Volume 14, Issue 5 — March 15, 2017
|
Editorial Editorial Editorial
|
|
Industry News TVs Control & Signal Processing Projection Media Players, Recording & Distribution Audio Lighting Cables, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens and Accessories
|
|
|
Dealer and Vendor Relationships and Stock Balancing
By Lee Distad rAVe Columnist
Stock balancing, simply, is the dealer returning unsold inventory to their supplier. The underlying motivation in stock balancing is to free up dollars that are tied up in slow moving inventory in order to purchase new stock that the dealer plans to turn over quicker than the slow moving stock. It’s typical for dealers to arrange a stock balancing arrangement with their supplier in advance of the launch of a new model, or the beginning of their next fiscal period, either quarterly or annually.
And it’s not uncommon for a dealer to find that they have inventory that’s simply not moving, for whatever reason. Slow or motionless inventory is a problem for any business anywhere in the supply chain, whether retailer, installer, distributor or manufacturer.
A product just sitting there doesn’t just cost what it originally cost — there’s also the ongoing cost of keeping it on the shelf, and intangibles, like the lost opportunity cost of holding onto it, instead of having spent the money on something that turned over faster.
The whole point of buying and holding inventory at all — and this is something that sometimes eludes the understanding of otherwise savvy business people — is to convert the inventory back into cash (by selling it) as soon as possible, using the cash to buy new inventory, and repeating that cycle, over and over.
I’ve been known to remind my dealers when working with them on their assortments and forecasts that they’re in the business of making money, not, as was once related to me, “building and curating a museum of the unsellable.”
True story: One of my long-time dealers retired and sold his business to a competitor (another of my dealers, but that’s neither here nor there). For whatever reason, he was loathe to write down dead stock, and had accumulated a legendary hoard of obsolete product that he kept in an offsite storage location. During negotiations over the sale of his business he tried to unload his dead inventory on the new owners. After reviewing the offsite storage they told him “Are you kidding? If we have to take this stuff we will actually pay you LESS for this deal.”
For retailers, aging inventory is subject to price pressures through advertising by competitors, and the fact that as the product ages, end-user customers will find it less desirable. That’s true of almost everything, from groceries to electronics.
The only good thing that about dead stock is the write-down your accountant can take on it, and the positive impact it can have on your taxes, but that’s not nearly as desirable as selling it and making a profit on it in the first place; it’s a last resort.
This brings us back to stock balancing, and why it’s attractive to the dealer to seek support from their suppliers to take back inventory that’s not doing well for them.
From the perspective of the supplier, supporting your dealer’s stock balancing request can be a positive thing, conditional upon a number of terms. Not the least of which, being amenable to stock balancing with your dealer partners reinforces the strength of the business relationship. Real partnerships are hard to find, and the world is full of suppliers who are super eager to secure a purchase order, but aren’t as quick to jump to the pump when any value-added services are required.
With large national dealers, it’s typical that stock balancing terms will have already been included in the contract between dealer and supplier. Those terms will typically include things like specifically limiting which products are eligible for stock balancing, calendar dates during which stock balancing can be entertained, restocking fees (if any) and logistics.
Dealing as I do with regional independent dealers, most of my stock balancing discussions with dealers are dealt with on a more case by case basis, as need requires. For my part, I’m generally happy to support my dealers, with the condition that the product they wish to swap out is current and resalable.
It’s not unusual for there to be regional variations in selling patterns, and if one dealer in one city is struggling to move a particular SKU, it’s possible that it will sell better in someone else’s stores in a different city. Knowing the lay of the land as it were is part of the job.
And from a relationship perspective, leaving my dealers stuck with dead inventory doesn’t really help their cause or mine. Whenever possible I’d much rather help them out via stock balancing, to free up their cash to allow them to buy even more of my stuff, not just this time, but further down the road. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
|
Philips to Focus ColorSpark Technology on Home Cinema Segment
By Chris Chinnock Founder and President, Insight Media
About a year and a half ago, Philips Lighting debuted a new LED-based light source for projectors called ColorSpark HLD LED (High Lumen Density LED). In 2016, this technology rolled out in mainstream projection products in the 3,000- to 4,000-lumen range. For 2017, Philips is focusing on enabling projection customers to create new 1,000- and 2,000-lumen products within the “pocket screenless TV” projection segment that can offer compelling performance for home-based TV and video watching.
The HLD technology was developed to address one of the big challenges with LED projectors — they were limited in brightness to around 500 lumens. To increase the light output of an LED projector one must increase the quantum efficiency of the LED or make the LED emitting area bigger. But making it bigger has diminishing returns as that light cannot be coupled efficiently onto a small imager panel (an étendue limitation).
