Essential Install May 2019

The essential magazine for the custom install industry

WINNER Distributor of the year AWE

May 2019

WINNER Best Projector Sony VPL-VW870

WINNER Best Television Sony AF9

A NEW TV EXPERIENCE AWAKENS

INSIDE

Sony Master Series Televisions and True 4K Home Cinema Projectors Available now from AWE

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PROJECTORS & SCREENS

LET US PUT YOU IN THE PICTURE

TOUCHSCREENS & PROGRAMMING STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE NEWS

LIGHTING & AMBIENT LIGHT GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIGHTING

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Essential Install | Contents

The essential magazine for the custom install industry

April 2019

INSIDE

May 2019 SECURITY FEATURE

PUT YOUR SAFETY FIRST

AUTOMATION PLATFORMS

FUTURE FUNCTIONALITY EXPLAINED

CLUB, BARS, RESTAURANTS A HOSPITALITY HEADS-UP

This issue…

REGULARS 5 From the Editor’s Desk

34 Essential CEDIA

The customer is always right, right?

Get excited about cinema

60 Day in the Life

7 Essential News

Martins Hi-Fi is fifty!

If it’s happening, it’s here

68 Essential Products

16 OneAV

An AV and control cavalcade

Get the full support of Vogels

24 Essential Habitech

Lutron’s game-changing, RA2 Select

28 Essential Pulse SIM2 Seminar

30 Smart Thinking Brexit anyone?

Lithe Audio

20

Lighting

44

More powe

The New Sonos A OY19000_SONOS_AMP_400x60_UK-D02.indd 2 | May 2019

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1

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Essential Install | Contents

FEATURES 18 AWE Serves Up Sony Some really top tellies

32

Gecko Home Cinema

20 Lithe Audio

Some top innovation from this new brand

26 Vitrea UK Launches

Stylish automation brand enters UK market

32 Gecko Home Cinema A great day for a demo

36 Projectors and Screens Get the big picture

AWE

18

Touchscreens

52

44 Light and ambient light control Fascinating rhythms

52 Touchscreens and programming

Stay in touch with the latest

Pending first audit.

Projectors and Screens

36

wer. More possibilities.

os Amp 22/03/2019 13:54 May 2019

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Rediscover Your Music CUSTOM INSTALL

CI Features include:

- 12v Triggers - Presets - IR inputs - Interrupts

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- Designed for CI and for the end-user - MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) Certified - Hear it as the recording studio intended - NAD Electronics - 45 years experience delivering outstanding amplification & sound quality - Convenience features that users love:- App control, IR control, one-touch presets, headphone jacks and Bluetooth - CI features that installers love:- functional drivers, triggers, interrupts, presets, rack mounting and more - Unique product model - Vault 2 - features built-in CD Ripper, NAS Drive & Streamer - Feature-rich App provides fast time to music

CERTIFIED

Distributed and supported in the UK by Anatech Distribution, Unit 12, Teddington Business Park, Station Road, Teddington, London Borough of Richmond, TW11 9BQ

info@anatech.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 8977 8633 | www.anatech.co.uk

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London’s Selfridges store was the birth place of the phrase, ‘the customer is always right’.

But are they?

From the

Editor’s Desk The customer is always right, right?

Daniel J Sait, Editor-in-Chief

‘The customers is always right’. This phrase was first documented in 1909 and is attributed to Harry Gordon Selfridge the founder of Selfridge’s department store in London. Knowing a little about how to keep customers happy, Harry’s phrase has survived into our times and phrases similar to it aboud around the world, perhaps the Japanese go furthest with the saying ‘okyakusama wa kamisama desu’ (お客様は神様です) which basically means ‘the customer is a god’.

Harry’s attitude marked a sea change in customer relations where businesses switched from being largely only sales driven to emphasising customer service. But how does the phrase stack up today? For the install industry, EI would argue it is still true, but in quite a specific and illumining way.

I am sure we have all had customers who think they know more about the system than those installing it. Those internet warriors who have ‘seen it on the gadget show’ or read something on a forum, that despite appearing to be willing to let a professional fit their system want to help.

Although a little bit of a challenge, dealing with those sorts of customers is just part of the job and often says more about the customer wanting to retain some sort of control over what is happening in their home, rather than the fact they really think they know more than the installer. So, despite being ‘wrong’ this thankfully fairly rare customer, is kind of right, if only in so much as they remind us that despite selling products, we are a customer experience led industry, get that wrong and it all falls apart.

But what about installers? Are they, always right?

Some conversations I have had this month, got me thinking about the age-old question in this industry, ‘do we too often try to sell the system we think the customer should have, rather than the one they really want.’ Most of the research I have read and in speaking to related fields from the interiors world and those from electrical contracting, the things that are cited as the most desirable and important for a smart home, are often not the things those immersed in AV and smart home tech would pick.

We do love our toys and whilst EI would cite home cinema and great stereo as the greatest things our industry can offer, ask the average home owner with money to spend and they are likely to give you quite a different answer.

So my question is, do we assume we know best, when often we really don’t? If we really are to be a service led industry, and lets face it, that’s the only way to beat the giants, we have to be extra vigilant that we really listen to what people need and not allow our dreams for what might be to get in the way. Now there is a caveat here, introducing people to stuff they simply did not know existed, creating the desire and then selling it to them is a huge part of the industry. But, if the industry is to expand, we have to get really good and listening, not just pretending to listen; creating trusted friends, instead of just customers, pays dividends in the end.

Essential INSTALL MAGAZINE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Daniel Sait, dan@allthingsmedialtd.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR: Jordan O’Brien, jordan@allthingsmedialtd.com SALES DIRECTOR: Ian Kitchener, ian@allthingsmedialtd.com PUBLISHER: David Kitchener, david@allthingsmedialtd.com ACCOUNTS: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com CIRCULATION: carol@allthingsmedialtd.com STUDIOEssential MANAGER: Ben Bristow, ben@allthingsmedialtd.com GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jon Appleton, jon@allthingsmedialtd.com

INSTALL MAGAZINE

Essential Install magazine, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8UD. T: +44 (0)1634 673163 F: +44 (0)1634 673173 Whist we make every effort that everything printed in Essential Install magazine is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

All articles are copyright and remain the property of Essential Install magazine.

Essential INSTALL MAGAZINE

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Dynaudio Custom Studio series LCR

Your space, your system, your way

You want discreet design and world-class performance? You’ve got it.

The Dynaudio Studio series modular LCR speaker system is a unique way to create truly customized left, centre and right speaker channels – and to scale the system to match the room and work around existing wall studs. With technology derived directly from Dynaudio’s legendary home hi-fi and professional studio speakers, our Custom Studio architectural speaker range is engineered to give stellar performance, along with simple tool-free installation.

The Dynaudio Custom Studio series: engineered to entertain

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dynaudio.com

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Essential Install | News

Essential News Sponsored by

smart home accessories

faradite.com

Smart home happenings and automation announcements

Albrecht JUNG UK is born

Door Entry IP becomes Albrecht JUNG UK Following positive growth and involvement in an increasing range of projects, the shareholders of Door Entry IP and Albrecht JUNG reached agreement, that effective as of March 1, 2019, the business of Door Entry IP will be absorbed into a new JUNG subsidiary, Albrecht JUNG UK. Door Entry IP, the UK distributor for Siedle, was founded in 2002 by Graham Oliver. In 2015, through the synergy cooperation between Siedle and JUNG, the company became involved in the shared distribution of JUNG products in the UK and, in 2017, became responsible for all UK sales. With the founding of the new JUNG subsidiary, the director and staff of Door Entry IP are now employed at Albrecht JUNG UK. As Graham Oliver, Managing Director and part shareholder, explains, “This arrangement made complete sense to all parties. The rapidly growing interest in JUNG products, and London’s status as a thriving centre for designers has led to specification in projects not only in the UK, but internationally, including in Thailand, Poland, Vietnam, Russia and many other countries.

“The solid investment by the German parent company has already created more opportunities including additional personnel, which will lead to greater market share and development. Albrecht JUNG UK is excited to take this next step together with our customers!”

If interested parties would like more information on the range of switches, KNX building control solutions and Siedle door entry products, contact the company direct or visit the JUNG website.

Jung UK, 0808 123 7878, jung.de/en/

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Essential Install | News – in association with

smart home accessories

faradite.com

Habitech partners with Lutron to distribute RA2 Select

Habitech is throwing its full weight behind the Lutron RA2 Select platform

CI distributor, Habitech, has announced that it is adding its energies to Lutron’s RA2 Select platform, the latest and most ambitious evolution of Lutron’s wireless innovation, which began with RadioRA in 1997. Created to deliver ease-of-use and utility at a mainstream price, Lutron’s whole-house lighting and window treatment system is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of homes and to introduce the luxury and convenience of ambient light control to a wider audience.

RA2 Select has been designed to offer home owners comfort, convenience and control with the ability to personalise lighting and window shade scenarios via its own app. It also gives installers the opportunity to quickly and easily deliver whole-house wireless integration of combined lighting control and Lutron window treatments for profitable outcomes.

The RA2 Select platform of wireless keypads and sensors, inline dimmers and switches uses Lutron’s patented ‘Clear Connect’ wireless technology, generated by tiny ‘Repeater’ modules.

The only wiring involved connects the in-line dimmers and switches. The Main Repeater (with a global 9m range) is plugged in to a wall socket for power and connected to the home network for integration. Up to four auxiliary repeaters (each with a similar 9m range) can be added to extend the system for large homes. RA2 Select’s simple wireless ecosystem makes it ideal for easy installation in retrofit applications and saves costs in new construction.

RA2 Select integrates with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, The Google Assistant, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostats, Nest and Sonos, as well as Crestron and Control4.

Commenting on the new partnership Habitech MD Jonathan Pengilley, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with the biggest star in the lighting control universe. There’s vast untapped demand in the smart home and developer market for a system with the proven simplicity and reliability of RA2 Select.

“Key to the experience for both installers and their customers is the keypads, which come preconfigured with lighting scenes for kitchen, living room, bedside etc, so the system is a cinch to set-up.

And the big bonus for installers is the lucrative integration with exclusive Lutron window treatments. Dealers and developers want it to be easy but flexible and I think Lutron have got it spot on with RA2 Select.”

Habitech 01256 638500, habitech.co.uk

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image courtesy of www.realmcontrol.com

the benchmark for luxury theater seating

Acoustical Designer Fabrics Our designer-friendly, specially-woven and tested collection of acoustical fabrics features a wide variety of exciting design patterns and colors and can be used safely over both acoustical treatments and speakers.

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Essential Install | News – in association with

smart home accessories

faradite.com

Pulse Cinemas adds Pulse-Eight and IsoTek

Pulse Cinemas has added IsoTek and Pulse-Eight to its line-up

Pulse Cinemas has been on a mission of late to build its brand offering and the two latest recruits are manufacturers, Pulse-Eight and IsoTek. Pulse-Eight is known for its range of AV control and distribution systems and Pulse Cinemas will be stocking the entire family.

Pulse-Eight has been designing and manufacturing its own products in the UK since 2010 and has created high-quality HDBaseT and HDMI products including matrixes, splitters and extender sets, alongside video and audio accessories that add strong connection and manipulation abilities to the installers’ tool box.

A new product area for the company, Pulse Cinemas says it wanted to add yet another reason to make it a one call solution for installers planning high-quality home cinema, and audio-visual experiences.

As well as being a creator of its own top performing products, Pulse-Eight has been a member of the HDMI Forum since 2012, promoting and developing the next generation HDMI standards across the industry. In 2013 Pulse Eight joined the HDBaseT Alliance and has been a Contributing Member since.

Mike Beatty, Pulse Cinemas MD, explained, “A true engineering company, Pulse-Eight has shown how capable it is in developing new products and innovations and we are looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. For now, we are delighted to be able to offer the complete Pulse Eight range to our installation partners.”

Martin Ellis, CEO of Pulse-Eight comments, ‘Pulse Cinemas bring a fantastic attitude to high end custom install, with their amazing demo facilities showcasing the very best products and now that includes Pulse-Eight products, we couldn’t be more excited.”

Creating its strongest ever brand line-up, Pulse Cinemas wanted the next step to be a way of taking all these brands to the next level by delivering high-quality power conditioning and AV equipment performance, adding IsoTek to do just that.

This UK manufacturer creates a whole range of solutions, with the aim of delivering the most stable electrical power possible to all the equipment in a home cinema or hi-fi installation, enabling those products to take their performance to the next level. The products also protect AV equipment from power surges or spikes and extend the lifespan of equipment.

IsoTek’s mantra is that the first input into any system is the electricity; as without quality there, any cinema or AV system will not perform to the correct level. Without IsoTek, systems will only be accessing around 80% of their full potential, claims the manufacturer.

Today’s homes carry a plethora of potential interference from the switch-mode power supplies that are common in many modern devices. IsoTek provides a way to protect high-performance AV equipment and allow it to create compelling experiences. IsoTek has a whole range of high-performance and carefully engineered products cleaning up the power, protecting the equipment and making sure each system reaches its potential. The company’s founder and managing director is Keith Martin, a man whose vision has led to hundreds of awards from respected audio critics worldwide.

The IsoTek range is designed to deliver the right solution for every budget, organised into four ranges to deliver a clear upgrade path: Discovery Series, Performance Series, Select Series and Ultimate Series. Recent developments include a new version of the Nova mains conditioner, designed to create the ultimate single-box clean power component to service large, multi-component audio and AV systems.

Pulse Cinemas 01279 647 039, pulsecinemas.com

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Essential Install | News – in association with

smart home accessories

faradite.com

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London on Thursday, September 26, will be the location and date for this year’s CEDIA Awards.

Image, Twobytwo Photography

CEDIA opens HQ and announces awards venue CEDIA hosted a grand opening of its new high tech HQ recently, inviting stakeholders, pioneers, and supporters for a special event during what the organisation describes as a milestone moment.

The grand opening event brought together hundreds of CEDIA members, sponsors, volunteers, and founders to celebrate the advancement of the industry, as well as the 30th anniversary of the launch of the organisation.

The new $14 million CEDIA global headquarters in Fishers, Indiana includes office space, a training facility, and an experience centre featuring the latest in-home technology that showcases the craftsmanship of CEDIA members.

CEDIA has also just announced that the UK arm of the 2019 CEDIA Awards ceremony will be hosted at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on Thursday, September 26.

This black-tie event will begin with a drinks reception in the museum’s famous Dome. Designed with a soaring ceiling, classical architecture, marble floors, and an impressive central glass sculpture, the Dome is one of London’s most elegant and impressive settings.

The Awards dinner and the 2019 ceremony will be hosted in the largest and most prestigious space in the museum, the Raphael Gallery, which houses some of the most important surviving examples of Renaissance art in the world.

The 2019 CEDIA Awards programme is open for entries. Categories include: Integrated Home; Media Room; Home Cinema; Innovative Solution or System; Showroom; Auto, Marine, or Aircraft; and Multiple Dwelling Unit Design. Sponsorship packages, including a table at the event, are available. To find out more about the different packages, contact Steve Carter or Holly Shreeve at CEDIA for more information.

The organisation has also announced that registration for its CEDIA Expo 2019 event is now open. The Conference and Expo takes place September 10-14, 2019 at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver.

The five-day event will expand on new features that debuted in 2019, as well as adding new programmes and partnerships to the show.

CEDIA 01480 213 744, cedia.co.uk

Sun-Light Solutions and amBX exhibit at Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Show Sun-Light Solutions partnered with amBX UK at the Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Show at The NEC in Birmingham in March, highlighting how bio-adaptive lighting can transform care environments for residents, staff and operators.

Previously the preserve of expensive and complex technology, a new standard of intelligent control systems and advanced lights now makes it possible to install and manage circadian-supportive lighting in buildings of all sizes. amBX Smart Core tech is the company’s next gen smart control system that brings intelligence to smart and advanced lighting.

Bio-enhance lights from Swann Lighting are designed to deliver the wide spectrum of colour required for true circadiansupportive lighting. The range of luminaires are all capable of producing the precise colour required at certain times of day and in specific environments to ensure that human circadian cycles are supported and maintained without disruption.

The two companies combined to show what could be achieved in this new area for intelligent lighting. By controlling the body’s circadian system, light impacts outcomes in healthcare settings by reducing depression among patients, decreasing length of stay in hospitals, improving sleep and circadian rhythm, lessening agitation among dementia patients, easing pain, and improving adjustment to night-shift work among staff. These outcomes are now possible with efficient and intelligent lighting with full spectrum capability.

Sun Light Solutions 07887 634990, sun-lightsolutions.com

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WE CREATE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CONNECTED WORLD A wave of digitisation is sweeping our world and increasingly shaping and altering how we act and live, our homes and workplaces, businesses, public facilities and spaces – even entire cities. Digital technologies are now omnipresent. Everything is communicating with everything else: people with devices, devices with other devices, buildings with people, and buildings with other buildings. It’s up to us to

In every system, multiple components interact in very important ways. Many of our products incorporate a number of basic AV and IT functions to perform a range of tasks, even over long distances.

This is the philosophy that guides us – Combined Connectivity Solutions.

shape our digital future so it will yield the greatest benefits.

At Lindy we’re convinced that, if we have the right ideas and persevere, we can protect the environment while enjoying safer, more rewarding lives. The basis

SHARING

EXTENDING

CONNECTING

CONVERTING

for doing so, and the intelligence behind it, can be summed up in one word: connectivity. This is the prerequisite for all communication. And we are working to forge connections and make the whole universe of content available anywhere and in any setting.

DISCOVER LINDY lindy.com

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Essential Install | News – in association with

smart home accessories

faradite.com

Essential people

Chris Jones

Alain Solomon

Peerless-AV has opened an in-house design and engineering department in Europe with the appointment of Chris Jones as Design & Project Engineer for the European business. Chris will support the UK Pro and EMEA sales and product management teams with a focus on concept design development.

Keith Dutch, Managing Director - EMEA, Peerless-AV, said, “Chris will be an invaluable asset to our business for ensuring design continuity, utilising his specialist engineering and design skills to produce 3D visuals, final detailed drawings and BOMs for multiple projects, as well as fitting and testing of new products, and on-site customer support.”

Chris has over 25 years’ engineering experience and over 10 years’ specialist AV industry knowledge. He joins from an equipment supplier of mounting structures and furniture for high end AV, broadcasting, corporate, hospitality, and retail sectors, where he designed and managed bespoke projects such as media walls and LED tile mounting solutions. Prior to that, he held various design engineer roles which encompassed precision, mechanical and fabrication design, through to assembly, manufacturing and site installation.

