CEDIA Communicates Magazine - Quarter 2 2022 - Americas/Asia Pacific

COMMUNICATES

THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTEGRATOR CEDIA GAZES

FIVE YEARS

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CONTENTS

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26

38

I AM CEDIA

IN-PERSON EVENTS RETURN

ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL

Meet Hailey & Michael Daly of Wired By MJD

Why in-person events will continue to be a mainstay for the industry

How Admit One Home Systems designed a home for a family of all ages

12

BIAS LIGHTING

18

PROGRAMMING PATHWAY

20

VOLUNTEER TASK FORCE

24

POLICY CONNECT

Jason Rosenfeld of Scenic Labs breaks down the science

A decade’s worth of staff and volunteer efforts come to life

A group of CEDIA volunteers share their “why”

CEDIA steps up in support of the assisted living community

30

THE CEDIA PODCAST

32

TRIANGLES

50

ISE 2022 RECAP

52

INTEGRATOR DIVERSIFICATION

Walt Zerbe checks in live from the CEDIA Tech Summit

How Cinema Lusso used hand-cut triangles to create a striking effect

A glimpse into the Barcelona show

Ways to expand your service offerings for business growth

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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“IT’S SO GREAT TO BE BACK AT IN-PERSON EVENTS AGAIN.”

CONTACT 8475 Nightfall Lane, Fishers, Indiana 46037 USA Email: info@cedia.org Telephone: +1 800-669-5329 Unit 2, Phoenix Park St Neots Cambridgeshire, PE19 8EP, UK Email: info@cedia.org Telephone: +44 (0)1480 213744 www.cedia.net

FRONT COVER Louise Tarling Louise Tarling Ltd 21 Buxton Road London, United Kingdom louisetarling.com

COPYRIGHT All material in Communicates is the copyright of CEDIA and any reproduction of said material would require written premission from the association. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content published content, CEDIA cannot accept responsibility for any factual errors that may occur or for the veracity of claims made by contributors.

I heard this comment what felt like hundreds of times as I was walking through the Fira de Barcelona, the new home for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE). When the doors opened and thousands lined up at the gates, it was clear to everyone that this was a defining moment for trade shows as we know them. The show’s 43,691 unique visitors were ready and eager to engage – in person, finally.

And now we turn stateside, as preparations begin heating up for CEDIA Expo 2022. As the foremost gathering of our industry in the U.S., CEDIA Expo will showcase the work CEDIA is doing in advocacy, connection, and education. CEDIA members get in free and receive significant discounts on the dynamic education track produced by CEDIA. Learn more about CEDIA Expo and the return to live events in this issue of Communicates.

Also in this issue, you’ll learn about the robust state of the industry through CEDIA’s U.S. and U.K. Market Analysis results for 2021. CEDIA’s talented staff and volunteers are focused on the industry tomorrow, or more specifically, 2027. Don’t miss the article detailing our latest white paper, The Integrator of 2027; it’s a peek into the future by some of our brightest thinkers.

With just six months as global president and CEO of CEDIA, I am in awe of the commitment and dedication of the professional staff and volunteers. I hope the good work of our association comes to life in the pages of this magazine, and I hope to see you in real life at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas this September.

My very best, Daryl Friedman CEDIA Global President & CEO

FIND US ON:

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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NEWS IN BRIEF

CEDIA AWARDS LOCATIONS REVEALED The CEDIA Awards global locations have been announced! The theme across all regions is Polaroidinspired, so be prepared to grab picture-perfect photos during this themed night of celebration.

In the United States, awards will be presented at CEDIA Expo in Dallas, Texas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Friday September 30, 2022. Attire will be casual.

In the EMEA region, the formal awards black tie dinner will be held at The Brewery in London, UK on October 14, 2022. Live it up in your fanciest attire and catch up with industry acquaintances while you celebrate your hard work.

In the APAC region, awards will be held at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads, Australia on October 19, 2022. The ceremony will be a great way to connect with your peers and admire your collective accomplishments.

For more details visit cedia.net/awards

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE®: HOW CEDIA IS PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS

The USA National Electrical Code® (NEC) protects the public by establishing requirements for electrical wiring and equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It’s revised every three years based on new technology and industry needs. The 2023 edition will soon be approved, including major changes impacting the industry.

The Code will be reorganized so it’s easier to use and includes the most up-to-date installation requirements. The updates will help it keep pace with the evolving electrical industry, including residential integration professionals. There are updates for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 wiring, and a new Class 4 wiring.

For the first time, the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code® mentions cybersecurity.

One way to keep updated about NEC updates is by attending CEDIA Expo. “The 2023 NEC: How Changes to the Code Will Impact Your Business” education session will bring you up to speed on the NEC and how it impacts your work, now and in the future.

The 2023 updates to the National Electrical Code® include changes that impact your everyday installs. It’s vital to stay updated for both your business and the clients who count on you.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nominations are now open for CEDIA’s Board of Directors for the 202225 term. CEDIA’s Board of Directors influences the direction of the industry, governs the association’s activities, and represents the residential technology integration profession to the world.

The makeup of the board is tailored with regional representation that reflects the geographical density of the membership, consisting of one-third EMEA directors and the remaining directors representing members across the globe.

Employees of a member company may be nominated, vetted by the Governance Committee, and proposed as candidates for the global membership vote. The board election process is governed and outlined by CEDIA’s bylaws. All member types, whether integrator, manufacturer, service provider, or other, may vote. Each company has one vote.

To nominate a candidate for the Board of Directors, individuals must fill out the nomination form found at cedia.net/leadership.

MARATHON DES SABLES Huge congratulations to Chris

everything he needed on his back.

Pinder from CEDIA member OneAV who has completed the gruelling

The money raised will help T4C

Marathon des Sables to raise over

roll out multiple special cinema

$56,000 for the industry good

rooms to children’s hospices and

cause, Together for Cinema (T4C).

other children’s respite care spaces in the months ahead.

Chris ran the equivalent of five and a half regular marathons over

Brilliant job, Chris, and massive

six days in the Sahara Desert in tem-

thanks and admiration from every-

peratures exceeding 122° F, carrying

one in the industry!

NON-TECHNICAL TRAINING CEDIA is known for its technical training, but did you know we have non-technical training as well? The education department has put together a useful resource about the types of non-technical learning opportunities you can get through your CEDIA membership.

Types of resources include: • White papers • Online courses • Video library

• Conferences • Event training • Peer-to-peer learning Learning topics range from workforce development to finance, to business management to marketing, and many things in-between. If you want to make the most of your CEDIA membership, or have access to these great courses, check this list out on cedia.net/education.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

5

NEWS IN BRIEF

SUPPORTING TOGETHER FOR CINEMA Together for Cinema, the industry good cause supported by CEDIA, is making great strides towards its goal of completing 50 cinema room installations in children’s hospices or similar deserving locations by 2026.

We’d like to give a special shout out to CEDIA members Gary Mills of Decorum Technology and Tim Burrows of MajikHouse for the two latest installations.

The Jigsaw Children’s Hospice in Cumbria now features a brand-new state-of-the-art cinema room thanks to MajikHouse, with the support of many industry brands donating equipment. The project was completed in March and has already become an invaluable space for the children at the hospice and their families to enjoy.

In April, Rainbows Hospice for children and young people in Loughborough opened its new cinema room. This time it was Decorum Technology who went the extra mile, giving time, services, and expertise with products provided by the industry to turn an old office into a stunning new cinema room.

A big thank you to everyone who has played their part in making these projects come to life. We’d encourage all of our members to get behind Together For Cinema.

Visit togetherforcinema.co.uk to find out more.

ECS CARD OFFER CEDIA has launched a promotion to support members in demonstrating their competency and professionalism to the wider UK construction community by waiving the application fee for an ECS Home Technology Integrator card.

The ECS Home Technology Integrator card was launched after the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and CEDIA worked together to formally recognise the skills of integrators in the UK. Fully affiliated to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) scheme, the ECS card is a simple and effective way to obtain access to construction sites and provide proof of identity and qualification levels.

For more information, visit cedia.net/ecs-cards.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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WE ARE

HAILEY & MICHAEL DALY WITH WIRED BY MJD

“We’ve set this standard, and now aim to maintain it as the benchmark - an example of what should be done when working in the integration world” What is your background, and how did you become interested in technology?

Michael Daly | Managing Director Michael is a passionate technology-minded craftsman with 20+ years’ experience in the electrical industry. He prides himself on offering bespoke technological installs in homes. His passion began as a child, and he started the business on his 18th birthday, completing his first custom installs.

Dr. Hailey Daly | Senior Operations Manager & Systems Integrator Hailey has always had a passion for technology and science. She holds a PhD in Minerals Processing and Industrial Chemistry and has worked alongside industry partners and academics. At Wired By MJD, she designs and programs all KNX Automation projects and offers her services to electrical contractors wanting to implement KNX automation systems.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

How did Wired By MJD get started and how has it evolved since its founding?

Wired By MJD originally started with the sister company Good Vibrations Sound Installations, which was born out of a passion for all things audio visual. After qualifying as an electrician and obtaining his Registered Electrical Contractors License, Michael established Wired By MJD. Over the years, the two businesses worked together servicing both electrical and AV installations, eventually merging into the company HM Daly Pty Ltd. Today, we trade solely under the name Wired By MJD. Our business has evolved from a company that provided only electrical and AV to now providing complete solutions for full home integration services.

