HiddenWires newsletter

The HiddenWires newsletter is a free service designed to keep you up-to-date with custom installed home automation and home entertainment news, as well as developments at HiddenWires.co.uk.

If you are a subscriber, we will deliver a shortened version of this service to you every month - unless there is some major news we think you should know about sooner.

Subscription is free - to sign up click here.

Europe's leading residential technology trade magazine
Newsletter - 6 May 2008 - Power & Wiring
The past month has seen us travel west to Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention and then east to Dubai for PALME Install. At the NAB Convention broadcasters were presented with many IPTV management and delivery solutions, plus a growing move to 1080p infrastructure, and 3D productions. All trends which are having, and will continue to have, an impact on the home entertainment market. At PALME Install, it was again the scale of the projects in the Middle East, rather than new product launches, that left an impression on us. However, staying on the theme of 3D, the more relaxed nature of PALME Install gave us the opportunity to take a look at the Philips 3D Solutions display. Currently available for commercial applications, a consumer version will be available within three years and the short presentations were very impressive. We also had the opportunity to visit e-Home Automation's show house in Dubai, which is being used to demonstrate its own automation hardware and software, integrated with the Opus multiroom system. The e-Home system is specifically designed for the Middle East with support for Arabic and features such as Call to Prayer, but it was the voice-activated 'Valerie' control, full two-way communication so that all controllers immediately displayed the correct state, and touches such as occupancy lighting, that made this example of a smart home stand out. High-definition TV in the UK gets a boost today with the launch of Freesat. Freesat is a free digital satellite television service and a joint venture between the BBC and ITV. Freesat will reach 98% of households in the UK, and launches with over 80 free digital channels, plus high-definition services from BBC HD, with ITV HD launching exclusively on Freesat soon. Freesat has three different types of receiver: a standard-definition box, an HD box and an HD integrated digital TV with Freesat built-in (IDTV). Boxes are made by Goodmans, Bush, Grundig and Humax. The IDTV is made by Panasonic and will be available in June. Alba and Humax digital television recorders will also be available later this summer. Our feature this month is Power & Wiring, and is sponsored by Russ Andrews Accessories. We have three articles covering Kimber mains wiring and the Russ Andrews balanced mains unit, an industry opinion piece on the current challenges of structured wiring and power systems, and a whitepaper that demystifies HDMI. In addition, we have a case study of how the KNX building control system was used in a large private residence in Surrey. Finally we'd like to welcome A+K as a Gold sponsor and SCP as a category sponsor.
Articles Feature: Power and wiring Sponsor: Russ Andrews Accessories Russ Andrews Accessories designs, manufactures and sells products which uniquely improve the performance of your hi-fi and home cinema system. Product Article: Kimber Mains Wiring and Russ Andrews Balanced Mains Unit - the Ultimate Mains Supply By Russ Andrews, Russ Andrews Accessories (1/5/2008) Whitepaper: HDMI demystified By Xiaozheng Lu, AudioQuest (1/5/2008) Industry Opinion - Structured Wiring and Power Systems By Yasmin Hashmi, HiddenWires (5/5/2008) [go to articles page]  News Sponsor: FLATLIFT TV Lift Systeme Solutions to hide or integrate your AV equipment into furniture, cabinets, partition walls or suspended ceilings in hotels, yachts, houses, aircrafts or motorhomes. Priority news: FLATLIFT TV Lift Systeme announces the FLATLIFT Slimline TV ceiling lift (1/5/2008) Don't miss out - buy your CEDIA Awards tickets now! (27/3/2008) dnp denmark debuts new Supernova Flex Control System at High End 2008 in Munich (2/4/2008) Chief Introduces Thinnest Flat Panel TV Mount (8/4/2008) The Pleasure Home announces Middle East office (21/4/2008) Weibel Lift launches the new MINI Projector lift at PALME Middle East (25/4/2008) Comm-Tec Announces Proactive and Interactive Pro-Connect System (1/5/2008) Other news: CEA Study: Automated Lighting Control Second-Fastest Growing Home Technology Since 2002 (6/5/2008) Professional Computing Association supports CONTECH 2009 (6/5/2008) D-Tools Expands into Security Market (1/5/2008) NuVo Introduces New 500 GB Music Server (28/4/2008) ISE changes RAI hall layout for 2009 event (28/4/2008) BMB Introduces the KP-900 '100% Wireless' Keypad Remote Control from URC (22/4/2008) Gfk: 10% growth expected in UK Projector market (16/4/2008) GE Security Launches SmartCommand Advanced Technology Home Automation Control Center (14/4/2008) EnOcean Alliance Founded to Standardise Wireless Sensor Systems (10/4/2008) New SpeakerCraft Cinema Subwoofers Go In-Wall (8/4/2008) For the rest of this edition's news click here, for categorised news click here. [go to news page]  Case studies KNX Products Control Mallards - a Large Private Residence (1/5/2008) [go to case studies page]  Training Ivory Egg offers KNX Training Courses in 2008 [go to training page]  Recruitment Opus Technologies seeks CI Sales Executive for North of England, Scotland and Wales Unity Audio seeks UK Sales Executive for hi-fi range of speakers Neo seeks ambitious and experienced individual as General Manager Dynalite Europe wants an experienced Field Service Engineer Dynalite Europe wants a motivated, customer-focused Customer Services Technician Dynalite Europe wants an Area Sales Manager for Architectural Lighting Control in London and the Home Counties Libra Solutions wants an enthusiastic, self motivated Project Engineer [go to recruitment page]  Books etc Save up to 30% on the titles in our book store: Next Generation IPTV Services and Technologies Installationsbus EIB Twisted Pair Technologies for Home Automation Creating a Digital Home Entertainment System with Windows Media Center Home Automation CD-ROM HDTV for Dummies [go to books page]		Weibel's patented precision projector lift overcomes all of the problems normally associated with traditional scissor projector lifts. Opus - a whole-house entertainment solution providing stunning quality music and video throughout the home. Extremely easy to install and service with an unrivalled dealer support programme. DMi D&M Installation - dedicated to sales and technical support within the custom install industry, supplying Escient, Marantz, Denon and Boston Acoustic products and support across the range. SpeakerCraft's European logistics unit gives distributors the added benefit of seeing their orders shipped quickly and efficiently throughout Europe, without the normal hassles involved with importing products. Monitor Audio loudspeakers represent the epitome of British design and quality, demonstrating Monitor Audio's devotion to music and film sound reproduction. Dynalite Europe supplies technology solutions for lighting control and home automation applications. Dynalite's distributed intelligence system is equally suited to large and small installations. A+K Home brings the home cinema experience to life, distributing Stewart Filmscreen, Furman power conditioning and a range of brackets and stands from SMS. HiddenWires-supported events: CONNECTIONS Europe Summit Series 19 May 2008 Palais de la Mediterranée, Nice, France 29 August 2008 Berlon, Germany PALM & Install China 2008 29 May - 1 June 2008 China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, China Kyiv Smart House & Building 10-12 June 2008 Kyiv, Ukraine Infocomm 18-20 June 2008 Las Vegas Convention Center, USA CEDIA Europe Expo 23-26 june 2008 ExCel, London CONNECTIONS: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase 24-26 June 2008 Santa Clara Convention Center, USA PALME & Install Asia 2008 8-10 July 2008 Suntec Singapore, Singapore [go to events page]

