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Volume 10, Issue 3 — February 14, 2013
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A Reminder On Wiring
By Lee Distad
rAVe Columnist You may think that the AV industry is standardized, but it’s really not. Even though HDMI and Ethernet are the norm now, between the major hardware players and the growing number of smaller solution providers there is a remarkable amount of minor variation in the way that different manufacturers achieve AV distribution and control.
That lack of standardization at the equipment level is apparent all the way to the installation level. The big question in AV integration is this: What is the best way to wire up a client’s project?
If you sit down with six veteran AV Pros from different firms and talk about wiring, you’re going to hear six different opinions about what the “right way” looks like.
In the midst of all the differences there are similarities between the various methods. Here are a few best practices that are common to industry veterans.
First, they wire for what they’re doing, not what they think they might do later. While “future-proofing” is all well and good, it’s possible to go too far.
Think about your design holistically by specifying everything that the system will do in terms of A/V and control, and in what rooms those things will be happening. If you go into enough detail in your project discovery interview with the client, you’re unlikely to miss anything.
After all, the client either wants a display or speakers (or both) in a location, or they don’t. Running lines for a function that they don’t want now because perhaps they might want it in the future may not be the best use of their funds.
The downside of future proofing is getting burned later. Wiring for technology that might come down the pipe in a year or five is a gamble.
No one can predict the future, and the cost to refit a wire run if you are mistaken can outweigh the benefits.
“Someone” (I’m not going to admit that it was me) installed a 75-foot HDMI cable in a client’s ceiling eight years ago for a “future” HD source. These days, the same run could have been done with two lines of Cat6.
Well, that was a waste of a thousand bucks.
If you really want to future proof an installation, run 1.5-inch plastic conduit to speculative locations so that later on, you or someone else can easily snake new lines.
There’s overkill, and then there’s over-overkill. While most of my career has been characterized by overkill when it comes to audio and video quality, there’s something to be said for designing as much bang for the buck that the client’s budget will allow. Focus on value, in terms of things like sound quality and dollars-per-inch of screen size rather than just wantonly spending the client’s money.
The same holds true when designing for serviceability: Engineer in as much protection from failure and ease of service as possible. Having three HD-PVRs in a home’s video distribution means that if one fails on game day your on-call guy won’t get a call at 8 p.m. on a Sunday night.
Over-design in the areas that make sense. Don’t go crazy with the network wiring. Years ago I did an assessment on a home where the previous contractor had fallen down, and I was asked to determine what it would take to complete the project.
The first thing I noticed in my survey was that the contractor had wired a network plate with three Cat5e and two RG-6 coax cables in every room.
And by every room, I mean “every room” including the front hall, foyer, and the laundry room. If the client had really wanted to plug a printer into the foyer, then that might make some sense, but when asked about it the client had no clear idea of why he would need networking everywhere, so I think he was oversold on the “smart wire” thing.
More to the point, overspending on the infrastructure, beyond making it robust and serviceable takes away money that can be allocated to blowing away your client and their family and friends with big sight and sound. Wire for what you’re going to install, and instead of spending the client’s money on wiring for maybes, put that money into the best audio and video that you can specify for them.
Lee Distad is a rAVe columnist and freelance writer covering topics from CE to global business and finance in both print and online. Reach him at lee@ravepubs.com
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Will Samsung and LG Display Work Together on AMOLED?
By David Hsieh
DisplaySearch Korean news reported that Samsung and LG Display, through the encouragement of the Korean government, are starting to talk with other about settling various intellectual property disputes over AMOLED, and possibly on ways that they can work together on AMOLED technology and market development. Samsung, which focuses on RGB technology, has been in disputes with LG Display, which has concentrated on WOLED technology. The disputes have consumed much attention at the two companies.
