Meritec’s ISE ’23 Roundup
Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is at the world’s forefront in showcasing the leaders and innovators of the audio-visual and systems integration industry. The ISE 2023 Expo in Barcelona was no exception. 58,107 attendees from 155 countries filled the six technology zones, with day one setting the record for opening day visitors, including the illustrious King Felipe VI, from Spain.
Maybe we’ve been starved for too long of in-person events but people were willing to queue for hours to get into the Expo!
And of course, ISE 23 promised to showcase the very latest and greatest in AV and systems integration technology, and boy did it deliver. You didn’t have to be a tech geek to appreciate some of the extraordinary tech on show but if you are one – you wouldn’t have been left disappointed with the level of innovation from some of the very best brands in the business.
Meritec and PSNI Global Alliance
Since 2017, Meritec has been a proud partner of the PSNI Global Alliance, an elite network of technology integrators, service partners and vendors. So, when we learned that PSNI would take a stand at the event, we were delighted to participate on that stand, and get the chance to network with our customers, suppliers and prospects over the weekend. And what a weekend it was! Here’s a round-up of some of the innovations that we came across at the show.
BTW – we know it might be hard to get your head around so much AV tech! But don’t worry – you don’t have to cos Meritec is up-to-speed. Contact us and we can help ID the best solution for your space, budget and requirements!
ISE 2023 Highlights
ISE 2023 was full of incredible new products and tech break-throughs, many of which came directly from our partners. Some highlights……
Poly
Poly, which is now part of HP, exhibited the latest studio bundles for videoconferencing. These bundles were displayed in large, medium, and small sizes. Of course, they have bundles for Zoom, Teams and for Android platforms too.
This marriage of Poly’s studio room kits with HPs processing power has added numerous benefits.
HP’s integration with Poly’s next-generation collaboration and audio/video conferencing solutions creates a comprehensive suite of products and services for enterprises of all shapes and sizes around the world. The combination of HP’s expertise in enterprise systems, combined with Poly’s industry-leading audio/video technology is expected to bring new capabilities to the masses and make the process of deploying and managing conferencing systems easier and more efficient.
For example, you no longer have to worry about whether or not the PC, the monitors, the microphones, the speakers, or the software will play together nicely. HP have taken all the hassle away with the introduction of the My First Room 2.0. This is a promotional bundle, with a one-time only discount for first time buyers. This is the ideal solution for those who finally want to dip their toes into the market, and not have to worry about all the typical concerns which can come up when integrating a full system of audio-visual conferencing and collaboration equipment.
The Offer was initially offered for Windows based solutions only however it has now been extended to bundles for Android platforms too.
Click here to learn more about Poly’s My First Room Promotion and secure your discount today!
Lightware
Lightware celebrated its 25th birthday in style, with the Taurus UCX. The Taurus UCX is the perfect tool for modern collaboration, making it super-easy for users to access and manage various video conferencing applications within the same space. Whether it’s Cisco Webex, MS Teams, or Zoom -switching between these applications is quick and easy.
The Taurus UCX also offers lots of other small practical advantages for hosts – for example they don’t need to worry about their laptops going on ‘standby’ during meetings. It has an extender and USB-C connectivity that ensures the device remains charged and fully functional.
Crestron
Ever had to stop and wonder who was talking during a meeting? Sometimes it can be hard to work out who’s speaking and where your focus should be on the screen. Well, the Crestron 1 Beyond Hawk Dual-Camera Tracking Solution resolves this exact issue. It includes an advanced facial recognition and motion tracking system that enables user control of remote devices and applications and that automatically focusses on the speaker. Using two cameras, one for tracking multiple faces and another for tracking motion, the Hawk solution provides seamless, real-time movement and voice recognition. This brand-new system is capable of detecting and responding to user commands, whether they are spoken, gestured, or typed.
It also provides safe, protected access to conference rooms, classrooms, and other areas where security is an issue. The Hawk Dual-Camera Tracking Solution is an ideal solution for businesses, educational institutions, and other organisations that require an extensive and secure control system.
Sennheiser
Sennheiser arrived at ISE 2023 with the all-new Team Connect Medium.
Team Connect Medium is part of a powerful suite of digital audio solutions designed to help teams connect without sacrificing on sound quality. It allows teams to share and collaborate on audio projects, no matter where individuals are located.
Team Connect comprises several components that work together to make audio collaboration easier, including a network manager, a conference server, and a microphone array. The network manager provides a secure web-based interface for managing the system, while the conference server allows different locations to join a meeting or connect to a telephone call. The microphone array is then used to capture and transmit audio from each location.
