rAVe Pro -- Volume 4, Issue 24 -- December 21, 2006

Welcome to another edition of rAVe!

As you know by now from our news blast and other ProAV media, TFCinfo founder Paul Martin and his entire family passed away this week. I expressed my sadness at the loss, both personally and professionally, in the blast (you can also read it below), and I also heard from a number of readers who reacted to the news blast expressing their grief as well. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this is surely one of those times. Paul was a fine man who is already missed.

In our features section, we bring you the second part of Brian Huff’s great article about the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System and its impact on your ProAV business. Thanks, Brian!

Enjoy the issue!

Gary Kayye, CTS

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Feature Article

LEED, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way
Part 2
By Brian E. Huff

Read Part 1 at http://www.ravepro.com/issues/2006/12/rpvol4_iss23/index.htm#feature1

Intro

LEED is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, a national benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings, started in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.com). It’s a voluntary certification program for building owners and architects to improve performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

· sustainable site development

· water savings

· energy efficiency

· materials selection

· indoor environmental quality

Part 2

In order to earn certification, a building must meet certain prerequisites and performance benchmarks ("credits") within each category. Depending on the number of points achieved, the building can attain the following LEED status:

Platinum: 52 – 69 points

Gold: 39 – 51 points

Silver: 33 – 38 points

Certified : 26 – 32 points


Of course the overall goal is to reduce operating costs, support healthier and more productive occupants, and conserve natural resources. Many decisions must be made starting early and continuing though construction that may – or may not – allow the project to be awarded LEED certification once the building is complete. And there is often a cost implication that makes obtaining the points difficult and expensive – as much as 20% more expensive than typical construction costs. And that’s where the AV industry may be able to help. At my meeting, the architect had found a total of 21 points in their audit of the project – 5 points short of the minimum needed to attain basic LEED certification. Additionally, the project had an extremely tight budget, so the owner would not able to buy more LEED points in the form of better insulation, recycled building materials, water reuse systems, or other expensive eco-friendly luxuries. It occurred to me that with forty 350-watt video projectors going into the project, we might be able to use a networked AV management system to qualify for LEED “innovation points”. Innovation points are identified on page 80 of the USGBC’s Green Building Rating System for New Construction and Major Renovation, Version 2.2 (https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1095).			Currently, virtually all mass-market electronics manufacturers participate in the U.S. ENERGY STAR program: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm. However, with the exception of some flat-panel displays, there are few Pro AV products, and no video projectors on the market that are ENERGY STAR compliant. Apparently this is because ENERGY STAR hasn't gotten around to defining specifications for projectors yet. ENERGY STAR’s oversight is split between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Dept. of Energy, and projectors will likely fall under the EPA’s purview. The EPA has been diligently working on more specifications for electronics, so it’s only a matter of time before this fast-growing product segment is eligible for the ENERGY STAR logo.

Needless to say, I had the entire table’s rapt attention when I brought it up. I can’t remember the last time anyone had that much interest in AV at a construction kickoff meeting.

In short, up to four (4) points can be awarded for identifying quantifiable energy savings by using technologies or strategies that demonstrate environmental or health benefits. We all know that users leave projectors on unattended for hours (days even), so the question is how to demonstrate how much energy could be saved by various techniques, such as using eco-mode, and auto shut-down sequencing. Based on the Sharp XR-10X (rated #1 by popularity in conference room and educational projectors over 1200 lumens by Projector Central in October 2006), I found that:

· In full-brightness mode (350 watts) at 40 hours per week, 48 weeks/yr., annual power consumption would be about 672 kilowatt hours per year.

· In eco-mode, (305 watts), the same usage would consume only 586 kilowatt hours, a 13% energy savings, per unit.

· By switching to eco mode, the lamp life increased 50% from 2,000 to 3,000 hours.

Multiplied by the forty projectors in the project, a savings of 86 kilowatts hours would only be about $344 per year, based on the US commercial average price of electricity of 10 cents per kilowatt hour. But, by including lamp costs, the savings work out to be over $9,300 per year in power and replacement lamps. You could go one step further and calculate how much would be saved from lower building cooling costs when in eco-mode (6,800 BTUs less, for my project), and the savings to the environment for not having to manufacture and dispose of as many lamps over the life of the projector.

