Systems Integration Asia Dec 2014 - Jan 2015

Vol. 14 Issue 2 ~ December 2014 - January 2015

AUDIO • VISUAL • LIGHT • CONTROL SYSTEMS

Photo Credit: Singapore Sports Hub

MCI (P) 035/04/2014 PPS 1669/08/2013 (022992)

AMX Provides Converged Solutions At The Sports Hub

• Mission To Mars: Demo Of Indigenous India

• IFMEA Exhibition 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

At Christie, we believe in creating the best possible experiences and sharing them. With this in mind, we have created I.C.E Centers to offer diverse solutions for business, entertainment and industry.

Our I.C.E Centers, which stand for Inspire. Create.

Experience, are the perfect venues for showcasing a wide range of Christie’s advanced visual, audio, collaborative solutions and technologies. The I.C.E Centers are located Ãi iVÌi` vwViÃ Ì i Ƃà > *>V wV Ài} ] > ` >Ài Ü open to our partners, system integrators, AV dealers, end-users and those who are keen to deploy our visual solutions – which are suitable for any application.

We look forward to welcoming you to our I.C.E Centers to witness how Christie visual display solutions can offer high quality, innovative, shared experiences that capture the attention of audiences around the world.

www.christiedigital.com If you are interested to attend a demonstration, meet our product experts, or introduce your clients to the latest Christie technology, contact us at: AUSTRALIA ph: +61 (0) 7 3624 4888 ask-australia@christiedigital.com

CHINA-SHANGHAI ph: +86 21 6278 7708 ask-china@christiedigital.com

INDIA ph: +91 80 6708 9999 ask-india@christiedigital.com

SINGAPORE ph: +65 6877 8737 ask-singapore@christiedigital.com

CONTENTS 90

Vol. 14 Issue 2 ~ December 2014 - January 2015

97 04 FIRST WORDS

76

06 NEWS 14 MARKET WATCH 18 SOLUTIONS UPDATE EXHIBITION PREVIEW 34 Integrated Systems Europe 2015 EXHIBITION REVIEW 36 The 6th Shanghai International Digital Signage Show 38 IFMEA 2014 FEATURE 52 What Caught Your Attention in 2014?

INDIA & MIDDLE EAST COLUMN 58 News Installations 65 Mission To Mars: Demo Of Indigenous India 68 Hamad International Airport Sports ICONYX ICT 70 Highbrow Productions Demos Its Expertise 73 Dubai's RTA Implements Efficient Driver Training TECHNOLOGY FEATURE 76 Projector 101 TECH TALK 80 All Hail The New Era Of Interoperability 82 The Cool Revolution For A Brighter, Greener Imagery 84 Digital Cooking: Top Chef AV Recipe

INSTALLATIONS 86 Singapore: AMX Provides Converged Solutions At The Sports Hub 89 Singapore: Trinity@Paya Lebar Upgrades Its Visual Communications 90 Indonesia: PT. Kluege International Integrates State Of The Art AV Technology 94 China: Phoenix TV Beijing Soars With Exterity 95 Hong Kong: HK Exchange Looks To Planar For Total Video Wall Solution 96 Vietnam: dnp Supernova STS At Thai Binh TV VOICE BOX 97 Yair Levin, Kramer (APAC) Managing Director, on Blending Tech Support And Service With R&D Aggression

04

FIRST WORDS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

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

ASSISTANT EDITOR Elissa Nadine elissa@spinworkz.com

ADMIN & CIRCULATION Julie Tan admin@spinworkz.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Shireen Ho shireen@spinworkz.com

DIGITAL PLATFORM EDITOR Rosalind Tan rosalind@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.

It feels like within a blink of an eye, the year is coming to an end! It has been an interesting year for the AV industry, not least of all due to the many acquisitions by companies who are looking to strengthen their positions. Of course the most talked about was Harman's purchase of AMX. At InfoComm 2014, SI Asia had asked Blake Augsburger if they intend to purchase a visual company to complete their Audio, Lighting (Martin professional) and Control solutions chain. The answer... anything is possible. Could 2015 be the year? In the meantime, the TC Group has openly informed all interested parties that they are looking to be acquired. Considering their top end solutions, especially their ceiling speakers, it will be interesting to watch how it goes.

Outside of the industry, we feel Google is something one needs to look out for. Their spate of acquisitions will have an effect at least in the residential market. AV companies providing services to the residential sector need to pay close attention. Wearable technology, on the other hand, is expected to grow from strength to strength and this has the potential to create challenges and opportunities for the AV industry. How is the industry going to take advantage of this technology?

Worth watching in the year to come.

In terms of the region, regional businesses seem to indicate good potential for 2015. China's government has settled in and achieved a fair bit on its fight against corruption. This should bring back projects online in 2015. For those who have not visited InfoComm China, we recommend you do. The Chinese manufacturers are fast catching up and are able to provide their own high end solutions with quality and reliability.

Indonesia too has completed its elections and is expected to show growth for the AV sector. And India is at the moment riding high with the Modi factor. The AV industry is especially optimistic as here is a Prime Minister who has shown his tech-savvy approach. The Middle East is equally brimming with 'Smart' mechanisms that offer immense opportunities for global and regional solution providers.

Our wish for 2015 is that the AV industry will continue to strive to showcase its relevance through innovative solutions and installations that create the best user experience.

Systems Integration Asia thanks everyone for their encouraging words, their support and continued engagement with us.

We take this opportunity to wish all a more promising and rewarding 2015.

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

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06

NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

KAPAS Key To Kramer's Continued Engagement With StakeHolders

CHINA: Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific held its Kramer Asia Pacific Bi-Annual Seminar 2014, also known as KAPAS, at MGM Grand Sanya, China from 31st August to 3rd September. The bi-annual event saw a record turnout of more than 120 professionals from the AV industry throughout Asia.

Among the guest list were representatives from senior management, technical and project personnel, sales managers and consultants. A group of 8 senior delegations from Kramer HQ also joined the event to share on Kramer products, shed light on new AV technologies and create mindshare.

The main objective of KAPAS is to provide a platform for like-minded peers from different regions to gather together and share ideas, industry updates and observations, and it is also a platform for Kramer to introduce their newly launched products. Through a series of technical presentations and product demonstrations, the guests were able to catch a deeper glimpse into the AV industry trends.

Upon arrival on the first evening, the guests and Kramer staff mingled for a

casual outdoor dining under the tentage by the sea and the stars. Yair Levin, General Manager of Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific, opened the event with a welcome speech and encouraged guests to gain as much information as they walk through the KAPAS journey together.

The second day kick started the KAPAS program proper. After a welcome speech and staff introduction by Ari Gorlin, VP of Sales, he went on to share the top performing product ranges and road map for Kramer going forward.

Up next was the highlight of KAPAS where Kramer officially introduced their latest pride – the ViA range of products, to the Asia market. It is a line of solutions that allows users to connect wirelessly, collaborate easily and engage everyone in the room. It enables corporations and institutions to enable their staff to bring their own device (BYOD) and provides a common platform for these devices to connect in real time on one digital canvas.

ViA has 3 models to meet the needs of any application – ViA Collage, ViA Connect Pro and ViA Connect. As summarized by Candice Siow, Sales and Marketing Manager of Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific: “Looking at

the popularity of BYOD concept, I am confident that ViA will be the solution to anticipate the upcoming trend and serve this enormous opportunity.”

The afternoon sessions that continued were dedicated to a variety of Kramer solutions, specifically introducing the K-Touch and Kramer Core to the different vertical markets including Houses of Worship, Education and Banking Sector. There were intimate discussions on how to design and integrate the K-Touch, Kramer Core and VIA into these vertical markets.

The Kramer K-Touch system provides enhanced multimedia functionality and offers a new level of user interface, control and flexibility. It offers high-end features at low-end cost by using the touch device that the user is already using, plus it’s mobile, meaning the user can control the functions from anywhere, even remotely! The Kramer Core series like the modular VS-1616D (can go up to VS-6464D) together with the Step-In Solutions enables any user to plug and play from his own device.

Kramer Audio growing range of products was another solution that was highlighted during the presentation

Lenses and accessories shown are not included

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The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K is the world’s most advanced broadcast camera for live, multi camera production in both HD or Ultra HD 60p!

It features an incredibly tough, lightweight machined magnesium design with a massive 10” viewfinder, 4 hour battery, talkback, tally indicators, phantom powered microphone ports and built in optical fiber and SDI connections.

That’s a fully self contained, broadcast grade, live camera solution!

Full Size HD Viewfinder The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K includes the world’s largest viewfinder built in! The massive 10” full HD resolution screen has a super wide viewing angle and extremely high brightness so you can see your images with amazing detail even in bright daylight! This professional grade viewfinder makes it easy to frame, focus, change iris settings and make subtle adjustments with full confidence even when you’re live on air!

Optical Fiber and 12G-SDI Connections Connect Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K to your live production switcher with optical fiber cables for massive long distances!

Also includes BNC SDI connections for advanced 12G-SDI so you can connect to HD-SDI, 6G-SDI or 12G-SDI equipment for HD and Ultra HD production up to 2160p60. The video connections are bi-directional and carry video plus full talkback, tally, audio and camera color control.

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Talkback and Tally The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K features built in talkback using general aviation headsets, so you get better noise canceling and comfort all at a much lower cost! You also get built-in tally lights that illuminate automatically when your camera is live so your cast and crew can easily see which cameras are on air!

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08

NEWS SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Yair Levin, General Manager of Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific

Ari Gorlin, VP of Sales, Kramer Electronics

as it will be one of the main focuses for Kramer in the future as part of the complete AV solution. The guests were brought through an evolution of audio and market trends going forward. They were also introduced and had first hand experience with the newest Kramer Audio solutions including the latest range of speakers and speakers with Dante technology – a technology that allows audio to be streamed via network and is deployed by many major audio manufacturers.

the guests through the Kramer products on display to showcase the features of each Kramer equipment and how they work, giving those present a hands-on opportunity to see the latest offering of Kramer products.

Eileen Lim, Regional Business Development Manager of Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific expressed that such sessions are an informative way to share a common AV message across different regions.

The gala dinner that was held in the evening had a nostalgic old Shanghai night mood as the guests were brought back in time with the theme “Reminiscing the Past, Looking to the Future”. Kramer gave out 7 Awards of Excellence to companies who had shown outstanding performances for the past year.

Kramer Electronics Asia Pacific’s Regional Manager, Technical, David Chua brought

But it wasn’t just all work and no play.

During the second day, guests were treated to a day of recreational activities.

The guests enjoyed themselves as they soaked up the sunshine and atmosphere that Sanya has to offer.

The huge success of KAPAS is a key indication that Kramer is committed to continue and make the Asia market a successful region. As Bharath Kumar, General Manager of Kramer India shared: “KAPAS acts as a platform to gather Kramer’s partners on one forum to express, share and learn from each other and get first hand perspective of Kramer’s technology and Product roadmap for coming year.”

The guests went home feeling recharged, equipped with new information and motivation and most importantly, the many wonderful memories and times shared with one and another as KAPAS 2014 drew to a beautiful closure. www.kramerasia.com

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NEWS SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

MediaWall Display Processor Provides Broadcast Reliability

CHINA: Beijing Network Radio and Television (BNRT) is a new radio and television agency in China that provides millions of viewers worldwide with news, sports, and general entertainment programming. Launched in January 2014

by Beijing Media Network (BMN), BNRT distributes content from the 18 member stations of the BMN and also creates original content for broadcast.

BNRT’s state-of-the-art integrated performance hall features a large-scale, panoramic display wall that works with RGB Spectrum’s MediaWall 4200 Display Processors to provide a spectacular backdrop for the programs filmed in the studio. The 7.5 x 42 feet wall is made

of laser phosphor display (LPD) tiles from Prysm and is the focal point of the performance hall. The two MediaWall processors driving the wall are used to configure and display video and graphic images with the precision and clarity required for high end television applications.

Inputs to the processor include prerecorded content and live camera streams from BNRT and BMN servers as well as text, graphics, photos, and videos from PCs to support and enrich programming. A matrix switcher provides each MediaWall processor with up to twelve sources for simultaneous display. These windows can be of any size or configuration. Technicians can quickly change the appearance of the video wall by selecting preset layouts.

Television studio applications require a high-level of stability and redundancy to ensure the continuity of broadcasts.

The MediaWall processor was chosen because of its reputation for unsurpassed reliability and stability. According to the integrator, Century Sage System Technologies, the customer was very impressed by the processor’s quick response to signal switching, stable performance, and flexible control options.

Century Sage System Technologies offered these observations: “RGB Spectrum’s processors were a perfect fit for the video broadcast industry, since equipment stability, redundancy and real-time transmission are critical.

The flexibility and seamless switching performance of the MediaWall system exceeded the client’s high expectations and we are very satisfied with both the ease of installation and the stellar performance of RGB Spectrum’s products.” www.rgb.com

Biamp Unveils Additional Training Sessions For Middle East & Asia INTERNATIONAL: Registration for Biamp's latest product-based training schedule for the Middle East and Asia is now open. To be held in Hong Kong and Dubai from October 2014 through September 2015, the sessions will deliver the best practices and technical concepts needed for successfully designing, installing, and commissioning audio projects with Biamp products.

As part of the company’s ever-expanding Biamp Education Experience, the inperson courses for Vocia® and Tesira® product lines are now supplemented with additional learning segments via the company’s online webinars and on-

demand videos available on the YouTube Biamp Training Channel.

“Since launching the in-person program in 2013, Biamp has continuously expanded its training into different parts of the world in a variety of ways in order to accommodate a rising interest in our courses and technology,” said Kiley Henner, Education and Applications Engineering Manager at Biamp Systems.

Available for the Vocia DSP-based network public address and voice evacuation system and Tesira audio video bridging (AVB) product line, Biamp’s latest multi-day certification

training sessions allow distributors and integrators in the Middle East and Asia to obtain industry-recognized certifications on Biamp’s leading lines of commercial audio products.

In addition to the multi-day format, Biamp is offering webinar-based courses for distance learners on topics ranging from the basic “Audio 101” training courses — with tips, techniques, and skills — to VoIP to product-specific courses across all AV product lines.

Interested participants can register for Biamp’s certification training at: www.biamp.com/training

12

NEWS SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

NEC Holds First Technology Showcase In Singapore

SINGAPORE: NEC Asia Pacific introduced a variety of innovative display technologies at the inaugural product showcase in Singapore between 8 to 10 October 2014.

The event saw NEC's latest Laser Hybrid Solid State Light Source (SSL) projector showcased for the first time within Asia Pacific, as well as the 4K Ultra High Definition Videowall solution with patent-pending frame compensation technology.

The showcase provided an interactive experience for attendees with setup scenarios for various sectors. It included digital signage solutions enabling content creation on the cloud and solutions with innovative energy saving features utilising human sensors. Interactive collaboration

solutions such as wireless presentation software, advanced interactive white board applications with finger touch functionality, and interactive table displays were also on display during the 3-day showcase.

devices, the software provides an all-inone support system that can help users in preventive maintenance, monitoring performance and enable energy savings across display solutions within an enterprise.

Product Highlights:

“Our expanded portfolios with the latest eco-friendly UN Series Videowall display and top-of-the-line SSL projector are the forefront of display and projector technologies that can help businesses enhance their productivity and lower overall total cost of ownership. I would like to highlight that video walls can play a key role to a company’s overall branding strategy, and our new UN series provide a cost-effective and impressive solution,” said Vincent Koh, Vice President, Multimedia Platforms, NEC Asia Pacific.

X554UN Videowall: The latest addition to the professional grade LCD display video wall line up, this videowall display solution was showcased for the first time in Singapore. The X554UN panels has an ultra-narrow bezel at 5.7mm and comes with an innovative patent-pending frame compensation technology and unique human sensor accessory.

Laser Hybrid PX602UL Solid State Light Source (SSL) projector: Showcased for the first time in Asia Pacific, the new NEC laser hybrid projector is a 6000-lumen, WUXGA projector featuring mercuryfree design with environmentally friendly features and multimedia functionality.

The PX602UL projector also comes with an adjustable laser diode output power for different brightness levels.

Besides hardware, NEC also showcased its latest Asset Management Monitoring software. When integrated with NEC

Like Us! Follow Us! SI Asia is now on social media.

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Big IDEAs that Stick The new line of IDEA Screens feature upgraded surface uniformity and rigidity making them the best writable screens on the market for interactive projection. All IDEAs are now thin frame, magnetic, and with hotspot-free and erasable surface. Large sizes are also available up to 60” tall and 16’ wide – that’s a good IDEA

For enquiry : asia.da-lite@milestone.com ©2014 Milestone AV Technologies LLC |

14

NEWS SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

V2 Indonesia Celebrates 22nd Anniversary In Style

Rudi Hidayat, Director of V2 Indonesia

Manufacturer Reps who spoke at the event

INDONESIA: A technology seminar, followed by a mini exhibition was rounded off with a Dinner gala to celebrate the occasion.

seminar was held at the Kuningan City Convention Centre. The over 200 guests got to hear from different manufacturers about trends and technology. These included Jonathan Lim of Christie Digital Singapore highlighting about the growing BYOD trend; Yandy Ooi of Unilumin spoke about the emerging UHD LEDs; Hyundai's representative Scott Oh touched on Hyundai's Interactive Board solution, highlighting how such solutions are changing the discussion landscape; Horatio Kim, the CEO of NDS Solutions spoke about the trends in digital signage and how NDS Solutions are meeting those expectations and finally Alson Leung of Marvel Digital spoke about glasses-free 3D technology for future advertising and entertainment purposes.

Headed by Rudi Hidayat, the company actually started life as Visual Inti and changed its name to V2 Indonesia in 2003, with the simple purpose of making it easy for people to remember the name.

V2 Indonesia's core business is in commercial and high-end consumer electronics. On the commercial end V2 Indonesia concentrates on three key segments, that is, Education, Meeting & Control Room and Digital Signage.

With 105 staff and 3 offices in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, V2 Indonesia plans to continue to be the first to bring to market new technologies to Indonesia. In 2005 the company introduced seamless technology and way back in 1998 they were the first to bring Plasma to Indonesia and Rudi hopes to continue with that momentum.

It is with this in mind that the day before the Gala Dinner, a technology

The sessions saw good interaction with the audience as many had questions about the various technologies. “Our objective of sharing upcoming trends and technology have been met and we are pleased that the manufacturers took the effort to come to the event and share their expertise,� said a pleased Rudi.

The seminar was attended by project managers, engineers, IT personnel from TV Stations, Government, Corporate, Property and Retail facilities.

The seminar was followed by a mini exhibition that was held on the ground floor of Kuningan City. Here guests saw the various solutions being exhibited, with staff on hand to explain their workings.

The Gala Dinner was held on the following night at the Kuningan City Ballroom. The evening saw top entertainment and being a technology solution provider, it was no surprise than that a Holograph took centrestage and was used to good effect by Rudi himself, when it came to highlighting the company's history. A touching moment during the dinner, was when Rudi acknowledged and presented mementos to his very first two clients when he had started the business 22 years ago.

The Dinner attended by Manufacturer representatives, dealers, SIs and many of V2's clients was a great evening of sharing and comradeship. www.v2indonesia.com

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16

MARKET WATCH Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Asia Dominates Global Interactive Display Market

Photo Credit: Samsung

INTERNATIONAL: Riding on strong demand from education and corporate segments in the region, Asia has emerged to be the hottest and largest market for interactive whiteboards and interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs) worldwide.

According to the latest research finding

by Futuresource Consulting, the Asia region will continue to dominate the global marketsphere for the next five years, reaching over 40 per cent of the world market by 2018.

The quarterly findings indicate that Asia accounted for two-thirds of the global trade with sales of over 150,000 out of the total 270,000 sales worldwide in the Q2 of 2014. The growth over the quarter is about 12 per cent Year on Year (YoY) while China posted a strong growth with 18 per cent of the continental sales.

Asia bounced back in Q2 with an increase of 12% YoY, while China posted strong growth of 18% YoY. Asia still dominates the market with sales of over 150,000 - which accounted for two thirds of the global share. Asia is forecast to remain the largest region for the next five years with over 40% share in 2018.

The Global Perspective The latest round of Futuresource research shows that the total display technologies market of interactive

whiteboards, interactive flat panels and interactive projectors will exceed 1.3 million devices by 2018. However, the adoption rates of these three products are very different by country and even by region.

"In 2013, seven million tablets were purchased by schools across the globe and this has definitely contributed to the increased competition for education budgets," says Colin Messenger, Senior Market Analyst at Futuresource Consulting. "The scale of the corporate space presents a number of alternative opportunities. Moving forward we see the corporate market as the fastest growing sector, increasing to 24% by 2017.� www.futuresource-consulting.com

Global Wearable Electronics Market To Reach $25.19 Billion by 2020 INTERNATIONAL: According to a new report by Allied Market Research titled, "Global Markets for Wearable Electronics (Products, Components, Applications and Geography) - Strategic Analysis and Forecast, 2013 - 2020," global wearable electronics market is forecast to reach $25.19 billion with a corresponding volume of 142.6 million units by 2020.

The global wearable electronics market revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26%, while volume would witness a CAGR of 23% during forecast period (2014 - 2020). North America currently holds the largest market share; however, Europe will grow the fastest to become the largest market for wearable electronics.

The industry is being driven by various factors such as convergence of technologies, rising number of customers adopting digital services, and due to the presence of wireless connectivity.

The global market for wearable electronics was valued at $4.01 billion in 2013. This includes all forms of wearable electronics, devices, and applications.

Lifestyle applications accounted for a major share in the consumer application segment and had 20% market share of the overall market. Defense and Industrial applications were other major applications, which had over 22% market share of the overall market.

Key Findings: - The global wearable electronics product market is dominated by wrist wears, which contributes to approximately 45% of the overall market - In terms of product components, memory components account for approximately 23% of the overall market for wearable electronics by components Typically, smaller firms have limited scope of operations, both in terms of products and geography. In contrast,

Photo Credit: Epson

leading players have integrated operations through their other offerings such as smart phones, and electronics products. These integrated players work with vendors supplying components and aim to build capabilities across the value chain - from components to retailing finished wearable electronics. www.alliedmarketresearch.com

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18

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

VTRON Brings In New Display Series To Visualization Market level and stunning image quality in any brightness levels.

Moreover, the display also comes with the industry’s first-ever centralised N+m redundant power supply with aluminium cabinet. The innovative design dramatically reduces the noise level and extends the LED lifespan for even much longer.

VTRON's latest black SMD P1.92mm VLED series is a range of easy-to-install small pixel indoor LED video walls designed for indoor applications such as auditoriums, high-end conference rooms, broadcasting studios, shopping centres and small-to-medium-sized control rooms.

Offering black SMD LEDs in combination with high contrast ratio of over 3000:1 and 16-bit colour processing, the new P1.92mm VLED ensures deepest black

Engineered with stunning features by combining 700 cd/m2 high brightness, 3500:1 contrast ratio and a wide colour gamut, the series delivers smooth and vivid images with unlimited signal looping and seamless signal switching as well. www.vtron.com

Besides the P1.92 VELD Series display, VTRON also released the brand new 55” LCD L-PH5523. Featuring one of the industry’s narrowest bezel width at 3.5mm, the display allows powerful and natural images with minimal intrusion from screen borders. Together with VTRON’s Digicom FLY processor, the series is a cost-effective video wall solution supporting numerous signals processing for 24/7 mission-critical control rooms, digital signage and highend conference room.

Eyes3Shut Presents Eyewear Solutions For 3D Market Eyes3Shut, a French hi-tech company specialized in manufacturing active 3D glasses and related equipment for 3D digital projection and displays, provides a wide array of 3D eyewear solutions for Cinema and DLP® Video Projectors.

