September 27, 2005 | Volume 2, Issue 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News Part 2 of our news reports from CEDIA. Thank you to our sponsors of this issue: |
Introduction Editorial Feature Article
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Introduction
Editorial By Gary Kayye, CTS Read Part 1 at http://www.ravehome.com/issues/2005/08/vol2iss16/index.htm Part 2 is at http://www.ravehome.com/issues/2005/09/vol2iss17/index.htm#feature1 In Parts 1 and 2, I wrote about the interesting and apparently dynamic shift in the public’s movie going experience. All year, Hollywood’s been complaining that the quality of movies in 2005 has driven moviegoers away from the theater in the mall. I just don’t agree. If you’ve been reading the series, you know that I basically contend that quality is the same as it’s ever been and that it’s just that there are a whole lot of us now who’d rather just watch stuff at home – in our pajamas with take-out. TiVo, DirecTV’s Movie Package, Netflix and the Pause button have empowered us to be in charge of when we head to the bathroom and when we pop the popcorn. So, in my last column I suggested that Hollywood take note and consider releasing movies virtually simultaneously on DVD (or via satellite) and in theaters. And, charge for it. We’ll pay. Here’s the deal. There is simply a shift away from the movie theater itself. Not for everyone, but for a lot of us. Singles on dates; they’re still going. Kids: it’s the ultimate babysitter when heading over to the mall to do some shopping. And, we’ll all still head over to the mall-o-plex to see the big blockbuster-hits. But, right now with two kids, a job and yard work calling my name every Friday, it’s just not in the cards for most of suburbia. So, what’s Hollywood to do? Seriously consider my suggestion. Look, there was a time for everything. Back when kids were being put to work in factories and many mill workers barely taking home enough money after a 10, 12-hour work shift in the 1920s, labor unions were saviors. Now, they seem to have lost their luster – and maybe their following. We used to get all our news from the newspaper, then the radio came along and nightly newscasts with the whole family sitting around the talking music box. TV arrives and the radio is relegated primarily to the car driver. Add in local pro-sports teams, live musicals at the local performing arts center, the kid’s little league games, field hockey, lacrosse, swimming, basketball, football and ballet and even the TV doesn’t get much respect, today. And, then came TiVo – ripping only the good stuff from network programming. Point is, there was a time for everything. Back when movies first started, Hollywood needed a venue to show their entertainment – they built theaters. Theaters popped up all over the place. In a matter of 10 years, every major city in the world had a movie theater. Fast forward nearly100 years later and just about every town has a multi-plex and some have dozens of screens. It was THE only way you could watch a movie until the late 1970s when the VCR finally started to catch on, and then Blockbuster made its debut in 1985. All of a sudden, we can watch movies when we want to, where we want to – without commercials. There was a time and place for movie theaters. Hollywood needed them. But, not any more. Most video market tracking organizations say that DVD/VHS movie sales and rentals for 2004 exceeded theatrical release box office ticket sales (and profits). And, I am quite sure every year from now on will be that way. So, Hollywood can’t deny that market and needs to consider re-positioning their model to cater toward it. We’re huge. It’s every family with kids. It’s everyone out there who would prefer to watch movies at home – on their own schedule. It’s everyone out there who wants his or her own movie theater in their home. Look, I am NOT advocating that the movie theater is dead. That’s not what I am saying at all. What I AM saying is that there is a new channel, a new market opportunity out there waiting to be tapped. Apple’s done it with the music market and iTunes – a half a billion (that’s BILLION) songs sold on iTunes already. A lot of those buyers would have never remembered to buy those songs if they weren’t readily available to them 24-hours a day via the Internet and iTunes. Don’t believe me? Ask Steve Jobs. I think he’s over at the bank cashing his checks.
News Have a news tip? Send them to rAVe Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison — dharrison@kayye.com
This is Part 2 of our news reports from CEDIA. To read Part 1, go to http://www.ravehome.com/issues/2005/09/vol2iss17/index.htm
Industry News
1. CEDIA 2005 Electronic Lifestyles Awards The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) honored 32 CEDIA members at its annual EXPO for excellence in the custom electronics design and installation industry. The awards were handed out Saturday, Sept. 10, during a banquet at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. Winners include: Industry Awards
Designers' Choice Awards For full-size images, please go to http://www.cedia.net/press_media/05award_winners.php.
