Residential Systems June 2013 PDF

Volume 14 No.
June 2013
Residential
Systems
P
de ak
vic ed
es ge
ea : R
sil eb
y w oo
ith t
ResidentialSystems.com
How Custom Integrators

Can Help Clients Monitor
and Control Home Energy
Product Reviews: Channel Vision & NuVo Technologies
TableofContents
columns
14
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 dont 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 Visions
features
20 COVER STORY: SMARTER AND GREENER energy management was seen, for a time, as the
custom integrators great hope for renewed relevance in a post-recession, increasingly
6564 is a feature-
diy-centric, app-based home automation market. although this so-called green movement
packed and mostly
stalled as energy prices leveled off, the economy improved, and smart-grid developments
easy-to-configure
stagnated, many manufacturers in the aV integration market have remained committed
iP camera perfect
to offering greener technologies and products that enable homeowners to monitor and
for outside use,
sometimes control their electrical usage.
with excellent
image quality in
26 SELLING MORE SUBS the most widely permeating inclination for the low-frequency
both daylight and
speaker category is increasingly smaller form factors, along with in-wall options
pitch blackness.
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
44 REVIEW the new Wireless audio system from nuVo

technologies Great app offers abundant features,
rock-solid performance, and Bluetooth for additional
streaming options.
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.
46 SHOWCASE new product introductions slated for this

month's infoComm convention, from Crestron, savant,
departments
Wyrestorm and more.
editorial .................................... 4
ClickThrus
news.......................................... 6
Get More Industry Information from

Web: www.twice.com
Twitter: @TWICEonline
Cedia line .............................12

new Products........................46
ad index..................................48
Going Forward......................50
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 Forums
and read the interactive, Digital Edition of this and past issues.
residen tial systems.com | J u n e 2 0 1 3 | R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s
Residential
Systems
June 2013
Volume 14, Number 6
June Issue
Contributors
sam caVitt
a 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,
california.
samcavitt@medesign.tv
aNthoNy grimaNi
anthony Grimani is president of
Performance media industries,
a california-based acoustical
engineering firm specializing
in home theater design and
calibration.
agrimani@pmiltd.com
ira FriedmaN
ira Friedman is the ceo of
bay audio, a manufacturer of
custom speaker solutions.
He holds an mba from the
Harvard business school.
ira@bayaudio.com
LLaNor aLLeyNe
llanor alleyne is a freelance
writer based in st. James,
barbados and contributing
editor to Residential Systems
integration Guide supplements.
pllanor@gmail.com
deNNis burger
dennis burger has been
reviewing and writing about
consumer electronics since
1999. He and his wife live in
montgomery, alabama.
sonnlaw@aol.com
JohN sciacca
John 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
Residential systems (issn# 1528-7858) is published

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PRinted in tHe usa.
EditorsLetter
A Designers
Showcase
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 dont 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 associations 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 doeuvres (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
Technologyare owners of showrooms right
there in the IDC. After I had a nice chat with
One-Touchs Ryan McDaniel, Premiers Ken
Irvine took me on a quick tour of his companys
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. Its 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 theres a
family room with a $16,999 84-inch 4K LG
TV as a centerpiece and a 16x9 projection set up
by JeRemy J. Glowacki
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. Its 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.
Find me online...
jglowacki@nbmedia.com
residentialsystems.com
twitter.com/resisys
groups/Residential Sytems
facebook/resisys
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 | residen tialsy stems.co m
Teasers
InsideOnline
Get the Full Scoop on the Following News Stories at
residentialsystems.com/0613
Energy Releases
First Outdoor
Speakers
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 dcor.
Crestrons 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.
SnapAV Ships
First IP Cameras
{BlogBits}
Find the full story at
residentialsystems.com/
0613
Tracking the Mega Job - Part 1:

Spec Out
Crestron
Releases TST600 Wireless
Touchscreen
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.
as im sure many of you have, weve 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 lets 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 Project
i just returned from a long overdue vacation.

