recoton w500

Transcription

recoton w500

SOUNDVISIONINSTALL
SVI
DAB HAND
WE JOIN THE REVOLUTION AND
TAKE A LOOK AT A STUNNING
RANGE OF DIGITAL RADIOS
RESOUNDING
SUCCESS
MERIDIAN'S ALLEN BOOTHROYD
ON 30-YEARS IN AV
THE TRADE'S FINEST HOME ELECTRONICS RESOURCE
ISSUE 46 AUG/SEPT 07
[
CHECK OUT THE CHARITY AUCTION
EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT:
]
www.pure.com
Meridian for the Custom Installer.
Flexibility, power and performance.
Meridian’s superior design and construction
make our installation loudspeakers perform
so well, they’ll transform your opinion of
how an in-wall can sound, with an awesome
combination of flexibility, power and
performance.
The 300 Series range includes small,
medium and large active and passive
speakers (the largest, the 350, is shown here
with grille removed) and in-wall subwoofers.
It’s accompanied by our latest custom install
products in the C Series range of rackmount components, including the C50
10-channel power amp, C51 Active Speaker
Power Unit, C52 Active Subwoofer Controller
and C61 Digital Surround Controller.
And don’t miss the G95 DVD Surround
Receiver System, the most versatile
member of the acclaimed G Series – a
complete multichannel receiver with CD and
DVD playback, plus five channels of highpower amplification: just add speakers.
Specify Meridian – the unique combination
of superb sound and style.
Tel: +44 (0)1480 445678
www.meridian-audio.com
C51 Active Speaker Power Unit, part of the new
C Series (below), and SW320 in-wall subwoofer (right)
G95 DVD-A/V Surround Receiver System
6
THIS ISSUE
6 EYE ON THE INDUSTRY
A gratuitously indulgent gainer sized
portion of new, views and
developments in AV ready for your
veiwing pleasure...
14 SIGNALLING A CHANGE
Though much of the UK has gone
digital, there are millions left to
convert. SAM FULLER introduces the
DABs capable of doing exactly that...
18 SOUND ADVICE
Rob Slater, MD of new distribution
company Virtuoso Sound, offers advice
for the problems faced within the
consumer electronics market
20 WHAT'S NEW
Our man with his finger on the
pulse of progress, SAM FULLER,
unveils a bevy of beauties in this
month's hot products
26 MERIDIAN
Allen Boothroyd, Co-founder and
Chief Product Designer talks to
ELIZABETH SHARP as Meridian
celebrates 30-years in the industry
30 GAME-IN
Calling all electrical retailers! ROY
HARLEN investigates why the games
industry has more than meets the eye...
33 CUSTOM INSTALLATION NATION
What's going on in CI? Find out here
courtesy of our expansive, information
packed new section
44 TRAINING DIARY
Education, education, education. Bring
some of Tony Blair's most famous words
to life with our handy training diary...
45 RECRUITMENT
In need of employment? Blaze a trail out
of your current company with the help
of these opportunities
46 CONTACT BOOK
Hook up with or harass your industry
colleagues and peers courtesy of SVI's
very own little black book...
50 DIARY
If you haven't thought about stalking
our all new, all female team, now's the
time to start. Find them at these places...
33 44
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Good things, so they say, come to those who wait, and as Elizabeth Sharp has been
sitting patiently to my left (physically, not politically of course) for some time,
observing my methods, lambasting my Facebook addiction, in awe of my technique
and chomping at the bit, eager to launch a coup d’état, it was only fair I eventually
relinquished my grip on the reigns of power and handed over control of SVI.
However, sad day though it is, there comes a time when we all have to move on.
Just as Soviet Russia mourned the loss of its great architect and ideologue Lenin, I
can only hope my reign at SVI will be fondly remembered across the AV and custom
installation industries. But no one is irreplaceable and not even dear old Vladamir's
most ardent supporters could deny that he was superseded by an all together more
efficient, brutally effective force in Stalin. And I'm confident that will be the case here
at Partridge Publications. Yes, having worked with Elizabeth for some time she
undoubtedly has the commitment, conviction, enthusiasm, energy and ability to truly
consolidate SVI's position as a papery superpower.
Already the evolution is happening before me, the changes are being rung
and new plans enacted. It's a time of great progress and under her stewardship,
working alongside our vivacious (and, let's face it, hot) new ad team, I'm sure the
magazine will go from strength to strength.
As for me? Well having spent the past six-years immersed in the most cutting
edge lifestyle technologies, making a clean break will prove practically impossible.
So where to head for my exile? Well, as much as Russia is already a heavyweight in
the smart home world, Siberia just doesn't appeal. So for some continuity I'm
heading off to a true haven of advanced entertainment technologies, Tokyo,
Japan. Here I'll be eeking out a living teaching young children an admittedly rather
debased bastardisation of estuary English, chomping on sushi, keeping up to speed
with the latest gadgetry and quaffing sake. The ready, willing and able new editor,
Elizabeth, on the other hand, will be here in the hot seat, firmly at the helm and
dedicated to keeping every AV professional truly up to speed.
All that remains is for me to thank you for your support over the years – it's been
invaluable, and made working here a pleasure. I'm sure one day I'll see you all again...
Hamish McNair-Wilson, Editor dethroned
For future SVI editorial correspondence contact: [email protected]
PLEASE SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO: WHAT’S NEW SVI, 21-23 PHOENIX COURT, HAWKINS ROAD, COLCHESTER, ESSEX, CO2 8JY
www.svimag.com 05
SVI 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]
AURAL VEX
The British Federation of Audio (BFA) – the UK’s specialist audio-visual consumer
electronics trade body-says that it’s becoming increasingly apparent that consumers
are still largely unaware of the benefits that good quality audio can offer to a Home
Cinema system and, hence, are paying inadequate attention to ancillary equipment.
With the steady fall in the prices of most popular brands of flat-screen TVs,
customers should be more eager to take advantage of the excellent home
entertainment audio and video equipment options available. Yet it is apparent that
they still only spend a small sum of the overall outlay on the audio-visual section,
especially the loudspeakers. This is despite the fact that they have less to pay for the
TV screen these days.
“Now is the ideal opportunity for our industry to make its consumers aware that
they can better balance a decent Home Cinema system by spending the money saved
on the flat-panel TV on a better speaker system, receiver or DVD/CD-player,” Stephen
N Harris, the BFA Chairman, remarked.
At the 2007 BFA AGM, GfK reported that the flat-panel TV is now 69.3% of an
independent retail business - up from 60.2% a year ago. Last year Britons were buying
flat-screen TVs every 15 seconds during the build-up to the World Cup, and
subsequent price reductions have ensured they remain hugely popular. Recent reports
reveal that flat-panel TV prices in March-April were the lowest throughout the year,
and it is expected that the price decline for all of 2007 will be about 15%.
“It’s a shame that consumers aren’t being educated to balance the proportions of
their overall home entertainment system budget and upgrade to better quality
electronics and speakers,” exclaimed Stephen Harris. “It’s up to our industry, the
distributors and retailers alike, to lead the way.”
For further information contact: +44 (0)142 871 4616 www.british-audio.org.uk
BLU MOVIES
Camp Blu-ray strikes a heavy blow in the
format war as Hitachi announces the
World’s first Blu-ray Disc Camcorder.
Captured with the world’s highest
resolution 5.3 Megapixel CMOS image
camcorder sensor, and in mouthwatering 1920x1080 Full High Definition
(Full HD) the image quality will be
delivered by the award-winning Hitachi
Picture Master full HD processor. The
camcorder comprises a built-in Blu-ray 8cm
disc burner and instant Full HD output to
display devices via a High Definition Multimedia Interface
(HDMI) port and shall undoubtedly be the first of many.
For further information contact: +44 (0)162 864 3000
av.hitachi.com
06 www.svimag.com
AT YOUR SERVICE
Leading consumer electronics distributor Armour Home
Electronics has further improved its service to the industry by
expanding its unique online custom cable service to enable
retailers to make orders by phone. The dedicated direct dial
number is available for all custom cable enquiries and sales and is
supervised by cable maker Linda Oles.
QED Category Manager, Phil Davis, commented: “This new
development has been made in response to numerous requests
from our customers. It will enable retailers and installers alike to
receive accurate real time information and advice on all their
custom cable requirements.”
The service provides custom length finished cables, including
HDMI products. Orders are made within 24-hours and delivered in
48 hours from Armour’s premises in Woking. The new number is
+44 (0)148 354 5616.
www.armourhe.co.uk
HITTING THE ROAD
AV furniture specialist Optimum has announced that their sales team is now
mobile with the purchase of three Mercedes-Benz Vito vans. The specially
converted vans will be transporting up to six different models from Optimum’s
range and represent an exciting new step for the family-run firm. This product
portfolio includes the Audio Visual, Designer, Premier, Excel, Prestige, Prelude,
Vision, Precision, Impression and Illusion ranges.
As Managing Director John Ogden says “The new vans are already becoming
an integral part of the sales process. Dealers can now see first hand the wide
range of stylish AV furniture and exceptional quality that we offer.”
With 10-years of trading under their belt, and a core customer base of over
700 independent electrical retailers nationwide, Optimum is currently leading the
way in contemporary AV furniture design. With the addition of this new fleet of
mobile showrooms, they are sure to add to their on-going success.
www.optimuminternational.co.uk
WILLING
ACCESSORY
TAKING THE SOUTH
A+K is pleased to welcome David Ross and Paul Lawrence in a move to
increase its presence in the South. Both Ross and Lawrence have
extensive experience within A+K and are keen to extend their
expertise to their new roles within External Sales Team. As good
communication has always been a fundamental element of A+K’s
success, recruiting from within ensures that customers will be met
face-to-face by seasoned A+K professionals.
Paul Lawrence highlights, “My previous role heading the A+K
Internal Sales team has given me invaluable knowledge of A+K
products. The fact that I already know our customers and their clearly
defined requirements has made the transition an easy one for me and
I’m really enjoying getting out on the road to share the A+K portfolio
with new and existing customers”.
www.anders-kern.co.uk
Vivanco, a leader in the field of AV
accessories, has appointed David
Godfrey to the position of National
Account Manager bringing the
number in their national account
team to four. Having gained previous
experience with Path Group PLC and
as National Account Manager for
Masterplug Ltd, Godfrey’s remit will
be to continue Vivanco’s philosophy
of Technology for Lifestyle. Vivanco
Commercial Director Dave Bonser
comments: “David Godfrey has
impressive credentials and a proven
track record in driving growth in
consumer electronics accessories
and we are very excited by the
strengths and knowledge David
brings to our team:”
For further information contact:
+44 (0)144 240 3020
www.svimag.com 07
BADABING
BADA is continuing
its expansion with the appointment of three new
retail members to the ever increasing number of
retailers and manufacturers within the
association. Joining the over 80 high-end shops
represented and 20 associate members, made up
of manufacturers, distributors and members of
the press, are Audience in Bath, The Sound
Gallery, High Wycombe and Sound Organisation
in York.
Audience was founded in 2000 by Andrew
Criske who, having previously worked with
BADA vice chairman Simon Byles at Infidleity, set
up his own business selling predominantly British
equipment from the likes of Arcam, B&W, Cyrus,
Naim, Rega and Spendor.
The Sound Gallery specialise in two channel
systems and fully integrated home installations as
well as supplying top quality Hi-Fi and high-end
in car audio. Formed by Chris Gildersleve in
1985, The Sound Gallery supply equipment from
Linn, Spendor, Naim, Arcam, Denon and B&W.
The Sound Organisation is one of the
premier Hi-Fi and home entertainment retailers
and installers in North Yorkshire. Having been
founded in the early 1980s by Hamish
MacDiarmid, the business has twice expanded
beyond its Southwark premises prompting the
move to Gillygate in York.
Laying claim to being the UK’s only Hi-Fi and
Home Cinema retailers’ trade association, BADA
was formed in 1982 and aims to promote retailing
and business excellence in all member companies
and to ensure the highest standards of service for
the consumer when purchasing home
entertainment products. It is undoubtedly the high
standard criteria of surpassing industry recognised
levels of service and expertise imposed upon retail
members by BADA, that make membership within
this association so prestigious.
Ian Anderson, Chairman of BADA, says:
“BADA is forging ahead with its expansion and
positioning as the most forward thinking and
relevant UK trade association. This is clearly
demonstrated through our commitment to
raising standards within the retail environment, a
fact recognised and valued by the many existing
retail and manufacturer members and now by
another three of the UK’s top dealers, who we
are very pleased to welcome as members.”
+44 (0)208 150 6741 www.bada.co.uk
www.audience.org.uk
www.soundgallery.co.uk
www.soundorg.co.uk
MAKING
A PAL?
One of the world’s leading Hi-Fi
and home cinema specialist
manufacturers, Onkyo UK, has
recently acquired an asset in the
form of new General Manager
David Anderson. Anderson joins
the team at Onkyo UK, having
previously held the position of Divisional Director of
Blaupunkt’s Car Multi-Media division, where during his tenure
the company increased turnover by 65 per cent and market
share from 1.7% to 6.1%, making the UK the second largest
European market for Blaupunkt behind Germany. As Anderson
says, “All the success I’ve enjoyed before has been achieved by
managing change, and building sustainable, profitable
relationships with customers.”
With his 10 years experience within the field of sales and
marketing - as well as three years general management
experience in blue chip multinational companies-Anderson is
set to be a valued addition to Onkyo, in what is already
officially its most successful year of trading. With his sights
firmly set on building upon Onkyo’s expanding success
Anderson comments, “We’ve got a stunning product line-up
this year, with our micro-systems and AV receivers enjoying
amazing success. I aim to capitalize on that lead and secure
Onkyo’s reputation as the UK’s most exciting and fastestgrowing specialist consumer electronics brand.”
“I have every confidence that David will take Onkyo UK to
the next level of business success,” said Kevin Miyagi, President
of Onkyo Europe, “There are many challenges ahead but David
has all the requisite qualities needed to achieve our objectives.”
www.onkyo.co.uk
SOUNDING SUCCESS
September 2007 shall bear witness to the UK launch of Virtuoso
Sound; a new distribution company specializing in supplying the
independent sector and installers with unique electronic products.
With an aim to bringing AV, Hi-Fi and Electrical retailers a plethora
of exciting new products from around the globe - that are
unaffected by competition, price erosion or grey imports – Virtuoso
Sound has been established by industry veteran Rob Slater.
Possessing consumer electronics experience that dates as far
back as the launch of CD with Philips in 1983, Slater will take overall
responsibility for the direction of Virtuoso Sound Ltd as well as
sales and marketing functions. He comments; “With retailers
bemoaning falling margins and floods of ’me-too’ electronic
products, there is clearly a demand for unique, desirable products
with genuine value to both consumers and retailers. Virtuoso
Sound plans to scour the world for the best in innovative electronic
goods and bring them to the UK retail trade through exclusive
distribution agreements.”
The first brand to sign up to elite distribution through Virtuoso
Sound is American company Ingenious Audio whose portfolio of
single-box active loudspeakers for placement under a TV have created
huge swell of demand in the US through outstanding performance
and a simplicity-of-use plug-and-play design that appeals to a wide
audience. Virtuoso Sound will be distributing the company's highperformance, high-value speakers for iPods, PCs and Macs, and
contributing to product development through dealer feedback.
Set to make a big impression, Slater comments; “Virtuoso Sound
is all about putting value back into the consumer electronics market.
There is still a large sector of the buying public that shop for
products based on innovation, performance and genuine must-have
benefits rather than the lowest common denominator - price.
Virtuoso's product portfolio will grow to embody these strengths,
offering retailers unique products without fear of widespread price
erosion or web-discounting.”
www.virtuososound.com
08 www.svimag.com
RACE FOR THE PRIZE
The highly reputable AV giant Denon is the latest firm to add its weight to
camp Blu-ray. Over in the States the company has released details of a
forthcoming NTSC Blu-ray players to its dealers, a product it hopes will set
new performance standards for the next generation HD format. The
products set for release are the Denon DVD-3800BDCI Reference Standard
Blu-ray player and the Denon DVD-2500BTCI Reference Standard Blu-ray
Disc Transport. Naturally, their creators have paid close attention to both
their audio and visual performance, whilst both boast the level of build
quality all associate with the brand. The player is a stand-alone option,
while the transport will work with Denon's new 08 receivers with the
appropriate decoding.
Commenting on the news, a US Denon spokesman said: "As a member
of the Blu-ray Disc Association, we brought all of our design and engineering
expertise to bear in the creation of these groundbreaking Blu-ray products,
setting new performance standards for the format. Denon remains
committed to offering our customers the widest options in high-end home
entertainment products and to this end, our future plans do not preclude the
introduction of high-definition products in other formats."
What does this mean for the European market? Well, Denon Europe will,
prospectively, launch PAL versions of the groundbreaking Blu-ray players in
the autumn. Keep your eyes peeled for these exciting releases.
For further information contact: +44 (0)175 368 8499 www.denon.co.uk
FAITH, HOPE AND CLARITY
At the recent BADA AGM and Conference, the retail and
manufacturer members reaffirmed their commitment to
ensuring the industry works together to maintain the highest
standards of in-store product demonstration.
During a debate held at New Hall College, Cambridge on
July 16th, BADA Chairman, Ian Anderson made an impassioned
case for closer cooperation between manufacturers and retailers
to ensure BADA’s minimum standards are adopted throughout the
UK. All the manufacturer and retail members present confirmed
their belief in the importance of maintaining standards and gave
their commitment and support for the Demcraft training initiative.
The board of BADA and the associate members will now discuss the
details for expanding the reach of the course for the benefit of the UK Hi-Fi
industry.
Earlier in the day, guest speaker Ivor Teifenbrun MBE, Executive Chairman of
Linn, spoke about his vision for the future of Hi-Fi and who will benefit from it.
Ivor stated his opinion that entertainment software will be purchased via
broadband in the near future and stored on media servers. It was appropriate
therefore, that the final keynote speaker of the day was Simon Collinson, Director
of Sales for BT Vision. Simon explained to great interest the concept behind the
product and the opportunities it holds for the independent high street retailer.
Simon Foy from GfK presented the market performance figures for the
previous 12-months, including the good news that high-end separates have
demonstrated growth during the last year, despite the overall decline in Hi-Fi
sales year on year.
The future of radio and the issues surrounding DAB, DAB+ and the possibility of
the FM switch off were presented by Peter Davies, Director of Radio & Multimedia at
Ofcom. Peter assured the gathering that there are no firm plans and no date at this
stage for the FM bandwidth to be terminated. A discussion about the sound quality
issues surrounding DAB and the new DAB+ took place, with Ofcom’s recent
consumer research pointing to satisfaction with the sound quality from the sample of
the population questioned.
As a sound consultant to major retailers such as BAA, The Body Shop and Tesco,
Julian Treasure, MD of The Sound Agency, explained how a brand’s sound identity
and in-store sound presentation is
essential for the business’ success and
sales improvement. Julian is author of the
book Sound Business which explains the
importance of properly thought through
sound for building brands.
A new BADA board was voted in to
serve for the forthcoming 12-months and
after the Conference the board met to
confirm the officers of the board. The full BADA board is:
Ian Anderson – Chairman (Billy Vee Sound Systems), George Bartlett (Bartletts
Hi-Fi), Gay Brown (Practical Hi-Fi), Simon Byles – Vice Chairman (Infidelity), Geoff
Coleman (Acoustica), Vernon Hamblin (Unilet), Chris Henry – Company Secretary
(Overture), Geoff Mathews – Treasurer (Soundcraft Hi-Fi), Charlie Brennan (Arcam),
Andy Napthine (B&W), Peter Thomas (PMC).
For further information contact: +44 (0)208 150 6741 www.bada.co.uk
A MAJOR
PROMOTION
Audio-Technica, the leading
Japanese manufacturer of highperformance microphones, headphones,
wireless systems, mixers and electronic products for
home and professional users, has announced a major initiative in the UK.
As the next stage in the launch of a completely new range of consumer
headphones, available in Europe for the first time, Audio-Technica has announced
the appointment of a team of established sales professionals, Sales Talk Limited, to
work with its target retail chain to establish this impressive new range of
headphones in the market. The other major appointment is that of PR specialists
Diva Corporation Limited, to focus its activities establishing and promoting the
company’s portfolio of consumer headphones in the UK.
Well established in its home market of Japan, where it is the number two brand
in this hugely competitive arena, Audio-Technica is confident that
these new appointments will help it build its presence in the UK.
