4K video screens
Throughout the InfoComm exhibit hall, much of the buzz focused on ultra high-definition video screens, also called 4K screens because they contain four times the number of pixels as standard high-definition (1080p) screens.
InfoComm exhibitors demonstrated hundreds of new products with 4K screens, many of them interactive flat panels. For instance, Planar Systems has expanded its 4K product offerings with new displays ranging in size from 28 inches to 98 inches. And LG showed a new 84-inch 4K display with 10-point touch interactivity—and a 98-inch 4K display that will be available in October.
While 4K video screens might be too expensive for many schools, their incredibly sharp clarity could help with certain specialized applications, such as for research where fine detail is needed.
Perhaps more practical for schools, both NEC and Planar showed 4K desktop displays that can be used when fine detail is essential. NEC’s 24-inch 4K monitor, the MultiSync EA244UHD, retails for $1,349; Planar’s 28-inch IX Series 4K monitor sells for $799.
HDBaseT
HDBaseT is a standard for running high-definition video, audio, control signals, and power over a single Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for multiple cables and connectors for projectors and displays.
It’s not a new standard; the HDBaseT Alliance was founded four years ago by LG, Samsung, Sony Pictures, and Valens to promote the technology. But it seems to be developing a critical mass, and at this year’s InfoComm, the HDBaseT Alliance announced that it now has more than 100 members.
The latest companies to support HDBaseT include Black Box, Christie, FSR, and Panasonic. All told, more than 30 new products incorporating HDBaseT capabilities were introduced at this year’s InfoComm, said Malcolm Edwards, general manager for Valens.
What’s more, the HDBaseT Alliance recently released version 2.0 of the standard, which adds USB support as well.
Follow Editorial Director Dennis Pierce on Twitter: @eSN_Dennis.
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