I AM CEDIA What’s your favorite part about working in the industry?

We also love bringing our day-to-day

Individuals in the CEDIA community

technologies onto one platform. Executing

volunteer their time to better the industry

The industry is constantly changing and

the client’s ideas and coordinating the

for everyone, whether it be awareness to

advancing, so there’s always something new

project isn’t always easy, but it’s rewarding.

other industry professionals or providing

to explore and recent innovations to assist our clients. One of our favorite parts is at

What compelled you to join CEDIA?

better education pathways to those wanting to get involved in this industry.

the end of a project when everything comes

Integration is a fast-growing, niche

together on one a simple platform, and you

industry in Australia, so to have an

Being a member also makes us stand

can show the client how to control their

organization that can provide small

out amongst our competitors. Having

home. Seeing dreams come to reality and

businesses with professional contacts

been recognized for excellence is valuable

the client realizing their life will be easier

around the globe is a huge advantage. It

when potential clients review their options

because of our work is satisfying.

also allows us to see trends and projects

because it makes them comfortable placing

we may not otherwise be privy to.

their trust in a systems integrator.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

What does it mean to you that you were named a CEDIA Member of Excellence in 2021? And to be a finalist in the 2021 CEDIA Awards?

2021 was the first time we entered the awards, so to be named finalists was an honour. We’ve been avid viewers of the awards for years, so for our project to be held in high regard was a proud achievement for the entire team.

Being named Australia’s first CEDIA Member of Excellence was a truly humbling experience. To receive recognition at this level justifies the long hours of hard work and dedication. It was a huge accomplishment for our team. We respect any integration business that reaches this level because we understand the effort it takes. We’ve set this standard, and now aim to maintain it as the benchmark - an example of what should be done when working in the integration world.

“ 10

From your experience, how does the Australian market differ from other parts of the world?

Australia is a large country with a low population per capita. The distance from tech manufacturing hubs puts us behind the eightball compared to most developed countries.

are common, as are new homes, so retrofitting technology isn’t a challenge we face every day. Wireless tech is also on a completely different frequency range to most parts of the world, which means we don’t have as many wireless solutions available for overcoming cabling issues and restrictions.

There’s poor internet connection and mobile reception, and our power source is traditionally a mix of electricity from power plants and natural gas, although renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular. This creates technological challenges, stock limitations, and increased pricing compared to other parts of the world. This is changing as “high tech” homes become popular.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

The most important tool to get ahead of the game in our industry is education: knowing your product, knowing your market, and always looking for what’s next. One of the keys to being successful is gaining a thorough understanding of integration and the various systems on offer.

Being a systems integrator requires a broad range of knowledge and is best suited to those who like challenges.

Find yourself a mentor and learn from their experiences working with technology.

The culture on building sites is different, as well, because there’s a mix of builders and architects on residential sites. Knockdown rebuilds

The most important tool to get ahead of the game in our industry is education.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

- H A I L E Y & M I C H A E L D A LY

WHAT BIAS LIGHTING CAN DO FOR YOU

BY RACHEL TINDALL

WITH JASON ROSENFELD, SCENIC LABS

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

B I AS L I GHT I NG

E

veryone has an opinion about bias lighting.

Should the lighting have multiple colors or a static white point? Do other factors in the environment matter? Does bias lighting even work? To answer these questions, I talked to Jason Rosenfeld from Scenic Labs, the developer (and new CEDIA member) of MediaLight Bias Lighting.

With a background in publishing calibration discs like the Spears & Munsil Benchmark and Digital Video Essentials, Rosenfeld became interested in bias lights mostly because customers were asking where they could buy the 6500K lights that were always recommended on the discs. He found that there were quite a few LED strips on the market, most of which rarely matched each other, even if they all claimed to be the same 6500K white. To avoid confusion and maintain the quality of their installations, Scenic Labs certifies everything to ISF standards. ISF, or Imaging Science Foundation, is an internationally recognized system for calibrating TVs and digital displays.

“Even when a light is close to 6500K, the tint of the light is often overlooked. A proper bias light has both the correct color temperature and tint. A 6500K light that has too much magenta will make a TV look green, and vice versa. When you combine tint and color temperature, you get the precise white point, which should match that of the display,” Rosenfeld explains. Relying solely on the color temperature can have undesirable results.

How Does Bias Lighting Work?

Rosenfeld always reminds customers that bias lights work entirely on a viewer. They don’t alter any settings on a display. Many people are surprised that the color of light in a room can impact the accuracy of a calibrated display.

“Bias lights are like acoustic panels for video. They take a good image and make it better by optimizing environmental factors that would otherwise compromise the viewing experience,” he says.

The term “bias lighting” comes from the idea that light biases our pupils. On any given day, “Our pupils change size thousands of times.” The same is true if you’re sitting in the dark watching a movie. Your eyes have to adapt to the rapidly changing brightness of the scenes throughout the film, which causes eye fatigue.

“”

Bias lights are like acoustic panels for video.

They take a good image and make it better by optimizing environmental factors that would otherwise compromise the viewing experience.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

13

B IAS LIGHTING

No matter how well the TV is calibrated, having inaccurate lighting in a room will effectively un-calibrate the display because your eyes adapt, and the way you perceive the environment changes. “While many modern mobile devices adapt to the white point of light in the room, TVs don’t, nor should they. The recommended white point for bias lights matches the room’s ambient light to the display,” explains Rosenfeld.

What Challenges Does Bias Lighting Solve?

Although people outside the channel may not have been talking about it as much, bias lighting “has been part of the standard for a viewing environment for decades now.” It’s often included in luxury installations and home projects, but it doesn’t have to be strictly a luxury.

In fact, it can solve a host of challenges throughout the home. Some of these include: • Relieving eye fatigue, giving your pupils a rest • Improving blacks and maintaining colors in a display • Eliminating the reflections and glare from other sources to improve image quality • Improving the perceived contrast of a display for LED and OLED screens • Improving perceived sharpness of a display While bias lighting offers many improvements, there are some things to watch out for. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors or windows can cause glare, and some TVs with gallery mounts are too close to the wall to place lighting behind the display. In those cases, viewers might consider well-placed lamps or sconces to provide some light.

There are also tradeoffs to certain types of bias lighting. For instance, “If reducing eyestrain is your only goal, having a different color, even when it’s not accurate D65, behind the display could work because it’s still biasing the pupils. But you’re doing that at the expense of accurate colors. It really comes down to whether you want to preserve image accuracy.” The shifts in perceived color when using RGB lighting can be significant.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

Interestingly, bias lighting can be used even when walls aren’t pained neutral gray. In fact, Rosenfeld notes, “bias lighting is nothing more than an ideal light source in the right place, which happens to be behind the TV where it won’t cause reflections or glare.” A neutral paint color is certainly ideal, but the impact of paint color is much less than the impact of light color, especially when sitting at a distance from the painted wall and display. “After all, we don’t calibrate a TV to the color of the walls in a room. We calibrate it to 6500K, and bias lighting should match the white point of the display.” he points out.

The white point is critical because of how human beings adapt to the color of light around us. Everything in the room is impacted by the color of the room lighting. Understanding how lighting impacts image quality and the environment is one way integrators will be able to improve image quality, assisted by the human visual system.

Humans are adaptive and sensitive to changes in our environment. “We’re able to discern problems that even the best equipment can’t detect, even if we’re not always great at pinpointing exactly what’s wrong. Our ability to distinguish an image from reality is always improving.”

This sensitivity can be distracting, especially when it comes to modern screen limitations such as limited contrast ration and peak luminance, as well as OLED image retention. By placing a little bit of ambient in the right place, bias lights improve perceived image quality and viewer comfort. Images appear richer and sharper without touching the TV settings. Our eyes are relaxed, and we’re fully immersed in the entertainment on the screen.

“

While many modern mobile devices adapt to the white point of light in the room, TVs don’t, nor should they.

JASON ROSENFELD OWNER | SCENIC LABS

With a dim, constant light present behind the display, our pupils don’t have to adapt as quickly to the changing screen. Rosenfeld details “This relaxes our eyes and improves the perceived contrast because bias lighting causes pupils to become smaller, allowing less light in.

This means that the darker parts of the image will appear darker, the highlights brighter, and the image will appear noticeably sharper, just as when we stop down the aperture of a camera lens for a sharper image.”

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B Y WA LT Z E R B E

CEDIA GAZES FIVE YEARS INTO THE FUTURE CEDIA’s Technology Advisory Council explores societal and technological trends to provide foresight about the business of being an integrator in 2027

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

I N TE G R ATO R 0F 2027

In its simplest form, technology is a tool to get the job done. Its complexity will grow, and curation of simplified, usable systems will continue to be an opportunity for our channel. Additionally, we’ve already seen strong evidence about the market size and its growth projections, like in CEDIA’s Market Analysis, for example. It’s the integrators who are actually doing the work to get us there and creating experiences people want and need.

Knowing this, we took a different approach for the latest white paper, The Integrator or 2027. This iteration presents a lesser focus on technology and product-centricity and instead moves to user-centricity and designing hyper-personalized experiences to improve the human condition.

In shifting to a more qualitative format, we arrived at the theme of the white paper: “Integrating technology into the built environment to improve the human condition.”

