AV mag

Any size, Any Colour, Any need, Anywhere

Mentor can o er di erent coloured display screen
bezels based on our customer’s requirements

www.nec-displays.co.uk NEC delivers trusted Digital Signage Solutions which ensure public, corporate and
brand messages reach out and demand attention in today’s increasingly competitive
space. Any environment, any application, in almost every sector including Transport,
Retail, Corporate, Finance, Healthcare, Leisure, Education and Cinema; NEC has
expertise, experience and solutions that deliver outstanding high quality visual
communication, paired with powerful intelligence for today’s world of ‘Big Data’.

www.mentor-distribution.com [email protected] +44 (0) 1462 814000

DRONES INSIDE

nPerowAhVesigohatrss to

DJI Inspire 1 (above) features
the Zenmuse XT camera (right)

If the buzz they created at last month’s CES consumer trade show is anything
to go by, drones are set to be the next high-flying tech sensation. Zoe Mutter
discovers they present the pro AV world with a vast array of opportunities too.

Whether it’s capturing or ferent from the 20th century military something, especially closely, fre- hover and land almost anywhere and
breathtaking aerial shots for versions used to identify flying vehi- quently, with precision or with a cine- have enough power to carry simple
a blockbuster film, moni- cles. Advances in miniaturisation, sen- matic eye, drones are useful, even payloads has contributed to drones’
toring environmental sors, autopilots, digital electronics, beyond the visual spectrum, with the popularity, especially for mapping and
changes or live news coverage, drones maintainability, reliability and safety right sensors,” says drone maker 3DR’s surveys, providing aid in disaster zones
are helping enhance our view of the combined with increasingly sophisti- editorial director, Roger Sollenberger. and search and rescue.
world. cated command and control systems are
Over 300 potential commercial helping them to evolve. “Computer technology will make Steadicam in the sky
applications where drones can currently them more powerful and capable of
help businesses save time, money and No longer are they only the domain tasks beyond video, spreading into the Drones are aircrafts that maintain a
in some cases lives have been identified of a small but highly engaged and dedi- enterprise and industrial realms - inci- flight path without being manned but
and this number is only expected to cated community of remote control dentally the same path smartphones can be controlled remotely by a pilot or
increase as the technology develops. In helicopter enthusiasts. took. Our smart drone, Solo, actually programmed using the computerised
fact, US insurance company, Munich behaves less like a drone and more like autopilot. Some fixed and rotary wing
RE’s research predicts over the next Beyond video a smartphone with propellers.” drones feature integrated cameras while
five years drones will be used by 40 per others allow users to mount their own.
cent of businesses. People from all walks of life are being The ability to miniaturise the vehicle
Today’s commercial drone is far dif- introduced to this technology which has to the point where it is affordable and Basic operation requires an autopilot
dropped dramatically in price and ver- useable by more people is one key running a flight code, batteries, motors,
satility. “If anyone needs to look at advance. The drone’s capability to props and an airframe. Also essential is

