Essential Install | ISE Review
A big feature of the show was the renewed strength in dedicated controllers like the URC TKP-7600 and perhaps add more . To further integrate the Alexa platform , the obvious move is to license Alexa and build it right into our own products ; we are looking at that . New functionalities always start slowly like this ; voice control will be very different in a few years .”
So how is the introduction of Studio v 1.6 going ? John explains : “ I personally pushed hard for the new platform . As an ex installer myself , I knew exactly what we needed . We wanted to deliver a quicker and repeatable way of creating projects , whilst still delivering the opportunity to add bespoke functionality . Installers have really embraced it . After the new two-day course , technicians can be ready to deploy Crestron right away . The project is part of us reclaiming the domestic space from some of our competitors . In building a project , days now become hours , hours becomes minutes .
“ Ultimately , it allows installers to do their jobs better . The basics are much quicker and easier to create , but you still can get creative , the system can deliver two levels with less experienced technicians handling the basics and the more experienced adding those really special Crestron personal touches . Tasks like swapping products in and out are also easier , as is dealing with issues like software updates from other brands .”
The Trinnov team were in bullish mood promoting the capabilities of its immersive AV . The company ’ s Altitude32 has already created lots of fans in the home cinema sector with around 100 projects completed , able to deliver 32 discretely-rendered channels : Dolby Atmos , Auro-3D and DTS : X . A new software update however will take things up another notch with 48 channels now possible via an optional upgrade . The additional 16 output channels can be used to support up to four-way active speakers , or more subwoofers , or larger arrays of surround channels . Trinnov also expects to be the first company to provide discrete rendering of all 34 channels provided for in the Dolby Atmos specification . If 48 was not enough , the company says it will be able to deliver 64 in the future via a software and hardware addition .
The second half of this year also see the introduction of the Altitude16 , a more affordable version of the company ’ s abilities . The Altitude 16 gets all the clever stuff from inside the other models , scaled back in size and channels to hit a new price point .
Bang & Olufsen had much to tell the world and Brian Bjorn Hansen , head of system solutions , was more than happy to put EI in the picture . Visibly excited about the new stories the company has to tell , Brian explained the launch of the new range of speakers co-designed with Origin Acoustics , and for the first time available from specialist distribution in the form of Invision UK .
Brian said : “ This a big change for the brand ; we have many of the popular functions from the Origin lines like twist and lock fitting , but of course we are Bang & Olufsen so we come at the integrated speaker from a different angle . Most companies want them to disappear , and although our speakers are integrated , we want people to see them . At first Jeremy Burkhardt , CEO of Origin said ‘ you guys are crazy !’ But this the beauty of our company , we provide something different , something unique and the reaction at the show has been really positive .”
Basically , the speakers mix Origin Acoustics sound and installation capabilities with a Bang & Olufsen twist , offering some striking and sleek grille designs . The range consists of the Celestial in-ceiling range and the Palatial in-wall range .
Brian added : “ When we first trailed the range , installers told us they needed a whole family , so that is what we have done now , a complete range of CI speakers with our unique approach to style .”
It ’ s important to note here that there have been changes to the company ’ s distribution model : the new speakers are available from Invision , however the entire range of products is also now available without needing to be a B & O retailer .
The other big news was increased integration with other platforms and products now the company has opened up its API .
Brian explained : “ Last year we showed integration with Savant , Control4 and Crestron . Now we are completely open , installers can write their own drivers for products , obviously other makers will write for their systems too so the possibilities are unlimited for what we can potentially work with .” The concept behind this is a simple BeoLink Gateway enabler that opens up the brand to more integration over a cloud-based system , opening up a new level of integration for the brand and moving much more firmly into the CI market .
URC also had some new tricks to show off , including the ‘ now shipping ’ TKP-7600 touch-screen . Stuart Tickle , MD of AWE , supplier of the brand into the UK , is one of the many industry figures championing the renewed vigor of the dedicated controller citing the user-friendly , always on , always locatable robust nature of the concept . There is also a desktop version , the TDC-7100 available from April . Designed to deliver whole-house control of entertainment and smart home products , both offer a seven inch colour touchscreen ,
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