PROGRAM GUIDE Residential Systems PAGE 2
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WIN N E R
AUDIOCONTROL
CM4-750 DUAL-MODE AMPLIFIER F IN D OUT MOR E
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he AudioControl CM4-750 is the ultimate Dual-Mode multi-zone amplifier. The high-power 4-channel CM4-750 is the definitive solution for professional integrators, offering the versatility of both 70-volt and 4/8-Ohm compatibility (Dual-Mode) plus the benefits of award-winning DSP control and matrixing capabilities. The CM4-750 is the only Made in USA multi-zone amplifier available that delivers 70-volt compatibility plus the critical features integrators must have to satisfy every imaginable application including audiophile-grade performance and legendary build quality. The CM4-750 utilizes a highly sophisticated Constant Power Mode architecture designed by AudioControl, delivering 750 watts per channel in 70-volt mode or 625 watts per channel at 8, 6 or 4-ohms along with stability into 2-ohms. The CM4-750 also delivers 1500 watts bridged in 100-volt mode and 1250 bridged into an 8-ohm load. The Dual-Mode design can simultaneously operate in 70-volt mode while also driving a conventional loudspeaker. The CM4-750 offers Dante, an uncompressed, multi-channel digital media networking technology that moves data over standard IP networks using readily available CAT5e, CAT6 or fiber optic cable with near-zero latency. This technology empowers integrators to deliver best quality audio to every zone without being tethered to long speaker or analog signal cable runs.
KEY FEATURES: • Power: The CM4-750 is the only Made in USA ultra-high-power, Dual Mode multi-zone amplifier utilizing a highly sophisticated Constant Power Mode architecture designed by AudioControl to provide more-than ample power for every speaker system. • DSP: The CM4-750 offers DSP control and signal matrixing capabilities, enabling integrators to precisely tailor the sound by zone for each client and to any acoustic environment. • Optional Dante Connectivity: The AudioControl CM4-750 is the ultimate multi-zone amplifier to offer optional Dante network connectivity, enabling integrators to deliver best quality audio to every zone without being tethered to long speaker or analog signal cable runs. The CM4-750 has eight-analog inputs (two can be set to accommodate a microphone) plus two-digital stereo inputs (coax/optical). The amplified outputs can be individually controlled as mono outputs or controlled as stereo pairs, giving integrators the configuration flexibility to accommodate any system architecture. Setup and diagnostics can be managed remotely via iOS or Android devices along with PC or MAC browsers, leveraging a touch-responsive interface to control the amplifiers via IP-interface and 12-volt triggers. The CM4-750 is compatible with smart home platforms like Crestron, RTi and Control4, enabling control of Dante signal-routing as well as volume up/down and power on/off by zone. 2
NOMINEE
CHIEF
KONCĪS SERIES MONITOR ARM MOUNTS F IN D OUT MOR E
A
vailable in single- and dual-monitor configurations, Chief Koncīs™ Series monitor arm mounts combine sleek aesthetics with advanced functionality to ensure optimal productivity in the home office — all at a budget-friendly price point. Available with silver and black finishes to complement a variety of environments, the mounts are equipped with premium gas springs to deliver smooth, dynamic height adjustment. For effortless monitor tilting, the units feature patented Centris Extreme Tilt technology with +65° to -10° of fingertip tilt adjustment. In addition, a 180° arm rotation stop protects walls and furniture panels from over-rotation. The monitor arms are easy to install and ship preassembled with clamp and grommet mounting methods. Monitors up to 32 inches seamlessly snap into place with Chief’s quick-connect interface, while included internal cable management ensures that workspaces remain clutter-free. Built for durability and safety, Koncīs Series mounts are tested to meet or exceed ANSI/BIFMA X5.5 Desk and Table Product standards.
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CHRISTIE
CHRISTIE ECLIPSE F IN D OUT MOR E
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he absolute pinnacle of display technology, Christie Eclipse is a game-changing 6DLP 4K HDR RGB pure laser projector. It is reported via independent third-party evaluation and testing that it achieves a perfect score across every aspect of video performance. The report indicates that Christie Eclipse outperforms all other projectors and video displays across all formats – including TVs, video walls and even professional grading monitors. Christie Eclipse is capable of a degree of detail, dynamic range, contrast and depth of color that has never been possible before with any home theater display system. It processes and reproduces HDR content on screen, in 4K resolution at up to 120fps, at both high and low brightness levels. Christie Eclipse’s unique 6DLP dual DMD design achieves pixel-level luminance control as per OLED TVs, but in fact surpasses OLED TV performance in more ways than one, with unrivalled color performance, dynamic range, contrast and absolute black levels throughout the whole range 0% ADL (on/off) to 50% ADL (ANSI), with a staggering native sequential on/off contrast ratio of up to 20,000,000:1. This ensures that the finest details are visible, even in extreme black and white ranges. Black is now truly black, with no residual light. Whites and bright highlights are brighter than ever. In short, Christie Eclipse offers by far the best HDR video performance on the market today. With color gamut coverage approaching the full BT.2020 color space, Christie Eclipse has a color palette that far exceeds other home theater projectors, many of which can only barely achieve the DCI-P3 color space. This translates to more realistic, more vibrant, more detailed on-screen imagery. With RGB pure laser illumination, 4K resolution, BT.2020 color, extreme contrast and absolute black levels, with 4K120 high frame rate capability, Christie Eclipse delivers smooth, dynamic, detailrich, unsurpassed HDR video game graphics and content for a highly immersive and optimal gaming experience. In this regard Christie Eclipse is the ultimate gaming display. Eclipse is available in three brightness levels—9,000 lumens, 17,000 lumens and 25,000 lumens— so it can light up even the largest of home theater screens with brilliant visuals. Solid-state RGB pure laser illumination provides stability, reliability and longevity, with an incredible 30,000 hours of optimal performance to 80% brightness. 4
WIN N E R
CLEARONE
VERSA MEDIABAR F IN D OUT MOR E
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s work-from-home and office layouts continue to evolve, ClearOne is dedicated to creating solutions that provide modern workers with the best audio and video quality for training, education, corporate meetings, remote medical consultations and any other collaboration need. The all-new Versa Mediabar is ClearOne’s first professional quality all-in-one audio and video capture device that combines the elegance and simplicity of a soundbar with the power of ClearOne’s intelligent audio capture and 4K camera technologies. Featuring a built-in 4K Ultra HD camera with a 110-degree ultra wide-angle field of view and a four-element microphone array with 360-degree voice pickup and intelligent DSP, the Versa Mediabar provides acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and automatic noise reduction to ensure crystal clear audio capture. The camera combines electronic pan, tilt and zoom functions (ePTZ) with artificial intelligence to enable auto-framing and people tracking that keeps the speaker in view even if they move around the room. With a compact design that can be mounted on a wall or attached to a video display, the Versa Mediabar connects via a single USB cable to elevate the soundbar concept into a powerful tool for virtual collaboration that includes AI-enabled auto-framing and people tracking. From huddle spaces and small meeting rooms to executive offices and home offices, the compact Versa Mediabar delivers all the power and clarity needed for daily virtual communications. In addition to its professional-quality audio and video capture, the Versa Mediabar also features a powerful built-in speaker with Bluetooth connectivity that allows it to serve as a fully-featured conferencing solution or a Bluetooth speaker for impromptu calls using any Bluetooth device. These attributes make the Versa Mediabar perfect for popular cloud-based collaboration applications such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet, and ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Space. The Versa Mediabar supports standard UVC commands for control, making it a great addition to existing systems, while dual wall and display mounting options deliver freedom of placement and movement. Each Versa Mediabar is backed by a two-year support and maintenance warranty, with extension options available from ClearOne. 5
NOMINEE
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
70 SERIES TOUCH SCREEN
the control experience: A built-in proximity sensor wakes the screen without requiring any user interaction, and automatic brightness controls ensure optimal visibility under varying lighting conditions, so homeowners can easily control their devices with a few simple taps. A universal status bar is populated with virtual buttons for quick access to common touch screen functions, such as Power, Home, Lights, Up, Down, and Microphone. The universal status bar can be hidden with a simple swipe, and the interface can be further customized to suit the functionality of the smart home, including hiding unused buttons. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens also have built-in voice recognition through Alexa, Siri, and Google Home so spoken commands can be issued to quickly turn devices on or off, select and play a specific media source, change the channel, choose a lighting scene, lower the window shades, lock the doors, arm the security system, or enter a password. They can also be connected to cameras, intercoms, doorbells, etc. for enhanced home security. Homeowners simply need to say a command and Crestron’s state-of-the-art software does the rest. Crestron brings a powerful whole-house music experience, that is accessible via the 70 Series Touch Screens. Merging technologies with Sonos to allow homeowners to control their music from any touch screen, users can browse their library, selecting albums, and starting playlists in any room using Sonos® wireless speakers or a Crestron Sonnex® multiroom audio system. The Sonos app runs natively on the 70 Series Touch Screens, enabling enhanced control of Sonos products as part of a complete Crestron system. The app checks for updates nightly so it’s always current and up to date. Thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today’s home technology professionals, Crestron’s 70 Series Touch Screens allow them to differentiate themselves by offering an elevated control experience for their clients. The sleek and beautiful design appeals to high-end clientele, making it easy to sell to Crestron customers. Adding an element of class that compliments most luxury homes’ aesthetics, the 70 Series Touch Screens blend seamlessly into the decor while offering all the benefits of sophisticated, wireless control of the entire Crestron system. The touch screen models are versatile, available in both tabletop and wall-mounted options to suit their client’s orientation preference. The 70 Series Touch Screens can be configured in the cloud or on the web, and feature Power over Ethernet technology to eliminate the need for a local power supply or dedicated wiring. This makes them very convenient to install and can even be a problem-solver for rooms where hard wiring would otherwise pose a challenge. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens were designed with the latest features and technology, housed in sleek, thin, versatile hardware. A built-in proximity sensor wakes the screen without requiring any user interaction, and automatic brightness controls ensure optimal visibility under varying lighting conditions. Wi-Fi has been added to expand the use cases of the touch screens, so that placement is not restricted by hardwiring. Wallmounted or tabletop models can be placed virtually anywhere in the home to give homeowners control of their smart home from any room without the need for a nearby electrical outlet.
FIND OU T MORE
C
restron 70 Series Touch Screens reimagine control in the luxury smart home, leveraging the Crestron Home whole home solution. Crestron Home is the game-changing home automation and control software that puts the full power of Crestron in the homeowner’s hands, delivering a sophisticated and dynamic user experience. Premium customers expect premium products, and the 70 Series Touch Screens provide both a sophisticated and intelligent smart home control experience in both wall-mounted and portable models, available in white and black finishes. The 70 Series line features a sleek, sophisticated design only found in high-end consumer electronics, with a widescreen, high-resolution capacitive touch screen for access to easy-to-use controls, true feedback, and real time status display. Homeowners can intuitively control lighting, shades, climate, media, security, and cameras, directly from the touch screen to create the desired ambiance throughout their home. Using Wi-Fi technology, Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens are free from unsightly wires opening the use cases; homeowners can use the touch screens anywhere in the home for convenient control, whether that be a kitchen counter, a nightstand, office desktop, or they can opt for a wall-mounted model. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens are packed with features to enhance 6
WIN N E R
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
CRESTRON HOME
experiences. With a professional who configures and supports the system, homeowners are rest assured that their home is secure, dependable, and can be upgraded with the newest technology, or expanded whenever they’re ready. Smart home technology has become a staple in most modern homes. From voice control assistants and smart TVs to impressive home theaters and complete home automation systems, there is something for everyone. For home renovation projects or new builds, Crestron delivers one home automation system that integrates seamlessly with several partners. The design teams can customize each system to complement the unique style of each home. Crestron Home delivers a seamless experience where technology works in harmony, ease and simplicity, creating the experience that homeowners desire. Crestron Home is the answer to the intuitive, dynamic experience your clients demand. Crestron Home blends seamlessly with the design of every home without disrupting the aesthetic. With simplified deployments for integrations teams, your projects stay on track with no delays and remaining within the budget. Crestron Home offers fast deployment with no programming required or software to learn. Integrators can set up any home easily, right from an iPad or web interface on a laptop. Crestron Home delivers one simple operating system to coordinate them all for one seamless user experience in every room and every project. Crestron Home is constantly evolving, the solution delivered today, gets better over time with updates continuously pushed out to the end-user to deliver powerful features that transform the experiences within the home. In the past year, Crestron Home added the ability to watch multiple TVs in a single room for applications like a home sports bar, automatic dark mode for all user interfaces, the ability for endusers to hide rooms or parts of the system for example in children’s rooms, home conferencing solutions for the ultimate work from home solution and much more, it’s a constant evolution that updates for free. The new Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens and Horizon Smart Thermostats added even more designer lead products into the Crestron Home platform, delivering sleek interface designs to native Crestron Home control. With the deep and seamless integration of these devices, homeowners can enjoy a simple and consistent user experience no matter which control interface they use. The expansion with partners like Delos, Lutron, and more, brings even deeper integration for wellness, lighting, and other areas of the home all under one easy-to-use system. Prior upgrades to Crestron Home included the evolution of the Lutron integration (individual lighting load and shade motor control) and Crestron Home Extensions, which bring control to almost any device type not yet native to the platform, such as smart appliances, irrigation systems, power controllers, and weather stations. A Crestron Home Extension is a driver for Crestron Home™ OS that has a custom user interface that have proven to be super valuable in deployments, as it provides limitless possibilities for dealers to connect almost any smart device in the home
FIND O UT MORE
C
restron Home is the world’s only smart home platform that seamlessly manages all devices in the technology-driven homes of today. From lighting to shades, audio/video, climate, security and more, only Crestron Home has the ability to control every area, seamlessly on one platform. The beautiful user interface delivers a sophisticated, intuitive experience with elegant animation to give homeowners control over everything either remotely from their mobile device or at home using touch screens, voice command, remotes, and more. Crestron Home supports modern living, delivering speed and simplicity for commanding home entertainment devices, thermostats, shades, lighting, security, appliances, and more all from a single app. Every home is unique, designed to suit the homeowner’s aesthetic, desires, and routines. Crestron Home offers the ability to customize, create, and organize favorites and schedules, with no detail left untouched. A Crestron Home household is always evolving. In addition to the adjustments that homeowners can make to suit their lifestyle, updates continuously enhance the system with new features, functions, and
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WIN N E R
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
DM NAX 8-ZONE STREAMING AMPLIFIER F IN D OUT MOR E
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M NAX takes audio distribution to a whole new level by putting it onto the network. The scale of DM NAX far exceeds the capabilities of previous generations of Crestron distributed audio. A single Synchronized Control system can distribute audio to 32 devices, for a possible 256 audio output zones. DM NAX units integrate with DM NVX devices to pull audio from video feeds for rooms without displays. DM NAX is built on the AES67 standards with additional ease of configuration via a web interface, SIMPL Windows, C#, and/or a RESTful API. It is compatible with Crestron DM NVX® through the AES67 secondary audio stream and with third-party AES67 solutions and Dante® via the compatibility mode enabled through Dante Controller. Full DSP capabilities are available on the line and speaker outputs. Voltage triggers corresponding to the 4-stereo line-level analog outputs can be used to power on and off connected external amplifiers. The DM NAX supports Synchronized Control to establish a large network of DM NAX devices that are all managed from a single interface. Identifying a gap in the market for an audio solution that could fully integrate into a smart home platform and provide both high-resolution and high-output audio for even the most discerning audiophile, Crestron’s new DM NAX matrix/amplifier line brings unparalleled connectivity with native music streaming from today’s most popular services. It serves as a dedicated streaming service player for each of the zones supporting AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and more. Through these partnerships, Crestron offers a complete solution that brings these services together under one system. The DM-NAX-8ZSA delivers streaming, routing, distribution, and amplification in a single device. Streams can be routed to other non-streaming AoIP amplifiers. With Crestron Home integration, homeowners will gain full visibility and control of their home audio from mobile devices, touch screens, remotes, keypads, and voice-activated devices. DM NAX units can be managed and programmed either as standalone devices or as part of a larger cluster called Synchronized Control. Synchronized Control enables you to perform a majority of web interface configuration and management from a single browser window and IP address connection. 8
NOMINEE
T
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
HORIZON THERMOSTAT F IN D OUT MOR E
he Horizon Thermostat is a gorgeous touch screen smart thermostat that ends the dreaded replaceable battery design for a simple two-wire install into any thermostat location. Users will never wake up to a dead thermostat again. The Horizon Thermostat provides reliable control of the temperature and humidity throughout an entire home for a more refined, convenient, and always-working home environment. Unlike other smart thermostats on the market today, the Horizon Thermostat is a design-first device that can react to dynamic routines in response to data from onboard temperature, humidity, and proximity sensors. When integrated with the Crestron Home™platform, Horizon Thermostats act in concert with other smart devices, like lighting and shading to ensure optimal comfort, convenience, and energy savings. The Horizon Thermostat complements the popular Crestron Horizon dimmers, switches, keypads, and receptacles. Featuring an ultra-slim, 14mm profile that rests nearly flush against the wall thanks to its battery-free design, the Horizon Thermostat connects with just two wires and seamlessly pairs with home Wi-Fi® networks. While ideal for new builds, the Horizon Thermostat also supports retrofit applications with no common wire when paired with the Crestron Common Wire Adapter accessory, sold separately. Flexible wiring options make Horizon Thermostats fit equally well in new construction or retrofit installations, and color-coded spring terminals make it easy. You can remotely configure multiple Horizon Thermostats simultaneously and save and reuse your configurations, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time – a real time-saver. Even more, enhanced logging and diagnostics makes service and support much easier. While traditional smart thermostats often force installers to choose between aesthetics, control, and functionality, the Horizon Thermostat was designed to deliver all three as the first smart thermostat that can effortlessly meet the needs of designers, integrators, and consumers alike. Crestron has a legacy of designing and manufacturing products that are built to last. The Horizon Thermostat is no exception, offering the powerful Crestron backbone of control that we stand behind and support end-to-end. With a high-resolution 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen display and an auto-adjustable backlight that toggles between day and night mode depending on time of day or user preferences, the Horizon Thermostat is a professional grade device with a luxurious and intuitive aesthetic. The product measures a trim of 124mm wide by 89mm high and is available in Horizon white, black, or almond finishes to match décor. The RGB-backlit accent and status light bar complements the display, while the ambient light and proximity sensors ensure the thermostat is always visible when you need it. With their ultra-slim profile and luxurious aesthetic, Horizon smart thermostats are always neat and discreet, while also delivering advanced functionality.
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WIN N E R
T
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
UC-MM30-R TABLETOP CONFERENCE DEVICE FOR CRESTRON HOME F IN D OUT MOR E
he Crestron UC-MM30-R tabletop conference device pairs an enterprise-grade speakerphone with the powerful control of the Crestron Home operating system to provide one convenient home office companion. The tabletop conference device natively runs the Crestron Home app and offers complete integration with an existing Crestron Home system to provide lighting, shade, climate, media, security, and camera control. The intuitive user interface allows for dynamic home control and convenient in-call volume control via the device’s large 7-inch HD color touch screen. The Crestron Home app running natively on the UC-MM30-R also offers the ability to create and recall Crestron Home scenes to activate pre-configured actions throughout a home. Scenes and schedules made with the Crestron Home system can be customized to adjust any combination of devices at once; for example, launching the perfect call setting. With an “On A Call” scene, the lights brighten, shades close, music pauses, and an indicator light outside the door turns red. When the call ends, users can tap to start their “Off A Call” scene which then deactivates the indicator light, restarts the music, and adjusts the lights and shades. Users can call in using Microsoft Teams® or Zoom Rooms™, Slack™, Google Meet™, and other conferencing applications. For a seamless audio-conferencing experience, simply connect the included USB cable from the conference device to a computer. When connected, the conference device acts as an AEC-enabled USB speakerphone with four built-in omnidirectional microphones for 360° audio pickup. Sonos® and Crestron have partnered to provide a powerful whole-house music experience. From the conference device also, browse for tracks, artists, or playlists using all the services available from Sonos and instantly play them in any room using Sonos wireless speakers or a Crestron Sonnex® multiroom audio system. The Sonos app runs natively on the conference device, enabling enhanced control of Sonos products as part of a complete Crestron system. The app checks for updates nightly so it’s always current, and support for the Sonos S2 App is provided. The sleek, low-profile form factor of the conference device is suitable for any home office environment. The minimal amount of device connections eliminates cable clutter for a clean user experience and simple installation. An Ethernet LAN connection is the only wiring requirement for the included conference device, containing all control and power signals within a single wire. For maximum convenience, the device can also connect securely to the network via Wi-Fi communications. Using PoE+ technology, the conference device is powered directly through the network cable. With PoE+, the need for a local power supply or dedicated power wiring is eliminated, though a PoE+ injector is also included to accommodate for installations that do not support PoE+. The tabletop conference device employs secure networking with features such as 802.1X authentication, TLS encryption, and Active Directory® service integration. The Crestron MM30-R requires no custom design or programming when added to a Crestron Home system by a Crestron dealer. It can be connected via Wi-Fi® or Ethernet communication links, with Power over Ethernet for remote management and monitoring.