FEBRUARY 2016 | AV MAGAZINE | 65

INSIDE DRONES

a communications system sending of complexity and degree of operator appropriate flight technology and Newer drones have the
commands between controller and a interaction and the type and strength of lightweight cameras and lenses.” ability to fly smoothly
ground station. its command and control radio link.
Safety first changes in FAA regulations are immi-
Drones vary according to their num- Expert training and nent. Currently there is very little regu-
ber of rotor blades. They can also vary consultation A report published by Lloyds of Lon- lation required to fly drones in the US
in size, camera capability, price, don estimates spending on drones will except for those used for commercial
amount they can carry and duration For companies to reap the rewards of double to $91 billion by 2024 and as purposes to be piloted by a manned
they can stay airborne on a single bat- drone use, they need access to expert they continue to grow in popularity so pilot certified and licensed by the FAA.
tery charge. Typically larger drones can training. The Unmanned Vehicle Uni- must the risk management. Reliable
carry more which is beneficial to the versity is one such organisation teach- obstacle avoidance is the next hurdle, In 2012, US Congress directed the
film and TV industries where pro AV ing unmanned systems engineering and an ability which would prove invalua- FAA to develop regulations that would
cameras can be heavy. project management. ble to prevent instances like the recent integrate unmanned aerial systems into
near collision of skier Marcel Hirscher the national air space. Proposed rules
Another key variant is level of auton- The organisers of the annual UK with a drone during the world cup sla- for commercial drones were released
omy as the more of the experience you Drone Show - the country’s largest con- lom. early last year and officials received
can automate, the easier, more useful sumer drone event - staged educational and are reviewing thousands of public
and widely adopted the drone becomes. sessions on how to fly legally and Manufacturers are looking to comments received on them. Rules
3DR has integrated two computers into safely and earn a CAA Permission for improve safety features too. For exam-
Solo, automating the flying and cine- Aerial Work (PFAW) which is legally ple, DJI recently updated its geofencing Ehang’s Ghost 2.0 can be controlled
matic experience. These Smart Shots required for commercial drone activity. technology and launched a beta version by the movement of a VR headset
include a Follow mode so you create of GEO (Geospatial Environment
your shot, tap your screen and let Solo Know Before You Fly is another Online) to deliver up-to-date guidance AEE’s A20 features automatic
work the copter and camera. resource for drone practice informa- on locations where flight may be retractable landing gear and 4K
tion and the Federal Aviation Adminis- restricted by regulation. “The purpose camera
Images are stabilised using an anti- tration (FAA) launched a mobile app of our GEO programme is for people to
vibration attachment called a gimbal. to help US drone users stay safe and better understand their responsibility as
This Steadicam in the sky has inde- legal. Many manufacturers offer their a pilot and to make informed decisions
pendent freedom of rotation so when own training too. For example, DJI when they operate their aircraft,” says
the drone is tilted the camera doesn’t hosts New Pilot Experience pro- Brendan Schulman, vice-president of
lose the horizon. Isolation mounts grammes. policy and legal affairs at drone manu-
between the camera and drone and facturer, DJI.
video stabilisation software that cor- As Oliver O’Brien, UK Drone
rects shaky videos are other stabilisa- Show director, points out, a drone isn’t At CES Fleye unveiled a drone
tion methods. just a highly mobile camera, it is an attempting to eliminate the potential
aircraft, meaning professional opera- danger of exposed propellers. Its spher-
Newer drones’ability to fly smoothly tors need the appropriate qualifications ical design encloses the propeller, mak-
and maintain a relative bearing and dis- and insurance: “Broadcast operators ing it ideal for filming above crowds at
tance from a target or a pre-pro- like the BBC have their own fully events.
grammed flight path make stabilisation qualified pilots to capture in-house
easier. footage, but many production compa- Having awareness of the legal and
nies are hiring specialist operators like regulatory aspects of flying drones
One of the biggest challenges is lim- UAS Flight Ops which have access to commercially is a must and major
ited flight duration due to battery life.
This can range from a few minutes up
to nearly an hour, with few if any
drones capable of flying for more than
an hour while carrying a sensor pay-
load. Advances in batteries and alterna-
tive propulsion systems may overcome
this in the future. Weather restrictions
such as strong winds and rain can also
impact on drone operation.

Limitations basically relate to the
type of vehicle, its power source, level

Fleye’s safety-conscious drone
features a spherical design that
encloses the propellers

66 | AV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2016

























Professional AV ounting System
Mounting Solutions

Industry leading mounting solutions since 1972 BT8340 - S ystem X Universal Video Wall M

B-Tech Audio Video Mounts is an industry leading company with over 40 years of experience in the design,
manufacture and distribution of AV accessories. B-Tech’s System X Range of mounting solutions for video walls,
digital signage and menu boards is lightweight yet incredibly strong and features a universal design which supports
all models of video wall screen. The high-end aesthetic quality of System X gives a premium finish and, when used for
multi-screen applications, provides near limitless configuration combinations to satisfy almost any requirement.

Mounting solutions for video walls, BT8340
digital signage and menu boards. System X Universal Video Wall Mounting System
Features include...
Mounted in a 4x4 Ceiling
Mounted Configuration

Premium High-End
Finish

Wide Variety of VESA® BT8371 2x3 Install at InfoComm MEA 2015
Interface Arms
online configuration tool
8 Point Tool-Less
Micro-Adjustment Visit our System X online configuration
tool to specify your requirement. You
can choose from different options
such as screen size, orientation and
ceiling drop, then request a quote for
your configuration.

