Volume 12, Issue 16 — August 26, 2015
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Editorial Editorial Editorial
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Industry News Lighting Media Players, Recording & Distribution Cables, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens and Accessories Audio
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Could TV Really Die? What Would We Lose?
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Gary Kayye recently wrote about the death of TV, which could be going the way of the AV system. The question this brings to me is that of, ‘What do we lose in both experience and community?’ As a professional, of course, I also think of what this means in the commercial world. Can we be better off without TV? Are there any size screens safe from replacement by the devices in our pockets and backpacks? These are great questions; come join me in exploring them!
Experience, Viewing Angles and Content
The most obvious difference between a phone, a tablet and a flat-panel is size. Even an unreasonally large phone is between five and six inches diagonal, tablets have standardized around seven and ten inches, and TVs can be numerous sizes from 36″ all the way up into the ’80s. Size is often limited by room configuration as well as cost. If you expected that, as an AV professional, I’d have a terrific home theater setup in my domicile, you’ll be sadly disappointed. My better TV is a 36″ Samsung LCD in the bedroom. My less-better TV is a 36″ Vizio in the living room which, due to an apparent dead backlight, no longer works (at least not for video — audio comes through fine, albeit blind and this is the opposite of useful). The problem is that viewers would be — at a minimum — nine feet away, filling about nine degrees of one’s field of vision, measured vertically. Compare that to a 10″ tablet held comfortably just closer than arm’s length, at nearly 18 degrees. Not only is there a bigger perceived picture, but any viewing angle problems completely vanish! If you look at the living room layout, you’ll see that there’s not a great bit of wall to hang a display from which everyone can see it (you’ll also see that I have some cleaning to do, but that’s another topic). Personal viewing is always on-axis because one holds the device that way.
The biggest thing that makes this worthwhile is content, and the biggest change in that is not the moving away from TV in the sense of the large-format monitor, but moving away from the CATV set-top box. If one wants to watch broadcasts from ones cable provider then using personal devices might create a challenge, but with quite a bit of our content available for streaming mobile devices have actually become the more convenience viewing devices. It’s easy to watch the baseball game on MLB’s streaming service, Game of Thrones on HBO Online, Orange is the New Black on Netflix, etc.
The same issues hold true for commercial installations. Imagine, for example, a thirty seat meeting room. Sufficiently large LCD panels, rear-projection, or direct-view LEDs could cost tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Alternatively, one could purchase thirty iPads for about 15,000 and pass them out at the start of meetings for supplemental viewing. It not only gives everyone who needs it their own display with a perfect viewing angle, but is a technology that can be completely hidden when not in use. There are no architectural concerns at all involved with using portable devices, no aesthetic issues, no need for dedicated power or a rear projection room or special mounting. Just secure storage with charging stations.
TV is Communal. Can Personal Viewing Be?
One perceived issue with personal viewing as opposed to a shared, large-format display is that it can be isolating; if my wife and I are watching TV together, we’re watching the same content at the same time and can experience it together. This works if we’re watching a movie, or sharing a mutual guilty pleasure. (Mine happens to be Project Runway. Don’t tell anyone!) The problem comes when I want to watch a baseball game and she wants to… well, her desire would not be to watch a baseball game. A large shared display pushes one viewer’s choice of content into an entire space where it is, at best, a distraction to those not interested in watching.
This isn’t to say that communal experiences don’t exist; just that streaming and small-screen viewing can break them away from narrow geographic confines. I could stream the game on my PC, log into a discussion site in another window, and spend the entire game socially engaged. During last night’s Mets game, for example, literally dozens of people participated in a discussion thread over 2,000 comments deep. “Social” doesn’t always mean “in the same room.” These days, it more often does not.
