Dominated by DLP technology, the future of the projector market is 3D, according to Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the premiere info-gathering firm for worldwide front projector market information.

According to PMA, the worldwide front projector market for 3D-enabled models will grow from about 1.0 million during 2010 to nearly 5.4 million in 2010.

“PMA forecasts that the lion’s share of annual shipments will be those models incorporating TI’s DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology, because it takes very little additional effort or cost to make those models 3D-ready,” said Dr. William Coggshall, President of Pacific Media Associates.

“In the immediate future it appears to us at PMA that consumer-oriented markets for gaming, TV (especially sports), and movies will get more attention than education. The demand for 3D digital cinema currently outstrips supply, so if projector makers can leverage that to boost sales of home theater models the projector business will benefit. And the high price of 3D-enabled flat panel TVs compared with front projectors means that ardent gamers could choose projectors,” concludes Coggshall.

To read all about PMA’s 3D projections, go to: http://www.pacificmediaassociates.com/

ClearOne Does Almost $10 Million in QS, 2010

Revenue for the 2010 second quarter increased 41 percent to $9.9 million from $7.1 million in the same quarter of last year. Gross profit rose to $5.7 million, or 57 percent of revenue, from $3.2 million, or 45 percent of revenue, for the prior year period. Operating income was $520,000 compared to an operating loss of $946,000 in the same period of fiscal 2009. Net income was $353,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, versus net loss of $402,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2009.

For the first six months of 2010, revenue increased 25 percent to $18.3 million from $14.7 million for the same period of 2009. Gross profit was $10.9 million, or 59 percent of revenue, from $7.2 million, or 49 percent of revenue, for the comparable prior year period. Operating income was $977,000 compared to an operating loss of $516,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2009. Net income was $570,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, versus net loss of $42,000, for the comparable prior period.

To read the entire financial release from ClearOne, go here: http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=509&ResLibraryID=39943&Category=17

Conferencing

Polycom and Microsoft Partner

Polycom and Microsoft have announced an expanded agreement to deliver integrated end-to-end unified communications (UC) that will encompass Microsoft branded software, hardware, networking and services, and will enable customers to improve business productivity and reduce travel, telecom and IT operating costs.

What Does This Mean for the ProAV market?

According to Polycom, they’re partnering with Microsoft to develop best of breed, natively integrated UC solutions that are guaranteed to work now and into the future (future-proof). In other words, both see Cisco as a threat and they both want to maintain leadership positions and commitments.

Although no specifics were released, Polycom will be developing a broad base of solutions for Microsoft Communications Server "14" and beyond including:

New and next-generation Polycom CX series endpoints optimized for Microsoft UC, featuring Polycom's market-leading HD video and voice technologies

New, innovative room-based video systems designed specifically for enabling direct integration with Microsoft Communications Server "14"

Additional interoperable solutions between Polycom's existing and future video conferencing solutions

Here’s a video from Microsoft and Polycom market that may help you understand the partnership.

Projection

NEC Adds 16:4 Aspect Ratio LCD to Digital Signage Line

NEC Display recently announced a unique addition to its X Series, a 43-inch X431BT bar-type (for lack of a better term) display with 1920x480 native resolution and 700 cd/m² maximum brightness. Everyone, including NEC, has 16:9 LCDs for DS applications, but not everyone is looking at different, unique sized applications. InfoComm saw the availability of Christie’s MicroTiles, but this is a flat panel, direct-view LCD monitor that’s basically a long, thin strip.

The X431BT includes DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-D connectivity, capability to be mounted in both landscape and portrait orientation, includes Picture in Picture (PIP), Picture on Picture (POP) and side-by-side display modes and two inputs can be displayed simultaneously in any of the modes by either maintaining one aspect ratio or evenly stretching both images to fill each half of the screen.

To see all the tech specs, go to: http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=d42d107d-3848-4120-9669-b0d0903691b0

Integrator Solutions

Dukane Launches New Classroom Cart

We love the compatibility of this new cart from Dukane. It’s not the most attractive classroom cart ever -- but then again, most lecture carts being used in K-12 are pretty unattractive.

