Display Archives - My TechDecisions

Is it Up to IT to Provide Remote Workers with Desktop Displays?

Jonathan Blackwood — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:44:57 +0000

I miss my desktop monitor. So do a lot of employees that have been working from home for months since the COVID-19 pandemic forced massive closings throughout the country. While we’ve brought our laptops home, missing that second screen, or even a single, more robust screen, has been a sore spot for many employees.

Personally, I wasn’t able to bring my desktop monitor home with me, and I’ve been making due with a 32-inch display leftover from my college years. To say the differences are notable would be an understatement. Television displays simply don’t match the resolution or measurements that a desktop display provide.

I’m a visual worker. I like to have everything I need laid out in front of me as I work. In the office I had a massive 32-inch desktop display, along with my laptop screen. As a result, I was able to keep three or four applications open at once, referencing all of them in order to write a story. Since working remotely, I haven’t had nearly the same canvas as I have at work.

I’ve made due, of course. But certainly the comfort of a desktop display is something I’ve sorely missed. I look forward to reconnecting with my display when I return to the office – but many employees won’t return.

We recently conducted a survey of our IT audience to ask about remote working habits. Across the board, organizations are considering expanding their remote workforce, even once a vaccine is made for COVID-19. The benefits have been felt – productivity has not dropped, utilities and rent have. Not to mention the collective breath of fresh air workers have experienced from eliminating commutes and the like.

We also asked our IT audience about whether their organizations provide equipment to remote employees. 79.1% said they do, and of that segment, 41.3% said that they provide desktop displays specifically. That’s a solid segment of the market that is providing these displays in addition to laptops.

I think many organizations are going to have to consider providing desktop displays to remote employees. It’s a relatively small perk that goes a long way. If the employee were in office, the organization would provide them with a desktop display. So why not go the extra mile and provide it to remote employees? I know I’d appreciate it.

To learn more about desktop displays and how they can ease the burden of IT pros, check out this recent article.

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Panasonic Announces New Collaboration Solutions

TechDecisions Staff — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:33:02 +0000

Panasonic recently announced several collaboration-focused solutions, along with technology configurations to address the need for flexible remote work and learning environments.

The company is offering “a solutions-based architecture that simplifies the process and encourages remote collaboration between educators and students while replicating the in-class experience,” the announcement says.

These ‘Virtual Experience’ configurations “provide the AV tools needed to effectively stream lectures, lessons and other activities which previously occurred in the classroom,” the Panasonic announcement says.

The ‘Virtual Experience’ is offered in ‘Entry, Standard and Advanced’ configurations. All configurations include Panasonic displays, a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera, wireless microphones and mounting accessories.

PT-LRZ35 Series 1-Chip DLP RGB LED projector

The PT-LRZ35 Series projectors are ideal for smaller classrooms and meeting spaces, offering operation as low as 24dB without sacrificing image quality.

The PT-LRZ35 Series are Panasonic’s first portable projectors to use RGB LED light source. This provides “superior color reproduction and enhanced picture quality,” ideal for art or science classrooms, corporate presentations or artistic renderings.

The series also come 3D-ready with DLP Link technology (requires compatible glasses).

The filter-less design in a sealed optical unit and dust-resistant cabinet ensures up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance-free operation.

The PT-LRZ35U WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) and PT-LRW35U WXGA resolution (1280 x 800) LED projectors will be available August 2020.

PT-FRZ60 Series 1-Chip DLP SOLID SHINE Laser Projector

The PT-FRZ60 Series DLP SOLID SHINE laser projectors are engineered for classrooms and corporate applications. The projectors feature a 2.0x optical zoom to increase throw-distance range.

The PT-FRZ60 projectors support a 4K signal input via DIGITIAL LINK and HDMI terminals with CEC compatibility. They provide a filter-less cooling system, sealed optics along with a dust-resistant laser drive for almost 20,000 hours of 24/7 maintenance-free operation.

Offered in black or white cabinets, customers can choose models from 5,000lm to 6,000lm. All models provide WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) and will be available November 2020.

CQE1W Professional Displays

The new CQE1 Series professional displays offer numerous connection points for multi-device ecosystems with four HDMI connections for CEC-compatible devices, as well as a standard USB-C terminal for mobile connectivity.

Available in seven models, from 98-inch to 43-inch sizes, the displays offer 4K picture quality. Its continuous operational capability of up to 16 hours a day makes it reliable for everyday use in corporate facilities and higher education institutions.

