AVNation TV

Category: Association

  • Sonnet Technologies at the 2025 NAB Show

    Sonnet Technologies at the 2025 NAB Show

    Sonnet Technologies is making waves at the 2025 NAB Show with its latest lineup of Thunderbolt 5 products and professional mounting solutions for the new Mac mini computers. Among the highlights is the Echo™ 13 Thunderbolt™ 5 SSD Dock, the first-ever shipping Thunderbolt 5 storage dock, offering ultra-fast data transfers up to 6,000 MB/s and up to 140W laptop charging. The company is also introducing custom-designed Mac mini mounting solutions, including the RackMac mini for secure rackmount setups and the MacCuff mini for flexible desk, wall, or monitor mounting.

    Additionally, Sonnet is showcasing new rackmount and Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion systems, designed for professional workflows requiring high-speed connectivity and expandability. Attendees will also get an exclusive sneak peek at Sonnet’s next-gen external GPU, the eGPU Breakaway™ Box 850ex, which promises workstation-level graphics performance with Thunderbolt 5. Other upcoming innovations include full-size and compact Thunderbolt 5 PCIe expansion systems for bandwidth-intensive tasks like video editing, NVMe storage, and high-speed networking.

    At this year’s NAB Show, Sonnet will showcase its first Thunderbolt 5 products, present first looks at its 2024 Mac mini computer mounting solutions, and display its diverse array of Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion systems and docking stations, as well as its USB and NVMe SSD PCIe adapter cards.

    NEW, NOW SHIPPING: 13-Port Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station with Integrated SSD
    At the 2025 NAB Show, Sonnet will feature the Echo™ 13 Thunderbolt™ 5 SSD Dock, the first-ever Thunderbolt 5 storage dock to ship, and the first Thunderbolt 5 model in the company’s popular Echo family of docking stations. Echo 13 includes a Thunderbolt certified PCIe® 4.0 NVMe® SSD from Kingston® Technology and is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB configurations. The dock supports data transfers of up to 6,000 MB/s when connected to a Thunderbolt 5 computer and connects peripheral devices to a computer through a single Thunderbolt 5 cable (which can also charge laptops with up to 140 watts of power).

    NEW, NOW SHIPPING: Professional Mounting Solutions for 2024 Mac Mini Computers
    At the 2025 NAB Show, Sonnet will feature its custom-designed mounting solutions for new M4 and M4 Pro Apple® Mac mini® computers, the RackMac mini (2024+) and MacCuff mini (2024+). The RackMac mini (2024+) rackmount enclosure secures up to three Mac mini computers side by side in a 2U rack space. The MacCuff mini (2024+) mounting bracket with a locking bar secures a Mac mini beneath a desk, to a wall, or the back of a monitor. Both products are constructed of rugged steel and are designed and manufactured in the USA.

    NEW: Pro 2U Rackmount Plus Thunderbolt to PCIe Card Expansion Systems for 2024 Mac mini Computers
    At this year’s NAB Show, Sonnet will preview its xMac mini (2024+) professional rackmount and Thunderbolt™ to PCIe® card expansion systems for the new 2024 Apple® Mac mini® computers. Designed for professional workflow expansion, xMac mini (2024+) systems fit in standard 19-inch equipment racks, and consist of a 2U rackmount enclosure, a mounting module for one or two Mac mini computers, plus a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module that connects two or three PCIe cards to the computer via Thunderbolt cables.

    PCIe card expansion options consist of the Echo™ II DV Module, which connects two card slots to the computer via two Thunderbolt cables, an upcoming Thunderbolt 5 version of the Echo II DV module (that doubles the bandwidth over the previous generation module), and the Echo III module, which connects three PCIe card slots to a computer via a single Thunderbolt cable. Echo II DV modules feature dual Thunderbolt interfaces that provide full PCIe bandwidth to each slot when connected to two Thunderbolt ports on the Mac mini, which also provides independent PCIe bandwidth to each of its Thunderbolt ports. The Echo III Module includes a PCIe bridge that spreads the PCIe bandwidth across the module’s three slots.

    Thunderbolt 5 Technology Sneak Peak
    Sonnet will preview its next generation external GPU, the eGPU Breakaway™ Box 850ex. Featuring a Thunderbolt™ 5 controller, this product will offer double the PCIe® bandwidth (up to 6000 MB/s) of currently shipping external GPU chassis to deliver PC workstation level graphics performance with laptop and small form factor computers with Thunderbolt 5 ports.

    Sonnet will also preview full-size desktop and rackmount Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe card expansion systems with dual Thunderbolt 5 interfaces and two PCIe card slots, plus a compact single-slot desktop system. All the systems provide full PCIe bandwidth (up to 6,000 MB/s) to each card slot, enabling the use of high-performance, bandwidth-hungry PCIe cards — such as DV I/O, NVMe SSD storage, and multiport 25Gb Ethernet adapters — at maximum performance.

  • Just Add Power at Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025

    Just Add Power at Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025

    Just Add Power is set to showcase its award-winning technology at the Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 in Las Vegas from March 24-26. Their innovative multiscreen solutions, including the MaxColor 4K60 Tiling and Warping Encoder (MC-QX), help bars and restaurants deliver immersive Ultra HD and 4K video experiences. These solutions allow businesses to create custom AV setups with multi-screen video walls, rotating digital displays, and seamless content control—all designed to enhance customer engagement and keep guests coming back.

