Innehållsförteckning för Vol 5/ Issue 3 från Residential Tech Today

Fresh off of CEDIA Expo 2023 and numerous product introductions this past September, Screen Innovations has added another motorized screen solution to its range of assemblies and materials. The company’s Short Throw Lift is a motorized solution designed to conceal and reveal an ultra-shortthrow projector below one of SI’s complementary projection screens. The solution, the company says, addresses the growing need for large but discreet displays in smaller media rooms and corporate boardrooms. In what SI is dubbing a pop-up “laser TV,” SI pairs the Short Throw Lift with its 120-inch ambient light rejecting screen (a 110-inch ALR screen is also available) for a turnkey system that combats glare from artificial and natural lighting to deliver a bright, crisp, well-defined image. Viewers can sit wherever they like — a 12-foot…

Mike Shanahan (71) is best known as the head coach of the NFL’s Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2008, where he led his team to two consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998. To younger football fans, he is also the father of current San Francisco 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan, who led his team to the Super Bowl this year against the Kansas City Chiefs. His head coaching career spanned a total of 20 seasons and also included stints with the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins. Between 1996 and 1998, his Broncos teams set the NFL record for victories by going 46-10 over a three-year span. The 1998 Broncos won their first 13 games on their way to a 14–2 mark. Shanahan, taking his cue from West…

Approximately 78% of the workforce will be automated by artificial intelligence by the year 2025. I didn’t actually research that statistic, but it doesn’t matter as AI will likely soon be taking over this column. Rather than fight this inevitability, I’ve decided to fully embrace it and begin interviewing my possible replacements about why they should have my job, their most comedic take on technology, and what an ideal employee looks like. Here are the results from the grueling interview process: Why you should have my job? “I should have your job because I can learn and adapt faster, process information more efficiently, and generate creative and informative text formats, saving you time and resources.” — Google Bard “I can efficiently process and analyze vast amounts of information, offer rapid…

The Savant Home Manager is a more intuitive smart home management tool created specifically for homeowners. It is included as part of Savant’s smart home subscription model and designed to expand the company’s user experience beyond traditional mobile apps, in-wall devices, and remote controls. “Savant Home Manager is the foundation for delivering sophisticated system insights with information that homeowners can act upon,” said Angela Larson, GM professional solutions. “Savant Home Manager functionality will continue to grow with future enhancements, including network health, system activity log, and more.” Savant Home Manager is the first web UI smart home dashboard designed for Savant homeowners. Users with administrative-level permissions can access key system information, manage user permissions, filter and view camera recordings, view active cloud integrations, access product tutorials, and review frequently asked…

With its new Luxury Experience App, Lutron Electronics wants to reshape how users envision lighting, shades, and controls at home and interact with the Lutron luxury residential products portfolio. The Luxury Experience App was designed as a storytelling tool to showcase the power of Lutron’s automated shades, intelligent lighting, and intuitive controls. The app enables users to explore Lutron’s portfolio from anywhere, effectively bringing the showroom into the comfort of any room. “This tool provides unparalleled convenience, empowering customers to effortlessly visualize and customize their own spaces from anywhere, reflecting their unique style and preferences. It sets a new standard for a truly personalized home experience,” said Ben Bard, Lutron Luxury Residential vice president. One of the standout features of the Lutron Luxury Experience App is its camera functionality, allowing…

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Parks Associates Consumer Electronics Dashboard: Q3 2023. The Consumer Electronics Dashboard visualizes the most important metrics informing the strategic decision-making of companies connected to the leading consumer electronics devices in the home. The average number of connected devices per U.S. internet household in 2023 is 17, which is at the highest point ever. Consumer electronics products such as wireless earbuds, tablets, and smart TVs were once luxury items reserved for those with expendable income and an interest in emerging technology. Adoption of smartwatches, smartphones, and smart TVs continued to show a slight uptick compared to 2022, as did purchase intentions for these devices. Today, these devices are commonplace and essential not only for entertainment purposes but also to communicate daily in addition to…

Specifi IO, a proposal tool with project and business management features, made its U.S. market debut at CEDIA Expo 2023 and won the TechStarter Competition’s Best Startup award. Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and released in the UK and Ireland in 2021, Specifi is designed to help AV integrators produce professional proposals and win more business with unique and time-saving features. Specifi was originally developed in 2017 by Founder and Managing Director Matthew Booth for his AV distribution company’s eCommerce website (Indigo Distribution). The platform allowed Indigo customers to produce professional quotes and installation documents using Indigo’s products. Now, the company is looking to make in-roads into a U.S. custom integration channel with several established proposal software brands. Wanting to learn more about what makes Specifi special, RTT reached out…

