Digicom Technology News

InfoComm is the AV industry event where new products and services are launched and new industry trends are first observed and detected. InfoComm 2012 had 34,268 AV professionals attending from more than 90 countries. This represents a four percent increase in attendance over InfoComm 2011.There were 933 exhibitors participating this year. Below are some of Digicom's highlights.

SMART Technology's booth at InfoComm was extremely popular, and with good reason. As one of the pioneers of the industry, their solutions have had more actual use (and testing… and R&D) in the field than most of their competitors. Perhaps more significantly, SMART offers its Bridgit conference software, which connects SMARTboards together for interactive whiteboarding and doubles as a cost-effective web conferencing tool allows for the sharing of any application being used on a board.

Cisco Synch is a clever little black box that intuitively integrates interactive whiteboards with Cisco TelePresence. One of the problems with using interactive whiteboards with a video call is the board must be calibrated. Often the board needs to do double duty as a display as well and when you minimize the board to add video the minimized board needs to be recalibrated. Cisco Synch eliminated this and allows format of the board to change throughout the meeting while keeping the board calibrated for both whiteboarding and as a touch screen peripheral.



WolfVision introduced the VZ-C3D, the world’s first 3D visualizer, a 3D stereoscopic ‘live’ presentation solution. The VZ-C3D visualizer is ceiling mounted, and features two high-precision lenses and an onboard stereoscopic mixer. Real-time ‘live’ high-definition 3D images can be viewed in amazing quality, with or without glasses on any suitable 3D-enabled display screen.


12X optical zoom capability ensures that items of all sizes can be picked up quickly and easily, and the synchronised lightfield which is projected onto the working surface means that it’s also easy to find correct positioning for display materials. A frame rate of 30fps ensures smoothness of motion, and 3D images are output via HDMI in native 1080p format. The VZ-C3D can also be switched to output standard 2D images in 1080p format if required.

Wolfvision believes the device could be useful in specialist medical and telemedical applications, product design and engineering, science and education, videoconferencing and telepresence applications.

Sennheiser has unveiled its first microphone that employs Audio-Video Bridging (AVB) technology, making it one of the first companies to use this technology in a product.

The microphone was developed as part of a study – it it still a prototype and will not be available in this form as a product on the market. However, Sennheiser believes the successful outcome of the study proves that high-quality audio can be transmitted into a digital Ethernet network without problems.

The 27th of this month will mark the beginning of the XXXth Olympiad. As well as the athletes, the main sponsors are working tirelessly to make The Games a success, two of which are Digicom's partners, Cisco and Samsung.

Samsung kicked off their Olympic Torch Relay programme in May 2012. The programme represents an opportunity for the general public to take part in the Olympic Games by offering them a chance to carry the Olympic Flame. The Samsung Caravan is bringing torchbearers around the UK during the 70-day relay. An interactive LED screen built into the side of the caravan features the Olympic Torch Relay hightlights as well as avatars of participants for Samsung Hope Relay, a virtual Olympic Torch Relay that allows everyone to take part.



In conjunction with Visa, Samsung have launched a limited edition Galaxy S III Olympic handset for the games. The NFC-capabilities of the handset coupled with a special themed version of its payWave Android application will provide contact less payments to competing athletes in a number of retailers across the city and on official Olympic sites.












As well as being the official network infrastructure supporter of The Games, Cisco have also created "Cisco House" which is nestled in a unique roof-top location above Westfield Stratford City with stunning views over the Olympic Park. The purpose of Cisco House is to deliver an experience illustrating the opportunities for businesses to save money via the creation of new business and service models. Cisco House has been open since the end of April showcasing the best of Cisco's technology. The inspirational experience is rich in video technology with many of its meeting rooms and boardroom facilities having TelePresence suites. Communication pods dotted around the facility offer visitors the opportunity to connect with colleagues, friends and family via social media. Guests can enjoy live sporting events and visual case studies either on large LCD displays or on their own mobile devices.