Although this is not the first time two giants in Korea have discussed cooperation — several years ago there were discussions about cooperation in display components — this time the background is very different. At the CES show, Sony and Panasonic’s successful and eye-opening demonstration of 4Kx2K UHD AMOLED TV had a big impact on the Korean makers, in terms of their assessment of their position in the market as well as their strategies. In particular, Samsung Display is the clear leader in OLED production, with more than 95 percent share of mobile AMOLED panels and a strong brand presence through the Galaxy smartphone line using AMOLED as a feature. Samsung has been cultivating OLED as a brand rather than just a technology term, and wanted to introduce the OLED TV to differentiate their products in the highly price-competitive TV market. Meanwhile, LG Display, together with LG Electronics, was the first to bring a big-screen AMOLED TV to the market in January.
However, Sony, and Panasonic, with the help from Taiwanese panel makers, demonstrated AMOLED technology in UHD (4Kx2K) format, which suggested that the Korean makers are not necessarily the technology leaders. At the same time, the Korean makers are struggling with production of OLED TV panels, leading to a retail price of $10,000 for LG’s 55” HDTV, and to Samsung holding off on commercialization for now. At the same time, it may prove difficult to persuade consumers to buy an OLED TV that is “only” Full HD, when they see 4Kx2K sets on the way.
As we have discussed, both Samsung and LG Display have been revamping their OLED strategy, and it appears that working with each other may be one option. There are several potential reasons for this:
Samsung and LG Display are both leaders in many aspects of AMOLED technology, but Japanese and Taiwanese competitors are catching up. In fact, Sony and Panasonic demonstrated OLED technologies (super top emission and ink-jet-printing respectively) which has led some to believe that Japan has taken one step leap forward.
The Korean government appears to recognize that AMOLED competition is changing and so may the dominance of Korean makers. In order to keep Korea’s leadership in the field, they believe that moving from fighting to cooperation is the way to concentrate Korean resources.
The cooperation may help both companies to solve the production issue. As we reported in the Quarterly FPD Supply/Demand and Capital Spending Report, it’s possible that Samsung will adopt the white OLED process for large-size production; if so, LG Display’s experience would be helpful. LG Display has stopped working on mobile OLEDs due to their lack of the RGB evaporation technology and know-how; as OLED takes share in mobile devices applications, LG Display may want to offer OLED as well as LCD, and if so, Samsung’s experience would be helpful.
There are reasons to be skeptical that these two giants can work together, even with the encouragement from Korean government, since they have been competing with each other for decades, not only in business, but also technology, strategy, and corporate culture. The plan to collaborate on components purchasing did not result in much. Certainly, external threats are a good reason for them to come together, but it is not yet clear evidence that Japan and Taiwan are really threats in OLED, because there is a great deal of difference between demonstration and mass production. It is believed that one of the Korean panel makers have recently visited Japanese TV brands to discuss working on OLED together, so it may be that working with their national rival is not the only option.
This column was reprinted with permission from DisplaySearch and originally appeared here.
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Share Article Back to Top China Attacks!
By Ken Werner
DisplayDaily TV set makers from China were at CES in force, determined to take more of the North American market – not only with sets sold under private labels but, increasingly, under their own. This trend has been visible for the last couple of years, but this year it was dramatic, with elaborate exhibits laid on by TCL, Haier, HiSense, Konka, and Changhong. We could add Westinghouse Digital, which, as usual, showed its line-up in a suite at the Las Vegas Hotel. (Although Westinghouse isn’t a Chinese company, its sets come from the same set of contract manufacturers.)
And the Chinese set-makers weren’t just showing generic me-too products. Among their offerings were 4Kx2K sets, very large screens, smart TVs and 3D-TVs. Although LG got a lot of attention for its short-throw laser TV that could be positioned just 22 inches from the screen onto which it was projecting, Hisense showed one that worked with its front edge virtually in line with the plane of the screen!
Here are a few highlights. For more details, see the coming issue of Insight Media’s Large Display Report.
