It’s impossible to cover every new product at a show like CEDIA EXPO, but the Residential Systems team did its best to hit the high points for what ended up being a very productive event for exhibitors and attendees alike.Here’s a look at 50 of the more notable newsmakers.We offer our apologies to those who we didn’t have the space cover here.
ACCELL
Due to the lack of a substantial locking mechanism in the original design specification of the HDMI connector, HDMI cables can come loose or fall out of an HDMI device. Accell’s solutions to this problem are the AVGrip Locking High Speed HDMI 1.3 Cables and the AVGrip Pro Locking High Speed HDMI 1.3 Cables. The 6.75 Gbps (225 MHz) AVGrip is available in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5m cable lengths in a retail blister package or custom installation plastic bag starting at $27.99. The 3, 4, and 5m cables are UL Listed and CL3 rated, suitable for in-wall installation.
ADAM AUDIO
ADAM Audio hopes its new TENSOR Series loudspeakers achieve the same success that its professional studio monitors have experienced in recording facilities. TENSOR Alpha, Beta, and Gamma floor-standing loudspeakers are now joined by the smaller Delta and Epsilon models, along with the center and the SW393 subwoofer, which allow TENSOR to be used in any highend stereo or multi-channel system. Alpha features two 13-inch HexaCone woofers, each driven by a 500W amplifier and electronically equalized for bass reproduction down to 20Hz. The upper cabinet’s two nine-inch HexaCone lower midrange drivers, two X-ART midrange units, and X-ART tweeter reproduce all of the frequencies above 85Hz.
AMX
AMX won the hearts of many attendees and fellow exhibitors on “NFL Sunday” when the Dallas-based company hosted an actual “backyard” barbeque replete with a grill, lots of hotdogs, and two beers on tap, and the Cowboys game on big screens. From a product standpoint, AMX’s new Optima 8×8 HDMI switcher from Autopatch featured a technology called Instagate that reduces the switching lag typically associated with re-authenticating HDCP. The technology is also employed in the company’s new UTPro 0808 switcher, which is part of the AMX NetLinx control system.
AVAD
Understanding the strategies and benefits of custom installers’ motives to expand into new markets, AVAD has partnered with DSC and COPS Monitoring to help AV professionals develop new profit centers through security.
CHIEF MANUFACTURING
Manufacturers in the mounts category seem to be leading the charge when it comes to “green design,” and Chief is no exception. Thanks to the trend toward thinner and lighter weight LCD TVs, the company has reduced the amount of steel that goes into many of its mount designs and has worked on ways to reduce the amount of packaging material it uses around its products. At CEDIA, Chief also introduced the FIT Series, which are the first folding flat-panel mounts. Folding? Yes, these fixed wall mounts are only 0.79 inches deep and feature a hinged design, allowing the mounts to fold in half to reduce packaging materials.
CONTROL4
C4 continues to expand the list of manufacturers that integrate with its low-cost IP-based control platform, welcoming new solutions from 16 manufacturers at CEDIA. The company accommodates two different levels of product implementation— from licensing of the Control4 Operating System, its core technology, to certification of third-party compatibility. First, certified products have to pass interoperability tests in Control4 labs to ensure they integrate seamlessly with the company’s home automation systems. Second, products with Control4 IQ have to have the Control4 Operating System embedded in the device, enabling it to function as a Control4 home automation controller
CRESTRON
After five years researching HDMI and HDCP, Crestron unveiled its DigitalMedia family of products that were designed to deliver reliable switching and distribution of all analog and uncompressed HD signals. According to Crestron, DM accepts and distributes all analog audio and video, high-res computers, HDMIs, DVIs, DisplayPorts, Ethernet, and USB keyboard/mouse controls. The core of a DM system is the switcher, with DM-MD8x8 and DM-MD16x16 versions available with card-based expandability on both the input and output sides. But perhaps most notable of all is Crestron’s exclusive, built-in QuickSwitch HD technology. Fast, uninterrupted HDMI switching is achieved by pre-authorizing HDCP keys and maintaining a constant handshake between sources and displays. EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is processed to identify and automatically send the best resolution to the display, so clients no longer have to manually configure the output resolution before starting each presentation. DM also manages CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), preventing devices from issuing unwanted and seemingly random commands.
DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY
Now with new thinner video panels, older onwall loudspeakers can look downright bulky. That’s why Definitive Technology developed its Mythos XTR-50, a 1.5-inch deep loudspeaker featuring the company’s patentpending XTDD technology driver. To extend and deepen the bass response of such a thin speaker the XTDD drivers are pressure-coupled to four dome low-bass radiators. The center-mounted tweeter is the Pure Aluminum dome tweeter found in the Mythos ST SuperTower.
DIGITAL PROJECTION INTERNATIONAL
DPI didn’t miss a chance to play to the hometown crowd. The manufacturer wowed Atlanta EXPO attendees with its MVision Cine LED, which it promoted as offering three-chip color saturation from a single-chip display for a fraction of the cost. The M-Vision Cine 260 DLP provides 2000 lumens, 3000:1 contrast, and the 3-chip DLP HIGHlite Cine 280 offers 2000 lumens, 12,000:1 contrast, as well a range of lens shift and lens options. But the only projector winner of CEDIA’s Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards was the TITAN 1080p Dual 3D. It was shown in conjunction with the first turnkey 3D solution for home entertainment, called the Total 3D Experience System, which provided attendees with a first-hand experience of what a high-quality, immersive 3D experience for the home could be.
DOLBY
At CEDIA, Dolby demonstrated how Dolby Digital Plus enabled Vudu to deliver the 7.1-channel audio experience on its download service to select HDTVs and Blu–ray Disc players from LG Electronics. The company also highlighted home audio products from Anthem, ARCAM, AudioControl, Bryston, Emotiva, Harman-Kardon, Integra, Onkyo, Sherwood, and Parasound as well as HDTVs from Toshiba that use Dolby Volume to manage fluctuating volume levels. As well, Dolby showcased growing industry support for Dolby Pro Logic IIz, its newest matrix decoding technology that adds the dimension of height to surround sound playback.
ELITE SCREENS
Elite focused its attention at EXPO this year on Raptor, an electric floor-rising screen that conceals itself in an attractive furniture cabinet. This product is now available in a front-mounted configuration that allows enough surface space for up to a 60-inch flat-panel display on top of the cabinet, offering a solution for both everyday viewing and special home theater experiences. It comes in 72-, 84-, or 92-inch screen sizes in either 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratios, and featuring Elite’s MaxWhite FG fiberglass-backed material.
EXACT POWER
The latest isolation transformer system offered by Exact Power, the 5 kVA rackmount unit, provides power filtering/conditioning and a newly derived reference ground not only for components in the rack but also for connected equipment in remotely located areas. It is designed to provide samephase, surge-protected, and conditioned power to minimize noise in small to mid-sized AV systems. It also offers status notification that automatically alerts homeowners and integrators to problems. A proprietary ground current leakage display indicates excessive ground current, allowing integrators to troubleshoot problems that would otherwise create hum and buzz. Another proprietary feature, “safety ground integrity monitoring,” indicates if the primary safety ground is lost and ensures life safety by shutting down power to outlets.
FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS
Focus Enhancements’ vice president of marketing, Tony Parker, said that his company’s Summit wireless technology can be used to custom tune and equalize different wireless speaker systems for various room configurations. Installers using Summit-enabled audio systems will have the ability to load as many as four different coefficient sets that can control speaker placement and listening preference. The filter coefficients can be programmed at the factory and/or updated by the custom installer in the field. Focus Enhancements’ Summit patent-pending SpeakerFinder and My- Zone technologies allow the installer to initially set up a 7.1 system in less than a half hour, including sweet spot calibration. At CEDIA, Focus showcased Summit wireless technologies integrated into Aperion Audio’s Intimus 5 series speakers.
HARMAN
At EXPO, the Harman Performance AV Group seemed to re-establish itself in the CEDIA channel with 15 new and updated products across its Mark Levinson, Revel, Lexicon, and JBL Synthesis brands. Lexicon will introduced a new Blu-ray player, Revel showed off its new subwoofer and two new in-wall speaker models, Mark Levinson offered four new amplifiers, Synthesis introduced a new professional-grade room calibration technology, and JBL showcased two new iterations of its K2 product. But, maybe most important of all, Harman made dealer support its big message at the show. The company has been actively encouraging brand dealers to become group dealers, carrying all four lines, consolidating quotas, and benefitting from an aggressive marketing program that includes web and print advertising and a traveling demonstration road show.
