ISE PREVIEW 2022

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

With the Integrated Systems Europe show due to take place early in 2022 (FIRA Barcelona, Gran Via, 1-4 February 2022), EI presents just a few of the highlights being previewed before the event.

RTI announced that the RTI Music and MS-3 Music Streamer will make its international debut at ISE 2022. RTI Music is designed so that technology integrators can deliver a rich streaming experience to their clients with native control through any RTI control system. For home or business owners, RTI Music is described as an entirely seamless control experience, eliminating the need — for example — to exit the control app to search for music and access a playlist. With RTI Music, users can stream high-res audio into any room from their favorite platform or from their local NAS with a simple tap on a touchpanel, remote, or their favorite mobile device.

RTI Music supports three concurrent streams from sources including Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, SiriusXM for Business, SoundMachine and TuneIn. The AirPlay interface enables streaming from Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Music Queue features play now, play later and play soon options to build an on-the-fly song queue, while the Favourites playlists integrate songs from multiple services and local devices.

“Where RTI Music really shines is the user experience, which is fully integrated into the control system,” says Neal Ellsworth, RTI Director of Product Management. “Sources, zones, favourites, and playlists are all managed from a single interface, even when creating onthe-fly music queues from multiple services or local devices.”

RTI Music operates natively within the RTI control system, making it easy to access playlists and search favourite songs, artists, and albums on favourite services and then direct the music to the room(s) of choice. A music collection on a local NAS drive or computer can be accessed and fully integrated with support for lossless audio (FLAC and ALAC) formats. The three streams in the MS-3 can keep the whole family engaged, while the lossless audio capability and local drive access can satisfy the audiophile.

RTI Music and the MS-3 Music Streamer are designed with the integrator in mind. When connected, the RTI Integration Designer programming platform will automatically discover the MS-3, while the configuration utility makes it simple to set up homeowners’ music accounts. The 1U-chassis MS-3 pairs with RTI audio distribution systems for seamless audio throughout the home.

Control4’s new contemporary lighting will also be highlighted, designed to elevate lighting control and aesthetics. Introducing a beautiful design that suits smart projects today, Contemporary Lighting gives dealers a new industrial design that their customers will love, says the maker. Elegant backlit engraving simplifies smart living, while premium buttons provide a solid tactile response and increased durability. A choice of 10 exclusive finishes will complement any décor, says the brand, including a new, sophisticated grey. Contemporary Lighting is perfect for any project - integrators can install all new lighting devices with ease and upgrade existing Control4 wireless lighting by replacing the keycaps and faceplates.

On the AV hardware side, Snap One will be showcasing the new Episode Mini 5.1 AVR, designed to deliver incredible surround sound from a small form factor for rooms that lack space for traditional electronics. Small enough to fit behind a TV in a Strong VersaBox, this AVR’s amplifier has the power needed to overcome installation challenges in tight spaces to deliver full-bodied sound without bulky equipment. Enhance customers’ listening experience in bedrooms, playrooms, bonus rooms, and anywhere else where space or wiring is limited. Integrators can pair the Episode Mini 5.1 AVR with an Episode soundbar or Signature by Episode speakers for a fully immersive AV experience. With built-in IR and IP control with drivers coming soon, this AVR is easy to integrate with Control4 and other popular control systems.

Snap One will showcase a new integration friendly AVR

More AV hardware will be on show from Harman Luxury Audio and Harman Pro. Harman International Industries will be at Stand 3F400, presenting cinema sound JBL-style. The American maker is showcasing two theatre systems: one entry-level and one hi-end. Both setups will feature JBL Synthesis in-wall/inceiling loudspeakers and electronics, taking ISE visitors on a sound journey through the JBL Synthesis Custom Loudspeaker (SCL) series.

The entry-level theatre’s electronics will comprise the SDA-38 surround processor, the SDA-7120 power amplifier, and an SA4-D from the DSi 2.0 Series cinema amplifiers line. These machines will drive 15 speakers made up of a trio of SCL-6, a quartet of SCL-7, four SCL-8, and four SSW-4 in-wall passive subwoofers.

The hi-end demonstration will house a trio of SCL-1, four SCL-2, four SCL-5, a pair of SSW-1 and a pair of SSW-2. A powerful team of JBL electronics will handle this impressive array – prepare to experience the combined results of an SDA-7120, an SDP-58 processor, five Dante-equipped SDA-2200 amplifiers, and four DSi 2.0 MA4-D four-channel amplifiers.

As well as demonstrating its two JBL Synthesis-powered cinema systems, Harman International Industries will unveil new products from ARCAM, JBL Pro, JBL Synthesis, including new outdoor models and additions to its architectural speaker collections.

UK lighting specialist, Rako will celebrate 20 years in business at ISE 2022. This year is a significant one for Rako, Britain’s leading smart lighting controls manufacturer, marking its 20th anniversary in business. The company will begin its celebrations in style with a stand (2N600) packed full of the latest wired and wireless lighting control innovations.

“Rako was founded in 2002 and made its debut at ISE in 2005,” comments Peter Broome, Director at Rako. “We have supported the event consistently since then and we’re looking forward to next year’s show as an exciting meeting point for the whole industry. “Our 20th anniversary is an opportunity for Rako to reflect on how far we have come in driving lighting control technology forwards for the benefit of our dealers and their customers. It also gives us the chance to look forward to the future with products that will be shaping lighting control for many years to come.”

