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Volume 10, Issue 7 — April 11, 2013
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Sony 4K Media Player and “Low Cost” TVs Set Sights on UHD Market
By Steve Sechrist
DisplayDaily A new Sony 4K Media Player (FMP-X1) selling for $699, and two new price-breaking UHD sets were announced by Sony. The 4K media player will bundle UHD technology and content from Sony’s television, film and production / distribution unit, Sony Pictures Entertainment, in a “studio play.” The company is charting a path in the consumer TV space using new ultra high definition displays and content to differentiate its offerings.
UHD is a “green field” in the CE space for Sony looking for a way to re-start its CE TV business amid Japanese and Korean rivals and the onslaught of China brands from both mainland and Taiwan. Sony said it will sell its new LED-based LCD sets in 55- and 65-inch with UHD 3840×2160 pixel resolution at new “affordable” prices of sub-$5K for the 55-inch diagonal UHD set (XBR-65X900A) and sub $7K for the 65-inch (XBR-65X900A). Details were made public in an April 7th press release and on the official Sony blog site.
Sony said its UHD TVs and 4K Media Player content is available for viewing now at select Sony Stores with delivery of the 55- and 65-inch UHD sets expected just prior to summer. Pre-orders are available from April 21st on the SonyStore.com web site or at the specific retail locations in California (LA, Costa Mesa, Palo Alto), New York (NYC), Texas (Houston) and Nevada (Las Vegas).
Content is King
Meanwhile, for UHD TV adoption, analysts predicted the biggest hurdle would be UHD content and that’s where Sony Pictures unit comes into play. The 4K Media Player will come pre-loaded with bundled content from Sony Pictures that is mastered for the higher resolution sets. Sony said the FMP-X1 will include remastered 4K native resolution versions of:
- Bad Teacher
- Battle: Los Angeles
- The Bridge over the River Kwai
- The Karate Kid
- Salt
- Taxi Driver
- That’s My Boy
- The Amazing Spider-Man
- The Other Guys
- Total Recall
The group will expand content in 2013 (TBA but “Fall season” was mentioned) using a PPV (pay per view) distribution service that will offer up to 4,000 titles from Sony Pictures alone. But don’t expect to dial in Netflix or Hulu to get UHD native streaming over the Internet just yet. The bandwidth requirements will limit UHD content for these sets, and it’s still not clear just how the 4K titles will be distributed (via disc and mail?) or if they are using video compression combined with a “trickle to hard drive” scheme. The point is, we don’t expect to see real-time 4K video streaming over the Web anytime soon. So it may be back to the mail (via Netflix original model) and / or waiting for an overnight download to watch a 4K film.
Sony also said it will use the opportunity to re-launch 1080p Blu-ray titles using a “Mastered in 4K” moniker with the promise of 1080p versions that are “…derived from the highest quality 4K source material with new expanded color, …dynamic and vibrant picture, …and plays back on all existing Blu-ray players and HDTVs.”
UHD exploded on scene last quarter at CES with remarkable product coverage particularly by the China brands (Mainland and Taiwan.) At the time, most analyst saw the move to UHD as a way for flat panel set makers to boost declining ASPs (average selling price) of HDTVs, and perhaps gain an early market position in a flat-panel TV field dominated by Korean rivals Samsung and LG. All the while, content was seen as the gating issue, perhaps pushing out the UHD TV adoption by a year or more.
Now, clearly, Sony is using the new UHD format to help get to market early with a differentiated product that leverages its unique position in both consumer electronics and TV / film production / distribution. So it’s sooner rather than later for UHD with Sony leading the charge, with this complete 4K media player / display solution and the hopes to reinvigorate the once untouchable brand and bring back the glory days of “Sony-No Baloney.”
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Losing Dollars in Pursuit of Pennies
By Adam Levy
Senior Vice President, SnapAV Recently, a coworker here at SnapAV was telling me about his experience with a pool maintenance company he had hired a few weeks back (shortly after moving into his house). They came out and cleaned his pool, as expected. They also let him know that there was a small part on his chlorinator that needed to be replaced. Not to worry, they assured him. They'd get the part and fix the issue in two weeks when they came back for the next service… all he had to do was OK the $89 charge for the fix. No problem.
Now, because he just moved into this house and he's a first-time pool owner, my coworker also decided to educate himself about what this part did in his pool. Turning to Google, he quickly looked up the part. It looked like a screw-on cap (like on a bottle of juice) and based on the video he saw, it installed like one, too. And it was available for purchase for …$2.39. Problem.
He did the math. It was going to be installed during a routine service call that he was already paying for. The installation looked like it took about 20 seconds. It was available for $2.39 retail price. Hmmmm. Suddenly $89 went from feeling like a small expense, to feeling like a highway robbery. He ordered the part himself and invested the 20 seconds to screw it on. He had saved $86 and change, but he wasn't happy at all. Trust was eroded. Questions were asked. Conversations escalated. And my coworker… well, he decided to use a different company for his pool maintenance — to the tune of about $1,500 per year.
