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Hot Takes from Cedia Expo 2024

Hot Takes from Cedia Expo 2024

At Audilux, we make it a point to take a few days off and make a pilgrimage to CEDIA Expo every year.

We do this for a couple of reasons; of course, it’s essential to stay up to date on the latest trends in the space, but I also want to make sure the vendor and product selections we offer our customers are the best available.

It can be easy to keep repeating the same thing and not realize what you’re missing out on. 

The agenda usually consists of visiting our existing vendors and seeing what’s new, and then going to all their competitors to see what other experiences might be like. This year, we focused on attending demo spaces for new brands, and there were a few great surprises. I also came home more confident than ever with most of our product offerings. 

Now that the dust has settled, here are a few standout observations we made at CEDIA Expo 2024.


#1 – JVC’s new projector demo was jaw-dropping

We attended the JVC Projector demonstration, featuring several new models. The first few scenes looked great from the get-go, and the room was shocked when the presenter explained we were actually watching their new entry-level laser projector, the NZ-500 ($5999).  

Jvc Nz800 8K Laser Projector2024
JVC NZ-800

Halfway through the presentation, they switched to their flagship model, the NZ-900, which I could only describe as staggering. JVC has taken the lead with this latest crop of projectors at both the entry-level and high-end price points.

Screenshot 2024 09 12 At 2.37.31 Pm
JVC NZ-900 Projector

JVC even had a dedicated demo room showing the flagship Sony model directly beside the NZ-900.

It wasn’t even close. 

Point.  JVC. 


#2 – Epson was illuminating

Epson Q Series Lineup
Epson’s New Projector Lineup QB-1000 , QL-3000, and QL-7000

The Epson demo was also exciting for some different reasons. They seem to be focused on offering models with outsized lighting output, starting at an impressive 3300 lumens and going up to 10,000 lumens on their flagship model.

Screenshot 2024 09 12 At 2.17.57 Pm
Epson QL-7000 / 10,000 Lumen Light Cannon

They seem to have made it their mission to defy conditional wisdom and install massive projection systems even in the brightest spaces.  

The entry-level model, the QB-1000 , will be a sweet spot for many installations.  It’s 30% brighter than the new JVC, and in rooms with any ambient light, it should be a home run at the price point ($7999). 

Epson Qb-1000 Laser Projector
Epson QB-1000 / 3300 Lumens / $7999

 I could see us giving this projector a home in lots of mixed-use spaces, or if a customer just want’s extremely vibrant HDR.


#3 – Theory Audio Design / Pro Audio Technology  

Paul Hales of Theory Audio Design & Pro Audio Technology had a very impressive space in a listening room downstairs. They had a fun element of having tons of speakers placed around the room and then using spotlights to show what you had been listening to after each segment.

It harkened back to the old days of Bose demonstrations, where you hear something so big, only to discover it’s coming from the tiniest of packages.  

Of course, unlike Bose, Theory’s speakers were sonically fantastic.  

Theory Audio Sb25 Speaker
Theory’s SB25 All Weather Loudspeaker

The secret sauce is proprietary DSP processing that extracts every ounce of performance out of each of their speakers.

Theory Audio Custom Dsp Amplifiers
Theory Audio’s new DSP Enabled Amplifiers

They only have a few different speaker models, but they are adaptable to all kinds of housings depending on what installation application you’re looking for.

The ceiling speaker could transform into a landscape bollard, pendant, etc.  

Very Cool.


#4 – Ambisonic should be the soundtrack to your outdoor oasis. 

Ambisonic’s outdoor speakers were our first big surprise at the Expo.

We’ve been installing some fantastic landscape speakers over the last few years, and our clients have always been elated with the results. 

Lsr6 Front Warm
Ambisonic’s Tiny But Mighty Landscape Speaker

But…..  Ambisonic’s Planar Ribbons are quite simply a cut above.  The focused sound and even sound dispersion are to die for, and their tiny size would allow them to blend into the most sensitive design. 

Bollard 10
Ambisonic Bollard Speakers feature an integreated 10″ Subwoofer.

 Sign me up. 


#5 – Nice keeps getting Nicer

Our control platform of choice, Nice Home Management (formerly Elan), is at the heart of our installations.

Nice Elan New Theme
Nice OS 8.9

During this Expo, we took the time to examine everything offered by the other platforms. After a visit to each booth, my lead technician remarked that the Nice touch panels felt like an iPad compared to what felt like an old Android at some of the other booths.

I couldn’t agree more. 

Hr40 Header
The Nice HR40 Remote was still the best we found at the show

Nice showed their next-generation touch panels, controllers, and a new door station. They also previewed their latest software updates. I’m looking forward to putting them to work in the coming year.  

