Essential Install March 2023

SECURITY FOCUS BE SAFE NOT SORRY

CABLES AND CONNECTIONS CONNECTIVITY!

CASE STUDY MAGNIFIQUE MULTIZONE

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.

HMXL88ARC

8x8 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

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

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.

HMXL66ARC

6x6 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

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

HDCP

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.

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)

HEX100CS-KIT

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set -100m

HEX150CS-KIT

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set - 150m

1080p up to 150m

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering CSC scaling with zero latency

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

J Supports ARC from display via HDMI and optical digital inputs

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

March 2023

42 DbM AND AMINA

45 THE EMOTIONAL SLOWDOWN

Fine Sounds Country Manager, UK and Ireland, Andrew Oattes

46 ESSENTIAL REVIEW

Jamo S7-27F floor standing speakers

50 CEDIA PLANS

A big year ahead!

52 ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

Magnifique Multizone home cinema

59 ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS

Equip yourselves!

WOMEN’S DAY

This month, the team at Essential Install were happy to support a special event put on by Pulse Cinemas to celebrate the theme of ‘Embracing Equity’the main message for this year’s International Women’s Day - and looking at ways to diversify the AV industry’s work force and attract more female professionals right across the sector. Pulse Cinemas were not the only company marking the event, with lots of companies in the sector showing their support, as well as recognising that a diverse workforce in terms of gender is a positive step all round.

The theme this year is an interesting one as it challenges some preconceived ideas about what ‘real equality’ or to use a better word ‘equity’ looks like. The concept involves challenging individuals and companies to think about the best ways to encourage more diversity by not thinking about ‘equality’, which can be a rather blunt tool, but ‘equity’, providing encouragement and support tailored to someone’s or a group’s particular needs. Think of it this way, two people stand on

one side of a fence and want to see over it, you provide both people with a box to stand on of equal size, so you are being fair right? Well, what if the two people are of different heights - the taller person has help that suits their needs, but the shorter one is no better off as they still can’t see over the fence. Providing the people with two different boxes that meet their needs delivers ‘equity’.

Now none of this is easy, opinions are going to differ greatly on what help is needed in general to assist the industry to attract more women, but what is definitely true is that an industry that wants to grow and appeal to as wider group of customers as possible needs to diversify its make up so that we have the chance to draw on all the talent that is out there. That is why events and discussions need to be on-going in order to help companies identify what they can do, the likelihood is that this is going to vary from company to company, there is no one-size fits all solution in the modern world of work. Things have improved since EI began working in AV many moons ago now, and areas such as the Hi-Fi sector were very male dominated, and there is still a long way to go, but through dialogue progress will be made.

GETTING IN TOUCH

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Daniel J Sait, dan@allthingsmedialtd.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Beatrice Lee, beatrice@allthingsmedialtd.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ian Kitchener, ian@allthingsmedialtd.com

GROUP AD MANAGER

Claire Talty, claire@allthingsmedialtd.com

PUBLISHER

David Kitchener, david@allthingsmedialtd.com

STUDIO MANAGER

Mark Weller, mark@allthingsmedialtd.com

ACCOUNTS

susan@allthingsmedialtd.com

Essential Install magazine, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8UD

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The editors and publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that everything is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

In all matters, the editor’s decision is final. Editorial contributions to Essential Install magazine are welcomed, and the editor reserves the right to alter or abridge text prior to the publication. All articles are copyright and remain the property of Essential Install magazine.

BRING THE CONCERT HOME

Music lifts your mood, underscores on-screen emotion, lets you relax or party till dawn, and powers your workout. Elevate every musical moment with pro audio solutions from L-Acoustics Creations. Whether indoors or outdoors, home cinema, home nightclub or listening lounge - the experts who serve the world’s top tours, festivals, and music venues can design a bespoke environment to truly bring the concert home. Book a demo in London, Paris, or Los Angeles.

ALDOUS SYSTEMS PARTNERS WITH EELECTRON TO DISTRIBUTE KNX DEVICES

Eelectron and Aldous Systems Europe are pleased to announce a partnership for the distribution of KNX devices in the UK and Ireland territory. The partnership aims to take advantage of the growing market demand for KNX devices ready to be integrated with commercial and residential AV solutions.

This partnership will allow Aldous Systems to bring an evolving and flexible KNX portfolio to market, with a strong focus on offering an end-to-end product solution. The company will also integrate KNX devices with existing control systems, making it easier for customers to use. Aldous Systems’ newly certified KNX training centre at its Aylesbury showroom will have its first course dates available soon, allowing customers to learn more about the technology, and how to use it and become KNX certified installers.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Eelectron and bringing its KNX product ranges to our market,” said Jason Aldous, Managing Director of Aldous Systems Europe. “Our goal is to offer customers a complete solution that meets their needs, and this partnership will allow us to do just that. We are especially excited about its unique actuators with SD card for simplified maintenance, and their multi

sensor presence detectors – both unrivalled for functionality in the KNX marketplace “

“We are excited to work with Aldous Systems Europe, and we believe that this partnership will be beneficial for both companies,” said Dario Vitali, Sales Director of Eelectron. “We look forward to seeing the success of KNX devices in the UK and Ireland markets.”

KNX training dates are now confirmed and available for booking, the Basic Course can be taken in May, July or October, all information can be found on the dedicated KNX training page on the Aldous Systems website.

Aldous Systems aldoussystems.co.uk

HARMAN Luxury Audio Group and IMP have announced that they have entered into a new distribution partnership. With immediate effect, IMP is HARMAN’s distribution partner for the JBL Architectural speaker range in the UK custom install market.

IMP was founded in 1984 when it operated primarily in the marine market – the IMP abbreviation derives from International

Marine Products – however, the company has grown substantially, and now also covers the residential space. This new collaboration sees IMP integrate its UK distribution expertise with JBL’s Architectural line.

The JBL Architectural line is one of the world’s most finely tuned speaker offerings, according to the maker, fusing the US-based maker’s sound with carefully considered,

custom install-appropriate features. The JBL Architectural range comprises an extensive range of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers for a multitude of cinema and multiroom audio applications. IMP will also distribute a range of JBL’s extreme climate speakers and the US maker’s state-of-the-art invisible speakers.

“We are very excited to announce this partnership with IMP,” said Scott Campbell, Director of Sales, HARMAN Luxury Audio. “JBL has a long heritage of delivering class-leading installation products, and I am positive our new partnership with IMP will allow the brand to grow across residential and marine CI channels in the UK.”

Darren Bown, Managing Director at IMP, added, “IMP is extremely proud to become the exclusive UK distributor for the JBL Architectural range to the residential and marine markets. JBL is an iconic international brand renowned for its innovation and superior sound quality. The addition of these products further enhances the IMP product range, and we are excited to offer these in the UK for the first time.”

Harman Luxury Audio harmanluxuryaudio.com

HARMAN AND IMP ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP

A new deal sees a fresh distributor added to the Harman Luxury Audio Group

A new partnership between Eelectron and Aldous Systems has been announced

CEDIA LAUNCHES THE CEDIA NEXTGEN: SMART HOME CAREER TOOLKIT

includes ready-to-use resources employers can present to colleges, trade schools, government agencies and community centres.

These resources make it easy for the CEDIA channel to give polished career fair and in-class presentations, educate career counsellors about the industry, and offer leave-behind assets for guidance offices, career centres and employment offices.

The CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit also includes resources for individuals looking to begin a career in the smart home industry, such as:

CEDIA has announced the launch of the CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit. This new collection of free resources, designed to complement CEDIA’s existing workforce development programs, will help the global CEDIA channel build awareness of industry employment opportunities and recruit new hires, said the association.

“I’ve asked CEDIA members around the world what is the most important thing CEDIA

can do for them. The number one answer is to bring new workers into the industry,” said Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA. “They’ve also told me that, if given the tools, they will partner with us to reach out to potential employees. CEDIA NextGen provides those tools.”

CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit is designed to help integrators forge connections with local talent pipelines. The kit

In addition to general community outreach, CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit includes tools to expedite hiring and recruitment. The kit includes customisable messaging examples for job descriptions, email and social correspondence with target recruits, and phone interview scripts. These resources can help employers post open positions on job websites faster, including CEDIA’s Career Centre, and communicate more effectively whenever they need to hire.

AWE APPOINTED UK DISTRIBUTOR FOR ADEO PROJECTOR SCREENS

AWE and ADEO have joined forces to elevate installers’ home cinema designs with customisable screens. The company has announced that its screens are now available in the UK through AWE, now the exclusive distributor to the custom installation and electrical retail markets.

Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE, couldn’t be more thrilled about the partnership, “We’ve been searching for the right screen partner to pair with our Sony and Epson projector ranges and are delighted to announce our distribution partnership with ADEO. This outstanding range of projection screens is now available to UK integrators via AWE, providing customisable screen solutions, including masking options.”

Since 2001, ADEO Group has been operating on three fronts: in Italy, in the professional audio/video and home theatre/ high-end distribution sectors; and in Europe, as ADEO Screen, distinguishing itself as one of the most successful manufacturers of screens. ADEO expanded its production capacity by building a dedicated factory in Poland with 3500m2 for production and warehouse space, plus 1000m2 dedicated to offices and a showroom.

ADEO underlines that it operates on solid principles such as the strength of the know-

how, resulting from 10 years of expertise; and the assurance offered by an all-Italian product development process.

ADEO allows for an entirely customisable projector screen with a myriad of screen types, fabrics and aspect ratios. The choice is large and includes a wealth of projection surfaces and numerous format options (from the classics: 4:3 and 16:9 to 2.35:1 and 2.40:1). Customise everything from the case, colouring, screen drop, roller type and dimensions of the screen

to achieve a bespoke look.

The ADEO online configurator allows AWE and trained integrators to build any screen option by following simple steps. Once the screen configuration is completed, a comprehensive PDF with all dimensions and mounting options is created, which can be used in the design of the overall cinema.

AWE

awe-europe.com

Distribution development with ADEO and AWE inking new deal

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

SNAP ONE HONOURS PARTNER AWARD WINNERS AT ISE 2023

Snap One, provider of smart living products, services, and software to professional integrators, officially unveiled the winners of its prestigious Partner Awards at ISE 2023.

The 49 winning integrators were recognised at a formal award ceremony that took place at the Snap One Partner Party on 2 February at the Poble Espanyol Museum.

“Our annual awards honour partners across the EMEA region that have exhibited excellence in sales, marketing, support, and other designated business areas,” said Mark Reynolds, Snap One Vice President & General Manager, EMEA. “It’s always a privilege to recognise our partners that continue to grow their businesses and provide top-tier service to their customers with Snap One solutions.”

