large hall measures 33 meters at its narrowest and 49 meters at its widest width,

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INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014 measures over 50 feet diagonal. With a view to efficiently capturing the video proceedings from across the hall, the SI had incorporated two IP-enabled HD cameras with multicasting capability and broadcast quality- one meant for the audiences, and one focused on the stage meant to capture the stage activity.

For delivering the functions of switching between different modes of live feeds, the SI had incorporated a 12x8 Extron matrix switcher within the UTP backbone, to act as the centre of the network. “This is to channelize which projector from which hall should take what feed, or which camera has to pick up from where… etc.,” explains Malik.

“We also installed a Vector system to be shared amongst the four audio and the video conferencing set-up.”

Subs hung from the ceiling in front of the stage, flanked by four monitors.

An interesting part of the deployment here is the provision for archiving recordings done in any facility so that any of the recordings could be viewed later as and when needed.

The video component in the auditorium features a Christie Roadie HD+30K (1080 HD 30,000 Lumens) projector fitted in the Control room at the rear and (first floor). The reason for choosing such a high power, and high-end projector was due to the requirement of throwing the images onto a screen that

The Central Control Room features an AMX Central Control Processor where live feeds and performance criteria of projection, audio, and video are available for monitoring…from all the four facilities. HDMI scalars installed all over ensure that input coming from anywhere will be catered successfully.

125 Seater Seminar Hall

while stretching 40 meters in length, and scaling 21 meters high- making it perhaps the largest in the country.

In order to provide holding strengths to such a large facility, the roof of the building has been constructed with Multi-Rib 0.5mm thick colour coated galvalume sheet fixed over structural steel trusses spaced at 4 meters centre to centre, supported by central MS girder of about 42 meters in length and about 40 metric tons of weight.

With a view to ensuring ideal acoustic environment, the walls and ceiling have been treated with calcium silicate boards and steam beach wood. The wooden stage measuring 40 x 21 meters is treated to rest over resistoflex neoprene pads to render the wooden floor the necessary cushion effect. The back wall on the stage hosts a huge projection screen cyclorama measuring 19m x 9m, and mounted on a steel frame.

Aided by EASE-powered sound testing and simulations, the auditorium was spec’d for 85-90dB. The audio deployment essentially comprised a 7.1 configuration to meet cinematic setting which meant install of a total of 28 numbers of Surround speakers wallmounted all around, in addition to four

250 seater seminar hall

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“I have the fullest optimism that the entire academic community, the state government, national level bodies and other undertakings will find the high quality audio system of the Auditorium as truly world-class for organizing national and international level programmes.”

-M L Ranga, Vice-Chancellor

The stage features four layers of curtains motorized from the roof, and as many as 148 lighting fixtures mounted to the grid in front of the stage.

The Control Room in the upper floor on the rear end features in addition to the Christie 3-chip 2K DLP projector, a 32-channel mixer, and 14 units of 8-channel amplifiers powering as many as 84 speakers installed all around the auditorium, seminar halls, and open places.

The one 250-seater seminar hall is equipped with Christie’s 7500 Lumen WXGA projector focusing on to a 200-inch diagonal screen. Another two smaller halls of 125 seats are treated with Sony 4000 Lumen projector and 50-inch diagonal screens. The conferencing mic systems in all these halls are from Bose Corp.

Challenges galore: Massive that the install has been, it came with its own set of challenges. While the discrepancies between the architectural and AV design raised their own concerns, weaving in an AV solution that suits both cinematic and presentation set-up was equally challenging. Moving in the large 19m x 9m screen onto the stage was another potential challenge.

On the other hand, that from the time of laying cables to commissioning the project it took a good three years, most of the systems spec’d in the BoQ have gone up in versions as well as costing.

According to the SI, two important changes during the time were analog giving in to digital, and aspect ratios turning from 4:3 to 16:9 and 16:10. “This posed a big problem in that it implied higher costs,” explains Malik. “More, we needed to make the install future proof for at least 10 years to come, so that the client doesn’t have to change their systems for every short period.”

Stage lighting was another potential challenge since the roof was pretty much fixed and nothing could be done when the SI moved in. so, it all needed a great deal of expertise and perseverance too from the SI essentially, and a lot more coordination between the SI and the Tech Team.

AV Science brought to place its best expertise, first drafting the client vision, and then crafting the install as per the vision. The final outcome, according to the SI was good, and made the GJU administration happy. www.avscience.net www.gju.ac.in

THE PROJECT FACT FILE Project Name: Ch. Ranbir Singh Auditorium, Project Type: Audio-Visual Systems Integration in the Main Auditorium, three Seminar Halls, and Videoconferencing Project Owners: Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST) Administration Process Owners: Works Department, GJUST

THE TECH TEAM AV Design Consultant: AV Science Technologies AV Systems Integration: AV Science Technologies Pvt Ltd. Lighting Consultants: AV Science Technologies Pvt Ltd Stage design and set-up: AV Science Technologies Pvt Ltd Architecture consultant: Architects & Interior Designers.

Third Party Inspection: National Institute of Technology GJU Tech Team Er.A.K.Modi - Technical Advsior) Er.Ashok Alhawat - Superintending Engineer Er.Jitender Singh - Executive Engineer Er.Suvil Grower [Civil], SDE Er.Raghuvir Singh [PHE]

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INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Guwahati High Court: Extending ICT jurisdiction Judicial places treated with impacting AV experience

- By Ram Bhavanashi

The harnessing of ICT sophistication at the Guwahati High Court is not confined to just the main Courtroom; it is as expansive as the spread of the new HC edifice across the building. The other 18 Courtrooms, the Conference Room, and the public areas all feature the ICT adoption aimed at easy dispensation of justice as well as dissemination of information to people from public areas.

Having featured the level of technology sophistication and ideation of the whole initiative in the previous issue of SIAsia, we present in this second and concluding part the other judicial places on the GHC premises. Read on: The Guwahati High Court’s new building, in addition to the main Courtroom or the Chief Justice’s Courtroom, comprises as many as 18 smaller Courtrooms and two ‘differently’ integrated conference rooms– one each for the Chief Justice and the Registrar. While all these spaces, including the public movement areas on the premises have been equipped with AV systems, it is the scale of install in the conference rooms that stands out.

The Smaller Courtrooms:

These Courtrooms have more or less similar set-ups as that of the Main

Courtroom, but visibly on a lesser note.

They essentially feature four AKG GN 50 ESP goosenecks for judges, coming along with four AKG CK 31 Cardioid microphone capsules. These are complemented by a pair of small and low-profile CROWN PC 130SW boundary layer mics, coming with noise less on/ off switch and meant for table top applications. The audio capture by these systems is supported by a BSS BLU 100 12-channel, multi zone output automatic digital audio mixer, and also a BSS BLU 3 digitally controlled rotary volume control.

The speech reproduction here is tasked

to eight Control 8128 ceiling-mounted speakers that are powered by an 8-channel CTS 875 amplifier for better intelligibility. The audio configuration here also features three units of K&M microphone base switchers with on/off indication by a LED lindicator.

The display component in the Courtrooms is essentially characterized by two Panasonic 65-inch TH65PF30W Full HD Plasma displays mounted on either side of the seating areas in front of the Judges meant for displaying court proceedings content. The Judges' desk is adorned with a pair of Samsung 19-inch displays, in addition to one 15.6 inch Wacom DTU 1631 Interactive Pen display. A 32-inch EM5D LED LCD display is also roped into the display solution here, with a specific task of churning out content for the benefit of the watching advocates in the hall.