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NOMINEE
D-TOOLS
D-TOOLS CLOUD F IN D OUT MOR E
D
-Tools Cloud is a powerful, yet easy-to-implement multi-OS, web-based SaaS solution accessible from any web-enabled device. D-Tools Cloud offers sales pipeline management, on-the-fly estimating from any mobile device, intelligent visual quoting, interactive system design presentations, change orders and product procurement using supplier-authorized dealer-specific pricing. To extend the value of D-Tools Cloud from the sales team to project managers and field technicians, D-Tools Cloud’s new project management suite adds project planning, resource management, scheduling, task assignments, item tracking, time tracking and more. The D-Tools Cloud Project Management Suite provides an easy-to-use set of tools to help project managers plan and manage project installations, while enabling field technicians to receive and report on project-related tasks. New capabilities help: • Keep organized, on-time, and on-budget. Schedule your project resources by project and phase, assign people and tasks to time slots, and prevent double-booking by seeing the other project assignments and field resource availability. • Stay informed and on-task. Create tasks on-the-fly and easily prioritize and manage project-specific tasks. Assign tasks details to technicians to view for instant access and collaboration on their mobile devices – including status, assignee, description, checklists, picklist items, attachments, and comments and activity – to quickly respond to project needs and finish the job. • Improve accountability and team visibility by providing field technicians with the ability to clock in and out of projects through their mobile devices. Track specific project hours by user, project, and labor type for more accurate project reporting and payroll. • Field techs now have complete mobility with a mobile-friendly dashboard view, providing project details at their fingertips all the time. Track for schedule, tasks, etc., as well as view “personal notifications” assigned specifically to each tech, and view tasks with associated information, including attachments. Progress photos can also be taken and attached to the task assigned. • Control project costs and measure performance with the ability to track actual vs. budgeted labor hours and view labor hours by labor type. Get a clear overview of completed project-specific tasks and see the percentage of items installed. With the new Project Management Suite, D-Tools Cloud is a complete web-based end-to-end business solution. 11
WIN N E R
DA-LITE
AGILITY BATTERY MOTOR F IN D OUT MOR E
A
s an option for powering Da-Lite’s Tensioned Designer Contour Electrol and Designer Contour Electrol ceiling- or wall-mounted screens the Agility™ Battery Motor is ideal for retrofit installations that require a flexible alternative to hardwiring. Both screens are available in diagonals up to 110 inches in the 16:9 HDTV format and 113 inches in the 16:10 wide format. The Agility Battery Motor features a lithium-ion battery that lasts over 200 cycles on a single charge via its micro-USB port, while a PoE 5V micro-USB adapter accessory is available to keep it charged between uses. The adapter can be connected when needed or left connected for maintenance-free operation. The battery allows for wireless handheld remote operation and screen surfaces up to 16K-ready. A WiFi Bridge accessory enables connection to a mobile app that provides a battery life indicator and screen control, while allowing for control through a third-party device.
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WIN N E R layers. PATENTED. 2016 – v6: Three layered weave + knit. Bonded. Multiple reflected layers. 30% finer front texture and 25% larger size compared to V5. Gain 0.80. PATENTED. 2020 – v7: Four layered weave + knit. Bonded. Multiple reflected layers. Gain 0.93, from 0.80 on v6. PATENTED.
THE SCIENCE
DREAMSCREEN
ULTRAWEAVE SCREEN FABRIC
FI ND OU T M OR E
T
he DreamScreen UltraWeave screen will be on display in SR-19, alongside the Christie Eclipse ultra hi-end projector. The DreamScreen UltraWeave v7 is our 7. generation acoustic transparent (AT) fabric. Throughout the last 15 years we have tested, prototyped, produced and sold a number of technical solutions. In our opinion, the best possible screen is the one that does not even make its appearance; you simply see what is projected upon it, nothing less, nothing more. By combining a high-gain (0.93@D65*), yet speckle-free and full viewing-angled reflection with high resolution, well contrasted and colour neutral performance we really feel the v7 is closer than ever to obtaining that objective. When adding high acoustical transparency to that equation, the now patented technology utilised in the DreamScreen UltraWeave v7 is really a potential groundbreaking discovery that may very well be able to alter how we regard AT screens in terms of image quality even directly compared to regularly non-AT screens which has really been the Achilles´ heel of most AT screens thus far. Our development-process has been long, challenging, yet in the end quite successful – in short; 2005 – v1: Dual layer vinyl weave (white) + knitted (grey). Bonded. Single reflecting layer. 2007 – v2: Dual layer knitted fabric, grey + white. Bonded. Single reflecting layer. 2009 – v3: Single layer knitted fabric grey only. Single reflecting layer. 2011 – v4: Single to three-layered separate layers fabric / synthetic weave. Tensioned, not glued. Single reflecting front layer. 2014 – v5: Three layered weave + knit. Bonded. Multiple reflected 13
Utilizing several reflective layers, we have been able to combine a very fine, weaved front surface with three additional knitted layers, two white mid-layers, as well as a black backing layer. The thin, weaved front-layer would not have worked alone, simply because the reflection of light would be too low. However, in combination with two backing-layers that assists on the reflection, the total amount of light-reflection is higher than ever before. The “magic” that makes this technique unique is the fact that upon reflection, our eye only sees the structure from the front-fabric, even from right in front of the screen, although the layer behind is reflecting light as well. The front-layer works as a filter of kinds, providing the highest density, resolution and sharpness possible. The black backing layer increased perceived contrast and is also utilizing the knitted type of fabric so that sound will pass more effeciently. The result is a sharp, dynamic, high-resolution image free from common artifacts such as moiré and visible structure even from very short seating distances (2m or less). We have tested both LCD, DLP, SXRD and D-ILA, currently in resolutions up to 8K (e-shift) from a number of distances, and there is simply no way the extremely fine-weaved surface will be able to create interference with the projected grid, thus create moiré. As it is the front-surface that provides the visible reflective surface to the viewer, even as resolutions increase to 8K or beyond, you can rest assured that the V7 UltraWeave fabric will keep providing a moiré-free reflection.
BONDED, NOT TENSIONED LAYERS Bonding the layers is a complex process that we finally have mastered in our 5. generation of fabric. Imperfect tensioning, resulting in space between a front, single-reflecting layer and its black backing layer is quite damaging to both image-contrast and sharpness, especially on sharp contrasted-objects such as a starlit sky. Using several reflective layers made it even more crucial to keep the layers perfectly tensioned. On the v7 UltraWeave-fabric, there is no space between any of the layers which in turn creates a sharper and more contrasted reflection than is the case when trying to manually tension the layers of fabrics. The integrated black backing, in addition to increasing perceived contrast, absorbs excessive light which in case might have reduced sharpness and given “halo” artifacts if light is reflected on a wall behind the screen and back.
WIN N E R
GDC TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
ESPEDEO SUPRA-5000 RBB PLUS LASER PHOSPHOR CINEMA PROJECTOR F IN D OUT MOR E
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he Espedeo Supra-5000 RGB Plus laser phosphor cinema projector (Supra-5000) is an all-in-one DCI-compliant projection system featuring Appotronics patented ALPD 4.0 technology to deliver vibrant colors in P3 color space and achieving 98.5 percent of REC 2020 color space. The Supra-5000 is compact, lightweight, and quiet with a noise level below a whisper (35dB(A)) making it an ideal solution for boothless commercial mini-theatres (auditoriums with no projection booth, a screen up to 20-feet wide and less than 50 seats) and a home private cinema room (270 inches diagonal or less). The driving market need for Supra-5000 evolved from the ubiquitous Karaoke rooms throughout Asia. Karaoke rooms are small, intimate spaces installed with projection and sound equipment to playback HD and UHD content. However, the projectors used in these rooms did not meet the demanding security requirements to display encrypted JPEG 2000 content from motion picture studios; while most of the laser digital cinema projectors in the market were excessively large, noisy and even potentially hazardous at close distance. The initial purpose of Supra-5000 was to expand the options available to consumers who rented Karaoke rooms to include displaying encrypted content produced and distributed by motion pictures studios, which required certification by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI). Supra-5000 is certified to playback an encrypted digital cinema package (DCP) in P3 color space and listed on the DCI website < dcimovies.com >. By being compliant with Hollywood’s digital right management based on digital cinema’s Key Delivery Message (KDM) and Digital Cinema Package (DCP) playback, Supra-5000 also meets the needs of both commercial movie theatres and home theater system integrators and resellers with access to DCP content. Supra-5000 is the world’s smallest, quietest and lightest DCI-compliant all-in-one projection system classified Risk Group 2, safe for commercial mini-theatres and private home cinema. In order to meet the requirement of an in-room ceiling installation, GDC developed the first-ever secured integrated media block (IMB) that combines the Integrated Cinema Processor (ICP) and digital micromirror (DMD) formatter board. This not only dramatically reduces cost by combining the several boards into one but also allows for the compact small form factor, which significantly reduced the weight to less than 100 pounds. The GDC All-in-One Board is developed based on the ultra-reliable SR-1000 IMB technology, which is certified by SGS for up to 100,000 hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). This can help to lower the total cost of ownership, and improve reliability and serviceability. Additionally, the All-in-One Board is upgradable to include a built-in audio processor to play 5.1 and 7.1 uncompressed surround sound and GDC’s trademarked CineCache technology, a 2 terabyte memory chip for storing motion picture content. Furthermore, Supra-5000 can be quickly and easily mounted on a concrete ceiling or truss system with the specifically designed Espedeo VM-1140 VESA Ceiling Mount. 14
NOMINEE
GE LIGHTING, A SAVANT COMPANY
CYNC APP F IN D OUT MOR E
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he new CYNC, powered by the Savant mobile app, is a revolutionary smart home platform that includes personalization like no other solution and delivers seamless control of all present and future CYNC products as well as past and present C by GE products The intuitive and easy to use CYNC, powered by Savant mobile app uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to create a more user-friendly and customizable experience that enhances comfort, control, confidence and convenience in the home. CYNC includes functionalities from Savant’s award-winning Pro technology such as the patented TrueImage™ feature that gives consumers the ability to preview color and brightness changes using a photo of their room in the app. The CYNC, powered by Savant mobile app is available for free and downloadable on the Apple Store and Google Play. It works with versions iOS 14 and up, or Android 8 and up. The whole-home CYNC product family includes a host of tunable-white and full-color smart bulbs, motion sensors, smart switches and dimmers, indoor and outdoor smart plugs and an indoor smart camera. More CYNC innovations coming soon. Security is top-of-mind with homeowners and lighting is the number one deterrent of crime. The ability to never return to a dark home and to schedule and control lights while out of town is a priceless safety feature. The CYNC mobile app is offered by GE Lighting, a Savant company. The GE brand has been trusted in homes for more than 100 years. All CYNC hardware products can be set to scenes, timers and/or control inside the home and out with the CYNC mobile app. The CYNC app also eliminates the need for multiple apps which can be confusing and frustrating. For example, one app to control one camera brand, another app to control lighting brand, another app to control thermostat brand and on and on. The CYNC app is an easy and pain free way to enhance the entire homeowner experience. GE Lighting, a Savant company is committed to the quality consumers have come to expect from the GE brand. This goes for the CYNC software as well as the hardware solutions that it controls. 15
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HISENSE
HISENSE 100” L9G TRICHROMA LASER TV F IN D OUT MOR E
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ith people spending more time at home, in-home entertainment is becoming more important than ever. People want the cinema experience without having to go to the theater, and even Marketwatch notes the growing demand for ultra-short throw projectors with high brightness as a result of this rising interest in home theaters. The demand in larger displays continues to grow as consumers look for ways to transform their homes into both a living space as well as an entertainment center. The larger the TV, the more difficult it becomes for the average person to install. That coupled with the fact that more people are working and learning from home and must use their living space as both a workspace, school space, as well as a media center. Consumers need more options and that’s exactly where the L9G TriChroma Laser TV comes into play. The L9G TriChroma Laser TV is a 3000 Lumen ultra-short throw projection TV that features Hisense’s TriChroma laser engine. Consumers are increasingly demanding better image quality as they consume content from home and the TriChroma offers size, simplicity, and performance that in many ways is better than traditional LCD or OLED TVs. L9G’s red, green and blue laser light sources produce razor-sharp, color-accurate images with stunning depth, reaching 107% of the BT.2020 color space; that is 200% more color than those available with LCD or OLED TVs. The L9G casts a massive 100” image, and flat panel TVs in that size are generally outside a reasonable price point for the TV consumer. The 100” display is lightweight and easy-enough for the layman to install. Add to that the L9G’s premium features like Dolby Atmos®, High-Speed HDMI, HDR10/HLG Filmmaker Mode, and WiSA certification, and the L9G is a compelling solution for really elevating the home entertainment experience and that big screen upgrade. One of the greatest values of the L9G Laser TV is the inclusion of a perfectly paired 100” ALR Cinema or ALR Daylight screen. Consumers purchasing other USTs are expected to source their own screen, which is often daunting and always expensive. The L9G comes with two screen options depending on the room setting where the Laser TV will live. The ALR Cinema Screen is great everywhere but excels most in dedicated media rooms with lighting control, while the ALR Daylight Screen is great for bright, airy, and open spaces like living rooms, because of the screen’s exceptional brightness. In fixed 100” and 120” sizes, consumers can choose an option that best fits their space and intended usage. In addition to offering an above average picture and large display, Hisense knows that consumers increasingly live in a connected home environment. As such, the 100” L9G TriChroma Laser TV is also equipped with the Android TV OS platform so viewers can choose from more than 5,000 apps and games including Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Android TV OS also comes with built-in Google Assistant, so consumers can use the voice remote to quickly pull up what they want to watch. The L9G also works with Alexa and comes Control4 certified so it can easily be integrated with other smart home IoT devices and control systems. Situated just 11.4-inches from the wall, the L9 brings modern sophistication to any home. Designed to be the perfect alternative to a traditional TV, the L9G comes equipped with X-Fusion™ laser light technology which provides up to 25,000+ hours of entertainment. As TVs continue to grow in size and displays continue to improve with advances in new technology the L9G Trichroma Laser TV is the next phase of big screen innovation, offering the perfect alternative for those who want an upgraded in-home entertainment experience. 16
NOMINEE
IROOM IO
TOUCHDOCK F IN D OUT MOR E
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ouchDock turns an iPad into a flush-mount wall control touch panel with motorized removal of the iPad for mobile use. Removal of the iPad can be protected against theft with a 4-digit PIN code. touchDock is compatible with all major control systems such as Crestron, AMX, Control4, Savant, RTI, ELAN, URC. Free control drivers enable the docking station’s 6-button touch keypad to trigger control functions or macros that are programmed in the 3rd party control system. The touch keypad provides wired control over network, independent of the iPad - the iPad does not have to be present in the docking station. This gives the user easy access to often used controls such as lights, shades, volume. The built-in proximity sensor can be configured to wake the iPad screen, slide out the tray to remove the iPad or to trigger a control function, e.g., lights on when somebody enters the room. touchDock features room sensors for air quality (CO2), temperature, humidity, and light. iRoom’s iPad dashboard app provides sensor status information to the end user. 3rd party control systems can use the sensor statuses to trigger threshold-based alerts or control functions. E.g., if brightness falls under a defined threshold the control system turns on the lights in the room. touchDock is available for all current iPads from the iPad mini to the large iPad Pro 12.9”.
WHAT SETS TOUCHDOCK APART FROM OTHERS DOCKING STATIONS: Design: touchDock provides inconspicuous flush-mount horizontal or vertical installation in the wall. Made with scratch-resistant tempered glass in black or white, touchDock matches any contemporary interior design. Flexibility: With the easy removal feature, the iPad can be used as a stationary as well as a mobile control device. In public “resimercial” environments, the iPad can be protected from theft through a 4-digit PIN code. Professional Integration: touchDock offers wired control through the touch keypad next to the iPad and provides air quality, humidity, temperature, and brightness sensor information the control system can use to trigger alerts or control functions. Integrator-Friendly: touchDock is a design-oriented, feature-packed add-on solution for any control installation where the iPad is part of the control system. touchDock allows custom integrators to offer an iPad docking solution that adds a unique customer experience to the control system. touchDock is easy to install and to configure with iRoom’s iPad App. Wiring of the touchDock requires only one Cat cable for power (PoE+) and control communication with the 3rd party control system. 17
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J
JOSH.AI
JOSH NANO F IN D OUT MOR E
osh Nano and Josh Core, Josh.ai’s new product ecosystem, work together to provide a fully integrated voice automation experience. Josh Nano is the world’s first Architectural Microphone -- a beautiful device that seamlessly blends into any design aesthetic. Josh Core is the whole home processor, doubling down on local processing to ensure that every client’s data is private and secure. Josh Nano is an invisible microphone purpose-built to deliver the aesthetic needs of the design community and performance demanded by custom integrators. It is equipped with a four microphone array featuring advanced far-field listening, a privacy switch that physically disconnects the microphones when toggled, and a capacitive touch sensor for contextual touch control. There is also a full RGB LED light ring that disappears when not in use, and a remote temperature sensor that can be used to trigger advanced automations. Each Josh Nano is location-aware. This means that a client can specify rooms in a command if they would like to control other areas, but they do not have to. For example, a command like “Ok Josh dim the lights” will conveniently lower the lights in the room that Josh Nano is located in. While mass-market voice assistants are physically becoming larger and positioning their speakers as focal points in a room, Josh Nano has been purpose-built to integrate into its surroundings. Josh. ai worked closely with the architecture, design, and professional installation communities to rethink how voice control should perform in the world’s most luxurious homes. Measuring only 0.1 inches thin and 1.6 inches in diameter, Josh Nano is installed flush on a wall for an impeccably discreet voice experience. With an optional paintable cover, Josh Nano becomes practically invisible as part of the home’s interior design. Clients will experience an unmatched level of freedom when intuitively setting the mood to their exact specifications with Josh.ai’s proprietary natural language processing. Compound and contextual commands like, “OK Josh, set the lights to 2100 kelvin, lower the solar sheers halfway, and listen to Mozart” are possible given the proper technologies are installed and programming has been done. Josh.ai products are exclusively available through certified dealers that have been trained on installation standards and best practices. Clients can rest assured that Josh.ai is purpose-built to control their living spaces. Josh.ai is also constantly improving with new features, which are pushed bi-weekly in over the air software updates. Josh Nano systems, powered by Josh Core, are equipped with a variety of features designed for home technology professionals. Josh Core is able to span VLANs, an industry first for voice automated environments. For example, Josh.ai can now communicate with a control system on one VLAN and view surveillance cameras on another VLAN. Also, every Josh Nano and Josh Core in a system are hardwired - powered over ethernet (POE) for system stability. Josh Nano and Josh Core are designed to work with distributed audio systems to disseminate Josh.ai’s VoiceLink responses in every room. This approach maximizes system design capabilities for high-end audio solutions and supports industry-leading custom equipment. In addition to fully integrated voice control, every Josh.ai system includes access to Josh’s iOS and Android apps offering unparalleled control over connected living spaces. With the app, users receive smart recommendations based on resource consumption, can check surveillance cameras, monitor the state of devices, easily create scenes, and control everything with voice or a beautiful GUI, from anywhere in the world. 18
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JUST ADD POWER
MAXCOLOR F IN D OUT MOR E
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ust Add Power’s new MaxColor™ 4K60 transmitter and receiver natively supports 4K60 in and out, allowing end-users to play 4K Ultra HD video from the growing number of 4K sources and devices now available. With MaxColor, 4K 12-bit video can be distributed over existing Cat5/Cat6 cable, eliminating the expense of upgrading to fiber and buying costly network switches. As a result, integrators can speed up installations, building a limitless, affordable 4K video matrix. In addition, it supports MPEG downstreaming for connected device such as a laptop or a mobile device. The series supports instant seamless switching, 4K up and downscaling, all audio formats, seamless HDR management, and Dolby Vision for the best viewing experiencing in the home. The series works with existing Just Add Power drivers and supported control systems. This allows integrators to select the Just Add Power solution that best fits the job, providing an evolutionary, scalable, systems approach to 4K video signal distribution. MaxColor™ 4K60 delivers on customers’ requests for native 4K60 support and 12bit color depth, making it simple for integrators to create an AV-over-IP video system that optimizes the latest 4K sources, displays, and formats without having to upgrade their existing network infrastructure. In addition, it offers features that makes Just Add Power a top choice for AV-over-IP distribution, including image pop, push and pull; 90-degree image rotation for landscape and portrait modes; and integrated control and support for KVM to fit even the highest end residential installs as well as commercial applications.
