Volume 10, Issue 18 — September 26, 2013
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Is CEDIA Irrelevant?
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
The annual CEDIA Expo is the industry’s premier HomeAV trade show, where every major manufacturer of home automation, whole-home audio and video distribution systems, HDMI gadgets, HDTVs, projectors and set-top boxes convene annually to show their new stuff. And, the 2013 edition opens this week in Denver, Colorado. We have a handful of reporters there too that will be shooting hundreds of videos as well as blogging and Tweeting about all the new gear via a dedicated CEDIA 2013 website.
For over 20 years, this has been THE SHOW that everyone who makes, sells, designs or just loves home electronics goes to. I remember attending my first CEDIA Expo, a small table-top show (I am pretty sure it was the second expo ever) in San Francisco — then the next year, it was double the size of the San Francisco event and had moved to Dallas. It was basically an adult-toy fair — every gadget you could imagine wanting in your home was there. And, still is.
But, as CEDIA closes in on its 25th show next year, it’s time to take an honest look, albeit a controversial one, at whether or not CEDIA’s Expo is even relevant any longer.
To begin, let it be clear that this column is not, in any way, second-guessing the need for CEDIA as an association. CEDIA is full of amazing people doing amazing things and, first and foremost, protecting the HomeAV integrator community from predatory practices, unfair competition and helping educate them on all new technology. Heck, the first time I ever heard of AV/IT convergence was via a session sponsored by CEDIA. The first 1080p projector I ever saw was at CEDIA Expo. The first 100-percent-filmless, digitally-produced movie clip I ever saw was at a CEDIA event and the first 3D video I ever saw was there too. The association that is CEDIA needs to continue and thrive.
But, is the show (known affectionately by the long-time attendees as “Expo”) still, well, worth the expense? Is there really innovation there that’s worth seeing — stuff you can’t see at your local Best Buy or elsewhere?
Well, let’s take a look at five factors that work against a future CEDIA Expo:
1. Apple: Apple has single-handedly been the worst thing for CEDIA. Prior to the iPod, the music server industry was thriving, with integrators installing $2,000, $4,000 and even $10,000 music servers that were the ultimate in whole-home music power. And, the iPod certainly doesn’t do what those music servers do, but it did put a giant “good-enough” stamp on the entire audio segment of the market. Fast forward a few years and the iPhone and iPad have helped usher in a plethora of companies that have virtually stripped the $1,500 touch panel business away from the HomeAV integration community. Heck, one giant control system manufacturer just told me yesterday it used to make 12 percent of its total profit from touch panels going exclusively to the home market — now that’s down to less than 1 percent. The HomeAV manufacturers have not tried to fight Apple, and have even joined in the iOS craze by making Apple interfaces for their systems and even iPad or iPhone GUIs and apps. But the truth is, these are accessories — not a core business — and, given a choice, the integrator would rather an Apple device be the accessory, not the main part of a system.
And, all this is without mentioning what AppleTV has done to the CEDIA integrator. While Apple spent three years (up until only a month or so ago) calling its AppleTV set-top box a “side project,” it also: quietly drove the invention of the Roku; is THE reason Sony added streaming video to the PlayStation; was the impetus for Google’s Chromecast; and was the reason that Samsung invented its SmartTV line (and then was copied by Sony, Sharp and others). By all accounts, it’s also only getting better. You can deny AppleTV has had an impact, but you’re living in a dream world — nearly 50 percent of the 15 million-plus AppleTVs ever sold were sold just in 2013. And, as I just mentioned, it’s also spawned a dozen or so copies of streaming video options that once were only available via CEDIA integrators in the $5,000 and $10,000-plus range. At $99, who wouldn’t buy an AppleTV or something like it?
Oh, did I forget to mention the future stuff coming from Apple? Think it won’t effect the custom installers? Dream on.
2. Wireless Networks: Although the HomeAV integrator jumped on networking AV gear a full three years before the ProAV integrator did, it’s that very integration that allows clients to stream cheap video and audio via the Internet into their homes. And, all this does is make someone NOT really need source gear (e.g., Blu-ray players — I assume you’ve noticed the staggering decline in sales of these players in 2013, set-top boxes, etc.). It’s all available wirelessly via the Web. Sure, there are network issues that still need to be addressed, speed problems in some places and even quality of content questions — but, is there really someone out there that thinks that ANY source gear other than a video game console will exist by 2015? Nope — it’ll all be virtual connections to Netflix, Hulu, Steam (Don’t know what this is? Well, then no wonder you think that source gear will still be around!) via the wireless network.
