Installation Europe March 2012

Angles in the architecture

IEINSTALLATION EUROPE

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We review the biggest ever ISE show Oxygène of publicity: Jarre talks to IE

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Any device, anywhere – any time soon?Any device, anywhere – any time soon?Unified communicationsUnified communications

ISE smashes records forattendees and exhibitorsFirst keynote address stressesimportance of integration

The industry could not have asked for abetter start to 2012, as IntegratedSystems Europe broke all records.Exhibitor numbers were up by 15% from2011, with a total of 825 companiesoccupying 11 halls of the AmsterdamRAI. Even more notably, the registeredattendance figure rose by 17%, to 40,869over the three show days of Tuesday 31January to Thursday 2 February.

Mike Blackman, managing director ofIntegrated Systems Events, was suitablyupbeat in his assessment: “ISE is nowclearly established as the best-attendedevent of its kind anywhere in the world,”he said. “To be able to post recordnumbers in every key area against anuncertain economic backdrop is afantastic achievement, not just for ISEbut for the industry it serves. Beyond thestatistics, the sheer excitementgenerated by so many professionalpeople converging on a show full ofdynamic new technologies created anatmosphere unsurpassed by anyprevious ISE.”

Once again Installation Europe playedits part in the show, producing the well-received ISE Daily, which was puttogether in an office of the showfloorand printed overnight, ready fordistribution at the RAI as well as inhotels and on shuttle buses. IE was alsoinvolved in publishing the very popularOfficial Show Guide, copies of whichdisappeared rapidly from the showentrances. The ISE Daily team were alsoinvolved in supplying news stories forISE’s Official Visitor Newsletter, whichwas emailed to show attendees andprospects before and during the event.

Among the innovations for the showthis year was the ISE Keynote Address.Gerhard Schulz (pictured), senior VPCentral Europe for Ingram Micro,delivered the address, during which heexhorted integrators and distributors toadd value by working together to createcomplete solutions.

“Systems integration capabilities andbusinesses will take an increasing stakein the value chain and embracesubstantial business opportunities,” hepredicted.

He drew on the experience of IngramMicro to illustrate the way in which theAV and IT worlds can work together as

the move towards a networked futurecontinues.

Rather than relying on sales volume,the IT channel has increasingly had toadd value by providing integratedsolutions, Schulz reasoned. Beyond this,the next step was to move to providingsolutions for specific vertical markets –such as healthcare, education or energymanagement.

www.installationeurope.com IE March 2012 3

Another record-breaking show

in SHOW NEWS & CONTENTS

“CEDIA’s ISE educationprogramme was a greatsuccess. Training is a vitalpart of CEDIA’scommitment to the

industry, and it’s especiallyimportant for CI businesses to stayon top of new trends, technologiesand best practice in our sector. Wewere delighted that delegates for oureducation programme attended insuch strong numbers, and we lookforward to expanding our education

programme into Europe in the yearahead. As main partners of theevent, it was great to see an increasein visitor numbers and a higherquality of attendees.” Matt Nimmons, operations director,CEDIA Region 1

“Integrated SystemsEurope has developed intoa highly-anticipated eventon the industry calendar.With record-breaking

attendance from integrators andend-users across Europe and theMiddle East, a robust selection ofindustry education addressing topicsof emerging importance and onsitecertification testing, ISE has becomea can’t miss event for everyoneassociated with the audiovisualindustry.”Terry Friesenborg, senior vicepresident, internationaldevelopment, InfoCommInternational

ISE 2012 – HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?

. ISE 2012 SPECIAL REVIEW3 ISE News Views, opinions and

figures from this year’s event6 ISE Review Product highlights

from the showfloor

. NEWS & DATA18 News The latest news from the

European installation market 22 Data NFC-enabled device

market set to grow massively50 Show Preview: Prolight + Sound63 Product Choice

. VIEWS24 Opinion: AV and IT Change

doesn’t have to be a concern26 Opinion There was much to see

at another busy ISE28 The IE Interview Jean Michel

Jarre on connecting with music66 Q&A Marcin Zimny of Tommex

discusses the Polish installation market

. MARKETS30 Unified Communications Is

communication between all kinds of devices close to becoming a reality?

36 Shops and Shopping CentresAV kit is being used for more than just advertising

42 Distributor Focus – Germany The AV sector remains strong

46 Projection ScreensManufacturers speak about the current market

. SOLUTIONS54 iGuzzini HQ, Recanati The

lighting manufacturer’s HQ features a high-spec auditorium

58 Opera House, Malmö Embracing new technology

60 Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, IstanbulThe Anadolu Auditorium can now host a wide array of events

Cover image courtesy of Radvision

4 IE March 2012 www.installationeurope.com

in

How did you feel when you learned thatattendance had topped 40,000?Obviously I was delighted, but more forpractical reasons than symbolic ones.When the financial crisis hit the eurozoneover the summer of 2011, our board ofdirectors indicated they would be happy ifISE 2012 maintained its 2011 attendancefigure of just under 35,000. To surpassthat figure by such a substantial marginwas fantastic. Most of all I was pleased forour exhibitors who underlined their faithin our event as a means of growing theirbusiness by also supporting ISE in recordnumbers.

Of the new features this year, whichdid you think were most successful?

The combined Education Zone run byInfoComm and CEDIA really helped toput our on-site training sessions on themap, and that was underlined by therecord numbers of people signing up forclasses. Our inaugural Keynote Addressand Opening Reception were also wellattended and warmly received.

Do you have any concerns about theshow becoming too large – eitherrelated to the experience at the RAI orthe logistics involved in getting there?While we are now second only to IBC interms of B2B event attendance at theRAI, the venue does host public showsthat regularly attract over 100,000people, so we are comfortable with itsability to accommodate our futuregrowth. Managing the flow of attendeetraffic in a venue will always pose certainchallenges and it is something weexamine closely each year. In this respect,

I feel it’s a great advantage that ouroperations office is located inAmsterdam, just around the corner fromthe RAI – if our staff need clarification ona logistical issue, their answer is only a 10-minute walk away. Regarding travellingto and from the RAI, in general thepublic transport system in Amsterdamworks very well, is reasonably priced andefficient. The city is investing billions ofeuros in new transport links which willbenefit us in the years to come.

What can you tell us about ISE 2013? Our on-site exhibit space rebookingtotalled 28,300sqm – a 5% increase onthe equivalent figure last year – and sincethe show closed that figure has risen toover 30,000. The floorplan is lookingvery tight and we have options to openup additional space. We expect to makean announcement on this soon. Watchthis space!

40,869registered attendees

825exhibitors

3,000contractor passes issued

2,000+registrations for conference, education

sessions and pre-show events

380press registrations

30,000+net sqm exhibit space

28,300net sqm space reserved for

ISE 2013 at the show

“It was the greatest event inAV history. Gathering morethan 40,000 professionalsunder one roof over threedays made it worthwhile for

any industry insider to take part, see thelatest technology, and follow the trendsin many disciplines. projectiondesign hasnever met more prospects at a singleevent, and that alone makes us alreadylook forward to next year’s event.” Anders Løkke, marketing director,projectiondesign

“Despite visitor flow beingless than when we exhibitedfor the first time in 2009, wemade some very goodcontacts, particularly in

Russia and across the Eastern Europeanregion. The quality of the visitors madeup for quantity! We certainly hope thatthe sales leads from the show willconvert into business across a widevariety of installation applications." Albert Van Der Hout,European sales manager, Ateïs

“ISE 2012 was Christie’sbusiest EMEA tradeshow todate. We experienced anincrease in traffic and qualityof leads generated. We

believe this is the direct result of aneffective, well targeted campaign fromthe organisers, as well as an innovativestand design showcasing real-worldapplications, and the industry’s broadestrange of purpose-built visual solutions.”Dale Miller, vice president EMEA,Christie

“The real success of eachshow for us is onlymeasurable after a six-monthperiod. But at ISE, even duringthe show we could clearly see

that it would be a great year. Not only aremore integrators choosing to visit usthere, but distributors as well.”Tom Van de Sande,marketing manager, Audac

“A massive success. We have beenbowled over by the results at this year’s

Paddy Baker caught up with Mike Blackman, MD of IntegratedSystems Events, to get his thoughts on ISE 2012 – and 2013

ISE 2012 – HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?

Blackman ‘delighted’by show attendance

ISE 2012 IN NUMBERS

www.installationeurope.com March 2012 IE 5

SHOW NEWS

Editor’s CommentISE outperformsthe economy

The continuing growthtrajectory of the ISEshow is a major

success story. It’s easy toforget that at the start of the2011 show, The ISE Daily waspredicting an attendance inexcess of 30,000 (in fact,nearly 35,000 people came).This year, it was the 40,000visitor mark that wassmashed.

Adding 33% moreattendees over a two-yearperiod is a fine performanceat any time, let alone duringa period of economicuncertainty, and MikeBlackman and his team areto be congratulated on this.

Why is the show such asuccess? My take is that, evenin a less than buoyantmarket, ISE remains frontand centre in people’s minds.The show now has a criticalmass that draws in more andmore people from across theindustry. Its very existenceacts as a focus for organisedgatherings, such asdistributor meetings orcustomer parties, as well asmore informal ‘see you atISE’ get-togethers amongindustry peers.

There is, however, a recentdevelopment that requires

comment. Just as we wereputting the finishing touchesto this issue, the news brokeabout Extron pulling out offuture InfoComm and ISEshows (see news, page 18).The announcement certainlycame as a surprise; however, Ido think that Extron issomething of a special case: ithas a massive product range,and its show stands havelong resembled a real-life

version of its catalogue, withhundreds of products onview and numerous peopleon hand to talk you throughthem. It also spends anenormous amount on its freeparties at both events, andorganises its show activity toa meticulous level of detail. Idon’t subscribe to therumours circulating onlinethat the decision is due tothe company being unhappywith its space allocation atISE 2013. My gut feeling isthat Extron has done a cost-benefit analysis and decided

that its traditional approachis no longer the mosteffective use of its resourcesin territories where it hashigh market penetration (ithas not pulled out of smallerregional shows).

ISE’s ever-greaterprominence and itsimportance to the industry ispart of the reason why we’vemoved our show coverage tothe front of this issue. But a

beefed-up news section isonly one of a series ofchanges and newannouncements – some smalltweaks, some majorinitiatives – that InstallationEurope will be making overthe coming months. I don’twant to say too much justyet, as many of them are stillin the pipeline, but staytuned – it’s going to beexciting.Paddy Baker [email protected]: @installeurope

show. This yearcould not havestarted better for uswith our newmanufacturing,

assembling and distributionpremises together with a host ofnew contacts from the show.”Richard Henton, managingdirector, Aquavision

“ISE has become a key event toAnalog Way. The show is one of

the few AV tradeshows with a trueinternational scope. Itoffers an unmatchedopportunity to meet

with integrators from Europe,Middle East, and even Asia inone place. ISE 2012 was our bestedition ever. We look forward toa promising ISE 2013!’’Franck Facon, marketing &communications director,Analog Way

Conferences providefood for thought Conferences continue to be asignificant part of the mix atISE, with three major eventshappening on-site at the RAIthe day before the exhibitionstarted.

This year’s DiSCO (DigitalSignage Conference), thefourth, focused on retailopportunities, rather than onthe broader DOOH market ithas previously covered.Conference chair FlorianRotberg of Invidis Consultingsaid that digital signage has“huge potential” to help ‘bricksand mortar’ retailers competewith e-tailers like Amazon andAsos by allowing them to betterreflect the new ways in whichconsumers are shopping.

Olympic matters were highon the agenda at new attractionDynamic Events, which focusedon large-scale entertainmentand sporting environments.

Covering an Olympics openingceremony, or similar one-offevent, is a “three hour block oftime where nothing can gowrong,” audio designer ScottWillsallen told the conference.

Inaugurated at ISE last year,the InfoComm Future TrendsSummit once again covered avariety of topics affecting thefuture of the industry.

The key message of thesession on audio-video bridgingover Ethernet (AVB) is thatthere are still challenges to beovercome if the technology is tobe implemented widely acrossmultiple applications.

“For certain applications youcan deploy AVB now,” saidsession participant JohnMcMahon, executive director,digital products at MeyerSound. “Does it cover every basenow? No. But we are on theroadmap [towards that reality].”

‘Adding 33% more attendeesover a two-year period is a fineperformance’

Digital signage, large events and future trends

Whether it was products withfeatures developed forparticular sectors, displays of

technology from partner companies,or interactive demonstrations onstands, applications were clearlyuppermost in the minds of the displaymanufacturers exhibiting at ISE.

DiSCo, the Digital SignageConference which took place theday before the exhibition, put agreat deal of focus on solutions toenhance the shop floor experience.On the exhibition floor, digitalsignage manufacturers were happyto pick up this theme and showtheir retail solutions.

NEC launched Vukunet: a web-based platform designed to linkdigital signage screens through asimple interface and a connectedcontent solution. This allows ownersof screen networks located in publicvenues to earn revenue by displayingadvertisements.

Also on its stand was digitalsignage powered by Leaf Engine –the result of R&D carried out at NEClaboratories. The system is aimed atcreating more intelligent digitalsignage solutions through thedevelopment of a distributedmiddleware layer that offers sensorplug-and-play functionality. Thedisplayed application gave

recommendations for what else ashopper might buy, prompted by theproduct they have just picked off theshelf – a familiar experience foronline shoppers.

There were a number ofmanufacturers presentingtransparent digital signage displaysfor the retail environment. Hyundaiexhibited its 22in interactivetransparent touchscreen, which, itsays, is also designed for hospitalityand office environments. Samsung,in a private area on its stand, wasshowing partners 22in and 46intransparent displays. Philips offeredan alternative perspective ontransparent LCD displays, showingan automatic drinks dispenser with‘floating’ buttons on the screen,which the user touched to choosetheir beverage.

LG Display highlighted its 26inWindow Display TV, which doublesas a regular window or transparenttouch display. The LCD panelfeatures a brightness control functionfor daytime use, and an embeddedLED backlight for night-time use.

Also on the LG stand was anOLED-embedded 26in transparentpanel with 1366 x 768 resolution.According to the company, this canbe produced in 40in to 50in sizes forvarious public display applications.

Panasonic drew the crowds onto itsstand by using its new PT-DZ21K20,000-lumen WUXGA projector tobeam video content onto a colossal3.9m x 4.5m wall at its stand. Theprojector series are the company’ssmallest and lightest 3-chip DLPmodels to date, and have a lampreplacement cycle of up to 2,000hours – making them suitable forlarge-venue applications such asauditoriums and museums.

projectiondesign highlighted thetheme of collaboration by sharingstand space with a number ofpartner companies. Kommerz, asoftware design company based inAustria, combined its Multi RealityInterface (MRI) technology with aprojectiondesign F35 WQXGAprojector to create a table-based 3Ddecision-making and presentationtool. Developed to facilitate thework of project managers anddesigners, the MRI technologyallows the user to manipulatecontent by moving objects on thetable: moving objects closer togetheron the interactive table has the sameeffect on the content on the screen.

Meanwhile Pufferfish Displays hadits PufferSphere M on show, whichincorporated projectiondesign’s F32series of projectors and featured atouchscreen surface. Pufferfish spoke


SHOW REVIEW

Display technologiesThere was a huge variety of display technology on show at ISE – much of it targeted at specific applications

in

Capturing one display on another: ISE visitorshad a real appetite to experience the latesttechnologies

Philips used a drinks machine concept to demonstrate itstransparent LCD display

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of plans to enter new markets in2012, with initial stages of adaptingthe technology for deep-sea geo-mapping already in full swing.

The latest version (5.2) of Dataton’smulti-display production andplayback system Watchout wasdemonstrated at the event. The systemincorporates the dynamic integrationof both 2D and 3D, and bringstogether independent elements suchas stills, animations, graphics, video,sound and live feeds. New featuresinclude the ability to access andintegrate dynamic video over anystandard network solution, rather thanhaving to render video files.

Canon’s latest installation projector,the XEED WUX5000, was at thecentre of a 4D theatre experience,which used CL Corporation’s (France)simulator to take spectators on ajolting rally adventure.

Two of the 5,000-lumen WUXGAdevices were used in passive 3Dconfiguration. Combined withhydraulically operated seats and watersprays as the car smashed throughstanding water, it made for a trulyintense rally experience.

Also on the stand was a golfsimulator; Canon has supplied over30 projectors for this type ofinstallation over the past 18 months.

A display that grabbed attention atCasio’s stand was the MonkeyBook –an interactive virtual book created byMediaScreen, a German projectionand presentation technologymanufacturer. Content arrived from aCasio Green Slim projector, displayedonto a screen shaped like a book. Theuser could scroll through the virtualpages of a book and watch videos,zooming in and out if necessary.

MonkeyBook has an integratedhigh-precision camera tracking systemand micro PC. MediaScreen says it hasbeen designed for applications fromhotel lobbies and exhibitions tomuseums and even retail digitalsignage solutions.

Residential projector manufacturerRunco presented new productsdesigned for multifunctional rooms –where big-screen entertainment is onlyone use for the space – as well as

dedicated home cinemas. The newLightStyle LS-12d is a 3-chip DLPmodel that delivers strong 3D and 2Dperformance, and is the first projectorto ship with the company’s newDimension Digital Controller, a 2Uoutboard unit that enhances the 3Dperformance of Runco products. TheLS-12d is supplied with three pairs ofactive 3D glasses, and can becustomised with Runco’s FinishPalette,which includes colour-matching andcustom-printing options.

In Tokyo last year, Mitsubishidemonstrated the world’s firstspherical OLED display with a 6mdiameter representation of the Earth.On its ISE stand, the companyrecreated a 3m diameter slice fromthis Diamond Vision OLED display,curving out into three dimensions.The display was made of 384mmsquare modules, with 3mm pixel pitchand light output of 1,200 cd/sqm.

Among the products being shownby BenQwas the LW61ST, thecompany’s first education projector touse the BlueCore light engine. Turn topage 65 for more details.

Pyramid showcased the firstprototype of the 32in polytouchaction table, a semi-transparent whiteacrylic desk with an integrated all-in-one multi-touch system designed forapplications in retail, businessconsultancy and gaming. The tableincorporates 150 programmablehigh-brightness LEDs and a 1920 x1080 LCD screen. Integrated imagersenable objects or documents placed

on the glass surface to be recognisedand registered.

Christie launched its JumpStartcontent management solution, whichis designed to make it easy to puthigh-resolution content onto a multi-display or tiled digital canvas. Keyfeatures are speed and ease of setup,and support for unique displayconfigurations.

JumpStart can be used with anydigital display with up to four inputs;when used with Christie MicroTiles, itcommunicates directly with the masterExternal Control Unit, automaticallypicking the best resolution for thecanvas and showing the location ofevery tile so that content can be easilysnapped into position.

A highlight of the Paradigmstandwas the company’s Display Wall,created with products from partnerScalable Display Technologies. TheWall featured soft-edge blending frommultiple short-throw projectors tocreate a megapixel device that sits ona network. This is a significantdevelopment for Paradigm as it opensthe door to providing cost-effectivesolutions to B2B markets, usingcommercial off-the-shelf components.

Sony marked its return to ISE after afew years’ absence with three mainthemes on its stand: 4K resolution,3D and interactivity. It gave animpressive demonstration of the2,000-lumen VPL-VW1000ES,believed to be the world’s first 4Khome cinema projector, in

combination with the ‘RealityCreation’ upscaler that converts Blu-ray Disc images to 4K. Theprojector uses active 3D glasses, butthe company also showedautostereoscopic 3D as part of its Zirisproduct range (Ziris was alsomanaging the content for the entireSony stand). Also on display weresolutions for education – a newmarket for Sony – including dual-peninteractive whiteboard software.

