With the memory of the biggest and most successful ISE receding in the distance, here’s a final selection of residential-related stories that we weren’t able to bring you before – encompassing control systems, speakers (both indoor and outdoor), media servers and home cinema.
Armour Home introduced its first wireless control product, the Systemline Wireless Touchscreen (pictured). The battery-operated Touchscreen can last for over four hours’ constant use, or for days on standby. It can communicate wirelessly with up eight zone receivers.
It comes supplied with charging base station, with matching finish, and a Systemline wireless junction box. This device is connected directly to the zone cards in the S6 controller or the Modular speaker, allowing communication from multiple wireless screens. The Wireless Touchscreen uses Systemline, Systemnet’s control software, and so the device works in a very similar fashion to current in-wall touchscreens.
Released at the same time was Systemnet version 12.0. For the first time this includes two-way RS-232 control of AV products, starting with the NAD AV receiver range.
Visitors to the Bowers & Wilkins booth were the first in Europe to experience two new custom installation speaker ranges. According to B&W, the new CI 600 and CI 700 Series offer exceptional value, high-quality performance, discreet design and sppedy installation. The ranges comprise in-wall and in-ceiling products.
Also on the booth were new custom theatre electronics products from ClassÈ, including the CT-SSP processor, and the CT-5300 (5 x 300W) five-channel amplifier.
Control4 was exhibiting its new OS 2.0 at ISE, after debuting it at the US CEDIA Expo last year. The new software brings one very obvious innovation – it offers support for German, French and Spanish. But there are also customisation features, enhanced interface graphics that clearly display all sources and devices, including third-party products, plus an easy development path for information apps. This potentially transforms the Control4 Ecosystem into a true information hub as well.
Those fancying an alternative to the natural sounds of their garden needed to look no further than De Toma’s stylish new garden speaker. On show for the first time at ISE, the TERNO 700 provides output of 2 x 80W and 360 degrees of sound distribution. According to managing director Thomas Kˆrner, the aluminium speaker received “a lot of attention from people stopping by and keen to find out more”.
On the DMi Europe stand, in addition to the new Escient Zone MP400 HD video media player, visitors had their first opportunity to see the European debuts of products from Denon and Boston Acoustics.
The Denon S-5BD combines an audiophile grade 5.1-channel surround sound receiver with a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player. The product has 2-source, 2-zone distribution capabilities, and is one of the first products announced to feature HDMI 1.4, with Audio Return Channel support.
Boston Acoustics’ new in-ceiling Architectural Series from Boston Acoustics is designed to resemble small halogen-type enclosures, providing “the most discreet sound installation speakers yet devised,” according to the company. The range comprises three models, including a subwoofer.
Triad Speakers and PMI presented CinemaPlus – a combination of Triad’s Gold and/or Platinum loudspeakers along with PMI’s design/engineering and build consulting, custom plans and acoustic treatments. Three CinemaPlus packages, based on room size, are available to all Triad dealers.
The idea behind CinemaPlus is that dealers may not have the time, resources, or knowledge to execute a first rate home cinema that delivers predictable, repeatable and high-quality results.
Among the products on display were the CinemaPlus Platinum LCR baffle wall, as well as the company’s new DSP subwoofers and RackAmps.
