Essential Install January 2023

2022 flew by, and it looks like 2023 will be similar with a really packed schedule already beginning to fill up the EI diary.

This issue carries our preview of the Integrated Systems Europe event returning once more to Barcelona, so be sure to check out all of the runners and riders in our show preview. Also don’t forget to keep checking our sister website for more news right up to the date of the event itself - which this year is 31 January to 1 February. If you are visiting the show and want to catch up with the EI team whilst you were there, we won’t be hard to find, just look for our branded shirts, visit us in the press area or catch us out on the show floor. If you have a product or a demo you would particularly like us to come and visit, get in touch and we will add it to our already very long list!

A KEY YEAR

Having a think about the history of the EI brand and its associated products led us to the conclusion that 2023 is set to be one of the pivotal times in the development of the brand.

The magazine has been going from strength to strength, so many thanks to the whole industry for supporting what we do and the approach we take, which is to

reflect the high quality of the work done in the industry in the product that we create. This work, of course, will carry on and we will also be looking to expand the reach of our sister website this year. Look out for more coverage of the European market as a whole as well as all the important UK based news, views, features and facts on essentialinstall.com.

This increase in European coverage goes hand in hand with the addition of a brand-new product this year into our calendar, EI Live! Europe, coming in to partner the UK based event offering installers and industry stakeholders based in the UK and Europe a second chance in the year to gather together in the popular city of Amsterdam. Expect to see lots more information about this event and of course the UK show coming out of all of our publications and our social media feeds right throughout the year. However, for now keep your eye on these key websites (eiliveeurope.com and eiliveshow.com) to make sure you are fully informed on everything that is happening with our products and our shows. We of course will be heading out on the road as we do every year visiting companies, installers and projects and reporting back with all the industry has to offer. We already have some promising visits lined up, but if you want us to come and visit you, just drop us a line and let us know!

GETTING IN TOUCH

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Daniel J Sait, dan@allthingsmedialtd.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Beatrice Lee, beatrice@allthingsmedialtd.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ian Kitchener, ian@allthingsmedialtd.com

GROUP AD MANAGER

Claire Talty, claire@allthingsmedialtd.com

PUBLISHER

David Kitchener, david@allthingsmedialtd.com

STUDIO MANAGER

Mark Weller, mark@allthingsmedialtd.com

ACCOUNTS

susan@allthingsmedialtd.com

XS SIZE - XL SOUND

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Visit creations.l-acoustics.com to book an appointment in London, Paris, or Los Angeles.

Z-WAVE ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2023

Amazon takes seat at the head of the table and assumes role of Chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance board of directors.

The Z-Wave Alliance, the Standards Development Organisation (SDO) dedicated to advancing smart home and Z-Wave technology, has announced the newly elected Z-Wave Alliance board of directors. Effective immediately, the updated roster of roles and representatives from across the connected home and IoT industry is as follows:

• Chairman of the Board - Jonathan Adams, Amazon

• Vice Chairman of the Board - John E Osborne II, LEXI Devices

• Treasurer - Kevin Kraus, ASSA ABLOY

• Secretary - Avi Rosenthal, bluesalve partners

• Executive Director - Mitch Klein, Silicon Labs

• Director - Jennifer Doctor, Johnson Controls

• Director - Stephen Haynes, Vivint

• Director - Andrew Weir, ADT

• Director - Gustaf Lonaeus, Alarm.com

• Director - James Wang, LEEDARSON

• Chair Emeritus - Jacob Alamat, Silicon Labs

The past two years have driven impressive growth in the smart home industry says the organisation. Z-Wave has experienced this first-hand with milestones such as the availability of the Z-Wave Long Range (LR) certification, achieving 4100 certified Z-Wave

devices, and witnessing 90 million new devices enter the market since 2020.

Z-Wave Alliance also says that conversations concerning standards and protocols are at an all-time high. Amongst talk of one of the most anticipated new developments in the IoT, the Z-Wave Alliance proudly seats Jonathan Adams, a young and emerging technology leader at Amazon at the head of the organisation. Furthermore, the Alliance continues to benefit from the knowledge and expertise from the collective board, which includes leaders who are founding participants of Project CHIP (now known as Matter) and who currently hold chaired positions within both the Thread Group and the Connectivity Standards Alliance.

Z-Wave Alliance z-wavealliance.org

Across the entire group, the Z-Wave Alliance Board of directors features top leadership from companies at the forefront of IoT

Connected Distribution has been appointed as distributor for the MuxLab range of AV signal distribution products for the custom installation market and other channels in the UK. The new deal brings what is described as the largest AV over IP line-up in the industry to residential and commercial installers, alongside the company’s many other HD and audio distribution products, allowing installers to benefit from the quality of MuxLab’s professional broadcast industry heritage.

Muxlab designs and manufactures Pro AV signal distribution solutions for multiple sectors, including professional broadcast, residential and commercial install, digital signage, video conferencing and live streaming. Its product range is large, with solutions for a multitude of AV distribution scenarios, all of which are designed and engineered in Canada.

For the custom installer, the company’s extensive range of AV over IP products, including HDMI 4K/60 KVM over IP Transceivers for UTP/Fibre and Audio/ RS232 over IP with 50W amplifier will be useful as the move to AV over IP for residential use becomes more common. HDBT applications are also well served, with 4K matrix switches and 4K HDMI extenders, alongside a multitude of HDMI splitters, switches and scalers.

And, with the rising interest in Dante equipped products, the MuxLab in-ceiling and line array speakers with Dante and quad channel audio gateway, will prove useful additions to a Dante installer’s toolbox.

Connected Distribution will also be bringing the MuxMeet Unified Communications product range to the UK market. These innovative products bring wireless presentation and video conferencing solutions to individuals, businesses, healthcare and educational establishments. With the rise in home working, MuxMeet enables the custom installer to fully equip their customers’ homes with professional grade conferencing equipment, such as the MuxMeet Videobar, for a more reliable and higher quality experience than a laptop or tablet can provide.

Connected Distribution connecteddistribution.com

Daniel Assaraf, MuxLab’s CEO says, “We’re very excited for our new partnership with Connected Distribution.”

Invision UK will be distributing NETGEAR AV’s solutions that are designed specifically for professional AV installations.

NETGEAR AV’s product line has been designed for high-performance, ease of use, reliability and support with professional AV integrators and custom installers, and the challenges they face, in mind.

The NETGEAR line-up includes AV Network Switches backed by lifetime warranty, support, and access to the NETGEAR ProAV engineering team, as well as Wi-Fi access points managed by NETGEAR Insight – a comprehensive cloud-based management platform that enables integrators to manage their customer’s Wi-Fi network remotely from a tablet, smart phone, or laptop.

Developed and engineered for the AV over IP market, NETGEAR’s AV line switches are designed to seamlessly integrate into projects with features such as IGMP Plus and auto configuration, plus reversible mounting, and software-controlled fan adjustments.

Mark Taylor, Commercial Director at Invision, says, “We are thrilled to be distributing NETGEAR AV’s networking solutions. NETGEAR has more than 25 years’ experience in networking solutions for a variety of applications, and to have their NETGEAR AV brand that includes products that have been designed specifically for the ProAV market is fantastic.

“At Invision, we aim to add value to our customers’ businesses by any means possible and strive to provide them with innovative products from the best brands, having NETGEAR AV join our portfolio is the next step in achieving that.”

As a result of the levels of technical and business support provided, NETGEAR AV will be included in Invision’s Committed to Custom pledge.

Committed to Custom is Invision’s promise to drive positive change within the custom install market looking at improving training and education, offering innovative, class-leading products, and providing high-quality support for integrators.

Key areas of the pledge include a minimum threeyear warranty as standard with the products only being sold to qualified custom installers providing assurance that integrators are competing with likeminded businesses.

Invision UK invisionuk.com

A budding go-karter is turning his dream of a career in motorsports into a reality with the support of installation TV specialist Aquavision

The company has been supporting 13-year-old Jack Burgess for the past year and is delighted to continue to sponsor the young driver as he goes from strength to strength.

Jack, a student at Great Academy, Ashton under Lyne, was diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome when he was seven. Over the years he has developed a real passion for cars and racing. So, when he was finally tall enough to be allowed to get behind the wheel at his local track it was like a dream come true.

His natural skill helped him to progress quickly and now he is the fastest cadet at the track.

Jack’s mum Gemma says, “Without the support of Aquavision, Jack would not have been able to continue with his dream of a career in motorsport, so we as a family will be forever grateful. With this help Jack has been able to progress and do so very quickly.”

Although Jack has only been racing for a year, he has been offered a place on the Factory Team for X-Kart.

The invite came after Matty Street of TeamKarting in Rochdale saw Jack’s speed on the track. Like Jack, Matty has ADHD and was keen to help the young karter achieve his dream of becoming a professional racing driver.

Alastair Benn, Aquavision Managing Director adds, “When Aquavision decides to support a charity, we ask all our staff for feedback to get their take on it, and this was a yes from all of us. We invited Jack and his mum to come to visit us to chat about what Jack’s ambitions were and when he arrived, we knew it was right for us. He and Lenny, our office dog, hit it off straight away so that just sealed the deal!” Aquavision aquavision.tv

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the trade association that oversees Bluetooth technology, has announced a new specification development project to define the operation of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) in additional unlicensed mid-band spectrum, including the 6 GHz frequency band. With over 5 billion products shipping each year, Bluetooth technology is the most widely deployed wireless standard in the world, says SIG. A core reason for its impressive adoption and success is the continual evolution of the technology in key areas, including higher data throughput, lower latency, and greater positioning accuracy, say it backers. The new spectrum expansion project will help ensure that these

Exertis has revealed its new line-up of AV talent which is heading up the Exertis Pro AV division.

The team, who all report into Director of Exertis Pro AV, Jamie Brothwell, consists of: Al Coyne, taking the role of Commercial Director; Tim Fox, named Head of Sales; Jon Grundy, whose role is Head of AV Solutions; and Mark Sanderson, the new Commercial Manager.

A wider external team is also part of the new structure, employing Mandeep Jabble and Joe Finn who both report to Head of Sales, Tim Fox.

Jamie Brothwell says, “Having responsibility for restructuring and rebuilding the UK Exertis Pro AV business is the best project I’ve ever been a part of. Building and establishing a new management team, setting the strategy for growth, working with our geographical siblings around the world, and bringing to life and telling the story of Exertis Pro AV has been a joy to be part of. Working at Exertis gives the freedom and entrepreneurial spirit that leads to fantastic innovation and growth. I’m incredibly proud of our business, our culture and our people, and I’m really excited to see where we go from here.”

Bluetooth performance enhancements can continue well into the future.

“Over the last 20 years, Bluetooth technology has made our lives more productive, safer, healthier, and joyful,” says Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG. “The Bluetooth SIG community is constantly evolving the technology to meet ever expanding market demands for wireless communications. Expanding into the 6GHz spectrum band will ensure the community can continue to make the enhancements necessary to pave the way for the next twenty years of Bluetooth innovation.”

“The global allocation of additional spectrum for unlicensed use is vital to ensuring that wireless technologies can continue to meet growing connectivity demands,” adds Kevin Robinson, President and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “Designating 6GHz for unlicensed use creates a valuable spectrum resource that is recognised globally for its ability to bring tremendous socioeconomic benefits. Wi-Fi Alliance looks forward to collaborating with the Bluetooth SIG to ensure our successful co-existence in the band.”

Employees of all Bluetooth SIG member companies are welcome to join the Higher Bands for Low Energy Subgroup within the Core Specification Working Group to participate.

SIG bluetooth.com

Al Coyne, Commercial Director, says, “I am relishing the new role as it gives me another cap to wear in the world of Exertis Pro AV - there are several similarities in this market as there are within the OA print market.”

Tim Fox, Head of Sales, says, “Building a sales operation that offers customers excellent service and genuine choice is a challenge that I am really enjoying. Exertis Pro AV has a lot of momentum now, exciting times are ahead!”

Jon Grundy, Head of AV Solutions, adds, “Exertis is incredibly forward-thinking and is constantly looking for new ways to improve our offering and better support our partners. Being able to help shape this growth is extremely rewarding.”

Mark Sanderson, Commercial Manager, comments, “Having spent 23 years in AV/UC distribution, it’s great to be leading a team of passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable colleagues to drive our portfolio of industry-leading conferencing, collaboration and attach vendors to market.”

AV connectivity specialist, SY Electronics has appointed well-known AV industry figure, Andrew Smith to the position of Executive Sales Manager.

The newly created role reflects SY Electronics’ ongoing international expansion, as well as the company’s growth into education and other vertical markets. Andrew brings more than 20 years of AV industry experience, including senior business development and leadership roles with CUK Audio and Kramer Electronics UK.

“Andrew’s impressive track record and deep knowledge of control systems and signal management products make him the ideal person to drive our ambitious growth strategy,” comments SY Electronics’ Managing Director, Sirous Yazdanian. “Andrew is well known and respected in the industry, which is already opening doors and creating inroads into previously untapped territories.”

Andrew adds, “We have an exciting opportunity to unlock new global markets for our high-quality audio and video connectivity products. Clients are looking for a partner with a comprehensive portfolio and the ability to supply products quickly, which is precisely where SY Electronics excels. Crucially, I am joining a first-class team with the capacity to provide new and existing clients with the detailed advice and support they need to deliver successful projects using our products.”

Audio trade association, Clarity, has announced that Darren Sherriff, Managing Director of Lonestar Consulting, and formerly of Yamaha Music, has joined its board of directors, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to Clarity which will increase the benefits the association can offer to all its members.

Darren is well known in the Hi-Fi industry having spent the last five years in the role of director for Home Audio at Yamaha, which put him in regular contact with the UK’s Hi-Fi retailers and distributors. Today he runs his own company, Lonestar Consulting, an official partner of Clarity, which aims to provide strategic advice to help businesses achieve their growth objectives.

Darren says, “As a rapidly developing organisation Clarity provides its members a network of support and engagement, promoting high quality home audio. Like most people in our industry, I’m passionate about music and audio and this appointment gives me the opportunity to leverage my 30 years of industry experience for the benefit of all members.”