Simon Hedges joined the company as Consumer Business
Development Manager for Europe in March of this year, the new
strategy subsequently set and these latest appointments bolstering
the company’s ability to meet its objectives.
A new summer advertising campaign targeting over 10-million
UK consumers has already been announced, while Audio-Technica is
also expanding the online presence of its headphones, with a highprofile campaign of advertising and promotion on leading entertainment
and retail websites including contactmusic.com, HeadphoneWorld.com and
iWorld. In addition, the company is again targeting business commuters with an
advertising campaign in the easyJet In-Flight magazine.
With the Diva Corporation now handling the firm's public relations, expect to
hear a lot from them in the coming months. Commenting on their appointment,
Diva's Angie Curtis said: “We are delighted and excited to have such an impressive
addition to our portfolio of clients. The Audio-Technica brand name is highly
respected around the world and its headphone range is already well-established
and highly rated in some of the most difficult markets. Our challenge is relatively
easy - to work with the media explaining the technologies behind the products
and demonstrating just how fantastic the range is. It really does have something
for just about everyone – from the globe-trotting businessman who wants to shut
out noise in an aeroplane, to music-loving teenagers who want the best sound
from their iPods and MP3-players.”
Commenting on the appointment of Sales Talk Limited, Consumer Business
Development Manager for Europe, Simon Hedges, explained: “I believe the AudioTechnica line-up offers a huge opportunity for retailers. This is an opportunity to
sell products that offer beautiful design, precision engineering, and uncompromising quality, in a market that is showing unprecedented levels of growth.
We recognise the need for our retailers to have regular contact with us, especially
as they familiarise themselves with our product line-up, and so we are delighted to
be working with SalesTalk, one of the most experienced and effective sales teams
working in our area.“
www.atheadphones.com www.audio-technica.co.uk
SOUNDING YOU OUT
Airsound LLP, a UK company, has developed AIRSOUND technology - a new way of
reproducing stereo sound from a single speaker enclosure, based on the founding
principles of stereo sound. This innovative solution returns to the first principles of
stereo reproduction, encoding signals as ‘direct’ and ‘spatial’ sound, instead of discrete
left and right channel audio. This method of reproduction provides significant
advantages over conventional spaced left and right speaker stereo, in custom and
commercial audio installation environments.
Several patents have been taken out in the development process, with Airsound
currently negotiating licensing agreements with manufacturers in the CE and IT
industries. The developer is also seeking interest from manufacturers in CI and
commercial AV.
The direct and spatial AIRSOUND reproduction system enables authentic stereo
reproduction from a single speaker enclosure, filling a room with a full and balanced
stereo signal everywhere in front of the unit. The on/off axis and the restrictive sweet
spot of conventional stereo do not apply to AIRSOUND stereo, while the dissipation of
the AIRSOUND stereo signal over distance is considerably less than with conventional
stereo replay. This exciting new speaker system processes conventional left / right stereo
audio, reproducing a realistic spatial stereo soundfield that can be experienced around
the venue.
Furthermore, the use of a single speaker enclosure and the greater distance
between the number of AIRSOUND enclosures required to cover a given environment,
means that there is no loss of energy or quality through the frequency cancellation
effects of filter combing between adjacent cabinets. Path length phase distortion,
inherent in separate left and right channel speaker systems, is also eliminated, further
improving signal clarity.
The AIRSOUND system offers significant power and component efficiencies over
conventional stereo solutions, whilst saving space and reducing the number of
cabinets required into the bargain. It allows true stereo replay to be incorporated into
integrated, low-profile or portable AV devices, such as flat-panel displays, compact
home entertainment systems, mobile media players and communications devices,
which should prove a major boon to manufacturers. Having effectively re-engineered
the basic principles of stereo reproduction, Airsound LLP is actively seeking licensees
for its technology in both the CI and commercial AV industries. Interested? Then get
in touch...
For further information contact: +44 (0)845 652 1219 www.airsound.net
10 www.svimag.com
FULLY CERTIFIED
Already a major figure in consumer electronics, LG Electronics
have cause for celebration this month as it becomes the first
manufacturer to be awarded Group 2 Freeview Playback
certification on its new Time Machine LCD and plasma TV range.
The Freeview Playback accreditation is a significant feather in
the LG cap as it ensures that strict functional specifications have
been met in keeping with the testing criteria set out by the
industry association for digital television in the UK; the Digital
Television Group (DTG). This rigorous testing ensures not only, a
high-quality product for consumers, but a unique selling point
for distributors as well.
The innovative new features detailed within a Group 2
classification include ‘schedule tracking’ and ‘auto-buffering’ to
ensure that unexpected changes to scheduling, such as breaking
news, will not interfere with the recording of the programme. If
that wasn’t enough, consumers will also be able to utilise a
‘series recording’ function that allows consumers to record an
entire series with one simple push of a button.
James Atkins, marketing manager for LG brown goods
comments, “As consumer lifestyle becomes more and more
hectic, our new range of Freeview Playback certified Time
Machine TVs ensures that favourite programmes will never be
missed. It allows you to fit TV around your life, whether you
press record when you go out on the town, or pause a live game
whilst getting a beer, you’ll never have to miss a thing.”
LG’s accredited Time Machine range will consist of the
luxurious gloss black HD Ready LT75 LCD series available in 32, 37
and 42-inches and the PT85 plasma range in 42 and 50-inches.
The new Time Machine TVs will allow consumers to pause,
record and rewind live TV from over 40 free channels directly
from its in-built electronic programme guide. Recording one
channel can also be done whilst watching an alternative channel.
With a 160 GB hard drive that can hold up to 80 hours of
programmes, the new range will be available from October 2007.
www.lge.co.uk
SAFETY
FIRST
Alphason’s AD3/51-s stood
the ultimate test of strength
and endurance in a real-life
crash test recently. As owner
Adrian Goodyear adjusted the
wall-mount on his 32-inch
Hitachi LCD-TV, the fixings
pulled from the plaster wall
causing the 20kg TV to drop more than 50cm onto the Alphason glass shelf.
The LCD-TV suffered extensive screen and chassis damage while the Alphason
AD3/51 came through unscathed.
“It is testament to the strength of Alphason’s safety glass that the stand
took the impact without so much as a mark,” said Mr Goodyear, a senior
research chemist from Royston, Herts. “I feared the worst as the TV fell and
the bang was loud enough to alert the neighbours. As the dust settled I could
see the TV screen in pieces but the Alphason stand remained intact. It was
only after the clear-up operation that we realised there was not even a scratch
in the top glass shelf.”
The incident highlights the importance of selling furniture with BSstandard safety glass of the highest BS6206A specification, as featured on all
Alphason's products. This toughened material has far greater impactresistance than simple tempered glass and, if it does break through extreme
impact, it will shatter into thousands of small pieces rather than dangerous
shards. Not only is this safer for those in the vicinity if an accident happens;
the small pieces make clean-up easier and safer as the pieces can simply be
vacuumed up from the floor.
Adrian continued: “With a toddler causing havoc around our house on a
daily basis, safety is of paramount importance. I purchased the Alphason stand
as my retailer highlighted the safety glass feature, but I certainly did not
expect to test the claims in such a dramatic way. I am delighted that it’s stood
up to the ultimate test and would have no hesitation in recommending
Alphason furniture to anyone concerned about safety in the home.”
With a flood of low-cost glass furniture products coming onto the
market, Alphason MD John Reddington reiterated the benefits of up-selling
furniture products on safety: “Safety can be prime motivation in any
purchasing decision for the home, especially for buyers with young families
like Mr Goodyear. If his AV furniture had been inferior tempered glass or even
standard annealed glass as featured in many low-cost stands, it would have
almost certainly smashed as the 32-inch TV fell. This would have left the room
strewn with razor sharp shards of glass – something families with small
children will certainly want to avoid.”
Mr Goodyear is now upgrading to a larger 37-inch LCD TV to replace the
broken model and is planning to avoid wall-mounting this time. Following his
letter of thanks to Alphason Designs’ Atherton head office, MD John
Reddington has sent the Goodyear family a complimentary Alphason Aragon
AG68/2 in a black finish to best suit the new larger screen TV.
www.alphasondesigns.com
www.svimag.com 11
TIME FOR
BUSINESS
Summer sales might
be like a damp
squib, but the long
term prospects for
electrical retailers
look good according
to the results of a survey recently carried
out by Cromwell Business Systems, a
popular retail software specialist. The
survey undertaken by more than three
quarters of Cromwell’s customer base –
whose 450 outlets account for a
staggering £1-billion turnover - indicated
that one in every five retailers was
planning new store openings by the end
of the year.
“This is very encouraging news for the
industry and hopefully brings a much
needed positive emphasise to the
marketplace,” Cromwell Director Sonu
Kundi commented. “What is also
encouraging is that these new shops are
planned by both large and smaller retailers.”
The survey also showed that 25% of
the customer base who weren’t already etailors were planning to have a website in
the near future. A further 10% were
‘possibly considering’ going down this
route.
Says Kundi: “There is a misconception
that a website is a blunt instrument to sell
product cheaply online, whereas it can
actually be a very useful marketing tool to
drive people into the store, and also to
promote certain lines, for example slow
moving products. An increasing number of
our customers are realising this and
commissioning Cromwell to undertake
sites to achieve these objectives. The site is
easily managed due to simple and
effective integration with Open- Retail
which manages the existing Retail
business.”
+44 (0)135 365 0900 www.cromwells.co.uk
CUTTING EDGE
For those in the field of glass furniture design, Rob Halsall is a
name that is soon sure to be on everybody’s lips. An exciting
new talent within the industry, Halsall’s career began back in
2002, when he designed a Hi-Fi unit which used air to absorb
vibration and was constructed with glass, aluminum and walnut, as part of his A-Level studies in
resistant materials.
In the same year, whilst searching for an industrial placement as part of his BSc (Hons) Product
Design and Technology degree, Halsall caught the eye of Ray Hands of Artisan Services (NW) in
Aintree, Liverpool; a shop fitting company. Halsall’s experience at Artisan Services (NW)
demonstrated not only proficiency for glass bonded furniture design, but a passion as well. So
inspired were his designs that Ray Hands set up another company; Artisan Glass Products, as a
vessel for Halsall to focus upon and formulate an entire range within the role of in-house designer.
Halsall’s range of designs were featured In the November 2005 issue of SmartLife
International magazine, immediately raising his profile within the industry, and in the subsequent
issue his CD/DVD rack was selected as one of the top 100 ‘must have’ gifts for Christmas.
Through the exposure that this afforded him, as well as the continuing publicity that has arisen as
a result of his stylish and innovative AV furniture designs, Halsall is delighted to announce that in
September 2006 he set up his own Lancashire based design consultancy; Rob Halsall Design Ltd.
Since then he has been featured on the This Morning television programme, as well as having
pieces that he designed for Fuego Fire Design being launched at June’s Grand Designs Live Show.
As a freelance designer he is continuing to go from strength to strength, a pioneer within the
world of contemporary glass furniture design.
For further information contact: +44 (0)773 947 3400 www.robhalsalldesign.com
12 www.svimag.com
CUTTING LOSSES
Evesham Technology has gone into receivership. The
company Chairman, Richard Austin, made the
following statement regarding the announcement: “I
can confirm that Evesham Technology went into
administration on Friday 3rd August. It’s no secret that
Evesham Technology has been going through some
financial difficulties, having not been able to replace
lost revenue of £30-million which was wiped off of the
company’s turnover following the decision made by
the Government to axe the HCI (Home Computer
Initiative) at short notice. Other strong companies in
the industry were hit hard by the demise of the HCI
scheme. Many of these companies have not been
fortunate enough to continue trading, resulting in the
closure of many established UK companies and a loss
of a number of jobs.
“We had heavily invested and allocated many
resources to the HCI scheme and as a result around 150
loyal and hardworking Evesham staff have also
unavoidably lost their jobs. Many of the staff had
worked for Evesham Technology for a number of years
and so it is a sad loss to the Evesham Technology
family, and to me personally. I have built this company
from nothing over a 24 year period and only wish we
could have avoided this situation.
“The Evesham Technology brand has received an
investment of $22-million from well known investor in
the industry, Tahir Mohsan of PCC Technology, who
recognised the potential of the Evesham brand and the
popularity of its products. The company now known as
GeeMore Technology Ltd will continue trading as
Evesham Technology. As it stands 138 people are still
employed here at Evesham.
“Although we are all very sad that we have to
continue trading without valuable, long standing
Evesham staff, we will continue to trade in the UK as
one of the UK’s leading PC and Consumer Electronics
manufacturers and uphold our enviable reputation for
service and support. We hope that we have now
passed this unfortunate time in our company’s history
and can look to a positive future. We would like to
reassure all of our customers that they will continue to
receive support from Evesham and that their existing
warranties will continue to be handled with Evesham’s
award-winning service, as before.”
+44 (0)870 160 9700 www.evesham.com
Distributed in the UK by: NEVADA-Portsmouth
Tel: 02392 313095 | Email: sales.nevada.co.uk
Dealer enquiries welcome
DAB
Band III
DAB
L Band
Receives
FM Band
Remote
Control
Alarm
Clock
6UU\DXUC_e^T
© Copyright 2007 Etón Corporation. All Rights Reserved. iPod is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.
MP3
iPod Docking
Compatible
Station
AUX
Input
Headphone
Jack
• With iPod Dock + remote control
• Colours: Black or White
Sound 102 DAB Digital/FM Radio
Etón Sound Series - for the complete home installation
SVI DAB RADIOS
VITA AUDIO R1
Vita Audio's R1 DAB/FM radio has been painstakingly engineered
here in the UK and is a triumph of British design and
manufacturing. Available in a choice of real wood and high-gloss
lacquer finishes, this elegant table top DAB is quite a looker. A
pleasure to use too, it features a specially designed RotoDial
interface and a striking black-on-white LCD display to relay track
details. Meanwhile, at the heart of the carefully designed cabinet
you'll find 3.5-inch custom high-fidelity drive unit, ensuring it excels
in its acoustic performance too.
Contact: +44 (0)170 260 1410 www.vitaaudio.com
ETON SOUND 102
One of the problems afflicting the spread of DAB has been poor
reception and it is exactly this which the Eton Sound 102
DAB/FM Radio addresses. This multi-functional DAB receiver,
iPod dock and alarm clock employs a high-sensitivity digital
Phased-Locked Loop Tuner (PLL) that locks in the frequency and
improves the user’s chances of accessing their favourite
stations, even in problem areas. This £139.99 model also offers
users 10 station presets, is powered by a whopping three-inch
driver and is available in three equally stylish finishes.
Contact: +44 (0)239 231 3090 www.etoncorp.com
Signallinga
Change
It came, it was heard, it conquered. SAM FULLER assesses the finest products
for receiving those improved and ultra convenient Digital Audio Broadcasts...
That DAB radios have caused a revolution in
how the nation tunes into its favourite stations
in both the workplace and the home is beyond
doubt. With conventional analogue radio practically
moribund, major stockists have cast it aside in favour
of greater displays of its digital evolution. These days,
if a buyer is looking to upgrade their wireless they'll
have little option other than to plump for one next
generation product that's truly captured the
imagination of the consumer. Digital Audio
Broadcasting has been one of the success stories of
the decade, with recent GfK findings revealing that
five million sets have now been sold. According to
another encouraging set of figures from RAJAR,
19.5% of the adult population now live in a DAB
household, with 18% of all homes featuring at least
one model. However, impressive though these
statistics are and as rapid as the proliferation has
been, the opportunity remains for plenty of further
growth. In fact, over the next three years, the Digital
Radio Development Bureau is predicting that
household penetration will reach 50%. The kind of
products required to encourage this expansion are
certainly available, so all that remains is for you to
ensure you're stocking the right ones to be part of
the boom. From attractive, affordable options to
high-end all-in-one solutions, the digital radio market
is a progressive one rife with innovation.
NAD MODEL
C445
The Model C445 is NAD's only
DAB tuner and although it's
been on the market for a good
18-months, it remains a highly
competitive component. Smart, black and rife with high-end technologies, it is the perfect
accompaniment to the firm's renowned CD-players. Herein you'll find an audiophile grade DAC,
allowing the C445 to draw every detail from digital broadcasts, while it also includes FM and AM
tuners too. An impressive first step into the DAB field, this £350 option is worth every penny.
Contact: +44 (0)127 950 1111 www.armourhe.co.uk
14 www.svimag.com
VITA AUDIO R2 STEREO
A fresh face on the AV block, Vita Audio, recently added the R2 Stereo to its range.
This high-quality DAB radio system comes dressed in a machined, hand-crafted
cabinet and is, for my money, one of the finest looking around. It is available in a
number of finishes, including a classy walnut wood, and comes powered by two
high-fidelity drive units. Class leading electronics - including 3D sound processing –
have been included throughout, while it is feature rich too and includes an alarm.
Prices start at £219.99.
Contact: +44 (0)170 260 1410 www.vitaaudio.com
REVO PICO / PICO+
Revo's PICO is a funky, portable, DAB receiver
capable of acting as an iPod speaker system. It
can be battery or mains operated, used wherever
its owner sees fit and costs only £99. An
upgraded option, the PICO+ is also available. This
£129.95 model boasts Revo's Timeshift
functionality, allowing users to pause, rewind and
record live broadcasts. It benefits from the same
sleek styling and features as the standard model.
Contact: +44 (0)155 566 6161
www.revo.co.uk
MARANTZ ST7001
Marantz's ST7001 is a high-performance digital
and analogue tuner that's simple to use, features
200 presets, provides users with a wealth of
information via its easy-to-read display and truly
looks the business. With sensitivity and dynamic
range key considerations in its construction, this
produces some of the most accurate and rich
sounds you'll find in the DAB market. With a
24-bit/192kHz multi-bit, sigma-delta DAC at the heart of its low-resonance, acoustically damped all-metal chassis, the ST7001 is a truly high-end solution. It's
priced at £300.
Contact: +44 (0)175 368 0868 www.marantz.com
ROBERTS
SOUND 78
Roberts’ Sound 78 DAB
digital radio is a mighty fine
solution – one which provides
the entertainment here in
the SVI office. It boasts a
three-way speaker system,
providing well distributed
and detailed sounds around
the room. This is bolstered by
a bass woofer which adds to
the acoustic excellence. An
input auxiliary socket allows
our staff to plug in their
MP3-players, while the
contemporary stylings of its
wooden cabinet with
brushed silver front ensure it
looks the part too. The Sound
78 is available now for £120.
Contact: +44 (0)170 957 1722
www.robertsradio.co.uk
PURE DIGITAL SIESTA
The Siesta is the latest addition to PURE Digital's
expansive range of DAB solutions. This affordable clock
radio boasts great looks, impressive sounds great and
offers significantly reduced environmental impact into
the bargain. It hits the market at a paltry £49.99 and
features a large auto-dimming display, an easy-to-find
snooze button, three independent alarm settings,
Intellitext and TextSCAN. With PURE's Chronos having
been the best selling clock radio in the independent
retail sector since last December, the company has given
itself some healthy competition.
Contact: +44 (0)192 327 7488 www.pure-digital.com
www.svimag.com 15
SVI DAB RADIOS
BUSH DAB
CR06CDWHT
PURE DIGITAL EVOKE-1S
PURE Digital has improved the world's best selling digital radio once more. The model
formally known as the EVOKE-1XT is to be replaced by the EVOKE-1S, a third generation
solution that boasts some significant new features, improved cosmetics and richer, cleaner
audio. The addition of ChargePAK gives users up to 24 hours of portable listening between
charges, whilst the textSCAN and Intellitext features hand them full control over any scrolling
information. All this considered, the 1S is a snip at £99.99.
Contact: +44 (0)192 327 7488 www.pure.com
INTEMPO PP-01
INTEMPO TRS
Intempo has launched a new, stylish digital
radio collection, available in a number of
colours. The combination of classic retro
styling and the latest dual band DAB
digital/FM radio technology make the TRS
an attractive proposition, particularly in
light of its refreshingly affordable £39.99
price tag. This slimline solution would
make an ideal choice for those looking for
a second home radio or for something for
their travels. Colours available include violet, claret and
Contact: +44 (0)161 828 5219 www.intempo-digital.co.uk
ROBERTS
GEMINI 55
The Gemini 55 is a stylish and exciting
digital radio, only recently added to the
expansive Roberts' catalogue. This
innovative model includes an instant,
one touch record to SD card function.
This comes accompanied by intuitive
cassette keys allowing the user to fast
forward, rewind, start and stop the SD their
recorded content with the utmost ease.