TCL showed an extremely broad line-up, including a 110-inch 4Kx2K TV, a voice-control TV, and the TCL MOVO Google TV box. TCL’s Jianpeng “Conan” Jiao told Display Daily that the MOVO box will be the first TCL product to appear in the U.S. market under TCL’s own name rather than a private label. Incidentally, the MOVO box has a handsome and distinctive design. Among the TV sets TCL showed was a 55-inch 4K that is eventually headed for the U.S., but Conan had no information on when that might be.
In addition to its almost-zero-throw laser projection TV, Hisense showed an 84-inch 4K, and 110-inch 4K, a Roku-ready TV, and a Google TV, among others.
Haier introduced 25 TV models. Among the demos was the “Gaze” eye-control TV and an autostereoscopic TV with an image so pixelated it could have been using MasterImage 3D technology. (To be fair, MasterImage was demonstrating its technology in its own booth on a 4K set, which was a vast improvement over FHD.) Haier also joined the TV makers – which seemingly includes most of them – showing a variant of 3D technology that allows two viewers to each watch a different show on the same set. Yawn. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. More interesting was the award-winning pizza maker who was flinging pizza crusts around Haier’s booth. (The company is a major manufacturer of kitchen appliances.)
Konka was showing a touch TV, its own 84-inch 4K and a transparent TV. Transparent LCDs have obvious application in retail signage and merchandizing, but if you can figure out why anyone would want their home TV set to be transparent, please let me know.
Mark Twain once said of a dancing bear that the wonder is not that the bear dances poorly, but that it dances at all. That was not at all the case with the Chinese TV manufacturers at CES. The Chinese dragons were dancing with energy and grace.
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Recently from rAVe's BlogSquad Back to Top Swizz Beatz Purchases Co-Ownership Stake in Monster, Joins Advisory Board Hot on the heels of CES, Head Monster Noel Lee sets his sights on the company’s next big step by recruiting the expertise of cultural icon Swizz Beatz. Swizz will join Monster as a member of the company’s executive board after purchasing a co-ownership stake in the company. Noel Lee, who created the Beats by Dr. Dre headphone sound, knew that creating the next big cultural movement in consumer electronics would not be easy, so he has called on Swizz's creative genius to help take the company to the next level.
Lee says, “The products that we have planned are revolutionary in technology, sound, and style. We need the talents and reach of Swizz to help bring these products to life in the eyes of the consumer.”
Swizz Beatz will bring all of his expertise, passion and unique insight in helping Monster continue its innovation, development and marketing of entertainment products in today’s fast-changing music and entertainment culture. Swizz will play an integral role in designing the company’s strategy and planning, expanding the Monster brand with partnerships across the globe, much like he’s recently done with the Reebok brand.
Swizz Beatz said, “Monster has always been a go-to name for music electronics as well as a big part of music culture. Under the leadership of Noel Lee, who is a true genius, the company has literally been changing the way people listen to music for over 30 years. They built an empire, and my job will be to push the envelope – turn the lights of the castle up really bright and help Monster take its next big step forward. There will be some very exciting things happening in the year ahead, so stay tuned!”
