Essential Install June 2022

JUNE 2022

THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE AV AND SMART HOME INDUSTRY

No AV rack without a smart PDU

Philipp Gude provides insights into why a smart PDU is essential for any AV installation.

HVAC

EFFICIENT FUTURE

available at

BRACKETS, RACKING, SUPPORT

MARVELLOUS METAL

MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

NEW PRODUCT

HDBaseT™ Matrix with Advanced Audio Integration We are pleased to announce the launch of three feature rich HDBaseT™ Matrix, the HMXL88ARC, HMXL66ARC and HMXL42ARC-KIT. Using CSC technology, these powerful HDBaseT™ matrix support 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 resolutions over distances of 40m over a single CAT 6 cable. The new HMXL42ARC-KIT, HMXL66ARC and HMXL88ARC come into their own with advanced audio features specifically designed for maximising the integration of all AV sources in the modern home. Enhanced audio routing is achieved through the integrated independent audio matrix. This enables the audio both from displays (via ARC) and all other sources to be embedded and routed through the system at the users discretion.

These ARC and audio routing features enable our installation partners the ability to create a truly immersive AV experience throughout the home.

NEW

HMXL88ARC 8x8 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

NEW

HMXL66ARC 6x6 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

HDCP 2.2

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 26 x 8 Audio Matrix independently controllable from the video

HMXL42ARC-KIT

HDCP 2.2

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 20 x 6 Audio Matrix independently controllable from the video

NEW

4x2 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix including Receivers J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 8 x 2 audio matrix that is independently controllable from video.

HDCP 2.2

NEW

UNCOMPRESSED

18Gbps

PRODUCT

OVER

Uncompressed 18Gbps HDMI Over HDBaseT™ Set The HEX18G-KIT HDBaseT™ extender set is an industry leading uncompressed HDMI 2.0 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 HDCP 2.2 solution utilising the

HEX18G-KIT

latest in HDBaseT™ technology. The HEX18G-KIT supports bi-directional IR, RS-232 and PoC up to lengths of 100m over a single CAT cable.

NEW

HEX70ARC-KIT HDBaseT™ ARC Extender Set - 70m J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering uncompressed video and audio with zero latency J Extends HDMI 1080p up to a distance of 70m over a single CAT cable J Supports 4K UHD video up to 40m (3840 x 2160 @30Hz 4:4:4, 4096 x

2160 @24Hz 4:4:4, and 4K @60Hz 4:2:0)

1080p up to 150m

HEX100CS-KIT

HEX150CS-KIT

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set -100m

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set - 150m

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering CSC scaling with zero latency

J Supports ARC from display via HDMI and optical digital inputs

J Supports 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video up to 70m

J Supports 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video up to 100m

Become a Certified Blustream Installation Partner

Interactive Online Tutorials We have re-designed our regular interactive online tutorials, focused on providing convenient, bite sized insights into the latest Blustream solutions and the day to day challenges we all currently face in our rapidly evolving market. During these unprecedented times, we have increased both the content and frequency of the sessions we are hosting to bring you the most comprehensive range of interactive webinar content available in the UK.

Register now: www.blustream.co.uk/advanced-learning-portal J

Our UK Address: The Service Station,

Tel: +44 (0)115 824 7000

J Video over IP vs HDBaseT - which should you back?

Melton Road, Hickling Pastures,

Email: sales@blustream.co.uk

J with 10 more courses to choose from...

Nottinghamshire,

Web: www.blustream.co.uk

Current Tutorials Available

J Specifying a Custom Pro Matrix with 18Gbps support

J CAT Cable Certification & Verification J When is 4K, Actually 4K?

Book now at J www.blustream.co.uk

LE14 3QG United Kingdom.

26 66 30

CONTENTS

June 2022

4 FROM THE EDITOR’S CHAIR

64 SMART THINKING

7 ESSENTIAL NEWS

66 CASE STUDY: THE ART OF BASEMENT CINEMA

Ramble on

Essential information highway

18 ESSENTIAL CEDIA Market research matters

Remote calibration

Clearly Automated delivers a high-quality result

75 ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS Top toys

20 GUDE GUIDE

Power to the people!

22 TOGETHER FOR CINEMA A new project opens!

26 PULSE CINEMAS Home cinema success

FEATURES 14 EI LIVE!

Time to register!

17 SMART BUILDING AWARDS Time to enter the awards!

28 ESSENTIAL HABITECH

Unleash your networking productivity!

Celebrating 10 years www.avoke.co.uk | av@avoke.co.uk

42

56

18

38 Proud Media Partners of

HVAC FEATURE 30 ADD HVAC TO THE MIX

50 CONCEALING AND REVEALING: HUMAN-CENTRIC AV

34 TRANSFORMING HVAC THROUGH RETROFITTING

MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT FEATURE 56 IS THE MATRIX STILL THE EXCALIBUR OF DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS?

Paul Kinghorn, General Manager at My KNX Store

Michael Anderton, General Manager, HVAC Building Solutions, Johnson Controls

38 ENOCEAN

Art Walker, CEO, Auton Motorized Systems

Phill Wildman, Technical Consultant at SY Electronics

60 FEEL THE FLUX AND DO IT ANYWAY!

Ride the wave!

Jonathan Regalado-Hawkey, Business Development Director, Pulse-Eight

42 SNAP ONE

63 FLIPPING THE SWITCH

Platform for progress

BRACKETS RACKING AND SUPPORT FEATURE 46 GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Taft Stricklin, Just Add Power, Sales Team Manager

James Attfield, MD of Turnstone AV

of working with you! www.avoke.co.uk | av@avoke.co.uk

JUNE 2022

THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE AV AND SMART HOME INDUSTRY

pages 28–29

No AV rack without a smart PDU

Philipp Gude provides insights into why a smart PDU is essential for any AV installation.

HVAC

EFFICIENT FUTURE

JUNE

RAMBLE ON There are many ways that professional installers and integrators can make people’s homes better places to be, over the years we have covered exactly this, from making homes more attractive, more efficient and more secure, to filling people’s lives with always available entertainment solutions.

With professionals coming into this field from many different directions, people often have their favourite aspects of the industry that they feel really deliver extra value. With the number of different products and services that we as an industry can provide expanding all of the time, that list of potential favourites grows ever longer. Every customer, of course, is different and will have different priorities and different aspects of our industry that really chime with them, our job is to identify those deliver something that really fits the priorities and lifestyle of the customer and their family.

MUSIC MATTERS

Qualifying that everyone is different and will have different priorities is important here, as EI is going to argue that it’s crucial to never forget the power of one particular aspect of our industry and that is filling the lives of our customers with their favourite music. Whilst

Music is in everyone from an early age

each customer is going to have different priorities in terms of functionality and entertainment choices, music cuts through like no other medium. EI often thinks that hearing music can be a bit like our sense of smell - a familiar smell from childhood often conjures up the most powerful feelings of nostalgia, or in day to day lives odours are used to create positive vibes in aroma therapy for example. Music also has the same power to conjure up strong emotions, it’s arguably the oldest form of art on the planet, and certainly the oldest one that installers can bring under their spell. Even if customers don’t consider themselves to be particularly big music fans, its often the case they have just forgotten how powerful it can be, perhaps they drifted away from it after enjoying it in their youth? Perhaps family life has taken over and the don’t have the ‘time’ to listen to music anymore. One of the great things we can do in our industry is reconnect people with the power of music, as well as provide for those who very much know they want as much music as they can get, everywhere, all the time.

Those clients in some ways are easier to deal with, but what about those ones who perhaps have not considered how much joy, emotion and togetherness music can bring into their lives? let’s make sure we cater for those folks as well.

available at

BRACKETS, RACKING, SUPPORT

MARVELLOUS METAL

MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

GETTING IN TOUCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Daniel 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

Essential Install magazine, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8UD T: +44 (0)1634 673163 F: +44 (0)1634 673173 www.essentialinstall.com

SOCIALS /INSTALL_MAG /ESSENTIALINSTALL Whilst we make every effort that everything printed in Essential Install magazine is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

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

Proud Media Partners of

04 JUNE 2022

ISLAND PRESTIGE

BRING SPATIAL AUDIO HOME As major streaming services race to promote spatial audio and livestreamed concerts and festivals, L-Acoustics Creations offers immersive sound spaces and high-performance sound systems ideally suited to these exciting formats. AV professionals know that content is only as impactful as the technology used to play it. Designed by L-Acoustics, the world leader in premium professional audio, Island Prestige provides an unrivaled 360° spatialized experience. With a visionary plugand-play acoustic design, Island Prestige immerses the listener in music, movies, or gaming in luxurious comfort and style.

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

l-acoustics-creations.com

the benchmark for luxury theater seating 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.

Cineak.com | Antwerp, Belgium | info@cineak.eu | +32 (3) 354 03 66

NEWS

NEWS ESSENTIAL PEOPLE Dirac expands executive team as global growth accelerates across all core markets. New Chief Human Resources Officer, Petra Schedin Stergel, will scale the company across all disciplines – engineering, sales, and marketing – to deliver on surging global demand for Dirac’s digital audio solutions and platform technologies. She reports directly to Dirac CEO Peter Friedrichsen.

“As Dirac continues to scale, hiring the right people (that align with our culture, competencies, and ambition) is of paramount importance to our success,” says Peter. “Petra brings to Dirac deep experience developing organisational growth in international business environments and has the demonstrated ability to motivate teams and challenge status quos, yet always with a humancentric approach that very much aligns with our culture. We look forward to Petra helping to shape this next generation of Dirac.”

Prior to Dirac, Petra served in various executive roles at leading technology companies and business consultancies, including Cramo Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she led the Human Resources team through strong phases of scale. At Dirac, Petra will be responsible for new hiring and onboarding, performance management, and culture definition and implementation.

“Dirac is unique in that, despite its over 20 year legacy, it’s entirely apparent that the company’s best chapters very much lie ahead,” comments Petra. “The innovation of its core technologies, combined with the strength of its commercial partnerships, which include many of the world’s largest technology brands, position the company for new waves of global growth.

I am privileged to join the team at such an important point in the company’s history.”

Mayflex, distributor of Converged IP Solutions, has appointed Simon Steer in the role of Director of Sales for Security.

Simon has extensive experience in the industry having previously worked for Indigo Vision for the last 10 years, where his last position was Sales Director covering the UK and Ireland and prior to that he worked for an installer for eight years in the security industry.

Ross McLetchie, Sales Director at Mayflex comments, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the team, he has good technical knowledge and commercial experience and great leadership qualities which will all be crucial for driving the continued growth of our security focused business.”

Ross continues. “Simon will be leading our external security team with a focus on the UK and he will be working closely with our security vendors to continue building our close relationships with brands such as Avigilon, Axis, Hikvision, Milestone, Mobotix, Paxton, Suprema and Wavestore to name but a few.”

Simon adds, “I’m very much looking forward to being part of the Mayflex team, it’s a business that has continued to grow and evolve and one that puts the customer at the heart of everything that it does. I’m excited about getting to know my team, the Mayflex

associates and most importantly getting to know and support our customers.”

HARMAN has announced that Paul Neville has been appointed Director of Global Engineering for Luxury Audio. Paul brings extensive experience in audio engineering, including a portfolio of awardwinning designs and cutting-edge technologies.

Luxury Audio brings together five famous brands – ARCAM, JBL Synthesis, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel – to offer high-performance audio systems.

Working out of Luxury Audio’s Cambridgeshire site, Paul will lead the engineering for ARCAM, JBL Luxury Electronics & JBL Synthesis.

“Paul is an outstanding addition to the team,” says Scott Campbell, Luxury Audio’s Director of Sales, Global. “His knowledge of, and passion for, audio design, including his extensive experience with streaming platform-based technologies, makes him the perfect fit for the position of Director of Global Engineering. I can’t wait to hear his ideas and, of course, his designs!”

Paul Neville joins Harman Luxury from Naim Audio, where he worked for almost 16 years, most recently as Research and Development Director.

Under Paul’s R&D direction, the British brand successfully transitioned into the premium streamer category, claiming industry and consumer awards for its products.

“It is an honour to take up this position,” says Paul.

“The opportunity to work with some of the world’s greatest audio brands was one to be grabbed with both hands. And, just as important as the marques are the people. Harman Luxury Audio is home to a team of incredibly talented people, and I look forward to leveraging their skills and experience. My passion for audio design encompasses the whole experience, from the initial idea to the engineering to the industrial design and the experience for the consumer. I aim to deliver on all fronts, and I am excited to start work on the next generation of Luxury Audio products.”

Pearce Group, leading group of UK based signage companies that incorporates Pearce Signs, Pearce Digital, Pearce Electrical and The International Sign Alliance, has announced with immediate effect the appointment of Paul Shilling as Group Managing Director. With full responsibility for the leadership and development of the group’s UK and international business, Paul will play a key role in meeting the company’s growth ambitions, whilst utilising his experience of the latest technology to drive stateof-the-art techniques in digital, signage and branding solutions.

“Over the last 30 years, whilst operating at the highest levels, Paul has worked with many major brands domestically and globally across the automotive, petroleum, banking, retail, leisure, and corporate sectors.”, says Peter Snaith, Pearce Group Chairman. “The diversity of these sectors and clients, combined with his extensive experience, makes Paul the perfect candidate to lead the Group as it continues to innovate and supply leading signage and branding solutions for our existing and future clients.

REGISTER FREE FOR EI LIVE! EILIVESHOW.COM

Reliable Switched & Metered PDUs The Expert Power Control 8041-1 is a 12-way PDU that offers more operational security and energy efficiency for larger 19-inch rack installations.

Key Features Event and schedule controlled switching Precise current metering of up to 9 units and residual current type A 2 connectors for plug-&-play sensor Fast and easy installation NTP function can be activated Integrated over-voltage protection type 3

Available at:

rgbcomms.co.uk or call us today on

01488 73366 RGB Head Office, 13–14 Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove Swindon. SN2 7JQ

JUNE 2022 07

NEWS

I am thrilled that he is joining the team at such an exciting time.”

Paul adds, “It is with great excitement that I join such a hard-working and professional team here at Pearce Group. Although 230 years young, the group is as hungry for success as it has ever been and has spent the last few years creating a business that is ready to launch into its next chapter. The Pearce group of companies has an exceptional team that is dedicated to delivering the very best in signage and branding solutions incorporating the latest techniques. It is a fantastic time to join the Group!”

Visualization has appointed six new employees in the role of Trainee Digital Application Technician to support growth in business. The six recruits will be undergoing an 18 month education program,

specifically designed by Visualization to offer both practical as well as classroom and online experience.

Upon completion of the program, the six will be qualified in projection, LED and Display Technologies, Unified Communication solutions, equipment rack design and build and digital audio systems.

Visualization Managing Director, Nick Pidgeon, comments, “Visualization fundamentally believe that people are its most import assets. Not our products, not our brands that we represent but our people. This tailor-made course gives the team a fast track into the Audio-Visual world, offering variety, progression, and the potential to move into different roles within the business. A partnership offered by Visualization to the trade is designed to offer a variable cost, fully trained resource capability when required.”

Reliable Switched & Metered PDUs Simon Steer

Paul Neville

Paul Shilling

Peter Snaith

The Expert Power Control 80311 or 8031-4 are 8-way PDUs that offers more operational security and energy efficiency for medium 19-inch rack installations.

Key Features Event and schedule controlled switching

Petra Schedin

Peter Friedrichsen

Visualization New Employees

KNX STANDARD V3.0 BRINGS IOT TO KNX KNX Association has launched Version 3.0 of the KNX Standard to its manufacturer members.

This was the first major release of the KNX Standard since the publication of Version 2.1 in 2013.

The platform says this new version is a big leap forward, opening opportunities for both existing as well as new KNX Members.

KNX Standard V3.0 is the first official publication of the approved standard versions of the KNX IoT 3rd Party API and the KNX IoT Point API. Version 3.0 of the entire KNX Standard celebrates the conclusion of the work on the KNX IoT project, which started as early as 2017. The organisation says the specifications open a vast new array of development possibilities for KNX members: in addition to designing KNX products based on TP, RF and KNXnet/IP, the specifications add the possibility to interface more easily to KNX Installations via RESTful Web Services and allow manufacturers to also design KNX products using IPv6 networks, such as Thread, as a communication medium.

Just as important is the fact that with every major release, KNX tries to improve the readability of the KNX Standard by including the application notes in the body text of the KNX Standard.

