With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing about a renaissance in residential audiovisual solutions, the term “resimercial” may be more important now than ever to commercial integration firms.

On Sept. 1–3, audiovisual professionals will gather in Indianapolis, IN, for the 2021 CEDIA Expo–the first major in-person AV trade show in over 18 months. Event organizers plan to bring more than 10,000 home technology design and construction attendees together with 300+ exhibitors at one of the first in-person events in 2021 supporting the technology sector.

“We’re all eager to connect again on a human level and get back to face-to-face events as we celebrate everything we value as a community,” said Jason McGraw, Emerald Group vice president, CEDIA Expo and KBIS.

To increase the resimercial emphasis at CEDIA, event organizers have added the Innovation Hub, which will review data from research on cross-over and resimercial shifts. The Innovation Hub gives brands that have had success penetrating new market segments the opportunity to share insights and strategy.

[ CEDIA Expands Education Initiatives at 2021 Expo ] 

Additionally, UC and collaboration association IMCCA will assist CEDIA Expo with the development, organization, and moderation of content session discussions on unified communications and work-from-home topics.

Resimercial Innovations at CEDIA Expo 2021

Ahead of the show, manufacturers gave us a sneak peek at the resimercial products they’ll be demonstrating on the show floor.

Crestron Home Audio Conferencing System

Home offices remain viable alternatives to the corporate office as long as they have the appropriate technology infrastructure to re-create the office experience. The Crestron UC-MM30-R tabletop conference device is designed to be a perfect solution for such home office applications. The system pairs an enterprise-grade speakerphone, 7-inch touchscreen, and single-wire installation with native Crestron Home integration to provide a convenient conferencing and whole-house control companion in a sleek form factor.

Crestron: Booth #3600

Draper Acumen Recharge

Acumen Recharge is a wireless wall-mounted projection screen engineered to meet the demands of heavy use, yet still look elegant in modern interiors. The smooth, curved aluminum fascia fits in with any design aesthetic. The screen’s motor is powered by a lithium ion battery that runs for about 500 cycles before needing to be recharged. Tensioned and non-tensioned versions can also be PoE and can integrate into home control systems. Draper Acumen is backed by a seven-year warranty.

Draper: Booth #2212

[ CEDIA Expo 2021 Launches Innovation Hub ]

Middle Atlantic C3

Middle Atlantic continues to enhance the C3 series credenza with a wide variety of available finishes to match surrounding décor. High-pressure laminate (HPL) is a durable material used on many furniture products that has a dimensional behavior similar to wood, meaning it will expand and contract with humidity. HPL is recommended for any application in which durability and impact resistance are concerns, may be used for both vertical and horizontal surfaces. All of the HPL colors available from Middle Atlantic are from the design portfolio of leading HPL manufacturers.

Middle Atlantic: Booth #5347

Netgear M4250 AV Line of Network Switches

Built from the ground up for 1G AV over IP, the Netgear M4250 switches simplify multicast audio and video deployments. A new AV-centric user interface enables speedy configuration changes. Models with PoE+ and Ultra 90 PoE++ allow powering of AV endpoints and other devices. They are built with Netgear IGMP Plus, Auto-LAG, and Auto-Trunk for true out-of-the-box functionality, even with multiple switches. These switches come with a limited lifetime warranty and access to the company’s Pro AV Engineering Services team.

Netgear: Booth #5000

Planar DirectLight Ultra Series

Planar DirectLight Ultra Series LED video wall displays offer always-on, high-performance, high-resolution display experiences with pixel pitches ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 mm for mission-critical and resolution-dependent applications. It presents several display technology advancements that, in combination, deliver big performance. Planar DirectLight Ultra Series features models with microLEDs, off-board power supply, proprietary alignment technology, and the Planar WallDirector Video Controller (VC), with its corresponding video wall management software.

Planar: Booth #5044

Stealth Acoustics StingRay Speaker

The StingRay speaker family is completely sealed, with no exposed grilles or drivers to corrode or break down. The SR6, SR8, or SR430 speakers are at home in nearly any outdoor environment where durability and high performance are required. Outdoor speakers in the StingRay line are available in matte black and matte white, or they can be special ordered and custom painted to match any décor.

Stealth Acoustics: Booth #3353

SurgeX UPS + Isolation Transformer

The SurgeX UPS + Isolation Transformer is a complete power management solution featuring continuous power supply, line interactive technology, and power conditioning. Available in three models, the compact solution brings all the benefits of a large-format UPS to the rack, combined with a low-impedance isolation transformer to constantly filter and condition power. The device prevents electrical noise from affecting performance, delivering clean power to the source and stopping harmful harmonics from reaching sensitive loads.