In the Commercial World
I’m working now on an operations center with very minimal shared displays. I was ready to design a large video wall, and was told by the client that it wasn’t what fit for them; most of the content requires reading, making viewing on a far-away display challenging. Different people might be working on different items at once, and if they did want to see the same thing they could send it simultaneously to separate desktop displays. Discussion went from large-scale architecturally integrated displays to in-depth work with furniture vendors on console layouts involving various displays of different sizes, all of which would be driven by a PC. Shared experiences will be created with off-the-shelf collaboration tools and good old fashion face-to-face discussion. It’s noteworthy that removing the architecturally-integrated video elements freed the space-planning by no longer requiring “classroom” style placement of consoles oriented towards a single wall. Careful placement of monitors to allow voids in the field of view and thoughtful furniture placement will, we hope, create a more collaborative, connected environment.
Are Large Displays Dead?
Is this the end? I certainly hope not! The one thing a large display still does is create a “wow factor” — large architectural displays can still create a major visual impact which personal and portable devices don’t. For the in-between sizes, though, personal devices are an increasingly popular and viable option. They’re devices we already own for other reasons and which can now replace the “entertainment viewing” of a large TV as well as they replaced the functions of point-and-shoot cameras. Like higher-quality cameras, large displays will still have their place, but this will be increasingly specialized.
I’ll close with the warning that technology moves fast enough that this very well may be wrong; next year we could, for example, be reading about VR or augmented reality glasses as the new viewing paradigm. Or continuing to follow this trend. Or large, architectural displays make a “retro” kind of comeback, perhaps in ’50s-style wood cases. One thing for certain: I’d not bet too much money on tomorrow’s TV market looking at all like last year’s. Leave a Comment
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Acquiring and Managing Competitive Information
By Lee Distad rAVe Columnist
Nobody’s business operates in a vacuum. Your company is surrounded by a network of clients, vendors, collaborators and competitors. Everyone in that network has their own challenges that they’re dealing with. Some of it won’t impact you and some of it will. The key is to maintain awareness of the world outside your own little bubble.
Everyone keep tabs on their local marketplace. In casual terms, we call it “gossip.” Taken to a more formal level, it’s referred to as “competitive intelligence.” Really large companies in some industries, like energy or manufacturing have a focus on intelligence gathering.
There’s always an upside to every situation, and upheavals in the marketplace can provide new opportunities. And the best way to find those is to keep tabs on what’s going on in your local market.
A little digging can often pay off. In one instance, a dealer friend heard through a third party that a builder felt ambivalent about their existing relationship with a rival.
Spurred on by this, he sought corroboration from another source, prepared himself, and reached out to the builder, and was able to close him.
I know, this goes on all the time, everywhere. But just like anything else in your professional life you should frame “industry gossip” in professional terms, and treat it like any other part of running a business.
Because that’s how my mind works, I break it down into steps.
First, collect information. The opposite of gossiping isn’t not-gossiping, it’s listening. You’re already plugged in to virtually every source that you can learn new info from. Your existing network of business contacts is how most things will come your attention. Further networking will bring you even more sources.
Here’s a pro tip: Vendor sales reps are, by and large, notorious gossips. They travel far and wide, are told a lot, and aren’t always the most discreet.
Some of the hottest tips I’ve gotten in my career were from vendor reps. As a result, discretion is something I’m very mindful of myself now that I’m a rep.
Even so, as an AV pro, try to be circumspect with regard to what you tell your vendor reps. When news comes your way, be flexible and open minded. Not everything is going to come gift wrapped as something you clearly need to act on. Be able to read between the lines, and determine if it requires further inquiry.
Next, corroborate the information. Not only is your network the primary way you learn about new developments, but also how you can corroborate: “Trust, but verify” as the saying goes.
Chances are, when you hear something from someone, there’s at least one other person in your network who either knows it, or knows something related to it. It’s like putting together a puzzle where you have to collect the pieces from more than one source. Once you’ve assembled a more clear picture, you can move to the next step.
Finally, if necessary, evaluate and act. Once you’re aware, whether it’s an opportunity or a threat, you need to decide what you’re going to do about it.
As the kid’s cartoon show said, knowing is half the battle. Take steps to acquire and evaluate information, short of actual cloak and dagger work. Formalize it in your thinking like any other business function. That makes it more than mere gossip, that makes it “intelligence.” Leave a Comment
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Google Launches Smart Home Hub Called OnHub
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
They say that imitation is the best form of flattery.
