Residential Tech Today -- Winter 2021 by Innovation & Tech Today

SMART HOME CYBER INSURANCE | REALITIES OF 5G | GOOGLE’S LATEST STREAMER

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DAVE BAUTISTA Winter 2021

What We Learned from 2020 Working from Home 2.0: Improving the Audio Technology for the Interim New Normal Roku is the Swiss Army Knife of Streamers

From the Editor Covering the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) each January in Las Vegas has become increasingly difficult the more the show grows and evolves to encompass just about everything related to consumer technology. This year’s first virtual show was no less ambitious, but at least it was easier on my feet. What I came to realize was how much the technology introduced at CES has evolved beyond just toys, entertainment, and personal lifestyle products of years past. There’s no doubt having self-selected “home health tech” as one of my preferred product categories drove more of those types of items into my in-box. But, so did our current global pandemic and the often-reported aging Baby Boomer demographic.

Executive Editor Jeremy Glowacki

Not only were there sanitizing products to help reduce viral contamination in the home, but even a personal smart indoor garden and a lamp that might help protect aging folks from disastrous falls in their homes.

There were also a number of robotic devices for home cleaning and upkeep, including several AI-controlled robots from Samsung.

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Winter 2021

Most impressive was the Samsung Bot Handy, which will rely on advanced AI to recognize and pick up objects of varying sizes, shapes, and weights, becoming an extension of you and helping with work around the house. Bot Handy will be able to tell the difference between the material composition of various objects, utilizing the appropriate amount of force to grab and move around household items and objects, working as your trusted partner to help with chores like cleaning up messy rooms or sorting out the dishes after a meal. The latest development in the company’s growing robotics lineup, Samsung Bot Care is designed to use AI to recognize and respond to your behavior. It will be able to act as both a robotic assistant and companion, helping to take care of the details in your life. It will also learn your schedule and habits and send you reminders to help guide you throughout your busy day. Coming to the U.S. in the first half of 2021, Samsung’s JetBot 90 AI+ vacuum cleaner uses object recognition technology to identify and classify objects to decide the best cleaning path. A sensor technology that the company calls LiDAR and 3D sensors allow JetBot 90 AI+ to avoid cables and small objects, while still cleaning hard-to-reach corners in your home. Also outfitted with a camera, the vacuum is integrated with the SmartThings app to assist you with home monitoring. As people spend more time at home this year, the tech they want becomes the tech they need. In relying on that tech, people have come to understand many ways that connected solutions can make life easier. Investments in innovations that adapt to evolving lifestyles enable the home tech industry to keep pace with rapid changes in our world.

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STAFF WRITERS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Finstrom Chynna Pearson Jay Basen Henry Clifford Anthony Elio Michael Heiss Bjorn Jensen Walter Joseph Mitchell Klein Anthony Leo Lisa Montgomery Samantha Ventura

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Winter 2021

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WINTER 2021

contents 40 Nothing Goes Over His Head

Dave Bautista is Bigger Than Ever Cover Photo: Eric Williams

Departments 10 By the Numbers 12 Quick Bits 14 Networking 16 Audio 18 CEDIA Says

20 Control 22 Art & Tech 52 Product Revolution 56 The Lighter Side

24 Innovator Spotlight Scott Newnam, Audio Advice

26 Featured

Chromecast with Google TV is a longer name and a complete overhaul from previous models.

30 Streaming

Roku is the Swiss army knife of streamers.

32 Outdoor Lighting

From up-lit tree lights to tiki torches a tech veteran transforms his landscape lights, and audio.

34 Featured

Home office veterans can no longer be excused from bad audio on web conferences.

38 Tech Advisor

Technology for the interim new normal

44 Issue Focus: Understanding 5G

Common misconceptions about 5G, what the reality is, and if it’s time to get that new phone.

46 Power Management

All-in-one unit powers and protects Mickey Mouse-themed residential theater.

48 Cyber Security

ID theft protection can be more affordable than consumers may assume.

6 Residential Tech Today |

Winter 2021

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Contributors Samantha Ventura is senior vice president of education and training at CEDIA in Indianapolis, where she directs, manages, and provides leadership in all development, instructional, and academic systems within CEDIA, including strengthening the awareness of the industry through targeted partnerships and soliciting financial support for programs. On p. 18, she writes about how leaders of companies need to understand the profound significance of guiding their teams with Emotional Intelligence (EQ), even when they, themselves, are grappling with their own very real challenges.

As a product and marketing executive at Harman International, Michael Heiss was responsible for many breakthrough audio and video products. On the entertainment side of the business, he was a promotion manager at NBC and was key to the development of hotel in-room movies and created the first nationwide movie rental service for Beta and VHS cassettes. A part of CEDIA since its founding, he served two terms on the CEDIA Board and headed the Technology Council. He was awarded CEDIA’s “Volunteer of the Year” award and is a CEDIA Fellow. In this issue, Heiss writes about Chromecast changing more than just its name (p. 26), Roku adding Dolby Vision and Atmos, a new soundbar, and an improved user interface (p. 30), and how to improve audio in a working-from-home Zoom environment (p. 34).

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. On p. 32, Clifford shares his very personal experience reviewing high-end outdoor lighting and audio from Coastal Source and on p. 38 he writes about “interim new normal services” that are experiencing a surge in demand in his market.

Bjorn Jensen is the owner of WhyReboot, a South Florida-based company that specializes in creating commercial-grade networks for residential and commercial environments. In his free time, he collaborates on courseware for CEDIA certification exams, specifically for VPN, remote access, VLANs, and QoS. He was also part of the CEDIA IT Task Force engaged in writing and updating courseware charged with getting students to learn enough material to earn the CEDIA Residential Networking Specialist credential. In this issue (p. 44) he covers the most common misconceptions about 5G, what the reality is, and if it’s time to get that new phone.

Jay Basen boasts 40 years of professional software development experience. Before he retired, the Silver Certified Crestron programmer specialized in the design, development, and installation of automation, building management, and energy management systems for residential and commercial buildings. In this issue (p. 48), he answers the question, “Does a smart home need cyber insurance?”

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e NUMB RS

by the

A look at the metrics shaping the technology market — and our lives

With a promise of faster download and upload speeds and other measures of network efficiency like reduced latency, 5G will eventually replace or augment 4G/LTE as the next generation of mobile broadband. Exponentially faster download and upload speeds from wireless 5G will be essential for processing and moving large amounts of data for services like autonomous vehicles. Currently, the fastest network available, 4G LTE, supports peak data at 300 Mbit/s. The 5G network is expected to elevate those levels 20-fold. And while coverage remains an issue, the speed of the new networking standard will eventually serve as a giant leap forward. Here are some useful stats related to 5G.

How Fast is 5G? Average 4G and 5G download speeds in selected countries (in Mbps)* 4G

30.1

Saudi Arabia

377.2 60.5

South Korea

43.1

37.1 Mbps

Sprint

59.2 Mbps

32.5 Mbps

T-Mobile

69.5 Mbps

36.3 Mbps

Verizon

792.5 Mbps

53.3 Mbps

Before there was the promise of 5G, there was 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G. Its predecessors play an important role in the lead up to 5G. They all introduced something new to the table and showed the way forward.

58.4 183.7

1981 / 1G / 0 data transfer

46.5

Switzerland

165.6

1991 / 2G / Up to 40 kbps

25.3

United Kingdom

1998 / 3G / Up to 21.6 Mbps

130.1 31.7

Germany

2008 / 4G / Up to 1 Gbps

107.0 28.9 52.0

100

5G / Up to 20 Gbps 150

200

250

300

350

400

Source: eeTimes via Leftronic.com

*Data collected between July 1 and September 28, 2020 | Source: Open Signal via Statista.com

Mobile Networks Before 5G 1G – Introduced analog voice. 2G – Added digital voice and gave way to features like SMS and voicemail. 3G – A dded higher mobile data transfer, which resulted in mobile web browsing, GPS location tracking, and image sharing. 4G – A nnounced the era of mobile internet with higher broadband for improved web functionality. 5G – T he 5th generation of wireless technology also predicted as one of the fastest technologies in the world. Source: Verizon via Leftronic.com

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

5G Evolution

With the 5G rollout underway, it is predicted that that more than 1.4 billion devices will be running on the 5G network by 2025, accounting for 15 percent of the global total. 1.5

Connections in billions

1.4 Source: GSMA via Awwwards.com

United States

65.2 Mbps

From 1G to 5G in Five Simple Steps

215.8

Canada

Average 5G Download Speed

AT&T

4G speeds are based on the nationwide average of the last round of LTE network speed tests by Tomsguide.com. For 5G speeds, Tomsguide listed the results from Ookla’s testing during the third quarter of 2020.

336.1

Australia

5G vs. 4G Download Speeds Compared

1.2 0.8

0.9 0.5

0.6 0.3 0.0

0.3 0.1 2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

OPEN

QUICK BITS WE ASK INDUSTRY INSIDERS ONE QUESTION

“What potential 5G capabilities will have the most positive impact on tech professionals and their clients?”

The biggest impact I see 5G having is on how accessible 4G and lower speed capable radios will become. For rural clients utilizing cellular routers exclusively, I hope to see 5G drive down the cost of data access, similar to gigabit residential internet service. 5G “speeds” when they actually finally arrive, should hopefully take the concern and restrictions associated with cellular data bottlenecks finally, fully out of any equation and concern. – Patrick Cain, Front Row AV, Lawrence, KS

If what is promised actually happens, then it could give integrators more peace of mind in their “belts and suspenders” approach to providing an internet backup. If AT&T or Comcast goes down or their internet subscription glitches, for instance, a 5G reconnection through the air could be a reliable, temporary service alternative. – Tom Doherty, HTSA, Fishers, IN

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

While 5G in our market is still just getting started, we do see the potential of using it as back-up internet service in older neighborhoods where the current infrastructure is unreliable. In new construction, 5G should greatly improve our ability to provide jobsite surveillance/security and also trade connectivity from the field. – JW Anderson, The Integrated Home, Charlotte, NC I believe 5G will have a negative effect initially, as people believe that 5G will be the silver bullet to their network problems, many not realizing that their problems are actually sourced in the quality of their hardwired and wireless gear. However, in the near future this will be a huge improvement in allowing faster speeds to rural areas where the costs of trenching and distributing faster hardwired web access is cost prohibitive on a dollars/home basis. – Eric Crawford, The Loop, Boise, ID

Something that crosses my mind is that if our clients’ phones are working at higher speeds, then it makes them realize that their home will need an upgraded solution for it inside, and our network-quality pitch will be much easier. Essentially, 5G makes it easier for us to explain Wi-Fi 6 for home networks. – Todd Anthony Puma, The Source Home Theater, Old Bridge, NJ

I think the first positive effect from 5G for the home will be to enable clients that are now on slower satellite or DSL modems to benefit from a 5G WAN connection to their router (if they have a 5G tower nearby or have 5G as a WAN backup to their current cable modem/DSL services.) – Gordon van Zuiden, cyberManor, Los Gatos, CA

I feel the biggest benefit to smart home customers is the faster connection capabilities while away from the home. The faster connection speeds allow for larger packets of information to go back and forth between devices, which improves technology features and customer experience. – Christopher Sterle, Acoustic Design Systems, Las Vegas, NV

When 5G service becomes available, homeowners will be positively impacted by gaining a secondary content provider as a backup for their home. If their internet service is so slow, then they will be able to use 5G as their primary ISP. – Jan Vitrofsky, HEDSouth, Hollywood, FL

There are two big factors at play concerning 5G. The obvious benefit is faster speeds, which will help drive more content to our clients. The second benefit is devices with embedded standardized control protocols will allow faster and more simplified integration for a better end-user experience. – Nick Declemente, Elevated Integration, New York, NY

