Aten launched a 16×16 modular matrix (VM1600) switch, with hot-swappable input/output cards. Currently it supports HDMI and DVI cards, but DisplayPort, SDI, HDBaseT and VGA will be added by the end of the year. Videowall software is built in, enabling control of a 4×4 videowall. Source switching speed, a significant focus of the matrix, is said to be 0.3-seconds. At launch, the VM1600 supports 1920 x 1200 resolution video; a software update will enable UltraHD at 60fps this year.
The AT-UHD-CLSO-612 is a scaler from Atlona that we saw as a prototype at ISE (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 7), It is now available as a working unit, with HDMI (x2), HDBaseT (x2) and VGA inputs. Outputs are VGA and mirrored HDMI and HDBaseT. Currently the scaler supports UltraHD at 30fps; Atlona is waiting for mass availability of HDCP 2.2 chipsets before upgrading to HDMI 2.0 ports, which will make the unit future-proof.
At CES 2014, Brightsign introduced an UltraHD media player (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 3). The company was showing an updated version capable of playing UltraHD content at 60fps via HDMI at Technology Exposed. Reaching the market in mid-November, three models will be available: the basic 4K242; the 4K1042, with networked interactivity; and the 4K1142, whcih adds live TV playback. As these players require a larger heatsink than Brightsign’s other products, they are taller than the standard range.
Canon was showing the WUX450 (Display Monitor Vol 20 No 22) and WX6000 (Display Monitor Vol 19 No 24).
While there were no new monitors at the show from Eizo, we heard that the company was showcasing multiple UltraHD models in the ColorEdge line at Photokina (perhaps we chose the wrong show! – TA). They will be launched in Q1’15.
There was nothing new from Elo. The company was showing a 32″ 10-point touch monitor that has been available for about a year.
The EB-1430Wi, which has been available for some time from Epson, was being demonstrated. The model’s collaborative features were being showcased, including its ability to support dual-screen set-ups and annotations.
Iiyama is working with Peerless-AV and Aztec on its newest offering. The kiosk uses an Iiyama screen, Peerless-AV stand with a vinyl wrap (see our Peerless-AV coverage for more details) and software from Aztec. All of these components can be chosen and customised by the customer, creating a ‘bespoke turnkey’ solution. Additionally the company was demonstrating the TH5563MIS AG (Display Monitor Vol 20 No 38), which is being upgraded internally, for more accurate touch and more efficient power usage. The new model will be called the TE5564MIS AG.
Distributor Northamber signed several new vendors just before the show and was highlighting these partnerships. They include Hauppauge, Port Designs and Prestigio.
Existing projectors were on show at Optoma’s stand. Some were ‘new’, like the GT1080 and HD26, but we had seen them before.
There was a particularly short-throw projector from Ricoh. The WX4141 (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 9) can throw an image from just 11cm from the display area.
The Philips’ monitors that we saw at IFA were being shown on the MMD/Philips’ stand (a risk of having the shows so close together!). We talked to our friend Paul Butler, UK and Ireland sales director, who said that Philips is being extremely careful with how it is marketing the SoftBlue (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 28) low blue light technology. The company doesn’t want to imply that the monitors customers have been buying are harmful to their eyes!
We received an update on the rollout of Sharp’s PN-Y series of commercial displays from Infocomm (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 25). These are available in 32″, 42″ 47″ and 55″ sizes and will be launched in October. They are part of a move to a market for smaller screens, to compete with companies such as NEC.
TVOne was showing off its Coriomatrix Mini and C2-2855 scaler. Both are available now.