Elizabeth Gould, Clarity Chairman adds, “We are very pleased to welcome Darren onto the board of

directors of the UK’s only Hi-Fi trade association. His experience working for one of the biggest brands in consumer electronics and music will be invaluable to the association, and its members, as we continue our work in reshaping the trade association to make it ever more relevant and vital for the UK industry.”

The LED Studio continues to rapidly expand its UK team with the appointment of two further senior sales representatives, Paul Bromley, who joins as Channel Development and Partnerships Director and Lee Stephens as Global Business Development Manager.

Paul Bromley joins The LED Studio with 15 years of experience in the display sector, working with globally renowned brands specialising in LED and large-format displays. He will focus on further developing, implementing and delivering global sales strategies that support the customer and distribution channels.

Paul Bromley, Channel Development and Partnerships Director at The LED Studio, comments, “The LED Studio has a flourishing business with a unique offering that stands out in the LED industry, including a portfolio of proprietary display solutions designed and assembled in the UK. The LED Studio already has strong foundations, which will help as we expand into the broader AV market across EMEA. This is a very exciting time to join The LED Studio and help to cement its reputation and position as an instrumental player in the ever-evolving LED space.”

Lee brings a wealth of knowledge to The LED Studio with a proven track record of holding senior business development roles at global system integrators. He brings specialist industry knowledge in the retail and QSR verticals.

As Global Business Development Manager, Lee will utilise his business development skills to work with key brands and strategic partners to identify and implement route to market strategies across the retail, forecourt, automotive and QSR sectors.

Lee states, “It’s rare to see an LED company with such impressive stock levels and short delivery times, which puts The LED Studio in a unique position in such a buoyant market. With a strong focus on British design and engineering, The LED Studio is committed to creating exceptional LED display solutions built to the highest quality for high end performance and engineered for longevity. These are some of the many reasons I am delighted to join this brilliant, pioneering company, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Darren Sherriff

Paul Bromley

Jamie Brothwell

Lee Stephens

HDANYWHERE REVEALS UNIVERSAL REMOTE FOR THE MID-MARKET

HDANYWHERE has introduced the slender uControl Remote, a handheld hard-button interface to navigate endless entertainment and scene-setting options targeting the midmarket residential space.

Previously, you could only associate a handset as good as the uControl remote with high-cost, luxury control system brands, not necessarily a little tech company from Malvern, England.

The uControl Remote is a giant step from the uControl App, the patented control system built into HDANYWHERE matrices. It offers installers a fast and cost-effective solution that provides unified control of the essentials for media, music and mood, aimed at unlocking the growing mid-market. Replacing arrays of existing remotes, the uControl remote offers control of third-party systems, including

Rako, Hue, Lutron, GUDE, BluOS, and Shelly, amongst others.

Also, functions like scene-setting (which HDANYWHERE calls Sequences) and unified control of hidden media devices have always been in the exclusive realm of top-tier home automation control systems. The uControl Remote aims to challenge by providing top-tier levels of integration for installers but deployed faster, installed with little or no training and at mid-market budgets. uControl doesn’t carry the price tag of a complete control system but can deliver the most used functionality of one.

HDANYWHERE says the new uControl Remote is a simply brilliant remote for AV systems, with functionality previously the preserve of complex control systems. It includes a number pad, navigation wheel, volume and channel up or down, and play/pause - all with an actual button. Dedicated uControl Sequences (macro) buttons mean with a single press, you can trigger a quick action, a routine or a scene which can be accomplished using IR, IP, or CEC* increasing control reach to almost any device in the property.

A companion device for HDANYWHERE’s range of video and audio distribution hardware (MHUB and MZMA), the uControl Remote provides integrators with an easy-to-use, customisable remote they can spec into any HDANYWHERE installation including everything from cinemas, MDUs, homes and commercial properties.

Combining WiFi and infrared technology, the uControl Remote allows you to power on and then control all the technology within a space. One remote to control all your devices, featuring an instantly understandable, intuitively placed button layout, ergonomically designed to encourage muscle memory. An OLED screen for the info you need. With wireless charging and instant-on functionality when picked up from its charging mat. Use any wireless charger to suit, and the uControl Remote is always ready to use.

“We’ve listened to our customers and pushed to deliver the room remote they’ve been asking for, to have a high-quality design at a competitive price point,” says Chris Pinder, Founder of HDANYWHERE. “Our technologyneatening products are usually found behind the scenes. Now it’s found in the palm of your hand with our brand-new uControl Remote. We spent four years developing it from scratch. We finally have a companion remote control that improves the user experience of every HDANYWHERE system.”

uControl Remote is HDANYWHERE’s first hard-button control device - Anticipated RRP is highly competitive

The uControl Remote is a companion accessory for HDANYWHERE systems, such as MHUB and ZP. An additional dedicated processor isn’t required for the remote; the processor is onboard all MHUBs (from 2016). They are already ‘Remote Ready’, meaning that the uControl Remote can be integrated into the system in under 15 minutes using the uControl App. If the MHUB is already using HDANYWHERE’s uControl App, then the process is even quicker, but configuration takes minutes per zone. Once assigned to a space, the uControl Remote will immediately control the technology in that space.

A beta tester says, “The uControl Remote enables my business to be way more versatile in the solutions we can offer clients. It’s a winner for budgets that don’t allow for a comprehensive

control system. I also see projects where the uControl Remote can be used as part of a hybrid system alongside another home automation system to keep costs down.

ISE is the first public outing for the new remote control, where visitors to Barcelona can get hands-on and play with the uControl Remote showcased at HDANYWHERE Stand 3Q200 in the Multi-Technology hall.

AVAILABILITY

Expected shipping Q2 2023. Final pricing and pre-order info to be announced closer to ship date.

Visit uControl.world HDANYWHERE hdanywhere.com

Integrated wholehome AV has never really been possible for the mid-market, but HDA and the uControl remote are making it viable for lower budgets.”

uControl Remote makes a unified whole-home AV experience more affordable for the user and still a good proposition for the installer

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!

Our talented Pulse Cinemas team has created yet another world-class home cinema demonstration space, this time inside a fantastic events and hospitality space, the Hub on Verulam, located in the city of St Albans. This space offers a unique opportunity for our dealers to entertain and impress their customers.

Pulse Cinemas, MD, Mike Beatty enthuses, “We have created this project to offer our dealers a demonstration space unlike any other in the UK. The two cinemas contained in this superb hospitality venue do not just offer the client’s of the Hub on Verulam the chance to watch a huge variety of movie and sports content, but the space is also open to Pulse dealers completely free of charge to bring their clients and experience just how good home cinema can be and have a great time doing it! Our staff are standing by to take bookings and appointments to guide you and your client’s around this very special space.”

The Hub on Verulam is located in the much sought after City of St Albans, around 20 miles North of London, famed for its ancient Roman remains, beautiful cathedral and its hugely popular shopping and hospitality venues.

This project has been a long time in the making and began life as something a little different. Taking the lead on this project has

been Simon Gibbs, our Director of Technical Sales, working closely with AV veteran, installation expert and consultant David Fell.

Simon explains, “This hospitality venue really is something very special, the food, the drink, the atmosphere, and the owner’s ambition of offering something that really services the needs of the community all set the place apart. The founders, local couple Alex and Hannah, came to Pulse with some plans to add a screening room, as the venue wanted to offer the chance to watch a variety of movie content, as well as provide a space to watch sport. The wonderful thing about having access to the brands we have and the in-house experience at Pulse, meant we were able to open their eyes to just what was possible with the spaces they had and the equipment at our disposal. In much the same way as the space will now open the eyes of Pulse dealers’ clients, Alex and Hannah could see the potential and the project was born.”

Lots of painstaking planning, work and fine tuning later and the venue now boasts two amazing spaces with different takes on the home cinema/screening room concept, both ready to receive Pulse Cinemas dealers and their clients.

space full of potential was transformed into ‘The Box’ cinema space

A

THE BOX

This compact cinema room provides an intimate, luxury setting and enjoys its own private bar for pre-screening drinks.

The room offers a high-performance and versatile 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos cinema combining Paradigm, Anthem and Sim2 as the main backbone of the system. In particular the room is a good showcase for the performance and integration possible with the Sim2 xTV 4K in ceiling projector. Obviously, the venue team needed to maintain the really cool aesthetic that goes right through the venue, so being able to specify a system that delivers highly impressive imaging, but a highly discreet install also, was a huge plus for the project and the client.

Diffusion and absorption from Vicoustic and Lutron lighting add to the excellent performance in this room.

THE TERRACE

The terrace was a chance to show just what could be done to deliver the perfect environment for watching sport.

Also a 7.2 audio system, but this time focusing around super-sized TV from LG for its versatility and brightness, this room again calls on Paradigm and Anthem to deliver the right impact. Lutron Homeworks QS is also present as is RTI controlling the space.

Contact our team today and experience this amazing space for yourself.

The Box Equipment List

• Processor: Anthem MRX1140

• Projector: Sim 2 xTV 4K In QEC Ceiling UST Projector

• Screen: Screen Research 120”

Diagonal CLF Screen

• Speakers: LCR Speakers –3 x Paradigm P3, Surround speakers –4 x Paradigm P80-IW, Atmos Speakers

– 4 x Paradigm P80-IW, Subs –2 x Paradigm Defiance X12

• Acoustic Treatment: Ceiling Acoustic Absorption treatment – Vicoustic PET panels behind fabric, Ceiling Acoustic Diffusion treatment – Vicoustic DC3 panels behind fabric, Wall Acoustic Treatment – Vicoustic PET panels behind fabric, Visible wall Treatment –Custom Vicoustic VMT Panels

• Lighting: Lutron Homeworks QS Lighting

• Cables: Kordz PRS3 Fibre HDMI

• Control: RTI XP-6 Control Processor, RTI KA8 Touch Screen, RTI T4x Remote

The Terrace Equipment List

• Processor: Anthem MRX740

• Screen: 100in LG Commercial Monitor

• Speakers: LCR Speakers –3 x Paradigm P1, Surround Speakers

– 4 x Paradigm P80-R, Subs –2 x Paradigm DCS-208FR3

• Amplification: Sub Amps –2 x Paradigm X-500

• Acoustic Treatment: Front/Rear/ Ceiling– Vicoustic PET panels behind fabric, Side Wall Acoustic Treatment –Custom Vicoustic VMT panels

• Lighting: Lutron Homeworks QS Lighting

• Cables: Kordz PRS3 Fibre HDMI

• Control: RTI XP-6 Control Processor, RTI KA8 Touch Screen, RTI T 4x Remote

• Support/Accessories: Future Automation Siding Door

Cinemas pulsecinemas.com

BUILDING BETTER NETWORKS WITH CAMBIUM

Today, rapid Internet access and Wi-Fi coverage are viewed by homes and businesses as the fourth utility. It’s impossible to imagine a successful CI job without them, especially now that home working has made network access for leisure and work a critical lifestyle ingredient. Your customers are demanding no-fail control over ever faster service delivery, which is why our ProNET platform of CI-centric networking product lines and training is more relevant to your business than ever.

BEATING THE SQUEEZE

Believe me, we’re feeling the love for ProNET - it now accounts for 25% of our businessbut were also sharing the pressure as chip availability dries up post Covid. Prices from leading manufacturers are sky high as they try to absorb component price increases, while supply is faltering. Facing spiralling costs and driven by unrealistic expectations from social media, your

customers are looking online for answers, with no guarantee that the cheaper PoE switch, or AP they just bought will meet all of its promises: it may even be a dud. So how should our industry, practiced as it is in problem solving and believing in quality and high performance, respond to all this uncertainty?

Habitech’s answer is to get better at the things we’re already doing well. For over a year we’ve been working on a new ProNET range, backed by the industry’s best training and supported by fast order fulfilment from new supplier relationships with Rivi, Netgear and Cambium Networks.

CAMBIUM TO THE RESCUE

We’re particularly ‘wired’ about Cambium because it meets demand in the mid-market where cost pressures are most acute. It’s the remedy that satisfies all those looking outside the industry for that elusive blend of capability and lower cost. Cambium is a true end-to-end wireless solution with an unbeatable value proposition in which free-of-charge licensing and software maintenance - as well as limited lifetime warranties - dramatically lower the total cost of ownership. Best of all it keeps all

the power and control over durable high quality network design in your hands.

Spun out of Motorola in 2011, Cambium is a specialist manufacturer of enterprise Wi-Fi and network switch products whose ‘Wireless Fabric’ infrastructure, unified by the cnMaestro™ cloud management system, has been proven by countless real-world deployments across the US and globally for over a decade. Promising affordable, dependable Wi-Fi and

When the cost of networking products is up and supply is down, Habitech has the answer with the class-leading affordability and performance of our new Cambium Networks brand, says Technical Manager Justin Martin-Lawrence.

Cambium is a true end-to-end wireless solution with an unbeatable value proposition

switching solutions that ‘simply just work’ our new Cambium range for low to high density environments offers you no fewer than five Enterprise ‘X’ Series Wi-Fi 6 indoor/outdoor Access Points and two cnPilot™ ‘E’ Series 802.11ac Wave 2 indoor/outdoor Access Points, complemented by three cnMatrix™ gigabit switches: 16/24/48 port, L2/L3 with SFP and 240W/400W PoE+ capabilities.

FREE-FOR-LIFE

And the jewel in the Cambium proposition is the simplest configuration through its free-forlife cnMaestro cloud management. Maestro is HTML5 based and so, like Ruckus SmartZone, is completely portable across all platforms. What’s more, it offers limitless customer accounts and within each account as many as 2000 sites. In practical terms its capacity is boundless. You’ll get a ‘single pane of glass’ for device configuration, diagnostics, throughput, even an RF spectrum analyser for complete system management, and unlike many cloudbased products, cnMaestro doesn’t need to be running for Wi-Fi operation. Register and preconfigure your devices by simply scanning a barcode or entering a serial number at the office prior to installation on site. Easy. Even easier is Cambium’s companion ‘Swift’ app, which runs on cnMaestro for one-touch, out-of-the-box deployments, making it ideal as a means to get the system up and running as quickly as possible for the customer.