This edition's news in full:

Freesat, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, launches today (6/5/2008)

CEA Study: Automated Lighting Control Second-Fastest Growing Home Technology Since 2002 (6/5/2008)

Datacolor launches Spyder3TV display calibration device (6/5/2008)

Professional Computing Association supports CONTECH 2009 (6/5/2008)

ELAN's New VIA!TOOLS Setup Software Delivers Dealer-Requested Features (6/5/2008)

Peerless announces Next-Generation SmartMount 600 Series of flat and tilt wall mounts (6/5/2008)

D-Tools Expands into Security Market (1/5/2008)

Belden offers advanced products for building markets (1/5/2008)

IsoTek introduces Sirius mains conditioning power strip for audio systems (1/5/2008)

Comm-Tec Announces Proactive and Interactive Pro-Connect System (1/5/2008)

FLATLIFT TV Lift Systeme announces the FLATLIFT Slimline TV ceiling lift (1/5/2008)

Draper Offers new Lift for Flat Panel Displays (30/4/2008)

Life|ware User Interface Now Available on RTI Intelligent Remotes (30/4/2008)

Sony enhances its 'invisible home cinema' range with RHT-G900 and G1500 models (30/4/2008)

Sony introduces BRAVIA W4000-Series LCD TV (30/4/2008)

Olive unveils new whole home audio solution (30/4/2008)

NuVo Introduces New 500 GB Music Server (28/4/2008)

In-Stat Reports Consumer Electronics Market to Continue Expansion Through 2011 (28/4/2008)