INNOVOLT
The surge suppression devices from this relative newcomer to the CEDIA channel feature CVSS (Current & Voltage Surge Suppression) technology, which was created to protect electronic equipment from damage caused by the five most common types of disturbances plaguing the power grid. The company’s HEM-X1000 rack-mountable power manager accommodates up to 11 electronic devices and features two input and two output jacks (RJ45/RJ11) and five coaxial inputs and output jacks for cable/satellite sources. Two LCDs located on the front of the HEM-X1000 scroll through an event log that details all power grid disturbances experienced at the installed location. The HEM-X1000 is backed by an unconditional replacement warranty.
JVC
With the company’s updated line of six new D-ILA home theater projectors, are four THX Certified projectors. All six achieve their high contrast ratios without the need for artificial contrast enhancing techniques, such as a dynamic iris, and the topend model boasts a native contrast ratio of 70,000:1. The new projectors are the DLA-RS35, DLARS25 and DLA-RS15 to be marketed by JVC’s professional products group, and the DLAHD990, DLA-HD950 and DLA-HD550, available through JVC’s consumer electronics group. New for 2010 is JVC’s doublespeed 120Hz Clear Motion Drive technology to reduce motion blurring and a new screen adjustment mode to optimize the projector for different screen types. Four of the six new projectors—DLARS35, DLA-RS25, DLA-HD990 and DLA-HD950— offer JVC’s new original picture modes, which provide advanced processing that adjusts for the different way that projectors process color compared to the color mixture method used in film.
LEGRAND
The company’s Unity Home System combines three stand-alone systems—multi-room audio, intercom, and camera—to produce one integrated home system via Cat-5 wire. Unity is comprised of an Integration Module and an LCD Console. A typical system would include four rooms of intercom, four zones of audio, and one camera. It would also include one LCD Console or TV Display Interface, both of which enable convenient system interaction via graphical user interfaces. This standard system can also be expanded to accommodate a system of up to 32 rooms of intercom, eight zones of audio, four cameras, and eight LCD Consoles or TV Display Interfaces.The company’s Unity Home System combines three stand-alone systems—multi-room audio, intercom, and camera—to produce one integrated home system via Cat-5 wire. Unity is comprised of an Integration Module and an LCD Console. A typical system would include four rooms of intercom, four zones of audio, and one camera. It would also include one LCD Console or TV Display Interface, both of which enable convenient system interaction via graphical user interfaces. This standard system can also be expanded to accommodate a system of up to 32 rooms of intercom, eight zones of audio, four cameras, and eight LCD Consoles or TV Display Interfaces.
LEON
The Ann Arbor, Michigan, manufacturer known for its hyper-kinetic co-founders and build-to-order on-wall speakers has enhanced its Horizon and Profile Series four-inch product lines to include upgraded drivers and shallower cabinets to complement the thinner profile of today’s flatpanel displays. Horizon 414 and Profile 404 Series speakers now feature four-inch Peerless HDS woofers for more power and increased performance, yet maintain their price of $1,495 for a highfidelity multichannel speaker or stereo pair. These speakers can also be upgraded to “A” models, which include Morel MDT-12 tweeters, or “X-A” models, which feature dual drivers per channel and Morel MDT-29 tweeters.
LG
LED backlit LCDs were one of the hot stories at CEDIA EXPO, and LG took it to the next level with its 55-inch Slim Wireless LED-Backlight HDTV (model 55LHX). The 55LHX and the traditional LCD LH8 can receive a wireless signal up to 30 feet away. The 55-inch LHX model, which is THX certified, is less than one inch thick at its thinnest point and uses a full-array LED backlighting system with local dimming technology. It also incorporates TruMotion 240Hz technology for smooth motion during fast-action scenes.
