ISSUE FOCUS: SECURING THE NETWORK | “I’M NOT THE AV GUY”
GRACE MITCHELL MAKES IT PERSONAL PLUS: Smart Homes Are Getting Smarter Innovator Spotlight: Jan Vitrofsky, HEDsouth Jan/Feb 2020
The Cloak of Invisible Architectural Speakers Unforgettable Tech Moments in the 2010s
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Jan/Feb 2020 | Residential Tech Today
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From the Editor I knew this would happen. I waited forever to finally upgrade my family TV, and now there’s a setting on many of this year’s models that I really wish I could have. Called “Filmmaker Mode,” the setting effectively disables post processing such as motion smoothing and aims to give consumers the opportunity to view content in the way that the filmmakers intended, including with the original aspect ratio, color, and frame rates.
Executive Editor Jeremy Glowacki
“ Filmmaker Mode goes a step further by essentially overriding a TV’s processing to ensure that the correct aspect ratio, color, and frame rate, as determined by the creator(s), is preserved and presented to the viewer.”
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The reason I hesitated for so long to replace my plasma TV (yes, it’s ancient; and it’s still an excellent option for a bedroom TV) was that I always hated the hyper-real, “soap opera effect” video images that I’d often see on so many newer TVs in the homes of family and friends (and even at trade shows from time to time). I knew that these newer TVs provided multiple viewing modes, such as “dynamic,” “cinema,” or “sports” for more accurate reproduction of what was on the screen, but until recently I really didn’t feel like those models were in my price range. Fortunately, I’m pretty happy with the TV that I ended up buying prior to this past Black Friday. While standard viewing modes tend to sharpen the image to the point of hyper realism for what should be more muted cinematic scenes and even watching live sports on the more dynamic settings often overwhelm me with migraine-inducing brightness and colors that seem too dynamic to be authentic, I’m able to survive by watching most content on a cinema mode. Filmmaker Mode goes a step further by essentially overriding a TV’s processing (such as motion smoothing and detail enhancement) to ensure that the correct aspect ratio, color, and frame rate, as determined by the creator(s), is preserved and presented to the viewer. Its development was announced last August by leading directors, including Martin Scorsese, Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler, Patty Jenkins, and Rian Johnson, who had teamed up with the UHD Alliance, a coalition whose members include Hollywood studios and consumer electronics manufacturers. At CES 2020 in Las Vegas, the UHD Alliance announced that Samsung, Philips/TP Vision, and Kaleidescape have joined the effort and will offer Filmmaker Mode-enabled products this year. Additionally, LG, Panasonic, and Vizio – the trio of set makers that previously announced their intent to support Filmmaker Mode – revealed plans for supported 2020 TV models. LG confirmed that it will include Filmmaker Mode in all of its 2020 4K and 8K TVs. Panasonic announced a lineup of its 2020 OLED TVs with Filmmaker Mode. Also at CES, the UHDA announced that the Directors Guild of America, the American Society of Cinematographers, the International Cinematographers Guild, and Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation all endorsed Filmmaker Mode as their preferred method of viewing in the home. Roughly 140 filmmakers, including directors and cinematographers, provided input to its development. Now, instead of picking a mode that may not work for all programming that you’re watching or having to jump in and out of a menu to change modes, you can select Filmmaker Mode once and watch a film or TV episode presented in its “ideal” form. Sounds amazing. I’m definitely making sure it’s on my next TV
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JAN/FEB 2020
contents 42 Grace Mitchell’s Unique Approach to Home Design Cover Photo: HGTV
Departments 10 By the Numbers 12 Quick Bits 14 Connected Home 16 Accessibility 18 CEDIA Says 20 Green Tech 22 Design Side
24 New Tech 56 Product Revolution 62 Events 63 Coming Up 64 The Lighter Side
26 Innovator Spotlight Jan Vitrofsky, HEDsouth
28 Tech Trends
Custom Integrators Can Seize Growth Opportunities in 2020
34 Industry Relations ‘I’m Not the AV Guy’
36 Issue Focus: Privacy & Security Matters A Solid Network Needs Constant Caring
40 Tech Advisor
Maximizing Apartment Audio
46 Installation
Lodge Lighting Elevation in Utah
48 Innovative Tech
The Cloak of Invisible Architectural Speakers
52 New Tech
Smart Homes Getting Smarter
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Amp
The versatile amplifier for powering all your entertainment
Contributors Darryl Wilkinson is a veteran freelance writer in the consumer electronics industry, which includes work as editor-at-large for Sound & Vision. He’s written for Audio, Home Theater, Wirecutter, Home Theater Review, and others. This month Wilkinson explains why invisible speakers are the best option for homeowners and designers that want music without a single hole in the ceiling or wall.
At St. Louis-based Integration Controls, Jamie Briesemeister leads sales and marketing and is actively involved in business development, including industry outreach and education. She speaks nationally about the smart, connected home at several events. This month, Briesemeister explains why the term “AV” confines the home technology industry because it binds its professionals to a particular slice of an extraordinarily large (and diverse) home technology pie.
Henry Clifford founded Livewire in 2001 to meet the growing demand for technologically integrated homes and businesses. In January 2018, he co-founded Parasol, a remote service support company. In this issue, Clifford provides an assessment of current cybersecurity solutions and how things might shake out in the category over the next 24-36 months.
Dennis Holzer, executive director of the PowerHouse Alliance, leads his group’s 12 distributor members in dealer communication and industry outreach. With over 30 years of experience, Holzer has done everything from road warrior salesman, to spending over 15 years as president and owner of Hamburg Brothers, an independent wholesale electronics/white goods distributor. With an extensive background in the consumer electronics industry, Holzer brings a wealth of knowledge to the PowerHouse brand and its member companies. This month, he writes about technology trends to embrace in 2020.
Ed Wenck is content marketing manager for CEDIA. He’s a broadcaster and journalist who’s won multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, and the Indiana Broadcasters Association. This month he writes about CEDIA’s Electronic Systems Integration Technician Training program.
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e NUMB RS
by the
A look at the metrics shaping the technology market — and our lives
The ever-present threat of hackers has been on the rise for years now. Anyone reading this likely knows the pain of trying to evade these attacks, often with the simple annoyance of creating thousands of different passwords and constantly smudging up your smartphone with your thumbprint. This new decade looks to bring with it many new security threats, so let’s take stock on where we stand on cybersecurity in 2020.
200 Billion
CONNECTED DEVICES
by 2020
Source: symantec.com | Image: freepik.com|macrovector
OVER
77%
OF ORGANIZATIONS LACK A CYBER SECURITY INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN
m t.co men vector e g ana acro n-m |m atio pik.com m r info free rce: ge: Sou Ima
Images: freepik.com|macrovector
Varonis Cybersecurity Tips TO PREVENT: • Utilize complex passwords and a password manager • Use custom alerts
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2019,
4.1 Billion
RECORDS WERE EXPOSED BY DATA BREACHES
8,854 25,575 Records
RECORDED BREACHES FROM JAN. 1, 2005 TO APRIL 18, 2018 Source: idtheftcenter.org
TO REMEDIATE: • Verify Any Involvement
Source: ibm.com
Source: varonis.com
• Don’t reuse passwords • Use additional security measures such as MFA
AVERAGE SIZE OF A DATA BREACH
64%
ONLY
44%
• Verify Compromised Data • Check for Identity Theft Signs • Change Your Password • Alert Bank and Freeze Credit Cards Source: varonis.com
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of Americans Have Never Checked To See If They've Been Affected By A Data Breach Source: varonis.com | Image: freepik.com|macrovector_official
of Americans Know What To Do In Case of a Data Breach Source: varonis.com | Image: freepik.com|macrovector_official
QUICK BITS WE ASK INDUSTRY INSIDERS ONE QUESTION
What is your recommendation to clients seeking the best home network security solution?
As we utilize and depend on our residential networks in more and more areas of our life, network security has become very important. We recommend enterprise-level networking components to improve general network performance and coverage, as well as providing proper network security from “uninvited” sources. These security measures include provision and implementation of full featured routers/firewall appliances that can be configured to block unwanted access, along with managed Ethernet switches to provide controlled access and the option of multiple VLANs. – Barry Reiner, InnerSpace Electronics, Mt. Kisco, NY
We always start with high-quality networking hardware from companies like Luxul or Pakedge. From there we recommend using robust passwords for accessing any network hardware as well as getting on the home’s Wi-Fi and then creating a separate guest Wi-Fi network to give guests internet access, but not access to your devices. – John Sciacca, Custom Theater and Audio, Myrtle Beach, SC
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For a highly secure residential network solution we turn to an enterprise-grade solution, Cisco Meraki. The Cisco Meraki Router/Firewall is constantly being updated with the latest in software patches and security features. For added protection you can also enable a hardware-based intrusion prevention system (IPS). – Chris Smith, Cloud9 Smart, New York City The Loop works hard to remind clients that they need to update passwords and personalize their network for themselves. The biggest security gap we’ve seen are clients that either leave their network devices to the defaults from the factory or use the same password across all devices, allowing a hacker to gain access to everything once they get one password. – Eric Crawford, The Loop, Boise, ID The “best” is relative and can often be misconstrued for easy to get and easy to use. However, our recommendation would be to choose a U.S.-based company like Ubiquiti or Cisco where their primary business is not data mining (like Amazon or Google). Both of these companies make excellent security solution products. – Heather Sidorowicz, Southtown Audio Video, Hamburg, NY We typically lean toward Pakedge and Luxul for our network needs because they not only support good network security but also home automation and AV systems. The second big security need that I personally use as a standard is to separate the network (VLAN or Pakedge Zones) into two important groups. The first is the group of all hard-wired and wireless devices that communicate primarily only within the home. The second group is consumer-type devices that only communicate with a cloud service on the internet. This ensures that those devices that may be the easiest to hack do not have access to the devices and information that are important to the consumer. – Joe Whitaker, The Thoughtful Home, St. Louis, MO and Dallas, TX My recommendation is that clients consult an expert to ensure that they are getting an appropriate security system for their home. Network security changes on an hourly basis so working with someone who is passionate about this will result in the best solution. A good network security system starts with adding a strong passcode to your Wi-Fi network and using complex passwords. I know that may seem simple, but it is shocking how often we find luxury homes with unprotected wireless networks and default passwords still in place. – Travis Leo, Residential Systems, Littleton, CO For clients looking for the best network security solution, I would always recommend enterprise-grade equipment and avoid consumer-grade solutions, especially from brands that rely on generating revenue from selling user data (i.e. Google and Amazon). We have been relying on Sophos security appliances for UTM (unified threat management) and firewall protection, [which] large enterprise, financial institutions, and government organizations depend on to protect their networks. – Eli Weinkle, NXT AV, Orange County, CA For our more security conscious clients we have installed fire walls, network segmentation, and have even had a client ask for a VPN router. But, for most clients the ISP’s provided modem/router firewall is sufficient security for their home network and doesn’t add any additional cost to the project. – Andy Bang, Millennium Sounds, Indianapolis, IN
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DEPARTMENTS
Connected Home
Redefining the Aesthetics of Remote Controls
Neeo Marries Swiss Design with the Power of Control4 Smart Home OS 3 Touchscreen Remote Control Experience By Jeremy Glowacki SnapAV’s Neeo is a sleek remote control for the Control4 Smart Home OS 3, giving homeowners fast access to the things they use most – their favorite streaming services, most-watched TV stations, playlists, and room-level or householdlevel smart home scenes. Neeo is the first Control4 handheld remote to combine the benefits of hard buttons and a touchscreen. “The modern smart home needs simple interfaces to start a movie, select a playlist, or lock a door. Neeo was expertly designed to be beautiful, and with Control4 OS 3, it’s also the easiest way for a family to enjoy entertainment in their homes,” said Charlie Kindel, SnapAV chief product and technology officer. “Neeo is a reflection of our obsession for creating the most elegant and simple interfaces for the refined smart home.” Five Important Things to Know About SnapAV’s Neeo Remote Meticulously Designed by Swiss Engineers Neeo is built from machined aluminum designed to protect the edge-to-edge touchscreen, making the device incredibly durable. Neeo balances perfectly in the hand, embodying the sophistication found in high-end consumer electronic products. Images and icons on the three-inch, high-resolution, LCD touchscreen are crisp and bright to enable quick one-touch navigation. The remote is available in either silver or black finishes and ships with an elegant charging station. Neeo lasts up to five days on a charge and the low-profile, weighted charging station gives it a stylish home when not in use. Only the Most Important Hard Buttons Need Apply
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While 81 mm (3.2-inch), highresolution touchscreen and software-driven graphical interface reduce the number of buttons, it still includes physical buttons for the essentials, like Volume Up and Down, Channel Up and Down, the selector wheel, Mute, Menu, Home, and Power On/Off. Built for the Smart Home Operating System Neeo was built to harness software designed specifically to orchestrate and manage the modern smart home. Control4 Smart Home OS 3 unifies connected devices from major brands, weaves them together for simplicity, and provides a singular voice, touch, and hand-held interface for the whole home. Family members in a Control4 OS 3 powered home have at-a-glance views of virtually every connected device, as well as numerous options for control including voice with Alexa and Google Assistant, the Control4 App, a Control4 Touchscreen, a TV on-screen display and with the Neeo Remote. Powerful Automation and Entertainment Control Control4 OS 3 personalization automatically extends through to Neeo. Swiping right on Neeo shows video sources such as a Blu-ray player, video game system, Dish Network, and more. Favoring simplicity, Neeo gives homeowners one-touch icons for the channels they watch most and an on-screen keypad to type in a channel number directly. The touchscreen
SnapAV’s Neeo Remote for the Control4 operating system is available in either silver or black finishes and ships with an elegant charging station.