Some of you reading this might think my coworker wasn't being fair. And others might think the pool maintenance company wasn't being fair. Here's what I think: It doesn't matter who was fair. The real point is imagining how ELSE the scenario could have played out:
Imagine if the pool maintenance company said to their brand new customer, "Sir, during our last routine maintenance, we noticed that your chlorinator needed repair. It's a relatively inexpensive part and takes no time to install — but to roll a truck to come out and change it would typically cost about $90. Since we were already there we just went ahead and took care of it, at no charge."
Sure, this kind of thing doesn't maximize short term profits for the company — after all, they would have lost a chance to make an easy $86.61 in profit. But what they do gain is much more valuable: trust, appreciation and loyalty from a new customer. For a minimal $2.39 expense, they would have created an opportunity to PROVE that they provide GREAT service. And they would have made it much easier to ask for money – real money – in the future.
I've written things in the past about the value of surprising and delighting customers with little free things (like here). And while I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't charge for your time, effort and experience, it is worth considering the situation from all angles (how much personal "equity" have you built in the relationship, for example) before you decide WHAT to charge. Have thoughts on this topic? I'd love to hear them.
This column was reprinted with permission from SnapAV and originally appeared here.
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Share Article Back to Top Home And Consumer Shows: Groaner Or Winner?
By Lee Distad
rAVe Columnist Spring is in the air, and that means two thing: first, home and consumer shows popping up at convention centers and exhibition halls in cities large and small. Second, it means marketing people from the shows reaching out to you, the business owner and trying to sell you on buying a booth at their show.
They may not be as huge as they were during the housing boom, but home shows, renovation shows and other sundry consumer shows are still, ultimately, an important source of income for the promoters who make a living putting these shows on.
Go back and read that sentence again. Keep it in mind when talking to a marketing person from home shows, or reading their sell sheet of demographics, in front of which they promise a booth will put your company.
I’m not against home shows, far from it. Just bear in mind that the number one priority of exhibition promoters is to make money for themselves. I don’t begrudge them that, obviously. Just keep in mind that your goal (make money for your company) and their goal (make money for themselves) are not necessarily going to match up.
I’ve worked a lot of consumer shows, and they can be hit and miss. However, if you follow some basic advice and work from a plan and system you can tip the scales in your favor and do better than if you just wing it.
First, involve your vendors. It’s always better to spend someone else’s money than your own. Some vendors are more enthusiastic about it than others, but many vendors have marketing dollars they’ll provide, assuming that you can present them with a sensible marketing plan.
If you can round up 50 percent or more of the cost of the show from your suppliers, that goes a long way to improving your potential ROI.
At the show, your booth has to make an impact, but do it simply. The best booths make a branding statement. A show goer should know instantly what your business is. And you need to dazzle them – with big screen TVs, big speakers and leather furniture, which shouldn’t be too hard.
But keep it simple. Booth clutter is ugly and distracting. You don’t need every single size of flat panel on display.
Create a room setting, focus on one amazing concept, and generate an inviting, exciting atmosphere in your booth.
Oh, and only staff your booth with extroverts. I still spend a lot of time at home shows. Walking the halls, I see two kinds of booth people working booths: ones who are obviously friendly, happy salespeople and quiet, people trying to hide at the back of the booth.
Your company is there for a reason: to meet new prospects, and drum up leads. So everybody there should be a salesperson.
Oh, and put your phone away. The most important customer is the one right in front of you.
Remember why you’re here: generating leads.
So how do you do it? Many companies use a free draw for a prize as a way to get names, addresses and phone numbers from prospects. I disagree.
In reality, show goers fall into two basic groups; prize hunters who fill out a ballot at every booth in the show, and have no interest in your services, and people who won’t fill out ballots because they don’t want to be cold called by you.
Not only that, cold calling thousands of people is a complete waste of time, and mailing a brochure to those same people is a waste of money. You want quality leads, not quantity.
This is exactly why you need your salespeople working the booth: They know how to find quality leads in conversation with passers-by.
If they do their job with show goers; generating interest and taking names and numbers for future follow up, it’s a fact that you’ll get better warm leads, and a better closing ratio than just assaulting everyone who left their name at your booth.
Never forget: Time is money. Not only that, money is money. Planning and executing a home show booth will cost you both. And if you’re going to be spending it then you need to earn a return on it.
Lee Distad is a rAVe columnist and freelance writer covering topics from CE to global business and finance in both print and online. Reach him at lee@ravepubs.com
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WAVE Feature: Marla Suttenberg, A Woman in AV Pioneer
By Jennifer Willard
Founder, Women in AV I had the honor of interviewing Marla Suttenberg, 2013 Women in CE Award winner and owner/principal of Sapphire Marketing, a manufacturing representative firm, offering leading-edge AV solutions to both the commercial and residential side of the industry in the Northeast. She is an inspiration to all of us women who want to one day be a female business-owner, especially in a male-dominated market where few women, or men for that matter, have the insight, wisdom and experience she brings to the table about both Pro and CE sides of our industry. She's a firecracker and someone who truly makes you question, “What IS it stopping you from living your dreams?!”
Jennifer Willard: Please tell us about your background. When and how did you get started in the AV industry? How did it feel being a woman in a male-dominated industry? Have you seen any evolution over the years and where do you feel we are at now?
