Category: News

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Barco makes Clickshare even faster and easier to use.

The ClickShare Button will become even faster thanks to the addition of a Windows driver in July and users have the option of a ClickShare Desktop App that was released earlier this year.

Barco is adding to the user-friendliness and simplicity of its wireless collaboration solution ClickShare. Users have the freedom to share, either with the iconic ClickShare Button – that will become even faster thanks to the addition of the Windows driver in July – or with the ClickShare Desktop App that was released earlier this year.

“Since time is crucial to us all, it has always been one of the core intentions of ClickShare to enhance swift decision-making and efficient use of meeting time by simplifying the sharing of content and the collaboration flows in meeting rooms. Our research on meeting stress indicated that in meeting rooms, failing tech leads to wasted time (55%), lost business (12%) and decreased employee morale (28%),” said Michaël Vanderheeren, director of product management at ClickShare.

The ClickShare team is continuously improving speed, connection time and the user-friendliness of the wireless presentation system, keeping crucial customer feedback in mind. With these two updates, content sharing will become truly seamless in any meeting room, with any device and with any operating system.Barco Clickshare

Launching the ClickShare Desktop App for PC and Mac was a logical next step in enabling and facilitating content sharing in all types of meeting spaces. It gives companies the freedom to choose how they allow content to be shared: via the Button, the Desktop App or both. Sharing with the Desktop App is straightforward and logical, particularly for internal employees with access to the corporate network. This is, helped by the fact that the IT department can easily and securely roll the Desktop App out to the entire company.

The experience of sharing with the virtual Button or the Desktop App is no different than sharing with a real ClickShare Button: both have fast connections, don’t require training before use and are intrinsically intuitive. The most powerful and richest collaboration arises when sharing with both the Button and the App together, combining the benefits of both solutions. Users of the ClickShare Desktop App have extra functionalities at their fingertips. They include presence detection and the pause function. On the other hand, the Button offers easy connectivity, for both employees and guests. The Desktop App is compatible with all current ClickShare models, and offers admin-free installation. For the ultimate experience, Barco recommends updating the ClickShare Base Unit to the 1.7 firmware.

“With monthly updates for the ClickShare Desktop App, we will be able to quickly address any bugs with fixes. We can also cater to customer need for additional features more easily.  For future releases of the Desktop App, we are already working on a number of specific functionalities to boost collaboration and improve workflows in the meeting room,” Michaël Vanderheeren said.

Microsoft will add a driver package for ClickShare devices to its Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 Update from July 2019 onwards. This means that a ClickShare executable will start automatically when sharing with a ClickShare Button. Users no longer need to run the executable file either manually or automatically via the ClickShare Launcher as part of the Extension Pack. For the driver to work perfectly, the ClickShare Base Unit and Buttons need an update to the latest firmware version 1.8.

In fact, plugging in a ClickShare Button is similar to plugging in a USB mouse or pointer. Upon first use, a driver is automatically downloaded and installed, so users can start using the mouse, pointer or Button at once. Users need to make sure they have internet access so the driver can be downloaded without issues. When users plug in a ClickShare Button, they can share content on a meeting room screen within seconds, without being required to take any actions, making sharing with ClickShare a truly seamless experience.

For sharing the content of a PC on a central meeting room, users have had the freedom to decide between three options with ClickShare since the new firmware release of June 2019: using the ClickShare Button, the ClickShare Desktop App or full mirroring via Miracast (with the CSE-200+).