the hotel location was superb. the staff was
nice enough. the room was clean. However,
i didnt love the place. ever consider what
separates a great hotel from a good one?
What brings it to the next level? its 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 Installs
Now on TWICE.com
Now on avnetwork.com
Niles Launches In-Wall Soundbars

Joe Palenchar
niles audio launched a quartet of horizontal
in-wall soundbars believed to be the industrys
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
dont 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 Keene
each 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 summitwhat we
can expect in terms of new/interesting goings-on
at this years 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.
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 | r e s ide n tial sy stems.com
Just last week, a woman called because she

wanted a top-of-the-line system for her
boyfriend and told me shed been saving up
all year. i started to salivate. then she dropped
the bomb of how much shed saved: $1,500.
internally, i was deflated, but of course, i never
let it show. maybe thats my background in retail
coming into play, where closing the sale is what
counts, no matter the size.
Todd Anthony Puma,
www.residentialsystems.com
ResiTweets
Follow 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
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 automation brand, called tiO (turn
it On). according to the company, tiO is a new approach
to home automation, one
driven by an outside in philosophy 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. Weve
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.
HydraConnect Expands
Warranty on HDMI Processors
HydraConnect has expanded its fiveyear 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 LLCs 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. HydraConnects
patented CEC Control software functions
as a universal translator among the many
HDMI hardware control implementations
to eliminate IR flashers.
Getting an Extra Boost

The New York City headquarters of RSs parent company, NewBay Media, recently
demonstrated a value-add sales opportunity for integrators dealing with the challenges
presented by todays 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
Medias 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

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, DPIs Lamp
Freedom program qualifies the end-user for a free set of
replacement lamps in years two and three of the projectors
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.
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 | r e s ide n tial systems.com
CEDIA Releases
Telepresence
White Paper
Cedia 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 highperformance systems. the white
papertelepresence 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,
Gateway
Panamax is now shipping
its
md2-ZB
smartPlug and BB-ZB1
BlueBOlt gateway. the
devices bring energy management,
surge protection, and BlueBOlt
functionality to individual outlets
for electronics throughout a building, providing a low-cost way to
reduce energy consumption significantly while reducing service calls
for installers. utilizing ZigBee wireless communications, the md2-ZB
can be monitored, controlled, programmed, and remotely accessed
via Panamax/Furmans cloud-based
BlueBOlt energy management
and control platform via the wired
BB-ZB1 gateway.
Tigerpaw
Software Moves
Conference Date
to August 2014
tigerpaw software inc., a developer
of business automation and service
management software, has moved
the date of its upcoming user conference to august 18-20, 2014, at
the Hyatt mcCormick in Chicago, il.
ResiBriefs
{SecurityCorner}
CAREER TRACK/REP NEWS

nuVo technologies has hired
Jason
Dominique
as
sales
Integrating a Camera System
manager for the western united

states. dominique has been a
part of legrand north america
Jason Dominique
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 companys
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 13year tenure. berry, who recently completed his
mba, is former director of sales and marketing
at speakerCraft.
sura has hired Marla Maney as
the companys new marketing
manager. she has more than 15
years of marketing experience
having spent her career at
marketing
firms
Marla Maney
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
Eric Johnson
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 atlonas media distribution solutions,
ready
for
next-day
delivery
and
applicable, same-day to its dealer base.
10
sponsoRed by
where
Systems Integration made

easy guaranteed simple
installation do it yourself
(DIY) Weve all heard
the marketing hype about
how easy it is (should
be) to put a complete
system together. Nobody
by daRRel Hauk 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-ohmmilliamp), 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
The IP camera harness.
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
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 | r e s iden tial systems.com
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 clients specific email service. Gmail,
for example, uses mail port 465 with
SSL activated, Hotmail uses port 995.
Chances are good that they wont know
this information, so Google hotmail email
port setting protocol, for example, to get
your answer.
2. Enter your customers credentials and
password.
3. Open the port in the router.
Now the DVR or IP camera will send video
clip events to the customers 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 setting
Also, 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.
CEDIALine
Expert Guidance for EXPO