We emphasize the importance of designing with intention and empathy to unravel each user’s unique needs across five main categories: presence, comfort, health, safety, and sustainability. We also discuss two vital yet often missed steps in systems creation. While many integrators today go straight from sales to specification, we propose a new workflow of discovery, design, engineering, and specification. Each step of the process is broken down into why, how, and what throughout the paper.

DISCOVER (WHY) DESIGN (HOW) E N G I N E E R I N G ( W H AT )

W

ell, it’s that time again.

About every five years, CEDIA’s Technology Advisory Council releases a white paper with in-depth predictions of what we believe the landscape will look like for the integrator five years in the future.

When the paper first began, there was a large focus on the technology itself as the landscape was beginning to explode with the Internet of Things, products that incorporated machine learning, and a brand-new buzzword (err, buzz acronym), AI. Subsequent papers kept a heavy focus on the technology trends of tomorrow and even began to incorporate some market size predictions.

But we realized something as we were brainstorming our latest white paper.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N ( W H AT )

Furthermore, we focus on the importance of meeting a user’s needs while profiting from process, not just products – a big thing to be cognizant of by 2027 as hardware margins erode for some product categories.

We also discuss micro and macro trends, hyper personalization, and much more. Despite the heavy focus on the integrator, there remains plenty of technology to sink your teeth into.

The Integrator of 2027 was arguably the most challenging white paper we’ve created, but it was also our most rewarding. In fact, we’ve already started to apply a similar mindset in the way of standards, recommended practices, and the CEDIA Technology Advisory Council as a whole.

To download The Integrator of 2027 white paper, visit cedia.net/I027.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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A NEW

[ P R O G R A M M I N G ] PAT H W AY

TO CAREER DEVELOPMENT

BY R AC H E L T I N DA L L W I T H M A L F I S H E R , S T E V E N R I S S I , A N D I A N B R YA N T

C

EDIA’s Programming Pathway is a long-time passion project that has been transformed into reality.

CEDIA Senior Director of Technical Training Steven Rissi and former Senior Director of Partnerships Ian Bryant took the lead from the CEDIA side, but knew they needed volunteers to figure out how robust to make the program.

Since the early days, the pathway has blossomed into an amazing professional development opportunity for those in the residential technology industry.

What is the Programming Pathway?

The Programming Pathway is a set of courses that set the foundations for programming in the industry.

Topics cover a range of information: • • • • •

Programming basics Fundamentals of logic Executing multiple steps based on a single input User interfaces Industry best practices for making technology intuitive and usable • Testing your programming with real world exercises

P R O G R A M M I N G PAT HWAY

The real-world application is “extremely valuable,” notes Rissi, because it allows students to practice the skills before they attend further training and work on jobsites.

The pathway is also brand agnostic, which allows students to learn big-picture concepts, like how to think correctly during an install or when approaching a programming challenge. After this training, professionals should be able to better understand the nuances of manufacturer-specific training.

Who is the Pathway For? The foundational nature of the program means it’s a great solution for many in the industry. It’s particularly useful for professionals who’ve been in the field, know the industry basics, and are ready to uplevel their careers.

This isn’t a course for beginners. To succeed in the Programming Pathway, you must understand the foundations covered in the CIT and IST certifications, as well as have job experience with devices and networking.

How Long Does the Pathway Take to Complete?

At a minimum, this robust course takes about 10 hours to complete. Participants work through 10 modules, which contain an average of 45-60 minutes of content.

If you’re an avid learner, it may take as many as 15-20 hours. There are plenty of hands-on activities to test your skills. In fact, AWE Chief Technology Officer and CEDIA Professional Development Advisory Council Co-Chair Mal Fisher notes that business owners should keep an eye on the people who put the effort in when going through this pathway. “Those who have the aptitude and enthusiasm will actually take longer to do it because they’ll be taking inspiration from the exercises and trying new ideas,” he says.

What’s the Goal for People Who Take the Pathway?

For someone who wants to be a programmer in the industry, the pathway is a starting point to create a solid foundation. It’s quite ambitious in what it aims to do.

Rissi explains that the pathway offers a solution for technicians who want to take the next step before going to manufacturer product training. It’s helpful because, as Fisher says, it covers some brand agnostic “theoretical concepts” that control systems classes often skip. Another goal is to provide the ability to move up in the ranks of integration companies.

The course is essentially a way to ensure that when industry partners hold technical training, the employees who have taken the Programming Pathway are well-prepared to be successful.

How do You Hope this Pathway Impacts the Industry?

CEDIA and the volunteers who worked to create this program have high hopes about what it can do for the industry.

Fisher hopes the pathway will create an opportunity for students to enter his manufacturer-specific courses knowing the basics. He often finds himself explaining these ideas in his courses, which takes away from time the students could be learning about more advanced topics.

CEDIA hopes manufacturers will see the benefit of setting a baseline for everyone attending their specific training and sending them through or recommending the Programming Pathway. Having manufacturers on board would greatly increase how effective their product-specific courses can be.

Everyone involved hopes the course provides growth and retention of employees. For technicians, it’s a chance to grow and gain specialty skills. For business owners, it’s a way to provide professional development to employees who have the potential to discover new solutions for clients.

THANK YOU TO THESE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED BRING THE PATHWAY TO LIFE: Mike Maniscalco, Pytheas Enterprises

David McCulloch, Intrinsic Group

Brett Kozlowski, URC

Ken Erwin, DevOps Library

Kevin Iselli, Crestron

Andy Hamm, Savant

Geoff Meads, Presto AV

Mario Leone, Rowan University

Stuart Robinson, Sound Living

Mal Fisher, AWE Europe

William Hopkins, Intrinsic Group

Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT CEDIA volunteers share the many reasons why they devote their time to the industry and their greatest accomplishments thus far

Janeen Gaskins: CEDIA is the leading international agency for all things integrated. The organization is internationally recognized for bringing the most up-to-date technology and installation opportunities to consumers.

I volunteer because I am a proud member and believe that CEDIA provides me with industry resources that I need to succeed in my business.

Kristopher Quaale: The CEDIA community provides so many resources to dealers, and I wanted to give back to help others who are working towards the same goals.

CEDIA members are wonderful people, and I really appreciate the camaraderie and willingness to provide insight that everyone brings to the table.

TJ Thoss: I choose to volunteer for CEDIA because I feel like I am able to make a difference in the industry and in my students’ lives.

JANEEN GASKINS

Why do you choose to volunteer for CEDIA?

Pete Trauth: Since I started volunteering in 2019, I’ve felt a strong sense of community between fellow volunteers and the CEDIA staff. Besides being a lot of fun, volunteering with CEDIA has provided tools and relationships which have accelerated the achievement of my own personal and professional goals. One of my longterm personal goals is to make a profound and positive impact on the availability and accessibility of technology education. Working with the Certification Commission over the last two years has proven to be an incredibly rewarding experience as we pave the way for more available and accessible technology education worldwide.

Janeen Gaskins: I have been a member of PDAC where the chairs of each sub-committee meet to coordinate efforts. This group works to ensure that one hand knows what the other is doing. I have served on the Volunteer Recognition Task Force and worked with a few PDAC members to dive deeper into the volunteer capacity. I have volunteered on the Business Working Group where we review CEDIA Expo presentations and explore topics that should be added to the educational resource list. I have volunteered as a presenter and a panelist for CEDIA Expo. I have even contributed to some workforce development ideas that have emerged from relationships that have matured since joining CEDIA.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

TJ THOSS

What teams have you volunteered with at CEDIA?

VO LU N TE E R TAS K F O R C E S P OT LI GHT

Kristopher Quaale: I currently volunteer for the Community Outreach Instructor Advisory Council as well as the team that is helping re-accredit COI Continuing Education Courses.

KRISTOPHER QUAALE

TJ Thoss: I currently serve on the Workforce Development Working Group.

Pete Trauth: Certification Commission, Technology Advisory Council, Discovery Working Group, CIT Working Groups including Job Task Analysis and Exam Item Writers, IST Working Groups including Job Task Analysis and Exam Item Writers, and Networking Exam Job Task Analysis.

What are your volunteer team(s) currently working on?

Janeen Gaskins: I am on PDAC and working on the Apprentice Workforce Development Task Force.

TJ Thoss: Our team has been working on strategies to increase awareness of the industry and plans to develop training programs across the world. Our hope is that we can build out programs to train the next generation of technicians in the systems integration field.

Pete Trauth: Currently, I’m working with the Certification Commission to review analytics from the initial rounds of testing for the CIT and IST exams.

What has your team achieved that you’re most proud of?

PETE TRAUTH

Janeen Gaskins: I have enjoyed CEDIA’s ability to create annual goals and work toward meeting them. As a Task Force member, we created a draft plan for recognizing volunteers that are often behind the scenes. I enjoyed crafting an outline that was later reviewed by the board. I look forward to seeing what becomes of it.

We completed CEDIA Expo presentation reviews for several years. This resulted in providing the best coursework for attendees.

Kristopher Quaale: I am most proud of the work that we have put into reworking some of the COI courses, specifically a new course that will show the impact of home automation and wellness. It’s been a long process putting this course together, and it’s going to be amazing to reveal it when it’s ready!

TJ Thoss: Our team is still in the early stages of things, but I am so excited to continue working to develop strategies to grow the educational opportunities for CEDIA and future technicians.

Pete Trauth: Without a doubt, earning ISO accreditation for the CIT exam.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVING PERFECTION

M

eet Wisdom Audio, Master of Planar Magnetic Speaker Technology

For over 25 years Wisdom Audio has been designing, manufacturing, and perfecting the next generation of ultradiscreet High-Performance Transducers.