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SpeakerCraft Founder Sues SpeakerCraft Parent Nortek SpeakerCraft co-founder and former president Jeremy Burkhardt has sued SpeakerCraft, and its parent company Nortek for attempting to enforce an invalid non-competition agreement and restrict his right to work. Having resigned from SpeakerCraft in April 2012, Burkhardt is now seeking to return to the industry he helped build over the last 25 years and has found Nortek illegally standing in the way. “I gave Nortek 10 prime years of my life and worked hard to make SpeakerCraft the best performing brand in its portfolio,” Burkhardt says. “They made it difficult for me to remain with SpeakerCraft last year, and also want to limit my ability to compete. They can’t have it both ways.” After selling SpeakerCraft to Nortek subsidiary Linear Corporation in 2003, Burkhardt agreed to remain the president of SpeakerCraft and continue to build the company, where he generated millions of dollars of profit for Nortek during his tenure. As part of the transaction, Burkhardt agreed to sign a non-compete and invest $1 million back into Nortek to show his commitment. The non-compete would remain in effect for five years or, if Linear Corporation had hired him, then for three years after Burkhardt terminated his employment from Linear Corporation. However, Burkhardt signed an employment agreement with SpeakerCraft, Inc., and Linear never employed him. In 2009, notwithstanding millions in profit from SpeakerCraft, the management of Nortek decided to bankrupt the parent company and subsidiaries. In the bankruptcy, SpeakerCraft, Inc. ceased to exist and Burkhardt’s $1 million investment disappeared. To induce him to run the newly formed company, SpeakerCraft, LLC, the chairman of Nortek promised to repay the $1 million over time. Burkhardt contends that Nortek deliberately failed to live up to this promise and reneged on the payment after its former chairman stepped down. Now Nortek is trying to use the expired non-competition agreement to stop Burkhardt from working, and it refuses to agree that it has expired. “One of three things is true,” Burkhardt asserts,”1) The non-compete expired in 2008, five years after Linear bought SpeakerCraft, 2) the non-compete expired in 2009, when my employment with SpeakerCraft, Inc. ended, or 3) The non-compete is completely invalid under California Law. California law is tough and it was a poorly drafted agreement by Nortek.” In California, non-competes are considered invalid as a matter of public policy, which strongly favors open competition. The only exception narrowly carves out non-competes in the context of acquisitions, and then only if reasonably limited to competition with the buyer. “Nortek is making a mistake trying to prohibit my competing with them. Their case does not hold water and the longer they drag this out, the more likely they are going to suffer in the market as more of the facts of this case become public,” Burkhardt says. “They like to bully the little guy, but I won’t let them bully me.” Lawsuit details can be found at the Orange County Court’s website (http://www.occourts.org/), case ID# 30-2012-00610919-CU-NP-CJC.
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Share Article Back to Top Digital Projection's HIGHlite 330-3D Ships Digital Projection International is shipping its HIGHlite Cine 330-3D projectors. These new 3-chip DLPs are available in two models: the high contrast HIGHlite Cine 330-3D-HC (spec'd at 3,000 lumens and greater than 20,000:1 contrast) and the high brightness HIGHlite Cine 330-3D (spec'd at 5,500 lumens). Listing at $29,995, the new HIGHlite Cine 330-3D includes HDMI 1.4a compatibility and 10-bit color to home theaters and higher ed theater rooms.
Both models include a lens shift range of 120 percent vertical and 30 percent horizontal, and have two HDMI inputs, as well as RGB via D-15, component, composite and S-Video inputs. They have multiple lens options, including 0.77 and 1.16:1 fixed lenses, as well as zoom lenses with throw ratios ranging from 1.45 – 6.76:1.
The 330-3D-HC can be found here, while the 330-3D is found here.
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Share Article Back to Top Screen Innovations Shows New Black Diamond Motorized Projection Screen at ISE 2013 Screen Innovations (SI) is demonstrating the brand new Black Diamond Motorized projection screen for ISE 2013 attendees. A new and unique motorized design utilizing SI’s Black Diamond ambient light rejection screen technology, Black Diamond Motorized is a sleek flat panel alternative that actually disappears when not in use. Utilizing one motor, four custom helixes and a spool of slender aircraft cable, Black Diamond Motorized silently lowers a thin wing containing the rolled Black Diamond screen downward from a recessed ceiling-mounted cassette. The cable-hung wing then stops, and from it, a small tube quickly emerges and lowers itself down to an adjustable, pre-determined image height, leaving only the image space in sight. Because Black Diamond screens do not require masking or any black drop material whatsoever, there is no visible material above, below or on either side of the screen surface, allowing the images projected on Black Diamond Motorized to appear as though they are suspended in air. Unlike flat panel TVs, Black Diamond Motorized delivers zero glare and reflection when used in a bright environment. SI says that because of its Black Diamond ambient light rejection screen technology, light scatter is measurably reduced by over 75 percent. SI will exhibit the Black Diamond Motorized projection system at ISE on stand #1-N53.