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A QOMO QD3700 Full HD document sensor/camera, coming with an onboard LCD Monitor does the document display job, and is placed right in front of the Judges’ deck while a Samsung SRD 470 Real Time digital video recorder packaged with DVD writer is tasked with the electronic recording and writing tasks.

The video capture of the proceedings is tasked to a ceiling-mounted Sony EVID 70P PTZ camera packaged with RS-232 control, right in front of the Judges’ deck.

That these Courtrooms are also supposed to be networked through video conferencing, they are also equipped with the AV systems required for the purpose. The audio job here is tasked to a pair of JBL CBT 50LA, that is powered by a Crown SLS 1000 power amplifier. The entire switching mechanism is tasked to a batch of Kramer switches while the control process with a touchscreen pack is assigned to a Crestron AV2PAK6X. Further, a 16-button CNPI 16 Crestron Control Panel Interface is also roped into the solution for any third party control, in addition to an IR emitter probe. A whole big stretch of cabling is tasked to Kramer BC 5Xs and Gotham DGS2s.

Main Conferencing Room

The Conferencing Room: enhancing the experience level

While the Main Conferencing Room at the GHC may generically look much the same as any other conferencing set-up in terms of basic structure, it, however seeks to enhance the visual experience levels by means of a new design element.

Unlike the conventional one or two wallmounted screens for display, the setting here is characterized by as many as eight 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PH30 Full HD plasma displays fixed in a vaulted position to a supporting grid inside the oblong-shaped conferencing table. The displays are arranged in such a position that they offer a comfortable view to the participating judges without their having to turn either side or raise or lean upwards to watch the displaying content.

“The actual spec was to have only five display monitors- two each on either side, and one facing the chair,” explains Debabrath, the Ace Acoustics Director who was instrumental in seeing the entire project through. “But the spec was modified later to install a total of eight monitors four each on either side within the ring,” he explains further, “the upward change in the spec and the install angle presented a comfort and experience that is not seen till now.”

The Smaller Courtroom

Handling the interactive Pen Display is again the 15.6-inch WACOM DTU 1631, near the Chair’s place while the QOMO QD 3700 full HD document camera, mounted with LCD monitor does the image sensing; and the Sony EVID 70P PTZ camera does the image capturing in the VC setting. Augmenting the video configuration is one unit each of

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INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 and D-Link also chip in with microphone audio cable, XLR Connector and Cat-6 cable.

Information dissemination in public areas:

The 15.6-inch WACOM DTU 1631 interactive Pen Display

Kramer VP 32K VGA and stereo audio switcher; VP 8K 1:8 computer graphics video distribution amplifier; and VP728 Proscale digital presentation scalar switcher. Five numbers of Magum MG 01 table pop up cable management system chip to support the VC set-up.

Further augmenting the conferencing environment are one each unit of Crestron AV2PAK 6X control processor with touch panel pack; DIN DIMFLV4 unit for CFL dimming function; and CNXB8 wall-mount key pad for control processor.

ACE being the Harman distributor for the region, roped in the audio major’s systems for different audio jobs in the space. Handling the speech capture task is a batch of 25 CROWN PCC 130SW low-profile boundary layer microphones with twelve each on either side of the oblong table, and one being with the Chair in the middle. The units come with on/off switch with LED indicator facilitating operational ease. Three units of BSS BLU 101 do the analog audio mixing with 12-channel input and 8-channel output coming with echo cancellation conferencing processor.

Twelve units of Control 8128 in-ceiling two way speakers does the speech reproduction job that is sought to be powered by one unit of CTS 875 8-channel power amplifier.

Keeping in line with the spec of providing judicial information meant to be shared with people, the SI had been asked to provide some display systems in public areas/waiting areas. According to Debabrat, as many as 25 Panasonic LED panels have been installed in various public areas, beside the Judges’ chambers.

That the GHC new building is housed in two blocks, the public display systems are displayed all over, including the old High Court premises. Four displays are installed in the first floor of B Block, and two in the second floor corridors; the lobbies of three floors sport one display each; and the Reception in the first floor sports one.

Four Bar Association Chambers in the ground floor of the A Block are fitted with one each display, followed by one each in the second floor and the waiting area in Registrar’s office. The Old High Court building on the other hand is equipped with a total of nine displays at various points of public interception.

“The important point behind this deployment is that they are all networked to display common information, just like in an airport terminal,” explains Debabrat. “The content can range anything between the status of different litigations, disputes, legislations concerning judicial matters and of public interest subjects.”

The GHC is, arguably, one of the most unique AV installs in the country, vouches the ACE Acoustics Director.

“There are reasons more than one,” he

Further augmenting the audio reproduction is a pair of JBL CBT 50LA Line Array loudspeakers mounted on the wall, flanking the display monitor facing the Chair. A CROWN XLS 1000 power amplifier drives the audio.

Cabling and switching is all by Kramer, though Gotham DGS 2, Neutrik NC 3XX,

Panasonic LED panels have been installed in various public areas for Information dissemination

seeks to elaborate: “one- it is very large scale; huge amounts have been spent exclusively on AV; two- no compromises have been made on budgets, thereby giving a free-hand to the designers to weave in the cutting-edge solution such as three- robotic cameras tuned to automatically tilt to speakers and fourmultiple display panels in conferencing room.”

Another important aspect of the install at the GHC is that the networking with the Old High Court administration. That the transition from the old building to the new edifice is not yet complete, and some critical areas of the judiciary functionality are still held in the old building, linking it with the new had become necessary.

While the prestigious task had been accomplished to a good impression from the user institution, it hadn’t come, though, without a challenge. “It couldn’t be,” quips in Debabrat, “for obvious reasons.” The very size and scale of the install makes it challenging; more the migration from the old premises to the new has had its bearing on their administration, causing concerns at the install stage. And, there are more, understandably.

“The order came to us when the full building construction was already complete, so cabling was a hugely challenging task,” explains the SI. “We had to open lighting and AC ducts in the ceiling, and the walls to pull and spread the cabling. That was a very arduous task.”

That meant that jobs that could have been done in mere 15 minutes, consumed six to seven hours, exerting enormous pressures on time lines. Topping that was the need to coordinate with the Assam Public Works Department and the Arunodaya Constructions too, for a smooth flow of work.

Nevertheless, endurance and expertise combined to produce excellence of work, sums up the ACE Acoustics head honcho. www.aceacoustics.com

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The PC Boundary is a very low-profile area microphone that can be used on any surface and with virtually any mic mixer. Featuring multiple on-board polar patterns three directional and one omni - the PC Boundary is ideal for any installation where premium-grade area coverage is required.

Electro-Voice delivers at KBITS EV boundary microphones ensure speech clarity The Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services Department (KBITS) – a facilitator of Information Technology and Biotech sectors in the State had implemented a new voice conferencing system to meet their increasing conferencing requirements.

board polar patterns—three directional and one omni—the PC Boundary is ideal for any installation where premium-grade area coverage is required. A total of nine microphone systems were installed in each meeting room for local sound reinforcements as well as for video conferencing applications.

concealed. The KBITS management was impressed not only with the sound quality but also the aesthetics of the Polar Choice systems. The KBITS management is apparently pleased with the solution not just for its aural experience but also for its coming within their budgets.

The department strives for the cause of IT and BT sectors in the State through a continual and constant programming of conferences, seminars, meetings, road shows, and trade shows at both national and international levels. As part of its mission, the department continually engages itself in debates and deliberations with diverse organizations related with the two domains. In order to facilitate such interactions, KBITS required unobtrusive microphone systems that would complete their conference system.