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Epson Unveils Most Advanced Pro Cinema 4K PRO-UHD Projector to Date New Pro Cinema 6050UB Produces Incredible Brightness, Color Accuracy, and Image Detail to Faithfully Deliver an Immersive 4K Home Theater Experience

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Epson, the number one projector manufacturer in the world1 today, announced its most advanced 4K home theater projector to date – the Pro Cinema 6050UB 4K PRO-UHD®2 – designed to deliver an immersive 4K experience. Engineered for the discerning home theater enthusiast, the Pro Cinema 6050UB offers 2,600 lumens of equal color and white brightness3, HDR104, and Epson UltraBlack™ technology to display incredible brightness, color accuracy, and image detail in both bright and dark scenes. Leveraging a full 10-bit color output, along with cutting-edge digital technology, advanced lens capabilities and HDR support, the new Pro Cinema 6050UB delivers detailed, crystal-clear images with an incredible range of color to faithfully display content the way it was meant to be seen.

Epson's most advanced 4K PRO-UHD projector, the Pro Cinema 6050UB produces incredible brightness, color accuracy and image detail for an immersive 4K home theater experience.
Epson’s most advanced 4K PRO-UHD projector, the Pro Cinema 6050UB produces incredible brightness, color accuracy and image detail for an immersive 4K home theater experience.

“Setting the bar with color precision and delivery of immersive 4K content, the Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB offers a level of performance that challenges comparable projectors currently available on the market,” said Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager, Projectors, Epson America. “Equipped with proprietary processors for resolution enhancement, HDR, and image processing, the Pro Cinema 6050UB delivers life-like detail in every scene for an unforgettable home theater viewing experience.”

Powered by Epson’s 4K PRO-UHD2 resolution enhancement technology, an advanced, high performance optical engine that generates high color and white brightness, color accuracy, and dramatic contrast with HDR104, the Pro Cinema 6050UB fully supports 4K HDR content at a full 60Hz for outstanding display of the latest 4K HDR content and next-generation gaming hardware. In addition, by offering a dynamic contrast ratio up to 1,200,000:1, a wide color gamut displaying the entire DCI-P3 color space5, and Epson’s proprietary 15-element glass VRX projection lens designed for zero light leakage, the Pro Cinema 6050UB delivers truly professional-level projection performance.

More About the Pro Cinema 6050UB
Without sacrificing brightness or color, the Pro Cinema 6050UB offers exceptional installation flexibility with a wide lens shift of up to ±96 percent on the vertical axis and up to ±47 percent on the horizontal axis. For extremely accurate color reproduction, the new projector features low Delta E and includes ISF-certified calibration tools. Plus, with Epson’s advanced 3-chip, 3LCD technology, the projectors display images free from any distracting rainbow effect or white segments. The Pro Cinema 6050UB includes a robust set of features designed to deliver a powerful 4K experience:

  • 4K PRO-UHD2 Projection Technology – A new type of 4K home theater experience utilizing advanced processing technologies for resolution enhancement, color, and image processing – resulting in an exceptional 4K home theater experience
  • True 3-Chip Projector Design – Advanced 3LCD technology displays 100 percent of the RGB color signal for every frame. This ensures outstanding color gamut while maintaining excellent brightness, without any “rainbowing” or “color brightness” issues typical of other projector technologies
  • Unique S2 Pixel-Shift Processor2 – Advanced pixel-shifting processor precisely controls three individual high-definition LCD chips. This new type of resolution enhancement technology results in an exceptionally sharp 4K visual experience
  • Precise H2 HDR Processor – Full 10-bit HDR4 color processing accepting 100 percent of the HDR source information to faithfully reproduce HDR content for an exceptional visual performance
  • Powerful ZX Digital Imaging Processor – Realtime 12-bit analog-to-digital video processing for smooth tonal transitions, while helping to eliminate banding, blocking, and other compression artifacts from the final visual performance. This powerful processor faithfully reproduces the source material the way it was intended to be shown
  • Outstanding Brightness – Capable of displaying 4K content at an incredible 2,600 lumens for both color and white brightness3. This not only provides for a wider performance envelope but allows for an exceptional HDR performance
  • Epson UltraBlack™ Technology – Epson created a Proprietary Compensation Filter that is designed to control the polarization of light itself. This allows Epson to suppress any light leakage within the signal, producing an outstanding Dynamic Contrast ratio of 1,200,000:1
  • Precision HDR Adjustment – Realtime HDR curve adjustment allowing for 16-steps of control to fine-tune the HDR performance – regardless of the content
  • Extreme Color Gamut – One of the first commercially available home theater projectors capable of displaying the full three-dimensional DCI-P35 color space. This extreme color performance is 50 percent wider than typical Rec. 709 projectors and allows for a truly professional-level of color accuracy
  • Epson VRX Lens Technology – Designed for zero light leakage, all Epson VRX Lenses utilize a proprietary 15-element precision glass structure for outstanding image clarity and edge-to-edge focus uniformity
  • 3-Axis Motorized Lens – After installation, you can shift the lens up to 96 percent up or down on the vertical axis and up to 47 percent left or right on the horizontal axis. You can also set the zoom and focus, then store all the settings in one of ten lens memory presets
  • HDMI 2.0 Support – Fully compatible with virtually all color formats, depths, and spaces while simultaneously supporting 4K HDR content at a full 60 Hz. This allows for outstanding compatibility with the latest 4K HDR content and next-generation gaming hardware
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Sennheiser launches fourth generation of popular products