The ground floor of Cisco House is largely taken up by the interactive walkthrough experience. Key to this is an engaging multi-media business transformation journey which looks at how innovative organisations are using the network today,as well as the opportunities they can look forward to in the future. The top floor of Cisco House consists of a large networking lounge which has spectacular views of the Olympic Stadium.

Both companies have really capitalised on the exposure the Olympics provides and through the use of technology are bringing unique experiences to the public.

Last week at InfoComm 2012, Planar launched their UltraLux Series, the industry’s first family of 60/70/80” LCD displays features a zero bezel, infinity edge-to-edge glass design configured for multiple solutions within digital signage applications. The Planar UltraLux Series features a unique industrial design and forward-thinking engineering which brings on-trend consumer electronics styling to the commercial digital signage market. They really aren't totally bezel-less, but they do have the smallest bezel of any commercial LCD we've seen so far.

The series offers a wide range of screen sizes, configuration options and contemporary styling to create digital signage that consumers cannot ignore for indoor advertising, retail/corporate brand communications and large format way-finding applications.

Key features include:

• 60/70/80" panel size options 
• Landscape & portrait wall mount displays 
• Freestanding single and double sided displays 
• 6-point multi-touch technology 
• Media player storage compartment 
• Zero bezel Infinity Edge glass design 
• Available in white or black glass borders 
• ERO™ protective glass 
• Ultra-thin profile 
• Silver or black metal edge trim

Multiple Configurations:
 Planar UltraLux family of displays are available in 60”, 70” and 80”, and incorporates both portrait and landscape wall mount configurations as well as free standing single and double sided configurations.

Modern Industrial Design: Planar UltraLux addresses the growing demand for unique industrial design aesthetics that mirror today’s most popular consumer electronics. The display is designed and engineered with a zero bezel, infinity edge-to-edge glass using Planar’s ER (Extended Ruggedness and Optics) technology

Lower total cost of ownership: Lower TCO is realized with the Planar UltraLux family by combining the UltraLu Mounting System for ease of installation and service, and lower power consumption savings using edge-lit LED technology.

Digicom are the sole Irish Planar authorized reseller. If you would like more information on the UltraLux series, please contact us today.

The X463UN is another addition to NEC's public displays with direct LED backlights as a light source, 1920 x 1080 resolution and a stunning 5.9mm bezel (content to content). NEC's vast experience in the LCD video wall market accumulates in this product delivering unique features helping to reduce cost, making installations efficient and a video wall made of X463UN a powerful communication tool.

The X463UN employs direct white LED backlighting to improve brightness uniformity. It also contains no mercury to reflect the consideration towards minimising the impact on the environment. The TileMatrix function allows you to create multi-screen configurations of a maximum of 10 x 10 displays for a large-screen size of up to 460 inches. These displays are also easier to transport and install to existing buildings for multi-screen configuration than bigger displays of 100 inches or more. The X463UN is equipped as standard with DVI-D and DisplayPort output terminals, and supports digital signal transmission via daisy chain connections. High quality digital signals can be transferred to up to 30 displays connected with DisplayPort cables in multi-screen configuration.

Being the best in class LCD video wall product, X463UN is an ideal solution for retail signage as well as control room applications, installations in airports, train stations and the rental market.

If you would like more information on NEC displays, please contact Digicom.

Ricoh Europe has launched the black-and-white Aficio MP 301SP/MP 301SPF and their colour counterparts MP C305SP/MP C305SPF, offering advanced print, copy and scan functions from desktop-suitable devices. Designed to replace several single-function devices, these innovative multifunction products help to improve workflow, while their small footprints save valuable office space.

“All four of these MFPs feature a tiltable and customisable 4.3-inch colour touch panel which makes them extremely easy to operate. Businesses can customise the home screen by inserting a company logo and changing the icons to give their employees a more personal experience, while full front access eases operation and maintenance,” says Sylvester de Koning, Product Manager at Ricoh Europe.