Finding Out All You Need to Know About
#CEDIA13 from the Planning Team
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. Heres what each member of the
team said you need to know about this years 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 youre registering for.
The system also lets you plot out your schedule
and lets you know where you have conflicts, so youre 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 wont 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 youre looking for a way to
take networking to the next level, consider a new program that we are
12
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 Coordinator
Rookie Row. All of the industrys 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 years 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 Coordinator
CEDIA Zones. If you find yourself needing a
break while youre 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 CEDIAs 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.
Three fast-paced mini sessions
on emerging trends and business

opportunities will also be hosted
in The New Solutions Village.
The Skys
the Limit
TheaterDesign
Choosing a Ceiling Design

That Doesnt Destroy
a Theaters Acoustics
by sam Cavitt
When creating private theater rooms,

many designers and architects now
understand the need for acoustical
treatments in walls and that we dont
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.
sam Cavitt (samcavitt@medesign.tv) is
president of Paradise theater in Kihei,
To support our design specification, we
Hawaii, and Carlsbad, California.
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 Dome
A 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
14
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 | r e s iden tial sy stems.com
Performance Theaters 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).
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.
HomeTheater
thinkstoCk
The Wildlife of
Undocumented Jobs
Proper Planning at the Start
of the Project Can Make
All the Difference
by anthony GRimani
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
differenttime to disassemble and start
anthony Grimani (agrimani@pmiltd.com) is
over.
president of Performance media industries,
What went wrong here? It wasnt
with offices in novato and san anselmo, Ca.
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 worlds top home cinemas, I failed to draw the agreed-upon fence
design. I should know better. If you dont 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 cant. 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 dont turn on when they want, fail
all the time, latch up randomly, dont sound good, or dont look sharp.
Dont Force the Field Techs to Wing It
It 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
16
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?
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
doesnt account for all the conditions of use. It then needs Band-Aid upon
Band-Aid to make it work right, but the code isnt fully tested so it latches
up. Its 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 couldnt figure out what was tied together in the
system. Then everyone is sore because the project isnt successful, its
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, its 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.
tHinkstOCk
Targeting the
Mega Rich
BacktoBusiness
Why Ultra High Net

Individuals are the Best
Custom Integration Clients
by iRa FRiedman
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.
Youll find them primarily in California,
metro New York, Florida, and Texas.
Heres the interesting thing about
UHNI households: They have several
homes, and they tend to buy and renovate
on a regular basis. And those UHNIs
ira Friedman is the CeO of bay audio, a
living in Germany, Japan, Russia,
manufacturer of custom speaker solutions.
and China like to buy a little place in
He holds an mba from the Harvard business
New York, LA, or Miami, increasing
school.
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 aftersale care. Back in your heyday you offered the same level of service to the
$30M client as you did to the $1M client. Thats gotta change.
Today, the $1M client has all but vanished, and if you havent realigned
your business to attract and service the $30M client, youre 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 crisisvirtually 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?
Theres something nice about small, discrete markets: reputations matter
18
The ultra high net individual (UHNI) client is looking for the highest level of support, service, and
after-sale care.
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 builders 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 Teamworthiness
Think of your first few jobs in this world as a market development project.
Dont discount. Instead, overdo it on the service side. Provide architectlevel documentation. Run your crews like a precision military force.
Accept responsibility for all glitches, failures, and hiccupseven those
caused by other trades. And most importantly, deliver an A-class system
on time and on budget.
Im sure that you believe you do this every day, but you dont. Because
if the idea of targeting your business to the UHNI market is intriguing, that
means youre not doing it yet. And the reason you arent doing it is because
you havent consistently impressed the high-end architects, builders, and
designers youve 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 didnt 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.
How Custom integRatoRs Can Help Clients

monitoR and ContRol Home eneRgy usage
by Jeremy J. Glowacki
Energy management was seen, for a time, as
the custom integrators great hope for renewed
relevance in a post-recession, increasingly DIYcentric, 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,
its 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 investments impact on the Earth.
If youre 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,
20
director of marketing communications for Legrand

