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GEARHOUSE SA BITTEN BY VIPERS FOURTH QUARTER 2013 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 4
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GEARHOUSE SA BITTEN BY VIPERS

FOURTH QUARTER 2013VOLUME 21 NUMBER 4

PROMAG is published quarterly by Electrosonic SA and distributed to the professional audio, video and lighting industry. © PROMAG and Electrosonic SA. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Editorial and subscriptions Managing Editor – Terry Bourquin 011 770 9800 or [email protected]

Editing – Khuboni Communications

Design and production – Cranberry Creative Solutions

Cover image – Bidvest Annual Chairman's Awards 2013 - Photo: Zoom Photography

Printing – Seriti Printing - 012 333-9757

Electrosonic SAJohannesburg – Electrosonic SA33 Lily Avenue, Northcliff, JohannesburgP O Box 73515, Fairland, 2030Tel: 011 770-9800 Fax: 011 782-3123www.electrosonic.co.zae-mail: [email protected] hour AV Systems Support 0861 AVHELP / 0861 28 43 5724 hour Lighting Technical Support0860 MARTIN / 0860 62 78 46

Durban – Electrosonic SA KZNUnits 5/6, 80 Rinaldo Road, Durban NorthP O Box 401130, Redhill, 4071Tel: 031 533-0900Fax: 031 533-0920

Crestron House279 Weltevreden Road, Blackheath, JohannesburgTel: 011 745-8190e-mail: [email protected]

Useful LinksADB Lighting – www.adblighting.comCompulite – www.compulite.comCrestron South Africa – www.crestron.co.zaCM Lodestar – www.cmrigging.comElectron – www.electron.grElite Screens – www.elitescreens.comGreen Hippo – www.green-hippo.comInfoComm (ICIA) – www.infocomm.orgKramer – www.kramerelectronics.comLitec – www.litectruss.comMartin Professional – www.martin.comMilos Structural Systems – www.milosgroup.comNEC Displays – www.nec-displays.co.zaPLASA – www.plasa.orgSACIA – www.sacia.org.zaScreen International – www.screenint.comSierra Video – www.sierravideo.comSIM2 – www.sim2.com

Fourth Quarter 2013Volume 21 Number 4

upfront

PROGRESSING OR REGRESSING?

— Managing Editor: Terry

1PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

CONTENTS

DIARY

2 Shows and events worldwide – Integrated Systems Europe, Prolight + Sound 2014,

Light+Building 2014, NAB SHOW, LIGHTFAIR International 2014

NEWS

3 The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre revived, Crestron demonstrates truly integrated

home automation at CEDIA 2013, 10K projector solves the problem, HFX installs Lunette curved screen, James Valpy - The Hippotech, Tommy invests in Martin Rush and 101s, Business Day TV gets the LED treatment, Windhoek dealer solves space problems, Kramer wins manufacturer of the year & systems product of the year AV awards, Curtain rises on Market Theatre revamp, DigiComm is going places, Hatfield Christian Church

COVER STORY

12 Gearhouse bitten by Vipers

FEATURE

14 The evolution of video walls

FEATURED PRODUCTS

16 Crestron's HD-XSP 7.1 high-definition professional surround sound processor,

Crestron's TSW-730 7" touch screen w/room scheduling, Crestron's Inet-IOEX-IRCOM infiNET EX® wireless IR/RS-232 control module, Green Hippo's Rackoon, Elite Screen's Quickstand staging screens, Martin's RUSH PAR 2 RGBW Zoom™ and JEM Compact Hazer Pro™, Screen Inernational's projector lift SI-100, Electrosonic SA's Control Freak, NEC's M311W: 3100-Lumen widescreen portable projector, Galaxy Pro video wall controller, Kramer's KDS-EN2R HDMI over IP receiver, WP-580TXR active wall plate and RC-78R 8-button room controller

TUTORIAL

24 How to select a projection screen, by Elite Screens

I love watching news and current affairs channels; my favourite is the German news channel, Deutsche Welle - loosely translated as German Wave. As information from all over the world washes over me, I realise, with mixed feelings, that the theatrics of the South African political scene are no different from those in many other countries.

While whistle-blower Edward Snowden takes a deep breath in preparation for his next exposé of the CIA, President Obama muses whether he really wants the telephone wire-tap information about Angela Merckel’s next appointment at her hairdresser. Large segments of the European population are disgruntled and would be toyi-toying – if only they knew how! Greece has ground to a halt, yet again. In Spain rampaging strikers are causing more damage than the running of the bulls, and in France travellers have been stuck at airports. Show me a country and I’ll show you corruption, mayhem, dirty tricks, murder, politicking and bungling. It would be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic and predictable.

Politics may be regressing, but it is positive to note that in other areas humankind is forging ahead. In the AV and Entertainment Lighting Industries dazzling new developments and time-saving improvements come off the production line on a daily basis. There is a feeling of growth in our industry. It is a great feeling and PROMAG enjoys bringing you the good news and positive stories that create that feeling.

In our cover article you can read about the SAIFTA Ceremony and the motivation behind Gearhouse’s decision to acquire a bank of new MAC Vipers. In 2013 two major theatres underwent massive refurbishments. The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre in Welkom, has embraced the latest technology and is welcoming a new generation of theatre lovers. The iconic Market Theatre is ready to continue its role in putting the spotlight on social and political issues.

In his time in the lighting and AV industry Bruce Genricks, Managing Member, has seen many developments. Some have been fads, but many have endured. In an absorbing article he maps out the Evolution of Videowalls. Once they were a rare sight - clunky racks of monitors. Nowadays these sleek seamless screens are standard at most events. That’s what I call progress. At the other end of the age divide, a 25 year-old lighting and video technician, James Valpy, was hand-picked to go on the road with Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. Find out why he is known as The Hippotech, and why prodigies like him are driving our profession forward.

To paraphrase John Lennon: “Progress is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. So, let’s leave the politicians and the activists to their regressive squabbles, and revel in an industry that’s surging ahead.

On behalf of everyone at Electrosonic SA and PROMAG, I wish you a restful holiday.

Light+Building 2014 — 30 March - 4 April 2014Frankfurt, Germany - www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com The World’s Biggest Trade Fair for Lighting and Building Services welcomes manufacturers to launch trends and innovations from the fields of lighting, electrical engineering and building automation.

Prolight + Sound 2014 — 12 -15 March 2014Frankfurt am Main, Germany - www.prolight-sound.comProlight + Sound brings together all the technologies and services for the events and entertainment industries, presents them in several different product groups.

Integrated Systems Europe — 4 - 6 February 2014Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands - www.iseurope.orgIntegrated Systems Europe, or ISE as industry specialists call it, is the world’s best-attended tradeshow for professional AV and electronic systems integration.

upfront

DIARY – UPCOMING EVENTS AND SHOWS

NAB SHOW — 7 - 10 April 2014Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - www.nabshow.com After more than 80 years, the NAB Show is still the essential destination for broadcasting professionals who share a passion for bringing content to life on any platform.

LIGHTFAIR International 2014 — 1 - 5 June 2014Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - www.lightfair.com LFI 2014 is the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. LIGHTFAIR International blends continuing education courses with innovative products and cutting-edge technology.

news

3PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre, located in Welkom, was opened on 15 February 1968 and is named after the mining magnate, and founder of Welkom, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. The drive to build a theatre in this Free State mining town came from a certain Mrs. Martie du Plessis, the wife of the Administrator of the Free State. She had the pleasure of presiding over the opening ceremony, which was also graced by Gé Korsten, who starred in the opening production, Bedelaarstudent. The theatre was designed and built with an eye on the grandeur of European architecture. The vision was to create something of lasting beauty and benefit, a monument to art. The Yellowwood used throughout the theatre, and the glass tubes in the foyer, were imported from Austria and hand-crafted on site; as was the magnificent crystal chandelier that hangs in the auditorium. The larger two of the four beautiful tapestries gracing the foyers were designed by the famous South African artist Eleanor Esmonde-White; and the two smaller tapestries by Cecil Skotnes, another famous South African artist. The theme of these tapestries, which were hand-woven in France, is ‘Birth of the arts through diamonds and gold’.

The Ernest Oppenheimer is the first theatre in the Southern Hemisphere to cater for Paraplegics, with specially designed toilets, and space in the auditorium aisles for wheel-chairs. The theatre was one of the first to offer head-sets for the hard of hearing, and seat-lights to allow patrons to read programmes.

It is a sad irony that this wonderful facility, so welcoming to people with special needs, was off-limits to black South Africans. Thankfully the bad days of Apartheid are over and since the late 80s the theatre has been a world class community resource that enriches the lives of all Welkom residents. When, in 2011, a fire damaged the stage it was decided to use this as an opportunity to refurbish the theatre; retaining the class – but adding a modern touch.

The Theatre Manager, Mrs Dulcie Harris, worked closely with the Matjhabeng Municipality in ensuring that refurbishments to the facility did justice to its reputation as South Africa’s finest theatre. When PROMAG contacted Dulcie she made special mention of the instrumental role of the Municipality in ensuring the project was a success. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust; to Denis Hutchinson (theatre consultant); and to all contractors for working so hard in meeting their deadlines and maintaining a high standard of workmanship.

