2020 CE Pro BEST Award Winners Announced at CEDIA Expo Virtual
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SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2020
2020 CE Pro BEST Award Winners
Announced at CEDIA Expo Virtual
Celebrating the most noteworthy new products and technologies of 2020,
the CE Pro BEST Award winners are honored this week at CEDIA Expo Virtual.
RECOGNIZING THE most noteworthy ▶ Andromeda Ultra Short Throw
new products and technologies, CE Pro Projector Credenza with Integrated
is pleased to announce the winners of the 120" Rising Screen | Aegis AV Cabinets
2020 CE Pro BEST (Best Electronics Sys- ▶ AirTV Anywhere — Powered by Sling
tems Technologies) Product Awards. | AirTV
“We’re privileged to recognize the
many manufacturers that provide custom HOUSEHOLD ENHANCEMENTS/
integrators with exciting, cutting-edge ▶ REVI Remote-Voltage Illumination INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES
and very practical products to add to System | Environmental Lights ▶ Cleerline SSF 8K UHD HDMI Active
their businesses,” says Arlen Schweiger, ▶ Triathlon Wood Blinds with Natural Optical Cables | Cleerline Technology
executive editor of CE Pro. “The CE Pro BEST Light Optimization | Lutron Group
Awards represents technical engineering ▶ Crestron TSR-310 | Crestron ▶ Hopper 3 Integration with Google
and thoughtful development that deserve ▶ Nest Hub Max | Google Nest Nest Hello Doorbell | Dish Network
praise. We always look forward to seeing ▶ Savant Daylight Mode | Savant ▶ WhyReboot Cumulus6 Cloud & Ana-
what each year’s new group of entries ▶ Crestron Home | Crestron lytics | WhyReboot
brings, and how these solutions may impact ▶ 65" The Terrace TV | Samsung
our industry for years to come.” HOME THEATER/MULTI-ROOM
All CE Pro BEST Awards’ entries were AUDIO/VIDEO LOUDSPEAKERS
judged on innovation, functionality, compet- ▶ Evolution 8×10 HDBaseT Audio and ▶ Meridian DSP750 In-Wall Digital
itive advantages and benefits to the installer Video Matrix with CEC Control and Active Loudspeaker | Meridian Audio
by industry leaders, along with the editors Support Diagnostics | Vanco ▶ Ci130QRfl / Ci130QSfl | KEF
of CE Pro. ▶ Crestron DM NVX | Crestron ▶ Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation | Naim
Here are this year’s CE Pro BEST Product ▶ The Wall | Samsung ▶ Powered SoundBar | James Loudspeaker
Awards winners, by major category: ▶ 85" Q950 8K QLED TV | Samsung ▶ A750 Wi-Fi 6 Access Point | Access
▶ Trinnov Altitude32 | Trinnov Audio Networks
BUSINESS OPERATIONS ▶ Zappiti Pro ACE | Zappiti ▶ Paladin DCR Direct Attach Lens |
▶ Modus Photo | Modus VR ▶ Low profile 5×8″ Steel TV Box | Panamorph
Arlington Industries ▶ On My Way | Alarm.com
CONTROL AND AUTOMATION ▶ Juke-8 | Juke Audio
▶ Adapt Energy | PanTech Design ▶ Squid | SurgeX
Bookmark the CEDIA Expo
▶ Holovision, Powered by Ring | Ring ▶ CASCADE | Stewart Filmscreen
Virtual website:
▶ VPL-VW915ES |Sony
Go to cediaexpovirtual.com
to explore the show!
To see the list of BEST winners by subcategories, visit cepro.com
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 1
Navigating CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience for Success
Here’s how to make the most from the Sept. 15-17 online event, whose content will also be
available on-demand until the end of the year.
THE CEDIA EXPO is more than just a tradeshow, it is a
gathering of friends. Certainly, in the virtual world, there is
no chance for handshakes and hugs, hearty evening meals,
mind-blowing demos, late-night parties, chance encounters
with colleagues, and $9 convention-center hot dogs. We all
miss those things (OK, maybe not the hot dogs).
Indeed, the CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience, September
15-17, is not the same as a physical event, and you should not
try to compare it to an in-person event. It is instead a totally
different type of engagement that needs to be navigated
completely differently than a physical event.
For one, without the cost of travel, the CEDIA Expo Virtual
Experience is an opportunity for integration companies
worldwide to have their entire organization (from top to
bottom) engage in vital education to earn CEUs and interact
with vendors. Have you ever wanted to bring your whole
team to CEDIA Expo but couldn’t? Now is your chance.
Registration is FREE at cediaexpo.com. Even better, while
the CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience officially runs for the around, the mix of participating booths is expected to be
three days, all the educational content and supplier informa- over 150. Inside each virtual booth, integrators can browse
tion is available on-demand until December 31, 2020. The new products, collect free educational downloads, and
website (cediaexpovirtual.com) is going to be an essential watch instructional videos. Starting on September 15, the
bookmark on everyone’s browser through the end of the first day of the Virtual Experience, attendees will be able
year. Here’s a brief look at what attendees can expect. to set virtual appointments with these exhibitors to have
one-on-discussions via chat and Zoom. Again, the informa-
Full Educational Slate on Tap tion in the virtual booths will be all freely accessible until
A smattering of the CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience content December 31, 2020. Yes — there will even be virtual swag.
available will include:
Manufacturers’ Training: Manufacturers Product Training
CEDIA Education: CEDIA has lined up an intense slate sessions will take place for the full duration of the show. At-
of 50+ courses that run on Tuesday, September 15 from tendees will be able to find the specific MPT sessions in the
8:30 a.m. Eastern through to 10:30 p.m., along with two Education dropdown menu on the website to get the latest
keynotes, and into the morning of Wednesday, September technical advice on deploying new products from every
16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. (See full slate of sessions on category of equipment in control, audio, video, networking,
page 6.) CEDIA will also be conducting several sessions in security and more.
Spanish. The CEDIA sessions, which are open to members
and non-members alike, will offer CEUs for attendees. Inte- CE Pro Education, Awards & Keynotes: CE Pro’s virtual
grators can pay for individual sessions or purchase a $199 booth will be rich with research, including data on Wellness,
all-access pass to attend as many sessions as they want. Multiroom Audio, Industry Forecasts and more. The publica-
tion editors will also be conducting numerous “Fireside Chat”
Virtual Booths & Swag: There are numerous suppliers conversations with key suppliers discussing some of the latest
participating with virtual booths all three days and more industry trends. We will also be presenting several keynotes,
are signing up every day. By the time September 15 rolls including a wide-ranging discussion with the four primary
2 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.com
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industry buying groups. Another keynote will examine the
state of the “State of the Industry Post-COVID-19: Trends & How About a Sept. 15 Company Pizza Party?
