Projectors at CES
By Matt Brennesholtz
Insight Media Analyst Last week I discussed Casio’s startling announcement that they were going to end production of projectors with mercury lamps and exclusively build projectors with a hybrid laser/LED/phosphor light source. By no means was that the only projector news from CES, other companies presented their new projection products as well. These included picoprojectors, mini-projectors, toy projectors, home theater projectors and mainstream business projectors like the ones from Casio.
Take, for example, the Samsung 3LCD projector, designated the F10M, with LED illumination from Luminus devices. This XGA unit has 1000 lumen output and 30K hour LED life, topping the 600 – 800 lumens possible in a single panel DLP system with the same PT-120 chipset from Luminus. The reason this high output is possible is in a 3LCD projector the red, green and blue LEDs can each be run continuously. In a single-panel DLP projector where the LEDs are run at the same average power, the duty cycle is about 33% for each LED and the LED must be run at a peak power of 3x the average power. Due to the non-linearities in all LEDs, including ones from Luminus, this higher power density reduces the lumens/watt and therefore the total system output. Samsung hasn’t said what the price of this projector will be but Insight Media believes it will be somewhere in the $999 – $1499 range.
Another interesting projector came from LG. This system is actually two 3-panel SXRD projectors designed into a single projector chassis and internally combined to have a single projection lens. Each projector has its own lamp, presumably a UHP-type. The two engines can generate two independent images, i.e. a left eye and a right eye image for 3D. The two images differ by polarization and a polarization-preserving screen and passive glasses are needed. A built in camera assures the two images match each other for color and brightness. This projector will reportedly be available to home theater customers in June at a price of $10K. In the 2007 Insight Media 3D report, I had suggested that a dual-engine projector would be a cost-effective approach to 3D so I am glad to see this approach has been take by LG. Pico- and mini-projectors at CES are almost too numerous to mention. In addition to the Light Blue Optics and ImagineOptix projectors I mentioned last week, numerous pico and mini projectors were shown from a wide variety of companies. Butterfly, an ODM company from Shenzhen, China and formerly known as OMT, had a booth with no less than 9 pico- and mini-projectors on display. These Butterfly projectors had panels from three of the major microdisplay manufacturers, Micron, Syndiant and Texas Instruments. A QVGA panel was used in the Butterfly 3 lumen
LO2 module, said to be the "World’s lowest cost micro projector Module, perfect for embedding into electronic toys, mobile phones and digital media players." The module was demonstrated embedded into a Butterfly-made cellphone. While the gentleman at the booth told me the LO2 module contained a Syndiant panel, they don’t make a QVGA panel so presumably this module used a Micron panel. I suspect it was the 1280×720 GO2 projector from Butterfly that contained a Syndiant panel. I have run out of space in this Display Daily column but I have by no means run out of projectors and projector technology at CES to write about. For more details on these projectors, other projectors and other display technologies at CES, see the upcoming issues of Mobile Display Report, due out on the 15th of January, and Large Display Report, due out the 1st of February. Matt Brennesholtz is an analyst at Insight Media. Reach him at matt@insightmedia.info Back to Top The Buzz May Be 3D TV, But the Real Honey is Elsewhere
By Bob Snyder
rAVe Europe Editor Nobody doubts the biggest buzz coming from CES was about 3D TV. Everyone was impressed with the new-found commitment that major manufacturers made to adopting 3D. Few will dispute the “inevitability” of 3D TV.
But I want to make it clear that 3D was the buzz and not the honey of CES.
Sure, there were impressive 3D TV demos from Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG, Sharp, Toshiba and Vizio (a market leader in US, but unknown here in Europe.) ESPN, Discovery and Turner broadcasting will announced channels of 3D content. But if you are in retail, the sting that is real money in 3D is a long way off.
TV makers are all buzzing because buzzing creates excitement, but this is one of those technologies that takes a lot of time to develop the infrastructure, to solve the issues of standards, content, and consumer need. Think “desktop publishing,” think “wireless audio,” and think of any other product category that took so, so long before it finally came to mass market that people were exhausted from hearing about it.
No one would talk about pricing (each company is waiting for the competitor to announce first) but these 3D sets will command premium pricing. And they are selling in the wake of recent replacement sales, the mass market upgrade to HD.