Installed in more than 1,000 cinemas across Europe and Latin America, there are currently four variations of Eyes3Shut active glasses, namely Purple Two and 3D KID for cinema projectors, and the Odyssey (DLP link projector) and Omega (DLP® Video Projectors, infra red compatible).

All Eyes3Shut 3D active glasses comes with rechargeable lithium battery with a charging time of two hours to handle a 40-hour usage and features ultra thin nematic liquid crystal for its lens. The liquid crystal prevent ghosting, colour

bending, reduces residual light and provides a large viewing angle.

Despite being light weight at 56 grams, the glasses have passed various twisting and banding mechanical tests, proving its unbreakable plastic frames. All Eyes3Shut products also comes with an 18-month warranty on shutters, electronics and frames.

The Odyssey & Omega glasses can be applied for Home Cinema, Education and other professional uses.

Founded by Jean-Louis and Thibaut de Bougrenet, Eyes3Shut is a spinoff company of TELECOM Institute in France. Backed by the latest technology research of composite liquid crystal transferred from its parent company, Eyes3Shut took advantage of the knowhow to provide innovative 3D audiovisual solutions. www.eyes3shut.com

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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.

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20

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

View It Large With dnp Supernova XL Screen

With an image area of up to 5.3m x 3.0m – equivalent to 240” in 16:9 – and near flat-screen quality, the new Supernova XL Screen by dnp features true optical lens technology that makes it possible to project crisp high-contrast images without dimming the lights or pulling curtains.

“The Supernova XL Screen's size and optical performance make it the ideal option for large venues such as big conference rooms, auditoriums and houses of worship. It’s a costeffective option too,” said dnp VP Global Sales & Marketing, Soeren Kraemmergaard. "We’ve designed the new screen to be visually impressive yet still affordable, with a smart shipping solution that saves cash and time."

The Supernova XL Screen employs the award-winning Supernova 08-85 screen material, a surface renowned for vivid colour reproduction even in brightly lit

environments. The extra large image area is obtained by joining together two sheets of optical film. A specially designed framing system keeps the optical screen material tensioned.

Shipped in boxes of 600 x 425mm (length determined by screen height), it reduces transport and handling costs.

Once on site, the screen can easily be assembled within hours. The Supernova XL Screen is compatible with both HD and 4K projectors.

Available in any aspect ratio and image size up to 5.3m wide and 3.0m high, the Supernova XL Screen comes with an 86mm wide black frame. Frame options include black coating or black velvet for optimal light absorption. www.dnp-screens.com

REACH iClassroom Features Innovative Education Technology REACH's latest recording and streaming system, iClassroom, is an innovative education tool featuring auto-tracking and signal auto-switching technology, making it ideal for lecture recording.

REACH’s patented auto-tracking technology enables user to track teacher’s image, students’ image automatically, and switch between teacher’s scene, students’ scene and PowerPoint slides. A simple system for anyone’s usage, one simply need to press the start button to start recording.

The recorded lecture video requires no editing and is easy to load and view.

The iClassroom’s core devices consist of recording processor, media processor and control panel. It supports live streaming and VOD on multiple web browsers, such as IE, Safari, Chrome, Firefox. Mass live streaming and VOD can support up to 1,000 concurrent users. It also supports bookmark function

and is compatible with many third party control systems, such as AMX, Crestron etc.

Traditionally, classroom recording requires the teacher to wear an infrared receiver or stand on a mat to trigger auto tracking, but with REACH’s image recognition technology, the camera can now track motion and zoom in automatically, with no extra devices or on-site production required.

The format of the recorded file is MP4, which makes it easy to playback with many video players. The video format can be viewed as picture-by-picture, picture-in-picture when it is played in web browsers. With the latest HTML5 and FLASH technology, videos can be streamed and played on demand on mobile devices, making it easy to share lecture video anyone anytime anywhere. www.szreach.com

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

21

Analog Way Releases New Apps, Tools & Software

The wireless application offers the ability to fine-tune any multi-projector Soft Edge Blend, recall presets and Master presets with seamless transitions, and easily configure the processor’s inputs and outputs, all via WiFi.

interface, operators can now easily operate their system with a tap or flick of a finger, wherever they are in their show area,” explained Philippe Vitali, Integration and Application Software Director.

In addition, AW Toolbox displays sources and logos through dynamic snapshots which are automatically refreshed every second. Compatible with Android™ tablets and Apple iPad, AW Toolbox is available on both the Google Play Store and iOS App Store®.

Besides the AW Toolbox, Analog Way also released a number of new tools and software such as the AW Gateway, the AW Screen Frame Cutter and the AW EDID Editor.

“In order to make the operation of our LiveCore™ mixers even simpler, we’ve designed AW Toolbox to offer remote control. Through its user-friendly

The free software allows users to create and edit any standard EDID files to ensure optimal compatibility between sources and display systems. AW EDID

Analog Way recently announced the immediate availability of AW Toolbox, a mobile App designed to control the LiveCore™ series of presentation mixers.

Editor can be used within any application no matter the systems involved. www.analogway.com

LiveCore™ series handles ƚƌƵĞ ϰ< ƌĞƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ

4K HDMI now available on all LiveCore™ Premium Video Processors To learn more, connect with us on:

(TQO #UKC 2CEKſE Analog Way Pte Ltd - Singapore Phone: +65 6292 5800

Email : sales@analogwayasia.com

www.analogway.com

REWARDING. Re-imagine your market. At ISE 2015, network with thousands of fellow professionals from all over the world, and make the connections you need to grow your business today and tomorrow. Find out more:

www.iseurope.org

A joint venture partnership of

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

23

Chief New Storage Accessories Helps Cleaner Installs with a variety of commonly specified AV components including popular scalers.

Chief's latest accessories aims to help installers to fully customize the in-wall and above-ceiling storage solutions.

For in-wall solutions, the Component Adapter Bracket (PACUNV1) enables secure attachment of AV equipment inside the in-wall box series (PAC525 and PAC526). Installers simply need to snap the bracket into the existing wire tie anchor points and no assembly hardware is required. The adaptor is compatible

The multi-depth in-wall boxes come in two sizes and feature break away edges to change the depth of the box in order to match either 3.5" or 2.5" studs (89 or 64 mm). While the boxes come in black, the flanges and covers can be ordered in black or white and are paintable to blend with any environment. They work with any dual stud wall mount.

For above-ceiling storage solutions, Chief had released 1RU Rack Mount Brackets (CMS1RU) and a Plenum Rated Fan Kit (CMSFAN). The brackets allow mounting 1RU rack electronics in the 2x2 size enclosures while the fan kit provides 100 CFM of air movement for active cooling and works with both the 1x2 and 2x2 enclosures. Chief designers also

maximized the column location within a tile space for less reliance on digital adjustments.

The above ceiling plenum rated boxes feature a drop-down function for easy access. The ceiling boxes can hold 100 lbs (45.4 kg). This includes 50 lbs (22.7 kg) for the projector and up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) per shelf. AV components can be loaded to the shelf before bringing it to the ceiling for further installation convenience. www.chiefmfg.com

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

NEC Introduces Multi-purpose Projectors For Small-Mid Spaces

NEC's six new digital projectors in the M series include M322X, M322X, M322W, M362X, M362W, M402X and M402W. Ultra-durable and filter free, these projectors has very low cost of ownership (TCO) and advanced multimedia capabilities. Delivering clear picture and full connectivity, the DLP-based M Series projectors are ideal for use in classroom and mid-sized meeting room environments.

Low TCO is achieved thanks to the projectors’ filter free design with

sealed DLP light engine.

Whilst other projectors’ dust filters have to be regularly cleaned, the sealed design of the M Series prevents dust collection on the DLP chips, keeping maintenance low. Catered for intensive operating conditions, the DLP chip enables longer operating hours without colour decay.

The projectors also boast eco-friendly functions. These include the ECO mode, which uses as little as 30% of power, enabling lamp life of up to 8,000 hours. It also comes with ambient light sensor technology, where the projectors automatically adjust brightness based on lighting conditions.

Advanced connectivity is offered through an integrated wireless access point, which enables multiple devices to connect to the projector without the need for an additional router. This allows users to send content wirelessly from their notebook, tablet or smartphone using NEC’s free Image Express Utility Lite including audio transmission (Windows) or Wireless Image Utility (iOS and Android).

A large number of input terminals including 2 x HDMI with 3D support and 3 x USB inputs provide flexibility and future proofing of investments made by businesses and schools.

The M322X, M322W, M362X, M362W, M402X and M402W models ship with a two-year limited parts and labour warranty. www.necdisplay.com/ap/

ARTHUR HOLM Boosts Product Line With Interactive Setup Display ARTHUR HOLM wants to facilitate system integration. Which is why the company developed a new interactive setup display to support a faster, more reliable and intuitive installation for its Dynamic series.

“Our role is to make sure that all our systems are able to communicate, to install, and to service as seamlessly as possible, without causing a headache for the system integrator or end user,” explained Henrik Holm, CEO of ARTHUR HOLM. The new interactive setup display allows integrators to step up the control of the devices, obtain feedback, manage installations easily and save time on installation while providing cost effective support.

Previously, all ARTHUR HOLM Dynamic products are equipped with remote control through RS422, but from now on, all Dynamic1, Dynamic1Twin, Dynamic1H, Dynamic2, DynamicX2, and Dynamic3 are supplied with this new interactive setup display.

An LCD display has been added to all these products as well, enabling the ease of address setup by showing the commands sent to the unit, and making the interaction with third part control systems much easier. A secondary menu allows factory service, permitting to vary parameters of movement and safety

protections. It also simplifies the factory support function, without the need to have Internet in the room. www.arthurholm.com

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

25

Kramer Two-in-One Solution Reduces Complexity, Increases Reliability an HDBaseT twisted pair cable and converts it back to HDMI, IR and RS−232. A bidirectional RS−232 port lets users embed and de−embed control commands in the HDBaseT data stream.

Infrared input and output ports let users control devices over the HDBaseT data stream. The unit includes embedded audio support.

Kramer Electronics has announced the release of VP−427 Receiver/Scaler, a cost−effective two−in−one HDBaseT™ receiver solution with a built−in scaler.

The compact Kramer VP−427 reduces complexity while increasing reliability.

The solution also offers a significantly lower price point than standard two−unit

solutions. The VP−427 can scale input video to the native resolution of the HDMI receiver or any other resolution (up to 1080p). The unit also supports bidirectional IR and bidirectional RS−232.

The Kramer VP−427 Receiver/Scaler receives an HDBaseT signal through

The Kramer VP−427 up− or down− scales the picture to match the precise resolution of the HDMI monitor. The VP−427 offers ProcAmp control for contrast, brightness and R, G, B level/ gain. Setup and adjustment is easy with an on−screen display, accessible via front−panel buttons. www.kramerelectronics.com

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Pro Display's Digital Glass, A Leap Forward In Ultra-Short Throw High-End Rear Projection Pro Display’s Digital Glass is the full package: a toughened glass screen, combined with the company’s ultra-short throw optical technology for stunning image quality, plus the option of a highresolution multi-touch interactive overlay.

Designed to compete directly with established high-end products such as Stewart StarGlas, Pro Display’s Digital Glass sets new standards of performance at a very compelling price point.

Digital Glass is also an alternative to large video walls, with minimal rear projection space requirements and a seamless display with no unsightly bezels. Standard 16:9 ratio sizes are 80”, 100”, 120” and 130” diagonally, with 16:10 and 4:3 ratio options available on request.

Manufactured to meet demand for large scale high-quality projection and multiprojector edge blending, Digital Glass

is Pro Display’s next-generation screen technology, with an advanced optical projection layer coated directly down to toughened glass.

Custom screen sizes up to 6m x 2m are available for special installations, and the polished toughened edges mean that multiple screens can be installed directly next to each other for even larger seamless displays. An anti-reflective coating is available as an option too.

In retail environments, where space is at a premium, Digital Glass offers a genuine cost-effective alternative to video walls.

It has been extensively tested with ultra-short throw equipment with throw ratios of 0.3 and below, such as the NEC UM330 projector and the widelyused Panasonic DLE030 lens for longer throw projectors. In all cases Digital Glass displays exceptional evenness of light distribution and excellent viewing angles, even in brightly lit environments.

And, with the addition of Pro Display’s advanced touch overlay, Digital Glass fulfils the promise of immersive touch applications for markets such as corporate, retail, visualisation and education. The touch technology excels with highly responsive 10-point multi touch and sub-millimetre resolution, even on the 120” screen.

Further information is available at: http://www.prodisplay.com/products/ Interactive-Digital-Glass

Altinex Redefines AV Distribution With MUSE System The MUSE has the ability to distribute power, HDMI and IR control signals up to 300 ft over a single, low voltage, shielded Cat-6 cable eliminating the worry of electrical outlet placement, allowing installers to have full control of their projects.

Developed by American signal management solutions provider, Altinex Inc., the MUSE system was first unveiled during InfoComm USA 2014. Now available in SAARC, South Asia and Middle East, the system aims to change the way integrators manage installations, particularly in environments where power is inaccessible.

The system consists of a transmitter (MU400-111), and a receiver (MU500112) to send real AC power up to 150 Watts over Cat-6 cable, which can be used to power the display on the receiver end. It uses proprietary AC-DCAC conversion process and algorithm that ensures safe operation. Output of the MU400-111 transmitter is monitored for power consumption, and when power limit is exceeded, the output is automatically turned off to protect power drivers.

The MUSE operates in idle mode when there is no load, and switches to active

mode when the display is connected.

Each unit has durable metal enclosure with built-in cooling fans to provide years of trouble-free operation. To safely allow a large “inrush” of power, up to 220 Watts for 25 ft cable during the critical startup period is enabled. At a cable length of 300 feet, the maximum “inrush” power is 190 Watts. MUSE is also designed to withstand direct shorts both on the low and high voltages sides.

Advance Safety features of the system include continuous power overload monitoring, short circuit protection and automatic power recovery. Last but not least, the new MUSE system is HDMI and HDCP-compliant, ETL-listed, and meets the standard of UL60950-1. www.altinex.com

SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

27

Bose Expands RoomMatch Utility Loudspeaker Offerings

Bose Professional has announced three new RoomMatch Utility (RMU) loudspeaker models: the RMU206, RMU108 and RMU105, joining the RMU208 small-format soundreinforcement loudspeaker in the series.

Featuring RoomMatch array modules mid/high sonic character, these RMU models are designed either to complement a RoomMatch full-range array installation or to be used on their own for high-quality foreground music, under-balcony, zone-fill and vocal-range floor monitor applications in performing arts centres, civic auditoriums, houses of worship, secondary education and college auditoriums, dance clubs, retail, hospitality and more.

Optimized for under-balcony fill applications with a unique angled baffle enclosure, the RMU206 is designed to minimize the projected height for typical under-balcony and lowceiling, zone-fill applications. On the other hand, the RMU108 is the most versatile RoomMatch Utility model in the series, with a blend of compact size, excellent sound quality, and flexible mounting options.

For integrators looking for compact models, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the RMU105. Intended for use in high-quality background music and zone-fill applications that require excellent audio, minimal physical size, and high design aesthetics, the RMU105 is one of the smallest loudspeakers in the market and can be used as a compression driver for quality outputto-size ratio.

Available in black and/or white, the RoomMatch Utility series ranges in size from double 8-inch woofers to single 5-inch woofer designs. www.bose.com

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

B-Tech Rolls Out New Mounting Solution Created to satisfy the growing worldwide demand for mobile mounting solutions, the BT8506 is ideal for heavy-duty touch screens, which often require sturdier mounts to support them.

Designed by B-Tech in-house team, the BT8506 features a sturdy, durable and extra-wide base, yet it doesn't sacrifice any aesthetic qualities. Despite its size, the base can be disassembled quickly into three pieces for easy transportation, and re-assembled with the simple supplied fittings.

British mounting solutions provider B-Tech AV Mounts recently rolled out a new trolley designed to support larger screens such as the 84" and 95". With a weight limit of 130kg, the BT8506 Extra-Large Flat Screen Display Trolley comfortably supports these big screens.

Two stylish chrome poles support the universal interface which fits screens with mounting patterns up to 1100mm x 730mm. Added features include adjustment screws which enable the screen to be levelled once mounted,

integrated cable management, plus storage space for a laptop, mini PC or digital signage player behind the screen.

Supplied as standard are non-marking 4” locking/braked castors, and optional screw-in levelling feet which allow the BT8506 to be used as a stationary floor stand if mobility is not required.

“This product was designed and made available due to the increasing popularity of large screens - many of them interactive,” said Matt Bennett, MD of B-Tech. “There was a need for this stand to be versatile, reliable, safe and strong, and our design team has created another perfect solution.” www.btechavmounts.com

Mitsubishi Offers New Slimline Cube For Control Rooms Launched at the recently concluded InfoComm MEA 2014 in Dubai, Mitsubishi Electric's new ‘slimline’ VS60HS12 cube is the latest entry to the visualization market.

Developed using the same unique LED light source technology as its widelyused Seventy Series DLP cubes, the new slimline cube VS-60HS12 provides an elegant solution for large format control room display in restricted spaces such as crisis suites and breakout rooms.

Offering both a near-seamless highresolution display, zero-maintenance 24-hour operation and compact footprint, the new cube offers significant savings in space requirement and cost of ownership.

Mitsubishi latest 60” diagonal DLP rear projection cubes measure at 520mm deep, nearly half that of Mitsubishi’s Seventy Series cubes. Being solely front access, the VS-60HS12 can be installed flush to the wall, with no rear

access required.

The LED projection engine also employs the same patented air-cooled light source technology as Mitsubishi’s highspecification Seventy Series, and requires no maintenance over its entire lifespan of approximately 50,000 hours.

Based on a 0.65” Digital Mirror Device (DMD), the display delivers up to 665 cd/m² at 1080p resolution, enhanced

by Mitsubishi’s patented Colour Space Control and Digital Graduation circuitry. The displays are also completely self-balancing, ensuring correct colour balance across the wall automatically.

www.mitsubishielectricdisplaysolutions.com

DCN multimedia Conference System Inform. Impress. Inspire.

A revolutionary conference system that combines audio, video meeting content and touch screen technology in an elegantly and ergonomically designed conference device.

www.boschsecurity.com/DCNmultimedia

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SOLUTIONS UPDATE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Matrox Unveils Quad And Six-Head PCI Express Graphic Cards

Compatible with the latest Ultra-HD and 4K panels, C680 is a versatile solution for multi-screen workstation setups.

More displays can be supported by inserting two C680 cards into a system.

The board-to-board framelock feature ensures synchronization of all displays to reduce tearing on digital signage and video walls.

Announcing the first two cards in the eagerly anticipated Matrox C-Series™ — the Matrox C420 quad-output and the Matrox C680 six-output PCI Express® graphics cards — the new C-series include one of the world's fastest fanless quad card and a high-performance six-head card with board-to-board framelock.

Both cards feature 2GB of onboard memory and mini DisplayPort

connectivity and deliver quality performance for control room, digital signage, enterprise, industrial, security, A/V, and embedded system applications.

The low-profile Matrox C420 quad card features passive cooling for increased reliability and silent operation. Its low power consumption makes it a perfect fit for small-form-factor and embedded systems. The single-slot Matrox C680 supports up to six displays or projectors.

Both new video cards work with the robust Matrox PowerDesk™ desktop management software for Windows® that lets users easily configure and manage multi-display setups. Matrox advanced desktop management features also let users determine where and how program windows are displayed on the desktop — a productivity tool designed to enhance multi-display experiences.

The Matrox C-Series cards are available now. www.matrox.com/graphics

Ecler Streamlines Control With New Panel The WPmSCREEN is a device of the EclerNet family that can be programmed to control one or more networked EclerNet devices, and even a full installation combining a large number of different EclerNet devices: MIMO88 digital matrices, NXA-series digital audio managers, NZA-series multi-channel amplifiers, NPA-series stereo amplifiers, etc.

Additionally, it can store and execute a project previously created using EclerNet Manager, to perform as a web server for the UCP panels included in this project. Therefore, no computer running EclerNet Manager is required when there's a WPmSCREEN in an EclerNet installation.

It features a 7" touch screen displaying the graphic User Control Panels (UCPs) that have been programmed in the EclerNet Manager application software, working this screen as the interface between the user and the associated network of EclerNet devices.

Applications Remote control for installations including EclerNet devices: • Centralized, distributed or hybrid fixed installation • BGM & Paging solutions, with message priorities and source/volume independent selection • Integration in installation of global control systems www.ecler.com

WPmSCREEN is suitable for wall mount installation (surface-mounted, flushmounted or on a standard VESA 75 bracket).

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ADVERTORIAL Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

CASIO: New Lamp-Free Ultra Short-Throw Projector With Control Capability Through Smart Devices The XJ-UT310WN with the optional wall mount kit (YM-80)

• Images captured by a smart-device camera (phone or tablet) can be projected by the XJ-UT310WN in real time. For example, a teacher can walk around the classroom and capture images of student's group work and instantly project them on the screen.

• Content can be projected from apps stored in the smart device or from the Internet browser screen through the projector thus enabling the easy creation of lessons or presentations.

Offering high-brightness performance of 3,100 ANSI lumens, Casio's XJUT310WN, is also a lamp and mercuryfree projector. The projector features Casio's proprietary Laser & LED Hybrid Light Source which means high brightness without the use of a mercury lamp, which also saves time as there are no bulbs to be changed.

In addition the projector works with a low power consumption of just 230 watts thus offering users financial and environmental benefits.

The Laser and LED Hybrid light source has a long life of up to 20,000 hours of usage and a new original structure has been devised to minimize deterioration of brightness due to dust. A 2GB internal storage capacity allows users to download their presentation files over a wireless network thus eliminating the need for a PC. The XJ-UT310WN also boasts a full suite of inputs including, Video, Computer and HDMI terminals with audio. It is equipped with a powerful 16 watt speaker and a dedicated dynamic microphone input ensures everyone can hear. Network (RJ-45) and local RS-232 connections provide control and remote status monitoring capabilities.

In addition, users can also control the Ultra Short-Throw projector through their smart devices. The app compatibility with both Android and iOS-based platform creates more ease and versatile use for the user.

The Smart device application features include: • Operation of a PC connected to the XJ-UT310WN from the smart device, thus allowing the presenter to move around the room without having to return to the PC.

• Operation of the projector through the smart device application. The projection content source can be switched between PC, AV and other input devices, internal memory, and USB connected device. The sound and picture, including features such as freeze and blank screen, can also be adjusted with a variety of other operations.

Casio XJ-UT310WN is now available.

For enquiries contact projector@casio. com.sg http://world.casio.com

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EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

ISE 2015 – Thrilling. Energising.

Absorbing. Rewarding.

Pre-Show Events

As in previous years, the ISE pre-show events will continue to offer a motivating programme of events including the return of the Smart Building Conference and the Audio Forum. Following huge success at both ISE 2014 and in London in October this year, the Smart Building Conference, a joint venture of ISE’s co-owners InfoComm International and CEDIA, will take place at the RAI on Monday 9 February. The Conference will include an inspiring team of industry experts delivering presentations and panel discussions on the hot topics surrounding the smart building industry.

I

SE 2015 is returning to the Amsterdam RAI with an even bigger and better show. Promising over 50,000 people and more than 950 exhibitors, ISE 2015 will present the largest AV tradeshow ever held in Europe from 10-12 February.

The show will attract professionals from every link in the systems integration value-chain, including manufacturers, distributors, dealers, contractors and consultants. ISE also draws ever-growing numbers of end customers, from fields as diverse as education, sports, corporate facilities, hospitality and live events.