Evolution wireless G4 includes user-inspired features such as multichannel capabilities, single click scanning and set-up, frequency agility, as well as longer range, battery life and reliability.

Sennheiser-launches-ew-G4-1

Sennheiser has launched evolution G4, the fourth generation of its most popular product family.

Major upgrades to the G4 line-up are user-inspired features such as multichannel capabilities, single click scanning and set-up, frequency agility, as well as longer range, battery life and reliability.

With four product series in the range- the 100, 300, 500, and IEM series- evolution G4 is suited to live performance, broadcast and film, as well as the business and education market segments.

“Whether it is in the corporate world, live entertainment, theatre or broadcast, the evolution wireless series has long been the professional’s choice for the widest range of applications. We have set the precedent of introducing an ever-evolving feature set with each iteration and ew G4 is no exception. With many user-driven improvements and features, it is the culmination of sixty years of expertise in analogue wireless design,” said Mig Cardamone, director of sales and marketing at Sennheiser Middle East.

The evolution wireless G4 maintains the compelling pricing of the preceding generation and its compatibility with all previous generations of evolution wireless safeguards customers’ investments.

Sennheiser launches ew G4 2

Expansion of the Series

In addition to the familiar 100, IEM, 300 and 500 sub-series, this latest iteration includes some important additions: there are brand-new professional sets for ENG and film work in the 500 series, three new Base Sets in the 300 series, as well as upgraded Vocal Sets and a new Combo Set in the 100 series.

Live Performances

The evolution wireless G4’s 100, 500 and IEM Series offer flexibility, versatility and easy set-up, making them the ideal solution for live stage, house of worship and theatre applications.

The 100 series comprises Vocal Sets that include the acclaimed capsules of the evolution e 835, e 845, e 865, e 935, and e 945 microphones. Also available are an Instrument Set, a Headmic Set and two Lavalier Sets with either the ME 2-II (omni) or ME 4 (cardioid).

The ew G4 500 series offers the added benefits of greater range, more spectrum flexibility and the control options offered by the Wireless Systems Manager software. Available systems include Vocal Sets with e 935, e 945 and e 965 capsules, an Instrument Set, a Lavalier Set with professional MKE 2 clip-on, as well as individual receiver and transmitter units.

The IEM series has had its RF output power increased to 50 mW, and its bodypacks now come with ever better protection from humidity and moisture. Individual units are available, as are a single and a Twin IEM Set.

Broadcast and Film

Sennheiser has designed its 100P Series around the needs of mobile journalism, ENG and documentary film makers while introducing the 500P series for professional film.

The 100P G4 series includes the ew 135-p G4 Portable Handheld Mic Set, two Portable Lavalier Mic Sets, the 112-p G4 (omni) and the ew 122-p G4 (cardioid), as well as the ENG Combo Set, which combines the camera receiver with a plug-on transmitter and a bodypack transmitter with omni ME 2-II clip-on.

