residential systems june 2013.pdf

ResidentialSystems

ResidentialSystems.com

Product Reviews: Channel Vision & NuVo Technologies

How Custom Integrators Can Help Clients Monitor and Control Home Energy

V o l u m e 1 4 N o . 6 | J u n e 2 0 1 3

Pakedge: Reboot

devices easily with…

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columns14 THEATER DESIGN sam Cavitt says that when creating

private theater rooms, many designers and architects

now understand the need for acoustical treatments

in walls and that we don’t want large windows along

sidewalls. However, many popular architectural or interior

treatments for ceilings can be problematic.

16 HOME THEATER anthony Grimani explains that all

successful companies in our business understand that

investing in planning and documentation at the start of

the project can help deliver on client expectations without

going broke fixing mistakes.

18 BACK TO BUSINESS ira Friedman argues that ultra High net

individuals (uHni), a classification of households with over

$30m in disposable income, represents the best potential

clients for the custom integration specialist.

products 42 REVIEW Channel Vision’s

6564 is a feature-

packed and mostly

easy-to-configure

iP camera perfect

for outside use,

with excellent

image quality in

both daylight and

pitch blackness.

44 REVIEW the new Wireless audio system from nuVo

technologies Great app offers abundant features,

rock-solid performance, and Bluetooth for additional

streaming options.

46 SHOWCASE new product introductions slated for this

month's infoComm convention, from Crestron, savant,

Wyrestorm and more.

features20 COVER STORY: SMARTER AND GREENER energy management was seen, for a time, as the

custom integrator’s great hope for renewed relevance in a post-recession, increasingly

diy-centric, app-based home automation market. although this so-called green movement

stalled as energy prices leveled off, the economy improved, and smart-grid developments

stagnated, many manufacturers in the aV integration market have remained committed

to offering greener technologies and products that enable homeowners to monitor and

sometimes control their electrical usage.

26 SELLING MORE SUBS the most widely permeating inclination for the low-frequency

speaker category is increasingly smaller form factors, along with in-wall options

delivering high-caliber sound like never before. this aspect alone has led to a multitude of

opportunities for integrators to sell more subs in more installations, as well as more subs in

the same room.

30 THE ART COLLECTOR dave Raines, president of new york home automation contractor

Osbee industries inc., had never seen an art collection like it in a private home. But hanging

next to the paintings were ugly three-, four-, and even 12-gang light switches, thermostats,

humidity sensors, and audio system controls. Raines client just thought that was the way it

had to be, not realizing how much more elegant technology could make their home.

A1 THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO RACKS AND MOUNTS as the literal spine holding up

aV products, mounts, lifts, and enclosures are an essential step in completing clean,

professional integration projects.

ClickThrus

Join the online Residential systems community on LinkedIn (groups/Residential systems), Twitter (resisys), and Facebook (facebook/resisys). and visit www.residentialsystems.com to join our Forumsand read the interactive, Digital Edition of this and past issues.

departmentseditorial .................................... 4

news.......................................... 6

Cedia line .............................12

new Products........................46

ad index..................................48

Going Forward......................50

Get More Industry Information fromWeb: www.twice.comTwitter: @TWICEonline

TableofContents

4 R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s | J u n e 2 0 1 3 | residentialsystems.com

Editor’sLetter

Driving around where I live, custom integrators seem to be about as common as Roto-Rooter plumbers and UPS delivery professionals. Rarely a weekday goes by here in Carmel, IN, that I don’t see a CI van driving to a new job or making a service call. The vehicles are a comforting indicator that, at least here in this Indianapolis suburb, business is getting better.

Recently, CEDIA PR director Jamie Riley invited me to the association’s first “Connect with CEDIA” education and professional networking event, held right down the street from my house at the two-year-old Indiana Design Center (IDC). Due to my busy schedule, I missed the presentation and panel discussion on emerging trends, but I arrived just in time for the beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres (call me a crafty veteran).

The event, which was the first in a series of similar sessions scheduled for around the country, was a great opportunity to reconnect with the local CEDIA team, Indy-based Auralex Acoustics, and with the guys in charge of sending out those vans that I see around town so often. In fact, two of the integration firms in attendance– One-Touch Automation and Premier Home Technology–are owners of showrooms right there in the IDC. After I had a nice chat with One-Touch’s Ryan McDaniel, Premier’s Ken Irvine took me on a quick tour of his company’s relatively new space, and then invited me back the following week to meet with co-owner Jason Barth to learn even more about it.

During my follow-up tour, Barth told me that when the IDC opened, he and his business partners felt that a move there could provide a spark as the economy improved, and so far, it has. It’s an impressive facility that stands out in a building intended for the top suppliers to the architects and interior designers of the area. Within the cozy 1,600-square-foot space is just about everything an integrator would need to showcase his craft. The showroom, which Premier built itself to avoid competitive conflicts between builders and architects, features 32 vignettes to allow Premier staff to demonstrate 32 zones of a house. One area represents a kitchen, another a master bathroom, and then there’s a “family room” with a $16,999 84-inch 4K LG TV as a centerpiece and a 16x9 projection set up

and separate anamorphic home theater that can be compared and contrasted from just the right spot in the room.

The key to the demo space, however, was that it was designed to be controlled entirely through an iPad while Barth or one of his staff walks from vignette to vignette with a client. It offers an excellent blend of state-of-the-art gear in a lifestyle-friendly showroom on par with other high-end decorators, designers, and artisans in the building. It’s the sort of facility where the better firms in our industry, like One-Touch Automation and Premier Home Technology, truly belong. Not every city has a design center, but those that do should have at least one custom integrator in residence. It would be great for business and great for our industry.

b y J e R e m y J . G l o w a c k iA Designer’s Showcase

Residential systems (issn# 1528-7858) is published monthly by newbay media l.l.c.

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ResidentialSystems

June 2013Volume 14, Number 6

June Issue Contributors

Find me [email protected]

residentialsystems.com

twitter.com/resisys

groups/Residential Sytems

facebook/resisys

deNNis burgerdennis burger has been

reviewing and writing about consumer electronics since

1999. He and his wife live in montgomery, alabama.

[email protected]

JohN sciaccaJohn sciacca is a principal with

custom theater and audio, in myrtle beach, south carolina. in

his free time, he blogs prolifically about the ce industry.johnsciacca.webs.com

LLaNor aLLeyNellanor alleyne is a freelance

writer based in st. James, barbados and contributing

editor to Residential Systems’ integration Guide supplements.

[email protected]

sam caVitta former cedia instructor of the

year, sam cavitt is president of Paradise theater, a private

theater design firm with offices in kihei, Hawaii, and carlsbad,

[email protected]

aNthoNy grimaNianthony Grimani is president of

Performance media industries, a california-based acoustical engineering firm specializing

in home theater design and calibration.

[email protected]

ira FriedmaNira Friedman is the ceo of

bay audio, a manufacturer of custom speaker solutions. He holds an mba from the

Harvard business [email protected]


{BlogBits}Find the full story at

residentialsystems.com/0613

Tracking the Mega Job - Part 1: Spec Out

as i’m sure many of you have, we’ve done our share of 6-figure projects over the course of

our history, but these jobs are (sadly) atypical. almost every project that we do involves some major budget restrictions, and – let’s be honest

– it is incredibly fun to be able to work on a project where the fetters and bonds of a tight

checkbook can be broken.—John Sciacca, www.residentialsystems.com

Five Ways to Perfect the Final 10 Percent of a Custom

Integration Projecti just returned from a long overdue vacation. the hotel location was superb. the staff was nice enough. the room was clean. However, i didn’t love the place. ever consider what separates a great hotel from a good one?

What brings it to the next level? it’s the last 10 percent. same story goes for the custom

integrator. it is so easy to skip the last 10 percent.

—Heather Sidorowicz, www.residentialsystems.com

Making the Most of Small-Budget Custom InstallsJust last week, a woman called because she

wanted a top-of-the-line system for her boyfriend and told me she’d been saving up

all year. i started to salivate. then she dropped the bomb of how much she’d saved: $1,500.

internally, i was deflated, but of course, i never let it show. maybe that’s my background in retail coming into play, where closing the sale is what

counts, no matter the size. —Todd Anthony Puma,

www.residentialsystems.com

InsideOnlineTeasersGet the Full Scoop on the Following News Stories at

residentialsystems.com/0613

ResiTweetsFollow us @resisys

@CEDIA take a sneak peek at all of the training you will find at #Cedia13. http://clk.am/5bq

@DTools enter ur best d-tools project for a chance to win prizes from Core Brands,atlona,anthony Gallo,VidaBox, Vaddio&Zektor http://www.d-tools.com/2013designawards

@Dolby Rt @candaceljoseph: saw star trek yesterday on @dolby atmos - will never watch a theatre movie again without it! unbelievable #engineerswife

Energy, a Klipsch brand, is offering its Classic I/O series outdoor speakers. as weatherproof speakers, both the I/O 4 and I/O 5 feature UV-treated cabinets, rust-resistant grills, mounting brackets and five-way, gold-plated binding posts to withstand the elements for extended use. the white cabinets can also be painted to match any décor.

snapaV has added its new line of iP cameras and nVRs to its Wirepath Surveillance brand. The first models in the line feature 700-series bullet and dome-style cameras with two color options, an indoor PtZ camera, and NVRs in four, nine, and 16-channel configurations. Also shipping is a line of encoders for integrating iP cameras into existing analog systems.

Crestron’s new tst-600 touchscreen features a high-contrast 5.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, extended-range dual-mode RF/WiFi wireless capability, smart Graphics, Rava siP intercom, long-life lithium ion battery, high-performance

H.264 streaming video, and optional backlit pushbuttons, throughout any space up to 200-feet away. it is fully compatible with older tPs docking stations, wireless gateways, and other accessories.

Energy Releases

First Outdoor

Speakers

SnapAV Ships

First IP Cameras

Crestron

Releases TST-

600 Wireless

Touchscreen

Niles Launches In-Wall Soundbars

Joe Palencharniles audio launched a quartet of horizontal in-wall soundbars believed to be the industry’s first such products. The four Cynema Soundfield systems consist of one passive model and three active models in 48-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch widths. the four models are shipping at suggested retails of $1,195 for the passive CSF-48P and $1,599, $1,749, and $1,999 for the active CSF-48A, CSF-55A, and CSF-65A, respectively. all are three-channel soundbars. niles designed the soundbars so that installers don’t have to cut wall studs to make room for the bars. instead, installers mount a horizontal rail onto wall studs, then snap speaker and amplifier modules into the rail. Installers move the modules left or right through an opening in the wall to position them between studs.

Countdown to InfoComm 2013 - Projection

Summit

by David Keeneeach year, leading up to infoComm, i look forward to the “quiet before the storm,” i.e. the opportunity to attend great conferences and other educational sessions that take place before the exhibit show floor opens. The annual Projection summit ranks high on that list for me. late last week, i asked Chris Chinnock of insight media–which produces the Projection summit–what we can expect in terms of new/interesting goings-on at this year’s gathering. “all new this year,” Chris explained, “is a side-by-side demo of five hybrid projectors from five different manufacturers. alan Brawn is putting together standard content for this and will moderate the presentations and discussions, with plenty of time for attendees to gawk at the differences or similarities.”

Now on TWICE.com Now on avnetwork.com


HydraConnect has expanded its five-year advance replacement warranty for its HSS line of HDMI matrix processors. For current owners of HSS products, the warranty will be retroactive to the original date of purchase. The company has also announced the availability of three new system drivers to provide full compatibility with Savant, Bitwise Controls, and ELAN g! home automation systems.

HydraConnect LLC’s products provide advanced system automation, automatic set-up, and interface processing through the use of an onboard UNIX computer. The integrated web-based interface allows installers to use a laptop, tablet or a smart

phone to automatically set up and test all the connected devices. HydraConnect’s patented CEC Control software functions as a “universal translator” among the many HDMI hardware control implementations to eliminate IR flashers.

CEDIA Releases Telepresence White PaperCedia is keeping members on the forefront of telepresence opportunities by offering a new white paper to guide home technology professionals in the installation of these high-performance systems. the white paper–telepresence Opportunities for Home technology Professionals–discusses room layout, data sharing, acoustics, and other essential elements that are needed to create a high-performance residential environment. Cedia members may access their complimentary copy through the Cedia marketplace, non-members may purchase a copy for $9.99 in the Cedia marketplace.