Manufacturer's Exellence Awards
Projection 2. Runco Brings New Projectors to CEDIA Runco unveiled a number of new projectors at the show. The DCL-810Ultra is an addition to the Reflection Series DLP projectors. Runco says this projector will have software and optics not found on any other projector – features that will improve picture clarity and color saturation as well as allow a wider range of throw distances and more horizontal and vertical shift flexibility. The CineWide feature allows viewing movies created in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The new CL-420 in the Reflection Series is specified at 1280 x 720 but other specs have yet to be released (Runco hints, though, that it will an Enhanced GEN 3 technology will produce deeper blacks, greater contrast ratio and brightness). Runco says this projector is distinguished by accurate gray scale reproduction. It has vertical and horizontal lens shift, variable throw distance and keystone correction as well as IR and RS-232 control. The VX-2 series, part of the Video Xtreme line, are three-chip DLP projectors that include the new VX-2i, VX-2c, and the VX-2dc models. These can also include CineWide as an option, as well as CineWide with AutoScope. (The AutoScope function allows users to control the motorized anamorphic lens assembly using RS-232 commands.) Runco says these projectors will have the smallest chassis for a three-chip projector ever offered from the company and will include six lens options — five zoom lenses and one for rear screen projection. They are specified at 1280 x 720 resolution, 3100:1 contrast ratio, and 1,199 Home Theater ANSI Lumens. The VX-2i has an integrated ViVix video processor. The VX-2c uses ViVix II DHD (Digital High Definition) Digital Controller with eight inputs, and VirtualWide for converting 4:3 images to 16:9 screens without losing information. It also includes three 12V DC trigger signals to activate third party components like motorized screen lifts and drapes, and has IR and RS-232 control. The VX-2c is the first projector to include Runco’s new LiveLink technology, which allows transmission of DVI pure digital signals over long distances – in this case, up to 75 feet, and the Video Xtreme VX-2dc uses specially produced Digital Cinema optical lenses for longer throw distances and larger screens. The new CL-610/610LT and CL-810 are specified at 1150 and 1250 ANSI lumens with contrast ratios of 2200:1 and 3100:1. The lamp has two user-controllable intensity settings. The new optional SDC-1 Controller with R-Link is a stand-alone component controller allows source control and switching For more information on Runco’s new projectors, go to http://www.runco.com/news_pressrel.html
3. Vidikron Introduces Three-Chip DLP, Plus Two Entry-Level Home Projectors Vidikron showed several new home theater projectors at CEDIA, including a three-chip DLP and two entry-level models. There is also a choice among four lenses, each with electronic horizontal and vertical shift. It also includes IntelliWide video processing, multiple aspect ratio control, two DVI (HDCP compliant) inputs, three IR triggers and an RS-232 interface. It’s available in a Classic White or Graphite Gray cabinet. MSRP on the Model 90 is $19,995. The entry-level models are the Models 10 and 12, DLP models specified at 800 ANSI lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio. The Model 10 is specified at 1024 x 576 resolution and the Model 12 at 1280 x 768. They have horizontal and vertical lens shift, keystone correction, and accept DVI with HDCP. Inputs include component, composite, S-video and VGA and IR and RS-232 control are included. MSRPs for the Model 10 and Model 12 are $3,495 and $4,995 respectively and they ship in October. For more information, go to http://www.vidikron.com/
4. Ultra-Long Length DVI and HDMI Cables From DVIGear DVIGear showed at CEDIA extra long Super High Resolution DVI and HDMI cables that deliver signals more than 200 feet. To extend the range of its SHR cables, DVIGear says the company developed a new active cable equalization circuit, which mitigates a substantial amount of insertion losses. When this circuit is used in conjunction with DVIGear’s high performance SHR cables, cable lengths can be extended beyond the 200 feet. At CEDIA, two independent 1080p display systems were shown. One system used a single 50 meter (164 ft.) DVI cable, while the second used a single 62 meter (203 ft.) HDMI cable. Each system used a Dell PC running Microsoft Windows Media Video-HD to provide 1080p content with a resolution of 1920×1080/60 Hz. Each long cable was connected to the PC on one end and then into DVIGear’s active cable equalization circuit at the other end. A short 20” cable connected this circuit to a 45” Sharp PN-455 LCD monitor, which is 1080p capable and has a native resolution of 1920×1080. In both cases, the 1080p images performed as advertised. For more information, go to http://www.dvigear.com
