Volume 11, Issue 19 — October 16, 2014
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Industry News rAVe BlogSquad Projection Media Players, Recording & Distribution Audio Control & Signal Processing Cables, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens and Accessories
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Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Kitchen Tables and the Evolving Role of the AV Consultant
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
As some of you know, I’ve recently moved (which is why I’m not here quite as much) and am trying to take my kitchen to the modern era. When told about the kitchen project, people are invariably off all manner of advice and requests. I’ve been asked often if I’ll be putting a microwave above the stove (I won’t) or if I want a table near the one blank wall (I don’t). The interesting question for today’s discussion is about the new appliances — would I be getting a single-manufacturer suite, or buy each on its own.
The answer to the appliance question was, for the kitchen, an easy one; there’s no synergy at all between a refrigerator, a stove and a dishwasher. A single-source would perhaps give a slightly more consistent look, but that’s it. Instead I’d look at each item on its own and choose the best fit for our use profile and budget.
“Single source” versus “best in breed” is a question that frequently arises around technology, and one which not many years ago I’d have approached the same way I approach appliances today. I especially remember analog systems that might use video switchers, videoconferencing appliances and control systems all from different manufacturers. In a large build gear might not even be consistent from room to room; I’ve seen, for example, one manufacturer’s touchscreens in specialty spaces and another’s keypad controller in a simpler rooms. With purely standalone systems, it made sense to choose best in breed rather than a single source. As a consultant, I’d need (amongst other knowledge) broad familiarity with the product offerings of many vendors and and understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Is this still the case? I find it telling that when I told one of my colleagues at SMW that single-source didn’t make sense for my kitchen because the appliances don’t talk to each other he corrected me: They don’t talk to each other YET, but they almost certainly will. It’s easy to imagine a home full of smart appliances coordinating, for example, energy and water usage so as not to overload the infrastructure at peak times. It’s quite likely that my next set of kitchen appliances (a long time from now, I’m hoping) will be a single-manufacturer ecosystem.
In the AV world, of course, we’re already most of the way there. For a very simple example, nearly every manufacturer who manufactures control systems also has some kind of remote asset-management software to provide remote monitoring and control. Suddenly mixing in less costly keypad controllers from an alternate vendor no longer makes sense; you might still be able to save a few dollars and get a slightly nicer device, but at the cost of cutting one space out of the larger ecosystem you’re building. “Ecosystem” is a word (and a concept) that I find myself using with increasing frequency these days. That, after all, is what many vendors are selling. I spoke about AV transport over standard IP networks a few times, focusing mainly on functionality. Another interesting development is that many vendors of such systems aren’t selling standalone products but broad suites including options such as recording appliances, windowing processors, control, and monitoring. It’s an approach which saves the AV contractor headaches in getting disparate systems to work together, saves finger-pointing between manufacturers when two products won’t work together, and somewhat simplifies the design process by taking advantage of the R&D manufacturers have put into creating an ecosystem of interoperable products.
Does this mean that the AV designers role is fading? After all, if one is going to deploy a single-source solution it’s quite easy to get a master quote from one or more vendors listing all of the pieces and parts it would take to make the solution work. I’d say that this can’t be farther from the truth, and the consultant is every bit as important. First, we still need to do the same work in evaluating client needs, in project programming, and in coordinating all of the moving parts it takes to get from the idea of needing AV solutions to the actuality of having working solutions. That part can’t be sources to a vendor if one wants independent, unbiased analysis.
Another thing to remember is the value of form as well as function and communicating with clients about how people work and how they want things to look. This goes to the kitchen table which at least three people have suggested to me. We generally don’t eat in the kitchen, but do quite a bit of cooking. As you can see, it isn’t all that large a space. While adding a table would increase workspace, it would do so at the expense of cluttering the area and cutting travel between, say, the microwave and the sink. It’s a bad tradeoff for the same reason a gooseneck mic on a conference table is often a bad tradeoff. In both cases, there might be a narrow functional improvement which, to the user, is not worth as much as the tradeoff in aesthetics or workflow that will come with it.
