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Welcome to another edition of rAVe HomeAV! Did you see the news about the big players who banded together to set multi-room wireless standards? This is GREAT news for the industry! You can read about it in today’s issue. Also from this issue: "LED and Laser devices look unstoppable — LEDs will power pico and pocket projectors, but did you know they will soon power home theatre projectors?" Read about that and much more in Insight Media Analyst Steve Sechrist’s article about the Projection Summit at InfoComm. Enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS
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Editor’s Note: While some of this article generously contributed by Insight Media is oriented to ProAV, there is much to be learned for HomeAV as well. Business, marketing, and technology leaders from all levels of the big screen display value chain gathered again this year for the seventh annual Projection Summit Conference, held June 16 & 17 in conjunction with InfoComm, at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel adjacent to the Convention Center. The Summit offered a unique opportunity to learn about the technology and market forces that are shaping the ProAV and consumer markets. The executive-level conference gave attendees access to the industry’s movers and shakers targeting matters that influence business at all levels of the AV industry. The sessions and follow-up panel discussion focused on key industry trends and issues including: LED and Laser devices look unstoppable — LEDs will power pico and pocket projectors, but did you know they will soon power home theatre projectors? 700-900 lumen LED projectors will arrive in 2009. Laser projectors for TVs arrive this year, and will start to power projectors from pico to large venue in 2009. At the Summit, we heard from Luminus Devices, Sypro Optics, 3M and Osram Opto Semiconductors, as the group kicked off the Projection Summit talking about advances in ultra-high brightness LEDs and how solid state sources can be used in compact projection systems. Since these companies are some of the key leaders in development of Pico and Pocket Projectors, they will provided a very good understanding the current state of the market and the roadmaps for development that will help enable this new and very exciting class of projection system. For example, speakers like 3M’s Mike O’Keefe hinted of a "Q3 launch" of a cell phone "accessory projector" for that company with a live demo of working prototypes (and we have pictures.) We also heard how to get there from cell phone accessory pioneer, Drew Osterman, now a QPC Laser vp, who worked to bring the first CMOS camera technology to Nokia cell phones. The Image Quality session featured 3LCD and Texas Instruments squaring-off, each with profoundly different views on how to measure and judge image quality in projection systems. Participants heard a lively (and at times heated) discussion from experts in both camps on how they see image quality improving going forward and ways that end users might be able to quantify (measure) this image quality—or not. THX speaker Michael Rudd was also on the agenda with his company’s take on the viability of gray vs. white screens in improving contrast in the Image Quality. This is cutting edge. On the screen side, we also heard from AccelerOptics who developed a new projection screen technology that can be very effective in a digital signage environment. This can enable very large displays at much lower price points than flat panel alternatives. Wavien believes that lamp life is an issue, especially in the growing education market. Fortunately, they have developed a solution that can greatly extend lamp life and you will want to hear about. And, Wavien can use this technology to create a bright 3D display too. Barco presented in the Large Venue Projection Systems session describing how LCoS technology is alive and well, serving the demanding needs of the simulation market. And in the Digital Signage session we heard from Sanju Khatri, principal analyst for projection and large screen displays at iSuppli, who presented her analysis of different signage markets and Peter Gamby editor of Display Monitor who analyzed the various corporate players in this application by display size, technology and geographical region. What’s clear is that signage is become a growth engine for the ProAV community. New products are emerging and better system integration and easy to use system platforms making it simpler to operate even complex systems. We also see some savvy manufacturers adding 3D into the product mix making them a hit in attention-getting advertising venues. But beyond the sessions and discussion, for the first time the event also featured three technology showcase areas. These technology exhibit areas included the cutting edge in – Pico- Pocket-Projector Showcase, Light-rejecting Screen Showcase, and the Short-throw Projector Showcase. The showcase areas were open to all Projection Summit and InfoComm registered attendees and media. There were six projectors shown in the Pico- and Pocket projector showcase at Projection Summit, from various manufacturers. "These new classes of projectors are generating a lot of excitement in consumer and professional segments, and having a collection of them in one place, before the start of InfoComm, to facilitate viewing and interaction with developers offered a great value to attendees and exhibitors alike," said Chris Chinnock, President of Insight Media, the organizer of Projection Summit. Projection Summit also featured its first ever Light-rejecting Screen Showcase. The screen is a critical factor in determining the quality of a front projected image, and this