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DEPARTMENTS

Networking

Mesh Wi-Fi Peace of Mind A Tech Pro Puts the New eero Pro 6 Mesh Wi-Fi Network to the Test By Henry Clifford Eero was among the first companies to offer mesh Wi-Fi systems to consumers. Before their launch in 2017, mesh was typically expensive and used by organizations in large spaces, like offices. A mesh system is different from a traditional Wi-Fi router in that it uses multiple nodes or access points spread throughout the home to provide better coverage than a single router located wherever the broadband connection comes into your house. The Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi network is eero’s first new product since its acquisition by Amazon, so I was doubly interested to see how this new release would stack up against my circa-2017 eero Pro installation. Because I already had the eero app and an existing network installed, I was curious to see how they were going to handle the upgrade. I’ve come to expect simple and easy installation with eero, and this upgrade process didn’t disappoint. The eero app asked me if I wanted to add or replace a unit. I picked an eero in a bedroom and followed along. In no time at all, the eero app removed the old unit and added the new one. I continued along until I needed to upgrade what eero calls the “gateway” unit. This is the “brain” of the eero network and usually hardwired to the router or modem. In this case, I have the gateway eero bridged (only handling Wi-Fi versus both routing and Wi-Fi) because our FiOS network needs a proprietary router. This last replacement went seamlessly. I noticed the new units run a lot hotter than the previous eero Pro units, which I later found out is considered normal by the manufacturer. I uninstalled an eero Beacon, which had been covering an outdoor area, after eero assured me that the three they sent would cover what four units were handling before. I ran a few speed tests and was impressed with

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

The Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi network is eero’s first new product since its acquisition by Amazon.

the results. In many cases, there was a doubling between the previous eero Pro units and the new Pro 6 system. The new system runs on Wi-Fi 6, which claims download speeds of up to 1 Gbps as long as you have a Wi-Fi 6-capable device. My results were pretty dramatic. The download speeds were more than two times faster with the new system (379 MBPS versus 170 MBPS). Family Feedback After initial installation, I left the units alone for 24 hours and asked my family for feedback. Complaints immediately began pouring in. My wife and kids reported “glitching.” Later, I witnessed the issues for myself; we were in the middle of watching YouTube TV when the Wi-Fi cut out, and all the eero lights turned red. I knew the hardwired connections were all fine because I tested to make sure. I played around with the gateway eero, power cycled it, and everything came back online. One thing I noticed was that the automatic updating feature hadn’t run properly. I tried running the update manually, and it managed to upgrade all of the

eero Pro 6 units except the gateway. At the urging of eero support, I swapped this unit with one of the other upgraded eeros and tried again. This time it worked, but things took a little longer since the network has to be reprovisioned each time the gateway changes. After the new update to eeroOS 6.0.2, things seemed to settle down with the reliability I’ve come to expect from eero returning. I’ve had the opportunity to install a few more eero Pro 6 networks since this initial experience, and I can share that the eeroOS 6.0.0 firmware flakiness isn’t isolated (or at least not for me). As soon as the update runs and brings the eeroOS version up to 6.0.2 or better, all is well. Final Report The new eero Pro 6 was “in like a lion, out like a lamb” for me. Some like to complain about pricing (the eero Pro 6 three-pack is $599). I wonder aloud what these folks are comparing the $599 to? Something that doesn’t work? That price is pennies to pay for the peace of mind that eero delivers. x

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DEPARTMENTS

Audio

Simplifying Wireless Surround Sound

Enclave Audio Delivers First Roku TV Ready Certified Wireless 5.1 Surround Sound System By Anthony Leo

Enclave Audio is making it easier for Roku TV VOD streaming service users to connect a wireless surround sound system. Available now to all U.S.-based customers, the company’s Enclave CineHome PRO and CineHome II 5.1 channel wireless surround sound speaker systems are now Roku TV Ready enabled. To be certified Roku TV Ready, products must be tested and certified to work with Roku TV models, offering a smoother setup, easier on-screen access to sound settings, and volume control, all from one remote. When connected to a Roku TV, the Enclave Audio CineHome PRO and CineHome II wireless surround sound systems are automatically identified, offering speaker setup and calibration tools directly on the Roku TV screen using the Roku remote. With a single cable setup, all that’s required to augment the

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Roku TV with an Enclave CineHome audio system is a single HDMI cable. A complete 5.1 CineHome system is designed to set up quickly and easily while providing multi-channel surround sound. Each CineHome speaker system consists of three wireless front speakers (left, right, and center), two wireless rear speakers (left and right), a wireless subwoofer, and the Enclave CineHub that features Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround, and uncompressed PCM and supports eARC, ARC, optical, Bluetooth, and analog inputs. Unrestrained by speaker wire, the wireless CineHome systems support 24-bit highdefinition audio with extremely low latency and less than one microsecond of synchronization between speakers. The step-up CineHome PRO system can deliver up to 5.4-channel THX Certified performance.

“The Roku TV Ready program is a perfect example of the innovative steps Roku is taking to make the TV audio experience incredibly simple, accessible, and convenient,” said Rob Jones, CTO for Enclave Audio. “This certification makes it easier than ever before for millions of Roku customers to add true, dedicated surround sound to their Roku TV setup wirelessly with ease. Their dedication to enhancing the at-home entertainment experience for their customers parallels our own consumer centric, single cable plug-and-play ideology, and is just one of the many reasons we’re thrilled to provide the first Roku TV Ready certified discrete 5.1 channel wireless surround sound systems.” The Enclave CineHome PRO system is available now for $1,599.99 U.S. MSRP, and the Enclave CineHome II system is available for $1,099.99 U.S. MSRP. x

DEPARTMENTS

CEDIA Says

Leading Your Team with Emotional Intelligence Understanding “EQ”; The “IQ” of Emotional Maturity By Samantha Ventura I don’t know what this year’s experience has been like for you, but for me it’s been a confusing, fast-moving rollercoaster of events. We have turned to the internet for work, social interaction, reassurance, entertainment, and often just to occupy our minds with anything that relieves us from the nagging worry of ongoing crisis and all it entails. As a result, we have placed ourselves on a quick-paced treadmill on a continuous loop. Our survival depends on our ability to keep up with its pace. People often choose one of three paths when faced with difficult circumstances: freeze, fight, or flight. For the first time in my life, I’ve seen many attempting a combination of all three to try to carve out some semblance of control. This is when leaders need to understand the profound significance of leading our teams with Emotional Intelligence (EQ), even when we are grappling with our own very real challenges. The nature of our current situation forced us to produce and perform without having the proper time and resources to successfully get through the phase of preparing our people for crisis. Good leaders know this is exactly what you should avoid at all costs. This has caused our followers to feel unsettled and confused, not knowing exactly what to focus on, if “good enough” is OK for now, and wondering if their jobs are going to be secure if they are performing them “differently” than they were before. All of this has resulted in disenchantment and anger within organizations, even those who typically foster transparency and open collaboration. Right now, your teams do not need another spreadsheet, reminder email, or meeting, they need you to show up, be present, listen to them,

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Dilok Klaisataporn

share their worries and concerns, and, quite simply, care. This crisis is pulling back the many layers of leadership, and revealing the leaders who can communicate, show empathy, rally teams with positive influence, all the while reassuring them that all is going to be OK. As leaders can always get better at EQ. Here’s how: 1) Reflect often. How can you bridge employees’ differences of opinion, workloads, and conversations? Zoom out, think from the perspective of each, and work to strengthen good resolutions, without taking the side of one over the other unless necessary. 2) Support those in personal crisis. People are experiencing sicknesses, children schooling at home, worry over elderly parents, and in some cases, even deaths in the family. If you can afford to buy a gift card for them to order dinner, do that, and tell them to log off and enjoy some free time with their families. Or, if you can’t do that, let them log off without the gift card, but with your thanks and wish for them to have a worry-free evening. 3) Encourage dialogue. Negative opinions are good to share if you are also willing to rally

together to come to a better understanding of the pathway(s) to solutions. Remember, whether you hear it or not, there is always going to be some type of friction in your organization. Addressing it head on and with an open mind for solving together, you are relieving people of stress and carrying the burden of secret irritation. 4) Be honest. If there is going to be downsizing, if there will be no pay raises for the year, if you are cutting back in areas to move money to something else, be willing to tell people as much of the truth as possible. Communicate, listen, encourage collaboration, and be honest and present. Modeling good EQ for your employees will ultimately allow for the culture of your organization to foster those same values. Throughout 2021, being emotionally intelligent can mean the difference between your team staying to weather the storm with you versus many who will instead choose to jump ship in search of a better one, despite knowing the seas are going to be rocky in both. Sharpen your leadership tool kit through the CEDIA Leadership Series of virtual courses. x

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DEPARTMENTS

Control

A More Elegant Interface

The Josh Nano On-Wall Microphone Reimagines the Smart Home User Interface By Jeremy Glowacki

Powering every Josh Nano device is Josh Core, a server that acts as the system’s central brain.

While manufacturers of mass-market voice assistants are making their smart speakers physically larger and positioning them as focal points in a room, the new Josh Nano from Josh. ai has been purpose-built to integrate into its surroundings. Josh.ai is a professionally installed home automation voice control platform with integration capabilities that include smart lighting, shades, music, HVAC, AV, security, and appliances. Far-Field Listening Capabilities Josh.ai worked closely with the architecture, design, and professional installation communities to rethink how voice control should perform in the world’s most luxurious homes. Measuring just 0.1 inches in width and 1.6 inches in diameter, Josh Nano is installed flush on a wall for a discreet voice experience. With an optional paintable cover, Josh Nano becomes practically invisible as part of the home’s interior design. Equipped with a four-microphone array with

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

advanced far-field listening capabilities, Nano includes a privacy switch that physically disconnects the microphones when toggled and a capacitive touch sensor for contextual touch control. There is also a full RGB LED light ring that disappears when not in use and a remote temperature sensor that can be used to trigger advanced automation programming. Powering every Josh Nano device is Josh Core, a server that acts as the system’s central brain. Josh Core communicates with all of the connected devices and localizes control processing, further emphasizing the company’s commitment to user privacy. Why Josh.ai Voice Control is Unique Josh Core utilizes Josh.ai’s proprietary VoiceCast and VoiceLink technologies to send Josh.ai’s responses through the home’s built-in audio system, which gives the effect of the home speaking back to you. This can be done wirelessly or hardwired through the audio ports built into the device. Josh Core can also span VLANs for properties with complex networks.