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Share Article Back to Top NAD Announces New CD Player NAD Electronics announced its new C 516BEE Player, an affordable, high performance CD player engineered for musicality and simplicity true to the brand’s tradition. Replacing its predecessor, the NAD C 515BEE, the C 516BEE is available now with an MSRP of $299.
The C 516BEE features the latest generation Cirrus Logic 24/192 D/A Converters for more accurate dynamics and a finely-tuned analog stage for even lower distortion compared to its predecessor. Audio specific OP Amps assure accurate musical sound while standby power consumption is reduced to a tiny trickle (<0.5 watts), saving energy while still allowing full function remote control. The C 516 BEE offers a choice of COAX or Optical digital outputs.
The new industrial design of the C 516BEE imparts a sleek new profile to the Classic NAD face and is a cosmetic complement to the C 316BEE integrated amplifier. The C 516BEE plays both CD and CD-R/W and decodes MP3 and WMA files copied to CD-R for up to 10 hours of continuous play. For added convenience, the NAD player offers “Repeat” function for one song, one disc, plus A-B repeat, “program play” with direct access from the remote control and “forward” and “reverse” skip and search functions. An informative VFD display gives complete information about tracks and time.
Here are all the specs: http://www.nadelectronics.com
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Share Article Back to Top Quantum Data Intros 4K Test Generator The AVPro QD804A is the industry's first dedicated 4K test generator. The 804A is designed for both in-lab and in-field applications, supporting testing of HDMI 4Kx2K resolutions up to pixel rates of 297MHz. Featuring four HDMI outputs all active simultaneously for testing HDTVs with multiple HDMI inputs, the QD804A eliminates the need for splitters and it can output component analog and composite analog video as well as HDMI through the same port. Switching between video timings and images is fast as the 804A is equipped with all the standard video timings and test patterns including support for 3D necessary for testing HDTVs, including tests for HDMI protocols such as HDCP, EDID and CEC. The 804A tests compressed and uncompressed HDMI audio formats using a variety of audio test signals. An HDTV's analog audio inputs can also be tested using the 804's programmable analog audio outputs.
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Share Article Back to Top Ube Taking Orders via Indiegogo for Wi-Fi Based Smart Dimmer Demo 2012 People’s Choice winner Ube (pronounced “yoo-bee”), the company started by former CEDIA president Utz Baldwin has launched an Indiegogo campaign to support its Wi-Fi connected Smart Dimmer. This dimmer is designed to control household light circuits by replacing a homeowner’s current light switch or dumb dimmer, allowing full control of the lights from the switch or from a smartphone app. The dimmer connects to the homeowner’s home Wi-Fi router and is then controllable from a smartphone while connected to the local home network or from any internet connection worldwide.
The URL for Ube’s Indiegogo campaign is http://igg.me/at/ube/x/1805061
Ube is a mobile platform company making solutions for the connected home as part of the world. Ube’s technology is designed to control a new genre of electronic "appcessories" from a free smartphone app. This technology eliminates the need for expensive custom control systems to control home electronics and instead uses IP communication protocols for control of a variety of connected home electronics.
These Smart Dimmers are priced from $49 to $69 on Indiegogo and have a variety of features not found on other dimmers designed for home use.
- A free mobile app to run on your smartphone
- Dimmers can communicate with each other to control lights across a room or entire house
- Users can set lighting “scenes” such as “party,” “dinner,” “all-on” or “all-off,” etc.
- Each dimmer has sub-metering to report energy usage for each light switch allowing users to monitor and control their lighting bills
- Dimmers control any 120V dimmable bulb including incandescent, fluorescent and LED
- Users can create an “away” mode to automatically turn on and off lights to mimic home presence for security
Users who order these dimmers can expect delivery starting in June 2013. Go here to see it: http://myube.co/
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Share Article Back to Top Peerless-AV Launches Technology Division New wireless solutions were previewed to visitors at ISE in Amsterdam as Peerless-AV announced the formation of the Peerless-AV Technology Division, dedicated to advanced digital content delivery solutions for the commercial and residential markets.
