August 24th, 2011 Jeremy Scheinberg
Much has been made recently about the convergence of audio, video and information technology (AVIT). While there is certainly ample evidence that these worlds are merging, it is not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that there are new tools and skills to learn. It also means a change in the way we distribute media. In many cases, a centralized control room has given way to distributed media, linked by an Ethernet network for content control and signal distribution.
However, much of the discussion of AVIT centers around PC platforms with the belief that there is some overwhelming benefit to using “non-proprietary hardware” to build a control system. I strongly disagree with this statement for two reasons: Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, embedded systems, show controller, V16Pro
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Applications, Audio and Video, Lighting, Live Shows, Museums, Show Control, Technology Notes, Theme Parks | No Comments »
August 23rd, 2011 Jeremy Scheinberg
As anyone who has visited a theme park in the past few years has recognized, cell phones and other mobile devices are everywhere. It’s impossible to walk around in a museum, theme park or other entertainment venue without running into someone who is looking down at their phone (or more likely, they are running into you – literally!)
So as designers of themed spaces and technology, what are we supposed to do about it? Do we combat the wave of mobile devices in our venues – they are destroying the experience after all. Or do we simply need to take a fresh look at how people are using their devices and figure out how they can add to the experience? Read more...
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Applications, GPS, Live Shows, Museums, People, Technology Notes, Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment News | Comments Off
July 12th, 2011 Loren Barrows
Lighting and Sound America covers the story: Click HERE to read the article.
Tags: Alcorn McBride, Audio Player, binloop, video player
Posted in Applications | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2011 Loren Barrows
Brand Experience, Inter-tain Productions, and the Todd W. Hall Co created this unique AV sculpture for Lockheed Martin. Alcorn McBride’s Digital Binloop HD and a V16Pro show controller were selected for control and playback. What a creative idea! Dan Daley features this install in the latest edition of ProAV. Click here to read it: This Wall is Round
Tags: Alcorn McBride
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Audio and Video, Show Control | No Comments »
June 3rd, 2011 Loren Barrows
If you are heading to InfoComm this year, please stop by! 
We will be showing the new 8Traxx with Ethernet (now shipping) and MediaFlow, simple encoding software for Alcorn McBride products.
On Thursday, June 16th we are hosting a training session on Show Control. It focuses on V16Pro/V4Pro show control programming and Touch, our easy-to-use graphical user interface software. Touch can be downloaded at no charge from our website. For a complete hardware solution, ShowTouch is our rugged and fully customizable touch panel. The 90 minute course is approved for 1 CTS RU. Please email me at loren@alcorn.com for more details.
Hope to see you there!
Tags: Alcorn McBride, Audio Player, new products
Posted in Audio and Video, Show Control, Trade Show Buzz | No Comments »
May 3rd, 2011 Loren Barrows
SCN’s column, “The Way They See It” features Steve Alcorn this month. Click here to view: SCN MAY ISSUE
They have an online version with fun photos from Steve’s archives here: SCN SLIDESHOW
Tags: Alcorn McBride, SCN, Steve Alcorn
Posted in People | No Comments »
May 2nd, 2011 Loren Barrows
Alcorn McBride was pleased to join the well-wishers congratulating Orlando-based Techni-Lux, Inc. on its 20th anniversary. A multi-faceted lighting manufacturer and distribution company, Techni-Lux includes Alcorn McBride products in its product lines. The company’s April 21st open house was attended by some 200 guests who enjoyed a catered BBQ luncheon and a mini trade show where Alcorn Bride joined 25 other vendors in exhibiting their equipment.
“We were excited to be part of Techni-Lux’s 20th anniversary celebrations,” says Alcorn McBride Sales Manager Larry Howard. “The open house offered a full day of festivities, information sharing and a really good group of people. In addition to the equipment exhibits, Techni-Lux scheduled training sessions with their technical department plus panel discussions with industry leaders. I was on the panel addressing ‘21st Century Art & Technologies Integration.’” Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, lighting control, Techni-lux
Posted in Lighting, People | No Comments »
April 20th, 2011 Adam Rosenberg
Editor’s note – Our Engineers are well versed in diverse aspects of technology. Adam Rosenberg took a short break from product development to judge a robotics competition! Very cool! -
I have been interested in robotics since an early age starting with Lego Mindstorms and later at the FIRST robotics competitions. I was introduced to VEX Robotics by my good friend, Ilylia. Ilylia is from Malaysia and is a driving force in her country to spread math and science education through robotics. Read more...
Tags: Show Control, VEX Robotics
Posted in Show Control, Technology Notes, Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 22nd, 2011 Loren Barrows
Press Release on our 25th Anniversary:
Orlando (March, 2011) – Alcorn McBride, Inc., the leading manufacturer of show control, audio and video equipment for the theme-park industry, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, an important milestone for a technology company serving the world’s top theme parks, museums and systems integrators. To mark the occasion the company has launched an improved website (www.alcorn.com) with easier navigation and more offerings, including the latest free software downloads and firmware upgrades for customers.
Founded in 1986 by CEO Steve Alcorn who maintains a hands-on leadership role in the company, Alcorn McBride has thrived thanks to innovative product design, longevity among its staff members and unparalleled customer service.
Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, Show Control, Steve Alcorn, Video Playback, www.alcorn.com
Posted in Alcorn McBride Products, Audio and Video, Lighting, People, Show Control, Themed Entertainment News | No Comments »
March 15th, 2011 Loren Barrows
2010 was a record sales year for Alcorn McBride. In this article, Steve Alcorn comments on the challenges of the AV market and the growth of our company:
February 2011 -The economic downturn of 2008 impacted nearly every aspect of worldwide business, and the A/V installation sector was no exception. Themed attractions certainly saw their attendance fall in 2008—although it seems to be recovering nicely now. Two things helped them weather the storm: guests’ tendencies to take “staycations,” visiting local facilities they might have skipped before; and the addition of major new attractions, Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure being the prime example. Read more...
Tags: Alcorn McBride, AV Industry, Steve Alcorn
Posted in Audio and Video, People, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Much has been made recently about the convergence of audio, video and information technology (AVIT). While there is certainly ample evidence that these worlds are merging, it is not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that there are new tools and skills to learn. It also means a change in the way we distribute media. In many cases, a centralized control room has given way to distributed media, linked by an Ethernet network for content control and signal distribution.