The Josh.ai software platform features a custom natural language processing engine that can handle multiple requests in one command, deep-linking with AV distribution, room and contextual awareness, as well as a proprietary natural language scene creator through Fiji OS. Clients can walk into their family room, for example, and say, “Turn the lights on, raise the drapes, play classical music, and watch The Weather Channel” in a single utterance, and Josh.ai will handle all the smart home control and content routing to that room. Users could just as easily tell the system “Good Morning” as a custom scene, which could activate that text sequence. In addition to advanced voice control, the Josh.ai iOS and Android apps offer control over the entire home. With the app, users can check cameras, see the state of devices, easily create scenes, and control everything with voice or a graphical user interface (GUI), from anywhere in the world. x

DEPARTMENTS

Art & Tech

Reimagining the Light Switch

Hand-crafted Finishes Enhance the New Alisse Keypads for Lutron HomeWorks Lighting Control By Walter Joseph For its new HomeWorks wall control keypad, Lutron reimagined every detail, starting with its thin profile, broad range of hand-crafted finishes, and subtle illumination around the buttons. At the heart of the keypad the company calls Alisse is Lutron’s understanding that every detail matters when designing a home and technology’s role should be to enhance the design vision, not distract from it. “The Alisse wall control’s uncompromising approach to aesthetics through its craftsmanship, style, versatility, and harmonious form bring design visions to life in a beautiful way,” said Sam Chambers, senior director of Lutron’s residential business. A Range of Metal Finishes Lutron uses a hand-finishing process to bring out the dimension and hues of the materials used for the keypads and offers a range of signature metal finishes. Each finish is matched with engraving filled with carefully coordinated ink as well as a complementary thin, glowing halo around the buttons to complete the look. Within the all-new Signature Metal Collection is a range of handcrafted finishes (aged bronze, aged brass, brushed brass, champagne, satin nickel, graphite, and bright chrome) and painted metal colors (matte black, brilliant white, snow white, and architectural white) to fit various interiors. The Alisse wall control’s plate form is meant to be perfectly balanced, featuring a sleek, thin profile that protrudes less than an eighth of an inch from the wall. Personalizing Alisse Wall Control Alisse wall control features several

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

personalization options, including custom engraving and multiple button configurations. To accomplish these requests, Lutron decouples the wall plate, button configuration, and finish selection from the installation and programming process to allow the base unit to be ordered, installed, and programmed independent of the Alisse wall control plate. The plate is designed to easily snap on when the button configuration, finish selection, and engraving details have been finalized. This approach allows homeowners to make both design choices and changes up until the end of the installation. Lutron also provides a protective cover plate for the base unit to prevent damage from construction debris and created a suite of e-tools to make ordering of products and customizations quick and easy. “Lutron considered every detail when designing this product,” Chambers said. “We imagined an elegant form, machined from a solid metal plate, and hand finished and grained to perfection with just a hint of powerful technology. But we didn’t stop there. Our teams thought about how they could innovate in every aspect of the product and make design, ordering, installation, and programming better for everyone.” x

Lutron Alisse lighting keypads feature hand-crafted finishes and subtle illumination around the buttons.

Email prochannel@ring.com to learn more and get started.

innovator spotlight

Providing More Than Just Advice

Scott Newnam Helps Guide North Carolina AV Retailer’s e-Commerce and Interactive Home Theater Design Initiatives By Jeremy Glowacki

With a Harvard Business School, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley background, Audio Advice CEO Scott Newnam came to the home technology integration business later than most, but with no less passion or dedication. He has been instrumental in his company’s successful blend of brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retail success in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC. Most recently, he was instrumental in the launch of the 42-year-old company’s online home theater design tool, which is free for consumers and professionals anywhere to use. The interactive 3D design tool can model an acoustically correct home theater system, including speakers, TV or projector, and seating, for an optimal listening and viewing experience in the home. Built using complex algebraic algorithms, the patent-pending tool enables users to set their room dimensions and then answer key questions to create a fully three-dimensional rendering of their room in real-time and at a fraction of the time and cost of the traditional planning experience. Here’s what else we learned from our conversation with Audio Advice CEO Scott Newnam, which you can listen to, in full, on the Residential Tech Talks podcast, available at restechtoday.com. Residential Tech Today: Many industry veterans probably know about Audio Advice as it relates to your founder and owner, Leon Shaw, who has been a pretty big presence in the industry over the years. You have come to

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

this industry from more of a business background. Were you always into tech? Scott Newnam: Yeah. I originally went to Davidson College for undergrad. I was an economics major with some [political science]. I then worked on Wall Street. I left there and went out to California and eventually became treasurer of a real estate investment trust to a big publicly-traded company out there. At that time, I’d always been into audio-video and had always been tech-driven. I was coding by the time I was probably in middle school, and I started bringing technology into this real estate investment trust, and thought, “My gosh, if I went to business school and really attacked technology…” The technology boom was taking off at the time. So, I went to Harvard Business School in 1999, and I sought out who I thought was the smartest person in the school from an analytical mathematics standpoint and had some background in smart technologies. Anyway, there was a woman there from Europe, and she was a genius. Off the charts. We started a company together called GoldPocket Interactive, and it was a technology company. One of the things that it was most well-known for was text messaging. We made it through the dot-com bust, and we sold the business in about 2005. It’s part of Ericsson telecom now. RT Today: How soon after selling that company did you join Audio Advice? SN: I wanted to have a more balanced lifestyle and spend time with my family on the east coast, so I moved to Raleigh. I was on the board

of a couple of businesses, some startups. When it was time to buy a house, because I was into electronics, my wife let me get a house that had smart home features and a theater. That eventually led me to meet Leon Shaw, so I was on the customer side first. Then, I just fell in love with the business. I eventually said to Leon that I’d be interested in investing in his business and helping him grow it. After some back and forth, I talked him into letting me create a business plan for him. He loved the plan, and now we co-own it together. RT Today: How difficult was it to launch your now-successful e-commerce platform? SN: It is way, way harder and way more involved than people think. When you measure the cost of entering the market, it’s in the millions, not hundreds of thousands. Because the problem is we all sell everything at the same price today, so if you’re going to buy something online at Audio Advice, it’s the same price as Amazon (and this is true of every business that exists in the country) if you’re going to launch a website, many people that do, they underestimate that no one’s going to your website unless you have a really big competitive advantage. And when we entered five years ago, our competitive advantage was content and service. For instance, turntables started to take off. Very few people in the country really can talk to you about every turntable that’s out there, what kind of cartridge goes onto it, and is it moving magnet or is it coil and so forth. And we had all that expertise in-house. We created content, we created videos, and then we could

Scott Newnam, CEO, Audio Advice. (Left) Audio Advice’s free interactive 3D design tool models an acoustically correct home theater system.

answer the phones. In the end we got behind it, we made a big commitment to it, and we took all the profits of the business for years and just kept plowing it back into e-commerce. RT Today: And that eventually led to your new interactive home theater design tool. SN: If you scroll back to Audio Advice’s history, it has always been at the forefront of home theaters. We’ve used different types of software to do acoustic calibrations to show sightlines and map out rooms and calculations. We’ve always thought there’s probably a better way. In early 2019, we decided to create our design tool. We actually had to think about designing a home theater from two different angles. One is where do you begin, and what is that progression? You start with the dimensions of the room, and then we visually build it in realtime in front of you. But, we also allow you to do it non-linear. In other words, you could jump straight down to, “Well, I really know where my seats are going to be. Now let me back into what I want for the speakers and let’s figure out where they could go and what my options might be.”

RT Today: Explain how your trademarked immerse-level calculation works.

SN: One of the biggest decisions when we released it was to make it free to everyone. We just felt like there’s enough negative stuff going on out there that this is an opportunity to give something back. We’ve already invested the money. It was a sunk cost at that point.

SN: When you’re designing a theater with someone, usually you ask the customer, “Where’s the primary seat going to be?” Is it in the front row or middle row? Or, if it’s a media room, maybe it’s a couch. But once you know that, you start to get into a discussion about how big the screen should be. And there are all sorts of standards. What THX says and what SMPTE says, and there are these ranges. Well, having done so many now, we’ve focus-grouped our customers and surveyed them to find out about their viewing preferences. We’re essentially asking them questions like,“Did you get a headache? How does it feel?” And, we were getting their emotional response and sort of sensory response. And over time, we were able to develop essentially a platform for us to define and have a nomenclature to say, “What is the immersion level that works for you and your family? Do you prefer a front-row, middle-row, or back-row type of experience?”

We’d been giving it to many of our peers who are part of Home Technology Specialists of America, and honestly there’s a lot of comraderie in that group, and it felt pretty cool to go, ‘You all should use this in your market. You can design everything using our tool, and we’ll never make any money from it.’ Lots of upand-coming home theater startups, I’m sure, will use it to help design. It also meant that there would be no income coming in from it, and so it means that the experience we need to deliver to people would need to be so great that people who are do-ityourselfers, who ultimately want to do it themselves would say, “Oh my gosh, I’ve never heard of this company, Audio Advice” or “What a great experience. I’d like to purchase my equipment from this company.” So, that’s a return on investment that we hope will come from it, too. x

RT Today: COVID-19 had a big impact on your rollout of this design tool. What were some of the direct effects of the pandemic?

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

FEATURED

Google’s Latest Streamer Chromecast with Google TV is a Longer Name and a Complete Overhaul By Michael Heiss According to Leichtman Research Group, 70% of U.S. TV households already have a device with some type of streaming capability, be it a smart TV, a connected game of optical players, or, of course, an external streamer. Within that figure, Leichtman shows that about 54% of U.S. homes already have a separate external device for streaming. Why, then, all the new streaming product announcements this past fall? Clearly, one reason is that new products always ramp up the marketplace. Another reason, perhaps, is that as connected devices age, they often miss new services. Or, as has been the case more recently, some of the new streaming services are not available on all platforms. In that context, let’s take a look at the new Chromecast with Google TV available now for $49.99. Yes, the name has grown longer; it’s not simply just “Chromecast.” However, it’s more than just a different name; it’s a completely new product. Since its introduction in 2013, Chromecast has been sort of an oddball in this category. While all other competitive products have onscreen menus and remote controls, Chromecast took a different route. They have you use a phone, tablet, or PC to select compatible content and then “cast” it to the TV via the Chromecast device. The good news is that there is no remote to lose, and thanks to mirroring from most phones you can view almost anything on the screen. However, that’s also the bad news. Without a remote, you can’t adjust the volume or change selections without the phone. Particularly for those who are technology-averse, that is problematic. The new product changes all of that and more.

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Chromecast with Google TV is more than an update, it’s virtually a completely new product.

The unit’s design is more oval-shaped than the previous versions. Black has been discontinued as a color choice, reportedly due to various environmental concerns. Instead, you have a choice of “Snow” (white), Sunrise (somewhat pink), or “Sky” (light blue). The remote is easy to hold and use, although the volume control buttons on the right side are a bit hard to use for

those of us with thick fingers. Color conformity even extends to the batteries, which are the same color as the unit. A seemingly small change is the use of a USB-C connector. Replacing the older USBmicro style that will make plugging in the power cable easier when you are working behind the

Municipal power is NOT getting better As homes become larger, power infrastructure does not change

(Image of Palm Beach in 1950 vs Now)

Everyone is experiencing power issues on a regular basis these days. Rolling brown outs are scheduled in California. Power outages and dips occur regularly across the country. Those little irregularities create great harm to your home automation, lighting controls, high-end audio video, security system and other home technology. Not to mention the inconvenience to everyone affected by it. RoseWater Energy Group believes power quality should be a core feature of your home. Without it, chaos will eventually ensue. The HUB SB20 is the only solution currently on the market to address ALL the power issues created by the decaying grid infrastructure, weather anomalies and other powercompromising situations.

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RoseWater HUB SB20 Call: 954.467.8050 or email info@rosewaterenergy.com for more info www.RoseWaterEnergy.com

FEATURED

Google’s Latest Streamer

TV, the symmetrical nature of USB-C means that you don’t have to worry about which side of the plug is “up.” A USB-A to USB-C cable is included, as is the power adapter. Note the current requirements may be greater than what is available from the USB port on many TVs. Neither of the TVs I used for testing would support the current draw. The long-awaited remote has the typical controls for content and CEC-enabled TVs, as well as voice control for both content search and selection as well as home control using Google Assistant. For those who might already have apps through a Google account, the setup is pretty easy, as they may be selected to carry over to your new device. On the technical side, there are 4K/60fps capability, HDR, HDR-10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos pass-through support. Google’s Stadia gaming app support is said to be coming but was not available at launch. HDMI 2.1 is available, which may well make this the first streamer with that functionality. Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 is on board, as is Bluetooth 4.2. Wired Ethernet is possible, but the included power adapter does not facilitate that, as the Chromecast Ultra does. The USB-C port should allow for the use of external adapters other than Google’s own optional accessory. Once again, the switch from a strictly phonecentric navigation and control system to an on-board, the app-based interface is one of the biggest changes for this new product. Remember, that’s why the name has been updated. The on-screen Google TV interface is a newly-skinned version of Android TV. It is very much on par with the new UI for Amazon’s Fire TV products. The new Chromecast with Google TV is a major improvement over its predecessors thanks to the included remote and the clean new interface. x

Chromecast now has the ability to show the answers to voice requests or commands on screen. The new Google TV interface is designed to easily move apps over from other devices under your Google account.