The Aficio MP 301SP, MP 301SPF, MP C305SP and MP C305SPF provide a continuous output speed of 30 colour or B/W pages per minute after a warm-up time of 30 seconds. Extra paper trays make frequent refills no longer necessary, and the colour devices (MP C305SP/MP C305SPF) are the first A4 desktop MFP models to support a 1-bin tray which fits inside the standard catch tray – used to separate important output like inbound fax communication from other printed documents. All four devices print on a wide range of formats (A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Letter and Executive) on plain, special and recycled paper up to 157 g/m2 (up to 220 g/m² for the MP C305SP/MP C305SPF). Card stock, envelopes and transparencies can also be used.

Scanning capabilities include colour scanning, and scan to email, folder and USB. The reduce/enlarge scan function adapts the paper size, while the enhanced batch scan feature enables scanning of only the printed sides of one-sided and two-sided mixed originals.

Standard security features include locked print and hold print, both requiring user sign-in before prints will be released. An embedded watermark, LDAP authentication, and HDD overwrite and HDD encryption options support additional security needs. To reduce the number of unnecessary prints/copies, limits can be set on the amount of outputs for each individual user or group.

The MP 301SP/MP 301SPF and MP C305SP/MP C305SPF provide enhanced device management capabilities that save time, increase efficiency and reduce costs. The high-performance GWNX controller allows the configuration of device settings, and enables status monitoring and the creation of usage reports.

The Aficio MP 301SP/MP 301SPF and MP C305SP/MP C305SPF have environmentally responsible and money-saving features such as sleep mode, duplex printing and paperless fax (MP 301SP/MP 301SPF). The MP C305SP/MP C305SPF incorporate Ricoh’s new Quick Start Up (QSU) fusing system which helps reduce the Typical Electricity Consumption and reduces both the recovery time from sleep mode and the initial warm-up time.

IF you would like more information on Ricoh's range of products, please contact Digicom.

In many cases, digital signage is used as a more dynamic and engaging replacement for traditional printed media. Near Field Communications (NFC), however, stands to level the playing field between the newer, more sophisticated digital signage and the older, more staid print media.

Passive NFC chips can be integrated into printed posters, thereby producing a new form of content called smart media. A simple tap of an NFC-equipped smartphone on any form of smart media can provide the viewer with wireless access to dynamic, interactive and in some cases personalized content. In addition, NFC-enabled smart media can provide the content owner with extensive viewer engagement metrics.

NFC tags also can be used to augment the value of digital signage displays. A tag can be placed next to a digital display. Viewers can get more information about the screen’s content just by tapping on the tag.
NFC represents a big step forward in bridging the gap between traditional and new media. NFC breathes new life into static content and extends the value of new content.

If you require more information on digital signage, please contact Digicom today.

Extron just added three new models to the Retractor series, a cable retraction system for Extron Cable Cubby series cable access enclosures. The Retractor provides a discreet solution for accessing AV cable connections and then storing them.

New models include the Retractor VGA-A, which combines VGA and 3.5mm stereo audio in a single Retractor module, providing a cost-effective option for VGA and audio source connectivity. Also new are two special-purpose models: the Retractor DC, which can be used to extend DC power for many Dell, HP and Compaq PCs – laptop power supply not included; and the Retractor VGA SM, which incorporates the functionality of the recently introduced Extron VGA “Show Me” Control Cable for remote input connection and selection for the Extron VSW2 VGA A and SW VGA Ars switchers. Retractor modules are available in versions to support most AV and data signal types and fit any Cable Cubby or TouchLink Touchpanel Cable Cubby enclosure.

 The Retractor System works in tandem with all Extron Cable Cubby cable access enclosure models, as well as the TouchLink TLP 350CV and TLP 710CV Cable Cubby Touchpanel models. Cable Cubby access enclosures are furniture-mountable architectural solutions that store cable out of sight while remaining connected to the AV system, offering a discreet way to access cables and connection points as they are needed. Up to three Retractor modules can be installed side by side within the Cable Cubby.

If you would like more information about any Extron products, please contact Digicom.