Professionals from over 150 countries will attend the show looking to network, pursue new business opportunities and see over 1000 new product launches.

The show floor will occupy more than 36,000 net square metres of floor space as well as four dedicated show areas: Digital Signage; Residential Solutions; Unified Communications and the Smart

Building area, which will showcase the latest solutions in building automation and energy management.

So, what’s new for ISE 2015?

Organised by media partner, Connessioni, the Audio Forum will return to host a full-day educational programme consisting of case studies and seminars, aiming to gather together the international audio community.

Taking place on the eve of ISE, the Audio Forum has been designed to increase the dialogue between audio

EXHIBITION PREVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

manufacturers and professionals operating in the AV marketplace.

New on the Show Floor

Following the success of ISE 2014, the ISE Theatres will return to the show floor including the addition of one new theatre, ISE Unified Communications Theatre. Located in Hall 9 this Theatre will stage case-study presentations by manufacturers, product distributors, systems integrators and end customers, focusing on the practical aspects of implementing collaboration and communication systems within enterprises. Meanwhile, the Residential Solutions Theatre, located in Hall 7, will aim to broaden the market for whole-house automation and intelligent building design, with non-technical presentations showcasing real-world case studies. In Hall 8, the Commercial Solutions Theatre will concentrate on the end-customer benefits of systems integration in a range of market verticals such as hospitality, healthcare, education, corporate and government facilities.

Extra areas at the show have been created to benefit visitors and offer them a chance to relax during the three busy show days. Extra catering areas in the Park Foyer and Ruby Lounge, as well as the return of the Business

Lounge located on the fly-over between Halls 7 and 8, offering WiFi access and charging stations, will give visitors a much-needed opportunity to take a break. Modern seating, international newspapers and TV screens broadcasting international channels throughout the show days, the lounge will be an informal yet professional environment in which visitors can work, relax and network.

Owing to its popularity at ISE 2014, an extra Discovery Zone has been added to Hall 6. The Discovery Zone offers new ISE Exhibitors the chance to participate in the show within a dedicated showcase.

In the same hall, a new U.S. Pavilion will host stands from US exhibitors looking to integrate into the European market.

The pavilion is organised in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service, which is offering its support to the participating exhibitors and networking events where interested companies can meet them.

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Professional Development

In addition to the Show Floor theatres, ISEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International will present an even wider range of courses at ISE 2015. Both associations will be offering more of their popular technical and business education, with offers in place for earlybird discounts, as well as on-site certification, allowing attendees to gain globally recognised qualifications without leaving the show venue.

More news on pre-show events, professional development and new features taking place at the show are expected to be announced over the coming weeks leading up to ISE 2015.

To register for the show free of charge, saving the â&#x201A;Ź80 on the on-site registration fee, please visit www.iseurope.org and use registration code 916312.

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

The 6th Shanghai International Digital Signage Show The show concluded in September on a successful note, where there were massive business opportunities and a surge in purchasing. narrow 3.5mm seam technology, Stream TV’s naked eye 3D technology and LianTronics' naked eye 3D HD LED display and new somatosensory rhythm technology.

The 6th Shanghai International Digital Signage Show took place between 25 – 27 September 2014 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre (SWEECC).

As one of Asia's largest trade show and conference dedicated to digital signage and DOOH industry, the 6th Shanghai International Digital Signage Show provided exhibitors and buyers a platform to build professional relationships while exploring new audiovisual technologies in the fields of advertising media, retail, intelligent building, system integration, convenient service, and intelligent technology.

According to event organizers, a total of 13,197 visitors visited the regional trade show. Many of them came countries including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Dubai, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Egypt, Portugal, New Zealand, France and many more. As compared with the previous year, there was an increase of 23.4 percent in attendance.

The show attracted over 500 well-known local and overseas enterprises such as Panasonic, Samsung, AMD, Intel, Philips,Panda, Shuttle, Dt Research,

Liantronics and Odin, Kxwell, V-cube China, Rextron, Stream TV networks, Exceptional 3D, etc. At the Taiwan pavilion, companies such as Via tech, Star-Media, Cayin tech and Phistek were the stars of the section.

Some notable show highlights included Samsung's global and leading ultra-

Several onsite professional conferences and forums attracted further significant visitor participation. One of the key conferences during the show was "Insight into Industry Trends, Experience and Product Innovation".

During which, the 2014 China Digital Signage Conference invited a number of industry experts such as Mr. Alex Lin, HDBaseT Alliance China Representative/ Valens Business Development Director; Mr. Qianchi Zheng, President/Digital Signage Multimedia Alliance Taiwan; Mr. Peng Chen, Pre-sales Manager of Display Division/ Samsung (China) Investment Co., Ltd and; Mr. Ajay Misra, Product Marketing Manager AMD, to discuss the current and future trends of digital signage and innovative applications.

Similarly, the 2014 Shanghai Culture and Technology Development Forum was also held. Titled “Integration of Science and Art, Inspiring a New Way of Creativity”, the forum was divided

EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

into Main Forum, Parallel Session, and a series of professional exhibits and events, which saw government officials, enterprise delegates, industry experts and the foreign industry elite attending. Through a series of highlevel interactions, the industry experts connected over the technology talks.

Last but not least, the 2014 Intel Digital Signage and Retail Summit has also attracted considerable attention from buyers and visitors. Titled “ Smart Retail Starting from The Core”, the Summit promoted the development of Smart retail tools and logistics networks.

In 2015, the Shanghai International Digital Signage Show will be officially renamed “iFair Shanghai,” which will be held from September 16 -18, 2015, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Concurrently with the Digital Signage Show, the Vending Machine and Self-Service Show, Digital Conference Show and Audio-Visual Integration Equipment and Multimedia Display Technology Show will also be held.

Moving to a new exhibition location with new ideas, iFair Shanghai aims to become one of the best platforms for trade brands to display and showcase their newest technologies, products and solutions to the industry. http://ds.ishowcn.com/en-us/

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

IFMEA 2014: Demonstrating Future Of Business -By Ram Bhavanashi

THE SHOW STATS

14,233 visitors 12 per cent rise in attendance 184 companies 42 countries Over a dozen new product launches

THE INDUSTRY STATS

AV Industry in MEA to reach US$ 4.63 billion by 2016 13 per cent growth from US$ 2.79 billion in 2012 UAE industry to touch US$1.24 billion by 2016 Up from US$700 million in 2012 Saudi accounting for 70 per cent of MEA market

The fourth edition of InfoComm Middle East and Africa (IFMEA 2014) – held alongside the GITEX Technology Week in Dubai in mid-October – was a ready reckoner for more than one reason.

Coinciding more or less with what appears to be a rejuvenation time of regional industry, the event sought to raise the bar by a few more parameters. The punch line of the event, ‘see, hear and touch the future of business’ in the region was thus perfectly aligned. An SI Asia account: Coming as it did, amidst hype and hope, the IFMEA 2014 – held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 13-16 October – sought to exemplify its punch lineboth by content and calculations. That a total of over 14,000 visitors – many of them considered quality crowds by most exhibitors – came to ‘see, hear, and touch the future of businesses’ that are enabled by diverse and dynamically changing communication technologies - demonstrated by a decent mix of manufacturers and distributors totalling to over 180 companies from over 40 countries provided an encouraging reckoner to the promise of the event.

Complementing the cause and purpose of the event from one side were the InfoComm MEA Summit technical programming on technology updates, and ‘focused events’ by the exhibiting manufacturers, while substantiating the same on the show floor were over ten new product launches that included ‘soon-to-come’ product ranges.

“This is the best InfoComm MEA event ever, the number of visitors and quality of leads generated surpassed

our expectations,” declared Ron Schouwenburg, Trade Show and Event Manager, from Mitsubishi Electric.

“There are dedicated groups of people that came specifically to visit us in this event with projects at hand.”

“Infocomm MEA is the premier exhibition and networking event in the region which is why we chose to launch our 1.2 mm LED display at the show,” said Steve Scorse, Steve Scorse Vice-President, EMEA, SiliconCore. “We had a fantastic reception to this, taking over 500 serious enquiries and project briefings.”

Noticeably, most booths appeared constantly tapped by visibly serious visitors or potential buyers engaging the exhibitors into explaining to them the products on show.

“The Middle East markets have been growing quite dynamically, and

been offering tremendous scope for growth,” felt Faut Koro, Director, Global Marketing and Business Development (Professional Systems Faut Koro Division) at Bose Professional. “We decided to announce our new launches at this platform to match and cater to the high growth prospects happening here, particularly in the hospitality segment.”

Taking an aggressive initiative this time, Bose Professional, in association with Audinate, hosted AV Networking Roadshows on Dante technology on the last two days of the event. The daylong programme held consecutively on two days was supported by Atterotech, Digital Audio Labs, and Yamaha.

“The inquisitiveness shown by the participants was tremendous; it was a big energizer,” said Arun Kumar,

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

AV Networking Roadshow

Divisional Manager, Bose Professional Solutions Division. “The numbers turned out for the programme, and the enthusiasm shown is very reassuring.”

According to him, the notable aspect of this edition of IFMEA was not just the numbers but their coming from across MEA. The participants included aspiring professionals from Africa as well.

Endorses T S Gopalakrishnan, InfoComm Trainer, and Director-Technical from Highbrow Productions Pvt Ltd: “The sessions were real pleasure in that they were T S Gopalakrishnan not only wellattended, but also pan-MEA. We had participants from Oman, Qatar, Saudi, and Africa.”

According to the trainer, it was also pleasing to find the participants highly interactive, and inquisitive. “The audience was very qualitative. They knew what they came for, and wanted.” Most trainees/attendees felt that they had greatly benefited by the programming which is difficult to access otherwise and elsewhere.

The enthusiasm about the event was also evident in the focused programme organized by Sennheiser Middle East.

The audio conferencing major took the show floor to conduct their first regional live demonstration of the recently launched TeamConnect, and ADN-W digital wireless conferencing solution.

"IFMEA provides the right platform to launch and showcase our latest

solutions," said Mig Cardamone, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sennheiser Middle East. "Also the convergence of audio systems with IT networks is a trend that we are Mig Cardamone keen to explore,” he said and added, "last year we had a significant business coming through the conferencing segment, particularly education and hospitality. Given the growing need for collaboration and increasing usage of technology to facilitate corporate communications, we are sure of an even stronger growth in the coming months."

Says Chadi K Foury, Founder-Director of Kuwait-based AV systems integration firm Smartentity: “InfoComm MEA has been an important event for the region. We come here to find what is latest offering from the industry; we see here what we missed or might not be able to see elsewhere, that’s one big advantage.”

According to the integrator, the event also helps network with the industry makers, as also to understand its dynamics ‘which is otherwise difficult.’

The launching ground: ‘hear’ the audio

The successful faring of the event came out reflecting in the visiting by some very high-profile executives such as Consul General of Indian Embassy in the UAE as well as a density of focused AV buyers.

Consul General of Indian Embassy in the UAE Anurag Bhushan visiting the IFMEA 2014. He is being briefed about the event by Richard Tan, Executive Director of InfoComm Asia (right) while Sooraj Dhawan of Falcon Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, India, (left) looks on.

The IFMEA is growing; it appears getting focussed footfalls; that’s a good sign, felt most exhibitors. “We come to see here the latest solutions; and we Rufas Maina are able to see that,” felt Rufas Maina, AV Consultant from Kenyan AV solutions provider Pillar Audio Visual Services.

In an apparent response to the demands of the regional market in terms of synchrony of audio and video domains, both audio and video solutions manufacturers sought to create an impact through some focused programming. Most important from the audio domain were Bose Professional and Sennheiser (Middle East). Bose Professional announced addition of three new models to their existing RMU 208 small-format sound-reinforcement loudspeaker. The new models include RMU-206; RMU-108; and RMU-105.

Though these new models are set for commercial roll out in January 2015, Bose took to IFMEA with a view to creating the buzz on through the big platform. The audio major also launched their FreeSpace Configurator web

Teacher close up

Whiteboard

Stage overview

PPT

Student close up

Student overview

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

application that allows sound designers quickly design sound system for diverse applications.

“Coming with revolutionary features, this can replace a whole lot of equipment and set-up as well as save space and time and money in any big corporate and rental installs” explains Martin Barbour, Advanced Applications Engineer from QSC. “You wouldn’t need huge racks and dozens of systems; this new console will offset everything.”

Other important audio majors bringing their recently launched systems to reinforcing their reach in the region included Biamp, Revolabs, and Symetrix.

Sennheiser Middle East showcased the LSP 500 PRO hassle-free wireless integrated professional audio system, its new fixed-installation wired microphone solutions, besides other range of wireless microphones designed and targeted for the install market. “There has been tremendous response to Sennheiser solutions from the conferencing market across the region,” informs Ryan Burr, Technical Sales Manager, Sennheiser Middle East. “We have had great business last year,” he explains, “we are geared up to exceed our targets this year too.”

Clock Audio – from Middle East distributor SGTC’s booth – launched for the region their motorized CRM/ ARM microphone systems that were highlighted by the CRM 4000 ceiling microphone. “It’s good to see quality visitors coming from all across the MEA,” said Rod Greary, Clock Audio’s International Sales Manager. “We have had some serious visitors from Africa this time,” he said. “That’s pretty encouraging.”

Showing from the same booth, QSC Audio launched their TouchMix 16 and 8-channel digital mixing console.

Ron and Martin of Biamp

Biamp highlighted their show with TesiraForte, coming in with eight models of four each with and without audiovideo bridging. The four models include TesiraForte AI, CI, TI, and VI models.

“The non-AVB models have all the same functionality as the AVB versions, except those specifically required for AVB networking,” explains Martin Bonsoir, Biamp’s Applications Engineering Manager-EMEA. “They can still interface with third-party controls and programmed remotely over a network.

The non-AVB TesiraFORTÉ models are ideal for conference rooms that require their own audio DSP in the room. More, it hosts a Tesira configuration file and, therefore, does not require a server or server-IO to function.

Revolabs demonstrated the much fancied FLX UC-500, and the FLX UC1000 USB Conference phones. While the UC-500 was set for commercial roll out by end of October (it happened in the first week of November), the UC1000 is set for commercial release in the Q1 of 2015. “An ideal solution for small conference/boardroom set-ups,” says Randall Lee, Director of Strategic and Channel Marketing at Revolabs.

“Anyone who owns a PC can be a potential customer for these systems,” he explains, “for, it brings a slew of revolutionary user-friendly features to the set-up.” According to him the FLX phones coming with plug-and-play features combine ‘quality, clarity and price.’

Audio-Technica launched what it called the world’s first Dante-enabled microphone desk stand. Following closely on the recent launch of ATND971 boundary microphone, the company launched on the show floor the new ATN8677 microphone desk stand for use with any gooseneck to be connected to a network through an RJ-45 connector and structured cabling.

Symetrix presented the SymNet Composer 2.0 and products such as SymNet Edge, SymNet Radius 12x8 and conferencing-oriented SymNet Radius AEC. Also on show was open architecture standalone DSP SymNet Solus, as well as fixed architecture solution Jupiter. While the products are not really new to the market, “it’s about networking with the industry and reinforcing the relationships,” maintained Mark Ullrich, Symetrix’s International Sales Manager.

Harman – displaying through their regional distributor GSL – displayed the VTX Series and EON615 speaker systems for the first time in the ME. They also showed the PRX700 from JBL; Vi-3000 from Soundcraft, and WMS-420 from AKG.

‘See’ the Video:

Prominent new launches included those

by VTRON, Mitsubishi, SiliconCore, Prysm; Digital Signage solutions providers LG, Sharp, Shuttle, Matrox;

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

projection solutions from Benq; Connectivity solutions from Adder; Control systems from Crestron, and mounting solutions from B-Tech AV Mounts.

VTRON debuted its new videowall solution-the black SMD LEDs P1.92mm VLED series bringing a range of easyto-install small pixel indoor videowalls designed for indoor applications. The easy-to-install LED video wall offers black SMD LEDs in combination with high contrast ratio of over 3000:1 and 16-bit colour processing to ensure deepest black level and stunning image quality in any brightness levels. It offers the industry’s first-ever centralised N+m redundant power supply with aluminium cabinet.

projection cube VS-60HS12 that is nearly half the depth of the company’s Seventy Series cubes. Based on Mitsubishi’s aircooled LED projection engine, delivering up to 60,000 hours lifespan without any maintenance, the new 60” VS-60HS12 is claimed to offer a true 24-hour, high-performance alternative to tiled LCD displays in compact control suites. “currently, this is the only DLP cube solution on market for mission-critical 24/7 control room applications,” explains Dave M. Okubo, Senior Manager, Engg/ Product Marketing Manager-Display Systems Group at Mitsubishi Electric Europe. “The new VS-60HS comes with an Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot, which enables it to be used with a wide variety of display hardware,” he explained.

Set for commercial roll out from Jan 2015, the systems are demonstrated at the IFMEA to update the industry about the ensuing solution. Besides demoing the high-end tiled LCD displays LM55P1 and LM55S1, Mitsubishi had also set-up a typical installation on the show floor using their 72” WUXGA VS-72WE cubes in a 2 x 2 format, featuring the recently upgraded 78 Series LED projection engines.

VTRON also launched its brand new 55” LCD L-PH5523 designed with the industry’s narrowest bezel width down to 3.5mm allowing powerful and natural images with minimal intrusion from screen borders. Coming with VTRON’s Digicom FLY processor, the LCD L-PH5523, the series is a cost-effective video wall solution supporting signals processing for 24/7 mission-critical control rooms, digital signage and highend conference room.

Mitsubishi Electric demonstrated its latest slim profile Full HD DLP rear

Eric Li, SiliconCore President and CEO said, “we have been working towards this product for several years, with the Orchid 1.9mm and Magnolia 1.50mm pioneering the way for its development, so we are very proud to finally ship the new solution.

Prysm demonstrated the powerful collaboration capabilities of its Cascade series of video wall and display solutions that are said to combine the most advanced high-definition, low-energy, virtually seamless displays with touchenabled interaction. Users can display, share, reposition, resize, annotate and edit all types of content on screen. This allows for a richer context of information and makes business meetings more productive. Configurable workspaces allow teams to share the use of Cascade solutions with other groups, save their work between sessions and pick up where they last left off when they next meet. Mirroring of workspaces between Prysm displays allows geographically distributed teams to simultaneously collaborate on all of the content onscreen. Projects and associated data can be stored locally or in the cloud, thus users can access their work from any Cascade system at any time.

Says Tanvir Osama, Prysm’s Director of Sales-Middle East: “Cascade solutions are shifting the passive meeting paradigm to an active, collaborative experience where you can see the whole picture, synthesize information and work together to reach better decisions faster.”

‘Experience the 4K’ SiliconCore launched what it claimed as the highest resolution LED display ever manufactured, the Lavender 1.2mm. The ground-breaking display will advance the application uses of LED by achieving Full HD at just 110”. The Common Cathode LED manufacturer is first to achieve this revolutionary pixel pitch which is said to further enhance close proximity viewing within corporate, broadcast, command and control and simulation, all at a fraction of the power consumption of traditional displays.

Playing pretty much in tune with the 4K buzz in the industry, IFMEA 2014 provided yet another platform for 4K

A Smart Simple Solution

Power Amplifier

MA2030 / PA2030

Restaurant

Retail Store

Conference Room

Digital Control Panel

Power Amplifier

DCP Series

XMV Series

Shopping Mall

Input Expander / Output Expander Surface Mount Speaker

EXi8 / EXo8

VXS Series Matrix Processor

Ceiling Speaker

MTX Series

VXC Series

The Yamaha Difference Ever since Yamaha's inception, the craftsmen, engineers, and creative minds that help define the Yamaha brand have adopted a singular philosophy in their pursuit to meet, and exceed, the demands of each new challenge. The scope of Yamaha’s influence and experience in numerous markets is without parallel, offering an unrivaled variety of product lines from grand pianos to Hi-Fi components to a range of complete sound solutions for various professional and commercial applications. Through an exhaustive process of studying, refining, testing and introducing new technologies and innovations to each market, Yamaha has developed a truly unique perspective that draws from the vast base of knowledge accumulated through years of designing and manufacturing such a wide array of music and sound related creations.

Distilled into “6 Key Values”, this depth of accrued knowledge and experience served as the foundation behind the development of our Commercial Installation Solutions product lineup. By combining a unique, streamlined overall approach to installed sound, with acclaimed Yamaha product reliability and thorough customer care, this flexible lineup promises to benefit everyone at each stage of the installation process—from installers and contractors, to investors and owners. Most importantly, however, it is the patrons, clients, and customers of each commercial installation that will ultimately benefit from the clarity, tonal quality and musicality of these unique installed solutions that exude the decorated history of the sound specialists of Yamaha.

www.yamahaproaudio.com

6 Key Values

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

showcases. Control automation solutions major Crestron sought to reinforce its end-to-end 4K Digital Media solution, besides the latest range control touch panels.

the users with a flexible infrastructure, allowing locate computers anywhere on the network, collaborate, interact, switch computers, and many other functionalities.

LG Electronics highlighted its solutions with the display of its latest 98-inch Ultra HD 4k display, besides its WebOS platform for partners and System Integrators on how to develop their own software on LG’s platform with simple customization and management.

“It is our vision to deliver innovative commercial displays and solutions to help enhance business and customer experience in diverse verticals,” said David Kim, MEA B2B Director, LG Electronics. “We have certainly raised the bar for the digital signage industry with this year’s line-up.”

Optimized for both HID and Mass Storage devices, the ADDERLink INFINITY uses USB 2.0 technology to deliver reliable and flexible device support. The functionality is rendered more effective with A.I.M. (ADDERLink INFINITY Manager). The ADDERLink XD150, on the other hand, enables the users to locate critical computing hardware in a secure and temperaturecontrolled environment away from the user work station whilst maintaining the original user desktop experience.

Coming in two versions of 150 meter extension distance for a single 1920 x 1080 screen and 100 meter extension distance for a single 1920 x 1200 screen, the XD 150 features a transparent USB 2.0 hi-speed link for keyboards, tablets, touch screens, mass storage and other common USB devices.

Sharp Corporation highlighted their vast display of solutions with VN-V601A Ultra Slim Bezel LED monitor meant for corporate environments and 24/7 operations video walls.

players- the XH97V, DS87, and SH97R6.

The systems are unique in that they support 4K video content on one screen or Full HD video content on up to three screens via two DisplayPort and one HDMI port. The XH97V comes packed in a 3-liter chassis that is able to support up to three 2.5” HDD/SSD or one 3.5” HDD for added storage. The DS87 has a mere body thickness of 4.3mm and is built to integrate into compact spaces with VESA mount capability while the SH97R6 is a mini-PC built for mini-server, video surveillance, and video wall application as it integrates PCI-Ex16 and -Ex4 slots.

Also on display at the show was Shuttle’s soon to be released all-in-one PC which features integrated CPU for POS, kiosk, and Queuing system application.

“The MEA market is growing; it’s good to see serious visitors coming from all over the MEA,” says Luke Harbour, Global Marketing Specialist at Shuttle.

“We see a lot of potential for our solutions here.”

Lightware presented its 25G 80x80 CrossPoint matrix frame. Compact and light, the 25G frame can handle 80 inputs and 80 outputs ports and manages signals on 8 different layers, switched in 3 dimensions. It can also transmit HDMI 2.0 video signals up to 4K resolution, and support all 3D formats; handle forward and return audio as well as transmit USB-KVM, Ethernet, bidirectional RS-232/RS-422, IR and CEC signals.