Marla Suttenberg: It was a total fluke – I fell into it. It was the summer of 1978 after I graduated college, and I was deciding whether to go to graduate school to be a psychologist. But I also needed to make money, and I was presented with an opportunity to open a NYC sales office for a Midwest ‘filmstrip’ manufacturer as the inside sales coordinator.
After a year of being on the ‘inside,’ I was fortunate that my boss thought I’d make a great outside salesperson as well, and after a few ‘old salesman pointers,’ sent me on my way. At that point there were hardly any women in the industry, especially not outside sales representatives. Luckily, I enjoyed being out of the office, meeting new people, and talking about how my products were the best on the planet and could solve the world’s communication and training challenges.
Being a road-warrior took practice, and sometimes nerves of steel, and I learned to feel comfortable eating at a restaurant by myself, walking down a dark hallway to a hotel room, and even sitting at the bar to have a drink (with my head in a book of course). My kids can’t believe that I’ve actually been to movies by myself while on the road!
My most humbling experience was when one of the larger NYC dealers invited me to lunch to get to know me better. The check for lunch came, and I let it sit on it the table for a few minutes since he was the one who invited me (and he was the man and I was the woman??). After a few more awkward seconds, which felt like an hour, I picked up the bill and offered to ‘split’ it with him. Hey, I thought that was ok since I was used to going ‘dutch’ with my current boyfriend at the time. He proceeded to lecture me on how it was MY responsibility to pay, since HE was the customer. I was so embarrassed and realized how wrong I was… The good news is, I certainly learned a lesson, and he’s still one of my customers today!
Most of our commercial dealerships that were family-owned were often passed down to the ‘sons’ in the family – I can only name one or two daughters who currently run their family businesses. The residential dealers are generally still first-generation, given that it’s a newer marketplace, and the overwhelming majority of the owners are men.
When I first started, most women (including myself) were more like ‘detail’ salespeople, i.e., we’d check the pricing station to make sure they were current, and re-stack literature racks to make sure our brochures and spec sheets were up to date. Today, our roles need to be more “consultative” and technical in order to succeed. A dealer has the Internet for pricing and product specs – what they need from us is suggestions on ways in which they can become more profitable with our products, and us sharing interesting applications that other people have been successful with.
Early on, I experienced a great deal of satisfaction when I knew more about my products than my customers did – which seemed to make them respect me even more. Even today, some men seem surprised when I know what I’m talking about when taking a deeper dive into a product/application discussion. I probably try twice as hard to be good, but get twice as much respect in return.
I believe that the IT channel has brought more women to the A/V side — perhaps because there are actual college courses being offered? Although I think these women are mostly on the end-user side within the corporations and/or universities.
JW: Please tell us about your business, it's history, how you've evolved, what market you serve and what you do for the AV industry?
MS: Sapphire Marketing is a manufacturer's representative in the AV/IT market, supporting both commercial and residential integrators, specifiers and users in the northeast. We celebrated our twelvth year in business this past January. Since I’m responsible for both the commercial and residential space, I have separate sales forces covering each market. I pride myself on having the most experienced, knowledgeable and resourceful salespeople in the industry. And of course, I have women in both channels! I also have a small office staff to handle inside sales support for the dealers, and another person who runs the company from an administrative standpoint. One of those women, Lainie Mataras, has a very important and unique role for a manufacturer’s rep. She is Sapphire’s official consultant liaison, a position most of my manufacturers’ don’t even have. This is such an important position for us, as many of the global, influential consultants have headquarters in the northeast. Prior to joining Sapphire seven years ago, Lainie spent 14 years at Crestron, primarily dealing with the consultant community, so she is very well known and respected by all.
We support and attend all of the national industry trade shows, and I’m a member of InfoComm, CEDIA, NSCA, CEA and of course, Women in AV and Women in CE. I’m on the board of directors and the membership chairperson of IPRO, a professional sales representative organization. I’m very passionate about my support and endorsement of symbiotic relationships between independent manufacturer’s reps, and the manufacturers who hire them.
JW: How do you see the AV industry in being welcoming and/or encouraging women? What, if anything, do we need to do to bring or open the possibilities for women to want to join us and make a career of AV?
MS: When I first started, and even now to a certain extent, I struggled with my male clients who would preface our conversations with "How are your kids?" or, "Sorry to bother you with a business question, but…" I then decided that although it was great that I was ‘friends’ with my clients, but I needed to present a more professional front so they would respect my position as a businessperson. And I knew they didn’t really care about my kids anyway, nor would they ever preface a conversation with a male counterpart with the same question.
I think companies need to invest in intern programs to recruit bright young women, and look to the local colleges and universities to recruit candidates. Some of these kids will even work for free in exchange for college credit and to build up their resumes. Target the MIS, Engineering, Business, Theater departments — anything that involves IT, communication, facilities, etc.
I also think that now’s a great time for women to enter the field as it’s become much more mainstream – who can actually ‘survive’ in today’s fast-paced information world without having a fairly decent understanding of how computers & tablets work, IT networks, streaming content, cloud-based services etc.? Even our kid’s schools are promoting a BYOD agenda.
