FlatFrog’s Planar Scatter Detection technology (PSD) is the first multi-touch display technology to offer pressure detection.

PSD is an advanced optical in-glass multi-touch technology where light is injected inside the top glass pane and scatters wherever the top surface is touched. This scattering effect is detected, and positions of several simultaneous touches are determined. Now not only can PSD detect pressure, but it detects 1000 levels of pressure for 40 individual touches.

“This is another major breakthrough for us at FlatFrog, and it opens up exciting new possibilities for multi-touch input,” says Ola Wassvik, CTO and Co-founder of FlatFrog. “Developers can use pressure detection to improve navigation, workflow and control in operating systems and applications. Users could for example press harder to open up shortcuts or menus. Pressure detection could also eliminate unwanted touches, such as opening a link or closing a window by mistake.”

Christie releases its The Book of Shapes – a "coffee table" style book showcasing projects around the globe, projects that Christie believes redefines the use of display technology in everything from retail stores to museums to corporate spaces.

It’s yours to download (for free) as an interactive iPad app, PDF, or hard copy. This book explores how Christie MicroTiles —modular video building blocks — have inspired architects and designers to introduce inventive, irregular shapes into projects where video, motion graphics and interactive content are applied.

The release of The Book of Shapes: International Design Inspirations Featuring Christie MicroTiles comes on the 3rd anniversary of the market release of MicroTiles. Now some 30,000 units are in use globally.

Amen Chen in China kindly wrote to us: “Long time no see you,” the email started. Really.

The point of the email was not to be re-acquainted (as we have never met) but to explain the company Shenzhen Yashow Technology Co Ltd believes ordinary public advertising signage needs far more polish, literally.

Public advertising, for Mr. Chen (or is it Ms. Chen?), has “one major inherent weakness”: it only has one single advertising function. Therefore, when people pass and look at it, they “really don't want to go to see an advertising machine broadcasting advertisements”.

That would certainly condemn the burgeoning DOOH business, but that’s not the point. Yashow’s point is they think they can increase signage advertising impact.

Think of Casio and you probably (in pro AV) think of greener projectors. The general public, well, they might think first of timepieces, cameras or even musical instruments.

Yet the convergence between Casio and digital signage comes from a road less traveled: Casio owns a pocket of technology in EPOS (and hence commercial interest in selling to retailers).

At CES, Casio announced plans to "revolutionize" storefront advertising by launching a new digital signage business. Driving this new business is Casio Signage, a custom-designed screen where DLP helps them project a customized character to match the particular retail operation. A butcher pops up for a butcher store, a chef for a restaurant, a sandwich for a fast food store…ok, you get the idea.

Christie introduces at ISE 2013 the new Christie TVC-700 display wall processor for the heart of Christie’s control room solutions.

The Christie TVC-700 is PC-based and easy-to-use, purpose-built for the rigors of 24/7 control room environments. Using the PCIe bus architecture and state-of-the-art GPU technology, it provides ample graphics and processing power to support multiple inputs and outputs. With simultaneous support for hardware accelerated 3D applications and ultra-high resolution outputs, it can handle 3D content such as CAD/CAM modeling and data visualisation.

The Christie TVC-700 joins the company’s family of controllers and video processors that make up a full range of solutions to match any control room application.

Medialine will bring to ISE their Android LED MONITOR series which features very low power consumption.

Leveraging the Android OS4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich), the Medialine Android LED MONITOR series are available in three different housings: 26” (HM916 landscape), 32”/40”/46” (HM970 landscape) and 40”/46”/55” (HM985 can be positioned landscape or portrait).

Via LAN, the unit can be remotely controlled. Comes in HD (26”/32”) or FULL HD (40”/46”/55”) with resolution 1920x1080.

Audio output 2x6W (26”/32”), 2x8Watt (40”/46”/55”) Comes with VESA mounting holes for professional use (such as digital signage), two USB 2.0 ports, and one HDMI port.

The new Christie WeatherAll Series of LCD outdoor flat panels makes its global debut at ISE 2013.

Setting the standard for outdoor LED-backlit LCD technology, the first of the rugged and versatile WeatherAll Series is the 55” Christie FHD551-W.

This is a professional grade Full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) solution designed to perform in a wide range of applications including outdoor sporting venues, outdoor live events, architectural applications, entertainment parks, public displays, the hospitality and resort industry, transportation services-- and numerous other outdoor environments not typically applicable with standard LCD panels.

The ability to use the Christie FHD551-W in landscape or portrait mode is ideal for rental staging applications, resorts, hotels and restaurants. Christie believes the FHD551-W’s integrated speakers and sleek design makes this a visually appealing solution when compared to traditional LCD products that require enclosures when used outdoors.

The Christie FHD551-W features optically bonded glass for increased protection against harsh impacts and scratches in public display environments while enhancing viewability in outdoor venues by reducing reflection.

“The typical flat panel displays are not designed for outdoor use and the risk of damage when exposed to the elements is very high. However, the high definition Christie FHD551-W is designed to be IP56 rated / NEMA4 and has a DACS filtration system to protect it and allow for it to be used in harsh weather conditions and withstand the abuse of public display areas,” says Frank Anzures, senior product manager, Christie. “With the addition of optically bonded glass it increases sunlight readability by up to 400 percent when compared with standard flat panels and increases scratch and impact resistance by up to 300 percent.”

The DACS cooling & filtration system provides a thermostatically-controlled active system that protects sensitive electronics from temperature extremes, moisture, and dust. The advanced easy-clean solution eliminates the need for core filter replacement. The FHD551-W features a weather rating of IP56/NEMA4, providing protection against solid foreign objects such as falling dirt or windblown dust in addition to rain, sleet, snow, ice and splashing or hosed water.

“The Christie FHD551-W can easily manage temperatures ranging from a scorching 45 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) all the way down to a bone chilling minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as rain, snow, dust and high humidity, without those factors affecting performance. This new outdoor flat panel also boasts integrated weatherproof speakers to provide a full solution for outdoor use,” adds Anzures.

Benefits that Christie lists for the FHD551-W with Optical Bonding

• Improves sunlight readability up to 400 percent.
• Increases impact and scratch resistance up to 300 percent.
• Eliminates parallax: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object.
• Prevents condensation on LCD Panel.
• Significantly improves durability against vibration, extreme temperatures, altitudes, water and dust.
• Vastly improves contrast and colour saturation readability.

The Christie FHD551-W is now shipping with a two-year parts and labour warranty, backed by Christie’s renowned customer service and support.

Go Christie FHD551-W, First in Series of Outdoor Displays

InFocus introduces its third generation of interactive projectors, the IN3920 Series.

These installable or portable projectors have an ultra short throw lens, can use two LiteBoard wands at once, and are promoted as an easy-to-use alternative to interactive whiteboards. The IN3924 and IN3926 interactive projectors allow teachers or presenters to turn almost a surface into an interactive workspace -- no screen required.

The so-called "magic" is in the wireless LiteBoard wand, which can be used like a mouse to draw, write and click on the projected image. The teacher or presenter can use the wand -- held like a pen or remote control -- to interact with the image. Two wands can also be used simultaneously, allowing people to interact with the same projected image at the same time.

Both projectors are 1-chip DLP projectors using six-segment color wheels with a specified brightness of 3,000 lumens, offering HDMI, VGA and USB inputs. The IN3924 is XGA (1024x768) and the IN3926 is WXGA (1280x800).

The IN3924 and IN3926 projectors are available now for $1,199 and $1,425, respectively. Here are all the specs:

Go The IN3924 and IN3926 Projectors