Thanks to the inclusion of a USB connection
the Gemini 55 can also be used to playback MP3
files sourced from a PC.
This clever option is a snip at £99.99 and is available in a choice of two finishes.
Contact: +44 (0)170 957 1722 www.robertsradio.co.uk
16 www.svimag.com
Bush has extended its DAB range with the
launch of the DABCR06CDWHT DAB/CD
and FM Clock Radio. This spanking new
model is diminutive in size and would
make a great bedside or kitchen
companion where space is at a premium.
It features a smooth, white rubberised
square facia with a large, easy-view blue
LCD display with clock and auto time
facility. Whether timing an egg or
attempting to wake up for work, it's a
breeze to use and sells for a meagre
£59.99.
Contact: +44 (0)871 230 1777
www.bush-radio.co.uk
Intempo's exciting PP-01 has been described
by its makers as a DAB on a diet. Incredibly
slender and customisable too, this is a
unique solutions that's sure to have a broad
appeal. The use of flat front panel NXT
stereo speakers help to give it an unusually
elegant look, while its is the protective
screen guarding this which can be
personalised with a buyers favourite photo –
a service which costs £14.99. With a decent
quality of sound guaranteed and impressive
connectivity, the PP-01 is a bargain at £99.
Contact: +44 (0)161 828 5219
www.intempo-digital.co.uk
MORPHY RICHARDS DRM
These days there's far more to the Morphy Richards'
catalogue than kettles and toasters. The firm's DRM is
an ingenious solution which affords users crackle free
sounds when listening to international programmes
broadcast on MW, LW and SW by converting them to
digital signals. Naturally, its DAB and FM tuners also
prove up to scratch, while its SD card slot, Electronic
Programme Guide and alarm function should
prove to be further appreciable boons.
All this for £199.
Contact: +44 (0)870 060 2614
www.morphyrichards.com
ROBERTS SOUND 16
Roberts may be best known for its portable radios, but in the Sound 16 the
manufacturer has proved its ability to diversify – and how. This DAB CD digital
Hi-Fi system is a contemporary solution ideal for style conscious music
enthusiasts. It comprises a brushed aluminium main unit and two high-gloss
piano black loudspeakers. Acoustically impressive and able to draw tunes from
an iPod, it has a lot to offer and hits the market at £350.
Contact: +44 (0)170 957 1722 www.robertsradio.co.uk
TEAC R-X1 DAB
TEAC's R-X1DAB uses NXT technology to
striking visual effect. This contemporary option was the
firm's first to employ flat-panel audio technology to
produce rich, detailed sounds from its slender body. The
design also offers simple, push button operation, its jog
wheel tuning a pleasure to use, and can hook up with any
MP3-players courtesy of its AUX-IN input. This chic 15W unit is
available in a choice of matt black and matt white finishes, priced at £149.
Contact: +44 (0)845 130 2511 www.teac.co.uk
TIVOLI MODEL DAB
Refined, timelessly styled and thoroughly adept in action, Tivoli's Model DAB is everything you'd
expect of a firm with such a fine reputation for radio production. Functional too, it includes an easy
to set timer, a snooze function and offers access to AM and FM broadcasts. In performance, the
Model DAB will definitely impress, offering surprisingly impacting bass thanks to the inclusion of a
rear port. Further aesthetically matched components are available, while buyers have a choice of two
finishes to choose between.
Contact: +44 (0)127 950 1111
www.armourhe.co.uk www.ruark.co.uk
REVO UNO
British DAB manufacturer Revo recently made
its collection of fresh, stylish digital radios
available to the independent retail sector. Its
UNO is a contemporary looking piece that
would be at home in any room, offers great
DAB and FM reproduction, iPod connectivity
and a digital alarm clock with a touchsensitive snooze. Well priced at £69.95, it is
available in four striking colours, including a
chic titanium silver and a striking candy pink.
Contact: +44 (0)155 566 6161
www.revo.co.uk
www.svimag.com 17
SVI COMMENT - THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS MARKET
e
c
i
v
d
A
d
n
u
o
S
new
D of innovative
M
,
er
at
Sl
b
o
R
price erosion,
ffering chronic
su
t
ke
ar
m
cs
is ‘unique’.
Electroni
ys the answer
sa
,
d
un
In a Consumer
So
so
o
mpany Virtu
distribution co
“With the launch of Virtuoso Sound at the beginning of
September I have heard my fair share of industry pundits sucking
in their breath and asking; ‘A new distribution company in a tough
consumer electronics market? Is that wise?’
My answer is an emphatic ‘yes’. In a market where leading brand
products are available everywhere (even direct!) and the prices are cut to
ribbons, never has there been a better time to offer independent hi-fi and
AV retailers a collection of unique products with real user benefits and,
most importantly, sustainable margins.
The problems of the consumer electronics market are largely of its
own making. It has set its own trend whereby next year’s flagship
products will be both better and cheaper than this year’s model. With big
name brands using every possible route to market in an attempt to
increase volume to off-set their margin deficit, customers simply shop
around for the best deal.
Can you imagine that in the car market? Next year’s BMW M3 is
certainly likely to be better equipped, better looking and faster than the
2007 model – but cheaper? I think not. The consumer electronics market
is largely stuck in a self-perpetuating cycle and the only headline you ever
read in national or regional press advertising for TV and AV products is:
‘lowest prices guaranteed’ or ‘sale now on’.
As a retailer within this market dynamic you need to be very shrewd
to survive. After 25 years in this business, I can safely say that that means
offering service, support and must-have products that customers simply
cannot get anywhere else. Virtuoso Sound has come into existence to
work with dealers who want to offer just that mix of ingredients to their
customers.
Simply put, we aim to supply a tight portfolio of innovative and
original products from smaller international companies that lack the
infrastructure and market knowledge to establish their own UK base. This
allows retailers to stock products that have an immediate ‘must-have’
wow factor from an in-store demonstration, while exclusive distribution
agreements ensure a tight retailer base. In this way retailers can maintain
their margin, reputation and customer loyalty.
Virtuoso Sound’s initial product offering for example is from
Ingenious Audio and Bedini Electronics - two brands aimed at almost
opposite ends of the market but both offering simple solutions to
everyday problems. For example, Ingenious’ Z-Vox range is a growing
portfolio of single box, hi-fidelity amplified loudspeakers that go beneath
flat panel TVs. The sound quality of today’s TVs is at an all time low and
these affordable solutions offer a big sound from a small box, look great
and offer super-simple plug and play operation. For savvy retailers it’s an
easy sell with no need to discount as customers will simply not have ‘seen
it cheaper on the net’.
18 www.svimag.com
Of course, this specialist proposition is not in itself a magic bullet for
retailing in the consumer electronics industry. Without selling big brand
name TVs for example, retailers are unlikely to see consumers in store at all.
However, this concept is an extension of the ‘accessory’ proposition. The
difference being that while at £10 scart leads might add a few dollars to
the bottom line as an incremental sale, a £250 single box loudspeaker will
offer twenty-five times the return. Just like the once-buoyant AV-furniture
market (before cheap imports crashed the average sale value) more often
than not this sort of sale will make more profit than selling the TV that the
customer came in for in the first place!
I am passionate about how this type of unique, high value product can
resurrect profitability in the consumer electronics retail sector and have
invested in offices, warehousing, logistics and sales support. I also intend to
address those press headlines selling on price alone with positive product
promotion. We will be driving customer demand with extensive marketing,
both at POS and in the mass media, and have employed the services of
Richard Stevenson of RSPR to drive consumer magazine exposure.
Price erosion is the bane of our industry and, as a whole, that is
unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Retailers can either play the
price game and hope they can do the volume to off-set the reduced
margins or find profitable new products to supplement the business.
One thing is certain - there will always be talented people in the world,
developing unique and interesting new electronic products, and Virtuoso
Sound will exist to bring some of those to the market. The consumer
needs specialist independent dealers to offer him or her (especially her!)
that choice of unique products – as without that choice our industry will
lose its vibrancy.”
The Ingenious Audio Z-Vox Mini: a
deceptively small
single cabinet audio system for produ
cing big sound!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
+44 (0)178 588 7824 www.virtuososound.com
Trusted exclusive brand names from your No 1
Home Cinema distributor
Uncompromised Quality
from Furman
IT-Reference 16Ei Power Conditioner
This Discrete Symmetrical AC Power Conditioner
for premium Home Cinema/audiophile systems
ensures flawless, noise-free, performance for
the most ambitious high-current systems.
Symmetrical balanced power with dual screen
technology cancels hum-inducing noise from
audio and video.
Five discrete power banks eliminate
inter-component interference.
Power Factor technology provides surplus
current for power-starved amplifiers. Linear
Filtering technology for unequalled audio/video
clarity. Virtually maintenance-free AC surge
suppression.
Detachable surge suppression module for
telco and cable/satellite connectors.
Anders+Kern UK Ltd
Norderstedt House, James Carter Road,
Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7RQ
Tel 01638 510900
Fax 01638 510901
Email [email protected]
SVI ALL THE AV NEWS FIT TO PRINT
What’s New?
SVI’S round-up of all the very latest product news
Compiled by sam fuller
RECEIVING LOUD AND CLEAR
After 60 successful years in business
how do HI-FI/AV manufacturer Onkyo
celebrate? The answer is with the launch
of their new micro component CD
receiver. The UK-tuned CR-715DAB
comes in a choice of black or silver finish
and is available with optional matching
D-N10BX speakers. In terms of quality,
the CR-715DAB packs a punch with its
50W per channel and high capacity
4700uf capacitor. It also makes use of
Vector Linear Digital Technology, the company’s own digital to analogue conversion technology, as
well as a high-grade Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit D/A converter.
The system also boasts four additional audio inputs (including one on the front panel for ease
of access when hooking up MP3-players and other such devices), a subwoofer output plus two
audio outputs. All are gold-plated for optimum signal transfer and the loudspeakers terminals are
chunky screw-type banana plug-compatible items.
As you might guess, the CR-715DAB offers DAB/AM/FM radio reception, with 40
automatically storable presets available and a more sensitive DAB tuner providing for better
performance in weaker signal areas. It also comes with a four mode/sleep timer and
comprehensive remote control ensuring suitable use all through the house.
The CR-715DAB costs £329.95 and will be available in October.
For further information contact: +44 (0)149 468 1515 www.onkyo.co.uk
HAVE IPHONE, WILL TRAVELLER
Quick off the starting blocks, Logic3 are among the first to offer a dedicated
peripheral for what many see as the must-have gadget of 2007, the Apple
iPhone. The i-Station Traveller is a speaker system, which can accommodate
the iPhone either vertically or horizontally, with 35mm neodymium drivers
capable of outputting 4W of sound. Special attention has been placed on
reducing their susceptibility to TDMA noise interference, namely
the sound emitted by mobiles picked up by nearby
loudspeakers, as much as possible.
Although the iPhone not due in the UK until later this year,
those interested can still make use of the i-Station Traveller until
then, thanks to its 3.5mm jack connectivity to virtually any
portable sound source. It’s available now priced at £30.
For further information contact: +44 (0)192 347 1000 www.logic3.com
SCREEN IF YOU WANT TO
GO FASTER
Up until the end of November this year, projection specialists Bjurab
are offering to supply purchasers of their latest electric screens with
either a handheld remote control or installation of their Autolink
facility, free of charge. The promotion applies to their standard endfix cassette, which is now available in both video and widescreen
versions, as well as the channel-fix version which continues to be
available in square 1:1, video 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 formats.
Autolink is the name given to their automation system, whereby
the operation of the screen is controlled by the projector’s power
supply; the screen will automatically descend once the projector is
turned on, and raise again when turned off. Alternatively, the
RF/infrared remote control option comes in the form of a small
handheld unit, which is ideal for use with integrated room control
systems.
For more information call: +44 (0)153 620 3101
www.bjurab.co.uk
20 www.svimag.com
RISE
AND SHINE
Roberts are looking to offer a
recordable clock radio for the first
time with their Gemini 33, a compact
bedside DAB unit capable of
recording broadcasts to an SD card
in MP2/MP3 format. Files stored on
the card can naturally be played
back, allowing users to wake up to
their own music collection if they so
wish, or even tracks from their
portable MP3 player thanks to an
auxiliary input socket.
The Gemini 33 also includes
PausePlus functionality, line output,
20 station presets and an attractive,
backlit analogue clock. Says Leslie
Burrage, Roberts Chief Executive,
“With an RRP of £99.99, this DAB
digital clock radio receiver gives
Independents a great opportunity to
encourage consumers to trade up.”
+44 (0)170 957 1722
www.robertsradio.co.uk
SOUNDS EXTRAORDINARY
TUNED IN
Pelham Technologies Ltd. have been chosen as exclusive
distributors for the home speakers produced by Italian
manufacturer NACSound. Founder of Pelham
Technologies, Iain Brown, stated that “We were instantly
attracted to the NACSound speaker range as they offer
a stunning alternative to traditional designs and are
ideally suited to many custom installation products.
They are the only product of their kind in the world.”
NACSound’s exotic designs include the Freewheeler
cordless stereo speaker ‘wheel,’ designed in
collaboration with industrial designer Ron Arad and able
to generate a stereo signal within one component which
can then be ‘rolled’ to wherever the listener wishes. Also
available is the Omni ceramic speaker, available in a
range of colours and finishes, and their uniquely
innovative, omni-directional Home Theater system,
which makes use of five speakers and a suspensionbased design for accurate modelling of acoustic sound in
three-dimensional space. The creative possibilities of
custom installations just got bigger…
www.pelhamtechnologies.co.uk
With thoughts of DAB+ ever increasing
amongst consumers, Onkyo offers up some
reassurance with the launch of an
upgradeable DAB/FM/AM tuner. The T-4555
not only boasts the ‘plug-in’ modular
architecture first used on its flagship TXNR5000E AV receiver in 2004, it offers
consumers the ability to upgrade the tuner
to handle any new UK digital radio
standards that may emerge.
Features include 40 presets (assignable
across DAB/FM/AM bands), DRC (Dynamic
Range Control) for late-night listening plus
auto-scanning. The front panel display is
dimmable and RDS data display is fully
supported allowing the consumer to see all
of the relevant information about what
they're listening to. The tuner also features
Onkyo's in-house developed RI (remote
interactive) system so that when connected
to a RI-equipped amplifier the stations and
band can be changed directly from the
amplifier's handset.
Sound quality is assured thanks to the
plug-in DAB/FM/AM tuner board equipped
with a sensitive FM stage, an advanced
Frontier Silicon processor for DAB reception
and specially-selected audiophile grade
Nichicon capacitors. The tuner’s main
analogue output stage is a low-impedance
design that features similar high quality
Nichicon audio-grade capacitors (right,
top), fast-recovery diodes (to reduce
switching noise) plus an over-specified Dtype power transformer (right, below).
Power consumption is a respectable 0.45w
in standby mode while the signal-to-noise
ratio is an excellent 94db on DAB channels
and an above average 67db on FM stations.
The T-4555 will retail at £299.95 and be
available in silver.
For further information contact: +44 (0)149
468 1515 www.onkyo.co.uk
PURE'S PROGRESS
Having arguably done more than most to ensure the
size and viability of the DAB receiver market in the
UK, radio specialists Pure have recently introduced two
additions to their range. The first of these is an update
to their bestselling Evoke-1 model, which looks to
retain its predecessor's classic looks while adding
several convenient features which will doubtless be
appreciated by consumers. Users of the new Evoke-1S will now be
able to take advantage of an inbuilt clock, alarm and kitchen timer, auxiliary input
for external media players, and textSCAN™ functionality, to enable the pausing and control of
scrolling text. Also new is the option to add a ChargePAK® rechargeable battery pack, for longer and more
reliable portable listening.
Staking a claim for the bedside meanwhile, is the similarly tweaked Tempus-1S, which retains Pure's popular touch-sensitive
SnoozeHandle feature while adding four independent alarms, 'natural' alarm tones such as rain and lapping waves, and an auxiliary input. Both models
also boast light-sensitive OLED displays, firmware updates via USB, and are due to launch around the end of September for £100 each, available either
from Pure directly or through their distribution partners Euronics, Nevada and BDC.
For further information contact: (0)845 045 1122 www.pure.com
www.svimag.com 21
PLAYBACK IT AGAIN, SAM
The market for Freeview-based DVRs is certainly hotting up, and
entering the digital receiver/recorder fray are industry veterans
Goodmans, who are set to release two offerings under their
Freeview Playback banner. The competitively-priced GHD8020F2
(£130) comes equipped with an 80GB HDD for 35-hours of
recording, while its slightly bigger sibling, the GHD1621F2 contains a
160GB HDD for 70-hours of viewing and twin tuners for those
wanting to watch and record two different programs at once.
An eight-day electronic programme guide keeps viewers well
up to speed with what’s on, while both models also feature the
Series Linkage function, enabling users to schedule recordings of an
entire TV series with the simple push of a button.
For more information contact: www.goodmans.co.uk
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
New from Denon comes what they claim to be the most flexible and
powerful hardware controller for DJs yet in the form of the DN-HC4500. A
USB MIDI/audio interface and controller aimed at professionals, this unit
looks to cater to the modern mobile and club DJ's every need.
Packaged with an LE version of PCDJ's 'Reflex' software and featuring
comprehensive ASIO/OSX support for PC and Mac users alike, its Burr
Brown 24 bit DACs ensure a superior standard of audio while the high
speed USB 2.0 interface works to minimise latency issues. The unit is also
designed with support for Denon's DN-X range of mixers and BU4500 twin
CD drive in mind.
The assignable 70mm Jog Disc with high-resolution pulse and touch
sensor can further be used to control pitch and dry/wet levels for effects, in
addition to providing fast file searching and accurate 'scratching'
movements. A two-line FL display is also featured to aid file navigation, as
well as providing indicators regarding loop settings, BPM information,
elapsed/remaining time and MP3/WAV file types. A comprehensive tool for
any disc spinners, whether their medium of choice be vinyl, CD or MP3,
the DN-HC4500 is available now for £400.
www.denon.dj
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
US-based loudspeaker specialists Polk have turned their attention to al
fresco sound solutions and introduced the Atrium series of all-weather
indoor/outdoor speakers. Incorporating their patented 'Power Port' bass
venting technology, an innovative “umbrella” design around the port
mouth to protect it from water and even an extra port shield to ward
off the approaches of curious insects, Polk have gone to considerable
lengths to make this one of the most weather-resistant and hardwearing speakers around.
Additional protection comes in the form of a supplied port plug,
completely sealing the system, making it suitable for use in unusual or
specialised installations. When fully configured to guard against the
elements, the Atrium 60 passes Military and ASTM standards for salt-fog,
corrosion and immersion – yacht owners, take note.
Sound-wise, the Atrium 60's one inch titanium dome tweeter and
robust six-and-a half-inch woofer make it equally attractive for indoor
use, whether it be to provide support for a home theatre or to supply
sounds within a bar or restaurant. Prices for the range vary from £249
per pair for the Atrium 45 up to £399 per pair for the Atrium 60.
www.invisionuk.com
22 www.svimag.com
HEAVY DUTY
Entering the budget-priced CD player market are Marantz, with the
impressively hefty five-kilogram CD6002. This CD-RW and MP3/WMA
CD compatible player is notable for including a number of high-end
features that only several years ago would have easily marked it out as
a high-end contender.
Central to its sound is a 24-bit/192kHz DAC that offers advanced Delta
Sigma architecture developed by Cirrus Logic. Marantz have also seen fit to
include their own proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules to act as
buffer amplifiers and low pass filters for added timbral accuracy, along
with a separate rectifier circuit for the analogue and digital sections
contained within.
Rounding off the package are coaxial and optical digital outputs and a
low-noise LCD display, all of which can be turned off for improvements to
sound quality. Packaged in a slimline all-metal chassis and available in a
black or silver finish, the CD6002 will hit the market priced at £270.
For further information contact: +44 (0)175 368 0868 www.marantz.com
RAISING THE
STANDARD
AV support specialists Vogel’s have just
launched a new hopeful into the field of
automated LCD/plasma stands, the EMO.
Short for Electronic Motion, the EMO
family of remote controlled TV stands
allows users to turn and position their
screens for optimum viewing angles
without ever having to leave the comfort of
their armchair.
A specially designed electronic motor
results in powerful, smooth and silent
movement, while its diminutive size ensures
that the ergonomics of the stand aren’t
compromised, allowing it to retain the
elegant looks found within its manual
counterparts. The supplied remote control
also affords users the added convenience of
an Auto Home Function – when the screen is
no longer required for viewing, a simple
button press instantly returns the screen to its
original position.