The KNX Standard now includes specifications for three supported media (TP, PL and RF in its

Ready and Multi flavours), one common system stack (including all of the allowed profiles), security mechanisms for KNX Classic (KNX Secure), KNXnet/ IP specifications and now also specifications for KNX IoT 3rd Party and Point API (including their own security requirements). Naturally, still included are updated versions of the Hardware Requirements, Certification Manual, Application Specifications, Test Specifications, Requirements for Basis & System Components and Application Specific Standards such as Logical Tag Extended and M-Bus Mapping.

Once the IPR process has been finalised, KNX Association plans to offer version 3.0 for download by anyone via MyKNX, not just KNX members.

Precise current metering of up to 9 units and residual current type A 2 connectors for plug-&-play sensor Fast and easy installation NTP function can be activated Integrated over-voltage protection type 3

Available at:

KNX Association knx.org

rgbcomms.co.uk or call us today on

01488 73366 A major new release from KNX Association

REGISTER FREE FOR EI LIVE! EILIVESHOW.COM

RGB Head Office, 13–14 Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove Swindon. SN2 7JQ

JUNE 2022 09

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PERFECTION

T 778 Surround Amplifier The T 778 is NAD’s flagship AV Receiver. With 9 channels of Hybrid Digital amplification, rated with NAD’s Full Disclosure Power, the T 778 truly delivers power of 85 watts per channel, and still leaves plenty of headroom for those cinematic dynamic peaks. NAD’s proprietary Modular Design Construction ensures future upgradability of video and audio connections and formats. Featuring Dirac, the world’s most advanced room correction software, and BluOS Hi-Res streaming, giving access to a huge range of music streaming services. Simple configuration through the intuitive touchscreen.

Enhance your home theatre experience with NAD.

Find out more at nadelectronics.com/product/t778-surround-amplifier

NEWS

LYNGDORF UK INKS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH DALI AUDIO UK Lyngdorf UK has appointed DALI Audio UK as sub-

as Lyngdorf to our business. There is a great deal of

distributor for Lyngdorf Audio products in the UK and

synergy between our two brands and products, and

Ireland specialising in sales to audio retailers.

we as a team are excited to be able to offer these

“I am happy that our UK subsidiary has succeeded

fabulous products to new and existing customers.”

in getting DALI UK on board. This will be a great help

Lyngdorf Audio UK will maintain the sole

to servicing a very important part of the market in

distribution of the systems through devoted dealers

which they have a proven track record of successful

and installers and will service the non-retail market for

growth. With their enthusiastic and skilled staff, we

Lyngdorf Audio.

feel confident that our presence among specialized audio dealers in the UK will increase,” says Anker

Lyngdorf Audio

Haldan, CCO, Steinway Lyngdorf.

lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com

Charlie McClarron, Sales Director UK, Lyngdorf UK, adds, “I have known the management of DALI Audio UK. for many years, and we have a trusted

Additional distribution setup for Lyngdorf Audio UK

partnership. Matt and his team have a wealth of

Reliable Switched & Metered PDUs

experience and knowledge, making DALI the perfect ally for us to grow Lyngdorf Audio in the UK market.

We wanted to find the right partner to help support part of our dealer network, and we have found this with the DALI Audio UK team.”

Also speaking about the new deal, Matt Miller,

The Expert Power Control 1202 is a 4-way PDU that offers more operational security and energy efficiency for small conference rooms and AV furniture.

Sales and Marketing Director, Dali Audio UK states, “I am delighted to add such a well-respected brand

D-TOOLS BROADENS ITS UK APPEAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PULSE CINEMAS D-Tools has announced the release of its award-

Customers attest that D-Tools Cloud delivers

winning SaaS platform, D-Tools Cloud, for the UK

on the promise to reduce their proposal backlog

market, enabling UK integrators to expedite proposal

by expediting the generation and throughput of

generation and project throughput from any web-

proposals, allowing them to close business faster

enabled device, while also demonstrating exciting

and focus on the next opportunity. The platform’s

new capabilities of its flagship System Integrator (SI)

interactive, multimedia proposals and browser-based

solution. A new partnership with Pulse Cinemas has

visual quoting create a collaborative experience

also been revealed.

with clients, leading to prompt e-sign approval and

D-Tools introduces D-Tools Cloud to the UK market in partnership with Pulse Cinemas, the UK-based AV distributor that focuses on home cinema and immersive, engaging experiences for the residential market, as the system will be made available to all Pulse Cinemas customers. Currently serving nearly 1,000 system integrators in North America, D-Tools Cloud is described as an easy-to-implement cloudbased platform that offers an alternative to system integrators in the region seeking ways to close more business faster and drive increased productivity from any web-enabled device.

deposit, and higher close rates. In addition, D-Tools Cloud’s post-sales capabilities such as scheduling, project planning, task management and time tracking are designed to help integrators ensure that jobs are

Key Features Event and schedule controlled switching Precise current metering of up to 9 units 1 connector for plug-&-play sensor Fast and easy installation NTP function can be activated Integrated over-voltage protection type 3

delivered on-time and on-budget.

D-Tools d-tools.com

Available at:

Enhancements to SI include; sales and quoting management and inventory tracking

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside the D-Tools team to bring this innovative solution to integrators in the UK,” says Kapes Patel, Pulse Cinemas Technical Director. “D-Tools Cloud helps dealers deliver a ‘bestin-class’ experience to their clients. Further, through our partnership, all of Pulse Cinemas’ product lines including dealer-specific pricing will be available to our dealers to ensure accuracy and expediency during the system design and estimating process.”

REGISTER FREE FOR EI LIVE! EILIVESHOW.COM

rgbcomms.co.uk or call us today on

01488 73366 RGB Head Office, 13–14 Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove Swindon. SN2 7JQ

JUNE 2022 11

NEWS

DBM LIVE! DELIVERS IMPRESSIVE NEW PRODUCTS

“A very good day. The DSP 8000XE loudspeakers have definitely raised the bar.” Charlie Harrington, Sonic Syndicate

DbM welcomed an enthusiastic audience of more than 50 smart home integrators to its recent DbM Live! event held at the Meridian Audio HQ in Huntingdon as it showcased a series of new high-performance audio, projection and screen technologies from core DbM brands.

The first showing and demonstrations of Meridian Audio’s acclaimed new flagship DSP 8000XE loudspeakers drew high praise at the event. The DSP8000 XE is the first Meridian loudspeaker to emerge from the company’s Extreme Engineering Program, created to re-imagine every element of Meridian’s product platforms, including both software and hardware platforms. In an impressive demonstration session, DbM Live visitors were brought into the heart of a variety of different recordings as the DSP8000 XE brought to life every

detail, emotion and the true sense of scale that make up a music track or performance.

The brand new 3000mm wide Modular Seamless Display from LG also made a sizeable impact.

Perfectly suited to large, open plan media room spaces, the huge MSD 3000 delivers a bright, highquality picture thanks to its 3 in 1 surface mounted diodes (SMD) and fine pitch RGB LED technology.

DbM visitors also heard details of the DbM support package available for this affordable big screen solution, covering delivery, mounting and installation, aftercare and maintenance.

Elsewhere, visitors were also presented with the new range of nexgentec Audio over IP (AoIP) solutions now exclusively available in the UK from DbM, the latest Freya DCI home cinema projector from Barco, demonstrated in the awe-inspiring Meridian Reference Cinema, and the latest products from Trinnov and Waterfall Audio.

“We’d like to thank everyone for joining us at this DbM Live experience, our first in-person event in Huntingdon for nearly three years,” says Barry Sheldrick, DbM’s Director of Sales. “The tremendous feedback that we’ve received shows that there is absolutely no substitute for seeing, hearing and experiencing the real thing in this industry. We’re delighted to be back with demonstrations that can inspire integrators to achieve great things for their clients.”

DbM distributedbym.com

PSB SPEAKERS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF DELIVERING HIGH VALUE HI-FI SOUND PSB Speakers, the loudspeaker company that, perhaps more than any other, create the ‘Canadian Sound’, is celebrating 50 years of delivering high value speakers at the intersection of science-based sound reproduction and musical enjoyment. Founded in St Jacob’s, Ontario, in the summer of 1972 by classically-trained violinist and self-taught acoustics designer, Paul Barton, and a couple of his high school friends, PSB Speakers soon became a pioneer in marrying psychoacoustics research with loudspeaker design.

The scientific approach Paul took in designing loudspeakers was rare at the time, and over the course of the late 1970s and early 1980s, he conducted thorough and detailed measurements of loudspeakers at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, Canada, using its state-of-the-art anechoic chamber and instruments to perfect the sound signature of his products.

The brand’s anniversary celebrations kicked off with a virtual live event on June 1, featuring an intimate conversation with Paul Barton moderated by Doug Schneider, Founder of SoundStage!

“PSB Speakers, despite all of the outstanding reviews it receives for its products, is in many ways still a hidden gem of a brand,” argues Gordon Simmonds, CEO of Lenbrook International, the parent company

12 JUNE 2022

of PSB Speakers. “The documentary is our way of reinforcing the brand’s incredible story and scientific contributions to the speaker industry so it can be appreciated not just by those who already follow the brand, but also by new audio consumers that are looking for great value products for their mobile and modern lifestyles.”

The celebrations continue into the month of June, when PSB Speakers goes back to its roots – the love of live music from Paul’s childhood that inspired him to pursue a career in acoustics. PSB Speakers is committed as a Main Stage sponsor for the 2022 Northern Lights Festival Boréal, a music festival happening in Sudbury, Ontario, that is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

PSB Speakers psbspeakers.com

A major milestone for PSB Speakers

REGISTER FREE FOR EI LIVE! EILIVESHOW.COM

QUANTUM LEAP! New Quantum Mini LED light source technology delivers sensational brightness, dynamic detail, and ultra-thin luxury to the residential display market.

Visit habitech.co.uk for further information or meet us at Basingstoke for the full Neo QLED experience. www.habitech.co.uk | 01256 638500 | sales@habitech.co.uk

EI LIVE! 2022

SPONSORED BY

TIME TO REGISTER FOR EI LIVE! 2022 This year sponsored by aico, EI Live! is back, bigger and better than ever, with extra floor space, more exhibitors and more attractions. Making a visit vital for the health of any forward looking install business.

The EI Live! exhibition is unquestionably the main event for the residential AV and home automation industry. Attracting an audience of quality customers and decision makers with specific purchasing power, the show is the UK crucible within which the next phase of the smart home and high-quality AV market is forged.

Visitors are drawn by the range of exhibitors that can’t be found in one place anywhere else, together with the show’s reputation for promoting emerging technologies and innovations. Many products and companies have had their launch at the show and this year will be no different. EI Live! prides itself on being the best face-to face sales opportunity for industry suppliers, generating new custom for exhibitors.

Companies will not find a more engaged audience for their business anywhere else and visitors will not find a more focused group of companies dedicated to making their installation lives easier, more exciting and fulfilling.

WHY EXHIBIT?

If your company is involved in the manufacturing, supply or support of AV and home automation, EI Live! 2022 will deliver a wide mix of existing and potential new customers. The show is currently around 90% full, but there are still a

few opportunities to get involved, so give the sales team a shout, but hurry, the space won’t be there for long. Join the long list of distributors, manufacturers, software creators and service providers who make EI Live! their home every year; showcasing home entertainment, automation systems, home cinema, video/audio control and distribution, lighting and lighting control, fire and security systems and design management software.

Every year exhibitors return to access the strong mix of installers, electrical contractors, electricians, architects, developers, interior designers, facilities managers, and consultants that the show targets as its core audience.

WHY VISIT?

If you are an installer of home automation/ AV systems, work in the light commercial automation/AV world or are an electrical contractor looking to tap into smart utilities, the show is a must. Architects, developers, and interior designers will also benefit hugely from attending and learning more about how these fields will affect their work in the coming years.

No show in the UK offers access to a varied choice of options for those involved in the industry to discover fresh things about companies and systems they already work with, but also find new, exciting, and profitable opportunities to move towards.

THE VENUE

The show’s home of the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre has all the attractions and facilities of a London venue without the extra costs and hassle of reaching a venue in the capital.

Contemporary in design, this purpose built venue reflects pioneering, innovation and sophistication - all fitting for world-class events and in particular ones that showcase technology.

Super-fast connectivity and innovative technology means EI Live! is fit for the future. Located on Farnborough Airport, the venue also has excellent security and vast amounts of free commercial vehicle-friendly parking.

The venue is also surrounded by a large selection of great hotels from high-end luxury to sensible budget choices if you are planning on attending both days.

Registration is open now, so visit the site and make a forward step for your business in 2022.

EI Live! 2022 eiliveshow.com

TECHNICAL THEATRE

The Technical Theatre will be back this year, offering its varied programme of training and learning opportunities drawn direct from the industry and interesting related fields. Look out for more information on the programme very soon.

14 JUNE 2022

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SMART BUILDING AWARDS

SPONSORED BY

THE SMART BUILDING AWARDS RETURN! The Smart Building Awards (SBA) return in their full fat version this year with a full line up of categories decided on by our independent panel of experts industry judges.

Sponsored this year by Sonos, we are delighted to welcome back the SBAs for 2022 following a highly successful 2021, albeit in a slightly reduced format. We are back this season with our full programme of categories and the awards will once again be judged on-line and independently by our panel judges to be announced soon.

Organisers are careful to choose judges who really know what they are looking at, directly involved in the industry, so as to arrive at the most informed results possible. Judges make their choices independently of each other using a specially created portal allowing each judge to take their time and reach careful, considered conclusions.

The SBA initiative is also designed to make the awards easy to enter, using the same on-line portal that the judges use to access the entries.

Every year, organisers are asked how much the awards are to enter, and every year the answer is the same, nothing, nada, zip, we would not dream of charging entrants to enter their own industry awards. The awards are also designed to create a level playing field for companies large, small, long established or just arrived to enter and stand an equal chance of winning.

This year each winning entry will receive coverage across print, Essential Install magazine, digital platforms, newsletters and website, as well as dedicated smart building awards newsletter e-shots, underlining the excellence achieved in their chosen field.

Last year distributors AWE and CAVD were amongst the winners receive their trophy at the SBA dinner between the two show days at EI Live! on September 14, 2022.

The reach offered by this beefed up crossplatform marketing campaign will deliver all who enter an industry-wide showcase for the very best each company can offer whether they are a manufacturer, distributor, training provider or installer.

The aim is to deliver the most representative, inclusive and up to date awards initiative in the AV/install world maintaining the recognised brand and seal of industry approval for years to come.

Held in the Village hotel, Farnborough, this year’s smart building awards will bring back the full gala dinner programme, the SBAs really will knock your smart home socks off; providing fantastic networking opportunities, great food and drink, and, of course, the 2022 awards presentation.

We look forward to receiving your entry, and remember, you are not restricted to entering one category, you can enter as many categories as you wish. So what are you waiting for? Log on to the awards website, pick your categories and get entering!

Smart Building Awards smartbuildingawards.com

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Categories for the Smart Building Awards 2022 • Best Home Cinema Projector Screen • Best Racking or Mounting Product • Best Standalone Speaker • Best In-Wall or In-Ceiling Speaker • Best TV / Display (Conventional) • Best Integrated TV / Display • Best Matrix / Signal Distribution • Best Multi-room / Zone Music System • Best Dedicated Touchscreen • Best Security Solution • Best Automation Platform • Best Lighting Control Company Categories • Best Training Initiative / Course • Best Distributor • Best Manufacturer Installer Categories • Best Commercial Integration Project • Best Home Cinema Project Over £50,000 • Best Home Cinema Project Under £50,000 • Best Media Room Under £50,000 • Best Media Room Over £50,000 • Best Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) • Best Whole Home Integration Project

JUNE 2022 17

ESSENTIAL CEDIA

WHY MARKET RESEARCH MATTERS Stuart Tickle, Managing Director of distributor AWE Europe, asks why is the information provided by market research is important to our sector?

For a long time, AWE has been part of the consumer electronics industry and we have seen plenty of data presented to us by manufacturers and brands. This data typically takes two forms.

Established data intelligence companies, such as GfK are renowned for providing high quality sales data with insights on specific product categories and brand performance based on sales and factory output information, from which they draw market insights.