Many of the women I encountered throughout my career were generally on the end-user side, and most of them came from the production or broadcast arena. Today, the majority of women I meet come from the business and/or IT channel. One of my closest industry friends, Elizabeth Taaffee Collins from Sonic Foundry, actually worked for the Venture Capital company that invested in them. She had a business degree, along with an innate understanding of technology, which are a very powerful combination.
JW: You are elite in being involved in both the consumer and professional side of our industry. What are the differences, similarities, and where do you see the two markets headed?
MS: Elite — more like masochistic!? It’s like running two entirely separate companies. The dealer channels think and react differently, the competitive landscapes are totally different, ‘best practices’ are totally different, and the personnel needed to be successful are also totally different. What’s similar is the use of technology to automate, communicate, entertain and be more productive.
When I first started and couldn’t afford two separate sales teams, it was a disaster! The dealers hated my reps, and vice versa! Fortunately, as I mentioned earlier, I now have salespeople supporting both markets (including very competent women in each team of course), which makes it even more interesting, as the worlds are beginning to collide.
There has always been the situation when the ‘rich guy’ wanted his or her ‘home guy’ to do their boardroom, or an executive wanted his or her ‘work guy’ to do their home, but the boundaries seem to be blurring now. I’ve heard the term ‘light commercial’ used to describe some of the new work the residential dealers are doing, like sports bars, clubs, retail, etc. But I have a fair amount of them who have also progressed into serious commercial integration and conferencing projects as well.
I’m fortunate in that I’m able to leverage one channel over the other, based on what’s going on in the real world. For example, after September 11th there was a lot of ‘nesting,’ and people wanting to spend more time in their homes, which resulted in them spending more money for entertainment, security and comfort. The commercial business was at a standstill.
After the ‘crash’ of ’08, there were less Wall Street bonuses to go around, which meant less money being spent on luxury or entertainment items. We did, however, see an increase in lighting, HVAC and shading automation systems because they saved energy, which was satisfying from both a financial and social standpoint. In the commercial world, the Analog Sunset provided us with huge opportunities as corporations and universities rushed to become digitally compatible with the systems they needed to communicate with in the future.
Both channels have their challenges and struggles when immersed in each other’s worlds. I think it’s hard for a commercial dealer to deal with a homeowner in his/her personal space, since they’re used to dealing with employees of a company who aren’t personally invested in their workspaces. And I think it’s frustrating for a residential dealer to deal with purchasing agents, ‘low bid’ mentalities, and often times having to work through general contractors, etc. in a commercial project to get paid.
JW: Most importantly, you won the 2013 Women in CE Award for your achievements and leadership in our industry. What does it mean to you to be recognized, what would you like people to know about being a what it takes to be a women leader in our industry, and what advice do you have for women who want to follow in your footsteps?
2013 Women in CE Legacy Awards
MS: Initially, I was intimidated by the four other women who were honored along with myself for this award, because they worked for huge billion dollar corporations and associations. But then I realized how cool it was that our “niche” market was actually being recognized and applauded!
My advice would be if you have a passion for the technology or business side — you should absolutely pursue the industry. People are still surprised when I open my mouth and spew my technical bits and bytes of wisdom about a product or an application. Right now, technology is hot, and so much more mainstream than it was when I started. iPads, Android, smart appliances, etc. are just a fact of everyone’s lives.
As much as you or I don’t want to hear this, residential dealers are often looking for women salespeople because of the end-user wife influence over the decision-making process for their home. Yes, the majority of the spouses are still women, who stereotypically hate ugly speakers, displays and wall ‘acne.’ There have been quite a few very successful female salespeople who can influence the buyer and sell the benefits of all the nasty stuff their husbands want to install in their home.
From a personal standpoint, there were definitely bumps along the way — like the time my high school daughter defiantly replied, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up…”a housewife so I can be home with my kids, and my husband will make all the money.” Ouch! Insert knife in back, add salt and turn slowly… The happy ending to that is, she graduated college with high honors, and was recruited by multiple firms to work in supply chain (normally a male-dominated position), and is currently happily working, excelling in all she does and making good money. Life is about balance. I made the decision that I would be a better mother if I had a career outside of the home, and I still think it was the best decision I made for my family and me. Technology is exciting, it’s what our kids and society are weaned on, it’s mainstream, it’s a necessity and it’s cool.
JW: What advice would you have for women who want to be a business owner such as yourself, what do they need to know and do?
MS: My best advice is to play to your strengths, and hire the experts to do the rest. I have very talented business people that take care of the operations of the company, which frees me up to do what I love the most — working with my employees and customers to help solve problems and challenges they might be having. Hire the best people you can afford, and make sure they have the same passion and work ethic as you do. They are the face of your company, and can make or break your next opportunity. Although I love all my employees equally, my women employees are my most organized and responsible with reports, return calls, etc.
I had no formal training or experience in running a business; I just ‘borrowed’ the practices I learned from my prior bosses and applied the ones that motivated me when I was an employee. My basic motto is to treat my employees the way that I liked to be treated as an employee, and all will be good. So far, so good.
You have to take risk to get the reward.
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It couldn’t be more fitting for Women’s History Month to have such an amazing woman and business owner to teach us you can do whatever you want and that you will make mistakes along the way, but, with an awesome sense of humor — everything will work out!
