Each year professionals from the A/V world descend upon the InfoComm show to see the latest in audio, video and lighting for the installation market. This year’s event was held in early June at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. With more than 700 exhibitors, this is one of the nation’s premier events for the pro A/V world. Of course, it is impossible to report all of the products on-hand that are applicable to the house-of-worship market. What follows is a short list of products that caught our staff’s collective eyes at InfoComm 2006:
The brand new Octo Vue FX (OVX) from Analog Way is a high-resolution digital and analog computer and video up/down scaler switcher. The OVX offers a true scaled preview and many effects including high-resolution picture-in-picture in computer and video formats. It features animated logo and other powerful effects: fading and titling, logo insertion and frame store. It is fitted with eight universal A/V Inputs including one DVI, and four outputs: two analog and one digital for the main; and one analog for the preview.
The new WMS400/155Choir microphone system from AKG offers a 6- to 9-foot, adjustable-height gooseneck on a shockmounted base. The unit will accept a range of microphone capsules offered by AKG for specific pick-up patterns, and using the PT400 Bodypack transmitter provides the user with a complete wireless solution for choir and drama mic’ing. The PT 400 transmitter operates for seven hours on a single AA battery and a charge unit for recharging is also available.
WorshipManager is a customized interface for AMX’s Resource Management Suite (RMS) 3.0 designed specifically for houses of worship. AMX is a leader in advanced control system technology. RMS enables staff to manage, monitor and track A/V equipment, as well as meeting/class room schedules, across a campus or single building from one central location.
The ATW-RCS1 remote momentary-mute/cough switch from Audio-Technica was developed for ministers, public speakers or anyone who needs to momentarily mute their A-T wireless mic. Featuring a large, heavy-duty pushbutton switch and allmetal construction, the ATW-RCS1 is easily accessible even under clothing. It comes with a 22-inch cable terminated with an HRS-type connector and is built for years of reliable use.
Barco’s iQ Pro R500 LCD projector includes a powerful display server for full networking capability and wireless presentations, plus a built-in switcher. Display up to three source windows simultaneously, thanks to its advanced picture-in-picture functionality. Features include SXGA+ resolution and brightness level of 5,000 ANSI lumens.
At just $3,499, the new HDcodex DML-200c media server from Codex Novus is designed for SD and HD (1080i) video playback and streaming audio, video, pictures and graphics.
Christie’s new HD12K offers high resolution, crisp images from 10-bit processing combined with an HD platform. According to the company, this is the first-ever native HD resolution three-chip DLP 12,000-lumen digital projector with Xenon illumination for improved image color accuracy and ease of use.
Edirol V-440 HD displayed their recently introduced multi-format live video mixer/switcher – the V-400HD, which seamlessly mixes SD video, HD video, and computer signals up to SXGA and offers a total of eight inputs. The output format is selectable between 1080i, 720p or XGA/SXGA. It offers an array of transitions, picture-inpicture locations via joystick as well as two keyers (SD and HD).
Extron Electronics introduced the ISS 506 Six-Input Seamless Switcher for glitch-free switching between RGB, HDTV, and standard definition video sources, and also features advanced scaling technologies. Features include independent preview output, switching transition effects, the ability to insert logos and titles.
Hitachi’s CP-X605 projector is designed for larger venues. With 4,000 ANSI lumens and 1,000:1 contrast ratio, the CP-X605 includes advanced networking capabilities, and robust remote monitoring and connectivity options.
The new JBL MRX500 portable midlevel series of loudspeakers includes five passive systems designed for improved performance and value, while being 20- 30% lighter than competitive systems.
Meyer Sound was onhand with their M’elodie ultracompact high-power curvilinear array loudspeaker, the latest addition to the company’s successful MILO family of self-powered loudspeakers. M’elodie offers easy-to-use rigging but has a smaller footprint than the MICA compact high-power curvilinear array loudspeaker, making it ideal for fixed installation in venues that before might have seemed too small for a line array solution.
NEC introduced the NP1000 and NP2000 LCD projectors offering both vertical and horizontal lens shift for flexible projector placement. With native XGA resolution, the NP1000 is 3,500 ANSI lumens and the NP2000 is 4,000 ANSI lumens and offer integrated highspeed wireless LAN IEEE 802.11b/g via an optional wireless card. In Eco-mode the NP series offers increased lamp life by up to 50%.
Omnimount’s new Fastback Portrait mounts are designed to provide a one-box digital signage or boardroom presentation mounting solution. Built for displays from 37-inches and larger up to 175 pounds, the new Fastback Portrait system feature -5/+15 infinite tilt with positive tilt in three-degree increments.
Panasonic showed its next generation of professional plasma displays – the 9-Series professional models featuring high-performance improvements, including higher video capabilities, greater flexibility and a thin, lighter design. They feature a new Contrast Management System and a high-precision Motion Pattern Noise Reduction circuit to provide a consistently sharp image across the entire image during fast-paced scenes.
RSS (Roland Systems Group U.S.) showed what it calls the “first Ethernet gigabit splitter designed specifically for digital audio applications:” the S-4000SP, a rugged, dedicated dual five-port gigabit-switching hub designed for use with the RSS S-4000 Digital Snake system. Using the S- 4000SP the inputs of the S-4000S may be split into four fully redundant loss-less splits for feeds to monitor consoles, recording systems, broadcast trucks or anywhere an input split is required.
Sanyo’s latest portable XGA projector, the PLC-XP57L, is designed for 24/7 operation. It features 5,500 ANSI lumens, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and continuous network capability with Sanyo’s new optional PJ-Net Organizer Plus II with digital LVDS interface.
Soundcraft, dwelling in the light of their recently introduced Vi6 digital sound mixing console, showed their new GB2 series of analog consoles designed for churches and modest touring systems. The GB2, available in 16-, 24-, and 32-channel frames, features four group busses along with six auxiliary sends.
Texas Instruments, makers of DLP technology found in many projectors and other displays, showed its Brilliant Color Technology with Dynamic Black. According to TI, Brilliant Color enables a greater than 50% brightness increase in mid tone images, and Dynamic Black technology allows customers to achieve a three to four times increase in contrast ratio over native contrast ratio.
