Communications Specialties, Inc. (CSI)

Fiberlink installation wins Architech's Best Over 1 Million Dollar Award

7/21/2008 -

One thing all great communities have in common is a great gathering place: There's New York's Times Square, Boston Common, Chicago's Daley Plaza, and now Victory Plaza in Dallas.

Completed in 2007 by local developer Hillwood, Victory Plaza is a newcomer to the league of great gathering spots but not a stepchild. In fact, Victory Plaza represents a new era in urban place making that uses gigantic high-resolution LED video screens with a lively mix of digital art, film, news, and other information to attract visitors and keep them there. The high-tech $30 million Victory Park Screens has established the plaza as a unique amenity for Hillwood's new 75-acre Victory Park master planned development in the Uptown district of Dallas.

Victory Park Screens puts a fresh, contemporary face on Dallas and celebrates the culture of its people but more importantly represents a shift in scale and application of media as an effective place making element, notes David Gales, a consultant with Los Angeles-based Vantage Technology Consulting Group and project manager.

It also demonstrates how to successfully merge media and advertising to create a useful message, notes Richard Orne, a principal at Los Angeles-based TFO Architecture and project designer, stressing that design is critical to making commercial messages acceptable in a cultural context.

Read the full story, including all the gear used in the installation, here.

Bennett Liles Discusses the Pure Digital Fiberlink 3150 HD-SDI Series and the Pure Digital Fiberlink 7500 DVI Series of Fiber Optic Extenders

6/25/2008 -

John Lopinto and Derek Miranda at Communications Specialties gave me a great demo of their new 3150 HD-SDI series fiber transmission hardware. It can handle either single or multi-mode for HD and SD with no adjustments and the system has two significant firsts. The whole thing is built on strict adherence to SMPTE standards fo that it can connect anywhere to anyone’s standards-compliant equipment. Secondly, the transmitter performs EQ and reclocking so that as the signal goes onto the fiber, it is as stable as it can possibly be. They were taking a video signal and running it through 250 feet of coax and then into a one kilometer reel of fiber and it looked as clean as the original video on the source monitor.

Next door in the Projection Design booth, all of the large venue displays were taking their video signals through CSI’s 7500 DVI Series of fiber optic extenders. The crowd at the CSI booth pressed in to get a look and it appeared that word had gotten around. John Lopinto told me that the new 3150 series has “caught fire like no other new product we’ve introduced.”

John Lopinto Featured on Sound & Communications Viewpoint Part 2

5/22/2008 -

John Lopinto, CEO and President of Communications Specialties, Inc. was invited to participate in Sound & Communications' Viewpoint Webcast Program. The topic: Standards in the Pro A/V industry.

This program addresses standards vis-à-vis hardware, as well as industry best practices. Our presenters, Mario J. Maltese, CTS-D, CTS-I, CVE, the CEO of Audio Visual Resources, and John Lopinto, the president/CEO of Communications Specialties, Inc., stress the importance of standardization, dispelling common misconceptions and articulating the many associated benefits.

CSI Products Used in Award-Winning Installation

5/15/2008 -

Each year, ArchiTech Magazine hosts the AV Awards in partnership with InfoComm. CSI is pleased to announce that the winner of the "Best Over $1 Million" category, Victory Media Network, used CSI products in this installation.

For more information, please review the June issue of ArchiTech, or visit ArchiTech online at ArchiTechMag.com.

John Lopinto Featured on Sound & Communications Viewpoint

5/12/2008 -

John Lopinto, CEO and President of Communications Specialties, Inc. was invited to participate in Sound & Communications' Viewpoint Webcast Program. The topic: Standards in the Pro A/V industry.

This program addresses standards vis-à-vis hardware, as well as industry best practices. Our presenters, Mario J. Maltese, CTS-D, CTS-I, CVE, the CEO of Audio Visual Resources, and John Lopinto, the president/CEO of Communications Specialties, Inc., stress the importance of standardization, dispelling common misconceptions and articulating the many associated benefits.

