Video Prewiring Or Networking? You Be The Judge
By Lee Distad
rAVe Columnist Remember when a “complex” residential prewire meant you had to run more than four pair of speaker wire in-wall?
Yeah, that time is long past.
These days, HomeAV Pros find themselves tacking increasingly sophisticated categories. Even in systems that don’t require automation, the technical demands are still daunting. One friend of mine, a veteran integrator who recently took an eight month personal leave from his company called me to express his horror upon returning to the job. “It was only eight months, Lee,” he marvelled. “How could everything have changed so much? I don’t know any of this!”
My friend is not alone; talking with dealers in a variety of channels, including not only residential but also commercial security, it’s clear that we’re not AV Pros any more, we’re IT ninjas. Or at least we need to be.
Video distribution systems are perhaps the perfect microcosm of this shift. When was the last time you ran component video or even RG-6 around a home? Indeed, unless you’re taking advantage of extant wiring, it’s network cable all the way.
So how do you do it right?
Start with the right cable. Regardless of whether the video system requires one Ethernet cable per location or more, quality is everything. While Cat5e will pass 1080p just fine, Cat6 is needed for HDMI’s 1080p True Color specification. As a result, the wire specified will depend on not only the video distribution hardware, but also the source and display equipment used, and the end performance result desired. If your client is a videophile, then wire accordingly.
Video needs its own network. Even today, the bandwidth video distribution requires will hog space from anything else on the same network, which is why most, if not all, hardware vendors still counsel integrators to run lines that are dedicated to the video distribution system. Even if the planned connectivity is as simple as Ethernet-enabled TVs and AVRs, put them on a separate network from the home’s computers.
Get it right. Where the rubber meets the road in all networks is the individual RJ11 connectors at each end of every cable. And video systems are where this can become a real nightmare. I’m fond of pointing out that an 8×8 distribution box that uses dual Cat5 will have 2048 individual conductors. Finding the one pair that was crossed or shorted when it was terminated will drive an installer mad. Your installers need to have 100 percent accuracy when terminating them. After each wire run is dropped and terminated, validate every line and confirm each termination now. It will save a lot of time later.
Lastly, label every cable at each end with its function and its location. A label maker is better than a sharpie marker, although even that is better than nothing. Affix the labels far enough from the wire ends so that they don’t get removed when the wires are stripped and terminated.
When people ask “What about fiber optics?” I reply, “What about it?” I know a handful of integrators who have run fiber optic cables in pre-wires as a “hedge” for future upgrades, but before you take that path, there’s things you need to know. The most important is what knowing what hardware you’ll eventually add.
Since nothing in this business is ever simple, there is more than one kind of fiber, and choosing it makes a difference. Do you need single mode fiber? Do you need multi-mode? If you don’t know, you’d better ask your vendors. And if they don’t know, you have more research to do before you start specifying fiber into jobs.
Wiring for video distribution isn’t complicated, it just requires a thorough understanding of the material required, and proper care and attention to detail. Done correctly, the prewire phase sets the rest of the project up for a smooth final installation. So get it right the first time. 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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Cord Cutting Phenomenon or Phantom?
By Steve Sechrist
Sr. Editor and Analyst, Insight Media Third quarter pay TV subscriber numbers are in and while there are clear revenue winners (Comcast and DirecTV) and losers (Time Warner and Dish Network) for the quarter, only DirecTV, with its NFL Sunday Ticket promotion, can claim subscriber net gain for Q3'11. On the other hand, many of these same multi-service operators (MSOs) report gains in their broadband Internet services.
Comcast in particular is spinning its loss of 165K viewers in the three-month period that ended September 30th, as a "pleasant surprise", according to one report. This is because the company lost fewer subscribers in Q3′11 over the same period in 2010 (275K.) And frankly, analysts were expecting another blood bath with loss predictions as high as 180K to 200K. While the reduced bleeding of subscribers is certainly an improvement for Comcast, the industry sees the losses as more economic than technology driven. Rival Time Warner lost 128K subscribers in the same period.
In fact for any appreciable growth in traditional pay TV, one has to go to Latin America, where DirecTV (DTV) claimed almost 1M (957K) gross and 574K net subscribers, plus Sky Mexico where the company added 238K net subscribers in the third quarter period. In the U.S., DTV had a very successful NFL Sunday Ticket promotion, which ran multiple times during the recent World Series, with added exposure due to a 7th game series. This helped boost the net U.S. subscriber numbers into the plus 327K level with the company reporting its biggest third quarter in seven years and a 19.8M total subscribers number.