ACCESS POWERFUL DESIGN FLEXIBILITY

We’ve curated our Cambium offering to deliver unbreakable Wi-Fi performance in almost any residential and small office design scenario. We kick off with the ‘E’ Series E410 indoor and E510 outdoor (IP67) 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual band APs, which offer seamless roaming and classleading coverage and capacity for low, medium and high density applications. Meanwhile the ‘X’ Series APs give you the power to fully exploit the data capacity of Wi-Fi 6: the XV2-2 is a dual radio design with RF optimisation, and unusually for APs in this category, a 2.5Gbps port. Stepping up the range, the versatile XV3-8 8x8 AP features a total of five radios to deliver a next-generation network with edge services

Cambium offers you as many as five Enterprise ‘X’ Series Wi-Fi 6 indoor/outdoor APs and two E’ Series 802.11ac Wave 2

for high capacity and high density. Three of its data radios can be configured as two 5 GHz 4x4 plus one 2.4 GHz 4x4, or the two 5 GHz radios can be combined into a single 5 GHz 8x8 radio to reach maximum power and performance within the 802.11ax standard. Alongside is the XE3-4, a tri radio Wi-Fi 6/6E 4×4/2×2 AP, which extends the capacity of Wi-Fi into the 6 GHz band, more than tripling the wireless spectrum available, while the five radio XE5-8 Wi-Fi 6/6E 8×8/4×4 design delivers arguably the highest density Wi-Fi 6 solution in the industry. Then there’s the XV2-2T0 outdoor AP, which couples Wi-Fi 6 technology with high efficiency antennas to send higher throughput as far as 1km, saving costs on equipment, cabling, installation and maintenance for the largest outdoor Wi-Fi deployments.

ZERO-TOUCH SWITCH CONFIGURATION

Sealing the deal are three fully compatible and managed multigigabit cnMatrix switches, designed to work seamlessly and simply with the Cambium APs in a unified wired-to-wireless access environment, each delivering full Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities with enhanced access security. The new line-up includes the 16 port (8x1G, 6x2.5G, 2xSFP+) EX2016M-P with 240W POE++, the 24 port (24x1G, 4xSFP+) EX2028-P with 400W POE, and the 48 port (48x1G, 4xSFP+) EX2052-P with 400W POE+. In addition to all this design versatility, the switches will save you hours of coding on site through Cambium’s uniquely powerful Policy Based Automation (PBA). Rather than

having to laboriously hardcode every port on the switch in the traditional way, PBA allows you to develop and apply ‘rule of thumb’ policies for device types off-site and in minutes. When adding, say, multiple surveillance cameras to the switch, the policy handles device profiling and segmentation automatically: no manual configuration is necessary. Plug the device into any port and the switch knows what to do, and when you remove the device, the applicable coding disappears from the network, boosting security. PBA’s auto device configuration means that all of your design changes are accomplished through a zero-touch experience, avoiding input errors, saving costly network configuration and downtime while optimising performance. Simple and so cost effective!

APPLIED PRONET

Cambium’s class-leading capabilities and time saving economies make the challenges of designing feature-rich, high quality, unified wired or wireless enterprise grade networks easier and more affordable. I’ve thrown everything at Cambium and I’m happy to report that you can believe the marketing: it just works! We’re confident that Cambium’s powerful versatility won’t let you down, because for the past seven months, Habitech’s office Wi-Fi has relied on it! Best of all you’ll benefit from secure supply and a peerless synergy of product and support from a single source. With Cambium Networks, we’re keeping our ProNET promise to your business more effectively than ever.

To discover all that Cambium Networks has to offer, please contact the Habitech team on 01256 638500; sales@habitech.co.uk.

Habitech Habitech.co.uk

Cambium APs are complemented by three cnMatrix™ gigabit switches: 16/24/48 port, L2/L3 with SFP and 240W/400W PoE+

indoor/outdoor APs

SAY GOODBYE TO SERVICE CALLS

The reboot has been reimagined.

Pair WattBox power products with OvrC, the industry’s #1 remote management platform, and extend device servicing from anywhere. Whatever the time of day (or night), WattBox power products automatically keep status of your devices so that if one goes unresponsive, it will reboot it automatically. It can also be programmed to power-cycle at a specific time each week, saving you time and money. Now available in EMEA.

From Snap One, the company that brings you Control4

Current partners can learn more on the Control4 Dealer Portal, to apply to be a partner scan here.

Copyright ©2022, Snap One, LLC. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are registered trademarks or trademarks of Snap One, LLC or their respective owners.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER

It has been a very busy few months. Our application to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is about to be submitted, and we have a wonderful new ‘expenses only’ partnership with Gasoline Media, leading to increased exposure in all media, however our expenses will increase. These and other factors mean that our budget for 2023 has increased by about £20K, so we are appealing now for new sponsors to help further the good that we’re delivering. Can you get involved? Sponsorship packages start at £500 per calendar year, please ask if you need more details of what sponsorship entails and what difference you can help make.

November marked our first full year of full time operation and I can confidently say that it has been a great success. This is of course my slightly biased opinion, but I’m optimistic that this is the general feeling of our industry and all those involved in helping make the magic happen in the venues that we work with.

This year we have seen eight completed good-cause cinema room projects for seven children’s hospices and one for the Dorset Children’s Foundation. Had these rooms been ‘paid for’ installations they would have cost in the region of £260,000. Thanks again to all the installers and the product donors for making these rooms happen.

We have been in touch with and/or visited all seven of our proposed installations for 2023, five at children’s hospices, a disabled centre for children and young adults in Surrey, and the Resources For Autism centre in North London. We will hit the £1,000,000 mark of good cause installations by the Summer of 2023.

Last year we also attended the EI Live! show, the Smart Building Awards and the CEDIA EMEA Awards. These events were tremendously successful for us and the feedback we continue to get is hugely encouraging. As an industry united to make a difference, we continue to make a real difference to thousands of children, young adults and their families and care teams.

INSTALLATION UPDATE: 2023 AND BEYOND

For 2023 we currently have seven installations in discussion. As with all plans, we have to be subject to change, so the list may change, however, we will target seven more installations for next year. The current installation plan is as follows:

- Butterwick Children’s Hospice, Stockton-on-Tees. Installer: Your Digital Lifestyle.

- Cherry Trees, East Clandon. Installer: Nethaus.

- Ellenor Hospice for Children and Adults , Gravesend. Installer: TBC, though we believe we have someone.

- Hope House Children’s Hospices, Oswestry. Installer: TBC.

- Resources for Autism, London. Installer: TBC, though we believe we have someone.

- Richard House Children’s Hospice, London. Installer: TBC, though we believe we have someone.

- Robin House Children’s Hospice, Ballach. Installer: TBC.

…and for the moment, this will be the basis of our delivery for 2023.

With seven installations we need seven installers and seven more projectors, screens, AVR’s, speaker packages, racks, control, lighting etc, so please do what you can to help and spread the word to those installers, manufacturers and distributors who might be able to donate.

SPONSORSHIP UPDATE

For 2022 Together For Cinema secured 47 industry sponsors at varying levels of commitment, ranging from our Bronze level at

£500 up to our Platinum level at £5,000, and we are hugely grateful to every single one.

There are ambitious plans for 2023 and various commitments that we need to enter into which will further strengthen the longterm security of TFC as an industry recognised charitable organisation. Based on our income and expenditure forecast we need to generate a further £25,000, on top of what we generated in 2022, and our sponsorship appeal for 2023 will start very soon.

We operate on a very tight budget with limited expenses and ‘do the best we can’ to make a difference and promote this difference to our industry and beyond. But there is so much more that we can do and much of this ‘more that we can do’ needs funding.

Be it professional consultancy, legal or accountancy fees, PR and marketing assistance or luxury products to help make an installation as amazing as it can be, our expenses will undoubtedly increase for 2023. Can you help with a new sponsorship or at an increased level?

Packages start from £500/year and you will receive a Together For Cinema Sponsor Pack (plaque, pin badges etc) and some social and trade media exposure. Please get in touch if you feel you can help.

Together For Cinema togetherforcinema.co.uk

Ian Morrish, Founder of Together For Cinema (TFC), presents EI readers with another update on the AV and home cinema industry’s efforts to support this fantastic initiative.

WHAT’S THE ‘MATTER?’

Technical

Unless you have been living under a rock these past few years, you have likely heard the word Matter thrown around in conversation accompanied by a few strongly held opinions. There is a lot to unpack, and in the interest of time, I will spare my own opinions (for the most part) and skip straight to the facts.

Matter, formerly known as CHIP, is a new Internet Protocol (IP) standard that began in 2019 by a large group of technology companies, including Google, Amazon, Apple, Samsung, and Zigbee, just to name a few. It is an open-source standard, meaning the public can actively see and participate in its creation.

The deeper definition of Matter, set forth by the Connected Standards Alliance (CSA), the body at the heart of Matter’s development, is: “A promise of reliable, secure connectivity. It is a seal of approval that devices will work seamlessly together – today and tomorrow. Matter creates more connections between more objects, simplifies development for manufacturers, and increases compatibility for consumers.”

INTEROPERABILITY

What Matter boils down to is a need for interoperability. The integration channel has historically worked through these challenges with control systems that can communicate over various protocols (IR, RS232/422/485, relay, voltage, IP/Ethernet, etc.) to great success. The ultra-luxury and luxury markets have enjoyed interoperability this way for some time.

Smart homes implemented without the knowledge of these systems have not seen the same success: the absence of a standard has caused inconsistent user experiences and

frustration in the mid- and mass-markets. There has been a race for a monopoly rather than an agreed standard. While protocols like Works with Alexa, Apple Home Kit, Samsung Smart Things, and others, have made strides, the fact that there are so many of them is ultimately the source of the problem.

Until now, there has not been a single standard to rule them all: a standard that could bring products from all brands together and allow for easy setup, configuration, and use. Matter will work to solve this problem, and the effects will not only be felt in direct-to-consumer products but across the home technology industry at all levels.

CLEARING THE AIR

Just because Matter has been well received by consumers does not mean it will be widely adopted by manufacturers. In fact, some manufacturers have been hesitant to mention it in their strategies at all.

On one hand, adopting the Matter standard might open up their products to a wider audience who previously felt bound to a single brand. On the other hand, once loyal customers may be tempted to try something new with confidence that, no matter their choice of brand, all of their smart home products will work together seamlessly. To walk this line, some manufacturers may choose to offer a Matter gateway to connect Matter-embedded products into their ecosystems.

Whichever option manufacturers choose, they will most certainly need to adjust their sales and marketing pitches with a strong argument for or against Matter.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR INTEGRATORS?

Matter could quite possibly be the light at the end of the disparate ‘connected home’ tunnel. The DIY and DIFM (Do It for Me) markets will undoubtedly face the biggest impact as Matter should simplify commissioning and setup on smaller, less complex home integration systems. Because the protocol uses IPv6, the limitations are only within the control system and unlikely to have negative effects on the high-end and heavily customised integrated home markets. Matter could even make for quicker and easier integration of devices into those larger systems.

What do I think is the most exciting part? Matter and the adoption of connected devices in general will create increased business opportunity for integrators at all levels, either through new business or operational efficiencies. Fear not: the standard will not replace the big control systems, or programming, or run us all out of jobs. What Matter will do is create a much-needed baseline for the consumer market and a pathway to more advanced and custom integrated home systems.

CEDIA cedia.net

Ian Bryant,

Consultant for CEDIA, takes a look at future connectivity and interoperability.

The preferred choice for retailers and custom installers around the world

Flexson offers mounting solutions for the whole Sonos range, whether creating a multi-room installation, installing a 5.1 surround sound system or outfitting a commercial space.

Home Cinema

Flexson knows the value of great home entertainment. Perfectly mount your Sonos configuration from Arc and Beam to Sub, Ray and peripheral speakers, for the best home cinema experience

With Flexson, it’s simple to keep audio components such as Sonos Port and Sonos Amp neatly installed as they work to bring traditional audio equipment into a wireless connected sound system

Speakers

From indoor speakers such as Sonos One and Sonos Five, to audio on the go with Sonos Move and Sonos Roam, Flexson has all the installation solutions to get the most from a wireless Sonos

To find out more about Flexson, contact Exertis: 01256 378 550

Cables

To better suit an installation, whether floor standing or wall mounting, Flexson offers 35cm and 5m alternatives to Sonos’ standard 2m power cord for Sonos One, One SL and Play:1

DbM – THE SUPPLIER FOR YOU

Since its inception in 2017, DbM has been helping dealers provide authentic and exceptional media room and home cinema experiences for their clients. Whilst providing the best solutions and services for DbM dealers, the distributor also offers focussed expansion for its partners, using its vast connections to push partnered products into the market.

DbM is more than just a supplier, it offers its customers a well-rounded service. This is showcased through DbM’s four pillars – unique solutions; design and specification services; demonstration facilities; and commissioning and calibration.

UNIQUE SOLUTIONS

DbM partners with pioneering brands that share its desire to achieve the very best in media room and home cinema performance –solutions that are high-quality, problem-solving, have a good design and offer reliability to the dealer and end user. Within the past year, DbM has introduced six new brands – Amina, LG, Lumagen, nextgentec, SMS and Sonos. These add a fantastic selection of new and innovative solutions to DbM’s existing line up from Barco, Cats, Display Technologies, Meridian Audio, Trinnov and Waterfall Audio.

“The DbM team has experience of what works well together in real-world situations, not just from the figures on the spec sheets,” comments Barry Sheldrick, Sales Director at DbM. “This allows us to work closely with dealers to ensure our recommendations are the right fit for your clients’ requirements. Our deep knowledge enables products from various brands to be combined to maintain performance all the way from the source to the ears and eyes of your clients. The experienced sales team help you to increase the order value and to successfully close the sale.”

DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION SERVICE

DbM recognises the high level of support in design, specification and installation that is often required to ensure a successful installation. The company’s complimentary Design and Specification Service supports project planning and presentation and is well-used by integrators to help in this area.