Finally there is, in addition to the obvious need to evaluate entire ecosystems as opposed to single products, a requirement for much more attention to connectivity with other infrastructures. Data networks. Scheduling systems. Security systems. Building management systems. As important as it can be for some types of spaces, audiovisual almost never occupies a central place in the design process; nobody is going to design their entire network infrastructure around the AV system needs. Working with choices made by those in unrelated disciplines remains one of the big tasks and challenges of the AV design consultant.
The work we save by using single vendors — if we save anything — is what I’d argue is the least important in terms of design. It’s the detailed bits and pieces which make the vision work after it’s been conceived. While this is absolutely vital, it doesn’t speak to our core purpose in the design realm. In my years in the industry, I’ve seen clients having various levels of satisfaction with the end results of AV projects. Those who were less than fully satisfied almost never had functionality complaints; AV contractors are very good at delivering systems which, at the end of the day, work. The user hits the button, the projector lights up, an image appears on the screen. The bigger problems are almost always ones of expectations; the projects which fail have often failed when someone didn’t ask the right question, months or even years before anyone has chosen the nuts and bolts needed to execute what would eventually be a flawed vision.
The role of the AV consultant (and designers as a whole) might be evolving even farther from a focus on “nuts and bolts,” but the core of what we do — helping clients find a vision and marrying that vision to available technology — hasn’t changed. Leave a Comment
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Will Google or Amazon Buy CEDIA?
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Have you heard the news?
As you are well aware of by now, the hottest smart home product ever sold is the Nest HVAC controller. In fact, it was so hot that Google took note earlier this year and bought the company for a little over $3 Billion.
Well yesterday, Amazon was outed for secretly developing a smart home line of products — aimed at whole home control. Reuters scooped everyone with the news that a team of engineers called “Lab126” (oh, and when I say team, I mean they are hiring over 3,000 people — yes, THREE THOUSAND) to build an integrated whole home system that would include controlling everything and making it network enabled.
Yep, I don’t even need to ask you what you think as I already know. When I read that, I thought the same thing.
Oh, did I forget to mention Apple?
No, Google isn’t buying CEDIA — neither is Amazon. Apple? Nah. But, more importantly, is CEDIA engaging with these three behemoths to come to CEDIA and participate in the high-end of the smart home market? This stuff can’t work without speakers, home theater amps, projectors, monitors, cameras, etc., etc., etc.
Unless, of course, that’s also what those companies are building.
This market is getting ready to go through a revolution — not just an evolution. I’m fairly confident that Crestron, URC, Control4 and the like are watching all this very carefully — and, I am sure they are as each one already integrate with Next, the iPhone, Android devices and even the barely-used Amazon Fire. But, all this is getting ready to change — in a big, big way, too.
And, I wish I knew how.
All I know is that I did just buy stock in Apple, Amazon and and Google.
I’m not stupid. Leave a Comment
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More 4K UHD TV Sets Shipped in Q2’14 than in All of 2013 More 4K ultra-HD (UHD) TV sets were shipped in Q2’14 than shipped all year in 2013. According to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, 2.1 million sets were shipped in Q2, compared to 1.6 million in 2013. Brands introduced their 2014 model ranges in Q2, with a clear focus on 4K as the “must-have” consumer feature for high-end television viewing.
With the introduction of the 2014 models, the shipment balance by region has shifted. In 2013 China accounted for approximately 80 percent of shipments in each quarter, as Chinese brands introduced low-priced 4K TVs. However, in China there were few sources of 4K UHD content, and TV brands were largely marketing the higher pixel count to consumers. New 4K TV models from global brands have been introduced in every region this year, and there has lately been an increase in 4K UHD content available from streaming providers.
Figure: Global 4K TV Shipments (Thousands)
Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, 2014.
A result of the regional shift is that China’s share of 4K TV shipments dipped to 60 percent, though as supply chains are filled there is likely to be some over-shipment relative to demand outside the Chinese market. “New 4K TV model introductions have broadened the 4K TV business, which has become a lot like the high-end TV market, in general,” said Paul Gray, director of European research for NPD DisplaySearch. “Even so, there needs to be greater implementation of broadcast offerings that deepen the value of 4K sets, beyond pixel counts.”