Team Connect also offers various features that make it easier for teams to collaborate. For example, it includes a single-click connection feature that makes it simple to join a meeting, and it’s compatible with a wide range of audio files and codecs.
The latest addition to the kit, the Sennheiser Team Connect Medium. is a top of the line, ceiling mounted microphone, making it the perfect companion for teams that need to conduct high level, professional meetings either remotely or in office. Its design makes it unobtrusive and easy to set up – ideal for those who need to take their sound quality seriously and are looking to reach top quality audio standards without having to rearrange their room.
Logitech
Logitech came prepared to wow with the enticingly named “Project Ghost”. This is an all-in-one chat booth. It uses existing Logitech technology, meaning that it’s certified for both Microsoft Teams as well as Zoom, which has been fitted into a booth designed by Steelcase. Steelcase are well known in the office furniture world, and the sleek design they’ve employed here perfectly matches the high-end Logitech chat functionality. They’ve brought some interesting techniques to this project, including using the optical illusion known as “Pepper’s Ghost” to create a projection of participants images on the screen, and they’ve added a camera behind the screen to improve eye contact during sessions. These techniques, along with the more secluded environment that the booth allows, seems to be pushing video conferencing towards a more human and personable space – brining it closer to the “real thing” in terms of teleconferencing versus in-person meetings.
Sharp NEC
“At ISE we will show how we live and breathe our lasting vision, through our commitment to long-life, high-quality, and sustainable professional display products.” The words of Barnard, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Management at Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe, will have enticed visitors to their display, where they showed three new projectors and demonstrated their Hiperwall software.
Hiperwall is an IP-based software solution for the management of video walls. With the ability to draw data from multiple sources, and to create dashboards for the visualisation of that data, it’s soon to become a must-have for any high-level decision-maker who wants access to data presented quickly and in a meaningful manner. The added ability to share this info directly with collaborators, clients, and customers is another huge advantage of this impressive piece of software.
Among the projectors on offer was the PA1705UL 3LCD, a laser projector with an impressive 17,000 centre lumens, as well as WUXGA resolution to achieve those crystal clear and lifelike images we expect from top of the line equipment. It’s fully compatible with NEC’s Pro Assist software, to help you get your configurations just how you like them, and it’s low noise operation means that you’ll be able to concentrate clearly on the task in hand.
Epson
Epson has introduced 4K resolution to its newest range of high-lumen 3LCD projectors, the EB-PQ2000 series. The series was on display at ISE this year, and builds on the success of Epson’s PU2200 range, offering significant size and weight advantages, simplified maintenance, exceptional image quality, and eco-advantages. Epson’s latest 4K technology utilizes its patented 4K Crystal Motion, panel thermo-control, and double micro-lens array technologies to deliver optimal clarity. The range also offers custom-built 4K graphic processing, additional versatility, and compatibility with Epson’s existing range of 4K high-quality lenses without a change in throw ratios.
Epson has launched the EB-810E, its first super-ultra-short throw laser display that uses 4K Enhancement technology for hybrid working and immersive spaces. The device can project massive 4K images up to 160 inches from just an incg away from the wall or screen, offering stunning clarity to presented content. The EB-810E provides a mobile, low-cost, large-screen display solution with quick and convenient set up, making it highly flexible and portable.
Alongside these was the EB-770Fi. The EB-770Fi is part of Epson’s new range of laser displays for business and education, set to be released later in the year. It includes a new browser-based ultra-short throw interactive laser display that offers a true PC-free interactive solution. The forthcoming EB-780Fi is another projector in the series, which provides instant online access to cloud-stored lesson plans, online content, and favourite applications directly from the display, without the need to connect a PC.
Samsung
This year, Samsung won an ‘ISE Best of Show’ by AV Technology, for their impressive Samsung Kiosk. It offers professionals a single platform where they can easily design immersive experiences to attract and engage customers in sectors such as Retail, Hospitality and more. The content can also be exxtended to the audiences personal device, cementing engagement. The Kiosk is compatible with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise OS.
Samsung also wowed the crowd with another winner, its new “The Wall All-in-One” – which picked up the ‘Top New Technology (TNT) Award’ for Video Wall Hardware and the ‘ISE Best of Show’ award by Installation. Its pixel-perfect display created a huge impact and was a popular draw to their stand.
So that’s it folks, another ISE show complete and what a success. If any of the tech outlined above has caught your attention – don’t forget to catch ours! Contact Meritec.