CEDIA Communicates - EMEA, Quarter 1 2019 by CEDIA EMEA

QUARTEr 1 2019

COMMUNICATES

Movable glass walls? No problem Being a Better Boss: The Importance of Soft Skills Making Lighting Design a Bigger Part of Your Business

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ContENTS

06 16 18 20 24 26 42 52

CEDIA AT 30 Memories from members about CEDIA’s three decades

I AM CEDIA: PHIL DAVIS Meet one of the directors of Manufacturer and CEDIA Member Blustream

A GLOBAL WINNER Check out the media room that picked up worldwide honours

MDU RACKS Designing racks for multiple dwelling units

THE NEED FOR SOFT SKILLS CEDIA’s Senior Director of Education talks about leadership qualities

LIGHTING DESIGN An integrator shares how this component of his business has expanded

PREP FOR A DOWNTURN Is a recession on the horizon? Here’s advice

PSYCH THE COMPETITION How one company used a psychologist to get a leg up

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WELCOME… …to the first issue of CEDIA Communicates for 2019. This year, CEDIA officially turns 30. We’re starting the celebration with a story chock-full of memories from the last three decades — with a focus on CEDIA’s early days — some from folks who were there at the beginning. The reminiscing will continue throughout the year, and I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you if you’d like to contribute. Do you have memories you’d like to share? Some old photographs? Even video footage? We’d love to see it, hear it, and then share it. Feel free to drop us a line. Our Content Director, Ed Wenck, would love to hear from you: ewenck@cedia.org. Beyond that bit of nostalgia, this issue is full of info that’s quite current, including: • A look at the challenges presented by building racks for multiple-dwelling units • How lighting design can become a big part of your business • The importance of “soft skills” for those in leadership positions • How to ensure that your acoustic treatments don’t dampen the home cinema experience You’ll also get all the details on the project that won the 2018 Global CEDIA Award for Best Media Room, learn about IMAX Enhanced, meet Phil Davis, Director of Blustream, and learn more about your new CEDIA Board of Directors. Furthermore, we’ve found an integration firm that’s added a psychologist to their staff to ensure that the company was as “people-focussed” as it could be — and saw both productivity and profits increase. We also recap a recent CEDIA podcast packed with sound advice on prepping your company for a possible economic downturn. Lastly, I hope to see some of you at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam. Be sure to stop by the CEDIA Booth, say hello, and check out our excellent CEDIA Talks. You’ll find a preview of some of the tremendous exhibitors you’ll see at ISE 2019 in these pages. Thanks so much for reading. And thanks for being part of this wonderful thing called CEDIA. All the best,

Tabatha O’Connor CEDIA Global President and CEO

Contact

8475 Nightfall Lane, Fishers, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46037, USA Email: info@cedia.org Telephone: +1 800.669.5329

Front cover image: Audio Images — Inside Out CEDIA Awards 2018 Best Media Room Level III Global Media Room

www.cedia.net

Unit 2, Phoenix Park, St Neots Cambridgeshire, PE19 8EP, UK Email: info@cedia.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1480 213744 www.cedia.co.uk

All material in Communicates is the copyright of CEDIA and any reproduction of said material would require written permission from the publisher. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content published, CEDIA cannot accept responsibility for any factual errors that may occur. CEDIA cannot accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors.

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NEWS IN BRIEF NEW MEMBERS CEDIA welcomes 54 new members across the globe this quarter, including: AUSTRIA > Kiwi Smarthaus

GERMANY > syscomtec Distribution

GREECE > Plasio Computers

INDIA >

CEDIA RELEASES NEW WHITE PAPERS CEDIA recently released two new white papers, An Integrator's Guide to HDR Video and Quality of Light in the Home. An Integrator’s Guide to HDR Video explores the fundamentals of HDR video and how it relates to human vision, and underlines HDR standards, formats, and connectivity to ensure compatible system design and integration. “We have seen incredible advances in HDR over the years to the point that it is an executable display option in home environments, but not without some guidance. This white paper is intended to provide a baseline knowledge of HDR to assist with the specification and deployment of the consumer HDR video systems,” said Walt Zerbe, CEDIA Senior Director of Technology & Standards. The Quality of Light in the Home white paper includes a deep dive into the effects of indoor lighting and colour temperature and their considerations for designers and integrators. It covers topics including the benefits and challenges of human-centric lighting technology, consumers' personal control, wellness considerations for the end users, and installation implications. "Human-centric lighting is an area that we are seeing rapid progress from a technology standpoint," said Walt. "This white paper provides a great baseline for integrators to get familiar with the topic and to be able to talk to their clients about it." Both of these new white papers are available for CEDIA members to download at no cost in the resource library and on the CEDIA Online Community. White papers can be purchased by non-members for $99 at cedia.net.

Smartmakerz

PORTUGAL > Visound Acustica

SAUDI ARABIA > Virgin Megastore

SPAIN > Control Experience

SWITZERLAND > Smart Home

UNITED KINGDOM > 1314 Electrical Services Audio File 1Source Bawtry Home Cinema Brightlights Solutions Surrey Cinema Rooms Cotswold Home Cinema Crisp Accountancy Elding Projects Infracore Home Technology Consultancy John Ross Hifi KM Specialist Electrical Services Lake Home AV & Automation Leotech Systems LUUXX Home Automation MODE Automation MW Smart Homes Hamilton Litestat Seriously Cinema Fineline AV Smart It Up

LONDON’S GLITTERING HOME OF THE PREMIERE RETURNS Following an 11-month refurbishment, ODEON Leicester Square reopened its doors in December and is now the home for the first Dolby Cinema in the UK. ODEON and Dolby have partnered to offer film fans the UK’s first Dolby Cinema experience. Dolby Cinema introduces movie-going audiences at this iconic location to the breakthrough Dolby Vision projection system that delivers amazingly vivid visuals, whilst Dolby Atmos provides moving audio which fills the cinema and flows all around you so that every person will get a truly immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience, no matter where they are in the 800-seat auditorium. The ODEON Leicester Square site has been lovingly restored to blend the historic glamour and charm of the original venue (first opened in 1937) with state-of-the-art luxury and technology whilst carefully preserving the significance of the auditoria. www.dolby.com/us/en/platforms/dolby-cinema.html

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The interviewees include:

Eric Bodley, Future Ready Solutions and Bodley and Associates

(CEDIA Fellow, 2017 CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, and CEDIA Fellow)

Hal Clark, Commercial Electronics (Founding Member)

David Graham, Grahams (Founding Member UK, Former Chairman UK) David Humphries, Atlantic Integrated (CEDIA Chairman of the Board)

Tabatha O’Connor, CEDIA Global President and CEO

Marilyn Sanford, LincEdge (CEDIA Fellow, Founding Member Canada) Joel Silver, Imaging Science Foundation (2018 CEDIA Lifetime

Achievement Award Winner)

David Weinstein, Lutron Electronics (CEDIA Board member)

As CEDIA approaches the 30th anniversary of its founding (it became an association in November of 1989), we are speaking with a variety of members on CEDIA’s history and impact.

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On the founding of CEDIA

David W: CEDIA was founded almost thirty years ago by a group of young home technology professionals who dealt in specialties such as two-channel audio in the early days of home theatre. They banded together to develop an organisation that would serve the best interests of the home technology professional and increase the awareness among manufacturers. Hal: CEDIA brought together people who were passionate about what they did and how they cared for their customers. I could share in the knowledge and devotion the various companies, techs, programmers, audio/video geeks, and business owners brought to the early years of CEDIA. It became a specific “culture” of the future. Tabatha: They had a vision. They had a passion. They wanted to be able to take what they loved to do and have people understand it. Get it

out into the world and to be taken seriously. David G: We set up the first UK chapter in 1996. I was amongst one of the thirty or so companies that got involved in setting up the chapter, as we called it then, in the UK.

On CEDIA as a family

Marilyn: There are people in the CEDIA community who are lifelong friends now because I think we share something great, and they’re all part of building something great. It's really collegial, it's meaningful. That really creates a glue — a real attraction, commonality. Tabatha: I came to CEDIA from another organisation, and it was a very competitive environment. At CEDIA, I was seeing firms helping each other: "Hey, do you need help? I'll come help you put the design together. I'll help you with the install." That to me was about being a family; about being a community. You're still seeing

that today. That's also where we're seeing the passion that inspires people to become volunteers. You never know how many volunteers are helping out on any given day. David W: I think it's exciting that this industry is very synergistic in terms of people sharing ideas, people sharing best practices. It's not a cutthroat, competitive industry — everybody recognises that by working together to support the interest of the industry, and our end-user customers, is a rising tide that floats all boats. Joel: Coming into the CEDIA world was rewarding on many levels, but the single most rewarding level was meeting like-minded people, meeting wonderful people who all want to do the right thing for their clients. It's a pleasure and a privilege to be able to sit with some of the brightest people on the planet who share your mentality, who want to move the industry the same way.

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On memories of CEDIA Expos past

Eric: When I was with Sound Advice, a gent named Barry Fast came to me and wanted me to sign off on a trip. There was something going on in Amelia Island in 1989 and it was $500 and was the first conference for something called “CEDIA.” I said to Barry, what is a CEDIA? Long story short: I wound up going. And that weekend, I would say, changed my life. I met 400, maybe 500 companies, business owners, and manufacturers. It was at a little resort called Amelia Island Plantation and no one who was there will ever forget the tent: It had to be 200 degrees inside this tent. And on the ride back, I really thought about what I saw and I realised this is where the industry is going to go. David H: I was at the Expo in 1998 in New Orleans that got hit by a hurricane. There was a foot and a half of water on Bourbon Street. It was funny because I was doing training for the manufacturer I worked for at the time, and it was completely sold out. We got there by canoe, but we all got there. Marilyn: The first one I went to was in Dallas (I think it was 1994). So, you've probably heard the stories about that, where there's the big field and the open forum, lots of great music. It was a celebration essentially of sharing a great industry. At the same time, you could connect with suppliers, understand a little bit about where the technology was going, and learn from some of those great personalities that we all know — it was so personality driven then. Hal: Some of my favourite memories: Having a chance to work for some of the finest CEDIA Award-winning

companies, with Mitchell Klein’s Media Systems in Boston, Russ Goddard’s Audible Difference in Palo Alto, Randy & Bob Stearn’s Engineered Environments in Oakland, and Commercial Electronics in Vancouver. Interacting and learning from some of our industry’s major innovators: Tom Holman, Ray Dolby, Sam Runco, industry influencers like Maureen Jenson, Joe Silver, and David Humphries. Winning awards at CEDIA were great affirmations. But probably the most meaningful events were at the early CEDIA Expos in San Francisco in 1991 and especially Dallas from 1992-1996 where you could get a small group of fellow integrators in a bar, a niche, or small enclave and talk for hours about our work and how to get better at it! David G: The highlights of my CEDIA membership were being the chairman of the UK chapter and being thrown off the stage at our Brighton Expo while I was trying to sing Mustang Sally and nobody appreciated it, which was a great opportunity missed by many. Seriously, though — the annual Expos, many of which I've attended in the U.S., were vital to developing my knowledge and my staff's knowledge as well. Now of course, we have ISE here in Europe — yet another great opportunity to meet other like-minded people and make some good friends.

On CEDIA's growth and evolution

David H: CEDIA has changed over the years from a small organisation in the early 1990s, to the leading association in home technology. It’s evolved. As technology has evolved, so has the organisation. You know technologies today that

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didn't even exist four or five years ago, CEDIA's at the forefront of that. It keeps its membership informed. It's great. David W: I think the combination of excellent staff committed to the future direction, the board that is working very synergistically with the staff, our incredible members, and the beautiful HQ that allows us to bring in members, specifiers, and industry associations, has never been greater to forge ahead and really grow through this wonderful association and the vision of its members.

THE CEDIA TIMELINE

1989

CEDIA is formed as an Association

1990

The first Expo is held in Amelia Island, FL

1994

First regional education; CEDIA Australia formed

1996

CEDIA UK formed

1998

CEDIA Canada formed

2003

CEDIA, AVIXA, and NSCA form Integrated Systems

2006

CEDIA, CTA, and NSCA form ESPA

2014

CEDIA adopts new branding; Asia Pacific folds in HQ

2016

CEDIA completes global alignment for Americas and EMEA

2017

Emerald Expositions acquires CEDIA Expo

2018

CEDIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threeyear strategic plan implementation begins: CEDIA purchases The Cinema Designer and Technology and Business Summits

2019

Official grand opening of CEDIA Global HQ in Fishers, IN, U.S.A.: CEDIA offers more training opportunities than ever in its history

On the importance of CEDIA

David G: So, as a business, we wouldn't be doing the things that we do today if I hadn't got involved with CEDIA. We'd probably still be selling hi-fi and home cinema as our main business. Now that accounts for only about a third of our business, the rest being made up of lighting, networking, access control, security systems, everything that encompasses home technology. Without CEDIA, we would never have learnt about those things or had an opportunity to develop our business in that way. Hal: CEDIA represented an industry that gave a musical artist like me a living wage, inspired me to not be afraid of change, and enabled me to help others in a direct way. Marilyn: If you do something as a hobby, that's a discretionary decision, that's something you chose to do because you love it. Now to be able to turn that into a business? Where you can actually do this and feed your family and grow from it, is really special. Joel: We take care of things for people. We don't want them to have to worry about what button to press where.

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Meet the

BOARD NEWLY ELECTED

After this year’s global elections and appointments, here’s your new-look CEDIA Board for 2019-2020.