LUTRON
It’s rare to witness an industry leader make a more wholesale technology turnover at one show than Lutron did this year. Among the company’s announcements were a branding of its wireless RF technology such as “Clear Connect RF Technology” and the introduction of Home- Works QS Wireless, which goes beyond light and shade control by adding control of temperature and AV components, and Sivoia QS Wireless, which is a wireless shading system that can be used to control Lutron roller shades, drapery tracks, skylight shades, and Roman shades with the new Pico wireless control. But the biggest launch was a complete overhaul of the RadioRA flagship lighting control system. RadioRA 2, which is scalable from two to 200 devices, incorporates a main repeater with astronomic time clock, RS-232 and IP integration built-in, a new seeTouch hybrid keypad-dimmer for retrofit applications, wireless Pico Control, Radio Powr Savr occupancy/vacancy sensors, and native system support of GRAFIK Eye QS lighting control and Sivoia QS shading solutions (no interfaces required). But best of all for dealers may be the addition of PC programming, which allows the programmer to define zones and locations, light and shade levels, occupancy/vacancy sensing, etc. in every room in the home from one location.
MONSTER
There are few companies in the consumer electronics channel that really have the “marketing thing” figured out. Monster is definitely one of them. Adding to its established lines of wire, mounts, and power management products, Noel Lee’s company has now planted itself firmly in the headphones market first with its “Beats by Dre” brand and now with its female-oriented “Heartbeats by Lady Gaga” in-ear buds. Of more interest to the CEDIA crowd, however, were the HTUPS 3700 and HTUPS 2700, both featuring Monster Countdown Technology that shows remaining battery power time in minutes. Users can instantly see how much time they have left to safely shut down their system in case of power failure, or how much time they can keep systems running. It also allows installers to test a system when it is being installed. The HTUPS 3700 supplies up to five hours of backup power with an internal battery. The UPS 2700 provides one hour of internal battery backup and is designed to work in conjunction with Monster’s new Battery Extension Module HTBX 1000 for additional back-up time of up to four hours.
NEXTGEN
This Florida-based problem-solving company may be better known for it’s RF-based remote control extenders, but lately its DPL-rated HDMI products are gaining traction as well. At CEDIA, NextGen introduced a new product that allows longer and more cost-effective runs over HDMI cable. The Cat-6 to HDMI Splitter ($249.00 MSRP) extends and distributes high resolution video signals over a single Cat-6 cable. Using the optional Mini Dongle ($49.00 each), an installer can now convert HDMI to Cat-6 and send 1080p signals up to 100 feet then covert back to HDMI. Each Mini Dongle features a male HDMI to female RJ-45 connector. Up to eight Mini Dongles can be used on the eight-way splitter to feed 1080p video to eight separate devices.
NUVISION
The U.S. manufacturer of high-performance 1080p Deep Black LCD displays unveiled a “NU” logo and a beautiful EXPO booth to display its all-new Lucidium FX5LS Series. They may be “edge-lit” LEDs, but the panels still looked great in 40-, 46-, and 55- inch options. The FX5 technology within these displays eliminates the need for the 3:2 pull down algorithm found in 60Hz displays, by recreating each frame five times, thus utilizing the 120Hz and high refresh rate of the panels. Many other LCD manufacturers deploy black-frame insertion or simply attempt to double the frames in an attempt to achieve 120Hz. This works adequately when a motion sequence moves from left to right on the screen, but if it is reversed, the display reverts to its original 60Hz picture. Next up for NuVision: projectors.
NUVO TECHNOLOGIES
At CEDIA, NuVo offered detailed specifications and pricing for its Renovia system. Unlike the company’s Grand Concerto and Essentia E6G hubs, from which Cat-5 and speaker wire must be run to each zone, Renovia’s Source Hub simply plugs into an AC outlet. From there, using Home Plug PLC technology, audio and metadata is transmitted to each zone over the home’s electrical wiring. In each zone, the Renovia audio and metadata is received and adapted by a NuVo Zone Amplifier (NV-RVZA50S), which fits in a splitdesign dual-gang wall box and consists of two components: a power supply and an amplifier. An electrician is required to complete the AC connection on the power supply. The Zone Amplifier connects to architectural or freestanding speakers in the room using speaker wire, providing 50 watts of output. To help the integrator know what to expect of a home’s electrical infrastructure before closing the sale and before installing a Renovia system, NuVo will offer dealers its two-piece Renovia Site Analysis Tool (NV-RVSAT).