Challenges,” sponsored by Savant and Access Networks. If you were ever looking for a potential bonding experi-
The CE Pro BEST Product Awards and the CE Pro Home of ence for your team, the CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience
the Year Awards presentation will take place on the Smart is an ideal scenario. On Tuesday, September 15, the
Stage on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. EDT. There, CE Pro opening-day CEDIA training runs late into the night — all
will name winners of the BEST products in multiple catego- the way until 10:30 p.m. Eastern.
ries, as well as recognize amazing projects from integrators. Starting at 4 p.m., there is a continuous slate of tech-
nical sessions focused on video. These sessions, which
Smart Stage Discussions: Similar to the physical event, the are all being run by David Meyer, a technical research
CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience will have a Smart Stage Pa- consultant for CEDIA, are all specifically targeted at
vilion where a series of general sessions will occur. Sessions technicians and systems designers. The sessions:
are slated to cover: ▶ Deathmatch: Video Transport Technologies —
▶ The Power of Light, sponsored by Savant 4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. EDT
▶ 5G Ecosystem ▶ HDMI 2.1 Update 2020 — 6 p.m. – 6:50 p.m. EDT
▶ Resi-Mercial, sponsored by Samsung ▶ AV-over-IP: What, Why & How —
▶ Home Office, sponsored by Crestron 7:30 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. EDT
▶ Loop into Wellness, sponsored by Savant ▶ Challenges of HDR Video —
▶ Securing the Future Home 9:30 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. EDT
▶ Skilled Trades The sessions are an ideal opportunity to gather your
▶ The Great Outdoors, sponsored by Samsung team together for intensive training. But why not make
it more enjoyable by ordering some pizza for delivery
WiCT (Virtual) CEDIA Expo Luncheon: On Wednesday, and having the team jointly watch the virtual education?
September 16 at 2 p.m. EDT, the Women in Consumer Tech- You might want to add some Mountain Dew or Monster
nology (WiCT) group will hold its 12th annual CEDIA Expo Energy drinks to the delivery for the late-night sessions.
luncheon, albeit virtually this year. The program is entitled,
“The New Normal — Why Technology + Design-Build with associations dedicated to designer and integrator
Teams are Essential!” and will be a panel moderated by Dan- matchmaking. The Design + Connection will once again
ielle Karr, architect and designer program senior manager be anchored by the National Kitchen and Bath Association
at Control4. The real-life value of what these teams offer is (NKBA), which will feature industry-leading research and
in fact essential to businesses; executives and employees resources for designers and integrators to build successful
and families; parents, students and living-in-place seniors all business relationships. The CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience
striving for the essence of human connection that has been will also feature a focus on “smart water” products and the
largely removed. Enter technology on a completely different companies for 2020. The technology investing company,
plane than ever before. The panelists will tell their stories Mazarine Ventures, will be bringing early-stage companies
about the real challenges facing their clients and creative with solutions to the industry’s most pressing water and
solutions to address their needs. wastewater challenges including leak detection, energy
management, and more.
Design + Tech Connection Education: As it has the past
several years at the physical event, the CEDIA Expo Virtual DesignTV by SANDOW: In partnership with the NKBA,
Experience will continue with programming specifically for DesignTV by SANDOW will host a CEDIA Expo Virtual
the design industry to learn and connect with residential Experience special where listeners will learn about the new
technology professionals from all over the world. Virtual NKBA Living Impacts Design research — a comprehensive
discussions will feature designers, integrators, and brands study that examines the outside influences transforming
working to unite the industries and will discuss the questions how kitchens and baths will be designed over the next three
homeowners have, and how to provide impactful solutions. years; one of the three categories being Connected Living.
Design and technology collaboration opportunities Hear from a designer and integrator about how they are
include setting meetings with exhibitors within virtual booth putting this research into practice and how they are incorpo-
spaces, tuning into panel discussions, and connecting rating technology solutions into their projects.
4 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.com
EDUCATION SCHEDULE
TUESDAY 9/15 SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4
8:30 - 8:55 a.m. KEYNOTE 1: Building Brands to Shift Industries: Today, Tomorrow, The Future - Linzi Boyd
Need to Build Your Client a Home Topgrading: How Dealers Can
Ask the Expert: Audio and
Recording Studio? Here’s How to Immediately Improve Hiring and
Acoustics Instructors: Gerry Lemay
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Start Like a Pro… Employee Retention Instructors:
and Anthony Grimani
Instructor: Geoff Meads Ron Callis Jr. and Tina Baker
Architectural Cinema: Deliver Change in the Workplace: Let’s How to Develop Business
10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Premier Results for Projects at the Do Better Instructor: Samantha Processes That Work
Highest End Instructor: John Bishop Ventura Instructor: Jason Sayen
Energy Management Solutions
5G: Everything You Need to Know, Have Invaded the Home 5 Tips to Create an Outstanding
but Were Afraid to Ask Moderator: Patrice Samuels; Employee Experience Instructor:
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
Instructor: Michael Heiss Panelists: Michael Wajsgras, Courtney Berg
Varun Nagaraj
12:00 - 12:25 p.m. KEYNOTE 2: Economic, Societal, and Consumer Trends for a 21st Century Mindset: In Conversation With Linzi Boyd and Darren Shirlaw
Cybersecurity Panel: Cybersecurity Home Recording Studio Executing on Client Care Programs:
and Privacy in the Smart Home Acoustics and Design Instructor: Strategic Considerations and Industry
12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Moderator: Mike Maniscalco Gavin Haverstick Best Practices Instructor: Steven Rissi
User Experience Panel: Grace in
Warning! Avoid These Gerente de Proyectos la
Future Technologies: Design Instructor: Will Hopkins
10 Simple Things That Can importancia de esta
The Inside Scoop From Silicon Panelists: Brad Baldwin, Jason
1:30 - 2:20 p.m. Put You Out of Business Gerencia Instructor:
Valley Instructor: Rich Green Oster, Andy Hamm,
Instructor: Leslie Shiner Enrique Granados
Russ Hoffman
Ask the Expert: Using Social Media
Reference Level Cinema Audio - and Digital Marketing to Grow Empresa de Automa-
Content Services and Technologies
Defining The Paradigm Your Business Instructors: Brett tizacion- consejos Instruc-
2:30 - 3:20 p.m. Update Instructor: Michael Heiss
Instructor: Peter Aylett Bjorkquist, JJ Canon, Matt Mont- tor: Mauricio Mejia
gomery, Cory Reif
Deathmatch: Video Transport Getente de Projectos -
Technologies Moderator: David New Power Amp Technologies The Secret to Winning Administración y metas
Meyer; Panelists: Kevin Iselli, and Solutions Instructor: With Architects con proyectos AV
4:00 - 4:50 p.m.