Peter Aylett Archimedia | Dubai, UAE Peter Aylett has been in the industry for 28 years and currently serves as the president and CTO of Archimedia, which has been honoured with five CEDIA Awards over the past four years. Peter has been teaching on behalf of CEDIA for 19 years and served as the director of professional development in the CEDIA EMEA office from 2005 until 2011 when he joined Archimedia. Peter’s extensive global volunteer experience has been recognised several times, first as the recipient of CEDIA’s 2014 “Training Volunteer of the Year” award and then as the 2015 EMEA “Special Recognition” award recipient. He is CEDIA ESC-D and ESC-N, - ISF-, and HAA-certified.

NEWLY ELECTED

Michael Cogbill ETC | West Palm Beach, FL, USA Michael Cogbill is recognised internationally as an authority in the field of home automation and integrated home systems. His professional career spans over 40 years as an engineer, manager, and entrepreneur. Currently, he serves as VP of engineering at ETC, a leading technology integrator in South Florida. He has been with ETC since 2006. Throughout his varied engineering career, Michael has worked in defence and aerospace systems, founded two companies, and been a passionate advocate of CEDIA since the very beginning.

NEWLY ELECTED

Albert Mizrahi Smart Lab | Naucalpan, Mexico Albert Mizrahi started his career in the industry as the director for Control4 Mexico. During his time with Control4, he opened the first Control4 experience centre in Mexico, and the centre has since been replicated worldwide. Six years ago, Albert opened Smart Lab, an integration company that specialises in residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. His work has won multiple awards including CEDIA Awards. A year ago, Albert opened his own distribution company. He is a Dealerscope 40 under 40 honouree and has won the Control4 international distributor of the year award five times.

RE-ELECTED

Joe Whitaker The Thoughtful Home | Wentzville, MO, USA Joe Whitaker has over 20 years of experience in home systems installation and design, and is an award-winning product designer and inventor. Joe is an active member of industry press and sits on many product award judging panels. Joe is currently the principal of the integration firms, The Thoughtful Home (Residential) and The Thoughtful Restaurant (Hospitality) — operating in St. Louis, MO, and Dallas, TX.

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The CEDIA Executive Committee

David Humphries Chairman Rockleigh, NJ, USA Dave Humphries founded Atlantic Integrated in May 2003. His prior experience was with Lutron Electronics over a 15-year career. David has served as CEDIA Chairman-Elect and Board Treasurer, is the past president of IPRO, and is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Rob Sutherland Vice Chairperson/Chairman Elect Inspired Dwellings, Ltd., London, UK As managing director and co-founder of Inspired Dwellings, Rob Sutherland has built his company and reputation through the smooth and transparent delivery of projects. With more than 20 years’ experience managing in the private sector and a comprehensive background in corporate IT, Rob has personal experience project managing extensive global infrastructure projects for large corporations (BP, BT, and M&S).

Melanie Malcolm Secretary Bespoke Home Cinemas, Leeds, UK Melanie Malcolm is co-founder and co-owner of Bespoke Home Cinemas based in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. In 2016, Melanie joined the CEDIA EMEA Board as a Director. She is the chair of the Smart Home Apprenticeship Trailblazer Committee, served as a CEDIA Awards judge for the 2018 competition, and is a CEDIA Groups member. Melanie is a founding member of the Home Tech Gallery Community. (Melanie was voted in by the CEDIA board to fill the seat vacated by Giles Sutton after he joined the CEDIA staff in July.)

David Weinstein Treasurer Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Coopersburg, PA, USA David Weinstein is Lutron’s vice president of residential sales, responsible for leading sales across the company’s consumer-facing channels. His work with Lutron included roles as senior sales manager, sales director, and sales vice president. Prior to Lutron, he was employed at Yusen Associates, where he rose from salesperson to president.

Dennis Erskine Immediate Past Chairman (ex-officio, non-voting member of the board)

The Erskine Group, Draper, UT, USA Dennis Erskine is an award-winning THX® certified professional theatre designer and acoustical engineer. Dennis is a CEDIA certified home theatre design specialist, subject matter expert and CEDIA certified instructor, and member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Audio Engineering Society (AES), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

NOTE: Other members of the Board’s Executive Committee had not been determined as of press time.

The CEDIA Board

John Buchanan

Meridian Audio Ltd, Huntingdon, UK Appointed CEO of Meridian Audio in 2014, John Buchanan is an honours graduate of the University of Strathclyde and has 20-plus years of international business experience working with market-leading professional audio and consumer electronics companies. John is 45 years old and married with two daughters. His interests away from work include rugby union, cycling, and golf.

Ken Erdmann

Erdmann Electric Inc, Springville, UT, USA Ken Erdmann has been a Utah state-licensed electrician since 1978. As co-founder and part owner of Erdmann Electric, Inc., he ran the low voltage and systems integration component of the company. Ken has served as a CEDIA instructor, committee chair, subject matter expert, and volunteer leader. In 2012, he was made a CEDIA Fellow and was honoured with the CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Matt Scott

OMEGA Audio Video, London, Ontario, Canada By age 12, Matt Scott was running full PA systems. Fresh out of high school in 2001, Matt started OMEGA Audio working in the house of worship market as a consultant before expanding into the commercial and residential markets in 2007 as OMEGA Audio Video. In 2011, he co-founded AVNation.tv, a media company covering the AV industry.

Heather Sidorowicz

Southtown Audio Video, Hamburg, NY, USA Heather L. Sidorowicz is president and owner of Southtown Audio Video based in Hamburg, NY. Southtown Audio Video has been Commercial Integrators’ Top Higher Ed Integration Firms, and in 2015, Heather was selected at as one of their 40 Influencers Under 40. She has mentored for the University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership programme and was part of Allstate's Minority and Women’s Emerging Entrepreneurs Program.

In addition, Tabatha O'Connor serves as an ex-officio, voting member of the CEDIA Board by virtue of her position as global president and CEO of CEDIA.

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TRAINING & EVENTS CALENDAR February 4-8

13-15

ISE

Networking School

RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands

CEDIA, St Neots

Outreach Instructor Course

Introduction to CAD

CEDIA, St Neots

March 4-5

11-15 Boot Camp

Lighting Design Workshop CEDIA, St Neots

CEDIA, St Neots

18-22

25-26

Technical School

Home Cinema Design Workshop

CEDIA, St Neots

AWE, Epsom

April 1-5

1-2 Networking School

KNX Basic Training

AWE, Epsom

CEDIA, St Neots

Principles of Project Management

Sub-Systems Design

Outreach Instructor Course

Accredited Presenter Course

CEDIA, St Neots

Book training at www.cediaeducation.com/courses

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I AM CEDIA PHIL DAVIS, BLUSTREAM Who are you? Phil Davis, Director at Blustream. What’s your company and where is it based? Founded in Australia, with the European HQ in Nottinghamshire, UK, Blustream is the creation of an ambitious team of AV product managers. Utilising a wealth of experience within the consumer electronics and multiroom AV

“

industry, we have set about delivering HDMI distribution products that offer more for the AV architect and integrator. As a standard, all Blustream products offer 4K resolution support and all HDBaseT solutions provide bi-directional PoE, ensuring the integrator has unprecedented flexibility when installing a multiroom video system. Blustream is one of many

THE ONSLAUGHT OF DIY SMART HOME SOLUTIONS HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE NEED FOR US TO DIFFERENTIATE AND ADD VALUE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.

“

manufacturers that partner with One Product, a management company for AV and control brands, of which I am the CoFounder and Managing Director. How did you get into the industry? It was by complete chance. After university, I spent two years backpacking while managing hotels and restaurants on my travels. Upon my return to the UK, a friend from university asked me if I wanted a proper job working as a brand manager for QED Cables. I joined Armour Home Electronics and quickly progressed into managing the sales of several in-house brands including QED, Myriad, Goldring, and Grado. My time was split between developing products for the brands in China and then presenting them to distributors and sales managers across the world. Which home technology do you consider the most important today and why? I have an obvious bias towards video distribution and control. During the last 10 years, I have worked closely with a number of factories and brands at the heart of these sectors. The rapid sales

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growth of AV distribution and control has been an exciting ride to date, and it keeps getting better. How long have you been a CEDIA member? Blustream joined CEDIA in January 2018. Every other company I represent under the One Product brand is also a member. What do you enjoy most about being a CEDIA member? As a manufacturer, CEDIA offers us an amazing platform to engage with the wider industry. The Tech Forums during 2018 grew in importance throughout the year and quickly became the go-to regional events to engage with customers and industry peers. What’s the biggest issue for home technology businesses today and how can they deal with it? The onslaught of DIY smart home solutions has dramatically increased the need for us to differentiate and add value for our customers. When delivering complete home control solutions, it’s vital to sell the benefits of integration platforms that make the smart home experience truly seamless. If there was one thing you could change in the industry what would it be? I would love to be able to standardise 4K resolutions for AV sources and screens. Over the last 18 months, we have witnessed the introduction of many new 4K resolutions, and with that, new multiple High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats. Broadcasters and streaming providers across the globe are all slowly introducing 4K services using different 4K standards, making our job of keeping up a challenge. A good example is SKY in Italy who

is currently the first in Europe to roll out SKY 4K HDR services using Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). Nearly all 4K displays in Italy had to be updated before they could work with the new HLG signals. This market has become the only live environment for us to test all of our new 4K HDR extenders and matrix solutions. What’s the best product that Blustream has launched into the home technology market in the last year? Blustream Multicast is our flagship 4K Video over IP solution. During the past 12 months, we have added a host of new control and configuration features that have really given our platform an edge in the market. The year began with Multicast being deployed in a 1,000-end-point system in South Korea. A successful project in -40° temperatures and multiple venues linked over 100km apart gave us

amazing confidence in our product. Since the year began, we have witnessed significant migration and sales growth for our Video over IP solutions. What’s the next focus for Blustream? Blustream has over 20 new products scheduled for launch in Q1 2019. The focus here is to deliver the ultimate range of 4K 18Gbps solutions via HDMI, HDBaseT, and IP. New products such as the 16x16 Custom Pro and V3 Platinum Matrix will expand our business into new installation categories and price points. If you weren’t in the home technology sector, what would you like to be doing and why? I would like to think in another life I would have been a lawyer or heading up a charity or even an overseas diplomat. I’ve not given up hope that one day I will get the chance to pursue one of these paths.

blustream.co.uk @Blustream_HDBT

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INSIDE OUT BEST MEDIA ROOM LEVEL III: $100,000 and over (Americas) Audio Images 1582 Parkway Loop, Suite F Tustin, CA 82780 USA 714.258.7238 www.audioimages.tv CEDIA Member Since 1995

INDUSTRY PARTNERS Dave Abrams Avical Role: Specialty Consultant Anthony Grimani PMI, Ltd. Role: Specialty Consultant Lori Michelle Max Michelle Interiors Role: Interior Designer David Close David Close Homes Role: Builder

Glass walls can be a challenge for an audio calibration, right? Especially glass walls that open and close. The challenges with this space are apparent: it’s got to sound and look fantastic even when it’s open to the adjacent courtyard. With the room’s footprint set, Audio Images was up to the challenge: “The project already had the poured in place concrete for the front and back walls of the room when we were brought onto the project, but no challenge is too great for our acoustical engineering company, so we set off to find the correct amount of absorption and acoustical treatments to help bring the room back to proper reverberation.” An informal look belies the extensive and precise calibration this room required: “The system was carefully tuned, voiced, and optimised utilising digital parametric equalisation by PMI Ltd. — using a combination of transfer function impulse response measurements with spatial averaging, time varying windowing, and

psychoacoustic smoothing.” The 9.4.2 speaker Dolby Atmos speaker system includes LCR speakers behind an acoustically transparent screen and four compact subs in a “square” configuration. Angled-baffle speakers mounted in the ceiling creates the immersive effect. A Barco Madea projector provides a 4K image to a 1.78:1 screen area. Calibration of the room’s audio and video provide a great experience to as many as 15 people at a time. Additionally, careful power management and an HVAC system designed for reduced noise all contribute to the overall quality of this stunning project. The room even includes a system for the client’s re-discovery of his love for vinyl and includes his “dream setup” featuring components by McIntosh. CEDIA’s judges call the finished product “an absolutely lovely installation,” awarding it trophies for both Best Media Room Level III Americas; and Best Global Media Room.

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” & BEST GLOBAL MEDIA ROOM EQUIPMENT LIST • ADA SAK-16x150 amplifier • Apple TV • Ashly NE24.24M 8x4 Protea DSP audio matrix processor • Audio Images custom framing and enclosures • Barco Medea projector • Cleerline Technology cables • Crestron HR-150 remote • DIRECTV • IOGEAR adapters • Lab Gruppen C 28:4 amplifier • Liberty cables • McIntosh MP100 phono preamp • McIntosh MT5 turntable • McIntosh MX122 AV processor • Middle Atlantic racks • PAC RSIC-DC04 decoupler clips • PureLink HTE III TX/RX 4K HDR over HDBaseT extension kits • Roku • Sony UBP X1000ES 4K UHD blu-ray player • Stewart Filmscreen screen • Triad In-Ceiling Silver/6 Satellite speakers • Triad In-Wall Gold/6 LCR speakers • Tributaries Cable • Xantech 282D mouse emitters

CEDIA’S JUDGES CALL THE FINISHED PRODUCT “AN ABSOLUTELY LOVELY INSTALLATION.”