With a view to creating a professionallooking meeting set-up, the microphones were installed with all the cables well

www.boschsecurity.asia http://www.hansagroup.in/

To fulfill their requirement, Bangalorebased Hansa Pictures (P) Ltd, proposed the installation of Electro-Voice Polar Choice (PC) multi-pattern boundary layer microphones. The PC Boundary is a very low-profile area microphone that can be used on any surface and with virtually any mic mixer. Featuring multiple on-

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DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Digital Signage in the Corporate realm

Pictures for illustration purposes only were taken at Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regional Head Office in Singapore Most of us often associate Digital Signage with the retail or hospitality segment. This does not come as a surprise considering that most prominent digital signage deployments are within those segments.

one, nicely done messages will grab attention of staff and visitors; it allows for critical messages to be disseminated instantaneously; live updates be it company related or world related can be streamed in real time.

However another segment that would do well to consider such deployments would be the Corporate sector. This would especially hold true for companies that have a large number of staff occupying a very large office space with multiple floor occupation or even various remote office spaces. The key to digital signage in a corporate environment is that in essence it helps enhance better communication.

Let us look a little closer as to the benefits of digital signage in a corporate environment:

In some of the projects that we have covered especially in the larger corporate offices, digital signage certainly seems to have found its way into the installations. The setup for a digital signage system would generally consist of a display or displays, which could be LCD or LED displays, a PC or set-top box, software and of course connectivity (network or wireless).

With many of us already familiar with watching videos on our smartphones and tablets, pushing the messages on LCD or LED displays in a corporate environment would be a natural extension. As to the why use digital signage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; well for

Dissemination of company information.

This can be done more effectively.

Messages can be easily distributed through the network to all displays wherever they are placed be it the reception area, boardroom, outside of elevators, pantry, etc. As for the messages it can be anything from company events, meeting schedules, fire safety information, highlight of a VIP visiting the company and so forth.

Scheduling of meetings. In a large corporation it is possible that a number of meetings or trainings might be simultaneously held. Digital Signage enables the various schedules to be communicated clearly thus ensuring those attending those events are at the right room at the right time. It also allows for rooms to be changed for whatever reason with the change communicated effectively through the signage.

Source of motivation. Messages in relation to the company's performance, or pictures relating to the company's community social activities or even recognition of an individual. Having these messages played throughout the office and in a conspicuous manner helps create a sense of pride of belonging to the company.

Wayfinder. In the reception or lobby area, the display can act as a Wayfinder or even a virtual receptionist. Employees can interact with visitors wherever they are through using video and audio, and enterprises can enable proactive monitoring to deliver centralized visibility and control of distributed signage from a Web browser, smartphone or tablet.

Collaboration. Displays can be converted into an Interactive Digital Signage solution. Meetings can become more engaging and can even involve the participation of remote workers. Displays can even be transformed into a fully interactive whiteboard where attendees can annotate over notes, graphs, etc.

The opportunities for digital signage in a corporate environment are limitless.

When deployed correctly and used effectively it becomes a productive tool.

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DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Implementing Digital Signage Effectively Click Grafix is a Malaysian-based company that provides systems integration, solutions and content development services for dynamic digital signage, broadcast digital video and 3D animation. With over 19 years of experience in the industry complimented by notable industry awards, the company has been involved in many innovative digital signage projects in the region, headed by its Founder Ahmed Balfaqih and his team. Click Grafix has offices in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

SIAsia: What has been some of the most significant changes (be it technology or use) in relation to Digital Signage solutions?

Ahmed: I think the most significant change in our industry is that digital signage has become widely accepted, particularly among retailers. There is a sort of herd mentality where many retailers deploy digital signage because everyone else did it, or because their competitors did it.

SIAsia: How have these changes affected/or will affect the end-user market?

Ahmed: We believe these changes have resulted in more end users looking for and investing in digital signage for their business or organization needs.

DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

SIAsia: What are some of the key challenges facing a digital signage solution implementation? How can these be overcome?

Ahmed: One of the challenge we often face is educating customers that the importance of a good software component and digital signage should not be treated as the same as just playing content from a DVD or USB thumb drive onto a digital screen.

Customers need to know that good content strategies drive successful digital signage. So we often need to highlight that a robust platform is instrumental to deliver those content strategies effectively. However as customers become more sophisticated in their demands these days, they start to realise the need for a total power solution.

SIAsia: What are some of the key advantages Digital Signage brings to the enduser?

Ahmed: Installing a digital signage network offers a powerful and effective solution that increases the opportunity for a more effective customer experience and engagement through updated targeted messaging and promotions.

Digital Signage enables dynamic focused content that helps influence audience behaviour to respond accordingly or engage customers at the point-of-sale.

Users also benefit from maximum network flexibility; whether its managing one screen or up to thousands centrally, remotely, locally or globally, reducing costs and gaining better ROI. Deploying digital signage in the Retail industry for instance, help retailers gain a competitive edge with day-parting capabilities that enable them to reach targeted audience demographics at different intervals of the day effectively.

From corporate communications, or interactive directories to digital menu boards, digital signage offers plenty of advantages for every industry's diverse communication objectives.

SIAsia: What are some of the key considerations a client has to look into before implementing a Digital Signage strategy?

Ahmed: While budget will likely be a key consideration for many, it is important to identify and understand your network goals and make informed choices that best meet those goals within your budget. Deployers need to recognize that the complete scope of rolling out a successful implementation goes beyond just getting the right hardware, software and services. A successful implementation must be sustainable in the long run and content strategy is essential for that. It is important to consider key factors that include: • Content delivery - How will your content be hosted or updated?

• Content creation and management Who will be responsible for creating content? Do you have an in-house team or do you need to engage outside service? How often will your content be updated? Keeping your content fresh keeps your audience engaged.

• Network maintenance - Who will be responsible for managing and maintaining the network. Will it be managed internally or outsourced to the solutions provider?

• Know your audience - Who your target audience is determines the type of content you deliver. Message relevancy is essential for an effective engagement with your audience. For instance, retailers benefit from call-toaction content that promotes sales.

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Updated messaging and information integrated with social media engages students in a campus environment.

Employee messaging enhances corporate communication in an organization. And hence forth.

• Screens strategy - What type of screens will be deployed? Interactive directories require touch screens.

Video walls work great in open or large spaces with high audience traffic. Commercial grade screens are recommended for digital signage that run long hours all year round.

Where will your screens be positioned?

Strategic screen placements plays a crucial role to ensure your messages are easily noticed by your targeted audience.

• Location - Targeting and identifying the right locations to run your digital signage requires attention. How many areas will digital signage be deployed in? Displays should be positioned in areas with high foot traffic or long dwell times to maximize exposure. Will your network expand across different locations within a building, city or nation?

SIAsia: What is Click Grafix view on the potential of the Digital Signage segment in the markets it is operating in?

Ahmed: We have seen a major growth in the regions. Click Grafix operates in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. There has been a significant increase of enquiries and deployments in almost all these countries in the last year. We believe the trend may continue, particularly in the Philippines where we see more major brands making an evaluative stance and escalating decisions to deploy digital signage solutions. www.clickgrafix.com

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DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

The Interaction Company: Championing the cause for Interactivity SIAsia: In essence, the company has taken static display to an interactive level. What have been some of your key challenges in that aspect?

TIC: When we started about 4 years ago, Singapore wasn’t too receptive about interactive media. The costlier deployment compared to static displays was one factor. It was challenging trying to convince clients that the extra dollar paid for interactivity, was far outweighed by its benefits in terms of attraction, engagement and retention.

