Residential System articles from February 2008
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total articles
Residential System articles from February 2008
My home theater.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008 ... My topic this month should be the slowing economy and the effect that it is having on the custom installation business. Instead, I'll save that discussion for my one-on-one conversations at CEDIA Management Conference later this month, turning instead to the inspiring news that the...
Harman Specialty Group restructures operations.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... BEDFORD, MA -- The Harman Specialty Group (HSG) has revealed that it will restructure its brands to, according to the company, "better serve its customers' needs and to leverage the depth of talent and resources that exist throughout Harman International." The transition will be carried out...
CEDIA expands key brand initiative.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- CEDIA is expanding one of its key referral business and consumer brand-building initiatives--Electronic Lifestyles magazine--by producing and distributing two complete issues of the high-quality publication this year. According to CEDIA executive director Don Gilpin, the...
Linear LLC unifies brand.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... CARLSBAD, CA -- Linear LLC has launched a new consolidated brand initiative. Effective immediately, all of the company's products will be offered under a single Linear label with the positioning strategy, "Building on Innovation."
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
For more than a decade,...
Runco, Planar awards honor loyalty and best dealer sales.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... NEW YORK, NY -- In late March, at the Melia Cabo Real Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, officials from Runco and Planar will welcome Runco's top dealers and sales reps. This annual event will honor the best-performing Runco dealers in categories such as "Best New Dealer" and "Largest Sales...
D&H; distributing celebrates 90 years, new co-presidents.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... HARRISBURG, PA -- Despite the popularity of chain stores and automated customer service, modern consumers crave old-world reliability and retailer partners they trust. Pennsylvania-based D&H Distributing believes it lives that ideal, and can prove it with 90 years of continued growth. Begun...
NHT moves to employee-owned model.(NEWS)
February 1, 2008 ... BENICIA, CA -- Specialty loudspeaker manufacturer, NHT, is moving toward a model its cofounder, Chris Byrne, has always wanted. Beginning this month, the 21-year old company will be lead by Byrne, John Johnson, and industry newcomer, Tom Pyle, after a management buyout of the company's...
Samsung leads the way in consumer LCD sales.(MONTHLY STATS)
February 1, 2008 ...
SAMSUNG LEADS THE WAY IN CONSUMER LCD SALES
In an exclusive arrangement with Pacific Media Associates
(www.pacificmediaassociates.com), Residential Systems
provides monthly top-5 sellers in video categories,
such as plasma and LCD flat panels, and rear-projection
and front...
StJohn Group updates its product mix.(MARKET STRATEGIES)
February 1, 2008 ... StJohn Group, founded in early 2000, is a value-added distributor for design-centric home theater brands run by Kevin Leja and John Caldwell. In recent months, the group has added its first projector (CineVersum) line and replaces a screen line from the French-owned Screen Research, which...
Demo material for the whole family.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
February 1, 2008 ... If you're looking for a demo DVD that is appropriate for all members of the family, then DVD International has the answer with its Ultimate Pandas documentary. Created by Mill Reef Productions in association with the children's education nonprofit, GLOBIO, Ultimate Pandasis a new kind of...
RCA converter certified.(IN SHORT)
February 1, 2008 ... LAS VEGAS, NV -- RCA's DTA800 has been certified by the Department of Commerce as eligible for the coupon program, which allows consumers to use requested $40 government-issued coupons to buy the digital TV converter. The RCA DTA800 joins the list converter boxes that fully meet the...
Samsung, Macrovision partner on set-top boxes.(IN SHORT)
February 1, 2008 ... SANTA CLARA, CA -- Samsung Electronics and Macrovision are bringing together their technologies to create next-generation set-top boxes with the capability of downloading, finding and managing digital content seamlessly throughout the home. The Macrovision Connected Platform will enable...
Richard Gray's Power Company.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Richard Gray's Power Company has promoted Rick Komendera to president. Komendera, who joined RGPC in 2003, will take over for RGPC cofounder Dick McCarthy, who will continue an active advisory role as CEO, with Komendera handling day-to-day operations.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Digital Delivery Group.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Digital Delivery Group has elected Frank Anderson to its board of directors. Anderson is the director of operations for AV Products, DDG's southern California partner.
Harman International Industries.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Harman International Industries has expanded the role of Blake Augsburger, president and CEO of the Harman Pro Group. He now assumes the newly created position of country manager, Harman USA, where he is responsible for the management of support functions that cross divisional and business...
The B&W; Groups.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... The B&W Group's Peter Wellikoff has retired as president after 12 years with the company. During his tenure, Wellikoff was responsible for the successful organizational growth and development of the Bowers & Wilkins, Classe Audio, and Rotel brands in North America.
