Trident Case™ Provides Power On-The-Go With All-New Electra Qi Power Base 6000

Trident Case™, designer and manufacturer of innovative education, business and lifestyle case solutions, today announced its all-new Electra Qi Power Base 6000 wireless charger. Combining Qi technology with a 6000 mA/h battery, this all-in-one charging solution powers Qi compatible phones as well as other devices through a USB cable.

“Trident is dedicated to providing practical solutions for every mobile lifestyle,” Trident Vice President of Marketing Vickie Achee said today. “In order to stay connected, it’s important for people to have a portable power solution that is consistent and reliable. Trident’s new wireless charging product relieves the stresses of finding a power source by allowing users to charge multiple devices at once.”

The Electra Qi Power Base 6000 combines Qi technology and a 6000 mA/h battery to charge two mobile devices at once. Its pad-like design allows Qi-enabled devices to charge on its base, while a USB port is available to power a second device. This USB charging feature can support all mobile devices, whether they are Qi-enabled or not. To better accommodate users, the pad surface can support multiple 1 Amp devices including mobile devices, digital cameras and mp3 players.

Made of soft-touch polycarbonate material, the Electra Qi Power Base 6000 comes equipped with a rechargeable 6000 mAh lithium polymer battery, so it can continue to charge devices day after day. For convenience, an LED light indicates the charging status of the power base, so users know when the base is fully loaded and ready to charge other devices.

Perfect for users constantly on-the-go, the power device is small enough to fit seamlessly into any pocket or purse. Moreover, the charger’s anti-skid ribbon keeps mobile devices in place while charging.

“The new Electra Series product demonstrates Trident’s commitment to providing practical solutions for every lifestyle,” Achee added. “We’re dedicated to making sure people can use their tech devices wherever they may go.” 

The charging station is immediately available at www.tridentcase.com for MSRP of $89.95. 

Furman to Host Manufacturer Power Management Training Program at InfoComm 2015

Today’s information technology systems are connected more than ever before, but they still face common issues like surges and AC line noise that can wreak havoc in a variety of ways. To help prepare integrators, Furman, the nation’s leading provider of power management systems, announced an all new manufacturer’s training course that will be offered at InfoComm 2015.

“With this training program, we are providing integrators the necessary knowledge and tools they need keep systems running smoothly,” John Benz, Core Brands Director of Product Management for Power explained. “When a system goes down it can cost both the client and the integrator money. “Be the Hero” is designed to address common issues and provide solutions to protect gear and optimize networks.”

Networked devices can create complex systems that have multiple points of failure and require specific boot sequences. This course will address power management features and benefits, best practices to employ power management solutions, and how the integrators can use the latest technologies to provide the highest level of service to their clients.

“Power management solutions from Furman can eliminate up to 80 percent of service calls, monitoring networks and giving integrators remote access to control devices from anywhere in the world,” Rob Harris, Furman Product specialist stated. “Furman is dedicated to providing attendees with the facts they need to greatly reduce or eliminate costly power management issues.”

Harris will lead the training program, showing manufacturers why typical surge strips are not enough to protect your equipment and maintain a healthy network of devices.  Join him as he walks integrators and technology users through common AC problems and their solutions while covering the science behind AC surge protection and noise filtering. Real-world examples will be used to show how Furman solutions protect gear, optimize networks and create reoccurring revenue opportunities for integrators.

Everyone who attends will be eligible to win one of Furman’s award-winning AC-215A power conditioners. Featuring the highest level of surge and spike protection available, linear filtration to ensure clean power, and auto-resetting extreme voltage shutdown, the compact, non-sacrificial AC-215A is one of the most versatile power management devices on the market today.

To register, visit: https://inf151.experientevent.com/showinf151/Default.aspx?UITEMS=_MT86

Furman Introduces Powerful M-8X AR Voltage Regulator to Protect Electronic Equipment

Live musicians, DJs, recording professionals, and system integrators know that every piece of equipment must function as expected. Recognizing the inherent instability of electric power, Furman, the leader in power conditioning since 1974, today introduced the new M-8x AR, an entry-level voltage regulator/power conditioner specially designed to provide stable voltage output and protect valuable gear. Providing nine regulated and conditioned outlets, this rack-mount voltage regulator is an affordable yet powerful choice for A/V professionals, musicians, and DJs. The introduction was made at Winter NAMM 2015 in Anaheim, California, Furman Booth #6745.