reduces the number of buttons on the Neeo Remote, making it easier to learn and use. Designed to Strike a Balance Between Pro Install and Homeowner Flexibility While Neeo is available exclusively through Control4 Smart Home Pros for $600 U.S. MSRP, it is designed to allow Favorites and other features to be changed with the OS 3 app to be mirrored directly to the remote. Note that Neeo requires an update to OS3.1 by a professional integrator. Also, supplements, but does not replace the popular Control4 SR-260 Remote, which continues to be available for $330 U.S. MSRP. x
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DEPARTMENTS
Accessibility
Restoring Independence Gary Sinise Foundation Honors Marine Vet with a New Smart Home
By Eric Gross The home’s technologies benefit nearly every daily activity. This includes providing ultimate peace of mind no matter where the family is, thanks to the 2GIG GC3e eSeries security system with encrypted sensors that is controllable from almost anywhere. Remote accessibility also offers new possibilities, such as letting a service provider into the home when nobody is there. Watson or his wife can more easily see who is at the front door through the doorbell camera, then unlock a Quickset electronic lock and disable the security system.
In recognition of Chad Watson’s sacrifice in Iraq, the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program selected him to receive a new smart home in Illinois.
For the past 13 years, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Chad Watson (Ret.) has proven the resiliency and toughness of U.S. service members by creating a new life for himself after he lost half of his right leg in a 2006 IED explosion in Iraq. In recognition of Watson’s sacrifice and determination throughout his difficult recovery, the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program selected him to receive a new smart home in Illinois, complete with security, automation, and entertainment technologies from Nortek Security & Control LLC. James Galla, owner of local electronics integration firm EOC Audio, designed and installed the home’s digital infrastructure, providing Watson and his family with powerfully simple technologies that enhance
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comfort, security, and control over house-wide systems. “Any injury that limits mobility introduces obstacles to common household tasks such as shutting off lights at night or answering the door,” Galla said. “With 2GIG security integrated with the ELAN control system, the Watsons have peace of mind, plus comfort and convenience. It really is an intelligent home.” Watson can now more quickly and easily see live video of who is at the door, unlock the electronic door lock, or turn off every light in the house at once. Nearly all of the home’s electronic subsystems are integrated into the simple-to-use interface, so adjusting the heat, closing the window shades, or watching a movie can be as easy as a few taps in the app, or speaking a few phrases.
“Watson’s life changed forever on that November day in 2006,” Galla said. “This new home is changing his family’s life again, with the goal of providing independence and control over their environment.” Each of the home’s three TVs is equipped with an ELAN HR30 TV remote that functions just like a normal TV remote, but also has a 2.4-inch touchscreen offering control of every connected subsystem in the home. Propertywide Vantage lighting and motorized QMotion window shades are just a touch away, while six zones of audio offer music in multiple rooms, including the outdoor patio, through ceilingmounted SpeakerCraft AIM Series 2 speakers. Even the home’s climate is mobile-controlled, with two ELAN thermostats covering distinct HVAC zones that can be adjusted or preprogrammed for daily schedules. Audio and video distribution is managed through an ELAN Multi-Room AV Controller, which delivers content to any TV or audio zone, three DirecTV boxes, an Apple TV, and all of today’s most popular music streaming services. With daily home life relying so heavily on technology integration, EOC Audio made sure to protect the rack full of expensive equipment with Panamax power protection solutions. “Having a working system, regardless of power fluctuations or surges, is essential,” Galla said, “and that’s why we backed up our system with power protection.” x
DEPARTMENTS
CEDIA Says
Building the Next Generation of Residential Technicians Tackling Workforce Development with CEDIA Electronic Systems Integration Technician Training By Ed Wenck Over the course of last summer, CEDIA headquarters in Indianapolis hosted the inaugural CEDIA Electronic Systems Integration Technician Training program, an immersive occupational skills training program that stretched over 12 weeks. The students – recruited from trade schools, vocational, and community colleges, and a variety of other sources – are new to the industry. The pilot program is an integral part of CEDIA’s strategic commitment to workforce development. Jeff Gardner, a longtime CEDIA volunteer and primary instructor for this program, summed up the issue that integration firms are facing: “These smaller companies have people that are qualified to move up and take on more responsibilities and become designers, engineers, lead technicians. But you can’t move them up unless you’ve got somebody to replace them. So, we need people with some basic knowledge who have the fundamentals to come in and be productive from day one.” Gardner’s sentiment is echoed by another CEDIA volunteer instructor, Joe Whitaker.
Whitaker, who’s also on the Global Board of Directors and lends a hand to the Workforce Development Working Group, added, “Workforce development is one of the most serious issues within our industry today: finding early level, base-trained technicians to come into our industry.”
The CEDIA Electronic Systems Integration Technician Training program is an immersive occupational skills training program that stretched over 12 weeks.
The Curriculum CEDIA already offers a fairly broad variety of entry-level training; the association’s Basic Boot Camp is a prime example. Tommy Tabor, CEDIA’s director of workforce development, outlined the changes in what CEDIA’s offered previously and this initiative: “This program is vastly different from the Boot Camps and the one-off trainings we offer at our conferences and seminars. This is a 108-hour occupational skills training program that provides not only academic information but also hands-on vocational training that covers a very broad variety of skills. Individuals who participate in this program have an opportunity to earn two industry-recognized credentials and connect with employers.” The coursework, developed by CEDIA’s technical experts and education staff, draws from a variety of materials in CEDIA’s library of resources – a library that’s being updated constantly by CEDIA’s subject matter experts. The Students Nate Raab, who had some experience in the field of live sound engineering, was hired by a firm in Indy even before he’d finished his
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training. The training he’d received proved invaluable. “My first day on the job, and I was using compression tools. I was terminating Cat 6, right off the bat,” Raab said. It’s a direct result of the tactile approach that’s favored by Gardner, Whitaker, and the other CEDIA instructors who are volunteering their time to this effort. “I think the best part of this coursework is having hands-on experience in the rooms,” Raab said. “You make mistakes once, before you get onto the job site. Overestimating or underestimating the cable run, before it matters, is a mistake you should only have to make once, and I can make it here in this sandbox.” Brett Jagger, another student who’s landed a gig, is enamored of the fact that he’s found a trade that matches his interests. “This has been a passion of mine for a long time,” Jagger said. “I mean, I have my own microphone for test calibration of my theater system at home. I’ve never really worked ‘in my passion’ before and when I heard about this class opening up, man, it sounded like a great chance to do just that.” x
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DEPARTMENTS
Green Tech
Lighten Up Your Life
How to be Happier and More Productive with a Simple Lighting Upgrade By Patricia Miller
How do you feel in your office? Are the lights too harsh or not quite bright enough? Do you leave the office in the evening surprised that it’s suddenly nighttime? If so, your office probably isn’t using circadian lighting. Most people are familiar with circadian rhythms. They help our bodies align with the natural cycle of the sun so we’re awake when the sun is up and tired when the sun is down. Similarly, circadian lighting seeks to emulate outdoor lighting in an indoor environment. This helps our bodies feel tired at night so we can rest and feel alert during the day so we can be productive. Some lighting companies have now refined their technology to such an extent that changes in intensity or hue are nearly imperceptible, yet they make a notable difference in how they impact human biology. For example, Healthe’s SunTrac Ecosystem just expanded their offerings to include a dynamic panel light and control device for motion detection and daylight sensing. SunTrac’s newest lighting panel has zero glare and is edge-lit, making it resemble a skylight. The unique panel’s luminaires are able to track the sun’s light spectrum and reproduce that spectrum throughout the day. It is selfpowered, so there are no wires trailing from the ceiling. Bluetooth control allows the user to adjust timing for motion sensor responses and set thresholds for ambient light levels. Suzanne Cavanagh, owner of Century
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Lighting Oregon, shared her thoughts on the technology in a recent Healthe press release: “The circadian lighting brings the equivalent of natural sunlight into the space and illuminates the ceiling like a skylight. The day and night spectrums adjust autonomously throughout the 24-hour cycle and commissioning takes literally less than a minute.” Circadian lighting solutions are powerful additions to both office and home lighting systems. Many LED tunable white light systems mimic daylight patterns by adjusting correlated color temperature (CCT) and brightness levels as the sun moves across the sky. Healthe’s panel has a CCT range of 2500K to 4500K and is available in 1x4, 2x2, and 2x4 configurations. Healthe’s Head of R&D Ran Zhou explained why the latest expansion to their product line is such a revelation, “By expanding the SunTrac line with the Motion & Daylight Sensor and Panel Light, we’re simplifying circadian lighting even further. We have combined common form factors, energy code requirements, and Bluetooth controls to create an elegant lighting ecosystem that maximizes energy efficiency, enhances user experience, and delivers health benefits.” Circadian lighting may not be a suitable substitute for real sunlight, but as more and more research shows, it can be a powerful mood enhancer while increasing productivity and overall wellness. x
Healthe’s SunTrac Ecosystem offerings include a dynamic panel light and control device for motion detection and daylight sensing.
DEPARTMENTS
Design Side
Wellness and the Sound of Silence
Acoustic Designs and Acoustic Doors May Help Create Quieter, ‘Healthier’ Indoor Spaces
By Walter Joseph
“Sound transmission is always going to take the path of least resistance,” which is typically a door or a window. “Acoustical doors are often designed for a specific Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating, so that when a designer understands what kinds of noises are going on in the environment, he or she will know how much to diffuse it to properly reduce unwanted noise in a space.”
