InfoComm Show Promises More for Venue Sound

By: Dan Daley, Audio Editor, Sports Video Group

The InfoComm Show is an increasingly important event for the AV (and increasingly, the IT) sector. That’s due to a number of forces: notably, the return of large corporate events as the effects of a six-year-long recession continue to fade, live music’s emergence as the primary revenue driver after the collapse of recorded-music sales, and the continued growth of the live-sports sector, whose infrastructure is in a constant state of renovation and where audiences have come to expect theatrical-level audio, video, and lighting.

All those trends will be on display at this year’s show (conference June 14-20, exhibits June 18-20, Las Vegas Convention Center), as will a huge array of products that can help sell tickets. SVG will be there to provide a look at the salient systems and trends that will be making appearances at MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS venues in the near future. Meanwhile, here‘s a look at some of what you’ll find on the show floor.

Riedel
Riedel (Booth C8939) will exhibit an enhanced iteration of its MediorNet family of real-time networks for video, audio, data, and communications. MediorNet 2.0 provides new video-router functionality and high-speed rerouting, along with new WAN capabilities that include solutions for JPEG 2000 and H.264 formats.

The latest addition to the family, the 2RU large-scale MediorNet MetroN core router, provides a real-time routing capacity of 64 10-Gb ports, further enabling the company’s approach to signal distribution and routing. During InfoComm 2014, Riedel will demonstrate how the new frame can function within a larger MediorNet installation, interfacing with other MediorNet frames via fiber. www.riedel.net

MXL Microphones
Online sports broadcasts are among the target markets for two new USB Web-conferencing microphones from MXL Microphones: the AC-424 boundary mic and the AC-410W wireless unit. Based on the same three-capsule design of MXL’s AC-404 boundary microphone, each features a new body style and enhanced features: mute button, adjustable sensitivity switch, headphone out. The three-capsule design enables 180-degree pickup range to capture people speaking around a conference room. The AC-424 has a new, contoured body style and connects to a computer via USB cable with mini plug. The AC-410W operates on a 2.4 GHz band, offering high point-to-point audio quality. www.mxlmics.com

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems
Yamaha (Booth C10716) will launch two amplifiers that will add to the growing number of Commercial Installations Solutions (CIS) products. Available this summer at a targeted MSRP of $399, the MA2030 mixer amplifier provides such features as priority ducking, feedback reduction, auto leveling, speaker processing, and simple remote connectivity. The MA2030 is the only mixer amp in its class that provides a low-cost optional DCP1V1S wall controller panel connected over a common Cat 5 cable for simple user control without having to access the amplifier. The DCP mounts in a standard single gang wall box and provides one knob and four switches. The MA2030 mixer amp features three stereo line inputs (two RCA, one Mini-Stereo plug), two mic inputs (one Euro Block, one combination XLR/phone jack), one stereo output (RCA), two amplifier outputs (each 30 W at high impedance, 70 V or 100 V, or low impedance from 3 to 8 ohms), and one DCP control port (RJ45 supports one DCP1V4S with power and control).

Available this summer priced at $299, the PA2030 offers silent design equipped with a highly efficient Class D circuit with fan-less cooling. The PA2030 power amp has two stereo line input options (RCA and Euro Block) and two amplifier outputs (30 W at high impedance, 70 V or 100 V, or low impedance from 3 to 8 ohms). www.yamahaca.com