Kevin Peters, Stuart Robertson, Xiaozheng Lu Instructor: Randy Stearns Instructor: Lina Maria
Gabi Shriki Villa Betancourt
Integrating Custom Voice Control Introducción a la domótica
Spatial Computing The Power of Breakeven Analysis
for the Whole Home Instructors: express Instructor: Andres
5:00 - 5:50 p.m. Instructor: Rich Green Instructor: Leslie Shiner
Alex Capecelatro and Tim Gill Garza
Find, Hire, and Keep Your Next Rock-
New Tools and Approaches for
star Moderator: Samantha Ventura; Cybersecurity para
HDMI 2.1 Update 2020 Professional and Home Record-
Panelists: JJ Canon, Janeen Técnicos Instructor: Adan
6:00 - 6:50 p.m. Instructor: David Meyer ing Studio Design Instructor:
Gaskins, Steven Rissi, Tommy Tabor, Cadena
Sergio Molho
Joe Whitaker, Amanda Wildman
7:00 - 7:25 p.m.
Ahorro energetico de los
Elevating Lighting Scenes Sistemas de Automa-
AV-over-IP: What, Why & How From Technician to Manager Instruc-
Through a Great User Experience tización en Elementos Pro-
7:30 - 8:20 p.m. Instructor: David Meyer tor: Raymond Holland
Instructor: Robert Ridenour tección Solar Instructor:
Julio Camacho
Working Remote: Tools
Fiber For Builders: Upselling Value-Added Network Systems Bluetooth vs. WiFi en altav-
and Best Practices for
Optics into Builder Projects Designs That Work Within Bud- oces de techo Instructor:
8:30 - 9:20 p.m. Decentralizing Your Workforce
Instructor: Cameron Smith get Instructor: Kevin Iselli Juan Tamayo
Instructor: Bruce Reed
Window Covering: It’s All About Wash, Rinse, Repeat: Standardizing
Challenges of HDR Video
the Design - Luxury in Motion the Sales Process Instructor: Robert
9:30 - 10:20 p.m. Instructor: David Meyer
Instructor: Kris Grytten Ridenour
6 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.com
▶ TECH CLASSES ▶ BUSINESS CLASSES ▶ SPANISH CLASSES ▶ ASK THE EXPERT
WEDNESDAY 9/16 SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4
Government Affairs Panel:
A Discussion on Legislation’s Impact
HDBaseT: New Solutions
AV Design & Documentation on the Residential Technology In-
8:00 - 8:50 a.m. & Recommended Practices
Instructor: Keith Jones dustry Moderator: Darren Reaman;
Instructor: David Meyer
Panelists: Chris Heaton, Joseph Lee,
Chuck Wilson
Audio Set-Up y Cali-
Introduction to Conference Room Create Lasting Change Ask the Expert: Video Performance
bración - Primera Parte
and Presentation Technologies Instructors: Jason Griffing and and Distribution Instructor: Joel
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Instructor: Lina Maria
Instructor: Steven Rissi Justin Cook Silver and Matt Murray
Villa Betancourt
CE PRO BEST PRODUCTS/HOME OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Early Stage Documentation - Remote System Access Methods, Process Process Process:
A Winning Strategy for Beginning Security and Best Practices Best Practices
10:00 - Instructor: Dennis Macleod Instructor: Nathan Holmes Instructor: Eric Crawford
10:50 a.m.
DESIGN + CONNECTION: Design Uncut: Intro to Residential Tech Products
SMART STAGE: The Power of Light Tech Talk Sponsored by Savant
Independent Living and Well- Taking Advantage of Social Media Audio Set-Up y
Next Stage Documentation -
11:00 - ness Innovations Moderator: for Manufacturers and Dealers in the Calibración - Segunda
A Winning Strategy for Finishing
11:50 a.m. Elizabeth Parks; Panelists: Custom Electronics Industry Parte Instructor: Adan
Instructor: Dave Tkachuk
Lainie Muller and Gene Wang Instructor: Lindsay Bull Cadena
The Transformational Leader:
Success With Virtual Assistants Dealing With Direct LED Displays
Strategies for Effective Leadership in
12:00 - Instructors: Rich Green and Alex and the Display World of the
the Workplace Instructor: Samantha
12:50 p.m. Capecelatro Future Instructor: Michael Heiss
Ventura
SMART STAGE: Exploring ResiMercial Opportunities Sponsored by Samsung
Ask the Expert: Network Per- Ask the Expert: The Importance
formance and Configuration of Adding Process to Your Grow-
1:00 - 1:50 p.m. Instructors: Nathan Holmes and ing Business Instructors: Mike
Shawn Lemay Grubb, Jamie Propp, Jesse Silva
DESIGN + CONNECTION: Wellness Solutions for the New Normal featuring Delos
2:00 - 2:50 p.m. WiCT Luncheon + Panel
3:00 - 3:50 p.m. SMART STAGE: Rise of the Home Office Tech Talk Sponsored by Crestron
4:00 - 4:50 p.m. TechBites + Virtual Happy Hour
DESIGN + CONNECTION: LIPI- Living Impacts Design
5:00 - 5:50 p.m.
SMART STAGE: 5G Ecosystem
THURSDAY 9/17
10:00 - DESIGN + CONNECTION: Tech Collider- Working with Integrators
10:55 a.m. KEYNOTE: Buying Group Keynote
11:00 - 11:55 a.m. SMART STAGE: Loop into Wellness Tech Talk Sponsored by Savant
12:00 - 12:55 p.m. DESIGN + CONNECTION: DesignTV by SANDOW
1:00 - 1:55 p.m. SMART STAGE: The Great Outdoors Sponsored by Samsung
DESIGN + CONNECTION: Brave New Business Live Stream
2:00 - 2:55 p.m.
KEYNOTE 2
SMART STAGE: Smart Water
3:00 - 3:55 p.m.
SMART STAGE: Securing the Future Home
4:00 - 4:55 p.m. SMART STAGE: Skilled Trades
5:00 p.m. CEPro All-Star Band/ CEDIASTRONG Benefit
Sessions and panelists were being finalized at press time; schedule subject to change.
