The Ever-Changing Design Needs of Multi-room A/V Systems

According to a 2014 CE Pro survey, 56 percent of integrators admit that they have “left money on the table” on a project. That lost revenue is caused by numerous mistakes, including not charging for design services or simply not charging enough for labor. But one way to reduce lost revenue is via improved efficiency by technicians; thus, new generations of whole-home systems are designed to maximize the time technicians spend on the job.

The design of a home multi-room audio/video system is rapidly changing. Central source components like A/V receivers and even video matrix switchers may no longer be necessary in common applications as more intelligence and control functions get embedded into advanced TV devices.

Integrators are quickly learning that there are new viable alternatives to the standardized sophisticated control and routing systems that they’ve designed and installed for years. For example, while there are some powerful video matrix switchers on the market, not every home, customer or budget is suited for such a complex device. Indeed, there are less complex and less expensive multi-room video solutions for integrators. This is especially true in regard to the use of matrix switchers.

TiVo BOLT: A Simpler Solution

A viable, capable and cost-effective solution to multi-room A/V design is the TiVo BOLT™, which is a video matrix and source device all in one small box. Using the TiVo BOLT, CE professionals can reduce many of the headaches associated with designing and installing multi-room audio/video.

TiVo BOLT features:

• IP control that’s compatible with multiple home control/ automation systems.
• Flexible signal and distribution options that allow for the use of an existing coaxial network using Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards.
• A singular on-screen interface that delivers all the source content for both audio and video.
• Flexibility to use the TiVo BOLT either as a stand-alone system or as a source component in a larger ecosystem.

Another reason to talk to your customers about a TiVo system is control and service. A recent CE Pro survey showed that the second most-common reason for a service call was the cable box. Because the TiVo BOLT is a cable box, you can keep the cable company and their third-hand boxes far, far away from your install.

The number one reason to talk to your customers about TiVo is to open up a whole new market for you and your company. A TiVo system can occupy that sweet spot between what the bigbox stores do and jobs that are outside the means of most people. With one of the best satisfaction ratings in the industry, TiVo gives integrators more chances for increased word-of-mouth advertising.

For more information visit custom.tivo.com