The design of a home or building has traditionally focused on aesthetics. However, today’s occupants expect more from their spaces, especially as the trend toward designing healthier lifestyle spaces gains traction. But, in addition, the attention paid toward human-centric lighting and air and water filtration, at least one group is beginning to promote the idea of acoustic designs and acoustic doors to help create quieter, more tranquil indoor spaces. Steve Orlowski, senior director of standards and technical activities at the Windows and Doors Manufacturers Association (WDMA), pointed to the WELL Building Standard, from the International WELL Building Institute, as the initial motivator behind his group’s initiative. WELL accredits buildings based on how well they improve occupants’ comfort, health, and wellness. This endeavor, Orlowski contends, should also involve creating a “nice, quiet environment where people can think; they can work without being interrupted by outside noises.” To create quieter indoor spaces, builders, architects, and remodelers can opt for acoustically rated doors. Acoustical doors have been used in loud environments like manufacturing facilities and music studios for
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Residential Tech Today | Jan/Feb 2020
To create quieter indoor spaces, builders, architects and remodelers can opt for acoustically rated doors.
decades; now, they’re becoming increasingly popular in office buildings, hotels, schools, and even homes. “One of the things that the WELL Building Standard looks at is sound transmission and sound barriers, and that’s where the acoustical doors can come into play,” Orlowski offered.
The WELL Building Standard, being a point-based system, fits acoustic doors into its “optimized features” category, where extra points can be earned beyond the other pre-conditioned requirements in the standard. Designers can achieve a maximum of one point for the sound barrier when it comes to acoustic doors, if it has either gaskets, a sweep at the base, or a non-hollow core. Currently there’s no STC rating requirement within the standard, but Version 2 will add an STC rating of 30 to the mix, Orlowski said, and will require designers to achieve two out of the four acoustical door elements to earn that one point. The requirement generally focuses on sound transmission from one space to another inside a building, rather than outside outdoor/indoor transmission of sound. So, the next time you’re considering a new dedicated home theater or two-channel music listening space and are interested in the benefits of the WELL Building Standard, consider including an acoustic door in the design. x
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DEPARTMENTS
New Tech
Ring Goes Pro
Smart Home Doorbell Leader Embraces Pro Installer Network with Exclusive X Line
By Jeremy Glowacki
those things is making sure the product is installed correctly,” Vloyanetes said. “We feel that offering an extended warranty through our X Line is the right thing to do for installers and neighbors, too.” The X Line will not be available via amazon. com or ring.com. Ring.com, however, will have informational pages that talk about installers and the benefits of the installer. “For the first time, we’re stepping out and opening talking about the installer community and the value add of the X Line,” Vloyanetes said. “We’re really excited to become a better partner with the channel.”
Ring’s new X Line will be available only through professional installers.
Ring has become one of the most recognized brands in the smart home business since launching its app-controlled, camera-assisted smart doorbell in 2014. Since then, Jamie Siminoff ’s company has expanded its alarm and camera offerings to fulfill a mission of making neighborhoods safer. Very few smart home brands cut across different channels – retail, pro installation, and online – as well as Ring. Now, the company is introducing an X Line of products that promises to further solidify its support of the professional installers and their customers (called “neighbors” in the parlance of Ring). Prior to the X Line, Ring’s more upscale offerings were its sleeker (thanks to the lack of battery pack) Pro and Elite models. The X Line takes those models (and other products) and
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adds in a lifetime basic subscription (usually $2.99/month per device for video recording and viewing) and three-year extended warranty. The line also includes a Stick-Up Cam Elite X, with a Spotlight Cam Wired X, Spotlight Cam Mount X, and Floodlight Cam X coming soon. The Ring Video Doorbell Elite X takes its “X” status further by bundling the Ring Video Doorbell or Ring Access Controller Pro with one of 10 high-end custom faceplates from Rocky Mountain Hardware to add a more luxury finish to the doorbell. The added benefits to the X Line are made possible by the skills of pro installers, according to Andrew Vloyanetes, Ring’s general manager of installed solutions. “We know that our installers provide tremendous value to the customer and one of
The X Line joins other recent additions to the Ring family of products, such as the Ring Access Controller Pro. It enables users to remotely operate their electronically controlled access gate right from Live View in the Ring app when paired with a Ring Video Doorbell or Cam (sold separately), as well as receive secure Amazon deliveries inside their gate via Key by Amazon. The Ring Access Controller Pro is hardwired into users’ electronic gate systems and requires professional installation. Also new is the Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit, which is geared toward homeowners with an existing alarm system in their home who would rather pay $199 upfront for the kit and $10 a month for monitoring and access to the Ring ecosystem, rather than the $40-50 monthly contracts required by traditional security brands. “The feedback from installers has been really strong where they can go into an existing home with wired sensors all around it and easily update it newer technology or Wi-Fi control or app-based interaction by simply installing a Retrofit Alarm Kit,” Vloyanetes said. “It takes over the existing panel and you wire your zone sensors into the Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit and it works in conjunction wirelessly to our Ring Base Station, which then gives the Ring ecosystem complete access to all of those sensors inside the home.” x
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innovator spotlight
Building Brand Integrity
For HEDsouth, Transparency is Crucial When Managing Client Expectations By Jeremy Glowacki For more than 35 years Jan Vitrofsky has worked to simplify and personalize potentially complex home technology innovations for his clients. With the drive and experience he acquired while working in the electronics industry since 1975, he launched his company, HEDsouth, in 1984. Jan and his company built a portfolio of solutions for local, national, and international clients. Clients such as ABC, CBS, Sony, Disney, and the White House have benefited from profound understanding and seamless execution of technology, people, and design. Like three pieces of an interlocking puzzle, Jan Vitrofsky (HEDsouth), Ofer Abutbul (Powerfull Electric), and Shalom Illouz (Powerfull Systems) joined forces to create a unique electronics integration company that can provide the entertainment, lighting, shading, climate, control, and integrated design and then perform turnkey electronics prewire, wiring, installation, programming, service, and world class support. HEDsouth today are home entertainment and design companies that span Southern Florida and California, delivering experience and a devoted team to supply the complete infrastructure and lifestyle solution for discerning clients. Here’s what else we learned from our conversation with Vitrofsky. Residential Tech Today: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned while running your integration business? Jan Vitrofsky: After 30-plus years of HEDsouth, I’ve learned that the central component to our success and growth is ensuring that the brand’s integrity remains at the forefront of everything we deliver. One of the most valuable, important lessons I’ve learned is
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that listening to clients is the key to making certain we deliver the client’s vision in its entirety, and everything in between the lines, as well. For instance, how have your experiences shaped the way you manage client expectations in initial design meetings and/or the workflow of a project? From the start, transparency is crucial when managing client expectations and striving for a healthy client relationship. We’re always sure that clients get the full scope of our capabilities and understand what to expect during the designing, installation, and postinstallation process.
Jan Vitrofsky, HEDsouth
RT Today: What part of this business makes you happiest? What do you find most frustrating? JV: Personal word of mouth referrals from clients are always happy moments because that attests to their level of satisfaction with their experience. On the flip side, dealing with the infrastructure of employees – even terrific employees – can be frustrating at times. For me, I’m wired to work with our clients and most motivated by their happiness and wellbeing. RT Today: When you’re deciding whether to start offering a new product or technology
in your projects, what are some of the most important criteria you consider? JV: I always live with and test the product in my own home first when considering new products or features to offer in my installations. This way I’m able to experience the product in the real world and therefore able to advocate for it on a personal level. I also look into the company behind the product or technology to make sure it aligns with our offerings and values at HEDsouth, and I evaluate the company’s experience and history. RT Today: Currently, do you have favorite products or technology that you like to work with? If so, what are they and why? JV: My favorite technology is lighting control and light fixtures and, of course, the closely aligned field of wellness. Being able to have indoor lighting mirror natural light when you wake up and when you go to sleep plays a big role in wellbeing and has been personally very significant. It helps set your circadian clock. This is especially important for people who are indoors for the majority of the day, which is most of us. The new category of wellness is a crucial part of technology, so this is a very exciting aspect of what we offer at HEDsouth, and definitely one of my favorites. RT Today: Looking ahead, what technology trend do you expect to have the most influence on the work that you do? JV: The wellness sector is growing rapidly as people continue to understand that there are things that can be done affordably to improve their quality of life. Because of this, wellness technology will definitely influence what we do. It already has. I’ve been working with wellness products since 2018, and since then we’ve seen 30-percent growth in the company specifically dedicated to the integration of wellness. x
Jan Vitrofsky’s favorite technology is lighting control and light fixtures and the closely aligned field of wellness. Being able to have indoor lighting mirror natural light when you wake up and when you go to sleep plays a big role in wellbeing and has been personally very significant to the owner of HEDsouth.
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Jan/Feb 2020 | Residential Tech Today
TECH TRENDS
Custom Integrators Can Seize Growth Opportunities with a Proper Assessment of this Year’s Tech Trends By Dennis Holzer
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2020 Vision
Technology integrators must constantly adapt to new trends, products entering the market, and shifting customer demands. To maintain a thriving business and serve the needs of clients, custom integration businesses must continually re-evaluate their practices to adjust for coming growth, changes in demand, their current inventory, and new opportunities in their local market. As a new decade starts, tech professionals will benefit from additional growth planning in advance.
homeowners and small businesses are demanding smart, connected, secure, and reliable systems. These changes will continue to impact the custom installation model into 2020, which will help dealers plan for growth through the new decade.
continue to advance market opportunities. After beginning with a few connected devices, the average consumer may want more advanced smart home experiences, such as an upgraded network, security cameras, thermostats, lighting, audio systems, and more.
According to the recent Worldwide Quarterly Smart Home Device Tracker from International Data Corporation (IDC), connected device acceptance is rising, and consumers are seeking upgraded experiences.
The smart home market has evolved and come a long way in the past 10 years. New technologies, devices, and brands have impacted the average integration business, as
Smart speakers have sparked growth within our industry by boosting desire and awareness for home technology. While the sale of smart speakers is expected to slow, the devices will
As consumers have added DIY devices to their homes, they’ve learned how complex and time-consuming setup and troubleshooting can be. On top of the device challenges, consumers are increasingly concerned for the security and reliability of their systems. These factors are contributing to the shift from the DIY model to do-it-for-me (DIFM), which will also help grow the customer bases of tech professionals.
Residential Tech Today | Jan/Feb 2020
TECH TRENDS
2020 Vision
After beginning with a few connected devices, the average consumer may want more advanced smart home experiences, such as an upgraded network, security cameras, thermostats, lighting, audio systems, and more.
Integrators can then provide value as consumers seek high-resolution audio, multi-room systems, as well as the latest high-resolution displays, and other developing technologies like 5G, 4K and 8K resolutions. 5G will impact IoT and security devices, benefitting integrators with advancements that will yield faster deployment times and enhanced security, where systems can become less reliant on the Wi-Fi network. The new standard will have impact into the monitoring side as well and can become a differentiation point for
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integrators offering security systems. Security systems are a driving factor in smart home system growth. A recent study from Juniper Research showed that automation revenues are on an upward growth trend as homeowners seek cameras, locks, and sensors that can work within their system. By offering a suite of control brands, dealers can capitalize on consumer demand for security systems with compatible devices as well as entertainment features. Being versed in a variety of home control systems equips dealers to suit the demands of homeowners seeking a simple security system, to a more integrated smart home and security experience.
networking, audio, control, and service packages to support the experience.