DisplaySearch projects the 3D sales forecast. Look at 2010, then look at 2015 when it finally ramps up. |
Oh, did someone say “glasses?” Oddly enough, I think there will eventually be opportunity for dealers in the glasses.
That’s possible if you think of Hollywood’s big screen ambition for 3D and the industry’s ability to turn geek frames into fashion items. (Look what Monster Cable has done with Beats headphones, if you want to see how Hollywood can help you to steamroll tech into fashion.) Behind the 3D buzz, the real attraction at CES is the resurgence of TV technology and 3D was only a part of that story.
In addition to 3D, you saw at CES:
• Internet-connected TV
• TV App stores hoping to duplicate iPhone’s success
• Skype-enabled TVs to add IP telecom benefits
• Power-saving Green Technology
• Passport-thin Screens
• Edge-lit dimming a la Philips
• New color tech, specifically Sharp’s RGB+Y tech
• Wireless HDMI
From Skype-enabled TV, to wireless HDMI, to internet Apps, the TV is marching like the colossus it is to regain its title (in a digital world) as the ultimate home appliance. And that title holder today needs IP connectivity, wireless versatility and an Apps infrastructure to take advantage of both. |
Look at the connected TV sales projections by DisplaySearch. As mobile phone Apps inspire a shift to TV Apps, it’s a whole new world of TV. The dumb “boob tube” transforms into an intelligent IP. While 3D gets the CES glory, my bet is that the real sweet spot is not the buzz but the honey that will come from the CONNECTED TV+APPs+WIRELESS combination.
Would you rather see an AVATAR in 3D at home… than have your home TV connected wirelessly to 1500 Apps that feed your home network?
Either way you vote, you probably won't have to be an early adopter to have both by 2015. Back to Top Business Strategies for Success – Learn the Keys at CEDIA Management Conference 2010 With the New Year comes new chances for change and growth, but change doesn’t just happen on its own. Business owners and managers have to seek out the information and resources to help their businesses become the best they can.
CEDIA Management Conference 2010 is an excellent opportunity to gain new and useful information about how to create a profitable and competitive business in this economic climate. From March 3-6 in New Orleans, LA, expert speakers and instructors will teach attendees about the four key principles that growth companies utilize to create success: people, strategy, execution, and profit. Spend four days at Management Conference 2010 and learn how to employ these principles of success that will benefit your company for years to come.
This year, more than ever, Management Conference is a cost-effective way to learn these key business strategies that will get your company headed in the right direction. Register now and you could save as much as $900.
Here’s how: - Register before February 1 and save $400 off regular pricing
- CEDIA members pay $400 less than non-members
- As a rAVe subscriber, you can use the discount code “MC10Sponsor” to get $100 off your registration fee
Visit http://www.cedia.org/mc for additional information on courses and other offerings at CEDIA Management Conference 2010. To download the rAVe subscriber discount coupon visit http://www.cedia.org/pdf/MC_Sponsor_rAVe.pdf.
Back to Top CEDIA's NEW Power Hour Webinar Series In order to better suit the educational needs of CEDIA members and electronic systems industry professionals, CEDIA developed a new webinar series that focuses on bringing convenient, but relevant education throughout the month.
CEDIA created the Power Hour Webinar Series to make it easier and more cost-effective for electronic systems contractors to further their businesses by developing new skills, opening up new business opportunities, and gaining continuing education units toward certification. Each month will feature a different topic and give participants a chance to absorb concentrated information from their home, office, or anywhere with an Internet connection. All webinars will also be archived, so there will be a chance to catch up on any missed or back-track to a previous month’s topic.
CEDIA’s Survival of the Fittest, Technology Council, CEDIA University e-Learning, and Industry Outreach are combining together to bring streamlined and relevant education, all in hour increments so you can get back to your business quickly. Each month, CEDIA Power Hour will feature education from all different aspects of the industry. From emerging technology trends to business basics, there is truly something for everyone during these beneficial hours of education throughout the month.
The best part of the CEDIA Power Hour Webinar Series (aside from its educational value) is that it is extremely cost effective. Webinars presented by Survival of the Fittest are FREE to all CEDIA members, and those presented by the CEDIA Technology Council and CEDIA Industry Outreach are FREE to everyone!