Today our loudspeaker systems achieve the ultimate in precision and performance for music and film sound reproduction making Wisdom Audio the perfect choice for private screening rooms, home cinemas, media rooms, music aficionados and anywhere great sound matters.

How it works and why it matters Planar Magnetic Drivers (PMD) are made of an aluminium conductor trace bonded to a Polyimide film. Because of their lightweight, they perfectly follow transient sounds with no envelope change or distortion and can stop without the inertia of a traditional dynamic driver (woofers and dome tweeters). This allows Wisdom Audio to deliver extraordinary speed, ultra-low distortion and dynamic sound quality.

Having the ability to manufacture PMD’s in various shapes and sizes allows us to keep the DNA links that are vital to human sound recognition. By increasing the surface area of the thin film, we can reproduce a wider range of the audible spectrum retaining the necessary connection between a sounds fundamental note and its harmonics.

Loudspeakers require a device called a “crossover” in their speaker designs to divide the incoming sound to the individual speaker drivers capable of reproducing those frequencies. Unfortunately, most loudspeaker manufacturers are forced to implement the crossover point right in the frequency spectrum where our ears are most sensitive (around 2000Hz). The result is that fundamentals are being reproduced by woofers (paper, plastic; with a given weight

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

and speed) while harmonics are being reproduced by a high frequency motor structure with a very different material weight and speed. As you might imagine, this will negatively affect sound quality All Wisdom Audio loudspeakers are built using Planar Magnetics Drivers to achieve ultimate clarity. The Insight and Sage Series PMD’s covers up to six octaves, while the Wisdom Series cover eight octaves keeping all upper harmonics together. The benefit? The crossover point is moved out of the ear’s most sensitive area. Every musical instrument’s fundamental, harmonics, upper harmonics and overtones are all reproduced by the same transducers’ motor structure. *These are the speaker driver units within a speaker.

A loudspeaker typically uses two or more drivers per speaker.

Regenerative Transmission Line (RTL) provides high output and dynamic while matching the speed of Planar Magnetic loudspeakers.

Do I need hearing superpowers to notice the difference?

Your brain has the ability to connect various elements of the audible spectrum to determine if they are real, what they are, and where they are. Harmonics’ signatures are a key parameter in enhancing our ability to recognize and identify sounds. It’s what enables us to recognize a specific voice from thousands of other voices.

The next challenge is linked to the listening environment itself and more precisely, how loudspeakers and rooms interact.

Most loudspeakers are what are known as “Point Sources”; meaning they blast energy in all directions.

What reaches your ears is typically made of 40% direct sound (from the loudspeaker) and 60% reflected energy (sound bouncing of the walls, floor and ceiling.)

Line Array speakers, which use multiple drivers aligned vertically, offer a better power consistency over distance than Point Source speakers, but they still send energy to the floor and ceiling. This interaction between the multiple drivers causes Comb Filtering which is the cancellation or addition of energy at specific frequencies which can degrade the overall sound quality and listening experience.

Line Source speakers are much more room friendly and on average can reduce 50% of the reflected energy by lowering or eliminating floor and ceiling reflections. Hearing more of the direct loudspeaker sound and less of the room’s reflected sound results in additional intelligibility, lower distortion, and improved sound clarity.

Wisdom Audio manufactures both Point Source and

Point of confusion: Point Source propogates in all directions providing more reflected sound v directed sound.

Line Source speakers which are complemented with RTL Subwoofers and dedicated electronics.

Wisdom Audio’s Regenerative Transmission Line (RTL)® subwoofers use smaller speaker drivers to achieve faster transient response time that match the speed of Planar Magnetic Drivers. Additionally, our latest generation of Power Amplifiers includes on-board Digital Signal Processing to ensure the most accurate implementation of our loudspeakers within any listening space.

Finally, we offer design services and on-site calibration by factory trained experts (who actually do have hearing superpowers) which ensures the commissioning of every Wisdom Audio system is the absolute best it can be.

Designed without compromise to create The Sound of Modern Living In the last two and a half decades we have designed 100s of products for the Residential Custom Integration market focusing on the upper tiers, often referred to as High Performance / Luxury Audio.

Most Wisdom Audio products are meant to fit in walls or ceilings. They can be made small enough to match lighting fixtures as well as other architectural elements or tall and shallow to easily disappear behind fabrics and screens. We offer custom length, colours and finishes on many products which are built in our Carson City, Nevada factory. *These are the speaker driver units within a speaker.

A loudspeaker typically uses two or more drivers per speaker.

Line of clarity: Line Source propagates in a controlled vertical fashion, providing more direct v reflected sound.

Want to find out what ultimate clarity sounds like?

Visit us wisdomaudio.com

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

23

SMARTER HOMES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

I

t’s important for everyone to have the opportunity to be in control of their lives, and to be able to enjoy their living environment. For disabled and elderly people, this can be a challenge. But it doesn’t always have to be. With the use of smart home technology, this group can take back control and live more independently, which in turn, helps to reduce financial pressures on the NHS and social care system.

CEDIA has recognized the importance of the assisted living market for a number of years, seeking ways to

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

increase awareness and opportunity for its members.

Recently, the team took a big step forward in achieving this by joining Policy Connect and becoming an associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology. This appointment allowed CEDIA to be at the forefront of discussions and oversee the development of the new Smart Homes for Independent Living report.

Aneta Armova-Levin, Education Manager at CEDIA, headed up a team of CEDIA members to work on this project. “It was great to join local authorities, academic

P O L I CY CO N N E C T REPO RT

researchers, and assistive technology experts in the conversation of how smart homes can improve the quality of life of their aging and disabled residents. The benefits of technology for improving the human condition are undeniable, but there is so much more to be considered beforehand — robust infrastructure, needs analysis, design, and security, just to mention a few. I was honoured to represent CEDIA EMEA in this work, alongside Peter Aylett, HTE; Assistive Technology Consultant, Paul Doyle; and Amanda Wildman, Trumedia Home. ” The new report examines a number of issues facing suppliers and consumers including: • Developing better housing planning policies at national and local authority levels that make the .........most of the range of available residential technologies

“As a CEDIA member, I was excited to learn about the role CEDIA played in developing the Smarter Homes for Independent Living report,” comments Chris Thorne, Director of Imperium. “It’s great to see our association engaging in such important initiatives and helping to drive forward the smart tech message on its members’ behalf.

“The report itself is a very comprehensive document that discusses the current challenges and proposals for increasing awareness and adoption of smart technologies into the assistive tech space, and it’s really encouraging to see that there is growing momentum and interest in this area of the market. We already have the expertise and tools in our industry to change and improve many lives, so we should realize that luxury living is now not the only driver for the solutions we have to offer.”

• Building technology training and skills development .........across the health and social care workforce • Supporting disabled and older consumers to purchase smart technology products, systems, and services through improved advice, information, and hands-on assistance from retailers and other providers.

policyconnect.org.uk

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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THE FUTURE IS BIG FOR IN-PERSON EVENTS

BY RACHEL TINDALL

I

n-person events such as CEDIA’s Tech Summits and CEDIA Expo have been a mainstay of the industry for years. Integrators, distributors, and manufacturers look forward to them for many reasons, not least of which is the enormous opportunity to network and create new business opportunities. When the pandemic came into full swing around March 2020, though, the world shifted.

Everything that could be moved online was created as a virtual event.

locations. In April, we were in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Virtual events offer many benefits in terms of being able to learn from the comfort of your home or office, and perhaps chat with others on a more global scale; however, they’re not the same as in-person events. They’re a great option for when safety is a concern, as it has been for the past couple of years.

But, as the world begins to create a new normal, in-person events are returning with gusto.

CEDIA Senior Vice President of Member Success and Sales Giles Sutton notes, “Overall, there’s an overwhelming sense of excitement and it’s clear people have been waiting for face-to-face events to return.”

What We’ve Seen So Far in 2022 The first quarter of 2022 started out with a bang in terms of onsite events. We hosted four CEDIA Tech Summits in: March, we were in Long Island, New York and Newark, New Jersey for the first time in those

In quarter two, we saw a growing level of excitement. The Atlanta GA, Charlotte NC, Leeds and Edinburgh UK were ALL sold out! There were so many sponsors and attendees that the layouts had to be extended to accommodate everyone. This was particularly exciting since we’ve never hosted a show in Charlotte and were in a different part of Atlanta than previous years.

The sponsors, manufacturers, and attendees are thrilled to be back in action after such a long hiatus. In fact, both Tech Summits in March rivaled pre-COVID attendance numbers, which is a feat considering how much travel has been restricted in the recent past.

Regional events like CEDIA Tech Summits are a great way for people to network and build relationships in

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

27

IN-P ERSON EVENTS

the industry closer to home. Jeff Schneider from Digital Projection who attended the Long Island Tech Summit says, “It’s been great to see people face-to-face instead of on a screen, and to shake hands again.” There are also chances to learn, and often to connect or reconnect with suppliers and manufacturers.

Looking at the big picture view, Jason McGraw, Group Vice President, CEDIA Expo & KBIS at Emerald, says the market is “bullish” right now, and that in-person events are “long overdue” because they engage senses you just can’t work with in online spaces. The Emerald team is excited to get back to a full-size CEDIA Expo this fall in Dallas from September 28 - October 1, 2022.