Belkin’s new PureAV Hybrid AVU1500 UPS is both a power conditioner and UPS. It uses PureAV's PureFilter technology with the power of a 1500VA, 1000-watt, battery-backup unit providing backup power to the entire system. This $1,199.99 unit is designed to isolate and eliminate AC line noise, provide uninterruptible power supply to any device that uses system settings, voltage regulation, IR blaster for cooling lamps on projectors or projection TVs, SmartStage Shutdown Technology that shuts down equipment in stages, 13 outlets, 8000 joules and $500,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. It also has a hot-swappable replaceable battery. For more information, go to http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/09_08_05HybridAVU15001.html 6. Peerless Shows New Mounts Peerless Industries showed some new mounts at CEDIA. They include the new SmartMount line of universal mounts for 10” to 63” flat panel displays, with tilt, articulating and pivot functions. Peerless also showed its newly-redesigned, pre-assembled Spider Universal Adapter Plate for use with some of the company’s projector mounts. The re-design is for quicker installation and a bit of added adjustability and mobility. In addition, the adapter plate legs have adjustable feet so installers don't have to dig through a hardware pack to find the right spacers to manually set the leg length. The more exciting of the new products, though, is the Pull-Out Swivel Mount – one of the few mounts that actually lets the flat-panel display reside flush against the wall for viewing. This mount, for 26” to 50” displays, gives just a 2” profile that’s completely concealed, and the cable management hides all the cables. When you pull it out, it extends to 10.5” and swivels 30 degrees left or right. The new mount will come pre-assembled. For more on the new Peerless mounts, go to http://www.peerlessindustries.com/press_releases.cfm
7. THX, Quiet Solution Announce THX Certified Soundproofing The new products are made using a patent-pending CPG (Ceramic-Polymer-Gypsum) composite technology of 1-3/8" panels, used like a drywall-like panel that hangs and finishes just like standard drywall. For more information, go to http://www.quietsolution.com/
8. AMX Simplifies Control Software All the components for each job are self-contained within an individual file, so new devices or functionality can be added to an existing job, and it generates all the needed project documents as well as instructions, product lists and third-party device mapping and macro definitions. For more details, go to http://www.amx.com/nr-press-releases.asp?release=2005.09.09.f Users can generate precise configurations of combined products such as theater seating, lighting design, cabinet elevations or home theater floor plans. Manufacturers and distributors can customize the IDesignSI configurator based on their unique business rules. The system also provides access levels so that certain types of customers are either limited to what information they can access, or can access all of it (i.e., some pricing or other internal info). The system also has a lead management database for distributing to the sales force and for sales projections and trend tracking. Probably most interesting to manufacturers and distributors is that the website is hosted by D-Tools – no need to get the company IT managers involved. You’ll probably start seeing this from manufacturers, especially smaller ones that can’t afford the investment to do it from scratch. Premiere Home Theater Surroundings is using it for their high-end custom theater seating and they are seeing interest from integrators, interior designers as well as end-users. For more information, go to http://www.d-tools.com/downloads/press_releases/IDesignSI_Division.pdf
10. Lagotek Introduces Open Platform Automation Namely, the system is software designed to attract independent software vendors and value-added resellers, who, after developing additional software and integrating hardware, sell their integrated solutions to the buyers. The end product is developed using the provided open hardware platform reference design, available to those third parties. Those in the computer industry and anyone who has developed such systems will recognize this business model as API, or application program interface. This is unusual in our market, but companies with some creative ideas, or those computer software industry transplants entering our industry, can come up with some killer branded products of their own, addressing very specific market segments, or the broader home automation. It worked extremely well in the vertical market computer channel. It will just take very different sales and marketing approaches and some serious channel marketers, if the history of using APIs in computers holds true in our market. For more information, go to http://www.lagotek.com/products.aspx For a website devoted to helping the third-party vendors, go to http://www.magichomeforum.org/index.htm