DisplaySearch is here. Leave a Comment
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CEDIA Releases 2014 Market Research Findings
CEDIA has released preliminary findings from CEDIA’s annual market research report, Size and Scope of the Residential Electronic Systems Market. The report is a part of CEDIA’s research offerings, which are designed to provide CEDIA members, industry businesses and other key stakeholders with market data that will enable them to make better business decisions.
The report features data on the characteristics of companies working within the residential electronics systems industry in the U.S. and Canada, revealing the current number of installation companies in the industry, the size of the workforce, trends, forecasts and the economic state of the industry.
“This report continues the great data we have been seeing all year on integrator performance in 2013 and expected performance in 2014,’” said Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA research consultant. “Revenue, project numbers, and project sizes are all continuing to trend up.”
The full report will be available in October; however, preliminary findings reveal:
- Systems Integration / AV Installation companies ended 2013 with a 15 percent increase in gross revenue, and expect 2014 to end with a 20 percent increase over 2013.
- More Systems Integration / AV Installation companies are noticing a shift from hardware sales to service/labor sales caused by cloud based content management – 38 percent indicate a moderate increase in service/labor sales (up from 29 percent in 2013) and 23 percent indicate a moderate decline in hardware sales (up from 18 percent in 2013) from cloud based content management.
- In 2013, Systems Integration / AV installation companies report that 56 percent of the flat panels they worked with as a part of a project were sold to the customer as a part of the project, 22 percent were already in the clients home, and 22 percent that were purchased by the client through retail for the project. When the client purchased the flat panel through retail, 78% of time the integrator impacted the purchase by suggesting the brand to choose.
- In 2013, respondents only expected 11 percent of their TV sales in the next 12 months to come from Ultra-HD/4K sets. This jumped substantially, to 25 percent in the 2014 study. They also estimated that 29 percent of those sales will include sales of Ultra HD/4K player or media server.
- Distributed audio installations including internet connected wireless speakers increased from 16 percent in 2012 to an expected 26 percent in 2014. This was coupled with an increase in the number of respondents that believe these products will help their business from direct consumer demand.
“Installation company owners are still unsure of how the entry of big players in the home control and management market will impact the businesses,” said Shonkwiler. “However, previous year’s uncertainty around 4K, internet connected wireless audio systems, and cloud based content management seems to be lifting. They are adjusting and adapting to these tech trends in ways that makes them positive changes for their companies.”
In addition to working on this report, CEDIA recently released its annual Benchmarking Survey Reports, which evaluate the internal operations of home technology professional companies in the U.S. and Canada.
Research updates, project details and report availability will be posted here. Leave a Comment
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Panamax Adds New SM3-Pro Power Management System Panamax has announced a new BlueBOLT-enabled SM3-Pro System Manager. Using BlueBOLT technology offers integrators the ability to:
- Perform remote hard reboots monitor energy usage and network status
- Program scheduled on/off commands to reduce energy consumption
- Automatically reboot equipment after connectivity loss
- Create custom triggers for on/off, reboots and alerts depending based on sensor inputs monitoring environmental conditions
The SM3-Pro features three outlets in two banks, a two-port network switch, AVM protection and two accessory ports for external sensors or triggers in a compact 5.8” x 9.6” x 1.6” chassis. The SM3-Pro will begin shipping in late Q4 2014 and will include a mounting kit.
It’s not on the company’s website yet, but when it is, it will be here. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Ships MH630 Multi-Purpose Projector BenQ America today announced that it’s now shipping the latest addition to its Colorific line of projectors with the MH630. Aimed at boardrooms, classrooms or even home environments, the multi-purpose MH630 is a single-chip, 1080p DLP projector that uses a 6,500 hours of lamp and is spec’d to deliver 10,000:1 contrast ratio at 3,000 ANSI lumens.
To further lower TCO, the MH630 features BenQ’s SmartEco technology, which automatically adjusts lamp power to deliver up to 6,500 hours of lamp life and energy savings of up to 70 percent without any compromise to picture quality. To further reduce power consumption, an “Eco Blank” mode allows users to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t needed, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically reduces power consumption to 30 percent when no source has been detected for more than three minutes. With the “Auto Power Off” function, the unit automatically shuts down when not in use for 30 minutes, providing even more energy savings.
