More Bluetooth capability, different form factors, a technology solution that includes a low-voltage signal feed similar to Dante, tighter junctions to prevent moisture, and greater durability in extreme weather conditions are just some of the features integrators are calling for in outdoor technology product solutions.
Indeed, CE pros are never shy about giving their opinions on anything, and the growing outdoor technology market is now in their sights, especially as the spring season rolls around and homeowners begin their landscaping projects.
Dealers’ interest is also greater these days because the outdoor technology space is more competitive than ever, both in terms of installation and product.
In the past several years, numerous companies have moved into the space, which was previously a niche market with a handful of key players.
But while the outdoor A/V market has been a less-competitive safe haven for many custom integrators, the sector appears to have succumbed to some of the same IoT-induced pressures hitting the indoor residential market.
For example, the median price for an outdoor technology installation fell to $5,575 in 2018, down significantly from the previous year.
On the positive side, 41 percent of integration companies expect to increase the pricing for their outdoor installations in 2019, with 58 percent of dealers expecting prices to stay level. About 2 percent of integrators expect to have to lower their prices in 2019.
While prices may have been hit in 2018, the number of installations remained steady in 2018, with integrators installing an average of 12 outdoor systems, down just one from 13 projects in 2017.
Those are just some of the results from the 2019 CE Pro Outdoor Technology Deep Dive Study, the third annual survey of the market.
The study, sponsored by Klipsch, Coastal Source, Stealth Acoustics, and Peerless-AV, was conducted in February 2019 and had 130 usable responses.
Various New Product Features Sought
The 2019 CE Pro Outdoor Technology Study dug more deeply into some of the challenges custom integrators are facing, in addition to gathering key performance indicators in the market.
Some of the key features that dealers report are missing or need improvement from the product offerings on the market include:
- Increased Bluetooth capability
- Self-powered speakers with proper inputs/outputs
- Greater durability in extreme weather conditions
- More creativity in product form factors
- Broader color selections for staked in-ground speakers
- Two speakers on a single stake with variable facing positions
- Dual-staked speaker arrays
- Improved aesthetics for 70V speakers
- More choices in outdoor amplifiers
- Retractable projection screens that can be hidden in landscaping
- Wireless streaming speakers with a detachable battery that can be removed and brought indoors
- Low-voltage Dante-based feeds
- Outdoor Wi-Fi speakers
- Outdoor PoE speakers
- Better access to accessory parts that make installation and troubleshooting/repair easier
- Integrated speakers and video surveillance cameras in a single unit.
Installation Challenges Vary
Weather-related concerns are the No. 1 issue they contend with in an outdoor environment, followed closely by difficulty burying cable, especially in tough terrain like solid rock.
Working with landscaping contractors is the third biggest challenge and problems maintaining sound/video quality is next on the list.
Other challenges dealers report facing during the installation process include:
- Low-frequency response in long cable runs
- Junction boxes with poor weather-proofing
- Difficulty mounting both speakers and displays to stone and metal
- Poor wireless range
- Heat and humidity affecting HDBaseT receivers
- Protecting themselves from liability when running wires that penetrate buildings
- Securing outdoor speakers and displays from theft
- Keeping the landscaping crew away from damaging the equipment
- Preventing pets from being injured or damaging the equipment
- Fear of heights by installers not used to scaling tall ladders for eave-mounted speakers or surveillance cameras
The challenges are not limited to the installation front. Several outdoor sales issues were cited by survey respondents, including:
- Getting homeowners to spend additional money for proper outdoor audio
- Overcoming the low-cost battle now that landscaper are carrying outdoor speaker systems as add-ons
- Handling takeover projects where previous integrator used an indoor TV outside, then having to explain to the homeowner that you cannot service that product
- Getting technology included in the landscaping plans.
Regional Differences Are Subtle; Audio Rules
In general, it makes no difference where a custom integration company is located in terms of their ability to install outdoor projects.
For 2019, integrators are bullish, with 63 percent expecting their outdoor business to grow this year. The remaining 37 percent anticipate the market to stay the same in 2019. No integrators are expecting a downturn in their outdoor A/V installations.
The study revealed 70.5 percent of all outdoor audio or video installations are an extra zone added to an interior system. Dealers report that 72 percent of their outdoor projects include audio.
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