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

THE ALL NEW SAVANT MUSIC EXPERIENCE A personalized soundtrack for everyone in the home. Pair with the Savant Smart Audio Soundbar and surround solutions to deliver your clients the ultimate in next generation immersive audio. • New search feature spans across all streaming platforms simultaneously • Personalized dashboard allows services, favorites, and playlists to be organized by the user for quick access • Easily recall or save recently played tracks • Streamlined setup and configuration that’s faster and more efficient than ever before

www.savant.com/savant-music

STREAMING

The Swiss Army Knife of Streamers Roku Adds Dolby Vision and Atmos, New Soundbar, User Interface By Michael Heiss

In the competitive world of video-on-demand (VOD) streaming devices, some of the most notable news this past fall came from Roku, which not only updated its user interface but added a new soundbar to their audio line up and compatibility with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. In addition to catching up with the competition by including Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos with its external streamers for the first time, the newest Roku Ultra device ($99.99) boasts a processor that significantly speeds up program loads – a necessity in today’s marketplace. While the Ultra retains its wired

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Ethernet connectivity, the reality is that most users will probably connect via Wi-Fi. The new Ultra claims a 50% increase in wireless range, allowing the product to be placed further away from the router/access point.

from phones and tablets is possible via Bluetooth. There also is a “Superspeed” USB port, and this will be one of the first streamers that can play content in the new AV1 compression codec.

Added icing on Ultra’s cake is a new industrial design look and the inclusion of both a highspeed HDMI cable and earbuds in the package. The remote has voice control access, TV power, and volume controls, personal shortcut buttons, and, if you lose the remote, a “lost remote finder” function. Voice control is possible via either Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

I’m typically cautious about recommending new models of a product when you are generally satisfied with what you have. However, if you are a Roku fan, then anyone with a 4K TV that has Dolby Vision will definitely want to consider this upgrade.

Additional connectivity for streaming content

Roku Streambar Roku already had both connected speakers and a large-ish soundbar with built-in Roku, but

STREAMING

Roku’s new Streambar packs a 2-channel soundbar and a Roku streamer into a compact size that may fit where other soundbars can not. Roku’s new OS 9.4 will include listings for live, linear TV.

this new Rokus Streambar model is interesting in that it is smaller and shorter than many soundbars – intentionally so. At a price of $129.99, this is an interesting value proposition, particularly for “second-room” TVs, where “big sound” is desired. Of course, the Streambar has Roku capability built-in, allowing the user to access and stream 4K content with HDR to the TV and have the leading streaming platform available at the same time. Audio is two-channel, with both side- and front-facing speakers for each channel. Thanks to creative DSP implementation, this is said to deliver both room-filling sounds as well as volume and clarity. For those who want a total surround setup, the Streambar may be paired with either Roku Wireless Speakers, the Roku Subwoofer, or both. This will still be a two-channel setup, but my personal experience the Roku Speakers tells me that the sound will be quite good.

Along with a voice remote, the Streambar also comes with an HDMI cable. The included optical cable may be used for connecting to the TV’s audio output, but ARC is also available for single-cable connection.

be the addition of Airplay 2 and Homekit/Siri

For all of this, the most interesting part of the Streambar is its size. Only 2.4 inches high and 14 inches wide, it may well be one of the smallest soundbars around. Depending on the size of the TV base, Streambar may fit underneath where other bars may not. Again, this an interesting option for smaller TVs in kitchens or offices, as well as in the main rooms.

command ecosystems. Along with that major

What You Get from Roku OS 9.4 The user interface is another area where Roku has stepped up its game to remain competitive with Amazon and Apple. Roku OS 9.4 is available first with the Streambar and new Ultra, and then rolling out to most of the rest of the Roku product lines, including existing external streamers and Roku TV. The key adder here will

audio and new live and linear content providers

control. This furthers Roku’s reputation as the “Swiss Army Knife of Streamers,” since as an unaffiliated company they will have the only streamers with all three major voice control/ improvement is an updated Live TV Channel Guide with new background theme packs. Finally, there is also a new, updated version of the Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android, and an expansion of the number of free and premium content partners, including Spotify for for the Roku Channel. To meet the needs of consumers looking to free, ad-supported content during the pandemic, the Roku Channel will also be available through the new app, even for those who do not own Roku devices. x

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

LIGHTING

Lighting Up the Yard

From Up-Lit Trees to Tiki Torches, a Tech Veteran Transforms His Landscape Lights and Audio By Henry Clifford

As the old saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Thanks to Coastal Source’s Franco D’Ascanio, Chris Marshall, and Tim Painter, I experienced Coastal Source outdoor lighting and sound front to back at my house. Coastal Source products are at the more expensive end of outdoor lighting and audio, but you get what you pay for. D’Ascanio, Coastal Source’s president, suggested I begin my journey through the “CS|DS” Design Service on their dealer website. Livewire (my custom installation business) has been a Coastal Source dealer for a few years, but this was my first time personally dealing with anything outdoor lighting related. The CS|DS process began with an easy online form asking me a few questions about the property and allowing me to upload photos. This first step took around 15 minutes (including walking around and taking photos). I received a confirmation email letting me know someone from Coastal Source would be in

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

touch soon to discuss the project. A day or so went by, and the phone rang. I was greeted on the other end by the friendly voice of CS|DS designer Chris Marshall who started asking me questions about what I wanted to highlight around the house and helping me set budget goals. I had no frame of reference for any of his questions since I’d never had outdoor lighting before, so I answered as best I could and hoped for the best. The next day I had a few emails sitting in my inbox showing my property drawn-out CADstyle with lights placed and incredibly detailed connection and fixture diagrams. I was blown away. I asked Chris the next step and he told me if I was ready, go ahead and dump the quote he prepared on Coastal Source’s Website into the shopping cart and check out. I did and within 24 hours boxes started showing up. Lots and lots of boxes. I started inventorying all the gear, and what struck me right away was the build quality of the

products. I got the feeling that long after my house crumbles away, this lighting control system will be going strong. The brass fixtures are so well-engineered and built that it’s hard to discern that they screw apart at all. There’s no line or indication that many of the fixtures are made up of many pieces. Very impressive. Their connector system also stood out to me as incredibly intuitive and instilled an “I can do this” confidence in me. After I had everything laid out, I started assembling fixtures and installing bulbs. There are a ton of options here, but Marshall kept me out of trouble by picking out the color temperature and beam spread of each light. I picked up the diagram Marshall created, grabbed the first fixture, a sledgehammer and rubber mallet and trekked off into my front yard. It took me a few fixtures to get the hang of installation, but it’s pretty easy. You ram a piece of pipe or rod into the ground as a pilot hole,

LIGHTING

Darkness slowly crept in, and the author started to see a soft glow emanating from every corner of his property.

wiggle it around a bit, and put the fixture in. You bash it a few times with a rubber mallet, and that’s it! My confidence began to soar as I made my way around the yard following Marshall’s CS|DS scavenger hunt. After I’d installed all the fixtures, I started installing the Coastal Source interconnect cabling, which all home run back to their transformer on different circuit legs. I ended up with three legs after Marshall calculated all the voltage requirements for the system. CS|DS saved my bacon at every turn and made the whole process incredibly easy. It was like putting together a Lego set. I couldn’t wait for the sun to go down and for Marshall’s masterpiece to show itself. Darkness slowly crept in, and I started to see a soft glow emanating from every corner of my property. From up-lit crepe myrtles to tiki torches and tree lights in the backyard, I’d never seen my home look like this. It was an amazing

transformation. The real test came next.

adjustments. I run a company where situations like this happen all the time and having a vendor relationship where everyone’s bought into the same outcome makes all the difference.

I went inside the house and asked my wife to come out and let me know what she thought. I love my wife. She’s my biggest fan and toughest critic. She immediately let me know some of the perimeter lighting wasn’t her cup of tea. I assured her I’d talk to the Coastal Source folks and work through it.

Coastal Source also sent me two of their bollard speakers to replace another pair I had in the backyard using bare wire adapters which allows the re-use of the existing speaker and outdoor lighting cabling. The sound quality was amazing connected to the same Sonos Amp as the older speakers. I did the sound upgrade almost as an afterthought to the lighting but was blown away by the difference the new bollard speakers made in terms of presence and powerful low end.

The next day, I emailed Marshall and let him know about the evening stroll with my wife. Coastal Source’s Tim Painter jumped in and offered to come out to my house to do a walkthrough. We set a date for the following day. Painter showed up, and we walked the property together. He offered up some suggestions and I emailed Marshall with Painter’s feedback. The next day more boxes showed up. I quickly installed the new gear and went for another walk with my wife. She loved it. I was really impressed with Coastal Source’s ability to deal with feedback on the fly and make

I have nothing but praise for Coastal Source products and the people who make and specify them. Outdoor lighting appears to be addictive. I’m now finding myself looking at other parts of my yard thinking about more and more lights. x

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

FEATURED

Working From Home 2.0:

Improving Audio Home Office Veterans Can No Longer be Excused from Bad Audio on Web Conferences By Michael Heiss

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

On-ear headsets have long been popular. Poly’s Focus is great for all-day use and lets you mute the call by simply pivoting up the mic boom.

FEATURED

1More’s True Wireless ANC are alternatives to the popular white colored in-ear buds that do not extend as far out from the ear.

We all hope that 2021 will bring full, widespread availability of vaccines and therapeutics, but even with that Working (or Learning) From Home (WFH) won’t end entirely. Even with medical advances, it will be months before everyone has been vaccinated and the immunity antibodies take hold. Perhaps even more important, many companies, both large and small, have already said WFH is something they will continue, and in turn, the excuse “this is new to me” will no longer justify bad audio, video, or connectivity for web conferences. We Have to Step Up Our WFH Game That is why we need to move to what I’m calling “WFH 2.0,” where you may need to step up your game. To help with that, here are some suggestions as to what you can do to impress the boss, teacher, or your relatives on one aspect of WFH, and, at the same time, making those daylong sessions in front of the screen more tolerable. It will take more than one article to address the issue, so look for more articles on the subject coming soon at restechtoday.com. The subject here is perhaps one of the more frequently ignored aspects of online video and audio web conferences: audio. After all, even with the best picture, all is for naught if no one can hear you, or you can’t hear them! The speakers and mics built into most laptops, tablets, and particularly smart phones are serviceable to occasional use, but here we’re talking about all-day sessions.

THX-Certified model makes sense. On the other hand, if the requirement is a day full of back-to-back video calls where the audio is sometimes flakey, the less expensive PistonBuds are a great buy. The choice for these and competitive products is broad enough for you to make the right decision for your application.

Finding Better Earbuds To start, let’s examine some alternatives to the earbuds that many WFH folks use. Yes, they work, as evidenced by what you see used by your friends and colleagues as well as interview subjects on the news. Forgive me for a personal peeve, but while Apple’s AirPods deserve their reputation for good sound, the hard-plastic buds and “universal” fit of the original models tend to be uncomfortable for day-long use.