The new division will focus on the company’s technology portfolio, to cover new areas such as wireless connectivity, wireless broadcast, digital audio and touch products, to provide a comprehensive catalogue of digital content delivery tools for AV dealers, distributors, integrators and installers.
A selection of these new products was shown by Peerless-AV for the first time in Europe at ISE last month. This included the HD Flow Pro Wireless Multimedia Kit, a device allowing Full HD 1080p video and passive 3D signals to be streamed up to 40m to HDTVs, projectors or other displays without cabling and the PeerAir Wireless HD Multimedia System, an HDMI interface-based plug-and-play wireless content streaming system for home entertainment, corporate, education and training applications.
The division is equipped with its own engineering, product development, product management, field applications engineering and customer care staff as well as select manufacturing capabilities and testing facilities for all products.
Here are all the wireless products: http://www.peerless-av.com/en-us/professional/product_categories/Wireless_Solutions
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Share Article Back to Top Pakedge Debuts 24-Port Gigabit Switch That Handles Fiber and Ethernet Pakedge Device & Software last week launched the S26e, a 24-port gigabit Ethernet switch with two fiber ports. The S26e (the “e” stands for “Express”) is an unmanaged plug and play switch, which enables easy installation. It includes 24 10/100/1000 Mbps gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as two SFP (small form-factor pluggable) mini-GBIC fiber ports, making it ideal for larger installations and where long distance fiber optic cable runs are needed for connecting guest houses or additional buildings on a property that are away from the main home installation.
All cables are installed from the rear, a feature pioneered by Pakedge that enables a clean, uncluttered installation in an A/V cabinet, rack or structured wiring panel. The S26e has an ultra-quiet fan for silent operation, a major advantage when the unit is installed near A/V equipment or in the main home entertainment room.
Another useful feature is the S26e’s Automatic Loop Detection. This prevents looping issues, where a device’s cable might be inadvertently plugged into the wrong spot to create an unwanted signal loop.
The S26e’s store-and-forward architecture filters errors and forwards data packets in a non-blocking environment. Its flow control operation ensures that correct data is transmitted, and the S26e’s backpressure flow control mechanisms work for both full- and half-duplex modes. The S26e supports the NWay auto-negotiation protocol that automatically detects network speed (10/100/1000 Mbps) and full/half duplex modes. In addition, Pakedge says its Auto-MDI/MDI-X functionality eliminates the need for crossover cables (for larger installations, each port can be used to connect to a larger switch or hub, with no crossover Ethernet cable required). Its blue front-panel indicators provide real-time status monitoring. The S26e is 1U rack space high and comes with rack-mount hardware.
Here are all the specs: http://www.pakedge.com/ |
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Share Article Back to Top Pro Control's ProPanel App Now Available for ProLink.r Processor Pro Control, a division of RTI, announced that the company's ProPanel control app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch is now available for the ProLink.r control processor. The ProPanel app provides users with system control of the home environment. Already available for the ProLink.z, and now available for the ProLink.r, the ProPanel app will integrate either ProLink processor with Apple®devices to control A/V systems, lights, music servers, shades, internet radio, door locks and more.
ProPanel supports local connection through Wi-Fi LAN control via the ProLink.r, and the ProLink.z offers remote-access capabilities via auto-switching Wi-Fi and 3G wireless — providing users with convenient control and monitoring capabilities from virtually anywhere in the world.
The ProPanel app's auto-programming feature provides exceptionally efficient set up. Dealers can completely customize the graphical user interface (GUI) via Pro Control Studio software to provide their customers with a personalized and unique control experience. There are also preprogrammed templates. For simple interface updating, all graphics are stored on the ProLink processor, the Apple device and the cloud.
The Free ProPanel app is available now for download from the Apple iTunes App Store. Dealers will need to purchase licenses from their distributor or online from within the Pro Control Studio software to enable communication with their Pro Control system. Dealer registration is required for access to the software. Registration is available at http://www.procontrol.com/registration.