    Used by popular brands like Buffalo Wild Wings and Tilted Kilt, Just Add Power’s technology makes it easy to distribute 4K video from any source to any screen with minimal latency and maximum flexibility. Whether for live sports, digital art installations, or curated ambiance, the MaxColor Series ensures high-quality visuals with effortless control via mobile devices or computers. At the expo, attendees will see firsthand how these solutions can transform their venues with engaging, high-impact AV experiences.

    Just Add Power, a leader in Audio/Video-over-Internet Protocol (AV-over-IP) distribution, will exhibit its award-winning AV-over-IP multiscreen solutions at the Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 24-26 in Las Vegas. The show offers bar and restaurant owners an opportunity to discover how Just Add Power’s technology can enrich their customers’ experiences through the deployment of Ultra HD and 4K video on single screens and videowalls of any size.

    “There are many ways to create a memorable bar and restaurant experience, and state-of-the-art AV is a crucial element in modern hospitality,” said Ed Qualls, CEO and founder of Just Add Power. “The versatile platform from Just Add Power gives the bar and restaurant industry the opportunity to create custom AV systems that support the high quality of service and atmosphere that their customers expect. At the show, attendees will see how our latest solutions can elevate a space and deliver an immersive environment that brings customers back through the door time after time.”

    At the expo, Just Add Power will highlight its industry award-winning products including the MaxColor 4K60 Tiling and Warping Encoder (MC-QX). With the MC-QX, patrons can simultaneously watch up to four 4K video sources on a single display while choosing from a variety of layouts. With the MC-QX warping capability, installers can rotate any source image. The rotated image can then be sent to a near-unlimited number of screens in the network, allowing for the creation of stunning digital art installations and artistic video walls to grab the attention of customers using a single MC-QX. In addition, it supports multichannel audio for a truly immersive experience.

    Trusted by companies like Buffalo Wild Wings, Walk Ons, and Tilted Kilt, these products are designed to facilitate the distribution of 4K video content from any source to any screen, enabling businesses to display vivid and detailed imagery across an entire venue. Controlling the content and screens is easy with the touch of a button on a mobile device or computer. Whether it’s for broadcasting live sporting events, deploying a multiscreen video wall, or creating a specific mood with digital artwork, Just Add Power’s MaxColor Series has the flexibility to deliver virtually lossless 4K high-quality visual experiences that elevate any space.

  • BeckTV to Highlight Expertise in Sports and TV Station Integration at 2025 NAB Show

    BeckTV to Highlight Expertise in Sports and TV Station Integration at 2025 NAB Show

    BeckTV will showcase its expertise in designing and building TV stations and sports venue systems at the 2025 NAB Show. Visitors can stop by Booth SL2305 to explore the latest trends in broadcast technology and learn best practices for system integration. With extensive experience in both large and small-scale projects, BeckTV offers comprehensive services — from space planning and engineering to equipment procurement and installation — ensuring tailored solutions for every client’s needs.

    Over the past year, BeckTV has contributed to major broadcast upgrades, including work at Intuit Dome, Baylor University, WETA, and WVUE-TV. The company specializes in modernizing facilities to support higher video resolutions, improved audio, and advanced IP-based systems like SMPTE ST 2110. At the NAB Show, BeckTV engineers will be available to discuss strategies for balancing costs, enabling cloud-based workflows, and improving remote production capabilities.

    At the 2025 NAB Show, broadcast systems integrator BeckTV will highlight its expertise in facility design, engineering, and installation, with a special focus on sports venues and television stations. Attendees are invited to Booth SL2305 to discuss the latest technologies, industry trends, and best practices in system design and integration.

    A one-stop shop for broadcast media projects of just about any budget, BeckTV offers comprehensive services that include space planning, design, engineering, procurement, and integration. The company takes a brand-agnostic approach to system design, selecting products based on project requirements, not brand. BeckTV also has extensive in-house fabrication capabilities for creating custom metal, composite, and wood solutions.

    BeckTV’s work spans nearly every type of installation, with a portfolio that includes broadcast and network television stations, cable and satellite facilities, network operations centers, sports and mobile trucks, professional and collegiate stadiums, and houses of worship. Projects vary in size and technology — from sports stadiums and large network builds to the smallest call letter stations, and from traditional baseband video systems to advanced SMPTE ST 2110 implementations.

    In the past year, BeckTV played a major role in new builds or upgrades of control rooms and OB trucks for several organizations, including Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers; Baylor University in Texas; WETA, the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital; and WVUE-TV in New Orleans.

    BeckTV will welcome attendees to its booth, where engineers will answer questions about the various aspects of modern broadcast integration and building projects. Among the many topics for discussion are balancing capital and operational expenditures, cloud-based workflows, remote production strategies, and the various approaches to building or revamping a facility.