Chris said, “Being the first European design engineer for Peerless-AV is an exciting position to be in and I look forward to working with the teams both sides of the pond to drive new design innovation and development.”

An indentured apprentice as a miller, turner and grinder, Chris also holds a distinction in City & Guilds for Engineering as well as an ONC and HNC in Mechanical and Production Engineering.

Midwich, specialist AV distributor, has announced the appointment of Jonny Francis to Sales and Marketing Director and Steve Fay to External Sales Director. These announcements follow the news that long serving Sales Director, Iain Campbell, is stepping down in order to pursue new ventures outside the industry.

Jonny Francis was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director from his previous role as Head of Sales and Steve Fay was promoted to External Sales Director from his previous role as External Strategic Customer Development. Both have been with Midwich for combined service in excess of 20 years and are well positioned to support the company in its future growth.

Iain Campbell has been with Midwich since 2006 and has played an invaluable role in the strategic growth of the Midwich Group during his 13 years.

Iain Campbell, Sales Director, commented, “Since entering the industry in 1995 and joining Midwich in 2006 following the acquisition of True Colours, I have been lucky to meet some fantastic people on the way.

“Midwich really is all about the customers and employees and I am proud to have worked alongside the best in the business. The development of Midwich into a global distributor has been truly amazing and I am happy to have played my small part in helping it be successful.”

Mark Lowe, Midwich Managing Director, added, “Since joining the business in 2006, Iain has played a significant role in the management team and been instrumental in the adoption of technical AV within our distribution portfolio. I’d like to wish Iain all the best with his new venture and at the same time, wish Jonny and Steve continued success at Midwich in their new roles.”

In a joint statement, Jonny Francis, Sales and Marketing Director and Steve Fay, External Sales Director, added, “We are both excited by the new challenges that our new roles will present us. We’re most excited about the opportunity to continue supporting the ongoing development of the great people at Midwich, as well as reinforcing the relationships with our vendors and customers.

“Midwich’s long-standing relationships set us apart from the competition and we’re excited to continue growing these and supporting Midwich’s future growth.”

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the the appointment of Alain Solomon as new Regional Sales Director for South West Europe and North West Africa.

With over 30 years of industry experience Alain joins TIG from Jupiter by InFocus where he was Sales Director for EMEA. Prior to that, Alain spent 13 years at technology company, Barco, where he held a variety of Vice President positions. During his time at Barco, Alain was responsible for driving sales, defining and implementing growth throughout a number of regions and executing a worldwide go-to market strategy.

Commenting on his appointment, Alain said, “I am very proud to be joining the TIG team to help our partners take full advantage of the IP technology growth into the AV world. The Southern Europe and North-Africa regions are early adopters of such new technologies and represent a fantastic growth opportunity for us. It will be a very exciting journey for myself and the whole team.”

Robin van Meeuwen, President and CEO of TIG, added, “Alain has many years of AV industry experience in EMEA and is well respected with the customer base.

He will help us continue the success in the region.”

Jonny Francis, left, Iain Campbell, middle and Steve Fay, right

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“By working with Home Theatre Environment and the team at CAVD, we are able to take a shell of a room and have complete control over the finished cinema. We introduced Maurizio to the interior designer on the project to agree the colour scheme and furniture for the room, this has then allowed the room to be acoustically designed without compromising either the aesthetics or where the acoustic treatments are placed.�

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info@cavd.co.uk www.cavd.co.uk

Custom AV Distribution CAVDistribution & CAVDtechnical

21/03/2019 12:04

Essential Install | OneAV

Stand apart with Vogel’s Vogels appoints OneAV to distribute their award-winning stand and mounting options

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Trade account holders will have purchase benefits such as credit accounts, trade discounts and easy-ordering.

art with Vogel’s

Stand apart with Vogel’s

The Vogel difference...

Vogels appoints OneAV to distribute its award-winning stand and mounting options. Andy Oattes, Sales Director for the distributor, explains the details.

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We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with

Vogel’s, manufacturers a highly Tilt up & Down Madeoffor Oled distinctive Sonosrange / Heos

of mounts and support systems for audio/video and multimedia equipment. OneAV will now proudly distribute Vogel’s in the UK to complement our growing range of installed solutions for smart homes. Trade account holders will have purchase benefits such as credit accounts, trade discounts and easy-ordering.

With such a vast product range, you might be wondering which TV stands, mounts and brackets to recommend to your Made for Oled Sonos Heos customers, and to save you/time and effort, we’ve highlighted some of the range. Here’s OneAV’s top 5 Vogel’s products!

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your customer’s TV and save you continuously doubting its positioning. Made out of the best quality black steel for a sleek look to suit any kind of room.

NEXT 7355GB Full-Motion Motorised TV Wall Mount

Vogel’s MotionMount is a flexible TV wall mount that provides maximum usability. This motorised TV mount automatically turns towards you no matter where you’re sitting in the room and up to 120° to the left or right. With up to 10 pre-programmable positions, everyone can set their perfect viewing position using the free accompanying smartphone/tablet app. The mount gracefully glides to the perfect position for its user and returns back to its original position quietly when you turn the screen off meaning that yet again, your customer’s home decor isn’t affected.

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Vogel’s NEXT 7346 is designed to endure. It has a clean Sonos Heos bold/ look with graceful lines that creates a unique setting a TV. It folds effortlessly against the wall, leaving a Alsofor providing discreet mounts for your speakers, minimal amount of space between the mount and the making sure your decor is uncompromised. wall and turns up to 120°, meaning your customers will have the perfect view of their television no matter where they are in the room. Your customers will be able to turn their OLED TV effortlessly and thanks to the minimal space between the bracket and the wall it’s not clunky, so their personal style will never be compromised either.

Thin 550 ExtraThin Full Motion TV Wall Mount

This ultra-strong, ultra-thin TV wall mount is perfect for those with large and heavy TVs up to 70kg. Turn it up to an incredible 120° and tilt it up to 20°, with no cables to mess about with, no need for annoying reflections on their screen, and no need to fight for the best spot on the sofa.

With four ultra-strong arms and a spirit level included, it will support

SONOS Play Wall Bracket One & Play1 or Play3

The struggle of finding perfect acoustics in a home is real, and Vogel’s have made your life so much easier. With their SONOS brackets for either the Play1 or Play3, you can optimise speaker performance by hanging the speakers higher on the wall and directing them to your customer’s ear height. The speaker can be tilted down 30° and has a 70° turning angle, meaning you’ve got full control of the speakers. The bracket will also fit in with your customer’s home decor because it’s small and unobtrusive design.

The bracket also comes fitted with a built-in spirit level so everything is taken care of out of the box.

OP1 Stand Range

Finally, if you’re looking for a product to recommend your customers that’s got style and substance, the OP1 stand range is perfect. They are stylish, free-standing wooden floor stands for televisions and here at OneAV, we absolutely love them. With the ability to withstand up to 40kg in weight, the OP1 range will not only securely hold your TV in place, but it will add some serious style to your customer’s home too. They also come fitted with cable concealers making everyone’s lives so much easier.

OneAV 01684 576 348, oneav.co.uk

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.co.uk

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Essential Install | AWE/Sony

AWE and Sony – 2019 screen update

UK CI distributor AWE has developed a close and effective partnership with global AV giant Sony. Here, the company highlights some of the key high-performance TV products that installers can get their teeth into in the coming months.

Joining Sony’s flagship MASTER Series is the impressive AG9 4K HDR OLED TV, which features the latest generation Picture Processor X1 Ultimate for accurate detail and contrast when watching the latest blockbuster movies.

Available in 77in, 65in, and 55in screen sizes, the display comes to life with the super-wide viewing angle, precise contrast, and absolute blacks. For the ultimate in picture quality, Sony says the AG9 pairs the brilliance of 4K clarity with the brightness, colour, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR). Previously hidden areas of dark shadow and sunlight are now full of clarity and detail.

Acoustic Surface Audio+ provides an immersive sound experience with the sound coming from the entire screen, providing pictures and sound in perfect sync. If you have not experienced this technology yet, it’s well worth a look, the tightness between the audio and picture is impressive and delivers a very engaging result.

In addition, a TV Centre Speaker Mode allows homeowners to use the TV as the centre speaker in a media room surround sound setup. Its slim form factor also means that the AG9 can be mounted very close to the wall, fitting seamlessly into any interior.

Get ready for the power of the ZG9 Making headlines this year is the new Sony 8K Master Series ZG9 model, available in impressive 85in and 98in options. This 8K HDR TV screen delivers a more immersive viewing experience with extra resolution, as Sony looks to create the ultimate super-large screen experience in the home. The result is a display that looks incredibly clear up close with virtually no pixel differentiation.

The powerful Picture Processor X1 Ultimate built into the screen enables the newly developed 8K X-Reality PRO to up-scale any content closer to true 8K picture quality using a new, dedicated 8K database. Other new dedicated 8K technologies have been developed for the ZG9 series, including Backlight Master Drive with full-array local dimming and 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO to boost brightness for clear, crisp images, and extremely high contrast.

X-Wide Angle ensures the picture retains its quality and true colours, regardless of the viewing angle, whilst X-Motion Clarity is designed to minimise motion blur without sacrificing screen brightness.

The TV can also deliver considerable audio oomph without the need of extra tech or act as a centre channel as the Acoustic Multi-Audio uses four front-facing speakers to deliver a faithful sound position, whilst TV Centre Speaker Mode allows the TV to become the centre speaker in a surround scenario.

Great for movies, sport, and fast-moving action, the AG9 4K HDR OLED TV delivers detail and contrast in spades

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Essential Install | AWE/Sony

Want to know what an 8K TV picture looks like?

Then test drive the mighty Sony Master Series ZG9

Sony’s latest word in LED, the XG95 As a Full Array LED TV, the XG95 delivers cinematic contrast and brightness for more accurate detail and depth, thanks to multiple zones of LEDs positioned directly behind the screen. Combined with Sony’s precise local dimming technology X-tended Dynamic Range PRO, the XG95 can independently dim or brighten individual zones for greatly enhanced contrast and brightness.

Running on the powerful Picture Processor X1 Ultimate, the XG95 provides a top-end 4K HDR viewing experience with a virtually unmatched level of detail and clarity, says the maker. Also, the object-based HDR remaster allows each object to be remastered individually for better depth, accurate texture, and all-in-all more realistic picture.

For even more immersive viewing, the XG95 series features two sound positioning tweeters in the rear of the TV, which combine with the existing audio system to recreate sound coming from the centre of the screen, precisely matching pictures with audio.

To top it off, the XG95, AG9 and 7G9 TVs feature Netflix Calibrated Mode, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos2 to deliver the viewing experience just as the creator intended.

The AWE team stand by to help you find out more about these powerful new sets from one of the world best TV makers as the relationship between Sony and AWE continues to blossom.

AWE 01372 729 995, awe-europe.com

The XG95 offers the very latest in LED technology for more realistic imaging

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Essential Install | Lithe Audio/Retrotouch

A flexible approach The recently released Wi-Fi speaker is a fully engineered quality in-ceiling with everything built in

With the introduction of Lithe Audio to existing sister brand Retrotouch, this double whammy of installation innovation is picking up fans fast. EI met with one of the company’s founders Amit Ravat to get the inside track.

Amit explains, “Wes and I met (Wesley Siu is the cofounder of Retrotouch) when we worked together at domestic appliance manufacturer Dualit. Wes was in product design and I was in marketing and together we worked on creating products from concept to full design, through to launching products successfully into the market place. We built up a really good partnership and decided to launch products of our own and that is how Retrotouch was born 12 years ago now.”

Retrotouch’s first products were direct replacements for standard light switches, introducing more tactile and complex experiences whilst also delivering control via RF. Amit enthuses, “We targeted this area as we knew there was room for improvement over the standard type, which let’s face it, had hardly changed in years. We knew we could create something that the business community and home owners would both love. We took what we had learnt at Dualit, which was a commitment to really highquality imaginative design and applied it to a new field.”

The team clearly got it right as the products were successful through organic growth and reinvestment.

Amit explains, “We were determined from the start not to go into debt to get the company off the ground;

we wanted to be masters of our own destiny and control each stage of growth. For the first few years of Retrotouch we were still working at Dualit, building our brand and products in the evenings and weekends. It was not until we were sure it was the right time that we left and went full time. Wes left before me, and I followed a few months later.”

This ex-Dualit dynamic duo, plunged headlong into developing the Retrotouch line into a fully-fledged range of attractive intelligent controls for lighting and other functions as well as delivering aesthetic enhancements to standard switches. With the Crystal, Simplicity and Boutique ranges, Retrotouch has developed into a complete family of switches and controls suitable for newbuild, retrofit homes and businesses.

So how did the transition into audio come about with the more recent venture, Lithe Audio?

Amit underlines, “Our experience means we really understand electrics and what home owners want. We are proper geeks when it comes to technology and gadgets.

We are always playing around with different bits of kit and working out how to do things better. The idea for Lithe Audio came directly from this type of activity.”

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Essential Install | Lithe Audio/Retrotouch

Lithe audio products use existing electrical lighting circuits for power, don’t need speaker cable and so are very simple to install

The company is aiming its new Wi-Fi speaker firmly at the install community with a new deal via Invision UK

Amit relates the story, “Wes moved house and had some nice floor-standing speakers, but they just did not work in his new place. So, he bought them into work and we broke them down and just started to play around with a few ideas to see if we couldn’t create something that worked better for the modern music listener. We added some Class D amps to the drivers, some connectivity and a clever way of powering the speakers from existing lighting infrastructure and we had our new concept.”

The team launched with its first Bluetooth in-ceiling speaker, which married all these ideas into a really useful package. With amplification, connectivity, an innovative way of powering the speakers by using existing electrical wiring for lighting, the speakers were able to deliver for new build and retrofit sectors.

A true engineering company, Lithe Audio has not stopped there of course and has added a Wi-Fi inceiling model built around the same chassis and design approach. This speaker in particular is aimed squarely at the installation market, able to deliver single room or large multi-room installations (up to 30 speakers) with fuss free ease of install.

Amit explains, “Lithe Audio products actually began life under the Retrotouch banner, but we quickly realised the brand needed its own identity, messaging and approach, so three years ago we created the separate Lithe Audio brand. After a relatively short time in the market, we are delighted to have struck a deal with Invision UK recently in order to bring the benefits of our speakers specifically into this market.

“The reaction we have had so far has been fantastic.

Sales are way ahead of where we expected them to be at this stage and installers love the convenience and high quality of the products. We have had some great conversations recently where installers were going to fit a different system but once they understand how ours works, they are switching over. It’s a great problem solver.”

Amit is keen to underline the time spent on R&D, particularly in developing the Wi-Fi speaker. It’s clear handling and listening to the product, that the time has been well spent. This is not a product built to a price point, it’s built to a standard, the competitive price point is, however, a testament to efficient and imaginative design. The products and their features are controlled via a fully featured app for android or Apple with control and installation features built in. Users are able to access Spotify, stream from Tidal, Deezer, TuneIn or vTuner, all within the app.

Amit is confident the speakers are a good fit for a whole range of environments. Not just homes, but also restaurants, MDUs, retail outlets and hotels have all benefited from the speakers already. The brand’s strong retrofit potential is also a big help getting over installation objections.

“We have just supplied a 640 room hotel in Macau,” Amit reveals, “They have put one of our speakers in all of their bathrooms, a nice order for us sure, but it shows the scale we can go to and the level of control we can offer.

Each speaker can have its own name/address and log-in on the system to keep things simple. On the Bluetooth speaker we can also cap the volume where needed to stop overly enthusiastic hotel guests or teenagers in their bedrooms from disturbing others.”

Office environments can also benefit, as the speakers have an aux input built in, so the source or system managing any presentation can be connected directly to the speaker. This easy, set-up-and-go approach increases the BOYD capabilities of any office or boardroom.

Amit explains, “In South Africa, we work directly with the biggest distributor of projectors in the country, because in particular they love the way their projectors can partner with the audio in a really straightforward way.”

Amit and the team are big fans of attending events with a packed schedule right through this year, not just to show off the products, but to get feedback from installers.

Amit recounts, “An installer we spoke to at a CEDIA event last year pointed out that the small green light on the Wi-Fi speaker which shows when the speaker is getting power, might create an annoyance in a bedroom or other lowlight areas. We worked on a solution so now you can set the level of that light or turn it off.

So what about the future? Amit reveals, “We will soon have a driver for Control4, RTI will follow and we will add other systems too so that installers can fully integrate their favoured control platforms with the products.” Other useful functionalities already available include Alexa and Google home compatibility.

As for other products, Amit is tight-lipped at present but it’s clear there is much more on the way from the brand. If you like bass for example, stay tuned towards the end of the year. There will also be more products that target the high-end of the install market.

Lithe Audio 01293 922 015, litheaudio.com

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Essential Install | Habitech

Deliver the luxury of whole-house lighting and shade automation to millions of smart home customers

Smart Aura to Select Lutron’s RA2 Select offers your business brilliantly simple installation and control over lighting and exclusive window treatments for a reliable wowfactor result every time in existing or new build scenarios

Habitech’s new partnership with Lutron’s game-changing RA2 Select lighting and blind control platform will generate new opportunities for your business says MD Jonathan Pengilley.

We’re chuffed to be adding our energy to RA2 Select, Lutron’s big push into the wider smart home market. It’s a flawlessly intuitive whole-house lighting and window treatment platform, as easy to conceive and integrate as any IoT system, but carrying the quality of Lutron and the potential for bigger returns.

Easy Ambience in the making

Presented for EMEA at ISE 19, RA2 Select marks the latest stage on a journey that began with RadioRA in 1997 and evolved to include Lutron’s shining HomeWorks automation: CI’s go-to lighting/shade platform. In a further breakthrough RA2 Select exploits all the reliability and around 80% of the functionality of HomeWorks at a fraction of the cost, and enhances its easy-to-install wireless appeal with a simple appdriven set-up, designed for millions of new smart home customers.

Simple, fast, flexible and reliable RA2 Select is a wireless ecosystem of keypads and sensors, in-line dimmers and switches that uses Lutron’s patented and bullet-proof ‘Clear Connect’ network, generated by a tiny processor module and up to four auxiliary repeaters.

