After a complete interior remodel, Ireland’s highest elevation bar, The Ponderosa, is back in business and delighting guests with great food and one of the most unique locations in the country. The establishment has come full speed into the 21st century with a fully automated audio system by ELAN and Niles, a new design, an expanded kitchen and awe-inspiring views.
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The deeper you go into baseball’s complex organizational infrastructure, past the glamorous major leagues, past the grittier AAA and AA minors and into the single “A” leagues, the tradeoff becomes apparent: the passion — of the players, the teams and the small towns that treasure them — soars while budgets struggle. That’s been the case at Avista Stadium, home to the Spokane Indians of the Class A Northwest League. The team, an affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, won the 2005 Northwest League Championship and in 2008 captured the Northwest League Title.
The stadium, built in 1958, has seen several minor (and a few major) renovations over the years as annual budgets allow. Cary Cummings, systems designer at Spokane, Washington based Hoffman Pro Systems (www.hoffmanprosystems.com), which has been tending to the stadium’s audio system’s needs for over two decades, points out that the budget for audio system upgrades typically, for various reasons, ends up as a lower priority. However, a major renovation came in under budget last year so the audio system was able to get a well-deserved upgrade.
“Due to these limited budgets, we’ve had to do incremental upgrades over the years, but last year we were able to upgrade the sound system’s front end —a new Peavey Media Matrix NION processor and Crown amps,” says Cummings. “It was a substantial upgrade; we replaced the analog mixer, EQ and delays with all digital signal processing via the Media Matrix.”
The rarity of such upgrades makes them all the more valuable, so Hoffman Pro Systems included another, equally critical piece of equipment: a Furman F-1500 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) backup battery and power conditioner. It’s the core of an entire Furman ecosystem of protection for the entire sound system that includes a CN-1800S SmartSequencer™ 15-amp bidirectional power sequencer, an ASD-120 AC Sequenced Power Distribution unit that can address six 20-amp circuits, a CN-20MP MiniPort switch, and a PS-REL relay that detects the presence of AC power and, in response, closes relay contacts that are wired to a terminal strip. In this installation, it’s wired to one of the GPIO (general-purpose input/output) ports on the Media Matrix, which then signals a warning to the operator and also logs the event.
The F-1500 UPS is critical to keeping Avista Stadium running efficiently and cost-effectively, says Cummings. “That’s the first line of defense, really,” he says. “It’s the best way to protect every part of the sound system, new or old.”
The Furman F1500-UPS delivers battery backup designed exclusively for audio/video professionals and home theater aficionados. For decades, traditional audio/video components were simple analog devices designed to easily weather power outages of well over two seconds. Later, as computer and microprocessor based components gained in popularity, their extraordinary sensitivity to even a fraction of a second power loss was managed with traditional UPS (uninterruptible power supply) technology.
Unfortunately, these units were solely designed for the IT professional. Though they included many technologies and features appropriate to that application, they fell short for premium audio/video components. Though many of these manufactures later recognized the ever-emerging professional audio/video, broadcast, and home theater market, their lack of experience led merely to a re-tooled chassis. These hastily produced UPS devices lacked the technologies necessary to truly optimize protection, performance, and control for today’s audio video components. The Furman F1500-UPS more than fills this void, and offers customers unparalleled battery back-up technology, created from the ground up to meet the exacting demands of the world’s most sensitive audio, video and control systems.
The CN-1800S SmartSequencer™ offers another kind of AC protection, allowing the various major components it provides power for to power on at programmable intervals, preventing any risk of surge or overload. “We have the CN-1800S set to a fairly slow sequence, with the Media Matrix processor turning on first followed by the ASD-120 100-amp distro, then the wall controller at the audio control station, because the main processor has to be turned on first in order for all the systems to ‘see’ each other.”
Cummings says the protection that the Furman products offer provides very necessary confidence for the team, its fans and the stadium personnel in an aging venue. “Systems like the new processor we added last year are not cheap, and Furman is an investment in protecting them. What’s also great is that in the process, the Furman UPS is protecting itself, too, because it does its job in a non-sacrificial way — the UPS will continue to be there, working, even after it encounters an AC glitch.”
In fact, Furman power protection has made Cummings feel a little like the advertising legend Maytag repairman, a role that’s fine with him. “The only reason I’d get a phone call about the UPS is if it’s not doing its job properly,” he says. “And so far, we haven’t gotten a single call.”
The Furman CN-1800S (15 amp capacity) and CN-2400S (20 amp capacity) SmartSequencers are designed for commercial A/V installers. The units combine AC power distribution, protection, filtration, sequential system power on/off, and optional compatibility with Panamax/Furman’s BlueBOLT® hosted remote power and energy management platform.