On the entertainment side, consumers are always seeking the largest and highest resolution displays. Access to top vendors in the TV and displays market enables integrators to keep up with consumer demand. The entertainment category is projected to grow through the beginning of the new decade, and integrators should be prepared to upsell on displays, offering
To take on the new business and grow at a healthy rate, integration professionals can approach homeowners in their region for new business by offering the latest technologies, features, and devices, as they are beginning to expand in appeal. Meanwhile, these products and services can also be offered to existing customers as upgrades, enhancements, and addons to their systems. Going back to both former
To offer sought-after entertainment experiences and the latest audio and display products from a growing number of brands, integrators need a strong distributor partner. Convenient locations provide stock and availability for any job at a moment’s notice or with same day and next-day shipping, as well as the racks, cables, mounts, and any accessory or component necessary to suit small and large installations. Distributors also lend support for dealers taking on new categories, with new product demos, ongoing trainings, and system design services.
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TECH TRENDS
2020 Vision
With emerging products and technologies, integrators can establish a plan for healthy business growth in 2020.
and new customers simultaneously balances growth, and creates a steady revenue income. Marketing activities on social media as well as the occasional newsletter to former clients can also help raise awareness and return business. Integrators can spotlight new products that they carry in key categories to incite interest in upgrades. Tech professionals should also be considerate of technology impacted by tariffs, as product price changes can be challenging to manage with customers. It is wise to proactively prepare for these challenges by including expiration dates on project estimates. While some customers move forward on a scope of work after a day, others may take a few weeks or even months to mull it over. During that time, there’s a risk that tariffs could change TV, speaker, and other product prices; by setting a scope of work expiration or evaluation date, integrators have the opportunity to ensure pricing is correct
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before ordering products for a new job. Communication with customers will ensure that there are no issues with price changes and will help integrators successfully take on new products and expand their client base. Today’s home technology landscape is preparing professional integrators for a fruitful future. With emerging products and technologies, integrators can establish a plan for healthy business growth in 2020 by going after new customers and offering upgrades to existing clients. A local distribution partner can help tech professionals stock for a growing client base, providing the product needed for small to whole-home audio, networking, security, home control, light commercial projects, and other installations at a moment’s notice. Proactive customer outreach and business management will prepare integrators for the growth opportunity that’s right around the corner. x
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INDUSTRY RELATIONS
‘I’m Not the AV Guy’
Acknowledging the Real Value of Home Technology Professional Companies By Jamie Briesenmeiser
In new construction, custom integrators work with design/build professionals to create and share drawings that guide electricians, carpenters, and their own team.
Our company recently hit a big milestone: 15 years in business, providing intelligent home automation systems and award-winning service after the sale. We’ve come a long way, baby! Not only has our company changed over time, but our industry has undergone monumental expansion and change. There is, however, one thing that hasn’t changed much: how we refer to ourselves and the industry, in general, as the “AV industry,” serviced by the “AV Guy.” I take issue with this term, and it’s not because
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I’m female. My concern is that “AV” confines us, binding us to a particular slice of an extraordinarily large (and diverse) home technology pie. It undersells what a lot of home technology professionals do because it centers around technology that most people feel they can live without or do themselves. So, what do the other slices of the home technology pie look like? What are these professionals called? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
I’ll start with “The AV Guy.” Typically, this person comes with a lot of passion for audio/ visual systems: music and movies are this guy’s jam. These folks can provide simple installation services or provide equipment alongside installation. A good AV Guy will consider your needs and recommend products that enhance your experience. A bad AV Guy will try to “sell” you equipment over and above what you need or will miss the boat entirely and sell you sub-par
INDUSTRY RELATIONS
Projects like these couldn’t be done by “just an AV guy.”
equipment. As a single-person company, it may be difficult to get him to service what he has sold you. If you want more than audio/ visual systems and are looking for responsive service to go alongside it, I urge you to continue your search. What about electrical companies? Electricians are often tasked with installing speakers, smart lighting switches, and video doorbells, but do they know how the audio system works, how to configure wireless networks, or how to troubleshoot when something falls offline? Typically, the answer is “No.” Some electrical companies have invested in dedicated departments for such a thing, but it doesn’t automatically qualify them for proper design and responsive service. If not electrical, what about security companies? Residential security providers have access to a wide breadth of products, mostly centered around life safety. Fire alarms, burglary systems, and monitoring services are typically the core offering, with “smart home technology” or “home theater” living on the fringe – more as an add-on installation service. Installations can be inexpensive on the front end, with a nice long
In new construction, custom integrators work with design/build professionals to create and share drawings that guide electricians, carpenters, and their own team. CI professionals do the same for existing homes and often turn “dumb” houses “smart” by providing internet access, motorized blinds, smart lighting, music, movies, and more. Many times, CI companies act as a low-voltage general contractor and coordinate other trades – such as electricians or drywallers – to provide turn-key installations so you have only one point of contact for the project. Often times these professionals have had formal product training and likely have industry “best practice” education with certifications to prove it. Pricing is typically more than any of the aforementioned “guys,” but the offering is different. It’s the whole pie and not just a slice. It should cost more.
monitoring contract on the back end. Always read the fine print! Typically, none of the above are stellar when it comes to designing, configuring, and servicing a home network, so it may seem logical to consider an IT company to install your wireless network. Here’s the challenge: wireless access points should go where you want wireless internet. This means placing a set-top box, extender, or wireless router in your kitchen, master bedroom, or pool house. I’ve seen IT companies install a wireless router with multiple antennas on a shelf with family photos. While you may get a great signal at a fair price, it comes with a cost – poor aesthetics and (commonly) exposed wires. While you can manage your home technology experience by hiring a combination of the above, you may end up with disjointed systems and in some instances, doubling of efforts.
Throughout this article, I’ve used the word “typically” a lot, which was purposeful. Not all companies fit into these five groups as I’ve outlined them. Consider it as more of a guide instead of a rule book when looking for a home technology professional for your project. You may want more than an AV Guy; you may want a CI Gal! x
If the idea of managing multiple companies or people gives you a headache, consider a custom integrator. These companies are built to understand your needs, discuss any technology problem, and develop a solution with you.
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ISSUE FOCUS
Securing the Network A Solid Network Needs Constant Caring, Watering, and Feeding to Remain Safe By Henry Clifford
At the start of 2020, I still feel like we’re in the infancy of cybersecurity offerings for the home. The lack of proactive solutions has driven our company to evaluate where we are today and how things might shake out over the next 24 to 36 months. We live in a world where we “plug and pray” with client networks designed with basic security features versus proactively deterring threats. It’s the physical equivalent of living in a home without an electronic security system. However, whereas homeowners can roll the dice by opting out of a professionally monitored security system because there are only so many bad guys driving by at any given time, the dynamic changes completely with a home network. Virtual bad guys are stopping by in droves 24/7/365. All the firewalls, passwords, and virus scans in the world do no good in an environment where they’ve been set and forgotten. A solid network needs constant caring, watering, and feeding to remain safe.
istockphoto.com/Vertigo3d
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ISSUE FOCUS
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ISSUE FOCUS
Securing the Network
Consumers seem increasingly wary of investing in hardware that might become obsolete quickly. Hubs like Revolv, Iris, and Cujo come to mind, among many others. They are sold by the thousands and became paperweights when their cloud motherships shut down. In addition, outboard hubs like Disney’s Circle or Firewalla and their mission to inspect all network traffic can become performance bottlenecks as they try and protect the home. Router-based solutions with a cloud engine stand the best chance of taking hold with consumers as they continue to learn more about the importance of protecting their digital “windows and doors.”
istockphoto.com/gerenme
An emerging trend appears to center around approaching istockphoto.com/matejmo cybersecurity as a holistic offering card, ad blocking, threat detection, and identity that views an isolated breach as protection. Here’s how I would break each of interconnected. For example, a compromised password might trigger identity theft which can these features down: lead to lowered credit scores and bank fraud. As Endpoint Protection a result, emerging cybersecurity offerings are In the spirit of belt and suspenders support, including features such as endpoint protection, content filtering, password manager, report solutions like Sophos Endpoint Protection and
Windows Defender are still a great way to deliver peace of mind to desktop and laptop users. These solutions are distributed, rather than centrally managed, and can prove tedious to keep current. As the traditional desktop/ laptop market continues to converge with mobile over the next few years, I expect to see more integrated offerings evolve with Apple in particular being forced into more actively securing its own operating system. Windows introduced its Defender product over a decade ago after succumbing to consumer complaints of doing little to protect users from online threats. Content Filtering Solutions like Apple’s Screen Time, Google’s Family Link, and Amazon’s FreeTime all work at the device level. Newer solutions from ISPs and companies like Eero, Araknis, and Ruckus promise to centrally manage these preferences at the router level, providing a central choke point. Filtering can include parental controls, malware, and knowing when a new device logs onto the network. Password Manager With phishing attacks on the rise and consumers increasingly using multiple browsers/devices, the need for better secure password management has never been greater. Products like Apple’s Keychain or Chrome’s
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ISSUE FOCUS Autofill only work with their devices and can become frustrating to use when trying to recall complex strings of letters and numbers.
Ad Blocking
Report Card Tech companies seem more oriented around delivering meaningful results to their customers on a regular basis. Weekly or monthly scorecards from companies like Eero or Disney are the beginning of “peace of mind” reporting trends that are squarely aimed at keeping subscribers engaged and driving down attrition.
of ads being used to plant malware on
This level of threat detection seems to build the strongest case that we’ll all soon be paying by the month for cybersecurity as a service.
Nobody likes online ads and while they’re not always a direct threat, there have been examples
Identity Protection Cybersecurity crimes can often result in identity theft. Offering services like credit monitoring or locking credit files as part of a larger cybersecurity subscription such as Eero’s Secure+ appears to be an emerging trend as tech companies seek a more proactive approach towards protecting consumers.
unsuspecting computers. Threat Detection By pointing all home internet traffic to alternative DNS servers from companies like Zscaler, threats from suspicious sites are intercepted before they get through the firewall.
Current IndustryOfferings Offerings Their Month Product Roadmaps: Current Industry andand Their 24- to24-36 36-Month Product Roadmaps: WhyReboot
Access Networks
Araknis
Pakedge
Luxul
Eero
Ubiquiti
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Endpoint Protection
Future Release
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Content Filtering
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Password Manager
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Bundled
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Report Card
✓
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OvrC Home App
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Ad Blocking
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Future Release
TBA
TBA
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On-site Threat Detection
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VPN
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Custom Pricing
Custom Pricing
TBA
TBA
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$99 Yearly
$25-$200 Yearly
Hybrid Cloud/On-site Threat Detection
Subscription
istockphoto.com/Marianna Lishchenco
There doesn’t seem to be a clear winner across the custom installation channel, but I’m optimistic that the coming months will yield multiple strong players, creating competition and driving consumer demand. I’ll be watching the industry closely as more solutions come online and become ready for testing. For now, my custom integration company will continue to educate our customers and start offering more proactive cybersecurity solutions with our subscription plans toward the end of the year. x
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TECH ADVISOR
Maximizing Apartment Audio Exploring Home Entertainment System Options That Won’t Upset the Neighbors By Jeremy Glowacki
S
hared walls and ceilings can often make music and movie-loving apartment and condo dwellers feel like they’re walking on eggshells while trying to enjoy their favorite songs and video content. Fortunately, there are effective ways to make the most of a home entertainment system without upsetting the tranquility of those who live around you. As a director of global training for Sound United (Polk, Denon and Marantz, and Definitive Technology), Philip Jones often advises AV retailers and custom integrators on providing the best audio equipment in a setting with shared walls.