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KALEIDESCAPE INC.
TERRA 12 FIN D OUT M OR E
K
aleidescape is the only online provider of films with full-fidelity audio and video for luxury home cinema. The company’s internet-delivered movies include proprietary metadata that enables its award-winning movie players to produce a truly astonishing home cinema experience. Kaleidescape systems are installed worldwide in the best homes, yachts, and private jets. Kaleidescape Terra 12TB are compact movie servers, designed as new product offerings shipping September 2021. Kaleidescape Terra movie servers and Strato C movie players provide the best home cinema experience, with lossless audio and many times the video bitrate of streamers. Terra 12TB, when combined with a Strato C player, will replace Kaleidescape Strato S, while providing significantly greater performance and flexibility for future expansion. This makes it an ideal product for customers looking to invest in an entry level Kaleidescape system with the flexibility to add playback areas and grow their movie collection over time. With the power to download feature length 4K movies in as little as 10 minutes with a gigabit internet connection, Terra servers provide 4X faster movie downloads than the Strato S. In addition, the Kaleidescape Terra is the foundation of a multi-room Kaleidescape Strato system. A Terra 12TB can support any number of Strato C players and can serve up to five simultaneous 4K Ultra HD playbacks, compared to two simultaneous playbacks for Strato S. And movie storage can be scaled up by adding any number of Terra servers. Designed with a similar profile to a Strato C movie player, Terra 12TB can be mounted beside a Strato C in a 1U size rack space, using Kaleidescape’s custom rack mount.
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NOMINEE
LIBERTY AV SOLUTIONS DIGITALINX SERIES
AVX / EARC EXTENDER DLAVX2100-H2 FIN D OUT M OR E
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ntroducing the all new AVX/eARC extender by Liberty AV Solutions. When your system demands the best, look no further than AVX to deliver. Transmits flawless zero-latency video up to 4K60 4:4:4, HDR, Dolby Vision, multi-channel audio, eARC/ARC, pass gigabit Ethernet, and control signals up to 100 meters. AVX is a new technology that enables transmission of uncompressed HDMI over longer distances using unshielded category cable. Designed for the residential market, this AV extender kit supports HDR-format Dolby Vision up to 4K@60 and full eARC capabilities up to Dolby Atmos, as well as both static and dynamic HDR formats. On the control end, it features bi-directional IR, RS232, 1GbE Ethernet extensions, and S/PDIF pass-through between the eARC transmitter and receiver. With 1-way PoE built-in from the eARC transmitter to receiver, only one power adapter is needed to power up the extender kit. Built around the well-established 10Gbps Ethernet standard, AVX technology ensures ultimate performance. Transmit flawless uncompressed, zero-latency 4K, control, eARC, HDR, and gigabit Ethernet over category cable. A single cable from source to display is all you need to not only extend signals but network your streaming devices as well. On most installations, shielded cable is not needed. Most extenders that support 4K use heavy compression, do not support eARC, and only support Ethernet up to 10/100. These extenders also use proprietary technology for signal extension. Liberty’s AVX/eARX extender follows proven Ethernet standards and delivers all the features and AV performance demanded by our customers. This extender set supports 4K@60Hz for high dynamic range (HDR) formats providing twice smoother motion picture, more stable graphics and a more dynamic experience when sending signals from your devices thanks to its uncompressed HDMI technology. Astonishing 4K 60Hz (4:4:4) HDR 3D resolution brings ultra high-definition picture with more vivid and dynamic visuals with no signal loss or delay. Top-notch audio capacity supports DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD, 7.1ch digital audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, and all other digital audio standard formats as well as transmitting digital audio from a television back to an AV receiver via a dedicated audio pathway. For additional integration convenience, the transmitter remotely powers the receiver through Power over Ethernet (PoE). This extender kit provides transmission of HDMI, Ethernet pass-through, and bidirectional IR and RS-232 control signals up to 330 feet (100 meters) over CAT6a/7 cable.
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WIN N E R and dramatically lower than some competitive devices which have been measured at up to 450 pS of data jitter. The Radiance Pro 5XXX further reduces data-jitter to about 45 pS. More importantly for audio, the HDMI output clock jitter has been measured at about 10 pS. This is an ideal clock to send to the audio processor to minimize jitter at the DACs. Lumagen has many reports of the 5348 significantly improving
LUMAGEN, INC.
RADIANCE PRO 5348
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FIND O UT MORE
he Radiance Pro 5348 takes the ultimate video processor family, the Radiance Pro line, to the next level by minimizing outputjitter and electrical noise. The Radiance Pro 5348 has ten 18 GHz input, two 18 GHz outputs, and one audio only output. It is housed in a 1U rack mountable case. The Radiance Pro family has a host of features to improve the image on your screen. It is considered by many experts to be an essential part of any quality home theater. The Radiance Pro video processor allows you to “See what the director intended™.” Optimizing HDR content has perhaps become the most important video processing feature. The Radiance Pro Dynamic Tone Mapping (DTM) analyzes every frame of content for multiple regions of each frame, detects scene changes, and optimizes the “transfer function” for each frame of content. Jon Thompson, a movie producer who is responsible for post-production image quality at a major studio, recently evaluated the Radiance Pro DTM versus the other DTM options. He said that “the other DTM options are not even in the same league as the Radiance Pro.” Scaling quality again comes to the forefront with the advent of 4k projectors and televisions. Lumagen’s NoRing™ scaling provides the best quality scaling for 1080, 720, and SD, sources for 4k projectors and TVs. Scaling is also essential for aspect-ratio control, especially when using an anamorphic lens. In addition, the Radiance Pro has a sharpening feature that helps restore detail lost during compression of the digital content. Minimizing signal jitter is an extremely important criteria for HDMI. The current 18 GHz 4XXX HDMI output card has a measured data jitter of about 80 pS. This is well below HDMI requirements of ≤102 pS for 18 GHz,
audio due to this ultra-low jitter. Reference quality colorimetry is often overlooked as part of a highend home theater. The Radiance Pro can provide automated video equalization, using third party calibration software, with more accuracy than calibration without a 3D LUT. Using the Radiance Pro’s Color Management System you can “See what the director intended™.” Other features include anamorphic screen support for HD, 3D, and 4k UHD and HDR sources, with or without an anamorphic lens. Image based auto-aspect selection, plus precise geometry adjustments including size, and masking, are available. The Radiance Pro’s Non-Linear-Stretch (NLS) feature allows the user to stretch 16:9 content to fill an anamorphic screen using their preferred settings. For 16:9 screens and TVs, an anamorphic image can be placed anywhere in the active screen area, or with some zoom, and/or cropping, can fill a larger portion of the screen. Multiple output configuration memories allow for multiple independent configurations, such as day, night, sports, and black-and-white. Here are some comments on the Radiance Pro line from reviewers and owners: Dylan Seeger, hometheaterreview.com: “The feature-set, level of picture control, and overall performance put this video processor in a class of its own.” Tony O’Brien, stereo.net.au: “Lumagen’s claim of producing studiograde reference images is no stretch of the imagination. Indeed, it produced some of the finest images I’ve seen in my time as a calibrator, not to mention the best looking HDR images I’ve witnessed from any projector regardless of price point.” Karl Maga, AVS Forum: “I can’t imagine having a serious projectorbased setup without a Radiance Pro.” Woofer, AV Forums: “The Lumagen 4*** series “still” provides exceptional results.......IMO better than any other current Video Processor option (and I have used/owned all options) ......only bested by Lumagen’s own 5348.” Mike G., AVS Forum: “Fantastic product for getting the best out of your system and for simplifying use of the system.” Audioguy, AVS Forum: “The improvements I have seen in this product since I bought it are incredible.”
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LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO. INC.
ALISSE WALL CONTROL F IN D OUT MOR E
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he Alisse wall control delivers simple, elegant, and magical experiences at the touch of a button via HomeWorks. The perfectly balanced, European-inspired form is incredibly versatile, with a range of curated metal finishes and flexible button configurations to fit the needs of any space. Alisse is available in single-, double-, and triple-column variations that all mount to the same backbox. The handcrafted Signature Metal Collection presents eleven polished, brushed, and painted finish options, all of which are fingerprint and wear resistant. These solid metal faceplates snap on seamlessly with no visible means of attachment. Around the buttons, a coordinating color temperature LED halo indicates status and is adjustable for backlight intensity. Customers may further personalize the control with custom text and icon engraving. Contrasting backfill lighting make for easy-to-read inscriptions illuminated by a warm or cool glow. Alisse is luxury in every detail. Combining exceptional technology and flawless performance, Alisse is functionality made beautiful. • The wired Alisse keypad works seamlessly with Lutron HomeWorks QSX series processors, allowing users full control of lights, shades / draperies, temperature, and third-party equipment. • The 2-piece design enables installation of the base unit prior to selecting wall control finish and engraving for unmatched flexibility and customization. • The base unit enables the installer to verify wiring, programming, and achieve certificate of occupancy—all prior to front end install—with a convenient 1-button on/off control. By celebrating thoughtful design and leaning deeply into the future of home integration, the Alisse wall control represents a leap forward in residential luxury. Alisse offers a new platform that decouples design decisions from the installation process, enabling greater flexibility and creativity. The installation process is remarkably simple. Start with standard square backbox. Next, add an Alisse base unit with a temporary faceplate. Finally, when ready, replace the temporary faceplate with the personalized Alisse. Beautiful and versatile, Alisse is an elegant complement to any interior design. Its warm aesthetic, genuine materials and ‘made for you’ flexibility make it a desirable addition to any number of different projects and applications. 23
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LUXUL
LARGE MANAGED L2/L3 GIGABIT SWITCHES F IN D OUT MOR E
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uxul’s new family of large managed L2/L3 Gigabit switches includes the 48 PoE+ SW-51048P-F; 24 PoE+ SW-610-24P-R; and 48 PoE+ SW-610-48P-F. Designed for sizeable residential and commercial networks, the units are packed with features for simple network expansion and management, while offering high performance with fast switching capacities of 104Gbps, 128Gbps, and 176Gbps, respectively. To accommodate the largest of networks, such as AV-over-IP systems, the new Gigabit switches offer twice as many SFP / SFP+ ports than previous-generation models for connection to additional switches. The SW-510-48P-F is outfitted with four SFP 1Gb ports, which enable integrators to connect to additional switches via an Ethernet cable or a fiber-optic cable when using SFP modules (sold separately). For ultra-fast interconnection with additional switches, the SW-610-48P-F and SW-61024P-R feature four 10Gb SFP+ ports. Furthermore, instead of “stacking” with other switches, the SW-510-48P-F, SW-610-24P-R, and SW-610-48P-F rely on “aggregation.” Not only does this provide integrators with more flexibility, but it offers increased bandwidth up to 40Gbps. The switches’ PoE+ ports are perfect for expanding networks utilizing PoE-enabled devices such as control system touchpanels, POS systems, phone systems, IP cameras, wireless access points, and AV-over-IP components. The SW-510-48P-F and SW-610-48P-F feature front-facing ports and a total power budget of 740W, while the SW-610-24P-R offers rear-facing ports and a power budget of 370W. With their QoS and VLAN support, powerful management tools, and blazing-fast switching and uplink speeds, the SW-510-48P-F, SW-610-24P-R, and SW-610-48P-F make it simple for integrators to meet their customers’ high expectations for system performance. Luxul’s Group Manager single-pane user interface allows integrators to easily administer up to 16 switches, while integrated, free-of-charge ProWatch+ cloud management provides them with the ability to remotely monitor their client’s AV system, get real-time notifications of failures, and quickly resolve issues, when used with Luxul routers. The result is next-level customer service and reduced service calls for an improved bottom line. 24
NOMINEE
MAGNA AUDIO
AURA F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he design has always been one of the main concerns for us at Magna and that’s how we created Aura, a series of speakers that lighting can be integrated, turning it into a lighting sconce and complementing the decor of any environment. The range consists of four different speakers plus a subwoofer. The smaller versions allow over a thousand combinations of cabinet colors and finishes, grille finishes, impedance, and lighting, making it the most innovative series of speakers in the market in terms of matching the interior design needs and installation flexibility. All Aura Series models are handmade in aluminum, and they are classified as a multipurpose speaker as they can be installed outdoor, in saunas, and also in residences by the sea due to their salty protected drivers. For extreme climate installs Magna suggests the use of the optional stainlesssteel bracket. It also can be installed on-wall or on-ceiling. Aura 3 has a 6” diameter cabinet and is equipped with a 3” 40W full-range driver that delivers pleasant high-quality sound on frequencies over 100Hertz. Aura Sub uses an 8” 200W Driver that is the recommended pair for the smaller Auras, reaching 49Herts in -3DB. Both models will be presented at Expo and are ready to ship right after the show. At CEDIA Expo, Magna will present 3 new versions based on the same design. Aura 6 will be the new star. A 125W 2-way wide dispersion, with 91db of sensibility, makes it a perfect solution for outdoor areas. It will be the ideal solution when customers cannot install subwoofers but want to have on-wall speakers with high performance. Aura 4 will share the same cabinet as Aura 3 but using a 4” 60W drive to improve the power, keeping the same sensibility of 91db. As the performance of Aura 3 is enough for most indoor situations, Aura 4 will probably be used in small home theaters as customers look for a design solution and also for outdoor installs as has more power and bass them Aura 3”. Aura Mini is a smaller version of Aura 3, with only 4.52” diameter, and uses the same driver although its cabinet characteristics make it get clear sound over the 140 Hertz making it dependent on the Aura Sub to fulfill the missing frequencies. 25
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MAGNA AUDIO
POLLY 360 F IN D OUT MOR E
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andmade in aluminum, Polly series products are made to last and resist the most extreme climate installs. Its accessories are made of weather-resistant components as stainless-steel nuts and screws, salty air-protected drivers, and cable glands from Wiska, a centenary German company. The speaker is equipped with 6 3” Neodymium drivers that use the ADR, Array Drive Alignment to a uniform dispersion and smooths mediums and highs. The product is also available in a secondary version with 4 drivers, covering 240º. Integrated into its body, Polly has a 10” 200W powerful subwoofer that perfectly completes the missing frequencies from the small drivers spreading the bass all around it. Looking at its small body, which hides the subwoofer under it, is hard to believe that only one speaker can be so powerful. The range of colors (black, white, and corten steel, sand, champagne, gray, brown, and green) plus the integrated led light make it even hard to believe that this piece of art is a loudspeaker.
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I
MODUS VR
MODUS 360 F IN D OUT MOR E
ntroducing the new Modus 360 addition to the Modus VR Software! Modus 360 is the absolute best way for technology integrators to present their projects in full 360-degree renderings on any phone, tablet or computer instantly. This software is a companion to the award-winning Modus VR and Modus Lines Design Software. This instantly creates 360-degree images from any space complete with technology, furniture and other elements in the room. The software also generates unique URLs automatically that can be easily shared on any device with clients and their families, plus other project partners such as builders, designers and architects. “This is the best investment I’ve made all year, and it paid for itself in under 2 months,” said Mike Barry, President of Millennium Systems Design, Florida (Azione Buying Group Dealer) This is another true industry first for Modus VR. Why? Traditionally, to create professional 3D, 360-degree renders of a project is very costly and can take weeks to produce to show clients for feedback. Modus 360 provides an immediate, complete, affordable way to share projects with clients with full visuals. Once a media room, theater, boardroom or other room is built in Modus VR, it takes literally seconds to generate a 360-degree view for no additional cost. It is also far more engaging than traditional, costly renders as it provides additional context such as most elements and technology in a space for immediate customer reaction, changes and decision making. Technology Integrators can change their game with the new Modus 360 and become the leading firm in their region with this software for design, instant collaboration, more compelling proposals and speed of client decision making. The interesting thing about these new features that Modus 360 provides is that there’s no other company in the CI industry to stand out from - literally. There is no comparison. Modus 360 is the only professional industry software for generating 360-degree renderings of complete AV / technology spaces that can be created instantly, shared globally and created for no additional fees beyond the standard, all-inclusive Modus VR price. And, it is included along with 24/7 support and online support options. That said, here are key reasons this is a standout: 1. Doesn’t require any special or virtual reality hardware to instantly create full 360-degree, 3D renderings for any client, interior designer, project, builder or other trade partner. 2. It is far more engaging, accurate and provides more context than typical 2D drawings, standard proposals and software tools that integrators and trade partners tend to use. It is also FAR less costly, as typical 3D renders can cost up to $4000 or more, and then the integrator, client and trades cannot make real-time changes on the fly using Modus 360, saving all stakeholders time, money and confusion. 3. Modus VR takes care of all Modus 360 web hosting and URL creation is autogenerated for sharing anywhere in the world! 4. It’s a natural companion to Modus VR, Photo and Lines for no additional cost whatsoever. 5. Allows Dealers to personalize by displaying their own logo and set themselves apart with clients and partners. The bottom line? Modus 360 is the only software to instantly empower integrators with full 360-degree, 3D renderings of any AV technology room that’s viewable on any device – anywhere in the world. 360 renderings are created in seconds while URLs are autogenerated for clients and partners for faster and more accurate sharing, collaboration and decision making. 27
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NORTEK CONTROL
ELAN® EL-SC-300ZW SYSTEM CONTROLLER
T
F IND OUT MO R E
he ELAN® EL-SC-300-ZW IP-based System Controller is a seamless, scalable platform that allows integrators to deploy the right system for the most demanding control projects with flexibility for the future. Coupled with the new ELAN 8.6 software, integrators and homeowners gain a true “all-in-one-app,” consistent multi-platform experience. The new 2021 ELAN® IP-enabled, EL-SC-300-ZW System Controller is the flagship model of an entirely new “good, better, best” family of controllers from ELAN for 2021, and was designed to handle the integration and control requirements of large homes with demanding home tech requirements. The system enables total management and control of AV components, lighting, climate, pool/spa, irrigation, doorbell cameras, surveillance cameras, security devices, and other third-party products. With support for RS-232, RS-485, relays, IR, IP, input sensors, and Z-Wave (through an included Z-Wave transceiver), the ELAN EL-SC-300-ZW affords integrators a highly customizable, scalable, and versatile IP-based home control solution. All integrated devices and systems receive commands automatically based on prescribed conditions or via commands from touchpanels, mobile or desktop app, and voice. Real-time video from surveillance cameras and doorbells is accessible via the touchpanels and app as well.
