More than 35,000 buyers and sellers of professional audiovisual equipment filled the Orange County Convention Center June 8 to 14 for InfoComm 2013—a 2.5 percent increase in attendance over last year. The event included more than 300 education sessions and products from 937 exhibitors. Here’s a look at some of the newest items intended for use in meetings, trade shows, and other events.
Ava 500 is a Web conferencing system mounted on a robotic base. It combines iRobot’s autonomous navigation capabilities with Cisco’s TelePresence, so users can participate in Web conferences without needing to be in a fixed position. The system can be used to take an online conversation outside, onto an assembly floor, or into a laboratory. The host controls it with an iPad, and it automatically returns to its charging station when the meeting is finished. The iRobot Ava will be available early next year.
Arthur Holm displayed its newest retractable monitor, the Dynamic 3. The monitor automatically rises, rotates 180 degrees, and folds down flush with the tabletop, providing a variety of options when used for video conferences and presentations. The monitor automatically flips the image according to screen position and can include additional features such as a built-in camera, speakers, microphones, and USB connectors.
Panasonic demonstrated its new interactive displays that combine whiteboard-style functions with high-definition, plasma surfaces. Presenters write with an electronic pen and as many as four pens can be used simultaneously. There’s also a remote pointer function that allows users to point, draw, and annotate from up to 16 feet away. The interactive displays come in 50-, 65-, 85-, and 103-inch models.
Ava 500 is a Web conferencing system mounted on a robotic base. It combines iRobot’s autonomous navigation capabilities with Cisco’s TelePresence, so users can participate in Web conferences without needing to be in a fixed position. The system can be used to take an online conversation outside, onto an assembly floor, or into a laboratory. The host controls it with an iPad, and it automatically returns to its charging station when the meeting is finished. The iRobot Ava will be available early next year.
Ricoh’s new projectors are intended to be positioned on the edge of a table, not in the middle, so the cords and fan are at the front and away from meeting attendees. These units can be positioned as close as 27 inches and as far as 24 feet away from the projection surface. The multiscreen mode enables guests in up to four different rooms with four different projectors to view the same presentation.
LG’s transparent display is an eye-catching way to exhibit products at a trade show booth. Items sit on shelves inside the rectangular cube and the transparent LCD screen on the front is touch-enabled, so product information can appear as users tap the screen. The display comes in 29- and 47-inch models.
FSR introduced iPad table mounts at InfoComm. The units can be mounted to a desk or other surface and rotated for use in either portrait or landscape mode. The company also makes iPad wall mounts, suited for using the device as digital signage. All of the mounts have locking systems to secure the iPad.
Sonic Foundry demonstrated its latest Mediasite mobile recorder, which is used for creating live Webcasts and as well as for archiving content for on-demand access. The new device is smaller and lighter and also has a touch-screen interface.
Christie introduced Brio, a meeting and collaboration system that allows multiple attendees to run audio and video presentations from their own devices without the need for special cables, adapters, or software. Brio uses wired or wireless connections to automatically share multiple presentations showing simultaneously on either one or two meeting room screens. Participants can add presentations to a meeting as a thought occurs, and their information will show up on the room’s display in seconds.
Tecom Electronics has added a touch-screen system to its newest high-definition lectern. Speakers can use common gestures such as swipe, tap, slide, and zoom on the screen to manage their presentations. The lectern also has a single control panel for all integrated audiovisual equipment, and the height can adjust to accommodate someone sitting or standing.