Barco had product launches acrossdigital signage, video walls andprojection. The company’s LiveDotsdigital signage operation launched10mm pixel pitch Digital City Posters:LED DOOH billboards withintegrated media player and remotemonitoring software. Turning to videowalls, the use of third-generationLEDs is said to make Barco’s walls33% brighter, or alternativelyconsume 33% less power atconventional brightness levels. Finally,the company launched the HDX-W183-chip WUXGA DLP projector, whichfeatures 17,500 lumens brightness,compact design, on-board imageprocessing and control viasmartphone or tablet.

Interactivity was the main theme onthe Prysmstand. The laser phosphordisplay manufacturer displayed a 2 x5 tiled digital kiosk with multitouchand gesture capabilities, and an 8 x 4tile curved video wall enabled forremote multi-touch input. Thecompany can package gesture andtouch technology into any of our pre-configured displays and enclosures.

Planar Systems was demonstratingthe Clarity Matrix 3D video wall,which is shipping now. The companyclaims this is the industry’s thinnest,most visually accurate 3D LCD videowall system, with ‘exceptional’ 3Dvisualisation, flicker-free images andsuperior contrast and brightness, anda wider viewing area than other 3Dtechnologies. The 46in panels can betiled to create large, virtually seamlessvideo walls that have an install depthof just 93mm, thanks to Planar’sEasyAxis mounting system and off-board electronics. Passive 3Dtechnology is used.

(L) Panasonic projected a WUXGAimage onto a 3.9m x 4.5m wall(R) Sony used its own Ziris software tomanage the content on its stand

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There was much that was newamong ISE’s audio exhibitors –from large-scale networking

products to handy multifunctionalproducts for smaller installs.

ISE 2012 saw the European debutof Biamp’s Tesira DSP-based networkedmedia system. This is mainly targetedat the same types of projects thatwould use the company’s existingAudia system – such as airport,stations or convention centres – butfor larger installations. It takes Biampinto the stadium market for the firsttime.

Tesira uses audio-video bridging(AVB) as its primary media transport,and can carry up to 420 x 420channels in a single chassis if the fullquota of eight DSP cards is used.With the use of a CobraNet card,Tesira can also be used to expand anexisting Biamp Audio or Vocia system(version 1.4 of which was announcedat the show).

While Biamp is setting its sights onlarger projects with Tesira, QSC ismoving in the opposite direction with

its latest launch. The Q-Sys Core 500iand Core 250i provide centralisedprocessing, routing and control overup to 128 and 64 network channelsrespectively, for smaller venues such asclubs, restaurants and churches. Like allQ-Sys Cores, these systems run under acustomised Linux operating system,using Layer 3 Gigabit networkingprotocols and standard GigabitEthernet hardware. A simple GUIprovides access to all system design,configuration and control functions.

Boschunveiled Omneo, the medianetwork that will form the basis of itsfuture products. This is a single-cablesolution combining a media transportcomponent based on Audinate’s Dantewith OCS (Open Control Architecture)system control. According to Bosch, itcan connect the smallest medianetworks to the largest – including life-safety and mission-critical applications.As well as sending multichannel audiostreams alongside control data in asynchronised manner, Omneo is alsosaid to reduce the time taken toconfigure, maintain and expand multi-

site media networks.ISE saw the European debut of the

Shure ULX-D digital wireless system forinstalled applications. This has adynamic range of 120dB, a latency ofless than 3ms and a 20Hz-20kHzfrequency range. ULX-D uses AES-256standard encryption and can beintegrated in media control systemsfrom the likes of AMX or Crestron.

Up to 17 active transmitters can beused on an 8MHz TV channel andover 60 compatible channels in onefrequency band, with permanentsignal stability claimed over the entire100m line-of-sight range.

New from Allen & Heathwas GLD, adigital mixing system based on thesuccessful digital iLive series. The GLD-80 mixer provides 48 input channels,eight stereo FX returns, 30configurable busses, 20 mix processingchannels, and DSP power.

GLD-80 has analogue-style channelprocessing controls plus a graphical8.4in touchscreen. Inputs and mixescan be assigned to fader strips througha simple drag-and-drop process. There


Plenty for the ear There was a wide variety of newproducts on display from ISE’s audio contingent

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are 20 fader strips in four layers, eachwith motorised fader, a channel LCDdisplay which can be named andcolour-coded, plus a rotary control fordirect access to gain, pan and aux/FXsends. The mixer‘s local I/O comprisesfour XLR mic/line inputs, four XLRline outs, four RCA inputs, two RCAoutputs, and digital outputs in SPDIFand AES3 formats.

Among a number of launches onthe APart stand was the PMR4000Rall-in-one music source. This featuresan integrated RDS FM tuner, internetradio, UPnP and USB media player,allowing users to select music from avariety of sources. The PMR4000Rsearches for UPnP-servers on the localnetwork and connects to them, so itcan find any music file (MP3, WMA,FLAC and WAV), whether it is savedon a local hard disk, networkedattached storage, USB stick or anetworked laptop. Internet radiostations, once found, can be saved viathe front panel for future recall, usingthe included infrared remote control.

Ateis showcased IDA8, a new publicaddress and voice alarm system – a‘one-box’ solution that is designed tobe highly configurable, easy to installand fully compliant. Designed for ahost of safety critical environments, itboasts IP connectivity (and features an

IP microphone) and runs open DSPsoftware for optimum flexibility. Itfeatures an in-built voiceannouncement store with four hours’recording capacity, which can beaccessed remotely through third-partyinterfaces. In addition, it offers remotediagnostics for easyconfiguration and enhanced

system operations. Audac presented the MTX series, the

latest addition to its range of matrixsystems, filling the gap for ‘a very cost-efficient matrix system for a wide areaof multi-zone audio applications,’which the company hopes willbecome the new standard for multi-zone audio.

Two models were launched – theMTX48 can control up to four differentstereo zones while the MTX88 cancontrol up to eight. Besides all thestandard functions expected from amid-market audio matrix, they offer

features previously only available inhigh-end products, such as a fullyfunctional web interface to control andconfigure an audio system from anyLAN-connected device.

Other features include apps foriPhone and iPad to control

the system andthe

potential to addcontrol panels and wall audio inputunits to zones.

The MTX also includes twomicrophone inputs with priority,phantom power, three-band tonecontrol and four line inputs, and fouror eight output zones.

Funktion One highlighted its range ofhigh-intelligibility, focused-dispersionloudspeakers. The company’s speakersuse cone drivers which are claimed toproduce significantly less mid-rangedistortion than compression driverswith metallic diaphragms commonlyused within the industry. Where the

company does use compressiondrivers, the crossover point is a coupleof octaves higher than othermanufacturers’ speakers.

Cone drivers are loaded onto verycarefully designed waveguides andFunktion One’s trademark ‘axehead’devices – which produce differentintensities and different dispersionsdepending on the design. This means

that the company can designsolutions for difficult acousticchallenges that do not excite the

space unnecessarily.Revolabs announced the launch

of the FLX VoIP, the first wirelessconference phone designed for VoIPnetworks. Promising high levels ofconference call clarity and flexibility, ithas the features of the FLX foranalogue phone lines (covered in IENovember 2011); in addition, featureslimited to digital switch environments,such as voicemail alerts and ‘do notdisturb’, are also available. The phonecan be used in small and midsizeconference rooms without runningcables, and uses independentmicrophones, speaker and dialler tofor flexibility. Microphone optionsinclude a one-person lapel mic, adirectional tabletop mic for two orthree people, and an omnidirectionaltabletop mic for six to 10 participants.


SHOW REVIEWin

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Lightware claimed to reinvent thedigital matrix switcher with its25G Hybrid Matrix router,

which adds a third dimension ofmedia layers onto the traditionalswitcher arrangement of inputs andoutputs. You can read more in ourproduct section on page 63.

Crestronshowcased the latestadditions to its DigitalMedia range,including the DigitalMedia 8G+technologies and the DMPS-3000 AVpresentation system. DigitalMediadelivers high-definition audio andvideo, plus Ethernet, control signalsand more, over long distances tomultiple rooms, all over a singlecable. DigitalMedia 8G+ can be usedwith standard Cat5e, DigitalMedia 8Gor CresFiber 8G cable.

The DMPS-3000 is a digital AVpresentation system in a box –comprising control system, matrixswitcher, audio DSP, mic mixer andamplifier. In addition, HDCP, EDID

and CEC are managed, eliminatingthe need for IR emitters and receiversand many serial cables.

The company also announced theexpansion of its trade-in scheme foranalogue distribution systems to nowincorporate any brand of device.

Extronexhibited new productsacross a number of technology areas.

The FOX AEX 108 is an eight-portaudio extractor for independentprocessing and routing of audiosignals in a fibre optic system. It takessignals from an Extron FOX seriestransmitter, extracts a two-channelanalogue audio signal for processing,and then re-transmits the originalsignal to a FOX Series receiver. In this

way, audio signals can be processedindependently while maintaining theintegrity of the fibre optic signal.

Also new from Extron was theXTRA Series XPA 4002 two-channel800W power amplifier. This compact1U, convection-cooled amplifier isEnergy Star qualified and featuresClass D Ripple Suppressiontechnology to provide a clean audiowaveform.

AMX presented its latest range ofEnova DGX digital media switchers.The Enova DGX 16 and DGX 32models are said to offer a future-readyHDMI and HDCP solution that canperfectly scale to any resolution. Awall containing screens of differentsizes – from 16in to 60in –demonstrated the technology on thecompany’s stand.

AMX’s SmartScale and InstaGate Protechnologies, combined with built-inNetLinx control, respond to eachdisplay’s declared EDID information.


Connectivity, control, accessoriesEndpoints are of little use without the infrastructure that takes video and audio to them, integratesthem into a wider context or holds them in place. All of these areas were strongly represented at ISE

�

SHOW REVIEWin

The Crestron stand saw a high level of visitor activity during the show

Need a passive column solution? Think FASTTM

Tannoy proudly presents VLS Series, a new range of passive

column loudspeakers aimed at the architectural audio market

where maximum intelligibility and minimum aesthetic impact are

critical. With transducer technology adapted from our award-

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This results in video scaled to optimalresolution without manual setup.

ShowKube displayed its range ofmultimedia products and AVproduction systems for the eventsindustry. Kshow is a versatileproduction system that managesmulti-projector video, images andaudio; it allows the mixing of multiplelive video sources and the preparationof show timelines. Klive is a powerfulstreaming broadcast server that cantransmit multiple live HD videostreams to any device or to the Cloud,while KStudio Events Platform is astreaming video platform formultimedia content management andplanning. Kview is a multi-view mediadecoder that can handle up to fourHD streams at once with videowall-style playback.

Through its distributor SceneDouble, IHSEannounced the 48-portDraco Tera KVM and DVI matrixswitch. This supports DVI video,together with USB, serial, andanalogue or digital audio options. Allcommon DVI Single-Link resolutionsup to 2048 x 1152 are supported;even higher resolutions will be addedas a future interface option.

Blackmagic Design displayed a widerange of signal converters, includingsome from recently acquired company

Teranex. The Teranex VC-100 wasdemonstrated converting SD video (aDVD movie) to 3D HD. This modelcan handle up to 280 different kindsof format conversion, can upscale ordownscale video and can carry outframe rate conversion.

Control company Neetsannounced its biggest productlaunch ever. As well as the NeetsControl – Alfa (a networkedcontrol system for large AVsystems – see IE January, page55), the company announcedthree other new products.Neets Control – OsCar is aversatile, networkedmultiroom AV controlsystem for educationaland corporateinstallations; it uses aLAN connection forconfiguration,monitoring and –when desired –control of systemsin multiple roomsfrom a central computer.Complementing this is BraVo, analternative to ‘loose’ IR remotes: itscontrol panel fits into standard outletboxes and is quickly wired usingEuroblock plug-in connectors. Finally,the company launched the QueBec II

projector controller, which issuescommands to projector and screenwhen it detects a video signal, makingeverything ready for the presentation tobegin in seconds.

Televic Conference used its T-Castproduct to stream live webcasts fromits stand at ISE. Targeted at councils

and other governmental institutionsthat need to share their meetingswith the public, T-Cast allows the

audio and video ofmeetings to bebroadcast live overthe internet andarchived in theCloud – togetherwith supportinginformation onspeakers, agendasand presentations.If the internetconnection isdropped during a

live webcast,content is bufferedlocally; once the

connection is restored, streamingcontinues from where it stopped.

Lutron launched its Homeworks QSresidential control system at ISE. Thisextends the HomeWorks controlsystem to all kinds of lighting,including dimming of low-energy

lights. It also now goes beyond lightsand shading control by addingcontrol of temperature and AVcomponents by means of the wall-mounted Dynamic Keypad.

Peerless-AV highlighted numerousofferings from its mount catalogue.One that has been particularly wellreceived is the DS-VW765, a modularmount for unlimited numbers ofdisplays in a videowall. Spacersbetween each mount havedimensions that are specific to themodel of display being used; thisensures that displays are correctlyspaced without the need forcalculations or guesswork on site.Other features include eight points oftoolless microadjustment, integratedcable tiebacks and security hardwareto deter tampering and theft.

New from Chief was the VCMUHeavy Duty Universal ProjectorMount, which supports LCD/CRTprojectors up to 110kg. It provides thesame strength as custom VCMmounts but incorporates a convenientuniversal interface, which can beordered separately to retrofit existinginstalls. The newly designed universalinterface enables a simple three-stepinstallation process, while the mountfeatures independent adjustments forquick registration.


SHOW REVIEWin

Peerless-AV’s DS-VW765 mount uses display-specificspacers to simplify installation

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News and New Partners


New PartnersAudicoSystems hasbeen namedas Televic’sdistributor inFinland. The

agreement reinforces thepresence of Televic Conference inthe Scandinavian region and fitsAudico’s long-term strategy toaddress new market segments inthe pro-audio business. Pictured(L-R) are: Bart Deschodt, generalmanager, Televic; MikkoTenhunen, project sales manager,Audico; Harri Leiva, managingdirector, Audico; Richard Cazin,export manager NorthernEurope, Televic.www.audico.fiwww.televic.com

Philips Selecon and StrandLighting has appointed Gobo –Highlight A/S as its newdistributor for Demark. Thecompany, which has a main officeand warehouse in Copenhagen anda sales and administration office inAarhus, is well respected in theregion for its sales and projects inthe theatre, television,architectural and rental markets.www.lighting.philips.comwww.gobo.dk

Among new UK distributorshipsannounced byParadigm AVare the Da-Lite andProjectaproductranges, alongwith Chief

mounts — all part of Milestone AVTechnologies portfolio. “This willnot only enable us to extend intothe low-cost end of the screensmarket, but along with dnp, enableus to provide a solution for everymarket application, whatever thebudget,” said Paradigm AV salesdirector Mick Perrone (pictured).www.rearpro.comwww.milestone.com

TD Maverick has signed anagreement to distribute theInFocus Mondopad in the UK,building on the long-standingrelationship that Maverick haswith InFocus for its projectors. TheMondopad is said to be the firstall-in-one giant tablet designed forbusiness-class video conferencingand collaboration. It is a 55in fullHD wall tablet that combinesmulti-touch collaborationapplications with Cloud-basedvideoconferencing (see page 65for more details).www.tdmaverick.euwww.infocus.com

Decision ends 25 years atassociation’s showsWill concentrate on customertraining and support

Extron Electronics president AndrewEdwards has announced that thecompany will no longer exhibit at theInfoComm and Integrated SystemsEurope trade events. The company is tofocus its resources on activities of directbenefit to its customers, includingadditional training facilities andexpanded customer support.

Extron has been a long-time exhibitorat both events, having been at every USInfoComm show since 1986, and at ISEand its predecessor since 1999. “We haveenjoyed and appreciated whatInfoComm USA and ISE have become,”said Edwards in a webcast.

He continued: “Extron is built on aphilosophy of training and education,and each year thousands of you attendExtron Institute worldwide. Much of theeffort that previously went intopreparing for and exhibiting atInfoComm USA and ISE will now gotowards making Extron training andsupport even more accessible.”

Randal Lemke, executive director andCEO of InfoComm International,commented: “Extron will remain amember of InfoComm Internationaland will exhibit at our other eventsaround the world… The space reservedby Extron [at InfoComm and ISE] willquickly be taken by other exhibitors. Inaddition, InfoComm 2012 will be ourbiggest show ever held in the UnitedStates.

“Our association has produced tradeshows continuously since the 1940s and

we have seen many exhibitors come andgo. We wish Extron the best of luck withtheir new business strategy.”

ISE had not issued a comment at presstime.

Edwards’s statement stressed thatExtron is in a strong financial position,having had a record year in 2011 thatsaw over 75 new product introductionsand 425 new recruits, taking thecompany’s total workforce to over 2,000.Last year also saw the company opentraining and demonstration facilities inWashington DC, London, Paris andFrankfurt. The company has completedconstruction on new training andsupport facilities in the US at itsAnaheim headquarters and in Raleigh,and plans to open new training facilitiesin Dallas, New York and Toronto.

� www.extron.eu

3D AUDIOAfter mixing the world’s first 3D audiomovie Immortals, IOSONO audiotechnology has been chosen for anotherworld premiere: Neither, the first 3Dopera. Written by Morton Feldman andSamuel Beckett, Neither is staged byBerlin-based artist group phase7 and isnot a typical opera.

The original orchestra is replaced by adigitally programmed virtual orchestra,allowing 3D sound to float through theaudience. The only person on stage isNorwegian soprano Eir Inderhaug, whosings live in the centre of the audience.

“IOSONO’s 3D audio technology hasbeen well received by the cinema and

event industry and it’s great to see andhear what it can do to a piece of opera,”said Olaf Stepputat, CEO of IOSONO.

The core of IOSONO’s 3D soundsystem is the Spatial Audio Processor IPC

100, which manages all loudspeakerchannels and can adapt to any size venue.

“The IOSONO 3D system wasessential to give this opera a new soundand it worked perfectly,” phase7 founderSven Sören Beyer stated.

Christian Steinhäuser, musicaldirector of the project, added: “For me asa musician, IOSONO opened upcompletely new ways of interpreting themusic. It was much more than a mixingtool, but an inspiring instrument toturn opera into a new experience.”

Neither premiered at the EuropeanCenter of the Arts HELLERAU inDresden on 2 March.

� www.iosono-sound.com

World’s first 3D opera realised with IOSONO

Extron pulls out of InfoComm and ISE shows

Peavey and Martin team up for Prolight +SoundEVENT INSTALLPeavey Electronics and MartinProfessional will once again jointlyprovide a complete audio and lightingsetup for the Agora stage, the mainperformance space at Prolight + Sound,later this month.

The joint sponsorship will becelebrated with a special Agora Stageevent on the Thursday evening of theshow (22 March). Live entertainmentwill commence at 18.30, withperformances from jazz-metal fusioncombo The Alex Skolnick Trio and thePeavey All Stars. The Alex Skolnick Triosupported Rodrigo y Gabriela on their2010 tour, and count Metallica’s RobertTrujillo among their fans.

Peavey’s commercial audio divisionwill supply all live audio for both stagesover the four-day event, from the mixingdesks to the front-of-house PA and

monitoring system. Equipment includesthe Peavey Versarray 212, powered byCrest Pro amplifiers, with controlcoming from the company’sMediaMatrix technology.

Lighting will be dominated by theMartin EC series LED video screen, incombination with a host of MartinMAC moving heads, including its award-

winning MAC Aura. Control will behandled by a Martin M1 console.