Moving to On-Ear or Over-Ear Headphones As good as any in-ear options might be, some prefer on-ear or over-ear models. With either of those, you get much more comfort, better sound due to the use of larger drivers, and, typically, a boom mic that is right next to your mouth.

Alternatives? First, look for earbuds with replaceable foam or silicone tips. (the AirPod Pro model, for instance). This gives you increased ambient noise isolation and will hopefully let you wear the buds for a longer time. Next, when shopping for in-ear buds, look for the number of mics and their placement. As always, price isn’t always the determining factor. For example, I tried out two models from the highly respected 1More brand. Their “True Wireless ANC” buds are great sounding and even have THX Certification. They also did a very credible job of conveying my voice to others on the call.

Finally, the larger product size means that there is room for a larger battery for Bluetooth (BT). Given how many screen time hours some spend every day, that could be important. The first thing to do here is to decide if you want on- or over-ear. “On-ear” headsets are the descendants of the old “operators’ headsets” used in communications for many decades. They work but having used them “back in the day” I can attest that they were fragile and uncomfortable. Today’s on-ear models are often more comfortable, thanks to open-cell foam pads. There is a reason that these are the go-to standard for telemarketers and others who have always had to use a headset for hours on end.

Alternatively, 1More’s PistonBud TWS buds are one third the cost of the ANC model. While they don’t have active noise cancellation and the driver set is not as sophisticated, the mic elements and the circuitry is designed to emphasize voice pickup and they are virtually flush-fit for a better aesthetic.

This is great for WFHers who want to hear the live stream but still have some awareness of what is going on around them. There are inexpensive on-ear models, but it is worth the investment to

The moral: Both are great, but you have a choice. If the task is more music listening, the

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

FEATURED

Working From Home 2.0: Improving Audio

require crystal clear audio when you speak. As a long-time WFH pro, I have used a gaming headset for years and can attest to the comfort and audio quality.

Poly’s new Sync 20 brings the power and audio quality of a full business speakerphone to your WFH environment at a reasonable price.

look for products developed for enterprise (business) use. They last longer, and the earpads are usually interchangeable. A common feature is the ability to automatically go on mute when you tilt the mic boom up. This is much easier than remembering to hit a mute icon when the dog or a noisy child enters the room. Even better to have when you are yelled at to “UNMUTE!” My favorite is the Focus line from Poly, the corporate umbrella for the former Plantronics and Polycom companies. Another highly regarded product comes from Jabra, with their “Evolve2 85” having the unique feature of a red LED at the front of each ear cup to let those around you know that you are ”on the air.” There are many fine products in this category, with both single and dual-ear models. For many users, this type of product will make a significant difference! Alternatively, over-ear headsets cover the ear, as their name implies. Well suited for noisy homes with everyone having their own online session, these are the “big dog” of headsets and do the best job of isolating you from outside sounds. They also come with a variety of mics. Considering Gaming Headsets A pair of the industry-standard aviation headsets from the David Clark Company may be a bit extreme for most, so perhaps a better suggestion is the products designed for gamers. Think about it, while your work or learning environment is likely not a “game,” the requirements are the same. You have to wear the headset all day, have superb audio quality and

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

For these types of products (game-centric or not) consider the type of padding around the drivers and see if they are replaceable. For wired models, look to see if the connection is USB or 3.5mm. For iOS users, there are Lightning adapters as well as USB-C to 3.5mm for others. My strong suggestion is to look for an adapter that also has a pass-through for Lightning, USBMicro, or USB-C so that you don’t run out of battery power by continuing to charge. There are many fine brands in this category,

Turtle Beach’s Roccat Elo is a good example of an over-ear gaming headset with Bluetooth that is well suited to WFH applications.

FEATURED

Turtle Beach’s Recon 70

Freestanding Mics and Conference Phones For WFH situations that demand the highest audio quality or involve music, a separate mic does become important. For this application I would strongly suggest a wired/USB connected product to assure the best results. In some cases, where appearance is important, having an external microphone on a stand or mount may even make you look like a true pro! One more alternative is what we used to call a speakerphone. Poly recently introduced the Poly Sync line, which was designed for WFH or small business use. They pack the performance of their enterprise-grade cousins into a smaller, more affordable package. For less than the cost of some headsets, these deliver great sound and voice pickup. Similar products that are worth looking into are available from Jabra and Anker. For all of these devices, always consider the connection. Particularly for the headsets, regardless of form factor, wired is the most reliable. Just make certain that you have the matching ports on your computer or mobile device, or at least have the correct adaptors. On the other hand, Bluetooth lets you move around the workspace without worrying about getting caught up in a cord.

including the likes of Turtle Beach, Logitech, HyperX, Jabra, Razr, Astro, and Rig. I’ve recently tried the wired Recon 70 and wireless Roccat Elo models from Turtle Beach, and despite my initial hesitance about using a gaming product for a business application, they worked very well. For those with “learn from home” children, the compatibility of this type of headset with PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC gaming makes them an attractive incentive to do their study lessons with the same gear they use “after school,” Of course, the easiest way to avoid headset problems is to simply use a separate mic and speakers. Have you got an old pair of “computer speakers” in the back of the closet? Pull them out and give them a new life. Many standard

A cautionary note on Bluetooth headsets is to check on the physical manner for the BY connection. Some products require a small USB-A receiver to be plugged in. This is OK if there is such a port, but not so good for a laptop that only has USB-C or a tablet.

Bluetooth and “smart speakers” have a 3.5mm input jack that lets you connect them directly to your laptop, desktop, phones, and tablets.

There you have it. Improving the ways you listen to everyone on your video calls and the products that let everyone else hear you is your best bet to continue through the continuation of Work from Home. Just as you want to look good, even if you may be wearing sweatpants or shorts under the desk, there is no longer any excuse to keep wondering why you can’t understand what everyone is saying no matter how loud you turn up the volume. x

If you use speakers instead of a headset, what do you do for a microphone? Two choices for that. The first, and easiest, is to use the mic array in an external webcam. In almost every case, they more than do the trick. I’ve tried this approach using webcams from Logitech and Ausdom with great results. Although the other alternative is to use a separate microphone, I would suggest that you put the budget for that towards a better webcam. (More about webcams for WFH coming soon to restechtoday.com in another part of the WFH 2.0 series.)

[Disclaimer: The Ausdom webcam, Poly Focus and Turtle Beach headsets described here were provided by the manufacturers. No other consideration was involved.]

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

TECH ADVISOR

Technology for the Interim New Normal

Services Experiencing a Surge in Demand Include Home Networks, Zoomification, Home Entertainment, and Outdoor Lighting By Henry Clifford

Photo: iStockphoto.com/ArtistGNDphotography

One of my friends shared a whitepaper with me last week that really hit home. He outlined where we’ve been since March 2020 and the beginning of COVID-19 using three phases: Crisis, Interim New Normal, and New Normal. We’ve been working heads-down inside my custom installation business, Livewire, to be proactive and to position us to weather uncertainty in the world. It wasn’t until my buddy outlined his Interim New Normal phase, however, that I realized that we had transitioned out of the Crisis phase, which had us all hunkered down in March, April, and May. I wanted to share what the Interim New Normal

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

(INN) looks like for us and where we see the next six to 24 months shaking out. Crisis Phase: March to May 2020 In the early months of COVID-19, we were dealing with issues as they arose, focusing heavily on communicating with our employees and customers to let them know what we were doing to address COVID-19. This meant many emails, phone calls, and allhands meetings aimed at calming fears while assuring everyone we were being proactive. This phase was characterized by living in the moment and tremendous uncertainty.

Milestones included securing our Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and realizing our business benefited from the lockdown because people need their technology infrastructure to be rock solid when working and playing from home. Interim New Normal: June to ? We’ve seen customers more willing to have us in their homes while many offices are staying closed with a strong bias toward remote work. This plays well for our business model since most of our clients tend to be high net worth professionals who are working from home and

TECH ADVISOR intense. You’ve heard tales about the bear and how many men he’s eaten. You tiptoe up to the cave and sneak past. Phew! You made it. Day 2 is much the same and so on until you get to Day 100. Day 101 dawns with you strolling past the cave with a cheerful “Good morning, bear!” We haven’t been eaten by the bear…yet.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Moyo Studio

Home Networks – With 5G and Wi-Fi 6 just launching, we’re watching demand skyrocket to eliminate dead spots and increase speeds across the home. It feels like everyone is about to get new cell phones and devices that will need better home networking gear. We’re offering complimentary virtual network assessments which can be booked on our website. Zoomification – Whether it’s families wanting to attend church remotely or participating in a weekly video call with grandparents, there aren’t many good solutions out there enabling groups to gather in front of a large display in the family room. The result is four or five people gathered around a laptop or iPad. This gap in the market is slowly being addressed by manufacturers like Barco, Leon, Crestron, and others. We’re experimenting with the best cameras, microphones, and screen sharing technologies to best enable this without turning aesthetically pleasing spaces into a rat’s nest of cabling.

While we may be strolling versus sneaking past the bear cave each day, we’re always thinking about what’s next and the uncertainty of it all. To that end, we’ve adopted several “tenets” to align around during the INN. Tenets are used by many companies (including Amazon) as mini belief statements that serve to guide how we think and act. We’ve decided to adopt a few to better inform our thinking and help keep our eyes on the road when the temptation to worry and kvetch is so high:

Photo: iStockphoto.com/gorodenkoff

Home Entertainment – Because so many of our clients have been at home more than ever before, we’re getting requests to add backyard movie night setups, larger screens in the family room and it’s great to see dedicated theaters coming back into vogue after a long hiatus.

We will be ubiquitous, meeting our customers where they want to be met, whether it’s in-person or virtually. We will double down on efficiency, always endeavoring to solve issues remotely vs.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/cjmckendry

now have children at remote learning at the kitchen table. This surge in demand has produced a backlog of work now stretching into 2021. While that may be good news, it’s starting to create scenarios where we’re too far out on the schedule and we’re losing business as a result. It’s hard to tell if we’re a $5 million company scaling to $10 million or a $5 million company experiencing a short-term surge that will subside as the economy bottoms, and we’ll have to let people go. So far, the INN feels like the result of having unusual things for enough days that they’re no longer extraordinary. It’s reminiscent of an old tale I once heard about the fear associated with walking past a bear cave. On Day 1, the fear is

Outdoor Lighting – Our clients have deferred large expenditures, including luxury travel and concerts. All that cash is just sitting around, and we’re seeing more willingness to greenlight projects like landscape lighting for aesthetics, security, and adding value to the home. Most of the time these projects tend to be existing clients, so the addition of a new stream of profitable revenue is great for our bottom line. New Normal: To Be Determined I anticipated the New Normal will show itself gradually. Nothing about the last six months has happened in a way that could have been predicted a year ago, so we’re not going to waste time trying to forecast the New Normal. We’ll be ready when it’s time to transition because we kept our eyes on the road.

rolling a truck. We will be empathetic and work with our employees to be flexible around their schedules, particularly when it comes to juggling childcare. We will keep an eye out for company blind spots, especially market disruptors. We will invest in new initiatives, but with a bias toward conservatism. We will not plan anything associated with returning to Normal. Thoughtful time and analysis to conduct business during the INN is the priority.

