With Barco arguably one of the most active vendors in the meeting room space – although there is little doubt that SMART Technologies would fight their corner – perhaps levels of awareness are much greater in Europe than elsewhere in the world. In the run-up to InfoComm, Barco has announced a number of enhancements to its ClickShare range. These include the response to Christie’s centrally managed Brio nodes, the ClickShare Management Suite and a whole host of collaboration-centred displays designed as part of a complete meeting room suite.
But Barco was far from the only show in Vegas. While we have seen a lot of discussion about collaboration technology in the AV arena, there are also dozens of alternative solutions available with UC heritage. These are gradually breaking through (see our sister title UC News at www.ucnews.eu for examples), supplementing new solutions designed as easy-to-use meeting room solutions.
The variety of these reflects the state of a market in transition, with a mix of hardware, traditional networking and cloud / SaaS solutions on show.
Hardware solutions
Collaborative display pioneers InFocus showed two new products that consolidated their portfolio of IFPDs. The InFocus Q Tablet; is optimised for use in conference venues and classrooms in conjunction with the company’s Mondopad and a select range of projectors. Shipping with Microsoft Office 2013, the InFocus Q Tablet comes pre-installed with four InFocus apps specifically designed to facilitate sharing, viewing and controlling content on Mondopad or an InFocus wireless-enabled projector.
The second announcement by InFocus is designed to simplify visual desk-to-desk communication about as far as possible. The MVP100 Video Phone and 121 (one-to-one) Video Calling service. The InFocus MVP100 IP video phone is said to complement expensive organisational travel with a simple device that maintains the in-person experience when frequent travelling isn’t an option. It features an adjustable 10.1-inch HD display and 720p camera that delivers a clear, smooth image. In addition to enabling video calls, the MVP100 can display digital whiteboard sessions from the InFocus Mondopad and files other video calling devices may share. The device can make calls to, and receive calls from, audio-only telephones – with optional public switched telephone network (PTSN) service.
The MVP100 works out of the box once connected to the Internet, without any configuration and, once registered with InFocus.net has optional additional services like sharable contact lists. It also has an optional headset to facilitate private conversations.
Collaboration has the potential to spawn whole new categories of device for specific vertical market applications. The HCS-8338 Series by TAIDEN, for example, is described as a “new generation paperless multimedia conference system that is packed with enhanced capabilities, heightened performance.”
Multimedia conference systems are all-in-one units including most of the tools required in meeting environments: a microphone and speaker for audio intelligibility; a built-in touch-screen to review meeting documents; videos and other materials as well as all traditional features of conference systems such as electronic voting, security identification, digital audio recording and language interpretation.
The HCS-8338 multimedia terminal now has a 10” capacitive touch panel supporting multi-touch. The screen resolution has been raised to 1280 × 800 and the built-in camera was brought up to 5 megapixels. Typical applications of the HCS-8338 include council chambers, international conference centres and other auditoriums.
Enter the cloud
You can’t go far in the collaboration space without the cloud becoming an issue. Clary Icon introduced OneScreen SoftServe, a cloud-based collaboration hub providing instant access to the familiar applications people need to work together — video, audio and web conferencing, whiteboarding and presenting.
Sufian Munir, CEO of Clary Icon, explains: “Clary Icon creates people-centric, collaboration solutions. We recognise that the barriers formed between disparate communication and collaboration technologies inherently build barriers to how people work together. OneScreen SoftServe breaks down the barriers to workflow and provides easy access to all of the tools, information, and people that users need, irrespective of the technologies they prefer to use.”
Muniz argues that, instead of just asking which UC technologies, organisations should look at how their teams naturally work on a day-to-day basis, only then asking how to best facilitate that workflow. “Today, the market is well aware that users want choice, flexibility, and access when it comes to their work tools. Additionally, every meeting is unique; each one includes a different blend of work tools needed, attendee locations and technologies connecting.”
Mersive is a company that is making its presence felt with its Solstice software being adopted across a range of vertical markets. Solstice software is a visual collaboration solution enabling multiple users to connect, share and control a display simultaneously from their mobile device – phone, tablet or computer — using an existing IP network. With Solstice, anyone with a mobile device or laptop can walk into a study room, classroom or meeting room and instantly connect, share and control the display, creating an immediate collaboration session.
The Solstice software includes the ability for multiple people to display multiple pieces of content on the screen at one time; all the while, allowing the session leader to take control of the room and moderate what content is permitted to be posted to the display. In the latest education installation, Cisco connected classrooms will be Solstice-enabled, bringing visual collaboration to the larger, classroom setting.
Oslo-based Pexip also announced success in the education market with its new Infinity Virtual Auditorium solution has been deployed by Indiana University (IU) as part of a major expansion of its distance learning services. Part of Pexip’s Infinity meeting platform, the entirely software-based solution allows campuses to provide virtual classrooms where instructors and students can meet without the need to add any custom hardware to existing IT infrastructures.
Designed to engage students in large remote learning sessions, the virtualised platform gives learners full control over the user experience while providing instructors and administrators with simple operation and management tools. Using Pexip Infinity, the new education-based solution allows virtual meeting rooms (VMRs) via video, voice, and data collaboration — so students, teachers, or any other higher education participant can simply meet anywhere, anytime.