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Share Article Back to Top Audinate Launches Dante Ultimo Solution Audinate's newest member of the Danteä product family: Ultimo. Ultimo is a complete, fully-featured, ready-to-use Dante interface for networked audio products, integrated into a single 13×13-millimeter chip. By providing an integrated, cost-effective networked audio solution over a 100 Mbps Ethernet interface, Ultimo extends the benefits of Dante networking to a wide new range of audio devices. Dante is licensed by over 70 OEM manufacturers, and Dante networked devices are currently being designed into hundreds of AV OEM products. Audinate says Ultimo delivers a low-cost, small-footprint solution without sacrificing audio quality. As with Audinate’s other networked products, Ultimo uses high-quality, low-jitter clocks with ±1μs time alignment between networked devices. Ultimo does not require specialized switches and works with existing network infrastructure. Ultimo includes Dante features such as automatic device discovery, plug-and-play networking, network-based firmware updates and customization of device names and channel labels. Applications targeted for Ultimo include powered speakers, microphones, speakerphones, amplifiers, paging stations, personal monitoring systems, AV wall plates, recording interfaces, analog/digital break-in/break out and musical instruments.
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Share Article Back to Top Krell Ships Integrated Amp Krell Industries has just started shipping the S-550i, a 275-watt amplifier that's outfitted with balanced and single-ended inputs (XLR and RCA), an iPod dock and theater throughput mode. In addition, the amp includes multiple 12 Volt triggers, RS232 connectivity and rack mount ears.
The S-550i is powered by a 1,750-watt transformer and 68,000F of capacitance into a 5" high chassis. This power supply feeds classic Krell circuitry throughout the topology using only discrete circuitry. The S-550i doubles its power output when a speaker's impedance is halved. For the S-550i, the results are 275 watts into 8 ohms and 550 watts into 4 ohms with both channels driven.
The S-550i Integrated Amplifier retails for $5,000 and you can see all the specs here: http://www.krellonline.com
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Share Article Back to Top Crestron Debuts New CLWI Wireless Dimming and Control System for EMEA Market At ISE, Crestron launched its new CLWI integrated in-wall wireless dimming and switching control solutions. CLWI offers the perfect entry-level product to attract new home and building automation business.
CLWI is specifically designed for the European market and is suitable for both new and retrofit installations. The range uses infiNET EX wireless technology to deliver reliable and cost-effective two-way dimming. In addition, CLWI dimmers and switchers provide seamless compatibility with Crestron products for controlling audio, video, HVAC and security systems, as part of a whole home or building control solution.
As the retrofit market continues to grow, CLWI wireless lighting control products offer an ideal solution for integrators who want to introduce automated lighting control to their clients. Using your existing wiring for power, it is not necessary to cut holes through walls and ceilings to run new control wiring. This virtually eliminates the inconvenience and cost associated with a fixed wired installation, without sacrificing control performance.
CLWI can be installed in all types of locations and the shallow profile of the CLWI series ensures that all the dimmers can be installed in European single gang boxes, making it perfect choice for both new and retrofit projects across the region. For fast, reliable wiring connections, CLWI features screw-clamp connectors to reduce installation time.
Engravable buttons can be swapped out in the field for project-by-project customization. In addition, each CLWI is shipped with a full assortment of blank buttons for future use should the interior scheme be subject to change. There is also a full range of other electrical accessories with matching faceplates available, including sockets and switches to co-ordinate with any interior design scheme.
Attached to a Crestron network, CLWI also functions as an intuitive keypad, sending commands to trigger whole-room lighting scenes or distributed audio functions. Supporting up to six buttons, the in-wall dimmer or switch serves as a great user control interface in any Crestron system. Its single-box form factor maximizes control capability in a small space while increasing the opportunity for Crestron control in every room.
