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ESSENTIAL NEWS
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What follows is an official statement from Crestron.
It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fred Bargetzi, our CTO and dear friend.
His impact on our company cannot be overstated. The impact he’s had on our industry is even greater. Under Fred’s leadership, he challenged us to not only push the boundaries of what’s possible, but to do so with an eye towards making the world a better place. Having just celebrated his 30th anniversary at Crestron, Fred leaves behind a legacy of innovation, creativity, enthusiasm and kindness that has helped shape the AV industry into what it is today. We are eternally grateful for his dedication and inspiration. He will be deeply missed.
We are planning several ways to honor Fred’s remarkable life. In the meantime, if you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences simply email: rememberingfred@crestron.com.
The CEDIA Board of Directors has approved the 2021 Executive Committee, authorised the sevenperson Governance Committee and welcomed three new, elected directors who will serve the 20212022 term.
The 2021 CEDIA Executive Committee members are: Rob Sutherland, Chairperson, Inspired Dwellings Ltd. London, UK; David Weinstein, Vice Chairperson, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. Coopersburg, Penn., USA; Melanie Malcolm, Secretary, Bespoke Home Cinemas, Leeds, UK, Alex Capecelatro, Treasurer, Josh.ai Denver, Colo., USA; David Humphries, Immediate Past Chairman, Atlantic Integrated, Rockleigh, N.J., US, Ex-officio, non-voting member.
The new directors joining the CEDIA board are: Shannon Bush, Regional Sales Manager, AVDG, US; Eddie Shapiro, Chief Design Officer, SmartTouchUSA, US; Michael Sherman, Chief Executive Officer, Henri, France; Albert Mizrahi, head of multiple businesses in Mexico, including Control4 Mexico, SmartLab, and DealerShop.
Exterity, provider of IP video, digital signage and guest experience technologies, has announced Andrew Smith’s promotion to UK Sales Director. Andrew will be spearheading Exterity’s efforts to continue empowering UK organisations to adopt best-in-class Audio Visual technologies as they prepare for the future and navigate new challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker maker PMC is expanding the size and scope of its marketing department with the appointment of Robbie Poulton as marketing assistant, to help the support for its UK retailers and overseas distributors.
Robbie is joining PMC at an exciting time for the company, which has recently launched the twenty5i series Hi-Fi loudspeakers, the new ci series customer installation range, created a dedicated UK distribution business and embarked upon a number of highprofile professional audio installations, including in numerous Dolby Atmos mix suites. His role will be to support PMC and its UK distributed brands by developing the company’s digital marketing activities.
Technological Innovations Group (TIG), sales agency for collaborative smart spaces and enterprise communication services, is pleased to grow its Crestron Unified Communications division with the appointment of Craig Chester, UC Solution Architect.
On his appointment, Craig comments, “The Solutions Architect position at TIG for Crestron is my dream job! The appointment gives me the chance to do what I love, to work with a fantastic team and with the brilliant range of solutions from Crestron. “The need for simple, scalable UC to enable remote working has never been greater than now, as we all battle the coronavirus pandemic. Together, TIG, Crestron and our partners can deliver the best, most innovative UC solutions to help enterprises overcome today’s challenges and prepare for the future. I’m very much looking forward to working with my colleagues and our customers, both new and old.”
Albert Mizrahi Eddie Shapiro
HABITECH OPENS SAMSUNG FOCUSED DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES
With new demonstration facilities at the ready, Habitech says it will help integrators and their customers get the most from CI-oriented TV lines from Samsung.
The new partnership will combine Samsung’s CI-inspired TV lines including its MicroLED offering ‘The Wall’, its décor-loving ‘The Frame’ TVs and ‘The Terrace’ outdoor displays.
Installers and their clients are invited to the new suite of home environments recently completed at Habitech HQ in Basingstoke showing off the products.
