MELVILLE, N.Y. — ADI joined together with many industry-leading vendors to host a special event to thank customers for their continuous support at CEDIA Expo 2009.

ADI also sponsored the CEDIA Learning Labs to provide attendees with hands-on experiences with the latest technology.

More than 1,300 dealers were invited to ADI's fourth annual customer celebration, held at the Opera Atlanta Event Center. Built in the 1920's, the Opera Atlanta Event Center retains the unique historical character and stunning architectural details of that period.

The event was sponsored by more than 20 leading manufacturers including Key Digital, Pioneer, Proficient, Russound, Honeywell, Peerless, Universal Remote Control, JVC, Monster and Sharp. Customers and vendors enjoyed an evening of first-class catering and entertainment by the popular band Soul Asylum, who captivated the audience with their alternative rock hits.

The CEDIA Learning Labs sponsored by ADI included four separate full-featured rooms equipped with the latest technology…

CE Pro has announced the winners of its inaugural BEST (Best Electronic Systems Technologies) Awards here at CEDIA Expo 2009 in Atlanta.

With more than 200 products entered into the contest, the BEST Awards recognize the most noteworthy new products and technologies.

The winners were selected based on the following criteria:

• Creativity
• Innovation
• Incorporated equipment
• Obstacles overcome
• Aesthetics
• Lifestyle benefits

All entries are highlighted in the CEDIA Guide, which you can download here, and the winners will be featured in the October issue of CE Pro.

An awards presentation will take place later today between 4-6 p.m. at CE Pro Headquarters (booth 1119)

Here are the winners. Click here to view the winners and descriptions.

Home Theater

A/V Preamp/Processor/Switcher/Amplifier/Receiver
Crestron DM-MD8x8

Flat-Panel TV
Runco Crystal Series CX-OPAL47

Media…

Atlanta — Highlighting Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Volume as well as demonstrating a broad array of products enhanced by advanced surround sound technologies like Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. demonstrated how exceptional audio can deliver richer, more memorable and enjoyable entertainment experiences.

“Dolby forever changed the way people listen to music, movies and television,” said Craig Eggers, senior manager, Consumer Electronics, Dolby Laboratories. “We’re building on this foundation by demonstrating more ways to expand upon the potential of high-definition entertainment with technologies like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Volume, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Dolby TrueHD.”

Richer, More Immersing Audio Experience

Dolby demonstrated how the coding efficiencies of Dolby Digital Plus, which provides up to 7.1 channels of surround sound, make it an ideal solution for delivering high-definition multichannel audio in streamed media and movie download applications. Today, Vudu is using Dolby Digital Plus to deliver the audio experience on its download service to select HDTVs and Blu–ray…

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Firefly Design Group, a premier engineering and marketing firm in the custom electronics industry, has launched a new online portal used to increase the efficiency of communication and project management with custom installation professionals. Accessible from any location and available at no charge to Firefly Design Group clients, the Firefly Design Group Portal, designed in partnership with designecentral, provides an easy-to-use central dashboard where custom installers can easily order services, organize project materials, upload documentation and project specifications, and receive communications and materials from Firefly Design Group.

“As Firefly Design Group has continued to evolve, we realized that in order to truly serve the documentation and project management needs of the custom installer, we have to streamline the communication process,” said Ron Callis, president and founder of Firefly Design Group. “In addition to offering a central platform where installers can upload and receive documents, and communicate with the team at Firefly Design Group, this online portal helps increase our clients’ efficiency by reducing the…

The new Digital Signal Experts Group (DSEG) is offering CE Pro readers $100 off on its Digital Signage Certified Experts Workshop (Course ESD077) at CEDIA Expo 2009 on Wednesday, September 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CE Pro's recent downloadable Webinar on digital signage identified this commercial area as a strong possible niche market for residential integrators to explore.

The course covers:

• The seven parts that make up a digital signage system
• How to understand potential clients and applications for digital signage
• How to conduct a needs-analysis for a system
• The fundamentals of designing a system, including hardware, software, networking and integration.