The MH630 projector lists for $1,799 and here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Adds Audio Streaming Box Crestron’s new Network Stream Player (CEN-NSP-1) provides both wired and wireless options for streaming music from an iPod, iPhone or iPad to a Crestron audio distribution system. It also gives listeners the freedom to enjoy SiriusXM Internet radio without a web-enabled device.
Listeners can use AirPlay to wirelessly stream music from their Apple device to any room or every room in the house. Alternatively, devices can be connected to the Network Stream Player via USB using any Apple dock and/or cable.
The compact player is designed to work with multi-zone audio systems such as Sonnex and has stereo and S/PDIF outputs. The player supports both digital and analog audio.
Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Peerless-AV Adds HD Flow Pro KitDesigned for streaming HD content wirelessly when running cables is not an option, the Peerless-AV HD Flow Pro Wireless Multimedia Kit can transmit content through walls and ceilings.
With five inputs and the ability to multicast to up to four displays, the HD Flow Pro streams Full HD 1920x1080p and passive 3D signals up to 131 feet to a projector (must be HDMI) or HDTV. The HD Flow Pro Wireless Multimedia Kit creates the HD Flow Pro (802.11n) private network, which resists interference and network sharing from nearby wireless routers.
The system’s built-in IR removes the need for line-of-sight placement to control source devices such as DVR/set-top box, satellite box, Blu-ray/DVD player, media server, VCR or game consoles.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Intros Wireless Bluetooth SpeakerJust in time for the holiday, BenQ’s all-new eVolo portable Bluetooth speaker is aimed at the audiophile. eVolo is actually the world’s first Bluetooth speaker to use electrostatic technology to reproduce sound. Using a very B&W-like, Euro-style designed chassis, the speaker features collapsible side wings and bi-directional sound — the only small-format speaker we have ever seen that does this. An aptX transmitter in addition to being a speaker, this speaker utilizes aptX to deliver audio signals over Bluetooth with faithfully reproduced audio bandwidth and minimized latency and sync issues. So you can enjoy CD-like quality sound wirelessly from your smart devices to your Hi-Fi stereo system. Using a 12-hour battery, the eVolo is available in gray-black and lists for $299.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Introduces Six-Zone Amplifier with 12 Inputs Crestron unveiled its new 12-input, 6-Zone “Plus Two” Amplifier, specifically for mid-size audio systems, today at CEDIA Expo. Each room output on the C2N-AMP-6X100 is capable of 100 watts for each of the six amplified zones. That’s 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms or 75 watts per channel at 4 ohms. Outputs also may be bridged to deliver a robust 150 watts per channel at 8 ohms to drive an in-wall subwoofer or for increased stereo power.
Two line-level outputs mirror amplified channels 5 and 6, enabling additional amplification, such as powered sub-woofers, to boost performance in large or open spaces. Listeners can select any of the 12 sources from any room in the house and tailor the sound to individual tastes using independent pre-amp style controls for volume, bass, treble, balance, loudness, mute and mono settings.
In addition to its six amplified room outputs, the C2N-AMP-6X100 also includes two independent line-level outputs to support additional rooms for a total of eight. Each auxiliary output provides a stereo line-level connection with independent controls, providing a perfect solution for integrating surround sound rooms and outdoor spaces into whole home audio systems.
To expand the system, up to three additional units may be added to support a total of 24 amplified rooms, plus up to eight auxiliary zone outputs.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Niles Finally Ships Auriel Controller Niles’s Auriel MRC-6430 whole-home audio controller is finally shipping. The MRC-6430 allows up to six distinct music sources to play different music in up to six rooms.
Using TCP/IP, the MRC-6430 operates with virtually zero latency and is ready for future expansion into lighting control, remote management and HVAC control. That’s because Auriel is based on Core Brands’ ELAN Control Platform. Auriel leverages the ELAN g! interface to deliver control across all interfaces. The digital amplifier delivers 240-watts of total system power, 60 watts per zone. System configuration takes just minutes via a tablet, Windows or Mac computer, and each zone features its own bass, treble and volume setting that can be adjusted from the Auriel interface. The MRC-6430 can then be managed from a variety of mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets to Windows or Mac computers.