Team Electrosonic SA, with Omar Sharfoodeen as head technician, had the massive task of redoing the dimming and cabling for the theatre. This involved laying 1200m of new cabling, putting in new dimmers, rewiring 168 outlets, and rewiring the lighting bars and DMX ties. They only had a couple of weeks to do it, but in true Electrosonic SA style they met their deadline and completed the job with the care and excellence associated with the company.

The theatre also obtained lighting kit from Electrosonic SA, including: two Robert Juliat follow-spots, sixteen Martin Mac Aura wash lights, two Martin Rush MH LED profiles, Martin DMX Splitters and a Martin M2GO Controller. Renier Smit, Technical Sales and Support, headed the Electrosonic SA team on the project and Jesse Dullabh, Technical and Controller Support, is responsible for on-going training. Dulcie was extremely happy with Electrosonic SA’s service and commended Renier and the team for ‘going the extra mile’ to bring state-of-the-art lighting to her theatre. Dulcie, who has been the Theatre Manger since 1996, anticipates a new golden era for the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre: “Words cannot express my excitement in seeing this theatre operational again, and I welcome back all theatre supporters with much enthusiasm.”

Renier Smit (Electrosonic SA) and Dulcie Harris ( Theatre Manager) with the arrival of Robert Juliat Followspots

Electron premium 79 range of Dimmers

THE ERNEST OPPENHEIMER THEATRE REVIVED!

news

– fourth quarter 20134 PROMAG

This year’s CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) Expo took place in Denver, Colorado in late September. Crestron is traditionally one of the major players at the Expo, and this year was no different.

New ProductsMuch of the excitement revolved around Crestron’s new products, including: • Complete line of shading solutions• infiNET EX® home control• Smart Graphics™• TSW Touch Screens• Crestron App for Samsung Smart TV™• 4K Ultra HD-ready DM® systems • New landscape speakers

Little wonder that Creston’s booth was the largest and busiest at the Expo. As Kevin Lambidonis, CEO of Digital Edition Supplement

(DES) enthused: "As usual, Crestron stole the CEDIA EXPO show. We saw some amazing Crestron innovations that will allow us to solve more problems than ever. The team from Jersey continues to give us ways to stay profitable and take care of our clients."

AwardsCrestron products were recognized with eight industry awards, the most of any exhibitor. The following products won awards: • Fusion EM (Sustainable Lifestyle Product

Innovation Award)• CNX-PVID8X4 Video Distribution Switcher

(CEDIA Hall Of Fame Award)• Crestron Motorized Shades • HD BaseT Extender, HD-EXT3-C • TSW-1050 HD Touchscreen • AIR 6.5-inch 2-way Surface Mount Outdoor

Speakers • TSW-1050 HD Touch Screen • infiNET EX® Wireless Control Modules

Smart Graphics GalleryThe future of GUI (Graphical User Interface) design was unveiled at the all-new Crestron Smart Graphics Gallery. Displayed on TSW touch screens and iPads, the award-winning designs gave visitors an up close look at the power of this pioneering new design platform. Smart Graphics brings sliders, knobs, gauges, gesture control, and widgets to every display, making it faster and easier to create the most interactive GUIs available anywhere.

Crestron Integration AwardsNot only did Crestron win a truck-load of accolades, they also handed some out. Crestron’s Integration Awards, now in its ninth year, honour the most innovative and creative residential installations featuring Crestron home automation solutions. Crestron named its 2013 Integration Awards winners during a special ceremony at CEDIA Expo. Congratulations are due to all entrants for their amazing work in Crestron homes across the world.

CRESTRON DEMONSTRATES TRULY INTEGRATED HOME AUTOMATION AT CEDIA 2013

news

5PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

By Abrie du Plooy (NE C & GALAXY Product Manager)

What do you do when you need to fill an 8,8m wide screen from 60m away and still display a Full HD picture? The answer is easy - you use a super bright projector with a super long zoom lens and voilà! The problem is solved.The guys from Panavision were recently faced with this challenge on a city hall renovation project. It was a case of ‘Challenge Accepted!’ Panavision received a request to provide a solution in record time. Due to circumstances beyond control, the solution and pricing structure had to be submitted within four days of receiving the brief. Panavision approached the team at Electrosonic SA for assistance; after all, as the saying goes, two heads are better than one. So we put our heads together, but not before firing up the coffee machine and donning our thinking caps.

The first challenge Panavision faced was to fill the 8,8m wide screen. The ideal solution would have been a rear projection system, but the maximum width was only 6m, which didn’t suffice. Front projection it was going to have to be. This presented the second challenge - where to mount this thing? And by that I mean we had to establish a physical mounting location for the projector. Because the hall had a very high roof, a ceiling mounting would not only be tricky but would also result in an eye-sore in the smack-dead-centre of the finished ceiling.

It would also have to hang quite a few meters down in mid-air, something that would’ve displeased many users of the theatre. The solution was

the 10-bit Hollywood Quality Video signal processing, and a dual lamp system to deliver the powerful 10k brightness, makes this machine even more appealing to the user. It also offers special characteristics such as 3D Stacking; Blanking; Crestron RoomView; DICOM Simulation; Digital 3D Reform™; Edge Blending Function (03.2012); Free Tilt; Geometric Correction; Lens Memory; Lens Shift and Lens Shutter with Powerpoint, Movie, PDF and USB Picture Viewer; RS-232 Control; and Seamless Switching.

So, to close off the chapter, we did it! Between the teams at Panavision and Electrosonic SA we created the perfect solution that matched the requirement and got the nod from satisfied customers. Not only was this an awesome projection design and installation, but also the first of its kind in South Africa from the NEC arsenal.

At Electrosonic SA we pride ourselves in providing world class design assistance and in meeting tight turnaround times. What’s more, we offer this service at no additional charge. We invite our customers to take us up on the offer.

to mount the projector against the back wall underneath the gallery bulkhead. This proved to be very practical from a mounting point of view but unfortunately resulted in a massive 60m throw distance (distance between the projector lens and the display surface); enough to make any projection designer shudder.

This large throw distance posed another major challenge; how to deliver the required brightness and resolution to adequately display a bright Full HD image and fill the massive projection surface way up front.

So it was back to the drawing board; and after doing the calculations we came up with a solution. The correct projector and lens combination delivered exactly what we needed. We suggested a NEC PH1000U projector with a light source that delivers 10 000 ANSI lumens to provide the brightness required. And we used a NEC NP29ZL long zoom lens (4.16 - 6.96:1) which filled the 8,8m wide screen from 60m away. It was impressive, even if we say so ourselves.

The NEC PH1000U is a 3-Chip projector with a high definition 16:10 resolution (WUXGA – 1920x1200) for installations that demand the highest levels of heavy-duty usage. The Five optional bayonet lenses and an integrated stacking frame make it ideal for high-end display solutions. Features such as the motorized lens shift, and easy analogue or digital connectivity, make it a real gem when it comes to cost and time management. Great picture quality from

This is how it’s done in a public movie-house, and how it’s done in some private viewing rooms too. Recently Jacques Kruger, from HFX Systems, installed a 120 inch Lunette Elite Screen for a private client. The curvature of the Lunette reaches into the viewer’s peripheral vision, and this too helps to enhance the immersive experience. The curvature also eliminates the pincushion effect, where the projected image is larger on the sides and smaller in the middle. Jacques explained that the finely woven fabric of the Lunette screen, which runs diagonally, is especially designed to eliminate that unwanted patterning effect known as moiré when the perforation of the fabric lines up with the pixels of the projector’s LCD or DLP chipset. The screen also supports 4k resolution.

Besides the screen, HFX Systems also installed the projector; a full 7.1 surround system (including diffusive and absorptive acoustical panelling); and a specially designed acoustically friendly air-conditioning system.

HFX Systems, who have installed a number of Elite Screens, is very happy with the product and notes that it is excellent value for money.

As anyone who watches Animal Planet knows: bats see with their ears. They emit ultrasonic sounds and sense where their prey is by the length of time it takes for the sound to bounce back. Humans are not quite that sophisticated in picking up the direction from which sound is coming, but we can still sense when sound is out of sync with that we are seeing.

This is where Elite Screens comes in: they’re a California-based projection screen manufacturer. Their Lunettes are not only curved, but also acoustically transparent; both important factors in enhancing the authenticity of the viewing experience. If your projection screen in your cinema is acoustically transparent it means that instead of having to put your loudspeakers out of position (to the side, or below the screen) you can put them behind the screen. So while watching the latest blockbuster movie the sound comes directly from the screen, ensuring proper audio localization.

10K PROJECTOR SOLVES THE PROBLEM

news

James Valpy’s nick-name is ‘The Hippotech’, but he’s not a hi-tech game ranger. This South African born, English trained, lighting and video technician trots the globe providing stunning visuals with Green Hippo Media Servers. I caught up with James backstage at the Johannesburg leg of Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour.

Born in Cape Town in 1988, James left South Africa for England when he was four. He studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and completed his BA (Hons) in Theatre Practice. James initially specialized in production lighting but soon gravitated to video as a medium. The knowledge of both proved invaluable.

James was working as an associate to the production designer Tupac Martir, when he met Ed Prescott on the Beyoncé Glastonbury tour. James bumped into Ed again in Azerbaijan where he was working as house tech for J-Lo, Rihanna and Shakira. In spite of the twenty hour days, James managed to keep a smile on his face throughout, and this made a good impression on Ed. Ed liked what he saw and put James’s name forward as the Green Hippo Tech for Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. James got the job, and he and Ed now both work for Bowman Touring Video out of the USA. Both provided their tech assistance throughout the entire Diamonds World Tour.

