May 9th, 2013 Adam Rosenberg
Although I spend most of my days designing software for our products, I get to take a few days each year creating video content for our trade show booths. InfoComm2013 is just a few weeks away, so this is an ideal time to talk about producing 4K videos. The most important thing I have learned over the past few days developing the content for our booth is:
It is surprisingly easy to create and display 4K video!
The four things you need are:
- resources
- playback device
- editing / encoding software
- a display device
There are already lots of choices out there to cover these requirements, so I’ll just talk about what I used. Read more...
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Audio and Video, Technology Notes, Tips from our Engineers | Comments Off
August 1st, 2012 Loren Barrows
There are two sides to every story, as the tag line for the Mob Museum in Las Vegas reminds us, and Alcorn McBride is helping the city’s newest attraction tell the tales of both organized crime and law enforcement. The Mob Museum is utilizing a full inventory of Alcorn McBride equipment for audio, video and show control throughout its historic 1930’s location, a former federal courthouse and post office.
The museum, which opened in February, showcases the notorious battle between organized crime and law enforcement with high-tech theater presentations, iconic artifacts – including the actual brick wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – and interactive exhibits and environments, including FBI wiretap surveillance and weapons training. The project was designed by Ray Kent, Westlake Reed Leskosky. AVI-SPL was the primary AV integrator, with programming support by Kevin Ruud. Ryan Markus and Nester Ramos, Mob Museum’s AV/IT staff, handle ongoing maintenance and system programming. Read more...
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Audio and Video, Lighting, Museums, Show Control | Comments Off
June 11th, 2012 Loren Barrows
Alcorn McBride Inc. will be making headlines at InfoComm 2012 by introducing three important products, announcing a product upgrade and hosting a Manufacturer’s training session and cutting-edge technology seminar. The company’s booth, C9225, will be located in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In product news, TourTraXX, RideTraxx and AMI/O will make their debut at InfoComm and ShowTouch for Apple iPad will get an update.
A GPS-triggered multi-channel vehicle audio player designed for up to 16 audio tracks, TourTraXX is ideal for pre-recorded bus tours, trolleys, shuttles and trams. It stores clips in MP3 format on CompactFlash for a rugged, reliable and maintenance-free solution to playback needs. It is lightweight (4 lbs.), sized to fit almost anywhere and, with no moving parts, works in high-vibration environments. Once programmed with the free and easy to use GPS Builder, TourTraXX steps through cues automatically as it moves through defined geographical zones.
Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, GPS Triggered Audio, InfoComm 2012
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Audio and Video, GPS, Show Control, Trade Show Buzz | Comments Off
June 8th, 2012 Adam Rosenberg
The TourTraXX is a 16 channel MP3 audio player designed for installation in vehicles. The TourTraXX can use its GPS location to trigger any number of commands such as Play, Stop, Set Volume, Write to an External LCD Display, and more. These commands are entered into a GPS playlist using the GPS Builder software available as a free download from our support software website.
In the past, it was necessary to enter coordinates manually or connect an additional GPS antenna directly to your laptop to retrieve the current location for a GPS trigger. It is now possible to use the GPS antenna connected to the TourTraXX to retrieve GPS coordinates. This greatly simplifies the process of creating and changing GPS triggers because there is no need for an additional GPS antenna. Read more...
Posted in Audio and Video, GPS, Tips from our Engineers | Comments Off
May 30th, 2012 Joy Burke
In the most recent release of WinScriptLive (version 2.0.0.1), you now have the ability to create your own “device variables”. These variables always begin with a prefix of your device name and a period. For example, “myDVMHD.” These variables are found under the normal “variables view” and then clicking on the “device variables” button.
Previously, device variables were only created automatically using the configuration in the product file. Now, you can create your own.These can be useful if you’d like to keep a set of variables for a particular device. For example, you may already have a “device variable” automatically created for “lamp hours”, but you could create your own for “total lamp replacements” or “lowest lamp hours recorded”. Or, in the case of audio, you may have a “playing” variable, but you could also create a “number of times played today” variable for something like a Touch display. Read more...
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Show Control, Tips from our Engineers | Comments Off
May 8th, 2012 Loren Barrows
On Friday, 
June 15th from 1:00-2:30pm we are hosting a training session on Show Control. It is an introductory level session, focusing on V16Pro/V4Pro show control programming and Touch, our easy-to-use graphical user interface software. The 90 minute course is approved for 1 CTS RU. Please call or email me at loren@alcorn.com for more details.
If you need a Free VIP Exhibits Pass to InfoComm 2012, please use our code ALC700 when prompted for online registration.
Jeremy Scheinberg, our COO, is an instructor this year presenting on the topic of Mobile Technology. His session, Personalized Experiences in a Group Environment is on Thursday from 2:20-4:30pm. If you are interested, please visit the InfoComm Education Page for more details. Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, Infocomm, Show Control training
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, People, Trade Show Buzz | No Comments »
April 15th, 2012 Loren Barrows
That time of year again! Scott, Jeremy, Larry, Jim and I are heading to the NAB Show.
The show floor opens Monday at 9am. If you are in town, please let us know. We’ve got a few extra badges if you’d like to see us. We are showing the SetPlayer line and MediaFlow software. 
Our focus in on Broadcast here, but show control is never far…our V16 Pro is running the Sony booth this year!
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April 5th, 2012 Loren Barrows
We will host a free training session for our show control products in Orlando on May 4 from 9 am to 4 pm. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a spot by calling Kara Camp at 407-296-5800.
The full-day training session is designed for Technicians/Programmers and will feature Intermediate level training on Alcorn McBride’s V16 Pro/V4 Pro line of controllers, WinScriptLive!, Touch and ShowTouch.
You will experience a hands-on learning environment that spans our Pro line of show controllers, WinScriptLive! and Touch interface design software. You will gain a broad and deep understanding of how the tools work together to deliver easy to use, maintenance-free show control solutions. Read more...
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March 16th, 2012 Loren Barrows
Ryan McCurdy, Historic Tours of America, is interviewed by SVC in this podcast. It’s a fun interview!
Image credit: HistoricTours.com
Click here to listen: SVC Podcast
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February 7th, 2012 Loren Barrows
At IAAPA, Charles Read caught up with Steve Alcorn and Peter Ed to chat about the past and future of the Themed Entertainment Industry. Results? A fun and insightful article from two industry veterans.
Read the interview here: Theme Park Reflections: A Conversation with Steve Alcorn and Peter Ed 
Posted in People, Themed Entertainment News, Trade Show Buzz | Comments Off