“We take your client’s requirements and create a bespoke digital design pack covering all aspects of cinema and media rooms, and distributed audio system design,” adds Barry. “By incorporating all our partners’ technologies, the proposal – which provides Standard, Performance and Reference options – include seating positions, speaker layouts, product install details, viewing angles, screen brightness, sound-pressure levels, wiring diagrams, rack layouts. This makes it quicker and easier for integrators to specify the right products for the installation.”

DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES

DbM has created a fully equipped experience centre at its HQ in Cambridgeshire that features solutions from all distributed brands. Regularly updated, integrators can immerse themselves, bring their clients, and gain a better understanding of each brand and product, and how they perform in a live install.

“The facility provides you with the opportunity to see and hear lots of products in various scenarios,” said Barry. “We encourage our customers to bring their client along to help them with the decision process – enjoyment and involvement often act as catalysts for maximising sales opportunities. It also allows you to meet members of the team in person. We may be working closely together on some projects, and that works best if we know each other well.”

COMMISSIONING AND CALIBRATION

DbM experts will visit dealers’ installations to carry out full calibration of video products from Barco and Lumagen, as well as audio products from Trinnov and Meridian. This ensures clients get to enjoy the full potential of their products and systems.

“It’s in our interests that everything works to the maximum of its capabilities,” comments Barry. “With years of AV calibration under its belt, the commissioning service ensures you get the very best out of your AV package, prior to your client handover.”

DbM distributedbym.com

BARCELONA

BONANZA

Lithe Audio has announced the European debut for the iO1 All-in-One Wireless Indoor and Outdoor Speaker at ISE 2023, see it on Stand 2E150

Designed to deliver high-quality audio while dramatically simplifying installations in any space, the ip66-rated speaker requires only a power source and offers six mounting methods, explains the maker.

The iO1 features a high-efficiency amplifier, wired and wireless connectivity options, and high-quality components in one weather-resistant, IP66-rated speaker with an aluminium grille that requires only a power source for installation.

Designed for areas that require highend audio quality but can’t accommodate a traditional ceiling speaker, the iO1 can be installed in six mounting configurations - on-wall, in-corner, on-corner, ground spike, countertop and pendant. Featuring dual full-range woofers,

titanium tweeters, and two x 60W RMS Class D amplifiers, it delivers full high-resolution audio at 192kHz, 24 bits in these spaces. The iO1 supports both Bluetooth 5.0 and 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi. Embedded AirPlay 2 and Chromecast technologies enable the simple creation of distributed audio systems.

The speaker features an optical input and two Ethernet ports and can be powered by a standard electrical outlet or existing lighting circuit. Installers will be glad to hear the speaker is available with drivers for Control4, Elan, KNX, and Loxone control systems; and supports Alexa and OK Google for convenient voice control.

The Pulse Cinemas team will be back at the show conducting one of the company’s ISE Tours. For those that don’t know, the company organises a supported tour around some key brands that are exhibiting at the event to

a

around on stands as the exhibitors are expecting the group and will have appropriate information and demonstrations prepared. This is a great way to get all the latest updates on all the products and brands available from the distributor. The final details are being prepared as we go to press, so contact Pulse Cinemas for full details, there is also the possibility of an evening social event. as at previous ISE shows, delivering a great night of food, drink and networking

providing a suitable venue can be found. Again, more info when we get it. Manufacturers from the Pulse Cinemas stable that are exhibiting at the show this year include; Airzone 2H700, Alcons Audio 7K600, Kordz 2F450, Lutron 2L250, Pulse Eight 2E275, RTI 2K150, Screen Research 2L600 and Tyba 2E65.

Rako will also be showcasing its new EOS Portrait keypad, which has been designed specifically for the unique requirements of the EMEA and APAC markets. The attractive, screwless design of Rako’s EOS Portrait Keypads create a clean and uncluttered aesthetic. Recessed into each plate are six push buttons in a narrow, vertical design, offering a reassuring and tactile interface, that would complement any interior.

Both keypad ranges are available in seven premium finishes to suit contemporary or more traditional interiors. They can also be matched with Heritage Brass electrical accessories as well as cabinet and door hardware and integrators will be able to see how the keypads and accessories complement each other seamlessly.

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, BlueOS, QMotion and Silent Gliss.

For international compatibility, current Wattbox IP-Enabled SKUs are now capable of operation in 220V-240V regions. Models launching in EMEA and APAC throughout the rest of the year include the WB-800I-IPVM-6, WP-800I-FP, WB-800ICH1U-IVPM-8, WB-250I-IPW-2, WB-800IVPS-IPVM-12 WattBox SKUs.

“Auto-reboots and remote troubleshooting options can reduce service calls and enable better, faster customer service,” Emily says. “OvrC, available through Wattbox solutions, offers reliable, superior performance that directly benefits partners’ bottom line. We’re eager for international partners to begin reaping the benefits of Wattbox and OvrC!”

PMC PRESENTS THE CI SERIES

Rako, will be showcasing its latest technology for integrators to improve control, ease of integration and flexibility on Stand 2K450

A highlight on the stand will be the company’s refreshed app, which offers a host of enhanced features for users. The Rako app now allows quick and easy control of colour temperature and light intensity with a touch slider. It makes adjusting lighting to suit the client’s needs for a particular task or to set scenes by linking the lighting with individual circadian rhythms much more straightforward.

The app can control all Rako systems, both wired and wireless, allowing easy hand-held control of lighting as well as integration with curtains and blinds. Connecting via a Rako Hub, the app allows programming and storing of new scene levels and offers colour wheel control for RGB and RGBW fittings.

“It is great to be back at ISE for 2023 and we’re looking forward to sharing our new app improvements with visitors,” comments Paul Wafer, Director at Rako. “Tuneable colour temperature and its perceived benefits are a big opportunity for integrators. For obvious reasons, homeowners are interested in the wellbeing advantages of circadian rhythm lighting, and integrators can support this demand with a Rako system. Come to the stand to find out more.”

Also on display will be Rako’s Modular keypads, winner of the Best Hardware category at the CEDIA EMEA Awards 2022. Capable of accommodating up to 12 push buttons in a variety of lighting, shading and audio control configurations, the Modular range offers unrivalled customisation and a premium finish to suit varying application requirements.

Visit Snap One on Stand 2D400 to demo a range of Wattbox SKUs. The company has announced the international launch of all IP-enabled WattBox SKUs into the APAC and EMEA markets for the first time since the brand’s inception. These new devices are available for immediate purchase in the EMEA region and APAC regions. International availability will enable partners across the globe to use the power protection, surge protection and OvrC remote monitoring compatibility that Wattbox is known for to build stronger businesses.

“We look forward to bringing Wattbox’s well-known IP control capabilities, versatile form factors and OvrC integration internationally following its success in the US,” Emily Jones, Snap One Senior Director of Product Management says. “Power conditioning and surge protection are required components for nearly all jobs – which is why WattBox is often the first product considered by our partners when designing systems. Plus, the Wattbox product line is the gateway into the OvrC remote monitoring ecosystem, which enables partners to build recurring-revenue opportunities with existing customers.”

Snap One recently introduced the WattBox 800 Series 1U 8-Outlet IP Power Conditioners, which provide greater installation flexibility and control. With individually controlled and metered outlets, OvrC functionality, and an innovative LED faceplate that displays crucial power and connectivity info, the eight-outlet model delivers powerful benefits for Snap One partners.

In June of 2022, Snap One released a new OvrC Connect app that replaces OvrC Home to strengthen control of OvrC systems, available through Wattbox solutions, for both commercial and residential clients, along with a newly redesigned OvrC Location Dashboard that simplifies partners’ customer service workflow.

PMC will use ISE to demonstrate its ci series loudspeakers to the show visitors, (Stand 2D250) exposing them to the speakers used as the reference standard in Dolby Atmos mixing studios across the world, and highlighting the audio quality that is possible in residential cinema installations.

PMC slimline monitors feature in recording, mixing and mastering studios across the world and are the benchmark speakers for Dolby Atmos mix suites at such places as Dolby London, Capitol LA and Dean Street London, says the maker. Emmy Award winning PMC’s close involvement with the movie industry goes back to 1991 when it started designing the speakers that are used by the major studios to create the film soundtracks.

Today, the ci series is used for both movie and music Atmos mixing, with works by some highly acclaimed artists from many different genres, including Carole King, xPropaganda, Swindle, Seal and Miles Davis, to name but a few, have been re-mixed into Dolby Atmos using the PMC ci series.

For the CI industry, the ability to specify exactly the same speakers used by the movie makers is the only way to offer customers the same stunning dynamics and awe-inspiring realism experienced in the leading studios says the company.

Like all PMC speakers, the six ci series models feature the company’s proprietary ATL bass loading technology and Laminair air flow control for ultra-low distortion and highresolution playback. All six models are designed with a shallow depth for on-wall mounting and the ci30, ci45, ci65 and ci90slim may also be used in-wall. This gives the installer greater mounting flexibility, enabling them to enjoy a truly audiophile level experience from a highly discreet system.

The largest model in the range, the on-wall ci140, also uses the latest iteration of PMC’s dome midrange drive unit for strong midrange clarity. This all new 50mm (2in) dome features n-compass technology - a new dispersion flange for a flat frequency response and phenomenal off-axis performance.

T 778 A/V Surround Sound Receiver

Perfect the Art of Home Theatre

The T 778 is capable of delivering the most exciting and dynamic movie experiences. NAD combines market leading amplifier technologies; Full Disclosure Power Ratings, proprietary Modular Design Construction and DIRAC room correction to meet the needs of the most demanding home cinemas. Our flagship model comes with all the technologies you would expect, such as 4K video with HDR and Dolby Vision, as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio decoding. Musical convenience is outstanding with High Res Multi-room streaming via BluOS and will slot seamlessly into any BluOS based multi-zone audio system delivering the most accurate sound and image experience you’ve ever had.

Partnering the ci140 is the ci140sub, with the same four bass drive units operating within the ATL to reproduce additional low frequency energy, a strong proposition for home theatre installations and full frequency music reproduction in high end audio and studio situations.

Looking forward to the ISE show, PMC’s CEO Jeff Willcocks says, “The ci series has been finding fans around the world in the custom installation sector thanks to its ease of installation, flexibility of mounting options and the renowned PMC sound quality.” He adds “We are delighted to be able to demonstrate a fully-fledged Atmos cinema experience at ISE, which will enable custom installers to appreciate why specifying them for their residential customers will give the very same sound experience as the people who make the movies and music hear in the studio.”

Showcasing powerful hardware and software solutions, visitors to the stand will be able to get first-hand experience of the configuration software and control app. Netvio’s aim is to simplify what it styles as the sometimescomplex systems found in the CI sector. All hardware and software have been designed and developed with simplicity in mind.

The Netvio configuration software auto-discovers hardware within the system and the allows integrators to drag and drop displays, media sources and audio devices on the screen and draw AV connections, control paths for devices selecting from IR, RS-232, IP and CEC. Installers can then group displays into single or expanded zones and add custom images to area buttons in the Netvio app. Live demos will be run regularly throughout the duration of the show.

The maker says its Netvio control app, provides a high-quality enduser control experience for HDBaseT, AVoIP solutions. A full spectrum AV control platform using iOS, iPadOS and Android devices, Netvio control manages signal distribution, media sources, displays and audio devices via IR, RS-232, CEC and IP without dedicated control hardware. The app also uses an intuitive drag and drop motion to switch media sources. Using the JP4 AV over IP solution installers get the added benefit of full 1080p preview streaming directly to any device.

Phil Gibbs, Sales Director for Netvio, says, “ISE is the most important event to the AV industry both residentially and commercially. As a relatively new manufacturer we are privileged to be able to demonstrate our next level solutions to international customers for the first time. Netvio will be showing our matrix range, our new HDBaseT 3 Extender and our top of the range AV over IP solution, including the new dedicated plug’n’play AVoIP switch. We will also be running regular demonstrations of our configuration software, as well as our end-user control app.”

Netvio (Stand CS608) professional AV signal distribution and control brand, supplying matrices, AVoIP products, extenders and software, will be exhibiting for the first time at ISE in the Discovery Zone.

PMC is taking visitors to the movies at ISE

Atlona (Stand 5J500), a Panduit company, travels to ISE to celebrate an important company milestone while debuting several product innovations and demos that accentuate the company’s sharpened vertical focus. As the new year dawns, Atlona turns 20 and begins its fourth year in operation under Panduit’s ownership. Both offer insights into how Atlona has evolved over two decades, and how emerging customer needs, industry trends, and Panduit’s AV/IT vision point to Atlona’s future direction.

The Atlona story began 20 years ago inside a Silicon Valley garage as a manufacturer of cables, adapters and video converters that sold direct to residential end users. Fast forward to ISE 2011 and Atlona would make its first appearance at ISE introducing digital connectivity solutions to the EMEA market. Since then, ISE has since served as the company’s launchpad for key product lines, including 4K/UHD Extension over HDBaseT in 2015, collaboration systems for soft codec-based conferencing platforms in 2016, IP-based AV control (Velocity) in 2017, and Wireless BYOD (AT-OME-52W) in 2020.

Atlona comes to ISE 2023 with a major announcement to its award-winning AV over IP platform, OmniStream. Guests to the stand will learn about enhanced capabilities designed to raise the bar for visual quality, performance and integration convenience in networked AV deployments. Atlona will also present the latest innovations in its Velocity, Omega, Captivate, and its HDR product portfolio.

“For 20 years, Atlona has been a company that looks forward, propelled by employees

that prioritise innovation, quality, and a simplified user experience in every product they develop,” says Jamey Swigert, Executive Director, Atlona. “ISE 2023 is our opportunity to demonstrate how Atlona has grown from its humble connectivity beginnings into a complete AV/IT solutions provider for meeting spaces, classrooms and collaboration environments of all sizes.”

Also at ISE 2023, Atlona will also introduce its next generation of HDR distribution amplifiers that emphasise Atlona’s continued innovation for installed HDBaseT systems. More details on these and other new products will follow in closer to the show.

HANG WITH SOUNDTUBE

MSE Audio (Stand 7-A400), parent company of SoundTube, styled as the creator of The Original Pendant Speaker, is excited to show the Designer Sleeve pendant speakers at ISE. The designer-focused commercial audio pendants are now available globally.