Check out February’s Power Hour Live Webinar Line-Up: - Revitalization with Recurring Revenue – Powered by Survival of the Fittest – 2/2
- ESB121 Operational Management – Powered by CEDIA University e-Learning – 2/9
- Making Home Technology Profitable in a Retrofit Market– Powered by CEDIA & NAHB – 2/24
- Ease Your Pain: Using Existing Wired Technologies in a Retrofit Installation – Powered by CEDIA Technology Council – 2/25
CEDIA also has a catalog of on-demand webinars offered any day and time. Visit http://www.cedia.net/education/elearning-ovr.php for a full listing.
Visit http://www.cedia.org/powerhour to register and learn more about the Power Hour Webinar Series!
Back to Top CEA Says CE Market Will Grow to $165 Billion in 2010 According to the Consumer Electronics Association’s Tom Edwards, the consumer electronics industry is expected to generate more than $165 billion in U.S. shipment revenues this year, a slight increase from 2009. The CE industry will see positive revenue growth in 2010 after a revenue decline in 2009.
CEA also says that sales of computers are expected to be a bright spot in 2010 as well as the category continues to be driven by the popularity of netbooks. Blu-ray players will continue to grow after a strong 2009 with Blu-ray unit sales rising 155 percent generating more than $1 billion in revenue.
The television market has increased as consumers made the transition to high-definition flat panel sets. Unit sales will climb to more than 37 million in 2010 but price drops will cause display revenue to decline slightly to $22 billion.
The 2013 Industry Forecast has been updated this month and shows annual unit and dollar sales for key CE categories. This Forecast is the consensus of participating manufacturers and retailers and is available for purchase at: http://www.ce.org/
The U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast 2005-2010 is published twice a year in January and July. Consumer Electronics Association members may obtain this report at the CE.org website in the “Members Only” section. Back to Top VIZIO Attempts to Take Leadership Role in Large-Format LED-lit LCD TVs With their launch at CES of both a 58” and a 72”, Vizio is going after the largest of large direct-view displays. Using LED-backlit, LCD displays, both TVs are specified to offer localized dimming (what they are calling SmartDimming), have five HDMI inputs, are Wi-Fi enabled for wireless networking, and are native 1080p – with the 58” actually being a 21×9 aspect ratio at 2560×1080, making it capable of showing 2.35:1 movies natively.
Believe it or not, this literally makes them the only display manufacturer with an entire line (size and resolution-wise) top to bottom. However, at the same time, the shocking part of this is that they are offering these at $3499 for the 72” and $2499 for the 58”! Who cares? Well, although they launched them at CES this month, they actually won’t ship until August 2010 so this could present an interesting scenario for companies like Sharp, Sony and Mitsubishi as consumers could hold off buying one of their higher-end sets awaiting the VIZIO line at a major cost reduction (Vizio’s marketing mantra for years).
Dubbed the XVTPRO720SV for the 72” and the XVTPRO580CD for the 58”, the two HDTVs are now Vizio’s flagship products. They’re not on Vizio’s site yet, but when they are, they will be here: http://www.vizio.com/products/ Back to Top A Real Application of Holographic Projection Debuts at CES A company called Light Blue Optics was at CES showing some cool holographic applications – real-world applications. HLP, or Holographic Laser Projection, is a totally new projection technology that allows for in-focus all the time, images that can be projected on any surface. Watch this video: http://lightblueoptics.com/technology/holographic-laser-projection/
OK, now that you’ve seen their technology, check out the applications they had at CES (our favorite is projected menus on table surfaces in restaurants): http://lightblueoptics.com/products/light-touch/
This is a very cool technology that WILL have an impact on the high-end CE market, soon! Get familiar with them!
Their contact information is: http://lightblueoptics.com/about-us/ Back to Top New Panamorph Lens Supports 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio Yesterday, Panamorph announced the FVX200 lens system for projecting at 2.40:1 aspect ratio thus eliminating the black "letterbox" bars seen on 16:9 displays. There’s no question that doing this is an improvement as at 16:9, 25 percent of the screen is used to project the black bars – throwing away image light (assuming image uniformity isn’t perfect).