Pictured are industrial funk bandTackHead, playing at the Agora Stagesponsors party in 2011.

� www.pls.messefrankfurt.com� www.peavey.com� www.martin.com

© 2

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News and Events


Audiovisual Solutions Provideris ‘Certified’ once moreVerification checklist to beintroduced

InfoComm International is changingthe name of its programme designedto recognise companies that invest incertification and education for itsemployees.

The Audiovisual Solutions Providerprogramme has changed its nameback to the Certified AudiovisualSolutions Provider programme. Otherchanges to the programme will bemade effective 1 July.

“In addition to new logos, there willbe a greater marketing investment topromote the designation to key

purchasing and end-user communities,and a new Audiovisual SystemsPerformance Verification Checklistthat companies can elect to use,” saidDuffy Wilbert, InfoComm’s senior vicepresident (pictured).

The checklist is intended to provideowners, consultants, and integratorswith a comprehensive and singularsource of tests to determine if the AVsystem achieves the client’s goals andthat it performs in accordance with thebest practices of the industry. Byproviding this list to the audiovisualindustry, InfoComm says that it isestablishing a set of guidelines to helpindustry professionals and their clientscommunicate effectively about theirexpectations for system performance.

The organisation plans to obtainANSI accreditation of the checklist thisyear, and may modifiy it for current bestpractices at that time.

� www.infocomm.org

VIDEO COMMUNICATIONSPolycom has announced RealPresenceMobile for smartphones. Itis described as a secure,enterprise-grade videosoftware solution thatallows mobile device usersto connect with immersive videorooms, group/desktop systems,

laptops, tablets, and smartphones inHD quality.

This follows the announcement lastOctober of Polycom’smobile software applicationfor tablets, which nowinclude the iPad 2 andvarious Android devices.

“Polycom RealPresence Mobile putsvideo collaboration in the hands of

potentially millions more, allowinganyone to visually collaborate withcolleagues, customers and partners,regardless of their physical location,”said Andy Miller, CEO of Polycom.

RealPresence Mobile will be availablein early March on the Apple iPhone 4Sand ‘soon’ on Android 4.0 smartphones.

InfoComm renames provider programme

Polycom extends mobile platform to phones

� www.polycom.com

For your diaryLight & Building

15-20 April

Frankfurt, Germany

www.light-

building.messefrankfurt.com

PLASA Focus

17-18 April

Leeds, UK

www.plasafocus.com/leeds

132nd AES Convention

26-29 April

Budapest, Hungary

www.aes.org

PALME Middle East

1-3 May

Dubai, UAE

www.palme-middleeast.com

High End

3-6 May

Munich, Germany

www.highendsociety.de

ShowWay

5-7 May

Bergamo, Italy

www.showway.com

News and Appointments


Lee Dodson hasbeen appointed vicepresident ofbusinessdevelopment forNortek Inccompanies TV One

and Magenta Research. He joinsfrom Premier Mounts where heserved as president. Prior to this hespent 10 years at Extron and 12 yearsat Sony. In his current role he will bedriving adoption of the Voyager andCORIOmax systems.www.magenta-research.comwww.tvone.co.uk

Helvar has namedPeter Rowledge atits new UK salesmanager, withresponsibility formaintaining theexisting client base

and growing Helvar’s presence innew markets. Rowledge has almost20 years of experience in technicalsales.www.helvar.com

Matthew Buck hasjoined Crestron ascommercial accountmanager. Prior tothis he spent time atPolar Audio where hehad responsibility for

key accounts in the south-east ofEngland. In his new role he will workto maintain and establish good linkswith new and existing clients.www.crestron.eu

Henry van der Helmhas joinedSimulation Displaysas businessdevelopmentmanager, heading upParadigm AV’s new

wholly owned subsidiary. Beforejoining Simulation Displays, van derHelm worked in a similar sector forPro Systems International; prior tothat he was VP of sales for PanoramTechnologies. www.simulationdisplays.com

Meyer Sound hasmade a trio ofpersonnel changes:Todd Meier has beenpromoted to digitalproducts manager;Michael Creason

(pictured) has been named designservices manager; and MiguelLourtie is now European technicalservices manager. Meier has beencharged with guiding the continuedgrowth of Meyer Sound’s digitalsystems, while Creason will lead aDesign Services team that workswith audio consultants and MeyerSound dealers. Lourtie, meanwhile,will supervise the company’stechnical support team in Europe

and assume responsibility for salessupport and design services acrossthe region.www.meyersound.com

Saville Audio Visualhas strengthened itsAV/IT integrationteam with theappointment ofSimon Toleman asoperations manager

for the south of England, based atthe company’s offices inFarnborough. With over 20 yearsindustry experience, Toleman’sportfolio includes a period as projectmanager with the Leisure division atElectrosonic. He has also spent fiveyears running his own AV installationcompany in the United ArabEmirates. www.saville-av.com

Rob Smith has beenpromoted to theposition of salesmanager ofElectrosonic’sCulturalEntertainment and

Leisure (CEL) business for EMEA.Smith joined Electrosonic in 2010 asclient account manager for the CELteam; he has 20 years of experiencein the AV sector. Electrosonic’s CELbusiness provides a complete set ofaudiovisual services, includingcustom-designed audio, video andcontrol systems and on-site servicesolutions.www.electrosonic.com

As part of itscontinued growthplans, Polar Audiohas appointedStuart Leader asbusinessdevelopment

manager for the AV and integrationmarkets. Leader has 16 years ofindustry experience, including timeat Crestron and Sanyo. At PolarAudio he will be responsible forsupporting the company’s existingclient base, developing newbusiness and taking newtechnologies such as Biamp’s AVB(Audio-Video Bridging) to the AVand integration markets.www.polaraudio.co.uk

Turning Technologies has namedGary Morrison as general managerEMEA. In his new role, Morrison willbe responsible for managing Turning

Technologies’European offices,channel partnersand the furtherdevelopment of itsEuropean, MiddleEastern and

African markets. He joins fromQwizdom UK.intl.turningtechnologies.com

N ear field communication(NFC) capability in mobilephones and other devices

enables them to communicate witheach other when they are in closeproximity. According to a new report byIMS Research, The World Market for NFC,35 million NFC-enabled phones wereshipped worldwide in 2011. Significantmarket events and the enablement ofother cellular handsets will drive thatnumber to nearly 80 million by the endof 2012, rising to 918 million by 2016.

“The market for NFC through 2012looks promising,” predicts Don Tait,senior analyst at IMS Research. “Salesof NFC-enabled cellular handsets areprojected to accelerate during the next12 months to reach 80 millionhandsets. Showcase events such as theOlympic Games in London will help topromote the technology and itsbenefits. For instance, NFC will beavailable at the Olympic Park, with

Everything Everywhere, Telefónica UK,Visa Europe and Samsung involved inthe project.”

While the driving force for NFCadoption is undoubtedly its capabilityas a convenient payment mechanismfor low-value transactions, there aremajor opportunities to use thetechnology for other marketing andinformation purposes. NFC provides amechanism to link consumers with theonline world through their personalphone or tablet and hence to digitalsignage and other networks forspecialised and personalised interaction.Their own screen and keyboard can beused as an input device to send andretrieve data with remote networks andtransaction systems. This opens upopportunities for local interaction withviewers of display systems and greaterpersonalisation of services. In 2011 just0.7 million NFC-enabled handsets (2%)were paired with other devices. This is

set to rise by 2016 to almost 400million (45%).

This presents enormousopportunities for new services basedaround mobile contactless paymentand local device interconnectionbetween laptops, tablets and otherpersonal devices. Passive devices, suchas smart posters and product tags, havethe ability to store data that can beread by an NFC-enabled device simply

by holding it in close proximity.Received information on products,pricing, availability and other facets canthen be used for further activities. NFCwill be able to link a consumer’stransaction history to their physicallocation, thereby enabling highlytargeted personalised advertising thatadvertisers crave. IE

0

200

400

600

800

1000

2010 2011 2012* 2013* 2014* 2015* 2016*

Industry Data


The missing linkDemand for NFC-enabled devices is forecast togrow massively, with events such as the Olympicsdriving interest, writes Steve Montgomery

� www.imsresearch.com

In 2011, 35 million NFC-enabled phones were shipped globally (*= forecast)Source: IMS Research

Number of NFC-enabled phones shipped worldwide, 2010-2016*

Million

Bob Snyder

Change and survivalWhy worry about change when you could be embracing the boom indemand for AV integration?

In pro AV we worry a lot aboutChange. That’s Change with acapital ‘C’ as if change were a cancer.

We worry about so many changes... Weworry about the change from analogueto digital. We worry about IT integratorsstealing the business. We worry aboutAsian producers destroying marginswhile giving us service headaches. Weworry about Cloud solutions that mightcircumvent us. We worry about vendorsgoing direct. We worry about mergersand acquisitions that might swallow oursuppliers or enlarge our competitors.

Some worry can be healthy inbusiness, but often you hear this worryturn into the lament: will AVintegrators survive?

For me, that always triggers echoesof that disco hit, the Gloria Gaynorsong, I Will Survive. Of course, we willsurvive. AV integration is not only hereto stay, it is booming.

Walk into a non-integrated conferenceroom and you’ll find a pile of remotecontrols: one for the display, one foreach source device (a videoconferencingunit, a transport deck, such as CD deck,Blu-ray, VHS-DVR, satellite receiver, orothers). Someone would have to turn oneach device, the display, and the audio –and then adjust each to the properinput and levels.

In the integrated room, on the otherhand, there’s one button to turn it allon and one to turn it all off. All of thosecontrols are probably on a touchscreenwith remote access, controls andsecurity. This integrated room’s controlsystem talks to everything.

Without a control system, anythingmore than a single user would requirean AV tech or engineer (depending oncomplexity) to be present in the room.An installed touchscreen simplifies evena complex system into an easy, user-friendly simple interface.

A simple example, yes, but AV is notin any danger of extinction becauseintegration is booming: fewer and fewercompanies are willing to live withdisparate technologies or deal with a bigpile of remotes.

Survive? While you are lamenting,other AV companies are growing by20+% a year. Probably you should beturning away more work than you canhandle, or raising your hourly rates toweed out undesirables and pick yourpreference of clients.

Keeping upThere’s more work than we can handleout there. For example, there are agazillion rooms... conference rooms withtechnology, conference rooms without

technology, standalone videoconferencerooms, integrated videoconferencerooms and specialised rooms such asdivisible spaces and auditoriums. Thenthere are the subcategories such asprivate, public or special rooms.

And AV provides the in-room supportand setup. (Where it gets ugly is whensomething breaks, reaches end-of-life,requires renovation or relocation, or anupgrade – then it’s suddenly a questionof who owns the room, even thougheveryone knows who owns it when it hasto be set up properly.)

And beyond the corporate ‘room’,there are many other market segmentsin AV that also cry out for anintegration of technologies and devices.These include classrooms,conferencing, live events,architainment, and so much more.

How will we survive, you ask?Probably by changing from a passiveAV organisation to a proactivecompany that shows companies howAV can grow their business.

The key is to embrace change, notfear it. Expect change and then work tostay relevant. And teach your clientshow to embrace change.

When you think about it, AV hasalways been confronted by Change.We’ve always had to adapt or die. Wehave been through a litany of changes:78s to LPs to CDs, VHS to DVD, 8-track to cassettes, tubes to solid state,8mm slide projectors to video

projectors, through-hole to surface-mount, DVD to Blu-ray, 2D to 3D,CRT to LCD, and so on...

It’s an alphabet soup of Change:VGA, DVI, SDI, HD-SDI, HDMI, RCA,BNC, TRS, XLR, TCP/IP, ISDN... We’vefaced compression/decompression,encoding/decoding, arrays, clusters,

horns, steerable column arrays,networked audio, powered speakers,holograms, videowalls, motorisedmounts, intelligent lecterns, in-wallspeakers and more.

Adapting to changeWhat does AV do when technologychanges? We make and install new kit that will meet the newexpectations. So what if your biggestclient now has more soft-endpointsthan hardware endpoints? You’ll stillhave the same people calling you forsupport and help.

“Please make it all work together.”That is what your clients ask now. Andthey’ll continue to ask that in thedigital age. We AV folks have needed toreinvent ourselves two or three times

each decade. Now we need to realisethat whatever we are doing at thismoment is already obsolete and itwon’t last much longer. It will, ofcourse, Change...

Analyst group Plimsoll noticed in theUK that although the IT market wasgrowing only 3-4% in 2010-11, 187 outof nearly 1,000 IT integrators increasedsales by an average of 22% over the pastyear. Talk about beating the odds...

Another 162 saw sales drop by 13% inthe same period, so there were almost asmany losers as winners on opposite endsof the success spectrum – and the restwere stuck in the middle again.

Plimsoll didn’t claim to understandwhy some failed and some succeeded,but it noted that growth was not justbeing achieved by the largestcompanies in the market. Firms grewwith £500,000 turnover as well as up to£50 million-plus turnover.

My bet is that the IT integratorswho succeeded were the ones who notonly embraced change but also soughtout the business opportunities thatchange brings. AV will survive as longas humans have eyes and ears and wishto communicate, or be informed, or beentertained.

You’ll survive in AV if you help yourclients understand what they want andhow to cost-effectively achieve it. Do thisand everything else will work out justfine. Change may be a tough master butwe don’t need to be its slave. IE

‘AV integration isnot only here tostay, it is booming’

Opinion: AV and IT


Blair Parkin

Mind the gapTales of bezel wars, layers of glass and curvy displays at anothersuccessful ISE show

Iwas determined not to cover ISE inthis month’s piece. However, afteran exhausting three days (and

nights) in Amsterdam I could not resistthe urge to talk about what an amazingevent ISE 2012 was. The number 4 tramline to the RAI convention centre justdid not know what had hit it, with over40,000 people descending on what nowseems to be the world’s largest pro-AVevent. I met customers and designerswho all left excited and invigorated bythe technology choice, the newinnovations, and the buzz and energyspilling out across all the 11 halls.

The biggest moment for me, as Ientered Hall 9, was realising thatSamsung has transformed from being afollower into a technology leader – astatus that it seemed to be strugglingwith. A request for information resultedin a barrage of form-filling and seekingout a series of product specialists toanswer every question. I was amused toobserve that one of the fastest-emergingtechnology powerhouses in the worldresorts to taking your business card andstapling it to an enquiry form. Thebooth featured a chaotic mix ofproducts, markets and application

demonstrations: tablet computers nextto the latest outdoor displays; coffeetables that interact; and huge videowallsthat have been ruggedised for hot, coldand outdoor applications. The Samsungproduct range is massive but a lot of thetechnology is relying on smaller artisanpartners and integrators to make senseof and create the niche markets that willadd together to drive the huge volumesthat Samsung clearly needs to stayviable.

The booth also had much talk of‘layers’ and ‘glass’. These factors aredriving many of the trends in large areadisplays. Corning, the maker of Gorillaglass – well known as the shiny front ofiPhones and iPads – is working withcompanies like Samsung to embedmore of the technology in the glass.This is changing the form factor ofdisplays forever – truly thinner bezels,new form factors and even waterproofdisplays are all becoming possible in

displays greater than 21in wide. Layersare becoming important as a way offeaturing technology – adding a touch-sensitive layer, a lenticular 3D viewinglayer, or a different backlight layer. Inshort, we are witnessing the very firstwave of large-format glass-basedembedded displays.

Added transparencyAnother novel application for suchproducts is the transparent display.Hidden away in corners of booths or inwhisper suites were a variety ofamazingly creative applications oftransparent display technology rangingfrom Philips’ animated beer fridge toeyevis’ augmented display cabinet.Samsung has recently made a 21in anda 46in early production version to showits partners, and was highlighting the21in displays in its whisper suite as aretail display cabinet – overlayinggraphics and information over the

objects in the display case. Exhibit designers and architects that

I saw at the show were besidethemselves with possibilities fortransparent display, ranging from ideasof labelling aquarium tanks with virtualreality overlays to museum displaycabinets becoming touch-sensitive andable to tell stories about their contentsusing maps, scans, graphic overlays andmultimedia. Samsung may have no ideawhat it has started by finally releasingthe transparent LCD technology in anOEM version for its partners.

The company is also apparentlygoing through the journey that willlead to acknowledgement that size isn’teverything. But, for now, size seems tobe its corporate ambition, withrumours circulating that next year thecompany will have booked an entireexhibit hall for itself. If that’s true, Iwill have to pack an extra box ofbusiness cards…

Bezel specmanshipThe technology companies just cannotresist indulging in a bit of tradeshowspecmanship. This year was categorisedby claims on the size of the join betweendisplays: whether they be flat panel LCD,rear-projection cubes or tiles, the focus ison the join or gap. I suppose it makes achange that manufacturers are boastingabout how small something is. But thisis disappointing really, as many of theproducts have amazing colourperformance from their LED lightsources, more brightness than is neededfor most applications and varyingresolutions up to more pixels than mostapplications could ever need.

LG, Hyundai, Samsung and others allclaimed the smallest bezel or join. Sharpwas rather sensibly pointing out that theratio of join to image depends on thesurface area of the display, anddemonstrated a novel mirror strip thatfits between its LCD flat panels andreflects the light from the adjacentdisplay. It does not remove the gap but itmakes it ‘active’, showing the samecolour and luminance as the adjacentdisplay – to even a well-trained observerthe join appears to disappear. Christie’sMicroTiles continued to dominate asector that they invented, but eyevis hascome up with a number of differentmechanical arrangements for concaveand convex curved walls.

It strikes me that big manufacturersare really going to need events like ISE.Wave after wave of new technology needsto be harnessed in different ways (andmarkets) to provide sufficient volumesto make production viable. Innovativelarge-scale displays fit into nichemarkets, which are driven by individualdesigners and architects, and dominatedby small integrators and installationcompanies. To connect with the niches,manufacturers need a forum where theycan get feedback from these artisans, andartisans can see what’s coming and startimagining how on earth to use it all.

ISE is going to go from strength tostrength. Mark your diary for 29-31January 2013 and remember to packyour business cards. IE

‘We are witnessingthe very first waveof large-formatglass-basedembedded displays’

Opinion


Further reading. www.corning.com – click on ‘ADay Made of Glass 2’

YouTube: search for ISE 2012transparent display

Wikipedia: Samsung Electronics

LG was just one of the manufacturersclaiming to have the smallest bezel on its

displays

Among the manufacturers at ISE with transparent displays, Samsung showed its 21in see-through screen as a retailcabinet – overlaying graphics and information over the objects on view

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The IE Interview

How did the AeroSystem One comeabout?The idea came around five orsix years ago when the partnerin charge of the companyapproached me to see if I wouldbe interested in devising anddesigning a range of audioproducts. As a musician, as anartist, being – among everyoneelse – a victim of the crisis ofthe music industry, I instantlysaw something interesting inthe fact that an artist could beinvolved, and should beinvolved, in the way people areconsuming and getting music.

I think one of the reasons forthe crisis of the music industryis that, step by step, we’ve allbeen emotionally remote fromthe quality of sound and theaudio experience. We went fromvinyl to CD being worse thanvinyl, and MP3 files being worsethan CD…

We’ve traded quality for convenience,haven’t we?That’s right. At the same time,the hi-fi system, being thecentrepiece of our living rooms,became replaced by tiny plasticspeakers in our laptops. It wasinteresting to try to contributeto what could be the soundsystem of the future. So wediscussed with my soundengineers in studios and for thelive tour, and tried to use ourexperience to devise somethingthat could be affordable.