James first got his hands on a Hippo at university where, as part of his second year studies, he volunteered to program and engineer the video for a big musical theatre show. The university had an older V2 Hippo that was upgraded to a V3; and they used a MagicQ desk to program, which was similar to the Avolites desk, which James knew. James trained with Simon Harris and Hippo helped him out in loaning a machine for a university show. He quickly became the Hippo expert at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He was the crucial link between lighting and video, and in his final year of study he worked in the Green Hippo Office with Nick Charalampidis. He tested new versions of software, and got invaluable under-the-hood experience of the software. It was the perfect training for problem-diagnosis in Hippo Systems.

It all came together for ‘The Hippotech’ on the Diamonds World Tour, where his skills and experience were thoroughly tested. For Rihanna’s B-Show there is no automation rigged, so James had to take all the original video content, which was pre-masked to the raster, and stitch it back together in After Effects. This meant he could use one Hippo to playback the content, instead of five Large Hippo HD units, which is how it worked on the USA leg of the tour. He had one week to build a 3 X Hippo HD system for the main show, and a 2 X Hippo Portamus system for the B-Show. The Diamonds tour was also the first show to use the new Blackmagic Design USB3 SD SDI capture cards. For the Johannesburg leg James used one Hippo Portamus to run the content on the screens on stage; and a backup unit to provide FX for the IMAG screens. At one point during the show all of the video was run through only two Hippo Portamus laptops.

7PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

Electrosonic SA’s buzzing stand

JAMES VALPY – THE HIPPOTECH By Bruce Schwartz (Entertainment Lighting Manager)

James Valpy doing his "Hippo-magic" at Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour

Using two versions of Hippo software ver 3.2 to Time-code sync on a layer, it provided immense power when using DMX control. To date the system has been rock solid, as one would expect from Hippo.

The youthful James takes great inspiration from video practitioner legends such as Cherie Sturm, Ed Prescott, Graham Lambkin, Ed Lawlor and John Bowman; as he does from Green Hippo gurus Simon Harris, Kris Murray and Loren Barton.

The future is bright, not only for James but for media servers, which will become ever more crucial to the live event industry as projectors and LEDs get brighter. The challenge for the designers is to push their creativity, and stretch their technical capability, in designing more visually spectacular shows. When audiences pay top dollar to see a big live show, they expect a mind-expanding visual extravaganza. James ‘The Hippotech’ Valpy, and his Green Hippo Media Servers, are perfectly placed to deliver just that.

TOMMY INVESTS IN MARTIN RUSH AND 101sThe charismatic Tommy Derbenus, from Power Room AV, knows the Johannesburg and Pretoria nightclub scene inside out. Tommy is a long-standing supplier of lighting and needed to expand his inventory. He wanted to invest in the best; equipment that would withstand the rigors of club life. After doing his research Tommy put his faith in the Martin Professional range.

Tommy spent time in the Demo Room at Electrosonic SA (Johannesburg), where he carefully reviewed various products. Eventually he decided on the Martin RUSH MH2 Wash as a good fit for the different clubs he is involved with. Because he also rents out to the staging industry he decided to stock

up on an arsenal of MAC 101s. This decision was based on the feedback from MAC 101 owners, and on the sheer number of fixtures out there for cross rental. Tommy also needed to provide some wow factor in one of the larger venues. After seeing the Martin RUSH MH3 Beam he reckoned that four of them would do the trick.

Tommy’s Martins are now working away night after night in premier clubs such as Taboo and Sway in Sandton; and Kong and Hush in Rosebank. Tommy is happy that his investment will serve him well over the long run; and that he has the committed support and backup of the Electrosonic SA team.

news

– fourth quarter 20138 PROMAG

Summit TV was recently taken over by new owners and is now called Business Day TV (BDTV). The studio in which BDTV is filmed also hosts the Ignition Channel and the Home Channel (on the DSTV bouquet): hence the need for a lighting solution that offers dynamic color change.

Nico Steyn, from IntelliLAB, approached Electrosonic SA to help find the right solution. The studio has a large backdrop, floating LED Screens, and a newly redesigned presenters’ desk. Electrosonic SA’s Bruce Schwartz, in consultation with Nico, proposed a combination of Martin Tripix 1200 fixtures and Versa-light RGB strip lighting, all controlled

WINDHOEK DEALER SOLVES SPACE PROBLEMS

Generic Electronic Solutions recently moved into larger premises at 8 Rieks van der Walt Street, Maerua, Windhoek.

Owner and founder Jacques Koekemoer says, “This is to accommodate the growth we’ve experienced the last year or so”. Jacques established Generic Electronic Solutions 11 years ago and has gone from strength to strength ever since. “We have a staff of 22 and we provide fire detection, access control, CCTV and AV services”.

His clients include the Namibian Government, University of Namibia, Namibia Polytechnic, as well as private companies such as Ernst & Young, Bank Windhoek, Old Mutual, Sanlam and Metropolitan Life. One market Jacques has not entered yet is the residential market:

The 2013 AV Awards took place on Friday 11 October at the London Hilton, UK, at a gala dinner attended by guests from all over the European AV industry. Manufacturers, dealers, sponsors, and of course winners, all gathered to hear the results of this year's AV Awards competition.

Kramer WINS Manufacturer of the Year AV Award For over 30 years our company has been providing solutions to the vast range of challenges that confront the AV industry: developing creative, reliable and value-oriented top-of-the-line products to customers around the world. The distinguished award committee chose to acknowledge this contribution by giving the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year AV Award to Kramer Electronics. What an honour!

The VP-771 Switcher/scaler WINS Systems Product of the Year Award Not only was it a great honour for Kramer to win the Manufacturer of the Year Award, but Kramer also won the Systems Product of the Year award, for the VP-771. This is the second year in a row that this award goes to Kramer Electronics; the Digital Step-in Family won at the 2012 AV Awards.

The VP-771 Switcher/scalerThe 9−input VP-771 is part of a new line of presentation scaling switchers, the answer to today’s demanding applications that require professional, high-quality, scaling and switching technology. The VP-771 offers a versatile feature set that includes Luma-Keying, Picture-in-Picture functions, 2K resolution, emergency alert notifications, built-in web pages, and more.

Electrosonic SA is proud to be the sole distributor of Kramer Electronics in South Africa, and congratulates them on this significant achievement.

KRAMER WINS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR & SYSTEMS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AV AWARDS

BUSINESS DAY TV GETS THE LED TREATMENT

he reckons it is a massive niche and in time he will exploit it.

According to Jacques Generic Electronic Solutions offers a complete service: “We like to come in at the beginning and take it through to the end. The only thing we don’t do is IT networks”. Jacques believes that after-sales service must be good. “It’s not just price and offering the cheapest quote. It’s about offering the best service and using reputable state of the art products such as Kramer and Crestron, Bosch and Ziton”. Jacques prides himself on being the preferred installer for Electrosonic SA in Namibia. “Our philosophy is simple: Best Service. Latest Technology. Affordable Price”

For more info visit www.generic.com.naor E-mail Jacques at [email protected]

off a Martin M-PC controller. The Martin Tripix fixtures were chosen for their high brightness; their quietness; and, most importantly, for their colour consistency. The Martin Tripix does not have shadow or colour separation problems, something inherent to many LED products.

The M-PC controller allowed BDTV to quickly set up presets for various shows, and then to instantly recall them; this ensures consistency and quick turn- around times.

Electrosonic SA’s Omar Sharfoodeen and his install team had the fixtures installed in no time. Jesse Dullabh, Technical and Controller Support at Electrosonic SA, conducted control desk training to eager BDTV staff.

news

9PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

Mariann and Tom Crosswell

On September 16 the Market Theatre’s Main Theatre was officially reopened after extensive refurbishment. The building that houses the Market Theatre is exactly one hundred years old and was originally the Indian Fruit Market.

The renovations to the Main Theatre have been underway since February and will ensure a better theatre experience for audiences and performers. There are plush new seats that offer more leg-room, and the capacity has increased from 380 to 450. Toilets have been upgraded and the box-office has been enlarged. The building is a protected Heritage Site and the architectural designs have kept the integrity of the building, including putting the original signboards, used by the market traders, back on show.

To mark the event Artistic Director, James Ngcobo, put on a star-studded celebration, which included excerpts from famous Market Theatre productions: Hello and Goodbye by Athol Fugard; Saturday Night at the Palace by Paul Slabolepszy; Nothing but the Truth by Dr John Kani; Have you seen Zandile by Gcina

Mhlophe and Somewhere on the Border by Anthony Akerman. And on the music front veteran jazz saxophonist Khaya Mahlangu played alongside cellist Kutloane Masote.

The renovation was made possible by capital funding from the Department of Arts and Culture. The overhaul was sparked by renewal projects in Newtown and in particular the Newtown Junction, currently a massive construction site on the doorstep of the Market Theatre complex. Newtown Junction will be a mixed-use development of offices, retail outlets and restaurants.

The refurbishment is part of a larger overhaul plan that will be completed at the end of 2014. The Laager Theatre will transfer to an adjacent building, which will open up space to extend the foyer and create a new dressing room and new offices. Other exciting plans will see the area previously occupied by the famous Gramadoelas Restaurant reused as a jazz venue.

The Market Theatre has also purchased the COSAC building, in Bree Street, and will centralise its various cultural activities by

moving the Laboratory Drama School, and the Market Photo Workshop School and Gallery, into this building.