To be fair, both Crestron and Savant also had a very robust offering, but I don’t feel we are missing out on anything.  Nice offers a much better value proposition and superior performance, which is a win for our clients. 


What were your favorite finds at CEDIA this year? Did anything surprise you? Let us know in the comments below!
Case Study: A Truly Custom Home Theater

Case Study: A Truly Custom Home Theater

A lofty Theater design

As you can probably guess, you never know where you will be asked to build a home theater. Having a completely blank slate is almost unheard of, and this particular project began its life as a bonus room over a new home’s garage space.

Like most structures not built from the ground up as dedicated screening rooms, this build had its fair share of design challenges. Chief among them was the litany of angled walls, the vaulted ceiling, and the need for a doorway to access a hidden attic library space in the middle of the room.

Theater Design Process
Case Study: A Truly Custom Home Theater 25

We decided to break up the long walls in the room with columns to serve the dual function of providing visual interest and concealing the extra depth needed for bass trapping to tighten up the acoustics.

The real elephant in the room was the puzzle of maintaining access to the adjacent attic library space without compromising the theater’s overall design or acoustics.

We ultimately settled on concealing a door inside one of the room’s decorative columns.

Img 6909
Custom Build Hidden Door

This was accomplished using a custom door, with acoustic treatments applied directly to its face.

Space was also at a premium, so we also needed to find a way to minimize gear deployment inside the room.

We were able to commandeer some unclaimed attic space and installed a recessed rack to house all the equipment. This kept things accessible while also not encroaching on the livable space in the room.

Audio:

The client opted for identical in-wall Focal 300 series speakers in all seven primary positions and a timber-matched set of 8″ In-Ceiling speakers for Atmos.

Focal 300 Series In-Wall Speaker
Focal 300 Series IWLCR Speakers

A duo of Focal subwoofers rounded out the low end.

Focal 1000 Watt Subwoofer
Focal Sub 1000F Subwoofer

A Nice Remote

Nice Hr40 Remote Control
Nice HR40 Remote Control

This also marked our first deployment of the new Nice HR40 remote control. It offers seamless control of all of the sources in the system and even shows cover art from the Kaleidescape during playback.

The finest source: Kaleidescape

P1036976 1 Scaled
Kaleidescape Strato Interface

It’s been a long-standing secret that if you want the best picture quality, there’s only one place to get your movies.

Long hailed by Hollywood moguls and used in their own personal theaters, the Kaleidescape Strato player serves up movies at a higher quality than HD Blu-Ray with unadulterated audio to match.

Construction Gallery:

Before
The space prior to transformation
Img 2154 Scaled
Custom acoustic treatments prior to the installation of the fabric walls
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The Secret Room

P1036969 Scaled
Completed Home Theater


Full Equipment List:

System Configuration: 7.4.2

Visual:

  • Projector: JVC NZ-7 8K Projector
  • Screen: 150″ Screen Innovations Zero Edge Pro, Acoustically Transparent
  • Video Processing: MadVR Envy MKII Extreme

Sound: 

  • Audio Processor: AudioControl Maestro X7s
  • Amplification : AudioControl Savoy G4 , Audio Control Pantages G4
  • Speakers: 7x Focal 300IWLCR , 4x Focal 300ICW8 (Atmos)
  • Subwoofers: 2x Focal Sub1000F
Everything Else: 

Sources: Kaleidescape Strato C, Oppo Blu-Ray, Nvidia Shield, Bluesound Node, and DirecTV Gemini

Control: Nice / Elan SC-100 & Nice HR-40 Remote Control

Lighting: Proluxe COB RGB-W Linear LED with matching extrusions

Seating: Valencia Theater Seating – Tuscany Ultimate Slim

Fabric: Guilford of Maine Anchorage (Charcoal with Cobalt Accents)

Paint: Tricorn Black

Life with Starlink Satellite Internet

Life with Starlink Satellite Internet

Suppose you’re like many Americans who haven’t spent significant time in a small town or even a remote enclave of a developed area. In that case, the struggle to obtain reliable internet access may have never crossed your mind.  

The “Better-Than-Nothing” Beta

We joined the waiting list for Starlink back in 2020, knowing the service wouldn’t be ready for prime time. But, compared to the ongoing struggles with cellular options and the associated never-ending maintenance to keep things running, I was happy to plunk down $500 and get in line. About four months later, a slot opened up in our cell, and like magic, a giant black box showed up on our doorstep, seemingly with love from Elon.  