Meanwhile, additional respected organisations, such as Futuresource and Parks Associates, are known for their forward-looking trendsbased research into the consumer electronics sector, predicting buying patterns and the likely evolution of different technologies. These future directions are typically set in the context of a much bigger picture that brings together consumer tastes and preferences, cultural and economic shifts as well as R&D and investment data from industry, alongside other factors.

Such data can be useful but its benefits to those more active in CI are relatively limited.

That’s because CI and the professional, premium end of the market that we inhabit is only a subset – and a relatively niche subset at that - of the much broader consumer electronics industry.

And yet, as a comparatively youthful market sector, and one in the midst of a rapid and continuing growth phase, generating genuinely new business, access to high quality information that specifically relates to manufacturers, distributors and integration businesses is incredibly important.

Most business owners could be forgiven for thinking that they know everything there is to know about their own business, the industry it operates in and what it needs to do to be successful. It’s what we do, right? But stepping outside of your own bubble is important. It

18 JUNE 2022

can help us all better understand the CI space, identifying technology trends and customer behaviours more accurately and helping to put business planning and growth on firmer foundations; foundations that are based on independent evidence rather than just your own company’s experience and sales data.

To have such credible performance benchmarks is so valuable to installation businesses and suppliers.

It’s for these reasons that AWE is a big supporter of the UK Integrated Home Market Analysis - powered by CEDIA. There is no other research project that focuses minds and information on the key aspects of the UK CI industry. It covers company size, scope and activities, including business functions, installation types, equipment choices, the size of the workforce, as well as the technology areas that are proving most important for integration companies.

It enables us to look at growth and market opportunities as well as allowing us to find out valuable information on important technology and brand buying trends.

From the most recent CEDIA study, we’re encouraged to see that there are close to 3,700 integrator companies operating in the UK market with an average annual revenue

of £386,000 and an average project size of £33,000. How you define an integrator is important, so it’s helpful to understand that the vast majority of their business is residential. The study had a strong response rate from CEDIA members (88%). Within this sample group, 77% of companies are forecasting revenue growth in the next 12 months with the major technology areas set for expansion being integration/control, home cinema and networks / network security – not your typical retail sale, so true added value to the wider CE industry.

Having this dedicated CI market research that gives us such important insights and feedback on where the industry is heading from an integrator rather than brand perspective is so valuable. The 2021 UK Integrated Home Market Analysis has plenty to say to us and it’s free of charge to all CEDIA members. The more companies that take part in such market research the better and more valuable it becomes, so we would urge everyone to get involved in future projects, such as, the CEDIA study. It only cost time but benefits us all.

Visit www.cedia.net/market-intelligence for more details. If you are interested in participating in future market data projects with CEDIA, please contact research@cedia.org.

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Together For Cinema is an AV industry good cause enterprise with a focus on designing and installing home cinema rooms in children’s hospices and other deserving locations across the UK. These rooms not only benefit the children and young adults, but also their families, carers, staff and volunteers.

The recycling of second hand and B-stock is in plan and some items have already been donated and installed.

Together For Cinema has excellent support and backing from the AV industry, but more can be done. Please contact us to donate product, to assist with an installation or to consider becoming a sponsor of this AV industry good cause.

More than 50 materials and colors

Spearheaded by founder Ian Morrish, Together For Cinema has so far completed 29 cinema rooms at a normal installation value of over £620,000. Our target of 50 rooms and £1m worth of installations is scheduled for completion by 2026.

Essential Install are proud to support this great cause and be a lead Media Partner.

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Show your support today by visiting

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Proud Media Partners of Together For Cinema

DoorBird combines exclusive design with the innovative IP technology in the field of door communication.

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ESSENTIAL GUDE SYSTEMS

NO RACK WITHOUT A SMART PDU!

EI met up with Philipp Gude of GUDE Systems GmbH to discuss the importance of a smart PDU power distribution and which problems it solves for you in your day-to-day business.

To the AV integrator, power is everything. The connection of a system to the mains fires up all sorts of solutions, from lighting and HAVAC through to cinema and music. But how much attention do we actually give the power source?

All it takes is a spike in power or power cut and all of your hard-earned work requires service visits and, at worst, swapping out of kit with a hefty bill attached. Either way, as the integrator, you are responsible, so do you charge the customer or absorb the cost? The obvious alternative is to specify an intelligent power supply that removes the majority of these costly headaches at the very beginning of the process. After all, if the power supply was correct for the application in the first place, then many potential problems can be avoided in advance.

Based in Cologne, Germany, GUDE has been a manufacturer of innovative equipment for the AV and IT sectors for over 30 years.

It was founded by Dr. Michael Gude as a student with the vision of inventing technically advanced products. He had already embraced this ambition as a teenager, when he won the prestigious JuniorScience prize at the national level.

With a focus on smart PDU and smart power supplies, the ISO9001-certified company has developed multiple solutions for AV integrators so that they have the correct power supplies for the applications they are building. Be it simple multi-way sockets through to IP-based remote power control, GUDE has always strived to offer its customers PDUs that are easy to install yet offer a wide-range of facilities that are as useful to the residential installer as they are to the corporate. GUDE’s high-quality products allow the optimisation and expansion of infrastructures typically found in networks, servers and media

20 JUNE 2022

cabinets through to AV systems and multi-room applications. The product portfolio includes smart PDUs (power distribution units), LAN sensors and time servers. Every single product is developed and manufactured in Germany to meet with customers’ quality demands for reliable AV and IT infrastructures.

Philipp Gude adds: “We really focus on the AV industry. We have Plug & Play drivers for all major AV manufacture so that every AV integrator can add our smart IP PDUs in less than 5 minutes.

Examples of GUDE smart power solutions for different scenarios include: • For medium sized installations & in 19” racks: Expert Power Control 8031-1 or 8031-4 (16A, switchable 8 x IEC C13 or 8 x type G, input side metering, surge protection) • For big AV installations in 19” racks: Expert Power Control 8041-1 (16A, switchable 12 x IEC C13, input side metering, surge protection) • For larger installations & in 19” racks: Expert Power Control 8291-1 (16A, The smart AC/ DC PDU, switchable 21 outlets: 4 x IEC C13, 12 x 12 V / 24 V und 5 x 5 V, power metering on the input side, surge protection)

By working closely with its customers, the company has earned an excellent reputation in the international AV industry with its smart power distribution products in recent years.

The focus on innovative products that support demanding AV professionals in their work in the best possible way has paid off. In doing so, the family-run company constantly works with integrators during product development: The partnership-based contact and personal exchange with a large number of customers repeatedly contributes significantly to the success of product development.

Now headed up by the second generation, Philipp Gude realised that the AV sector required a solution that was not only designed specifically for their own needs but also made perfect commercial sense. After three years in the company, small, medium and large AV system integrators in EMEA rely on GUDE power solutions. Thanks to Philipp’s hands-on approach, integrators trust his eye for detail and appreciate his technical expertise. What drives Philipp Gude every day are enthusiastic and happy customers.

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ESSENTIAL GUDE SYSTEMS • Demonstrably fewer and less downtimes of critical AV infrastructures because of built-in surge protection • Effective troubleshooting in case of AV installation issues: Remote reboot or fully automatic power-cycling thanks to the selfhealing function (auto reboot) using watchdogs • Detect AV problems before things get out of hand: Proactive power metering of up to 9 electrical quantities and environmental monitoring by plug-n-play temperature and humidity sensors against overheating • Sustainable lifecycle, with products in the field for many years supported by free of charge firmware updates on a regular basis • Saving valuable programming time thanks to seamless integration with the leading AV brands such as Crestron, Control4, Domotz, ELAN, Extron, Utelogy, RTI and Savant due to available drivers free of charge

“After my studies a Master of Engineering and working in sales in the IT industry, I joined the AV industry three years ago to help the family business disrupt the AV market with our switched and metered power distribution units. With residential AV systems and home automation becoming ever more complex, we could see that there was an obvious requirement for our reliable and high-quality PDUs in the space, particularly having spoken with key integrators that were frustrated by the lack of dedicated products available at the time. We worked tirelessly to create a range of products that were aimed at the AV integrator, to not only offer the features they needed but that would also deliver on value. And I can tell you, we have conquered the AV market: All the big AV companies rely on our solutions. Do you know why they love working with us? Because we solve major problems.”

As a consequence, GUDE contributes significantly to a changed AV industry and suggests that a reliable switched IP power strip is an essential in every professional AV installation to secure and monitor all aspects of power. The benefits are obvious to the system integrator: • Better and faster service because of a remote power cycle and proactive power monitoring • Reduced energy bills because of turning off devices when they are not in use • Less downtime and increased operational reliability because of Plug & Play temperature and humidity sensors and built-in surge protection “Our approach is very straight forward and leads to reduced service costs and a faster reaction time”, continued Philipp. “Imagine this practical example, an end customer that wants to watch his favorite soccer game on Saturday night.

Then all of the sudden, something doesn’t work and he can’t watch it. He calls his AV service immediately and likes to have a prompt solution.

The old way is that the AV service technician has to drive to the customer. This takes in London for sure 2 hours or even more. He arrives at the Luxury apartment and the end customer is already really mad. The service technician turns everything off and on again and everything works again. The end customer asks: ‘What was the problem?’ The service technician replies: ‘I don’t know but the problem is solved now.’ The end customers says: ‘And for that I paid 1.000 Euros? And I also couldn’t watch my favorite soccer game. Thanks.’

As you can see in this example the end customer is really upset and the AV integrator had to drive to a customer at Saturday night and it took him the whole night: 2 hours drive to the customer + 30 minute to find the right apartment and power cycle the whole installation + 2 hours drive back: 4 and ½ hours to solve the problem.

The new way is to install a switched PDU that can power cycle the AVIT devices remotely. End customers call you. You log into the network of the customer. You press power cycle and the installations runs again. This takes 5 minutes. The end customer can watch his soccer game and you saved costs and hustle to drive to the end customer. 10 minutes to solve the problem.”

The benefits and solutions of GUDE‘s approach lead to a world where everything is interconnected and monitored. This is the new world of AVIT where AV merges with the IT world: The pure operation merges into sustainable and proactive management. The AV integrators benefit from the following functions:

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Distributed and supported in the UK by RGB Communications, GUDE’s approach is a welcome change. The company wants to be visible and highlights the importance and cost-saving that correctly-specified smart PDUs offer its customers and their customers alike. As Philipp concludes, “The complexity of AV systems these days demands that every device in the chain is working to its absolute optimum level. To this end, using the correct smart PDU with built-in surge protection and power management is an essential device to help monitor and maintain systems, aiding the integrator with their service routines whilst also promoting reliability to their customers. We see that the PDU has moved on from being a required accessory and is now an essential element of any home automation or AV system.

Get this right from the outset and the long-term value will be evident for years to come.”

JUNE 2022 21

ESSENTIAL TOGETHER FOR CINEMA

BRINGING THE CINEMA EXPERIENCE TO RAINBOWS Together For Cinema (TFC) Founder, Ian Morrish, provides EI with the full story behind its latest project, recently featured on BBC News. lighting to help create a wonderful ambience and visual experience.

It was fortunate that we already had good contact with an installer local to Loughborough, this being Decorum Technology. Gary Mills and his team are hugely supportive of TFC and had, in fact, project managed an installation at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall in 2014. Gary visited Rainbows and viewed the room for himself. Having discussed with the Rainbow’s team what could be done, they were all happy to commit the room to a full cinema scape room, as opposed to a multi-functional room doubling, or even trebling, up as anything Rakhee Thakrar, Anne-Marie Rosak and Ian Morrish on opening day

Rainbows Children’s Hospice is located just

In August 2021 Rainbows contacted me

south of Loughborough, and only a few minutes

and were amazed to hear about what we could

off Junction 22 of the M1.

do and so the journey began.

In 1989, Harry and Gail Moore’s five-

Images of the proposed room were sent

year-old daughter, Laura, sadly died after a

down to us and, even though the room was

battle with Leukaemia. She had three years of

relatively small, it was perfect for turning into

treatment, including a bone marrow transplant

a cinema room to hold anything up to about

from her twin brother, Kit. Laura’s favourite

eight to ten people.

else. This made the whole project a little more exciting for us and enabled us to consider more immersive products to really add to the cinema experience. Thanks must go to Control4 (Snap One), Denon (Sound United), Epson, HDANYWHERE, KEF, Orluna, Penn Elcom, Projecta, QMotion, Sony and Starscape. Great brands with great products and a real desire to help progress our work.

Gary Mills, Director, Decorum Technology, comments, “Working at Rainbows Children’s

thing in the world was a rainbow and her parents

I visited Rainbows at the end of September

wanted to create something special in her

and met with Kate Golding, the Head of

by the hospitality of the Rainbows team who

memory – which is how Rainbows was born.

Organisational Giving, and some of her

couldn’t do enough to help us and make sure

Today, Rainbows supports over 300 children

care colleagues. Having viewed the room it

we had a cup of tea and a biscuit whenever

and young people living with life-limiting and

was clear to me that we could deliver a pretty

required! Of course the main focus was to

life-threatening conditions.

‘standard’ TFC installation, but with extra

create as good a cinema room space as we

22 JUNE 2022

Hospice was made all the more pleasurable

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ESSENTIAL TOGETHER FOR CINEMA

could with the wonderful equipment that had been sourced from our industry colleagues by Ian Morrish at Together For Cinema.

“The equipment that was donated was all high quality and I believe we have been able to create a fabulous cinema room facility that will stand the test of time and be used and appreciated for many years to come. TFC is a wonderful enterprise and one that I am sure we will be involved with again. Commercial installs pay the bills but for job satisfaction this is hard to beat.”

Anne-Marie Rosak, Head of Nursing and Clinical Operations at Rainbows Children’s Hospice, adds, “The new Cinema Room will provide the most incredible experience for our children, young people and their families at Rainbows. It really will be a fantastic addition to our wonderful facilities, and we can’t thank Together for Cinema enough for making this happen.

“For many of those who stay at our hospice, going to a cinema might not be a physical option, or they simply may not feel comfortable making that trip. They may have medical, or mobility needs which would make it a very difficult, or even impossible.

tranquil and relaxed with the beautiful ceiling of twinkling lights.”

Actor Rakhee Thakrar was in attendance at the opening day and comments “I was delighted to be asked to help open the new cinema room at Rainbow’s Children’s Hospice and witness what a difference this will make to so many children and young adults in the future. I think it’s amazing; I can’t believe how special it is! When

“This new facility means families will be

you walk in, it is totally immersive and definitely

able to use the room at any time during their

has the wow factor. It will be a wonderful place

stay at the hospice, while making the space fit

for families to make memories together and that

their needs - whether that is fun and lively or

is what Rainbows is all about.”

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Bushra Bushra Zahid, 20, uses the cinema at Rainbows, and says, “It is really beautiful and feels like a proper cinema. This is really important to us because going to an actual cinema can be difficult for us.”

The opening was also covered by the BBC in the shape of the East Midlands today crew, and their feature shown that evening. Also in attendance were several of the care team at Rainbows and also two of the children who were raving about their new cinema room.

Together For Cinema togetherforcinema.co.uk

JUNE 2022 25

ESSENTIAL PULSE CINEMAS

MEDIACOMS HOME CINEMA MAGIC With products supplied by Pulse Cinemas and a successful demonstration at Pulse HQ, the team at MediaComs set about creating this luxurious and high-performance home cinema.

With four bases dotted around the Southeast

and show him just what was possible. We used to

design that offers many benefits Paradigm has

of England, MediaComs’ main office is in

have a basic home cinema set up at our offices,

built into this range. This speaker features the

Bishop Stortford with the company servicing

but why show the customer a Fiesta, when you

X-PA tweeter with in-house created Perforated

clients

can show them a Ferrari right?