Why In-Person Makes Such a Big Difference The ability to host and attend in-person events is a big deal. Technology makes it possible to stay connected with others digitally through phone and video calls, which is definitely a positive thing. After all, some people live far away from their friends and family, some travel for work, and others simply like to know they can call someone if they need support.

When all is said and done, though, humans need contact with others. Sensory details sch as handshakes and hugs are what’s been missing from virtual events the last couple of years, Sutton and McGraw both noted.

Not to mention being together with others in one place at one time is efficient, and serendipitous.

Attendees come to trade shows with a number of different objectives. According to Sutton, some of the most common include: • To reconvene with other members • For the association to meet and connect with non-members • To see new products • To learn • To network • For manufacturers to meet new dealers & showcase new products

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

• To gauge the pulse of what’s going on in the industry • To scout out new business lines or recurring revenue opportunities • To see what’s new and what’s next All-in-all, in-person events create different opportunities, interactions, and a richer experience. One major advantage McGraw has seen in his 25+ years of attending CEDIA Expo and other major industry events is that attendees “get to see, hear, and sample what’s happening in a broader context that could really help their businesses.” That’s what it’s all about.

In-Person Forecast Here at CEDIA, we’re extremely pleased with how inperson events have been going so far this year. It’s a breath of fresh air to see our members, make new connections, and support the networking that helps small business owners continue to grow.

“No one can say for sure how the rest of 2022 will pan out, but all current indicators point to a strong return of events,” Sutton emphasized. McGraw, who has also been to several major events this year, says all have been successful so far - some even more than expected.

The home and remodeling markets have been hot as people have been at home more than they used to be.

According to McGraw, it has created a “panacea of opportunity for system integrators in the channel.”

Although integrators are known for their fabulous home theatre projects, new opportunities are springing up in the rest of the home as well. As a long-time industry member, Sutton explains that the shifts to smart technology and more robust networks are driving innovation and opportunity in the field.

“Everything is smart, and everything’s on a network today. People want the convenience, the comfort, the control, and the confidence,” says McGraw. There are huge and exciting opportunities for integrators, and industry growth doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

BRING THE NIGHTCLUB HOME For 30 years, L-Acoustics has been the choice of the world’s top clubs, music venues, and artists on tour. This powerful pedigree and unrivaled sonic signature are now available for specification in residential, marine, and other architectural environments. L-Acoustics Creations offers professional sound systems, from stereo to spatial audio. Our team of experts provides 3D acoustic modeling using proprietary software to design and tune a space for the ultimate party vibe.

Visit l-acoustics-creations.com to book an appointment in London, Paris, or Los Angeles.

You can also meet the L-Acoustics Creations team at ISE and CEDIA Expo 2022.

l-acoustics-creations.com

LIVE

FROM THE PHILADELPHIA CEDIA TECH SUMMIT A group of attendees share feedback from their day at the CEDIA Tech Summit

BY J E S S I C A G U YO N

A

head of the Easter holiday, CEDIA Senior Director Technology and Standards and PA-native Walt Zerbe stopped by the CEDIA Tech Summit in Philadelphia. The CEDIA Podcast host grabbed a few attendees for a sit-down episode about their experience at the event – a refreshing change of pace from the podcasts typically hosted over video chat.

The four guests included: Vital President and CEO Matt Bernath, Audio Control Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chris Kane, NuTech Group Vice President of Sales Tim Painter, Severtson National Sales Director Aaron White, and AiSPiRE Product and Sales Specialist Jesse Couillou.

For some, the Tech Summits have been a staple of their business dealings for decades while others made their debut at these global events just this year.

“As a newbie, I can say the way we come to market has changed tremendously since we launched AiSPIRE in 2019,” said Couillou.

“Our parent company, WAC, is heavy on the distribution side and CEDIA helped us meet people in the industry who are actually selling the products. At the Tech Summits, even if we aren’t making a direct sale that day, we’re forging connections that can be beneficial down the line.”

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

C E D I A P OD CAST

Connection in a Local Setting

Talking Business and More

Connection was a major theme amongst the group who

Conversations led to interesting places ranging from feedback

agreed that the Tech Summits offer a much more intimate

about products to workforce development and predictions

experience than larger scale events.

about the industry.

“We love the one-on-one we get with the dealers at the

“It’s not just about doing business and making a sale, it’s also

CEDIA Tech Summits. While larger events certainly have their

about networking and sharing ideas with people who do what

place in the industry, smaller events are often our favorites

you do,” they said. Networking can be helpful for a number of

because they’re far less rushed. At the Tech Summits, dealers

reasons, including sharing past projects and getting ideas about

and vendors can forge stronger relationships and engage in

new solutions for challenges peers have faced in the field. It

much more meaningful conversations,” the group agreed.

builds professional relationships, but also creates a camaraderie that’s often lost in virtual meetings.

While some made new connections at the Tech Summit, others caught up with old friends and business partners in the crowd.

The group observed an increase in outdoor projects as people continue to spend time at home. They discussed how each of

“We’re here as a manufacturer’s rep, and we’re lucky to have many of our vendors displaying products,” said Painter. “We’re

them brings something different to the outdoor space, in the way of speakers, TVs, and lighting.

used to talking with our vendors one on one, but it’s nice to be in a room with three of them at once and discuss how we can make their brands stronger.”

Indoor lighting was also a major theme, as homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of its many health benefits.

Of the attendees, the group found there to be a near even split

“Working from home has really inspired homeowners to take

between companies who work within residential and commercial

another look at their lighting setup. Organizations like CEDIA

segments. They also found that most of the attendees were

are raising awareness of this phenomenon. Homeowners may

local to the area – just like them.

hear a keyword like ‘human-centric lighting,’ which pushes them to bring it up to their integrator.”

“With the local nature of the Tech Summits, it’s much more cost effective for us to send members of our team,” the group

Looking Ahead

added. “It gives them a chance to get out in the field, meet

Overall, the group feels the momentum will continue for

people, and network without having to book flights and miss

the smart home, even as travel begins to ramp up again and

multiple days of work.”

people begin spending slightly less time at home compared

“”

WHILE LARGER EVENTS C E R T A I N LY H A V E T H E I R P L A C E I N T H E I N D U S T R Y, SMALLER EVENTS ARE O F T E N O U R FAV O R I T E S BECAUSE THEY’RE FA R L E S S R U S H E D .

to the past two years. To further justify their predictions, the Google keynote session revealed that the next generation will often forgo standard home upgrades, like redoing their floors and cabinets, in favor of adding more tech to their homes.

As for the Tech Summit, everyone agreed the energy was positive and upbeat, and they enjoyed catching up with their peers in person again.

Listen to this episode of The CEDIA Podcast and more at cedia.net/podcasts, and to find a CEDIA Tech Summit near you, visit cedia.net/techsummits

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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T RIANGLES - CAS E ST U DY

TRIANGLES

A PROJECT HAND-CRAFTED

Hand-cut triangles create a striking effect

The design for this home cinema room was split into two distinct sections when it came to allocating the client’s budget. During the initial meetings between the client and UK-based integrator, Cinema Lusso, it became clear that the client placed as much, if not more, value on the non-technical elements of the room. Interior design, seating, and lighting made up more than half of the total budget.

Cinema Lusso faced a huge challenge in creating this striking room during the COVID-19 pandemic. With UK manufacturing shut down, it was impossible to get the triangle design CNC-cut as planned.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

The lead fabricator had to move in with one of Cinema Lusso’s directors during the build so he could work safely in isolation on the site when lockdown conditions allowed. This meant that all the triangles were cut by hand on site. In the event of damage, each of them can be easily removed and repaired.

During a series of demonstrations with wide ranging equipment selections, audio performance interested the client. In fact, they notably enjoying systems displaying outstanding dynamics and bass response.

In the baffle wall configuration, the Audio Excellence Vertex 2 is comfortably capable of reaching 105dB at

our seating distance with plenty of headroom. Audio Excellence speakers were especially well suited to the close positioning to the screen because they feature pre-installed foam on the front baffle. A pair of bass extension subwoofers were placed behind the screen to provide the required full range performance.

Budget didn’t allow for a bespoke screen, so Cinema Lusso was limited to off-the-shelf sizes. The client chose a 100-inch screen, which meant there was a small amount of wiggle room with the seat positioning to create the ideal viewing angle.

Best Lighting

This space is exclusively used as a cinema, as the client watches sports and gaming in other rooms. The CEDIA COMMUNICATES

33

T RIANGLES - CAS E ST U DY

room would have to display a high proportion of native 2.4:1 aspect ratio content, so Cinema Lusso used a Sim2 Domino 4 projector. Its compact size allowed it to be comfortably placed slightly further back in the room than many other projectors with similar throw ratios.

The client wanted to place his personal stamp on the room in a subtle way. Cinema Lusso incorporated his family coat of arms into the upholstery of the bespoke sofa. This sofa provides space for six adults to comfortably enjoy the cinema room. An inset floor cushion was used to increase the capacity when children would join in.

One of the biggest challenges the team faced was the size and location of the sliding doors leading out of the

basement. After taking measurements on three separate days, the integrator confirmed that wind in the stairwell would be the loudest external sound intrusion. To overcome this, the team installed heavy weighted curtain liners to increase the overall mass. The curtains are made to twice the window width, overlap in the middle, and are sealed to the wall along their edge — maximising their blackout and acoustic effect.

