INTEGRATED SYSTEMS EUROPE (ISE) TRADE SHOW
Electrosonic's Bruce Genricks and Rupert Denoon braved the freezing European weather in Feb this year to attend ISE in Amsterdam. This Professional AV and Systems Integration show was established in 2003 when InfoComm and CEDIA combined forces to host a single exhibition for the European market. InfoComm represents the professional AV industry and CEDIA is focused on the home market. Over the past nine years, ISE has grown at a phenomenal rate and is now the largest AV show in the world, with 825 exhibitors occupying 11 halls and a registered attendance of 40,869 over a period of three days.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SHOW
All the big names had stands at the show, including Martin Professional, Screen International, Elite Screens, Magenta Research and Sim2, amongst others, but products that really caught Bruce's eye were Christie's extremely bright 15k lumen LCD projector and Sharp's new 80" interactive whiteboards.
Displays
Unlike the past few years, in which 3D was the dominating theme of the show, this year the attention was on multi-media interactive displays. "They came in all shapes, sizes and orientations," said Bruce. "Some of them were fairly mature products, but most seemed to be prototypes."
He also commented on the number and variety of LED displays on show. "The most innovative one was a motorised roll up unit. It unrolls like an electric screen, displaying video while it is unrolling."
Control systems and digital distribution
The leader in digital distribution is undoubtedly Crestron's Digital Media, but every other major manufacturer had their own version to offer at the show.
Video and audio distribution and switching
There are many brands in this segment of the market, which seems to grow annually, but Kramer is still one of the leading manufacturers. They focused their stand on digital matrix switchers, at the heart of which are card based frames that can be ordered in sizes 16 x 16, 32 x 32 and 64 x 64. They can then be configured by adding the required number of cards for the application. Input and output cards are available for DVI, DVI with HDCP, DL DVI, HDMI, LC optical and DGKat TP. Using these switchers in conjunction with the various step-in switchers and range extenders from Kramer enables almost any signal to be catered for.
Kramer also showed their new pneumatic range of T-bus table mount connection boxes. Patents are pending for the design of these well made, attractive and highly functional boxes.
Kramer also displayed numerous new HDSDI products, including a 6 input HDSDI multi-viewer.
TRAINING SESSIONS
A number of product training sessions are held at the show each year, hosted by various manufacturers to provide distributors, dealers and users with the opportunity to add to their skills and understanding of products.
This year Bruce and Rupert attended Crestron and Kramer training sessions. The Crestron training centred on their next generation of control systems and touchpanels. "It was quite technical, and involved the Crestron Core3 platform, the Core3 OS, Fusion RV and their new programming and graphics software," said Bruce.
The Kramer Electronics training was titled 'Putting some sense into the digital formats chaos' and was presented by Netta Lampert. "I found it really informative", said Bruce. "Most interesting was the section on Thunderbolt. This is the new connection for Apple and transmits video, audio and data simultaneously. It is also chainable, with one cable from the PC connected to the monitor and from there it is linked to a printer and then to a hard drive".
THE CRESTFEST
Crestron hosts a party every year at ISE in order to gather together all the distributors, dealers and customers. It is always a wonderful opportunity for networking, socialising and entertainment, and this year's event was no exception. The thoroughly enjoyable evening included a finger supper, followed by a magic and mind reading show, rounded off with a live performance by the band, 'Kid Creole and the Coconuts'.
Bruce and Rupert agreed that this year's show was an excellent experience. "Our suppliers were very accommodating and we were able to give many of our dealers a tour of the stands. We also really enjoyed spending more social time with them in a stimulating environment."