In line with Vogel’s tradition of producing
stylish yet robust designs, the EMO range is
made from a combination of solid steel and
high-grade, polished aluminium alloy frames.
The company’s patented Cable Inlay System is
also fitted as standard, which serves to
discreetly conceal unsightly connections from
view, and the package furthermore includes a
five-year guarantee (with electronic
components covered for two).
Kicking off the range in style, then,
is the EEFFE 1140 RC model pictured
here. A fully featured floor stand
compatible with most 25 to 42inch flatscreens, it comes complete
with a multi-support shelf capable of
accommodating a DVD-player, HDD
recorder and/or set top box. Further
models are likely to be added to the line
in future.
Expect to pay £500 for the EEFFE
1140 RC finished in silver (a black option
is due to arrive in October this year),
while existing owners of Vogel’s manual
equivalents can upgrade to the remoteenabled EMO for approximately £100.
+44 (0)192 320 5610 www.bbg-av.com
PICTURE PERFECT
Hitachi has unveiled the CP-A100/ED-A100 LCD projector, and it is set to revolutionise the
market. It boasts an ultra short distance of 42cm for a 60-inches projection screen and
high angle projection - enabling positioning of the projector very close to the screen - as
well as multilevel PIN locks, a steel security bar, Kensington lock point and an email
alert when the projector is detached from the network.
Advanced Hitachi features include 3LCD panel and unique optical technology to
ensure the highest possible picture quality in all formats. With a versatile design, allowing for
different operating environments and easy integration with many leading interactive whiteboards, the
Hitachi LCD projector’s design supports versatile operation as a stand-alone or connected to a LAN.
For further information contact: +44 (0)162 864 3000 www.hitachidigitalmedia.com
SHEER NADNESS
Keen as ever to buck prevailing
industry trends, NAD is introducing
four components likely to raise
eyebrows in some quarters. Their
new T785, T775 and T765 AV receivers and T175 combined preamp, tuner
and processor all feature purposefully simple, non-intimidating user interfaces
and three HDMI v1.3 inputs, but eschew the chip-based video-DSP upscaling
technology found in many of the offerings from their competitors. NAD's
belief is that this can result in HD video either indistinguishable or even
inferior to the original source, and have instead opted to provide a system
of “cross-conversion” in the four units. This aims to deliver analogue video to
HDMI via a single cable, while simultaneously making use of transcoding to
ensure that the original analogue signal is always present.
Also present is Audyssey Auto Calibration, which automatically verifies
speaker phase and adjusts levels and delays through the use of calibrated
microphones built into each unit. All bar the T765 additionally make use of
MultEQ XT Room Correction digital signal processing and software support to
lessen the effect of a room's acoustics and give custom installers even greater
control when adjusting their systems for room corrections.
The modular construction of the T785, 775 and 175, in which the circuitry
powering the main functions are placed on five different boards, make
them virtually future proof, while NAD's own PowerDrive proprietary powersupply management arrangement endows all four with formidable dynamic
range. Aureus Audio DSP from Texas Instruments adds muscle to the
comprehensive surround sound functionality, plus the added bonus of an FM
tuner in each, these offbeat but undeniably well-equipped components can
only add to NAD's already considerable reputation.
For further information contact: +44 (0)127 950 1111 www.nadelectronics.com
MONITERING THE SITUATION
The new SCM16A active loudspeaker from ATC aims to provide a
compact, hard-wearing monitor solution in small to medium-sized
rooms for professionals. Its solid, cast-aluminium enclosure provides
a highly rigid, acoustically inert surround and can be custom
coloured by special order if desired.
Internally, ATC's own Constrained Layer Damping technology
has been used to provide all the benefits of high damping without
causing unwanted cone increase in the 150mm mid-bass driver.
With two lightweight cones sandwiching a constrained damping
layer, the damping material is forced into a shape that shears
adjacent material sections. This results in unwanted vibration
energy being dissipated as low grade frictional heat though the
alternating shear strain, which therefore reduces harmonic
distortion between 300Hz – 3kHz and also provides an extended
frequency range with improved off-axis response.
As far as the SCM16A's on-board amplifier is concerned, 200W
are provided for the mid/bass driver, 50W for the high frequency
driver and the design as a whole is capable of withstanding
pressure levels exceeding 108dB. Bass level EQ and high frequency
attenuation controls are also included, and at £2203 per stereo
pair, they're definitely worth a look for those putting together a
high-quality stereo or multi-channel set up.
www.atc.gb.net
BACK TO BASS-ICS
Loudspeaker suppliers Polk Audio have announced the release of six new subwoofers to
go alongside their entry-level PSW series. Compact and affordable though they may be,
Polk tell us that they’ve undergone rigorous testing at the hands of a Klippel Distortion
Analyser, a laser-equipped tool designed to measure and optimise driver behaviour under
high output conditions.
Polk’s range of architectural speakers has also seen a new addition in the form of the one-and-a-half meter
tall CSW155 in-wall subwoofer, which aims to offer users all the rich sounds and reliability of freestanding units
in a discrete, attractive package. Designed with Polk’s SWA500 Class D amplifier in mind, the CSW155 potentially
offers a superior-sounding flexible alternative to far larger standalone subs.
For further information contact: www.invisionuk.com
STAY TUNED
Looking to make life easier for
television viewers everywhere are
Evesham, with their new DTR250 Twin
Tuner Digital TV Recorder. This combined Freeview receiver and DVR sports a 250GB HDD and twin tuners,
enabling users to view one channel while simultaneously recording another, plus an extensive seven-day
electronic programme guide for easy scheduling of recordings.
The increasingly popular ‘Time Shift’ ability to pause and rewind live recordings is also included, as is an
option allowing users to schedule an evening’s worth of programming based on their recordings. Doubtless
likely to appeal to Freeview audiences who want the convenience afforded by Sky+ without the attendant
subscription costs, the DTR250 is available now for £170 RRP.
For further information contact: +44 (0)870 160 9700 (business sales) www.evesham.com
24 www.svimag.com
READY, WILLING AND CABLE
Ready to meet the needs of tomorrow, Monster has announced the launch of its
new “Cable for Life” upgrade programme. This new programme has arisen out of the
fact that although Monster’s current cables are good for TrueHD and 1080p, they are
not suitable for the future 120 Hz displays. Monster’s new cables are however
designed for “Higher Definition-full HD and beyond.”
“HDMI cable connectivity standards have evolved to meet ever-changing
improvements in source and display technology,” said Noel Lee, The Head Monster,
“Monster has designed the most advanced HDMI cables to meet and exceed these
standards, but also certifies the performance of select HDMI cables for future
generations of products.”
Already a leading manufacturer of high-end cables, accessories and powerconditioning products, Monster is guaranteeing that should a cable be offered as part of
the “Cable for Life” programme and fail to support a component incorporating future
generations of HDMI, Monster will replace that cable at no charge.
“Monster is proud to announce the “Cable for Life” Program,” continued Lee,
“Monster Cable is the only company to offer an HDMI performance guarantee of this
kind, so purchasers have total confidence in their HDMI cable purchase and maximize
the performance of their HD components now and in the future.”
For further information contact: +44 (0)192 343 1634 www.monstercable.com
IN DA CLUB
Clubland überbrand Ministry of Sound have launched a DAB-enabled, 20W RMS micro system,
complete with a top-mounted iPod dock to allow for full functionality while charging. The
snappily-titled ‘MOSMC057IP’ also features MP3/CD-RW support from its integrated CD-player,
as well as an SD/MMC card reader and USB port for MP3 playback from a range of sources.
Considering the system’s roots, it comes as no surprise to see it boast eye-catching looks
with its aluminium housing and speaker grilles, complemented by blue neon lights that glow
while the unit is in operation. Sure to be a big hit among young, style-conscious music lovers,
the MOSMC057IP is out now, priced at £140.
For further information contact: +44 (0)175 368 0868 www.marantz.com
DAB FROM NAD
Never ones to rest on their laurels, NAD have branched out into the DAB arena with
their C445 DAB Tuner. This high-end unit is able to cope equally well with signals
broadcast in both Band III and Band L transmission formats and features many of the
same components and design principles as used in NAD’s renowned CD-players to
make up for DAB’s shortcomings regarding musical broadcasts.
Professional standard Burr Brown D/A converters and OPAmps are employed in order to maximise overall sound quality, while individual antenna
inputs for DAB, FM and AM will be a boon for users in poorer reception areas. An optical TosLink SPDIF output is able to digitally feed DAB signals to
an external unit, while even the ageing analogue technologies of AM and FM have benefited from NAD’s attempts to make the C445 strike as
good a balance as possible between wide frequency response and noise suppression.
It almost goes without saying that this remote-controlled tuner also comes contained
within a good-looking, easy-to-operate exterior that’s available in either black or titanium,
and is sure to make quite a few DAB-loving audiophiles very happy indeed.
For further information contact: +44 (0)127 950 1111 www.nadelectronics.com
WORKING IN THE AIR
Intempo Digital has announced its move into the Bluetooth market with the launch
of the BTS-01 wireless stereo speaker system. With a range of up to 10m and a total
output of 10W, it’s an affordable unit aimed primarily at home users who are just
starting to discover what Bluetooth technology can do for them.
The BTS-01 can automatically stream audio from any compliant Bluetooth v1.2
device, sports a modern, elegantly curved look, and is soon set to be complimented
by Intempo’s upcoming iPod Bluetooth dongle and entry-level, wrap-style headset,
which is similarly compatible with all v1.2 compliant portable devices up to a range
of 10m.
www.intempo-digital.co.uk
www.svimag.com 25
SVI INDUSTRY FOCUS
MERIDIAN
AUDIO
30-YEARS AND COUNTING
26 www.svimag.com
Despite recently celebrating 30-years within the manufacturing and custom
installation industries, Meridian arguably remains a well-kept secret. That is all
about to change. Co-founder and Chief Product Designer Allen Boothroyd talks to
ELIZABETH SHARP about the main developments within the past 30-years and why
he believes the best is yet to come...
Since they began consulting together in the early
70s, Meridian founders Bob Stuart and Allen
Boothroyd have undoubtedly been a recognisable
force within the industry. Perhaps best known for the
distinctive style of their high-end audio equipment, one of
Bob and Allen’s earliest successes came in the form of the
famous Lecson Audio product line which earned them
their first British Design Council Award in 1974.
Allen highlights, “The market seemed to understand
what we were trying to do because we were quite radical
in the way that we presented the products. One product
we both worked on before we started Meridian was called
the Lecson Hi-Fi system which was fairly radical in its
design and presentation and extremely good in its quality
of performance...” Indeed its quality of design is evidenced
by the fact that the Lecson became the first Hi-Fi product
to appear as a permanent exhibit in the New York
Museum of Modern Art.
With the Lecson a resounding success Bob and Allen
cemented their partnership with the founding of Meridian
Audio in July 1977. As Allen says, “Bob and I have some
complimentary skills... he's the best acoustic and
electronics engineer I've ever met, and he also has
considerable entrepreneurial flair... and I'm a mechanical
engineer, but with a great interest in industrial design and
the presentation of product in the market. Our skills
seemed to fertilise together pretty well. The benefit was
really that we found that this was what we needed to get
the company started.”
The motivation behind the company, Allen comments,
was a simple one: “We started off with the purpose of
Meridian presenting its customers with very high-quality
sound systems,
but beautifully
presented. There
are other
companies in the
market which do
one or the other
but we wanted to
do both together.
Our purpose was to present the products in such a way
that they were as near to perfect as we could possibly
make them.”
a star is born
Despite beginning small with a staff of no more than half a
dozen, the Meridian line grew steadily, and in 1982 the ‘100
Series’ earned the team their second British Design Council
Award. The following year also held great significance for
Meridian as, thanks to Bob Stuart’s early development work,
they became the first manufacturer of CD-players in Britain.
The MCD notably won awards for being the best-sounding
CD-player in seven major countries including Japan and the
USA. These were by no means the last awards to grace the
glass shelves at Meridian HQ, and in 1988 Bob and Allen
were presented with their third British Design Council
Award, which they are keen to point out was an
unprecedented achievement.
In a bid to maintain its standard for high-quality and
innovation, Meridian dedicates a lot of resources to its R&D
effort. Through licensing agreements, such as for the
Meridian Lossless Packing data compression algorithm (a key
component in both Blu-ray and HD DVD technologies) the
Company benefits from a constant revenue stream which,
in turn, has allowed them to invest and develop a wide
ranging product line. The most notable recent example of
this R&D led approach is of course the beautifully designed
F80 - made in conjunction with Ferrari - which we featured
in issue 41 of March this year, and is representative of a new
direction at Meridian.
Allen comments, “Last year we decided because we
had a couple of directors who were retiring that we would
really develop the company a bit sideways and make it
slightly less specialist in the sense that the company has
always just taken the high ground and dealt with customers
who are wanting the best. We decided that we'd like to
broaden our offering a bit to encompass people who
couldn't necessarily afford the huge prices that are
necessary to buy the very best and highest performing
sound systems so we... distilled our knowledge and our
design skills into some new products, the first of which was
And the
winner is...
Meridian’s A350 from
their stunning range of
installation speakers
www.svimag.com 27
SVI INDUSTRY FOCUS
F80: where style
meets innovation
All eyes are on
the Meridian iRIS
the F80 entertainment system.” Their aim was “to
produce something that was sensationally good
sounding and hopefully beautifully designed to
appeal to a market where everybody wanted the
whole system in one box with only one wire and a
very easy interface so that it was intuitive to use.
That's what we're trying for there and I hope we've
disappearing into the wall and we're trying to find
ways all the time to make these things more
acceptable in a family and home environment.”
future plans
The F80 is not the only product, nor indeed product
type, in Meridian's future plans. Within a similar vein
“As the company grows a bit larger, and as we go into the
future, we'll be keeping the Meridian basic idea of producing
best in class of anything we go for...”
succeeded reasonably well. Although it's small and
has limited capability compared with our big
systems, I think it’s the best of its type, and I think
that's really the essence of our business - that we're
trying to produce the best of type of anything that
we're trying to produce.”
The change in direction, into a more
mainstream market, is no doubt in part due to
Meridian’s recognition of the ways in which the
industry needs to adapt to the changing priorities of
the consumer. In relation to their demographic, Allen
says, “When we started, our market was typically
male with disposable income in the 18-30 year age
groups and then perhaps later on 50-65 years. We're
now selling products to families, and particularly to
ladies, so when the product is a family purchase –
like a home cinema system - it has to appeal in a
very different way to a sort of ‘dyed in the wool’ HiFi enthusiast. It's my job as industrial designer and
presenter of the products to make sure that, where
possible, we can make them as easy to use, and as
beautiful, and as intuitive, so they fit into people's
lifestyle, rather than in the old days where they used
to be the lifestyle of some of these aficionados.
Speakers are getting smaller and some of them are
28 www.svimag.com
is the new up-scaling to 1080p iPod dock; the
Meridian iRIS, which will be launched in America
shortly. The advantages are, as Allen highlights; “If
you plug the regular iPod into a big screen you get a
fairly average video performance, what the Meridian
iRIS dock does is to up-scale, and improve the
picture quality such that you're looking at full High
Definition resolution from an iPod which is a pretty
clever trick. So that's another example of why this is
quite a modestly priced product in the $500 territory
where it's the best of its type. There are many
people who make docks for an iPod to go into just
for playing the music, but this is a special one that
does extremely good sound and brilliant pictures
and we hope that it's similarly easy to use.”
The ‘300 Series’ features a range of in/on wall
speakers and highlights the fact that custom
installation is also increasingly becoming a major
part of Meridians repertoire. Allen comments, “Last
year we also developed, and are continuing to
develop what we call custom installation products.
This is a market in America where people don't
want to have just one hi-fi in one room, they want
the products to spread throughout the house, and
have good sound quality through the house, and it
all to be easy to use, and preferably for it to be
invisible so that the products are all in or closely
mounted to the wall… There are many other
manufacturers doing this sort of thing but we think
that ours is the best sounding of its type.”
Expanding into new markets that utilise new
and innovative technology is something that
Meridian has never shied away from. In terms of
adapting to significant developments within the
industry Allen points out that, “The overall change
since 1977, in the last 30-years, has been the huge
change in digital electronics. When we started
everything was analogue, and now everything is
pretty much digital and I think it would be true to
say that Bob in particular and Meridian as a
company have pioneered the improved performance
of digital audio, and now digital video, and we have
a reputation for supplying the best sounding digital
audio equipment.”
When considering the successes achieved by
the team at Meridian over the past 30-years it is
easy to forget that it remains a relatively small
company whose staffing total reaches a humble
150. The question now is one of the future. Allen
says, “As the company grows a bit larger, and as we
go into the future, we'll be keeping the Meridian
basic idea of producing best in class of anything we
go for. We'll be going into other niche markets to
compete with companies in those sorts of areas. We
obviously can't, and don't intend to, take on the
mass producers in China and Japan. Our products
are for people who value high-quality at whatever
price and want the best of product of the type
available. That's basically our premise and we've
been doing it for 30-years.”
For a company that has countless awards to its
name, a blossoming partnership with Ferrari, and a
keen eye for expansion we will all, no doubt, be
eagerly awaiting what Meridian has to show us over
the next 30-years...
The popular
861 in all it’s
glory
Gem distribute a wide range of AV lifestyle solutions and connected devices from
a large number of manufacturers including Buffalo, Linksys, Microsoft, Philips and
Xbox covering areas such as High Definition media players, entertainment, wireless
media storage and software. For more information and to open an account with
us, please contact our dedicated sales team on 01279 459012.
Tel: 01279 822822
www.gem.co.uk
SVI RETAIL NEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS:
FUN AND GAMES
With the electricals market ensconced as the fastest growing retail sector of the past few years, ROY HARLEN
investigates how the gaming industry is presenting retailers with increasing opportunities...
Last year flat-panel TVs were the darling of the retail world, and
whilst current sales may be diminishing, new technological offerings
are ensuring that recent sector successes are by no means about to
change. With the market in the middle of a boom, retail analyst Verdict
expects games and games consoles to account for 82.3% of total value
growth in the entire £24.3-billion electricals sector in 2007. To put this in
perspective, without the increase in sales of games and games consoles, the
overall electricals market, which Verdict predicts will grow by 4.2% in 2007,
would increase by just 0.8%.
The spate of new product launches have no doubt been the catalyst for
the exceptional success achieved within the £3.4-billion games consoles and
software sub sector. Whilst the Xbox 360 is still proving popular amongst
consumers, in the last year it has been joined in quick succession by two rival
consoles. Towards the end of 2006 the Nintendo Wii was launched, and not
only is demand holding strong, the console is still now, not in true free supply.
In March of 2007 the main event was, of course, the arrival of Sony's muchanticipated PS3. With the average bundle price topping £500, the week of the
launch alone provided a substantial boost to the retail market. Not to be
outdone by their larger counterparts, the handheld consoles from both
Nintendo and Sony are also still proving popular. Though console purchases are
the most significant in terms of market growth, renewed interest in the sub
sector is also driving sales of both software and other peripherals. This should
only increase as the hardware base develops further.
slightly-flat panel
Games consoles are certainly helping to make up for shortfalls in sales currently
being experienced within the market. Avid gamers, who spend increasing
amounts of money on the best consoles and accompanying games, will often
also invest in supporting products such as TVs and speakers. This does not,
however, compensate for the fact that while in 2006 price deflation moved flatpanel TVs to mass market price points, which in turn boosted demand, further
price deflation this year is leaving retailers battling to boost volumes sufficiently to
grow sales values.
Verdict believe that most major retailers will achieve this, but deflation will
mean value growth across the broader audio-visual category – expected at 1.2%
30 www.svimag.com
– will be well below that achieved in the previous 12-months. A key strategy for
retailers in 2007 is therefore to trade customers up to larger screens in a bid to
offset the deflationary pressures. For example, in 2006 32-inch screens were the
most popular, but to date in 2007 40-inch screens have been the most widely
purchased, so average transaction values are little changed.
future boosts
Looking ahead, Verdict predicts that as price points fall, consumer spending on
electricals will be underpinned by further technology launches and the wider
penetration of recently launched products. The PS3 for example, will most
likely be reduced further in price during 2008, leading to a boost in demand as
the console becomes more affordable. High-Definition DVD, which along with
Blu-ray has not yet achieved solid market share, will also no doubt be reduced in
price next year.