”

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CHALLENGE AND SOLUTION

Designing Racks for Multiple Dwelling Units

THE CHALLENGE When designing central AV/IT headend racks for super prime multi dwelling units (MDU), integrators are faced with a fair share of issues to resolve. While tasked with delivering all the amenities of a smart home system that clients would desire, we are restricted by having to work to strict budgets, deadlines, and with limited spaces for the hardware.

THE SOLUTION Depending on the size of the MDU project, it is quite common for the developer to look to us to install the necessary infrastructure in the majority of apartments and focus on full installations in the penthouses. However, when it comes to the central head-end racks, the same requirements should still apply to the design for both types of installations. • Space As square footage is key in developments, developers will always try to minimise the space for the central AV head-end racks, which not only creates difficulty in the design but also limits opportunities for expansion later. It’s imperative that we maximise the space, and this should be stressed to the designers from day one so that any potential buyer can upgrade with all the tech toys imaginable. We also need to consider the location of the racks. It’s quite normal for apartments to be occupied when you visit the site to carry out maintenance. We always look to position our head-end racks near the service entrances so that we can visit the property and complete the necessary work without disturbing the client. These systems need to be meticulously designed so that the clients never have to access our central head-end racks and this can be done by a practical approach to the initial specification. For instance, a reasonable budget needs to be assigned to the power distribution for the system. By using managed power distribution, UPS supply, and power conditioning, you can reduce the potential failures. You can give the client the ability to reboot key components of their system with the touch of a button rather than having to access the central headend.

Sam Brunsden

Director of The Next Level

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The Next Level was awarded Best Dressed Rack in the 2018 EMEA CEDIA Awards for its Mayfair House Apartments project, where they provided a very consistent set of racks for multiple apartments. The integrator pre-built the racks and tested them off-site, something that the judges noted as impressive, as often the racks on MDU projects are not given the time and attention that they deserve and are simply thrown together on-site. The judges were also pleased to see good signal separation, looming, and use of cable management, and the fact that great consideration was given to space for future upgrades — something that is extremely important, given the nature of the project.

• Budget

• Deadlines

The budget on any MDU project is always going to be restrained as investors are looking to maximise their profits, but this means that a strong stance needs to be made on the fundamental requirements that we have as AV/IT designers. Regardless of whether this is an infrastructure installation or a complete integration, the requirement for having an air-conditioned space for our central head-end is vital. I have visited numerous projects where air conditioning has been budgeted out or was never requested from the outset, and it’s quite often the reason why a system has reliability issues.

Like any project in the construction industry, deadlines are always important. As a finishing trade, our schedule is usually the one being squeezed, as we are usually the last contractor to walk out the door. This means that the design and preparation that goes into the AV head-end racks is critically important, so that we can reduce the number of hours on-site and ensure our equipment is being installed when it’s a dust-free environment. This can be achieved by installing patch panels on site so that all room cabling can be terminated once first fix has been carried out, which then allows us to build the AV rack fully off-site. This approach gives us the ability to bring to the site a fully wired, tested, and commissioned AV rack, which can bring the smart system to life within a matter of hours.

For digital equipment, the room itself should be no warmer than 75°F. This gives a 10° temperature difference between the room and the recommended 85°F internal enclosure temperature for optimum equipment life. To put this important factor into context, studies have shown that for every 10° rise over 85°, digital equipment life is reduced by approximately 40%! When considering the investments our clients are making on our AV/IT systems, I believe they would all want air conditioning when knowing these facts.

Whether the challenge is strict budgets, deadlines, or space, the solution lies in the design and the preparation of how we approach these projects.

thenextlevel.co.uk @thenextlevelav

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Theatre of Dreams

A new partnership between Habitech and CinemaTech highlights the importance of room acoustics to successful home cinema design. In 1983, US filmmaker and entrepreneur, George Lucas recruited audio engineer, Tomlinson Holman to ensure that the sound of his third Star Wars epic, ‘The Return of the Jedi’ could be reproduced accurately in the best theatres. Along with upgrades to crossover and sound system design, the resulting THX standard required acoustic and architectural specifications to be met — including a floating floor, non-parallel walls, and acoustically treated surfaces — in order to create a “predictable playback environment”. Today, as a symbol of quality, the famous THX badge adorns all kinds of home cinema hardware, but the tech focus has remained resolutely on the audio system, completely ignoring the other half of Mr Holman’s blockbusting ideal. Since the advent of home THX, the elephant in the cinema, so to speak, has been its acoustics. Fix these and the immersive magic of every soundtrack will, finally, be released. Which is why, at the very apex of home cinema design, companies like CinemaTech are doing the fixing. With hundreds of prestigious projects to its name, CinemaTech can apply over two decades of experience to the most exacting delivery of a bespoke theatre environment, delivering the stunning dynamics of high-end AV through elite acoustic and interior design.

THE LARGEST SIGNAL PROCESSOR IS THE ROOM Habitech’s exclusive new partnership with CinemaTech, expressed perfectly by a pristine demonstration theatre at its Basingstoke base, introduces home cinema integrators and their clients to CinemaTech’s Design Service Program (DSP), which generates a unique acoustic and interior design for the space, guided by a showcase of style templates involving material and finish samples, followed by accurate 3D design renders. Its cinema room-within-a-room environment incorporates what is claimed to be the only acoustic wall treatment that works down to 100 Hz from just 3.175cm of profile depth. With a finely-calibrated combination of high/ mid frequency, reflecting/diffusing panels, and lowfrequency absorbers, CinemaTech’s Acoustic Room System tunes the cinema environment to achieve maximum audio quality. HIGH-END HOME CINEMA IN THE MAKING The spellbinding reality of Habitech’s CinemaTech theatre not only confirms the logic behind the unity of room and system design, it also bears witness to the fluid partnership of CinemaTech’s team and Habitech’s appointed integrators, builders, and lighting specialists. Because every project is unique, interaction, inevitably, is elastic. For instance, established cinema integrators may elect to buy-in CinemaTech’s acoustic tech alone, but those new to luxury design will need the support of Habitech’s product guys and trade partners. Simply, the back-up adjusts to fit individual needs in every case. And the glorious outcome for residential home cinema is a quality of design and AV reproduction that redefines the experience. Resurrecting Mr Holman’s big idea, CinemaTech’s services, managed and supplied through Habitech, harmonise the system with the room for a level of home theatre intimacy that just has to be experienced. No doubt George Lucas would approve.

habitech.co.uk

mycinematech.com

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS As an educator, I am often asked to look at someone’s CV and that usually comes with a follow-up question: “How can I make it look better?” While the question is fairly basic, the answer CEDIA Senior Director is much more complex. of Education I usually start my response with what areas to highlight, how to approach the education vs. work experience sections, and end with some ideas about what they could add and what should be deleted. They rarely listen. Probably, if I’m being honest, they just want me to write it for them. Samantha Ventura

Here’s the good news, though: To write a CV is much easier now. In fact, it’s very different from years past when employers wanted to hear much more about transactional achievements and years of education. Now it is much more common to see a person’s strengths, talents, and interests listed on their CV. What changed? The dawn of wanting an employee with a strong sense of soft skills. (Tech people, I’m looking at you.) When I was pursuing my PhD, one of the very first topics I explored was the importance of soft skills in the work place. Soft skills include talents like communicating well, having a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, exhibiting leadership qualities, and more. A person who employs soft skills has learnt to utilise their personal attributes and talents to enable them to work effectively and happily with other people. Hard skills such as typing speed or computer programming ability, on the other hand, will often get more attention because they’re easier to prove because they’re easier to measure. This is especially true in the tech field, where people are constantly asked to “show what they know.” In fact, tech gurus have often learnt their trade both through traditional schooling methods and just from the sheer interest of ‘schooling themselves in the industry.’ Their peers can clearly see their technical abilities, as well as what they know and don’t know. Conversely, soft skills take more awareness of yourself as a person. For some who have always relied upon being known for

their technical abilities, soft skills are often much harder to establish and incorporate into their daily routine because they are more “people-focussed.” This is why some leaders in the tech field may find themselves lacking a bit in this area. They were placed in leadership roles for a variety of reasons. Some have been at their jobs longer than everyone else, others have worked their way up because of their technical abilities, and for others, often there was no other position to move into to justify their larger salary. So quite literally, they fell into their leadership position, without any proper training in the actual field of leadership. This includes knowing how to incorporate soft skills into how these leaders lead, while also supporting soft skill growth for themselves and their followers. This really isn’t their fault: It isn’t that they can’t be good at leading, it’s usually that their organisation offered zero training on what it means to be a good leader, and they themselves often don’t realise they are focussing on the wrong things. If you are reading this and picturing someone this describes, or maybe this is you, rest assured: Soft skills can be learnt, and fairly quickly! Here are some quick tips for what a leader can do to become better at soft skills: • Listen and take feedback openly and without becoming defensive, • Be confident and collaborative, • Be attentive, through recognising body language and making a commitment to openly discuss while being free from distractions, • Be courteous to your followers and what is happening in their lives, • Be a critical thinker, even attempting to think outside the box to solve issues among your team members, • Show empathy, especially if you are asking a follower to buy-in to a change you are attempting to incorporate, and • Be flexible, honest, and motivated. So, for leaders in our industry, as you continue to work to strengthen your organisation, be committed to starting from the inside first. Practice good soft skills among your employees and encourage a much more holistic work environment, supporting the personal attributes of all employees in conjunction with the technical abilities they possess. Your employees will thank you.

Gira mobile door communication With Gira DCS mobile, Gira is setting a new standard with regard to mobile door communication access. The update in the familiar DCS IP gateway enables you to use mobile door communication with the Gira DCS mobile app on your iOS and Android smartphones. And now also via Giraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own portal solution. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secure, as it is highly encrypted via secure data access, which is also used in the Gira S1.

In addition to functions such as keyless access control, DCS mobile offers new functionalities such as Early Media or group calls. Gira DCS mobile was implemented in the awardwinning Gira interface design and offers the user a high level of operating convenience. For more information: www.gira.com/uk

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LIGHTING DESIGN

A CRITICAL PART OF WHAT WE DO In a recent podcast we recorded for CEDIA with hosts Ed Wenck and Walt Zerbe, I commented that 40% of our total business is related to lighting, including lighting design, LED fixtures, lighting control, and motorised shades. Another 40% generally falls into the home entertainment space, with the last 20% spread among the home network, security systems, and other services.

Jason Barth

CEO and Lead Designer at The Premier Group)

Naturally, this amount varies, based on each homeowner’s priorities and desires, but our overall business model has been consistent, with lighting providing the most significant growth over the years. I’m not sure who was caught more offguard by these statistics; the hosts or us. They were shocked that an integrator claimed 40% of their work is allocated in the lighting silo. Yes, we consider ourselves a traditional integrator. No, we’re not an electrical contractor. But, yes, we do have electricians on staff, so maybe we ARE pushing the envelope a bit. And after fact checking myself, I can indeed confirm that on average, 40+% of our new project revenue is directly related to the valuable solutions we provide in this important category. Since the podcast aired, we have been approached on a number of occasions to share how we find ourselves fulfilling this

role with our clients. The lighting conversation unfolds as a natural progression during the project exploration stage when we uncover ALL of our client’s potential needs. During that process, we ask lots of questions in order to gain a more holistic view of the entire project. Our comprehensive turnkey approach, the fact that we’re typically working in every room of the house, and the impact we potentially have on the overall aesthetics, requires that we ultimately understand every aspect of the owner, architect, and interior designer’s shared vision for the home. By collaborating as part of the design team early on, we are able to work together to plan for and implement the best residential technology solutions that fit our clients’ individual needs, aesthetics, and lifestyle, and which truly blend seamlessly within their new home. We refer to this approach as “protecting the design.” Lighting can have perhaps the largest impact on a new home. It has the potential to make or break the aesthetics of each space. You only get one shot to get the lighting right. If you don’t like a paint colour, carpet selection, or even a countertop choice, you can always change it. Tearing up the walls

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and ceilings to run electrical wire and install new lighting is just not typically reasonable. Over the years, we have worked with homebuilders who take a very basic approach to lighting. Perhaps they walk through the home in the framing stage with their electrician and point out where can lights will be installed and mark banks of switch locations with a sharpie on the studs. They include the essentials, such as four cans or a ceiling-mounted fixture in a room with a single switch. Conversely, we have found that some homebuilders and architects create their own more detailed lighting plan with the interior designer adding specific decorative fixtures. Whichever is the case, it is usually revealed in our exploration meetings that no one has taken the lead on specifying the entire lighting and switching plan, identifying the exact fixture type, and confirming the locations based on the actual furniture and floor plans, artwork locations, cabinet elevations, and interior and exterior architectural elements. With the permission of the team, we facilitate a comprehensive, turnkey lighting and switching plan that also reduces wall clutter with single-gang keypads for lighting automation. We like to make sure that we provide the appropriate fixture types and placement that accents the home’s features, offers a beautiful colour temperature, and a high quality of light output to complement the interior finishes with a richness and depth not before seen with traditional lighting. We are already there for the low voltage pre-wire and lighting control. This is just another layer in our project scope. As our lighting business has evolved, we have become a significant distributor for several major essential lighting brands, as well as carrying dozens of niche brands to fill specialty applications. This includes down lights, linear cove and accent lighting, cabinet lighting, stairway lighting, and an amazing line of architectural outdoor lighting. We are able to fill a box on the builder’s checklist by supplying them with upgraded, design-forward products that result in a “quieter” ceiling plane (such as 1,000 lumens of output from a small-aperture, 2” fixture), a consistent colour temperature throughout, and generally, a more upscale appearance. The LED products we specify provide beauty and value. The thing about great lighting is that once you experience it, it’s impossible to “unsee” it. There are a lot of really bad LED products out there, and additionally, some really poor planning, or no planning at all. We have built a client base of lighting snobs who now recognise good vs. bad lighting. They are proud of the knowledge they have gained, and how they “got it right.” We’re extremely excited about the impact we make, and it’s incredibly rewarding when we’re complete and the first thing the client compliments is the lighting (and usually the audio system). There are never any regrets on great lighting. We’re simply happy we can help!

premier-group.com

@PremierGroupIN

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Acoustics Getting the Sound Right for the Home Cinema

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We talk to industry experts who offer advice on how to ensure your acoustic treatments don't dampen the home cinema experience.