Chong Chieh Tseng

Endru Chen

The Interaction Company was incorporated in Singapore in 2010 and founded

by Chong Chieh Tseng who was previously working in the Institute for Infocomm Research in A*STAR. Using his specialised knowledge in Computer Vision, he saw an opportunity to commercialise his expertise. He has since partnered Endru Chen to develop the commercial aspects of the business while he focused on the programming and research aspects. This partnership has proven to be successful as the company has grown from strength to strength and has established itself as one of the leading reputable interactive solutions provider in Singapore.

SIAsia brings you an exclusive interview with both Chieh Tseng and Endru Chen on their challenges and future hopes.

SIAsia: Please tell us about The Interaction Company.

Where does the company's expertise lie?

TIC: The company is an interactive media company providing consultancy, programming, customization and integration for all interactive solutions such as: • Interactive Directory / Catalogue • Product Recognition Display • Gesture Flipbook • Interactive Wall • Gender Specific Advertisements • Virtual Fitting Room • Interactive Dispenser • Interactive Photo booth • Virtual Mannequin • Hologram Product Display • Large Scale Holographic display • 3D Video Mapping • Augmented Reality • Bluetooth Smart / Low energy

As a one stop provider, TIC also provides content development, design and build as well as systems integration, for both government and private bodies, for their galleries/showroom, events and exhibitions.

SIAsia: What are the key tools of your trade?

TIC: Most of our technologies make use of Computer Vision where infra-red light is used to illuminate the points of interest. Infra-red cameras are used to detect the positions and depth. There is a growing trend of using the Microsoft Kinect cameras as it is an inexpensive yet powerful tool that is able to perform skeletal tracking. TIC will integrate these detection hardware into customised programs to be displayed in not only traditional output mediums such as TV monitors and projectors, but also mechanical analogue outputs.

While this slow adoption rate was going on throughout 2010 to 2011, our neighbours in Malaysia and Thailand were far more advance in adopting interactive media. Almost every mall was equipped with interactive digital media.

However this all changed in about 2012 where suddenly every gallery and event or exhibition wanted to incorporate interactivity in their concept. Interactivity became the buzz word and every screen had to at least be touch enabled.

The following year of 2013 was the year companies tried to outdo each other in terms of interactivity where the touch screen was no longer seen as something interesting. Instead, more complex out of the box concepts were deployed using gestures, silhouette tracking and augmented reality, and TIC is proud to be the one of the pioneers in solidifying this industry. The next challenge would be to constantly research, develop and innovate to stay ahead of this ever evolving technological frontier.

SIAsia: With touch becoming a daily part of our life, do you think this has contributed to the business direction of your company?

TIC: The mass adoption of smart phones has a direct impact to us as everyone now has a certain expectation of how interactivity is deployed. For example,

DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 clients often compared user interfaces to those found on their smart phone without realising that while it is possible to achieve that, it took Apple or Google a whole team of more than 100 User Experience developers to develop that and even fight over patents for it.

However, with the mass adoption of smart phones, the biggest difference in the industry was how everyone was more much connected. Marketing concepts could now ride on the user endorsement model where a significant percentage of our deployments integrated social networking features such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SIAsia: What are some of the innovative projects that the company has been involved in?

TIC: We are pleased to provide you with a few examples here.

clothes after trying them on through the Magic Mirror.

To see the Magic Mirror in action please click on link http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Zb9U8e-fyt4 http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=nPMpZHtrcrE

Augmented Reality photo opportunity Client: Pepsi/Manchester United

on TIC’s expertise to create a virtual environment where this can take place.

Virtual Presenter/Ambassador Client: Hewlett Packard

Two Virtual presenters were deployed for Hewlett Packard’s regional sales conference held in Bangkok in 2013.

Instead of getting real sales personnel to stand there all day and describe the new products over and over again, we deployed our virtual presenters to do the job.

Virtual presenters are like holographic illusions that would appear as real people talking and moving. It is only after closer inspection that the user would realise that the virtual presenters are actually acrylic cut-outs, that used a projector to project a mapped out video of the presenter talking and moving.

Magic Mirror (Augment Reality fitting room) Client: Parco next NEXT

During Parco next NEXT’s annual fashion show event, the Magic Mirror was deployed to allow customers to virtually try on clothes. Clothes would be superimposed onto the user on the screen and will move, scale and rotate according to the user’s movements.

They used gestures to navigate and select clothes and they could also take a picture and upload it to Facebook automatically through the console.

The Magic Mirror quickly became the centre of attention with a constant crowd gathering around watching and waiting for their turn to try on clothes virtually.

Many customers actually purchased the

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Virtual presenters are especially good when there is a constant meet and greet situation where they can put on a constant smile tirelessly and repeat the intended message accurately and consistently. Not to mention, they are also a huge crowd drawer.

To see the Virtual Presenter in action please click on link http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uwRKsCgjA7I As a main sponsor of Manchester United Football Club, Pepsi wanted to allow their customers to pose with their favourite Manchester United players and take photographs with them. However, as it was not possible to physically fly the players down to Singapore, they called

Standing in front of a huge screen, customers will see themselves in the screen where a football will be bouncing beside them. When they kick the ball, the ball flies away and a Manchester United player will appear beside them on the screen. They may then pose with the player before the system automatically snaps a picture of them with the player.

The picture is instantly uploaded to the server and printed out on the spot for the customer to bring home as a memento. As an “Easter Egg” surprise, a Pepsi bottle may appear instead of a Manchester United player, and in this instance, the customer wins a free bottle of Pepsi.

To view the Augmented Reality in action please click on link http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2MiApp_OmDE

SIAsia: What is the company's future goals?

TIC: We have come a long way from simply providing customised programming to providing turnkey solutions. As we embark on our future, we aim to undertake entire projects as the main contractor to execute them from the conceptualisation phase, providing creative inputs, to design and build of the entire gallery/area and finally providing project management.

Our goal is to become the “go to” vendor for clients with interactive requirements for their projects. www.theinteraction.com

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DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

SINGAPORE

The Star Performing Arts Centre Entertains and Informs Guests Facility-wide With HighDefinition Video of Live Events, Upcoming Promotions, Wayfinding, and More X2O Media’s powerful X2O visual communications platform does the job effectively

The Star Theatre at The Star Performing Arts Centre

The Star Performing Arts Centre (The Star PAC) in Singapore is the first contemporary venue of its kind within the Asia-Pacific region. Featuring an impressive 5,000-seat auditorium, the venue was specially designed by top architects and theatre designers to reflect the city’s vibrant cultural and architectural attributes.

In order to further its objective to provide a place where people, art, and cultures could converge, The Star PAC sought a solution that would broadcast live events in high-definition to patrons throughout different areas of the ninelevel state-of-the-art venue. It was also necessary to provide wayfinding capabilities that would enable patrons to navigate within the premises as well as promote upcoming events to the public in an effort to improve ticket sales.

Since The Star PAC also functions as a meeting space, organizers were looking

to make dynamic meeting information available, which would give participants indicators of convention coordinates and meeting times. In addition, the digital signage system would need to integrate with the venue’s existing network, provide tools for creating stunning, rich media channels quickly and easily, and offer advanced content management capabilities. In sum, The Star PAC required a powerful digital signage solution that would drive information to hundreds of screens within different locations across the massive venue, including The Star Theatre, a 5,000-seat auditorium; The Star Gallery, a 770-sqm multipurpose hall; The Star Terrace, a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre; The Star Loft, a rooftop reception area; and supporting ancillary studios.