Complementing the G4 100P sets are brand-new 500P series PRO Sets for ENG work and general filming needs. Systems include the ew 512-p G4 Pro Portable Lavalier Mic Set, the ew 500 BOOM G4 Pro Portable Boom Set and finally the Pro Film Combo Set, which includes both transmitter types, the camera receiver and accessories.

Business and education

Targeting users in corporate, hospitality and education settings, the ew G4 300 series comprises a Vocal Set with an e 865 microphone head, a Lavalier Set with the ME 2-II clip-on, and a new Headmic Set which includes the SL HEADMIC 1, the pro’s choice for speeches and lectures. Also new in the series are the Base Sets, which provide a cost-efficient way to update or expand existing evolution wireless systems.

Control Cockpit

Sennheiser-Control-Cockpit-updated

Sennheiser has coincided the launch of the ew G4 with the announcement of a new version of Sennheiser Control Cockpit. This software enables users to centrally and remotely control their wireless systems in realtime via a web browser on their smartphones, tablets or laptops. Sennheiser Cockpit Control will not only work with SpeechLine Digital Wireless and the new G4 systems but also with Digital 6000

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A Trio of Announcements for Polycom

As Polycom celebrates 25 years since the launch of its first conferencing phone, the company announces a new conferencing phone, upgraded video capabilities and portal speakerphone and conferencing solution for smaller teams.

Polycom Trio™ 8500 - Image 2 copy

Polycom has unveiled the Polycom Trio 8500, the new standard in conference performance for mid-sized conference rooms.

It has also announced upgraded video capabilities to Polycom Trio 8800 improves larger conference room meeting experience and introduced the Polycom VoxBox, a compact and portable speakerphone for team and personal spaces.

The  Polycom Trio 8500, is instantly recognisable as a sharp new interpretation of the well-known three-legged shape and is the perfect communication tool for mid-sized conference rooms. The 8500 is a future-proof solution that delivers all the latest Polycom innovations today, including HD voice audio quality, Polycom NoiseBlock and multi-line registration and will be expandable to include video and content sharing in the future. The 8500 also includes a modern full colour touch screen interface and Microsoft Exchange calendar integration, which makes joining a meeting as easy as one touch.

Polycom also offers new features to the Polycom Trio 8800 conference phone. The 8800 allows participants to connect using Apple AirPlay or Miracast certified devices for wireless flexibility and later this year will also support enterprise-class motorised pan-tilt-zoom (MPTZ) cameras that offer a broader degree of visibility for high-definition collaboration experience in larger conference rooms.

Both Trio solutions will support multi-line registration, allowing businesses to easily migrate between open SIP environments, Skype for Business environments, or both and work with other cloud-based audio and video platforms, including Zoom, BlueJeans, Cisco, Avaya and others.

Polycom is also introducing a new audio solution for team and personal spaces, such as huddle rooms, with the new Polycom VoxBox an ultra-compact speaker phone that allows customers to experience Polycom’s HD Voice technology anywhere, anytime and with any device. The VoxBox will be available in select areas starting in Q4.

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Panasonic 4K Hits The Big Screens

The displays have the ability to show 4K images in a 2×2 configuration and larger using DisplayPort in a daisy-chain fashion.The 49in panel offers 450 cd/m2 brightness, while the 55in screen has 500cd/m2 with native 4K-capable DisplayPort inputs and outputs. When installed in a 2×2 configuration across the four Full HD panels, the result is a single, film-like 4K (4096 x 2160/30p) video image.

 

Video Wall Installation - Shop Window copy

 

 

The two model range meets the demands of professionals by streamlining the installation process. The new precision video wall mounting system saves time, reducing labour costs. The rigid mount uses an automatic magnet system, eliminating potential alignment inconsistencies.