But the other carriers in the big four didn’t fare as well. Rival Dish Network lost another 111K satellite subscribers, as new contracts didn’t offset the losses, along with "competitors' aggressive promotions" mentioned above. That puts Dish at 13.9M total subscribers, numbers that harken back to 2009 levels.
Some analysts are beginning to assess the decline in subscriptions concluding that it’s the economy, not over-the-top TV viewing via services like Netflix, that’s driving the pay TV subscription declines.
What’s the difference you may ask? Well when an economy gets better, folks will renew those lapsed subscriptions to once again enjoy TV viewing nirvana with 500-plus channels of pure entertainment, so the logic goes. Championing this view is analyst Craig Moffett with Sanford Bernstein, who also notes the increased competition from phone companies (AT&T) and the sluggish economy are affecting cable subscriptions. "The category itself isn’t growing, and that’s a function of two things; first, there’s almost no new household formation, so there are no newly occupied homes to serve and second, the low-end consumer is being priced out of the market."
With U.S. pay TV average revenue per user (ARPU) some of the highest in the world, that’s a pretty safe bet. A recent AP report put the Dish Satellite ARPU at $76.99, down from $78.84, an indication that some subscribers are cutting back from premium services. Keep in mind this is in the face of a Netflix subscription that costs about one-tenth as much, around $8. Even after you add a $40 to $50 IPTV provider fee, consumers are still saving $30/month (but they lose those 500 channels).
So here’s a pay TV riddle — when is a bad economy good news? When cable executives can blame reduced subscribers on "poverty" rather than "cord-cutting." That is the more "convenient" explanation that exonerates pay TV management from taking any responsibility for its ever-shrinking subscriber pie.
But for the "economy argument" to hold, these same MSO providers should also be experiencing reductions in high-speed Internet customers — logic dictates both should be decreasing. Not true — Comcast reported adding 261K new Internet customers to its rolls in the third quarter. And unlike pay TV subscribers, that number is not only positive, but growing at a 4.5 percent rate from the prior Q3′10 count of 249K.
Could it be that this group of viewers is not somehow "magically" immune to the effects of "poverty" but voting with their dollars and opting for the Internet with over-the-top, and a-la-carte viewing options that deliver higher value than the pay TV status quo? Wake up and smell the coffee, then get busy working on a-la-carte options your viewers really want. Steve Sechrist is a senior editor and analyst with Insight Media. Reach him at steve@insightmedia.info Leave a Comment
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Learn Acoustics from an Industry Pioneer The study of audio and acoustics is a complex science, and one that has a great impact on the enjoyability of any quality listening room. When it comes to home theater acoustics, you could spend years studying the fundamentals and learning on the job, or you could look to the established experts in the field to build a foundation of knowledge. One such expert is Dr. Floyd Toole, a longtime CEDIA University instructor who led an informative three-part webinar series on home theater audio and acoustics for CEDIA e-Learning. Dr. Floyd Toole launched his career in acoustics when the industry was still in its infancy and moved on to become a renowned authority on the measurement and understanding of sound quality. Over the years, Dr. Toole’s research has focused on small-room acoustics and evaluating the relationship between technical measurements of audio equipment and listeners’ perceptions. His findings have been applied to loudspeaker design and manufacturing. Learn the tools of the trade from Dr. Toole through a three-part webinar series offered by CEDIA e-Learning. ESD301 Home Theater Audio and Acoustics Part I This course explains the basic dimensions of sound and will cover how these dimensions relate to sound propagation in rooms and to listener perception. This course shows how scattering and diffusing devices and absorbers work and how these measurements interact with sounds radiated by loudspeakers. This course also explains the basics of loudspeaker measurements and how they relate to listener preferences. In addition, participants will learn how to analyze the size and shape of a room to determine the best placement for loudspeakers and acoustical materials. Learn more or register now.
ESD302 Home Theater Audio and Acoustics Part II This course explain the aspects of direction an dpsace that we wish to reproduce in home theaters and how multiple channels and loudspeakers can be used to achieve these illusions.The consequences of using free-standing, in-wall or on-wall loudspeakers are discussed, as are the different configurations of surround loudspeakers. Participants will learn about loudspeaker transducers and popular enclosure designs. This course prepares participants to decide on the key elements of a home theater system, including loudspeakers, amplifiers, and wiring, based on an analysis of the customer’s needs and the restrictions imposed by the realities of the room. Learn more or register now.