Although the sales growth of flat-panel TVs will continue to be diminished in
comparison to last year, a boost may well occur as more consumers choose to
upgrade in advance of the switch off of analogue TV transmissions. One additional
product to watch out for is the Apple iPhone, due to the likelihood that released in
its wake, will be a new wave of products from the convergence of digital stereos,
mobile phones and PDAs.
specialist vs non-specialist
For non-specialist retailers wishing to broaden their product line, the rapid growth
in the electricals market has been a welcome occurrence. Tesco, for instance, has
been one of the most proactive, launching an enlarged online and catalogue
electricals offer – Tesco Direct last September. In a market built upon technological
advancement, it is perhaps unsurprising to find that all of the leading electricals
players now operate transactional websites. In addition to that, an increasing
number of those retailers are now taking the multi-channel approach and
introducing synergies between their online and stores offer.
James Flower, Retail Analyst at Verdict comments that, “Shoppers are
responding positively to facilities that allow them to reserve or pay for their goods
online before heading to a store to collect it. These click and collect services bring
together the convenience and value of online retailing with the immediate
gratification of store shopping,”
As Tesco continues to expand its stores, and the new space is predominantly
devoted to non-food categories such as electricals, Asda has this year launched an
electricals transactional website. These initiatives will lift the collective market share
of grocers by 0.5 percentage points in 2007, bringing it to 5.8%. More established
non-specialists are also set to outperform in 2007. The growth that flat-panel TVs
have provided has been capitalised upon by John Lewis, whilst the second largest
electricals retailer in the country, Argos, is currently trading well with its strong
coverage of games consoles and software reaping rewards.
What the expansion of non-specialists essentially means is that it will be
harder for specialist retailers to gain market share. DSGi’s Currys superstores and
PC World have broadly maintained market share in recent years, while Comet has
been able to add share – albeit at a slower rate than some of its non-specialist
rivals. However, specialists such as these are unlikely to open any significant
amount of new space, and so critical to their position within the market will be
their ability to grow like-for-like sales and make their existing space work harder.
This is achievable by actively trading customers up to higher price products,
increasing the add-on rates of sale or even ramping up advertising spend in order
to drive footfall. However, without the advantages of scale, smaller electricals
specialists will struggle in a market that will continue to be plagued by low
margins and unceasing price deflation.
www.svimag.com 31
Photo credits: Avitecture Inc. (Earl Zubkoff), Mitsubishi, VideoSonic (Glenn Polly),
Newcomb & Boyd (Jim Roof Creative, Inc.), InfoComm International®. For more info: www.infocomm.org
A WORLD OF SOLUTIONS
29-31 January, 2008 Amsterdam RAI, NL
NETWORK, DISCOVER, LEARN & DO BUSINESS
A world of integrated technologies waiting to be installed in the future ready home
One location, a central, European venue and a three-day show offering thousands of solutions is where you should be heading. At Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), discover how AV solutions, accessories and control systems can be integrated and installed in the home. Understand what is achievable today and see what the future will
bring for the home of tomorrow. In partnership with CEDIA, ISE is the definitive event of the year for anyone involved in the residential custom installation industry. With
a focused Residential Solutions area taking centre stage within the exhibition, you can see for yourself the opportunities in this fast moving market. Mark your diaries
now for the largest exhibition of its kind in Europe showcasing displays and demonstrations to fuel new ideas supported by a comprehensive conference. Visit ISE 2008,
the largest event in Europe for the professional AV and Electronic Systems industry and see the emerging products in this fast moving market. For more information
and to register, visit: www.iseurope.org
Integrated Systems Europe is a joint venture partnership of:
ISE 2008 Platinum Sponsors
Europe’s No.1 Show for professional
AV and Electronic System Integration
CUSTOM
NATION
CI
INSTALLATION
CONSUMER
ELECTRONICS
VIRTUOSO SOUND'S ROB
SLATER OFFERS ADVICE
TO AID AN ERODING MARKET
PURE PRESTIGE
PRESTIGE AUDIO DELIVERS
THE DRIVE OF A LIFETIME...
SVI INSTALLATION FOCUS
If you think this looks good,
you ain’t seen nothing yet
Brand New
CADILLAC
You won't find just anyone driving up in a Cadillac like this one. HAMISH McNAIR-WILSON takes a look at
Prestige Audio's award-winning pimped up ride...
Transforming a car into a mobile hub of audio-visual entertainment is
now more popular than ever. However, rather than squeezing a huge
Kenwood subwoofer into the boot of a spoiler clad Nova, in order to pump
out a Garage anthems compilation to every unfortunate bystander as you
circumnavigate the town centre repeatedly on a Friday night, these days
there is scope for taking an all together classier approach to your on road
improvements. While in the past Burberry clad boy racers, strapped into
bucket seats by their racing seat belts may have driven this market, today at
the top-end you'll find highly successful professionals seeking to embellish
their already highly expensive automobiles with some truly high-tech
wizardry.
Thanks to the ingenuity of some of our installers - and to the relief of
many - those seeking to secure a fully pimped up ride need not apply to
MTV in hope of securing a one to one with Tim Westwood. And they won't
have to rely on the tellingly named Mad Mike to pick the components and,
ergo, cram in as many different sized flat screen TVs as the internal surface
area will allow, either. Today, it could be you making these advanced
vehicular dreams a reality.
Prestige Audio is an installer that has done exactly that for one lucky
client. In fact, so adept and exciting was the product of their work that it
won the firm a CEDIA Award last month. Named the best Special Project of
the year at June's Expo, its installation in a Cadillac Escalade stands out as an
example of what can be achieved in this sphere and the opportunities you'll
find if you consider expanding into the in-car market.
got a source
Style and functionality
need not be mutually
exclusive concepts
34 www.svimag.com
The project itself was worth a whopping £120,000, which gives some
indication of the technologies woven into it. It was produced in conjunction
with SQ Plus and was completed around this time last year. The client came
to Prestige seeking the ultimate in a modified vehicle, having seen what the
installer could accomplish in their home. They desired the convenience and
control afforded by a Crestron control system when out on the road and
A Crestron TPS4500 touch panel
ensures complete control at the
touch of a button
The term‘surround sound’ is
a bit of an understatement!
hoped their installer would be up to the task. The idea was to use a Crestron
panel to command every element of a substantial audio-visual system and a
whole lot more. Indeed, they hoped it could be used in place of most of the
standard dash switchgear too. Having enjoyed the benefits of an Audio
ReQuest server at home, the client sought to include a similarly expansive and
accessible library of tunes in his Cadillac. However, having set aside £250k for
the entire overhaul - which was to include some radical tweaking in both the
performance and style stakes – this was an attainable dream... and one which
is now a gleaming, striking, not particularly fuel-efficient actuality.
Thanks to Prestige's handiwork the vehicle’s entire electrical system is now
controlled from its Crestron touch-panel. Using this, the owners have mastery
of its lighting, electric windows, wipers and indicators. These conventional and
fundamental accessories were all switched using low-voltage relays; relays
which have also been used to switch the audio set-up. As a result, each of up
to four people seated in the vehicle can watch and listen to a different source
simultaneously. These sources include the Audio ReQuest 500 CD music server,
an Xbox, a DVD-player and DAB receiver.
touch and go
In line with the client's demand, a Crestron TPS4500 touch screen is to be
found, sitting pretty, at the heart of the custom dashboard, putting the driver
totally in control. With, in essence, three audio systems in the vehicle, no one
taking the Escalade out for a spin will be short of entertainment options. The
'sound quality' setting employs the front Dynaudio kit and the in-dash eightinch subwoofers, with impacting effect. If a full blown immersing soundtrack
is required, the 'surround sound' setting summons up all 5.1 channels in order
to bring a movie to life. Finally, the 'show' option can be used to deploy every
speaker at full output, when its owner really wants to cause a scene. Not even
the motorised sliding amplifier rack at the rear of the vehicle escapes the
Crestron panel's control. In addition to this, the surprisingly feature rich
Clifford alarm keyfob can be used to activate the AV kit, remotely start the
engine or open up the motorised fuel filler cap. This car isn't quite Knight
Rider's KITT, but it's not that far off.
Not every technology nuance is dedicated to the users' fun and
enjoyment. Some of the fresh touches prove practical too. The install includes,
for example, a CCTV camera at the top of each wheel arch. The view from
these appears on the in-dash screens as a parking aid, helping to keep the
£6,000 a piece, 26-inch rims (that's 'street' for alloy wheels) safe from those
all to common clashes with the curb.
Naturally the project posed a few problems along the way, even for the
dynamic Prestige Audio team. Although huge as cars go, the Escalade is tiny
in relation to the kind of residences the team is accustomed to installing
ReQuest servers and Crestron kit in. Furthermore, it was feared that the
extremes of temperature, vibration and moisture found within a car could
cause the kit damage over time. Having thought this through a great deal,
however, the team was able to make the optimum use of the space available
and secured the main system kit on a well protected, damped rack to the rear
of the vehicle.
KIT LIST
Audio ReQuest
Diamond Audio
Dynaudio,
Lighting: Varad
Security: Clifford
HVAC: Cadillac
Control Systems: Crestron
making the switch
Another challenge came in attempting to replace the car’s standard
switchgear with a Crestron touch-panel. Here the deployment of masses of
low-voltage relays, following hours of trial and error during the
programming process, eventually rewarded the end user with the
convenient and intuitive system in use today. Following this work, the main
vehicle loom is now around double its original size and it is only able to fit
in the car thanks to the freshly developed, custom dashboard keeping it
hidden. That the work proved testing is not something the Prestige Audio
team would deny. “Whilst many CI companies may think of a Marine install
as a bit of a challenge, this is in a different league altogether!” the firm's
Chris Knight confirmed. However, the installer rose to the challenge and
more than measured up.
But what did the client make of the completed project? “Unbelievable”
the big spender exclaimed, clearly blown away by his new plaything. Having
been without his car for almost 18 months, four of which were dedicated
exclusively to the body modifications, the overhaul undertaken is something
else. In fact, as a result of the work, the car has featured in dozens of
magazines, on TV shows and is even being flown to the USA to compete in
the world's best modified car competition later in the year.
Having already enjoyed extensive Prestige installations in several of his
properties, once back behind the wheel, the owner was able to assume full
control of his car with the utmost ease, despite the entirely unique system
found therein. Whether attempting to park in a particularly tight spot, or
take in some TV whilst waiting to pick someone up, this particular driver is
exceptionally well served. If ever a project was deserving of acclaim it's this
one. Fittingly cutting-edge, a thoroughly worthy CEDIA Award winner and
shining beacon revealing what the installation community can achieve, this
astonishing Escalade should be enough to leave the most imaginative of
Pimp My Ride fanatics aghast. Yes, it's fair to say that even old Westwood
and his crack team of mechanics and electronic mavericks have nothing on
this. Congratulations to Prestige, we hope their client is a careful driver...
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
+44 (0)192 371 1113 www.prestigeaudio.co.uk
www.svimag.com 35
CUSTOM INSTALLATION
NATION
Our Association's Operations Director, MATT NIMMONS, tells us all about the new
CEDIA Guide and looks at the latest training oppourtunities available both in the
UK and abroad.
BUSINESS FORUM HEADS
TO THE COTSWOLDS
The CEDIA Autumn Business Forum and AGM takes place at
the Cotswold Water Park Hotel, near Cirencester, on October
4th–5th 2007, with a packed programme of education and
networking geared towards owners of custom installation
businesses.
Held on the first evening, the CEDIA Region 1 AGM
provides a platform for Board members to present a review of
CEDIA’s activities over the past 12 months. The AGM also
provides a key opportunity for members to ask questions, and
find out more about CEDIA’s future plans. CEDIA is also setting
up a special “Breakfast with the Board” meeting session giving
delegates the chance to sit on a designated Board member’s
table for breakfast to discuss specific issues. This year’s AGM
will also see the results of voting for the two open Trade
Supplier positions on the Board revealed.
Education sessions on offer focus on ‘structuring your
business for growth, succession strategies and a regulatory
briefing’ looking at the impact of the Building Regs: parts P, Q &
L, the WEE Directive, the New 17th Edition Electrical Regs and
New Employment law. A further session will look at the role of
the CEDIA Awards in helping to promote your business.
Another major highlight of the event will be a half day of
team-based activities taking place in the hotel grounds.
Activities on offer will include Laser Clay Shooting, Duck
Herding, Giant 5-Aside Football and Powerturns.
Special packages are available at a heavily subsidised rate
for CEDIA members of £175 + VAT (non-members £400+VAT).
To book on-line please visit www.cedia.co.uk and for more
details on the Business Forum Programme, email Peter at CEDIA
at [email protected].
CEDIA EDUCATES
AT DECOREX
Jane Scotland, Marketing Chair of CEDIA, is
presenting CEDIA’s ‘Designing Integrated
Future-Ready Homes’ CPD course at the
forthcoming Decorex show for interior
designers (23-26 September, Royal Hospital
Chelsea).
Decorex attracts an audience of around
15,000 interior design professionals over its
three day duration. For the last 30 years
Decorex has been the foremost exhibition of
interior design products in the UK and now
plays host to around 260 exhibitors. All
exhibitors are handpicked to ensure that only
the most innovative, inspirational and highest
quality products are shown, enabling interior
designers, retail buyers, and hotel and contract
specifiers to see the best of what is new in
interior design all under one roof. The CEDIA
education session will take place from 4-5 pm
on Sunday 23 September 2007. Visit
www.decorex.com for full details of
registration and filmed comments from
exhibitors and visitors at the show.
www.decorex.com
36 www.svimag.com
COUNTDOWN TO
CERTIFICATION
The countdown to mandatory certification has begun in
earnest. To help employees of CEDIA member
companies achieve this mandatory quality benchmark
before the 31 January 2008 deadline, we are hosting a
series of dedicated Certification education sessions
around the country.
The roadshow comprises a choice of a two-day or week
long education programme, dependent on delegate
knowledge and experience. The two-day Certification
review and exam session for both Installer Level One
and Designer Level One is suitable for more experienced
candidates who already feel comfortable with the
relevant curricula. Newcomers or less experienced staff
can attend the one week school option leading up to
Installer Level One or Designer Level One Certification
exams (the designer course assumes at least one year’s
experience).
Heathrow 17th & 18th September –
Installer 1 review and exam
St Neots 24th to 28th September Installer School
Gatwick 10th & 11th October – Installer 1
review and exam. Designer 1 review and
exam
St Neots 29th October to 2nd November –
Designer School (led by Todd Adams)
Dublin 14th & 15th November –
St Neots 19th & 20th November –
Bristol 26th & 27th November –
Glasgow 29th & 30th November –
Huddersfield 14th & 15th January Installer 1 review and exam. Designer 1
review and exam.
CEDIA is promoting the Certification
Countdown roadshow through a high profile
Autumn marketing campaign, involving direct
mail, email, advertising and PR activities. To
find out more on each curriculum or to book
your place, visit www.cedia.co.uk, select
‘Education’ from the menu and then choose
‘Book CEDIA Training’.
MORE TODD
ADAMS
COURSES
PRIZE RAFFLE WINNERS
REVEALED
The CEDIA Expo 07 party played host to a charity raffle which raised
almost £3,000 for the children’s charity, Make-A-Wish-Foundation. This
was added to the sizeable £9,000 raised through party ticket sales –
our thanks to all for such a tremendous effort!! On the night the
following prizes were snapped up:
Quad speakers (donated by Aventure) – William Walsh, Beyond The
Invisible
Trip to CEDIA US Expo in Denver (donated by CEDIA) – Paul Singh, Y3K
Mont Blanc pen (donated by Crestron) – Roger Batchelor, Denon
42” plasma with stand & speakers (donated by Fujitsu) – James RhodesBaxter, Future Publishing
Black Time Machine dock & iPod (donated by Harman) – Matt Tarrant,
AWE Europe
White Time Machine dock & iPod (donated by Harman) – Douglas
Mackenzie, Hometech
Camcorder (donated by JVC) – Danielle Furness, Dynalite
Silver Series RSW12 sub woofer (donated by Monitor Audio) – Marina
Constantinou, Olive AV
1 Day Consultancy (donated by Steve Moore) – T&T Communications
Survival Weekend (donated by Wildwood PR) – Finlay Curror, SMC
Four prizes unclaimed on the night were offered in a special draw to
those completing the post CEDIA Expo visitor survey. We are delighted
to announce these winners:
Palmersport Motorsport Sensation Driving Day (donated by AWE
Europe) -Tom Bouzan, Rococo Systems & Design
Overnight stay at Champneys Resort (donated by Pulse Marketing) Lara Mazzoni, LM Vision
Digital Plumbers Panel Pack (donated by SMC) - Peter Clarke, Cymbiosis
Aero Black AV Furniture (donated by Icon) - Mark Withers, Cornflake
Acclaimed industry expert Todd
Adams is not only running the
‘Designer School and
Certification Exam’, as part of
the Certification roadshow, he
will also be presenting a course
in project management.
The ‘Project Management
School’, taking place 5th-9th
November 2007, is aimed at
both new and experienced delegates, exploring the planning and management of
projects, developing a solid foundation in the discipline, preparing cost estimates
and templates to gather project information.
To find out more and to book your place, visit www.cedia.co.uk, select
‘Education’ from the menu and then choose ‘Book CEDIA Training’.
ON THE
ROAD
SUPPORTING
ISE
CEDIA is a joint Association
sponsor of the second annual
ISE roadshow. Targeted at
emerging European markets,
these ISE events at five cities
offer a mix of seminars,
workshops, exhibits and networking opportunities. CEDIA will be introducing
delegates to the Association, its education programmes for home electronics
systems professionals and explaining the benefits of CEDIA membership.
The ISE 2007 Roadshow arrives in Copenhagen, Denmark on Wednesday
17th of October and will then visit Poland (Warsaw, Friday 19th October); Czech
Republic (Prague, Monday 22nd October); Austria (Vienna, Wednesday 24th
October) and Croatia (Zagreb, Friday 26th October).
www.svimag.com 37
SVI CUSTOM INSTALLATION NATION
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
Already one of the most advanced luxury yachts
available, the 198-foot ocean-going Blue Moon
now comes complete with the latest AMX
automated control system. Launched by
Feadship in June 2005 and winner of ShowBoat
International magazine's 2006 Best New Full
Displacement Motor Yacht over 56 metres
awards, the Blue Moon provided a challenge to
AMX who were tasked with designing a system
in keeping with both the existing style and
technology.
They have arguably done so as due to the
limited space available, the AMX system allows
for the various AV components to be hidden
behind artwork or motorised panels, while the
23 plasma / LCD displays can fold discretely into
the ceiling through the use of touch panels.
Making further demands on space, the Blue
Moon also requires three different satellite TV
systems on board in order to receive television
broadcasts during international travel. To that
end UK integrator Wall of Sound have designed
a series of pull out rack components allowing
the crew to slide one set of receivers out and
slide the other one in within minutes. At the
touch of a button on the Modero touch panel,
the AMX control system then automatically
reconfigures everything.
The AMX system is not only used to
distribute and control all the audio visual
functions on board from a centralised rack
area in the bridge, the system also controls
the yacht's Lutron lighting system, and in the
owner’s suite, it controls the Silhouette blinds.
In terms of media access, The AMX MAX
Digital Media Server provides instant retrieval
access to almost 1000 DVD titles, as well as the
same amount of CDs enabling guests to access
movies, music and play lists with one touch.
Consisting of Modero touchscreen panels,
NetLinx integrated controllers, Mio Modero
keypads, and MAX digital media servers, the
AMX operator interface is simple to use and
employs intuitive icon-driven menus so that
even those unfamiliar with the system can
utilise all of the functions with ease.
+44 (0)190 434 3100 www.amx.com
Custom Installation Nation
SOWING THE SEEDS OF
CEDIA
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation
Association will be doing their bit to promote the smart
home concept at the Interbuild 2007 building show
that takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 28th
October - 1st November.
They will be running a dedicated seminar
programme within a special Home Automation theatre
located at Hall 3 throughout the conferences.
Participants can expect sessions to cover a wide range
of topics, from home entertainment cabling
requirements, to matters relating to the 'eco home', as
well as an opportunity to attend CEDIA's RIBA CPD
course, “Designing Integrated Future-Ready Homes”.
Peter Aylett, CEDIA's education manger, had the
following to say: “Leading Interbuild's education
programme in this way is part of CEDIA's drive to raise
awareness of the growing residential electronic systems
industry, its technology and the potential benefits for
architects, property developers and their clients.” He
went on to state, “If you want electronic systems in
your home, then for a high-quality project, hire a CEDIA
member to do it for you. This is CEDIA's key message at
Interbuild.”
