The leading UK CI distributor showcased the devices during the latest edition of its acclaimed AWE Expo event, which took place at the company’s Training Centre in Epsom recently.
In excess of 100 people attended the two-day event, whose centrepiece was provided by the showcasing of URC’s Complete Control CI products, which are now distributed exclusively in the UK by AWE and occupy a space in the portfolio previously occupied by Philips Pronto. Product overview sessions for the range were open to all visitors, while there was also a sneak preview of the forthcoming Total Control series.
Specific models in the Complete Control series on display included the MX-5000i fully customisable network controller and the premium MX-6000i (pictured at the Expo). The network remotes features versatile control via RF (for base stations) as well as IR and Wi-Fi out of the box, enabling them to become primary components of any home entertainment system. The controllers also come with MX Server, a software application that combines both iTunes and Media Player libraries for control and feedback directly on the controller.
Stuart Tickle, MD of AWE Europe, told IE Residential that the response to the URC products during the Expo was “very positive. People were very pleased with what they saw.” While the company has had only URC stock for about one month, a number of “early adopters” have already come forward: “These are very encouraging signs for products that we have only just launched.”
Training efforts in support of the URC controllers are already underway. Meanwhile, Tickle says that the latest Expo further confirmed the event’s validity, with more than 100 people benefiting from “the sort of quality time that they wouldn’t be able to get in the exhibition environment”.
Alongside the URC range, other products on display during the AWE Expo included: the new DF Solutions BASE 3D entertainment system with aggregated Spotify integration; the Philips Dynalite range of lighting control systems; the Panasonic TH-85VX200 85” 3D plasma display and the Viera VT30 neo PDP TV screens; the Samsung Elite screens with 5mm bezel; and the Marantz AV range (receivers, Blu-ray and CD players, amplifiers and accessories), which is newly exclusive to AWE.
Visitors and participants lined up to acknowledge the usefulness of the AWE Expo event. Simon Byles from Infidelity described it as a “great way to catch up on the many new developments in AWE’s stable of CI products”, while KEF’s Ron Locke highlighted the opportunity to “gauge just how professional AWE is when it comes to customer training and interaction. We’ll continue to grow our relationship with AWE and offer any support they require along the way.”
Sound Environment’s Rufus Greenway added that it was a welcome chance to meet the AWE Europe team. “It is a great way to put names and faces together,” he said. “The other aspect that is good in regards to a lower-key supplier-specific trade show is that there is less pressure, the atmosphere is relaxed and the exchange of information is easier than when at a big show. More attention can be focused and there are [fewer] distractions for everybody.”
