All Products Filed in Video

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thanks to the popularity of its iPod and iPhone products, Apple has seen its market share of the computer operating system (OS) grow, and now with products like the iPad this trend should continue.

Elgato's EyeTV HD provides all these Apple users with a way to access premium television content from cable and satellite service providers on their Apple machines. Recently the company updated the software to version 3.4 that includes a dual-format capture mode that records in iPad and iPhone formats at the same time.

The software records in H.264 and it offers an export to iTunes feature to enable users to store their recorded television content in iTunes. In addition, the product can record analog content from a VCR and camcorder and it includes component, S-video and composite video inputs.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Peavey Electronics is well known in the music community with artists as diverse as Joe Satriani, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Zac Brown Band using its products.

The Meridian, Miss.-based manufacturer's latest product is not a standard amplifier or guitar, it's the result of a collaboration with the software company Zivix that's produced the HeroMaker guitar/game controller and JamParty software.

The guitar/gaming solution is debuting at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week and it allows gamers that have developed skills playing music games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" to create their own music with their USB-based gaming controllers, computer keyboards, mouse or the HeroMaker guitar.

Peavey says the software incorporates a library of chords, beats, vocals and other audio loops that can be used to help create music. CE Pros interested in learning more about Peavey, the company also offers products in the church sound, pro audio categories that include speakers, mixing boards, microphones and other accessories.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

It wasn't that long ago that music listeners and audiophiles in particular wanted features like XLR (balanced) inputs to connect their high-performance CD players and other sources. In 2010 a case could be made that USB is the choice input of new generation.

Responding to the growing push for USB inputs, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Bel Canto Design, Ltd., has introduced a new integrated amplifier with a USB input to enable users to utilize their computers as a source component.

The company's S300iUSB integrated amplifier incorporates a USB input with 24-bit/96kHz upsampling capabilities, an efficient, cool-running, dual-mono digital amplification section that's capable of producing 300 watts per channel, as well as driving 4-ohm loads.

Bel Canto has designed the integrated amp for traditional usages and new-age applications where an Apple product or PC can be used as the basis of a modern two-channel audio system.

Monday, June 07, 2010

With rumors flying about a new iPhone and possibly Apple TV it seems that Apple is certain to make some news this week at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

A couple of Apple related products that are certain to be announced this week at another major electronics trade event is Premier Mounts' new VIP-100 and VIP-200 iPad mounting frames.

Premier is set to introduce these accessories at Infocomm, and the company says the mounts can be used to safely secure an iPad to a table or stand. The mounts are VESA 100 compliant and the company says that once the VIP-100 and VIP-200 are installed, they provide users with the ability to operate their iPads without having to hold their devices.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

With the Memorial Day weekend holiday now in the rear-view mirror the summer season is in full swing.

One of the newer activities to join the likes of cookouts, Bocce and sunbathing among other things is video watching. Products like Runco's new CP-42HD and CP-52HD outdoor LCD televisions enable homeowners to watch 1080p movies, sports and network programming under a starlit sky or bright sunny day without having to go inside their homes.

The outdoor TVs are the latest additions to the company's Climate Portfolio line of weatherproof televisions and they include features such as 176-degree viewing angles, anti-reflection glass and they are available with the company's optional ColourPalette custom finish options.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

It's no longer debatable how greatly the huge company Apple Inc has impacted the relatively small custom electronics market.

The company's iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad touch products are revolutionizing how the electronics industry approaches component and system control.

Traditional custom installation equipment manufacturers like BitWise are taking advantage of Apple's technologies to offer installers market competitive solutions that leverage these Apple products.

BitWise's new iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad app can be used in tandem with its Project Editor software and BC4X1 Pro Automation Controller to control an end user's A/V equipment, home theater, business conference room system and automation system.

The free app is available for download on Apple's iTunes Web site and it can be used to address retrofit and new construction system installations.

Apple TV has always been viewed as a niche product for do-it-yourselfer (DIY'er) A/V enthusiasts, computer geeks and custom installers.

Now as rumors swirl about a new cloud-based Apple TV product announcement from the Cupertino, Calif. electronics company, specialty electronics manufacturers like Autonomic Controls are producing Apple enhancement products that enable installers to integrate Apple products into their system solutions.

Autonomic Controls' new Apple TV module for Crestron is SystemBuilder compatible, which the company says increases installers' ability to utilize Apple TV in their Crestron-based home control, home theater and whole-house A/V designs.

The module also enables installers to implement multiple Apple TV units running PC and Mac versions of iTunes, and it also recognizes Apple AirTunes via Ethernet to facilitate multi-zone control and media browsing from any touchpanel in the system.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

CE Pros interested in streamlining their inventories and product ordering processes have a new option to help accomplish these tasks.

Active Thermal Management's (ATM) new Tri-Mode Component Cooler is engineered to provide electronics professionals with a versatile cooling solution that can be implemented in the field in three different ways:

• As a heat-shielding shelf, cooling a hot component with ventilation openings on its top surface. In this application it's designed to prevent components above it from overheating.
• As a bottom or base, mounted component cooler that forces cool air up into a component with or without ventilation openings on its bottom surface.
• As a cooler for devices such as digital media extenders which are small enough to fit within the Tri-mode product.