Phase-Aligning (PPA) Tweeter Lens that protects

throughout

London,

Essex

and

Hertfordshire. This family run firm, headed

“Kapes provided all the demos on the day

the pure-aluminium tweeter dome and acts as the

up by brothers Peter and Chris Leon, has

(Kapes Patel, Pulse Cinemas COO) and the

Phase Plug, preventing out-of-phase frequencies

been established since 2002 supplying and

customer loved the Apartment Cinema so

for smoother, extended high frequencies with

installing equipment right across the spectrum

much that what we specified for his cinema is

impressive detail and a higher output. This line

from aerial, satellite, AV, security and of course

basically a tweaked version of Pulse Cinemas’

also has high-performance mineral-filled co-

luxury home cinemas. This well established

impressive room.”

polymer polypropylene bass/midrage cones,

installation company took on the brief to create a luxury, high-performance cinema for this new build property delving deep into

THE EQUIPMENT All the equipment was chosen to maximise the

oversized computer-optimised ferrite magnets and high-power motor structures to offer detail in the mid-range as well as clean, extended bass.

the Pulse Cinemas product line up to get the

performance in the space available giving the

Paradigm Millenia LP 2s step into deliver

performance needed.

client the largest screen possible with the most

the surround audio in the cinema featuring an

immersive audio to match. A Screen Research

ultra-thin (1-3/4 in / 4.4 cm) design offering

DEMONSTRATION SUCCESS

115in model was selected and fitted to partner

a three-driver, two-way bass-reflex array with

Lead installer for the company, Chris Leon,

the 4K projector specified for the cinema. The

dual passive radiators in an on-wall model with

explains, “This project was for an existing

high impact audio in the space is delivered in

moulded high-gloss polymer enclosure. Just a

customer who had recently moved in to a newly

a configuration of 3.8.2 by a series of speakers

few of the highlights from this range include an

renovated home and wanted to upgrade his AV

from Canadian audio masters Paradigm. The

S-PAL satin-anodised pure-aluminium dome, a

system and realise his home cinema dreams. We

front channels are handled by three CI-Pro

rigid mineral-filled ABS chassis and a perforated

are fortunate that our HQ is very close to Pulse

Paradigm P3 LCRs, a three-driver, dual passive

aluminium mesh screen. Offering a wide

Cinemas, so we were able to visit with the client

radiator, two-way, shallow enclosure in-wall

dispersion pattern, the speakers also feature

26 JUNE 2022

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ESSENTIAL PULSE CINEMAS

an advanced motor structure with extruded

particularly like the subs, I have them at home and

and 2x HDMI outputs. This built in Britain

aluminium heat sink. On to the height channels

quote them for every cinema we specify.”

product also has HDMI-CEC Bi-Directional

and here the Paradigm CI Pro P80-Rs were

Providing the processing in this impressive

Control, Bi-Directional IR Control and Automatic EDID Management.

selected. Offering many of the features and

home

patents as the P3’s these speakers are one of the

the Paradigm speaker array is the Anthem

All of the high-performance tech in the

Paradigm family to offer the in-house created

MRX1140. Part of the hugely popular MRX

cinema is controlled using an RTI XP-3 control

Reduced Edge Diffraction (RED) Technology.

cinema

and

perfectly

partnering

family, it’s important to note here that Anthem

processor and a T2x remote control. Offering

This approach involves RED Technology

and Paradigm are developed in tandem and are

an impressive level in a small form factor, the

(patent pending) which consists of a die-cast

designed to make the perfect AV partnership.

XP-3 has a built-in RF transceiver and supports

aluminium tweeter housing that reduces negative

Specifying them together means the cinema

wireless bi-directional communications using

effects of diffraction while enhancing midrange

benefits from many years of cross pollination and

ZigBee. The XP-3 has features normally

frequencies. The irregular edges and off-centre

development offering the very best performance.

reserved for higher-priced control processors,

placement break up standing waves often found

The MRX1140 throws its full weight behind

such as a built-in astronomical clock and control

around the woofer cone and tweeter housing of

the performance in this cinema with its 15.2

via Ethernet, RS-232 and relays. The perfect

other speaker designs. The aluminium structure

Pre-Amplifier/ 11 Amplifier Channel receiver

partner for the XP-3 is the fifth gen T2x remote

also dissipates heat which improves power

capabilities compatible with Dolby Atmos,

loaded with a full complement of hard buttons

handling and allows a lower crossover frequency,

DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced. A generous 140W

delivering quick, intuitive control, while the

further improving sound and reducing distortion.

per channel continuous power into 8 ohms is also

2.8in touchscreen interface can be tailored for

Handling the bass in this room are the

present as is the fantastic ARC (Anthem Room

full control of devices throughout this home

attractive and some would argue ‘cute’ Paradigm

Correction) software taking room calibration to

cinema environment.

Seismic 110 subs. This good-looking sub really

new levels.

Chris concludes, “We have been working with

complements the aesthetics of the cinema and

Helping to control the audio in the space are

Pulse Cinemas for around 2.5 years now and

of course delivers all the lower frequencies the

a series of Vicoustic MD55 absorption/diffusion

have completed four projects with them. The

space needs leveraging an ultra-low-distortion

panels. In this instance, located behind the screen

incredible product line-up and expert support on

split-coil driver, 850W RMS Ultra-Class-D

the MD55 are very straightforward to install and

offer are just what’s needed.”

amplifier, and 10-in cone.

come at a competitive price.

So, all in all, a fine line up of products, fitted

Chris says, “We really like the Paradigm brand.

Also featured in the cinema is the flagship

expertly by MediaComs, supported by Pulse

It just feels more exclusive for the customer and

fixed format 8x10 HDBaseT Pulse-Eight Neo

Cinemas, delivered everything the customer

the performance is really there. There are lots of

8a Matrix. This top of the range model offers

asked for and more.

impressive aspects to this room, but it’s the audio

Ultra HD 4K video transmission (up to 340Mhz),

that really makes it and working in tandem with

1080p, 3D Full HDCP 2.2 support delivering

Pulse Cinemas

Anthem on the processing adds another level. I

8x HDMI inputs, 8x HDBaseT Class B outputs

pulsecinemas.com

Equipment List • Screen: 115in Screen Research Screen • Processor: Anthem MRX1140 • Power Distribution: Pulse-Eight Neo 8a Matrix • Speakers: 3 x Paradigm P3 LCR, 4 x Paradigm Milenia LP2 Surrounds, 4 x Paradigm CI Pro 80R Heights, 2 x Paradigm Seismic 110 Subs • Acoustic Treatment: Vicoustic MD55 (behind screen) • Control: RTI XP3 and T2x Remote control

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JUNE 2022 27

ESSENTIAL HABITECH

Game changing productivity gains: Netvio combines radically simple design and control software with feature-laden HDBT and AVoIP hardware

UNLEASH YOUR NETWORKING PRODUCTIVITY! Netvio’s blue-sky networking platform marks a fresh start for HDBT and AVoIP design says Video Solutions Product Manager Jay Brand.

When economists talk about productivity, they’re really expressing something far more tangible to all of us: the ability to generate cash. It’s the age-old story of time and money. Higher productivity delivers greater output per input in any given period and greater rewards at the end of it. Which is why you owe it to your business to find the easiest productivity gains. And now that network design is swallowing more of your time and energy on every project, it follows that the quickest gains can be made by simplifying network delivery. If you’re designing for HDBaseT and AVoIP, our new blue-sky AV distribution platform Netvio will deliver highest performance in the shortest time.

It’s the simplest way to boost your productivity and earning power. In fact, Netvio could be your golden ticket to value and success.

Why? Because in a single, extraordinary leap of innovation, Netvio has overtaken traditional thinking and technologies to deliver versatile and reliable AV design and control more easily, in less time and for ultra-competitive budgets.

Challenging the reliance on complex hardware ecosystems, Netvio has deployed the best computer science brains from leading research institutions outside the CI bubble to create a unique ‘program less’ design environment,

28 JUNE 2022

comprising ‘Netvio 360’ design software, the ‘Netvio Go’ end-user app, a powerful new matrix line-up offering performance and practicality way beyond rivals, and a similarly empowered new ‘JP4’ AVoIP ecosystem.

NETVIO 360

Rather than generating layers of custom software to initiate specific local compliances, the Netvio 360 utility creates a lingua franca for all network elements, producing simple configuration interfaces for multiple AV distribution technologies in a single piece of software. In effect the 360 front-end acts as a unifying bridge, so regardless of HDBaseT, AVoIP etc, the install experience remains the same, lowering barriers to design and installation.

And to make it even easier, Netvio 360 provides for the auto discovery, configuration and optimisation of Netvio products. This means you don’t have to worry about

changing IP settings, setting complex subnets, remembering default IP addresses or even optimising inputs/outputs for Netvio products: nine times out of ten, Netvio’s default settings will achieve the best audio and video quality right out of the box.

What’s more, Netvio 360’s visual design canvas allows you to add, drag and drop displays, media sources and audio products.

You can finger-draw control paths for each device, selecting from IR, RS-232, IP and CEC (subject to device capability), then group displays into single or expanded zones and add custom images to area/zone buttons. When you draw the line for HDMI, IR, RS-232, and introduce an IP device, Netvio automates the creation of the UI, adding the system device command structures and setting-up comms info (like baud rate and port number etc). In other words, Netvio 360 means intuitive virtuosity, no coding and productivity savings in the bank!

Time to launch Netvio GO!

All Netvio HT2 matrixes, including the entry 4x4 model offer 70m 4K HDR capability out of the box

/Essentialinstall

@Install_mag

essentialinstall.com

ESSENTIAL HABITECH

flagship matrixes support ARC capture, but their 4x4s do not.

Moreover, while Netvio gives you the added benefit of direct zone RS-232 and routing to provide easy control of external devices such as displays or projectors, competitors cannot route RS-232 control.

NEW 4K/60 HDR AVOIP LAUNCHED

Netvio’s new JP4 AVoIP platform will handle 4K/60 HDR over standard 1Gb IP and offers a real-time 1080p preview stream on Apple and Android devices

NETVIO GO!

Netvio GO is your customer’s AV control app, dovetailed with 360. Compatible with Apple and Android smart phones and tablets, GO can control any AV device via IR, RS-232, CEC and IP, managing signal distribution, media sources, displays and audio products. To add a user control (phone or tablet) device, use the Go app to scan the QR code that 360 generates. Netvio’s ‘micro-drivers’ wrap up all necessary UI design elements and control commands, so when you add micro-drivers for, say, SKYQ, AppleTV and a Yamaha amp to your project in the 360 software, those devices will automatically have interfaces in the Go app.

And for extra pizazz, GO supports an amazing 1080p/30 preview stream through Netvio’s new JP4 AVoIP encoders to deliver a uniquely engaging end-user experience.

NOT FEATURES, REAL ADVANTAGES!

Even so, Netvio’s game-changing command and control architecture is just one half of a compelling end-to-end proposition. Moving the unbeatable Netvio playbook way beyond the reach of rivals is the matrix hardware, bristling with the capability you’ll need to master today’s evolving networking challenges but missing from older rival platforms.

For a start you’ll get the added transmission distance. What if 40m doesn’t cut it? When virtually every project has hidden complexities, why take the risk? Netvio’s matrixes, including the 8x8, the 8x6 and even the HT2 4x4, give you a 70m 4K HDR output capability out of the box, right now, from as many as four outputs on the HT2-0808, and two on the HT2-0806. To put that in context, 70m 4K HDR is available only from one rival’s flagship model (at just under £5k trade) and is completely absent from another’s entire range.

essentialinstall.com

@Install_mag

Then there’s support for high bandwidth transmission of 4K HDR at 60Hz from the latest sources such as SKY-Q. Without this feature HDR 60Hz will not pass. And while this capability is available from a rival’s flagship matrix, all Netvio’s matrixes - including the HT2 4x4 - have it.

The same goes for the ability to auto scale 4K content down to 1080p across all HDBaseT and HDMI outputs, allowing a mix of new and legacy displays on the same matrix. Without downscaling, 4K source content will not show on older displays, so, naturally, this level of practicality comes as standard from Netvio. But can you find it elsewhere? While one rival offers a single scaling output, another fails to support any scaling at all. What’s more, the Netvio HT20404 and 0808 have mirrored HDMI outputs for every HDBaseT output to connect AVRs or further displays in a wider system context. Such capacity is seldom available from rivals.

On top of all this, the Netvio HT2-0404 and HT2-0808 support networking over HDBaseT, allowing a full duplex network connection to pass over Cat5e/6 combined with video and control communications from as many as four outputs (0808). Neither of Netvio’s main rivals supports networking at the 4x4 level.

AUDIO AS WELL

And with the HT2-0404 and 0808 you can build-in the ability to distribute as many as four audio-only sources (such as Sonos) to any matrix audio output or zone. This advantage isn’t always possible from rivals, and when it is, you’ll face the cost of added hardware. With Netvio its free-on-board!

The same 0404 and 0808 matrixes capture ARC from compatible displays and then extract to any matrix audio output for direct audio system connection. And you can switch audio streams independently, in the same way as those four audio-only inputs. Certain rival

/Essentialinstall

And just as Netvio has transformed the productivity of HDBaseT, so has its blue-sky approach to AVoIP in the form of its new ‘JP4’ range. In step with video evolution and way ahead of legacy AVoIP elsewhere, Netvio’s AVoIP offering includes high performance JPEG2000 4K/60 HDR encoder/decoders and a dual network controller. Not only will it handle the highest 4K resolution over standard 1Gb IP, set-up is a game-changing breeze via Netvio 360’s peerless auto discovery. What’s more, both dealer and end-user experiences are renewed by the unique 1080p real-time preview stream via Netvio GO on both Apple and Android devices.

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED

But there’s still more icing on Netvio’s networking cake. Alongside a liberating level of network design practicality and convenience, Netvio is backed by a standard five year warranty (10 years for 10% of product value) - by far the best in an industry where two or three years is the norm.

MAKE THE SWITCH TO SIMPLICITY

Rather brilliantly, Netvio’s ground-breaking design platform allows you to step nimbly from hardware auto-discovery, through configuration and optimisation to end-user control, simplifying at every stage while rewarding you with a heightened level of creative versatility across multiple transmission platforms on a single intuitive visual interface. At once, your decisions will become simpler and your outcomes more sophisticated and powerful in a new world of coherent ‘full-spectrum’ end-to-end AV design productivity. And when productivity is up, so is your business!

To appreciate the brilliance of Netvio, please arrange a dem with the team: www.habitech.co.uk; 01256 638500; sales@habitech.co.uk

JUNE 2022 29

ESSENTIAL HVAC

TIME TO ADD HVAC TO THE MIX

Paul Kinghorn, General Manager at My KNX Store, argues the case for HVAC integration.

AV and lighting may be the glamorous ‘front of house’ applications, but every home and commercial building you work in also has heating and ventilation as well. Having some form of heating control is mandatory and integrators will surely have some knowledge of the possibilities for whole-home integration. Operating in a silo limits your business and the project packages you can offer. Your customers expect more and you need to be able to bring HVAC into the mix.

That is logically going to mean using an open control platform that enables true integration rather than just running applications in parallel, and that means KNX. Most traditional AV installers have already embraced lighting control as part of their core and may still be exploring the options for broadening their offering. The simple truth is that and once you get beyond the lighting and AV, then an open system based on the KNX protocol is invariably going to be the best answer for you, your customers (assuming you aren’t happy to be held hostage to fortune by a proprietary single-supplier system and the risks that entails).

With KNX freedom, you can design integrated, flexible and future-proof solutions.

You can even carry over acquired DALI skills

30 JUNE 2022

as there are numerous gateway devices from the 500+ manufacturers of certified KNX compatible devices.

Why KNX? There can be little doubt that KNX is the leading global automation platform. A recent survey of over 8000 industry professionals sponsored by the KNX Association, which manages its protocol, its programming software and product certification, proved that KNX is by far the most popular technical standard for home and building automation compared to other communication protocols, and had been used in smart home and building projects by 62% of all industry professionals surveyed.

To remind you, KNX is the de facto global open standard, the lingua franca of building control. The thousands of certified KNX devices range from behind the scenes actuators to discrete sensors and fabulously well-designed multi-functional wall panels. The wall panels, switches and touch screens, can be programmed to control the whole system you build in the way you designed it to be used, putting an end to the dreaded ‘wall acne’ of multiple switches and panels which just goes against the grain for good design principles in anyone’s book.

First conceived as a successor to the EIB (European Installation Bus) , KNX is the only global standard for integrated control of all aspects of home and building control, from lighting and AV to HVAC and security. It offers a single, manufacturer-independent design and commissioning tool (ETS), support for all comms media (TP, PL, RF and IP), and a complete set of supported configuration modes (system, easy and automatic mode).

Now in its fourth decade, the KNX standard has also introduced secure IoT, more RF functionality and ever-greater system security and BIM compatibility.

Physically, it is a bus-based system, with much intelligence distributed to device level which means these no central point of failure and maximum flexibility and scalability – just connect new devices to the nearest node on the bus.

