At InfoComm, Audinate confirmed its 150th OEM partner, with Kramer Electronics licensing its Dante media networking technology. Audinate also promoted its own conference. The AV Networking World was a free all-day conference providing the latest information about the real world use cases of converged AV and IT networks, held June 17 at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel next to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
AV Networking World featured panel discussions and cases studies from leading industry design consultants, installation contractors, networking experts, plus major professional audio equipment manufacturers. Jamie Anderson, from Rational Acoustics introduced how SMAART Acoustical Measurement Analysis can be simplified using Dante networked solutions, while Ted White, from Focusrite, detailed how to configure high performance installations using Dante audio networks.
Audinate announced its new Dante Via software solution to allow complete, standalone audio systems of networked PCs without the need for any dedicated Dante-enabled hardware to be present on the network. Several manufacturers also made significant new product announcements, including PreSonus’ showing of Dante network PA speakers and Audio-Technica’s introduction of the new ATND971 Network Microphone, which transmits audio and control data together over Dante audio networks.
At InfoComm 2014, Dante was overwhelmingly the market leading solution, proving it’s already the most interoperable audio networking technology. In the Dante Controller demonstration, over 40 pieces of manufacturers’ equipment, distributing several hundred audio channels, were all connected via Dante, showing how the networking technology is truly Plug and Play.
More oriented towards the pro-AV market, for commercial and residential installations, digital signage, broadcasting, industrial PCs, and more, the HDBaseT Alliance also celebrated significant success at the InfoComm 2014, with an increase of 60% year-over-year in its membership.
The HDBaseT Alliance is the cross-industry group tasked with promoting and advancing HDBaseT technology, already with more than 100 members in its roster, and new companies joining every day. New members include Sony Corp., Philips, Christie Digital Systems, Panasonic, Polycom, Kanexpro, Aten International, and others.
Member companies are responsible for hundreds of HDBaseT-enabled products in the market today, including extenders and adapters, matrixes and switchers, projectors, AV receivers, displays and now 4K-enabled devices. Most recently, the Alliance has launched Spec 2.0 of the HDBaseT standard, and founding member Valens Semiconductor has just announced general availability of Spec 2.0 Colligo chipset.
“HDBaseT technology continues to gain momentum in the AV sector, given its ability to deliver uncompressed high-definition TV and audio, control, Ethernet and power, over one simple cable. With the advent of 4K video, we will continue to see healthy growth in this market, and consequently, more demand for HDBaseT,” stated Sarah Carroll, Director of Global Business Development, Futuresource Consulting.
More than 30 manufacturers have introduced new HDBaseT products at InfoComm 2014, including a new 4K HDBaseT switcher for dual display systems from Atlona; matrix, videowall, signage and scalers from Cypress Technology, KanexPro, Key Digital, Lightware, Philips and Primeview; complete installation solutions from Crestron; new projectors from Panasonic, Christie, Sony and Hitachi; and network solutions from Apantac, ATEN International, Aurora Multimedia, Broadata Communications and Hall Research, among many others.
“The marketplace strongly supports the InfoComm show, and we are grateful for the attendee support and for the innovative exhibitors who are committed to making InfoComm a can’t-miss event on the industry calendar,” stated David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International.
More than 5,700 seats were filled at InfoComm University sessions, which provided practical training and attracted the industry’s best and brightest instructors and students. Attendees come to InfoComm for the diversity of courses on topics ranging from acoustics to videoconferencing. Popular courses included BYODs: The New Reality, The Future of Video Collaboration, CTS Prep, Designing Classrooms and 4K is Here: Are You Ready For It? With two-thirds of all of the education sessions being new, technology managers flocked to the inaugural InfoComm’s Solutions Summits on UCC and Digital Signage, attracting more than 500 participants.
There were 947 exhibitors participating at InfoComm this year. Exhibitors occupied more than 490,000 net square feet of exhibit and special events space. InfoComm 2014 was platinum sponsored by Crestron, Microsoft, Panasonic and Samsung. Gold sponsored by Aurora, Blackmagic Design, Christie Digital, Epson, NEC and Ricoh.
InfoComm International is the international trade association representing the professional audiovisual and information communications industries.
www.infocomm.org | www.infocommshow.org