Tyson Rabani, owner of Denverbased custom integrator QAV, was introduced to Mike Shanahan and his wife Peggy as a referral from their home’s builder. The situation was unique because QAV did not have an opportunity to prewire the Shanahan’s new home; their introduction came just before their closing. “We found ourselves standing in a finished home with almost no low-voltage infrastructure present, and the client was dreaming big with their wish list,” Rabani said. “We were up for the challenge!” The relationship with Mike and Peggy was brand new and got everyone at QAV buzzing about having the former head coach of the Broncos as a client. “His name carries significant weight here in Colorado,” Rabani said. “This was the beginning of a new and promising relationship.” Mike and Peggy…

Samsung’s Frame TV is a clear winner. Until it came along in 2017, the custom installation industry trafficked myriad solutions for hiding TVs. There were roll-down screens, movable pieces of art, lifts, and screensaver slideshows all trying to pass as display camouflage. Then came the day when we all saw the Frame TV for the first time. It really looks like a piece of art while not in use. It does such a good job aesthetically that attaching a soundbar beneath it or putting in wall speakers on either side kills the elegance of the artwork. While the Frame TV nailed the aesthetic and visual elements, no one ever addressed the sound question. Reliance on tinny internal speakers wasn’t even adequate; it was mediocre at best. While this certainly says…

Video walls may be all the rage in commercial applications, but they’re quickly gaining ground as a premier large-format viewing option in home cinemas, thanks in part to a revolutionary LED display purpose-built by Quantum Media Systems for residential applications. From its inception, the XDR3 LED Video Wall from Quantum Media Systems was designed and engineered exclusively for highend home cinemas. Technologies incorporated into the LED Video Wall enable it to optimize the types of content typically consumed in residential settings. Now, Quantum has added another compelling content choice — first-run movies available via the exclusive movie distribution service, the Bel Air Circuit. Streaming of high-res digital content from the Bel Air Circuit is achieved through Quantum’s recent compliance with system requirements and specifications established by the Digital Cinema Initiative.…

It’s been a busy few months for DMF. The lighting fixture brand has added DALI-controlled light modules, a new line of luxury lighting products, and 2-inch retrofit conversion kits. The new DALI-controlled modules offer the custom integration channel DALI-2 digital control protocols for LED fixtures. The advanced light modules have a DALI-enabled integrated driver that provides flicker-free dimming down to 0.1% and easier installation, thanks to their compatibility with DMF’s existing modular system and their use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Troubleshooting and maintenance are easier thanks to the digital modules. Users can simply replace the complete module as opposed to a separate driver and LED with wiring and connections. Using the DMF app, configuration and programming are done with NFC and do not require modules to be powered.…

Video streaming exists in a complex media environment where cable and traditional overthe-air (OTA) TV remain viable options despite the trend to cord cutting. In parallel with a plethora of sources, there is a growing number of streaming devices to consider, with Apple TV, Google’s Chromecast, and Amazon’s Fire TV remaining the clear leaders. The ideal combination of content sources and services will always vary based on individual preferences and needs, but I will do my best to lay out the current set of options and alternatives. Obviously, everyone has different viewing habits and content preferences. Regardless of how many apps that a connected TV (CTV) or device has, none offers everything. Thus, the first step is to figure out which services you want and to see if they are…

There is nothing like a flickering fire in a fireplace on a cold winter night. So, it isn’t surprising that automating the operation of gas fireplaces is a frequent request by homeowners during a smart home system installation by a professional integrator. However, as an integrator, I would discourage homeowners from automating their operation because of the dangers associated with gas fireplaces, such as burning and carbon monoxide poisoning. For homeowners who still insist on a solution, there are some steps that you can take to protect them from accidents and yourself from legal liability. Legal Liability First, any time a homeowner insist that we include hardware and software to automate the operation of their fireplace, we would insist that they sign a release of liability waiver written by a…

Motorized solutions are becoming much more common in today’s smart homes. Although remotely controlled motorized garage door openers were invented in the 1930s, only recently have they became “smart” and integrated into an overall smart home. For example, the Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller uses sensors in your cars to automatically open/close your garage doors when you drive up to your home or drive away. It also integrates with a wide range of smart home platforms. Motorized window coverings, including shades, curtains, and drapes, have become more prevalent in smart homes. Initially, motorized window coverings were controlled through wall switches or proprietary remote controls. Now, there are many models that leverage wireless smart home protocols for integration with an overall smart home solution. Automating windows allows for improved ventilation…

For those looking to add a little oomph to their old stereo rigs without having to get rid of otherwise perfectly good gear, Bluesound created its latest streamer, the Node X, to mark 10 years of its multiroom high-resolution audio streaming platform. The little box packs a punch with an ESS Sabre HiFi DAC and all the internet music you can shake a stick at. I just happened to have a perfect tube amplifier driven, 2-channel setup for the Node X demo. Would it be any good or just another piece of space junk? I was about to find out. Unboxing The Node X ships in a sexy commemorative looking box reminiscent of the schwag seen gracing the celebrity comp rooms at posh film festivals. It’s showy and loud, but…