Quick, easy discovery and installation of Z-Wave devices is accomplished via ELAN Viewer app on mobile devices. The 8.6 Software adds new highly requested features and works with Alexa International and Lutron QSX with auto-generated Lighting and Shades pages. The ELAN 8.6 Software enables mobile control and export of surveillance video from ELAN NVR on mobile devices, along with other must-have capabilities. This system ushers in a host of new innovations in its product class for integrators worldwide. Many control companies tout “all in one app” capability, but ELAN’s EL-SC-300-ZW actually delivers it with features such as: • Ability to deliver real-time video from cameras and doorbells fully and directly to the same application. Through the consolidation of video and control, touchpanels and mobile apps become more useful, multi-functional pieces of technology. • Unprecedented Intelligent facial recognition technology, another ELAN recent industry first, is built into the EL-SC-300-ZW platform and is an important differentiator for this high-powered, premium controller’s interface. In addition to providing a layer of security by allowing only recognizable users access to system features, facial recognition simplifies the control process by precluding need to enter private codes. • Although the SC-300-ZW supports a variety of user interfaces—ELAN touchpanels, mobile and desktop apps, and even voice commands—the experience for end-users is simple and consistent throughout, simplifying design process for integrators and minimizing learning curve for end-users. • Unique compatibility with other ELAN, Nortek Control sister products, popular third-party products, including Z-Wave compliant products provides integrators with the flexibility and versatility to integrate a wide variety of products with the EL-SC-300-ZW controller. This level of integration and customization also makes the EL-SC-300-ZW well-suited for commercial environments. • Comprehensive support of RS-232, RS-845, relays, IR, IP, input sensors connections are built in, making ELAN SC-300-ZW a highly versatile, flexible, and customizable home control system. This one system can support all control needs of projects of any size or scope, including commercial environments. • Integration with native cameras and video doorbells allows video to populate automatically on ELAN touchpanels and mobile/desktop app, eliminating work for technicians. • Coupled with the new 8.6 Software, integrators and homeowners gain requested features and compatibility with Alexa International, Lutron QSX and many more. Also includes Lutron auto-generated Lighting and Shades pages. There are too many features to list. These covered are some of the most core elements of excellence.
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WIN N E R
ON-Q
DUALPURPOSE IN-WALL ENCLOSURES F IN D OUT MOR E
A
vailable in 9-inch (ENP0900-NA) and 17-inch (ENP1700-NA) form factors, On-Q dualpurpose In-Wall Enclosures can be used for AV storage behind a TV or as enclosures for structured wiring. When placed behind a TV, the solutions are designed to conveniently house cable boxes, streaming players, and more. The 17-inch solution is also compatible with the popular 4K and 8K Samsung One-Connect Box, while its split cover was designed for use with split rail TV mounts, allowing integrators to access components after the TV mount is installed. Additional access is provided by open channels at the top and bottom of the enclosures, which also provide passive ventilation. When used as enclosures for structured wiring, the In-Wall Enclosures provide a centralized area to store video, voice, and data components, such as Luxul’s new compact 4-port SW-100-04P and 8-port SW-100-08P Gigabit PoE+ switches. The in-wall boxes’ WiFi transparent ABS plastic construction ensures a strong signal from ISP modems/wireless routers. The 17-inch solution’s split cover accommodates tight installations — such as behind closet shelving — enabling users to access components without obstructions. The boxes’ top and bottom channels can be sealed with included inserts to keep out debris and dust. For installation flexibility, the 9-inch and 17-inch solutions are available with a 5-inch mounting plate. ENP0905-NA-V1 and ENP1705-NA-V1 models include a mounting bracket (AC1050) that offers 1.5 inch of elevation, allowing for a second layer of mounting to free up space or accommodate bulky devices. The mounting bracket can also be purchased separately. Built-in hook and loop locations enable effortless cable management, while an included trim ring conceals messy drywall for a clean, professional look. The solutions are compatible with both On-Q structured wiring modules and those from other manufacturers. 29
WIN N E R
ORRO
ONE PRO F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he Orro One Pro provides Human Centric, Wellness-Driven Lighting & All-In-One Smart Home Control. The Orro Smart Living System upgrades home life with a simple-to-use, intelligent system that unifies the technology in your home. Orro takes a human-centric approach when it comes to lighting and helps the artificial lighting in your home best support your circadian rhythm. And it does so Automatically. Built into each Orro switch is a number of sensors including a motion sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensors, two-microphone array and speaker. With all of these sensors + software, Orro always knows the environment around. How much sunlight is coming into the room, when someone enters/leaves/ is still in the room, the time of day and your preferences. With that, Orro creates Automatic Lighting. When you enter the room, the lights turn on. When you leave the room, the lights turn off (great for energy savings). And when you’re still in the room but motion isn’t detected but sound is, for example, the lights stay on. And the light levels chosen are always right for the time of day, amount of sunlight coming in plus your preferences. In short, never think about touching a light switch again and get the optimal light to give you more energy during the day and better sleep at night, Automatically. Live healthier and happier. That’s just lighting. Orro also unifies your smart home and brings together the various disjointed smart home devices you may have in your home into one, simple-to-use platform. Door locks, door bells, thermostats, audio systems and much more from the largest brands there are including Alexa, Nest and Sonos, just to mention a few. Plus, with Alexa built-in, the Orro One Pro allows you to do all things Alexa without another Alexa device. And, with native built-in Intercom, you can easily speak between rooms. The best part? All of the above fits into one small box that fits into a decora-sized light box. Orro is very design-centric and wanted to give customers the technology they want but without them having to see it. Unlike other companies who focus on a big screen on a wall, Orro appeals more to the design-centric customer by providing a solution the size of a light switch, great for new builds or retrofits. Experience Smart Living with Orro. 30
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PLANAR
PLANAR LUXE MICROLED ®
™
F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he premium Planar® Luxe™ MicroLED is a line of professional-grade, ultra-fine pitch MicroLED displays supporting large indoor spaces. With 4K and 8K resolutions and highcontrast, high-brightness MicroLED technology, Planar Luxe MicroLED is designed to deliver outstanding, seamless video performance, while providing customers with a complete package that is aimed at effortless enriching luxury spaces. In addition to delivering the highest resolutions, Planar Luxe MicroLED displays are HDR-ready and feature high brightness, deep blacks and superior contrast for unparalleled visual performance. They are available in 4K 108-inch, 136-inch, 163-inch and 8K 217-inch sizes, and include the display, wall mount, powerful video controller with remote processing, remote control, display trim and cables. Planar Luxe MicroLED displays also include Planar Elite Technical Services, a new level of Planar service offering that employs specially qualified and trained professionals who are held to the highest standards of performance and professional conduct, exhibit impeccable cleanliness, have proven themselves in the field and received the highest level of technical training. The Planar Elite Technical Services offering performs Planar Elite Installation and Commissioning, a new service that maximizes on-site efficiency and customer satisfaction, while honoring privacy and minimizing client disruption. Planar Elite Installation and Commissioning includes fine tuning displays to ensure imagery looks its best for customers in each unique environment. Planar Luxe MicroLED also includes a professional-grade video controller to scale and window content with full compliance for digital content protection standards and video performance standards such as HDR10. The displays are also fully compatible with a wide range of popular content delivery systems. Ideal for a variety of lifestyle uses, including digital artwork, movies, sports and events, as well as gaming, eSports, streaming, multi-window viewing and video conferencing, Planar Luxe MicroLED displays offer variable brightness and color settings. This means customers can enjoy exceptional viewing experiences in brightly lit spaces with large windows as well as dark, theater-like environments. 31
NOMINEE
RTI
RTI MUSIC F IN D OUT MOR E
R
TI Music (MS-3 Music Streamer) is designed exclusively for residential integrators. It empowers them to deliver an exceptional streaming experience with native control through any RTI control system. Integrators are able to deliver a seamless control experience for their clients, eliminating the need — for example — to exit the control app to access the playlist. With RTI Music, users can stream high-res audio (24-bit/192kHz) into any room from their favorite platform or from their local NAS into any room with a simple tap on a touch panel or remote. RTI Music supports three independent sources and allows for multiple concurrent streams. Streaming sources include Pandora, Spotify, AirPlay, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, SiriusXM for Business, SoundMachine, and TuneIn. A client’s personal music collection on a local NAS drive or computer can be accessed and fully integrated in the MS-3 with lossless audio (FLAC and ALAC) supported. With three simultaneous streams, the MS-3 can keep the whole family engaged, while the lossless audio capability and local drive access can satisfy the audiophile. For the integrator, this means more satisfied customers. For the installing technician, the MS-3 is auto-discovered in RTI’s Integration Designer control platform for simple setup. The installation wizard makes it simple to get the homeowner’s music accounts set up. The MS-3 pairs with RTI audio distribution systems for seamless audio throughout the home. Housed in a 1U chassis, it mounts in the system rack. The innovative and differentiating factor is its user interface. The app integrates seamlessly into the RTI control system. Users can access playlists and search favorite songs, artists, and albums on their favorite services. It also supports AirPlay, allowing any user — even a guest — with Apple Music to play on any Apple device. The Music Queue features a play now, play later, and play soon options to build an on-the-fly song queue while the Favorites playlists integrates songs from multiple services and local devices. 32
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RTI
VIDEO OVER IP (VIP) PLATFORM F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he new RTI new Video over IP (VIP) platform allows integrators to distribute 4K UHD video over a 1GB network switch with ease. This exceptionally flexible system can be installed in minutes, scaled to a virtually unlimited number of endpoints, and controlled natively within the RTI control environment. Where the RTI Video over IP line really shines is in the user experience. The video preview images on the touchpanel, remote, or mobile device put the user in full control of what is playing where in the system from the same interface they use to manage the rest of the home and making it easy to align any source with any display. Integrators can take advantage of the existing network infrastructure to cost-effectively distribute UHD video to displays across installations of any size. It’s designed so that integrators can deliver the benefits of Video over IP without the need for a deep understanding of networking or the need to manually assign IP addresses. At the heart of the RTI Video over IP platform is the VIP-UHD-CTRL Control Module, which combines simplified RTI Integration Designer programming and configuration platform integration with IR, RS-232, or TCP/IP control, and a wizard-based interface for fast and automated system configuration.
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WIN N E R The Salamander Designs Seating Configurator is: • Ultra-easy-to-use, fast and flexible: dealers demonstrate and quote furniture literally on the spot, avoiding common delays in the design/sales process. They can design, quote and order in real time with customers. • Instant collaboration: customers quickly create furniture, see it in advance and know they’re getting exactly what they want. This creates excitement and a faster “yes.” • Turnkey customization and ordering: works on any device with ability to design and specify seating size, see how it will fit/match a space, customize materials, recliners, cup holders, butt shakers, power outlets and more.
SALAMANDER DESIGNS
SEATING CONFIGURATOR SOFTWARE
S
FIN D OU T MORE
alamander Designs innovative, new Seating Configurator is a comprehensive, web-based tool that delivers the fastest, easiest platform for designing and ordering premium custom seating in minutes rather than days. This is an all-in-one, self-service tool that brings integrators the newfound ability to collaborate with clients, interior designers and other trade partners and fully design, price and order the latest in technology and entertainment furniture – all in real time. A truly unmatched software design tool, this is the only one like it in the entire CI industry. It takes the latest in software and configuration tools and brings it into Salamander’s website environment and furniture design-build-order workflow. This enables integrators to work real time on any platform with clients and designers to get the latest aesthetic designs in entertainment seating, sectionals and ottomans to match today’s homes and lifestyles. Later in 2021, Salamander media cabinets, component stands and racks, and other furniture categories will be added. With this software, dealers can fully design, customize, preview, price and order custom entertainment furniture in the most streamlined and emotionally exciting way. While completely new, it’s noteworthy that Salamander was one of the first CI companies to deliver any online Configurator system in 2000.
How does your product stand out from others in this category? There is no other company providing this unique, online personalization and design tool for entertainment furniture in the CI industry. This brings dealers a faster proposal and sales tool along with the WOW factor and instant gratification of real-time design. They immediately excite clients, enabling them to fully visualize their design, colors, styles, and sizes for entertainment seating in the most modern way. The dealer can order in the moment with the client or can work offline and present the client with finished product documents and quote. Clients become more excited, and integrators can close the sale faster and more accurately. This one-of-a-kind tool further positions the integrator as a market leader above other competitors. It delivers upon the promise of faster, easier technology and home entertainment design services. Integrators can accommodate customers both in person and virtually on the computer. This software saves all project stakeholders time and meeting challenges, while bringing a more easy-to-understand, elegant and appealing furniture design approach to clients. Meet online for 45 minutes, and you can design, quote and order seating for a room, theater or entire home. The Salamander Designs Configurator is free to all authorized dealers, including ongoing enhancements and new features. The Salamander Designs Seating Configurator is a new, innovative tool that saves integrators time while enabling a more engaging, faster online sale and greater client excitement and satisfaction. It takes real-time design and delivery to a whole new level and more easily brings entertainment furniture to every client and home.
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WIN N E R
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
65” TERRACE FULL-SUN F IN D OUT MOR E
O
utdoor TVs have been available for many years, but owners have always had to compromise on picture quality for weatherproofing and durability. With indoor TV quality constantly improving, consumers expect the same experience they get indoors, outside. Last year’s Terrace TV offers all of the benefits of Samsung’s QLED 4K line – great picture quality, sleek design and intuitive smart features – all in a fully weatherproof form factor that’s optimized for partially shaded outdoor viewing. New this year, The Terrace Full Sun’s panel is designed for brightly lit outdoor viewing environments. The Full Sun’s panel technology prevents a condition known as isotropic blackout, which occurs when LCD cells overheat (often from direct, prolonged sun exposure) and temporarily shut off, creating black spots on the screen. With the Full Sun’s enhanced panel technology, consumers can transform any area of the backyard into the ultimate staycation getaway. And brand new this season, a 65” Terrace Full Sun joins the 75” Full Sun model announced in the Spring, giving integrators yet another sales tool for meeting end-user demand for large screens. The Terrace is slimmer, sleeker and lighter than the outdoor TV competition, and easier for professionals to install thanks to a wealth of easy connectivity options like HDBaseT, Bluetooth and Tap View. No need to run any cumbersome cables. The Terrace benefits from Samsung’s industry-leading attention to design, resulting in an overall thinner TV cabinet. The primary competitor, for example, offers a 55” outdoor TV with a 3.66” depth, whereas The Terrace 65” model’s cabinet is 42% slimmer (at 2.4 inches). Considering the popularity of flat-panel TVs, this difference is meaningful in creating a sleeker bezel and more premium form factor that enhances any outdoor space. With the added benefits of a slimmer form factor than that of competitor products and more affordable price points, The Terrace is a valuable resource to consumers in 2021 and beyond. And the new Full-Sun iterations give integrators the familiarity of a trusted brand name combined with cutting-edge innovation & design 35
NOMINEE
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
HW-Q950A F IN D OUT MOR E
S
amsung’s Q950A is the first Samsung soundbar to offer true 11.1.4 channel sound, enhanced by 21 customdesigned speakers and audio certifications including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The Q950A holistically adjusts and optimizes audio based on numerous variables in a room. Its SpaceFit Sound+ feature analyzes the installation method to enhance sound. Its Active Voice Amplifier boosts dialogue volume when the room has background noise, so you can hear crucial scene moments clearly. And with Auto EQ, its wireless subwoofer combines its built-in microphone with Samsung’s AI Equalizer technology to measure how sound travels and reflects, calibrating audio to fit the space. The Q950A was also designed to work alongside Samsung’s 2020/2021 QLED TVs via Q-Symphony, which recreates 3-D surround sound. Allowing simultaneous output from the TV’s top speakers and the Q950A’s upfiring speakers, Q-Symphony enhances a simple setup to deliver an immersive experience.
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NOMINEE
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
QN90A 4K TV F IN D OUT MOR E
S
amsung’s Neo QLED QN90A 4K TV combines Samsung’s advancements in MiniLED picture technology with the Neo Quantum Processor 4K to deliver jaw-dropping 4K clarity and picture. One of Samsung’s best-reviewed consumer TVs, the QN90A has been a runaway success in 2021. So much so that Samsung has unveiled three new models to meet end-user demand for more sizes / price points at both ends of the spectrum. 43”, 50” and 98” sizes join the existing portfolio (55”, 65”, 75” and 85”) to offer custom installers more options than ever to sell in Samsung’s flagship consumer 4K TV. Thanks to Samsung’s MiniLED-based Neo QLED panel technology, more lights can be packed into the same area. Unlike other LED backlights, the QN90A eliminates lenses that capture and transmit light from the backlight. Instead, each compact LED chip is designed to emit light on its own. Brightness is more finely controlled while blooming is minimized, resulting in significantly higher contrast ratios than last year’s TV line and one of the best non-OLED TVs ever. With the Neo Quantum Processor 4K, the QN90A uses deep learning to optimize sound and picture quality for an unrivaled viewing experience. For many consumers, adjusting to working from home was just as important as working out at home. Our 2020 TVs debuted the Samsung Health platform, but our 2021 TVs including the QN90A unveiled a new feature, Smart Trainer, designed to further enhance home fitness. By using Samsung Health + Smart Trainer, consumers can not only get curated fitness content from our six partners, but also receive real-time feedback on improving their workout form with an optional USB camera. That same optional USB camera powers virtual social activities too. The QN90A supports video calling through Google Duo, making hanging out virtually easier and even more lifelike. Google Duo allows you to make video calls directly through your TV with up to 32 simultaneous video calls. And Remote Access Plus makes working from home seamless and even more connected. Just connect DeX to your TV wirelessly to work on the screen while taking calls. 37
NOMINEE
SANUS
VLT7 ADVANCED TILT 4D TV WALL MOUNT F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he VLT7 Advanced Tilt 4D TV wall mount is unique in that it allows mounted displays to be tilted in four different directions. Compatible with TVs from 42 inches to 90 inches and offering a slim industrial design, the mount swivels right and left up to 15 degrees to provide a wider viewing area, while extending 6.8 inches from the wall for maximum tilt and ease of access to cabling. Delivering the ultimate user experience, the VLT7’s scissor mechanism provides smooth in, out, and swivel motions, while its Virtual AxisÔ Fingertip tilt feature allows for easy display adjustment. Simple to install, the mounts decorative wall plate cover flips open and closed and displays click into place for a safe connection to the mount that can be heard. The VLT7 features an open wall plate, which is designed to fit On-Q Dual-Purpose In-Wall enclosures and the new SANUS In-Wall Media Boxes for convenient and discrete cable management and storing of streaming devices, network switches, and power modules. For fine-tuning, the mounts ProSet PlusÔ feature allows for 1-inch post-install height and level adjustment. To prevent theft, integrators have the option of securing the display to the VLT7 with a padlock.
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WIN N E R
SAVANT
SAVANT POWER F IN D OUT MOR E
S
avant Power provides homeowners with the hardware and software required to measure and manage energy consumption, generate and store energy, creating independence from aging grid infrastructure and the increased prevalence of power outages. Within the award-winning Savant Pro App, users will have access to an intuitive interface for all energy management features. Users can view and monitor energy usage trends, see real-time, utility grade consumption data and activate predefined Energy Modes based on consumption, timeof-day pricing, weather events, and other conditions. Savant Power’s energy management solution utilizes intelligent control modules that deliver dynamic load management, monitoring and controlling every circuit in a home or business. Users can optimize their energy consumption, increase efficiency, capitalize on time-of-use pricing from their utility and make more informed decisions about energy usage. Savant Power has introduced a smart home automated storage offering, encompassing onsite energy generation, battery storage and dynamic load management. This microgrid technology provides users with control over their energy assets and keeps the power on even when the grid fails. With the press of a button, users can proactively disconnect from the grid or activate a preset energy mode to address any scenario while ensuring clean, reliable power. Savant Power’s microgrid technology provides users with onsite energy generation, battery storage and dynamic load management. With the press of a button, users can proactively disconnect from the grid or activate a preset energy mode to address any scenario while ensuring clean, reliable power. Savant Power enables homeowners to measure and manage energy consumption, view available green energy production and reduce their overall carbon footprint without compromising lifestyle. Savant Power creates a valuable opportunity for integrators to tailor the system design and functionality to suit each client, bringing added value to each project.