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 7
List of Exhibitors & Booth Levels
2N, An Axis Company: Gold Home Connect/BSH Home Parks Associates: Featured
Appliances: Platinum
Access Networks: Platinum Planar: Silver
Home Theater Direct: Featured
AccessPointMount.com: Powercast: Gold
Featured HomeAdvisor: Silver
PowerHouse Alliance: Silver
Acoustic Innovation: Featured IC Realtime: Gold
Primex: Gold
Acurus/Aragon: Silver Insolroll Window Shading
Pro Audio Technology: Featured
Systems: Silver
Alcons Audio: Featured
Proficient/SpeakerCraft: Featured
Ionthis: Featured
American Lighting: Gold
ProjX360: Gold
iPoint Solutions: Silver
Arlington Industries: Featured
PVI Pro Video Instruments: Silver
iRoom iO: Gold
Audinate: Featured
Ram Commercial: Platinum
iTron: “Tech That Makes Life
AudioControl: Platinum Simple”: Featured RBH Sound: Featured
AVPro Global Holdings: Featured Jasco Products: Gold Red Carpet Home Cinema: Gold
Barco Residential: Silver Jaymar: Featured Ring: Gold
BridgeTek: Platinum JVC: Silver Samsung Electronics of America:
Brilliant: Gold Kaleidescape: Silver Platinum
Burwell & Sons Loudspeakers: Klipsch Group: Gold Savant: Platinum
Featured
Kohler: Silver Schneider Electric: Silver
CEDIA: Platinum
L-Acoustics Creations: Gold SnapAV: Gold
Crestron: Gold
Legrand AV: Gold Softing Inc.: Gold
CT Lab Global Media: Featured
Lenbrook Americas: Featured Sonance: Gold
D-Tools: Platinum
Leon Speakers: Featured Sony Electronics: Platinum
Datum Project Processing: Silver
LG: Platinum Sound Bookkeeping: Featured
Delta Faucet: Featured
Liberty AV: Platinum Sound Developments: Featured
designflow: Featured
LiftMaster: Silver Sports Simulator: Featured
Dish Network: Platinum
Living In Place Institute: Gold Stealth Acoustics: Gold
DMF Lighting: Gold
Lutron Electronics: Gold Stewart Filmscreen: Featured
DPI: Platinum
madVR: Featured SurgeX Ametek: Gold
ekeyUSA Systems: Featured
Magna Audio: Gold Technology Designer: Featured
Elan: Featured
MantelMount: Silver Theory Audio Design: Featured
Fiber Command: Gold
MaxaWare, LLC: Featured Torus Power: Gold
Frame My TV: Gold
Modulus Media: Featured United States Postal Service:
Future Ready Solutions: Gold Silver
Modus VR: Featured
GDC Technology (USA): Featured URC: Platinum
Monitor Audio: Featured
Google: Silver Vanco: Gold
MSE Audio / Phase Technology:
HDBaseT Alliance: Gold Silver Viking Electronics: Featured
HDMI Licensing Administrator: Netgear: Platinum WAC Lighting: Gold
Silver
NKBA: Gold Wall - Smart Ltd.: Featured
Help Lightning: Silver
Olibra: Featured WSR Publishing: Featured
Hisense USA: Gold
Panamax: Featured Yale Home: Featured
Holovision: Featured
Z-Wave: Platinum
8 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.com
Ring X Line
Home Security
Solutions with
Professional Installation
To learn more and
get started, visit
www.ring.com or email
prochannel@ring.com.
Keynote Panel Says Pandemic Has Helped the Industry
CEDIA Expo Virtual keynote panel of industry leaders makes analytical determination that
COVID-19 has been good for the custom integration market.
NOT MEANING TO SOUND unsympathetic to those who
are struggling with the effects of COVID-19, a panel of
industry leaders opined that the custom electronics industry
has actually benefitted from the pandemic, both in the short
term and likely over the long term.
Certainly, some will consider the conclusion to be cold
hearted, but trio of Hagai Feiner, founder and CEO of
Access Networks, JC Murphy, president of Savant, and Bill
Lacey, president and CEO of GE Lighting, had a logical ana-
lytical discussion as part of the Day 2 Keynote conversation
at CEDIA Expo Virtual.
“I believe that the primary change in the marketplace
from COVID-19 is homeowner perception of what integra-
tors do and where they fit into the project has changed,” The keynote panel (clockwise from top left) included mod-
says Feiner. He noted that much of the home-building indus- erator Jason Knott of CE Pro, Bill Lacey of GE Lighting,Hagai
try has not been negatively affected by the coronavirus. Feiner of Access Networks and JC Murphy of Savant.
“Construction is still the same if you look at framing, me-
chanical, electrical and plumbing, but now the perception “I think the big thing here is a human nature element.
a homeowner has about the importance of the technology Folks felt very out of control all of a sudden when the pan-
that’s going into their house has forever changed. And demic hit. They were forced into their homes, and it was like,
when I say forever, it’s probably in our lifetimes, meaning ‘Oh my gosh, what do I do next?’ he says.
people will remember the pandemic and what their home With technology, those trapped homeowners were able
systems meant to them during this period,” he says. to take control of their lives much more fully, which is a good
Feiner believes homeowners will likely continue to invest thing mentally.
in their home entertainment systems now, especially their “If you can give somebody more certainty about what’s
network connectivity with distance learning and work-from- going to happen tomorrow that makes them feel better.
home situations becoming so much more prevalent from the And I think homeowners and business owners now are say-
pandemic. ing, ‘I never expected to live through a pandemic. It could
“I’m in the process of building a home in Santa Monica. happen again, and this is going to continue. So what am I
I can tell you that the primary focus that we’ve had was, of going to do about it? I’m going to take control over my living
course, the network but also lighting, music and video. We environment.’”
want to make sure that all of our sources are there. We want In addition to networks and entertainment, Lacey says the
to make sure that we can stream and the kids are doing their entire lighting category has benefitted from the pandemic.
thing and no one’s interrupted,” he notes. He says GE Lighting’s data showed increasing consumer
Feiner adds, “In my view, the clients that our industry purchasing of light sources (bulbs) during the pandemic.
caters to have not been affected negatively by the pandem- “They’re making special trips to the DIY centers to
ic. As far as our industry sees it, budgets that used to go to improve the light because they’re now having to stay in
trips to France in the summer or taking a jet somewhere are their home. As a matter of fact, we just came out with a new
now going into investing in home systems and integration, slogan during this period called, ‘Light the Way You Live.’
because your home is your fortress in these turbulent times.” You’re not just living there, you’re working there, or even
Murphy agrees … and adds an introspective angle. He playing there,” he says, adding that “good old fashioned
sees the technology in homes almost as a savior for home- lighting” has been impacted positively by the pandemic.
owners, not to sound too biblical. — Jason Knott
10 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comCE Pro All-Star Band Makes an Encore Performance
THE CE PRO ALL-STAR BAND will be making
a return engagement with virtual concerts on
Thursday, Sept. 17 to conclude the last day at
the CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience.
These musicians are all from the industry and
they have put together a set of six songs, aided
by post production from CE Pro multimedia
director Larry Holmes, for attendees to enjoy.
