August 23, 2005 | Volume 2, Issue 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News Thank you to our sponsors of this issue: |
Introduction Sponsorship Opportunity CEDIA News CEDIA EXPO 2005… Better Than Ever! Editorial Feature Article
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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! This is going to be an amazing conference and of course, we’ll be there to cover it. Be sure to stop by our booth (#3005), say hello, and grab a free t-shirt. Enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS Editorial By Gary Kayye, CTS By the time you read this, you will probably already know about Ingram Micro’s purchase of AVAD. Ingram, known best as the world’s largest distributor of almost everything technology, from books to computers, is using the AVAD purchase as a springboard into what they identified as the “consumer” AV space. But, I actually disagree. I think AVAD needed this. Although AVAD is an amazing company of affiliates that “sort-of” distribute many HomeAV components (and even systems), the jury from their customers (the dealers they support) is that it’s a great concept but AVAD’s plagued with organizational problems – probably due to growing pains. Ingram, a master of organization and customer relationship management, will no-doubt, solve all of these petty details and turn AVAD into a true master distributor – one that simply resells and supports its distribution – glitch free. And, there is a more important transition happening here. I am sure Ingram knows that AVAD is not a true consumer electronics distributor – even though they cited them as such in their press release announcing the purchase. So, does this mean that we, the custom integration market, will soon be lumped into the consumer AV market by the manufacturers as a whole? I certainly hope not. And frankly, it's doubtful. Ingram Micro is pretty savvy about identifying and serving varying customers. But, what is apparent is the eventuality where most manufacturers in the CEDIA market will transition to using distributors. Although we may not like that manufacturers do this, it comes down to getting mindshare. The average HomeAV dealer, today, handles more than 170 different lines and truly more than 6,000 product sku’s. Now, we all know that about 30 of those are most commonly used, but the fact that there has been that sort of growth means that there is a major battle for both market share and mind share brewing. And, ultimately the winner will be a company like Ingram – who can manage that many lines and customers simultaneously – with a super-powerful CRM (customer relationship management) system in place — something most other manufacturers can’t afford. So, they tend to turn to distributors to help them.
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
Ingram Micro, a long-time distributor in the IT and business markets out of Santa Ana, Calif., announced the company will acquire AVAD, the large HomeAV distributor. Fla.-based AVAD has 280 employees spread out through the U.S. According to the announcement, AVAD serves 8,000 dealers and reported sales of $200 million in 2004. Ingram Micro says the company began working in the consumer electronics space in 2004. This acquisition certainly gives Ingram Micro a solid footing, immediately. Ingram Micro plans to keep the AVAD branding and it will operate as a separate business unit. The parent company will take over, or support, depending… the finance, human resources and information systems functions. Bob Gartland stays with AVAD as president of that business unit. The customer interfaces, such as as sales, marketing, purchasing, technical support and showroom facilities, also remain. Editor’s note: Having worked with Ingram Micro for a number of years, I can definitely say the company will bring something to the industry. Ingram Micro is a well-oiled machine, but one that truly focuses on both its manufacturer and dealer customers. No doubt AVAD will benefit from Ingram Micro’s long-time marketing successes and I’m sure AVAD’s strategies will be a fun new inclusion for Ingram Micro. For more details, go to http://www.ingrammmicro.com/ 2. Lions Gate Sides With Blu-ray Even before the major studios reach consensus about which format, Blu-ray or HD-DVD, will stand the test of time, Lions Gate Home Entertainment is the latest to side with Blu-ray. Others who announced Blu-ray support include Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Warner Bros. and New Line, and others, are behind HD-DVD as is at least one division of Microsoft. Major