1924 panasonic rx walkman

Transcription

1924 panasonic rx walkman
www.soundandvisionmagazine.co.uk
ISSUE 27 OCT 05
SOUND VISION INSTALL
From the publishers of SMARTLIFE INTERNATIONAL
A Genuine Masterstroke
NAD show us what they’ve got
Green With Envy
SmartComm and Green Amber
unveil their ingenuity
What’s Going On!
We look forward to London’ s
major AV show
hifidelio Pro
ARCHIVE
CONTROL LISTEN BURN MANAGE
Available Now £799.00 inc vat.
The Opposition Group
Tel: 020 8387 1590
Fax: 020 8387 1589
www.soundandvisionmagazine.co.uk
IN THIS MONTH'S
ISSUE
5 FIRST GLIMPSE
24 SEIZING CONTROL
We take a sneaky look at
some forthcoming products
from pioneering electronics
giant Yamaha
Launch a coup d’etat around
the home with the latest
control systems. Rabid
revolutionary DARREN
HARVEY shows you how…
6 EYE ON THE
INDUSTRY
Keep your eyes peeled,
finger on the pulse, ear to
the ground and nose to the
grindstone thanks to our fact
packed news section
16 WHAT’S NEW
The answer is, quite a lot,
month on month, which is
why we’re here to help you
separate the sleek from
the chav…
21 WHAT’S NEXT
London’s most highly
regarded consumer
electronics show returns
this November. KATIE BATES
takes a look at what’s in store
22 OUT AND ABOUT
It’s a tough job being a
journalist. At least that’s what
HAMISH McNAIR-WILSON
will probably tell you while
he’s basking on the beaches
of Bermuda, courtesy of
Alphason Designs…
28 SEVENTH HEAVEN
If the future of the smartest
technology lies in the hands
of designers then it’s looking
better all the time. We explore
the fruits of a blossoming
union between Green Amber
and SmartComm
WITH BOB ON OUR SIDE
If we are talking about enthralling audio-visual experiences, the one that really
caused a stir around these parts this month wasn’t a flashy home cinema
installation with a more intelligent system of control than David Hasselhoff’s best
friend, Kit. No, it was Martin Scorcese’s paean to a youthful Bob Dylan’s music in
visual form, No Direction Home. Heavily laden with original and unseen footage
from the 1960s, no matter how radically our components have evolved over the
last four decades his inimitable tones have consistently graced them.
Of course, I’d probably have enjoyed the documentary more had I had one
of SmartComm’s finest home cinema installations available to watch it in.
Following a trip down to Kent to catch up with their latest project I was left
seething with jealousy and utterly in awe of the team’s work. Even the viewing
option they’d installed in the kitchen would have been preferable to the tired old
CRT I ended up watching it on, following an unfortunate incident involving a
vase of water and our finest television. That’s the last time I’m buying flowers, I
can tell you! A replacement would be gratefully accepted dear friends. I’ll
happily exchange one for the full review of the Orpington abode you’ll find as
this month’s Installation Focus.
While it was great to get a vision of Dylan in his formative years, there are
plenty of products featured in this issue which offer to aurally transport the user
back there. The most notable this month come from NAD, a firm with an
exceptional history of innovation in the audio arena. The masterful Master Series
promises to serve up the most realistic sounds of any ever produced by its much
respected design team and, as a result, we’ve dedicated a full two pages to its
launch. We suggest you take a peek at the products which will light up any shop
shelves and put you in the room with the man who cried “Judas” back in 1966,
should you pop on the appropriate Bootleg Series CD. And on that bombshell, I’m
going to put on the record and pop off there right now…
Hamish McNair-Wilson, Editor
[email protected]
01/07/03-30/06/04: 4,255
6
24
22
28
30 INSTALLATION
NATION
Our expansive section
dedicated to keeping custom
installers everywhere up to
speed with the latest news
and most significant new
products
45 GET IN TRAINING
Keep a step ahead of the
crowd by attending the
training sessions specifically
designed for you
46 DIARY
As AV industry insiders will
know, anytime is show time.
And here is your guide to the
up and coming batch…
PLEASE SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO: WHAT’S NEW IN SOUND AND VISION, CASTLE HOUSE, 97 HIGH STREET, COLCHESTER, ESSEX, CO1 1TH
TWO COOL SHOWS. ONE HOT INVITATION.
The UK’s No.1 hi-fi and home entertainment show.
Novotel London West, Hammersmith
4-6 November 2005
Attend the largest Trade gathering in London
this year. Pre-register as Trade in advance
and receive your free invitation for Friday
4th November 2005. Just click ‘Trade’ at
www.whathifishow.co.uk
Everyone else will... See you there.
Official Best of Stuff Retail Partner
WHAT’S NEW
First Glimpse...
TWO’S COMPANY
WITH CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AUTUMN
IS ALWAYS A TIME FOR BIG LAUNCHES: AND THEY DON’T
COME MUCH BIGGER THAN YAMAHA
Yamaha’s new DVX-S30 DVD Home Cinema
package is described by its manufacturers as a
multi-channel, Air Surround sound system - which
might surprise the casual observer as it comes
with only two speakers. However, thanks to the
inclusion of Yamaha’s ingenious Air Surround
technology and CINEMA DSP, no matter what the
viewer wishes to watch, the soundtrack should
prove both impacting and absorbing. Having
integrated a sophisticated amplifier with a
progressive scanning DVD-player, crisp, detailed
dialogue is assured even at lower volumes, thanks
to the Night Listening mode.
Yamaha promise that listeners will hear
details they missed at the cinema, whilst the
powers of progressive scanning make for some
equally impressive images to accompany them.
Solidly constructed and dressed in a chic black,
this is considerably more straightforward than the
myriad of speakers many are inclined to plump
for, yet does the job most effectively. With the
high-quality evident throughout and convenience
assured, the DSX-S30 is sure to be a hit.
GONE DIGITAL
The CRX-M170 CD/DAB Receiver System is an impressively compact unit
that caters for the growing numbers of consumers desperate to lend
their ears to the latest digital radio broadcasts. While radios themselves
continue to sell, offering an integrated CD-player of this kind of quality
significantly enhances the appeal of the CRX-M170, making it a favourite
to triumph in the competitive Christmas market.
The main unit comes accompanied by two 25W speakers, which form
a two-way bass reflex system. This produces a depth of sound unusual for
a set-up so compact, and the piano black finish ensures it’ll look smart on
the shelf. In addition to its DAB abilities, the system boasts a thoroughly
progressive 30-station AM/FM presets and bass, treble and balance
controls for those who like to tweak their sounds.
SIX OF THE BEST
The RX-V100D is one mighty 6.1-channel digital home
cinema receiver, packed to the rafters with special
features. It certainly has the power to cater for the
most expansive home cinemas, supplying an
impressive 95W RMS in each of up to six-channels.
With the inclusion of Digital ToP-ART, High Current
Amplification technology and a 192kHz/24-bit DAC for
each of these channels, a clean quality of production is
assured even at the highest of volumes. Low volumes
are also not a problem for the RX-V100D thanks to the
inclusion of a Night Listening mode, while the SILENT
CINEMA option affords users a remarkable quality of
sound through headphones, should they be required.
With the speakers hooked up, the surrounding
sounds should prove particularly immersing thanks to
the inclusion of Quad-Field and Tri-Field CINEMA DSP
technology. Versatile too, the receiver embraces all of
the latest Dolby and DTS surround sound formats, is
compatible with HDTV and even boasts a DAB tuner,
allowing users access to the highest quality radio
broadcasts within their lounge or cinema room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
+44 (0) 192 323 3166
www.yamaha-uk.com
5
> SOUND & VISION
EYE ON THE INDUSTRY
Eye On The Industry
THE WHO-WHAT-WHERE-WHEN-WHY OF AV...
ATTENTION PLEASE!
If you have news of any industry appointments or dismissals, achievements or crises, acquisitions or
additions, and you’d like to see them in print, email the details to [email protected]
EDUCATE TO ACCUMULATE
With more than 60-million flat-panel TVs set to
be sold over the next five-years, the nascent High
Definition display interconnect, bracket and
furniture market will offer retailers a major
source of earnings, which is especially relevant
BBG's main man,
given the relatively low margins that currently
Gordon Dutch
accompany flat-panel TV sales.
But do today's retailers and their staff properly understand the concept
of solution selling? Do they know how to predict consumer needs,
demonstrate viable solutions and prove the worth of valuable 'attachment'
sales? “With the high turnover in staff that's common these days it's no
surprise that sales training sometimes takes a back seat,” says Gordon
Dutch, sales and marketing director of BBG Distribution Ltd. “What was
common knowledge when I was selling on the shop floor is now perceived
as a bit of a dark art…so we're going to do something about it!”
BBG Distribution Ltd is going out on the road to make sure that its
dealers know exactly how to maximise their selling opportunities. It is to
run a series of Profit Training days - open to stockists of BBG brands
(Jamo, Bandridge, Profigold and Vogels) - which aim to spell out exactly
how retail staff can bag that elusive attachment sale.
Based on its popular training sessions at this year’s September CIH
trade show, BBG will run four evening Profit Training sessions : 29/9/05 BBG, Unit 3 Watford Interchange, Colonial Way, Watford WD24 4WP;
27/9/05 - Hilton Newport, Chepstow Road, Langstone, Newport NP18 2LX;
4/10/05 - Hilton Norwich, Cromer Road, Norwich, NR6 6JA; 6/10/05 - Hilton
Leeds Garforth, Wakefield Road, Leeds West Yorks LS25 1LH.
Learn how to increase
your profits...
Doors will open at 6.15pm, when a buffet will be served and the sessions
will end at 8pm. Things will kick off with a brief introduction to BBG, followed
by a discussion of issues facing 'bricks & mortar' retailers vs mail
order/Internet. There will be a briefing on how Flat Panel & HDTV will offer
new up-sell opportunities, detailed product information and further in-depth
training on how to attach more products using solution selling phrases, how
to up-sell in practice and how to close sales properly.
Places are limited so booking requests should be addressed to
[email protected]
For further information contact: +44 (0) 845 600 4224 www.bbg.eu.com
REAR OF THE YEAR
Sagem used the platform handed to them by Alphason at its recent sales
conference to expound the virtues of the DLP TV. Rear projection TVs never
had a particularly good press until some bright spark overhauled them with
the Texas Instruments treatment. Now, with a DMD chip buzzing away
inside, the performance of these models has been transformed beyond
6
recognition, allowing buyers the option of a huge screen with great visuals,
the scale of which would simply not be feasible in a CRT format due to the
inevitably bulky behind this would necessitate. They are also considerably
cheaper than comparative flat-screen TVs, offering users a more
affordable, absorbing cinematic solution.
While not every retailer has embraced the DLP TV, Sagem
certainly believes in it and is pushing its range strongly. And,
with 80-years of experience in the electronics sector, the
French firm knows what it is talking about. According to
independent statistics the company has already secured 58%
of our market and a 78% share in France. The UK is
currently Sagem’s biggest export market and, with HDTV on
the way, it is likely that its DLP TVs will prove a popular
vehicle for subscribers wishing to access these most realistic
of images. Although the price is a consideration for many
buyers, Sagem are committed to selling their products on
their features, not on their price.
Consumers are voting with their feet and while the
plasma market is growing at 44% and the LCD-TV market at
114%, the DLP TV market expanded by 200% in the last year,
according to statisticians Gfk. Sagem’s products have been
greeted well in the consumer press and the HD-D50 actually
sold out last year. The appeal of HDTV no screen burn, a
depth no greater than that of a flat-screen TV when mounted
on a rack and the general quality is clearly making an
impression on the buyer. A recent billing on shopping
channel QVC saw 600 units shifted in a space of 24-hours. With the TV
securing this kind of response, maybe it’s time the cynics relented and
started to embrace DLP TV. After all, they certainly seem to be doing well
for Sagem and, with new 45-, 50- and 56-inch versions on the way, they’re
getting better all the time.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 156 477 2200 www.sagem.com
FLAT’S RIGHT
DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display
market research and consulting, reports that
overall TV shipments were down 14% quarter on
quarter and 2% year on year due to seasonal
weakness in China and CRT weakness in Europe.
However, due to a 7% quarter on quarter and 12%
year on year increase in average selling due to
strong flat-panel market growth, the total TV
revenues accrued have actually risen by 10% to
$17.3B, which is good news for the industry.
The surge in flat-panel sales has been driven
by increasing shipments, up 26% quarter on
quarter and 132% year on year. The flat-panel
share of the TV market now accounts for 13% of
sales, which shows a rise of 7%. In terms of
revenue, these accounted for 47% of the total.
LGE remain the top CRT TV manufacturer
with a 10% global share, with Samsung coming in
second. However, in Europe, Philips is the
number one manufacturer. LCD-TVs, meanwhile,
remain a growing business with shipments up
148% from the same quarter last year and their
total share topping 10% for the first time. Prices,
however, fell by 5% suggesting that this format is
becoming more accessible. LCD-TVs remain most
popular in Europe – a market that accounts for 38%
of all sales. The most popular models are currently
32-inches in size, which suggests that they are,
more than ever, being considered as a genuine
alternative to the CRT TV traditionally stationed in
the living room. Sharp’s 18% industry leader status
will come as no surprises to anyone in AV, although
interestingly Philips appear to be outstripping the
Japanese giants in Europe.
Plasma shipments have risen by 89% since last
year as unit and revenue shares have hit record
levels, with units rising to 2.9% and revenues
growing from 15% to 18% in the space of a quarter.
Europe remains the biggest market for plasmas,
with 40-44-inch models proving the most popular.
Panasonic are the unrivalled leaders in this growing
market at the moment.
Overall things are looking very healthy for
Samsung who, on a revenue basis, are leading the
world of visual entertainment. Panasonic's strong
performance in the plasma sphere has propelled
the corporation up to second place with Sony
slipping to third in the global stakes.
John Reddington tells us
what's what...
Alphason unveils its
magical new products
Philips - the top dogs in Europe's
plasma market, we're told
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
What’s New would like to congratulate AV furniture pioneers Alphason Designs on a landmark
event. The company turned 20 earlier in the month and celebrated the occasion over in
Bermuda in true style. The celebrations were combined with the company’s annual sales
conference, which witnessed their retailers and salespeople making their way over to the subtropics to spend a week communing with their colleagues, learning about the brand, greeting its
new products and enjoying the exotic surroundings. A tasty gala dinner, live entertainment,
marketing consultant Stuart Hopwood’s energetic dance moves and a stunning location made
the party one to remember.
Back at the conference the mantra of continuous improvement, always evident at the specialist
furniture market leader, was restated once more by its top brass and innovative new products that
will offer consumers more flexible solutions, original aesthetics and much, much more. The
products continue to be supported by a team with great drive who should ensure the rise and rise of
Alphason continues up to and beyond the firm’s coming of age next year. The question is how on
earth will they top Bermuda as a location to celebrate the big 21? John Reddington remained tightlipped on the matter, but he distanced himself from the rumours suggesting Blackpool...
Alphason also used their conference to thank their staff, with sales office manager Julie
Lancaster claiming the award for Employee Of The Year. Many congratulations to Julie for
securing the title. John and his team also made a great deal of effort to thank the rest of their
staff and their retailers, offering them plenty of hope and constructive tips to ensure the year
ahead proves a healthy one. The searing heat, stunning beaches and highly palatable cocktails
did nothing to taint the visitors’ ambitions and we’ve no doubt you’ll be hearing a lot from the
Alphason team in the coming months as they hope to make the most of festive season and
officially unveil their fantastic new solutions. Keep your eyes peeled!
For further information contact: +44 (0) 194 288 5600 www.alphasondesigns.com
T+A
Transparent Distribution Ltd
Coxmoor Road
Sutton in Ashfield
NG17 5LA, UK
(tel/fax) 01623 517000
[email protected]
www.transparentdl.co.uk
S ee no evil!
Hear no evil!
7
> SOUND & VISION
EYE ON THE INDUSTRY
HI TIMES
PHIL ME IN
HI Group plc celebrated 30-years of progress and
innovation in style this month with a gala dinner for
customers, colleagues, suppliers and friends. As
parent company for HI Distribution and Independent
Service, and owner of the Crown and Fridgemaster
brands, HI Group is now one of the country’s most
prominent distributors of brown and white goods. It
David Isherwood on
the mic
also sources and distributes Frigidaire branded
appliances in the UK under licence and is the associate company of leading
logistics provider HI Way Express.
At the event, which featured the soulful sounds of the New Drifters,
chairman David Isherwood took the opportunity to thank guests for their
continued support, and paid tribute to `the commitment and vision of his father
and group founder, Martin Isherwood.
The Group, which began life trading from a small warehouse in Leeds, will
soon open a new purpose-built head office facility nearby with an additional
270,000 square feet of warehouse space – increasing its overall warehouse
capacity to more than 650,000 square feet.
“Our continued success is a great tribute to the hard work and dedication
of all our colleagues, suppliers and customers, and we look to the future with
confidence as a leading player in one of the most vibrant, challenging and
competitive markets in the UK today,” David remarked.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Toshiba Information Systems UK Ltd
has strengthened its consumer
products division (CPD) with the
appointment of James Thompson as
product trainer responsible for training
and merchandising. James joins
Toshiba from JEGS Electrical where
he worked for two and a half years as
the Area Sales Manager, following a
long stint as a product trainer for
Toshiba between 1995 and 2003.
James will be responsible for
planning and delivering product
training internally and externally
within the consumer products team.
He will ensure products are
merchandised correctly within
Toshiba dealers and will act as
support at special events such as
trade and consumer shows. James
reports to Senior manager marketing communications,
Stephen Beresford, who
commented: "James has a wealth of
retail experience and knowledge
that he can share with shop staff".
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 870 442 4424
www.toshiba.co.uk
Phil Hansen, formerly marketing
manager for the KEF and Celestion
brands over the past three and a half
years, has created a dedicated
marketing communications consultancy
aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at
the hi-fi/home theatre industry to help
distinguish traditional brands in the
new, consumer-driven marketplace.
In addition to offering strategic
marketing communications expertise and graphic design, this
distinctive agency also draws upon a pool of talent, including PR,
advertising, photography and web design services.
Prior to working at KEF, Phil spent four-years working for bmi
british midland in the roles of product manager and subsequently airport
manager. The combination of this high-profile service-industry
experience and a total of 10-years' product and communications
management in the hi-fi industry, provides an unrivalled perspective on
the requirements for marketing in the ever more consumer controlled
market.
Commenting on the launch of his new consultancy, Phil said "The
increasing availability of good quality, low-cost audio and video
products for the consumer, through a multitude of new channels
provides a real challenge to traditional Hi-Fi companies. There is a
need to re-evaluate positioning and the proposition to the consumer
and my experiences of both service delivery and the Hi-Fi industry will
be of great benefit to companies big or small."
For further information contact: +44 (0) 208 543 8175
[email protected]
GOT THE BLUS
The CyberLink Corporation, a world leader and pioneer in providing
integrated solutions for the digital home, effectively showcased the latest
Blu-ray Disc playback and burning support with HP and the Blu-ray Disc
Association (BDA) at IFA in Berlin last month. CyberLink's award-winning
playback and burning applications such as PowerDVD, PowerProducer,
Power2Go, and InstantBurn were all on display at the CyberLink and HP
display areas in the BDA booth.
As a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, CyberLink
is an undoubted pioneer in the burning and playback of video content on
Blu-ray Discs. The format includes next-generation technology for
storing HDTV content, provides greater storage capacity and adopts core
video formats such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC. PowerDVD - the world's
leading PC playback software- and burning applications, Power2Go,
InstantBurn and PowerProducer are all Blu-ray ready.
"CyberLink's participation at IFA Berlin with BDA is a great chance to
demonstrate our support for key blue-laser burning and playback
technologies," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink Corp. "Our
showcase along with HP demonstrates our readiness for and capabilities
in working with tier-one hardware manufacturers to deliver complete
solutions, while communicating the benefits of this next-generation disc
media technology."
"We are pleased to be working with CyberLink to exhibit our Blu-ray
Disc hardware at this year's IFA in Berlin," said Maureen Weber, general
manager, Personal Storage Business, HP. "Consumer demand for
recording and enjoying high-definition video is rising, and we're excited
to demonstrate this advanced technology from HP and CyberLink to our
customers to show how easy it is to play and burn Blu-ray Discs." With
this display pulling in the crowds, it will have done a lot to further the
cause of the Blu-ray camp in their competition with the HD-DVD fraternity
to supply disc-based HDTV content in the not too distant future.
For further information contact: www.gocyberlink.com
8
GONE TO BLAH
Jersey-based distributor Blah
Distribution has won the sole
distribution rights for the UK of
top Korean MP3 brand, Qoolqee.
The brand’s range has been
described as “unlike anything else
already on the market with
massive mainstream youth and
niche appeal,” by Blah Distribution
CEO Peter Allen. He continued:
“We were looking for a new
product to bring to the UK and we
couldn’t believe what we found in
Korea in terms of sheer quality and
technical excellence, at the sort of
prices that will give the retailers an
excellent profit margin. We are
initially working with two models
that compete successfully at the
higher end of the market, and we
know that ‘those in the know’ in
the UK and the USA have been
looking forward to the Qoolqee
brand finally becoming available.