ATM says that it can be setup to run continuously or triggered to activate when temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit if used in conjunction with the company's optional thermal switch accessory.

Monday, May 17, 2010

In preparation for the upcoming InfoComm show in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, Ind.-based Draper, Inc. announced two new projection screen products for commercial applications.

Highlighting the two new product announcements is the Low Gain Cineflex product, which the company says provides users with a wider viewing angle, while retaining high contrast levels.

The .8-gain screen is designed to minimize hot spotting, which allows it to be used for applications such as short-throw setups in church audio/video systems.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Over the years custom installers have appreciated the move by the electronics manufacturer Denon to differentiate its retail and custom installation product lines.

A few weeks ago the company announced three new additions to its custom installation receiver product line (CI) and slotted in the middle of the three products is the AVR-3311 CI, which is engineered by the company to provide installers with a product that is fully featured without the attachment of a big price tag.

To ensure its compatibility with the many advanced control and automation products that populate the market Denon has Worked with companies like Crestron, Universal Remote Control (URC), AMX, Control4 and RTI, and in addition, to ensure its product line's compatibility in today's digital world, the receiver along with its other products are certified “Compatible with Windows 7
.” Denon says this certification ensures compatibility with the updated ‘Play To’ functionality of Microsoft's latest operating system (OS).

Other features of the receiver include Ethernet connectivity, which facilitates entertainment options such as the inclusion of Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora and Flickr, IP-based control and the ability for CE Pros to remotely monitor, diagnose and correct system problems. Rounding out some its non-traditional features are Apple's "Works with iPhone" certification and DLNA connectivity.

Finally, the receiver incorporates all of the latest custom electronics features such as Dolby True HD and DTS MA decoding, Audyssey MultEQ room correction, Dolby Volume, seven HDMI inputs and two outputs, 12-volt triggers and Anchor Bay video processing.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Coming off the success of its well received Dream E projector, the French-based high-performance video manufacturer Dream Vision has just announced that it is expanding its line of LCoS-based projectors through the introduction of its new Starlight Series.

The Starlight Series is available in two versions: the Starlight1 and Starlight2, and they both incorporate 1920x1080 LCoS chipsets, HDMI inputs, Crystal Motion processing, HQV video processing and 2.35:1 CinemaScope processing.

The major differences between the two products lies in the rated contrast ratio ratings---32,000:1 for the Starlight1 versus the 50,000:1 for the Starlight2---and the additional custom installation provisions, which are incorporated into the Starlight2. Highlighting some of these features are an additional mode setting for dedicated theater environments, and calibration menus that include access to the unit's color management system (CMS).

Dream Vision is distributed in the U.S. by Audio Plus Services, and in addition to the choice of performance levels, Dream Vision also offers the Starlight Series in a choice finishes to enable the projectors to complement a variety of home decor styles.

Monday, May 10, 2010

It would be great for CE Pros if every client could afford, a powerful, flexible remote control solution that could do anything a homeowner would ever need.

Many consumers however, cannot afford to step up into those advanced products and often they are stuck with having to settle for an inferior device that doesn't meet their basic needs.

Universal Remote Control's (URC) Super Remote SR3 is a retail level product that is designed to fill that void for just $25, and according to the N.Y.-based company, it can replace up to three standard remote control products.

In the world of custom and specialty electronics the remote can be used as an affordable secondary remote for installations such as kids' rooms, dens and kitchens. The IR remote is programmable and it includes exclusive URC control options, such as MacroPower and SimpleSound, which manages the power settings and volume levels of the devices the remote is controlling.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Panamorph is a popular manufacturer of home theater lens products for applications that include CinemaScope systems.

Earlier this year the Colo.-based company introduced its new FVX200 Lens System, which it designed as a cost effective solution for systems that employ mid-market projectors.

Engineered for projectors that cost less than $10, 000, the FVX200 can be used with popular projectors like JVC's line of LCoS-based units, and the lens works with 3D and 1080p content.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Adding to its ever growing line of products, SnapAV has just introduced its AniWareBox series of digital video/audio over Cat-5 devices.

SnapAV engineered the products, which measure less than one-inch tall to fit into small spaces that include within a wall and equipment racks.

The company says the product is available in single and multiple component video/HD Audio versions, and it says the boxes are capable of sending HD signals up to 350 feet.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

With custom installers moving into commercial installations and dealing with new, Web-based technologies, it's only logical that they see products like the 2800 Series from Audio Authority using IP technologies to address video distribution.

Audio Authority says the 2800 Series is a product that's engineered to address the commercial video distribution market in a wide variety of ways to enable installers to easily address a number of job scenarios without having to learn a new piece of equipment.

The 2800 Series Audio Authority includes the single-source transmitter unit, the Model 2801 and the single-output Model 2811 receiver. According to the company, CE Pros can use these devices to build a system that has the capabilities of supporting up to 127 displays when used in tandem with ordinary off-the-shelf Gigabit Ethernet routers. The system is said to comply with the latest HDCP specification, version 2.0 and it utilizes 128-bit AES encryption for security purposes.