To learn more about what Marla and Marketing Sapphire can do for you, visit http://www.sapphiremarketing.com and find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SapphireMkt
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Share Article Back to Top Burkhardt’s Soundcast Deal Falls Apart Jeremy Burkhardt needs to watch out if bad luck comes in threes… First his altercation with Nortek drives him from SpeakerCraft. Now his acquisition of Soundcast has fallen through.
Although he sounded genuinely enthusiastic about the purchase, Burkhardt let a 90-day deal-or-no-deal deadline pass by without completing the deal.
Sources say Burkhardt had the money to close the deal, but the owners got nervous (and perhaps greedy for independence as well as money). While the deal was going down, the company's first two Bluetooth products got a good reception without Burkhardt’s intervention.
That reception convinced Soundcast they could quickly double the company’s sales. The company's portable Melody AC/DC Bluetooth weather-proof speakers will stream music wirelessly via proprietary 2.4GHz technology from a PC or from a tabletop iPod/iPhone dock up to 300 feet away. The other product is a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into existing indoor/outdoor Outcast speakers.
The products, the company's CEO claims, “will be a game-changer for us.” And the management says they have infused the company with capital (but don't really explain how).
Sidelined Burkhardt says, “Things like this happen, and I respect the management team’s decision to not extend the deadline. The past few months have been amazing working with people and products that I love, and my passion for the industry has never been so strong.”
Sounds like there were some flexible terms in the initial agreement to sell that needed solid numbers added and the more the owners thought about it, the more they realized they didn’t really want to sell. Perhaps that reticence expresses itself in more aggressive terms that exceeded what Burkhardt wanted.
Soundcast is here: http://www.soundcastsystems.com/
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Recently from rAVe's BlogSquad Back to Top AVFoundry's New HDMI Test Pattern Generator Ships The VideoForge is a portable test pattern generator that can be used independently or incorporated with Spectracal's CalMAN Software. It provides an HDMI output with video signals you need for testing, calibrating and servicing video displays, including 3D displays. The VideoForge’s features three distinct control interfaces. First the VideoForge utilizes a modern XML-RPC control interface for automated control. Second, the VideoForge features an Adobe Flash-based control panel for interactive control. Finally, the VideoForge can be controlled with a programmable infrared remote for standalone operation.
The VideoForge’s features full 3D support — every pattern can be displayed in a 3D video format. The standard patterns will show the same image in both left and right eye frames. True stereo patterns are available from JPG and PNG files on the SD card. The VideoForge allows on/off gating for left and right eye images independently — allowing for testing and measurement of stereo separation or left/right crosstalk.
Here are all the specs: http://www.avproalliance.com/pages/product-catalog-detail/AVFoundry_VideoForge
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Share Article Back to Top DVDO Intros HDMI Switcher with InstaPrevue Technology DVDO today announced the availability of the company's latest product, the Quick6 x 2 4K Ultra HD HDMI switcher.
The Quick6 HDMI switcher upgrades home theater installations to the latest video connectivity technologies including InstaPrevue technology, which enables a live picture-in-picture preview of each connected HDMI device.
Quick6 offers 300MHz HDMI inputs, InstaPrevue and InstaPort and support for MHL mobile devices. Unlike traditional HDMI switchers, Quick6 is designed specifically to integrate with existing A/V Receivers (AVRs), upgrading the entire home theater with the latest audio and video features and future-proofing with 4K Ultra HD support. The product's dual HDMI outputs can also be used to drive two displays simultaneously. Entertainment enthusiasts will find the Quick6 HDMI switcher to be an ideal product for new and existing home theater setups with multiple HDMI sources and displays.
The Quick6 HDMI switcher features:
- Six HDMI inputs including four (300MHz) 4K Ultra HD capable inputs and two MHL-enabled inputs to connect to mobile devices
- Dual HDMI outputs – two displays or one display and one AVR
- InstaPrevue – Live on-screen previews of active inputs
- InstaPort S Technology – Near instantaneous input switching
- Picture-in-Picture
- Audio Return Channel (ARC)
- S/PDIF optical and coax outputs
- Serial port for automation control
- Automatic switching – three modes
- USB for easy firmware update
DVDO Quick6 is available now with a list price of $399.
For more information, click here: http://www.dvdo.com.
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Share Article Back to Top Triad Speakers Updates InWall Bronze/4 SlimSub Triad Speakers, Inc. today announced the availability of its new InWall Bronze/4 SlimSub.
Measuring 3-15/16 inches deep to fit into a standard 4-inch deep wall cutout, the flat grill, flush mount design of the SlimSub is an aesthetical improvement over the model it replaces, the InWall Bronze/4 Sub, which protruded several inches from the wall.
The SlimSub delivers deep bass at high volumes, achieving a maximum output of 109 dB from 40-80 Hz with bass extension of -6dB at 25 Hz. Triad says this performance also represents an improvement over the previous model and in fact rivals that of the company’s larger, 6-inch deep InWall Bronze/6 model.
According to Triad Speakers President Larry Pexton, the company fine-tuned the sealed enclosure to match the excursion of the proprietary long-throw 10-inch aluminum driver used. Triad engineers also integrated a round steel back-plate that serves to replace the thick MDF behind the driver, capturing more air volume to accommodate the lengthy throw of the driver.
