June 2008 Issue

The compact Any Spot Traveler (AS-TV8); a new battery operated portable PA system from Galaxy Audio, features an eight-inch woofer, one-inch horn, 50-watt amplifier, and can be configured in a variety of ways to meet churches’ needs. Features include two inputs (XLR/¼-inch combo with its own volume control and a dual RCA), two-band EQ, and a master volume. Audio outputs include a dual RCA line out and a ¼-inch speaker output to power an additional speaker.

The new Dynacord Variline range is designed to deliver state-of-the-art acoustic performance and features multi-functional hardware accessories for permanent install and mobile applications. The VL 62 full range cabinet (150W RMS and 122 dB max SPL) features a neodymium 6.5-inch woofer and a one-inch compression driver mounted to a CAD-optimized 90x40 rotatable horn for high SPL applications where minimal footprint is a maximum concern. VL 62’s 16-ohm operation allows up to eight cabinets to be connected in parallel to any Dynacord amplifier.

The SD7 system featuring “Stealth Digital Processing,” from Digico, is the company’s latest in high-density digital processing, with an all-new Stealth mixing and routing engine exclusive to the company. The SD7 is based on the latest incarnation of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology, known as Super FPGA. Allied to two of the latest generation of SHARC effects, dynamics, and control processors, the console is reportedly endowed with eight times the overall processing power of a D5 Live.

Sabine expands the Phantom Mic Rider Series with the Phantom Mic Rider Pro and its Series 2 and Series 3 models. The two new models are phantom-powered, inline signal processors that plug directly into handheld or gooseneck mics. The new versions also have a lower power budget, allowing them to work with a broader range of mixers, according to the company. The new Phantoms can provide a solution to the challenges associated with poor mic technique or unattended sound systems.

Next-generation Sony UWP Series wireless technology is available—the UWP-V1, UWP-V2, UWP-V6, UWP-X7, and UWP-X8 wireless microphones provide ease of operation, stable audio reception, and interference-free, multi-channel operation, according to Sony. The company also offers the DWL-01 Series digital wireless system, including a component that’s reportedly the world’s first two-channel, slot-in digital wireless receiver. The DWL-01 Series system is comprised of the DWT-B01 bodypack transmitter and DWR-S01D digital wireless receiver.

The LW600 digital projector from Christie complements the company’s family of widescreen-format projectors by offering a 3LCD solution that can be twin stacked to double the brightness. This new wide-XGA projector offers 6,000 ANSI lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio, as well as a suite of 12 optional lenses. It also features high-quality 10-bit image processing and compatibility with most computer and video sources including HD formats up to 1080p.

Echolab’s new Overture1 (1 M/E) and Overture2 (2 M/E) switchers, available in standard definition (SD) and multidefinition (MD) models, combine internal conversion and synchronization with key layering and special effects. In addition to four M/E keys and two downstream keyers, which enable title keying for graphics, logos, and bugs, the Overture family features Stinger and SuperSource keys that make it easy to achieve expert transitions with minimal effort, according to the company

Focus Enhancements Inc. announces its ultra-portable FS-5 direct-to-edit (DTE) recorder. The FS-5 is designed for use with DV and HDV cameras and offers a new technology for tape-less acquisition. FS-5 advanced features allow users to quickly log custom metadata wirelessly via a laptop, smartphone, or other WiFi-capable device while recording media. Users will be able to select metadata formats that are compatible with different nonlinear editing (NLE) systems and media asset management systems, such as Focus Enhancements’ ProxSys.

VBrick delivers on-the-go broadcasting with VBxStream hardware that allows “plug-n-stream” access to broadcast live video from anywhere. The VBxStream technology is designed to deliver high-quality video and audio, in either MPEG–4 or Windows Media format, quickly and efficiently via streaming media. VBxStream broadcasts content via cellular, satellite, wireless, or Ethernet connection. Simply connect a camera, microphone, and broadband connection to begin broadcasting; broadcasts are encoded at a user-selected rate from 20Kbps to 4Mbps.

The new Ensignia Digital Signage Lobby from Triveni Digital, is a stand-alone, self-contained system for digital signage deployments requiring just one display screen. Integrated with LG Electronics’ M4210N flat-panel HDTV LCD display and MediaManager software for control over LAN/WLAN, the new Lobby system provides an economical, space-saving, and easy-to-install solution for high-quality content display in a range of applications. To install, users simply install the screen, plug in the power cable, and connect an existing PC to the system.

Panasonic adds a powerful new camcorder to its AVCCAM professional line—the handheld AG-HMC150. Building on the success of the AG-DVX100 camcorder, the HMC150 blends professional 1080 and 720 HD production capabilities and enhanced quality recording (at average 21 Mbps/Max 24 Mbps) with the simplicity and familiarity of SD card, digital still camera workflow. The compact HMC150 utilizes AVCHD, the industry’s newest long GOP compression standard based on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high profile encoding.

The Chauvet DMX D-Fi 2.0 upgrades their existing wireless DMX technology. Version 2.0 of the D-Fi features more assignable frequencies, allowing up to 6 separate universes inside one venue. Multiple units can also be assigned to a single frequency to split a signal. Two units can be utilized to transmit wireless DMX as far as 120 meters. The D-Fi features LED indicators for operating mode (transmitter or receiver), frequency, and DMX signal transmission, key-hole slots for discrete wall mounting, and frequency indicator lights.

The SeaChanger Color Engine product line has added the Studio Dichroics Series CYMG hexachromic color changer. Compatible with all beam-shaping ETC Source Four accessories, the SeaChanger Studio produces vibrant lighting hues for broadcast, as well as subtractive gobo mixing applications. The four-filter CYMG color engine attaches to the reflector housing of any Source Four Ellipsoidal and uses dichroic filter technology to reportedly create a wide palette of stable, reproducible colors that don’t shift or change.

North American distributor of Jands Vista, A.C. Lighting, announces availability of the Jands Vista I3, a mid-range lighting desk that provides the software, processor, and control elements of the full-sized T4/T2 consoles. Users simply connect a screen, keyboard, and mouse to their I3 and it becomes a fully operational Vista. As with all models in the range, the I3 features Vista’s innovative graphic-based interface and it purportedly provides a short learning curve, even for inexperienced lighting volunteers.

Vinpower Digital announces an exclusive licensing agreement with Xerox Corporation to develop, market, and support a new line of Xerox DVD/CD & Blu-ray duplicators. The line consists of manual tower duplicators that range from one to fifteen writer drives, each operating independently of a PC. Reportedly an industry first, each of the new models allows users to transfer image files directly from a PC to the duplicator’s internal hard drive, saving users the time required to produce a master disc for each project.

The smartMAC is a 150 W moving head profile that offers reliability, longer service intervals (up to two years with a 9,000 hour lamp), quiet operation, and reduced power bills, according to the company. The smartMAC houses eight interchangeable dichroic colors and a rotating effect wheel with six interchangeable effects. The unit also features a fanless cooling system and a compact design.

The Forte from Disc Makers is reported to be the first standalone automated duplicator under $500 that can burn 14 CDs per hour or seven DVDs. The Forte is an easy-to-use unit that does not require a computer. Its 20x DVD±R/40x CD-R drive features a 25-disc input/output capacity ideal for small- to medium-sized duplication jobs. The Forte also offers a 160 GB hard drive that stores up to 31 full-sized DVD images.