Small form factor (SFF) computer hardware and digital signage solutions developer Shuttle – fresh from its recently made partnership with Navori for digital signage software – demonstrated their all-new display media

British connectivity solutions developer ADDER brought to the show their latest offerings, the highlights of which included the high performance KVM over IP system ADDERLink INFINITY, KVM extender XD150, and new professional KM switch Adder CCS-PRO4.

Billed as first device of its kind on market to allow network-wide multicasting, the ADDERLink INFINITY is said to provide

British Digital Signage and IPTV solutions developer ONELAN brought to the show their latest 4K and HD net-top-box (NTB) subscriber players as well as new Reserva room booking solutions. The rack-mount and small form factor 4K UHD and HD digital signage players – loaded with the NTB Linux player software tailored specifically to each hardware platform – deliver high quality multimedia playback and 24/7 reliability. “Our premium 4K player can even be used as an entry level video wall controller with up to 16 video output zones,” explains Miz Rahman, business development manager at ONELAN. The company’s Reserva room booking solutions included touch panels of 7”, 10.1”, 15.6” and 21.5” touchpanels. “We develop the software, while the hardware is outsourced,” explains Rahman.

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Chinese AV gear solutions developer RGBLink brought to show their latest multiviewer and videowall controller MVP 320, and remote control panel and mixer CP 3096. The feature-rich MVP 320 is said to be an ideal solution for a variety of surveillance, presentation and visualization applications in security, military, or process control facilities. The CP 3096, on the other hand, is a basic mixer that supports analog and digital video graphics, allowing for mixing together and switch outputs.

Canadian AV gear manufacturer/ developer Matrox displayed a variety of its popular products both on its own booth, as well as on partner boothsMitsubishi and Net Display Systems.

The products included Maevex H.264 Encoders/Decoders; C-Series multidisplay graphic cards; and the Mura capture and display cards.

Elsewhere, Taiwanese digital signage solutions major Cayin Technology displayed their range of digital signage players that were highlighted by the SMP-NEO Series systems with a slew of new user interfaces for diverse functionalities.

Showing from Mindstec Distribution booth, British data wall and video wall solutions provider Datapath demonstrated their latest video wall controllers. Prominent among them were the Datapath X4 and X4-1U standalone and rack-mountable video wall controllers that accept standard single or dual-link DVI input and can flexibly display across four output monitors.

Ideal to design multi-screen solutions for digital signage, small video walls, and any creative multi-display setup, these controllers can rotate, crop, scale, mirror and bezel correct images, allowing the user to explore their creative imagination.

Also on the booth was Atlanta, Georgiabased software development firm Visix who demoed their interactive wayfinding, meeting room schedule, and digital signage applications. Conferencing solutions provider ClearOne demonstrated their latest Media Collaboration and video conferencing suite.

‘Mounting’ Displays

PFW series, and their popular PFF 5100 video conferencing mounting set-up that had won the Reddot design award.

‘Monitor’ Sophistication

Mounting solutions too had their share of display at the IFMEA 2014, and making special news this time was British mounting solutions provider B-Tech AV Mounts. Having set-up their exclusive office in Dubai – riding on successful years of business in the Middle East – B-Tech debuted at the IFMEA 2014 through their distribution partner Mindstec. The company introduced to the region its popular professional video wall mount BT8310 that is unique for its Quick Lock Push System. The mount features a ‘push to pop-out’ mechanism by means of which any given cube in a video wall pops out by a mere gentle push on its surface. This means in the instance of repair or regular maintenance, the user does not need to remove any other cube/screen to access the chosen cube/screen. This also makes it ideal for recessed areas or where there is a surround around the whole video wall blocking access- a big problem on many other models. After repair/maintenance, the cube is to be simply pushed back into position, and it will lock back securely.

The BT8310 features 8 points of MicroAdjustment to get screens perfectly aligned, even if the wall being fixed to is not level.

“We have been witnessing a great business across the MEA for a few years now, and we felt it’s time we had a dedicated presence here,” said Matthew Bennett, Managing Director of B-Tech AV Mounts. “Which is why we not only setup our sales and distribution centre, and have also decided to take the InfoComm show floor to spread the word.”

Elsewhere on the show floor was the Dutch AV mounting gear solutions provider Vogel who demonstrated a whole big range of mounts, including their latest video wall pop-up mounts

Conferencing monitor solutions – a very noticeable aspect of IFMEA – comprised the domain majors ARTHUR HOLM and Soltec. ARTHUR HOLM demonstrated its ‘Dynamic’ range comprising motorised retractable single and double face monitors, manually and motorised foldable, unfoldable and rotatable screens, DynamicTalk and DynamicVision.

The Dynamic monitors came up in all their versions with built -in cameras, multi-touch screens and fixed and retractable microphones.

Showing up from the same booth was Norwalk, Connecticut-based voice and video management solutions provider Sound Control Technologies (SCT) who demoed their Camera Integration Kit that integrates cameras into any VC set-up. “We work very closely with VC majors like Cisco and Polycom,” says David Neaderland, President of SCT. “They control as much as 80 per cent of the world market,” he explains, “so do our presence.” The IFMEA 2014 platform was a pleasant sight for him, for he could interact with visitors from across the MEA. TFT-LCD monitor solutions major Soltec brought to the show floor a whole big range that was marked by its RET MIC series that comprises retractable motorized microphone- an ideal solution for boardrooms. Featuring a brushed stainless steel finish for cover plate, and two push buttons for on/off function, the system is powered by electrical engine for the lift system.

Overall, the IFMEA 2014 is taken to have scored more positives than its preceding editions and offered better promises for the coming editions.

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EXHIBITION REVIEW Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

BenQ Enters Integration Market In Style at IFMEA The IFMEA 2014 – while it had many interesting products from a host of manufacturers – perhaps had its most fascinating product line coming from Taiwanese visual solutions major BenQ who announced their foray into integration market through the show floor by means of some unique products.

USB, RS232, and, the important HDBaseT. More, it’s a package of five selectable aspect ratios- powered focus, zoom, and lens shifting making its calibration fairly simple.

The MW853UST interactive projector, on the other hand, appears another unique fare.

For, the system coming with PointWrite technology is taken one step beyond the multi pen-touch interaction with “finger-touch” sensibility.

“You do not need stylus to work with it,” Lou quips, “just your fingers.”

The highlights of the company’s product line on demo included BenQ PU9730 WUXGA High Definition DLP projector; MX-666 wireless projector; and MW853 UST Interactive projector.

“The introduction of PU9730 HD DLP projector marks our entry into integration market,” declared Eason Lou, Business Line Manager at BenQ. “We have all along been selling standalone projectors,” he explains, “now we are entering the integration market worldwide with this system.”

The feature-rich large venue projector with dual-lamp function provides an incredible 7,000 lumens of brightness to suit any ambient lighting situation.

It brings a wide 1920 x 1200 WUXGA resolution, 2800:1 contrast ratio, and delivery of over 1 billion colours to the screen. Making its connectivity easier are features like front and rear IR receiver points, HDMI, DisplayPort,

“More, you can even connect the projector mounted on wall or ceiling by merely tapping the ‘TapNshow’ smartcard,” says Lou demonstrating how it works. “It makes the user’s job fairly easy and fast. It’s a great fit for corporate or small meeting room settings.”

The MX 666 is apparently one of the most fascinating projectors on the market today. For, the 3500 Lumnes XGA system coming with 13000:1 high contrast ratio is unique for its connectivity through a smartphone. Any Android smart device can connect to the projector by means of a WiFi dongle.

More, it is packaged with QPresenter Pro software, developed with an accompanying APP, designed to support wireless projection from computational and smart devices across all platforms from iOS to Android.

BenQ also brought its first 4K ultra HD interactive display RP840G. Coming with a built-inAndroid OS, the feature-rich display facilitates multi PC-touch via a USB, Ezcast etc. for simplified operations.

“We have many things happening for taking BenQ to a higher platter,” summarized Manish Bakshi, Managing Director, BenQ’ Middle East and Africa. “We are exploring bigger horizons.”

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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FEATURE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

What Caught Your Attention In 2014?

SI Asia got in touch with some of our favourite consultants and gave them a free reign to give us their views about anything relating to the AV industry or otherwise. We thought it would be befitting as 2014 comes to a close that we get some views. Seems to us that AV IT convergence is still very much being discussed. We request that you read the article in the order that it is laid out because co-incidentally there is a connection from one article to the other, though the contributors wrote it independently. Enjoy the read!

Ian Harris, ihD Ltd We heard much talk of AV/IT Convergence this year and dark rumours of the death of the AV industry.

The problem is the wording of this popular term, rather carelessly created without regard to the disciplines in question.

Its true that many IT Departments are inheriting the AV Systems within their facilities, and even as Technology Consultant, our Audio-Visual discipline is being put under the IT departments of several clients.

Its also true, however, that this is the Golden Age for the AV Industry, with faster, simpler, much-longer-reaching connectivity in terms of control, as well as Audio- and Video- signalling.

The hitherto-needed extenders and proprietary switchers as well as special and expensive cables are at last becoming able to avail of stable, robust, high-MTBF IP-networks. And this is what is popularly referred to as AV/IT Convergence.

But the thing that the Audio-Visual Designer and Integrator spends 95%

of her, or his, time on, is not this system infrastructure, but the HUMAN interfacing. Ears, eyes, the mouth, the body and even the sense of smell remain unerringly analogue. The design of the audio system, with small problems obvious even to the casual listener, the display system without reflections and performing well in ambient light, adequate microphone systems, and an actually-intuitive control system are all skills hard-earned and hard to find. Let alone the coordination and negotiation with the peer design team, not least the architect and Interior Designer.

For your interest, we were moved from the Engineering to the IT Design Department of one particular major hotel Group 5 years ago, but finally have been re-allocated to the Engineering again, for exactly these reasons.

My call to all of you reading this article is to reward the subject title as "The Convergence of AV and IT COMMUNICATIONS"

Hemant Vats, VATS Technology Let me be the devil's advocate - most of the events that caught my attention point to threats to our industry. There is lack of innovation in AV and the big brother IT is gaining more and more foothold of the small patch that is ours... we ourselves are to blame.

Let me take an example, for many years we have been talking about wireless connectivity between AV devices, but somehow it never happened. When it did it, was constrained and confined

within the barriers of proprietary protocols which only worked with that specific vendor. Till now there is no single standard that works with two manufacturers let alone all (keep in mind that WiFi is not built for AV). Our industry associations, who should come up with standards, have been sleeping... waiting for the IEEE guys to do the standardisation, when we should be the ones driving such standards. Anyway, this year the giants have realised that maybe there is money here. Apple has started roll out of the Homekit. Google bought Nest Labs and is investing heavily on the nest thread protocol whose founders include big names like Google/Nest, Samsung, ARM, Freescale, Silicon labs to name a few. Allseen alliance is another mammoth competing for the top spot with another set of super bigs like Microsoft, Qualcomm, Sony, Cisco etc. I must mention that Harman, Cambridge Audio and Bosch are also premier members of this alliance, so all is not lost yet.

Harman's purchase of AMX

Google's purchase of Nest Labs

Last year in an interview I was asked about the size of our industry, I had no clue. But this year we did get some pointers from the acquisition of AMX

by Harman. Harman reportedly paid $365 million for AMX. Bear in mind only recently AMX had acquired Autopatch. It

FEATURE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015 had also acquired Endeleo, Matrix Audio Designs, Inspiration Matters and ProCon Technology. So Harman paid the above mentioned sum for AMX including all the above entities. In comparison Google paid $3.2 billion for Nest Labs, a four year old company that only makes a thermostat! Innovation pays.

Now to another humble interesting "project" that caught my eye. The Soundlazer Project is a small, personal/ portable cheap audio beam steering system which just completed two successful kiskstarter campaigns.

(Scan QR Code for more info) Further development of this system could lead to many more products.

Interpreted audio without putting on the headphones?

The UN general assembly pictures would look a lot nicer! Any manufacturer in the industry listening?

Another one was Oculus VR (bought buy Facebook for $2 billion). Their VR headsets are getting better by the day.

Although primarily driven towards the gaming market, these can be applied to many other fields. How about a NOC where there is no videowall, just operators with VR headsets. What if these operators were not even in one place! We could use more of the technologies available today to build next generation of cutting-edge AV installations.

rooms. It will be very interesting to see how the video-conference industry adapts to survive (and hopefully thrive) in the new corporate office environments with more huddle rooms and fewer boardrooms. It is not like that the pro AV industry did not see the BYOD trend coming but we simply have not offered nearly enough solutions to embrace it.

It's time for our industry to really see the personal gadgets not as threats but opportunities in creating the exceptional experience for audience and meeting participants.

Peter Hunt, Hewshott International The application of IT solutions in traditional AV spaces is gathering pace.

The propensity to ‘over simplify’ video conferencing in particular has caught my eye this year, with some long standing and respected IT friends claiming they can now do room-based video conferencing with Lync phones.

Yes, a Lync phone can transmit and receive pictures and sound, but it is a far cry from a properly engineered video conference system that can be used for many hours without fatigue.

Desktop and software-based applications/platform like Microsoft Lync and Google Hangouts are slowly but surely moving into corporate conference

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The 2014 MDSS report by Infocomm International is intriguing to me, not in that it predicts Asia-Pacific to surpass North America as the largest pro AV market in the world (what else do you expect?) but that it sees a shrink in the AV Conferencing and Collaboration product sector while at the same time "the adoption of video has grown".

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53

Good AV consultants will design technology in architectural spaces that both blend into the background and perform so well, the user is ignorant of the technology. Indeed, (and sadly) the greatest accolade an AV consultant can get is silence – because it just worked and did the job – believe me, when it doesn’t we all know about it! Sadly, the world of IT is trying to over-simplify AV, and I get complaints and hair pulling from AV manufacturers and distributors, especially in the audio sector about how frustrating it is to deal with IT people.

Plugging it in and getting pictures and sound from A-B is only a fraction of the game; quality and integrity come with a level of understanding that has it’s roots in analogue engineering. The tendency to commoditise AV is a dangerous and unwelcome intervention which, if we are not careful, will undo the many years of work we have put into driving standards and generating quality results. If we are not careful, IT will stand for I Tried.

Ben Moore, ARUP

• Mass deployment of AV systems in corporate environments – something that is treated like a commodity will only ever get treated like a commodity • Harman acquires AMX – what is this new breed of uber-vendor going to give us?

• Hills acquires Audio Products Group – what will happen to healthy competition in Australia?

• Small pixel pitch LED wall products – when will you be so small you are on my living room wall? Not long the way things are going…

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INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Arrive In Strategic Alliance With Global Caché

Arrive Systems, Inc. the edgeless media company announced its strategic alliance with Global Caché, a leading independent manufacturer of IP and WiFi connectivity products for the control and automation market.

Arrive’s Edgeless Media Server and appliances operate seamlessly to provide cloud-based distributed control and automation over a globally connected IP network standards platform. Global Caché’s products connect almost any electrically operated device throughout a building to a WiFi and/or IP networkso it can be controlled, automated, and maintained by network-based software, smartphones, and handheld devices.

When integrated with Global Caché control interfaces, control designers will be able to shed the shackles of traditional hardware-centered room controls systems, complex programming

scripting and UI design. They will be able to move into the realm of cloud based distributed control while continuing to achieve multi-protocol control execution.

Arrive EM Server supports sending commands over TCP/IP to Global Caché interfaces via Serial Control ports such as RS232 / RS485, relays and contract closure as well as IR. Arrive Edgeless Controls will soon support industrial control protocols such as MODBUS, BACNet and LONTALK over IP. “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a growing network of everyday objects – from industrial machines to consumer and professional electronics – that can share information and complete tasks while the user is busy with other activities like work, sleep or exercise,” Aseem Gupta, CEO of Arrive Systems, said.

“Arrive’s EMS2.0 CloudPoint platform is an IoT-ready software with automated UI design and multi-protocol-controlcommunications.”

Made up of millions of sensors and devices that generate constant streams of data, the IoT can be used to improve our lives and our businesses in many ways. Using this infrastructure, objects or assets can communicate with each other and even optimize activities between them based on the analysis of data streaming through the network and the computing systems that make use of the data flowing to and from our things.

“We are pleased to create this strategic alliance with Global Caché in offering an end-to-end IoT device management solution. Our gold

Aseem Gupta, CEO of Arrive Systems

technology development partnerships with companies such as Intel and Microsoft provide us a robust and proven backbone to build our IoT solution stack” Gupta added.

“At Global Caché, we’re excited about the cloud and IP opportunities that Arrive is bringing to market and about our collaboration with Arrive Systems,” said Robin Ford, VP of Business Development at Global Caché. “This is an important partnership for us in the IoT industry. We’re looking forward to addressing this growing customer base with Arrive and introducing Arrive’s Internet-of-Edgeless-Things solutions to our customers.”

Arrive’s leading collaboration workflow platform called ARRIVE Edgeless Media (EM) is an end-to-end workflow for central management of collaboration rooms, devices and the scheduling, orchestration, automation and management process workflow.

Recently, ARRIVE announced its next generation simplified, unified solution for collaboration meeting spaces, meeting room devices and software systemsARRIVE FacePoint positioned as the extreme collaboration solution in the industry.

Designed as an open standards platform and built on proven network and server topology ARRIVE EMS helps your customers deliver on their technology promise and realize the best return on their technology investment. www.arrivesys.com www.globalcache.com

INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

61

Biamp Appoints Ahmed Sabra As Technical Projects Manager For ME Biamp Systems announced the appointment of Ahmed Sabra as technical projects manager, Middle East (ME). As part of the applications engineering group, Sabra’s responsibilities will include providing comprehensive technical assistance to Biamp customers, consultants, and sales representatives, as well as leading the company’s training efforts throughout the region. A native of Jordan, Sabra possesses diverse experience in the ME AV market and will leverage that expertise to provide

assistance to customers in both Arabic and English.

“Ahmed’s appointment is essential to Biamp’s commitment in serving the Middle East and he will act as the primary liaison for all projects in the region as well as spearhead our training program,” said Martin Bonsoir, EMEA applications engineering manager for Biamp. “He joins our team with valuable industry expertise and knowledge that further strengthens and expands regional opportunities for growth and education.”

Prior to joining Biamp, Sabra worked as technical services and customer care manager for BCI for Communication and Advanced Technology, where he oversaw

the AV, physical security, and unified communication departments. Previously Sabra held positions at Green System Technology in The United Arab Emirates and Technolinks in Jordan. Sabra holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering from Hashemite University in Jordan.

“I look forward to utilizing my experience and knowledge to provide solutions for a wide range of applications to both new and existing Biamp customers,” said Sabra. “With its quality product lines backed by its superior customer service, Biamp has a proven history of excellence, and I’m excited to extend that level of service into the ME market.” www.biamp.com

B-Tech Audio Video Mounts Opens MEA Office In Dubai British mounting solutions company B-Tech Audio Video Mounts has announced the launch of their new sales and distribution centre for the Middle East region, B-Tech Audio Video Accessories Trading LLC.

the show, the video wall and digital signage markets have seen significant growth over the last two years, paving the way for B-Tech's range of video wall mounts including the BT8310, to continue their worldwide success.

Located in Dubai, B-Tech’s latest operational base serves the MEA and SAARC regions, and holds our full range of stock for quick order turnaround. The range includes mounting solutions for video walls, digital signage, flat screen displays, projectors and speakers.

“Alongside this, we are confident our comprehensive range of AV trolleys and projector mounts will create significant interest across a variety of vertical markets,” said Matthew Bennett, Managing Director of B-Tech AV Mounts.

“We are excited to be building on our success in the MEA region by taking this step in establishing a committed presence in Dubai,” he said and added, “this will allow us to provide a faster and more localised delivery service.”

The company took the InfoComm MEA 2014 as the platform to make this big announcement to reach the market segments effectively. Understandably, the company got a very encouraging response from the market, as it had a good number of visitors to the booth showing interest in its solutions.

According to the company, as was evident by the number of enquiries at

The company had been operating in the region for some years now through its distribution partners. The encouraging growth, and the demanding need to be more focussed for better turnaround times, led to the company deciding to

have its dedicated sales and distribution centre in Dubai. www.btechavmounts.com

62

INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Crestron Opens New Office In Dubai With a view to consolidating and augmenting its growing business in the potential market of Middle East, control automation major Crestron recently opened its new expanded regional office in Dubai, one of the fastest growing regions for building controls. The new office features a Customer Experience Centre and large training classrooms to accommodate professional development coursework to meet the ever-increasing demand for building systems and skilled integrators in the region. The Business Central Towers in the heart of the city will remain Crestron’s MEA base housing sales, marketing, and customer service and support departments.

"The new office is nearly three times the size of our current space and features two training rooms and Customer Experience Centre where the full Crestron solution can be demonstrated,” said Vincent Phillippo, Crestron MEA Regional Director. “The centre provides

a space for our dealers to bring their customers to experience technology in a feature-rich setting,” he said and added, “business is booming for Crestron in the Middle East. It’s a really exciting time for the AV industry, and we have had a lot of new products coming out this year, including our revolutionary 4K distribution solutions.”

The company is embracing emerging technologies such as 4K and is now sharing this knowledge in a range of new updated courses that ensure Crestron partners remain ahead of the technology curve.

Crestron’s updated industry-standard DM Certification courses now include 4K training, which fully equip installers for the 4K era ahead.

The flagship training facilities and Customer Experience Centre in the Dubai office provide installers across the region with access to the best in 4K training. The two new training rooms can be combined to create a large space or separated to create two different learning zones. www.crestron.com

IHSE USA Appoints India Sales Manager command center markets for India. He will service all of India and will be based out of Mumbai.

KVM product solutions leader IHSE USA, LLC has appointed Rajendra (Raj) Shingte as its new Sales Manager for India. Rajendra joins IHSE USA as part of the company’s initiative to develop new business opportunities in the expanding broadcast, post production, automation and manufacturing, and control room/

Rajendra was selected due to his entrepreneurial background and extensive engineering and sales experience which totals more than 20 years. He was previously employed at Raritan as Regional Manager West India where he oversaw the regional sales and marketing operations which included the responsibility to develop relationships with key channel partners and customer accounts. Previous to this position, Rajendra held sales positions with other high profile companies and handled sales revenue up to 200 crore INR per year supporting different technologies such as digital and analog KVM systems and infrastructure management products for DCIM, iPDU, Data Centers and command and control rooms.

“We are extremely pleased to have Rajendra on board to help develop our

growth strategies for India”, said Manny Patel, President and CEO of IHSE USA, LLC. “Our customers in India will be supported by a highly qualified person representing IHSE USA products. His technical understanding of KVM will be a great asset to the company and our clients who need support designing effective KVM system solutions.”

Rajendra graduated with a degree in computer technologies from the Board of Technical Education, Maharashtra State, Vivekanand College of Engineering, Mumbai, and also received a degree in Industrial Electronics from the Board of Technical Education, Maharashtra State, Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune. He holds an MBA degree too.

Rajendra can be reached in Mumbai at +91 982 11 39 186 and rshingte@ ihseusa.com www.ihseusa.com

INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

63

InfoComm Trains Aspiring Professionals

InfoComm International, in association with Kramer Electronics, conducted the ‘Installation Skills Day’ programme at Kramer’s new, expanded premises in Bengaluru from 15-17 November. Conducted under the supervision of InfoComm Volunteer Instructor T S Gopalakrishnan, training comprised roughly 20 participants each for three days.

Intended for field technicians who regularly install AV components and get involved in different tasks at the job site, the programme was well received by the participants.

The trainees comprised a wide variety of professionals such as install technicians, engineers, and managers from different AV companies not only from Bengaluru but also from other cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Delhi, Kochi, Chandigarh.