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NOMINEE
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
SQUARE D CONNECTED WIRING DEVICES
F
ully flush, screwless wall plates and smart home connectivity put a new spin on classic functionality. These light switches, electrical controls, and sensors are setting a new benchmark on how electrical controls should look and feel. Equipped with Wi-Fi and Z-Wave connectivity, our devices enable you to monitor energy, control lighting, and pair with a voice-activated home device. All with ease through the Schneider Electric suite of smart home apps.
F IN D OUT MOR E
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WIN N E R
SONY ELECTRONICS
A90J
F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he A90J is Sony’s new flagship 4K OLED TV available in 83”, 65” and 55” classes, all in a very slim form factor. Images come to life with the Cognitive Processor XR, an all-new revolutionary TV processing technology that understands how humans see and hear to deliver intense contrast with pure blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors. Additional technologies including Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro lets viewers rediscover everything with billions of accurate colors and impressive picture quality that is natural and beautiful to the human eye. XR OLED Contrast Pro provides an unrivaled immersive depth and realism with ultimate blacks and our brightest-ever OLED picture. The latest version of Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ brings a totally immersive sound experience with the sound coming from the entire screen, enveloping viewers in exciting new entertainment experiences, providing pictures and sound in perfect harmony. The implementation of HDMI 2.1 also allows users to get the most out of next-gen gaming featuring 4K/120fps and BRAVIA Game Mode for increased frame rate and reduced input lag.
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NOMINEE
SONY ELECTRONICS
HT-A7000 F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he premium HT-A7000 soundbar delivers new and revolutionary multi-dimensional sound experiences that allow users to feel the action happening above from every corner of the living room. The HT-A7000 features innovative surround sound technologies that create an incredibly immersive home theater and soundscape experience for any music, film or gaming content. The 7.1.2-channel soundbar features two up-firing speakers for overhead sound, two beam tweeters and five front speakers for wider surround and a built-in dual subwoofer for deep bass. Coupled with Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround, the A7000 creates virtual surround sound so customers can fully enjoy the thrill of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®. Thanks to Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine, the A7000 can position sound in vertical space to create overhead audio without the need for in-ceiling speakers. The unique digital sound field processing technology virtually reproduces the surround sound field, with audio coming at you from both sides. Making it easy to enjoy the rich cinematic surround sound without cluttering the living space. With S-Force PRO, the soundbar can virtually reproduce the surround sound field, with audio coming from both horizontal directions. Additionally, the A7000’s Sound Field Optimization feature utilizes built-in microphones to measure the height and width of the room and perfectly optimizes sound to the room’s layout. The A7000 and optional speakers have been designed under a common Omnidirectional Block Concept for a fully cohesive look. Its sophisticated rounded edges represent a single solid block providing wide-spreading sound. The combination of rich material textures emphasizes an affinity to any living room environment.
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WIN N E R
SONY ELECTRONICS
HT-A9 F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he premium HT-A9 home theater system delivers new and revolutionary multi-dimensional sound experiences that allow users to feel the action happening above from every corner of the living room. The HT-A9 features innovative surround sound technologies that create an incredibly immersive home theater and soundscape experience for any music, film or gaming content. With Sound Field Optimization, the A9 uses dual microphones in each speaker to ingeniously measure their relative height and position. 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology then creates up to twelve “phantom” speakers from just four speakers by synthesizing sound waves based on positional information. Thanks to the phantom speakers, Sony’s widest ever sound field fills every part of the living space. The A9 also supports Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, so users can experience cinematic surround sound from the comfort of their home. The home theater system features Sony’s latest Omnidirectional Block Design representing a single solid block providing 360 spatial sound. It fits perfectly against the wall with a flat rear surface and its light grey color is designed to seamlessly blend with interiors. There’s no need to rearrange furniture or precisely position the speakers because Sound Field Optimization allows users to place the speakers at different heights and distances. Enjoy music the way the artists truly intended with High-Resolution Audio and 360 Reality Audio. 360 Reality Audio immerses users in music as if they were right in front of their favorite artist. Paired with a compatible BRAVIA™ television, the A9 offers the ultimate immersive audio-visual experience with Sony’s best picture and sound quality. Gaming is also much more thrilling and realistic as the A9 supports the latest formats such as 8K HDR, 4K 120fps passthrough and Dolby Vision® for the best-in-class entertainment experience.
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NOMINEE
SONY ELECTRONICS
VPL-VW1025ES F IN D OUT MOR E
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he Sony VPL-VW1025ES comes packed with all the latest features in a Sony projector. The X1TM processor for projector brings you the best of Sony’s image processing. This processor takes our acclaimed BRAVIA TV video processing and optimizes it for projection by combining innovative technologies for highprecision frame analysis, enabling features like the Dynamic HDR Enhancer and Super Resolution. The Dynamic HDR Enhancer brings a wider contrast range scene by scene for striking and realistic picture quality. This model comes with Full Native 4K resolution on 3 SXRD imagers: 4096 x 2160 pixels each. And MotionFlow provides smooth motion for 4K & HD. The High Dynamic Range brings a wider contrast range for improved realism and unrivaled brightness at this class comes in at 1,500 Lumens. Advanced Reality Creation comes into play for upscaling and sharpening images without sharpening picture noise and the input lag reduction ensures faster refresh rate for gamers in addition to movie or TV lovers. The Z-Phosphor™ laser light source lets you enjoy perfectly clear 4K pictures at optimal brightness for up to 20,000 uninterrupted hours. No lamp replacements required, and virtually zero maintenance. Most importantly, the VPL-VW1025ES features edge to edge image quality thanks to an ARC-F lens, which delivers pristine image quality across the entire screen. This large-aperture lens adopts an all-glass design for its 18 elements, including six extra low dispersion (ELD) elements. This ensures optimal convergence of the red, green, and blue primaries even at the extreme edges of the screen, for a clear and vivid image.
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NOMINEE
SONY ELECTRONICS
VPL-VW325ES F IN D OUT MOR E
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he Sony VPL-VW325ES comes packed with all the latest features in a Sony projector. The X1™ processor for projector brings you the best of Sony’s image processing and Dynamic HDR Enhancer brings a wider contrast range scene by scene for striking and realistic picture quality by using advanced algorithms to cut noise and boost detail with high-precision frame analysis. This model also comes with Full Native 4K resolution on 3 SXRD imagers: 4096 x 2160 pixels each. And Motionflow provides smooth motion for 4K & HD. The High Dynamic Range brings a wider contrast range for improved realism and unrivaled brightness at this class comes in at 1,500 Lumens. The Dynamic HDR Enhancer powered by X1 for projector enhances contrast scene by scene in combination with iris-controlled light output control to deliver stunning 4K HDR images. With more than four times the resolution of Full HD, native 4K offers 8.8 million pixels (4096 x 2160) for a picture that’s so incredibly lifelike, it’s like looking at the real thing. Advanced Reality Creation comes into play for upscaling and sharpening images without sharpening picture noise and the input lag reduction ensures faster refresh rate for gamers in addition to movie or TV lovers. The advanced SXRD™ (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) panel technology delivers native 4K-resolution images with 8.8 million pixels for an incredibly lifelike picture. SXRD projection offers rich, inky blacks as well as clear cinematic motion and image smoothness, and can reproduce vibrant colors with more tones and textures than a standard projector system. Sony’s exclusive Reality Creation technology analyzes images right down to the pixel level. It then employs pattern-matching algorithms developed over years of movie production to enhance details without increasing digital picture noise. It also upscales existing Full HD Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD movies to near-4K quality. Lastly, the VPL-VW325ES has up to 1,500 lumens of brightness for vibrant screens up to 300”. The lamp can satisfy up to 6,000 hours of viewing time (in low mode) meaning fewer lamp swaps, simpler maintenance and lower running costs. 45
WIN N E R
SONY ELECTRONICS
X92
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he Sony X92 is Sony’s new flagship 4K LCD TV available in an ultra-large 100” class, the ultimate big screen TV experience, taking vision and sound to the next level with the ingenious Cognitive Processor XR. The COGNITIVE PROCESSOR XR™ is an evolutionary TV processing technology that understands how humans see and hear to deliver intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors that completely immerses viewers in their favorite content. The precise 4K picture uses human perspective analysis to cross-analyze and optimize hundreds of thousands of elements in the blink of an eye. Combined with our Full Array LED panel, this technology creates ultra-realistic picture quality full of lifelike contrast. The X92 comes with advanced speaker technology that uses our Cognitive Processor XR to turn any sound source into an immersive sound experience. We use hands-free entertainment with help from Google so users can set aside the remote and use their voice to control. The minimalist design with a seamless bezel embraces the screen in a single pane of glass that’s naturally elegant and keeps viewers focused on the picture. Additional technologies including X-Wide Angle, which provides vivid real-world colors from any angle, and XR Motion Clarity, which cross-analyzes data to ensure action stays smooth, bright and clear, helps to deliver supreme realism and picture quality. Additionally, the XR Triluminos Pro and XR Contrast Booster rediscover everything you watch with billions of accurate colors and see impressive picture quality that is natural and beautiful to the human eye. Other features like the Acoustic Multi-Audio technology delivers cinematic surround sound and accurate sound positioning, providing pictures and sound in perfect harmony. The X95J also supports Dolby Vision® HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, transforming entertainment with ultra-vivid picture quality and incredible moving sound. This TV also features HDMI 2.1 compatibility, including 4K 120fps, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and e-ARC for the highest quality gaming. 46
NOMINEE
SONY ELECTRONICS
X95J
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he Sony X95J is Sony’s new flagship 4K LCD TV available in 85”, 75” and 65” classes, and featuring the Cognitive Processor XR that understands how humans see and hear, providing a revolutionary experience that completely immerses viewers in their favorite content by delivering intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors. The minimalist design with a seamless bezel embraces the screen in a single pane of glass that’s naturally elegant and keeps viewers focused on the picture. The 3-WAY MULTI-POSITION STAND is beautifully designed to complement your unique viewing experience, offering three levels of flexibility – standard low-profile setting, narrow furniture setting, or raised to accommodate a soundbar. Additional technologies including X-Wide Angle, which provides vivid real-world colors from any angle, and XR Motion Clarity, which cross-analyzes data to ensure action stays smooth, bright and clear, helps to deliver supreme realism and picture quality with intelligent motion processing for fast-moving, blur-free sports and action-packed movies. Additionally, the XR Triluminos Pro and XR Contrast Booster deliver deep blacks and intense brightness. The XR TRILUMINOS PRO™ rediscovers everything you watch with billions of accurate colors and sees impressive picture quality that is natural and beautiful to the human eye. The BRAVIA XR X95J 4K HDR LED TV features the exclusive BRAVIA CORE™ service. Pre-loaded on all new BRAVIA XR models, users can enjoy a selection of the latest SPE premium and classic titles and the largest IMAX Enhanced collection. BRAVIA CORE is the first in the industry to feature Pure Stream™ technology, achieving near lossless UHD BD equivalent quality with streaming up to 80 Mbps. The X95J is also an ideal TV for gamers, delivering the support of multiple HDMI 2.1 features, such as 4K 120fps, VRR and ALLM, for smooth and responsive gameplay when connected to a next-generation console. Additionally, the X95J works with Alexa and Google Assistant, has X-Anti reflection and XR 4K technology that upscales 2K signals close to true 4K quality for incredibly real and detailed pictures. Other features like the Acoustic Multi-Audio technology delivers cinematic surround sound and accurate sound positioning, providing pictures and sound in perfect harmony. The X95J also supports Dolby Vision® HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, transforming entertainment with ultra-vivid picture quality and incredible moving sound. This TV also features HDMI 2.1 compatibility, including 4K 120fps, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)5, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and e-ARC for the highest quality gaming. 47
WIN N E R
SONY ELECTRONICS
Z9J
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E
xplore the world with a TV that elevates everything you watch. Powered by the all-new Cognitive Processor XR™, the BRAVIA XR Z9J transforms your content into near-8K quality for incredibly real and immersive pictures. Revolutionary TV processing technology pushes 8K resolution to the max and upscales everything you watch for scenes rich in precise detail and texture. Hundreds of thousands of individual on-screen elements are processed and remastered in the blink of an eye, delivering intense depth with enhanced contrast and natural color, bringing astounding realism to your content. See colors that are natural and beautiful to the human eye. The Cognitive Processor XR™ enables Sony BRAVIA XR™ TVs to access billions of accurate colors and reproduce each shade with the subtle differences seen in the real world. XR Triluminos™ Pro further enhances the range of hues and saturation allowing for extremely precise details within textures and ensuring skin tones look completely natural, as seen with the same accuracy as the human eye. The deep blacks and intense brightness of Full Array LED and XR Contrast Booster 15, powered by the Cognitive Processor XR™, allow viewers to experience real-life depth and detail. By controlling brightness in sections of the screen independently, Full Array LED balances light output to ensure scenes are full of breathtaking contrast. XR Contrast Booster 15 further enhances contrast to feel more true-to-life by maximizing peak brightness and precisely controlling black levels – no more details overwhelmed by shadow or lost in blown-out highlights. Google TV™ brings your favorite content from across your apps and subscriptions and organizes them just for you with 700,000+ movies and TV episodes, plus live TV all in once place. Searching is easy — just ask Google. Press the Google Assistant button on your remote and try saying “find action movies” to search across your favorite apps. With BRAVIA CORE™, enjoy the latest Sony Picture Entertainment (SPE) titles and the largest IMAX Enhanced collection. Use the included BRAVIA CORE credits to choose from hundreds of latest release movies to redeem. In addition, you are subscribed to an amazing selection of movies to stream anytime and as many times as you like. BRAVIA CORE is the first in the industry to feature Pure Stream™ technology, achieving near lossless 4K UHD Blu-ray equivalent quality with streaming up to 80 Mbps delivering stunning visuals and expressive sound quality. 48
NOMINEE
SPEAKERCRAFT
XTEQI SUBWOOFER
F IN D OUT MOR E
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he SpeakerCraft® new 2021 Subwoofer Series of nine models have profoundly changing the game of subwoofer design, sound and bass performance and technological innovation. Uniting the renowned, award-winning designs of Sunfire® with today’s latest technologies, this subwoofer is newly developed from the ground up yet also leverages four decades of proven bass innovation, designs and custom installation integrator and market experience from Nortek Control’s audio portfolio. With its next generation technology, the SpeakerCraft XTEQi flagship model delivers a whole new pinnacle of sound, featuring dual 12-inch force-canceling active drivers, each powered by a dedicated high-output 1000-watt amplifier, onboard DSP and a completely new Sub Station App for ease of full setup, room acoustical correct and control. The unparalleled SpeakerCraft XTEQi Subwoofer accurately reproduces low frequencies down to a teeth-rattling 17Hz, for a high-powered experience ideal for music played in listening rooms, media rooms and movie content in premium home cinemas. Other distinctive design elements include high back-EMF woofer design and over-sized magnets, Triple Driver design to deliver the deepest bass and exclusive Class-D Amplifier design. Meticulously styled with a matte black finish, the XTEQi Subwoofer complements and elevates any décor. With an optional wireless audio kit, the new subwoofer also offers great flexibility, as it can be placed anywhere in a room to create an immersive, rich listening experience. For the installer, there are no more trips back and forth between the listening position and back of the subwoofer for setup, as everything is managed from the app. Setup of this audiophile, ultra-highperformance subwoofer is fast and easy. The new Sub Station Smartphone app eliminates complexity, confusion and acoustical issues. It also includes an auto-EQ function which corrects for room anomalies to allow for more flexible subwoofer placement and elevates performance, regardless of the room size or layout. Further, few subwoofers offer the granular level of configuration available to dial-in performance like the XTEQi. Processing and calculations are done on the extremely powerful processor of a smartphone rather than relying on the processing on a subwoofer’s less powerful DSP. This innovation allows an apprentice or new installer to simply use the auto-EQ setup function of the app while more knowledgeable installers can dial in performance completely manually—or use a combination of both–all while sitting in the listening position, with smartphone in hand, not running back and forth to the back of the subwoofer to tweak the dials. The result is an ultra-flexible superiorgrade subwoofer that can be tuned to unleash all the fun and fury of a movie or be refined enough to excite the most critical audiophile. There is even an installer and end user mode that locks out advanced functions to prevent a homeowner from impacting the system unknowingly. From a control and integration standpoint, the new SpeakerCraft XTEQi is designed to appeal to true audiophiles yet is optimized to be integrated perfectly into media and listening rooms and home theaters with total control regardless of the automation brand. Also, full integration with ELAN® whole-house entertainment and control solutions is optimized, offering dealers who are interested, a one-stop-shop solution backed by decades of superior support. For the audiophile homeowner, the new and proven technology included within the XTEQi Subwoofer delivers the most premium sound quality that is uncompromising and unsurpassed. It brings studio-grade bass to every listening area and realistic, heart-pounding bass to home cinemas. The unparalleled SpeakerCraft XTEQi Subwoofer is powerful in sound quality and compact in stature yet was designed specifically for the custom market with unbeatable bass quality, decades of proven compact subwoofer designs, and today’s technology to deliver the most superior, best-inclass subwoofer available. 49
NOMINEE
SURECALL
FUSION4HOME MAX CELL SIGNAL BOOSTER
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he Fusion4Home Max features the newest and most innovative design in the cell phone signal booster category since the advent of SureCall’s patented 5-band booster. It is the most powerful cell booster of its kind, designed for areas that have weak signals and solves coverage issues in homes of all sizes. To accomplish this, the Fusion4Home Max leverages two proprietary technologies: 2XP and Extended Range Technology (ERT). The 2XP technology doubles uplink transmission power to the tower, while ERT captures and amplifies cell signals at their strongest point, which is outside the building. This revolutionary and patented innovation eliminates cable loss and delivers continuous peak performance in even the most challenging signal environments. ERT also boosts a stronger return signal to the tower, enhancing the maximum range a cell phone can work from a cell tower. The Fusion4Home Max comes with an industry-leading outdoor Yagi antenna that sends and receives the cell signal to and from the tower. Compatible with all 4G and 5G cellular devices, the Fusion4Home Max supports all North American carriers simultaneously, giving homeowners and consumers reliable coverage regardless of their carrier. This makes it the most versatile and powerful in-home cellular signal booster on the market. COVID and the subsequent deluge of people needing to work from home -- and then choosing to stay working from home -- has caused employers to adjust to a new normal and has really shined a light on the need for reliable cell coverage. Traditionally, many people that had issues with their cell signal suffered through it by moving from room to room knowing that they didn’t have mission critical work to do. With important meetings and calls on the line, that’s no longer an option for many professionals. The need for better coverage is more important than ever, and the Fusion4Home Max is a product that meets the needs of those that feel strong cell coverage is a must-have. Its economical price and the ability to cover 8,000 sq ft of a home, while giving homeowners the strongest and most reliable signal makes it a vital technology for any home. 50
NOMINEE
VANCO INTERNATIONAL
EVOLUTION 4K HDR EXTENDER WITH DIGITAL AUDIO BREAKOUT, HDMI LOOP-OUT, IR, AND POE F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he Evolution 4K HDR Extender is designed with flexibility, reliability, and value in mind, offering zero-latency long-range transmission that integrators can customize to suit their application. The Evolution by Vanco 4K HDR Extender delivers 4K HDMI signals at 60Hz, 4:4:4 and HDR up to 230 ft / 70 meters over a single Cat6 cable. Comprised of a transmitter and a receiver, this extender is loaded with thoughtful features. Using Vanco’s patented bi-directional Power-overEthernet technology, both units can be powered using a single power supply located at either end. The transmitter captures the HDMI input with IR signals and carries the signals over a single Cat6 cable with zero latency. It is equipped with an HDMI loop-out for local monitoring, use with other distribution products, or audio purposes. The receiver is responsible for equalizing the transmitted HDMI signal and reconstructing IR signals. For more immersive audio experiences, there is an optional audio loop-out on the receiver that can be connected to an amplifier, soundbar, or audio distribution component. The extender supports multiple audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD 7.1CH/Dolby Digital 5.1CH. The units automatically adjust for compatibility and gain, eliminating the need for EDID and EQ adjustments. Bi-directional IR control can be implemented to allow the user to control the display from the source or vice versa. This extender supports a wide range of display UHD resolutions, with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 compliance and zero latency up to 230 ft.
