Click above for more information Welcome to another issue of rAVe HomeAV Edition! If you didn't see any of the announcements this week, we are partnering with CEDIA to bring you a new service called CEDIA Expo OnDemand Powered by rAVe NOW, for the first time at a CEDIA show! If you play in the ProAV space, you saw us launch rAVe NOW at InfoComm, and now CEDIA is helping us bring the same service to you for their show! You'll see short videos right from the show floor, live Twittering from several members of our editorial staff, and blogs during the show about the show. There's no replacement for actually going to CEDIA (for the education, if nothing else), but we're proud to offer this service, which benefits those of you who had to stay behind this year due to budget cuts. It's also useful for figuring out what you should spend your time to go check out if you are there in Atlanta. We'll keep it up after the show if you need to revisit anything too! To check it out, go to our CEDIA Expo OnDemand Powered by rAVe NOW site here, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ravepubs, or download our brand new iPhone application – it's free! See you at the show, and enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS Back to Top Click above for more information Don't Use Co-op for Advertising!!! Use it for Education
By Gary Kayye, CTS [Ed. Note: We originally printed this article in March 2009. With CEDIA only a few weeks away, however, we decided to print it again because education is the single most important reason for integrators to go to the show. We can’t overemphasize how valuable the opportunity to learn from experts and peers is, and this is your best chance all year. If you’re feeling the economic pinch, this article is just to remind you of another way you can creatively pay for your education.]
Does anyone really ever find an AV dealer in the Yellow Pages anyway?
Heck no! So, why advertise there?
I was curious, so I spent a few days trying to track down the culprit of the Yellow Pages advertising craze of the 1990's that seems to have crept into the new Millennium. Yes, HomeAV dealers still seem to advertise in the Yellow Pages even though the ones I spoke to couldn’t name a profitable sale they actually made from a client finding them there. Yet, even in the local phone book here in North Carolina, there are three, giant (well, as giant as Yellow Pages ads go with 2-, 4- and 6-point type) ads from HomeAV dealers who all, collectively, agreed that they don’t see a benefit from it. Where’s the ROI? So, why do they do it?
Well interestingly enough, all three gave the same response: they had to use their co-op funds for something. I’ve got an idea that I hope you will agree might be a better use of co-op funds. Use it for Education. I can’t imagine a single manufacturer refusing to let you do that – and if they do, write me, I’ll call them myself and harass them about it (and write about it). It’s a much better use of these sorts of funds as the long-term payback is huge!
Are your favorite manufacturers doing this? If not, ask them to. CEDIA, InfoComm, CEA, NSCA and many of the other industry associations and third-party independent educational providers have educational programs that are not only financed via manufacturers dollars, but they also contribute both scholarships and allow their dealers to use Co-op funds to attend them.
But, don’t stop there, take the next step and develop your own, in-house educational program and use co-op funds and manufacturer’s rebates to support them. I assure you they will have a measurable ROI that you can’t deny.
Back to Top Click above for more information Planning Your Last Minute Trip to CEDIA EXPO 2009 Haven’t planned your trip to CEDIA EXPO yet? Short on time and on money? Don’t waste any more time, because there are things you can do to offset cost and spend time at EXPO wisely if you start now. Here’s your guide to planning your last minute trip to CEDIA EXPO 2009:
1. Make a Needs Analysis Pre-Show – Is your company in need of new inventory? Are your employees up-to-date on certification? Assess what your company needs before you make the trip to EXPO, and plan how you’ll spend your time based upon that. Send some employees to manufacturer product training, and some to courses, or whatever will best fit your business needs. Visit http://www.cedia.org/expo for a full listing of what CEDIA EXPO offers to all areas of your business.
2. Map Your Show – Use your time wisely on the tradeshow floor, because time is money and these days both are precious commodities. Plan your route around the floor, making sure to visit the manufacturers you want to see. Visit http://www.cedia.org/mapyourshow to plan your itinerary at EXPO. You can schedule courses, manufacturer product training, etc., and plan how much time you’ll spend doing what at the show.