The training essentially was focused on various issues relating to cabling- identifying cable types; understanding cable markings; making a cable snout; label cable for a pull, terminating a cable in different methods; test cabling for continuity; arranging for signal separation; and basics of power and grounding; besides reviewing safe practices. The participants were given hands-on working even as they learnt the theoretical aspects of the training.

The participants were also awarded with certification on the completion of the course on 17 November.

“The programme was nice in that it attracted an active participation from the trainees,” opined Goplakrishnan, InfoComm’s Volunteer Trainer.

“Education has always been very close to our heart,” said Bharat Kumar, Country Manager at Kramer India. “We have always been in the forefront when it comes to educating aspiring professionals,” he said, “for, when they get to the field side, they should carry the expertise with them, and be able put the same into their work so that the end user gets the benefit of what this industry is driving for them. We will continue to do this.” www.infocomm.org www.kramerelectronics.com

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64

INDIA & ME NEWS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Exodus Opens New Experience Centre In Mumbai wired signal format but also wirelessly use Crestron Air-Media.”

“This experience centre is intended exclusively for our partners,” said Timothy Dsouza, Managing Director, Exodus Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. “We have tried to create a platform where our partners can see and feel different components of audio, video, switching and control systems.”

L-R: Farhan Walele (Crestron), Sarvesh Gharat (Exodus), Sanket Sawant (Kramer), Omprakash Dubey (BenQ), Jagdish Patel (BenQ), Timothy Dsouza (Exodus), Hardik Mehta (Kramer) and Robin Ghose (Biamp)

AV solutions distribution major Exodus has recently opened its new experience centre in Mumbai. The official opening event enabled prominent OEM representatives and numerous channel partners to see and experience, and appreciate the centre.

The centre is characterized by many customer-oriented offerings on demo.

Key attractions include asymmetrical video wall, videoconferencing lighting, wireless collaboration, digital matrix switching, speech sense-based audio conferencing, edge blending setup using regular projectors, glass projection, room scheduling, and passive 3D, besides various flavours of digital signage.

Commending the initiative, Robin Ghose, Biamp’s Regional ManagerSAARC noted, “it is a tremendous step by our distributor in their commitment to the industry by providing a place where one can come, see, and learn about the various brands and their offerings.”

According to him, Biamp intends to utilize this facility to demonstrate their

audio solutions and show how Biamp algorithms such as Sona AEC and SpeechSense work, and how Biamp can improve the quality and intelligibility of communication in distance conferencing spaces.

Talking about the Airflex5D set-up installed in this centre, P. Sreekumar, Managing Director, Elite Screens India Private Limited remarked “We can now give hands-on training to potential partners and real time experience of Egdeblending, Stacking & Passive 3D to clients.”

Farhan Walale from Crestron complemented, “a very unique and innovative set-up by Exodus showcasing Crestron's Digital Matrix System which not only allows them to connect with any

As part of its continued commitment to the industry, the company has initiated an induction training programme for all new comers as well as for those outside the industry. “We hope the solutions highlighted in this Centre will inspire them with new ideas and concepts,” Dsouza said, adding, “this, in turn will continue to keep us inspired and help to grow the audio visual market together.”

The Exodus Experience Centre is located at 717-718, 7th Floor, Damji Shamji Business Galleria, LBS Marg, Near Toyo House, Kanjurmarg (West), Mumbai – 400078. www.exodusinfotech.com

INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

65

Mission To Mars: Demo Of Indigenous India Magalyaan: A Good Augur of Technology Journey

By Ram Bhavanashi

PROJECT FACTFILE: Project name: ISRO Control Room (Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network – ISTRAC facility) Project location: Bengaluru Project segment: Space Research Project owner: ISRO, Government of India Project type: Control Room set-up Design consultant: Kiran Infosysems, Mumbai Design/system integrator: Kiran Infosystems Technology partners: RP Visuals, dnp Screens, projectiondesign, RGB Spectrum On 24 September 2014, India made one of the most demonstrative credentials of its genius in the contemporary world of technology. The successful exploit of Mars Orbital Mission (MOM) by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) not only etched the country’s name into the annals of global fame for space research, it also ratified the technological ingenuity that the country is faring at world stage.

Thus the space mission having being named Magalyaan is very symbolic of the ideation with which it was made.

Magalyaan in Sanskrit means “A journey that augurs well (for the future)."

A very critical link – in the sheer brilliance – that most might not have observed is the platform on which all that is seen, experienced, and applauded - The Control Room, and its systems integration competence, without which the whole big technology stride would, perhaps, not been there to ‘see’!

As a publication focused on pan-Asiatic systems integration technology journey, SI Asia prides talking this time about this particularly proud exploit of Indian genius- both in the Outer Space and the interior space….

I

ndia’s Mars Orbitar Mission (MOM) began its journey on 5 November 2013 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The US$73 million, approximately small car-sized satellite took just over 10 months to travel a distance of 442 million miles before performing the complex maneuver to enter the Martian orbit on 23 September 2014.

It’s been more than two months now that MOM is in the orbit of the fancied red planet. For the next five months or so, it will study the Martian surface and atmospheric conditions, and will send high-definition video as well as telemetry information to ISTRAC. So the good auger journey is on…

At 8.02 am, on 24th September 2014, when the announcement came from the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) facility- ‘mission successful. MOM enters Martian orbit,’ naming the mission as Magalyaan was indeed a big deal. For, what it proved on that moment is taken to augur well for Indian space research exploits, in particular, and India’s technology journey in general.

While a whole rank and file of ISRO as also India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi watched in awe and appreciation, and most functionaries in Government of India were congratulating one another like most other Indians, one person, perhaps, was happier than anyone in the known world.

Ashish Shah, President of Kiran Infosystems – the Mumbaibased Control Room solutions provider – was excited to the extent of ‘being proud Ashish Shah, President of to be Indian’ Kiran Infosystems watching all the technological brilliance being experiential through the ISTRAC control room set-up which was integrated by him- though with a commendable support from the ISRO ranks as well.

Kiran Infosystems, ISRO’s familiar choice for years for their control room set-up requirements, has had the honours of doing it again while the Mangalyaan was being conceptualized.

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INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015 to maintain the same parameters throughout the life of the control room.”

Mission Design

“They wanted an international standard Control Room; and it should work 24/7 in an experiential fashion,” recalls Ashish.

“In fact, they wanted to set-up two control rooms opposite to each other.”

Accordingly, Kiran Infosystems designed and installed two control rooms of identical specs and size which meant there are two Control Rooms of 1x6 Media Wall each doing the job on MOM. "They are mirror images of each other," explains Ashish.

Being a typical control room, a rear projection solution was suggested considering the multiple sources that are normally required to be plugged in to display information, and in a well-lit environment.

“A physical rear projection structure was designed based on the building space provided to us,” informs Shah. “The electronics were suggested based on the scalability required and simultaneous display of sources required.”

The solution integrated, therefore, essentially, comprised: • Rear projection structures with mirror arrangement and cradles to house the projectors. The set-up is grouted to withstand mild tremors of earthquake.

The systems were by RP Visuals

Company, USA. • dnp’s new (then) wide angle 120” high contrast, optical screens integrated into the RP Visuals structures with Fresnel and Lenticular lens.

• Projection systems from projectiondesign. The systems chosen on their competence for missioncritical specs.

• Real-time Media Wall Display Processor from RGB Spectrum, USAmeant to manage the display sources from work stations.

“The specifications were carefully drawn up,” explains Ashish. “Being a missioncritical environment, there couldn’t be any room even for a hairline error or compromise.”

Mission Execution

“Having got the design approvals, and procurement of install material, the first step was to mobilize the right people to move the rear projection components into the control room,” explains the integrator. “The most critical part of the process is the optical screen which is sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity,” he elaborates. “We needed to check those climatic parameters on the day we opened the crates (and started the installation), and ensure that the space is configured

As the rear projection process involves mirrors to reflect light from the projectors, the integrator employed First Surface Glass mirrors with 96 per cent reflectivity (meaning no loss of image clarity) to illuminate the screens which are high contrast 120-inch diagonal NEWA (new wide angle) optical screens from dnp. These screens are fixed into 1x6 bays forming a long Media Wall alongside the side wall of the Control Room. The fixation of F30 SX+ DLP projectors from projectiondesign into the six-axis fine-tunable cradles of the rear projection structure (by RP Visuals) is followed by the alignment of mirrors, and their focal length to illuminate the screens to perfection.

A wooden enclosure has also been built around the screen area to be able to cover it up from all sides as an element of decor, with a provision of removable doors to help maintenance.

The all-important task of getting the data feed from the workstations inside the Control Room to the media wall has been entrusted to the Media Wall Display Processor from RGB Spectrum.

This Processor, connected via a switcher to the workstations, takes the data feed from them and transmits the same to the large media wall.

“The Media Wall Processor provides the scientists with a distinct layout flexibility required for deeper comprehension and analysis,” explains Ashish.

“The RGB Spectrum system has a proven record of reliability and precision of imagery delivery,” he elaborates, “the projectiondesign projectors gave us true colours and sharpness in display which is again critical. The high definition display screens from dnp are equally good; coming with Fresnel lens technology, they avoid pitfalls that conventional screens suffer from, and give superb centre-to-corner brightness, with exceptional colour saturation giving out sharp and crisp imagery.”

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The Data Chain…

The workstations inside the ISTRAC receive the satellite-captured data from various ground stations located at different places in India and outside.

There are as many as nine ground stations connected to ISTRAC- five in India – at Banglore, Sriharikota, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and Port Blair – and four outside- in Mauritius, Brunei, Indonesia and Russia.

These ground stations, equipped with Indian Deep Space Network antennae, capture the data/video imagery taken by the satellite when it comes within their range. The satellite actually captures the imagery in space by means of its 105-feet-long diameter IDSN antenna.

The data thus received at the ground station is transmitted to the ISTRAC workstations, and the signals from critical workstations are routed through the switcher to the media wall processor which in turn processes the data as required, and sends onto the large screens on the media wall.

Explains Ashish- the control room systems are integrated in such a fashion that scientists can monitor the data at their own workstations, and also collaboratively view its critical information on the large media wall for a deeper understanding. The images on the media wall can be stretched across two or more screens seamlessly for better comprehension.

The Mission Possible

Highly prestigious that it was, the install – understandably – couldn’t come without challenges. “The most critical part was aligning the sources on the 1x6 screens to perfection,” explains Ashish.

As it was a rear projection structure, mirror angles were critical; the six-axis alignment provided on the projector cradle had to be adjusted along with the projector lens shift. To ensure that they got the right alignment for the required quality of image display, the integration team, duly supported by the ISRO ranks, filled each of the six screens with perfect image and seamlessly aligned with the image of the neighbouring screen.

“Actually, the best part of the install integration was when we saw each bay of the 1x6 structure coming up to perfection,” Ashish opines with an element of accomplishment.

competence. That the firm has been part of the project right from the days of the place being a raw building to the finished experiential stage made it all the more confident journey.

According to the integrator, two aspects made his work all the more critical- the electronics alignment from one standpoint, and the mechanical expertise to back it up, from the other side. That the large media wall with 1x6 bay structure had to be mounted at a height of some four meters from the ground, and with zero bezel gap to make it totally seamless, plus at an eyecomforting viewing angle was indeed critical.

“It’s been a Mangalyaan for us too,” he quips in satisfaction. That the client (ISRO) has been happy with the result is one; that the integration firm made the install a ‘low-maintenance’ model and one with less number of components, saving time, energy, and more, the investment, is the other which is a huge benefit, he maintains.

There are over 40 display monitors in the Control Room wall-mounted at different places and delivering diverse functions.

"We had to value add our install work with the carpentry work for the wooden wall around the media wall," informs Ashish.

“But then, we are control room people and we know what it takes to get perfection,” Ashish speaks of their

The accomplishment of MOM – while demonstrating India’s space research strengths – also showed the expertise and competence characterizing India’s audio-visual and systems integration industry- an important reckoner as it moves ahead in time with more promises. www.kiraninfo.com www.dnp-screens.com www.barco.com/projectiondesign www.rgb.com

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Hamad International Airport Sports ICONYX ICT Renkuz-Heinz takes centrestage in the futuristic project PROJECT FACTFILE:

Project: Hamad International Airport (HIA) Location: Doha, Qatar Segment: Aviation Owner: HIA, Qatar Design Consultants: HOK, Foster+Partners Project Management: Bechtel Engineering: Bechtel Construction Management: Bechtel Contractors: Consolidated Engineering Systems Co. (CESCO) Sub-contractors: H Robert Guild Associates Inc. (HRGA) PA System Designers: Acoustic Design Ahnert (AGA Gulf) Project Cost: Approximately US$16 Billion Solutions: Renkus-Heinz ICONYX digitally steerable line array loudspeaker systems.

Hamad International Airport – even as its planners and administration gear up its ambitious expansion plans – made international headlines when it recently opened the Passenger Terminal as part of the first phase. Hailed as first of its kind in the Middle East and one of the most unique aviation projects in modern world, the airport sports a slew of aweinspiring elements of ICT. Staking an important role, among many, is Renkuz Heinz. An SI Asia snapshot.

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atar’s racing up the nationbuilding programmes as part of its preparations for the FIFA Soccer World Cup (2022) Championship, made a prideful stride recently with the opening of Hamad International Airport in the country’s capital Doha, replacing the erstwhile Doha International Airport.

The newly-designed Hamad International Airport (HIA) covers nearly a third of the city of Doha, with over half of the airport's 29-square kilometre area having been reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf.

Its state-of-the-art passenger and cargo facilities have been designed in such a way that they can serve over 30 million

passengers and 1.4million tons of freight per year.

Named in honour of His Highness The Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the HIA has been constructed at a whopping cost of around US$ 16 billion under Phase One of the project- with Phase Two slated to begin in 2015.

Designed and built by a big cluster of internationally renowned solution providers, the new airport is hailed as a blend of architectural panache and technological sophistication. While the design splendour pours out in the exterior and interiors, the technology brilliance is made to run discreetly for smooth, safe, and secure operations throughout the sprawling facility.

INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015 columns, all networked to provide individual control of each individual unit.

Strikingly, not a single one of the 245 speaker columns installed throughout the facility is visible to the naked eye.

Technology for the airport is equally impressive, including an RFID baggage handling system, high-tech air traffic control and radar systems, specially developed and patented security surveillance system, and a cutting-edge public address system based around Renkus-Heinz ICONYX digitally steerable line array loudspeaker systems.

The system includes 208 units of IC8-R, 30 units of IC16-R, five units of IC24-R, and two units of IC32-R loudspeaker

"All the loudspeakers are hidden," explains Renkus-Heinz Middle East Sales Manager Norbert Bau. "They have all been flush mounted and concealed behind grilles, or they have been integrated into customdesigned stainless steel pillars. It's an architecturally stunning facility and the best Iconyx installation I've ever seen."

Much of the credit for this impressive installation goes to the contractors, Consolidated Engineering Systems Co (CESCO), and subcontractors H. Robert Guild Associates, Inc (HRGA).

"The system was designed by Acoustic Design Ahnert (ADA Gulf), and the entire installation was performed by CESCO, who brought in Robert Guild of HRGA to provide the experience and expertise for this very high-profile project," Bau observes. The project also included a massive IED announcement control system and thousands of small ceiling speakers for the voice alarm system. Testing and commissioning the system was performed by HRGA, with support from Renkus-Heinz application engineers.

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Built on such a massive scale, the project couldn’t come without its set of challenges, but the expertise and competence of teams from CESCO, HRGA, ADA, and, of course R&H resolved the issues. Bau points to good planning as an indispensable factor. "The design of the sound system was seriously considered when designing the airport.

And ADA Gulf convinced the architect to apply acoustic treatment so the acoustic conditions are very good - it sounds very dry."

Since opening its doors to passengers, HIA has fast become an international hub. That the airport is being designed as one of the most futuristic aviation projections providing the air travel capacity the city of Doha has been sorely needing, with a sound system that will clearly and intelligibly serve millions of passengers for years to come. As Norbert Bau concludes, "it is an impressive system for a very impressive airport." www.renkuz-heinz.com www.ihgqatar.com www.hrga-av.com www.ada-gulf.com www.bechtel.com

New Security Surveillance At Play Keeping in requirement with foolproof security – particularly in the wake of rising sensitivities due to political concerns in West Asia – HIA has deployed what is said to be yet another first of its kind security/ surveillance mechanism in the region.

The mechanism specially developed and patented by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, comprises a solar energypowered mobile cart set-up that covers almost the whole of the Airport area. The system set-up inside the cart can not only detect any hazardous, or illegal material, but also specify the location of the material to precision- hidden inside a passenger luggage, or on a person.

While the X-ray mechanism working inside the system – upon detection – emits different colours on the monitors fitted to cart, the system transmits the signals wirelessly to the Airport’s Control Room. This helps both the security personnel on the cart, as well as on guard at different places get alerted to the action required- all happening within 10 seconds. The cart also is also equipped with surveillance cameras so that they can scan the chosen object in chosen direction.

The system also helps make out the identities of people through portable finger print and document scanners. In

the event of passenger arriving late, it can assist to a faster clearance by examining Passports, Boarding Cards etc. and it can also determine if the tickets or any other docs are forged or tampered with. It can also help crosscheck with the Government databases for verification of accuracy.

This technology, however, is being implemented on a trial basis. On proving successful, it may well be implemented on a long-term basis.

Should this tech deployment prove successful, its chance of making to the Soccer World Cup stadia cannot be ruled out.

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Highbrow Productions Demos its Expertise The Metropolis Convention makes a statement with AV technologies PROJECT FACTFILE

Client: Government of Telangana Location: Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India Segment: Government / Events Solutions Provider: Highbrow Productions Services Solutions: EV XLC Line array speakers EV and Shure Microphones Allen & Heath i-Live Digital Mixing Console Avolite Pearl Lighting Console Bosch DCN/LDS Interpretation system Bosch Line-Array powered speakers Barco CLM R30 projectors NEC mid-range projectors Sony Digital Camera Recorders Dataton Watchout Media Server The Metroplis Convention – the first major international event in Hyderabad after the birth of the new Telangana State – was a show of competence not only for the newly-born State but also the turnkey solution provider who made an accomplishment of a prideful sort. The success credentials of the high technology-powered event are, therefore, equally taken by Highbrow Production Services who have made it all visible, from behind. An SI Asia account.

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hen the XIth Metropolis World Congress was to begin in Hyderabad recently, there was an air of both anticipation and anxiety.

For, while the ensuing convention was of a very prestigious, international nature with high-profile dignitaries of the country and the world coming to ‘converge,’ the scenario in the host State/City wasn’t similar to the previous occasions.

While the changed political and administrative set-up have had their share to the anxiety, the commitment of the government and the competence of the solution provider for the big occasion made the purpose of the event all the more prideful celebration.

The five-day convention – held from 6-10 October at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre – was unique in many ways. While the participating dignitaries included Mayors of many cities from across the world, the programming comprised a series of Plenary Sessions and Parallel Sessions on all the five days.

The convention was inaugurated by none other than Hon’ble President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, and the Inaugural Plenary was presented by eminent missile scientist and former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam- to an audience of over 2000 delegates from India and abroad.

Hyderabad-based AV solutions provider Highbrow Production Services Pvt. Ltd. was entrusted with the task of providing the entire audio-visual system solution for the sessions including a Simultaneous Interpretation System for the plenary sessions.

Plenary Set-up

The AV set-up for the plenary essentially comprised a large stage of 64’ x 24’ x 4’ dimension. To make it more impactful, an LED-based electronic backdropcum-screen was proposed to the client.

This modular display of 4-mm pitch fulfilled the requirements of projecting the backdrop logos as well as display for videos, graphics and presentations.

“It’s the only one T S Gopalakrishnan, of its kind in the Director-Technical, region,” informs T Highbrow S Gopalakrishnan, Director-Technical at Highbrow. “This modular display was assembled to cover the complete width of the stage of 64feet and a height of 12-feet,” he explains further. “This is something very unique, that we have done in the recent past. We thought of doing something impacting for the event; it does create the intended impact.”

According to him, additional LED displays were used as delay screens for the audience in the rear of the hall, and were mounted on trusses, duly hung from the ceiling in the Convention Hall.

Keeping in view the high-profile audiences and delegates, it was also decided to treat the flooring with linoliulm finish so that it sports a decent and elegant look.

INDIA & ME INSTALLATIONS Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

For creating the digital media content for the large screen, Highbrow deployed Dataton WatchOut Media Server and also employed a dedicated inhouse graphics team for developing customized digital content that can seamlessly sync with the large format that the 64x64x12-feet screen measured.

“It was a very focused and dedicated effort, employing our in-house graphics team and visualizing every time the programming focus of the event and beaming the content in accordance with it,” explained Sreecharan Atluri, Managing Director of Highbrow. “It required serious attention to details,” he recalled, adding, “it all came out good; that was very fulfilling.”

The sound reinforcement essentially comprised XLC line array systems from EV. This audio ambience is augmented by a variety of wired and wireless microphones, but mostly from ElectroVoice and Shure. An Allen & Heath i-live digital mixing console was roped in to regulate the audio sources to the speaker system.

The stage lighting was done with asizeable stretches of Profile Spots and

Fresnels to cover the length and breadth of the stage. Moving head luminaires were also used along with customized gobos to achieve special event lighting schemes inside the hall. The complete lighting system was controlled using Avolite Pearl lighting control board, duly manned by a lighting operator.

Bosch DCN/LDS Does The Simultaneous Interpretation…

The Metropolis Conference, being an international conference with the likelihood of sizeable non-English speaking delegates, had three official languages– English, French and Spanish.

This required provision of a fool-proof simultaneous interpretation system to enable participation of delegates from non-English languages. Bosch DCN/ LDS system solution was employed to devise a complete digital simultaneous interpretation system that was augmented with an IR-based language distribution System. The whole of the plenary hall was covered with eight high-powered digital IR radiators duly mounted on the trusses erected for the event. The use of digital IR enabled provision of high quality audio to the audience who could select and hear the proceedings of the hall in any one of

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the official languages of the conference.

Specially built interpretation booths were placed in the hall, seating two interpreters in each of them so that there wouldn’t be any lapse in any delegate getting the bits of proceedings in his/her preferred language.

Parallel Sessions: These sessions, on the other hand, required simple AV facilities for typical audiences ranging from 50 to 200 delegates in each hall. The audio component of the set-up comprised Bosch Line Array-powered audio system that was complemented by wired and wireless microphones and analog mixers.

Each set-up had two rear projection screens along with presentation switcher.

Three of the parallel session halls required simultaneous interpretation and language distribution system for the three official languages of the conference.

According to Gopalakrishnan, who was deeply involved with the project, providing simultaneous language interpretation facility in four conference venues – one plenary and three parallel halls – was very critical, given the presence of non-English preferring participants. This requirement necessitated providing four sets of

Telangana State Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, addressing the convention during the Inaugural Ceremony

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President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee addressing the convention during the Inaugural Ceremony

equipment for the interpretation and language distribution along with four sets of interpreters in each of the venues.

Says the Highbrow Technical Director: “The Interpretation system is a very important part of multilingual international conferences. While we tend to assume that the speakers will speak in English, and only few international participants would prefer hearing in the other languages, it is never always the case. It is important to understand that the participation by delegates in their language (if it is an official language of the conference) can never be discounted.”

During the Plenary Address, Dr. Kalam was taking questions from the audience and one foreign delegate asked a question in French. It was answered by Dr. Kalam in English. The interpretation system enabled all those present to understand the question, and the conference proceeded without any interruptions or glitch,” Gopalakrishnan explained. “Ensuring such finer aspects happened the way the client(s) wanted, measures the success; we made it.”

