LATEST ADDITIONS

CEDIA 2016
Triad’s In-Ceiling Speaker Takes Aim at Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Joe Palenchar  |  Sep 14, 2016  |  First Published: Sep 15, 2016
An in-ceiling speaker from Triad Speakers uses a rotating angled baffle and aimable tweeter on a flexible arm to deliver height-channel effects with even coverage and proper imaging.
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CEDIA 2016
Klipsch Goes All The Way With DTS Play-Fi
Joe Palenchar  |  Sep 14, 2016
Klipsch Audio launched its first six wireless-multiroom audio products during CEDIA 2016, all with DTS Play-Fi multiroom technology.
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Remotely Possible
Modulus M1 Media Hub Almost Too Good to Be True
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 14, 2016
Moulus Media Systems announced a “revolutionary media hub” that’s almost too good to be true. Imagine putting a Kaleidescape server with a Roku 4, and then wrapping the combo in a TiVo DVR—and that description still doesn’t come close to describing the Modulus M1.
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Remotely Possible
iDevices Adds New HomeKit and Alexa Controllable Smart Devices
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 14, 2016
Smart home device maker, iDevices, is adding several new smart devices that include Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa integration. Unlike the other devices in the company’s lineup, the new gadgets require a more involved installation rather than being simple plug-and-play designs. The new smart devices are designed to physically replace electric outlets, light switches, and dimmers.
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CEDIA 2016
B&K Components Resurrected At CEDIA 2016
Joe Palenchar  |  Sep 14, 2016
B&K Components, a venerable component-audio brand absent from the market for around six years, staged a comeback at CEDIA 2016 under a new owner who vowed to maintain the brand’s legacy of providing “high-quality electronics at reasonable prices.”
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CEDIA 2016
Hey, Alexa! You Work with Control4 Now!
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2016
In a classic, “And just one more thing…” moment to begin the finale of its press conference today, Control4 announced that they have launched Amazon Alexa skill for voice-enabled whole-home automation control. Integration with Amazon Alexa –enabled devices including Echo, Dot, Amazon Tap, and Amazon Fire TV will enable a new Control4 Smart Home Skill allowing homeowners simple and intuitive voice control over their home systems.

"On average, our customers have over 40 connected devices in their homes that are orchestrated by Control4 and now, voice interaction with Amazon Alexa offers another convenient way to control all of them,” said Martin Plaehn, Control4 CEO. “This integration combines Control4’s automation power and extensive support for connected devices with the intuitive voice control from Amazon Alexa, reinforcing our shared vision to make life in a connected home ever-more personalized, comfortable, and hassle-free.”

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CEDIA 2016
Free Bakpak Network Support for Everyone!
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2016
During its press conference today, Control4 announced the immediate availability of Bakpak 4.0 cloud-based network management system. Bakpak enables real-time monitoring of network devices, and allows rapid response to connectivity issues, including proactive device management, allowing dealers to hopefully address and correct an issue before a user even becomes aware of it.

Bakpak had previously been available through Pakedge, a networking company acquired by Control4 last year. The product was offered on a subscription basis, but today Control announced that Bakpak 4.0 is now available completely license and subscription free. Annual subscription fees for items previously considered as “premium”, such as ISP monitoring and speed testing, have also been eliminated and are included as standard.

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CEDIA 2016
Sony Gets Ready to Play Ultra HD Blu-ray
Al Griffin  |  Sep 14, 2016
Sony only announced a few new products at its CEDIA 2016 press conference, but the ones it did roll out are significant. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the company’s first Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X1000ES.
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CEDIA 2016
Control4 Updates to OS 2.9
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2016
Control4 Updates to OS2.9 Automation company, Control4, announced an update to its operating system today, moving from 2.8.2 to version 2.9. As with previous OS updates, this not only squashed bugs in the system but also introduced a slew of new features.

Control4 announced that it features integration support for nearly 10,000 devices, and OS 2.9 will enhance that experience with a new feature called “Connects with Control4.” Control4 is heavily invested in helping dealers deliver customized smart home experiences for its customers, and one of the ways they do this is by Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) that identifies a product and loads the correct driver. Currently 185 companies are shipping over 1,500 devices enabled with Control’s and the new program will feature QR codes on products that can be quickly scanned in to automatically identify and add the correct integration driver. This now includes products from Amazon, Lutron, Nest, Somfy, and Sonos.

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CEDIA 2016
New CI-Centric AVRs From Sony at CEDIA
Rob Sabin  |  Sep 14, 2016
Following the successful launch this year of its flagship STR-ZA5000ES A/V receiver (review in the October 2016 issue of Sound & Vision), Sony plans to roll out four new ES models next year for the custom-install channel.

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