North Americas 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. Thats 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 realtime 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.
Savants 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 Action
Savants Jim Carroll said regular media coverage
of issues pertaining to energy use, efficiency,
conservation, etc., have encouraged his companys
customer base to show more interest in energy
products.
Typically, affluent homeowners are interested
in their personal comfort but also focused on their
carbon footprintresponsible 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.
Savants 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
homefrom 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 companys 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
In addition to URCs 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.
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.
URCs 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 theyre
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
Typically, affluent homeowners are interested in

their personal comfort but also focused on their
carbon footprintresponsible behavior leading
toward a greener planet for generations to come.
22
Jim Carroll, Savant
HVAC control, Gefens relatively new home

automation system, GAVA, uses an extremely lowpower processor and high-efficiency power supply,
using less than 2 watts, so it does not contribute
significantly to the homes 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 Dont Always Get What You Want
In 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
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 companys 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. Were working with utility
companies across the country to help customers
understand where theyre spending their money
and encouraging them to act to reduce those
expenses. Were even sending messages from the
utility direct to the consumer and displaying them
on the thermostat.
From the Power Management Perspective
John 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 thats a bad thing, but Benzs 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
24
New Control4 products have implemented energy saving/measurement capabilities, including low-power modes, power measurement
capability wakeup on LAN, and energy-efficient amplifiers.
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 Grays 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 futureproof. More advanced power management and
cooling options play a vital role in ensuring powerefficient AV systems that MAPs 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 arent 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 URCs Toomey. As
our Total Control system grows and expands, well
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 homes status.
Jeremy Glowacki is editorial director of
Residential Systems.
Selling More Subs

InstallIng HIgH-QualIty Bass DelIvery Has never Been easIer
by Lindsey Adler
Paradigms Monitor Series SUB, SUB 10,

and SUB 12 offer a compact footprint with
a 300W RMS amplifier and advanced DSP.
Theres 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 moreand more in-depthinstalls.
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
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
26
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 its 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.
Theres also no shortage of competitors in the
market. But there are other means for dynamic
rivalry too. The chasm that exists between entrylevel 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,
Leon Speakers O-Hawk sub is a variation on the Aaros Ultra-Thin, providing a sculptural rendition built to be a statement
piece.
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, poweramp/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 clients 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
28
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 Technologys WL-Surround system.
Kevin Voecks, product development manager

for Harmans Luxury Audio Group. As endusers 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 Sales
In 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.
GoldenEars 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 clients dcor, 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 nonexistent 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, its 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.
MSEs Ken Hecht believes wireless subs that
blend into a room will become more and more
important to our customers.
Paradigms Zoltan Balla offered an important
reminder about the effect of room dimensions and
Proficients new line of architectural subwoofers includes two in-wall optionsIWS82 and IWS 100and an in-ceiling, ICS10.
Low Frequency Optimization (LFO) software for

in-room measurements and equalization.
MartinLogans Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) calculates
correction curves for individual measurement
pointsat least five and up to 10minimizing 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.
SpeakerCrafts Marshall pointed to the Boomtomb
The flat grill, flush mount design of the Triad SlimSub represents an
sub, which can be buried in the ground. He noted
aesthetical improvement over the model it replaces.
that homeowners are realizing that outdoor systems
features on bass performance. A wireless platform can be just as good as indoor systems.
While every one is focusing on hiding subs more,
allows installers the freedom to get creative when
positioning the subwoofer within the room without Leon Speakers has found that sometimes a statement
having to worry about the negative effects of the piece fits the bill, particularly in the European market
and modernist homes in the U.S., according to Ethan
room, he said.
Velodyne is releasing the Wi-Q series, a smart Kaplan, director of marketing. Leons O-Hawk
sub featuring the companys WiConnect System for sculptural speaker is made from 50 pounds of billet
wireless connection. The market trend is toward aluminum with chrome-treated trim.
Theres clearly an abundance of high-quality
wireless technology, and our new Wi-Q series
represents our embracing and building on that subwoofer solutions on the market, and all signs
technology, said Marta Hall, president, Veloydne. point to dynamic growth, as more consumers
This new series appeals to end users and installers by demand the best possible sound for a wide range of
eliminating the constraints of messy wires and cables, reasons. Manufacturers have dutifully answered the
allowing for a clean look and feel to complement the call with technology developments enabling more
discrete subwoofer installations
interior space of any home.
at appealing price points.
Another way to add value
More Online
Lindsey Adler is associate
for subs is with tools that help
Read about optimum sub placement
editor for Residential Systems,
facilitate proper placement and
by Harmans Todd Welti, as well as
a recent column by Tony Grimani at
equalization, including room
Systems Contractor News, and
residentialsystems.com/0613.
correction software. Revel offers
Healthcare AV.
r e side ntia lsyste m s. c om | J u n e 2 0 1 3 | R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s
29
The Art Collector