3. Simple Home Automation: This one’s a tough one, as I don’t think any of these so-called simple home automation companies (e.g., ube, Leviton, onQ, etc.) have really simplifed anything. The only real winner, so far, is Nest — the HVAC controller. However, collectively, they’ve stripped the home automation market of a giant pile of money. It’s a fact that home automation integration is way, way down in 2013 over 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. An insider at one of the big-three home control companies told me last week that the company did 50 percent of its business in Home AV and 50 percent in ProAV in the year 2010. In 2013, he said that HomeAV would be less than 15 percent. And, it’s not because the ProAV market is growing that much faster. So even though there is no such thing as a simple, DIY or easy-to-use version of a Crestron, AMX or Control4 control system, the market is still suffering.
4. HDMI: The connector that we all love to hate, HDMI, is the homeowner’s dream. An executive at Best Buy told me this week that the box store used to sell twenty-times the amount of $100 HDMI cables that it does now — even though there are a lot more products with HDMI on them. People are buying cheap HDMI cables all over the place. In addition, the fact is that HDMI — like it, love it or hate it — is on everything, and it’s stripped the magic out of complicated AV racks and signal routing products in homes. And now the 4K thingie that we’re supposed to all get excited about is also using HDMI (although 4K is looking a little like 3D hype in the home — unless you’re talking giant screens or 3D 4K).
5. Last but not least, projectors are all really, really good: The flat-panel HDTV market is gone for the custom install market — heck, when we polled HomeAV integrators recently, they told us they buy most of their TVs from Best Buy or online as the stock and pricing commitments are too high for the true CI. And projectors used to be the big differentiator. Up until two years ago, I’d never have considered putting ANY projector in my home theater other than a Sony VPL series. But today I have a 720p BenQ projector (the W770ST) sitting next to my desk right now that actually looks amazing. And, for 10 years I’ve refused to even consider a DLP projector for my home. But I am told BenQ’s W1500 is even better (and it’s 1080p resolution). Honestly, the edge Sony had is GONE. The company’s had the best video processing and projection of high definition images for years, but not any more. It’s now available to everyone thanks to things like Texas Instruments’ DarkChip3, ISFccc Certification and better lenses. The projector isn’t a commodity yet, but pick one, any one and most of your customers will be perfectly happy!
So, what is CEDIA Expo giving you that you can’t get anywhere else? Will it survive the Apple, Samsung, Netflix, DirecTV, Dish Hopper, Hulu and a-la-carte TV future? Well, all that remains to be seen, but if you are in HomeAV now and want to stand out, make a statement and be a leader, there’s no question that the place to be is in Denver this week at CEDIA Expo 2013. CEDIA is still delivering on its promise — the organization’s not only added new emerging opportunities to the CI (for example: home security, energy management and in-home healthcare AV – a future explosive growth market), but they’ve got everyone who’s anyone exhibiting in 2013 — go ahead, type in a name and you’ll find them at CEDIA 2013. The number of exhibiting companies is actually up this year, the number of attendees, pre-show, is up from 2012, and the amount of education at CEDIA is impressive, with seven tracks of courses ranging from business to technology classes. Plus, CEDIA is still the ONLY group supporting (rather fiercely, I might add) the custom installer, despite all the market changes, and you’re benefiting from that, EVEN IF you’re not a CEDIA member and you’re not attending Expo. So you kinda owe it to them to support them back.
So, if you’re in HomeAV, you should have gone to the 2013 Expo. Big mistake if you’re missing it.
If you didn’t make it, we’ll give you the next best thing to being there with our dedicated CEDIA MicroSite where we will post videos from nearly every manufacturer exhibiting — so you can see all the new products yourself. We will also be writing blogs and news stories on all the new AV gear introduced at CEDIA (in fact, we already have posted over 30 new product stories and the show hasn’t even opened).
