Residential Systems, TWICE, and What HiFi? have announced the winners of their annual Best of Show awards at CEDIA Expo 2021. The products were nominated by the manufacturers, and a team of judges was deployed to rate each product on several criteria, including its value, impact, and how unique it is to the market. In a typical year, the judges would also walk the floor to check out the products in person, but this year was anything but typical. For the companies that submitted nominations and remained in the show, their products were judged in person. For those that pulled from the show, the judges relied on the submitted entries.
Residential Systems entries were judged through the lens of the residential integrator, while TWICE based theirs on a consumer electronics retail view and What Hi-Fi? from the home entertainment enthusiast perspective. [See the sidebar for the list of TWICE and What Hi-Fi? winners.]
AudioControl CM4-750 Dual-Mode Amplifier
The 4-channel AudioControl CM4-750 offers the versatility of both 70-volt and 4/8-ohm compatibility (Dual-Mode), plus the benefits of DSP control and matrixing capabilities. The CM4-750 utilizes a Constant Power Mode architecture designed by AudioControl, delivering 750 watts per channel in 70-volt mode or 625 watts per channel at 8, 6, or 4 ohms along with stability into 2 ohms. The CM4-750 also delivers 1500 watts bridged in 100-volt mode and 1250 bridged into an 8-ohm load. The Dual-Mode design can simultaneously operate in 70-volt mode while also driving a conventional loudspeaker.
The CM4-750 offers Dante, an uncompressed, multichannel digital media networking technology that moves data over standard IP networks using readily available CAT5e, CAT6, or fiber optic cable with near-zero latency. This technology empowers integrators to deliver best quality audio to every zone without being tethered to long speaker or analog signal cable runs.
Christie Eclipse
Christie Eclipse is a 6DLP 4K HDR RGB pure laser projector. It processes and reproduces HDR content on screen, in 4K resolution at up to 120fps, at both high and low brightness levels. Its 6DLP dual DMD design achieves pixel-level luminance control as per OLED TVs, but Christie claims it surpasses OLED TV performance with unrivaled color performance, dynamic range, contrast, and absolute black levels throughout the whole range 0% ADL (on/off) to 50% ADL (ANSI), with a native sequential on/off contrast ratio of up to 20,000,000:1.
With RGB pure laser illumination, 4K resolution, BT.2020 color, extreme contrast, and absolute black levels, Christie Eclipse delivers dynamic, detail-rich HDR video game graphics and content for a highly immersive and optimal gaming experience. Eclipse is available in three brightness levels — 9000 lumens, 17,000 lumens, and 25,000 lumens.
ClearOne Versa Mediabar
As work-from-home and office layouts continue to evolve, ClearOne is dedicated to creating solutions that provide modern workers with the best audio and video quality for training, education, corporate meetings, remote medical consultations and any other collaboration need. The all-new Versa Mediabar is ClearOne’s first professional quality all-in-one audio and video capture device that combines the elegance and simplicity of a soundbar with the power of ClearOne’s intelligent audio capture and 4K camera technologies.
Featuring a built-in 4K Ultra HD camera with a 110-degree ultra wide-angle field of view and a four-element microphone array with 360-degree voice pickup and intelligent DSP, the Versa Mediabar provides acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and automatic noise reduction to ensure crystal clear audio capture. The camera combines electronic pan, tilt, and zoom functions (ePTZ) with artificial intelligence to enable auto-framing and people tracking that keeps the speaker in view even if they move around the room. From huddle spaces and small meeting rooms to executive offices and home offices, the compact Versa Mediabar delivers all the power and clarity needed for daily virtual communications.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. Crestron Home
Crestron Home seamlessly manages all devices in the technology-driven homes of today. From lighting to shades, audio/video, climate, security, and more, Crestron Home has the ability to control every area on one platform. The user interface delivers an intuitive experience with elegant animation to give homeowners control over everything either remotely from their mobile device or at home using touch screens, voice command, remotes, and more.
Crestron Home is constantly evolving. The solution delivered today gets better over time with updates continuously pushed out to the end-user to deliver features that transform the experiences within the home. In the past year, Crestron Home added the ability to watch multiple TVs in a single room for applications like a home sports bar, automatic dark mode for all user interfaces, the ability for end-users to hide rooms or parts of the system (for example, in children’s rooms), home conferencing solutions for the ultimate work from home experiecne, and more. It’s a constant evolution that updates for free.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. DM NAX 8-Zone Streaming Amplifier
DM NAX takes audio distribution to a whole new level by putting it onto the network. The scale of DM NAX far exceeds the capabilities of previous generations of Crestron distributed audio. A single Synchronized Control system can distribute audio to 32 devices, for a possible 256 audio output zones. DM NAX units integrate with DM NVX devices to pull audio from video feeds for rooms without displays.