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WIN N E R point invisible but still in prime position to send and receive Wi-Fi signals. Consumers get strong, reliable Wi-Fi coverage without any compromise of the home design, giving systems integrators an effective way to attract customers and stand out from their competition. No longer do system integrators need to ask their clients to choose technology over design to provide the best Wi-Fi experience. Because the mount disappears within the home design, integrators now have a better installation alternative than hiding access points in closets and cabinets, underneath furniture, or keeping them in plain sight on countertops and bookshelves, giving their clients the best of both worlds. Every detail has been addressed in the design and construction of the mount. Included is the necessary hardware for installation in both new and existing homes, and the mount enables the access point to be easily removed for service or replacement. Additionally, the mount has been designed for installation in any orientation and to ensure proper air ventilation and heat dissipation to enable the access point to perform optimally. Comprising moisture-resistant, chemically treated MDF, Wall-Smart’s design-forward mounts install similar to that of any drywall application. The mounts recess into standard stud bays and ceiling joists for a flush appearance. Installation in new construction follows standard Level 4 drywall procedures. The mounts can be ordered directly from WallSmart, further simplifying the deployment process. The Wall-Smart mount for Ruckus access points works with the following models: R850, R730, R720, R710, R650, R610, R600, R550, R510, R320, and R310.
WALL-SMART
WALL-SMART FLUSH MOUNT FOR RUCKUS ACCESS POINT
A
FIND OUT MORE
s the demand for bandwidth continues to grow, access points have become an increasingly important technology to modern households. Without them, Wi-Fi coverage, speed, and reliability can suffer. Depending on the size of the home and the needs of its Wi-Fi users, several access points could be required to ensure optimal connectivity from anywhere in the home. How do you get these access points in their prime positions without conflicting with the aesthetics of a home? In the past, the solution usually involved hiding access points in closets, AV racks, and cabinets. While this technique preserves the home design, signals must travel through solid structures, often impeding transmission and reception. Wall-Smart offers an innovative mounting solution that conceals access points while providing a clear path for Wi-Fi signals. The mount, which has been designed, engineered, and fabricated exclusively for several models of Ruckus access points, places the device within the ceiling surface. A specially designed cover, which can be painted to match the ceiling surface, is then applied over the ceiling cavity, rendering the access
Key Benefits of the Wall-Smart Mount for Ruckus Access Points: • Turns a device that once protruded from the ceiling surface into a hidden asset • Enables access points to be located where they can provide the best Wi-Fi coverage • Offers an installation alternative to stowing access points in closets or leaving them out in the open on countertops, etc. • Blends in seamlessly with the home design • Engineered for both new construction and retrofit applications • Comes with a paintable cover and all of the necessary mounting hardware Dealer Testimonial: “Wall-Smart mounts enable us to offer something completely unique to our customers and home builder partners—high-performance smart home systems that disappear into the woodwork,” says Greg Montgomery, VP Technical Operations at TYM Home Technology Design, of Herriman, Utah. “Thanks to the wide variety of mounting options, we’ve been able to install touchscreens, voice assistants, and light switches in the toughest of surfaces, like a stone backsplash, for instance. As such, we’re able to give our clients a seamless look that exceeds their expectations.”
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NOMINEE
WET SOUNDS
VS-LS PRO PACKAGE - WET SOUNDS | VENUE SERIES LS PRO PACKAGE F IN D OUT MOR E
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he VS-LS Pro Package combines the best of Wet Sounds Venue Series to create a live outdoor music experience. The package includes two VS-12 LS-SUB In-Ground Landscape Subwoofers, one pair of VS-69 PRO-Black 6x9” HLCD Outdoor Speakers, one VS-1200-AMP 4 Channel 110V Amplifier, and one VS-LS-ENC Outdoor Enclosure. The LS-SUB is a 12” high-output bandpass subwoofer system designed for in-ground use. The fully-composite enclosure, combined with a weatherproof port cap, delivers low-bass extension that rivals an outdoor concert. The VS-69 PRO utilizes a Horn Loaded Compression Driver enclosed within a weatherproof enclosure that features Wet Sounds’ reaction technology. The VS-1200-AMP was designed to power Venue Series products while utilizing a 110v power source. The amplifier features preset selectable gain controls, selectable low pass filter, and watertight quick connectors. The VS-LS-ENC is a purpose-built landscape enclosure constructed to house the VS-1200-AMP, along with a plug-and-play media center, to withstand outdoor environments.
53
NOMINEE
WISA ASSOCIATION
WISA SOUNDSEND F IN D OUT MOR E
W
iSA’s SoundSend is a universal wireless multichannel home cinema audio transmitter designed to enable simple yet amazing home entertainment experiences in minutes from any smart TV. SoundSend works with all smart TVs with HDMI ARC/eARC or optical connections to transmit up to eight channels of high fidelity audio to WiSA Certified™ speakers from global brands like Klipsch, Harman, Savant, Dynaudio, B&O, Enclave Audio and more. With home cinema simplicity as a key goal, SoundSend delivers high-definition audio without the hassle of speaker wires and complicated installation. iOS and Android mobile applications provide advanced features and tuning capabilities. By simply connecting SoundSend to a smart TV, it automatically finds and connects to WiSA Certified speakers in the room. SoundSend has Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos decoding capabilities as well as preset audio modes for various listening preferences. Channel level control, system equalization and “My Zone” sweet spot customization are all features that are easily controlled through the iOS and Android applications. WiSA’s SoundSend allows for simple home cinema system creation so that the massive amount of highly produced streaming and cable content coming into our homes on a daily basis can be properly experienced with ease. WiSA recently announced the launch of its WiSA SoundSend Certified program, a new certification initiative developed by the Association to work with TV manufacturers to ensure flawless and simple connection and interoperability with the SoundSend. Toshiba TV “REGZA” is the first TV brand to deliver solutions with the new certification. Additionally, the WiSA SoundSend TV application is now available for the Android operating system. Users can download the WiSA SoundSend app to set up and control their WiSA audio systems on screen by using the TV remote control for simplicity and convenience. The app can be utilized on TVs using Android OS, which includes models from Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, Hisense, Panasonic, Philips, Skyworth, and others. 54
NOMINEE
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
70 SERIES TOUCH SCREEN
C
FIND O UT MORE
restron 70 Series Touch Screens reimagine control in the luxury smart home, leveraging the Crestron Home whole home solution. Crestron Home is the game-changing home automation and control software that puts the full power of Crestron in the homeowner’s hands, delivering a sophisticated and dynamic user experience. Premium customers expect premium products, and the 70 Series Touch Screens provide both a sophisticated and intelligent smart home control experience in both wall-mounted and portable models, available in white and black finishes. The 70 Series line features a sleek, sophisticated design only found in high-end consumer electronics, with a widescreen, high-resolution capacitive touch screen for access to easy-to-use controls, true feedback, and real time status display. Homeowners can intuitively control lighting, shades, climate, media, security, and cameras, directly from the touch screen to create the desired ambiance throughout their home. Using Wi-Fi technology, Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens are free from unsightly wires opening the use cases; homeowners can use the touch screens anywhere in the home for convenient control, whether that be a kitchen counter, a nightstand, office desktop, or they can opt for a wall-mounted model. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens are packed with features to enhance the control experience: A built-in proximity sensor wakes the screen without requiring any user interaction, and automatic brightness
controls ensure optimal visibility under varying lighting conditions, so homeowners can easily control their devices with a few simple taps. A universal status bar is populated with virtual buttons for quick access to common touch screen functions, such as Power, Home, Lights, Up, Down, and Microphone. The universal status bar can be hidden with a simple swipe, and the interface can be further customized to suit the functionality of the smart home, including hiding unused buttons. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens also have built-in voice recognition through Alexa, Siri, and Google Home so spoken commands can be issued to quickly turn devices on or off, select and play a specific media source, change the channel, choose a lighting scene, lower the window shades, lock the doors, arm the security system, or enter a password. They can also be connected to cameras, intercoms, doorbells, etc. for enhanced home security. Homeowners simply need to say a command and Crestron’s state-of-the-art software does the rest. Crestron brings a powerful whole-house music experience, that is accessible via the 70 Series Touch Screens. Merging technologies with Sonos to allow homeowners to control their music from any touch screen, users can browse their library, selecting albums, and starting playlists in any room using Sonos® wireless speakers or a Crestron Sonnex® multiroom audio system. The Sonos app runs natively on the 70 Series Touch Screens, enabling enhanced control of Sonos products as part of a complete Crestron system. The app checks for updates nightly so it’s always current and up to date. Thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today’s home technology professionals, Crestron’s 70 Series Touch Screens allow them to differentiate themselves by offering an elevated control experience for their clients. The sleek and beautiful design appeals to high-end clientele, making it easy to sell to Crestron customers. Adding an element of class that compliments most luxury homes’ aesthetics, the 70 Series Touch Screens blend seamlessly into the decor while offering all the benefits of sophisticated, wireless control of the entire Crestron system. The touch screen models are versatile, available in both tabletop and wall-mounted options to suit their client’s orientation preference. The 70 Series Touch Screens can be configured in the cloud or on the web, and feature Power over Ethernet technology to eliminate the need for a local power supply or dedicated wiring. This makes them very convenient to install and can even be a problem-solver for rooms where hard wiring would otherwise pose a challenge. Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens were designed with the latest features and technology, housed in sleek, thin, versatile hardware. A built-in proximity sensor wakes the screen without requiring any user interaction, and automatic brightness controls ensure optimal visibility under varying lighting conditions. Wi-Fi has been added to expand the use cases of the touch screens, so that placement is not restricted by hardwiring. Wall-mounted or tabletop models can be placed virtually anywhere in the home to give homeowners control of their smart home from any room without the need for a nearby electrical outlet.
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WIN N E R
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
CRESTRON HOME
™
C
F IND OUT MO R E
restron Home™ is the world’s only smart home platform that seamlessly manages all devices in the technology-driven homes of today. From lighting to shades, audio / video, climate, security and more, only Crestron Home has the ability to control every area, seamlessly on one platform. The beautiful user interface delivers a sophisticated, intuitive experience with elegant animation to give homeowners control over everything either remotely from their mobile device or at home using touch screens, voice command, remotes, and more. Crestron Home supports modern living, delivering speed and simplicity for commanding home entertainment devices, thermostats, shades, lighting, security, appliances, and more all from a single app. Every home is unique, designed to suit the homeowner’s aesthetic, desires, and routines. Crestron Home offers the ability to customize, create, and organize favorites and schedules, with no detail left untouched. A Crestron Home household is always evolving. In addition to the adjustments that homeowners can make to suit their lifestyle, updates continuously enhance the system with new features, functions, and experiences. With a professional who configures and supports the system, homeowners are rest assured that their home is secure, dependable, and can be upgraded with the newest technology, or expanded whenever they’re ready.
Smart home technology has become a staple in most modern homes. From voice control assistants and smart TVs to impressive home theaters and complete home automation systems, there is something for everyone. For home renovation projects or new builds, Crestron delivers one home automation system that integrates seamlessly with several partners. The design teams can customize each system to complement the unique style of each home. Crestron Home delivers a seamless experience where technology works in harmony, ease and simplicity, creating the experience that homeowners desire. Crestron Home is the answer to the intuitive, dynamic experience your clients demand. Crestron Home blends seamlessly with the design of every home without disrupting the aesthetic. With simplified deployments for integrations teams, your projects stay on track with no delays and remaining within the budget. Crestron Home offers fast deployment with no programming required or software to learn. Integrators can set up any home easily, right from an iPad or web interface on a laptop. Crestron Home delivers one simple operating system to coordinate them all for one seamless user experience in every room and every project. Crestron Home is constantly evolving, the solution delivered today, gets better over time with updates continuously pushed out to the end-user to deliver powerful features that transform the experiences within the home. In the past year, Crestron Home added the ability to watch multiple TVs in a single room for applications like a home sports bar, automatic dark mode for all user interfaces, the ability for end-users to hide rooms or parts of the system for example in children’s rooms, home conferencing solutions for the ultimate work from home solution and much more, it’s a constant evolution that updates for free. The new Crestron 70 Series Touch Screens and Horizon Smart Thermostats added even more designer lead products into the Crestron Home platform, delivering sleek interface designs to native Crestron Home control. With the deep and seamless integration of these devices, homeowners can enjoy a simple and consistent user experience no matter which control interface they use. The expansion with partners like Delos, Lutron, and more, brings even deeper integration for wellness, lighting, and other areas of the home all under one easy-to-use system. Prior upgrades to Crestron Home included the evolution of the Lutron integration (individual lighting load and shade motor control) and Crestron Home Extensions, which bring control to almost any device type not yet native to the platform, such as smart appliances, irrigation systems, power controllers, and weather stations. A Crestron Home Extension is a driver for Crestron Home™ OS that has a custom user interface that have proven to be super valuable in deployments, as it provides limitless possibilities for dealers to connect almost any smart device in the home
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NOMINEE
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
DM NAX 8-ZONE STREAMING AMPLIFIER F IN D OUT MOR E
D
M NAX takes audio distribution to a whole new level by putting it onto the network. The scale of DM NAX far exceeds the capabilities of previous generations of Crestron distributed audio. A single Synchronized Control system can distribute audio to 32 devices, for a possible 256 audio output zones. DM NAX units integrate with DM NVX devices to pull audio from video feeds for rooms without displays. DM NAX is built on the AES67 standards with additional ease of configuration via a web interface, SIMPL Windows, C#, and/or a RESTful API. It is compatible with Crestron DM NVX® through the AES67 secondary audio stream and with third-party AES67 solutions and Dante® via the compatibility mode enabled through Dante Controller. Full DSP capabilities are available on the line and speaker outputs. Voltage triggers corresponding to the 4-stereo line-level analog outputs can be used to power on and off connected external amplifiers. The DM NAX supports Synchronized Control to establish a large network of DM NAX devices that are all managed from a single interface. Identifying a gap in the market for an audio solution that could fully integrate into a smart home platform and provide both high-resolution and high-output audio for even the most discerning audiophile, Crestron’s new DM NAX matrix/amplifier line brings unparalleled connectivity with native music streaming from today’s most popular services. It serves as a dedicated streaming service player for each of the zones supporting AirPlay® 2, Spotify Connect™, Pandora®, SiriusXM®, iHeartRadio®, and more. Through these partnerships, Crestron offers a complete solution that brings these services together under one system. The DM-NAX-8ZSA delivers streaming, routing, distribution, and amplification in a single device. Streams can be routed to other non-streaming AoIP amplifiers. With Crestron Home integration, homeowners will gain full visibility and control of their home audio from mobile devices, touch screens, remotes, keypads, and voice-activated devices. DM NAX units can be managed and programmed either as standalone devices or as part of a larger cluster called Synchronized Control. Synchronized Control enables you to perform a majority of web interface configuration and management from a single browser window and IP address connection. 57
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T
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
HORIZON THERMOSTAT F IN D OUT MOR E
he Horizon® Thermostat is a gorgeous touch screen smart thermostat that ends the dreaded replaceable battery design for a simple two-wire install into any thermostat location. Users will never wake up to a dead thermostat again. The Horizon Thermostat provides reliable control of the temperature and humidity throughout an entire home for a more refined, convenient, and alwaysworking home environment. Unlike other smart thermostats on the market today, the Horizon Thermostat is a design-first device that can react to dynamic routines in response to data from onboard temperature, humidity, and proximity sensors. When integrated with the Crestron Home™platform, Horizon Thermostats act in concert with other smart devices, like lighting and shading to ensure optimal comfort,
convenience, and energy savings. The Horizon Thermostat complements the popular Crestron Horizon dimmers, switches, keypads, and receptacles. Featuring an ultra-slim, 14mm profile that rests nearly flush against the wall thanks to its battery-free design, the Horizon Thermostat connects with just two wires and seamlessly pairs with home Wi-Fi® networks. While ideal for new builds, the Horizon Thermostat also supports retrofit applications with no common wire when paired with the Crestron Common Wire Adapter accessory, sold separately. Flexible wiring options make Horizon Thermostats fit equally well in new construction or retrofit installations, and color-coded spring terminals make it easy. You can remotely configure multiple Horizon Thermostats simultaneously and save and reuse your configurations, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time – a real time-saver. Even more, enhanced logging and diagnostics makes service and support much easier. While traditional smart thermostats often force installers to choose between aesthetics, control, and functionality, the Horizon Thermostat was designed to deliver all three as the first smart thermostat that can effortlessly meet the needs of designers, integrators, and consumers alike. Crestron has a legacy of designing and manufacturing products that are built to last. The Horizon Thermostat is no exception, offering the powerful Crestron backbone of control that we stand behind and support end-to-end. With a high-resolution 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen display and an auto-adjustable backlight that toggles between day and night mode depending on time of day or user preferences, the Horizon Thermostat is a professional grade device with a luxurious and intuitive aesthetic. The product measures a trim of 124mm wide by 89mm high and is available in Horizon white, black, or almond finishes to match décor. The RGB-backlit accent and status light bar complements the display, while the ambient light and proximity sensors ensure the thermostat is always visible when you need it. With their ultra-slim profile and luxurious aesthetic, Horizon smart thermostats are always neat and discreet, while also delivering advanced functionality. 58
NOMINEE
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
UC-MM30-R TABLETOP CONFERENCE DEVICE FOR CRESTRON HOME ™
F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he Crestron UC-MM30-R tabletop conference device pairs an enterprise-grade speakerphone with the powerful control of the Crestron Home operating system to provide one convenient home office companion. The tabletop conference device natively runs the Crestron Home app and offers complete integration with an existing Crestron Home system to provide lighting, shade, climate, media, security, and camera control. The intuitive user interface allows for dynamic home control and convenient in-call volume control via the device’s large 7-inch HD color touch screen. The Crestron Home app running natively on the UC-MM30-R also offers the ability to create and recall Crestron Home scenes to activate pre-configured actions throughout a home. Scenes and schedules made with the Crestron Home system can be customized to adjust any combination of devices at once; for example, launching the perfect call setting. With an “On A Call” scene, the lights brighten, shades close, music pauses, and an indicator light outside the door turns red. When the call ends, users can tap to start their “Off A Call” scene which then deactivates the indicator light, restarts the music, and adjusts the lights and shades. Users can call in using Microsoft Teams® or Zoom Rooms™, Slack™, Google Meet™, and other conferencing applications. For a seamless audio-conferencing experience, simply connect the included USB cable from the conference device to a computer. When connected, the conference device acts as an AEC-enabled USB speakerphone with four built-in omnidirectional microphones for 360° audio pickup. Sonos® and Crestron have partnered to provide a powerful whole-house music experience. From the conference device also, browse for tracks, artists, or playlists using all the services available from Sonos and instantly play them in any room using Sonos wireless speakers or a Crestron Sonnex® multiroom audio system. The Sonos app runs natively on the conference device, enabling enhanced control of Sonos products as part of a complete Crestron system. The app checks for updates nightly so it’s always current, and support for the Sonos S2 App is provided. The sleek, low-profile form factor of the conference device is suitable for any home office environment. The minimal amount of device connections eliminates cable clutter for a clean user experience and simple installation. An Ethernet LAN connection is the only wiring requirement for the included conference device, containing all control and power signals within a single wire. For maximum convenience, the device can also connect securely to the network via Wi-Fi communications. Using PoE+ technology, the conference device is powered directly through the network cable. With PoE+, the need for a local power supply or dedicated power wiring is eliminated, though a PoE+ injector is also included to accommodate for installations that do not support PoE+. The tabletop conference device employs secure networking with features such as 802.1X authentication, TLS encryption, and Active Directory® service integration. The Crestron MM30-R requires no custom design or programming when added to a Crestron Home system by a Crestron dealer. It can be connected via Wi-Fi® or Ethernet communication links, with Power over Ethernet for remote management and monitoring. 59
WIN N E R
GDC TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
ESPEDEO SUPRA-5000 RBB PLUS LASER PHOSPHOR CINEMA PROJECTOR F IN D OUT MOR E
T
he Espedeo Supra-5000 RGB Plus laser phosphor cinema projector (Supra-5000) is an all-in-one DCI-compliant projection system featuring Appotronics patented ALPD 4.0 technology to deliver vibrant colors in P3 color space and achieving 98.5 percent of REC 2020 color space. The Supra-5000 is compact, lightweight, and quiet with a noise level below a whisper (35dB(A)) making it an ideal solution for boothless commercial mini-theatres (auditoriums with no projection booth, a screen up to 20-feet wide and less than 50 seats) and a home private cinema room (270 inches diagonal or less). The driving market need for Supra-5000 evolved from the ubiquitous Karaoke rooms throughout Asia. Karaoke rooms are small, intimate spaces installed with projection and sound equipment to playback HD and UHD content. However, the projectors used in these rooms did not meet the demanding security requirements to display encrypted JPEG 2000 content from motion picture studios; while most of the laser digital cinema projectors in the market were excessively large, noisy and even potentially hazardous at close distance. The initial purpose of Supra-5000 was to expand the options available to consumers who rented Karaoke rooms to include displaying encrypted content produced and distributed by motion pictures studios, which required certification by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI). Supra-5000 is certified to playback an encrypted digital cinema package (DCP) in P3 color space and listed on the DCI website < dcimovies.com >. By being compliant with Hollywood’s digital right management based on digital cinema’s Key Delivery Message (KDM) and Digital Cinema Package (DCP) playback, Supra-5000 also meets the needs of both commercial movie theatres and home theater system integrators and resellers with access to DCP content. Supra-5000 is the world’s smallest, quietest and lightest DCI-compliant all-in-one projection system classified Risk Group 2, safe for commercial mini-theatres and private home cinema. In order to meet the requirement of an in-room ceiling installation, GDC developed the first-ever secured integrated media block (IMB) that combines the Integrated Cinema Processor (ICP) and digital micromirror (DMD) formatter board. This not only dramatically reduces cost by combining the several boards into one but also allows for the compact small form factor, which significantly reduced the weight to less than 100 pounds. The GDC All-in-One Board is developed based on the ultra-reliable SR-1000 IMB technology, which is certified by SGS for up to 100,000 hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). This can help to lower the total cost of ownership, and improve reliability and serviceability. Additionally, the All-in-One Board is upgradable to include a built-in audio processor to play 5.1 and 7.1 uncompressed surround sound and GDC’s trademarked CineCache technology, a 2 terabyte memory chip for storing motion picture content. Furthermore, Supra-5000 can be quickly and easily mounted on a concrete ceiling or truss system with the specifically designed Espedeo VM-1140 VESA Ceiling Mount. 60
WIN N E R
HISENSE
100” L9G TRICHROMA LASER TV
of the BT.2020 color space; that is 200% more color than those available with LCD or OLED TVs. The L9G casts a massive 100” image, and flat panel TVs in that size are generally outside a reasonable price point for the TV consumer. The 100” display is lightweight and easy-enough for the layman to install. Add to that the L9G’s premium features like Dolby Atmos®, HighSpeed HDMI, HDR10/HLG Filmmaker Mode, and WiSA certification, and the L9G is a compelling solution for really elevating the home entertainment experience and that big screen upgrade. One of the greatest values of the L9G Laser TV is the inclusion of a perfectly paired 100” ALR Cinema or ALR Daylight screen. Consumers purchasing other USTs are expected to source their own screen, which is often daunting and always expensive. The L9G comes with two screen options depending on the room setting where the Laser TV will live. The ALR Cinema Screen is great everywhere but excels most in dedicated media rooms with lighting control, while the ALR Daylight Screen is great for bright, airy, and open spaces like living rooms, because of the screen’s exceptional brightness. In fixed 100” and 120” sizes, consumers can choose an option that best fits their space and intended usage. In addition to offering an above average picture and large display, Hisense knows that consumers increasingly live in a connected home environment. As such, the 100” L9G TriChroma Laser TV is also equipped with the Android TV OS platform so viewers can choose from more than 5,000 apps and games including Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Android TV OS also comes with built-in Google Assistant, so consumers can use the voice remote to quickly pull up what they want to watch. The L9G also works with Alexa and comes Control4 certified so it can easily be integrated with other smart home IoT devices and control systems. Situated just 11.4-inches from the wall, the L9 brings modern sophistication to any home. Designed to be the perfect alternative to a traditional TV, the L9G comes equipped with X-Fusion™ laser light technology which provides up to 25,000+ hours of entertainment. As TVs continue to grow in size and displays continue to improve with advances in new technology the L9G Trichroma Laser TV is the next phase of big screen innovation, offering the perfect alternative for those who want an upgraded in-home entertainment experience.
