According to CEDIA, Innovation Alley is an area on the trade show floor this September is Dallas where you can find “new manufacturers breaking into the industry,” and where you’ll “discover new products and vendors that are bringing fresh innovation into the market.”
These companies are often new and small and you’ll have often have the opportunity to meet with the founders who share their passion and vision for the product. The booths are usually smaller and less crowded so you can really get an opportunity to talk to them and see if their offering is right for your company.
This year, 17 manufacturers are slated to exhibit on the Alley, which is located in a prime spot near Paradigm (Sound Room 1), Channel Vision Technology (Booth 4446), and Powerhouse Alliance (Booth 4138). I reached out to all of these innovators prior to the show to find out how long they’ve been in business, why they decided to come to CEDIA and why you should consider making the Alley part of your show plan!
Over the next several weeks I’ll introduce you to each of the companies so you can plan out your CEDIA schedule appropriately. In last week’s post I introduced Remocam, PoE LED, Meural, and LIFX. Here are four more companies to put on your CEDIA schedule.
Chromis Fiberoptics, Booth 4174
If you’ve been looking for a reliable and economical way to run 4K HDMI and DisplayPort video signals great distances, then Chromis may just be the solution you’ve been wanting. The company was founded in 2004 by scientists from Bell Labs “who developed a patented process for extruding high-bandwidth, low-attenuation graded-index optical fibers from extremely transparent polymers,” CEO Frank Graziano explained. “These have unique performance and cost advantages compared to the graded-index glass optical fibers typically used to make active optical cables.”
The upside is that Chromis GigaPOF active optical cables are a simpler and more economical alternative to other video extender kit solutions. Chromis products also don’t require an external power source, instead using power provided by the HDMI or DisplayPort source and sink devices.
“Installation is quick, costs less than most bulk cable and electronics, has fewer failure points, and no ongoing maintenance costs. Our products deliver an overall better customer experience, and make things a little easier for the custom installer,” Graziano offered.
Chromis will be utilizing CEDIA to introduce the company’s latest patented GigaPOF line of 4K HDMI and DisplayPort AOCs for the custom install market. Among the new offerings is its latest UL plenum-rated HDMI 2.0 AOC with ARC which will support true 18 Gbps 4K/60Hz/4:4:4 performance.
Graziano also invites attendees to come by and learn about The Chromis Prize, a $5,000 annual award to recognize creative and innovative use of new technology — including our GigaPOF AOCs — in residential custom install projects. More information about the company and The Chromis Prize can be found here.
Domotz Pro, Booth 4146
Just because Domotz was founded in 2014 and R&D began in January 2015 doesn’t mean the company has been standing still. “Domotz Pro, our flagship product for custom integrators, was launched officially in May 2016, CEO Domenico Crapanzano said, “and to date 1,000-plus installers have signed up as Domotz Pro Dealers and we have 4,000-plus active users.”
What is a Domotz Pro you ask? It’s network monitoring and remote tech support software. “Priced at only $2.99 per month, per network for monitoring an unlimited number of devices, Domotz Pro enables integrators to build profitable RMR services that add terminal value to their business,” Crapanzano explained.
Additionally the software includes features for monitoring IP, SNMP, Zigbee, provides remote device access via http, RDP, SSH, and Telnet, has remote power management, alerts, network diagnostics, team management, and more.
Domotz Pro’s affordable price point is one of its key differentiators, enabling integrators to add profitable margins and recurring revenue and create tiered offers for wider adoption. “The software focuses on mobile based services troubleshooting can be done on-the-go and across devices via mobile (Android/iPhone) and web app,” Crapanzano added. “It’s also incredibly user friendly and all monitoring is done via MAC address so settings and alerts are never lost.”
Stop by Domotz’s booth to demo Domotz Pro in person and pick up a Domotz Box. Click here to learn more.
Crystal Screens, Booth 4147
Not even a year old yet, Crystal Screens’ backstory has the makings of tech legend. “The technology behind Crystal Screens was originally developed for NASA by optical scientists and uses holographic nano-technology to reflect an incredibly bright image on a flexible metallized surface,” Marketing manager Mary Ann Giorgio said. “It’s so bright some people joke it is ‘the world’s largest LED display.’’’
Crystal Screens replaces the traditional screen manufacturing process with nanolens technology. “The result is a new level of performance for integrators — high gain, no hot spots, wide viewing angle and ambient light rejection so good that Crystal Screens can be installed in dark or brightly lit media rooms, dedicated home theaters, conference rooms, classrooms and boardrooms,” Giorgio boasted.
And instead of tucking its screens into dimly lit, curtained-off, light-controlled spaces, Crystal Screens will be showing its screens on the CEDIA show floor under the bright lights of the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center to demonstrate just how well the nano-technology performs.
Manufactured entirely in Torrance, CA, and available only through authorized dealers with full protected margins, Crystal Screens has targeted the pro AV and home theater markets, and Giorgio says, “CEDIA could be a game changer for us.”
Crystal Screens challenges you to come to its booth and see if the technology lives up to the hype! Click here to learn more.
GT Studio, Booth 4170
Founded in late 2015, GT Studio began as a passion project from a group of Sonos fans who believe that beautifully designed products — like Sonos — deserve beautifully designed accessories to go with them and “are constantly thinking about how to expand and augment their awesomeness,” president and founder Jeff Katz explained.
“We produce high-end SONOS accessories that will delight your customers, have attractive price points, and sales and marketing programs that recognize the importance of the integrator channel,” Katz elaborated. “We understand that the items we sell are not just accessories, they are furniture for your living room, things you see every day. Our commitment to design, engineering, and quality ensures that our products will enhance your home.”
With the launch of the company’s first products in 2016, GT Studio felt the time was right to show the industry what we have to offer and CEDIA was the perfect venue.
GT Studio invites technologists — especially those already successful selling Sonos — to come by and see the company’s new 2016 products as well as get a sneak peek at what’s coming for 2017. The company is also happy to discuss reseller and demo programs for dealers looking to come on board. Distributors and reps are also invited to come by if they are looking for a new partner. Click here to learn more.