ESD303 Home Theater Audio and Acoustics Part III This course provides an understanding of how acoustics and psychoacoustics influence what we hear and how to take advantage of that knowledge to optimize the listening experience. Dr. Toole presents the factors affecting the choice, location and mounting of loudspeakers. Participants are shown strategies by which room dimensions, seat locations and multiple subwoofers can be manipulated to deliver similar bass to several listeners. In addition, guidelines for the use of equalization are reviewed. Learn more or register now.
Click here to register for these webinars or to check out the variety of CEDIA eLearning courses that are available conveniently online and can be taken anytime.
Back to Top Networking Becomes Key Feature for Flat Panel TVs In 2011, more than 27 percent of TVs shipped worldwide will be able to connect to a network, a figure that is expected to rise 54 percent to 155 million by 2015, according to the Q3’11 DisplaySearch Quarterly TV Design and Features Report. In addition, 16 percent of TVs shipping in Latin America in 2011 will be network-capable.
“The products shown at IFA Berlin this September demonstrate how networking is becoming a core feature of TVs,” said Paul Gray, DisplaySearch Director of TV Electronics Research. “The idea of TVs and companion screens is a powerful value proposition, both for selling smart phones and tablets that communicate with the TV, but also for mobile services to be enjoyed on the best screen.”
The latest generation of TV semiconductors, combined with digital broadcasting, is providing a fertile platform for rapid innovation in TV, in both mature and emerging markets.
Figure 1: DisplaySearch Connected TV Penetration Forecast
At the same time, the TV semiconductor business is struggling with the problems of hyper-competition. Consolidation is still playing out, including the rise of MStar Semi and Mediatek. TV manufacturers are restructuring their business models following losses in the first half of 2011. In addition, new lower cost LCD panel technology using LED backlights, shifts to out-sourcing, and new set designs are being investigated.
Integration and innovation in semiconductors is powering new capabilities, with networking emerging as an important new function. Consumer research suggests that the connection rate of TVs doubles when they have a wireless networking capability. TV manufacturers are responding and analysis of product ranges shown at IFA Berlin reveals how far wireless is filling product ranges.
Figure 2: Penetration of Wireless in TV Product Ranges (Percent of European Models)
For more information on this report, please contact Charles Camaroto at 1.888.436.7673 or 1.516.625.2452, or contact@displaysearch.com or contact your regional DisplaySearch office in China, Japan, Korea or Taiwan. Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Pacific Media Reports 2.4 Million Worldwide Projector Shipments in Q3 2011 According to a research report published by Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on front projectors, the worldwide front projector market grew by 13 percent in Q3 2011 compared to the same quarter last year.
PMA divides the front projector industry into three brightness ranges, each associated with its own set of buyer types and applications: New Era, Mainstream, and High-End.
The New Era range was driven by the Personal Projectors, highly mobile displays powered by “power bricks." During the third quarter, sales of Personal Projectors jumped by 30 percent on a year/year basis. More than 15 brands, including many household-name ones, were active in this segment as brightness levels climbed to 500 lumens and more fully-featured models came to market.
In the Mainstream range, year/year growth turned positive in the third quarter with continued strength in the BRIC countries and a sharp rebound across most of Eastern Europe. While the third quarter also experienced upside surprises in several countries — Australia, France, Korea, Spain and Switzerland–economic uncertainties, weak confidence indices, and austere corporate, government and education budgets continued to impact demand in most developed countries around the world.
Among mainstream product segments, interactive and ultra-short-throw projectors continued to outperform the overall market on both a unit and a revenue basis. More vendors continued to enter this space, and there was also significant activity in the market for interactive add-on modules and bundles. The third quarter also saw many new 3D-ready projectors enter commercial and consumer markets at price points similar to 2D models. As more 3D products roll out this holiday season, worldwide sales of 3D-ready projectors are expected to reach about 2.5 million this year.
Sales of High-End (5000+ lumen) projectors continued to outpace the overall market. During the quarter, the worldwide d-cinema market surpassed 60,000 installations. In the traditional market for super-bright projectors, the inexorable shift continued to wide XGA and wide UXGA models, particularly in developed markets. Sales of high-end models were also up in developing countries, though a significant portion of that growth was in standard resolution projectors.