NATHANIEL BAILEY Artnovion

BARRY SHELDRICK Meridian Audio (C-ATS)

GUSTAVO PIRES Vicoustic

hat are the key acoustic challenges with home cinemas? NATHANIEL: There is one challenge that we come across time and again, and that is noticeable in around 90% of the rooms we come across — getting the right low-end response in the room. It is difficult to predict the bass ratio that will result in the low frequency sound field that the client expects. This is really important because it plays a huge role in the whole experience of watching a movie, not only sonically, but also physically. It can define the whole “experience.” Most of the time, designers focus only on absorbing energy in the room to make it even or flat, but with cinemas, that approach doesn’t often work. BARRY: The challenge is to control the room without over-dampening it. It is far too easy to fill a room with “acoustic material” that is just absorbing all the energy. This makes the system sound small, flat, and lacking in dynamics. The reason this happens is that we all know that “live” rooms with long decay times sound terrible. The challenge is finding that balance between being too live and being too damped. You can do this by using a blend of scattering panels to break up the reflections (without dissipating too much energy) combined with foamsorbers to ensure the system has superb control of resonances. GUSTAVO: The home cinema listener should be able to clearly hear what has been recorded with minimum influence from external sources, including the room’s acoustics, noise from mechanical sources (e.g. cinema’s HVAC systems), and noise from sources located in the theatre’s adjacent spaces. Furthermore, the noise generated within the cinema room should not be a source of nuisance to potential noise sensitive receptors located nearby. To achieve this, there are mainly three key acoustic challenges one should address: 1. Designing internal acoustic treatment in order to control the cinema’s reverberation time and avoid acoustic defects such as echo, flutter echoes, room resonances, etc.,

ROB NOBLE RockFon

2. Improving sound insulation between the home cinema and adjacent spaces, and

3. Limiting internal background noise levels by controlling noise from mechanical sources. ROB: For the home cinema to deliver good sound quality, the position of the equipment is just as important as the use of sound absorbing materials, such as acoustic wall panels to help with any unwanted reverberation.

hat impact does the cinema environment have on sound quality? NATHANIEL: It’s one of the most important aspects of a cinema room. In the same way as if you have a free standing, top-shelf, video projector system that projects a 4KHD image onto a granite stone wall, you wouldn’t be able to understand the video content as you might have thought when you bought the projector. The room plays the same role in respect to the sound experience, because every detail of that space (the couch, walls, building materials, and so on) will affect the behaviour of the sound field and could be the difference between having the best cinema experience in the world and not feeling it at all. BARRY: All of these aspects have an effect but all of them can be controlled with a combination of room treatment and processor EQ. Generally speaking, we always aim to make the room sound as big as we can, having a large room obviously makes this much easier. Typically, the walls act as a mirror for the audio, reflecting sound. This is why we need to control key areas of the room, especially the first reflection point. Furniture will generally help with absorption in the room and reduce some of the liveliness of the space — this is another reason that it is easy to overdampen a room. GUSTAVO: Naturally, the cinema environment has a huge impact on the sound quality you will be able to achieve. Smaller rooms will have bigger problems in accommodating low frequency content than bigger rooms; room construction elements will determine the sound insulation degree you will be able to achieve between the home cinema and adjacent spaces; and room finishes will determine the room’s reverberation time.

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hat other noise issues are a problem in cinemas rooms?

NATHANIEL: One thing is acoustic treatment, another is acoustic insulation, and both play essential roles in the quality of the cinema room. You may have the best acoustic treatment in a room, and it can result in the most sensational experience when everything else is very quiet, but if the surfaces are poorly insulated, the tiniest outside noise will pass through them and disturb your perfect sound experience. That is why it is crucial to correctly insulate the room from outside noise sources, whether coming from other rooms or from the equipment inside. A common noise issue is vibration — from walls, seating, furniture, anything that can move. The energy levels associated to high-intensity low frequencies are considerably high — if you can feel it, imagine the energy passed on to the surfaces of the room.

complimentary design service. We can advise on room acoustics, lowering the noise in the room, and reducing noise spill from the cinema into the rest of the house. Room acoustics can be complex and daunting to tackle. We work with our dealers to demystify the process and ensure that they deliver awesome sound and picture to their clients. GUSTAVO: Integrators should do a proper acoustic survey of the home cinema room in analysis before starting their work. Generally, wall, ceiling, and floor sound insulation performance should be designed taking into account the background noise criteria selected for the home cinema, the anticipated noise generated in the theatre’s adjacent spaces, and the degree of noise sensitivity of the theatre’s adjacent spaces.

“One thing is acoustic treatment, another is acoustic insulation, and both play essential roles in the quality of the cinema room.”

BARRY: We want the room to be as quiet as possible. The lower the noise floor, the greater the dynamic range and in-room signal-to-noise ratio we can achieve. Ideally, the projector is in a separate room with a double-glazed porthole glass separating it from the cinema. That isn’t always practical, of course, which is why we offer a range of Display Technologies hush boxes, which are designed to deliver the cooling air for the projector without disturbing the film with noise. GUSTAVO: The listener should be able to clearly hear the quietest bits of the film audio track. To achieve a clear and complete film audio experience, mechanical noise or sound from adjacent rooms should not mask these quiet bits. Therefore, as mentioned before, controlling noise from mechanical sources and guaranteeing proper sound insulation between the home cinema and the adjacent spaces are considered fundamental when designing the acoustics of a home cinema room.

ow should integrators deal with these issues?

NATHANIEL: First of all, they should always consult an expert right at the beginning of each project, because there may be problems with the existing structure that can be addressed and prevented before any other installation — as much in terms of determining problematic room modes as structural issues such as rattling or vibration. If there’s a need to increase the insulation of the room, that should always be the first thing on the agenda. Then, it is always advisable to place all the noise sources needed for the room purpose in an isolated adjacent compartment. BARRY: I would encourage integrators to engage with our

Flanking issues should be well controlled in order to guarantee that the in-situ sound insulation performance is not compromised. Attention should also be paid to home cinema entrances, since these are one of the weakest elements in terms of sound insulation. Normally, the use of a vestibule or doors with a greater sound insulation performance than common doors is recommended to maximise the sound insulation between the home cinema and the adjacent spaces. In addition, in order to control noise from mechanical sources, integrators should consider the following: • Locate all mechanical sources outside the cinema room (if possible), • Properly control both noise and vibration generated by the equipment, • Consider encapsulate mechanical sources in order to control radiated noise, • Consider the use of sound attenuators, acoustic grilles, and/or acoustic plenums in order to control inlet and outlet noise, • Install all equipment with anti-vibration elements, • Properly control air velocity within the cinema’s ductwork in order to minimise turbulence, • Avoid crosstalk issues by creating independent ductwork to serve the cinema room, and • Properly seal all penetrations over acoustically rating elements such as cinema walls, floors, and ceilings.

utside of the cinema room, is acoustic treatment a benefit in other applications within the integrated home?

NATHANIEL: We like to tell a story about a typical day. The day begins with your radio alarm, the quality of that music will hinge on the acoustics of your bedroom;

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then taking a shower, the insulation of your bathroom will determine if you bother the neighbours with your singing; on the way to work, if there is too much hubbub at the subway station you may not hear that critical change to the timetable; at work in an open office, your ability to concentrate on what you are doing depends on the acoustic quality of the environment; in the restaurant afterwards, can you relax and have a conversation or is it a shouting match with the next table? At the end of the day, you will only get a good night’s sleep if you can’t hear noise pollution from outside. There are numerous places where acoustic treatment could make a difference, and most of the time, people don’t realise it. Public spaces such as shops, restaurants, and bars can really benefit from acoustic treatment because it can make the whole environment a lot more comfortable. Also, office spaces and hospitals, where you may want lower noise levels and provide more privacy between partitions. Acoustic treatment is often neglected although it has a great impact on day-to-day life, and overall well-being.

Our acoustic experts on their products:

NATHANIEL BAILEY Artnovion

BARRY SHELDRICK

Meridian Audio (C-ATS)

BARRY: Yes, it is. Large, hard surfaces can make conversation difficult in many rooms in the home. Simple use of some treatment can make rooms feel homey, make it easier to understand what is being said, and generally reduce the fatigue of anyone spending time in that space. The same can be said for restaurants, gyms, and many other large, open spaces. GUSTAVO: Nowadays, people are becoming more aware of the need for acoustic comfort within their own homes. In integrated homes, acoustic treatment is paramount to control extremely reverberant dining or living rooms, for example, so that you can enjoy and take acoustic advantages of having an integrated home in all home divisions and not only in the home cinema room division.

GUSTAVO PIRES Vicoustic

ROB: Given the amount of time we spend in our homes, it is no wonder they become more than just functional boxes in which we live; they emphasise who we are, reflecting our life, our style, and our taste. Having the right amount of sound absorption in the home will contribute to a more relaxing space, a better place to entertain, and above all, a healthier environment to live in. Until now, there have been few acoustic, sound-absorbing solutions that were aesthetically suitable for private homes. Making the right choice of surface finishes and materials throughout the home will allow the combination of both modern design and a comfortable living space with good acoustics. One does not have to prevent the other.

ROB NOBLE RockFon

Artnovion products allow you to combine the acoustic performance that the room needs with exquisite designs that will always fit the look you want. When designing the acoustic treatment for a room (typology and quantity of panels and their placement), we are able to shape the sound energy inside that room so you’ll end up with a sound field that fits the ambitions of your cinema experience. Cinema Acoustic Treatment System (C-ATS) is designed to treat the key problems we encounter in every room, by addressing resonance, reverberation, and reflections with a holistic approach. With the Meridian Design and Specification Service, we will take care of the correct placement and quantity of foamsorbers and scattering panels to ensure that the system has a large sound stage, great vocal clarity, and a good sense of scale, but without any distracting reflections. Vicoustic has acoustic products to help you control the reverberation times within your home cinema room, control the first reflections by absorbing them using our extremely efficient absorbers or diffusing them by using our QRD diffusers or hybrid products, and control the room’s resonances by using our extremely efficient bass traps. In terms of sound insulation, Vicoustic has solutions to improve both airborne sound insulation and impact sound insulation issues. Lastly, for noise control, Vicoustic offers several antivibratic mounts to manage vibration from mechanical equipment. Cinema rooms and modern room designs can benefit hugely from seamless acoustic ceiling and wall systems that will discreetly blend with the rest of the décor. Until now, there have been few acoustic, soundabsorbing solutions that were easy to install and none that so successfully delivered the smooth, minimal appeal of Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic. This unique surface solution offers the highest Class A sound absorption performance for both ceilings and walls.

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IS IMAX ENHANCED the next evolution With 4K and Dolby Atmos turning up in everything from AV receivers to smartphones, the high-end home theatre market needs a new performance hero. UK technology journalist, Steve May thinks he’s found one.

With perfectly managed acoustics, aspirational room design, and awesome equipment, technology integrators are always striving to give their AV systems an edge. But when Dolby Atmos and 4K UHD become common, where’s the next step in performance going to come from? IMAX Corp and DTS might have the answer. It’s called IMAX Enhanced. When news first broke of this joint venture to promote a new home cinema standard, the more cynical could be forgiven for shrugging. After all, this industry is no stranger to disparate certification. But an early UK preview of IMAX Enhanced, held by distributor, AWE at its open day in October 2018, hinted that this new industry union could produce something rather special. For this first demo of IMAX Enhanced outside the US, the distributor had exclusively obtained a Marantz AV8805 13-channel processor with early firmware, and partnered it with formidable Marantz and Classé amplification and an impressive loudspeaker array of KEF Reference speakers and Definitive Technology subwoofers.

Crucially, it also secured an early demo disc (apparently one of only two in the world) containing remastered footage from IMAX documentaries and Hollywood movies. The resulting viewing experience was so exciting that after the official playback session, I sneaked back and begged for more. So what exactly is all the fuss about? IMAX Enhanced is an umbrella term. It’s a licensing and certification programme designed to cover AV receivers, display devices, and surround sound processors, as well as a proprietary software encoding and mastering standard for content delivered via disc or the internet.. More details are sketchy, but we are told that hardware suppliers will earn certification if their gear meets “stringent performance standards” set by a committee of IMAX and DTS engineers and movie studio creatives. The approach sounds similar to that taken by THX for its certification programme. The original home theatre standards set in place by THX were instrumental in developing a high-end home theatre business in the early days of cinema

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sound, when Pro-Logic was the preeminent surround codec. IMAX Enhanced software releases will be mastered using proprietary IMAX DMR postproduction software, supposedly to minimise noise in the 4K encoding process and enhance HDR performance, with immersive audio delivered using a variant of the DTS:X platform. Sony Electronics, Denon, and Marantz have already signed up for IMAX Enhancement compliance. The first certified Denon and Marantz AV receivers are already here, courtesy of firmware updates. For DTS, this alliance is also something of a godsend. With Dolby Atmos dominant when it comes to immersive audio, DTS needs a way to make its 3D audio platform relevant again. IMAX Enhanced software also potentially addresses several key problems currently afflicting 4K UHD Blu-ray releases. For one thing, it says movies shot with IMAX cameras and shown theatrically in a full IMAX aspect ratio, will be released full frame on IMAX 4K discs. Given the increasing number of blockbuster titles shot with IMAX that are not being released in the correct aspect ratio, this is a big statement. The news will be welcomed by movie fans eager to see films in the way the director intended.