F IND OUT MO R E
W
ith people spending more time at home, in-home entertainment is becoming more important than ever. People want the cinema experience without having to go to the theater, and even Marketwatch notes the growing demand for ultra-short throw projectors with high brightness as a result of this rising interest in home theaters. The demand in larger displays continues to grow as consumers look for ways to transform their homes into both a living space as well as an entertainment center. The larger the TV, the more difficult it becomes for the average person to install. That coupled with the fact that more people are working and learning from home and must use their living space as both a workspace, school space, as well as a media center. Consumers need more options and that’s exactly where the L9G TriChroma Laser TV comes into play. The L9G TriChroma Laser TV is a 3000 Lumen ultra-short throw projection TV that features Hisense’s TriChroma laser engine. Consumers are increasingly demanding better image quality as they consume content from home and the TriChroma offers size, simplicity, and performance that in many ways is better than traditional LCD or OLED TVs. L9G’s red, green and blue laser light sources produce razor-sharp, color-accurate images with stunning depth, reaching 107%
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WIN N E R
IROOM IO
TOUCHDOCK F IN D OUT MOR E
T
ouchDock turns an iPad into a flush-mount wall control touch panel with motorized removal of the iPad for mobile use. Removal of the iPad can be protected against theft with a 4-digit PIN code. touchDock is compatible with all major control systems such as Crestron, AMX, Control4, Savant, RTI, ELAN, URC. Free control drivers enable the docking station’s 6-button touch keypad to trigger control functions or macros that are programmed in the 3rd party control system. The touch keypad provides wired control over network, independent of the iPad - the iPad does not have to be present in the docking station. This gives the user easy access to often used controls such as lights, shades, volume. The built-in proximity sensor can be configured to wake the iPad screen, slide out the tray to remove the iPad or to trigger a control function, e.g., lights on when somebody enters the room. touchDock features room sensors for air quality (CO2), temperature, humidity, and light. iRoom’s iPad dashboard app provides sensor status information to the end user. 3rd party control systems can use the sensor statuses to trigger threshold-based alerts or control functions. E.g., if brightness falls under a defined threshold the control system turns on the lights in the room. touchDock is available for all current iPads from the iPad mini to the large iPad Pro 12.9”.
WHAT SETS TOUCHDOCK APART FROM OTHERS DOCKING STATIONS: Design: touchDock provides inconspicuous flush-mount horizontal or vertical installation in the wall. Made with scratch-resistant tempered glass in black or white, touchDock matches any contemporary interior design. Flexibility: With the easy removal feature, the iPad can be used as a stationary as well as a mobile control device. In public “resimercial” environments, the iPad can be protected from theft through a 4-digit PIN code. Professional Integration: touchDock offers wired control through the touch keypad next to the iPad and provides air quality, humidity, temperature, and brightness sensor information the control system can use to trigger alerts or control functions. Integrator-Friendly: touchDock is a design-oriented, feature-packed add-on solution for any control installation where the iPad is part of the control system. touchDock allows custom integrators to offer an iPad docking solution that adds a unique customer experience to the control system. touchDock is easy to install and to configure with iRoom’s iPad App. Wiring of the touchDock requires only one Cat cable for power (PoE+) and control communication with the 3rd party control system. 62
WIN N E R display both the whiteboard and those present in the meeting at the same time. And unlike other brands, the feature is built in.
JABRA
PANACAST 50
Fully immersive meetings, for everyone. Virtual Director uses both AI-based video and audio streams, as well as our proprietary intelligent algorithms, to automatically adjust the frame, delivering a remote meeting experience that’s fully immersive and responsive. Our AI technology understands what’s happening in the room and reacts accordingly, detecting and perfectly framing active speakers, for more dynamic remote collaboration.
FIND O UT MORE
We’ve gone all-in on getting you all in. Whatever setup you’re running these days, with PanaCast 50, your teams can still meet in person while keeping a safe distance from each other. Patented real-time video stitching technology automatically joins the streams from three 13-megapixel cameras together live, creating a smooth, 180° field of view in Panoramic-4K. It’s video conferencing, but not as you know it.
J
abra PanaCast 50 is an advanced meeting room solution, engineered to be the first new-normal-ready intelligent video bar. With outstanding high-quality 180° Panoramic-4K video technology, world-leading professional-grade audio, and a range of intelligence-driven features including Intelligent Zoom, Virtual Director, live whiteboard content camera streaming, and Safety Capacity and Room Usage Insights.
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE: Make your meeting rooms safe again. Safety Capacity and Room Usage Insights generate anonymous room occupancy data for your meeting rooms, notifying you (and whoever is in the room) in real time as soon as your pre-defined guidelines are breached. As well as two independent video streams, a third independent data stream maintains a constant 180° view, ensuring full room coverage for PeopleCount data. Share your whiteboard with the world. We’ve reinvented the whiteboard for modern working, with our innovative new whiteboard streaming feature. Our 180° field of view allows you to share your whiteboard content in real time, even if it’s angled sharply away from the camera. Intelligent software automatically corrects the perspective to ensure the best view, while enhancing the image in real time, reducing shine, gloss, and shadows, and enhancing color and contrast of marker strokes. Dual video streams allow you to
Ultra-advanced system architecture. A total of nine powerful Edge processors, including two state-of-the-art Edge AI processors, power the audio, video, and intelligence features of PanaCast 50. Our ultra-advanced system architecture enables PanaCast 50 to carry out real-time integration of audio, video, and data. This enables intelligent features such as Virtual Director and our always-on PeopleCount, allowing us to deliver a meeting experience that’s not just better, it’s completely reinvented. UC-certified means UC-satisfied. PanaCast 50 is optimized for all leading UC platforms, so wherever your team members are, and whatever collaboration hub they’re using, they’ll be able to connect with each other in an instant. It’s also certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Simple setup. Instant meetings. PanaCast 50 is plug-and-play, so from the very first time you set it up, to its day-to-day use, it couldn’t be easier to manage. Once it’s up and running, your team can just walk into the room, plug the cable into their own laptop, and be sure that it will work with whatever platform they’re using. There’s also an optional remote control3, allowing them to operate the unit and interact with meetings without leaving their seat.
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WIN N E R
KALEIDESCAPE INC.
TERRA 12
F IN D OUT MOR E
K
aleidescape is the only online provider of films with full-fidelity audio and video for luxury home cinema. The company’s internet-delivered movies include proprietary metadata that enables its award-winning movie players to produce a truly astonishing home cinema experience. Kaleidescape systems are installed worldwide in the best homes, yachts, and private jets. Kaleidescape Terra 12TB are compact movie servers, designed as new product offerings shipping September 2021. Kaleidescape Terra movie servers and Strato C movie players provide the best home cinema experience, with lossless audio and many times the video bitrate of streamers. Terra 12TB, when combined with a Strato C player, will replace Kaleidescape Strato S, while providing significantly greater performance and flexibility for future expansion. This makes it an ideal product for customers looking to invest in an entry level Kaleidescape system with the flexibility to add playback areas and grow their movie collection over time. With the power to download feature length 4K movies in as little as 10 minutes with a gigabit internet connection, Terra servers provide 4X faster movie downloads than the Strato S. In addition, the Kaleidescape Terra is the foundation of a multi-room Kaleidescape Strato system. A Terra 12TB can support any number of Strato C players and can serve up to five simultaneous 4K Ultra HD playbacks, compared to two simultaneous playbacks for Strato S. And movie storage can be scaled up by adding any number of Terra servers. Designed with a similar profile to a Strato C movie player, Terra 12TB can be mounted beside a Strato C in a 1U size rack space, using Kaleidescape’s custom rack mount.
64
NOMINEE
LUMAGEN, INC.
RADIANCE PRO 5348
T
F IND OUT MO R E
he Radiance Pro 5348 takes the ultimate video processor family, the Radiance Pro line, to the next level by minimizing outputjitter and electrical noise. The Radiance Pro 5348 has ten 18 GHz input, two 18 GHz outputs, and one audio only output. It is housed in a 1U rack mountable case. The Radiance Pro family has a host of features to improve the image on your screen. It is considered by many experts to be an essential part of any quality home theater. The Radiance Pro video processor allows you to “See what the director intended™.” Optimizing HDR content has perhaps become the most important video processing feature. The Radiance Pro Dynamic Tone Mapping (DTM) analyzes every frame of content for multiple regions of each frame, detects scene changes, and optimizes the “transfer function” for each frame of content. Jon Thompson, a movie producer who is responsible for post-production image quality at a major studio, recently evaluated the Radiance Pro DTM versus the other DTM options. He said that “the other DTM options are not even in the same league as the Radiance Pro.” Scaling quality again comes to the forefront with the advent of 4k projectors and televisions. Lumagen’s NoRing™ scaling provides the best quality scaling for 1080, 720, and SD, sources for 4k projectors and TVs. Scaling is also essential for aspect-ratio control, especially when using an anamorphic lens. In addition, the Radiance Pro has a sharpening feature that helps restore detail lost during compression of the digital content. Minimizing signal jitter is an extremely important criteria for HDMI. The current 18 GHz 4XXX HDMI output card has a measured data jitter of about 80 pS. This is well below HDMI requirements of ≤102 pS for 18 GHz,
and dramatically lower than some competitive devices which have been measured at up to 450 pS of data jitter. The Radiance Pro 5XXX further reduces data-jitter to about 45 pS. More importantly for audio, the HDMI output clock jitter has been measured at about 10 pS. This is an ideal clock to send to the audio processor to minimize jitter at the DACs. Lumagen has many reports of the 5348 significantly improving audio due to this ultra-low jitter. Reference quality colorimetry is often overlooked as part of a highend home theater. The Radiance Pro can provide automated video equalization, using third party calibration software, with more accuracy than calibration without a 3D LUT. Using the Radiance Pro’s Color Management System you can “See what the director intended™.” Other features include anamorphic screen support for HD, 3D, and 4k UHD and HDR sources, with or without an anamorphic lens. Image based auto-aspect selection, plus precise geometry adjustments including size, and masking, are available. The Radiance Pro’s Non-Linear-Stretch (NLS) feature allows the user to stretch 16:9 content to fill an anamorphic screen using their preferred settings. For 16:9 screens and TVs, an anamorphic image can be placed anywhere in the active screen area, or with some zoom, and/or cropping, can fill a larger portion of the screen. Multiple output configuration memories allow for multiple independent configurations, such as day, night, sports, and black-and-white. Here are some comments on the Radiance Pro line from reviewers and owners: Dylan Seeger, hometheaterreview.com: “The feature-set, level of picture control, and overall performance put this video processor in a class of its own.” Tony O’Brien, stereo.net.au: “Lumagen’s claim of producing studiograde reference images is no stretch of the imagination. Indeed, it produced some of the finest images I’ve seen in my time as a calibrator, not to mention the best looking HDR images I’ve witnessed from any projector regardless of price point.” Karl Maga, AVS Forum: “I can’t imagine having a serious projectorbased setup without a Radiance Pro.” Woofer, AV Forums: “The Lumagen 4*** series “still” provides exceptional results.......IMO better than any other current Video Processor option (and I have used/owned all options) ......only bested by Lumagen’s own 5348.” Mike G., AVS Forum: “Fantastic product for getting the best out of your system and for simplifying use of the system.” Audioguy, AVS Forum: “The improvements I have seen in this product since I bought it are incredible.”
65
NOMINEE
NORTEK CONTROL
ELAN EL-SC-300ZW SYSTEM CONTROLLER ®
T
F IND OUT MO R E
he ELAN® EL-SC-300-ZW IP-based System Controller is a seamless, scalable platform that allows integrators to deploy the right system for the most demanding control projects with flexibility for the future. Coupled with the new ELAN 8.6 software, integrators and homeowners gain a true “all-in-one-app,” consistent multi-platform experience. The new 2021 ELAN® IP-enabled, EL-SC-300-ZW System Controller is the flagship model of an entirely new “good, better, best” family of controllers from ELAN for 2021, and was designed to handle the integration and control requirements of large homes with demanding home tech requirements. The system enables total management and control of AV components, lighting, climate, pool/spa, irrigation, doorbell cameras, surveillance cameras, security devices, and other third-party products. With support for RS-232, RS-485, relays, IR, IP, input sensors, and Z-Wave (through an included Z-Wave transceiver), the ELAN EL-SC-300-ZW affords integrators a highly customizable, scalable, and versatile IP-based home control solution. All integrated devices and systems receive commands automatically based on prescribed conditions or via commands from touchpanels, mobile or desktop app, and voice. Real-time video from surveillance cameras and doorbells is accessible via the touchpanels and app as well. Quick, easy discovery and installation of Z-Wave devices is
accomplished via ELAN Viewer app on mobile devices. The 8.6 Software adds new highly requested features and works with Alexa International and Lutron QSX with auto-generated Lighting and Shades pages. The ELAN 8.6 Software enables mobile control and export of surveillance video from ELAN NVR on mobile devices, along with other must-have capabilities. This system ushers in a host of new innovations in its product class for integrators worldwide. Many control companies tout “all in one app” capability, but ELAN’s EL-SC-300-ZW actually delivers it with features such as: • Ability to deliver real-time video from cameras and doorbells fully and directly to the same application. Through the consolidation of video and control, touchpanels and mobile apps become more useful, multi-functional pieces of technology. • Unprecedented Intelligent facial recognition technology, another ELAN recent industry first, is built into the EL-SC300-ZW platform and is an important differentiator for this high-powered, premium controller’s interface. In addition to providing a layer of security by allowing only recognizable users access to system features, facial recognition simplifies the control process by precluding need to enter private codes. • Although the SC-300-ZW supports a variety of user interfaces—ELAN touchpanels, mobile and desktop apps, and even voice commands—the experience for end-users is simple and consistent throughout, simplifying design process for integrators and minimizing learning curve for endusers. • Unique compatibility with other ELAN, Nortek Control sister products, popular third-party products, including Z-Wave compliant products provides integrators with the flexibility and versatility to integrate a wide variety of products with the EL-SC-300-ZW controller. This level of integration and customization also makes the EL-SC-300-ZW well-suited for commercial environments. • Comprehensive support of RS-232, RS-845, relays, IR, IP, input sensors connections are built in, making ELAN SC-300-ZW a highly versatile, flexible, and customizable home control system. This one system can support all control needs of projects of any size or scope, including commercial environments. • Integration with native cameras and video doorbells allows video to populate automatically on ELAN touchpanels and mobile/desktop app, eliminating work for technicians. • Coupled with the new 8.6 Software, integrators and homeowners gain requested features and compatibility with Alexa International, Lutron QSX and many more. Also includes Lutron auto-generated Lighting and Shades pages. There are too many features to list. These covered are some of the most core elements of excellence.