38 www.svimag.com
The four courses CEDIA are looking to
offer are:
Designing Integrated Future-Ready
Homes – aimed at informing architects,
developers and other professionals of
the benefits of home automation,
system integration and suggesting ways
in which they can communicate these
to clients.
The Eco Home – a look at how the likes
of intelligent blinds and lighting can help
save energy, along with ways of
controlling heating, air conditioning and
monitoring energy usage.
Installing a Cable Infrastructure in the
21st Century – explains how installing a
cable structure at the design stage is
critical, plus an examination of wired,
wireless and fibre solutions.
The Property Developer's Guide to
Residential Technology – highlights how
the public's perception of life-enhancing
technology can be used as an essential
selling point of high-end developments.
+44 (0)148 021 3744 www.cedia.co.uk
BUILDING
BRIDGES
The home HD projector market is set
to hot up following the
announcement by InFocus of two new
additions to its aptly named 'Play Big'
line-up. Ready for action out-of-the-box, both the
IN81 and IN82 boast full HD 1080p, integrated Pixelworks(tm)
DNX(tm) 10-bit video processing technology and two HDMI 1.3
inputs with Deep Color(tm) support, capable of displaying up to
1.07-billion colours.
While the IN81 (£2499) offers a Texas Instruments DLP
DarkChip 2(tm) chipset, D65K colour accuracy, contrast ratios
varying from 3000:1 up to 10,000:1 and 1400 Max ANSI
lumens, its slightly bigger brother the IN82 (£2999) comes
equipped with DarkChip3 technology, a maximum contrast ratio
of 12,000:1 using its iris and 1500 Max ANSI lumens.
Additional user-friendly features common to both come in
the form of digital lens shift, ISF day and night presets and an
optional anamorphic lens attachment which allows users to view
2.35:1 films in their full 1920x1080 resolution. Factor in the 2m
HDMI cable and M1 to HDMI adaptor that both come supplied
with, and they ought to satisfy any connectivity requirements
you could care to mention.
www.infocus.com
Infra R ed Control for
any environment
0151 236 1832
[email protected] o m
the one stop shop for all
your Custom Audio Visual
and Home Cinema needs
www.elansystemsuk.com
www.svimag.com 39
CINEMA PARADISO
AWE INSPIRING
Leading AV equipment distributor, AWE have a lot to be
celebrating this month thanks to their recent successes
at the CEDIA Expo. Held during the four day Expo, the
CEDIA Awards 2007 saw AWE lay claim to not one, but
two awards.
AWE’s first victory came thanks to their impressive
stand at the CEDIA Expo, which offered visitors the
chance to interact with a plethora of market leading
brand products, a full home cinema room and a Formula
Palmer Audi single-seater race car promoting the
company’s Motorsport Sensation race day.
Having spent a good many hours looking at the
variety of stands on offer at the show, Hilary Lawson,
Director of the AEO (Association of Exhibition
Organisers) named AWE the winner in terms of design,
the best use of space, and the responsiveness of staff.
“The AWE stand had a number of different
elements that attracted people on, and straddling an
aisle was a brilliant idea” says Lawson. “It was very
innovative with colours, textures and sounds to appeal
to visitors. The staff were working really hard to invite
people in, something I was particularly impressed by.”
The title of ‘Best CEDIA Trade Supplier’ for 2007
was also presented to AWE after CEDIA Electronic
Systems Professionals (ESP’s) took part in an online vote
during the run up to the Expo. Voters were faced with
the task of selecting the manufacturer or distributor
who they thought had made a concerted effort, and
indeed the biggest difference to their own company
during the past year. With this in mind, AWE emerged
as the clear favourite.
“We are delighted to win these two CEDIA
Awards” says Stuart Tickle, MD of AWE. “This is a
reward for all our staffs’ hard work over the last 12
months and it’s great to have this recognition from our
industry peers. What makes it even more special for us
is that they were both independently selected, one by
CEDIA ESP members and one by the AEO.”
+44 (0)137 272 9777 www.awe-europe.com.
AV control and automation gurus AMX were
recently involved in an ambitious project to
realise perhaps the best private home cinema in
the UK. At a cost of almost £1-million, this
cinema room is on a par with commercial
multiplexes, featuring as it does a top-of-therange Stewart screen, 'out of square' walls to
minimise sound reflections, an acousticallyinsulated floating floor and ceiling suspended on
56 independent strings.
At the heart of it all is an AMX control
system operated from an 8.4 x 8.4-inch handheld
touchscreen device, and a larger 17 x 17-inch
hard-wired panel, both of which are capable of
giving user instructions to a veritable battery of
media devices, including DVD-players for every
region, television feeds, three satellite systems
and the highest quality digital projector currently available.
With such a complex system, when it came to the user interface the watchword was
'simplicity'. Designed around a series of intuitive touch menu screens, the user can switch
between different media sources with ease via an AMX Netlinx connection to all the
equipment housed within the room. Pre-programmed routines allow specific operations to
be combined (such as lowering the screen, dimming the lights and firing up a specific
media source) for added ease of use, while external connections also allow for signals to be
sent to LCD and plasma screens located elsewhere in the house, like the 50-inch square
plasma screen installed in a purpose-designed games room.
For further information contact: +44 (0)190 434 3100 www.amxuk.co.uk
ROUT ABOUT NOW
New kids on the block ATON have introduced three new signal processing routers
geared towards the domestic market. Said General Manager Bob Williams, “ATON has
a singular mission of bringing practical, cost-effective entertainment signal routing
products to more people – these simple-to-use, simple-to-install products will invite
tens of thousands more users to enjoy their music and video around the house.”
Leading the way is the company's selection of two, four and six-room speaker
selectors which uniquely combine speaker-level switching technology with RF remote
control and a robust IR engine. These dedicated sound source routers also feature
patent-pending dynamic level adjustment (DLA) technology, which serves to provide
multiroom features from a single source, power source monitoring and independent
room volume settings.
When they're not blazing trails, the company continues to refine existing router
technology in an effort to bring it within affordable reach of the home consumer;
such is the case with the Cat5 HD router, which allows users to watch HD video, SPDIF
digital signals or listen to analogue audio from up to four sources in four different
areas of the home. Meanwhile, last but not least is the company's alternative to
analogue amplified keypads, a fully digital system which features 30W power
amplifiers and a touchpad-style interface with in-room local source input ability and
IR pass-through.
For more information contact: www.atonhome.com
WESTWARD EXPANSION
FOR CRESTRON
Hot on the heels of opening new offices in Scotland and the north
of England, Crestron are continuing their spate of recent growth
with the opening of a new office in Dublin. New recruit Niall
Duggen will draw on his extensive AV and electrical background
to provide training and technical support for the resulting
expansion of commercial and residential Crestron dealers
throughout Ireland. Crestron's Ireland Sales Manager Sean Cleary
stated “We are delighted to welcome Niall to the team. He will be a valuable asset to the
company as a whole and his hands-on expertise will be invaluable to our dealers locally.”
Commenting on the recent opening, Robin Van Meeuwen, Managing Director,
Crestron UK and Ireland, said “I am extremely excited to be announcing the creation of a
permanent Crestron base in Ireland, and this latest move reflects the strength of our
commitment to our dealers here.”
For further information contact: +44 (0)208 439 7272 www.crestron.com
40 www.svimag.com
BOSTON
BRING IT
ON
Gearing up for their
biggest-ever launch at the
upcoming Berlin IFA show
are Boston Acoustics, who
are looking introduce no less than 50 products, encompassing
speakers, systems and new product categories, all under their new
'Play Smart' banner.
Produced in conjunction with leading industrial designers, it signals
the company's move into sales of 'lifestyle' products, with the ultimate
aim being to provide the high-performance sound and build quality
Boston Acoustics is known for in units that boast stylish, eye-catching
looks. Leaving behind the traditional wooden box design, their new
offerings will all feature gently curving baffles, sleek moulded cabinets,
soft painted finishes and a variety of colour options. Says Bob Barnard,
UK General manager, “After years of wooden boxes it's time for the
audio industry to begin paying attention to consumers' demands for
smart design and personal expression...we need to get to get radical and
deliver new customers for quality sound, our brand and our retailers.”
The company's Personal Options Plan (P.O.P.) is intended to initially
run across the new Horizon and TVee ranges and will allow customers
to blend the company's speakers into their room's décor through a
choice of coloured grilles developed alongside an analysis of interior
design trends. Eight will be available at launch, with eight more to
follow in the first quarter of 2008, and will be sold by dealers and
through Boston's P.O.P. Website.
www.bostonacoustics.com
MOUNTING
AMBITION
AVF have extended their range of flatscreen
wall mounts with a new series of products
in their Nexus range of premium
LCD/plasma wall mounts. Offering fullmotion movement for both smaller and
larger screens, the cast aluminium products offer new choices
for easy home installation.
The NXL series uses a unique 'Click & Lock' mechanism, as
well as incorporating an innovative easy-grip locking control
mechanism for tilt adjustment, and improved cable
management for a clutter free finish. For large screens, the new
Infinity large LCD TV mount is capable of mounting screen sizes 3050-inches (76-127cm) weighing up
to 60kg (150Ibs) and offers
unlimited screen
positioning through five
swivel points.
Mark Reeves, Marketing
Director said: “Wall mounting
an LCD screen is often a lifestyle
choice to compliment stylish
interiors and save space. With this
in mind, AVF strive to develop
products that are both aesthetically
pleasing yet have advanced
functionality. The new series of
Nexus products are even easier to install and use, look great and
provide the functionality our customers demand.”
www.awe-europe.com www.avf.co.uk
www.svimag.com 41
HIGH-TECH HIGH RISE
ELAN ELECTED
Electronic House magazine has awarded Elan's COM2 Communications
Controller with a Best Of Breed gong in its annual Product of the Year awards,
as voted for by the editors of EH Publishing's four dedicated magazines.
Electronic House's Editor-in-Chief Cindy Davis stated “We are pleased to
honour ELAN's COM2 Communication Controller as the best of the best among
technology products for the connected home.” Recognising technological
innovation, overall value and outstanding features, winning recipients were
chosen based on reviews throughout the previous year, product demos and and
surveys conducted with with installers and end users.
The COM2 combines whole-house paging, phone-to-phone intercom, door
station communications, music-on-hold, caller-on-hold and phone-activated
relays in one intuitive package. Other features include independent access of up
to four ELAN door stations, a USB port for firmware upgrades and full
compatibility with all ELAN Multi-room controllers.
In response, ELAN's president and Chief Technology Officer Bob Farinelli said:
“We're incredibly honoured that Electronic House magazine and its presigious
panel of judges have recognised the product with this esteemed reward”.
For further information contact: +44 (0)151 236 1832 www.elanhomesystems.com
CRESTRON GAINS
NEW FACES
Crestron have announced that three new recruits are to
join their rapidly expanding operation, appointing Howard
Algar, Matt Clifford and Scott Mawhinney as Account
Manager North West, Applications Engineer and Technical
and Training Engineer for Scotland respectively.
With seven and a half years AV industry experience, Howard Algar
will be based at Crestron North's office in Doncaster and provide sales
support for the company's growing network of commercial and residential
dealers in the North West region. System designer Matt Clifford will
meanwhile operate out of Crestron's London-based head office and be
responsible for all aspects of system design, as well as offering technical
support for dealers. Providing technical support and running training
courses from the company's Scottish offices located in Livingstone will be
Scott Mawhinney, who brings with him considerable experience from his
time spent as a Contract Engineer within the AV industry. We wish them
all the best of luck with their new appointments.
For further information contact: +44 (0)208 439 7272 www.crestron.com
SUSPEND YOUR
DISBELIEF
Designed to work seamlessly with
the RPA Elite(TM) series of projector
mounts and aimed at reducing
overall installation times, Chief
Manufacturing have introduced an
upgrade to their line of ceiling-related projector accessories.
These include the CMS 1-1/2-inch NPT Adjustable Extension column,
which features a notched design for added flexibility, flow-through cable
management, cable exits for a clean appearance and a choice of black,
silver or white colours.
Also available are the CMS440 and CMS445, 'Enhanced Lightweight'
and 'Advanced' Suspended Ceiling Kits respectively, both of which are
hoping to endear themselves to installers by featuring Chief's WireVice(TM)
Cable Suspension System for quick tie-off and easy adjustment, as well as
the TwisTile(TM) Ceiling Tile Cutter which quickly pierces circular holes in
tile without the need for additional tools.
Those interested may also wish to cast an eye over Chief's recentlyreleased accompanying accessories which encompass the CMA170 designed
for CPU Storage, the CMA290 cable lock for keeping suspended components
securely in place, the CMA504 outlet coupler, the CMA643 Decorative Ring
for improving the appearance of extension columns and finally the TMA100
Tripod Projector Mount Accessory, which handily converts a standard tripod
into a free-standing projector stand for mobile presentations.
For further information contact: +31 (0)402 668 620 www.chiefmfg.com
42 www.svimag.com
The East Wintergarden, a glass covered atrium located in the heart of the
famous Canary Wharf estate, recently received two new additions to its AV
facilities in the form of a four by three metre LED screen supplied by Barco
and Microserber sound absorbing technology courtesy of Kaefer
Isoliertechnik.
The screen promises to be an effective all-in-one solution for
presentations, with support for PowerPoint video, live camera feeds and
an AV interface designed to allow presenters to plug in their chosen
media source and proceed with the minumum of fuss. The advanced heat
management system also avoids the potential build-up of internal heat
within the venue.
On the sound side, the atrium's glass windows have been enhanced
with the installation of micro-perforated polycarbonite foil that
incorporates Microserber technology into 0.2mm holes within the material,
designed to transform sound energy into heat energy, thus reducing
reverberation times and sound levels.
Combined with the venue's existing Meyer PA system, fully
Incorporated lighting system, venue truss and rigging and crack team of
experienced event technicians, these upgrades have made the East
Wintergarden an even more appealing venue for those looking to book
product launches, trade shows, gala dinners and music events.
For further information contact +44 (0)207 418 2000
www.canarywharf.com www.kaefer.com www.barco.com
PROGRESS FOR PRONTO
The Philips Pronto TSU9600 wireless multi-room
controller has received an upgrade to its ProntoEdit
software which enables the device to receive feedback
from RS232 and IP-controlled devices in real-time,
providing increased functionality in a number of areas.
Users can now check lighting levels in any given room, monitor temperature
levels of HVAC systems, browse media libraries and adjust volume settings for AV
devices from the control panel's touchscreen.
ProntoEdit 1.1 software will further provide more flexibility for installers by
allowing them to easily integrate and configure system feedback and dynamic user
interfaces on the Pronto's panel through selecting from a list of pre-configured
modules. Imerge, Kaleidescape, Lutron, Denon and MCE-PC are just some of the
leading brands that have supplied 2-way modules, with many more due by the
end of 2007.
“The latest Philips Pronto is taking the market by storm, and with 2-way
modules already available from some of the top names in the industry, this
popularity is surely set to grow and grow,” states Stuart Tickle, MD of distributors
AWE Europe. “With such great flexibility and high levels of programmability, this is
a piece of kit that will be featuring on a lot of installers' and owners' wish lists!”
For further information contact: +44 (0)137 272 9777 www.awe-europe.com
KEF MEANS
BUSINESS
Four new custom installation speakers
have been introduced by KEF for use in
commercial applications, all of which are
specially designed to adhere to modern
safety and environmental regulations.
The Ci110FCT comprises a full-bandwidth
speaker with an ultra-low distortion motor driving a rigid 4-inch cone
for an economical £100 each, while the Ci160ST is a formidably
competent sub-woofer capable of reproducing lower frequencies
with dynamic accuracy through the use of a dedicated long-throw
6.5-inch bass driver that retails for around the £170 mark.
Elsewhere, modern retail, hospitality, business, hotel and leisure
premises can equip themselves with the compact Ci115QCT, which
incorporates KEF's patented Uni-Q technology into a 4-and-a-halfinch driver array to produce an expansive, accurate and sumptuously
detailed sound image for £130. Top of the range,
meanwhile, is the Ci160QCT, which packs a six-and-ahalf inch Uni-Q driver array, complete with a 'pointsource' driver configuration to disperse its sound
field more evenly over a wider area for £170.
+44 (0)162 267 2261 www.kef.com
FUTURE PROJECTIONS
YOU'VE BEEN
FRAMED
Looking for a way to accommodate a wallmounted flat-panel TV screen without having it
stick out like a sore thumb? Well help is now
at hand in the form of these designer
decorative frames newly available from Chief
Manufacturing. Perfect for use within
boardrooms, lobbies, restaurants, homes and
anywhere else that requires a flatscreen to
blend in seamlessly with its surroundings, they
are fashioned from high-quality genuine wood
materials, come in a choice of four colours
(black, dark pecan, gold and silver) are easy to
install and are available for 32-inch, 42-inch
and 50-inch flat panels.
All frames come complete with an
Infrared Kit, enabling full use of the flat-panel's
existing remote control, while for the ultimate
in stylish concealment, an optional optical
mirror kit can also be included which gives the
panel a reflective, mirrored appearance when
powered down.
+31 (0)402 668 620 www.chiefmfg.com
With the HD era now truly upon us, BenQ are looking to
make waves with three new hi-def projectors that are notable
not just for their quality but also for their price.
First up is the W500, a 720p LCD projector which features standard definition
upscaling, Multi-Dimensional Diagonal Filtering to combat the spectre of 'ghosting',
horizontal/vertical lens shift and Hollywood Quality Video processing, all for a surprisingly reasonable £699.
Next we have the W9000, a formidable 1080p beast armed with 10-bit colour processing, a specially
coated eight segment colour wheel, motorised iris and ISF calibration.
Fully HD by anyone's definition, the 24 fps image you can expect from this projector is the same as that
used by film professionals and is the perfect match for a Blu-ray player. Even more impressive is that the
whole package clocks in at £2499.
Bringing up the rear is the W10000, which utilises the latest DarkChip3 DLP DMD panel from Texas
Instruments to offer superior colour and contrast performance. Able to boast a 10,000:1 contrast ratio
(hence the name, we suspect), 1200 ANSI lumens and ISF calibration optimised for day and night, it's a
projector able to satisfy even the most demanding HD requirements for the total sum of £4499.
For further information contact: +44 (0)870 850 4417 www.benq.com
INVISIBLE INNOVATOR
For the most discreet speaker installation possible,
observe (or perhaps not) the SA2B from Sound
Advance, a two-way, full-range planar loudspeaker
system for both commercial and residential use.
Designed for invisible installation in almost any
standard wood/metal stud wall or ceiling for
seamless integration within a room, it employs a flat,
rigid diaphragm approximately half an inch thick for
placement in a standard wall cavity. This results in a
loudspeaker system that radiates in a smooth, even
hemispherical pattern with more than 140-degrees
of dispersion throughout its bandwidth.
The flat vellum overlay applied to the
loudspeaker surface can be finished with watersoluble materials such as latex paints, using any
conventional application methods or even wallpaper
and lightweight vinyl coverings depending on the
client's requirements. Thus concealed, the SA2B can
be positioned for optimal acoustic performance
without needing to worry about its visual impact,
while two independent high- and low-frequency
protection circuits within each loudspeaker
automatically reset after an overload condition is
removed, for added peace of mind. All in all, the
ideal solution for those installations where aesthetic
considerations are paramount.
For further information contact: +1 (714)556 237
www.soundadvance.com
www.svimag.com 43
SVI TRAINING DIARY
Computerlinks
Leading distributor of IT security and Internet
technology solutions Computerlinks is offering two IP
Control System workshops…
Introduction to Secure Smart Home Networking
(10am-4pm): 09/10/07
IP Control Systems Installation Workshop (9am5pm): 10/10/07
+44 (0)163 856 9600 www.computerlinks.co.uk
Invision
Get In Training
SVI 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…
AMX
AMX's own training courses are available to all and free for
dealers. They offer you an opportunity to make the most of
their automation systems and products...
Control Systems: 25-27/09/07, 16-18/10/07, 13-15/11/07,
11-13/12/07, 11-13/12/07
Programmer II (NetLinx): 30-31/10/07
Programmer III (Advanced NetLinx): 27-28/11/07
Resource Management Suite: 04/10/07, 01/11/07,
06/12/07
GUI Design For Touch-Panels: 02-03/10/07, 04-05/12/07
+44 (0) 1904 343 100 www.amx.com
Armour Home Electronics
AHE offers the highest quality of product training at its
recently constructed, dedicated training facility in Bishop's
Stortford. Its extensive range of courses is open to all and
conducted by CEDIA certified experts...