DM NAX is built on the AES67 standards with additional ease of configuration via a web interface, SIMPL Windows, C#, and/or a RESTful API. It is compatible with Crestron DM NVX through the AES67 secondary audio stream and with third-party AES67 solutions and Dante via the compatibility mode enabled through Dante Controller. Full DSP capabilities are available on the line and speaker outputs.
The DM-NAX-8ZSA delivers streaming, routing, distribution, and amplification in a single device. Streams can be routed to other non-streaming AoIP amplifiers. With Crestron Home integration, homeowners will gain full visibility and control of their home audio from mobile devices, touch screens, remotes, keypads, and voice-activated devices.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. UC-MM30-R Tabletop Conference Device for Crestron Home
The Crestron UC-MM30-R tabletop conference device pairs an enterprise-grade speakerphone with the powerful control of the Crestron Home operating system to provide one convenient home office companion. The tabletop conference device natively runs the Crestron Home app and offers complete integration with an existing Crestron Home system to provide lighting, shade, climate, media, security, and camera control. The intuitive user interface allows for dynamic home control and convenient in-call volume control via the device’s large 7-inch HD color touch screen.
The Crestron Home app running natively on the UC-MM30-R also offers the ability to create and recall Crestron Home scenes to activate pre-configured actions throughout a home. Scenes and schedules made with the Crestron Home system can be customized to adjust any combination of devices at once; for example, launching the perfect call setting. With an “On A Call” scene, the lights brighten, shades close, music pauses, and an indicator light outside the door turns red. When the call ends, users can tap to start their “Off A Call” scene which then deactivates the indicator light, restarts the music, and adjusts the lights and shades. Users can call in using Microsoft Teams or Zoom Rooms, Slack, Google Meet, and other conferencing applications.
Da-Lite Agility Battery Motor
As an option for powering Da-Lite’s Tensioned Designer Contour Electrol and Designer Contour Electrol ceiling- or wall-mounted screens, the Agility Battery Motor is designed for retrofit installations that require a flexible alternative to hardwiring. Both screens are available in diagonals up to 110 inches in the 16:9 HDTV format and 113 inches in the 16:10 wide format. The Agility Battery Motor features a lithium-ion battery that lasts over 200 cycles on a single charge via its micro-USB port, while a PoE 5V micro-USB adapter accessory is available to keep it charged between uses. The adapter can be connected when needed or left connected for maintenance-free operation. The battery allows for wireless handheld remote operation and screen surfaces up to 16K-ready. A Wi-Fi Bridge accessory enables connection to a mobile app that provides a battery life indicator and screen control, while allowing for control through a third-party device.
DreamScreen UltraWeave Screen Fabric
The DreamScreen UltraWeave v7 is the company’s 7th-generation acoustic transparent (AT) fabric. Utilizing several reflective layers, DreamScreen has been able to combine a very fine, weaved front surface with three additional knitted layers, two white mid-layers, as well as a black backing layer. The thin, weaved front-layer would not have worked alone, simply because the reflection of light would be too low. However, in combination with two backing-layers that assists on the reflection, the total amount of light-reflection is higher than ever before.
The “magic” that makes this technique unique is the fact that upon reflection, our eye only sees the structure from the front-fabric, even from right in front of the screen, although the layer behind is reflecting light as well. The front-layer works as a filter of kinds, providing the highest density, resolution and sharpness possible. The black backing layer increased perceived contrast and is also utilizing the knitted type of fabric so that sound will pass more effeciently. The result is a sharp, dynamic, high-resolution image free from common artifacts such as moiré and visible structure even from very short seating distances (2m or less).
GDC Technology Limited Espedeo Supra-5000 RBB Plus Laser Phosphor Cinema Projector
The Espedeo Supra-5000 RGB Plus laser phosphor cinema projector (Supra-5000) is an all-in-one DCI-compliant projection system featuring Appotronics patented ALPD 4.0 technology to deliver vibrant colors in P3 color space and achieving 98.5 percent of REC 2020 color space. The Supra-5000 is compact, lightweight, and quiet with a noise level below a whisper (35dB(A)) making it an ideal solution for boothless commercial mini-theatres (auditoriums with no projection booth, a screen up to 20-feet wide and less than 50 seats) and a home private cinema room (270 inches diagonal or less).
