by KMB Communications | Jun 4, 2024 | Kordz, News, Trade Show news
The latest in a series of Kordz’ articles outlining the essentials of HDMI technology explores key features, as well as hidden and seldom-used functionality, to optimise audio-visual performance.
June 4, 2024 – HDMI technology has improved the performance of audio and video systems immensely and it’s the understanding of HDMI features that is the key to systems integrators optimising their audio-visual setups. Unlike HDMI cables, which physically transmit signals, HDMI features define how these signals are interpreted and utilised by devices. So, whether configuring a home theatre, gaming console, or professional AV setup, familiarity with HDMI features empowers integrators to make smarter decisions, ensuring seamless compatibility and optimal performance in their projects.
Despite the industry’s general knowledge of HDMI features, there remains some confusion and little-known aspects of HDMI that are valuable for integrators to keep in mind, which is why Kordz has put together an informative article that explores commonly overlooked nuances and intricacies. The third in Kordz’ popular HDMI Demystified series, ‘HDMI Demystified: Exploring the Features’, delves deep into the technologies behind each specific feature, helping systems integrators choose the best cabling for the job while preparing their AV systems for the future.
Kordz begins by explaining the performance advantages of audio features found in some HDMI cables including Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). By understanding the differences and benefits of each attribute to audio reproduction, systems integrators can deliver rich and immersive audio experiences.
The unique features of an HDMI cable also impact video performance, so Kordz breaks down the finer points here, as well, including the cable’s support of Source-Based Tone mapping, Deep Colour, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), outlining the impact of these technologies on the viewing experience.
In addition to these core functionalities are a litany of other features that can play a critical role in the performance of an AV system, which Kordz thoroughly explains, including HDMI with Ethernet, Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), Variable Rate Refresh (VRR), and High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP).
“Whether a customer needs basic connections or seeks high-definition perfection, there’s a specific HDMI solution for every project and application,” says James Chen, Kordz managing director. “The trick is selecting the correct HDMI cable for the job and budget, and this third chapter of our HDMI Demystified series provides systems integrators with a shopping list of sorts when selecting an HDMI cable that will ensure optimal performance and interoperability now and in the future.”
To subscribe to future chapters of Kordz’ HDMI Demystified series, or for more information about Kordz, its comprehensive range of professional-grade connectivity products, and free integrator resources, please visit www.kordz.com.
About Kordz
Kordz is the connectivity brand for integrators, by integrators. A multi-award-winning global industry leader in professional-grade connectivity products, Kordz’ team of seasoned former integrators is on a mission to ‘Kordzify’ and optimise technology for professionals by designing, engineering, and manufacturing products that deliver ease and profitability through a seamless installation experience with high-performance results that today’s tech-savvy end-users expect. With a wide range of robust, fast, and effective solutions backed by expert technical support, Kordz helps integrators around the world meet the evolving cabling requirements of a diverse range of residential and commercial environments. For more information about Kordz, please visit kordz.com and follow the company @kordzglobal on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications at (425) 328-8640 or [email protected]
by KMB Communications | Jun 3, 2024 | Leon Speakers, News, Trade Show news
Integrated video conferencing options, high-performance speakers, and display frame solutions designed to elevate and streamline the workplace will all be front and center at Leon’s InfoComm Booth #C8835.
[Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 31, 2024] – As modern workplaces continue utilizing a new hybrid communication style, both form and function are more important than ever in the world of AV technology. At this year’s InfoComm, Leon will showcase a diverse portfolio of stylish and scalable framing options, VC integration, and high-quality audio solutions that complement and enhance the design of any commercial space
“How we integrate AV technology, leaning into design-forward tech solutions, is just as important as the rest of the workplace interior in creating a modern, approachable, and elevated environment,” said Leon founder and president Noah Kaplan. “Leon’s integrated conferencing solutions, high-performance speakers, and display frames & furnishings—all customizable and at-scale—help businesses to do just that.”
From single one-of-a-kind spaces to at-scale global rollouts, Leon’s diverse range of adaptable, contemporary AV and VC solutions is designed to meet the needs of today’s industries. From corporate environments to hospitality, government, and healthcare spaces, Leon is reimagining today’s commercial spaces and empowering integrators, installers, and end users to elevate the modern collaborative experience.
Returning to InfoComm on the heels of a successful debut appearance at the designer-focused ICFF, Leon will highlight several of the popular groundbreaking commercial solutions that caught the eye of prominent commercial interior designers at the New York show—and introduce two brand-new conferencing solutions with the Edge Connect and Edge 360 Kiosk.