    “Broadcasters around the country are modernizing their facilities to meet demand for higher and higher video resolutions, better sound, and all the other features that today’s audiences and sports fans expect. Whether upgrading infrastructure or building completely new facilities, SMPTE ST 2110 and AES67 are key to that modernization,” said Matt Weiss, Vice President of Business Development at BeckTV. “BeckTV has been instrumental in many of those projects — amassing more and more expertise and innovation along the way. At NAB, broadcast and sports production engineers can find out how to bring that expertise and innovation to their next project.”

  • AVer to Showcase Medical-Grade Connected Health Solutions at HIMSS 2025

    AVer to Showcase Medical-Grade Connected Health Solutions at HIMSS 2025

    AVer Information Inc. USA is set to showcase its latest connected health solutions at HIMSS 2025 in Las Vegas. The company will highlight its advanced Medical Grade PTZ Cameras—MD120UI, MD330U, and the new MD720UIS—along with the ViewCare software platform. These AI-powered tools enhance real-time patient monitoring, telehealth, and diagnostics, helping healthcare professionals improve patient care and streamline workflows. Visitors can explore AVer’s innovations at the Taiwan Pavilion, Booth #4312, Stand #9, from March 4–6, 2025.

    AVer’s MD720UIS is the most powerful medical-grade PTZ camera yet, featuring Edge-AI, two-way audio, and AI-driven capabilities like fall detection and face tracking. The ViewCare software enables seamless camera management, real-time streaming, and Tele-ICU support for up to 256 wards. AVer’s technology will also be featured at leading healthcare partner booths, and the company will present “Realize the Future of Connected Health” on March 5 at the Venetian Expo Center.

    AVer Information Inc. USA, an award-winning provider of video collaboration and education technology solutions, announces its participation at HIMSS 2025 in Las Vegas, NV, where it will showcase its latest advancements in connected health technology. AVer will showcase its Medical Grade PTZ Cameras, including the MD120UI, MD300U and new MD720UIS, alongside the versatile ViewCare software, March 4–6, 2025, at the Taiwan Pavilion, Booth #4312, Stand #9 at the Venetian Expo Hall, Level 2.

    “AVer’s MD120UI, MD330U and MD720UIS cameras, combined with the ViewCare software platform, are designed to empower healthcare providers with precise, real-time monitoring and diagnostic tools,” said Rich Moscoso, Product Manager, Connected Health, AVer Information Inc. USA. “These innovations enhance patient care, streamline workflows and offer healthcare professionals the flexibility and capabilities they need to deliver superior outcomes. We are excited to showcase the future of connected health technology at HIMSS 2025.”

    AVer’s MD120UI is an innovative PTZ camera specifically engineered for patient monitoring. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, it enables healthcare providers to monitor patients effortlessly and attentively at scale. The MD120UI features 20X optical zoom and 4K imaging capabilities and an IR night view function to provide crystal-clear visuals for 24-hour patient monitoring with no blind spots.

    The MD330U is a highly versatile medical-grade camera perfect for various applications such as Tele-ICU patient monitoring and telehealth conferencing on mobile carts. The MD300U is equipped with a 4K sensor, LED lens and a removable camera head, enabling healthcare professionals to capture close-up images from different angles, regardless of where they are providing care. The embedded audio system with speakerphone and noise reduction ensures clear and effective communication.

    MD720UIS is the most powerful AVer Medical Grade PTZ camera to date, embedded with an Android™ operating system, Edge-AI capabilities and a high-quality two-way audio system, to create a powerful healthcare tool. The MD720UIS supports a wide array of healthcare applications beyond telemedicine, facilitating superior patient care and expanding telehealth delivery possibilities. Equipped with a robust chipset for edge computing, the MD720UIS features computer vision AI functions such as AI Fall/Bed Egress Detection and AI Face/Eye Tracking, aiding medical professionals in diagnostics and patient monitoring. The MD720UIS is compatible with various AI-powered applications to allow seamless support for diverse healthcare needs.

    Additionally, AVer’s ViewCare is an innovative camera management software platform meticulously crafted to streamline clinicians’ workflows. With intuitive camera control capabilities, ViewCare enables effortless management and categorization of cameras by department or individual doctor. The software simplifies task assignments and resource management, while its real-time audio and live imagery streaming via RTSP ensures seamless two-way communication. ViewCare supports monitoring up to 256 wards from a single computer, making it an ideal solution for building robust Tele-ICU service structures.

    In addition to AVer’s booth at the Taiwan Pavilion, AVer Medical Grade PTZ Cameras will be featured in the booths of several leading healthcare partners, including:

    •     Howard Medical, Booth #2254
    •     Avalue Technology Inc., Booth #2361
    •     Capsa Healthcare, Booth #2843
    •     Advantech, Booth #1665
    •     DT Research, Booth #2665

    Attendees can experience firsthand how AVer’s solutions integrate AI-driven precision, robust imaging and intuitive management tools to transform healthcare delivery. AVer will deliver a

    presentation entitled “Realize the Future of Connected Health” at the Taiwanese Smart Healthcare Startup Demo Day on Wednesday, March 5, at 2:20 pm PT in Room 309, Level 1 at the Venetian Convention and Expo Center.

    Visit AVer at the Taiwan Pavilion, Booth #4312, Stand #9 from March 4–6, 2025, at the Venetian Expo Hall, Level 2.