The Philips solution is to use blue LEDs to pump a phosphor-based rod, which converts the light to green. This allows the green light to be increased by adding more blue LEDs and making the rod longer, but maintaining the same output.
Current HLD projection products from companies like Hitachi, BenQ and norxe source the illumination stage from Philips Lighting. This includes the green HLD module, separate blue and red LEDs and a HLD driver board. These projectors are aimed at various commercial applications.
But Philips is increasing turning its attention to the portable home cinema market where they see huge opportunities, especially in Asia, where they think many millions of projectors per year could be sold by 2020. In our conversations with Philips at CES 2017, they stated that 70 million people in China are moving each year representing a highly mobile demographic. These people don’t necessarily need a large flat panel TV or large cinema projector — they want a mobile and portable system that can be easily transported. Current portable LED projectors offer great colors, but limited brightness, so any portable TV solution must offer both. Philips’ answer to this need are two new ColorSpark light source modules that will enable 1000 and 2000 lumen LED projectors to act as the primary or secondary TV.
In the Philips Lighting suite at CES 2017 as well as at ISE 2017, Philips was showing off these two new modules and engaging with projector and even flat panel TV customers to explain this technology.
The illumination stage configuration for these new mobile HLD platforms is shown below. This would be coupled to a single-chip DLP imager stage in most cases.
The photo below shows the 2,000-lumen illumination stage that was shown at CES 2017, along with a schematic representation of the footprint of both designs. The 1,000-lumen version is smaller with fewer cooling fins. These were created to show the light output and were not coupled to an imager stage. They were indeed quite bright as demonstrated in their suite.
The cooling volume and thermal management footprint can be a big part of the design consideration for portable projectors. Philips estimates that the cooling volume for either configuration would be less than 1 liter per minute. The 1000 lumen model could also reduce the footprint by adopting heat pipes. This solid state solution should have a lifetime (to 70 percent of initial brightness) of 20K hours. Overall, Philips feels their solution can be very attractive to potential customers.
This mobile TV segment could indeed be a big growth opportunity for the projector industry. PMA Associates has reported the pico segment, which is all LED based, was 3M units in 2016 and growing nicely. Offering solutions with 1000 and 2000 lumens should drive growth even faster.
At ISE 2017, BenQ was showing of their new X12000 projector which uses the ColorSpark illumination engine. This is a single-panel DLP UHD (3840×2160) pixel-shift projector with 2200 lumens targeted at home cinema applications. Most impressive was the color performance — it can reproduce the full DCI-P3 color gamut. And, with ColorSpark LED technology, the X12000 projector also has instant on/off.
BenQ also did a side-by-side comparison of their X12000 to their own W11000, which has the same DLP chip set but uses a lamp and has BT.709 color gamut performance. Test images showed the deeper saturation and wider color range of the X12000. The X12000 will carry a significant premium in pricing over the X11000 (€8,000 vs. €6,000).
Eyevis also plans to adopt ColorSpark technology. It is a supplier of DLP-based LED projector engines which are widely used in aircraft and automotive simulators. To increase brightness, the company evaluated laser phosphor technology, but eventually decided to stay with LED light sources as it thought that the advantages of laser phosphor were limited and there was a cost increase. In 2017, the company will adopt the Philips ColorSpark green light source technology to boost brightness. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Are You an Alternative, Indie Artist or Do You Want to Have a Chart Hit?
By Kris Gamble
It’s hugely exciting that CEDIA is one big movement and voice now, a truly global organisation. I’m so glad the voice is bigger and louder now because my voice is so quiet, I barely get heard by my audience. I have to use a microphone, amplifier and speakers to be heard. My sound system still doesn’t have enough power output, though it’s made up of some great gear — Crestron, KNX, HDL Buspro, Sonos and Ubiquiti. It sounds OK to me but to my audience, they don’t really look at the gear and say the music I play sounds like alternative futuristic music and whilst they appreciate the innovation and artistry they, keep asking me to play the latest releases in the download charts. Current requests from the Top 10 include Amazon Echo, Sonos (I can play that tune really well), Nest thermostat, Apple TV and Siri. Now and again I play the crowd-pleasers. They’re actually very easy to play and I didn’t have to spend a long time practicing them because I was already a competent musician.
What’s interesting when you play the hits from the top of the charts are that they are normally short and sweet — you get a good reaction and people ask if you have anymore similar songs. After the show, I had additional requests to book me at other gigs from friends who were at the last club we played at. It’s quite a good feeling, I’m now playing 10 gigs a month, I don’t need to practise as much and have even started writing my own songs (three chord guitar tracks mainly).