This logic could be expanded to the selection of power efficient amplifiers, routers, interfaces, control systems and touch panels. Another opportunity could be the use of AV control systems to intelligently operate shade and sun screen motors to reduce annual heating and cooling costs, and by using power sensors to eliminate the need to leave equipment running 24/7, (See ENERGY STAR sidebar).

Other ideas include lowering standby power consumption, publishing RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and life expectancy data on all products, and initiating product recycling programs. You can probably think of more ideas, these are just what come to mind as I write this.

Ultimately, consultants, manufacturers, and integrators could show, by the use of their products and services that Pro AV systems can assist in the attainment of LEED certification in an area that at the moment is almost entirely overlooked both by the architectural design community and the AV industry at large. Personally, I can’t think of a more instantaneous competitive advantage for manufacturers, or a more unique AV integration approach in the world of sustainable conservation trends.

Oh and by the way, it would also be good for the environment.

______________________________________

Brian E. Huff, CTS-D has over 24 years of experience designing and specifying audiovisual systems for education, corporate, and government clients. Brian holds a High Technology MBA from Northeastern University, is an ICIA CTS-D and a member of AES and SMPTE.

He can be contacted directly at (610) 476-1734.

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SPONSORS WANTED: rAVe Europe will produce a publication to deliver the ISE 2006 Show Program across 46 countries

To highlight the growing importance of ISE in Europe, rAve Europe will publish a business magazine in January for the European AV installers; ISE 2006 has selected rAVE Europe to distribute its Show Program across Europe inside this special print edition of rAVe Europe.

In a unique publishing event, rAVe Europe will discuss the upcoming ISE in Brussels, while using editorial to bring attention to industry trends, market growth, industry leaders and European channel development. Published in English in glossy format, the publication will be read by installers in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East.

Now there’s a way for manufacturers to reach installers & distributors throughout all of Europe. If you are looking to increase your business in these export markets, interested sponsors should email Bob Snyder at rAVeEurope@gmail.com

CES European Buyer’s Lounge

rAVe Europe (and its sister publication Multimedia I.T.) be the exclusive host of the 2007 European Buyer's Lounge @ CES. A function organized by CES, the Buyer’s Lounge is open on Tuesday, January 9^th in the Hilton Ballroom E from 5.00 – 7.00pm. The editors of rAVe Europe will be on hand to greet European buyers and to facilitate business networking.

For more info, email rAVeEurope@gmail.com

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TFCinfo Founder Paul Martin and Family Perish in Plane Crash

This is a tragic loss. Paul was an amazing person. I am not sure what else to write. I am at a loss for words just having read this e-mail five minutes ago. As many of you will, I will miss Paul's passion for the industry, but most of all, I will miss hearing about his on-going restoration of his family home in Searsmont, Maine. Whenever we spoke, we spent five minutes on the industry happenings and 50 talking about his family, his home and his latest project around it. Those were his real passions.

--Gary Kayye, CTS

Paul Martin, the founder of TFCinfo Corporation, passed away Sunday, December 17 with his wife and two children in a tragic airplane accident on his way to his second home in Searsmont, Maine. TFCinfo wishes to express its sympathies to the many friends and the family of Paul, Lillian and the children, Sean and Kitanna. We will greatly miss Paul's leadership and friendship at TFCinfo.

TFCinfo will continue to carry on Paul’s vision of support for the advanced display industry by providing sales tracking and market survey reports. Earl Martin, Paul's older brother, will be joining the company to provide technical support.

A Memorial service will be held for Paul and his family at Hill Country Bible Church NW on Friday, December 22 at 10:30 AM.

The address of the church is:
12124 Ranch
Road 620N,
Austin, Texas, 78750
Any flowers should be sent to the church address.