"A RETURN TO FULL WIDEBAND THEATRICAL SOUND MIXES COULD REINVIGORATE HIGH-END HOME THEATRE"

IN HOME THEATRE? Equally as important, IMAX Enhanced audio will be delivered with the widest possible dynamic range, using a new IMAX DTS playback mode. One demo sequence played by AWE, from the IMAX NASA Space Shuttle documentary “The Dream is Alive,” featured astonishing dynamics. Integrators can’t help but notice the drop in quality of Dolby Atmos Blu-ray soundtracks of late. Blockbuster titles, specifically from the expansive Disney/Marvel stable, are being released with restricted dynamics that barely warrant listening on a soundbar, let alone a high-end system. Anyone hoping to sell premium theatres with these titles will have had their work cut out for them. A return to full wideband theatrical sound mixes could reinvigorate high-end home theatre. Of course, it remains to be seen if IMAX Enhanced gets any traction with mainstream studios, but encouragingly both Paramount and Sony Pictures have pledged support. Let’s hope this amounts to something. The pro home cinema market deserves a new performance benchmark. IMAX Enhanced could provide the next big upgrade.

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CEDIA OVERHAULS EDUCATION PLATFORM AND ADDS TO COURSE PORTFOLIO

EDIA is launching a new, online learning platform and additional courses to create a more relevant and intuitive training experience for professionals in any career stage. The learning management system (LMS) and course offerings are part of the organisation’s global strategy to boost industry professionalism and skill up the workforce, while creating clear pathways toward CEDIA certification. “CEDIA is aggressively focussed on raising the bar for industry training and the new LMS and courses are key to these efforts,” said Senior Vice President of Education and Certification at CEDIA, Tom Darling. “We’re making educational opportunities more accessible than ever before to help build a pipeline of qualified talent.” The new LMS includes tools to customise course selection based on occupation and experience level. Tom said the platform is different and better in several ways, including offering virtual instructor-led training where participants learn live from qualified instructors anywhere in the world. In addition, the LMS supports 58 different languages enabling CEDIA to translate its content for a more global audience and is optimised for laptops, tablets, or smartphones. “Industry veterans will receive an experience more tailored to their needs and professionals new to the CEDIA channel will find educational and career pathways clearly outlined so they know what their training path should look like to move to the next level,” Tom said. Launching first are new entry-level courses including: Jobsite Basics, Introduction to Home Theatre, Basic Networking and Systems Control, Introduction to Audio, Introduction to Video, Introduction to Wiring and Cabling, Introduction to Sales and Marketing, Finance for the Non-Financial Manager, Building

Your Brand, Mastering Cash Flow, Increasing Productivity Through Efficiency, Introduction to Project Management, and Hiring the Right People. Tom adds the courses will avoid what he calls the “death by PowerPoint” style typical of online education layouts by engaging learners in formats that read more like web pages or social media feeds. The content, written and reviewed by industry leaders, aims to engage participants in their career fields — think technician, owner, salesperson, or project manager — and offers “clearly delineated” options to ensure relevance for the user. One year ago, CEDIA unveiled its three-year strategic plan and education and workforce-building initiatives are key. The online training platform and new course offerings will complement initiatives like a 12-

week training programme in the U.S. for entry-level students seeking to become home technology integration professionals and a programme in the EMEA region built on the Smart Home Technician Apprenticeship standard that recently received approval from the Institute of Apprenticeships. “It is essential for our industry that we continue to load and grow the pipeline of talent,” Tom said. “CEDIA’s emphasis on training, continuing education, certification, and workforce development demonstrates our commitment to our members as the need for highlyskilled integrators, tech designers, and trade supplier professionals expands throughout the world.

Our new resources will provide tremendous value for seasoned or prospective pros at all levels and in any area of the industry.” The first slate of new courses is due to be rolled out in the coming weeks and dozens more will debut monthly with a full 70 courses available by the end of 2019.

cedia.net

MHUB 2.0 Six new MHUB 2.0 matrix models. Fully HDMI 2.0 compatible, boasting 18G HDMI interfaces that support the latest 4K HDR video content & Dolby Atmos surround sound. ISE Hall 5 Stand U62

HDANYWHERE.COM

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CEDIA Now Accepting Awards Entries for 2019 Competition

EDIA is now accepting award entries for the 2019 home technology professional awards programme.

"2019 marks CEDIA's 30th anniversary as an association and with those year-long celebrations in mind, there has never been a better time to enter the awards programme," said Giles Sutton, CEDIA Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement. "Year over year, we are impressed with the incredible work our members submit and these projects serve as inspiration for the entire industry." Home technology professional categories include: Integrated Home; Media Room; Home Cinema; Innovative Solution or System; Showroom; Auto, Marine, or Aircraft; and Multiple Dwelling Unit Design. Projects can be submitted in multiple categories, and cost categories will be determined by the judges based on the entries. Entrants will compete for recognition within their respective region — Americas, EMEA, or Asia Pacific. CEDIA will announce finalists in early June and each finalist will be considered for additional sub-category awards based on the region of their primary location. These sub-category awards include Best Documentation, Best Dressed Rack, and Best Lighting System. A panel of design professionals will judge finalists’ projects

for the Life Lived Best at Home Award and the Technology Meets Design Award. The home technology professional Global Award winners are selected from the overall winners in all regions. Full details on the entry requirements can be found at cedia.net/awards. The deadline for home technology professional project entries is Monday 18th March. Past winners will be featured on the CEDIA Technology Council Podcast in the coming weeks to share their tips for entering projects. Some of these winners will also be partnering with manufacturers to talk through their projects, outline the challenges they overcame, and explain the reasons behind their successes at the Main Stage theatre at ISE 2019. Each talk will comprise a 30-minute conversation, hosted by CEDIA’s Content Director, Ed Wenck. Located in the centre of Hall 8, sessions are free to attend on a first-come, first-served basis, with no pre-booking required.

HALL 1 - N110

01684 576 348

sales@oneav.co.uk

oneav.co.uk

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INDUSTRY Q&A

RENEWALS Members Speak on Renewing Their CEDIA Membership

Todd Kang K I Systems

Mike Ranpura Smart Life AV

Abdul Karim Mirani Desert Sound

Philippe Donnet DÉFI TECHNIQUE SA

What was the primary reason for you renewing your CEDIA membership for 2019? TODD For us, it’s all about the wealth of resources and the benefits that we have access to, as well as being part of the larger global community. Everything from education to events and in between, it helps empower our business. Plus, the staff at CEDIA are a pleasure to work with. MIKE I believe there needs to be an organisation, just as in other industries, that continues to help grow and push the boundaries of the AV industry. CEDIA needs to exist to help clients determine which companies are reputable — and as companies, we should all work towards the goal of winning a CEDIA Award. CEDIA does a great job at everything else in between, providing opportunities to grow your business, helping expand our knowledge, and cohosting one of the largest trade exhibitions in our industry, ISE. I fully support the work CEDIA does across the board for our industry. PHILIPPE The CEDIA community is very professional and a good high-end reference, and we want to be part of this and seen as a company who follows these standards.

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What do you find most beneficial about being a member? TODD It’s hard to single one thing out, but I would say it’s the community forum. We get a daily digest, which includes some interesting topics. There’s always something to be learnt from other members and it's interesting hearing different points of view from people who have been in the industry for many years, as well as those who are just starting out. It makes for an interesting read and I look forward to it every day during my morning coffee. MIKE I decided to become a CEDIA Outreach Instructor and CEDIA Accredited Presenter. In 2018, CEDIA gave me the opportunity to provide client consultations at the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show. I was also interviewed on a live panel at the show in front of around 80 attendees. Ending last year on a high, I was asked to present to 50 architects at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) London CPD Roadshow. These opportunities would not have been possible without CEDIA. ABDUL Being a CEDIA member has helped me grow my company’s business. I believe that the opportunities CEDIA provides by arranging various exhibitions allows me to interact with peers at a different level. It gives me exposure to the latest practices, products, and services. I have forged a lot of mutually beneficial relationships within the CEDIA community. There is a wealth of online information that I have access to and I can choose appropriate training sessions for my team members. Constant development of CEDIA resources is very strong proof of the association’s commitment to its members. An example would be The Cinema Designer, which simplifies the process of designing a home theatre, being acquired by CEDIA. PHILIPPE The biggest benefit of being a CEDIA member is that it allows us to let our current and future clients know that we are a part of a professional community, and as such, they can rely on us to deliver a professional and highquality install for them.

What member benefits are you most looking forward to using in 2019? TODD For us, we aim to attend the CEDIA Awards ceremony for the first time. As a new company in the industry, we are striving to be the best we can be, so it makes sense to attend events where we can network with our peers. The annual awards yearbook of finalists and award winners makes us strive to be a part of the awardwinning community. We also look forward to booking CEDIA education and getting some more certifications under our belt. I’m quite excited about the apprenticeship scheme as we’re looking to expand this year and take on new staff. MIKE In this industry, there is always something new to learn. I plan on expanding my knowledge further through more training courses. I will also continue to make the most of CPD presentation opportunities. PHILIPPE I am looking forward to Switzerland-based architects and planners becoming more familiar with CEDIA, what it means, and ensure that CEDIA members are the integrators they choose to work with on future projects. This will help to increase the visibility of CEDIA in our region.

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What advice would you give companies who aren’t currently members or haven’t renewed yet?

How easy was the renewal process? TODD Very easy — a few clicks, and you’re done. Our renewal was completed online. I’m sure there are other ways, but as a digital company, we found this to be a very simple process that took less than a couple of minutes to complete. MIKE It was very easy. I received the renewal invoice by email and made payment via bank transfer within five minutes. PHILIPPE The process was incredibility easy — I can’t say any more than that.

TODD What are you waiting for? Before becoming a CEDIA member, I was a little hesitant about being a member as I wasn’t sure where the value would come from. You hear about trade bodies that don’t give back or add any value to businesses once they’ve taken your cash and sent you a welcome pack. After joining CEDIA in 2017, we hadn’t utilised all the member benefits until a few months after joining, but that was all on us. Anything in life is a “two-way street” — the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. When we asked CEDIA about how we can drive additional value out of our membership, we were overwhelmed with the opportunities and are still trying to catch up and get on board with everything they have to offer. Honestly, the people and community at CEDIA make it what it is. Not being part of CEDIA isn’t really an option for us, we’re proud to be a member and wear the CEDIA badge on our sleeve, literally. MIKE We regularly come across projects completed to very poor standards. When I meet integrators who are CEDIA members, they gain my respect. To me personally, it shows that they as a company are committed to doing a good job and as it states on the member guidelines, carry out work to an ethical standard. CEDIA membership is so much more than just paying a fee every year, and I urge any reputable company to renew or become members. ABDUL I would highly recommend CEDIA to anyone who wishes to improve their business. There are great training programmes available, such as the one offered in collaboration with HAA, leading to THX Level I — Level III certifications. Being a CEDIA member allows you to learn from other members’ experiences. You can browse through the members for products and services and even acquire dealerships from fellow members in another country making it profitable for you. There is such a vast variety of world-renowned manufacturers and a diversity of products to select from CEDIA members. In addition, CEDIA provides great exhibitions where the industry comes together to put on a brilliant show! The staggering displays of endless products and services is unparalleled and gives you a chance to discover new products which might be very beneficial for your company. PHILIPPE I think that CEDIA is a very good label and gauge of quality and supports members who are achieving great things. Being the best that you can be and doing a good job all the time is enough of a reason to join CEDIA.

Dynaudio Custom Studio series

Heard, not seen. The Dynaudio Custom Studio series: round in-ceiling and rectangular in-wall speakers in both 6.5in and 8in versions, including DVC and modular in-wall LCR variants. All featuring our acclaimed 1in soft-dome tweeters and MSP woofers. And all – of course – designed and developed in Denmark.

Our in-wall and in-ceiling speakers are a piece of cake to install. Before we even put pen to drawing board, we made a long list of all the little woes and gripes installers commonly have. And then we stamped them all out with clever solutions such as our innovative install frame (with clever friction clips for tool-free fitting); simple adjustment of the speaker position (just push it with your finger); and paintable magnetic grilles (which snap right into place without adjustment). Done. Now, about that cake…

The Dynaudio Custom Studio series: engineered to entertain

dynaudio.com

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SURVIVING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY Thoughts from two integrators and a financial planner on weathering an economic downturn If there’s one word today that best sums up the global Ed Wenck economic outlook, Content Marketing then it has to be, Manager, CEDIA uncertainty. Talk of an impending downturn in the US economy is accentuated by hikes in US interest rates and rising levels of debt. Fears are heightened as a result of the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China, as well as the signs of a slowdown in the Chinese economy, which will have a global impact. In Europe, uncertainty over Brexit is stifling UK growth, and economists are unsure of the longer term impact on European economies, where growth has been slower than expected through 2018. In short, uncertainty reigns.