You are a pioneer of electronic music – butwith advances in technology it takesmuch less effort to create somethingalong those lines today. Has somethingbeen lost because of that, do you think?Progress gives you a lot ofadvantages but you are alwayslosing something along the way.What you gained is the fact thateverything became so handy. Iremember when I startedmaking electronic music mymum saying to me, “Why didn’t you choose the violin?You could go everywhere with aviolin. With your big analogue synthesisers, you need a plane to move all this.”These days with a Mac or aniPad you can compose,arrange, produce anddistribute your music. So webecame entirely nomadic, like apainter or a writer.

On the other side, we haveregressed quality-wise, both inaudio and visual technologies.Even a plasma screen these daysis not as bright and crisp as agood cathodic tube. The past 20years have been quite dark anddifficult for visual and audio artforms. The future is necessarilygoing to be much better.

As I said, we’ve becomeemotionally remote from thequality of sound, and thequality of visuals. I think it’s thereason why people are so keento go to live performances andlive concerts. In a sense, it’sgoing back to the physicalimpact of sound on your body –an experience. You don’t reallyhave that with tiny speakers ortiny headphones.

And the emotional connection with theperformer is greater live.That’s right. In a sense, you hadthat, funnily enough, with vinyl,because vinyl was somethingvery organic. Because of thecover and the visuals, you had akind of special relationship withthe artist. You had somethingwhich was perceived as comingon a much more personal levelfrom the artist.

Nowadays, with a CD beingjust a poor piece of plastic, oreven worse an MP3 file, it’sabstract. I’m always amazedthat when you download analbum on iTunes, you have thispoor PDF of the CD booklet. Idream about having a Minority

Report kind of experience [mimesmoving large pictures in the air withhis hands], where you could havesomething really exciting.

We are in a very odd period atthe moment. I think over thenext 10 or 20 years it is going toimprove a lot. The sameconversation that we could havein 10 years from now would befairly different – I hope!

There’s been a lot of recent growth inprojecting onto buildings, which issomething you were at the forefront of.Do you still follow that? Yes, because a lot of thosecompanies were founded byguys who used to work withme! I’ve always been interestedby the relationship betweenmusic and architecture, andbetween lights and images andarchitecture. When I startedoutdoor concerts, I got thesebig guns used by the Germanand American armies, and usedthem to project slides made ofvery thick glass. We’ve gonefrom that to 3D mapping withcomputers. In Monaco recently,for the concert I did for the

wedding of Prince Albert, I didsomething like 3D withoutglasses, using mapping and 3Dwith some very interesting videotechniques.

But it’s the same thing thatwe were talking about before –the fact that these days there’s akind of frustration with theaudio and video techniques thatwe have at home. What Idescribed for audio is the samefor the visual world: today anLED screen is far worse than agood cathode ray tube.

I think CRTs are better at hiding theirdeficiencies.Exactly. But if you take the lastSony Trinitron of the 1990s andyou put that beside a plasmascreen or an LED screen of thesame size, the tube is still far, farbetter. Even if the tube is notperfect at all.

But for me, all thistechnology belongs to theprevious century. I think 4K isgoing to be good, as long as it’sfilmed properly and it’s litproperly. It’s really strange… forexample, I don’t consider Blu-ray an improvement. You watchGladiator or The Matrix on Blu-ray and you see all the skin andmistakes and dust and all that –and it looks fake, it’s strange…

I know what you mean –it’s the texture…Yes, the texture is artificial.Again, I think this issomething that will beimproved in the next fewmonths and years, I hope, withdifferent technology.

And the last thing is 3D – I’ma big fan of 3D, I did the firstconcert in 3D, that was 18 yearsago for Apple, and I did the firstDVD in 3D. I must say that I’mnot a great believer in 3D withglasses; the real next step will be3D without glasses. You and Idon’t have the same vision, sohaving the same glasses isnonsense.

So do you think the best imagetechnology currently is projection? Yes. The problem is projectionneeds total darkness, so it’s acompromise. In daylight Iwould go for plasma, at night-time definitely video projectors.

Do you have an idea in your mind ofwhat the audio and video experienceshould be like in 20 or 30 years’ time?I think we are there now whenyou look at cameras for photos.The best digital cameras are asgood as film cameras; I wouldsay they are even better, becauseyou can do much more withthem. But that’s not the casestill for cinema, and it’s not thecase for audio. Thedissemination is still very poor.We have to focus our attentionas artists, producers andmanufacturers to provideequipment at the level of thequality of the content and thequality of our eyes and ears.Our ears are far, far better thananything available on themarket to broadcast sound.And that has to be adjusted. IE

Jean Michel JarreEmotional connectionsLaunching a new audio docking system, electronic music pioneer Jean Michel Jarre talks toPaddy Baker about how the march of technology has distanced listeners from the heart of music

‘We haveregressedquality-wise,both in audioand visualtechnologies’

� www.jarretechnologies.com� www.jeanmicheljarre.com


Jean Michel Jarre and his new AeroSystemOne docking station

Jarre’s 1986 concert in Houston was then the largest outdoor concert in history

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Markets: Unified Communications


UC: a work in progressUnified communications promises a utopian ideal of all kinds of communication between devices. But, asks Ian McMurray, how close is that ideal, and what needs to happen for it to become reality?

Way back in 1971 in the UK,an iconic TV commercialfor Martini appeared to

suggest to enraptured male viewersthat its seductive star was available“any time, any place, anywhere”. It was,of course, no more than a dream forthose viewers (who happily overlookedthe fact that the slogan sounded greatbut didn’t stand up to linguisticscrutiny). “Any time, any place,anywhere” is also the dream – or atleast, part of it – of unifiedcommunications (UC). But what areits chances of becoming a reality?

‘Unified communications’ is, ofcourse, one of those concepts thatseems self-explanatory – but itsdefinition is, for good reason,sometimes difficult to articulate with precision.

“There is no common definition ofunified communications: someone eventried to sell me a UC-enabledrefrigerator the other day,” laughs AndyNolan, UK & Ireland general managerfor Radvision. “But seriously: it iswidely accepted that UC is an evolvingconcept whereby individuals have accessto many types of communicationincluding voice, presence,videoconferencing and IM/chat, andintegrating this with data collaboration

and access to company databases. UC isnot a single product, but a set ofproducts that provides a consistentunified user interface and userexperience across multiple devices andmedia types.”

“The beauty of UC is that it can be assimple or as complex as a businessrequires,” adds Chris Barrow, advancedtechnologies marketing manager atAvaya. “It can range from having yourdesk phone and mobile linked througha single number, to deploying the fullsuite of enterprise communications andcollaboration tools, from voice,videoconferencing, IM and email, toproductivity-boosting features such as

visual voicemail, multi-partyconferencing and integrated presence.”

“By definition, unifiedcommunications brings together a hostof existing communication channels,”says Michael Stephens, generalmanager, UK & Ireland at LifeSizeCommunications. “As a result, the keytechnologies that drive unifiedcommunications are the ones thatdeliver the ‘unification’ aspect. Thisincludes the likes of MicrosoftSharePoint and similar platforms thatprovide a central repository that storesall the available contact informationand channels for a user. The second keytechnology is the underlying protocols,such as SIP [Session InitiationProtocol], that enable unifiedcommunications to take place acrossdevices, platforms and channels. Thefinal technological piece to the UCpuzzle is that of ‘presence’ – the abilityto know the status of an individual, andhence the best approach for contact, isa key aspect of a solid UC delivery.”

“Typically, large organisations facechallenges dealing with legacyplatforms and investments, and in thecurrent financial climate there is noroom for ‘rip and replace’ strategies,”points out Simon Farr, head ofmarketing, unified communications

and collaboration at BT GlobalServices. “Fundamentally, we see thecornerstone of a UC solution as voice,and consolidating voice infrastructureis a key start point on the journey.Video is also a key driver, as HD

Vidyo’s Panorama telepresence solution can support up to 20 screens on a variety of devices

According to LifeSize, three key technologies drive UC:those that store contact information and channels; theunderlying protocols that enable communication acrossdevices, platforms and channels; and technology thatknows the best approach for contacting individuals

In any discussion of unifiedcommunications, the names of threeproducts crop up regularly.

Microsoft’s Lync is positioned asthe company’s UC offering. Aimed atthe enterprise, it includes instantmessaging, VoiP, presence, audiocalling, video calling andvideoconferencing. A key attraction isits integration with the otherMicrosoft products widely used in thecorporate environment.

SharePoint is Microsoft’s web-based collaboration software which isdesigned to deliver centraliseddocument management withorganisation-wide access.

IBM has a UC offering in the form ofSametime. Its functionalities arebroadly comparable with those ofLync.

Key UC products



adoption has demonstrated, and theadoption of video on the desktop isset to grow. Readying the IPinfrastructure is crucial, and webcollaboration, messaging and mobilityare also key capabilities.”

One of the reasons that definingunified communications can be

challenging is that, inevitably, what it isand what it can be are continuallyredefined by emerging technologies.Prior to January 2010 – when theoriginal iPad was launched – forexample, who could have foreseen theinfluence of tablets?

“Tablets and mobile solutions arehaving a large impact,” notes MikeChapman, director of productmanagement at VBrick. “People expectthat anything they can do on theirdesktop, they can do on their tablet.Any video asset they can search for,access, and watch on their desktop, theyshould be able to interact with in thesame way from their tablet. The UCvendors are working hard to roll outclients that function well on tablets andare developing their base capabilities so

that their products are compatible.”“Business has moved beyond the

desktop,” says Andy Chew, seniordirector, collaboration at Cisco UK &Ireland. “The PC is just one of manycollaboration environments. With therise of mobility and BYOD [Bring YourOwn Device], collaboration solutionsshould incorporate mobile devices asextensions of the corporate network somobile workers can be productiveanywhere.”

Consumer demandDaniel Weisbeck, vice president ofEMEA marketing at Polycom, has analternative perspective. “Rather thaniPads and Android tablets having animpact on the UC market, it is better tosay that UC is impacting tablets,” he

says. “Tablet makers know that themobile experience will always be pushedby consumer and business demand foreasy-to-use tools, easy-to-find contentand access to anyone at any time on anydevice. Consumers expect more fromthe mobile experience and UC, especiallyvideoconferencing, is the obvious servicewhich consumers expect to have.”

Stephens notes that it’s not onlytablets, but also smartphones, that havehelped spur a new push in unifiedcommunications, with Farr pointingout the challenges of applicationsupport and data security that thesenew devices bring.

. As new technologies comealong, what unifiedcommunications is, and can be,is changing

. Tablets and smartphones arerapidly becoming key elementswithin UC in response togrowing workforce mobilityand the ‘BYOD’ phenomenon

. While there have beennumerous evaluations and pilotprojects, full-scale roll-outs ofUC are still few and far between

. True interoperability remainsa problem area, although thisis being addressed byorganisations such as UCIF

. The potential businessbenefits of unifiedcommunications arecompelling – reinforcing thecommitment of UC suppliers torise to the challenges

Key pointsThe issue of interoperability is obviouslyfundamental to the success of unifiedcommunications – so it comes as littlesurprise that this is being addressed byUC vendors.

UCIF, the Unified CommunicationsInteroperability Forum, was formed lastyear, with the goal of “maximising thevalue of UC through interoperability”. Itincludes Polycom, Microsoft, HP,Radvision, Ericsson and LifeSize amongits high-profile membership,

Also announced last year, the OpenVisual Communications Consortium(OVCC) is an initiative led by Polycom thatfocuses on video collaboration. Its tag lineis “Any network. Any vendor. Any device”.Members include AT&T, BT and Orange.

While videoconferencing is a market inits own right, it is also an essentialsubset of the UC market – raising thequestion of whether the interests of UCwould be better served by a singleinteroperability standards organisation.

Interoperability standards

‘UC can be assimple or ascomplex as abusiness requires’ Chris Barrow, Avaya



It’s not just the advent of tablets. Asin so many other areas of theaudiovisual market, the Cloud isbecoming an increasingly significantfactor – but as with tablets, it seems asif the Cloud enables new types ofcapability on the one hand, while onthe other adding new issues ofcomplexity and incompatibility.

“The biggest changes we will see willbe with regard to the deploymentmodel,” says Fraser Dean, sales directorat Vidyo UK. “As with all otherenterprise applications, the market willdemand that UC services be delivered asvirtualised applications from eitherprivate data centres or Cloudcomputing service providers.”

“There are two parts of the wholesolution that are still evolving: mobilecapabilities and Cloud-based/hybridservices,” says Chapman. “But forCloud-based services, there are somemismatches when compared to on-premise. As an example: in Lync,conference recording wasn’t initially

offered on Office 365 [Microsoft’sCloud-based hosted offering] – but itwas offered on-premise. Anotherexample is SharePoint: a SharePointpage may have additional third-partycapabilities embedded on it and singlesign-on is a key requirement. This canbe a challenge in deployments thatcombine Cloud services and on-premise products.”

Tablet integrationThe integration of tablets willunquestionably help the dream ofunified communications become areality – but, today, it appears that themarket is, if not in its infancy, thencertainly in its adolescent phase.

“Many multinational corporationsare piloting advanced solutions fromthe likes of Microsoft and Cisco, butthe reality is there is a lot offragmentation and a huge legacy to dealwith,” notes Farr. “In a greenfield-siteenvironment, some of these solutionsare fantastic – but in our market there

is a lot of integration and engineeringneeded to truly unify communications.”

Nolan echoes his thoughts. “UCsolutions remain fragmented,” he says,“but are improving and evolving rapidly.Today, we do not have a definitive set ofsolutions that provides a truly unifieduser interface to communicate acrossmultiple devices and media types.”

“Deployments are migrating fromtrials and proofs of concept to keybusiness processes,” adds Chapman.“The market is definitely past the pointof ‘What does unified communicationsdo?’. Customers are now asking morespecific questions like ‘What is the bestsolution?’, ‘How does it fit within myinfrastructure?’, ‘What is the businesscase?’ and ‘How can the capabilities beexpanded?’”

There is, then, work still to be done –and more new technologies to lookforward to. “In 2012, we will see an evengreater demand for high-endcollaboration tools,” says Barrow.“[Global market intelligence firm] IDCforecasts that by 2015 there will be 1.3billion mobile workers – a massivemobile workforce for businesses toaccommodate. As a result of this, we’llsee an increasing number of businesses

moving towards the UC ideal as theytry to equip people to work asefficiently from home and on the moveas they would in the office.”

For these mobile workers, 4G/LTEwill bring comprehensive, secure,higher-bandwidth, all-IP based mobilebroadband – substantially adding to theattraction of tablets and smartphoneswithin the UC environment.

“We are at an apex of ubiquitousvideo, and 2012 will see a lot of excitingdevelopments which will result in videobeing used on a scale never seen before,”says Polycom’s Weisbeck. “We expectcontinued growth of immersive rooms,and growth of emerging markets forvideo solutions on mobile devices, insocial media business tools and throughCloud-hosted video and platformservices. 2012 will also see the first trueopen standards business-to-businessvideo exchange across the world’sleading service providers via the OVCC.”(See box, Operability standards, page 31.)

A winding roadThe road ahead for UC is not astraightforward one for many reasons:not least among them is that a massiveproliferation of end devices does not sitwell with the data integrity and securityso vital to the ability of corporate ITmanagers to sleep well at night. That’snot without its own challenges, asChew points out.

“A comprehensive strategy forsecurity is essential to any businesslooking to achieve their collaborationgoals, especially given the trends towardmobility, consumer devices, and socialsoftware,” he says. “At the same time,the value of a UC solution increaseswith wider participation andinformation sharing, and too restrictivea security policy will limit useradoption. What is needed is a flexiblebalance between control and access thatprotects enterprise resources whileencouraging open communication.”

Against a general background ofenthusiasm about what the future willbring, however, Dean sounds a note ofcaution, pointing out that the UCindustry still has much to do if it is to

The BMA, a trade union and professionalassociation for doctors and medicalstudents and a publisher of medicaljournals and information, comprises143,000 members worldwide.

With its videoconferencing usershaving grown to nearly 1,000 desktops,140 UK home workers and 25employees in other countries, it beganlooking for a new VC system that wouldmake collaboration faster and easier toachieve. Superior high-definitioncapabilities for data sharing, support forcurrent and future endpoints and asingle desktop solution for Mac and PCclients were identified as criticalcomponents, as was seamlessintegration with legacy infrastructure.

The Radvision system implementedcomprises endpoints including SCOPIAXT1000 and XT1200 HD (pictured)videoconferencing room systems andSCOPIA Desktop for video

communication on PCs and Macs.Infrastructure included theSCOPIA Elite MCU as thecentrepiece of thedeployment for multi-partyconferencing,PathFinderforfirewalltraversal forH.323 systems, and a SCOPIA ISDNGateway.

The SCOPIA iVIEW ManagementSuite provides a single access point formanaging all videoconferencingdevices, including Radvision and third-party endpoints along withinfrastructure devices such as MCUsand gateways. iVIEW’s integratedgatekeeper provides call control,comprehensive traffic and bandwidthmanagement and simplifies connectingfor users.

BMA brings employees togetherCASE STUDY

Table-mounted motorised faceplate Avoids having cables strewn across a boardroom Comes with selection of VGA, USB, and RJ45 modules

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Wall-mounted module package which forms the basis of any installationChoose a 5m, 10m, or 15 cable package to match Add any other modules or cables you needNEW plug-in cables

‘Collaborationsolutions shouldincorporate mobiledevices asextensions of thecorporate network’Andy Chew, Cisco

truly fulfil its potential. “I think it isimportant to identify what unifiedcommunications actually should beand where the real benefit is from theuser’s perspective,” he says.

“Unified communications shouldnot mean settling for a bundle ofmediocre services from a single vendorfor the purpose of making it easy toaccess all of the services through oneclient. Unified communications isabout integrating the various

communication modalities withworkflow for a given user andapplication in a way that makes themmore productive than if thecommunication tool existed on itsown with no relation to other tools inthe user’s environment. One size doesnot fit all. Quality should not besacrificed for the sake of convenience.Rather, unified communicationsshould be the bringing together ofbest-of-breed communications tools,

irrespective of vendor, and makingthem easily accessible where and whenthe user needs to access them in thecourse of normal workflow.”

“‘Any time, any place, anywhere’communications exist today,” heconcludes. “What is missing is ‘anyway’. No single tool today delivers onthis promise for all modalities, whichis why a flexible, software-basedplatform is required to enable theintegration of the best-of-breed toolsfor each of the modalities.”

It would seem that unifiedcommunications is something of a

moving target. By the end of this year, itwill be very different from how itlooked at the end of 2009, with newtechnologies allowing organisations toenvisage new communicationsparadigms – but with the downside ofdelaying deployment while those newtechnologies are assimilated by the keyvendors. It also brings with itsignificant challenges in deployment,given the complexity of mostorganisations’ existing communicationsinfrastructure, given its potentiallypivotal role within an organisation –and given that 100% interoperabilityhas not yet quite been achieved.

UC is unquestionably now far morethan a dream. It is, for the most part,not yet the reality that it will become –but it is becoming more of a realitywith each passing month.

And: the reality that unifiedcommunications can – will – become isan exciting one. As Polycom’s Weisbecksuccinctly points out: “We arewitnessing the next revolution oftechnology on human interactions.” IE



Boyne Valley Group is one of Ireland’slargest fast-moving consumer goodscompanies. The company now usesCisco’s Unified Communications over acombination of high-speed fibre optic,gigabit Ethernet and leased lines to bringmultiple sites together under onenetwork. Cisco 1861 routers provideredundancy and protection fromdowntime, while 110 Cisco IP phones andSIP call routing removes the need forleased lines. Power-over-Ethernetswitches deliver low-maintenanceconnectivity to warehouses andadministration areas, with voice trafficrunning over a network subnet to protectcall quality. Wireless RFID and voice-activated order picking has improved

efficiency in the warehouse, and wirelesstelephones allow workers to move freelyaround the warehouse and be morecontactable.