Contributions to the family may be sent:
C/O Earl Martin
15211 Lake Maurine Drive
Lake Odessa, FL
33556

For further information contact:
Dr. Jeffrey Macdonald (jlmacdonald@tfcinfo.com, phone 512-715-0373) or Tanya Lippke (tmlippke@tfcinfo.com, phone 207-783-0055)

For more information, click here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4409397.html

ESPA Invites Affiliates

The Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA), the new education and certification organization founded by CEDIA, CEA and NSCA, is calling on organizations and businesses to become ESPA Affiliates and participate in the development of the universal education and certification program.

Announced last month, The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), and National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) joined forces to form ESPA, which will serve as the foundation of a career-ready workforce for the electronic systems contracting industry. (See November 9 press release “New Alliance Offers Vision for a Unified Industry with a Qualified Workforce”.)

“We have never before seen cooperation on this scale,” said Chuck Wilson, chairman of the ESPA board of directors. “The three initial partners have made monetary, infrastructure and resource commitments worth millions of dollars and now we are openly inviting more organizations to participate in the development process. ESPA is truly a powerful, unifying force for the electronic systems industry.”

ESPA Affiliates will help standardize the terms, definitions and best practices of the electronic systems industry, and ensure broad-based inclusion of critical concepts for entry-level technicians in both commercial and residential disciplines. Affiliates will also be included in ESPA promotional activities as recognized leaders who are uniting the industry and providing long-term, credible solutions for education and certification.

ESPA anticipates rolling out its education/certification programs in the fourth quarter of 2007.

For more information on ESPA, go to http://www.nsca.org

InfoComm Announces 2007 Board Results

InfoComm International announced the 2007 Board of Governors results. As of January 1, 2007, Randy Pagnan, CTS, of rp Visual Solutions will ascend to Chairman of the Board; Jay Armand, CTS, of Advanced Audio Visual will become President; and Mark Valenti, of the Sextant Group, will be designated President-Elect. The InfoComm membership also elected Jay Rogina, of Spinitar, as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Governors for the 2007 term.

Rashid Skaf, of AMX, and Mark Gander, of Harman Pro, were elected to two-year Governor-at-Large terms beginning in 2007. Mike Vergawen, CTS, of AVI Midwest, was re-elected to a second two-year term as a Governor-at-Large.

Several council chairs were also elected. Logan Enright, of The Enright Company, was re-elected Chair of the Independent Reps Council; Tom Stimson, CTS, of The Stimson Group, was re-elected Chair of the Rental and Staging Council; Ernie Bailey, CTS, of University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, was elected Chair of the Technology Managers Council.

Appointed to the Board as heads of the Association’s committees are Blake Brubaker, CTS, of Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc., Chair of the Exhibitors Committee; Chad Gillenwater, of SPL Integrated Solutions, Chair of the Membership Committee; and L. William Nattress III, CTS-D, CTS-I, of Shen Milsom & Wilke, Chair of the Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC).

Board members serving their second year of a two year term fill out the Board roster. They are Jim Ford, PE, Ford Audio Video and Mike White, CTS, Multi-Media Solutions, Inc., who serve as Governors-at-Large; and Tim Cape, CTS-D, of Technitect, Chair of the Independent Consultants in AV Technologies (ICAT) Council; Lee Dodson of Extron Electronics, Chair of the Manufacturers Council; Todd Dunn, CTS, of Denmar Services, Chair of the Presentations Council; Howard Nunes of Pepperdash Technology Corp., Chair of the Independent Programmers Council; Brian Pipe, of Arup Communications, Chair of the European Council; Jim Smith, CTS, of HB Communications, Chair of the Sound, Audio Visual & Video Integrators (SAVVI) Council; and Andrew Yuen, CTS, of Edcom Limited, Chair of the Australasian Council.

For more information, go to http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F57FAC3-44219E12/infocomm/hs.xsl/51_2388.htm

AMX Acquires Matrix Audio Designs

AMX enters the multi-room distributed audio distribution market with the company’s acquisition last week of Matrix Audio Designs. The Matrix Audio Controller line includes two product families – the Delta Series and the Mi Series. The Delta Series is billed as an affordable, multi-zone audio distribution system that can control and distribute audio from as many as six sources and up to six zones. The Mi Series is a customizable system available in four and eight source varieties and can support up to 64 zones. Both product families integrate an audio controller, switcher and amplifier in one device. The Mi Series offers optional Audio Zone Expanders to increase the number of zones in which to distribute audio.