Hope for the Best, But … So what should one do to prepare for — and react to — the darkening economic clouds that may be on the horizon? That’s the question posed to three guests — Gordon van Zuiden, founder of California's cyberManor, Ed Gilmore from Gilmore's Sound Advice, and and financial adviser, Peter Dunn (aka “Pete the Planner”) on a recent CEDIA Tech Council Podcast. Peter, whose clients come to him for both personal and business advice, believes part of the solution literally begins at home: “Often, small business owners think that their small businesses will save their personal finances. I'm here to tell you that it's the opposite. If your personal finances are fine, you can take the risks in your business that you need to stay ahead of the competition.” “Start with a home budget,” Peter says. “Know

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“

Some of the best revenue innovation in small business came from the recession

the least amount of money you need to earn in a month to survive. I've been running my business for 15 years. I have several employees. Still, to this day when I see on the horizon things tightening, we dial it back at home. I say, ‘I know I need to bring in this amount.’” Once that’s accomplished, then focus on that bottom line at work. “For the most part, hopefully these things don't last four or five, six years,” notes Gordon. “Given the history of these things, if they last for 12-24 months, then you know what your expense levels are. You can do the maths on 24 months and ensure that you're protected with either money in the bank or line of credit or other sources. “Then you know you'll come out okay.” Specifics from the Panel Gordon notes that during the last recession, he was leasing his building. That’s why Gordon’s a fan of owning your physical address. “I can postpone rent to myself without too much trouble,” he notes. Peter advises not buying when the market is as hot as it is right now, though. “We’re at the height of the real estate market,” he points out. For his part, Ed has a sub-tenant to the lease on his building in Manhattan. Of the 8,000-square feet that his company and tenant occupy, about half is an experience centre and event centre, and making that space available for a price is another way to bring in more revenue. Ed’s also looking at the entire range of offerings that he’s presenting to his clients and adjusting his business model as he goes. “I see lighting overtaking our AV business probably within the next two years,” Ed. Ed’s taking a look at his recurring monthly revenue as well, a concept that Peter is familiar with. “Some of the best revenue innovation in small business came from the recession,” says Peter. “Take the HVAC companies, at some point, they realised, ‘God, we can't sell anything right now.’ Can't sell any units, can't sell any air conditioners. So they said, ‘You know what we're gonna do? We're gonna come to

your house twice a year. We'll call it a service plan and that service plan will become the retainer that helps us survive. Now, if I need to make a product recommendation through the course of that, I will. But it's primarily about setting the relationship — essentially annuitising your revenue; strengthening that relationship before your client is freaking out about money.” Other notions are on the table: Should you give your employees performance bonuses instead of raises during a downturn, for example? Peter has some pretty interesting notions that dovetail into this concept: “I have a friend who's a brewer. His solution to their issues during the recession was to empower his entire brewing team to cut costs at the facility. They got an extra paycheck at the end of the year by reducing the other end of the ledger. They couldn't effect revenue, really, but when you have your workers reminding themselves, ‘I'm gonna turn off these lights when I'm not in here. I'm not gonna run the water when I don't have to when I'm cleaning this tank,’ it can make a big difference. As a result, there were huge savings for the organisation, and the employees got to share in that savings. Sometimes revenue is not the solution. A reduction in expenses and empowering each unit or each person to be part of that is a good thing to do.”

The complete podcast: Episode 94, iTunes file number 1901. cedia.net/insights/techcouncil-podcast

cybermanor.com @cyberManor gilmoressoundadvice.com petetheplanner.com @PeteThePlanner

“

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MEMBERS ON SHOW AT ISE Artnovion

AVPro Edge

BOOTH 7-N190

BOOTH 15-G248

Artnovion will be showing its Sub Trap, a finetuneable device with unprecedented performance. Offering a novel approach on low frequency control, the Sub Trap is a new category of acoustic treatment, targeting the sub-bass frequency range. It boasts the highest absorption coefficient per volume on the market. It employs Artnovion's latest membrane technology — a symbiosis of precision engineering and material science — creating a device that can be precisely calibrated to work at the exact resonant frequency of a space. Artnovion has recently announced a brand-new patented technology called TDPA. This new technology is incorporated in the Artnovion bass traps and Sub Trap, and it allows treatment of frequencies as low as 40Hz with just one bass trap!

AVPro Edge specialises in full bandwidth audio/video distribution. From 18Gbps matrix switchers and extension products to audio downmixers and scalers, AVPro Edge’s product line-up is diverse, and each solution is designed to exploit every capability of the chip set inside. AVPro Edge does not believe in throttling features but providing integrators with cutting edge, affordable solutions. Built-in features like scaling, test patterns, audio deembedding, and down-mixing set AVPro Edge apart from the competition.

artnovion.com

AudioControl

avproedge.com

Autonomic BOOTH 5-X52 The MMS-1e music player represents a new entry level product for Autonomic that will broaden the opportunities for integrators to deliver Autonomic music solutions, particularly to those clients focussed on enjoying streaming content throughout the home. The MMS-1e can be leveraged as a low-cost single stream music player utilised as a stand-alone solution within a control system environment, or it can be paired with an Autonomic eSeries amplifier, where its capacity doubles to provide two independent network streams of content. That means that the MMS-1e paired with the M-120e amplifier will deliver a two-stream/four-zone premium entertainment package at an affordable price point. Autonomic will also be showcasing its new soundbar and subwoofer combination.

autonomic-controls.com

BOOTH 5-R96 The Director M Series feature on-board digital signal processing, graphic and parametric equalisation by zone, network monitoring and programming, and analogue inputs, plus the addition of volume control, channel/zone grouping, and zone audio presets. They also allow individual channel and zone selection via standard TCP/IP, delivering incredible power and AudioControl’s legendary audio performance. AudioControl has partnered with loudspeaker manufacturers to implement speaker performance profiles directly accessible from The Director® M Series onboard DSP. Each speaker manufacturer has provided critical performance data to AudioControl, enabling tailored profiles to be created and stored in software form. Factoring in the individual room acoustics for each home, these speaker profiles achieve an important step in providing the integrator the tools to deliver a premium entertainment experience by calibrating systems for their clients.

audiocontrol.com

Control4 BOOTH 10-N130

control4.com

Basalte BOOTH 5-R120 The Basalte Eve Plus docking station allows users to easily mount their iPad on a wall or table, in any orientation, while keeping it permanently charged. Eve Plus has a minimalist design, only adding the bare minimum to the iPad’s iconic design. It is precision engineered from high-quality metals, including aluminium, bronze, and brass to name a few. Both the sleeve and wall base are the slimmest on the market. A global first is that the iPad wall base perfectly matches the Basalte luxury switches, thermostats, and sockets for a consistent technology look throughout the interior!

basalte.be

Lighting and HVAC control are key fixtures in any smart home, and Control4 brings over 100 lighting, HVAC, shading, keypads, frames, and bus management products using the popular KNX standard. The products easily integrate into Control4 systems that can include devices from its ecosystem of over 12,500 products, for control using keypads, remotes, the smartphone app, touchscreen, and voice command. Homeowners can personalise the Control4 KNX devices in their system by adjusting schedules, notifications, and more using the "When >> Then" automation feature. The new Control4 KNX line is easily installed, and the ETS tools make it simple to tie programming such as streaming audio to a KNX keypad button-press or add voice control to lighting scenes.

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Crestron

Domotz

BOOTH 2-C20

BOOTH 15-G276

At ISE this year, the Crestron Home Operating System will take centre stage as Crestron launches one of the biggest and most innovative updates to its business ever. Attendees will be able to take hands-on control of deploying a full Crestron smart home solution in minutes, using best-in-class Crestron hardware to deliver a brand-new user interface experience that goes far beyond anything previously available via the operating system. Also on show will be a host of new products that both enhance the entire home solution as well as dealers’ ability to provide an incredible experience, including the launch of HTML 5 to create beautiful and custom touchscreen designs, new climate control solutions, door entry, and, of course, its award-winning keypads, touchscreens, and remotes.

As the premier award-winning remote network monitoring and management solution, Domotz Pro lets you monitor and manage any IP-enabled device, regardless of brand. With Domotz, service providers can work more efficiently and deliver an unparalleled customer experience or make remote monitoring and management an integral part of their service strategy. The solution also aims to save time and money, boost profits, and deliver superior customer service. Domotz recently added support for WyreStorm to their platform.

domotz.com

crestron.com

DoorBird BOOTH 9-B147 Due to the consistent use of IP technology, DoorBird products are top notch in the industry. In terms of quality, speed of push messages, voice, and video, DoorBird IP Video door stations are the leader when it comes to innovative technology and design. DoorBird even works reliably when the smart device has only moderate internet connection. Each time someone rings the doorbell, the homeowner gets a push notification on their smartphone or tablet. They can then not only talk to the visitor, but also see him or her in HD quality. The IP Video Door Station can be used as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into an existing smart home platform.

D-Tools BOOTH 1-N80 D-Tools’ System Integrator 2018 (SI 2018) is the most widely used and comprehensive estimation and budgeting, design, and project management software, specifically designed to fulfil the diverse needs of systems design and installation companies. SI 2018 ties project workflow together into a singular, data-driven, connected process that improves operational efficiency for increased profitability. The latest update to System Integrator 2018 being shown during ISE 2019 offers a new third-party integration for tax lookup, multiple currency support, Customer Portal enhancements, and more.

doorbird.com

Dynaudio

d-tools.com/si-2018

BOOTH 7-N223

ekey biometric systems

Visitors to the Dynaudio stand will get a close-up look at its award-winning line of custom install speakers. The legendary Danish loudspeaker specialist will be displaying its current Studio series and will preview the new Performance range of shallow depth in ceiling and in wall speakers, new outdoor speakers, and an in-wall subwoofer. These products feature the company’s acclaimed 1in softdome tweeters, MSP woofers, and clever tool free mounting system. Dynaudio will also preview their new outdoor speakers and an innovative in-wall subwoofer. Both ranges consist of round in-ceiling and rectangular in-wall speakers in 6.5” and 8” versions. The Studio range includes the must-see modular LCR system, while the new Performance range will have a “regular” LCR speaker with 1” tweeter and dual 5” woofers. The new Outdoor series will consist of on-wall IP65 rated speakers in 6.5” and 8” versions with a neat mounting bracket. As well as operating as 8ohm speakers, they will also have the option of being used in 70/100v line systems. The subwoofer will be an RCC (Reaction Cancelling Configuration) with 4 racetrack drivers, shallow cabinet design for fitting into cavity walls, and supports both pre-install and retrofit scenarios with its clever design.

Crestron has added ekey biometric systems, a leading provider of fingerprint access solutions, to its official Crestron integration partners. Now, Crestron residential integrators can introduce convenient onetouch door entry to their smart home designs. ekey products provide a convenient, secure, and simple alternative to conventional entry access. They leverage biometric processes to provide reliable added security and make stolen keys, cards, and forgotten passwords or codes a thing of the past. Intelligent software even detects the growth of childrens' fingers, minor injuries, and habit changes. Easy to install and administer, ekey products add security and functionality to the many conveniences of a Crestron smart home. With additional features, such as enabling building control systems to track user access or triggering different functions with different fingers, the possible applications are limited only by your imagination.

dynaudio.com

BOOTH 5-V100

ekey.net

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Future Automation

HDANYWHERE

BOOTH 5-R85

BOOTH 5-U62

The Quad Arm range features both ground-breaking style and engineering. From the sleek solid aluminium wall plate to the complex onboard electronics, it’s not surprising that it’s been referred to as the “Rolls-Royce of TV Mounts.” Designed to cater for instances where multiple viewing positions are required, the Quad Arms 150-degree bi-directional rotation and long-distance reach work together seamlessly to service up to six pre-set viewing positions. The dedicated in-wall mounting box enables discreet near flush display mounting solution featuring metal trim edges, which create a clean mounting edge around the wall box. Removable internal cover panels help integrators locate power and source sockets locally while leaving additional space for mounting baluns, power supplies, or other accessories. The WB-QA2 is ideal for installing at first fix stage, ensuring correct positioning of the TV and making sure that no other utilities are placed in the way.

HDANYWHERE is launching six new MHUB 2.0 video matrix models, standalone uControl zone processors, and an improved audio matrixamplifier to its multiroom AV system line-up at ISE. Designed for the most-modern home entertainment market requirements, the new matrix models MHUB U 2.0 and MHUB PRO 2.0 are fully HDMI 2.0 compatible, boasting 18G HDMI interfaces that support the latest 4K HDR video content and Dolby Atmos surround sound. The new MHUB PRO 2.0 systems feature a whole range of performance improvements and functionality upgrades, which specifically address the needs of a contemporary install.

futureautomation.co.uk

hdanywhere.com

JBL Synthesis BOOTH 1-M50

Leon BOOTH 1-N80 The latest innovation in its popular line of soundbars, Leon's new Horizon Denza transforms the soundbar into a modern home furnishing. Available in two standard widths, Denza is a soundbar and floating shelf in one, handcrafted out of Baltic birch and finished in painted black or white with exposed edges for added style. The internal cabinets were designed to house two channels of audio from Leon's 55UX platform, with storage space for additional AV components like the new SONOS AMP®.

leonspeakers.com

Alongside its Italian distributor, Adeo Group, JBL synthesis offer visitors to the stand a full home cinema experience in the JBL theatre which takes centre stage on the booth. As part of the Harman Luxury Group, JBL Synthesis sister companies, Lexicon and Revel will also present their high-performing, award-winning luxury audio products. Lexicon will demonstrate a new level of home cinema with a range of Surround Sound AV receivers offering the most immersive audio experience. And Revel will present a range of architectural speakers for both indoor and outdoor areas.

jblsynthesis.com

Lilin

Lutron

BOOTH 9-E100

BOOTH 5-R80

Lilin will be showing its new DeviceHub, which can manage IP cameras and NVRs via LILINHub app. LILIN Device Cloud stores recording status, online status, and operational status sent by LILIN DeviceHub. If there is an issue for an IP camera, integrators can perform remote reboot for that IP camera via LILIN Web Smart PoE switch. This is to make sure that devices are in operation. Lilin will also focus on its new mini PTZ camera. The PZD6422EX3 is 1080P HD PTZ Dome IP Camera featuring 3X optical zoom capability. The highspeed dome is capable of streaming HD video at up to 30 frames per second. The PZD6422EX3 captures highlights and shadows simultaneously, eliminating pixilation and smear, while still offering the same high level of integration with control systems.