This year the CE Pro All-Star Band wel-
comes back one of its original members Jeff Gardner, who Band members gathered on Zoom to help plan out this
recently retired from his teaching position with CEDIA, and year’s virtual gig.
just completed the build of his Plus One Audio recording
studio. The band will perform:
Gardner is mixing the virtual concert and will play guitar ▶ “Soul Man” by Blues Brothers version
along with Geoff Meads of Presto Web Design, Vince Luciani (Sam and Dave cover)
of Ametek, Bob Archer of CE Pro, and Richard Charschan of ▶ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heart-
AcousticSmart. breakers
The rhythm section includes Jim Garrett of Harman and ▶ “Come Together” by Aerosmith
Tim Bigoness of D-Tools on drums. On bass will be Mitchell (live cover version of the Beatles)
Klein of Z-Wave and Dave Silkin of DSG Distributors. ▶ “Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton
The horns section will be handled by Rick Santiago of ▶ “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker
Indy Audio Labs. Lead vocals will be handled by Meads ▶ “When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs
and Bigoness, along with Victoria Mills. Background vo- Attendees can look for t he CE Pro All-Star Band per-
cals are by Archer and Gardner, who also plays harmoni- formance to kick off around 5 p.m. on the third day of the
ca on one of the tunes. show.
12 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comCE Pro Names 2020 Home of the Year Award Winners
at CEDIA Expo Virtual
Celebrating the most impressive projects of 2020, the CE Pro Home of the Year Award winners
are honored this week at CEDIA Expo Virtual.
CE PRO IS PLEASED to announce the ▶ Habitech Systems (Silver)
winners of the 2020 Home of the Year ▶ Your Tech (Bronze)
Awards. Each year, CE Pro selects the
most captivating projects submitted BEST HOME THEATER UNDER $25K
by its readers in the custom electronics ▶ Elite AV (Gold)
integration industry.
“I always look forward to the Home BEST HOME THEATER BETWEEN
of the Year awards because they $25K-$100K BEST RACK / EQUIPMENT ROOM
showcase truly creative solutions for ▶ Harrison Home Systems (Gold) ▶ Echo Systems (Gold)
achieving technical innovation as well ▶ Admit One Home Systems (Silver)
as eye-catching design,” says Arlen ▶ Lifestyle Solutions (Bronze, TIE) FUNCTIONS
Schweiger, executive editor of CE ▶ DSI Luxury Technology (Bronze, TIE) BEST LIGHTING CONTROL PROJECT
Pro. “Whether they’re home theaters, ▶ Innovative Home Systems (Gold)
whole-home projects, specialty appli- BEST HOME THEATER OVER $100K ▶ Harrison Home Systems (Silver)
cations or other types of installs, the ▶ Spire Integrated Systems
work highlighted in this year’s awards (Gold, TIE) BEST SHADE CONTROL PROJECT
program exemplifies the technical ▶ Echo Systems (Gold, TIE) ▶ Harrison Home Systems (Gold)
craftsmanship and creativity this indus- ▶ Spire Integrated Systems (Silver)
try has to offer. We’re proud to honor BEST MASTER SUITE
these companies.” ▶ Harrison Home Systems (Gold) BEST NEW TECHNOLOGIES PROJECT
Winners’ projects will be featured in ▶ Haas Home Technologies (Silver) ▶ Creative Sound & Integration (Gold)
the November issue of CE Pro maga- ▶ MAXICON (Bronze)
zine, posted to CEPro.com, highlighted BEST COMBO DESIGN + TECH
in CE Pro newsletters, and promoted BEST MEDIA ROOM / DEN / PROJECT
to consumers through a comprehen- MULTIPURPOSE ROOM ▶ Atlantic Control Technologies (Gold)
sive social media campaign. Winners ▶ MAXICON (Gold) ▶ Lelch Audio Video (Silver)
were also recognized as part of CEDIA
Expo Virtual and have use of the CE Pro BEST KITCHEN & BATH BEST BEFORE/AFTER RETROFIT
Home of the Year Award Winner logo. ▶ Gramophone (Gold) PROJECT
Without further ado, here are the ▶ frayednot – never left stranded! (Gold)
winners of this year’s CE Pro Home of BEST OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT ▶ frayednot – never left stranded! (Silver)
the Year Awards: AREA ▶ frayednot – never left stranded!
▶ Spire Integrated Systems (Gold) (Bronze)
BEST WHOLE-HOUSE/ SMART ▶ Admit One Home Systems (Silver)
HOME PROJECT OVER $150K ▶ Atlantic Control Technologies (Bronze) BEST SHOWROOM
▶ Harrison Home Systems (Gold) ▶ Echo Systems (Gold)
▶ Atlantic Control Technologies (Silver) BEST STRANGE & SPECIALTY AREA ▶ cyberManor (Silver)
▶ Echo Systems (Bronze) ▶ Mozaic Audio Video Integration (Gold) ▶ MAXICON (Bronze)
BEST WHOLE-HOUSE/ SMART
To see the full list of CE Pro Home of the Year winners and project
HOME PROJECT UNDER $150K
names, visit cepro.com.
▶ Lelch Audio Video (Gold)
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 13Education Slate Adjusts to Virtual Platform
Among the 50+ courses offered during CEDIA Expo Virtual are sessions covering HDMI 2.1,
HDBaseT, AV-over-IP, HDR video, talent recruitment, managing change and more.
CEDIA’S TECHNICAL RESEARCH CONSULTANT, David
Meyer, has found a bit of a silver lining in the need to present
this year’s CEDIA Expo educational offerings as a “virtual
experience.”
“We have to truncate and distill everything,” he says.
The constraints of online classes don’t allow much room for
small talk, which Meyer believes will give him and his fellow
instructors an even sharper focus when it comes to the 2020
curriculum.
Just like any other year, an All-Access pass will be available
to CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience attendees. But there’s CEDIA instructors chatted with CE Pro editor Jason Knott to
some unique things happening when it comes to the 2020 preview the Expo sessions during a recent podcast.
“Experience” schedule: For one thing, Meyer won’t be
leaving his home in Australia, which means that the back-to- service division for a big commercial firm before his most
back-to-back courses he’s teaching will happen at unusual recent gig at CEDIA.
hours for CEDIA classes. Ventura, for her part, has worked with Rissi to present an
update on the panel discussion “Find, Hire, and Keep Your
Next Rock Star.” Finding great techs might be easier than
“Invest in an employee’s usual given the economic downturn (this might be your best
professional development. Give chance to recruit in years), but this discussion will help you
them a career path. Keep them in keep those employees once you’ve gotten them in the door.
your fold — turnover is expensive.” “Invest in an employee’s professional development. Give
them a career path,” says Ventura. “Keep them in your fold
—Samantha Ventura, vice president of — turnover is expensive.”
education and training, CEDIA A few 2020 classes dig into some spaces CEDIA hasn’t
really covered before. Longtime CEDIA volunteer Geoff
Meads (Presto AV) will be presenting a foundational course
In addition to Meyer, other instructors taking part in the on home recording studios. “There’s been a demand for
50-plus offerings during the Expo Experience include CEDIA these things as a result of the lockdowns, and not just from
staffers Samantha Ventura (vice president of education and pro musicians,” says Meads. “There’s lots of transferable
training) and Steve Rissi (director of technical training). There’s skills from the CEDIA world: networking, acoustics, speak-
a number of business classes included, covering everything ers. But there are big differences — a great home cinema is
from client care programs to managing change and becoming about recreating an artist’s intent, this is about creating that
a better leader. Rissi is an RMR expert, having run a customer work from scratch.”