CLWI supports dimming control of the same lighting load from more than one location without requiring a special remote dimmer. It is possible to connect any standard, maintained or momentary, switch to the "remote" terminal on the CLWI keypad for on/off control and the momentary "push-button" switches provide full dim up/down and on/off control.
For more information on CLWI, go to: http://www.Crestron.eu/clwi
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Share Article Back to Top CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Competition Now Open The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association’s (CEDIA’s) annual Electronic Lifestyles Awards competition is officially open online at http://www.cedia.net/awards. CEDIA members interested in entering may view guidelines and begin the entry process; early bird deadline is April 12.
CEDIA has added a new category to the Designer Awards competition for Integrated Home Projects that cost under $20,000. Projects entered in this category must show installed technology solutions in a minimum of two rooms. CEDIA members may enter their first project in this category for free until the early bird deadline of April 12, there is no limit to the number of projects that a company may enter. After April 12, standard entry fees will apply for this category.
“Our annual Benchmarking Survey has shown over the past several years that a large portion of our members’ work falls in the $20,000 and under category,” said Chelsey Wetzel, CEDIA member programs project manager. “This category option will open up an opportunity for members to showcase projects that are budget conscious but still provide the convenience of a technology enhanced home.”
Additional Awards categories include Integrated Home, Special Project, Media Room, Hidden Installation, Showroom, Sustainable Lifestyle Installation, and Home Theater. The Electronic Lifestyles Awards competition provides an unparalleled opportunity for Electronic Systems Professionals (ESPs) to showcase their projects. Awards entrants have benefited from exposure in industry and consumer publications as well as in project features on the CEDIA Blog, and theinspiration gallery on the cedia.org consumer site.
CEDIA will also continue to partner with HGTVRemodels.com on the People’s Pick Awards competition, which showcases entrant’s work to 800,000+ monthly visitors that include homeowners, builders, remodelers, and design professionals. Visitors to HGTVRemodels.com will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite projects in the Home Theater, Media Room, and Integrated Home categories. The entry system for the Designer Awards will close Friday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific).
CEDIA also gives manufacturers the opportunity to highlight their best products through the Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards competition. Categories include Best New Product and Product Hall of Fame. Manufacturers may also compete for a Sustainable Lifestyle Product Innovation award, which recognizes a product that facilitates reduced energy consumption. The deadline for entering the Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards competition is Friday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific).
CEDIA is also accepting nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the residential electronic systems industry. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific). Guidelines and entry forms are available at http://www.cedia.org/awards
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Share Article Back to Top DPI Adds Market Managers in Central and Midwestern Regions Digital Projection International (DPI) announced last month the appointments of two new regional market managers in the U.S. Brian Blumhardt has been appointed DPI’s Central market development manager, while Tom Wilmers assumes market development manager responsibilities over the Midwest region. Both Blumhardt and Wilmers are already actively managing DPI's sales through the company’s extensive Commercial A/V, Home Cinema and Staging channels in their respective regions.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top THIEL Audio Appoints Stephen DeFuria as National Sales Manager THIEL Audio has appointed Stephen DeFuria as national sales manager effective immediately. DeFuria had been most recently employed by Tempo High Fidelity as the North American sales manager for Musical Fidelity, a UK-based audio electronics manufacturer.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Digital Projection Expands Support Network Digital Projection International (DPI) has announced a major expansion of its customer sales and support network. Through the addition of numerous new manufacturers reps across the U.S. and Canada, DPI’s already substantial support network sees a rapid expansion. DPI’s rep firms are an integral part of the robust line of communication that exists between each DPI customer and the U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
To read the complete press release online, please click here. Back to Top SAVANT Announces Distributorship in China Savant Systems LLC has announced the appointment of a distributor serving China. The Beijing Savant Electronics Technology Co., Ltd (BSE) was officially launched on Jan. 1, 2013 and hosted a grand opening on Jan. 18, where partners and press were on hand to celebrate the arrival of Savant technology in China.
To read the complete press release online, click here. 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 2013 – 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.
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