Built to VESA standards, suspension from the ceiling or mounting on a wall is simple using a standard mounting bracket. The CQE1W Series will be available beginning October 2020.

BQ1W Professional Displays

The BQ1W Series displays can be leveraged as a screen and whiteboard in classrooms and office spaces. Offered in 75-inch and 65-inch sizes, the BQ1W Series 4K displays can switch between display and whiteboard mode.

All touch and writing capabilities are built directly into the display, so there is no need to load software or have additional components.

Integrated with the Intel Smart Display Module, the displays can be enhanced with third-party applications for additional interactive capabilities.

The BQ1W displays are available now.

EQ1 Professional Displays Expand Functionality

The EQ1 Series displays are suited for huddle rooms and small meeting rooms, offering a variety of sizes with the flexibility to integrate with many videoconferencing systems.

The EQ1 Series displays are now compatible with Cisco Webex Room Kits to help customers create even more integrated, collaborative environments.

‘PressIT’ Wireless Presentation System

The new ‘PressIT’ wireless presentation system is a plug-and-play wireless presentation system designed to eliminate the need for cables and facilitates sharing content between different PCs.

Attendees connect the transmitter button to their PC’s USB and HDMI ports and press the button to share their content on the room’s display. Up to four presenters at a time can display visual and audio content.

The PressIT Wireless Presentation System offers two versions: basic with the set-top-box or cable-less with the SDM receiver. The SDM receiver was designed to fit inside the Intel SDM expansion slot of the displays, so no cable connection is needed between the PC and display.

For displays and projectors without an SDM slot for the receiver, a set-top-box version can be connected to the device.

The PressIT Wireless Presentation System will be available October 2020.

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Castaway Restaurant Displays & AV are Easily Adjusted by Staff

Jonathan Blackwood — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 10:00:48 +0000

Opening its doors in March 2019, the Castaway bar and restaurant has quickly made its mark in Long Beach, New York, both for its menu of new and traditional American fare and the sheer number of restaurant displays it packs into 2,500 square feet.

The Tech Decision

Castaway was looking for digital signage solutions that would allow customers to watch live sports and other content.

Music is another important element to Castaway’s atmosphere, whether it’s from a streaming service in the background, the aforementioned DJ, or live musicians playing during weekend happy hours.

“The Castaway’s owners love their high-tech setup, but during the planning stages of the project, a video wall did raise a big concern for them: the burden it would place on staff to operate it,” says Richard Papp, president of Paply.

“So control was a high priority in this installation from the beginning. The owners wanted a powerful system that would automate many aspects of operating the restaurant, while making it simple for staff to switch video and audio sources on the fly using an iPad. To meet these needs, we turned to RTI.”

The Restaurant Displays

Installed by Paply, the Castaway’s crowd favorite is a 29-foot-long video wall comprised of 12 65-inch Samsung restaurant displays.

With video distribution provided by Just Add Power’s (J+P) 3G Ultra HD Over IP platform, guests can watch live sports and other content from four DirecTV receivers on the video wall — in addition to music videos from a live DJ on Friday and Saturday nights — in a variety of screen configurations.

And with an additional 19 50-inch Samsung displays located throughout the restaurant — playing content from an additional four DirectTV receivers — there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Audio distribution throughout the restaurant is provided by RTI’s AD-8x, with sources including a Russound XSource streaming audio player and two RTI RSP-1 remote source plates: one located in the DJ booth and the other connected to a Behringer X Air digital mixer used by visiting musicians.

Castaway’s control system is powered by RTI’s XP-6s control processor and IP drivers for the Samsung displays, DirecTV receivers, AD-8x audio distribution system, J+P transmitters and receivers, and Russound XSource.

In addition, RTI’s ZW-9 Z-Wave interface is being utilized to bring six self-powered JBL speakers — each of which is connected to a GE Z-Wave switch — into the system.

The Impact

Employees interact with Castaway’s technology using an iPad running RTI’s RTiPanel.

They save valuable time when opening or closing the restaurant by turning on or off all displays, lighting, and more with a single button tap.

The iPad’s custom interface also makes it simple for them to send any content to any display, change the configuration of the video wall, and switch between audio sources.

With the XP-6s’ built-in astronomical clock for time-based events, automated scenes free up staff throughout the day.

For example, at a certain time every day, the Dinner Scene activates, which automatically adjusts all lighting to a predefined level and reduces the brightness of all TVs.

“We were able to check off every box for this project with RTI,” says Richard Papp, president of Paply.

