CEA, CEDIA Release Multiroom Audio Cabling Standard

@Jason

Really?  A link to tell me to pay $76 to see what CEDIA and CEA think we should wire with?  I’ve got a better idea - why don’t we start a conversation on what we as dealers put in the wall?  The fact is those of us that plan for the future with jobs know what needs to go there. Those who don’t care won’t spend the $76 to see what they weren’t going to put there anyway.  Or better yet if the goal of these associations is to make our industry better - things like this should be published for FREE.

If this is a preview of articles for next months issue - think before you print this one. It is a waste of space.

How many of you go look at a home that was “pre-wired” for distributed audio to find the only thing behind the wall plate is a 16/4 and 2 16/2’s?

@2cents—I agree. Many associations started charging for their standards a few years back.  The argument is that they need to recoup some of their costs for creating the standard.  FYI—My original story had the cost in there but it ended up being edited out. I didn’t mean to mislead.

Somebody has to pay for the conference lines, web meeting time, editing, legal reviews, staffing, etc.

That’s why the standards have a cost attached. It’s not a big money maker, but a way to offset the costs incurred while developing the document.

These documents are unique because they are written by a team from CEA and CEDIA Members, so they have real world value as opposed to something that is created by people who never deal with issues in the field.

Virtually all standards bodies charge for the documents.

$76 is a modest amount. It’s something you can take to consumers and builders to validate your practices.

Sorry, this document wont fit in a trunkslammers glove box.

If you do not know what is needed in wiring for a job. Pack it in and go back to Circuit City.

@Jason - aren’t you one of the editors?  Come on - btw I checked further into this - if you go to this link
http://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?currency_code=USD&customer_id=21254D3B3F0A&shopping_cart_id=2827585B2B4B30344E5A5D28280A&country_code=US&lang_code=ENGL&item_s_key=00460267&item_key_date=890131&input_doc_number=cea 2030&input;_doc_title=

You can buy the same doc for $57.00. I do agree that things cost money.

@Julie - builders? Seriously?  I deal with high end builders and designers. We can continue to try to educate them - but the vast majority have the same thoughts in mind “here is the budget for lv in this project - is that going to get speakers and tv’s in here”.

Now I have also worked directly with the homeowner and I have been able to educate them as to what wiring needs to go in place.

Remember several years ago when there was an attempt to include a technology section into local building shows?  That lasted - well for that year. I think the only way we as professionals in this industry are going to get builders to “get it” is if we become the builders - or when the 20-40 somethings that grew up with technology take over.

@Bob - AMEN brother!

@ Julie and Jason - I used to love this magazine. More and more it seems as if you are pandering to the advertisers and putting in puff pieces. I would happily pay for a subscription if we got back the basics. We need more real world articles - with REAL PICTURES. If all you are going to do is post a small picture of the front of the rack - please don’t bother.

Just my 2 cents

@2 cents: I don’t know/remember if I’ve ever read/responded to one of your posts before, but I can see that you and I are on the exact same page.

IMO, your 2 cents is worth more than most of the bullsh*t that’s presented.

Thanks for, “Having a pair,” and being a straight shooter!

Merry Christmas-

@ Dave Stevens

I do have an alter ego and he has been showing his face alot more often around here.  It is time to heard!  This is suppose to be the magazine for OUR industry right?  Just seeing several of these responses makes me feel like there are at least a few of us that have seen through the looking glass and get it.  There are way to many places to get information these days. 

@ Julie and Jason - the surveys for the articles - thats ok.  Guys, it cool to read the story about the company that made it big. Its cool to read the story of the week.  Lets get back to basics. 

Basics for a start:

All of these companies that have popped up selling monitoring services.  Stop tell us they have won awards.  Lets here about the CEPro that is getting it into most of their jobs.  You have told us recurring revenue is the wave of future and we should adopt it.  Send out a survey - how many of our clients would pay $100 - $150 a month for us to proactively monitor the gear we put in their homes.  Give us REAL World what people are doing in different parts of the country to make it work in their business models.  I think this service is a great idea and we have looked into many of these services.  However - the $ don’t make sense.  The only person they make CENTS for is the company selling me the $1500 box that I have mark up that costs them $500 to build.  Then I have to pay them $35-$100 a month and mark it up? 