As people adopt new habits and norm behaviors like wearing facemasks and sending kids back to school, we’ll continue to evaluate the INN weekly to ensure we won’t be caught flat-footed. x

While our commercial business may be way off, there are INN services that are experiencing a surge in demand:

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

“I love breaking down stereotypes in characters and making my performance change the audiences’ expectations of what a character is supposed to look or sound like." Courtesy Marvel Studios

NOTHING

GOES OVER HIS HEAD Despite Movie Delays, Dave Bautista is Bigger Than Ever By Joe Toppe

From penniless father to world-class wrestler, from a lover of film to larger-than-life movie star, Dave Bautista has put in the work. He’s also a student of the craft, wants to act alongside the industry’s best, and loves to tell a story through performance. He wasn’t always this big though. Bautista was a shy, gangly kid growing up on the streets. Since, he’s had to overcome an introverted personality and the financial hardships of a young family to get his start. For the last two decades, Bautista has enjoyed the life of a six-time WWE wrestling champion, roles in films like Riddick, Blade Runner 2049, and the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise as Drax. While the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed a long list of movie premieres and episodes from our favorite theater, Netflix, Apple, or Hulu feature, the star of Dave Bautista has gotten brighter. Recently, Residential Tech Today caught up with him to talk not only about his time as a wrestling champion and tech interests, but his upcoming projects like Dune, See, and Army of the Dead. Residential Tech Today: Can you tell us how you started in entertainment? Dave Bautista: It’s not a very glamorous answer. I needed to make some money because I was broke. To be honest, there wasn’t much I was qualified to do. Other than lifting weights, I didn’t pursue a lot right out of high school. I loved working out, it was so therapeutic for me. But closing in on 30 with two kids and no money, I figured I’d give professional wrestling a try. It was so hot at the time and I looked the part, right? Back then, when I told people about my plans, they looked at me like I was crazy because I was such an introverted person.

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

FEATURED

Cover Story

Photo Eric Williams

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

FEATURED

Cover Story / Nothing Goes Over His Head

Courtesy Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

I just didn’t have many options, so I went after it. And it wasn’t long before I became obsessed with wrestling. I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the entertainment side of things. Although I was shy as a kid, I always wanted to be one of those flamboyant guys. I still struggle being in the spotlight. Fame can be a bit overwhelming for someone like me, but I love telling stories through performance. RTT: Your career is firing on all cylinders right now with work on Netflix, Apple, and of course, Dune. What’s the next year look like? DB: Dune has been pushed to next year. [Expected Oct. 1, 2021] I understand, and was anticipating this delay, but I’m like most fans — I’m dying to see this movie. I also did a film for Netflix called, Army of the Dead, and it has been pushed back as well. It is a fun take on zombies and should be released in the first quarter of next year. But I am really looking forward to Dune. The movie means a lot to me and to the fans. It was

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Bautista as Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise

a long journey from Blade Runner to Dune, so it is personal. I am also back in Canada now because I am signed up for a TV series called, See, with Jason Momoa. In addition, I have something coming out that I can’t talk about. It’s a project I’ve worked on now for about four years and has some big names attached to it. So, I’m sorry I can’t say anymore because I’m kind of teasing it here. But it will be a big deal and I think people will love it. And of course, we will finally be going into Guardians of the Galaxy 3, and I am excited to get this done and bring it full circle. RTT: Did you see the original Dune? Did you take anything from it and add it to your current interpretation? DB: No. Not at all. Dune in 2020 is a reimagining, not a reboot. It won’t even remotely resemble the original film. The characters and film are much different, and this version will also be much closer to the novels. I am not knocking the original, I just don’t think it was true to the books. And of course, special effects have come so far since then.

RTT: How do you approach acting? DB: It becomes an obsession, and I crave to work with the best performers in the world. It is how I learn. I am an on-the-job learner. It was the same way in wrestling, and it has been the same in acting and making films. I love breaking down stereotypes in characters and making my performance change the audiences’ expectations of what a character is supposed to look or sound like. I love being a student, and I take pride in being a student. It’s how you get ahead in life by putting yourself in that role to grow and learn. RTT: If you had one dream matchup in wrestling, what would it be and why? DB: When I was a kid, I loved The Warlord. At that time, I was a scrawny kid, and he was this mountain of a man. I always liked the big guys. He was what I wanted to be, not a gangly kid sick with asthma. I wanted to be that big imposing person. I loved him, so I’d put myself in a match against him. But if I had to watch the match, I would love to see Ric Flair against Triple H in their primes.

Courtesy Marvel Studios

Courtesy Marvel Studios/Jay Maidment

FEATURED DAVE BAUTISTA’S HOME THEATER SPECS Although he misses going to see movies in commercial theaters due to COVID-19, Dave Bautista can simulate the experience in his Tampa, FL, home’s private theater that was designed and installed by Audio Video Unlimited Inc. Owner/CEO Karial Lamanati. The home theater setup certainly seems to match Bautista’s larger-than-life screen image.

The action comedy My Spy was released in early 2020

This may be biased, but they are the two greatest professional wrestlers ever. RTT: What was it like to be on Bear Grylls? You seemed to have a real connection. Bautista: I learned a lot, and I lost a toenail. My biggest takeaway is Bear. He is such a down to earth, lovable person. I think all you’re seeing on TV with him connecting with his guests is true. It’s all genuine. He is one of those guys you could sit down with and pick his brain. He’s had such an amazing life. RTT: Shifting gears, do you see yourself as a tech person? DB: I am in the process now of turning my garage into a movie theater. It’s not because I am a big tech guy though, it’s because I love the movie experience. Not being able to go to the movies since everything shut down is one of the biggest things I miss. I like to lose myself in the theater, and it is such a social thing where everyone comes together, too. They have a smell and a feel. Movie-going is the best of both worlds, being around people and not necessarily having to interact with them. But tech, I am not opposed to learning more, it’s just a little after my time. I bought my mom a computer and spent the entire day with her getting it set up by telling her to “Google it.” RTT: How do you stay connected with fans? Although you are not a tech person,

Photos courtesy of STXfilms/Michael Gibson

• Sony VPL-VW5000ES (True 4K 5,000 Lumen Projector) • Stewart Filmscreen Fixed Frame 240-inch WallScreen Deluxe

you are prominent on social media. DB: I like being connected with the fans. I feel a bit disconnected right now because my social media has been centered on politics, in line with most Americans today. I am hoping the election will go the right way, and then I will set down my phone and take a long-needed break. But I don’t really want to be politically outspoken. It is uncomfortable for me, but there is so much at stake right now that I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t participate. But I look forward to interacting with fans about wrestling or films.

MARTIN LOGAN MASTERPIECE SERIES SPEAKER SYSTEM • 3 Statement 40XW In-Wall Speakers for Front Stage • 4 Monument 7XW In-Wall Speakers for Side Surround • 4 Sistine 4XC In-Ceiling Speakers for Rear Surround • 4 BalancedForce 212 3000 Watt Powered Subwoofers for Deep Bass

My followers are true fans, and they are interested in my life and journey. Those are the people I want to stay connected with as an entertainer. They are what it’s all about. RTT: You are a big animal lover. Are there any charities or nonprofits you want to talk about? DB: I have close ties with Frankie’s Friends. A lot of times people can’t afford to care for their animals when they need a serious operation, and they are forced to consider putting them down. Frankie’s Friends raises money for those families that can’t afford the surgery or procedure to keep their beloved pets alive.

• Yamaha CX-A5200 Aventage 11 Channel AV Preamplifier for Sound Processing • Parasound JC-5 Class A Amplifiers to Power the Martin Logan Speaker System • Panamax Surge Protection and Line Conditioning • Middle Atlantic 42 Space Hybrid Equipment Rack with Active Cooling System

I also support Golden Ears Sanctuary in Tampa, Florida. They take in animals with terminal illnesses and allow them to find comfort and peace in their last days, where they are wanted and cared for until they are gone.

THEATER ACCESSORIES • Ticket Booth Box Office Window • Vintage Style Popcorn Machine with Cart • In-Wall Lighted Candy Showcase • In-Wall Lighted Movie Poster Marquee • Custom Motorized Theater Seats

Animals are my weak spot. ■

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

ISSUE FOCUS

The Realities of 5G Common Misconceptions About 5G, What the Reality Is, and if it’s Time to Get that New Phone By Bjorn Jensen

Photo: iStockphoto.com/kool99

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

ISSUE FOCUS

e see the commercials. T-Mobile claims “Nationwide 5G” and Verizon says “5G Just Got Real.” We all might remember how AT&T got slapped for introducing 5G too early. Many of us in the know are skeptical but may not know why. So, let’s talk about some of the common misconceptions about 5G, what the reality is, and if it’s time to get that new phone.

5G requires a new transmission infrastructure that includes thousands of cell towers and tens of thousands of antennas. As with any rollout that requires a humungous infrastructure update, 5G will only be available initially in cities and places where lots of folks congregate. How many places have you been where you don’t even get 4G today? Most carriers have even stopped showing the generation of LTE that you are connected to and just now show “LTE” on a signal strength bar. So, should you get that new phone with 5G capability? Maybe not so fast. If you have 5G capability in your area, certainly you might want to upgrade. But many do not actually have 5G in their area outside of commercial space, if even then. Chances are that if you are in a rural area, you won’t see 5G for some time. Ookla, the company that gave us SpeedTest. net to test our internet connections released a 5G Map that tracks 5G rollouts in cities across the globe. Check this out to see if your area will be receiving 5G capabilities any time soon.

nother misconception is that all 5G phones will react the same way to the 5G rollout. Some mobile carriers use 5G high-band spectrum called millimeter wavelength (mmWave) that allows about 28 GHz of frequency, which is considerably faster than the 700 MHz to 2500 MHz frequency used for 4G. Other carriers have built their 5G networks on top of the 4G or LTE networks to give connectivity without speed. Low band, which operates below 1 GHz and reaches speeds of 250 Mbps and broad reach (carriers can space the tower further apart) is also considered 5G. With so many pieces of the spectrum used for 5G, make sure you get a phone that supports what is available in your area, which can be a really difficult choice without some research.

fter years of promises, the FCC has held several 5G auctions for the spectrum and will likely have more to stimulate the adoption of 5G. 5G is not just for mobile. It’s low-latency speed will initially enable things like remote surgeries, autonomous driving, and other new technologies. It will be the backbone of the IoT including sensors, thermostats, internetconnected cars, and other gadgets. Yet the roll-out will take years to complete nationwide.

In its early 5G efforts, AT&T launched a 5G E network that experts called a spiffed-up version of the existing LTE network. The National Advertising Review Board eventually recommended the company stop using 5G terminology saying it was misleading consumers. In July 2020, AT&T launched its 5G+ service in parts of 35 cities service using the mmWave spectrum. Again, buyers beware – customers can get faster speeds yet with far less broad coverage.

We’re also seeing companies that purchase their little piece of the spectrum to create private 5G networks to replace their Wi-Fi networks. We’re going to see huge leaps in innovation and implementation of those technologies as 5G saturation occurs.

The mid-band of 5G, between 2.5 and 6 GHz, is called the sweet spot; it has a geographic reach and is faster than low-band. Still, for the highest performance with top speeds of 10-Gbps, carriers will need mmWave. The tradeoff is mmWave is less reliable over long distances, and the signal is easily interrupted by physical barriers and even rain. To make mmWave practical to use, carriers will need to put many small access points in a plethora of places instead of just using a few wellplaced cell towers.