But, what’s unique about this that they are custom-matching/modifying the lens to the brand and model projector. For example, the FVX200J is specifically designed for JVC's LCoS projectors – and Panamorph plans to add every model and branded high-end home cinema projector (as they get calls from integrators to add a specific model to sell and install).
Panamorph products are available only through the CEDIA channel of dealers and if you’re interested in getting a custom version of the FVX200 for an install you have or you are interesting in becoming a dealer, contact them at http://www.panamorph.com Back to Top Little-Known AIPTEK Launches Pocket Projector with Built-in Media Server (Sort-of) Like all the other pocket-projectors out there, Aiptek’s new PocketCinema is barely bright enough to see at 50”, but it’s unique in that it has a 1GB flash card input that’s programmed to automatically play JPGs, MP3s and MP4s (AVI, ASF, MP4, H.264) via the projector – so, theoretically, if you can fit a movie on a 1GB card, you can play it on the projector. Capable of projecting images up to 60”, the 10-lumen (hey, at least they’re not lying, oops, fudging their specs **clears throat**), 640×480 resolution, LCoS projector is embedded with a Li-ion batter (three hours operation at best – but it’s changeable).
You can see all the specs at: http://www.aiptek.de/index.php?option=com_product&task=view&productid=175&Itemid=327 Back to Top Casio Claims World's First Mercury-Free High-Brightness Projectors At CES, Casio announced that it has created a mercury-free laser and LED hybrid light source, capable of high-brightness projection for use in the next-generation projectors the company has developed under its “clean & green” concept. Casio is releasing a line of GREEN SLIM projectors with the new light source, introducing the world’s first mercury-free high-brightness data projectors.
How? Well, according to Casio, they have achieved this high brightness by combining a laser, a fluorescent element and an LED. Casio has achieved a high output of green light, which has been considered difficult with conventional semiconductor light sources, by very efficiently converting blue laser light into green light, using the fluorescent element. The high-brightness light of 2,000 or more lumens was then attained by projecting blue laser light, green light converted from blue laser light with the fluorescent element, and light emitted by a red LED through a DLP chip onto the screen.
Use of the laser and LED hybrid light source makes Casio’s GREEN SLIM projectors the world’s first data projectors bright enough (2,000-3,000 lumens) for projection in a well lit room without using a high-pressure mercury lamp.
At CES Casio actually showed nine different models of 2000-3000 ANSI lumen GREEN SLIM projectors; however, the only one that’s realistically going to ever be used in the home theater market would be the XJ-A240, a 2500 ANSI lumen 1280×800 projector – but even that is a stretch as it’s only 720p at best. However, we bring you this news story to alert you to this new technological break-through as you are likely to see more LED-based laser projectors.
If you want to understand the technology in detail, you’re out of luck as Casio doesn’t have a whitepaper on the subject yet. In the meantime, go read this release from Casio Japan: http://www.casio.co.uk/News/Casio_Releases_Worlds_First_Mercury_Free_High-Brightness_Projectors/ Back to Top Little-Known Prysm Launches New Laser-Based Technology Prysm (formerly referred to as Spudnik), officially released their Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) rear-screen projection technology last week. LPD is a totally new technology taking aim at the current market dominance of DLP in large venue applications – and, although not a CEDIA channel product yet, there will eventually be applications for it in large-format cinema, assuming its performance is what Prysm says it will be.
According to Prysm, LPD technology uses 75 percent less power than LCD and DLP technology (a claim that rAVe has not been able to verify – however, there is no question that this is a lower-power consumption technology than most display technologies currently on the market). Integrated into a rear-screen cube-like package, the Prysm LPD offering is aimed initially at the large venue market because of its potential cost advantages in the large format market.
This is an interesting technology that rAVe was offered a behind-the-scenes pre-launch look at last year – the image quality was remarkably good for a new technology. Because it’s phosphor-based, it has a very CRT-like look to the images, with outstanding colorimetry and contrast ratio (again, this was a one-off, pre-production model so we cannot, yet, comment on the production version).
Founded by Amit Jain and Roger Hajjar in 2005 under the name Spudnik, Prysm’s claims their patented LPD technology is supported by over 100 employees and they say they can support full production immediately.