3. Read the Registration Brochure – Unsure of what classes to take to maximize your effort at EXPO? The registration brochure is filled with descriptions of every course being offered at EXPO, and can help you determine the ones that most suit your company’s needs. Pinpoint the courses that are best for you and register online at http://www.cedia.org/expo, you can also download the registration brochure on this page.
4. Follow CEDIAnameric on Twitter – CEDIA’s twitter page is full of useful tips and important happenings at EXPO. Follow CEDIAnameric on twitter before, during, and after the show to stay up-to-date on the need-to-knows of CEDIA EXPO 2009. Not on twitter? Sign-up at http://www.twitter.com. Stay current and informed with the industry via this real-time tool.
If you are really behind on planning, you can take advantage of regular pricing that has been extended to onsite. See a class that interests you at the show, and you can register for it onsite without incurring additional costs. However, registering online before the show is the only way to ensure that your place in a class is secure.
If you’ve got a short amount of time or small amount of money to spend at EXPO, planning is key. Follow the simple tips outlined above to make EXPO a key component to your company’s growth and success. Register for CEDIA EXPO 2009 today at http://www.cedia.org/expo.
Back to Top Upcoming CEDIA University Events CEDIA EXPO 2009
9/9/2009 – 9/13/2009
Georgia World Congress Center – Atlanta, GA
http://www.cedia.org/expo
e-Learning Webinar: EST202
9/23/209
http://www.cedia.org/elearning
Introduction to Sub Systems
Survival Of The Fittest Webinar
10/6/2009
http://www.cedia.org/survival
Return of the Housing Market – When and How
Installer Level I (Canadian) Review & Exam
10/7/2009
ADI / Lachine, Quebec
EST Basic Residential Boot Camp
10/19/2009 – 10/21/2009
CEDIA Training Facility – Indianapolis, IN
Managing the Business End of Your Business
10/21/2009
ADI – Chicago, IL
ESB Business Night Class Package – Day 1
10/21/2009
Digital Sales Group/david llc – Westbury, NY
ESB121 Introduction To Operational Management
EST Advanced Residential Boot Camp
10/22/2009 – 10/24/2009
CEDIA Training Facility – Indianapolis, IN
ESB Business Night Class Package – Day 2
10/28/2009
Digital Sales Group/david llc – Westbury, NY
ESB223 – Managing People
Back to Top rAVe Partners with CEDIA to Bring CEDIA Expo OnDemand Powered by rAVe NOW | | | | | rAVe [Publications] is proud to bring you the best coverage in the AV industry again for the CEDIA Expo 2009 in Atlanta. This time we're partnering with CEDIA to bring you rAVe NOW, a new service where we'll have video interviews and product spotlights right from the show floor, live Twittering from several members of our editorial staff, and in-depth analysis via our blog. How do you find us? 1. Our website will have our videos, Twitter feed, and blog posts. Click here to check it out. 2. At the show? Follow us on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/ravepubs 3. Have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Want instant and complete AV industry news coverage? We've got an app for that! Get 24-hour access to our articles, videos, Twitter feed, and blog posts via our new FREE iPhone app! Click here to download. See you at the show! |
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Back to Top Sony and Best Buy Announce Wireless Whole-House Audio System The new ALTUS system will be a wireless whole house, multi-room audio system manufactured by Sony and sold through Best Buy. Usurping the CEDIA channel totally, a source inside Sony told rAVe that they decided Best Buy was the best channel for selling ALTUS as they felt it needed a direct consumer retail environment to show the simplicity of install and use.
The complete product line will debut this fall.
Click here for more information from Sony’s website: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644656494
Back to Top Digital Projection and Crestron Partner at CEDIA Digital Projection International (DPI) and Crestron are partnering in Crestron’s ultimate Adagio Digital Home Theater Experience in Sound Room 1. DPI’s TITAN 1080p-250 will be on display in conjunction with Crestron’s new ADMS InterMedia Delivery System and Procise HD Surround Sound Processor (PSPHD).