The Wall is constructed from MicroLED modules measuring 806.4 x 453.6 mm (just over 36in diagonally), having a display resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. A 4 x 4 module build generates a 146in display at 4K UHD while an 8 x 8 construction re-creates The Wall with a 292in diagonal at 8K resolution. Each MicroLED pixel is the product of a cluster of three tiny self-emissive RGB LEDs. This means that the brightness and colour of every pixel can be controlled precisely or turned off entirely to create a ‘perfect’ black for maximum contrast and optimum colour.
Complete with an ‘Ambient’ mode for the display of décor-matching artwork, Habitech says the Samsung light engine has the versatility to inspire spaces beyond the home, in elite hospitality, office and retail. Alongside the modular IW008R model designed for luxury living environments, Habitech will also be supporting the CAT-connected IW008J and IW012J products, equipped with a pixel pitch more appropriate for commercial projects.
Also offered is the CI friendly ‘The Frame’ QLED HDR smart TV. Basically two screens in one, a highperformance ‘Quantum Dot’ 4K UHD display when turned on and a place for photos and décor-matching art when off. Décor integration is offered with a choice of thin magnetic bezels in a large choice of colours to frame the flush-fitting display. The Frame’s ‘Art Store’ subscription service will deliver access to à la mode art and photography while curating new art according to user preferences.
Using the latest Samsung 4K QLED smart TV and adding IP55 weatherproofing has created The Terrace exterior screen. At just 6cm deep the Terrace’s black steel frame and anti-glare display install ideally in partial shade offering brightness at 2000 nits av/4000 pk, Quantum 4K processing, AI upscaling, adaptive picture tech and HDR+ contrast.
Habitech habitech.co.uk
Habitech has embarked on a new partnership with Samsung
MIDWICH NAMED SOLE AV DISTRIBUTOR FOR ATLONA IN THE UK AND IRELAND
Midwich, specialist audio visual (AV) distributor, has announced an agreement as sole AV distributor in the UK and Ireland with long-term partner Atlona, global player in AV solutions that support the adoption of AV-over-IP systems. Midwich informs EI that the deal covers both commercial and residential products, with distributor Anixter serving the IT channel for Atlona products.
Atlona designs and engineers products for a diverse range of residential and commercial AV and IT markets, including education, business, government, entertainment and healthcare.
The distributor said that Atlona’s products and services will continue to enable Midwich’s partners to simplify installation, minimise maintenance and maximise the versatility of automated control solutions. Atlona’s products are backed by an industry-exclusive 10-year warranty. Midwich began distributing Atlona’s products in April 2011, and the full range will be available in the UK (through Midwich) and Ireland (through the Square One sales portal) as from now.
Thorsten Goecke, Director EMEA Sales, Atlona said, “We’ve recently restructured our model in the UK and Ireland, with Midwich being chosen for the AV focused market and Anixter looking after the IT market. Atlona has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the Midwich Group. We already have a sole distribution agreement in Germany, Italy, and Spain, so we’re delighted to extend this agreement into the UK and Ireland. The Midwich team provides a high level of service to their channel partners, something we value at Atlona.”
Midwich midwich.com
Sony is expanding its 360 Reality Audio concept
Sony has announced the expansion of its 360 Reality Audio services and product offerings, including adding new video streaming capabilities and content creation tools. Through these efforts, Sony hopes to continue to expand the 360 Reality Audio ecosystem.
Introduced in 2019, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio was created to make it possible for artists and creators to produce music by mapping sound sources such as vocals, chorus and instruments with positional information and place them within a spherical space.
This experience, powered by Sony’s spatial sound technologies, was created to evoke feelings of being ‘in’ a music studio or live concert venue – all without leaving the home, not developed specifically for COVID 19 restrictions, the tech has though obvious applications during restrictions now and in the future.
Listeners can currently access approximately 4,000 songs in 360 Reality Audio from artists like Alicia Keys, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Noah Cyrus and Zara Larsson. To expand the concept Sony has announced new capabilities to the format.