a 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.
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 devicesthree-, 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. Its like the
lock on a car door. If no one ever showed you a
keyless remote, you wouldnt 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,
30
audio, and video together with simplified Crestron

controls.
The New Security System
Since security was the homeowners first priority,
Raines says the integration design began with
an upgrade to the homes 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 inor if they need to monitor or activate
the alarm systemsthey can do so from the
touchscreens.
Lighting and Climate

To 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 rooms 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 whats 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.
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.
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.
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.
32
Audio and
Video
Entertainment
is part of any
The wall-mounted 15-inch touchscreen in the vestibule makes it easy for every family member to control
home, and this
temperature settingsand every other system of the residencethe moment they arrive home. The floorplanbased interface was custom-designed to match the needs of the client and the aesthetics of the home.
family especially
enjoys music and
movies. They also own a number of digital works of standard, Osbee based the video system on
Crestron DigitalMedia technology. In this house,
art that must be displayed on video systems.
The entertainment system now includes 16 DigitalMedia carries high-definition video and
audio zones, each of which can access any of five audio on a high-bandwidth IP network, together
audio sources, plus six video displays, including with the internet and computer network traffic.
a family room projection system with a 106-inch At the homeowners request, Osbee programmers
screen, flat-panel TVs in the master bedroom and added news and weather websites to the
gym, and three more flat-panels in an upstairs touchscreens, keeping the family constantly up to
sitting room dedicated to digital artwork. Osbee date without the need to go to a computer.
technicians upgraded the projection system and
its motorized lift, so a touch of a button on a A Challenging Time Window
touchscreen or remote control brings the projector The biggest challenge of this project, according to
and screen down out of the ceiling, where they stay Raines, was not the integration of the technology
hidden when not in use.
but the time available to install it. The homeowner
Because todays video sources are digital and asked if we could install all of the new systems
must be compliant with HDCP copy protection during a 10-day period when the family would be
and other requirements of the HDMI digital on vacation.
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 installationand 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.
More Online
Check out more pictures from this installation at
residentialsystems.com/0613.
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.
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
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.
33
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.
A Supplement to
mAgAzine
The InTegraTIon guIde To
RACKS&MOUNTS
SPonSored BY
RACKS & MOUNTS
Supporting
ActS
Mounts, Lifts, and Enclosures
continue to be the Backbone
of integrated Systems
by Llanor Alleyne
As the literal spine holding up AV products,
mounts, lifts, and enclosures are an essential 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 markets, good ol traditional mounts and enclosures are still proving to be great options
for big and small integration projects.
Staying Mounted
OmniMounts 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 product manager for the company, attributes
the OC80FMs 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 integration problems, such as leveling and stud
location, Chief Manufacturings Fusion
series of flat-panel mount solutions, which
includes everything from wall and ceiling
[A2]
OmniMounts 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.
RACKS & MOUNTS

ken knaPP
Real Sound Inc.,
Bethel PaRk, Pa
Manufacturings Fusion series of flat-panel mount solutions includes everything from

