So it’s been a couple of years now, and Apple’s AirPlay has reached, while not ubiquity, certainly a presence in the marketplace. For those of you who just awoke from a spell cast upon you by a wicked witch, AirPlay is Apple’s vehicle for streaming through networked devices. Beyond just Apple TV and devices running […]

Kramer Electronics introduced today the VM-2DP and the VM-4DP DisplayPort Distribution Amplifiers. The VM-2DP 1:2 DisplayPort Distribution Amplifier accepts a DisplayPort (DP) input signal and distributes it to two DisplayPort (DP) outputs, while the 1:4 VM-4DP distributes a DP signal to four DP outputs. Both offer a maximum data rate of 10.8Gbps (2.7Gbps per graphic […]

projectiondesign and HoloVis are partnering on something called MotionDome, which is basically a “system-in-a-package” from projectiondesign that’s aimed at helping to create gaming or ride simulators in 2D or 3D. It offers four F35 AS3D active stereoscopic 3D DLP projectors edge blended on a curved screen display, positioned above the participant’s eye line to create […]

Scottish audio manufacturer Linn announced today that it’s establishing its own direct distribution in North America. Linn’s agreements with current distributor, TC Group Americas Inc., will cease to exist in two months (on October 1st, 2013). “Linn have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with TC Group Americas and we thank them for their valued […]

A new study released by the American Academy of Pediatrics was published this week that calls attention to the dangers of TV tip-overs. SANUS supports the study’s senior author, Dr. Gary Smith, in his lead to take action via TV mounting, against this increasing problem. According to the study, more than 17,000 children – one […]

CEDIA EXPO, hosted at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, USA, 25th – 28th September, is fast approaching, and you should head to www.cedia.net/expo to make the most of your trip. First off, there’s still time for attendees to take advantage of the Early Bird savings, including a 40 percent discount off registration fees, on […]

By Paul Gray DisplaySearch Consumers can react in two ways in a market with rapid innovation: They either get excited by the new value propositions and capabilities and jump in or instead they can opt to wait until winners emerge and choices become simpler. Looking at the long-term history of the TV market in Western […]

Integra’s new mid-range, THX-certified AV preamp processor and A/V receiver, the DHC-60.5 and DTR-60.5, are the first Integra products to support HDBaseT technology, which allows HD audio/video signals to be transmitted over much longer distances using Cat5e cables. By incorporating HDBaseT technology, the DHC-60.5 and DTR-60.5 are optimized for whole-home distribution, connecting to compatible entertainment […]

As with all new display technologies, the first generation is expensive, but we expect the second generation of curved OLEDs from both LG and Samsung will be half the $15,000 list price these new 55″ displays carry at today’s official launch in New York City. OLED has been talked about for years, and at InfoComm, […]

SurgeX has announced that the Axess SX-AX15, Axess Elite SX-AX15E and Axess Ready SA-82-AR are now Control4 Certified. The Axess line is an IP-addressable, surge eliminating, power conditioning and management system that allows monitoring and control of power distribution platforms via the Internet 24/7. Integrators can remotely customize, synthesize and monitor individual outlets and power […]

CEDIA has named Bob Schluter, chief engineer and founder of Middle Atlantic, as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Schluter will be recognized at the annual Electronic Lifestyles Awards Celebration at CEDIA EXPO on September 28, 2013. CEDIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has exhibited outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the […]

TFCinfo’s recently published Projector Brand Customer Perception and Preference Tracking Report 2013 reveals that the top four most important factors end users consider when purchasing a projector are overall picture quality, brightness, price and reliability/maintenance costs. Experienced projector users and purchasers name Panasonic, Epson, Sony, NEC and Sharp as the top brands they consider to […]

In the prior installment, I had discussed the surprising growth of headphones in home AV, including how, for some retailers and distributors, their sales now eclipse stereos and surround sound AV equipment. I also touched on the importance of determining which price level your company should focus on: whether your customers are looking for entry […]

TFCinfo recently announced the release of its yearly benchmark study on the strength of flat panel brands (32+”) and flat panel purchasing preferences. This research reveals that although end users are clear on their desired technology of choice, the major motivators behind each technology (LED LCD, LCD and plasma), and the way end users weigh […]

BenQ America’s newest projector, the W770ST, is a $650 short-throw home entertainment projector. Using a native 1280×720 DLP chip, the short-throw W770ST projects an image 62 inches wide at 40 inches from the screen and is integrated with a 10-watt speaker — so it’s pretty much designed as a “take it out of the closet and […]

TruAudio is now offering a line of projection screens, including fixed frame, fixed acoustic, fixed curve and motorized screens in standard, in-ceiling, tension, twin and floor rising. The fixed frame projection screens have an HD 3.5” flat frame and a 4K curved frame model. These cover the gamut of home theater room applications and are […]