Challenges

Prior to implementation, the installation faced several challenges. First, the venue needed to deliver different types of

content within uninterrupted signage cycles, resulting in constant screen repurposing. This included broadcasting concerts in real-time but switching to wayfinding and promotional content during intermissions. Consequently, the system needed to be able to change feeds depending on particular events, enabling users to program or dynamically switch content using advanced network management tools.

The venue also held a wide variety of screen types and display sizes set at different locations, resulting in the need for a solution that could accommodate both panel diversity and seamless endto-end delivery to different sections. This included The Star Terrace, an outdoor amphitheatre that houses an 8m x 4.5m LED wall that needed to be incorporated into the signage network and free from signal delay during live broadcasts. A further challenge was the venue’s diverse set of stakeholders, each with different sets of requirements, adding complexity to the system’s deliverables and general design. For instance, users within The Star PAC’s internal broadcast studio required the ability to retransmit HD video feeds across the entire network.

The Solution

To implement a digital signage system across The Star PAC that would provide high-quality broadcasting and dynamic content from multiple sources to different locations, the venue turned to X2O Media’s powerful X2O visual communications platform. Built using the HTML5 standard, X2O software ensured the delivery of diverse content and live HD rendering to multiple types of screens within the venue, including the LED wall at the outdoor amphitheatre and more than 100 digital screens. The software solution,

DIGITAL SIGNAGE FEATURE Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

The Star Terrace at The Star Performing Arts Centre

incorporated in tandem with integrator BES, also featured high-resolution graphics, real-time communication, and central management tools to enable easy switching between live events, wayfinding capabilities, and event promotions. Another main advantage was the solution’s seamless integration with the facility’s existing network, making it simple to implement and operate. With powerful content management tools, users were also able to operate the system both locally and remotely via VPN, enabling different stakeholders to manage their relevant content.

“By simply dragging objects to a canvas, our graphic designers, event planners, and studio producers are able to easily publish, program, and manage their content,” said Daniel Loh, Technical Director at The Star PAC. “This enables us to provide uninterrupted channel-like broadcasts that captivate our audiences while delivering information that can be targeted to particular events, patrons, or locations within our venue. To make the process even easier, X2O Media also provided training to our staff members, resulting in a very rapid adoption process within our organization.”

The Impact

Today, The Star PAC’s digital signage system supports the venue on a number

of levels. The flexibility of the X2O Media platform allows the venue to combine a traditional show relay system with a powerful digital signage system to create a seamless, facility-wide, high-definition broadcast solution. Displays add crawls, ticket information, and video previews of upcoming events at different locations within the complex, keeping guests informed of future events to potentially increase ticket sales. When patrons are late for shows, they can still experience events via high-definition broadcasts until the theatre doors are reopened.

The venue also experienced cost savings since signage broadcasts can be programmed in advance to run on preset schedules — reducing time spent by staff. Further savings have also resulted from the digital signage platform’s ability to integrate with event scheduling software, enabling automatic updating of information on wayfinding and meeting room displays.

“Since going live, guests have become increasingly dependent on our digital signage system and are impressed with its stunning video quality,” said Loh. “Our staff has reported significant use of the screens and feedback that guests are more aware of upcoming events.” www.thestar.sg www.x2omedia.com

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INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

VIETNAM

The first McDonalds in Vietnam features Audica Professional Sound Quality Alliances Integrated Systems takes the honour of designing and installing the system

Alliances Integrated Systems has completed the design and installation of an Audica Professional audio system for the first McDonald’s restaurant in Vietnam. Located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's commercial centre, the McDonald's branch has a 24-hour drive-through service and will feature the usual menu classics, plus some items to cater to local tastes “Our team proposed a solution providing the coverage, zoning and functionality the restaurant required, but the decision was only made after we gave a demonstration to show the system’s capability and audio quality,” explained Vu Viet Tung, Business Development Manager of Alliances Integrated Systems. “Not only were we able to exceed expectations, but also meet the required budget.”

The system is controlled by an Audica MICROzone amplifier/controller, which provides the three inputs for a CD player with USB reader, an MP3 player and a PC. Two Audica MICROplus 4-channel amplifiers provide the power for the six zones of the system.

Three of the indoor zones use four Audica MICROdot ceiling loudspeakers, with the sound level locally controllable

by Sonance volume controls. Two further indoor zones are each fitted with two MICROdot ceiling loudspeakers.

An outdoor zone operates with two Audica MICROpoint loudspeakers under a covered area and two Quest MS401 all-weather loudspeakers for an uncovered area.

One amplifier channel of the MICROzone amplifier/controller is additionally

used to power a MICROdot ceiling loudspeaker in the manager’s office, so the system output and general volume levels in the restaurant can be monitored and controlled. “It is also useful that each channel of the MICROplus amplifier has LED output level meters, enabling the different levels in each zone to be visually monitored and adjusted when needed,” added Tung.

“We are very impressed with the style and quality of the Audica Professional MICROseries system,” concludes Tung.

“The DSP built into the MICROzone provides audio performance which is exceptional from such compact, discreet loudspeakers. The system is also extremely flexible, allowing us to design systems that fully meet the needs of the client.” www.audicapro.co.uk

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SOUTH KOREA

dnp Cross Prism Screens used by Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main TV broadcaster

The screens achieve the broadcasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objective of a competitively priced cube solution that requires little maintenance Having evaluated several display systems, comparing them on parameters such as quality, price and maintenance, KBS chose video wall cubes with dnp Cross Prism Screens from Hive Systems for their main news studio.

Customer requirements

KBS, Korea's main TV broadcaster, was looking for a competitively priced cube solution that required little maintenance.

More importantly, KBS wanted to buy from a Korean supplier and contacted Hive System. Incorporating Hive's own projectors and software, the Contra cubes passed KBS's made in Korea' test.

A Hive Systems representative explained why they proposed the solution with dnp screens: "it's simple! We knew that dnp's Cross Prism rear projection screens are ideal for News studios, and we also knew that they work well with our Contra Video wall system.

Demo leads to decision

It took a fair bit of effort from Hive to convince KBS of its proposed solutions. The broadcaster's technical staff evaluated several screens, including LED sign board displays, from several suppliers, comparing them on parameters such as quality, price and maintenance. Before making a final decision, they also asked Hive for three demonstrations and a camera test in their studio. In the end, they understood that Hive offered the best total package and placed their order for 24 Contra video wall cubes with 70" dnp Cross Prism Screens and DLP projectors.

A win-win for KBS and the installer

Since completion of the installation, Hive's solution is living up to KBS' quality expectations and they are pleased to be working with a local partner. Meanwhile, Hive Systems is enjoying the spin-off

from landing this prestigious project.

"Other broadcasting companies watch what KBS News does with interest and they know what we've delivered.

We are now working for MBC & other broadcasting companies. For Arirang TV, we will set up a new video wall in March,"concludes their spokesman. www.dnp-screens.com

Quick Glance

Customer: Korean Broadcasting System Installer: Hive Systems Screen: 70" dnp Cross Prism Screens Projector: Contra LED DLP Cube Contra SX+ 70", 12x2,24 unit

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TAIWAN

Ensuring National Immigration Security Shuttle’s HR70 Facial Recognition System Adopted by Kaohsiung International Airport

Shuttle has recently been actively expanding its commercial vertical application market. In the field of applied biometrics, the newly released HR70 facial recognition system has been adopted by the Kaohsiung International Airport, providing the strictest electronic defence mechanism for national immigration security management.