Aesthetic Trim and Visit us at:
Cable Management
inv7ita0t3ion5c6o7de
Available in Wall/Ceiling Mounted
& Freestanding/Mobile Variations Stand: 4-R60

Other Mounting Solutions from B-Tech Register for free using Code - 703567
at: www.iseurope.org/register
BT8371
Universal Designed & Engineered in the UK
MOBILE VIDEO WALL STAND
BT8330 BT8310
Part of the System X range, the Universal menu board POP-in / POP-OUt
BT8371 is a contemporary mobile Mounting system Professional Video Wall Mount
video wall mounting solution which
is available to order in a variety of off- Part of the System X range, the Featuring a push to open / push
the-shelf or bespoke configurations. BT8330 is for single rail installs and to close system for quick and
can feature tilt adjustment up to easy service access, the BT8310
+20°. Perfect for menu boards in is favoured by professional
airports or restaurants. installers all around the world.

VONTOEW

B-TECH AUDIO VIDEO MOUNTS BELGIUM +32 (0)2 720 9271 GERMANY +49 (0)3322 4291712
[email protected] [email protected]
HEAD OFFICE
SPAIN +34 93 640 24 79 MIDDLE EAST (+971) 4 3574855 www.btechavmounts.com
UNITED KINGDOM [email protected] [email protected]
+44 (0)1327 300787 [email protected]



DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS SOUND ADVICE

p‘Aauindsiommearintuafahcetaurrienrgs’’

SHUTTERSTOCK

Spare a thought for the challenges faced by manufacturers as they face demand for smaller, networked
and more energy efficient devices. Audio columnist Roland Hemming lends them a sympathetic ear.

We all use their products the time and effort that goes into mak- tial for any video conferencing Ethernet is the new RS232.”
and sometimes complain ing products. I’ve been helping manu- application. In the old days this was Adds Kennedy: “We recognised that
about them but we often facturers with this for about 15 years only offered by a couple of manufactur-
don’t think about the chal- and it’s a complex balance of cost, time ers but now you have a much wider control for audio is very different to
lenges that audio manufacturers have to and technology. choice. controlling video, so we added a feature
face when developing products for the called Kiosk 2 Go to our products,
AV market. James Kennedy, operations manager Control and flexibility where it publishes an HTML 5 control
I interviewed a few manufacturers – PCA at Peavey Electronics, adds: screen that can be incorporated into part
about the work they do. Cloud Elec- “It’s always a challenge to gauge and Mark Kocks, business development of an overall control system.”
tronics’ Simon Curtis (formerly Denon draw the line with feature sets on any manager at Powersoft, says: “A lot of
and Sennheiser) laid out the back- given project hardware or software. It’s our development has gone into making In the time I have spent working with
ground for all of them: “There are fun- a question of understanding the target products that are AV-friendly – multi- manufacturers, the biggest challenge is
damentals to all design and market and functionality required. But channel amplifiers within a single rack software. Making products easy to con-
development that are non-application you can easily get lost in the temptation space. AV people don’t want big heavy figure and use for audio is especially
specific - installer experience, user of adding more cool features and tech- amplifiers in their racks.” difficult because there are so many
experience, reliability, cost to build, nologies and ultimately skew from the parameters to adjust and the number of
cost to test and of course the price. I’m original product requirements.” The other obvious part is control and different system configurations can be
sure our order of priorities are different making audio fit into the overall AV enormous.
to most and it’s different across applica- So what are the specific challenges of system.
tions too.” the AV market for audio products? The This problem is compounded by the
Few people put a lot of thought into most obvious AV-only feature is echo Curtis says: “We believe the next ten fact that the audio industry isn’t used to
cancellation and this has become stand- years for us is about control and flexi- paying for software, yet the complexity
ard in audio processors. This is essen- bility, so we are ensuring we introduce of that element increases every year. It’s
Ethernet to all appropriate products. a huge cost for manufacturers. There is