Distributor of the Year

• Leaf

Partners of the Year

• Belgium: Audio Visual Architects

• Czech Republic: MŠ Company

• Denmark: JM Lytzen Teknik ApS

• Finland: Digisähkö Oy

• France: Duret Solutions

• GCC: Reels Smart Technologies

• Germany: Hifi Profis Frankfurt am Main

• Greece: Alphacom

• Israel: SmartOn, Boot Net

• Italy: Amadeus Network Solution SRL

• Netherlands: B&G Audio Video Solutions

• Norway: Merelektro as

• Portugal: CPD Sound & Vision

• Serbia: Shagara doo

• Spain: Tecnoclima

• Sweden: We Make Noise

• Switzerland: Olvision SAGL

• Turkey: TMS

• UK London: Smart Living Solutions

• UK North & Ireland: Richer Sounds

• UK South: Visual Control Systems

Top Volume Partner

• New Wave AV

Pinnacle Partners

• Advanced Technology Installations

• Aonyx

• Cyberhomes

• IHomes London Media Rooms

• IndigoZest

• New Wave AV

• Powerplant Home Automation

• Robert Taussig

• Smarthome Technology

• Smarthomes

• The Majik House

• Visual Control Systems

Circle of Excellence

Snap One Category Adoption

• Switzerland: Schmid Gstaad AG

• UK London: Airwave Audio and Vision

• UK North & Ireland: Arcadia Systems

• UK South: Revolve CI

Business Growth

• UK London: London AV Setup Limited

• UK North & Ireland: Fusion AV & Media

• UK South: Powerplant Home Automation

Service & Support Proposition

• UK London: IndigoZest

• UK North & Ireland: Trusted Technology

• UK South: Cre8tive Rooms Limited

Marketing Initiative

• UK London: Ashville Construction

• UK North & Ireland: Art of Smart

• UK South: Art of Integration

Snap One snapone.com

Smart Living Solutions celebrate at the Snap One Partner Awards

Tim Griffin has taken operational leadership of the Exertis UK business, becoming CEO. In this capacity he will take direct responsibility for the entire Exertis UK, Retail and B2B operations, and have oversight of other businesses in the UK and Ireland of parent, DCC Technology. Tim will lead an ambitious development plan for the business in the UK to drive growth, innovation and market leadership.

Tim said, “The size of the opportunity in the UK, both now and in the future, is a major prize and I’m excited to be taking the CEO role, leading the evolution of our UK business as we drive it onwards to evergreater success. The work we’re doing now will bear fruit for many years to come, and I’m incredibly proud to lead the amazing team we have here in the UK, who are helping me implement a vision that will keep Exertis in its market-leading role long into the future.”

UK Managing Director, Paul Bryan, moved into a new international role from January 2023, leading DCC Technology operations in the Benelux, Nordics, France and Middle East. Having successfully led the UK business as MD for many years, Bryan will bring a wealth of success and experience to bear in driving growth in these key markets. He said, “I’m immensely proud to take up this new international challenge, and I’m very excited to start working with the amazing teams across these territories, to further develop the strong platform of success.”

TD SYNNEX Maverick, a specialist business of TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) has appointed Andy Evans as Senior Commercial Director for its European business. With over 30 years’ experience within the AV/IT industry, Andy will lead the business strategy for TD SYNNEX Maverick, working with a portfolio of brands including Logitech, Absen, Crestron, Samsung, Lenovo, Avocor, Epson, Microsoft, Sony and now Zoom.

Andy explained, “After years of working with Maverick as a customer I’m very excited to be joining the European team at this pivotal time for the industry and business. Maverick holds the number one position for smart meeting and smart signage technology with an unrivalled portfolio within the channel. My focus will be to work with our partners to maximise the huge opportunities ahead. With ISE around the corner I am really looking forward to seeing the team in action showcasing our strategy for this year at our IS-SKI stand.”

Peerless-AV has today announced the appointment of Robert Phillips as Product Manager for the EMEA business. Robert will play a pivotal role in the development of key product lines while also supporting the custom dvLED teams in EMEA and the US. Responsibilities will include managing information flow, forecasting, assisting with product designs and engineering, project delivery, on-site

installation support, and delivering internal and external technical training.

Keith Dutch, Managing Director – EMEA, Peerless-AV, commented, “Robert is highly regarded in the AV industry having spent seven years looking after one of the largest AV distributors in the UK. A very technical individual with attention to detail and extensive, specialist product knowledge, he will be a valuable resource for the global product management team, sales and marketing teams, as well as our partners and customers.”

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips digital signage, interactive displays, direct view LED and professional TV products and solutions, has announced the appointments of experienced AV professionals, Sven Beinlich and Jason Bacon, to its team of International Key Account Directors. Their appointments come ahead of a PPDS Global Partner Alliance (GPA) growth announcements during ISE, bringing greater reach, enhanced quality, and more opportunities for global businesses in 2023 and beyond.

Part of PPDS’ ongoing global recruitment drive, attracting and targeting the AV industry’s leading talents to spearhead worldwide growth and accelerate sales across an array of market verticals, Sven (based in Hamburg) and Jason (in London) join as the company’s new International Key Account Directors for Retail and Corporate respectively.

QMotion UK, specialists in motorised window treatments, has boosted its sales presence by appointing experienced industry sales and marketing expert, Chris Janes.

Chris joins QMotion as Business Development Manager for the UK region. With over 30 years’ experience working in sales and marketing and business development roles at companies such as Imerge, Digital Plumbers, AV Racks, Armour Home Electronics and Legrand, Chris has a deep understanding of the home technology industry and significant experience in how best to support integrators to grow their business.

“I am delighted to join the QMotion team” explained Chris. “Having worked at Legrand for the past five years, I have been following the steady progress of QMotion as the brand has built its range of products and solutions for integrators. Automated blinds represent a huge market opportunity. QMotion provides an easy to install, attractive and low energy range that’s simple to integrate and control. Working with QMotion, integrators can increase both their revenues and their margins on home automation projects. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running by attending ISE, where I’m excited to meet up with new and existing customers to show them just what QMotion can do.”

Tim Griffin Robert Phillips

Jason Bacon Sven Beinlich Chris Janes

WORLD’S FIRST THX CERTIFIED DOMINUS IN-WALL SPEAKERS

Ultimate performance for your largest and most demanding projects.

01423 358846 karma-av.co.uk

NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR ONEAV AND GUDE

OneAV and GUDE announce sales cooperation for IP-controllable power solutions.

OneAV’s recent addition of GUDE Systems GmbH (GUDE) to the OneAV brand portfolio exemplifies how distributor and brand partnerships are best built on understanding the challenges and trends facing technology installers today and in the future.

GUDE are manufacturers of innovative smart power distribution products. This ISO9001certified, family-run manufacturer from Germany has become renowned for making residentiallyfocused smart PDUs and power supply equipment with features and benefits directly tailored to the needs of AV and smart home technology installers. GUDE’s suite of smart products is now available to order from OneAV.

With the value of the equipment being installed in modern smart homes and the cost of maintenance of all these technology systems, it makes perfect sense to minimise risk of damage from the electrical system, reduce downtime caused by equipment needing rebooting and reduce costly call-outs to an absolute minimum

by installing GUDE smart, IP-controlled PDUs with robust surge protection and intelligent power management into equipment racks.

GUDE’s Expert Power Control range of smart PDUs feature a range of output configurations and socket quantities to suit almost every rack installation and benefits like their built-in self-healing (auto-reboot) function, programmable sequential switching after an outage and proactive power metering, all promise to give both the end-user and technology installer reduced running costs over the (now longer) lifecycle of the installation and increased peace-of-mind.

Because OneAV serves technology installers across the spectrum of the industry, GUDE’s free integration drivers for Control4, Crestron, Domotz, ELAN, RTi and Savant add value regardless of their customer’s control brand preference. Of particular benefit to OneAV dealers however, is that GUDE smart PDUs can also be easily remotely controlled by

HDANYWHERE (HDA) uControl via a uControl Zone Processor and the HDA Cloud. HDA dealers have the ability to incorporate specific power management functions into the uControl mobile app, Apple Watch app, voice integration or uControl Remote (available later this year). HDA Pros can even trigger uControl Sequences that switch GUDE ports remotely from anywhere in the world via HDANYWHERE’s uControl Cloud.

uControl is known for being able to remove reliance on traditional control systems for projects where those are overkill or absorb too much of the available budget. Along with smart lighting and relay systems, adding GUDE to a uControl system gives integrators the ability to add everyday smart home functionality with uControl that adds real value without unnecessary complexity and cost.

Find out more by visiting www.oneav.co.uk or call our team on 01684 576 348.

THE PERFECT DEALER DISTRIBUTOR PARTNERSHIP

Kapes Patel, Pulse Cinemas COO, explains, “Guy Singleton, founder and MD of Imagine This, came to us with this ambitious project interested in using Pulse Cinemas ingredients to create the high-performance home cinema this customer wanted for this large space.

“Many people in the industry will be aware of Guy’s creation, The Cinema Designer (TCD), an on-line portal which allows the creation of detailed plans for a project such as this in minutes instead of hours. Many Pulse Cinemas brands are included in the TCD database, so Guy was able to use the system to build a detailed proposal for this exciting project.”

Mike Beatty, Pulse Cinemas MD, adds, “Imagine This is one of the best integrators working today having completed some of the most ambitious projects around for some seriously discerning clients. We were delighted to work with them on this project which delivers the power of Pulse Cinemas ingredients, and support services, the TCD system and the skills and knowhow of the Imagine This team.

Guy takes up the story explaining this new

project came into the company via a referral from an existing customer, “We have worked for the existing client for 15 years, we originally provided a cinema to him and have continued to look after him in the years since. When his good friend asked him to recommend a cinema installer, our existing client very kindly recommended us. Our existing client had firsthand experience of the lengths we go to in looking after our clients, so was very confident in our ability to deliver for his friend.”

Guy continues, “Our new client had experienced a few legacy home cinemas in friends’ homes but was very keen for his own cinema to provide Dolby Atmos. To help him understand more about an immersive experience and the relationship between the design, the products, and the performance levels available, we took him on a field trip to the Pulse Cinemas demo suite. There he was able to experience the differences and similarities between the products and he was able to recognise how getting the design and specification right would inform the outcome.

In addition to high performing audio, the client also desired a crystal-clear image, and he knew that he wanted a projector and screen to deliver this. He asked us to provide an image that would look vibrant and intense within the room.

“Finally, the client asked us to ensure that the room exuded an ultra-comfortable luxurious feel. He wanted to enjoy the opulence of a traditional cinema room. The design was important; we were asked to aesthetically match the luxurious ambiance of the rest of the home.”

WHY PULSE CINEMAS INGREDIENTS?

Guy explains some of the product choices for this project, “Since audio performance was so high on the client’s agenda, we chose loudspeakers from the amazing Alcons CRMS Cinema Reference Monitor Systems range. They met the performance objectives and were within his budget. We build all of our cinemas to meet exacting performance objectives and the fabulous Alcons loudspeakers did this with ease.

This large and luxurious home cinema project is a great example of what can be achieved when one of the UK’s top integrators, Imagine This, interfaces with the products and services available from Pulse Cinemas.

“To provide the processing, we elected to use a Trinnov Altitude 32. This ensured that there was parity between the exceptional performance levels of the processor and the

loudspeakers. Put simply, the Trinnov Altitude 32 is the best immersive audio processor to date, and anyone who knows us will understand how highly we regard this product. It provides

exceptional performance and can cope within larger more demanding rooms.

