HiddenWires ezine - 3 April 2006

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

We will deliver this service to you every month - unless there is some major news we think you should know about sooner.

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What's new?
Articles and Whitepapers @ HiddenWires
News @ HiddenWires
Books @ HiddenWires
HiddenWires-supported events

Combining sleek styling with award-winning sound and images, Meridian offers unique, fully integrated systems carrying pristine digital quality from the studio to the living room.

What's new?

We are delighted to have achieved another landmark - March 2006 saw traffic to HiddenWires reach 150,000 visitors. The exact figures were 150,463 visitors, 727,022 pages and 2,355,012 hits.

Part of our marketing effort is to sponsor relevant trade and consumer events. While there are plenty of consumer exhibitions for home entertainment and AV, there has been a sad lack of consumer events to show off the breadth of home technology. So we were pleased to sponsor the second Smart Home Show, billed as the UK's only consumer showcase for home technology, and congratulate the organisers for a vibrant and inspiring event. Run alongside the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC Birmingham at the beginning of March, the Smart Home Show attracted over 30,000 visitors. The 70 exhibitors included custom installers, as well as equipment suppliers, and together with the free seminars, the event offered visitors an excellent idea of what is now possible. The next event is the London Smart Home Show which will take place 22-24 September at ExCel.

March saw a flurry of high definition activity with Telewest launching Britain's first high definition TV service, followed by Sky confirming that Sky HD will begin in May 2006, and the BBC announcing that its World Cup coverage and major Wimbledon matches will be broadcast in high definition as part of its trial. Also with Toshiba debuting the world's first commercially available HD DVD player in Japan, the battle over the next generation storage format has started. However, with New Medium Enterprises announcing the commercial launch of its red laser Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD) high definition standard at CeBIT, maybe this won't be a straight HD DVD versus Blu-ray fight in some territories.

The resources at HiddenWires are free to use thanks to sponsorship and advertising, and we would like to welcome Genelec as a new sponsor.

Finally our feature this month is Multiroom and is sponsored by SimplySonos. We have six articles covering multiroom entertainment servers, the benefits of multiroom audio, IP-based multiroom AV, multiroom video over CAT5, and product articles for the Sonos multiroom system and Living Control.

Articles and Whitepapers @ HiddenWires

Feature: Multiroom Sponsor: SimplySonos The UK's leading and specialist Sonos authorised dealer. For expert advice call 0800-731-7308.

Product Article - The Sonos Multiroom System By Simon Lever, SimplySonos (1/4/2006)

Multiroom Entertainment Servers - Issues and Solutions By David Webster, Kaleidescape Europe (1/4/2006)

The Benefits of Multiroom Audio By Frank K. Sterns, Niles Audio Corporation (1/4/2006)

IP-based Multiroom AV By Johannes Rietschel, Barix (1/4/2006)

Multiroom Video Over CAT5 By Chris Skelton, Bluedelta Design (3/4/2006)

Product Article - Living Control - The Luxury Touch of Multiroom AV By Keith Haddock, Haddock Communications (1/4/2006)

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News @ HiddenWires

Toshiba Debuts HD-XA1 HD DVD Player to the Japanese Market (3/4/2006)

Philips launches SLA5520i Wireless Audio Link (3/4/2006)

Latest Yamaha Digital Sound Projectors from AWE (3/4/2006)

Boston Acoustics comes into its own with a new UK operation (3/4/2006)

Marantz Introduces ST7001 Dual Band DAB/FM/AM Stereo Tuner (3/4/2006)

UStec to Demonstrate HDTV Networking with Its tecStream Product (3/4/2006)

Pepper Computer Announces Joint Agreement with Salton and HANBiT (3/4/2006)

D-Tools, Inc. Announces 2006 Design Awards Call for Entries (3/4/2006)

Comet pledge support to help consumers save money and energy (3/4/2006)

Asheridge Announces Breakthrough in Test Equipment for Custom Installations (3/4/2006)

New CEA Research Finds Multi-Room Audio Systems Receive High Recommendations from Owners; Non-Owners Have High Interest in Multi-Room Audio Systems (1/4/2006)

RNCOS 'Worldwide Consumer Electronics Market' Report Shows Home Entertainment Electronics Show Utmost Growth in 2005 (1/4/2006)

Strategy Analytics: DVR Usage Surges Toward 130 Million Homes By 2010; US and Europe Lead Global Transition To User-Controlled TV (1/4/2006)

CEA Study Finds Adults Spend More Time Gaming Than Teens (1/4/2006)

Step by step build your Smart dream with Smart House (1/4/2006)

CEDIA Sets Dates and Location for Expanded 2007 Electronic Lifestyles Forum EXPO (30/3/2006)

Permlight Introduces Enbryten InWall LED Recessed Fixtures for Homes, Hotels, and Theater Applications (30/3/2006)

Klipsch Develops In-Wall Versions of its THX Ultra2 Custom Home Theater System (30/3/2006)

Global DSL flourishes in 2005 - 41 million new subscribers (30/3/2006)