Naim launches HDX Hard Disk Audio Player (28/4/2008)

ISE changes RAI hall layout for 2009 event (28/4/2008)

CES/hometech to showcase emerging technology changing the audio landscape (28/4/2008)

Niko announces new Daylight Control System (25/4/2008)

Weibel Lift launches the new MINI Projector lift at PALME Middle East (25/4/2008)

NTI launches the Digirator DR2 digital audio signal generator (25/4/2008)

Opus announces addition of new sales executive (25/4/2008)

Strategy Analytics: As Format War Ends, 29 Million Blu-ray Homes Expected This Year (25/4/2008)

Russ Andrews adds SP-1 loudspeaker to compact component series (23/4/2008)

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Offers BD-LIVE Software Upgrade For Every PLAYSTATION3 Console (23/4/2008)

ABI Research: Networking Connections Go from Nice-To-Have to Necessary in Consumer Electronics (23/4/2008)

The Diffusion Group: Home Networks Diffusion to Top 1 Billion by 2030, Penetrating Eight of Ten Global Broadband Households (23/4/2008)

RGPC ships Whole-Home 11-Kilowatt Powervault (23/4/2008)

Zensys Announces Strategic Investment Led by Panasonic's Venture Group (22/4/2008)

ABI Research: 25 Million Home Theater PCs Installed Worldwide by 2013 (22/4/2008)

Symmetry announces Thiel's PowerPoint speakers that look good in every room (22/4/2008)

Ethernet Alliance Announces Creation of IEEE P802.3at/Draft 3.0 (22/4/2008)

BMB Introduces the KP-900 '100% Wireless' Keypad Remote Control from URC (22/4/2008)

Tributaries Adds an HDMI over Cat5 Solution To Its Growing Hi-Def Electronics Line (21/4/2008)

SI Introduces Black Diamond Projector Screen with More than Triple the Contrast in Both 'Dark' and 'Bright' Environments (21/4/2008)

DisplaySearch Topical Report Reveals Changing Relationships Among Panel Suppliers and Brands and Their Impact on TV Industry Dynamics (21/4/2008)

Inaugural CONNECTIONS Europe Summit to Address Connected Home Strategies for Service Providers, CE Vendors (21/4/2008)

The Pleasure Home announces Middle East office (21/4/2008)

Meridian Audio and Muse Investment Group enter into financial and branding alliance (16/4/2008)

Monsoon Multimedia Announces HAVA TV Place-Shifting for the Nokia Internet Tablet (16/4/2008)

Gfk: 10% growth expected in UK Projector market (16/4/2008)

Positive signals for UK Consumer Electronics market in 2008 (16/4/2008)

Technical Consumer Equipment market experiencing healthy growth (16/4/2008)

ELAN N800 Handheld Wireless Touch Controller Now iPod and ELAN VIA!dj Enabled (14/4/2008)

True Colours Distribution launches high-end projector business (14/4/2008)

Midwich launches new Hi-Technology division (14/4/2008)

Systemline launches updated keypads (14/4/2008)

GE Security Launches SmartCommand Advanced Technology Home Automation Control Center (14/4/2008)

SpeakerCraft Invents iPhone/iPod Touch Compatible Multi-room Control Interface (10/4/2008)

EnOcean Alliance Founded to Standardise Wireless Sensor Systems (10/4/2008)

AMX Opens Showroom in New York City to Showcase Advanced Product Capabilities (10/4/2008)

Echelon and Leading Controls Companies Showcase Energy Saving Applications (10/4/2008)

CONNECTIONS Focuses On Digital Entertainment, Customer Support, Device Management, and Distribution Solutions (10/4/2008)

Somfy Extends Integration Capability With Universal RTS Interface II (9/4/2008)

Somfy Introduces ILT2 Motor and IP Interface for Control of Automated Window Coverings and Projection Screens (9/4/2008)

Meridian Readies MF10 HD Projector (9/4/2008)

Sharp launches AQUOS D44E series of LCD TVs (9/4/2008)

Niveus Media unveils 4TB model of its Storage Server (9/4/2008)

More choice and new services on digital terrestrial TV: High-definition services to be available free-to-air (8/4/2008)

New SpeakerCraft Cinema Subwoofers Go In-Wall (8/4/2008)

SpeakerCraft Expands AIM Series with NEAT Offering (8/4/2008)

NuVo technologies thinks 'green' with New NV-T2SIR Tuner (8/4/2008)

Chief Introduces Thinnest Flat Panel TV Mount (8/4/2008)

[top]