I’m still a small town singer but who knows where it could lead? What I need now is PR. What I need is the support of a global voice to put me on a bigger stage. Could CEDIA start putting the spotlight on the rising stars and the next generation of talent? Could they pull themselves away from promoting the big indie artists on their label? It’s going to be hard for them. Maybe setting up a new label for smaller artists could be an option, CEDIA Lite maybe. No, this is a step too far. I agree.
So, how about this? Why doesn’t a new committee or subgroup start that’s tasked with identifying this new smart home install generation, start listening to what they have to say, give them some spotlight, provide some mentoring and PR support and media training, introduce them to younger (millennial) audiences, help them write more songs and maybe even get them collaborating with other artists?
Music tastes change as listeners get older and a younger generation who listen to the charts will mature and start seeking out new music, more grown up music, like some of the indie acts that CEDIA has a label full of, custom installers/integrators.
CEDIA will not have to look far to find these upcoming artists — lots of them are already members. But they should try communicating with them better. They may prove to be the gateway to producing a smash hit.
Please share your stories of the smart home scene where you work and let me know if you are starting to get requests for chart hits from your audience.
Keep #LiveInstall’ing! Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Control4 Buys Triad Speakers for $9.6 Million Control4 announced today that it has acquired Triad Speakers, a manufacturer of advanced audio technology with customizable speaker-solutions.
Triad, a 30-year old company, manufactures high-quality, built-to-order premium audio speakers to meet the discerning demands of homeowners – for home theaters, family rooms, whole-home or multi-room audio, as well as for outdoor environments. The acquisition of Triad is a strategic addition to the Control4 entertainment portfolio, which includes the fully programmable Control4 EA-series controllers with native high-resolution streaming music services, its family of multi-room audio matrix switches and amplifiers and its family of ultra-HD 4K video matrix switches with audio down-mixing capabilities.
Effective immediately, all Triad dealers in North America are now able to place their product orders and customization requests via a brand new online dealer portal. Control4 and Pakedge dealers may also order Triad solutions online, starting today. In the coming weeks, the Triad dealer portal will also include technical training information and additional marketing resources.
Nearly the entire Triad team will be joining Control4, including founder Larry Pexton, as well as the Triad’s R&D, manufacturing and custom-services employees, all of whom will continue operating from Triad’s existing facility in Portland, Ore.
Total consideration for the acquisition of Triad consisted of $9.6 million in cash. Triad generated approximately $9 million in revenue in 2016. Control4 plans to invest in the operations of the business during 2017 in order to push adoption of these products through its larger sales channels.
Control4 is here and Triad Speakers is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Play March Madness With Us – You Could Win a BenQ HT2150ST Projector!
We’ve partnered with BenQ again for March Madness — the famous men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament.
With a plan to give away at least two BenQ HT2150ST projectors, rAVe and BenQ have set up both men’s and women’s Tournament Challenge Brackets on ESPN’s website that will manage the tournament for us! All you have to do is enter!
And, you don’t need to know anything about college basketball or even the sport of basketball to win. In fact, one of our past winners wasn’t even a college basketball fan and he used statistician Nate Silver to help him by copying his bracket.
So, why the BenQ HT2150ST?
Well, we wanted Full-HD, we wanted short-throw and we wanted bright — the BenQ HT2150ST is over 2,000 ANSI lumens, is 1920×1080 and it’s integrated with a 0.69 – 0.83 lens, meaning you can project up to 100″ from 1.5 meters. Built for game rooms and media centers, theBenQ HT2150ST is ISFccc Certified and has a six-segment color wheel (RGBRGB) with 6X speed and BrilliantColor Technology — so no rainbow effect. Inputs include two HDMI, an MHL input, a VGA port, audio in and out and USB.
And, we knew AV’ers would be playing our Tournament Challenge Brackets and would have strong feelings about what we’d be giving away. Not everyone has a dedicated room for a home theater projector and, as well all know, flat-screens for the home are limited to 80” and smaller — so we wanted something that could be placed anywhere in the home and could make a big picture. The brightness of this projector means you can use it in any lighting and because it’s compatible with BenQ’s FHD kit, it can be made wireless.
While everyone else will be offering NCAA Tournament Challenge Brackets for only the men’s games, we are offering you the ability to win by playing either the men’s or women’s Tournaments — so, this doubles your chance to win! Make sure you enter both!
Enter the men’s tournament here and enter the women’s tournament here.
And, don’t forget to check out the specs of your new projector, the BenQ HT2150ST, here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Samsung Electronics Completes Acquisition of HARMAN — And Now, Even Harman President Only References the Automotive Connection
Samsung Electronics Friday announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Harman International. Under the terms of the merger agreement, HARMAN stockholders will receive $112.00 per share in cash. The completion follows the satisfaction of all conditions to the closing of the transaction, including approval of the transaction by HARMAN stockholders and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions.