“Given that the client had already spoken of his preference for a high-performance front projection system, it was evident that we would need to provide something rather special. The chosen Sim2 Crystal SH projector is capable of exceptional imagery, with ultra-high-definition resolution and a broad colour gamut. It can handle the bit-for-bit high quality data supplied by the video server effortlessly.”

Guy continues, “A Screen Research 200in fixed screen completes the selection, with acoustically transparent fabric and excellent white field uniformity and off-axis viewing. This product provides an exceptional base for the video image, with less than 1dB of attenuation for the high frequencies in the sound stage located behind the screen.

“For the uber-luxurious and comfortable feel that the client required, we elected to use Fortress custom chaise seating. The home cinema can comfortably accommodate 12, configured in groups of two. We elected to use the custom seats, as it allowed us the flexibility to meet the aesthetic criterion of the project. Having used Fortress seats in our projects for many years, we knew that they would stand up to our client’s demands for comfort and luxury.”

MAKE TIME FOR ACOUSTIC TREATMENT

As an award-winning home cinema design house, Imagine This are firm advocates for room acoustic treatments.

Guy reveals, “We use The Cinema Designer software to perform the complex acoustic calculations and we diligently address the identified issues. We have found that Vicoustics products provide an excellent acoustic solution, being of the highest performance, quality, and appearance. For this project, we have selected VMT treatment and Wavewood diffusers. The client particularly loves the modern cinema feel that they provide. The overall build quality of this cinema had to meet the most stringent criteria and the Vicoustic products can do that with ease.”

The customer is a dedicated movie lover and has a large collection of his favourite films on disc, but had grown tired of housing physical content. He tasked Imagine This to provide a solution for his content going forwards and the natural solution was a Kaleidescape system. With a 48tb Terra Server and a Strato-C player, the client can easily download the latest movies and enjoy them in the very highest quality on the big screen, as the director intended.

There is of course more to a cinema than the AV equipment, this room had to shine in all aspects of its performance and presentation.

Guy explains, “Lastly we addressed the environment and control of the cinema. The obvious solution for the lighting was a Lutron Homeworks system, which provides the ability to create beautiful and functional scenes of light. We can create scenes for viewing, entertaining and cleaning the room with feedback from the customer.

To bring the project together, an RTI remote has been selected. This removes any complexity for the client, ensuring that the home cinema is incredibly straightforward to use for the whole family; first time, every time.”

THE PULSE CINEMAS DIFFERENCE

Having the back-up, demonstration and rendering services available from Pulse Cinemas made a big difference to this project.

Guy explains, “For this client (and many like him), the aesthetics of the room were highly important, but he struggled to visualise how the room would look and feel. In providing him with the render service, we were able to convey the design ideas, gaining his approval and enthusing him about the scheme. Pulse Cinemas was the perfect partner throughout the process for many reasons; none more so than because the team are very supportive and the fact that they are so easy to work with. We value their indepth product knowledge and their discernible familiarity with the brands that they represent.

“Clients of Imagine This have high demands and in turn, as a company, we will only select those partners and products in whom we can have the greatest trust. From the Pulse Cinemas brands, there are several that we specify for practically every project, in particular; Screen Research, Anthem, Fortress, Kaleidescape and Lutron. These are unsurpassed brands, with products that closely match the performance demands of our projects. With the benefit of the support of Pulse’s technical team, we know that the products will perform perfectly, and that Pulse are there to assist should we require any service support down the line.”

Guy adds, “In addition to those ‘bread and butter’ products, Pulse Cinemas also offers an impeccable portfolio of loudspeaker and electronics brands, which allows us to select the perfect products for every project. For example, for our platinum home cinemas, the Alcons range is the perfect match, and we combine this with Trinnov for amazing performance every time.

“The great thing about the Pulse Cinemas portfolio is that we can find the right solution for every project, and we can confidently specify their brands, knowing that we have the Pulse Cinemas team standing behind them.”

The preferred choice for

and custom installers around the world

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

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

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

Speakers

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

Cables

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

“TOGETHER FOR CINEMA – TOGETHER

37 good cause cinema room installations completed With a normal installation value of over £910,000

Thank you to all our Aldous Systems, Alltrade, Amina, Antiference, Aquavision, AVPro Edge, AWE, Bowers & Cornered Audio, Crestron, Denon, Designflow, Flexson, Future Automation, Gasoline Intuitive Homes, Invision, Karma-AV, Leaf Scissors, Legrand, Lighting Control, LILIN, Loud Monitor Audio, New Wave, Nice, Optoma, Origin Acoustics, Orluna, Primare, Pulse RGB Communications, Smart Homee, Smart Living Solutions, Smartcomm, www.togetherforcinema.co.uk

FOR BETTER”

our 2023 sponsors

& Wilkins, Cambridge Audio, Chord Company, Cinema Rooms, Connected Distribution, Gasoline Media, GLO Audio Visual, griffin360, Habitech, Hisense, iCubed, Ideaworks, Loud & Clear, Lutron, Meridian Audio, MJ Acoustics, MK Iconic Solutions, Modus Vivendi, Cinemas, Pulse-Eight, QMotion UK, Rako Controls, Re-Sauce, Redline Distribution, Smartcomm, Snap One, Sony, Steinway Lyngdorf, TDI Group, Webro, Wisdom Audio

CABLE PROTECTION FOR THE CONNECTED HOME

Alex Smith, Technical Director at Flexicon assesses the state of cable protection for the smart home market.

According to YouGov’s latest survey, 23% of the country’s 66.44 million people own a smart item, with 8% having two or more. Coupled with research conducted by Smart Home Week, this sees more than half, a massive 57% of homes in Britain, now containing a smart device.

This increasing interest in smart home technology is driving more consumers to seek the services of qualified installers, that can help integrate devices into a connected home.

However, the data and power cabling used in an automated home, such as speaker and multimedia cables, must be able to withstand the rigors of a busy household – leading installers to seek innovative options for cable protection.

It is important for installers to identify key areas to consider when specifying flexible cable protection systems. Selecting the right system can help reduce time on the job, while also protecting vulnerable or existing cabling that may be susceptible to damage.

RETROFITTING OPTIONS

So, what options are available for installers that need a simple, retrofit cable protection solution?

Retrofitting cable protection has traditionally been a complex and lengthy task, with the installer required to pull existing cabling through the open end of a conduit system. Cables used for home automation will often have preterminated plugs or connectors, which can be difficult to pull through conduits or risk damage to the connectors.

Divisible conduits, such as the Flexicon FPADS range, provide an ideal solution, allowing the conduit system to be wrapped easily around the existing cabling, because of how the system is designed and the two profiles interlock. This FPADs system consists of two open conduit profiles, which then interlock to form a protected IP40 system around the cables.

Systems such as this provide a robust, impact resistant and low fire hazard cable protection solution.

It is also important to consider the cable routing. Traditional split conduit options can potentially expose cabling when bent or routed around corners, whereas the newer, divisible conduit options will maintain more mechanical strength and continuous protection of the cabling irrespective of orientation or routing due to their interlocking design. Flexible conduit can also be purchased in different colours, giving the option of colour coding installations to identify different cables which have been grouped together.

TERMINATION AND FITTINGS

All cable protection should be specified as a complete end-to-end system, considering not only the flexible conduit used, but the range of termination and fittings required also.

This has traditionally been a complex area for installers in retrofit applications, as historically, there has been less focus on design innovations for fittings and accessories until recent years.

To make it easier to terminate cabling in retrofit applications, Flexicon now offers its new Flexicon FPADS range, with a hinged fitting and locknut to wrap around existing cabling, meaning no disruption with its innovative, easy to use and secure termination.

PROTECTING CABLING

Green retrofit solutions such as new heating systems or energy management control devices are also gaining momentum in the home, often requiring electrical cabling installations and infrastructure to be upgraded during installation.

Elsewhere, the rise of home renovations and extensions is considered as a serious alternative to moving to a larger property, alongside homeowners being encouraged to upgrade to energy efficient solutions such as solar panels and heat pumps.

These drivers are all leading to increased demand for retrofit electrical wiring systems, that will avoid major disruption to the building fabric or fixtures while enabling fast and simple installation.

Installers should also consider the range of external hazards that the cabling may be exposed to; whether that is to meet a certain IP rating in a bathroom or kitchen setting, or enhanced fire performance properties.

4K FIBRE OPTICAL HDMI CABLES

With detachable ends

4K 18Gbps bandwidth 10m - 30m lengths

Optional detachable ends

Gold plated connectors

Dust cap

The 4K fibre optical HDMI cables from Antiference are an innovative way to extend HDMI to a display or projector. With full 4K support up to 18Gpbs, they are ideal for distances which are longer than a certified cable can reach but perfect when an HDMI extender is not required. The range offers options of lengths from 10m to 30m and either with or without a detachable end. The detachable ends are useful when running cables through walls or in ducting meaning a much smaller hole is required.

Antiference has been a respected player in the HDMI distribution market for many years now and over the years has brought many popular products to the market. These include HDMI splitters, extenders, matrix systems and cables.

As we move forward in our technology journey, what is the market looking for next?

Gaming continues to be a big part of our world, and this brings more tech and the requirement for new hardware to enable us to be playing games with friends all over the world. Another area of growth is communal displays for digital signage or venues showing live content such as sports.

What do both areas (and indeed all audio/ video distribution systems) have in common? Connectivity! The diverse requirements for connectivity continue to expand in this ever-changing world and the call for the next generation of tech continues. Enter the Antiference certified 8K HDMI lead range.

CONNECTIVITY!

You’ve heard it, and you’ve probably said it, ‘there’s no point in worrying about 8K right now, because the content just isn’t there.’ On one hand, you might be right, as there is little or no TV content yet and 8K TV screens are usually above 70in - which is on the large side for most people. On the other hand, a higher resolution on some PC and console games can provide a clear advantage.

If you are a gamer, then you probably want a perfectly centred crystal-clear crosshair, right? 8K video resolution can deliver this and connectivity from your 8K PC graphics card, Xbox or PS5 to your 8K monitor can be simply achieved with an Antiference certified 8K HDMI lead. The new range of cables from Antiference offers quality leads in 1m, 3m and 5m lengths and they feature bandwidth up to 48Gbps (8K@60).

I know what you are thinking, ‘there are not many games which support 8K yet so what’s the point?’ Good question! To some, there may seem little point in using an 8K cable right now, but the world can be a fast-changing place, so fitting an 8K HDMI lead now adds futureproofing to the installation and the cost of the 8K leads are not greatly more than their 4K counterparts so seems like a no-brainer? We have even reduced the amount of packaging to be more environmentally friendly.

How much digital signage do you see around the place these days? I remember when the fast food menu in McDonald’s or Burger King was on a solid board behind the food order point and on the London underground, the posters were made of paper or card and didn’t move at all. These are just two examples of the changes happening now and the amount of digital signage in our world these days. This is also just a glimpse of the number of screens we see as we go about our day to day lives.

