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Posted on: 03-09-10 11:47 AM Posted by: Paul Carleton
BTX
Technologies Introduces Industry's First Field-Terminatable HDMI
Cable-Mount Connector
HAWTHORNE,
N.Y.—March 9, 2010 — BTX Technologies, a global value-added
distributor and manufacturer of interface and integration products, today
introduced the industry's first field-terminatable HDMI cable-mount male
connector. The innovative device allows installers to quickly and easily create
custom length HDMI assemblies of up to 39 feet at resolutions of 1080p, 12-bit
deep color.
For
A/V, home theater, digital signage, or any other application requiring HDMI,
BTX's new field-terminatable connector resolves the issue of fitting a connector
through conduit, and eliminates excess cable behind the rack or inside a wall.
This HDMI 1.4 compliant connector is terminated through the insulation
displacement connection (IDC) process, which requires only a blade and a HDMI
hand tool, and can easily be accomplished with minimal training or skill.
IDC
technology works by mechanically forcing an unstripped conductor into a v-shaped
metal blade. The opening of the v-shaped metal blade is smaller than the
diameter of the conductor that is being inserted. This causes the blades to
spread open and expose the bare copper to the terminating blades, which makes
for an extremely secure and reliable connection.
"Field-terminatable
HDMI connectors have been the most anticipated connector breakthrough for years,
and we are very proud to be the first to offer them to installers," stated
Mark Chernoff, director of marketing and strategic sales at BTX Technologies.
"Until now, installers have had to rely on pre-made assemblies in standard
lengths, because with 19 conductors to terminate, soldering of HDMI connectors
is almost impossible in the field. Thanks to our IDC technology, installers can
now create any length they need up to 39 feet, with lengths of 65 feet attained
using common booster products currently found in the market."
The
BTX field-terminatable HDMI connector, cable, and hand tool are currently
available to dealers nationwide.
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About BTX
Technologies, Inc.
BTX Technologies is the premier manufacturer and value-added distributor of
professional-grade products used to interface and integrate A/V, broadcast, home
theater, data, and security systems. Celebrating its 42nd anniversary, BTX
combines award-winning, cutting-edge solutions with unmatched technical
knowledge and customer service to bring innovation and value to its customers.
All trademarks
and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective
owners.
Posted on: 03-09-10 11:07 AM Posted by: Paul Carleton
Well, I have not banged the membership drum in some time but it looks like the time has come to have to do it again. Because of the economy I have really put off having a membership pledge drive and have not done one in several years. It has hit me just as hard as everyone else here on the SPoT. It has probably been the worst time to ever ask this of anyone.
A little history on Club SPottie Memberships; I first started the SPoT 10 years ago as a place to post my tweaks to my 1st Generation Mitsubishi 65903. Being first generation there were significant issues with this TV. After battling Mitsubishi over the issue for months, I finally jumped in and fixed it myself. At least as best as possible with what they gave us. Soon after a lot of people found out and emailed me for directions to fix their sets. Thus the SPoT was born. We were just a few core members and as we grew members kept asking me to add areas and we just kind of kept growing.
When we hit about 3,000 members, I got a call from my provider saying I was violating all the rules on the community server and our traffic was so high that we were crashing the other sites that shared our server. The alternative was to close the SPoT or go to a Dedicated Server. The problem was a 12-month lease commitment of about $4,500. Well, it was something I could not afford to do and I made the announcement that I had to close. Then members suggested taking memberships. I didn’t think it would work but I said OK. Well, I was wrong, members stepped up to the plate and chipped in and I was able to commit to the lease.
Since then, memberships have been the primary source of revenue to cover the costs of running the SPoT, and as we kept growing so did our needs. Pretty soon we needed two servers which cost even more. I had to pay Website Design, Maintenance, State Taxes, Federal Taxes, Accounting Fees and even employment at one time. As we grew so did memberships so that at least helped, but it again was not enough and it was very hard for me to keep asking the members to contribute more. I started taking on some advertising and that helped as well. Although the problem with advertising was that members then felt they did not need to contribute. Unfortunately the math did not work out that way to support that theory.
Anyway that is how the SPoT works. Unfortunately with the downturn in the Economy, the SPoT has been hit fairly hard. A lot of members have lost their jobs or their jobs have been cut back. Memberships are way down and we have lost all of our small Boutique Sponsors who for years supported us here. Because of the economy they have also had to cut back. It was impossible to get any support from the large companies. Mitsubishi for years threatened lawsuits against me, for having cost them over 2 million a year in additional warranty claims. Let’s face it the big boys didn’t like us tweaking their TV’s.