In an effort to strengthen security during immigration inspections, the National Immigration Agency has revised the immigration inspection process so that it now consists of a “three-way inspection”, including “computer information” in addition to the conventional checks of the passport photo and the face of the passport holder. These 3 types of information are required for inspection to prevent undocumented travellers from disguising themselves with makeup or clothing and getting past security checkpoints.

The HR70 facial recognition system adopted by the Kaohsiung International

Airport is a customized system for “facial and dual fingerprints recognition”.

Foreigners arriving in Taiwan at the Kaohsiung International Airport are required to provide fingerprints for both hands and have their facial data collected. These data, along with the traveller's passport, then serve as the basis for identification when the travellers depart the country. With a success rate of more than 99.99%, the HR70 system has made a significant improvement to national security.

In addition to providing high-precision identifications, the all-in-one HR70 system has a simple and easy-to-use machine design, thereby increasing the system’s user friendliness for foreign visitors. The HR70, which is equipped with high-performance hardware and software, is also capable of processing both the user’s facial features and dual fingerprints in mere seconds (though more time is needed for initial filing).

With these high-efficiency identification abilities, the system has built a strong line of defence for Taiwan.

The Shuttle HR70 system has the standard identification mechanisms of “facial recognition, fingerprint reader, and RFID card reader”. Users may set the usage or sequence of the latter 2 identification functions based on their needs, providing them with the flexibility to adapt to different usage scenarios for the optimal operating experience and protection ability. On the top and bottom of the 7” touchscreen monitor are 2 sets of full HD cameras and LED lights. These features allow the system to be used with varying heights and provide it with excellent identification capabilities even in lowlight environments.

Built-in RS232, RS485, and GPIO controllers, the system supports various accessories as well as the VESA Mount capacity to provide a more diversified system and environmental applications.

Aside from Kaohsiung International Airport’s customized project, the HR70 is also the best solution for membership management, time and attendance, and access control for companies, government institutions, banks, educational research institutes, and community security applications, among others. global.shuttle.com

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INSTALLATIONS SSystems Integration Asia April - May 2014

HONG KONG

Lingnan University Psychology Laboratory features Real-Time Video Recording Solutions Media-Go Engineering installs Crestron solutions

Lingnan University

The Crestron Capture HD solution

Founded in Guangzhou in 1888 and re-established in Hong Kong in 1967, Lingnan University is committed to the provision of quality education distinguished by the best liberal arts traditions. It adopts a whole-person approach to education which enables its students to think, judge, care and, ultimately, acts responsibly in the changing circumstances of Hong Kong, the region and the world.

Real-Time Video Recording Solutions

In the Department of Applied Psychology, a newly established Psychology Laboratory is partitioned into two rooms by a one-way mirror. Getting involved in computer based tasks, behaviour of participant is captured remotely by Crestron real time recording solution consisting of Crestron Capture HD® high-definition capture recorder,

Crestron DigitalMedia™ system and Crestron video camera. A tailor-made screen capture program is installed to facilitate the recording solution.

Meanwhile, multiple-participant studies are also being supported. Progress of focus group studies or interviews can be recorded in real-time for operators who can then further study the captured interaction.

Source Location connected with a Single CAT5e Cable

To create a comfortable environment for participants in the neat and tidy laboratory, the DM-RMC-SCALER-C is installed to provide an advanced one-box interface solution for a single display device. It functions as a DM 8G+™ receiver, video scaler, and control interface, providing a single HDMI® output along with Ethernet, USB HID, RS-232, and IR control ports. Built-in scaling enables the connected display to handle virtually any video signal. Its compact, low-profile design allows the DM-RMC-SCALER-C to be installed discreetly behind a flat panel display or above a ceiling mounted projector.

Media-Go as a one-stop AV integrator was responsible for the associated design, product supply, programming and installation of the solutions at the University.

The DM-RMC-SCALER-C installed discreetly behind the display panel

www.mediago.com.hk

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SINGAPORE

Bosch Security Systems delivers Integrated security system for “The Star” Seamless solution helps ease security operations for the two individual companies that own and operate the complex these local solutions into one integrated and centrally managed system.

Bosch Security Systems has delivered an integrated security solution for “The Star”, an iconic multi-purpose building in Singapore. Located in the central Buona Vista area of Singapore, “The Star” is a new architectural landmark and combines an upscale shopping centre with more than 100 shops and restaurants, called the Star Vista, and a cultural zone named the Star Performing Arts Centre. The Star Vista occupies the lower six levels of the building, while the Star Performing Arts Centre with its impressive 5,000 seat auditorium is located on the upper nine floors.

Designing a security environment for “The Star” was a real challenge. A shopping centre with its public places and more than 100 individually operated shops has much different requirements than an events complex with a huge theatre and a large multi-purpose hall.

Furthermore, the Star Vista and the Star Performing Arts Centre are owned and operated by two individual companies, which strived for an integrated solution securing the entire development.

The local Bosch partner InfoCom & Security Systems Pte Ltd therefore designed a very modular security system based on standard network technologies.

Thus, they were able to exactly meet the different needs of individual zones of the building while seamlessly combining all

The security solution for “The Star” includes Bosch’s video surveillance, public address and access control systems. IP-based Bosch FLEXIDOME and AUTODOME cameras throughout the building are managed and operated through the Bosch Video Management System. The video solution offers decentralized recording and Intelligent Video Analysis from Bosch for very efficient operations. Bosch’s Praesideo Public Address and Evacuation system serves for background music and voice announcements in regular operations.

In case of emergency it can also be used as an evacuation system. Video surveillance, public address and access control systems are integrated via the Bosch Building Integration System (BIS) which enables central management and operations and greatly eases coordination between the two operators of the building. www.boschsecurity.com

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VOICE BOX Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Sanecore continues to Escalate Symetrix business in China of the award-winning Radius AEC, Sanecore is now adding new focus to the conferencing market to deliver Symetrix’ acoustic echo cancellation solutions to China.

SIAsia speaks to Alan Ho, VP of Business Development, Sanecore about their success with the Symetrix solutions in China.

SIAsia: What is your view about Symetrix solutions?

Alan Ho

Sanecore based in China, recently earned the Symetrix 'Distributor of the Year' award for 2013. This however is not the first time that the company has won the award.

Symetrix, which specialises in the manufacture of professional audio signal processing products for the installed, broadcast and live sound markets, actively sells to partners in approximately 75 countries around the world. The Symetrix ‘Distributor of the Year’ award gives the company the chance each year to recognize one partner that stands out above the rest. The award is based not only on overall revenue from the partner, but brand dedication, growth, ease of doing business, sales and technical support, and all general aspects of the partnership.

Since coming on board with Symetrix in 2005, Sanecore has continually showed incredible dedication to the brand. With 6 offices throughout China, Sanecore has a strong network for sales, marketing, and technical support and as a result they have delivered growth yearover-year. Sanecore has been hugely successful with the Symetrix Jupiter products as well as SymNet Solus, Edge and Radius 12x8. With the release

Alan: Symetrix is an excellent brand.

From its standalone units like Jupiter 8 to its networking versions like SymNet Radius AEC, Symetrix is focused on providing users with powerful and easyto-use products. Take the latest SymNet unit as an example, we can greatly benefit from its analog control connector and logic output, and come out with much simpler solutions. The engineers don’t have to add a lot of equipments to design a conference room, and the functional modules included in the software can also help realise functional requirements of different projects with ease. Moreover, with the aid of Dante protocol, products of Symetrix can always be trusted with better compatibility, good expandability, and outstanding audio quality. All the abovementioned features make our design work simpler and faster.