But you should go ahead and set aside that travel budget to go to Denver next year. Leave a Comment
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ihiji Announces Over 100 New Features for invisionihiji announced today the addition of nearly 100 new features to its cloud-based remote network monitoring and management system, ihiji invision. Most of ihiji’s newest features will be showcased at this week’s CEDIA Expo in Denver and increase visibility and provide secure access to remote installations. Other additions include new manufacturer integrations, detailed user permissions, Power over Ethernet (PoE) reboots and robust remote management functionalities.
ihiji’s NetNinjas will also be on display at CEDIA and include a set of features that allow for simple, one-click, cloud-based reboots of devices such as routers, switches, control processors, PoE devices, IP power devices, and touch panels – all from within the ihiji invision system. ConnectNinja is the newest addition to the NetNinjas suite and is used to establish a secure remote connection with any device on a customer’s network. This support mechanism will provide full remote access to integrators and eliminates the need for complex VPN connections or insecure port forwarding. The ConnectNinja also complements the ihiji invision portal’s newer features, such as fully enabled manageable user permissions across individual sites, which is used to heighten secure site access control.
Also, at CEDIA, ihiji will enable cloud-based monitoring and remote reboot capabilities for DirecTV and Sonos devices as well as products from companies such as SnapAV, Panamax, Middle Atlantic, Pakedge, Planet, Control4, Crestron, Richard Gray’s Power Company and more.
Here they are. Leave a Comment
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rAVe SCOOP: At CEDIA, Core Brands to Integrate DTS’ Play-Fi Technology in Speaker Brands Speakercraft, Niles & ProficientAt this week’s CEDIA, Core Brands will launch modular whole-home systems based on Play-Fi technology, creating what the company is calling a next-generation audio streaming experience for new and currently installed architectural and wired speakers. New products from Core Brands will specifically serve the custom installer market with high-value offerings that enable wireless music streaming to new and existing Core Brands speaker product lines, and even those of its competitors.
If you aren’t familiar with Play-Fi from DTS, you should go here and learn about it (it’s like Apple’s AirPlay on steroids).
CORE Brands is here. Leave a Comment
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Stealth Acoustics Debuts SA2400 Amplifier with Built-in DSP at CEDIAStealth Acoustics will debut the SA2400 at CEDIA in Denver at the end of the month. The SA2400 is a dual-channel amplifier with built-in DSP. Rated at over 450 watts RMS per channel, the SA2400 utilizes Stealth’s Class A/B output stage coupled to a traditional high-current power supply. It also uses the Stealth Signal Management System (SSMS) that allows for complete per-channel programming of DSP features, including 11 bands of fully parametric EQ; high / low pass filters with variable slopes; fully programmable limiters; delay and phase controls. All SSMS functions may be programmed from the front panel, or by using Stealth’s free SSMS software via USB connection to the amplifier. The SSMS includes loadable pre-set optimization tunings for many of Stealth invisible and environmental speakers. Or, dealers may create and store their own favouite tunings for easy recall.
Inputs include balanced XLR, un-balanced RCA and speaker level connections, all of which have associated pass-through connectors as well as an optical audio input.
The complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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JL Audio to Debut E-Series Subs at CEDIA The JL Audio E-Sub powered subwoofers feature a new switching amplifier with a compact switching power supply. This design allows us to keep the E-Sub’s dimensions compact while delivering what JL says is ample clean power that will fully exercise the drivers’ excursion ranges. There are four versions that range from 1,200 to 1,500 watts and list from $1,700 to $2,100.
The E-Sub’s feature set has been designed to allow the use of E-Subs in a wide range of applications, from full home theater systems to dedicated two-channel music systems, to desktop audio workstations. A true, two-way onboard crossover with high-pass line outputs allows the E-Sub to integrate seamlessly with two-channel systems, and high-level inputs even make it possible to add an E-Sub to systems lacking line outputs. Polarity and variable phase controls make it possible to precisely blend the E-Sub’s output with that of your main speakers.
