Turns wired projector into wireless device for controlling presentations from a Wi-Fi PDA or laptop.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA — Black Box Corporation (NASDAQ:BBOX), an industry-leading provider of voice communications, data infrastructure, and product solutions, announced that it will be introducing an enhanced version of its popular VGA Wireless Video Presentation System (VPS), one that supports PDA connectivity and 4-to-1 split-screen projection. It also features a “plug-and-show” token for fast setup by meeting participants.
As with the standard AC1130A VPS system, the new Plus version (part #AC1131A) is an 802.11b/g receiver that plugs into any display device with a VGA port, enabling a roomful of laptop users to access a projector or other device from hundreds of feet away. The Plus version, however, works with both PC and Mac® computers, supports communications with mobile PDA devices, and has features to enhance meeting productivity.
The VPS Plus supports Windows® Mobile 5.0 and above systems for Wi-Fi® links to handheld devices, so users can project images from PDA type devices. “No more lugging a laptop along to a meeting,” says Mario Calabro, Black Box Multimedia Products Manager. “To share information through a projector, just log on from your PDA and begin streaming images from wherever you are.”
The VPS Plus is ideal for anyone who wants more conference room collaboration but doesn’t want to run multiple cables to and from a VGA projector. The addition of the plug-and-show token lessens setup time for individual participants. They simply plug the token into their computer’s USB port and, in a matter of seconds, they can be wirelessly projecting their computer screen onto a large overhead screen seen by an entire room or lecture hall.
Additionally, using the new 4-to-1 split-screen projection feature, up to four users’ screens can be projected through one projector at the same time. “This means you can easily do side-by-side comparisons of different content streamed from different laptops, PDAs, or desktop PCs,” Calabro explains.
A moderator controls the presentation and, using a conference control function, delegates the order of individual presenters and assigns quadrants to each presenter during 4-to-1 split-screen sessions.
The system supports real-time audio and video streaming in MPEG 1/2/4, Divx 3/4/5, Xvid, and WMV9 formats, including high-quality animation at XGA resolution in 32-bit color. Images play at a smooth 30-fps speed.
The VGA Wireless VPS Plus supports automatic DHCP and manual static IP address configurations, and can be used as a wireless access point, enabling mobile users to access and stream information from the Internet or a wireless LAN. For security, the VPS Plus boasts secure login features and Wi-Fi WEP protection.
In addition to Windows Mobile applications, the VPS Plus works with Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista® operating systems, and includes drivers in the USB token for Mac OS operation.
Black Box expects to begin shipping the AC1131A by August and is accepting advance orders for the system.
About Black Box
Black Box is the world’s largest technical services company dedicated to designing, building, and maintaining today’s complicated data and voice infrastructure systems. Black Box services 175,000 clients in 141 countries with 192 offices throughout the world. To learn more, visit the Black Box Web site at http://www.blackbox.com.
Black Box® and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks of BB Technologies, Inc. Any third-party trademarks appearing in this press release are acknowledged to be the property of their respective owners.