The EDGE Distributors Group.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... The EDGE Distributors Group has voted in Mike Hench as president for another two-year term with Brett Neiderman appointed as vice president for the next two years.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
SIM2.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... SIM2 has hired Charles Boornazian as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Boornazian will work with SIM2 regional managers and the sales force throughout the U.S., to increase brand awareness and market share while fostering the company's new Partnership Promise program.
...
Mark Casavant, former vice president of business development for Klipsch Group, has been promoted to two new positions.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Mark Casavant, former vice president of business development for Klipsch Group, has been promoted to two new positions: vice president of product development for Klipsch and Jamo brand architectural loudspeakers and vice president of product development for Mirage and Energy brands.
Monster.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Andy Regan, former senior VP of sales and marketing for NHT, has joined Monster as senior market area manager. He will focus on high-end specialty dealers, and further developing the Monster THX loudspeaker program.
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Da-Lite Screen Company.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Adam Armstrong has been named architectural specialist at the Da-Lite Screen Company. The newly created position within the company's sales organization will have Armstrong responsible for providing project-oriented sales support to Da-Lite's North American sales consultants.
...
Brian Mungo.(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Brian Mungo joins Premier Mounts' sales team as north central district sales manager. His experience ranges from field sales account manager to manufacturer's representative.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA).(CAREER TRACK ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Grant Mydland has been selected as executive director for the Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) and will oversee day-to-day operations. His responsibilities include strategic planning and business development, and moving the current operations from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to...
Niles Audio.(CAREER TRACKS ...)
February 1, 2008 ... Niles Audio has appointed Gary Blouse as its director of product training. A ten-year industry veteran, Blouse will kick off Niles' new education programs designed to support the 90 new products the company has introduced into the market.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
eSommelier has added Reignmaker Global Group as its new business development partner in several territories, including Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona.
February 1, 2008 ... eSommelier has added Reignmaker Global Group as its new business development partner in several territories, including Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona. Reignmaker will also be responsible for introducing eSommelier products and services to its stable of high-end dealers...
Crestron.
February 1, 2008 ... Crestron has joined the U.S. Green Building Council, the organization responsible for creating the LEED Green Building Rating System.
Amimon.
February 1, 2008 ... Amimon recently learned that its Wireless High-definition Interface (WHDI) solution has been approved for use with digital content protected by the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) specification.
Screen Research has signed In Tandem Canada to handle national sales for its line of projector screens in the Canadian market.
February 1, 2008 ... Screen Research has signed In Tandem Canada to handle national sales for its line of projector screens in the Canadian market. Screen Research, based in Nantes, France, recently launched a North American subsidiary based in Livermore, CA.
Color Brightness.
February 1, 2008 ... Leading projector manufacturers and technology providers have united to endorse a new international specification, Color Brightness, that will allow users to evaluate the color performance of digital projectors to ensure that they deliver the most impact and the greatest effect.
British loudspeaker manufacturer KEF, will serve as a distributor of Musical Fidelity Audio products.
February 1, 2008 ... British loudspeaker manufacturer KEF, will serve as a distributor of Musical Fidelity Audio products in North, Central, and South America.
Capitol Sales Company.
February 1, 2008 ... Capitol Sales Company has installed a new shipping roller system, tripling the daily processing capacity in its customer shipping.
D&H; Distributing has signed an agreement to carry ATON's line of audio and video signal routing products.
February 1, 2008 ... D&H Distributing has signed an agreement to carry ATON's line of audio and video signal routing products.
Auton Motorized Systems.
February 1, 2008 ... Auton Motorized Systems has published installation manuals for its automated lifts on its website, www.auton.com.
CustomTrack.
February 1, 2008 ... Web-based AV custom job tracking software, CustomTrack, has issued version 1.0.1 of its software.
Panamax/Furman Sound has partnered with the Home Entertainment Source.
February 1, 2008 ... Panamax/Furman Sound has partnered with the Home Entertainment Source, a group of specialty consumer electronics independent dealers with 500 members nationwide.
Giving technology a lift: the driving force behind family-owned Lift-Tech of Valencia, California.(BEHIND THE BUSINESS: Q&A;)(Interview)
February 1, 2008 ... Lift-Tech is in its eighth year of manufacturing and selling motorized lifting devices designed for high-end audio/video installations. The company manufactures both standard and custom units to order in its facility in Valencia, California. Although the family owned and operated business...
7.1 audio, done right: more ways to ensure a full surround sound experience.(HOME THEATER)
February 1, 2008 ... In my last column, I talked about the history of multi-channel sound in the home, including Surround EX, DTS-ES, and various listening modes that expand 5.1 channels to seven speakers and a subwoofer. None of those were really 7.1, though, and the "7.1-ready" systems that you've installed...