  • Diversified Announces Without Boundaries Event & Film Festival

    Diversified Announces Without Boundaries Event & Film Festival

    Diversified is hosting Without Boundaries: Accelerate Action, an International Women’s Day event and film festival on March 6 at Pace University in New York City. Organized in collaboration with AVIXA Women’s Council, SVGW, #GALSNGEAR, and NextLVL Learning, the event aims to empower women in AV, media, and technology through networking, innovation, and mentorship. Highlights include a fireside chat with Diversified CEO Eric Hutto and Dow CIO Melanie Kalmar, as well as the launch of the Without Boundaries Film Festival, celebrating women’s contributions to the industry. The event will be livestreamed on AVIXA TV, extending its reach to a global audience.

    The March 6 International Women’s Day celebration in NYC works to empower and foster community among students and professional women in AV, media, and technology

    PLANO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Diversified, a leading global technology solutions provider, today announced Without Boundaries: Accelerate Action, an International Women’s Day event and film festival taking place at Pace University on March 6 in New York City. The event is a collaboration of Diversified, Diversified’s Women’s Empowerment Group, AVIXA Women’s Council, SVGW (formerly Women’s Sports Media Initiative), #GALSNGEAR, and NextLVL Learning. Diversified will host the gathering, which aims to inspire, empower, and advance women in AV, media, and technology by providing a platform for sharing bold ideas, breakthrough projects, and transformative visions.

    Industry professionals and students will gather at the in-person event by invitation and virtually all over the world to discuss advancement and opportunity for women in AV, a field that still has a large gender gap to close.

    Celebrating Women in AV Industry

    “Without Boundaries: Accelerate Action gives women a new platform through which to showcase their voices, celebrate innovation, and build networks that can define careers,” said Diversified Chief People Officer Debbie Fulton. “We know that representation matters and we’re committed to shaping a workforce that is more inclusive and reflects the diverse world that we serve.”

    Without Boundaries: Accelerate Action will feature a fireside chat with Diversified CEO Eric Hutto and special guest Melanie Kalmar, Dow’s corporate vice president, chief information officer, and chief digital officer, who was recognized on the Forbes CIO Next list. Hutto and Kalmar will discuss how organizations can drive immediate impact by embracing collaboration, inclusivity, and forward-thinking strategies. Their fireside will be livestreamed on AVIXA TV, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET.

    The New York event also kicks off Diversified’s inaugural Without Boundaries Film Festival. Staged in partnership with AVIXA and SVGW, the festival celebrates and supports the creativity, innovation, and incredible impact of women in the AV, media, and technology fields. Festival attendees will see films that share inspiring stories, ideas, and innovations to uplift others and support growth as a community from women working in or studying AV, media, and technology.

    “Diversified’s vision as a company is to create a world without boundaries,” said Hutto. “This event is one way we’re putting that into action – connecting with women in AV, media, and technology, along with mentors and allies to tackle challenges, drive innovation, and celebrate their impact.”

    AVIXA TV is a strong advocate for amplifying diverse voices. In 2023, the Beyond Visual video series was launched to spotlight how personal experiences shape an individual’s perspective and how their expertise, in turn, impacts the world.

    To view more details about the event, the keynote, and the film festival or to register for the live stream, click here. Members of the media interested in attending the live event are encouraged to reach out to the Diversified media contact below to secure a spot.

    About Diversified

    Diversified is a global leader in audiovisual and media innovation, recognized for designing and building the world’s most experiential environments. Our Emmy Award-winning team specializes in delivering solutions for the most complex, large-scale and immersive installations. Serving a global clientele that includes major media organizations and retailers, sports and live performance venues, corporate enterprises, and government agencies, Diversified partners with clients to create spaces that bring people together and keep them coming back.

    About AVIXA Women’s Council

    Their mission is to provide a global community of AVIXA members and other professionals committed to supporting and empowering women who work in the technology and AV industry.

  • HDMI 2.2 Double the Bandwidth (just not yet)

    HDMI 2.2 Double the Bandwidth (just not yet)

    HDMI is leveling up again. At CES 2025, the HDMI Forum unveiled HDMI 2.2, promising a massive leap to 96Gbps bandwidth that could unlock everything from 8K gaming to 16K displays. But like every HDMI upgrade before it, you’ll need to buy new cables — and wait quite a while before actual devices support it.

    HDMI 2.2 cables
    courtesy HDMI Forum

    More Power More Gigabits

    The headline feature is that beefy 96Gbps pipeline, which doubles HDMI 2.1’s 48Gbps and even passes DisplayPort 2.1’s 80Gbps. This extra bandwidth could enable some truly next-level specs: think 4K at 240Hz without compression, or even some flavors of 4K at a mind-bending 480Hz.

    To handle all this data, HDMI 2.2 introduces the new “Ultra96” cable standard. If you’re getting flashbacks to the HDMI 2.1 cable switchover, you’re not alone. At least this time they’re being upfront about the requirement.

    There’s also a new feature called Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) that promises to fix those annoying audio sync issues, especially when you’re routing sound through receivers or soundbars. “The HDMI Forum’s continuing mission is to develop specifications to meet the HDMI eco-system’s growing demand for high-performance capabilities and features,” says Chandlee Harrell, HDMI Forum’s president. That’s a nice way to cushion the realization that we’re all about to go through an upgrade cycle.