Signage and live video screens can be linked up in a number of ways such as network, WiFi, structured cable or HDMI cables. The method carried out will usually depend on the requirements of the client and the practicalities of the building/venue.

Antiference has introduced a solution to this need in the form of a range of optical fibre HDMI leads. These cables support 4K@60 and are available in a variety of lengths including 10m, 15m, 20m and 30m. These cables are ideal in situations where the user needs to send 4K further than 5m, such as a projector installation or a series of signage screens. There are two parts to this range and a variety of lengths available. One series features fixed ends and has a more attractive price, whilst the other features a detachable end system on both ends, enabling a much easier installation by reducing the size of the end of the cable during fitting. The end can be simply removed and ‘clicked’ back on once the cable has been fitted.

Both the 8K and optical HDMI leads are now available, so contact your usual supplier for more information.

Dan Winterton, Sales and Marketing Director at Antiference, connects with the future of the cable sector.

BUILDING A BETTER HOME NETWORK

In the past, homeowners may have placed wired networking systems near the bottom of the list when it comes to technology preferences. This mindset, however, is shifting as consumers have started to recognise the

importance of a solid, stable, reliable network - underpinned by wires rather than Wi-Fi to support their modern lifestyles. The internet is now considered by many as the fourth utility of a home, alongside electricity, water, and

gas, and as the number of connected devices per household and consumers’ appetites for bandwidth-intensive services like streaming video continue to escalate, systems integrators have an opportunity to capitalise on the need for high-quality hardwired home networks.

For systems integrators, there are customers to gain and money to be made, certainly, but only if a network can be deployed confidently, quickly, and with the assurance of optimal connectivity-practices that have historically been difficult for many integrators to achieve with bulky, unwieldy cables and poorly designed connectors, which only exacerbate problems, especially in tough retrofit situations. The good news is network cable design and performance is evolving – yes even humble network cable can be improved upon! Innovative nextgeneration solutions are hitting the market, enabling integrators to deliver exceptional digital experiences to their customers without the complications normally associated with network deployment. Here are some of the technological advancements driving this change and making it easier for integrators to prosper in this growing smart home category.

SKINNIER THAN NORMAL CAT 6 CABLES

Often hampering network installation is the sheer size, quantity and rigidity of the cables. It’s difficult to install into walls, fish around corners, and terminate in cramped equipment racks, especially in retrofit situations. Not to mention the fact that terminating a bunch of these cables really hurts the hands if you’re new to the job. Fortunately, Cat 6 cable is slimming down significantly and becoming more flexible to overcome these, and other, installation hurdles. The thin, flexible, 28AWG footprint of the newest generation of cable is half the size of traditional 23 and 24AWG Cat 6 cable, yet supports the latest global networking standards to assure top performance of today’s smart

Keeping pace with technological innovation requires a networking foundation equally as progressive. Here’s what to look for in network cable according to James Chen, Kordz Managing Director.

home technologies. Systems integrators looking to stay ahead of the technological curve and broaden their customer base should embrace new 28AWG Cat 6 cable as a viable alternative to their standard networking solutions.

COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT POE ++ STANDARDS

Despite the shrinkage in size, today’s newest breed of network cable is just as capable as ever as an in-wall permanent link or as a patch

cord, even as bandwidth requirements and the consumer adoption of technology escalate. Also, contrary to popular belief, 28AWG network cable can, in fact, handle the latest Power over Ethernet (PoE) protocol (PoE ++) as stated in IEEE802.3bt. The misnomer is that conductors this thin cannot possibly support 100W of power split among eight conductors, and even if it can it will melt the cable insulation. Thorough testing of 28AWG conductors has proven otherwise, supporting PoE++ even in

a bundle of 37 strands. Moreover, compliance with current PoE++ standards prepares your clients’ homes for the addition of emerging PoE-enabled high-powered devices, such as advanced video conferencing system components, building management devices, smart lighting systems and televisions.

QUALITY CONNECTORS

No matter how capable a network cable is, if the connectors are poorly designed and the termination shoddy, the performance of the entire network will be compromised. One of the most common problems with home networks is a cable that’s loose or unplugged somewhere due to breakage, so it’s vital to use durable, performance-tested crimp connectors. To preclude termination issues, look for connectors and sockets custom-designed and engineered for termination ease and robustness. This will help mitigate costly followup and maintenance, allowing you to focus on new, more lucrative projects, reduce service calls and streamline your workforce.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE AND COMPETITION

In an increasingly connected world, a solid, stable, reliable networking foundation is essential to any modern home or business. Just as it’s important to stay abreast of technological and market trends affecting the design and implementation of smart devices, so should integrators follow new developments in hardwired home networks. By following best practices and staying ahead of the curve when choosing and deploying network cable systems integrators can bring real value to their clientele, tackle tough projects with confidence and ease, and build more lucrative businesses.

FIT AND FORGET AT YOUR PERIL

As the world advances towards smarter, more environmentally friendly homes, it’s vital to ensure that what’s built is fit for its intended purpose, and offers sufficient performance flexibility to be future-proof as technology changes. Despite the increased use of wireless products, wired solutions remain the most

consistently reliable solution. Direct wired solutions offer a faster signal speed due to one connection per device, thus removing the risk of signal loss due to multiple devices sharing the same access point. In essence, it’s more difficult for signals to be obstructed, intercepted (due to firewalls), to drop out, or to stop working

altogether as a result of external interference when using wired products.

For the foreseeable future, cables will remain as the most reliable way of ensuring the seamless integration of technology throughout a building. Whether it’s lighting control, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security, or a digital TV, cabling is still regarded as the leading smart solution to operate and automate modern smart buildings.

NO SURPRISES

There are many cables, connectors, and associated accessories out there to choose from. Selecting the right products for your application can be a minefield. Get it wrong and it could prove to be very costly down the line – in terms of system performance, monetary value, and damaged reputation. Cables are generally installed in the early stages of a project, at the first fix stage, and then covered over as walls, or ceilings, and other such semipermanent structures take their places as the build progresses. The technological equipment is usually one of the last things to go in, and only at this point will you know if the installed cables are working correctly. If they aren’t, then it may be a case of having to rip them out and start again, which can be a very costly process.

Chris Mellor-Dolman, Head of Marketing and Gary Banfield, Business Development Manager, at Webro have a warning for integrators.

RELY ON EXPERTS

Another crucial factor to consider is the vast number of approvals required for cables to be compliant. This has become even more complicated of late, with the introduction of the Construction Products Regulations (CPR), which came into effect in 2017, and developed further with the addition of the new UKCA marking process when the UK left the European Union in January 2020.

As is the case with most products, they can be sourced from a variety of different companies, some specialist in their fields, and others with a vast number of products for different solutions but without expertise in any particular area. To that end, when it comes to selecting the right cable for each individual application, it’s crucial that you have access to the right advice from a cable supplier who has the necessary expertise. That’s because there are so many different factors at play. What performance and application specifications are required for the product itself? What materials must be used to achieve flame retardance? Is there a requirement to withstand environmental factors such as impact, crush, water penetration, or UV resistance? Then there’s cable legislation, which can be daunting, even for the most knowledgeable.

DON’T RELY ON CHANCE

Needless to say, the wrong cable choice can result in an expensive mistake for both installers and end user clients, delaying projects and incurring avoidable added costs. That’s why it’s more important than ever to work with a cable supplier that you can trust, who understands everything from legislative requirements to product performance, and delivers exceptional service at competitive pricing to meet budgets and deadlines.

After all, your reputation depends on it, and you don’t want to leave that to chance, do you?

IMPACTFUL SOUND .

Introducing the Multi Zone Matrix Amp (6x4) 55

A 4-zone, 55W, matrix amplifier which can be added to MHUB projects or used standalone which works with the uControlTM Remote.

Pre-order today. Shipping in March.

UCONTROL HELPS TO MASTER THE MIDDLE MARKET

Smart homes start with AV. HDANYWHERE describes the company’s recipe for success in this growing and important space.

• “That’s beyond my budget”

• “I don’t need all those features”

• “I’d like to start small and build up if and when necessary”

• “I want good picture and sound more than anything”

As an integrator, have you either heard or maybe even asked some of these questions lately?

The control space is dominated by toptier (mostly American) control brands, all very capable but all with some common, potentially limiting factors, not the least of which is costof-entry. This monetary value proposition is becoming a hurdle to both end-users and aspiring new integrators alike.

There is a growing middle market, where performance expectations are still reasonably high but customer budgets and needs are more down-to-earth. For integrators, remaining steadfast in using top-tier control systems could mean losing the project or having to compromise on other product categories (or margins) like networking, displays and speakers, for example, to keep the control system in the spec and to secure the work.

What is uControl?

uControl is a universal control platform built into every current HDANYWHERE (HDA) MHUB and Zone Processor and which, since its introduction back in 2016, has evolved to become a genuine alternative to mainstream toptier control systems when budget and feature set are not required to be all-encompassing. With the introduction of uControl Zone Processors, integrators are now able to include other smart systems into HDANYWHERE installations, further cementing HDA’s unique ability to offer everyday smart home functionality fully installed for less money than traditional control solutions.

What can uControl do (for you)?

We believe that the smart home experience starts with AV. Watching or listening to something forms the core of almost every end-users daily interactions with their home technology. This was a defining reason for building uControl, giving HDA users a simple, unified control experience of their AV sources and displays without additional hardware costs and enabling integrators to deliver neater, smarter AV experiences throughout the property more easily. For many middle-market customers, this already provides a large portion of their requirements at performance levels that impress.

Smart lighting is a desirable luxury convenience most readily accessible to build into the framework of the home and, with the inclusion of a relatively inexpensive uControl Zone Processor, scene integrations over IP from Rako, Lutron Ra2, KNX and even Philips Hue can easily be incorporated into the uControl user experience, be it via the mobile apps, Apple Watch App, voice or 3rd-party keypads (like Rithum Smart Switches). Eagerly anticipated later this year is the introduction of the uControl Remote, a hand-held device that enhances HDANYWHERE’s ability to offer an affordable interface to suit almost every user in every room. Smart relay control (for motorised blinds, for example) and smart PDU control of brands like GUDE, for example, add even more power to the uControl experience integrators can offer their customers, meaning HDANYWHERE system owners now have unified control of their essential media, music and mood needs for prices considerably better suited to their budget or functional requirements.

Is uControl for you?

HDANYWHERE is singular in its resolve that uControl offers not only an easy, intuitive user experience but also an easy setup and

commissioning experience for integrators. Less time on site is good business for integrators as it frees them up to do more projects in a period and/or meet budget expectations without sacrificing margin. uControl is not in any way trying to be promoted as a competitor to top-tier control systems, but rather the only holistic alternative in their product category for when traditional control systems are either too expensive or overkill for an application. In fact, courtesy of the class-leading API developed to facilitate uControl, HDANYWHERE has some of the best integration with leading control brands on the market. This ensures consistent brand application across projects that do or do not include a third-party control system and leaves an upgrade path for both the end-user and the integrator for when the customer’s needs evolve beyond what uControl offers.