Boyne Valley is able to partition itsnetwork to give staff working at itsremote sites separate voice access.There is also scope for the company toset up separate data VPNs (virtualprivate networks) for customers andnewly acquired businesses as required.

FMCG companyturns to Cisco for UC

� www.avaya.com � www. globalservice.bt.com� www.cisco.com � www.lifesize.com� www.polycom.com� www.radvision.com� www.vbrick.com� www.vidyo.com

CASE STUDY

‘UC solutionsremain fragmented,but are improvingand evolvingrapidly’Andy Nolan, Radvision

Markets: Shops and Shopping Centres


In an ideal world, every salespersonwould be like Joe Girard. Girardworked at an ordinary car lot

selling cheap family saloons, in themidst of several other ordinary carlots selling rival brands to the 30,000-odd inhabitants of Eastpointe,Michigan (motto – ‘A Family Town’).And he sold them so well over a 15-year period, averaging more thanthree new cars per day, that he wascited by the Guinness Book of WorldRecords as ‘The World’s GreatestSalesman’.

One of Girard’s dictums could beparaphrased as ‘Practically everyonewho walks into a shop is in themarket to buy something. All youhave to do is find out what it is’. It’sone of the points retail trainersattempt to hammer home to theirstaff, and in an ideal world, shop staffwould listen more than they talked,qualify their potential customersbetter and make more sales. Thenperhaps retailers wouldn’t need AVsystems to help maximise theirpotential profits…

But even a Joe Girard can’t lookafter a whole queue of punters at thesame time, so AV steps into thebreach, informing, entertaining andabove all keeping the punter in storeuntil the next member of staffbecomes available. And moderntechnology has become sophisticated

enough for ‘intelligentlyprogrammed’ AV – which will oftenbe far more intelligent than the juniorwho sees customers as an unwelcomedistraction from the importantbusiness of gossiping, texting andFacebooking – to be a reality.

If only it were that simple, though.Trouble is, while most people whowalk into a shop might be in themarket to buy something, there willbe a handful who are in the market tosteal something. So the punters neednot only to be informed andentertained, but watched. Thequestion is, can the same system doboth – and also handle safety dutiessuch as alerts and emergencyevacuation?

Smile, you’re on TV“Since both purposes require similarfeatures – image quality, resolution(depending on the viewing distance)and long-term operation – theproducts which come to be used aremore or less the same,” says MaxWinck, who looks after marketingand PR for eyevis, a Germanmanufacturer of large screen systems.

“Screens with smaller diagonals – iedesktop monitors – are not very likelyto be used for advertising. But allother professional large-screen LCDmonitors and professional seamlessLCD monitors can be used both for

signage/advertisement or in a control centre.”

He notes that DLP cubes are atypical control room product andperfect for 24/7 operation. But they’repricey and the wrong shape for mostsignage applications. Plasmas orprojectors, on the other hand, are

sometimes used for advertisement orsignage, but rarely in control rooms.

“However,” Winck adds, “the sametechnology is used today for smallerunits that are dedicated to creativeapplications in shops – for example,our omniSHAPES, or Christie’sMicroTiles. These provide the sameadvantages as their larger DLP cuberelatives – seamlessness, service-friendliness, long-term usability in24/7 operation, etc. Our newomniSHAPES can also be built intoconvex or concave shaped videowallsand can have different screen shapes,which allows the customer to produceeven more creative display surfaces.”

Keeping the customer on messageThere’s always an issue of how topresent both information andadvertising in a way that keeps theinterest without risking informationoverload. It’s obvious enough thatemergency messaging has to overrideall else, but in normal operation bothaspects need to share the screen.

Rolf Bésard is sales manager forBarco’s dZine digital signage systems.“Our digital signage can be used foradvertising and promotional clips incombination with information abouttraffic, weather, news and securityinformation against pickpocketing,”he says. “But you need to combinethis information on the same

. Digital signage and tailoredaudio have been shown toimprove retail sales andenhance the experience forcustomers and staff. Thetechnology, however, is fairlynew, and many potentialapplications are only just beingexplored

. The same technology is oftenequally applicable to safety andsecurity requirements, thoughclients may need educationbefore they appreciate the fullbenefits

. Market pressures willprobably lead to convergence,though there remains the issueof certification – fire alarm,safety and evacuation systemshave to comply with stringentregulations that ordinary AVsystems don’t

. There is even potential forretail AV to go beyond securityand into the realms ofsurveillance

Key points

Complete videowalls can be created with the content spreading – and moving– across multiple displays

AV has an increasing role in retail environments – not only for in-store advertising, but for safety andsecurity as well. Gez Kahan takes a look and a listen

More satisfied customers

Portable signage, such as the Brightsign TD1012 wireless-enabled unit, is becoming increasingly popular withretailers

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Top Ten - Geography CurrentUK..........................................................................6,448Netherlands ...........................................................1,945France ...................................................................1,874Belgium..................................................................1,255Germany ................................................................1,254Italy ...........................................................................521Denmark ...................................................................437Spain ........................................................................366Sweden.....................................................................336Norway .....................................................................268Others ....................................................................1,794TOTAL ................................................................16,678

Top Ten - Company/Business Activity CurrentInstaller/Systems Integrator ..................................4,884Architect/Project Consultant .................................1,965Dealer/Distributor (Pro Audio/Lighting/Video) .......1,398Video Dealer/Distributor .......................................1,125Audio Manufacturer .................................................687Dist/Dealer ............................................................1,023Video Manufacturer .................................................687Manufacturer (Pro Audio/Lighting/Video) .................548Technical/Facilities Management.............................551Consultant ...............................................................403Others ...................................................................2,969TOTAL ................................................................16,678

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screen so visitors will still look at thescreen for the updated news, trafficinfo and so on… and at the same timethey will see the advertising.

“And, of course, dZine does haveseveral installations where the firealarm system will inform the digitalsignage server that the currentinformation needs to be overruledwith evacuation information, inwhich case each screen will receivespecific information about thenearest exit.”

Whether the twin uses – advertisingand security/safety – are better run asstandalone or as a single integratedsystem is a moot point. As SergeKonter, marketing manager atSpinetiX, a Swiss manufacturer ofmedia players for digital signage, putsit: “Signage can be used as anextension of video security systems –but it should be installed andmanaged by a professional securityintegrator.”

And while a failure in anadvertisement display would beregrettable, in a safety system it wouldbe unforgiveable.

“As a vehicle for sales messages, ourretail customers report in-store digitalsignage quickly pays for itself,” beginsPierre Gillet, BrightSign’s VP Europe.“There is certainly potential for thesame screens to be used to deliversafety and security messages. More

and more digital signage systemssupport a live text feature that wouldallow store staff to use the screens inan emergency – for example,reinforcing any alarm with messagesto assist customers in an evacuation.Clearly, this can never be the mainform of communication, unless thescreens and the associatedcommunications network issupported by back-up battery toensure continuing operation in theevent of a power cut.”

Unsurprisingly, he adds:“BrightSign’s TD1012 is a battery-

backed digital signage screen andpotentially an ideal solution.”

Big Brother is shopping with you…That Gillet uses the word ‘potentially’is one indicator that the technology is

new enough that all its possibleapplications have yet to be explored –or even dreamt of by end users.

“The fact is, technology enablesmuch more than resellers cancurrently ‘sell’ to the market.

‘Signage can beused as anextension of videosecurity systems’Serge Konter, SpinetiX

Penny FM is an instore live audio retailradio station delivering music,advertisements and national-scalepromotions to all 300 stores in thePenny Market Italy discount chain viaBarix audio over IP.

The Barix solution delivers qualityaudio to all stores without monopolisingnetwork bandwidth, using three BarixInstreamer encoders and leased lines tosend audio streams to a server farm.Barix Barionet IP control devices buildunicast streams for each store at theserver farm and deliver the streams overan MPLS network. The Barix Replicatorapplication, running on the Barionets,delivers main and backup streams toBarix Exstreamer IP decoders at thestores, which decode the streams forplayout over their correspondingloudspeakers.

Johannes Rietschel, CEO of Barix,

explains that “by giving reliable, directconnectivity through Penny Market’sexisting IP network infrastructure,network bandwidth costs are minimised,and the lack of media server and PCinfrastructure requirements nearlyeliminates maintenance”.

The station, says Penny Market’snetwork and security manager, Mirko DeDominicis, “adds a touch of personalityto the shopping experience throughdedicated programmes tailored to thecustomer with the right balance ofentertainment and information. Itincreases point-of-purchase sales whilegenerating new revenue streams throughadvertising.”

Multi-store radiostation uses Barixaudio over IP

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Digital signage is a complex affair,and customers often have troublegrasping some of the concepts that anexperienced reseller can offer,” saysDikran Tawitian, marketing managerfor Infinitus, a Slovenianmanufacturer of outdoor LCDdisplays under the imotion brandname. “Like most other suppliers ofsuch systems, we are finding our wayinto the shopping mall verticalthrough different applications such asDOOH advertising and retailpromotional spots. Obviously theprocess is not yet advanced enough tothink of such systems as safety andsecurity mechanisms.”

Finding the wayWhen the intended customers dofully grasp the concept, thetechnology will be able to perform.But will it be retailers and shoppingmalls that do the grasping?

“Of course digital signage has agreat capacity to act as a safety andsecurity system,” adds Tawitian.“With cameras installed at thisheight, surveillance can be right onthe ground, and potential threatswould find it very difficult to evadethe system. Imagine ‘Big Brother’security functionality in a city such asLondon. With facial recognition, itwould be possible to trail peoplearound the city, with cameras pointedstraight at the face.”

It is, he admits, “a bit of a scarythought, but it is possible – and as amatter of fact it has been presented tothe Moscow municipality”.

Now hear this…But it’s not only a matter of screen andsignage. Audio also has a role to play.

“Making a solid business case fornew digital signage installations is abig issue within the whole valuechain,” says Kari Mettala, CEO ofPanphonics, a Finnish firmspecialising in directional audio fordigital signage. “By using theinstallation to deliver safety as well assales messages the case can naturallybe made stronger.

“Implementing directional audiointo digital signage installationscreates a tenfold increase in awarenesswhen compared to advertisementswithout sound, leading to addedvalue for advertisements, thusincreasing ROI for all parties. Addingaudio to safety and security messageswould certainly deliver a similarincrease in impact, and greatlyreinforce any onscreen safetydemonstration, for example.”

And, again, there’s the issue ofinformation overload to consider.“The beauty of highly directionalaudio such as Panphonics solutions,”Mettala adds, “is that specificmessages can be delivered to aspecific audience without disturbing

others. For example, visitors in thewaiting area can be reminded not tosmoke or use cameras on arrival,without disturbing staff at thecounter area dealing with customers.”

Zoning, as well as directionalaudio, can also play its part.“Whentalking specifically about networkaudio equipment, we typically seethree deployments,” says JohannesRietschel, CEO of Exstreamermanufacturer Barix. “First, a‘Branded Retail Radio’ stream thatcontains location-specificadvertising, or messaging, sent froman ad insertion server. When notplaying advertising/informationalmessages, the Exstreamer is playing abranded radio channel that isreinforcing the brand image of theretailer, but also providing the

customer with a great environment,where they enjoy being. Studies haveproven the beneficial effects to theretailer of a properly producedbackground music channel in termsof increased sales, happier staff andreduced aggression.

“The receiving device in this casemay also monitor a priority channelwhile playing the main radio feed.Should a message be received, theaudio output is switched gracefullyto the higher priority message.

“Meanwhile, paging stations thatsupport multiple zones can beintegrated onto the same networkinfrastructure, allowing forsophisticated responses to emergencysituations throughout a shoppingmall, department store, hotelcomplex and so on. That being said,fire and evacuation systems requirecertification to meet the relevantstandards required by law, somethingwhich is not required of an AVsystem.”

Integrated solutionThe technology exists, therefore, tointegrate the advertising,information, safety and securityfunctions within a retail AVinstallation, but it is not yetcommonplace in practice. Is it likelyto become so?

“Technology is all aboutconvergence, and market pressuresare always on the manufacturer toadd more and more features, whilereducing prices,” says Rietschel. “Thislooks set to continue, somanufacturers will be looking fornew ways to differentiate themselvesin future. Secondly, the way thatindustry is set up, safety/security areseen as distinct areas of expertise,separate from the marketing/customer experience sphere – in partfor traditional reasons, and in partbecause of the legal certificationrequirements I alluded to earlier. Itwon’t necessarily be a quick processto change how things are done, butwe have been providing our audioover IP equipment to more than onemajor multinational corporation forinclusion in certified systems forseveral years now.”

How long, then, before shoppersare watching and listening to displayswhile the displays watch and listen tothe shoppers? Which is, of course,what retailers have been trying to gettheir staff to do for years. IE

� www.barco.com � www.barix.com� www.brightsign.biz� www.christiedigital.com� www.eyevis.com� www.infinitus.si� www.panphonics.com

While individual shops want to promotetheir own wares, managers of shoppingcentres have a broader remit. They wantto maximise traffic and spendthroughout their malls – and are, ofcourse, ultimately responsible forevacuation whether at closing time or inthe event of an emergency. That bringsoutdoor displays into play, both outsidethe centre to help draw people in and inopen spaces inside the centre.

One of the first to use Infinitus’simotion DOOH units in this way –networked, as distinct from asstandalone display/information points –was BTC City in Ljublijana. Here the goalis to promote products and services, sell

advertising space, communicate all theoptions that the location offers and ingeneral to persuade visitors to staywithin the shopping centre area for alonger period of time.

The installation at the entrance to theWestEnd shopping mall in Budapestagain serves for both promotion andsafety, being designated as the officiallife-saving point in case of an emergency.

Infinitus has also just announced animotion installation in Casablanca,Morocco, outside a new mall intended tocater for 14 million visitors per year. Theunit, in front of the mall’s IMAX movietheatre, will primarily promote currentand forthcoming movies.

Shopping malls embrace DOOH

‘Implementingdirectional audiointo DSinstallationsincreasesawareness tenfold’Kari Mettala, Panphonics

CASE STUDY

To standardise communications with customers, hundreds of 3 Italia mobile phone stores are using a digital signagesystem delivered via SpinetiX HMP100 media players

Markets: Distributor Focus – Germany


T he powerhouse of yore has lostits lustre. That, at least, is thesuspicion as Germany

contemplates a 2012 that is expected tobe significantly more challenging thaneven the most sceptical of observerswould have predicted six months ago.

The country has hardly been immuneto the tribulations of the past few years,as GDP contraction of 5.1% in 2009indicated (source: CIA World Factbook).The impression that year was that thegreat German boom was finally at anend, the country’s formidable industrialheartland no longer able to ensure itspassage through any storm.

Economic reforms and substantialstimulus packages did serve to bringabout a modest resurgence in 2011,with GDP growth of 2.7% suggestingthat the country had successfullyarrested the possibility of a seriousdecline. But in the latter half of lastyear, the tremendous problemsconfronting the eurozone – to whosesurvival Germany is absolutelyfundamental – have seen the mistdescend once again.

At the time of writing, the very realpossibility that Greece might exit the

euro is threatening to bring the crisisto a new pitch – and one that couldeven precipitate a continent-widedepression. Germany is integral to thelatest rescue package, and the pressuresthat this will exert on its domesticeconomy are difficult to underestimate.The extent to which the country’s

fortunes are connected to those ofEurope as a whole have been readilyacknowledged by economy ministerPhilipp Roesler, who recently admittedthat “economic growth in Germany isonly possible with sustained growth inEurope. That’s why we must makedecisive and credible steps to overcomethe euro crisis.”

Simultaneously, there are growingfears that the austerity measures directedfrom central government may now beinhibiting prospects of a domesticrevival. The upshot of all this gloom isthat few observers expect Germany toachieve growth of more than 1% in 2012– hardly a ringing endorsement of itsrulers’ current fiscal policy.

The fear of what may be around thecorner was not entirely absent fromthe comments of our featuredcontributors, but in general theimpression is that Germany’s pro-AVsector is remaining busy and upbeat.Strengthening distribution networksand maintaining a clear focus on thechanging requirements of customersappear to have stood many in goodstead. Similarly, recognising that theremay be a need for more flexible credit

and contractual terms seems to haveplayed a role in keeping businessmoving.

“Despite the gloomy news innewspapers, we see that our industry isnot as affected by the economic crisis asothers are,” says Robert Hesse, vicepresident sales pro sound & intercomEMEA, Bosch CommunicationsSystems, in a sentiment that is echoedby many others. “[At the same time] ourmarket is not based on marketinfluence, but instead on our excellentdistribution network, our in-houseR&D performance and our latestproduct launches.”

These upbeat sentiments are echoedby Klaus Schöpper, sales managerGermany in the commercial audio &installed sound department ofdBTechnologies Deutschland. “For ourinstalled sound and commercialdepartment as the German distributorof RCF and dBTechnologies, thebusiness is still growing,” he says. “Weexpect some interesting projects to[come onstream] this year and areworking closely with our customers,which helps to build more confidencein our work and products.”

Standing firmAfter an impressive resurgence last year, current indicators suggest that the German economy is setto face renewed challenges in 2012. Fortunately, as David Davies reports, these concerns do notappear to be impacting too severely on the country’s pro-AV distribution sector

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digital audio matrixes

‘We are successfuland growing inevery single marketsegment’Klaus Schöpper, dBTechnologies Deutschland



Market indicatorsIn an impressive performance giventhe prevailing economic conditions,the vast majority of those who spoketo IE revealed that they hadexperienced an upturn in activity levelsduring 2011. Increments of more than20% were by no means rare, withseveral companies alluding to trulyformidable growth in excess of 40%.Existing customers retained theirloyalty, while many companies alsoreported an encouraging number offresh enquiries.

Commonly cited market driversincluded new developments in audiotechnology, not least networking.Jürgen Scheuring from technologydeveloper UMAN Universal MediaAccess Networks cites the impact ofAVB (audio/video bridging) andnetworking adoption in general, whileanother contributor – who asked toremain anonymous – suggested that“networking is having a motivationaleffect on the entire audio landscape,with performance venues, in particular,keen to make sure that they keep up tospeed with the latest developments”.

Other areas of audio are also strong,however, with Schöpper highlighting“DSP-controlled steerable speakers asone strong technology. [In additionthere is demand for] audio/remotenetwork options in larger installations,and [products to ensure compliancewith] EN54.”

Hesse, meanwhile, alludes to thecontinued vibrancy of Bosch’s speakerbusiness, as well as recent gains inmarket share across all of its otherproduct groups (amplifiers, mixers,signal processors, microphones andintercom matrices). “Germany remainsour strongest market,” says Hesse,pointing out that Bosch services dealersvia its own sales organisation. “TheGerman market is very demanding,hence we believe that our customersdeserve to have direct contact with ourown employees.”

Further strengthening Bosch’scustomer responsiveness, Hesse alludesto the recent launch of the Straubing-based ASA (after-sales service) initiative.“Our pro sound and intercom brandsbenefit from this professionalorganisation, which is another exampleof Bosch investment in customersatisfaction,” he says.

dBTechnologies Deutschland is oneof several other companies to indicatethat they keep their service offering tocustomers under continual review, withrecent developments including theengagement of a specialised serviceorganisation. “We can offer manyoptions for payment to our customers,ranging from different credit terms toleasing, so there is always a goodsolution for our customers and also forourselves,” notes Schöpper. “In 2011 wedecided to improve our service againand went along with an experiencedspecial service company, a move thatwill help to solve any problems in ashort time-frame.”