showcase provided an industry first, the opportunity to see in one location the latest light-rejecting screen products and technologies. The exhibit presented the screens under realistic and similar conditions to give attendees a realistic basis for comparison. The Short-Throw Projector showcase was also a first for Projection Summit. "The recent and substantial commercial success of this class of front projector products makes this showcase both timely and important." Chinook said. The short-throw projectors were presented side by side and under similar conditions, allowing visitors to see all the latest products and technologies at one time and in a single venue. The space is also getting wide and deep. Last year we saw a few dipping their toes in this solution, but this year, Hitachi, 3M, Sanyo, NEC, Smart Technologies and BenQ were at InfoComm and/or at the Short Throw Showcase Pavilion to show off their wares. This segment is growing and the products offer a real value proposition. Projection Summit featured a mix of speakers from leading technology developers, major branders, and market research firms with the latest insights on new technology, markets, applications and competitive issues covering the display industry. The thought provoking sessions produced understanding of the key drivers that shape the future supported by ample question and answer sessions that brought concepts down to face the market realities. So if you missed is Summit, don’t worry, Projection Summit proceedings are available now (Click Here — http://www.insightmedia.info/order/#ps08pro).
10 Reasons Why You Should Attend CEDIA EXPO 1. NEW Exhibitors: As of July 15, 83 new exhibitors have been added to the tradeshow floor. Click here to view a list of the current 2008 exhibitors. 2. NEW Product Introductions: EXPO provides you access to the best industry network, by offering hundreds of manufactures and their latest & greatest products. 3. Best Networking & Idea Sharing: EXPO brings in over 29,000 industry professionals from nearly 100 countries. 4. Industry Education & Certification: Gain comprehensive, unbiased education and certification… download the registration brochure for a complete list of courses being offered. 5. FREE Training: With this one-of-a-kind member benefit you can potentially receive 29 hours of free CEDIA University education, 24.25 CEUs, for a total value of $1258 completely FREE… click here to view the complete list of courses. 6. NEW Hands-on Training: Learning Labs have been added to seven EST courses in order to enhance attendees learning experience. Look for the icon in the CEDIA EXPO registration brochure. 7. FREE Manufacturer Product Training: MPT is a great way to learn about new products first hand, at no cost, while gaining CEUs. 8. GREAT Special Events & Exciting Giveaways: Click here to view detailed information, dates, and times for these special events & giveaways. 9. Innovative Keynote Speakers: Highlighted at EXPO is Todd Buchholz, who will show attendees how to thrive in a challenging economy, while gearing up for future prosperity. 10. Green is the NEW Black: CEDIA is committed to reducing the impact that CEDIA EXPO has on the environment. By making simple changes and taking small steps, we are making CEDIA EXPO environmentally friendly — Learn more. In addition to these great reasons why you can’t miss this one-of-a-kind mix of technology, networking, and education! Be sure to get a sneak peek at the 33 Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards finalists that were announced in early July. To read about each product visit www.cedia.org/awards – and peek at what you can expect to see on the tradeshow floor! For more information visit www.cedia.org/expo or call (800) 669-5329.
CEDIA University — Helping Make Your Business Better Advanced Home Networks I Workshop is a continuation of the Training Dept. Seminar Home Network Fundamentals workshop. It covers the more advanced aspects of designing and installing home data networks that support everything from audio and video streaming to remote device access. Based on an actual installation example, the course covers the design, planning, and implementation that it takes to offer a highly secure data network; integrated with the internet. Learn more. Special Offer: Save 20% when you register for the July 28 Advanced Home Networks I workshop and the July 29-31 EST Advanced Residential Boot Camp. Date & Location EST Advanced Residential Boot Camp will take you through three days of hands-on training in a home theater environment. If you have the basics down and are looking for an opportunity to enhance your integration skills be sure to sign-up now. Learn more. Date & Location Home Theater Audio Boot Camp will teach you the fundamentals of room acoustics. Get all of your audio related home theater questions answered in an easy-to-understand language by an industry veteran. You will learn home theater audio fundamentals and we guarantee that you’ll leave this boot camp with a clear understanding of how to design and install a good home theater audio system. Special Offer: Register at least one week before the event and receive a $50.00 discount! Date & Location Visit www.cedia.org/education or more CEDIA University information. Click above for more information
CEDIA Reaches 220,000 Consumers & Enthusiasts Each Week CEDIA has partnered with Sound & Vision Radio to bring CEDIA Member’s expertise to the listening audience. The radio program airs each Saturday from 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. (Pacific). You can tune into one of the 40 stations, listen to it live at www.radioamerica.org, or via podcast on iTunes to hear the program. For more information log onto to www.cedia.org/homeowners/snv.php.