All of them are here. Leave a Comment
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Stealth Acoustics Debuts StingRay Flat Speaker
Stealth Acoustics’ new StingRay 6 is the smallest member of the Stingray family at only 15” wide and less than 4” in depth. Like the larger StingRay 8, the Stingray 6 utilizes Stealth’s proprietary FidelityGlass solid-front radiating surface and carries an environmental protection rating of IP-68 (as measured to IEC), which ensures the StingRay’s internal components are fully isolated from any intrusionof dust or moisture. StingRay is rated to be fully operable underwater for up to 64 hours at 1 meter of depth and can withstand rain, snow, sleet, hail, sun and dust in temperatures ranging from 0 degrees F to 150 degrees F.
The entire StingRay line is spec’d to deliver a Frequency Response of 45Hz to 20KHz and offers 100-watts RMS. It features a 1” neodymium motor for the high frequency driver and a 1” voice coil, 6.5” woofer for low frequencies uses a ceramic magnet. Impedance is 8 ohms and the the StingRay 6 weighs only 12 pounds.
Here are all the specs Leave a Comment
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Autonomic Unveils New Features for the Mirage Audio System
Autonomic will be demonstrating new features of the Mirage Audio System (MAS) at CEDIA, including compatibility with SiriusXM Radio 2.0, Slacker Radio and Gracenote as well as a secure Dealer Portal enabling integrators to gain remote access to their customers’ Mirage Media Servers for diagnostics and firmware updates without having to send a technician onsite.
MAS is a distributed audio solution that’s basically a Mirage Media Server integrated with two digital amplifiers, two in-wall control options and applications for iOS and Android. Autonomic has redesigned its GUI so that users can easily group together multiple rooms, select a music program from their local content or from online music sites.
The Autonomic KP-1 in-wall keypad will offer simple control of volume, source and independent zone power, providing convenient local access to these functions. For more advanced control, the Autonomic KP-iOS is an in-wall keypad mount designed to accommodate the Apple iPod touch.
List for the 4-zone MAS-4 is $4945 and for the 8-zone MAS-8 is $8350 and specs are here. Leave a Comment
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rAVe Scoop: Crestron Intros AIR Landscape Speakers and In-Ground Sub Crestron is introducing a new series of AIR Landscape Speakers (LS4T and LS6T) and In-ground Subwoofer (IGS82T). The AIR family is weather- and water-proof, featuring either 4” or 6.5” coaxial drivers with built-in 70/100V transformers. The speakers can be attached to a post or wall, or staked directly into the ground.
The Landscape Speakers, sold in pairs, are available in bronze coloring and include 19″ stakes. The AIR In-Ground Subwoofer (IGS82T) features dual 8” low-frequency drivers, 22 to 120 Hz frequency range, 200-watt power handling, 8 ohms nominal impedance and a built-in 70/100V transformer. The subwoofer is designed for in-ground placement and includes a bronze textured portal cap.
They aren’t on Crestron’s website as of this writing, but when they are, they will be here. Leave a Comment
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Hansong Debuts WiSA-Compliant HDMI and Audio Hub For Transmitting Wireless Multichannel and Streaming AudioHansong Technology has announced the availability of two new product designs: an entry level HDMI adapter device for transmitting HD surround sound audio and an audio hub device transmitting wireless HD audio from multiple input sources for home theater systems.
The adapter device provides basic connectivity through an HDMI port connected to an HDTV for transmitting wireless HD audio to WiSA-compliant speakers. Additionally, the adapter features Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming and set up. The wireless audio hub provides multiple connectivity options and audio decoding via HDMI, SPDIF, DLNA and Bluetooth from multiple content sources.
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IAV Ships LightSpeaker, Announces RockSpeaker IAV has started shipping its new LightSpeaker, a speaker system that combines LED lighting and wireless sound into a single unit that installs like a light bulb. Designed to fit into most 5” and 6” (R30 or R40) recessed lighting fixtures, they also can be used in common lamps by adding an optional LampKit. Utilizing a proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless technology that is discreet from the home network, LightSpeaker serves as a robust audio network. The full range driver has been customized to maximize the available air volume and digital signal processing to deliver the best possible sound, with depth, clarity and range. And, at CEDIA, they’ll launch something called the Wireless AudioRock System (model: RS5.2.0) — an outdoor rock speaker system that is completely wireless.