SurgeX: Booth #4149

Leon Speakers Terra LuminSound TrLs50

Audio adds ambiance to walkways, patios, entrances, and other outdoor areas of commercial environments including restaurants, hotels, and recreational facilities. Lighting also enhances the atmosphere. The handcrafted Terra LuminSound TrLs50 speaker from Leon Speakers combines the two features in one stylish device. Available in six designer colors and with a ring of LED lighting around its perimeter, the slender, 13-inch tall, IP67-rated aluminum speaker cabinet blends in with a variety of regional landscapes.

Leon Speakers: Booth #4344

Vanco Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Whether on a lobby video wall or home theater screen, content is king. Vanco’s Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables support resolutions of up to 8K @ 60 Hz and 4K @ 120 Hz with a 4:4:4 bit depth and both static and dynamic HDR formats. With features supporting widescreen 21:9 aspect ratios; VRR, ALLM, and QFT for next-gen gaming; and multiple immersive audio formats, Vanco’s Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables can deliver the content for any cutting-edge video application, according to the company.

Vanco: Booth #1407

Sony PL-GTZ380 Projector

Come by the Sony booth at CEDIA to experience the new VPL-GTZ380 projector with native 4K image expression like you’ve never seen before. Powered by the X1 Ultimate processor for projectors, a super-high-contrast 10,000-lumen Z-Phosphor laser light source, and DCI-P3 wide color space, this projector can make your clients’ ultimate home theater vision a reality.

Sony: Booth #2800

Register for CEDIA Expo 2021

Read more stories from the August 2021 issue of SCN.

Residential Systems and TWICE have announced the winners of their annual Best of Show awards at CEDIA Expo. The products were nominated by the manufacturers and a team of judges was employed to walk the floor and rate the products on a number of criteria, including its value, impact, and how unique it was to the market. Residential Systems entries were judged through the lens of the residential integrator, while TWICE based theirs on a consumer electronics retail view.

“This year’s CEDIA Expo was filled with attention-grabbing, boundary-pushing new products,” said Anthony Savona, content director, Residential Systems. “These products display innovative ideas and a deep knowledge of what the channel needs. Congratulations to all the winners!”

More details on all winners will be provided in upcoming issues of Residential Systems and TWICE.

Residential Systems 2018 CEDIA Expo Best of Show Winners

Atlona
Opus Series 4K HDR HDMI to HDBaseT Matrix Switchers

Channel Vision Technology
Amp-Servant

D-Tools, Inc.
Cloud

DISH Network LLC
Hopper 3 with Google Assistant Integration

ELAN
ELAN Surveillance Series

FIBBR
FIBBR Crystal Active Fiber Optic HDMI Cable

Fractal Mob
Modus VR

HARMAN
JBL L100 Classic

Hisense
4K Ultra HD Smart Laser TV

Inneos
Real4K Optical Extender

Just Add Power
509 POE Daisy-Chain Receiver

Kaleidescape
Kaleidescape Strato S Movie Player

Klipsch
Klipsch C-Series Subwoofer

Klipsch
Klipsch Heritage Theater Bar

Kohler
KOHLER Verdera Voice Mirror with Amazon Alexa

LG Electronics, Inc.
LG CineBeam Laser 4K Projector (HU80KA)

Lutron Electronics
Palladiom Shading System

Metra Home Theater Group
HDM-GA2 Gigabit Accelerator

Middle Atlantic Products
High Power DC Power Distribution

NOON Home
The NOON Home Smart Lighting System

One Firefly
Review Champ

Portal
Portal.io

ProVideoInstruments
ProVideoInstruments VeCASTER

RTI
RTiQ

Samsung
Samsung Q900 8K TV

Savant
Savant Central Management/Savant Studio

Sonnen, Inc.
Energy Automation with ecoLinx

Sound United
Denon AVR-X8500H

Theory Audio Design
ALC-1809B Amplified Loudspeaker Controller

Topsail Strategies
LeakSmart

Vanco International
Spot for Dot In-Wall Amplifier by Vanco International

Yamaha Corporation of America
AVENTAGE CX-A5200 AV Preamplifier

TWICE 2018 CEDIA Expo Best of Show Winners

Hisense
4K Ultra HD Smart Laser TV

Klipsch
Klipsch Heritage Theater Bar

LG Electronics, Inc.
77-inch LG OLED C8 TV - 4K HDR Smart TV with AI ThinQ (77C8)

ProVideoInstruments
ProVideoInstruments MiniMod-2

Samsung
The Wall

Samsung
Samsung Q900 8K TV

Sony
Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K HDR Home Cinema Projector

Sony
Sony Master Series 4K A9F OLED TV

Sound United
Polk Audio Command Bar

URC (Universal Remote Control)
MRX-30

Wall-Smart
Flush wall mount for Lutron in tiles

Women in Consumer Technology (WiCT) celebrated its 10 anniversary with a luncheon at CEDIA Expo 2018. Over 300 supporters gathered at the San Diego Convention Center to celebrate, network, and listen to musician Lisa Loeb perform and discuss her experiences as a woman in the audio business.