66
NOMINEE
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
65” TERRACE FULL-SUN F IN D OUT MOR E
O
utdoor TVs have been available for many years, but owners have always had to compromise on picture quality for weatherproofing and durability. With indoor TV quality constantly improving, consumers expect the same experience they get indoors, outside. Last year’s Terrace TV offers all of the benefits of Samsung’s QLED 4K line – great picture quality, sleek design and intuitive smart features – all in a fully weatherproof form factor that’s optimized for partially shaded outdoor viewing. New this year, The Terrace Full Sun’s panel is designed for brightly lit outdoor viewing environments. The Full Sun’s panel technology prevents a condition known as isotropic blackout, which occurs when LCD cells overheat (often from direct, prolonged sun exposure) and temporarily shut off, creating black spots on the screen. With the Full Sun’s enhanced panel technology, consumers can transform any area of the backyard into the ultimate staycation getaway. And brand new this season, a 65” Terrace Full Sun joins the 75” Full Sun model announced in the Spring, giving integrators yet another sales tool for meeting end-user demand for large screens. The Terrace is slimmer, sleeker and lighter than the outdoor TV competition, and easier for professionals to install thanks to a wealth of easy connectivity options like HDBaseT, Bluetooth and Tap View. No need to run any cumbersome cables. The Terrace benefits from Samsung’s industry-leading attention to design, resulting in an overall thinner TV cabinet. The primary competitor, for example, offers a 55” outdoor TV with a 3.66” depth, whereas The Terrace 65” model’s cabinet is 42% slimmer (at 2.4 inches). Considering the popularity of flat-panel TVs, this difference is meaningful in creating a sleeker bezel and more premium form factor that enhances any outdoor space. With the added benefits of a slimmer form factor than that of competitor products and more affordable price points, The Terrace is a valuable resource to consumers in 2021 and beyond. And the new Full-Sun iterations give integrators the familiarity of a trusted brand name combined with cutting-edge innovation & design 67
NOMINEE
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
HW-Q950A F IN D OUT MOR E
S
amsung’s Q950A is the first Samsung soundbar to offer true 11.1.4 channel sound, enhanced by 21 custom-designed speakers and audio certifications including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The Q950A holistically adjusts and optimizes audio based on numerous variables in a room. Its SpaceFit Sound+ feature analyzes the installation method to enhance sound. Its Active Voice Amplifier boosts dialogue volume when the room has background noise, so you can hear crucial scene moments clearly. And with Auto EQ, its wireless subwoofer combines its built-in microphone with Samsung’s AI Equalizer technology to measure how sound travels and reflects, calibrating audio to fit the space. The Q950A was also designed to work alongside Samsung’s 2020/2021 QLED TVs via Q-Symphony, which recreates 3-D surround sound. Allowing simultaneous output from the TV’s top speakers and the Q950A’s upfiring speakers, Q-Symphony enhances a simple setup to deliver an immersive experience.
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WIN N E R
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
QN90A 4K TV F IN D OUT MOR E
S
amsung’s Neo QLED QN90A 4K TV combines Samsung’s advancements in MiniLED picture technology with the Neo Quantum Processor 4K to deliver jaw-dropping 4K clarity and picture. One of Samsung’s best-reviewed consumer TVs, the QN90A has been a runaway success in 2021. So much so that Samsung has unveiled three new models to meet end-user demand for more sizes / price points at both ends of the spectrum. 43”, 50” and 98” sizes join the existing portfolio (55”, 65”, 75” and 85”) to offer custom installers more options than ever to sell in Samsung’s flagship consumer 4K TV. Thanks to Samsung’s MiniLED-based Neo QLED panel technology, more lights can be packed into the same area. Unlike other LED backlights, the QN90A eliminates lenses that capture and transmit light from the backlight. Instead, each compact LED chip is designed to emit light on its own. Brightness is more finely controlled while blooming is minimized, resulting in significantly higher contrast ratios than last year’s TV line and one of the best non-OLED TVs ever. With the Neo Quantum Processor 4K, the QN90A uses deep learning to optimize sound and picture quality for an unrivaled viewing experience. For many consumers, adjusting to working from home was just as important as working out at home. Our 2020 TVs debuted the Samsung Health platform, but our 2021 TVs including the QN90A unveiled a new feature, Smart Trainer, designed to further enhance home fitness. By using Samsung Health + Smart Trainer, consumers can not only get curated fitness content from our six partners, but also receive real-time feedback on improving their workout form with an optional USB camera. That same optional USB camera powers virtual social activities too. The QN90A supports video calling through Google Duo, making hanging out virtually easier and even more lifelike. Google Duo allows you to make video calls directly through your TV with up to 32 simultaneous video calls. And Remote Access Plus makes working from home seamless and even more connected. Just connect DeX to your TV wirelessly to work on the screen while taking calls. 69
NOMINEE
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
SQUARE D CONNECTED WIRING DEVICES
F
ully flush, screwless wall plates and smart home connectivity put a new spin on classic functionality. These light switches, electrical controls, and sensors are setting a new benchmark on how electrical controls should look and feel. Equipped with Wi-Fi and Z-Wave connectivity, our devices enable you to monitor energy, control lighting, and pair with a voice-activated home device. All with ease through the Schneider Electric suite of smart home apps.
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NOMINEE
GDC TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
ESPEDEO SUPRA-5000 RBB PLUS LASER PHOSPHOR CINEMA PROJECTOR F IN D OUT MOR E
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he Espedeo Supra-5000 RGB Plus laser phosphor cinema projector (Supra-5000) is an all-in-one DCI-compliant projection system featuring Appotronics patented ALPD 4.0 technology to deliver vibrant colors in P3 color space and achieving 98.5 percent of REC 2020 color space. The Supra-5000 is compact, lightweight, and quiet with a noise level below a whisper (35dB(A)) making it an ideal solution for boothless commercial mini-theatres (auditoriums with no projection booth, a screen up to 20-feet wide and less than 50 seats) and a home private cinema room (270 inches diagonal or less). The driving market need for Supra-5000 evolved from the ubiquitous Karaoke rooms throughout Asia. Karaoke rooms are small, intimate spaces installed with projection and sound equipment to playback HD and UHD content. However, the projectors used in these rooms did not meet the demanding security requirements to display encrypted JPEG 2000 content from motion picture studios; while most of the laser digital cinema projectors in the market were excessively large, noisy and even potentially hazardous at close distance. The initial purpose of Supra-5000 was to expand the options available to consumers who rented Karaoke rooms to include displaying encrypted content produced and distributed by motion pictures studios, which required certification by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI). Supra-5000 is certified to playback an encrypted digital cinema package (DCP) in P3 color space and listed on the DCI website < dcimovies.com >. By being compliant with Hollywood’s digital right management based on digital cinema’s Key Delivery Message (KDM) and Digital Cinema Package (DCP) playback, Supra-5000 also meets the needs of both commercial movie theatres and home theater system integrators and resellers with access to DCP content. Supra-5000 is the world’s smallest, quietest and lightest DCI-compliant all-in-one projection system classified Risk Group 2, safe for commercial mini-theatres and private home cinema. In order to meet the requirement of an in-room ceiling installation, GDC developed the first-ever secured integrated media block (IMB) that combines the Integrated Cinema Processor (ICP) and digital micromirror (DMD) formatter board. This not only dramatically reduces cost by combining the several boards into one but also allows for the compact small form factor, which significantly reduced the weight to less than 100 pounds. The GDC All-in-One Board is developed based on the ultra-reliable SR-1000 IMB technology, which is certified by SGS for up to 100,000 hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). This can help to lower the total cost of ownership, and improve reliability and serviceability. Additionally, the All-in-One Board is upgradable to include a built-in audio processor to play 5.1 and 7.1 uncompressed surround sound and GDC’s trademarked CineCache technology, a 2 terabyte memory chip for storing motion picture content. Furthermore, Supra-5000 can be quickly and easily mounted on a concrete ceiling or truss system with the specifically designed Espedeo VM-1140 VESA Ceiling Mount. 71
WIN N E R
W HISENSE
100” L9G TRICHROMA LASER TV F IN D OUT MOR E
ith people spending more time at home, in-home entertainment is becoming more important than ever. People want the cinema experience without having to go to the theater, and even Marketwatch notes the growing demand for ultrashort throw projectors with high brightness as a result of this rising interest in home theaters. The demand in larger displays continues to grow as consumers look for ways to transform their homes into both a living space as well as an entertainment center. The larger the TV, the more difficult it becomes for the average person to install. That coupled with the fact that more people are working and learning from home and must use their living space as both a workspace, school space, as well as a media center. Consumers need more options and that’s exactly where the L9G
TriChroma Laser TV comes into play. The L9G TriChroma Laser TV is a 3000 Lumen ultra-short throw projection TV that features Hisense’s TriChroma laser engine. Consumers are increasingly demanding better image quality as they consume content from home and the TriChroma offers size, simplicity, and performance that in many ways is better than traditional LCD or OLED TVs. L9G’s red, green and blue laser light sources produce razor-sharp, color-accurate images with stunning depth, reaching 107% of the BT.2020 color space; that is 200% more color than those available with LCD or OLED TVs. The L9G casts a massive 100” image, and flat panel TVs in that size are generally outside a reasonable price point for the TV consumer. The 100” display is lightweight and easy-enough for the layman to install. Add to that the L9G’s premium features like Dolby Atmos®, High-Speed HDMI, HDR10/HLG Filmmaker Mode, and WiSA certification, and the L9G is a compelling solution for really elevating the home entertainment experience and that big screen upgrade. One of the greatest values of the L9G Laser TV is the inclusion of a perfectly paired 100” ALR Cinema or ALR Daylight screen. Consumers purchasing other USTs are expected to source their own screen, which is often daunting and always expensive. The L9G comes with two screen options depending on the room setting where the Laser TV will live. The ALR Cinema Screen is great everywhere but excels most in dedicated media rooms with lighting control, while the ALR Daylight Screen is great for bright, airy, and open spaces like living rooms, because of the screen’s exceptional brightness. In fixed 100” and 120” sizes, consumers can choose an option that best fits their space and intended usage. In addition to offering an above average picture and large display, Hisense knows that consumers increasingly live in a connected home environment. As such, the 100” L9G TriChroma Laser TV is also equipped with the Android TV OS platform so viewers can choose from more than 5,000 apps and games including Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Android TV OS also comes with built-in Google Assistant, so consumers can use the voice remote to quickly pull up what they want to watch. The L9G also works with Alexa and comes Control4 certified so it can easily be integrated with other smart home IoT devices and control systems. Situated just 11.4-inches from the wall, the L9 brings modern sophistication to any home. Designed to be the perfect alternative to a traditional TV, the L9G comes equipped with X-Fusion™ laser light technology which provides up to 25,000+ hours of entertainment. As TVs continue to grow in size and displays continue to improve with advances in new technology the L9G Trichroma Laser TV is the next phase of big screen innovation, offering the perfect alternative for those who want an upgraded in-home entertainment experience. 72
NOMINEE image in real time, reducing shine, gloss, and shadows, and enhancing color and contrast of marker strokes. Dual video streams allow you to display both the whiteboard and those present in the meeting at the same time. And unlike other brands, the feature is built in. Fully immersive meetings, for everyone. Virtual Director uses both AI-based video and audio streams, as well as our proprietary intelligent algorithms, to automatically adjust the frame, delivering a remote meeting experience that’s fully immersive and responsive. Our AI technology understands what’s happening in the room and reacts accordingly, detecting and perfectly framing active speakers, for more dynamic remote collaboration.
JABRA
PANACAST 50
We’ve gone all-in on getting you all in. Whatever setup you’re running these days, with PanaCast 50, your teams can still meet in person while keeping a safe distance from each other. Patented real-time video stitching technology automatically joins the streams from three 13-megapixel cameras together live, creating a smooth, 180° field of view in Panoramic-4K. It’s video conferencing, but not as you know it.
F IND OUT MO R E
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abra PanaCast 50 is an advanced meeting room solution, engineered to be the first new-normal-ready intelligent video bar. With outstanding high-quality 180° Panoramic-4K video technology, world-leading professional-grade audio, and a range of intelligence-driven features including Intelligent Zoom, Virtual Director, live whiteboard content camera streaming, and Safety Capacity and Room Usage Insights.
Ultra-advanced system architecture. A total of nine powerful Edge processors, including two state-of-the-art Edge AI processors, power the audio, video, and intelligence features of PanaCast 50. Our ultra-advanced system architecture enables PanaCast 50 to carry out real-time integration of audio, video, and data. This enables intelligent features such as Virtual Director and our always-on PeopleCount, allowing us to deliver a meeting experience that’s not just better, it’s completely reinvented.
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE: Make your meeting rooms safe again. Safety Capacity and Room Usage Insights generate anonymous room occupancy data for your meeting rooms, notifying you (and whoever is in the room) in real time as soon as your pre-defined guidelines are breached. As well as two independent video streams, a third independent data stream maintains a constant 180° view, ensuring full room coverage for PeopleCount data.
UC-certified means UC-satisfied. PanaCast 50 is optimized for all leading UC platforms, so wherever your team members are, and whatever collaboration hub they’re using, they’ll be able to connect with each other in an instant. It’s also certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Simple setup. Instant meetings. PanaCast 50 is plug-and-play, so from the very first time you set it up, to its day-to-day use, it couldn’t be easier to manage. Once it’s up and running, your team can just walk into the room, plug the cable into their own laptop, and be sure that it will work with whatever platform they’re using. There’s also an optional remote control3, allowing them to operate the unit and interact with meetings without leaving their seat.
Share your whiteboard with the world. We’ve reinvented the whiteboard for modern working, with our innovative new whiteboard streaming feature. Our 180° field of view allows you to share your whiteboard content in real time, even if it’s angled sharply away from the camera. Intelligent software automatically corrects the perspective to ensure the best view, while enhancing the
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NOMINEE
KALEIDESCAPE INC.
TERRA 12
F IN D OUT MOR E
K
aleidescape is the only online provider of films with full-fidelity audio and video for luxury home cinema. The company’s internet-delivered movies include proprietary metadata that enables its award-winning movie players to produce a truly astonishing home cinema experience. Kaleidescape systems are installed worldwide in the best homes, yachts, and private jets. Kaleidescape Terra 12TB are compact movie servers, designed as new product offerings shipping September 2021. Kaleidescape Terra movie servers and Strato C movie players provide the best home cinema experience, with lossless audio and many times the video bitrate of streamers. Terra 12TB, when combined with a Strato C player, will replace Kaleidescape Strato S, while providing significantly greater performance and flexibility for future expansion. This makes it an ideal product for customers looking to invest in an entry level Kaleidescape system with the flexibility to add playback areas and grow their movie collection over time. With the power to download feature length 4K movies in as little as 10 minutes with a gigabit internet connection, Terra servers provide 4X faster movie downloads than the Strato S. In addition, the Kaleidescape Terra is the foundation of a multi-room Kaleidescape Strato system. A Terra 12TB can support any number of Strato C players and can serve up to five simultaneous 4K Ultra HD playbacks, compared to two simultaneous playbacks for Strato S. And movie storage can be scaled up by adding any number of Terra servers. Designed with a similar profile to a Strato C movie player, Terra 12TB can be mounted beside a Strato C in a 1U size rack space, using Kaleidescape’s custom rack mount.
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NOMINEE
MAGNA AUDIO
ROCK SERIES F IN D OUT MOR E
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ock is an all-purpose series manufactured with natural stones extracted in Brazil and not found anywhere else in the globe. Three different types of stones were selected, quartzite, marble, and granite, which are found in several different finishes. Quartzite is a type of stone only found in Brazil. It has veins similar to marble but it has the hardness of granite. Aluminum anodized shapes and stainless steel screws are used to fix the woofers and allow the products to be installed in the wettest environments. In The series debuts with a full-range and a subwoofer model. Rock Sub 12 impresses as much for its beauty as for its performance in its small 15.75” cubic format. The 200W 12” drivers reach Incredibles 36Hertz in -3db making it the right choice for indoor or outdoor installs. The down-fire configuration makes it disappear into the decor and sometimes turns it into an ideal side table. Although the Rock Sub can be installed indoors, Rock 8 is completely focused on serving big outdoor areas as it uses an impressive 8” Coaxial Compression Driver that handles 250W. With a high sensibility, 94db, dealers will be able to able to use less powerful amplifiers saving cost and rack space. It also reaches as low as 55Hertz (-3db) making installations not so extremely dependent on a subwoofer Quartzite Victoria was the selected stone to present Rock 8 to the market. It has a gorgeous stainless steel front grill finely designed and it is made of stainless steel crafted in a laser machine. Rock Sub will be shown in four different natural stones in CEDIA Expo. As great as the Rock Series landmark is impeccable stone design, the sound quality in Magna’s standard could not be lacking
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NOMINEE
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
SQUARE D CONNECTED WIRING DEVICES
F
ully flush, screwless wall plates and smart home connectivity put a new spin on classic functionality. These light switches, electrical controls, and sensors are setting a new benchmark on how electrical controls should look and feel. Equipped with Wi-Fi and Z-Wave connectivity, our devices enable you to monitor energy, control lighting, and pair with a voice-activated home device. All with ease through the Schneider Electric suite of smart home apps.
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NOMINEE
SPEAKERCRAFT
XTEQI SUBWOOFER
T
F IND OUT MO R E
he SpeakerCraft® new 2021 Subwoofer Series of nine models have profoundly changing the game of subwoofer design, sound and bass performance and technological innovation. Uniting the renowned, award-winning designs of Sunfire® with today’s latest technologies, this subwoofer is newly developed from the ground up yet also leverages four decades of proven bass innovation, designs and custom installation integrator and market experience from Nortek Control’s audio portfolio. With its next generation technology, the SpeakerCraft XTEQi flagship model delivers a whole new pinnacle of sound, featuring dual 12-inch force-canceling active drivers, each powered by a dedicated high-output 1000-watt amplifier, onboard DSP and a completely new Sub Station App for ease of full setup, room acoustical correct and control. The unparalleled SpeakerCraft XTEQi Subwoofer accurately reproduces low frequencies down to a teeth-rattling 17Hz, for a high-powered experience ideal for music played in listening rooms, media rooms and movie content in premium home cinemas. Other distinctive design elements include high back-EMF woofer design and over-sized magnets, Triple Driver design to deliver the deepest bass and exclusive Class-D Amplifier design. Meticulously styled with a matte black finish, the XTEQi Subwoofer complements and elevates any décor. With an optional wireless audio kit, the new subwoofer also offers great flexibility, as it can
be placed anywhere in a room to create an immersive, rich listening experience. For the installer, there are no more trips back and forth between the listening position and back of the subwoofer for setup, as everything is managed from the app. Setup of this audiophile, ultra-highperformance subwoofer is fast and easy. The new Sub Station Smartphone app eliminates complexity, confusion and acoustical issues. It also includes an auto-EQ function which corrects for room anomalies to allow for more flexible subwoofer placement and elevates performance, regardless of the room size or layout. Further, few subwoofers offer the granular level of configuration available to dial-in performance like the XTEQi. Processing and calculations are done on the extremely powerful processor of a smartphone rather than relying on the processing on a subwoofer’s less powerful DSP. This innovation allows an apprentice or new installer to simply use the auto-EQ setup function of the app while more knowledgeable installers can dial in performance completely manually— or use a combination of both–all while sitting in the listening position, with smartphone in hand, not running back and forth to the back of the subwoofer to tweak the dials. The result is an ultra-flexible superior-grade subwoofer that can be tuned to unleash all the fun and fury of a movie or be refined enough to excite the most critical audiophile. There is even an installer and end user mode that locks out advanced functions to prevent a homeowner from impacting the system unknowingly. From a control and integration standpoint, the new SpeakerCraft XTEQi is designed to appeal to true audiophiles yet is optimized to be integrated perfectly into media and listening rooms and home theaters with total control regardless of the automation brand. Also, full integration with ELAN® whole-house entertainment and control solutions is optimized, offering dealers who are interested, a one-stop-shop solution backed by decades of superior support. For the audiophile homeowner, the new and proven technology included within the XTEQi Subwoofer delivers the most premium sound quality that is uncompromising and unsurpassed. It brings studio-grade bass to every listening area and realistic, heart-pounding bass to home cinemas. The unparalleled SpeakerCraft XTEQi Subwoofer is powerful in sound quality and compact in stature yet was designed specifically for the custom market with unbeatable bass quality, decades of proven compact subwoofer designs, and today’s technology to deliver the most superior, best-in-class subwoofer available.
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