BenQ America today announced it has replaced the W1070 projector with the HT1070 (1920×1080) that now includes a six-segment color wheel (RGBRGB) with six times the speed at a price of $699. The HT1070 is spec’d at 2,000 lumens and can project a 100” image from eight feet away from the screen. Adding CinemaMaster Audio, […]

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced the completion of its compliance test specification (CTS) for products incorporating the USB Type-C connector and the DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) standard. The new CTS documents allow VESA members to have their products compliance tested through VESA’s Authorized Test Centers (ATCs) worldwide, or by completing self-testing […]

Elite Screens today announced the launch of its Yard Master Electric series of retractable outdoor projector screens. The Yard Master Electric is the motorized variant of Elite’s outdoor “roll-up” projector screen. It’s an enameled weather resistant aluminum casing that’s designed for a backyard, patio, pool deck, or anywhere outside. The components are made from rustproof […]

I wanted to use that title, so I’m going to break my moratorium on too many editorials with too many Jerry McGuire references too close together. While the business climate seems to be slowly improving, I have yet to talk to anyone in the various channels of the AV and CE business who’s told me […]

AudioControl has announced the availability of DTS:X and DTS Neural Surround for its Concert AVR-7 and AVR-9 home theater receivers as well as their Maestro M9 theater processor. These surround formats are available now and can be added to models already in the field via firmware update. DTS:X is an immersive surround format that delivers […]

Here are the six newest Harman family of products launched in December:   Crown DriveCore Install DA Series Amplifiers: A new line of amplifiers that feature Dante networked audio transport. In addition to being able to send and receive Dante audio, the DCi-DA Series includes many of the same features as the DCi-Network Series, such […]

Didn’t we just have Analog Sunset? And, what the heck is Digital Sunset? Yes, it’s true that it seems that we just completed Analog Sunset — the retiring of everything analog (in mainstream technology, that is) and the realization that all things will become digital. That ended, believe it or not, like six years ago […]

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially adopted Bluetooth 5 as the latest version of the Bluetooth core specification this week. Key updates to Bluetooth 5 include longer range, faster speed, and larger bandwidth, as well as what the SIG says will be “improved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies.” There is no doubt […]

SnapAV announced this week that it has purchased Autonomic, a manufacturer of music streaming and multi-room audio distribution solutions for the custom install market. Autonomic “makes the consumption of digital media easier” for customers by offering a distributed audio system that’s controllable with iOS and Android devices or via a control system. SnapAV distributes audiovisual […]

You may recall that we were the first AV publication to report the purchase of VIZIO by a Chinese company called LeEco. LeEco is a giant (multi-billion dollar) private holding company started by Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting, the founder of Le.com (aka LeTV). Well known in China, LeEco holdings include a cell phone company, a […]

Comprehensive Connectivity Company just launched an HDMI matrix switcher (CSW-HD442-4K60) with four HDMI inputs and four HDMI outputs that’s specified to switch 3840×2160 signals @60Hz (YCbCr4:2:0). Comprehensive’s HDMI Matrix Switcher routes any four sources to be shown on any of the four displays, simultaneously, while supporting 4Kx2K@60Hz (YCbCr4:2:0). Multi-channel HDMI digital audio sources can be […]

Dolby Laboratories today announced the company has exceeded major milestones, including the installation of 2,000 Dolby Atmos enabled cinema screens and the release of 500 movie titles mixed in Dolby Atmos. Since debuting in 2012 with Disney Pixar’s Brave, Dolby Atmos has paved a new course for creative storytelling, transforming the ways in which audiences […]

Phase Tech’s new 10″ Low-Profile In-Wall IW210 Subwoofer is shopping. The IW210 is a 10″ in-wall sub with a 10″ passive Bass Radiator in a retrofit enclosure. It includes Phase Tech’s patented Positive Clamping Mounting System as a turnkey solution for music and home theater systems. Easily installed post-construction with an enclosure measuring (22”x13”x 3.875”), […]

Middle Atlantic Products announced today that C2G’s commercial solutions are now available to residential integrator partners along with Middle Atlantic along with their power and AV system foundational products. C2G’s entire product line (and their 4K stuff) will be available including access to their RapidRun Optical modular cabling system. The system’s runners are now available […]

BASSBOSS just launched the new SV8 Powered MicroMain — designed as a main or fill speaker in clubs, gyms, restaurants or as a recording studio monitoring solution. With 117dB of sustained output in satellite mode and maximum output of 120dB, the SV8 Powered Micromain is capable of output levels that compare to some 12” powered […]

SnapAV’s SunBright division is shipping their new Signature Series outdoor TVs. SunBriteTV’s new outdoor Signature Series screens are spec’d to be up to three times brighter than typical indoor displays and come in three 4K UHD (3840×2160) sizes. With weatherized capabilities and a guaranteed operating range of -24°F to 122°F, they can be placed almost […]