wall and ceiling mounts to carts and stands.
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 provides 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 companys 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
industrys only integrated wireless mount for both indoor and outdoor 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.
[A3]
how 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 theres really no question as to the value
provided. theres 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 dont get shopped on or have to justify the pricing of at every
turn, which is both an added value and a huge benefit.
yVeS RIchaRz
InteRIoR SyStemS deSIgn, Inc.,
Sun Valley, ca
how 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 folddown 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 hidden 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.
RACKS & MOUNTS

nICk perfITo
The Peerless-AV HDS-OWK-200 wireless outdoor
kit attaches to an outdoor TV, eliminating the
need for signal cables.
The backyard has become an extension of the living room. And we

have seen a major increase
in our sales of outdoor/
environmental products.
Within SnapAVs 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. Its not only a solidly
built piece, but features full articulating motion, integrated wiremanagement and easy tilt adjustments. Its also universally compatible 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 cabineta solution that company president, Sal Carrabba,
pointed out is ideal for apartment dwellers.
The STereo Shop,

harTford, CT
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. Salamanders
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.
SCoTT roSS
aTlanTa hoMe TheaTer,
roSwell, Ga
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 clients needs while decreasing engineering and installation time.
Crimsons 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.
[A5]
Salamanders Cabinet Integrated TV Mounts are a unique solution to safely securing a flat-panel TV without the cost and aggravation 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 mounting is particularly challenging. Salamanders 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 company 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
RACKS & MOUNTS

commercial projects.
We added safety mechanisms that make it an appealing solution for hospitality and mobile environments, which provides integrators an opportunity to diversify their offering and create niche
solutions, Gleyzer explained. Its a convenient and value-priced
go-to line that serves many purposes and provides a very real benefit to integrator and end-user alike.
At BellO International, the 7615B tilting wall mount has enjoyed
success among the companys dealer base because of its versatility, 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 addons, such as a soundbar, using BellOs 7912B universal soundbar
mount.
Sanuss best-selling mount, the VMPL50A, is a redesign of the
companys 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 proprietary 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 TVs from LED
to LCD into account, and therefore, the mounts 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 encLosed
Having 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,
Drapers home theater sales manager. The range of sizes and
weight classifications makes it easy to work with most projectors in
the residential market.
Incas Ultra-Silent flat-screen lift can be mounted at the foot of a
bed, in a desk, kitchen counteranywhere integrators can cleverly
come up with. Able to accommodate flat-screen TVs between 16
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.
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 receiving 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 feature] a slim design, sturdy construction, superior engineering, and
near-silent operation. [They] also allow for ease of installation, and
[theres] a simple method of shipping of the units.
Lowells 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 enclosures that are dependent on location, system size, and customer
preference. As explained by Mark Tracy, director of product management and business development, the companys in-wall racks
[A7]
Lowells LPTR series of racks, specifically built for the residential systems market,
feature a pullout mechanism that makes them ideal for custom cabinetry.
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. MAPs CFR (Cabinet Frame Racks) and
Slim-5 Series are the highlights of the companys millwork and
furniture-mounted racks, ideal for hidden installations where equipment ventilation and cable management are necessary. Finally,
for larger systems in need of a dedicated equipment room, Tracy
pointed to MAPs 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 factors
As 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
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.
will impact the design of their future products: the growing integration 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 servers, 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.
MAPs 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 innovative 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 hotteror less when its
off, saving energy.
The evolution of display devices and consumers growing reliance 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.
ProductReview
Channel Vision
6564 IP Dome Camera

generally speaking, im 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 canwith 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 Visions 6564
2 megapixel vandal proof iP dome camera with iR
and POe without some feminine assistance.
With nothing but a browser, you can customize all sorts of settings, including
assigning Channel Visions 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.
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 Cat5e cable handling all of those jobs, though setup
was pretty easy in my caseonce I procured the
assistance of more human-sized hands.
You wouldnt 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 youll
42
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, theres
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 deepmerely selecting automatic
settings and letting it do its thingI 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 wouldnt have been able to walk around
the room without breaking a toe, and Im 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 runningwhich, 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
by dennis buRgeR
800.840.0288
channelvision.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
youre 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
of the features you could want, including the ability

to overwrite old data when your hard drive fills up.
And given that youll 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 Im not at home. Control4 doesnt
have native driver support for Channel Vision
cameras, but Extra Vegetables does offer a free
driver that I was able to quickly install and
The Channel Vision