The Designer Sleeve DS31-EZ pendant speakers were developed to offer shape options for closed, near space applications that require a design element to meet décor needs. The Designer Sleeve includes a base speaker with the choice of a tapered or cylindrical sleeve. The speaker can be used with or without the sleeve based on the desired look. The speakers blend well with drop lighting and are available in silver (DS31-EZ-SL), black (DS31-EZ-BK), and white (DS31-EZ-WH).

The DS31-EZ is described as a premium full-range 3in pendant-mount speaker with a polypropylene driver and butyl rubber surround for long lasting performance. The DS31-EZ incorporates the ultra-low profile ZeroReflection ABS enclosure with a magnetic aluminum grille and protective power coated finish. The IPX6 rating makes the Designer Sleeve ideal for indoor or outdoor use.

The speaker has a 10ft signal wire which doubles as the hanging cable, and it also includes a secondary 10ft braided steel safety cable for added security. The speaker’s internal body is 7.5in high and 4.5in in diameter and weighs 2.4lbs. The speaker with the tapered sleeve is 8.25in high by 4.75in in diameter and weighs 2.8lbs. The DS31-EZ with the cylindrical sleeve is 8.5in high by 5.5in in diameter, weighing in at 3.4lbs.

The unit may be hung or mounted direct-toconduit via the locking cover plate. DS31-EZ speakers include a six position tap switch with transformer and an 8ohm bypass option for low voltage systems.

SoundTube is also claiming to have reinvented the pendant speaker category with the Mighty Mite. The new speakers, with both new styling and patented technologies that enhance performance, recently debuted and are now shipping globally.

Mighty Mite was created to simplify installations for integrators. The UL-approved and patented Mighty Mite is said to be the only full-range pendant speaker with a builtin subwoofer eliminating the need to install a separate subwoofer and subwoofer amplifier.

Designer Sleeve speakers from SoundTube will feature at ISE

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Mighty Mite’s redefined aesthetics give designers options for a pendant category they haven’t seen before, says the maker. The sleek ultra-modern look and feel fits comfortably in any décor where design is as essential as sound quality.

Mighty Mite is available in two models. The MM43-BGM is a three-way pendant speaker with a 5.25in dual-chamber, band-pass subwoofer, a 4in woofer and a 75in BroadBeam ring tweeter, with high-frequency dispersion technology for wide off-axis coverage. The Mighty Mite MM32-EZ is two-way pendant speaker with a 5.25in dual-chamber, band-pass subwoofer, and a 3in wide-range driver.

Mighty Mite’s subwoofer with phase-aligned bass produces even, full-range coverage, smooth response, and loud, clean sound from one point of origin. With its built-in subwoofer and expansive coverage over larger areas than conventional pendant speakers, the Mighty Mite generates exceptional sound for music and voice applications, says its creator. In addition, the speaker’s wide coverage capabilities mean fewer speakers are needed thus further reducing both hardware and labor costs for the project.

Ideal for paging, background music, foreground music and most open-ceiling applications, the Mighty Mites have a built-in 30W transformer for standard 25/70/100V applications or can be used as direct 8ohm speakers. The unique driver combination gives unprecedented phase-matched audio between the low, mid, and high frequencies.

Mighty Mite has an integrated hanging bracket at the top of the speaker and comes with UL-listed hanging hardware with cables and integrated SpeedClamp self-locking wire

grip for fast, easy, and secure installation. Both Mighty Mite models are 22in high with a 7.4in diameter, weigh 14lbs. and are available in silver, black and white.

Also on the MSE Audio Stand, representing the culmination of over 65 years of engineering experience brings the release of the pinnacle of the PhaseTech line, the debut of the audiophilequality Premier Lux speakers.

look to accompany its exceptional sound, says the maker. The Premier Lux models are also available in pigment intense high-gloss pewter and driftwood. The speakers are sold individually and hand-crafted and painted in our Jacksonville, Florida facility.

“The high performance and amazingly accurate non-fatiguing sound reproduction combined with modern finishes of the Premier Lux 150 give integrators a new standard for sound and aesthetics,” says Ken Hecht, vice president of MSE Audio. “Paired with a center channel, surrounds, and our new Power Lux subwoofers, it creates exceptional theater sound.”

The Premier Lux 150 is a two-way bookshelf speaker featuring a patented 6.5in tri-laminate Kevlar RPF glass fiber flat-piston woofer with a 28mm high-performance soft dome tweeter. The patented soft dome tweeter reproduces silky smooth and defined high frequencies allowing a transition at a frequency where the midrange still exhibits broad uniform dispersion. The maker claims the flat plane surface of the woofer also greatly increases vertical and horizontal dispersion patterns allowing for much more placement flexibility and an amazingly large sweet spot.

The ultra-luxury bookshelf speaker features a distinctive aesthetic and offers three contemporary finishes. Classic black is a lightly textured matte automotive-grade finish that gives Premier Lux the modern

Designed to create powerful and accurate sound in stereo and home theater configurations, the Premier Lux 150 features Absolute Phase crossovers to disperse sound to a wider listening area and ensure that all speakers in a multi-channel system are in phase to blend seamlessly. The Premier Lux 150 can easily be configured into your theater audio design using the MSE Audio Theater Sound Designer.

At ISE 2023, the focus of the KNX Stand (2L400) will be continuously creating awareness of KNX explaining how all applications in smart homes and buildings can be integrated within the KNX ecosystem, its contributions especially in the IoT world, and on energy management. What KNX was capable of doing 30 years ago, to a lot of people are still puzzles to solve today. Hence the understanding of KNX, what it can do, the opportunities it brings, what its status quo and future is like, is something the organisation will be promoting at ISE 2023.

At the event there will be 12 KNX member companies from seven different countries exhibiting at the KNX stand. The product folio is very wide- from software to devices, from organic KNX devices to gateways that bring together different systems, there is a lot to see as always.

KNX will also provide information on the many different possibilities for people who are interested in acquiring KNX knowledge. The online learning platform, demo licences, virtual devices system are all very good resources to build a good foundation and they are totally free of charge. For those who are interested in becoming a certified KNX Partner (a real KNXpert), there are over 500 Training Centres in 72 different countries for them to choose from.

Fresh from winning a CEDIA Award for Best New Hardware Product 2022 for the Fiji 2.1 loudspeaker system, L-Acoustics Creations is heading to Barcelona to demonstrate just what it takes to win one of the industry’s most coveted product awards. Bringing its extensive

professional audio expertise to premium residential, architectural, and marine audio systems, the L-Acoustics Creations ISE stand will demonstrate stereo and multichannel systems capable of delivering all the impact and realism of live concert sound, says the maker.

Headlining will be the Fiji 5.1 system, comprising five X4i 2-way passive coaxial loudspeakers, an SB10i infra-low frequency subwoofer, and a pair of LA2Xi amplified controllers. The discreet X4i loudspeakers are just 116 x 116 x 99mm in size and come with a colour-matched pivoting bracket and cables for easy installation. The SB10i is designed to slip near invisibly into residential décor, being easily hidden under furniture thanks to its minimal 170mm height.

While small enough to disappear in any room, the creator says the Fiji 5.1 is capable of covering a listening area of up to 20 m2 and achieving SPL over 117dB in the reference listening position. The system is ideal for customers demanding the biggest sound without the aesthetic issues of large freestanding speakers or the need to build-in architectural models.

For Fiji applications requiring the utmost sympathy with room décor, L-Acoustics Creations can create units RAL colour-matched to customer requirements. Several unique colour samples will be on display at ISE to show off this bespoke option.

Alongside Fiji, the L-Acoustics Creations ISE team will also demonstrate the new Soka

The Next Generation of Speakers.

loudspeakers in a stereo configuration. Soka is a premium on-wall/in-wall architectural speaker drawing on L-Acoustic’s pro-audio line-array technology. Its colinear source driver configuration and proprietary Wavefront Sculpture Technology deliver a powerful presentation (up to 133dB SPL) designed to remain coherent across the entire audio band.

Nick Fichte, Director of Sales for L-Acoustics Creations comments, “ISE 2022 demos and conversations opened the flood gates on a robust pipeline of integration projects and partners. We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings now that the L-Acoustics Creations reputation has been firmly established in the marketplace.” Head to Stand 2H300 in Hall 2 and take a listen.

Visit us at stand 7-A400

TELLYTASTIC TIMES

Despite OLED grabbing all the headlines for its amazing blacks and phenomenal colour in recent years, this isn’t the only technology that has moved forward. Just look at what Sony has been doing with mini LED technology. Its X95 and Z9K ranges use this system. With these mini LEDs, Sony has packed five times more LEDs behind the screen than its conventional counterparts. This means the screens are much brighter and give many more dimming zones, to create better blacks and less blooming. This, coupled with the XR cognitive processor, gives an amazing image. If that wasn’t enough the Z9K screens are 8K (that’s around 33 million pixels, four times more than 4K TVs). The Z9K screens can take any SD, HD or 4K content and upscale it to 8K.

AWE Product Manager, James Drummie, gives EI the lowdown on the latest TV tech advancements.

The LG Objet is a very different take on the TV market

Experience the exceptional

Featuring Sony’s powerful Cognitive Processor XR, the screen uses cognitive intelligence to deliver sound and imagery optimised for human ears and eyes. Be prepared for superb image quality with captivating images that combine amazing colour, contrast and clarity.

Packed with high-quality features and easy integration, the FW-100BZ40J provides an immersive viewing experience like no other. Find out more at pro.sony/BRAVIA-100

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, LG has its new Objet collection. This is more than just a TV, it’s a work of art. Its easel design turns the TV into a design feature. When not in use the screen hides away behind a panel, displaying only the top portion of the screen. This can show a clock or be used to display music being played. The easel itself can be upright against the wall or at an angle to look more like artwork being displayed. You can even use the Gallery mode to display artwork when the TV is not in use. The LG Objet has a very different aesthetic to other televisions and helps it blend in within minimalist or contemporary environments – but this isn’t just a pretty-looking TV. It uses LG’s OLED evo technology and α9 Gen5 AI Processor for the best image quality.

But what if you want to go really big, say 100in or 120in? Hisense has the incredible L9 Laser TV. The L9 is a TV in all the traditional ways. It has a TV tuner, 40W Dolby Atmos speakers, smart functionality using Hisense’s own VIDAA smart operating system and comes with a standard TV remote control. The only difference is that it comes in two parts – a console (ultra-short throw projector) and an ambient light-rejecting screen. The console is a three laser DLP projector that Hisense claims can show 107% of the BT.2020 wide colour gamut. The screen is an ultra-short throw ambient light-rejecting screen, allowing the laser TV to be used in rooms with very little light control. This sector has exploded in 2022 giving a far greater audience the ability to have that large screen experience in their home. We

can only see this growing in 2023 with the likes of Epson introducing the EH-LS800W Superultra-short-throw projector that can produce an image of 80in just 2.3cm away from the wall. With 4,000l of brightness this 3LCD machine can create an image up to 150in.

However, the fact still remains - to really get the true cinema experience there is still nothing better than a dedicated home cinema room with a projector and full surround sound system.

At AWE you can come and experience these technologies for yourself. Currently on demo is the LG Objet TV, Hisenses 120L9 and of course, if you want to see the full cinema experience, we have two dedicated cinema rooms showing Epson and Sony projectors.

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At SANUS, we set the standard for mount technology. Using innovative design and outstanding safety features, our mounts allow you to find the perfect position for all of your AV needs. These mounts are fast and simple to install, and they offer a clean and stylish finish to any AV set up - all while boasting unparalleled performance.

At SANUS, we set the standard for mount technology. Using innovative design and outstanding safety features, our mounts allow you to find the perfect position for all of your AV needs. These mounts are fast and simple to install, and they offer a clean and stylish finish to any AV set up - all while boasting unparalleled performance.

At SANUS, we set the standard for mount technology. Using innovative design and outstanding safety features, our mounts allow you to find the perfect position for all of your AV needs. These mounts are fast and simple to install, and they offer a clean and stylish finish to any AV set up - all while boasting unparalleled performance.

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At SANUS, we set the standard for mount technology. Using innovative design and outstanding safety features, our mounts allow you to find the perfect position for all of your AV needs. These mounts are fast and simple to install, and they offer a clean and stylish finish to any AV set up - all while boasting unparalleled performance.

Get the perfect sound from your Sonos® speakers. These products have been designed to be compatible with your favourite Sonos products. The sleek, subtle design of our products beautifully complements their range. SANUS’ range of accessories includes new products designed for the Sonos Arc and Move , plus speaker stands, mounts and even a PLAYBASE ™ compatible TV stand.

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PREASSEMBLED COMPONENT RACKS: strong and sturdily constructed with heavy-gauge welded steel. Available in 4 size options: 15U, 27U, 36U and 44U. STACKABLE SKELETON RACKS: can be placed on the floor or wallmounted for maximum versatility. Available in 10U, 15U and 20U and combinable to create the ideal size rack.

PREASSEMBLED COMPONENT RACKS: strong and sturdily constructed with heavy-gauge welded steel. Available in 4 size options: 15U, 27U, 36U and 44U. STACKABLE SKELETON RACKS: can be placed on the floor or wallmounted for maximum versatility. Available in 10U, 15U and 20U and combinable to create the ideal size rack.

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Get the perfect sound from your Sonos® speakers. These products have been designed to be compatible with your favourite Sonos products. The sleek, subtle design of our products beautifully complements their range. SANUS’ range of accessories includes new products designed for the Sonos Arc™ and Move™ , plus speaker stands, mounts and even a PLAYBASE compatible TV stand.

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CINEAK LUXURY ENTERTAINMENT SEATINGAN EVOLUTION IN PROGRESS

The home theatre experience has been a dynamic work in progress for almost 40 years now. In the mid 1980’s end-users began to express interest in having a movie theatre experience in their homes. The AV technology and associated materials to deliver a home theatre available for the consumer was in its infancy and for the most part, could not match the exhibition commercial movie theatre experience at any level.

Jump forward to today and that entire concept has been turned upside down. The level of private cinematic performance possible in the home has been taken to a stratospheric level in professional design, comfort and performance.