OMNIMOUNT
Sure, OmniMount has all the appropriate and welldesigned flat-panel mounts covered, but where the company really shines is with its AV furniture creations. Designed with a blend of real cherry wood veneer and black glass, the new Morello Series includes two AV media stands and one combination flat-panel floor stand. With clean lines, black glass, and a high gloss finish, the Modena Series premiered with three models to fit a wide range of flat panels and components. Most interesting, however, may be the two members of the Elements Series that display medium to large flat panels in three different configurations — as a table without the post and mount, as a furniture piece independent from a wall-mounted panel, or as a flat-panel floor stand when a wall installation is not preferred or possible. This versatility is enhanced by four interchangeable color panel options in black, walnut, cherry, and brushed steel.
PANAMAX/FURMAN
BlueBOLT is a new technology providing secure, hosted IP system control over compatible Panamax and Furman products. One of BlueBOLT’s big selling points to dealers is its graphical user interface that allows installers to monitor multiple installations across multiple locations. There are no static IP addresses to obtain, port numbers to remember, or new ISP accounts to configure. The system allows individual outlets or outlet banks to be power-cycled from any Web browser or Web-enabled mobile device. For Internet routers, outlets can be assigned to power cycle automatically if an Internet connection is lost. Voltage and current consumption can also be monitored in real time or tracked over a time period.
PARADIGM
While designed to meet today’s demand for a small form factor in a subwoofer, don’t be fooled by the Seismic110’ s diminutive proportions. The heart of this little sub is an ultra-low-distortion split-coil drive woofer coupled with an 850- watt RMS Ultra Class D amplifier. The exterior shell is a die-cast monocoque design that forms an integrated package with the woofer tucked inside. The woofer itself boasts an FEA optimized motor structure together with heatsinking, which when coupled to the die-cast exterior shell ensure a cool running, high output woofer
PIONEER
Admittedly it was still conceptual at CEDIA time, but Pioneer’s new Project ET Network Entertainment Player has a lot of potential. The manufacturer differentiates its concept from existing players in the market by letting consumers combine their personal music, movies, and photo collections with access to a choice of online content services, social networking applications, and online purchasing sites. A Zigbee two-way remote control and high definition graphic user interface allows end users to navigate their stored digital content or online media while simultaneously controlling home theater room lighting, temperature, and other connected home automated products. Pioneer was demonstrating the network concept with one terabyte of hard drive disk storage space for uncompressed and compressed audio file storage and playback. Playback of managed copy of Blu-ray Discs on the final product is a possible feature.
PPC
This new cables and interconnects manufacturer has migrated from the cable TV and satellite industry under new branding and leadership by CEDIA veteran Eric Bodley. The “Perfect Path” pitch is that the manufacturer can provide connectivity down the entire signal path from the service provider and into the home to the back of an HD display device. It will include a new line of audiovideo interconnect cables with locking HDMI and RCA connectors, and bulk cable solutions for inwall wiring. The CEDIA launch included a new second-generation locking HDMI cable with PPC’s PerfectLock HDMI and RCA Connectors.
PROFICIENT AUDIO
The M80 receiver is one of only a few receivers—and probably the only one in its price range—designed specifically to meet the needs of custom installers. It features DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD lossless audio, four HDMI inputs, and Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processing. Seven 130-watt high-current Class AB amplifiers deliver the audio with a high damping factor and a cast aluminum faceplate gives the M80 a high-end look.
PROJECTIONDESIGN
Making its U.S. debut at CEDIA EXPO was avielo kroma, the first home theater projector to use projectiondesign’s ReaLED technology, which is based on solid- state LED illumination. According to projectiondesign, the ReaLED light source provides a wider and more consistent color gamut, with color rendition richer than any competing illumination technology. ReaLED illumination also stays consistent during its entire lifetime—typically in excess of 100,000 hours. There’s a green benefit to the ReaLED light source, as well. It uses less power than conventional projectors and is free from hazardous materials such as mercury.