Save the in-line wiring of dimmers and switches for each light, RA2 Select is plug-and-play. The Main Processor (with a global 9m range) plugs into a wall socket for power and connects to the home network for integration, and the repeaters (each with a similar 9m range) can be added to extend the system for large homes.

The free Lutron RA2 Select app, available for iOS and Android, ties it all together. Its easy walk-through ‘contractor mode’ menu makes the design of custom scenes an effortless ‘by numbers’ exercise, and all ‘devices’ - namely the Pico keypads (with up to 10 years of battery life), dimmers, switches, blinds, sensors and repeaters (as many as 100 devices per system) - automatically show up in the app ready for configuration. The brilliantly practical

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Essential Install | Habitech

Perfect timing

RA2 Select processor/repeaters create the ‘Clear Connect’ network of ‘devices’ including keypads, dimmers, switches blinds and sensors (up to 100 per system) for easy setup from the App

thing about RA2 Select is that you don’t even have to customise scenes. There are five ‘scene’ keypads preconfigured by Lutron for kitchen, living room, bedside etc, out of the box. Rival systems make you specify each and every button, then the back plate, and the bezel, so you could be listing as many as sixteen items for one switch.

Nightmare! With RA2 Select the choice is much easier.

The scene Picos are joined by Pico ‘controllers’ for lights, blinds and audio, and for the smartest match with décor, wall plates are available in single or double gang, plastic, matte white or black, as well as metal in three colours and single or double glass. And there are single, double or triple gang pedestals in white or black gloss for control from the coffee table. They’ve thought of everything!

Rewards built-in

Simple to install, preconfigured for rapid set-up, and priced to target every smart home customer on the planet, RA2 Select represents a major evolution in mainstream appeal for Lutron and your business, because if you think that mass market means meaner margins, think again. RA2 Select’s truly game-changing lighting automation is just the appetiser on a menu that includes Lutron’s wireless window treatments, exclusive to professional integrators. Combined through ‘Clear Connect’, RA2 Select’s light/shade double whammy not only gives CI installers a foot in the door of every smart home, it offers access to generous rewards as well, and in a fraction of the time normally invested in sophisticated automation. RA2 Select is as simple and appealing to the mainstream market as its trailblazing IoT counterparts, but it also provides a decent return. And the biggest bonus of all is the size of the target market.

Created for the IoT age and priced for mainstream appeal, RA2 Select gives CI integrators the means to target a big new smart home market and still make a decent return

Now that smartphones control a universe of ‘things’, every home in the land is a smart environment in the making. Opportunities are rocketing. According to Statista, the smart home market reached £2bn last year in the UK alone, representing a penetration of 20%.

Driven by a tide of IoT functionality, it’s predicted to double in size by 2022. This is great news for Sonos, Ring, Nest, Alexa, and especially RA2 Select, because Lutron’s wireless game-changer generates a longer shopping list per customer. In the average smart home you might have a couple of smart locks, maybe four smart cameras and speakers, but there are also ten windows and perhaps fourteen light switches ripe for transformation. What’s more, you can add rooms to the system as desire and budget allow, giving you a reoccurring revenue model, which is further boosted as new RA2 Select products become available.

Windows of Opportunity

It all adds up to a wow-factor dividend for your business, especially when there’s vast untapped potential to shoot at. Only around 15% of the UK’s £1.2bn window treatment market is currently automated, chiefly because you can’t get motorised blinds at a competitive price and most of them are Infra-red. Even when smart functionality is fitted, the battery options are limited.

Boosted by Lutron’s battery tech to operate for an average of three years before re-charging, its window treatments, including roller blinds and honeycomb blinds are much better value than rivals, and, arguably, better looking, quieter and smarter in design for long-term maintenance and performance. We’re so confident about their potential that we’re expecting these elements to make up between 60-70% of the value of RA2 Select projects in year two.

Added magic from the cloud

And if you’re worried that RA2 Select might just be a little too select when it comes to integration, the good news is that it seamlessly integrates with other smart technologies like Amazon Alexa, Apple® HomeKit™, The Google® Assistant, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostats, Nest and Sonos, as well as popular home control platforms, including Crestron and Control 4.

Perfect for retro-fit and new build RA2 Select’s beautifully scalable system may be made for retro-fit, but built into nigh-on instant upgrade packages, it’s perfect for developers as well. No need for first fix investment. No planning, no infrastructure. Just easy added revenue. Today in the US, more than twenty years after the introduction of Lutron’s breakthrough RadioRA, over 50% of Lutron’s wireless systems are still sold into new build.

Folks, If you want to paint with light and shade for a significant cohort of new clients, you’ll achieve a masterpiece in a day with RA2 Select’s magically easy automation, and be properly rewarded for your time.

What’s not to love?

Habitech 01256 638500, habitech.co.uk

May 2019 | 25 Habitech.indd 25

03/05/2019 13:26

Essential Install | Vitrea

Vitrea is suitable for home or commercial use

Vitrea Automation launches in the UK

Offering the intelligence today’s homes and buildings need, combined with strong aesthetics from a wide range of wallmounted control options, Vitrea says its family of products deliver stylish and simple control of lighting and other utilities.

Lots of bespoke finishes are available

Wired and wireless systems, as well as strong retrofit abilities, deliver a wide choice of options to installers, meaning no matter what the project, new build or existing structure, there is a Vitrea solution to fit.

Handily replacing existing light switches and sockets for ease of install, Vitrea control panels come in a myriad of bespoke styles.

With a quarter of a century of experience in other countries, a full year of development within Vitrea’s R&D department went into preparation for its UK launch.

The elegant glass keypad designs created for the UK market have been created to offer modern designs for any system, including a variety of colour, matt or glossy finishes, as well as a wide variety of customised scene names and icons. All of the keypads come with matching glass socket frames or flush-mounted adapters with metal

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07/05/2019 10:04

Essential Install | Vitrea

The control interfaces can match any type of interior design scheme

finishes on the way. All keypads are also CE, UL and FCC certified. Vitrea says its vision is to enable home and business owners to control and connect their interior spaces in an elegant yet simple and affordable way.

VTouch Pro

Vitrea offers compatibility with Crestron

A key product is the VTouch Pro range, suitable for home, office or hotel environments. Using this range, the maker says buildings can be smarter, simpler and more affordable with VTouch Pro’s unique approach and strong retrofit capabilities. Because of its ability to replace existing conventional electrical switches or plugs, VTouch Pro’s use of wireless technology gives all the benefits of a typical automation system, without the need for expensive infrastructure, renovations or complicated wired installations.

VTouch Pro controllers communicate over Vitrea’s own communication protocol called Aranet, which is a mesh network that handles all the data in a VTouch Pro system working on RF signals at 2.4GHz. All communication over the network takes place within two milliseconds, so users get a fast and responsive experience.

All the functionality delivered by a VTouch Pro system can be connected, managed and controlled from within the dedicated app, however the switches can all work separately via the responsive physical interaction as well.

A complete family of control

The product range doesn’t end with VTouch Pro. There is the VTouch Plus, a design that comes ready to integrate with Lutron lighting, Control4, Vantage and RTI automation platforms.

There is also VTouch KNX, which, as the name suggests, is a family of controllers based on the VTouch Plus and designed specifically for integration with the KNX control protocol.

The maker is also proud of its ability to integrate with the Crestron system via the VTouch Cresnet range.

Again, this is the VTouch Plus but with full control over the Cresnet bus.

Vitrea says it is one of just five companies Crestron contacted directly to provide access to its API to enable compatibility with the two systems, so impressed were Crestron with the style and quality of Vitrea switches.

Vitrea also has available Vmax, its own complete, centrally wired, bus system with DIN rail mounted dimmers, switches and actuators to create a totally centralised smart building control system.

With careful planning, Vitrea maintains it has created a range of products and partnerships that will deliver UK installers the ability to not only take advantage of its own strong range of products, but integrate with established systems too. More information is available via the Vitrea website.

Vitrea: +44 3333 447 892, vitrea-sh.com, info@vitreauk.com

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07/05/2019 10:05

Essential Install | Pulse Cinemas

Massimo Zecchin, International Sales Director at SIM2, takes dealers through some of the finer points of the range

Pulse Cinemas’ SIM2 Seminar As part of the Pulse Cinemas out-reach and education programme, an event was held at the company’s Stanstead HQ to introduce dealers to recent addition SIM2 projectors and explore some key performance curves.

As well as the Pulse Cinemas team, in attendance were Massimo Zecchin and Domenico Toffoli from SIM2 to help installers understand the strengths of the products.

Attracting 20 dealers, the group gathered to bring dealers up to date with the varied SIM2 product range, focusing on the cutting edge 4K models. On the technical side, there was particular emphasis on the benefits of HDR and on the abilities and advantages of anamorphic lenses to achieve 2.40:1 ratios on screen.

These areas are vitally important to get the best from modern projection and screen systems. 4K power is of limited use without the focus and lifelike images of HDR. More pixels, unless those pixels are used wisely, does not deliver the step-change that HDR delivers to the audience. The other part of the presentation focused on the adaptability of an anamorphic lens working with SIM2 delivering 2.40:1 ratios as well as the SIM2’s own digital zoom abilities.

Simon Schino, Pulse Cinemas Internal Sales Manager, who hosted the day, explains, “We were really pleased with the event. We had a selection of great supportive dealers who wanted to gain further knowledge and experience with SIM2. It’s really important for us to get time with dealers and not just show them why we feel the products are so good and how to use them, but also offer our support now and into the future to make sure we are adding value at every stage. Explaining how technologies work and how to get the best of them is a huge part of that.”

Delivering the detail

If you have not properly looked into the advantages of HDR as yet, or High Dynamic Range, HDR’s real bonus is the ability to deliver a wider range of colours in a closer way to how the human eye perceives light in the real world. Our eyes and brain adjust continually to adapt to the wide range of luminance present in the real world. HDR’s trick is basically to mimic those changes in luminance levels so images look more lifelike and feel more ‘natural’. SIM2 has always had a strong reputation for vibrant imaging and strong colours, so has built on this by being one of the manufacturers to really embrace HDR. The presentation also covered how to create different aspect ratios via digital and optical methods. Pulse Cinemas

has access to the Prismasonic range of anamorphic lenses so can take advantage of the 2.40:1 Cinemascope format that many motion pictures are created in. However, SIM2 has also created a feature called Perfect Fit, a lens zoom feature which can produce similar results. Basically, the SIM2 feature uses zoom, focus and lens shift adjustments to fill the screen for different formats, these can then be stored and recalled. Simon was keen to explore the pros and cons of these different methods. Like many of these types of choices it comes down to the client and what their expectations are.

Perfect Fit’s plus points include the ability to manage more aspect ratios without the cost of an anamorphic lens, handy if budget constraints are an issue. The without lens approach also has aesthetic advantages and of course it takes up less space. However, there are issues to consider when using Perfect Fit, the throw range is limited when in this mode and not all of the pixels are used for delivering the image. Also, the expanded image can sometimes be visible overlapping the screen if the walls are not dark enough. Another disadvantage of course is that there is no margin to be had on the lens.

Simon also went over the pros for using the anamorphic approach which include delivering the full brightness of the projector; all of the pixels delivered are used in the active image and the throw range is greater.

There is also the extra margin to be had when selling a system of this type. Disadvantages of the lens approach include an aesthetic impact on the projector, it can manage less aspects than the digital zoom function and it requires space in front of the projector.

Which method is most appropriate is going to vary from job to job, but Pulse Cinemas says its team is determined that installers should have the information and knowledge to make informed choices.

Simon explains that the SIM2 event was just one of many more initiatives to deliver cinema knowledge. Simon says, “For those dealers fully engaging with Pulse Cinemas, one of the advantages will be access to a range of bite size presentations on key elements of cinema design that dealers can access from our new website. “Anything from technical stuff covering calculations, to making sure your cinemas meet all the recommended ratios, or ways of selling the experience to the end user, loads of subjects will be covered.”

Pulse Cinemas 01279 647 039, pulsecinemas.com

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03/05/2019 13:26

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THE PENN ELCOM PROMISE: QUALITY, VALUE, CRAFTSMANSHIP

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Our flagship R4066 rack enclosures lead the industry with unparalleled features like cable management, adjustable threaded rails, high customisation and a sleek, attractive design to name just a few.

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17/04/2019 15:24

Essential Install | Smart Thinking: Hospitality

Hospitality helpdesk

Dylan Thompson, Technical Project Manager, Penguin Media, explains how his company built its strong reputation in the hospitality sector.

The Penguin team created an inspiring and multi-media packed experience for this cuttingedge gym

We’ve been doing installations a while now. We started Penguin Media because we were seeing installations that were poorly designed from the start, products specified incorrectly – the end result was close to unusable, or it was a million miles away from what would actually have worked there! We knew we could do better, and I’d like to think we do.

A full appraisal of what the client needs is essential – putting the biggest speakers into a venue might look great in certain circumstances, but bigger isn’t always better. It must sound right – there needs to be an understanding of what happens to the sound when you place speakers in certain places. Budget tight, but the client wants more bass? Put the speaker in a corner… and so on!

Our best sounding installations are the ones where we can use the fewest amount of speaker cabinets possible to cover a given space at the required SPL. Less interference acoustically, visually there’s less ugly black boxes around, and the client appreciates being told they can spend less!

We’ve had incredible results with Martin Audio’s CDD range for example – a clever asymmetrical waveguide on a coaxial driver means we get to use less speakers for a given area – they sound great, look good and they’re incredibly well priced. In fact, I find it hard to justify specifying anything else, in normal circumstances.

So the sound is important. But equally as important is the control of that system.

We realised pretty early on, that very few venues had systems to tie everything together. They might have sophisticated lighting rigs, sound systems, video switching, but it was all disjointed. We place a large emphasis on one

point of operation; the control system, the UI, and whether any member of staff can use it, with little or no training. In the bar and club industry, staff turnover can be high – that has to be taken into account and not every venue has the luxury of a competent tech on hand.

When we started putting Crestron systems into bars and clubs, there weren’t many people doing this – it was the high end domestic and corporate market using the technology.

As technology has progressed though, it’s become easier for us to build integrated solutions – high end lighting desks can be controlled via IP, presets can be triggered by a touchscreen or a phone app. DSPs have had third party control for a while, but the advances in tech mean all this comes together. Even Video over IP solutions such as NVX, SVSI or JustAddPower mean you have easily scalable video systems without the restriction of a video matrix. Automation to make the staff’s time easier is now as simple as a handful of lines of code. Timelines can even take these processes out of the staff’s hands completely; the lights change, the DSP changes volume and EQ curve, the video screens display a different digital signage channel or promotion, just in time for the evening service.

There is even more benefit to be had on the planned and reactive maintenance management side. Projectors report lamp life, amplifiers send error codes, DSPs can log how many times sound limits have been breached, and this can be accessed remotely at any time – with online error reporting, the chances are, we know about a client’s issue before they do! With remote access to these systems, some faults or issues can be cleared without visiting site – this provides efficiency all round – the client saves money and downtime, the integrator saves time and resources.

Penguin Media Solutions 0845 872 0 871, penguinmediasolutions.com

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03/05/2019 13:27

WE CRAFT AUDIO PRODUCTS THAT PERFORM LIKE NO OTHER Award-Winning Products

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17/04/2019 15:28

Essential Install | Gecko Home Cinema

Beyond home cinema

EI took a trip down to the excellent demo facilities provided by Gecko Home Cinema to chat to owner Rob Sinden about his distinctive approach to home cinema and music systems.

Steinway Lyngdorf stakes its reputation on producing music that musicians love

Relaxed in atmosphere, but delivering very highperformance, there is always something new to experience at Gecko.

Rob explains the particular appeal and client group of Gecko, “Typically, customers are bought by their installer who think our systems provide better performance than other alternatives, but we also see many clients who have done their own research and think our systems offer something unique.

“The common thread is that the people who visit don’t just want a home cinema, they fly in from around the world wanting the very best surround or music system they can buy. I think we are unique, we often recommend clients go and compare our systems with other alternatives. That’s how confident we are of their performance.”

Known for specialising in home cinema for 30 years, one of Gecko’s biggest growth areas is hi-fi.

Rob explains, “Most installers have little success with hi-fi and I think this is largely because it’s an area they don’t feel expert in. Most CI companies offer home cinema and realise room correction is a vital component. For hi-fi systems room correction is typically never recommended which is why results are poor and inconsistent.

“Lyngdorf started incorporating room correction in its high-end music systems 30 years ago. RoomPerfect is the company’s own patented system which is built into stereo amps and surround systems. It takes just 10 minutes to set up a hi-fi and most importantly, anyone, regardless of experience, will get the same results.”

Rob adds, “RoomPerfect is the only system that won’t change the sound of the speakers to match a target curve.

If your client has great speakers, this is a critical feature. It also seamlessly blends the speakers with the subs used making it a fab tool for custom installs.”

This technology is in the all-digital TDAi2170 amp (£2,800) and the TDAi3400 amp (£5,000). Whatever speakers are used, Rob argues installers will get better results with the TDAi3400 than any alternatives and it’s very quick and easy to demonstrate this to the client. Rob underlines that with technology like this installers can match and even surpass what is on offer from retailers with some installers realising this and having great success upgrading and replacing existing hi-fi systems.

One of the demonstrations Rob likes to use is comparing a professional stereo headphone sound with RoomPerfect.

Rob says, “With RoomPerfect the stereo and headphones sound the same, without it, the stereo sounds, well, awful. It’s a terrific demonstration of what a music system should sound like and what RoomPerfect does.”

When it comes to music reproduction, Rob believes he has the brands to deliver. “Many clients we see are musicians or audio professionals looking for something for their home. The Steinway Lyngdorf Model D system is the only system I know of that can satisfy a pianist or someone really familiar with live music. They have shown this at lots of live events where a live piano and the system are played back to back. They just sound the same.”

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Essential Install | Gecko Home Cinema

Room Design

A new addition to the Gecko family is the range of attractive bespoke AV furniture from Clic

Steinway has expanded on this concept and is now introducing a range of music systems at a series of price points that provide higher performance than traditional hi-fi and are also designed to complement really elegant homes. Rob believes it’s a huge opportunity for installers.

Cinema for the home

When it comes to cinema, Gecko takes a different approach to much of the market. Rob says, “Most clients we see don’t want a dedicated cinema as they don’t watch that many movies. The far bigger market is for people wanting the very best picture and sound quality for watching TV, listening to music and the occasional movie.