From the entertainment and home theatre seating perspective, the first two decades of product design were limited to the standard, overstuffed, high-backed theatre seat, which in many instances ended up being an absolute eyesore. Some products actually integrated recline capability into a ‘family room’ type product that was able to be conjoined to create a row of seating. It wasn’t until the later part

of 1990’s that purpose-built, entertainment seating companies began to explore the possibilities of offering a higher quality, proprietary cinema seating product integrating technology for the consumer.

Most of us who have been in the industry for any length of time have seen the evolution of the home theatre chair in all pricing categories. Unfortunately, in many cases, the seating chosen has been almost like an afterthought and often the weakest link in the private cinema experience.

We believe that the fundamentals of truly quality seating should include several basic elements. Our passion for excellence in aesthetic design, quality materials in construction and finishes, as well as leading-edge technology options have been the benchmark of CINEAK’s attention to detail and service. Comfort has been at the forefront of all CINEAK seating designs. The three most important components of an enjoyable cinematic experience are audio, video and having a truly comfortable, nonfatiguing seating experience throughout the entertainment journey.

Design has become increasingly important for end-users who want an experience that reflects their dreams and wishes. CINEAK has, from the inception of the family-owned brand in the late 1990s, focused its efforts on building a synergy with both the AV integrator and interior design communities. Interior designers can ultimately provide guidance for all parties to achieve the aesthetics and the performance that we wish to provide for the end user. This effort, within itself, has taken patience and time to assist the integrators and designers in understanding that this can be a valuable team effort. The latter will help the team realise that this is an essential product category, wanted by their customer, and a possible vehicle for them to express their talent in working with a seating company to provide a flawless and bespoke experience. The ultimate goal should be for the AV integrator and interior designer to forge an ongoing relationship for future opportunities while providing a superior experience for their mutual client.

Rik Hellemans, Director at CINEAK, explains the now and future of the seating sector.

Quality in construction and finishes is crucial in delivering a product that has held its footprint and structural integrity for many years now, without losing its aesthetic appeal. By providing ultra-high-quality leather and fabric options in conjunction with the capability of custom stitching and trim finishes, incorporating CINEAK’s European styling and elegance coupled with functional design assures that CINEAK products will look great and maintain their comfort for years to come.

MODULAR MAKER

One of the first to market with alternative solutions to the known high back cinema chairs, CINEAK led and curated the path to the development of modular sofa and lounge

seating products and solutions. Due to the significantly more demanding immersive audio environments, controlling the height of the headrest to facilitate three-dimensional audio playback has become important for critical listening . These initial and subsequent designs provide a solution that allows the designer to choose a product that could be used in any common area in the home as a standard lowbacked sofa, loveseat or chair. When you add motorisation that allows a sofa to control the vertical back-rest height, incline, footrest and articulating headrest this provides an entirely new level of customisation to the modular sofa and creates an entirely new approach to cinema or media room seating.

Another current evolution in media rooms and entertainment spaces is the demand for

work-out areas, gaming, business-related conferencing technology and live performances. CINEAK has seating products that specifically address all of these while providing a superior product for the end user.

CINEAK has been recognised as the leader in providing convenience features and technical integration of the motorised components of their seating products. Our technology allows total control of individual seats or the entire seating configuration utilising most of the popular home automation systems (such as Crestron, SAVANT, Control4, etc). CINEAK pioneered the first independently controlled foot rest and recline motorised mechanisms. Imagine touching one single button and having all the seats default back to the closed position when you leave the room after you finish watching your content! All CINEAK products that feature motorisation have the ability to be integrated and controlled simply and seamlessly.

We also offer a comprehensive selection of custom tables, cupholders, USB(-C) charging ports, heating and cooling control solutions and lighting systems as built-in options.

To summarise, CINEAK has weathered the challenges of the global slow-downs and supply chain issues with little to no effect on our ability to deliver product on time – this is due largely to all seating products being manufactured in-house. CINEAK has been consistently at the forefront of many design concepts and trends which have been mimicked by our competitors. While constantly striving to deliver a superior product, CINEAK has managed to remain extremely competitive when it comes to pricing. All CINEAK products are exclusively built to stringent detailed specification at our facilities in Belgium.

The seating sector has evolved hugely since its inception

BEGIN A DESIGN CONVERSATION

In new builds, where a homeward shift in economic and social energy meets the boom in streaming quality and convenience, developers are selling the dream of designed home cinema spaces more rigorously than ever.

Today, media rooms are as worthy of inclusion on any luxury home buyer’s wish list as bespoke bathrooms or kitchens, and just as likely to fall within the remit of the home’s interior design team. But more than any other part of the home, they offer AV integrators and interior designers the opportunity to share productive conversations about aesthetics and comfort.

Mention cinema seating to your new design collaborators and they’ll be thinking local Odeon. But you’ll soon be talking their language if you choose a seating brand with a heritage of immaculate bespoke fulfilment. As meticulously crafted as Boca do Lobo, Fendi, Linley, Tetrad, Bentley Home or any other highend furniture name, Infinity Seating Solutions’

range will look gorgeous inside or outside the cinema environment. Interiors pros will love the fact that it’s hand-made by the UK’s only manufacturer of specialised cinema seating, and purpose-built for media rooms. And they’ll adore its eco-friendly credibility.

SUSTAINABLE QUALITY

When going green is a growing priority and a morality call for many of your customers (and their design teams), an eco-sensitive furniture range of exceptional quality and comfort may prove irresistible. Source a seating line that appeals to their environmental sensibilities as much as their sense of style and you’ll bag big brownie points on the way to converting the sale. The good news is that Infinity Seating decided not to offer or promote animal products long before it was fashionable. Instead, it uses faux leathers and velours, which can be recycled, as well as an innovative synthesis of plant-based Cork fabric (Cork leather) and Ultraleather, together with recycled foams, latex foams, super-durable, eco-friendly EkoPly frames and FSC beech frames. The result is sustainable, cruelty-free, environmentally friendly furniture, complete with all the native beauty and precision of a high-status luxury product. Unlike many rivals, Infinity is luxury furniture, guilt-free.

COMPLETELY BESPOKE IF YOU NEED IT

But most compellingly, an existential commitment to bespoke manufacture gifts this exclusive seating line with a unique advantage when it comes to dealing with the design community. Your co-designers can choose from thousands of material, colour, and style permutations to create stunningly original, oneof-a-kind furniture that meets their design goals to a tee. The possibilities are endless when you choose bespoke quality of this calibre. What’s more, Infinity’s high-end commercial build comes with commensurate levels of fire proofing and stain-resistant durability way above the standard usually associated with resi furniture. Spill wine, it wipes off.

Naturally you have the power to choose the seating that suits the project - and there’s a standard range of Infinity seats available off the shelf for mid-market scenarios - but in rarefied design environments such as exclusive media room spaces, few if any rivals can provide a more productive context to engage with fellow design pros. Infinity Seating Solutions’ furniture is not only beautifully distinctive, sustainable and superior, it stays that way for longer and is custom-built for the environment. So, when the design conversation turns to seating, there’s plenty to explore.

“M&K makes the best home cinema speakers money can buy. I’ve built my business around them.”

Richard Magnus, Seriously Cinema

“Hollywood’s leading filmmakers choose M&K speakers, and our customers can hear why. That’s what makes M&K our first choice for home cinema.”

James Brown, The Cinema Company

“Every time we arrange a shootout, our customers pick M&K. In terms of value, there is simply no contest.”

Chris Weaven, Aperio Audio Visual

There is a reason our dealers choose M&K Sound Listen for yourself

A triple-motorized incline mechanism allows the user to operate the footrest, backrest and headrest INDEPENDENTLY from one-another. This allows the user to ensure maximum comfort by fine-tuning their preferred seating position.

LARGO - image courtesy of ExperienceCyberGroup.com

SEATING ON THE RISE WITH RASIKE

RaSiKe cinema seating and acoustic design has seen some changes since its inception more than 10 years ago. From the recessions in 2008 to the COVID-19 recession in 2020 and ongoing after-effects, RaSiKe has always planned and adapted to deal with these situations. The disruption of global logistics due to the pandemic has impacted us all ,and the way forward is planning and organisation. Building and installing a home cinema usually takes three months or more, therefore we try to get involved with our dealers from the start. After all, picture,

sound and seats are the most important aspects of a home cinema. Being involved in the design process with our dealers allows us to plan and ensure we deliver the seats and/or acoustics on time. Today we can guarantee a delivery week when seats are ordered making planning for our dealers easier and communication and expectation of their clients realistic

WHAT’S NEW?

The latest trend in home cinema seating is fabric, fabric and more fabrics. Today, nearly all of our

seats are made in fabric. This is why we offer a wide range of fabrics, from our own collection to designer fabrics like Alcantara. For 2023 we will add some more fabrics to keep up with the current trends. RaSiKe allows you to design a home cinema using our acoustic wall fabricswhich match the seats. Our 3D rendering service will use our acoustic solutions and seats to offer our dealers with a realistic picture of how the cinema will look like. We believe comfort is the most important aspect of a home cinema seat. Whether you decide to install traditional cinema seats (like our Siena, Amalfi or Milan) or our more ‘sofa type’ Matiz, the seating comfort is the same. A premium 55kg foam ensures comfort and support for years to come. Even our Savona sofa, which is a very soft seating sofa, features our 55kg foam covered with foam flakes to give that extra cosy feeling. Today, we see that daybeds, sofa type configurations and the combination of traditional seats (Mila, Siena, Amalfi) at the back with a sofa setup (Matiz, Savona) in front is the preferred seating configuration these days. Our seats are modular and can be configured as desired. Our Matiz can be a row configuration with arms in between each seat, or a sofa with daybeds and seats without any armrests in between, the choice is yours.

Kevin Hellemans, owner of RaSiKe Home Cinema, shares his experience and insight into the sector over the last decade.

Courtesy of Modus. Vivendi, UK. Featuing Matiz daybeds in from and Siena seats at the back

A sample of our 3D rendering service, featuring MATIZ seats, wall fabric stretch system and acoustic wood ceiling with integrated lights

COMFORT, STYLE, CHOICE

how their home looks than squeezing every last drop of performance from an AVR (that is our job of course). But it is also our job to provide customers with a huge amount of choice and support when it comes to choosing their seating so that it delivers the comfort and functionality they want, but style too.”

Kapes Patel, company COO, comments, “Updating our own demo facilities this year and opening new demo spaces has focused our minds on just how important comfortable, well designed seating is within any home cinema system, As one who most often focuses on the technical performance of the projects we are

involved with, its worth noting that the seats do indeed impact the audio in a space and this not only has to be appreciated but embraced as the impact can be positive when handled correctly. For the end user, the seats perhaps will be one of the most important aspects of their cinema. Remember they care more about

Pulse Cinemas CEO, Mike Beatty, contributes, “There is a reason we have been working with in-house interior designers here at Pulse for a long time now. Cinemas need to perform of course, but they also need to feel sumptuous, special and comfortable. Seating is right at the heart of this equation and customers really care about it. In every area, its important to exceed expectations and this includes the seating, if we can offer customers something they have never seen, felt or experienced before, we are doing that and winning hearts and minds, not just with customers either, but with the design community too. We are privileged at Pulse that we are able to call on the vast experience and expertise of Fortress Seating for all of our home cinema needs.

Michaele Ford, Sales Development Coordinator at Pulse Cinemas and one of the Fortress Seating specialists at the company, says, “Working with this brand is such a privilege for us.

Getting your home cinema seating correct is essential for any successful media room or home cinema project. The Pulse Cinemas team offer their insight.

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME INTO AN OASIS OF WELLNESS

Your sleep. Your energy. Your mood. Your emotional and physical health. A smart home can help improve and support these and other aspects of wellness. The Crestron Home® OS brings them together, so you can easily orchestrate your home’s environment and how it interacts with the outside world.

The incredibly impressive range and level of quality we are able to offer, no matter what the need, makes life easy. Offering the choice customer’s want is so key here as most want to feel some ownership of this part of the project in particular. As few of them are experts in AV they are guided by either one of the Pulse team or their dealer when it comes to that side of things, but when it comes to furnishings, customers like input and so having such a vast range of styles, layouts, fabrics and price points is imperative. If we are going to create home cinemas that people are going to spend hours in, then of course they need to be super comfortable and super cool looking too.”

FROM THE MAKER’S MOUTH

Gabi Wolper, Vice President At Fortress Seating has some strong views on the recent market for home cinema seating.

Gabi reveals, “The demand for theater seating has been extremely strong over the last few years and the style and configurations tend to run the full gamut leaning toward the more contemporary styles. And while people were staying at home because of the pandemic, I think there will still be a strong demand for dedicated home cinemas, because there is a large population of people that just prefer to watch movies in the comfort of their own home. With more first run content being available along with the advancement of the audio video equipment, the comfort of watching movies at home has become even more desirable.”

Gabi adds, “Regarding the configurations we see, there are the purists who want typical rows of theater seating, and then there are the hybrid theaters, where they do a traditional row of theater seats in the back row and then in the front row do something with a more relaxed lounge type design, where people can stretch out and lay down. We are able to

provide solutions for both options, but I’d say the traditional configurations continue to be more popular.

“While people are spending more time with family enjoying what their media room or dedicated theater offers, they also seek more creature comforts to enhance that enjoyment in the form of a very wide range of accessories. Very much in demand are tray tables; adjustable head rests; pocket arms which create individual seats when the arms are down or one long sofa for stretching out when the arms are up; lumbar support; USB Ports, heat and massage and lighted cup holders just to mention a few.”

Gabi continues, “Although the range in people’s preferences of models and configurations is very broad, the core stipulation is always comfort. Seating is personal. A good cinema seat needs to be comfortable and support your body. Everybody is built differently and requires different comfort levels. You are going to be seated for two plus hours and you don’t want to be distracted from the movie because of comfort. While we have seen a few supply chain issues over the past years, we’ve done what we can to avoid any interruption in our manufacturing by keeping more parts in

inventory, so we’ve been fortunate that the supply chain problems of the past few years didn’t really affect us.

