July 29, 2005 | Volume 2, Issue 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News
Thank you to our sponsors of this issue: |
Introduction Sponsorship Opportunity CEDIA News CEDIA EXPO 2005… Better Than Ever! Editorial Marketing Tips
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Sponsorship Opportunity Manufacturers: Do your messages target system integrators? So do ours! rAVe Home Edition is the only eNewsletter written for design and installation professionals working in home theater and automation. rAVe Home Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, currently has one opportunity for an annual sponsorship. Sponsorships are limited in number and restrictions apply. To see if your company is eligible, contact Sara Abrons at sabrons@kayye.com or (919) 969-7501.
Introduction Welcome to another edition of rAVe! Can you hear the quiet? That's the sound of very little news as HomeAV manufacturers gear up for CEDIA. Between now and then, which is only five weeks away, manufacturers will be keeping new product developments sub rosa until the big event. My hope is for a lot of wireless audio and video (it's inevitable so let's do it already). Meanwhile, there's a great big market out there for integrators, as I write in my column this issue. The closet projector trend is now, and all these consumers are headed into football season. If you position your company right, you can be there when they're ready to upgrade. Enjoy! –Gary Kayye, CTS Editorial It's going to be good news and great news. Believe it or not, the closet projector is going to be a big deal. We've all talked about it from time to time, but until this year – really next – the idea has been more of an, "I wonder if we had…" sort of discussion. OK, we all know that the image would look much better on a projection screen, agreed. But, they don't care. We also know that wireless video is just video, not HD video (yet). But, they don't care. And, we all know that these projectors wont be too bright (at least in the beginning), but, again, they don't care. It's good enough. But, seller beware – these projectors will mostly be sold via Best Buy, Circuit City and even Staples. Stores with absolutely no support, no service to brag about and no ability to up-sell. That's the good news. The great news? All of these closet projector buyers will eventually upgrade. And, upgrade they will. What about when the kids want to play X-Box on it? Mom wants to watch Desperate Housewives with the book club (offended by that sexist comment – well, ABC claims that more than 80 percent of its viewers are female – sorry). And, then they decide they want to project the vacation pictures, the swim team images and music videos at their neighborhood party. It's install time, baby! Hey, why not trump these big box retailers and do it now. The technology's already out there – even Linksys sells the wireless transmitter using 802.11g technology, Epson's already integrated this technology into a few of their models and Sony's on their heels – can InFocus be far behind? And, with the huge adoption rate of Apple's iPod and wireless audio transmission via a network using Apple's Airport Express technology – wireless is a boom. Rumors already abound that Apple will launch a music video service via the iTunes technology in September – allowing you to project these videos wirelessly! That blows away background music. Who will want whole house audio technology when you can have whole house video AND AUDIO technology? CEDIA News September 7-11, Indianapolis, IN You're smart. You picked a high-growth industry with lots of potential. But, how do you turn that potential into maximum profit? Easy…CEDIA EXPO! CEDIA EXPO can have so much impact on your bottom line. As the #1 show in this industry, only CEDIA EXPO has everything you need to prosper: • More exhibitors and product training than any other show • More education- including the world-best CEDIA University classes and industry-standard CEDIA Certification • More networking than any other show- with up to 25,000 industry professionals from nearly 100 countries
• Information • Inside secrets • Peer networking • CEDIA University education If you want to prosper in this industry, attend CEDIA EXPO 2005! Register now at http://www.cedia.org/expo Experience the biggest show in the industry and make your profits rise.
CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Voting Make Your Vote Count- Voting Opens Wednesday Sept. 7 at CEDIA EXPO 2005 With Designers' Choice Awards entries up over 50% from last year it looks like the awards will be more competitive then ever. Don't miss your chance to vote onsite CEDIA EXPO 2005. You will receive your voting book during registration and then be able to cast your vote electronically at the Electronic Lifestyles® Awards Voting Booth onsite at CEDIA EXPO. Remember only registered residential electronic systems contractors will be able to vote. Winners are announced during the 2005 EXPO Awards banquet, Saturday September 10. Don't forget to purchase your tickets while registering for EXPO. Seating is limited!
