European Custom Installer

Shipping kicks off for the Extron HFX 100 HDMI Fibre Optic Extender-- a transmitter and receiver set for long distance HDMI video and embedded audio signal transmission over single fibre optic cable.

It extends HDCP-compliant HDMI signals over multimode fibure for up to 300m, using all-digital technology to deliver pixel-for-pixel transmission of 1920x1200 resolution images (including 1080p/60 HDTV).

The HFX 100 supports HDMI specification features including 6.25Gbps data rates, 12-bit Deep Colour, HD lossless audio and CEC.

Housed inside compact 1U, one-eight rack width enclosures, the transmitter and receiver have HDMI cables attached, making installation easier and allowing direct connection with source and destination devices.

Go Extron HFX 100

Accessory Power launches the GOgroove BlueSync LX-- a 2.1-channel speaker system complete with Bluetooth connectivity, full-range satellite speakers, built-in control hub and LCD display.

The speaker configuration features x2 satellite speakers with 3-inch drivers and a 4-inch high-excursion subwoofer. It connects to mobile devices via Bluetooth, as well as wired devices and microphones via aux-in 3.5mm jack.

The subwoofer features an LCD display, while the included remote allows for equaliser, playlist, Bluetooth sync and power control.

Go GOgroove BlueSync LX Multimedia Bluetooth Stereo Speakers

Thiel announces an update on CS1.6 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker-- the CS1.7, leveraging on technology from the flagship CS3.7 to establish what the company claims are "new standards for resolution of detail, imaging and staging, dynamic capability and tonal purity."

It features an optimised CS1.6 tweeter, with voice coil, magnetic circuit and aluminium diaphragm reworked to increase linearity and lower distortion. The "star" diaphragm in the aluminium woofer is produced via laser measurement technology, the voice coil and magnetic structure enable the driver to operate as a piston through a greater frequency range and the crossover network maintains phase and time coherent nature.

The cabinet is 2.5cm thick and the baffle is 5cm thick, providing plenty of rigidity and inertness, and even the magnetically-adhered grille is engineered to prevent diffraction.

Measuring 24x30x92.4cm (350x380x97.7cm with outriggers), the loudspeaker ships with levelling feet, and Thiel also offers an optional brushed aluminium Outrigger base to improve stability on most surfaces.

The CS1.7 is available now.

Go Thiel CS1.7

Remember IllumiRoom, the "peripheral projected illusion" system Microsoft presented at the Samsung CES 2013 keynote? The company now beams further details with a new demo video and a CHI 2013 paper.

Microsoft Research describes IllumiRoom as "a proof-of-concept system that augments the area surrounding a television with projected visualizations to enhance traditional gaming experiences." As seen at CES 2013 and the latest video linked below (both supposedly involving no post-production or compositing) the system combines a Kinect and a wide field-of-view projector to project different illusions on a living room wall according to video content.

The Kinect captures room geometry and colours before the projector calibrates visuals according to in-room furniture and lighting via "radiometric compensation." The system creates a variety of different illusions, such as content extension, edge highlighting and specific element highlighting, as well as room colour saturation, radial wobble (makes the room "shake") and grid/snow/starfield visuals.

A group of Spanish universities (UPM, UPV) and companies (Indra, Agile Content, Eumovil, Ericsson and Inmonatica) present the first results of Immersive TV, an R&D collaboration in audience immersion and participation in broadcasts.

With a €2.7 million budget co-founded by the Spanish Ministroy of Industry, the Immersive TV project consists of 2 pilots on display at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid's (UPM) CeDInt facility -- the CAVE and Living Room scenarios.

The CAVE is an immersive panoramic view of Barcelona. Using the I-Space system, it allows audiences to interact with content projected on 3 screens using objects such as 3D images and models.

Meanwhile the Living Room scenario presents a demo of the "immersive" home TV of the future where broadcasts carry not only 3D video and audio but also 2nd screen features (on tablet) and home automation signals involving sensors, mood lighting, smoke and scent diffusers and even moving furniture.