The U.S. custom install industry is enjoying a nice break between trade shows before CEDIA sneaks up on us this September. This week, all the action was on the other side of the pond.
Essential Install Live! is the only dedicated tradeshow for the U.K. custom install and home automation industry. Essential Install Live! South has just wrapped up in Sandown Park, Esher, U.K., with over 90 manufacturers exhibiting over the course of July 6 and 7.
The show featured several new product announcements that U.S. dealers should pay attention to.
Monitor Audio
Installers checked out the new All Weather, Super Slim, Garden Systems and Extreme Environment solutions that Monitor Audio has rolled out, showcasing its growing family of speakers created with the installer in mind.
Visitors also got the lowdown on the new Soundframe products available without frames and full size picture grilles. Monitor Audio also showed its CW8/CW10 compact subwoofers that can be tucked behind furniture on room boundaries.
Atlona
Atlona presented its UHD-PRO3 Series of HDMI to HDBaseT matrix switchers, the AT-UHD EX-100CEA Extender Kit with digital audio return and a wide choice of switchers and distribution amplifiers.
The company also provided full information on its new distribution deal with RGB Communications to deliver its domestic portfolio in the U.K.
Finally, the Atlona Management System software (AT-SW-AMS) was toted as a resource for Atlona’s IP-controllable products in the residential, commercial, education and government markets.
Blustream
U.K. company Blustream had a lot to talk about at this year’s show, including its 2nd generation of HDBaseT Matrix and extenders, which now include HDCP 2.2, Line Level volume control and a Web GUI (including apps).
The company also used the show to launch Blustream Multicast, a new advanced UHD Video over IP distribution system. Designed to take advantage in the growth of video distribution over IP, Blustream says Multicast offers full 4K UHD support, unlimited potential configurations and easy to use configuration software, at competitive prices and fully supported.
TRIAX
TRIAX used the trade show to launch its 4K UHD Home Distribution Hub featuring a three-year guarantee. The new kit has been created to make multi-room entertainment easier to install with all necessary components included for a peace of mind installation. The matrix is HDCP 2.2 compliant and is compatible with previous HDCP versions for viewing on legacy 4K displays.
The Hub features the new HMX441 Matrix, four super slim receivers, four remote controls, five IR emitters and four IR receivers which enable UHD content from four HDMI devices to be viewed and controlled simultaneously at four locations without the need for additional subscriptions.
Antiference
Another launch at the show comes from Antiference, a U.K. manufacturer, with its DMHD01R Conexer single HD modulator which offers an HDMI loop out for the local TV set or integration into a hybrid system with a matrix and IR pass to enable control of the source device.
Antiference says the IR control function has never been seen before in a product like this. Antiference has also unveiled the HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2) full 4K UHD Trucolour Neo HDBase-T matrix with full CEC control.
This new matrix kit with POE receivers offers an innovative solution to HD distribution as it features an on-board control system and can control any device including the matrix from the TV’s original remote control (CEC support required).