Panamax Ships SmartPlug, GatewayPanamax is now ship-ping its md2-ZB smartPlug and BB-ZB1 BlueBOlt gateway. the devices bring energy management, surge protection, and BlueBOltfunctionality to individual outlets for electronics throughout a build-ing, providing a low-cost way to reduce energy consumption signifi-cantly while reducing service calls for installers. utilizing ZigBee wire-less communications, the md2-ZB can be monitored, controlled, pro-grammed, and remotely accessed via Panamax/Furman’s cloud-based BlueBOlt energy management and control platform via the wired BB-ZB1 gateway.

Tigerpaw Software Moves Conference Date to August 2014tigerpaw software inc., a developer of business automation and service management software, has moved the date of its upcoming user con-ference to august 18-20, 2014, at the Hyatt mcCormick in Chicago, il.

Digital Projection International (DPI) has revealed a new program benefitting end-users in both professional and residential markets. For new projector purchases made between May 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013, DPI’s Lamp Freedom program qualifies the end-user for a free set of replacement lamps in years two and three of the projector’s three-year warranty. The ‘Lamp Freedom’ program is offered to end-users purchasing HIGHlite Series or TITAN Series projectors from authorized DPI commercial AV or home cinema dealers in the Americas or Canada during the timeframe. Depending on the DPI projector model purchased, this program can represent more than

$10,000 in lamp savings during the three-year warranty period, the company said.

Getting an Extra BoostThe New York City headquarters of RS’s parent company, NewBay Media, recently demonstrated a value-add sales opportunity for integrators dealing with the challenges presented by today’s increasingly mobile world. A passive distributed antennae system (DAS), more commonly known as a cell phone signal booster system, was installed by CK Technology Group, led by Brad Peskin, director of operations, pictured at left. NewBay Media’s office in Manhattan is subject to all of the RF challenges and hyper-saturation of devices that densely populated urban environments present, and thus was an ideal case study. Gordon Barran, network technician, CK Technology, is pictured on the right.

DPI Offers Lamp Replacement Program

HydraConnect Expands Warranty on HDMI Processors

ResiBriefs

ACTP Names Home Automation Brand 'TiO'automated Control technology Partners inc. (aCtP), led by the former owner of 3vnet, has officially launched its new home auto-mation brand, called tiO (turn it On). according to the com-pany, tiO is a new approach to home automation, one driven by an “outside in” phi-losophy that focuses on the customer experience.

“tiO is unlike any other home automation system because it truly allows the customer to control how the system interacts with their daily life,” said mike anderson, president and CeO of aCtP. “We’ve designed the tiO system to be simple and intuitive enough for the consumer to perfectly match their moods and create satisfying and powerful experiences in their home. We want to deliver a solution that adapts to the customer instead of asking the customer to adapt to the system.”

tiO systems will run on android-enabled devices, and each system will be configured by a professional integrator via an android tablet.


ResiBriefs

Systems Integration made easy… guaranteed simple installation… do it yourself (DIY)… We’ve all heard the marketing hype about how easy it is (should be) to put a complete system together. Nobody has solved the challenge

of integrating a system together without a professional installer and some of their creative ideas. That being said, I have a few thoughts on how cameras can be used in a residential environment with “easy” solutions that only an installer (aka “propeller head”) could figure out.

Turn on the lights! Every relevant light should be turned on when a critical protection zone is broken in a security system. Not only do lights expose a potential intruder, but it typically scares them away from committing the crime. Unfortunately the camera will only see the crime, not prevent it from occurring. Select either an IP or analog camera that provides the option to use the built-in motion detection on the camera chip. Motion can be used to trigger a contact switch (normally an open circuit), and close the circuit when the area detects movement.

Contact closures can be measured to confirm their operation with a VOM (volt-ohm-milliamp), meter on the ohms/continuity setting.

A word of caution: video motion detection is not a perfect technology and can give false alerts if it is not set up properly. I prefer using the activation closure from a dual-detection fence-type laser beam or dual-detection PIR motion detector. These products will close the circuit on the camera and activate the next step in the automation. It is highly recommended to use a camera that provides a time schedule that controls what event will occur at different scheduled times.

Taking the camera automation application a step further, everything can be automated to accomplish a task from the simple “ding dong” doorbell, turning on the music, recording a

video clip of the visitor, and emailing it, texting the homeowner with a visitor alert, and activate triggers for the alarm system too. One unique application is to welcome the visitor with a voice announcement when the zone is triggered and before the visitor presses the doorbell button. With the use of several prominent automation systems on the market, turn on the television to the specific video input or TV channel and have it pop up on the iPad, etc.

Activating the e-mail video clip is often the most underutilized feature in the security camera, but with a few steps it can be one of the most popular aspects of camera automation integration. The feature is often stalled with the router and port assignments, so here are three steps for simplifying the process:

1. Request the customer information from your client’s specific email service. Gmail, for example, uses mail port 465 with SSL activated, Hotmail uses port 995. Chances are good that they won’t know this information, so Google “hotmail email port setting protocol,” for example, to get your answer.

2. Enter your customer’s credentials and password.

3. Open the port in the router. Now the DVR or IP camera will send video

clip events to the customer’s email. Note: Businesses are often a challenge if they have their own internal email server. These accounts should be using Port 25, which is open but not secure. If at all possible, use SSL, which transmits in an

encrypted security settingAlso, text message alerts

of events can be sent by entering the specific phone number and the carrier information. If you want to send a text message from the e-mail setting in the camera or DVR software to a Verizon wireless phone number, for example, type in: phone number@vtext.

com and an alert will be sent to notify them on their cell phone. For a complete list, Google “list of SMS gateways.” Darrel Hauk is CEO of Channel Vision.

Integrating a Camera System

{SecurityCorner} sponsoRed by

by daRRel Hauk

nuVo technologies has hired

Jason Dominique as sales

manager for the western united

states. dominique has been a

part of legrand north america

in the past, having formerly

worked for the on-Q brand. He mostly recently

comes from proficient, where he served as sales

manager for the eastern region for eight years.

soundcast systems, developer and manufacturer

of high-performance wireless music systems,

has added three new members to its leadership

team; Sean Mitchell as vice president of finance,

Allan Poe as customer service manager, and

Nick Berry as director of sales. mitchell will be

involved heavily in all aspects of the company’s

growth strategy. mitchell joins from bank of

america merrill lynch. poe previously worked

for speakerCraft in multiple roles, including

sales, logistics, and management during his 13-

year tenure. berry, who recently completed his

mba, is former director of sales and marketing

at speakerCraft.

séura has hired Marla Maney as

the company’s new marketing

manager. she has more than 15

years of marketing experience

having spent her career at

marketing firms working

on behalf of local, regional, national, and

international clients.

Eric Johnson, of omega blue

Group, has been awarded a

consulting contract by Bach

Sales Group, the metro new york

and new Jersey manufacturers

representative firm, to research

and develop new business opportunities for

custom installers. as part of this effort, bach

sales Group will produce training events,

website resources, and new tools for their

custom installer partners.

Catalyst AV, a nationwide distribution network

of specialty aV products, has added atlona as

its media distribution products partner. all 17

Catalyst aV distribution outlets have begun

stocking atlona’s media distribution solutions,

ready for next-day delivery and where

applicable, same-day to its dealer base.

CAREER TRACK/REP NEWS

Jason Dominique

Marla Maney

Eric Johnson The IP camera harness.


CEDIALine

Expert Guidance for EXPO

CEDIA has an entire department dedicated to CEDIA EXPO, with the goal of planning, researching, and strategizing how to make the show the best it can possibly be. So while you may have just started to think about #CEDIA13, know that this team has been preparing for months and even years in advance. Here’s what each member of the team said you need to know about this year’s show.

Sara Smith, Registration and Events Manager New Registration! This year we are working with a new registration system that is more robust and user friendly. There is a new live chat feature that will connect you with someone from CEDIA if you have any questions as you are registering. No more second-guessing or being unsure about what you’re registering for. The system also lets you plot out your schedule

and lets you know where you have conflicts, so you’re not missing a beat at the show. Online registration opens June 19, and registering before August 2 will save you 40 percent.

Jennifer Roth, Director of Tradeshows and Events New Solutions Village. This newly designated area for the EXPO floor is the place for attendees to learn about the products making their debut at CEDIA EXPO 2013. The New Solutions Village will also host presentations on products and services from new exhibitors and new product launch demonstrations. Three fast-paced mini sessions on emerging trends

and business opportunities will also be hosted in The New Solutions Village. This is one area on the show floor that you won’t want to miss. The EXPO Navigator (formerly Map Your Show) can help you find your way to the New Solutions Village.

Debbie Antrim, Senior Director of Tradeshows and Events Dining with Strangers. We hear every year from attendees that CEDIA EXPO is the place to make valuable networking connections. CEDIA EXPO offers a variety of events for attendees and manufacturers to mix and mingle, The CEDIA EXPO Welcome Reception, The CEDIA EXPO After Hours Party, The Electronic Lifestyles Awards Celebration, are

great for these chance encounters. But if you’re looking for a way to take networking to the next level, consider a new program that we are

offering this year called Dining with Strangers. When you register you can sign up to enjoy lunch or dinner in downtown Denver with some of your fellow CEDIA EXPO attendees. This will be a great way to make new friends and unwind after a busy day at the show.

Ally Booth, Tradeshow CoordinatorRookie Row. All of the industry’s big manufacturers were rookies at one time. The first CEDIA EXPO even featured table-top displays. Since their first EXPO some of those companies have expanded exponentially to huge booths and a large dealer network. Check out this year’s crop of young companies in Rookie Row on the tradeshow floor. This area features

companies making their start in the industry; you never know they could be the next big company. You can find a full list of exhibitors, new and alumni, in the EXPO Navigator.

Jennifer Russell, Registration and Travel CoordinatorCEDIA Zones. If you find yourself needing a break while you’re at the show, then stop by one of the four CEDIA Zones to catch your breath. CEDIA members can enjoy a cup of coffee, massage chairs, and meeting spaces in the Members Only Lounge. The CEDIA Booth on the show floor has the amenities you need to stay productive; charging stations, lockers,

and free beer in the afternoon. You can also enjoy a drink and watch TV at CEDIA’s official bar in the Colorado Convention Center. The Member Programs Zone will offer Ask the Expert office hours where you get your CEDIA questions answered. These zones are located on the show floor and in the convention center.

Finding Out All You Need to Know About #CEDIA13 from the Planning Team

‘Three fast-paced mini sessions on emerging trends and business opportunities will also be hosted

in The New Solutions Village.’


When creating private theater rooms, many designers and architects now understand the need for acoustical treatments in walls and that we don’t want large windows along sidewalls. However, many popular architectural or interior treatments for ceilings can be problematic.

“We want a plain painted ceiling” is frequently the request by clients and designers that want a ceiling with no acoustical treatment and a simple, flat, smooth, painted surface. Either there is a concern about the budget or it is truly a design choice. Whatever the reason, we need to be able to support our requirement to treat the ceiling and also offer an acceptable design alternative, if we expect to overcome these objections. To support our design specification, we need to demonstrate validity. This is why

it is essential to perform appropriate and accurate acoustical analysis that illustrates the difference between an untreated and treated ceiling.

Many designers and even clients may object to seams that would be visible in a stretch-fabric system. But, if budget is not as great a concern, there are acoustical plaster solutions that, when properly specified and configured, can offer excellent balanced acoustical performance while visually maintaining a level five surface. If budget is a concern, several companies offer wide-span fabrics that can deliver an acoustically correct ceiling with a seamless, architectural look.

Home Sweet DomeA well-designed dome ceiling can add a sense of space, drama, and excitement to a room, but it also can introduce a significant acoustical distortion called focusing. The concave surface serves to reflect certain frequencies and harmonics to a specific location, causing listeners to hear a horribly altered sound at those locations. Depending on the dome shape, size, and placement, this can be a greatly or moderately destructive element. To overcome the negative effects of domes, we must perform acoustical modeling to accurately predict where the problems will occur.

Next we must look at aesthetic and budgetary considerations. If a smooth-painted or even faux-painted or mural ceiling is required, then acoustical plaster products are needed. Be aware that how these

surfaces are painted (for the faux and mural applications) can destroy the acoustical performance. Often a stretch fabric system can provide a more cost-effective solution. However, due to the curved characteristic, there must be seams and/or sections of some sort to allow the fabric system to conform to the curve. Remember that integrating a balanced acoustical specification in a domed application will require significant engineering, design integration support, and ongoing project support.

“We want a night-time sky”Fiber optic “starfield” ceilings are popular in home theaters as well. These days, LED lights and other improvements have made these ceilings much simpler to integrate and capable of offering correct acoustical performance.

