A new report from CEDIA this week 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. “The theme of 2013 is […]

Last week I received a press release from BlackWire Designs about its new SafePlug Smart Energy Electrical Load Controller. My high hopes came crashing down through the floor as I realized it was just one more broken smart power solution to be tossed onto the slag heap along with: Belkin Wemo, BlueBolt, ube (remember them?), […]

There’s no question that the theme for this year’s CEDIA Expo is, “We’re going commercial.” What? Yep, the HomeAV’s annual trade show is full of ProAV gear. It’s all over the place. In small ways — like Draper showing its VTC camera-lift systems and in big ways where AMX and Crestron are showing as much […]

At CEDIA, AMX introduced its new Alero Power Amplifier (ALR-AMP-8) — a single rack unit (1RU) box using embedded ICEpower (an audio technology from Bang & Olufsen). Alero features 16 distribution channels of audio using a Class D power amplifier and it’s spec’d to deliver 80 watts per channel at 4 ohms / 160 watts […]

Genelec’s new G Three Active Loudspeaker, part of the new Genelec G Series of Active Loudspeakers, debuted at CEDIA this week. It’s a speaker with a 5″ woofer and 3/4″ tweeter, joining three other models in the series: G One (Woofer 3″ + Tweeter 3/4″), G Two (Woofer 4″ + Tweeter 3/4″) and G Four […]

At CEDIA, Genelec debuted the new F Series Active Subwoofers consisting of the F One (6″ active) and F Two (8″ active) subwoofers. The F Series units are designed to be used separately or to to be used with the new Genelec G Series. Genelec’s F Series all-metal construction of the subwoofers hides the driver […]

Core Brands’ new whole-home Korus audio matrix controller is available via the CI channel now. Korus is a whole-home system based on DTS Play-Fi technology for wirelessly streaming music to architectural speakers simultaneously from multiple sources such as iOS, Android and Windows mobile phones and tablets, as well as Windows computers. CORE says it’s also […]

Exakt is a new line from Linn that focuses on making the entire signal processing path from the source to the speaker lossless. The Klimax Exakt System is comprised of a Klimax Exakt DSM and Klimax Exakt 350 Speakers in one package. LINN says that Exakt is the most direct connection ever made between the […]

At CEDIA this week Crestron is lowering the volume on its shade motors with a new Digital QMT (Quiet Motor Technology) motor and a power supply (CSA-PWS10S-HUB-CAEN) that supports up to ten motorized shades and provides integrated diagnostics and controls. The Digital QMT motor can operate Crestron window shades of any size and the company […]

The AMX Modero “S” Series was launched in the ProAV industry in June, and is now being released for the home market this week at CEDIA Expo. The S Series features 24 bit color depth with streaming video functionality and the SmoothTouch glass overlay that’s made the Modero line stand out the last couple of […]

Stealth StingRay speakers are available in five standard finishes including black, white, sandstone, graystone and greenstone. These standard finishes, along with the new aluminum look of Element line will fill most project needs right out of the box, but Stealth is now adding “custom” to their color options. You can customize any StingRay speaker or […]

JVC Professional today announced a new line of home theater projectors that incorporate a new imaging device, upgraded version of the company’s e-shift technology, 4K source compatibility and a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture. The entire line is D-ILA based and has a new wire grid polarizer. JVC has also added a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture […]

Lutron Electronics has announced the availability of The Lutron Design Collections — more than 1,500 redesigned, high-fashion fabrics and materials for the company’s motorized shade family of products. The move comes after the company said it identified a market need to offer stylish and fashion-forward options at a variety of price points. New additions to […]

Whether Crestron dealers and partners need a module to drop into a Crestron system or want to sell one they have designed, the new Crestron Application Market (ApplicationMarket.Crestron.com) is the place to go. Crestron Partner Modules are created specifically to support popular AV, security, lighting, HVAC and other diverse products using Crestron’s RS232 and IP […]

D+M Group (parent company of Denon and Marantz), a global company dedicated to enhancing life through inspired sound solutions, is making their AVR and preamplifier system connectivity and integration easier by adding Crestron Connected™ technology to many of its AVR’s and preamplifiers. Coming soon the Denon models: AVR-X3000, AVR-X4000 and AVR-4520CI and Marantz models: SR6008, […]

Today at CEDIA, Nest Labs, the Apple-like HVAC Wi-Fi-based HVAC controller, announced plans to begin working with developers on creative ways to connect with the Nest Learning Thermostat through integrations such as home appliances, lighting and home automation. By introducing a Web API, Nest is taking the first step toward working with partners to build a simple, secure and connected experience for […]

Crestron has announced at CEDIA today that it is building the Crestron control system interface into SmartTVs as an app – starting with Samsung and Sony – eliminating the need for a touch panel. Available soon, the Crestron App for Samsung Smart TV enables Crestron system owners to control AV, lighting, shades, climate and more […]