“The staff absolutely love the control system’s simplicity and ease of use. It requires very little training on their part and allows them to spend less time managing the restaurant’s technology and more time servicing its customers.”

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3 Hospital IT Nightmares: Healthcare Tech That Will Raise Your Blood Pressure

TechDecisions Staff — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:00:01 +0000

As a hospital IT administrator, you know that these facilities are nothing without the people who work inside them. But as you also know, the healthcare technology in patient rooms, is pretty important, too, and in this slideshow, we examine some pretty poor examples of it… And pair those with much, MUCH better ones.

Whoever made the hospital technology investments in these examples really lost out, but the real losers are, of course, the patients. It isn’t clear in some of these pictures if the tech was installed by an actual systems integrator or a business owner who wanted to save some cash. (This story premiered on our sister site, Commercial Integrator).

A useful resource for hospital IT admins:

In addition to training people, you’re responsible for all the hardware and security systems, such as access control, surveillance cameras, alarms and emergency notification systems.

Each presents its own unique specifications:

Do you go with simple key cards?
Do you install metal detectors?
How are the surveillance cameras monitored?
How many outlets will you use for your emergency notification systems?

Click here to see some of the most head-scratching healthcare technology fails out there

And, don’t forget, everything needs to work together, including any pre-existing hardware there may be.

This free download, “The Technology Manager’s Guide: Tips for Buying Campus Safety Technology” walks you through the process of outlining an RFP.

New 55-Inch Display from NEC Offers Near Bezel-Less Video Wall Option

Lisa Montgomery — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 20:00:42 +0000

NEC Display Solutions of America touted its new 55-inch, near bezel-less display last week at InfoComm 2019, in Orlando. The new panels join the company’s UN Series line of displays, which are designed to make the video wall setup process easier thanks to its intensive factory color calibration and proprietary SpectraView Engine that ensures best-in-class color control.

The new UN552S and UN552VS feature just 0.44mm inactive area surrounding an anti-glare, high-haze IPS panel designed for seamless multi-screen configurations. The panels also feature enhanced OSD color control, easy content distribution, and software capabilities.

“When it comes to video wall setup, making sure the color is just right is often the biggest pain point for customers,” comments Ben Hardy, senior product manager at NEC Display Solutions. “That’s why we’ve engineered the UN552 line of video wall panels to have the easiest setup process by putting them through an intensive factory calibration process that ensures color uniformity, reducing customer frustration while providing the ultimate flexibility in color adjustment.”

Each UN552S and VS display is calibrated at the factory for luminance, RGB, White Point, Uniformity and Gamma to ensure each panel matches out of the box. In addition, self-calibration is possible by plugging in an external SpectraView sensor directly into the display.

The UN552S features 700 cd/m2 of brightness, ideal for retail, corporate, cinema, or house of worship use, while the UN552VS features 500 cd/m2 of brightness, suited for applications where max brightness is not needed, such as broadcast and command and control. Like other panels in the UN Series, the UN552S and VS feature improved NDWC capabilities with corner adjustment, uniformity correction and quicker recalibration techniques. The displays also include both DisplayPort and HDMI out connections to daisy chain signals from the internal media player for easy video wall installation and management. Meanwhile, the new TileCut function ensures the image does not get cut off when displaying content on non-16:9 video walls – a must for customers who need to ensure their content is always properly displayed.

The UN552S and UN552VS will be available beginning in July; as of press time, no pricing information was available.

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Digital Projection Rolls Out Multiple Video Projectors at InfoComm 2019

Lisa Montgomery — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 18:00:59 +0000

Digital Projection is demonstrating a variety of projection systems this year at InfoComm 2019, June 12-14, in Orlando, including its flagship Titan Series, Insight 4K 3D projector, and Insight Laser 8K projector, as well as M-Vision 21000 and E-Vision 13000 projectors, which come equipped with DP’s new ColorBoost+ Direct Red laser technology, and Radiance LED displays.

Titan Series

The Titan platform has been completely upgraded and is now equipped with DP’s award-winning laser illumination. With 4K and WUXGA options and models offering up to 37,000 lumens of the highest quality 3-chip DLP imaging, the TITAN Series offers a bright, accurate solution minus the need to replace lamps.

Insight 4K HFR 360

DP will also introduce its new Insight 4K HFR 360 projector, a high frame-rate solution for creating an immersive, collaborative, and interactive 3D experience. This multi-viewer 3D projector allows up to three users to view native 4K-3D content while interacting and collaborating with one another in a shared virtual environment. With head-tracking technology and the HFR 360’s ultra-fast frame rates, each user experiences a unique perspective of the on-screen content that remains consistent with their changing position.