“Today is a historic moment for us. The close of this transaction opens the door to create substantial growth opportunities and deliver greater benefits for customers worldwide,” said Young Sohn, president and chief strategy officer of Samsung Electronics and chairman of the board, HARMAN. “We see transformative opportunities in the car – and a future which seamlessly connects lifestyle across automotive, home, mobile and work. Samsung’s and HARMAN’s leadership in these spaces perfectly positions Samsung to be the preferred partner to our OEM customers. In addition, bringing together HARMAN’s iconic audio brands and capabilities paired with Samsung’s leading display technologies will deliver enhanced audio and video experiences to consumers and professional end markets. And most importantly, we are enthusiastic about our common vision, the similarities in our culture of innovation, and the added value we can create for customers. We look forward to working with all of HARMAN’s employees to execute on our vision.”
Quotes for press releases are written, re-written and then edited over and over. Well, this one speaks volumes — this is the president of Harman — and he ONLY references the automotive aspects of this acquisition. He could have added a small, short statement about the ProAV stuff but, he specifically did NOT. This was not by accident.
“We are excited to have completed the transaction, which provides compelling cash value to our stockholders, benefits our customers and provides new opportunities for our employees,” said Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN president and CEO. “Samsung shares our commitment to our customers and our culture of speed, innovation and execution. Samsung provides HARMAN with the scale, platform and complementary technologies to accelerate growth and extend our global market leadership in automotive, smart audio and connected technologies. Recognizing the importance of partnerships in an increasingly connected world, particularly in automotive, we are poised to leverage our combined teams and resources to produce even greater value for our customers. Working closely with automakers and other technology companies, Samsung and HARMAN will define — and drive — the future of automotive.”
Clearly, there is a desire to leverage the high-end home audio brands — which Harman has always done via the automotive partnerships but, the commercial AV brands, it seems, will likely be spun-off or sold.
In connection with the completion of the transaction, HARMAN’s common stock will cease trading prior to market open on March 13, 2017 and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. HARMAN will operate as a standalone Samsung subsidiary, overseen by a Board of Directors led by Mr. Sohn. Mr. Paliwal will remain CEO of HARMAN, leading the Company with his management team, and will continue to serve as a member of its Board. Samsung is retaining HARMAN’s work force, headquarters and facilities, as well as all of its consumer and professional audio brands.
I hope I am wrong, but this release clearly defines the Samsung acquisition in terms of the automotive group by everyone. With all the uncertainty and concerns inside Harman itself as well as throughout the ProAV community, this was an opportunity to state, unequivocally, that the ProAV brands will stay.
But they didn’t. Let’s not pretend the 800-pound gorilla isn’t standing in the room. In fact, he’s locked the door. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Sony Electronics Announces Pricing and Availability For BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV Line Sony Electronics announced pre-sales begin today on its XBR-A1E BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV line up from authorized Sony dealers. The BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV (3840×2160 resolution) will be available in stores beginning in April 2017 and will be on display starting today at Sony Square NYC, a showplace for the latest in Sony entertainment and technology located in New York.
The XBR-A1E is an OLED using Sony’s 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme with an Acoustic Surface sound system and an edge-to-edge stand-less form factor. The 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme’s Acoustic Surface means that audio comes from the screen itself. Thanks to an interesting design, audio comes from the entire screen — not just from the bottom or sides. Additionally, Sony says the Acoustic Surface technology produces a wide sound and image synchronization from all angles, even off to the sides. The Acoustic Surface technology makes possible the edge-to-edge design of the A1E series by doing away with conventional speakers usually located to the sides or below the TV. The A1E’s design eliminates any visible stand or speakers- and the easel support conceals a sub-woofer and cable management system which can be folded in, against the TV, for wall mounting.
The new BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV line of televisions support HDR (High Dynamic Range) as well as has support for HDR10, HLGi, and Dolby Vision. And, all new BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TVs are powered by Android TV and inputs include four HDMI and one component video. Control can be either LAN or RS232.
BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV models and prices are:
- XBR-77A1E 77” pricing is TBD
- XBR-65A1E 65” is $6,499.99
- XBR-55A1E 55” is $4,999.99
Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Séura Now Automatically Adjusts Picture Modes as Outdoor Lighting Conditions ChangeToday Séura announced a new outdoor TV feature for tits Storm Ultra Bright outdoor televisions called Séura Adaptive Picture Technology. The patent-pending technology has 110 picture mode variations that adapt as outdoor lighting conditions change throughout the day and night. Adaptive Picture Technology is the first ever solution that automatically adjusts both backlight brightness and picture settings to create the optimal television viewing experience outdoors.