SIAsia: Which market segments in China have Symetrix products been popular?

Alan: In China, Symetrix products are mainly applied in system integration projects (SI), such as Conference System Integration, or Network Audio Systems requiring long distance transmission.

The projects are generally carried out in venues like hotels, government buildings, schools, large-scale shopping centres, stadiums, theme parks, etc.

SIAsia: What are Sanecore's future plans for Symetrix in China? How do you intend to action these plans?

Alan: We will adhere to our major way of promotion by providing clients with high-level application solutions, just as we always do, and also build simulated application scenarios for

Dalian International Convention Center which features Symetrix solutions

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Sales Representative by Symetrix for years.

SIAsia: What is the most challenging part of being a Chinese distributor at present?

Fuzhou Strait International Convention and Exhibition Center (SICEC) which also features Symetrix solutions

clients to personally experience the powerful features Symetrix products have. InfoComm China 2014 would be a good opportunity, as we would set up two systems based on Symetrix products during the show. That would be a great platform for demonstration, as all the professionals in the exhibition can come and personally experience the powerful functions and flexibility of Symetrix products.

SIAsia: Can you elaborate on staff training as well as customer training for Symetrix that Sanecore provides.

Alan: Trainings to our sales-people are usually given by our product manager and product specialist in charge of Symetrix, twice every quarter. The emphasis are generally on product functions and selling points, as well as their applications in practical solutions.

The trainings for the engineers are more intense, and the emphasis are directed more to the practical operation, other than the introduction of product functions and application solutions.

As customers of Symetrix products are of different kinds and with various

requirements, trainings on Symetrix products is divided into three levels: Primary, Mid-Level, and Advanced. Some sessions are focused on explanation of technical features, while the others put more stress on introduction of product functions and selling points. Clients can choose courses according to their needs. The training are carried out either as centralised practical training, or as special field training in the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; venues.

SIAsia: Why has Sanecore been successful with Symetrix?

Alan: Since Sanecore was specified as the exclusive distributor for Symetrix in China, Hong Kong and Macau in 2005, we have carried out forceful and effective promotion in multiple ways, such as exhibitions, new product release conferences, technical seminars, print ads and network media. As Symetrix gets known by more and more people in Chinese market, its market share also sees a growing trend. Up to now, Symetrix products have been widely applied in Chinese professional audio market, and got full recognition in the industry. This is also why we have been awarded as Distributor of the Year and

Alan: More and more imported products of the same class can be found in the market. Great improvement in manufacturing technology can be seen in domestic manufacturers in recent years.

The products manufactured at home usually enjoy price advantages when compared with imported counterparts.

All these situations have made the product competition more intense. But we have full confidence with the research and development ability of Symetrix.

As Symetrix consistently develops and releases more and more industry-leading products, the group of its loyal users will also grow bigger and bigger with our best services to them.

Mark Ullrich, International Sales Manager, Symetrix adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since 2005, Sanecore has been responsible for incredible growth for Symetrix products in China. Their staff are extremely dedicated to the brand and provide the highest level of service to their customers. In 2014 we will be collaborating on roadshows and technical training to further build brand awareness and increase technical proficiency.

Sanecore has also designed and constructed a new state-of-the-art company headquarters in Shenzhen that houses a theatre, training facilities, a recording studio, and will feature Symetrix products throughout. www.sanecore.cn www.symetrix.co

Edge Frame

Jupiter 8

Radius12x8

Solus 8

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VOICE BOX Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

Smart living: Lowering carbon footprint and saving cost As more people are becoming aware of the environmental issues and with cost savings always at the back of their minds, companies are racing to create products that can do both.

A fact that many might not know, Lutron Electronics is the company that invented the first rotary electronic dimmer in the world which completely changed the history of the lighting control industry. Today, Lutron has moved on to control systems where consumers no longer need to buy expensive and complicated touch screen remote control.

Lutron is additionally aware that customers are always on the lookout for services on-the-go which is why they have developed a range of free apps for smartphone devices.

Consumers can now use their gadgets to control their lights, shades and AV systems via Wi-Fi connection to the processor of a Lutron system.

Boon Liang Seng, Director of Sales – Lutron GL Limited

SIAsia: Way before “going green” became fashionable, Lutron's founder (Joel Spira) had already created the dimmer in 1960. What drives the company to push on with its continued quest for innovative solutions?

Boon Liang: Joel Spira, founder of Lutron Electronics, was a physicist and a true innovator. He had a fascination for light and was keen to come up with a technology that enables users to control light. While controlling light provides the ability to create the best lighting environment, it also helps save energy.

Mr. Spira has always been proud of his innovations and the contributions they brought to mankind. He has donated a number of objects to the Smithsonian National Museum of American history including fully functional Lutron dimmers and lighting control systems that led the development of the lighting control industry over the past 50 years.

Lutron is dedicated to growth and innovative developments. We have

SI Asia in an exclusive interview, speaks to Boon Liang Seng, Director of Sales for Lutron GL Limited on what drives the company forward. been investing significantly in R&D and are coming up with state-of-the-art innovations crucial to the advancement of the lighting control industry.

SIAsia: It seems that the company was ahead of its time with energy and cost saving solutions, which have become more prominent of late, how does Lutron see this aspect evolving in the coming years and how will it continue to meet expectations?

Boon Liang: We strive to be at the forefront and lead the trend in lighting controls. We launched the Quantum® total light and energy management system back in 2006 which does not only provide total light control but also monitors and reports lighting energy usage within a building.

We believe this trend will carry on and we will continue to come up with products that save energy while enhancing ambience as well as bringing comfort and convenience to end-users.

In addition, to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient lighting controls in existing homes and offices, Lutron has launched a range of wireless products including daylight sensors, occupancy sensors, controllers, dimming modules and automated shades to make lighting controls accessible to more people.

SIAsia: What does Lutron see as the greatest challenge for the world in terms of the environment?

Boon Liang: The challenge we feel is that many people especially in Asia, do not realise the full potential of lighting controls in saving energy. When individuals consider changing to energyefficient lighting options, the first thing they think of is to switch to CF lamps or LEDs. They are satisfied with simply replacing the existing light sources with LEDs or CF lamps. They are unaware or do not see the value of using lighting controls to save even more energy in addition to using LEDs. More often than not, individuals leave a space without turning the light

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off. Besides, over-illumination is very common in many commercial spaces, where a great amount of energy is wasted. This energy wastage can be avoided with proper lighting controls.

Residential and commercial owners should be informed of all the energy saving light control strategies that are available which allow them to eliminate energy wastage. The challenge is in educating and changing people’s perception of lighting.

SIAsia: From Lutron’s research, how much savings has Lutron’s solutions achieved in terms of energy and cost?

Boon Liang: The diagram below illustrates the energy-saving light control strategies and potential savings with Lutron’s solutions. The matrix covers savings from dimming control, occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting and more.

The Lily Condominium in Hong Kong features a significant Lutron implementation.

SIAsia: Please provide examples of a few of the latest Lutron solutions and how they benefit the commercial and consumer market.

Boon Liang: Lutron has helped the Empire State Building set a new standard for sustainable, commercial renovation.

The Empire State Building Company (ESB) partnered with service providers

and vendors to test and prove processes and products and provide guidelines for energy efficiency retrofits in existing buildings. The ESB approached the building retrofit process by defining the right steps in the right order, starting with the building core, engineers first worked to control building loads by eliminating potential for wasted energy.