The display features an ultra narrow bezel-to-bezel distance of just 3.5mm, allowing for near seamless video wall display. This is combined with high resolution IPS (in-plane switching) technology so that the image remains clearly visible even from oblique angles, vital for signage applications. In addition, the 49in display promises improved visibility by combining an anti-glare treatment with a low-reflection coating (AGLR).

Says Enrique Robledo, European Marketing Manager for Panasonic: “Whether it’s for retail, hospitality or transport, these displays have excellent blacks and highlights making them immensely capable at grabbing the attention, while the flexible installation allows you to exploit just about any installation space.”

The display is engineered for 24/7 reliability in either landscape and portrait orientation. The 55in (TH-55LFV8) will be available in August with the 49in (TH-49LFV8) display available in September.

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Panasonic High Brightness Portable Projectors Refreshed

The PT-VZ580 range is aimed at the corporate meeting room and classroom environment.

Panasonic’s high brightness portable projector series is getting a refresh with improvements in connectivity, compatibility and total cost of ownership.

The new PT-VZ580 range is aimed at the corporate meeting room and classroom environment, with enabled models offering intelligent wireless connectivity options.

Image result for Panasonic PT-VZ580

The six-model series gets a brightness boost to over 5,000 lumens, alongside a more resilient filter that can be washed twice before replacement is needed, effectively doubling its life to around 14,000 hours.

A new plug and share function enables users to take a USB memory stick and wirelessly connect and project content without struggling with network settings. The projector copies all the relevant setup files needed onto the memory stick, before automatically running a tool on the user’s PC to enable straightforward connection.

Additional installation flexibility is also created with a new long reach mode for Digital Link, offering cabling up to 150m and surpassing the limitations of conventional HDMI signals.

“The network capabilities go further than we’ve ever seen with our portable projectors before,” said Thomas Vertommen, European projector product marketing manager at Panasonic. “There’s a new powered USB port on selected models, supporting the use of media sticks like Google’s Chromecast and the Amazon Fire Stick, so there are multiple ways users can get content up on display incredibly quickly.”

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Projecta Launches New Extensa Screen Range

Projecta Extensa

Projecta is releasing the Extensa Series, a new large motorised projection screen for medium to large venues with a perfectly flat tab-tensioned projection surface.

The tensioning cable system prevents warping of the surface and ensures an even lateral tension for a flat viewing area. The Extensa series extends the range of Projecta’s award winning tab-tensioned projection screens to a width of 6 metres.

The Extensa is designed for high resolution projection with a perfectly flat surface in combination with the unique HD Progressive projection materials. HD Progressive offers the latest technology in projection surfaces designed for 4K and Ultra HD to maximize the technology of your projector. HD Progressive prevents pixel loss and noise in the image and is formulated to create a surface free of microscopic variances. The result is brilliant light, vibrant color and the best surface for HD, 4K and Ultra HD projection.

Extensa screens can be mounted to the wall or ceiling using three brackets which can be laterally positioned. Custom size options are available for both the case and projection screens surface. In addition the case is available in any desired color for optimal integration into any interior.Projecta L

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Panasonic launches company’s brightest large venue laser projector

Panasonic has introduced a 31,000 lumens SOLID SHINE laser phosphor projector, designed specifically for large venue applications.

Image result for RZ31K

Available from October 2016 in both WUXGA and SXGA+, the PT-RZ31K series will be the brightest in the Panasonic range with an exceptionally compact and lightweight body harnessing powerful SOLID SHINE laser technology.

A unique dual light source feature allows for uninterrupted projection as it offers redundancy in case of a technical fault. This makes the projector ideal for high-profile entertainment, staging, rental and exhibition applications.

Panasonic’s proprietary SOLID SHINE laser technology delivers long lasting bright and immersive pictures and is engineered for 24/7 continuous operation without colour degradation.

The range is compatible with Panasonic’s existing 3-Chip DLP™ projector lenses, allowing operators to utilise lenses in their inventories, maximising the investment they have already made.