Séura engineers invented Adaptive Picture Technology, a feature that automatically adjusts backlight brightness and picture contrast in response to changes in outdoor lighting. This was accomplished by creating picture mode variations made up of 100 brightness settings and 10 LCD picture adjustment settings, which the company says is something that no other indoor or outdoor TV manufacturer offers. The adjustment happens automatically, even while the TV is in use, so that viewers can see the best possible picture at all times. This feature is available only on Séura Storm Ultra Bright outdoor TVs.
More information is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Gefen Expands 600 MHz Series With New HDMI 2.0a Compliant Matrix Products Gefen from Core Brands today debuted two new matrix products, the EXT-UHD600A-44 and EXT-UHD600A-88, that support the latest HDMI 2.0a (4K 4:2:20 @ 60Hz) and HDCP 2.2 standards. The introduction was made at ISE 2017 in Amsterdam.
Both matrix products are compliant with the bandwidth of the HDMI 2.0a specification and support all 4K timings and Chroma subsampling formats, meaning that features such as HDR and all aspects of Rec. 2020 are also supported. Also, both matrix products incorporate analog and digital audio breakouts that de-multiplex the audio stream from each HDMI output, thus allowing the isolated audio content to be connected to external amplifiers and music distribution systems, such as those found in bars, restaurants, clubs, venues and corporate offices.
Two of the outputs on the EXT-UHD600A-44 have the ability to downscale a 4K signal to HD, while the remaining two outputs can upscale an HD signal to 4K Ultra HD. The EXT-UHD600A-44 also includes a Long Range Power (LRP) feature that eliminates the need for commercial installers to use an external power supply when using a compatible extender to increase the matrix’s output beyond an HDMI cable’s limits.
All of the details are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
URC Adds Alexa Smart Home Skill URC has finally released their Amazon Alexa Smart Home Skill integration for URC Total Control (in the U.S. market).
This integration enables a range of control possibilities with Alexa-enabled devices such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Fire TV. The skill is designed to fully integrate Alexa-enabled devices with Total Control, allowing homeowners to utilize basic voice commands (aka “Verbal Button Press”) to execute programmed macros – a revolutionary change in the way URC Total Control users can enjoy their smart home system.
This new integration is designed to finally simplify the most complicated thing in the control system market – total home control. It not only allows you to control most HomeAV gear but you can also select TV programs, activate music servers, raise and lower shades, adjust thermostats — all with voice commands.
This integration works by using Alexa Smart Home Skills. The URC Alexa Integration Guide explains how to incorporate Amazon Alexa voice control into a Total Control installation. Alexa integration must be completed by a certified URC Total Control systems integrator. Knowledge of Accelerator Programming is required.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Autonomic Announces Flush Mount Kits for KP-6 Keypad Now Available from Wall-SmartAutonomic has announced that flush mount kits for the KP-6 keypad (both single and double gang installations) are now available from Wall-Smart.
The KP-6 keypad from Autonomic, available in white or black, provides users with instant access to basic features of their Mirage Audio System whole-house entertainment solution without having to open an app on their phone or tablet. Users of the KP-6 keypad will enjoy fingertip control of power on/off, volume, source and track-skip — as well as four user-programmable preset buttons. Once content has been curated using the Mirage Media Controller app for iOS or Android devices, users can simply press and hold to store that programming as a preset. Presets can be anything, from a Pandora or SiriusXM radio station to a playlist or a favorite album.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Sony Hits the Jackpot for Creativity With New Surface Projector Integrated With Embedded TouchIn one of the most creative uses of projection in the history of the industry the Sony Mobile Phone Group comes something they are calling Xperia Touch — a projector with an embedded Android projector. Xperia Touch is an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 23” HD touchscreen, with either horizontal or vertical ultrashort-throw projection. The interface is fast and responsive to physical touch – it’s built using Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, and touch is made possible through a combination of Infrared light and real-time detection via its built-in camera, at a rate of 60 frames-per-second.
This hit the jackpot for creativity.
The projector itself is a WXGA (1366×768) resolution 3LCD using a laser as a light source. Spec’d at a 4000:1 contrast ratio and embedded with a 13 megapixel camera, the Xperia Touch is only 100 lumens but the projection distance is so short that it looks brighter on a surface like a table. Input is USB-C (with an HDMI adapter) and it uses Miracast as well as NFC for wireless connectivity. Touch Control uses an IR sensor and camera and it is 10 point multi-touch.