“A lot of times when it comes to an apartment, the question from the customer is, ‘How big is it and how do I hide the wires?’” Jones said. “We strongly stress that components [separate speakers paired with an AV receiver] are the best approach to an application, because they provide the most flexibility and upgradability. Soundbars are a great solution if you cannot do that, however, and so are wireless powered speakers.” A components approach provides flexibility, Jones explained, in that a set of bookshelf speakers connected to an AV receiver will allow you to grow your system in the future, especially should you move to a larger residence without
In an apartment or condo setting, Sound United’s Philip Jones recommends a “components” approach to provides flexibility for expanding an AV system in the future.
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TECH ADVISOR
shared walls. Stereo speakers, which might first be used alongside a TV, can later be moved to the back of the room and used as rear-channel surround speakers and enhanced with a subwoofer, to create a more complete home theater experience. And even before they’re turned into “rears,” the performance of those two speakers in the front of the room will often outperform many soundbars. If those two speakers and an AVR take up too much space or are deemed too complex, however, Jones recommends buying two powered speakers and pairing them together. Or, alternatively, buying a soundbar or a single, higher quality powered speaker to do the job. “The first thing you have to know is that you
soundstage and the future expandability that you would get from components,” Jones noted.
can get more out of what you’re listening to today, above just a basic Bluetooth speaker,” Jones said.
Finally, he explained, be aware of the Audyssey calibration system within certain AVRs that help provide room optimization, making the system less likely to disturb neighbors. Settings such as Dynamic EQ can help modify bass and treble levels for lower volume levels and Dynamic Volume raises the volume of quieter elements in a song or movie while reducing the level of the louder effects. Lastly, more high-end AVRS also offer Audyssey Low-Frequency Containment, which replaces specific bass frequencies with ones that don’t resonate so easily through walls. What you end up with is more perceived bass in your room without it escaping to your nextdoor neighbor. x
If a soundbar is still the preferred solution, Jones emphasized that there are many different levels of soundbars from which to choose, and to select one manufactured by a reputable audio company. Definitive Technologies soundbars, for instance, are benchmarked against the company’s best speakers, rather than against other sound bars. The upshot: find a company that chooses tweeters, woofers, and cabinetry that is closer to what is found inside a set of speakers. “You can get good performance from a soundbar, but you just won’t get the width of the
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FEATURED
Cover Story
Tell Me A Story
Grace Mitchell, Host of HGTV’s One of a Kind, Discusses Her Unique Approach to Home Design By Anthony Elio | Photos courtesy HGTV If you want to see how dedicated Grace Mitchell is to interior design, just look at her current home. After seven years of renovation, Mitchell is finally happy with her 1919 foursquare. And she definitely should be, as her family experienced plumbing pipes exploding, a ceiling collapsing on their car, and a bathroom literally falling through the downstairs ceiling. After so much time, energy, and creativity put into the renovation project, Mitchell has a unique, defined vision of what a home should be. In 2012, Mitchell launched her website “A Storied Style,” which encapsulates both her creative design work as well as her personal philosophy, “Start with your story.” In Mitchell’s eyes, utilizing personal stories, travel experience, and distinctive interests to create an abode is much more important to design than simply trying to recreate something you’ve viewed online. This vision can be seen on Mitchell’s HGTV program One of a Kind, where she collaborates with homeowners to turn Victorian homes, lake houses, and historical properties into reflections of themselves. The creative designer shares the story of her current home renovation as well as her personal advice to design enthusiasts in this exclusive interview.
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FEATURED
Cover Story
Residential Tech Today: Before you started hosting One of a Kind, you were a language therapist. Can you tell me a bit about what led you to hosting the program? Grace Mitchell: Well, I’d always loved design and I was an interior design major for a year in college and then my advisor basically told me that it was a dying field and that I should choose something else. And so I took that advice and chose a major, ended up getting a Bachelor of Science and then a Master’s. And then I was actually working on my doctorate in audiology when we found out we were expecting. So I thought I would take a little bit of time off. And then we ended up having surprisingly four kids in three and a half years. I just didn’t go back, [and] I just felt more invested in my home since I was spending more time there. I started doing a lot of home projects and writing about it on a website, my blog at the time. My blog sort of turned into private design clients, and then I started getting my work published. I worked for magazines for a while, writing and designing for them and for brands. And then I got a call from the production company about potentially doing a show, and here we are. RT Today: The stories of the people that you work with are always so important to your design projects. Do you have one story in particular that really stands out? GM: That’s such a hard question because I feel so connected to all of my homes and to all of these people and their stories. I don’t know, it’s really hard to pick one. It’s important to me – and it’s always been important for me in my job – to feel like I get to create, but it also needs to have meaning. And even when I was a language therapist, I got to create curriculum for these babies and their families. A lot of the time when I entered the picture, the family had just found out that their child was deaf or hard of hearing, which is, as you can imagine, was a very difficult transition. And so I got to create family activities for them to learn how to communicate with their baby. I loved that job because I got to create, and it had meaning, and now I get to do design, which I love so much. I love all things [related to the] home, but I get to make sure that it has meaning.
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FEATURED
Cover Story: Tell Me A Story
Grace Mitchell’s design vision can see on the HGTV program One of a Kind, where she collaborates with homeowners to turn historical homes in reflections of themselves.
Really, that’s how so many people came to me before the show. When I was taking on clients, they would say, “Oh, I scoured Pinterest, and I found all the things that I liked, and I put that in my house, and I still hate it.” And it’s because it’s not meaningful to them. Of course you’re going to change out pillows or change out wallpaper here and there, but I found that if you’re really orchestrating your home around your story and what’s important to you that it makes it more timeless and you’re happy with it longer. RT Today: In terms of more difficult projects, your own home took seven years to renovate. Can you tell me a bit about that process? GM: Well, have you ever seen the movie The Money Pit? Well, my husband and I had never seen that movie when we bought this house, but we fell in love with the house because it has an enormous yard, and we have four kids, we’re
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really close to downtown, and we’re basically in the heart of the city of Fort Worth. But, we still have all of this land, so we just loved the house because of that. But about six weeks after we moved in, the bathroom fell through the living room ceiling in the middle of the night. And then so many of our friends started telling us about this movie. “Have you seen this movie?” Because we had all these stories about this house. And when we watched the movie, my husband and I literally were crying, laughing so hard because so many of the things that happened in it have happened to us in real life in our house. So, it was a labor of love for sure. But we love that house, and we’re only the third owner. It’s a hundred years old. So really we did our house like a lot of people do their own homes. We wrote down a list of projects that we wanted to do. We would save up over time. We would tackle one of the projects,
and then we would stop and save more money and then tackle the next project. And, for us, it took about seven years. So we had to share this tiny little bathroom for several years while we saved up money to get the other bathrooms working correctly. We made it work, and it was really good for our kids, too, because I think it’s neat to see that we got to work on it together. It was really a family project, there was a lot of family input, and they got to see all that went into it. There’s something almost spiritual to me about watching something that is ugly and broken and not at all attractive and taking it and turning it into something that’s beautiful and special. I just love that so much, and I’m so thankful that I get to do it. RT Today: Do you find yourself drawing from your personal life as inspiration for your projects?
FEATURED
Cover Story
In 2012, HGTV’s Grace Mitchell launched her website A Storied Style, which encapsulates both her creative design work and her personal philosophy, “Start with your story.”
GM: Sure. I think I have a very good understanding about how a home needs to function for a family. So of course when I’m working on these projects, I’m constantly thinking about the family. The people who are on the show fill out a very in-depth five-page questionnaire that I have created for them. And so I pull from the questionnaire. I sit down with them; I basically invite myself to dinner sometimes. “Can I come hang out with your family and can I look in your closet? Can I see how your home works?” Taking that time to get to know them helps me figure out what they really need. Sometimes even more than what they say. So for the most part, really for the project, I take most of the inspiration from the family. But what I take from my own life is just a lot of practicality. I want my spaces to be beautiful, of course. But, I’m a mom of four, and I work and I know that it’s challenging to keep everything together. So, I’m thinking when I’m doing a kitchen, “Okay, where’s the mail going to go?” I’m thinking about all those things that I know are important to me in my own life and what I need to make my home run smoothly. I’m really drawing from my own life, but it’s all about their
if you can write down five characteristics of what you want your home to feel like and then measure up against that. “Okay, what if we did your cabinets blue, does that fit in with these characteristics to you? No. Okay, then scratch that off the list.” Sometimes if you just write down how you want it to feel, that can really help you.
story. When it comes to what I think the function needs to be, I’m just drawing from what I know for my own family. RT Today: What advice would you give to an aspiring home renovation enthusiast? GM: I would say people can easily crowd their mind when they’re trying to gather inspiration from everyone else’s home. And I think sitting down and thinking about where you’ve been, what’s important to you, places that you’ve visited that you just loved the feeling of, and honing in on what really speaks to you in a home. Maybe it’s, “Oh, I loved this about my grandmother’s kitchen.” Or, “I loved this element of my parents’ house growing up.” Take all those things into consideration. That’s how you can craft a home that you love more than looking at, scrolling through random pictures. Of course, you can see, “Oh, I like those colors.” There are certain things, but I feel like if you try to write down and take it from yourself, what’s really important to you about your home and build from there.
And then people, just about everyone who has ever been on the show will say, “Oh, I don’t have a story. We don’t really have a story.” No one in this world thinks they have a story for some reason, but everyone does. And that’s really my job to pull it out. One of the most recent episodes that we did, it was so darling because the husband was looking around and he said, “Well, I really do have a story, and it looks so good.” I thought that was really great. And that’s what I want is, when I leave a home, I don’t want to look back and say, “Oh, Grace Mitchell did this.” I love to look back at a home and say, “Wow, this looks just like the Mayos, [or] this looks just like the Rices.” And I feel like when we leave, that’s what we’ve done. And that’s just so… it’s a really special thing to be able to do, to contribute to someone’s life like that. x
Sometimes I even ask people to write down what they want their home to feel like, because people get so wrapped up in colors and, “Oh, do I want this or do I want that? I don’t know.” But
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INSTALLATION
Lodge Lighting Elevation Vantage Controls’ InFusion Provides Cost-Effective Lighting System Upgrade in Renovated Utah Mountain Lodge By Veronica Esbona
Set on 12 elevated acres with sweeping valley views, an 18-year-old Park City, UT, mountain lodge was recently renovated by its new owners to create a more contemporary and efficient family home. A key aspect of the project was replacing the existing LiteTouch lighting system, as the product line was discontinued in 2015. The homeowners’ requirements for the new system included adaptive phase dimming, sleek Modern Touch Pads for control, and integration with other equipment, such as shading. To meet these needs at a cost that wouldn’t break the bank, they called on integrator Vaun Bethers. “When it comes to upgrading LiteTouch systems, Vantage Controls’ InFusion is my solution of choice for a number of reasons,” Bethers said. “The company has excellent online tools for planning an upgrade and helps lower costs for my customers by allowing existing enclosures, wiring, and electrical boxes to be utilized in new systems. The company also provides outstanding field and technical support, which are invaluable resources on any project.”