In order to meet the requirement of an in-room ceiling installation, GDC developed the secured integrated media block (IMB) that combines the Integrated Cinema Processor (ICP) and digital micromirror (DMD) formatter board. This not only reduces cost by combining the several boards into one, but also allows for the compact small form factor, which significantly reduced the weight to less than 100 pounds. The GDC All-in-One Board is developed based on the SR-1000 IMB technology, which is certified by SGS for up to 100,000 hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). This can help to lower the total cost of ownership, and improve reliability and serviceability. Additionally, the All-in-One Board is upgradable to include a built-in audio processor to play 5.1- and 7.1-channel uncompressed surround sound and GDC’s trademarked CineCache technology, a 2 terabyte memory chip for storing motion picture content.
Hisense 100-Inch L9G TriChroma Laser TV
The L9G TriChroma Laser TV is a 3000 Lumen ultra-short throw projection TV that features Hisense’s TriChroma laser engine. L9G’s red, green, and blue laser light sources produce sharp, color-accurate images with stunning depth, reaching 107 percent of the BT.2020 color space; 200% more color than those available with LCD or OLED TVs. The L9G casts a 100-inch image and has features such as Dolby Atmos, High-Speed HDMI, HDR10/HLG Filmmaker Mode, and WiSA certification.
The L9G comes with two screen options depending on the room setting where the Laser TV will live. The ALR Cinema Screen is great everywhere but excels most in dedicated media rooms with lighting control, while the ALR Daylight Screen is great for bright, airy, and open spaces like living rooms, because of the screen’s exceptional brightness. In fixed 100-inch and 120-inch sizes, consumers can choose an option that best fits their space and intended usage.
Josh.ai Josh Nano
Josh Nano and Josh Core, Josh.ai’s new product ecosystem, work together to provide a fully integrated voice automation experience. Josh Nano is the world’s first Architectural Microphone — a device that seamlessly blends into any design aesthetic. Josh Core is the whole home processor, doubling down on local processing to ensure that every client’s data is private and secure.
Josh Nano is an invisible microphone purpose-built to deliver the aesthetic needs of the design community and performance demanded by custom integrators. It is equipped with a four-microphone array featuring advanced far-field listening, a privacy switch that physically disconnects the microphones when toggled, and a capacitive touch sensor for contextual touch control. There is also a full RGB LED light ring that disappears when not in use, and a remote temperature sensor that can be used to trigger advanced automations.
Each Josh Nano is location-aware. This means that a client can specify rooms in a command if they would like to control other areas, but they do not have to. For example, a command like “Ok Josh dim the lights” will conveniently lower the lights in the room that Josh Nano is located in.
Just Add Power MAXColor
Just Add Power’s new MaxColor 4K60 transmitter and receiver natively supports 4K60 in and out, allowing end-users to play 4K Ultra HD video from the growing number of 4K sources and devices now available. With MaxColor, 4K 12-bit video can be distributed over existing Cat5/Cat6 cable, eliminating the expense of upgrading to fiber and buying costly network switches. As a result, integrators can speed up installations, building a limitless, affordable 4K video matrix. In addition, it supports MPEG downstreaming for connected device such as a laptop or a mobile device. The series supports instant seamless switching, 4K up- and downscaling, all audio formats, seamless HDR management, and Dolby Vision for the best viewing experiencing in the home. The series works with existing Just Add Power drivers and supported control systems. This allows integrators to select the Just Add Power solution that best fits the job, providing an evolutionary, scalable, systems approach to 4K video signal distribution.
Kaleidescape Terra 12
Kaleidescape Terra 12TB is a compact movie server, designed as new product offerings shipping September 2021. Kaleidescape Terra movie servers and Strato C movie players provide the best home cinema experience, with lossless audio and many times the video bitrate of streamers. Terra 12TB, when combined with a Strato C player, will replace Kaleidescape Strato S, while providing significantly greater performance and flexibility for future expansion. This makes it an ideal product for customers looking to invest in an entry level Kaleidescape system with the flexibility to add playback areas and grow their movie collection over time. With the power to download feature length 4K movies in as little as 10 minutes with a gigabit internet connection, Terra servers provide 4X faster movie downloads than the Strato S.