Green powerThe general trend towards deliveringproducts that help with energyconservation was among the otherconsistent themes of our contributors’responses. Needless to say, this is adevelopment that encompasses the fullspan of AV technology – from poweramplifiers to the most elaborateinstalled lighting systems.

Key trends. All contributors to this featureindicated that their activity levelshad increased during 2011; thereis a general expectation offurther increases in 2012 despitethe wider financial climate

. Pro-AV, it is commonly felt, issomewhat immune to the effectsof the economic tribulationscurrently afflicting many othermarket segments

. There is some evidence of amovement towards directdistribution, but it is not aspronounced as in some otherEuropean territories

. High-specification audio,including networking capability,are among the current drivers ofmarket growth

. The Integrated Systems Europeand Prolight + Sound trade showscontinue to provide importantannual focal points for Germany’spro-AV distribution sector

Graph 1: Growth experiencedduring 2011(% of respondents in each group)

� 0-20% growth: 57%� 20-40% growth: 38%� 40%+ growth: 5%

Graph 2: Growth expectations for 2012(% of respondents in each group)

� 0-20% growth: 75%� 20-40% growth: 20%� 40%+ growth: 5%



Schöpper is one of severalobservers to allude to thegrowing demand for greenpower and the burgeoningdesire to reduce the powerconsumption of amplifiers andspeakers, as well as the use ofraw materials such asneodymium.

Sector trendsOne of the recurring themes ofrecent market overviews hasbeen the tendency of somemanufacturers to address theirdistribution arrangements and,in some cases, to begin to go tothe market directly. In thepresent climate of uncertainty,the desire of companies toreview existing practices andensure that they optimise theperformance of their brands isquite understandable, but it isto be expected that someobservers question the long-term wisdom of such changes.

Opinion garnered for thislatest country focus suggeststhat Germany isn’t immune tothese developments, withUMAN’s Scheuring noting that“the general trend seems to bethat bigger manufacturers tryto distribute directly”.

Whatever the precisemotivation in each instance,there have certainly been plentyof changes in terms ofindividual manufacturers’distribution arrangements oflate. Audio suppliers, inparticular, seem to have beenexerting considerable effort infinessing their distributionpolicies. To select a mere trio ofexamples from recent months:Cloud Electronics appointedS.E.A. Vertrieb & ConsultingGmbH as the exclusivedistribution channel for thefull range of Cloud audiomixers, zoners, multichannelamplifiers and audio

distribution systemsthroughout Germany;loudspeaker giant Outlineenlisted The Audio Specialists(TAS) to serve as its exclusivedistribution partner for bothGermany and Benelux; andPowersoft revealed details of anew partnership for theGerman market betweenLauuser & Vohl – the amplifierbrand’s distributor for the pastfew years – and TRIUS that willsee the two companiescollaborating on Powersoftsupport and sales.

As brands across the pro-AVspectrum seek to furtherconsolidate their position inone of Europe’s most pivotalmarkets, it is to be expectedthat 2012 will bring forthfurther partnerships and freshalignments.

Recent projectsNot surprisingly given the

present conditions, bread-and-butter work – bars,restaurants, schools and thelike – tends to dominategeneral discussion of recentprojects. It stands to reasonthat landmark installs withnational (and international)profile have been ratherharder to come by, but ingeneral the view on currentactivity levels is fairly upbeat.

“We were very fortunate towin a substantial amount ofreference projects recently,including sports arenas, trainstations, airports, clubs, hotelsand TV stations,” says Bosch’sHesse, adding that “eachproject where our products areinstalled makes us feel proud”.

Schöpper alludes to amultitude of applications forthe extensive RCF productrange, including evac andcongress system deployments,meaning that “it’s not easy topick out one special contractwin!” Instead, he affirms that“we are successful andgrowing in every single marketsegment, and that, I think, isthe most important thing –that we are on the right pathand can offer a solution toour customers for every typeof project.”

Looking aheadUnderstandably given currentevents, few people are makingespecially bullish predictionsabout 2012. In general, though,most observers are expectingactivity levels to remain strong.Encouraged by the phenomenalsuccess of this year’s IntegratedSystems Europe – whichdelivered a final registeredattendance of 40,869, up a

hugely impressive 17% on 2011– most are also keenlyanticipating the next significantstop on the annual trade showcalendar: Prolight + Sound,which takes place at MesseFrankfurt from 21-24 March.

As that show will doubtlessfurther exemplify, a steadyflow of highly creative andcost-sensitive solutions isdoing much to keep pro-AVhealthy in what isundoubtedly the mostchallenging economic phasefor many decades. This focuson innovation may prove to beespecially beneficial over thecoming months as theeurozone could experience thegreatest challenges of thelatest crisis period. The impact on Germany of such an outcome is hard topredict, although in the short-term it is very unlikelyto be positive. But while thecountry is going toexperience more turbulence asit tries to negotiate renewedstability for itself and theeurozone, its AV sectorappears almost certain toremain a beacon of activityand dynamism for the entireEuropean region. IE

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The church of St Severin in Cologne is a recent installation featuring the RCF VSA2050, asteerable DSP column speaker from dBTechnologies Deutschland

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Markets: Projection Screens


A picture of the future

Small screens won’t feature on Projecta’slist of priorities in 2012; emphasis hasinstead shifted firmly onto the larger-scale product. “The smaller screensegment of the market is shrinking,”said marketing communicationmanager Marco Adriaans.

A major factor contributing to thissqueeze is growing competition fromLCD screens, which are continuing toimprove in size and quality whileprices fall.

Adriaans says that quality and

customisation are two factors that willmake the premium projector screenbrands stand out from the low end ofthe market this year. “We always have ahigher-end product that sets us outfrom the less well-manufactured screensthat are sold cheaper,” he said.

The trend towards bespoke solutionsis reflected in the introduction at ISE oftwo new ceiling recessed products: theTensioned Descender Large Electrol andthe Descender Large Electrol. TheTensioned Descender Large Electrol is

available up to a width of 450cm andthe Descender Large Electrol is availableup to a width of 500cm. The TensionedDescender Large Electrol may be built tocustom sizes and aspect ratios in sizesup to 4.5m widths. The case of theTensioned Descender Large Electrol maybe specified in any colour for optimalintegration into any interior.

Adriaans told us how Sony’s standcrew at ISE 2012 accidentally ripped oneof its screens the day before the show.Projecta – now part of the Milestone AV

family – was able to manufacture anddeliver a new screen within four hours.“I suppose that’s one of the benefits ofmanufacturing in Europe!” he smiled.

The emphasis was on contrast at thednp stand, with the company havingdeveloped a high-contrast screen,following the recent InfoCommstandard on measuring contrast ratio.

InfoComm’s Projected ImageSystem Contrast Ratio standard setsout to help installers improveenvironments where projectors areused, through the measurement ofcontrast in installation-specific terms.

“Contrast is key,” said AnkerHaldan, area sales manager at dnp.He pointed out that the company’sSupernova Flex Core delivers up toseven times higher contrast andbrightness than previous models,enabling it to display a qualitypicture even in a well-lit space.

“Viewing experience is improvedwith this screen when used with theright projectors,” reiterated Haldan.“When a working or learningenvironment is dimly lit, it mayreduce a person’s ability toconcentrate on a task and can lead tonausea. This screen can handle largeramounts of ambient light.”

Haldan went on to describe howRussia is an emerging market for dnpdue to economic growth there. The

company has several installationprojects in the pipeline in thatcountry, especially in education.

“On the whole, the educationsegment and the technology withinthat sector is on the up – inparticular projector technology. TheUK has been the driving force in theeducation market, with highereducation facilities and schoolsrequiring more screens for ongoinginstallations,” he commented.

“There’s a lack of demand for thesmaller screen in the present market,”said Haldan. Consequently dnp hasdiscontinued its 72in line and aimsto put more emphasis on largercustomised screens in the future.

Draper has kept two key industrydevelopments in mind in itsapproach to 2012: the newInfoComm STEP standard and asurge in growth from the educationsegment of the market.

InfoComm’s SustainableTechnology Environments Program(STEP) was detailed at ISE, and is avoluntary system for ratingsustainability of informationcommunications technology in thebuilt environment. Its unveilingcoincided with the introduction ofDraper’s Euroscreen Xpert, which is100% PVC free, and manufacturedwithout using hazardous materials.

“Schools want to know thatchildren aren’t adversely affected bythe materials in their classrooms, andwe’re producing screens to helpprevent children from coming intocontact with potentially harmfulsubstances,” said Penny RutherfordSitler, advertising manager.

Draper has also been experiencinga swell in the rental market forapplication specific screens, andoutlined its new, quick-assemblyscreens: the StageScreen, a large-venue truss screen, and its smaller

counterpart, the FocalPoint. The screens themselves are

designed in a modular fashion anderected using inventory pieces ofvarious sizes, depending on thescreen size and the shape of theprojected image.

Draper enjoys an extended supplychain with manufacturing bases inthe US and Sweden, meaning it cansatisfy demand from ample stockslocated on both sides of the Atlantic.

US-based manufacturer StewartFilmscreen has an office in Denmark,but says that its European distributorshold the key to its success in 2012.“We have a great distribution set-up inSpain, France and the UK, and thatmeans our screens reach the peoplethey need to,” said Rune SteffenNielsen, director of European sales.

One installation product helping tomaintain the company’s stance in themarket is the StarGlas60 rear-projection black screen, which is said

to offer contrast levels eight timeshigher than any competitor’s product.Its most prominent features are twolayers of glass, which provideprotection even in harsh publicinstallations. Excellent for passive 3Dapplications, StarGlas60 boasts a highlevel of soundproofing between theprojector and audience. It is targetedat applications in boardrooms,showrooms, malls, schools and more.

The company is targeting a numberof market sectors this year. For

residential markets, it is offeringtraining schemes to inform integratorsabout how the screens can be usedmost effectively.

The company sees growth in 2012in cinema markets, but Nielsen saidthat screen and projectormanufacturers have a duty to providetechnology that adds a little extra toviewing experiences and so drawsaudiences back.

STEWART FILMSCREEN LOOKS TO DISTRIBUTORS

DRAPER KEEPS AN EYE ON THE GREEN AGENDADNP LOOKS AT CONTRAST

At ISE 2012, we took the opportunity to catch up with some projection screen manufacturers and talkto them about how they are responding to current challenges in the market. James McGrath reports

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Markets: Projection Screens

IE March 2012 49www.installationeurope.com

Targeting opportunities in the rentalmarket, an area the company didn’tpreviously cater for with its productrange, AV Stumpfl is sustaining salesgrowth as well as expanding itsfacilities.

The company has recentlyannounced a 3,000sqm extension toits premises in Austria to enable it toenhance both technology andlogistical operations. And with AVStumpfl currently involved in arenovation project at the AllianzArena’s visitors centre in Munich,2012 is looking to be a prosperousyear for the manufacturer.

An area that has seen an upsurge incustomer interest is the rentalmarket. “Mobile projector screens arein high demand and we have seengrowth in the rental market over thepast years,” said Rudi Hradli,marketing director.

However, mobile screens weren’tpreviously part of the company’sproduct range.

“Before, our customers were buyingthe screens, and although designedfor installations, they were usingthem for rentals. This made their jobdifficult because the screens weren’tproduced to be moved around all thetime,” explained Hradli.

To make constant dismantling andrebuilding of screens easier, AVStumpfl developed a tubing systemto make screens easier to transport,and a technique to prevent thescreen material from crinkling. Forinstance the Vario 32 and 64 modelsboth use a modular building blockframe and can house a range ofscreen sizes. Made from lightweightaluminium, they are designed forportability.

Another growing market sector for

the company is education, especiallywith interactive projector displaysbecoming more popular.

Unlike some other manufacturers,AV Stumpfl is not especiallyconcerned by cheaper competitors;Hradli said that customers he haslost have always returned later. “If a

system integrator needs to contact us,then we are available. Often with thelower-cost manufacturer you don’tget that sort of support once theproduct has been purchased,” heexplained.

Elite Screens demonstratedits Curved 4K high-resolution acousticallytransparent screen at ISE.The screen features a sheerweave material that allowssound to be dispersedthrough the projector screenwithout the need forperforations. It is suited toimage resolutions greaterthan 1080p, making it afuture-proof solution.

David Rodgers, marketingmanager, told us that whilethe screen is currently pricedout of the consumer market,the intention is that it willeventually becomeaffordable.

One trend remarked on byRodgers was a drop indemand for specialityprojector screens because ofadvances in projectortechnology. “Good projectorsmake our job easier, theprojector does all the work,”he said, adding that mattewhite screens had becomemore popular.

Rodgers was confidentabout the outlook for the

market: “Projectors aregetting better and prices forthem are reducing, meaningthere is a greater demand forprojector screens.”

However, he did indicate afall in spending in the EU incomparison to the US.European companies, hesaid, have become moreconservative in theirspending in the face ofeconomic conditions.

Asked about low-costcompetition from the FarEast, Rodgers said that EliteScreens has years ofexperience in the processesinvolved in manufacturingscreens, and without thatsort of understanding, highquality is unobtainable.“Chinese manufacturers tryto replicate, but can’t –performance separates ourproducts from theirs.

“We embed 100% qualityinto each of our productsand we make certain of thiswith our own evaluationsand third-party evaluations.”

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Show Preview: Prolight + Sound


Visitors from across the globeare preparing to descend onMesse Frankfurt for Prolight +

Sound/Musikmesse 2012. As well as ahost of product launches, this year willalso see a variety of productpresentations and seminars. The MediaSystems Congress runs across all threedays of the show and covers topicsranging from ‘Room acoustics fordummies’ to ‘Networks for lightingcontrol systems’. The ManufacturersForum features industry-leadingspeakers discussing key topics.Highlights include René Berhorst ofMA Lighting debating ‘Lighting desks,PC solutions and the future of lightingprogramming’ and René Rodigast ofthe Fraunhofer Institute discussing‘Sound surround – surround sound:Practical applications of 3D surroundsound’, both on Wednesday 21 March.

On the showfloor, Audient, which willbe sharing a booth with microphonemanufacturer Sontronics, will beshowcasing its latest analogue recordingconsole, the ASP4816. Said to have all

the benefits of a large-format recordingconsole in a compact form, the maininput channels feature Audient’s Class Apreamp and four-band EQ. It also boasts40 faders, 16 bus routing, six auxes andtwo dedicated cue sends.

Christie will be supporting two of itspartners, Videlco and Vision Tools, at

this year’s show. Videlco has developeda console suited for Christie’s range ofvideo processors: Vista Spyder andChristie Spyder. The 42 CONTROLSSingle Point of Control (S.P.O.C.)console, which Christie is distributing,is a media controller centralising thecontrol of multiple third-party systemsincluding projectors, media servers andvideo processors.

Vision Tools, meanwhile, will focuson MicroTiles. Visitors will also have theopportunity to see Jumpstart, Christie’snew content management system.

d&b will be highlighting additions toits Black line of loudspeakers as well asshowing its xS and xA-Series from theWhite range of cabinets. Elements fromthe established T, J and E-Series withinthe Black range will be displayedalongside the newly introduced E4 andE5 speakers. Also new, but being keptunder wraps, is the V-Series.

dBTechnologies is set to unveil aselection of products in Frankfurt,including the upgraded Opera DX line.Opera DX has been augmented with in-

house developed digiproG2 power ampsand other state-of-the-art features whichimprove performance. More details willbe unveiled at the show. dB will alsolaunch three new DVA Subs aimed at therental and installation markets,including the DVA S1521N – a powered21in subwoofer boasting 1,500W RMSpower – and the DVA S2585N, acompact subsystem featuring a cardioidlayout designed for utmost directivity.

New from Humantechnik is theDigi-Wave, a digital mobile radiocommunication system with atransmission frequency of 2.4GHz. Thelightweight solution provides 14channels for unidirectionaltransmission, and up to four

Following on from the success of ISE, hopes are high for this year’s edition ofProlight + Sound. We round up some of the early news from the show

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Show Preview: Prolight + Sound


channels for dialogueapplications with bidirectionaltransmission. Users can switchfrom unidirectional tobidirectional communicationwith the push of a button.

KV2 Audio is set to launchthe Club Series of slimlinespeaker systems forentertainment venues. TheSL412 loudspeaker uses four12in low- to mid-rangecomponents and the hornassembly from the VHD1.0with a single 8in mid-rangeand 3in large-format NPVDcompression driver. The SL2.15is a 2 x 15in subwooferspecially designed to outputmaximum bass response fromits shallow cabinet design.

Martin Audio will bepresenting the worldtradeshow debut of the MLACompact. This uses the sametechnology as the company’sMulti-cellular LoudspeakerArray and targets fixedinstallations and medium-scaletouring applications. Thecompany says that a 12-boxarray can easily deliver full rockSPLs in a 5,000-seat venue,whilst a 24-box array willapproach the output of many‘full-size’, but less efficientsystems.

Horus, a new I/O system,will take centre stage on thestand of MergingTechnologies. Horus has beendesigned as a high-qualitystandalone converter; howeverin RAVENNA mode it becomesan IP ‘node’ fully configurablefrom one Ethernet cable. Itallows routing on an eight-channel granularity level of upto 128 channels of MADI, 24channels of AES/EBU and 24channels of analogue to/fromEthernet.

Under the Cardinal DVMbrand, Sommer Cable will

show two new product series.The DVM194 series containsfour components forinstallation, live and studioapplications. The 0.25-19inhousing design allowsintegration into SommerCable’s SYSBOXX housingsystem and into all commonhousing systems pursuant toDIN 41494, enabling acombination of connectingunits and active electronics. Afour-channel two-bus mixer, 2 x75W power amplifier, two-wayheadphone amplifier systemwith aux input, and a 3.5indisplay module are currentlyavailable in this series.

Also new is the DVM120

series, which contains sixproblem fixers and audio toolsfor live and studioapplications.

Tannoy, Lab.gruppen andLake will again be exhibiting atProlight + Sound. Highlightswill include the Frankfurtdebut of the latest evolution ofLake’s LM Series of digitalaudio system processors, LM44, along with a sneak previewof the new developments withLake Controller software. Alsoon show will be Tannoy’s VLSSeries passive column array.

Heading up the touringfront will be Lab.gruppen’sPLM Series, including the PLM20000Q, which couples the

world’s most powerful four-channel amplifier platform tothe industry-leading digitalsound manipulation featuresof Lake Processing.

Void Acoustics will launchthe Incubus Club System,incorporating the Air Array,Hyperfold and Incubus Subs.

The Air Array is the mid-highelement of the club systemdelivering high-level, high-fidelity sound. The low-midsection of the Air Array consistsof two hyperbolic horns fedfrom a split manifold drivenfrom four very high power 12intransducers. Each transducerfeatures a heat sink system toreinforce reliability and reduce

power compression levels. TheHyperfold 4 x 15in upper bassenclosure is derived from theVoid pyramid horn system,originally incorporated for thePara flex 640 system; this newconfiguration is said to increasethe bass intensity to anunprecedented level. IE

Martin Audio’s MLA Compact is aimed atfixed installs and mid-sized tours

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Solutions: iGuzzini HQ, Recanati


INSTALLOF THEMONTH

iGuzzini is a leading Italianlighting manufacturer,whose fixtures are to be

found in key architectural andstreet lighting applicationsworldwide, as well as inairports, stations and otherlocations.

Established by members ofthe Guzzini family over half acentury ago, the company hasgrown to boast a sales networkin 64 countries, receivingaccolades and awards for itsproducts’ innovation, designand eco-sustainability.