    HDMI 2.2 resolution
    courtesy HDMI Forum

    Not So Fast

    While the HDMI 2.2 spec will be available to manufacturers in the first half of 2025, and those Ultra96 cables should appear by year’s end, history suggests we’re in for a wait. Think back to when HDMI 2.1 was unveiled. That was announced in January 2017, but didn’t show up in TVs until LG’s 2019 OLEDs, and most other manufacturers didn’t get on board until 2020. Even now, some media players still don’t support full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.

    While the specification is great that the technology is ready in theory it won’t be useful for a while. And by useful, I mean you aren’t going to upgrade any of your conference or classroom systems this year. Maybe not even next. What it does mean is that if you have systems coming online in late 2026 and beyond you need to be aware of the new spec and its capabilities.

    The HDMI Forum is painting a picture of future-proof connectivity but as always with HDMI updates, the real question is: how long until we can actually use it? Right now no one really knows. We are all on a wait, watch, and see.

  • Christie to showcase the evolution of multi-screen windowing and gateway technology at LDI

    Christie to showcase the evolution of multi-screen windowing and gateway technology at LDI

    Christie® is showcasing two innovative products at LDI 2024: the Spyder-S Series and Mastering Gateway. The Spyder-S Series is a powerful multi-screen windowing processor designed for live events, sports venues, and broadcast, offering unmatched scalability, ultra-low latency, and support for HD, 4K, and 8K resolutions. With flexible windowing modes and a high-performance compositing engine, the Spyder-S Series delivers synchronized, picture-perfect content for critical applications. It can manage up to 64 inputs and layers, supporting an unlimited number of windows per screen.

    The Mastering Gateway is a cutting-edge solution for distributing uncompressed HD, 4K, and 8K video, audio, and metadata over IP networks with zero latency. Built for live events, VFX, and post-production workflows, it ensures seamless integration with industry standards like ST 2110-20, 30, and 40. The Mastering Gateway transmits content in real time with HDR support and offers flexible control options, including a patch scheduler and manual patching interface. Both products emphasize scalability, versatility, and high-quality performance for professionals in broadcast, live events, and post-production environments.

    Christie® is pleased to unveil two new products at LDI: Spyder-S Series, with five variants for multi-screen windowing processing for live events, broadcast, and sports venues, and Mastering Gateway for seamless HD, 4K, and 8K video distribution over IP networks for post-production, live events, and broadcast. Both products will be on display in the Christie booth, #1125, at LDI, from December 8-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees are invited to meet with the Christie Broadcast and Professional Video Group to learn more.

    “We’re excited to introduce Spyder-S Series and Mastering Gateway at LDI, raising the performance bar for multi-screen windowing systems, compositing, and the exchange of video, audio, and metadata over IP networks,” says Clark Williams, executive vice president, Broadcast and Professional Video Group, Christie. “The unparalleled flexibility and scalability that these solutions provide are designed to meet the exacting demands of live events, broadcast, VFX, and post-production professionals.”

    Spyder-S Series: A new era in compositing and processing

    The Spyder-S Series expands the award-winning Spyder platform with capabilities that redefine real-time multi-screen windowing and processing. Supporting HD, 4K, and 8K resolutions at ultra-low latency, Spyder-S ensures synchronized, picture-perfect quality for critical applications such as live events, sports venues, and broadcast.

    Key features of the Spyder-S Series include:

    • Unmatched scalability: A modular and distributed architecture allows multiple Spyder-S nodes to be combined to share source, monitoring, and canvas content for more inputs and outputs, resulting in a higher-resolution canvas than previously possible.
    • Flexible windowing modes: Canvas compositing is now joined by tile mode, which offers a powerful way to deliver content, with minimal latency, to an even higher number of displays by allowing any output to act as a multi-viewer in canvas processing environments.
    • High-performance compositing engine: With support for the latest standards including HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, and SDI 12G, Spyder-S can manage up to 64 inputs and layers on one or more pixelspace(s), each shown across up to 32 canvas outputs.
    • Ultimate versatility: Spyder-S supports ultra-high-resolution content with an unlimited number of windows per screen.

    Christie Mastering Gateway for HD, 4K, and 8K video distribution

    Mastering Gateway delivers the industry’s most advanced tools for distributing uncompressed HD, 4K, and 8K video, audio, and metadata over IP networks, all with zero frames of latency. This solution is built for live events, post-production, and VFX workflows, ensuring unparalleled connectivity and performance.

    Key features include:

    • Standards support: Compatible with ST 2110-20,30, and 40 standards for transmitting uncompressed content over IP networks.
    • Uncompromised quality: Transmits content in real time with 12-bit color depth and RGB 4:4:4, to meet the growing demand for HDR in post-production.
    • Visibility: Each node includes a multi-viewer that shows signals being sent and what is being received.
    • Streamlined operations: Offers multiple options for control, including a time-of-day patch scheduler that connects sources to destinations based on a shared calendar, and an X-Y control interface for manual patching and presets.

    Future-ready scalability: With a modular architecture that evolves with users’ needs, it seamlessly integrates with today’s leading hardware and software solutions.