U.S. lighting company, Illuminaire set for UK with Yello GB (30/3/2006)

AMX and iPort Announce Availability of the AMX for iPort Duet Module Allowing iPod Control from AMX Control Systems (30/3/2006)

Cortexa Launches Pocket Touch Software: Control Your Home from a Pocket PC (27/3/2006)

New OmniMount Wishbone Series Fuses Elegant Form and Heavyweight Function (27/3/2006)

'UWB Will Make the Digital Wireless Home a Reality,' Says Latest Visiongain Report (27/3/2006)

Architectural Lighting and Illumination Zone to inspire creativity in building lighting across the region (27/3/2006)

Marmitek introduces the DoorGuard 100 (27/3/2006)

Sky Launches High Definition Television Service in May 2006 (24/3/2006)

BBC to show World Cup and Wimbledon coverage in high definition (24/3/2006)

Screen Digest - High Definition Television: Global uptake and assessment to 2010 (24/3/2006)

Sharp announces Aquos P70 Series - the PAL success story continues (24/3/2006)

HomePNA Begins Work on New Specification Supporting 320 Megabits per Second Over Coax and Phonelines (24/3/2006)

NetStreams Introduces Panorama Video Distribution System Capable of Delivering Up to Four HDTV Video Sources to Multiple Displays (24/3/2006)

JVC Introduces 40"/37"/32"/26" DynaPix HD Wide LCD IDTVs (24/3/2006)

D-Link Launches High Definition Media Player (24/3/2006)

Smart ELLIPSE Series Launches by Euroscreen (21/3/2006)

Spam Cube Is World's First Anti-Spam Gadget for Home PCs (21/3/2006)

Toshiba Announces Projector Featuring Super Close Projection Lens, Integrated DVD Player, 5.1 Surround Sound System, and Silicon Optix's Realta HQV Processing (21/3/2006)

Chinese Electronic Giants - SVA and Shinco To Support Worldwide Production and Marketing of EVD-VMD Players (21/3/2006)

UPA Approves Powerline Specification for Home Networking (21/3/2006)

Telewest launches Britain's first high definition TV service (20/3/2006)

Matsushita (Panasonic) introduces Blu-ray Disc in Europe (20/3/2006)

Eclipse Launches TD508II Compact Time Domain Speakers (20/3/2006)

Intellon Showcases 200Mbps Digital Home Network Connectivity for Multimedia Entertainment Applications (20/3/2006)

Intel Selects VoiceBox Technologies to Voice-Enable Its Next-Generation Concept Platform for the Digital Home (20/3/2006)

Nero@Home's World of Multimedia - Nero Shows Innovative Technology in a Home Environment (17/3/2006)

CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Recognize Outstanding Achievement in the Residential Electronic Systems Industry (17/3/2006)

Intel Keynote at CONNECTIONS to address in-home entertainment experience (17/3/2006)

Global TV Revenues Rise 13% in Q4'05 on Strong Flat Panel/HDTV Growth; Sony Back on Top (17/3/2006)

Renesas Technology and Metalink Demonstrate Wireless Transfer of Three HDTV Streams Anywhere in the Home Based on the Emerging 802.11n Standard (17/3/2006)

Smart Home Show Pulls in the Crowds (16/3/2006)

Sony PLAYSTATION3 Launches Worldwide in Early November 2006 (16/3/2006)

Sony Announces the RHT-G1000 Integrated Home Theatre System (16/3/2006)

Sony Announces First Product in Esprit Range - TAV-L1 Home Entertainment System (16/3/2006)

Sony to debut Blu-ray Disc media in Europe (16/3/2006)

Picture Pure Style and Pure Performance with Pioneer's Stunning New 2006 Plasma TV Line (15/3/2006)

50 Years On - Tannoy Introduces a Smaller Autograph (15/3/2006)

Armour launches Q Acoustics - a New Speaker Brand set to shake up the market (15/3/2006)

Intellon and devolo Bring HomePlug AV Powerline Communications Products to European Markets (15/3/2006)

Cineak's Fortuny Deluxe chair moves home theatre to a whole new level (15/3/2006)

BFA Announces Sound and Vision Show Awards 2006 (14/3/2006)

Barix IP-Audio-Modules: Components for IP Audio Streaming and IP based control (14/3/2006)

Action Mesothelioma - Highlighting the dangers of asbestos in the home (14/3/2006)

HomePlug Powerline Alliance Announces Comprehensive, Global Compliance, Interoperability and Coexistence Strategy (14/3/2006)

Experience the Wonders of Full HD 1080 Pictures with Sony's BRAVIA X-Series (14/3/2006)

Sony Launches BRAVIA V-Series LCD TV: Bringing Colour to Life (14/3/2006)

Sony Launches BRAVIA S-Series LCD TV: Experience the Difference (14/3/2006)

Luxury Institute Survey: Wealthy Consumers Rate Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Nakamichi Top Luxury Audio Brands (14/3/2006)

NME to Launch 1920/1080 Complete High Definition Solution on USD 150 Red Laser Players (14/3/2006)

