InfoComm International, the leading trade association representing the professional audiovisual industry today announced that the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) United States representative, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has accredited InfoComm’s Certified Technology Specialist and Certified Technology Specialist – Installation credentials under ISO/IEC 17024.ISO/IEC 17024 establishes a global benchmark for the certification of personnel. ANSI accredits standards developers, certification bodies and technical advisory groups to both the ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Many members of the Advanced team are Certified technology Specialists, adding even more reassurance when dealing with our a/v experts at Advanced Solutions, for planning and installation, and our other divisions.

Certified Technology Specialists (CTS) serve clients by creating, operating and servicing AV solutions, while meeting client’s needs, on time and within budget. A Certified Technology Specialist - Installation (CTS-I) installs and maintains audiovisual systems by following specifications, schematics, codes, and safety protocols; administering installation process logistics; troubleshooting and problem solving systems; maintaining tools and equipment; and communicating with clients, designers, other trades, other installers and staff, all while providing exemplary customer service. Ongoing professional education is required to maintain the credentials. A certification is valid for three years and certified individuals must earn 30 renewal units (RUs) within each three-year period, remain in good standing, and abide by the CTS Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Da-Lite Screen Company has announced that it has expanded its Wide-Angle optical coatings to its Da-Glas line of rear projection screens.

Specifically designed for applications using high lumen projectors in conjunction with short throw lenses, these coatings provide wider half-gain angles than traditional coatings, reducing the incidence of hot spotting. DA-100 WA is a light gray 1.0 gain wide angle coating and DA-075 WA is a 0.75 gain light gray coating.

Both coatings are available on the entire range of Da-Glas screens and with a full range of framing options, available in Canada from Advanced Presentation Products.

The Adagio Media System (AMS) combines home theater and audio distribution in one intergrated solution. AMS is easy to install, simple to use and an affordable entertainment system.

Easy to install

Just connect all the audio and video sources to theAMS, and within minutes turn the living room into the ultimate home theater and enjoy music throughout the house. The Adagio set-up wizard prompts you through a few easy steps, and the built-in Audyssey MultEQ® XT automatically tunes the surround sound system to perfection.

Simple to use

From the front panel simply select a song or movie; choose the room(s) and enjoy. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Affordable

Designed to be accessible to everyone, AMS is priced to fit every budget. And Adagio can easily grow with any family with plug-and-play connectivity to room controllers and audio sources.

Key features

• Front panel or software setup
• Integrated surround sound processor and amplifier
• Audyssey MultEQ® XT automatically measures sound, calculates equalization, and removes distortion
• HD analog and HDMI digital video switching
• Audio distribution up to six rooms, expandable to 24
• Accepts up to three dual tuner cards for XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio and AM/FM radio
• Adagio Audio Server (AAS) and CEN-IDOCplug-and-play support
• Built-in IR, RS-232, relay and digital input ports

If you own or use a Smartboard™ interactive whiteboard, you will understand the need to keep it protected when you aren’t using it.

The protective cover ensures that your Smartboard stays safe with a neoprene fabric to protect the complete surface of your smartboard.

The cover fully stretches over your Smartboard with a pocket on each corner for secure fixing.

They Smartboard covers are now available in four sizes:

• 48″ (SB640)
• 64″ (SB660 & SB660i)
• 77″ (SB680 & SB680i)

If you are interested in purchasing a smartboard cover in Canada, please contact Advanced Presentation Products.

SMART have announced a new document camera to helps teachers create a flexible, dynamic classroom environment where teaching and learning happen spontaneously.

The document camera uses a high-resolution video camera to instantly transform physical objects into digital images. Any object you can see or touch can be turned into digital video or still images and projected on an interactive whiteboard.

The new camera is simple to set up, operate and maintain and it also integrates seamlessly with SMART Board interactive whiteboards and Notebook collaborative learning software.

Working together, these technology tools provide endless opportunities for interactive learning, enabling you to capture images and videos and add them directly to a Notebook page.

Highlights

• Instantly create and share digital content
• Easily add interactivity to lessons
• Quickly install it in any classroom
• Clearly display and highlight images to direct learning

The document camera from SMART is available in the Spring in Canada from Advanced Presentation Products.

NEC have announced the release of four high performance models to its award-winning line of projectors. These portable, mobile and professional integration projectors, which deliver bright, high-contrast images are sure to keep the attention of your audience during a presentation.

