Blacklight is a Design Software Made Exclusively for Linear Lighting Systems
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Blackwire Designs, but coming out of CEDIA Expo 2023 the distributor had plenty of news ranging from new Control4 drivers, as well as its own linear lighting design software tool, which they have charmingly named Blacklight.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Blackwire Designs stands out among its peers from its integrator-exclusive staffing and its integrated software approach, the overall goal being to streamline and consolidate an integrator’s daily work. That’s at least the philosophy these new updates seem to take.
How Integrators Can Tap Into Live Sports Streaming
At one point or another, the avid sports fan will run into this issue: they simply can’t find where to watch sports. With more and more consumers opting to cut the cord and ditch cable, the content streaming economy is exploding with services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock and more. These streaming services have become massive businesses with millions of subscribers, and many of them are taking live sports along for the ride.
However, the live sports streaming landscape is fragmented, and consumers are finding it challenging to simply find out how to watch their favorite teams. Take, for example, the fact that Thursday Night Football games are now exclusively on Amazon Prime, whereas on Sunday or Monday, games are on a variety of other platforms, including Peacock, Paramount+, Fox Sports, ESPN and others.
2024 Lighting Controls and Fixtures Report
Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.Download your copy now!
Why Integrators Should Consider Working the Middle Market
The smart home industry is growing, and while integrators largely focus on high-end projects in large homes with expensive solutions, the middle market and some DIY products are helping to raise awareness of the industry and open the door to other customers, according to experts and some exhibitors at this year’s CEDIA Expo.
Throughout the show floor, well-known brand names in the consumer space such as Ring, Sonos and others were popular draws. In addition, displaying at ADI Global’s booth were Google and Brilliant, both of which can be purchased via retail channels. Even some new JBL integrated audio systems can be purchased directly from the manufacturers’ website.
SVX-1202 Amplifier from Paradigm Offers System Versatility
This versatile two-channel amplifier has been designed for flexibility. The Canadian manufacturer points out With the capacity to handle 70V, 4-, and 8-ohm loads, the amplifier was just unveiled during the recently completed CEDIA Expo 2023 show, which took place in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 7-9.
The Paradigm SVX-1202 Power Amplifier has been designed to cater to custom installers, providing them with a versatile tool that is reliable and seamless to install.
AVA’s Cinema Remote is a Self-Contained, Scalable Theater Automation System
While at CEDIA Expo 2023, AVA announced the release of three new luxury AV products focused exclusively on control. These products include the AVA Cinema Remote, AVA OS and AVA Nano Brain.
Starting with the AVA Cinema Remote, the device features an edge-to-edge touch screen incorporated into a button interface that AVA refers to as the “Dynamic Keypad.” What makes the Dynamic Keypad unique is that it uses a three dimensional glass ring that guides the user’s thumb to better sense where it is located on the keypad.
RP22 Immersive Audio Guidelines Set to Revolutionize Industry, Says CEDIA CEO
Seeing the rise in interest and demand for immersive audio systems, CEDIA has recently finalized a new set of recommended guidelines for immersive audio system design. Done in collaboration with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) (the guys behind CES), the RP22 Immersive Audio Design Recommended Practice is the first to define an objective set of performance criteria for home audio systems.
Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO of CEDIA states the recommendation stands to be “game-changing” for the industry, benefitting integrators and homeowners alike.
CEDIA Expo 2023 Day 1: Initial Thoughts from the Show Floor
CEDIA Expo 2023 (and by extension Commercial Integrator Expo) Day 1 have been off to a phenomenal start. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. See as I hold down the fort during the show, my colleagues have been the ones experiencing everything firsthand, so forgive the title. That being said, between my discussions with them and manufacturers running news about the show, I feel as though I have a pretty good picture to base my initial thoughts on how everything has been going so far while the team does their rounds.
While AI is certainly the topic on everyone’s mind one Day 1 of CEDIA Expo, it’s certainly not in everyone’s booths (though if you look at some of the BEST award winners that’s a different story). That’s not to say there isn’t a lot to look at. Quite the contrary. If anything, this year’s tradeshow has put forward some of the most eye-catching innovations in the smart home industry yet (DEN SmartStrike and Legrand’s KolorTune get my shout out). It’s enough to get me excited for when AI finally reaches full adoption.
LG is Calling Its 118-Inch 4K MAGNIT Display a ‘Sweet Spot’ for microLED
It’s the battle of big screens once again at CEDIA Expo 2023. Between product announcements from Samsung, Hisense, and now LG, the luxury display market has been gifted some nice options this year. Priced at $237,000 MSRP, the new 118-inch LG MAGNIT 4K microLED residential display will be showing at LG’s Booth at the Colorado Convention Center (#3107).
This follows an announcement made earlier this year where LG stated it would be pushing towards building out its residential and commercial display models (among others) while also pursuing a platform-based service model for sales involving its webOS smart TV platform.
Josh One Leverages AI to Assist in Smart Home Installations, Configurations
AI is the name of the game at CEDIA Expo this year, and considering it has AI in the name, it should come as no surprise that Josh.ai has something big up its sleeve for the smart home. While at CEDIA Expo 2023, the company officially introduced Josh One, an AI powered smart home control platform meant to significantly drop the barrier for entry into more advanced smart home systems.
If this all sounds familiar, yes, it does sound a lot like what Josh.ai already offers across its product portfolio to an extent. However, where Josh One differs from other parts of the Josh.ai family is how it is meant to assist in the installation, configuration and automation of smart home systems.
DEN SmartStrike is Finally Available for Pre-Order
Fresh off the high of a resounding victory in the 2023 CE Pro BEST Awards for Most Promising technology product, DEN announces its SmartStrike is now available for pre-order through the DEN SmartHome website.
Fitting an admittedly unique niche in the growing category of design-oriented/retrofit-friendly technology products, the SmartStrike first broke out onto the scene back in 2021 when it won one of the coveted CTA Mark of Excellence Awards. The strike is designed to be installed directly into a door frame, but what sets it apart from its smart lock and video doorbell cohorts its discreetness in doing so.
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