Dubbed the Mini Mobile Projection system, it’s marketed by Dukane as an option for schools that can’t afford one projector in each classroom but still need the technology. Designed to be used with any portable projector you want, the cart is all metal and on wheels. It’s already integrated with a gooseneck document camera, includes a DVD/VCR combo player, and has built-in speakers. And, it locks.

But, it’s cheap! Check it out at: http://www.dukane.com/av/products/mps.asp?Model=mps

Sharp First with 100GB Blu-ray:BDXL

Sharp is the first optical disc maker to launch a new Blu-ray format (BDXL) that offers 100GB to 128GB of storage. This is pretty interesting since Sony invented Blu-ray! While the existing dual-layer Blu-ray format offers approximately 50GB per disc, the new BDXL format (by increasing the allowed layers on a disc from two to four) gathers up to 128GB for write-once and 100GB for re-writeable type discs.

Dubbed the VR-100BR1, the first Sharp BDXL Blu-ray disc player will first be available in Japan.

Want details? Go to: http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/100716_2.html

Kramer Announces SD/HD-SDI to HDMI Format Converter/Switcher

Kramer has introduced the FC-321, a converter for SDI, HD-SDI, and 3G HD-SDI to HDMI. Accepting a multi-standard SDI signal, either SDI (SMPTE 259M and SMPTE 344M), HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) or 3G HD-SDI (SMPTE 424M) on BNC, the FC-321 converts the video and audio signal into an HDMI signal output via an HDMI connector and includes a rotary switch for selecting an SDI input stereo channel from among the eight pairs of audio embedded in the signal (zero to seven).

The FC-321 is HDTV compatible and operates with the included 5V DC power supply. For more information, go to http://www.kramer-us.com/products/model.asp?pid=1675

Extron Ships XTRA Series Power Amplifiers

Extron has announced the immediate availability of the XPA 2002-70V, XPA 2003C-70V, and XPA 2004 power amplifiers. These compact 1U, convection cooled, high power two, three, and four channel amplifiers offer 200 watts rms per channel and up to 800 watts rms total power output. They feature an Extron exclusive, highly efficient, advanced Class D design with patented CDRS™ - Class D Ripple Suppression technology that provides a smooth, clean audio waveform and an improvement in signal fidelity over conventional Class D amplifier designs.

These amplifiers are ENERGY STAR qualified, are housed in a 1U, convection cooled, full rack width enclosure, and do not require fans for cooling. They feature an auto power-down feature that automatically places each amplifier into standby after a period of inactivity, and consume 28 watts or less when idle and less than 1 watt in standby mode. They also have an ultra low inrush current draw to prevent power circuit overload that occurs when multiple amplifiers are switched on simultaneously. Extron says this feature eliminates the need for power sequencing to be built into systems designed with multiple amplifiers in large centralized equipment racks, and prevents other equipment from experiencing power interruption from associated power surges. Additionally, XTRA Series amplifiers feature very low thermal dissipation under full load, which keeps racks and equipment cabinets cool.

For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=xtraseriesad

Audio

Extron Adds Features to ProAV Surround Sound Processor

Extron has added several new features for the SSP 7.1 Surround Sound Processor, including a seven-channel, nine-band parametric EQ; Live and Emulate operation modes with configuration file saving; and up to 100 ms of lip sync adjustment on each input. These new features can be accessed with Version 2.0 of the Setup and Control Software, which provides a user-friendly interface for simplified setup and control of the SSP 7.1, as well as calibration of the sound system. The upgrade is included with SSP 7.1 units now shipping, and is available as a free software download and firmware update for current users.

The SSP 7.1 was launched earlier this year and you can see all the product details here: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=sspad&s=0

Home Control

Control4 Announces More In-Wall Touch Screens

Control4 has announced a new generation of “affordable” dedicated in-wall touch screens called the InfinityEdge -- 5-inch and 7-inch edge-to-edge capacitive glass and a low-profile design at $599 and $899, respectively. With a choice of AC power or Power Over Ethernet, wired or Wi-Fi connectivity options and four programmable buttons for macro commands, the InfinityEdge touch screens include Control4’s OS 2.0 and their new Flash-based user interface.