The products always attract
excellent reviews and have a good
solid history
behind them. Backed up with a
determined marketing campaign
and careful branding in the UK,
we believe that these MP3 players
will join the top sellers in this
marketplace.”
The Qoolqee X3, with
RRPs between £69.99 and
£109.99 depending on
memory, is a unique waterresistant and shockproof player
with built in FM radio, designed
for sports and outdoor activities,
yet is funky enough for everyday
streetwear, either clipped directly
to clothing or worn as usual. It
comes in three colours and has a
design that is somewhat
reminiscent of a games pad, which
will definitely appeal to the youth
and sports markets. Its
performance is as good as it
looks, with all the features today’s
buyers require.
The Qoolqee K7 is the
flagship model and features a
built in FM radio with a
programmable record, is
compatible with Outlook and can
even have company branded
screensavers preloaded so is ideal
for the quality premium market. It
also has the high-level of
specifications the more
demanding users are asking for
and the ability to stand out in an
admittedly busy marketplace, such
as 3D Dolby surround sound,
65,000 colour LCD colour display
and a 20-hour battery life. RRPs
for the K7 run from £109.99 to
£159.99 depending on memory
size.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 153 449 4850
www.qoolqeeuk.com.
CHOOSE UNLEADED
MANCHESTER CITY
Stephen N Harris, Chairman of the British
Federation of Audio (BFA), has once again urged
members of the BFA – and the electronics
industry at large - to heed the European Union
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
legislation, due to be enforced from July 1st next
year.
RoHS, or to use the accurate but somewhat
lengthy title “Directive 2002/95/EC on the
restriction of the use of certain hazardous
substances in electrical and electronic equipment
(EEE)”, is primarily concerned with ensuring
electronic equipment is lead free. Its aim is
claimed to be simple: to restrict the use of six
substances within EEE, thereby contributing to the
protection of human health and the environment.
Addressing a recent BFA Board of Directors’
Meeting in London, Harris said “I strongly
recommend that people act on RoHS fairly
quickly. It’s a lengthy process to comply with all
the details and time is fast running out.”
Although RoHS is a European Union Directive,
manufacturers of EEE outside Europe must also
abide by this legislation if the equipment they
produce is ultimately imported into an EU
member state. The BFA has been closely
monitoring the progress of the RoHS laws and
Harris says “It’s most important to remember
that there are penalties involved for what is
perceived as deliberate non-compliance.”
For further information contact:
www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/ or
www.bfa.org
The North of England's largest home
entertainment show returns at the end of the
month and promises attendees a number of
exclusive launches. The organisers have offered a
little hint as to what we can expect, with
revelations in both the flat-screen TV and audio
spheres expected. The show takes place at
Manchester’s Renaissance Hotel, on October 2930th and is sponsored by Practical Hi-fi, one of the
North of England’s leading retailers.
The event will prove an excellent opportunity
for you to see the latest wares from a number of
key manufacturers in action. Those with products
on display include Sony, Denon, KEF, Pioneer,
Acoustic Energy, Harman Kardon, Boston, Sharp,
Onkyo and Teac, while many more specialist brands
sure to excite the audiophiles amongst you including Cyrus, REL, Sugden, Bel Canto,
Dynaudio, ART and Proac – will be making the trip.
With more than 50 brands and 120 industry
specialists from the exhibitors expected to fill a
full three floors of the hotel, this is the finest
opportunity in the region to get hands on with the
products you could be stocking come the
Christmas season. Products tipped to make a
serious impact at the end of the month include
Sony’s striking new QUALIA SXRD LCD projector,
which has been billed as a model which redefines
the home vision experience with its full HD-ready
1,920 x 1,080 panels, Carl Zeiss VARIO SONAR
lens and high-performance, pure Xenon lamp.
With Yamaha and InFocus also set to show off new
DLP projectors, no doubt the DTS demo disks and
Fifth Element clips will be out in force.
Manchester's Renaissance will be playing host
to all the latest flat-screen TVs this month
Another thing to look out for is the UK launch of
the new Audiolab range. We’re not entirely sure what
this will entail as yet which is, perhaps, why you
need to be there. Rumours of both AV and twochannel products have been heard on a grapevine so
make sure you take a peek at what this highly
regarded moniker has to offer on its return to the
fray, back thanks to popular demand.
With plenty of accessories companies also set to
show their wares, there really will be something for
everyone on display and even if you do make it down
to London for the capital’s finest shows, you still
might miss out by not making trip to Manchester.
For further information contact:
www.home-entertainment-show.co.uk
9
> SOUND & VISION
EYE ON THE INDUSTRY
DAB receievers like this one will
now be at home across the country
Transmitters will be switched on
at the following locations: four new
Last month Digital One announced that it transmitters in Wales: Presceli,
will be switching on another 10 new
Blaen-Plwyf, Arfon and Llanddona;
transmitters over the next 18 months.
two new transmitters for Cumbria:
Digital One, which already operates the Kendal and Penrith; and four new
largest DAB digital radio transmitter
transmitters in East Anglia: Great
network in the world, has given the go- Messingham, Sewards End, Great
ahead for new transmitters at sites
Yarmouth and Oulton.
across the UK, extending DAB coverage
“This announcement shows that
in Wales, East Anglia and Cumbria.
we are committed to reaching as
Digital One is the only national
many people as possible with the
commercial DAB digital radio network
national commercial DAB digital
operator and this move demonstrates its
radio services. In the more sparsely
ongoing commitment to the development
populated areas this is always a
of DAB digital radio. The network already
challenge, but with our research
offers geographical coverage which tops
showing that retailers are gearing up
that of Freeview and Channel 5 and this
for increased sales of DAB digital
further development means that some 1.2- radios this Christmas, it is important
million people will have coverage of the
that we take this leading role,” said
national commercial DAB digital radio
Glyn Jones, operations director.
services for the first time or will find that
For further information contact:
their existing coverage is improved.
www.drdb.org
ONE FOR ALL
CLOSED FOR BUSINESS
Yello have claimed Spectral's annual distributor award at IFA in Berlin. The UK
distributors were awarded Best Performance In The World for Closed Series, a
high-end furniture range from Spectral. This disproves the theory that everything
sold in the UK market has to be cheap and poor in quality. The Closed series
starts at £1,000 and rises to £2,500, yet has clearly captured the imagination of
the punters, proving an excellent addition to the Yello stable.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 141 576 1772 www.yellogb.com
SHARP DARTS
A third of digital viewers have never used interactive services, claims
the most recent DART (digital audience research tracker) report. This
quarterly survey from Ipsos Media which looks into the UK response to
the digital revolution states that nearly half those interviewed cited a
lack of interest as their reason. Moreover, while there is evidence to
suggest interest in these is rising, only 1% of the 16% who look at
holiday information in this manner go through with a purchase. It
remains mainly an information service, with most people too concerned
to give out their details in this manner.
Sharp: making LCD-TVs both
bigger and better
THE BIGGER THE
BETTER?
Sharp have been breaking the
boundaries once again and the fruits
of this will be there for all to see at
the Home Entertainment Show in
Manchester for the first time on these
shores. It is here, at the Renaissance
Hotel, where you’ll be able to get your
first glimpse of the Aquos 65-inch LC65GD1E Widescreen LCD TV. This
audacious model hits the shop shelves
in December, is HDTV compatible and
should effectively challenge plasmas
of this scale. It comes complete with
speakers and an AV tuner offering
access to the Freeview digital
channels, making it the biggest model
of its kind and an off-the-shelf
solution into the bargain.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 161 205 2333
www.sharp.co.uk
10
CAUGHT IN THE WEBBY
LONDON CALLING
The Webby Awards, proclaimed as “the
online equivalent of an Oscar” by The
New York Times earlier this year, are
currently seeking UK Consumer
Electronics entrants for next year’s event.
This is the leading international honour
for websites and their creators and the
judges will be accepting entries up until
an initial deadline of October 28th, with a
final entry deadline of December 16th.
UK websites have always fared well
in the past with The Guardian, Eddie
Izzard (Clock, Ltd), Jamie Oliver and
Alexander McQueen (Poke London),
Rathergood.com (Joel Veitch), BBC
OneMusic, BBC News and Vogue (Conde
Nast Interactive UK) scooping top awards
in a variety of categories last year. As a
result the organisers are actively calling
on more UK websites to enter this year
and, with consumer electronics one of the
65 categories the event rewards, maybe
you could be a winner.
The Webby Awards is presented by
the International Academy of Digital Arts
& Sciences, a global organisation with
over 500 members including musician
David Bowie and Virgin Group founder Sir
Richard Branson. Last year it received
more 4,400 entries from 40 countries
around the world, so get online to see if
you can make the cut…
For further information contact:
www.webbyawards.com.
The Hi-Fi and Home Entertainment Show returned to Heathrow last month,
allowing the UK’s AV industry to make their annual jaunt down to the airport’s
hotels to peruse some of the latest products on the industry’s launch pad. But
what were the highlights? Well, British mains power conditioner specialist IsoTek
used the show as a platform to launch Sigmas, a brand new addition to their
already award-winning range of power conditioners. The Sigmas range
employs the Direct Coupled Design first seen in Titan, which allows for
virtually unlimited power draw, together with Adaptive Gating
technology unveiled with the launch of Nova earlier this year. This is
the first time these two technologies will be on offer in a single unit
and all for an affordable price.
Nordost also used the show for a world exclusive launch. Four
new designs were to be found at the company’s stand, bringing MicroMono-Filament cable technologies to a more accessible price point
and introducing Duel-Micro-Mono-Filament technologies. Described by
its manufacturers as revolutionary, the cables are manufactured in the
Anthony Gallo's latest
US, hand terminated and should prove impossible to replicate.
wares secured a fine
When it came to speakers, Anthony Gallo certainly made the right
reception in Heathrow
impression, introducing visitors to the new Micro Ti and A’Diva Ti speaker
systems. These build upon the firm’s legacy, offering
remarkably full, rich and detailed sounds from their
diminutive enclosures.
One of the most exciting elements of the
show this year involved ICE with an extravagant
Cadillac Escalade, a fully pimped Citroen C5, a
highly specced Porsche 996, two BMWs and a
Range Rover Vogue SE provided courtesy of
Harman Kardon, all on display, for audio buffs
and car lovers alike to gaze on in astonishment at
what is possible in this area these days. While there
might not have been as many names at the show as
usual, there was plenty of interesting kit to see and the trip
proved worthwhile for our team.
For further information contact: www.hifishow.co.uk
11
> SOUND & VISION
EYE ON THE INDUSTRY
With a rack of great new products,
Denon UK should carry on growing
MOVING ON UP
Denon UK has moved to brand new offices, so
it’s time to update your records with the firm’s
new phone numbers and addresses. Following
many years in Chalfont St Peter, the end of the
lease and the growth of Denon have motivated
the move to more modern offices. The new
building has been totally refitted for Denon and
includes a smart new AV training and
demonstration suite, plus a completely new
service management department controlling
Denon's three nationwide service centres.
The new premises’ suite is 3,000 cubic
feet and is fully soundproofed. It has been
specifically built
IN THE PUBLIC EYE
“Get it on show and expose it to the risk of a sale”, is a
mantra common on the retail shop floor. But why leave
customer exposure until buyers are in a retail environment?
The UK is a nation of magazine readers and has
Europe’s largest selection of specialist AV, hi-fi and home
entertainment magazines, homes and lifestyle titles and a
good selection of gadget press. The combined readership of
these titles runs into millions.
As a manufacturer, getting products featured or
reviewed in titles like these is the biggest shop window
available. Not only does it massively increase product and
brand awareness; it is proven to drive customers into your
retailers – and that is good for the entire industry.
In terms of words and pictures turning into hard sales,
inch for inch editorial coverage has around 10 times the
impact of pure advertising alone in the same titles. The
trouble is, few manufacturers or distributors have the
necessary PR skill-set, editorial data, wealth of media
contacts or sheer time to maximise editorial coverage.
To really drive new consumer electronics products and
brand awareness through specialist trade and consumer
titles, homes, lifestyle, men’s/women’s magazines, national
press and even TV and radio, requires specialist PR
services. But many manufacturers, particularly smaller
companies, are put off using PR companies by the large
retained fees and spiralling expenses of large London PR
agencies. This is where independent PR consultants come
in to their own.
The likes of Ric Stevenson (RSPR), Rob Follis (RFA)
and Kulwinder Singh Rai (RaiPR) for example are
household names throughout the AV and Hi-Fi industry.
Without the massive overheads and junior staff count of
large PR agencies, their clients get a personal, targeted
and highly cost-effective PR service that get results.
If you want to expose your products and services to
the risk of a sale – call one of these guys today. You will
be surprised just how cost effective good PR can be.
GETTING TECHNICAL
Fujitsu General has strengthened its technical services team
and appointed Graham Goodbun as UK service manager. In
this newly formed role Graham will be heading up the technical and
service operations team and will be responsible for all plasma and LCD
projector support services throughout the UK.
Prior to joining Fujitsu, Graham worked at the BBC for over 22-years,
where he held numerous technical roles. He left as manager for technical
support services radio, where he was responsible for managing the
broadcast support team as well as overseeing training, special projects and
corporate purchasing budgets. Other roles at the BBC included workshops
manager and senior technician.
Mark Anderson, UK sales and marketing manager said: "We have
created this new role in order to enhance the way we deliver support and
services to plasma and projector customers. With Graham's proven
management and technical skills, our plasma support services team will be
able to offer dealers and end users the very best support and service
available."
For further information contact:
www.fujitsu-general.co.uk
GOING DIGITAL
With the switchover to digital TV in the news a lot these days, ntl have
launched the new Select Pack service - a great value option for those
taking their first step into digital TV at this juncture. The package offers a
selection of over 35 channels, many of which are not available on
Freeview, including Sky One, Living TV and UKTV Gold. Available for the
paltry sum of £5.50, the Select Pack will come accompanied by a free settop box and installation and includes full access to video on demand, pay
per view events, interactive and red button services. With the removal of
the upfront hardware or installation costs and such a diminutive monthly
subscription, this should make digital TV entirely available to all at a time
when it is most needed.
For further information contact: www.ntl.co.uk
12
to the 'Golden Ratio' dimensions for the
optimum acoustics and comes fitted with
state-of-the-art displays and loudspeakers,
to test, demonstrate and train retailers about
Denon's latest hardware.
New contact numbers for the trade are as
follows: Sales & Customer Services - +44 (0)
175 368 8499, Accounts – +44 (0) 175 368 8498,
Product Support – +44 (0) 175 368 8495. The
address is: Denon UK, Moorbridge House,
Padbury Oaks, 579 Bath Road, Longford,
Middlesex, UB7 0EH.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 123 474 1200
www.denon.co.uk
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NAD ELECTRONICS
Masters Of Art
When a company as respected as NAD starts
bandying about the superlatives you know it must
have something special up its sleeves. HAMISH
McNAIR-WILSON investigates…
NAD’s Master Seres is as bold a statement of intent as you are likely to see
in the AV industry this year. Billed as a batch of components offering the very
best performance in the company’s 33-year history, compromise-free
construction is the order of the day. NAD’s products have invariably fared well
in the consumer press, with its previous flagship series the Classic accruing
five-star reviews effortlessly. Surpassing this is no mean feat, but with the
Master Series NAD may just have done it. Some of the firm’s latest wares are
all set for launching this month and everything from their smoothly styled
aesthetics to the clean and detailed sound quality are sure to make the finest
of impressions. Read on to discover exactly what all the fuss is about…
M15 SURROUND SOUND PREAMPLIFIER
The M15 Surround Sound Preamplifier is a striking looking component forged
from aluminium extrusions, zinc castings and heavy gauge steel, giving it a
confidence-inspiring solidity and the elegance to attract the modern
consumer. NAD’s renowned attention to detail is evident throughout in the
innovative circuit design, latest high speed DSPs and proprietary operating and
decoding software. Regardless of the signal or format, quality and integrity
comes guaranteed and the M15 even offers post-processing for the stunning
THX Ultra 2.
This up-to-the-minute model features two HDMI inputs and an HDMI
output in its rear, keeping it up to speed with the high-definition era that is so
nearly upon us, ready to serve up detailed, rich and transparent surround
sounds to match the images HDTV will supply. Whether your client is looking
to build a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 system, favours Dolby or DTS, it matters not.
Moreover, with an RS-232 port also present, the M15 is advanced enough to
work alongside the most intelligent control systems of today and the future,
while it will cater for a second zone’s needs from the box, affording the user
independent source and volume control in a remote location.
M25 SEVEN CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
The Master Series will derive its kick from the M25, a hefty seven-channel
power amplifier. Power, of course, doesn’t just mean volume – it means a
quality relay when you pump up the sound. Fortunately, with this amplifier
offering a minimum of 160W per channel, each of which is driven
simultaneously from 20Hz-20kHz, the M25 delivers exactly that. Indeed, with a
rated distortion level of 0.03%, this will fill the most sizable home cinema with
the cleanest of sounds. THX, it would seem, agree, and have awarded the M25
their toughest certification level: Ultra 2.
Keeping extraneous sounds to a minimum has been a consistent theme in
the design of the M27 and even the variable speed fans pitch in, cutting out in
particularly quiet passages of play to eliminate any unwanted mechanical
noise. However, both these and the custom heat sinks prove up to their task,
ensuring that the M25 can work at full stretch for hours on end without
overheating.
The balanced junction FET input stage also works to keep noise and
distortion to a minimum, whilst a unique electronic isolation circuit has been
deployed to prevent the ground loop noise, which has been known to afflict
complex multi-channel systems. In essence, the M25 has the strength to
deliver in any scenario and the circuitry to ensure it does this well.
14
M3 DUAL MONO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
The M3 Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier is a product the NAD team are particularly proud
of… and rightfully so. Described by its manufacturers as an ‘ideal musical companion,’ it
features a classical analogue circuit design taken to a new level courtesy of the original
digital controls. The product is the handiwork of the highly regarded and universally
respected director of advanced development, Bjorn Erik Edvardsen. Edvardsen has come
up with an architecture that uses precise 1% resistors controlled, unusually, by digital
switchers. This, combined with the carefully devised layout – which keeps signal paths
short – makes for one incredibly precise integrated amplifier.
The amplifier supplies 180W of power effortlessly in each of its two channels and,
thanks to NAD’s PowerDrive technology, this can sound like a whole lot more. Such is the
precision, richness and accuracy of the sounds that the M3 conveys that it should be a hit
with the large number of two-channel fans that remain. Through its ingenious use of
digital controls, this particular integrated solution highlights that there is still plenty of life
and room for innovation in the stereo sector, and it should impress all who encounter it.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
+44 (0)190 831 9360
www.lenbrook.co.uk
www.nadelectronics.com
Lenbrook UK is being very careful about selecting its
Custom Installer and Retailer Network for the Masters
Series. There will be a Dealer Agreement which will
include demonstration facilities, professional installation
abilities and stocking requirements to qualify. This will
result in a very narrow dealer base for these products to
ensure complete customer satisfaction.
M55 UNIVERSAL DISK PLAYER
The M55 is an attractive and high-performance universal disk player, capable of
assuming the roles of several individual components. As well as traditional CDs
and DVDs, this sturdy yet elegant player will handle the high-definition audio
formats, SACD and DVD-Audio, and can even decode MP3 and WMA disks.
The M55 has been tailored to suit the needs of the HDTV generation,
boasting a Faroudja DCDi to upconvert standard DVD signals to a higher
definition. An HDMI HD output is also included, which will allow high-definition
audio and video signals to be transferred around the system in digital signals,
helping to alleviate distortion. A number of high speed DACs have of course
been included. One of these is vital in drawing the finest visual performance
from a DVD and plenty make the cut ensuring the user is privy to exceptional
quality performance. There are even independent DACs to allow a simultaneous
feed to zone two. The M55 has all the functionality and features that we’ve come
to demand from our DVD players and its host of picture adjustment technologies
will satisfy the viewer who likes to tweak images to their own tastes.
Those seeking a greater depth to their sounds will appreciate the inclusion
of onboard decoding and bass management for both DVD-Audio and SACD.
Meanwhile, the progressive performance can be matched by a progressive
system of control, thanks to the inclusion of an IR input, 12V trigger input and
Rs-232 port, which allow it to interact with a fully fledged automation system.
15
>
SOUND & VISION ALL THE AV NEWS FIT TO PRINT
What’s New?
COMPILED BY DARREN HARVEY
WHAT’S NEW ‘S ROUND-UP OF ALL THE
VERY LATEST PRODUCT NEWS
A CLEAR MOTIVE
The new Neat MOTIVE loudspeaker range comprises
three models (plus a centre speaker for multichannel use), all of which feature the firm’s new
NMT tweeter which has been developed in-house by
Neat. This is derived from the inverted dome unit
used in the flagship Ultimatum range and it ensures
the Motive range delivers an impressive quality of
treble for the price.