It is important to make sure the LED light sources are properly configured and include dimmable and controllable LED light engines to prevent improper light for video performance. The most vital consideration, however, is the acoustical characteristic of these ceiling. Many starfield products are 1-inch fiberglass panels with the fiber optics embedded. A common scenario is an entire cove ceiling treated with such a ceiling. This would represent approximately three times the amount of acoustical treatment that would be appropriate for the surface area and at a very limited bandwidth performance. The end result would be a significantly imbalanced sound field.

The good news is that the same starfield can be produced with a stretch fabric application, which allows a varied and acoustically correct acoustical treatment in the ceiling area.

We often hear the expression “no compromise” in relation to high performance. Sometimes we see these same no-compromise systems placed in compromising positions due to aesthetic elements that do not support optimum performance. By providing valid analysis and utilizing our skill and creativity to look for aesthetic solutions that will not detract from performance, we can truly say that the “sky is the limit” in simultaneously delivering high performance and aesthetics.

The Sky’s the Limit

Choosing a Ceiling Design That Doesn’t Destroy a Theater’s Acoustics b y s a m C a v i t t

sam Cavitt ([email protected]) is president of Paradise theater in Kihei, Hawaii, and Carlsbad, California.

TheaterDesign

Performance Theater’s engineering report shows a reverberation time for a treated theater without ceiling treatments and reverberation time for a treated theater with proper treatments. The one without treatment shows an unbalanced response in the low-mid- and mid-frequencies, while the treated ceiling brings the response into the target range (between the red lines).


I am standing in my backyard in disbelief, looking at the partially complete fence that I asked a contractor to build to keep the ravenous Northern California deer from eating my priceless heirloom tomatoes. These deer are gymnasts. They can jump over a 6-foot fence from a standing position all day long, especially if a salad buffet is open on the other side.

My disbelief comes from the fact that the fence ended up being different from what we agreed upon. The contractor had showed me a picture on his iPhone that was exactly what I wanted: a nice, simple fence. What he built was totally different…time to disassemble and start over.

What went wrong here? It wasn’t communication. We were clear about

what was to be built, and he even proposed the design! The problem was documentation. In my haste to get back to the office to continue designing the world’s top home cinemas, I failed to draw the agreed-upon fence design. I should know better. If you don’t document what is supposed to get built, someone will find a way to mess it all up, then blame you for not making up your mind in time.

If building a simple fence can go this far wrong without documentation, how can you expect a sophisticated, world-class integration project to go right without documentation? You can’t. Yet, I see project after project where the wiring documentation is non-existent, the automation specifications are nowhere to be found, the grounding and power systems have no forethought, and the ventilation and cooling schemes are Rube Goldberg crossed with the board game Mousetrap. As a result, clients are always complaining that their systems don’t turn on when they want, fail all the time, latch up randomly, don’t sound good, or don’t look sharp.

Don’t Force the Field Techs to Wing ItIt often comes down to the basics: insufficient preparation, engineering, and documentation. The techs in the field have to figure it out on the fly, often basing what they do on the last project they did like this one, but not knowing that this one is, in fact, totally different. What the sales person promised was different. The products and switching are different. The power and grounding are different. The price points, the schedules, and the deliverables are different. The automation functions are different… Then the techs have to take twice the time to redo the wiring looms until

it all works right. All the while, the principals of the company have to pay for the re-work. Sound familiar?

We all know that integrating and automating a system with 10 sources, 12 zones, and multiple displays all running HDMI is really complicated if you want all the sophistication and reliability that our clients have come to expect from their luxury goods. So how do you go about delivering on the expectations without going broke re-working every project? Simple: Invest in planning and documentation at the start of the project. Then make sure that everyone follows the documents and specifications. That should make a huge difference. All the successful companies in our business discovered this long ago. All commercial projects require this. Do our clients deserve anything less?

I have, at times, done the forensics to figure out where system failures originate. The results can be amazing. Sometimes, because of insufficient information, an automation programmer spends time writing code that doesn’t account for all the conditions of use. It then needs Band-Aid upon Band-Aid to make it work right, but the code isn’t fully tested so it latches up. It’s not fully tested because the programmer, going above and beyond the call of duty, spun wheels trying to get non-existent documentation or circuit diagrams and couldn’t figure out what was tied together in the system. Then everyone is sore because the project isn’t successful, it’s over budget, the client is calling all the time threatening to sue you and the automation equipment company, and everyone is wasting valuable energy and time. Once in a while, it’s all because the power sources are inconsistent, with unreliable ground conditions, and data gets dropped because of bad hum.

You can avoid all this by hiring a company that does nothing but design and documentation work. There are quite a few around in the CEDIA space. Look at the professional resources section listings in the CEDIA directory for more info. Some of these specialize in electrical system design, others in automation design and documentation, and still others in cinema design and acoustics. Pick the right ones to partner with and watch your overhead in non-billable re-work go right down. Plus you can bill the design work at a profit. Imagine that! Chase Walton contributed to this column.

The Wildlife of Undocumented Jobs

Proper Planning at the Start of the Project Can Make All the Differenceb y a n t h o n y G R i m a n i

If building a simple fence installation can go wrong without documentation, how can you expect a sophisticated, world-class integration project to go right without documentation?

anthony Grimani ([email protected]) is president of Performance media industries, with offices in novato and san anselmo, Ca.

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Ultra High Net Individuals (UHNI), a classification of households with over $30M in disposable income, represents your best potential clients. How many households fit this description? As of 2012, there were about 500,000 in the United States and another 300,000 scattered across the world. By 2020, economists predict a doubling of the number of UHNI households worldwide. You’ll find them primarily in California, metro New York, Florida, and Texas.

Here’s the interesting thing about UHNI households: They have several homes, and they tend to buy and renovate on a regular basis. And those UHNI’s living in Germany, Japan, Russia, and China like to buy a little place in New York, LA, or Miami, increasing your number of potential clients. Most

importantly, UHNI households can afford the services you provide.

The Shrinking Market?Look back to your glory years before the housing bubble burst. Chances are you were marketing to anyone building a nice home. You sold indiscriminately to clients with $1M in assets, $5M in assets, or $30M in assets. The only difference was the size of the project.

A client with $1M in assets has very different needs than a UHNI client. The $1M client is looking for a great system, to be sure, but the UHNI client is looking for the highest level of support, service, and after-sale care. Back in your heyday you offered the same level of service to the $30M client as you did to the $1M client. That’s gotta change.

Today, the $1M client has all but vanished, and if you haven’t realigned your business to attract and service the $30M client, you’re probably not doing so well. During the last 10 years, the number of $30M clients increased in the U.S. The UHNI household weathered the housing crisis, the financial crisis…virtually any crisis thrown at them. And while $30M households did suffer losses tied to equities and real estate, the losses were regained in the past two years. Put another way, during the worst days of the financial crisis, the average $30M household suffered so badly that they “only” had $25M in assets.

How Do You Target the UHNI Market?There’s something nice about small, discrete markets: reputations matter

and good reputations matter most. A small group of architects caters to the UHNI market. A small group of custom builders work with these architects. And a small group of interior designers furnish these homes. Unlike the mass market, where reputation is distilled and hard to trade on, the UHNI market is focused, clubby, protective, and serviced by “their own.”

You see this with fancy designers who seem to be associated with all the best homes in an area. When a custom builder’s name pops up on lawn signs in the best neighborhoods, every integrator in town is pining to have a relationship with that one preeminent architect. Breaking into the market is not easy, especially if you have a competitor who has been successfully servicing this peer group. But there is a weak link in the chain: the builder.

Builders are likely to have a bad experience with an integrator, because they personally feel the pain of disorganized installations, poor system performance, operability troubles, and client complaints. Builders focus on the manufacturability of the home, not the performance. Woe to the unlucky integrator who adversely impacts the manufacturability of the home.

Lucky for you, finding a disgruntled builder is straightforward. It just takes a persistent sales effort.

Proving Your TeamworthinessThink of your first few jobs in this world as a market development project. Don’t discount. Instead, overdo it on the service side. Provide architect-level documentation. Run your crews like a precision military force. Accept responsibility for all glitches, failures, and hiccups—even those caused by other trades. And most importantly, deliver an A-class system on time and on budget.

I’m sure that you believe you do this every day, but you don’t. Because if the idea of targeting your business to the UHNI market is intriguing, that means you’re not doing it yet. And the reason you aren’t doing it is because you haven’t consistently impressed the high-end architects, builders, and designers you’ve had an occasion to work with over the years.

Look back at your projects. Perhaps you had that golden opportunity to shine. Perhaps you were given a project with an A-Class architect, builder, or designer involved. If that project didn’t immediately lead to more projects with that same peer group, then you failed. But all is not lost. Think about what went wrong on that project, analyze the failings, and re-orient your organization to provide top-notch service.

Targeting the Mega Rich

Why Ultra High Net Individuals are the Best Custom Integration Clientsb y i R a F R i e d m a n

ira Friedman is the CeO of bay audio, a manufacturer of custom speaker solutions. He holds an mba from the Harvard business school.

BacktoBusiness

The ultra high net individual (UHNI) client is looking for the highest level of support, service, and after-sale care.

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Energy management was seen, for a time, as the custom integrator’s great hope for renewed relevance in a post-recession, increasingly DIY-centric, app-based home automation market. Although this so-called green movement stalled as energy prices leveled off, the economy improved, and smart-grid developments stagnated, many manufacturers in the AV integration market have remain committed to offering greener technologies and products that enable homeowners to monitor and sometimes control their electrical usage.

By nature, the high-end integrated home is an energy management paradox. On the one hand, it’s typically filled with room after room of parasitic technology that slowly sips away at the power grid, even in standby mode. Then there are products like lighting and shades control that are the epitome of efficiency. Somewhere in between are custom control systems that help monitoring and control power usage to non-essential consumer electronics, as well as smart thermostats and occupancy sensors that, in the hands of a technically astute systems integrator, can help a client feel less guilty about their technology investment’s impact on the Earth.

If you’re cynical, you may call “green technology” good marketing. Or you may prefer to embrace the steps being taken in the CI channel to address energy management and power consumption, whether the end-user client knows to ask for it or not.

“We are finding there are two segments: those who do have an interest and then those who want to be efficient but lack an interest or understanding in energy management per se,” said Reid Cram,

director of marketing communications for Legrand North America’s Vantage brand. “Our approach is to continue to move the dial on energy management because, at Vantage, we believe in conserving our natural resources to protect the planet for future generations. That’s why we engineer each of our products with resource conservation in mind, allowing homeowners to both save money and protect the environment. From dimming the lights

to monitoring energy usage and providing real-time feedback, Vantage Systems help homeowners responsibly manage their energy usage and lower their spending in the process.”

Specifically, Vantage offers sensor technologies for occupancy- and vacancy-based controls and daylight harvesting and is developing products to provide precise dimming of LEDs and real-time accurate energy consumption capabilities (starting with metering and sub-metering and then adding load-level tracking). The company also continues to write software routines that automate energy efficiency in its Design Center Software and plans to launch a new energy widget (or dashboard) as part of its Equinox interface.

How Custom integRatoRs Can Help Clients monitoR and ContRol Home eneRgy usageby Jeremy J. Glowacki

Savant’s SmartEnergy technology measures energy usage (and production via solar, wind, etc.) in real-time and can also deliver historical usage data from multiple energy management devices, empowering homeowners to make decisions.


Taking ActionSavant’s Jim Carroll said regular media coverage of “issues pertaining to energy use, efficiency, conservation, etc.,” have encouraged his company’s customer base to show more interest in energy products.

“Typically, affluent homeowners are interested in their personal comfort but also focused on their carbon footprint–responsible behavior leading toward a greener planet for generations to come,” he noted. “At Savant, we continue to develop products that enable these consumers to be more energy efficient by providing usage data, as well as the tools to modify their behavior toward improved efficiency without sacrificing comfort and lifestyle.”

Savant’s SmartEnergy technology measures energy usage (and production via solar, wind, etc.) in real-time and can also deliver historical usage data from multiple energy management devices, empowering homeowners to make decisions. Its energy management products can monitor and provide usage data for just about anything in the home–from pools, hot tubs, appliances, and lighting systems. Once the consumer has an understanding of the power consumption data trends for each load in the home, they can then take action to become more efficient by leveraging their Savant system to adjust subsystems, such as lighting control, thermostats, window treatments and other devices that impact energy usage.

Crestron marketing solutions manager, Claudia Barbiero said that commercial applications have been his company’s primary driver for energy management, but that interest is growing in the residential market.