The CN-1800S and CN-2400S feature Furman’s SmartSequencing™ technology, which allows large and complex A/V systems to be powered on and off safely with the simple press of a button or turn of a key, even by nontechnical personnel. The SmartSequencer’s bidirectional communications between installed units enables a primary unit to control and sequence multiple secondary units, ensuring that multi-zone electronic systems are powered on and off safely and dependably from a single control point across an entire installation. Units can be connected via current loop at runs of more than 1,000 feet, with backwards compatibility with Furman’s legacy sequencers and/or third-party products.
Providing robust control options, the CN-1800S and CN-2400S are equipped with RS-232 ports and command sets for PC control or integration with control systems. An optional RS-232-to-Ethernet adaptor — sold separately — adds full IP-addressability to the unit so it may be controlled, programmed, and monitored from any Web-enabled device with Panamax/Furman’s cloud-based BlueBOLT platform.
North America’s largest ProAV solutions provider Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. today announced the immediate market introduction of a new line of turnkey, fully assembled, out of the box UL Listed digital kiosks. Powered by kiosk manufacturer United Visual Products (www.uvpdigitalsignage.com) this next generation of digital kiosks are designed to be a sleek, simple, easy-to-use solution for every type of kiosk installation.
“When shopping for a product end-users want the kind of clear-cut options and pricing information that retail kiosks can provide,” explained Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly. “Until today, however, the process of sourcing the components for kiosk installation, and configuring it for custom applications, has been a cumbersome, time- and labor-consuming exercise. Our strategic partnership with United Visual Products effectively removes the guesswork from this process and makes the installation of revenue-producing kiosks a simple and practical reality for every type of customer facing environment.”
Now, according to Kelly, for one set price, customers will receive a complete package that includes an interactive touch screen kiosk, a lifetime touch screen software license (no annual renewal), and all other required hardware. Using the included touch screen software, installers can remotely create and manage an interactive kiosk. This will build customer loyalty, can capture customer email opt-ins, provide interactive way-finding, serve up information, and display a customer’s entire catalog in one place. What’s more, Magento based websites can also be integrated into these touch screen kiosks!
The Remote Access Digital Kiosks allow network managers to remotely control an unlimited amount of kiosks from one and/or multiple locations. With the ability to display any combination of static advertisements, videos, commercials, weather & news forecasts, RSS feeds, QR Codes and more, these kiosks are ideal for any high traffic commercial setting. Each commercial grade digital kiosk comes with a lifetime software license (new annual renewal) and all other required hardware.
The Plug & Play Digital Kiosks are ideal for small businesses looking for a cost- effective solution to promote and advertise to their customers or patients. Using the included Ad Player software, content can be scheduled and uploaded using a USB thumb drive. These kiosks are a great entry level to digital signage and at any point you can upgrade to remote access.
Both digital kiosks come with pre-installed, tested and fully configured commercial grade internal hardware components. The S-PVA Technology enables an easy, crisp, sharp, and clear viewing of each kiosk’s content from any angle. Equipped with a built-in advanced media player, storing and playing videos has never been easier. The media player can also store scrolling text messages and animated graphics.
The 2-inch, RAZOR thin kiosks are crafted with a sturdy, long-lasting powder coated metal cabinet and feature high-impact, commercial grade tempered glass to ensure extreme durability. With built in temperature sensors, the advanced intelligent internal cooling system exhausts heat, which adds years of usability to the screens. Also, each kiosk comes with secure lock and theft protection to ensure the product’s safety.
Each screen comes with a commercial grade LCD panel and LED back lighting to produce a longer life. Designed for high heat dissipation, the screens can operate 24/7 and are rated for 50,000 hours of continuous play. If the screens do not need to be consistently powered up, the digital sign scheduling software allows users to program content to play on a specific day or time. The auto on/off feature also allows users to schedule specific times for the kiosks to power on and off. Third-party software and media players such as BrightSign®, SCALA, Four Winds Interactive, BroadSign™, etc. are fully compatible with these kiosks.
Almo’s project management and design expertise combined with NanoLumens' flexible displays and six-year warranty solidified deal; initial installs complete with more underway.
Almo Professional A/V and NanoLumens®, Inc. have teamed up to outfit five Western Canadian Lottery Corporation Casinos throughout Canada with custom displays. Through the power of Almo’s E4 AV Tour, a traveling networking, training and expo event, the duo became an integral part of the casino project team* charged with the design, install and support of the custom digital signage displays, which are placed above a row of slot machines in each casino. Named “Smoke Signals,” the year-long sign project is now complete and the displays are operational. Additional installs are expected at more Western Canadian Lottery casinos over the next year.
Each identical sign (three retrofit and two brand new) features a teepee-shaped configuration that is 12.5-feet tall by 14.5 feet around. The display presents video and ticker content designed to engage patrons and increase message retention with the goal of repeat sales. The success of the install stemmed from the powerhouse combination of Almo’s project management, design and technical expertise, with NanoLumens’ custom capabilities, flexible 6mm LED displays and industry’s first zero-fail six-year guarantee.