A new version of Infinity was shown at InfoComm, with new security features to meet United States Federal Government requirements. Other enhancements include: Active Directory (AD) integration; role-based authentication: and secure NTP/SNMP (to provide IT managers with the tools for secure meeting platform management).
Integration
However appealing cloud-based solutions and wireless networks there are installations where these will not do. Here the installer is tasked with integrating the technology into sharp modern office interiors – even when the infrastructure of collaboration is more traditional than the finish might suggest.
InfoComm 2014 highlights
Our highly selective choice of 10 of the innovations on show at InfoComm 2014:
1. Ricoh PJ WX4141N / PJ WX4141NI
It’s encouraging to see a well-known office equipment brand extending its commitment to the AV sector. Ricoh unveiled a new ultra short throw projection system for collaboration applications. “Information mobility is a relatively recent term used to describe the state in which an evolving workforce makes smart and strategic use of technology to manage the information it needs to make intelligent business decisions,” is how they describe its use. In a recent online survey among select industries in the U.S. commissioned by Ricoh, 92% of respondents said collaborating in real-time with people in multiple locations is very important – yet those surveyed found this to be a task that is very difficult to do. “Nearly 40% find it difficult to use different platforms or services to communicate externally from their office, and 41 percent find it difficult to collaborate with co-workers located in other offices.” The PJ WX4141NI can communicate with other networkable Ricoh projectors on the local network, enabling users in different conference rooms to simultaneously view and mark up the same presentation. With an optional upgrade to Luidia eBeam software, users can bring videos, animations, graphics and PowerPoint slides into the displayed image and save them, along with mark-ups, as Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. eBeam also enables users to collaborate globally via the Internet enabling mark-up of the same presentation.
The ET-D75LE90 from Panasonic is an ultra short throw lens for 3-chip DLP 5K+ lumen projectors. Compatible with projectors such as the flagship 20,000 lumen PT-DZ21K Series, the ET-D75LE90 lens delivers a 0.36:1 throw ratio (in WUXGA models) and enables 200” diagonal image projection at a throw distance of just five feet from the screen. Panasonic drew on proprietary aspheric lens technology that it currently uses in its high-end interchangeable lens camera and professional camcorders to develop this groundbreaking ultra short throw lens. With its ability to maximize tight spaces yet retain a super-high brightness, the new lens is described as ideal for a variety of large venues, such as theatres, houses of worship, auditoriums and museums. While the lens enables projection without casting shadows onto the screen or blinding the presenter in front projection, the lens can also foster flexibility through rear-projection.
3. SMART kapp 
SMART Technologies returned to InfoComm 2014 to launch SMART kapp -: a digital capture board that creates the company believes will create a completely new product category. While SMART kapp is just as easy and intuitive to use as a dry-erase board, it enables users to write, draw and brainstorm using an ink marker – just as they would with a dry-erase board. But with SMART kapp, co-workers and clients can follow the process in real-time, where everything appears on their digital devices. The work is saved with SMART’s software and then as a final product as PDFs or JPEGs for sharing with others. The ability to capture, save and share content is based on the SMART kapp app. Currently available as a free download for iOS and Android users (with Windows mobile support coming soon), the SMART kapp app enables users to pair their tablets or smartphones to a SMART kapp board with a scan of a QR code or a tap of its NFC tag. The app activates live web-sharing with up to five users, access to the snapshot library, PDF and JPEG save & share, and Evernote. Later this year, SMART will launch subscription services within the app which open up advanced features for cloud collaboration. It will include live web sharing with PIN protection, a large number of concurrent web viewers, and advanced search and index tools to get even more out of SMART kapp snapshots.
4. Christie Velvet – High Resolution LED Tiles
At ISE 2014, direct LED displays were one of the outstanding trends in the show, and that trend continued in Las Vegas. At InfoComm, Christie introduced the Christie Velvet line of built-to-order, high resolution indoor LED panels. Available in various pixel pitches, Christie says the high-output LEDs are well-suited to various indoor applications such as retail, casinos, museums, corporate lobbies and control room environments, where 24/7/365 reliability is required. Depending on customers’ needs, Christie Velvet LED displays can be mounted in a variety of orientations, including curved, suspended from ceilings and structures or connected to each other to create a seamless array. “LED video walls have become a viable technology for many indoor applications,” said Richard Heslett, senior product manager at Christie. “With their reliable 24/7 operation, fine pixels, and long life, many businesses are turning to LEDs; however, obtaining them to customer specifications has been a challenge for integrators and end users. Christie Velvet LED displays are manufactured to the highest quality standards, and are backed by the excellent pre- and post-service and support that Christie is known for around the world.”
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Christie Velvet: displays can be mounted in a variety of orientations, including curved, suspended from ceilings and structures or connected to each other to create a seamless array.