To learn more, go to: http://www.prysm.com Back to Top Pass Labs Shows New Phono Preamp Last week, Pass Labs showed their latest Phono Player Preamp in the form of the XP-25. The XP-25 features what Pass says is a totally new circuitry design, a second chassis for a separate power supply, and a front panel with rotary switches to select gain, loading, and cartridge type. It’s very retro looking and works well with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges.
Developed by Nelson Pass’ Co-designer Wayne Colburn, the XP-25 is a larger, and what they care calling a “higher-performance sibling” to Pass Labs’ XP-15 Phono Preamp. The $10,000 XP-25 also boasts adjustable gain, two separate inputs, a low-cut filter, mute, and resistive and capacitive loading on the front panel – its twin chassis of brushed aluminum and weighs in at 55 pounds.
If you want to read all the specs you’ll have to wait as, yet again, it’s not on their website. But, when it is, it will be here: http://www.passlabs.com/products.htm Back to Top Extron Announces the Industry's First Energy Star Qualified Commercial Amplifiers This month, Extron launched the AV industry's first power amps that are Energy Star qualified and meet the new Version 2.0 Audio/Video specification (you can read the entire 2.0 spec here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=revisions.audio_video_spec
The MPA 401 and XTRA Series high performance amplifiers comprise a complete family of mono, stereo, and multi-channel power amplifiers for a wide range of applications from classrooms and boardrooms to multi-purpose rooms, auditoriums, and open spaces. They draw less than 1-watt while in standby mode (a 2.0 spec requirement), and also offer low power consumption while idle and under load. Extron power amplifiers feature compact, space efficient enclosures and one of the most unique features is that they do not require fans for cooling.
Extron power amplifiers are available for common A/V applications with various amplification requirements. The MPA 401 outputs 40 watts rms for 70 volt distributed speaker systems in applications such as restaurants, bars, country clubs, and large homes where you need 70-volt distributed audio to maintain sound quality. For larger installations including lecture halls, divisible rooms, and retail spaces, the XTRA Series offers mono, stereo, and multi-channel amplifiers with 200 watts up to 800 watts rms output.
Check out all the specs at: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=amplifiersad Back to Top Crestron Adds to ADMS with 200-Disc Blu-ray Changer A 200-disc Blu-ray changer and a network video server are the latest additions to Crestron’s ADMS Intermedia Delivery System line. The ADC-200BR 200-disc Blu-ray changer can be cascaded to hold 1,000 discs, the CEN-NAS-4TB features four hot-swappable 1TB hard drives with RAID 5 protection, and both are designed to integrate with the 1080p output Crestron ADMS.
Adding one or more ADC-200BR 200-disc Blu-ray changers automatically integrates an entire collection of DVDs and high-definition Blu-ray Discs into the ADMS media library. Discs are not "ripped" to the hard drive, so copyrighted content can be legally stored and played. The CEN-NAS-4TB can store 1,500 movies and 150,000 high-quality songs and because the CEN-NAS-4TB appears as a network drive on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer, you can just drag and drop files onto the CEN-NAS-4TB and the ADMS adds them to the media library as well.
Both are shipping now and you can get all the specs at: http://www.crestron.com/solutions/adms_intermedia_delivery_media_server/ Back to Top Sherwood Launches Their First HDMI 1.4 Receiver The first Sherwood receiver with HDMI 1.4 capability, the 7.1 channel RD-7505 provides support for 3D and includes a built-in HDMI repeater for handling HDMI inputs with long cable runs. It includes Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing as well as plain old Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS 96/24.
The $349 RD-7505 is rated at 110 watts RMS for all seven channels, at less than 0.7 percent THD, achieved through 192 kHz/24 bit D to A converters and TI 32-bit DSP audio processing chips. However, it only has three HDMI inputs and a single output along with two component inputs and two composite inputs (already useless). Sherwood offers an optional plug-in Sherwood Bluetooth adapter to allow the RD-7505 to receive streaming audio from Bluetooth enabled players (e.g., MP3 players and PCs).
Again, like most new CES products, it’s not on their site, but when it is, it will be here: http://www.sherwoodamerica.com/site/sherwood/receiver/receiver.php?mtype=1 Back to Top Krell Finally Launches Blu-ray Player Dubbed the Evolution 555, Krell’s first Blu-ray player is packed with specs that are hard to decipher – the one thing that we know for sure is that it does do everything that ALL other Blu-ray players do: it plays Blu-ray and standard DVD discs!