Niles claims that set-up is integrator-friendly as you can use the Auriel wizard and a tablet or PC to configure the system for sources, zone preferences, user interface customization and home theater control. For larger homes, two MRC-6430s can be paired to create a six-source, 12-zone system. Additionally, all zones are equipped with fixed or variable pre-outs for all zones, making it easy to add power and volume with Niles System Integration Amplifiers. With an optional Niles DBI-2 interface, homeowners can also route their doorbell through the system, which temporarily mutes music so that the doorbell can be clearly heard in every room.
Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Anchor Adds Bluetooth Anchor Audio has now made Bluetooth as a standard feature in its Portable Sound Systems and Portable Public Address Systems. Starting in August, Anchor Audio began offering Bluetooth as a standard feature in the Beacon, Liberty, Go Getter and MegaVox systems, at no additional cost. Even the base model has the Bluetooth functionality, free to the customer.
Anchor’s designed the Bluetooth module with a class 1 radio, which is the highest powered, and most sensitive class of Bluetooth radio available, and allows for the superior connection.
Bluetooth integration features include:
- Bluetooth v3.0
- Class 1 Radio
- Range 100ft *- Line of Sight
- +18dB PA Output RF Gain
- +12dB LNA Input RF Gain
- High Speed Wireless Data rate up to 3Mbps
- Digital & Analog Stereo Input
- Digital & Analog Stereo Output
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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NEAR Introduces New 10-inch In-ground Outdoor Subwoofer NEAR today announced the IGS10 outdoor subwoofer, is a 10-inch woofer design that joins the 12-inch IGS12 subwoofer and three full-range models in the IG in-ground series.
The IGS10 uses ultra low mass Metal Diaphragm Technology (MDT) woofers for best-in-class sound quality and durability. The woofer is a Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS) “spiderless” design resulting in longer cone excursion for superior bass output and lower distortion. As an added benefit, the magnetic fluid serves to draw heat away from the voice coil for exceptional high power durability. The IGS10 also features NEAR’s UDIO (upside down/inside out) low frequency driver technology. UDIO is an inverted cone diaphragm woofer driven by voice coils wound both inside and outside the former.
The IGS10 is intended for in-ground installation but may be used free standing and can be easily camouflaged among planters and pots. In-ground installation affords the homeowner better sound performance, lower visibility and greater security.
NEAR says the IGS10’s color-through enclosure material means it will not color-fade even after years of direct sun exposure. All IG models, including the new IGS10, are designed to meet or exceed the stringent Mil-Std-810 (Humidity, Salt Air, Heat, Cold, Immersion); and IEC IP X5 durability standards, making them totally weatherproof not just “weather resistant,” making the line a rare combination of commercial grade durability with high-end residential sonic performance.
NEAR says the subs will be available in March 2015 with a list price of $1,199. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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AMX Ships Alero Eight-Zone Distributed Audio Power Amplifier HARMAN’s AMX announced at CEDIA EXPO 2014 that it’s shipping its Alero 8 Zone Power Amplifier (ALR-AMP-8).
Whether listening to music in the living room, the kitchen or outdoors, Alero has multi-room distributed audio with 16 channels using a Class D amplifier technology that, when in standby power, it requires no external cooling sources to lower power consumption even further. And unlike linear power regulation used in Class AB amplifiers, Alero Class D amplification employs switching transistors, resulting in significantly less energy loss.
Alero’s compact 1RU chassis is interesting as most eight-zone amps are 2U. Here are the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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Fusion Releases New Ovation Driver for Control4 OS 2.6 Systems Fusion Research has announced the release of a new driver for its Ovation products. This driver takes advantage of the new Listen features available in the Control4 OS 2.6 software including the ability to place streaming apps directly on the ‘Listen’ home page of a Control4 system. Search, favorites (stations, playlists, etc.) and Pandora thumbs up/down are just some of the new functionality that enhances the homogeneous look and feel of the integrated visual music interface.
The $499 driver is compatible with the current line of Ovation products. Find more info here. Leave a Comment
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Bryston Adds CIW Architectural Loudspeaker at CEDIA 2014 Bryston’s new CIW architectural loudspeaker is designed to accommodate the requirements of newer surround formats such as Dolby Atmos, which require ceiling speakers for proper configuration.