“In the last 10 years, we have seen a boom in consumer technology and the role women have played in its development,” said Carol Campbell, founder, WiCT. “I’m proud of the legacy this group of women is creating—from technological innovations to empowering other women. Women in Consumer Technology is leaving its mark on the industry as evidences by the number of people celebrating our anniversary at this luncheon.”

Loeb, a 2018 Grammy award winner, performed three songs including her perennial hit “Stay”. When asked about the importance of supporting WiCT, Loeb said “Women have a lot of attention to detail and can balance out all the Q&As that you can come up with about tech. Different types of people—if they’re well represented—can create technology for the future.”

2018 GRAMMY award winner Lisa Loeb performed at the Women in Consumer Technology Luncheon at CEDIA Expo 2018. Here are five takeaways from her.

1. Being a Woman in Music and Tech

“It’s really important…that we do what we’re interested in and what we’re excited about. As people who are in [the tech and music] fields, it’s important to not only do what we love doing, but definitely to not only encourage kids to show them what we do and what it’s about. That creates that interest.”

2. The Importance of the Pro Industry

“I know people are out there making beautiful content, whether it’s something visual or something audio. It’s important to have it translated to us in the best way possible.”

3. Advice for the Younger Generation

“Speak up for yourself. I feel like the people who have succeeded the most in life and have been the happiest in life do the things that are important to them. You can learn anything through the eyes of what you love. I think we always get sidetracked trying to do the right thing. Don’t do the right thing—do what you want and you’ll be fine.”

4. Generation Instant

“We used to have to get in the car and drive and save up money to buy an album to listen to a song. Our kids are very instant. In the kitchen: ‘Alexa, play Meghan Trainer.’ The part I’m most concerned with is that in the quickness they’re able to get the song, they want to change the song really quickly. Sometimes they won’t listen all the way through the song. So my husband and I have a rule where if you choose it, you listen to it. Just like all rules, they aren’t always listened to. But that’s something that’s really important to us. We feel like it’s not good for your brain to just switch to the next thing."

“I think it’s exciting that they can listen to anything. They go from a classical song to a 21 Pilots song. I learn about music a lot from them. To have so much access to so much music is amazing, I just think we need to keep them on track as far as concentration and sticking with it. I hope they continue to share music.”

5. Sharing Music

“In the industry, we have a big issue with people getting music for free, with musicians not getting paid as many royalties. It’s hard for musicians to make a living, so I don’t know how much music will still be out there if we don’t fix that. But a large group of us working with changing legislation so musicians and engineers and producers and songwriter get paid better.”

The What: Just Add Power (J+P) will demonstrate its new Just OS firmware ecosystem at CEDIA 2018, Sept. 6-8, at the San Diego Convention Center in Booth 5344.

The What Else: Just OS was developed with the REST API, a standard in IoT solution design, ensuring a future-proof platform that can communicate with intelligent technologies on the horizon. The ecosystem comprises J+P's Plug-Play-Present (PPP) logic control, the Switch Please web application, and the latest switching innovation from the company, Every Switch Supported (ESS).

The new ESS firmware solves the installation hurdle of building complex 4K video matrixes on an unsegregated network. Using ESS, integrators can now build any size of matrix on the existing network without upgrading the switches to accommodate the additional use of network resources. As a result, integrators can better manage the build time and costs of projects with 4K HDMI distribution requirements. The advanced solution is the result of more than 10 years of research and innovation from the engineers at J+P.

The new Just OS ecosystem also supports J+P's PPP logic control, which enables intuitive and reliable connection and switching of sources. Users simply connect any source to any HDMI or VGA transmitter, and the transmitter does all the work. The device allows integrators to create a scene based on video being present. It can power devices on and off and communicate with network devices. The transmitter can send CEC, IR, IP, or RS-232 commands to a single screen, multiple screens, or the network switch with simple conditional statements to make control possible without the additional expense of an outboard control system.

Just OS also drives J+P's Switch Please web application, which allows matrix switching of any J+P device from any web browser and is optimized for both desktop or mobile device access. The system eases setup by dynamically generating control options based on the switch configuration of the installation. Once installed, Switch Please gives installers and end-users the ability to use the Image Pull feature for live video preview, custom name sources and displays, and show/hide displays and sources on the app interface.

The Bottom Line: Just OS is free to download and works on all 2G and 3G products, continuing to add value to systems even years after their initial installation.