To make a long story short, we are coming up on our 10th year here on the SPoT. We have a lot of issues that need to be fixed around here. Our server is all screwed up; our email newsletter is not getting to everyone because we didn’t have the proper DNS and SPF records set up. This also caused issues with new members signing up because they never got the confirmation notice because providers like yahoo, Google, msn, Comcast, and Bellsouth were blocking the emails. I also did not get emails from members in many cases in customer support. While I have fixed most of the issues in recent days this is still a problem in some cases.
The Spot is not my primary business, when we have fallen short in funds, my other business as an Estate Planner, allowed me to cover the shortfalls. Well due to the Economy, my Estate Planning business has really taken a hit so I can longer do that. So in order to move forward into the next 10 years, the support of the members would really be appreciated once again.
I am working on membership rewards to make it worth the $25 annual club bronze membership. A bronze membership works out to just $2 a month but it goes a long way in helping us continue to help provide you information when you need it. This will help cover the upcoming lease, the upgrade of the forum software, and additional features members have been asking me to provide.
Thanks for listening and I hope that many of you will continue to support the SpoT or that those who have been sitting on the fence will step up to the plate and become a Club SPottie Member.
Posted on: 03-08-10 01:28 PM Posted by: Paul Carleton
TOP-OF-THE-LINE
DENON A/V RECEIVERS NOWCOMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 7
--
A/V Receivers Now “Compatible with Windows 7,” Featuring Advanced Networking
and Digital Media Streaming Capabilities; All Upcoming Models for 2010 to Also
Earn Windows 7 Logo --
Mahwah,
NJ, March 8, 2010
– Denon Electronics, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of
high-quality home entertainment components, today announced that several of its
advanced A/V receivers are now officially “Compatible with Windows 7,”
ensuring full compatibility with the new Microsoft operating system.Denon A/V receivers that have passed Microsoft-designed tests for
compatibility and reliability with Windows 7 include Models AVR-4310CI
(SRP: $1,999), AVR-3310CI (SRP:
$1,499) and AVR-990 (SRP:
$1,499), as well as the recently introduced AVR-4810CI
(SRP: $2,999) 9.3 channel multi-zone A/V receiver and the ASD-51W
(SRP: $299) and ASD-51N
(SRP:$249) Network Enabled iPod Docks. In addition, all of Denon’s new
receivers scheduled for introduction in 2010 will feature the “Compatible with
Windows 7” logo.
Noted
Jeff Talmadge, Director, Product Development & Systems Integration, Denon
Electronics: “Denon engineers have made web access and interconnectivity high
priorities in many of our advanced components, and we are delighted to be able
to announce official compatibility with the new Windows 7 operating system.
Windows 7 compatibility will let users dramaticallyexpand their home entertainment universe and explore all kinds of
exciting new options. With Windows 7’s ‘Play To’ feature for example,
users will be able to stream music,
video and photos to any compatible device on their network quickly and easily,
without any complicated setup procedure.”
“In
achieving this certification, Denon demonstrates to consumers that their
receivers are compatible with Windows 7 for a seamless and reliable experience,”
said Mark Relph, Senior Director for
Windows Product Management at Microsoft Corp.
Denon’s
A/V receivers compatible with Windows 7 include some of the industry’s most
advanced networking capabilities, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity for
control and digital media steaming.Users
also enjoy an unprecedented level of network
connectivity to many A/V components, including video display products and single
speaker solutions, allowing them to stream audio files, pictures, Internet radio
stations and more through connected devices.
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About
Denon Electronics
Denon
is a world leader in the manufacture of the highest quality home theater, audio
and software products.� Denon is
recognized internationally for innovative and groundbreaking products and has a
long history of technical innovations, including the development and
groundbreaking commercialization of PCM digital audio.Denon Electronics is owned by D&M Holdings Inc.For more information
on the company’s full range of advanced products, please visit www.usa.denon.com.
About
D&M Holdings Inc.
D&M
Holdings Inc. is a global operating company providing worldwide management and
distribution platforms for premium consumer, automotive, commercial and
professional audio and video businesses including Denon®, Marantz®,
McIntosh® Laboratory, Boston Acoustics®, Snell
Acoustics, Escientâ,
Calrec Audio, Denon DJ, Allen & Heath, D&M Professional and D&M
Premium Sound Solutions.� Our
technologies improve the quality of any audio and visual experience.�
All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or
registered trademarks of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries.�
For more information visit www.dm-holdings.com.
DISCLAIMER
Statements
in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may include
forward looking statements regarding future events or the future financial
performance of the company. We wish to caution you that such statements are just
predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Forward
looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding
competitive and industry conditions, market acceptance for the company's
products, risks of litigation, ability to meet targeted launch dates,
technological changes, developing industry standards and other factors related
to the company's businesses. The Company reserves all of its rights.