The uControl ‘zero-programming’ architecture means that learning how to set up and deploy HDANYWHERE systems is both a straightforward and relatively inexpensive affair with no need to have a deep knowledge of specialised software or systems. For established UK integrators or professionals looking to enter the AV and smart home space, the best way to learn how uControl could help grow their businesses is to sign up for an Advanced two-day course at HDANYWHERE’s HQ in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Visit hdanywhere.com/training for more information.

Sanus Premium Mounting Solutions and AV Accessories

Sanus Premium Mounting Solutions and AV Accessories

Sanus Premium Mounting Solutions and AV Accessories

Premium TV Mounts

Premium TV Mounts

Premium Racks

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

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

Premium TV Mounts

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

Premium Racks

Premium Racks

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

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

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

Get have products. complements new stands,

Sonos® Accessories

Specialties

Sonos® Accessories

Sonos® Accessories

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

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

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

Specialties

SANUS has everything needed to complete an AV set up - from soundbar mounts and cable management tunnels to AV component shelves and projector mounts, we’ve thought of every detail to ensure every set up is finished to perfection.

Specialties

SANUS has everything needed to complete an AV set up - from soundbar mounts and cable management tunnels to AV component shelves and projector mounts, we’ve thought of every detail to ensure every set up is finished to perfection.

SANUS has everything needed to complete an AV set up - from soundbar mounts and cable management tunnels to AV component shelves and projector mounts, we’ve thought of every detail to ensure every set up is finished to perfection.

CUSTOMISATION AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Clint Choate, Security Market Director at Snap One, explains what consumers want from their home security systems.

With the latest advancements in AI security cameras, homeowners can set and edit individual preferences depending on what matters to them. This way, they won’t have to be bothered with constant notifications of insignificant or irrelevant events – or worry that their system isn’t notifying them of legitimate events. Furthermore, AI-powered home security cameras and systems allow homeowners to upload footage to the Cloud where it can be stored, edited, and reviewed as needed.

STRENGTHENING THE RESIDENTIAL PERIMETER SECURITY

Home security is an ever-evolving market with exciting new technology solutions emerging every day. To be at the forefront of the industry, integrators must stay in tune with what consumers want and what their main concerns are when it comes to home security, including a greater push towards customisation and flexibility, as well as realising the power of artificial intelligence and strengthening perimeter security.

Consumer expectations and tastes are always evolving, and it’s up to distributors and manufacturers to make sure they’re offering the latest solutions that can be customised to meet, and even exceed, those dynamic customer needs. Security has moved beyond a one-sizefits-all approach and strong home security is as important in a family home in suburbia as it is in a luxury apartment.

Additionally, home security is especially important for homeowners who spend extended amounts of time away from their homes, be it for work or leisure. Customers should be able to trust their system to reliably protect and monitor their vacant property and send the necessary alerts when a potential threat is detected. If you’re going away on holiday, the last thing you want to worry about is the security and safety of your other property.

The right security system installed in the right space can be extremely powerful and provide the highest levels of protection, giving customers enhanced performance, efficiency, and, perhaps most importantly, greater peace of mind so they can relax and enjoy their homes to the fullest.

HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF AI

Many consumers have begun looking to AI-powered security systems to personalise their home safety, with more intelligence and flexible options to fit their lifestyle needs. AI-powered home security cameras, specifically, are growing in popularity as part of this trend. These types of cameras give homeowners greater visibility into what’s going on around their homes and addresses concerns in a faster and more efficient way than standard systems.

Within security cameras, AI can detect and record different events and potential threats accurately and effectively, helping identify intruders faster than standard security cameras and potential holes or gaps in a homeowner’s security system. AI technology allows homeowners to set more sophisticated rules, beyond simple rules such as detecting people or vehicles. For instance, homeowners can track the direction of vehicles and therefore set alerts specifically for vehicles entering or approaching their property, but not for vehicles that are leaving. These types of advanced technologies offer homeowners more relevant and targeted insights and, therefore greater control, over what’s happening around their homes and properties. As a result, people can feel safer and more comfortable both while at home, away for a few hours, a whole weekend, or longer.

Homeowners are also increasingly concerned with their perimeter security which can extend to the edge of one’s property or even beyond. A near perimeter can be the exterior of the home and includes all potential entry points to the physical structure, like doors and windows. The far perimeter can be defined as the property line and is oftentimes established by the fence line, drive, or pavement. Key areas of concern include places where packages are delivered and may be left unattended or places someone may be hiding while waiting for a homeowner to arrive.

Layered detection and automation is an area of interest in residential perimeter security. This can be achieved by pairing sensors, video, and smart home systems together to generate automation and accurate notifications. It’s important to use multiple technologies to crossverify before dispatching law enforcement to exterior zones. For example, if a homeowner has an outdoor motion detector or photoelectric (PE) beams, pair it with video. Fence or fiber optic solutions should also be paired with video. Perimeter does not have to equate to laborintensive or expensive in order to be effective.

Looking ahead, we expect consumer interest in these three main areas only to grow. Ultimately, consumers want greater control over their home security and data, and as a result, greater peace of mind and comfort for themselves and their families in the place that matters most. Therefore, it’s critical that consumers spend the right amount of time and effort looking for and installing a strong security home system that fits their needs and addresses their concerns.

Security Solutions for the Smart Home

LILIN have always been at the forefront of pushing security into the custom install market, developing our first drivers 10 years ago. Our longstanding relationships with the leading Home Automation platforms lets us maintain the deepest possible integration of our products within these systems.

LILIN advocate for strong cyber-security policies and have partnered with Deloitte to develop a rigorous testing process, providing our customers with the comfort of knowing their surveillance system is secure.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

Steve Liddiard, CEO of Merit LILIN UK, has a warning when it comes to making product buying decisions.

In the last few years, one of the key concerns facing the security market is maintaining the security of the system itself. Installers can follow all of the best practice cyber security advice out there; use strong passwords, and lock down the local network - but what do you do if the product itself is designed with backdoors?

The security market has been dominated by the presence of low-cost Chinese brands since the early 2010s, but in the last five years, some of these manufacturers have been riddled with scandals that have brought about questions on security. Leading Chinese brands are often partially owned by the Chinese government, which seemed benign until the introduction of the PRC’s National Intelligence Law (2017), of which Article 7 mandates that all PRC firms

‘shall support, assist and co-operate with national intelligence efforts’.

I’m sure we can all remember the ‘Hik Hack’ interactive map published by the independent camera authority IPVM in 2017, in which they highlighted hacked cameras that had been exploited by a ‘backdoor’ in the firmware that made it possible to gain full admin access to both cameras and NVRs. Following this, the Wall Street Journal launched an investigation into insecure cameras at US army bases, ultimately culminating in the passing of the NDAA (National Defense Authorisation Act) which includes a specific amendment against PRC equipment. The impact of these legislative acts is not limited to the US, as countries across the world have echoed the new requirement

for goods to be NDAA compliant - with many of these requests coming from end users, influenced by the global discourse around personal data, cyber security, and the ongoing allegations of PRC human rights issues.

The suitability of these manufacturers came under further scrutiny as it was alleged that some Chinese companies are involved with the Chinese government’s accusations of persecution against the minority Uyghur population. The allegations are not limited to passively supplying technology - though they have marketed solutions with ‘Uyghur/Ethnicity Analytics’ - they are also contracted to ‘design, implement and operate’ internment camps in the Xinjiang region, with some projects having an ‘end date’ as far as 2040.

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We position the smart home industry as essential to homeowners, allied trades, and governments.

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We connect the professionals who connect our homes around the world.

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CONSIDERING THE IMPACT

How does this impact us in the UK? The combined impact of the above legislative decisions and the wider human rights issues has led the UK to issue our own bans against Chinese-made security products. The Ministry of Defence issued guidance in 2021 ‘not to use/install Hikvision equipment’, followed by the Department of Health and Social Care banning new Hikvision camera purchases in 2022. MP Oliver Dowden made a broader

statement in November 2022, announcing that the government would ‘Cease deployment of such equipment onto sensitive sites where it is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China’ before continuing that departments ‘Should consider whether they should remove and replace such equipment’. As a personal anecdote, we at LILIN have been inundated with tender requests from local councils looking for non-Chinese surveillance, particularly in the

past six months. It seems to us that the NDAA has finally made the leap from the USA, to Europe, and now is being accepted in the UK.

So far, 2023 has been awash with headlines weighing in on the potential risks associated with using Chinese-made security technologybrought to the general public’s attention with the repeated sightings of Chinese spy balloons. Their size- and their novelty- has led to discussions over the danger of Chinese spyware, but as Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson comments, “There has been a lot in the news in recent days about how concerned we should be about Chinese spy balloons 60,000ft up in the sky. I do not understand why we are not at least as concerned about the Chinese cameras six feet above our heads in the street and elsewhere.”

Is it a lack of knowledge of these events, or perhaps the prevalence of OEM products in the custom installation market, that has limited interest and discussion on this topic? It could be that installers do not realise the sheer number of brands that OEM their products from Chinese manufacturers, with independent camera authority IPVM verifying 140+ OEMs from the two leading manufacturers alone in the US in 2020.

As an industry, we need to be more aware of where our products are coming from and the implications this could have on our installations, to best serve our customers’ needs.

DbM AND AMINA

Combining 23 years of experience with the very latest virtual simulation, practical research facilities and a new European manufacturing facility, Amina Technologies is a leader in invisible speaker technology, delivering its innovative product solutions to a global market.

of their building. The Amina team rose to the challenge, testing the possibilities of fully invisible sound for the first time.

The stakes were high, and the agreement was simple: if the product didn’t work, the bank didn’t need to pay, and the speakers could remain within the building, never to be spoken about again. After months of meticulous R&D, their hard work paid off. The Amina team successfully created the first fully invisible loudspeakers, and the bank was thrilled with the result.

D bM AND AMINA JOIN FORCES

the best solutions for their needs. With the support of our partners at Redline, operating from Wickford in Essex, its Amina White Glove installation service provides integrators and customers additional peace of mind that Amina products will be installed, tested and guaranteed by a fully qualified and experienced group of installation professionals.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

THE AMINA STORY

Working within the original team that created the Distributed Mode Loudspeaker Technology in the 1990’s, Richard Newlove, the founder of Amina Technologies, had a vision for the future – to make home, work and leisure environments that little bit more special, that little bit less cluttered, that little bit simpler to use – altogether helping to make life easier for us all. He recognised how DML technology could find a whole new basis for disguising high performance audio reproduction devices as everyday products – a painting on a family room wall, a projection screen in a board room, a ceiling tile in an office, a hanging banner in a retail store, thus rendering the audio technology itself, completely unobtrusive.

At first, Amina created one-of-a-kind architectural pieces that were also loudspeakers. Each piece was custom-made, working with the client to create artwork or a particular function within the environment that also doubled to recreate audio that filled the space with sound. They quickly gained a following among those who valued both aesthetics and high-quality sound.

But it wasn’t until a German bank approached the company that Amina truly began to push the boundaries of sound technology. The bank wanted a completely invisible product, which would be seamlessly integrated into the fabric

Even though the respective headquarters are just a couple of hundred metres apart, DbM and Amina have a synergy that goes beyond simple proximity. With the recent partnership, the two companies have been able to combine expertise, bringing together DbM’s high-performance solutions with Amina’s cutting-edge invisible audio technology.

