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Europe's leading
residential technology trade magazine |
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Newsletter - 4 December 2008 - Audio |
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With the UK and USA officially in recession, CEA and Messe Frankfurt cancelling the Dubai-based International CES/Hometech 2009 show, UK high street retailers Woolworths and MFI in administration and even online retailers such as 247 Electrical shutting up shop, can we bring you any good news this month?
We'll certainly try! A quick look through our news for the past few weeks shows plenty of new products and opportunities. DTS opened a European office in Ireland, and AMX opened an office in the heart of London with an impressive full-time training centre and state-of-the-art showroom and demonstration boardroom. Loewe launched a new retail strategy with its Galerie concept including dedicated stores in London and Glasgow, and a stunning new concession in Selfridges London. At the opening party, Frieder Löhrer, CEO of Loewe AG, told us that his antidote to the recession was to smile - not a bad tip for retailers - and the display in Selfridges certainly made you do just that. We're also still getting good news from installers, including Sistems Solutions, an installer with a UK and UAE client base, which has expanded into new headquarters in South West London and is developing a fully interactive showroom.
While these individual initiatives remind us that there is still business to be done, a lesson we learnt from the dotcom crash, is that a downturn can be a catalyst for significant change in an industry. Given that the majority of new build in the near future is going to be Government funded and social housing, now is the time to see how our industry's products and services can be applied to this part of the market. A new report 'Smart Home Systems and the Code for Sustainable Homes' from ibexcellence is a step in the right direction. It aims to open up a dialogue between government and industry about incorporating smart home systems into mainstream practice, and to address the fact that the 'Code for Sustainable Homes', a mandatory rating for new homes in the UK, does not currently include any reference to smart home systems. The report will be open for consultation until 30th January 2009.
Another significant announcement came from Nokia about the development of its Home Control Center. Nokia intends this to be the basis for next generation security, smart home solutions and household energy management systems, and as an open platform it will allow third parties to integrate their own smart home solutions and services. This announcement has received a lot of coverage in the technology press, and while some might see it as a threat, this type of development potentially expands the industry for all those open to change.
Still on the subject of good news, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) promises to be an upbeat event. As well as a dedicated ISE 2009 news section available now, HiddenWires will publish a print supplement to cover the event. If you are exhibiting, please contact us to make sure you are included. Staying with ISE, HiddenWires is again supporting the InAVation Awards and voting for the Technology Awards is now open online so make sure you have your say. All valid votes registered before 21st December 2008 will also be entered into a prize draw.
Our feature this month is Audio, and is sponsored by RBH Sound. We have five articles covering bass management, using digital technology in loudspeakers and room acoustics, speakers and acoustic treatment for CI, adding value to home cinema audio, and CD ripping services. In addition, the Going Green article introduces a report by the Green Alliance entitled 'Teaching homes to be green - smart homes and the environment', our guest commentary by Kevin Reinis of NetStreams takes a look at finding gems in a down market, plus we have ten seasonal tips for installers.
Finally we'd like to welcome DMi as a new Gold sponsor and Smart-e as a new Silver sponsor, and to thank WeibelLift, Opus Technologies and Rako Controls for renewing their sponsorships. We are only able to offer free access to all of the HiddenWires resources thanks to the support of our sponsors and advertisers - so please take a look at what they have to offer. |
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With over 30 years of proven product and service excellence, Chief designs state-of-the-art mounting solutions that answer all flat panel and projector installation needs. |