As an integrator, you have full scope to create custom systems, choosing and combining the right products from different manufacturers whose KNX-certified products are all guaranteed to work together. There’s scope to use KNX APIs to develop custom software applications.

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THE FIRST CHOICE FOR SMART HOME AUTOMATION Savant always has the customer in mind when it comes to updating and refining their systems and interfaces. With Savant home automation, your customers can access and control all of their home technology in a centralised location — multi-room music, a home theatre or media room, smart lighting, climate control, shading, security and surveillance, and outdoor entertainment.

Offer your customers the best experience in home automation by joining our exclusive network of authorised dealers, and benefit from our easy-to-install systems that deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.

Find out more at rgbcomms.co.uk

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RGB Head Office, 13–14 Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove Swindon, Wilts SN2 7JQ

T: +44 (0) 1488 73366

ESSENTIAL HVAC

KNX still offers one of the most flexible solutions for heating, ventilation and cooling control. With KNX integration facilitating interaction between so many device types from underfloor heating to valves and boilers, AC interfacing, with energy management and reporting. The extensive range of interfaces brings it all together for the user. Just add integrated control of the lighting, blinds and entertainment and you have a holistic, profitable proposition.

Now, with the importance of air circulation, air quality and human presence detection brought to the forefront, not least by the pandemic. The scope for energy saving with precision control almost goes without saying, and in commercial and industrial settings especially big savings of 50-60% can be achieved through precise individual room control alone. Bringing these data points into a robust and scalable KNX platform can equips you with niche solutions which might be the difference between winning or losing the project.

‘Learning’ KNX is relatively easy for someone already in the installation business, and there are a number of wholesalers like us who have invested in setting up training academies in the UK. Typically they offer a free KNX Taster course, KNX Partner Certification / Advanced courses and one-day KNX HVAC & Energy Monitoring course to focus on the scalable HVAC control and energy monitoring elements via KNX. Modules include an overview of HVAC systems, thermostatic control & thermostats.

My KNX Store is one of the leading KNX Wholesalers and its Training Academy provides a range of training courses and technical

services to best support integrators deploying KNX control projects. Their training offering includes a free KNX Taster course, popular KNX Partner / Advanced Certification courses and a one-day KNX HVAC & Energy Monitoring

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course with both North East and London venues. All are a great way to see how KNX can develop your project scope and how specific control elements, such as HVAC, can be added to your package.

JUNE 2022 33

ESSENTIAL HVAC

TRANSFORMING HVAC THROUGH RETROFITTING: HOW CAN IT HELP MEET CARBON EMISSIONS GOALS? Michael Anderton, General Manager UK&I of HVAC Building Solutions at Johnson Controls, argues that retrofitting should be the key focus for HVAC. When aiming to meet carbon efficiency goals and fight climate change, the importance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is often disregarded. This is especially true when 40% of total UK carbon emissions come from the heating and cooling of buildings. Alongside this, the UK currently has a strong dependence on fossil fuel gas boilers for heating. Fortunately, times are starting to change.

By 2050, it’s expected 80% of our buildings will still be standing. The UK will need to make a rapid transition from gas to low carbon heating solutions to meet emissions targets. These challenges are quickly solved in new buildings, as under newly introduced regulations they will need to produce nearly a third less carbon than previously required.

The challenge isn’t getting new buildings to be more energy efficient; it’s about ensuring our current building systems are updated to work in the same way. But for most companies, each HVAC component is likely to remain in place for years – if not decades – before being replaced.

HVAC systems have a long life expectancy of around 20 years and while newer technologies can help us move to a more energy efficient world, if somethings not broken, why would you fix it?

Building owners and facility managers (FMs) are conflicted between sustainability goals and operating expenses. As the energy crisis and rise of the cost of living continues to take precedence, short-term cuts on spending are likely to have a negative impact on any energy

34 JUNE 2022

efficiency progress. Business leaders, owners, and FMs must come together to make the right choices that benefit the company, the planet, and the occupants of a building to ensure everyone is safe, happy, and healthy.

THE ’WHY’ AND ‘HOW’ OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

To take the first step on any energy efficiency journey, we must first understand what energy is being used and how. With the ability to bring data from different sources throughout a building into a common platform, building owners and FMs can see where inefficiencies lie and make contextualised decisions based on the insights.

HVAC systems are complex, with lots of individual components needing to work together effectively to ensure reliable and energy efficient system performance. Just one component poorly designed, maintained or incorrectly controlled can have a negative impact on the overall system performance.

We now have an increased amount of accessible data from all types of building systems such as HVAC, security, fire, lighting, and IT. Each of these systems produces a huge amount of data and when used in combination with each other can make buildings safer, more comfortable, and more efficient. If we then connect all these areas with intelligent systems, you can make real-time, informed decisions to reduce emissions, improve on sustainability, and increase occupant comfort.

INVESTING IN POSITIVE SOLUTIONS No matter which HVAC solutions a facilities manager chooses, it’s not a case of installing them and then waving goodbye. By implementing smart technologies, such as smart connected chillers, FMs can use predictive maintenance and monitoring tools, which use AI and automation to predict issues before they arise. This ensures equipment runs reliably and downtime can be minimised.

Investments into new HVAC solutions with smart tech means efficiency savings can be made throughout a building. Imagine a particular room, or entire floor is empty. Smart systems can monitor occupancy levels and adapt the heating accordingly, so nothing is wasted. Such a setup helps create huge savings – financially and environmentally – especially amid an energy crisis.

With the pandemic shining the spotlight on our health, ensuring employees have a safe and productive return to the office by improving indoor air quality (IAQ) was a much-needed wake up call. Not only do we want a healthy planet, but we also need healthy people. Some buildings in the UK have bad ventilation and overall IAQ. With mechanical ventilation in these environments, we can continue to improve IAQ, and keep the focus firmly on improving the air we breathe, even as the effects from the pandemic dissipate.

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ESSENTIAL HVAC

When fresh air flows into a building, the spread of airborne viruses can be reduced, staff sick days can be lowered, and businesses can experience increased overall output – a win-win for all.

For businesses, governments, schools, and hospitals across the country, IAQ may soon become the number one priority – on par with sustainability initiatives. But this isn’t without its own challenges. Improving IAQ requires an increased consumption of energy as you’re pumping fresh air from the outside, indoors.

There will be a fine balance to meet the goals of improving IAQ whilst keeping consumption low to meet both goals.

RETROFITTING: THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM Although businesses are looking ahead and setting goals to meet carbon emissions targets, it doesn’t end there. There is an onus on the government to introduce new regulations and incentivise organisations to retrofit inefficient and out-of-date technology.

Modernising new buildings, fitting them with new technologies, improving energy efficiency,

and

creating

more

be of utmost importance. By any means, this doesn’t equal demolishing inefficient structures and building new, improved buildings from scratch, which would be counterproductive in attempting to limit the effects of climate change. Instead, we need to renovate existing buildings and transform the way we think about how we’re using energy.

To meet netzero and emissions goals that are slowly creeping upon us, we need to start taking action as soon as possible.

effective

building management systems needs to

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JUNE 2022 37

ENOCEAN FOCUS

SET SAIL WITH ENOCEAN TECHNOLOGY Take a trip around some of the partners, technologies and products that help make up the EnOcean family.

The EnOcean Alliance is an international association of companies in the building automation and IT industries, founded in 2008.

The open, non-profit organisation is committed to enabling and promoting interoperable ecosystems for smart homes, smart buildings and smart spaces based on the maintenance-free radio standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10/11).

With its battery-free wireless technology, EnOcean GmbH has found a smart and sustainable way to win energy for radio switches and sensors that are used in building automation systems and for intelligent buildings. Thanks to energy harvesting, the devices gather their energy from the immediate environment – from movement, light and temperature differences.

One huge advantage that self-powered switches and sensors have over wired and battery-powered alternatives is the great flexibility that comes with them. Users can simply put the devices wherever they need them: on the wall, on the living room table, by the bed, etc. Not having to rely on batteries or wires to function makes them completely maintenance-free. Also, they can be integrated flexibly and seamlessly into systems for a wide range of applications.

SELF-POWERED INTERNET OF THINGS As part of an IoT network, self-powered wireless sensors and switches provide important data for the intelligent control and digitalisation

38 JUNE 2022

of buildings. To control lighting, heating, security and other services inside a building in an intelligent way not only comes with great comfort but also helps to optimise the CO2 emissions of a building.

INTEROPERABILITY IS KEY Many different manufacturers rely on the EnOcean technology and are part of EnOcean’s huge partner ecosystem. Their devices work perfectly together because they all communicate using the open EnOcean wireless standard – optimised for communication in buildings with its reliability and long range – which guarantees an interoperable system.

Such intelligent solutions help to improve building use, create new service models and make buildings more flexible, energy efficient, and overall more cost-effective.

designed ‘always on’ solution for effortless control over their EnOcean lighting systems.

The Retrotouch EnOcean smart switches can either be fitted to replace an existing light switch, or used as a wireless, battery-free solution, stuck on any wall, wherever’s most convenient for everyday use.

The switches don’t need batteries or a power cable and they are as durable and reliable as a traditional wired switch.

Thanks to EnOcean’s innovative harvesting technology, each press of the switch generates enough energy to send a radio signal to a relay for a totally wireless and robust control solution.

A TOUCH OF GLASS?

Retrotouch EnOcean smart switches are wireless, stickanywhere and battery-free.

Retrotouch, the innovative UK lighting solutions brand, offers a stylish, premium glass range of smart switches that provide consumers with a beautifully-

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ENOCEAN FOCUS

Retrotouch’s wireless and battery-free switches look great too, with a premium glass finish bringing a stylish designer-feel to a smarthome’s lighting controls. The switches come in white or black glass, with or without a chrome trim; and an option of one or two buttons.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our own range of affordable smart switches for EnOcean,” says Amit Ravat, MD of Retrotouch.

“Thanks to EnOcean’s innovative technology and our own product design, our switches can provide a stylish, seamless solution for residential and commercial lighting systems without the need for wires. Our brand is all about helping to make smart living as easy and enjoyable as possible, and these switches have been designed to do just this – providing an easy to install retrofittable lighting system ‘with a touch of glass.’” Retrotouch EnOcean switches are £59.99 and available from the company website.

IMPRESSIVE ELTAKO

Eltako GmbH is the largest manufacturer of EnOcean compliant control and monitoring devices for all types of switching, lighting control and HVAC. This family-owned German company, which has been in business since 1949 is renowned for its high-quality openprotocol EnOcean compliant devices.

From switching and dimming a single lighting circuit in a smart home to being part of a building control system for an office or public building, Eltako can help. High on everyone’s agenda now is the need to save energy and provide a safe environment to live and work.

Eltako has an extensive range of devices to monitor such things as temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, and occupancy. So, the system can detect presence in a room, know if someone is sat at a particular desk, understand what the temperature is or know if the windows are open.

So much information to monitor and either display, record or act upon. If the staff are in the

room, make the room temperature comfortable.

If windows are open, turn the heating in the space off.

Importantly, these devices reliably communicate wirelessly using the EnOcean Open Protocol, so the data can be shared with other compatible devices and controllers, ensuring a seamless building control system. If buildings need to be upgraded, an EnOcean solution is the simplest because the wiring is greatly reduced, and programming is straight forward. Global system integrators see that EnOcean devices give them many more options when they are looking to meet a client’s wishes and keep costs down without compromising on quality, choice or functionality. It also means that if changes in the room layout or usage are required, these changes can be made much more simply because of the wireless infrastructure. Technology will evolve and Eltako will evolve with it looking to develop new products to meet the ever-changing world we live in.

AXON AIMS HIGH

the devices do not require batteries or cables and further ongoing maintenance. Essentially it is a fit and forget solution!

Axon makes this technology available to all, whether you’re an electrician, systems integration specialist or energy manager. The Axon IoT Gateway provides simple local control of EnOcean equipment such as sensors, switches, thermostats and actuators. It also facilitates cloud connectivity via MQTT and systems integration with 3rd party equipment through industrial protocols which includes BACnet, Modbus and M-bus.

If you are looking at adding a new dynamic to your business and gaining a competitive advantage, EnOcean technology is the answer.

Futureproof your installation using the Axon IoT Gateway and take advantage of the huge array of equipment already on the market.

EnOcean enocean.com

Retrotouch retrotouch.co.uk

Eltako eltako.com

Axon Systems axonsystems.co.uk

Axon Systems specialises in making EnOcean technology accessible for everyone. They have created an EnOcean Gateway solution which is extremely intuitive and easy to use. It does not require a training course or specialist skills to take advantage of cable-free, battery-free wireless technology.

EnOcean devices use energy harvesting technology which is the future of IoT and will play a major role in addressing energy inefficinet building stock and progressions to net zero targets.

It is also a sensible and appropriate solution to the energy crisis. Why? Appropriate, due to the fact that energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be converted into another form. So, let’s harvest that available energy from light, motion and heat to perform a task such as turn a light on or the heating up or down. Sensible, due to the fact that, in most cases, the technology within

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JUNE 2022 39

Just Add Power is BACK! The MaxColor 4K60 Transmitter and Receiver natively supports 4K60 4:4:4 in and out including HDR and is distributed through a 1G Managed Switch!

Contact a Just Add Power Specialist today on 01684 576 348 or team@oneav.co.uk

New training dates added... oneav.co.uk/training

.co.uk

SNAP ONE FOCUS

WE ARE SNAP ONE It’s been almost a year since SnapAV + Control4 rebranded as Snap One. Here Mark Reynolds, Vice President & General Manager EMEA for Snap One, shares brand and product updates for the year ahead as unveiled at the recent Snap One Virtual Partner Summit.

It’s an exciting time for Snap One – we are approaching one year since we rebranded and there are a series of positive developments and innovations ahead for our partners. Behind the scenes, Snap One has been continually enhancing our solutions, and services, with a goal to become the integrator’s most valued and trusted partner on every installation. At Snap One, we are committed to keeping things simple for our partners.

It’s a refreshing vision that saves time, cost and hassle in product choice and system design, installation, integration and after-care. At our recent Virtual Partner Summit, we unveiled an array of products across several categories that further our mission to serve as the onestop supplier that our partners can depend on worldwide.

Our entire product ecosystem is anchored on two award-winning technology platforms, Control4 Smart Home OS 3 and OvrC Remote Management. These platforms are at the forefront of our investment and innovation plans, providing a strong base on which to build brilliant end-to-end control projects.

Control4 Smart Home OS 3 is the operating system for smart homes, designed to unify hundreds of connected devices within the home into one intuitive, user-friendly

42 JUNE 2022

experience. Meanwhile, OvrC is our free cloudbased remote management platform designed exclusively for professionals.

Snap One solutions also encompass leading brands in Networking & Remote Management, Lighting, Speakers, Amplifiers, Multi-Room Audio, Surveillance, Power and Surge, Film Screens, Racks, Mounts, Cables Connectors and Wiring.

WE’RE IN CONTROL

Control4 OS 3.3.0 has seen major improvements as we provide more and more personalised experiences for customers, as well as create the features and functions that will come to define the next generation of control.

We have recently expanded the entertainment capabilities of the Control4 Platform with a suite of customisable features.

Ryff is the new name for our high-resolution native streaming audio platform within Control4 and provides the highest in audio quality, decoding at up to 192kHz sample rate, at full 24 bit-depth, and includes MQA support among other features.

Coming soon is a brand-new line of Control4 CORE Series Controllers that boast faster processors, more zones of built-in audio, higher quality Digital to Analogue Converters, and a

4K on-screen user interface. The new CORE series will include three versions for different sized projects that require varying features and functionalities.

REMOTE MANAGEMENT & NETWORKING

OvrC continues to support our networking brands - Araknis and Pakedge - and we’ve enriched its feature-set to make the ecosystem better, faster, and more reliable. Now, every Control4 OS3 system can be remotely managed using OvrC, without the need for any additional hardware.

Today, OvrC includes one of the largest ecosystems of integrated products from both Snap One and leading third-party manufacturers.

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SNAP ONE FOCUS

LIGHTING Partners can now create colour pre-sets that customers can personalise and include lighting colour as an element of lighting scenes and programming.

The latest Control4 software, OS 3.3.0, features a host of new capabilities including a highly anticipated native lighting colour wheel UI, for fast and intuitive control of tuneable white and colour lighting.

Anchored on Control4 and remotely managed through OvrC, our lighting innovations will grow throughout 2022 and beyond to grow your business opportunities!