IAV says the Wireless AudioRock System can be installed in just a few minutes without running any additional wires. The system includes a wireless transmitter with two source inputs and two separate zone outputs. Additional AudioRocks or LightSpeakers can be added to the transmitter or system at any time.
For more information on the Rock Speaker, click here and for more information on the LightSpeaker, click here. Leave a Comment
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KEF to Debut Wireless Speaker System at CEDIA KEF will launch at CEDIA the X300A Wireless Digital Hi-Fi Speaker System, which is basically a wireless version of the company’s X300A desktop speakers. This speaker system is capable of streaming via Airplay or DLNA from Apple or Android devices and includes four dedicated amplifiers (two per speaker), two discrete DACs and a high resolution 96kHz/24-bit distortion-free digital USB connection (in wired mode).
Configuring the X300A Wireless is accomplished via a ‘setup wizard’ (for OS and Windows), available for download from KEF.com. KEF says the X300A was designed with the ability to switch between desk, free space and desk/wall modes, to adjust the equalization for location (desk and stand modes are selected via a switch on the rear panel of the master speaker; wall mode is adjusted using a foam plug for the rear reflex port).
All the specs on the $999 X300A are here. Leave a Comment
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Stealth Acoustics to Debut Outdoor Subwoofer at CEDIA Stealth is integrating its B30 invisible subwoofer speaker platform into an outdoor version in the form of the completely-sealed StingRay SR430 subwoofer. It uses eight 8-inch high power cone woofers firing actively into four independent, 512-square inch, impenetrable panel faces on the sides of the environmentally protected pedestal style box. This device uses four Stealth B30 subwoofer panels, and fires passively into a fitth sealed diaphragm on the bottom of the speaker to capture rear energy from the eight drivers. In total this equates to more than 2,500 square inches of radiating surface.
It will ship in early 2014 and list for $1,600. More specs will be here following CEDIA. Leave a Comment
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Knoll Q450 Debuts as Four-Input, Four-Zone AmplifierThe Knoll Q450 is a four-source (inputs) and four-zone (outputs) audio amplifier for multi-room audio distribution that’s controllable via keypads a browser or an iOS or Android phone. It’s spec’d to use less than a single watt in standby mode and uses Knoll’s Eco-System.
Each of the four zones or rooms can select any of the four inputs, with individual volume control, bass and treble. Stereo sources can be directly connected to the Q450 or in remote rooms up to 500 feet away, using the optional individual fully balanced remote plates and a single Cat5e or Cat6 wire. These remote source plates can be ordered with or without Bluetooth and the Q450 can be ordered with Knoll keypads (and Knoll remote controls) or RS232 control. It’s all housed in a wall-mount enclosure. There are two versions: a 25-watt and 50-watt.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Screen Innovations Will Debut a 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio Black Diamond Motorized Projection Screen at CEDIA Screen Innovations (SI) has added a new aspect ratio to its Black Diamond Motorized screen line: It’s now available in screen sizes up to 138” and in either a 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Available with either a flush or external mount, the Black Diamond Motorized is a single-motor design with four custom helixes, and a spool of slender aircraft cable that claims to silently lowers a thin wing containing the rolled Black Diamond screen downward from a recessed ceiling-mounted cassette. The cable-hung wing then stops, and from it, a small tube quickly emerges and lowers itself down to an adjustable, pre-determined image height, leaving only the image space in sight. Because Black Diamond screens do not require masking or any black drop material, there is no visible material above, below or on either side of the screen surface, allowing the images projected on Black Diamond Motorized to appear as though they are suspended in air.
Now available in either 16:9 or 2.35:1 configurations, Black Diamond Motorized screens can be effectively used with ceilings that are up to 11 feet in height. 16:9 versions are available in 80”, 92”, 100”, 106” and 110” diagonal screen sizes, whereas the 2.35:1 versions are available in 110”, 120”, 132” and 138” diagonal sizes. And, SI says that custom sizes will be made available in the future.
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Juice Goose Launches IP-Based Power ControllerThe Juice Goose iP 1520 is a microcontroller-based power distribution system that can be accessed via Ethernet or RS232. It allows for individual AC receptacles to be turned on and off, shutting down power to individual pieces of gear that isn’t being used. The iP 1520 has six outlets grouped into three individual “Power Pods” and a 20-amp capacity and provides AC line conditioning and surge protection. In addition, current draw can be monitored from 0.2 to 20.0 amps per power POD.