DYMO Industrial Launches RhinoPRO 3000 Label Printer (14/3/2006)

Olive Unveils OPUS - High-End CD Player Stores 1,100 CDs in Lossless Quality (9/3/2006)

The Middle East now ranks as one of the world's leading markets for cutting edge AV installation and integration technologies and applications (9/3/2006)

JVC Introduces LT-32DX7 and LT-26DX7 DynaPix HD widescreen LCD IDTVs (9/3/2006)

Key Digital Introduces Massively Expandable Fat Boy Series KD-MSW8x4 Video/Audio True Matrix Switchers, up to 1080p Analog (9/3/2006)

Key Digital Introduces iSync HD and iSync Pro, Digital Video Processor and Video/Audio Switcher Combo Units (9/3/2006)

RGB Communications distribute ADA multi-room and home cinema audio packages (8/3/2006)

Pyramat sound furniture set to be hit in UK this summer for home entertainment and gaming (8/3/2006)

Continental Research Shows Continuing Concern Over Property Prices; Over Half Found Multi-Entertainment System Appealing (8/3/2006)

NETGEAR Teams with DS2 to Bring 200 Mbps Powerline HD Solution to Market (8/3/2006)

DisplaySearch Reports Global Plasma TV Shipments Continue to Exceed Expectations - Q4'05 Shipments Rise 109% (8/3/2006)

Sonance Introduces Weather-Resistant Loudspeakers for Indoor and Outdoor Enjoyment of Music (6/3/2006)

Sonance Virtuoso In-wall Loudspeaker Systems Redesigned for 2006 (6/3/2006)

Sonance Sound Advance-the completely invisible solution to enjoying music in any room of the house (6/3/2006)

Mouse Talk! Stay Connected With The Sony VAIO VN-CX1 (6/3/2006)

Gefen Component Video Extender For HD Video Up To 300-Feet (6/3/2006)

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Books @ HiddenWires

Save up to 30% on the titles in our book store:

How Home Theater and HDTV Work

Network+ Certification: Study Guide

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HiddenWires-supported events

CONNECTIONS The Digital Home Conference and Showcase
May 2-4, 2006
Santa Clara Convention Center Santa Clara, CA, USA
Now in its tenth year, CONNECTIONS is the largest executive conference and showcase dedicated to advanced digital lifestyle solutions for residential and mobile environments. Recent research from Parks Associates, the leading market research firm in this area, points to significant growth opportunities within these industries in the coming years.

Hometech Middle East 2006
14-16 May 2006
World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Hometech Middle East 2006 is the regions leading exhibition for home appliances, home entertainment, home automation, electrical and white goods manufacturers and exporters to source business in the Gulf States.

TAHIForum: Building Smart Homes and Communities... everyone profits
17 May 2006
BT Tower, London
Opening the door to smart homes for all, this TAHI forum brings together senior decision makers in the fields of construction and regeneration, smart home technology, and government agencies. It explores the exciting new opportunities of the digital age and examines the role of builders in bringing it to fruition.

InfoComm06
Conference: 3-9 June 2006
Exhibition: 7-9 June 2006
Orlando, Florida, USA
InfoComm is the largest event for the professional AV and information communications industry. It's the only show you need to see the newest technologies for audio, video, display, projection, lighting and staging, digital signage, conferencing, digital content creation, networking, signal distribution and much more!

CEDIA UK Expo
Training: 19-22 June 2006
Exhibition: 20-22 June 2006
ExCel, London
CEDIA Expo 2006 is the only dedicated trade event for Europe's fast-growing home technology, automation and integration sector. It embraces the latest innovations and technologies in home cinema, audio-video solutions, lighting control, structured wiring, HVAC control, blind and security systems in 6,000m2 of high quality exhibition space.

INSTALL Asia
20-22 July 2006
Royal Paragon Hall Bangkok, Thailand
Held in conjunction with PALA 2006, Install Asia showcases cutting-edge installation and integration technologies for residential and commercial projects. Based on increasing demands for high-end lifestyle choices, Install Asia aims to convene international manufacturers, installers and integrators from the professional audio visual and projects industries on a common platform with architects, design and build consultants, engineers, contractors, venue and property owners and end-users. Install Asia - check out what's in store!

INSTALL India
5-7 October 2006
Andheri Sports Complex Mumbai, India
Held concurrently with PALA India, Install India is where key industry decision-markers involved in the designing and construction of IndiaÕs major projects and initiatives come together to meet international manufacturers, regional suppliers, installers and integrators of the specialised architectural, audio visual, lights and integrated systems industry.

Integrated Systems India
1-3 November 2006
Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre, New Delhi, India
Home to 1 billion residents, coupled with a projected annual growth rate averaging at 6.7% for the next 3 years, India is touted as the world's second fastest growing economy. This presents vast business potential for the AV Industry. The launch of IS India in 2006 is timely as it provides the platform for companies to start making inroads into this potentially lucrative marketplace.Ê New Delhi, India's capital city has been specially selected to host the first IS India exhibition, as it is the country's key political and financial hub.

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