Here’s what Krell had to say about their player: “Featuring the acclaimed 12-bit Sigma Design VXP technology, this superior engine delivers the world’s highest quality video processing algorithms for noise reduction, de-interlacing, scaling, image enhancement and frame rate conversion. For the ultimate in audio performance, the Evolution 555 features the ESS Technology 32-bit Sabre Reference DACs connected to Krell differential Krell Evolution CAST analog circuitry. CAST, which is short for Current Audio Signal Transmission, is a proprietary method of sending audio signals between components in the current domain.”
OK, we’re not sure how to explain that to you, but all we can say is there’s only so much quality a Blu-ray disc itself has onboard to show you – so, apparently, this one shows it way, way better than a $450 player.
The Krell Evolution has 1GB of memory and an SD memory slot, is expandable to HDMI 1.4 and it’s networkable. It will list for $15,000 and will ship by the end of June 2010. For more information, go to: http://www.krellonline.com/555.html Back to Top Anthem Shows $799 Blu-ray Player Calling themselves the “leading manufacturer of high-end electronics,” Anthem has debuted a $799 Blu-ray player in the form of the BLX 200. Incorporated with HDMI 1.3, the networkable Blu-ray includes 1GB of memory, a 2GB USB Flash Drive, 12-bit color, 7.1 PCM audio output and, of course, native 1080p playback from any Blu-ray disc.
The BLX 200 is not on their website yet, but when it is, we’re told it will be here: http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/Product1.html Back to Top Elite Screens Shows Two Tensioned Electric Screens Everyone uses Stewart and Da-Lite in the Home Theater market, but did you know there’s an up-and-coming #3 out there? Elite Screens made an impact at CES by showing their new Osprey Tensioned projection screens – one in 2.35:1 (Cinemascope) and another in 16:9 (HDTV). The Osprey can be remotely controlled with the included IR/RF Remote, Low-voltage control switches, and an RJ45 Ethernet port.
Check out Elite at: http://elitescreens.com/ Back to Top AUTON Adds Under-Bed TV Lift to Line Dubbed the Dream Machine, AUTON showed off a new automated HDTV lift that stores the TV under your bed and then lifts it to the end of your bed when the TV is turned on. The DM70 and DM120, capable of lifting TVs up to 120 pounds, lifts the TVs up to 26” from under the bed to upright at the end of your bed.
The Dream Machine is not cheap, however, as the DM70 model lists for $13,999 and the DM120 for $18,999 (size determines which mount you’ll need). For more information, you can go to: http://www.auton.com/pdf/AUTON_DM_sheet_with_specs.pdf Back to Top Sanus Adds 180-degree Pivoting HDMI Cable Sanus has added 2.5-, 5- and 10-foot long, pivoting HDMI cables to its Sanus Elements product offering, dubbed the Sanus Elements ELM402-G1, ELM405-G1 and ELM410-G1, respectively. Pivoting HDMI Cables, although seemingly a simple concept for installers, are actually hard to find and this one actually pivots a full 180 degrees, making it easy to connect to hard-to-reach ports in tight places and behind HDTVs – especially in light of all these super-thin and low-profile wall mounts. The connector is less than one inch deep and works (regardless of its gold-plated, high-speed signal transfer, etc. claims). Back to Top News from Runco, Crestron, Philips Pronto… CEDIA's Management Conference is being held in New Orleans March 3 – 6, 2010, and will focus on the four key decisions that all growth companies must get right: people, strategy, execution, and profit… Crestron has hired a new senior director of lighting controls, Mike Malone, who formerly worked for Rockwell Automation… Crestron has also appointed David Wilts as director of Intelligent Building Technology (IBT)… XT+M has announced the addition of Lisa Boccaccio as vice president of communications… Runco has announced a new mobile website for dealers at http://m.runco.com. Their first tool is a Runco projector lens selector… Extra Vegetables has announced a Control4 driver for Sonos… Philips Pronto, a leader in two-way control solutions for the home, has announced the next generation of ProntoEdit Professional software, PEP 2.4… VIZIO has entered the mobile TV market with the introduction of three Razor LED set, with sizes in 7", 9", and 10" and respective list prices of $149.99, $199.99, and $229.99. 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 2010 – 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. |