Recent Work

Integrators can now affordably test AV over IP performance through any Cisco network switch

RA’ANANA, ISRAEL, July 6, 2020 — MSolutions, a leading supplier of test devices for commercial and residential AV environments, announces the immediate availability of its IP Network Analyzer software introduced at ISE2020 in February. Available for use on its MS-TestPro portable test device, the specialized, secure software gives integrators an affordable toolset to test AV signal integrity and performance over IP networks.

The MS-TestPro is the first HDBaseT tester to integrate AV over IP test capabilities, eliminating the need for an expensive standalone network tester. The initial software release is compatible with Cisco network switches and is activated upon connecting the MS-TestPro to the network switch. Customers can download the IP Network Analyzer software to their existing MS-TestPro devices for an immediate 14-day trial, or purchase the software for use on newdevices.

The IP Network Analyzer software provides immediate, detailed feedback on network and switch information and settings, and a general overview of IP network conditions and connections. The information received allows integrators to quickly confirm if network settings fit AV over IP performance requirements, and that the switch configuration can support smooth video streaming. Specific features and capabilities include:

• Identification of network configuration faults
• Identification of network port status (open or blocked) and present network nodes
• Confirmation that pertinent multicast settings are correctly enabled
• IGMP Snooping, including VLAN setup and fast-leave supports
• SNMP compatibility for network status queries

The ability to test HDBaseT, HDMI and IP performance from a single device is ideal for technicians managing hybrid installations, both in commercial and residential environments. This added value amplifies MSolutions’ “all-in-one” value proposition by offering customers a single, modular device for testing AV over IP, HDBaseT and HDMI performance, plusDC Resistance.

“This industry-first innovation represents an affordable value-added option for technicians seeking to minimize the number of testers they carry from job to job,” said Eliran Toren, CEO, MSolutions. “As Cisco switches are among the most widely used network switches in AV over IP installations today, the software will provide a near-immediate ROI for our customers installing complex AV over IP systems today. Installers will achieve the same problem-free installations and certifications they enjoy today using our testers with HDBaseT and HDMI systems. And, they can do so with no security risk to the customers’ IP networks.”

MSolutions is actively testing its IP Network Analyzer software with other leading network switch manufacturers, with additional compatibility announcements expected over the coming months. As with Cisco switches, the software will be pre-populated with specific vendor parameters for custom testing and reporting with each compatible switch moving forward.

About MSolutions

Since 2016, MSolutions has developed state-of-the-art HDBaseT test, multimedia and switching solutions for leading enterprises and integrators in the Pro AV and government markets. The company designs and manufactures advanced, high-quality systems that make media networks based on HDBaseT easier to install, more stable, and more enjoyable for end users. The MSolutions team leverages extensive experience and expertise, having been directly involved in HDBaseT development, support and sales since the standard was introduced in 2010. For more information, visit www.m4sol.com and follow MSolutions on Twitter @m4sols.

Extended warranty covers eligible DSP products, expansion cards and other modular solutions shipping from authorized partners from July 1, 2020

Toronto, July 1, 2020 — Xilica®, a global leader in digital signal processing technology for AV/IT, will provide a “Five-Year Limited Warranty” covering most eligible, Xilica-branded products starting July 1, 2020. The modular nature of Xilica digital signal processing (DSP) solutions means that the warranty will also cover new expansion modules, field-swappable cards, and other devices that expand a previously-purchased DSP’s capabilities.

The new extended warranty aligns with changing customer habits and requirements that relate to both system scalability, and the increased integration of digital signal processing within modern AV/IT networks.

“Xilica customers place their trust in the Xilica brand based on its proven track record of reliability and durability,” said Donny Chow, CEO for Xilica. “By extending its three-year limited warranty to five years, Xilica underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering quality, value, and reliability to our global base of partners and end customers.”

The extended warranty, which is limited to Xilica solutions sold by authorized dealers or distributors, ensures quick replacement to address system failures. Xilica will overnight replacement products to U.S customers to minimize downtime during repairs. Outside the U.S., customers will receive prompt attention from any of Xilica’s 75+ global service centers, which are staffed with Xilica Certified technicians. With their shared commitment to providing a quality customer experience, Xilica’s global service partners will expedite equipment swaps and backups from their inventoriesto ensure customer satisfaction.

Chow notes that many of Xilica’s competitors cap their warranties at just one, two, or three years. “We at Xilica are confident about the quality, durability, and robustness of our DSP product portfolio, and we guarantee exceptional performance through one of the best DSP manufacturer warranties in the business,” he said. “Should you have a problem with a Xilica product, rest assured that we will promptly make it right, regardless of your location.”