LG announced last week that Jo Seong-jin, the head of its Home Appliance & Air Solution (H&A) Company and one of the three representative directors responsible for key decisions of the entire organization, has been promoted to the position of sole chief executive officer, effective immediately. Jo’s responsibility will extend across all of LG Electronics’ […]

Meridian Audio just announced a new partnership with Cinema-ATS, a supplier of acoustic treatment solutions for home cinemas. As part of the new agreement, Meridian dealers will be able to specify and deliver the full range of Cinema-ATS products — without having to commit to any minimums. This arrangement is part of a strategic plan […]

James Loudspeaker has introduced the Omni48AT landscape satellite speaker and the Omni89AT satellite/subwoofer package. Both are made from marine-grade powder coated aluminum enclosures. The James Loudspeaker Omni48AT is designed to deliver 360-degrees of sound from a single location. Utilizing four coaxially mounted 0.75-inch aluminum dome tweeters over proprietary high-excursion 4-inch woofers mated to a crossover […]

Like Dickey Fox said in Jerry Maguire, “The key to this business is *claps hands* personal relationships!” Regardless of how fantastic their products are, vendor sales reps need to understand that the personal relationship they build with their dealers can be the make or break factor in how much business they get, or if they […]

Klipsch announced today the new Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room Audio System — clearly aimed at the SONOS. Expanding into the wireless multi-room audio segment, Klipsch Stream distributes audio wirelessly from streaming internet sources, locally stored content and traditional audio sources. The Klipsch Stream app, available on iOS and Android, provides users control of all their […]

InfoComm International has announced that the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) study courses and testing will be offered at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2017, Feb. 7-10 at the Amsterdam RAI. In addition, InfoComm will host more than 80 professional development sessions at the show, including a new series of hands-on Application Labs, a selection of half-day […]

The Z-Wave Alliance has adding a security requirement to its long-standing interoperability certification. This addition to its certification program will require manufacturers to adopt the strongest levels of IoT security in the industry. The Alliance Board of Directors has voted to make the implementation of the new Security 2 (S2) framework mandatory for all products […]

Crestron is now shipping the new generation of TSW touch screens, which the company says has faster touch response. The TSW-560, TSW-760 and TSW 1060 are available at the same pricing as the prior generation. New TSW touch screen features include a faster processor, a higher level of network security (enterprise-grade) including 802.1X, TLS, FIPS-140-2, […]

AptoVision today announced BlueRiver NT1000, the latest product in AptoVision’s BlueRiver NT+ Series of AV-over-IP chipsets,which remain the world’s only chipsets to transport uncompressed, zero-latency Ultra HD/4K HDR over Ethernet. BlueRiver NT1000 delivers all the advanced IP-switching and extension capabilities AptoVision is known for, while reducing the bill of material costs for AV over IP […]

James Loudspeaker has introduced the Modular Indoor/Outdoor Theater, a dramatically innovative approach to delivering all available surround formats to any environment in a high-performance, fully custom free-standing form factor. The Modular Indoor/Outdoor Theater is a built-to-size aluminum structure to be assembled onsite, housing all of the required loudspeaker components for any surround format. The system […]

Tomorrow, dnp will launch something the company is calling the Supernova Flex Classic. The dnp Supernova Flex Classic is available in 100” or 120” sizes in 16:9 format, and 100” and 110” in 16:10 format using the company’s ISF certified 08-85 Supernova material. The screen rolls up and down quickly at the touch of a […]

Legrand today launched ELIOT, an IoT program that advances connectivity and intelligence in the Built Environment and enhances value in the use of connected products. Legrand is joined by partners Amazon Alexa, Samsung and Cisco in launching ELIOT, which offers a purpose-built cloud, gateways for installed legacy offerings, an array of natively-connected new products, and […]

Attero Tech is shipping two new Bluetooth audio interfaces. Not to be confused with consumer Bluetooth interfaces, the Attero Tech unBT2A and unD6IO-BT are the first Bluetooth-enabled audio devices designed specifically for use with commercially installed AV systems. Attero Tech also released its new unDNEMO-BT, the world’s first Bluetooth-enabled, Dante network audio monitor. Both Attero […]

Atlantic Technology has begun dealer shipments of its new model FS5 Front Stage loudspeaker system. The Atlantic Technology FS5 contains all three front-channel theater speakers in a single enclosure. Its attractive piano-gloss cabinet is 50 inches wide but only 3 inches deep so it can be wall-mounted using built-in keyhole brackets, placed on a shelf […]

Click here to see Gary Kayye’s thoughts about this acquisition. Samsung Electronics and Harman International today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Samsung will acquire HARMAN for $112.00 per share in cash, or total equity value of approximately $8.0 billion.  Upon closing, the transaction will immediately give Samsung a significant […]

Hall Research has introduced an HDBaseT Receiver in a Decora-style wall plate that can be installed in the wall behind a TV. The UHBX-R-WP provides HDMI video output as well as RS232 and IR for applications where control signals may be needed. The wall plate Receiver uses a single Cat6 cable up to 500 feet […]