As we perused the hallowed halls of last month’s CEDIA Expo, we ran across of lot of stories – great and small. Below you will find a selection of some of the stories and photos we haven’t yet posted about, but felt you should know… (All photos can be clicked to be enlarged)
Marketing
CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) released new preliminary market data at their Expo held earlier this month – in a decidedly more optimistic presentation than in past years. Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA’s Market Research Manager, was obviously pleased with the data she was to share with the media – and she conveyed an optimism that appears to be due to the new data showing an upturn in CEDIA members’ business results.
Not only was there a business upturn, it was the second year of positive results… [Read more…] about CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?

IC Realtime, a manufacturer of video surveillance gear, showed their new IC720 remote viewing platform that can “see” a fully seamless 720º with no blind spots. It is a remarkable capability which basically opens up the whole world to be viewed remotely with the ability to look up, down, and all around and see…everything.
See more on this remarkable development… [Read more…] about How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
Dolby Demos Atmos to CEDIA Expo Press & Attendees
Dolby Labs set up a special demonstration room to give the industry press and, eventually, show attendees an opportunity to experience Dolby Atmos surround sound. The demo room was probably about as close to ideal as you can get on a noisy trade show floor. And the demo included new, special effects laden sound-fests.
So what did we think about this ‘controlled’ demonstration of Atmos? See more… [Read more…] about Dolby Demos Atmos to CEDIA Expo Press & Attendees
Burkhardt Builds Big Buzz…But is It Bull?
For months now, the industry’s poorest kept secret has been the reentry back into the intensely dense atmosphere of the custom integration industry by the colorful and spark-spewing starship Jeremy Burkhardt – one of the original founders of SpeakerCraft, which he left (forced-out our sources tell us – Burkhardt says he “retired”) in 2012 in one of the many Nortek reorganizations. At first just a rumor, Burkhardt a few months back began a series of “leaks” about his decision to launch a new company. Speaking mostly one-on-one, off-the-record with various journalists, dealers and reps…the buzz began to build – finally reaching its crescendo on the eve of the 2014 CEDIA Expo.
Just days before Expo, Residential Systems unveiled Burkhardt’s new venture , Origin Acoustics, to the world – followed a few days later by press releases to the rest of the media.
As Origin is revealed, does it exceed the pre-launch hype…or is it just bull?… [Read more…] about Burkhardt Builds Big Buzz…But is It Bull?
Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday that private equity powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) has invested $90 million for a 35% stake in Savant Systems, LLC (Savant). While this is a minority stake, KKR is obviously bullish on the home automation supplier making what the WSJ says is an “eight-figure bet” that places a $215 million valuation on the home automation supplier.
See more on this news on a rapidly rising home automation supplier… [Read more…] about Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation
CEDIA Says Their EXPO is the Industry’s Launch Pad for New Technology
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) said today that their annual tradeshow – the EXPO, taking place next month in Denver – will have over 150 exhibitors launching new products or introducing their businesses to the industry for the first time. Saying these companies “choose CEDIA EXPO as their launch point,” the trade group says that new product launches have already been announced in wireless audio, motion sensors, lighting solutions, TV & control mounts, and keyless entry.
See more on the custom integration industry’s big event just around the corner… [Read more…] about CEDIA Says Their EXPO is the Industry’s Launch Pad for New Technology
Dolby Atmos – Take Two
GUEST POST
My Take After a Dolby-Controlled Demo of
Both Commercial and Home Atmos Versions
Someone (even Google can’t tell me who) once said “Nothing is new, only rediscovered.”
Case in point: Dolby Atmos, now being touted as the Next Big Thing in surround sound technology. [See A Deeper Dive into Dolby Atmos and Atmos Attacks at CE Week] The two most definable points that are said to differentiate Atmos from earlier surround formats (height information and “sound objects”) are, in reality, surprisingly mature approaches to multi-dimensional sound reproduction.
But height may not be as important as you (or Dolby) may think… [Read more…] about Dolby Atmos – Take Two
If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?
Imagine for a moment that you won the lottery, or gained an inheritance, of a substantial amount of money…say, $100,000. How would you spend it? That was the intriguing question pollster Harris Interactive asked an online panel of U.S. Internet users. Would they buy a new car? Would they remodel their home to add a home theater? Would they buy a nice present for their spouse? Would they donate some or all of it to charity?
Think you know YOUR customer? Then you better check out this survey – the answers to the above scenario may surprise you. [Read more…] about If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?
Bodley Exits PPC to Start a Company Selling What? Why PPC, Of Course
When Belden bought PPC at the end of 2012, Eric Bodley thought this was going to be great news for both PPC and its Perfect Path line, where since 2009 he had led the charge in establishing the cable and satellite connector company’s locking HDMI connectors into the custom integration channel. And while he would argue that this acquisition by Belden was, in fact, a good thing for PPC, he soon came to realize that there was a challenge for him that was difficult to address.