The SlimSub fits into the same cut-out (size "V") as the company’s other in-wall subs, making it ideal for retrofit opportunities. The SlimSub incorporates all three types of Triad’s Acoustimesh grill (wide, narrow and frameless), which the company can custom paint-match at the factory.
The InWall Bronze/4 SlimSub is paired with Triad’s 350-watt rack amplifier (RackAmp 350 DSP) at an MSRP of $1,400. It is shipping now.
To see all the specs, click here: http://www.triadspeakers.com/products/iwb4sub.html
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Share Article Back to Top AudioControl Intros New Director D440, a 16 Zone 100-Watt Amp The Director Model D4400 multi-zone amplifier from AudioControl drives sixteen channels of amplification that deliver 100 watts per channel, all channels driven. The D4400 features on-board digital signal processing, graphic and parametric equalization by zone, network monitoring, and programming and control. It allows individual channel and zone selection via standard TCIP, the ability to bridge the channels up to 200 watts per channel and operates stable into low impedances while delivering incredible power and performance.
The Director Model D4400 has the ability to reside on any network, allowing installers to control and monitor the operation and performance both on-site and remotely. Custom Installers can benefit from the Model D4400's browser-based user-interface to manage and control the amplifier on-site or remotely. The unique benefit of being able to walk the home with mobile devices setting configurable features by zone such as room equalization, bus inputs, establishing dedicated zones plus a multitude of other features that can be adjusted in real time.
The Director's D4400's powerful audiophile digital signal processing (DSP) functionality drives a wide-ranging array of network features, putting control of The Director right into the hands of the installer, including the ability to remotely or live on-site:
- Create and name zones based on the actual configuration of the system.
- Control the amplifier set-up, configuration, monitoring and alert status.
- Calibrate graphic and parametric equalization settings that provide a tailor-made acoustic room set-up for each zone with up to 128 EQ filters!
- Program subsonic filters and high frequency tweeter protection circuits
- Set dual buss inputs with signal source switching over the network
- Monitor live channel status, including temperature and protection modes
- Save and recall memory settings for back-up and fast-start templates
- Group selected audio functions including muting and zone selection
- Use DHCP protocols to facilitate faster network settings and manage multiple amplifiers across the same network
- Introduce Network Device Discovery to simplify set-up via UPnP
- Allow compatibility with Class A, B and C network protocols
Here are the specs: http://www.audiocontrol.com/t36/Distributed-Audio.html
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Share Article Back to Top Sony Announces Ship Date and Pricing for 4K TVs Sony surprised everyone at NAB with aggressive pricing for its 4K (3840×2160) TVs — the Bravia XBR-55X900A (55") and the XBR-65X900A (65") are $4,999 and $6,999, respectively. They will start shipping on April 21st.
Starting today, six Sony Store locations (Century City, Calif.; Costa Mesa, Calif.; Houston; Las Vegas; New York and Palo Alto, Calif.) will be the first to feature the XBR-55 and 65X900A 4K TVs, offering consumers in-store demonstrations of 4K and enhanced (translation: upscaled) video.
This summer, consumers of Sony's 4K UHD TVs can purchase the FMP-X1 4K Media Player bundled with 10 feature films and video shorts in true 4K resolution for $699. In the fall of 2013, users of the same 4K Media Player will be given access to a fee-based video distribution service offering a library of 4K titles from Sony Pictures Entertainment and other notable production houses. The feature films included with purchase of the 4K Media Player are Bad Teacher, Battle: Los Angeles, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Karate Kid (2010), Salt, Taxi Driver, That's My Boy, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Other Guys and Total Recall (2012).
To coincide with the availability of Sony's new 4K Ultra HD TVs, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is also bringing to market a lineup of "Mastered in 4K" Blu-ray Discs.
The 4K TVs include Wi-Fi, upscaled inputs, two pairs of 3D glasses and use what Sony is calling Triluminous displays with X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR960 technology.
More details are here: http://www.sony.com
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Share Article Back to Top Christie Unveils TruLife Electronics Platform Today Christie unveiled its latest electronics platform – Christie TruLife – with a proprietary, 1.2 Gigapixel per second, floating point architecture. Christie TruLife electronics forms the basis for the latest generation of projectors, which the company says is capable of delivering ultra high resolution, high frame rate video with high image fidelity (e.g., 4K resolution image processing at 60 fps and beyond). The current standard digital interfaces such as DVI have a bandwidth of 165 MHz.
With a high-performance electronics engine that leverages the latest in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuits (ICs), the platform is capable of supporting a video-processing pipeline of up to 1.2 Gigapixels per second (GPix/s). Christie projectors based on the new electronics platform will use this very high capacity image-processing power to deliver immersive, hyper-realistic video experiences.
Many industries will immediately benefit from this original video-processing electronics architecture, such as theme-park attractions, visualization “power walls” and flight simulation environments. Christie TruLife electronics can provide customers with realistic experiences, alleviating the image blurring and motion sickness that may accompany these environments.
A common measurement of video-processing power — the speed or rate with which video data is processed, is typically measured in Gigapixels per second (GPix/s). Christie says its platform scales to reach 1.2 GPix/s, which is nearly 10x faster than standard high-def projection and 4x faster than typical 3D projection, as well as double what other 4K projectors are capable of.