The 134mm bass-mid units are made for Neat
by Peerless of Denmark using the superior SDS
platform with a pressed and coated paper cone.
Tuned and voiced in the established Neat style – by
16
A TRUE PLAYER
Harman Kardon’s HD 970 is a high-performance CD-player with
some serious credentials. Having already received the gong for
EISA’s Audio Player of the Year 2005-2006, it is an attention grabbing
model. Rewarded by the highly respected European Imaging
Association for its enhanced user convenience and exceptional
value, the HD 970 combines the third generation of Harman
Kardon's Real-time Linear Smoothing technology (RLS-III) with an
impressive digital-to-analog converter. The resultant sounds are
richly detailed and are, according to the manufacturers, better than
those a universal disk player can deliver.
"The HD 970,” the official EISA report began, “belongs to that
rare class of products which give a taste of high-end audio at a lowend price. Demonstrating the audiophile spirit embodied in even the
most affordable Harman Kardon models, the HD 970 employs an
ultra-silent power supply, 'minimalist' analogue output section,
digital circuitry that upsamples to 384kHz at 24 bit resolution and a
fast, accurate transport mechanism.”
Ridden with sonic refinements, thanks to its two digital inputs
the HD 970 even allows other sources to benefit from its processing
technologies. It is available now with the £300 a small price to pay.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
www.harmankardon.com
the most discerning ears at the firm - the resulting
models achieve an audiophile grade of performance
at a price that anyone could afford.
The entry-level Motive Three is a two-way stand
mount/bookshelf mini-monitor which, in spite of its
dimensions, offers a room-filling sound with
outstanding dynamics and clarity. This sells for £650.
The Motive Two, at only 82cm tall, is a discreet and
room-friendly floorstander which reproduces music
with great dynamic realism and coherence. At £850,
this model offers phenomenal value for money.
Slim, compact and elegant, the top-of-therange Motive One, at £1,200, is a two and a halfway floorstander standing 94cm tall and only 16cm
wide. A prototype of this model was shown earlier
this year at the Bristol Sound & Vision show,
where Neat was awarded by the BFA for "the best
stereo demonstration" of the show.
Both of the floorstanding models are ported
through the base of the cabinet and are supplied
with a stabilising spiked plinth arrangement,
which optimises airflow from the port. A
magnetically shielded centre-channel model, the
2.5-way Motive C, will also be available to create a
stunning multi-channel configuration.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 183 363 1021
www.neat.co.uk
WHAT’S NEW
WELL ROUNDED DESIGN
Canton has billed its Ergo range as a timeless classic and it is certainly one
that continues to excel. The revitalised Ergo 600 series comes freshly
dressed in cabinets with a rounded front baffle board. Whether veneered in
precious black ash, cherry, beech or a particularly striking silver lacquer,
the smooth contours catch the eye and would be warmly welcomed into
any interior.
The slickly styled cabinets are, as you’d expect, home to some
seriously state-of-the-art technology and have been optimised with the aid
of computer processing to produce the cleanest sounds. Benefiting from
the experience and technical innovations gleaned from the construction of
Canton’s Vento Series models, the production of bass, the range and the
distribution of sounds have all been enhanced.
The series comprises three floorstanding speakers (Ergo 611 DC, Ergo
609 DC, Ergo 607 DC), an active subwoofer (Ergo AS 650 SC), a centre
speaker (Ergo CM 605), two compact speakers (Ergo 603, Ergo 602) and a
flat speaker (Ergo 601). The range can be deployed in an array of
applications and proves particularly adept at relaying multi-channel music
and surrounding movie soundtracks.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 239 250 1888 www.canton.de
LISTEN MICRO
No firm has done more to advance the DAB market than
PURE DIGITAL, thanks to its constantly expanding raft of
groundbreaking products. With the Christmas period set to
be another successful selling platform for the digital radio, it
is no surprise that this division of Imagination Technologies
is adding to its range once again.
The DMX-50 MICROSYSTEM is one of the latest options
available and it is so complete that it’s sure to prove a hit.
This collection of diminutive components includes a
CD-player and conventional radio tuner in addition to its upto-the-minute DAB abilities. These prove as advanced as
you’d expect, with the DMX-50’s sharp digital brain offering
users the ability to pause, rewind and record the high-quality
broadcasts at will, thanks to PURE’s ReVu technology and
the incorporated SD card. The inclusion of the latter also
means MP3s can also be played back. With a couple of
carefully crafted speakers included, the DMX-50 offers a
healthy 40W of power per channel and, confidently relays
tunes from each of its sources with a surprising quality for
one so small. It will hit the market before Christmas and is
something of a snip at £229.99.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 192 327 7488
www.pure.com.
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Totally Universal Mounts
LCD Mounts
Plasma Mounts
I n n o v a t i o n - S t y l e - Ve r s a t i l i t y
from Europe’s leading supplier
Projector Mounts
Tel: +44 (0)2476 614700
email: [email protected]
www.mounts.com
17
>
SOUND & VISION ALL THE AV NEWS FIT TO PRINT
A TRUE SLIMMER
Since the launch of the CD 100 Series at the beginning of 2003, Canton have consistently added to it, embracing
the latest trends and winning over the plaudits along the way. The range has been characterised by a slender,
elegant aluminium look and flat design. Thanks to the inclusion of magnetic shielding, all of the models can be
placed immediately adjacent to a flat-screen TV and compliment its appearance along the way.
The shallow cabinets and modish looks will preserve any buyer’s minimalist interior, yet the performance
is, typically for Canton, exceptional. The freshest addition to the range, the CD 200 Series, comes racked with
the latest technology. This comprises the CD 200 floorstanding speaker and the CD 250 and 220 flat speakers,
each of which – despite being only 10cm deep – is a full two and a half-way system. These, along with Canton’s
AS 80 active subwoofer, form a couple of seriously stylish home cinema packages allowing those investing in a
plasma or LCD-TV a straight forward route to improving its audio.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 239 250 1888
www.canton.de
BRIDGING THE GAP
That the iPod has caused a revolution in how we store, access and listen to our music is
beyond doubt. It has seized the imagination of the buying public and wrestled the portable
music market away from the walkmans and Discmans that went before it. However,
thanks to a raft of inspirational new products its use no longer need begin when the user
leaves the house and end when they return.
One the most impressive products to make use of its appreciable hard drive is
Harman Kardon’s new docking station, the Bridge. This has been elegantly styled to
match the firm’s AVR 40 Series of receivers, with which the iPod is seamlessly
hooked up to. This done, users can access its full content via a remote
control and spin through their array of albums on screen.
“The Bridge,” Harman Kardon president Tom McLoughlin explained,
“enables consumers to enjoy the best of both worlds - the massive
music storage capacity and versatile digital jukebox functionality of
the iPod, and the superlative multi-channel sound quality of Harman
Kardon's The Bridge-ready receivers."
Models the Bridge connects to include the AVR 340, AVR 240
and AVR 140 launched at IFA this year. The single cable
connection provides a direct audio and control link between the
iPod and the receiver, powering and recharging the iPod into
the bargain. With the AVR 340 involved, the iPod can even be
sourced in other zones, acting as a server for a multi-room
system. Yes, thanks to Harman Kardon’s innovation, what
was once a portable music device can be enjoyed in fully
fledged surround sound at the heart of the home.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
www.harmankardon.com
18
USB GOOD
TEAC has announced the introduction of a new Reference 200 Series Model,
the CR-H255 DAB/CD Receiver, which incorporates a front-fascia USB port.
This assures technologically enlightened music lovers an unusual array of
options when they come to source their sounds.
The USB allows this clever component to hook directly up to pretty much
any musical component with a USB interface. As a result, MP3-players of
every ilk will be able to forge a connection, allowing downloads stored on their
hard drives to be played on a bigger platform. This impressive portal also
means the H255’s DAB shows – or indeed any CD or conventional radio
broadcast - can be recorded onto the easily linked up device. Even those
Ludites inclined to be put off by these new fangled technologies will be able to
get to grips with them – they simply hook up their iPod, hit the record button
on the front panel and they’re away.
There is more to the H255 than functionality, however, and it relays sound
from all of its sources with aplomb, demonstrating that, once again, TEAC
know what clean, crisp sounds are made of. It is available now for the paltry
sum of £270 and is sure to seize the attention of those Christmas shoppers.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 192 381 9630 www.teac.co.uk
7210
4805
essential solutions from
A CERTIFIED SUCCESS
Monster has long been known for the quality of its products, so when
we learned that a new range of speakers were available from the big
American players we were keen to take a look. Having passed THX’s
rigorous certification process, these high-gloss, suavely styled models
come with impressive credentials. Ideal for multi-channel audio and
movie related application, there are four speakers, two subwoofers and
24 system configurations available, thanks to the modular units and
exclusive signal connection spikes.
All of the speakers are magnetically shielded and offer unique
electronic tweeter protection, which guards against damage. Incredibly
robust, yet thoroughly alluring, prices for the range start at £399.95 for
the Monitor Speaker 100.
For further information contact: +44 (0) 192 343 1634
www.monstercables.com/thx
Tel: 01423 359054 • Fax: 01423 359048
www.csesolutions.co.uk
choose from over five hundred audio, video, lighting, multi-room solutions
SHOW PREVIEW
What’s
Next
While our industry
might have more shows
than you can shake a
stick at, the much
travelled KATIE BATES
looks forward to one
she wouldn’t dream of
missing out on…
Of course, if you take your AV seriously then there is
every chance you’ll already be making it along, but if you
haven’t been won over yet how about a taster of what’s to
come? If it’s enlivening speaker systems you are interested
then Acoustic Energy and Anthony Gallo will be fighting for
your attention, each boasting stunning new ranges at an
affordable price point. British audio and DVD-player manufacturing
gurus Arcam will also be on hand, showing you exactly why you needn’t
The What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision
start worrying about Blu-ray just yet if it’s high-quality visuals you prize.
Show may only have been around a
All the latest Fellow Brits Creek certainly know their way around a shiny silver box of
couple of years, but as the list of
gadgets find a tricks and they’ll make quite an impression with the excellent value amps,
platform at Stuff...
prestigious exhibitors continues to grow,
receivers and players they offer, whilst CSE Solutions will no doubt have a
clearly it is already held in high esteem by the industry. It is now, many
diverse array of kit on show, including the latest home cinema projectors
would argue, London’s most significant Hi-Fi and audio-visual showcase
from one of the industry’s leaders, InFocus.
and in 2005 it promises to be bigger and better than ever. A visit is a must
for anyone keen to keep their fingers on the pulse of the very latest
all speakers great and small
technological developments and product launches and having made the trip
Epos and Exposure are another two companies with an original approach to
along for the first time last year I can’t wait to go back for more.
speaker manufacturing and both should have demonstrations to test the
The lavish rooms of Novotel’s London West Hotel will provide the
hearing. Fujitsu’s stand will be one of the places to be if flat-screen TVs are of
setting once again, making this the most conveniently located event on our
interest, although JVC will be pulling out all the stops to ensure they are not
calendar for those with London-centric inclinations. As usual, the
outdone in this area. KEF will have all speakers great and small on their
organisers have teamed up with their colleagues from internationally
stand, illustrating how they can handle any need, from discreet recessed
renowned gadget title Stuff to offer visitors two enlightening shows within
solutions to the most plosive and powerful system. Monitor Audio will have an
the single arena. Herein, both members of the trade and consumers alike,
equally expansive range commanding the attention, but be sure not to miss
will be able to get up close and personal with an array of products and be
their new I-deck – one of the most innovative and appreciable iPod
treated to some top notch demonstrations in specially created suites and
accessories devised yet. Philips always sport an expansive stand and one
realistic, lifelike scenarios. With a huge array of products on show, there is
that’s worth a visit, particularly for a glimpse at their latest Mirrorvision TVs,
sure to be something to interest everyone from the specialist audiophile
whilst Pioneer will, no doubt, be showing why they’re one of the biggest
dealer to the advanced customer installer, particularly as the event has
contenders on the plasma block with the display of some sumptuous highbecome known for the quality of its displays. Speakers, LCD-TVs, surround
definition visuals.
sound systems, wireless technology, home networking kit, projectors, DVDIf there is one name synonymous with progressive solutions in the DAB
players and recorders, turntables, integrated systems, plasmas…
sphere it is PURE Digital, and their room will be stocked to the gills with their
latest solutions, which I’ll be taking a look at in order to get to grips with the
EPG that’s the talk of the digital radio town. And if it’s accessories that interest
you, then Sennheiser are sure to have earphones and headphones to cater for
every need imaginable. Major players Sharp and Sony will also be desperate to
grab some of the limelight and they are both almost certain to succeed – the
former, through showing the biggest LCD-TV seen in this country to date and
the latter with the latest additions to its compromise-free QUALIA range.
However, I may have saved the best until last, as SIM2’s astonishing and
groundbreaking new DLP projector will get a public platform here, showing
everyone exactly how much
performance can be
packed into a rather
sleek and stylish shell.
And if that isn’t enough
for you, bear in mind
Which flat-screen
this is a mere snippet
TVs will catch your eye?
of the wealth of
here are the winners
products sure to be on
Some of you, like our editor and ad director, may have been lucky enough to
show at the most
have got a ticket to the recent What Hi-Fi awards at the Park Lane Hilton,
convenient of locations.
which certainly proved to be quite a bash. And while we can’t reveal the
They’ll certainly be a
winners just yet, they will all be on show throughout the course of this
sufficient number of
event. With the kudos this well read and respected publication affords
demonstrations to
products with such commendation these are bound to stimulate a bit of
drag the full What’s
extra interest amongst the buying public, so it should be well worth your
New contingent down for the day.
while taking a closer look at these in order to learn which could be added to
your shop shelves. As their first public showing, there will be no better
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
opportunity to see them. With the editorial team also on hand throughout
the show, you will even have the opportunity to pick their brains and – if
www.whathifishow.co.uk
need be – dispute their decisions.
21
> SOUND & VISION
OUT AND ABOUT
Out And About
OUR GLOBE TROTTING EDITOR DIGS OUT HIS SHORTS AND SUNTAN LOTION FOR A HARD
WEEK’S WORK IN THE SUB-TROPICS…
During the hard slog of press week, when you spend your every waking minute shackled to a desk with a phone stuck to one ear, your hands
glued to the keyboard and your heart pounding with nervous energy, you don’t always feel that lucky. However, when the invitation of a lifetime
then lands on your desk, offering you a trip to Bermuda, you realise you are exactly that. Of course this doesn’t happen every day and it may not
ever happen again, but thanks to the immense generosity and recent successes of Alphason Designs I am now sporting the kind of tan that
would make Des O’Connor green with envy.
Alphason Designs - 20 years young...
What was the occasion? Well, it was Alphason’s annual sales conference –
where the company traditionally push the boat out to reward their hard
working sales team and most prized retailers with something a little special.
Moreover, it was also the company’s 20th anniversary and, having grown year
on year, bucking every doom merchant’s downturn, this success story certainly
has a lot to celebrate. Once known for their tone arms, turntables and
speakers, more recently the company’s increasingly regarded moniker has
become synonymous with the most chic, sleek and dependable audio-visual
furniture on the AV block. The inventive and attractive products come backed
by a team with genuine vision and some of the most innovative solutions to
attracting the around – plus they offer their retailers top notch support.
Nowhere was this more evident than out on the Atlantic island, where a group
of RETRA members on a study tour were flown out for the conference.
FLYING HIGH
The days when exotic sights like the Blackpool Tower formed the backdrop to
the annual conference are clearly behind us and, following last year’s jaunt to
Barcelona, this time John Reddington and his team were determined to
make the event even more spectacular in this landmark year. And, as the
sales agents, staff, overseas distributors and UK customers touched down at
Hamilton Airport there was no doubting a great impression had been made.
From here we were transferred to the Wyndham Resort on Southampton
Beach – a stunning hotel overlooking the open ocean, with its own delightful
sandy bay and, for the excitable youths amongst us, an open-air waterpark.
Of course, we weren’t there to watch the sea lapping against the palm treeclad shore, sip crushed ice cocktails in the hot tub, take to the water in a
kayak, soak up the sun or watch it set over the craggy rocks of Honeymoon
Point, but Alphason’s lucky guests seized the
opportunity anyway.
The hospitality – which included a boat
A fully enclosed AV support
will be available soon
trip and a raucous, all-singing, all-dancing
birthday bash - proved first class throughout
our stay and this began in earnest on the
Sunday night with a welcome reception
overlooking the bay. Sadly, however, it
seemed that we’d taken some of the
Blackpool weather to Bermuda as the
skies opened and the rain came teeming
down. Fortunately this was not to prove a
sign of things to come and we were soon
devouring racks of salmon en
croute and roast beef in more
protected surroundings.
22
The conference itself took place the following day in the hotel’s ballroom;
it was a slickly mastered display, with all of the team’s top bods taking their
turn on the soap box to beat out the message and entertain the onlookers
with some impressive audio-visual effects. It proved easy to follow and
thoroughly amusing in places, but there was also an important message to
take in. Alphason talked about the market, reminding the retailers of the
many positives the industry’s scaremongers seem all too keen to forget. The
UK, they stated, remains the consumer electronics capital of Europe, with
26% of its sales taking place on our shores. While flat-screen TVs are
currently outselling the more laboured CRT, there are still only 2.5 million of
these being watched around the UK, leaving approximately 60 million bulky
boxes baying out to be replaced by a smarter, more slender model. 70% of all
flat-screens sold are carried away from the shop without a rack on which to
mount them. In essence, the opportunities to sell AV furniture have never
been better. With Josie Matthews taking to the stage to enlighten the audience
as to the exceptional publicity she has generated for Alphason throughout the
press and assure sellers of continuing and typically ambitious support plans,
we were left confident that the firm’s profile will continue to grow.
IN CONFERENCE
That is, of course, all well and
good, but you need the products
to secure the sale. Fortunately,
these have never been in short
supply. The firm’s product
manager, Petr Faitl familiarised
his viewers with some of
Alphason’s most recent and
appreciable innovations,
including their foot-balls,
universal brackets and piano
Even inanimate objects struggled
to stay away from the beach
black glass – which features
ceramic ink baked into the shelves, ensuring the high gloss finish won’t chip.
However, the most exciting feature was saved until last, when it was time to
unveil the latest additions to the company’s growing catalogue. Each new
model is designed to keep Alphason more than a few steps ahead of the
crowd in an industry they dominate. Fresh products included the addition of a
completely enclosed cabinet for those that like to keep their kit protected,
some incredibly minimalist media storage racks to complement the range
and a hard hitting rack with a double pivoting mount, ensuring viewers of the
utmost flexibility.
These certainly seemed to woo the retailers and resulted in record
business being done, we were told by John later in the week. The team were
keen to embrace the thoughts of their partners and invited them to offer
opinions on the forthcoming designs. This done, the platform was
handed over to Michael Smart and his Sagem team, with whom
Alphason have developed a fantastic relationship, to restate the
benefits of DLP TV and introduce some fine new products. The
presence of Sagem was another indicator of the healthy relationship
Alphason have fostered with all their business partners and don’t be
surprised to see further close relationships of this ilk being formed in
the future. With a cool beer to hand and the sun beating down, John
and Paul Dawes were able to expound their commitment to long
term goals, panic free policies and proactive ways of keeping
business healthy for their partners in the retail sector. Without a
moan or a gripe between them, an unsurpassed level of
thoughtfulness and fantastic new products there is, it would seem, a
fairly obvious place to start – stock their kit. It looks fantastic in store
and packs a hefty punch in the margin stakes to boot.
AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
Seize Control
With smart technology beginning to catch the
imagination of developers and homeowners alike,
DARREN HARVEY introduces the companies whose
products can make multi-room, multi-system
automation and its control a reality...
Automated homes and the custom installations required for them to come
into being are, we're pleased to say, steadily becoming more prevalent. And,
as consumers discover more about the benefits and practical realities of
bringing their property's lighting, heating, home entertainment and more
under centralised control, the number of products and solutions on the market
has grown to match. The positive upshot of this is, of course, that there has
never been more choice open to those desiring their very own high-tech
domestic paradise - and to those charged with making their dreams a reality...
Whether a user wants multi-room audio or the ability to control their
home remotely whilst away, an intelligent lighting system to deliver the
perfect ambience whatever the occasion or the means to keep their family
and possessions secure, the equipment necessary to make it possible and
the power to access it in a stylish and efficient manner, can be supplied by
these people…
AMX
However ambitious an install a
consumer has planned, AMX has the
technology to help make it a reality.
Regular readers will no doubt be au fait
with the impressive MAX digital content
server, an ideal option if a single media
library is required to supply music and
movies for distribution around a home,
but the company have far more to offer
than multi-room AV. Whole home
integration, including lighting, security,
communications and multi-media
entertainment is all eminently
achievable with Netlinx devices, as are
versatile control solutions. Options
range from the stunning portable
wireless Modero Viewpoint touch panels
to tabletop and wall-mounted devices,
including a selection of more
economical and unobtrusive wall
panels. With such a breadth of
technologies, AMX's home automation
kit can cater for homes large and small.
