Be sure to also check out the slideshow, below, for more information on the products.

2024 TNT Commercial Winners

Audio Components

Lenbrook
Bluesound Professional BCS300 In-Ceiling Pendant Speaker

Audio Distribution Systems

Listen Technologies
ListenWIFI

Automation Software

Nanolumens
NanoSuite

Digital Signage Hardware

LG Business Solutions
LG MAGNIT 4K 136-inch Micro LED Display

Digital Signage Software

Samsung Electronics
Samsung VXT

Video Monitors

Sharp Electronics Corporation
PN-LC2 AQUOS BOARD Collaboration Displays

Installer Loudspeakers

Renkus-Heinz
OmniBeam

Display Mounts

Chief
Tempo Flat Panel Wall Mount System

Projector Mounts

Tempest
Fly

Network Management Solutions

Samsung Electronics
SmartThings for Business

Power Conditioning, Surge Suppression and Energy Solutions

Nice
Nice DC-12 IP Smart Power Manager

Project Management and Design / Web Software

XTEN-AV LLC
X-VRSE by XTEN-AV 

Conference Projectors

Christie
Christie 4K860-iS

Specialty AV Cables or Connectors

Pure Fi
Pure Fi Pro HDMI 2.1 Active Optical Cable

Audio Conferencing Components

Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Crestron Flex Pods

Cameras

Jabra
Jabra PanaCast 50

Collaboration

Barco
ClickShare Bar Pro

Interactive Whiteboards

LG Business Solutions
LG CreateBoard with ChromeOS Flex certified slot-in OPS

Videoconferencing Components

Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Crestron Videobar 70

Video Streaming Solutions

Epiphan Video
Pearl Nexus

Category Cable Distribution

Valens Semiconductor
VS6320: HDBaseT-USB3 Extension IC

Coax Video Distribution

ZyCast Technology, Inc.
U5 Single Channel 4K (HEVC) Encoder Modulator with Simultaneous RF and IP Out

IP Video Distribution

Audinate
Dante AV-H

Matrix Switchers

BZBGEAR
BG-8K-1212MA | 12×12 8K Matrix Switcher w/ Audio De-Embedder

Videowall Hardware

Planar
Planar DirectLight Pro Series

Videowall Software

Samsung Electronics
Samsung Signage Setup Assistant

To see a list of all entries, click here!

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on January 31, 2024. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post 2024 Top New Technology (TNT) Awards appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Planar Studios is a cooperative initiative designed to bring together experts, thought leaders and companies dedicated to the advancement of VP and XR. The Planar Studios Virtual Production Workshop reinforces Planar and OptiTrack’s ongoing commitment to helping make VP and XR solutions more accessible and streamlined in mainstream markets, says the company.

“VP and XR is a fast-growing market, and as global leaders with established histories of delivering state-of-the-art display and optical-tracking technologies, Planar and OptiTrack are strongly positioned to lay a framework for the AV and IT communities,” says Stephanie Hines, Planar and OptiTrack EVP. “The potential of VP and XR is widespread, transforming the way companies present content in entertainment, corporate, education and beyond. Planar and OptiTrack are dedicated to helping make this a reality for all.”

Monthly Virtual Production Workshops

Kicking off in August, Planar and OptiTrack will host the workshops at Planar’s headquarters in Hillsboro, Ore. Here, it offer hands-on learning experience in the many critical elements integrated in a VP and XR volume. August workshop attendees will thus get to learn about LED display technology design and motion capture for VP and XR applications from Planar and OptiTrack. Additionally, they will experience trainings from a broad range of organizations. This includes experts from Brompton Technology, Pixera, RED, optic8 and Kino Flo Lighting Systems. Participating organizations will vary from workshop to workshop. However, topic areas will remain consistent, the company says.

According to Planar, the new workshops are being held monthly. They will also feature a special guest sharing real-world experience and key learnings. Registration is currently open for workshops taking place August 21 to 25, as well as periodic sessions in the coming months.

“The pro AV and IT industries are being called upon to deploy VP and XR solutions. This presents new questions and opportunities that are outside of the traditional AV or IT role,” says Adam Schmidt, Planar and OptiTrack EVP. “Our new Planar Studios Virtual Production Workshop is comprehensive. It offers a thorough overview of the many components that go into a successful deployment. We’re honored to help guide the industry with such a diverse and notable group of technology experts.”