The company recentlyexpanded its 150,000sqmheadquarters in Recanati (inthe Marches region of Italy)with the addition of thestriking new four-storey LightLaboratories, designed byGenoa architect MaurizioVarratta under the banner ofsustainability and energyefficiency. In fact, theInternational Initiative for a

Sustainable BuiltEnvironment’s SustainableBuilding Challenge Protocolfor assessing buildings’ecological performanceresulted in a rating of 3.5, thehighest received to date by anoffice building in Italy.

As well as an R&Ddepartment, offices andshowroom facilities, thebuilding, for which theacoustic design was byMunich’s Müller BBM, alsohosts a high-tech auditorium/conference room with animpressive array of AVtechnology, installed by systemintegrator Videoworks.

High impactThe building makes a bigimpact even from the outside,with its LED-lit double skinfacade and green roof, andthe auditorium is up to thesame high standards. Theroom is 24m long and 10m

wide; it can accommodatealmost 300 people in thestylish Poltrona Frau seating,or can be divided into tworooms measuringapproximately 12m by 10m,each holding around 130attendees.

Videoworks systemengineer Carlo Bellocchiofollowed the project from itsconception, through designand on-site workmanagement to co-operationwith the company’s help deskfor any after-sales matters.

He states: “The brief we gotfrom the client wasfundamentally twofold – theroom had to be a multi-functional multimedia facilitysuitable for use for small-scale events, such as in-housecourses, and for largeconferences with attendeesfrom abroad. Secondly, wehad to ensure thatparticipants felt they were

actually part of thepresentations or eventsstaged, and the high-endtechnology had to ensure theutmost impact.”

The main problem to besolved to achieve these aimswas the positioning of theprojectors and the screens,since the room can also bedivided into two independentrooms for smaller eventsthanks to a mobile acousticwall made from sound-absorbent timber acousticpanels mounted on a metalframe. This meant that therewas a considerable reduction in

the space for the positioning ofthe main projector, which hadto project on to a large screenthat is moved according toroom format and the type ofevents staged.

This hurdle was overcomeby choosing a projector that,as well as being suited to 3Dprojection, was able to befitted with a 1.1:1 lens withthe possibility of havingvarious lens shift positionsthat could be remotelyrecalled. “This means that,according to the event beingheld in the rooms, the imagecan be positioned at thenecessary screen level.”

As far as the specificequipment chosen byVideoworks to satisfy theclient’s requirements isconcerned, Bellocchioindicates two particularlyworthy of note: “One is theCrestron modularDigitalMedia switcher, whichcan handle a multitude ofsignals in various formatsover various distances with asingle integrated system,including the distributionand extension of the signalson fibre and STP cables.”

Signals are HDMI, VGA forPC connections, high-definition HDMI signalsfrom the video sources, HD-SDI signals from the camerasand standard definitionanalogue signals for the AUXconnections.

The Videoworks engineercontinues: “The otherinteresting unit is the 3Dvideo projector, a Christie

R & 3DA leading Italian lighting manufacturer is looking to make an impact with its new headquarters’facilities, which comes complete with a high-tech conference room/auditorium area, writes Mike Clark

The room, which can be divided to hold multiple events, features a Da-Lite CinemaContour fixed frame main projection screen and a smaller tensioned Comm-Tec Electric

Master screen with Da-Lite projection surface

About the installer. Based in Ancona, onthe Italian Adriaticcoast, VideoworksS.p.A. has branches inMilan and Viareggio

. The companyspecialises in the design,realisation, installationand after-salesassistance of multimediaentertainment systems,integrated AV systems,networking and CCTVsystems

. It also creates unifiedmulti-conferencesystems for high-profileclients in three sectors:conferencing, yachtsand smart homes

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Solutions: iGuzzini HQ, Recanati

IE March 2012 57

Mirage WU12K-M 3D DLPprojector, which features10,500 ANSI lumens, WUXGAresolution and up to 10,000:1contrast, providing cinema-quality active 3D, whichattendees can watch withcustomised iGuzzini glasses.”

The room’s secondprojector is another Christieunit (6,000 ANSI lumens)with native WUXGA (1920 x1200) resolution andinterchangeable powered 2.0-4.0:1 zoom lens. The mainprojection screen is a Da-LiteCinema Contour fixed framescreen with a custom 600 x375cm high-gain projectionsurface; the smaller (332 x187cm) model is a tensionedComm-Tec Electric Masterscreen with Da-Liteprojection surface.

The 3D projector ismounted at the end of theroom with the other halfwaydown, right after thepartition wall.

The room’s video setup iscompleted by a quartet ofPanasonic 0.3in HD integrated

motorised cameras, controlledby a Panasonic remote cameracontroller; videoconferencingrequirements are catered for bya Cisco 1080p HD codec withdual display. Video sources area custom 3D playoutworkstation complete withdual output card stereoscopicplayer software, a Gefen high-definition personal videorecorder and a Full HD 3DBlu-ray/DVD player.

As far as audio is concerned,two Duran Audio AxysIntellivox DS-180-2 beam-shaping arrays are wall-mounted behind the speakers’table with two DS-115-2 arrayson the wall midway down thehall. The same goes for thefloor-mounted Tannoy VS10BP compact bandpasssubwoofers, which are hiddenbehind the room’s wall panels,which have acoustic vents.

When the room is divided,an appropriate configurationpreset is called up on theBiamp AudiaFlex digital audioplatform, which, as well asrouting facilities, also featuresmixer functions, EQ, filters,crossover, dynamics, delays andmore.

The facility’s Sennheiserdigital interpretation system,with three five-channel FMmodulators and a pair ofhigh-power radiators, featuresan SDC 8200 ID interpreterunit in each of the twobooths overlooking theconference room.

Control is courtesy of aCrestron dual-bus controlsystem and an Apple iPad WiFiLCD with custom GUI and awireless access point plus twoEthernet switches (all Cisco).

Bellocchio concludes:“Compared with previoussystems we have designed andinstalled, the aspect thatdistinguishes the iGuzziniproject is the great flexibilitywith which, in a room that

can be used as a single venueor two smaller ones, a largenumber of high-definitionsources can be freely allocatedexactly where they arerequired. Then there is alsothe fact that the eight

languages of the simultaneoustranslation system can be splitas required between the tworooms, enabling two eventsrequiring translation to beheld simultaneously.Obviously the fact that a 3D

projection system is importedfrom its native operatingenvironment – the cinema – tobe used in a corporateconference room enables thecompany to also stand out forexcellent quality and anextremely high impact fromthe point of view of corporatemarketing.” IE

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A Christie Mirage WU12K-M 3D DLP projector has been installed foruse with customised glasses

Audio. Biamp AudiaFlex CM with Cobranet. Biamp AudiaEXPI 4 input expanders. Biamp AEC2HD input cards. Biamp OP2 output cards. Duran Audio Axys Intellivox DS-180-2and DS-115-2 array speakers. Tannoy DI5A speakers. Tannoy VS10BP subwoofers. Sennheiser gooseneck and wirelessheadset mics. Sennheiser SDC 8200 AO analogueoutput unit. Sennheiser SDC 8200 ID PC 131headsets. Sennheiser SI 29-5 modulators. Sennheiser SZI 1029-10 EU radiators . Sennheiser HDI 1029 PPL16stethoset receivers

Control/distribution. Crestron PRO2 dual bus controlsystem. Crestron 3 COM port, Ethernet andrelay control cards. Cisco wireless access point. Cisco Ethernet switch. Extron DXP 48 HDMI digital matrixswitcher. Opticis M1-203H optical extender

Video. Christie Mirage WU12K-M 3Dprojector. Christie DWU670-E 6k ANSI Lumenprojector. Da-Lite Cinema Contour projectionscreen. Comm-Tec Electric Master Screen. Cisco C40 HD codec with dual video. Panasonic AW-HE50S cameras. Panasonic AW-RP50 cameracontroller. Gefen GTV-HD personal videorecorder. Crestron Digital Media 32 x 32 matrix. TV-ONE C2-750 scaler. Sharp LC-19LE320E 19in LED speakertable monitor. Samsung EX2220 LED monitor

Installed

Solutions: Opera House, Malmö


Malmö is in the process oftransformation. The city,the economy of which was

once based on the shipping andconstruction trades, now attracts newbiotech and IT companies, the changebrought on in a large part by theconstruction of the Öresund Bridge.Opened in 2000, the bridge connectsMalmö to Copenhagen in Denmark,and forms a link between Scandinaviaand Central and Western Europe.

Seemingly embodying Malmö’s spiritof transformation, Bengt Frienholt,technical production manager of theMalmö Opera House, is something of apioneer. Under his direction, the OperaHouse was the first to install and use aStagetracker FX real-time performertracking system from Total TheatreAudio (TTA). It is also the first to installand use Sony’s new DWX digital

wireless microphone system. “Someone has to start. The Malmö

Opera House has always been the firstto embrace new technology, so it’s veryspecial to work with them: they wantthe best,” comments Ronny Sjöstrandof Swedish systems contractor anddistribution company Arva Trading,which installed both systems.

Upgrades to the Malmö Opera Househappen on an ongoing basis; a DiGiCoST7-T console was installed in thesummer of 2011, replacing a Solid StateLogic C100. The latter has moved tothe studio housed within the massivetheatre building. All the old copperwiring within the Opera House hasbeen replaced with fibre optic cable,and there are already talks ofsupplementing the current PA system –comprised entirely of d&b Q-seriesloudspeakers – with two additional

clusters for both the main and delaysystems in order to take betteradvantage of sound localisation withStagetracker FX.

Regulation kitUltimately it was the Europeaninitiative to reallocate wirelessmicrophone frequencies that ledFrienholt to investigate Sony’s newsystem, as the Opera House’s formeranalogue wireless system (also Sony)was no longer suitable. Sweden wasone of the first countries in Europe toimplement the new frequencies, andhas already completed its digitalswitchover.

In response to the frequency changes,every theatre in Sweden was required tomodify its audio systems. InStockholm, the Royal Opera Househosted a blind audio test, pitting several

candidate wireless systems against eachother. All except the Sony wereanalogue systems, and according toSjöstrand the DWX setup was the clearwinner in terms of sound quality.

“I have never heard anything soundlike this, in over 25 years of working insound,” he enthuses. “We get a newspeaker system, it sounds good. A newconsole; it sounds good. But this issomething that’s blown me away.”

Back in Malmö, Frienholt – notafraid to embrace new technology – wascurious: “I knew that Sony was workingwith a digital system. Sennheiser wasalso working on a digital system but it’snot out yet. So I talked to Ronny aboutSony and he said they were very close tohaving a system out, and we were sent aprototype to check it out; it soundedvery good, so we decided to order it. Wehad a Sony analogue system before sowe knew that the quality of theequipment would be very good.”

The prototype one-channel systemwas installed and tested in the summerof 2010. Convinced they had found theright product, the Opera House had thefull 50-channel system installed. A Sonyteam flew in from Japan to makeadjustments to each of the units so thatthey were broadcasting on theappropriate frequencies. It took two fulldays to test the system, as it was thefirst major installation they had worked

The future is nowDespite being almost 70 years old, Malmö Opera House is keen to embrace the latest technology.Erica Basnicki visits to check out its most recent acquisition

Audio. Sony DWX digital wireless system. DiGiCo SD7-T console. d&b Q-series loudspeakers. TTA Stagetracker FX performer tracking system. Aviom A-16II personal mixers

InstalledJust two transmitters – installed on the light bridge above the stage – are required to provideample coverage for one of the biggest stages in Europe: 25m wide, 25m high, for a total area

of 600sqm

For the current production of Les Misérables, 46 castmembers wear DPA mics and Sony beltpacks. The four leadcharacters wear two of each in case of a fault

Solutions: Opera House, Malmö


on. According to Frienholt, theinstallation process was surprisinglyproblem-free: “I think it went betterthan I thought it would, that was asurprise!”

Making the switchAlthough initially impressed with thesound quality, Frienholt admits tobeing somewhat nervous aboutswitching from analogue to digital: “Iwas scared about the digital system atfirst because in an analogue system, ifwe get a bad connection between thetransmitter and the receiver then thenoise goes up a little bit, but I can savethe production even if there are a fewproblems. With a digital system, iteither works, or it doesn’t work. I was abit scared about that, but we have neverhad a problem.”

The new system was first used forSingin’ in the Rain, which debuted inAugust 2010. It’s currently being usedfor the Malmö Opera House’sproduction of Les Misérables, as well as inrehearsals for the upcoming productionof Carmen: approximately 12 workinghours a day. According to Sjöstrand,there have been no issues: “We’ve usedthis system for one and a half years and– I’m crossing my fingers right now –we’ve never had any drop-outs. One anda half years of shows, every night, nodrop-outs. It’s fantastic.”

Sony’s DWX digital wireless system isbased on WiDIF-HP (Wireless DigitalInterface – High Profile) technology,which transmits 24-bit/48kHz digitalaudio with a frequency response of20Hz to 22kHz, and a low systemlatency of 3.4ms – reportedly the fastestaudio codec in the world – without anysignal degradation.

Unique to the DWX system is theCross Remote function, which allowsthe transmitter to be controlled over awireless remote connection using the2.4GHz frequency band. Engineers are

able to monitor the transmitter’s statusas well as control many of itsparameters from a remote receiver.

At the Malmö Opera House, just twotransmitters – installed on the lightbridge above the stage – are required toprovide ample coverage for one of thebiggest stages in Europe: 25m wide,25m high, for a total area of 600sqm.They are powerful enough to broadcasta signal through the massive concretewalls at the wings of the stage.Frienholt commented: “We would neverbe able to do this with an analoguesystem, never.”

The current production of LesMisérables is equally impressive. Behindthe scenes are nearly 40 orchestramembers using 16 Aviom A-16IIpersonal mixers and headphones formonitoring. On stage, the productionfeatures a whopping 70 cast members,46 of whom wear microphones – all ofthem DPA. The four lead characterswear two microphones and two wirelessbelt packs each in case of a technicalfault. So far, none of the secondarymicrophones have had to be used.

Since the DWX system was installedat Malmö, both the Göteborg Opera(Gothenburg) and the Royal OperaHouse in Stockholm have followed suit.It is, nevertheless, Malmö leading theway. The team are currently workingwith DiGiCo on potential upgrades tothe SD7 console, after which they willresume testing the Stagetracker FXsystem, add more loudspeakers, andthen – most likely – more upgrades.

Sjöstrand explains: “I discuss this alot with Bengt; ‘What is the latest?Where are we going in the future?’ andwe try to find out. Sometimes we areright, and sometimes we are wrong, butmost of the times we are right.” IE

About the installer. Arva was founded in 1979 asArva Ljud. A decade later, in1989, the company became ArvaTrading AB. Today it is a supplierof top-end pro-audio equipment,with offices in Stockholm andMalmö

. Its core business is thedistribution of professionalequipment and advanced audiosystems, mainly to the studio,broadcast and PA/live markets inSweden

. The company also performsplanning and installations

. Brands represented by Arvainclude d&b, DPA, Optocore andSommer Cable

� www.arva.se� www.aviom.com� www.dpamicrophones.com� www.malmoopera.se� www.sony.co.uk

The Sony DWX digital wireless system is currently in use12 hours a day – for rehearsals as well as performances –and has experienced no drop-outs or other issues

Istanbul is a city steeped inhistory, not least because itserved as the capital of the

Roman Empire between 330-395. Located in Turkey’s largestcity is the Lütfi KırdarConvention and ExhibitionCentre, whose originscoincidentally hark back to apursuit that one associateswith the ancient Romans:wrestling.

Domination of Turkishwrestlers at the 1948 OlympicGames and EuropeanWrestling Championships ledto the foundation of aconstruction project intendedto sustain the country’s assaulton the sport and enable thecity to hold the 1949Championships. The IstanbulSports and Exhibition Hall, asit was originally known, waserected under the supervisionof Italian architect Pietro Vietti-Violi, and was subsequently

used as a sporting venue forover four decades.

Nearly 50 years later, thecentre widened its remit whenin 1996 the UN held its largestconference of the 20th century– the Habitat II summit – atthe facility.

The centre’s emphasiscontinued to move away fromsport to a global meeting spacewith the addition of theRumeli Fair and ExhibitionCentre in 2000. Furtherdiversification wasencountered more recently.

Live eventsThe main hall at the centre, theAnadolu Auditorium, has beenacoustically treated so that,“frankly the room is suitablefor more than just speech-based events, even if this is itsprime function,” according toBerkant Kuru. Kuru is ownerof Turkish live event supplier

Solutions: Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul

60 IE March 2012 www.installationeurope.comwww.installationeurope.com

Completing the spectrumThe Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre has experienced much change over the years, andstill continues to adapt even today. James McGrath looks at the venue’s latest developments

The Anadolu Auditorium is now capable of handling a wide variety of events, fromconferences to live music concerts

Solutions: Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul


Spectrum Show Technologiesand Production Services, whichhas a history of renting audiosolutions to the centre, andwas called in to specify andinstall a permanent solution.

With live music events alsoon the schedule at the AnadoluAuditorium – located in thevery heart of the building – aflexible audio setup wasnecessary to uphold thecentre’s conference status butalso to cater for zealouscontemporary pop fans with athirst for booming sound.

Permanent solutiond&b’s Q-Series and T-Serieshad frequently been suppliedin the rental packages at LütfiKırdar, so Spectrum’s designsolution was based mainlyaround elements from thesetwo loudspeaker systems.

As chance would have it, thecentre’s former technicalmanager, Serkan Goren, nowworks for d&b audiotechnik’sTurkish distributor DisplaySound & Lighting Systems.

“There is great confidenceinvesting in German-manufactured products,” saysGoren. “d&b’s back-upresources make installationeasy; the size and weight of thedevices – considering theirperformance in terms ofsound levels and theirexceptional hi-fi quality – arevery attractive to the installer. Isaw for myself when workingat Lütfi Kırdar, d&b receivedthe first three ranks indomestic and internationaldemands for riders.”

Display called in d&b’sapplication supportdepartment for its input tooptimise the installation. “Ofcourse the intelligibility has tobe absolutely adequate forspeech, since this clearly will bethe most frequent programmematerial,” emphasises JankoRamuscak from theApplication Support team. Butthe system also has to deliveraudio for music audiences whoare not there to be lectured orenlightened, but entertained.

“There was to be nothinghalf hearted about the system,it has to deliver to audiences atopposite ends of the listening

spectrum – pardon the pun,”adds Ramuscak.

Mixed audiencesEither side of the main stagearea is a line array of 10 d&bQ1 loudspeakers. These aresupplemented by four T10loudspeakers and an additionaltwo Q1 speakers flowncentrally, for fill.

Bass arrives from six flownQ-Subs and a ground-stacked J-INFRA each side of the stage.The system is powered by13d&b D12 dual-channelamplifiers. One channel is leftover to drive an additionalfour T10 cabinets provided by Spectrum for stage lip fillsif necessary.

Commissioning took placein early autumn 2011, carriedout by the d&b ApplicationSupport Team, and revealed anaverage STI of 0.67 with astandard deviation of only0.044 after final tuning wascompleted.

Ramuscak adds: “Withassistance from Serkan, theSpectrum team had preparedthe system really, really well –we completed tuning in lessthan a day. The specificationincluded the d&b R70 for

remote control, and, via a WiFirouter, we all enjoyed usingiPads and smartphones tochange parameters via VNC.Later we tested a lavaliermicrophone on stage withoutEQ up to specified levels andfound headroom spare;something the operators, all ofwhom knew the hall well, hadnot expected to be possible.”