First there was working in the company office. Then there was working in your home office. Then there was Starbucks and the rise of the “third space.” Now the three are merging in the growing trend of resimercial design. -–Work Design Magazine, February 2018 Issue

CEDIA 2018 Product Roundup

If your hometown is anything like mine, chances are you have a ton of new business developments going on around you. Office buildings are nothing new, but this time around there’s a big shift happening. Yesterday’s suburban corporate office parks drove workers home, giving rise the teleworking boom of the early 2000’s. Since the Great Recovery began in 2009, a new trend is emerging in warehouse districts, downtown areas, and suburban mixed-use developments as workers flock back to the office. Mix in the largest generation of young workers and voila!, witness the birth of a new design trend. Resimercial is exactly what it sounds like – a blend of residential amenities woven into office design. It is commercial combined with a home’s casual, comfortable aesthetic. Who better to help this new generation of office properties get their technology solutions in line than the residential CI channel?

Imagine a new type of client who uses your services only during normal business hours and isn’t going DIY anytime soon.

Let’s first take a look at the key characteristics of a resimercial office environment:

• Comfortable & Collaborative: Think open workspaces, opportunities for relaxation, playtime, and socialization. Many new resimercial offices have ping pong tables, beer taps, and large conference rooms.
• Open Floor Plans: In resimercial, dedicated offices take a backseat to huddle spaces, phone booths, family tables, and large gathering spaces.
• Meeting Spaces Rule: Good resimercial offices feature well-designed conference rooms and huddle spaces that offer up opportunities for face-to-face collaboration or virtual meetings.

You already understand residential custom installation inside and out. Your company is used to fielding calls from clients all hours of the day, with immediate response times expected. Imagine a new type of client who uses your services only during normal business hours and isn’t going DIY anytime soon. Does it sound too good to be true? Let’s look at a few key areas where your residential CI business could easily capitalize on the new resimercial trend. Like any good business idea, finding the pain points that your new commercial clients are experiencing is a good start. Here are a few to consider:

1. BYOD: Employees are increasingly using devices like iPhones and iPads exclusively without needing traditional computers and laptops. Help your new business customers cater to their workers by leaning on your residential experience. Getting a small office online and managing their basic technology needs should be a walk in the park after managing the always-on needs of your high-net-worth clients and their families. If you’re uncomfortable with IT, partner with a local IT company and refer business back and forth.
2. Echo Chambers: Open floor plans mean acoustic challenges that need to be proactively solved. Imagine becoming a trusted advisor to a local architecture or interior design firm by offering to help engineer the noise management and audio systems. Help write the specification, bid the job, and win the business!
3. Easy Is HARD: If you’ve ever gone into a traditional conference room and tried to use the technology without some instruction first, you know what I mean. Imagine taking your residential experience into the conference room environment and leveraging control system platforms that deliver an intuitive user experience. “Don’t Make Me Think” should be the rule of thumb here, and you have a huge leg up on your commercial integrator counterparts who seem just fine with the status quo.
4. Hide The Technology: You already know how to conceal technology into furniture while hiding cables and clutter. The resimercial movement is a perfect way to practice your artistry throughout the office using technologies such as art and mirror TVs, hidden screens, and projector lifts. Walk into any office building today to see what traditional commercial integrators are up to. It sure isn’t focusing on aesthetics and hidden installation.
5. Workers Need WiFi: Just like your residential clients, workers need WiFi everywhere throughout the office. From the bar to the foosball table, there better not be any dead spots. Leverage your residential experience here by offering up design services to specifiers, ensuring 100 percent wall-to-wall coverage.
6. Service & Support: Businesses expect to have their technology perform properly at all times. Failure to provide great service here could mean huge dollar losses for your clients. Consider offering 24/7 proactive support as part of your sales strategy by delivering it yourself or partnering with a remote managed services provider such as OneVision or Parasol [the author is a co-founder of Parasol].

If your residential CI business is looking for new streams of revenue to offset the Internet of Things DIY wave in the low and middle segments of the market, consider resimercial a sound business decision. Margins are a little lower than the residential world; instead of 40+ point selling margins, expect to see 35-37 points depending on what part of the country you’re in. Balance those margins with the size of the commercial market available and you’ll be able to cherry pick the best projects to augment your residential business. It’s easy to get started, and chances are many of your clients are business owners or C-level executives anyway. Why not tell them to “bring you to work”?

Stay frosty and see you in the field.

The What: Construction Monitor has released a nationwide real-time building permit mapping application.

The What Else: The application, called Permit Insights, maps millions of building and solar permits nationwide in the U.S. It is accessible to Construction Monitor clients that choose to add-on the new product through their website and also via mobile phones and tablets. The first version of the product went live on Oct. 1, 2017.

