Smart home devices are shaking off their novelty image and moving mainstream to become one of the fastest growing consumer electronics categories of 2017. That’s according to a new smart home report from Futuresource Consulting, which reveals that the devices will achieve a retail value of $6bn worldwide this year, with revenues expected to triple by 2021. Alexa and […]

RTI today announced the availability of its special edition T3x handheld system controller. The flagship remote control features a white finish. RTI’s T3x was shown in different finishes for the first time at ISE 2017. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the company let its dealers vote on their favorite finish color, which would be featured in the special edition of […]

On September 29, the industry gathered together to recognize excellence and professionalism at the 2017 CEDIA EMEA Awards  At the event, the CEDIA Global Award winners – chosen from the winners in all regions in the Best Home Cinema, Best Media Room, and Best Integrated Home categories – were also announced. Hosted at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London […]

DISH is now the first major U.S. pay-TV provider to offer a whole-home 4K Netflix experience. After offering Netflix Ultra HD titles on its Hopper 3 DVR since April 2016, the company added the app to its 4K Joey client. Now DISH customers have the ability to stream the robust catalog of Ultra HD TV shows and movies on Netflix […]

BenQ America today announced the availability of its new budget-friendly HT1070A home theater projector. Calibrated by BenQ’s dedicated engineering team to achieve the Rec. 709 standard, the HT1070A’s 1080p full HD resolution beams brilliant color for home entertainment applications. BenQ says that the BenQ HT1070A was uniquely engineered to bust inferior image quality hurdles. It […]

CEDIA and IPro (Independent Professional Representatives Organization) have today announced an agreement for the IPRO membership to be integrated into the CEDIA membership under a new CEDIA IPro affinity group. As part of this new structure, Ray Wright, IPRO executive director will lead operations for the CEDIA IPRO affinity group, and an advisory council will be appointed to coordinate the activities of […]

It’s funny how ideas work. Two years ago, I started a draft of this blog about curve jumping. I wrote an opening paragraph and then stopped. It sat in the catacombs of the site, waiting to be dug up again or lost forever. If you’re not familiar with the term curve jumping you should be. […]

In the prior installment, I had begun detailing the Request For Quote process, and my observations on them. And by “observations on them,” what I really mean is my cynical outlook on them. Don’t get me wrong, jumping through the RFQ hoops set out by organizational procurement managers can be a tedious and unrewarding exercise. […]

CEDIA has announced that CEDIA Certification exams will now be available through Kryterion Global Testing Solutions, which has more than 1,000 testing centers worldwide. “It has been a long-standing goal of CEDIA to make our certification exams more accessible to our members around the world,” said David Whitney, CEDIA certification manager. “Members who previously could […]

Anybody who sells into commercial, industrial or institutional channels has to deal with Requests For Quotes. A request for quotation (abbreviated as RFQ) is how large organizations invite vendors to bid on systems, services or individual products. For AV pros, quotations on systems and services are the most common. Additionally, what’s asked for the in […]

Control4 Corporation today announces the Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) program. PCNA is a training experience that employs online coursework with hands-on learning using Pakedge networking gear to provide dealers and technicians the networking knowledge they need to design, install and manage wired and wireless IP networks. The PCNA course curriculum combines interactive coursework, online instructional office hours and an online certification exam […]

Genelec just introduced the 7380 Smart Active Subwoofer, which delivers both high SPL and an extended low-distortion LF response in an impressively compact enclosure. The new flagship of the Smart Active Monitoring subwoofer range, the 7380 can be simply and seamlessly integrated into any monitoring system – from stereo to multi-channel, as well as part of a large-scale 3D […]

ZeeVee announced the expansion of its ZyPer IP based distribution platform with the launch of the new ZyPerUHD.  ZeeVee now offers both compressed and uncompressed options for delivering 4K over a standard Ethernet switch (4K @ 60Hz 4:2:0). The new ZyperUHD encoders and decoders provide ultra-low latency (less than two frames), compressed video up to Ultra-HD/4K resolution using an off-the-shelf 1Gb […]

Over a decade ago, FX Luminaire introduced a sleek copper-and-brass path light called the SP. Today, the SP remains the industry standard, and its high quality and ubiquity across landscapes is testament to its popularity. Inspired by the beauty, simplicity, and timeless design of the SP, FX Luminaire has developed a sister fixture made of aluminum — aptly named the SPA […]

Crestron announced today a new partnership with Hatteras Yachts, a leading global luxury yacht manufacturer and AHT Global, a leading global technology integrator. Together, the companies say they joined forces to deliver a world-class experience with the new M90 Motor Yacht completely outfitted with Crestron technology. Crestron provides dependable and robust technology available, so your vessel is always prepared to stay […]

Editor’s Note: The following is a difficult post to read. It is not about technology; it is about suicide. I am posting it here because it’s important and because my friend Richard asked me to. If telling his story, with the knowledge that it may help prevent a similar situation, gives him even the smallest […]