The theatre was founded in 1976 by Mannie Manim and Barney Simon and challenged apartheid from the conviction that culture can change society. Now the much-needed overhaul will ensure it remains a leading light in South Africa’s cultural scene.

In November the Market Theatre became the proud owner of 4 Martin MAC Vipers!

For more information please contact Market Theatre Senior Publicist 011 832 1641 or 072 367 7867 E-mail: [email protected]

CURTAIN RISES ON MARKET THEATRE REVAMP

Photo by Lungelo Mbulwana

news

– fourth quarter 201310 PROMAG

COMPANY PROFILE: DIGICOMM IS GOING PLACES

Rajen’s list of Equipment installed at DigiComm:

• Crestron MC3 Processor• Crestron Prodigy Processor• Crestron Audio Distribution Amplifier• Crestron Cameo Keypads• Crestron Cameo Keypads, Intl• Crestron 2.8" TouchScreen Keypad• Crestron Ipad Dock• Crestron Excite In-Ceiling Speakers• Crestron Ipod Dock• Crestron TouchScreen Remote• Kramer HDMI Matrix• Kramer TP573 HDMI Transmitters• Kramer TP574 HDMI Receivers• Kramer VP425 HDMI Scaler• Kramer 1:2 HDMI Distribution Amplifier• Kramer WXA3 HDMI & VGA Patch Panel• Kramer VGA Cabling and Flyleads• Kramer HDMI Cabling and Flyleads• Kramer Adapters• Crestron Lighting Control• Crestron Power Supply

• Crestron 4-Channel Dimming Module• Crestron 8-Channel Switching Module• Hager DB Board

DigiComm is an Alberton based, AV & IT Systems Integrator Company with big plans to go nationwide. Owner Rajen Naidoo began his career in IT as a programmer and moved on to sales and marketing at 3M and Philips, before starting off on his own 13 years ago.

His wife, Thingal, manages the business with him; he also employs two admin staff and eight technicians who do the installations and client support.

DigiComm is not a typical AV products company, it specialises in providing complete AV and IT solutions. “We have installed AV and IT Systems for offices, training rooms, boardrooms and auditoriums for, among others, Anglo American, The JD Group, HP, BidPaper Plus Group and Ekurhuleni Municipality”.

DigiComm has also done numerous Home Automation, Home Theatre and Cinema Room installations. “We offer a streamlined solution. We like to get involved as early as possible. The ideal is when a home is still in the planning stage before construction has started”.

DigiComm is situated on the ground floor of the Meyersdal Square Shopping Centre in Michelle Avenue, Randhart, Alberton, and walk-in customers can experience the full range of what Rajen and his team can offer in his specially designed home theatre environment.

In setting up his demo facilities at his shop Rajen designed a full Cinema Room with Home Automation offerings to demo to his potential and existing clients. Rajen collaborated with Electrosonic SA to showcase their latest offerings. “I have found that they become fully engaged with any project they are involved with”. Rajen has worked with Electrosonic SA on numerous projects over the years. “The Kramer products they supply are top quality and the Crestron components are great for automation installations either for Residential or Corporate Applications”. He is also impressed with the technical back-up they provide. “It’s always good to know that you’ve got experts double-checking your systems, and it also puts clients at ease when they see what a good relationship we have with our suppliers”.

Rajen is a member of SACIA; his vision is to be a preferred supplier that delivers quality technology based on innovation, reliability and service in a dynamic and professional manner.

He also has short term plans to open another two DigiComm stores in Gauteng; and long term plans to create DigiComm franchise opportunities nationwide. When – not if - DigiComm goes big, you’ll read about it first here in PROMAG.

For more information about DigiComm, visit their website: www.digicomm.co.za or contact them on: 0861 2255 85

The DigiComm shop, offering both AV and IT solutions, is equipped with a State-of-the-art Home Theatre demo room (right).

news

HATFIELD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

11PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

by Robbi Nassi (Entertainment Lighting - Technical Sales & Support)

The Pretoria-based Hatfield Christian Church is passionate about Christ, about life, and about their community. The church complex has two auditoriums; a junior and senior level school; a restaurant/coffee shop; and a bookshop.

And such is the enormous interest in the Church that they are expanding. When the Main Auditorium got too busy they decided to extend the smaller auditorium (Minor Auditorium) to accommodate more worship groups. Electrosonic SA has enjoyed an on-going relationship with the Church and over the years has assisted in various technical aspects, including the installation of a lighting system for the Minor Auditorium. We completed the installation with ADB Softlux fixtures and Versa-Light LED Parcans. The Church was very happy with our work, and when it came time to upgrade the lighting in Main Auditorium they knew who to call.

After numerous demonstrations and proposals by Electrosonic SA the Church went for the Martin Mac Auras, the JEM K1 Hazer, and the world class M2GO Lighting Console. This has transformed the lighting in Main Auditorium into a world-class set-up. Because this house of worship is continually growing, the Church decided to beef up the lighting in Minor Auditorium. Various fixtures were added: Versa-Light LED Parcans, the Mac350, the JEM Compact Hazer and the M2PC lighting controller. This has helped to standardise lighting control in the complex.

It was hugely rewarding dealing with such a wonderful, well-established, and well-organised group. Electrosonic SA is very fortunate to have the Hatfield Christian Church as a loyal client.

We feel that we too are part of their warm family, and we look forward to continue supplying them with all their lighting requirements. We would like to extend our thanks to Carl Schultz, our liaison at the Church. Carl was a thoroughly professional, and very knowledgeable, partner in the project. We look forward to working with him in the future.

Carl Schultz writes: Electrosonic SA provided Hatfield Christian Church a professional service and went the extra mile in understanding the church requirements. We are very pleased with our new systems, which have had a major positive influence on our Sunday experience across all our services. When it came to training up our volunteers we were very blessed by the training provided by Electrosonic SA, who went the extra mile for us.

cover story

– fourth quarter 201312 PROMAG

About eighteen months ago Gearhouse South Africa’s Ofer Lapid (Founder and Managing Director) and Tim Dunn (Design and Concept) accompanied Bruce

Schwartz (Entertainment Lighting Manager of Electrosonic SA) on a trip to Arhus, Denmark.

GEARHOUSE BITTEN BY VIPERS

Arhus is Denmark’s second biggest city and home to 1.25 million people; it’s also home to one of the world’s top automated lighting and control manufacturers - Martin Professional. Their mission was to check out Martin’s new range of automated fixtures. After eight years of faithful service Gearhouse’s ever-reliable Martin MAC 2000s were starting to take strain.

The intrepid three were fortified against the Scandinavian winter chill with plenty of tasty food and good wine. But merrymaking was not the main purpose of the trip: there was serious work to be done. Peter Skytte and Peter Dahlin from Martin Professional treated Ofer, Tim and Bruce to a sneak preview of the Viper series. Back then there were only two early prototypes and these units were still some way from completion; the two Peters had to be careful not to damage the fragile mockup on the bench. The preview was a success and Ofer and Tim were delighted that they’d found a worthy replacement for their treasured ‘2ks’.

Many automated lighting manufacturers make the mistake of trying to over-stuff fixtures with too many options. Martin stuck to the basics: a solid, compact, very bright light that offers superb optics and a range of compatible fixtures. Like its legendary predecessor - a real touring workhorse. Martin has unveiled a viper worthy of the name: a supreme competitor with bite and venom.

The only problem for Ofer and Tim was that they would have to wait out the field tests, and the spec’ing of the units on international riders, before the Vipers could go into commercial production. So they used the trip as an opportunity to get a bit of TLC for the 2ks. A spreadsheet was compiled in which each and every MAC 2k in Gearhouse’s inventory was recorded and the necessary spares applied. The Danes also helped out by hastily assembling some emergency spare parts.

By the time January 2013 rolled around Gearhouse’s Durban branch was in dire need of larger format fixtures. Ofer, and Branch Manager Ashley Singh, took this as an opportunity to trial

run the Vipers in sunny South Africa – and so they invested in twelve Martin MAC Viper Profiles and some Martin M-Series Desks. Like its venomous namesake, the Vipers showed that they are as comfortable in Africa as they are in other parts of the world. Many South African LDs (Lighting Designers) got the chance to work with the Vipers, and they were mightily impressed. The comments followed a familiar theme: “Vipers are a winner”. LDs consistently praised them; using terms like: ‘bright’, ‘compact’, ‘versatile’, ‘amazingly simple workhorses’.

In March 2013 the range of Viper Fixtures was up to 6 variations (Profile, Wash, Wash with Internal Barndoors, Air FX, Air FX with Quad array) and it was clear that Martin Vipers were fast establishing themselves as the fixture of choice for many international riders. The Prolight + Sound International Trade Fair in Frankfurt in April 2013 proved a good time for the South Africans to lock down some deals with Martin Professional. The audio and infotainment group, Harman, had acquired Martin Professional in late 2012. But this was no obstacle to some fruitful negotiations a few months later where Electrosonic SA and Gearhouse (represented by joint Managing Directors, Ofer Lapid and Nasser Abbas) met with the Martin team. A deal was struck and the Vipers started to make their way to South Africa.