Contact: +44 (0) 190 434 3100
www.amx.com
24
AWE PHILIPS PRONTO
If a sleekly designed and intelligent control solution for a home entertainment
installation is what you require, Philips' new Pronto NG models, soon to be
available from AWE, are a great choice. The Pronto SBC-RU960 and ProntoPro
SBC-RU990 benefit from higher resolution screens and increased memory
capacity and facilitate fully customisable control of any home AV set-up. An
integral IR code database of in excess of 800 brands, plus the ability to upload
further examples, ensures that virtually any source component will be
compatible, whilst an optional RF unit can provide users with the ability to
control devices out of line of sight or in other rooms. The functionality of the
latter has been improved thanks to the addition of an RF Extender, which
delivers increased sensitivity to Pronto commands and reduces the impact of
interference to a significant degree. Full customisation of a Pronto set-up can be
easily carried out, via a PC or laptop, with the aid of free ProntoEdit software and
AWE can provide full training at their HQ – another good reason to consider the
Pronto route to AV control.
Contact: +44 (0) 137 272 9777 www.awe-europe.co.uk
LUTRON
For intelligent lighting
in the home the name
Lutron instantly
springs to mind. The
company offer whole
home control
solutions in the form
of RadioRA - the
world's first wireless
radio frequency option
- and the HomeWorks
system, which
provides complete
lighting control in
premier 8 series, a 4
series and wireless
versions. The
company's Grafik Eye room control technology is an equally noteworthy
proposition, with its ability to store and deliver preset lighting scenes on
demand.
Recently, Lutron have also introduced a new five-strong dimming range
designed specifically for retrofitting. Lyneo, Lutron's basic slide dimmer,
and Solina, a discreet floor and table lamp dimmer, are both included, as
are the Rania and Rania IR. The latter are button-operated (the IR version
may be operated via remote control) multi-location dimmers with the
capacity to remember the last lighting level chosen and a choice of finishes
makes them suitable for the vast majority of interiors. With their everexpanding range of whole-house and room-based systems, Lutron have
something for every installation.
Contact: +44 (0)20 7702 0657 www.lutron.com
CRESTRON
Think of the name Crestron and your mind will probably
turn to the company's stylish high-tech touch-screens
and keypads, which feature in so many installations
around the country. But whilst these deserve all the
attention they get, Crestron have much more to offer
the installer. Their Total Home Technology range offers
a complete solution for the automated home, facilitating
lighting automation, climate control, audio distribution
and home theatres, as well as providing the user with
the means to control all such systems. The most recent
addition to their portfolio, and a product that looks
certain to boost Crestron's reputation even further, is
the Adagio series. This collection of entry-level home
entertainment products offers both out-of-the-box,
plug-and-play functionality and includes a digital audio
server and the means to easily set-up multi-room audio
and home entertainment systems. Usable with the
aforementioned keypads or LCD panels, Adagio is a
fine example of Crestron's comprehensive
automation options.
Contact: +44 (0)20 8439 7272 www.crestron.com
CONTROL 4
Control 4 provide a new breed of
IP-based home automation
solution, one previously only to
be found in luxury properties.
The systems they deliver can be
managed from a TV screen with
a remote or via a touch screen
and take in domestic systems
as diverse as lighting, audio,
video climate and security –
essentially every aspect of a
working home. A major feature
of the solution is its
expandability: users can request
new products as and when they
are required. Devices with a
wireless capability can be put to
good use, as the system automatically searches for compatible items and brings them
under centralised control. With both wired and wireless systems on offer, Control 4's
products will suit a host of properties.
Contact: +44 (0) 190 475 9070 www.control4-uk.com
ELAN
In the business of manufacturing innovative multi-room AV
systems since 1989, Elan have a variety of products designed
to bring automated systems into the home of the consumer.
Their range of multi-room controllers includes the powerful
and flexible System12, a device with the capacity to serve
eight individual zones with high-quality audio and video and
to interact with multiple sources and the equally impressive Z
600 Communications controller. This makes services such as
phone-to-phone intercom, whole-house paging and more
possible from a standard touch-tone handset.
They also offer products like the VIA! Four-Port System
Controller and the VIA!DJ. The former allows the user to
control, with the aid of VIA! touch panels, up to four wholehouse electronic subsystems, such as lighting, climate,
security and AV, whilst the latter is a digital audio storage and
music management system that can also be brought under
the control of VIA! touch panels. Expanding their range even
further, two new products - the D400 and D660 - are set to
bolster their D Series line of Digital power amplifiers soon.
Premium grade models, these have been designed
specifically for custom installers and are ideal for multi-room
applications.
Contact: +44 (0) 151 236 1832 www.elanhomesystems.com
25
AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
LIVING CONTROL
Available through CSE Solutions, Living Control's
products sit at the heart of many a high-end multiroom entertainment install, and with good reason.
Their systems operate around a Central Processing
Unit, which is connected to keypads in every room in
which access is required. Users are then able to select
from their range of sources and enjoy audio in their
desired location. The company's Afinity Series is a
solution with a wide-ranging appeal, combining the
convenience and utility of a computer with the
performance of a conventional Hi-Fi system. Built
around the MusicBox3 digital server, users can store
in excess of 4,000 hours of audio and distribute up to
three independent streams of music simultaneously.
The Series' influence can be further expanded with
RoomBox4 and RoomBox6 digital distribution systems,
which will bring audio from six sources to six separate
rooms and, with the RoomBox6VX, video too.
Contact: +44 (0) 142 335 058 www.csesolutions.co.uk
FUTRONIX
Producing an innovative range of lighting controls, dimmers, home automation and high-end
commercial lighting systems, Futronix products can cater for various residential requirements.
A case in point, their Home-Icon TFT Colour Touch Screen lighting control system was
introduced at the CEDIA Expo and features a bright colour display, with eye-catching graphics
and an intuitive menu structure that's as easy for homeowners to use as it is installers. Fully
web-enabled, Home-Icon offers the convenience of one-touch operation as it integrates
individual Futronix dimmers into a single, seamless system. In fact, HI can even act as a
master building control, exercising its influence over curtains, blinds, motorised projection
screens and audio-visual equipment. Also launched at the Expo, Futronix's Eclipse switch
plates and accessories represent another string to the company's bow and help lighting
dimmers blend into classic and contemporary décors with equal aplomb.
Contact: +44 (0) 188 337 3333/3334 www.futronix.com
KALEIDESCAPE
High-quality home entertainment will always be at the top of consumers' wish
lists for the automated home and, for those with the money, the Kaleidescape
System will prove a very tempting option. An entertainment server, it has been
designed to deliver content around the home with both speed and convenience.
Able to store up to 180 DVDs (though this figure may be upgraded to 500 if
required), users can browse through their entire collection by genre, actors or
cover art, making sorting through individual cases a thing of the past. The userfriendly interface has been designed to operate alongside touch-screens from the
likes of Crestron and AMX and the system can also be accessed with the majority
of Prontos or universal remotes, allowing Kaleidescape to slot easily into a wider
automation set-up. Whilst not cheap – a basic package is available for £21,950 (ex.
VAT) – it's clear that the system offers a vast amount for those that demand, and
are prepared to pay for, the best.
Contact: www.kaleidescape.com
HELVAR
The number of lighting control solutions for the home is
increasing all the time and Helvar have particularly
effective ones in their DIGIDIM and DIGIDIM 4 systems. The
former is an impressively flexible multi-room solution that
is made of an array of dimmers, output units, contactors
and input units, which can be specified to suit a user's exact
requirements. Control is via pushbutton, sliders or rotary
control panels, all of which can be customised if required.
DIGIDIM 4 is a complete packed control system ready for
immediate installation. Developed as a single room
application and easily programmed, it can provide costeffective and elegant scene-setting functionality and
features a four-circuit dimmer, a four-scene control panel
and an infrared remote controller. The control panels can be
specified in a number of finishes, allowing Helvar's
products to fit into a range of interiors without problem.
Contact: +44 (0) 132 222 2211 www.helvar.com
26
SMART HOME CONTROLS
Specialising in home automation systems that allow end users
to control the infrastructure of their home, Smart Home
Controls provide complete solutions based upon smartkontrols
technology. A leading company in HVAC control, smartkontrols'
products can deliver control of heating, lighting and security
systems, integrating them if necessary with whole house
solutions from companies such as AMX or Crestron. The
smartkontrols system is modular and divides properties into
room zones. Climate is controlled by a wall-mounted Zone
Controller interface, a switch-sized unit that features an
embedded temperature sensor and an LCD display that
provides quick and easy control. Smart wallplates, touchscreens, wireless handsets are available for lighting and
security control and SMS messaging can even be employed by a
user to access home systems whilst away. A whole-house smart
embedded hardware-based webserver control solution is a
further option.
Contact: +44 (0) 182 576 9812
www.smarthomecontrols.co.uk
MODE LIGHTING
With intelligent lighting systems becoming increasingly
important to consumers, Mode Lighting's solutions have an
understandable appeal. In addition to distributing a range of
innovative technologies, their own versatile Evolution
Architectural Control Systems warrant attention, being suited
to use in locations as diverse as restaurants, cruise ships,
boardrooms and, more relevantly for this feature, the latest
smart homes. Highly configurable, the system features RS232,
DMX, DSI, DALI and 1-10V controls and is pleasingly simple to
install and maintain. Preset scenes can be recalled via either a
twin gang-size LCD plate or a single gang switchplate, which
are available with fascias in a number of interiorcomplementing finishes. Any input in the system can be setup to control any output and even a specified sequence of
events, providing users with the ability to create room 'scenes'
on demand.
Contact: +44 (0) 192 046 2121 www.modelighting.com
LINN
Linn are renowned for
the quality of AV
sources, but they have
much more to interest
installers charged with
delivering a multi-room entertainment set-up. The KNEKT system is
the company's solution to integrating home entertainment sources
into one centralised and easy-to-manage system. CD-players,
tuners and home theatre satellite TV can all be incorporated into a
set-up that can feature up to 16 individual sources. Direct access
and control of these devices can be made available to any part of a
home thanks to Linn's RCU (Room Control Unit) and handheld
remotes. Additionally, the company's KIVOR range allows entire
music collections to be ripped from CD and stored, uncompressed,
on a hard drive for easy access anywhere around a property, whilst a
range of speaker options, particularly the SEKRIT and DISKREET inwall ranges, afford the installer even more.
Contact: +44 (0) 141 307 7777 www.linn.co.uk
ILS
International Lighting Solutions Ltd are able to supply a home
automation system that facilitates far more than their name might
suggest. The Berker Radio Control and Carotec home
entertainment control systems they offer have been developed to
expand a building's functionality without the need for extensive recabling. It offers the end user control of lighting, appliances,
blinds, shutters, garage doors and AV equipment via an ultra highfrequency FM Digital Radio signal. Installation is simple:
transmitters can be wall-mounted, handheld or hidden behind
existing switches and have an effective range of 100 metres. With regards entertainment, the
Carotec Universal Media Commander has the ability to control the infrared functions on any AV
component and Berker receiving actuators, meaning that one remote is all that's needed to
operate any function. Macro operations involving lighting, blinds and AV can even be set-up
and group and area management of devices is also possible.
Contact: +44 (0) 125 278 3129 www.ils-ltd.co.uk
INVISION
Specialising in supplying the most innovative AV and home
automation solutions to trade customers, Invision have a
range that certainly catches the eye. The award-winning
NetStreams DigiLinx IP-based distributed audio system is a
particular highlight, employing patented StreamNet
technology to distribute music over CAT5 cable using TCP/IP
on a segmented Ethernet network. The system fully
integrates with another of Invision's offerings: the
AudioRequest hard disc server. Both the ARC Fusion Pro and
the ARC Fusion Zone servers replace CD-changers, digitally
storing and organising music and, with NetSync technology, can automatically synchronise an
entire collection over a home network, thereby making it available to any suitably-equipped
location in the home. Together, these systems can form a potentially unlimited zone and
unlimited source set-up, with expansion a simple matter if and when it is required. Other
products available from Invision include the Vantage home automation range, Xperinet MIRV
servers and Belden HomeChoice cabling.
Contact: +44 (0) 144 967 7233 www.invisionuk.com
THE MULTI-ROOM COMPANY
Few distributors can have as much to offer
the installer as The Multi-Room Company.
Amongst their stable are US firm
CentraLite Systems, who produce
innovative pre-packaged and bespoke home
lighting and control systems at an
affordable price point. Also present, Leviton
- another big name in the USA whose
residential wiring solutions have been designed to integrate home office, networking,
communications, security and multi-room AV into efficient and all-inclusive home
automation systems. With products such as the digital media storing and distributing
Entertainment and Applications Platform, the potential of their products is clear to see.
Home Automation Inc. offer further choice with a range of integration and security options,
including the award-winning Web-Link II software, and the line-up is concluded by
Russound and their multi-room AV kit and in-wall speakers. With diversity, quality and
affordability on their side, Multi-Room's products certainly deserve serious consideration.
Contact: +44 (0) 124 253 9100 www.multi-room.com
27
INSTALLATION FOCUS
Seventh Heaven
He never quite became the rock star or footballer he dreamed of as
a boy, but had he defied his lack of talent and become a star,
HAMISH McNAIR-WILSON knows which house he’d be buying…
Style and substance are no longer the uncomfortable bedfellows they once
were in the home entertainment sector, but there is no doubting that
performance still remains the dominant partner and it is this that our kit is
primarily dressed around. Similarly, in the world of interior design and during
the development of the chicest cribs on the block, traditionally the artiste
seeking to weave their aesthetic magic around the home has found the most
progressive technologies little more than an obstacle, an irritant which forces
them to compromise their integrity. However, conventions are there to be broken
and nowhere is this more evident than in the hastily evolving world of the custom
installation – nowhere, indeed, more than Muralto.
We are all familiar with the immense costs and upheaval involved in a
retrofit install, which can become a long and drawn out story of biblical
proportions. Having to strip every wall around the home down to its bare bones
and lay the necessary cabling, Cat-5 et al, is never an easy process and demands
a fully fledged redecoration, amongst other things. As a result automation
installations of this ilk remain something fairly exclusive, which only the
ambitious and affluent can get their mitts on. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Public,
meanwhile, find themselves wielding all the might of, well, a universal
controller… if they’re lucky. However, as time goes by this could change. As many
of you know, our friendly workaholics at CEDIA have been pulling out all the
stops over the last few years to educate building developers, architects and
anyone else even vaguely relevant and with ears in working order, as to the
benefits of pre-wiring their projects and decking them out with intelligent
lighting networks, security systems and the like.
Including the necessary wiring at the point of construction serves, of course,
to reduce costs further down the line and provides an appreciable selling point
into the bargain. As CEDIA continue to
disseminate this message the hope is
that, one day, all new houses will have, at
the very least, the potential to afford their
buyer’s intelligent abilities… and keep
The handy pronto takes control
of the cinema
business booming for those of us
operating on the inside into the bargain.
However, whilst CEDIA and progressive
manufacturers like Crestron are seeking
to spread the word to a whole new
market and untapped reserves of
potential clients at a previously elusive
entry level price point, the process is
already bearing fruit in the higher
echelons of the housing market. A new
28
generation of designers and developers is
leading the way and none that we’ve
encountered have produced houses with quite
the appeal of Muralto – a Green Amber project
in Orpington that I was invited to visit by our
friends at SmartComm this month.
cut of the crib
The house, which will hit the market
imminently at a cool £3.75-million, is straight
out of the glamorous world of MTV’s Cribs and
would make a fitting residence for a
Premiership footballer… and six of his
children, come to that. Boasting a full seven
bedrooms, each of which comes complete
with its very own, uniquely styled bathroom
and almost all of which features its own
dressing room, it is safe to say it was a fair
size and beyond the means of the
aforementioned Mr Public and his missus.
Every bathroom comes dressed in
unique furnishings
However, the good news for us is that during
the development the home’s designer, George
Micallef, worked side by side with the SmartComm team to ensure that the final
house would offer prospective buyers a host of technological delights. From the CCTV
cameras that adorn the walls of the inviting abode through to the dedicated home
cinema suite and the plasmas liberally dotted around, the house comes rife with
entertainment and a box of tricks to boot, featuring a Living Control multi-room audio
and an I-Light lighting system at its heart.
But why has a designer, with 33-years in the game, more familiar with working
with names like Ligne Roset and Villeroy and Boch than Crestron or Hitachi, come to
embrace the technological revolution and pre-dress his audacious designs in this
manner? Well, according to him, it was born out of the growing expectations of his
buyers. Those willing to splash their cash on a veritable mansion of this ilk have come
to demand more for their money, with some actually asking for its inclusion. The
process of embracing technology has been transitory for the boys at Green Amber
and in the past they had simply included products drawn from straight from the
catalogues of voguish Danish brand Bang and Olufsen.
All this has now changed. Following an interview process when company owner
and designer George Micallef sat down to sound out various companies, many of
Green Amber’s projects are now as intelligent as they are stylish. SmartComm
triumphed in the interview process, we were told, because of their thoroughly
professional ethos, approachable nature
and ability to work with the designer and
his team. The two firms have got on
famously ever since, developing a sterling
relationship and some stunning houses
along the way.
The designers set SmartComm a
budget and give them an indication of the
technology they’d like to see in the
development and SmartComm come
back with a proposal. During an ongoing
development process a constant dialogue
is maintained to ensure input and expertise is felt throughout from every quarter.
In this Orpington-based project, for example, while the designers felt that a
retractable screen for the SIM2 projector might be the most desirable solution for
the home cinema, given it was to be a dedicated facility SmartComm were able to
convince George of the greater viewing benefits a permanently mounted, fully taut
projector screen could offer – and suffice to say this made the final cut, serving
up great visuals for all.
SmartComm’s first role in this particular project was simply to lay the wiring
ready to accept the kit once the home was ready. After this, the team went away,
not returning until all the building work had been finished off and the dust had
settled sufficiently to allow the programmers to do their job in a fitting
environment. As part of the service SmartComm will teach the future owner how
to use their system. Finally, once the property has been sold, the SmartComm
reps return three months into the residents’ tenure to see if they would like it
tweaking in any way. At this juncture certain operations such as the nature of the
preset lighting scenes can be changed to suit the individuals, once familiar with
living alongside it. A high-end market demands a high-level of service, and
SmartComm clearly provide this
SIM2's sleek projector
supplies a pretty picture
by George
Venturing around this 1924 property I was left in awe of the level of workmanship.
The attention to detail and unique flavour of every individual room was highly
impressive, with everything from the faucets in each bathroom through to the
furniture from Ligne Roset’s Mortimer
Street store handpicked by the designer.
The brains behind
the beauty...
With a team of three carpenters at his
disposal to make his ambitious designs a
reality, Mark Wilkinson Kitchens onside
and dependable construction workers, the
original house had been expanded and
transformed into the epitome of modish
opulence. Design concerns pervaded every
realm, with even the study’s handcrafted
desk pre-wired to ensure that the PC which
will grace it can be hidden from view and
no wires need be evident. Around the
home, residents will have access to some
500 CDs and the radio courtesy of a multiroom audio system, making its presence
felt thanks to some top notch in-ceiling
speakers provided by top names like Linn
and B&W.
The integrated wall panels also allow
the users to harness their fully automated
lighting system and operate the electric
blinds. Every bedroom has a panel in the
place of a conventional lighting switch and either side of its bed. However, if they
are further from home, SmartComm have set up an SMS service, which allows
users to remotely institute commands from their mobile phone, wherever they
may be. Footage streamed from the cameras dotted around the exterior can be
viewed around the home, whilst in the fully specced cinema, a hand held pronto
was on hand to issue commands.
What became clear on my jaunt around the home was that whoever is lucky
enough to get their hands on Muralto will have a ready-made hub of
entertainment at their disposal. This had been worked exceptionally well into the
design of each room and, wherever possible, the components buzzing away
behind the scenes from the Denons and B&Ws of this world were hidden away
from view. What screens there were come bedecked in their own fully bespoke
wooden enclosures forged from the finest raw materials, which Green Amber
clearly demand.
The fact that a designer with so strong a focus on aesthetics as Green
Amber’s George Micallef has been motivated to embrace the smart technology
revolution is great news for our sector and others will no doubt follow, creating
work for SmartComm and their peers along the way and fantastic ready-made
homes for the buyer. The Muralto had so much more than the conventional
A flat-screen in the master bedroom
empty shell to offer and, when it hits the market, no doubt Britain’s growing
crop of millionaires will be scrambling to get their hands on it. Meanwhile, if
developers working at a more affordable level begin to adopt this kind of
approach, it may not be long before many more of us are privy to such
automated delights.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Green Amber: www.greenamber.co.uk
SmartComm: +44 (0) 149 447 1912 www.smartcomm.co.uk
Ligne Roset: +44 (0) 207 323 1248 www.ligne-roset.co.uk
29
> SOUND & VISION
WHAT’S NEW? INSTALLER
Installation Nation
COMPILED BY TOBY WATSON
SMALL IS
BEAUTIFUL
THEO
EVOL RY OF
UTIO
N
Vogels stunning new Evolution 6000 Series
has been getting a lot of press recently,
and it’s so good that we’re going to give
it some more. The range was officially launched
at Berlin’s IFA show last month and it caught the attention of
everyone present who has dealings with flat-screen TVs.