Sony has introduced live performance video content with immersive 360 Reality Audio sound. To showcase these new capabilities, Sony Music Entertainment artist Zara Larsson released an exclusive live performance in 360 Reality Audio on January 11. Viewers were able to stream this performance with the Artist Connection app on a smartphone. With select Sony headphones and the Sony | Headphones Connect app, users were also able optimise their experience by analysing their individual ear shape to enjoy a custom immersive musical field that is optimised for them. Sony said major music labels and service providers are working together to begin streaming this new video content later this year.
Sony and Virtual Sonics, Inc. have also developed a new content creation software called the 360 Reality Audio Creative Suite to enable easier creation of 360 Reality Audio content by musicians and creators. The 360 Reality Audio Creative Suite plugin software is compatible with popular digital audio workstation (DAW). Virtual Sonics, Inc., through its subsidiary Audio Futures, Inc.
Beginning this spring, Sony’s own 360 Reality Audio compatible speakers SRS-RA5000 and SRSRA3000 will be available for purchase. These WiFienabled speakers create an immersive, room-filling 360 Reality Audio sound experience by using Sony’s Immersive Audio Enhancement algorithm.
Sony sony.co.uk
EXERTIS GROUP INTRODUCES NEW DIVERSITY INITIATIVES
Exertis has announced a new set of diversity and inclusion initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a diverse culture across the business.
“A diverse workforce with equal representation supports the development of an excellent, progressive company culture,” said Nick Foster, Exertis’ HR Director. “The new initiatives have been introduced to ensure we design a working environment that is inclusive and diverse.”
The initiatives are to be driven by a diversity steering group, with representatives from teams and roles in every region the company operates in, aiming to share and learn from best practices across the group. Managers have been provided with a diversity and inclusion toolkit and are committed to delivering a demonstrable contribution towards diversity representation within their area of the business.
Vishal Chhatralia, Exertis’ Global Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, said the business is driven by an understanding that diversity makes an organisation stronger, “Where we have more diversity, we see within our organisation that we have better and more non-linear ideas and innovation driving growth. Organisations, irrespective of industry, perform better with greater diversity.”
Focusing on attracting a diverse and inclusive talent pool is just one of many ways the group aims to help tackle inequality. Exertis believes in fostering and developing talent to ensure underrepresented and marginalised groups are given the tools they need to prosper. It offers career opportunities across a wide range of functions from sales to finance and has over 860 courses available for employees.
“We have made two big strides,” said Vishal. “One is recruitment: senior roles have been recruited with a greater focus on bringing in new members from diverse backgrounds, with increases in female talent and talent from ethnic backgrounds. Second is our ‘always on’ education and communication programme focused on the importance of diversity and what we can do as an organisation to better understand and encourage diversity in recruitment, everyday operations and as a leader.”
In recognition of the differing needs of employees, Exertis has increased maternity, paternity and adoption packages as well as offering flexibility in terms of location and hours. Almost everyone uses technology, and consequently, Exertis believes its services and organisation must reflect the diverse plurality of modern society.
Exertis exertis.co.uk
Vishal Chhatralia, Exertis’ Global Chief Digital & Marketing Officer
BEMCO, one of the larger independent electrical wholesalers in the UK and a specialist in smart home technologies, has launched three FREE online KNX courses to support its extensive KNX ‘In-Person’ training programme.
Featuring a KNX Refresher course, KNX Panel Building training and a detailed exploration of how KNX can be used in Shading Control, these new online sessions are all interactive in style and delivered by experienced KNX trainers and integrators, Gordon Fry and Jeremy Aston.
The ‘KNX Refresher’ training is ideal for those who may be aware of KNX or attended some training previously, but are out of practice or in need of a confidence boost to enable them to take on a project. Delegates will be able to familiarise themselves with the ETS software and get up to speed with the latest enhancements including KNX IP, KNX RF and KNX Secure.
In ‘KNX Panel Building’, attendees learn how to build a KNX board, covering the assembly of DIN rail KNX components and switches into an enclosure, wiring schematics, cabling and the creation of lighting circuits and output connections.