The Ultimate Experience will allow CEDIA attendees to learn about the latest innovations in the new world of digital home theater technology, the valuable role it will play in home entertainment applications of the future, and how integrators can implement them immediately. Chosen for its high lumen output, 5000:1 contrast and quiet operation, the TITAN 1080p-250 will present saturated, vivid imagery as attendees see, hear and feel mind blowing HD surround sound and true digital media in an amazing live setting. To read the full press release, go here: http://www.digitalprojection.com/NewsMedia/tabid/56/newsid370/132/mid/370/DIGITAL-PROJECTION-AND-CRESTRON-PARTNER-IN-ULTIMATE-HOME-THEATER-EXPERIENCE-AT-CEDIA-2009/Default.aspx
Back to Top ZigBee Alliance Certifies 17 Home Automation Products The ZigBee Alliance, the global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, commercial and consumer applications, announced the certification of 17 devices from ten manufacturers using ZigBee Home Automation, plus enhancements to the public application profile.
The tech standard offering control for home appliances, lighting, environment, energy use, and security, ZigBee Home Automation provides a path to direct interoperability with other ZigBee public application profiles, including the industry-leading ZigBee Smart Energy.
ZigBee Home Automation now features new security mechanisms and support for doorbells and mechanized window shades. The standard features control of HVAC systems, power outlets, motorized devices, security and other devices. Product manufacturers will benefit from this standardized approach that makes devices reliable, affordable, easy-to-install and operate. The Alliance says products using ZigBee Home Automation are ideal for new construction, do-it-yourself and retrofit markets.
From Control4's Home Controller HC-300 to the Jetlun Gateway (a controller that collects, stores and displays real-time energy consumption info) to Netgear's ZEB102 ZigBee Bridge (monitors and controls energy devices and in-home appliances over the Internet) to SerComm's NA401 Home Automation Gateway, energy is becoming the residential industry's most "heated" topic…
For more information, go to: http://www.zigbee.org/Markets/ZigBeeHomeAutomation/ZigBeeHomeAutomationOverview/tabid/457/Default.aspx
Back to Top NAD Debuts M15HD Pre-Amp Earlier this week, NAD Electronics introduced the Masters Series M15HD Surround Sound Preamplifier. The M15HD offers NAD's exclusive (for a high-end consumer product) Modular Design Construction (MDC) in addition to innovative circuit designs, proprietary operating software, broadcast-quality image processing, and exceptional sonic performance and value.
The modules for the M15HD include features like dual 32-bit Aureus 7.1 high-speed DSPs by Texas Instruments; Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume, and MultEQ Pro room correction technologies by Audyssey; decoding for advanced audio formats, including Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio; and Sigma Designs' VXP broadcast-quality image processor. Coupled with advanced image enhancement algorithms, they comprise the most advanced single-chip image processor now available, and provide every source with the highest level of 1080p HD performance.
The image processor supports all SD and HD formats up to 2048×2048 pixels. It includes motion adaptive de-interlacing with edge interpolation, film mode detection with output cadence generation, a programmable scaling engine with aspect ratio conversion, frame conversion to and from any refresh rate (in NTSC and PAL), and advanced noise reduction and detail enhancement.
The M15HD can convert Component, and Composite and S-Video inputs from analog to digital HDMI using high-performance video decoders. It sends eight-channel linear PCM from the video signal to the DSP board for processing.
The $4500 M15HD will officially debut at CEDIA and can be found here: http://nadelectronics.com/products/masters-series/M15-HD-AV-Surround-Sound-Preamplifier
Back to Top SpeakerCraft to Ship New Rock Speaker Line SpeakerCraft announced the delivery of Ruckus, their new line of outdoor rock speakers. Replacing the Rox series, Ruckus is a line of ten models with major upgrades in both sonic capability and appearance.