Workshop Agenda

Each workshop will thus include the following sessions:

• Evening Welcome Reception: Check out the volume at Planar headquarters while connecting with other VP and XR technology enthusiasts.
• LED Displays: In this AVIXA CTS-approved course, learn how to implement LED into VP and XR. This includes an all-encompassing look at the important qualities, features and specifications. Learn about maximizing use of display technology. These include display options, site preparation, mounting, installation and alignment.
• Video Processing: Explore LED processing functionality and key features such as on-screen image manipulation, color calibration and other workflows.
• Motion Capture: Dive into the essential elements of motion capture and camera-tracking technology that enable accurate, dynamic on-screen content.
• Content Engines: Get an introduction to the media servers and software platforms used for VP, including best practices, tips and tricks.
• Video Cameras: Review digital-cinematography options as camera manufacturers cover everything from shutter and lensing features to color control and more.
• Studio Lighting: Walk through cinema-graphic and studio-lighting concepts and techniques. Also become familiar with using different fixture types for traditional and VP and XR-specific applications.
• Volume Integration: Combine the various technologies that are key in implementing a successful VP and XR volume. Additionally, walk away with real-world knowledge from a special guest.

The Planar Studios Virtual Production Workshop, presented by Planar Academy, offers a broad selection of in-person and online training courses to help AV professionals expand and enhance their knowledge and skills. At the same time, they can earn valuable continuing education credits, the company notes.

To register for the Planar Studios Virtual Production Workshop, visit www.planar.com/VP-Workshop.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on August 9, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post Planar Studios’ Virtual Production Workshop Aims to Expand AV & IT Industries’ Knowledge Base appeared first on My TechDecisions.

In celebration of Thunderbird’s 75th anniversary, the new five-story, 110,000-square-foot, high-tech facility features an impressive selection of Planar display solutions. According to the company, it supports the institution’s mission of being the most technological and digital leadership management business school in the world.

Planar’s selection of display installations appear throughout the new headquarters. This includes the Digital Global Forum, Global Decision Theater, Founders Ring, classrooms, meeting spaces and more.

The installations thus comprise award-winning LED, LCD, transparent OLED and custom display solutions delivering new ways for Thunderbird to recruit, instruct, collaborate and visualize data.

A Fruitful Partnership

“It’s an incredible privilege to power Thunderbird’s new global headquarters with Planar’s industry-leading display solutions,” says executive vice president, Adam Schmidt.

Schmidt continues, “Thunderbird is a world-renowned institution with a reputation of being at the forefront of innovation. In addition to elevating viewing and learning experiences, our extensive portfolio of groundbreaking visualization technologies is a perfect match for Thunderbird’s vanguard capabilities for global connectivity in its new high-tech facility. We’re thrilled to be making history with one of the most technologically sophisticated global management schools in the world.”

Also Read: Planar Debuts Luminate Ultra Series for Close Up Outdoor Viewing

An assortment of striking, smoothly curved LED displays serves as a key attraction near the building’s ground-floor entrance. This is before visitors are surrounded by an extensive range of LCD display technologies that support teaching and next-generation collaboration.

“Our vision is to not only reclaim our position as the most global leadership and management school in the world, but to also be the most digital and technological,” remarks Sanjeev Khagram, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “That was our mantra for designing and building this fantastic new global headquarters, and it’s the long-term partnerships with collaborators like Planar that has brought it to life.”

The partnership merges Planar’s nearly 40-year history of designing, deploying and supporting display solutions and leadership in delivering unparalleled visual performance with Thunderbird’s global enterprise management expertise and renowned leadership success development programs.