The Bryston CIW is a round coaxial design based on a 6.5-inch aluminum woofer and a 1-inch titanium tweeter. The CIW takes advantage of the same tweeter design found in other Bryston loudspeakers, however the tweeter motor utilizes a neodymium magnet – a compact yet powerful element used to conserve size while maintaining the desired energy in the gap. The CIW tweeter also pivots, enabling the installer to direct the field of dispersion as needed for each application. The CIW’s woofer is also derived from Bryston’s A-Series loudspeakers.
It offers a fully enclosed acoustic suspension design featuring Bryston’s anti-standing wave rear chamber. Two additional form factors — a flange-less and a flush-mount version of the CIW are currently in development as well. The Bryston CIW has an MSRP of $290 each and is expected to ship to Bryston dealers in Q4, 2014.
Bryston CIW Specifications:
- Enclosure: Acoustic Suspension
- Max Amp Power: 175 Watts, Min Amp Power: 10 Watts
- Frequency Response +/-3dB: 70 – 22 kHz, +3dB- 9dB: 50 – 22 kHz
- Impedance 8 Ohms
- SPL in Room1w/1m: 92 dB, Anechoic 1w/1m: 88 dB
- Crossover 2.2 kHz
- Tweeter: Single 1″ titanium
- Woofer: Single 6.5″ aluminum
- On-ceiling Dimensions (inches) – 9 5⁄8″ diameter x 3⁄8″
- In-ceiling (Cut out) Dimensions (inches) – 8 1⁄4″ diameter x 4 9⁄16″
- On-ceiling Dimensions (mm) – 244 diameter x 9
- In-ceiling (Cut out) Dimensions (mm) – 210 diameter x 116
- Weight (lbs) each 12.7 lbs – Weight (kg) each 5.761 kg
It’s not on the website yet, but when it is, it will be here. Leave a Comment
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Steinway Lyngdorf Debuts P200 Surround Sound ProcessorWith full support of Dolby Atmos, AURO-3D, video scaling, 4K and 3D video, HDCP 2.2, and advanced HDMI switching, the Model P200 delivers digital HD surround sound is what the company believes is the highest-end on the market.
With Dolby Atmos and AURO-3D, filmmakers can now add height and top layer elements to a soundtrack for the most realistic cinema-sound listening experience ever created. The Steinway Lyngdorf Model P200 will work with these technologies in a remarkably versatile approach that allows for unlimited creativity in installations.
Like its predecessor the Model P1, the Model P200 surround sound processor is equipped with the advanced technologies for which Steinway Lyngdorf is known, including RoomPerfect, a three-dimensional room correction system and fully digital signal processing. It will be released to the market in early 2015.
There aren’t many detailed specs on it yet, but here is what is available. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Redesigns Handheld RemotesCrestron introduced its new family of handheld remotes at CEDIA EXPO 2014.
The family includes the TSR-302 touch screen remote, the HR-150 50-button remote, and the HR-100 34-button remote. Each model is engineered for use in different types of rooms. Functional navigation is consistent across the family of remotes, so homeowners won’t get confused as they move from room to room. Long-range RF communications via wireless technology provides Instant-Waking. Crestron also claims a longer battery life than its previous remotes.
The head of the new Crestron handheld family is the TSR-302, which features a 2.8” touch screen, built-in intercom, voice recognition, Wi-Fi connectivity for video streaming and an elegant inductive charging dock that ensures the remote is always powered-up.
The TSR-302 is now shipping. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Pro Control Releases Two-Way Drivers Across a Spectrum of Devices Pro Control today announced that several new two-way drivers are available with the release of the latest version of Pro Control Studio programming software. Developed by Pro Control, these new drivers enable what the company calls seamless, intuitive control over a broad spectrum of products including Sonos wireless audio systems, Lutron Caséta lighting controls, and Anthem receivers, as well as Sony projectors, JVC projectors, Epson projectors and Wirepath IP cameras. Using the new drivers, integrators can provide homeowners with control and interactive functionality via its Pro Control Pro24.z remote or iOS device running the ProPanel app.