As the websites www.flatscreenfitter.com and
www.homecinematips.com highlight, the right mount can
make all the difference. It can
offer the user flexibility, security and the optimum viewing
position. Few do this with as much conviction as the
Evolution 6000 Series, which is of solid, well thought
through construction, as each of its many mounts coming
with a 10-year guarantee. Designed to allow you to make the
most of the space available in your installation, it caters for
all screens, both large and small, offering a host of
alternatives from close-to-the-wall mounting to more
distant models. Whatever need you and your customers
have, Vogels should have something to serve the purpose.
The undeniable quality of construction is matched by
innovative designs, which ensure the safety of the kit and
smoothness in operation. The range is available in the UK now,
courtesy of distributors BBG, and demands your attention. After
all, the discerning IFA visitors are rarely wrong.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
+44 (0) 845 600 4224
www.bbg.eu.com
AMX have always had a lot to offer the
custom installer, being one of the major
manufacturers driving the expansion of the residential
automation industry. However, it could be its highly
advanced and attractive touch-panels for which the firm is
best known at the user end. The Modero range has been
true to form for AMX, winning plaudits along with installers
and clients. Recently, AMX saw fit to expand the range. Yes,
as of this month, five and 10-inch widescreen options will
be available, each capable of affording the user the most
intuitive access to their intelligent network in full colour
and with appreciable features, yet more compact than ever.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 845 275 2269 www.amx.com
GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE
Oasis once sang “true perfection has to be imperfect,” and
while I’d like to take time out discussing the finer points of
philosophy with Noel Gallagher, some of us have to at least
strive to be entirely accurate all the time. It is with this in
mind that the team here at What’s New would like to
apologise for and negate the best efforts of the Gremlins in
our system that got their nasty little hands on Hypex’s
advert last month. Unfortunately it has come to our
attention that the contact details on this were wrong.
Therefore, if you would like to contact the firm to place an
order or get more information on the fantastic range of
Chief mounts they distribute, you will actually find them on
+44 (0) 208 908 3111.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 208 908 3111
www.chiefmfg.com www.hypexuk.com
DESIGNED FOR LIFELIKE
Find Texas Instruments'
latest technology in here...
30
One product that caught the eye of all
who visited the CEDIA US Expo is the
latest from projectiondesign’s highly
advanced 3D development and
prototyping labs. Texas Instruments,
whose intelligence has completely
reshaped the projector market in the last
few years, chose specifically to work
with projectiondesign to introduce
a ground-breaking projector
technology first seen at this show.
Described by its manufacturers as “the
world’s first true high-definition DLP
projector,” this serves to prove that
three-chip projectors won’t necessary
prove the be all and end all of the
home theatre market.
With HDTV well on its way, many
of you will be aware that only a product
relaying 1080p will offer viewers the
optimum images. This model has been
designed to do exactly that and
according to our sources on the scene
it delivers the highest possible
resolution pictures and
unprecedented image dynamics
The highly anticipated model is
founded upon projectiondesign's lightengine and boasts a ray-traced lowloss low-scatter optical path. This
single-chip design provides
impressively high dynamic contrast of
7500:1, whilst the 2500 lumens of
brightness will prove enough for the
most sizable cinema rooms. The
revelations encompassed herein
include projectiondesign’s new
RealColor management software,
whilst the model also benefits from a
full suite of installation features, highly
efficient thermal management, is quiet
in operation and compact in size. Look
out for it when it comes to market; for,
as the industry discovered over in
Indianapolis, it has it all.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 148 873 366
www.projectiondesign.com
WHAT’S NEW
MOUNTING
PRESSURE
RGB Communications are to
distribute the Chief series of flat
panel and projector mounts.
Appointed with immediate effect
as distributor within the United
Kingdom, RGB will distribute
their comprehensive range of
universal mounts, lifts and
accessories for LCD/DLP/CRT
projectors and flat-panel displays
utilising plasma and LCD
technologies.
Based in Savage, Minnesota,
Chief is an industry leader in
technology mounting solutions
with more than 25-years of
proven product and service
excellence. Well known for
producing the original Roll, Pitch
and Yaw adjustments in 1978 to
make projector registration quick
and easy, Chief continues to
provide innovative mount
features, including the first ever
seismic rated wall mounts for
large flat-panel displays.
Chief pride themselves in the
sleek low profile designs of all
their flat-panel mounts that do
not compromise on users'
overriding need for ease of
installation, stable mounting,
integrated security and quick
release. A comprehensive range
includes stylish solutions for both
the pro AV and custom install
markets, catering for all sizes of
flat-panels - with small (under
26-inches), medium (26-40inches) and large (40-65-inches)
flat panel mounts.
Wall mount (with fixed, tilt,
single and dual swing arm
options), ceiling mount, table
mount, mobile carts and fixed
floor stand models ensure there
is a stylish but practicable
solution whatever the application.
"Chief is quite simply another
perfect fit for RGB Displays,"
commented RGB Communications
Managing Director Caroline Britt.
"The addition of the Chief range of
flat-panel and projector mounts
takes us one step further in the
process of delivering a totally
integrated package for all our
dealers - residential and
commercial alike".
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 148 873 366
www.rgbsmarthome.co.uk
PAY FOR SERVICE
PROJECT 3 Ltd is a new company providing engineering and programming
services to the AV trade in both the residential and commercial markets.
With years of experience, the guys behind PROJECT 3 are already making a
big name for themselves within the industry. PROJECT 3 were wary that
installers are usually reluctant to use 3rd party sources as it is thought that
they will do a shoddy job.
"My personal thoughts at PROJECT 3 are that we do care, so we would
do a better job and more thorough job, not only for the repeat business but
for our own satisfaction of knowing that we have provided a good service."
explained Kevin Pankhurst, Programming Director of PROJECT 3.
PROJECT 3 have the added benefit of not only being able to provide
programming and installation services but also project management,
AutoCAD drawings and system design, thus offering a complete package.
Rob Allen, engineering director of PROJECT 3 says: "Paying a low rate of
labour is a false economy. A lot of work we see is coming from installers
that have paid peanuts for a quick job and nothing works. We are called in
to clear up the mess. Having the experience to offer installers AutoCAD
drawings, system design and project management, means that from the
start, we are saving them the trouble of more expense and embarrassment
to the customer."
For further information contact: www.project-3.com
PROJECT 3's new yet
well known team
31
> SOUND & VISION
WHAT’S NEW? INSTALLER
THE CINE SEASON
Hitachi look set to make their presence felt in the
upper echelons of the projector market with the
release of the Cine Master PJ-TX200 3LCD. This
impressive new model offers viewers a
staggering 7,000:1 contrast ratio, 10-bit digital
colour and benefits from Hitachi's exclusive
image processing with dual digital iris. The
projector packs a whole lot of performance into
its impressively attractive design and is HDTVready, allowing viewers the ability to play the 720p
format. The 3LCD technology works to ensure true
colour accuracy, no colour break up and
perfect, smoothly moving, realistic pictures. The
PJ-TX200 is available in November and is
designed to be easy to install.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 162 864 3000
www.hitachidigitalmedia.com
STRAIGHT TO HELVAR
Lighting specialists Helvar have been benefiting
from a higher profile in the residential sector of
late and to those familiar with their range this
will come as no surprise. One of the latest
developments, sure to entrench their position
on the automation map, saw the Digidim 4
lighting control system being deployed in
Project: LIFE, a unique research project
currently taking place in a specially designed
five-bedroom house in Sheffield.
The aim of the project is to learn how
house design affects the way we live and the
role technology plays in our daily lives. As a
result, the house is fitted with the latest smart
home technologies, including this stylish and
cost-effective system from Helvar.
Conceived by developer David Wilson
Homes, in partnership with local universities,
in Project: LIFE the Parnell family will be
monitored for six months in order to discover
how they interact with the latest home
technology. Throughout the period, the family
of four will be tracked by radio frequency
identification (RFID) tagging technology in
order to gauge their use electrical appliances,
including the Helvar system, and energy
consumption.
"We are proud to be involved in such an
important research project," commented Gary
Helvar light the way...
32
Brown, UK Sales Manager at Helvar. "The Digidim
4 system is simplicity itself, so I'm sure the
Parnell family will use and fully appreciate the
whole host of benefits that the system can bring
to homeowners."
The Digidim 4 lighting control system has
been installed throughout the property. It
can be activated from the wall, with a
number of pre-programmed scenes available in
each room to suit the mood or time of day. This
wall plate panel features seven push buttons for
the basic system functions: on/off, scene
selection, and the raising and lowering of the
general light level. Alternatively, for ultimate
convenience, all system functions can be
controlled from a remote control handset.
Helvar launched DIGIDIM 4, to make
sophisticated home lighting control an affordable
and attractive reality for any type of property
owner. The system is simple-to-use and easy-toinstall and is an ideal solution for people who
desire automated light-dimming and scene
setting control for their lounge, kitchen, master
bedroom or entire house - either as a standalone system or integrated as part of a wider full
home automation installation.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 132 222 2211
www.helvar.co.uk
All set for ISE 2006?
ON THE CONTINENT
Integrated Systems Europe HAS announced the
opening of its on-line registration for the show to
be held at the Brussels Expo, Belgium on February
1 - 3 2006. For exhibition registration, please visit
www.iseurope.org the primary source of news and
information about ISE 2006. On this site, visitors
can view all sessions and programs relating to the
conference, see the latest list of exhibitors, view a
show floorplan and find information on travelling to
and staying near the Brussels Expo.
It’s certainly a show worth visiting: The team at
What’s New made the trip earlier this year and had
an exhibition booth stocked to the gills with THE
magazine. In 2006 we’ll be back too, at a show that
will have doubled in size in only a year. At the
Brussels Expo, more than 2000m2 extra space has
been allocated to meet the increasing demand from
new and existing companies, keen to participate in
a show with a rapidly growing profile. Key
exhibitors who signed up over the summer were
Eiki and Dataton. Mike Blackman, ISE 2006
managing director, could barely contain his elation
at the progress being made:
"We are delighted to see that the level of new
business continues to grow each month. Even over the
traditionally quiet summer months, we managed to
sell over 200m2 of exhibition space. The interest
levels and awareness of ISE 2006 is increasing all the
time and, now that the website has gone live, we will
be channeling our energies towards the visitor and
press with a series of exciting roadshows, editorial
and advertising campaigns."
For further information contact:
www.iseurope.org
WHAT’S NEW
CHEAP
AT THE
PRICE
The award-winning InFocus
ScreenPlay 777 is now available for
£9,999, making it the first three-chip
projector to sell for under £10,000.
Known for its powerful three-chip
performance, impressive image
quality and smart design, the InFocus
ScreenPlay 777 represents great
value for custom installers and
consumers who want the best in
home cinema projection.
Racked to the rafters
with the latest cutting
edge technology, the 777
produces pictures of 2,000
video-optimised lumens of
brightness with a mighty
contrast ratio of 5,000:1. Colours
are calibrated to D65 colour and the
projector will support the
forthcoming HDTV revolution. This is
reinforced by the inclusion of a DVI
input with HDCP, which, considering
the new price tag, should make this a
popular choice in the install sphere
when high -definition hits the
airwaves.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 142 335 9054
www.csesolutions.co.uk
CI KNOW
More and more firms who originally cut their teeth in the
conventional Hi-Fi sector are starting to embrace the
world of custom installation. It’s a growing sector and with
the addition of such input should continue to thrive. For
some time now, pioneering British AV firm Arcam has
been aware of the CI market’s expansion and has been
looking to build a presence in this area. As a continuation
of this focus, Arcam has seen fit to create a CI section to its business to develop
and support its growth. The section will be headed up by Andrew (Boris)
Samalionis, formerly of Meridian Audio.
Boris brings over 17-years experience in the audio and video industry to
this venture, as well as a passion for great sounding music. Joining him from
the Arcam team is Andy Moore, who is similarly experienced and passionate
about music.
When asked about the new challenge, Boris said: "It is a great time for
Arcam. They have been developing products that are second to none at the price
and have been adding in custom-friendly features along the way. My first job is
going to be telling people about all the RS232 and IR features that they are
probably not aware of."
The new CI section will initially be focusing on promoting the many features
that already exist in the Arcam products, but will quickly be moving on to
formulate partnerships with other manufacturers in order to ensure
compatibility, as well as looking to expand on Arcam's award-winning training.
Says Charlie Brennan, Managing Director, "I'm delighted to welcome Boris
on board. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as a lot of
height (he is 6' 6" for those of you who haven't yet met him) to the Arcam team."
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 122 320 3200 www.arcam.co.uk
BIGGER THAN EVER
CEDIA has announced that more than
26,000 custom electronics
professionals made the trip to the US
Expo that took place at the Indiana
Convention Center and RCA Dome in
Indianapolis last month. This made
attendance at the 2005 event the
largest in Expo’s 16-year history, with
over 1,000 more attendees than last
year convening for the show. With the
wares of over 500 exhibitors there for
all to see, the shows expansion
continues to accurately reflect the
thriving custom installation industry.
"CEDIA Expo’s ongoing growth is
good news for the custom electronics
industry," said Billilynne Keller,
executive director of CEDIA. "This
year's record attendance and our
many new exhibitors are signs of the
growing demand in our industry for
new technologies, education, and
information. We're pleased we're
growing and drawing more interest in
our show."
CEDIA Expo 2006 will move to the
Colorado Convention Center in
Denver, with show dates slated for
Sept. 13-17. Expo Education runs
Sept. 13-17 and the CEDIA Expo trade
show will be open Sept. 14-17, which
includes an additional day to
accommodate the growing interest in
Expo specifically, as well as the
broader custom electronics industry.
For further information contact:
www.cedia.org
33
> SOUND & VISION
WHAT’S NEW? INSTALLER
PLUG AND PLAY
In what is excellent news for those seeking to expand the
breadth of their market base, Crestron has launched
Adagio - a new series of entry-level home entertainment
products that combine outstanding performance with
straight-from-the-box functionality. Specifically targeted
at consumers taking their first step into the world of
multi-room audio and home entertainment, Adagio is
incredibly affordable and requires no programming. It is,
in essence, the perfect introduction to Crestron's awardwinning Total Home Technology solutions.
Described by its pioneering manufacturers as “a true
plug-and-play solution,” there are several elements to
Adagio, including whole house audio, a home entertainment
system, a digital audio server and an audio room expander.
These can all be seamlessly integrated with Crestron
keypads or touch-panels for the most convenient control.
Further options available, for those seeking a more
expansive system, include iPod interfaces on the touchpanels, infiNET wireless dimmers and HVAC control.
X MARKS THE SPOT
AVF, the UK's leading supplier
of high-quality wall
mounts, has finally unveiled
the products responsible for the
mysterious X shapes recently spotted around the industry. Codenamed Nexus, these have been described by the specialist
manufacturer as “the most extensive range of LCD and plasma
screen accessories to hit the AV market”.
Andrew Dimond, managing director consumer products division,
exclaimed: "We're really excited about the launch of Nexus and think
it represents a fantastic opportunity for electrical retailers. We've
monitored the marketplace to develop a new range so extensive
that it can support all of the major Plasma and LCD
manufacturers' products. The innovative mounts have also
been designed to look good in the home, by complementing the style
of today's modern screens. In fact, when we conducted research we
found that more than half of consumers highlighted design as
the main influence in their choice of product.
"We also understand the distinctive change in
customers' buying habits. With CRT products, customers
considered accessories after purchase, but the LCD
market is different - customers decide how to install
their product and buy the wall mount at the same time."
Independent research shows that this so-called
'attachment rate' could be as high as 40% for LCD
TVs. Andrew added, "This represents a fantastic
opportunity for retailers at the point of sale, as
they can generate significant additional
margins on LCD mounts. The
extensive choice in the Nexus
range allows them to find the
right mount for their customers and also
offer trade up alternatives. As customers now
understand the style and space saving benefits of
wall mounting screens, retailers can suggest how
easy this can be when using a Nexus product."
The Designer Range of Nexus products uses a
combination of design elegance and technology
for viewing flexibility that suits different
lifestyles. It features the unique AVF Nexus
screen mounting plate in tough
aluminium construction with a
moulded poly dome badge bearing
the Nexus logo. It is available with
flush, single and double arm options
and features an easy grip locking
control for easy tilt and swivel adjustment.
There are three size options to support 12 to
23-inch LCD-TVs.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 195 267 8855 www.avf-nexus.com
34
"The launch of Adagio is a new departure for
Crestron," explained Robin van Meeuwen, Managing
Director of Crestron UK. "We've been looking at this
type of solution for a while, but we think now is the
right time for Crestron to enter this market. The
reception at CEDIA was tremendous and it's already
clear that our network of dealers appreciate the
competitive price point and no-fuss installation. When
you add this to our trademark performance and bulletproof reliability, you know you have a winner."
The Adagio Audio Distribution system (AADS) can
distribute six stereo audio sources to six zones and can
work in conjunction with the Adagio Audio Server (AAS)
and Adagio Entertainment System (AES). For those
demanding something more expansive, there is the
Adagio Audio Expander (AAE), which can take the system
to a maximum of 24 independent zones.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 208 439 7272
www.crestron.co.uk
HEAD TO THE BEECH
Following a good showing at June’s CEDIA Expo
TCI’s practical range of projector accessories has been
winning plenty of plaudits around the industry and recently the
firm has seen fit to add to its catalogue. Many of the
functional projector trolleys that form a significant chunk of
TCI’s business are now available in a classy combination of
anthracite coloured metalwork and beech wood surfaces. The
smart new look should certainly help to reinvigorate the range
and broaden its appeal. With excellent margins available to
retailers, these are well worth stocking.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 160 481 1661
www.tcivega.co.uk
considering the size and the quality
of the screen.
The 10560 M-Compact screen is
the largest 16:9 electrical screen
Beamax currently offer. It has a
massive 120-inch diagonal
measurement and is 9ft across,
dwarfing every flat-screen TV on the
market. The screen is a plug and play
solution, thanks to the inclusion of an
integrated rocker switch. It comes
with Beamax’s standard 16-inch top
border, allowing it to be lowered to an
appropriate viewing height. This
screen is priced at £764 and is
available now.
On the control side, Beamax are
offering a new remote control set, the
10553, which consists of a
Projector screen specialist
transmitter and receiver unit. This set
Beamax is introducing two
can be used to remotely control a
substantial new models to
complete its M-compact and M- screen from a maximum distance of
25-metres. Because it works with an
series ranges. The 10241 is a
RF signal, the receiver unit can be
massive 13ft wide 4:3 electrical
hidden above the ceiling or behind a
projection screen. This is the
wall. This has a definite advantage
largest size currently offered in
the M-series and is designed for over IR, which needs a clear line-ofthe more expansive room where sight between the control point and
the receiver unit. The remote set is
real impact is required. This
screen is relatively easy to install very competitively priced at £68 and
should help users to keep their
and offers a flat projection area
aesthetics looking undisturbed.
allowing users to get the most
from their projector. It is available For further information contact:
+44 (0) 800 917 5943
now for around £1,073 including
www.beamaxed.co.uk
VAT, which is surprisingly cheap
M AND M
WHAT’S NEW
WHAT’S IN A KRAMER?
RGB Communications have announced an agreement with
Kramer Electronics to act as their trade distributor, working
alongside Kramer Electronics UK in the United Kingdom and
Southern Ireland. RGB will also distribute the Sierra Video
Systems ranges of high-quality video and audio matrix
RGB's Chairman switchers as part of this agreement.
Gordon Innocent
This new partnership marks the end of a long and
prosperous relationship with Extron Electronics, RGB's former signal distribution
and management partners in the commercial and residential audio visual
marketplaces.
"Extron have advised us that they wish to sell directly into the United Kingdom
via their European operations based in Holland," commented RGB Chairman
Gordon Innocent. "However, Kramer have a genuine understanding of the role and
the added value that is brought to bare by a technical distributor such as
ourselves. Joining forces with Kramer puts us in a position to grow and develop
our business in the UK with a manufacturer who wants to work in true partnership
with us and our dealers".
"We are excited to be working with a company of RGB Communications'
reputation and standing in the market place", added Nigel Hodgson, Managing
Director of Kramer Electronics UK. "The combined sales, technical, support and
training services of our two companies will ensure that A/V dealers have all the
support they will need in growing their business in the UK - both commercial and
residential."
The decision to switch to Kramer was based on a number of key factors. Both
Kramer and Sierra are long established and well respected manufacturers with a
proven track record of delivering reliable, high-quality products since 1981 and
1984 respectively. Their commitment to quality is unrivalled, with Sierra offering an
unique seven-year warranty on the majority of their products, whilst Kramer have
been awarded ISO - 9001 certification. The combined product ranges are very
similar to that of Extron and are very competitively priced, representing good value
for money. Product reliability is paramount - their failure rate is so low they only
need to employ one part time repair engineer in the UK.