Permit Insights is an application designed by Construction Monitor's analytics partner to automatically pull in data collected by Construction Monitor. Points on the map are plotted, sometimes to near exact precision, to street addresses throughout the United States. Clients are able to choose locations, construction types, dates, valuations, contractor names, and more to filter from. Then, through the user interface, clients can zoom to exact locations on the map. This empowers their sales staff and estimators to better plan their days, and, when they're out in the field, see other opportunities near them. Many of Construction Monitor's clients employ outside sales staff who are responsible for visiting their clients in person.

The Bottom Line: Construction Monitor offers free trials of its services, and recently added the ability for potential clients to gain access to the new Permit Insights application.

The company will showcase the tool, which visually displays where all new homes, remodels, and commercial properties will be built, at CEDIA 2018 booth 2800.

We’ve all heard it—pro AV has lost its status as trendsetter in the electronics industry. In the era of BYOD, end users are demanding that the technology they use in the boardroom or even the auditorium be as simple as their home user experience.

At the CEDIA Expo—taking place September 6–8 at the San Diego Convention Center—there will be plenty of residential trends that will leak over into the professional arena. And with residential installers moving more and more into the commercial AV space, manufacturers will also be showcasing what they call “light commercial” AV products. Here’s a roundup of what’s on deck for the show.

Atlona Opus Series

Atlona’s new Opus series comprises three HDMI-to-HDBaseT matrix switchers and one receiver for high-performance 4K HDR signal distribution and extension. Opus is engineered with a comprehensive range of control system integration and audio matrixing features, making it ideal for small-to-medium-sized residential and commercial applications requiring multi-zone AV distribution.

CEDIA Booth #: 3015

Middle Atlantic Products High Power DC Distribution

The newly expanded DC Power Distribution line increases output power up to 300W in 1RU for NA and EU residential and commercial applications. This high-power line can deliver 5, 12, and 24V to an industry-leading number of outlets, eliminating clutter caused by power supplies attached to the growing number of small devices.

Booth #: 4301

Rose Electronics VideoSplitter HDMI 4K60

The VideoSplitter HDMI 4K60 distributes a single HDMI 4K video source across multiple HDMI/DVI displays. The product is available in two-, four-, and eight-port output models. Designed for meeting room presentations or anywhere a 4K video signal needs to be distributed across multiple monitors, these devices can be cascaded together for a greater number of output displays. Audio support includes Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, and Dolby TrueHD audio.

CEDIA Booth #: 5344

Peerless-AV 86-Inch UltraView UHD Outdoor TV

All-weather rated and maintenance-free, Peerless-AV’s new 86-inch UltraView UHD Outdoor TV offers 4K resolution and an expanded input compartment and DC power ports. With a high TNI and IPS panel, the TV thrives in all conditions and sun positioning, without the risk of isotropic blackout or loss of color accuracy. Also available in 49, 55, and 65 inches, the new 86-inch version will be on display at CEDIA.

CEDIA Booth #: 4615

Just Add Power VBS-HDIP-3G 509POE Daisy Chain PoE Receiver

Just Add Power (J+P) has released its new VBS-HDIP-3G 509POE Daisy Chain Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) receiver—the latest in the company's 3G Series. It distributes Ultra HD and 4K video over a single Cat-5e cable without the need for fiber. With the onboard pass-through network port, any PoE device can be connected—a network soundbar, IPTV control, or a single display location can be expanded into a video wall. The receiver also easily expands the number of PoE devices that can be added to the system by connecting a PoE switch to the port.

CEDIA Booth #: 5344

Ready to learn more about CEDIA? https://www.residentialsystems.com/tag/cedia-2018

MSE Audio Outdoor Smart Amplifier

According to MSE Audio, this is the industry’s first outdoor smart amplifier. With onboard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality, the OS-440 can wirelessly connect to an existing network and function as a Google Chromecast device, interface with DLNA servers, and provide multi-zone control. In addition, users have the option to hardwire a source for analog and digital outputs. Featuring IP55 certification, the OS-440 is entirely weatherproof, allowing it to live outside—creating a new level of freedom for outdoor audio design.

CEDIA Booth #: 5313

Severtson Motorized Electric Floor Projection Screens

Severtson Screens has launched its Motorized Electric Floor Projection Screens. Available now, the new custom line is available in four of Severtson’s signature projection surfaces and seven sizes (92- to 150-inches diagonal), or additional custom options up to 180 inches diagonal. The screens feature a 16:9 HDTV aspect ratio, a tab tensioning system, and a limited two-year warranty; they are designed for use in home theaters, houses of worship, sport bars, conference rooms, and more.