Designed with a similar profile to a Strato C movie player, Terra 12TB can be mounted beside a Strato C in a 1U size rack space, using Kaleidescape’s custom rack mount.
Lumagen, Inc. Radiance Pro 5348
The Radiance Pro 5348 takes the ultimate video processor family, the Radiance Pro line, to the next level by minimizing output-jitter and electrical noise. The Radiance Pro 5348 has ten 18 GHz input, two 18 GHz outputs, and one audio only output. It is housed in a 1U rack mountable case. The Radiance Pro family has a host of features to improve the image on your screen.
Optimizing HDR content has perhaps become the most important video processing feature. The Radiance Pro Dynamic Tone Mapping (DTM) analyzes every frame of content for multiple regions of each frame, detects scene changes, and optimizes the “transfer function” for each frame of content. Scaling quality again comes to the forefront with the advent of 4K projectors and televisions. Lumagen’s NoRing scaling provides high-quality scaling for 1080, 720, and SD, sources for 4K projectors and TVs. Scaling is also essential for aspect-ratio control, especially when using an anamorphic lens. In addition, the Radiance Pro has a sharpening feature that helps restore detail lost during compression of the digital content.
Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. Alisse Wall Control
The Lutron Alisse wall control delivers simple and elegant experiences at the touch of a button via HomeWorks. The European-inspired form is versatile, with a range of curated metal finishes and flexible button configurations to fit the needs of any space. Alisse is available in single-, double-, and triple-column variations that all mount to the same backbox. The handcrafted Signature Metal Collection presents eleven polished, brushed, and painted finish options, all of which are fingerprint- and wear-resistant. These solid metal faceplates snap on seamlessly with no visible means of attachment. Around the buttons, a coordinating color temperature LED halo indicates status and is adjustable for backlight intensity. Customers may further personalize the control with custom text and icon engraving. Contrasting backfill lighting make for easy-to-read inscriptions illuminated by a warm or cool glow.
Luxul Large Managed L2/L3 Gigabit Switches
Luxul’s new family of large managed L2/L3 Gigabit switches includes the 48 PoE+ SW-510-48P-F; 24 PoE+ SW-610-24P-R; and 48 PoE+ SW-610-48P-F. Designed for sizeable residential and commercial networks, the units are packed with features for simple network expansion and management, while offering high performance with fast switching capacities of 104 Gbps, 128 Gbps, and 176 Gbps, respectively.
To accommodate the largest of networks, such as AV-over-IP systems, the new Gigabit switches offer twice as many SFP/SFP+ ports than previous-generation models for connection to additional switches. The SW-510-48P-F is outfitted with four SFP 1 Gb ports, which enable integrators to connect to additional switches via an Ethernet cable or a fiber-optic cable when using SFP modules (sold separately). For ultra-fast interconnection with additional switches, the SW-610-48P-F and SW-610-24P-R feature four 10 Gb SFP+ ports. Furthermore, instead of “stacking” with other switches, the SW-510-48P-F, SW-610-24P-R, and SW-610-48P-F rely on “aggregation.” Not only does this provide integrators with more flexibility, but it offers increased bandwidth up to 40 Gbps.
Magna Audio Polly 360
Handmade in aluminum, Polly series products are made to last and resist the most extreme climate installs. The speaker is equipped with six 3-inch Neodymium drivers that use the ADR (Array Drive Alignment) to a uniform dispersion and smooths mediums and highs. The product is also available in a secondary version with four drivers, covering 240 degrees. Polly has a 10-inch 200-watt subwoofer that completes the missing frequencies from the small drivers. The range of colors includes black, white, and corten steel, sand, champagne, gray, brown, and green.
Modus VR Modus 360
Introducing the new Modus 360 addition to the Modus VR Software. Modus 360 allows technology integrators to present their projects in full 360-degree renderings on any phone, tablet, or computer instantly. This software is a companion to the Modus VR and Modus Lines Design Software. This instantly creates 360-degree images from any space complete with technology, furniture, and other elements in the room. The software also generates unique URLs automatically that can be easily shared on any device with clients and their families, plus other project partners such as builders, designers, and architects.