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Heavyweights to Hammer out Standard for Wireless Multi-Room Media Delivery AMIMON, Hitachi, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony banded together to form a special interest group to develop a new industry standard for multi-room audio, video and control using Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) technology. They even say they’ll have it done by year’s end. The consortium points to the WHDI video-modem‘s ability to operate in the 5GHz unlicensed band as the impetus for this standards push. The technology allows wireless delivery of uncompressed HD video (including 1080p) with secure, encrypted delivery through multiple rooms and other potential signal obstructions, such as people and furniture, with less than one-millisecond latency. The objective of this special interest group is to enhance the current WHDI technology to enable wireless streaming of uncompressed HD video and audio between CE devices such as LCD and plasma HDTVs, multimedia projectors, A/V receivers, DVD and BD players, set-top boxes (STBs), game consoles, and PCs. The new interoperable standard aims to ensure that CE devices manufactured by different vendors will simply and directly connect to one another. For more information, go to http://www.whdi.org/News/
New CEDIA Web Portal — Fantastic New Information-Sharing Service CEDIA announced an extensive new service for members that brings a variety of web-based information services into one cool portal. CEDIA Crosspoint is a Web-portal designed to easily bring a variety of knowledge bases to you, covering subjects such as trends and technologies, current and future. CEDIA Crosspoint was developed by CEDIA’s Technology Council. CEDIA says it serves as a direct line of communication with CEDIA manufacturers and other association members, with information to help members not only to build their business, but also remain ahead of industry changes. Crosspoint consists of blogs, forums, an audio and video library, and a resource center, and it was designed with easy navigation in mind. CEDIA’s Technology Council also plans to introduce a Manufacturer’s Corner to the Crosspoint in the coming months. You’ll need your user name and password to log in. To check out CEDIA Crosspoint, go to http://www.cediacrosspoint.com/
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SurgeX Next Generation of Flagship Sequencer Shown at InfoComm SurgeX brought its SEQ flagship sequencer and power conditioner to InfoComm. The SEQ incorporates all the latest SurgeX technologies such as Advanced Series Mode surge elimination, Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI filtering, SurgeX ICE Inrush current elimination and COUVS Catastrophic Over/Under Voltage Shutdown. SurgeX says the latest generation SEQ features a sharper, easier to read, display and enhanced software. New features include a 12 Volt DC Output that can be programmed to control an additional remote system, and the ability to program additional always-on outlets. The SEQ has three physical banks of four outlets each that can be sequenced with two external (remote) banks of equipment. It is designed to interface with other control systems and can be infinitely cascaded with other SurgeX products. For more information, go to http://www.surgex.com/press/press200807_nextGenSEQ.html
Extron to Bring New HDMI and DVI Matrix Boards for the SMX System MultiMatrix to CEDIA Extron is introducing a new range of HDCP-compliant HDMI and DVI matrix boards for the SMX System MultiMatrix, Extron's modular, field-configurable matrix switching platform. These new matrix boards, available in I/O sizes from 4×4 to 8×8, bring the total number of SMX matrix boards to 35, covering all common analog and digital A/V signal types from composite video and wideband RGB to 3G-SDI, DVI, and HDMI, as well as stereo audio. The SMX System MultiMatrix is especially suited for a wide variety of residential entertainment and media distribution applications where multiple signal types, such as high-definition and standard definition video, computer-video from game consoles or media center PCs, and stereo audio, must be routed to different rooms or zones. The SMX HDMI Series Matrix Switcher Boards are designed for routing HDMI video signals with embedded audio and control signals. They support computer video to 1920×1200 and HDTV to 1080p at data rates up to 1.65 Gbps. SMX HDMI matrix boards are HDCP-compliant and, like the SMX DVI and DVI Pro matrix boards, provide +5 VDC, 250 mA of power on each output for external peripheral devices. They are available in four I/O sizes: 4×4, 4×8, 8×4, and 8×8. For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/