The new Google OnHub looks, well, almost identical to the Amazon Echo — both are cylindrical towers. Google’s is a Wi-Fi hub that’s designed to be a central controller for everything Google-owned or “approved” that can keep you entertained through your TV (or Android phone or tablet) or anything that can make your house smarter. So, Nest, for example, can be controlled via talking to the new Google OnHub.
The 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac hub also integrates Bluetooth 4.0 as well as some of the newer so-called smart home protocols — for example, Weave and Thread. And, OnHub is also built using IEEE 802.15.4, the building blocks of Zigbee, which everyone who attends CEDIA knows all too well.
The insiders of OnHub includes 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage, a speaker, a microphone (so you can talk to it) and it runs using the Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8064 chipset.
Conceptually, Google (and all their approved vendors) will design products that connect to the OnHub and are controlled by talking to them — “turn the AC down, turn on the TV and switch it to Netflix, lock the front door and turn on the oven.” So, this could help change control, forever.
But, Google will be competing with Apple (and their HomeKit protocol), Amazon Echo and, of course, companies like Control4, Crestron and AMX will try to stay relevant in this onslaught of giant companies coming into their home space.
This will be an interesting year or two and the home control market is no-doubt going to change, forever.
Details on the Google OnHub are here. Leave a Comment
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Bill Skaer Named as 2015 CEDIA Fellow InducteeCEDIA has announced that Bill Skaer will be inducted into its prestigious Fellows program, which honors longtime CEDIA members and volunteers who have contributed significantly to the association’s success. “Bill has been a dedicated champion of the industry and CEDIA from the onset,” said Larry Pexton, CEDIA Chairman. “He is widely recognized by his peers and CEDIA staff as a great leader and he continues to show passion and involvement with the organization as the chairman of CEDIA’s ethics committee.” Bill began his career in the industry in 1979 as a consumer electronics retail salesman and has worn many hats since that time. Throughout his involvement with CEDIA, Bill has served in a wide variety of roles from soliciting sponsorships for CEDIA’s Home of Electronic Lifestyles to leading the Ethics and Electronic Lifestyles award committees. He has organized and implemented many fund raising and networking events for CEDIA manufacturers including the world-famous Texas BBQs that brought together competing manufacturers for a night of networking, mingling and fun, breaking the ‘competitive barriers” among these groups. In addition, Bill has served on many industry publication advisory boards such as the Custom Retailer editorial board. He has represented CEDIA globally at the Integrated Systems Europe shows, Integrate show in Sydney Australia and worked with many of the leaders from CEDIA Asia-Pacific, Latin America and United Kingdom. Skaer will be recognized at the annual CEDIA Awards Celebration Sat., Oct. 17 during CEDIA EXPO 2015. Tickets for the Awards Celebration may be purchased through the registration system.
We are already starting to cover CEDIA news here and we will shoot videos at every booth at the CEDIA EXPO in October.
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Crestron Now Shipping Wireless, Battery-powered PhotosensorCrestron announced today it is now shipping a new battery-powered photosensor with infiNET EX wireless technology (GLS-LDL-EX-BATT). This dual-loop photosensor provides superior natural light sensing and indoor light control for daylight harvesting applications. Two internal photocells — one for open-loop daylight sensing and one for closed-loop ambient light sensing — effectively cut costs in residential, commercial or retro-fit applications. The GLS-LDL-EX-BATT monitors natural daylight from windows, automatically adjusting shades and lighting to optimize natural light reducing energy usage while maintaining the comfort and convenience of the space and its occupants.
The battery-powered GLS-LDL-EX-BATT can be mounted in a variety of places and communicates with a Crestron control system via an infiNET EX wireless network. The sensor can be mounted to drywall with an anchor and screw, to a drop ceiling or lighting fixture with a magnetic strip, or in a temporary location with adhesive tape. For ceiling mounts, the entire photosensor snaps into a mounting plate that can rotate up to 40 degrees after being secured in place, allowing its position to be fine-tuned after installation.