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INSTALLATION
Precise control over the home’s lighting is provided by Vantage Controls’ InFusion Controller II, in combination with 10 InFusion LiteTouch Retrofit Inserts and 19 InFusion Standard Dimming Modules. The homeowners interact with their lighting system via Vantage’s adorne backlit modular keypads, which offer a minimalist and sleek design inspired by modern technological devices. The engraved keypads automatically adjust letter backlighting based on the time of day and allow users to see which scenes are active based on a customizable LED status color change. The Park City home features 91 keypads in one-, three-, and six-button configurations. In addition to lighting, they are integrated with the home’s Somfy shading system, garage doors, pond aeration, and waterfall pump motors. Users can select scenes incorporating these elements with the push of a button, or control any of them individually with ease. For example, the “Good Morning” scene raises the master bedroom and bath shades and sets lighting to 50 percent, while the “Good Night” scene turns off lights, lowers shades, and closes the garage doors. The homeowners can execute each of these scenes from bed. For security, control over outside lights is available on various keypads throughout the home. “The homeowners love their new lighting system and the convenient control it provides over multiple aspects of their environment. Next up, they’re considering integrating with their audio system to create entertainment scenes in the pool area, bars, and theater,” Bethers added. “They also appreciate that as a Legrand | AV brand, Vantage systems are backed by a multi-billion dollar parent company. This provides them with peace of mind knowing they have a stable and reliable solution that will be supported for many years to come.” x
This Park City home features 91 keypads in one-, three-, and six-button configurations. In addition to lighting, they are integrated with the home’s Somfy shading system, garage doors, pond aeration, and waterfall pump motors.
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INNOVATIVE TECH
The Cloak of Invisibility
Heard but Not Seen, These Invisible Architectural Speakers Offer Beautiful Sounds Without the Ugly Sights By Darryl Wilkinson One of the amazing things about loudspeakers is the incredible variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and finishes. For the audiophile or merely the person who has an interest in the technology itself, this a beautiful thing. There are other folks, though, for whom speakers are a necessary nuisance – at best considered an annoying piece of furniture that inevitably mucks up the ergonomics or décor-onomics (not a real word, but it gets the point across) of any room they’re
In rooms like these, in-wall speakers with traditional grilles just wouldn’t suffice. You’d never guess that Nakymatone invisible speakers are hiding in the walls.
located in. And that’s before accounting for the speaker cables and/or power cords running across the floor. One solution is to use architectural speakers that are installed either in-wall or in-ceiling. This type of speaker not only offers the advantages of eliminating unwieldy or inconvenient boxes from the room, but it also gets rid of those ugly cables and wires that are so easy to trip over. It does not, however, eliminate the visual presence of speakers in the room, as nearly all architectural speakers utilize round,
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square, or rectangular perforated grilles. Sure, such grilles can usually be painted to match the color of the wall, but they remain a visible distraction from what might otherwise be a beautifully designed décor. Furthermore, if the room’s layout or wall/ceiling construction prevents installing the speakers in a symmetrical or similar eye-pleasing pattern, one or more of those grilles will stick out like a painted sore thumb.
The problems quickly multiply when you start adding multiple channels for a home theater system. As a result, homeowners, designers, and decorators have dreamed of the ultimate architectural solution: the invisible loudspeaker. Yet, short of some magic invisibility cloak straight out of Harry Potter (wand not included), how do you make a loudspeaker (or a 7.2.4-channel system of speakers) disappear?
INNOVATIVE TECH Making Speakers Disappear Although the sound quality hasn’t always been that great, invisible speakers of the non-magical type have been around for quite a while. Significant improvements have been made over the years, though, and there are now a considerable number of companies offering high-performance invisible speakers, including Amina, Nakymatone, Sonance, and Stealth Acoustics. Although each company differs in the particulars of its product designs, the ones under discussion here utilize a similar fundamental concept that involves installing an independent vibrating flat panel (rather than the usual cone/dome-shaped transducers) flush with the wallboard and then applying paint or other type of covering over it so it completely blends in with the surrounding wall. Of course, the entire process is much easier said than done. Unlike a traditional-style architectural speaker, invisible in-wall or in-ceiling speakers don’t have flanges surrounding the speaker grille – indeed, they don’t use grilles at all. Flanges can conveniently hide off-kilter, crooked, or roughly cut edges in the drywall opening that the speaker is mounted in. In addition, the face panel of the invisible speaker needs to be perfectly parallel with the wallboard but extend approximately 1/16th of an inch above the surface. This means that shims are often required during the installation to ensure the correct alignment.
Nakymatone invisible speakers (front and back) before installation.
Once installed, most manufacturers recommend using self-adhesive nylon mesh or paper tape along the edges where the speaker panel meets the wallboard and then feathering the speaker face to the wall with standard drywall joint compound. Depending upon the final finishing technique that’ll be used, a very thin skim coat can sometimes be applied over the entire face of the speaker. It’s imperative that imperfections in the joint compound be carefully sanded and corrected before the final paint (or other finishing) is applied in order to create a visually seamless transition between the panel and wall. Needless to say, unless you have extensive, professional-level AV installation, carpentry, taping and floating, and wall finishing skills, this is not a do-it-yourself project. One advantage of invisible speakers (beyond being invisible, of course) is that the flat panel used to create and project sound into the room offers a much wider dispersion angle than do architectural speakers that rely on cone or dome
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INNOVATIVE TECH
The Cloak of Invisibility
expanded, and, as you would expect, it includes several models of invisible speakers. The twoway IS2 is “designed for tight installations or very small spaces,” while the larger, three-way IS4 is engineered for higher performance in larger spaces. The IS4 SST is a single-stereo speaker version of the basic IS4, while the IS4 C is one of the few invisible speakers on the market engineered specifically for use in 70- or 100-volt systems.
Amina Technologies CEO Richard Newlove explains the benefits of his company’s invisible speakers to a professional integrator at CEDIA Expo 2019. Elsewhere in the booth, VP Keith Vanderkley showed how the product looks in the wall before drywall joint compound is applied.
transducers for mid- and, especially, highfrequency production. Whereas a typical in-room or in-wall speaker might have a relatively uniform high-frequency dispersion of around 30 to 45 degrees off-axis, invisible architectural speakers are often rated in the 80 to 90 degrees off-axis range. This is especially helpful in expanding the sweet spot to encompass more listeners as well as extending the coverage area in large rooms. There are a couple of other issues to be aware of regarding invisible architectural speakers. Perhaps the most important is build quality and overall reliability. Just as an invisible speaker doesn’t go into a wall without a lot of effort, it doesn’t come out easily if it needs to be repaired or replaced –and, of course, the entire install process has to be repeated with the repaired or replaced unit. As a result, many companies incorporate built-in, self-resetting circuits, and/ or high-pass filters to help prevent overloading the drivers to the point of failure. Furthermore, invisible speakers, like most architectural speakers, don’t offer the amount of bass output that many people look for when putting together a high-performance home theater or dedicated two-channel music system. Fortunately, there are also invisible subwoofers for folks who want the ultimate in stealthy sound. Stealth Acoustics Considering the company’s name, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Stealth Acoustics
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offers one of the most extensive selections of “totally invisible audio solutions” available today, including two models of invisible subwoofer systems (the single-panel, 8-inch driver B22G and the single-panel with dual 8-inch drivers B30G). The most impressive full-range invisible speaker system in the Stealth Acoustic’s lineup is the LRX-85, a three-way, two-panel system that the company says requires “no special basslimiting filters, ancillary protection circuits or external subwoofers.” (If that’s not enough for you, there’s also an active, bi-amplified version, called the LRX-85ACT.) Because the bassproducing panel is separate from the mid/ high-frequency panel, there is much more flexibility in terms of installation placement in a room. (The company suggests placing the two panels within one meter of each other.) Stealth Acoustics says that the LRX-85’s 300-watt power handling enables the speaker configuration to generate up to 105 dB of output with low-frequency response down to an impressive (for an invisible speaker, anyway) 35 Hz. Finish options include latex paint, flat finish, orange peel texture, light plaster, light wallpaper, light fabric, wood veneer, and other selected finishes. Sonance In 1983, Sonance became one of the very first companies to make speakers specifically designed for architectural use. In the intervening years, the company’s product assortment
Sonance rates the IS2 and IS4 down to 50 Hz and 40 Hz, respectively, but the bass response can be reinforced invisibly with the company’s ISW dedicated subwoofer panel. The ISW uses two 2-inch voice coils to drive a 170 sq. inch planar diaphragm that Sonance says can reach frequencies as low as 35 Hz. Every IS-series speaker includes built-in, independent, selfresetting gel switches (for low, mid, and high, depending upon the driver configuration); and the planar paper surfaces can be used with up to 1/8-inch of flexible material – such as joint compound, plaster, or wallpaper – or paint. Amina Technologies Amina Technologies describes its invisible architectural offerings as “part loudspeaker and part construction material…designed to be just as much a rugged building material as they are a precise acoustic device.” The company’s Edgeseries invisible speakers are meant specifically for applications in walls and ceilings constructed with drywall. During installation, the perimeter around the company’s Edge-series invisible speakers is filled, taped, and feathered before the surface is painted; but, since the Amina speakers in this series attach solely to the drywall, the company says that no special framing is required. Stylish interior décor often involves more than the standard skim-coat and paint, however. Amina’s Mobius-series speakers are engineered for installation in walls that don’t use drywall construction or situations where a specialist covering material is required. The amazing variety of potential covering options includes wood, leather, natural stone veneer, wet plaster skim (up to 2 mm thick), acoustic or polished plaster, as well as composite material skins in various finishes, as well as a mirror finish. The Mobius-series speakers are so versatile in terms of installation and covering capabilities that they can even be integrated directly into furniture.
INNOVATIVE TECH
Gray Sound offers an alternative to in-room subwoofers with its in-ceiling models. The result of the installation is barely visible in this room.
Nakymatone Aside from the unique company name and the penchant for using Dutch words for the models of its speakers, Nakymatone is unusual for the fact that each one of the company’s four models of invisible speakers includes an acoustically tuned anodized aluminum enclosure. Not only that, but the Echt, Mooi, Goed, and Twee also share the same overall physical (23 x 9 ¾ x 3 ½, HWD, inches) and required cut out (16 5/8 x 9 ¾, HW, inches) dimensions. The numerically astute reader will notice that the enclosure is nearly seven inches taller than the cutout. This is not a mistake, however, as Nakymatone’s speakers are designed to be slid upward into the opening vertically. Once the bottom of the enclosure has cleared the lower edge of the cutout, the assembly is lowered until the surface of the raised acoustic panel, which has the same dimensions as the cutout, lines up with the edges of the opening. Once in place (and after alignment shims are inserted, if required), the enclosure is secured with screws along the outside edges at the top and bottom of the opening. The Echt, Mooi, and Goed are full-range speakers with low-frequency outputs down to 60 Hz, 75 Hz, and 80 Hz, respectively. The Twee, named using the Dutch word for “two”, is a fullrange single-speaker stereo model that matches the Nakymatone Goed in overall performance. The Laag (Dutch for “low”) isn’t technically an invisible speaker along the lines of the planar technology incorporated into the other Nakymatone speakers. Instead, it uses a cone woofer in a ported cabinet. The Laag’s 7.9 x 9.5 x 19.3 (HWD, inches) cabinet is too large to fit inside a standard 2x4 stud wall, however, so the enclosure is likely to be installed in a ceiling or closet. It includes a flexible tube that attaches
from the output port of the subwoofer to a standard vent.
size to accommodate the extra width of the midbass driver is approximately 5.7 x 5.7 (inches).