AMX says Matrix will be fully integrated into AMX and Matrix products can be programmed and designed using AMX’s VisualArchitect software and Duet modules, which can be downloaded on AMX.com. The products will also be added to AMX’s Whole Home and Home Theater System Design Libraries (SDLs).

According to the announcement, all current Matrix Audio employees are part of a new AMX team called the Matrix Audio Group, which will focus on market and product development of multi-room audio solutions.

For more information, go to http://www.amx.com/newsroom/pressrelease-file.asp?release=2006.12.14

Teq Gear Launches Teq AV/IT Division

Teq Gear announced the company’s new Teq AV/IT division, with plans to incorporate Wireless XGA Receivers, high resolution Web Broadcasting & Recording, Digital Signage, Media Distribution products, etc. under the new umbrella.

Teq Gear says the Teq AV / IT product lines will consist of products that bridge the gap between Teq Gear’s traditional audio-visual products, such as matrix switchers, interfaces, distribution amplifiers, and innovative AV/ IT products, which include wireless high-resolution video transmission, digital signage, long distance multi-media distribution, and content management and scheduling components.

The company says established and new Teq Gear customers will be offered the opportunity to carry both the Teq Gear and Teq AV/IT product lines or may choose to carry either of them individually.

For more information, go to http://www.teqgear.com/newsletter_12.06.2006.asp

Blake Brubaker Appointed Systems Display Manager at Da-Lite

Da-Lite Screen Company announced that Blake Brubaker will move into the role of systems display manager. Brubaker, a 13-year veteran of the company, has served Da-Lite in a variety of sales and marketing positions. With the new appointment, Brubaker will lead design training programs for system integrators and consultants, and will author a series of white papers called Angles of Reflection as part of the education initiative.

Brubaker, CTS, is on the InfoComm Board of Governors as the Exhibitor Committee Chairman, is a member of their adjunct faculty, a member of the Professional Education and Training Committee and teaches a number of courses at InfoComm International.

For more information, go to http://www.da-lite.com/index.php

NSCA, The Digital Signage Group, Partner for Digital Signage Showcase at NSCA

NSCA and The Digital Signage Group announced the two will team up for the NSCA Expo 2007 Digital Signage Showcase.

The showcase will include a wide variety of classes hosted by TDSG and the organizations say attendees can expect to expand their digital signage marketplace knowledge on topics ranging from how to build partnerships with content providers to selling to smaller businesses. The Digital Signage Showcase itself will additionally highlight various real world applications, including those found in corporate communications, health care, and interactive wayfinding.

NSCA Expo 2007 will be held in Orlando, Florida on March 15-17th.

For more information and to register, go to http://www.nsca.org/

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New VP-8x8A From Kramer Adds Audio Capabilities

Kramer Electronics announced the VP-8x8A computer graphics video matrix switcher, with both balanced and unbalanced stereo audio capability for each input. The VP-8x8A is an updated version of the Kramer VP-8x8 with the stereo audio capability added.

The Kramer VP-8x8A is a 350 MHz high bandwidth matrix switcher for computer graphics video signals with resolutions ranging from VGA through UXGA on 15-pin HD connectors with both balanced and unbalanced stereo audio. It is a true matrix switcher capable of routing any input to any or all outputs simultaneously. Each input and each output accept both a balanced stereo audio signal on terminal block connectors as well as an unbalanced stereo audio signal on a 3.5mm mini plug connector. The unit has a recessed level control for each audio input and there are audio output controls (+ and -) on the front panel with a 7 segment LED readout of the relative audio output in dBs.

A unique feature of the VP-8x8A is that it can automatically sense the presence of a signal at each input and will display the available input signal’s presence by lighting up the corresponding input button on the front panel. This is Kramer’s Active Input Indication reporting feature. Another significant feature of the VP-8x8 is Video Follow Sync switching that allows the user to add up to 3.5 seconds of delay, in increments of 0.5 seconds, to the switching of the video portions of the input signal to provide smooth switching between sources.