FEBRUARY 2016 | AV MAGAZINE | 81

SOUND ADVICE DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS

an increasing number of initiatives to These days there is little excuse not to ciency. “We use a series of proprietary but to use audio networking if you want
charge for audio software so you should use Class D. However, just like many technologies that maximise the effi- to use them.
expect that trend to continue. other technologies there are nearly as ciency of the system and drastically
many variations of it as there are manu- reduce power consumption and heat We live in a world where a small
The argument we have is that end facturers, each claiming their own par- dissipation. This reduces power costs product can handle dozens or hundreds
clients are usually very happy to pay for ticular benefit. and also you need less air conditioning of audio channels, so you can’t physi-
software and have done in the IT world and cooling. We now consume 1W per cally fit the analogue audio connections
for many years. It’s just a cultural hang- Says Curtis: “We also recognise channel, as opposed to the market aver- on to them, so increasingly these con-
over within the audio world. Energy Efficiency is going to be a sig- age of 10W per channel.” nections are being dropped or at least
nificant factor, therefore Class-D Digi- reduced in quantity. If you want more
An increasingly talked about feature tal Amplifier Topology finally has a Choice of standards analogue connectivity you can buy ana-
is energy efficiency. The most power- viable opportunity. Our latest products logue to network connection wall plates
hungry part of an audio system is the also are Energy Star.” No audio product article would be com- or rack devices.
amplifier. The buzzword is ‘Class D’ plete without mentioning standards.
which is certainly more power efficient Kocks also says that they have also Audio networking is on the rise but we The other trend that links power effi-
than previous amplifier technologies. done a lot of work with power effi- still have a choice of standards. “Mak- ciency and networking is that more
ing decisions on audio and control pro- devices will be Power over Ethernet
tocols is always an interesting (PoE) so won’t have a conventional
minefield. Do you offer a proprietary mains supply at all.
solution or an open solution or both?”
says Kennedy. Audio products are changing. Expect
big changes over the next few years.
The problem here is that using an You’ll be using smaller, networked and
audio networking protocol such as more energy efficient devices.
Dante costs money. It adds to the cost of
each product. However it has the Roland Hemming
advantage of compatibility with a wide is a leading audio
variety of other products. Audio net- consultant and
working is still relatively under-used project manager. His
within the AV world. However AV pro- experience ranges
fessionals are going to discover an from live events to
increasing number of products that are construction sites, from
networked only. You’ll have no choice manufacturing to installation, corporate
AV, broadcast, and stadia.

See us at
Stand 9-F135

The SMART way to communicate
PANEL

SMARTPANEL As the world’s first smartpanel designed
RSP-2318 to serve as a powerful multifunctional

user interface, the RSP-2318 offers
features and capabilities that will enrich
the user experience and change the
way broadcasters and AV professionals
communicate.

www.riedel.net

82 | AV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2016

























LED Rental

We are LED specialists and work closely with leading Access the latest and highest quality display technologies
manufacturers – including Absen and Samsung – to find the on the market with our extensive rental options.
right solution. We hold extensive product stock and support We’re trade only, so all equipment, vehicles and technicians
our partners with preferential payment terms, bespoke and are unbranded to work as a silent extension of your team.
off-the-shelf mounting solutions and full technical services. With the PSCo Price Promise, we guarantee we’ll match
Experience our LED products at our Assessment Centre or any like for like quotation.
as an on-site demo.

Our Assessment Centre Scalable project delivery

Experience our vast LED portfolio alongside Ultra Large We can provide multiple displays across sites, tailored
Format and Video Wall Technologies. Contact our team logistics or warehousing, set-up support and customised
to arrange product demonstrations and technical advice warranties and service level agreements. Our Technology
tailored to you and your customers. Specialists are always here to support you.

The team behind your team. Call: 0118 372 3300
Email: [email protected]

IN FOCUS DIGITAL SIGNAGE

play,” says Guy Phelps, head of UK irrelevant in many circumstances.”
retail and DooH sales at NEC. Mark Childerhouse, senior account

“Retailers can now take advantage manager at Pioneer Digital, says:
of all that is good about projection, “There is definitely still a place for
including achieving a larger image projectors but I see this primarily
size and accessing areas unusable by being within the corporate industry
large format displays due to size and rather than for digital signage. For dis-
weight. The creative possibilities plays under 80in they can still provide
open up experiential opportunities fantastic high quality imagery, but the
using pixel mapping, edge blending, environment has to be right, with con-
geometric projection techniques and trolled lighting, so that the image
floor advertising.” never gets washed out, and controlled
viewing angles.”
Laser projection
Dew-Stanley agrees – almost. “In the
Phelps believes laser projection is case of most DS projects projection
seems already dead. However there
about to change the retail AV land- will always be a place for projection in
museums, exhibitions and theme parks.
scape, offering wider scope to “sur- Immersive projection, simulations and
interactive signage are still a big part of
prise and engage” shoppers with most museum projects.”