The Imerge MS1 is the result of over 10 years of mediaserver development experience, and sets new benchmarks against which all others will be measured. |
Weibel's
patented precision projector lift overcomes all of the
problems normally associated with traditional scissor
projector lifts. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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HiddenWires current sponsors
Platinum: Weibel
Lift, Chief Manufacturing, Imerge
Gold: Speakercraft,
Monitor
Audio, A+K, DMi D&M Installation
Silver: BMB, Dynalite
Europe, Elan Systems (UK), Furman,
Genelec, NuVo Technologies,
Opus
Technologies, Rako
Controls
Category: Amina Technologies, Cytech
Europe, D-Tools, Flatlift TV Lift Systeme, Ingenium, KEF, SCP, Sharp, The
Pleasure Home
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This edition's news in full:
Helvar shows eight channel inductive 458 Dimmer (4/12/2008)
BTX Technologies
shows EXPAND-ON Sleeving Applicator (4/12/2008)
Canford Shows New Interconnects, Adapters and Panels
(4/12/2008)
Aquavision launches S4 HD 40" Full HD Waterproof TV
(4/12/2008)
Smart-e showcases SmartMIX analogue and HDMI matrix with IP control
(4/12/2008)
CEDIA educates at ISE 2009
(4/12/2008)
Crestron will be unveiling a range of new products at ISE 2009
(4/12/2008)
D-Tools and DYMO Industrial Provide Integrated Wire Label Solution (2/12/2008)
Boston Acoustics unveils VS Series of loudspeakers (2/12/2008)
Picture House Launches New Slimline Montana Plasma TV Fireplace (2/12/2008)
Good Spread of Visitors at InfoComm Asia 2008 (2/12/2008)
InAVation Awards '09 announces Technology Finalists and opens voting (2/12/2008)
Nokia develops smart home platform providing home control with a mobile device (1/12/2008)
Loewe launches its new Galerie concept (1/12/2008)
Ibexcellence report looks at Smart Home Systems and the Code for Sustainable Homes (1/12/2008)
Panasonic launches two full-high definition home cinema Plasma Displays (1/12/2008)
Chief Introduces Thinnest Universal Tilt Wall Mount (1/12/2008)
DTS Inc Opens New European Headquarters (1/12/2008)
EnOcean launches Dolphin platform for wireless sensor networks (28/11/2008)
New ISO 18938:2008 standard gives recommendations for care of optical discs (28/11/2008)
Meridian Introduces DSP7200HC Horizontal Centre-Channel Loudspeaker (28/11/2008)
NAD Introduces Blu-ray Disc Player with BD Live for Internet Connectivity (28/11/2008)
Vutec
introduces Vision-X Dyna-Curve high-gain curved screens for home theatre (28/11/2008)
Dynalite shows off integration at ISE 2009 (28/11/2008)
Dynalite launches DDFCUC fan coil unit controller (28/11/2008)
Dynalite showcases DDMC802GL all-purpose controller (28/11/2008)
Future Automation showcases latest lift and mounting solutions (28/11/2008)
VIOSO shows 'smartprojecting easy' software allowing projection without a white screen (28/11/2008)
Rako Controls shows new RAH-Smart handset with colour OLED display (28/11/2008)
NuVo Technologies introduces Music Port allowing PC integration with its multiroom audio systems (28/11/2008)
NuVo Technologies introduces wireless control pad for its Grand Concerto and Essentia E6G multiroom audio systems (28/11/2008)
Runco adds VX-8 to its VideoXtreme projector line (28/11/2008)
Runco launches CineWall CW-95HD in-wall display featuring CineWide (28/11/2008)
Runco unveils six new large screen flat panels and OPAL image enhancement technology (28/11/2008)
Smart-e
announces new SmartCore matrix system (28/11/2008)
Chief debuts over 20 new mounting solutions at ISE 2009
(28/11/2008)
AWE introduces Imerge's MS1 Media controller and the XiVASafe hard drive storage solutions to its range (27/11/2008)
Crestron makes TPS-6X Touchpanel available in white (27/11/2008)
Omron Enters Mass Production of the SX51 Optical Module for HDMI Over Fiber (27/11/2008)
JVC and Sensio Partner in Development of High-End 3D Consumer Projection System (27/11/2008)
AMX opens London showroom and office (27/11/2008)
Freescale and Samsung Electronics Announce Collaboration on LED Display Technology (26/11/2008)
Optimum launches new range of AV cabinets with a walnut wood finish (26/11/2008)
Vity launches new range of Tactum MPX touch panels (26/11/2008)
BidMagic unveils new project management/CRM solution for residential AV installers (26/11/2008)
BidMagic shows Mobile Connect for installation and service technicians (26/11/2008)
BMB launches ReQuest's Intelligent Media Client HD Video Solution in Europe
(25/11/2008)
Verdict Research: Video game spend surpasses music and video