“Because of this, the systems we design have to work in the clients’ rooms as they are. If the systems we sold had to have room treatment to sound their best, 90% of clients wouldn’t buy them.

“Our clients typically, have incredible homes with very distinctive décor and the last thing they want is to change the look of these rooms.

“At Gecko we can demonstrate a genuinely purposebuilt listening room with a system that sounds great. Next door there are three systems in a normal, untreated room that sound far better. These systems use tiny speakers and deliver far better performance, because of the technologies in Steinway Lyngdorf systems.”

Promising a higher quality sound and vision experience than commercial cinemas means using products adapted from the commercial cinema world is not an option at Gecko.

Rob says, “Steinway Lyngdorf systems can recreate the sound of the live performance and, used in surround sound, this means they have the potential of making the room disappear while you feel like you are there with the actors.

“This means these systems can also recreate a piano recital or the sound of an orchestra, something that home cinemas can’t do. If clients want a system that excels at surround sound and cinema, Steinway Lyngdorf are the only systems I know that can deliver exactly this.

“We are currently working with some high-profile locations that will be removing commercial cinema systems to install Steinway Lyngdorf systems as they want to offer their clients the very best in cinema and music reproduction.”

One key element that is unique to Steinway Lyngdorf systems is that they have been designed to give the very best results in untreated rooms.

Rob explains, “If you think of a classical or jazz music venue, it wont have the dead acoustics associated with cinema systems. The additions that the room make to the performance is why music lovers visit different venues. Steinway approaches the design of audio systems believing the room is a great addition to the audio system, not something that should be removed.

“Placed in a normal room, the reflections from side walls etc. create a really seamless bubble of sound all around you. With room treatment, your speakers may sound great but they will just sound like speakers in a room rather than being there.”

Another growing sector at Gecko is delivering complete TV stereo or surround systems that look as good as they sound. The Danish AV furniture brand Clic, only make cabinets for audio visual systems. These allow speakers and subs to be built in to cabinetry with fabric doors to let sound and remote signal pass. The complete system makes for an attractive proposition for the client.

Its demo time!

Over in the main demo space and the three cinemas that populate this underline the points Rob has been making.

There is a dedicated cinema room populated by an M&K 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos system with 4K widescreen projection system driven by Lyngdorf’s SDA 2400s amps. No doubt this is a strong cinema and a quick run through of the Wembley scene from Bohemian Rhapsody, proves that. But whilst Gecko is able and happy to deliver cinema like this, its when the Steinway Lyngdorf cinemas are powered up, that the real heart of the company’s approach is revealed.

The Multimedia Room which offers a Steinway Lyngdorf 6.6.4 Dolby Atmos System with 4K widescreen projection delivers the natural sound the brand stakes its reputation on. The room is completely untreated and for the audio, installation literally consists of placing the speakers in the correct positions, powering up and running room correction.

The speakers on this system genuinely do disappear and deliver effortless sound that washes over the audience in the main because the timing is absolutely nailed on. Rob argues the subs in the system are way more than that, being able to play up to 400Hz means they marry with the rest of the compact onwall speakers perfectly. The same goes for the larger Multimedia Lounge which boats a Steinway Lyngdorf IW66, 7.6 System. This part of the range is specifically designed to cope with larger spaces.

Gecko’s current approach can be summed up in three specific categories: high-performance home cinema, quality two channel systems and TV surround sound systems. Actually offering a wide range of price points, what unites all of the offerings is high-quality and strong brand character, with Rob’s unique demonstration spaces to show them to their maximum and the focus on fitting into a home with minimum disruption. Well worth a trip to check it all out.

Gecko Home Cinema 0845 262 2882, geckohomecinema.com

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03/05/2019 13:30

Essential Install | CEDIA

We’re excited about cinema!

Luke Crutcher, Sales Director of CEDIA member, Living Home Tech, explains why home cinema and media rooms are making a strong comeback.

Luke is excited about the potential of home cinema as demand is driven by high-quality content

Who out there is enjoying this final season of Game of Thrones?

Undoubtedly, it’s the TV event of the year, so far – great stories, amazing action sequences, epic soundtrack and breath-taking CGI. But, GoT also tells us more than just who is going to sit on the Iron Throne at the end of this series. It shows us how content is changing in a way that’s boosting interest and demand for professionally designed and installed home cinemas and media rooms.

The reason is that the TV content now coming out of Sky Atlantic, and also Netflix, Amazon Prime and other services, is fantastic to experience on a giant screen with big sound. And yet, there’s no way that you can watch GoT or other shows in the public cinema. If you want the full-on, audio-visual experience, then, you have to enjoy it in a home cinema – or, as a compromise, in a media room setting.

Since the final season of GoT started airing, we’ve been inundated with requests from friends and family to see every episode in our demo cinema. Everyone is buying into the spectacular experience provided by this type of TV show and enjoying the opportunity it gives to bring people together and share that enjoyment. The question for consumers is becoming more about finding the money so that they can afford a media room or cinema that can deliver the experience.

The technology is also helping us to make the experience as immersive as possible. Picture quality from the latest 4K TV screens are incredibly lifelike for media rooms. We’re installing a lot of 4K projectors for cinema rooms, and, where it’s right for the space, Dolby Atmos sound is a must. Customers are asking for Dolby Atmos by name, even if they’re not entirely sure what it is, when they do so. We’re excited about the advent of IMAX Enhanced too. It promises improvements in image, sound, scale and quality that will give us another great talking point with consumers.

People may not be moving home, at present, but we’re seeing plenty of renovation work, which is again playing to our advantage. Homeowners are looking at their properties and thinking about how they can live better in the space they have. More and more under-used gyms and swimming pools are going completely, with these areas being repurposed for dedicated home cinemas. We’ve even seen one client totally knock down his house and rebuild a new one on the same site – a bit extreme, but, at least, this time he has the amazing cinema room he wanted!

Finally, we all know that architects and designers are still hungry for education about what our industry can offer. Working with these professions has been hugely beneficial to our business. They value good quality CPD content and always take something from what we provide.

On numerous occasions, having sparked their interest with a CPD, they come back to us three, six months, even a year or longer down the line with real projects.

In recent years, our challenge has been to keep the CPD content fresh, relevant and engaging for them.

Perfect timing then for a new CPD from CEDIA. Believe me, the “Designing Home Cinema and Media Rooms” is spot on in what it says to architects.

At the start of April, we presented this CPD at the RIBA Roadshow event in London to a room full of over 50 architects. A RIBA representative was in the room, doing a spot-check on the course, and here’s what they had to say: “This was a very interesting presentation on a specialist topic with some great examples of a wide range of projects.” They added that, “The presenter was confident, knew his subject and handled questions very well”, which shows how important it is not just to have a great CPD, but also how it’s critical that you know your subject and are able to present it in the right way to this design-led audience.

Living Home Tech has operated within the smart home, home cinema and lighting industry since 2005.

Living Home Tech 020 7411 9849, livinghometech.co.uk

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Essential Install | Projectors and Screens

Optoma has worked hard at expanding its range and adding new tech, see page 40

Make it big, make it bold, make it bright!

Done right, home cinema has the power to impress and create a desire to purchase in a way no other sector in the smart home world can. EI takes a look at some of the options installers can use to create the right image for potential customers.

SIM2 is the latest brand to join Pulse Cinemas’ expanded cinema offering

Pulse Cinemas’ big emphasis over the last 12 months or so has been to build its brand offering into a more comprehensive offering delivering different price points and performance curves. In no other sector has this been truer than in the projector and screen sector.

The company now offers access to BenQ, SIM2, Digital Projection as well as Screen Research screens and Primasonic anamorphic lenses.

Offering high-quality performance at the more budget conscious end of the market, the BenQ family offers DLP Lamp, LED and Laser 4K projectors with strong clarity, colour depth and a reputation for reliability. Pulse Cinemas’ top pick from BenQ’s current range is the PCL50K laser model, which delivers all of the advantages of a laser based model (long-life, low maintenance, fast start up times) as well as the brand’s other strong points including affordability.

Recommended by Pulse for smaller to medium sized rooms, THX certification is also available across the range.

The most recent addition to the offering is Italian brand SIM2. The subject of a recent event at Pulse Cinemas HQ to explain to dealers the technological advantages offered by this stylish range of Italian projectors, the event underlined SIM2 HDR abilities as well as its digital zoom functionality, Perfect Fit, which helps deliver different screen formats. SIM2 has always had a strong reputation when it comes to colour and so it was a natural choice for the brand to embrace HDR and throw its weight behind really delivering on this advancement. If you have not looked into this properly as yet, HDR basically tries to mimic the way we perceive light in the natural world, making images on the screen look more natural and vibrant. SIM2 is certainly one of the companies that has been on the cutting edge of getting this right.

When really high-performance is needed, Pulse Cinemas calls on the power of the Digital Projection brand. From its base in Manchester, Digital Projection is known for its work with Texas Instruments in developing DLP technology. Digital Projection machines have a reputation for delivering some of the best image performance on the planet. Customers can call on the more compact and lightweight E-Vision series right up to the flagship 4K Reference displays, which offer impressive brightness, colour depth and high-contrast imaging.

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KEEP THE LIGHTS ON WITH TECVISION Image on screen above compares TecVision CS1200X ALR (left) with a matte white surface (right) in a lighted area.

PLAN YOUR AV SYSTEM WITH THE BEST TOOLS.

PREMIUM AMBIENT LIGHT REJECTING SURFACES: CS1000X ALR: On-axis gain of 1.0, Rejects 82% ambient light CS1200X ALR: On-axis gain of 1.2, Rejects 82% ambient light Both surfaces have superior contrast and perform very well in spaces where there is high ambient light and narrow viewing angles.

TecVision’s carefully formulated surfaces offer unparalleled performance with individual features that set them apart. Each surface has low gloss levels and optimal consistency for truly uniform brightness. The TecVision family includes five ambient light rejecting (ALR) surfaces for optimal image contrast and saturation in spaces with lighting. All gained white surfaces have extremely wide off-axis performance, which may offer huge savings when compared to the cost of purchasing a brighter projector. Each surface has black backing to prevent picture degradation caused from light behind the screen. Sizes up to 7 m x 21 m. There is a surface to meet the needs of every application within the TecVision family. Only from Draper.

Visit draperinc.co.uk/draperguest/ portal.aspx Through the Draper Toolbox link, access the Projection Planner. Answer a few questions about your room and equipment to find the optimum match of screen size and surface.

Brighter images lead to savings on your projector!

All TecVision surfaces are 8K ready and ISF certified. TecVision surfaces are only available on Draper projection screens.

Explore all of our TecVision surfaces at: draperinc.co.uk/projectionscreens/surfaces.aspx 01536 203101 | draperinc.co.uk

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07/05/2019 14:36

Essential Install | Projectors and Screens

AWE has updated its demo facilities with fresh products and technologies

Screen Research’s hand-crafted and European-built lines offer a wide choice of customised products meaning installers have the option to satisfy dedicated cinema fans or those who want their equipment to fit around their existing home. The company also works hard on its screen tech, always looking to offer different options for acoustic transparency or ways of coping with highambient light conditions. This brand delivers THX and ISF certifications and holds several patents, making its offering unique such as the company’s ClearPix fabrics, which enable high-quality acoustic transparency. When customers want to the full movie experience, the company also offers guidance on how to employ and implement the Prismasonic family of anamorphic lenses so viewers can enjoy the full wide screen format (2.39:1) used in commercial cinemas.

A new projection screen from Screen Excellence in the form of the TAM Art Edition is available now through Custom AV Distribution. The True Aspect Masking screen has been installed in many home cinemas around the globe. However, now with the optional addition of a roll-down art piece to cover the screen, it still brings the client’s room alive, even when not watching a movie.

Clients can choose their own artwork to be custom printed onto the acoustically transparent fabric, and when deployed, this layer sits over the Enlightor Neo fabric and masking layers that are used for projection. The artwork is framed within the black velvet borders.

TAM Art Edition by Screen Excellence is available in custom sizes and native formats from 16:9 to 2.40:1. All TAM screens come with a projection surface material called Enlightor Neo, which the distributor says is renowned world-wide amongst acousticians and cinema designers.

Draper, maker of high-quality screens is keen to talk about one of the key abilities screens need these days.

Ambient Light Rejecting or (ALR) screens are adapted for rooms with moderate to high ambient light, like a living or media room, having reflective properties in the fabric that reflect off-axis ambient light away from the audience to keep projected images from washing out.

Joseph Burke, European and UK Manager, explains, “ALR surfaces have reflective components uniformly added to the formulation, making the surface more angular reflective. These surfaces reflect light at an opposite angle of incidence more than they diffuse.

“Projection light that hits the screen surface directly reflects right back on an opposite angle of incidence into

the audience. Off-axis ambient light hits the surface at a more indirect angle then reflects off the surface at an opposite angle of incidence away from the audience.”

ALR surfaces are often used to deal with light fixtures that are too close to the screen, but they can also help with light from a side window. Impact here depends on just how strong the sunlight coming in is, so it’s still useful to employ shades as well.

Joseph explains, “Typical white or grey surfaces that are more diffusive in character are meant for dark or controlled light environments like fully treated home cinema rooms or theatres, where little ambient light hits the surface. In these applications, a white or grey surface can spread the light in very wide seating configurations.

However, if the ambient light levels increase, these materials will diffuse all light, both projection light, and ambient light. This is because the material cannot differentiate between the two types of light. The lights compete when they end up at the viewer’s eye, which causes the image to be washed out.

“There are many screen surfaces on the market that are grey, but are not ALR. The grey tint can only help black levels to a degree. These surfaces are still more diffusive in character and cannot reject or reflect off-axis ambient light the same as an ALR surface can. Most ALR screen surfaces that can be rolled and are vinyl based, typically have a darker grey tint with characteristics that are more angular reflective than diffusive in how they handle light hitting their surface. The darker grey tint helps increase contrast since there is more black within the tint itself – this will contribute to improving the black levels in the image.”

Draper has a wide family of different ALR screens all designed to help in different ways. Support on which one is right for your next project is available direct from Draper. All of the different screens are also available with acoustically transparent perforated or nano perforated surfaces in limited sizes.

Sister brand Euroscreen also offers an ALR surface that can be used with electric and fixed frame screens.

The screen is called the ReAct 3.0 and delivers a strong price point for the performance it achieves. ReAct 3.0 is an unsupported, silver grey front projection surface with enhanced light control. The surface is darker in colour, which eliminates ambient light better, but at the same time the surface will be better at filtering daylight and will project a brighter image. The coated structure and the new finish of the material are designed to boost colour contrast and black levels, and provide a full depth in the projected image. All the screens from both the ranges are Full HD, 4K and 8K compatible and all Draper Tecvision surfaces are ISF certified.

Fixed and tab tensioned electric Draper screens are available in UK to installers exclusively via AWE. Featuring ALR fabric, these screens are designed for home cinema installations and feature the Draper ReAct technology for situations where a complete room blackout is either not possible, or not desired. AWE highlights the Clarion fixed screens, available as standard in a range of sizes, from 92in to 133in. There are also Adaptive tab-tensioned electric versions ranging from 86in to 104in with virtually any other screen size available in both models to order.

From the Euroscreen family, AWE offers both electric and manual products from the popular Diplomat collection, as well as permanently tensioned Frame Vision Light screens. Screen sizes range from 86in to 131in to provide integrators with flexibility.

Fixed frame options feature the Euroscreen FlexWhite fabric, which AWE says ensures an excellent viewing

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Essential Install | Projectors and Screens

The 8K capable JVC DLA-NX9 has impressed with its performance and is shipping now

experience from almost any angle by diffusing the projected light across the entire surface via the ReAct 3.0 surface. Performing well without the need for a blackout scenario, makes it a strong choice for the growing media room market.

The Diplomat range is available in 117in and 131in screen sizes, combines a white aluminium cassette and a channel-fixed installation for discrete in-ceiling installation. Thanks to its design, practicality and a quiet motor option, the Diplomat Euroscreen should be simple to install and provides strong end user benefits. The new Xpert surface is 100% PVC free and features a specially designed pattern structure to evenly spread projected light. The fabric is supplied with a white black-out backing for additional light control and supports colour rendition of up to 6430K to ensure the brightest colours are displayed correctly.

Projector wise, AWE is a big supporter of the Epson brand highlighting strong connectivity, easy set-up and 4K capabilities.

Epson has grouped its high-end visual technologies under the umbrella term PRO UHD offering technologies such as dynamic contrast ratio up to 1,200,000:1, 4K-enhancement technology, 3LCD tech, Full HD, UHD BD and HDR support. Building on the success of the previous models, the enhanced EH-TW9400/W is capable of handling all 4K input devices.

Each feature looks to add value to the PRO UHD experience. 3LCD technology means users should avoid the ‘rainbow effect’ and enjoy vivid colours thanks to an equally high white and colour light output of up to 2,600 lumens. HDR support reveals the extra detail and depth the technology was invented for, giving natural yet richer colours. Even in the fastest action scenes, frame interpolation and detail enhancement ensure motion pictures are sharp and smooth.

Priced between £599 - £6,000, the range boosts a projector that should suit all home cinema budgets.

Many of the products and technologies can be experienced at AWE’s Smart Apartment. The Epson EH-TW7400 PRO-UHD, HDR capable projector is on demonstration in the Performance Cinema Room, together with an acoustically transparent Draper 110in Clarion screen.

Habitech continues with its support of the Projecta brand pointing to the maker’s ‘HD Progressive’ vinyl screen surface, which is designed to deliver seamless optical fidelity from multi-mega pixel populations. The surface is optimised for a range of ambient light conditions and lab-tested to accurately reflect resolutions all the way to 16K. New from April, Habitech says the ‘HD Progressive 1.1 Contrast’ screen surface provides a deeper reproduction of black and an increased reflectivity to enhance brightness in moderate ambient light conditions.

The Projecta DescenderPro is a ceiling recessedprojection screen that combines fresh installation features with a new motorised ALR surface option in addition to

the high resolution HD Progressive materials. One of the most noticeable new features is the possibility to just clickin the entire roller assembly (motor and screen surface) after installation of the case. The new case design should offer a clean finish without gaps or visible screws, after attaching the bottom plate to the case. This new feature is available up to 400cm wide.

Another ambient light killer is the Parallax surface for motorised screens. Parallax 0.8 ALR is now available in the Tensioned Elpro Concept and Tensioned DescenderPRO, so an ALR material can be rolled out when needed.