Gray Sound Although it doesn’t create true invisibility in the sense we’ve been talking about so far (with the exception of Nakymatone’s Laag subwoofer), another method of making a loudspeaker disappear is to camouflage it so it looks like something else – or at least looks like something that ought to be there. Typically, this involves concealing as much of the loudspeaker behind the wall or ceiling and allow the sound produced by the speaker to disperse into the room via a grille-covered hole in the wall that’s as small as is acoustically feasible. In most cases, the tiny grille is designed to mimic the appearance of a light fixture mounted in the ceiling.
The Gray Sound C40 and C50 are said to have frequency range output as low as 60 and 55 Hz (respectively). As such, for systems designed to provide more than a background music listening experience, the company suggests adding the S80 subwoofer. Incorporating an 8-inch woofer, the S80’s ported cabinet measures 7.9 x 9.45 x 19.3 (H x W x L, inches) and is designed to be mounted above the ceiling. A flexible tube connects to the port and directs the airflow output to a square grille that matches either the C40 or C50 in design, color, and size. The S80 is said to have a frequency response of 40 Hz to 117 Hz. Hiding in Plain Sight It’s often been said that one of the best ways to keep something secret – especially if you’re the military or a three-letter government agency – is to hide it in plain sight. Even if your intentions aren’t the sort of thing that would make a thrilling plot for the next Bond film, installing invisible architectural speakers in the walls or ceilings of your home is an excellent way of eliminating the physical inconveniences and visual annoyances of standard in-room speakers and traditional architectural speakers. Of course, there are tradeoffs to be made when you go the route of invisible speakers, most importantly the additional cost and complication of installation. But once the speakers are installed and the paint, wallpaper, or other type of finish is applied, the speakers will be out-of-sight and out-of-mind – until you turn the system on. Then the fact that these speakers are meant to be heard and not seen will likely blow your mind and make you the envy of designers, decorators, and homeowners for whom the experience is more important than the components. x
Gray Sound, an architectural speaker company based in The Netherlands, offers two full-range models in the company’s Vox series. Although differing slightly in overall size, each model utilizes a square steel casing that mounts behind the drywall and is adjustable so that it can be aligned flush with the surface of the wallboard. After the ceiling is taped, floated, and painted, the speaker is screwed into the waiting housing, and the grille is attached. The smaller of the two models, the Gray Sound C40 incorporates a four-inch round mid-bass driver with a coaxially aligned wide-angle titanium tweeter. (Gray Sound says the company’s tweeter provides up to 60 degrees offaxis of high-frequency dispersion whereas a “normal” tweeter offers closer to 45 degrees.) The cutout size is a mere 4.5 x 4.5 (inches), and the entire assembly requires a maximum of 3.2 inches of mounting depth. The Gray Sound C50 uses the same titanium tweeter mounted in front of a larger 5-inch mid-bass driver. Although the mounting depth remains the same, the cutout
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NEW TECH
Smart Homes are Getting Smarter
ISE 2020 Trade Show Provides Solutions for Keeping Up with the Pace of the Latest Residential Tech Developments By Melanie Breaker
It may well go down in smart homes history as “The Alexa Effect.” Amazon’s Echo and Dot unquestionably caught the imagination of homeowners around the world. Last year, it was estimated that more than 100 million devices had been sold. Google hasn’t done too badly with Home, either. Echo/Alexa opened homeowners’ eyes to a previously unknown world of possibilities: sitting on your couch and turning the lights
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down, the TV on, and the heating up, as well as countless trivial, but entertaining, other things that the device was capable of doing. There’s also been explosive – and, for many, intriguing – growth in the number of connectable home devices available, from refrigerators to washing machines, doorbells to security cameras, and thermostats to garden sprinklers. The problem for many users has been, however, that these devices and features aren’t
always truly connected. Yes, Alexa’s skills bring together the Kasa app, the Philips Hue app, the SmartThings app… but wouldn’t it be good if there were, to coin a phrase, one ring to rule them all? “According to the report ‘Race to Control the Smart Home Ecosystem,’ purchase intentions for smart home products rose from 35 percent in 2016 to 43 percent at the end of 2018,” noted Heinz Lux, CEO of KNX Association
NEW TECH
Co-owned by CEDIA and its commercial audiovisual counterpart AVIXA, ISE has become a fixture in the calendar of every major smart home and home entertainment company and is an annual pilgrimage for the systems integrators who serve the market.
International, the organization responsible for the open connectivity standard for commercial and domestic building automation. “Many experts link the increasing demand to the rise of voice control and interoperability in the smart home market.”
with higher internet speeds and more advanced streaming services, people can access high fidelity music without sacrifice. Other trends we’re seeing impact the smart home market include IP video distribution, 4K, HDR – and, of course, voice control.”
delivering new levels of detail for the high-end home theater.” The move in direction toward AI-empowered solutions is not the only change that’s happening in the rapidly growing smart homes market.
AI Becomes Real World “Voice control is very much still top-of-mind,” added Tabatha O’Connor, global president and CEO of the industry organization for technology integrators, CEDIA. “It will, ultimately, change the way we interact with our environment for good. With the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Home making headway, devices such as these are leading artificial intelligence into the real world with an increasing number of integrations and partnerships.
Evolution “It’s been interesting to watch the evolution of the smart home consumer throughout the years,” noted Kordon Vaughn, senior director of product marketing for Control4 at SnapAV. “When smart home adoption first hit the ground, homeowners gravitated toward home security devices, thermostats, smart locks, speakers, and so on. Now, as their sophistication and knowledge has developed, consumers are able to move past the security-only aspect and envision how much more their smart homes are capable of.
“In addition,” she continued, “the number of IoT-enabled devices and powerful, higher bandwidth networks are set to be a big talking point. We also expect higher resolution audio and video innovations to make an impact on the show floor, including examples of 8K projection
“Since starting out in the AV industry, it’s been amazing to see how far music streaming has come, especially in terms of how important high-resolution music has become,” he continued. “We used to have to shrink our music to make it fit onto our devices, but now
O’Connor also noted two other related themes that will be significant for the smart homes industry in the near future: “wellness” and “human-centric” lighting, which posit that lighting isn’t just about illuminating spaces and objects but can – and should – reflect our natural daily rhythms. Relax and De-Stress “Now,” said Greg Andrews, VP of marketing and sales at Legrand AV Residential Solutions, “homeowners can come home and create a space that allows them to heal, relax, and destress – not only through lighting but also audio and many other technologies. Wellness is a key focus.” There can be little doubt, then, that smart homes continue to evolve with the ability to seamlessly combine home entertainment with
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NEW TECH
Smart Homes are Getting Smarter
energy efficiency, security, comfort, and wellbeing. It’s no surprise that research companies like IDC predict approximately 17-percent yearon-year growth between now and 2023, resulting in some 1.6 billon smart home devices being shipped. Staying abreast of those developments is not getting less challenging – but, fortunately, help is at hand. ISE has become a popular exhibition for anyone involved in smart/connected/ automated homes – in whatever capacity. Coowned by CEDIA and its commercial audiovisual counterpart AVIXA, it has become a fixture in the calendar of every major smart home and home entertainment company and is an annual pilgrimage for the systems integrators who serve the market, and for architects and designers as well as countless end customers – all anxious to see the latest and greatest and get a glimpse into the future. It’s not just about the newest bright, shiny objects, however. ISE (February 11-14 in Amsterdam) has also become a focal point for education and learning in sessions designed to equip industry participants with the knowledge they need to achieve customer delight. New Ways of Thinking “ISE is the perfect destination for learning,” O’Connor noted. “CEDIA provides an extensive training program that is relevant to integrators working in the smart home technology market. Within this program, we offer a range of business and technical training classes that are valuable to all visitors with great insights and advice from our global team of experts.” The CEDIA booth is also home to CEDIA Talks that spark new ways of thinking about how the smart homes business operates and the technology breakthroughs that are on the horizon. ISE 2020 also hosts the CEDIAproduced one-day Cybersecurity Workshop. In addition, this year sees the return of the Smart Building Conference – now at the nearby Hotel Okura on February 10 – while, on the show floor, the Smart Building Technology Zone is
ISE in Amsterdam has become a popular exhibition for anyone involved in smart/connected/automated homes – in whatever capacity.
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NEW TECH
housed in Hall 9 of the RAI Amsterdam. For many, though, ISE is all about being among the first to see and hear about the latest developments in products and technology for the home: for many manufacturers, it represents the ideal opportunity to make new product launches. “Attending ISE is the best way to get your eyes on the latest and greatest industry products, in action,” Vaugh noted. Control4 will be showcasing its newest smart home operating system, Control4 Smart Home OS 3. One Ring “With more than a thousand new capabilities across lighting, whole-home music and video, security, surveillance, comfort, and more, Control4 OS 3 blends smart home convenience with AV entertainment to deliver
unprecedented user personalisation,” Vaugh added. It is, perhaps, an example of the “one ring to rule them all…”
Association, whose ISE booth will play host to some 20 co-exhibitors, collectively presenting what a connected home can offer.
Meanwhile, the Legrand booth will feature what Andrews describes as “vignettes.”
“Between us, we’ll be showing how integrated AV solutions can not only make a house a smart home, but also make it more comfortable and enjoyable than it has ever been before,” Lux said.
“We’ll be showing integrated solutions coming together,” he explained. “The Chief, Middle Atlantic, On-Q, Da-lite, and SANUS brands work together to create a strong foundation. From there, Luxul provides guaranteed network performance. Then, our AV systems brands make smart homes brilliant, with Vantage human-centric lighting, On-Q smart connectivity, QMotion shading, and Nuvo multiroom audio systems that provide convenience, security, comfort, and entertainment.”
And, while much of the excitement surrounding ISE revolves around the latest developments in the familiar, there’s always the chance of something catching visitors off-guard. “The show has a talent that no other show has,” Lux added. “It leaves people in awe. Every ISE has always had, not one, but several elements and surprises that demonstrated how far we still are from what the AV industry can provide. I expect ISE 2020 to be no different.” x
Taking a similar approach is the KNX
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION
LG Electronics’ 2020 soundbars feature Meridian Bass and Space, which increases the width and scale of the soundstage beyond the physical dimensions of the product, while also supporting stable and accurate lowfrequency reproduction. The flagship SN11RG model is a 7.1.4 channel system, complete with two wireless rear speakers that deliver forward and up-firing sound.
RTI’s new line of audio distribution solutions are now shipping. The ADA-1 DAC decodes audio signals from sources with S/PDIF coaxial or TOSLINK optical outputs and converts them to standard stereo output. The VDM-1x DAC downscales or upscales video signals for compatibility with displays of different resolutions and downmixes incoming Dolby Digital to stereo PCM audio. The ADM-1 Audio Delay Module and AXP-1 Digital Audio Extender Kit address lip-sync issues and the challenges of long-distance signal distribution. The AXP-1 transmits audio over distances surpassing 650 feet using a standard Cat5e/6 cable. abode systems’ iota all-in-one DIY security system is now Apple HomeKit compatible, enabling control through the Apple Home app and Siri on Apple devices. iota features a built-in HD camera, motion sensor, twoway audio, and Wi-Fi connectivity. With HomeKit, Apple users can now add their abode iota system directly into the Home app on their iPhone or iPad to control their smart home from a single app. In addition, all abode-branded motion, door, and window sensors can be added to the Home app when connected to the abode iota gateway.
With the new ELAN Intelligent Video Doorbell integrates advanced motion analytics to accurately report real motion events rather than unimportant things such as swaying trees or passing shadows. Adding to the intelligent home experience, the Doorbell’s camera acts as one of the ELAN system’s surveillance cameras, with video captured on the ELAN NVR. Full integration with the ELAN control system enables integrators to create sequences of automated events, such as turning on lights when motion is detected during evening or nighttime hours.