Leon’s Edge Connect and Edge 360 Kiosk integrate a wide range of videoconferencing equipment into one streamlined furniture-grade enclosure. Built to match single or dual displays—and accommodating soundbars, multiple cameras, and other AV components—Edge Connect is an on-wall framing system with an optional table that easily adapts to different office setups, while the freestanding Edge 360 accommodates environments where wall-mounting is not possible.
A unique combination of form and function suited to high-design and hospitality-oriented commercial environments, the wall-mounted Mera Sound Sconce represents Leon’s exciting creative collaboration with the design and architecture firm, Mera Studio Architects. This game-changing new solution delivers full-range audio and dimmable lighting in three unique colorways—elevating the sound, look, and feel of any commercial space. Its artisan-inspired design integrates Leon’s world-class audio components and diffused LED lighting by American Lighting.
Continuing to pioneer a new standard in videoconferencing integration, Leon’s Edge FIT Frame is a design-forward, all-in-one unit that seamlessly blends technology with the surrounding environment to elevate the style and functionality of conference rooms, huddle spaces, and other meeting spots. Combining two of Leon’s most popular handcrafted products—the Edge Media Frame and the TcFIT Universal mounting bracket—the Edge FIT Frame embodies a stylish, streamlined VC framing system. This beautiful and intuitive solution accommodates any single or dual display setup while simultaneously mounting and concealing all-in-one video bars, webcams, and other AV hardware behind a custom-width grille.
“The most successful commercial spaces that we see are those that have put real thought into the form and function of every detail,” said Kaplan. “Our goal at this year’s InfoComm is to lead by design and show how important AV and conferencing technology are in creating an elevated, functional, and inspiring space. Leon’s solutions are easy to install, and as you enter our booth, you’ll immediately see the difference they can make for a space.”
See Leon’s latest design solutions at InfoComm in booth #C8835 and learn more by visiting www.leonspeakers.com.
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About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to technology by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For 25 years, the company has been a leader in the conversation about merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more by visiting www.leonspeakers.com and by following @leonspeakers on social media.
Media Contact
Press Contact: Katye McGregor Bennett of KMB Communications, (425) 328-8640 or [email protected]
Company Contact:
Sabine Bickford
Marketing & Communications Manager at Leon Speakers
(888) 213-5015
[email protected]
by KMB Communications | Jun 3, 2024 | Daisy, News
Costa Mesa, Calif., May 30, 2024 – Daisy, the first national smart space installation and services company, is excited to announce the addition of smart home industry veteran Richard Glikes as a senior advisor, effective immediately.
A much-heralded veteran of the home technology and smart home industries, Glikes brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by brands, integration firms, and consumers alike. His background includes founding and serving as the President of Azione Unlimited for 13 years, leading the HTSA group as Executive Director for 15 years prior, and spending many years in retail sales and management earlier in his career.
In his new role, Glikes will collaborate with Daisy’s senior leadership team, consulting on key initiatives that support the success of its growing network of integration firms. Richard will additionally continue to serve Azione as a consultant during this time.
“We are continuously seeking out the advice and support of industry experts to help us create the most effective support foundation for Daisy’s growing network of custom integrators,” says Daisy Founder and CEO Hagan Kappler. “We are delighted to add Richard to our bevy of industry experts to help us expedite our plans to deliver an even more successful environment for custom integration firms and ambitious technicians who join our team.”
“What I find intriguing is that Daisy is on track to be the fastest-growing national brand in custom integration,” Glikes adds. “This really smart team is looking at the industry with fresh eyes. They are committed to not only elevating the nature of the industry but also to enhancing owners’ profitability and giving their employees a better quality of life with a sense of belonging to a truly great team. This is very exciting. I’m thrilled to be a part of this!”
“Adding exceptional industry talent to our team creates a balance between our vision and reality” continues Kappler. “As Daisy acquires firms and opens in new markets, we also provide industry connections, insights, and expertise to drive our local teams’ success. We look forward to continuing to do so, now with the support of Richard’s decades of experience serving this community.”
Daisy recently announced expansion in California, Connecticut, and Florida – and is actively hiring qualified technicians and other key team members to continue to support its exceptional standards of service to loyal and new clientele in those markets.
To learn more about becoming part of Daisy’s family of integration firms, business owners can visit daisyco.com/newteammember, and integration professionals can head to daisyco.com/joiningthedaisyteam.
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About Daisy
Daisy is a national smart space installation and services company that simplifies smart home and office technology to make it work and perform optimally for its users, solving one of the biggest in-home problems today and bringing more joy into the home and office. For more information on becoming a Daisy-certified technician or to register as a future business partner, or customer, please visit daisyco.com.