The iP 1520 can be controlled by the on-board Web GUI via any web browser or it can be remote controlled by RS232. Other features include: automatic power cycle to reboot whenever a network connection is lost, local fail safe sequencing and manual override and it’s housed in a iU high, 19″ wide rack mountable enclosure.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Pakedge to Debut C36 Wireless Access Point Controller at CEDIA 2013This week at CEDIA, Pakedge Device & Software will introduce its C36 macrocell wireless access point (WAP) controller, which the company claims will make it easier to configure and manage every WAP in a large wireless network by using automated, “intelligent” configuration tools.
The Pakedge C36 works with Pakedge’s Global Management software. It expands the performance of Pakedge proprietary technology, including Sectormaxx to improve AP range, Smartwav to enhance data reliability and Trustream to mitigate interference creating seamless wireless harmony. If desired, a separate guest network can be set up. The C36′s Client Identification Tool will give each client on the network a name instead of having to use the MAC address, making it extremely easy for the installer to identify laptops, tablets, mobile devices and wireless handsets.
Complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Connected Yale Real Living Wireless Door Locks Now Shipping Crestron has announced the release of Crestron Connected Yale Real Living residential wirelessly-controlled door locks. Yale, a maker of residential and business locks, now integrates its Yale Real Living product with Crestron control systems to provide direct communication, control, management and monitoring of door locks. This enables homeowners to lock/unlock doors remotely from a Crestron touch screen or a mobile device, set schedules, and personalize access to the home.
Using Crestron infiNET EX wireless protocol, the new Yale Real Living wirelessly-controlled door locks can receive commands and even communicate with the other devices through the Crestron control system, with very little programming required. Doors can be locked/unlocked from anywhere in the house, using a Crestron touch screen or remotely using the Crestron app for mobile devices. When the door is locked/unlocked, the Crestron system can simultaneously turn lights on/off, adjust shades and temperature, and set the alarm. The locks are illuminated for convenient night time entry and can be used on all standard doors.
Homeowners can also give access to individuals every day or create a schedule to allow guests to enter the home on certain days. Each family member and guest receives a unique pin, so the homeowner can monitor system activity (up to 250 users). Adding/deleting individual users is a simple task. The system can also monitor door position, battery status and alarm status. A Crestron Connected device is recognized natively by the Crestron processor and allows for full control capabilities out-of-the-box, without any special drivers or modules.
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Crimson Debuts Mount for 70- to 90-Inch Displays Crimson AV will debut a new line of mounts at CEDIA, dubbed the Robust Series, to accommodate 70- to 90-inch TVs weighing less than 200 pounds. RST90 is a tilt model; RSA90 is an articulating model, and RSF90 is a flat mount model. Lateral shift and post-installation leveling facilitates perfectly positioned TVs, while an integrated cable management system preserves design aesthetics. Each model comes with a 400×400-millimeter interface and is expandable to 400×600-mm when the optional AD600 VESA Adapter is used.
- The RST90 is a tilt mount with triple stud mounting that facilitates the most secure installation possible for heavier large-format 70 to 90″ TVs. Details are here.
- The RSF90 is a flat mount with triple stud mounting that facilitates the most secure installation for heavier large-format 70 to 90″ TVs. Details are here.
- The RSA90 is an articulating mount with a heavy-duty dual arm scissor action that provides better balance and smooth movement for large-format 70 to 90-inch TVs. Details are here.
All three of them include a horizontal slide mechanism that helps center the TV on the wall as well as post-installation leveling that compensates for uneven ceilings and enables a perfectly positioned TV.
Crimson is here. Leave a Comment
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Wilson to Debut New 4G Indoor Cellular Signal Booster at CEDIAWilson Electronics told rAVe today that it plans to announce new 4G signal booster designed to future-proof installations for the residential and commercial installer markets. Dubbed the CI 2070, Wilson says it boosts 4G, 3G and even 3G and EDGE networks in places with virtually no service. In addition, it supports LTE in North America and allows for coverage indoors for up to 80,000 square feet.