Use your social media (Facebook) - you use it already and find us!  ask us!  Don’t tell us that this is future unless you can back it up with someone who is sucessful at it. 

Just my 2 cents

The CEDIA marketplace sells it for $57 to members, $76 if not a member.  I think this thread illustrates how difficult it would be to deliver a magazine with the goal of reaching both novices and experts in this industry.

Clearly this publication from CEDIA is not for the experts.

Posted by 2 cents
@ Julie and Jason - I used to love this magazine. More and more it seems as if you are pandering to the advertisers and putting in puff pieces. I would happily pay for a subscription if we got back the basics. We need more real world articles - with REAL PICTURES. If all you are going to do is post a small picture of the front of the rack - please don’t bother.

Just my 2 cents

Posted by Dave Stevens on 12/22 at 08:39 AM
@2 cents: I don’t know/remember if I’ve ever read/responded to one of your posts before, but I can see that you and I are on the exact same page.

IMO, your 2 cents is worth more than most of the bullsh*t that’s presented.

Thanks for, “Having a pair,” and being a straight shooter!

Merry Christmas-

YES!
why dosent this website get more hits? havent many of us tried and yet ppl dont wanna have alot to do with the site..why could that be?

maybe cause this site has almost no good info! these arent even puff they are pure crap! theres nothing in this site but mediocre news and cheap fillers .. am glad i have made good connections here in the forums here but i am done with this site and magazine in 2011..anyone who wants to make a killing should just start a blog with up to date news on ce and id gladly go to it rather than be insulted as an integrator here.

@techsource

I think many would say CEDIA is not for the expert.

@losboskie: You could have not said it better!

Morgan, I find your posts extremely informative and at most times very helpful as we all try to be. However, I detect a distinctive political correctness which IMO, “clouds,” the truth which we are all seeking.

With your experience, you have a wealth of knowledge, and you know of all the bullsh*t behind the scenes as anyone else. The PC comments you post just add to the blandness & commonplace responses that can be had in, “Reader’s Digest.”

Granted, none of us gets paid for our posts or taking the time to fill out the surveys sent to us from CE Pro. Don’t be afraid… No one is going to hit your nose with a newspaper if you are controversial from time to time.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but anyone whom decides to play the PC ticket can do more harm than good to the readers.

Morgan,
I’ve had a very rough day and I apologize in advance for coming off a little hard.

What I’m truly trying to express is that professionals like yourself have the ability as a single voice to make or break any brand, model, etc… Use the power you have earned to lay it on the line.

I continually bust Bob Archer’s balls for his positive reviews of McIntosh & Bose, but it’s all in good fun… (Even though, IMO, both product lines are overpriced and outdated mediocre crap at best.)

Yet, (outside of those 2 brands), I respect Bob’s opinions and reviews, and agree with him 99% of the time. I know for a fact that he really does his homework and, “gets it,” on all industry fronts from mfg to dealer, and dealer to end user.

All in all, I feel that being PC is a terrible waste of the resource, talent, and experience that you and others have… Don’t throw the power away!

They say that, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” but on the other hand, “The squeaky wheel gets replaced.”

Go for it… You can’t replace experience, and Bose & McIntosh still suck.

I understand your point.  I suspect most striving for political correctness avoid posting at all - particularly when discussions begin getting a little heated.  I have often been told I should run for some political office because of my ability to make a statement without landing firmly on a side of an issue.

My post did, in fact, say what I wanted about where this thread seems to have gone.  It isn’t really about the CEDIA publication.  The fact that I choose not to make strong statements against something is clear.  I find my energy is much more productively applied and effected by trying to find something good to say.  Partly because there are plenty who will criticize, partly because I try to avoid the mob effect, mostly because I already spend plenty of time being critical on work and the jobs we perform everyday - and it brings me down.  The last thing I need to do is go online and continue with the negativity.  Sure there are things I don’t agree with, and I understand the philosophy “you have to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything” but when it comes to my input, my outlook and what I want to say here:

Thank GOD I can do what I do. I am priveledged beyond measure.  If you are getting into this industry - do it because you love it - not for the money.

@Dave - sorry you had a bad day my brother - but you aren’t changing my style today.

Looking up, looking forward as always.