differences include that Blu-ray will initially hold 50GB of data and HD-DVD 30GB, and Blu-ray will, at first, be more expensive to produce. So why is rAVe covering this? Because you, as the integrator, have to recommend one or the other to your customers. BOTH will be available ot the market by mid-2006 and your customers will be asking for HD-DVD players. So, which will you choose? Stay tuned. For more on Blu-ray, go to http://www.blu-ray.com/ 3. Plasma Shipments Finally Overtake Projection: DisplaySearch DisplaySearch says Panasonic drove the plasma TV market in Q2'05 with shipments rising 90%. And because of Panasonic’s strength, Matsushita overtook LGE to become the number two plasma panel supplier with Samsung SDI remaining number one. For more information, go to http://www.displaysearch.com/press/?id=391 4. TiVo Tests IFC Shows Download Service TiVo subscribers will soon be able to download videos over broadband directly onto the TiVo DVR box. The test, which is going on now, includes the ability for some TiVo subscribers to download programming from Independent Film Channel, including three new IFC series: “Hopeless Pictures,” Greg the Bunny,” and “The Festival” ahead of the premier dates. Those TiVo subscribers can not only download the episodes, but IFC is also packaging exclusive content, such as outtakes and other unaired footage. TiVo says they are helping consumers deal with all the different ways content is, or will be, available by just making it easy for them to get it via TiVo. IFC says this deal expands IFC’s audience reach – subscribers who don’t normally receive IFC can see some of the shows. This is a fantastic move on TiVo’s part. With all the competition headed their way, offering something unique (advance showing of new series WITH exclusive footage) gives TiVo subscribers something else no one else has, and it will surely be discussed around the water cooler. Editor’s note: I got to see these shows in advance. “Hopeless Pictures” is the one not to miss, if you’re tickled by Hollywood insider humor. For more information, go to http://www.tivo.com/cms_static/press_55.html
Projection 5. Heliodisplay Finally Released This has been talked about for years now, and it’s finally a shipping product. The Heliodisplay projector projects video into thin air, and the company claims it is high resolution and full color. Without the need for a screen, this thing can be used anywhere. This is just as cool as it gets. For consumers, games, DVDs, dare we think, webcams, are all potential uses. For business, any exhibit, advertising and marketing, and according to the company, defense (perhaps medical too?) are target markets. Cooler yet is that you can use your finger to manipulate the image. Instead of a mouse, a viewer uses their hand (no special glove needed) to move an image, or a finger to move the cursor. There are so many people trying to access the webpage that it’s down as we go to print. But when it’s back up, go to http://www.io2technology.com for more information.
6. Sony Introduces 50-, 60-Inch SXRD TVs Sony added 50- and 60-inch models to the company’s Grand WEGA SXRD TVs. (SXRD is specified at 1920 x 1080 resolution.) The 1080p KDS-R60XBR1 and KDS-R50XBR1 Grand WEGA models are also specified at 5000:1 contrast ratio but an "Advanced Iris" can maximize up to 10,000:1 contrast based on overall light levels of the original signal. The technology is based on three new 0.61-inch SXRD panels (red, green, blue), which Sony says makes them the smallest. The KDS-R60XBR1 and KDS-R50XBR1 units will ship in September for about $5,000 and $4,000, respectively. For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/6049 Integrator Solutions 7. NuVo and HAI Integrate Products NuVo and Home Automation Inc. announced that NuVo’s Conerto and Essentia home audio systems are now integrated with HAI’s OmniPro II automation controllers and OmniTouch touchscreens. This gives homeowners access to all NuVo whole-home technology from each HAI keypad. Homeowners can also create “modes” in the HAI OmniPro II to customize their music and home control experience. Certain zones can be turned off or on at programmed times. For example, outdoor speakers can be turned off at night. For more information, go to http://www.nuvotechnologies.com/ and http://www.homeauto.com/main.asp
Players 8. Creative Gets Into Portable Players Market Creative announced the Zen Vision audiovisual MP3 player. The player has a 3.7-inch screen specified at 640 x 480. It has 30GB of storage and it’s tiny – roughly 5” x 3” x 1”and weighing about 8.5 ounces.