This is a big deal, in case you haven’t noticed.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Bryston Unveils the BDP-3 Digital Music Player Bryston has announced the introduction of the BDP-3 digital music player, a “reference quality” hub capable of reading virtually all digital file formats and resolutions including DSD 128 and high-resolution PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz files. BDP-3 users can connect to digital music libraries stored on external drives such as NAS or USB to access a nearly limitless archive of digital content, enjoy their favorite Internet radio stations as well as lossless TIDAL streaming (subscription required).
The BDP-3 uses a new Intel processor along with 8 gigabytes of RAM. The BDP-3 now has three USB 3.0 ports and five USB 2.0 ports on two separate USB buses, improving disk performance when using USB 3.0 attached drives, while also making the new player compatible with more digital to analog converter (DAC) options than before, including those platforms using the Streamlength protocol.
The Bryston BDP-3 is available for pre-order now with expected delivery in six to eight weeks. List price is $3,495. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
SpeakerCraft Adds Streaming Services to Its Multi-Room Audio Platform SpeakerCraft from Core Brands today announced a major update to its multi-room audio software that adds streaming audio services, a new streamlined user interface, and a dynamic zone grouping feature. The introduction was made at ISE 2017 in Amsterdam.
The software’s new built-in streaming services include Spotify, TuneIn, Pandora and other popular Internet radio services. These new services unlock a seventh source in the MRA-664 chassis that drives the multi-room ecosystem’s six zones of audio, expandable to 12 with a second chassis. Additionally, the dynamic zone grouping feature allows family members to instantly group media zones on-the-fly, perfect for party mode or when the entertainment moves from room to room.
Launched in 2015 as a six-source, six-zone system, SpeakerCraft’s MRA664 is anchored by the easy-to-install ecosystem that includes two touch panels and a wireless remote. The installation wizard enables configuring of the entire system – now seven sources and six zones – from a tablet or laptop. The SpeakerCraft app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play to enable control from mobile devices.
SpeakerCraft is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Crestron Ships Avia Multichannel Amplifiers Crestron is now shipping Avia multi-channel amplifiers. The new AMP-8075 and AMP-8150 are designed to work natively with Crestron Avia DSPs and have eight channels of audio power in a single rack space, with a choice of 75 or 150 Watts per channel. Each channel is individually configurable for either low-Z (4/8 ohm) or high-Z (70V or 100V) and they are networkable for configuration, monitoring and control via the Avia Audio Tool software, a Crestron control system or Crestron Fusion Cloud.
The new amps are Class D and feature front panel status indication and output meters and rear panels include balanced inputs and level adjustments. Crestron says their internal universal power supply with power factor correction ensures consistent performance with varying line voltages.
Complete system configuration is easy using their Avia Audio Tool software which is designed for drag and drop programming of channel strip objects (from the DSP and amplifier) for control and to generate a touch screen UI.
Here are all the technical specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Sonos Just Invented a New Speaker-Bar Category Sonos’ latest soundbar is dubbed the Playbase. It’s a speaker bar that does NOT get mounted under or above your TV. In fact, you sit the TV on top of it. Sonos says that its research showed that over 70 percent of people who buy flat-panel TVs never mount them (include me in that count, in fact), opting to set them on a cabinet shelf or inside of something.
So, enter Playbase. Playbase is 2.28 inches tall, 28.35 inches wide and 4.17 inches deep. And, it’s designed to have the TV sit on top of it – at least a TV up to 77 pounds (thus, nearly all of them). It acts as both a theater-sound bar (like their own Playbar sound bar speaker) as well as a streaming music speaker like all other Sonos speakers. Inside of the Playbase are 10 amplified speakers (six mid-range, three tweeters, and one woofer) and all use Class-D digital amplifiers. The entire thing is meant to sit on any piece of furniture — including the TV — thus, it raises the height of any TV about 2 inches. The Playbar weighs 19 pounds.
Inputs include both optical audio and line audio as well as Ethernet – it connects to a WiFi network with any 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz broadcast-capable router for uninterrupted wireless streaming. It will ship in April and cost about $700.
All the detailed specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
ATC Ships C3C Ver.3 Center Channel SpeakerATC Loudspeakers just started shipping their new C3C Ver.3 Center Channel Speaker, matched to the Hi-Fi Series SCM7 and SCM11 loudspeakers for home theater rooms.
The C3C driver systems feature ATC’s SH25-76 dual-suspension tweeter, designed and built in-house. The tweeter’s 15,000 gauss (1.5 tesla) neodymium magnet has a black heat-treated top plate, which dissipates heat away from the voice coil to maintain high power handling and low power compression. A precision-machined 5.5mm rigid alloy waveguide provides optimum dispersion, a flat on-axis frequency response and resonance-free operation.