The Ruckus loudspeakers have an incredibly durable U.V. and weather-resistant lacquer coating on top of a reinforced, color-matched polyresin enclosure. This means that even if the outer coating is chipped or marred, the material underneath is the same color and, just like an actual rock, will maintain its rock-like appearance.
Available in five models, each in either granite or sandstone finishes, the Ruckus series speakers will blend into any landscape. Their carefully molded enclosures do an excellent job of mimicking actual stone and will provide years of outdoor entertainment.
More information on the line can be found here: http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:297:Outdoor%20Speaker%20Overview
Back to Top Onkyo Debuts 3 Networked AV Receivers Onkyo has introduced three network- and internet-radio-capable, 9.2-channel THX Ultra2 Plus certified A/V receivers that deliver what the company says is all the power, processing, and features to support cutting edge home theater and whole-house entertainment. The three new models, the Onkyo TX-NR1007, TX-NR3007, and top-of-the-line TX-NR5007, will all be shipping to dealers before the end of September.
All three new receivers include a rear-panel Ethernet port, and provide advanced networking capabilities with streaming for Pandora, Rhapsody, vTuner, and Sirius Internet Radio services. Each receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and carries DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5 certification, ensuring optimal compatibility with other network-enabled equipment throughout the home.
The two top models in Onkyo's TX-series AV receivers, the TX-NR5007 and TX-NR3007, feature eight and seven HDMI 1.3a inputs each, respectively, including one on each front panel. Video processing, including upscaling of all video inputs to 1080p/24, is handled by an advanced HQV Reon-VX chipset. The less expensive TX-NR1007 features a total of six HDMI inputs on the rear panel, and 1080p upscaling via Faroudja DCDi Cinema processing. All three models include dual parallel HDMI outputs, allowing for display of current programming on dual monitors, simultaneously or independently, for increased setup flexibility. These models also include powerful ISF Certified Calibration Controls (ISFccc) for independent optimization and fine-grain adjustments of a full range of video sources, including day, night, and custom modes for each input.
The $1500-$3000 line will ship in late Q3 and aren’t on Onkyo’s website yet, but when they are, they will be here: http://www.us.onkyo.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver
Back to Top DW Collection Launches Newest Ferrari Art.Engine System for Home The David Wiener Collection (DWC), a luxury line of audio, entertainment, furnishing and fashion offerings, will introduce at CEDIA the Ferrari Art.Engine System – what they literally call, “an audio and engineering tour de force.” DWC says the Art.Engine System is more than just an upgraded version of the pioneering Ferrari Art.Engine. The original was a bi-amplified stereo audio system housed in a single floor-standing aluminum tower featuring twin integrated line-source loudspeakers, four 200-watt discrete digital amplifier modules, DSP signal management, and a digital wireless receiver. The new Ferrari Art.Engine System comes in a variety of Ferrari-approved colors but also includes the Art.Suono wireless transmission dock, DWC-Aphex music enhancement circuitry, and DWC-Wireless® Zero-Drop transmission technology that enables listeners to "beam" music from an iPod or iPhone (which fit in the supplied Art.Suono dock), a PC, a Mac, a CD player, satellite radio and any other audio source directly to the Art.Engine tower.
To read all the specs or to see them, go to: http://www.dwcollection.com/artengine
Back to Top Newcomer ihiji to Unveil 24-Hour Remote Home Electronics Systems Monitoring and Management Solution at CEDIA ihiji (which couldn’t be a worse name for a new company!) is inviting 2009 CEDIA Expo attendees to experience its inaugural product, invision, a software solution that allows dealers to remotely monitor, service and maintain their client’s in-home electronic systems including entertainment, network, HVAC and lighting. rAVe has written a lot over the past two years about earning more money through recurring revenue streams and we’ve even taught a sold-out class at the 2008 CEDIA Executive Conference on the topic. ihiji’s “proactive solution” offers dealers a tremendous opportunity to create a recurring revenue stream in the form of a service contract while, if done right, will improve client satisfaction.