Lutron Electronics today announced three new features for its HomeWorks QS total home control system.  RF SoftSwitch Module Switches large loads, like landscape lighting, pumps, and gates, without any wear on the relay, and without the need for multiple devices Can switch an entire branch circuit of lighting, up to 16A, from Pico wireless remotes, […]

At CEDIA, Staples, the world’s largest office products company and second largest Internet retailer, announced Staples Connect — an exclusive offering that lets customers’ home or office technology interact and be controlled by a single app. Staples is promoting it to end-users as: “With the touch of a button, Staples Connect lets customers shut down […]

ihiji at CEDIA today announced the release of a new feature enhancement called ConnectNinja. Available now, ConnectNinja allows authorized network technicians simple and secure remote access to troubleshoot and configure their client’s devices and networks through the ihiji invision web portal. ihiji invision, a cloud-based remote network management system, simplifies the work of IT Professionals […]

At CEDIA, Digital Projection International (DPI) announced the TITAN 1080p LED 3D projector, which the company says is the world’s first combination of 3-chip DLP imaging and solid-state LED illumination. Utilizing Texas Instruments’ DarkChip DLP technology, DPI’s new TITAN 1080p LED 3D is spec’d at 2,000 lumens and lists for $79,995. The benefits of LED […]

Tripp-Lite has expanded its line of surge protection products with the introduction of the new TLP606DMUSB Protect It! Surge Suppressor — a new economical surge suppressor that features built-in clamps that attach to the sides of desks, workbenches and tables for better accessibility to outlets. It also has two USB ports for charging and powering […]

At CEDIA, Savant Systems introduced three power management products in its SmartEnergy product line. The SmartEnergy products are primarily focused on energy monitoring, and these new devices bring Wi-Fi connectivity to the lineup. Installers and end-users can now access SmartEnergy monitoring and control features with simple plug-in modules. The three new energy management products include […]

The annual CEDIA Expo is the industry’s premier HomeAV trade show, where every major manufacturer of home automation, whole-home audio and video distribution systems, HDMI gadgets, HDTVs, projectors and set-top boxes convene annually to show their new stuff. And, the 2013 edition opens this week in Denver, Colorado. We have a handful of reporters there […]

Crestron will debut at CEDIA Expo a new family of HDMI over HDBaseT extenders, which transmit and receive 4K content using standard CAT5e/UTP cables. Crestron says it’s upgraded its DigitalMedia matrix switchers to handle 4K resolutions (4096×2160). The HD-EXT3-C and HD-EXT4-C are specified to support 4K content and can transmit HDMI long distances (up to […]

BlackWire Designs’ latest introduction is called SafePlug 1313 Electrical Load Controller. With the ability to monitor energy consumption and control electrical loads, the new 1313 also provides automated on-off control of pumps, water heaters, HVAC, lights, fans, heaters and many other loads based on schedule, remote commands or local button pushes — all controllable via […]

Crestron is introducing a new series of AIR Landscape Speakers (LS4T and LS6T) and In-ground Subwoofer (IGS82T). The AIR family is weather- and water-proof, featuring either 4” or 6.5” coaxial drivers with built-in 70/100V transformers. The speakers can be attached to a post or wall, or staked directly into the ground. The Landscape Speakers, sold […]

WyreStorm is re-launching Enado at CEDIA Expo this week in Denver. We say re-launching because the company launched it at last year’s CEDIA. So, a year after the original launch, it’s still not shipping. Enado is an a 1U, 19″ rack-mounted controller that features 16 assignable IR ports, 8x integrated IP ports and an array […]

The Juice Goose iP 1520 is a microcontroller-based power distribution system that can be accessed via Ethernet or RS232. It allows for individual AC receptacles to be turned on and off, shutting down power to individual pieces of gear that isn’t being used. The iP 1520 has six outlets grouped into three individual “Power Pods” […]

Stealth is integrating its B30 invisible subwoofer speaker platform into an outdoor version in the form of the completely-sealed StingRay SR430 subwoofer. It uses eight 8-inch high power cone woofers firing actively into four independent, 512-square inch, impenetrable panel faces on the sides of the environmentally protected pedestal style box. This device uses four Stealth […]

Extra Vegetables has announced that the URC Total Control module for Sonos is now available from the Extra Vegetables website. By leveraging the power of URC’s Total Control Accelerator, Extra Vegetables has enabled comprehensive two-way integration via a new module. The module is simple to install and enables the following features in Total Control: • […]

Autonomic will be demonstrating new features of the Mirage Audio System (MAS) at CEDIA, including compatibility with SiriusXM Radio 2.0, Slacker Radio and Gracenote as well as a secure Dealer Portal enabling integrators to gain remote access to their customers’ Mirage Media Servers for diagnostics and firmware updates without having to send a technician onsite. […]