For his part, Steve Rissi noticed that no less than 95% of
CEDIA integrators are doing some light commercial work,
and that a big focus has been video conference rooms. Rissi
notes that are a lot of integration skills that can be carried
into workspaces, but the user experience is very different as
a commercial interface is used by a broad number of peo-
ple. “In that case, the interface has to be so universal that it’s
HDBaseT will be among the video transport technologies literally a one or two button operation,” he says.
discussed in the “Deathmatch” presentation. —Ed Wenck, Content Director, CEDIA
14 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comCEDIA Establishes CEDIASTRONG Scholarship Fund
CEDIASTRONG Scholarship Fund will cover tuition fees for certification travel and testing for
new industry recruits.
CEDIA HAS ANNOUNCED the establishment of the CEDIA-
STRONG Scholarship Fund. CEDIA will begin accepting dona-
tions with the intent to award education grants in 2021 to up
and coming home technology talent: high school graduates,
community college and vocational school students, as well as
displaced techs who are keen to build their skills and careers
in the smart and connected home space.
With more consumers working from home, demand for Emerald has committed to matching donations that are made
home technology is escalating. Integration companies across during CEDIA Expo.
the globe are going to need technical professionals at all “Emerald Expositions is honored to support the industry in
levels to meet this rising demand. the establishment of the CEDIASTRONG Scholarship Fund,”
“One of CEDIA’s key strategic objectives has been to says Brian Pagel, executive vice president at Emerald. “We
develop the workforce for our industry to assist members want to encourage everyone to consider making a contribu-
seeking to add qualified talent in support of business tion during the event. The long-term growth and prosperity
growth. We have actively developed programs to support of our industry will rely heavily on attracting top talent and
this initiative and the CEDIASTRONG Scholarship Fund falls providing them with world-class professional education
in line with our goals by eliminating financial barriers for opportunities.”
new talent to take the plunge to begin to build their careers O’Connor adds, “Our investment in CEDIA Education
in the custom installation space,“ says Rob Sutherland, has been prolific — the CEDIA Academy represents a huge
CEDIA chairman of the board. step forward in our online curriculum and every course
CEDIASTRONG Scholarship grants will cover CEDIA and module has been developed with an eye towards
Academy and Bootcamp tuition fees as well as supplemental expanding opportunities for professional advancement
expenses for certification testing and travel. CEDIA will begin and building career pathways. CEDIA Academy offers both
awarding scholarships in 2021. technical and business focused courses for integrators at a
Tabatha O’Connor, CEDIA CEO, tells CE Pro,“Training and variety of career levels.”
travel can be $2,000 to $3,000 all told, which is a lot of mon- CEDIA Academy has been built in tandem with im-
ey for many people. The scholarship grants will not just be provements to the CEDIA certification program, and with
awarded to one person but to multiple individuals.” industry standards in mind. By combining these important
She points out that the funds are not just for people new to areas, CEDIA is able to ensure that learners are equipped
the industry, but can also be doled out to existing technicians with effective exam preparation and ultimately professional
looking to enhance their certifications. accreditation.
The association’s partner in the CEDIA Expo, Emerald, has The CEDIA Strong Scholarship Fund is an important
teamed with CEDIA to help promote the establishment of capstone to the overall CEDIASTRONG campaign that the
CEDIASTRONG Scholarship Fund. The CE Pro All Star Band association implemented on a global scale earlier this year
will perform a virtual benefit concert as part of CEDIA Expo in response to the COVID pandemic. Throughout the past
Virtual to help encourage donations to the fund. Additionally, several months, CEDIASTRONG has been a rallying cry for the
industry, bolstered by virtual events, roundtable discussions
and webinars to empower dealers with new tools to help
DONATE TODAY! them build skills and their businesses. To date, thousands of
members have participated in CEDIASTRONG events and
accessed CEDIASTRONG resources.
cedia.net/cediastrong Companies and individuals can made donations at
cedia.net/cediastrong.
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 15Integrators Highlight Top 10 Design-Friendly Tech Solutions
In their CEDIA Expo Virtual Design + Connection presentation, integrators Jamie Briesemeister
and Ed Gilmore cite hidden AV, window treatments, lighting effects and much more.
IT WASN’T QUITE a David Letterman top 10 list, but as part
of the CEDIA Expo Virtual Design + Connection education
track, the Design UnCut session, “Home Tech Top 10:
Products Designers Need to Know,” delivered some serious
technology ideas for the designer channel.
Hosted by Veronika Miller, founder of Modenus Media, and
Katye McGregor Bennett of PR agency KMB Communications,
the presentation featured panelists Jamie Briesemeister, CEO
and sales & marketing director at Integration Controls, Ed
Gilmore, owner of Gilmore’s Sound Advice, as well as Brad
Hintze, senior director of product marketing at Control4.
The session built upon momentum from the past two
CEDIA Expos, in which Design + Connection booth tours
gave invited interior designers a better understanding of
products “to help make projects better” in a common goal,
says Miller, one of those designers who had taken part. Jamie Briesemeister of Integration Controls discussed
Briesemeister and Gilmore shared five products/applica- “purpose-built TVs” and concealment options among her
tions apiece. selections that blend design and technology.
She began with Samsung’s Serif QLED, which like
Samsung’s The Frame works as art. It goes to her subject of spite designers’ pushback on not wanting to see a wireless
“purpose-built” displays, which also include mirror TVs from access point, he adds one answer is WhyReboot’s Para-
brands like Seura, and applications like pop-up lifts that can mount solution to hide WAPs.
hide displays (and integrate with automation systems). To piggyback on invisible speakers and “hiding in plain
“It’s critical to be involved early so we have the carpentry sight”, Gilmore mentioned small-aperture loudspeakers.
in the right spot, the wiring in the right spot,” she notes. “You don’t even know it’s there,” he says, citing James Loud-
Window treatments like shades and drapes is a category speaker projects. “These give us a distinct advantage when
that Briesemeister says most designers don’t realize they a client is looking for a high-performance solution.”
can automate. She mentions custom Roman shades from For creating a customized, stunning, immersive art experi-
Hartmann & Forbes that her company pairs with Lutron. ence, Gilmore showed a direct-view LED solution to install
Linear light LEDs, dimming drivers and controls represents “light walls” for customers, noting U.K. company Light-
another category that works well with careful coordination be- works. He adds Barco Residential’s digital art canvases from
tween integrators and designers for a great outcome, she says. projection too, in which the integrator can conceal the unit.