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION
Just Add Power’s new third-generation (3G) thin two-gang HDMI wall plate transmitter is now shipping. The VBISHDIP-707WP2 allows users to easily incorporate laptops and other HDMI devices as sources for their Ultra HD over IP systems while offering a depth of only 1.5 inches. Offering ultra-low latency, the wall plate distributes Ultra HD and 4K video with HDCP 2.2 over a single Cat-5e cable and supports HDMI 2.0 devices and all lossless multichannel audio formats. Additional features include CEC control, image pull, and Plug-Play-Present.
beyerdynamic’s Amiron wireless headphones incorporate a decorative ring made of solid copper to pay tribute to the conductivity of the copper used in headphone cables and voice coil wires. A soft anthracite headband made of Alcantara also provides a perfect fit and beyerdynamic’s Tesla technology combined with MOSAYC sound personalization by Mimi Defined creates a limitless user experience by allowing the user to create their own individual hearing profile. The $799 headphones provide touchpad controls, Qualcomm aptX HD and Apple AAC codecs, and aptX low latency for low-delay audio with Bluetooth.
Enclave Audio has expanded its CineHome product portfolio with the introduction of two new WiSA Certified wireless multi-channel surround speaker systems: the CineHome II and CineHome PRO and the new CineHub wireless audio transmitter. Each CineHome speaker system consists of three wireless front speakers (left, right, and center), two wireless rear speakers (left and right), and a wireless subwoofer. The systems pair and sync automatically using a a discrete wireless network exclusive to the audio system that safeguards the system from latency, lag, or interference
Meridian Audio’s DSP750 In-Wall Digital Active Loudspeaker features three new high-performance driveunits and a CLASS-M DSP engine that provides thermal and dynamic bass protection for detailed and accurate sound. A “Double-baffle” aluminum enclosure design also helps minimize unwanted resonances and coloration. Separate mid-range driver enclosures help eliminate interaction with the bass drivers. Five drive units are powered by a bridged pair of Dynamic Hi-Res amplifiers – each pair capable of delivering over 100W into 8 Ohms.
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION
Atlantic Technology has added the capability of hands-free voice control by Amazon Alexa to its Gatecrasher1 wireless multi-room 2.1 stereo table-top audio systems, which feature 2.4/5 GHz dualband Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with aptX wireless capability, a Priority Auto Sensing 3.5mm analog input, and DLNA connectivity. Gatecrasher1 and its free app make possible free streaming from more than 20,000 internet radio stations and connectivity to a variety of popular subscription streaming services.
AudioControl is collaborating with Josh.ai to enable users to effortlessly control their AudioControl-powered entertainment systems utilizing Josh.ai’s natural language and privacy-focused voice automation technology. Features of the integration include auto-discovery of AudioControl products, power toggling, volume and mute control, input switching, single-source to multi-zone routing, and multi-source to multizone routing. For instance, AudioControl’s Director Series amplifiers, home theater Concert AV receivers, and Maestro preamp/ processors will auto-populate within the Josh. ai web portal for configuration once connected to the same network.
Nortek Security & Control has added BlueBOLT Mobile, a mobile version of the company’s real-time, cloud-based power control and monitoring platform. The app – available for Apple and Android – pairs with Panamax and Furman power conditioners to make it easier to minimize service calls with remote reboots of problem devices; maximize network health with scheduled power cycles; and self-heal network devices to save money and time. BlueBOLT Mobile’s Watchlist feature enables tagging of high priority locations and devices, those that deserve special attention.
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION
Next Level Acoustics designed its Fusion Frame soundbar to match Samsung’s popular Frame TV Samsung, with four models in sizes from 43, 49, 55, and 65 inches diagonal and customizable bezel colors. To create Fusion Frame’s shallow depth, Next Level Acoustics engineered a proprietary enclosure with a radical internal air-load management system and a proprietary woofer capable of deep natural bass from a shallow cabinet. The back of the enclosure has installer-friendly features such as recessed terminal cups with gold-plated heavy-duty bindingpost/banana-jacks and recessed cable management channels. Kaleidescape has announced the availability of films from Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) – the last major movie studio to make their content available through the movie management system. Kaleidescape’s 11,000-plus titles now include the vast majority of Hollywood’s top-rated movies, including 88 of the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time. Among the more than 100 MGM titles available now are The Princess Bride, The Silence of the Lambs, the Rocky franchise, and When Harry Met Sally.
Amazon Music has arrived on Legrand’s Nuvo Player Portfolio system. Available on any Player Portfolio model running software version 2019.1, the latest addition to Nuvo’s offering of supported music streaming services provides users with access to millions of songs – all delivered to any room of the home. To add Amazon Music as a streaming source to the Player Portfolio system, open the Nuvo Player App on an iOS or Android device, click on Settings/Services/Add Service, tap the Amazon Music logo, and log in using an existing Amazon Music account or create a new one.
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION Denon Home is a new suite of high-fidelity wireless multiroom speakers, comprised of three expertly tuned models – Denon Home 350, 250, and 150. Using the HEOS app, Denon Home can be easily connected and expanded throughout the home to other HEOS Built-in products. Through capacitive touch controls and three or six Quick Selects, consumers can select their favorite stations from leading streaming services with a single press, as well as highresolution files stored on USB drives, phones or networks via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth.
SnapAV has introduced the new Pakedge WA-2200-O Wave 2 access point, which is designed to extend Wi-Fi performance to the outdoors. With an IP55rated water and dust-resistant enclosure, this AP can withstand the most severe environments, including temperatures ranging from -20 degrees C to 65 degrees C (-4 degrees F to 149 degrees F). Its UV-treated enclosure resists solar damage, keeping the WA-2200-O looking like new for years to come. The WA-2200-O delivers Wave 2 MU-MIMO and beam-forming technology to extend fast roaming and improved performance to the outdoors.
The new iRoom Docking Station Solution for all iPad models, includes fixDock, surDock, and iTop 10.2-inch and 10.5-inch iPad compatibility. The full range of iRoom docking stations complement Apple’s sleek iPad design with its premium aluminum frame/base and glass faceplate materials. The models provide hands-free unlocking of the iPad screen with a proximity sensor, smart battery management, easy flush-mount or surface-mount installation, antitheft protection with a code-protected removal system, built-in control processor and touch keypad for smart home/business control, and drivers for third-party control systems.
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PRODUCT REVOLUTION Middle Atlantic Products, a brand of Legrand | AV, is building upon its commitment of delivering more solutions and support in the E.U. with local inventory and shipment of region-specific power plugs for its High Power DC Power Distribution Series. The versatile, higher-power-capacity solution was first introduced at ISE 2019 and provides maximum power to support more devices while also eliminating messy, spaceconsuming power supply units, also known as wall warts, from the AV design. Available in 200W and 300W models, both units offer high current capacity to an industry-leading quantity of outputs – up to 24 devices – in a 5V, 12V, 24V, or 12/24V split unit.
Custom installation distributor BlackWire Designers has created a new driver for the Control4 platform that eliminates the need for service calls to power cycle devices that have fallen offline. To kill service calls before they start, the driver monitors the connected status of components controlled by residential or commercial Control4 systems. If a device falls offline, the driver automatically issues a command to compatible PDUs to power cycle the outlet it’s connected to. The new driver is currently compatible with almost any PDU on the market, including Luxul’s 2-, 8-, and 16-outlet PDUs, and Middle Atlantic Products’ PDUs featuring RackLink.
Baldwin Hardware has developed the electronic TouchScreen door lock collection, which combines SecureScreen and Z-Wave technology with a solidbrass design to create a simple electronic solution. A one-touch locking capability provides for quick departures requiring no key or code to lock the door. Baldwin TouchScreen allows you to program up to 16 user codes while the Z-wave version expands to 30 codes, for family, guests and service professionals. The new TouchScreen electronic offering is available in two deadbolt styles, Minneapolis and Boulder, and in 17 finishes.
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MEET-UP
Events
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FEBRUARY 11-14
ISE 2020 Amsterdam, Netherlands
25
27
9-11
17-19
CEDIA Ft. Lauderdale Tech Summit Ft. Lauderdale, FL
CEDIA Tampa Tech Summit Tampa, FL
MARCH 8-11
ProSource Summit 2020 Las Vegas, NV
CEDIA Basic Residential Boot Camp Indianapolis, IN
CEDIA Advanced Networking Boot Camp, Indianapolis, IN
APRIL 18-20
Azione Unlimited Spring Conference Bonita Springs, FL
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CEDIA Woodland Hills Tech Summit Woodland Hills, CA
5-8
HTSA 2020 Spring Conference Ft. Lauderdale, FL
COMING UP
Residential Tech Today
COMING ISSUES March/April
Becoming a Cinema Sommelier. The high-end private cinema industry finds itself in a unique position as the multi-purpose entertainment room remains a more preferred option for homeowners. What opportunities are still available for skilled home cinema designers and integrators as they work with clients to raise the bar on these projects?
May/June
Outdoor Tech: Improving the smart home experience around the pool and yard requires a thorough understanding of weather-proof speakers, TVs, lighting, and extended network connections.
July/August
Faster Mobile Internet: 5G technology is the next generation of wireless communications. It is expected to provide internet connections that are least 40 times faster than 4G LTE. The introduction of 5G holds many promises in the world of technology, particularly related to to self-driving vehicles. Find out how it will impact home technology in the near future.
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RELAX
The Lighter Side
Unforgettable Tech Moments of the 2010s By Anthony Elio
Flickr/Steve Jurvetson
The 2010s was an incredible decade of innovations, with everything from smartphones and gaming to streaming and wearables seeing massive leaps forward. These major improvements have led many to believe that dependency on technology has led to a less social society, which thankfully gives us all more time to spend with our well-designed devices. With that in mind, we should be appreciative of the many ideas that make modern tech what it has become. Now that the 2020s are off to an official start, let’s look at the tech moments that made the past ten years unforgettable.
2011
2012
Upon eliminating the threat of the Rebellion, Jeff Bezos is named Supreme Chancellor.
Tinder launches.
Image FreePik.com
2010 Marmaduke live-action film pushes the boundaries of CGI technology.
2014
2015
Netflix invests between $3-4 billion on original content. You watch The Office instead.
Social media outrage.
2016
2017
2018
Election tampering is suspected after Cheddar and Sour Cream is voted best Lays potato chip flavor.
Mark Zuckerberg rushed to hospital after consuming 35.7 TB of data.
Grandma discovers memes.
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Image Anthony Quintano/wikimedia
2013 Nation regrets downloading Tinder.
Residential Tech Today | Jan/Feb 2020
2019 Controversial “Stab Your Leg” challenge raises eyebrows among anti-leg stabbing groups.
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MORE CHOICES FOR WHOLE-HOUSE CONTROL Introducing the newest addition to the URC Total Control 2.0 smart automation and control system, the TRC-1480 handheld remote with voice control. The in-remote microphone allows for easy voice communication with Alexa, with both English & German language now supported. Featuring a push-to-talk button for customer privacy, a 61mm LCD touchscreen as well as intuitive hard buttons, the TRC-1480 is the perfect universal controller for your customer’s installations. Offer your customers more choices for control of their home or commercial space with URC Total Control. Contact us today to learn how you can do more business and be more profitable. www.universalremote.com/dealers
URC has been serving the custom installation market for over 25 years and is the home of the renowned MX series remote controls. Š2020 Universal Remote Control, Inc.