Insight Laser 8K

The Insight Laser 8K projector returns to InfoComm 2019, boasting 25,000 lumens and 33+ million pixels of sharp, bright, and color-saturated imaging.

M-Vision and E-Vision

Also returning to InfoComm are the M-Vision 21000 and E-Vision 13000 projectors—both equipped with DP’s new ColorBoost+ Direct Red laser technology. These projectors render imagery that meets the REC709 color space, delivering near 3-chip color performance at a single-chip price point.

Radiance LED Displays

Also showcased by DP is a variety of new Radiance models and capabilities from 0.7 – 4.0 pixel pitch, including the company’s new CrystalView protective surface coating.

Sneak Peek of Satellite Modular Laser Systems

DP also provides an exclusive sneak preview of its new Satellite Modular Laser Systems (Satellite MLS). Featuring pure RGB Laser Illumination, the Satellite MLS promises to be a bona fide game-changer in the projector market. Offering widely customizable system configurations, all producing superb color
gamut, contrast, and virtually silent operation, the Satellite MLS addresses complex display
environments.

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Renewed Vision Showcases Scoreboard Software at InfoComm 2019

Lisa Montgomery — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 18:00:48 +0000

When the action on stage or on the court or field takes a break—be it for an intermission or time-out—keeping attendees engaged is the objective of any AV operator. One of the best ways to do this is with huge displays and dynamic content. See this interactive display project

Renewed Vision demonstrates these types of solutions at InfoComm 2109, June 12-14, in Orlando. Demonstrations will include new version 3.3 of the company’s feature-rich PVP3 multi-screen media server, video processor and screen control solution for live production environments, along with innovations in its ProPresenter Scoreboard multi-sport score presentation platform.

“We continue to innovate across all of our software solutions with a goal of making operators’ jobs easier while enabling them to create even richer, more engaging visual experiences,” says Brad Weston, president, Renewed Vision.

Enhancement to PVP 3.3

Enhancements to PVP 3.3 include a new “key and fill” capability for SDI outputs; video input crosspoints that enable users in dynamic live environments to quickly make changes to input slots while automatically updating related cues; and per-layer content masking, allowing customers to apply dynamic alpha effects to video by binding two layers together. Other new PVP 3.3 features include custom content cropping and expanded preview capabilities that facilitate reviewing entire outputs on external displays. These latest features build on the advances in the preceding version 3.2 software update, including expanded synchronization, control and management functionality; increased I/O signal density; simultaneous 4K/1080p playback from the same workstation; and NDI support for IP-networked environments.

Advances to ProPresenter Scoreboard

New advances to Renewed Vision’s ProPresenter Scoreboard include custom scoring logic, clocks and timers that enable the creation of scoreboards for user-defined sports; the ability to display and independently control multiple matches on the same output, making it ideal for tournaments with simultaneous events; and live StatCrew and MLB data support.

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BrightSign BSN.Cloud Takes the Work Out of Large Scale Digital Signage

Adam Forziati — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 12:00:51 +0000

You may or may not realize that this is one of the busiest weeks in the United States for people who install A/V & security systems: InfoComm, the A/V industry’s largest North American trade show, is showing off new products left and right. One well-known manufacturer, BrightSign, is showing off something to make maintaining digital signage much easier.

BrightSign BSN.cloud

The company will showcase its new BSN.cloud network and player management platform.

“We’ve been quietly testing the platform with a handful of partners, and we are ready to offer it as a beta version to the general public in the coming weeks. We’re are excited for the broader market to embrace the platform with similar enthusiasm.”

What is it?

A new cloud platform that automates player set-up and delivers “a secure, scalable network management service,” according to the company.

BSN.cloud is a free subscription included with all BrightSign players running BrightSign OS 8 at the Control Cloud level, which enables real-time player control and authoring.

“To add a complete set of digital signage content, network management and administration tools in a secure cloud environment, BrightSign offers the BSN.cloud Content Cloud as a free beta trial until December 1, 2019,” says a company release.

Significance to Decision Makers

“BSN.cloud represents significant upside for tech decision-makers in that it saves the technical team countless hours not just in the initial provisioning of players on large-scale deployments, but also in the management of content across those networks,” CEO Jeff Hastings.

More Info on Digital Signage Deployments

More and more retail stores, universities, corporate offices and healthcare centers are relying on the latest digital signage technology to communicate on a large scale.