To help designers get rid of “wall acne,” Briesemeister Gilmore’s Sound Advice showroom provided another
points to remote thermostat sensors that will yield fewer wall illustration for hiding technology, he showed, via fabric to
devices and “timeless design options.” A system like Control4 conceal high-performance audio. “We want designers to
will give owners an app to control heating/cooling. understand fabric can be your friend,” he says.
For audio, she enthused about invisible loudspeakers and An exciting trend Gilmore points to is wellness, and in par-
presented designers a sense of the behind-the-scenes work ticular human-centric lighting for all our time spent indoors …
integrators do to implement them. The end result being but it all needs to be controlled and planned, he notes.
owners don’t see a thing, and it allows for painted, wallpa- “Focus on lifestyle, not necessarily pieces of technology,”
pered, plastered or even leather finishes. Hintze tells designers working with integrators. As a bonus
Gilmore started by discussing the network, which now technology, he adds the importance of a variety of interfac-
might need to handle 100-150 devices in a large home. De- es required to control a smart home. —Arlen Schweiger
16 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comCourse Lays Foundation for Conference Room Installs
‘Introduction to Conference Room and Presentation Technologies’ session at
CEDIA Expo Virtual breaks down design concepts and recommended equipment.
AS THE LINES CONTINUE to blur between the residential and
commercial electronics industry, CEDIA is providing its mem-
bers with the education necessary to compete in both markets.
Kicking off day 2 of the CEDIA Expo Virtual 2020 event, Ste-
ven Rissi, director of technical training, CEDIA, led the trade
group’s “Introduction to Conference Room and Presentation
Technologies” session.
Over the course of his 50-minute presentation, Rissi
outlined the most common types of conferencing spaces
integrators will see in business environments, as well as the
technologies that support users’ collaboration efforts.
“You can share computer screens, audio, video such as Integrators can implement an all-in-one type of solution like
what we are doing today on Zoom … then there’s video and Crestron’s Mercury to streamline system configuration.
audio capture devices, and there’s a lot that goes on in confer-
ence rooms with live capture.” from Blue Jeans, Microsoft Teams and Zoom (Ring Central).
Boiling down the collaboration market to four basic types Rissi recommended that integrators work with the IT
of rooms, Rissi says the starting point is huddle spaces (one to departments of its corporate clients to maximize the full capa-
four seats), then moving up in size there are small conference bilities of these solutions.
room (four to 10 seats). He adds that integrators can think Another recommendation he made is to make sure the
about how huddle spaces work and can apply those concepts hardware solution works with web-based products. Having
to a home environment to help support clients’ work from an understanding of bridging functions and solutions, he
home (WFH) aspirations. notes, will help ensure the connection.
As the spaces get bigger, Rissi says integrators will see board- Rissi says all-in-one systems such as Crestron Mercury,
rooms (10 to 30 seats), and training rooms (20 to 50+ seats). Polycom Studio, Harman AMX Ascendo, and Vaddio Hud-
“The user experience in a business environment is different dleStation allow for streamlined systems that bundle in a lot of
than a residential environment. There is a lot of turnover — the most frequently used collaboration functions. These make
change [with new employees using the systems] — so it has system configuration easier for integrators, and make usage
to be exponentially easier to use. Keep them as intuitive as more approachable for end users.
possible,” Rissi stresses. “You will commonly see these in huddle spaces, because it
“You want to keep these interfaces as simple as possible. It is a quick, all-in-one connection.” Users must know where to
is really important to strip down the interface and make it as go to select the right hardware,” says Rissi.
simple as possible.” “I think people are getting better at knowing where these
Rissi cites microphones, speakers, displays, cameras and settings are, but you have to check to see if you are using the
presentation systems as some of the most frequently used right camera and microphone.”
equipment integrators will utilize. Rissi touched upon various display solutions integrators will
As these spaces get bigger, the types and amounts of use and AVIXA’s PISCR standard that provides guidance.
microphones will range from wired and wireless products, Additionally, he addressed camera types, including web
to handheld and ceiling microphone array solutions, for cams and pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, before discussing
instance. audio processing, which he emphasized as an extremely
In corporate settings, Rissi cautioned integrators to be important part of a conferencing system.
aware of hardware-based systems with encoding and Circling back to one of his main points of system design,
decoding technologies. Popular hardware solutions include Rissi reiterated the user interface must be as intuitive as possi-
products from Cisco, Zoom, Lifesize, and soft ware products ble. —Robert Archer
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 17Video Experts Troubleshoot HDMI 2.1,
Discuss Impact of Latest Gaming Consoles
Joel Silver and Matt Murray offered a wealth of insights during the pair’s ‘Ask the Expert:
Video Performance and Distribution’ CEDIA Expo Virtual session.
IT’S NO SECRET THAT with new technology comes new
headaches for manufacturers and integrators alike. While
HDMI 2.1 supports dynamic HDR and 48G bandwidth, inte-
grators have started to notice some complications.
CEDIA Expo Virtual welcomed Joel Silver, CEO and lead
developer, Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), and Matt
Murray, CTO at AVPro Global Holdings, to take aim at
attendees’ burning questions in their “Ask the Expert: Video
Performance and Distribution” session.
The panel got off to a quick start with a question about (Left to right) Matt
most common HDMI pain points. Murray and Joel Silver
Silver referenced some feedback the ISF has received: addressed topics such
“[One] of the things we came up with [via] feedback from as lip-sync issues, high
hundreds of dealers: You need to be able to stop the blood- frame rates and gaming.
shed of having to go back to homes and figure out what’s
going wrong.” gory to not only embrace but deliver 120 FPS video over 4K
He suggests integrators change every screen in a house consistently. The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were slated
to support 4K HDR, but concedes this is often not the easi- to debut 8K and 120 FPS content to the wider commercial
est solution to pitch clients. audience, Silver notes. Due to COVID-19 delaying the
“You’ve got to optimize the source, but you’ve also got games until 2021, consoles like the upcoming Xbox Series X
to manage the output of the distribution system. That may and PlayStation 5 are about to break the mainstream barrier
mean you’re downscaling to different TVs that may not han- of entry for people worldwide.
dle 4K and HDR or Dolby Vision,” suggested Murray. “It’s an interesting psychological thing. Everyone assumes
Another attendee piggybacked off of the HDMI question high frame rate is being pushed by the gaming community
to ask about troubles with lip-sync functions not staying to be able to see things in a more realistic type environment,
tight on multiple displays in a home, which both Silver and but it really boils down to efficiency and processing so that
Murray admitted is a hard thing to truly fix in the short-term. the gaming experience gets better. When you press a but-
“We’re seeing video appear before audio by wide ton and it happens in real-time is where we’re trying to get
margins and that’s a difficult thing to address. My compa- to,” said Murray. “The high frame rate dramatically decreas-
ny is currently working on products that have audio delay es latency. We’re seeing 120 frame rate measured latency
adjustments,” said Murray. from the time signal is generated to the image coming to the
“I can give you a couple of tips to deal with this right now. TV at 20ms, where 100ms or more is normal.”