For more details, go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com/news_full_story.asp?iNews=193

Barco Adds Extended Output Card to Presentation Switcher

Barco announced a new option for the ScreenPRO-II presentation switcher. The Extended Output Card (EOC) enables operators to use a new second output channel at a separate resolution from the current main/program output. In addition, users can now select the ScreenPRO-II with EOC to output either the signals from the main/program output channel or from the preview output channel.

The ScreenPRO-II with the EOC option will allow for simultaneous output of analog and SDI signals at NTSC/PAL and HD resolutions such as 480p, 720p and 1080i. This would also include analog output for RGB signal types such as VGA, SVGA, XGA and SXGA.

In addition, the EOC increases ScreenPRO-II total available memory for image still store. Users can now have over 100 images available for recall as Background images, Down Stream Key images or LOGO images.

ScreenPRO-II is a multi-layer video display system that combines seamless switching with a variety of video effects, designed for live event staging and fixed installation applications.

For more information, go to http://www.barco.com/events/en/products/product.asp?element=2724

Liberty Wire & Cable Introduces DigitaLinx HDMI Cable

Liberty announced the DigitaLinx HDMI cable, which provides digital performance with transmission of HDMI 1.3 signals at resolutions up to 1080p.

The look and feel of the Liberty cable is enhanced by a black and silver sheath jacket of braided fabric, and easy-to-grab plugs.

Available in one and two-meter lengths, Liberty says its DigitaLinx HDMI Cables “deliver high-quality performance at very competitive prices.”

For more info, go to DigitaLinx

www.libertycable.com/new/new.html#2

New TV One C2-2000 Series Includes 10 New Models

TV One announced the C2-2000 series, composed of four Down Converters, four Video Switcher/Scalers and two Universal Switcher/Scalers. These units feature DVI and analog inputs and outputs, five of the models are equipped with SDI. All units have a LCD on the front for set-up, eliminating the need for an On-Screen Display.

The C2-2000 series has automatic incoming resolution detection and support of multiple worldwide television standards. All units can handle a maximum input PC resolution of 2048 x 2048 and all HDTV resolutions up to 1080p. Variable Zoom can go up to 10x allowing enlargement of any part of the computer screen while Variable Shrink can go down to 10 percent.

Position controls allow movement around any desired area. The Up Converters feature motion compensation and a 3:2 Pulldown to greatly improve NTSC image quality from film sources. The 4:4:4 sampling provides full bandwidth chroma for accurate replication of high resolution colors and precise Chromakeying. All ten units are controlled by front panel Push Buttons, Infrared, RS-232 or IP connection.

Prices range from $1,995 to $3,495 and they are available for immediate shipment.

The products are not yet on the website, but you can check back at http://www.tvone.com/index.php

NEC Display Solutions Introduces Two Trade-Compliant LCD Monitors for the Government Market

NEC announced two TAA, trade-compliant AccuSync LCD monitors. TAA, the Trade Agreement Act of 1979, requires certain products be manufactured or significantly altered in the U.S. or designated countries to be eligible for government purchase.

NEC Display Solutions is offering two LCD monitors – the 17-inch ASLCD72VX-BK-TA and 19-inch ASLCD92VX-BK-TA specified at resolution of 1280 x 1024.

The ASLCD72VX-BK-TA has an estimated price of $254.99 and the ASLCD92VX-BK-TA has an estimated price of $299.99. Estimated delivery date for the two monitors is early January 2007.

For more information, go to http://www.necdisplay.com/press/PressDetail.cfm?document_id=2331

Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter - instead, write to me at gkayye@kayye.com or for editorial: Denise Harrison at dharrison@kayye.com

A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue - which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry.

Gary Kayye's rAVe was launched in February 2003. rAVe Home Edition co-sponsored by CEDIA launched in February, 2004.

To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to http://www.kayye.com

Copyright 2006 - Kayye Consulting - All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact Kayye Consulting, 400 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 425 - Chapel Hill, NC 27517 - 919/969-7501. Email: dharrison@kayye.com

Gary Kayye's rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.