At ISE 2019, Lutron will be introducing RA2 Select to the European audience. RA2 Select is a new simple, reliable, and affordable solution for whole home lighting and blind control. This wireless system has app-based setup, control, and monitoring. No training or PC programming is required. Pre-engraved Pico scene keypads automatically configure light levels for common activities. RA2 Select easily integrates with leading smart home brands such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Honeywell, Nest, and Sonos. Lutron is also introducing its all new Palladiom shading system that features highly-crafted exposed hardware for the world’s most exquisite homes. This new aesthetically-driven solution offers industry-leading shading performance and reliability, plus seamless integration with Lutron’s HomeWorks QS system and other third-party products to create an immersive light, blind, and temperature control experience.

meritlilin.com

lutron.com/europe

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Luxul

Morel

BOOTH 1-Q120

BOOTH 7-W220

Luxul will be showcasing its new Apex Wave 2 technology access point the XAP-1610. The XAP-1610 offers support for more connected devices and increased data rates, delivering outstanding performance Wi-Fi performance. It is compatible with all Luxul Wi-Fi controllers and can be used alone or as part of a multi-access point deployment. The company will also show the new AMS-1816P managed switch, which features their new auto-recovery and power scheduling functionality.

Morel invites integrators to visit, see, and listen to its award-winning products at ISE 2019 show. See its innovative highfidelity point-source speaker solution, the SoundWall™ Power Slim PMC600 in-ceiling speaker that won the prestigious EISA 2018-2019 award in the home theatre category. Morel used a completely new approach designing the drivers for this product, using out-of-the-box thinking to engineer a solution that fits limited space yet is true to its uncompromising approach to high-fidelity audio. At the core of the SoundWall™ PMC600 is a powerful and highly efficient neodymium magnet motor system employing a new Z.P.I. (Zero Point Integra). The innovative Integra design and ultra slim structure (only 17mm deep) provide natural sound reproduction and better tonal balance throughout the audible frequency range, adhering to the world-renowned Morel sound.

luxul.com

morelhifi.com

Meridian Audio BOOTH 7-H240

OneAV BOOTH 1-N110 One of the key attractions on the OneAV booth is the much-desired NEEO remote, with a large presence on the stand to showcase the new NEEO PRO CI-friendly remote. Kings of 4K HDMI over 1 GigE IP video distribution and videowall market leader, Just Add Power, legendary high-fidelity French speaker brand, Focal, multiroom AV matrix maestros, HDANYWHERE, THX certified cinema HDMI interconnects from Pixelgen, and a plethora of AVIT connectivity solutions from top German brand, PureLink await visitors to the OneAV booth.

oneav.eu

Experience Meridian’s innovative, brand new 210 Streamer, on show at ISE 2019. This versatile product is designed to help integrators meet client demand for reliable, highquality audio streaming throughout the home, with minimal fuss and with maximum quality. The 210 can be connected over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to any smart phone or tablet, with volume and playback controls synchronised between streaming apps and the Meridian system. Supporting Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Roon, as well as offering DLNA / UPnP compatibility, the 210 can also be connected directly to a pair of DSP loudspeakers or to any system via a SpeakerLink input for ultimate flexibility. With its built-in Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) decoder and Meridian High Resolution (MHR) audio, the 210 is capable of delivering flawless, studio master quality MQA encoded music without degradation or loss in quality.

meridian-audio.com

Origin Acoustics

Procella Audio

BOOTH 5-U90

BOOTH 5-U80

The new architectural home theatre system, the Marquee Collection, has several models to address various configurations. The Marquee front channel LCR’s boast a driver configuration with dual 8" woofers, dual 5" midrange drivers, and a single compression driver. The drivers are mounted in a steel baffle attached to a sealed, extruded aluminium enclosure. The enclosure can mount in or on the wall depending on the homeowner’s preference. Outside the home, Origin goes to the garden with its Seasons Bollard loudspeaker. The Bollard tackles the challenge of producing bass response from individual outdoor speakers in a very attractive aesthetic. Each Bollard has its own 6.5" sub in the base of each enclosure. Burying the small sub base in the ground, the larger portion of the enclosure is hidden from sight. The upper structure is a round enclosure design and houses the 4" mid/high frequency transducer 18" above the ground.

The advent of large microLED displays paints a future where professional cinemas and home cinema enthusiasts use giant video walls instead of projectors and screens. As exciting as these displays are for video quality and sheer immersion, they present a major challenge for producing high-quality sound. These LED displays make proper speaker placement difficult, if not impossible, as there can be no behind-thescreen placement of loudspeakers. Procella Audio has responded to this challenge with the C102 Above Screen loudspeaker. The Procella C102 is a very powerful, high-quality loudspeaker, placing the left, centre, and right channels above the screen and resolving several audio issues related to this configuration. Procella will also show the recently created V21 Bass Engine. Producing 139 dB of continuous output and a peak output of 145 dB, this is truly the new reference standard for subwoofers, in an impressively massive, deep enclosure.

originacoustics.com

procellaaudio.com

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RTI

Savant

BOOTH 1-N85

BOOTH 5-S120

RTI will be showcasing the new T4x remote control, which is perfectly suited for any contemporary environment. The sleek, sophisticated design offers superb ergonomics, a high-resolution 4" capacitive touchscreen, and fully programmable soft-touch buttons. The T4x sets the standard in wireless control with advanced features including grip sensors, Wi-Fi, dual RF, and more. Also on show will be the KA8 and KA11, which are the ultimate choice for simple, intuitive control of the entertainment, environment, and security systems in residential properties. It features a fully customisable 8" or 11.6" widescreen, high-resolution LCD display with an integrated capacitive touchscreen. The sleek touch panel is easily wall-mounted or an accessory stand is available for tabletop installations. The ambient light and proximity sensors automatically adjust the screen brightness and LED backlight according to the environmental light level. Built-in Ethernet with PoE and dual band Wi-Fi, enable two-way control and programming updates.

Savant has expanded its entertainment offerings for integrators with new options that include IP Music Servers and in-wall invisible speakers while offering access to industry-favourite DSP-enabled multi-zone amplifiers. The brand-new Savant IP Audio Music Server has been designed and manufactured by Savant from the ground up, enabling integrators to provide access to local content or streaming music for their clients. The IP Audio Music Server works with Savant’s expanding family of IP Audio products to create the ultimate whole-house entertainment system in any zone simply by accessing the network. The Artison Sound Surface Invisible speakers have been designed to be completely hidden behind the wall. Artison engineers have developed an invisible speaker technology that sounds rich and detailed. This advanced design delivers superior sound to conventional solutions while leaving the décor unimpeded.

rticorp.com

Sony BOOTH 1-N20 The Sony Home Cinema Projector range features a wide range of models, including the VPL-VW270ES/VW570ES series of projectors, which are designed to bring 4K detail to any home entertainment system. They produce true 4K resolution with Sony’s latest 4K SXRD panels for stunning cinema viewing and incredibly lifelike colour. High brightness of 1,800 lumens (VPL-VW570ES) or 1,500 lumens (VPL-VW270ES) guarantees exceptional picture even in well-lit rooms, while Sony’s TRILUMINOS colour reproduces more tones and textures, and excels in fast-moving scenes. The Sony VPL-VW870ES 4K HDR projector delivers incredible home cinema entertainment. The long-lasting laser light source boasts a powerful 2,200 lumen output for cinemaquality picture performance. Its ARC-F (All Range Crisp Focus) glass lens ensures the highest-quality image reproduction and exceptional clarity. Featuring the latest 4K processor for home cinema projectors, Reality Creation technology analyses and radically enhances full HD content. With generous connections and interfaces, it also offers great flexibility for smooth integration in any home cinema set-up.

pro.sony/en_GB

savanteurope.co.uk

SnapAV BOOTH 5-X52 Luma’s next-generation 510 NVR line offers greater all-around performance and features, including support for higher resolution cameras up to 12MP, 4K TV output, advanced search capabilities, and a long-distance PoE switch. Its superior PoE capability enables integrators to create up to 300m runs from the NVR to a camera, as well as the ability to reset individual ports. Use our free LumaLink remote access service to eliminate insecure port forwarding and DDNS setup, synchronise, and manage devices via OvrC, and so much more. The second-generation line of Araknis routers bring excellent improvements to the existing router. In moving from one product to four, Luma’s given dealers more options to fit various job needs and budgets. The 310 model will replace the existing 300 model. The addition of a 110 model provides a budget-friendly router at a high value and comes with a new Wi-Fi option as well. The 310 router has everything integrators want in a business-grade router: Embedded OvrC Pro functionality, Gigabit uni-directional internet speed support, and a 1U rack-mountable design with AC power supply. Plus, it includes a USB 3.0 interface to connect an LTE USB dongle for access to the site in case of ISP outage, and fibre SFP interface that can be LAN or WAN. This unique feature set gives integrators a router with incredible value, complete with Araknis quality that is second to none.

snapav.com

Stealth Acoustics BOOTH 5-R96 Stealth’s LRx85 premium invisible speaker system, available in both passive and active versions, allows for impressive invisible audio in the most critical applications for home cinema, listening rooms, and highperformance distributed audio. This twopanel system, which replaces a segment of a flat wall or ceiling with a paintable, non-penetrable flat front speaker system, incorporates five midrange-/high-frequency drivers mounted in a unique dual-D’Appolito alignment for noticeable improvement in left/ right panoramas and depth of sound stage. Below the mid/high panel is a separate, totally invisible bass frequency panel with two high-power 8" cone woofers behind Stealth’s FidelityGlasstm flat-front radiator. Together, the two invisible panels create a seamless speaker system covering the full audio spectrum from 35Hz-18kHz. 300 watt power handling provides the robust dynamic range required for realistic movie sound and impactful music reproduction.

stealthacoustics.com

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SurgeX

Trinnov

BOOTH 1-F50

BOOTH 5-U80

At ISE 2019, SurgeX will showcase the newest global additions to the SurgeX Defender Series, the SX-DS-1011i and the SX-DS-1611i. Designed specifically to safeguard everyday applications where budget is a concern, the Defender Series provides cost-effective, comprehensive power protection and conditioning to increase uptime and ensure connected equipment functions properly. Designed with patented multi-stage surge suppression technology, the Defender Series line protects connected AV equipment from electrical transients that can cause harmful disruptions. The robust three-stage protection ensures equipment is safeguarded from the harmful effects of surge energy, and the advanced filtration of the Defender Series virtually eliminates normal and common mode electrical noise interference that can cause frequent reboots and downtime. The SX-DS-1011i is a 10-amp, 11 IEC outlet model and the SX-DS-1611i is a 16-amp, 11 IEC outlet model. Both new models and additions to the Defender Series line are rack-mountable and available starting Q1 2019.

Trinnov’s advanced 3D audio technologies and unique highchannel count capability successfully reconcile the conflicting speaker placement requirements of Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, and DTS:X. Trinnov’s Optimizer loudspeaker/room optimisation technology solves the loudspeaker/room acoustic equation for high-end Hi-Fi and home cinema. A key feature will be its award-winning Altitude 16 and AMP8M amplifier offering 16 channels encoded together with up to 16 channels of amplification. Trinnov’s other new offering is the Altitude48ext. Based on the Trinnov Magnitude32, the Altitude48 ext provides 16 channels of AES/ EBU input and up to 32 channels of analogue outputs, using the same state-of-the-art DACs used in the Altitude32. This ensures perfect coherence in the final rendering and brings the total potential channel count to 64 independently processed channels. In addition, Trinnov will be part of a fully functioning cinema demonstration with Procella Audio.

www.surgex.com

trinnovaudio.com

URC BOOTH 1-N15

Torus Power

URC will be showcasing the new flagship MRX-30 Advanced Network System Controller (quad-core processor) and the new MRX-15 Advanced System Controller (dual-core processor), which deliver powerful automation and control for residential installations. These controllers provide instant two-way communication with the family of Total Control user interfaces and are compatible with third-party devices. Both processors offer IP, IR, RS-232, 12V trigger, relay, and sensor communication for robust integration and superior performance. The URC TDC9100 tabletop touchscreen controller and TKP-7600 in-wall touchscreen focus on performance, design, and efficiency, which sees them appeal to integrators and their clients, including homeowners, architects, and designers. These panels provide next generation, primary wholehouse control of entertainment and smart home products. Featuring a 10" colour screen, built-in camera, microphone, and AV intercom, these products are ideal for door integration, room-toroom, and whole-house communication.