The client has only watched one movie since the installation, which was not in the 2.4:1 aspect ratio – The Dark Knight filmed for IMAX. Since the variable ratio provided a challenge for the 2.4:1 screen, a discussion with the client resulted in a ‘Batman Button’ being added to the remote. This button locks the ratio to 2.4:1.

EQUIPMENT LIST Anthem Artcoustic Audio Excellence Blustream Camira Furman GIK Acoustics Ineva Kaleidescape Kingsmead Lightspeed Meanwell Middle Atlantic Orluna Penn Elcom ProtoPixel Screen Excellence Sim2 Somfy

CONTACT Cinema Lusso Unit G, Rose Business Estate Marlow, Bucks, UK Phone number: 01883 460440 Website: athomecinema.co.uk

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

PROCESSORS OF CHOICE FOR WINNING PROJECTS

CEDIA Awards 2021 We would like to congratulate our partners for bringing back home seven awards in this year’s EMEA ceremony: Thank you for trusting us in developing those remarkable projects!

www.trinnov.com Distributed by - Invision UK Ltd, Vince Road, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4YT, Email : sales@invisionuk.com / + 44 01359 270280

[

[

C E RTIFICATION R OU N DTA BL E

WHY ARE YOU #CEDIACERTIFIED? Andy Baker, CIT-SME, IST-SME, ESC-D:

Certifications show a person’s commitment to developing themselves and their career, which allied trades and clients are able to recognize. The CIT’s recent ISO accreditation has the potential to create massive change in how our industry is not only recognized but valued. What’s more, the certifications are available globally for anyone seeking to work in our industry, which makes them even more attractive.

Frank DeFilippis:

Certification separates true professionals from hobbyists. In order to properly service homeowners, certification is critical. ISO accreditation further solidifies this mission. Internationally recognized certifications bring CEDIA to a whole new level and are a massive opportunity for all of us in the CEDIA ecosystem. Even if the homeowner is unaware of CEDIA certifications or ISO accreditation, with a little research, they can easily find out that this status is the gold standard in custom electronics installation certifications.

.

James Chen:

Certification is crucial to ensuring a standard is being met. Currently, CEDIA is the only internationally recognized body that holds ISO/IEC accreditation in our industry, a standard recognized by nearly all countries.

ISO/IEC forms the foundation for safety and insurance.

If you are not at least CIT certified, you may not be operating within proper guidelines and could potentially leave yourself exposed. I would encourage all professionals working in the technology industry to look into certification through CEDIA. Certification can further protect home technology professionals from making critical errors, which may, in turn, simplify or eliminate the need for troubleshooting.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

C E R TI F I C ATI O N R O U NDTAB LE

Jared Edwards:

There is currently no other method a potential client has to delineate a highly skilled integrator from one who is not. Certification says an integrator knows what they’re doing on a much higher level, which means jobs will be conceived, designed, installed, configured, and operated the right way. A more skilled staff also reduces service calls for a business and increases profitability.

Certification truly sets the employee up for career advancement and long-term success integrators.

Krissy Budish, CIT:

I was recently CEDIA CIT certified. I’ve been in the industry six years and work in sales for Pioneer Music Company. I searched for classes at trade schools and colleges and found that, outside of being an audio engineer, these types of courses just aren’t available. When the opportunity presented itself for me to become CEDIA CIT certified, I jumped on it. I went through the textbook and online modules and learned a tremendous amount. I don’t feel I would have gained this type of knowledge otherwise since I’m not a field technician. It was important to me to become certified so I can learn and grow within this industry and better serve our integrators.

Mike Ranpura, CIT-SME, IST-SME, ESC-N:

One of the biggest benefits to CEDIA certification is professional development. Technology is ever evolving, and it’s important to know that you’re staying on top of changes in the market. Certification also proves to your clients that you’re fully capable of carrying out work at their property and are competent in what you say you can do. Perhaps the best part about CEDIA certification, though, is that it’s available to everyone, not just CEDIA members. Our line of work is becoming very popular, and these certifications ensure anyone wishing to work in this industry learns how to do things the correct way.

Owen Maddock, IST, ESC-D, ESC-N, ESC-T: I’m CEDIA certified because I want to do my job well and fill gaps in my knowledge. I’ve found that being certified adds weight and authority to what I’m saying when working with other qualified professionals on a build project – they’re often more likely to see it my way. Finally, it’s a point of difference between me and most of my competitors.

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US - CASE STUDY

Admit One Home Systems used careful planning to create an easily operable entertainment hub for a family of all ages, earning them multiple CEDIA Awards This sprawling new construction in Long Lake, Minn. was built to be the dream home for a local athlete who knew he’d be travelling quite a bit - perhaps even living in a different state as his contract neared an end.

Despite the uncertainties that come with such a career, this family knew they wanted to plant their roots in a permanent home that functioned to their exact liking.

Among their list of wishes, the self-described “very social” family emphasized their desire to create lavish entertaining spaces outfitted with the latest tech. To the same end, they wanted everything to be user-friendly

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

for family and guests of all ages, from their three young children to both grandmothers.

Rising to the occasion, Admit One Home Systems added their technical touch to the family’s massive bar, multi-sports court, backyard and pool, theater room, golf simulator, and multiple other hangout areas overlooking the lake.

Nuts and Bolts It was important that this entertainment hub include distributed music and various lighting scenes to set the mood, which Admit One achieved by installing fixed touch screens in primary locations. They also carefully hid any sign of wiring to maintain the home’s aesthetic.

U S - C AS E ST UDY

E N T E R TA I N M E N T FOR ALL The video system incorporates 10 independent video zones with eight video source options. A Crestron DM Switch in a centralized rack receives distributed video content, then Crestron DM-RMC-4KZ-100-C 4K HDMI receivers send and receive the content. All video locations are centrally distributed with access to the rack sources, complemented by an elevated audio experience through the distributed speakers. The AV, lights, and shades for every room can be controlled by either a Crestron TSR-310 touchscreen remote, iPad, or iPhone.

For the great room, the family requested an elevated audio experience, so Audio Control arranged a custombuilt Leon soundbar to complement the video solution.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

39

US - CASE STUDY

The audio system incorporates 27 independent zones with 10 source options distributed by a Crestron SWAMP multi-room system with Sonance DSP for additional calibration. Collectively, these zones include 48 amplified channels of audio. There are five 7-inch Touchscreens around the house for permanent control locations, plus all members of the family have their own personal iPad and iPhone control. A Sonos Port facilitates the standard choices for streaming audio options, and all video sources located in the centralized rack are available for viewing throughout the entire home.

Attention to Detail The basement theatre space was particularly important for the adults who enjoy watching movies together after the kids go to bed. Admit One worked closely with the home builder to achieve acoustical isolation so the couple would not wake the kids while they were blasting the latest Marvel movie at midnight. They used a stretched fabric across the walls in the space to conceal

the acoustical material and added a star field to the ceiling to serve as an additional acoustical treatment.

Outside the theater, Admit One Home Systems paid close attention to ensure that power needs were equally distributed to the various UPS units. Nearly all the CEDIA Award judges took notice of their careful planning and deemed the rack build “particularly worthy of praise.”

Admit One installed top tier security and surveillance systems outside the home to ensure this high-profile family felt safe both day and night. All exterior doors and windows around the property are monitored, including the main doors, garages, and various maintenance doors.

Water, heat, and smoke sensors installed throughout the home detect and protect against potential accidents.

In all, the CEDIA Awards judges remarked that the home is “a high-quality project, from initial design and documentation to installation and delivery.”

EQUIPMENT LIST Access Networks Anthem Apple Arris/Motorola AudioQuest Cartell Crestron DirecTV Leon Luma Middle Atlantic RTI Sanus Screen Innovations Starcoustix SnapAV Sonance Sonos Sony Sunbrite Sunfire SurgeX Wisdom Audio Wirepath

CONTACT Admit One Home Systems 7513 Washington Ave South, Edina, MN Phone number: (952) 240-6262

Website:

admitonesystems.com

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

Behind every great cinema there is wisdom...

From the rack to the room Wisdom Audio’s beautifully discreet system architecture proves that it’s not what you see that makes high-end home cinema magical, it’s what you don’t…

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

N I KO

A H I S T O R Y T O B E P R O U D O F…

1

919 was a landmark year in Belgium. The first world war had just ended in November of the previous year, with the surrender of the Germans to Allied Forces. The whole of Belgium, and most of Europe, was decimated. There were huge losses of both military and civilian lives… but it was time to start rebuilding the country!

In the town of Sint-Niklaas, north west of Brussels, two brothers - Werner and Alfons DeBacker - started to design and manufacture stylish new switches and sockets, that quickly won the Belgian market… Niko was born.

Over 100 years later, Niko is still a family run business to this day, but it has come a long way since the switches and sockets. Niko is now a large and diverse corporate organization with offices in 10 countries and over 700 staff. It is internationally multi-award winning, for both the company itself and the products it manufactures.

Awards include Best Home Technology Product in the UK BuildIt Awards in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Care for the environment is a priority…

Winning the East Flanders Environmental Charter for 17 years running because of their responsible and eco methods of manufacture, including Bio Filters, Solar PV, and Rainwater Harvesting, etc, Niko cares about not only the product and solutions it produces, but the environment especially. By ensuring the highest of quality control at all times, all products come with a four year warranty.