Modus 360 provides an immediate, complete, affordable way to share projects with clients with full visuals. Once a media room, theater, boardroom or other room is built in Modus VR, it takes literally seconds to generate a 360-degree view for no additional cost. It is also far more engaging than traditional, costly renders as it provides additional context such as most elements and technology in a space for immediate customer reaction, changes and decision making.
Nortek Control ELAN EL-SC-300-ZW System Controller
The ELAN EL-SC-300-ZW IP-based system controller is a seamless, scalable platform that allows integrators to deploy the right system for the most demanding control projects with flexibility for the future. Coupled with the new ELAN 8.6 software, integrators and homeowners gain a true “all-in-one-app,” consistent multi-platform experience.
The new ELAN IP-enabled EL-SC-300-ZW system controller is the flagship model of an entirely new “good, better, best” family of controllers from ELAN for 2021, and was designed to handle the integration and control requirements of large homes with demanding home tech requirements. The system enables total management and control of AV components, lighting, climate, pool/spa, irrigation, doorbell cameras, surveillance cameras, security devices, and other third-party products. With support for RS-232, RS-485, relays, IR, IP, input sensors, and Z-Wave (through an included Z-Wave transceiver), the ELAN EL-SC-300-ZW affords integrators a highly customizable, scalable, and versatile IP-based home control solution. All integrated devices and systems receive commands automatically based on prescribed conditions or via commands from touchpanels, mobile or desktop app, and voice. Real-time video from surveillance cameras and doorbells is accessible via the touchpanels and app as well.
On-Q Dual-Purpose In-Wall Enclosures
Available in 9-inch (ENP0900-NA) and 17-inch (ENP1700-NA) form factors, On-Q dual-purpose In-Wall Enclosures can be used for AV storage behind a TV or as enclosures for structured wiring. When placed behind a TV, the solutions are designed to conveniently house cable boxes, streaming players, and more. The 17-inch solution is also compatible with the popular 4K and 8K Samsung One-Connect Box, while its split cover was designed for use with split rail TV mounts, allowing integrators to access components after the TV mount is installed. Additional access is provided by open channels at the top and bottom of the enclosures, which also provide passive ventilation.
When used as enclosures for structured wiring, the In-Wall Enclosures provide a centralized area to store video, voice, and data components, such as Luxul’s new compact 4-port SW-100-04P and 8-port SW-100-08P Gigabit PoE+ switches. The in-wall boxes’ Wi-Fi transparent ABS plastic construction ensures a strong signal from ISP modems/wireless routers. The 17-inch solution’s split cover accommodates tight installations — such as behind closet shelving — enabling users to access components without obstructions. The boxes’ top and bottom channels can be sealed with included inserts to keep out debris and dust.
Orro One Pro
The Orro One Pro provides human centric, wellness-driven lighting and all-in-one smart home control. Orro takes a human-centric approach when it comes to lighting and helps the artificial lighting in homes best support circadian rhythm, and it does so Automatically. Built into each Orro switch is a number of sensors including a motion sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensors, two-microphone array and speaker. With all of these sensors and software, Orro always knows the environment around. How much sunlight is coming into the room, when someone enters/leaves/is still in the room, the time of day, and your preferences. With that, Orro creates Automatic Lighting. When you enter the room, the lights turn on. When you leave the room, the lights turn off. And when you’re still in the room, where motion isn’t detected but sound is, for example, the lights stay on. And the light levels chosen are always right for the time of day, amount of sunlight coming in plus your preferences.
And that’s just lighting. Orro also unifies your smart home and brings together the various disjointed smart home devices you may have in your home into one platform. Door locks, door bells, thermostats, audio systems, and much more from the largest brands there are, including Alexa, Nest, and Sonos, just to mention a few.
Planar Luxe MicroLED
The Planar Luxe MicroLED is a line of professional-grade, ultra-fine pitch MicroLED displays supporting large indoor spaces. With 4K and 8K resolutions and high-contrast, high-brightness MicroLED technology, Planar Luxe MicroLED is designed to deliver outstanding, seamless video performance, while providing customers with a complete package that is aimed at effortless enriching luxury spaces.
In addition to delivering the highest resolutions, Planar Luxe MicroLED displays are HDR-ready and feature high brightness, deep blacks and superior contrast. They are available in 4K 108-inch, 136-inch, 163-inch, and 8K 217-inch sizes, and include the display, wall mount, powerful video controller with remote processing, remote control, display trim, and cables. Planar Luxe MicroLED displays also include Planar Elite Technical Services, a new level of Planar service offering that employs specially qualified and trained professionals who are held to the highest standards of performance and professional conduct, exhibit impeccable cleanliness, have proven themselves in the field and received the highest level of technical training.