“Homeowners want sustainable products and energy-efficient appliances,” he said. “Homeowners are also becoming aware of technologies available to monitor energy consumption and find and eliminate waste. They definitely see the benefits of using this data to create automated events and presets within their home to save energy.”

Crestron control systems offer integration with AV, lighting control, shades and drapes, and climate control devices, of course, but its Green

Light occupancy and photocell sensors also deliver ways for reducing energy

costs and enhancing the functionality of lighting and environmental systems. Automation features, such as built-in motion detection automatically turn lights on only when a room is occupied, and schedule lights to turn off when the family leaves the house in the morning. Crestron also offers the option to include power metering in most of its lighting control devices and systems.

URC’s Cat Toomey said that “as stakeholders committed to the stability of the global environment,” her company is very happy to see the public embrace energy conservation initiatives, including green CE. “The nice thing about our green products, however, is that they’re highly desirable, even without their energy-saving characteristics,” she noted.

URC offers conservation-oriented products in three categories. In addition to lighting control, which the company promotes for its ability to reduce electricity consumption by up to 20 percent simply by dimming a bulb 25 percent, its IP thermostat (the THZ-100), combined with its offsite access app (TC Mobile) allows users to remotely monitor and adjust building temperature via the internet. The THZ-100 also features advanced technology including “Intelligent Comfort Recovery,” which means that when the homeowner sets their HVAC schedules, it monitors the current environment and then intelligently, slowly heats or cools, accordingly, with dollar-saving efficiency, until it reaches the preset.

Although it does not yet integrate lighting and

HVAC control, Gefen’s relatively new home automation system, GAVA, uses an extremely low-power processor and high-efficiency power supply, using less than 2 watts, so it does not contribute significantly to the home’s energy usage. HVAC control will arrive by the end of the year, according to president Hagai Gefen.

An AMX home automation system allows customers to remotely and/or automatically power down or adjust settings on virtually any device or system to manage energy consumption. “Our control systems can receive feedback from sensors, such as motion, light, temperature, or moisture and send commands to media equipment, lighting, window shading, irrigation, HVAC, and other systems to increase energy conservation and extend the life of systems and devices,” John Watts, AMX residential sales manager.

You Don’t Always Get What You WantIn 2009, Control4 made an investment in energy management, with its Home Area Networks (HAN) solutions to complement its home automation products. These efforts centered on working with utilities to create compelling products and programs to engage consumers in conserving energy and participate in demand response programs. After a lack of general public interest in these energy management specific applications, the company adjusted its product focus back to its core value proposition of integrating consumer devices for better ease of use and convenience.

“We shifted focus from HAN-centric devices that tracked current energy use to enabling core technology enhancements to our products,” said Paul Nagel, VP of lighting and comfort at Control4. “New Control4 products have implemented energy saving/measurement capabilities. This includes low-power modes, power measurement capability wakeup on LAN, and energy-efficient amplifiers. Our new lighting solutions report energy use

In addition to URC’s lighting control, which the company promotes for its ability to reduce electricity consumption by up to 20 percent simply by dimming a bulb 25 percent, its IP thermostat (the THZ-100), combined with its offsite access app (TC Mobile) allows users to remotely monitor and adjust building temperature via the internet.

Typically, affluent homeowners are interested in their personal comfort but also focused on their carbon footprint–responsible behavior leading

toward a greener planet for generations to come.—Jim Carroll, Savant“ ”


including ‘minutes off,’ ‘minutes on,’ ‘current power consumption,’ ‘energy used,’ and ‘energy used today.’ This information can be used by the dealer via ComposerPro to setup conditional programming around these attributes.”

Greg Rhoades, director of security and automation marketing for Leviton Manufacturing, which recently absorbed the HAI brand of products, points to his company’s ability to control ZigBee-based light switches and Z-Wave window coverings, and utilizing traditional hard-wired controls, as well.

“Temperature and humidity controls can be located throughout the home and can even monitor and control humidors, wine cellars, attics, greenhouses, or basements,” he said. “[The integrator can] utilize wireless devices for control over high-draw devices like pool or spa pumps, fountains, and electric water heaters,” he said. “The homeowner can dial into a specific load and see the instantaneous demand on that load, and choose to turn it off if they desire, or they can automate based on schedule or event. We’re working with utility companies across the country to help customers understand where they’re spending their money and encouraging them to act to reduce those expenses. We’re even sending messages from the utility direct to the consumer and displaying them on the thermostat.”

From the Power Management PerspectiveJohn Benz, director of Core Brands’ power and accessories business segment, represents a product category that addresses energy management in a different way. While the BlueBOLT brand was designed to reboot electronics remotely, its hardware also measures energy and software to report that usage. You can track energy usage in real time or over time, and if you put in your utility rate, you can see that energy usage in dollars.

Despite these features, Benz said that often it seems that homeowners are interested in saving energy, but not interested in paying to do so. This challenges integrators to show an ROI for the homeowner to justify the costs. This could take significant time and effort, and still does not guarantee payback for the integrator. A key driver, he noted, is the relatively low price of energy, particularly natural gas.

Not that that’s a bad thing, but Benz’s hope is that an eventual shift to a smart power grid will enable utility providers to change residential billing to time-of-use structure, encouraging customers to spread energy usage throughout the day. “This type of behavior change will require enabling technologies to keep customers informed, and

automation technologies to keep usage efficient and scheduled. It is likely that these rate and billing changes will spur on interest and demand for new technologies,” he said.

Shannon Townley, president of power management brand SurgeX, said that he believes an increase in severe weather and the price of energy is forcing people to be more knowledgeable on the topic of energy management. “We view this thirst for solutions as an opportunity to educate both our dealers and customers on how they can use SurgeX products to protect their most valuable systems and manage them in a way that reduces waste as much as possible,” he explained.

SurgeX was one of the first brands to introduce a smart energy management platform with alerts, scheduling capabilities, and diagnostics, and the only manufacturer to offer non-sacrificial surge elimination as part of the system.

Energy management is a key component of the Richard Gray’s Power Company product line. In fact, the lineup was designed not only to resolve AC power infrastructure issues, but also to provide energy management benefits that enhance performance and increase overall system reliability. “We now support integrators by providing a host of new tools that allow them to control power products, monitor power usage and deliver stable, noise-free power to their customers,” said Jim Pelegris, VP of technology and business development. “One such product is the new IPAC-8, an IP-controlled remote AC power management system that incorporates both energy monitoring and IP control, along with a software application for utilizing multiple IPAC-8 units in a system.”

To meet the growing interest in energy management, Middle Atlantic Products’ offerings are developed not only to manage, track, log, and report energy consumption and device state, but

also to make the data readily accessible and “future-proof.” More advanced power management and cooling options play a vital role in ensuring power-efficient AV systems that MAP’s racks house on large projects. The company also addresses this in several product families by enabling the system to reduce power consumption, turning any number of things off when they aren’t needed.

“Currently we offer that capability through power monitoring and control actions via our RackLink System,” public relations manager Becky Villareale said. “We also address energy management with variable-speed thermostatic fan controls; they run only when a certain temperature threshold is crossed and only run as fast and as long as needed to bring the temperature down to an appropriate level. Our UPS systems also save energy by bypassing the inverter when the voltage is within acceptable range, saving energy (and reducing heat).”

Although, as Control4 stated, efforts by utilities and technology providers to change homeowner behaviors and awareness regarding smart grid, smart energy, and energy conservation have not been very successful, many manufacturers in the industry are still encouraged enough by general consumer interest in managing power consumption to pursue it anyway.

“We like to think that we are continuously adapting to the changing needs of integrators and their consumer clients,” said URC’s Toomey. “As our Total Control system grows and expands, we’ll add more energy monitoring and management devices as required by the marketplace. We are always evaluating new feature sets that allow for things such as conditional and variable logic and sensors to monitor a home’s status.”Jeremy Glowacki is editorial director of Residential Systems.

New Control4 products have implemented energy saving/measurement capabilities, including low-power modes, power measurement capability wakeup on LAN, and energy-efficient amplifiers.


There’s nothing quite like the bone jarring, thumping, thick molasses pulsation of sub-30Hz low-frequency sound. And apparently, more consumers are looking to swim in the sea of subsonic sound waves. For custom installers, the forecast is just peachy for subwoofer sales, with bass lovers proliferating and product development leading the way to more–and more in-depth–installs.

The most widely permeating inclination for the low frequency category is increasingly smaller form factors, along with in-wall options delivering

high caliber sound like never before. This

aspect alone has led to a multitude of opportunities for integrators to sell more subs in more installations, as well as more subs in the same room.

“I think that the current state of the subwoofer market is the best it’s ever been,” said Brian Azzano, sales manager for Stealth Acoustics. “I think that the amount of innovative products on the market today is at an all-time high and that there are new products on the horizon that will help to revolutionize the way we use subwoofers in and around the home.”

New technologies in particular are credited for the market growth, according to SpeakerCraft president Keith Marshall. He specifically cited the expansion of Class D and other high-efficiency power amplifier technologies, “[making] it possible to deliver hundreds of watts of power from a small, affordable amplifier that runs cool. When you combine this big increase in power with the development of extremely high-excursion small woofers, it becomes possible to get impressive bass output from a small enclosure.”

There’s also no shortage of competitors in the market. But there are other means for dynamic rivalry too. “The chasm that exists between entry-level and high-end products continues to widen,” noted Mark Weisenberg, brand marketing manager, Sunfire, “creating a new competitive environment

within this category. As with everything CE, consumers are demanding more features for less money, driving prices lower and putting challenges on integrators and retailers to generate profits.”

Sunfire developed its Stillbass, anti-vibration technology as a result, which allows for high performance in-wall subwoofers like the HRSIW8, as well as the SubRosa on-wall system.

Pretty much every subwoofer manufacturer offers a smaller and/or in-wall solution today, and has for some time, but the benefits of doing so have expanded beyond the heard-but-not-seen demand from homeowners. With a smaller subwoofer, “You can better control the low frequencies in a room by using multiple subs,” said Kary Wawrzyniak, vice president of technology, TruAudio. “Two or more subs are recommended for best performance to eliminate bass dead zones and phase cancellations. With the multi-sub install, the integrator will have a larger bottom line and be able to provide a better home theater experience.”

The design trend for more audio systems today is based more closely on a professional cinema, as Paul Hales, founder, Pro Audio Technology identified. “More and more systems are being deployed with LFE-channel equipment comprised of multiple high-output woofer enclosures intelligently placed within the listening room and driven by discreet,

I think that the subwoofer market is poised for a strong

resurgence both in terms of new installs, as well as upgrading, as we see the demand for quality performance grow.

—Sandy Gross, GoldenEar

“”

Selling More SubsInstallIng HIgH-QualIty Bass DelIvery Has never Been easIer

by Lindsey Adler

Paradigm’s Monitor Series SUB, SUB 10, and SUB 12 offer a compact footprint with a 300W RMS amplifier and advanced DSP.


high-power amplifiers co-located in the main equipment rack,” he described. “As the number of subwoofers used in systems increases, we are seeing dealers moving away from powered subwoofers in favor of higher-value, higher-performance, power-amp/woofer combinations.”

The hidden installation provides a valuable opportunity for integrators to create more uniform low-frequency response throughout a listening space, according to Wisdom Audio president Mark Glazier. He noted how challenging generating consistent bass in a room can be.

“Some listening seats may have too much bass, while others do not have enough. To offset the null areas, additional subwoofers may be added at different locations in the room, resulting in more uniform low-frequency response levels throughout,” he said. “While this may be impractical with multiple freestanding subwoofers due to their aesthetic intrusion into the space, subwoofer designs that can be integrated and hidden within the space address the problem without interfering with the client’s interior design.”

This is especially evident in the most dedicated listening environments, commented Zoltan Balla, product manager for Paradigm, where he says they see “a strong push in the industry for multiple subwoofers,” noting the benefits of doing so.

Ultimately, sales of these boom-inducing components will continue to improve as dealers become more educated on the various features and proper placement techniques. While use in more multi-use rooms is expanding, the market remains more sophisticated in dedicated home theater use. But this is likely set to change, suggested

Kevin Voecks, product development manager for Harman’s Luxury Audio Group. “As end-users and integrators better understand the value of subwoofers in two-channel and architectural applications, their use is certain to become more widespread,” he said.

Driving Sub SalesIn a more general sense, consumers are demanding more bass due in part to increased interest in improved audio quality. Manufacturers have pointed several different market trends as to why this is the case.