The business opportunity for KNX integrators is fully explored in ‘Shading Control: The Advantages of KNX’ in the company of SOMFY specialist, Jeremy Aston. This course covers all aspects of shading control, the different control options, shade types, dumb versus intelligent motors, phase/24v/230v/bus and SMI control alongside fabric specification and delivery.
“These new online courses build on the successful programme we launched through Essential Install in 2020, KNX Uncovered with Essential Install and KNX with Control 4,” said Julian Barkes, Director of BEMCO. “They will offer important insights into the growing range of opportunities available to contractors and integrators working with KNX as well as sharing practical information and useful advice from those who know. De-mystifying the complexities of KNX is vital and I sincerely believe that these new courses will really help installers understand how KNX can work for them and prepare them with the right skills to take advantage. The courses will be held in real-time and will be limited to six attendees. To view the dates and register your interest go to www.bemco-knx.co.uk”.
BEMCO has also increased the Certified KNX ‘In-Person’ Basic and Advanced training that is available in 2021. Essential Install readers can receive a £100 discount on the price of the Basic Training by using the code EI100 online at the point of booking via www.bemco-knx.co.uk.
BEMCO has also launched a new online channel BEMCO SmartPRO for those keen to grow their knowledge and build their business in smart home technology installations. Accessible at Instagram @ bemcosmartpro and twitter #bemcosmartpro, the channel will focus on providing solutions, advice and resources to help contractors get to grips with the latest technology and seize the market opportunity.
BEMCO bemco-knx.co.uk
New KNX focused training is available from BEMCO
PMC AND YELLO COMBINE TO CREATE DOLBY ATMOS MUSIC ALBUM ‘POINT’
PMC has been involved in helping craft the first Immersive Audio album in Dolby Atmos Music from electronic pioneers, Yello. Swiss electronic duo Yello have embraced immersive Dolby Atmos Music for their latest album Point, which was mixed using PMC speakers by high-end media production company msm Studio Group.
The Munich-based company mixed Yello’s new album for release on Pure Audio Blu-ray and through streaming services such as Tidal and Amazon.
PMC said its loudspeakers are the benchmark for Dolby Atmos Music mixing, having been installed in many studios around the world, including Capitol Studios, LA, Dean Street Studios in London and were chosen for the recent Rolling Stones Unzipped Exhibition Atmos presentation.
The maker argues its creations are well suited to the format because of their headroom, power capabilities, pin-point accuracy and sonic fidelity, the PMC Atmos systems go well beyond Dolby’s minimum requirements. msm founder and Managing Director Stefan Bock has worked with Zurich-based band Yello on previous projects and was delighted when he was approached by their record label, Universal Music Group, and asked to mix their new album in Dolby Atmos.
“I heard a demo of the album and spoke at length to Boris Blank (of Yello) so that I could identify their artistic intent’, Stefan says. ‘In keeping with their precise Swiss nature, Yello sent us perfectly prepared session notes and files and I undertook the Atmos mix in Munich with my colleague David Merkl.”
Commenting on the experience, Yello’s Boris Blank said, “It was a fantastic experience for me to hear our new album Point in full 3D sound for the first time in a Dolby Atmos-certified cinema at the Zurich University of the Arts. The amazement at the new room sound was comparable to how I heard the Beatles in stereo for the first time as a little Boris. Back then, those were worlds between mono and stereo. In my opinion, Stefan Bock & David Merkl have conjured up the Yello sound with great care in a new sound dimension.”
Peter Thomas, PMC’s owner and founder commented, “It is fitting that they (Yello) should embrace the new world of immersive audio that Dolby Atmos Music provides and we are very proud to have played a part in the production of Point, another truly brilliant album from one of Switzerland’s best exports.”
Point was released in December 2020 and is available on Pure Audio Blu-ray and on Dolby Atmos streaming services such as Tidal and Amazon.
PMC Speakers pmc-speakers.com