Parallax is made up of multiple micro-layers to achieve its light blocking properties and wider viewing angles.

Each micro-layer has a function in creating the brightly lit display. Layers that are black boost contrast and absorb ambient light from the sides, while a specially shaped layer blocks light from above.

On the projector front, Habitech underlines the power of JVC’s DLA-NX9 which applies the company’s proprietary e-shift processing using its latest 0.69in native 4K D-ILA chips (deployed by the award-winning DLA-Z1) to create 8K images. Equipped with JVC’s Multiple Pixel Control (MPC) processing and Intelligent Lens Aperture tech, the DLA-NX9 promises the most naturally detailed and dynamic images possible, upscaling 4K and FHD sources to 8K. To ensure consistent high image fidelity across the screen and throughout a wide shift range of +/-100% vertical, +/-43% horizontal, the DLA-NX9 employs a high resolution 18-element, 16-group allglass 100mm lens, including specialised RGB refractive elements for exceptional accuracy. An ‘Auto Tone Mapping’ feature reads mastering info in HDR10 and HLG content to optimise brightness, and to exploit the enhanced contrast of HDR, the DLA-NX9’s Intelligent Lens Aperture is capable of generating a dynamic contrast of 1,000,000:1 from a native 100,000:1 ratio. A new cinema filter has been engineered to accommodate HDR’s wider colour space and for the smoothest on-screen action, JVC has also upgraded its Clear Motion Drive technology to support 4K60P (4:4:4) signals. Lots of impressive stats here, but seen in the real world this new machine really does deliver something new. Well worth checking out.

Launched alongside the DLA-NX9 are two further JVC projectors, each sporting the latest 0.69in Native 4K D-ILA chips supported by Intelligent Lens Aperture tech, Auto Tone Mapping, wider colour gamuts and 4K Clear Motion Drive processing. The DLA-N7 offers a dynamic contrast ratio of 800,000:1 from a native 80,000:1 and the DLA-N5 400,000:1 dynamic, 40,000:1 native.

Maker, Optoma, underlines just how much home cinema projectors have evolved over the last five years with better resolution, brighter, alternative light sources, and more versatility for installation with the introduction of short throw and ultra-short throw models, smart functionality and the introduction of voice-enabled models.

For living space cinemas, Optoma highlights its (4,000 lumen) HZ40UST ultra-short throw Full HD laser projector, which delivers a 100in image from less than a metre away to give a clean look to living room, with the projector set close to the screen or wall.

The development of laser and LED light sources, as seen in the HZ40UST, UHL55 and UHZ65, has increased Optoma’s expected light source lifetimes to 20,00030,000 hours. This means home owners no longer need to think about replacement lamps and with the dustsealed optics in DLP projectors, there are also no filters to remove and clean. Even the expected lifespan of lamps has increased with improvement in lamp technology and the development of dynamic lamp modes in projectors.

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Essential Install | Projectors and Screens

Barco Residential’s latest powerful projector is the Bragi

In response to the growing popularity of the technology, Optoma has launched a number of voice-enabled home projectors. Both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can now be used in the UK on Optoma’s smart 4K UHD home projectors – UHL55, UHD51A and UHD51ALVe – and will be available on the future release UHZ65UST ultra-short throw laser 4K UHD projector. Users can control these with voice commands either via Google Assistant in conjunction with a Google home device or an Android smartphone, or via Amazon Alexa with a Dot or an Echo.

In addition, these projectors are also now compatible with IFTTT (If This Then That), the free web-based service that allows users to create chains of simple conditional statements, called applets. Applets are used to trigger events such as getting a projector to turn off or dimming lights when the projector is switched on.

Smart features are also included with access via the projector’s home page to compatible apps such as Netflix and YouTube using the built-in App store - Marketplace.

Where TVs are dropping 3D, many new projectors still have this functionality built in and Optoma says consumers do still ask for it.

The feature is included on Optoma’s new 4K UHD projectors UHD51, the voice enabled UHD51A, and its brighter sibling, the UHD51ALVe. The 4K UHD UHL55 LED projector and ultra-short throw laser 4K UHD UHZ65UST, due to be launched later this year, are also full 3D. Optoma also points out that it has just received ISF certification for its EGA range of electric screens and also revealed a new ambient light resistant ALR101 100in screen at ISE 2019.

As well as creating some of the best audio experiences around, Meridian Audio also provides supply and support for other brands of equal quality, including its partnerships with Barco Residential and Display Technologies, offering access to these respected cinema focused brands.

Shipping in June this year, the new Bragi Cinemascope projector from Barco has been created to bring a new level of performance to home cinema installs. Benefitting from Barco Residential’s unique Cinemascope technology, the Bragi projector uses the latest in HLD and LED illumination technology for high-quality colour fidelity and sharp imagery, designed to immerse the viewer in the ultimate moviewatching experience. Bragi Cinemascope has a motorised DCI/P3 filter for HDR performance, meaning that the projector will support both SDR and HDR viewing, as well as Barco’s unique RealColor processing for simple and accurate calibration. Professional-grade optics ensure the best possible picture quality with all new ‘Pulse’ electronics, together with a unique automatic aspect ratio detection function that will automatically scale the image to fit the resolution.

Featured in Meridian’s dedicated media room in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, dealers are encouraged to experience the Medea projector, billed as the brightest UHD laser projector at its price point. Featuring 5,500 lumen for true HDR playback and flexibility with five lens

options, Barco Residential promises quality with a truly impressive image and dynamic contrast. A strong choice for both home cinemas and media room applications, the compact, quiet-running Medea gives an engaging and immersive experience, even in spaces where light control is limited, starting at just £21,500 RRP excluding VAT. Providing a wide range of image solutions that offer complete flexibility in size and aspect ratio, Display Technologies’ (DT) mission is to make it easy to deliver the perfect viewing experience. Utilising a three knitted, white, wide viewing angle and highly acoustically transparent image surface, Display Technologies aims to provide only the best in state-of-the-art imagery. Custom designed and manufactured in the UK, Meridian says DT screens can be installed with ease, allowing integrators to save time and money whilst delivering vibrant visuals for dedicated theatres and media rooms alike. Furthermore, DT can provide an optional ‘POP’ surface with 1.2 gain to image brightness, and a ‘WOW’ input that provides 0.7 increase to image contrast.

DT’s Motorised Mirror Drop, Vertical Mirror Mount Down, and Vertical Mirror Mount Up projector mounts all feature dual high-performance optical mirrors, custom projector interface, and flexible alignment adjustment.

Each designed for different applications depending on projector location, these mounts ensure an aesthetically pleasing result and premium optical performance.

Front loaded image surface means that DT screens can be installed straight onto the wall, reducing the risk of any dirt or damage, as the screen frame is already mounted before the screen surface is fitted. Acoustically Transparent Reference image surfaces are fully UHD compliant, producing crisp, vibrant images without any moiré effect.

Invision UK is also a big fan of the new 8K capable JVC DLA-NX9, underlining its abilities to deliver all that is promised by the machine’s specs even on large screens.

A key piece of tech for Invision is the Auto Tone Mapping function, which automatically adjusts settings based on the mastering information projecting HDR10 content at optimum quality. Combining brightness of 2,200 lm, dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, and wide colour gamut covering beyond the DCI-P3 range, the projector reproduces the latest content including HDR10 and HLG. Invision also underlines the renewed Clear Motion Drive, together with Motion Enhance, which reduces motion blur.

Invision’s other favourite right now is Screen Innovations Solo screen. Imagine a Zero Edge style projection screen that disappears into a 2 3/4in clear anodized cassette. Imagine being able to take the cassette anywhere – that is the Meet Solo concept. This wireless, motorised, Zero Edge style screen can run for two-years on a single charge and is designed to be lightweight and simple enough to adapt to a wide array of mounting applications. Solo comes standard with Slate ALR screen material, offering up to 65% ambient light rejection.

Pulse Cinemas 01279 647 039, pulsecinemas.com CAVD 01628 563344, cavd.co.uk Draper Group 01536 203 101, draperinc.co.uk AWE Europe 01372 729 995, awe-europe.com Habitech 01256 638500, habitech.co.uk Optoma 01923 691 800, optoma.co.uk Meridian 01480 445 678, meridian-audio.com Invision UK 01359 270 280, invisionuk.com

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07/05/2019 14:50

Essential Install | Lighting and Ambient Light Control

LEDVANCE is one of the companies underlining the importance of human centric lighting and delivering the technology to achieve it

Fascinating rhythms

Controlling natural and artificial light is one of the most effective ways to transform a home. EI takes a look at some of the technologies and trends, including circadian rhythm centric solutions, that are shaping this expansive and innovative part of the smart home world.

Lighting that creates a more pleasant human centric or supportive place to live has been a huge subject of late. There are plenty of views on this and examples emerging where lighting can really make a difference to quality of life. amBX technology has recently been deployed in a dementia care and nursing home context using the principles of bio-adaptive lighting easily and cost effectively. amBX uses the phrase bio-dynamic lighting in this use case as it combines LED lighting with intelligent control that manages the lighting for the maximum comfort and well-being of patients, residents and staff.

The principle of bio-adaptive lighting is to provide artificial light controlled in such a way as to match the needs of human biological cycles, or circadian rhythms, in the most effective and appropriate way. The idea is to provide for improved health and well-being and supports aspects of human behaviour that benefit from varied and changeable lighting.

We are all governed to some degree by the circadian cycle (which is a little over 24 hours long) and light information received by receptors in our eyes regulates the circadian clock every day to keep us in step. Light is the most powerful synchroniser of the human circadian clock, and the timing of light exposure during the course of a day is responsible for how circadian rhythms are synchronised with our environment.

As Mariana Figueiro, Professor and Light and Health Program Director, Lighting Research Centre, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, says “High circadian stimulation during the daytime hours and low circadian stimulation in the evening is simply common sense.”

The use of as much natural daylight in care environments as possible is as important for people as it is for reducing the energy costs of lighting and needs to become a key consideration.

It’s not just about lighting cycles though, as colour plays an important part. It’s known that certain blue light

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Essential Install | Lighting and Ambient Light Control

suppresses natural melatonin secretion in the body and therefore acts as a type of fatigue-beater. amBX points out that one study from the Light Research Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia found that blue light also strengthens and stimulates connections between areas of the brain that process emotion and language. This means that blue light may, in turn, help people to better handle emotional challenges and regulate mood.

Blue light is prevalent in sunlight, so the body absorbs the most during the summer and less in the winter. Because of this, the researchers suggested that adding blue light to indoor atmospheres, as opposed to the standard yellow lights, may help boost mood and productivity year-round, especially in winter.

In another study, Professor Figueiro found that, compared to remaining in darkness, exposure to red light in the middle of the afternoon significantly reduces power in the frequency ranges that have been associated with sleepiness. These results suggest that red light positively affects measures of alertness not only at night, but also during the day. Red light also seemed to be a more potent stimulus for modulating brain activities associated with daytime alertness than blue light, although they did not find any significant differences in measures of alertness after exposure to red and blue lights. This suggests that blue light, especially higher levels of blue light, could still increase alertness in the afternoon. It appears that melatonin suppression is not needed for light to have an impact on objective measures of alertness.

A small study in Norway highlighted the potential impact of blue light on humans by showing remarkable results in people hospitalised for bipolar disorder who wore ‘blue-blocking’ amber glasses for one week compared with a group who did not.

This does not necessarily mean that we should all now have lots of different coloured lighting since blue is often in white light and having the ability to vary the colour of white light, or the colour temperature as it is known, is a critical factor in effective bio-adaptive lighting. amBX says that introducing colour changes and even tints at certain times of the day can be a highly effective way to deliver good bio-adaptive lighting.

In a study entitled Spectral Sensitivity of the Circadian System, Mariana Figueiro showed that exposure to blue LED was shown to affect sleep quality and median body temperature peak in Alzheimer’s patients. Median body temperature peak was delayed by approximately two hours after exposure to blue LEDs compared with exposure to red LEDs and sleep quality was improved.

This pilot study demonstrated that light, especially LED lights, can be an important contribution to helping such patients regulate their circadian functions.

In a further study at a Sacramento Municipal Utility care home in the US, Innovative Lighting reported that a pilot installation showed very positive results from the use of bio-adaptive lighting. There was a reduction in falls by residents and improvements in sleeping and a reduction in the use of psychotropic and sleep medications. They also recorded a reduction in resident behaviour episodes with one dementia resident showing a reduction of 71%.

The implications of lighting design for elderly care were highlighted by research in Singapore, which drew attention to the requirement to provide lighting that met the needs of ageing residents. As we age our eyesight changes dramatically and results in reduced visual acuity and colour discrimination and a slowing in the rate at which our eyes adapt to changing light levels and contrast. These changes can lead to disrupted circadian cycles and sleep patterns if not addressed. It is therefore

important than any lighting design for elderly care environments takes these basic needs into account.

One of the UK’s leading experts and lighting designers, Lorraine Calcott, is working with amBX and advising on how to deliver and manage bio-adaptive lighting effectively for dementia care environments.

Lorraine specifies this type of full spectrum lighting as it works not only with our emotional responses to light but also on our biology to help re-set and maintain our bodies’ circadian rhythms.

Lorraine says, “This process is critical for a healthy life, so using a circadian focused lighting product helps our body clocks to remain synchronised even when not out in natural daylight. This is particularly important for those who may struggle to get outside, such as people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, where an introduction of this technology can be life enhancing as well as reducing the need for support or medication.

“Of course, it also benefits their care givers who may work shifts to give 24-hour care and also have trouble with a desynchronised sleep pattern that may possibly affect their mental and physical health. After all, we are all not at our best when we don’t have a good night’s sleep. Getting outside in natural daylight for 30 minutes between 8am and 10am is the best medicine, however, when that opportunity is not an option, bio-adaptive lighting is a brilliant alternative to help you stay healthy.” amBX technology is supplied in the UK by distributor Sunlight Solutions.

Steve Stark, Sales Director Trade UK & Ireland, LEDVANCE, also has much to say on human focused lighting, this time for the hospitality market.

Steve argues, “The hospitality business is about making guests feel good. LED lighting can help achieve this, leveraging unprecedented controllability to deliver benefits that go beyond novel lighting effects and energy savings. Human Centric Lighting, the new paradigm in lighting, exploits this controllability to tune the lighting environment closely to our natural body rhythms.”

Steve says, “LED lighting has quickly become a popular upgrade for hotels and venues keen to present an image and create an attractive, welcoming ambience.

Controlled via an easy-to-use mobile app, or even a voice-command interface, a roomful of LED lamps can produce finely-tuned illumination in almost any color or provide copious ‘white’ light at any desired correlated color temperature (CCT) corresponding to tones from warm, to cool, to daylight white. They can fill-in, accent, highlight, wall-wash, or provide the main illumination, and with dynamic control can transform the mood of an entrance hall, lobby, function room, restaurant, or bar gradually or instantaneously.”

Steve argues that the flexibility of this new technology can go further as management of light energy and spectral content can harmonize with circadian rhythms to enhance inner feelings such as wellness, relaxation, and empowerment. People exposed to this sort of lighting may not notice the subtle changes in illumination happening at a similar pace to the shifts in intensity and CCT of natural light, but over time may recognise that certain spaces help them to relax and feel better. This is a powerful tool for the hotel and hospitality business.

Steve argues, “Usability is the key to realising the benefits of human centric lighting. Equipment that appears to be complicated to understand or use, or that challenges venue managers to choose a good setup and see for themselves the effects of their inputs, means the opportunity to harness human-centric lighting to improve the customer experience could be lost.”

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Essential Install | Lighting and Ambient Light Control

The Lutron RA2 Select has been created to deliver an easy fit route into Lutron

To maximize understanding and acceptance, LEDVANCE has designed its HCL Controller to automatically adjust the intensity and spectral content throughout the day in keeping with current knowledge about human responses to natural lighting.

The controller is easy to install, with automated selfconfiguration, and is designed to apply correct circadian timing to let users begin applying human-centric lighting without any prior knowledge. A simple rotary switch and display allows advanced users to optimise the lighting for individual needs or specific situations. Wirelessly connected luminaires such as LEDVANCE’s 3600lm HCL Panel and 540lm HCL Spotlight convert the settings into optimised light that complements the effects of natural light throughout the working day.

Sam Woodward, Customer Education Leader, Europe and Africa at Lutron Electronics, also has a view here, “Human Centric Lighting touches on a variety of aspects, including quality of light, the ability to control light, and biophilic design – a connection to nature, which includes enabling views of the outside and incorporation of appropriate levels of natural light.

“Lutron believes in a broad approach to Human Centric Lighting. For us, it employs four elements of lighting design: quality of light, natural light, connection to the outdoors and adaptive and personalised controls.”

Lutron believes that good quality light can create unforgettable experiences with tunable white (dynamic colour-temperature) control, good colour-rendering ensuring that people and objects look their best, and high-performance flicker-free dimming. Lutron also promotes the idea of farming as much natural light as possible, but also cutting down on unpleasant glare or heat with effective shading. The important connection to the outdoors emphasises window views, made convenient to deploy with motorised blinds and the system should have adaptive and personalised controls enabling quick and easy changes in a space.

Sam argues, “Together, these elements allow people to ‘be’, work, and feel their best. Moreover, Human Centric Lighting has benefits beyond its effect on building occupants. These techniques support sustainability by helping reduce energy costs and embracing elements of the natural world. It can make for innovative and welcoming design that dovetails with such standards as WELL and LEED.

Distributor Habitech has been keen to draw attention to its deal to supply Lutron’s RA2 Select, a platform of wireless lighting control and proprietary window treatments comprising keypads and sensors, in-line dimmers and switches using Lutron’s patented ‘Clear Connect’ wireless tech, generated by tiny ‘repeater’ modules. Apart from the in-line wiring of the dimmers and switches for each light, RA2 Select is designed to be plugand-play. The Main Repeater (with a global nine metre range) plugs in to a wall socket for power and connects to the home network for integration. Up to four auxiliary repeaters (each with a similar nine metre range) can be added to extend the system for large homes.

The free Lutron RA2 Select app ties it all together.

Its walk-through ‘contractor mode’ menu makes the design of custom scenes a straight-forward ‘by numbers’ exercise, and all devices – namely the Pico keypads, dimmers, switches, blinds, sensors and repeaters (up to 100 per system) – automatically show up in the app ready for configuration.