5. Peerless-AV PeerSound wireless audio system
The industry’s first and, Peerless says, only rack mountable wireless audio transmission system with a remote antenna, the PeerSound, provides a reliable wireless solution for zoned audio systems or can be used to support surround sound applications – especially in areas that are difficult and/or costly to run speaker wires. As a rack mountable solution, the PeerSound integrates into the component rack for a quick, flexible installation that provides an aesthetically pleasing look for customers when using wireless devices. The remote antenna mounting capability allows installers to move the antenna up to 10 feet away from structures that reduce Wi-Fi performance.
6. ViewSonic PLED projectors
ViewSonic previewed its new ultra-portable PLED-W600 and PLED-W800 digital projectors. These ultra-portable projectors utilise the latest in solid state LED technology for more than 20,000 hours of operation time, and include a built-in MHL (Mobile High Definition)-enabled HDMI port for optional wireless capabilities. The PLED-W600 and PLED-W800 have 2X digital zoom and automatically adjusts video source content to match 4:3, 16:9 or 16:10 for the perfect picture. The PLED-W600 weighs 1.7 pounds and has a brightness of up to 600 lumens, while the PLED-W800 has a brightness of up to 800 lumens and weighs 1.8 pounds. Both LED projectors feature 720p native HD, WXGA resolution and a contrast of 3500:1 for crisp image quality. ViewSonic’s PLED-W600 will be available at a MSRP of $729.00(USD) and the PLED-W800 will be available at a MSRP of $949.00(USD) and both will be available in Q3
7. LG 98LS95A 4K display
LG’s new 98-inch class 4K Ultra HD Display (98LS95A) led the company’s 2014 commercial-grade Ultra HD digital signage line-up. The display, with a bezel width of just 14.6mm at its thinnest point, can be mounted in portrait or landscape mode for a wide range of commercial applications. Like its big brother, LG’s new 84-inch class (84.04 inches measured diagonally) 84WS70MS Ultra HD LED commercial display boasts four times the resolution of Full HD displays. These edge-lit LED displays offer an attractive alternative to traditional tiled video walls. For example, the 98-inch class model is equivalent to a 2×2 47-inch class array, while the 84-inch class matches the size and resolution of a four 42-inch class screens. LG also demonstrated its 105-inch class “5K” Ultra HD display with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It combines the ultra-wide format with a 5120 x 2160 resolution. LG’s also showed multi-touch signage displays with up to 10 simultaneous touches, making them an ideal solution for way-finding and other interactive touch applications, such as an educational platform in schools and museums or as a sales tool in retail stores. The 84-inch class (84.04 inches measured diagonally) 84WT70PS, which LG believes to be the world’s largest Ultra HD-based touch screen display, with a 3840 X 2160 resolution and LG’s IPS panel technology. Also of interest from LG was its range of 47- and 55-inch outdoor displays. These models feature ‘shine-out’ capabilities that help reflect away the sun to aid image visibility even in direct sunlight.
8. Christie GS laser phosphor projector
Advances in both pure laser and laser phosphor projection were a definite theme at InfoComm 2014. Debutants included the new Christie GS Series of 1-chip DLP laser-diode projectors with resolutions including WXGA, HD and WUXGA. Christie says that the new models provide a cost-effective solution with outstanding colour matching and optional blending and warping for curved surfaces. Applications for the Christie GS include boardrooms and conference rooms, government facilities, higher education, houses of worship and selected location-based entertainment venues, such as casinos and live event theatres. With features including wireless connectivity and a suite of optional lenses for greater installation flexibility, Christie says the GS Series delivers 24/7 capabilities with no loss of image quality. Input options include Display Port, HDMI, DVI and HDBaseT and output is rated at 5400 ANSI lumens.
9. Sony SRX-T423 commercial 3D projector
As part of its new 5-strong crop of new projector models (see News in this issue(, Sony showed the 23,000 (centre) lumen, 4K SXRDTM at InfoComm. The new SRX-T423 3D dual projection system is designed for installation in large-venue commercial applications such as entertainment, auditorium/lecture hall presentations, simulation, theme parks, museums and planetariums. The 4K resolution (4096 x 2160) projector more than doubles the light efficiency of competitive 3D systems, with 40,000 lumens of 3D brightness in dual projection mode. In addition to its high brightness, it delivers a contrast ratio of 3,000:1.
10. Samsung QMD 4K displays
InfoComm 2014 was awash with 4K flatscreen, but, as at ISE in February, Samsung’s offerings were among the best. The company unveiled the QMD Series, a new line-up of 4K UHD commercial displays, said to be ideal for high-end retail, hospitality or public spaces. The Samsung QMD Series is a slim, full-featured range designed for customers looking to make the step up from HD to UHD. A Picture by Picture function allows users to display up to four content feeds at once, each supporting Full HD 1080 resolution. The QMD Series also supports full 60Hz content playback utilizing up to two DisplayPort 1.2 ports. “Samsung has a legacy of leadership in display technology and digital signage, and we are now leading the exciting transition to UHD for customers looking to deliver more visually engaging, memorable visual experiences,” said Tod Pike, Senior Vice President at Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division. “As 4K content becomes more prevalent and cost-effective to produce, offerings like our new QMD Series enable early adopters to wow their audiences and ensure they are future-proofed as the UHD becomes the new standard.”