About Xilica

Xilica® is an award-winning manufacturer of innovative, next-generation digital signal processing solutions for AV/ITcontrol and command applications including conference, corporate, hospitality and leisure, retail and transportation. From its headquarters in Toronto, Canada, Xilica sells and supports products worldwide in over 75 countries, gaining rapid acknowledgement for its all-modular, ultra-small-format and high-performance product ranges that solve critical business challenges.

www.xilica.com

Two new models enhance connectivity options in meeting spaces, classrooms, and other collaborative and presentation AV environments

SAN JOSE, California, May 28, 2020 – Atlona expands the HDVS-CAM family of enterprise-grade PTZ cameras. Available immediately, Atlona’s two new camera models are purpose-built for HDBaseT and HDMI interfacing, providing integrators with flexible options to build systems for conferencing and other applications inside meeting spaces, training rooms and classrooms, among other AV environments.

The Atlona HDVS-CAM family is built for video conferencing systems, and is also ideal for instructional applications such as lecture capture and distance learning. The two new models offer a similar feature set, including professional-quality imaging for video resolutions up to 1080p @ 60 Hz, fast and accurate auto-focusing, a quick pan-and-tilt mechanism with minimal noise, and availability in black or white versions. Both cameras also offer effective upgrades to existing codecs in legacy video conferencing systems, delivering high-quality imaging performance and ease of installation.

The two cameras differ most on the connectivity side, with each providing a unique value proposition:

HDMI and USB

The AT-HDVS-CAM-HDMI features an HDMI output plus a USB 2.0 interface for video and camera control, with simultaneous video output available over both interfaces to support conferencing and lecture capture, or a legacy hardware codec alongside modern software video conferencing. This camera adds value within multi-usage applications for live presentation, recording, streaming, and conferencing. Software video conferencing capability is enabled via USB connectionto a PC, with PTZ camera control available from popular soft codec and UC clients such as Microsoft® Teams®, Zoom™, BlueJeans™, Slack™, Cisco® WebEx®, and GoToMeeting®.

Integrators working with Atlona’s Omega™ Series of switchers and extenders can also seamlessly integrate with these systems, and develop a complete conferencing system that includes AV and USB extension.

HDBaseT

The AT-HDVS-CAM-HDBT features an HDBaseT output for extending video, power and camera control over distances up to 330 feet (100 meters), and enables simple, clean connectivity over category network cabling. This camera simplifiesremote interfacing with HDBaseT switchers and extenders. Remote camera powering over HDBaseT further streamlines integration, with the freedom to install the camera anywhere without the need for AC power.

Whereas the HDMI model is ideal for smaller to medium sized meeting spaces and classrooms, the AT-HDVS-CAM-HDBT provides customers with an easily extendable solution for larger meeting spaces, lecture halls, and auditoriums.

About Atlona
Atlona, a Panduit company, is a leading global manufacturer of AV over IP distribution, connectivity, and control solutions. The company designs and engineers innovative, award-winning products for a diverse range of residential and commercial AV and IT markets. Backed by an award-winning 10-year warranty, Atlona’s products are developed to enable our customers’ ability to connect and collaborate with simplicity. More information about Atlona is available at atlona.com.

About Panduit
Global connectivity leader Panduit Corp. creates innovative electrical and network infrastructure solutions for applications across the enterprise. Headquartered in Tinley Park, Ill. and operating in 112 worldwide locations, Panduit’s technology leadership and robust ecosystem help support, sustain, and empower business growth in a connected world. panduit.com

Ease of use, quality and reliability of Z-HD5000 cameras enable Athletics department to step up their production game

Woodbury, NY, May 27, 2020 — Spanning a 130-acre campus in historic Florence, Alabama, the University of North Alabama (UNA) – the state’s oldest public four-year university – hosts over 8,000 students and is home to the NCAA Division I North Alabama Lions. When the university’s Athletics department needed to upgrade and expand its video production capabilities in preparation for ESPN+ streaming broadcasts, it purchased four Z-HD5000 HDTV cameras from Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd. (Hitachi Kokusai) to meet its goals.

UNA’s 14 renowned collegiate athletic programs have collected more than 60 conference championships, dozens of number-one national rankings and seven national titles. After competing in NCAA Division II for over 40 years, the school accepted an invitation from the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference to transition to Division I. With the move came the requirement for the school to begin broadcasting their games on ESPN+, which necessitated a significant overhaul of the Athletics department’s production operations.

“For our previous streaming initiative, the now-discontinued Lion Vision, we used just a single basic camera,” said Eddy Forsythe, athletics broadcast/video coordinator at UNA. “We needed to upgrade all of our production equipment, from the cameras to the switcher and graphics system to properly represent our Athletics program on EPSN+.”

The department commissioned the build of a mobile production trailer, which spends most of its time in the basketball and volleyball gymnasium – known as Flowers Hall – but moves to other venues as needed. For the cameras, Forsythe looked first to his successful past experiences with Hitachi Kokusai.

“I had used Hitachi cameras many times throughout my 33 years in the broadcast industry before coming to UNA,” he explained. “They were always very good products, and very durable. I knew I could count on Hitachi cameras whenever I needed them. I just fire a Hitachi camera up, and it works.”