The GLS-LDL-EX-BATT provides up to 10-years of service via two Lithium-ion AAA batteries. It is designed as a “sleepy” device that will not communicate with other infiNET EX devices unless a certain time or light threshold has been achieved. This ensures that the sensor does not draw on power unnecessarily and that the battery provides maximum lifespan.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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DISH Integrates Hopper DVR With Control Modules for AMX, Crestron, Pro Control and RTIDISH has completed the integration of its Hopper DVR with control modules from leading home automation system providers, AMX by HARMAN, Crestron, Pro Control and RTI. This development allows dealers to speed the installation process by leveraging auto-discovery tools that quickly identify the presence of Hopper and Joey receivers within a customer’s home network. In addition to improved productivity, dealers can now design and configure a superior customer experience by easily adding IP control to the system.
AMX, Creston, Pro Control and RTI join Control4, who released an IP module for Hopper to dealers in 2014.
In 2013, DISH first opened its third-party Application Programming Interface (API) to allow partners to tie the Hopper platform into their overall home control systems. Through this integration, customers can manage their video entertainment experience as well as environmental controls throughout the home — including lighting, temperature and security — using a single, easy to operate user interface.
Here are details on Hopper. Leave a Comment
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Entry-Level Screen Goo Basic Paint Now Available Worldwide Goo Systems is the maker of Screen Goo, a high end projection paintable surface used for home theaters, small meeting rooms and classrooms.
However, there are other applications where depth of image is not as much of a consideration. Displaying spreadsheets in a boardroom or classroom or projecting hymn lyrics in a church sanctuary and other similar text-based and simple graphics applications don’t require the sophistication of the of a full blown Screen Goo installation. Goo Systems has developed a new product called Goo Basic for these installs.
Available in White for fully light controlled environments and Grey (negative gain) for moderately lit rooms, Goo Basic is a fraction of the cost of the original Screen Goo. Should the end user’s projection needs evolve, a Goo Basic Screen can be upgraded to a Screen Goo surface with the addition of a suitable Screen Goo Finish coat.
Goo Basic is now in stock and available worldwide here. Leave a Comment
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Araknis Networks Intros Commercial-Grade Networking Solution Araknis Networks (part of SnapAV) manufacturers IP-enabled AV products that it says are commercial-grade routers, switches, and wireless access points aimed at professional installers of home and pro systems.
“For the average installer, networking can seem very intimidating,” says Ayham Ereksousi, Category Manager for Araknis Networks. “In a typical installation, there are multiple devices that require high-speed connectivity – routers, switches, wireless access points. With Araknis, we’ve streamlined those devices so they work together in sync.”
The 300-series wireless access points feature dual-band steering and run both 2.4 and 5 GHz concurrently, auto-selecting between them for seamless performance. Routers use a 4-gigabit LAN and dual gigabit WAN , feature extensive VPN support, and also have an embedded firewall for wide-ranging network security, while our 300-series switches support full PoE and PoE+, and offer 1 Gbps on all ports simultaneously.
Each device is also cloud-managed through our OvrC platform for easy remote maintenance or troubleshooting. “This is only step one of what we’d like to accomplish,” added Ereksousi. “What we want is to change the future of networking.”
You can learn more about Araknis Networks and the Araknis product lines at SnapAV.
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Tannoy Claims New Retrofit Adapter Kit Cuts Installation Time and CostsTANNOY has introduced new CMS & CVS Retrofit Adapter Kits to speed up installation of TANNOY ceiling loudspeakers inside existing back-cans from third party manufacturers or, in other scenarios, utilizing existing ceiling cutouts that were sized for other loudspeakers. By using the Retrofit Kits, installation contractors can change to TANNOY while minimizing additional installation time and costs.
Using the Adapter Kits, TANNOY CMS 5, CMS 6, CVS 4 and CVS 6 can be installed in a number of different back-cans made by Atlas and Lowell. A list showing compatible TANNOY models and third-party back-can part numbers is available on the TANNOY website. Additionally, the Adapter Kits will allow installation of key models in ceiling holes originally sized for Atlas and Lowell ceiling loudspeakers.
Here are the specifics. Leave a Comment
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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).
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.
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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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