Customers are able to have a fully immersive experience that highlights the possibilities of their combined services thanks to DbM’s state-ofthe-art demo space and Amina’s own facility, an extended section of which will open later this year.

Amina considered a partnership essential with DbM as the distributor has firmly established itself in curating very highperformance AV solutions for every part of a client’s home. DbM’s extensive product range provides a complete response to their customers’ needs, whether it be for audio, video, processing, amplification, projection and AV control. With the inclusion of Amina invisible sound, DbM is now able to provide an even broader solution, allowing clients to add incredibly discreet technology to spaces where it does not want to be seen – just heard.

One of the key benefits in partnering with DbM is its supportive technical knowledge, advice, engineering and specification service. From the initial concept to the final installation and beyond, the DbM team collaborates closely with Amina and with customers to develop

The Amina Mobius 5i fully plastered over invisible speakers, which offer incredibly wide dispersion and a low correlation acoustic energy wave to facilitate positive boundary reflections, are perfect for creating high clarity, immersive, room filling soundscapes, even in the most modern open plan spaces.

The new Amina ALF100SM ‘almost’ invisible bandpass subwoofer features a very high-performance low profile 10in driver and offers a convenient installation process, a shallow footprint (fits within 4in deep studwork) and delivers impressive, powerful bass through a discreet narrow slot. Drawing on traditional subwoofer technology to add a powerful fully extended frequency range sound source –moving all the way through to room shaking bass for multi-channel surround sound systems – the ALF100 provides a range of 30Hz –160kHz (- 6db) in a screw-to-stud format for spaces with limited space available in-wall or in-ceiling.

Combine the two and the result is a crisp, clear and incredibly powerful, all-encompassing audio experience allowing the creation of a substantial media listening field or full cinema surround experience without sacrificing any design aesthetic. Both products can be covered with a multitude of surfaces making it one of the most adaptable speakers on the market, providing your client with one of the most elegant spaces imaginable.

For more information, contact DbM at sales@distributedbym.co.uk or visit www. distributedbym.co.uk

ART OF SLOWDOWN

By now I’m sure you would have heard of the acronym ‘Ci-Fi’ (Custom Install High Fidelity). For those that aren’t familiar with the term, it’s an acronym that I created some time ago to help focus the industry toward the (inevitable) growth in demand for better engineered and higher performing audio and cinema solutions.

You could say that I have been an evangeliser for the benefits of well-engineered audio solutions for a long time, and it seems that I was onto something with CEDIA, CE-Pro, Future Source and other industry surveys/ reports outlining the increasing demand for high performance and luxury audio solutions. It makes sense as automation/control is getting better and simpler, but also saturated and commoditised as price vs performance comes down, making it more accessible and less exclusive. The same could also be said of networking and the IT aspects of the projects. This, in turn, leaves more percentage spend to focus on better AV performance, but also a greater focus on wellness, opening up options for up-scaling gaming experiences with driving and golf simulators. So how is best to capitalise?

DESIGNING FOR EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Don Norman from the Nielsen Norman Group wrote a seminal book called Emotional Design. He explained emotion as having a critical part to play in how we all live, something that gives us a value/judgment system. The key

question we should ask is, how do we design to create visceral, behavioural, and reflective/ lasting emotional reactions from our clientele? This necessitates us taking a holistic and customer-focused approach. We must ask ourselves, why? We need to spend time to learn our clients better, so we can deliver the service and performance that solicits positive reactions, ensuring these are long-lasting emotion-based relationships.

THE TOTALITY OF EXPERIENCE OR, DESIGN THINKING

This subject has been well discussed by many esteemed colleagues, but I think we should focus on it more and try to apply it to our everyday thinking. It links perfectly back to the previous point on emotional experience as it’s about applying a customer-centric approach to how we design systems, and I would suggest reading CEDIA’s Integrator of 2027 white paper for more insights.

Being customer-centric in each design requirement is important. We applied this at Fine Sounds UK when we set out to exceed at each customer service experience for our dealers. We simply defined that we should see each interaction from this view: customer -> dealer -> us, this helped to avoid bias. By doing so, we were able to create systems that gave our integrators easy and immediate access to data, which is what they really need to be more customer focused. By taking this approach to CI, you do the same

thing, but as you’re closer to the client, you spend time with them, and can empathise and learn. By doing so, you’ll create an awesome day to day experience. That’s the magic!

The ‘art of slowdown’ is another idea I have been musing on lately. It’s really an antidote of the day-to-day that we all experience. Allow me to explain.

80% of the world use smartphones. 91% of time on mobile phones is spent on apps, and we check our phones on average 200+ times per day – all together, around seven to eight hours per day on average of phone usage! Together with computers, televisions, and the general environment, this all translates into our brains processing up to 74GB of data per day. This is literally changing the shape of our brains and is not always having a positive effect on our wellbeing.

Therefore, we are seeing consumer trends developing around people needing simpler engagement with certain aspects of technology. From an audio basis, increase in vinyl listening is notable – there are obvious increased performance aspects to this choice of listening, but I can’t help but also believe that people are also choosing to ‘slowdown’ in the way they consume music. We can see this is the increase in CD listening. Also, seeing wellness as a focus in integration is about using technology to benefit this theme of slowing down. I can only see this growing in the future as our clients seek an antidote to their busy, data driven lives.

Fine Sounds UK Country Manager, UK & Ireland, Andrew Oattes, argues a new approach is needed to create emotional relationships between systems and people.

LUCKY SEVEN: JAMO S7-27F FLOOR STANDING SPEAKERS REVIEW

We are delighted to announce the return of our trade-focused EI reviews, as our expert and highly experienced reviewer Richard Stevenson lends an ear to the flagship S7-27F from Jamo’s new Studio7 series, designed to offer performance and exceptional value.

Jamo has a rich and sometimes turbulent history in the audio industry since its formation well over 50 years ago. Founded by a collaboration between a cabinet maker and a salesman with a passion for music, the Jamo brand was formed using the first two letters of their surnames, Jacobsen and Mortensen.

Landmark moments for Jamo include becoming the first European loudspeaker brand to produce a THX certified loudspeaker back in 1994, being acquired by Klipsch in 2005 and creating the frankly bonkers cabinet-less dipolar R909 in 2008. I reviewed that very model with its bright red baffle and spent several weeks fending off the inevitable sample return request.

Fast forward to 2023 and the Danish brand has unveiled a fresh new strategy, brand redesign and a new speaker range in the Studio7 series. Bold, affordable, sleekly designed, as only Scandinavian brands seem to know how, and for some Nordic flair, Thor’s Hammer embossed onto the bass drivers.

The six-strong line-up offers a variety of packages for stereo or cinema surround use. All feature 7-degree backward tilt that gives the series its numerical moniker. The acoustic theory suggests the tilt can offer better time alignment between the tweeter and bass driver for a more coherent sound. As several tilted designs before can attest, it also tends

to improve imaging through sound projection up and out into the room as opposed to firing parallel with the floor.

The Studio7 range comprises two bookshelf pairs, two floorstanders and two centre channel models ranging from the entry centre S7-25C at £299 retail, to the flagship S7-27F floor standers reviewed here at £949 per pair. At a chunky 80cm tall by 23cm wide and 38cm deep, the rear-ported cabinets house a pair of 7in (170mm) mid/bass drivers and a 1in (25mm) tweeter. The integrated plinth extends out back to improve stability and incorporates ground-level 4mm/binding post terminals for discrete cable routing.

Key to the technical aspect is a new 1in (25mm) fabric dome tweeter featuring a copper faraday ring to improve sensitivity and set into a sculpted waveguide to fine-tune the sound and dispersion. The bass drivers are a compact design with aluminium inductance shorting rings, said to enhance power handling and lower distortion. Even the crossover is quite ‘up-market’ for a fair-sized speaker at this price, featuring Mylar and electrolytic capacitors, along with iron and air core inductors.

The finish is a light grey or deep blue textured basic vinyl wrap (inspired by the fjords, apparently) over a rounded-edge MDF cabinet, with metal-look driver surrounds and plinth. Each speaker has a colour-matched full-baffle magnetic grille, which makes a nice change from black or black.

It’s a clean, understated look with very good attention to finishing detail at the price - customers are getting a whole lotta speaker for the money. Sprinkle in the well-known brand name and over five decades of Danish loudspeaker heritage, and the S7-27F is starting to live up to its exceptional value billing.

GOD LIKE PERFORMANCE?

If the Thor’s Hammer on the driver doesn’t give it away, it doesn’t take too much auditioning to realise the S7-27F is all about making music and movies fun. Sensitivity is extremely high, giving lots of output from even modest amps, and power handling is up there with the very best in the fiercely contested ‘under £1,000’ speaker category. The S7-27F plays fast and plays loud, and with a clean 105dB showing on my SPL meter during a rather raucous AC/ DC and Red Hot Chilli Peppers session, these speakers seriously rock!

While ardent audiophiles may hanker for a little more subtlety and balance across the spectrum, this speaker uses its slightly ‘smiley face’ EQ curve to put a smile on the face of every listener. Sound is projected spectacularly well out into the room, the bass is deep and solid, and even under serious volume pressure the 27F’s hold together very well. Someone say, ‘let’s have a party’? The S7-27F’s will be there straight away with a tray of tequila shots on top of each cabinet.

The more these Jamos bedded in and the more I got used to their sonic exuberance at either end of the spectrum, the more I warmed to them – doubly so given the remarkably low price. I can’t think of many sub £1,000 speakers that can match their copious power handling, serious maximum SPLs or sheer willingness to entertain. Jamo’s S7-27F is a pair of speakers I would defy all but the geekiest of audiophiles not to like.

Which brings us neatly to their position in the CI toolkit. For cinema rooms with main speakers behind an AT screen, they could offer the perfect plug-n-play stereo music speaker when the user doesn’t want to mess about with Room-EQ and various sound formats. If the

smaller Studio7 speakers and the S7 centres match the 27F for sonic bravado and efficiency, I can see a Studio7 package making an amazing 5.1/7.1 cinema speaker set-up for budgetconscious customers that don’t want to go for full install speakers.

CEDIA PRIORITIES

CEDIA recently hosted its Annual Meeting at ISE 2023 in Barcelona. Here, Matt Nimmons, Managing Director of CEDIA EMEA, provides an update on four priority areas for the coming year.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

With many integrators admitting that the biggest issue facing their business is staff recruitment and retention, addressing the labour shortage is a key focus for CEDIA in 2023.

CEDIA has established a three-pronged approach for getting more people into the industry:

• Equip CEDIA members with tools to present the industry to classrooms of students

• Allow students to join CEDIA as student members

• Provide students with the opportunity to attend CEDIA Tech Summits

CEDIA has hit the ground running with this plan and launched CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit, a collection of free resources designed to help integrators forge connections with local talent pipelines. The kit includes ready-to-use resources employers can present to colleges, trade schools, government agencies, community centres, and more.