A look in the mirror: CES 2008 was a reminder that our industry is changing. Are you?(REP BUSINESS)
February 1, 2008 ... Several years ago I read a book on diet and exercise that recommended placing a bag with eyeholes over one's head and standing in front of the mirror. The idea was that we all possess such powerful filters in our mind in how we view ourselves that the bag is the only way to see how we...
Cable matters: clearing up the confusion over HDMI 1.3.
February 1, 2008 ... Buzzwords rule in the consumer electronics world. "Flat-screen," "HDTV," and "1080p," have all been must-haves for consumers who love their AV gear and also love to up the ante with their friends and family. The most recent dance craze for gearheads is the quest for HDMI 1.3, Category 2....
And the winner is ... at CES, blue laser formats weren't the only products battling it out.
February 1, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
In the world of consumer electronics and custom installation, format battles and the discussion of "who will win" is as old as Tesla and Edison fighting the "Battle of the Currents," CBS and RCA sparring over color TV standards, Beta vs. VHS, and all the way up...
The retro perspective: custom integration for when drywall's up and new construction is down.
February 1, 2008 ... There's no denying that there's been a change in the market, and many a custom integrator is wondering whether an adjustment in tactics might be appropriate. With existing homes representing a vast and largely untapped market, many are considering or are already involved in retrofit...
A day at the beach: a seaside home in South Carolina gets the encore treatment.
February 1, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Alas, it's impossible to have command over the weather or the tides, but inside a 7,000-square-foot South Carolina beach and carriage house compound, control is both "smart" and precise, yet easy to operate for the family living there.
The three-and-a-half...
Putting it in writing: your latest project problem is likely the result of a bad contract.
February 1, 2008 ... It is your job to make your clients happy every time that they interact with you and your team. Over the past 12 months we have visited thousands of dealers just like you, and we often hear about jobs that have gone wrong. Clients are upset with the dealers, dealers are irritated at the...
Annual product guide: a survey of gear from the latest CI trade show season.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Buyers guide)
February 1, 2008 ... The 2007-08 trade show cycle reached its crescendo with last month's International CES show, which saw many CI manufacturers taking an intimate approach (i.e. hotel suites) to promoting their latest innovations to our channel. In traditional RS style, here's look at some of the new products...
TruAudio: Bad Boy in-wall speakers.(PEER PRODUCT REVIEW)
February 1, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
How do you rate the Bad Boy Series of in-wall speakers?
[For] sound quality, I give the Bad Boys a solid 8.5 out of a 10. I would give them a 10 but I believe every product and every job can be improved upon in some way. [For] appearance I give the Bad Boys an...
Triad speakers: Platinum LCR speakers.(PEER PRODUCT REVIEW)
February 1, 2008 ... How do you rate the Platinum LCR?
[I rate them a] 9.0, as there is not a 10. A 10 is just a target that we all shoot for--perfection--which we all know does not really exist. I base this on value, performance, reliability, "room friendliness", sound quality, and rock solid sound...
Air pockets: central vac systems are now doing more than sucking up dust and dirt.(TREND WATCH)
February 1, 2008 ... It would be a mistake to relegate central vacuum systems to a back alley of our many-avenues business. Don't let words like "dust" and "dirt" put you off, with quality of air and environmental issues beating a greener path into the consciousness of most consumers, central vac's status is on...
Thermal management: a painless primer on cooling electronic component racks.(TIPS & TECHNIQUES)
February 1, 2008 ... Most home theater components are designed to run in well-ventilated areas. Unfortunately, when installing several components in an enclosed area without adequate airflow, the combined heat from the various components will shorten the life and hamper the performance of many expensive...
Our environmental concerns: how integrating your client's home can help save the planet.(CEDIA LINE)
February 1, 2008 ... With every passing month, more and more is made of our impending ecological crisis: global warming, CO2 emissions, the skyrocketing price of oil and what we can all do to help. One option for new homebuilders and developers is something most people never consider (at least outside of our...
The future of high fidelity: we can help save audio quality standards in the ipod era.(THE LAST WORD)
February 1, 2008 ... A lot has changed on the technology landscape since I started writing this column in January 2000. As I move into my eighth year as an observer and commentator on the custom installation business, I want to open this new year with a look at where "high fidelity audio" now stands in our...
The marriage of form and performance: leading manufacturers offer innovative solutions to furnish and enhance the home theater environment.
February 1, 2008 ... How do you turn a regular room into a home theater? It takes more than popcorn and a movie poster.
To fully recreate the magic of the movies at home, custom systems installers are integrating high-performance audio/video equipment, and complimentary furniture and seating solutions. And,...