Today’s digital signage programs are nimble, affordable, and extremely efficient, allowing for almost immediate installation. Our editors have worked with leading manufacturers, installers and end users like you to assemble a free guide to help you select the right technology solution and installation partner.

Download “The Technology Manager’s Guide: Tips for Buying Digital Signage”

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KanexPro 4K Presentation Matrix Debuts at InfoComm 2019

Lisa Montgomery — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:00:14 +0000

Connectivity issues can sabotage any type of presentation, turning a well-thought-out discussion to an avid audience into a technical nightmare. To prevent this from happening, giving presenters the peace of mind that the show will go on as planned–not to mention a show in full 4K–KanexPro offers a 4K Seamless Presentation Matrix with Extender Receiver (SW-HDSC42D4K). The device, which is designed for meeting room presentation systems and features four video connector inputs with the ability to extend up to 70 meters, debuts at InfoComm 2019, June 12-14, in Orlando.

Inputs and Outputs on Seamless Presentation Matrix

The SW-HDSC42D4K features four inputs, including three HDMI inputs and one USB-C input; and two outputs, including a single HDMI output with external audio and an extender output with one HDMI loop output.

Additionally, the SW-HDSC42D4K features one MIX audio input and one MIC audio input for global audio compatibility. Designed as the central component for an AV system, the SW-HDSC42D4K boasts true 4K scaling up to 4K at 60 Hz at 4:4:4. The built-in extender output enables the transmission of HDMI 2.0 signal over a CATx cable. The SW-HDSC42D4K can be controlled and customized by any third-party control system, including Web GUI, RS232, IR and CEC.

“The 4K Seamless Presentation Matrix is designed to simplify integration, ideally in meeting rooms and presentations spaces, to create a robust, customizable AV system,” says Manny Hernandez, senior product manager for KanexPro. “By incorporating CATx, sources can be scaled, switched and extended quickly and reliably. And, the built-in USB-C input creates the ideal interface for MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Windows PCs for a simplified user presentation experience.”

At InfoComm 2019, KanexPro will feature the 4K Seamless Presentation Matrix and Premium Extender Kit for education, featuring a Wall Plate Extender Transmitter, Extender Receiver and Wall Plate Control Panel.

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Leyard and Planar Announce LookThru Transparent OLED Display at InfoComm

Lisa Montgomery — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 20:00:17 +0000

Leyard and Planar will be showcasing the Planar LookThru Transparent OLED Display, June 12-14, at InfoComm 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The 55-inch display makes it possible to create see-through installations with a virtually frameless glass design by utilizing cutting-edge Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology, eliminating the needed for a backlight or enclosure. With 38 percent light transmissivity, the glass delivers all the benefits of interactive digital signage while allowing consumers to see the product or scenes behind the display.

Suitable both as a standalone product and for tiled installations, the 55-inch display is ideal for a wide range of applications including retail merchandising, corporate displays, museum exhibits, award and trophy cases, and tradeshow exhibits.

“The customer demand for a next-generation Planar LookThru display has been truly unprecedented,” says Steve Seminario, vice president of product marketing at Leyard and Planar. “We’re thrilled to announce this new product, which brings to life the amazing variety of creative designs our customers envision for their organizations.”

The next-generation Planar LookThru offers the following benefits:

Brilliant picture quality. Offers vibrant colors that, at 120% NTCS, exceed the standards set by the National Television System Committee. The emissive OLED display provides wide viewing angles with excellent no off-axis contrast and brightness, and full HD resolution.

High performance. Equipped with a 4K@60Hz DisplayPort and HDMI connectivity that includes HDCP 2.2 content protection compliance. Installations are fully controllable using RS-232, LAN and other control systems. The display is also compatible with leading processing and source routing solutions.

High durability. Features Planar ERO-OLED (Extended Ruggedness and Optics) technology that uses a proprietary process to bond protective glass to the front surface of an OLED display. The result is a highly durable display surface that can withstand the rigors of high-traffic environments.

Flexible configuration. Can be used in either portrait or landscape orientations. The display can be mounted on tables and ceilings and built into custom fixtures. It can also be tiled to create large, attention-grabbing video walls using DisplayPort video loop through.

Easy set-up. Comes fully assembled and ready to connect to a source, making set-up quick and intuitive. Optional accessories can be purchased including a base plate for ceiling mounting, tiling components to protect display edges and a platform cover to create a staging surface for items placed behind the display.

Planar LookThru will begin shipping in Summer 2019 and is available through Leyard and Planar’s global network of authorized resellers.

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