These resources make it easy for the CEDIA channel to give polished career fair and in-class presentations; educate career counsellors about the industry; and offer leave-behind assets for guidance offices, career centres and employment offices.

In addition to general community outreach, CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career

Toolkit includes tools to expedite hiring and recruitment. The kit offers customisable messaging examples for job descriptions, email, and social correspondence with target recruits, and phone interview scripts. These resources can help employers post open positions faster to jobsites, including CEDIA’s Career Center, and communicate more effectively whenever they need to hire.

As part of the NextGen initiative, CEDIA is waiving the fee for job postings in its Career Center. For a limited time, CEDIA members and non-members may list full-time, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities for free with code: NextGen23.

Building on this initiative, CEDIA has also launched a UK Smart Home Recruitment and Salary Survey and is calling upon the industry to play a role in generating valuable information for both job seekers and employers in the smart home space. Open to all home technology integrators, electrical contractors, security installers, IT professionals, manufacturers, and distributors, the survey is now live and will remain open until March 24.

This short survey will gather insights into the current state of the smart home job market, including demand for specific job roles, most common salary ranges, and the top benefits and perks offered to employees in the industry.

We believe this survey will provide us with key information to support our commitment for finding new talent and defining career opportunities within the industry. We encourage everyone to get involved as your insights play a critical role in CEDIA being a valuable link between skilled labour and industry employers.

CONNECTION

CEDIA aims to bring the industry together at every opportunity throughout the year, and the Tech Summits are a fantastic way to do so. These events provide practical business development opportunities and a valuable networking platform for all involved in the industry.

We are hosting three UK events in spring and summer 2023, beginning at the Business Design Centre in Islington in London (April 18), followed by Tech Summits in Leeds (May 24), and Edinburgh (June 7).

To find out more information on the London event and to register, please visit: https://cedia. net/connection/tech-summits/london.

DESIGN BUILD AWARENESS

Design professionals play a vital role in residential projects and are a key partner for technology integrators. CEDIA is continuing its efforts in this area in the year ahead by:

• Equipping integrators with the tools they need to build engagement with design professionals

• Directly engaging with this community to help CEDIA with its strategy

• Building awareness of the industry to design build professionals through marketing

We currently offer four CPDs that integrators can deliver to design professionals:

• Designing the Connected Home

• Introduction to Integrated Lighting Design

• Cabling for the Integrated Home

• Designing Home Cinemas and Media Rooms

A fifth CPD is under development entitled Outdoor Technology: Extending The Living Space, which will give those integrators who complete the CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) programme great tools to present and engage with the design build audience. More information on the COI programme and the content available to deliver to designers and architects is available from Imogen Dent at the CEDIA office.

As part of our efforts to build stronger relationships with these influential audiences, we are aligning more closely with trade bodies representing design and build professionals,and are looking at creating an industry advisory council that will be made up of architects and designers. This will ensure that any activity CEDIA pushes forward will have come directly from this community.

CEDIA’s marketing team – headed up by Vice President of Communications, Christine DeJoy – is concentrating on the design build audience and is engaging in new marketing activities to ensure the CEDIA brand is front and centre. Increased SEO and paid advertising have already allowed CEDIA to take a step forward in this area, with additional efforts in the pipeline.

GLOBAL STRATEGY

CEDIA has created a new strategic plan that aims to develop a stronger global presence by investing in key countries and regions where there are significant opportunities.

The team has focussed on differentiating its two fundamental aspects: Global Engagement and Global Development.

In Global Engagement, CEDIA recognises the importance of interaction with new and existing members in various markets to help raise CEDIA’s profile, encourage engagement with CEDIA programmes, and build membership.

In parallel, CEDIA is also committed to Global Development where CEDIA will commit to investment into territories where there is an opportunity for significant growth and a more established and consistent presence.

There are exciting times ahead, and we look forward to working with the industry on these and other initiatives in 2023.

CEDIA

MAGNIFIQUE MULTIZONE DELIVER HERMÈS INSPIRED HOME THEATER

Pro Control helps deliver simple control for a refined, elegant home cinema in the south of France – courtesy of install experts Multizone.

With a vision and the right tools, any space can become a masterpiece. That was especially true when integration company Multizone took on a home cinema project at a Provençal-style farmhouse located in the southern French region of Hérault that was undergoing renovations. MultiZone is a family, THX certified, company located in Montpellier, and has specialised in the creation of private cinemas for 23 years. This project came into the company via the Dom Deco Création architecture agency based in Montpellier, which entrusted Multizone with

the project. Multizone provided the customer with a demonstration in the company’s 20M² private cinema room, which impressed them. During the demo they were able to get a clear picture of high-performance imaging and hear Dolby Atmos surround sound.

The homeowners envisioned a dedicated home cinema that would deliver an elegant cinematic experience. They identified the unfinished storage space above the garage as the perfect space, furnished with state-of-theart technology and luxury finishes, as designed

by interior design company Dom Deco Creation. The details were an important part of achieving that vision, especially went it came to controlling the technology in the room.

Designed in a mix of contemporary style and inspired by the great French luxury design houses, such as Hermès, Multizone’s Antonia Davin transformed the unused room. The private home cinema invites up to eight guests to relax in the Oray adjustable recliners, upholstered in a buttery tan leather - reminiscent of the iconic French brand. The walls are covered in royal

blue sound-absorption panels, and accented with modern lighting features and a star ceiling that bathes the room in a soft glow. For video, Antonia installed a JVC DLA-N5 UHD 4K projector with a Lumene projection screen; an Apple TV and a Sony UBP-X800M2 UHD 4K Blu-ray player as the video sources. The room’s audio includes a Elipson Infinite Series speaker system and an ARCAM AVR20 receiver.

While providing high-def video and audio was vital to achieving a true cinematic experience, it was equally important that the homeowners could easily control every component. From effortlessly powering up every piece of equipment to having a digital movie selection that felt high-tech yet intuitive, the control system needed to be personalised, easy to use, and elegant. For that reason, Multizone chose the Pro Control R Series.

Pro Control was created to deliver an ‘exceptional’ control experience in media rooms and smart home theaters. It features a sleek user interface that Antonia was able to program easily with the wizard-based Pro Control Studio software. The ProLink.r processor stores macros and commands to deliver complete system control; for example, turning on the AV equipment and dimming the lights with just

one button. For this project, the Pro Control processor manages lighting via a four-channel Futronix switch. The homeowners use an iPad with the Pro Control interface programmed to the finest detail, echoing the painstaking designer touches in the room.

“From this raw space, we were able to create a haven of technology and relaxation at the touch a button on the Pro Control system,” says Antonia. “When you walk through the door, the experience is magical due to the state-of-theart sound, image, and control technology that all came together with the combination of our know-how, Pro Control, and the tailor-made atmosphere imagined by Dom Deco Creation.”

A HAPPY CUSTOMER

Now up and running, both installer and customer are extremely happy with the results.

Antonia explains, “This project was carried out in several stages because we had to move forward with the progress of the work of the architectural agency. All technical challenges have been mastered despite the lack of manpower and ‘the COVID effect’. We delayed delivering the movie theater to the client because we wanted every detail to be perfect. Moreover, it was received without any reservations, and we had it audited by a videographer and a photographer.

“The wow effect was ensured during the delivery of the cinema when the customer entered the room and everything lit up. It’s just, beautiful!

“Our favourite part is obviously the customer’s satisfaction in the first place. This project took us out of our usual comfort zone and we warmly thank Dominique Covinhes, Founder of Dom Deco Création, for her professionalism throughout this project. For the client, I think it is to have an exceptional place like this to enhance his property that he can show to his friends and enjoy at the same time.”

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

LARGO - image courtesy of ExperienceCyberGroup.com

The Company that Invented the Pendant Reinvents It

From the creator of The Original Pendant Speaker™ in 1985, SoundTube Entertainment has just reinvented the category with the launch of its NextGen Pendants.

Experience high-performance audio in contemporary, form-meets-function, sleek designer shapes

Mighty Mite

• NextGen colors that enhance overall interior design

• Patented built-in subwoofer

• Hi-Z and Low-Z settings

• Wiring made easy

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

Mighty Mite has an integrated hanging bracket at the top of the speaker and comes with UL-listed hanging hardware with cables and integrated SpeedClamp™ self-locking wire grip for fast, easy, and secure installation.

Mighty Mite Pendant Speaker

Essential Kit List

• ProControl ProLink.r Processor

• ProControl ProPanel App License

• JVC DLA-N5 UHD 4K

• Lumene HD Fixed Palace Projection

Screen Woven Trans-Sound Black Velvet Frame - 16/9 format of 300M base

• Apple TV

• Sony UBP-X800M2 UHD 4K Blu-ray player

• Cinema Elipson Infinite 7.2 speaker pack 3x Infinite 14, 4x Infinite 8, 2x Infinite S12, 2x Infinite 8

• ARCAM AVR20

• iPad Mini

• ORAY custom seating

Snap One has announced the availability of the ClareVision Color At Night series high-performance IP surveillance cameras that leverage wider apertures, Sony Starvis sensors and integrated LED lighting to deliver improved night time performance and visibility.

By replacing IR illuminators with newer technologies, the Color At Night series eliminates IR reflections from rain or snow while the use of PoE and the integrated light enable installation in unlit, unpowered locations without the need for new high-voltage wiring. This can greatly reduce the cost of surveillance installations as both the camera and LED light operate on low voltage wiring that doesn’t require a licensed electrician or conduit. It is described as an ideal solution for properties with little or no exterior lighting, or dark spots such as alleys or landscaping.

Where infrared cameras provide blackand-white night time imaging, the new Color At Night series captures full-color images in low-light environments, and even in complete darkness with the help of the integrated warm white LEDs. This leap in capability offers homeowners and businesses greater night time security and peace of mind, providing much clearer videos with greater detail that can help identify bad actors after a security incident.

The Color At Night series includes 4MP (megapixel) and 8MP models with a fixed 2.8mm lens in either bullet or turret style, plus 8MP models in bullet or turret style with a motorized 2.7mm-13.5mm varifocal lens. The 8MP models can record up to 4K resolution at 25 frames per second. The 4MP models come with a 32GB micro SD memory card and both the 4MP and 8MP models support micro SD cards up to 512GB.

All six Color At Night models feature power over ethernet capability and Smart AI events including people, intrusion, line crossing, loitering, and people gathering detection. Each model is available in black and white, for a total of 12 available camera SKUs, and are NDAA compliant.

SONUS FABER ASTER GO OUTSIDE

The Aster is Sonus faber’s first exterior speaker, and been created to bring an enriching natural sound to home and hospitality facilities outside spaces. Astra’s design adopts a slim streamlined shape to fit with elegant spaces. The organic shape is a crucial element in the Sonus faber design language.

The symmetrical positioning of the passive radiators was included for the acoustic advantages it delivers, but the speaker’s compact form does not impact sound reproduction.