SPEAKERS, AMPLIFIERS AND MULTI-ROOM AUDIO We’re also raising the bar for integrators with our two core audio brands, Episode and Triad.

Building on the extensive range of architectural and outdoor solutions now available from the Episode brand, we’ve released a new Episode 2.1 Active Soundbar and Episode Wireless Subwoofer Bundle.

The active soundbar includes optical, analogue, and HDMI inputs, and comes prepaired to the soundbar for hassle-free installation.

Bluetooth is built-in and the IR remote makes control a breeze. As for the 8” down-firing Wireless Subwoofer, it is powered by a built-in 80-watt amplifier and can be placed anywhere within 30 feet of the soundbar for maximum installation flexibility.

Our new Triad PDX Architectural speakers provide incredible audio performance and simple, efficient installation. New PushLock technology, adopted from our Episode brand, allows partners to install and remove these loudspeakers quickly and easily, and even change the motor unit without removing the cradle from the ceiling. The premium PDX series will include eight in-ceiling speakers and three inwall speakers in three differ4 premium listening experience for clients and accessed easily using OvrC for aftercare and maintenance.

POWER MANAGEMENT

Big news for 2022! Snap One is introducing Wattbox to the international market with an adapted version of its Wattbox 800 Series and 250l Wi-Fi solution. Power conditioning and surge protection is a growing requirement to protect products and the quality and reliability of installations.

By bringing our critical Wattbox power management offering to partners, we can add further value to the Snap One brand offering,

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making the integration experience of this technology easier and better over the Control4 platform and increasing the functionality of OvrC remote monitoring in this area.

Watch this space for more news on Wattbox, coming soon.

THE FUTURE’S LOOKING BRIGHT As well as the exciting product developments coming in 2022, we’ll continue to offer exceptional support to our partners, helping their businesses grow and prosper in the years ahead.

Our new, consolidated Partner Rewards programme means partners can now earn points for every purchase made across all Snap One categories. The programme features five levels and includes incredible benefits, including progressively larger rebates, free shipping, expedited product replacement, premium tech support and even access to exclusive Partner events.

With our unwavering commitment to product innovation and investment, with Control4 and OvrC at the core, we’re looking forward to helping our partners grow their business and inspire their clients with more and more great technology installations.

More information at www.snapone.com and existing partners can learn more at the Control4 Dealer Portal.

JUNE 2022 43

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ESSENTIAL TURNSTONE AV/VOGELS

SUPPORTING GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS James Attfield, MD of Turnstone AV, exclusive importer of Vogel’s AV Mounting Solutions into the UK, explains a new green initiative from the brand and some key products now and for the future.

James has been involved in the supply and support of the Vogel’s brands for some considerable time, having formerly been part of the management team of Vogel’s UK subsidiary when a direct model was operating in the UK. Switching to the import model in 2013 through Turnstone AV, Vogel’s has continued to offer a high-quality approach to support products looking to match consumer trends and the needs of installers in its product ranges. Coming into existence in the early 70s, James points out that the company has blazed a trail and enjoyed introducing many firsts into the support category including the first speaker bracket, and the first wall bracket for TVs. Currently, the company is looking to take the lead in another area, that of raising the awareness of the need for greater consideration for the environment and taking steps within in its own approach to offer some improvements and leadership.

James explains, “I am a strong believer in playing to your core strengths and Vogel’s has always been a company that breaks new ground and takes on the big challenges. We have a very strong range of products and installers know they can come to us for high-quality and strong customer support, but the brand is also taking a lead on environmental issues with some new initiatives.

46 JUNE 2022

“The brand is working in various ways to reduce its CO2 footprint examining the origin of the raw materials used in the manufacturing process and the way the products are produced.”

James argues, “One way to reduce impact is to produce products so good that they last a very long time before needing to be replaced, and the brand definitely does that, however Vogel’s is also continually examining ways to make its manufacturing processes more sustainable. It was also recently announced that Vogel’s has developed fully recyclable packaging for some of its latest products. The approach means all EPS (Styrofoam) has been replaced by paper

pulp. Small changes like switching the bags that contain screws and other small components from plastic to paper go a long way when scaled up. This new packaging has been rolled out into the most recent products first, but the plan is to move through the rest of the ranges and make the changes there too.”

In detail the new packaging approach is included on the new Comfort Series and will also be included on all new line ups for 2022, all packaging is 100% recyclable, and also the products themselves are manufactured with 95% less single use plastics.

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ESSENTIAL TURNSTONE AV/VOGELS

James says that obviously some consumers will care more about this initiative than others, but the important thing is not so much that this can be used as a sales driver, but that companies must make moves to travel towards less environmental impact for no other reason that it is the right thing to do. However, other advantages such as making the material a product comes in easier to recycle and deal with after installation could have some logistical advantages for installers, particularly on larger projects.

New environmentally friendly packaging is being rolled out

CONTINUED INNOVATION Making support products more cutting edge has always been part of the Vogel’s story, however making products ‘smarter’ and more integrated has been a challenge that needs to be carefully considered. James says, “Vogel’s has had products that could be moved independently, but in the past this was achieved using an app.

The brand wants to go further and currently there is a TV support product in the pipeline that will be fully connected with an open API sitting on the network and able to be controlled via many different sources including voice and RS232.

“The nature of TV support has changed greatly in recent years and offering people more flexibility of viewing angles in today’s often open plan living spaces, properly integrated into a whole home automation system, will be a strong addition. Towards the end of this year, we will have more news on that.”

The obvious other big change is that TVs have continued to grow in size and mounting large screens has always been a particular feature of the Vogel’s line up. James argues that being able to not just fully support right up to 77in, whilst still maintaining fingertip movement is impressive for consumers and

underlines the engineering quality of what the brand produces. The brand also has solutions all the way up to 100in screens and 70kilos in weight and can offer some lines in white to give more options for matching interiors. Strength and accuracy is also another Vogel’s trait James emphasises, making it easier to place products exactly where they need to be, often in tight spaces free of the issues caused by some support products loosing integrity over time allowing products to drop, and impacting all the time and effort that was needed to create a truly integrated solution in the first place.

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JUNE 2022 49

ESSENTIAL BRACKETS, RACKING AND SUPPORT

CONCEALING AND REVEALING HUMAN-CENTRIC AV How concealment solutions can balance wellness, home aesthetics, and tech requirements.

Art Walker, CEO, Auton Motorized Systems.

With the rise of human-centric wellness as a major residential market in the past five years, there’s now a host of solutions that tout all sorts of lifestyle and health benefits to a homeowner.

However, the constant visual noise of smart home gadgets and appliances can take a subconscious toll. Thoughtful design is at the heart of any AV-driven space, but especially when wellness is a priority.

Motorised concealment solutions can be just the ticket to break up that noise. With the availability of concealment solutions that can be customised to hide just about anything and integrate with today’s smart home control systems, it’s possible to make devices and gear disappear — and reappear — as needed.

The result is a space that is tailored directly to the promotion of user wellness. This is true especially where limited space may be a factor and one room must serve multiple uses.

For architects and interior designers, balancing room requirements especially in the luxury market can be a serious challenge. Like health-conscious clients, designers want to avoid AV components that interfere with the aesthetics.

The bespoke concealment of AV assets in the room offers end-users the best of both worlds.

Unlike putting in a credenza or mounting equipment to the wall, the best concealment

50 JUNE 2022

solutions are planned, constructed, and executed to feel like a fundamental part of a home’s structure. Here are just a few ways that motorised concealment options can transform rooms into an oasis.

not going away any time soon, however being able to conceal a desk, computer, or screen offers the opportunity to instantly convert a space into anything from a meditation studio to a workout room with the push of a button.

1. Eliminating Visual Noise

3. Circadian Control

AV concealment is traditionally a choice driven by wow factor as a display makes its grand entrance from the floor or ceiling, for example.

But this kind of solution is also ideal for creating a clean, refreshing space. Custom concealment can hide all the electronics in a space while ensuring that the technology is installed to AV best practices, so it functions reliably for every use. The value of a room that can eliminate visual noise cannot be overstated.

2. Transformation of Multi-use Spaces Since 2020, the modern home has transformed completely. Almost every room now doubles for another purpose, such a bedroom becoming a home office. While this level of functionality can be at the heart of human-centric wellness, it can also be a stressful problem for homeowners to solve. A curated space that allows for a smooth, quick transition from one use to another is something every integrator should be building into human-centric design. The home office is

Human Centric Lighting (HLC) is at the forefront of the AV and wellness intersection.

Manufacturers have invested incredible R&D resources to create lighting and shading solutions that mimic natural lighting. A central element of HLC is the connection to a home control system, which can be further augmented by linking timedcontrol HLC events with motorized concealment solutions. The result is a home that transforms holistically throughout the day to boost mood, productivity, and satisfaction.

CONCEALMENT CAN STRIKE THE BALANCE

Today’s homeowners are investing in technology solutions that allow them to reap the benefits of health, productivity, and entertainment.

The ability to reveal audio, video, and other components at the touch of button lifts the experience and luxury of any home to the next level. Therefore, boosting their enjoyment of a home and their overall wellbeing.

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ESSENTIAL MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

IS THE MATRIX STILL THE EXCALIBUR OF DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS? Phill Wildman, Technical Consultant at SY Electronics Ltd, asks what does the matrix offer?

And what is next for the matrix?

Of all the choices for av signal distribution, the matrix switch has been the backbone of our industry for decades. Getting many sources to many end points (displays) is a function we all need. As soon as we use more than two sources and two display screens, we start to think about efficiency in terms of hardware.

For example, in a home we may have four sources: SKY1, SKY2, Blu-ray and a streaming stick. But we may have eight TV sets in different rooms where we may want to be able to view them all at different times. So, while having many viewing choices available for anyone to view is great to have, multiplying all those sources up and installing them in every room with a TV would make no sense. Hence the usefulness of the matrix switch! View any of your sources, no matter how many you have in any room, mixed and matched to suit the person.

56 JUNE 2022

This example is even more relevant when the installation is in an office environment. The principle would apply in any type of building where flexibility is desired regarding ‘which source to watch’ and ‘where to watch it’. With possible sources comprising computers, signage players, PCs with info content, and corporate video replays for reception areas and the like, being able to choose and select at the touch of a button is practical, efficient, and desirable.

Which type of matrix should you choose?

As well as being able to choose the source and route to any given display, we also want to be able to make sure that the source will match our display capability too. So, a scaler of some sort will inevitably be a ‘must have’ feature when

mixing source types and display types. Some may just need a down scaler, while many will require a full range up scaler as well, with the ability to scale both resolution as well as refresh rate. Every source will require EDID information from the display. So being able to choose and fix the EDID is a necessity when installing a system that routes a video signal through hardware.

EDID information can be read from your display and stored in your switch, or you could choose a pre-defined EDID from within your signal connectivity device which can then be reliably sent to your source to tell it to transmit the correct video and audio signal to your display.

Or your matrix or video switch may be able to process and transmit the correct format signal from within, by scaling the resolution and refresh rate to suit the maximum ability of the connected display. In this case the EDID would be pre-defined.

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ESSENTIAL MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

SY’s Xcalibur range of matrixes

However, if it is a Pro install with presentation or signage use in mind, you may also need seamless switching to give that high quality touch to the installation. Not everything is built equal. Extra built-in features will suit varying needs of some end users more than others.

Make sure to choose the right equipment for the job. Does it have all these features built-in?

My favourite is the SY SMS88-18G which offers all of the above functions in one unit.

What about distance?

In many cases do you need to send the signals over a long distance? If so, then you would benefit from a matrix with long range CAT6 outputs as well as HDMI outputs. For commercial applications, the professional installer will also love features like a built-in test patten generator. Many end users will no doubt appreciate things like a ‘Video Keep Alive’ (VKA) function to prevent the projector from powering down between meetings and presentations.

This is especially a desired function when used within office meeting rooms or lecture theatres in Universities.

Some of these features are also available in HDMI Switchers and even in a few HDBaseT extenders. This leads us to the question of transmission distance. How far do you want to go? If a meeting room needs to display content with text and numbers that can be viewed clearly, then consider the performance of your device.

For instance, using a Class B HDBaseT device gives you the ability to send 4K 30Hz 4:4:4 to

40m which is good for display text rich content.

But if you want fast moving video (sports) then you will be limited to transmitting at either 4K 60Hz 4:2:0 or 4K 30Hz 4:4:4. Neither of those latter choices are optimal for mixed media content, as you really want to use a faster refresh rate and full colour spacing for sports and action movies. So, to stick with CAT6 transmission, you will need to choose alternate product ranges like those that use HX Technology. These will transmit 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 at up to 120m. Ideal for use in residential or commercial applications where distances of 20m or more are required.

This will offer viewing of high-quality video without colour space sub sampling, and at the same time will also let you send signals over a long distance using CAT6 cables.

KEEP THINGS UNDER CONTROL

Connecting equipment over a long distance will no doubt require a means of controlling the switching of inputs, outputs, source transport, display switching, volume, power etc. For residential use you may choose to use Infra-red control, however for more reliable and consistent control, RS232 will prove to be the best choice for a professional control system installation. A commercial grade matrix, presentation switch and CAT6 extender will offer all these options along with the afore mentioned features, giving you the functions like test pattern generation, VKA, scaling, EDID and HDCP control.

Keep it hard wired for a reliable, straight forward, high quality installation, without latency or compression issues.

ALTERNATE SYSTEMS

There are other alternative solutions available, and they all have their place. AVoIP is a popular choice that makes sense to choose when the inherent latency issues would not impede the end user experience.

For example, in a sports bar that wants to use a few sources (let’s say two to four) and needs to transmit those to many displays (let’s say 16 or more) then a traditional video matrix is perhaps not as flexible a solution as AVoIP. These options will let you choose an input count which is unrelated to the output count.

The downside being the latency incurred by a network driven system. But if the punters in a bar are watching a game on the displays, then a short latency has no detrimental effect on the viewing experience, so it is therefore a good choice.

Other factors to consider here are compression vs bandwidth and of course cost.

You can’t match apples to oranges. Each technology has its merits, and these are the things that should be considered when selecting your components in your AV system.

First, look for the features and functions that you absolutely need, and then try to include as many of the additional features and functions that you want to add. In this way you will satisfy the requirements of your customer.

Comparing apples with oranges can get you in a pickle

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JUNE 2022 59

ESSENTIAL MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

FEEL THE FLUX AND DO IT ANYWAY! Signal manipulation and distribution by definition is always in a state of flux, what are the main challenges facing this sector right now? Business Development Director at UK manufacturer, Pulse-Eight, Jonathan Regalado-Hawkey, provides the answers.

Until recently, there weren’t any solutions on the market that supported all video resolutions and formats of HDMI 2.0 (including 4K@60Hz/4:4:4) fully uncompressed over a single category cable. This has been a challenge for some time and so it’s great to see the introduction of HDBaseT3, which does support all formats up to 18Gbps. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more brands adopting this technology as it really does address previous challenges and is a game changer for our industry.

Of course, component shortages remain one of the biggest challenges, not just in the AV industry but also across the automotive and technology sectors. It is predicted to continue well into next year, possibly beyond.

What will be the next challenges?

The adoption of 8K and HDMI 2.1 in the residential market has been much slower than many had once hoped for. Although companies such as Sony and Microsoft are making great headway with their gaming consoles, it’s only when residential mainstream providers such as Apple TV and Amazon Fire Stick enable their products to display this type of content that 8K can start to truly make more of an impact. A further limitation to consider is the level of bandwidth required for supporting 8K resolutions and that even the latest advances in connectivity and technologies such as HDBaseT3 are still not able to cope with these new increases in bandwidth without some compression.

60 JUNE 2022

Which types of system are in competition?

What are their main strengths and weaknesses?

Smart TVs that have the capability to stream content directly are in competition with most video distribution products connected to traditional set-top boxes or video sources.

However, smart TVs are limited by the display’s software and apps, as well as a reduction of audio routing options.

Another area to consider would be the prevalence of AV over IP solutions which are currently taking the commercial market by storm. As the demands of clients are changing over time, these solutions can offer further flexibility than traditional AV matrix products in residential - although usually at the expense of video quality and latency. There are a range of AV over IP solutions from various manufacturers using different compression techniques and with different bandwidth requirements.