11. Extron Transmitter/Receiver Allows 200-Ft. Transmission of DVI, HDMI Signals The DVI 201 Tx/Rx supports long distance transmission of HDTV signals with HDCP for copy protection of future digital television broadcasts, as well as the high resolution digital video output from current and future DVD players. It’s fully compatible with HDMI using adapters. The DVI 201 Tx transmitter includes a DVI loop-through for monitoring a local display device. RS-232 signals can be transmitted over the same cabling as the DVI signals for remote monitor or projector control. Also, the transmitter or receiver can be remotely powered over this cabling, so that external power is necessary for only one of the devices. The DVI 201 Tx and DVI 201 Rx receiver are housed in 1" high, quarter rack width metal enclosures. For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/product/product.asp?id=dvi201txrx
12. DPI Debuts Video Image Processor Digital Projection International, working with Silicon Optix and using the company’s HQV, released an external video switcher/ image processor for use with all of DPI's precision displays . The VIP 1000 will be compatible with all legacy and new DP projectors. The VIP 1000 acts as a source switcher, and can accept a variety of inputs, scale them to a user-selectable native resolution and provide the switched signal as either a DVI or analog feed to the projector. Image adjustments include size, aspect ratio, colorimetry, gamma and geometry. Advanced noise filtration circuits, specifically tailored to optimize imaging performance of lower quality and analog video sources, assure the highest performance imagery is presented through DP's entire lineup of 1-chip and 3-chip DLP projectors. Digital Projection's VIP 1000 is using the Realta HQV image processor from Silicon Optix, a technology we’ve been anticipating since last year’s CEDIA. The Realta HQV combines the broadcast quality video processing of the Teranex system with the geometric scaling technology from Silicon Optix to create a new display technology which they hope will become a standard – the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video). For more information, go to http://www.digitalprojection.com/news/newsarchives/05_september06_vip1000.htm
13. New In-Wall, Networkable DVD Player From Sony The CDP-NW10 audio system includes a CD player, AM/FM tuner, intercom, room monitor, an integrated remote control. It also lets users access MP3 files from a PC over the network. MSRP is about $1,000 per room. The DVP-NW50 video system has a DVD system instead of the CD player, and comes with a remote control handset. The estimated cost for the system, speakers, wiring and installation is about $2,000 per room. Why would you want to put a CD or DVD player in the wall? Well, for those users who don’t have dedicated home theaters with racks inside closets, this saves that valuable space near the TV where boxes upon boxes are trying to balance on top. Not only that, the designs are great looking and even unobtrusive. Or, simple to have something to drive the flat-panel on the wall next to it in the living room. Look, the point of this product isn’t just to mount a DVD player on the wall — that’s been done before. But, this DVD player is more than a DVD player. Through the network, you can stream your audio files from your PC to any of the Sony wall boxes. So, it becomes a SIMPLE interface to control and listen to whole-house music – the Sony way. It’s FAR from perfect, but it means the BIG GUYS see the future of the home as distributing everything via the network. The Sony engineer, with some major prodding from me at the show, who was there to explain it to me, admitted that the next version will stream the DVD video through the network, too! So, stay tuned. For more on these, go to http://www.sonynewhome.com/
14. Blu-Ray or HD DVD? Dolby is Ready Either Way They were adopted for use in both formats. Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus technologies are mandatory audio codecs in the HD DVD format as well as optional features in the Blu-ray Disc format. Dolby Digital is mandatory in both formats. Dolby TrueHD uses the MLP Lossless technology and incorporates higher bit rates, additional channels, enhanced stereo mix support, and extensive metadata functionality, including dynamic range control and dialogue normalization. Enabling recordings that are bit-for-bit identical to studio masters, MLP Lossless was first introduced in DVD-Audio, and has since become the leading multichannel lossless audio format, says the company. In addition, Dolby TrueHD provides support for all of the new speaker locations designated by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) for digital cinema applications (RP 226). For more information, go to http://investor.dolby.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=172491