“Sonus faber has always represented more than just a product for me,” says Livio Cucuzza, McIntosh Group Chief Design Officer. “It is a way of seeing things, but above all an acoustic and aesthetic philosophy in which to identify. So why limit yourself to the home environment? Aster interprets the desire to expand the horizons of Sonus faber and offer moments of pure sound enjoyment outdoors and in public spaces.”

The mounting bracket system is designed to be as simple and functional as possible. The

installer screws the wall bracket to the wall and then installs the cabinet and the other half of the bracket with a quick and easy turn thanks to the bayonet system. The spring mechanism inside the cabinet allows the installer to tilt the speaker in small 15° increments without having to adjust the system with a screw.

Sonus faber sonusfaber.com

Accessories including junction boxes and wall brackets are available in both black and white

Aster in latin means ‘star’, a name chosen to fit with the attitude of these speakers to face the sky

Z50 KNX Touch Panel The new generation arrives

• 5” touch screen

• 96 control points distributed over 12 pages

• Remote Control via Zennio Remote app (requires license)

• GetFace video intercom communication (requires license)

• Voice control via ZenVoice (requires remote control and voice control licenses)

• Installation in European, British, Australian, American or Italian standard single back box

• 2 A/D inputs for presence detectors, temperature probe or dry contacts

• Built in temperature sensor

• Luminosity and proximity sensor

Get in touch and we will assist in creating tailored solutions for any of your projects

KEF FLEXES MUSCLES WITH THE R SERIES

KEF says the company is redefining soundscapes with the latest generation of the R Series now featuring Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). The R Series is a seven-model range engineered to provide superior performance with more detail, deeper insight and greater excitement, says the maker.

At the heart of the latest R Series is Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a complex maze-like structure where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of the tweeter, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance, explains KEF.

A bespoke 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT is found in all seven models.

The detail and clarity delivered across the R Series range results from a selection of tweaks and modifications specifically for this collection. From the refined tweeter gap damper that tames resonances for improved detail, to the flexible Decoupling Chassis which prevents unwanted vibrations for better clarity. The hybrid aluminium bass drivers have been created to produce tight, deep, and controlled bass, and the enhanced crossover design and fine-tuned signal path are in place to deliver pristine, clean sound.

The R Series comprises seven models, providing listeners with versatility when building their ideal system. A trio of floor standing

speakers, including R11 Meta, R7 Meta and R5 Meta and a bookshelf speaker R3 Meta, reproduce high-fidelity stereo sound for listeners’ favourite music irrespective of the dimensions of the listening space.

The two centre speakers, including R6 Meta and R2 Meta, can also be used in LCR (Left-Centre-Right) configuration. If users want to experience immersive Dolby Atmos sound, the R8 Meta surround speaker is an ideal addition to the system.

KEEP IT DISCREET WITH LYNGDORF AUDIO

Lyngdorf Audio has launched a new in-wall speaker, the D-60. The D-60 extends the company’s Discreet series, designed for custom installations and is the fifth product in this series.

The D-60 has been designed as a highperformance in-wall speaker to be used for front channels with additional woofers, as well as for surround channels. It offers the Discreet series’ highest power handling (200W, IEC), sensitivity (92 dB 2.83 v/ 1 m), and achievable sound pressure level (112 dB).

The D-60 is equipped with a more powerful soft dome tweeter compared to the D-500 inwall speaker, featuring a stronger magnet. The two 18cm / 7in aluminium midrange drivers are equipped with vented magnets and vented diecast baskets, while the inverted surround allows a flat speaker front and space-saving cabinet depth. The tweeter and both midrange units are driven by the chosen amplifier using a two-waycrossover design.

The new D-60 covers frequencies from 22kHz down to 80Hz (-3dB), and is intended to be used with additional woofers for the LFE and bass, for example the Lyngdorf BW-20. In comparison, the D-500 with one midrange driver and two additional passive woofers reaches below 50Hz (-3dB), allowing to use it as a full range speaker, for example: left and right of a TV.

All speakers from the Lyngdorf Discreet series come with their own pre-mounted loudspeaker enclosure, so that no after-market backbox or closed wall cavity is required, and a defined and consistent sound performance can be ensured in different rooms and wall constructions. The D-60 is designed with a lowresonance MDF enclosure, finished in matte black and covered by a white, magnetically held front grill.

The R Series comes in a choice of three finishes: Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut

Lyngdorf Audio lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com

The D-60 production has started at Lyngdorf Audio in Skive, Denmark, and the products are available from March

PMC Distribution UK, exclusive distributor for MartinLogan loudspeakers, has announced the release of two new product lines, the Motion and the Motion XT.

The Motion XT Series comprises four models, two floor-standing, one bookshelf and one centre channel. The Motion Series adds an additional five models, including two floorstanding, one bookshelf, one centre channel and the Motion MP10, a versatile multipurpose solution for home theatre or stereo.

The manufacturer says the new collection represents a class-leading execution using the

most advanced technologies and materials, arguing the new Motion Series offers unmatched performance, while the stunning design compliments the most elegant of interiors with a choice of three finishes (gloss black, walnut, satin white).

The range features a host of audio innovations, including Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeters (FMT), which see MartinLogan’s signature thin-film tweeter technology upgraded with larger magnet structures. This improves performance with lower distortion and higher output, with the highest levels of detail and

KORDZ PURRS OVER SLIMCAT INNOVATION

accuracy, according to the maker. Motion XT receives the highest performance variant FMT technology, the Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion XT Tweeter. With a 40% increase in surface area, the XT Series offers ‘effortless and detailed’ sound in the Motion range. The tweeters benefit from the Folded Motion Waveguide, which ensures consistent performance across a wide range of listening positions while minimising unwanted room reflections.

The bass drivers are also entirely new. Motion XT receives Nomex Reinforced Kevlar woofers for the midrange frequencies, while Motion uses Fiberglass woofers, aligning these series with their in-wall/in-ceiling CI siblings for timbre matching.

Seamless integration of the drive units has been achieved through the development of new McCracken-Vojtko crossovers - the result of combining extensive anechoic and in-room measurements, with blind listening tests and the low distortion philosophy of MartinLogan’s signature Vojtko Crossover.

The new Kordz SlimCat is a complete one-of-a-kind network cable system that delivers all the power of Category 6 in half the size.

Kordz says it understands what systems integrators need to design and install robust, reliable networks quickly and efficiently. Its latest innovation, SlimCat, comprises bulkreducing 4mm diameter Category 6 cable, and specially designed RJ45 crimp connectors and RJ45 keystone sockets for robust, compact end-to-end connectivity.

Finding a one-of-a-kind cabling solution developed to streamline installation in smaller spaces or where retrofitting cable is difficult, SlimCat fills a void in the industry while supporting 100W PoE++ and delivering 1Gbps network connectivity up to 50m.

Illustrating the company’s strong belief in the value of robustness, the new SlimCat system incorporates Kordz’s 2000-cycle latch, the same one used in the patented connector in Kordz’s popular patch cords.

“For some projects, standard Category 6 cable is too bulky to install easily and discretely. Structured cabling is a mature and saturated market, so we decided to approach the category differently by developing a complete Category 6 networking system of products that takes up significantly less space to reach areas that other cabling solutions can’t,” says James Chen, Kordz Managing Director. “The diameter of the unshielded 28AWG SlimCat cable is half the size of 23AWG and 24AWG network cable, highly flexible with a 32mm bend radius, and when paired with the SlimCat Keystone RJ45 Socket, performs to ANSI/TIA-58.2-D Category 6 permanent link standards up to 50m. As always, systems integrators can rely on the Kordz promise of ‘Connectivity Assured.’”

The SlimCat system comes with a lifetime warranty and complies with both EU and US fire rating standards. Components are conveniently packaged in standard lengths in an easily identifiable Reel-in-Box.

Two new product series are now available from MartinLogan

Each component of the SlimCat system has been individually tested during each phase of production for quality assurance

MCINTOSH LAUNCHES MHT300 HOME THEATRE RECEIVER

McIntosh has announced the launch of its new MHT300 Home Theatre Receiver, a 7.2 channel home theatre powerhouse, set to transform home theatre dreams into reality, according to the maker.

The MHT300 is a receiver that offers 120-50W of power to every speaker with all seven channels being driven. For every explosion, car chase, high-speed fighter jet flyby, to the roar of the crowd after a game winning score, the MHT300 will faithfully reproduce the action with full power on every speaker, says the maker. It also supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video on all four of its HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output so the image will feel as realistic as the sound.

Its individual amplifier modules can be configured in a multitude of ways to suit any specific speaker configuration and additional external amplifiers can be connected to power the included Height 1 and Height 2 audio outputs, effectively turning the MHT300 into a 7.2.4 home theatre receiver. State-of-the-art Dirac Live Room Correction enables users to optimise their sound systems and adjust their audio output to the unique acoustics of the space.

“Considering the increase in video streaming services over the last decade, we are excited to share our latest innovation in home theatre with our customers for them to better enjoy their

entertainment in the comfort of their home,” says McIntosh President, Charlie Randall. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact the MHT300 will have on consumers’ at-home viewing and listening experiences.”

The MHT300 includes traditional McIntosh design cues such as its signature black glass front panel, an illuminated McIntosh logo, rotary control knobs, and a familiar form factor highlighted by silver trim all in a robustly built and durable chassis.

MONITOR AUDIO’S GREATER CREATOR

Monitor Audio has announced the launch of the new Creator Series. This fresh approach to the custom installation market delivers high-quality sound and clarity, with a comprehensive, clearly defined range of high-performance in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers, according to the maker.

The new Creator Series features 19 models, 14 in-ceiling and five in-wall speakers, arranged in three clearly defined performancebased tiers. Through Monitor Audio’s partner programme (MAPP), extensive feedback from experienced installers has been collected and analysed. As a result, the Creator Series is a more simplified range and accessory offering, ensuring performance levels are clearly defined.

A standout innovation within the series is the use of the patent-pending Quik-Link’ terminal. This revolutionises speed of installation, says Monitor Audio. Quik-Link allows the installer to remove the terminal block from the physical speaker and pre-terminate the speaker cables to it. Once the speaker is ready to be fitted within its cut-out, the Quik-Link can be offered up to the connection point on the speaker and magnetically snaps and locks into place.

On the four Controlled Performance (CP) models in the Creator Series, built-in back boxes mean hassle-free installation and controllable sound, even in the trickiest of applications.

Across medium and large in-ceiling speaker sizes, the acoustic team have kept the overall cut-out sizes the same as previous models yet increased the driver size from 6.5in to 7in and from 8in to 9in drivers – pushing for greater high-fidelity performance.

Driver technology has also been carefully configured within each Tier from C-CAM tweeters and mid-bass drivers (Tier 1), RST II mid-range and bass drivers (Tier 2), and RST II mid-range drivers and RDT III bass drivers (Tier 3). The Tier 3 in-wall model also boasts an MPD II transducer based on the THX Certified Ultra, Cinergy home cinema series.

Monitor Audio monitoraudio.com

Eco-friendly on/off signal sensing turns the unit off or on when required

Tri-Grip II, is an evolution of the dog-leg mechanism that is stronger and more reliable than the previous generation

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From Snap One, the company that brings you Control4