As mentioned previously, HDBaseT3 is going to offer huge advantages for matrixs as it is now able to extend all HDMI 2.0 formats uncompressed and without compromise, including Dolby Vision at 4K@60Hz which previously could not be supported over older versions of the HDBaseT standard.

Manufacturers, distributors and installers must adopt this technology in order to keep up with the technological advances and demands from end users.

Content providers are making it easier to stream directly to screens, whether it is mobiles and tablets or fixed larger televisions. Interoperable smart TVs such as Sky Glass are reducing the need for numerous hardware products and can be a true benefit for quick installations.

However, the limitations of distributing the content over multiple screens simultaneously and without latency will ensure that traditional video distribution equipment is still very much relevant.

Larger residential installations can benefit from the flexibility that AV over IP solutions offer when wanting to add more sources or screens.

However, for most residential installations, HDBaseT matrixs will continue to offer the most cost-effective solution at the best quality (uncompressed).

As previously discussed, HDBaseT3 is a true game changer, enabling support for 4K@60Hz/4:4:4 over a single category without compromise and ensuring backwards compatibility. With that said, the adoption of 8K and HDMI 2.1 in the coming years poses a challenge for the industry which HDBaseT3 is in a good position to resolve when combining with light compression

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ESSENTIAL MATRIX AND SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

FLIPPING THE SWITCH Multicast versus VLAN switching in residential installs.

Taft Stricklin, Just Add Power, Sales Team Manager, referees the results.

While multicast switching may not be the most glittering topic to cover in a world awash in high-speed technology, it’s importance can’t be dismissed. It’s a fundamental issue that residential installers shouldn’t overlook, as AV-over-IP video distribution has become the foundation of an infinite number of installations.

We’re seeing smart homes of all sizes deploy a growing number of displays. These displays need to be connected to a variety of sources. As a result, integrators have become experienced in installing AV-over-IP systems utilising VLAN switching, reaping the benefits in both cost and labour. Now we’re seeing more interest in using IP multicast switching as an option, especially in large homes or multi-dwelling units (MDUs). The advantages of multicast have traditionally been enjoyed in the commercial AV sector and the broadcast industry, but this setup has an important place in the residential AV world as well. As such, the growing demand means that installers must develop more expertise and understanding of when multicast switching should be deployed versus VLAN switching.

THE DIRECT — VLAN AND SINGLE SWITCH CONFIGURATION

For many residential installs, a VLAN system is still the best option. Here, a canned driver communicates directly with the switch to route video traffic. The out of the box experience is

simple. The best VLAN switches will isolate each video stream on the network, so there’s no sifting through packets and managing complex Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) membership messages that are necessary in a multicast setup. VLAN switching schemes usually switch faster because of the more controlled environment and there’s less likely to be network resource implications.

For AV professionals, the plug-and-play nature of VLAN switching requires very little networking knowledge.

THE COMPLEX — MULTICAST AND THE NETWORK

Multicast switching operates differently.

A multicast switch is responsible for communicating with every receiving device that wants to access the video stream and telling it what it should be doing. In more complex terms, receiving devices send an IGMP message, which tells the network which source they want information from. Those messages include a join message, which allows a device to subscribe to a multicast stream, and a leave message, which tells the switch to unsubscribe it from the stream. Source devices respond by sending data to the network only once, regardless of the number of subscribed receiving devices.

The switch replicates the data so that each subscribed receiving devices gets a copy. The benefit is that this prevents unnecessarily burdening devices that do not need the data.

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HOW AND WHEN TO DEPLOY VLAN VS MULTICAST

Multicast switching is a question of real estate versus resources. It opens up options so that AV and IT devices and sources can be comingled on the network. These situations are more prevalent in large home — over 25K sq ft — and MDU applications where more than one switch is required, and the network resources are available to support increased traffic on a network. There’s still a great outof-the-box experience, but deployment is more involved and complex. In some ways, it can be simpler, especially for if an IT pro is involved, because they can use a switch they’re already comfortable with and there are fewer requirements. The tradeoff, however, is that the installer is responsible for configuring it properly, which can be unfamiliar territory for residential AV integrators.

When selecting multicast switching, there are a few best practices to optimise the system for AV over IP video distribution. First, ensure that the switch selected has a high enough amount of bandwidth. Second, ensure it has enough PoE power to power all devices. Finally, it needs to have a large enough backplane bandwidth to manage all the video traffic.

CLOSING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP

From a manufacturing perspective, many companies are siloed and only offer multicast switching. In addition, most will have a very complex set of steps. However, with the right software and support, residential AV professionals can quickly train up to step through multicast scenarios for configuring drivers and automate the mundane IT/IP configuration portion. In this way it can be a bridge, allowing integrators a more organised and comfortable approach. For example, every display in each room can be named to match plans, blueprints, and control schematics.

This makes it easier, and less time consuming for AV installers and ensures users can easily select and control source content for every screen — no matter how it’s happening on the AV-over-IP backend.

JUNE 2022 63

SMART THINKING

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Dirac Live connects calibration specialist, Terry Ellis, to a broad cross-section of consumers seeking sublime listening experiences.

Terry Ellis remembers a time, not that long ago, when having a home audio system expertly calibrated was a very costly and complex endeavor.

The price of the software, hardware, analysis, and customisation required to refine the audio playback of music and movie content left many consumers out of the loop.

“Sadly, many people didn’t get to hear how good an audio system could be in their home,” says Terry, owner of Pursuit Perfect System, an audio calibration specialist, professional audio reviewer and enthusiast. Moreover, calibration was considered a luxury, available more for those with deep pockets. “Most consumers didn’t know what they were missing” says Terry.

This mindset and the consumer market are changing. As people continue to be exposed to affordable, high-quality audio equipment and easy access to a remarkable array of hi-res content, they’re beginning to demand greater realism and immersion from their home audio systems. It’s an encouraging chain of events. The mainstream can now enjoy listening experiences that used to be economically feasible only for high-end customers.

The same goes for the audio calibration services that specialists like Terry offer to home theater and hi-fi owners. He has Dirac Live, in part, to thank for that.

Throughout the home audio evolution, Terry notes that Dirac has kept pace, namely by bringing its once audiophile-focused calibration tools to mass-market AVRs designed and priced for the mainstream. “It makes no difference how much

you’ve spent on your sound system, the type of room in which that equipment resides in massively influences its sound quality: Dirac aims to improve this and has made its Dirac Live Room Correction solution beneficial for and accessible to more people than ever before,” Terry says.

He’s experienced the broadening of scope first-hand. Audio calibration has historically been a very laborious process, but Dirac has integrated features into its Dirac Live solution to simplify and streamline the process tremendously, without sacrificing results. “In the past, no matter how hard I tried with calibration solutions from several other companies, I could never achieve the results I or my clients wanted; there was always something not quite right,” Terry reflects.

“What’s ‘right,’” he continues, “varies widely by customer and project. This is where the advantages of Dirac Live really shine. The software puts me in complete control of the final outcome, whether I’m working with a family-of-five that wants heavy bass while they watch movies in a multi-purpose entertainment area or an avid music fan who listens intently for all the nuances of musical compositions inside a small, dedicated two-channel listening room. Dirac Live enables me to treat every project, no matter how large or small, simple or elaborate, with the same consistent level of precision and customisation.”

While the results Dirac Live render are dramatic, Terry notes that the calibration software is a ‘tool, not a magic wand.’ Furthermore, the best results happen with the help of a professional.

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“Dirac has designed its software to be so easy to use that it attracts a DIY audience, but it does require a level of mastery, skill, and experience to realise its full potential and push home cinema and music systems to their maximum sound capacity,” he says. The room acoustics, for example, is a huge hurdle when calibrating sound. And, unless you’re willing to rearrange furniture, add acoustical treatments, or remodel the space, there’s not much you can do about it. “Users need to have an understanding of acoustical principles, too, to realise the full potential of the Dirac software,” Terry says.

Another common obstacle that Dirac Live helps Terry overcome is bass. “Bass is the hardest thing to get right in a room; the room acoustics are always working against you. It’s also a difficult audio attribute to adjust by ear because of how insensitive human hearing is to bass frequencies.”

Yet, it’s an audio attribute most clients clamor for. “Especially when watching movies, people love to hear a lot of bass,” he says. “They also like a loud volume level, which can impact the clarity of dialogue.” Dirac has added a new feature – Dirac Live Bass Control – that better manages the bass characteristics of a sound system. It’s a feature that holds promise for Terry, making bass and the whole listening experience even better.

THE GATEWAY Thanks in part to the appeal of Dirac Live as a gateway to better listening experiences, Terry’s customer base has blossomed. So much so, that he began offering remote calibration services to clients and launched a complementary YouTube channel to educate consumers on the importance of wellcalibrated audio and how to overcome acoustical challenges. It’s paid off, as Terry can now offer users outside of the UK comprehensive calibration sessions via Dirac Live. “I have now completed remote Dirac Live calibrations for customers in the U.S., Portugal, Sweden, France, Germany, and other countries with lots of great feedback,” Terry says.

House calls are still available, but Terry now spends most days accessing customers Dirac Live-

enabled audio processors remotely from his office computer running the Dirac Live software. The link between a customer’s processor—Arcam’s AV40 is a popular choice—and the customer’s home gives Terry full visibility, management and control of the audio system.

The process does require some legwork from the client, but Terry guides them via video calls or over the phone throughout each step. Involved in this capacity, the clients can hear in real-time how dramatically the sound quality changes as Terry remotely adjusts the AVR’s settings. He encourages clients to position themselves as they normally would when enjoying music or movies, asks them what they like to hear more or less of— bass or treble, for instance, and adjusts the system accordingly. It takes Terry only a few hours to customise the calibration settings to provide each client with a lifetime of amazing audio.

Whether Terry is conducting an audio analysis in the field or from his office, for a client with a high-end home theater or a simple two-channel system, there’s always one constant--Dirac. It’s been a stable contributor to Pursuit Perfect System’s success as a premier audio calibration specialist. As valusable as the Live Room Correction technology is to professionals like Terry today, Dirac isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The company has proven its commitment to keeping its product on par with consumer expectations and market trends, ultimately doing what it had set out to do from the start: help professionals like Terry build and maintain successful businesses and consumers to once and for all experience audio as it’s meant to be heard.

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ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

THE ART OF BASEMENT CINEMA Clearly Automated delivers a high-quality result in this basement-based high-performance home cinema.

Christian Dodgson, Managing Director, Clearly Automated, explains that this project involved a new client that came recommended through Fiona Barratt Interiors (FBI), a company the team has worked with previously on another project.

Christian explains, “We were recommended for this project and understood that we had a strong chance of winning it if we proposed a great system at a fair price, ultimately giving the client the experience that they desired.”

66 JUNE 2022

The project was a collaboration between Cleary Automated and FBI, with Clearly Automated specifying the AV installation and working with FBI to ensure the interior vision for the space would work in tandem with the equipment giving the client the optimum cinema experience.

Christian says, “As this project is located in the basement of the property, our team had multiple construction challenges to overcome as internal ventilation and air handling systems ran through the same area. This meant that the rear

wall had to be built out and the ceiling had to be lowered, which alone provided dimensional challenges within the room.

“This meant we needed to get creative with the speaker positioning in the walls and ceilings and make use of the rear void space by creating a crawl-in area with shelving to house the cinema head-end hardware. We also had to build-out the front wall to house the in-wall LCR speakers and utilise an acoustically transparent screen to maximise the useable space within the room.”

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We invented subwoofers Now we’ve just reinvented them Once again, M&K Sound® has defined the meaning of deep bass. The new THX® Certified X+ Series subwoofers, including the 15-inch THX® Certified Dominus X15+, deliver even more of the legendary reference bass performance for which M&K Sound is widely acclaimed.

M&K Sound’s speakers and subwoofers can be found in all major film studios and many top recording venues around the world. That surely speaks for itself.

For more information, call the UK’s exclusive M&K Sound distributor Gecko Home Cinema on 01635 268114

Bring large screen entertainment home With the worlds most compact native 4K laser Home Cinema projectors Experience the ultimate big-screen viewing experience with the VPL-XW5000ES and VPL-XW7000ES. Immerse yourself in vibrant, punchy images with up to 3,200 lumens of brightness. You’ll enjoy crisp pictures full of lifelike colours, even in brightly lit living rooms, home cinemas or media rooms.

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ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

THE BUILD

The walls were initially padded out with rockwool for acoustic absorption, as the bedrooms were directly above the cinema (through two floors) so the aim was to minimise any disruption late at night if one member of the family wanted to use the room whilst others slept.

The ceiling was coordinated around existing pipe works to ensure speakers were Dolby Atmos compliant and the front speakers were housed in a custom aperture which is covered by a fixed acoustically transparent screen.

The projector screen was chosen with the recommendation from atlantik av distribution, a very high-performance model from Screen Excellence. Manufactured in the UK, this fixed, velour framed screen Reference model from Screen Excellence uses an acoustically transparent material capable of handling 4K and 8K projection due to its advanced Enlightor NEO projection surface.

Clearly Automated says the sound quality and screen image is an audiophile / cinephile’s dream, as the acoustic insertion loss and enhanced dynamic range elevates the viewer’s experience, leading them into the realm of complete submersion.

As the room dimensions changed during the build, a projector housing was created at the back of the room with an aperture, allowing the projector to shine through. This gave minimal visual impact and access from behind the false wall. The audio system consists of an Artcoustic 9.2.4 layout, ultimately specified because the team felt it was the strongest combination of the aesthetic and audio performance characteristics needed, namely clarity and dynamic range.

Christian underlines, “The Evolve 8-4 has its line array optimised between 2.5m – 6.5m eliminating potential comb flittering and phase overlap issues at the distance we were looking to fill with audio. We always specify speakers that are capable of at least 105db output in the

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main listening position. The 99db sensitivity Artcoustic Evolve 8-4 delivers this at up to 5.3m distance. Subwoofers of course need extra headroom – 115db according to Dolby Atmos standards – and the twin Artcoustic subwoofers are perfectly matched to the output of the Evolve 8-4s.”

A Sony VPL-VW570ES 4K projector was chosen for its configurability, excellent 4K resolution and bright high-Lumen image. The whole system is controlled by a central Crestron platform with a remote control in the cinema room to allow for simple and intuitive operation.

A Lutron Homeworks QS system was also specified, with a single wall station at the entrance and additional control availability on the Crestron remote to allow the client to enable different cinema modes, relaxing scenes, and bright scenes upon completing viewing. All available at the touch of a button, this feature really adds to the immersive qualities of the system.

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ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

Getting content to remote locations can be a challenge

ANY CHALLENGES?

Christian reveals, “With the site’s beautiful location being so remote, we experienced issues with the broadband strength fluctuating, which was stable upon commissioning in the winter, but upon the summer season we found increased demand in the area greatly slowed the streaming capabilities of 4K content. This was temporarily overcome by utilising non-streamed content via Blu-ray or downloaded content via an external hard drive until broadband service improvements can be made. Unfortunately, this is a common issue encountered in fantastic rural projects wanting to utilise cutting-edge technology, but the broadband infrastructure is not yet in place.”

Other tricky problems included the limitation of speaker positioning because of the overhead ducting and piping and the seating positioning

70 JUNE 2022

was also limited by the incorporation of a step behind the first seating row. This meant the team had to work within really fine margins to ensure all speakers were in the correct position to guarantee a fully compliant Dolby-Atmos experience. The basement also had to be constructed with flooding in mind, so flood sensors were added linked to the Crestron control notification system, and the equipment installed locally in the cinema needed to be housed above floor level.

Other fine tuning to exactly match the needs of the client and the cinema, included specifying the Sony VPL 4K projector to calibrate multiple different lens settings, which when coupled with the control system allowed seamless switching of modes when viewing sports/digital TV, Apple TV and Netflix.

Christian says, “We ensured this functionality was fully explored to provide the best

experience and display content in the optimal format. The overall considered design from FBI aesthetically combined with the audio treatment within the walls and the cutting-edge hardware and calibration is something quite rare in the fantastic location the project is located in.”

So favourite part of the install time! Christian exclaims, “I have to say, all of it! The moment you walk in the room you feel as though you are in for a great experience, but if I had to choose, the rich and immersive audio never fails to put a smile on your face when you fire up the system in anticipation of a great film or football match!

The clients and their family are thrilled with the room and their movie experience and are happy that Clearly Automated met all the aspects of their brief.”