NEC VT800

A portable premium projector with high resolution images and superior brightness:

• XGA 1024×768 native resolution
• High brightness with 2700 ANSI lumens
• Remote diagnostics for remote adjustments
• Silicon OPtix HQV™ technology produces superior video processing
• Built-in closed captioning
• Flexible video/data connections, including HDMI with HDCP
• 2 year parts and labor warranty with 1 year lamp warranty

NEC NP100/200

Unrivaled affordability, compact and lightweight for bright, high-contrast presentations:

• DLP technology provides high-contrast images
• Brightness up to 2100 ANSI lumens
• Flexible input panel connects with computer, composite video, S-video and component video
• Compact size and lightweight design simplify transport
• 10-step magnification with location control allows you to zoom in on key information
• ECO Mode™ technology helps extend lamp life up to 4000 hours

NEC NP3151W

A high performance widescreen model, the NEC3151W delivers bright, high-contrast images, ideal for corporate boardrooms, training facilities and education:

• Silicon OPtix HQV technology brings home theater video processing to the corporate and education environments
• 400 ANSI lumens brightness
• Increases desktop workspace 30% over traditional XGA projectors
• Remote dekstop connection allows the projector to connect to a networked computer
• Complete line of optional bayonet lenses allow for quick and easy lens change
• Powerful integrated networking and asset management
• Lamp saveer technologies protect the projector from overheating

The new range of NEC projector products are available in Canada from Advanced Presentation Products.

The NEC 52″ MultiSync will certainly attract a crowd making it ideal for digital signage and corporate boardrooms.

The ultra-thin-frame model boasts the Digital Signage Technology Suite (DSTS) with nearly 30 feautres that enhance display management, improve screen performance and lower cost of ownership:

• Professional grade panel
• Ultra-thin bezel (19mm)
• Full HD (high-definition) display
• U-shaped bulbs allow for more uniform image
• Durable, sealed module prevents contaminants and dust
• Optional SpectraViewII™ color calibration kit
• Built-in expansion slot
• Optional speakers (AV model only) and stand

The NEC 52″ MultiSync LCD5220 is available from April 2008 from Advanced Products Group or if you may be interested in using the MultiSync in your next A/V installation?

Sonic Foundry has been recognized with the 2007 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership having exemplified strong market penetration as the currently lead the lecture capture and broadcast market with its flagship product, Mediasite®.

Mediasite allows users to capture anything from a classroom lecture to a boardroom meeting and to view it on-demand.

A trailblazer in the media communications market place since 1991, Sonic Foundry has set the pace for the lecture capture and broadcast solutions market, with forty percent of this nearly $25 million dollar market in North America.

Providing enterprise rich media communication solutions, Sonic Foundry has emerged as the first choice for many organizations seeking lecture capture solutions,

says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Aimee Roberts.

“Utilizing a combination of audio and video feeds in combination with visual aids, Sonic Foundry’s flagship product, Mediasite®, has quickly gained recognition in a wide range of communication environments and applications. The need for lecture capture solutions transcends industry—deployed across educational institutions and corporations alike.”

Sonic Foundry’s market share growth is the result of high levels of positive feedback from existing customers, enforcing the company’s solid customer base across various sectors including higher education, corporate, government, and healthcare.

Distance learning and online learning have propelled Mediasite to a position of market leadership in the education market. Multimedia assets combined in a single location set Mediasite apart by delivering a strong, memorable presentation to the viewer. Not only are presentations seamless, but they can also be paused, fast-forwarded, and reviewed at the user’s pace.

A number of academic institutions use Mediasite across departments to distribute coursework and have achieved remarkable results. The benefits included enhanced student performance and greater information retention.

Mediasite is also used in corporate and government environments for training and communications.

If workers are geographically distributed, they can be taught with as much success, if not more than ever before. Messages can be conveyed to everyone effectively at a fraction of the cost.

You can see how we are implementing Mediasite at Advanced Products.
Ref. The Earth Times

On January 22^nd, LifeSize announced LifeSize^® PlanetWise™, a comprehensive corporate environmental initiative promoting green technologies that reduce pollution. LifeSize PlanetWise is featured on the LifeSize website at http://www.lifesize.com/solutions/environment.

LifeSize high definition video communication is one of the greenest technologies on the planet, providing tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Each trip avoided in favor of video has a direct, measurable reduction in an organization’s carbon footprint. By reducing the need to travel, LifeSize video can have a profound and positive impact on the environment. In addition, all LifeSize manufacturing facilities are ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certified, and products comply with existing RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations.

 For more information on LifeSize HD videoconferencing, call us at 1-800-436-6239 or info@advanced-inc.com

As part of a mass media campaign targeted to K–12 education administrators, Advanced and SMART Technologies is pleased to announce the following promos:

• Purchase 10 SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and receive a 32-remote Senteo™ interactive response system at no cost
• Purchase 25 SMART Board interactive whiteboards and receive three 32-remote Senteo interactive response systems and training at no cost
• Purchase 50 SMART Board interactive whiteboards and receive eight 32-remote Senteo interactive response systems and training at no cost

Act now as these are limited offers!  These offers will be valid from January 21, 2008, until April 30, 2008, and are only available in the U.S. and Canada. This promotion is an affordable way for you to equip your classrooms with SMART products.

 For more information, contact us at 1-800-436-6239 or info@advanced-inc.com