UNA’s four Z-HD5000 cameras were first used on a November 2018 women’s volleyball game, and are now used to cover baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball matches. In addition to ESPN+ broadcasts, the cameras feed large video boards within Flowers Hall to drive fan engagement, as well as recording footage for highlight reels and melts that are sent to the ASUN conference office.

Forsythe praises the Z-HD5000s’ exceptional ease of use as valuable, particularly with his frequently changing crew of student volunteers. “Most of our volunteers are not in a related program, but just kids who want to learn the business,” he explained. “The learning curve on these cameras is next to nothing. I can take a new student volunteer, and within five to ten minutes I can turn them into a camera operator.”

Further aiding that ease are the cameras’ consistency and minimal maintenance requirements. “Once you sent them up, you don’t need to keep adjusting them; just turn them on, and they’re ready to go,” described Forsythe. “I don’t even remember the last time I had to adjust the white balance except when we move them between venues.”

The visual quality enabled by the Z-HD5000s has also lived up to Forsythe’s high expectations, while the cameras’ ability to adapt to varied lighting conditions has proven valuable for the university’s wide range of sports and venues. “We’re very pleased with the quality of our resulting productions – it’s second to none,” he said. “Of course, with cameras, the picture quality always comes back to lighting. For a daylight football game or in our LED-lit gym, the quality is just beautiful, and the Hitachi cameras handle low-light situations such as evening softball games much better than our previous cameras.”

Overall, the department’s equipment upgrade and new streaming outlet have elevated both their production results and the university’s public exposure. “Using the Hitachi cameras in our trailer has improved the quality of our productions, while broadcasting our games on ESPN+ has given us nationwide recognition,” summarized Forsythe. “We’ve always had a very good athletics program here at the University of North Alabama, but when we put our product out there on ESPN+, now we’ve got folks all across the country watching. That’s pretty sweet, and the Hitachi cameras are a key part of it.”

About Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a company that manufactures broadcasting systems, security and surveillance systems, wireless communications and information systems. Fiscal 2018 (ended March 31, 2019) sales totaled 85,932 million Yen. For more information on Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc., please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi-kokusai.co.jp/global/en/index.html.

ATLANTA, GA – May 26, 2020 – Visix, Inc. has released version 1.32 of their AxisTV Signage Suite digital signage software with a new Voice Recognizer Widget that turns any screen into a hands-free interactive sign.

AxisTV Signage Suite users can drag and drop the new Voice Recognizer Widget (VRW) onto any layout, then set custom parameters that instruct the sign what to listen for and how to respond to requests. It can be used on single displays, banks of screens and video walls in any environment.

“Clients no longer have to depend on touchscreens for interactivity, which is especially important in this time of concern about germ transmission,” says Jill Perardi, creative services manager for Visix. “Just as people got used to using touchscreens because of smartphones, they’re now starting to expect a voice user interface like they use with their virtual assistants at home. Now anyone with digital signage can offer that experience without having to invest in expensive touchscreens or custom programming. They canjust use the software and displays they already have.”

Real-world application of the VRW allows viewers to walk up to any display, ask for the material they want, and then immediatelysee that content on screen. AxisTV Signage Suite users simply design the various content options, employ the VRW, enter speech triggers, and configure those triggers to launch the appropriate content. Keywords can launch different slides within a layout, orsimply hide or show things on the same slide.

A microphone is always listening for the triggers set in the software by the client, for example “show me”. When it detects a trigger, it then processes the next spoken request (“show me the weather”). It identifies keywords in questions and phrases (“weather”), and shows the requested content on screen.

The programming behind Visix’s voice-activated signage isn’t as complicated as the natural language processing used by Siri, Alexa or other virtual assistants. Instead, it takes advantage of the built-in speech recognition engine for Windows 10 that’s already in the Visix media player, and doesn’t involve any programmatic adjustments. As such, it doesn’t require any additional fees, internet connectivity, artificial intelligence or other third-party products to work.

Watch a video of the Voice Recognizer Widget in action at: https://www.visix.com/new-products/.

Visix does not sell displays or microphones, but can recommend local integration partners who will suggest microphone models and placement for the client’s environment.

Visix also has an award-winning creative services team who can design layouts using the VRW for clients, as well as custominteractive content, like wayfinding and directories, that pair a voice user interface with touchscreens. Clients who want more sophisticated, multi-language options can request custom-programmed solutions that support cloud-based, natural language platforms.

To request the latest update and read release notes for AxisTV Signage Suite, go to https://www.visix.com/tech-support/visix-software-updates/. For more information about AxisTV Signage Suite, visit https://www.visix.com/products/digital-signage-software/.

About Visix

Visix, Inc. offers a robust suite of digital signage software, content designs and meeting room signs for any organization wanting to engage, excite, and inform their audiences. Our products work separately or together, are competitively priced and scalable, and have powerful interactivity and data integration features for a unified, enterprise signage solution. Our award-winning service and support teams consistently rank the highest in customer satisfaction for fast, professional responses and solutions. Learn more about Visix digital signage products and services at www.visix.com.