CEDIA Expo Golf Outing Tuesday, September 6 The Brickyard Crossing Golf Course Shuttle Pick-up at Convention Center: 7:15 a.m. The Brickyard Crossing Golf Course offers a one-of-a-kind golfing experience because of the four holes located on the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Allstate 400 (formerly the Brickyard 400) and the Indianapolis 500. Prizes range from an all expenses paid trip to Super Bowl XL to a Mitsubishi HD-Upgradeable 55" TV, as well as seventeen other premium contest prizes donated by generous CEDIA members. Every golf outing participant will receive free giveaways as well as food and beverages provided by Impact Acoustics and Artison. Do not miss this opportunity to network with industry professionals in a fun-filled atmosphere. Participation is limited to the first 100 registrants, so be sure to reserve your spot on June 1, 2005 when registration opens! Please direct golf outing questions to Bridget O’Hara at 800-669-5329 x140 or bohara@cedia.org
News Industry News
BigByte, a Fremont, Calif.-based company that entered the flat-panel repair business in the early 1990s, re-entered the repair business this month with a new repair production line. The new line is a class 100 clean room environment able to accommodate repairs of flat-panel displays up to 65 inches. The company can now offer polarizer removal and lamination, autoclave processing, TAB/Flex/COG/COF removal and bonding, and various other testing and repair functions for both LCD and Plasma. BigByte also claims a huge network of certified repair technicians – 8,000 in 2,500 locations across the US! These technicians are to provide on-site service and repair regardless of the unit's warranty status. For more information, go to http://www.bigbytecorp.com/
Projection Screen Innovations introduced the Mirage projection screen, a screen for both home and business designed for use in bright rooms. The company makes a bold claim that Mirage has 10 times greater contrast than standard screens (no definition of standard was provided). This will be interesting to evaluate. The technology seems awesome. The screen has a high-contrast filter that covers 60 percent of the screen surface. The filter allows the projected image to be reflected by the screen and absorbs incidental light from other angles, says Screen Innovations, from sources such as windows and room lighting. Sizes of the Mirage screens are available in 1-inch diagonal increments. For more information, go to http://www.screeninnovations.com/mirage_press.html
3,. Sony Ships New 3LCD HD TVs Sony is now shipping four new 3LCD technology TVs, with sizes of 60, 55, 50 and 42 inches. The models are the KDF-E60A20 (60-inch), KDF-E55A20 (55-inch), KDF-E50A10 (50-inch), and KDF-E42A10 (42-inch). These new Grand WEGA models have a new design, with a thin dark black bezel and invisible speakers at the bottom of the set. What's nice about this technology is it allows sets to be just 14 – 15 inches deep, roughly half that of CRT rear projection sets. They are specified at 1280 x 720 native 720p resolution. These have nice pricing, too. The KDF-E60A20 is available for about $3,500 and the KDF-E55A20 for about $3,000. The KDF-E50A10 and the KDF-E4210 will be available for about $2,800 and $2,300, respectfully. For more on the Sony Grand WEGA line, go to http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=tv_hdtv_projectiontv&Dept=tvvideo
Media Distribution and Control 4. New Distributed Home Audio System From Colorado vNet Colorado vNet is shipping the company's new Distributed Digital Audio System, a scalable system for whole-home audio distribution. Can video be far behind? Each zone uses an LCD Touchscreen Amplifier with a 70-watt digital amplifier (35-watts per channel), and each source requires one advanced Audio Encoder, which converts the digital and analog sources to an IP based Ethernet-compatible format. Units can be added and installed on existing audio, CAT5, and A-Bus wiring. The company says the system has plug-and-play setup wherever there is network jack access, and the touchscreen can be electronically inverted to let the touchscreen amplifier flip for right or left mounting.