Since our home is very architecturally modern and features a flat roof, I had the service up and running in minutes. Of course, during that time, the connection would be intermittent a few minutes out of every hour, but it was rock solid the rest of the time. Speeds were clocking in well over 250mbps, and on a day when the powers at Starlink deemed our household blessed, I even recorded a speed test at over 600mbps.   

This is another thing that never occurs if you’ve never struggled with internet access. Rural users run speed tests constantly. 


The War on Speed

All of that changed around the time Space X deployed massive bandwidth to aid the people of Ukraine. While this is admittedly a first-world problem, it was shocking to suddenly have to pay attention to our connection again after being lulled into a sense of relative complacency after a year of entirely consistent service. 

As we ring in the New Year of 2023, we’ve gotten used to the new normal of Starlink. It still has so much potential, and we’re cautiously optimistic that the continued expansion of the Starlink satellite constellation will offer even faster speeds and more reliability. In the meantime, I can’t help but feel the compulsion to run another speed test 😉 

Is Starlink right for you? 

While satellites, Elon Musk, and laser links may sound exciting and fun, Starlink is not for everyone.  

I would refer to it as the “Internet of Last Resort .” Frankly, if you have wired options available at your location, in 99% of cases, they’re a much better value than internet via space.

For starters, Starlink is expensive. $110 a month for 1 TB per month of bandwidth and a $549 fee for equipment which amounts to double or even triple the charge compared to most cable or fiber connections.

There are no speed guarantees, and you kind of “get what you get.” 


5G Options: 

T Mobile Home Internet
Life with Starlink Satellite Internet 27

If you cannot procure a wired connection, I would start your search for a provider a little closer to earth. Thanks to the emergence and rapid deployment of 5G technology, T-Mobile has raced to market with an unlimited-use home internet product that is much more affordable and, in many cases, faster. 

At my location outside of Nashville, TN, I’m seeing transfer speeds over 400mbps, all for the low price of $30 per month.  

While I’m still doing a long-term test before recommending this as connectivity for any of our customers, it’s certainly off to a promising start. So, with no setup fees or hardware costs, what do you have to lose?

In the meantime, I think it’s time for another speed test. 🙂  

DIY vs. Pro Home Security Cameras

DIY vs. Pro Home Security Cameras

A tale of two systems

I recently had a good friend and client reach out to me about designing an automation and security system for his new property in Mt. Juliet, TN. While he wasn’t looking for a traditional monitored system, having good quality surveillance and access control for his gate was a very high priority, mainly since he’s often out of town for work.

Since the site was on a little over 5 acres and comprised of a network of pastures, barns, and a residence, I spent the better part of a day designing a system for him that I knew would be reliable and meet his needs, running coverage calculations, solving distance limitations, and value engineering where possible.  

Unfortunately, what happened next was the moment an integrator fears the most. I sent over our proposal, and I’m confident the price tag induced a seizure on the other end. (Fortunately, my friend made a full recovery!), but the next day, he called back to ask what on earth could be so different about this system than DIY products like Ring or the dreaded Lorex.  

Honestly, It’s a fair question, and while ultimately, he didn’t decide to move forward with what I designed due to budgetary constraints, it left me thinking of the best way to explain the value of a well-designed system as a whole vs. a pile of well-marketed but hugely inferior parts. 

I’ll be the first to admit that these consumer-grade systems have a place, and for your average 3000 sq ft track home nestled away in suburbia, you certainly can’t beat the value. I often suggest this arrangement when even our entry-level products are overkill. However, as the size of the home grows or other elements like distance become a factor, these off-the-shelf solutions can quickly become massive sources of frustration. 

At the end of the day, though, a custom system brings two words to the table that we know are more important than our clients initially realize; reliability and support.

So while I won’t bore you with all the nerdy details, let’s talk about one of the most common DIY products we tend to have issues with and explain what a difference professional-grade equipment can make. 


Cameras & Video Doorbells:

There are two main types of camera and doorbell systems. The first is what we call a cloud-based system.

1- DIY Cloud-Based Cameras

Cloud Based Camera System
Cloud Based Camera System Diagram

These cameras rely on an internet connection to stream video from their installed location, through your home’s network, and out to a server in the cloud to be recorded. You can then access these recordings, or live video feeds on the go by using your cell phone, tablet or computer. Some major players in the space include Ring, Arlo, Blink, etc. 

There are, unfortunately, some downsides to this type of equipment. The first and most obvious is that your property is suddenly unprotected if your internet connection is lost or intentionally interrupted. In most cases, no recording is even taking place. Second, since most of these cameras use a wi-fi connection, any level of instability or interference can once again take your cameras offline.   