Gearhouse now has 72 Viper Profiles in its inventory with plans for more units. Gearhouse is currently the sole member in Africa of the growing MGAP (Martin Global Alliance Partner). This partnership has many benefits for both members and non-members who are looking for a trusted, accredited and up-to-date rental house to supply fixtures and staff on world tours. By networking with other MGAP members Gearhouse is in a unique position to leverage knowledge and also share its vast knowledge gained over the years.

The new Gearhouse Vipers barely touched the ground before they were checked and deployed on their first job, The Bidvest Annual Chairman’s Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Stuart Andrew HOD Lighting, Gearhouse

Martin Professional welcoming the South Africans, Ofer Lapid, Tim Dunn (Gearhouse) and Bruce Schwartz

Bruce Schwartz (Electrosonic SA) with Ofer Lapid (Gearhouse) at Skagen (also known as The Scaw), the northernmost point in Denmark

13PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

cover story

SAIFTA 2013 @ THE DURBAN ICC by Ryan Dunbar - Lighting Operator for Gearhouse South Africa

In September this year Durban hosted the first ever South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) Ceremony. The who’s who of Bollywood and South African film were there, as was Gearhouse Durban, who supplied all the lighting requirements for the event.

There were a few jitters when SAIFTA confirmed the job only two days before load in. The pressure was on to prep the kit and load the trucks to be at the venue, the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), on time. As always Gearhouse was pumped for the challenge; and the lads worked late into the night to make sure they were at the ICC on time.

One hundred and twenty moving lights, countless LEDs and hundreds of par cans illuminated the stage, but none shone brighter than the beautiful Bollywood actress and dancer, Mahduri Dixit. Dreamsets did a wonderful job with the set, and each structure included an LED strip light which allowed the set to change colour at the flick of a switch.

The lighting rider included 28 Martin Mac Vipers, and it was very exciting to see them in action together – they certainly justify the hype. They add a crisp, clean look; the optics are amazing; the light output is highly impressive; and they helped make the live show translate brilliantly to television.

I’m happy to report that there were no glitches and the client was delighted with what Gearhouse managed to achieve. Thanks to all my colleagues from Gearhouse for putting in the hours to ensure that the inaugural SAIFTA Ceremony was a shining success.

THE HISTORY OF GEARHOUSE SAGearhouse South Africa was founded by Israeli-born Ofer Lapid. As a youngster Ofer was passionate about working backstage on gigs and live events. In the mid-eighties he toured South Africa with an Israeli act and developed a kinship with the African continent. He stayed on to work on a show at the Civic Theatre (now Johannesburg Theatre) before landing a job at the State Theatre, followed by a position at Sun City.

After a year at Sun City, Ofer recognised the importance of constantly investing in equipment and keeping pace with technological change. It was a seed of an idea that germinated when Ofer was invited to tour with Johnny Clegg in 1989. It was in that year that he started Lighting Unlimited. In 1993 Ofer expanded his offering by founding Stage Design; and then in 1995 he bought four generators and founded Woza Power.

In 1996 Ofer sold the three businesses to Gearhouse, a UK based company that had dozens of branches around the world, but stayed on to run the South African operation. When, in 2001, Gearhouse went into receivership in the UK, it seemed the end of the road for the South African branch, but Ofer had other ideas. The easy solution would have been to allow the business to go bankrupt and then buy the gear off the liquidators. Ofer’s sense of loyalty to his crew, to his suppliers, and to the industry resulted in a management buy-out of the South African division of Gearhouse, which has since continued as a privately-owned entity known as Gearhouse South Africa. Lapid remains the Managing Director of the company.

Gearhouse describes itself as a locally based, proudly South African, Total Technical Solution Group. The company has branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and a fleet of trucks and vehicles that crisscross Southern Africa bringing top-class technical solutions to myriad events. Such is Gearhouse SA’s reputation that they even provide services into other parts of Africa, and indeed worldwide.

The environment at the company is a nurturing one, both professionally and personally. There is a commitment to growing people by giving them on-going training and skills development.

Little wonder that Gearhouse is the service provider of choice for international events taking place in South Africa.

Photos by Ryan Dunbar

feature

Up until the early 80’s multi-image displays consisted of banks of slide projectors synchronised to a sound track. While this was a very effective and artistic way of displaying multiple images on a single screen, it was very expensive, cumbersome and required a lot of maintenance. “Virtual” movement or animation could be achieved using a large number of slides and clever programming, but it was not quite the same as video. However, this was the only practical and affordable way of achieving a big, dynamic image.

In the 80’s video projection was in its infancy and was based on cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. The biggest challenge with video projection at the time was brightness: a typical CRT projector could achieve only about 600 to 800 lumens. This meant that projected images were limited to about 4 meters in width, and required a darkened room.

Monitors and television sets also made use of CRT technology and were limited in size to about 70cm diagonally. In order to overcome these challenges innovators in the industry started “lacing” projectors or monitors together to achieve bigger images.

The first multi-image video displaysIn 1985 the first multi-image video displays consisted of two or more projectors (or monitors) projecting side by side onto the same screen. A typical setup would consist of two videotape recorders, synchronized via time code. One time code for the left hand projector and one for the right. In order to shoot the material for this setup, two cameras mounted side by side would be used. Although other methods of splitting the image could also be used, this was the favoured method as it retained the full resolution of each image. By 1987, video tape recorders were replaced by video disc players, and by 1996 by DVD players.

The introduction of the videowall processorIn the mid 1980’s the first true videowall processors were introduced to the audio visual world. They consisted of large racks of equipment connected by metres of multicore cables. Because they could only handle standard PAL or NTSC resolutions they had very limited functionality; typically handling only up to four simultaneous video inputs.

However, they were capable of including basic video effects and were able to freeze an image per display.

Videowall monitorsIn 1985 purpose-built videowall monitors did not exist. Instead, the first videowall used modified

– fourth quarter 201314 PROMAG

THE EVOLUTION OF VIDEOWALLS by Bruce Genricks (Managing Member)

CRT television sets as the displays. The TVs were modified to accept RGB video and fitted in custom designed sheet metal cabinets. The steel cabinets served three main purposes: they allowed the TVs to be stacked; they reduced the image to image gap; and, they provided electro-magnetic shielding.

Some of the early challenges faced by the technicians were matching the colours across the displays and aligning the images. Colour purity across individual screens was a problem, due to the magnetic effect of adjacent monitors.

Needless to say, the whole system was bulky, difficult to set-up and very sensitive.

Video projectorsBy 1985, after the introduction of the videowall processor in South Africa, events companies started making use of arrays of video projectors as displays. These usually consisted of CRT projectors mounted in custom frames projecting onto rear projection material. This was followed by purpose-built projection cubes which utilized mirrors and rigid rear projection Fresnel screens. They were also designed to stack and were specially mechanized to help with image alignment.

Hybrid wallsIn the early years between 1985 to 1990 of video walls, video projection and multi-image slide projection were sometimes mixed. This was especially useful since large numbers of video projectors were not freely available.

The resolution revolutionEarly video walls had two main problems: resolution, and wide area flicker.

The resolution of the early videowall was based on PAL or NTSC standards. It therefore had a maximum resolution of 625 TV lines across the entire image. This made it almost impossible to see any detail when magnified across multiple displays.

Wide area flicker occurred as a result of the slow refresh rate of the image (25 frames per second). While this was slightly annoying on standard television sets, it became a real problem when displayed across a large screen, and especially so in a darkened room.

The graphics processorIn the early 1990's Video Graphics Array (VGA) was introduced as a computer graphic standard, and soon graphic videowall processors followed. This new "high resolution" standard (which at that stage was only 640 x 480 pixels) opened up a whole new market for video or graphic walls as they came to be known. New applications

included control rooms and monitoring facilities which typically displayed graphical representations of processing plants, computer or telephone networks.

One of the advantages of the graphic processor was the ability to display different resolutions and video standards, simultaneously, on the same wall.

VGA quickly developed into SVGA, XGA and so on. Today videowall processors can display images of up to 4k (4 x HD resolution).

Videowall cubesVideo projectors rapidly adopted new technologies including liquid crystal display (LCD) and later digital light processing (DLP) technology. These new techniques allowed for brighter and eventually higher resolution images. This technology was soon incorporated into videowall cubes. Videowall cubes are specially designed "boxes" which house the projector, a mirror and a rear projection screen. The mirror is used to fold the light path, thereby reducing the required depth of the cube. Another important function of the cube is to exclude any extraneous light from reaching the rear of the screen. This improves the contrast of the image. A problem with these new technologies was cost of ownership; in particular the expense of lamp replacement. In order to retain uniform brightness across all displays, it was necessary to replace all the lamps at the same time. DLP projectors also required color wheel replacements.

When static, high contrast images were displayed on LCD projectors for extended periods they suffered from "image burn" or image retention. Due to this DLP was the preferred projection technology for videowall cubes.

Projection cubes are still being used today although the preferred illumination source is now light-emitting diode (LED). Due to the long lamp life of LED, this has brought the overall cost of ownership down significantly.

CRT Monitors installed at Multichoice

feature

Flat panel displaysIn 1995 flat panel television sets based on plasma technology were launched. The AV industry was soon using them as videowall displays. The main problem with using them in video walls was the wide frame or bezel surrounding them. Later on "bezel less" plasmas specifically designed for videowall were introduced. These did not produce a seamless image and were fragile. They were more suited to fixed installations, than to the rental industry.