5G has been the most discussed topic at the Mobile World Congress, the mobile industry’s biggest trade show, for the past five years. Finally, “2020 was to be the year of 5G,” but with social and financial uncertainty, the spotlight has fallen on legacy technologies to deliver life’s “new normal.” We can enjoy a flash of 5G while in one of the 35 or so major metropolitan areas where it’s available in the U.S. In the interim, let’s take advantage of our increasingly faster cable internet services, especially as a lot of us work – or have kids schooling – from home. x

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

ISSUE FOCUS

Powering the Mouse House

A custom, all-in-one unit powers and protects this Mickey Mouse-themed residential theater with three-phase needs. By Lisa Montgomery When a homeowner tells renowned acoustics and home theater design firm, The Erskine Group, they want a state-of-the-art home theater system without budgetary constraints, you know the result will be spectacular. This particular homeowner wanted to update his Mickey Mouse-themed theater, affectionately called “Mouse House.”

that we all know. In some larger homes like this one, utilities are delivering three-phase, 208V power that is normally used for commercial applications,” said Kevin Main, president of Torus Power. “Torus Power is flexible enough to build custom solutions for special cases and environments like these, and that is what we did here.”

He noted that buzzes and hums can come from a variety of issues in a room, and they aren’t the most straightforward problems to track down, troubleshoot, and resolve. The Torus Power toroidal isolation transformer eliminates these issues, saving time and reducing the need for service calls related to “ghosts” in the system.

“The client told me, ‘I want to enjoy this for all it’s worth. I want a bigger screen. I want a bigger, better, faster projector, and bigger, better sound,” said The Erskine Group President and Founder, Dennis Erskine.

The main feed coming into the house is split into three 208V feeds on different phases evenly spaced at 120 degrees around a center neutral. Torus worked with Erskine to specify and design a Torus Power All-in-One unit; its 12.5K AIO 208V is custom-designed to run off one of the 208V phases and deliver an isolated 120V feed to all the equipment powering the theater.

“We don’t want to waste time trying to track down something we might not be able to fix without a Torus Power unit, and we want to leave the room in its finished state without going back for service calls to track down buzzes and hums,” Erskine explained.

While The Erskine Group wasn’t quite tasked with accomplishing the impossible, at times the ingenuity and creativity required came close. The Erskine Group pulled out all stops in what ultimately became a $500,000, reference-grade home theater, featuring classic millwork, custom-designed and milled in-house by the Erskine Group, world-class audio, and Dolby Atmos immersive sound. Tackling Three-Phase Power

Years ago when the theater was first created, the client was skeptical of the cost of a Torus Power toroidal isolation transformer and wondered if it would create any noticeable improvement in the technology experience. But The Erskine Group won’t sign-off on a project without installing Torus Power.

One of the biggest challenges was delivering three-phase current into the house.

“If it’s not a Torus Power unit, we are out of there,” Erskine noted.

“Residential homes don’t typically have threephase current,” Erskine said.

The homeowner’s reticence to spend the extra money on Torus Power could have created an impasse, but instead Erskine urged him to research the effects of toroidal isolation offered by Torus Power isolation transformers.

The power also needed to be clean, stable, and isolated to enable all the reference-grade components in the theater to deliver the ultimate audiovisual experience. There are different types of residential power being delivered now in North America. Many homes use the traditional 240V power delivery

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

“The client is a very intelligent engineer, so I gave him the specs, and he started doing his research. When he was done, he was sold,” Erskine recalled.

By reducing the noise floor and putting every piece of audio equipment on the same ground potential, the Torus Power unit eliminates buzz and hum that may come from other appliances in the house. The reference-grade theater’s all-in-one unit is housed in an equipment closet near the back of the theater with the other gear, including multiple audio-video sources and a Crestron CP-3 control system. Since the room was a retrofit project, all equipment upgrades had to be integrated without damaging the existing walls and the custom-designed millwork provided by the Erskine Group. “One of the things we didn’t want to do was tear apart all the work we’d already done,” Erskine said. Installing the larger, 84-inch-by-184-inch Stewart Filmscreen Director’s Choice

ISSUE FOCUS

The homeowner wanted to update his Mickey Mouse-themed theater, affectionately called “Mouse House” with a bigger screen, a bigger, better, faster projector, and bigger, better sound. The Erskine Group pulled out all stops in what ultimately became a $500,000, reference-grade home theater, featuring classic millwork, customdesigned and milled in-house by the Erskine Group, world-class audio, and Dolby Atmos immersive sound.

UltraMatte 130 Microperf screen required reconstruction of the proscenium and moving the seats to achieve the right viewing distance. A huge $350,000 commercial-grade Barco Thor projector with six lasers creates the perfect image. With the Thor projector and Stewart Filmscreen Director’s Choice screen delivering commercial-quality video, The Erskine Group selected equally impressive audio technology to match. Triad Speakers deliver Dolby Atmos 3D object-based surround sound processed by a Trinnov Audio ALTITUDE 32. The Triad Speakers were custom-designed to fit inside the soffits in the ceiling, while 12 on-wall speakers were custom-designed to match the décor. Procella Audio subwoofers, powered by QSC amplifiers, sit behind the acoustically transparent screen. Mitigating Modal Issues and “Soundproofing” the Space Using four subwoofers helps provide consistent response throughout the seating area, eliminating peaks and nulls within the room, which are caused by the modal response. The seating platform is designed to absorb pressure,

bringing the peaks and nulls closer together in terms of differential.

One of the first things the team does is to ensure the room is completely sealed, with no holes in the drywall. Wiring and HVAC enter the room behind a second barrier, so the sound remains isolated.

“It’s a lot easier to calibrate a room if you don’t have modal issues at the seats,” Erskine explained. Where the Torus Power unit isolates the power going into the home theater from the rest of the house to create a clean signal for a superior audio and video experience, sound isolation techniques, similarly, reduce noise from the rest of the home for a more immersive experience.

Every Erskine theater, including the Mouse House, also includes a custom-designed composite door that uses a concrete core and layers of material designed to chemically absorb mid-range frequencies. The interior of the door in the Mouse House theater matches the room, while the outside matches every other door in the home.

“One of the reasons many home theaters fall out of use is because they’re too loud,” Erskine noted. “The softest sound on a soundtrack is 22dB. The average background noise in a quiet farmhouse is between 33 and 35dB – a factor of six times louder than the softest sound in your movie. So if you turn up the volume to hear the whispers over the background now in the home, the actors on the screen are yelling at you. And when the big sound effect hits, you’re clipping your amplifiers.”

From the sound isolation components to the speakers and projection system, along with the Torus Power All-in-One unit, every element within the Mouse House was hand-selected to create a reference-grade theater that brought the homeowner’s dream to life. “It’s an absolutely stunning picture, but you would expect that from the Barco Thor projector,” Erskine said. “The Torus Power unit ties it all together, delivering clean power to ensure the best performance from every component in the room.” x

Erskine approaches the problem from the perspective of working to keep outside sound out of the theater, rather than keep sound from the movie within the theater.

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

SECURITY

Does a Smart Home Need Cyber Insurance? ID Theft Protection Can be More Affordable Than Consumers May Assume By Jay Basen

Photo: iStockphoto.com/ValeryBrozhinsky

Cyber insurance is a necessity for businesses, but what about homes? TechTarget defines a data breach as “a confirmed incident in which sensitive, confidential, or otherwise protected data has been accessed and/or disclosed in an unauthorized fashion. Data breaches may involve personal health information, personally identifiable information, trade secrets, or intellectual property.” The number of data breaches in businesses has grown from 157 in 2005 to 1,473 in 2019,

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

according to Statista. While the cyber risks to homeowners have some similarities to those of businesses, there are additional risks that are unique to them. For instance:

• Cyberbullying. Online harassment could

• Cyber Breach. The loss of personal information. According to new research from Parks Associates, 5% of U.S. broadband households annually experience identity theft, which equates to 5.5 million households affected and at least 6.6 million people.

running a small business that you operate from

• Cyber Extortion. The threat to publicly release personal information

occur in a business, school, or personal situation • Cyber Disruption. Cyberattacks that keep you from accessing your home or possibly from your home • Cyber Financial Loss. The loss of funds in personal accounts due to a cyberattack • Ransomware. The restriction to a person’s personal data typically through the encryption of their data on computers within their home

SECURITY

The first question is whether a smart home places a homeowner more at risk for any of the above cyberattacks. According to Symantec’s 2019 Internet Security Report, during 2018 there were 57,553 attacks against IoT devices, and 75% of those attacks were against routers. The fact that routers faced the majority of attacks makes complete sense because they are the most accessible device to a hacker as they directly connect to the internet and, according to an article in ZDNet, routers are riddled with vulnerabilities that make them an easy target. However, when you think about the number of homes with broadband internet access around the world, the chances of a hacker breaking into a smart home through the router is pretty small. Unfortunately, attacking a router isn’t the only way that a hacker gains access to a home network. Some of the other ways that a hacker will gain access to a home are: 1. Emails with attachments that contain malware or viruses 2. Fake software that includes malware. This is especially popular with mobile devices where people routinely download “free” software from online stores.

insurance policies from major insurance companies.

• Reimbursement of up to $500,000 in funds taken from bank accounts, health savings account, or 401(k) plan • Monitoring of social media accounts for someone taking over your accounts • Priority support • Credit card transaction monitoring

Allstate Allstate was founded as part of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1931, and it became an independent company in 1993. Allstate provides both individual and family plans for identity protection. They have two tiers of service, essentials, and premier. Both plans offer:

Prices start at $9.99 per month for an individual, essentials plan and go up to $34.99 per month for a family, premier plan.

Monitoring of online accounts and notification of any data breaches related to these accounts • Full management of identity remediation cases • Social Security number monitoring • Financial monitoring • Reimbursement of up to $1,000,000 in expenses related to fraud • Reimbursement of up to $50,000 in funds taken from bank accounts, health savings account, or 401(k) plan

Amica Amica was founded in 1907 and offers personal insurance including auto, homeowners, liability, and marine coverage. As part of their home insurance policies, homeowners can purchase additional coverage for identity theft. This coverage includes: • Up to $15,000 to assist in resolving identity theft problems • Unlimited telephone support to help resolve the issue • Assistance with reporting of the issue and documentation including affidavits • Assistance reporting the issue to credit bureaus, creditors, government agencies, etc.

In addition, the premier plan includes: • Enhanced financial monitoring of bank accounts and credit cards

3. Hacked online ads that lead a person to a malicious web site that either installs malware on their device or attempts to trick people into entering personal information 4. Phishing Emails – A phishing email looks like a legitimate email, but it contains links to web sites that will install malware on a computer or attempt to trick you into entering personal information, including passwords. While a person’s risk of being hacked through their smart home is small, everyone does face real risks given the other ways that hackers have found to attack people. In fact, according to an investigation by Atlas VPN, “Hackers carry out 87 million credential stuffing attacks on U.S. citizens daily.” These are cyberattacks where a hacker will use credentials stolen during a data breach to log into an individual or company account to gain the necessary information to carry out identity theft. Because of this, insurance companies have begun offering different forms of personal cyber insurance. Below is a summary of cyber

Photo: iStockphoto.com/RyanKing999

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

SECURITY

Does a Smart Home Need Cyber Insurance?

Photo: iStockphoto.com/blackdovfx

• Assistance filing a police report • One year of credit/fraud monitoring if a wallet or handbag is stolen According to T. Bryan Cook, senior assistant vice president in Amica’s Sales and Client Services group, “ID theft protection can be more affordable than consumers may assume. As is the case with all coverages and policy options, we encourage customers to reach out to us directly to review pricing and coverage options available in their state for ID theft protection and resolution. We also offer a creditmonitoring service as an option through our Automobile Policy Program. This option, if chosen, gives consumers the tools to track unusual activity associated with credit reporting. We recommend a combination of both types of coverage – one to monitor activity and identify potential issues quickly, and another to provide some coverage to rectify the situation should you fall victim to identity theft.”