Installers needn’t customise scenes if they don’t want to. As many as five ‘scene’ keypads are pre-configured

by Lutron for kitchen, living room, bedside etc, out of the box. The scene Picos are joined by remote controls for lights, blinds and audio, and for the best match with décor, wall plates are available in single or double gang, plastic, matte white or black, as well as metal in three colours and single or double glass. There are also single, double or triple gang pedestals in white or black gloss for control from the coffee table.

Habitech argues that what makes RA2 Select special is that it exploits all the reliability and around 80% of the functionality of Lutron’s popular HomeWorks system at a fraction of the cost, and enhances its easy-to-install wireless appeal with a powerfully simple app-driven set-up, designed for millions of new smart home customers.

Late last year Savant introduced an educational platform featuring online tools in support of Savant integrators seeking to add lighting fixture sales and installation as part of their services. This new tool set, along with manufacturer USAI Lighting’s dealer education initiatives working in partnership with Savant are designed to give integrators the confidence they need to succeed within this category.

Savant’s new interactive Fixture Designer tool is available via the Savant Store and has been designed to help integrators understand the variety of options available in each fixture style, including available colour technologies, housing options and trim finishes. Once fixtures have been selected, integrators will have access to everything they need including detailed pricing, fixture specification sheets, IES photometric files and associated part numbers.

Savant’s new five-module online training series is also now available on the Savant University and includes a product offering overview, quoting best practices, system architecture overview, and a get-started guide on how to create and quote your next project using the new Savant Fixture Designer.

Savant has also recently added a range of architectural light strips, giving installers new solutions that are compatible with Savant’s TrueImage lighting user experience an image-based technology created to offer an intuitive control experience by using images of the actual home.

In addition to providing on/off/dim control of lighting simply by touching an image of a fixture in any room, TrueImage now provides users with an intuitive WRGB

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07/05/2019 16:27

Essential Install | Lighting and Ambient Light Control

Savant has launched new controllable LED light strips

Savant has introduced new lighting and energy models

colour wheel and tuneable white temperature selection, all from the Savant Pro app for iOS or Android devices.

Savant’s line-up of LED light strips includes a number of indirect lighting options that installers can use for cove lighting, behind flat panel TVs and inside cabinets. A tuneable white LED strip allows for colour temperature adjustments, changing automatically in concert with Circadian Rhythms or manually by the homeowner as needed.

Also offered is a WRGB light strip that provides all the features found on the tuneable white model, plus the option to select from millions of colour choices as well.

The Savant Pro app provides for exact WRGB colour value settings, making it a good option for interior designers who want precise control over accent lighting and also want the homeowner to have access to lighting control through Savant Scenes, says its creator.

Both the tuneable White and WRGB strips are available in outdoor versions and kits with drivers and power supplies available in 16-foot and 32-foot strip lengths.

In addition, an RGB Neon version is available, allowing for direct viewing accents similar to neon signs where each individual LED is not visible, making the strip appear as a line of solid colour.

All Savant LED light strips are field cuttable and kits are available with professional-grade mounting options, plus various couplers and jumpers to allow installers to custom fit the strips.

New controller offerings from Savant include a lowvoltage DMX controller that allows up to 32 strips to be wired to a single controller.

Savant has also released new lighting and energy modules that promise to offer utility-grade reporting of energy usage, as well as individual load level control throughout the home. These two-channel energy reporting modules have been designed to be easy to install, as well as delivering control and energy management of lighting and household appliances.

The new modules have been designed in partnership with sister-company Racepoint Energy, and are fully compatible with the Savant control ecosystem.

The release of these new modules could help reduce the carbon footprint of those with Savant control systems, while also saving the homeowner money through energy efficiency savings.

Savant CEO, Bob Madonna, noted, “Now there is a complete lighting and lighting control ecosystem available from Savant that includes shades, fixtures in partnership with USAI Lighting and a level of control capability and energy management unprecedented in the smart home market.”

With products focused towards the light commercial markets including office and retail, Nick Van Tromp, Lighting Controls Manager for the UK at manufacturer Fagerhult explains that the company’s Organic Response system works on the basis of one PIR sensor and light sensor per luminaire, delivering the most energy efficient arrangement of lighting controls available.

Nick says, “With every luminaire monitoring the space directly below it for occupancy and natural light, the precise amount of light is delivered to the space, only when needed. The Organic Response sensors are integrated

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Essential Install | Lighting and Ambient Light Control

Commercial and retail spaces can benefit from Fagerhult’s Organic Response technology

into a wide range of luminaires from across the Fagerhult Group, giving customers flexibility when designing a lighting system. Organic Response luminaires only require mains power, making installation quick and simple.

“Sensors can talk to each other out of the box and share occupancy information, which creates a comfortable environment for occupants with little or no commissioning. Installers can add value to the lighting installation by offering system optimisation services using the easy to use Organic Response app.”

Nick also underlines the data harvesting advantages of the systems, “Luminaires that can individually respond to natural lighting conditions will of course save energy.

However, we are seeing end users being far more interested in how connected lighting can bring savings and improve efficiencies through means beyond energy efficiency.

“With Organic Response, we can extract a large amount of data about the building through our dense network of sensors. Occupancy data helps end users optimise how their spaces are used and maximise their return on floor space investment. The ability to easily adjust and optimise lighting, without large recommissioning costs also increases the well-being of occupants by ensuring the lighting conditions are right for the people actually using the building.”

Specialist in retrofit LED technology, Saima Shafi, Sales and Marketing Director, LED Eco Lights, highlights the advantages of new networked wireless systems. Focused mainly on the commercial sector, the company provides insight into the power of really connected lighting.

“New solutions like Light Boss make lighting networks a breeze to design as well as install and maintain. Software enables users to upload their floorplan – existing or proposed – for quick lighting layout creation via easy-touse ‘drag and drop’ tools. Once installed, the connected system creates a digital network, where luminaires communicate wirelessly, controlled by Android app or web interface, with simple software.

“Setting or adjusting the lighting can be achieved without any wiring changes. Luminaires can be added or replaced and reconfigured at the touch of a button – ideal when refurbishing or adapting internal layouts – and without any expensive recommissioning. An extensive status monitoring dashboard provides on-demand reports of the ‘health’ of LED sources and drivers, highlighting any critical failure points that need attention.”

Solutions like this also deliver ‘active’ maintenance support, in addition to delivering ‘reactive’ lighting maintenance solutions fast and effectively. Neither of these functions require maintenance teams to carry out surveys or make visits to the relevant site.

Saima adds, “In addition to its routine maintenance capabilities, an intelligent lighting control system provides automation of routine emergency light testing and maintenance requirements, for example with self-test features for emergency lighting. Without the need to attend site and test individual light fittings, users are alerted to faults as and when they occur. With logging and fault recording functionality, it eliminates the need for manual recording.

“A major advance of this integrated solution is that it can be applied to new builds, retrofits, old and new lighting. Light Boss modules are connected during the LED lighting upgrade, saving the time and costs of an additional lighting control installation. Because the technology is retrofittable – any luminaire and even individual lamps can be replaced with new LED and wireless-enabled luminaires. Integrate with non-LED luminaires, to make them smart too! All data can be monitored via the Android app (or remotely via web interface) or downloaded for easy analysis.”

What is more, a wirelessly connected system qualifies for government schemes such as the Carbon Trust Green Business Fund. By claiming 100% first year capital allowance, through the Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme (ECA), installers can offset the cost of a Wireless LED lighting control, LED luminaires, and their installation.

Savant Europe 01488 649 340, savanteurope.co.uk Sunlight Solutions 07887 634 990, www.sun-lightsolutions.com Habitech 01256 638500, habitech.co.uk Fagerhult 0207 403 4123, fagerhult.com LEDADVANCE 01925 465 000, ledvance.com Light Boss 01276 691 230, lightboss.co.uk

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Essential Install | Touchscreens and programming

Stay in touch

EI casts an eye over some of the latest news on touchscreens and system programming.

The Savant Pro Remote is a big part of the company’s drive to deliver intuitive control

When the iPad hit in 2010 many predicted the end of the dedicated automation controller. Whilst some impact is undoubted, especially at first, these days the dedicated controller is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. The ability to be super available and deliver really focused functionality are two of the reasons for this.

Brad Hintze, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Control4, argues, “Homeowners who have experimented with do-it-yourself devices and voice control in the last few years, have an idea of what the smart home can do.

But in the DIY experience, users learn quickly that an app for each smart device is time-consuming and sometimes unnatural. An app to adjust the thermostat while you’re away works, but with an armful of groceries a keypad on the wall or a voice command is easier to flick on the lights.

“To make life easy for the user, a smart home needs many control methods — not just an app and not just one remote. Control4 unites all of the devices in the home, across types, brands, and communication protocols, into a single interface from different control devices that work for the homeowner’s lifestyle – a handheld remote for the TV room, voice control for the kitchen, wall keypads for the entry and bedrooms, and an app for anywhere.”

For this maker, it’s ‘control diversity’ that is the key; a job for each controller and controller for each job.

Control4’s ambitions for the future were also underlined at ISE this year where it announced its purchase of Neeo, Swiss-based automation specialist. Known for its Neeo remote, Control4 has made the move specifically to enhance the ability within its company to produce attractive and ergonomic controllers with appealing interfaces, so for this maker the dedicated controller is not just alive and well, it’s receiving serious investment.

Over at Crestron, Michael Short, Global Resi Sales Manager, argues, “Crestron offers a wide range and award-winning selection of user interfaces, all of which take smart home control to another level when compared to generic devices. With keypads and touchscreens allowing complete custom control of the smart home, to remotes that give easy access to the entire suite of media, the Crestron solutions on offer truly take the lifestyles of our clients to another level.

“However in particular three of our residential ‘dedicated controllers’ received a Red Dot Award this year.

These prestigious awards are open to manufacturers and designers from all over the world whose products are manufactured using an industrial production process and it represents the pinnacle of excellence in product design.”

The TSR-310 Handheld Touch Screen Remote received a Red Dot Best of the Best award, while the HR-310 Handheld Remote and Horizon keypads also received Red Dot recognition. The TSR-310 Handheld Touch Screen Remote is designed to be slim and stylish, combining a high-contrast 3in colour touch screen, ergonomic design, and tactile button feel. It provides clients with control of either the single room they are in, or the entire home.

With a button touch or screen swipe, clients can manage custom scenes, select media and control shades and lights. Alongside the TSR is the reliable HR-310 Handheld Remote sharing many of the design features of the TSR-310. It is designed to feel comfortable in the hand, and the weight is balanced to promote comfortable use. Finally from the Red Dot winning trio is the range of Horizon keypads that offer flexibility to deliver custom control combined with sophisticated design. These keypads offer Crestron’s highest level of control from one single dedicated wall controller. With custom engravable buttons of varying sizes, clients can adapt the experience to suit them, controlling everything from quick room scenes such as party or dinner – to whole home scenes like an away setting.

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Essential Install | Touchscreens and programming

Crestron is very proud of its recent success at the Red Dot Design Awards

A different take on the market is offered by distributor Habitech. The company argues that control over AV entertainment, lighting, heating and security is changing to the more powerful app-based control platforms found on everyday smartphones and tablets.

These offer customers an easy way to interact with ballooning numbers of next-gen IoT devices including Nest, Alexa, Ring, Sonos and Lutron’s RA2 Select lighting platform. Habitech argues that the iPad is perhaps the best example of a future control screen offering a dashboard to control interfaces already familiar to the client. In these instances Habitech offers the range of iPort support devices which deliver many different ways to mount and make available an iPad in 7in, 9.7in, 10.5in and 12.9in sizes, surface or wall or flush mounted.

Savant has always ploughed a very clear furrow of its own in the market and this continues with its latest round of innovations. For programming, central to the Savant philosophy is Racepoint Blueprint programming software, which enables dealers to create through its drag and drop technique, customised system configurations.

These configurations can be easily stored, modified and updated. In June 2018 Savant launched two new software platforms to complement the Racepoint Blueprint software – Savant Central Management and Savant Studio.

Savant Central Management is a single place to manage customers and jobs. Once the integrator has received authorisation from the client they can see, at a glance, what is happening with the automation system in the home.

Key benefits include the ability for the integrator to provide seamless customer service with remote diagnostics/maintenance, software/firmware updates and time stamped systems logs.

Savant Studio is a new iOS app that allows programmers to configure systems in the field without the need of a Mac computer. Programmers can design and upload entry level systems with a full range of features

and services such as Savant Music, Savant Lighting and Savant Climate Controls.

Control of the system is delivered via the Savant Pro app enabling the home owner to create an atmosphere with the touch of a button; dim the lights, cue up a playlist, and lower the blinds for an intimate effect, for example, and then then save as ‘Date Night’ in the Savant Scenes memory. Other useful features allow parents to modify privileges to adapt to children of different ages.

The Savant interface also allows users to keep an eye on things; view all the rooms at a glance to check in on the family, get notifications if something is amiss and re-set the alarm if needed. Complementing the app is the Savant Pro Remote, designed to be a sleek, stylish and ergonomically friendly remote with curved highresolution touchscreen, which enables the user to easily swipe between services and scenes. The Pro Remote features responsive voice commands to access a favourite show, or turn-off the lights. You can also program individual profiles for each member of the family. The unit comes as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi version with a charging base. Models include the Pro Remote Single room or the Pro Remote Multi Room version.

Available via distributor, AWE, the new URC TDC9100 table-top touchscreen controller and TKP-9600 in-wall touchscreen focus on performance, design, and efficiency, which the maker hopes will endear them to integrators and their clients, including homeowners, architects and designers. These panels provide primary whole-house control of entertainment and smart home products. Featuring a high-resolution 10in colour screen, built-in camera, microphone, and AV intercom, these products are suitable for door integration, room to room, and whole house communication, and are designed to mount in portrait or landscape orientation.

AWE argues that the Total Control 2.0 home automation system from URC provides greater flexibility, a highly attractive customisable aesthetic, and highperformance capabilities. Featuring a full graphical

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Essential Install | Touchscreens and programming

The freshly minted TKP9600 from URC

update, a new user interface and advanced logic, Total Control 2.0 was created so integrators could put homeowners in charge of their home with a seamless, intuitive and versatile solution.

With Total Control 2.0, installers can personalise their URC system using a fully customisable colour scheme. They can also add images to help define and flavour room, scene and background settings. Either single devices or scenes can take preference on the interface to meet the individual needs of homeowners. Up to 100 scenes can be preprogrammed for immediate access to a specific command.

As well as increasing end user benefits, URC is directly increasing the opportunities for installers with Accelerator 2.0, its new software development platform. Featuring advanced logic, very specific and complex statements can be programmed. By incorporating ‘if’, ‘and’, ‘then’ and ‘or’ commands, the system becomes more in tune with the life of the homeowner. In-built scheduling for commands on a specific time or date increases the level of autonomous directives completed by the system, again demonstrating the sophistication of the system.

The Amazon Alexa intelligent voice control update for the Total Control 2.0 is designed to integrate Alexaenabled devices, allowing homeowners to use basic voice commands to execute programmed commands with ease.

Available to UK integrators via AWE, the use of Alexa Smart Home Skills opens a range of home automation and control possibilities with Alexa-enabled devices such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Fire TV. With simple, intuitive commands, homeowners can select TV preferences, activate whole-home music systems, raise and lower shades and adjust thermostats.

Not to be left out of the swell of new dedicated controller launches, the RTI platform’s most recent introduction is the new T4X flagship remote control. This controller offers a customisable interface via a high-res capacitive LCD touch-screen and also has the option of hard controls. Created to be ergonomic and intuitive, the T4X also has dual-RF and Wi-Fi, grip sensors and an ‘instant on’ accelerometer.

RTI is also keen for installers to learn more about the KA8 or KA11 for whole house control from 8in and 11in screens respectively. These controllers feature a customisable touch-sensitive widescreen display and are available in wall-mounted or table-top variants. Automatic screen-brightness and backlight adjustment are included, as is built-in gigabit Ethernet with PoE and dual-band Wi-Fi, which delivers video intercom use and IP security camera monitoring. In the UK the RTI brand continues to be available from distributor Invision UK.

ELAN is a control brand that is definitely on a development drive in the UK right now. Its distribution base has expanded out to include Alltrade, Indigo Distribution, and Aldous Systems, and the company has introduced new hardware too. Demoing recently at the ISE were a duo of intelligent touch panels (8in and 12in) which include voice control, IntelliVision face recognition and high-resolution video.

The face recognition actually works well – it’s not an easy function to pull off and ELAN might be the first platform to do it convincingly.

The face recognition not only wakes the product but can act as the prompt for all sorts of personalised settings.

Also included is a dual digital MEMS microphone delivering improved voice control that enables users to choose their preferred voice interface (including Amazon Alexa) without needing to fill the house with other voice assistant hardware.

The panels deliver high-resolution video, including monitoring and playback from ELAN’s own cameras and NVR. Two-way audio and video deliver communication with the video doorbell, paging, and ELAN Intercom services. The ELAN Discovery platform is in place to autodiscover the touch panels on the network and configure them with a click. The panels can be powered locally using a 12VDC power supply (not included) or using PoE and they connect to the controller over Wi-Fi or via PoE. A new launch into the UK, the Vitrea automation platform offers some attractive ways to control utilities via its family of control points.

The manufacturer offers wired and wireless systems, as well as strong retrofit abilities, delivering a choice of options to installers.

One of the brand’s selling points is that the control points replace existing light switches or sockets for ease of install, making either retrofit or from scratch installs both hassle free. But the products are not just designed to be ‘smart’ they are made to be attractive too with a wide choice of styles and bespoke designs available. Made in a variety of colours, matt or glossy finishes, there is also a huge variety of customised scene names and icons available. All of the keypads come with matching glass socket frames or flush-mounted adaptors. All keypads are also CE, UL and FCC certified.

A key product is the VTouch Pro touchscreen, suitable for home, office or hotel environments. Because of its ability to replace existing conventional electrical switches or plugs, VTouch Pro’s use of wireless technology gives all the benefits of a typical automation system, without the need for expensive infrastructure, renovations or complicated

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Essential Install | Touchscreens and programming

Vitrea has launched into the UK with attractive retrofit controllers

wired installations. VTouch Pro controllers communicate over Vitrea’s own communication protocol called Aranet, which is a mesh network that handles all the data in a VTouch Pro system working on RF signals at 2.4GHz. All communication over the network takes place within two milliseconds and all the functionality delivered by a VTouch Pro system can be connected, managed and controlled from within the dedicated app. However, the switches can all work separately via physical interaction too.