Key Digital and IC Realtime have announced that several of IC Realtime’s surveillance DVRs, including the Flex Series, Elite Series, NVR700N and NVR700S2P, now integrate natively into Key Digital’s Compass Control system. IC Realtime was already a Compass Allaince Partner and worked with Key Digital to develop bi-directional drivers that offers DVR control and feedback […]

Nearly everyone has EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) issues when using HDMI, especially if you’re using different sources or different displays simultaneously. Extron is shipping its EDID 101H, an EDID emulator for HDMI signal sources. It features EDID Minder, an Extron technology designed to provide automatic and continuous EDID management, ensuring that the source powers […]

The CEDIA 2014-15 Board of Directors election and appointment process is underway. The election and appointment process is led and implemented by two volunteer teams, the Governance Committee and the Nominating Working Group. Both the Governance Committee and Nominating Working groups are made up of CEDIA members, approved by the Chairman of the Board and […]

By Norbert Hildebrand DisplaySearch One of the highlights of the CE Week 2013 show floor were the UHD TV sets from several manufacturers. At the same time, they also held the Ultra HD Conference at the same location. The conference covered topics surrounding Ultra HD from product, market and technology standpoints. In the first section, […]

The AudioControl Rialto 400 is a compact, high-powered amplifier with a built-in audiophile-grade DAC (digital to analog converter) designed specifically to provide greater performance and higher sound quality for all analog and digital systems, including Sonos home entertainment systems. The Rialto 400’s amplifier delivers over 100 watts of power per channel into 8 ohms and […]

NuVo Technologies has added an Android device control app for its Music Port and Music Port Elite source components. The app is free and available now on the Google Play store. Both Music Port and Music Port Elite work with NuVo’s Concerto, Essentia, and Renovia whole home audio systems, or as standalone sources, and offer […]

Crestron has announced several additions to its line of infiNET EX wireless lighting control products. The Green Light Power Pack (GLPP-EX) is an intelligent room controller available with infiNET EX wireless technology to provide quick, reliable wireless communication with a central control system. It’s designed to communicate with photocells, occupancy sensors and control stations. Part […]

The Gefen ToolBox 1:8 Splitter is designed for routing HDMI signals that are up to 4Kx2K resolutions. It takes one HDMI input and splits it in to eight HDMI outputs so you can connect them to eight displays simultaneously. This product works with any HD source. It features what Gefen calls “Fast Switching Technology,” supports […]

IP audio and control specialist Barix today starting shipping its Annuncicom 200-Rava, a bidirectional IP audio interface for door stations that allows PTT (push-to-talk) intercom with Crestron Rava-enabled touch screens.  Combine Crestron Rava-enabled touch screens with an analog door station and the Annuncicom 200-Rava for a complete residential, office and small business IP intercom solution. […]

By David Hsieh DisplaySearch Last week, Sharp announced that it will expand its alliance with CEC (China Electronics Corp.), the parent company of CEC-Panda, a Chinese TFT LCD panel maker. Sharp sold its Gen 6 line to CEC-Panda back in 2011, and now has decided to play an important role in CEC-Panda’s planned Gen 8 […]

Extron has started shipping two new larger HDMI distribution amplifiers as part of its HDMI DA Series product line. The HDMI DA4 with four outputs, and HDMI DA6 with six outputs, are HDCP compliant and support data rates up to 6.75 Gbps, 12-bit Deep Color, 3D, Lip Sync and HD lossless audio formats. They also […]

The AudioControl Director D4400 is a multi-zone amplifier that drives sixteen channels of amplification and delivers 100-watts per channel, all channels driven. The D4400 features on-board digital signal processing, graphic and parametric equalization by zone, network monitoring and programming and control. It allows individual channel and zone selection via standard TCIP, the ability to bridge […]

As luxuries become commodities, the trend continues wherein AV Pros place their focus on selling services and expertise, rather than just hanging their hats on the brands and technologies they work with. That’s no accident. Ten to twelve years ago, flat panel televisions were remarkable and expensive, and only high end dealers sold them, and […]

According to CEDIA, ninety-six percent of home technology professionals offer distributed audio as a service of their company. Wireless audio has consistently represented a smaller piece of the audio installation market, but CEDIA is offering resources to help home technology professionals learn about the opportunities wireless audio presents. “At one time, wireless audio solutions were […]

Global LCD TV shipments grew 4 percent Y/Y in Q1’13 to 44.8 million sets, led by strong growth in China, according to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report. The improved growth is largely the result of timing of the Chinese New Year; in 2013 the holiday fell in February, rather […]

Integra has introduced two new home theater receivers, the DTR-40.5 and DTR-50.5, which include full support for the new Ultra HD 4K format, Internet radio, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces. Both new receivers are also THX Select2 Plus certified. The Integra DTR-50.5 has a more powerful seven-channel, 135 watts-per-channel power amplifier, compared to the DTR-40.5’s […]