6564 offered way
more functionality
than I expected for an IP
camera, even one as
nicely put together
as this.
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, Im able to instantaneously
access the feed from the 6564, albeit The Channel Visions 6564 2 Megapixel Vandal Proof IP Dome Camera image quality
was impressive even with only a tiny bit of sunlight leaking in.
with a somewhat choppier frame rate
than I get from direct browser access.
All in all, the Channel Vision 6564 offered way
Channel Visions new iPhone app, just released
in April (and a replacement, apparently, for more functionality than I expected for an IP camera,
the problematic third-party IProSecu M. V2 even one as nicely put together as this. Its built like
recommended in the instruction manual) also delivers a tank, loaded with features and functionality, and
a somewhat choppy video feed, so this isnt a knock I have no doubt it could withstand the rigors of
against the Control4 system or Extra Vegetables outside installation easily.
Just be sure to bring an extra set of hands (tiny,
driver. At any rate, the ability to tap into my camera
from anywhere I have a wireless or cellular signal and nimble hands) along with you when it comes time
to install one.
keep an eye on Bruno is super handy.
ProductReview
nuVo technologies
Wireless Audio System

you cant talk about wireless audio systems without addressing the
800-pound gorilla in the room: sonos. and, theres 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 doesnt play nice with the third-party
control systems that we all love to install. but there are timesespecially on
retrofitswhere wireless audio distribution is just the perfect solution, and
people are increasingly comfortable with streaming music in an app-based
control world. Wouldnt it be nice if there were another wireless option
besides sonos?
by John sciacca
859.817.7200
nuvotechnologies.com
Kudos
Great app, abundant
features, and rock-solid
performance; bluetooth
adds additional streaming
options
Concerns
extent of third-party integration 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
NuVo Technologies demonstrated its new Wireless Audio System at CEDIA 2012, and now it is shipping.
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, Im confident that its 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 rackmountable chassis that will make racking a larger
system much cleaner than using of a bunch of
44
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. Whats 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
P200 Player has 60 watt x

2 amplifier, and adds aptX
bluetooth streaming
P3100 is 1u rack-mount
version of three P100s
and requires hardwired 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 ios
or android app
other devices.
Installationexplained via a 5x5-inch SET
UP 1-2-3 cardis 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, its 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 Audysseys Dynamic
If youve been looking

for a solid wireless
alternative to
Sonos, your search
is officially over.
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 NuVos 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
NuVos 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 optionsstored
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 P200s Bluetooth feature,
letting me enjoy content from my phone, like
Songza or YouTube. Its also cool that other zones
can join the Bluetooth stream. Just be careful not
to wander outside of the P200s 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 arent many reasons not to love
the NuVo system, and if youve been looking for
a solid wireless alternative to Sonos, your search
is officially over.
Editor's Spotlight: Accell's Mobile Power Solutions