The course is presented by Alan Brawn of Brawn Consulting and offers 4 CEU credits. To register, click here and use Discount Code DSEGCEDIA to get $100 off.

Related: Check…

Universal Remote Control is showing off some great new technology at CEDIA Expo 2009.

No, not the MX-5000 universal remote with haptic technology, and not the MX-880z ZigBee two-way remote.

URC, along with CE Pro, is inviting dealers to experience TableTender, apparently the country's first self-serve beer tap for restaurants:

Taps boasting two beer spouts are built into tables dotting Atlanta's swanky STATS sports bar. Each is hooked into a cooler of kegs in the bar's basement through a network of tubes and pipes.

To fly with state officials, serve-yourself beer had to include some built-in deterrents.

MIAMI, Fla. — Niles Audio Corporation, The First Name in Custom Installation, has announced plans to hold a series of interactive and educational dealer events, including a Business Dynamics Seminar featuring leading economic analyst, Alan Beaulieu, at CEDIA Expo 2009.

Dealers attending CEDIA Expo 2009 are also able to participate in a series of Town Hall Meetings where they have the opportunity to engage with and provide feedback directly to Frank Sterns, president of Niles. Additionally, Niles plans include training seminars, which provide attendees with the knowledge to design, install and program Niles ZR-6 MultiZone and IntelliControl ICS systems.

Dealers are invited to register for each of the events at the Niles CEDIA 2009 Web site, http://www.nilesaudio.com/cedia09.php, or at the Niles’ Concierge Booth #1761 on the expo floor.

“Niles is committed to adding value and maintaining strong relationships with its dealers,” said Frank Sterns, president of Niles. “In addition to offering a complete and up-to-date product assortment, we are dedicated…

Sanus Systems is now shipping the AV Foundations SFV265 widescreen lowboy, the latest offering within Sanus' Steel Series of audio/video furniture.

The three-shelf SFV265 is designed to accommodate today's most popular large TVs and home theater components with a wide base, sturdy steel construction, extra-thick tempered glass shelving and multiple cable management grommets.

The lowboy offers a high-gloss black finish and mesh back panel for an attractive addition to any home theater. The SFV265 also features adjustable feet for easy leveling and an open architecture for unrestricted airflow to keep AV components cool.

The SFV265 supports flat-panel TVs from 47-69 inches and up to 150 lbs. The middle and bottom shelves support up to 100 lbs. per shelf. The SFV265 is available at a list price of $429.99 USD.

Sanus Systems is now shipping the VisionMount LMT15 Motorized Tilting Mount, the newest addition to the company's award-winning VisionMount line. The LMT15 offers automated movement by remote control, making it easy for consumers to adjust the viewing angle of their TVs.

The LMT15 automatically tilts to a pre-set position up to 13° when the TV is turned on, or the user can position it as desired with an included IR remote control. When the TV is turned off, the mount returns to its home position against the wall for a low-profile appearance.

"Motorized tilting mounts are the perfect solution for applications where automated movement is desirable, such as above fireplaces and other hard-to-reach locations, or where you might need to reduce glare on the TV screen," said Keith Pribyl, vice president of consumer sales for Sanus.

The LMT15 offers a variety of features, including: ClickFit technology that allows power conditioners and other small accessories to snap onto the mount, so they're…

Sanus Systems, a leading global manufacturer of audio/video mounts, furnishings and consumer electronics accessories, has announced the launch of Sanus Mobile, a new mobile website application allowing consumers and industry professionals the ability to access the Sanus website on the go from their cellular phones at m.sanus.com.

Sanus Mobile is a result of the Company's continuous effort to provide more support and better customer service to its business partners and the general public.

With the new application, users can access the full Sanus product offering as well as many helpful resources, such as the Sanus MountFinder mount-to-TV compatibility feature, HeightFinder installation assistant and a store locator.

"We hope the ability to have instant, wireless access to our website will be highly valuable for retail professionals in helping them secure sales and save time for custom installers in the field," said Sanus General Manager Jim Wohlford.

"Our MountFinder tool quickly provides results for which mounts are compatible with a…