“Even though the economic outlook is a bit cloudy at the moment, I think there will still be a strong demand on the high-end side of the market. Because we manufacture all our seating, we are able to offer a lot of customisation. Whether it be design, dimension or a particular accessory we are able to fulfill a need when the audio video integrator or designer has a client with a particular demand, and they insist on solutions to meet their requirements.”

So, what about the future, Gabi says, “I see the dedicated home theater or media room becoming more and more popular. Partly because the more theaters there are the more others see what can be done. It is also the convenience of being able to watch what you what when you want to. Whether it’s the integrator, interior designer or homeowner, people today know what they want and do not want to settle for less. Fortress is well positioned to provide these products because we never thought ourselves as home theater seating, we thought of ourselves as furniture manufacturers.”

The trend for less traditional seats continues

Pulse Cinemas reference cinema is fully fitted with Fortress Seating

Immersive

ISE is the world’s leading show for professional audiovisual integration. Discover the latest AV solutions that deliver unforgettable experiences.

A joint venture partnership of

DON’T BE AFRAID OF YOUR PHONE!

Experienced install industry professional and EI contributor, Pete Baker has over 30 years of global experience, maximising product sales and driving revenue growth. In his latest column he urges installers to be bold.

money with an integrator, but could not get them to provide him with a bid or begin the work for many months.

Have you ever been afraid of your phone? Over the past few weeks, I have had several friends and family members contact me because they had money in hand to spend with an AV contractor but were unable to reach their integrator or get a phone call back from them. I find this incredibly disturbing. However, it is not isolated to the CE industry and low voltage contractors. In fact, I had a similar experience

recently trying to hire an electrician to do some work at my home. I tried several recommended contractors; I left voicemail messages for a couple that were never returned. One had a mailbox that was already full, so I scratched that one off the list for obvious reasons.

This exact subject was also the topic of a recent editor for a leading CE publication in the USA. He was desperately trying to spend

Over the course of my career, I have often been in a position to interview and hire (or fire) employees. As anyone who has ever gone through an interview process with me would attest, I would always ask “are you good at communications?” and I would follow up by saying “if you are unable to respond to emails or phone calls in a timely manner, we will have problems.” In fact, in my management experience, the irate customers would often get elevated to me; having managed sales, customer service and technical support teams. In nearly every instance, when I would encounter a disgruntled customer, a communication breakdown was at the heart of the problem.

I have found that people can deal with issues or bad news FAR better if they have an open line of communication. So why might someone avoid that call or email, let’s explore some examples and potential solutions to deliver better communication and avoid the angry gorilla of a customer that may come knocking on your door someday (virtually or physically):

I’M TOO BUSY, AND CAN’T TAKE ON MORE WORK

I have certainly experienced this dilemma over the course of my career. However, I firmly believe in filling the well before you are thirsty. You may be busy now, but what about next week, next month or three, six or 12 months from now. Not that this prospective client would wait 12 months - but hang with me for a few minutes.

My sister-in-law recently asked, “What drives you?” I immediately responded “Fear!”. As an integrator for 20 years, no matter how busy we were, I always had a fear that someday we would run out of work. I told my team “if someone wants a network jack installed, we are doing it!”. It may not be today, but we will take the work, if we can get paid properly. Sometimes, this may fall into the old adage: “Do you want it, good, fast, or cheap? Pick two.” If the customer wants the network jack installed this week and you are slammed busy, maybe you need to hire an independent contractor to help finish some projects and also complete this job. The project can then be good and fast, but it may not be cheap. If they are willing to wait a few weeks, so you can fit them into the standard schedule, then it may be good and cheap(er), but not fast.

Very often these small ‘network jack’ installations turned into massive projects in the future. Maybe that customer moves into a new house in a year or two and they want it tricked out with the latest technology? Or they decide to do an extensive remodel. I am not alone in this experience; I know many integrators who have performed a fairly minor installation and then moved on with the customer to far larger projects.

I DON’T WANT TO DO THE WORK FOR THIS CUSTOMER

I am well aware of the fact that some customers may be challenging, and the project or service call may not be exciting for you. However, not responding or calling them back is worse than telling them you can’t get out there for a few weeks or maybe referring them to an independent contractor you may know, who could be interested in the work. I know many single person operations who will take nearly any project that comes their way, especially if they think they may be able to get more overflow work from you in the future. Avoiding the customer does not make them disappear, rather it puts poison in their system for your company that they will freely share with their friends, family, neighbours, and anyone else who will listen.

Further, and much more significant, is the damage it may cause to the future of our industry. I know many people who have been in this predicament, unable to get any support from the installer of the technology in their home and it tarnishes the experience with them forever. When a consumer has a poor experience installing technology in their home, often they will simplify the technology or avoid it altogether in the future. This can have a significant impact on our industry moving forward.

I’LL GET BACK TO THEM WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME

It is very easy to get consumed with the daily responsibilities and workload. I can tell you that when I am tasked with writing these articles, I never have the ‘free time’ available to draft

and contribute them. However, I have made a commitment to the editors to contribute on a regular basis and they count on me, so I make time in the evenings or on weekends.

Time management is a hot topic and something I believe is very relevant to our industry. I have witnessed many installers over the years who become completely immersed in a project and a tornado of tasks: phone calls, voicemails, emails, duties begin to swirl around them gathering intensity and mass. Ultimately, it begins to break apart and balls get dropped, opportunities are lost, and people become agitated.

So, how can this be addressed so the proverbial tornado can be dodged? I really like the Eisenhower Matrix. Former US President Dwight Eisenhower himself developed the concept behind what would later be called the Eisenhower Matrix. He used it to help him prioritise and deal with the many high-stakes issues he faced as a US Army general, then as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Forces, and eventually as president of the United States. Once you pause and evaluate the task(s) at hand and really consider how they land in the Matrix, it can be very effective in freeing up some time and helping to focus on the really urgent and important matters

In conclusion, don’t be afraid of your phone. You are never too busy to call someone back and invest five minutes on a call with them –even to tell them “I don’t have time to discuss your project right now, can we talk next week?”

The money for the smaller projects is spent the same way and very likely will lead to future business at a time in the future when you may need the work. I would love to hear from you. Please email me anytime at: pete@thebigcorp.com

What factors have driven the strong performance of high-performance/ luxury AV?

We can attribute the global luxury market’s strong performance and massive growth to several factors, including advancements in wireless technology, the increasing popularity of premium audio and global demand for high-quality audio as a purchase driver. Further factors that apply directly to the install market are the increasing numbers of consumers looking to boost their experience when enjoying the high-quality content offered by today’s streaming services, such as Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Netflix. The latest TVs and projectors bring home-cinemaquality visuals into people’s homes, and buyers increasingly appreciate that these images deserve an equally stunning sound system.

Is there room for everyone?

Yes. The high-quality audio market has shown significant growth over the past three years and continues escalating. It’s a great opportunity for audio manufacturers, large and small; however, it is the responsibility of all in the industry to deliver exceptional service every time. In this industry, few things are worse than visiting someone’s home and finding out that the occupants no longer bother with their installed system, perhaps down to usability or poor performance. Disappoint a customer, and you likely lose their future business, plus that of their friends and family.

How much capacity is there in the luxury market to sustain more growth for all the companies that want to be in that space?

Luxury audio sales have skyrocketed since the pandemic. Luxury audio products grew 24% in 2020, representing a total retail value of $1.693 billion, up 20.8% compared to 2019. These

exceptional market conditions continued in 2021, and luxury remains on a growth trajectory

Longer term, the luxury audio market is expected to experience strong growth between 2021 and 2025, with volumes growing at 11% CAGR to represent 670k units and a retail value of $3.336 billion.

What factors help or hinder a company being successful in this space?

Anticipating consumer demand is vital. At HARMAN, we invest significantly in R&D to ensure our technologies are always cutting-edge. We will continue to see increased demand for technologies like high resolution, lossless, spatial and more.

What are some of the things that will change about the sector in the future?

Audiophiles and Gen X (those born mid-1960s to the early 1980s) remain the primary buyers in this market. But manufacturers are gradually aiming to appeal to a younger, lifestyle audience. Younger people want to buy premium audio products that are compact and easy to use, including the latest wireless connectivity with built-in streaming integration and more. Products such as integrated amplifiers, high-end soundbars, and luxury wireless speakers are particularly popular amongst these audiences.

What are some of the products and initiatives HARMAN is talking about currently and at the Futuresource Audio Collaborative?

We framed three key market drivers at the event: Data and AI, Metaverse and Immersive Audio and Sustainable Innovation.

Understanding and producing all of these drivers will be essential for all players in the industry.

Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN, fresh from delivering the keynote speech at the Futuresource Audio Collaborative event in London, offers his thoughts on some crucial audio questions.

SOME KEY PRODUCTS

HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GROUP

The SDR-38 from JBL Synthesis is a 16-channel Class G immersive surround sound AV receiver designed to deliver high-quality performance without compromise and offers a rich feature set that delivers full support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D immersive audio formats. Dirac Live with bass control room EQ with JBL Synthesis system enhancements provides accurate system tuning. A full suite of digital and analogue connectivity is included along with Dante digital audio networking and HDMI 2.1 (8K Ultra HD) AV switching with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic video, plus IMAX Enhanced certification. Network and bluetooth streaming are included with Google Chromecast built-in, Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, plus it is Roon Ready with Hi-Res and MQA support. Seven channels of Class G amplification are included allowing the SDR-38 to independently power systems up to 7.1 channels.

Another hero product is the eye catching JBL 4305P Studio Monitor Active Speakers, JBL’s first active speakers within the Studio Monitor range. With a 1in compression driver and a 5.25in fibre composite woofer, the 4305Ps are active speakers with wired and wireless connectivity plus a 24 bit/192kHz high resolution DAC. The speakers include six inputs for digital and analogue sources, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2,

and Google Chrome Cast all built in. Physically connections can be achieved using 3.5mm inputs, optical; digital and asynchronous USB.

The 4305Ps are also designed to tune the speaks to a particular room as they come with a bass contour control. These units are also Roon ready.

In the integrated speaker space, the brand has its JBL Conceal - C82W integrated sub offering, a high-performance two-panel design built around a patented compression moulded baffle and paintable Fidelity Glass outer skin. Each panel has a pair of acoustically coupled 8in drivers, but the finished loudspeaker panels install easily and disappear into the surrounding walls and ceiling, allowing optimal placement virtually anywhere.

Each C82W panel has a rigid frame that houses the drivers and acoustic components. The frame attaches directly to the structural framing of the wall, while the face of the loudspeaker –the FidelityGlass panel – features a smooth and durable surface that is designed to be finished in a similar fashion to the wallboard surrounding it. With the edges of the loudspeaker flush to the wallboard, the seams are taped and spackled using common methods and techniques. Once sanded and prepared, simply paint or wallpaper the surface of the loudspeaker to match the desired finish.

uk.harmanaudio.com

Harman Audio

The JBL 4305Ps deliver Hi-Fi quality, with cutting edge connectivity

Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN, has some positive news on the luxury audio market

A VIVID VISION

Winner of the Best Commercial Project at the 2022 Smart Building Awards, this fantastic cinema was created via the vision and vitality of Vivid Audio Visual.

The Parade is a new boutique commercial cinema in the lovely market town of Marlborough. This exciting project to convert a 200-year-old chapel into a high-end luxury cinema for the local community to enjoy was three years in conception, and Vivid Audio Visual was given free reign and full responsibility for the design and installation of every aspect of the cinema auditorium, including the professional audio and projection systems, the auditorium layout, acoustics, décor, styling and lighting design.

In addition to working on the auditorium, Vivid Audio Visual designed and installed the lighting control systems, networking and cinema automation systems throughout the entire building. These are complex systems that need to integrate elements ranging from the website ticket booking system, to bar and foyer till systems, and most importantly the cinema auditorium automation system that plays scheduled cinema shows of advertising, trailers and movie content throughout each day. And with no dedicated projectionists in

cinemas these days, the automation systems have to run all elements of light dimming, screen motorised masking, projector control, and sound system control.

Adding to the complexity of the system, digital ‘content’ from film distribution companies arrives at the cinema via different methodsincluding physical hard drives, satellite delivery, and IP delivery. The storage of these huge content files needs to be carefully managed and moved around the various servers to be assembled into the playback ‘shows’. And all

of this had to be achieved with extremely tight network security and content-encryption for obvious anti-piracy protection reasons.

The auditorium equipment includes a stateof-the-art NEC laser three-chip DLP digital cinema projector, JBL professional bi-amped screen channels, subwoofers and surround loudspeakers, Crown power amplifiers, a Dolby CP950 cinema audio processor and Fidelio system, a Dolby IMS3000 media server, Lansat media server, Lutron Homeworks QSX lighting control, and not forgetting a spectacular Starscape fibre-optic twinkling starry sky built into the ceiling acoustic absorption tiles. Networking equipment is courtesy of Draytek, Ubquiti and DLink, and automation systems include the Rosetta Bridge software suite and Jnior automation adapters.

Lighting is particularly important, inside and out

Starting with a blank canvas within the existing empty chapel building, very careful consideration was taken with the design of the acoustic isolation of the auditorium. Vivid Audio Visual designs post production recording studios in the heart of Soho in London that need total isolation from the noisy environment outside, and many of these same construction techniques were integrated into this project.

The internal room acoustics with side and rear wall absorption systems were designed with the overall styling of the room in mind, and the seating layout and viewing angles from all positions were particularly important to ensure every seat gets the best possible experience.

Great lighting design in a cinema is something Vivid Audio Visual is passionate about, no matter how big or small the cinema is. In this project, not only does the lighting need to enhance the styling and décor of the auditorium, but also provide a safe passage for guests to move around and find their seating.

EXPERTISE PAYS OFF

With over 30 years’ experience of designing professional cinemas, post production studios and luxury residential home cinemas, Vivid Audio Visual was able to take inspiration from many of the company’s previous cinema projects, as well as adding new elements bespoke to this project.