There is the V-Touch Plus that comes ready to integrate with Lutron lighting, Control4, Vantage and RTI automation platforms and VTouch KNX, which, as the name suggests, is a family of controllers based on the VTouch Plus and designed specifically for integration with the KNX control protocol. The maker can also integrate with Crestron via the VTouch Cresnet range. Again, this is the VTouch Plus but with full control over the Cresnet bus.

Programming support

Providing programming support into the industry, EI columnist Cliff Stammers, owner of Clever Rooms, offers some advice, “Since day one of this programming malarkey, which for me was May 1999, I’ve always looked at the touchscreen interface as being a very immediate experience, not just in terms of how it operates but, arguably more importantly, in how it looks. You see, I’ve always recognised in myself that I am a shallow, fickle and highly superficial person, so I figured that others are probably like that too. And if they are; then they will also want something that looks nice and shiny.”

Cliff argues, “I am convinced that both the way an interface operates, and the way it flutters its eyelashes, can establish credibility in any project as permanently as two lumps of metal being fused together in a blacksmith’s forge. This is as true of a fancy residential design as it is, for example, to an engineering BMS interface governing an entire shopping centre. Keep the logic fluid, keep the interface clean. Touchscreen designs need to be clear and legible, with big buttons, large text and an obvious logic flow.”

Cliff also has some views on the impact of the iPad, “I’ve been programming automation systems for twenty years now, and I remember very clearly that when the pads and tablets arrived about a decade ago there was absolutely no question that they had an overnight impact on our industry. And, of course, all the sensible money at that time was on the instant demise of fixed in-wall and tilted table-top touchscreens. But, although I’m sure that sales would have declined in the short term, most control automation manufacturers were more than able to take up the slack with their other hardware offerings. Exactly at the moment that touchscreen sales declined, the burgeoning proliferation of 1080 HD video processing and distribution products easily provided enough sugar to sweeten the bitter pill of declining screen sales.

“Certainly, now that the fixed touchscreen product base has readjusted to sharing the market with their more portable Android and Apple counterparts, I think an equilibrium has been reached and their demise has now long been halted.”

Control4 01347 812 300, control4.com Crestron 0845 873 8787, crestron.eu Habitech 01256 638500, habitech.co.uk Savant Europe 01488 649 340, savanteurope.co.uk AWE Europe 01372 729995, awe-europe.com Vitrea 0783 431 2979, www.vitrea-sh.com Invision UK 01359 270 280, invisionuk.com Alltrade 0844 225 2700, alltrade.co.uk Aldous Systems (Europe) 01296 719582, aldoussystems.co.uk Indigo Distribution 02891 455 565, indigodistribution.ie Clever Rooms 07801 298471

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Essential Install | Day in the Life: Martin’s Hi-Fi

Half a century heroes

EI travelled to Norwich, Norfolk, to meet with the Martins team as this retailer and installation company celebrates the significant milestone of fifty years in business.

Elizabeth Gould is carrying on the family tradition at Martins of exploiting the best of the company’s heritage and fresh ideas for the future

Normally there is a rule with the Day in the Life series that we don’t feature the same company twice, however, despite Martins appearing in the column a few years back, EI felt that such a significant milestone deserved a revisit.

One of the reasons for Martins’ success is the fact that the company remains a family firm delivering the passion and care to keep the company ahead of the curve, as well as the versatility to adapt.

Following the sad passing of company co-founder Ted Martin in 2018, the business is now headed up Ted’s daughter, Director, Elizabeth Gould, who has been involved in Martins since 1984.

“We have had lots of events to celebrate the 50-year mark,” explains Elizabeth, “We have been active members of the Ber Street Hub, a local group of businesses all based on the same street as us.”

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Essential Install | Day in the Life: Martin’s Hi-Fi

Providing cinemas that fit around existing living spaces is a big part of the future

Long relationships with brands such as Meridian have been very positive for the company

Elizabeth explains that Ber Street has become a hive of activity for Norwich as much of the near-by city centre has become pedestrianised. The street is one of the main routes into the town, enabling Martins to exploit increased traffic passing the shop. Shoppers queuing to get into the large John Lewis car park just down the street, often spend significant time right outside the business – a decent client group with which to raise awareness.

The street has seen many phases of use, it used to be mostly industrial with paper mills and warehousing, but the street has become a focus for retail and service businesses. It’s also close to an area known as Riverside, a residential zone which saw Norwich’s first million pound apartment sell recently.

As far as the anniversary goes, Elizabeth explains, “We have used our close relationships built up over many years with manufacturers to help us celebrate 50 years.

We spoke with Bowers and Wilkins and secured the loan of one of their iconic Nautilus speakers for our main shop window, which has been creating loads of interest and brings people into the store.

“We have some very long-standing relationships, I think our Meridian account is number A002. We really try and nurture these relationships and treat our suppliers the way we would like to be treated. We find that really works.”

Also creating impact for the business has been the shop’s fully restored Victorian canopy, which does exactly what it was designed to do and builds awareness and interest as people pass on foot and in vehicles.

Elizabeth adds, “We were also one of the sponsors of an art trail called GoGo Hares in aid of local children’s charity, Break, which placed statues of hares around the city. We had a hare painted by a local artist right outside the store and as well as supporting this important charity, it bought a variety of people right to the shop front.”

The business has such a long history in the area that raising its profile through different events not only brings new people to the business, but also old ones who reconnect with Martins often after many years.

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Essential Install | Day in the Life: Martin’s Hi-Fi

Installing customer care

A recent project involved combining a full-on cinema with a golf simulator in the same room

Martins has an effective and close-knit team

However, the business does not just use traditional methods to gain awareness. It is active on social media and has a healthy news/blog part of its website. Elizabeth explains that a mixture of videos, customer testimonials, news and promotions delivers the variety that keeps its social media programme effective. “This aspect can sometimes surprise you as to what gains the most traffic, so we keep the content mixed to make sure we widen the appeal.

One of the most successful recently was a great customer testimony that was a tongue-in-cheek complaint that he could not get anything done since we installed his system as all he did all day was lie around and listen to music.

“A business like ours has to walk a thin line between exploiting our heritage, but also embracing the future.

Social media has worked really well for us and allows us to take the temperature of what is happening in the wider world and spot trends.”

As well as creating its own opportunities, recent trends have helped Martins. Elizabeth explains, “The increased interest in vinyl has been good for us with our roots in traditional hi-fi. We are enjoying helping people rediscover that moment of anticipation just before the needle drops and also to have a more fulfilling retail experience away from the coldness of the internet. We are getting ready for Record Store Day right now and hope to assist more people in either discovering this way of enjoying music for the first time or to rediscover it.”

As well as creating awareness locally, the company’s reputation for first class customer service, particularly on the installation side, brings people in from outside the area. Martins’ provision of systems for the popular holiday destinations of North Norfolk is one way that spreads its net.

Elizabeth says, “As we have provided systems for people’s holiday or second homes, this has also led to work in other parts of the country such as London, Edinburgh and Cambridge, and there is also a possible job coming up in Austria. Once you establish that trust with a customer, it can lead to all sorts of positive things. One part of our image is of the traditional outlet, but we are also ambitious for our business and are always looking for new ways to deliver different experiences. As a family run, close knit team, we can be nimble and make quick decisions to keep relevant.

Our experience also pays dividends. Our lead installer Richard Cope has been in the business for 40 years.”

A key Martins policy is never to over spec systems, making sure each home has just what it needs and delivers ease of use and reliability.

On the home cinema side, the business is also adapting to the increased demand for systems that fit around existing living space. The company is updating one of its own demonstration areas to more closely reflect this type of system so visitors can feel more relaxed and imagine what the effect in their own home will be.

Project wise, some interesting recent schemes have involved combining a cinema with a full-on golf simulator for a sport loving client. The company has also been at the forefront in the growth of exterior AV, providing a pool side big screen entertainment system for an open-air pool for a client in North Norfolk.

Elizabeth insists, “People do not want their homes full of gadgets they will never use, it has got to feel like part of the home. Yes, people are driven by the desire for technologies like voice control and 4K, but unless it is properly matched to their home life, they won’t be fully satisfied. It is not supposed to be a science project, it’s supposed to make life more convenient and fun.”

Assisted living is another area the company is taking a look at. Elizabeth argues, “We have an ageing population and anything we can do to increase the possibility that people can stay in their own homes and live independent lives has got to be a good thing, as well as a good opportunity for the business.”

As for the future, the business will continue to reach out and look to support the industry as well as develop new opportunities. Elizabeth is a board member of the hi-fi association, Clarity and has also completed the CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) program in order to increase contact with those in related fields.

Elizabeth is also a big believer in an initiative the company calls the Saturday Sessions, where small scale events in-store focus on a particular bit of kit, or a particular release on music or film. Customers and staff really get a chance to play with and learn more about the equipment, whilst enjoying the content.

Elizabeth concludes, “We are a company with a great heritage, but we are also focused on the future. We won’t change for the sake of it, but we will identify opportunities and exploit our skills in supporting clients whatever their needs. Yes, it’s a about high-performance equipment, but you must engage and make it enjoyable and exciting for people. Ultimately, we are in the entertainment business and remembering that always pays off.”

Martins Hi-Fi 01603 627010, martinshifi.co.uk

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Essential Install | Training Dates

AL LT R A D E ADVANCED ELAN CERTIFICATION DATES/LOCATION: May 29 & 30 (9am) Nottingham

INTRODUCTION TO SONOS DATES/LOCATION: June 4 (10am) Brighton & Hove/Bournemouth Branches, June 6 (10am) Hemel Hempstead/Reading Branches

LEVEL 1 UBIQUITI DATES/LOCATION: May 16 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead Branch, May 22 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, May 29 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch, June 27 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead/Reading Branches, July 3 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, July 17 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch

LEVEL 2 UBIQUITI DATES/LOCATION: May 15 (9:30am) Hemel Hempstead Branch, May 22 (9:30am) Maidstone Branch, May 29 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, June 5 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch, July 10 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, July 24 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch

WHYTE DSCR IRS SYSTEM – ADVANCED SKY Q FAULT-FINDING, COMMISSIONING & PLANNING DATES/LOCATION: May 16 (9:30am) Reading Branch

INTRODUCTION TO IRS DATES/LOCATION: May 15 (2pm) Brighton & Hove/ Bournemouth Branches, May 30 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead Branch, June 19 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch, June 20 (2pm) Reading Branch, June 26 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, July 11 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead Branch, July 25 (2pm) Reading Branch

INTRODUCTION TO FIBRE DATES/LOCATION: June 13 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead/Reading Branches, June 19 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, July 10 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch, July 18 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead/Reading Branches, July 31 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch

MERIDIAN WEBINARS

CCTV PRODUCT OVERVIEW - HIKVISION THE MECHANICS OF AUDIO DATES/LOCATION: MayGREAT 30 (2pm) Reading Branch, June 5 (2pm) Bournemouth June 12 (2pm) Meridian explains the ethos Branch, behind building Brighton Hove Branch, June 20how (2pm) Meridian & DSP loudspeakers and theHemel company Hempstead Branch, July 11 (2pm) Reading Branch, starts each journey with sound mechanical design.

July 17 (2pm) Bournemouth Branch, July 25 (2pm) DATE: May 29 Hemel Hempstead Branch, July 31 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL AUDIO CAT5E/6, THEIR CONNECTORS AND BEYOND In this webinar Meridian looks at the advantages

and challenges of digital audio transmission DATES/LOCATION: May 22 (2pm) Brighton & compared to traditional analogue paths.

Hove Branch, May 23 (2pm) Hemelsignal Hempstead/ Reading Branches, June 12 (2pm) Bournemouth DATE: July 2 Branch, July 3 (2pm) Brighton & Hove Branch, July 4 (2pm) Hemel Hempstead/Reading Branches, July 30 (2pm) mins long.

Live chat room for Q and A. 24 Bournemouth Branch Transmissions spread across the day to suit busy schedules and various time zones. Replay All courses are of charge available for allfree registrants

MORE INFORMATION »

For more 01480 information or tomeridian-audio.com book call 0344 225 Meridian 445 622, 2700/01273 765180, email training@alltrade.co.uk or visit alltrade.co.uk

R AKO RAKO FOUNDATION COURSE ‘INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING CONTROLS’ DATES/LOCATION: Rako, Rochester; June 6, July 18, August 29, October 10, November 21 COST: Free

RAKO ADVANCED COURSE (LAPTOP REQUIRED) DATES/LOCATION: Rako, May 9, May 30, June 20, July 11, August 1, August 22, September 12, October 3, October 24, November 5, November 14, November 26, December 5, December 17

MORE INFORMATION »

All courses are free of charge although spaces are secured with a nominal reservation fee. If you would like to book a training date please contact 01634 226666 or email sarah@rakocontrols.com

C ED I A OUTREACH INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATES/LOCATION: May 20 2019 at 09:30 - 17:00 GMT, AWE Training Facility, Alexander House, 3A Blenheim Rd, Epsom, KT19 9AP, United Kingdom COST: Free. Members-only course

TECHNICAL SCHOOL DATES/LOCATION: May 20 2019 at 09:30 - May 24 2019 at 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom PACKAGE PRICE: £999 members, £1499 non-members

DAY PRICE: £179 members, £249 non-members

CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND NEEDS ANALYSIS DATES/LOCATION: May 30 2019 at 09:30 - 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £179 members / £249 non-members

DESIGN DOCUMENTATION DATES/LOCATION: May 31 2019 at 09:30 - 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £179 members / £249 non-members

NETWORKING SCHOOL DATES/LOCATION: June 3 2019 at 09:30 - June 5 2019 at 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St. Neots, Bedfordshire, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom PACKAGE PRICE: £649 members, £975 non-members

DAY PRICE: £179 members, £249 non-members

DEVELOPING A COMPETITIVE COMMERCIAL STRATEGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS DATES/LOCATION: June 7 2019 at 09:30 - 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £179 members / £249 non-members

HOME CINEMA DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS DATES/LOCATION: June 18 -19 2019 at 09:30 17:00 GMT, Unit 4, M11 Business Link, Parsonage Farm, Stansted Mountfitchet, CM24 8GF, United Kingdom COST: £299 members, £449 non-members

OUTREACH INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATES/LOCATION: June 18 2019 at 09:30 - 17:00 GMT, St Neots Training Centre, Unit 2, Phoenix Park, Cambridgeshire, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: Free. Members only course.

INTRODUCTION TO CAD DATES/LOCATION: June 19 2019 at 09:30 - 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £179 members / £249 non-members

KNX BASIC TRAINING DATES/LOCATION: July 1 2019 at 09:30 - July 5 2019 at 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £649 members, £799 non-members

HOME CINEMA DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS September 19-20 2019 at 09:30 - 17:00 GMT, Alexander House, 3A Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP, United Kingdom COST: £299 members, £449 non-members

BOOT CAMP DATES/LOCATION: September 23 2019 at 09:30 September 27 2019 at 16:30 GMT, CEDIA Training Centre, Unit 2 Phoenix Park, St Neots, PE19 8EP, United Kingdom COST: £799 members / £1,199 non-members

MORE INFORMATION »

CEDIA 01480 213 744, education@cedia.co.uk, cediaeducation.com

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Essential Install | Training Dates

HAB ITEC H COMMERCIAL AV INTEGRATOR DATES: May 21, July 11

DAHUA (1 DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: May 15, June 25, July 31, September 4, October 16, November 13

YAMAHA COMMERCIAL AUDIO TRAINING (1 DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: Basingstoke; May 21, September 5, October 17, November 14 COST: Free to Habitech customers

WYRESTORM - 4K HDR (1 DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: May 22, June 26, July 24, September 25, October 25, November 27

WYRESTORM - NETWORK HD (1 DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: Basingstoke; May 23, June 27, July 25, September 26, October 31, November 28

RUCKUS UNLEASHED (1/2 DAY COURSE)

B EMCO K N X TRAINING KNX ‘TASTER’ COURSE DATES/LOCATION: May 22, June 12, July 24, Bemco Wandsworth

KNX PARTNER (BASIC) COURSE DATES/LOCATION: June 3-7, July 15-19, October 7-11, November 25-29, Bemco Wandsworth

KNX ADVANCED COURSE DATES/LOCATION: September 23-27, Bemco Wandsworth

KNX HVAC COURSE: DATES/LOCATION: May 14-15, October 29-30, December 10-11, Bemco Wandsworth All KNX courses are free of charge

MORE INFORMATION »

Bemco 0208 874 0404, bemco.co.uk

DATES: June 19

PRONET - INTEGRATOR (2 DAY COURSE) DATES: July 17-18

COST: £150.00 + VAT

RUCKUS ICX SWITCHING (DAY 2 OF THE PRONET INTEGRATOR COURSE)

I VO RY EG G K N X TRAINING

DATES: July 18

KNX ADVANCED COURSE

ARCAM - PRODUCT TRAINING (1 DAY COURSE)

DATES: July 22-25, December 9-12

DATES/LOCATION: Basingstoke; May 7, July 2, September 17, November 12

KNX SALES AND SPECIFICATION COURSE

INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL AV DATES: May 8, July 4.

COST: £99.00 + VAT.