Thunderbird School of Global Management, ASU

List of Installations

Thunderbird students, faculty and visitors will experience the following display installations from Planar:

Facility Entrance, Digital Global Forum and Visualization Room

• Nearly 9-foot diameter Planar CarbonLight CLI Series LED video display with a 1.9 millimeter pixel pitch forms the Founders Ring. The Ring features the names of the Schools’ founders and a canvas for branding, key messages or welcoming guests.
• Custom 8.2-foot diameter LED sphere with a 3 millimeter pixel pitch suspended from the ceiling hangs in the Digital Global Forum. The Forum is a dynamic open rotunda used to host a variety of events and presentations.
• A Planar CarbonLight CLI Series LED video wall in an 18-foot-wide, 5-foot-high array with a 1.5 millimeter pixel pitch and motion-responsive technology controls content on the custom LED sphere.
• 360-degree LED video ribbon of Planar CarbonLight CLI VX Series LED displays with a 2.6 millimeter pixel pitch measures 146-feet-long and 6.5-feet-high, supports 12 videoconferencing or camera feeds.
• A second Planar CarbonLight CLI VX Series LED video wall with a 2.6 millimeter pixel pitch installed directly below the LED ribbon. Measuring 26-feet-wide and 10-feet-tall, this videowall is useful for presentations or live camera feeds.
• A 55-inch Planar LookThru Transparent OLED Display is at the front entrance and serves as a virtual greeter to welcome guests.

Classrooms and Meeting Spaces

• A curved, 30-foot-wide Planar CarbonLight CLI Flex Series LED video wall with a 1.5 millimeter pixel pitch provides a spectacular presentation and broadcast background in the Global Decision Theater.
• Nine multi-touch tables, each comprising 55-inch ultra-narrow bezel optical touch LCD displays in a 3×1 configuration for next-generation collaboration.
• Three Planar UltraRes X Series 100-inch touch 4K LCD displays in the 5th-floor Thunderbird Pub.
• Two Planar HB Series 75-inch Huddle Board touch screen displays in the Dean’s suite.
• Hundreds of additional Planar large format 4K LCD displays ranging from 55- to 98-inches deployed throughout the facility’s classrooms and learning spaces.

Thunderbird’s new global headquarters and Planar’s extensive selection of display solutions were unveiled during a special global reunion event in celebration of the School’s 75th anniversary in April. Explore One Global Place as if you were there in person through this virtual reality tour.

Check out Planar’s database on AV-iQ.com. 

Click on “View Slideshow” on upper-right corner for images of Planar’s collection of displays at Thunderbird School of Global Management.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Commercial Integrator. 

The post Planar Display Solutions Mesmerize Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The series combines high performing scan and refresh rates with high brightness and narrow pixel pitches. This makes it well-suited for LED XR stages in diverse markets, says Planar. The markets include film and video production, corporate, broadcast, rental and staging, and live events.

According to Planar, the Venue Pro VX Series support hanging, stacked or wall-mounted installations. It also expands on the capabilities of the company’s first solution designed to revolutionize the production of realistic in-screen and on-screen content, the Planar CarbonLight VX Series.

Also Read:

The Venue Pro VX Series feature support for HDR-ready content, a wide color gamut, including up to DCI-P3 color space, and compatibility with a wide range of cameras. Thus, the series delivers visual performance and deployment versatility needed to develop lifelike recorded, streamed or broadcast video content.

Bolstering Planar Studios Initiative

Per a statement, the release of the Planar Venue Pro VX Series bolsters the Planar Studios initiative. It further expands the company’s portfolio of visualization solutions designed to support VP and XR.

The newest addition, backed by Planar’s dedicated VP and XR team, includes pre-sales and post-sales support from local experts. This reinforces Planar’s commitment to making such applications streamlined and available to mainstream markets.

“Increasing popularity of VP and XR applications presents a need for high performing but versatile LED display products,” says Steve Seminario, vice president of product marketing at Planar. “The Planar Venue Pro VX Series takes learnings from the Planar CarbonLight VX Series, offering customers the most sought-after features in a flexible, economical LED solution that’s designed to maximize in-camera performance.”

The new Planar Venue Pro VX Series helps reduce the complexity of setup and teardown, says the company. It also has magnetically-attachable cabinets with quick locks for single-person installation. Moreover, the series includes mechanical features to suit both temporary applications and fixed installations.

The series is available in 1.9mm and 2.5mm pixel pitches. Furthermore, it is  compatible with Brompton LED processors and LED controllers from Colorlight.

This article originally appeared on My TechDecisions’ sister-site Commercial Integrator.com. 

The post Planar Unveils Venue Pro VX Series appeared first on My TechDecisions.