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

Chubb Chubb was founded in 1882. They are a global insurance provider operating in 54 countries. They offer cyber protection as optional additional coverage to their Masterpiece homeowner’s policies with protection against: • Cyber extortion and ransomware • Cyber financial loss • Cyberbullying • Cyber disruption • Cyber breach of privacy Chubb provides: • Access to specialists to assist in resolving identity theft • Public records monitoring • Discounted access to a security partner that can assist with securing your networks • Coverage to repair, or replace computer equipment, and lost data • Coverage for allegations of unintentional online libel, slander, and invasion of privacy

• Cyber extortion coverage up to $25,000 • Cyber financial loss coverage up to $250,000 • Cyber personal protection up to $250,000 I was unable to obtain the cost of this insurance from Chubb. Farmers Farmers Insurance was founded in 1928 and is now a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group. Farmers Identity Shield provides the following coverage in the case of identity theft: • $28,5000 in expenses • $1,500 indemnity • Monitoring of credit and public records •Annual report of credit and public records • Phone support to answer questions about identity safety concerns • Assistance in replacing identification documents that may have been lost or stolen • Email tips and news to help prevent identity theft

SECURITY

In the event of identity theft, the following services are available: • Resolution services for the entire household • 24/7 phone support to assist with the identity recovery process • Preparation of documentation to notify credit bureaus, banks, etc. of the event • Creation and maintenance of a case file documenting all steps taken • Assistance in placing fraud alerts and security freezes with the credit bureaus

coverage and cyber extortion coverage with a $500 per occurrence deductible

Cost of a policy is $79 per year for individuals, $89 per year for couples, and $99 per year for families with up to six children or other dependents.

The price for Farmers Identity Shield coverage is, at most, $65 per year.

State Farm State Farm was founded in 1922 and services more than 83 million policies and accounts in the U.S. State Farm offers cyber insurance as an optional add-on to their homeowner’s policies. Protections include: • Identity fraud or other fraud events • Cyberattacks • Cyber extortion

Geico Geico was founded in 1936 and is the secondlargest insurer of automobiles in the U.S. It offers other types of insurance policies to customers but those are serviced by third parties. Geico offers an identity theft protection policy that is serviced by Generali Global Assistance, Inc.

In the event of the above, the following services are available • Case management services • Contingent credit monitoring • Up to $50,000 expense reimbursement for identity restoration and fraud loss coverage with no deductible • Up to $15,000 for combined cyber attack

The price for adding coverage to an existing homeowner’s policy is $25 per year. Insurance for High Net Worth Individuals Specialized cybersecurity policies for high net worth individuals are offered by AIG and PURE. Conclusions In 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, over 10% of people over 16 years old had experienced at least one incident of identity theft in the last 12 months. The insurance policies outlined above offer a wide range of choices for people. Cyber insurance is not expensive and even if you don’t experience a financial loss, the professional assistance offered in the event of an incident can more than make up for the cost. x

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

PRODUCT REVOLUTION In a home theater, the center channel speaker is critical to delivering dialogue, music, and special effects to hear every nuance no matter the source. Atlantic Technology has brought the 8600eC to market, measuring roughly 38 x 14 x 15 inches, and packing a massive D’Appolito/M-T-M array consisting of four 6.5inch fiberglass woofers with two 5.25-inch fiberglass mid-drivers and an advanced 1-inch aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter internally isolated within their own airtight sub-enclosure. Finish options are high-gloss lacquered Makassar Ebony or luxurious Gloss Piano Black.

Crestron’s 70 Series Touch Screens are available in wall-mount and tabletop options, with a sleek design with more screen and less bezel. They are Wi-Fi enabled and are available for both custom-programmed and Crestron Home projects where previous infrastructure requirements may not have been available. A Crestron 70 Series Touch Screen can be placed on kitchen counters, coffee tables, nightstands, and anywhere throughout a home for unprecedented flexibility. The addition of proximity sensors also allows for the touch screen to automatically wake when in close range without physical contact.

A new Kickback roller motor design for Hunter Douglas Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades adds an extra rotation that brings the automated shades even closer for a flush fit to the window, decreasing the light gap and increasing privacy. The softly curved construction with cellular pockets features a discrete second fabric layer to create insulation, making Sonnette Shades the only roller shade with an energy performance rating from the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

PRODUCT REVOLUTION

Leon dealers and designers can now upgrade to one of eight colors in its new Designer Grille Fabric Collection. These acoustically transparent fabrics are Rich Black, Gunmetal, Charcoal, Granite, Pearl, Ivory, Platinum, and White. A contemporary TV frame that encases any display and soundbar, Leon’s Edge Media Frame is now available in three new metal veneer finishes: Brushed Smoked Aluminum, Champagne, and Crescendo Cider, in addition to the seven wood finishes that are also available.

The latest additions to the Marantz SR-Series AV receiver line – the SR5015, SR6015, SR7015, and SR8015 – are 8K-ready and have been designed to deliver musical sound from any source, including home theater, vinyl, and streaming media. They feature highcurrent discrete power amplifiers and the company’s proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplification Module (HDAM) circuitry. The flagship SR8015 supports DTS:X Pro, which will allow users to enjoy up to 13 channels of DTS:X decoding with speaker configurations such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4. Listeners can also enjoy the latest in IMAX Enhanced films in 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configurations.

Metra Home Theater Group has added a new HDMI 2.0 audio extractor to its AV product line, the CS-HAUDEXT by Helios. It provides full support for 1080p, 3D, 4K/30, 4K/60, and HDR. The new product features one HDMI input that converts audio to one HDMI, one optical, one digital coax, and one L/R stereo audio output. It supports ARC and the TV audio will return an output through the optical port. There are three audio mode options: 2.0, 5.1, and ADV.

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

PRODUCT REVOLUTION

SnapAV has introduced the Control4 Chime Video Doorbell – the first video doorbell solution designed to enable automation and a higher level of integration with Control4 homes and businesses. Available in black and satin-nickel, Chime features HD video with a 5-megapixel camera, a 180-degree field view, and a built-in night mode for clear visibility at all hours of the day. It also enables natural two-way communications, allowing users to hear and speak at the same time.

The new compact, more affordable, sonnenCore provides customers with straightforward access to reliable emergency backup power, intelligent energy management, and round-the-clock access to stored solar with an easy-to-install, competitively priced system. It is equipped with 4.8kW/10kWh of maximum usable capacity and pairs with new and existing PV systems, with an MSRP of $9,500. The system uses long-lasting, cobalt-free, recyclable, and safe lithium iron phosphate batteries, that are designed for stationary energy storage.

Sonos Arc, Beam, Playbar, Playbase, or Amp owners now can pair a second Sonos Sub to their home theater setup. According to Sonos, the ability to add two Subs has been a frequently requested feature by customers and professional installation partners. The dual Sonos Sub update is only available as an option in the S2 app, and at least one of the Subs in the setup must be a Sub (Gen 3) due to its added processing power.

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

PRODUCT REVOLUTION Two new Vanco Evolution HDMI fiber extenders support multiple methods of control and extend 4K HDR resolutions to extreme distances. The EVEXFBR1 with bi-directional IR and RS-232 and the EVEXFBK1, which adds KVM over USB 2.0 passthrough, are designed to extend 4K HDR video and audio signals at distances up to 984ft/300m over multimode fiber optic cables and 6.2 miles/10km over single-mode fiber optic cables, making them suited for extending AV via HDMI at any size or scale.

WiSA is set to launch its WiSA SoundSend audio transmitter, the wireless audio association’s first branded product to hit the market since its inception. The SoundSend is an HDMI (or optical)-connected transmitter designed to make wireless multichannel audio accessible in minutes to nearly every smart TV. The SoundSend transmitter, which works with smart TVs with ARC/eARC capabilities, connects to WiSA Certified speakers from brands like Klipsch, Savant, Dynaudio, and Enclave Audio.

The new Clarus CODA USB-DAC includes a headphone amplifier and an MQA renderer, for connecting to the global streaming service, TIDAL and Xiami Music in China, which provides a guaranteed delivery of original sound recordings. The CODA features the latest in USB-DAC technology that provides ultra-low distortion, more detail, greater dynamics, and a bigger sound stage. Designed to be used with a smartphone, tablet, or computer, the CODA has a 2-button volume control and a choice of three rolloff filters.

Winter 2021 | Residential Tech Today

RELAX

The Lighter Side

What We Learned From 2020 By Anthony Elio 2020 is over. And before you get misty-eyed while reflecting on all the amazing things that happened this year, it’s also important to know what we learned in the first 365 days of the ‘20s. So cuddle up with some of that triple-ply toilet paper you hoarded and pour yourself a cool glass of hand sanitizer, it’s time we head down memory lane.

Remote Work is the Future. For all the pressure we used to put on in-person meetings, birthday parties, and massive layoffs, 2020 has shown us that a simple Zoom call can replace most professional interactions. In fact, ever since the office instituted remote workplace interventions, I’ve been saving countless hours every day.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/South_agency

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Rowan Jordan

The Film Industry is in Flux. Like many other businesses, the film industry saw tremendous changes this year. Big hits were released on-demand. Production schedules were delayed. And due to so few films released in theaters, Sonic the Hedgehog is the Best Picture frontrunner by default, despite criticisms of its video game origins and neoconservative message. Additionally, 2020 is the first year since 2009 where Marvel Studios hasn’t released a film in theaters. This will definitely leave them in the red for the year, especially after a 2019 with three separate billion dollar-earning films. If, like me, you’re concerned about the future of the iconic studio, please consider donating to https://www.gofundme. com/save-marvel-studios.

The CDC is Keeping Up With the Times. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has scrambled all year to keep up with modern health issues. However, one of the most monumental moments of the year was the CDC reversing its negative stance on handwashing, which they used to claim heightened your risk of hand pruning.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/sshepard

Bloodletting Does Not Cure COVID-19. Trust me. Photo: iStockphoto.com/TonyBaggett

There is Hope on the Horizon. While this year has been troublesome for some of us, there’s still reason for us all to believe that better tidings await in 2021. For the first time in eight years, the McRib is available across the U.S. My carbon monoxide detector has finally stopped beeping. And nationwide, we’ve gotten past our political differences and united as one. Photo: iStockphoto.com/DieterMeyrl

Anthony Elio is a writer and Cutco sales rep located in Denver, CO. He currently plays drums in the band Television Generation, which has as many as 20 Spotify streams at the time of this writing. His other interests include competitive paddle ball and making pornographic artwork on his Etch A Sketch. Elio’s further editorial work can be found on PigeonSushi.com.

Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021

AVANCE

Rock-solid AV Performance

Versatile 4K/UHD HDMI Over HDBaseT Extension The Atlona Avance™ Series of HDMI extender kits are the latest generation of reliable HDBaseT extenders for 4K/UHD AV signals. Avance is made up of five kits to suit a wide variety of budget, distance, signal, and power requirements, all of which include powerful integration features that ensure video transmission integrity and quality.

Models now shipping! AT-AVA-EX100CE-BP-KIT

FILTERING

STRETCHING

LINK TEST

EDID Filtering

Clock Stretching

HDBaseT Link Test

Prevents extension of unsupported resolutions to increase the integrity of video transmission

Improves interoperability with legacy and low-quality HDMI video sources

Enables easy verification of cabling, termination, and link quality at the point of install

40/100M TX

IP/RS-232/IR

EXTEND 4K

Flexible Powering

Control/Data Options

Distance Options

Kits are available with either local power supplies, remote where TX powers RX, or bidirectional, BP, where power is supplied by either TX or RX

Avance offers kits with no control, extension of RS-232 and IR, or extension of Ethernet, RS-232, and IR

Extend 4K/UHD 60Hz 4:2:0 at distances up to either 40M (130’) or 100M (330’) over Category 6A/7

Visit atlona.com/avance

Residential Tech Today -- Winter 2021

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