as 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. Heres 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 familys 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. its just about the most elegant solution that ive found,
and i even take the station on the road for hotel stops. and, as if accell hadnt
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
residen tial sy stems.com | J u n e 2 0 1 3 | R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s
45
NewProducts
InfoComm Preview
Available in 4-, 6.5-, 8-inch diameter options, Crestrons Saros in-ceiling speakers 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 minimalist 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 models 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 spectrum 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 avoidance, or interference troubleshooting, all in real-time.
Hall Researchs 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 compliant 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 Cat6A shielded connectors, the Tele-TitanXg
Cat-6A crimp tool, cable stripper, and external crimper. The new system exceeds
10GB performance standard requirements
for streaming high bandwidth across Cat6E, 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 projectors 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 deinterlacing, 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 performance 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 Savants
SmartMediaPro family of controllers. The output modules are available in both
46
R e s i d e n t i a l s y s t e m s | resid enti a lsy ste ms.co m
NewProducts
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 modules break out the power, Ethernet, and control
protocol components of HDBaseT, directing
them to a separate cable. SmartLink modules
combine HDBaseT efficiency with Savants intelligent infrastructure, providing remote access to powerful diagnostic tools, such as the status of your HDBaseT connection, real-time monitoring of video connection and resolution,
EDID monitoring capability, and other critical network status information.
in the screen is an HD (1080p) resolution camera.
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 accessories. 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.
WyreStorms 16x16 HDBaseT matrix (MX1616-PROAV-010) delivers 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-toHDMI 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 solution that also offers seamless HDMI-to-HDMI switching and an open architecture approach to control, in addition to Enado control compatibility.
Da-Lite has introduced a new camera screen that features an integrated camera 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 Tensioned Advantage Electrol including a plenum rating. The camera integrated
Key Digitals Champion series Hi-Fi commercial pro HDMI cables include
IQ Control technology, a fully configurable control line over HDMI, providing 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 cables are equipped with advanced HDMI features, such as 4K resolution support 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.
AdIndex
company name
page
telephone #
arlington industries
5,11,46
800.233.4717
autonomic Controls
914.598.1647
aVad
866.FOR.aVad
BlueBolt
21
707.283.5900
Channel Vision technology
15
800.840.0288
Chief
a-4
800.582.6480
Residential
Systems
June 2013
Volume 14, number 6
editORial
Jeremy J. Glowacki editorial director

lindsey adler associate editor
derek dellinger Web editor
llanor alleyne Contributing editor
dennis Burger, sam Cavitt, dave Chace, dan daley,
mike detmer, ira Friedman, eJ Feulner, anthony
Grimani, michael Heiss, Richard millson, Geoffrey
morrison, todd anthony Puma, John sciacca,
Heather sidorowicz, Gordon van Zuiden
Contributors
sales & maRketinG
Phil Holtberg Group Publiser, 212.378.0413

Gene kinsella midwest sales, 773.857.5944
deborah Rosenthal national sales manager, 212.378.0473
Zahra majma Classified advertising sales, 212.378.0433
aRt & PROduCtiOn
Crestron
52
800.237.2041
elan Home systems
17
859.269.7760
Gefen tV
43
800.545.6900
nicole Cobban senior art director

Walter makarucha, Jr. associate art director
Fred Vega Production manager
CiRCulatiOn
meg estevez Group director, audience development

michele Fonville Circulation Coordinator
telephone: 888-266-5828 (u.s.a. only, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. est)
978-667-0352 (outside the u.s.) Fax: 978-671-0460
e-mail: newbay@computerfulfillment.com Web: myResmag.com
subscriptions: Residential systems P.O. Box 1067, lowell, ma 01853
neWBay media CORPORate
Honeywell
800.467.5875
installers Choice
a-2
847.391.8100
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a-6
800.325.9660
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Jack liedke Controller
Bill amstutz Vice President of Production & manufacturing
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anthony Verbanac it director
neWBay media systems GROuP
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Phil Holtberg Publisher
Jeremy Glowacki editorial director
Rob Granger Web editor
Ragan Whiteside Web manager
ashley Vermillion Web Production specialist
middle atlantic Products
13
800.226.7225
niles audio
27
800.289.4434
Pakedge
19
877.274.6100
Premier mounts
a-8
800.368.9700
list Rental: 914-925-2449, danny.grubert@lakegroupmedia.com

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29
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47
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49
GoingForward
Refreshing Lighting Control

Control4 Revamps Wireless Dimmer Line
The Control4 Wireless Configurable Keypad can be

configured with two to seven custom-engraved, LED backlit buttons.
With its first panelized lighting products already

shipping and exceeding sales expectations since
their introduction in January, Salt Lake Citybased Control4 begins shipping its completely rebuilt 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 todays
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
50
240V.
The companys 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
Control4 Partner
Ships VoicePod
Houselogix, a Pennsylvaniabased 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 Control4s 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
The HouseLogix
as turn on the
VoicePod
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.

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Volume 14 No.

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