But building and client needs change…

As you’d expect, there have been huge improvements over the years in manufacturing and materials, leading to some cutting edge, high tech end results. Even as early as the 1990s, the design team at Niko understood the

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need for lighting controls that would be both flexible and help consumers save energy.

Nikobus was launched in 1997 as an easy-to-install, central control system, controlling lighting and shading.

But with the invention of the iPhone, things needed to step up a gear.

The solution was Niko Home Control, which was launched in 2011 as a central system for controlling lighting, heating, shading, and ventilation. Drag and drop style software does all the intelligent programming for you behind the scenes and guided, wizard style programming make it easy to perform even the most advanced functions, making it easy to specify and commission.

Unique solutions in the product design also make it much quicker and easier for the installer to assemble, saving time and money.

What happens to your installation in the future?

Just like Tesla cars, Niko Home Control is software driven, and any improvements that Niko develops are pushed to all installations worldwide, keeping systems up to date and ensuring that all Niko projects benefit from new technology and software improvements. Voice control, for example, wasn’t available for the earlier installations… but now it is. A simple firmware upgrade means everyone can benefit.

Why Niko Home Control?

Niko modules and wall controls are simple to install and look amazing, including no fewer than 378 different color and finish combinations! A particular game changer though, was the addition of the Digital Black LCD screen wall control, winning Best Home Technology Product at the BuildIt Awards in 2021!

This intuitive control screen allows users to operate a range of smart home functions, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, music, and shading. The Digital Black is a compact and stylish alternative to having a whole row of switches to control so many functions (measuring only 85mm x 85mm). The intuitive interface ensures that your customers never have to think again about which button controls which function.

Niko Home Control is ‘Open’ Niko integrates with many products already at manufacturer level, but also with Google, Alexa, and IFTTT - with Niko’s API, anything is possible. There is also a software driver for Control4 and other integrations are continuously under development so watch this space.

Andy Moss, Managing Director of Moss Technical – Niko UK Supplier says “Niko Home Control has transformed the industry in my opinion. Electricians and new installers are often worried about new technology, but Niko offers an incredibly simple installation, programming and commissioning process, enabling a stress-free install, even for those new to this industry.

At Moss Technical, we pride ourselves on our existing electrical history. With our background in custom electrical installations, installers can feel reassured knowing they are being supported by engineers with practical real life experience, as well as really understanding how the product works.”

For more information about becoming a Niko Home Control installer or for help and advice, contact: www.niko.eu

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EXPO EDUCATION

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E X P O E D U CAT I O N

C O M M U N I T Y L E A R N I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S AT

CEDIA EXPO

2022

BY J E S S I C A G U YO N

The CEDIA Expo Conference program, curated

by CEDIA, includes more than 60 sessions on topics ranging from emerging technology trends to system engineering case studies and best practices to entrepreneurship.

Over half of this year’s sessions are brand new, including a wellness track centered on design, verification, and customer positioning of wellness technology solutions. A lighting track detailing one of the fastest-growing solution areas in the industry is on the docket as well.

Also new this year, CEDIA will be hosting an Advocacy Town Hall, free to all CEDIA Expo attendees. The session will explore how the smart

home technology industry can advance its profile and fight for its rights in the halls of government.

The association is bringing back the popular “Ask the Experts” series, where attendees will have an open forum to ask questions to some of the industry’s leaders on topics including acoustics, video system design, network configuration, and managing relationships with allied trades.

Check out the schedule below and get started on your #CEDIAExpo education plan!

For additional information on speakers, and to purchase an All-Access Conference Pass, visit cediaexpo.com.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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EXPO EDUCATION

MOST ANTICIPATED CLASSES WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 28 The 3 P's of Being a Design Professional Project Planner, Wednesday at 9 am-2 pm Case Study: Large-Scale Luxury in the Modern MDU, Wednesday 9/28 at 1-2 pm Cabling & Infrastructure Technician (CIT) Certification Review, Wednesday 9/28 at 1-5 pm Ask the Expert: Video Performance and Design, Wednesday 9/28 at 11 am – 12:30 pm Timing-Aware Networks, Wednesday 9/28 at 1:30-3:30 pm

THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 29 The CEDIA Advocacy Town Hall, Thursday 9/29 at 8-8:45 am Deathmatch: Audio Networking/Audio-over-IP Technologies, Thursday 9/29 at 9:30-11 am The Integrator of 2027, Thursday 9/29 at 10-12 pm2023 Understanding, Selling & Implementing Human Centric Lighting, Thursday 9/29 at 10-11:30 am Future Technologies: The Inside Scoop from Silicon Valley, Thursday 9/29 at 1-3 pm Ask the Expert: Network Performance and Configuration, Thursday 9/29 at 1:30-3:00 pm Como mejorar tu oficina en casa con los componentes apropiados de audio, Thursday 9/29 at 2:30-4:30 pm Outdoor Audio/Video Design & Implementation, Thursday 9/29 at 3:30-5 pm

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 30 Why the CI Channel is Primed for Wellness and the Healthy Home Market, Friday 9/30 at 9-10:30 am Managing Subcontractors in Today’s Gig Economy, Friday 9/30 at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm The Platform Playground Revisited: Where Smart Home Protocols Stand in 2022, How Far We’ve Come, What’s Still to Be Done, Friday 9/30 at 11:30 am - 1pm The 2023 NEC: How Changes to the Code Will Impact Your Business, Friday 9/30 at 12:30 – 2:30 pm EOS Overview & EOS Workshop, Friday 9/30 at 1-2:30 and 3-5 pm respectively Dante Audio Video Networking Bootcamp for Custom Residential, Friday 9/30 at 1-5 pm Artificial vs. Natural Intelligence and the Battle for the Future of Humanity. Will AI Win?, Friday 9/30 at 2-4 pm The e-Studio Evolution, Friday 9/30 at 3-4:30 pm

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

Expo: Sept 29 –- Oct 1, 2022 Conference: Sept 28 –- Sept 30, 2022 dallas, tx

The future is BIG Big Thinking. Big Future. It all happens at CEDIA Expo, the only show dedicated to residential tech and the pros driving our industry forward. Together, let’s revolutionize the connected home of the future. It’s time to think BIG!

Register today!

Scan the QR code to get started.

cediaexpo.com

MARKET A N A LYSI S

THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTEGRATOR The rise in smart homes is often credited to consumers becoming more tech savvy, but it’s time to recognize the role the integrator plays in ensuring the home technology industry thrives.

E

BY JESSICA GUYON ach year, CEDIA conducts an

AV) and gradually added from there based

Integrated Home Market Analysis

on resources, consumer demand, and cur-

of the residential electronic sys-

rent trends.

tems industry to quantify, segment, characterize, and forecast

Luckily for integrators, the home technol-

the market at large. The 2022

ogy industry is the sum of many parts – AV,

results, published in partnership

lighting, security, shading, home theater, and

with leading market research firm

more – so, even when one category may be

Ancrage Consulting LLC, consist

experiencing a slower rate of growth, there

of 65 pages of research indicating the home

are a multitude of others thriving.

technology industry is strong. Not only that: it’s growing.

The same cannot be said for installers of a singular form of technology.

The upward momentum from the past two years has been largely attributed to the

When asked about changes they see com-

COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home or-

ing over the next few years, one integrator

ders that caused people to re-establish their

noted, “More and more homeowners will

work and social lives from home. While that’s

‘cut the cord’ and go to streaming-only

certainly played a large part, the historical

subscriptions, such as YouTube TV, Hulu TV,

data proves the residential technology market

etc., as opposed to cable TV and satellite

had been growing steadily even before the

subscriptions.”

pandemic – so steadily, that from 2012-2018, the annual market size grew consistently by

For cable and satellite installers, this sounds catastrophic. For technology integrators, this is simply a new way of doing business.

almost $2B per year.

Some might say technology has become

Integrators’ Competition

more present in our everyday lives than it

Technology integrators’ ability to adapt with the onset of each new

was even five years ago. But technology has

technology doesn’t mean they lack competition. Most notably, the

always been there, it’s just evolving, as are the

DIY segment has provided an alternative way for consumers to ac-

people who install it.

cess smart home technology. But what sets integrators apart is their ability to build upon existing knowledge to create an entirely new

The Integrator Life Cycle

experience. It’s also what keeps this industry exciting.

Most integrators will tell you that they didn’t

One integrator commented, “There has been a lot of growth in the

start off with the laundry list of services they

mid-market that many integrators serve. In fact, the benefit of DIY

offer now. Many broke into the industry through

devices is that integrators have more choices and the ability to scale

one or a few specialized categories (often

systems to meet a range of budgets. Dealers and integrators need to

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

be at the top of their game to keep

Investing Where it Counts

projects for integrators is increasing

up with trends in categories like well-

As CEDIA’s Technology Advisory

each year, and consumers have a

ness, lighting, and shading, however

Council member Gordon van Zuiden

newfound understanding of what it

these changes need to be backed by

puts it, “technology integrators are

takes to get what they want.

professional development.”

like general practitioners.”