The whole design team involved with the project knew the importance of blending modern day comforts and technologies whilst still being sympathetic to a beautiful 200-yearold building. The auditorium needed to provide a state-of-the-art cinema experience whilst still celebrating the historical theatrical magic of a cinema experience (so often lost these days with modern soulless multiplexes). A theatrical proscenium arch encases the huge projection screen, fibre optic stars twinkle in the ceiling, and carefully hidden LED strip lighting enhances the restored balcony. The

fabric wall panels, decorative star-burst wall lights and a low-level stage under the screen all create a lovely, unique setting in which to enjoy ‘going to the movies’.

The beautifully lit external terraces of the building provide a spectacular entrance for guests, all courtesy of the Lutron system quietly working away in the background throughout the day and night. The bar and foyer areas run on Lutron’s astronomical timers to gently dim the lighting at the appropriate times during the evening, and change the atmosphere of the public spaces from a daytime café environment to a relaxing evening cocktail bar.

The cinema opened to the public perfectly on schedule in November 2021 with thrilled audiences enjoying the latest James Bond film for weeks on end.

Vivid Audio Visual vividaudiovisual.uk

The team were given a free hand to design this high performance cinema from the ground up

Lindy’s range of Fibre Optic Hybrid (copper and fibre optic) Mini DP 1.4 Cable with detachable connectors are the professional solution for extending both Mini DisplayPort and DisplayPort signals over longer distances, with no requirement for additional adapters. Combining the flexibility and high EMI and RFI resistance of fibre optic cable with standard copper cabling, these hybrid cables are ideal for use in critical AV setups or commercial installations.

Supplied as a thin cable with a premium metal, narrow Mini DisplayPort connector, this can be installed easily through conduit and other

narrow spaces with no damage caused to the internal cable structure, while the detachable DisplayPort connector can be added at the ends of the installation for connection to an even wider variety of displays and devices such as PCs or digital signage. This innovative design allows for a much wider range of connectivity solutions that can be customised freely by the user, including Mini DP to Mini DP, DP to DP or Mini DP to a DP display.

Supporting all the premium features that come with the DP 1.4 specification, these cables can deliver resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz, or 4K at high frame rates of 120Hz, perfect for ensuring the best possible image quality in attention grabbing retail displays, immersive AV installations at events or a responsive, crystalclear solution in transportation settings. Static and dynamic HDR support ensures a much wider colour gamut, greater contrasts, and an enhanced brightness to provide eye-catching content even in outdoor or brightly lit scenarios.

Lindy lindy.co.uk

PLACE SOME PLATINUM COURTESY OF MONITOR AUDIO

Monitor Audio has enhanced its Platinum Series 3G speaker offering with a new architectural, installed in-wall model.

Platinum Series In-Wall 3G is a versatile highfidelity in-wall loudspeaker that features the latest Platinum Series 3G acoustic innovations, including the MPD III High-Frequency Transducer. The maker says it delivers extraordinary performance levels to match the exceptional build and highly desirable design of the range’s freestanding models.

A high-performance flagship model, it is designed for high-end two-channel stereo and theatre systems where accurate, clear and lifelike sound is required. The speaker has been designed to deliver maximum scale and sonic impact, but with minimum room intrusion. Plus, its versatile design means it can be used anywhere in a system, either as an LCR model at the front or as a surround or rear speaker.

The three-way PL-IW 3G features the new third generation Micro Pleated Diaphragm (MPD III) high-frequency transducer. Developed by Monitor Audio’s acoustic engineers when creating the company’s ‘Concept 50’ prototype, this accurate tweeter was unveiled earlier this year as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

MPD III introduces innovative technology that reduces distortion and flattens the frequency response, while the optimised waveguide provides highly controlled directivity, improving both

soundstage and sensitivity. This all leads to a larger, clearer, and more consistent sound, allowing PL-IW 3G to create an impressive immersive experience: music and film are delivered with precision and clarity, introducing the listener to high levels of accuracy and detail, argues the company.

PL-IW 3G is housed within a reinforced and internally braced 25mm MDF and steel box construction and is equipped with an adjustable mid/high-frequency driver array, similar to that deployed in the THX Ultra certified Cinergy Theatre series. This approach allows PL-IW 3G to be positioned either vertically or horizontally, ideal for LCR applications and for seamless tonal accuracy within a theatre system.

Monitor Audio monitoraudio.com

This comes with a two-year warranty and can be ordered from the Lindy website

The Platinum Series In-Wall 3G will be available in January 2023

Wireworld Cable Technology has announced the release of the Stellar 48, a UHS certified fiber optic HDMI cable.

These extended-range cables feature Wireworld’s newly developed VIVIDTECH system, created to reduce noise for improved picture and sound quality. Stellar 48 also uses the highest quality laser modules and driver chips to maximise performance and provide long term reliability while supporting the 48Gbps data rate required for next generation 8K video applications, explains the maker.

“The VIVIDTECH system improves signal purity, enabling Stellar 48 to provide the most lifelike picture and sound quality in long length Ultra-High Speed HDMI cables,” comments Wireworld designer and President, David Salz. Wireworld’s goal for Stellar 48 was to create a fibre optic HDMI cable that advances the state-of-the-art in picture quality while providing extreme reliability. To accomplish that goal, the company says Stellar 48 uses world-class technology, materials and construction techniques. The newly developed and proprietary VIVIDTECH system reduces

video pixel noise for improvements in edge definition and colour saturation. Stellar 48’s laser modules are made by the American company II-VI, a leading supplier of lasers for the most demanding applications. Likewise, the driver chipset is produced by the German company, Silicon-Line, a leader in microchip technology. The cable’s four optical fibres are of the superior OM3 laser-optimised grade. The cable structure features double-thickness shields and several high strength Kevlar fibre bundles for increased durability and freedom from interference. With these world-class components and the VIVIDTECH system, Stellar 48 provides cutting edge performance and superior long-term value.

Stellar 48 supports all HDMI2.1 features and capabilities, including HDR10+, HDCP2.3, Ethernet, Enhanced ARC and Deep Colour. To ease installation, the durable die-cast zinc plugs feature the narrow width of 18mm/0.7in, so they can be pulled through common size electrical conduit. Stellar 48 is also ULCMP/FT6 plenum rated for residential and commercial installations. UK SRP is from £400 (1m) and are available to order now.

Wireworld wireworldcable.com

PLUG HEADPHONES INTO IFI ‘GO LINK’ FOR SUPERCHARGED SOUND

Packing in sophisticated sonic technology into a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, the latest addition to iFi’s GO series delivers superior sound at a super-affordable price, says the maker.

iFi Audio expands its GO series of ultraportable DAC/headphone amps with the GO link – a headphone dongle that delivers supercharged sound when connected to smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs via a USB port.

Its purpose is twofold. First, to enable corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output. Second, even if a device does have a headphone socket, the GO link delivers a big sonic upgrade. This is because its sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and headphone amp circuitry is superior to the audio tech contained within mobile devices and computers.

Even for a company known for producing class-leading audio devices at affordable prices, the GO link’s price is remarkable - claims its creator, with an RRP of just £59, it’s the most affordable DAC/headphone amp iFi has ever made. And yet, even at this price, iFi says it has delivered a device of high sophistication.

At one end of the GO link is a USB-C connector, at the other is the DAC and headphone amp circuitry, both housed in robust yet lightweight magnesium alloy enclosures. In between is a 6cm length of flexible cable – this aids practicality, allowing the DAC/amp section to be angled towards the listener and reducing stress on the USB port to which the GO link is connected.

iFi hasn’t skimped on the quality of the cable, which uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration. This rotational twist helps to optimise inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection, ensuring the GO link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.

iFi Audio ifi-audio.com

NETGEAR has launched a new addition to its Orbi line. The Orbi 860 Series builds on the Orbi 850 Series by future-proofing it with a 10Gb ethernet port, supporting multi-gig internet connections; upgraded antenna design for greater WiFi performance and a bundled year of NETGEAR Armor, providing homes with an automatic shield of security against internet threats across every connected device.

Following on the success of the Orbi 850 Series (WiFi 6 AX6000 Mesh System RBK853), the Orbi 860 Series joins NETGEAR’s WiFi 6 Whole Home Mesh WiFi portfolio.

With NETGEAR’s latest WiFi 6 tri-band and patented dedicated backhaul technology, the Orbi 860 Series mesh systems are designed to keep connections strong and running at maximum speeds in every room without slow-

SCORE A HUNDRED FROM ACOUSTIC ENERGY

Following the launch of the new 100 Series earlier this year, Acoustic Energy is proud to announce the addition of an on-wall loudspeaker, the AE105, to its range.

The AE105 is a versatile, two-way loudspeaker primarily designed for wall mounting, but is equally suited to a bookcase or shelf position.

The AE105 utilises a soft dome tweeter with WDT wave guide along with two 130mm paper cone drivers, one acting as a passive radiator for improved bass performance. Optimised for vertical wall mounting with the listening position at or below the tweeter axis, the AE105 can be used to enhance the stereo sound from a TV, or as Front L/R, Centre and Surround channel speakers within multi-channel home cinema systems whilst partnered with the matching AE1082 compact sub-woofer.

Finished in a choice of black, white or walnut vinyl veneers, they are supplied with rear mounting plate, template, wall spacers, black and light grey grilles for easy integration within any room décor.

Mat Spandl, Managing Director comments, “We’re pleased to be able to offer the new AE105 as part of our award-winning 100 Series range. The AE105 is a compact design for those whose living space is at a premium but don’t want to compromise on sound quality. Whether used as part of a 2.1 / 5.1 system or in stereo

downs or buffering, providing families the bandwidth to address household demands even when simultaneously 4K/8K streaming, Zoom conferencing and WiFi calling from a bedroom, basement or outside in the back garden. In an environment where homes are connected with Gigabit plus internet (1.4 to 10 Gigabit) and have an increasing number of connected devices – more than 25 on average – the new Orbi 860 Series provides a strong WiFi experience for WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 devices. It’s an upgrade from the Orbi 850 series with a stepped-up internet connection, from 1 Gigabit to 10 Gigabit, and new antenna system with wider coverage areas.

The Orbi RBK863 three-pack WiFi Mesh System provides up to 6750ft2 of coverage (750 more than the 850 Series) with up to 6Gbps WiFi speed and support for 100 devices operating at the same time. This coverage can easily be expanded with additional Orbi RBS860 satellites. To achieve this performance and wider range, NETGEAR uses patented dedicated backhaul WiFi technology and antenna design. The exclusive tri-band mesh system with NETGEAR’s pioneering innovation ensures speeds stay fast as more WiFi devices connect to the home network with less dropped connections.

Netgear netgear.com

configuration the AE105 are equally at home on a bookshelf as well as mounted on the wall”.

Finishes include Black, White and Walnut vinyl veneer.

Acoustic Energy acoustic-energy.co.uk

HI-FI ROSE IN BLOOM

Since its introduction in mid-2021 the RS250 network streamer from HiFi Rose has found a happy home in many audio systems thanks to its compact footprint, sound quality and user interface, says the maker. From December 2022, distributor Henley Audio is happy to announce that the Korean company is updating its ‘mid-level’ product with new hardware and a new finish option.

The RS250A (£2349.00 SRP) takes the original RS250 design but replaces the digital section and output stage, including upgrading to the ES9028 PRO DAC chip, for a higher level of performance. In addition to the hardware changes, the RS250A is also now available in black finish thanks to customer demand. Both

silver and black finish will be available across the UK, offering customers to make a choice that suits their system.

The RS250A is designed to bring together a whole world of digital audio and present it intuitively and enjoyably for auditory and visual pleasure.

Some of the key features include an 8.8in wide multi-touch touchscreen, support for digital audio playback up-to 32-bit / 768KHz (PCM) and DSD512 (Native DSD) and a new ES9028 PRO DAC chip and 100MHz Femto oscillator. There is also a new Discrete OPAMPbased output stage and users can stream music from a network or attached devices through the built-in Rose OS MUSIC app.

Airplay, Roon Ready and Spotify Connect streaming are all available and the unit boasts integrated apps for Qobuz, Apple Music and Tidal services. The product is also a MQA certified device (full decoding) and it can also playback or rip CDs from external optical drives whilst connected by USB.

Users can manually adjust output settings to suit their needs and a special linear power supply configuration minimises electrical noise. Users can also take advantage of an HDMI output for 4K video output to a connected TV (via Tidal, Rose Tube or Video apps).

Henley Audio henleyaudio.co.uk

Wi-Fi, ethernet and Bluetooth 4.0 (AD2DP SINK, AVRCP v1.3)

connectivity are also included

NETVIO ADD CONFIGURATION FREE AVOIP SWITCH TO JP4 SOLUTIONS

has continuously proved to be the tripping point for customers moving from HDBaseT to network-based solutions. Multicast & VLAN configuration as well as specifying hardware with enough POE budget requirements are the steepest part of the learning curve for new customers. With the release of the IP-SW24P-10 AVoIP switch, Netvio makes using our JP4 AVoIP system as easy as HDBaseT with ‘plug n’ play’, zero config setup in most installation scenarios.”

Netvio launched its preconfigured plug’n’play AVoIP switch at EI Live! 2022, and the line is now available to order. This switch extends the JP4 product offering, giving customers a complete AVoIP solution from a single brand without the headaches of choosing the right switch or complex multicast configuration.

The IP-SW-24P-10 is a dedicated AVoIP switch designed for use with Netvio and other manufacturers’ AV over IP solutions. It comes configured for multicast AVoIP solutions, requiring zero configuration for Netvio JP4

systems with up to 21 encoder or decoder end points. All ports are labelled dramatically simplifying and speeding up installation, whilst VLANs are pre-configured for the JP4 series 1080p RTSP preview and 4K HDR AVoIP streams. All ports support PoE with an ample total POE budget of 450 Watts, enough to power all connected devices simultaneously.

James Meredith, Netvio’s Technical Director, explains, “In the years I have been working with high performance AV over IP solutions, the networking hardware and configuration

James adds, “We have carefully selected hardware components to perfectly match our customers requirement for both maximum performance and value. Whilst Netvio’s UK based engineers have finely tuned the system configuration to meet our company mandate to ‘Simplify Complexity’ by making a switch that perfectly suits AVoIP hardware requirements and completely removes the minefield of switch configuration from the setup process.” Netvio netvio.co.uk