The new Sonos driver simplifies the control and feedback of Sonos audio components, providing integrators and end users an incredibly powerful solution for selecting songs, storing favorites, and adjusting audio settings on up to 16 media players. The new two-way driver allows the Pro Control ProLink.z processor to control audio functions directly on one of the world’s most widely used streaming audio solutions. Installers can implement the new solution without any licensing or instance expenses, resulting in a powerful, cost-effective innovation for today’s wireless audio installations.
The new Lutron Caséta two-way driver integrates with Lutron’s latest product offerings, including the new Caséta Wireless dimmers and Serena, Sivoia QS Triathlon, and select Sivoia QS Wireless shades. With the new driver, integrators can provide end users with simple, reliable, and energy-saving connected-home control over all aspects of their environment in a single system, giving integrators a powerful offering for lighting and shade control at an affordable price point.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Extron Now Shipping Compact HDMI to HDMI Scaler Extron has started shipping the DSC HD-HD – a compact HDCP-compliant scaler that converts between HDMI resolutions and frame rates. It accepts video from 480i up to 1920×1200, 1080p and 2K, and offers high performance upscaling and downscaling with multiple output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60 and 2K. The DSC HD-HD features Extron’s video signal processing with 1080i deinterlacing and Deep Color processing for optimal image quality. Integrator-friendly features include an on-screen display, test patterns and EDID Minder. Remote configuration and control are also available via USB.
Here are the product details. Leave a Comment
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Aurora Adds 4K RF TunerThe new V-Tune Pro 4K from Aurora claims to deliver a 4K2K HD worldwide tuning solution for any integrated system which requires IPTV, ATSC, QAM, DVB, NTSC and PAL. The tuner is capable of decoding MPEG2, MPEG4, VC-1, H.264 and H.265 with resolutions up to 4096×2160 @ 60Hz via RF and LAN. There is also an on-board 4K scaler for viewing 1080p HD content on 4K displays.
The V-Tune Pro 4K includes IR, RS232 and IP-based control as well as the ability to program any channel for OTA/Broadcast or streaming content from the LAN, the V-Tune Pro 4K empowers the user to easily switch between content by simply changing channels. Channel/Setup-Configuration is “clone-able” for ease of setup
It doesn’t ship until January 2015 but here are some specs:
- IPTV (UDP/RTP/RTSP multicast and unicast)
- ATSC/QAM/DVB worldwide digital ultra high definition tuning
- NTSC and PAL analog tuning
- H.265, H.264, MPEG 4, MPEG2, and VC-1 up to 4K UHD
- Video and HDMI outputs
- Resolutions: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 4K UHD, 4K2K (4096×2160)
- Stereo L/R, S/PDIF, and Optical Audio Outputs
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound
- OSD Menus, Closed Captioning, V-Chip, and EPG
- 1RU Rack Mount Ears and IR Remote Included
- RS232 / LAN / IR Remote Control
- Firmware Upgradeable and Cloning via USB port or LAN
- Built in Web Page Remote Control
- Mount one or two units in a 1RU space
Here are the online details. Leave a Comment
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ELAN Debuts UltraMatrix Line of SwitchersThe ELAN UltraMatrix includes three lines of matrix switchers that switch analog, digital, HDMI and HDBaseT audio return inputs, along with analog, digital and HDMI outputs. Using integrated audio routing, installers can route audio from analog, optical SPDIF, coaxial SPDIF and HDMI inputs to analog, coaxial SPDIF or HDMI/HDBaseT outputs.
The series flagship gMV1616 combines extensive audio switching with a 16 HDMI input and 16 HDMI/HDBaseT output switcher in a single chassis. It offers 72 audio inputs paths and 64 audio output paths while allowing for a single HDBaseT wire to carry HDMI, Ethernet, serial and IR signals to each display.
The midsize model is the gMV88, which offers 8×8 HDMI switching with HDBaseT/HDMI mirrored outputs, 56 audio input paths and 40 audio output paths. It provides all the functionality of the flagship model and is ideal for medium-sized multi-zone installations.
For smaller jobs the gMV64 offers 6×4 HDMI switching with HDBaseT output, 34 audio input paths and 20 audio output paths.