The RZ31K not only offers the extremely high lumen output and superb laser colour reproduction required for large venue applications, but also contains a Real Motion Processor, which uses frame-creation technology to reproduce extremely smooth video images with minimal motion blur.

In normal operation, the RZ31K is designed for 20,000 hours of maintenance free operation. Image brightness is greatly affected by dust, however, with an airtight optical block and hermetically sealed dustproof image devices, the PT-RZ31K provides an extremely reliable foundation for impressive large-scale light shows and 3D mapping.

The laser light source also allows for flexible installation, with vertical, horizontal and tilting 360-degree projection.

Hartmut Kulessa, European Projector Marketing Manager at Panasonic, said, “Thanks to its dual light source technology, this new range has the potential to virtually eliminate the concept of hot back-up. This is sure to go down well with event production teams, as projector stacks can become smaller and less complicated than in the past, saving time and money and allowing venues to sell more seats.”

For more information on Panasonic Visual System Solutions please visit: http://business.panasonic.co.uk/visual-system/

Image result for RZ31K

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New Extron’s Larger HDMI Distribution Amplifiers For 4K Video

Designed specifically for HDMI signals at resolutions up to 4K, the DA4 HD 4K and DA6 HD 4K provide reliable distribution of a source video signal to as many as four or six displays, respectively. All three models in the HD HD 4K Series are HDCP compliant and support data rates up to 10.2 Gbps, deep colour up to 12‑bit, 3D, Lip Sync, and HD lossless audio formats.

Extron technologies provide easy EDID and HDCP management, and automatic input cable equalisation ensures signal integrity up to 50 feet (15 metres) when used with Extron HDMI Pro Series cables.

Extron’s larger HDMI distribution amplifiers for 4K video

 

“AV system designers and integrators have been asking for larger HDMI distribution amplifiers that support 4K resolutions and include the same feature set offered on our popular two-output model,” says Casey Hall, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Extron. “These four and six-output additions to the DA HD 4K Series provide the same easy setup and reliable operation to simultaneously deliver 4K video to more displays.”

The DA HD 4K Series offers integration-friendly features that include automatic colour bit depth management based on EDID, selectable output muting via RS‑232, as well as front panel indicators for easy monitoring and troubleshooting. They also feature Extron EDID Minder and Key Minder technologies to maintain continuous EDID communication between between connected devices and ensure simultaneous distribution of HDCP-encrypted source content. Each output provides +5 VDC, 250 mA for powering peripheral devices such as an Extron UHD4K 101 or HDMI 101 Plus cable equalizer. Now available in sizes ranging from two to six outputs to match the most common design needs, the DA HD 4K Series is ideal for applications that require the reliable distribution of a single HDMI source signal to multiple displays.

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New Christie AP Series Delivers Performance and HDBaseT in Compact Package

 

Both the Christie LW502 and Christie LWU502 are said to deliver the Christie performance standard and HDBaseT (HDBT) single-cable connectivity for both digital signal and control. With the LW502 delivering 5,000:1 and LWU502 offering up to 10,000:1 contrast ratio, images are described as being crisp and clear, ensuring impactful, worry-free presentations. The projectors were specifically designed for easy installation – suitable for classrooms and meeting spaces – with each model offering up to 6,000 hours lamp-life and integrated audio.

Christie AP Series also includes edge blending, warping, DICOM simulation and an optional wireless adapter for connecting wirelessly to a LAN and showing presentations from a remote computer. Featuring a comprehensive list of I/O connections, the Christie AP Series manages a variety of integration environments and content sources.

“The Christie AP Series combines the quality Christie is famous for with an exceptional value- add proposition,” said Jim Hall, senior product manager, Christie. “With its rich feature set and low cost of ownership, the Christie AP Series delivers an impressive presentation every time.”

The Christie LW502 and Christie LWU502 ship in the summer of 2016, backed by a three-year warranty and Christie’s customer support.