Maintains Sreecharan: “Having built competencies of this kind, and having executed projects of this scale earlier, it wasn’t a big challenge. As it is, there weren’t any challenges, technically.”

However, the Highbrow chief admits to the challenges of logistics and coordination amongst the stakeholdersthe Government of Telangana; Greater Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad; and install teams from Highbrow who had to move in a whole lot of expertise, and in a very very challenging time frame.

For meeting the projection requirements, the integrator had deployed Barco’s CLM R10 projectors for larger Sreecharan Atluri, halls, while the Managing Director, smaller halls’ Highbrow requirement was meted out with NEC mid-range projection systems. For capturing video

feed for webcast to a distant location, Sony digital cameras with dedicated edit stations were roped in.

“We are no longer a mere rental and AV distribution company,” maintains the Highbrow chief. “We have evolved to provide what we brand as ‘integrated experience’,” he explains further.

“This combines all our expertise and services- design, supply, integration and maintenance of audio-visual and lighting systems.”

The Metropolis Convention this year was also remarkable for a new dimension of technology demo. The proceedings of the event were webcast to a distant location in the HITEX for media people.

While the entire end-to-end audio-visual set-up for the Plenary and the Parallel Sessions was handled by Highbrow, the video feed from the convention facility was webcast to the media location on the HITEX campus premises by the State Information and Public Relations Department. www.highbrow.co.in

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Dubai's RTA Implements Efficient Driver Training Grand Information Technologies weaves in Smart Training environment

By Ram Bhavanashi

PROJECT FACT FILE

Client: Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai, UAE Project Location: Al Ruwayya Bus Depot, Dubai, UAE Project Segment: Transport/ Government Task: Supply & Installation of Smart Training Rooms (Interactive AV Systems) for Al Ruwayya Bus Depot AV Project Commencement: 9th April 2014 AV Project Commissioned: 26th April 2014 AV Design Consultant(s): Grand Information Technologies FZE AV system integrators: Grand Information Technologies FZE Solutions: Triumph Board; Evoko; SHARP; Atlona; Extron; WePresent

The Al Ruwayyah Bus Depot in Dubai would appear, from outside, like any other facility of its kind. A step-in would change the ‘routine’ impression into ‘interesting’ while a walk-through and a deeper look-in would imprint an as smart as its activity impression. Adapting technology to train and prepare a ‘smart’ community of drivers towards creating a safe road travel architecture – en route to making ‘smart Dubai’ – is what the facility pursues. SI Asia had a rare privilege to visit the facility recentlythanks to Systems Integrator/Consultant Grand Information Technologies FZE. An account:

The Vision & Mission

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oads & Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai – the apex regulatory body of the Emirate’s surface transport – has a simple-worded but grand vision: safe and smooth transport for all.

Its mission is to develop ‘integrated and sustainable transportation systems and provide distinguished services to all stakeholders’ to support Dubai's comprehensive growth plans (through

preparing policies and legislation), adapting technologies and innovative approaches, and implementing worldclass practices and standards.

In tune with the same vision and mission, the RTA has, a few years ago, embarked upon a massive initiative - creating an exclusive and expansive facility that can address the entire gamut of RTA vision.

Under Phase-I, it intended to have a welldefined Bus Depot, workshop, a guard house, a single-storey filling station, a washing bays shed, an inspection bays shed, a stabling yard, and an exclusive substation. All of these facilities occupying nearly 900,000-square feetspread of premises.

An important aspect of the initiative was setting up of a Drivers Qualifying Centera place where the taxi drivers (carrying local and international road travellers) were to be trained and ‘qualified’ before they took to roads. While it looks pretty ordinary from a generic perspective, the ideation is something big.

“In tune with our vision and mission, we took up the task of training and

development of Franchise Taxi, Limousine and bus drivers,” informs Mohammad Masoud Janahi, Director of Drivers Affairs Department (DAD) at RTA. Mohammad Masoud Janahi, Director, (DAD) “We have been contemplating at RTA training tourist and passenger carrying drivers in Dubai.

The objective is not just making the roads safer for all to travel but improve the image of Dubai, with excellence in passenger/customer service,” he explains. “We wanted to implement sophisticated means and methodologies in our action plan.”

According to Francis Simon D’Souza, Specialist at the DAD, the client’s brief comprised weaving in ‘a SMART, automated classroom solution to enhance the Taxi & Limousine drivers learning environments through classroom lectures, room management and video conferencing.’ The guidelines

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recommended would then standardize minimum performance requirements from a Smart Classroom technology and functions point of view at the DAD. It should also be compatible and costeffective to enable the DAD to revamp all the existing classrooms systems and equip them with the same technology.

• The Classroom facility should have simple lecture deliver functionality through interactive screens; audio reinforcement; wireless handheld device integration for mobile lecture deliver functionality; lecture recording and replay set-up • Video conferencing system - a fullfledged video conferencing solution to enable content display; VC recording ability • Room booking system- interactive, integrated booking system for room management and status update display All these systems together are intended to weave in a sophistication of AV network where communications between the learners, trainers and the administration take place in a very ‘smart’ fashion.

To ensure the effective delivery of all projects, the RTA needed a solution provider who is competent to deliver an expertise and set-up as it intended.

The first thing to happen was the Smart Training Rooms.

The GIT Take

Thus came onboard Dubai-based Grand Information Technologies (GIT). That the time-frame for the task was literally two weeks, the consultant-SI kick-started early engagement with the End User and swung its design team to be able fit into the ‘hardest time-line’ given.

Early engagement with the client allowed the Consultant-SI to work with reasonable time with design and technical teams that included multiple visits to the site, research into new or untried technology and systems, and development of a system with indicative budgets.

“The time required to undertake these

tasks and the follow up on End User discussions on system options could not be underestimated,” says B Vengattaramanan, Business Development Manager at Vengattaramanan of the GIT. “We Grand Information wanted to take Technologies FZE every earliest opportunity so that our advice can influence design decisions that can impact on the performance of the AV system deployment such as ceiling height, lighting, audio, furniture etc.” he explains. “Our efforts did pay off to a great extent.”

In accordance with the ideation, the training infrastructure and technology for the facility has been designed to function as a seamless media environment that allows exchange of media and training content from multiple sources to connected displays at the click of a button,” explains the Consultant-SI. According to him, the proposed solution would enable RTA training faculty/facilitators connect any type of media that they bring with them via traditional wired connections (which is

compatible with legacy VGA, current HDMI connectivity) as well as provide access to USB-based media; networkbased media via Cloud (RTA Intranet), and also wirelessly from tablet devices (such as iPads) directly to display without connecting any wires.

The faculty/facilitators, would, therefore, have a flexibility to conveniently share content from wired AV devices, network Cloud (Intranet) as well as content that is on BYOD (bring your own device).

The Smart Training Rooms

The training facility has a total of 11 rooms, including small and big, and – in tune with the tradition requirement – separate rooms for men and women trainees. Each larger room solution, essentially, comprised an 84-inch Interactive LED display in the front wall meant for the faculty usage and operational purposes, and a 60-inch LED display on the side wall – as an extension of the front wall LED – meant for the students sitting on the rear side of the classroom.

Presentations on the interactive LED can be made via wired connection using VGA / HDMI connections of a laptop. Wireless and network cloud content can also be displayed on the screen. All controls are done via a table mounted iPad Control Console.

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“It’s an integrated solution that would transform the way faculty conducts training, and the trainees learn,” sums up Vengat.

“It provides the facilitator, the students, and the administration a fulfilling experience.”

Evoko room scheduling system

For the sound reinforcement, the faculty/facilitator’s voice is captured via a wireless mic and reinforced to the students via ceiling speakers amplified adequately so that the speaker can conduct the session without straining their vocals.

These rooms will eventually be equipped with high-end AV solutions in the coming weeks/months to provide full flexibility to users for AV connectivity and video conferencing. The current set-up is done in such a fashion that they would need only a minimal upgrade to get to a highend, fully automated VC set-up.

Actually, even before the faculty or the trainee gets to the training room, he or she is greeted with an Evoko room scheduling system wall-mounted outside the room- stating whether it is occupied, and for what time spans it would be so, or free to be used. “The system integrated here provides the flexibility to book the room through MS Outlook or its dedicated web interface,” explains Vengat. “Ad-hoc meetings can also be booked directly from the device at the door,” he elaborates, “the Room Booking appliance will display the information about the activity as well as the schedules for that room in the coming hours/days.”

More, the training room credentials, as well as the session information published via the Evoko appliance can be populated via Outlook by the Administrator.

According to the DAD, the setup boosted the RTA’s mission towards excellence. That the centre is equipped with practical labs – considered first of its kind in the region – comprising interactive e-maps linked with GPS using touch technology displaying route layout as well as nearest and shortest alternatives to the location was a commendable achievement, feel the DAD ranks.

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Compliments Janahi: “The most impacting part may be the mapping system for the drivers; it has helped them learn and reinforce their route knowledge in a classroom situation without having to go physically onto the road. This has also reduced our training time as well as our cost owing to nonusage of buses for route familiarization.”

Besides, the interactive LEDs are very user-friendly and the interaction facilitates better learning,” the DAD Director says, “session monitoring, video conferencing and the training room booking systems are the best solutions that are obtained for the Drivers Affairs Department.”

“Having been into such requirements and solution deployments, it wasn’t big task, though,” maintains the GIT exec.

“The only challenge was the time-frame.

Seventeen days for such a project- that’s a test for our competence,” he explains, “we accomplished it on fast-track.” www.rta.ae www.grandinfotech.ae

Or Visit www.systemsintegrationasia.com

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TECHNOLOGY FEATURE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

by Shireen Ho

Market Outlook

According to Futuresource, global projector market posed a steep growth in Q3 in 2014, at 7 per cent in volume YoY, to 2.2 million units – the single highest quarterly result for over a decade. But in the same research, it is also reported that the global market value has plunged.

So what is really going on?

Growth is evident in the Asia Pacific, as the region reported projector sales at 8.7 per cent increase in volume to reach 964,000 units. The APAC market value also saw an increase of 7 per cent in Q3 2014, up to $1.2 billion.

For the EMEA market, it witnessed a growth of 2 per cent YoY, reaching volume sales of 584,000 and $676 million in market value. The growth was largely driven by installation and large venue segment, where sales of 5-7 klm product soared nearly 40 per cent. As per Futuresource, growth was largely fuelled

by Epson, NEC and Panasonic.

In Indonesia and India, volume sales at 47 per cent and 25 per cent respectively

were propelled by an increase in runrates of SVGA products. In China, the mainstream B2B segment continues to be hampered by the impact of lowcost flat panel displays from domestic vendors. The segment’s volumes grew just 7.1 per cent, despite the country being heavily under-penetrated.

What's next for projectors?

Seasonal education purchasing continues to gain traction as UST sales grew 22 per cent YoY, fuelled by burgeoning demand in China, Japan and India – particularly from private education establishments.

In EMEA region, sales of interactive touch UST projectors rose to 867 per cent. However, research also shows that SVGA will continue to dominate the market, with much demand coming from developing African territories.

• In China, preference for display over projector makes it difficult to gain stronghold and long-term investment is required, but market returns will be immense since the country’s projector market remains largely untapped.

At first look, it seems like the projector market is enjoying a boom, however, in the same report, Futuresource commented that though volume sales are up, market value has plunged by 5 per cent – due to the strong sales of entry-level models in developing countries.

• Overall, the projector market in APAC and EMEA has good investment potential. Although the drop in value may be a concern for manufacturers, the increase in volume sales may be able to make up for it in the near future.

• Post-elections in India and Indonesia, we should see local SMEs picking up on their corporate purchase and government’s allocation for education budget would most likely increase in the next quarter, resulting in demand for better education tools such as projectors.

• For private education institutions, projector purchasing power will likely remain stable as interactive UST projectors are seen as state-of-the-art facilities for learning.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015 • Though 1080p projectors posed a healthy growth last quarter, it is predicted that the 4K projectors would be the next big thing. As it is still a fairly new product in the market, it will be interesting to see what impact it will have on the B2B channels.

Projection Technology

As an integrator or end-user, you are probably overwhelmed by the variety of projectors. With a new model being introduced almost every other week, what are some of the interesting features these days? In this feature, we explore some of the hottest trends for 2014.

The Rise Of 4K Ultra HD projectors

When I say '4K is every where now’, I doubt many would disagree. Because it's true. From 4K display to 4K camera, scalers, switchers, graphic cards etc., we are seeing it every where and everyone from manufacturers to end-users are excited about it. And there is a reason for it: Bigger and sharper images are indeed better as it enhances the viewing experience.

Despite 4K technology still being very new in the electronics landscape, the influence it has on the market is immense and this was seen throughout all kinds of audiovisual trade shows around the world – regardless commercial or consumer markets.

With 4K TVs and displays swarming into the market since early 2013, projector manufacturers are not taking it easy.

Already challenged by large-format displays that are only going to get bigger and sharper with each quarter in

Christie Roadie 4K45 is one of Christie's latest 4K offerings.

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resolution – since this is clearly where everyone’s going, where the future is. We can make attractive presentations and with that, Therefore, we capture in addition longer audience to early 4K Digital Projection Insight 4K LED is the attention. Also, adopters like industry's latest 4K LED projector. who knows in Barco and future we might even have a weekly NEC, who had already introduced a few movie screening too, so 4K projectors early models before the boom in 2013, are definitely good for team bonding. many big name players are also quickly catching up on their 4K releases. This is especially evident in the past year, where Alright, jokes aside, one of the perks of 4K projection is definitely the attractive new 4K models are being introduced resolution and the awe-factor it gives almost every other week by the various especially if you are presenting to an projector manufacturers. important client (or really short-attention span children). But for those who are So what drives the 4K race? Frankly, cost-concerned, getting a 4K projector there are numerous factors. From the film and TV industry which recently made for education and corporate use might not appeal that much to them.

4K the golden standard de facto, to 4K cameras (producing 4K content has Then again, with the influx of 4K never been easier), to ultra-fast internet projectors in the market, it is yet to connectivity (sharing and streaming, no see how long can they keep the high issue!), all the old arguments/excuses/ price tag. Just like the 4K displays protests we heard earlier like, 'Why get market, which saw prices going down 4K displays and projectors when we by an average of 85%¹ since it was first don't have the content' and 'It's not launched, perhaps the same will happen THAT common!' have been sniffled out. to 4K projectors. As of the publish of this article, one of the cheaper 4K projectors Though impressive and very much

by Sony still cost close to US$9,000. relevant, especially for consumer markets like home cinema and theatre, But of course, the notion against 4K the million-dollar question here is, projectors does not apply to all the will it have the same impact in the verticals. For retail and hospitality sector, commercial market? By ‘commercial’, 4K projectors gives them an extra option here I am referring to the vertical for digital signage. Seen in installation markets such as the education and projects such as the Christie® projectors corporate sectors. in Hugo Boss and McLaren's 30th Anniversary in Milan, using projectors for After all, for classrooms and digital signage are getting increasingly boardroom installations, the main popular as projection mapping gives use of the projector is not to watch projected images a creative edge – high definition film, but rather, something that retailers and advertisers to present their work. So are 4K want to capture their audience’s projectors really necessary for attention. these verticals? Given the price tag attached to it, will it be worthwhile In the past, luxury retailers have resisted to purchase them for presentation the use of digital signage because it was purposes? still unable to give a totally smooth and non-pixelated image, which is crucial Advocates of 4K projectors for their high-end image and is also why will probably say yes, because many stuck with static print display for what is the harm of having UHD our fast-moving AV industry, projector manufacturers had to step up their game.

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so long. But now, with 4K technology available in both display and projectors, it has opened up a door of opportunities for them to experience something different.

And most certainly, the door has also opened for projector manufacturers and integrators as well to explore this previously under-regarded vertical. šIntelligence conducted by BusinessInsider

Ultra-short Throw Improves Interactive Whiteboard

Without a doubt, interactive projectors are all the rage nowadays. From classroom settings to corporate boardrooms, interactive whiteboards are becoming popular among many users because of its collaborative feature.

innovative software features such as network capabilities, which allows the presenter to share their work on the board with their audience easily. A truly all-in-one solution, you can also use them to surf the web, create document, do dictionary search and stream videos etc.

Tilt It Freely, Blend It Seamlessly

Each installation is unique. Sometimes consultants and integrators get the privilege of working out the space they need for their installation before the furniture moves in and the walls and ceilings get done, but more than often, it is the other way around â&#x20AC;&#x201C; being asked to work with only the space given to you and NOT to make any big changes to the space is much more usual.

Making the interactive whiteboard a much more attractive investment than ever, is the introduction of ultra-short throw projection.

An upgrade from the past short-throw projectors, the ultra-short throw projector addresses the problem of shadows. As interactivity becomes a commonplace, UST projectors eliminates the 'blindspot' in short-throw interactive whiteboards and enhances the viewing experience.

NEC NP-PX602UL features seamless integrated edge-blending.

in big digital signage display projects, projectors that can do edge-blending can double, triple or even quadruple their image size and brightness. The key is the ease with which a number of projector images can be blended while saving much installation time.

Get Real With Projection Mapping

Also known as video mapping or spatial augmented reality, projection mapping is a projection technology that uses irregular surfaces (or facades of buildings) as display surfaces projection. When done well, it will look as if the images are hovering on the surface! As mentioned, this feature has been getting lots of attention in the retail & hospitality verticals, and Panasonic PT-RZ670 offers flexibility with tilt-free feature. museum and art installations Several manufacturers such are becoming fans of it as well. as Hitachi and Casio have several So what happens if you are installing a But one of the main users of projection quality models with these functions at a projector system and space somehow mapping have been rental and staging reasonable price range. Some even have constraints you from placing the device companies who often use it to enhance properly? an event.

Epson EB-595Wi is a touch-enabled interactive UST projector.

This is where the projector's tilt-free feature comes in. Unlike projectors which can only project proper images when placed perpendicularly on a flat surface, projectors with this tilt-free capability allows flexible installation in any setting and any position, saving many integrators the headache of finding the 'right spot'.

Predicted to have many more installations to come, it is definitely one of the most exciting projection features to look out for.

There are also many projectors now that come with the edge-blending feature, solving the problem of bad image overlaps. Often used

Let's bring the discussion online on www.systemsintegrationasia.com

As an industry professional, what are your thoughts on the future of the projector market in Asia? Do these projector features excite you?

Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific 2 Jalan Kilang Barat, Panasonic Building, Singapore 159346 â&#x20AC;˘ Tel: +65 6277 7264 â&#x20AC;˘ Email: summer.neo@sg.panasonic.com

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All Hail The New Era Of Interoperability As full A/V networking becomes a default for many install applications, there is a role for DSP providers in smoothing the way towards seamless integration and control of third-party devices. Hock Thang, Regional Sales Manager (APAC) for Symetrix, discusses the boost for interoperability delivered by the company's new SymNet Composer 3.0 software.

Hock Thang, Regional Sales Manager (APAC) for Symetrix

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o say that in pro-audio circles we live in swiftly changing times would be to risk a profound understatement across multiple regions of endeavour. But it is arguable that it is in one specific area – interoperability – that we are currently witnessing the most rapid evolution.

Clearly, the gradual move away from point-to-point connectivity delivered by the likes of MADI has been a crucial prompt in this regard. Proprietary networking technologies had made occasionally significant inroads into proaudio, but their profile has lately been overshadowed by the wave of standardsbacked networking initiatives to reach the market over the last few years – notably Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) and AES67 for networking transport, as well as the forthcoming AES standard for networking control.

The extent to which these technologies will ultimately be adopted remains a subject of great debate, but with any implementations in end-product working to exacting stipulations, the prospect of seamless interoperability between a vast array of currently available systems residing on the same network is now within tantalisingly close reach.

It is within this context that demand for DSP providers to enhance the multi-manufacturer interoperability of their solutions has lately grown by a

significant margin. Time and time again, Symetrix’ partnerships with integration professionals have suggested that ease of set-up and configuration are critical in an industry that is evermore timesensitive. It stands to reason, then, that a DSP system able to interface simply and in a way that requires minimal software configuration with other-brand products like loudspeakers and microphones can be an important asset – particularly with projects towards the upper end of the scale when it comes to size and complexity.

Across applications, Symetrix prides itself as being something of a pacesetter in this department. In product series such as the SymNet open architecture Dante-scalable DSP range, the company has sought to establish a new level of DSP flexibility through its full support of Dante.

Symetrix has also broken new ground with its SymNet Composer software, which enables the easy configuration of Symetrix SymNet Edge and Radius Dante-enabled DSPs. Introduced at ISE 2014, SymNet Composer 2.0 was the first DSP platform in the AV industry to deliver multi-manufacturer interoperability. Whereas each manufacturer’s products would traditionally have required separate software to be configured, along with Audinate’s Dante Controller software to tie the products together on a network, SymNet Composer 2.0 meant that only one software interface was needed to get the job done.

Select Dante-enabled Attero Tech and Stewart Audio products were the first to join the SymNet Composer interoperability party, while Composer 3.0 – released recently – brings the same benefits to users of Shure’s enterpriselevel, networked wireless microphone systems, as well as Audio-Technica’s ATND791 Dante-enabled cardioid condenser boundary mic. As with the

Attero Tech and Stewart Audio devices, various parameters of the Shure and Audio-Technica products are available for configuration through Composer 3.0, making it possible to achieve complete system interoperability via a single software window.

The result for integrators is a significant saving in terms of expensive and configuration time since they need only get to grips with SymNet Composer to achieve network discovery, Dante signal routing and audio input set-up of connected third-party devices.

And that’s not all, as Symetrix is delivering another boost to integrators with the first shipment of the SymNet Radius 12x8 EX. An upgrade to its popular SymNet Radius 12x8 DSP, the new version will boast the same compact footprint alongside the benefits of an expansion slot to guarantee futureproofed AV systems. We will also be announcing the first VoIP product in the SymNet family, the SIP-based Two-Line VoIP card, which integrates with Cisco and Asterisk call platforms to provide a convenient solution for a wide variety of conference applications.

Through these various developments, we are demonstrating our determination to allow integrators to ‘cut to the chase’ and get their systems up-and-running quickly without having to wade through countless manuals and online tutorials.

Looking into the mid-term future, the increasing complexity of AV networks will be such that anything manufacturers can do to smooth integrators’ daily lives will be welcomed with open arms. Here at Symetrix we believe we can be at the forefront of this movement, combining sophisticated DSP with third-party compatibility and configuration for the most hassle-free installation process possible. www.symetrix.co

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TECH TALK SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

The Cool Revolution For A

By Peter van Dijk

Energy conservation is a hot topic in practically every area of modern life. While we may be motivated partly by a desire to protect the environment, it’s undeniable that efficient energy use makes the most sense economically; and this of course has been the driving factor in the spread of energy-efficient technologies in commercial applications like pro-AV. issue. But that assumption would be incorrect. Heat management is actually a far more serious issue for LEDs than any other form of lighting used in audiovisual systems.

A22 Autobrennero User Assistance Centre in Modena, Italy. The A22 is one of the main highways linking Italy with Austria and Germany

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nergy is wasted in the form of heat. One of the biggest advances in energy efficiency has been the development of solid state lighting, particularly LEDs. Prior to the advent of the modern high-power LED, the only practical option for generating full-spectrum light of sufficient intensity for applications like projection was the hot filament lamp; technology that has been around, more or less unchanged, since the days of Thomas Edison. It does indeed seem strange to us now that up until just a few years ago, our state-ofthe-art control rooms and cinemas were still reliant on 19th Century technology.

It’s a bit like discovering a clockwork motor powering your desktop computer.

Like mechanical devices that to have overcome friction in order to function, filament lamps are inherently inefficient, relying on the burning of a fine electrical element in an inert gas to create light.