(25/11/2008)
Russound Unveils Collage Multizone/Multisource Entertainment System based on PLC and AC Wiring
(25/11/2008)
MechoShade Home Systems Expands Control of Its Shading Products Through ZigBee Wireless Technology and the Internet
(25/11/2008)
Phase Technology Unveils New Quick Mount TwistLoc Mounting Design for CI Series VIII QM Speakers
(25/11/2008)
HAI Adds to Wireless Security Product Line with Vanishing Door/Window Mini Transmitter (21/11/2008)
Knoll Systems Adds New Green Multi Channel Amplifiers (21/11/2008)
Xantech Introduces Intelligent System Manager Designed to Keep Home Theater Systems Running (21/11/2008)
Xantech Introduces New DDS Audio System based on DIGI-5 technology (21/11/2008)
Samsung announces RFG299 French Door Refrigerator with 7" LCD Touch Screen (21/11/2008)
Armour wins In 'A-Bus' Patent dispute in UK High Court (20/11/2008)
CABA: 'Bright' Green Buildings Provide Significant Return on Investment (20/11/2008)
JVC Launches DE9 Series LCD TVs with Integrated 160GB HDD PVR (20/11/2008)
Russ Andrews introduces Clarity Pro mains enhancement product with coherence technology (20/11/2008)
Omnimount launches thin profile Slimback series
of flat panel fixed mounts (20/11/2008)
Pioneer Introduces Limited Edition Kuro Models In Two Colour Variants (19/11/2008)
Parks Associates: Digital Services and Systems Attract Renters and Buyers in an Ailing Economy (19/11/2008)
Auralex announces
acoustical Room Analysis programs (19/11/2008)
ABI Research: Consumer Network Attached Storage Market Growing, But Continues to Face Significant Challenges
(19/11/2008)
HomeGrid Forum and CABA Agree to Promote Development and Deployment of Advanced Intelligent Home Networks
(19/11/2008)
ELAN ships XP-8.4 Wi-Fi Touch Panel Ahead of Schedule (18/11/2008)
Denon adds DVD-3800BD reference Blu-ray player to line-up (18/11/2008)
Home Control & Energy Saving Conference shows high momentum for energy savings solutions based on home control automation (18/11/2008)
Leema Acoustics Updates Stream CD Player (18/11/2008)
Futuresource Consulting: 'Staycation' mentality will drive home entertainment sales despite downturn (18/11/2008)
Sharp unveils 108-inch LCD display panel (17/11/2008)
amBX Spins out From Philips and Paves the way to Become an Entertainment Standard (17/11/2008)
Armour launches amplified in-ceiling Part L speakers (17/11/2008)
Lennox Industries Unveils SunSource Integrated Solar-Assisted Residential Heating and Cooling System (17/11/2008)
InAVation Awards '09 call for project entries (17/11/2008)
Denon enhances existing A/V receiver line-up with Audyssey Dynamic Volume upgrade (14/11/2008)
CEA Issues First-Ever Industry Environmental Sustainability Report (14/11/2008)
SpeakerCraft Announces OG Speakers for Inconspicuous and Simplistic Outdoor On Ground Installation (14/11/2008)
Wireworld Introduces Composite Cable Technology with new Platinum Eclipse Interconnects (14/11/2008)
Optimum launches new range of
revolving TV stands (14/11/2008)
Artcoustic presents the SUPERSTAR iPod Music Centre - Sleek in design, powerful in sound (13/11/2008)
CEA Announces Innovations 2009 Award Honorees for Excellence in Product Design and Engineering (13/11/2008)
Ofcom awards broadcasters licences for HD programmes on Digital Terrestrial TV (13/11/2008)
Screen Research Announces New Masking and Design Upgrades (13/11/2008)
CONNECTIONS to focus on new opportunities and growth in broadband services, PC penetration, data networks, and new media (13/11/2008)
HAI Announces Pronto Link, a New ProntoScript Integration Module for the Philips TSU9800 (13/11/2008)
ISE announces 90% of space is sold for 2009 (11/11/2008)
Accenture Consumer Study Finds Strong Demand for Control and Networking of Digital Devices and Services (11/11/2008)
Media Décor announces the Firebox fire rated back box (11/11/2008)
Electrolux Announces Trilobite 2.0
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner (11/11/2008)
Integra Introduces A/V Receivers with Onboard ISFccc Video Calibration for All Sources
(11/11/2008)
Sonos Introduces the Sonos Controller for iPhone (7/11/2008)
NetStreams introduces TouchLinX TLA250 amplified touchpad (7/11/2008)
NetStreams introduces IP-based in-wall room controller/amplifier for StreamNet-ready speakers (7/11/2008)
On-Q/Legrand Unveils the Studio Collection, a series of products inspired by colour and design trends from around the world (7/11/2008)
Vutec announces
advancement for its SoundScreen
acoustically transparent screen fabric (7/11/2008)
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