Headlining the Rako stand at ISE 2022 will be the company’s Modular WK-MOD and RK-MOD keypads for wired and wireless systems. Capable of accommodating up to 12 push buttons in a variety of lighting, shading and audio control configurations, the Modular range from Rako offers unrivalled customisation and a premium finish to suit varying application requirements. The range features three different button sizes which can be combined in multiple ways to create custom button layouts, perfectly tailored to an installation. All keypads are also fully programmable with Rako’s Rasoft Pro software.

Also on display will be Rako’s feature-rich HUB interface which now offers increased functionality and simplified third party integration with Crestron Home, Elan and Silent Gliss. Visitors will see how the HUB includes improved app control, simplified remote access and enhanced NFC (Near Field Communication) wireless technology.

Another highlight on stand 2N-600 will be the wired and wireless keypads from Rako’s classically elegant EOS range. The attractive, screwless design of Rako’s EOS keypads create a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, with different finishes to suit contemporary or more traditional interiors. Recessed into each plate are six push buttons, offering a reassuring, tactile interface and allowing easy configuration to suit particular client needs.

Rako will also be sharing more insights and practical information on its supply partnership with QMotion UK which makes integrating wireless blind control with Rako lighting control quicker, easier and more efficient. QMotion FM Roller and Roman blinds can already be natively integrated via the Rako RK-HUB or WK-HUB into Rako wired and wireless lighting control systems, without the need for special drivers or additional interfaces. Now, Rako customers will be able to access QMotion wireless shading solutions via Rako as well as training, sales, technical support and additional window treatment offerings.

Crestron has big plans for the event with Crestron Home taking centre stage.

Michael Short, Director Residential Marketing at Crestron, says, “At ISE this year, Crestron Home is at the core of our booth. Since it was launched, Crestron Home has continuously evolved and grown. We’ve taken the best user experience on the market and expanded on that even further by adding features and functionality, pushing more than 10 software updates, and natively integrating several partner technologies.”

Crestron Home is described as the world’s most powerful and responsive smart home platform that seamlessly manages all devices in the technology-driven homes of today. Its attractive user interface delivers a sophisticated, intuitive experience with elegant animation to give homeowners control over everything either remotely from their mobile device or at home using touch screens, voice command, remotes, and more. Crestron Home is a solution that empowers integrators to set up a full bestin-class smart home, no matter what size, in just a few steps, right from a tablet or the web interface running on a laptop, and all while leveraging premier Crestron hardware. Crestron Home continues to get better and better with a steady stream of updates.

Harman will flex its home cinema muscles at ISE

Michael adds, “Our commitment to innovation with the Crestron Home platform has garnered several honours, including CEDIA’s Best New Product Award this year. We look forward to showing attendees a hands-on experience with Crestron Home and how it can be easily deployed and scaled for any project. In fact, we’ve seen over 20,000 projects installed with Crestron Home. For a full look at the Crestron Home platform, we’ll be providing hands-on demonstrations of the entire user experience, including the latest OS updates such as scene editing, secure remote access, and the Crestron Home Device Health Dashboard. We’ll also be launching a number of new features in one of the biggest OS updates yet.

“Additionally, the Crestron stand will be showcasing our new audio solutions, including Crestron DM NAX and our lineup of speakers developed through a partnership with Origin Acoustics. The Creston DM NAX all-in-one AoIP solution provides all the connectivity and audio functionality integrators need to delight residential customers. With the unmatched flexibility, scalability, and interoperability of DM NAX, integrators can deliver complete control of the audio environment to users, allowing them to toggle between TV audio, streaming music, podcasts, alarms, doorbells, and even paging and intercom usage, delivering the audio to any speaker in the house. The new line of Crestron Speakers made by Origin are made with premium components to support the incredibly high output and resolution capacity of the DM NAX amplifier. Built for optimal performance right out of the box, each speaker model is architecturally constructed to disappear into a home’s design without ever sacrificing audio quality.”

Michael continues, “Like so many other companies in this space we have launched a lot of products virtually over the last year, so a show

Crestron has a whole host of new solutions to showcase at ISE

Lutron will highlight its luxury lighting innovations at ISE like ISE provides an exciting opportunity for dealers to get a full view of the Crestron product portfolio and the powerful solutions available for their next projects. We’ll also be bringing a brand-new product category solution to ISE, one that will support the growing health and wellness aspect of the smart home channel. This exciting solution will offer huge opportunities to our dealer network, and we can’t wait to introduce it for the first time at the show.”

Lutron says it continues to support AV installers and electrical contractors, with innovations that simplify the installation process and empower them to work more efficiently. ISE highlights will include wire-free flexibility for products that are already installer favourites, whilst improving remote monitoring offerings. Ultimately, Lutron aims to enable installers to earn more with expanded offerings for customers, whilst boosting the efficiency of the installation process.

Lutron will be showcasing RA2 Select and HomeWorks. Plus, a preview of the wire-free Palladiom shade, addressing the increasing demand for wireless smart home solutions.

HomeWorks updates will be include the launch of the next generation of the platform, offering both wired and wire-free options. HomeWorks has enhanced the E-tools needed to design, quote and commission a project, including remote monitoring and diagnostics that allow integrators to upload changes without physically going onsite. ISE will also preview the new wire-free Palladiom exposed roller shades. This wire-free product update enables an easier, faster and lower cost installation of the Palladiom shades, which have become a favourite in luxury projects and will launch in Europe later in 2022.