New Plug-and-Play 802.11n Upgrade Kit NETGEAR just announced the Wireless-N Upgrade Kit for simple, plug-and-play addition of Wireless-N protocol to existing networks. The kit includes includes the NETGEAR 5GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point (WNHDE111) and RangeMax Dual-Band Wireless-N Adapter (WNDA3100). This kit lets you add 5GHz 802.11n to an existing wired or wireless network. To incorporate it, you plug the WNHDE111 into an existing router or gateway (router with integrated modem),, and that’s it! Adding the Wireless-N Upgrade Kit to an existing 802.11b/g network will create a dual-band network capable of supporting any Wi-Fi-compliant computer or device. While laptops with embedded Wireless-N will natively connect at the highest possible Wireless-N speeds, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Adapter provides a boost in wireless performance to desktops and older laptops. The NETGEAR Wireless-N Upgrade Kit is at retailers now with MSRP of $149. For more information, go to http://www.netgear.com/About/PressReleases/en-US/2008/20080730.aspx
Sears Set to Stock DISH DVTPal Converter Boxes Sears plans to sell Dish Network’s DTVPal digital-to-analog converter box in its full-line of 511 stores nationwide and at 194 Sears Dealer stores. DTVPal converter boxes are eligible for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and have a retail price of $59.99. The DTVPal has analog pass-through to accommodate for the lower power of some stations not required to switch to digital broadcasts until 2009. DTVPal has an easy-to-follow setup wizard, an electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings, parental controls, program search, auto tune timers for program recording on a connected VCR, closed caption support and signal strength screen pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals. In addition, the DTVPal remote control allows consumers to use a single remote to control the TV's volume. Sears has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program in preparation for the transition to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009 and has been selling converter boxes in all of its stores since April 2008. For more information, go to http://www.dtvpal.com/
Sleek New TPS-6X Touchpanel From Crestron Crestron brought a nice looking new touchpanel to InfoComm. The TPS-6Xis a 6-inch touchpanel that incorporates many of the features previously found in nine different Crestron models. While docked, the TPS-6X is a wired Cresnet or Ethernet connected panel with full-motion video display. Users can lift the panel off the dock, and the panel automatically switches to a wireless RF device. TPS-6X uses long-range, high-speed two-way RF communication up to 200 feet and 1-way IR. While sitting on the docking station, the TPS-6X recharges, and communicates as a wired touchpanel. The high-speed Ethernet connection enables full motion video display in a scalable or full-size window. Programs can be uploaded to the panel remotely while charging on the dock. The TPS-6X simultaneously remains connected to the RF radio while operating as a wired panel, so when the panel is removed from the dock, it instantly switches over to wireless mode. The TPS-6X operates within IEEE 802.15.4 so it does not experience any of the challenges of WiFi. TPS-6X uses the same Isys graphic engine as all of the latest Crestron touchpanels, including dynamic text and graphics. For more information, go to http://www.crestron.com/press_room/press_releases/show_release.asp?press_release_id=1330
Microsoft, Netflix Partner to Stream Movies to the Xbox LIVE At the E3 Media and Business Summit, Microsoft and Netflix announced an exclusive partnership to offer consumers the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Xbox 360 will be the only game system that lets users instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix. This movie watching innovation will be available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. A constantly growing library of more than 10,000 movies and TV episodes will be available from Netflix when it launches on Xbox LIVE in late fall, with more choices added over time. Netflix on Xbox 360 is a significant portion of a new "Xbox experience" Microsoft announced for enjoying games and entertainment experiences that will be available on Xbox 360 consoles this fall. The new Xbox experience, also announced at the E3 Media and Business Summit, will be delivered to consumers as free software. For more information, go to http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=275
Dish Announces 100 HD-Channel Milestone Dish Network announced the company plans 17 national HD channels, which will take the company past 100 national HD channels five months ahead of their schedule. In addition, Dish Network introduced TurboHD, the first 100 percent, all-HD programming package in the pay-TV industry, with advanced equipment that works on all TVs. TurboHD offers the most-watched HD channels in four separate tiers and can be viewed on analog, digital and high definition TVs. All TurboHD packages can include HD locals where available. TurboHD pricing ranges from $29.99 to $49.99 per month and up. For more information, go to http://dish.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=320956