tactical marketing, and making an Interactivity, of course, is a big influ-
ence on retail DS and is much easier to
impact without taking up premium achieve with displays. “The success
and effectiveness of signage depends
retail space. Others are less enthusias- on this interactivity,” says Christopher
Parker, senior product manager for
tic, seeing projection as a much more visual solutions at Sharp Europe.

niche offering, despite the advent of “The use of interactive screens is
continuing to grow in the retail sector
laser technology. and multi-touch is almost a must,”
agrees AVMI’s Tom Lewis. “The
“Projectors are as stable as DS tech- majority of people now consume data
on a multi-touch phone and they expect
nology in a growing marketplace. the same experience while shopping.”

However LED direct view solutions Paolo Pedrazzoli, marketing opera-
tions manager at 3M Touch Systems,
with a tight pixel pitch (2.5mm and EMEA says: “Multi-touch has particu-
lar appeal in the retail sector because it
below) are both displacing and replac- supports a truly interactive customer
experience, not just with the retailer,
ing a number of large area projections but between consumers themselves –
in other words, a real multi-user
solutions around the world,” says Gary approach.

Feather, cto at NanoLumens. “Use of touch has been pioneered by
some of Europe’s leading luxury retail
Feather sees this move to LED from
in these circumstances especially
M&S has utilised NEC’s 70in P702 LCD displays in its women’s departments projection as a “transition” (although when the answer may be no,” says
many would argue that LCD usurped Unicol marketing director Rachel
Hunt.
projection before LED came on the
Mark Walker, business
projects simply cannot afford LED lutions at a lower cost. Also beginning scene), occurring as a result of LED development manager for B-Tech,
adds: “Most large retail chains see
technology or would have to reduce to attract attention in the sector is new image clarity, colour-accurate repro- the benefit of selecting a uniform
solution that can be installed
the size of their overall display to fit laser projection technology, offering duction and brightness levels. in multiple locations globally.
When required, these may need
within budget.” high resolution, high brightness and “In addition, the emissive technol- a bespoke solution for a number
of outlets, but normally a solution
Agrees David Sumner, product large image areas. ogy allows for installations without a already exists. There are not too
many permutations of digital
manager for digital media services at “With new light source technology, need for unique optics and long throw signage that we are yet to come
across, so it would take something
AVMI: “The emerging technology of all the pitfalls and costs associated with distances for the compelling image,” extraordinary to be impossible.”

choice for building large, bespoke lamp technology are gone, meaning all he adds. “LED displays that fit into

digital canvases is LED. The displays the advantages and creative opportuni- these environments will continue to

are becoming increasingly affordable ties of projection have come back into expand, slowly making projectors

and now available with ‘dot pitches’ CHALLENGES FOR MOUNTS
suitable for store environments that
require short viewing distances.” Innovations such as transparent “Utilising strong OEM relationships,
displays offer huge challenges to we get involved as early as possible
Whilst LED is gathering pace as a mount manufacturers, as does the in the process so we can plan
commercially viable option, as costs fast-moving retail DS sector as a with the display vendor to design
reduce, LCD still has an essential whole. Store display designs are and build a corresponding mount
part to play and is some way from constantly changing, meaning that to support their new products.
being obsolete. no one job is the same, unless it’s This avoids unwanted lead times
rolled out across identical stores and adds value to the whole
“Currently, the majority of displays of course – and even this scenario installation.”
in retail are either edge or back-lit is a challenge, due to numerous
LCD screens,” says Tom Lewis, pro- building types and varying structural Unicol’s ethos has always been to
ject engineer for digital media at conditions. However, it seems hold a large range of parts that can
AVMI. “This represents the sweet spot that mount makers are taking this be adapted to build the necessary
between the latest technology and challenge in their stride. mounting structures required. It
budget requirements. As LED also offers a bespoke mount design
becomes more cost effective it will “Knowing changes are coming service for those occasions where
become more common place in the means there’s no real challenge for standard items will not fit the need.
retail sector.” us as a mount manufacturer,” says “Knowledge and experience to
Ian Abernethy from Peerless-AV. guide the end user are essential
Overall, LED’s high brightness
makes it a popular solution for outdoor
and window displays and in-store

walls, whilst LCD offers higher reso-

96 | AV MAGAZINE |FEBRUARY 2016