BMB Electronics announces the availability of Planet Waves universal connectors in Europe-- new RCA, BNC and F connectors eliminating the need stripping and crimping tools for the termination of coax cables.

The connectors fit with standard RG6, RG6 Quad and RG59 coax cables, and have a magnetic tip (holding screws in place), soft grip, an ergonomic shape and a swivel head spinning in the palm of your hand.

Installers need to first cut and remove the coaxial jacket, shield and insulator with the Planet Waves one step strip tool-- leaving the copper conductor exposed in the correct length before inserting it into the connector.

The final step involves tightening the patented screw cutting the jacket while holding the connector securely in place.

Planet Waves says the connection is fully tested for "superior 75 ohm signal transfer," offering speed, efficiency and quality in one connection.

Go Save Time with Planet Waves!

Crestron launches 2 universally compatible backboxes-- the BBI-UNIV-A and BBI-UNIV-B, suiting a variety of devices, including Crestron touchscreens, in-wall iPad docks and Excite 5.25" and 6.5" in-wall speakers.

The backboxes are ideal for multi-purpose and multi-regional use, coming in 2 sizes working with a wide selection of Crestron devices. The company says the housing design "ensures a stable and secure fixing."

Installation requires a suitable wall aperture or opening. Once cables are fed through with the conduit, installers should fasten the housing into the wall before ither clamping equipment (touchscreen, Excite speaker, iPad dock) or securing via screws into the mineral fibreboard.

Go Crestron

It might not really look cube-like, but the KanexPro CubeUp does quite a bit to convert 2D content into 3D for playback on 3D-enabled screens.

The CubeUp is a 4x1 switcher, handling up to 4 HDMI sources-- with the addition of real-time 2D-to-3D hardware conversion. Users can also adjust 3D viewing parameters, including depth and scaling, using the included remote.

It can also upscale source resolution from 480p to 1080p, improving both frame-rate and resolution.

In addition, it also has a pass-through mode, passing through HDMI output without any processing if required, and confirms to High Speed HDMI specifications providing Deep Colour, lossless audio and all HDCP requirements.

Go KanexPro CubeUp 4x1 Switcher

DVDO launches the DVDO Mobile HD travel kit-- a portable MHL-to-HDMI adapter and multi-charger solution.

Supporting the MHL standard, it charges MHL-enabled smartphones and tablets while connecting devices to HD displays via HDMI.

It comes with integrated 20" USB-A connector, 8" micro-USB connector and 36" HDMI connector-- all with recoiling wrap-and-hide cable management. An integrated USB-to-PC connector and USB-to-AC charger provide multiple charging options.

USB connectivity also allows data transfer between smartphones, tablets and PC for both content management and device software updates.

If the connected HD display supports the appropriate HDMI CEC commands, the DVDO Mobile allows hands-free control via standard remotes through DVDO software.

Go DVDO Unveils DVDO Mobile HD Travel Kit

SpectraCal and basICColor jointly announced the DISCUS colorimeter to help integrators calibrate LCD displays.

At CEDIA, they claimed DISCUS sensors are better at calibrating deep blacks and the dichroic glass color filters are more stable than plastic filters. The DISCUS tracks its internal temperature and applies a calibration adjustment to compensate for temperature variations. This supposedly gives the unit an operating range, without measurement deviation, of 10°C to 50°C.

Interestingly enough, the $2000 DISCUS can also measure ambient light since a wheel on the measuring side of the unit can be twirled between three positions -- closed, open or open with the ambient light dome over the sensor.

Go DISCUS colorimeter

CEDIA names the Atlona KIT-PROHD3 custom installation testing kit as one of the Best New Product winners at the Manufacturers' Excellence Awards during CEDIA Expo 2011.

The company says the kit diagnoses 99% of all A/V digital connectivity issues (saving installers time and overhead) through its combination of portable HDMI signal generator, 7" HDMI monitor, EDID emulator and 5-hour monitor battery inside a high-quality Pelican case.

The AT-HD800 HDMI signal generator allows resolution, video timing, EDID and colour space issue diagnosis on any DVI or HDMI video system, with x13 test patterns, HDMI output and HDMI pass-through.

The AT-DIS7-PROHD testing monitor tests 2D and 3D sources, and recognises HDMI, DVI, VGI and component video sources with resolutions of up to 1920x1200.

Meanwhile the AT-HDSync helps fix EDID, hot plug or sync issues, as it stores EDID setting information in non-volatile memory and supports HDCP handshaking.

It also generates a missing hot plug, staying in line to maintain the hot plug at all time.

Go Atlona KIT-PROHD3 Custom Installation Testing Kit