In a surprise announcement today, InfoComm International (the organization) changed its name to the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA). For now, InfoComm the trade show will keep its name (both the trade show in the U.S. every June, as well as the international versions such as InfoComm China). They will just be operated by […]

Covid has announced the addition of two new HDMI 2.0 cables. Both support HDMI High Dynamic Range (HDR) up to 18Gbps and 4K@60Hz resolution and color. The P-HDFH-DC2 Active Optical cable is a plenum-rated, flexible cable offering a 5-millimeter bend radius. Because this cable is constructed using fiber optics, it can be offered in much […]

Barco Residential’s new Medea projector is a native 4K (3840×2160) resolution projector that designed as an entry-level projector for home cinema that includes HDR10 support. The outstanding image quality is powered by a new optical engine and laser light source, providing significantly improved image uniformity, nearly instant on/off, and a light source life of up to 40,000 hours […]

Savant has announced today the introduction of the Savant Multi-STAT, a touch screen multipurpose thermostat as part of the Savant Climate solution. The Savant Multi-STAT claims to be a completely new approach to the residential thermostat, elegantly and discreetly placing control and automation functionality alongside climate settings in easy reach throughout the home. The Multi-STAT provides homeowners with convenient […]

Panamax today announced the introduction of the BlueBOLT-CV2, a new interface enabling energy management features of Panamax PRO products to be managed from the local network without requiring a cloud connection. Integrators can monitor their clients’ power as well as set up a number of notifications alerting them of network and or power anomalies. Scheduled events and auto-reboot functions […]

Lutron Electronics today announced the availability of new Lutron Connect packages as well as a family of DIN rail panels and modules, opening the door to more project opportunities for its HomeWorks QS system integrators. The new Lutron Connect packages include a 1-link processor and the Lutron Connect Bridge. These packages reduce the starting price of a HomeWorks […]

Offering the industry’s broadest portfolio of consumer OLED TVs – 10 models in 55-, 65- and 77-inch class sizes – LG Electronics USA is bringing the 2017 LG OLED lineup to CEDIA 2017 in San Diego this week. The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W7 features a Picture-on-Wall form factor. At just 2.57mm thin in the 65-inch model, the LG SIGNATURE […]

Middle Atlantic Products debuted the Proximity Series AV storage solution at CEDIA 2017. The Proximity Series Sliding Mounting Plate and In-Wall Boxes provide integrators with a flexible offering to reliably support the growing network of small devices and component-intense systems in residential applications right behind the display. The Proximity Series Sliding Mounting Plate is designed to mount […]

Just Add Power (J+P) announced its Switch Please web application at CEDIA 2017, Sept. 7-9, at the San Diego Convention Center. Part of the latest development to its innovative approach to IP video distribution, the free Switch Please app is dynamically generated based on the switch configuration of the installation. As a result, installers and end-users can easily switch J+P […]

It appears that Crestron can, in fact, predict the future. The 2017 CEDIA Expo is shaping up to be a very good show. We have a team of five people out in San Diego right now covering it live and you can follow our coverage here. The show floor is beautiful and we’ll spend the morning, right before the […]

iPoint LLC today announced iPoint Control’s full integration with the Portal product database. This latest update to the business management platform gives iPoint Control users convenient access to over 1 million aggregated products within the Portal product catalog. In addition to Portal access, iPoint Control users will be able to create a data library with customized descriptions, pictures, and […]

Samsung Electronics America Inc. has incorporated Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) software into its technology to simplify integration with Control4 automation systems. The integration, coupled with Control4 Certified driver support for the entire 2017 4K UHD TV lineup and the new UBD-M9700 4K UHD Blu-ray Player, debuting at the CEDIA 2017 show in San Diego, is integral […]

Control4 Corporation today announces the immediate availability of the Pakedge WR-1 with BakPak Lite, an integrated network router and wireless access point with built-in cloud-based network management. Pakedge provides networking capability for connected homes, and at $300 U.S. MSRP, the WR-1 with BakPak management software enables Control4 Dealers to provide a new consumer segment the benefits of a monitored, intelligent home network. The WR-1 implements […]

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced 5-Star Solutions. “We want to ensure that custom installers have priority access to the product, information and support they require. That’s why we’re launching the Samsung 5-Star Solutions at CEDIA.” says David Carter, Vice President of Sales for Samsung Electronics America. The Samsung 5-Star Solutions provides the custom installer with a […]

CEDIA has announced the 2017 volunteers of the year, each of whom has contributed significant time and lent their expertise to help develop and refine CEDIA programs and offerings. Every year, CEDIA recognizes three members: a new volunteer, a training volunteer, and an overall volunteer. Guy Singleton – Volunteer of the Year: The Cinema Designer Guy has been a […]

Control4 Corporation today announces the immediate availability of an extensive Triad-branded line of high-resolution audio products. The new line includes the Triad AMS-24 and AMS-8 Audio Matrix Switches, Triad 8-Zone Power Amplifier, and Triad One Streaming Amplifier. Control4 has also added two music services with native integration into Control4 EA Controllers including iHeartRadio and Spotify. Over 65 […]