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Screen Innovations Announces Black Diamond Rear-Pro FilmScreen Innovations (SI) will announce at CEDIA a new film-based projection screen material, dubbed Black Diamond Rear-Pro Film, which is a light-diffusing rear projection film that can be applied to any transparent surface (like a window in a retail store) to turn it into a projection surface.
SI’s Black Diamond Rear-Pro Film is available in 60” x 99’ rolls that ship on a 2-inch core or it can be purchased already laminated to glass or acrylic as a finished solution. A typical installation might be on an attic wall or even a garage wall for a unique outdoor movie experience, but the options are extensive.
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Elite Screen’s PolarStar Claims Ambient Light Rejecting Projection Screen with Polarized 3D CapabilityElite Primevision says its PolarStar is a screen designed for 3D applications that includes ambient light-rejecting projection screen with 3D polarization. It uses Elite’s Airbright 5D material that’s a highly reflective surface coated by a gray diffusion layer. This angular-reflective screen material has a brightness of 1.8 gain and a 120º wide viewing angle. The material is an unsupported PVC (tension) multi-layer screen fabric in Silver-Gray that has a reflective compound, which is polarized to allow its use in active or passive 3D presentations while claiming to maintain 92 percent polarization levels.
All the complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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BlackWire Designs Debuts New SafePlug Smart Energy Electrical Load ControllerBlackWire Designs’ latest introduction is called SafePlug 1313 Electrical Load Controller. With the ability to monitor energy consumption and control electrical loads, the new 1313 also provides automated on-off control of pumps, water heaters, HVAC, lights, fans, heaters and many other loads based on schedule, remote commands or local button pushes — all controllable via the ZigBee Standard radio communication.
Designed for residential applications, the SafePlug 1313 offers control over anything 100 to 220 volts and up to 30 amps, therefore even appliances can be controller, including common household items such as an electric water heater or electric dryer. And through simple integration, the 1313 can easily be installed at the circuit breaker panel or inline at the load’s junction box.
The SafePlug Model 1313 Load Controller is available in different versions for one, two or three loads for 120V (single or 3 phase) or 277V (3 phase) and 30A current, enabling control of one or two-speed motors up to 3hp. For even larger loads, the SafePlug Load Controller can also drive external relays for more than 30 amps.
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rAVe Scoop: Crestron to Debut 4K HDBaseT Modules for DigitalMedia at CEDIACrestron will debut at CEDIA Expo a new family of HDMI over HDBaseT extenders, which transmit and receive 4K content using standard CAT5e/UTP cables. Crestron says it’s upgraded its DigitalMedia matrix switchers to handle 4K resolutions (4096×2160).
The HD-EXT3-C and HD-EXT4-C are specified to support 4K content and can transmit HDMI long distances (up to 330 feet, or 100 meters) via HDBaseT using standard CAT5e/UTP cable. Transmitters may be mounted in a single gang wall box and are available with black or white faceplates. They can also be rack mounted.
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DVDO Intros 4K HDMI MatrixDVDO is launching the new Matrix6, a 6-input by 2-output HDMI matrix switcher that’s capable of routing resolutions up to 4K (4096×2160). Two of the inputs are MHL-HDMI ports. Also, two digital (S/PDIF optical and coax outputs) audio ports are also provided (for connection to external soundbars) in addition to the audio embedded on the HDMI ports. In addition, the switcher provides RS232 control, IR control and even USB control.
The Matrix6 will be available in Q4, 2013 at list price of $499. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Extra Vegetables Shows Two-way URC Total Control IP Media Modules for Roku, Dune and PopBox at CEDIA ExpoExtra Vegetables has announced that a trio of URC Total Control modules for Roku, PopBox and Dune HD will debut at CEDIA Expo later this week in Denver.
As well as providing control, all three modules provide tailored graphics for the URC touch panels, remote controls and iOS Apps straight out of the box. For example the Roku module will automatically display Roku channel logos on all URC interfaces. If the customer adds another Roku channel it will automatically be added all the URC interfaces. Both the Dune and Popbox drivers display player state information and progress.
Extra Vegetables will also be previewing full movie database integration with URC Total Control.