Hosted and managed on ihiji’s central web-based server, invision is a web application sold directly to dealers who in turn offer its service to their clients. invision is available in four levels of service: entry, basic, advanced and unlimited. The levels increase as a greater number of devices in the home are monitored.
A standalone device (appliance) installed at the client site reports system deviations to ihiji’s back-end server. invision monitors critical aspects of system components as well as equipment that commonly require servicing in the form of resetting, repair or replacement. Examples of monitored aspects are a component’s general availability, temperature, hard drive status, projector bulb life, processor loads and memory availability.
The company say they have dedicated a tremendous amount of effort into creating a simplified user-interface; once the system has been set up (in the web application) the dealer receives notifications of any deviations by email, SMS, or automated voice message. The dealer can also log into the web interface and view real-time status, see alert history, schedule system downtime, attach comments, or provide remote support.
For more information, go to: http://www.ihiji.com/
Back to Top Runco Launches DHD Video Processor Last week, Runco introduced its next-generation Digital High-Definition (DHD 3) external video processor controller. The Installer Dependent high-performance Runco DHD 3 combines what Runco calls the industry’s most advanced 1080p scaling and processing capabilities with improved compatibility. Runco’s DHD 3 is the first to feature Runco’s advanced Vivix III 1080p processing with Vivix VirtualWide and new VirtualCinema aspect ratios. It supports all video aspect ratios, and optimizes signal reproduction for Anamorphic, Letterbox and 4:3 aspect ratios, with VirtualWide converting 4:3 images to16:9 (480i/p, 576i/p, 720p and 1080p 24/25/30/50/60, 1080i 50/60/Aus, PC Modes), and scales all digital and analog signals to what Runco calls “near-high-definition” quality. In addition, the DHD 3 matches output resolution, sync types and output formats to prevent “double scaling” and achieve exceptional 1080p output.
Although the DHD3 is not on their website yet, when it is, it will be found here: http://www.runco.com/processors.html
Back to Top Atlona Releases New HDMI Over Cat6 Extender Atlona Technologies will debut their newest HDMI V1.3 Extenders over single Cat5/6/7 at CEDIA. The new extender is designed to replace the existing AT-HDMI40SRS adding HDMI 1.3 compatibility. The AT-HD-V40SRS Extenders (a transmitter and receiver combo) can boost signal transmission up to 110 feet at 1080p, and up to 200 feet at 1080i while also supporting 7.1 audio. Along with being HDCP compliant, this unit is embedded with state of the art Silicon Image Chip-Set, allowing 99.99 percent compatibility with all other audiovisual equipment.
The AT-HD-V40SRS lists for $329.00 and can be found here (just click on this link as they have one of the worst, most complicated websites we’ve ever seen, ever): http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-HDMI-1.3-Extender-over-Single-Cat5-6-up-to-200ft-NEW-p-17865.html
Back to Top Gefen Debuts Smaller HDMI Over COAX The new Gefen Coax Extender for HDMI comes with a tiny transmitter/receiver combination that are connected by just one existing coaxial cabling in any residential structure to deliver HDMI from the source to its remote display. Additionally, the signal (up to 1000 feet) will operate through a wideband RF splitter and can operate in tandem with network signals if the home is using a cable-based modem. And, multi-channel 5.1 Dolby digital audio is also supported and transmitted alongside the video in real-time.
The $799 HDMI over Coax Sender and Receivers can be found here: http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5303
Back to Top News from Savant and Screen Research Savant Systems has appointed Evolution Home Entertainment Corp. as the exclusive distributor for the Canadian marketplace… Screen Research has added Advanced Territory Management, Clarity Marketing A/V Solutions and Elite Marketing as its newest manufacturing representatives. 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 2009 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.
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