In each system the tweeter sits between two mid-bass drivers identical in design to those employed by the corresponding L/R main loudspeaker. The new C3C design uses the SCM11’s CLD 150mm mid-bass driver incorporating a 45mm soft dome. Exclusive to ATC, Constrained Layer Damping offers reduced harmonic distortion between 300Hz and 3 kHz, an extended frequency response and improved off-axis performance.
The new C3C incorporates all new crossovers developed from the SCM7 and SCM11 designs, involving metallized polypropylene capacitors, large air cored inductors and ceramic wire-round resistors to offer superior power handling and clarity. Consequently, and in common with the SCM7 and SCM11, the center-channel systems exhibit an impedance curve free from low values and extreme phase angles, presenting an easy load for amplifiers of 75 to 300 watts.
A new compact ATC 5.1 channel speaker systems combine C3C with the SCM7, SCM11 and ATC C1 sub active subwoofer to energize multichannel applications with the brand’s signature virtues of neutral fidelity, wide bandwidth and high dynamic range. The C3 system unites the C3C with matching SCM11s in the front, and for ‘family-friendly’ installation, the SCM7s in the surround positions.
Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Bowers & Wilkins Launches DB Series Subwoofers
The new Bowers & Wilkins DB Series includes three subwoofers that feature the Aerofoil cone bass drivers used in the company’s flagship 800 Series Diamond. The Bowers & Wilkins DB Series is comprising of the flagship DB1D, mid-sized DB2D and compact DB3D. All three models have very high power on tap — with the DB1D featuring 2000-watts — plus dual-opposed drive units and incredibly rigid cabinets, all aspects that dramatically reduce distortion for deep, agile bass. The DB2D and DB3D offer 1,000-watt amplifiers.
All three DB Series subwoofers deploy two bass cones arranged in an opposed, balanced configuration. This technology was originally developed for the iconic PV1 subwoofer, and was also put to great use on the DB-1. B&W says using this array greatly reduces cabinet vibration and ensures a cleaner, more precise sound.
The DB Series can be configured via an iOS and Android App. The App includes positioning guides, set-up and troubleshooting and can be used to provide control over both output and audio preset modes. All three models will be available in a choice of three finishes: Gloss Black, Satin White and Rosenut.
- DB1D will be available May 2017, priced at $4,500
- DB2D will be available May 2017, priced at $3,500
- DB3D will be available May 2017, priced at $2,500
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Primacoustic Announces a New Panel Shape to its Broadway LineThe Primacoustic Honeycombs are a range of acoustic absorbers that are designed to give users more aesthetic options in their rooms. gfRather than being limited to the typical square and rectangular panels found in most studios, the hexagonal shape and beveled edges allow the panels to be installed in unique patterns and clusters. Now primary reflections and flutter echo can be controlled with an acoustic treatment layout that is personalized to your space.
The 16″ (406mm) Honeycombs are 1.5″ (3.8cm) thick, and are constructed from 6lb high density glass wool for optimal broadband absorption. As with all Primacoustic panels, the Honeycombs have been tested to achieve stringent Class-A fire ratings, making them safe for use in installations worldwide. The Honeycomb absorbers are available in black, grey or beige Broadway acoustic fabric, or in Primacoustic’s proprietary Paintables white finish.
They list for $279.99 and they will ship late spring 2017. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
New Crestron Zūm Is Aimed at App-Based Control Systems Crestron announced today it is now shipping Zūm (pronounced “ZOOM”), an app-based (uses a network bridge, instead of a controller) lighting controller. Crestron says the “building block” devices (wireless dimmers, switches, sensors, etc.) needed for dimming and automation work together wirelessly and you set it up on the keypad, dimmer, or mobile app itself. Scaling from standalone systems to centralized building-wide control and network management is capable using traditional control systems. The Zūm Network Bridge simply snaps onto the Zūm Load Controller to add remote setup, daylighting, time clock scheduling, temporary overrides and other capabilities.
A single Zūm load controller can support up to 32 devices. Each device has a wireless communication range of 150 feet in every direction. Communication hops from one device to the other to create a mesh network of up to 2.25 million square feet. There’s no need for interface boxes or exposed antenna hanging from the ceiling. Centralized building-wide lighting control can be deployed using the same devices as standalone systems.
All Zūm devices offer standard mounting and consist of:
- a choice of four Load Controllers (0-10v, relay, plug load and universal phase), which enable all system devices to communicate with each other
- wireless wall box dimmer and keypads
- battery-powered keypads, which allows placement anywhere – even on glass or brick
- occupancy sensors for automation and data collection
- a daylight sensor
The Network Bridge simply snaps onto the Load Controller already installed in spaces throughout the building to enable remote Bluetooth setup from the iPhone app. The Network Bridge pairs with the Zūm Hub to communicate wirelessly with traditional Crestron centralized lighting control systems, AV, shades and HVAC for a complete enterprise solution.