It supports music downloads from Internet music stores and it also includes a built-in FM radio with 32 preset options, and FM recording. For photos, it has a Plug&View slot on the side of the player which support both Compact Flash Type I and Type II media. An optional memory card adapter plugs directly into the Compact Flash slot to accept 17 types of memory cards. For video, the Zen Vision supports MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Simple Profile (SP) formats such as DivX and XviD, WMV, and MJPEG. It uses alphabetical scrolling to organize the titles. A removable rechargeable battery provides up to 4.5 hours of video playback, and up to 120 hours of video can be stored on the player. For more information, go to http://www.creative.com/products/pmp/
9. Monitor Audio to Introduce i-deck Personal Stereo System at CEDIA The i-deck comes with interchangeable bezels so that it can match the home or even the iPod. Also, a 30 pin port allows you to synchronize operation with your PC or Mac via USB or FireWire. There is also an additional auxiliary input for connecting other sources, such as iPod Shuffle, MiniDiscs, CD players, radios, etc The i-deck MSRP begins at $349. For more information, go to http://www.i-deckusa.com
Gary Kayye raved about TiVo for years before I finally succumbed and became one of TiVo’s 1.9 million subscribers. I was tired of videotapes. Tired of stacks of tapes, and tired of trying to find a specific show by inserting and ejecting them one by one, or in more organized moments, hoping the handwritten yellow stickies stayed put. So, after reading and researching for a while, I decided to take the plunge. Now, I love technology. I am more likely to be found in Radio Shack than a Shoe Shack. But I’ve learned over the years that technical gadgets that are supposed to work out of the box rarely do and I’m likely to have many hours stolen from a well-planned evening. So, these days, I’m picky about what new technologies I buy. TiVo seemed worth the potential trouble. Heck, I even sprung for the Humax DRT800 TiVo/DVD Recorder — http://www.humaxusa.com/dvdr_DRT800_framset.html The box arrived in December and sat on the floor for a good two weeks while I mustered up the courage and until I found a day that could be ruined without too much penalty. That seems silly in retrospect because TiVo worked, out of the box. I flipped past the sections in the manual that dealt with networking (if anything isn’t going to work out of the box, it would be networking) and strung a phone cord along the wall to the TiVo. It took perhaps an hour to go through the no-brainer setup screens and darned if it wasn’t ready to use. A lot came with my TiVo that I didn’t expect. The user interface is fantastic. The Season Pass, that lets me record any show whenever/wherever it pops up (new and/or reruns), has me incredibly spoiled. I don’t use the Wish List often, but it’s very cool if you have a favorite movie, director, or actor (or even anyone doing a guest appearance anywhere. You just put the name in and TiVo automatically records anything that has that name. For example, Arnold might get you Terminator or campaign speeches. There is a movie I want to see that goes by two different titles and I’m not sure which title will be used when it airs. So I plugged in the actress’s name and it’ll catch it that way. Tons of other features make TiVo worthy of its recent selection by the United States Patent and Trademark Office Museum as one of the most influential inventions — http://www.tivo.com/cms_static/press_52.html But that’s not what this article is about. This summer, TiVo made and offer hard to refuse – a free TiVo box. The catch was you had to sign up for a year. As a second box in the house, though, it would be around just $80 or so bucks for 12 months. Awww, shoot, why not? So, I did – just the basic TiVo Series2 DVR. The setup this time was maybe a half hour, since I was experienced at this. And sure enough, it was up and running with no problems. By now, my wireless network is up and running, too, and I find myself, much to my chagrin, opening the manual to the previously skipped sections. Do I dare?? It seemed like a waste not to, at least, that was my excuse. So, I got myself a couple of D-Link DWL 122 USB network adapters. Had my router not been 802.11g, things might have worked right away. In fact, those adapters were almost returned. After each failed attempt at trying this or that suggestion by the tech support folks at each company, TiVo referred me to D-Link and D-Link referred me to TiVo. Twice each. So four phone calls (and many, many unplanned-for hours) later, I made a last ditch call back to D-Link. I happened to get a guy who tried to do this for a friend’s TiVo. He said he never had gotten it to work. But we could try a few things. After changing a few settings on my router to dumb it down to 802.11b, my TiVos were networked wirelessly – to each other, too. It’s not likely a long-term solution, obviously, but now I know it can be done. Now, I thought the theory of recording on one box and watching it on another sounded pretty cool, but unlikely. Even harder to believe was pausing a show or movie on one TV and resuming it on another. Imagine my surprise when those functions worked just as advertised. The transfers are a little slow, so you can’t really watch a transferring show right away. But it doesn’t take that long and it also doesn’t seem to disrupt any planned recordings. The only glitch I’ve found with TiVo isn’t really a TiVo problem. I initially set up my TiVos to use a serial cable for changing the channels. After a power outage, the channels no longer changed. My cable company says it never should have worked in the first place, they don’t support the serial port that comes on their digital cable box (don’t get me started on my cable company). So I had to switch over to the funky little IR sensors that have to be draped over the TiVo and positioned so that they face the IR on the digital box. But, hey, it works. TiVo truly has earned the accolades from aficionados. Competition may be coming, or already here, but with the recent announcement that TiVo will offer original content available only to subscribers (see today’s news section), TiVo appears determined to keep far ahead of the competition. TiVo needs to get their techs much more educated about networking and various routers if they’re going to continue to sell that benefit. As for me, though, I’m still rooting for TiVo.
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Thanks for reading, and tell your friends by clicking on the “forward” button at the top of the newsletter or sending them to http://www.ravehome.com Copyright 2005 – Kayye Consulting – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact us at Kayye Consulting, Inc. Gary Kayye's rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |