It finally appears that momentum for Valve’s plans to take over gamers’ living rooms appears to be picking up, ahem, steam. For two years now, gamers have been teased with promises of Steam Machines, dedicated gaming consoles for Valve’s Steam online gaming services. The strategy involves partnering with hardware companies to offer a range […]

Crestron has partnered with Hartmann & Forbes to offer Crestron Shading Solutions in a new assortment of hand-woven textiles. This collection of hand-woven textiles designed specifically for use with Crestron roller shade systems, are designed for individuals who want “handcrafted products created by artisans.” The entire collection features natural fibers sustainably grown and artfully hand […]

Integrators will be happy to know that FSR has improved its Digital Ribbon (DR) cable family by adding multiple Aramid reinforcing cords to the cable assembly. The result is that the pull strength specification of the cable has been increased to 40 pounds from the previous 20-pound rating. Most other cables on the market are […]

It’s here! Check out our ISE 2015 Review Video that includes highlights of everything we saw, everything we did and everything you may have missed at ISE 2015 in Amsterdam next month. It’s only three minutes long and includes a fun look at everything that was the Integrated Systems Europe Show!

By Deborah Yang DisplaySearch The LCD industry is changing rapidly and in order to catch up with the dynamics more frequently, we publish MarketWise-LCD Industry Dynamics every month. Here are key takeaways from the February report. Chinese mobile phone brands are willing to shift to high-end models with low-priced LTPS high resolution panels. This trend […]

Pakedge Device & Software has introduced three new lines of switches: the fully managed, top tier SX-Series switches, the powerful and affordable SK-Series switches, and the mid-line SE-Series switches. The SX-Series switches will feature a simple GUI for both traffic management and dynamic configuration to manage large volumes of streaming traffic.  In addition to the […]

CEDIA, with the input of members and the board of directors, has adopted some key changes to the Electronic Lifestyles Awards Program. Changes include updates to the overall awards judging process as well as updates to the entry categories. For the first time, CEDIA will reveal the panel of judges that evaluate the home technology […]

Bryston just launched what it’s calling the Mini A loudspeaker, a three-way bookshelf speaker engineered and balanced for off-axis response. At just over 15-inches tall, the Mini A is made from ¾-inch MDF and uses a 6.5-inch aluminum woofer, 3-inch aluminum mid-range and 1-inch Titanium dome tweeter. All drivers are designed and purpose-built specifically for […]

AudioControl is now shipping the Architect Model 2660 — a 16-channel amplifier that outputs 65 watts via 8 ohms, 100 watts via 4 ohms and designed to also be bridged as a high-power 8-channel amplifier at 175 watts per channel. AudioControl says the Architect Model 2660 was designed specifically for the custom integrator channel and […]

A zoologist, an amateur fighter and an AV systems designer all walk into an InfoComm reception… No, that’s not the beginning of a joke, and it’s not three separate people — it’s our friend and blogger Mark Coxon, all rolled into one smart, dynamic person. Mark is all over the AV industry. He’s a dedicated […]

If you survey a broad sampling of veteran AV pros you’ll find that they’re united by a common trait: They’re all really good at problem solving. In fact, the best ones love problem solving. There’s a rush that comes from finding a solution and being able to yell out “I FIXED IT!” Call it natural […]

Beale Street Audio just launched two in-ceiling powered subwoofers in the form of the 6.5 and 8-inch ICS6 and ICS8. Beale Street says the challenge for in-ceiling and in-wall subwoofers has been to produce deep, low frequency effects without damaging walls and creating sonic artifacts in the room. Beale Street Audio claims that its patented […]

BenQ America today announced that the company is now shipping its treVolo portable Bluetooth speaker. BenQ calls it an “audiophile-grade” device and it can play for 12 straight hours on one charge. Using electrostatic speaker technology, a collapsible wing design, and bi-directional sound reproduction through three audio profile modes, BenQ’s treVolo is promoted as an […]

There’s a Kickstarter project for a product called Beam that aims to build a pico-projector in the form-factor of a light bulb. That’s right, it would screw into a standard light bulb socket. The Beam projector is designed to turn any flat surface into a projection surface. Beam is a 100 ANSI lumen projector integrated […]

There’s a blight that affects every last segment and channel in the industry. It’s so prevalent, so part of the background that, like the sky, you take it for granted and stop really noticing it unless you step back and refocus your perception. It’s a blight that’s holding the entire industry back, regardless of which […]

CEDIA’s Size & Scope of the Residential Electronic Systems Market in the US study aims to paint the full picture. This survey report is designed to estimate the number of installation companies, broken down by channel type; evaluate the total economic value of installation in the industry; identify each channel’s level of significance in the […]

