Sound and Communications - July 2008 Issue

Sony’s VPL-EX50 ProjectorHitachi’s CP-X206 3LCD ProjectorExtron’s SW8VGA andSW12 VGASwitchersLightronics’AR1202RTCArchitecturalDimmerLightronics’Architectural DimmerLightronics’ AR1202RTC ArchitecturalDimmer, now wireless, features16 universes of 512 DMXchannels, real-time FHSS TDMAcommunication and 83 channelhopping 2.45GHz band. TheWireless DMX has a considerablerange: 1400' inside and 4000'outside. The outside range can gothrough structures. The dimmerfeatures a programmable calendar/clockthat enables the userto attach scenes to date and timecommands. A common applicationwould include the retail environment;this would automate particularevents in the retail space,giving the customer more controlover the display environment. Theprogramming features an interfacedisplaying the functions as calendarevents. Full integration viaRS232/485 is another feature.Lightronics(800) 472-8541www.lightronics.comHitachi’s 3LCD ProjectorsThe CP-X206 and CP-X306 3LCDprojectors, from Hitachi America’sUbiquitous Platform Systems Division,offer remote control andmaintenance via a LAN connection,and My Image technologyallows administrators to send stillimages to every projector on thenetwork. The projectors featurePJMan software, allowing users tocontrol and monitor multiple projectorsvia a web browser withouthaving to download and installapplication software. This allowsadministrators to monitor functionssuch as lamp life on everyprojector on the network from asingle, remote location. The timingof switching the projector’s poweron and off can be scheduled froma computer automatically.Hitachi America Ltd.(800) 225-1741www.hitachi.usSony’s LCD Front ProjectorsSony has expanded its family ofentry-level LCD front projectorswith 4 models, including its firstcompact widescreen version. Eachis for commercial applications,and appropriate for classroomsand conference rooms. They arethe latest generation of the VPL-Eseries: the VPL-EX50 model (2500lumens), VPL-EW5 widescreen,VPL-EX5 and VPL-ES5 (all 2000lumens). The VPL-EX50 and VPL-EX5 offer native XGA 1024x768resolution, and the VPL-ES5 featuresSVGA 800x600 resolution.For widescreen projection, theVPL-EW5 has WXGA 1280x800resolution. Each model’s bodyshape broadens toward the front,and automatically projects imagesupward on the screen, requiringminimal tilt adjustment. Each projectorcomes with a short focallengthlens, allowing large-screenprojection from a short distance.Sony Electronics(212) 833-6800pro.sony.comPLUS Vision’sCompact CopyboardPLUS Vision Corp. of America’sCR-5 compact copyboard fits in asmall office or cubicle. It gives employeesworking in small groupsthe same features as PLUS’ largercopyboards, including the abilityto save color drawings and noteswritten on the copyboard surfaceand print or store them to a computer.The CR-5, half the size of aregular copyboard and thin, can bemounted on a wall or in a cubicleusing the optional cubicle mountkit. An optional floor stand is availablefor freestanding use in eitherhorizontal or vertical positions. Itincludes 2 writing surfaces andallows pushbutton operation tosave the written content to a USBmemory stick, or prints directlyfrom the board with an attachedoptional printer.PLUS Vision Corp. of America(503) 748-8700www.plus-america.comExtron Electronics’ SwitchersExtron Electronics’ 8- and 12-inputVGA and stereo audio switchers,the SW8 VGA and SW12 VGA, arecompatible with computer-videoresolutions up to QXGA and featuredual-buffered outputs, inputsignal sensing, auto-input switchingand multiple modes of control.All are compatible with hi-res RG-BHV computer-video signals, aswell as HDTV component analogsignals with tri-level sync. The SWVGA Series is available in sizesfrom 2 inputs to 12 inputs. In additionto auto-input switching, whichautomatically switches to the highest-numberedinput with an activesync signal, all SW VGA Seriesswitchers can be controlled viatheir front panel, RS232 and contactclosure remote control.Extron Electronics(714) 491-1500www.extron.comFor more information about these companies, go to www.bluebookonline.netJuly 2008 73