Systemline S6: 17/09/07, 10/10/07, 29/10/07, 12/12/07
Systemline Modular Introduction: 08/10/07, 30/10/07,
19/11/07, 03/12/07
Systemline Modular Advanced: 09/10/07, 31/10/07,
20/11/07, 21/11/07, 04/12/07, 05/12/07
Media Servers / MediaMax Workshop: 02/11/07,
16/11/07
Home Cinema Workshop: 18/09/07, 19/09/07, 25/10/07,
26/10/07, 06/11/07, 07/11/07, 10/12/07, 11/12/07
Introduction to Lutron Homeworks: 12/09/07
Networking Skills Workshop: 01/10/07, 28/11/07
NEVOPro: 11/10/07, 12/10/07, 13/11/07, 14/11/07,
18/12/07, 19/12/07
Essential CAD for CI: 13/09/07, 14/09/07
Foundation Project Management: 25-26/09/07,
15-16/10/07, 26-27/11/07, 06-07/12/07
Foundation Custom Installation: 08-09/11/07, 20-21/12/07
www.armourhe.co.uk/training
CEDIA
Unless otherwise stated, these courses are held at CEDIA's
dedicated facilities at its St Neots HQ...
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam (Heathrow):
18–19/09/07
Installer School and Certification Exam: 24–28/09/07
CEDIA Autumn Regional Training Event and AGM
(Location TBC): 04–05/10/07
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam (Gatwick): 10–11/10/07
Designer Level 1 Review and Exam (Gatwick):
10–11/10/07
Designer School and Certification Exam: 29–02/11/07
Project Management School: 05–09/11/07
Intro to the UK Custom Installation Business:
12–13/11/07
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam (Dublin, Ireland):
14–15/11/07
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam: 19–20/11/07
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam (Bristol):
26–27/11/07
Installer Level 1 Review and Exam (Glasgow,
Scotland): 29–30/11/07
CEDIA Technical Foundation Course: 05–06/12/07
For further information visit the events section of
www.cedia.co.uk
Crestron
Automation pioneer Crestron hosts regular training
courses at both its local offices...
London:
Commerical Design: 06/11/07
Lighting: 07-08/11/07
Residential Design: 02/10/07, 04/12/07
Intermediate: 16-18/10/07
Essentials: 18-20/09/07, 23-25/10/07, 27-29/11/07
Accreditation: TBC
Crestron North:
Product: 10/09/07, 12/11/07 10/12/07
Essentials: 11-13/09/07, 10-12/10/07 (Scotland), 1315/11/07, 11-13/12/07
+44 (0) 208 439 7272 www.crestron.co.uk
A dynamic custom installation orientated distributor.
Digilinx training sessions are held at Invision’s Bury St
Edmunds head office training room.
Digilinx (101) – Intermediate: 10/10/07
Digilinx (102) – Advanced: 11/10/07
+44 (0)135 927 0280 www.invisionuk.com
Rako
Architectural lighting manufacturer Rako hosts two
courses a month at its offices in Chatham. These
training days cater for installers of all levels...
11/10/07, 25/10/07, 08/11/07, 22/11/07
+44 (0) 870 043 3905
Smart-e
This course is held close to the company's Dorking
headquarters, and caters for installers with a range
of abilities...
Accredited Installer Programme: 25/09/07
+44 (0)148 328 3365 www.smart-e.co.uk
Stardraw Control
Offering the latest training in installation software,
Stardraw Control advanced training is for Stardraw
Control users wishing to exploit the full power of the
multi-award-winning universal control platform…
Advanced Training Course, Newmarket: 26/09/07
+44 (0)207 692 7117 www.stardraw.com
IN AWE
In association with Yamaha, the one day training
session that took place at AWE’s dedicated
training facility at its head office in Epsom, Surrey
once again confirmed the high standard of
training that the company has to offer. Through its
extensive experience within the UK as a distributor
to the custom installation trade of a wide range of
high quality brands, AWE Europe is renowned for
the quality and accuracy of its training. Out of
the18 installers in attendance on the five hour
long course, all rated the training as either ‘very
good’ or’ excellent’.
“In conjunction with Yamaha we put
together a comprehensive and informative course
that has gone down a storm with delegates” says
Mal Fisher, Training Manager at AWE. “This
training element of what we offer to our
customers is seen as extremely important to AWE
and somewhere we can really ‘add value’ by
sharing our technical expertise. We are adding
further training dates in the near future and with
product launches too, will make full use of our
excellent new training facility.”
On offer at the training session was the latest
information on AV products and components as
well as wired and wireless networks. Other topics
of interest included: Integrating, connecting and
configuring AV components and the network,
making the most of networked AV products, the
basics of wired networks, the basics of wireless
networks, security and extension of wireless
networks and an in-depth guide to HDMI.
+44 (0)137 272 9777 www.awe-europe.co.uk
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
44 www.svimag.com
SVI CONTACT BOOK
•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
Aca-Apex Ltd
T: +44 (0) 152 522 0782
ACM Installations
Ltd (South)
Holed Stoned Barn
Stisted Cottage Farm
Bradwell, Essex, CM77 2DZ
+44 (0) 870 242 3285
[email protected]
ACOUSTAT (UK) LTD
T: +44 (0) 208 424 8844
www.acoustat.co.uk
Acoustiblok
T: +44 (0) 162 284 0289
www.acoustiblokuk.com
Acoustic Energy Ltd
See Aventure Europe Ltd
Acoustic Partnership, The
T: +44 (0) 870 047 0047
Acoustic Solutions Ltd
T: +44 (0) 132 734 2255
www.acousticsolutions.co.uk
Activ Distribution
T: +44 (0) 163 529 1357
www:activdistribution.com
AKG
The Dutch barn,
The Hyde, Woodcock Hill,
Off Coopers Green lane,
St Albans, Herts AL4 9HJ
T: +44(0) 170 727 8100
F: 01707 278129
[email protected]
www.harman.com
Aldous Systems
(Europe) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 240 1162
www.aldoussystems.co.uk
AlphasonDesigns 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
www.alltrade.co.uk
AMX UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 434 3100
www.amx.com
Amina Technologies Ltd
Cirrus House
Glebe Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire, PE29 7DX
T: +44 (0)1480 354390
F: +44 (0)1480 356564
[email protected]
www.amina.co.uk
Anatek Acoustics
T: +44 (0) 190 352 4602
Anders +Kern UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 851 0900
Ansar Audio Capacitors Ltd
T: +44 (0) 169 167 9191
Anthony Gallo Acoustics
T: +44 (0) 870 350 1348
www.anthonygallo.co.uk
Apollo Hi Fi Furniture Ltd
T: +44 (0) 121 520 5070
www.apollohifi.co.uk
Arcam
T: +44 (0) 122 320 3200
www.arcam.co.uk
Armour Home Electronics
T: +44 (0) 127 950 1111
www.armourhe.co.uk
Artcoustic
T: +44 (0) 124 540 0904
www.artcoustic.com
46 www.svimag.com
Art Loudspeakers
T: +44 (0) 129 231 9416
www.loudspeaker-art.com
Art Systems Limited
T: +44 (0) 115 9380 380
www.artsystems.co.uk
Atlas (Scotland) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 156 357 2666
www.atlascables.com
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
www.atc.gb.net
Audica UK
see Armour
Audinni Ltd
T: +44 (0) 192 447 4323
www.audinni.com
Audiofreaks
T: +44 (0)20 8948 4153
AudioControl.co.uk
T: +44 (0)130 285 6330
Audio Group (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 284 8816
Audio Note (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 127 322 0511
Audio Technica Ltd
T: +44 (0) 113 277 1441
Audio Visual World
T: +44 (0) 208 455 3490
www.audiovisualworld.co.uk
Audion International Limited
T: +33 546 043282
Audiophile Club, The
T: +44 (0)20 8882 2822
www.audiophileclub.co.uk
Audiophile Base
T: +44 (0) 189 261 9319
www.audiophilebase.com
Audio Partnership PLC
T: +44 (0)20 7940 2200
Audio Reference
T: +44 (0) 125 270 2705
www.audioreference.co.uk
Audio Synthesis
T: +44 (0) 115 922 4138
www.audiosynthesis.co.uk
AUDUSA & Co
T: +44 [0] 2082419826
Auralex Acoustics
T: +44 (0) 190 851 0123
www,audioagencyeurope.com
AVF Group Limited
T: +44 [0] 1952 678855
www.avf.co.uk
Aventure Europe Ltd
Unit 3,Green Park
Business Centre,
Sutton-on-the-Forest, York YO61 1ET
United Kingdom
T:+44 (0)1347 812300
F: +44 (0)1347 812322
E: [email protected]
www.aventure-europe.com
Avid
T: +44 (0) 148 045 7300
www.avidhifi.co.uk
AVM Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 251 0363
www.avmltd.co.uk
AWE Europe Ltd
B1 Longmead
Business Centre,
Longmead Business Park,
Blenheim Road, Epsom, Surrey
KT19 9QQ. UK
T: +44 (0) 137 272 9777
F: +44 (0) 137 272 9757
[email protected]
www.awe-europe.co.uk
•B
BADA
T: +44 (0) 208 150 6741
www.bada.co.uk
Bandridge
see BBG Distribution Ltd
Barco UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 118 929 0105
www.barco.co
BBG Distribution
Unit 3 Watford
Interchange
Colonial Way, Watford
Hertfordshire, WD24 4WP
T: +44 (0) 192 320 5600
F: +44 (0) 192 320 5601
[email protected]
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
www.british-audio.org.uk
B & W Group Ltd
Dale Road, Worthing
West Sussex,
BN11 2BH, UK
T: +44 (0) 190 322 1800
[email protected]
www.bwspeakers.com
B & W Loudspeakers
Dale Road, Worthing
West Sussex,
BN11 2BH, UK
T: +44 (0) 190 322 1800
[email protected]
www.bwspeakers.com
B-Tech International Ltd
T: +44 (0) 168 984 8535
Bang & Olufsen UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 118 969 2288
www.bang-olufsen.com
Beyerdynamic (GB) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 144 425 8258
www.beyerdynamic.co.uk
Bjurab UK
Unit G,
Harlow House
Shelton Road Willowbrook
Industrial Estate Corby,
Northamptonshire NN17 5XH
T: +44 (0) 153 620 3101
F: +44 (0) 153 620 6777
www.bjurab.co.uk
Black Rhodium
T: +44 (0) 133 234 2233
Blok
See Audinni Ltd
BMB Electronics
UK Ltd
Unit 1, Shepherds Grove
Industrial Estate West
Stanton
Suffolk
IP31 2AR
T: 01359 253555
F: 01359 253559
[email protected]
www.bmbelectronics.co.uk
Bose Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 741 4500
www.bose.co.uk
•C
Calculus Software Solutions Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 125 9192
www.findesolutions.com
Canton
T: +44 (0) 239 250 1888
www.canton.de
Cartridge Man, The
T /F: +44 (0)20 8688 6565
CEDIA UK
Unit 2,
Phoenix Park
St Neots, Cambs
PE19 8EP, UK
T: +44 (0) 148 021 3744
F: +44 (0) 148 021 3469
[email protected]
www.cedia.co.uk
Changing Wood
T: +44 (0) 184 429 0899
www.changingwood.co.uk
Chapter Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 139 268 6797
www.chapteraudio.com
Cherished Record Co
T: +44 (0) 157 936 3603
Choice Hi-Fi
T: +44 (0)20 8392 1959
Chord Company Ltd, The
Tel: +44 1980 625700
www.chord.co.uk
Chord Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 162 272 1444
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
CKS Entertainment Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 134 430 7788
cksgroup.co.uk/entertainment
Claritycap Industrial Capacitors
(Wrexham) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 197 885 3805
www.icwLtd.co.uk
www.claritycap.co.uk
Classe
Dale Road
Worthing, West Sussex
BN11 2BH, UK
T: +44 (0) 190 322 1800
www.classeaudio.com
Clipsal Integrated Systems
T: +44 (0) 162 850 8530
www:clipsal.co.uk
Clo Systems
see BMB Electronics UK Ltd
Coles ElectroAcoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 199 246 6685
www.coleselectracoustics.com
Colourgen Ltd
T: 01628 588777
www.colourgen.com
Comfort Home Controls
T: +44 (0) 124 468 0675
www:comfort.org.uk
Comm-Tec UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 827 0970
www.comm-tec.co.uk
Commware
International Ltd
3-2-3 Storey House,
White Cross
Lancaster, LA1 4XQ
T: + 44 (0)152 43 7531
F: + 44 (0)152 43 7532
[email protected]
www.commware-int.com
Computerlinks
Suffolk House
Fordham Road
Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7AA
T: +44 (0)1638 569 600
F: +44 (0)1638 569 601
[email protected]
www.computerlinks.co.uk
ConnectAV Ltd
T: +44 (0) 797 362 9174
www.connectav.co.uk
Control4 UK Ltd
see Aventure Europe Ltd
Convergent-AV Ltd
T: +44 (0) 1555 890120
www.convergent-av.co.uk
Convergent Living
Tsee BMB Electronics UK Ltd
CR Electronic Design
T: +44 (0) 170 220 0111
www.crdevelopments.com
Crane Audio
T: +44 (0) 870 444 1056
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.com
Crestron (UK)
Ltd
Munro House
78 Portsmouth Road, Cobham
Surrey, KT11 1TF
T: 0845 873 87 87
F: 0845 873 8788
[email protected].
www.crestron.co.uk
Cromwell Business Systems
T: +44 (0) 135 365 0900
www.cromwells.co.uk
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
www.csesolutions.co.uk
Custom Design (Newcastle)
T: +44 (0) 191 262 4646
Custom Sight & Sound
T: +44 (0) 199 257 3030
www.revox.de
Cyrus Electronics
T: +44 (0) 148 043 5577
•D
D&T Electronics
T ++44(0)870 444 5929
www.dandt.co.uk
dCS Ltd
T: +44 (0) 179 953 1999
wwwdcsltd.co.uk
DBS AUDIO
T: +44 (0) 128 472 3933
Dali
1 Orchard Cottages
North Wraxall,
Chipenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7PY
T: +44 (0)845 644 3537
[email protected]
www.dali.dk
Decibel Distribution Ltd
T /F: +44 (0) 150 532 1351
Deltron Components Ltd
T: +44 (0) 172 428 0120
Demagio
Mainland House
Gladstone Close
Kings Heath, Northampton,
NN5 7AY
T: +44 (0) 106 0459 0590
Demion Products
T: +44 (0) 118 977 4085
www.demion.co.uk
Denon
T: +44 (0) 175 368 8499
Design e
T: +44 (0) 124 337 7899
www.Designe.co.uk
DF Solutions Digital Future
Solutions
7 Somerton
Grange, Coleraine,
Co Londonderry,
N Ireland, BT51 3GB
T: (0)28 703 58894
www.dfsolutions.co.uk
‘ [email protected]
Dolby Laboratories
T: +44 (0) 179 384 2100
www.dolby.com
DRDB
T: +44 (0)20 7306 2633
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
Dynalite Europe Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 608 1101
www.Dynalite.eu
Dynaudio UK
Fairbourne Drive
Atterbury Lakes
Milton Keynes MK10 9RG
T: +44 (0) 190 848 7557
[email protected]
www.Dynaudio.co.uk
•E
E.A.R./Yoshino Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 122 320 8877
www.ear-yoshino.com
Eclipse
T: +44 (0) 207 328 4499
ECT Ltd Projection screen
and accessories
T: +44 (0) 118 984 1141
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.elansystemsuk.com
Elite AV
T: +44 (0) 845 055 5911
Eltax UK
T: +44 (0) 132 786 0789
www.eltax.com
Eminence Speaker
Europe Ltd
T: +44 (0) 192 423 9999
www.eminence-speaker.com
Emotive Excellence
T: +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
www.eslab.co.uk
ETHOS Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8842 0020
European Precision Moulding
Ltd/Red Scorpion Industries
T: +44 (0) 147 483 4345
Excel Audio Systems Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8354 0820
www.excelaudio.co.uk
Expert Stylus & Cartridge Co
T: +44 (0) 137 227 6604
•F
Falcon Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 149 375 1100
www.falcon-acoustics.co.uk
Ferguson Hill Studios
T: +44 [0] 207 284 0969
www:fergusonhill.co.uk
Finlux UK
T: 01793 870316
Focal-JM Lab UK
T: +44 (0) 845-6602680
Fujitsu General (UK) Co Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8731 3450
www.fujitsu-general.co.uk
Futronix Ltd
Futronix house
143 Croydon Road
Surrey CR3 6PF UK
T: +44 (0) 1883 373 333
F: +44 (0) 1883 373 335
[email protected]
www.futronix.com
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
Unit 2 Kimpton Enterprise Park
Claggy Road, Kimpton
Hertfordshire SG4 8HP
T: +44 (0) 143 883 1094
F: +44 (0) 143 883 3565
www.futureautomation.co.uk
•G
Games & Lifestyle Technology,
direct line T: +44 (0) 20 7877 3373
switchboard T: +44 (0) 20 7929 2999
Garden Light & Audio
T: +44 (0) 189 261 9319
www.glaa.co.uk
Gecko Inc Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8603 0480
Gem Distribution Ltd
St. George House,
Parkway,
Harlow Business Park, Harlow,
Essex, CM19 5QF
T: +44 01279 822822
F: +44 01279 412604
[email protected].
www.gem.co.uk
Genco Systems
T: +44 (0) 148 865 7788
www.gencosystems.demon.co.uk
Glenfield Software
7 Eaton Court Road
Colmworth
Business Park
St. Neots, Cambs, PE19 8ER
T: +44 (0) 148 040 7700
www.glenfieldsoftware.com
Graff Electronic Machines Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 689 3036
www.graffelectronics.co.uk
G T Audio
T: +44 (0) 189 583 3099
www.gtaudio.com
•H
Habitech Ltd
Sandy Farm, Runfold
Farnham, Surrey, GU10 1PX
Tel. 01252 781 200
Fax 01252 781 201
Email [email protected]
www.Habitech.co.uk
Hadcock G.F.C. (Manufacturer)
T: +44 (0) 188 956 9166
HAMA PVAC Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 637 4700
Harbeth Audio Limited
T: +44 (0) 144 448 4371
www.harbeth.co.uk
Harman/Kardon
The Dutch Barn,
The Hyde, Woodcock Hill,
Off Coopers Green Lane,
St Albans, Herts AL4 9HJ
T: +44 (0) 170 727 8100
F: 01707 278129
[email protected]
www.harman.com
Harvard Technology Group
T: +44 (0) 845 450 1480
www.harvardtechnology.com
Hermstedt Hifidelio Range
Henley Designs Ltd
T: +44 (0) 123 551 1166
www.henleydesigns.co.uk
Hitachi Europe Ltd
T: +44 (0)162 864 3000
Hotlamps – Trade Only
Projector Lamps
200 Brook Drive
Green Park
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 6UB
T: +44 (0) 845 60 70 477
www.hotlamps.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
Icon Distribution UK
T: +44 (0) 845 603 1375
www.icondistribution.net
If designs
T: 01484 606 900
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
In Touch Technologies (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 644 2401
www.intouchtech.co.uk
iLight Limited
T: +44 (0) 189 287 0072
www.ilightgroup.com
Instore Electronics
T: +44 (0) 127 466 0196
Imerge Ltd
T: +44 (0) 195 478 3600
www.imerge.co.uk
Infinity
The Dutch Barn,
The Hyde,
Woodcock Hill,
Off Coopers Green Lane,
St Albans, Herts, AL4 9HJ
T: +44 (0) 170 727 8100
F: 01707 278129
e [email protected]
w www.harman.com
Invision UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 135 927 0280
www.invisionuk.com
Isoblue Ltd
T: 01332 875700
www:isoblue.com/products
Isol-8 Teknologies
IXOS
8 Dormer Road
Thame Industrial Estate
Thame, Oxfordshire
OX9 3UD
T: +44 (0) 184 421 9000
F: +44 (0) 184 421 9099
www.ixos.co.uk
•J
Jamo UK
See BBG Distribution
www.jamo.com
JBL
The Dutch Barn, The Hyde,
Woodcock Hill, Off Coopers
Green Lane, St Albans,
Herts AL4 9HJ
T: +44 (0) 170 727 8100
F: 01707 278129
e [email protected]
w www.harman.com
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
Key Digital
Klegg Audio UK
T: +44 (0) 870 075 5344
www.klegg.com
KM Acoustics
Unit 8 Torafen Business Centre
Panteg Way, Pontypool NP4 0SL
•M
Mana Audio Ltd. (Manufacturer)
T: +44 (0) 140 783 0530
http://mana.co.uk
Marantz Hi-Fi UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 368 0868
Martek (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 135 925 3555
www.martekuk.co.uk
Marata Vision
T: +44 (0) 192 349 5595
www.marata.co.uk
Max Distribution Co Ltd
T: +44 (0) 173 284 0845
www.the-max.co.uk
Maxell Europe Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 192 349 4400
www.eu.maxell.com
Maverick
200 Brook Drive
Green Park
Reading Berks,RG2 6UB
T: +44 (0) 870 600 9300
F: +44 (0) 870 600 9301
www.maverick.co.uk
Meridian Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 044 5678
www.meridian-audio.com
Metropolis Music
T: +44 (0) 189 253 9245
[email protected]
Midwich Limited
T: +44 (0) 137 964 9200
www.midwich.com
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
www.mjacoustics.co.uk
Mode lighting
The Maltings,
63 High Street,
Ware, Hertfordshire,
SG12 9AD
T: +44 (0) 192 046 2121
www.modelighting.com
•L
Lawton
22 Willow
Court
Sandwell Business Park
Crystal Drive, Smethwick
West Midlands, B66 1RD
T: +44 (0) 121 511 1128
www.lawtontrade.com
Leax Controls
T: +44 (0) 207 501 0880
www.leax.co.uk
Lektropacks (UK)
T: +44 (0)20 8847 2776
www.lektropacks.co.uk
L.G. Electronics UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 870 607 5544
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
Living Control
T: +44 (0) 168 986 1188
www.livingcontrol.com
Living Voice
T: +44 (0) 115 973 3222
www.definitiveaudio.co.uk
Lockwood Audio
T: +44 (0)20 8864 8008
www.lockwoodaudio.co.uk
Loewe (Linn Products)
T: +44 (0) 129 247 1568
www.loewe.de
Lutron EA Ltd
T: +44 (0) 207 702 0657
www.lutron.com
Luxom
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
www.britishaudio.co.uk
Moulded Cords & Cables - MCC
T: +44 (0) 134 486 8200
www.mcc-cables.com
Multi-Room
Company, The
Unit B
Staverton Technology Park
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
GL51 6TQ
Tel: 01452 858260
Fax: 01452 715140
Multiroom Systems
T: +44 (0) 870 855 0010
www.installautomation.com
Musical Fidelity Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8900 2866
Musonic UK Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 208 950 5151
www.musonic.co.uk
Myryad UK
See Armour
•N
NAD Electronics
See Armour
Naim Audio
T: +44 (0) 172 242 6600
Nakamichi UK Ltd
See FSM Audio
National Instruments Corporation
(UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 552 3545
www.ni.com/uk
Neaco Ltd
T: +44 (0) 165 369 5721
www.neaco.co.uk
NEAT Acoustics Ltd.