"Unlike many other announcements within our industry, this is not simply a
paper launch", added RGB Communications Managing Director Caroline Britt. "We
are completely prepared and ready to trade right now. Our sales and technical teams
have all been trained. We have extensive sales, loan and demonstration stocks in
place. We have updated all our demonstration and training rooms and facilities,
including Rigsby, and revised our training courses and schedules. Price lists,
catalogues and leaflets are all available and we have updated our websites, including
the dealer specific pricing database on the RGB On-Line Services site. We're ready to
move forward with Kramer and Sierra and help grow our dealers' business".
"We are sad to be parting company with Extron," reflected Gordon Innocent.
"After all, we introduced Extron products to the UK market place way back in 1991
and have had a very successful partnership with them since then. We wish them
well for the future".
For further information contact: +44 (0) 148 873 366 www.rgbsmarthome.co.uk
RECESSED TO KILL
Britain's Bowers & Wilkins is well
established worldwide as a key
player in the surround sound
speaker market, but recently the
firm has been making waves in the
CI world too. Ten new models have
been added to its recessed speaker
family, making it one of the most
complete and broadly applicable
range of high-performance in-wall
offerings available.
As is true across the Custom
Installation Series, the new
introductions showcase some of the
B&W technologies that have made
the name globally respected
wherever serious audio
reproduction is the subject. The
company's famous aluminiumdome one-inch tweeter with
Nautilus technology is employed on
many premium models. B&W's
familiar woven-Kevlar
bass/midrange drivers also appear
on top-model Custom Installation
Series speakers, and several
feature EQ switching to optimise
performance, for example, behind
decorative screens or in other
concealed locations. Like every
B&W Custom Installation model,
the new additions feature the
series' uniquely convenient ‘swingout dogs’ latching mechanism for
quick and easy, yet positive and
secure, wallboard installation, and
all 10 new models can be matched
by optional pre-mount kits for
precise, secure newconstruction/renovation projects.
The three new in-wall
(rectangular) models also feature
back-box options for sound
isolation and building code
compliance. Seven new circular,
ceiling-mount speakers also make
the cut and are available now.
For further information contact:
www.bwspeakers.com
35
> SOUND & VISION
WHAT’S NEW? INSTALLER
The networked system will
soon be all the rage...
GET NETWORKING
We talk of the CI market growing here, but it’s
always been America that has lead the way. So
how exactly are things shaping up in what is,
essentially, our older sibling? Well, according
to Storage and Management for the Connected
Home, a new report from Parks Associates,
the number of U.S. households with a
networked storage device will grow from
300,000 at the end of 2004, to nearly 10million by 2010.
A networked storage device is defined in
the report as one that connects to a router and
allows shared access among multiple PCs and
other networked devices. The addressable
market for these devices includes households
with home networks and those with multiple
PCs. By 2010, the report asserts, 17% of U.S.
36
households with multiple PCs and one-fourth of
those with a home network will have a
networked storage device.
"Consumers, once they realise the
danger of losing their valuable digital assets
to hard drive crashes, virus attacks, or other
uncontrollable events, feel a strong need for
a robust backup solution," said Yuanzhe
(Michael) Cai, senior analyst at Parks
Associates. "For households with multiple
PCs or a home network, a centralised
storage that can be shared among multiple
platforms makes a lot of sense."
Storage and Management for the
Connected Home identified several factors that
are driving this market, including declining
price, the entry of major hard drive and home
networking companies, consumer awareness
campaigns sponsored by these vendors, the
emergence of system-on-a-chip solutions, and
better designed software solutions.
"The industry will push 400,000-600,000
units through the channel in 2005," Cai
added. "To further grow the pie, vendors
need to educate consumers about the
importance of frequent and systematic
backup, increase consumer awareness of
networked storage solutions, collaborate
with retail channels, and focus on simple,
automatic backup and easy sharing as the
primary value propositions." With the UK
market inclined to follow the same trends as
our US cousins, the future, it would seem, is
bright.
For further information contact:
www.parksassociates.com
TOUCH DOWN!
The word from the CEDIA US Expo is that Crestron has
improved its Isys touch-panels. The new generation
includes the new TPS, TPS-G, TPMC-QM and TPMC-CH
Series, all of which offer enhanced graphics capabilities
and faster processing speeds at breakthrough pricing.
"Our Isys touchpanels were good,” Robin van Meeuwen
explained, “but we've made them even better. Having
such an advanced programme of product development
means that we are able to further improve what is
already an excellent product range. We have enhanced
the graphics capabilities, without sacrificing any
processing speeds - that, put together with the sensible
pricing policy we employ, means that we are in the
enviable position of being able to offer premium quality
products at great prices."
The sleek new models are available with 12-, 15- or
a 17-inch widescreen display. A variety of styles are also
on offer, including desktop tilt-case and wall-mount
designs. The multitude of
features encompassed in
each – including HDTV
inputs, high-resolution
RGB graphics, a biamplified speaker
system and a built-in
microphone – make
these touch-screens
amongst the most
advanced of their type
on the market today.
For further
information contact:
+44 (0)20 8439 7272
www.crestron.co.uk
WHAT’S NEW
GETTING THEIR REVENGE
Sevenoaks Sound & Vision and BBG joined forces for London’s Stars
Wars press launch. Revenge is a dish best served loud if the reaction of
the world's media earlier this week was anything to go by. Movers and
shakers from the press were invited to the Soho Hotel near London's
Piccadilly to witness the DVD launch of the epic, action-packed final
chapter of the Star Wars saga - Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the
Sith - due out on November 1st
As you'd expect, Lucasfilm, THX and 20th Century Fox weren't about
to demonstrate what's certain to be the biggest selling DVD of the year
on a £99 home cinema in a box system. That's where Sevenoaks Sound
& Vision and BBG came in…
Mark Cheffins, former custom installation specialist at SS&V and now
southern area sales manager at BBG, was asked by Rick Dean, THX Ltd's
vice president of technology development, to step in and create a home
cinema system that would do proper justice to the launch. And did he ever!
“The picture and sound quality you're about to experience in this
room will almost certainly eclipse that of any commercial theatre where
you might have originally seen Episode III,” said Jim Ward, Senior Vice
President of Lucasfilm Ltd, thanking SS&V and BBG before introducing
the DVD to the media.
Mark Cheffins, who also installed and set up the home cinema
systems for the UK launches of Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones, the
Indiana Jones trilogy and the Star Wars Trilogy considers the system he
set up for Revenge Of The Sith to be the best yet.
“The room was very large so we went to town with a 9.2 THX Ultra 2
system based around Jamo's D 7 loudspeakers, Denon/Onkyo
electronics and a 42-inch Pioneer plasma screen,' Cheffins continues,
'With two Jamo D7 subs present in the system we also generated some
seriously powerful low-bass - the DVD’s battle scenes looked and
sounded awesome!”
“Both Sevenoaks Sound & Vision and BBG were very keen to get
involved with the exercise because it gives us a great chance to spotlight
our skills and products to an influential and discriminating audience.”
Over 100 high-profile UK and international journalists were
introduced to the newly re-mastered Trilogy via the SS&V 7.1-channel
THX EX installation by Jim Ward (Lucasfilm's vice president of marketing
& distribution).
The presentation ended with a Q&A panel session involving Jim
Ward, Rick McCallum (producer), Hayden Christensen (Darth Vader) and
Ian McDiarmid (Darth Sidious). Helping Mark Cheffins out on the day
with the install was former SS&V colleague Steve Smith.
The AV system used for the UK press screening was undoubtedly
impressive. Key components incorporated into the set-up included a
Pioneer PDP-435XDE plasma, a host of Denon kit including the DVDA1XV THX DVD, five Jamo D7 LCR THX Ultra2 speakers, four Jamo D7
Surr THX ultra2 speakers, two Jamo D7 Subs and plenty of Bandridge
Profigold cabling. This also worked as an effective showcase for these
products, many of which are, of course, part of the BBG stable.
For further information contact:
+44 (0) 845 600 424 www.bbg.eu.com
The Supporting Act
Projection Screens, Mounts &
AV Furniture at Net Trade Prices
Please call for full literature, net trade price list and further info.
BBG make the latest Star
Wars launch extra special
Tel: 01604 811661 www.tcivega.co.uk
37
> SOUND & VISION
STORIES FROM CEDIA
Moving Up
In The World
CEDIA's Operations Director WENDY GRIFFITHS
brings us up to date on the latest growth steps for
the organisation.
CEDIA US EXPO HITS NEW HEIGHTS
More than 26,000 custom electronics professionals visited the recent CEDIA
EXPO 2005 in Indianapolis, the largest attendance in the event's 16-year
history, and up more than 1,000 attendees over last year's figure. More
than 500 exhibitors occupied the Indiana Convention Center and RCA
Dome, as well as the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
CEDIA EXPO 2006 will move to the Colorado Convention Center in
Denver, with show dates slated for Sept. 13-17th. EXPO Education runs
Sept. 13-17th and the CEDIA EXPO trade show will be open Sept. 14-17th,
which includes an additional day to accommodate the growing interest in
EXPO specifically, as well as the broader custom electronics industry.
CEDIA's US event pulled in more
punters than ever...
CEDIA UK EXPO 2006!
With so much going on, please let me take this opportunity to remind everybody of the dates
for next year's CEDIA UK Expo, which will be held for the first time at ExCeL in the heart of
London's Docklands.
NEW MEMBERS UPDATE
Four new members have joined CEDIA since the last
issue of What's New:
Training: Monday 19th - Thursday 22nd June 2006
Exhibition: Tuesday 20th - Thursday 22nd June 2006
ADV Audio Visual Installations
Audio Designs
Edward Pearce & Partners
Intelligent Home Technology
Please mark these important dates in your diary now and remember that for all enquiries to
do with stand sales, advertising or sponsorship packages, companies should contact the
event's Sales Manager Ian Morrish, tel: +44 (0) 137 272 2001 or email [email protected].
For a full list or geographical split, please check out
the website at www.cedia.co.uk.
38
SHOW STOPPERS
CEDIA has successfully participated in three exhibitions this Autumn,
and is gearing up for its fourth and fifth in November. These are Show
House 2005 & PlanExpo.
At 100% Detail CEDIA's stand was visited by a good number of
architects and interior designers, keen to discover more on how they
could integrate electronics within their designs for the home. With
attendance figures up by 47%, the total visitor number over the four
days from trade and professional visitors at 100% Detail reached
22,133 this year.
At Decorex CEDIA addressed the interior design audience again
with its RIBA accredited CPD training course, Designing Integrated
Future Ready Homes presented as part of the BIDA Conference
programme. CEDIA Chariman David Hyman delivered the course to an
enthusiastic audience of delegates from the interior design community.
A different audience of self-builders and house renovators was
attracted to the CEDIA Stand and those of many other members in the
Smart Home Zone of the recent London Homebuilding & Renovating
Show. Again, the CEDIA Stand was busy handling enquiries from
interested visitors for the duration of the show.
Our thanks to all members who helped man the CEDIA stand at
these events - without your continuing support, none of this important
work in helping to raise awareness for the design and integration skills
of CEDIA members would be possible.
Show House 2005 takes place at ExCel in London between the 1st
and 3rd of November 2005. The exhibition will showcase the very best
in new products and business solutions for the house building industry.
This is another vitally important audience for the CEDIA message, so if
you would like to help man the CEDIA stand for a part of this event,
please email me as soon as you can with details of your availability [email protected].
We will also be participating in PlanExpo in Dublin on the 9th to 11th
November. Plan Expo is the most important exhibition in the Irish
construction industry calendar. It's where the industry comes together to
see what's new, to assess progress and to plan for the future. It is the only
exhibition that is endorsed by both the Construction Industry Federation
and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. Plan Expo is the most
important exhibition in the Irish construction industry calendar.
For more information visit www.expo-events.com/planexpo.
CEDIA UK's smart new home
CEDIA UK ON THE MOVE!
As CEDIA membership continues to grow in the UK, the association itself is
expanding to make sure we can continue to meet the training, promotional
and other support needs of members.
As a result, we are delighted to announce that we will be moving from
our home for the past seven years in The Pixmore Centre in Letchworth to
new offices in St Neots. The most exciting aspect of the move for CEDIA is
that for the first time we will have a dedicated training room on site, able to
seat up to 28 delegates at any one time. This new facility will give us the
flexibility to offer members more and better value education at more times
throughout the year, covering both CEDIA's own courses and CEU accredited
manufacturer training.
At the same time, we will have much needed extra space in the new
office. This will enable us to recruit more office staff to help with
administration, marketing, training and the rapidly growing CEDIA Expo.
More news on these important appointments will follow very soon.
The new office contact details are: Ground Floor, Unit 2, Phoenix Park,
St Neots, Cambs.
BUILD A NEW LIFE
Channel 5 show
the populace how
to build a new life...
Channel 5 are setting up a new TV series of
their programme Build A New Life and have
invited CEDIA members to get involved in
return for exposure for your company in
front of a potential television audience in
excess of two million people.
They are looking for exciting
restoration and conversion projects that are
about to start. If you are involved in a
project that is transforming an abandoned
old building into a state of the art home, the
producers would like to hear from you.
The programme will go out on Fridays at
9pm sometime in 2006. Ideally, building work
would just have begun, or would be about to
begin. The programme makers would follow
the building work from start to finish,
including the media installations involved.
If you know of a project that you think
would make a good programme, please
contact the producers on +44 (0) 871 210
8872, or email [email protected]. If
you need help or advice on the publicity
benefits of getting involved please contact
Jeff, John or Eleanor at CEDIA's PR
company, Wildwood PR. They can be
reached on [email protected] or
telephone +44 (0) 140 389 2720.
You can find out more about the
programme on the Channel 5 website at
www.five.tv/programmes/buildanewlife.
39
BRUSSELS EXPO, BELGIUM
1– 3 FEBRUARY 2006
NETWORK
DISCOVER
LEARN
DO BUSINESS
with your industry
peers and technology
professionals
new innovations, new
ideas, new solutions
from stimulating industry
experts, or interact at
one of our many topical
workshops
and keep ahead of
the competition
THE SHOW YOU MUST ATTEND
ISE 2006 is the only Pan-European showcase for electronic systems integrators.
See how you can leverage the latest residential and commercial electronic systems
and AV technologies to increase productivity and profit. If you’re in this market,
ISE 2006 is the show you must attend.
Make February 1 – 3, 2006 the essential dates to mark in your diary now.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER YOUR PLACE, VISIT
WWW.ISEUROPE.ORG
Integrated Systems Europe is a joint venture partnership of
•A
Aanvil Audio
T: +44 (0) 135 924 0687
www.aanvilaudio.com
Abbey Road Cable
See THE OPPOSITION GROUP
Absolute Sounds Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8971 3909
ACM Installations
Ltd (South)
Holed Stoned Barn
Stisted Cottage Farm
Bradwell, Essex,
CM77 2DZ
+44 (0) 870 242 3285
[email protected]
ACM Installations Ltd (North)
T: +44 [0] 14 8237 7530
Aca-Apex Ltd
T: +44 (0) 152 522 0782
Acoustic Energy Ltd
T: +44 (0) 128 565 4432
F: +44 (0) 128 565 4430
[email protected]
www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Acoustic Partnership, The
T: +44 (0) 870 047 0047
F: +44 (0) 870 047 0048
[email protected]
Acoustic Solutions Ltd
T: +44 (0) 132 734 2255
F: +44 (0) 132 734 2298
[email protected]
www.acousticsolutions.co.uk
Activ Distribution
T: +44 (0) 163 529 1357
F: +44 (0) 163 529 1356
www:activdistribution.com
email:[email protected]
AKAI
T: +44 (0) 113 251 1500
F: +44 (0) 113 251 1515
[email protected]
www.akai.eu.com
AKG
Elstree Gate,
Elstree Way
Borehamwood, Herts
WD6 1JD
T: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
Aldous Systems
(Europe) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 240 1162
F: +44 (0) 20 7691 7844
[email protected]
www.aldoussystems.co.uk
Algar Distribution
T: +44 (0) 190 836 8021
F: +44 (0) 190 836 8024
M: +44 (0) 797 375 6158
[email protected]
www.algar-distribution.com
Allison Loudspeakers
T: (859) 236-8298
F: (859) 236 7476
Alphason
Designs Ltd
Alphason House,
Bolton Road, Atherton,
Greater Manchester, M46 9AW
T: +44 (0) 194 288 5600
F: +44 (0) 194 287 6955
[email protected]
www.alphasondesigns.com
Alltrade Aerial & Satellite Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 075 0751
F: +44 (0) 870 770 9151
AMX UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 434 3100
F: +44 (0) 190 434 3101
[email protected]
www.amx.com
Anatek Audio
T: +44 (0) 781 768 1402
www:anatek-audio.co.uk
Anders+Kern UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 851 0900
F: +44 (0) 163 851 0901
[email protected]
www.anders-kern.co.uk
Ansar Audio Capacitors Ltd
T: +44 (0) 169 167 9191
F: +44 (0) 169 167 9191
[email protected]
Anthony Gallo Acoustics
The Inox Building,
Caldwellside
Lanark, Lanarkshire
Scotland, ML11 7SR
API (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 144 223 3853
F: +44 (0) 144 223 1860
Apollo Hi Fi Furniture Ltd
T: +44 (0) 121 520 5070
F: +44 (0) 121 522 2055
[email protected]
www.apollohifi.co.uk
Arcam
T: +44 (0) 122 320 3200
F: +44 (0) 122 386 3384
[email protected]
www.arcam.co.uk
Artcoustic Loudspeakers
T: +44 [0] 20 7490 7202
F: +44 [0] 20 7490 0526
[email protected]
www:artcoustic.com
Art Loudspeakers
T: +44 (0) 129 231 9416
F: +44 (0) 129 231 9416
[email protected]
www.loudspeaker-art.com
[email protected]
Art Systems Limited
T: +44 (0) 115 9380 380
F: +44 (0) 115 9380 381
[email protected]
www.artsystems.co.uk
Ash Designs Ltd,
T: +44 (0)116 279 6601
F: +44 (0)116 279 6602
www:gamepod.co.uk
Atacama Audio
Winston Ave.,
Croft, Leicester,
LE9 3GQ
T: +44 (0) 145 528 3251
F: + 44 (0) 145 528 3908
[email protected]
www.atacama-audio.co.uk
ATC Loudspeaker
Technology Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 128 576 0561
F: +44 (0) 128 576 0683
[email protected]
www.atc.gb.net
ATV
T: +44 (0) 137 245 6921
Audica UK
T: +44 (0) 148 083 9239
F: +44 (0) 148 083 0582
[email protected]
www.audica.co.uk
Audio Atmosphere
[email protected]
Audiofreaks
T: +44 (0)20 8948 4153
F: +44 (0)20 8948 4250
AudioControl.co.uk
T: +44 (0)130 285 6330
F: +44(0)130 285 6330
[email protected]
Audio Group (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 284 8816
[email protected]
Audio Note (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 127 322 0511
F: +44 (0) 127 373 498
[email protected]
Audiosolutions Sales &
Marketing
T: +44 (0) 197 779 8844
www.a-audiosolutions.co.uk
sales@a audiosolutions.co.uk
Audio Technica Ltd
T: +44 (0) 113 277 1441
F: +44 (0) 113 270 4836
Audio Visual World
T: +44 (0) 208 455 3490
www.audiovisualworld.co.uk
Audion International Limited
T: +33 546 043282
F: +33 546 043693
email: [email protected]
Audiophile Club, The
T: +44 (0)20 8882 2822
F: +44 (0)20 8372 3772
[email protected]
www.audiophileclub.co.uk
Audiophile Base
T: +44 (0) 189 261 9319
M: +44 (0) 771 576 3777
[email protected]
www.audiophilebase.com
Audio Partnership PLC
T: +44 (0)20 7940 2200
F: +44 (0)20 7940 2233
Audio Reference
T: +44 (0) 125 270 2705
F: +44 (0) 148 330 1412
[email protected]
www.audioreference.co.uk
Audio Synthesis
T: +44 (0) 115 922 4138
F: +44 (0) 115 922 9701
[email protected]
www.audiosynthesis.co.uk
AUDUSA & Co
T: +44 [0] 2082419826
F: +44 [0] 2082410999
[email protected]
AVF Group Limited
T: +44 [0] 1952 678855
F: +44 [0] 1952 606205
[email protected]
www.avf.co.uk
Avid
T: +44 (0) 148 045 7300
F: +44 (0) 148 045 7057
[email protected]
www.avidhifi.co.uk
AVM Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 251 0363
www.avmltd.co.uk
[email protected]
AWE Europe Ltd
T: +44 (0) 137 272 9777
F: +44 (0) 137 272 9757
[email protected]
www.awe-europe.co.uk
Azego Technology Services Limited
T: +44 (0) 125 681 1811
F: +44 (0) 125 681 1855
[email protected]
www.azego.co.uk
•B
BADA
T: +44 (0) 870 126 9137
F: +44 (0) 870 126 9138
[email protected]
www.bada.co.uk
Bandridge
see BBG Distribution Ltd
Barco UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 118 929 0105
www.barco.com
BBG Distribution
Unit 3 Watford
Interchange
Colonial Way, Watford
Hertfordshire, WD24 4WP
T: +44 (0) 192 320 5600
F: +44 (0) 192 320 5601
www.bbg.eu.com
Beamax
Bleekveldstraat 7 B
3900 Overpelt
Belgium
T: 0800-9175 943
F: 0800-9175 945
B.F.A.