The beauty of these media modules is that they require minimal set-up by the installer. All the installer has to do is bring the module into URC Accelerator and make the connections. The graphics are automatically tailored for each media player while maintaining the familiar look and feel of Total Control.
The module is simple to install and enables the following features in Total Control:
- Enables easy channel selection direct from a URC remote, touch panel or iPad.
- Logos of channels appear automatically on the TKP-2000 and TKP-7000 touch panels, URC iOS Apps and TRC-1280. If the customer adds or deletes channels the logos automatically update on the URC interface.
- Keyboard for search and browse on URC touch panels and iOS Apps. Eliminates the need for tedious and slow searching via point and click on the TV screen.
- Full transport controls
- Complete integration possible via the power of URC Total Control. Select Netflix and the home theater comes to life
Dune media players enable playback of stored movies and TV shows. The module enables the following features in Total Control:
- IP control of all past and present Dune players
- Tailored graphics including colored buttons, Mode, Search and Subtitle
- Player state information and real-time playback progress.
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Savant to Debut Entirely New Lineup of Multi-room Distribution Products at CEDIAAt CEDIA, Savant Systems will launch a new family of multi-room media distribution products composed of three video distribution systems (8×8, 8×6, 8×4), an audio distribution system (32×20) and two HDBaseT receivers.
Video Switches: Savant’s three new SmartLink HDMI matrix video switches leverage HDBaseT 5Play technology, which allows integrators to use a single CAT5e/6 cable to deliver uncompressed high definition video, audio, control and power across 100 meters of cable length. Savant’s SmartLink technology is designed to ensure easy and efficient interoperability with other certified HDBaseT 5Play products. The three new video switch products are designed to be controlled using an Apple iOS device equipped with Savant’s TrueControl apps. The open control protocol of these new devices gives integrators the flexibility to upgrade their customers to a Savant video switch regardless of the existing control environment. The broad range of available control ports facilitates easy management of all audio and video sources, and the HDMI inputs can split off audio to send to a Savant audio switch for whole-house distribution.
HDBaseT Receivers: Savant’s new HDBaseT receivers are designed to connect the full HDBaseT 5Play feature set in any room, including video, audio, control, power and Ethernet all over a single Cat5e/6 cable. The receivers are available in two form factors; an in-wall solution and a slender standalone module designed to fit in the space between a flat panel display and the wall or mounting surface behind it. The functionality of both versions is identical, allowing integrators a greater range of installation options. Savant’s new HDBaseT receivers, paired with any of the new matrix switches, will deliver convenient, cost-effective audio and high-definition video distribution on a single cable path.
Audio Switch: Savant’s new SmartAudio SSA-3220 32×20 switch is the ultimate distributed audio solution housed in one compact 2U rack-mountable design. The SSA-3220 includes 16 analog and 16 digital selectable inputs, 20 outputs (16 analog plus four S/PDIF) for passing analog line-level audio to an external amplifier. Both analog and digital audio conversion capabilities are standard and both analog and digital audio is available simultaneously on each output for maximum flexibility. The broad range of selectable analog and digital inputs makes it simple to manage a large number of audio sources. The SSA-3220 incorporates control of volume, balance, and a useful seven-band equalizer (EQ) per zone of analog and digital audio.
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Linear Ships New IP Cameras With Up To 5 Megapixel ResolutionLinear will announce new two-, three- and five-megapixel IP cameras in dome, mini-dome, bullet and box styles at CEDIA Expo. The new IP cameras offer features such as multiple video streams, H.264 video compression, vandal resistant housings, IP66 weatherization rating, wide dynamic range (WDR), auto iris control, two-way audio and PoE power. All cameras are ONVIF 2.2 profile S compliant and integrate to Video Management Software (VMS) systems such as Milestone, Exacq and Avigilon. The cameras also support edge storage with a Micro SD card slot for video recording at the camera.
Linear’s own free software app, called QUADView, is iOS-based (Apple iPhone and iPad) and compatible with Android devices and allows for live view, playback, and configuration remotely.
For sites with less than 64 cameras, an NVMS software application ships free with the IP cameras and enables any PC to be turned into a networked VMS – with no licensing fees.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
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