In 2003 large LCD flat panels with a 46" screens were launched. Although they still had large bezels, the size made them viable for videowall applications. This changed in 2006 with the introduction of thin bezel LCD displays. The next few years saw ever thinner bezels with the slimmest at about 5mm image to image. The introduction of LED edge-lit and direct-lit LCD displays have made this the most popular display technology to date.

Today's videowall processorIn the second decade of the 21st century the most sophisticated videowall processors are card-based and driven by powerful computers. They are custom configured for the number of displays and the number and type of source. Usually the inputs are hardwired but can also be decoded from an IP stream, using built-in decoders in the processor.

Most dedicated videowall displays include scalers and daisy chain inputs. This allows a video input to be daisy-chained through the monitors, with onboard software displaying a portion of the image. In this way a large image can be displayed across multiple monitors. However, this technology is limited to a single input, with little or no effects.

A software based distributed system is also available, but requires a computer per display, which is often fitted in an optional slot in the display. This setup allows for multiple images to be displayed across the display.

Videowall remains an important medium for digital signage and control room applications. They are most commonly found in military, communication, surveillance and advertising applications.

I was privileged to be involved with the installation of, what I believe was, the first true videowall in South Africa, and one of the first in the world.

In the mid 1980’s Electrosonic UK started developing a videowall processing system which became known as the Picbloc system. PIC was an abbreviation for programmable image controller. This new product line incorporated a “new generation of large scale integrated circuits”.

Johann Kruger, owner of Multivisio, was the first person to invest in videowall technology in South Africa. Upon hearing of this new technology, he travelled to Electrosonic in the UK to see what all the hype was about. After the demonstration of the prototype he was so impressed that even though the product was still in the development phase, he immediately placed an order for a system for an upcoming product launch.

Lourie Coetzee, who was the owner of Twin Imports and the exclusive distributor of Electrosonic products, arranged the importation and logistics of this equipment. I was employed by Twin Imports as a technician, and was responsible for the technical aspects of the project. The equipment arrived and consisted of flight cases populated with 2U rack mount boxes. Each video input required a digitiser which was housed in a 19” 3U cabinet. Likewise each video output required a similar box which was called a PicBloc. Each video input required a data bus consisting of a multicore cable linking the digitiser to the first and subsequent PicBloc.

It was a nightmare to setup, with frequent firmware updates. New EPROMS were shipped via courier and had to be physically replaced in each PicBloc. The modified TV sets were sourced locally and prone to magnetic interference from adjacent sets. Gaffer tape was used to insulate each TV from the next to avoid eddy currents. A lot of tweaking was required to get the monitors displaying a uniform color, but, after many late nights, the wall was finally ready for the product launch. It was a great success and Multivisio went on to do some of the most memorable product launches in South Africa to date, often using videowall technology.

THE FIRST VIDEO WALL INSOUTH AFRICA

15PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

A Videowall Controller dating from the 1990s PPC's interesting Videowall display at Nasrec, 1994

Picbloc cards originally designed in the mid 80s

The "Camel Pyramid of Light" Videowall - 1994

BMW's "boxy" Videowall Monitors, early 90s

featured products

HD-XSP: 7.1 HIGH-DEFINITION PROFESSIONAL SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR

TSW-730: 7" TOUCH SCREEN W/ROOM SCHEDULING

– fourth quarter 201316 PROMAG

The HD-XSP from Crestron® answers the call for a truly professional surround sound solution that's simple and affordable to implement. The HD-XSP provides the features and performance necessary to enable high-definition 7.1 channel audio for virtually any commercial environment

The HD-XSP is also useful for many residential applications, providing a cost-effective, compact surround sound processor that's well suited for integration as part of a total home automation and entertainment system.

• Balanced stereo or mono downmix output• Balanced stereo mix input• Built-in noise generator• Advanced HDCP management for trouble-free handling of all

digital content• QuickSwitch HD® technology for fast, reliable switching• CEC pass-through from a control system enables control of display

and source devices over HDMI• Colour LCD front panel for setup and basic operation• Native Crestron® system integration• 10/100 Ethernet communications• Front panel USB port for installer setup• Simplified setup via front panel or software• Single-space rack mountable

KEY FEATURES• True 7.1 surround sound processing for commercial and residential

applications• DTS-HD Master Audio™, Dolby® TrueHD, and Dolby Digital® Plus

decoding• HDMI®, SPDIF (optical and coaxial), and stereo analogue inputs• Source input compensation and 80 ms lip sync adjustment per

input• Balanced analogue 7.1 surround sound line outputs• DSP with 9-band graphic or parametric EQ, delay, crossover and

compression• Support for systems without a centre speaker or subwoofer• High-definition 3D video pass-thru via HDMI

A stylish and versatile touch screen with 7" capacitive touch display, Smart Graphics™, and multiple mounting options. Includes out-of-the-box room scheduling for use with Crestron Fusion RV® Remote Asset Management Software.

Crestron® Room Scheduling Touch Screens provide an invaluable productivity tool for any organization with a number of conference rooms and meeting spaces. Mounted on the wall outside each room, these touch screens allow anyone to see at a glance if a room is in use or available, and view details about the current meeting on the colour display. A swipe of the finger across the touch screen reveals the room's entire schedule, displaying upcoming meetings and open time slots on a scrolling calendar ribbon. You can even reserve the room, or any other room, right from the touch screen.

KEY FEATURES• Room scheduling touch screen• For use with Crestron Fusion RV® software• Intuitive on-screen scheduling interface• 7" widescreen active-matrix colour display• Capacitive touch screen technology• Smart Graphics™ support• Built-in proximity sensor • Room occupancy sensor option• High-performance H.264 streaming video• Rava™ SIP intercom and phone technology• Customizable audio feedback• Built-in microphone and speaker• 10 optional "hard key" pushbuttons• Dual-colour button backlighting• Custom engravable button text• Single-wire Ethernet connectivity• PoE+ network powered• Versatile wall, surface, and tabletop mounting options• Modern, contoured appearance• Available with black or white smooth finish

Room Scheduling Touch Screens end the wasteful practice of searching the corridors for an available room. They eliminate confusion over which room is booked by whom and for how long, and allow attendees to verify they're in the right place before entering the room. They help organisations get the most usable time out of every room — and the people who use them.

Crestron Room Scheduling Touch Screens are designed to be installed as part of a complete enterprise room scheduling solution using Fusion RV® Remote Asset Management Software.

INET-IOEX-IRCOM: infiNET EX® WIRELESS IR/RS-232 CONTROL MODULE

featured products

A compact and low-cost IR and RS-232 control interface that communicates via the infiNET EX® wireless network.

Every installer knows — running wires is a challenge and it adds substantial cost to any project. Crestron® infiNET EX® technology offers a wireless solution for controlling many devices in a home or commercial facility, eliminating the need to cut into walls, fish through insulation, or install expensive conduit just to get a wire to each device.

The INET-IOEX-IRCOM is a very compact and low-cost wireless device that is perfect for use in retrofits, historic buildings, or any budget-conscious application. It provides an IR and RS-232 control interface for video displays, AV components, garage door openers, and other equipment. Essentially, anything that can be controlled using basic serial or IR commands can be integrated with a Crestron control system using the INET-IOEX-IRCOM. It includes two discrete IR ports and one bidirectional RS-232 port, and communicates with the control system via the infiNET EX wireless network, enabling control and monitoring of the remote equipment without having to run wires through walls and ceilings.

infiNET EX®Ultra-reliable infiNET EX wireless technology provides steadfast 2-way RF communications throughout a residential or commercial structure without the need for physical control wiring. Employing a 2.4 GHz mesh network topology, each infiNET EX device functions as an expander, passing command signals through to every other infiNET EX device within range (approximately 150 feet or 46 meters indoors), ensuring that every command reaches its intended destination without disruption.

The INET-IOEX-IRCOM communicates with a Crestron control system via an infiNET EX Wireless Gateway (model CEN-RFGW-EX or MC3). Up to 100 infiNET EX devices, including Cameo® Wireless Keypads and In-Wall Dimmers

KEY FEATURES• A low-cost wireless control interface• Eliminates the need to run wire or install

conduit• Provides 1 RS-232 and 2 IR control ports• Communicates via the infiNET EX®

wireless network• Compatible with Crestron® 2-Series or

3-Series™ control systems• Stores frequently-used IR codes on

board for fastest response• Reports data overflow to the control

system• Ultra-compact, surface mount design

For further information contact Crestron House on: 011 745-8190

THE RACKOONRackoon: Earning his stripes daily.Rackoon is a power-packed addition to the Hippotizer server range. This little 1U rackmount rascal gives 6 layers of full 1080p HD playback in a shake of the tail. Boasting all the usual features of Hippotizer’s award winning software, Rackoon integrates with all other Green Hippo servers seamlessly. A loveable and helpful little beast delivering a level of functionality to belie its diminutive stature.

And there’s a reason this little fella has a twinkle in his eye. With an unrestricted output resolution, full HippoNet compatibility and all the software usability of its bigger relatives you can forgive that cheeky look.

Bouncing with feature after feature, Rackoon would be considered pesky were he not so useful. Feed him media and he’ll reward you with an array of tricks. Full geometry control and support for integration into almost any setup via a host of native protocols, plus all the renowned Hippotizer tools for video-mapping and multi-server setups means that this little fella is house-trained and ready to perform tricks that’ll make you love him. Built-in timeline functionality and scheduling features make Rackoon a powerful stand-alone playback device too.