Sandy Gross, designer and founder of GoldenEar, described a “refocus” on music in the market. GoldenEar’s most recent product emphasis has been on value-priced high performance speakers. “We have seen surveys, recently, that indicate buyers want to upgrade their subwoofers with more compact high-performance subwoofers at this [mid-range] price point. Not cheap, but not off in ‘Never Never Land,’” Gross said. “I think that the subwoofer market is poised for a strong resurgence both in terms of new installs, as well as upgrading, as we see the demand for quality performance grow.”

Lars Kragh Johansen, president, M&K Sound, envisions a “constant demand” for increasingly better accuracy in sound for music and movies. He also cited further development in audio standards, like Dolby and DTS, as well as Blu-ray discs contributing to this demand.

Triad Speakers’ president Larry Pexton referenced specific demand for “a high-performance in-wall subwoofer that can be retrofit into a 4-inch stud bay.” So the company went ahead and

introduced just that, with the SlimSub. “Now that we have a product that performs at a high level, but comes with a flat grill, which we will custom paint at no charge to match the client’s décor, we expect very rapid growth in this category,” Pexton said.

Some manufacturers tie the increased interest in seismic sounds to the popularity of soundbars (and inherently, the sad, tinny audio of flat-panel TV speakers).

“TV speakers and soundbars have weak or non-existent bass,” said Gary Yacoubian, president and managing partner, SVS, “so more movie and audio enthusiasts are realizing just how important accurate, powerful bass can be to their entertainment, and that is driving awareness and sales of high-end subwoofers.”

Peter Tribeman, president Atlantic Technology, went as far as equating soundbars to subwoofers, in that, “Ironically, as TVs get thinner and soundbars get smaller, the need for subwoofers increases.”

Others cite the influx of high-end headphones, many of which highlight bass as translating to the speaker market. “For many customers, especially younger ones, it’s no longer ok to have a couple of little speakers with no output below 80 or 100 Hz,” said Loren Maldoon, national sales manager, Proficient Audio.

Wireless audio is another broader market trend subwoofer manufacturers, including MSE Audio and Paradigm, are taking advantage of.

MSE’s Ken Hecht believes wireless subs that blend into a room “will become more and more important to our customers.”

Paradigm’s Zoltan Balla offered an important reminder about the effect of room dimensions and

Leon Speaker’s O-Hawk sub is a variation on the Aaros Ultra-Thin, providing a sculptural rendition built to be a statement piece.

Phase Technology has three models available in its PC-SUB-WL series of wireless subs, but any powered sub can be turned into a wireless unit via a wireless sub receiver, which works in tandem with Phase Technology’s WL-Surround system.

features on bass performance. “A wireless platform allows installers the freedom to get creative when positioning the subwoofer within the room without having to worry about the negative effects of the room,” he said.

Velodyne is releasing the Wi-Q series, a smart sub featuring the company’s WiConnect System for wireless connection. “The market trend is toward wireless technology, and our new Wi-Q series represents our embracing and building on that technology,” said Marta Hall, president, Veloydne. “This new series appeals to end users and installers by eliminating the constraints of messy wires and cables, allowing for a clean look and feel to complement the interior space of any home.”

Another way to add value for subs is with tools that help facilitate proper placement and equalization, including room correction software. Revel offers

Low Frequency Optimization (LFO) software for in-room measurements and equalization.

MartinLogan’s Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) calculates correction curves for individual measurement points–at least five and up to 10–minimizing the rounding mistakes that standard room equalization systems often make, according to Devin Zell, product manager. “Better controls and faster integration into residential systems will make adding subwoofers easier than ever before,” Zell said, “and we believe most subwoofers will come standard with some sort of correction software.”

Outdoor audio is another area where manufacturers see promise for more subwoofer sales. SpeakerCraft’s Marshall pointed to the Boomtomb sub, which can be buried in the ground. He noted that homeowners are realizing that “outdoor systems can be just as good as indoor systems.”

While every one is focusing on hiding subs more, Leon Speakers has found that sometimes a “statement piece” fits the bill, particularly in the European market and modernist homes in the U.S., according to Ethan Kaplan, director of marketing. Leon’s O-Hawk sculptural speaker is made from 50 pounds of billet aluminum with chrome-treated trim.

There’s clearly an abundance of high-quality subwoofer solutions on the market, and all signs point to dynamic growth, as more consumers demand the best possible sound for a wide range of reasons. Manufacturers have dutifully answered the call with technology developments enabling more

discrete subwoofer installations at appealing price points. Lindsey Adler is associate editor for Residential Systems, Systems Contractor News, and Healthcare AV.

More OnlineRead about optimum sub placement by Harman’s Todd Welti, as well as a recent column by Tony Grimani at residentialsystems.com/0613.

Proficient’s new line of architectural subwoofers includes two in-wall options—IWS82 and IWS 100—and an in-ceiling, ICS10.

The flat grill, flush mount design of the Triad SlimSub represents an aesthetical improvement over the model it replaces.



Sometimes a little client education can go a long way.

Dave Raines, president of New York home automation contractor Osbee Industries, went into a beautiful Manhattan townhouse to talk about a new intercom and started asking questions.

“I had never seen an art collection like this in a private home, but hanging next to the paintings were these ugly control devices–three-, four-, and even 12-gang light switches, thermostats, humidity sensors, and audio system controls. We asked the homeowner if he had ever thought about replacing them all with a single, integrated system.”

Raines client just thought that was the way it had to be, not realizing how much more elegant technology could make their home. “It’s like the lock on a car door. If no one ever showed you a keyless remote, you wouldn’t really think about it. You would just go on using a key,” Raines said.

He and his engineers began explaining what an integrated home is all about, and the homeowner liked what he heard. Osbee technicians, working hand in hand with a security contractor and various tradesmen, ended up tearing out the piecemeal systems. The new system they installed brings security, lighting, heating, air conditioning,

audio, and video together with simplified Crestron controls.

The New Security SystemSince security was the homeowner’s first priority, Raines says the integration design began with an upgrade to the home’s intercom and video surveillance systems. In addition to burglar and fire alarms, the townhouse now includes an automated surveillance system with several digital cameras.

When visitors ring the doorbell, their image appears automatically on 10 Crestron V15 touchscreens strategically located throughout the residence. Each V-Panel, which is tied into a Holovision video entry system, has a built-in microphone and speaker, so family members can see and speak to each other and to visitors. A Crestron quad-view video processor allows them to see visitors and what they are carrying from four angles at once, or view up to four different locations in the house.

Once they are satisfied that they want to let the visitor in–or if they need to monitor or activate the alarm systems–they can do so from the touchscreens.

Lighting and ClimateTo eliminate the large number of individual light switches, the Osbee technical crew had to open the walls, remove the old switches, and much of the wiring, and replace them with a new system based on a Crestron PAC2 lighting processor. Now family members can turn on any or all rooms’ lights from any of the Crestron touchscreens, or they can control an individual room’s lighting from a single, engraved Cameo keypad mounted on the wall.

Because the homeowner is a serious art collector, the works he owns exceed the wall space available to display them. The homeowner (and his staff) are constantly changing what’s being shown, and the lighting needs to change accordingly. For that reason, Osbee programmers included simplified adjustment screens on the touchscreens, allowing staff without technical skills to fine-tune each fixture. Osbee also included a few wireless Crestron dimmers so that the homeowner can plug in temporary fixtures for specific setups, yet still control them from the central system.

In addition to the lighting, Osbee integrated seven groups of motorized shades and three motorized drapery tracks with pre-programmed settings for privacy and sunlight control.

The Art Collectora simple Question leads to a Home automation,

ligHting, aV, and secuRity pRoJect

by Don Kreski

An upstairs sitting room features digital artwork, presented at the highest possible quality via a DigitalMedia network.


Air temperature and humidity are crucial to any serious art collector, and so Osbee included a Crestron GLA-BMS building management interface to allow the system to monitor and control the heating and air conditioning systems. Technicians were able to use nearly invisible wall sensors, eliminating an ugly thermostat and humidistat from each of eight climate zones.

Audio and VideoEntertainment is part of any home, and this family especially enjoys music and movies. They also own a number of digital works of art that must be displayed on video systems.

The entertainment system now includes 16 audio zones, each of which can access any of five audio sources, plus six video displays, including a family room projection system with a 106-inch screen, flat-panel TVs in the master bedroom and gym, and three more flat-panels in an upstairs sitting room dedicated to digital artwork. Osbee technicians upgraded the projection system and its motorized lift, so a touch of a button on a touchscreen or remote control brings the projector and screen down out of the ceiling, where they stay hidden when not in use.

Because today’s video sources are digital and must be compliant with HDCP copy protection and other requirements of the HDMI digital

standard, Osbee based the video system on Crestron DigitalMedia technology. In this house, DigitalMedia carries high-definition video and audio on a high-bandwidth IP network, together with the internet and computer network traffic. At the homeowner’s request, Osbee programmers added news and weather websites to the touchscreens, keeping the family constantly up to date without the need to go to a computer.

A Challenging Time WindowThe biggest challenge of this project, according to Raines, was not the integration of the technology but the time available to install it. “The homeowner asked if we could install all of the new systems during a 10-day period when the family would be on vacation.”

Homeowners can see and talk to visitors at the front door from any of 10 touchscreens in the residence, then allow them entry via electronic door locks.

The wall-mounted 15-inch touchscreen in the vestibule makes it easy for every family member to control temperature settings–and every other system of the residence–the moment they arrive home. The floorplan-based interface was custom-designed to match the needs of the client and the aesthetics of the home.

Nobody had ever presented the fact that you could

integrate this all into one system, but once he understood that, the homeowner was really happy to have us do the work.

“”


A period of 10 days is not a lot of time for a project of this scale. The construction phase, including removing the artwork, opening the walls, rewiring the lighting system and repairing the plaster, all had to be completed in the first four days. Crews then had just six more days to paint, install monitors, speakers, touchscreens, and other electronic components, then re-hang the artwork.

Raines says they finished on time for three main reasons. First, because he had as many as 25 people on site, each with his own carefully planned task to perform. Second, before the crews assembled, Osbee technicians pre-wired, pre-programmed, and pre-tested all of the major systems.

“For example, we pre-staged all of the dimming systems in metal enclosures, then transported

them to the townhouse already wired up, so we could just drop them into place.” As importantly, the crews found any problems before going out to the site, debugging software and replacing any faulty components prior to the main install.”

Third, they relied on the expertise of their main automation vendor, Crestron. “We knew we were pushing the envelope on these systems, so we were prepared

for problems. Crestron sent their own technicians to our office, to help us get the automation systems working perfectly before we took them out to the townhouse for installation.”

Raines says the homeowner has been very happy with the new systems and has asked for several minor upgrades in the year since it was first installed. “This is someone with very high standards,” he said. “If it did not work perfectly, we would have had to replace it by now. For that reason, our team pushed the envelope to the point where we asked Crestron to write new firmware for the touchscreens to meet the unique needs of this installation–and they were glad to help us.”

The fact that the project changed from a simple intercom upgrade into a houseful of new electronic systems came down to client education. “Nobody had ever presented the fact that you could integrate this all into one system, but once he understood that, the homeowner was really happy to have us do the work.”Don Kreski is president of Kreski Marketing Consultants in Mt. Prospect, IL.

Osbee technicians upgraded the projection system and its motorized lift, so a touch of a button on a touchscreen or remote control brings the projector and screen down out of the ceiling, where they stay hidden when not in use.

At the center of the system is the equipment rack, tucked away in the mechanical room,

with five control processors that drive three flat-panel displays, six HD video sources, five

audio sources, 16 audio zones, eight HVAC zones, 98 loads of lighting, plus doorphones,

security cameras, drapes, and shades.

More OnlineCheck out more pictures from this installation at residentialsystems.com/0613.

RACKS&MOUNTSThe InTegraTIon guIde To

A Supplement to mAgAzine

Available in three models defined by their weight capacity, the Draper AeroLift projector lifts are powered

by tubular motors and feature a stabilizing arm, which can be used

for cable management.

SPonSored BY

As the literal spine holding up AV products, mounts, lifts, and enclosures are an essen-tial step in completing clean, professional integration projects. It is a supporting role that rightly takes its development cues from the leading products in the industry, and in the case of residential integration, that is often flat-screen displays. While articulated and motorized solutions are a welcomed addition to the wide array of AV support products in the consumer and pro AV mar-kets, good ol’ traditional mounts and enclo-sures are still proving to be great options for big and small integration projects.