T: +44 (0) 142 871 4616
F: +44 (0) 142 871 4616
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.british-audio.org.uk
B & W Loudspeakers UK
T: +44 (0) 190 322 1500
F: +44 (0) 190 322 1501
[email protected]
www.bwspeakers.com
B-Tech International Ltd
T: +44 (0) 168 984 8535
F: +44 (0) 168 984 1087
[email protected]
Bang & Olufsen UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 118 969 2288
F: +44 (0) 118 969 3388
www.bang-olufsen.com
Beyerdynamic (GB) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 144 425 8258
F: +44 (0) 144 425 8444
[email protected]
www.beyerdynamic.co.uk
Black Rhodium
T: +44 (0) 133 275 5766
F: +44 (0) 133 220 0698
[email protected]
Blok
T: +44 (0) 179 951 6520
F: +44 (0) 179 951 6521
[email protected]
www.active-sound.com
Bose Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 741 4500
F: +44 (0) 870 741 4545
Boston Acoustics Distribution
(UK) Limited
T: +44 (0) 128 565 0814
www.boston-acoustics.co.uk
Brian Reeves (REVOX)
T: +44 (0) 161 499 2349
F: +44 (0) 161 499 9381
[email protected]
www.revox.freeuk.com
•C
Calculus Software Solutions Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 125 9192
F: +44 (0) 173 286 5997
www.findesolutions.com
[email protected]
Canton
T: +44 (0) 239 250 1888
F: +44 (0) 239 250 1999
[email protected]
www.canton.de
Cartridge Man, The
T /F: +44 (0)20 8688 6565
Castle Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 679 5333
F: +44 (0) 175 679 5335
CEDIA UK
T: +44 (0) 146 262 7377
F: +44 (0) 146 262 0429
[email protected]
www.cedia.co.uk
Celestion Consumer Division
T: +44 (0) 162 268 7442
F: +44 (0) 162 268 7981
www.celestion.com
Chapter Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 139 268 6797
F: +44 (0) 139 267 6795
[email protected]
www.chapteraudio.com
Cherished Record Co
T: +44 (0) 157 936 3603
F: +44 (0) 157 936 3604
[email protected]
Choice Hi-Fi
T: +44 (0)20 8392 1959
F: +44 (0)20 8392 1994
[email protected]
Chord Company Ltd, The
Tel: +44 1980 625700
Fax: +44 1980 625070
[email protected]
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
Chord Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 162 272 1444
F: +44 (0) 162 272 1555
[email protected]
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
CKS Entertainment Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 134 430 7788
F: +44 (0) 134 445 6710
cksgroup.co.uk/entertainment
Clipsal Integrated Systems
T: +44 (0) 162 850 8530
www:clipsal.co.uk
Claritycap Industrial Capacitors
(Wrexham) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 197 885 3805
F: +44 (0) 197 885 3785
[email protected]
www.icwLtd.co.uk
www.claritycap.co.uk
41
CONTACT BOOK
Coles ElectroAcoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 199 246 6685
F: +44 (0) 199 244 6583
[email protected]
www.coleselectracoustics.com
Colourgen Ltd
T: 01628 588777
F: 01628 588716
E-mail: [email protected]
www.colourgen.com
Comfort Home Controls
T: +44 (0) 124 468 0675
www:comfort.org.uk
[email protected]
Control 4
T: +44 (0)190 475 9070
F: +44 (0)190 475 9091
[email protected]
www.control4-uk.com
Convergent-AV Ltd
T: +44 (0) 1555 890120
F: +44 (0) 1555 890120
[email protected]
www.convergent-av.co.uk
CR Electronic Design
T: +44 (0) 170 220 0111
[email protected]
www.crdevelopments.com
Crestron (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 208 439 7272
F: +44 (0) 20 8439 7273
[email protected]
www.crestron.com
Crane Audio
T: +44 (0) 870 444 1056
[email protected]
www.craneaudio.com
Creek Audio
12 Avebury Court,
Mark Road, Hemel
Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7TA
T: +44(0) 144 226 0146
F: +44 (0) 144 224 3766
[email protected]
www.creekaudio.co.uk
Crestron (UK) Ltd
Neptune House,
2 Portsmouth Road,
Kingston Upon Thames,
Surrey,
KT1 2LU
T: +44 (0) 208 439 7272
www.creston.co.uk
Cromwell Business Systems
T: +44 (0) 135 365 0900
F: +44 (0) 135 365 0930
C.S.E.
Unit 9, Centre Park
Holdings,
The Airfield,
Tockwith, York,
YO26 7QF
T: +44 (0) 142 335 9054
F: +44 (0) 142 335 9058
Custom Design (Newcastle)
T: +44 (0) 191 262 4646
F: +44 (0) 191 262 4646
[email protected]
Custom Sight & Sound
T: +44 (0) 199 257 3030
F: +44 (0) 199 257 4030
[email protected]
www.revox.de
Cyrus Electronics
T: +44 (0) 148 043 5577
F: +44 (0) 148 043 7715
[email protected]
42
•D
D&T Electronics
T ++44(0)870 444 5929
F +44(0)870 444 5945
[email protected]
www.dandt.co.uk
dCS Ltd
T: +44 (0) 179 953 1999
F: +44 (0) 179 953 1681
[email protected]
wwwdcsltd.co.uk
David Denyer PR
T: +44 (0) 23 8073 6838
F: +44 (0) 23 8073 6839
M: +44 (0) 7976 646404
[email protected]
DBS AUDIO
T: +44 (0) 128 472 3933
F: +44 (0) 128 472 3933
M: +44 (0) 777 618 8547
[email protected]
Decibel Distribution Ltd
T /F: +44 (0) 150 532 1351
M: +44 (0) 797 652 8537
[email protected]
Deltron Components Ltd
T: +44 (0) 172 428 0120
F: +44 (0) 172 428 0353
Demion Products
T: +44 (0) 118 977 4085
F: +44 (0) 118 978 5507
www.demion.co.uk
Denon UK
T: +44 (0) 123 474 1200
www.denon.co.uk
Design e
T: +44 (0) 124 337 7899
[email protected]
www.Designe.co.uk
DF Solutions Digital Future
Solutions
7 Somerton
Grange, Coleraine,
Co Londonderry,
N Ireland, BT51 3GB
T: +44 (0) 287 035 8894
www.digitalfuturesolutions.co.uk
david.perry@digitalfuture
solutions.co.uk
Dixons
T: +44 (0) 144 235 3000
F: +44 (0) 144 223 3218
Dolby Laboratories
T: +44 (0) 179 384 2100
F: +44 (0) 179 384 2101
[email protected]
www.dolby.com
DRDB
T: +44 (0)20 7306 2633
F: +44 (0)20 7470 0062
DTS Europe
5 Tavistock Estate,
Ruscombe Lane,
Twyford, Berks, RG10 9NJ
T: +44 (0) 118 934 9199
F: +44 (0) 118 934 9198
[email protected]
www.dtsonline.com
Dynaudio UK
PO Box 1010,
Maidstone
ME14 4WZ
T: +44 (0) 207 378 1810
F: +44 (0) 870 112 3947
[email protected]
•E
E.A.R./Yoshino Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 122 320 8877
F: +44 (0) 122 320 8761
[email protected]
www.ear-yoshino.com
ECT Ltd Projection screen
and accessories
T: +44 (0) 118 984 1141
F: +44 (0) 118 984 1847
[email protected]
www.ect-av.com
Elan Systems
(UK) Ltd
Unit 4,
Pumpfields Road,
Liverpool,
L3 6BA
T: +44 (0) 151 236 1832
F: +44 (0) 151 255 1194
[email protected]
www.elanhomesystems.com
Eltax UK
T: +44 (0) 132 786 0789
F: +44 (0) 132 786 1058
[email protected]
www.eltax.com
Eminence Speaker
Europe Ltd
T: +44 (0) 192 423 9999
Fax: +44 (0) 192 423 9988
email: [email protected]
www.eminence-speaker.com
Emotive Excellence
T: +44 (0) 145 384 3682
F: +44 (0) 145 384 3682
EPOS Acoustics
12 Avebury Court,
Mark Road,
Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7TA
T: +44 (0) 144 226 0146
F: +44 (0) 144 224 3766
[email protected]
www.epos-acoustics.com
ESLab Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 381 4618
[email protected]
www.eslab.co.uk
ETHOS Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8842 0020
F: +44 (0)20 8842 0020
European Precision Moulding
Ltd/Red Scorpion Industries
T: +44 (0) 147 483 4345
F: +44 (0) 147 483 4340
Excel Audio Systems Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8354 0820
F: +44 (0)20 8354 0834
[email protected]
www.excelaudio.co.uk
Expert Stylus & Cartridge Co
T: +44 (0) 137 227 6604
F: +44 (0) 137 227 6147
•F
Falcon Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 149 375 1100
F: +44 (0) 149 375 1155
[email protected]
www.falcon-acoustics.co.uk
Ferguson Hill Studios
T: +44 [0] 207 284 0969
www:fergusonhill.co.uk
[email protected]
Finlux UK
T: 01793 870316
F: 01793 870318
Focal-JM Lab UK
T: +44 (0) 845-6602680
[email protected]
[email protected]
•H
Hadcock G.F.C. (Manufacturer)
T: +44 (0) 188 956 9166
F: +44 (0) 188 956 9166
Fryer Sales & Marketing Ltd
T: +44 (0) 239 269 0999
F: +44 (0) 239 269 0666
[email protected]
www.fryersales.com
HAMA PVAC Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 637 4700
F: +44 (0) 125 637 4749
FSM Audio
T: +44 (0) 239 269 0999
F: +44 (0) 239 269 0666
www.fsmaudio.com
Harbeth Audio Limited
T: +44 (0) 144 448 4371
F: +44 (0) 144 448 7629
[email protected]
www.harbeth.co.uk
Fujitsu General (UK) Co Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8731 3450
F: +44 (0)20 8731 3451
[email protected]
www.fujitsu-general.co.uk
Futronix Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 188 337 3333/3334
F: +44 (0) 188 337 3335/3336
[email protected]
www.futronix.info
Futureglass
1a Anglia Way,
Braintree,
Essex, CM7 3RG
T: +44 (0) 870 033 0300
F: +44 (0) 870 005 48184
www.futureglass.co.uk
[email protected]
Future Automation
T: +44 (0) 143 883 1094
F: +44 (0) 143 883 3565
www.futureautomation.co.uk
FX Furniture
T: +44 (0) 177 786 9809
F: +44 (0) 177 786 9041
[email protected]
www.fx-furniture.com
•G
Games & Lifestyle Technology,
direct line T: +44 (0) 20 7877 3373
switchboard
T: +44 (0) 20 7929 2999
[email protected]
Garden Light & Audio
T: +44 (0) 189 261 9319
[email protected]
www.glaa.co.uk
Gecko Inc Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8603 0480
F: +44 (0)20 8688 2491
[email protected]
Genco Systems
T: +44 (0) 148 865 7788
F: +44 (0) 870 051 4190
www.gencosystems.demon.co.uk
Glaive Ltd
T /F: +44 (0) 162 266 4070
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.glaive.co.uk
www.insert-audio.co.uk
Glenfield Software
T: +44 (0) 148 040 7700
F: +44 (0) 148 047 3734
[email protected]
www.glenfieldsoftware.com
Harman Consumer UK
T: +44 (0)20 8731 4670
F: +44 (0)20 8731 4699
[email protected]
www.harman.com
Harman/Kardon
Elstree Gate,
Elstree Way
Borehamwood,
Herts,
WD6 1JD
T: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
Harvard Technology Group
T: +44 (0) 845 450 148
F: +44 (0)20 8665 1333
www.harvardtechnologygroup.com
Hermstedt Hifidelio Range
See THE OPPOSITION GROUP
Henley Designs Ltd
T: +44 (0) 123 551 1166
F: +44 (0) 123 551 1266
[email protected]
www.henleydesigns.co.uk
Hitachi Europe Ltd
Whitebrook Park
Lower Cookham
Road, Maidenhead
Berkshire SL6 8YA
T: +44 (0) 162 864 3000
F: +44 (0) 162 858 5000
www.hitachidigitalmedia.com
Hypex
Electroniques
20 Osram Road,
East Lane Business Park
Wembley, HA9 7NG
T: +44 (0) 208 908 3111
F: +44 (0) 208 908 3110
www.hypexuk.com
[email protected]
•I
If designs
T: 01484 606 900
[email protected]
www:ifdesigns.co.uk
IKON AVS
Unit 238, Ikon Estate
Droitwich Road,
Hartlebury Worcs,
DY10 4EU
T: +44 (0) 129 925 0991
F: +44 (0) 129 925 0983
[email protected]
www.ikonavs.com
Graff Electronic Machines Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 689 3036
F: +44 (0) 163 689 3317
[email protected]
www.graffelectronics.co.uk
iLight Limited
T: +44 (0) 189 287 0072
F: +44 (0) 189 287 0074
[email protected]
www.ilightgroup.com
G T Audio
T: +44 (0) 189 583 3099
F: +44 (0) 189 583 2594
[email protected]
www.gtaudio.com
Imerge Ltd
T: +44 (0) 195 478 3600
F: +44 (0) 195 478 3601
[email protected]
www.imerge.co.uk
Infinity
Elstree Gate,
Elstree Way
Borehamwood, Herts
WD6 1JD
T: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
Invision UK Ltd
T:+ 44 [0] 144 967 7233
www:invisionuk.com
[email protected]
Iroquos PR
T: +44 [0] 207 439 8537
Isoblue Ltd
T: 01332 875700
[email protected]
www:isoblue.com/products
Isol-8 Teknologies
See THE OPPOSITION GROUP
•J
Jamo UK
See BBG Distribution
www.jamo.com
JBL
Elstree Gate,
Elstree Way
Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1JD
T: +44 (0) 208 731 4670
JVC UK Ltd
JVC House, JVC
Business Park,
12 Priestly Way, London, NW2 7BA
www.jvc-europe.com
T: +44 (0) 20 8450 3282
F: +44 (0) 20 8208 3038
•K
KEF Audio
(UK) Ltd
Eccleston Road,
Tovil, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6QP
T: +44 (0) 162 267 2261
F: +44 (0) 162 275 0653
www.kef.com
Keene Electronics Ltd
+44 (0)870 990 9000
www.keene.co.uk
Klegg Audio UK
T: +44 (0) 870 075 5344
www.klegg.com
KM Acoustics
Unit 8
Torafen Business Centre
Panteg Way, Pontypool
NP4 0LS
Konnectson UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 043 4441
F:
• L+44 (0) 148 043 3312
•L
Lamba Plc
T: +44 (0) 158 269 0600
F: +44 (0) 158 269 0400
[email protected]
Lawton Trade Supplies
T: +44 (0) 121 511 1128
F: +44 (0) 121 544 6877
[email protected]
Leax Controls
T: +44 (0) 207 501 0880
F: +44 (0) 207 501 0890
www.leax.co.uk
Lektropacks (UK)
T: +44 (0)20 8847 2776
F: +44 (0)20 8560 8050
[email protected]
www.lektropacks.co.uk
Lenbrook UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 831 9360
F: +44 (0) 190 832 2752
[email protected]
www.lenbrook.co.uk
Meridian Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 044 5678
F: +44 (0) 148 044 5687
[email protected]
www.meridian-audio.com
L.G. Electronics UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 607 5544
F: +44 (0) 175 351 7445
Metropolis Music
T: +44 (0) 189 253 9245
[email protected]
Linn Products Ltd
Floors Road,
Waterfoot, Eaglesham,
Glasgow,
G76 0EQ
T: +44 (0) 141 307 7777
F: +44 (0) 141 644 4262
www.linn.co.uk
Mission
T: +44 (0) 148 042 3700
F: +44 (0) 148 042 3701
www.mission.co.uk
Living Control
T: +44 (0) 168 986 1188
F: +44 (0) 168 985 9915
[email protected]
www.livingcontrol.com
Living Voice
T: +44 (0) 115 973 3222
[email protected]
www.definitiveaudio.co.uk
Lockwood Audio
T: +44 (0)20 8864 8008
F: +44 (0)20 8864 3064
[email protected]
www.lockwoodaudio.co.uk
Loewe (Linn Products)
T: +44 (0) 129 247 1568
F: +44 (0) 129 247 1554
[email protected]
www.loewe.de
Lutron EA Ltd
T: +44 (0) 207 702 0657
F: +44 (0) 207 480 6899
[email protected]
www.lutron.com
•M
Mango Marketing Limited
T: +44 (0) 193 282 9077
F: +44 (0) 193 282 7576
Web: www.mangomarketing.com
Mana Audio Ltd. (Manufacturer)
T: +44 (0) 140 783 0530
F: +44 (0) 140 783 0535
[email protected]
http://mana.co.uk
Marantz Hi-Fi UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 368 0868
F: +44 (0) 175 368 0428
Martek (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 135 925 3555
F: +44 (0) 135 925 3559
www.martekuk.co.uk
[email protected]
Marata Vision
T: +44 (0) 192 349 5595
F: +44 (0) 192 349 5599
[email protected]
www.marata.co.uk
Max Distribution Co Ltd
T: +44 (0) 173 284 0845
F: +44 (0) 173 284 1845
[email protected]
www.the-max.co.uk
Maxell Europe Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 192 349 4400
F: +44 (0) 192 349 4410
[email protected]
www.eu.maxell.com
Meiloon UK
T: +44 (0) 190 820 0844
[email protected]
www.meiloon.com.tw
Mitsubishi Electric
Europe
Travellers Lane,
Hatfield, Herts, AL10 8XB
T: +44 (0) 170 727 8684
F: +44 (0) 170 727 8541
www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk
MJ Acoustics
T: +44 (0) 870 744 5080
F: +44 (0) 870 746 9380
[email protected]
www.mjacoustics.co.uk
Mode lighting
The Maltings, 63
High Street, Ware,
Hertfordshire, SG12 9AD
T: +44 (0) 192 046 2121
www.modelighting.com
Monitor Audio Ltd.
24 Brook Road,
Rayleigh,
Essex, SS6 7XL
T: +44 (0) 126 874 0580
F: +44 (0) 126 874 0589
[email protected]
www.monitoraudio.co.uk
Monster Europe Ltd
T: 01923 431 634
Moth Group
T: +44 (0) 123 474 1152
F: +44 (0) 123 474 2028
[email protected]
www.britishaudio.co.uk
•N
NAD Electronics
See Lenbrook UK
Naim Audio
T: +44 (0) 172 233 2266
F: +44 (0) 172 241 2034
Nakamichi UK Ltd
See FSM Audio
Origin Live
T: +44 (0) 238 057 8877
F: +44 (0) 238 057 8877
[email protected]
www.originlive.com
NEAT Acoustics Ltd.
T: + 44 (0) 183 363 1021
F: + 44 (0) 183 363 0022
Overkill Audio
T: +44 [0] 148 784 2911
F: +44 [0] 148 784 1341
NEMKO Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8646 8383
F: +44 (0)20 8646 8099
[email protected]
www.nemko.co.uk
Owl Video Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 182 576 6123
F: +44 (0) 182 576 0246
www.owlvideo.com
New Media Image
T: +44 (0) 239 245 1006
F: +44 (0) 870 167 4453
[email protected]
P&C Industries
T: +44 (0) 122 387 0712
F: +44 (0) 122 387 2654
[email protected]
www.hiway.co.uk/pcindustries
Nexus Technologies Pty. Ltd
[email protected]
www.nexuscomparators.com
NHT
T: +44 (0) 151 236 1832
F: +44 (0) 151 255 1194
www.nhthifi.com
Nordost (UK) Ltd
1st Floor, Unit 7,
Aber Park Ind. Estate, Aber Road,
Flint, Clwyd, CH6 5EX
T: +44 (0) 135 273 0251
F: +44 (0) 135 273 1273
[email protected]
www.nordost.com
Nottingham Analogue
T: +44 (0) 177 376 2947
F: +44 (0) 177 353 356
NXT - New Transducers Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 777 5555
F: +44 (0) 148 084 6190
[email protected]
www.nxtsound.com
Multi-Room
Company, The
4 Churchill House
Churchill Road,
Cheltenham
GL53 7EG
Tel: +44 (0) 124 253 9100
Fax: +44 (0) 12 4253 9300
[email protected]
www.multi-room.com
Obelisk Audio Designs
T: +44 (0) 179 450 1235
[email protected]
Musical Fidelity Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8900 2866
F: +44 (0)20 8900 2983
Musonic UK Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 192 321 3344
F: +44 (0) 192 321 3355
[email protected]
www.musonic.co.uk
Myryad UK
See BBG Distribution
Orelle Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8991 9200
F: +44 (0)20 8997 4060.