Sound & Video Contractor turns to CSI for Discussion of AV/IT Broadcast Convergence

5/1/2008 -

In Sound & Video Contractor's AV over Fiber podcast series, listen in as S&VC contributor and freelance AV specialist Bennett Liles talks with manufacturers, systems integrators, and users about trends in fiber and AV applications.

Bennett Liles talks with John Lopinto, Communications Specialties' president, about the standards that guide the AV/IT/broadcast convergence and realize the dream of universal video without it turning into a video tower of Babel.

Listen to the Sound & Video Contractor Podcast Now!

John Lopinto writes article for Sound & Communications discussing the importance of Standards in Pro AV

5/1/2008 -

The industry needs equipment interface standards!

The issue of standards in our Professional A/V industry is certainly an all-encompassing one. Systems performance and best practices standards, along with certification standards, are certainly a big step forward for the industry. Unfortunately, however, they do not address an equally important need for simple equipment interface standards and recommended practices that are all but not non-existent in our industry.

The lack of standards for how products should interface with each other at a basic mechanical and electrical interface level costs our industry a significant amount of money and time at all business levels. What’s worse is that there seems to be a pervasive attitude, or at least complacency, not to make any effort to address the issue. It is evident the reasons for this have less to do with technology than to protect the self-serving business interests of a few.

To fully understand and appreciate the benefits of an industry driven by standards, let’s briefly review the current state of affairs, what standards compliance means to the manufacturers and what benefits the system integrators and end users enjoy as a result.

Broadcast Engineering Blogs about the new HD-SDI & DVI fiber optic extender from CSI

4/15/2008 -

Communications Specialties Inc. (CSI) is in booth SL8025, which happens to be just across the aisle from the Penton booth (Broadcast Engineering’s parent company) in the South Lower Hall. In the CSI booth, Derek Miranda walked me through a live setup of the company’s new Pure Digital Fiberlink 3150 Series, which allows users to transmit HD/SD-SDI over one single mode or multimode fiber.

The company also offers the of fiber optic DVI extenders. They use no compression or sync stripping.

For more, check out a short audio clip of John Lopinto, president and CEO, talking about the Pure Digital Fiberlink 3150 Series.

Broadcast Engineering Blogs about the new Fiberlink 7500 DVI fiber optic extender from CSI

3/16/2008 -

At NAB2008, Communications Specialties will spotlight its newly introduced Pure Digital Fiberlink 7500 Series fiber-optic transmission system for DVI

over one fiber.

The 7500 Series transmits all single-link DVI resolutions (up to 1920 x 1200) and stereo audio over one single-mode or multimode, non-proprietary fiber, and supports distances up to 9.3mi.

The transmitter features a DVI loop-through for monitor and EDID, and the receiver provides two DVI outputs. EDID can be passed through the loop-through, generated internally, or captured and stored in the transmitter. The system does not use any compression, scaling or color-space conversion and requires no tweaks or adjustments. Units are available in standalone box or rack-card versions.

Pro AV Turns to CSI for Fiber Optic Cheat Sheet

2/4/2008 - With more than a decade of experience in developing fiber optic products for the Pro A/V and Broadcast industries, Communications Specialties, Inc. (CSI) is well positioned as an industry leader in fiber optics. When Pro AV Magazine considered writing a cheat sheet discussing Fiber Optics, it came as no surprise that they would turn to Communications Specialties, Inc.

In this brief Cheat Sheet published by Pro A/V Magazine, you will learn how to measure light loss in fiber optic systems. This is essential to installing and maintaining fiber optic systems.

Download CSI's Optical Power Meter eduGuide

Learn more about the Fiberlink® Optical Power Meter Kit

CSI's Fiber Optics Seminar in Singapore

1/24/2008 - As reported by Systems Integration Asia:

Working with Fiber Optics was the emphasis for all the Communications Specialties seminar held on the 6th of November, 2007 at the Intercontinetal Hotel, Singapore. Mr. Joehan Tohkingkeo, Managing Director of Communications Specialties, Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of CSI, kicked off the event with a brief introduction of the company and the introduction of the speaker. Speaker Mr. John Lopinto, President and CEO, gave detailed insights into technology basics and characteristics of Fiber Optics, the advantages of using Fiber compared to copper, the various A/V applications for consideration and finished off an informative seminar track with a Fiber Termination Demonstration.

