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Heres to Sam
When I initially read the press release about Planar Systems acquisition of Runco International last month, the first thing I thought was, Weve just...
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A Case for CableCARD
HD CableCARD tuners are becoming readily available. These credit card-sized products can be inserted into CableCARD-ready HDTVs, Series 3 TiVOs, and even some of...
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Open House
Theres a beta fish named Logo living in the art department of this magazines midtown Manhattan office. If there was ever a metaphor for...
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Real Men Retrofit
Hard-learned tips and recommendations to get you started in existing homes.
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On the HD Disc Horizon
As I write this, its been almost a year to the day that I first got my hands on an HD DVD player. I...
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Securing Your Place
The custom AV installation business is a hot market to be in. While our small installation companies may never make it to the NASDAQ,...
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Your Strategy
Love him or hate him, Robert Moses is considered one of the greatest urban planners of the 20th century. The master builder was instrumental...
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Electric Company
A Look at Trends and Innovations Driving the Power Management and Conditioning Market
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Your Best and Brightest
A few years ago, in preparation for a CEDIA Regional event coming to my territory, I spent a fair amount of time on behalf...
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Facing the Video Question
I call it the disposable projector ploy. Two years ago, one of my employees bought a very nice 1280×720 video projector. Last year, he...
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Racing Against Time
Whenever I talk shop with someone in the installation business, they always mention that they just dont have enough time. This constant stress is...
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A Lifestyle Business
Do you run a growing, thriving company, or have you become a lifestyle business? Dont know what I mean? According to 2007 CEDIA Management...
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Battling Big Box Retailers
Most custom AV installation companies are pretty small. Even those generating a few million in annual sales generally operate with a handful of talented...
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House Rules
A Closer Look at the Evolving Relationship Between Production Home Builders and Custom Integrators
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A Call for Standardization
As Phone and Data Systems Grow More Complex, TIA-570-B Could Be the Key to Strong Infrastructures
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Getting Your Gear Together
You may believe that the rooms you design sound very good, but unless you consider all of the technical variables for your system, you...
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Super Bowl Live
Pre-Game Coverage: As I begin this column, Im sitting in the American Airlines terminal at New Yorks Kennedy Airport waiting to board my flight...
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Computer Technology at Work
This is an important year in the world of computer software. Microsoft is releasing several versions of the long-awaited Vista operating system. On top...
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Beyond the Hype at CES
HD Disc Format Updates, Larger Flat Panels, Surprising No Shows, and Prototypes to Watch for From Las Vegas
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Impact Products for the Digital Home
The Consumer Electronics Show is an exhilarating, exhausting, and overwhelming experience that every professional in the electronics field should attend at least once in...
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Converging Fields of Interest
Last year, I asserted that convergence in our industry had become a collision. Reflecting on the experiences of this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES),...
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Customizing Home Theater
Last month, I began a series on delivering a high-quality home theater experience through custom installation. In that first installment, I talked about how...
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Wider Appeal
As a custom installation professional, do you ever get the feeling that youre being used? For instance, isnt it your company that manufacturers call...
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Windows New OS is Ideal
A lot of press has been given to the new and enhanced features of the upgraded Microsoft Vista operating system due out later this...
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Time to Take Stock
Happy New Year! Congratulations on making it through the craziest, busiest installation season of the year. Hopefully, January is a brief pause for you...
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Trade Partners
System Integrators are Learning to Collaborate with Architects, Builders, and Interior Designers
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Glue That Binds
Do you have a competitor who consistently gives you trouble even though you know that youre better? Whats your sales pitch? How do you...
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Hi Def TV, iPod Sound
I fell in love with the wonderful magical qualities of music as a teenager. Every night I would listen to top FM hits from...
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Your Market Ambassadors
This year is providing us all with a blast of change, challenge, and new opportunity. This months column follows my return from the 16th...
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Photos Come Alive
Over the years I have carefully watched product introductions in the digital picture frame product category. I always thought this type of product would...
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When Experience Pays
If youve been around custom home theater long, youve probably heard someone say that you should be in the business of delivering a home...
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Following Protocol
Broadband Has Expanded the Potential of Home Systems, But There are More Networking Challenges on the Horizon
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Cinematic Camouflage
Multi-Purpose Media Rooms Require Creative Solutions To Ambient Sound and Lighting Challenges
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All Subbed Out
Many readers will consider this sacrilege, but I have decided to do something extreme. Im going to unplug my subwoofer and put it in...