    Spyder-S Series and Mastering Gateway reflect Christie’s commitment to empowering professionals with technologies that enhance creativity, efficiency, and scalability. Don’t miss your chance to explore these innovative solutions at LDI 2024, booth #1125.

  • Z-Wave Alliance CES 2025 Ballroom to Host Expert-Backed Panel Presentations and Exhibiting Members

    Z-Wave Alliance CES 2025 Ballroom to Host Expert-Backed Panel Presentations and Exhibiting Members

    The Z-Wave Alliance is set to make a major impact at CES 2025, showcasing the latest advancements in Z-Wave smart home technology. Centered in the dedicated Z-Wave Alliance ballroom (Titian 2202), attendees can explore innovative solutions from leading Alliance members like Silicon Labs, SmartRent, and Trident IoT, featuring cutting-edge devices, such as smart locks, sensors, and IoT software tools. The exhibition will highlight the strength of Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) and its applications across smart homes, multi-dwelling units, and commercial spaces, offering insights into how this technology enhances connectivity, security, and energy efficiency.

    Alongside the exhibits, the Z-Wave Alliance will host a three-part Fireside Chat series running daily from January 7-9 at 4 PM PT. Key sessions include discussions on Z-Wave Long Range’s untapped potential, smart home interoperability in security, and the future of manufacturing connected devices in 2025. These panels, sponsored by industry leaders like Silicon Labs, ADT, and Seacomp, will deliver actionable insights into IoT advancements, device integration, and manufacturing strategies, making it a must-attend for IT professionals navigating the evolving smart home and IoT landscape.

    The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave® technology, is set to make its mark at CES 2025 through an impactful mix of exciting panels and exhibition of Z-Wave Alliance member companies. All Z-Wave-related activities are set to be hosted within the new Z-Wave Alliance ballroom (Titian 2202), which will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and industry insight at the show.

    The Z-Wave Alliance ballroom will feature a dynamic mix of Alliance members each showcasing innovative solutions that represent the best Z-Wave technology has to offer through dedicated tabletop exhibits. Attendees can also look forward to three engaging Fireside Chat panels where industry experts will participate in lively discussions centered around key smart home and IoT connectivity topics such as technology advancements, novel applications, and interoperability.

    Z-Wave Alliance Ballroom Exhibiting Members

    Alfred International – Alfred International will showcase its Z-Wave Long Range Certified DB2S Smart Lock and ML2 Smart Mortise Lock, both of which feature the Z-Wave 800 Series chip and are the world’s only Wi-Charge AirCord™ ready smart locks with wireless power capabilities. Alfred will also preview the DB1 Pro Smart Lock and Interconnect Lock Kit, designed to enhance compatibility and versatility within the Alfred DB Series for residential and multi-family markets.

    • Silicon Labs – Silicon Labs will showcase their Z-Wave 800 SoCs and modules at CES, designed to meet the future demands of smart home, hospitality, MDU IoT products and beyond. Their demonstration will feature Z-Wave Long Range technology, highlighting a diverse ecosystem of connected devices and its ability to enhance safety, efficiency, and comfort.
    • Siterwell – Siterwell, a pioneer of security and smart home provider, will showcase its intelligent IoT technologies to enhance your modern living.
    • SmartRent – SmartRent, the leading provider of smarter living and working experiences for the rental housing industry, will showcase its powerful combination of purpose-built software and hardware that simplifies operations, automates workflows, and protects assets. Trusted by 15 of the top 20 largest NMHC operators, SmartRent seamlessly integrates into existing property ecosystems to elevate living and working for teams and residents.
    • Trident IoT – Trident IoT will launch its new IoT focused semiconductors and innovative, feature-rich device and controller software development tools. Coupled with comprehensive design and development services and as an Authorized Test Lab, Trident IoT will highlight how to de-risk IoT development and get products to market.
    • Vision – Vision offers products that enhance security, safety, comfort, and energy conservation and will showcase a number of their latest Z-Wave solutions across a wide range of sensor options including a water sensor, presence sensor, and glass break sensor.

    Panels and Presentations at CES 2025
    The Z-Wave Alliance will host an engaging three-part Fireside Chat series within the Z-Wave Ballroom starting on Tuesday, January 7th running daily until Thursday, January 9th. All Fireside Chat sessions are scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM PT and will be immediately followed by a cocktail and networking reception. The 2025 Fireside Chat Series schedule is as follows:

    • Tuesday, January 7th – The Power and Untapped Potential of Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR). This expert-backed panel, sponsored by Silicon Labs, will bring together silicon providers and key manufacturers in the IoT ecosystem to explore the evolving role of Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR). Panelists will examine ZWLR’s unique impact on smart homes, multi-dwelling units, and commercial applications, highlighting its distinct strengths and how it addresses IoT challenges that competing technologies cannot. The session will also uncover new use cases for ZWLR globally, emphasizing its outstanding range, reliability, and security. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from leaders shaping the future of IoT, positioning ZWLR as a robust, secure foundation for the next generation of connected devices.
    • Wednesday, January 8th – The Role of Interoperability in Smart Home Security. Sponsored by ADT, this engaging discussion will focus on the critical role of interoperability in creating a seamless and secure smart home experience. Panelists will explore how device integration enhances user experiences, boosts reliability, and fortifies security in today’s connected homes. This panel offers valuable insights for those looking to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of smart home security.
    • Thursday, January 9th – Manufacturing in 2025 – What You Need to Know. Sponsored by Seacomp, attendees to this session will hear from one of the premier manufacturers of connected devices on what it means to build your product in 2025 and beyond. This session will cover the advantages of nearshoring, how to be strategic with manufacturing location, and the impact of tariffs on businesses.
  • Coastal Source to Spotlight New Lighting Products and Education Sessions at Lightapalooza 2025