PixelMap multiple universes via Ethernet, or even display composite video inputs such as cameras or players on any or all of its six layers. There’s a place in any setup for this little chap.

and Switches, may coexist on a single wireless network, and every device that is added to the network effectively increases the range and stability of the entire network by providing multiple redundant signal paths. Built-in Dynamic Frequency Allocation continuously monitors RF conditions, automatically selecting the clearest channel to prevent interference from neighbouring networks, cordless phones, and microwaves.

17PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

MAIN FEATURES• Single output at 1920 x 1080• Class leading video playback and real-time rendering• 6 media layers (4 layers in XFade)• PixelMapper with unrestricted number of output universes• 1U rackmount case• Optional patch panel for professional connections• 2 FX engines per layer - 100+ effects per FX engine• Frame accurate synchronisation across multiple servers• Media Manager with live media updating and WatchFolders• ScreenThief for Ethernet video capture• Keystone and ScreenWarp for non-linear projection surfaces• Soft-edge blending• Timeline for stand-alone operation• HippoNet• External control via DMX / MIDI / TCP-IP / OSC / RS232 / MaNet• High performance 3D show visualisation integration via CITP

and HMap2• Map to the most complex screen setups using RegionMapper

and the award winning VideoMapper• Create stunning multi-screen shows with UberPan controller

driving upto 4 render modes• New visual presets applicable across all layers• XFade - Seamlessly switch between clips

featured products

ELITE QUICKSTAND STAGING SCREENS

FEATURES

• Strong, lightweight and portable folding aluminium fixed-frame screen for multi-media conference/classroom presentations

• Standard CineWhite (Gain 1.1) screen material with black backing and drape kit

• Optional 2.2 Gain WraithVeil (rear-projection) - material sold separately

• Sealed edge detachable frame design with material snap button attachments and corner pull straps

• Easy setup and teardown design with no tools required• Adjustable frame height can be raised or lowered at 8" increments

for various presentations• Durable aluminium traveling case is wheeled for easy transport,

storage, and shipping for tradeshows and traveling presentations• 150" and above models come with AT legs for additional support• Available in 72" - 250" diagonal sizes in 4:3 & 16:9 aspect ratio• 2-year manufacturer parts and labour warranty, 3-year warranty for

GEMR (Government, Education, Military and Religious)

THE NEW MODEL SIZES• (4:3) 305cm x 229cm (10ft x 7.5ft)• (16:9) 266cm x 149cm (8.75ft x 4.9ft)• (16:9) 399cm x224cm (13ft x 7.2ft)• (16:9) 443cm x 249cm (14.5ft x 8.2ft)

featured products

19PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

JEM COMPACT HAZER PRO™

The Jem Compact Hazer Pro is a versatile new haze machine from Martin Professional designed for the highly demanding professional market. Its ability to produce exceptionally fine atmospheric haze in a short period of time makes it an ideal choice for rental houses, shows, theatres, TV studios, clubs, bars, cruise ships, theme parks and much more.

Robust yet small and lightweight, the Jem Compact Hazer Pro is capable of dispersing an even haze with superior optical clarity and reflectivity, the perfect haze for highlighting today’s highly defined light beams. A high-quality air pump system ensures smooth haze distribution while a unique mixing channel allows the haze to optimize before being expelled.

An Eco mode extends run times and improves fluid economy while a Silent mode slows the fan speed for operation in noise-sensitive environments. Fluid consumption is astonishingly economical due to a specially formulated K Plus haze fluid that extends hang time and leaves no residue on fixtures. Designed for easy serviceability, the Jem Compact Hazer Pro is also simple to use via an on-board digital display and standard DMX control with digital remote option. Haze level and fan speed are variably controllable while maintaining continuous output. Haze levels are easy to pre-set and setting timed programs is straightforward as well

The perfect haze solution for any application!

FEATURES

• Finest haze production in its class• Small particle, even haze• Continuous output• 1 minute heat up time• Water-based fluid with long hang time• Low fluid consumption: 95 ml/h max• Low noise• Lightweight• Optical Density Timer Control system (ODTC) • Variable haze and fan controls with 5% increments• 2.5 liter fluid capacity• Sealed fluid system for transportation• Advanced Pump Technology (APT) • Shutdown button prevents clogging• Shutdown with automatic start-up cleaning mode (if shutdown

not performed correctly)• RDM ready• On-board DMX 5pin• User-friendly on-board control panel• Optional flying kit, air director and flight adaptorsRUSH PAR 2 RGBW Zoom™

The RUSH PAR 2 RGBW Zoom is a bright single-lens LED PAR Can with fully premixed colour from 12 RGBW LEDs and a spectacular 10 – 60 ° zoom. It offers electronic dimming and strobe and comes with a flexible bracket for floor or truss mounting.

KEY FEATURES

• Bright LED PAR Can• 12 x 10 W RGBW LEDs• Single-lens wash with fully premixed colour• 10 to 60 ° zoom• Electronic dimming and strobe• Temperature-controlled fan cooling• Flexible bracket – floor or truss-mounted• 5-pin XLR

featured products

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The Projector lift SI-100 is a versatile and innovative product that enables the installation of projectors in environments where particular aesthetical solutions are needed. The product has been developed to be installed inside false ceilings in order to hide projector, lift and cables, thus granting the best aesthetic and practical solution. It has an extremely silent motor that allows a descent from a minimum of 16 cm to a maximum of 90 cm.

Moreover, the SI-100 is supplied with a unique system that allows an easy fixing of a panel of your false ceiling to the threaded bars that are height adjustable. One more interesting element of this lift is a cables gathering system with a raceway to place the cables of the projector, so they will be hidden and tidily gathered together when the projector lift is going up.

Other models are available for various installation options.

CONTROL FREAK: NEW IMPROVED AND BETTER PRICING!

Announcing the new improved CONTROL FREAK Direct Motor Controller from Electrosonic SA.

Built entirely in-house by Electrosonic using top quality components, the Control Freak is a quality, reliable and cost-effective solution to control entertainment hoists in many applications.

KEY FEATURES• Top quality components for long life

and reliability.• 4 Channels of DC Control, The unit

can be used in Master/Slave mode to link a max of 5 units giving 20 control channels

• Control from Master Unit• Phase Reverse to accommodate

different venues “house power”• Thermal and Overload reset protection

on each channel• Indication LED’S for UP/DOWN direction

indication. • Indicators for Master/Slave mode• Phase Present Indicators• Electrical Interlock to protect motors

from simultaneous UP/DOWN commands• Powder coated chassis • Flight Case Optional • Full 1 year Warranty and 24/7 Backup

PROJECTOR LIFT SI-100

M311W: 3100-LUMEN WIDESCREEN PORTABLE PROJECTOR

Get great performance while saving the environment. Advanced Eco features help to substantially lower your operating cost without compromising on quality and flexibility. Go wide with your presentations and play video content in native format.

The M311W is particularly suited for classrooms and small to medium sized meeting rooms.

QUICK FACTS• 3 Year Warranty• 3100 ANSI Lumens• WXGA Resolution (1280 x 800) 16:10• Supports 1080p• 3000:1 Contrast

Energy Efficient – Intelligent Power Management results in Reduced Power consumption and longer lamp life.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS• Auto Eco Mode• Automatic and manual Keystone• Content Transmission via Network• Crestron RoomView• DICOM Simulation• FREE DisplayNote Presenter• RS-232 Control• USB Viewer for JPEG, Virtual Remote for direct PC control

NEC DisplayNoteNEC DisplayNote is the latest interactive whiteboard tablet solution, which combines collaboration tools with NEC Projectors to create the ideal collective presentation solution for learning establishments. Users can present, share and collaborate ideas and presentations across all major platforms (Windows, Android, Apple, Linux and iOS) and any connected device, such as an iPad, Android tablet, smartphone, netbook or laptop. Upgrade your presentation system’s effectiveness without replacing hardware. NEC DisplayNote operates in two main scenarios, a presenter scenario with powerful presentation and annotation features and the multi-user collaboration scenario which makes the learning process a fully inclusive class activity.

Download Displaynote at www.nec-display-solutions.com/displaynote

FREE DisplayNote PRESENTER LICENCE WITH SELECTED NEC PROJECTORS (LIMITED OFFER)!

HIGHLY FLEXIBLE COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION:• Works on all major platforms and Connected Devices• NEC Edition includes additional Features such as projector control• Multi-Level Features Include:

• Annotation• Highlighting• Drawing• Underlining and Adding Text• Notes• Images

• Save Sessions and reload when required• Import Images from photo streams or live from Camera

Call Electrosonic TODAY and get a FREE Wifi Dongle with your NEC M311W Projector, download Display Note and let the Interactivity begin! All still at the best price!

21PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

featured products

GALAXY PRO VIDEO WALL CONTROLLER SOLUTIONS

The GALAXY range of controllers is a highly expandable and flexible solution for video wall and multi-screen display applications, offering various display configuration possibilities. Whether you require a simple 4 screen data wall or a complex system, GALAXY hardware can be tailor-made to suit your needs.

The controllers are optimised for operation with the latest generation of PCI express graphics and video capture cards. The GALAXY PRO can also be used with the GALAXY PRO-X expansion chassis.

