AliceAs well as unveiling its very own integrated voice control technology at ISE, Harman revealed a plethora of launches from its AMX brand, including the AMX N2400 Series of video encoders and decoders, which the manufacturer claims are the first video-over-IP solutions to deliver full-quality 4K content over Gigabit Ethernet networks with ‘near-imperceptible’ latency.
With support for 4K video at 60Hz and 4:4:4 chroma, the N2400 Series encoders and decoders allow users to instantly distribute 4K video. The new series use JPEG 2000 encoding to deliver content at native frame rate and colour space over cost-effective standard Gigabit Ethernet with just two frames of latency. With support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, the N2400 Series is compatible with all the latest 4K sources and displays.
“The 4K market is accelerating rapidly, and more businesses and institutions want to deliver top-tier video content to create the best possible experience for their customers,” explains Andy Whitehead, general manager Networked AV, Harman Professional Solutions. “The new AMX N2400 Series enables universities, houses of worship, sporting arenas and corporations to quickly deliver true cinema-quality 4K video to hundreds of displays simultaneously.”
Harman states that N2400 encoders and decoders are easy and cost effective to integrate with existing video-distribution infrastructures. Because the N2400 Series can be PoE+ powered, the new encoders and decoders operate by either standard 12VDC power, or by a simple Ethernet connection from the local network switch. N2400 encoders and decoders also use the same control APIs, software, and easy-to-use web interfaces as existing AMX Networked AV solutions.
Conferencing Sound Bars
Also new from AMX was the AMX Acendo Vibe, a new line of premium conferencing sound bars for collaboration in huddle spaces and smaller meeting environments. Boasting JBL speakers, far-field microphones, a wide-angle camera and a modern office design aesthetic, Acendo Vibe is an all-in-one solution that requires no programming or installation of additional equipment. Acendo Vibe comes in three colours and features softened materials and finishes.
USB and Bluetooth connectivity streamlines BYOD conference applications by allowing users to easily connect laptops, phones and tablets. Dedicated audio inputs and outputs allow users to integrate Acendo Vibe with other AV systems, such as assistive listening systems.
Acendo Vibe 5100 Series models include a 120-degree field-of-view (FoV) camera that allows everyone in the room to be seen, including individuals sitting close to the display. The 5100 Series also includes HDMI connections that enable users to route video to the display, and automatically turn the display on when a laptop is connected.
Presentation Solutions
Continuing with the meeting room space theme, AMX also revealed the AMX Acendo Core complete presentation solution for huddle spaces and small meeting environments. Thin enough to mount behind a display, Acendo Core features direct integration with Microsoft Exchange scheduling, one-touch Skype for Business integration, native document viewers and email document sharing.
“In enterprise office environments, time is a valuable resource, and outdated conference room equipment can cause unnecessary delays and frustration,” explains Paul Krizan, product manager, Networked AV Solutions, Harman Professional Solutions. “Acendo Core offers a complete integrated solution that enables teams to get to the heart of their meeting as quickly as possible and make optimal use of huddle spaces and smaller meeting rooms.”
Completing the Acendo line up are the AMX RoomBook scheduling touch panels. Shipping in March 2017, the version 1.1 firmware features numerous usability and setup enhancements designed to help users ensure installation success.
“Now, thanks to our new firmware update, the newly designated Acendo Book scheduling touch panels offer customers full scheduling integration with other Acendo products, plus enhanced usability, networking and setup,” says Michael Saadeh, product manager for User Interfaces, Harman Professional Solutions.
Acendo Book scheduling touch panels are standalone scheduling panels that integrate directly with popular room scheduling software such as Microsoft Exchange, Office 365 and Google Calendar without additional system software or hardware requirements. The panels can be mounted on any flat surface, including drywall, gang-box, glass, or stone, inside or outside a conference room or huddle space.
Also new, and targeting huddle spaces, meeting rooms, executive boardrooms, classrooms and lecture theatres is the AMX Rapid Project Maker v3.0 is a cloud-based configuration tool featuring a redesigned HTML 5 interface and a newly enhanced and touch panel UI.
“Businesses and universities need an easier way to configure, deploy and commission standard collaboration spaces without the hassle and expense of custom AV programming,” says Justin Kennedy, product manager, software, Harman Professional Solutions.
Education Overflow
Not forgetting the launch of the AMX N7142 Presentation Switcher, which the manufacturer is calling the first all-in-one presentation switcher to incorporate low-latency Networked AV video distribution.
With the ability to distribute video in a scalable way, the N7142 Presentation Switcher has been designed to enable educators to enhance lecture presentations and reach more students in overflow classroom applications.
The N7142 Presentation Switcher features a comprehensive I/O designed to deliver audio and video in classroom and small conference room applications. The N7142 Presentation Switcher distributes UHD content from the latest 4K sources to most modern displays, with four 4K60 HDMI 2.0 and two VGA inputs that can be independently switched between two HDMI 2.0 outputs.
Each output has a mirrored HDMI port for connecting to an additional display, encoder card or other video distribution equipment. Two available Networked AV slots and an integrated Gigabit Ethernet switch make distributing classroom presentations to overflow seating as easy and immediate as a single LAN connection.
In addition to audio from the HDMI inputs, the all-in-one presentation switcher supports multiple high-quality audio sources with powerful built-in DSP and a 60W stereo amplifier. The N7142 Presentation Switcher includes two microphone inputs with phantom power, as well as six independent stereo inputs that can be used to incorporate different audio sources into presentations, including digital devices like smartphones or tablets.
The audio amplifier can also operate in 4Ω/8Ω, 70V, or 100V modes via a user-selectable switch, making it easy to integrate the N7142 Presentation Switcher with existing AV infrastructures.
The AMX N7142 Presentation Switcher is available in two configurations: the NMX-PRS-N7142 and the NMX-PRS-N7142-23, which adds an AMX N2312 Encoder and an AMX N2322 Decoder to the base configuration.