CEDIA Booth #: 5344

Vanco Evolution EVO-IP HDMI over IP System

Vanco’s EVO-IP HDMI over IP system provides installers the ability to manage, transmit, and receive audio/video signals and control hundreds of devices over a local network. The EVO-IP HDMI over IP system transmits virtually lossless 4K60, 4:4:4, HDR, HDCP 2.2 video, audio, and IR/RS-232 control as a point-to-point, splitter, switch, matrix, and/or video wall solution. The EVO-IP control box allows for system integration with Amazon Alexa, expanding installers’ possibilities to include voice control commands.

CEDIA Booth #: 2017

Read the 2018 CEDIA Daily VIP Edition.

Somfy SDN PoE Gateway

Somfy Systems’s SDN Power over Ethernet (PoE) Gateway is a low-voltage power distribution and network-connected module that utilizes 60-watt PoE technology to power and control the Somfy 24V RS485 motorization for interior shades and draperies. Easy to connect and disconnect with daisy-chain capability, the device also supports both Somfy Synergy API and CoAP Digital Building API. Compatible with the Molex Transcend Control System, the SDN PoE Gateway distributes power and data to Somfy-powered shade and drapery motors.

CEDIA Booth #: 5344

Meural Canvas

The Meural Canvas brings the world of art to homes and walls across the globe in a single Wi-Fi connected digital smart art frame. The Meural platform, consisting of the flagship Meural Canvas and limitless art library is great for displaying art in environments of all styles and spaces of all sizes. For those with limited wall space, a Meural allows users to enjoy many works of art while mixing and matching Meural's art library with their own photography. In an office or public space, integrators can create a dynamic environment to delight visitors.

CEDIA Booth #: 1216

Control4 Intercom Anywhere

Control4 Intercom Anywhere, a new app for iOS and Android mobile devices, allows homeowners to receive video intercom calls from a Control4 Door Station—enabling them to see and communicate with visitors at the front door or gate, whether they’re home or away. In addition, homeowners will see who’s at the door prior to answering the call, and can simultaneously activate a home scene such as turning on lights, opening the gate, or unlocking the door or garage in response to who has arrived. Homeowners can also quickly activate alerts such as sounding an alarm, locking all doors, or turning on all interior and exterior lighting for additional safety measures.

CEDIA Booth #: 5120

For more CEDIA 2018 coverage, visit residentialsystems.com.

The What: RTI’s integration designer APEX 10.4 is now available for download.

The What Else: With layers, Integration Designer APEX 10.4 allows programmers to manage complex layouts with ease by isolating changes to specific areas of the GUI. With shared layers, any edits made on one page are automatically implemented globally. Viewports add even more versatility to RTiPanel devices by providing sections of the screen that can be swiped through without impacting other graphics on the page. Another huge time saver is the source bundle capability, which allows integrators to export fully developed interfaces for reuse in existing or future projects.

By providing access to the RTiQ cloud-based remote management solution, Integration Designer APEX 10.4 allows integrators to intelligently monitor their clients' systems and receive alerts via email and text messages when a problem occurs. They can then remotely trigger custom actions and reset devices.

The Bottom Line: The latest version of the Windows-based programming platform introduces a variety of new time-saving features for integrators—including layers, viewports, and source bundles—in addition to support for the new RTiQ intelligent remote monitoring solution.

The programming software will be on display in RTI's Booth 2627 at CEDIA Expo 2018, taking place Sept. 6-8 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Women in Consumer Technology (WiCT) is scheduled to present a TechTalk panel discussion titled, "The Impact of Technology on Lifestyle Design," on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 12-12:45 p.m. on the Smart Stage at CEDIA 2018. CEDIA's TechTalk is a series of inspiring and educational talks from connected technology experts sharing insights into what the future holds for the custom integration industry.

The panel discussion will be hosted by Toni Sabatino, Manhattan's National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) chapter president. Panelists include Melissa Andresko, communications director—public relations, Lutron Electronics; Dawn DeLuca, founder and principal, Dawn DeLuca On Design; and Heather Sidorowicz, owner and technologist, Southtown Audio Video.

"Home designers need to be educated about the value a technology professional can add as part of their team and create key partnerships to produce the best results for clients," said Sabatino. "This discussion is the perfect opportunity to inform and inspire those on the technology side and show how we can best work together to create the ultimate environment for our clients' lifestyles."

15 Things You Can't Miss at CEDIA 2018

The session will discuss how home automation and intelligent environments have come a long way from the AV systems of home theaters. The panelists will explore everything from the evolution of lighting integration, network-enabled thermostats, and home security systems to the bold new world of kitchen and bath integration with cameras built into major appliances to let people see, for example, what's in their refrigerator while they're are at the market, as well as self-diagnosing appliances that will schedule service for you. The discussion will answer how those things are incorporated into the design side and how design and installation professionals can work together to meet their clients' expectations in the new smart world.