“With demand on the power grid stretched, we are seeing a higher rate of brownout and voltage sags, which can be disastrous in mission critical applications,” said John Benz, Director of Power and Accessories Products at Core Brands. “Furman is dedicated to providing unbeatable power products to serve audio video professionals. Our full line of voltage regulators and power conditioners ensure that any buyer can feel confident in their equipment’s protection, from entry-level setups to world-class audio rigs. The M-8x AR complements our Prestige Series of professional-grade voltage regulators and fills out our complete line of Merit Series entry-level power management solutions.”

The M-8x AR provides a stable 12A-15A, 120V output (±5V) from input voltage of 97V and 141V.  Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) protects against dangerous sustained over/under voltage conditions.  Additionally, Extreme Current Shutdown (ECS) detects over-current conditions and shuts down the outlets before damage is done to the M-8x AR or your connected equipment. The ECS circuit has been designed to detect high speed and high-level currents and will ignore low speed / low current transients, such as amplifier inrush currents.  In fact, all internal components are specially designed to distinctly recognize damaging fluctuations from natural fluctuations, and therefore only react if there is danger to equipment or the unit itself. A three-color ‘in-regulation’ indicator provides quick assurance that power is being properly managed, in addition to the unit’s ‘Protection OK’ indicator.

Musicians and live sound professionals can easily monitor the M-8x AR’s input line voltage using the eight-element, two-color bar graph meter and feel confident thanks to the thermal circuit breaker that protects against overload. Weighing just 15 pounds, the regulator is a must-have for live performers and DJs looking to create a portable pro audio rig. Adding to the long list of attributes, the unit’s low noise toroidal autotransformer with low magnetic field leakage allows for close proximity to other delicate electronic equipment without fear of interference.

For peace of mind at a price that won’t break the bank, Furman M-8x AR is sure to become the first choice of top performers and A/V professionals everywhere. The M-8x AR will be available in February through certified Furman dealers at an MSRP of $599.

Furman Protects the Past and the Future at Sanford Stadium

Named for Dr. S. V. Sanford, former president of the University and Chancellor of the University system, Georgia's Sanford Stadium celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2014. When the season opened this year a capacity crowd filled its 92,746 seats, a far cry from its original capacity of 30,000 when it was built in 1929.

While much has changed at Sanford Stadium over the decades, what hasn’t is the need for the school to be vigilant when it comes to managing the costs of a behemoth venue like this. As part of the stadium’s most recent round of AV systems upgrades — which included a new Danley Jericho point-source sound system in the stadium bowl and a new LED video wall in its practice facility — new Furman power management products were included in the systems design, to protect these and other new and costly AV platforms and help take Sanford Stadium closer to its 100th anniversary.

In the stadium’s 50 Sky Suites, where audio, video and radio inputs are available through a complex digital audio networking system, audio is protected by a pair of Furman PL-PRO Classic Series Power Conditioners. The Classic Series brings together superior protection and outstanding performance in a sturdy, rack-mountable design, and features Furman’s revolutionary Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP), Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT), and Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS). Together, these technologies comprise what is without question one of the world's most advanced and comprehensive transient-voltage surge suppressors. In addition, the installation employs a Furman 20 Amp Series II Power Conditioner, offering features including a 20-amp rating with ultra-high inrush capable magnetic circuit breaker, front-panel master power switch protected by hinged panel to prevent accidental power off , and zero ground contamination circuitry assures delivery of pure AC, as well as the benefits of SMP, LiFT ad EVS. 

“We deployed the Furman power protection and management products in the Sky Suites and at the FOH mix position, all critical locations,” explains Pete Dugas, President of TSAV, the Athens, GA-based AV systems integrator that designed and installed the new systems at Sanford Stadium. “They deliver clean power that protects the equipment and the school’s investment in it.” TSAV has relied on Furman for power conditioning and protection in many of the leading collegiate sports facilities it has done AV systems designs and work for, including the Auburn Arena at Auburn University and the Hawkins Arena at Mercer University. “The Furman technology is solid and reliable, which is why we use it consistently, across all of our market sectors. It’s not enough to put in excellent AV systems – you have to protect them, too, and that’s where Furman comes in.”

Hoffman Pro Systems Keeps Avista Stadium in the Game with an Entire "Eco-System" Solution from Furman Sound

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.