To learn more, go to: http://www.control4.com/infinity/

Home Audio

Klipsch Intros Reference II Series Speakers

Klipsch has launched its Reference II Series speakers, an improvement to their

popular Reference speakers and comprised of 17 speaker models.

Now in its fifth generation, according to Klipsch, the Reference II Series speakers present even higher sound quality due to re-engineered drivers and a new crossover system. Complete with their proprietary Tractrix Horn technology, the new line includes new black metallic finished baffles, machined Cerametallic woofers, logos (if you’re into that sort of selling) and feet.

To new line is here: http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/reference/

Gefen Volume Stablizer Fixes Loud Commercials

In the creative product category with a “regular name,” the new Gefen Auto Volume Stabilizer automatically levels the volume on all television programs and movies to make audio more consistent, eliminating notoriously loud audio spikes during commercials. It also offers the ability to use Dolby Digital decoded 5.1. audio and output it as two-channel (L/R) analog audio.

The product accepts three different audio inputs: two digital (coax; optical) and one analog (L/R). All three inputs can be connected at the same time, with users switching between sources using a selector button on the device or by IR remote.

To see all the specs, go to: http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=8707

Home Integrator Solutions

Onkyo Adds Two More Home Theater Receivers

Adding two new models to their home theater receiver line, Onkyo says the mid-priced HT-RC260 and the more “upscale” HT-RC270 are both 7.2-channel systems with the latest 3D-Ready HDMI-1.4a interface. It supports surround sound via Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. Both models also include Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz for added sonic dimensions, and Faroudja DCDI Cinema video processing to upscale video to full 1080p output regardless of the input source resolution.

The HT-RC270 is THX-Select 2Plus Certified and features Audyssey MultEQ for room equalization setup, is fully network capable with both DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 compatibility for PC audio and Internet radio and includes Sirius.

You can learn more at: http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

Yamaha Debuts New Flagship Receiver Line

Dubbed AVENTAGE, the new flagship series of HomeAV receivers all include 7.2 audio channels with full HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio); Four SCENE buttons; iPod compatibility (with optional YDS-12 or YID-W10 wireless yAired dock); Bluetooth compatibility; Compressed Music Enhancer; Low Jitter PLL Circuitry; HDMI V.1.4a 3D Pass-through with ARC (Audio Return Channel); YPAO room optimizer; and analog-to-HDMI 1080p video upscaling with video de-interlacing of non-HD sources. The entire series is integrated with Deep Color (30/36 bit) technology, x.v.Color, 24Hz refresh, audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video inputs and auto lip-sync compensation, which Yamaha claims automatically eliminates audio/video sync issues.

Yamaha says the top two units in the AVENTAGE series are the industry’s first A/V receivers to incorporate the exceptional HQV “Vida” video processing chipset to ensure peak video performance. The top four units also feature dual HDMI or “Zone B” output capability for convenient dual HDTV viewing for the main room or use in a secondary room to share all available main system HDMI sources.

Yamaha’s AVENTAGE Series line consists of five models - all 3D capable) For complete specs, go to: http://www.yamaha.com

iPort Shows iPad Wall-Mount Integration

iPort’s latest in-wall mounting system, the CM-IW200, is for those of you out there trying to find an elegant way to mount iPads being used as either media servers, control panels, or both in HomeAV applications. In addition to an in-wall mount, the CM-IW200 provides a continuous charge, home button access and different magnet bezel options to hide the systems mounting inside the wall. To learn more, go to: http://www.iportmusic.com/products/CM

Home Media Servers & Players

Crestron Adds Features to ADMS

Native Netflix integration, Hulu movie access, one-step software downloads and daily Internet TV station downloads are a few of the new features on the new Crestron ADMS system upgrade. Designed to be a home media server, the Crestron ADMS is a music, photo and video server for a home theater as well as an Internet-browsing WebTV device. For complete details on ADMS, go to: http://www.crestron.com/solutions/adms_intermedia_delivery_media_server/

Final Words

Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe Asia. Thank you for spending time with us as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting the newsletter, or to sign up a friend, visit the website: www.raveproasia.com

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