FUNCTIONALITY: • Redundant power supplies and hard drives• Input cards cater for almost any type

of video signals, from legacy analogue signals to the latest high definition signals

• The outputs are just as flexible with cards that cater for DVI, HDMI, RGB and VGA

• Easily integrates with control systems such as Crestron

• Wall control software allows for user configurable layouts and input selections

VIDEO & GRAPHICS WALL CONTROLLERVIDEO & GRAPHICS WALL CONTROLLERGALAXY

The GALAXY X4 is a perfect product for an entry level video wall processor and it supports several variations of screen configuration.

FEATURES:• 1 to 40 Display channels using the WALL-4

graphics card• 4 to 128 video capture channels using the

VideoSD8 or VideoSD4+1 capture cards• 1 to 32 RGB/HD/DVI capture channels using

the DVI-RGB capture cards• 1 or 2 GALAXY PRO-X expansion chassis

providing a maximum of 25 PCI express slots• Wall Control Software

featured products

KDS-EN2R: HDMI OVER IP RECEIVER

The KDS−EN2R is an IP−based receiver for HDMI signals. Using JPEG2000 compression technology, the KDS−EN2R receives a visually lossless HD image with digital stereo over a 1000BaseT LAN from a KDS−EN2T transmitter for multicasting, video wall and digital signage applications.

WP-580TXR: ACTIVE WALL PLATE − HDMI OVER EXTENDED RANGE HDBaseT TWISTED PAIR TRANSMITTERThe WP−580TXR is an extended range, HDBaseT twisted pair wall plate transmitter for HDMI signals. The WP−580TXR inputs HDMI signals and converts them into an HDBaseT twisted pair signal that it transmits to a WP−580RXR receiver.

QUICK FACTS:• Max. Data Rate − 10.2Gbps (3.4Gbps per graphic channel)• Size - Wallplate• Audio – E

KEY FEATURES:• Max. Data Rate - 10.2Gbps (3.4Gbps per graphic channel)• HDTV Compatible• HDCP Compliance• HDBaseT™ Technology• HDMI Support - Deep Color, x.v.Color™, Lip Sync, HDMI Uncompressed

Audio Channels, Dolby TrueHD, DTS−HD, CEC• 3D Pass-Through• EDID PassThru - Passes EDID signals between the source and display• 2K & 4K Support

• System Range - Up to 130m (430ft) normal mode; up to 180m (590ft) Ultra mode (1080p @60Hz @24bpp) when using BC−DGKat623 cables

• Cable - Requires shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. For optimum range and performance use, use Kramer's BC−DGKat524, BC−DGKat623 and BC−DGKat7a23 cables. Note that the transmission range depends on the signal resolution, graphics card and display used. The distance using non−Kramer CAT 5, CAT 6, and CAT 7 cables may not reach these ranges. Use only shielded cable where both ends of the shield are soldered to ground

• Indicators - Status LEDs for input, output, link and power• Dimensions - 12.4cm x 3.12cm x 7.9cm (4.88" x 1.29" x 3.12") US; 15.1cm x

2.96cm x 8.6cm (5.95" x 1.17" x 3.39"), 15.1cm x 2.96cm x 8.0cm (5.95" x 1.17" x 3.15") EU (W, D, H)

• Wall Plate Size - 2 Gang

QUICK FACTS• JPEG 2000 compression technology• Point to point, Multicasting & broadcasting

architecture,• Up to 9 transmitters & 81 receivers• Size - DigiTOOLS®• Audio - E

• Multicasting and Broadcasting Architecture - Each channel requires about 55Mbps.

• Cost Efficient Infrastructure - Transmits an HDMI signal over one CAT5e/6/7 cable.

• HDTV Compatible.• Controls - Group ID can be defined either via the built−in DIP−switches

or by using the remote utility.• RS-232 Pass−Thru - Controls the HDMI display from the transmitter side.• Compact DigiTOOLS® - With a built−in mounting plate for versatile

installation.• Size - DigiTOOLS®

RC-78R: 8−BUTTON ROOM CONTROLLER

WP-580RXR: ACTIVE WALL PLATE − HDMI OVER EXTENDED RANGE HDBASET TWISTED PAIR RECEIVER

The RC−78R is an eight−button configurable room controller for multimedia rooms. It controls audio components, video components and other room facilities such as lights and screens.

QUICK FACTS• 8 Configurable Buttons• 2 Bidirectional RS−232 Ports• Control − Ethernet & K−NET

The WP−580RXR is an extended range, HDBaseT twisted pair wall plate receiver for HDMI signals. The WP−580RXR receives an HDBaseT twisted pair signal from the WP−580TXR and converts it back into HDMI signals.

• 2 Bidirectional RS-232 Ports - Control AV equipment such as projectors, LCD and PDP displays, power amplifiers, switchers and scalers.

• 2 Relay Contact Closure Ports - Control other room items related to the AV system, such as, raising and lowering drapes, a screen or a projector.

• 2 IR Control Ports - With an IR learning receiver behind the front plate that learns commands from any IR remote.

• 1 RS-485 Port.• Kramer Site-CTRL Compatibility - For network remote control and

management over the Ethernet port.• K-NET™ Control Channel - Connects compatible user interfaces, supply

power and control data over a single cable.• Flexible Control - Via Ethernet and K−NET.• Wall Plate Size - 1 gang, Decora compatible.

KEY FEATURES:• High Flexibility - Flexible and scalable HDMI 1080p for video

broadcasting with Gigabit Ethernet LAN.• High Scalability - Up to 9 transmitters and more than 81 receivers

possible in a video wall system, as well as over 200 receivers from each transmitter in multicasting mode.

KEY FEATURES• 8 Configurable Buttons - RGB backlit, front panel buttons, configured

using the K−Config configuration software.• 1 GPI/O Port - Can be configured by K−Config as a digital input, digital

output or analog input for interfacing with a variety of devices such as sensors, switches, LEDs, or relays.

featured products

23PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

tutorial

– fourth quarter 201324 PROMAG

HOW TO SELECT A PROJECTION SCREEN – by Elite Screens

Quick tips to help you pick the right projection screen for your application.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND ON YOUR SCREEN?A good rule of thumb is to spend 15-30% of your projector cost. This is a suitable quality-to-cost ratio between your projector and projector screen.

WHAT TYPE OF SCREEN IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR PROJECTION ENVIRONMENT?

Wall/Ceiling Screens• Manual Pull-down Screens are simple, reliable and affordable -

perfect for entry level. They present a flat projection surface.• Fixed Frame Screens are generally used for dedicated home

theatres. Most high-end professional installers prefer Fixed Frame Screens for home theatres as opposed to Retractable Screens. Our sizes, measured diagonally, range from 76" to 200" – which is big enough to guarantee a larger than life viewing experience.

• Electric/Motorised Screens are ideal for a concealed projection system. It allows you to use your media room for other purposes: e.g. conference room, classroom, or family room. Our product comes fully assembled; all you have to do is plug and play. Our Electric Screens range from 75" to 400" (diagonally across).

Portable Screens• ezCinema Floor Pull-Up Screens (150" diagonally across) use a

simple telescoping support that’s quick and easy to set up and take down.

• ezCinema Plus Floor Pull-Up Screens have all of the virtues of the ezCinema with the addition of one crucial element: the unique ‘Scissor Back’ self-standing spring support allows for easy adjustment of the screen to the desired level.

• QuickStand Folding Screens are commercial grade, portable, fixed-frame screens - ideal for large traveling presentations and tradeshows. They are durable, light, and offer both front and back projection. Little wonder that QuickStand Folding Screens are a favourite in the Commercial AV Industry and are extensively used for outdoor film screenings and DJ events. (Drape Kit models also available).

Whiteboard & Pliable Screens• Insta-DE Screens are self-adhesive whiteboard projection

screens with dry-erase capabilities. They can be easily applied to walls, windows and existing standard whiteboards.

• Insta-DEM Screens have a magnetic backing for easy installation on metal surfaces or magnetic whiteboards. They also offer dry-erase capabilities.

• Insta-RP Screens are optical rear projection self-adhesive screen films; suitable for commercial applications, and where a permanent rear projection display is needed.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT SCREEN SIZE FOR YOU?The right size depends on personal preference, but it’s wise to choose a diagonal screen size that is shorter than, or equal to, the distance from the screen to the front-row.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT ASPECT RATIO FOR YOU?• 1:1 – A square-shaped screen is ideal for overhead projectors,

and is commonly used in Educational/Classroom environments.

C Tip: Choose this format if you are using a native SVGA/XGA Projector and occasionally use an OHP or 1:1 slide projector for your presentations

• 4:3 - This aspect ratio is the same as a standard television (Non-High Definition) or computer (SVGA, XGA, UXGA) resolution. C Tip: Select this format screen if you are using a native SVGA, XGA or UXGA projector for your presentations

• 16:10 - This is the most popular aspect ratio for the latest WXGA or WUXGA notebooks.

C Tip: Choose the 16:10 screen if you use a native wide screen notebook or wide XGA (UXGA) projector.

• 16:9 - This is the High Definition Television (HDTV) format and is the most widely used aspect ratio for the latest television designs.

C Tip: Choose a 16:9 Projection Screen if you are planning to use it with a native 16:9 format projector.

• 2.35:1 - Widescreen Cinemascope format, which is perfect for the new anamorphic lenses on the market today.

C Tip: Select the 2.35:1 format screen if your application is strictly for home theatre Cinemascope presentations.

C Tip: 2.35:1 and 16:9 are the most popular formats for Home Cinema. (Elite Screens’ Osprey Tension Dual is designed for this application).


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