The casino properties with the new display are all located in Saskatchewan, Canada. They include Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert; Bear Claw Casino in Carlyle; Dakota Dunes Casino in Saskatoon; Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton; and Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford.
“The idea for this design came out of our E4 event, where we had the opportunity to collaborate with Allied Environmental Signage, the US integrator that brought us into the project,” said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. “The strong relationship between Almo —led by our NanoLumens expert and BDM Apryl G. Lamberti — and NanoLumens made it possible to manage all of its moving parts. Weekly project calls took place to discuss engineering details ranging from the curvature requirements of the displays to customizing the shipping crates. The end result is a well thought out, creative display design that is effective and eye catching.”
According to NanoLumens Channel Manager Jackie Lavoie, “This project is a testament to our long-standing relationship with Almo ProAV. A project of this magnitude, dealing with this many industry partners, takes a great deal of collaboration from everyone involved. This is exactly what happened and the result speaks for itself. We are very pleased, and extremely proud, to be part of such a successful series of installations.”
“We were excited to see the first phase of the Smoke Signals sign project come to completion after many months of planning,” said Billy MacLennan, COO for Bet Rite. “Being a high profile project for Bet Rite, it was important to us to provide our customers in Saskatchewan a superior final product that is not only visually attractive but also incorporates the latest technology available. Working with great partners like Almo, NanoLumens, KGM and Allied Signs really helped make this happen."
The Niles MRC-6430 simplifies whole home audio with an expandable six-source, six-zone audio controller running the new Niles Auriel™ software.
Core Brands, a Nortek company (NASDAQ: NTK) and a leader in connected home entertainment, announced today it is now shipping the much anticipated Niles Auriel™ MRC-6430 whole-home audio controller. The next-generation, easy-to-install, and easier to enjoy MRC-6430 puts up to six distinct music sources at the user’s fingertips and lets them easily play different music in up to six rooms.
Powered by the new Niles Auriel software and app, the MRC-6430 is the first-in-its-class multi-room audio chassis that integrates multi-room audio and home theater control in a way that is both simple for the installer to set up and easy for the homeowner to enjoy.
“We’re making multi-room audio simpler than ever to install and use,” Yann Connan, Core Brands’ Director, Audio Segment, said today. “The number one concern for buyers is that multi-room audio controllers are complicated, so we developed the Auriel software platform to show them just how accessible it can be. With any smartphone, tablet or computer running Auriel, users can quickly select what source they want to play and in which rooms they want it to play. Of course, we had the system integrators in mind as well, and have been getting great responses from those who have experienced the Auriel demo on the Core Brands Summer Tour. Auriel delivers the flexibility to include both IP and IR controlled devices, complete GUI generation and six routable IR outputs for external component control. Auriel is wizard-based to reduce installation and set-up time to a fraction of other multi-room systems.”
The Niles MRC-6430 multi-room audio controller delivers its amazing sound throughout the home using an intuitive user interface consistent across smartphones, tablets and personal computers. The MRC-6430 makes it possible to listen to any source, in any room, at any time – even if someone is already listening to something different in another room. This means mom and dad can relax with smooth jazz in the kitchen while guests enjoy classic rock in the living room and the kids sing along to top 40 hits in the backyard, and each group can change their own volume and skip tracks right from their smartphone.
Driven by Auriel and using TCP/IP, the MRC-6430 operates with virtually zero latency and is ready for future expansion into lighting control, remote management and HVAC control. That’s because Auriel is based on Core Brands’ ELAN Control Platform. Auriel leverages the ELAN g! interface to deliver its seamless control consistently across all interfaces. The advanced digital amplifier delivers 240 watts of total system power, 60 watts per zone. System configuration takes just minutes via a tablet, Windows or Mac computer, and each zone features its own bass, treble and volume setting that can be adjusted from the Auriel interface.
The MRC-6430 can then be managed from a variety of mobile devices such as the iPhone®, iPad® and Android® phones & tablets to Windows® or Mac® computers. Users can not only control the audio but display metadata such as playlists and album art—even station information. The intuitive interface renders identically across devices enabling simple and convenient control by all.
The set-up is integrator-friendly. Through the Auriel wizard and a tablet or PC, the installer is whisked through simple decisions that quickly configure the system for sources, zone preferences, user interface customization & home theater control. For larger homes, two MRC-6430s can be paired to create a six-source, 12-zone system. Additionally, all zones are equipped with fixed or variable pre-outs for all zones, making it easy to add power and volume with Niles System Integration Amplifiers®. With an optional Niles DBI-2 interface, homeowners can also route their doorbell through the system, which temporarily mutes music so that the doorbell can be clearly heard in every room.
Once again, Niles has redefined whole-home audio with the Niles Auriel MRC-6430.
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