"We are delighted that CEDIA turned to WiCT to facilitate a conversation on the impact technology has on the design/build community," said Carol Campbell, founder, WiCT. "Ultimately, it is our job to collaborate to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers, and as environments become more complex, these partnerships will be invaluable."

I’m in a glass case of emotions…because I’m so excited for CEDIA 2018. This year’s show—held September 4-8 in San Diego—will be very different for me. It’s the first time I’ll attend as a non-exhibitor. It will also be the first time I attend looking at everything from a strongly commercial AV viewpoint.

Get a sneak peek of what exhibitors are showcasing at CEDIA.

While it hasn’t made it to Webster’s Dictionary yet, resimercial has become a popular term amongst #AVTweeps. Worlds are colliding, things are merging, everybody’s joining in the BYOD party.

My favorite thing about residential AV is voice control everywhere. I love walking into my house and telling Alexa to turn on the lights, or sitting at my desk and saying out loud “Play The Killers” and the music just starts. There’s no stress or fussing with a million different devices. It’s an easy experience, and things just simply work.

The other thing I really enjoy about residential AV is the beauty of it all. Things are designed to be elegant and fit in with my décor. At the same time, those products still function well. Pro AV manufacturers have already started taking a page from this playbook, but many are not there yet. I’m ready to enjoy looking at audiovisual equipment just as much as I enjoy looking at a piece of artwork. If it’s going to be front and center in the room—whether it’s a living room or a conference room—it might as well be pretty.

So as the residential AV market creeps into our sphere (or we creep into theirs, depending on how you see it), what are you doing to make a beautiful blend of both worlds?

Residential Systems is set to host a "15 Things You Can't Miss at CEDIA" webinar on Friday, August 24 at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will be a deep dive into new technologies that attendees will see at CEDIA 2018 in San Diego, CA.

"This free webinar will offer custom installers an insightful and candid preview of key products to watch for as they peruse the show," said Anthony Savona, content director, Residential Systems. "Getting to sneak a look behind the curtain at this year's CEDIA Expo is one of the biggest perks of working in the media—I'm excited to share this perk with webinar attendees."

To learn more about this free webinar, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2759371056638510595

Just Add Power will continue to build a platform that is unconstrained from traditional matrix, format, and switching complexities at CEDIA 2018, At the show, J+P will demonstrate its new 3G Ultra HD over IP Series Daisy Chain Receiver and launch Just OS, its family of firmware and app-based solutions for control and management of video distribution on any network. Just OS will feature the company's latest firmware update, Every Switch Supported (ESS), which provides switching capability to make integration even easier., according to the company

The company is also hosting two trainings during the show, and a special CEDIA celebration on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at House of Blues San Diego.

"Every year, as video sources and display locations increase, video distribution becomes more complex and expensive using traditional matrix and custom cable options," said Taft Stricklin, sales team manager, J+P. "Just Add Power is committed to making the distribution chain simpler by utilizing the power of the network. What we're doing at CEDIA this year will allow integrators to build an unconstrained video distribution system easily in up to 4K quality for every application and budget."

At the show, J+P will display the new VBS-HDIP-3G 509POE Daisy Chain Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) receiver—the latest in the company's 3G Series. It distributes Ultra HD and 4K video over a single Cat-5e cable without the need for fiber. With the onboard pass-through network port, any PoE device can be connected—a network soundbar, IPTV control, or a single display location can be expanded into a video wall. The receiver also easily expands the number of PoE devices that can be added to the system by connecting a PoE switch to the port.

J+P will also demonstrate its new Just OS family of firmware, built from the ground up with the Representational State Transfer (REST) application programming interface (API), which is widely used in IoT application development. The REST API was chosen for its ability to scale installations almost infinitely, and since it is based around network and web services, it makes integration even easier. With this launch, it enables J+P's ESS capabilities, which were developed to allow integrators to build any size 4K matrix on an existing network without having to change switches. It also brings together J+P's Switch Please and Plug-Play-Present solutions under one umbrella.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend two manufacturer product training sessions at the show to learn more about J+P's solutions. In each session J+P will walk attendees through the product history and best practices for designing, managing, and scaling video distribution for residential installations of any size. Session 1 will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2-3:30 p.m. in Room 1B, and Session 2 will be held Thursday, Sept. 6, 2-3:30 p.m. in Room 8.

Each day during CEDIA 2018, J+P will give away one of three Brian May BMG Special Guitars in booth 5344. To win, entrants must visit the booth to enter and be present during the daily 3 p.m. drawing. For each guitar given away, Guitars for Vets (G4V) will donate an acoustic guitar and a year’s worth of lessons to a veteran of the U.S. Armed Services.