Lastly, unless you pay a pretty hefty fee, these cameras typically only record when a certain level of motion is detected rather than recording continuously. While it might not seem like a big deal at face value, imagine trying to figure out the path an intruder took to access your property, it can be nearly impossible to do if enough motion was only detected right as they came to your door. 

2- Local NVR

Local Nvr System
Local On-Premises Recording Diagram

The second type of system utilizes a Network Video Recorder or NVR. In an NVR System, footage from each camera continuously records across the local network without ever leaving the premises. Although cameras are usually wired to avoid dealing with batteries, wired connectivity also offers much greater picture quality and reliability than wireless. 

Thanks to the NVR’s internet connection, NVR systems still offer excellent remote access. In fact, you probably wouldn’t know, based on your phone’s app, that you’re using an NVR rather than a cloud-based technology. 

A local NVR-based camera system can offer several benefits:

  1. Reliability: Since the footage is recorded locally on the NVR, there is no dependence on an internet connection for the system to work. This means that the system will continue to function and record footage even if the internet goes down.
  2. Privacy: A local NVR system stores the footage on the NVR itself rather than sending it to a cloud server. This can be beneficial for those who are concerned about the privacy of their video footage.
  3. Control: With a local NVR system, you have complete control over the footage and can access it directly from the NVR. You don’t have to worry about logging into an online account or dealing with potential delays in accessing the footage.
  4. Cost: A local NVR system may be more cost-effective in the long run, as there are no ongoing cloud storage fees to pay.
  5. Speed: Since the footage is stored locally, it can be accessed and reviewed more quickly than if it were stored in the cloud.

Biggest Home Technology Trends in 2024

Biggest Home Technology Trends in 2024

Happy 2024 everyone!

Now that we’ve all recovered from the closest thing to a normal New Years’ day since 2019, here are a few home technology trends we’re excited about this year at Audilux:


#1 – Broadband INTERNET for Everyone:

Space X Starlink Satellite Dish
Space X Starlink

As our Nashville real estate market grows and matures, most of the low-effort build sites for custom homes have been snatched up and previously developed over the years. This reality is pushing people to get creative and often look to hilltops and further off the beaten path to build their forever homes. 

In the past, getting internet services to these more remote locations would have been nearly impossible or, at the very least, financially unfeasible, but the advent of 5G wireless and fast satellite internet like Starlink means you can stay connected on almost any build site, no matter how extreme.

We’re looking forward to seeing the new kinds of build sites this newfound freedom opens up for architects and clients alike!

Fun Fact: I’m currently uploading this article using Starlink myself!


#2 – Lighting Control Comes of Age:

Vantage Easy Touch Keypad
Lighting Control Keypad by Vantage

While custom lighting control systems like Lutron & Vantage have been around for decades, your options and design choices have grown by leaps and bounds.

A panelized lighting system already worked wonders for eliminating wall clutter, but the new faceplate and button options available today are top-notch. 

Adorne
Custom Keypad by Vantage Controls

#3 – Motorized Shades, Draperies, & Projector Screens

Light Filtering Motorized Shades
Motorized Shades & Draperies

Automating lighting, drapes, and shades are quickly becoming the norm in luxury residences, and for good reason!


4 – Home Theater Is making a big comeback

Shelter Theater Elan Buttons
Custom Remote Control by Elan

They may not all look the way you expect, but one thing the pandemic taught everyone is that it’s worth the investment to upgrade your entertainment at home.

The custom install industry has been hard at work coming up with innovative solutions to help AV equipment blend in like never before while still performing at the highest level.

Lifestyle Home Theater
LifeStyle Home Theater Space by Audilux

If you’re a videophile who wants a dedicated space to escape with your favorite movie, and cinema-grade sound and visuals are a must, a dedicated theater space is always an option.

Speaker Illustration
Custom Home Theater by Audilux

Never Change 1
But Some Things Never Change..

#1-There’s STILL no substitute for Pre-wire:

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Biggest Home Technology Trends in 2024 41

If you’re building a new home, it is always a best practice to pre-wire. In 2023, we often take wireless technology for granted, but 90% of our service calls are related to wi-fi and wireless issues.

It might be tempting to save a few bucks, but this is the worst place to do it: Pre-Wire and buy yourself the peace of mind that reliability can offer. 


#2 -Planning is always worth the investment:

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Custom Home Automation Layout

It’s a team effort to make your custom home a truly magical space.

The gorgeous photos you see on Pinterest or floating around Facebook don’t happen by accident, and your home’s technology is no exception!

So, get us involved with your architect, builder, and design team early!

Hta Design Partner
HTA Design Partner