T: + 44 (0) 183 363 1021
NEMKO Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8646 8383
www.nemko.co.uk
New Media Image
T: +44 (0) 239 245 1006
NHT
T: +44 (0) 151 236 1832
www.nhthifi.com
Niles
Nottingham Analogue
T: +44 (0) 177 376 2947
•O
Obelisk Audio Designs
T: +44 (0) 179 450 1235
O'hEocha
(Ireland)
Design Ltd
The Manor House
Baile an tSagairt
Spiddal, Galway, Ireland
T: +353 9155 8030
F: +353 9155 8065
www.oheocha.com
Onkyo
T: +44 (0) 149 468 1515
www.onkyo.co.uk
Optimum International 2000 Ltd
T: +44(0)1904 528090
www.optimuminternational.co.uk
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
Opus Technologies
T: +44 (0) 845 090 2266
www.opus-technologies.co.uk
Orelle Ltd.
T: +44 (0)20 8991 9200
www.orelle.co.uk
Origin Live
T: +44 (0) 238 057 8877
www.originlive.com
Overkill Audio
T: +44 [0] 148 784 2911
Owl Video Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 182 576 6123
www.owlvideo.com
•P
P&C Industries
T: +44 (0) 122 387 0712
www.hiway.co.uk/pcindustries
Panasonic (UK) Ltd
T: +44 (0) 134 486 2444
Partington & Co
T: +44 (0) 147 470 9299
Paradigm Audio Visual Ltd
T: +44 (0) 1234 843388
www.rearpro.com
Passive Technologies
24 High Street, Prestwood
Buckinghamshire, HP16 9ED, UK
T: +44 (0) 870 490 9603
F: +44 (0) 870 490 9677
www: passivetechnologies.com
PATH IXOS
T: +44 (0) 184 421 9000
www.path.co.uk
www.ixoscable.com
Pear Audio Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 166 583 0862
[email protected]
www.svimag.com 47
SVI CONTACT BOOK
Philex Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 123 426 3737
www.philex.com
Pickering Cartridges
T: +44 (0) 190 464 2463
pickeringuk.com
Picture The Sound
T: +44 (0) 700 044 3426
T: +44 (0) 7000 HIFICO
Pink Triangle Partnership Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8694 9609
www.pink-triangle.com
Pioneer GB Ltd
T: +44 (0) 175 378 9789
www.pioneer.co.uk
Plasmatvinfo.com Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1206 391001
Fax: +44 (0)1206 391096
Planet Waves
PMC Ltd
Flying Mole Bryston
T: +44(0) 870 444 1044
www.pmc-speakers.com
PM Components Ltd
T: +44 (0) 163 484 8500
Polk Audio
See Invision UK
Precious Metals
T: +44 (0) 148 382 7722
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
Presentation Systems ltd
T: +44 (0) 146 243 3282
www.presentationsystems.co.uk
Top Stands Ltd
Principia
Unit C1 Button End Ind Estate
Harston, Cambridge
CB22 7GX
Tel: 01223 872870
Fax: 01223 872877
email [email protected]
web: www.principiaelectronic.co.uk
www.topstands.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 113 251 1500
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
www:prismsound.com
Prospero Recruitment Ltd
T: +44 (0) 207 404 6383
www.prosperorecruitment.com
Pulse Marketing
T: +44 (0) 127 965 5955
www:pulsemarketing.uk.com
Pure Digital
T: +44 (0) 192 327 7488
www.pure-digital.com
P.W.B. Electronics
T: +44 (0) 113 268 2550
www.belt.demon.co.uk
•Q
Quad Electroacoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 458 0011
www.quad-hifi.co.uk
Quadraspire Ltd
T: +44 (0) 122 533 3360
www.quadraspire.com
QED Audio Products Ltd
T +44 (0) 1279 501111
www.qed.co.uk
•R
Recoton
T: +49 223 498 4080
www.recoton.com
48 www.svimag.com
Redline
T: +44 (0) 131 555 3922
Reference Point Computers
T: +44 (0) 845 634 2032
Rega Reseach
T: +44 (0) 170 233 3071
REL Acoustics Ltd
T: +44 (0) 165 676 8777
www.rel.net
Remote Media Ltd
T: +44 (0) 845 458 3705
www.remotemedia.co.uk
Resolution Loudspeakers
Tel 01202 487464
www.resolution-loudspeakers.co.uk
www.worldsbestloudspeakers.com
www.suhtl.com
Revolver Hi-Fi loudspeakers
Tel: 0870 0470047
Fax:0870 0470047
Email: [email protected]
www.revolveraudio.co.uk
Revox
See Custom Sight & Sound
RGB Communications Ltd
T: +44 (0) 148 873 366
www.rgbcomms.co.uk
Ringmat Developments
T: +44 (0) 127 720 0210
www.ringmat.com
Roksan Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8900 6801/6802
www.roksan.co.uk
Rotel
Dale Road
Worthing,
West Sussex, BN11 2BH, UK
T: +44 (0) 190 322 1800
www.rotel.com
Roth Multimedia Audio
Royd Loudspeakers Co. Ltd
T: +44 (0) 195 229 0700
RTI
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
Russ Andrews Accessories Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 845 345 1550
www.russandrews.com
•S
Samsung Electronics Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 8391 0168
Samuel Johnson Audio Ltd
T: +44 (0) 141 810 2828
www.SJAudio.co.uk
Sanus Systems
CSAV Europe BV
Fellenoord 130Ÿ
5611 ZB Eindhoven
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0) 40 2668 619
F: +31 (0) 40 2668 615
Scandyna UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 147 362 6600
Schneider UK Ltd
T: +44 (0) 161 374 0101
See Hear Ltd
T: +44 (0) 179 559 7590
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 Ltd
+44 (0) 208 734 2000
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
www.sim2.co.uk
Simplysonos
T: +44 (0) 800 731 7308
www.simplysonos.co.uk
Singlepoint Networks Limited
T: +44 (0) 153 836 9279
www.singlepointnetworks.co.uk
Smart-E (UK)
Ltd
Ranmore Manor
Ranmore Common
Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6SX
Tel : +44 (0)1483 283365
Fax : +44 (0)1483 281511
www: www.smart-e.co.uk
Smashing
Publicity
6 High Street,
Hadleigh
Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 5AP
T: +44 (0) 147 382 8385
[email protected]
www.smashing.co.uk
SME Ltd
T: +44 (0) 190 381 4321
www.sme.ltd.uk
Solent Trading
T: +44 (0) 239 250 1888
www.standesign.co.uk
SOLO Manufacturing
T: +44 (0) 115 939 2345
F: +44 (0) 115 939 2111
Songlines
T: +44 (0)1424 813888
www.beauhorn.com
Sony UK Ltd
The Heights,
Brooklands, Weybridge,
Surrey, KT13 0XW
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
Soundations
T: +44 (0) 870 350 1349
Spendor Audio Systems Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 132 384 3474
www.spendoraudio.com
SSP Distribution
Unit 21b Blackwell
Business Park, Blackwell,
Warwickshire, CV36 4PE
T: +44 (0)1608 682020
F: +44 (0)1608 682323
e: [email protected]
www.sspdistribution.co.uk
Stands Unique
T: +44 (0) 193 341 2227
www.standsunique.com
Stardraw.com Ltd
The 401 Centre
302 Regent Street
London
W1B 3HH
T: +44 (0) 207 692 7117
[email protected]
www.stardraw.com
Stil-Stand
Stilexo Industrial
UK Ltd Penalita Industrial Estate
Ystrad Mynach, Mid Glam,
CF82 7QZ
T: +44 (0) 144 381 6777
[email protected]
www.stil-stand.co.uk
True Colours Distribution ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 287 6300
www.true-colours.net
TDI Tremiver Ltd
T: +44 (0) 125 639 7770
www.tdigroup.co.uk
TEAC UK
19-20 The Courtyards
Hatters Lane
Croxley Business Park
Watford, Herts, WD18 8TE
T: +44 (0)1923 819638
E:[email protected]
www.teac.co.uk
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
Technical & General
T: +44 (0) 189 265 4534
Terra
Top Stands Ltd
Top Stands Ltd
11 Ayston Road,
Leicester, LE3 2GA
T: +44 (0) 116 289 3756
F: +44 (0) 116 263 0234
www.topstands.co.uk
www.topstands.co.uk
The Diamond Stylus
Company Limited
"Diamond Connection"
Council Street West,
Llandudno, Conwy, L30 1ED.
T: +44 (0) 194 286 0880
F: +44 (0) 194 286 0653
www.diamondstylus.co.uk
[email protected]
THE OPPOSITION GROUP
T: +44 (0) 118 949 7656
Tivoli Audio
see Armour HE
Townshend Audio
T: +44 (0)20 8979 2155
Target Audio Distribution Ltd
T: +44 (0) 144 225 9994
Virtual Reality Audio Systems Ltd
T: +44 (0) 127 722 7355
Visual Displays
T: +44 (0) 207 222 9009
www.visualdisplaysuk.co.uk
Vita Audio
59 Tailor’s Court
Temple Farm Industrial Estate
Southend On Sea, Essex
SS2 5TH
T: +44 (0) 170 260 1410
www:vitaaudio.com
Vivadi Plc
T: +44 (0) 179 378 0033
www.vivadi.com
Vivanco UK Ltd.
T: +44 (0) 144 240 3020
F: +44 (0) 144 240 3030
Vogels
See BBG Distribution
•W
Wharfedale International Ltd
T: (0) 845 458 0011
www.wharfedale.co.uk
Trichord Research Ltd
T: +44 (0) 168 431 1600
F: +44 (0) 168 431 1928
www.trichordresearch.com
Wilson Benesch
T: +44 [0] 114 285 2656
Troy innovations
Victoria Works,
Hillend Lane
Rossendale, Lancs, BB4 7AG
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
www.true-colours.com
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]
Vision
200 Brook Drive
Green Park
Reading
Berks
RG2 6UB
T: +44 (0) 870 600 9300
F: +44 (0) 870 600 9301
www.visionaudiovisual.com
Tributaries
Symmetry
T: +44 (0) 172 786 5488
T&T Communications
T: 08706 093686
www.tandt-communications.com
VEHDA LTD
Imperium House,
Ford Lane, Ford, Arundel, West
Sussex, BN18 0DF
t: 01243 556 316
f: 01243 556 076
e: [email protected]
w: www.vehda.co.uk
Wavelength Distribution
T: +44 (0) 122 344 1299
www.wavelength.distribution.com
TruAudio
T&A
See Transparent Distribution
•V
Transparent Distribution Ltd
T: +44 (0) 162 351 7000
www.transparentdl.co.uk
Supra Cables
See Wavelength Distribution
•T
USD Limited
The Old
Surgery
Park Road, Toddington
Bedfordshire, LU5 6AB
T: +44 (0) 152 587 7707
F: +44 (0) 152 587 7708
[email protected]
www.usd.uk.com
Tube Technology
T: +44 (0) 126 984 4771
F: +44 (0) 126 983 3538
Turbosound Earphones - as above
•U
UKD
T: +44 (0) 175 365 2669
www.ukd.co.uk
Unicol
T: +44 (0) 186 576 7676
www:unicol.com
Universal Remote Control
Waterfall
See Transparent Distribution
•X
X10
Xantech
Xarin Multimedia Solutions
T: +44 (0) 845 004 9545
www.xms-uk.com
Xixin Ltd
T: +44 (0) 158 240 0340
www.xixin.co.uk
Xperinet
•Y
Yamaha
Electronics
(UK) Ltd
200 Rickmansworth Road,
Watford, Herts, WD18 7GQ
T: +44 (0) 289 147 7744
F: +44 (0) 192 381 0410
•Z
Zebra Distribution
T: +44 (0) 289 147 7744
F: +44 (0) 289 147 7755
[email protected]
www.zebradistribution.ie
SVI RECRUITMENT
Advertise your recruitment in SVI and online free or from as little as £100
Contact Bonnie on 01206 506249 or Chantell on 01206 506254
AUDIO - VIDEO ENGINEERS
We have a number of clients looking for candidates who
meet the following criteria:
• Excellent people and team working skills.
• Thorough competency in IT and the internet, including a good knowledge
of Microsoft standard packages.
• An interest in automation systems and technology in general.
• Previous IT, audio, video, security, installation experience and knowledge of
Crestron & Lutron products
• UK driving license
• Experience in Crestron programming
As an engineer, your main areas of work will be:
• Off site building and testing of audio, video, IT and control system racks.
• On-site installation and commissioning of the system onto a structured
cabling system provided by a subcontractor.
• A typical system may include the design, installation and integration of
state of the art audio, video, lighting, electric curtains/blinds, telecoms,
security and computer networks.
Salaries range from £20 - £30K+ dependant on experience.
Region: South
audiovisualrecruitment.com
Please email your CV to: [email protected]
WALTON ON THAMES
Since its conception ATI have now established an enviable portfolio of
luxury house builders and developers, with prestigious sites based
extensively in the South of England. We offer a complete ‘one stop’
solution extending from initial design prewire and then final installation
of a wide range of home technologies, such as Multi-room audio
systems, Home Cinema systems, Lighting Control systems, CCTV,
Networking & Telecoms, Plasma & LCD screens, Aerial & Satellite
systems and Gate Entry.
Due to continued rapid year on year growth, ATI are now looking to recruit.
AUDIO VISUAL INSTALLATION ENGINEERS
£25-28K negotiable, subject to experience.
Previous
experience
with
home technology installations
encompassing some or all of the
above listed product aspects,
although further training will be
given to the right candidates
as part of your on going career
devlopment.
UK
driving
licence,
Good
communication skills, Reliable
PC literate. Salary £25-28.000
negotiable
depending
on
experience plus overtime, vehicle
with fuel card. Laptop PC and
mobile phone.
If you feel that you have the
right skills, and motivation to
develop your career with a fast
growing independent company,
then please forward your CV to
[email protected] stating your
current salary and benefits or
alternatively
please
contact
S
i
m
o
n
Robinson on 01932 245027 for a
preliminary discussion.
www.atiuk.net
EXPERIENCED
INSTALLATION ENGINEER
CTS systems, an established Home network installation
company & custom AV installer, are currently recruiting
for experienced installation engineers capable of
running large projects within the southeast.
Ideally we require experience of installing the
Hellermann Tyton home cabling system and the
Armour Modular audio system to advanced level.
Salary: negotiable (depending on experience)
To arrange an interview please email your CV to:
[email protected] or write to
Unit 3b, Country business centre, Lucas Green Road,
West End, Woking, Surrey GU24 9LZ.
CTS Systems
Unit 3b, Country business centre, Lucas Green Road,
West End, Woking, Surrey GU24 9LZ.
www.svimag.com 49
SVI DIARY
Events 2007/08 It’s Show Time!
SEPTEMBER 07
21-23
Smart Home /
Home Building &
Renovating Show
ExCel, London
www.homebuildingshow.co.uk
21-23
London Sound & Vision
Park Inn, Heathrow
www.chestergroup.org
OCTOBER 07
6-8
Grand Designs Live
NEC, Birmingham
www.granddesignslive.com
13-14
Home
Entertainment Show
Renaissance Hotel,
Manchester
www.home-entertainment
-show.co.uk
27-28
Scottish Hi-Fidelity Show Marriott Dalmahoy,
Edinburgh
28-01/11 Interbuild 2007
NEC, Birmingham
www.chestergroup.org
The Integrated Systems show hits Russia
this November...
www.interbuild.com
NOVEMBER 07
2-4
What Hi-Fi? Sound and
London Novotel West,
Vision Show/Best Of Stuff Hammersmith
www.whathifishow.co.uk
8-10
Integrated Systems Russia Gostiny Dvor, Moscow
www.isrussia.org
JANUARY 08
7-10
International CES
Convention Centre,
Las Vegas
29-31
Integrated Systems Europe Amsterdam RAI,
Netherlands
www.cesweb.org
www.iseurope.org
What could be better than starting the
year with the International CES?
FEBRUARY 08
22-24
Sound & Vision,
The Bristol Show
Marriott Hotel, Bristol
www.bristolshow.co.uk
NEC, Birmingham
www.smarthomeshow.co.uk
ExCel, London
www.cedia.co.uk
APRIL 08
10-13
T3 Smart Home Show
JUNE 08
24-26
CEDIA Expo 2008
Which celebrities will you bump into at
this year's Best Of Stuff show?
LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF SVI ON OCTOBER 22ND FEATURING...
STAND AND DELIVER – For everyone wanting the best in AV furniture, look no further!
CUSTOMISED – We examine the retailers who are making the switch to custom installation
PRODUCTION VALUE – All the latest product news from our innovative industry
ISSN 1478-1123
Editor: Elizabeth Sharp
T: 44 (0)1206 505959
[email protected]
Editor-In-Chief: Stuart Pritchard
T: 44 (0)1206 505924
Deputy Editor: Jacob Stow
Editorial Assistant: Callum Fauser
Publisher: Matthew Tudor
Art Direction: Lee Whiteford
Art Editor: Lewis Webb
[email protected]
The new SVI advertising team:
Bonnie Howard T: 44 (0)1206 506249
Chantell Keston T: 44 (0) 1206 506254
50 www.svimag.com
Advertisement Designer: Lee Beecroft
Contributors: Jack Brand, Sam Fuller, Roy Harlen
Design & Repro: Ace Pre-Press
T: 44 (0)1206 797541
Circulation Manager: Mick Orrin
T: 44 (0)1206 505912
Subscriptions: To ensure you receive your copy of
SVI every issue, go to www.svimag.com 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 ©
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