Before CEDIA 2017 comes to San Diego on Sept. 5-9, CE Pro speaks to Christian Thomas, global marketing communications manager, WyreStorm, about what the company has in store for CEDIA attendees in booth #2233 this year.

Check out all of WyreStorm's CEDIA news here, and click here if you're looking to become a WyreStorm dealer.

What would you say to dealers who are stumbling across your company for the first time?

Although we’re a leading specialist in AV signal management and control solutions, WyreStorm’s approach to product development is a little different from other manufacturers out there.

When it comes to AV projects we don’t believe “one-size-fits-all.” Size, complexity, application and customer experience all vary, which is why we place such an emphasis on a fully integrated multi-technology approach to product development that gives dealers real options and allows them to utilize the right technology for their specific application.

Our products are developed using HDBaseT, HDMI and the three AV over IP technologies as used in our NetworkHD line to enable the creation of single-platform and hybrid solutions that allow the integrator to utilize the best technology available for their project.

Christian Thomas, global marketing communications manager, WyreStorm

Our solutions are designed to reduce system complexity by combining functionality within devices to reduce layers of connectivity and potential points of failure that can needlessly complicate a project. This not only improves the ease and speed of installation and overall system reliability, it also allows our products to offer faster system performance with market-leading switching speeds.

The result is unrivaled total AV solutions that offer customers a greater return on investment with an installation and user experience like no other.

What would you say to dealers who are already familiar with your product line?

We released over 30 new products this year across all five of our HDBaseT, HDMI and AV over IP technology platforms – many of which are in new product categories – but all developed from direct industry feedback following a two-year development which enable us to truly deliver solutions for almost every allocation and market vertical.

CEDIA 2017 will see us showcase new additions to our broad HDBaseT and rapidly expanding AV over IP offerings, including the H2X Series of modular HDBaseT 5Play 4K HDR matrix switchers with integrated audio matrix switching featuring a selection of multi-format transmission cards.

It’s no secret AV over IP has taken off in a big way as a transmission medium and WyreStorm is arguably the only manufacturer to offer three different AV over IP platforms, with our most recent two featuring huge residential applications. Both our NetworkHD 400 Series ultra low latency 4K HDR over 1GB featuring JPEG2000 and our ultimate quality uncompressed 4K HDR over 10GB 600 Series powered by AptoVision BlueRiver will be front and center at the show in San Diego.

Those are just a couple of examples of how our multi-transmission technology philosophy is being translated into innovative, reliable products with real-world applications, solving real-world problems for both CEDIA dealers and customers.

If a dealer/integrator stops by your booth with only 5 minutes to spare, what’s the one product he should examine or one question he should ask?

The question every integrator wants to know is “What’s the best way to distribute 4K?” 

The answer, though, is there is no one best way to distribute 4K, only the best way for a particular application. 

WyreStorm as a company and virtually all our technical staff came from an integration background so we understand the needs of the dealer and their projects in a way other manufacturers might not. So I recommend CEDIA attendees come by the WyreStorm booth and talk to our guys about their project – I guarantee they’ll leave with a full understanding of what technology they should, and shouldn’t be using to achieve the best possible result in their installations.

Think of your closest competitor (company or product). What is one thing you offer that they don’t? Please be specific.

In addition to us offering five transmission technology platforms across one of the broadest core product lines available, I would say the fact we are a prime manufacturer is something that should not be underestimated in an industry largely populated with OEM suppliers. 

We have our own R&D, production facilities and logistics with distribution through a network of dedicated, carefully selected and thoroughly WyreStorm-trained sales partners across the world. This allows us to control all aspects of WyreStorm products, from development through manufacturer, quality control, shipping and installation.

Why are you looking forward to CEDIA coming to San Diego for the first time?

CEDIA is always an exciting time but the WyreStorm team is even more pumped with such an incredible city with such great energy is hosting the show this year. Amazing restaurants and that Cali weather right on the Pacific will certainly make time away from the show floor something to savor!

Being in San Diego also means we get to re-visit the award-winning Striders sports bar and club lounge, which features WyreStorm NetworkHD AV over IP from 30x sources to 150x screens, projectors and video walls, with everything controlled by our NetworkHD Touch control app for iPad.

Located just across from the convention center this Las Vegas-styled venue combines high quality dining and wall-to-wall sports entertainment with the only place in downtown San Diego able to offer live betting on horse racing.

Anyone who wants to see a living, breathing WyreStorm case study or just wants to kick back in truly unique hospitality experience should pay it a visit!

Do you have any course offerings at CEDIA?

Not at the show this year, as we’ve recently expanded our online training portal. We believe the key to the success of any installation is a thorough understanding of the technology used, so however, whenever and wherever we can help make that happen we’re all about doing so at the dealer’s convenience.

As such, we provide in-depth product and installation training via the online training portal and our YouTube channel, as well as in-person at regularly scheduled training events throughout the year at WyreStorm and distribution partner offices across the US and the world.

Our cloud-based training portal generates around 2500 frequent visitors, offering practical, in-depth online product training at the users’ convenience. We’re CEDIA and InfoComm accredited to make sure that WyreStorm training is industry recognized as well as offering everything required to create AV solutions quickly and simply that meet and surpass client expectation time and again.

Do you have any giveaways, contests or quirky features planned for CEDIA?

We’re awaiting confirmation but we’re hoping to partner with the WyreStorm-powered San Diego Striders sports bar I mentioned earlier, located across the street from the convention center, for discounted drinks tickets available to visitors to the WyreStorm booth.

We’re also working on an idea with one of our technology partners, Global Cachè, for a prize drawing at CEDIA comprising a WyreStorm Enado Mini and Global Cachè connectivity or the winner’s choice of equal value to provide a full-blown control system.

Details are yet to be finalized so watch this space!