European Custom Installer

Amphion Loudspeakers announces the Helium410, Helium510, Argon0 and Argon1-- bookshelf loudspeakers with redesigned cabinets and, in the case of the two Helium models, higher class components.

The major cabinet change in the smallest Helium and Argon models involves the repositioning of the reflex tube behind the woofer. According to the company the change improves bass response and enhances the clarity of the midrange.

Extron enters the pendant speaker market with the SF 3PT-- an architecturally discrete loudspeaker aimed at high-ceiling and open-ceiling applications.

The SF 3PT features a 3-inch full-range driver for speech reinforcement and music playback. It includes a 6.1m PendantConnect speaker cable, an Extron development combining speaker wires and a steel safety cable within a single outer jacket for a clean and secure installation.

The ZigBee Alliance and Thread announce what is described as a a solution to the fragmentation of the connected device industry-- Dotdot, an open, interoperable IoT language running over the Thread IP network.

According to the two companies, the IoT currently faces the same challenges as the early internet since connected devices lack the equivalent of open, universal protocols over IP. Dotdot, as a common device language over the Thread IP network, promises to be the solution to such woes, providing "the high-quality, interoperable user experiences needed to drive growth."

Dotdot is not a new standard. Instead it allows the ZigBee standard to work on the Thread network. Both standards are backed by industry-leading companies, and already find use in homes and offices. As such, Dotdot simply extends IP to low-power IoT devices, providing an option in end-to-end connectivity and interoperability.

Comprehensive Connectivity Company launches the HDBaseT Wall Plate Extender TX/RX Kit (CHE-HDBTWP230K), able to extend HDMI, VGA and audio signals up to 70m over a single unshielded twisted pair network patch cable.

The kit includes one wall plate and one receiver. Connection to the wall box uses 90° cable connectors. Input source sequence selection comes through auto, front button or a control device connected via serial RS232.

The kit supports any OS with no driver setup, while bi-directional power allows easy connection to either wall plate or receiver end. HDBaseT includes HDCP and EDID, and handles resolutions up to UHD (3840x2160) and HD (1920x1080).

The launch of the iMac Pro brings about a first Apple-branded Thunderbolt 3 cable with support for 40Gbps data transfers, USB 3.1 gen 2 transfers (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video output (HBR3) and charging up to 100W.

The cable is 0.8m long and features an etched Thunderbolt logo to stand up from other cables. It is also ideal for daisy-chaining, with the standard able to handle up to 6 Thunderbolt 3 devices linked with each other.