Wireless Micrphone Frequency Changes: Will Your System Still Work?

Grant's Perspective on ... wireless microphone users need to check their unit's operating frequency.

The end of this month will see the  first changes to the use of wireless communications frequencies. Industry Canada has reallocated the 698 - 806 MHz spectrum to make more room for cell phone systems. This means that if you use wireless microphones you need to know what frequency they are set to or you may soon have a rude surprise.

Sennheiser Canada has released details of a trade in allowance for people that have systems that will soon not work properly. A good idea! Contact one of our Inland AV locations for more information on wireless microphone systems.

Grant

New Media Manitoba Press Conference

Grant's Perspective on ... New Media Manitoba receives funding to develop an interactive Digital Media Strategy.

I was pleased to see that Western Economic Diversification, Entrepreneurship Training; Trade, and Innovation Energy and Mines have provided the funding to have New Media Manitoba develop a Digital Media Strategy. This funding can only help Manitoba's technology sector get stronger.

The video below is from the press conference announcing the funding. The Inland AV Rentals department supported the event.

NMM: Funding Announced for a New Media Strategy from Handcraft on Vimeo.

Grant

Keeping Crestron Updated With MasterInstaller

Grant's Perspective on ... Crestron makes keeping current with software updates easy.

When creating a custom Crestron control system, there are a handful-plus of software applications required in order to write the custom program.  Ditto for data bases.  Primarily there is one program for the controller and one for the touch panel.  Then there are the miscellaneous Apps needed for uploading, configuring, etc. and the data bases containing device modules and logic symbols, etc.  I pity the beginner programmer who naively figured they could download some software and create a masterpiece in a few hours - LOL.

With all the data bases, new features, graphics, etc. Crestron is excellent at providing, all the software applications and data bases need to be updated.  This occurs so frequently I upgrade all these apps and data bases every time I start a new project.  And keep in mind the files are huge!

Crestron has now made it easy!  A while back they provided an App called MasterInstaller that will do this for me. I simply open Master Installer, it automatically checks the current version of all my Crestron Apps and Crestron data bases, and provides a list of what needs to be updated.  I can edit the list and then simply let it proceed with downloading and installing all the new updates.  Awesome!   Since most of the downloads are huge, I can just let this run while I’m away at a meeting, when I return it’s all done.  Double Awesome!  Life is good and this computer-impatient person doesn’t have a cow before 10:00 am! 

This is also very beneficial to field techs who are working with Crestron long distance.  I know they will have their “tools” updated as required on a regular basis.

AND, even better, this is good for the Crestron customer.  They can be assured what they get under the hood is recent.  I believe a control system should run for years for the client and the only time the client should need an upgrade is when they want to add more devices or control features to the system.

Grant

Sharp PNV601 At Digital Signage Expo 2011

Grant's Perspective on ... the Sharp PNV601 video wall monitor bezel mirror.

I was sent a link to a video made on the floor of the Digital Signage Expo 2011. I had earlier posted on how impressive this monitor is for video wall applications with the "world's thinnest" bezel. Sharp has added a mirror bezel which reflects the image from the monitors so that at a distance the bezel is nearly invisible. How cool is that!

Below is a screen capture from the video with a close up of the mirror. Click through to have a look at the entire 1 minute video.

Grant

Hitachi Introduces the iPJ-AW250N Interactive Projector

Grant's Perspective on ... Hitachi iPJ-AW250N interactive projector.

Hitachi has announced that they will be soon adding the iPJ-AW250N interactive projector to their product line-up. This ultra-short throw projector is a 2,500 ANSI lumen projector with a resolution of 1280 x 800 (16:10).

Their preliminary information refers to this projector as being "software agnostic". This means that any software that you run on your computer will work with the projector. You are not restricted to using proprietary software that is licensed by the hardware manufacturer.

I was pleased to see that Hitachi has included an HDMI input. HDMI is a cable standard for high definition (HD) equipment that carries both audio and video signals.

Below are Hitachi photos of the projector and infrared pen.

We are anticipating the release of  this interactive projector soon.

Grant