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InfoComm 2017: new products roundup

As InfoComm 2017 heads into its last day, we highlight some of the key product launches with a number of industry heavyweights revealing new lines and extending existing ranges.

Biamp expanded its TesiraFORTÉ family of digital audio processors with the new VT and VT4 series for small room applications. The new TesiraFORTÉ VT provides both VoIP and POTS options within the same chassis; TesiraFORTÉ VT4 delivers the same flexibility designed specifically for small conference rooms.

“When we introduced TesiraFORTÉ, we offered our customers the high-quality conferencing capabilities built into the Tesira platform,” said Zach Snook, audio product manager, Biamp Systems. “The new VT and VT4 models offer our customers greater flexibility to meet the range of room requirements without paying for features they don’t need – providing a powerful, cost-efficient solution.”

Shure also announced a series extension adding colour and polar pattern options to its MX395 Microflex low profile boundary microphone line. Users now have the option of choosing any mic colour (white, aluminium, or black) and any polar pattern (cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional), with or without an integral bi-colour LED light ring.

Suited for meeting rooms, the MX395 microphones are said to deliver excellent sound pickup while barely being noticed. The product line extension is intended to provide users with increased flexibility and choice when it comes to colour selection, LED options, and pickup patterns for customised table installations.

Shure also previewed the Microflex Complete conferencing system. The integrated audio system is available in wired and wireless configurations and includes a range of portable and flush-mount conferencing units that can be integrated into any room design, from contemporary meeting spaces to historic buildings. Each conferencing unit includes a microphone, loudspeaker, and controls, putting a compact sound system close to the user for clarity in rooms of any size. A colour touchscreen on selected models provides clear access to controls and meeting information.

“Microflex Complete does away with unproductive meetings. It combines great audio with productivity tools like support for electronic voting and polling, agenda management, speaker identification, and language interpretation that support effective decision-making for 20 people or 2,000,” said Bill Oakley, senior product manager at Shure.

Another company with a number of products, Yamaha showcased significant additions to its Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range, including paging stations, flexible control options and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) L2 switches.

The PGM1 is a paging station that can be used to provide multiple remote paging locations on an MRX7-D/MTX5-D Dante network. Up to four PGM1 units can be connected per system, with eight buttons on the unit able to be assigned to any functions, with output destinations and input sources programmed via Yamaha MTX-MRX Editor software.

The MCP1 is an advanced, PoE-powered, multi-purpose remote panel for controlling a system based around the Yamaha MTX3 matrix processor or MTX5-D / MRX7-D signal processors. Featuring customisable touch controls, it allows exceptional remote control flexibility, with up to 36 parameters able to be assigned to the six control (plus home) buttons.

Yamaha also launched the SWR2100P-5G and SWR2100P-10G L2 switches this week at InfoComm. With four and nine Ethernet output ports respectively, they provide PoE, power status monitoring and ON/OFF switching capability. Also allowing network monitoring from Yamaha’s LAN Monitor software, the SWR2100P-5G and SWR2100P-10G complete a full CIS range ‘one-stop’ solution for high quality paging systems.

Moving onto the new speakers introduced at the show, but sticking with Yamaha, the company debuted the VXL1 range of column loudspeakers. The installed speakers are designed for spaces such as houses of worship, boardrooms, lecture theatres and many other situations. They are based on multiple arrays of the same 1.5in driver, which is at the heart of Yamaha’s VXS1ML speaker.

VUE Audiotechnik unveiled the first model of its new e-Class range of installation speakers. The two-way e-352 Nano loudspeaker is said to reset the SPL-to-size benchmark with hi-fi quality sound and professional output levels, all from a compact, weather resistant enclosure.

“Balancing output, sound quality and size is not easy, which has resulted in numerous products that deliver in one or two of these areas, but never all three with any real success,” explained VUE CEO, Ken Berger. “Thanks to the advancements we’ve made with beryllium HF components and ultra-powerful neodymium magnets, as well as the DSP horsepower available from our VUEDrive engines, the e-352 delivers esoteric, audiophile grade performance, while offering output levels typically reserved for much larger professional systems.”