The Distributed Digital Audio System is composed of five basic components: the CE device, the audio encoder, an Ethernet switch, the touchscreen amplifier, and a set of speakers. For more information, go to http://www.coloradovnet.com/home/default.aspx
5. Key Digital Introduces HDMI 4x 1 AV Switcher Key Digital Systems has a new AV switcher, the HDMI 4×1 Switcher, that supports switching of four HDMI with HDCP inputs to one output, and can scale 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i video inputs to the native resolution of any display (60 Hz and 50 Hz).
The HDMI 4×1 Switcher is designed to interface with a variety of source products with an HDMI (or DVI-D, with optional adapter), such as a DVD player, Satellite Box, HD DVR, Set Top Box, or PC, to any display with an HDMI or DVI input. The selected input video can also be scaled to match the native display resolution, using the Key Digital Clear Matrix Pro technology. In addition, a video processor is built into the switcher, providing adjustments such as brightness and contrast, size, position, and zoom aspect ratio. For more information, go to http://www.keydigital.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={2AD8142A-EVEREST8EBD-4E50-A337-90F191ED343C}&ic=HDMI4x1&eq=&Tp=
6. New ARCHOS Video-Audio Player Will Appeal to Mainstream This is a tiny model ? only 4.17" x 2.37" x 0.69" and weighing 5.64 ounces. It has a 2.2" screen. The Gmini 402 can autosync with Windows Media Player 10, and can synchronize with PCs and with Macs, and users can transfer photos directly from digital cameras via the USB host port. You can view movies and photos on the small screen, or connect the unit to a TV. It is compatible with PlaysForSure. The Gmini 402 comes with earphones, USB cable, USB host adaptor, AC power charger, Quick Start Guide and a protective pouch. Optional accessories include a car adaptor, protective case, additional power charger, sound case, FM remote control and double headphone kit. For more information, go to http://www.archos.com/home.html Audio 7. Atlantic Introduces Easy-Install Indoor/Outdoor Speaker It can be mounted horizontally or vertically and Atlantic says the company has designed a very simple mount. You attach the bracket to the wall, then slide the speaker onto it, using the mounting channels cut into the bracket ears. You tighten knobs to finish the install. The terminal well has drainage channels to keep water from collecting around the connections. Four self-adhesive rubber feet are included for those who want to place it on a flat surface inside or out. The Atlantic Technology AW-424 indoor/outdoor will be available at the beginning of August for a suggested price of $399 per pair. For more information, go to http://gspr.com/atlantic/aw424.html 8. KEF Introduces New Q Series Speaker Designs The new models have a high-frequency driver in the acoustic center of a bass/mid-frequency driver. The result of the new design, according to the company, is sound driven over a broader area for an expanded sweet spot, allowing more sound to any seating position. The speakers also include new Uni-Q arrays, which have been upgraded with new aluminum dome tweeters and titanium-coated bass/midrange cones. The Q Series speakers come in four finishes, Black Ash, Dark Apple, Maple and, new for the iQ models, American Walnut. The eight new speakers will be available in mid-August. For more on the Q Series, go to http://www.kef.com/kefamerica/products/qseries/qserieshome.html
Years ago, one of my best friends got into faux finishing, you know, the decorative painting so many homeowners are There's no reason why HomeAV integrators can't follow this model. Approach the local Best Buy, Good Guys, Circuit City or Fry's and see if they're interested in having you host a seminar, with a deal that some of the products you'll install as a result will be purchased from them, of course. But you don't even need a retailer these days — a notice in the local newspaper about a seminar on home theater, even if you host it at a local hotel yourself, or even your office if you have a showroom, should draw a big crowd (be sure to mention in your notice that you're serving hors d'oeuvres, and hold it at a time when people are commuting home from work). Use plenty of examples, and use a high-end projector and screen to project images of lush installations you've done. And be sure to stress all the complications of designing a quality home theater — remind them, without saying it, that do-it-yourself only goes so far.
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