The Zūm Network Bridge enables remote management, including time clock scheduling, executing temporary overrides, daylighting and building-wide on/off. Direct communication with Zūm Cloud services centralized network management. For example, it can easily identify all vacant rooms with the lights turned on and then those lights can all be turned off remotely. Zūm Cloud also provides instant alert notifications for remote support and room usage data collection and reporting.
Crestron seems to be aiming the Zūm system to both home and small businesses. Here are the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Auralex Ships ProMAX v2 Stand-Mounted Acoustical Panels Auralex Acoustics is now shipping its updated ProMAX v2 Stand-Mounted Acoustical Panels, offering a portable, lightweight absorption treatment solution offering quick and easy setup and teardown. The ProMAX v2 is designed for a variety of spaces and applications and can be implemented in any location where boundary-mounted acoustical treatments aren’t feasible or desired.
The unit features a 24” x 48” x 3″ absorptive Studiofoam panel with an updated angled reflective rear surface for tonal variability when rotated or flipped. By altering the quantity, orientation and spacing of multiple ProMAX v2s, users will be able to dial in the desired amount of room ambience.
The ProMAX v2 is designed for recording and performance applications in the studio, on stage, as well as in the classroom and home. Features include:
- Stand-mounted acoustical absorption panels
- Tame chaotic reverberation
- Flexible, portable absorption for professional and residential settings
- Proprietary melamine-free formula is long-lasting and won’t crumble like other brands
- Users can dial in the exact sound they desire
- Features absorptive and more-reflective sides for sonic variability
- Expand your ProMAX array as your needs change
- 2’ wide x 4’ tall x 3” thick
- Available colors: charcoal gray, burgundy and purple
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Luxul Ships Epic 4 Routers Luxul has announced today the availability of its new Epic 4 routers — all commercial-grade routers that the company says are optimized for smart homes, SMB and retail. One unique feature is their integration with third-party embedded software including content filtering from Router Limits and a remote management tool from Domotz. Additional applications, including Ihiji’s remote network management tools and Luxul’s Roam-Assist wireless controller technology are on the way. Any of these advanced features can be implemented at the integrator’s discretion.
The Epic 4 is available in a traditional ports-on-the-front design and an AV Series ports-on-the-back design with switchable blue/green LEDs for integration with AV racks (see XBR-4500 and ABR-4500). Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Wisdom Audio Introduces New Premium-Quality Audio Interconnect Kits Wisdom Audio today announced standard and custom interconnect cable kits as part of its high-end audio product lineup.
Each kit features what they says is “oxygen-free,” high-conductivity copper conductors and the highest grade of foam polypropylene insulation for high-speed transmission and resistance from cracking and wear. The cables’ advanced Star-Quad design offers maximum protection against electrostatic interference. Each wire is numbered for ease and efficiency of installation.
The Wisdom Audio WWK-BB kit includes 10 balanced XLR female to XLR male numbered 1.0 meter cables; 17 balanced XLR female to XLR male numbered 1.5 meter cables; six 1/8-inch mini DC trigger cables; and two balanced XLR Y-adapter female to dual male XLR. The WWK-CUSTOM is a special ordered kit that can be customized to any length and/or termination to fit any application.
All of them are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
SANUS Launches New Swiveling TV Base for Integration of New Sonos PLAYBASESANUS is introducing the launch of the WSTV1 Swiveling TV Base, a table-top TV base that recreates the sleek look and feel of a mounted TV. Designed to be compatible with the newly-announced Sonos home theater speaker, PLAYBASE, the Swiveling TV Base provides up to 8 inches of TV height adjustability creating space to fit a Sonos PLAYBASE or PLAYBAR below your TV.
Designed for almost any TV that isn’t wall mounted, PLAYBASE is a thin, powerful speaker that sits discreetly under the TV. The Swiveling TV Base, which works on all surfaces, is a substantial improvement over the stands that traditionally come with TVs. Providing 40 degrees of swivel left to right, the Swiveling TV Base dramatically improves viewing angles allowing viewers to point the TV to where they are seated. The mount is matte black and includes cable management.
The Swiveling TV Base fits TVs 32 to 60 inches and can support up to 60 pounds, and its safe and stable base is perfect for furniture with a shallow depth or width.
The SANUS Swiveling TV Base features an easy and safe 20-minute, 3-step assembly that requires only a screwdriver. All SANUS mounts, including the Swiveling TV Base, are safety tested, UL Certified and include a 10-year warranty.
The mount is available now with a retail price of $149.99. More information is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
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 2017 – 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. |
|
|
|