As part of its new commitment to the custom installation channel that has covered several new programs, Sony has announced new partnerships with multiple control vendors.

The list is a "who's who of control as well as many others" for the custom market, according to Neal Manowitz, director for the Sony Home Audio and Video division.

The integration partners are:

• AMX
• Control4
• Crestron
• Escient
• ReQuest
• Universal Remote Control
• Remote Technologies Inc.
• Vantage

Last week Sony announced a renewed commitment to the CE pro channel. To find out more about these partnerships and where Sony is heading with its new focus, integrators are invited to stop by the Sony booth at CEDIA Expo 2009.

You can't miss the massive 70x80-foot booth that includes a full stage with professional talent presenting the details on Sony's new Advance Exchange warranty policy,…

It's safe to say that LED-backlit TVs are here to stay. What form they take is the question.

LG and Sony have revealed new LCD TVs using LED technology, though four of the five models the companies announced at CEDIA Expo 2009 will be edge-lit by LEDs only on the sides of the screen.

LG's 55-inch 55LHX wireless HDTV model is the only one backlit by a full array of LEDs. The full array of LEDs is capable of local dimming, in which clusters of the energy-saving LEDs can be shut off during dark scenes, enhancing the picture's contrast and saving even more energy.

Consumers will pay for that level of performance and eco-friendliness, along with the wireless functionality, to the tune of $4,799.

LG's edge-lit LED LCD TVs include the slender, 1.15-inch-thick 42- and 47-inch SL models ($2,599 and $2,099). By edge-lighting with LEDs, manufacturers can make the sets…

Sharp’s new BD-HP52U Aquos Blu-ray Player will feature Netflix streaming.

The BD-HP52U, which is displayed in Sharp's CEDIA Expo 2009 booth, will ship in October.

Sharp expects Netflix streaming to be available in November. “We’re in the midst of signing a contract with Netflix,” says Sharp spokesperson Melissa Non.

The BD-HP52U models that ship in October will be able to get the Netflix "watch instantly" feature through an update, while the ones shipped after the contract is signed will be Netflix-ready.

Other features:

• RS-232 port
• BD Live support
• HDMI 1.3 digital output
• Deep Color
• AQUOS link
• Surround-sound formats include Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio via HDMI digital output
• Decodes Dolby Digital Plus
• Anti-vibration chassis

Sharp will join a growing list of manufacturers that have partnered with Netflix to offer its “watch instantly” library of 17,000 movies and TV titles. MSRP: $379

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…

Control4, perhaps best known for its iconic (static) home page, is letting dealers get a little groovy with their home automation systems.

At CEDIA Expo 2009, Control4 is showing OS 2.0, which allows integrators to design their own GUIs, at least to some extent.

"There's more flexibility and personalization around the GUI," says Control4 president Glen Mella. "We've always been the guys with one default screen. Now, if you want just TV and music in a room, then you can do that level of customization."

During a sneak preview before CEDIA, John Yoon, director of marketing demonstrated a "global" thermostat view, in which users could navigate through all of the home's thermostats.

Previously, you had to back in and out of the various rooms to get to each thermostat.

You can change icons and backgrounds, using your own, or the options that Control4 provides.

Biker chick that…

Sony has introduced the Profile 2.0 BDP-N460 Networked Blu-ray Player here at CEDIA Expo 2009 in Atlanta.

The BDP-N460 features access to YouTube and to Bravia Internet Video. Sony says Netflix streaming will be added later in the fall.

The BDP-N460 doesn't feature Wi-Fi, but it comes with built-in software for a $95 Linksys Wi-Fi dongle.

Other features:

• Full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output
• 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio
• 7.1 channel L-PCM via HDMI after decoding
• Upscaling of 480i signals to "near HD quality"

The BDP-N460 also supports Deep Color video output and x.v.Color technology. Also included is an external port for local storage, and a front USB port to display photos.

MSRP: $250 in October


Sony BDP-N460 Networked Blu-ray Player

Runco has always been ahead of the game when it comes to projection systems. The company can take a lot of credit for the 2.35 theater trend.

Now that CEDIA Expo 2009 is under way, Runco is presenting its latest innovative projector — based on LED technology.

The "InfiniLight" lampless LED illumination provides the imagery to Runco's new QuantumColor projectors, Q-750i and Q-750d.

Along with the energy-efficiency and long lifespan of the LEDs, color bursts onto the screen with the help of Runco's new Personal Color Equalizer, a six-axis color adjustment that Runco says works like an audio equalizer so colors can be individually dialed up and down for every video source, and preset personal preferences.

Also thanks to the LEDs, there's an InstantOn feature for a nearly-immediate projected image when turned on, rather than warm-up time of a lamp projector.

Each projector has CineWide…