Display and Projection

Christie MicroTiles: A Review

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Christie MicroTiles

rAVe [Publications] attended the official unveiling of the Christie MicroTiles line in Times Square last month. Although we had already seen the MicroTiles at InfoComm in a private suite, it wasn't until last month that we understood the game-changing impact Christie will have with MicroTiles. And, to be perfectly honest, we don't even think that Christie has a handle on how big of a product they have on their hand with MicroTiles.

Why are we so bullish on MicroTiles? Simple: it's a differentiator that LITERALLY gives way to very creative, unique "out of the box/rectangle" projection images and puts that in the hands of the most creative systems designers on the market.

The actual individual tiles are rear-screen, DLP projected, 16"W x 12"H (20" diagonally), 20" deep and weigh 20 pounds. That in itself is not impressive, unless you were or are in the projection CUBE business.

MicroTiles immediately renders that market, with its giant, multi-person, color-management horror problems, useless. MicroTiles are the ultimate "cube" solution, in our opinion, as they are portable, single-person installable and, because they are LED-lit, are calibrated to AUTOMATICALLY color-correct and light-uniformity by talking to each other. Yes, talking to each other.

For example, if you have to replace one, the new one AUTOMATICALLY adjusts BOTH color-temperature AND light output to conform to the worst-performing Tile. But since they are LED, the worst case is 20 percent light output loss over 60,000-hours.

The real strength, however, is in the shapes, sizes and creative installs you can do with MicroTiles. They're a bit expensive for boardroom and conference room installs, but for rental, staging and large venue applications -- watch out -- these could take over quickly.

Why? Again, they are automatic. Not only do they auto-correct for color and light uniformity, but they literally figure out the size and shape of the image you are making and re-calibrate the image to be shown without ANY signal or wall processor. Seriously. How? They have IR-sensors that allow them to see which Tile is next to, on top of and below it. Thus, it figures out where each Tile is positioned and re-purposes the image shape and size accordingly. Seriously, this works. We saw it, live, in NYC last week!

Not much else to say, other than they are about USD$3700 per Tile, and we highly recommend that you consider watching this 4:28-video we shot that demos MicroTiles perfectly for you!

The audio sucks on this video, but you CAN hear it, but more importantly, you'll see them in action in all shapes and sizes. Remember, you can change shapes and size on-the-fly, literally, as each Tile figures out where it is in relation to the projected image.

Go and watch the video for Christie MicroTiles

Getting the "L-shape" Video Wall

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Litemax

 Litemax of Taiwan shows LITILE34, its LCD panel wall.

The company says, "Large-size LCD panels are still restricted by it size (the world largest LCD panel is 108 inch) and brightness (normal brightness – 500nits, not suitable for outdoor applications). In addition, the resolution of LED wall is too low to watch it nearby."

To improve these display restrictions, Litemax developed five core technologies, including Sunlight Readable Tech., Optical Fiber Tech, Thermal Dissipation Solution, Video Wall Mechanical Structure and Video.

LITILE34 features Sunlight Readable, a brightness of 1200 nits. LITILE34 modules can be stacked up and become an unlimited-size video wall. Moreover, LITILE34 LCD modules are the same as bricks which can be composed for different activities, applications and places.

At a recent product launch conference, Litemax showed an "L-shape" video wall displaying marketing messages created by LITILE modules.

Go Litemax

NEC Aims Multeos at Design-Loving Customers

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With the Multeos M401 and M461 public displays, NEC Display Solutions launches 40" and 46" monitors with 1920 x 1080 resolution for the design-minded.

"It very often happens that store owners choose TV sets when it comes to selecting screens for their digital signage systems – for design reasons," says Thorsten Prsybyl, Product Line Manager Public Displays Europe at NEC Display Solutions. Their panels, however, fall significantly short of dedicated public displays in terms of quality and reliability. "With the Multeos product range, we are focusing on customers that appreciate professional technology and an appealing design," continues Prsybyl.

Multeos M401 and M461

The NEC Option Slot for expansion modules such as the built-in PC or the DVI Daisy Chain Board offers technical as well as visual advantages. The extensions replace external distribution equipment and the cables they depend upon.

As well as DVI and HDMI, Multeos M401 and M461 offer a DisplayPort connection, Ethernet connection, and RS-232 interface.

The displays offer extended combination possibilities for picture-in-pictures from different signal sources. The simultaneous input for two PCs is now also possible via DVI and VGA.

NEC Display Solutions offers two special Multeos introduction bundles starting January 2010. With the purchase of a new Multeos model, customers can choose between a free (otherwise optional) stand and a free wall mount solution.

Multeos M401 and M461 will be commercially available as from December 2009 in black or silver priced at €1574 respectively €2099 (inc. VAT). NEC Display Solutions Europe offers a 3-year warranty for its displays including backlights.

Go NEC MULTEOS-M461

Creosity "All-in-1" Display Solution

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Stealth Series Creosity releases the Stealth Series HD digital signage system for the mainstream retail marketplace.

All Stealth displays contain integrated Ethernet and wireless adapters, enabling real-time updates to advertising, content and schedules internet.

With a Stealth Series AR display, you order, remove it from the box, hang it on the wall and turn it on. You'll be automatically connected to the web-based SignPassage media management command center.

Stealth Series is available in 20", 22", 24", and 32" (16:9) HD formats. All products are capable of a maximum of 1920 x 1080 (at 30 frames per second), enabling broadcast quality (720p & 1080p), HD display of both video and still life content. Stealth Series displays are illuminated at a 400-500 cd/M2 of brightness, and 20000:1 contrast ratio.

All Stealth products are constructed with industrial grade aircraft aluminum.

Go Stealth

Panasonic's Biggest Snapshot

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Camera built in proportion around a 103 inch screen 

If you took a photo of rush hour in London Waterloo station, you'd have another camera staring back at you.

In a super-sized promo for Panasonic's new Lumix DMX-ZX1, a camera was built to proportion around a 103" plasma screen (Panasonic TH-103PF10) that doubles for the camera's view finder.

The 3.6 metre high and 2 metre wide fibre glass camera weighs 160kg and was built by a team of 6 artists over a 5 weeks.

The 8xLife campaign has seen giant sculptures appear in high profile locations in cities across the UK including a postbox, traffic cone, park bench, crumpled coffee cup and pigeon.

The oversized Lumix spent 3 days at Waterloo before embarking on a tour of London train stations ending up next week at London Liverpool Street.

Go Panasonic's professional plasma range