Go here for the complete report: http://www.pacificmediaassociates.com/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Global Caché and Cortexa Partner Global Caché and Cortexa Automation (known for its home automation controllers and energy saving products) announced a "strategic alliance" allowing Cortexa to include Global Caché hardware as part of its solution.
For those of you unfamiliar with Cortexa, it has a so-called Home Automation Ready (HAR) system designed to bring home automation system at all cost levels. Its claim to fame is a plan the company says is designed to save a homeowner time and money through energy-savings, while allowing the installer to quickly get in, get out and get on to their next job. Using their software and HAR subsystems such as a Global Caché control system, INSTEON, Z-Wave, The Energy Detective or others, home-owners can expect to cut their energy bills, according to Cortexa.
Go here to learn more: http://www.cortexa.com/
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Share Article Back to Top iPod Creators Focus on the… Thermostat? When iPod creators Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers left Apple to start their own company back in 2008, many thought the two would work on a next-gen music player. Instead, they revealed the Nest, an intelligent (and rather i-stylish) thermostat.
The company says the thermostat will slash household heating and cooking bills by 10-35 percent by using fuzzy logic and "learning" customer habits — if the user turns the thermostat to the same temperature at the same time for a few days in a row, it will start setting it to the same settings automatically. Six far-field sensors will also detect human presence through temperature, ambient light, humidity and motion — turning heating (or air conditioners) down if no one is around.
Temperature control comes through either the rotating outer ring or Wi-Fi connectivity (allowing one to adjust thermostat settings via Internet-connected devices).
The company also claims installing a Nest thermostat will take all of 20 minutes. It's scheduled to start shipping this month.
Go here for more information: http://www.nest.com/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sanus Ships New iPad 2 Mount SANUS is now shipping the VisionMount VMA302 iPad 2 mount adapter, which can be attached to any VESA 100×100 compatible TV mount or combined with select SANUS models (including the MF215) to provide 360 degrees of motion. The custom molded design includes an easy-release tab on one end of the display and has speaker holes for iPad 2 audio. It allows 360 degrees of motion for landscape and portrait viewing when mounted on SANUS mount models MF202, MF209, MF215, MC1A and MD115.
Here are all the specs: http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/visionmount/mount-adapter/VMA302 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Crimson AV Ships In-Wall Mounting Box Crimson AV announced that its VersaFit in-wall mounting systems would begin shipping this week. VersaFit is basically a recessed in-wall box that mounts securely between studs behind almost any wall-mounted display. It's compatible with more than 20 standard Crimson mount styles, including nine arm-style multiple-angle mounts that allow for full motion and a variety of viewing angles while still being able to retract the TV flush with the wall. The VersaFit comes with built-in guides for placement on 1/2" and 5/8" drywall, providing for tool-less leveling that allows for accurate positioning during pre-construction installation. It lists for about $100.
You can see all the specs here: http://www.crimsonav.com/products/vfb16 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top projectiondesign Ships F35 Single-Chip 3D DLP Projector projectiondesign announced this month that its F35 AS3D projector is now shipping. The WQXGA (1920×1200) resolution (120 Hz refresh) F35 AS3D is an active stereo 3D DLP projector specified at 7500 ANSI lumens (but remember, that light output is reduced nearly 50 percent in 3D mode) with an 8000:1 contrast ratio. It includes two DVI-D inputs, two HDMI inputs and two 12V output trigger ports. It incorporates the TI DarkChip3 and has lens shift.
Complete specs are here: http://www.projectiondesign.com Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top IOGEAR Advances Video Streaming with Wireless 3D Digital Kit Yesterday IOGEAR launched a Wireless 3D Digital Kit (GW3DHDKIT) that allows 1080p HD and 3D wireless streaming for up to two rooms. Relying on the 5GHz wireless spectrum, the Wireless 3D Digital Kit does not require a line-of-sight placement and delivers uncompressed full 1080p, 3D content and 5.1 digital audio up to 100 feet. Consisting of a transmitter and receiver with connections that allow it to stream standard, HD or 3D content from up to two HDMI enabled devices, the kit includes an IR blast cable, a remote control, and two power adapters. To add a second room, one HDTV can connect directly to the transmitter’s loop-through (local) port, while a second HDTV simultaneously receives content via the wireless receiver. A so-called “floating HDTV” can be set up by connecting two HD or 3D media sources to the wireless transmitter while a wall-mounted TV receives content from the connected wireless receiver. Streaming high-bandwidth 3D and 1080p content up to 100 feet uses the 5GHz frequency, which is generally less susceptible to network interference and can carry more data than its 2.4 GHz relative.