Staying MountedOmniMount’s recently launched OC80FM TV wall mount, which is compatible with most 37- to 63-inch TVs currently available, has been pitched as “ideal for entry-level consumers looking for a low-profile and easy-to-use large full-motion mount.” A hit for OmniMount, Zach Eyman, senior prod-uct manager for the company, attributes the OC80FM’s success to its high-end look and feel in addition to its aggressive price point.

“The mount fits a wide range of panels, making it easier to spec, and has all the features necessary for a clean and efficient install,” Eyman noted. “The OC80FM has proven a great solution for installers and home owners.”

Designed to address common integra-tion problems, such as leveling and stud location, Chief Manufacturing’s Fusion series of flat-panel mount solutions, which includes everything from wall and ceiling

Supporting ActSMounts, Lifts, and Enclosures continue to be the Backbone of integrated Systemsby Llanor Alleyne

[A2]

RACKS & MOUNTS

OmniMount’s recently launched OC80FM TV wall mount, which is compatible with most 37- to 63-inch TVs currently available, targets entry-level consumers that want a low-profile yet large and full-motion mount.

[A3]

RACKS & MOUNTS

mounts to carts and stands, have been an attractive option for its customers. In the series, the wall mount systems are notable for having fixed, tilt, and pullout options that work well individually or in combination to create larger digital displays, while Fusion carts and stands can be used for single display or video walls.

“Our Micro-Adjustable Tilt Wall Mount offers post-installation adjustment features to help ensure professional results regardless of where the studs are located and if the anchors are a bit off from level,” said Luke Weston, associate product manager for Chief. “With the generous amount of adjustment available in the mount, you are sure to have a solidly aligned display right where you want it.”

Premier Mounts’ AM100 ultra-slim, low-profile, swing-out mount works in tandem with the companion INW-AM100 in-wall box to support large-screen, lightweight TV displays up to 100 pounds. “It features an extension capability of up to 30 inches from the wall, 15 degrees of downward tilt and 180 degrees of swivel adjustment for ultimate flexibility in display positioning,” explained Tom Noack, Premier Mounts’ marketing manager. “The mount also smoothly and easily retracts to an extremely low profile of 1.5 inches from the wall. The dedicated and secure INW-AM100 in-wall box pro-vides the necessary space to store power and signal cables, as well as media players and cable boxes. It also provides an option for universal or international power sources and is secured with a key lock lid. The box also features cutouts for cable routing directly to the swing arm to keep cords organized and [to] prevent pinching.”

To broach the barrier between outdoor and indoor spaces, Peerless-AV has created an extensive product series called PeerAir, which specifically caters to wireless content streaming. Featuring a wide selection of mounting solutions to complement the com-pany’s Wireless HD Multimedia System (HDS-WHDI100) and the HD Flow Pro Wireless Kit, the PeerAir line is aimed squarely at the residential system consumer.

“Our unique line of integrated wireless mounting systems, the industry’s only integrated wireless mount for both indoor and out-door applications, have seen tremendous lift given the increased interest in the development of outdoor living spaces,” said Nick Belcore, vice president of North American sales for Peerless-AV.

Real Sound Inc., Bethel PaRk, Pahow have you utilized mounts to boost your business?

We have boosted our business and are reaping the rewards simply

by bringing the crimson line in and utilizing the vast assortment of

off-the-shelf and custom solutions that they have available. the line

is built right, priced right, supported by a great team, and backed

with a 10-year warranty, so there’s really no question as to the value

provided. there’s plenty of margin built in, which allows us to be

competitive in the marketplace, with solutions that function well and

elevate the quality of our work day-in, day-out. and, because the

line is well protected and not broadly available online, it is one that

we don’t get shopped on or have to justify the pricing of at every

turn, which is both an added value and a huge benefit.

InteRIoR SyStemS deSIgn, Inc., Sun Valley, cahow have you utilized lifts to boost your business?

We use a variety of Inca lift mechanisms to conceal/reveal large

flat-screen televisions and monitors. the choice of mechanism is

typically determined by the characteristics of the space itself. If

there is no attic space, or if there is another floor above the room

where the tV is to be located, we use “fold-down” or “fold-down

and extend” mechanisms, as they typically fit in a standard ceiling

space, although framing is generally required to accommodate the

mechanism. the “fold-down” mechanism works particularly well for

bedrooms, as tVs are generally mounted higher than normal to

provide the most comfortable viewing angle for a person viewing

it from bed.

Briefly describe a project in which lifts helped you to achieve

great results.

We are currently working on a project that uses both a “fold-down

and drop,” as well as a “vertical double-drop ceiling lift” in order

to provide tV viewing in a couple of spaces that require complete

concealment of any type of electronics when not in use. the “fold-

down and extend” lift is used on a patio to reveal a 55-inch tV at a

comfortable viewing height when sitting and standing. no cabinetry

is required for it as it drops out of the ceiling and is completely hid-

den and protected from the elements when not in use. the vertical

double-drop ceiling lift is used to reveal a large (and heavy) 84-inch

4k tV in a living room in front of a fireplace transforming it into a

home theater.

yVeS RIchaRz

ken knaPP

Manufacturing’s Fusion series of flat-panel mount solutions includes everything from wall and ceiling mounts to carts and stands.

[A5]

RACKS & MOUNTS

“The backyard has become an exten-sion of the living room. And we have seen a major increase in our sales of outdoor/environmental products.”

Within SnapAV’s Strong line of mounts, the Contractor Series of articulating mounts (SM-CS-ART2-L/XL and SM-CS-ART1-M) have been the leading sold product for the company, according to Erin Bowman, marketing communications manager for SnapAV.

“These models are a full-feature solution at a competitive price for budget-conscious jobs,” Bowman noted. “It’s not only a solidly built piece, but features full articulating motion, integrated wire-management and easy tilt adjustments. It’s also universally com-patible and, like all of our products, we designed this mount to be installer-friendly; it installs in just minutes.”

Salamander Designs’ Cabinet Integrated TV mounts sidesteps wall mounting all together by mounting the television directly onto the cabinet—a solution that company president, Sal Carrabba, pointed out is ideal for apartment dwellers.

Salamander’s Cabinet Integrated TV Mounts are a unique solu-tion to safely securing a flat-panel TV without the cost and aggra-vation of wall mounting,” Carrabba said. “Although our Integrated TV Mounts deliver the sleek look of a wall-mounted solution, the TV is actually mounted to the AV cabinet, ideal for apartment dwellers or for locations with brick or concrete, where wall mount-ing is particularly challenging. Salamander’s Integrated TV Mounts also fully accommodate all related wiring, providing a neat and clean appearance in the home.”

In the case of Crimson, the AU series of ultra thin articulating mounts have been a best seller. Designed, according to com-pany president Vlad Gleyzer, to provide the lowest profile while retaining the ability to expand the size range from VESA 200 hole patterns to 300 and 400 hole patterns, without compromising or covering inputs, the AU series are fit for a variety of residential and

The STereo Shop, harTford, CThow have you utilized mounts to boost your business?

The Salamander Cabinet Integrated TV Mounts are an ideal solution

for apartment dwellers, transients, and anyone who prefers not to

make holes in their wall for a TV mount. My customers love how

they look, and there are no holes in the wall to patch up should

they decide to relocate. These mounts also have an important safety

advantage versus a stand-mounted TV on a cabinet, which could

fall over and potentially cause injury. Salamanders’ integrated TV

bracket holds the set securely and requires no unsightly screw holes

into the top of the beautiful furniture.

Briefly describe a project in which mounts helped you to achieve

great results.

The Stereo Shop recently completed an installation for a customer

that included a bedroom TV that, due to room geometry, had to

be located at an odd angle in relationship to the bed. Salamander’s

motorized mount enabled us to secure the TV in the most visually

attractive location while making it easy for the users to optimize

viewing angle from the bed at the touch of a button.

aTlanTa hoMe TheaTer, roSwell, Gahow have you utilized mounts to boost your business?

Simply put, we can increase our profit margins without sacrificing

quality and, in turn, our reputation. The vast array of models from

SnapaV allow us to mount our products effectively in any scenario

to meet our client’s needs while decreasing engineering and instal-

lation time.

SCoTT roSS

nICk perfITo

The Peerless-AV HDS-OWK-200 wireless outdoor kit attaches to an outdoor TV, eliminating the need for signal cables.

Crimson’s AU series of ultra thin articulating mounts was designed to provide the lowest profile while retaining the ability to expand the size range from VESA 200 hole patterns to 300 and 400 hole patterns, without compromising or covering inputs.

commercial projects. “We added safety mechanisms that make it an appealing solu-

tion for hospitality and mobile environments, which provides inte-grators an opportunity to diversify their offering and create niche solutions,” Gleyzer explained. “It’s a convenient and value-priced go-to line that serves many purposes and provides a very real ben-efit to integrator and end-user alike.”

At Bell’O International, the 7615B tilting wall mount has enjoyed success among the company’s dealer base because of its versatil-ity, durability, and ease of use, said Marc Sculler, CEO. Compatible with almost all 37- to 80-inch flat-panel TV displays up to 200 pounds, the 7615B stands out for its ability to accommodate add-ons, such as a soundbar, using Bell’O’s 7912B universal soundbar mount.

Sanus’s best-selling mount, the VMPL50A, is a redesign of the company’s VMPL50. Featuring newly integrated technologies to aid easy installation, a lower profile, and open wall plate for cable management, the VMPL50A now accommodates larger televisions from 32 inches to 70 inches and up to 150 pounds. Using propri-etary ProSet technology, the mount also allows installers to adjust the height and level of the display after hanging, while TV brackets snap into place on the wall for further ease of installation.

“The depth and overall size of TVs has an impact on how we engi-

neer and design our products to function fluidly and consistently,” said Lauren Theobald, senior marketing channel manager. “Many mount manufacturers do not take varying depths of TV’s from LED to LCD into account, and therefore, the mount’s performance is not consistent. Our mounts hold the TV in the desired position and the user can move and interact with it without tools! Also, the depth of our mounts is reflective of the depth of the TV as well.”

Lifted, Racked, and encLosedHaving exited the static mount market a few years ago, Draper has moved into developing motorized conceal/reveal products, among them the AeroLift family of projector lifts. Available in three models defined by their weight capacity, the AeroLifts are powered by tubular motors and feature a stabilizing arm, which can be used for cable management.

“They have a very small profile, making them easy to work into the smaller spaces our customers work with,” said Bob Hadsell, Draper’s home theater sales manager. “The range of sizes and weight classifications makes it easy to work with most projectors in the residential market.”

Inca’s Ultra-Silent flat-screen lift can be mounted at the foot of a bed, in a desk, kitchen counter—anywhere integrators can cleverly come up with. Able to accommodate flat-screen TVs between 16

RACKS & MOUNTS

inches wide to 80 inches wide, the Ultra-Silent lift is designed to reveal and conceal flat-screens using a motor contained within a moving bar housed in the unit.

“Our clients know that when they come to Inca, they are receiv-ing a unit built in America with care and diligence and that they will receive the best possible unit to date,” said Roger Fortier, who handles technical support for the company. “[Our lifts fea-ture] a slim design, sturdy construction, superior engineering, and near-silent operation. [They] also allow for ease of installation, and [there’s] a simple method of shipping of the units.”

Lowell’s LPTR series of racks, specifically built for the residential systems market, feature a pullout mechanism that makes them ideal for custom cabinetry. The 19-inch EIA open-frame rack has heavy-duty slides for smooth, pullout access to equipment, while a push-button lock eliminates latch binding as the rack rotates on a turntable and a lockout mechanism automatically engages to keep the rack in a fully extended position when equipment is serviced.

“This rack mounts in cabinetry and [can be] pulled out and rotated in either direction for easy access to the rear of the equipment,” said Thomas Lowell, residential sales manager for the company. “When pulled out, the rack locks in place, and then from there, you can rotate it in either direction where it will lock in 60- or 90-degree positions.”

Middle Atlantic Products has three popular categories of enclo-sures that are dependent on location, system size, and customer preference. As explained by Mark Tracy, director of product man-agement and business development, the company’s in-wall racks

offer a flush, high-tech appearance while allowing slide-out access to equipment, with the AX-S and SRSS series as the best examples of this category in action. MAP’s CFR (Cabinet Frame Racks) and Slim-5 Series are the highlights of the company’s millwork and furniture-mounted racks, ideal for hidden installations where equip-ment ventilation and cable management are necessary. Finally, for larger systems in need of a dedicated equipment room, Tracy pointed to MAP’s BGR and MRK vertical-welded racks, which accommodate the deepest equipment, the greatest amount of cable, and are best for high heat density applications.

