Many of us only spent a few days in Atlanta for CEDIA Expo 2009. It was the first time the show has been in Atlanta since 1997.

What did you think?

It was my first trip to Atlanta, and I entered with some preconceived notions that were mostly negative. I mean, CEDIA went out of its way to let people know security would be ramped up during the show. It’s not difficult to read between the lines.

But I liked Atlanta. It’s a cool city with nice people.

Whether or not it’s a good host city for CEDIA Expo 2009, well, that's a different story.

Pros

• It’s a big city with plenty of restaurants
• Security was everywhere
• Friendly people
• The aquarium and Coca Cola factory give attendees a reason to bring their family along

Cons

• Cab rides…

Crestron's nearly 10,000-square-foot booth at CEDIA Expo 2009, as you might expect, house the latest in control, automation and Web-based technologies.

What you wouldn't expect, however, is that the demo of Crestron's Procise line in the company's sound room was one of the best system demos at the show.

The Procise line includes the PSPHD Processor, PROAMP Amplifier, ADMS Server and ADC-200BR Blu-ray Disc Changer.

Crestron walked attendees through some of the system's features, which include:

• Interoperability with its control products
• Web-based streaming of content and metadata information
• Audyssey EQ
• Uncompressed audio processing
• RAID backup

Crestron then used a clip from "Iron Man" to prove it's capable of offering solutions outside its core line that are as good as those that come from traditional home theater manufacturers.

The sound room itself was also pretty impressive, engineered with acoustical treatments and supported by a nice array of screen, projector, and speaker products.

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CEDIA just announced its annual Manufacturers' Excellence Awards, and CE Pro announced its first annual BEST winners.

Did they get it right?

CEDIA Awards

Of the CEDIA finalists, I'm surprised Anthem Statement D2v with Room Correction didn't get a nod. Anthem cannot make these fast enough for its dealers.

The Trak-kit system is also wildly creative and deserves some recognition.

CE Pro BEST Awards

On the CE Pro BEST Awards for Media Servers, the judges were correct to recognize Crestron for its ADMS-BR server with WorldSearch. But it should have tied with S1Digital's Digital Entertainment Platform, the only Media Center solution that lets users stream copy-protected CableCard content across a home network.

For security,…

Timing is everything, and the Nortek Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement was really bad timing to happen in the middle of CEDIA Expo 2009.

As the news about the bankruptcy spread on the show floor, most of the Nortek companies were not there to quell speculation or anxiety among its dealer base.

Companies like Elan, Sunfire, Homelogic and Linear chose not to have exhibits at this year's show. OmniMount and SpeakerCraft did have strong presences in Atlanta and probably were sidetracked a bit by having to spend time talking to dealers about it vs. showing off products.

I heard some competitors of Elan adding fuel to the fire by raising doubt about the future of the company, telling integrators they should drop the line despite assurances from Nortek that the

Centralite is a sleeper in the lighting controls business but a favorite among many integrators. At CEDIA Expo 2009, they're sharing a booth with Somfy, a giant in the motorized shading business.

Rumor has it that Somfy may be acquiring Centralite.

It would make perfectly good sense. Lutron has shown us again and again that lighting and shade control are great complements for comfort and energy savings: Turn off the lights during the day when the motorized shades lift to let in the sun.

For a perfect trifecta, Somfy should acquire Residential Control Systems (RCS), a sleeping giant in residential HVAC controls and home automation.

They could follow Lutron's lead of integrating lighting, thermostats and motorized shades.

Coming to CEDIA Expo 2009 is a time for integrators to get excited about new business opportunities.

The trouble is that before the show even started, I was bombarded by several integrators telling me how bad business is. It sucks.

One very successful integrator told me this fall is going to "make or break" many custom retailers in his market. He said many companies in his area have already been through massive layoffs and don't have anymore to cut.

"They have one foot in the grave and they don't even know it," he says, "because they are continuing to conduct business as usual."

Other guys are telling me lessons they have learned, including not to rely on contracts with homebuilders, but make all contracts directly with the homeowners, using builders only for access to the account.

Draper is giving away a Fine Art for FlatScreen motorized tapestry at CEDIA Expo 2009.

You must fill out an entry form and drop it off at Draper's booth (No. 1125) in order to be eligible.

The winner will be announced Sept. 13. And don't worry, you don't need to be present at the announcement to win.

Draper is offering a bonus opportunity (not quite sure what) if you follow them on Twitter.

On RemoteCentral.com, dealers are talking about manufacturers who won't be at CEDIA Expo 2009. The consensus there is that dealers shouldn't support the opt-out companies because they're not supporting the industry.

I strongly disagree. Manufacturers are making tough budgeting decisions. Participating in a trade show – especially a big one like CEDIA – is one huge line item.

Manufacturers cannot afford not to support their dealers, they're just doing it in different ways these days.

Many are doing more training, offering new marketing materials, and otherwise helping their customers to succeed in this tough economy.

Elan Home Systems is one company that won't be at CEDIA Expo 2009, despite years of participating in the show.

Instead, the company has invested in smaller events around the country, with its 50-city Takin' it to the Streets Road Show.
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Fusion Research will give away its new Studio Movie Server to one lucky attendee at the CEDIA Expo 2009.

Attendees can register for the contest by having their badge scanned at Fusion's booth (#3317). The winner will be announced on the Fusion Web site on Thursday, Sept. 16.

Fusion’s new Studio Movie Server stores up to 250 DVDs, includes an "add your own" storage option and can integrate with any IR-based control system.

The Studio Movie Server also has the same interface and video quality of the flagship Cinema Server and Genesis product lines. MSRP: $3,495

Count me among those who enjoy Speakercraft's theatrics. I'm looking forward to what the company has in store for CEDIA Expo 2009

Not just what Speakercraft president Jeremy Burckhardt referred to as "the largest product introduction ever," which we now know is the Nirv IP-based 1080p multiroom audio/video solution, but also whatever whacky theme Speakercraft will create in its booth.

A couple of years back it had an Eastern theme, complete with geisha booth attendants. Last year, well, I'm not really sure what that was. Some sort of exotic dance thing that included nearly-naked women (and men).

CE Pro had a lot of fun with it, asking readers if Speakercraft's booth was "awesome or annoying?" and getting about 150 comments. Many of the comments were negative and fell into two categories:

• The near-nudity is offensive
• The company should be spending its money on dealer support,…