Launching throughout this year, Christie projectors featuring TruLife will enable 4K2K, Ultra-HD/Quad-HD resolutions today at 60 fps, and will have the capability to support higher resolutions and higher frame rates.
Christie’s new electronics platform will also facilitate the creation of new user experiences, automated setup, increased connectivity and “smart” control features enabling the next generation of collaborative, augmented reality and projection mapping applications.
For more information, click here: http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/business/visual-solutions/pages/default.aspx
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Share Article Back to Top Acer America Intros 3D Home Theater Projector for $549 Acer America today announced a new home theater projector, the Acer H5370BD. This 720p projector is 3D-ready and lists for only $549.
The Acer H5370BD projector can deliver pictures up to 300 inches. It is specified at 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness and 13,000:1 contrast ratio with Dynamic Black technology.
This projector supports popular 3D technologies including Blu-ray 3D, DLP 3D and NVIDIA 3DTV Play. Acer 2D-to-3D technology automatically converts into 3D any 2D picture or video signal that passes through the HDMI port.
Eco-friendly modes save power and extend the projector's lamp lifespan, which lowers the total cost of ownership. By selecting the option to use Acer ExtremeEco mode, the power consumption of the projector can be reduced up to 70 percent and the lamp life extended up to 10,000 hours. In addition, the projector automatically enters ECO mode if there is no input signal for five minutes, which reduces standby power consumption by up to 50 percent.
To see all the specs, click here: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/MR.JG511.00A
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Share Article Back to Top Christie Debuts Two 3-Chip DLPs with 4K Resolution Today Christie introduced two new 3-chip DLP, 4K projectors — the Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560. The company says these new D4K models are the 3-chip DLP 4K projectors from Christie that also offer frame rates at 60 frames per second (fps). Both the Christie D4K2560 (25,000 center lumens) and Christie D4K3560 (35,000 center lumens) provide razor-sharp image detail – and video with smoother motion and transitions – for unsurpassed image quality and a more vibrant and appealing visual experience. The new projectors replace the Christie D4K25 and D4K35, respectively.
“Christie is the only manufacturer providing full 4K (4096×2160) resolution at 60 Hz and the reliability and image clarity of 3-chip DLP all in one package. Both projectors are a quantum leap forward in video image processing and a breakthrough in high frame rate and high resolution video projection,” said Mike Garrido, senior product manager, Business Products, Christie.
The Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 projectors are the first of Christie’s new TruLife Electronics platform. Additionally, the units come equipped with 3G SDI, Display Port and DVI/Dual Link DVI inputs, so Christie customers can update their existing sites for future projects without the constraints of SDVI inputs.
“Customers such as automotive designers and amusement park operators will love the increased dynamic range and the highest fidelity content with immaculate, deep, and vivid color transitions,” Garrido continued. “Amusement parks, for example, are open all day and well into the evening seven days a week and the combination of 4K, 60 Hz and DLP reliability can manage the heavy workload with smooth, crystal-clear video content much longer than what has been available."
The Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 have a three-year parts and labor warranty and ship in June 2013. Tou can see all the specs of the D4K2560 here: http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/business/products/projectors/3-chip-dlp/Pages/
Christie-D4K2560-3-chip-DLP-4K-projector.aspx and the D4K3560 here: http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/business/products/projectors/3-chip-dlp/Pages/christie-d4k3560-3-chip-dlp-4k-projector.aspx
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Share Article Back to Top Control4 Releases OS 2.4, Updates Controllers Control4 announced this week a new update to its operating system, along with enhancements to the company's HC-800 and HC-250 Controllers.
With the launch of the new Control4 OS 2.4, Control4 delivers enhanced functionality for Control4 4Sight Service, enabling 3G/4G connectivity to the customer's system via their iOS or Android mobile device.
Control4 OS 2.4 also delivers native support for TuneIn in the Control4 UI on HC-800 and HC-250 controllers, adding over 70,000 streaming Internet radio stations.
Finally, with OS 2.4, dealers can connect more easily to their customers' smart home systems to troubleshoot or make system changes without being on-site, making it possible to provide more in-depth customer support without a truck roll.
Control4's next-generation HC-800 and HC-250 Controllers include Control4 MyHome as well as in-home Intercom software capability. These additions, along with the new features of OS 2.4, deliver a whole lot of functionality — streaming Internet radio, mobile connectivity and remote access, whole-home communications capabilities — with every new system.
The HC-800 and HC-250 Controllers, with OS 2.4, MyHome and Intercom functionality, are available today for $1,500 and $750 U.S. / $1,725 and $865 INTL MSRP, respectively. The iOS MyHome apps are available for download to mobile devices immediately; the Android MyHome app will be available at the end of April. Control4 4Sight Service subscription, featuring Anywhere Access Mobile, is $100 U.S. / $115 INTL MSRP annually.
For more information, go to http://www.control4.com.
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Share Article Back to Top Linear Expands Home Automation Offerings with Z-Wave Lighting Products Linear has added Z-Wave lighting products to its line of wireless residential and commercial offerings. The new products represent a benchmark for Linear as the company seeks to unify wireless lighting control products with existing security and access control systems and other Z-Wave products.