Electro-Voice announced the latest member of the X-Line Advance line array loudspeaker series. The X12-125F flying subwoofer, a dual 15in system equipped with high output EV engineered transducers delivering 9,600W output. The X12-125F can also be used in ground-stacked configurations, making it a versatile choice for rental companies and mobile applications, as well as fixed installations including live performance venues and houses of worship.

Rounding off the audio launches, Dynacord presented two new dual-channel power amplifier series – the L Series and the C Series. Both amplifier series comprise a powerful linear amp design with a feature set designed to bring professional performance in a new, more accessible price point. Four different models per series are available, with total output power ranging from 1,300W to 3,600W.

L Series power amplifiers are engineered to provide sound reinforcement for demanding live music applications and the C Series amps are designed for permanent installation applications, to provide background or live music in venue including bars, churches, restaurants, sports facilities, and performing arts centres.

On to the visual solutions, Sharp presented the 70in Class PN-R706 professional LCD monitor, an expansion on the PN-R series, which made its first appearance at the show. It offers high-impact screen space along with the flexibility to match virtually any installation location.

Sharp will also exhibit the 70in Class PN-LE701 commercial-grade LCD display, which combined full HD image quality and a thin profile with a built-in tuner for the ultimate viewing experience.

Additionally, the company previewed its upcoming Open Architecture Platform, which is expected to make its debut later this year. The Android based SoC-platform player will be built into a new line-up of displays providing an easy way for customers to download, store, manage, and play digital signage content.

Lastly, Sharp announced its largest professional display upgrade with the PN-R903A LCD monitor, a 90in Class screen that excels in various indoor venues including retail, educational, conference rooms and public spaces. It incorporates Sharp’s Ultraviolet-induced Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (UV2A) technology, which ensures efficient backlight use and prevents light leakage.

Christie exhibited several solutions for the first time including the Christie Spyder X80 video processor, which was launched 1 June. It is claimed to deliver 400% more pixel management capacity than anything on the market and is the only video processor capable of managing 4K at a 60Hz refresh rate on every channel. Also on show was Christie Terra, based on standardised SDVoE technology, Terra solutions support video formats up to 4K at 60Hz and provide performance capabilities transporting and processing of uncompressed, zero-frame latency, artefact-free video over 10G Ethernet components.

Christie launched the new Access Series of LCD panels, which offer 4K UHD resolution and USB playback and provide an interactive solution for presentations in meeting rooms, higher education or retail applications. The Series includes 55 and 65in models designed for 16/7 operation. For customers looking for a larger display, both portrait and landscape mode, and 24/7 run times, Christie Access Series offers 75 and 86in models for high-use settings including hotel lobbies, airport terminals, and mission-critical environments such as control rooms.

Making its global debut were the DHD1075 and DWU1075-GS laser phosphor projectors. Combining several Christie HS Series features including more powerful grid-based warping and blending with Christie BoldColor Technology, all in a compact form-factor, both projectors deliver sophisticated, high brightness projection to even the more budget-conscious user at a low cost of ownership.

As for LED, Absen launched the Xv-Series of mobile indoor/outdoor LED solutions. The new Xv-series features three pixel pitch options for all events starting with the ultra-fine 2.6mm, an all in one indoor and outdoor solution at 3.9mm, and a 5.2mm that provides a viewing angle of 160°/140° with a brightness level of 5,000 nits.

Elsewhere in Orlando, Peavey introduced the MediaMatrix nTouch 380hd touchscreen controller. The latest addition to the MediaMatrix DSP control suite, the 380hd is capable of being mounted in a number of locations, providing a rich and expanded graphical user interface, via a 15.6in display, that can be tailored to support any control and system-wide monitoring requirement.

With improved quad-core processing power and future-proof connectivity, the nTouch380hd is designed to bring convenience to system control.

Scott Schumer, North America sales manager for Peavey Commercial Audio, said: “Our latest nTouch brings versatility and proven Peavey reliability to the control element of our popular MediaMatrix platform.”

Finally, RTS debuted the ROAMEO wireless intercom system, based on the license-free DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard.

ROAMEO is a professional-grade, wireless intercom solution with a protected frequency band providing high quality audio via an integrated digital wireless beltpack and associated access points. It is suitable for a wide range of intercom applications including broadcast production studios, theatre and sports event productions, houses of worship, commercial buildings, and outside broadcast (OB) trucks.

www.infocommshow.org