rAVe at ISE2012: Kayye’s Day One Summary

February 1, 2012 by Dave Haynes

The day started like any other in Amsterdam, except for the fact that it was snowing, freezing cold and we were in a line to get into the Amsterdam RAI (the convention center’s moniker) with about 35,000 other folks that made their way through the gates that funneled on to the ISE 2012 show floor.

What it was, was Integrated Systems Europe, the 2012 edition – the 8th in the history of the event. And, one Day One of the event, the 2012 attendance was, interestingly enough, 10 times that of the vey first event nearly eight years ago in Geneva, Switzerland.

This is truly the Mega-AV Show.

So, what’s worth mentioning from Day One? Well, In addition to yesterday’s rAVe Daily podcast (http://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6806:daily-rave-ep-2-flat-frog&catid=252:daily-rave&Itemid=575) there were plenty of things to see. Here are some of the highlights:

LEDs, LEDs, LEDs: The biggest, literally, thing on the show floor has to be giant LEDs. So far, I’ve counted 23 manufacturers of LED screens – and about half of them can twist, curve and bend into all sorts of shapes. My favorite was CurvedLED: http://www.curveled.net/

Extron’s XTP: The largest crowds on Day One were in the Extron both. Sure, some of the folks were there to pick up their Party Passes, but the majority wanted to see their new XTP line in person. You can see it yourself here: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6253&view=ravevideo

A 15,000 Lumen Projector?: Yep, Christie Digital intro’d a 15K lumen projector here at ISE and it is B-R-I-G-H-T. Check it out: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6579&view=ravevideo&Itemid=486

The LCD Table: My personal favorite from Day One? FlatFrog: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6389&view=ravevideo ; I got a personal tour of the system from their CEO and he did an amazing job explaining the product, their market and their plan for distribution. This will be a hot product – and they’ve patented their touch technology – among the best I’ve seen.

NEC’s 24-Screen VideoWall: Using 24, 55” LED-lit LCD panels, NEC constructed an airport-like digital signage system that, well, is huge: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6307&view=ravevideo&Itemid=538

KEF’s Blade: I just love this speaker from KEF – I soooo badly want one!: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6339&view=ravevideo&Itemid=486

And, so far, the award for the best integration of the iPad with a projector goes to NEC. Don’t belive me? Go see for yourself: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6314&view=ravevideo&Itemid=486

BrightSign’s Live Text feature for digital signage is my favorite retail digital signage addition. It may not seem like a big deal, but remember, most retail profit comes from impulse purchases: http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6278&view=ravevideo&Itemid=486

And, finally, I just love to hear Sean Matthews of Visix speak – he’s got that mix of honesty and product passion with a southern accent (and his Interactive Room Signs are totally unique digital signage): http://ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_ravevideo&ravevideo_id=6275&view=ravevideo&Itemid=486

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