Mar/Apr 2003 Issue

Primera Technologies says the new Bravo Disc Publisher is the world's first automated CD duplicating and printing system that is priced at less than $2000. Instead of copying and labeling discs one at a time, Bravo is designed for hands-free, automated production of up to 25 CDs or DVDs per job. An advanced robotic mechanism transports discs into the 52x CD-R recorder or optional Pioneer combo DVD-R/CD-R recorder. After recording, discs are transported to the integrated printer and printed in full color at up to 2400 dpi resolution.

The iSpot Flex is part of Coemar's new Flex Series. With carbon fiber enclosures, the iSpot Flex features adjustable light output minimizing the lumens difference between white beams and colored beams, adjustable power from 1200W to 2K for multi-task requirements, the lowest power consumption in its class and reduced the overall fan noise.

Improvements to the Vari-Lite Series 1000 product line result in higher output and even greater brightness from Vari-Lite Inc.'s award-winning VL1000 ellipsoidal reflector spotlight (ERS). Modifications in the optics system have significantly increased the output of the VL1000T (tungsten) models, offering lighting professionals a powerful automated ellipsoidal that also provides warm color temperatures and excellent color rendering at an affordable price.

Sony Electronics' new VPL-FX51 SuperSmart projector is an IP-addressable networkable projector that allows technicians the added control to conduct remote monitoring. The new XGA large-screen projector is able to output 5,200 ANSI lumens, the result of a new lamp and optical engine. New 1.3- inch LCD panels, together with a Micro Lens Array and a 300-watt UHP lamp, helps produce excellent color fidelity. In addition to accommodating a variety of lenses, the unit offers the flexibility to be tilted 90 degrees upwards or downwards.

Navitar, Inc. introduces the U-Touch touchscreen overlay for Plasma TV's, a product the company says 'elevated the industry standard in high-end interactive display technology.' The UTouch is compatible with most 42-inch, 50-inch and 61-inch Plasma TV's and converts these standard displays into an interactive display system. With the Navitar U-Touch system, your finger becomes the mouse. The deluxe model includes an optional video annotation and control package for traditional video sources, such as a document stand or a DVD player vial rs232 or IR.

JVC Professional launches what it calls 'the world's first professional handheld camcorder with full HD recording capabilities: the JY-HD10U.' Sales of HD capable displays and projectors have been skyrocketing, but the cost to produce in high definition has been prohibitively expensive. JVC has responded by developing the 1 CCD (1.18 million pixel, 16:9) JY-HD10U, a flexible, affordable HD digital camcorder that will make it possible for video professionals at all levels to enter the HD production market.

The Mini-CAT from Hall Research Technologies is a compact VGA-to-CAT5 converter for extending the PC video signals easily and economically up to 300 feet. The Model UV1 includes two pieces: a sender that plugs into the PC or notebook, and a receiver that connects to the monitor or LCD projector. The devices buffer and boost the video signals with a bandwidth of 250 MHz for crisp and clear images. Signals are transmitted and received differentially, eliminating ground-loop and AC-grounding problems that often arise in sending video over an extended length.

The new VSC 500 from Extron features proprietary scan-converting technologies for sharper, crisper images and can convert high-resolution computer images from up to 1600 x 1200 down to video rates such as composite video, S-video, component video, and/or RGB video. Key features include user-friendly centering and sizing controls, zoom control up to 200%, horizontal and vertical filtering, 16 automemory presets and 60 factory presets for picture controls with auto-save and autorecall, eight zoom presets, and an internal color bar generator for easy setup.

The HA13x4.5BERM/BERD from Fujinon offers precise focusing and superior optical quality demanded for HD applications but with the durability and lightweight expected by professionals who regularly shoot in the field. The HA13x4.5BERM/BERD is a 2/3- inch format wide-angle lens-what the company says is 'the widest angle in the market' - 4.5mm with a 93.6-degree horizontal field of view. The BERM version has a 2X extender and manual focus servo zoom; while the BERD version also features a 2X extender, servo focus and servo zoom.

Peavey's new XR 696F features 1200 Watts RMS program into 4 Ohms and eight channels outfitted for 1/4-inch and XLR jacks, insert points on channels 1 and 2, nine-band stereo main graphic EQ and nine-band mono graphic EQ assignable to the monitors or channel 3. The XR 684F also features a built-in Feedback Ferret digital feedback elimination system and the Recall 48-bit digital effects processor including reverb and delay simultaneously or reverb, delay and chorus separately.

The V300 is designed to offer excellent sound quality for critical applications such as theater, acoustic music venues, and houses of worship. The V300 uses a 12-inch constant-directivity Super Dual drive unit for high speech intelligibility and consistent high-quality output for medium-sized venues. For applications where performance is the focus, the V300 offers sonic accuracy while remaining acoustically 'invisible' to the audience. Power handling is 500 watts program with a sensitivity of 101 dB (1 W/1 M).

The CH1-1000 'Ceiling Hugger' is the most recent addition to the OAP Contractor Series of loudspeakers and is designed specifically for use in low ceiling applications. This 'sleek-packaged', high-output loudspeaker system performs best in situations where the audio system designer needs full-range capability where the loudspeaker needs to blend with, if not 'disappear' into, the ceiling. The CH1-1000 is a powerful three-way crossover system with exceptional attention given to wave pattern control and behavior via the cabinet's architecture.

Eastern Acoustic Works' (EAW) new variable-directivity, powered line array system is called the Digitally Steered Array (DSA) Series. Consisting of the DSA full-range speaker, the DSA LF (Low Frequency) speaker, and the DSAPilot software, the system allows vertical coverage control of up to 32 DSA loudspeakers, and can be networked via EIA-485 or CobraNet. The DSA Series will allow system integrators to easily optimize coverage for various environments by providing complete on-site control over a range of possible vertical beamwidth patterns.

Hear Technologies launches their new personal headphone/monitor mixing product: Hear Back. This elegant, affordable system, which consists of a hub and a mixer, is perfect for headphones, wired and wireless in-ear monitors, and/or conventional floor monitors. It is equally at home in studios, on stage, and in auditoriums. Mixers connect to the hub via standard CAT 5 cable, which supplies digital audio and power.

ClearSonic's new LID System complements their existing ClearSonic Panel (CSP) and SORBER Absorption Baffle enclosure. CSP, SORBER, and the LID System provide the complete solution for reducing drum volume on stage or in the studio. It also provides a quick and easy way to erect an isolation booth for almost any application. The LID Systems substantially reduce sound that would normally escape up and out of the enclosure and are especially helpful in spaces with high, hard ceilings.