WISDOM AUDIO - PRODUCT TRAINING (1 DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: Basingstoke; 14 May, 9 July, 24 September, 5 November All courses are free of charge unless specified otherwise

MORE INFORMATION »

Habitech 01256 638500, tanya.sworn@habitech.co.uk, habitech.co.uk

CAI BASIC AERIAL & SATELLITE INSTALLATION (THREE DAY COURSE) DATES/LOCATION: May 21, 22 & 23 – Gateshead, Tyne & Wear; June 4, 5 & 6 – Watford, Hertfordshire; July 16, 17 & 18 – Basford, Nottinghamshire; September 3, 4 & 5 – Watford, Hertfordshire; November 12, 13 & 14 – Watford, Hertfordshire

COST: Member Rate £525 / Non-Member Rate £780

INTRODUCTION TO IRS (TWO DAY COURSE)

COST: £875 excl VAT

DATES: June 11, October 8, November 19 COST: £175 excl VAT

KNX HEATING COURSE DATES: May 7, June 18, October 22, December 3 COST: £175 excl VAT

KNX BASIC COURSE DATES: May 13-16, June 24-27, September 23-26 COST: £875 excl VAT

MORE INFORMATION »

Ivory Egg 01243 572 700, ivoryegg.co.uk

AW E S MA RT HO ME ACA D EMY WHOLE HOUSE INTEGRATION WITH URC (TOTAL CONTROL) DATES/LOCATION: AWE Smart Home Academy, Epsom; May 21 – May 22 COST: £60

WIRE FREE BLINDS WITH QMOTION DATES/LOCATION: AWE Smart Home Academy, Epsom; June 4 COST: £25

DATES/LOCATION: May 22 & 23, July 24 & 25, September 11 & 12, November 20 & 21; Watford, Hertfordshire

FOUNDATION IN SMART HOME CONTROL WITH URC – MXHOMEPRO

MAKING THE BOND (ONE DAY COURSE)

COST: £30

COST: Member Rate £270 / Non-Member Rate £395 DATES/LOCATION: May 21, July 23, September 10, November 19; Watford, Hertfordshire

COST: Member Rate £180 / Non-Member Rate £265

MORE INFORMATION »

CAI 01923 803 030, cai.org.uk

DATES/LOCATION: AWE Smart Home Academy, Epsom; May 7

DESIGNING AN IMMERSIVE AUDIO HOME CINEMA DATES/LOCATION: AWE Smart Home Academy, Epsom; May 9 COST: £240

MORE INFORMATION »

AWE 01372 729 995, awe-europe.com, smarthomeacademy.co.uk

May 2019 | 65 Training Dates.indd 65

07/05/2019 10:20

EssentialBUYERS’ GUIDE DISTRIBUTORS

300IWLCR6 CI can be Hi-Fi

GET NOTICED! Would you like to advertise in our new Buyers’ Guide section and reach 10,000+ readers each and every month?

Please call Ian on 01634 673163 or email ian@allthingsmedialtd.com

Size

Dimensions

6 Months

1/8 page

110 x 61mm

£450

12 Months £750

1/4 page vertical

110 x 133mm

£900

£1500

1/4 page horizontal

224 x 61mm

£900

£1500

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Essential BUYERS’ GUIDE

EssentialBUYERS’ GUIDE LIGHTING &CATEGORY LIGHTING CONTROLS

Hamilton

1/8

Visit www.hamilton-litestat.com Tel: +44 (0)1747 860088

92 x 56mm

INDUSTRY PARTNER

Wiring Accessories • Circuit Protection • Smart Lighting Control & Multi-room Audio

CATEGORY

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1/4 V

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a mini control system within every MHUB Tel: +44(0)115 824 7000 Email: sales@blustream.co.uk Web: www.blustream.co.uk

HDANYWHERE.COM

THE OPERATING SYSTEM OF THE WORLDS SMARTEST HOMES CATEGORY

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Blustream_EI_97_123_August_2018_Legacy_outlines.indd 1

24/08/2018 14:27

Would you like to advertise in our new Buyers’ Guide section and reach 10,000+ readers each and every month?

Control without limits

1/4 H

1/8

Please call Ian on 01634 673163 or email ian@allthingsmedialtd.com

Crestron Pyng OS 2: video is here 189 x 56mm crestron.com/pyng The operating system of the world’s smartest homes

92 x 56mm

Size

Dimensions

6 Months

1/8 page

110 x 61mm

£450

12 Months £750

1/4 page vertical

110 x 133mm

£900

£1500

1/4 page horizontal

224 x 61mm

£900

£1500

All brand names, product names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Certain trademarks, registered trademarks, and trade names may be used to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography. ©2018 Crestron EMEA

2018_Essential-Install-AD_Pyng-OS2_EMEA_123x92.indd 1

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May 2019 | 67 07/05/2019 16:00

Essential Install | Products

Essential products

A cavalcade of carefully crafted kit The great outdoors The Origin Acoustics Bollard concept is one of the products looking to fulfil clients’ exterior audio needs this summer

Invision has announced that Origin Acoustics’ Bollard loudspeaker is now in stock – a good time to please customers looking for some exterior music delivery.

Invision says the Bollard loudspeaker has been carefully designed for long-lasting outdoor installation. The subwoofer and wiring are safely buried in an underground conduit for a seamless finish and solid connectivity and the speaker’s anodised aluminium enclosure ensures it will not lose its good looks. The acoustic lens design is in place to spread sound evenly across the outdoor space and allows the music to extend to the furthest reaches of the area it’s installed into.

The 70V transformer, with 30W, 50W and an 8Ω tap, ensures the Bollards can be configured in a single or multi-speaker format. The DSP settings for the Bollard, in the Origin DSP3-100 and DSP3-700 amplifiers, assure peak performance across the entire system, says Invision.

The speakers are available with round or square enclosures and in three finishes: brushed aluminum, bronze or ash black.

Mark Taylor, Invision’s Commercial Director, says, ‘The Bollard is a welcome addition to our portfolio of premium products and offers a sensational outdoor sound solution for our customers.”

Invision UK 01359 270 280, invisionuk.com

Get some serious support for Sonos with Flexson

A whole family of Sonos support products are available from Flexson

Flexson’s 2019 range is designed to help installers perfectly position Sonos products for the ultimate multiroom installation, says the maker.

With new products such as the innovative range of mounts for Amp and the mounting solutions for Sonos Beam, Flexson’s range is now more comprehensive and flexible, offering complete solutions for whole-house multi-room Sonos set-ups.

Designed to fit to an existing full-motion or flat-towall TV wall mount, the Flexson TV Mount Attachment for Sonos Beam is a good way to introduce Beam into an existing installation, no matter the room size.

For a larger living space, the Cantilever Wall Mount for TV and Sonos Beam or Sonos Playbar is an option to unify the audio and visual, swivelling into the ideal viewing/listening position. This mount is suitable for larger TVs, holding those from 40in to 60in, weighing up to 40kg.

If installing a 5.1 surround sound home cinema set-up, the Flexson Adjustable Floor Stands for Sonos One or Play:1 (pair) can hold the speakers higher or lower than a standard floor stand could. This positions the Sonos Ones or Play:1s at the ideal listening height and offers a greater range of potential Sonos set-ups for the main room.

Installers can also add a little more bass to the set-up with the Sonos Sub, paired with Flexson’s wall mount. Precisiondesigned to discreetly position the Sonos Sub on the wall, the Flexson Wall Mount was created to offer flexibility, free up floorspace and allow for neat cable routing.

The Flexson range of wall mounts and docks for Sonos Amp helps increase flexibility here as well. For a single Sonos Amp, the Flexson Wall Mount for Sonos Amp allows mounting to a wall or to the rear of a TV and installers can also position up to four Amps together using a Flexson Wall Mount for four Sonos Amps or Dock for four Sonos Amps.

All Flexson mounts for Sonos Amp have in-built cable management for a clean installation. Other opportunities are provided by wall and ceiling mounts for the Sonos One or Play:1.

Flexson 01256 378550, flexson.com

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Essential Install | Products

Stay in formation with Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins is taking a high-quality approach to multiroom music

Bowers & Wilkins has announced a new wireless audio line-up that promises to be the audiophile’s choice.

Dubbed B&W Formation, the line-up promises to offer compatibility with just about any streaming service available, while B&W’s new mesh network technology claims to beat out the competition. In fact, according to the company, its wireless protocol offers ‘imperceptible’ synchronisation of under one microsecond between the Duo speakers and milliseconds between different components.

B&W is entering the multi-room market with a focus on audio quality. That’s represented by both the technology packed into each of the Formation products, as well as the price. The company has also loaded the proposition with support for Roon, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, aptX HD, Bluetooth 4.1, and 96/24-bit high-resolution audio.

The range consists of the Formation Duo, a pair of speakers that borrow a fair few features from B&W’s 800 Series.

That includes the signature 6.5in Continuum cone driver, which replaces the Kevlar drivers that previously adorned the company’s speakers. That’s paired with a 1in carbon-domed tweeter with B&W’s patented tweeter-on-top tech. Each speaker weighs 10.6kg and is 40cm tall x 30cm deep, with much of that weight coming from the two 125W digital amplifiers that power each speaker. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed, but US pricing is at $3,999 for a pair.

The range also boasts the Formation Bar, which delivers nine optimised drive units to provide a wide soundstage.

They include three 1in double dome tweeters and six 2.6in woven glass fibre mid/bass drivers, which includes a dedicated centre channel. Power is provided by six 40W digital amplifiers. The product is 1240mm wide by 109mm high. US pricing is $1,199.

Rounding out the range is the Formation Bass, an eye-catching compact sub which weighs in at 12.5kg and houses two 6.5in bass drivers, a digital amplifier, DSP and Dynamic EQ. B&W 01903 221500, bowers-wilkins.co.uk

Atlantic Technology loves SKAA Music

This new product concept uses SKAA wireless technology

The FS-252 system is the first of a new range of high-performance wireless products from Atlantic Technology that feature SKAA wireless technology for receiving and transmitting high quality audio. Derived from the pro music industry, SKAA is a standard designed for audio creating a dedicated ecosystem that surpasses Wi-Fi in terms of sound quality, distance, ease-of-use and reliability, says the maker. Following the FS-252 system, Atlantic will roll-out several SKAA products in 2019 including an integrated amp, a sound bar and headphones. Well received by dealers during CEDIA 2018 and CES 2019 demos, the FS-252 system is now shipping internationally.

The maker says the FS-252 offers a pair of elegant, compact, powered two-way stereo bookshelf speakers that produce a full and deep sound, ideal for music in one room or as multi-room sets around the home. For home theater use, they are acoustically matched to work in systems with Atlantic Technology Sound Bars and LCR speakers.

The FS-252 can be connected to a wide variety of analogue media sources (CD players, TVs, etc) via various wired connections and wireless digital media sources equipped with Bluetooth or SKAA transmitters. A SKAA media source may be any product equipped with SKAA such as another FS-252 or any audio product with a SKAA transmitter/adapter added. Small, low-cost SKAA digital transmitters, adapt any analogue or digital audio device to affordably, quickly and easily add SKAA wireless capability. This includes PC, MAC and NAS – and portable iOS, Android or Blackberry devices can be turned into a SKAA transmitter with adapters for USB-A, micro-USB, USB-C (coming soon), or iOS Lightning.

Digital TOSLINK and coax S/PDIF plus stereo analog to SKAA transmitters are also available.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were originally developed for data networking and phone use, then later adapted to entertainment audio. This concept hopes to exploit a format which was specifically created to deliver music for a higher quality result. Atlantic Technologies is available in the UK via Connected Distribution.

Connected Distribution 01242 511 133, connecteddistribution.com

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Essential Install | Products

A new high-quality exterior speaker company Escape has launched its first product

Escape with the P9 Escape, a new portable speaker company, has launched the P9 high-performance wireless speaker system. Designed to be rugged yet elegant, the P9 has been designed for users who want to enjoy high-quality audio from a portable speaker in the garden, on the patio or thanks the P9’s weather-resistant casing, near the swimming pool or hot tub.

Featuring four full-range drivers and 24-bit DSP technology, the P9 features app control, Bluetooth connectivity and USB input. Available now, the Escape P9 is available in three colours, black, white or tan – and has a UK SRP of £999.00.

Created to be simple to use, the P9 can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.2 (aptXHD, ACC, SBC audio codecs and A2DP 1.3.1) or its two physical inputs - a USB socket suitable for flash drives and a 3.5mm stereo input. This array of connectivity options makes the P9 compatible with smartphones, tablets or PCs. The audio is created by four individual three-inch full-range drive units, combined with the integral eightinch subwoofer. Using polypropylene (PP) cones with aluminium dust caps, linear flat spider, vented voice coil and an optimised magnet structure, the maker says the

unit delivers detailed and accurate sound with a 360° omni-directional sound field. The subwoofer, which also features a polypropylene (PP) cone design, linear flat spider and vented voice coil combined with a customdesigned composite fiberglass reinforced basket and oversized magnet, is in place to deliver both powerful and deep bass reinforcement.

The system is driven by an efficient 100W digital amplifier and the sound is both tailored and user adjustable via the dedicated app, thanks to the on-board dual 24-bit DSP processors.

The maker says the P9 offers a rugged yet sophisticated design, thanks to its stylish grille made of multi-filament polyester yarn with a soft look to create a natural material effect. The integral carry handle makes it easy to move its relative lightweight 12.30Kg around. The P9’s integral rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery, delivers up to eight-hours of wireless listening from a single charge at normal sound levels. Strong rumour is this is just the first in a range of products from the company.

Escape escapespeakers.com

Savant introduces Micro Aperture powered architectural speakers Savant Micro Aperture speakers offer a simple and efficient approach to distributed audio

These new speakers feature Power over Ethernet (PoE) and are designed to transform distributed audio and enable integrators to more easily deliver high-performance entertainment in any space.

The Micro Aperture architectural loudspeaker lineup, provides integrators with the capability to deliver entertainment content anywhere with single Ethernet cable connectivity.

Savant’s Power over Ethernet (PoE) self-powered Micro Aperture architectural speakers are designed to reduce the complexity associated with distributed audio system design and installation. Each powered speaker contains an efficient amplifier, which not only reduces installation time, it also delivers quality sound throughout any space because content remains in the digital domain from source to speaker. There are three in-ceiling versions available, each using an advanced technology called Balanced Mode Radiator that delivers more sound per watt of amplifier power into the listening area. The models are; Self-powered PoE speaker, Companion PoE satellite speaker and the Passive (four ohm) speaker (for interface with traditional audio systems).

Each self-powered Savant Micro Aperture PoE speaker can run up to three passive satellite speakers, and will selfregulate the output power based upon the PoE type of switch or injector that is being used.

Because each unit is individually controlled and connected to the network, the user can easily switch room configurations. Importantly, Savant Micro Aperture speakers are decor friendly – the speakers sit flush in the ceiling, are available with compact, paintable round or square four inch grilles and complement the look of the Savant/USAI Lighting recessed fixture family for the cleanest look once installed. Savant’s exclusive Install EZE tool-less installation system secures the speakers to the ceiling quickly and easily, and the provided trim makes these speakers suitable for both new construction and retrofit projects.

Savant Europe 01488 649 340, savanteurope.co.uk

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TRAIN FOR TOMORROW CEDIA gives you unprecedented access to educational programmes - in-person and online - designed to put you and your team at the forefront of a quickly evolving industry.

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01/03/2019 10:43

Essential Install | Products

PIEGA launches wireless loudspeakers The polished aluminium cabinets of the new Premium series are available in silver, black and white

With its new ‘PIEGA connect’ interface, Swiss loudspeaker specialist PIEGA is making it possible to connect its active loudspeakers to different wellknown multi-room systems. Direct music streaming is also delivered thanks to Bluetooth aptX. This manufacturer set itself the task of making music accessible without any restrictions and also integrating its new transmission technologies in its loudspeakers. The team of developers used the design of the brand’s Premium loudspeakers and equipped them with the latest in wireless technology.

PIEGA’s Premium Wireless Series consists of three wirelessly controllable active loudspeakers as well as the PIEGA connect interface. The small and easy to use PIEGA connect serves as an interface between the wireless loudspeakers and an existing hi-fi or a multi-room system. The signals are transmitted via a digital wireless link, enabling music to be played via analogue and digital inputs, as well as via the integrated Bluetooth aptX module.

The wireless system is billed as quick and easy to install. The installer connects any amplifier or audio source to the analogue or digital inputs of the PIEGA connect interface and selects the frequency for the signal transmission.

Set whether the volume is to be controlled by the amplifier or the PIEGA connect, and you are done. The integrated sound processor automatically ensures optimum sound quality; The bass and high frequency sounds are automatically increased. At very high volume levels on the other hand, the bass element is carefully reduced in order to protect the loudspeakers from any overload.

PIEGA’s Wireless System operates independently, and no connection with the home Wi-Fi network is necessary. The PIEGA connect and the speakers just have to be connected to a power supply. The system also has an automatic on/off switching function and does not require any additional remote control.

To ensure optimum operation of the system and optimum sound quality, the relevant stereo channel can be assigned on each Premium Wireless loudspeaker, as well as the optimum sound characteristic for the location. The modes ‘neutral’, ‘close to the wall’ and ‘corner’ can be selected.

Piega +41 44 725 90 42, piega.ch

Pioneer backs ‘IMAX Enhanced’

Pioneer has released its first IMAX Enhanced supporting products via the LX504 and LX304

Pioneer has introduced new 9.2 channel network AV receivers, the VSX-LX504 and VSX-LX304.

Offering 7.2.2 channel / 5.2.4 channel surround sound performance, the VSX-LX504 and VSX-LX304 are 9.2 channel receivers with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The company has also confirmed that the VSX-LX504 and VSX-LX304 are also Pioneer’s first IMAX Enhanced AV receivers, featuring DTS:X immersive audio decoding that is optimised to reproduce the full dynamic range of IMAX theatrical sound mixes available with IMAX Enhanced content.

With adjustments modelled on the IMAX theatrical sound system, this proprietary IMAX audio mix is translated for home cinema environments and delivered using a special variant of the DTS:X codec to deliver the IMAX signature sound experience, as the filmmakers originally intended, but tailored for a home environment.

Both models offer plenty of power, 215W/ch in the case of the LX504 and 185W/ch for the LX304 (measured at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10%, 1ch driven). This muscle can also be directed through new Powered Zone 2 and Zone 3 outputs, allowing owners to enjoy audio via speakers located in secondary rooms. Zone 2 Pre-amp outputs have also been added for consumers who wish to add a dedicated amplifier in Zone 2. These Zone 2 Pre-amp outputs can also be reconfigured as Zone B Line outputs, to extend the sound playing in Zone A (the Main Zone) to another location or to a set of wireless headphones (via a transmitter).

The LX504 and LX304 feature seven HDMI Inputs / two Outputs and support Ultra HD pass-through with HDCP 2.2, 4K / 60Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), WCG (Wide Color Gamut) and Ultra HD upscaling (1080p to 4K).

The company’s advanced Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) selects the right acoustic settings for rooms via the receiver’s custom-designed microphone, compensating for differences in speaker size, level and distance, and equalising its output to suit. MCACC delivers improved results by also measuring background noise, reducing standing waves, and by matching the phase of LFE (Low Frequency Effects) to other channels.

Pioneer 0208 836 3500, pioneer-audiovisual.eu/uk

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SUPPORTING THE UK’S FINEST HOME CINEMA INSTALLERS

W: www.pulsecinemas.com Untitled-6 2

E: info@pulsecinemas.com

T: +44 1279 647 039 28/02/2019 11:36