Read the remainder of this special feature in the December/January Issue of Systems Integration Asia Magazine

CSI Sponsors Technical Tutorital for NSCA and PRO AV Magazine

3/6/2007 - CSI recently sponsored a TECH Tutorial(TM) insert in Pro AV Magazine, entitled "Fiber Optics in AV: The Practical Side of the Technology". Part of a continuing series published by NSCA and Pro AV Magazine, the course enables industry professionals to earn Learning Units (LU) toward the maintenance of an NSCA systems certification.

The insert contains the core of the coursework and is meant to be read in conjunction with the introductory and advanced information available online. The insert can also be found on the same site. After completing all three sections, readers can download and take the Course Test found on page 7B of the "core" section, then submit it to NSCA in order to earn one-quarter of one LU toward maintaining their NSCA credentials.

CSI's "Fiber For AV" Presentation Now Featured on InfoComm Online Academy

10/5/2006 - Fiber For AV - an eight-part series on fiber optics for the AV industry is now available online as part of InfoComm Academy OnDemand.

OnDemand offers media presentations focusing on specific AV technologies, technical procedures and business practices. The Fiber For AV presentation is given by CSI's President and CEO, John Lopinto, a member of the InfoComm Academy's Adjunct Faculty. It includes instructor video and audio as well as slides that can be paused, advanced, repeated and skimmed.

The entire presentation runs just over an hour and covers the following topics:

Part 1: An Introduction to Myths and Truths
Part 2: Transmitters and Receivers
Part 3: Cable and Connectors
Part 4: Basics of Digital Fiber
Part 5: Advantages of Digital Fiber Systems
Part 6: The Link Budget
Part 7: AV Fiber System Topologies
Part 8: AV Applications Using Digital Fiber

There is a $25 registration fee for InfoComm International(R) members, and a $40 fee for non-members. After registering, viewers have 30 days to access the presentation

CSI Participates in AIA Continuing Education Series

10/1/2006 - The September/October issue of Archi-Tech Magazine features an article sponsored by CSI, Using Digital Fiber in AV Applications. The article is part of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Credit Program. It explains the basic benefits of digital fiber optic systems and gives examples of various toplogies. It also educates readers on how to calculate a link budget. After finishing the article, readers can visit Archi-Tech's website and for a $10 fee, take the online test to earn one AIA/CES Learning Unit (LU), including one hour of health safety welfare (HSW) credit. The course will be offered online through October 2006.

CSI Featured in Pro AV Article on the Advantages of Fiber for Pro AV Applications

12/1/2005 - CSI has once again been recognized as an expert resource on fiber, appearing in a recent article in Pro AV Magazine on the advantages of using fiber optic systems for AV applications. Six Reasons to Use Fiber on Your Next Project appears in the September 2005 issue, and can also be viewed on the magazine's website.

Pure Digital Fiberlink 8000 Series of Fiber Optic Distribution Amplifiers in the Spotlight

8/1/2004 -

Architech magazine showcased the Pure Digital Fiberlink 8000 Series of Fiber Optic Distribution Amplifiers in their August 2004 issue of Architech magazine!

OPTICAL DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER: Pure Digital Fiberlink® 8000 Series four-output optical Distribution Amplifier works with one-way Pure Digital Fiberlink systems, providing infinite signal extension and distribution options. The system receives an optical signal from a transmitter, then digitally regenerates and relaunches it over one to four outputs without any additional degradation to the original baseband video, audio, or data signal(s). Available as a stand-alone box or with an internal power supply, it can support multiple channels on each output and units may be daisy-chained into distribution networks.

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Communications Specialties, Inc. (CSI) in the News