Registration is now open for the CEDIA Business Xchange. CEDIA members can take advantage of an inaugural early bird rate of $799 if they register by February 28. Additional early bird discounts for both members and non-members are available until March 25. The CEDIA Business Xchange provides attendees with an opportunity to take deep dives […]

Bryston just introduced something they are calling the Model A subwoofer, the first sub in the Bryston lineup not anchored by multiple 8-inch bass drivers. The Model A subwoofer utilizes two opposing long-throw 10-inch woofers anchored to a décor-friendly compact enclosure, making it easy to position out of sight. The Model A subwoofer features a […]

Crestron’s new universal dimmer modules (CLX-1DIMU4 and CLX-2DIMU8) that are designed to provide 4 or 8 channels of universal dimming for LED, electronic and magnetic low-voltage, incandescent, and 2-wire dimmable fluorescent lighting loads are now shipping. They include forward and reverse phase dimming as well. The universal dimmer modules eliminate the need to spec different […]

Crestron is aiming to make smart homes even smarter and personalized with the PinPoint proximity detection beacon. The small PinPoint beacon plugs into a USB charging outlet and communicates with nearby mobile devices. With PinPoint, the Crestron App solves the room default problem associated with mobile devices. PinPoint knows what room a person is in […]

Stewart Filmscreen is debuting a new screen masking system called Iten at Integrated Systems Europe 2015. Iten will be introduced alongside Tela 80, the company’s first acoustically transparent woven screen material. The Iten constant height, variable masking screen system features a native 2.40:1 image area that has vertical masking panels that simultaneously glide in from […]

Stewart Filmscreen has announce the Total Close CineCurve front projection screen system, premiering at Integrated Systems Europe 2015 this week. According to Stewart, this constant-height/variable-width masking system provides displays content at various aspect ratios on a super-wide curved screen. Finished in Stewart’s luxurious VeLux black appliqué finish, the screen absorbs over-scan and increases perceived contrast. […]

Stewart Filmscreen today announced the availability of LuminEsse — a new rigid front-projection wall screen system with an ‘edgeless’ design. Stewart says LuminEsse can be configured with any of Stewart Filmscreen’s 4K+ rated front projection materials, including FireHawk G4, GrayHawk RS G4 and StudioTek 130. With an 3/8-inch thin bezel, LuminEsse has a seamless and […]

Fusion Research announced that it has developed a method for Amazon Fire TV IP control and produced two-way IP drivers for Control4, RTI and URC automation systems. Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are two of the fastest growing products in the video streaming category. Amazon Prime users get free access to original Amazon […]

Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) today announced the availability of a new two-way driver for use with the Denon HEOS family of products. Free of charge to RTI dealers, the driver provides integrators and end users with a solution for browsing online streaming or local music as well as adjusting audio settings on up to 16 […]

Crestron today announced it is now shipping its new TST-602 Wireless Touch Screen. The TST-602 delivers dedicated wireless control, voice command recognition, and web browsing all in a stylish, ergonomic design. The TST-602 uses a 5.7″ capacitive touch screen and H.264 streaming video as well as 15 customizable tactile push-buttons, including two-button up/down for volume […]

One of my favorite axioms (and if you’re a regular reader you know that I LOVE axioms) came to me from engineer friends. I find it incredibly apt for many scenarios, not least to AV install and design. The axiom is: “Every solution has two problems.” AV pros need to remind themselves that their equipment […]

Rotel Electronics has just launched what it’s calling a “reference” surround processor: the RSP-1582. Rotel says the DACs in the RSP-1582 preamp/processor consist of six 24-bit/192kHz  Wolfson WM8740 chips, four dedicated DACs for the front left, front right, center and subwoofer channels and shared stereo DACs for the rear and surround channels. Also included is […]

As you may know, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is Europe’s — and the world’s — largest AV show. Combining both residential and commercial AV technology in one giant trade show venue at the Amsterdam RAI, the show is nicely spread out in 12 easy-to-navigate halls that you can walk without back-tracking as it’s laid-out in […]

Building on a successful show in 2014, CEDIA, joint venture partner of ISE, will be delivering an extensive training program, incorporating several new courses at ISE 2015. The aim of this year’s training program is to educate attendees on the latest industry developments in short bite size sessions. With over twenty courses available, installers will […]

Built as a replacement of Stealth Acoustics’ 255R model, the new SA255 includes Stealth’s new blue back-lit front panel graphics and features a variable low-pass filter for use with Stealth, or other passive subwoofer speakers, and provides 350 watts of power at 4 ohm loads. The filter stage can be bypassed to allow for full […]

I’m an audiophile, but I’m a frugal audiophile. As delightful as big-ticket stereo equipment is, my Scots heritage and its accompanying frugality informs my preferences. In short, I get thrilled by equipment that delivers best bang for the buck. Gefen is best known as a maker of video dongles for a variety of streaming and […]