At Presentation '99, Proxima's Innovative Conference Room of the Millennium Changes the Future of Work Groups

SAN DIEGO, CA JANUARY 29, 1999 -- With three all-inclusive product lines, unsurpassed customer care and value-added programs that exceed the industry standard, Proxima Corporation has long been recognized as a leading force in the multimedia projector industry. During Presentations '99, taking place in Chicago on February 1-3, Proxima affirms its leadership in the industry by demonstrating The Conference Room of the Millennium, an innovative, award-winning concept that demonstrates the changing ways people are working together-not tomorrow, but today.

For The Conference Room of the Millennium, Proxima has teamed with several leaders in the professional AV industry to demonstrate how today's conference rooms can be configured to provide users the ultimate in flexibility and individual control. The Conference Room of the Millennium features a conference table installed with connector panels that allow for computer, video, audio and/or Ethernet connections from each seat at the table. Laptop computers are connected to the panels, each one displaying a different multimedia image. Each tabletop position allows the Conference Room participants to plug in and utilize the entire range of multimedia tools: Internet, network, sound and lighting, and video. An automatic screen serves as the projection surface, and the entire room (lighting, screen, signal switching, etc.) is controlled through wireless LCD touch-screen panel controllers, each of which is capable of controlling the system, available to each participant.

"We're pleased to have the 'Conference Room of the Millennium' as part of the Display and Projection Education Center at Presentations 99," says Scott Heimes of Interactive Personalities Inc., who co-produced the event with Gary Kayye and Jody Thomas of Kayye Consulting. "It's an outstanding demonstration of how technology can be used to improve communication during meetings and ensure team members work together more effectively."

At the heart of the Conference Room of the Millennium is the Proxima Pro AV 9310 projector, a 2100 ANSI lumen projector that integrates seamlessly with all the components of this room. The Pro AV 9310 provides solutions integrators an affordable, high-quality alternative to CRT projectors that will reduce set up time from days to hours.

1.   Proxima Pro AV 9310

Proxima's Pro AV 9310 is designed for flexibility, as is demonstrated in the Conference Room of the Millennium. Here it is being used in both a ceiling mount as well as in a stacked, rear-projected configuration. Stacking the 9310 doubles the brightness from 2100 ANSI lumens to an amazing 4200 ANSI lumens. It displays images in true XGA resolution, and can support VGA through SXGA. The 9310 offers interchangeable input and output modules, and a wide selection of optional lenses.

2.   Altinex - Wall Plate Interfaces

Altinex provides the wall plate interfaces that are installed directly in the conference room table. Computer, video, and audio signals are routed through these to a system rack. Meetings can be much more interactive, since these completely universal wall plates allow anyone to connect any computer they have. Best of all, Altinex wall plate interfaces can be installed anywhere in the room, for a truly customized connection solution. In addition, Altinex is providing the RGB, video and audio routing switcher hub that allows the signals to be distributed anywhere in the room.

3.   Crestron - SmarTouch Control System

The Crestron SmarTouch Control System is a total, integrated solution for wireless remote control of virtually any electronic equipment.

4.   Faroudja Labs - Video Processors

Faroudja provides the video processors that convert low resolution NTSC from a DVD player to high-res 1024 x 768 non-interlaced video. This provides for super-high resolution video playback of the DVD players at 1024 x 768 (the native resolution of the Proxima 9310). In addition, if the source video is mastered digitally, it provides for a noise-free signal playback-something never before seen on an LCD projector.

5.   Da-Lite - Electric Screen

Da-Lite's 96" diagonal electric screen offers a bright, highly reflective surface for the Pro AV 9310 to project upon, and includes a power supply to allow for operation up and down. Da-Lite's electric screens can be concealed-in-the-ceiling, wall or ceiling hung. Da-Lite offers the world's widest selection of electric screens for the ultimate in convenience and professional presentations.

Proxima product marketing manager, Jeff Jaramillo, will be guest panelist addressing the trend toward ultraportables in the projection industry, further confirming Proxima's leadership and expertise in the multimedia projection industry.

Founded in 1982, Proxima is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASK asa of Norway (Oslo:ASK). Proxima is committed to delivering the right product, to satisfy customer needs, at the right price. Proxima develops, markets and sells world class presentation solutions to benefit corporate enterprises, work groups, mobile professionals, trainers, and professional public speakers. Proxima award-winning multimedia projectors include ultraportable, desktop and fixed-installation professional projectors that increase the efficiency and productivity of business meetings, on-the-road electronic presentations, training, and interactive work group sessions. Proxima's web site is located at www.proxima.com. Proxima also sponsors Presenters' University with tips, tools and techniques for presenters at www.presentersuniversity.com.