RT.COM
RTcom USA Inc. enhanced its Digital Extender line of HDMI matrix routers by adding an extended display identification data (EDID) mode select function. The increased functionality of the HS-66M Plus and HS-88M Plus solves the most common problem in installed HDMI video systems today: a source being able to output only one format at a time. In installations with a mix of component formats, they will all receive the format of the lowestresolution display. The EDID mode select function corrects this issue by allowing users to choose the most appropriate EDID to ensure compatibility with all devices connected to the switchers’ outputs. With its routers, HDMI signals from AV receivers, satellite set-top boxes, and Blu-ray disc players can be sent simultaneously to six or eight different displays without any degradation in signal quality, according to the company.
RTI
Two-way control is already “old news” at Remote Technologies Inc., but the Minneapolis manufacturer showcased several other goodies at EXPO. Of particular interest was the ST-7 two-way controller, which features a bright seven-inch widescreen LCD display with an integrated multitouch capacitive touchscreen. For simplified navigation and Wi-Fi web browsing, the ST-7 integrates a trackball and customizable backlight coloring to indicate different functions, while 13 configurable hard buttons provide additional control. An integrated microphone and stereo speakers are designed to support intercom over IP. Utilizing ZigBee, the ST-7 is capable of two-way communication with a wide variety of electronic devices including thermostats, lighting control, security, audio/video distribution systems and media servers.
RUNCO
Maybe the biggest story for Runco at CEDIA EXPO was that Runco was at CEDIA EXPO. Beyond the hype of that news, however, attendees learned that Planar’s Runco team has been busy developing its own LED illumination solutions. The Runco Quantum- Color Series maximizes the benefits of Runco’s new InfiniLight lampless LED illumination technology with two new projectors, the Q-750d and the Q-750i. The line is further enhanced by Runco’s new Personal Color Equalizer, which allows color adjustment that includes settings exactly matched to the definition of Hollywood’s cinematographers and the color preferences of each individual viewer for each source. Proprietary Runco Smart Color (RSC) provides a hue compensation curve and gamut mapping that allows for lifelike, accurate flesh tones while increasing color saturation, without sacrificing the purity of other colors.
RUSSOUND
All other new product introductions by our friends from New Hampshire were overshadowed by the company’s retrofit-oriented Powerline Carrier-based (PLC) multiroom audio distribution product called Collage. Unlike other PLC systems that require a hub, with Collage there is no central controller, making its expansion linear and allowing zones and sources to be placed anywhere in the home. This decentralized design allows Collage to be a low-cost investment for consumers who want to begin with two or three zones before expanding to additional areas at a later date. Collage is designed to fully maximize the IP backbone created by the system, giving the user access to all of their content on their network, as well as Internet services such as Rhapsody. Because it is a distributed system, there is no cost penalty for installing as few as one or two zones, or as many as 10.
SAVANT
Savant Systems officially launched its iPhonebased Protégé product, an automation line enabling total control of the home from an Apple iPhone or iPod touch. Protégé enables consumers to control and distribute their audio-video throughout a single living room or across a complete home, locally or remotely. Another noteworthy aspect of the product is its price point—$4,999 MSRP, depending on the package and accessories. At the show, Savant reduced the price of its iPhone home automation and control app from $200 to $50. Also, in a direct response to the challenging economy, Savant has eliminated the mobile device license fee—from $1,000 (previous cost per license) to zero. So the new cost for the app and the license is now $50, where it used to be $1,200 per iPhone or iPod touch.
SCREEN RESEARCH
Screen Research expanded its ISF-certified Multi- Pix range of screen fabrics to provide more solutions for positive gain requirements and ambient light conditions. Consisting of the MultiPix Ultra-contrast White 1.3, Ultra-contrast White 1.5, and Ultra-contrast Gray 1.3 these new fabrics use Screen Research’s Multi- layer technology. The MultiPix range of screen fabrics are currently shipping.
SHARP
Sharp unveiled the AQUOS LED using the company’s UltraBrilliant full-array LED backlight technology. The LE700 is available in 52-, 46-, 40, and 30-inch screen class sizes, and features a newly developed X-Gen Panel with advanced pixel control for deeper black levels. The AQUOS LED series also includes Sharp’s AQUOS Net capability, a service that gives users instant access to customized webbased content as well as real-time customer support.