15. NAD Introduces Masters Series of Integrated Components These are built to be rock-solid, with 2mm thick steel panels, combined with extruded aluminum and die cast zinc parts. The solidity of the chassis reduces air and structure born vibration from reaching any sensitive electronic components inside. Specialized vibration damping feet use silicon rubber to further isolate the chassis from vibration. Glass epoxy circuit boards with thick OFC copper traces and extensive ground planes are designed for uniformly low impedance operating conditions for all circuits. Very high current circuits make liberal use of copper buss bars for maximum performance. Selected discreet devices from the world’s top electronic component manufacturers are used in the high power stages while SMD (surface mount devices) and LSI’s (large scale integrated circuits) are used on multi-layer PCBs to achieve state-of-the-art performance in low level and digital stages. NAD components have always had superb technical specifications, yet they have clearly outdone themselves with these new Masters Series components. Setting new standards for low noise and low distortion, these components utilize new techniques and the latest precision parts to achieve these lofty performance goals. The Master Series begins shipping in November. Pricing is: M15 Surround Preamplifier Processor — $2999, M25 Seven-Channel Amplifier — $2999, M3 Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier — $2799, M55 Universal DVD/CD Player — $1799. For more information, go to http://www.nadelectronics.com/ Feature Article The Projector/DVD Buyer — Your Next Customer By Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief Optoma was the first out of the gate with MovieTime. This is a $1,499 DLP model specified at 1,000 lumens, 4000:1 contrast ratio and 480p native resolution. This unit has a great design and it’s sold through online retailers. It has two five-watt speakers and subwoofer is optional. The Cinego, sold at RadioShack, is also specified at 480p with 1500:1 contrast ratio. We can’t find the brightness spec but Model D-1000 is likely a clue. This one is $1,299, DLP, and includes a subwoofer and screen, $1,249 without the screen. Audio is two five-watt speakers. It’s at the retail stores and online. http://www.radioshack.com/content/promotionalpages/promo13.asp?find=cinego(keyword)&site=search Epson is one of the newest contenders in the market, with MovieMate 25. This is a 3LCD projector specified at 480p resolution, up to 1000:1 contrast ratio and up to 1200 ANSI lumens. MovieMate is the lowest in price, so far, at $1,100 and bigger in sound than those above, with two ten-watt speakers and an included 40-watt subwoofer. So far, only authorized dealers, not retailers, are listed as having this product. We’ll see what happens when it ships in October (and what a very interesting way for Epson to introduce new customers to the dealer base). HP owns the higher end space right now with its HP ep9010 Instant Cinema Digital Projector. Retail is $1,999.99 for SVGA resolution with 1600:1 contrast ratio. The lumens spec is missing on this one, too. But it’s DLP and another good looking box. Hasbro’s ZOOMBOX DVD Entertainment Projector for kids 5-14. It is a DVD player/ projector for movies, games or other video, and it’s a cute little thing with a handle. It is scheduled to be available exclusively in New York and online at http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com this December for an approximate retail price of $299, and will be available nationwide in 2006 (apparently, including WalMart). Hasbro’s VUGO Kids Portable Media Player and DVR unit that contains 128MB of memory (think mini-ARCHOS for kids). Kids can watch TV shows, listen to music and look at photos. The $119.99 ($124.99 at Walmart.com) is good, but we don’t yet know the cost of the video and other downloads that will be available on the VUGO website. Still, this is an awesome product for kids (as is the ZOOMBOX) and it will be available in the fall, too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks for reading, and tell your friends by clicking on the “forward” button at the top of the newsletter or sending them to Copyright 2005 – Kayye Consulting – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact us at Kayye Consulting, Inc. Editorial: dharrison@kayye.com 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. |