InfluentIal factorsAs has been the trend, ever thinner and lighter televisions have driven innovation in the mount segment, while smaller and wireless AV components have exerted influence in the design of enclosure products.

“The development of very thin and lightweight TVs have pushed us to manufacture units in a more compact or thin style,” Fortier said, echoing some of his manufacturer colleagues. “And, at the same time, have allowed us to push the envelope further on certain models accepting larger size TVs that are much lighter. This trend of thin lightweight TVs has allowed our engineering department more freedom in design and may lead us to new complete designs not imagined before.”

Interestingly, enclosure manufacturers Lowell and Middle Atlantic have reported another significant shift in the market that

[A7]

RACKS & MOUNTS

Able to accommodate flat-screen TVs between 16 inches wide to 80 inches wide, the Inca Ultra-Silent lift is designed to reveal and conceal flat-screens using a motor contained within a moving bar housed in the unit.

Lowell’s LPTR series of racks, specifically built for the residential systems market, feature a pullout mechanism that makes them ideal for custom cabinetry.

will impact the design of their future products: the growing integra-tion of IT and networking products with AV systems.

“For us, the IT market will have the greatest impact,” said Tom Lowell. “I see us broadening our rack line, as well as accessory items for the IT market. By broadening, I mean deeper and taller

racks to accommodate the enormous size of servers. With the serv-ers, of course, come the large bundles of wiring which takes up more room in the rear of the rack. Also, with the large servers is the weight, so IT racks have to be more robust.”

MAP’s Tracy noted that “networked AV systems will continue to have a significant impact on enclosures design considerations, as well as on the cable management and cooling required by networked digital devices. We will continue to develop innova-tive enclosures that can accommodate digital control, switching, network devices and media servers, but equally important to the reliability of the system are IP power products, like RackLink, that can reboot these devices automatically and remotely, or smart fan systems that move more air as a rack gets hotter—or less when it’s off, saving energy.”

The evolution of display devices and consumers’ growing reli-ance on networked AV components ensures that this category, the physical backbone of integrated systems, will continue to thrive on both traditional designed mounting/enclosure mechanisms, as well as newer, sleeker ways of concealing, revealing, displaying, and controlling home entertainment systems.

Llanor Alleyne is a contributing editor to Residential Systems, based in St. James, Barbados.

RACKS & MOUNTS

Middle Atlantic Products’ in-wall racks offer a flush, high-tech appearance while allowing slide-out access to equipment, with the AX-S and SRSS series as the best examples of this category in action.


ProductReview

That fact hinges entirely upon the size of my massive front paws, and the lack of space inside the Channel Vision 6564. Within its modestly sized dome, the camera packs not only an Ethernet connection (the one I fumbled at trying to connect to for the better part of half an hour before giving up), but also breakout connections for 12-volt power, IO, video output, and microphone input and output. With only one PoE-capable Cat-5e cable handling all of those jobs, though setup was pretty easy in my case–once I procured the assistance of more human-sized hands.

You wouldn’t think there would be a lot to review other than that, but in fact, the Channel Vision 6564 is pretty packed with features, including most of the tools and hardware you’ll

need for outdoor installation, a CD packed with utilities and instructions manuals, mobile app support, and of course, integration capabilities with home automation systems (in my case, Control4).

Before you dig into any of that, though, there’s actually quite a bit of tweak-ability built into the 6564, accessible via Internet Explorer on the local network. With nothing but a browser, you can customize all sorts of settings, including assigning the camera a static IP address (absolutely essential), make all of the sorts of image adjustments you would to a display, set the resolution (up to 1080p), choose color daytime mode, black & white nighttime mode, infrared nighttime mode, or even put the camera on a schedule to use natural light during the daytime and infrared illumination at night. You can set up schedules, events, alerts, and user settings, all without cracking open any of the other software included with the camera.

The tweaks extend down to the level of things like shutter-speed adjustments, but even without digging that deep–merely selecting automatic settings and letting it do its thing–I was instantly impressed by the quality of the image. The screen capture image on p. 43 was taken in a room with only a tiny bit of sunlight leaking in. So little, in fact, that I wouldn’t have been able to walk around the room without breaking a toe, and I’m known for surviving on as little light as humanly possible.

The CD also includes recording software with all manner of variables, most of which are pretty intuitive once you get the software connected to the camera and running–which, again, will have you running for the manual your first time around for some assistance with the network setting. Other than that, though, navigation of the recording software is pretty straightforward and includes all

Channel Vision 6564 IP Dome Camera

b y d e n n i s b u R g e R

generally speaking, i’m a pretty strong believer in equality between the sexes. and by that i mean that, except for childbirth and a few other obvious things, anything a woman can do, a man can–with enough determination and patience–accomplish with something at least resembling competence. but, as thomas Henry Huxley so beautifully put it, there are few things in life quite so tragic as “the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.” and so, i have to

admit, i simply could not install Channel Vision’s 6564 2 megapixel vandal proof iP dome camera with iR

and POe without some feminine assistance.

800.840.0288channelvision.com

Kudos

a feature-packed and (mostly) easy-to-configure iP camera perfect for outside use, with excellent image quality in both daylight and pitch blackness.

Concerns

you’re gonna need some itty bitty fingers to access the connections inside the camera.

Product Specs image sensor: 2.7-inch

CmOs (2 megapixel)

lens: 3-9mm Varifocal F1.8

sensitivity: Color: 0.1 lux (agC on); b/W: 0 lux (iR on)

iR distance: 18 leds, max distance 15 meters

angle of view: 35.5 degrees-126.8 degrees (h) x 21.6 degrees - 69.4 degrees (v)

Video compression: H.264, mJPeg, mPeg-4 (3gPP only for mPeg-4)

max resolution: 1920x1080

supported resolutions: 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480, 320x240, 176x144

Video output: Composite, bnC

With nothing but a browser, you can customize all sorts of settings, including assigning Channel Vision’s 6564 2 megapixel vandal proof IP dome camera a static IP address (absolutely essential), make all of the sorts of image adjustments you would to a display, set the resolution (up to 1080p), choose color daytime mode, black and white nighttime mode, infrared nighttime mode, or even put the camera on a schedule to use natural light during the daytime and infrared illumination at night.

of the features you could want, including the ability to overwrite old data when your hard drive fills up. And given that you’ll need about a gigabyte for the highest quality video settings (or about half that for the standard setting, which was the lowest I found acceptable), you can run out of disc space quickly, depending on the size of your hard drive.

Ultimately, though, what I was most interested in was integrating the camera into my Control4 system, so I can keep an eye on Bruno, my rescue pitbull, when I’m not at home. Control4 doesn’t have native driver support for Channel Vision cameras, but Extra Vegetables does offer a free

driver that I was able to quickly install and

bring the 6564 into my home control ecosystem in a matter of minutes. At first, I ran into some issues with remote connect via MyHome, which Control4 and I originally chalked up to the driver. It turns out, though, to have been a problem with the way my installer registered my Control4 system. Once that was patched up, I was able to easily stream video from the camera to my 7-inch touchscreen remote, TVs, the PC-based MyHome software, and my iOS devices, I’m able to instantaneously access the feed from the 6564, albeit with a somewhat choppier frame rate than I get from direct browser access.

Channel Vision’s new iPhone app, just released in April (and a replacement, apparently, for the problematic third-party IProSecu M. V2 recommended in the instruction manual) also delivers a somewhat choppy video feed, so this isn’t a knock against the Control4 system or Extra Vegetables’ driver. At any rate, the ability to tap into my camera from anywhere I have a wireless or cellular signal and keep an eye on Bruno is super handy.

All in all, the Channel Vision 6564 offered way more functionality than I expected for an IP camera, even one as nicely put together as this. It’s built like a tank, loaded with features and functionality, and I have no doubt it could withstand the rigors of outside installation easily.

Just be sure to bring an extra set of hands (tiny, nimble hands) along with you when it comes time to install one.

The Channel Vision’s 6564 2 Megapixel Vandal Proof IP Dome Camera image quality was impressive even with only a tiny bit of sunlight leaking in.

The Channel Vision 6564 offered way more functionality

than I expected for an IP camera, even one as nicely put together as this.“

”


ProductReview

When NuVo Technologies demonstrated its new Wireless Audio System at CEDIA 2012, I felt we might have the first true competitor to Sonos. And after playing with it extensively for several months, I’m confident that it’s the real deal that will excite both integrators and their customers.

NuVo manufactures three players: the wired/wireless P100 and P200 and wired-only P3100. The wireless players feature identical connections but the P200 ups the power output (60 watts x 2, versus 20 watts x 2) and adds Bluetooth aptX streaming. (The P200 also features a currently unused input labeled “Setup Mic.”) The P3100 is essentially three P100s combined in a rack-mountable chassis that will make racking a larger system much cleaner than using of a bunch of

mini components. All players feature a mini-jack input for

adding a local source (like a STB), an output for connecting headphones or external amplifier to drive large zones, and USB to connect a local drive. What’s especially cool is that any input or USB drive is available for streaming to all zones around the home.

Wireless distribution requires the GW100 Gateway, which creates its own dual-band concurrent 802.11n Wi-Fi network. (For reliable wireless performance users cannot do any web surfing via this connection.) The GW100 states an optimistic 300-foot range, but multiple GW100s can be used if needed. The GW100 also features a five-port Gigabit switch for connecting

nuVo technologiesWireless Audio System

b y J o h n s c i a c c a

you can’t talk about wireless audio systems without addressing the 800-pound gorilla in the room: sonos. and, there’s a lot of love to give to sonos; it supports almost every streaming service under the sun, it has a great user interface, it installs in a matter of minutes, and it just works. the downside to sonos is that it is readily available, direct to consumers, has very low dealer margins, and doesn’t play nice with the third-party control systems that we all love to install. but there are times–especially on retrofits–where wireless audio distribution is just the perfect solution, and people are increasingly comfortable with streaming music in an app-based control world. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were another wireless option besides sonos?

859.817.7200 nuvotechnologies.com

Kudos

Great app, abundant features, and rock-solid performance; bluetooth adds additional streaming options

Concerns

extent of third-party inte-gration remains to be seen

Product Specs GW100 Gateway provides

dual-band concurrent 802.11n Wi-Fi with up to 300 mbps transfer and 300-foot range

P100 Player has 20 watt x 2 amplifier and usb input and 3.5 mm input and output

P200 Player has 60 watt x 2 amplifier, and adds aptX bluetooth streaming

P3100 is 1u rack-mount version of three P100s and requires hard-wired ethernet cable; features internal network switch and RJ45 output for connecting other components; includes three trigger input and outputs

supports up to 16 players

handles mP3, Wma, aac, ogg Vorbis, Flac (up to 96/24) and WaV

native support for Pandora, tunein, Rhapsody, sirius/Xm

controlled via free iosor android app

NuVo Technologies demonstrated its new Wireless Audio System at CEDIA 2012, and now it is shipping.


other devices.Installation–explained via a 5x5-inch “SET

UP 1-2-3” card–is amazingly simple. Step one is “download and launch the NuVo app for iOS or Android.” Step 2 is “follow the on-screen instructions,” which basically involves pressing a connect button on each player, selecting an icon, and naming the zone/player. Step 3 is, “Enjoy uninterrupted listening.” And in reality, it’s pretty much that simple.

Beyond basic bass, treble, balance, and loudness adjustments, there are some nice configuration options on all of the players. I like that you can “force” the system into mono, summing the left and right signals together on each output; this is a very handy feature in some installs. The players

also incorporate Audyssey’s Dynamic

Volume to help even out volume levels. The system supports Pandora, Rhapsody,

Sirius/XM, and TuneIn, and un-used services can be hidden to avoid confusion. Streaming stored content requires NuVo’s Music Share software (Mac and PC versions available). Music Share scans connected drives for MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC (up to 96/24), and WAV files and makes the content available for streaming.

I used both the iPhone and iPad versions of the app and NuVo did a great job creating something that is equal parts powerful, intuitive, slick, and easy to use. There is also a Control4 driver from Extra Vegetables, and Crestron is on NuVo’s priority list “along with a couple others,” perhaps in the next two months, according to the company.

The home page shows all available zones and what (if anything) they are playing. Tapping a zone brings up a list of listening options–stored library, Pandora, etc.–and then selecting an option gives choices for browsing by artist, album, genre, or searching. Creating stations on Pandora, adding favorites on TuneIn or searching music on Rhapsody or your stored library is easy. A recent software update allows queuing music, letting you

create playlists on the fly, even mixing Rhapsody and local content. Grouping zones playing the same thing is as simple as dragging zones together. Within a second, the new zone(s) join and start playing the same music in perfect sync. Volume can be adjusted individually or all at once and unlinking zones is as simple as dragging them out of the group.