Clearly Automated clearlyautomated.co.uk

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Lumina distils Sonus faber’s 35+ years of knowledge and expert craftsmanship, creating a collection that exceeds even the highest of expectations.

Whether stereo or a multi-channel, Lumina pushes the performance envelope to new heights and beyond. sonusfaber.com

Distributors of the finest high-fidelity audio components Fine Sounds UK is a McIntosh Group Company

t. 01592 744 710

www.finesounds.uk info@finesounds.uk

ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

Essential Kit List

• Crestron: CP4 processor

• Sony: VPL-VW570ES Projector

• Lutron: International seeTouch Wallstation

• Artcoustic: 4 x SL Architect 2-1 Speakers

• Lutron: HomeWorks HQP6-2 Processor

• Artcoustic: 6 x SL Diablo Surround Speakers

• Denon: AVR-X8500H

• Artcoustic: 3 x Evolve-8-4 LCR Speakers

• Artcoustic: Spitfire Control 2 Subwoofer Amplifier

• Artcoustic: 2 x Spitfire Control 2 Subwoofers • Screen Excellence: 4K Neo fixed frame AT 128in Screen

• Artcoustic: Sub amp

• Apple: Apple TV • Amazon: Netflix/Roku Stick

• Crestron: TSR-310 touch-screen remote

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01908 443 660 contact@LILIN.uk

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PRODUCTS

2N INTRODUCES FLAGSHIP INTERCOM 2N has added enhanced functionality to its flagship intercom, the 2N IP Style, in response to emerging trends in the use of residential and office buildings.

The relevant trends, which have been identified by experts including McKinsey, CBRE and PwC, include the acceleration of e-commerce delivery to residential sites, and companies operating in less centralised working models.

To respond to these trends, the 2N IP Style, has added a QR code reader, making it easier to share access data with couriers and other visitors.

In residential buildings, it allows a courier to be given one-off access to the main entrance and the package room – with, at the same time, a message being sent to the tenant letting them know that there is a parcel waiting. In an office context, the move towards decentralisation and hybrid working is a shift away from the ‘traditional’ office model and will leave many companies unable to justify a member of staff permanently manning the reception area. The QR code reader in the 2N IP Style helps companies manage this. For example, it allows a cleaner who comes once a week to enter the building at an agreed time on that day, and only access those areas of the building that they have been asked to clean, or an employee based in the company headquarters to be given access to a satellite office for a single day.

In all of these cases, access can be set up remotely, via 2N Access Commander, with the details sent straight to people’s mobile phones.

Further new enhancements to the 2N IP Style, which will respond to the same trends and which will be available shortly, include a bidirectional video function and a camera adjustment function.

2N 2n.cz/en

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Trend based developments from 2N

GET SOME CINERGY FROM MONITOR AUDIO Monitor Audio Group has announced its launch of Cinergy, a new premium THX certified home cinema system.

Monitor Audio says it has channelled 50 years of creating lifelike sound to bring everything it knows about audio to the big screen in developing Cinergy.

Monitor Audio has looked to combine quality of design with strong performance, but it has also built the system focused on the installer’s needs.

Cinergy’s design gives installers and designers infinite possibilities, enabling them to deliver the high-performance sound, refinement and the luxury customers expect.

The adaptable system has been designed with the knowledge that no two installations are the same. Built to provide installers with ease of use, features include a modular design that rotates when required, allowing the user to easily adapt to a horizontal or vertical install. It also includes a choice of isolation and fixing methods to help achieve the exact results required. Flexible options allow for integration into stud walls, fitting onto walls or securing to the floor.

Installers can also rotate the mid-tweeter array on the Cinergy 100, 200 and 300, depending on whether they are vertically or horizontally installing the product.

Cinergy also offers a swappable mid-tweeter pod to allow for the best of tailor-made systems.

Intelligent design innovation also means that the

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mid-tweeter pod can be interchanged with the bass drivers on the Cinergy 300. Along with integrated handles to make life easier, Cinergy features handy feet and bracket isolators to reduce vibrations.

Cinergy also features the very latest in Monitor Audio technology, designed to make every moment of cinema sound pin-sharp, clear, and unforgettable.

From MPD high-frequency transducer to RDT II drivers, every element is designed to make the movies truly come to life. Importantly, installers can have confidence in Cinergy thanks to the THX Certified Ultra mark.

Monitor Audio monitoraudio.com

GOOD 10G TO 100m

HNC 6A CAT 6A 600 MHZ

The line-up includes Cinergy 100, 200, 300 and Sub15 – all of which incorporate a range of innovative features to achieve effortless performance

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PRODUCTS

NAD ANNOUNCES CUSTOM INSTALL AMP UPDATE NAD Electronics extends its value and performance offering for the NAD CI 8-120 DSP, CI 8-150 DSP and CI 16-60 DSP distribution amplifiers through new firmware updates.

With immediate effect, the latest firmware updates bring new features and functions to NAD’s high-performance rack-mounted multichannel amplifiers including mute, flexible signal routing, and improved on- and off- site calibration and service delivery. The corresponding chassis driver updates create additional configuration options for major smart home control systems including Crestron, Control4, ELAN, RTI and URC. All updates and drivers are available for download from NADelectronics.com.

NAD’s DSP distribution amplifiers combine smart CI solutions with NAD performance. The three NAD CI distribution amps deliver flexibility, reliability and installer-friendly features.

Using NAD’s custom web app, the installer can manage DSP calibration and IP control. Once the unit is connected to the network, the amp can be set up, configured, calibrated, reboot, factory reset,

custom settings restored, and firmware updated, making both on and off-site service highly efficient.

The workhorse of NAD’s CI multi-channel distribution amps is the CI 8-120 DSP. Designed to contend with demands of a wide range of integration applications, it retains the same sonic characteristics found in NAD’s traditional Classic Series products.

The latest firmware version for this amp is ‘V2.26’.

The CI 8-150 DSP is designed to deliver uncompromised audio performance within the custom environment. With nCore amplification, the CI 8-150 DSP shares the same pedigree as some of NAD’s prestigious Masters Series amplifiers.

Latest firmware version for this amp is ‘V2.15’.

Delivering a conservative 16 x 60 watts per channel at 8 ohms or bridgeable to 140 watts per channel, the CI 16-60 DSP offers the necessary flexibility to handle most scenarios while remaining on budget. Latest firmware version for this amp is ‘V2.05’.

Bluesound, makers of wireless multi-room audio players, announces the HUB, described as a game-changing network accessory that connects to a variety of analogue and digital audio sources, bringing them into the Bluesound ecosystem for multi-room streaming.

Streaming audio is designed to be more flexible than ever with the HUB. Easily add a Bluesound HUB to any non-BluOS enabled audio source and transmit music to one or many Bluesound players around the home. Audio sources like a turntable or CD player instantly become network-connected and are new sources from which a Bluesound system can play music. The HUB unlocks the

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NAD nadelectronics.com

BLUESOUND ANNOUNCES THE HUB NETWORK ACCESSORY

Availability of the HUB is expected in mid-June and is priced at USD $319 / EUR €349 / GBP £309 / CAD $419

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problem of geography in letting users stream vinyl wirelessly for the first time.

From TVs to CD players, turntables to the latest gadgets, a host of inputs on the back panel: HDMI eARC, Coaxial, Digital Optical, Stereo Analogue and a moving magnet Phono stage supports the vast majority of music devices. Each HUB can manage one analogue and one digital source simultaneously, and up to four (4) HUBs can be added to a single network.

Equipped with BluOS, the HUB makes adding audio sources simple using the BluOS Controller app setup wizard. A few taps on the familiar BluOS app controls a whole multi-room system from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Simplicity is also a key part of the offering with the HUB. With a 1U rack height, and 1/3rd rack width, external USB-C connected power supply, the HUB can easily be placed on shelves, behind TVs, or mounted with four different orientation options using its two keyhole mounting slots.

Streaming music fans who also love vinyl will be especially appreciative of the HUB’s built-in audiophile-grade MM phono stage preamp that brings audio from a turntable to any Bluesound player for whole-home turntable streaming.

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Bluesound bluesound.com

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Innovative, class-leading products

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PRODUCTS

SOAK UP SOME SOKA FROM L-ACOUSTICS Through the L-Acoustics Creations division dedicated to residential, marine, and other architectural applications, L-Acoustics has seen a growing demand for high performance systems which integrate into luxury immersive environments. To complement the existing range of products designed to meet the demands of the installation market, L-Acoustics introduces Soka and its companion subwoofer SB6i. Inspired by the success and design principles of Syva, Soka is a breed of loudspeaker that combines line source technology with a sleek aesthetic for discerning technology integrators and projects where a smaller, more discreet solution is required, Soka and SB6i are ultra-shallow at 3.9in, designed to be easily enclosed in-wall or discreetly mounted on-wall, yet are capable of power and bandwidth. Soka comprises nine 3.5in mid-range drivers and three 1in high frequency transducers to impart wide 140-degree horizontal coverage for an ample sweet spot coupled with a highly controlled 26° vertical directivity to focus sound on the listening area instead of the ceiling or walls.

With two state-of-the-art 6.5in neodymium low frequency drivers and the L-Acoustics laminar vent technology found in our concert-grade reference subwoofers, SB6i is one of the most powerful ultracompact subwoofers on the market.

Despite its small footprint, Soka delivers 124 dB. When accompanied by its companion SB6i subwoofer, Soka extends down to 29 Hz with a full range preset. Soka is not a conventional architectural speaker. “Colinear source technology gives Soka all the benefits of line source technology: high output, extended throw, and razor-sharp control,” explains Germain Simon, Head of Product and Technology Marketing at L-Acoustics. “Soka will be prized for its ability to provide astonishing impact and clarity in spaces that require ultimate discretion to allow the design space to shine.”

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L-Acoustics Creations l-acoustics-creations.com The introduction of Soka and SB6i, complements the existing installation range of products from L-Acoustics (X4i, SB10i and LA2Xi)

MORE MUSIC FROM CRESTRON Crestron has expanded its portfolio of residential audio solutions with new DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier and In-Wall Subwoofer.

Native to Crestron Home, Crestron’s new subwoofer adds to the array of residential speaker products while the new DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier diversifies the range of Audio-over-IP choices for dealers and homeowners.

The In-Wall Subwoofer has been developed in partnership with Origin Acoustics, and the DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier developed for high-performance Audio-over-IP (AoIP). The Crestron Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer and the Crestron DM NAX Streaming Pre-Amplifier will both play major roles in filling out Crestron’s suite of residential audio solutions.

When paired with Crestron speakers from the Ultimate or Reference lines, the new Ultimate InWall Subwoofer helps create an immersive sound experience with deep, gratifying bass for demanding multiroom audio settings or home cinema applications says the company. Like the other offerings in this line, the Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer is made with the highest-quality components as well as paintable grilles for a customisable aesthetic.

Installation of each subwoofer is streamlined through an easy-to-use in-wall dogleg mounting system optimised to reduce interference with other elements present in the wall space.

The Ultimate Subwoofer pairs natively with DM NAX AoIP technology and Crestron Home ecosystem.

The newest addition to the DM NAX line is Crestron’s first pre-amplifier, diversifying the range of choices for homeowners and integrators looking for residential AoIP distribution platforms. Slimmer in form (1RU) but similar in function to the DM NAX Amplifier, the DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier natively integrates with Crestron Home, is interoperable with AES67, and Dante audio networking. It uses hardwired connections, and requires no custom network architecture or hardware, meaning it can be seamlessly connected to existing amplifiers in retrofit jobs or new builds.

This interoperability and simple design allow integrators to use DM NAX to specify an entire house’s worth of audio systems with a single device.

Crestron crestron.com

With the DM NAX AoIP, integrators can deliver complete control of the audio environment

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PRODUCTS

HAVE A PLAY WITH PALLADIOM Using six or fewer batteries, the system can run for three to five years

Lutron Electronics has launched Palladiom, wire-free shades for the European market.

Wire-free flexibility and remote monitoring capabilities are already installer favourites.

At ISE, Lutron provided both, delivering innovations that simplify the installation process for residential integrators and installers, empowering them to work more efficiently and provide a better service to customers.

The Palladiom shading system redefines the beauty of daylight control. Available as a wired, and now wire-free, battery-operated system,

these shades look beautiful from every angle, with all of the internal technology concealed and an innovative battery change mechanism which enables battery to be changed while keeping the blind in situ. Palladiom shading solutions are designed to be installed without a fascia, pocket, or recess in exposed applications.

The Palladiom wire-free shading system offers complete wire-free installation and precise, automated control of daylight. The solution is designed to enhance the space by highlighting what is beyond the windowpane,

while delivering daylight control at scale.

The minimal design provides the ultimate flexibility with an integrated antenna and easily replaceable batteries stored within the shade itself.

As well as elevating design, the solution has industry-leading battery life. Palladiom WireFree runs on Active Energy Optimisation, a battery management architecture designed to maximise the efficiency of traditional alkaline batteries to extend battery lifetime. Using six or fewer batteries, the system can run for three to five years.

“The new Palladiom wire-free adds incredible flexibility to our most elegant shading solution,” says Steve Detmer, Residential Product Manager at Lutron. “We want to help our community expand their offering and become a full-service lighting and blind control provider for all their projects. The wire-free Palladiom shading system combines a designcentric aesthetic with the simplicity of wire-free operation, making it easier than ever to bring the perfect daylight control to the most demanding homeowners.”

Lutron Electronics lutron.com

SEALOC AND WYRESTORM WEATHERPROOF NETWORKHD AVOIP PLATFORM Habitech, has announced that its AV distribution champion Wyrestorm will be weatherproofing its NetworkHD AVoIP line with Sealoc’s exclusive ‘Weatherloc’ anti-corrosion, nanocoating process.

Closing the gap in the market for allweather AVoIP solutions, Wyrestorm’s partnership with Sealoc means that designers of signal transmission and distribution for live events and outdoor AV environments will be able to integrate NetworkHD’s proven performance in all-weather scenarios with complete confidence.

Sealoc’s proprietary ‘Weatherloc’ technology provides advanced weatherproofing services for hundreds of various electronic items across the OEM, commercial and consumer spectrum. Its nano-coating solutions are both ecologically and human friendly. Both ROHS and REACH compliance ensures that it does not use or emit hazardous chemicals that can impact on human health or the environment.

The first Weatherloc treated all-weather Wyrestorm NHD product is the NHD-110RX-S (S for Sealoc), a 1080p@60Hz, H.264, 2ch PCM audio out AVoIP receiver with a proven record of reliability in long-distance, high-resolution AV distribution applications.

It will be joined at ISE by other NetworkHD/

80 JUNE 2022

Sealoc receivers in live demonstrations on WyreStorm’s show stand 3J700.

Commenting, WyreStorm’s Product Development Director Andrew Herron, says, “It was a no-brainer for WyreStorm to partner with Sealoc. NetworkHD’s strong presence in hospitality and live events provided the perfect opportunity to create a solution that brings value to the market and our customers.

Sealoc’s Weatherloc treatment uses incredible technology and we’re ecstatic to be one of the first manufacturers to offer a weatherproof AV over IP receiver at the OEM level”.

Sealoc’s President James Webster adds, “We’re very pleased to have created this partnership with Wyrestorm. Wyrestorm is a stellar brand in our industry and makes highquality, durable products. Coupling Wyrestorm’s products with our unique weatherproofing technology allows Wyrestorm to introduce the first ever weatherproof AV over IP extender.

Pushing the technology envelope is part of both of our company’s DNA and we’re excited to work with a company like Wyrestorm.”

Habitech habitech.co.uk

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Make Your Gardens Swing!

Your customers will fall in love with the highest quality all-weather entertainment systems; durable, ultra-discreet and magical within gardens of any size.

In-Wall • On-Wall • In-Ground • On-Ground

Get in touch for the best in outdoor AV design www.habitech.co.uk | 01256 638500 | sales@habitech.co.uk

20 Years in business serving the Custom Install Industry across the UK and Europe.

The best brands, the best staff, for the best projects!

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Aldous Systems(Europe) Ltd is a distributor of over 20 brands of networking and audio/video equipment to the trade.

Established in 2002 with a commitment to excellent customer service and a strong engineering background in networking products.

Unit 21Stocklake Industrial Park, Aylesbury, HP20 1DQ. tel: 01296 719582 web: www.aldoussystems.co.uk email: sales@aldoussystems.co.uk training: www.aldousacademy.co.uk