[email protected]
www.orelle.co.uk
National Instruments Corporation
(UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 552 3545
F: +44 (0) 163 552 4395
[email protected]
www.ni.com/uk
Moulded Cords & Cables MCC
T: +44 (0) 134 486 8200
F: +44 (0) 134 486 8208
[email protected]
www.mcc-cables.com
Multiroom Systems
T: +44 (0) 870 855 0010
F: +44 (0) 121 200 1167
www.installautomation.com
[email protected]
Opus Technologies
T: +44 (0) 845 090 2266
F: +44 (0)20 7940 2233
[email protected]
www.opus-technologies.co.uk
•P
Panasonic (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 134 486 2444
F: +44 (0) 134 486 1656
Partington & Co
T: +44 (0) 147 470 9299
F: +44 (0) 147 470 9295
Paradigm Audio Visual Ltd
T: +44 (0) 1234 843388
F: +44 (0) 1234 854477
email:[email protected]
www.rearpro.com
PATH IXOS
T: +44 (0) 184 421 9000
F: +44 (0) 184 421 9099
[email protected]
www.path.co.uk
www.ixoscable.com
Pear Audio Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 166 583 0862
F: +44 (0) 166 583 0051
[email protected]
•O
O'heocha Design Ltd
T: +353 9150 6970
T: +44 (0) 156 478 2502
F: +353 9150 6972
[email protected]
www.o.d.co.uk
Philex Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 123 426 3737
F: +44 (0) 123 426 7400
[email protected]
www.philex.com
Pickering Cartridges
T: +44 (0) 190 464 2463
[email protected]
pickeringuk.com
Onkyo
T: +44 (0) 149 468 1515
F: +44 (0) 149 468 0452
[email protected]
www.onkyo.co.uk
Picture The Sound
T: +44 (0) 700 044 3426
T: +44 (0) 7000 HIFICO
F: +44 (0) 148 345 4992
Optimum International 2000 Ltd
T /F: +44 (0) 190 469 0089
[email protected]
www.optimum2000.com
Pink Triangle Partnership Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8694 9609
F: +44 (0)20 8694 7450
[email protected]
www.pink-triangle.com
Optoma Europe Ltd
42 Caxton Way,
Watford Business
Park, Watford, Herts,
WD18 8QZ. UK.
T: +44 (0) 192 369 1866
F: +44 (0) 1923 691888
www.optoma.co.uk
Pioneer GB Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 378 9789
F: +44 (0) 175 378 9528
www.pioneer.co.uk
Plasmatvinfo.com Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1206 391001
Fax: +44 (0)1206 391096
43
CONTACT BOOK
PMC Ltd
Flying Mole Bryston
T: +44(0) 870 444 1044
F: +44 (0) 870 444 1045
[email protected]
www.pmc-speakers.com
PM Components Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 484 8500
F: +44 (0) 163 484 867
Polk Audio
T: +44 (0) 207 702 5277
F: +44 (0) 207 251 2487
Precious Metals
T: +44 (0) 148 382 7722
[email protected]
Premier Mounts
(Europe)
Swallow House
Shilton Industrial Estate
Coventry, CV7 9JY
T: +44 (0) 247 661 4700
F: +44 (0) 247 661 4710
[email protected]
www.mounts.com
Presence Audio
T: +44 (0) 144 446 1611
F: +44 (0) 144 446 1510
Prima International Plc
T: +44 (0) 113 251 1500
F: +44 (0) 113 251 1515
[email protected]
prima-international.com
Proac
(Celef Audio)
Highpoint House,
Riding Row
Buck Road Industrial Estate
Brackley, NN13 7BH
T: +44 (0) 128 070 0147
Projecta BV
PO Box 191
6000 AD Weert
The Netherlands
T: +31 495 580 858
F: +31 495 580 845
email:[email protected]
www.projecta.nl
Prism Media Products Ltd
T: +44 (0) 122 342 4988
F: +44 (0) 122 342 5023
[email protected]
www:prismsound.com
Prospero Recruitment Ltd
T: +44 (0) 207 404 6383
F: +44 (0) 207 404 6323
rjgrays@prosperorecruitment .com
www.prosperorecruitment.com
Pulse Marketing
T: +44 (0) 127 965 5955
F: +44 (0) 127 965 6004
[email protected]
www:pulsemarketing.uk.com
Pure Digital
T: +44 (0) 192 327 7488
F: +44 (0) 192 327 0188
[email protected]
www.pure-digital.com
•Q
Quadraspire Ltd
T: +44 (0) 122 533 3360
F: +44 (0) 122 533 8083
[email protected]
www.quadraspire.com
QED Audio Products Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 374 7474
F: +44 (0) 148 354 5600
[email protected]
•R
Recoton
T: +49 223 498 4080
www.recoton.com
Redline
T: +44 (0) 131 555 3922
F: +44 (0) 131 555 3964
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reference Point Computers
T: +44 (0) 845 634 2032
F: +44 (0) 845 634 2033
Rega Reseach
T: +44 (0) 170 233 3071
REL Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 165 676 8777
F: +44 (0) 165 676 6093
[email protected]
www.rel.net
Remote Media Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 458 3705
www.remotemedia.co.uk
[email protected]
Revox
See Custom Sight & Sound
RGB Communications Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 873 366
F: +44 (0) 148 873 377
www.rgbcomms.co.uk
[email protected]
Ringmat Developments
T: +44 (0) 127 720 0210
F: +44 (0) 127 720 1225
[email protected]
www.ringmat.com
Roksan Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8900 6801/6802
F: +44 (0)20 8900 0734
[email protected]
www.roksan.co.uk
Roth Multimedia Audio
See THE OPPOSITION GROUP
Royd Loudspeakers Co. Ltd
T: +44 (0) 195 229 0700
F: +44 (0) 195 229 0190
Ruark Acoustics
Ltd
59 Tailor's Court,
Temple Farm Ind. Est.,
Southend-on-Sea, Essex,
SS2 5TH
T: +44 (0) 170 260 1410
F: +44 (0) 170 260 1414
[email protected]
www.ruark.co.uk
P.W.B. Electronics
T: +44 (0) 113 268 2550
[email protected]
www.belt.demon.co.uk
Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 845 345 1550
F: +44 (0) 153 979 7325
[email protected]
www.russandrews.com
Quad Electroacoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 458 0011
F: +44 (0) 148 043 1767
[email protected]
www.quad-hifi.co.uk
Sagem Communications
T: +44 (0) 156 477 2200
F: +44 (0) 156 477 7736
www.sagem.com
44
•S
Samsung Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8391 0168
Samuel Johnson Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 141 810 2828
F: +44 (0) 141 810 2829
[email protected]
www.SJAudio.co.uk
Scandyna UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 147 362 6600
F: +44 (0) 147 362 6700
[email protected]
Schneider UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 161 374 0101
F: +44 (0) 161 374 0102
Stoneaudio UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 120 220 1735
F: +44 (0) 120 220 1315
[email protected]
www.stoneaudio.co.uk
Symmetry
T: +44 (0) 172 786 5488
[email protected]
SYN Factory U-vola Suspended
Loudspeakers
T: +39 (0432) 972 362
F: +39 (0432) 972 684
[email protected]
www.synfactory.com
•T
See Hear Ltd
T: +44 (0) 179 559 7590
F: +44 (0) 179 559 7591
[email protected]
Sennheiser
UK Ltd
3 Century Point,
Halifax Road, High Wycombe,
Bucks, HP12 3SL
T: +44 (0) 149 455 1551
F: +44 (0) 149 455 1550
[email protected]
www.sennheiser.co.uk
Sharp Electronics
T: +44 (0) 161 205 2333
F: +44 (0) 161 205 7076
www.sharp.co.uk
Silvernote
T /F: +44 (0) 199 262 0905
www.silvernote.co.uk
SIM2 UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 182 575 0850
F: +44 (0) 182 575 0851
[email protected]
www.sim2.co.uk
SME Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 381 4321
F: +44 (0) 190 381 4269
[email protected]
www.sme.ltd.uk
SOLO Manufacturing
T: +44 (0) 115 939 2345
F: +44 (0) 115 939 2111
Songlines
T: +44 (0)1424 813888
[email protected]
http://www.beauhorn.com
Sony UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 193 281 6000
F: +44 (0) 193 281 7000
www.sony.co.uk
Sonus Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 115 944 5027
F: +44 (0) 115 944 5126
Soundations
T: +44 (0) 870 350 1349
Spendor Audio Systems Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 132 384 3474
F: +44 (0) 132 344 2254
[email protected]
www.spendoraudio.com
Standesign UK
T: +44 (0) 239 250 1888
F: +44 (0) 239 250 1999
[email protected]
www.standesign.co.uk
Stands Unique
T: +44 (0) 193 341 2227
F: +44 (0) 193 341 2215
[email protected]
www.standsunique.com
T&A
See Transparent Distribution
T&T Communications Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 125 522 2111
F: +44 (0) 125 522 2100
Tannoy Ltd
Rosehall Ind Est,
Coatbridge,
N. Lanarkshire, ML5 4TF
T: +44 (0) 123 642 0199
F: +44 (0) 123 642 8230
www.tannoy.com
[email protected]
Target Audio Distribution Ltd
T: +44 (0) 144 225 9994
M: +44 (0) 973 147 441
TCI Ltd
Projection House, 19
Townley Way,
Earls Barton, Northants, NN6 0HR
T: +44 (0) 160 481 1661
F: +44 (0) 160 481 1715
[email protected]
www.tcivega.co.uk
TDI Tremiver Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 639 7770
F: +44 (0) 125 639 8880
www.tdigroup.co.uk
TEAC UK Ltd
5 Marlin House, The Croxley
Centre, Watford, Herts, WD1 8YA
T: +44 (0) 192 381 9630
F: +44 (0) 192 323 6290
Tech Link
International
Unit 8, Bat & Ball
Enterprise Centre, Bat & Ball
Road, Sevenoaks, Kent,
TN14 5LJ
T: +44 (0) 173 277 9400
F: +44 (0) 173 277 9344
[email protected]
www.techlink.uk.com
Townshend Audio
T: +44 (0)20 8979 2155
Transparent Distribution Ltd
T: +44 (0) 162 351 7000
www.transparentdl.co.uk
[email protected]
Trichord Research Ltd
T: +44 (0) 168 457 3524
F: +44 (0) 168 457 7380
[email protected]
www.trichordresearch.com
Tivoli Audio
59 Tailor's Court
Temple Farm Ind Est
Southend on sea
Essex, SS2 5TH
T: +44 (0) 170 260 1410
F: +44 (0) 170 260 1414
www.ruark.co.uk
Troy innovations
T: +44 (0) 170 622 1133
F: +44 (0) 170 622 2309
www.troyinnovations.co.uk
True-Colours Industries
T: +44 (0) 771 019 6949
F: +44 (0) 870 120 5923
[email protected]
www.true-colours.com
Tube Technology
T: +44 (0) 126 984 4771
F: +44 (0) 193 224 4455
[email protected]
www.tubetechnology.com
Turbosound Earphones - as
above
See THE OPPOSITION GROUP
•U
UAS Enterprises
T: +44 (0) 870 066 0406
F: +44 (0) 870 066 0407
[email protected]
www.uasenterprises.com
UKD
T: +44 (0) 175 365 2669
F: +44 (0) 175 365 4531
[email protected]
www.ukd.co.uk
Unicol
T: +44 (0) 186 576 7676
Fax: +44 (0) 186 576 7677
www:unicol.com
Usher Audio Technology
T: 886 2 2381 6299
F: 886 2 2371 1053
www:usheraudio.com
Technical & General
T: +44 (0) 189 265 4534
Vibe Technologies Ltd
T: +44 (0) 121 311 9090
F: +44 (0) 121 311 9001
[email protected]
www.v-i-b-e.com
Teklink Distribution
T: +44 (0)20 7702 5277
F: +44 (0)20 7251 2487
[email protected]
Vieta UK
T: +44 (0) 149 472 3444
[email protected]
www.vieta-uk.com
Tektronix Ltd
T: +44 (0) 134 439 2400
F: +44 (0) 134 439 2401
VPI (UK)
T: +44 (0) 157 936 3603
Virtual Reality Audio Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 127 722 7355
F: +44 (0) 127 722 4103
[email protected]
THE OPPOSITION GROUP
T: +44 (0) 208 387 1590
F: +44 (0) 208 387 1589
E: [email protected]
Thear Technology Limited
(REVOX)
T: +44 (0) 152 584 1999
F: +44 (0) 152 584 1009
Visonary AV Solutions Ltd
T: +44 (0) 207 722 0067
F: +44 (0) 207 483 1444
www.plamsaS-direct.co.uk
Visual Displays
T: +44 (0) 207 222 9009
F: +44 (0) 207 233 2165
[email protected]
www.visualdisplaysuk.co.uk
•V
Vivadi Plc
T: +44 (0) 179 378 0033
F: +44 (0) 179 378 0044
[email protected]
www.vivadi.com
Vivante Productions Ltd.
(Software)
T: +44 (0) 129 382 0509
F: +44 (0) 129 382 1965
[email protected]
www.vivante.co.uk
Vogels
See BBG Distribution
•W
Vivanco UK Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 144 240 3020
F: +44 (0) 144 240 3030
Waterfall
See Transparent Distribution
Wavelength Distribution
F: +44 (0) 162 276 1560
[email protected]
www.sonicdesign.co.uk
www.bocchino-audio.co.uk
Wharfedale International Ltd
T: (0) 845 458 0011
F: (0) 148 043 1767
[email protected]
www.wharfedale.co.uk
Wilmslow Audio Lt
T: +44 (0) 145 528 6603
F: +44 (0) 145 528 6605
[email protected]
www.wilmslowaudio.com
Wilson Benesch
T: +44 [0] 114 285 2656
F: +44 [0] 114 285 2657
[email protected]~
•X
Xixin Ltd
T: +44 (0) 158 240 0340
www.xixin.co.uk
•Y
Yello GB Ltd
T: +44 (0) 141 576 1772
F: +44 (0) 141 950 2737
[email protected]
Yamaha Electronics
(UK) Ltd
200 Rickmansworth Road,
Watford, Herts, WD18 7GQ
T: +44 (0) 192 323 3166
F +44 (0) 192 381 0410
www.yamaha-uk.com
[email protected]
Get In Training
What’s New may not be an education in itself, but it can
certainly point you in the right direction. Read on to find
out where you might want to be in the coming months…
When The Clash labelled one of their few lapses into the world of balladry Train In Vain,
clearly they’d been none too impressed by their tutors. That isn’t something we here in
the AV industry can complain about, however, as every month there are a menageris of
courses, sessions and seminars available to us, run by individuals and companies wishing to
impart their knowledge and expertise upon us. These range from in-depth three day
courses regarding the technological intricacies of programming a given automation system,
through to informal evenings providing salespeople with tips and hints regarding how to sell
a particular product.
In our inaugural listings we have a mixture of these to tell you about and, as the
month’s go by, we hope to build this into a comprehensive to guide, catering for the needs of
everyone in our working world who has ever felt in need of a helping hand. Whether you’re
trying to shift speakers or specify a lighting control system, we hope to put you in touch with
the right people. So, if you’re a trainee in waiting, watch this space…
Armour Home Electronics
21/09/05
Introduction to Imerge sound servers
27-28/08/05 Regional Training Event (Manchester)
4/10/05
Systemline 4.4 from scratch
4-5/10/05
Regional Training Event (Glasgow)
6/10/05
Essential CAD for CI
11/10/05
Systemline Modular introduction
12/10/05
Systemline Modular Multi-source
20/10/05
Introduction to Lighting control systems
25-26/10/05 Regional Training Event (Bristol)
For further information contact: www.armourhe.co.uk
Further your education with the help of CEDIA
RGB I-school
20/09/05- How to Sell & Specify AMX - Residential
4-6/10/05 - AMX Programming - Starter
11/10/05 - Networking & WiFi for AV Systems
13/10/05 - ClearOne Technical Specialist
25/10/05 - How to Sell & Specify AMX - Commercial
15-17/11/05 - AMX Programming - Starter
22/11/05 - Networking & WiFi for AV Systems
24/11/05 - ClearOne Technical Specialist
29/11/05 - How to Sell & Specify AMX - Residential
13-15/12/05- AMX Programming - Starter
For further information contact www.rgbcomms.co.uk/support/training.htm
BBG help dealers to push up their profits
CEDIA
4/10/05
Designing Future Ready Homes CPD for architects (Southampton)
5-6/10/05
CEDIA Regional training event (Brighton)
12/1005
Designing Future Ready Homes CPD for architects (Leicester)
20/10/05
Designing Future Ready Homes CPD for architects (Liverpool)
For further information contact: www.cedia.co.uk
Crestron UK
27-29/09/05 Software
4-6/10/05
Simple+ Training
1-3/11/05
Intermediate
8-10/11/05 Software
15/11/05
Product training
29/11-1/12/05 Simple+ Training
For further information contact: [email protected], www.crestron.co.uk
BBG Distribution
Linn
9-23/09/05 – Product Training
24-28/10/05 – Product Training
21-25/11/05 - Product Training
For further information contact: +44 (0) 141 303 5105, www.linn.co.uk
29/9/05 Profit Training (BBG HQ, Watford)
27/9/05 Profit Training (Hilton Newport)
4/10/05 Profit Training (Hilton Norwich)
6/10/05 Profit Training (Hilton Leeds)
For further information contact: [email protected]
Any manufacturers or distributors wishing to have their training details included in this section should email
[email protected] or contact +44 (0) 120 650 5959
45
DIARY
www.soundandvisionmagazine.co.uk
With CEDIA’s US Expo now gone, attention turns
to London’s ExCel…
The What Hi-Fi Show will be pulling in the crowds
this month
Online registration for the Integrated Systems
Europe show is now open
Please send all correspondence to: What's New, Castle House, 97 High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TH
Events 2005/6 It’s Show Time!
OCTOBER 05
29-30
Home Entertainment Show
Renaissance Hotel, Manchester
+44 [0] 120 639 1001
NOVEMBER 05
4-6
23-26
29
What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Show 2005
Hi-Tech House
AV In The City, Edinburgh
Novotel West, London
Gostiny Dvor, Moscow
EICC
www.whathifishow.co.uk
www.hitechhouse.ru
www.avinthecity.co.uk
JANUARY 06
28-29
Northern Sound & Vision
Radisson SAS, Manchester Airport
www.chestergroup.org
FEBRUARY 06
1-3
24-26
Integrated Systems Europe
Sound & Vision 2006
Brussels Expo, Belgium
Marriott Hotel, Bristol
www.iseurope.org
www.bristolshow.co.uk
APRIL 06
1-2
Heathrow High Fidelity Show
Park Inn, Heathrow
www.chestergroup.org
Denver
www.cedia.org
SEPTEMBER 06 CEDIA US Expo Colorado Convention Center
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NOV/DEC ISSUE OF WHAT’S NEW ON DECEMBER 5TH,
FEATURING…
Frankly I’m Flattered – The latest flat-screen TVs to catch our eye
Living The Highlights – The 2005 releases that will live on into 2006
Training Day – Look up yours in our new section
CI Know – Boost your knowledge of the install sector thanks to our expansive
section
ISSN 1478-1123
Editor: Hamish McNair-Wilson T: 44 (0)1206 505959
[email protected]
Editor-In-Chief: Stuart Pritchard T: 44 (0)1206 505924 F: 44 (0)1206 505929
[email protected]
Editorial Assistant: Jacob Stow
Publisher: Steve Duffy [email protected]
Art Direction: Lee Whiteford [email protected]
Designers: Scott Jukes Dan Cross
Advertisement Designer: Alison Williams
Advertising Director: Theresa Jackaman T: 44 (0)148 049 8953
[email protected]
Contributors: Darren Harvey, Toby Watson, Katie Bates, Sarah Adcock, Sam Fuller
Design & Repro: Ace Pre-Press T: 44 (0)1206 797541
Circulation Manager: Mick Orrin T: 44 (0)1206 505912
46
Subscriptions: To ensure you receive your free copy of What’s New
every issue, go to www.soundandvisionmagazine.co.uk and simply fill in
the online form
Accounts Admin: T: 44 (0)1206 505900
Published By: Partridge Publications (2000) Ltd, Avenue Lodge,
60 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HN. Tel. +44 (0) 1273 719900
Not for correspondence
Printed in England All contributions are submitted and accepted on the basis of a non-exclusive worldwide
licence to publish or licence to do so unless otherwise agreed in advance in writing. What's New in Sound and
Vision recognises all copyrights and trademarks. Where possible, we have acknowledged the copyright holder.
Contact us if we haven’t credited your copyright and we will correct any oversight.
All contents © Partridge Publications (2000) Limited While we make every effort to
ensure that everything we print in What's New in Sound and Vision is factually correct,
we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur. Please check any quoted hardware
specifications with your supplier before purchase. The views expressed in this magazine
are not necessarily those of the publisher. Copyright Partridge Publications (2000) Ltd ©
01/07/03 - 30/06/04: 4,255
k i s s - t e c h n o l o g y. c o m
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