One thing you can do with EDID [Extended Display Identifi- Thanks to a savvy follow-up question, Silver took some time
cation Data] is you can prevent some of the high, strenuous to offer advice to integrators looking to build gaming rooms
codecs from coming into the system, so there are some or sell video systems around these next-gen consoles.
tricks you can do there to keep the customer happy and get “Make them big, make them immersive audio, make
the lip-sync on and get you going.” them dark, and have some fun! When you’re looking at a
Silver added: “The 2.1 system includes ALS [auto lip-sync] good [racing] wheel and some good pedals on a screen
that will resolve this in the long-term. It will be resolved by that gives you 1.5 picture heights’ worth of size, this is
design, which is spectacular and very much needed.” immersive audio and immersive video. [As for] building
Another major area of focus was the future of 120 FPS rooms around them? As I get younger clients, gaming
video, and how gaming is poised to become the first cate- systems are universal.” —Andrew Nichols
18 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comEXHIBITOR HIGHLIGHTS
Arlington Extra Deep UV-Rated Enclosure Box Access Networks Wi-Fi 6 Lineup
Protects Devices Access Networks, an enterprise-grade networking solutions
Arlington’s new 12 x 12 x 6-inch deep non-metallic gray or provider, is showcasing a pair of additions to its Wi-Fi 6
black enclosure boxes meet NEMA 3R requirements for lineup: the Ruckus R550 and R850 wireless access points.
outdoor use. These heavy-duty, UV-rated boxes come with The new models elevate Wi-Fi performance from ‘gigabit’ to
or without a back plate, for easy mounting and access to ‘multi-gigabit’ Wi-Fi to support the demand for faster wire-
components even after the enclosure box is installed. less home networking. The availability of Wi-Fi 6 certified
The company says the products are available in a variety access point options allows integrators to choose a Wi-Fi 6
of convenient sizes, including the new EB12126, 12 x 12 x solution that best fits their customers’ home and lifestyle.
6-inch depth enclosure box (with backplate, EB12126BP). The R850 is designed for large homes with high Internet
Arlington adds that enclosure boxes are ‘lockable’ via a traffic. The R550 supports homes and Wi-Fi demands of
knockout for a cam lock (EBL1, sold separately) or a padlock smaller scope, while the company’s existing A750 caters to
latch. aifittings.com mid-range applications. accessnetworks.com
Modus VR Design Software Updates Sony VPL-VW915ES Projector
Asserting that virtual reality design soft ware is now an The VPL-VW915ES replaces the VPL-VW885ES projector,
essential part of the post-COVID residential and commercial and it includes Sony’s X1 for projector processing technol-
installation industry, VR specialist Modus VR announced ogies. The laser-based 4K with HDR projector features the
that it will unveil a major new product and a host of platform company’s Dynamic HDR Enhancer technology that Sony
updates at 2020 CEDIA Expo Virtual. says analyzes images scene-by-scene to deliver detailed lev-
The company will introduce and demonstrate Modus Pho- els of higher contrast content when viewing High Dynamic
to, a companion application to Modus VR that helps dealers Range content.
instantly create beautiful project images, in resolutions The projector also incorporates Sony’s Digital Focus
up to 8K; updated tools for editing floor plans and rapidly Optimizer technology that improves focus level by compen-
generating line drawings; and new design assistants for pro- sating for the optical degradation of the lens. Additionally,
jector placement, reverberation and Dolby Atmos speaker the VPL-VW915ES includes the company’s Reality Creation
placement. modusvr.com technology — Reality Creation analyzes each scene within a
video to add detail and texture. Sony says the technology is
capable of upscaling 2K content to 4K. sony.com
cediaexpo.com CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily 19EXHIBITOR HIGHLIGHTS
Vanco Beale Street Audio MBPS-65 & BPS-80 D-Tools Cloud System Integrator (SI)
Subwoofers Compatibility, New Capabilities
Vanco International is now shipping its new in-room pow- D-Tools has completed a direct integration between the
ered subwoofers from its Beale Street Audio brand. The multi-OS, mobile-friendly, web-based D-Tools Cloud, and
BPS-65 and BPS-80 subwoofers are designed to deliver its on-premises flagship solution, System Integrator (SI).
deep, articulate bass to even the most constricted spaces The company also detailed new capabilities for the Cloud
as a result of Beale Street Audio’s patented Sonic Vortex platform.
technology, the company says. Now, the company says, salespeople can leverage
Engineered with solid wood cabinets wrapped in a black D-Tools’ intuitive, next-gen, sales opportunity manage-
matte finish, the Beale Street Audio in-room subwoofers ment and estimating platform, while downstream users
provide compact footprints to help them blend into a range responsible for project fulfillment continue to rely on the
of home environments. soft ware for system engineering, project management and
A black cloth magnetic grill conceals rigid Kevlar woofers ongoing service.
(6.5-inch for the BPS-65 and 8-inch for the BPS-80), plus Meanwhile, new capabilities to D-Tools Cloud help better
butyl rubber surrounds that provide deep, tight bass for streamline the sales process and close business for system
balanced sound. vanco1.com integrators, including visual quoting. d-tools.com
Chief K1D Series Monitor Arm Mounts Crestron HomeTime Collaboration Solution
Chief says the enhanced K1D Dynamic Height-Adjustable Leveraging the company’s heritage in enterprise workplace
Desk Clamp Mounts are ideal monitor mount solutions for technology, Crestron recently announced Crestron Home-
the home. Time in collaboration with Logitech and Zoom to deliver
The Legrand AV brand has made several enhancements an at-home video conferencing, home control, and unified
to its patented Centris Extreme Tilt technology for effortless communications (UC) experience.
fingertip monitor positioning. The products’ enhanced, Crestron emphasizes that HomeTime is a unification of the
three-step installation and quick-release monitor interface Logitech MeetUp conference camera with the Crestron UC
allows for easy mounting and maintenance, with included Engine that seamlessly integrates with Crestron control to
tool storage in the updated base. deliver a customized Zoom Rooms experience.
The monitor mounts float displays in the optimal ergo- Crestron HomeTime is a complete HD video and audio
nomic position above users’ work surface to create a more conferencing system with the size and scale to handle UC
productive and comfortable workspace. legrandav.com/ in any room. Crestron allows users to host and join Zoom
en/products/chief meetings without a laptop while providing the simplicity of
one-touch join from a Crestron remote or app. crestron.com
20 CEDIA EXPO Virtual Daily cediaexpo.comYou can also read