I really liked the P200’s Bluetooth feature, letting me enjoy content from my phone, like Songza or YouTube. It’s also cool that other zones can join the Bluetooth stream. Just be careful not to wander outside of the P200’s Bluetooth range or music stutters to a halt.

Sonically the system sounded great. While the P200 was definitely able to wring some more bass and detail from my speakers, the P100/P3100 also had plenty of power to drive speakers to loud, undistorted volumes. In fact, I brought the NuVo Wireless Audio system into my CI showroom and used it to demonstrate speakers around our showroom. Performance wise, the wireless never stumbled or disappointed.

Honestly, there aren’t many reasons not to love the NuVo system, and if you’ve been looking for a solid wireless alternative to Sonos, your search is officially over.

Editor's Spotlight: Accell's Mobile Power Solutionsas the number of mobile devices has increased in the modern home, so has the challenge for finding an uncluttered method for recharging a collection of device batteries all at once. Residential Systems editorial director Jeremy Glowacki recently turned to the aV accessories professionals at accell Corp. to help streamline his own charging scenario, and the company answered back with its cleverly designed Home or away Power station and Powersquid surge projector. Here’s his brief review.

my accell Power station, which is available in black or white, plugged snugly into and against a standard, single-gang wall outlet behind the kitchen countertop that has become the de facto resting spot for my family’s mobile devices, laptops, and camera battery chargers. Because it is equipped with three transformer-spaced outlets and two usB charging outlets rated at 2.1 amps, i can now charge up to five devices at a time with 612 joules of surge protection to all connected devices. it’s just about the most elegant solution that i’ve found, and i even take the station on the road for hotel stops. and, as if accell hadn’t helped me enough already, the company also sent me its aptly named Powersquid surge protector and power conditioner that has become the perfect addition to my garage, where my extension cords, rechargeable drills, and lawn-mower electric starters await a summer full of chores. it accommodates up to five bulky transformer plugs with ease, adding another streamlined power solution to my home.

—Jeremy J. Glowacki

If you’ve been looking for a solid wireless alternative to

Sonos, your search is officially over.“ ”

Available in 4-, 6.5-, 8-inch diameter op-tions, Crestron’s Saros in-ceiling speak-ers are designed for multi-purpose use in an assortment of acoustical environments. Featuring high-performance components, such as 1-inch horn-loaded titanium dome

tweeters, high-efficiency damped cone woofers, and precisely tuned crossovers, Saros two-way speakers handle 125 watts at 8 ohms. Frameless, zero-bezel grills adhere to the speaker enclosure magnetically, achieving a contemporary mini-malist appearance. The built-in 60-watt multi-tap transformer allows for use with 70- and 100-volt distributed speaker systems.

Kaltman Creations’ RF-Vue T10 is integrated into a 10-inch touch tablet with the full Windows 8 operating system. The RF-Vue T10 covers the standard wireless microphone and IEM frequency range of 470MHz to 700MHz. Additional mod-els are available to offer greater frequency ranges, plus there are standalone RF electronics/software modules for use with user-supplied computers or tablets. The analyzer has full-finger navigation

functions, so the user can pinch, expand-zoom, and slide through the RF spec-trum with ease. As a true handheld RF spectrum analyzer, the user can enter any frequency sweep range (within the range of the analyzer), and view the RF spectrum looking for open RF space for channel selections, interference avoid-ance, or interference troubleshooting, all in real-time.

Hall Research’s HR-731 is a kit of sender and receiver modules to extend HDMI and bi-directional RS-232 up to 1 km (3,280 ft) on a single (simplex) multi-mode fiber optic cable (uses SC connector). The unit is fully HDCP com-pliant and supports HDMI 1.4 deep-color and 3D. EDID pass-through from the remote display to the source guarantees trouble-free operation. Virtually all PC (DVI) and HDTV resolutions are supported. LED status indicators show fiber-optic link, source video, RS232 or CEC extension. The safety interlock feature shuts off high-power fiber LED drivers unless a fiber-optic cable is plugged in at both ends.

Platinum Tools’ 10Gig Termination Kit is a turnkey field kit that includes 10GB Cat-6A shielded connectors, the Tele-TitanXg Cat-6A crimp tool, cable stripper, and ex-ternal crimper. The new system exceeds 10GB performance standard requirements for streaming high bandwidth across Cat-6E, Cat-6A, and Cat-7 cable. The 10GB Shielded Connector RJ45 Cat-6A (P/N 106190) exceeds 10GB performance standard and is UL and RoHS compliant. The Tele-TitanXg Crimp Tool (P/N 12515) is compact, balanced, and fits in the hand or pocket easily. Specifically built for the 1-GB connector, it terminates all pins to industry-specified crimp heights with nominal hand force. The embedded cable strippers for round and flat cables easily adjust and control depth of the blade when stripping Cat-5e/6 cables. The Cyclops 2 Cable Jacket Stripper removes the cable jackets from many types of twisted pair, multicore, and fiber optic cables.

The Airflex5D-60 uses its proprietary Q-Stack technology, capable of aligning multiple projec-tors down to the pixel for brightness with clear imaging. It accommodates up to a 1920x1200 projector resolution with dual-channel geometric image correction while supporting de-interlacing, scaling, and image enhancement. In addition to this, it has a video wall feature that allows users to split, crop, and magnify projector images while positioning them to the designated positions within a video wall display. Other features include geometric correction for curved or dome screen applications and an optional kit that provides a professional theater-grade passive 3D per-formance in either a circular or linear format with lenses and glasses included.

Savant Systems’ SmartLink digital modules can transmit audio and video signals up to 1080p over Cat-5e/6 cable lengths of up to 100 meters (328 feet) using HDBaseT technology. SmartLink service cards are available for Savant’s SmartMediaPro family of controllers. The output modules are available in both

InfoComm PreviewNewProducts

46 R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s | residentialsystems.com

2- and 4-port versions. The receiving module comes in a wall plate form factor with ethernet, HDMI, and control outputs accessible from the front panel of the device. SmartLink mod-ules break out the power, Ethernet, and control protocol components of HDBaseT, directing them to a separate cable. SmartLink modules combine HDBaseT efficiency with Savant’s intelligent infrastructure, provid-ing remote access to powerful diagnostic tools, such as the status of your HD-BaseT connection, real-time monitoring of video connection and resolution, EDID monitoring capability, and other critical network status information.

Video Mount Products’ ER-148 equipment rack with ER-148-4PKIT two-post expansion kit is now shipping. The ER-148 provides easy-to-assemble, vented, functional, and compatible racks, shelves, brackets, mounts, and accesso-ries. The ER-148-4PKIT is an easily installed expansion kit for the ER-148 rack that converts VMPs two-post rack to a four-post rack and adds versatility.

Da-Lite has introduced a new camera screen that features an integrated cam-era in the bottom of the Tensioned Advantage Electrol Screen, which can be used with any peer-to-peer video conferencing software. The Da-Lite camera screen will offer all the benefits and projection screen surface options of a Ten-sioned Advantage Electrol including a plenum rating. The camera integrated

in the screen is an HD (1080p) resolution camera.

Key Digital’s Champion series Hi-Fi commercial pro HDMI cables include IQ Control technology, a fully configurable control line over HDMI, provid-ing versatile control line for any two of the following; CEC, ARC, IR, or unidirectional RS-232. IQ Control technology also enables installers to block CEC communication between connected devices. The Champion Series ca-bles are equipped with advanced HDMI features, such as 4K resolution sup-port and passing of 3D signals. They also support next generation of digital audio bit-streams including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio.

WyreStorm’s 16x16 HDBaseT ma-trix (MX1616-PROAV-010) deliv-ers audio, video, ethernet, control, and low-voltage power over a single Cat-5e/Cat-6 from as many as 16 sources to 16 displays, with transmission distances as high as 100 meters. In addition, the MX1616-PROAV-010 offers seamless, instantaneous HDMI-to-HDMI switching, and enhancements critical to performance in professional settings, including cable management, dual-redundant power supplies, and cooling fans with RS-232 failure trigger protection, internal diagnostics, and integrated KVM functionality. In addition, WyreStorm is introducing its first presentation switcher (PS0901-010), a fully featured, completely modular solu-tion that also offers seamless HDMI-to-HDMI switching and an open architec-ture approach to control, in addition to Enado control compatibility.

NewProducts


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GoingForward

With its first panelized lighting products already shipping and exceeding sales expectations since their introduction in January, Salt Lake City-based Control4 begins shipping its completely re-built wireless lighting control family this month, replacing its eight-year-old offering. The simply named Control4 Wireless Lighting line features a revamped industrial design to reflect today’s projects and has been engineered to address both residential and commercial voltages and the increasing use of LED lighting, while integrating natively with other Control4 automation systems and panelized lighting control line.

The new offering includes adaptive phase dimmers and combination keypad/dimmers, 0-10V dimmers for LED applications, and configurable keypads for control, as well as a broad palette of color and finish options, custom backlit engraved buttons, and programmable status LEDs supporting customizable color hues for at-a-glance feedback. Additionally, each new switch, dimmer, and keypad includes an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the brightness of status LEDs and button backlighting.

The Control4 Wireless Adaptive Phase Dimmer (U.S. MSRP $180) eliminates much of the guesswork associated with choosing the right dimmer for a project and alleviates the need to replace the dimmer when the load type changes in the future. The Wireless Adaptive Phase Dimmer is compatible with a broad range of dimmable load types.

The Control4 Wireless Configurable Keypad (U.S. MSRP $200) can be configured with two to seven custom-engraved, LED backlit buttons, using four different button sizes, for a total of 37 possible configurations. The keypad can cover all configurations with quick setup for 120V/277V or

240V.The company’s Wireless Keypad Dimmer (U.S.

MSRP $250, 120V, 240V, or 277V) transforms a standard light switch or dimmer into a fully customizable keypad and dimmer, combining the dimming capabilities of the Control4 Wireless Adaptive Phase Dimmer with the flexibility of the Control4 Wireless Configurable Keypad.

The Control4 Wireless Fan Speed Controller (U.S. MSRP $190) delivers fan speed control of standard paddle-type ceiling fans, with four fan speed buttons and an off button. The 120V Wireless Fan Speed Controller also enables fan speed to be incorporated into Control4 systems for climate control and other automated events.

The Wireless 0-10V Dimmer (U.S. MSRP $190, 120V/277V or 240V) provides in-wall control of four-wire 0-10V dimmable fluorescent ballasts and LEDs.

The Wireless Forward Phase Dimmer (U.S. MSRP $140, 120V) delivers an economical solution for dimming forward-phase compatible loads, including incandescents, line-voltage halogens, and magnetic transformers. Particularly well-suited to dimming high-wattage loads, such as chandeliers and large banks of recessed lights, the Forward Phase Dimmer is also compatible with forward-phase dimmable LEDs, CFLs, and fluorescents.

Lastly, The Control4 Wireless Switch (U.S. MSRP $140, 120V/277V or 240V) provides on/off control for virtually every type of load, including ceiling fans and bathroom ventilation fans, and its Auxiliary Keypad (U.S. MSRP $40, 120V/277V) provides an economical solution for three-way control of a load. –Jeremy J. Glowacki

Refreshing Lighting ControlControl4 Revamps Wireless Dimmer Line Control4 Partner

Ships VoicePodHouselogix, a Pennsylvania-based provider of advanced hardware and software products for home control, has released VoicePod, its patented wireless speech control device for home automation systems. the company introduced the product in Control4’s partners pavilion at Cedia eXPO last fall.

VoicePod adds both voice recognition and speech synthesis capabilities to home control systems, such as Control4. users simply say “Hello VoicePod” from anywhere in a room to activate VoicePod and then issue voice commands such as “turn on the lights,” “secure the house,” “good morning,” and “listen to music.” utilizing embedded speaker-independent voice recognition technology that requires no web access, VoicePod instantly interprets speech commands for voice control of tV, music, thermostats, lighting, shading, door locks, and cameras.

VoicePod provides many voice control features that add speed, convenience, and safety to everyday living.

VoicePod can also speak in response to any event, alerting users to security concerns, such as open garage doors or unusual temperatures or weather conditions. Because VoicePod, which is available in black or white, is only four inches wide and provides its own speaker and microphone, there are several installation options.

integrators may purchase VoicePod directly from Houselogix.

The Control4 Wireless Configurable Keypad can be configured with two to seven custom-engraved, LED backlit buttons.

The HouseLogix VoicePod

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