SIM2
This Italian manufacturer has launched no less than 40 projectors in 10 years with this year’s addition being a darker version of the company’s Grand Cinema C3X line. The Grand Cinema C3X LUMIS projector, which is among the smallest HD three-chip projectors on the market, features the 0.95-inch 1080p DC4 DLP chipset from Texas Instruments, the precision optics of SIM2’s ALPHAPATH light engine, and SIM2’s enhanced DynamicBlack technology. SIM2’s custom- designed dynamic iris utilizes a non-symmetric, folded aperture powered by an ultra-fast motor and is placed at the front-end of the light path. This, according to SIM2, ensures that unwanted reflections are kept out of the light path. Next up for SIM2: an LED single-chip projector at the end of November as well as 3D technology.
SONY
At CEDIA, Sony announced that its hallmark BRAVIA line will be wired for IP so users can enjoy Netflix, YouTube, Internet widgets, and RS232 control. The company also debuted its new Elevated Standard AV receivers, including its first to offer control over an IP network, the STRDA5500ES. Both the STR-DA5500ES and new STR-DA3500ES are designed to deliver HD content to multiple rooms in the home. The latter of the two features IP network control, allowing installers to integrate into Control4 home automation systems. The receiver also features automatic phase matching.
SPEAKERCRAFT
Launched in a geodesic dome on the EXPO show floor, SpeakerCraft’s Nirv system concept has modular architecture instead of a central hub design. This means the dealer will only need to buy the pieces necessary for the specific system he has designed and upgrading or expanding is as simple as adding what is needed to the network. According to SpeakerCraft, on-screen programming is designed to be so easy and intuitive that it can be accomplished on-site by virtually anyone on the project team. All media, data, control, and communication signals are distributed through a single Cat-5 cable, making system wiring both simple and cost efficient. Beyond standard AV distribution, the system also integrates theater surround sound, home automation, and page/intercom into one package.
STEWART FILMSCREEN
On the high-end, Stewart partnered with PMI to design the Director’s Choice 2.0 solution, which it calls the ultimate marriage of the world’s best screen materials and the most precise masking system available. But the company also introduced a new LED lighting system designed to backlight its Cabaret projection screens with the appropriate color setting to enhance viewing environments and launched its exclusive AcoustiShade product. Stewart calls this the first window treatment that effectively controls both incoming light and distracting noise coming through windows. Complimenting Stewart’s existing line of roller screens, the AcoustiShade has been designed for any residential or commercial application where noise and sunlight control is necessary.
THX
THX’s “Big Room” was created to bridge the gap between the consumer and professional audio worlds, offering custom installers more hardware choices for designing large, multi-row media rooms and home theaters. THX showcased this new category of THX Certified concept products from Snell Acoustics, Parasound, Diodes Zetex Semiconductor, and Integra at CEDIA EXPO. THX “Big Room” certification builds upon the THX Ultra2 Plus program, ensuring speakers, amplifiers and preamps are designed with the performance necessary to deliver studio Reference Level volume (85dB) and headroom in large home theaters where the viewing distance from the screen is 20 feet and beyond—rooms 660 square feet or 8,000 cubic feet in size.
TOSHIBA
The SV670 Cinema Series LED TV Series is the next generation of REGZA, incorporating FocaLight Full Matrix LED with local dimming a full matrix for better brightness uniformity. The series is the first to incorporate the company’s Deep Lagoon Design with the Infinity Flush Front.
TRIAD
The custom loudspeaker solution manufacturer has added to its front-channel on-wall speaker offerings with two new models: the OnWall Mini LCR 2.0 and the OnWall Mini LCR 2.0 SE (Special Edition) and made the CEDIA introduction of its first new subwoofer line in eight years (comprised of 10 InRoom, two InCeiling and two InWall Subwoofers and three RackAmps.) However, the big splash came from a Triad’s partnership with Anthony Grimani’s PMI firm in developing CinemaPlus, a series of three packages with engineered construction plans, speakers, acoustic treatments, and support that enable Triad dealers to sell world class home theaters. The medium and large packages now include Triad’s new CinemaPlus version of Triad’s Platinum LCR and its associated BaffleWall. Package pricing is $46,550, $88,650, and $105,350 MSRP.