“The long-termcommitment of Spectrum toLütfi Kirdar is what made thiswork,” he concludes. “That’snot a term I hear used veryoften in the world of pro-audiothese days, but the fact remainsthey knew the room well andthey knew what would workwith a variety of demands.” IE

� www.dbaudio.com� www.display.com.tr� www.spectrum.web.tr

About the installer

AudioAll d&b. Q1 passive two-way loudspeakers. T10 passive two-way loudspeakers. Q-Sub subwoofers. J-INFRA subwoofers. D12 dual-channel amplifiers with DSP. R70 Ethernet to CAN interface

Installed

. Spectrum is a leading supplier of AV equipment to the live events sector in Turkey

. Key areas of business include corporate events, conferences and product launches

. As well as its Istanbul head office, the company recently opened a branch in Antalya

. Spectrum also specialises in large-format projections onto buildings, includingcreating a 190m wide by 13m tall scene for the Jockey Club of Istanbul

A line array of 10 d&b Q1 loudspeakers, plus six Q-Subcabinets, hang either side of the main stage

Magenta Makes Signal Distribution Easy

Fibre-optic signal delivery system capable of sending video (+ audio & serial), to distances

of 30km. Switching to 640 ports!

WHETHER IT’S A HANDFUL OF

SCREENS

OR

HUNDREDS

MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD +1.860.210.0546

[email protected]

UTP-based signal delivery system capable of sending video (+ audio & serial), to distances

of 610m. Switching to 256x512!

MultiView

FIBRETHE LEADER IN PRO AV SIGNAL EXTENSIONCOPPER

Bosch presented OMNEO, world’s first open public pro media network architecture. OMNEO offers high quality multi-channel media streaming and secure system control across a standard off-the-shelf Ethernet IP network. It will be compliant with emerging public standards, like AVB. At ISE, Bosch also showcased other innovations: The DCN Conference System with its new Central Control Unit and enhanced functionalities; an off-the-shelf Bosch solution for HD cameras included in DCN Conference Systems; the LC4 loudspeaker with its industry-leading wide opening angle; and Praesideo, the number-one choice for demanding public address and emergency voice evacuation applications. And Bosch presented new selection tools for finding the right loudspeaker solution for challenging environments. Bosch is your logical choice for Public Address and Conference Systems. Thank you for visiting us at ISE 2012.www.boschsecurity.com

OMNEOMedia networking simplified

Thank you for visiting us at ISE

It’s… A comprehensive line ofdigital matrix switchers,transmitters and receivers,including the 25G Hybrid Matrixrouter which has the addeddimension of media layers.

Details: Lightware’s new 25Gsystem is not only a matrix, but acomplete signal architecture: aCloud that supports eight medialayers: video, audio, Ethernet, USBKVM, USB 2.0, IR, RS-232 and CECchannels. All layers are supportedby 25G Hybrid signalmanagement; inside the Cloud allthe layers are independent forswitching and extending signallayers separately.

As a complete source-to-displaysolution, 25G Hybrid signalarchitecture allows video, audioand media layers to betransmitted over a single fibre orCat5 cable so AV professionalscan easily build systems that stillsupport all eight media layers.

The 25G Hybrid Matrix has 160inputs, 160 outputs and a totalthroughput of 4TB per second. Itoffers 25Gbps data rate switchingfor transporting next-generationvideo signals, such as HDMI 1.4and DisplayPort 1.2. Each videoport is equipped with a separateaudio input and output connectorforming a 320 x 320 S/PDIFcrosspoint switch. It manages

stereo andmultichannel audio aswell as high bitrateformats like DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HDMaster Audio.Optionalmultichannel tostereo downmixing isavailable.

And also:Futureproofing isassured, as theplatform is ready forall video and audiostandards, including4K resolution andstereo 3D formats.

www.lightware.eu

We present our choice of new products for the installation market, many of which were on show at ISE

New this month

Lightware

25G Hybrid

Product Choice


It’s… A suite of portabledevices, software andeducational material designedto support real-time assessmentand feedback in the classroom.

Details: Insight 360 is designed toenable teachers to switchseamlessly between instructingstudents and assessing theirunderstanding. Its CueTagsfunctionality allows teachers toinsert interactive questions intoany kind of digital material,including PowerPoint documents,PDFs or even web pages.

Students respond using the newSpark 360 and Pulse 360handheld response units, and theiranswers can be instantly collated

and measured. Reports can bedisplayed on the Mobi 360 mobilewhiteboard or an iPad running theMobi 360 app, allowing teachersto decide whether it is necessaryto adjust the lesson.

These two tools also enableteachers to move around theclassroom and interact moreclosely with individuals or smallgroups.

And also: Screenshots can besaved throughout the lesson andshared later with students orparents.

elnstruction

Insight 360

PRODUCTOF THEMONTH

It’s… An infraredemitter/modulator designed forclear, secure communication invenues such as conferences andcourtrooms.

Details: The Pro IR-200 isdesigned with a wide transmissionangle to maximise coverage areaup to 2,000sqft. It maintainsconsistent coverage with up to100ft of cable and up to two slavetransmitters. Placing a slave onthe opposite side of the sameroom allows participants to movefreely about a space.

A single Cat5 cable carries bothpower and signal to slaves. Thesturdy digital communications busbetween master and slave unitsreduces possible interferenceduring transmission. Separateaudio inputs for each channel(2.3/2.8MHz), symmetric andasymmetric, enable use both instereo or separately in monotransmission. If you only use onesingle channel, the Pro IR-200concentrates its performance onthat one and consequentlydoubles the transmission range.

And also: The Green-PowerFunction deactivates the infrareddiodes after three minutes whenno audio signal is active, reducingpower consumption by 80%.

Humantechnik

Pro IR-200

It’s… A new set of models in therange, including Epson’s first10,000-lumen projector designedfor large venues.

Details: Consisting of sevenmodels, the new series offers XGA(EB-Z10000, EB-Z10005) toWXGA (EB-Z8350W/ EB-Z8355W)and WUXGA (EB-Z8450WU/EB-Z8455WU). Brightness levels

range from 7,000 to 10,000lumens (EB-Z/10000 and 10005).WiFi and iPhone, iPad and iPodTouch connectivity thanks toEpson’s downloadable iOS app,combined with a wide lens shiftrange both vertically andhorizontally, are said to make foreasy integration into anyenvironment. All models arecompatible with existing optional

Epson lenses. Other featuresinclude Super Resolution andFrame Interpolation modes,which help to create a smoothimage. Alongside this, PointCorrection with its threematrix settings combined withthe Arc Correction featurecorrect uneven screens.

And also: Another key addition tothe range is the SDI port, allowingvenues to transmit HD broadcast

signals such as TV for the firsttime.

Epson

EB-Z Series

www.einstruction.eu

www.epson.eu

www.humantechnik.com

www.planar.com

Planar

Mosaic

It’s… A videowallsystem featuringthree different LCDdisplay tiles, includinga truly square tile.

Details: According to Planar,Mosaic is the only videowallsystem that allows users tointegrate three different LCD tilesizes (all with LED-backlighttechnology) and shapes, including:Planar Salvador – a square LCDtile at 21.6in (1:1 square); PlanarPablo – a 46in rectangle tile (16:9rectangle); and Planar Vincent – a55in rectangle tile (16:9 rectangle).

Tiles can be mounted in anyposition relative to each other, orindividually – at almost any angle.

The new system is designed foruse in spaces such as corporateenvironments, retail, hospitalityand museums, as well as otherpublic spaces like airports andsports venues.

And also: Mosaic mountinghardware is said to allow aninstallation depth of less than 4in,while Mosaic Project DesignerSoftware is a Windows applicationthat allows the creation andpreview of a layout of Mosaic tiles.

OPTICIS HQ #907 Byucksan Technopia, 434-6 Sangdaewon-dong, Chungwon-gu, Sungnam, Gyeonggi-do, 462-716 South Korea Tel: +82 31 737-8033 Fax: +82 31 737-8079 E-mail: [email protected]

WWW.OPTICIS.COM

Modular Digital Matrix16x16 Electrical/Optical Router, OMM-1000

Configurable up to 16x16 electrical and optical DVI input/output (HDMI, SDI as an option)

Extends DVI signal up to 1km over muli-mode fiber with fiber-optic cards

Supports up to WUXGA (1920x1200) at 60Hz

Supports DDC/HDCP (Electrical ports only)

Equips a multi-viewer card (Quad view, Picture-in-Picture) as an option

Provides various control interfaces (RS-232, TCP/IP, WEB, Front panel buttons)

Provides diagnostic function for quick trouble shooting

Provides EDID management

Equips Dual power for load sharing

Has a reference video source and a monitoring output for easy installation

Certifies with medical UL/EN60601 and FCC/CE

OVO Series Mask Series Sub Series CM Ceiling Series Sound Columns Sphere Series Rock SeriesProjectors & Horns

[email protected] / WWW.APART-AUDIO.COM

Find out how APart can drive your business

Affordable quality audio solutions from Belgium

Booth G40CHALL 8.0

21-24 March 2012Messe Frankfurt


Product Choice

It’s… A 55in HD wall tablet thatcombines intuitive touchcollaboration applications withCloud-based videoconferencing.

Details: Produced in partnershipwith Vidtel, Mondopad requiresno upfront infrastructureinvestment or IT resources. Itconnects to all SIP and H.323standards-based end-points andmany proprietaryvideoconferencing platforms,including Google Chat andenterprise telepresence systemsfrom Polycom and Cisco.

It is equipped with a 55in1080p (1920 x 1080) LCD displaydesigned for multitouch andcomprehensive whiteboardfunctionality. Local or remoteusers can share, view and control

presentations from their PC,tablet or smartphone with ease.

Mondopad’s WiFi ensures thatmeeting participants have theright level of access: authorisedusers are able to connect directlyto a corporate network throughthe display; meeting guests candeliver documents to the displayor access the internet withoutconnecting to the organisation’sprivate network. Remoteparticipants are able to see aMondopad display via a web pageserved by the Mondopad.

And also: Mondopad’s multitouchdisplay works with Word,PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, JPGs andmore. Multiple Mondopads on thesame network support multi-partywhiteboard sessions.

www.infocus.com

InFocus

Mondopad

It’s… A videoconferencing unitthat offers room for one or moredisplays plus all other necessaryequipment, including camera andspeaker.

Details: The PFF 5100 has beenspecifically developed for thepurposes of videoconferencing.Assembly is said to be simple, andthe optional Vogel’s Connect-itinterface bar and strips meansthat one or more displays caneasily be installed. These modularinterfaces also ensure that thereis a suitable interface for almostevery display.

The aluminium panel on thefront is easy to remove, allowingaccess to the interior where acodec and other peripheral

equipment can be installed, while the integrated wheelsensure that the unit is easy to move.

The PFA 9110 bracket meansthat a camera and speaker can besecurely mounted on thefurniture. Vogel’s can also supplythe PFA 9111 videoconference

speaker, creating a universal all-in-one solution.

And also: As well as VC, the unitis also said to be ideal for use as akiosk with a display in the portraitposition or as a luxury displaystand in which peripheralequipment is stored.

www.vogel’s.com

Vogel’s

PFF 5100

It’s… The firsteducation projectorbuilt on theBlueCore lightengine.

Details: TheLW61ST is designedto bring images tolife while keepingthe total cost ofownership down. It is said to offeran average of 20,000 hours ofreliable brightness in Eco Mode;80,000:1 ultra-high contrast ratiofor outstanding images and crispclear content; and instant on/offcapability to save time onprojector warm-up or cool-down.It also features a mercury-freelight source that is more

environmentally friendly and safethan other offerings.

And also: The BlueCore lightengine is a next-generation lightengine which is said to utilise thequalities of a laser light source toachieve optimised energyefficiency, projection performanceand readiness.

BenQ

LW61STwww.benq.com

Intent Media isa member of

the PeriodicalPublishers Association

. Marcin Zimny talks about changes inthe industry in recent years,http://tinyurl.com/IEZimny

Q&A


Visit www.installationeurope.com ortype the tinyurl into your browser

ONLINE EXTRAS

Active Audio 59AKG Acoustics 52Analog Way 20APart Audio 64ASL Intercom 58Ateis Front CoverAudac 10Audio Sud 3Audipack 55Barco 11Blackmagic Design 13Bosch 62Canford 39Clear-Com 37Community Professional 57EAW 51Electrovoice 45ETC 44eyevis 38Faital 47Fohhn 53Gefen 60Gonsin 25Humantechnik 37, 43InOut 31JBL Outside back coverKramer 27Lab.gruppen 50Lightware Inside front cover 4-5Magenta Research 62Meyer Sound 15Midas 48Midwich 14Mipro 65Mitsubishi 29Opticis 64Panasonic 34-35Powersoft 56QSC Audio 7Rane 23Revolabs 33RGB Spectrum 22Sennheiser 17Shure 19Smart Metals 9Sommer Cable 61Stewart Filmscreen 47Taiden Inside back coverTannoy 16Televic 49TLS 12TOA 41TV One 21Vision 32

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Installation Europe is published 12 times a year by Intent Media London, 1st Floor, Suncourt House, 18-26 Essex Road, London N1 8LR, EnglandCirculation and subscription enquiries Tel: +44 (0)1858 438786 Fax +44 (0)1858 434958 Intent Media 2012, Tower House, Lathkill Street, MarketHarborough, Leics LE16 9EF, UK Editorial tel +44 (0)20 7226 7246 Sales tel +44 (0)20 7354 6000 Editor Paddy Baker [email protected] Managing editor Joanne Ruddock [email protected] Staff writer James [email protected] Head of design & production Adam Butler [email protected] Assistant graphic designer Nikki [email protected] Sales manager Ian Graham [email protected] Sales executive Les Wood [email protected] US salesrepresentative Michael Mitchell +1 631 673 3199 [email protected] Senior production executive Sean Roberts [email protected] content manager Tim Frost [email protected] Publisher Steve Connolly [email protected] Managing director Stuart DinseyContributors Mike Clark, David Davies, Gez Kahan, Ian McMurray, Steve Montgomery, Blair Parkin, Bob Snyder Special thanks this issueBengt Frienholt, Sally Granger, Ronny Sjöstrand © Intent Media 2012. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by anymeans without prior permission of the copyright owners. Printed by Pensord Press, Wales

Subscriptions to Installation Europe are free to qualified readers. Register online at www.subscription.co.uk/cc/ie/mag1

How did you first become involved inthe audiovisual industry?I have been in the industry for five or sixyears; prior to that I studied electronicsand telecommunications at theUniversity of Technology in Wroclaw,majoring in acoustics.

What I’m doing at Tommex now isrelated to my education, which is why Ienjoy it so much. The business is sovaried, what with the live side of thework being like a rock ’n’ roll thing andthen you get the more serious audioinstallations. The work is alwayschanging and challenging.

How did you come to join Tommex?Around four years ago I found out aboutthe company and in particular the sizeof it. Most similar companies have oneoffice that serves as its headquarters,whereas Tommex has offices all aroundPoland – I was very impressed by the sizeof the operation.

At the time I worked for a small audiobusiness that dealt with smallinstallations, but I saw an opportunity:Tommex didn’t have an office inWroclaw back then so a colleague and Iemailed the owner Tomasz Zebrowski

with a proposal to set up here. To mysurprise he said: “OK guys, I’ll be inWroclaw in two weeks to talk aboutdetails.” One month later, and we hadthe office set up.

What technologies and applicationsdoes Tommex specialise in?One aspect of our solutions that we areproud of is the combination of voiceevacuation systems and pro audiosystems. Companies used to have issueswith too many loudspeakers when theyrequired an installation of both systems.We’re able to remedy this by unifying thetechnology and speaker systems for bothvoice evacuation and audio so thenumber of speakers is reduced, whichreduces installation times and cost.

Our experience working in offices,sports and cultural venues, live venuesand theatres means we have a solution

for almost any application. Combinedwith the great range of brands wesupply – Community, Dynacord, G+MElektronik and more – we can designand supply a system to achieve greatresults for almost any venue.

How would you describe the state ofthe Polish installation market?The one word that springs to mind is‘growing’. There has been a significantincrease in the modernisation of culturalhouses throughout Poland, and as partof those renovations, new audio systemsare installed. But it’s not only therewhere we’re seeing growth: concert halls,cinemas, sports venues and stadiums areall project areas on the rise.

As a company we’re able to supplymore than just an audio system intothese venues. We provide a quality

package that ensures the buildingadheres to fire safety regulations forvoice evacuation, especially as in Polandthese are much stricter than elsewhere inEurope. We have to rigorously test oursystems and devices against things liketemperature so they meet all fireregulations. We also ensure that acousticparameters like intelligibility and SPLstay consistent even when the system ispushed to extremes.

What’s your favourite project thatyou’ve been part of?Actually, it’s one of our latest projects,the Centennial Hall in Wroclaw. It’sunder UNESCO protection so it wasn’t acase of placing loudspeakers where wewished to, but where we were allowed.Loudspeakers had to be installed in thelower part of the magnificent dome asthe central area was off limits. We used acombination of Community devices toachieve the desired acoustic solution.

We also had to combine the voiceevacuation systems with the pro audiosystem, so entertainment could beprovided for performances as well as fortourists who are presented with a showon arrival; this required audio and video,with sound delivered from fourdirections. On top of that, we had towork to a very tight deadline and have allthe renovation work finished in Augustin time for an event for the Polishpresidency of the European Union.

Many compromises were made,deadlines met and obstacles overcome –and this is why I enjoyed the project somuch.

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?I’ve been part of many projects, but I’malways looking to further my experience.Experience has to be one of the mostimportant things in the audio businessin acoustics; there are many things thatcan’t be calculated and experience isvital. More experience is what I’m aimingfor; becoming part of more projects tounderstand audio even more. IE

. Marcin Zimny was speaking to James McGrath.

Marcin Zimny, TommexBuilding on experience

With over six yearsworking in AV, themanager of the Wroclawbranch of integratorTommex discusses thechallenges of theindustry

‘Cultural houses,concert halls,cinemas, sportsvenues andstadiums are all onthe rise’

� www.tommex.com.pl� www.communitypro.com

FOCUSED ONTHE DETAILSIn developing the CBT Series, JBL engineers focused on the requirements most critical to your project - Coverage, Consistency, Sound Quality, and Clarity. Designed from the ground up with a host of technical innovations you would expect from JBL, the passive CBT Series speakers achieve the performance of higher cost active systems. Easy to use and affordable, they're at the forefront of intelligent sound design solutions.

Consistent SPL Level Throughout the RoomAsymmetrical Vertical Coverage of the CBT 70J-1's sends higher sound levels toward the back of the coverage area for more consistent overall SPL, further ensuring a great sound at every listening location. With JBL designed components for greater fidelity, the CBT Series speakers deliver clearer music and more intelligible speech.

Consistent CoverageOne key to providing superb sound quality at every seat is consistent vertical coverage. The CBT’s patented Constant Beamwidth Technology™ focuses more of the sound directly on the audience. Fewer out-of-coverage reflections result in a higher direct-to-reverberant ratio and more direct sound at the listeners. And the consistent coverage within the listening area results in a consistent SPL and frequency response, without the hot spots typical of other systems.

Exceptional VersatilityTheir tall, slender design, variety of sizes andmultiple mounting options, allow for inconspicuousinstallation into a wide range of architectural styles. Based on the application, you can choose Switchable Broad or Narrow Coverage Patterns. Versatile in both sound and function, the CBT Series speakers provide remarkably high sound levels from speakers that are barely visible, making them the intelligent solution for sound reinforcement and permanent installation.

Discover the details of Constant Beamwidth Technology at jblpro.com/cbt_technote or jblpro.com/cbt

CBT 70J-1 shown without included grille. All models available in black or white.

© 2012 Harman International Industries, Incorporated

Installation Europe March 2012

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