Integrator on the Scene: Zektor, Speakercraft, Little Giant, Nexus 21 and Leon

Throughout CEDIA, Lee Distad will be reporting on vendors and products you may not be hearing too much about.

Saturday at CEDIA Expo was a relatively subdued, laid-back affair.

You could tell how successful the Friday night parties were by how low-key attendees on the trade floor were. The press room was nearly empty all day, too.

Not one to take it easy at the show, I hit the floor looking for exciting, possibly overlooked products.

Zektor's 8x8 Component Matrix Switcher

Jeff Haynes and Zonn Moore from Zektor took time to show me the details of a couple of their distribution products.

Zektor's HDS8x8 is an 8 input, 8 output component video matrix switcher that also handles analog stereo, SPIDF coax and TOSlink digital audio. Control is via IR or RS232. Pricing is TBA.

As a small manufacturer, they remain ambivalent about HDMI and remain focused on component video for distribution, as that remains the lion's share of what integrators are currently specifying into jobs.

However, Jeff Haynes assures me that they remain open minded and are contemplating HDMI solutions.

Leon Speakers LCR For 103-inch Plasma

Leon Speakers is a boutique manufactuer that specializes in designs that complement on-wall flat panel televisions.

A big part of their business is custom manufacturing speaker enclosures and finishes to specific requirements for truly custom installs.

A major talking point for their booth was the LCR speaker they designed to complement Panasonic's 103-inch plasma television. The hip, trendy vinyl wrap finish is indicative of the kind of interior-designer pleasing work they can produce.

Little Giant Revolution XE Ladders are 30% Lighter

There are many exhibitors at Expo whose wares may not be eye catching, or cause attendees to let out a low whistle of appreciation (and I'm not necessarily talking about the booth babes). But they offer essential aides to doing business in the custom channel.

Popular ladder maker Little Giant chose Expo to debut their new line of ladders, the Revolution XE. Thirty percent lighter than their classic line, the Revolution XE features:

• a new locking system
• tool shelves
• magnetic knobs at the top hinge in case you need to set a tool aside while you use your hands for another task

They're available in models that extend to 17- and 22-feet, respectively.

Nexus 21 Motorized Lifts

Motorized lift maker Nexus 21 is familiar to every attendee who had to pass by the 300-block meeting rooms.

They offer a huge array of TV and equipment lifts, as well as partnering with cabinet makers for custom cabinetry options.

But what got Expo attendees' attention was their conversion of one of their Plasma lifts into an Attention Getting Device, courtesy of Nexus 21 staffer Nicole McClain.

SpeakerCraft Focuses on Business

Speakercraft's primary emphasis at this Expo was to present alternatives and strategies to support their dealer network.

"Things are tough right now, and really, what do our dealers need; a new speaker or a helping hand in their business?" says Dave McCoy, Canadian Western Region Manager.

That said, Speakercraft did show some exciting new products, such as the long awaiting MODEFree wireless keypad. Additionally, their new Neat 7.5 in-ceiling speaker is a bezel-less speaker.

Once the drywall has been mudded, sanded and painted, all that is visible is the round grill. Not to mention that Speakercraft's presentation of dance troupe Lucent Dossier takes the prize for the single most creative booth event of the year.

Lee Distad is a freelance CEDIA Certified Professional Designer who offers design and process consultation to firms in the Custom Installation industry, as well as copy writing and other professional writing services. Lee's business and industry blog can be read at http://www.leedistad.com