TRIBUTARIES
The T3 Flat-Panel Power Pak is Tributaries’ new triple-outlet model featuring 1080 joules of surge protection and RFI AC line filtering. With a depth of just 1.5 inches, the entire unit plugs directly into the wall socket, fitting behind a flat-panel unit. To assure maximum clearance behind a display, the T3 has three edge-mounted AC outlets, two fixed outlets, as well as one AC outlet and one RF connection outlet that can be rotated 90 degrees.
TRUFIG
This new company from Dana Innovations, owner of Sonance and iPort, offers products that are hard to describe but make perfect sense when you see them in person. The concept for TRUFIG comes from the flangeless Architectural Series in-ceiling designs pioneered by Sonance a few years ago. It takes technology (like light switches, electrical outlets, and audio/video wall plates) supplied by various manufacturers and provides a uniform industrial design, consistent color, and a mounting process to achieve a seamless installation into a wall or ceiling. A variety of single gang, double gang, and touchscreen kits are available in three standard colors.
UEI
The company’s Nevo C3 ($299 MSRP) features a 2.2-inch color touchscreen and an on-board IR library that enables RF and device programming directly on the remote. This helps ESCs to test device codes on the spot, without being tied to a PC. It is also the only installer-based remote that includes RF control of DirecTV set-top boxes without the need for a separate RF base station, eliminating added complexity and costs. Special features include ondevice programming for basic home theater control as well as UEI’s patented EZ-RCT, a full-featured web-based programming suite, which allows users to further customize their NevoC3 for advanced functionality such as creating activities and favorite channels from their PC.
URC
URC has invested thousands of manhours to develop what the company calls the world’s first two-way database, which enables installers to integrate two-way IP and RS-232 devices without scripting. As a result, any technician capable of a final hook-up can program URC’s MX-5000 without weeks of training. This new touchscreen wand remote is based on URC’s flagship controller, the MX-6000 two-way touchscreen, with the exception of its smaller 2.8-inch LCD color touchscreens, its GUI, and its chassis. Every surface, contour, and button of the MX-5000, as well as its screen size, has been designed to “feel right” when used with one hand. The MX-5000 also offers haptic technology, which confirms each touchscreen button-push with a tactile vibration that the user feels.
VUTEC
The big products for Vutec are its DYNA-CURVE, DYNA-CURVE VM (Vertical Masking), and DYNACURVE FS (Fixed Curve Screen), but just as interesting was its own take on the “art screen” concept. Vutec calls its answer the “Theater Art System,” and it allows users to choose a selection of popular or fine art prints and frames and liner choices to cover plasmas, LCDs, or projection screens. The Vutec website even offers an exclusive interactive tool called “ArtScreen Designer” to help a dealer through the process.
WISDOM AUDIO
Wisdom never fails to impress with its implementation of planar magnetic technologies. The newest addition Sage Series models were designed specifically for use behind perforated screens of numerous sizes. The L100i and C150i models feature the same line source planar magnetic technology found in the Sage Series L75i and L150i, but measure a more compact 50 inches in height to fit behind acoustically transparent screens, including 2.35:1 aspect ratio screens of suitable width. The L100i incorporates a 50-inch tall planar magnetic line source for mid and high frequencies, accompanied by one woofer array containing eight of Wisdom’s pressure woofers. The C150i incorporates a 50-inch tall planar magnetic line source for mid and high frequencies, accompanied by two woofer arrays, each containing eight of Wisdom’s high operating pressure woofers for a total of 16 woofers.
ZEEVEE
Based on the same technology used by TV stations and cable companies, ZvBox turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, a consumer would need only to tune into a new Zv channel at any of the HDTVs. Compatibility with existing coax cabling means ZvBox is ideal for retrofit applications. The company’s ZvBox 150 has component inputs for HD sources like Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and DVRs, a VGA input for computer video, and can broadcast on any of 135 cable TV channels.