    Coastal Source to Spotlight New Lighting Products and Education Sessions at Lightapalooza 2025

    Coastal Source outdoor audio and lighting products are built with integrity, using innovative design to solve real-world problems and endure intense environmental testing to yield the industry’s most reliable high-performance outdoor audio and lighting system available today. With more than 60 years of hands-on industry experience, Coastal Source pioneers solutions that help families share fun, memorable moments in their own great outdoors.

    Coastal Source will showcase its new EVO and Ketra lighting solutions at Lightapalooza 2025 and host three training sessions designed to help integrators expand their outdoor lighting business. EVO is a sleek, high-performance outdoor lighting fixture, while the Ketra-Ready Modulus Bullet Light integrates Ketra’s advanced natural light-emulating LED technology.

    The outdoor living market is growing as homeowners increasingly view outdoor spaces as extensions of their homes. Coastal Source aims to equip integrators with durable, high-quality solutions like EVO and Ketra, alongside training, to help them succeed in this lucrative sector by delivering exceptional and resilient outdoor lighting experiences.

    Coastal Source, the industry leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance outdoor audio and lighting that Defy the Elements™, will showcase its new EVO™ and Ketra lighting solutions at Lightapalooza 2025 and host three critically important training sessions designed to help integrators build and expand their outdoor lighting business. Lightapalooza runs from January 20-23, 2025 at the Hilton Anatole Dallas Hotel.

    “The outdoor living environment continues to offer integrators an expanding range of opportunities to grow their lighting business, as more and more homeowners come to view the outdoors as an extension of their indoor lifestyle,” Coastal Source CEO Franco D’Ascanio said today. “To fully capitalize on all that this growing opportunity offers, integrators must approach the outdoor environment with products that are designed to withstand the many challenges the outdoor environment poses, and that’s where Coastal Source’s fifteen plus years of industry-leading product design and development can really help them succeed right out of the gate.”

    Introduced at CEDIA 2024 and now available for immediate delivery, EVO is designed to be the most beautiful, elegant, and refined outdoor lighting fixture ever to be brought to market. EVO provides lighting designers the flexibility to design a perfect outdoor lighting scene for the homeowner. Compared to Coastal Source’s current 6W MR-16 bullet up light, EVO is 50% smaller, has higher output, wider beam angle, and two dispersion patterns – direct and 360+. EVO has less glare, and cleaner overall output and is available in 2700K and 3000K color temperatures. EVO’s custom designed fully-integrated LED module is based on a CREE LED. Its unique design fully seals all the electronics of the light into a compact, thermally efficient, and watertight package. Numerous shrouds, hats, risers, and accessories enable hundreds of unique fixture designs to solve all problems that a lighting designer may face. EVO is available in Black and Vintage Brass finishes to compliment the landscape scene perfectly.

    Ketra has created the world’s most advanced light source to emulate the awe-inspiring possibilities of natural light shifting with the sun’s rise and fall throughout the day. The Coastal Source Ketra-Ready fixture is compatible with these innovative lamps, making it easy to deliver beautiful light to any outdoor environment. The Coastal Source Modulus Bullet Light is a solid brass light fixture capable of utilizing Ketra S30 lamps. This fixture is incredibly durable, and offers the best solution for the designers’ most challenging landscapes. When paired with the Ketra S30 LED lamp, the Modulus Bullet Light promises to bring the highest quality light to any outdoor space.

    In addition to EVO and the Ketra-Ready Modulus Bullet Light, Coastal Source will be hosting three training sessions during the 2025 show:

    Course 1: Thinking of getting into the Outdoor Lighting business? What you need to know to be successful.
    This course is designed for beginners entering the outdoor lighting business. Coastal Source will cover the essentials, starting with the impact of outdoor lighting on aesthetics, security, and ambiance. Participants will learn to leverage existing client relationships and will also learn on-site demo selling techniques to showcase product value and close emotional sales. Support for design and estimating allows new dealers to leverage Coastal Source’s expertise for seamless execution. Finally, a systematic approach for Coastal Source projects will ensure optimal results. This presentation provides practical guidance to help you succeed in the outdoor lighting industry.

    Course 2: Lighting & Emotions
    Discover the art and science behind lighting design with the “Lighting & Emotions” course. This course explores the fundamentals of lighting, including the nature and behavior of light and explains how to harness these principles to create captivating and emotionally resonant landscape lighting designs. By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills to transform outdoor spaces into visually stunning environments that evoke powerful emotions.

    Course 3: The Do’s and Don’ts in Landscape Lighting Design
    This session provides essential insights into the effects and fixtures best used for different applications, while also highlighting common pitfalls to avoid. Additionally, this course covers the principles of dark sky compliance, ensuring your designs are not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible. Perfect for designers keen to refine their techniques and achieve optimal results.