One integrator foresees a rise in

Establishing a staff training budget

Their skillset is extremely versatile,

“the willingness of consumers to ac-

each year is vital to an integrator’s

and their work touches nearly every

cept the cost of a properly designed

long-term success. This industry is

room of the home. It also means they

and installed home network.”

anything but stagnant, and well-in-

have a lot of work to do behind the

stalled technology is the reason con-

scenes to keep up with trends, best

By matching consumers’ invest-

sumers have the desire to continue

practices, standards, and brands

ment in their homes with an invest-

adding more of it to their homes.

across multiple categories.

ment in themselves, integrators can

The research shows the number of

be certain they’ll be prepared for the next phase of evolution.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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IS E WRAQP

C E D I A C E L E B R AT E S ISE’S BARCELONA DEBUT

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THE FIRA DE BARCELONA WAS AN EXCELLENT, EASY-TO-NAVIGATE VENUE, AND BARCELONA PROVED ITSELF THE PERFECT HOST CITY,” FRIEDMAN CONCLUDES. “OVERALL, ISE 2022 WAS SUCH A HUGE SUCCESS AND PROVIDED A GREAT PLATFORM FOR OUR INDUSTRY. WE CAN’T WAIT FOR ITS RETURN TO BARCELONA ON 31 JANUARY 2023. WE’RE CONFIDENT IT WILL BE BIGGER AND EVEN BETTER THAN THIS YEAR’S SHOW.

I S E WRAP

C

EDIA enjoyed a very successful ISE as the event made its long-awaited debut at the Fira de Barcelona. Attracting a total of 43,691 unique attendees, ISE 2022 exceeded expectations and, as coowner of the show, CEDIA took full advantage of the platform to engage with its membership across EMEA, share news on its latest initiatives, and deliver a well-supported Professional Development program.

“ISE 2022 has been a wonderful event,” comments CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman. “I was so impressed with the attendance, the energy, and the camaraderie of all the people visiting and participating in the show. This was my first ISE since joining CEDIA at the end of 2021, and it gave me a great opportunity to meet with our community, listen to their views on the industry, and find out how CEDIA can support its continuing growth.”

The CEDIA professional development program proved popular with over 750 delegate registrations for the 35 business and technical training courses presented at the event. The event attracted attendees from no fewer than 66 countries. Underlining the strong international attendance, the CEDIA team also recruited new members from eight different countries during the show. int laboriost, te sit, quuntotas

“

At IS E , t he C E D IA te a m provi de d s upporti ng i nfo rm at i o n o n key m e m be r benefits , cove ri ng i t s wo rk o n ce rt i f i c at i o n, advocacy, co nne ct i o n, a nd e duc at i o n.

CEDIA also s uppo rte d t he AV C a re e r D ay, which gave pa rt i ci pa nt s a re a l f l avo r [flavour] o f t he w i de va ri e t y o f c a re e r path s t he i ndust ry ha s to o f fe r.

CEDIA COMMUNICATES

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TWO-M I N U T E T EC H R E A D

DIVERSIFICATION IS THE FUTURE The residential technology industry has seen its ups, downs, and everything in between over the past 30+ years. The pandemic changed the market in ways never seen before. There’s been a surge of new customers who need technology in their homes and upgrades to existing customers who need infrastructure to support their new lives. This boom shines a spotlight on integrators and technology professionals as necessary workers who are critical to life at home. Many saw record business and expanded as quickly as possible.

At the same time, product shortages and shipping costs have created difficult situations with clients waiting and integrators being stuck in the middle. For some, this has become a perfect opportunity to diversify services in emerging trends. The fastest growing trends are power and energy, wellness, consulting services for the DIFM (direct-to-consumer) market, and service programs.

Power and energy can be a bit intimidating, especially if you don’t have an electrician on staff or a current partnership with an electrical team. With energy costs continuing to grow globally, climate change, and an aging infrastructure, personal power and energy independence has never been more attractive to consumers. This includes energy management inside the home where the customer can see how much and what devices they’re using the most.

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CEDIA COMMUNICATES

With newer technology, such as connected and “smart” power distribution panels, the homeowner is empowered to take control of their own power grid and manage the usage. As solar and wind performance improves, and battery technology becomes cheaper, more efficient, and uses easy-to-acquire materials, future homes may not be connected to a grid.

Wellness technology or “WellTech” is somewhat new to the integrator channel but has deep roots in the design and wearables community.

The pandemic catapulted indoor air and water quality into discussions, and rightfully so since we know in most homes the indoor air quality is much worse than it is outside. In the U.S., the aging infrastructure has decreased water quality and even caused deaths in some cases.

We’re at a point where air and water must be monitored, managed, and filtered as they come into the home so those living in the space can lead healthier lives.

WellTech crosses into other areas such as sleep, exercise, accessibility, sound, and light. Light is a perfect sub-trend for integrators to incorporate into their businesses.

It’s growing exponentially and, when done right, makes a significant positive impact on the lives of those in the home. The key is to work with a lighting designer or incorporate one into your business who can design human-centric lighting systems to mimic natural light colors, patterns, and timing.

Consulting services and the DIFM (Do It for Me) market can be a touchy subject so we’re only going to discuss business potential and opportunities. The word integrate, or integrator, is a testament to what we do in this industry. We take a variety of technology and make it work together through proper design, installation, and configuration processes. It takes years of experience, education, and training to do what we do.

This is new for those using directto-consumer products. These products have the potential to work together, but the consumer isn’t trained to know which devices work best with the others, or which manufacturer protocols are best for their situations - they shouldn’t be expected to. It’s caused years of frustration for these consumers and created doubt that any home tech will work easily and consistently.

These customers are likely to have a better experience with guidance through consulting services.

Through the integrator channel, they can find someone they trust to give them advice and work with them on setting up new devices.

The integrator can help educate them on security, privacy, and how to use the devices. They can also provide customers with preventative maintenance, firmware, and hardware upgrade discounts through RMR models.

Photo Credit: “Religious Intent” by SONA 53

INT EGRATOR DIV ER SI F I C AT I ON

Parks Associates recently reported that “approximately 30% of smart home device owners report that a service advising them on the best/most appropriate products to purchase is appealing.” These consumers will come to their local technology integrator as a trusted advisor for all their needs.

This model isn’t for everyone, and could require separate divisions with specialized technicians and project managers. Keep in mind that the middle and DIFM markets are growing because home technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

is generally easiest through preventative services for when things go wrong. A recent study by Grand View Research found that the smart home repair service sector is expected to grow as much as 11% per year. This is the perfect opportunity for integrators to expand their service offerings and diversify their business with RMR options for the preventative service work.

and AV distribution. Those who can diversify and support all areas of technology in the home may find business growth they never expected. Connected technology in the residential space is approaching full saturation, encompassing electrical, HVAC, plumbing, kitchen and bath fixtures, appliances, beds, lights and shades, and everything else.

Servicing electronic systems and their components have always been a key to the integrator channel.

The consumer tends to think an electronic device in their home doesn’t need the same maintenance.

But, like a vehicle, these systems are made up of complex components which require preventative maintenance and servicing when they aren’t working.

Finding a model that fits the size of your business and clients is key.

For instance, a white glove service package that includes quarterly site visits to clean, test, and monitor components may not be affordable for customers with smaller budgets.

Likewise, a custom package that monitors network speeds, up time, and performance may be perfect for customers who work from home. If this is new to you, spend some time drawing up a business plan as if it were a stand-alone business and pitch to a few repeat customers you have a longer-term relationship with.

The integrator and technology professional will ultimately take the lead, delegate, and manage the entire technology build out process for a home. They will partner with the trades, liaise with the builder and designer, and consult with the customer to create custom experiences with technology.

Raising consumer awareness requires an integrator to explain necessary maintenance, which

The core business for integrators will always be there: entertainment, infrastructure, networking, control,

To learn more about Power, Energy, and Wellness Technology, come to the House of Power webinar series virtual conference this summer. We’ll dig deep into these topics with industry titans from all over the globe.

“”

Those who can diversify and support all areas of technology in the home may find business growth they never expected.

Photo Credit: Connecting Technology

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y o u there! e Se North America

Australia

Visit cedia.net/techsummits to register

THE LAST 5% WISDOM FROM OUR MEMBERS (AND SOME OTHERS, TOO) “The toughest part of a job? Sometimes it’s the last 5%.” Anon.

“The Great Resignation means your custom integrator company culture is more important than ever before. Company culture is less about ‘fun days’ with your crew than it is listening to them and setting up a scenario that encourages them to offer ideas.”

Don Mastro | CE Pro

“Marketing your CEDIA certification can seem intimidating, but there are plenty of simple ways to get started.

The most important way you can market yourself as a professional is to learn how to tell your story to potential clients and others in the industry. Once you can do that, it’s fairly easy to find ways to highlight your credentials.”

David Whitney| Senior Director of Certification | CEDIA

“When you share your gifts, even the ones that haven’t seen the light of day since you were a child, you will feel more whole.”

Natalie Siston | Women in Consumer Technology Leadership Coaching – A Day of Discovery

“Audio systems contribute the largest percentage of revenue for U.S. integrators.”

2021 Market Analysis Findings

“With appropriate support from carers, family members and friends, smart home technology promises to give people more choice and control in their lives. To achieve this, we must reform the way technology is used in health and social care services. The technology market must also be made to work better for disabled and older consumers.”

Clive Gilbert | Policy Manager for Assistive Technology | Policy Connect

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WE ARE THE GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION THAT SERVES THE HOME TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

Advocacy We fight for the rights and interests of our members in governmental bodies around the world.

connection We foster relationships between businesses that facilitate growth and last a lifetime.

education We develop content to share knowledge and raise the bar on industry practice.

Discover more at: www.cedia.net

Cinergy

Sound like this, in a home cinema?

Unheard of.

Learn more at cinergy.monitoraudio.com