Z-Wave is an international wireless standard for intelligent, interoperable, low-power, RF mesh networking technology. A smart chip and compact protocol enable two-way RF communications among Z-Wave enabled devices. Linear is now manufacturing, selling and distributing Z-Wave lighting control products that include: wall dimmers, wall switches, wall outlets, lamp modules, appliance modules, three-way switches/dimmers, fixture modules, as well as international versions of the same products.
Linear says the products also fit with its recent acquisition of 2GIG Technologies since 2GIG's GO! Control platform is Z-Wave certified and provides a control panel for the management of lighting, security, access control and more.
Go here to learn more: http://www.linearcorp.com/
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Share Article Back to Top Philips Creates the World’s Most Energy-Efficient Warm White LED Lamp Royal Philips Electronics announced a new innovation in LED lighting, creating the world’s most energy-efficient LED lamp suitable for general lighting applications, according to the company. Philips researchers developed a tube lighting (TL) replacement TLED prototype that produces a record 200 lumens per watt of high-quality white light (compared with 100lm/W for fluorescent lighting and just 15lm/W for traditional light bulbs). This prototype TLED lamp is twice as efficient as predecessor lamps, basically halving the energy used. This is a big deal as this could be the future of projection lamps.
With lighting accounting for more than 19 percent of the world’s total electricity consumption, this innovation promises to drive massive energy and cost savings across the globe. The 200lm/W TLED lamp is expected to hit the market in 2015 for office and industry applications before ultimately being used in the home.
Significant energy and cost savings
The TLED lamps are intended to replace fluorescent tube lighting used in office and industry, which currently account for more than half of the world’s total lighting. Conversion to the twice-as-efficient 200lm/W TLED lamps will generate significant energy and cost savings.
In the U.S. alone, for example, fluorescent lights consume around 200 terawatts of electricity annually. If these lights were all replaced with 200lm/W TLEDs, the U.S. would use around 100 terawatts less energy (equivalent to 50 medium sized power plants) saving more than US$12 billion and preventing around 60 million metric tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
This new LED innovation from Philips underlines the value and power of its lighting business, bringing together its expertise in LED technology, lamps, applications and systems. Market leading innovations from Philips Lumileds, as in phosphor technology and blue LEDs, together contribute to the high quality of light and advances in efficiency.
Go here for more info: http://www.usa.lighting.philips.com/
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Share Article Back to Top SurgeX International Commissions Global AC Power and Grounding White Paper SurgeX International has added a new white paper, Power and Grounding for Audio and Video Systems: A White Paper for the Real World – International Edition.
Authored by Jim Brown of Chicago's Audio Systems Group, Inc., the 43-page document was commissioned by SurgeX International to serve consultants and IT/AV system integrators as a core guide on the proper implementation of 120/230-volt AC power platforms with correct connection, distribution and grounding practices. The white paper is available for free here: http://www.surgexinternational.com/pdf/SurgeX-Power-Ground-EU.pdf Back to Top SAVANT Adds CINEAK to Partners in Excellence Cooperative Program Savant Systems has added CINEAK to its PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE cooperative program. Savant’s PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE initiative has been targeted to achieve global compatibility between Savant’s control systems and a diverse group of best-in-class manufacturers from the audio, video, lighting control, HVAC, and security industries, as well as devices and subsystems from many related markets.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Stealth Acoustics Appoints Omega Sales as Representatives Stealth Acoustics has announced the appointment of Omega Sales, Inc. located in Wheeling Illinois as its sales and marketing representative for northern Illinois and eastern Wisconsin.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Core Brands Goes Live With Enhanced Global Cloud Business Management Software Core Brands today announced that the group has gone live with its new enterprise resources planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software. Using NetSuite OneWorld, Core Brands can now manage its entire portfolio of brands, products, and processes using a single cloud solution while offering customers enhanced functionalities related to pricing, ordering, and shipping via the introduction of a new customer portal. Effective immediately, all orders will be processed using the new system across the group's five warehouse locations.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Salamander Expands Synergy Line Adds an Array of New Furniture Accessories Salamander Designs, Ltd. has expanded its Synergy line to include pre-configured cabinets, wall hanging kits and an option for factory assembly. These additions make the Synergy line a more versatile and expedient tool for dealers seeking to deliver an A/V furniture solution that exactly meets their customer’s needs, and gives existing Salamander customers an opportunity to evolve their A/V furniture as their entertainment systems have changed.
The Synergy line extension products are available now.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
Back to Top Rick McClendon Joins Manley Labs as Vice President of Sales and Marketing Manley Labs, an American manufacturer of hand-built, high-quality audio hardware, announced that industry veteran Rick McClendon has joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing. Most recently general manager of Aphex Systems, McClendon has decades of experience working with professional audio and music companies such as Tascam, Seymour Duncan, Harman International and Roland.
To read the complete press release online, click here. | Back to Top Triveni Digital Now Independent A group of Triveni Digital employees has joined together to buy LG Electronics' stock in the company, thus establishing a majority ownership position. The transaction, which closed in late February, makes Triveni Digital a fully independent company.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top 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).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
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.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2013 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.
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