The GW3DHDKIT is HDCP 2.0 compliant and requires no software or driver installation and costs $379.
Complete specs are here: http://www.iogear.com/product/GW3DHDKIT/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Anthem Debuts Ultimate Mono Amp The new Anthem Statement M1 is a new monaural (one-channel) amplifier delivering 1,000 watts into 8 ohms and 2,000 watts into 4 ohms. According to Anthem, the M1’s power figures are continuous from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at less than 0.1 percent THD+N and it delivers 2 kilowatts continuously when fed by 240V (power) and 2 kW for several seconds fed by a dedicated 120V 15A line. Housed in a 1U rack space, the M1 has RCA, XLR and trigger inputs, plus trigger and binding post outputs. The M1 can be set to power on/off via trigger or by sensing an input signal; after a few minutes with no signal, it will turn off automatically.
Go here for all the specs: http://anthemav.com/products/anthem-statement/amplifier/m1-monaural/m1-monaural-amplifier Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Bryston Ships SP-3 Home Theater Preamp Bryston has started to ship the SP-3 processor/preamplifier. It's integrated with a two-channel stereo output as well as 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround output modes. Decoding is provided for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio as well as the more standard Dolby and DTS formats, in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 channels. The Bryston SP-3 lists for $9,500.
Integrated with 11 source inputs, including six digital and one discrete analog two-channel stereo and 7.1 analog inputs (toggle button switches between digital and analog inputs), the SP-3 switches the audio and video inputs switched concurrently. The outputs include 7.1 balanced (XLR) outputs, 7.1 single ended (RCA) outputs with stereo down-mixing options for all surround modes and a digital bass-management modes for all speaker setups. The complete input package includes eight HDMI, four SPDIF coax, three optical, two AES/EBU digital, six pairs analog single ended, two pairs balanced XLR, 7.1 analog pass-through and USB. Outputs include 7.1 balanced, 7.1 single-ended (RCA), 1 optical, an aux (stereo left/right down mix or extra sub and center) and audio record outputs using two stereo (RCA) pairs from any analog input.
Here are the specifications: - Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.25 dB THD & Noise (20 Hz to 20 kHz at 2V output level): Less than 0.006 percent in all modes; below 0.0013 percent in Bypass Mode
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Not less than 100dB in all modes; 110dB in Analog Bypass Mode (Ref. 1V input, maximum gain, 22 kHz bandwidth).
- Input Level: Maximum 2 Vrms in DSP modes, 4Vrms in Bypass Mode
- Output Level: 8 Vrms (16 Vrms Balanced) in DSP Modes; 10 Vrms (20 Vrms Balanced) in Bypass Mode
- Output Impedance: 110 Ohms
The preamp isn't on Bryston's site yet but when it is, it will be here: http://www.bryston.com/index.html Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Mitsubishi Adds 55" Narrow Bezel Displays Mitsubishi announced the release of a narrow-bezel, 55-inch monitor (MDT551S) that the company is aiming at video conferencing, gaming, retail kiosks and digital signage. Included with DisplayPort, VGA and HDMI inputs, the new 55" is CFL-backlit, includes network monitoring and control and the ability to send video and audio via the network. With a brightness spec of 700 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1300:1, the MDT551S is 1920×1080 native, weighs in at about 90 pounds and uses about 350 watts of power in use.
Complete specs are here: http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/mdt551s/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Control4 Adds Channel Vision as Partner Brand ARIA Audio Systems by Channel Vision announced last month that its On-Wall Dock for iPod (model P-3036) is now Control4 certified. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Onkyo Announces New iPod Touch/iPhone App Onkyo has introduced a new iPod Touch/iPhone App that provides wireless remote control of the company's 2010 and 2011 networked AV receivers. The Onkyo Remote 2 App adds expanded multi-room control and has a new graphical look. To read the complete press release online, click here. | Back to Top ihiji and Access Networks Partner to Host Webinar on Creating Robust and Reliable Networks ihiji, maker of the cloud-based remote monitoring and service contract solution, invision, and Access Networks, a provider of enterprise-grade networking solutions in the CE space, will host a free webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 pm EDT about creating robust and reliable networks using their services. To read a complete press release online, click here. Back to Top DTools and Panamax/Furman Renew Partnership D-Tools announced this month that Panamax/Furman has renewed its partnership in the D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program, making its product data available in the System Integrator software database. 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 2011 – 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. |