To use the HDBaseT outputs, ELAN is also introducing the ELAN HDRE that decodes HDBaseT, IR, serial and Ethernet signals. A unique HDRE is required for each HDBaseT output, and the unit includes a four-port Ethernet switch and local audio inputs.
The breakdown of inputs and outputs for each ELAN gMV switcher are as follows:
gMV1616
- 72 total inputs – 16 analog, 24 digital, 16 HDMI, 16 ARP
- 64 total outputs – 32 analog, 16 digital, 16 HDMI
gMV88
- 56 total inputs – 16 analog, 24 digital, 8 HDMI, 8 ARP
- 40 total outputs – 16 analog, 16 digital, 8 HDMI
gMV64
- 34 total inputs – 8 analog, 16 digital, 6 HDMI, 4 ARP
- 20 total outputs – 8 analog, 8 digital, 4 HDMI
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Sanus Ships Stands for SONOS PLAY:1 and PLAY:3Sanus’s new WSS2 speaker stands are designed to be floor-stands for the SONOS PLAY:1 and PLAY:3 speakers. They position the speakers at the speaker manufacturer’s recommended angle for accurate dispersion and securely support the speaker for optimum bass response. The column and base have wire channels to make the cables disappear. This product is sold as a pair and can be ordered in black or white at a list price of $119.99.
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DVIGear Launches DisplayPort Cables Supporting 4K / 60Hz DVIGear’s new line of High Resolution DisplayPort Copper Cables transport DisplayPort signals with bit rates up to 21.6 Gbps. over cable lengths of up to 15 meters (approximately 50 feet). These cables support uncompressed DisplayPort resolutions up to 4096×2160 / 60 Hz.
Long distance transport of high resolution DisplayPort signals over copper cables must overcome several challenges, such as insertion loss, differential skew and jitter. Insertion loss is caused by cable capacitance, which acts as a low-pass filter, blocking higher frequency signal components from passing. Skew occurs when the differential DisplayPort signals get delayed and become out of phase as they pass over a long cable. Both factors contribute to increased digital jitter, which degrades the performance of the cable. This jitter becomes more severe with higher resolutions, higher bit rates and longer cable distances. Conventional cables that support lower resolutions at short distances are often unable to support the data rates required by higher resolutions at longer distances. The resulting video can be disrupted by visual artifacts or may not be visible at all.
To overcome these challenges, DVIGear says its HR Series DisplayPort Cables are constructed using heavy gauge 24AWG copper wires that provide ruggedness and durability. The heavier wire gauge has increased cross-sectional cable area, as well as decreased capacitance and lower differential skew, which allows high speed signals to pass with minimal jitter. These features enable cable lengths of up to 15 meters with full compliance with DisplayPort 1.2 signal parameters.
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Middle Atlantic Claims New QAR Series Rack Saves 30+ Minutes in Assembly Time Middle Atlantic Products is unveiling their so-called new Quick Assembly Rack, one of three rack series to anchor Essex, its new collection of “affordable,” quality infrastructure products. Designed for price-sensitive projects, the QAR Series is a knock-down rack with an innovative patent-pending snap-together design that makes it integration-ready in five minutes or less.
According to Middle Atlantic, the Quick Assembly Rack can save up to 30 minutes or more in assembly time compared to other knock-down racks (including their own). It provides a quality foundation for residential AV systems and can be used as a skeleton rack or easily configured with sides, doors and a range of Essex power and accessory options.
The QAR Series is UL listed with models available in 12 sizes complementary to residential AV systems. Ideal for installation in closets, basements and equipment rooms, it is optimized for efficient cable management with generous facilities for bottom cable entry. All QAR Series racks feature lockable casters, optional leveling feet for fixed installation and a convenient mounting bracket for vertical power distribution.
Essex Accessory Bundles are available in three sizes for installers to select essential accessories with one easy part number. Other useful options include locking solid and plexi doors along with locking side panels that install in seconds. QAR Series racks can also be powered and protected with Essex power distribution in rackmount and vertical options.
Featuring a metallic grey finish, the QAR Series addresses thermal management through the passive ventilation designed into the rack’s top. Also available in the Essex line are quiet DC fan tops for up to 276 CFM when forced airflow is needed.
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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).
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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.
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