Media Contact
For more information about Daisy please contact Katye McGregor Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
by KMB Communications | May 24, 2024 | Listen Technologies, News, Trade Show news
Listen Technologies, a leading provider of advanced wireless listening solutions for 25 years, and Ampetronic, a world-leading provider of audio induction loop systems, are committed to making clear audio accessible to as many people as possible. They are bringing their full suite of solutions and a new Auracast™ broadcast audio-based product to booth C8935 at InfoComm 2024. Highlights include:
- A discussion about Auracast™ and its impact on assistive listening provision today and in the future, led by Tracy Bathurst from Listen Technologies and Julian Pieters from Ampetronic, Wednesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. in W219/W220.
- Demonstrations of ListenWIFI, Listen Technologies’ next-gen audio over Wi-Fi solution that will begin shipping in June.
- ListenTALK will once again support all AVIXA Show Floor Tours at InfoComm.
- “Beer and Gear” in the booth Thursday, June 13, from 3-5 p.m.
Together, Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have more than 60 years of combined experience helping people hear better with innovative technologies and solutions. They are part of Allvida, a rapidly growing group of companies offering products and solutions for accessibility.
This is what Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have planned for InfoComm 2024:
- Listen Technologies and Ampetronic Will Preview Auri™
Listen Technologies and Ampetronic will preview Auri™, a new product they have co-developed. Auri™ is the first complete, installed assistive listening system utilizing Auracast™ broadcast audio, a new standard for Bluetooth® Low Energy, that will transform the way hearing assistance is delivered in public spaces.
Auracast™ broadcast audio can broadcast audio simultaneously to an unlimited number of Auracast™ compatible devices. In spaces where Auracast™ broadcast audio is available, people with hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, receivers, or other devices that are Auracast™ compatible will be able to connect to a transmitter and receive high-quality audio without added noise or effects caused by the room environment. This will provide both improved experience and broader inclusivity.
It may take years before Auracast™ compatible devices are widely available and adopted. Auri™ is the first generation Auracast™ broadcast audio-based assistive listening solution that lets venues and end users access the emerging Bluetooth® Low Energy Auracast™ market now.
Auri™ is expected to ship later this year.
- Listen Technologies and Ampetronic Will Discuss the Impacts of New and Emerging Technologies on Assistive Listening
On Wednesday, June 12, at 10:00 a.m. in W219/W220, Tracy Bathurst, chief technology officer at Listen Technologies, and Julian Pieters, managing director at Ampetronic, will discuss the impact of Auracast™ on assistive listening provision today and in the future.
Bathurst and Pieters will address how changes in hearing aid and mobile device technology will affect assistive listening specifications for venues and service providers. They will also offer unique insight on new and emerging assistive listening solutions coming to market in 2024.
This session, titled “Auracast™, a New Future for Assistive Listening?” is for anyone interested in leveraging technology to make clear audio accessible and deliver better listening experiences.
- Listen Technologies Will Soon Begin Shipping ListenWIFI
Listen Technologies’ award-winning, next-generation audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening solution, ListenWIFI, will begin shipping in June. Visitors to booth C8935 can experience ListenWIFI and learn more about the system’s new LWR-1050 Receivers, LA-490 Beacons, servers, and enhanced software. It is globally compliant with accessibility requirements.
In venues that offer audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening, guests can download the free ListenWIFI app on their smartphone, log into the venue’s Wi-Fi network, and stream audio to their phone. The LWR-1050 is the first dedicated audio over Wi-Fi receiver and lets venues offer guests a choice on how they wish to receive streamed audio.
LA-490 Beacons provide location-based audio for a fully automated and seamless user experience. Beacons are small, lightweight units that can be mounted on a wall and configured to transmit information to LWR-1050 receivers or smartphones running the ListenWIFI app when they are in range of the units. Venues determine coverage areas and channel access.
ListenWIFI is globally compliant with accessibility requirements. The solution offers unlimited channels and industry-low latency. It is ideal for higher education, corporate environments, and houses of worship where noise and distance can make hearing clearly difficult. Applications include assistive listening, interpretation, video description, and audio from multiple screens.
- Listen Technologies and Ampetronic Will Showcase the Breadth of their Assistive Listening Solutions
Listen Technologies and Ampetronic partnered in 2023 to expand their respective portfolios of assistive listening solutions with complementary technologies and systems and bring exceptional products to market.
In addition to previewing Auri™, the Auracast™ broadcast audio-based assistive listening system they have co-developed and plan to bring to market later this year, Listen Technologies and Ampetronic will showcase their respective assistive listening systems that are available now.
- Listen Technologies will demonstrate ListenWIFI, ListenRF, ListenIR, and ListenTALK, its portable group communication system.
- AVIXA is once again using ListenTALK to support all Show Floor Tours at InfoComm.
- Ampetronic will demonstrate the W5-2 professional induction loop driver, designed to ensure high-quality, low-spill hearing loop performance in compact spaces.