RTI Video over IP (VIP) Platform
The new RTI Video over IP (VIP) platform allows integrators to distribute 4K UHD video over a 1GB network switch with ease. This flexible system can be installed in minutes, scaled to a virtually unlimited number of endpoints, and controlled natively within the RTI control environment. Where the RTI Video over IP line really shines is in the user experience. The video preview images on the touchpanel, remote, or mobile device put the user in full control of what is playing where in the system from the same interface they use to manage the rest of the home, making it easy to align any source with any display.
At the heart of the RTI Video over IP platform is the VIP-UHD-CTRL Control Module, which combines RTI Integration Designer programming and configuration platform integration with IR, RS-232, or TCP/IP control, and a wizard-based interface for fast and automated system configuration.
Salamander Designs Seating Configurator Software
Salamander Designs’ new Seating Configurator is a comprehensive, web-based tool that delivers a fast and easy platform for designing and ordering premium custom seating in minutes rather than days. This is an all-in-one, self-service tool that brings integrators the newfound ability to collaborate with clients, interior designers, and other trade partners to fully design, price, and order the latest in technology and entertainment furniture — all in real time. The Salamander Designs Configurator is free to all authorized dealers, including ongoing enhancements and new features.
Samsung Electronics 65-inch Terrace Full-Sun Outdoor TV
Outdoor TVs have been available for many years, but owners have always had to compromise on picture quality for weatherproofing and durability. With indoor TV quality constantly improving, consumers expect the same experience they get indoors, outside. Last year’s Terrace TV offers all of the benefits of Samsung’s QLED 4K line — great picture quality, sleek design and intuitive smart features — all in a fully weatherproof form factor that’s optimized for partially shaded outdoor viewing.
New this year, The Terrace Full Sun’s panel is designed for brightly lit outdoor viewing environments. The Full Sun’s panel technology prevents a condition known as isotropic blackout, which occurs when LCD cells overheat (often from direct, prolonged sun exposure) and temporarily shut off, creating black spots on the screen. And brand new this season, a 65-inch Terrace Full Sun joins the 75-inch Full Sun model announced in the Spring, giving integrators yet another sales tool for meeting end-user demand for large screens.
Samsung Electronics QN90A 4K TV
Samsung’s Neo QLED QN90A 4K TV combines Samsung’s advancements in MiniLED picture technology with the Neo Quantum Processor 4K to deliver 4K clarity and picture. The QN90A has been a runaway success in 2021 — so much so that Samsung has unveiled three new models to meet end-user demand for more sizes/price points at both ends of the spectrum. Now 43-inch, 50-inch, and 98-inch sizes join the existing portfolio (55, 65, 75, and 85 inches).
Thanks to Samsung’s MiniLED-based Neo QLED panel technology, more lights can be packed into the same area. Unlike other LED backlights, the QN90A eliminates lenses that capture and transmit light from the backlight. Instead, each compact LED chip is designed to emit light on its own. Brightness is more finely controlled while blooming is minimized, resulting in significantly higher contrast ratios than last year’s TV line and one of the best non-OLED TVs ever.
Savant Power
Savant Power provides homeowners with the hardware and software required to measure and manage energy consumption, as well as generate and store energy — creating independence from aging grid infrastructure and the increased prevalence of power outages. Within the Savant Pro App, users will have access to an intuitive interface for all energy management features. Users can view and monitor energy usage trends, see real-time, utility grade consumption data, and activate predefined Energy Modes based on consumption, time-of-day pricing, weather events, and other conditions.
Savant Power’s microgrid technology provides users with onsite energy generation, battery storage and dynamic load management. With the press of a button, users can proactively disconnect from the grid or activate a preset energy mode to address any scenario while ensuring clean, reliable power.