BOOTH 1-Q115 During ISE 2019, Torus Power will showcase its popular Wall Mounted WM Series isolation transformers. Dedicated power lines are run from the wall mount panel to equipment racks or different locations where power outlets are needed. These popular models pack all the features of Torus Power rack mount units into a system that provides a source of clean, uninterrupted power for large installations. For instance, the WM 45 AVR2 TVSS is a toroidal isolation transformer that feeds up to eight equipment racks with 45Amp load capability at 240V and features individual power zone control, automatic voltage regulation, and transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) that responds in under five nanoseconds to manage surges up to 80,000 amps and offers additional noise filtration of EMI and RFI.

toruspower.com

universalremote.com

Vitrea BOOTH 5-S94 Vitrea’s systems combine reliable, cuttingedge technology with modern, luxurious design. The signature glass touch switches come in various colours and with a gloss or matte finish, complementing interior design choices. Switches are engraved with scene names or icons and installed with flush or float mounting. Switches are 1 gang; CF, UL, and FCC certified. Vitrea's most popular solutions are the VTouch Pro, a complete wireless system ideal for existing projects or modular automation, and VMax, a complete wired system designed for new construction sites and full automation from the start. It’s newest solution, VTouch connectively with Crestron, is developed to integrate directly with Crestron with the Cresnet chip inside it.

vitrea-sh.com

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Wall-Smart

Wisdom Audio

BOOTH 2-E80

BOOTH 5-U130

Wall-Smartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first mounting solutions were new construction flush mounts, designed to be installed as part of the drywall, completely flush and paintable. Due to field requests from integrators, asking for an in-wall mount for existing construction that will allow them to install the device flush in-wall without having to do any drywall or paint work, Wall-Smart developed the retrofit mounts. The retrofit mount for URC TKP-9600 is the perfect solution for upgrades from older devices and truly enables integrators to provide their clients with the best looking in-wall result without doing any real construction work. The mount is supplied with either a painted (black/white) or an unpainted bezel, to allow quick installation while maintaining the interior design and aesthetics. The mount is nearly flush (protrudes 0.16" out of the wall), which provides a nearseamless result with minimal visual impact on the surrounding dĂŠcor.

Wisdom Audio will demonstrate a new range of on-wall speakers at ISE 2019. Targeting high-performance media rooms and living spaces, the new range comprises three models that are available in two finishes (high gloss black and high gloss white). The P4m features a 6-bar orientable planar magnetic driver with two 5" drivers. The P2m features the same planar driver paired with a single 5" driver. The S10 is a slim, in-room matching 10" passive subwoofer that can be used freestanding, up-firing, or down-firing.

wisdomaudio.com

wall-smart.com

Wyrestorm BOOTH 1-N100 WyreStorm will use ISE 2019 to showcase the latest evolution of its award-winning NetworkHD line with the now-shipping zero latency ultimate quality 600 Series 4K HDR over 10GbE. Representing the absolute pinnacle of lossless AV over IP distribution for Pro AV and high-end residential applications, the 600 Series features HDCP 2.2 and all the bandwidth advantages of HDMI 2.0, with independent breakaway switching for true matrixing functionality, audio embedding, de-embedding, and down-mixing. WyreStorm will also be highlighting a number of new products featuring their new visually lossless compression, including new extender sets and HDMI matrixes capable of displaying full HDR content.

wyrestorm.com

Z-Wave Pavilion BOOTH 9-E150 The Z-Wave Alliance will host a growing IoT presence in the Z-Wave Pavilion. Alliance members will introduce and demo their latest innovations designed for the European integrator market. One of the most popular smart home technologies in the market, Z-Wave delivers over 2,600 interoperable solutions for integrators seeking a variety of brands to install in residential applications. Z-Wave boasts interoperability, backwards-compatibility, and high levels of security in every device, enabling integrators to offer the most secure products with the most diverse ecosystem of brands to their customers. New member products at ISE will include the S2 Security framework, a mandatory layer of security designed to give Z-Wave additional levels of protection against cyber intrusion. Also available for integrators, the award-winning Z-Wave Certified Integrator Toolkit (CIT) provides the integrator community with textual and graphical information on the health of new Z-Wave networks. Toolkits are available to any member who joins the Alliance and will be demoed in the Z-Wave Pavilion.

z-wavealliance.org

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Sony True 4K Home Cinema Projectors Now available from AWE

Spider-Manâ&#x201E;˘ : Homecoming now available on 4K Ultra HDâ&#x201E;˘

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Adelle King Former Staff Writer, Connection Magazines

Sydney-based integrator, Instinct has incorporated “positive” psychology into its business strategy and undertaken a number of changes that focus on employees and clients, as well as the technical side of the business.

PYSCH OUT

THE COMPETITION

Sarah-Jayne Whiston

Instinct, which specialises in custom installation solutions for lighting, home automation, AV, security, and home networking, is run by Kirt Duryea and had been a fairly typical integrator business until recently. However, Instinct has made some significant changes to its systems and staff over the past three years after bringing in coaching psychologist, Sarah-Jayne Whiston to help the company become more productive. Sarah-Jayne, who started her career as a forensic psychologist before

moving into coaching psychology, brought in a “positive psychology” approach to make changes within the business, focussing on what would encourage employees to perform well. Applying a positive psychology lens to business coaching brings a strengthsbased approach to the workplace, increasing employee satisfaction and engagement to help companies drive productivity. Studies have shown that when employees feel happy, valued, and have purposeful work, they will perform better, leading to an increase in productivity and accuracy in tasks. In fact, research conducted by international consultancy company, iOpener found happy employees were a big advantage in the modern economy and were 50% more productive and 50% more motivated. Instinct recognised this opportunity for improvement and brought in SarahJayne to make changes to the business based on positive psychology principles. “Effectively what I did at Instinct was look at what was working and how we could enhance that by focussing on the strengths in the team. Making sure the right people are in the right job lends itself to productivity, so the first practical change I made was restructuring the staff,” says Sarah-Jayne. “The culture of the business wasn’t one of positivity and productivity, so I knew those were the two cornerstones that I needed to turn around. It’s still

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a work in progress and now we’ve started looking at the systems to ensure there are good, positive processes in place that allow us to spend less time on paperwork and red tape and more time on relationships.” Sarah-Jayne says Instinct has now built a culture of positivity and learning where employees at the company are open to change. “Business needs change so rapidly, especially in this industry, so it’s important to be flexible and have people who are open to this. When people are open to change, it allows the business to be reflexive and take action.” The re-structure had a positive impact on the business and was so successful that Sarah-Jayne’s role at Instinct has evolved and she is now a director, responsible for the overarching management and strategy of the company. Since most integrators get into business because they like working with their hands, there is generally a technical focus rather than a business and industry development approach. However, at Instinct, having Sarah-Jayne on the team enables the company to focus on the technical side of the business while also strategising and thinking three to five years ahead of where the company needs to be. “This has created rapid growth because it’s not just one person trying to be everything to everybody. There is support to grow the business without taking away from what we do,” says Sarah-Jayne.

“My role in the company is about bringing it back to people, because at the end of the day, you’re selling to people, you’re building your business around people, and it’s people who are going to use the technology.” This emphasis on the human element of the business means Instinct isn’t just concentrating on what it does, but “why” and “who for.” “Today, customers are looking for technology that helps them live a better and more convenient life or that has an intelligent benefit for them. As integrators, we need to make sure we’re giving this to our clients,” says Sarah-Jayne. “Technology isn’t just cool, it helps us live a life we really want to be living and it’s important to remember this when we put a solution in for a client. Our solutions need to make the client’s life better in some way, add to their world, and practically work for them rather than being complicated and showy.” By separating the company into areas that focus on the technology and areas that focus on industry development, Sarah-Jayne says Instinct has become more solution — rather than problem — oriented. “We’ve been able to be much more creative in how we solve problems and people flourish in that type of environment. Everyone from technicians to admin staff feel like they’re using their strengths and are getting traction in the work they do every day, which allows for more thinking outside the box,” says Sarah-Jayne.

“This has translated to an increase in revenue, profits, and referrals. We also have clarity in where we’re going and who we are.” Now, Sarah-Jayne spends her time investigating technologies that are on the horizon to get an idea of how they will affect the business before they arrive. Where most integrators tend to focus on what’s in front of them, Sarah-Jayne is very much looking at what is coming next. “We’re in such an exciting time so as a business, we need to make sure we stay ahead of the game. In an industry full of disruptive ideas, where new technology can hit the market and completely disrupt the way things were done before, we need to have a business that’s open to change,” says Sarah-Jayne. Integrators that do not adapt to the changing business climate risk being left behind, especially as the line between the systems integration market and industries such as electrical, IT, and security blur. Similarly, as consumer awareness of the home automation industry grows thanks to products such as Nest thermostats and Amazon Alexa, re-focussing on clients and being adaptable to their changing needs can help integrators stay ahead of the market. “Having someone in the company who is people-focussed is no longer a soft-skill, it’s actually something that can really help the business grow,” says Sarah-Jayne.

instinctelectrical.com.au

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AROUND THE WORLD As the industry gears up for ISE, CEDIA is looking forward to seeing its members from all corners of the world. ISE gives attendees the opportunity to network at the CEDIA stand, meet with existing and new suppliers, and of course, attend some amazing CEDIA education. But Amsterdam is not the only place that CEDIA is hosting education this year. The association is focussed on providing its global member base with the opportunity to easily access professional development via both face-to-face and online training. CEDIA will also be raising awareness and recognition of the industry and its members in the design community, hosting a number of local events in various countries (with some being run in the local language), publishing new white papers, and undertaking outreach at other exhibitions. Kryterion — which is an online certification platform — allows members to take the CEDIA certification exams wherever they want and whenever they want.

2019 PLANS AUSTRALIA CEDIA is planning three Tech Summits in Australia this year — one in Sydney, another in Melbourne, and a third as part of the CEDIA Connected Home conference on the Gold Coast on the 24th and 25th May. Members in Australia will also benefit from an expanded education programme at Integrate later in the year, while design professionals will be able to attend CPD training at Design Build and Sydney Build.

INDIA This year is a big step forward for CEDIA in India as it is looking to appoint a local CEDIA representative to manage its activities and support members in the country. As the Tech Summits have proven extremely popular amongst these members, CEDIA will be looking to host two events this year, as well as launch the CPD programme with the COI training to raise awareness within the design professional c o m m u n i t y.

LATIN AMERICA A number of CEDIA training and networking events will be running within the Latin America region in 2019. As well as hosting a two-day Tech Summit in Mexico City, CEDIA will be working with its training partners in Mexico and Colombia to offer CEDIA education in Spanish. It will also be supporting a number of local trade and dealer events with education, networking, and CEDIA Certification. Lastly, CEDIA will be launching the CPD programme within this region, which includes COI training for its members.

CANADA Canadian members will be invited to the inaugural Tech Summit on 9th May. These members will also benefit from standalone regional education and COI training.

DELIVERING RESIDENTIAL SOLUTIONS The home of AV systems integration At ISE 2019 you will experience the latest technologies and innovations developed for individual homes and multi-household residencies. All the connections you need.

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% last 5 the

“The toughest part of a job? Sometimes it’s the last 5%.” - ANON

Our job is to protect the design when we integrate technology into a beautiful home. We feel a great responsibility in product selection and early conversations with the clients — to complement the space and fill a client’s needs in an aesthetically pleasing way.

WISDOM FROM OUR MEMBERS (And Some Others, Too)

Jason Barth, Premier Luxury Electronic Lifestyles, USA, on “Working with Designers and Architects,” a CEDIA Tech Council Podcast (Episode 85, No. 1844)

Education is one of the best benefits to being a CEDIA member. Being able to find out about the latest technologies by attending training courses allows me to remain at the top of my game. Alejandro Celis, Representaciones de Audio, Mexico

The modern appetite for a simple, uncluttered life translates into a desire for hidden home tech. The client expectation is for integrators to deliver media systems that are truly invisible, without compromising the performance or the budget.

Thanks to the teachings of Rich Green, we are expanding into VR, robotics, and gaming, so I look forward to seeing where our business is in a year’s time. One thing is sure, it will be completely different. We’ve just got to figure out how to make a dollar out of it and I know those of us who belong to CEDIA will have the answer.

Christian Dodgson, Clearly Automated, UK

Brendon Reid, Automation Associates, New Zealand

The continuing proliferation of great quality content via Netflix, Amazon Prime, and multiple other streaming services is also helpful to integrators.

Training and certification are hard to fit in, but my main reason for doing this aggressively in my first year of full-time operation, was to prove to clients and architects alike that “I am qualified and do what I say I can do.”

Ian Bolt, Custom Sight & Sound, UK

Adam Raymond, PRZM, UK

the CEDIA Designer

Built by Home Theater Designers for Home Theater Designers Experience The CEDIA Designer (formerly The Cinema Designer), the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful home theater and media room design software. Just enter your design information and the software will create a technically perfect home cinema or media room design with full documentation, a scale rendering of the finished theater, and a 3D CAD model. The CEDIA Designer calculates in minutes what would typically take an experienced designer weeks, and produces a design proposal that is client-ready. The product database includes the finest manufacturers so you can specify the lines you currently carry. CEDIA members have free access to the CEDIA Media Room Designer and discounts on the full software. Join us for a webinar demo and learn more. Tuesday 5 February 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. | D301

Thursday 7 February 3 p.m. | D301

Wednesday 6 February 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. | D301

Friday 8 February 11 a.m. | D301

ONLINE DEMO

Wednesday 13 March | 2 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. GMT | Register at thecediadesigner.org