- Ampetronic will unveil a Q-SYS plugin for the C series hearing loop drivers. As part of the Q-SYS Ecosystem, software and hardware manufacturers collaborate with Q-SYS to create market-ready solutions that integrate seamlessly with its cloud-manageable audio, video, and control platform.
- Listen Technologies and Ampetronic Will Host “Beer & Gear” at Booth C8935 Thursday, June 13, from 3-5 p.m.
All are invited to visit the booth for a beverage, conversation, and demonstrations of Listen Technologies and Ampetronic solutions. Listen Technologies will also highlight recent installations of its assistive listening systems.
by KMB Communications | May 21, 2024 | Future Ready Solutions, News
Systems integrators can optimize videowall performance, streamline installation with new video processors and extender kit from LightSpeed Technologies exhibited by Future Ready Solutions at InfoComm 2024
(Bonita Springs, Florida) May 21, 2024 – One of the hottest categories in the systems integration industry today is videowalls. To help integrators exploit this exciting new market opportunity and optimize the performance of installed LED videowalls, LightSpeed Technologies has developed installation-friendly connectivity products. Its new MV-4K-4X1 MultiView Video Processor and VW-4K-2X Video Wall Processor, among other connectivity brands, will be prominently displayed by its U.S.-based distributor Future Ready Solutions at InfoComm 2024 Booth #C10157.
MV-4K-4X1 MultiView Video Processor Transforms TVs into Multi-Window Displays with
Future Ready Solutions showcases the LightSpeed Technologies MV-4K-4X1 MultiView Video Processor, an all-in-one solution that enables multiple streams of video to be displayed simultaneously on a large screen for an immersive viewing experience. With 4K@60Hz input and output, the LightSpeed MV-4K-4X1 MultiView Video Processor seamlessly switches between four input signals and offers various screen layouts, including Original mode, Dual-view mode, H mode, PIP mode, and Quad mode to cater to different image display preferences. Control options include buttons, an IR remote, and RS232.
VW-4K-2X Processor Simplifies HDMI Connections to Videowalls; HDMI Fiber Optic Extender Kit Spreads Video to Other Displays
The VW-4K-2X from LightSpeed Technologies is a compact 2X2 Video Wall Processor that simplifies HDMI connections. It supports up to a 4K@60Hz resolution and offers seamless switching between HDMI sources and outputs to enable the creation of immersive videowalls. The processor allows up to four HDMI sources to be connected in matrix switcher mode for distribution across four HDMI outputs. In videowall mode, outputs can be arranged into a 2×2 layout for a unified display. Adjustments like bezel correction and image rotation are easy to perform. The LightSpeed VW-4K-2X processor provides analog and digital S/PDIF audio for outputs 1 and 2 and offers various control options including front panel buttons, IR remote, RS232, web UI, or TCP protocols. Firmware updates via the web UI or Micro USB port ensure that the latest technologies and capabilities are supported and a user-friendly design makes HDMI management effortless.
Extend the video to other displays using LightSpeed Technologies’ HDMI Fiber Optic Extender Kit. Consisting of FOX1-ENC transmitter, FOX1-DEC receiver, and power supplies, the FOX1-KIT FOX1-KIT extends 4K@60 4:4:4 HDR up to 300m (1000 feet) with multimode duplex fiber or up to 20km (12 miles) with single-mode duplex fiber. 10G multimode SFP+ modules are also included.
Get to know Future Ready Solutions
Future Ready Solutions stocks a robust assortment of best-in-class connectivity solutions proven to work reliably together, making it the go-to resource for over 1,500 dealers in the industry. At InfoComm 2024 Booth #C10157 commercial integrators will find the products, service, and support they need to successfully deploy advanced networking systems for a broad range of applications. To learn more about these systems and Future Ready Solutions, please visit www.futurereadysolutions.com.
About Future Ready Solutions
Future Ready Solutions was created to assemble the best brands in connectivity for systems integrators and installers that service the residential and commercial integration markets. Future Ready Solutions is dedicated to being a hybrid supplier that operates both as a nationally powerful representative company AND a distributor focused on high-performance connectivity solutions for the custom integration channel. Future Ready Solutions creates customized sales/distribution strategies and programs for its vendors that will optimize the sales and marketing of their products in the U.S. and help residential and commercial integration firms excel in a highly competitive systems integration market. Future Ready Solutions further demonstrates its commitment to the success of manufacturers and integrators through membership and partnership with several leading companies and associations including Azione, Prosource, CEDIA, Consumer Technology Association, D-Tools, DPL Labs, and Home Technology Association. Visit www.futurereadysolutions.com to learn more.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, or more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