Sony Electronics A90J 4K OLED TV
The A90J is Sony’s new flagship 4K OLED TV available in 83-, 65-, and 55-inch classes, all in a very slim form factor. Images come to life with the Cognitive Processor XR, an all-new TV processing technology that understands how humans see and hear to deliver intense contrast with pure blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors. Additional technologies including Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro, which lets viewers rediscover everything with billions of accurate colors and picture quality that is natural and beautiful to the human eye. XR OLED Contrast Pro provides an immersive depth and realism with ultimate blacks and Sony’s brightest-ever OLED picture. The latest version of Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ brings a totally immersive sound experience with the sound coming from the entire screen, enveloping viewers in exciting new entertainment experiences, providing pictures and sound in perfect harmony. The implementation of HDMI 2.1 also allows users to get the most out of next-gen gaming featuring 4K/120fps and BRAVIA Game Mode for increased frame rate and reduced input lag.
Sony Electronics HT-A9 Home Theater System
The HT-A9 home theater system features innovative surround sound technologies that create an immersive home theater and soundscape experience for any music, film or gaming content. With Sound Field Optimization, the A9 uses dual microphones in each speaker to measure their relative height and position. 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology then creates up to 12 “phantom” speakers from just four speakers by synthesizing sound waves based on positional information. Thanks to the phantom speakers, Sony’s widest ever soundfield fills every part of the living space. The A9 also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so users can experience cinematic surround sound from the comfort of their home.
Sony Electronics X92 4K LCD TV
The X92 is Sony’s new flagship 4K LCD TV available in an ultra-large 100-inch class, the ultimate big screen TV experience, taking vision and sound to the next level with the Cognitive Processor XR. The Cognitive Processor XR is an evolutionary TV processing technology that understands how humans see and hear to deliver intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors that completely immerses viewers in their favorite content. The precise 4K picture uses human perspective analysis to cross-analyze and optimize hundreds of thousands of elements in the blink of an eye. Combined with Sony’s Full Array LED panel, this technology creates ultra-realistic picture quality full of lifelike contrast. The X92 comes with advanced speaker technology that uses Cognitive Processor XR to turn any sound source into an immersive sound experience. Additional technologies including X-Wide Angle, which provides vivid real-world colors from any angle, and XR Motion Clarity, which cross-analyzes data to ensure action stays smooth, bright, and clear, and helps to deliver realism and picture quality.
Sony Electronics Z9J TV
Powered by the all-new Cognitive Processor XR, the BRAVIA XR Z9J transforms content into near-8K quality for real and immersive pictures. Hundreds of thousands of individual on-screen elements are processed and remastered in the blink of an eye, delivering intense depth with enhanced contrast and natural color, bringing astounding realism to content. The Cognitive Processor XR enables Sony BRAVIA XR TVs to access billions of accurate colors and reproduce each shade with the subtle differences seen in the real world. XR Triluminos Pro further enhances the range of hues and saturation allowing for extremely precise details within textures and ensuring skin tones look completely natural, as seen with the same accuracy as the human eye. The deep blacks and intense brightness of Full Array LED and XR Contrast Booster 15, powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, allow viewers to experience real-life depth and detail.
Wall-Smart Flush Mount for Ruckus Access Point
As the demand for bandwidth continues to grow, access points have become an increasingly important technology to modern households. Without them, Wi-Fi coverage, speed, and reliability can suffer. Depending on the size of the home and the needs of its Wi-Fi users, several access points could be required to ensure optimal connectivity from anywhere in the home. How do you get these access points in their prime positions without conflicting with the aesthetics of a home? In the past, the solution usually involved hiding access points in closets, AV racks, and cabinets. While this technique preserves the home design, signals must travel through solid structures, often impeding transmission and reception.
Wall-Smart offers an innovative mounting solution that conceals access points while providing a clear path for Wi-Fi signals. The mount, which has been designed, engineered, and fabricated exclusively for several models of Ruckus access points, places the device within the ceiling surface. A specially designed cover, which can be painted to match the ceiling surface, is then applied over the ceiling cavity, rendering the access point invisible but still in prime position to send and receive Wi-Fi signals. Consumers get strong, reliable Wi-Fi coverage without any compromise of the home design, giving systems integrators an effective way to attract customers and stand out from their competition.
Best of Show Winners at CEDIA — TWICE and What Hi-Fi?
TWICE
- Crestron Home
- Crestron Horizon Thermostat
- GDC Espedeo Supra-5000 RBB Plus Laser Phosphor Cinema Projector
- Hisense 100-inch L9G TriChroma Laser TV
- iRoom iO touchDock
- Jabra PanaCast 50
- Kaleidescape Terra 12
- Samsung QN90A 4K TV
What Hi-Fi?
- Hisense 100-inch L9G TriChroma Laser TV