In fact, most of the energy used is expended in the form of heat; heat which requires additional cooling. The

burning process also consumes the lamp element, so that eventually it fails and needs replacement. The most common form of projection lamps use mercury, which creates additional problems for the disposal of spent bulbs, and the new lamps are not cheap – costing around €1,000 each. For missioncritical 24/7 installations, bulbs need to be replaced once a year on average, which represents a substantial annual maintenance cost.

Little wonder, then, that LED lighting technology has so rapidly gained a foothold in professional audio visual installations. The latest generation of LEDs is far more efficient at producing light than the old mercury lamps. They generate a wider gamut of colours, are less susceptible to creating projection “hot-spots”, and, being solid state devices, they have far greater lifespans.

Generating light from solid state materials does not rely on “burning” or arcing processes and so it may seem obvious that heat generation is not an

The heart of an LED is a semiconductor – a tiny piece of silicon wafer, engineered to create light when an electrical current passes across it. Although very efficient, this process does indeed generate heat in a very localised area.

Unlike conventional light bulbs which are designed to run hot, LEDs are badly affected by high temperatures. Heat causes the silicon wafer to gradually lose its ability to create light and, eventually, to fail completely. Red LEDs are especially sensitive to thermal stress. Studies have indicated that for every 10 degrees above the optimal temperature, LED lifespan is reduced by half. So for the LED to maintain a stable performance for a long period of time, it needs to be carefully built at a microscopic level and good thermal management is essential; the silicon wafer must be properly bonded to its cooling heat sink, optically and electrically efficient and employ good quality materials to minimise heat build up.

The efficiency of the cooling system employed in LED projection applications is clearly therefore extremely important.

Even a small heat build-up can cause long-term damage to LEDs over time.

Unlike light bulbs, LEDs don’t usually “pop” when they reach the end of their lives. Instead, they gradually fade out, losing light output and colour purity as they do so. The effect of this is that, while the LED may continue to work, its light output will gradually degrade, becoming noticeably different to its neighbours. In multi-projector AV installations such as control room

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Brighter, Greener Imagery displaywalls, this obviously will cause major problems over time.

Some LED projectors used in control room display wall applications employ liquid cooling to keep their LED light sources within operational temperature limits. While these systems work perfectly well, they are reliant on mechanical hardware in the form of pumps, radiators and liquid reservoirs.

Like any mechanical device, they require regular checks to prevent leakage, maintain fluid levels and replace worn mechanical components. A typical service interval would be around 40,000 hours of service, or about 4.5 years of operation.

Other designs use variations of aircooling for thermal management.

Mitsubishi Electric’s, DLP cubes employ a unique air-cooled heat-pipe system; m; technology derived originally from its ts Air Conditioning Division. In this system,, the only mechanical component is a specially cially built fan, which is rated for 100,000 hours of continuous operation. With no other mechanical parts, the service ce period is extended to up to 100,000 hours, or 11 years of 24/7 usage. Plus, us, naturally, there is no possibility of fluid leakage causing damage or cooling system failure allowing LED temperature ature to rise beyond its safe operational limits. mits.

Aside from the importance of keeping ng LED’s running cool from a longevity

point of view, there is another important aspect to thermal management.

Heat energy dissipated from the LED obviously needs to go somewhere, and that somewhere is the control room environment. Controlling the room environment requires air handling, which in turn consumes energy. This is where something so seemingly insignificant as the microscopic design of the LED lighting element can have a dramatic cumulative effect on overall energy consumption. The more efficient the light source, the less heat generated, and therefore the less energy required to manage it. The complexity of the hardware required to keep it running cool is often an indication of how efficiently the LED is operating.

Another environmental factor worth mentioning in connection with the accelerated ageing of LEDs is the performance of the electronics that drive them. Conventional lamps use alternating current (AC) power. However, LEDs need carefully controlled direct current (DC) to work. This means the power has to be converted before it can be used, and it is this component – the power supply unit (PSU) – that can prove the weak link in the chain. Power supplies have to manage high currents and fluctuating input voltages to deliver a constant and smooth supply of DC to the LEDs. If the supply of power to the LED is noisy or erratic, this can cause rapid ageing or even premature

failure. The design and construction of the PSU and the power supply for the entire installation is therefore extremely important to ensuring LED light source devices achieve their maximum rated lifespan.

LED lighting has had a profound effect on the cost-efficiency of projectionbased systems. It is now routine for major screen installations to go for many years without maintenance. No more mercury lamps means significant reductions in running costs and less harmful waste in the environment.

Perhaps future generations will one day congratulate the inventiveness of 21st Century engineers in creating a technology which stood the test of time, like the humble light bulb.

(The author is Regional Sales Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. He can be contacted at peter.van.dijk@nl.mee. com. SI Asia thanks Peter for sharing his insights.)

Peter van Dijk, Business Development Manager, EMEA, Mitsubishi

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TECH TALK SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

Digital Cooking: a well-tuned EDID will save you the costs of scaling receivers, and do an even better job. When not set up properly, scaling receivers can make the video look even worse by scaling up low resolutions when proper EDID management could have forced the source to output an optimal signal.

1. Don't trust the cable! If you didn't bring it, if you didn't pull it, and certify it, then don't trust it. As all measurement equipment, regular inspection and service of your tools have to be made, and that includes your test cable. Always have two recently-tested cables to trouble-shoot with. This guideline is #1 for a reason.

In this 10th and final instalment of Digital Cooking, we have come to a full circle in the kitchen of AV. As we covered quite a lot of material in the previous nine articles, this one will pull the salient advice from them and give you only the crème de la crème of guidelines to which every installer should follow to some degree. So, get your printer and laminate ready, as these might be good to have handy when designing systems or troubleshooting them.

2. Go with a Matrix that you can manage. It's important to have the tools to manage EDID, access a frame detector, embed & de-embed audio, and run cable analysis from the Matrix. Smarter is better! Having the ability to do some signal conversion also provides flexibility in design. When everything is converted as TMDS inside the matrix, the hybrid structure offers unparalleled functionality and gives a critical point of management.

3. Only trust in true EDID management. Without proper EDID settings, your source will not produce the expected video content (resolution, refresh rate, color depth, and all the features of HDMI 1.4). In most instances,

4. Remember the general CAT cable rule: in AV, UTP is Useless Twisted Pair!

Even if HDBaseT can be used on UTP Cat5e, the performance is far worse than on STP version or even better, S/FTP. This is especially the case when you have cable trunk. If your field of operation is in a wide open space with single links in the void, away from cell towers, CFL lights, and any Electro-Magnetic & ESD interferences, then feel free to use UTP; otherwise, stay away from it like a chef putting too much salt in the dish!

5. Put fiber in your diet. Don't be scared. Fiber is a chef's friend and should be yours too. It has zero Electromagnetic Interference, it's uber-reliable, and it works on long distances or crowded environments (where trunking or space is an issue). Most of the time, multi-mode fiber (cheaper than singlemode) would be enough for video transmission. Just take a look at old OM1 fiber installed 12 years ago, which is doing great passing UHD signals. This is not the case with an old CAT5e UTP...

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Top Chef AV Recipe 6. HDBaseT, the life saver. Yes, HDBaseT has solved a lot of issues.

Yes, HDBaseT made it common to remote power senders and receivers.

Yes, HDBaseT made it easy to have Ethernet, IR, RS-232 alongside an HDMI signal. Heed this: not all HDBaseT are created equal, so beware when you select your extenders. Just take a look on Panasonic's DIGITAL LINK website to see how different manufacturers measure up in terms of compatibility. You will see that it is not always 5-Play compatible.

And one more thing: do you really need all 5 Play services for simple computer extension in the control room?

7. Cables: read point 1. Read it again please. The better the cable is, the less issues you'll have delivering the installation and maintaining it. We said good cables, not necessarily the most expensive, extravagant ones. Industrialgood means published specs with measurements, on site certification and qualification. Take note that nylon braid (inner or outer) doesn't take 4K30 any further. 95% of installation issues occur as a result of poor cable.

8. Talk 4K, but know it. 4K30 is nice in the TV Shop, and maybe at home with some computers or special media players. 4K30 is not common for the broadcasters, and also the NextGen Bluray industry. What about Pro AV? They'd rather work with 4K60, but sorry, because only DP1.2 and HDMI2.0 will be able transmit 4K60, and these solutions are not on the market yet.

Another consideration is the bandwidth necessary to route 4K60 (~20Gbps) is

only available from one manufacturer in the world at the moment, so it will take some time before other solutions hit the market.

9. The Internet is everything. Or is it? Shall we transmit video over IP, or over network (remember that IP Protocol use networks, but all networks are not IP based)? H264 is nice, cheap, etc., but I'd rather not lay down in the Operation Room with an H264 transmitter for the endoscope, thank you. In many cases, our customers need high-reliability and negligible delay. Until Skype releases a Medical Edition (and we're not saying they won't), it's best to analyse the situation before choosing your transmission method.

10. Prepare your test kit. Every decent chef has their tool kit, an the AV installer has theirs too. Keep yours up-to-date and ready. For instance, don't use local or a freshly-unpacked device to troubleshoot the installation. Read point 1, and bring your own tested and trusted cables. It means also that if your job is using a new type of equipment, test it in the workshop, or at the office before going on site with it. New cables types?

Test them. Trust is all you need when troubleshooting, and test equipment has to be verified and subsequently maintained when you get back home.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to cook digitally with you over the last year and a half, however it’s time to put the chef’s hat down for a bit. We do expect to have a few encore articles in the future when we think of something new to cook up, that’s for sure. Wishing all the best to everyone and we welcome your emails and thoughts any time.

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. SI Asia thanks them for their contribution over the past years.

ATTENTION!

To view and print copies of the entire Digital Cooking series visit www.systemsintegrationasia.com

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SINGAPORE

AMX Provides Converged Solutions At Sports Hub AMX flexes its AV-IT strength

by Thomas Richard Prakasam Photo Credit: Singapore Sports Hub

The Singapore Sports Hub has been covered in many of the Industry's magazine, including our own sister magazine Entertainment Technology Asia, where we focused purely on the audio system in the National Stadium (Sept-Oct issue). In this issue of SI Asia, we will look under the hood of the technology that is driving the Sports Hub's visual communication.

T

he Singapore Sports Hub is the largest Public-Private Partnership in Singapore's history. Located on a 35ha site in Kallang, the Sports Hub comprises of the following facilities:

• A 55,000 capacity National Stadium.

• A 3,000 capacity OCBC Aquatic Centre, which can be extended to accommodate 6,000 for specific events that meets world tournament standards.

• A 3,000 capacity OCBC Arena which is scalable, modular and flexible in layout.

• A Water Sports Centre to enhance sport offerings in the Kallang Basin.

• A Sports Information and Resource Centre, comprising of the Sports Hub Library and Singapore Sports Museum.

• A 41,000 sqm commercial space offering leisure, shopping and dining

space.

• And the existing 13,000 capacity Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Different Tenders...One Solution Provider

Without a doubt, the Sports Hub is definitely a very large project.

Unsurprisingly during tender, there were many different packages called for with different decision makers. The packages for Digital Signage, IPTV and Command and Control signal and switchers were all of different packages. The consultants had broken up the package according to AV and IT capabilities.

But AMX, of course, knew very well that it could provide a converged and seamless solution for all three aspects.

The challenge was in convincing the decision makers, with the bigger challenge of showcasing the connectivity of the three packages from a bird's-eye view, as they were all working towards a different time schedule.

Robin Enlund, Managing Director, Harman AMX, commented, “There were many companies who were involved in the tender who could provide the respective solutions needed as they were strong in those segments. But we stood

out because we were able to offer an integrated solution for all three aspects.

It did take some convincing before the decision makers realised that we were truly able to provide a working, scalable solution that could also save them money and make the solutions work effectively.”

Reaffirming Robin's comments, Mathew Lamb, Technical Director at SportsHub Pte Ltd, added, “Yes it was very difficult to get the sub-set manufacturers/subcontractors to understand the hi-tech concept design and actually how easy the integration to the AMX digital matrix was and how the applications were accessible and viewed on the ICMS. Once they understood the simple integration requirements it lead to a very smooth installation and deployment.”

Mathew also highlighted the benefit of working with one vendor, “By having one core manufacturer like AMX provide us with operating systems that are all compatible, it allows for a smooth and stable operation. From a CAPEX perspective, it allows for stronger negotiation and reduces the risk associated with multiple vendors and interface compatibility issues. From an OPEX perspective, it reduces the amount of maintenance contracts and allows for bundle FM costs to be applied.”

The Solutions

IPTV at the Media Centre

The solutions provided by AMX to the Sports Hub were pretty much straight forward. The key however was how AMX was able to converge all the solutions into an integrated and seamless solution.

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In addition the AMX X-Panels provided authorised users the ability to create and control content for the displays.

“It was interesting that in the final design there was only one network point per display. With our solutions we were able to utilise that network point to cater to both IPTV, Digital Signage and control thus saving money for the Sports Hub,” said Adrian Jaros, Technical Manager, Harman AMX.

Digital AV Routing for the Command Control Centres

AMX Inspired Signage

For the Sports Hub's Digital Signage needs, AMX provided 16 units of their Inspired Xpert players, to cater to the 350 displays around the Sports Hub. With minimal software license fees, the AMX Inspired Signage solutions were cost effective. Creating and managing digital messages is made simple with the AMX Inspired Signage Composer software which enables on-the-spot editing, publishing and delivery of content including real-time internet content like weather, tickers and news to every display. Encoding of the signals is handled by third party encoders. This was because at the time of the project, AMX did not have its own encoders but that has since changed with the AMX NMC-ENC, H.264 Encoders.

Each display has a very small format AMX STB-04 Set-Top Box installed. The STB-04 is an Amino H140 Set Top Box that is able to decode MPEG-2 and H.264 streams up to 1080i. The STB04 is capable of displaying live MPEG multicast streams as well as playing video on demand from stored content.

In terms of the Hub's IPTV needs, AMX installed their Vision2 solutions. Vision2 is a sophisticated IP delivery solution that offers fully-integrated video capture, management and broadcast. The Vision2 solutions catered to around 200 IPTV displays around the Hub. For the IPTV set up CATV and fiber signals are transmitted through the Telco companies boxes, which are then passed through third-party IP encoders and onto the the AMX STB-04 Set-Top boxes installed at the displays.

With AMX ability to provide the IPTV and Digital Signage servers, DS players, and set top boxes for the displays, all running via the LAN with additional control and monitoring provided through the AMX Resource Management Suite (RMS) and NetLinx Integrated Controllers, the entire solution was one of seamless integration.

There are 5 Command Centres with one Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) and a Redundant Centre that are responsible for the entire Sports Hub operations.

The management servers and the CCTV decoders are all linked to AMX Enova DGX digital media switchers. Control, video switching, transcoding and scaling as well as local and remote distribution can all be handled in this single, compact enclosure.

The Enova DGX proprietary technologies provide additional benefits to the Sports Hub. AMX's SmartScale(R) technology automatically delivers an optimallyscaled image to every display eliminating incompatibilities between source devices and displays. AMX InstaGate Pro™ provides hassle-free matrix switching to any HDCP complaint display without constraints or delays whereas the DXLink (TM) technology sends and receives audio, video, control, Ethernet and

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“This project is a statement of IT's convergence with AV, which is a forte for AMX. No other company in this industry could have undertaken a full integration of this magnitude.”

- Robin Enlund, Managing Director, Harman AMX

power over either one standard twister pair cable or a single mode or multimode fiber thus saving on cabling.

The signals from the AMX Enova DGX switchers are then transmitted to the Video wall at the ICCC or to the other Command Centre multi-display monitors.

AMX Modero X-Panels are installed in the various Command Centres as well as in other operational rooms to enable users to control functions via a streamlined interface.

It is worth to note that the AMX Enova DGX switchers come with a lifetime warranty. “For an operations like the Sports Hub, this provides them with a huge incentive and cost saving. AMX of course is confident of the performance of the DGX Switchers that enables us to provide a lifetime warranty,” commented Robin Enlund.

Operators need to log in onto the X-Panels to be able to bring up visuals onto the displays to monitor and control functions. Different levels of security ensure that only those authorised to access their specific areas are able to

do so within the parameters set for each operator. With RMS running in the background, full log in details and actions done are easily viewable by supervisors. Operators are able to place the visuals in the displays according to their preferences.

The ICCC features the 19.4” Modero X Series G5 Tabletop Touch panel which features the G5 graphics engine that delivers superior performance.

The panoramic capacitive multi-touch screen provides users access to multiple applications with minimal navigation.

The distinctive, low-profile design is engineered to sit perfectly on a table without obstructing views. The other Command centres feature the slightly smaller 10.1” screens, though it too boasts of the G5 graphics engine.

Resource Management Suite

The AMX Resource Management Suite (RMS) provides the underlying capability for the Sports Hub to centrally manage and monitor the AV equipment, lights, HVAC and other building functions. In addition information related to energy management allows the Sports Hub management to manage their resources more efficiently. With a fully customizable dashboard layout for each secure user and visual bar graphs and colour codes, it makes reading the performance of the various resources easy.

Final Say

Mathew further highlighted, “Our objectives at the Sports hub was to have an innovative and integrated solution that provides a central configuration and one source of information distribution that ensures an effective operational process.”

Command Centres featuring AMX Modero panels

He continued, “We envisaged having an Integrated Central Management System that allowed a single sign on process between the ICMS and the sub systems allowing the operator to have

predetermined screen configurations on log in and full access to the sub systems based upon his/her password authorization. What we didn’t want was an ICMS that had multiple high level software interfaces between the ICMS and the sub-systems that would provide very difficult when it comes to configuration and during the refresh of software and systems over the 25 years of the operation of the Sports Hub.”

Mathew Lamb, Technical Director, SporsHub Pte Ltd

AMX of course met those objectives seamlessly. To this Mathew Lamb added with satisfaction, “When I was previously working on the Marina Bay Sands facility I introduced the AMX product suite instead of their preferred global partner and from that project to this project we have carried out multiple product evaluations and this backed with first class support and help at all stages of the projects it is very clear why AMX are ahead of the competition.” www.sportshub.com.sg www.amx.com

PROJECT FACTFILE • • • •

Client: The Sports Hub Location: Singapore Segment: Sports Task: To provide Digital Signage, IPTV, Command & Control and Switchers • System Integrator: Pave Pte Ltd • Solutions Installed: AMX Inspired Xpert Players AMX STB-04 Set-Top Box AMX Vision2 solution AMX Modero X Series panels AMX Enova DGX Switchers AMX Resource Management Suite AMX NetLinx Integrated Controllers

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SINGAPORE

Trinity@Paya Lebar Upgrades Visual Communications LoudImage installs Epson projectors for bright and vivid images Taking all of the above into consideration, Loudimage proposed purchasing and installing Epson projectors as they provide excellent image quality at a reasonable price. “We chose models that best served our purpose at the best price point,” said Winston Loh, Sales Director, Loudimage Pte Ltd.

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midst the busy Paya Lebar Industrial area, sits a calm oasis, which is the Trinity@Paya Lebar church. Featuring greenery landscape and a mini waterfall at the entrance of the building, it offers respite from the busy world just outside its premises.

Trinity began its life in 1970 through Rev and Mrs Glenn Stafford. The church has since grown from its humble beginnings and has now two worship spaces in Singapore and is headed by Rev Dominic Yeo catering to the over 7,000 followers.

In total 12 units of Epson EB-1776W mobile projectors were included in the inventory for classroom applications. A further 2 units of Epson EB-X14H were installed in one classroom, with the two theatrettes featuring 2 units of Epson EB-G6150 projectors each.

Trinity@Paya Lebar, as in other houses of worship, uses visual communications for its services as well as for classroom activities and conferences. The time had come for the the church to replace its projectors in some of the rooms and the church committee hired the services of Loudimage Pte Ltd to recommend and install new projectors.

“The 3LCD projection engine provides same white and colour output display which ensures superb uniformity.

But more than that the G6000 series offer extremely flexible installation capability with wide lens shift and point/ arc correction features. The eventual selected model was the Epson EBG6150 with XGA resolution to match the existing projection screen and 6500 lumens for consistent brightness regardless of the theatrette lighting settings,” said Winston.

The equipment in the venue is operated by a wide variety of users, from staffs to volunteers to even external parties.

Thus the church wanted projectors that would be simple to use with minimal training. Furthermore, the projectors are to be maintained by a very small team and thus, it was essential that the recommended projectors are durable and easy to maintain. In addition, as a non-profit organisation, the purchase needed to be value for money.

The theatrettes is where the services are held hence, a key requirement was that the projectors needed to be bright and feature vivid colours and thus the Epson G6000 series was installed.

For the theatrettes, lens flexibility was critical. “One main challenge we faced during the installation was the slight obstruction shadows caused by the existing lighting fixtures. The flexible lens shift was used to vertically avoid casting the shadows without the need to physically lower the projectors,

which may have in turn caused another obstruction issue for the congregation seated at the back of the rooms.”

In addition, the Epson EB-G6150 features five types of analog input (D-Sub 15 pin, 5BNC, Component, Composite, S-Video) and two Digital inputs (HDMI and Display Port), thus enabling it to be easily connected to any source, for convenience.

The Epson EB-1776W mobile projectors, on the other hand, helped resolve the issue of having a projector only when needed. Its light weight makes it easy to be carried and mobilised within minutes.

Touted as the world's slimmest 3LCD projector, it features a native WXGA resolution with Auto Keystone Correction in real time and is ready for use within seconds, making it easy and convenient for the user.

Epson projectors not only met the church's criteria but more importantly its user-friendliness and easy maintenance have helped to alleviate the workload of the church staff. The added bonus of course is the bright and vivid colours projected, that helps put the message across and capture the attention of the congregration! www.trinity.net www.loudimage.com.sg www.epson.com.sg

PROJECT FACTFILE • • • •

Client: Trinity@Paya Lebar Location: Singapore Segment: House of Worship Task: To implement a cost-effective projection system that features, ease-of-use, bright and vivid colours and easy maintenance • System Integrator: Loudimage Pte Ltd • Solutions Installed: Epson projectors

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SINGAPORE

PT. Kluege International Integrates Crestron solutions form the backbone in one of the largest AV project in Asia for an Oil & Gas company its new premises at TCC Batavia Tower One, the management of the company decided to incorporate technologies that would drive their efficiency and green initiatives. To achieve this, the company looked into incorporating digital technology throughout the IT infrastructure. Next, the company wanted to ensure efficient and effective meeting rooms for every employee, via a scheduling and monitoring system and finally a Boardroom featuring technology that would enable productivity and efficiency.

This meant implementing full state of the art AV technology innovation to their 46 meeting rooms including the Boardroom and Emergency Control Room with digital media as the backbone. A huge task that was undertaken by PT Kluege International. Kluege designed, supplied, installed and integrated all the AV solutions for this project that included a maintenance contract of 3 years.

Kluege also worked closely with PT Design Paramitra Indonesia, who were the interior design company for all the meeting rooms as well as the six office floors. This helped in ensuring that both the aesthetics as well as the technology implementation were seamlessly interfaced.

T

he client in this project is Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company.

Established in 2006, the company ranks high among global independent upstream companies next to super majors and currently has more than 70 projects across more than 25 countries.