  • First AV Cloud Summit Highlights the Future of AV Management with a Unified Cloud Platform

    First AV Cloud Summit Highlights the Future of AV Management with a Unified Cloud Platform

    Xyte Device Cloud is a cost-effective solution for hardware and IoT device manufacturers to launch branded cloud services, resolve issues remotely, offer subscription-based products, and provide continuous value to customers. It enables channel partners and end-users to manage and monitor their hardware fleet from a single platform.

    The AV Cloud Summit, hosted by Xyte, highlighted the importance of unified and interoperable cloud platforms in the AV industry. Discussions focused on simplifying AV system management and monitoring, addressing fragmentation challenges, and improving user experiences. Leaders from companies like LegrandAV, Waveguide, EY, AtlasIED, and others shared insights and showcased cloud-based innovations.

    The Summit underscored the growing demand for seamless, centralized AV system management to meet end-user expectations of efficiency and simplicity. It emphasized collaboration among stakeholders and adopting external cloud platforms to align with IT standards, improve security, and reduce operational overhead, ensuring the AV industry keeps pace with technological evolution.

    Xyte, developer of the first all-in-one cloud platform for device manufacturers and system integrators, hosted the inaugural AV Cloud Summit, featuring a panel of industry leaders throughout the entire value chain, including Pam Hoppel, president of LegrandAV; Scott Walker, president of Waveguide; Eric Snider, CTO of CTI; and Ron Sklaver, global lead for In-Office Meeting Experience at EY. In addition, top AV companies such as AtlasIED, Planar, Legrand AV, Symetrix, IMSTS and others presented their cloud implementations. The Summit’s discussions stressed the importance of a unified, interoperable cloud platform to address the complexities of AV system management and monitoring, and meet increasing end-user expectations of simplicity and efficiency.

    The AV Cloud Summit highlighted that cloud integration in AV is more than just device connectivity – it’s about effective, seamless, centralized and efficient management. As the industry moves toward remote monitoring capabilities, the Summit uncovered a major challenge: the fragmentation of cloud management systems. AV devices are often monitored in a decentralized manner, creating a significant overhead for IT/AV managers in assuring continuous operation and a seamless user experience.

    Legrand AV President Pam Hoppel spoke about adopting cloud solutions, emphasizing cloud technology as an opportunity for manufacturers to improve offerings, enhance device management, and align with industry requirements like heightened security. When answering why Legrand chose to use Xyte, an external platform, instead of developing their cloud internally, Pam said “That’s not my core capability. I want to really stick and focus in the manufacturing space where I can excel in where my engineering talent is and then leverage partners. And if I think about where the technology is going on the evolution, partnerships inevitably are going to have to expand.”

    Meanwhile, Eric Snider of CTI highlighted the industry’s pressing need for a platform that integrates data from various systems into a unified, compatible, and customizable interface.

    Scott Walker of Waveguide and Ron Sklaver from EY shared insights from the design and end-user perspectives. Walker emphasized simplicity and security, envisioning a future where AV systems proactively communicate status changes to other systems. For example, a room-booking system adjusting availability if AV equipment fails. Sklaver noted that AV is increasingly seen as an IT function, requiring alignment with IT standards and security.

    Sklaver highlighted the value of a unified cloud platform in enabling efficient system health monitoring and uptime, stating, “What I really want to know is heartbeat monitoring. It is that simple when you’re talking about this kind of scale – just tell me if it’s down. If I can reboot it remotely – fabulous. But if not, let me know.”

    Sklaver also emphasized the importance of one layer to manage all the different platforms: “If I have no choice but to have multiple platforms, then what I really want is some layer across the top that lets me tie it all together. Don’t make me train everyone how to use six or seven or eight different platforms. Give me one that can lay across the top. If I could have one feature today, I’d ask for a standard way for every manufacturer to say – OK, here’s how you can simply have my heartbeat.”

    Industry-leading companies like AtlasIED, Planar, Symetrix and WyreStorm demonstrated advanced features in their cloud implementations, such as e-store for license enablement and advanced features, secure tunnels, and more. AtlasIED’s Atmosphere Cloud, for instance, uses secure tunneling to allow real-time remote system adjustments, reducing operational costs and improving response times. Symetrix showcased cloud licensing as a means to provide product flexibility, where customers can instantly activate new features through software licenses rather than physical upgrades.

    Andrew Gross compared what Xyte is doing to the ProAV industry to Tesla: “When we talk about dashboarding and a legacy hardware space, the automobile industry comes up immediately, they took a legacy industry and turned it on its head through a software defined experience. What they did is less turnover, higher customer retention and now some of the greatest sustainability metrics. Outside of Tesla. The highest customer retention rate in the auto industry is Toyota. It’s a 50% customer retention rate. Tesla’s is 90.”

    The AV Cloud Summit called for collaboration among manufacturers, integrators and industry stakeholders to establish open standards, crucial for accelerating cloud integration in AV, and for allowing an improved user experience that increases efficiency and simplicity. Xyte will host another industry event on May 7th, looking at additional industry cloud trends and cloud use cases.