TiVo Subscribers Can Buy From Amazon on Their TV Sets TiVo announced that they have teamed up with Amazon to provide consumers with the ability to purchase physical products from Amazon.com on their TV sets, using the TiVo remote control. With this new Product Purchase feature, television advertisers will have the unique ability to market products sold through Amazon.com on any broadcast or cable network, any TV show, or via any of TiVo’s extensive interactive advertising features. Consumers will also be able to use TiVo’s Universal Swivel Search to explore and buy products associated with their favorite shows, movies, actors, and directors, directly from the TV and also using the remote. Upon selecting a product, users will have the option to complete the purchase immediately or add it to their Amazon.com shopping cart for later checkout. Shipping and tax will be automatically calculated and shown to the user before final confirmation. For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/6n9na3
New Blu-ray From Sony Priced at $400 Sony is shipping its new Blu-ray player and finally, the price is coming within reach of more consumers. The BDP-S350 is priced around $400 and is now available across the country at Sony Style retail outlets, sonystyle.com and other authorized Sony retailers. The BDP-S350 supports BonusView (picture-in-picture), which is featured on select new Blu-ray Disc home video releases, and is also BD-Live ready, with an Ethernet port for firmware updates and access to Internet-based interactive content features. A firmware update enabling BD-Live is planned later this year. It also features quick start-up mode improving the player's boot-up time to approximately a few seconds, and offers an external port for local storage for BD-Live, allowing users to add an optional flash storage device (sold separately). Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-S350 incorporates Sony's new Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI. Additionally, the model also adds Sony's new Precision Drive HD, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions. For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/home_audio_video/blu-ray_disc/release/36025.html
Affordable Cordless HD Radio Receivers From Coby Coby Electronics introduced an all-new range of receivers with access to hundreds of new HD2 and HD3 channels and 1,700 clear AM and FM HD Radio stations. These are offered subscription-free. The new HDR-700 Portable HD Radio System is a cordless HD Radio receiver. This is obviously a portable, and it also has splash-proof housing, an integrated rechargeable battery and an SD card slot for digital MP3 playback. SRP is $149. The new HDR-650 Component HD Radio Receiver is a capsule-like unit with a brushed- aluminum casing designed to complement existing stereo and audio systems. The HDR-650 has a high-contrast digital LCD screen that displays station, artist and song title information. It also has a built-in alarm and sleep timer function. SRP is $99. For more information, go to http://www.cobyusa.com/?p=prod&prod_num_id=194&pcat_id=3005
New Creative Media Players, One With Wireless LAN Connectivity Creative announced the ZEN X-Fi and ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN. These are digital media players for music, video and photos. The ZEN X-Fi and ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN bring a new sound technology for playing MP3, WMA and unprotected iTunes music. The technology is X-Fi Crystalizer, a proprietary audio technology developed at Creative's Advanced Technology Center that restores the highs and lows to music during playback that were lost during the ripping to MP3, WMA or AAC formats. The ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN enables users to wirelessly stream and download music from the PC to the player over a wireless home network, and play it back with X-Fi audio quality. The ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN can access the music on the home PC, which can be played through the built-in speaker, a home speaker system, or the TravelSound ZEN X-Fi docking speaker system accessory. Users can also stream and download video files in supported formats and photos directly to the ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN from the PC. The ZEN X-Fi with Wireless LAN is available today in a 32GB model for $299.99, and a 16GB model for $199.99. The ZEN X-Fi 8GB model which does not include wireless LAN functionality will be available later for $149.99. The ZEN X-Fi docking speaker system will be available later this summer for US$49.99. For more information, go to http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=836&product=17811 Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial: Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison at denise@ravepubs.com A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry. rAVe ProAV Edition was launched in February 2003. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Copyright 2008 – 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: denise@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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