Finally, to celebrate CEDIA for the second year in a row, J+P will roll out the red carpet with an invitation to party with Queen Nation, the world’s premiere Queen cover band, Sept. 7 at the House of Blues San Diego, with doors opening at 7 p.m. The party is co-sponsored by Peerless-AV and Luxul, and attendees can get tickets by stopping by J+Ps booth 5344.

RTI, a control and automation manufacturer for residential and commercial settings, announced its product lineup for CEDIA Expo 2018, taking place Sept. 6-8 at the San Diego Convention Center. In Booth 2627, the company will be showcasing its new RTiQ intelligent remote monitoring solution, AV distribution solutions including the Miravue VIP-1 video-over-IP system, and the latest version of RTI's Integration Designer APEX programming software. In addition, the company will introduce its new RTiXcel learning management system (LMS) for dealer training and exhibit its complete lineup of advanced processors and controllers.

"Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary by delivering products, software, and services that our dealer and distributor partners were telling us they needed," said RTI CEO Ed McConaghay. "The response has been amazing, but we're just getting started. Our Integration Designer APEX programming software continues to evolve as we add even more time-saving features. For instance, a recent addition is RTiQ, a monitoring solution that not only notifies our dealers of issues but also allows them to resolve them remotely. This year we also released powerful new processors and a complete line of AV distribution products, and we acquired Miravue, our new video-over-IP system. With all of these solutions on display, along with more exciting product and service announcements, CEDIA is going to be a great show."

A complete remote management solution for RTI systems, the cloud-based RTiQ can be configured to monitor any component controlled by an RTI XP control processor. Dealers can monitor the status of these devices via a dashboard from anywhere in the world and receive email and text notifications that alert them if a failure occurs. Once alerted, the dashboard helps identify the cause of the issue and allows custom actions to be triggered to restore the failed system or component. RTiQ is free to RTI dealers and is available on both Integration Designer 9.x and APEX.

RTI's line of AV distribution products includes HDMI, HDBaseT, and modular video matrix switches that deliver reliable, high-quality 4K video throughout an installation. In addition, a range of extenders, splitters, and wall plates are available to meet the unique needs of every installation.

The Miravue VIP-1 video-over-IP transceiver acts as a transmitter and receiver in one versatile device. Reducing cabling and installation time, the system enables powerful, scalable AV distribution over wired and wireless ethernet networking with ultra-low latency. In addition, network video streams from IP cameras may be viewed without the need for additional equipment.

Visitors to RTI's booth will also see the latest version of the company's Integration Designer APEX programming software, the biggest leap forward since its release last year. The new software allows integrators to take advantage of the RTiQ remote management and the VIP-1 video-over-IP system and includes a range of features to make programming even easier and more efficient. These include support for layers and shared layers to manage complex layouts, viewports for RTiPanel devices that can be swiped through, source bundles that allow integrators to export fully developed interfaces for reuse in any project, and more.

While live training events for RTI have been getting record attendance this year, at CEDIA Expo 2018, RTI will introduce dealers to its new state-of-the-art online learning management system (LMS), named RTiXcel. Designed to provide an end-to-end curriculum, complete with testing and certificates, RTiXcel allows dealers to learn more effectively online and at their own pace. The system offers a host of content designed to engage dealers, including virtual walkthroughs, troubleshooting steps, interactive installation guides, and more.

RTI's complete offering of handheld remote controls, touchpanels, and keypads will also be on exhibit. Control processors on display will include the XP-6s with a rack-mountable design and the XP-8v, featuring an HDMI output to enable a customizable on-screen display (OSD) control interface.

On Friday, Sept. 7, RTI will host four training sessions in Room 2. "Explore the RTI Product and Software Ecosystem" will be held 9-10:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., while "Flexibility & Simplicity — Unlock the Power of Integration Designer Apex" will take place 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. Attendees can sign up to attend these free manufacturer training courses by registering here.

Women in Consumer Technology will host Lisa Loeb during the group's 10th annual CEDIA Luncheon event. Held Sept. 7 in Ballroom 6A of the San Diego Convention Center, attendees will be treated to music and conversation with the musician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Doors open for networking at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation concludes at 1:00 p.m.

"As women in this industry, it's incredibly important that we take the time to gather, exchange dialogue, and be real-world examples of leadership," said Carol Campbell, founder of Women in CT. "CEDIA is a great backdrop to do exactly that, and this year's luncheon is an incredible opportunity to hear from Lisa and how she's leaving her mark."

Loeb is best recognized from the platinum-selling number one hit song "Stay (I Missed You)" from the 1994 film "Reality Bites." Since then, she has enjoyed a successful career in music, film, television, voice-over work, and children's recordings. In addition to raising two children in Los Angeles, she stays busy working on her growing eyewear line, her music for adults as well as books and CDs for kids and families.

More information and registration for the WiCT luncheon is available at www.womeninconsumertechnology.org.