The company also operates through its overseas offices in USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and U.A.E. Taking advantage of its recent Indonesian office relocation in Jakarta to

Crestron solutions feature heavily in this installation as they form the backbone operation of the AV solutions and are also on the front line, engaging with the users. The key to the seamless working of all the AV solutions in the space

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by Thomas Richard Prakasam

State Of The Art AV Technology

are the Crestron Digital Media (DM) solutions that have been integrated. DM utilizes a flexible, scalable architecture and can accept analog, digital, and control signals such as advanced EDID, CEC, and USB. Through DM signals can be transmitted over HDMI®, HDBaseT®, CAT5e, multimode fiber, single-mode fiber, and H.264 streaming video over the network, thus making it easy to manage all of the disparate AV signals and devices. Crestron Touch-screens and Cameo Key-pads ensure easy control of the solutions across the facility.

For managing and monitoring all the rooms, Kluege integrated the Crestron Fusion RV - Remote Asset management software with Microsoft Exchange. This enables administrators to seamlessly monitor and manage the meeting rooms through the customised web-based user interface. Users could also easily book rooms or see the room status through their desktop/laptop or physically book the room using the touch screens installed outside the rooms. In addition Crestron Fusion offers reporting which enables administrators to analyse and better manage their rooms and AV resources.

“Initially the scheduling and monitoring through Microsoft Exchange was turning on and off on its own. Upon further investigating, we realised that this was happening due to a bandwidth throttle created by Microsoft Exchange.

Microsoft Exchange is able to handle a maximum of 20 rooms per account and the client had only one account for the 46 rooms. At the end we added 3 accounts and everything worked smoothly. This has not happened before

as most of the times Room View Crestron and Microsoft Exchange are used for installations that are less than 20 rooms,” commented Evan Tjandra of Kluege..

with the client and design team along with clear objectives helped us to move the project along fairly smoothly,” said Evan.

Amazingly the Kluege team took only 5 months to complete all the installation and integration for the massive project.

“Proper planning, constant interaction

The Boardroom

As in any major organisation, the Boardroom plays a pivotal role in the operating and direction of the business.

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sound and full duplex transmission of speech, including doubletalk.

Crestron AirMedia enables BYOD functionality in the meeting rooms

Key decisions are made in the room with key executives involved. As with the changing phase of technology, the Boardroom too has transformed to better engage its users. The Boardroom sits 26 personnel in the main table but allows for a total of 50 personnel to be seated in the room with space on the side to accommodate them. To enable collaboration, ensure engagement, and improve productivity in the Boardroom, Kluege integrated a number of solutions to achieve those objectives.

A Crestron 8x8 Digital Media Switcher with a range of output cards is used to ensure seamless switching between various AV sources effectively. Control of the various equipment is handed over to a 15” Crestron touchpanel that sits on the boardroom table. For basic controls, an additional Crestron Cameo key-pad is installed in the room.

On the visual aspect, an Epson EB4750W is installed from the ceiling. The EB-4750W is a WXGA projector featuring 3LCD technology that offers equally high white and colour light output at 4,200 lumens. As the projector offers HDMI input and a Display port, it enables the connection of a variety of HD devices.

The projector also features a side-by-side split screen function that allows the user to present from two different sources.

2 units of 84” LED TV is also installed in the room together with a 70” Sharp BIG PAD panel. With its multi- touch

and multi-user capabilities the BIG PAD is great for collaboration. “The BIG PAD enables the boardroom users to share their thoughts and ideas and critically the data can be shared easily, not only within the Boardroom but to anywhere it might be needed within the office's LAN,” said Evan.

Two cameras with 1 Cisco codec is also integrated within the Boardroom for video-conferencing purposes. To enhance the audio aspect of the video conferencing, a Biamp Nexia VC digital signal processor featuring Biamp's proprietary Sona AEC has been installed.

The Biamp Nexia VC is designed to specifically provide crisp, clear audio in video conferencing applications as it delivers true 20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth during multiple participant conversations, with natural, true-to-life

Handling the Boardroom meetings discussions are 16 units of Clock Audio boundary layer microphones with Cardioid Polar pattern installed within the Boardroom table. These thru'desk AV Boundary Microphones feature a motor mounted underneath the table/ microphone which, when activated via an LED-lit switch, in turn activate the ARM Microphone, rising from flush to the tabletop to stand proud from the tabletop for active use. When the microphones are no longer in use, the user simply presses the LED switch again and the ARM boundary microphones will lower to flush-mount out the way until they're next required.

“The Clock Audio microphones are a fantastic 'wow factor' for the boardroom table. It always makes users amazed when it rises from the desk because everything is seamless integration within the table.

Plus the sound is crystal clear.. It is a top notch product that combines design and technology,” commented Evan.

The Sharp BIG PAD panel with its multi- touch and multi-user capabilities is great for collaboration.

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Reinforcement is handled by 6 units of Crestron Saros IC8T, 8” 2-way ceiling speakers that help further produce clear and crisp speech intelligibility. In addition, one unit of Crestron Aspire IW8 in-wall speaker has also been installed.

A further two units of ClearOne Clip-on microphones are available for use should there be a need.

Keeping with the times, it was also important to ensure a seamless meeting with the trend of users bringing their own devices for presentations. Thus, a Crestron AirMedia was installed. This enables meeting participants to present their PowerPoint®, Excel®, Word and PDF documents, as well as photos, on the room display wirelessly from their personal iOS® or Android™ mobile device. MacBook® and PC laptops can be connected seamlessly as well. As there is no need to hook up for wires, no complicated settings to configure, and no AV or control system required, it makes connecting and sharing so much more productive.

The Rest Of The Rooms

The rest of the rooms were configured to accommodate different numbers of personnel for different purposes such as for meetings, Emergency Control Room, video conferencing rooms, training rooms and interactive meeting rooms. In general, most of the rooms feature the Epson EB1945W projectors, Somason projection screens, Crestron Saros ceiling speakers and Crestron Touch-screens with Crestron HD extenders and scalers enabling distribution of uncompressed HD video, audio and controls signal.

8 rooms included the Sharp BIG PAD interactive panel.

30 of the rooms feature the Crestron DMPS-300-AEC presentation system.

Integrating the control system, multimedia matrix switcher, mic mixer with AEC, audio DSP, and amplifier all into one 3-space rack mount package, the DMPS-300-C-AEC affords extensive signal routing flexibility and highperformance signal processing without the need for separate components.

Another issue that the Kluege team were mystified with during the integration

Crestron Cameo Key Key-pads pads

was related to why the devices were not connecting well with the IT infrastructure.

“There was a network problem which was mostly PoE and LAN related. This affected how our solutions worked. We did troubleshooting by monitoring all the IPs and realised that the problem was the network itself. After consultations, the client decided to change vendor and they chose PANDUIT to do all the network infrastructure and cabling and this helped resolve the issues quickly,” said Evan.

Please With Outcome

The client is very pleased with the solutions provided as it met all their objectives. Meeting rooms now can be quickly and easily booked with any device that runs on Microsoft Exchange thus increasing productivity. In addition, with Crestron RV implemented, the meeting room is automatically cancelled if no one shows up 15 minutes after the scheduled time. What this does is automatically make the room available for the next person in the queue. With the inclusion of motion and photo sensors, lights and equipment are turned on and off automatically through the detection system, helping the company with its green initiatives. As for expandability, connectivity is readily available for all new computers and equipment without the need for any configuration as all the solutions are running on a common backbone.

“On top of all these benefits, the real impact is on how easy it has become for the users to control and navigate meetings with the Crestron touch panels

and solutions like the Sharp BIG PAD,” commented a satisfied Evan. www.kluege.com *Due to legal obligations, we are not able to name the client

PROJECT FACTFILE

Client: Largest Oil & Gas Company (In Japan) Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Segment: Oil & Gas Corporation Task: • To incorporate digital technology throughout the IT Infrastructure • To incorporate technology that would enable productivity and efficiency System Integator: PT Kluege International Solutions Installed: • Crestron Digital Media solutions • Crestron Saros ceiling speakers • Crestron Touch screens • Crestron Cameo Key-pads • Crestron HD Extenders and Scalers • Crestron AirMedia • Crestron Fusion RV software • Clock Audio Motorized Low Profile Through Table Boundary Layer Microphones • Biamp Nexia VC • ClearOne microphones • Epson projectors • Sharp BIG PAD interactive panels

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CHINA

Phoenix TV Beijing Soars With Exterity Phoenix TV Beijing improves broadcast with Exterity Avedia series well as forty desktop licences, which were incorporated to create a Multiview IPTV channel.

The set-top based IPTV system came complete with a custom user interface (UI) developed

by Exterity.

The integrated solution enabled the seamless Phoenix TV supplies content to viewers in over 150 countries throughout distribution of Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. cable, satellite ncreased content production, added and studio signals time-shifted consumption and new through a single IPTV system, including device integration are just some of DVB-C input to distribute high quality the new challenges broadcasters have Phoenix TV channels onto the network. to contend with in the modern day TV The Exterity system also provided user environment. permission functionality to allow IPTV system administrators to create unique With information display screens spread profiles for users in relation to their role throughout the public areas, Phoenix at Phoenix TV Beijing.

TV Beijing needed a system that is able to display a number of channels The Result while simultaneously allowing easy Exterity worked in partnership with and efficient control of the information Cinegy to create a multiview IPTV screens. channel including a custom UI that was

I

The IPTV system needs to have mosaic screen layout remote control functionality within the main set-top box to enable it to control another set-top.

To fulfil this requirement, Phoenix TV Beijing look to Exterity for an integrated solution.

The Solution

Exterity provided a robust and reliable IPTV system complete with extensive technical support for the news division and internal staff of Phoenix TV Beijing. The installation comprised the entire Exterity head-end portfolio including an AvediaServer, one hundred AvediaPlayers, eleven AvediaStream TVgateways, ten AvediaStreamers as

immediately actionable on the set-top box. The solution was tailored made to the needs of Phoenix TV Beijing and provided a service that handles multiple signals being distributed at once while the Exterity RDK /API enabled the broadcaster to customize the IPTV system to fit all of Phoenix TV Beijing’s current and upcoming requirements.

“The in-house video requirements of a large broadcaster like Phoenix TV are complex and it’s critical that the system deployed can meet our specific needs both today and tomorrow as the media landscape continues to evolve fast,” said Hongbo Wang, Deputy Director, IT, Phoenix Beijing TV. “Exterity has a proven track record of delivering robust and flexible systems that ensure the day to day IPTV operations run smoothly and let us focus upon delivering high quality content to our viewers. After seeing the successful installation of an Exterity IPTV system in our London office combined with the local Exterity presence in Hong Kong, we were confident that Exterity would provide the end-to-end solution we were looking for in Beijing.”

“The Phoenix Beijing TV deployment is further proof that our professional IPTV systems can adapt to any environment and offer a seamless service which will enhance a company’s ability to focus on delivering their own high quality service,” said Colin Farquhar, CEO, Exterity. “Our relationship with Phoenix TV’s London office enabled us to ensure we met all the requirements of the company’s Beijing staff, demonstrating that our systems and our support are truly global.” www.exterity.com www.phoenixtv-distribution.com

PROJECT FACTFILE • • • •

Client: Phoenix TV Beijing Location: Beijing, China Segment: Broadcast Task: To install an IPTV system which could incorporate different types of video feeds across four offices • Solutions Installed: AvediaServer AvediaPlayers AvediaStream TVgateways AvediaStreamers

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HONG KONG

HKEx Looks To Planar for Total Video Wall Solution Planar Clarity Matrix LCD helps to streamline display at HKEx

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leading global operator of exchanges and clearing houses, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) is one of Asia's premier international financial centre. It is also one of world's largest exchange owners based on market capitalisation.

To showcase HKEx's colourful and vibrant company history as well as new public listings, HKEx had wanted a sophisticated display system in its Exhibition and Trading Hall located at Worldwide House along Des Voeux Road in Central.

In the past, HKEx used printed brochures to showcase company's history and inform the public of new company listings, but as the years gone by, the company wanted to go 'green' by digitalising its publicity materials. So digital signage and multimedia solutions became something they want to work towards to.

Engaging the services of Hong Kongbased integrator i-Control, a total of 63 sets of 46” and 55” Planar Clarity Matrix LCDs were installed to compete 3 different video walls within the Trading Hall to fulfil that purpose.

In the Exhibition Hall, a 15x3 video wall was implemented for long-term exhibition purpose, showcasing the timeline and history of HKEx. In the New Listing Ceremony Area, two sets of ceiling mounted 3x3 video wall were installed inside the Hall for public viewing.

With bezel width as small as 5.5mm, Planar Clarity Matrix ultra-narrow bezel LCD delivers a seamless display experience. Together with integrated EasyAxis Mounting System, i-Control was able to create the thinnest LCD video wall. Designed for 24/7 reliability, the Planar Clarity Matrix video wall meets the requirement of HKEx for long-hours operation.

Though it was a straightforward installation, integrator i-Control had faced some time issues while working on this project. As HKEx operates in the day, the installation of the video walls could only be done after working hours.

Therefore the integrators on the project had to work during non-business hours where overnight and weekend work was common. They also had to work with different parties to communicate clearly

on the working hours so as not to disturb HKEx staff during the day.

Estimated to cost around HKD 6 million, this installation is part of a big overhaul project where HKEx looks to digitalise more of its business operation, including video conferencing and control command rooms.

Satisfied with the installation, HKEx will be going on to the second phase of the project with i-Control. www.planar.com www.i-CONTROL.com.hk www.hkex.com.hk

PROJECT FACTFILE

• Client: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) • Location: Hong Kong • Segment: Corporate • Task: To install a sophisticated video wall in its Exhibition and Trading Hall to showcase company history • System Integrator: i-Control • Solutions Installed: Planar Clarity Matrix LCD

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VIETNAM

dnp Supernova STS At Thai Binh TV Nam Long AV integrates cost-effective solutions

high contrast features of both the STS Screen and projector, the image is easily able to deliver the expectation.

STS takes full advantage of dnp’s award winning Supernova technology. With a lens throw ratio of 0.26:1 ±20% and a vertical off-set of around 128% ± 20%, the Supernova STS Screen has been specifically designed to work with ultra-short throw projectors. It not only represents a highly cost-alternative to rear projection but also flat panels.

How The Studio Is Benefitting

T

he city of Thai Binh, one of the 63 provinces that make up Vietnam, and situated 100km from the northern capital of Hanoi, is served by its own government-owned TV station, Thai Binh TV. Reporters have historically presented the news in front of a static panoramic image — but recently the station decided to upgrade and present a moving, animated backdrop — enabling the content to change continuously while presenting an eye-catching experience for the audience.

The broadcaster recognised that it would bring the presentation in line with the standards offered by major networks such as Vietnam TV (VTV).

With restrictions on both budget and space — and the need to create a highly dynamic newsroom — Ninh Manh Do, CEO of Hanoi based AV specialists (and dnp Partner) Nam Long AV was brought in to advise.

Considering The Options

After he and colleague, Le Hoang, had considered the options, they proposed that dnp’s new 100” Supernova STS Screen, in combination with an ultra-

short throw Sony VPL-SW630 3LCD WXGA 16:10 projector, would reduce the costs associated with a rear-projection rig while still maximising the available space.

They had dismissed the LCD videowall concept on the grounds that horizontal lines had a tendency to ‘cut’ the face of the reporter (or the interviewee). Large output projectors and cinema grade screen as well as rear projection were also dismissed on the grounds of cost and practicality.

“Most local studios have little money to invest and with their fixed space studios it is difficult to accommodate rear projection in view of the restricted throw distance, even when using a mirror rig system. Therefore, the dnp Supernova STS was the logical solution,” said Ninh.

And Thai Binh TV — who had also been shown virtual studio packages by other vendors — had no hesitation in adopting this.

The projector is mounted on a small table — situated discreetly behind the reporter and just 75cm in front of the screen. And Ninh confirmed that with the

Summing up, Ninh said, “Thai Binh TV can now make dynamic video presentations and engage audiences to a greater extent with the stories being delivered by the newsroom reporters.

“There is a lot more focus on the news readers now that there is a moving image running behind, and the technical people are also very happy because they can also edit the content on their computers.”

He also said that both Thai Binh TV’s audience and other local TV stations are acutely aware of this studio upgrade, and thanks to this relatively low-cost investment, Ninh Manh Do has since been asked to carry out Supernova STS demonstrations for a further 40-60 stations in Vietnam. www.dnp-screens.com

PROJECT FACTFILE • • • •

Client: Thai Binh TV Location: Thai Binh, Vietnam Segment: Broadcast Task: To install a more dynamic backdrop for news casting • Systems Integrator: Nam Long AV • Solutions Installed: dnp’s new 100” Supernova STS Screen Sony VPL-SW630 3LCD WXGA 16:10 ultra-short throw projector

VOICE BOX Systems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

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Blending Tech Support And Service With R&D Aggression Kramer Electronics– a much familiar name in global AV circles. An enterprise that emerged, and built its brand identity with aggression in R&D. Adding to the laurels and milestone achievements that marked its journey for over three decades now, the Jerusalem, Israel-based AV gear major’s Asia Pacific arm is seeking to strengthen its identity with focused tech support and service in the APAC. Yair Levin, Kramer (APAC) Managing Director, was in India during the InfoComm India 2014 event. SI Asia caught up with Levin to know more about the company’s initiatives. demand, we are ramping up our operations; taking more professionals onboard towards consolidating our existing presence as well as expanding to newer regions of the market; and planning more focused action plan for the coming months and years.

SI Asia: What’s Kramer’s take at this IFI?

YAIR: What we are excited about the show (IFI 2014) is its offering of opportunities for us - to demonstrate our technology; our ability, our competence, and our market leading innovations on one side, and at the same time an opportunity to see what’s up there on the market; interact with our partners, as well as the industry ranks. India is one of the fastest growing markets, and the event is pretty much happening in line with our plans for this potential market.

We are taking this event very seriously which I guess is evident from our focus on the extent of our product demonstration on the show floor.

What is more interesting for us is the increased inquisitiveness of visitors; their enthusiasm to understand technology that we are trying to offer.

We have been able to see a great dynamism in this market, and to keep up with this pace and cater to the

SI Asia: Kramer already has a strong brand identity and presence in the countrywhat is new and more path defining now?

YAIR: The plan is to first enhance the already existing presence, not only in Bengaluru which is our India headquarter, but also in places like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi. Then to expand to places like Hyderabad and other potential regional centres that would help us reach our customers around those centres more effectively. We are taking this as a strategic move and would want to be seen as a ‘local’ MNC all across the country.

We have largely been a service provider here, but as you know we are a technology developer first and into many other aspects that include service. Our resolve is to provide our customers best technical support in both pre-sales and post-sales. Our objective is to ensure that the customer can count on Kramer through all the aspects and stages of a project- sales/marketing, design, and

implementation. All this requires a more consolidated and concerted effort with larger teams and expanded presence.

Like I said, it’s a key strategic decision.

SI Asia: Expanding physically with larger team and locational presence is one thing. Reaching out potential segments/verticals with right solution is the other. What is your view?

YAIR: As our ambition goes we would want to be in all the segments of AV application. Having said that, traditionally, Kramer has been very strong in education and financial segments, and they continue to be our main target markets as well. There are some segments that are admittedly challenging, and we’ve been trying to address them. The hospitality segment for instance. We have made some headway already, and hopefully we will achieve some big success there as well.

SI Asia: How about government and security segments?

YAIR: Of course, being an Israeli company, developing solutions for security comes to us naturally, and we are pretty strong in that domain as well.

We have been having a high success rate with government installations in India - thanks to the excellent efforts being made by our partners in this country. In fact, one of the key factors of Kramer’s success in India and elsewhere has been the strong relationship with local partners. Some of them have been working with us for over 10 years now, and we always explore adding new partners keeping in view the growing demand and business opportunities.

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VOICE BOX SSystems Integration Asia December 2014 - January 2015

SI Asia: Kramer has a very wide basket of solutions, what solution you think is moving aggressively, and which is again challenging?

YAIR: Oh, we have got about 2000 products and counting catering to diverse application requirements.

Worldwide, the coming together of IT and AV has been both challenging and opportunity for most; and Kramer views the situation similarly, and working strongly in that direction. We are working on developing solutions that address the emerging convergence situations.

SI Asia: Would you please elaborate on what solutions Kramer is investing its expertise in.

YAIR: We are working strongly on developing management control solutions systems; we are doing a very significant job in that area aiming at developing solutions that are both niche and strategic to our growth plans globally.

SI Asia: Are there areas or situations where Kramer feels it doesn’t have a product/solution while the competition takes away the opportunity?

YAIR: I have to be honest and modest.

We are covering many areas, but obviously not 100 per cent. We are not covering them all, and those are especially from audio. Having said that let me emphasize that we have put in a lot of effort in the last one year or so to bring to market many audio solutions.

These solutions have already created the necessary buzz in the market, and we see a very high level of market anticipation for our product roll outs every time.

While we realize there are many areas to cover within audio, what is important is that we have already taken some strides and are on active mode on the road.

SI Asia: How about the notion that companies that are similar to Kramer’s have gone ahead to develop new solutions? Is Kramer catching up with it?

YAIR: Like I said, we may be a bit late, but are already there. Starting from the K-Touch control systems touch panels; FC/RC controllers, we have come up with some amazing line of control solutions that have found the industry’s fascination immediately. With our new solutions in Audio, and Control Systems, I can proudly say that we’ve arrived.

Today, people expect more and more of such solutions from us which is both fulfilling and a realization that we must work for more. Obviously, we would not be covering the entire spectrum of the market, but we are trying to address as much as we can.

SI Asia: Kramer made a big buzz with the VIA Collage solution. What impact you think it will make on the market, or add to Kramer’s dynamic?

YAIR: It’s a classic example of Kramer’s technology initiatives in response to the AV-IT convergence and the likely demanding situation for an integrated solution. It’s not just an amazing solution.

It will expose the integrators and application users to a domain or range they haven’t been exposed before. The wireless collaboration suite brings to place such an amazing scalability that it virtually eliminates the number factor and size factor of the collaborating spaces - large or small. It’s an entirely different level of collaboration from highest end to lowest end, comforting the customer and unbelievably easing out the AV Designer/Integrator’s job.

For Kramer, it has already placed us on a different plane altogether. The business potential that it creates, particularly in the Convergence space, it paved our emphatic way into the future. And, this is not all; we have many more surprises to greet the market as we move ahead.

SI Asia: What is the biggest drive for Kramer today?

YAIR: In a high-tech, competitive, highly demanding and yet budget-conscious market today, we work with a motto of two new products every week. While some of these products are to cater to the emerging needs of the market, some of them are fully futuristic- new

directions that we take, and the market follows them. In fact, this has been the case with the company for the last 30 years. Consistent focus on R&D has been central to our approach to the market.

For Kramer Asia Pacific, that we are stationed far away from our headquarters where all our R&D is centralized, our role is largely to deliver the fruits of R&D to the market; support our customer with the required technology inputs and pre-sales and post-sales service even as we promote the brand and solutions aggressively. Of course, we actively engage ourselves in training the industry professionals regularly on our new solutions, and imparting those necessary nuances of design and installation.

SI Asia: Given the tremendous focus on R&D, what is Kramer looking into the near future?

YAIR: Again, like I said, I cannot expose at this time much deeper into our future surprises. However, as you have seen for the last few months, we have come out with collaboration solutions with wireless, new control level, with a major amount of audio elements.

Of course, we are not neglecting our traditional ‘last-mile’ activity, and we are very strongly into the HDBaseT solutions, and the 4K domain. That we are not forgetting that we are still the market leader in video, our pursuits in that domain will continue.

SI Asia: Last question. What is your view of the industry future?

YAIR: The industry will move more dynamically in the video domain.

Traditionally, it is said that audio wouldn’t change with the same pace as video does, and the same would be the case for AV. However, the industry would more rapidly migrate towards the Convergence, and that will create more challenges and opportunities too. The wireless collaboration is already a big opportunity. www.kramerelectronics.com

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