By reducing lighting electricity use up to 65%, Lutron light controls go a long

ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT CONTROL STRATEGIES

Potential savings

80%

Max: 100%

Max: 80%

Occupied: On

Vacant: Off

Full On

Full On

Shade Open

High-end trim Sets the maximum light level based on customer requirements in each space.

10-30% Lighting3

Occupancy/vacancy sensing Turns lights on when occupants are in a space and off when they vacate a space.

20-60% Lighting4

Daylight harvesting Dims electric lights when daylight is available to light the space.

25-60% Lighting5

Personal dimming control Gives occupants the ability to set the light level.

10-20% Lighting6

Controllable window shading Adjusts blinds to reduce glare and solar heat gain.

10-20% Cooling7

Dim

Dim

Shade Closed

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VOICE BOX Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014 to provide high quality and reliable products to their customers. By working with our partners, we aim to provide integrated solutions to enhance the customer experience.

SIAsia: In Lutron's world, how would the future of a commercial space and residential space operate?

Boon Liang: The trends will continue towards energy saving and integration.

At present, commercial sectors are more likely to pay more attention to energy-efficient lighting systems due to operating costs consideration.

As individuals become increasingly green conscious, residential sectors and regular household will care more about energy saving and change to energy-efficient light sources with lighting controls. More end-users will choose to use LED at homes and commercial spaces.

Standard Chartered Bank at Changi (Singapore) is using Lutron Quantum system for total light control and energy efficiency.

way to helping ESB meet their efficiency goals. To promote even greater energy savings, wireless occupancy sensors communicate with the Lutron dimming ballasts and the HVAC system, to turn lights off and reduce HVAC energy use when the space is unoccupied.

Comparing Lutron’s occupancy sensor strategies to a simple time clock control, it was found that by turning lights off in unoccupied areas during typical work hours, and not just after hours, the building saves nearly 38% more lighting electricity than it would with time clock control.

Another significant Lutron implementation would be The Lily Condominium at 129 Repulse Bay Road, one of the most exclusive developments on the Southside of Hong Kong Island.

With Lutron’s professional support and prompt feedback, the project was completed within a tight deadline – 15 months from design inception stage to site implementation. This includes lighting scenes programming at 33 serviced apartment units in eight styles, as well as four penthouse suites show

flats. Lutron’s HomeWorks® and GRAFIK Integrale® lighting control systems were chosen to give a new dimension of comfort and convenience to this luxurious residence.

SIAsia: Please highlight some of the AV industry collaborations that Lutron has been involved with and its objectives.

Boon Liang: Since the launch of our GRAFIK Eye® preset lighting control system in 1993, we have been working closely with AV industry. Many end-users will integrate their AV systems with Lutron’s GRAFIK Eye to realise a one button control of lighting, shades and AV devices.

We have a long-term partnership with Bang & Olufsen, a renowned high-end AV manufacturer. We also partner with other industry players like AMX, Control4, Elan, RCI and Stewart Filmscreen etc. Our objectives are to deliver the best value to our customers.

We work with quality manufacturers who share the same philosophy as Lutron

Lutron is here to provide lighting controls for smooth dimming and seamless integration of LEDs. The concept of total light control will become more commonplace as it is critical for achieving the best lighting environment and optimum energy efficiency.

On top of total light control, people will look for integration with other systems like AV, HVAC, fire, security and even building management system (BMS), especially in commercial applications.

When it comes to user-interface, people will continue to look for user-friendly and cost-effective controls like the use of mobile apps to control their systems.

Last but not least, wireless solutions will be widely accepted since they are easy to install, flexible in application and can save a lot of time and money in installation. Those who are resistant to adopt lighting controls at existing spaces will consider a wireless solution to avoid all the hassles of opening walls and ceiling to run wires. www.lutron.com/asia

VOICE BOX Systems Integration Asia April - May 2014

97

4K Will Fuel the Adoption of HDBaseT throughout Asia

by Micha Risling, Marketing Committee Chair, The HDBaseT Alliance

The HDBaseT Alliance has established a secure foothold in the Asia Pacific region. More than 20 members of the Alliance are based in the region. These companies not only produce HDBaseTenabled products, but serve as the Alliance’s primary ambassadors and educational resources for the Pro-AV market in China, Japan and the rest of the region.

China is positioning itself as the world’s leader in 4K adoption. As leading projector manufacturers like Epson and Hitachi produce new 4K projectors, PMA Research reports China has already passed the United States and Europe as the world’s largest projector market.

NPD DisplayResearch predicts China will lead worldwide demand for 4K×2K displays, with shipments for consumer and commercial applications forecast to grow from 333,000 2013 to 2.6million in 2016. 4K will fuel business for manufacturers and professional installers across Asia, and that is one of the key drivers for HDBaseT Alliance’s success in adding local members and partners, and to the increasing adoption rate, as it has across Europe and North America.

However, widespread adoption of 4K for commercial applications faces another obstacle beyond component and content availability and pricing: connectivity. Traditional cabling options are not able to deliver 4K signals that require such high bandwidth over distances of more than a couple meters.

The HDBaseT technology, with its capability of delivering uncompressed, high bandwidth video along with audio, Ethernet, controls and power over distances up to 100 meters, can help the pros overcome issues including limited cabling distance and in-field termination.

Just as important to ensuring connectivity is providing professionals with HDBaseT-enabled 4K displays.

According to new research from industry analyst Futuresource Consulting, compatibility with 4K is an accelerator for manufacturers integrating the HDBaseT technology into flat panel displays.

The Futuresource report predicts the number of HDBaseT ports deployed in the global professional AV market, including the Asia Pacific region, will exceed 21 million by 2016. That represents a 50 percent CAGR between 2011 and 2016.

Futuresource interviewed professional A/V installers and manufacturers of projectors, flat panel displays, and matrixes, switchers and extenders for professional and residential installations.

The report only examines the professional AV market, and does not address other professional markets or the inroads HDBaseT is making into the consumer electronic market.

Transmitting 4K content from source to display requires a tremendous amount of bandwidth, much higher levels than 1080p. That represents a significant problem, particularly for professional A/V installers and systems integrators, as existing connectivity solutions are limited in their abilities to deliver 4K video over long distances. This limitation inhibits the use of 4K displays because of concerns over reliability, ease of installation and cost of deployment.

Cabling distance is not the only inhibitor.

The cables themselves are expensive and difficult to work with on the job site. Field termination is impossible for all intents and purposes, forcing the professional to precisely measure cable distance requirements before starting a job. A mistake can cause significant delays.

HDBaseT delivers full 4K uncompressed video to a network of devices or as a point-to-point connection.

Uncompressed content supports all video sources, including legacy products, and accurately renders graphics and features such as electronic program guides (EPG) without degrading video quality or adding latency.

Because HDBaseT enables delivery of uncompressed 4K video of distances up to 100 meters in a single hop, installers do not need to count meters or worry about the cost of a repeater or extender.

Using a standard LAN cable, installers can field terminate after running the cable. HDBaseT extends installers’ networking reach at least four-fold compared to using existing connectivity solutions.

There are a number of problems with existing connectivity solutions as transport mediums for 4K content.

Sending uncompressed 4K video more than a few feet typically requires a powered signal booster, which is not a viable solution for whole-home or commercial applications. Cabling costs and the inherent difficulty of working with cables in the field are also factors that place severe restrictions on 4K delivery.

4K will fuel business for manufacturers and professional installers in Asia Pacific, and leveraging the HDBaseT technology can help future-proof the significant investments both groups will make in 4K in 2014 and beyond. www.hdbaset.org

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