5 Emerging Trends I Saw at CEDIA Expo 2024 that Integrators Need to Be on the Lookout For
This past week was my second CEDIA Expo, and this iteration of the professional smart home trade show came after my first full year of working as an editor on CE Pro, so I was a lot more prepared, informed and energized to see you all this time around.
Last year, I was a fish out of water, having joined the residential side of the market after a few years of covering the commercial space for CE Pro’s sister brand Commercial Integrator. Since then, I’ve learned a lot more about the technology, the important manufacturers, the well-known installers, and the emerging industry trends. So, I think it’s safe to say that this year, my thoughts hold a bit more weight after one year of learning under my belt.
Bob Archer’s CEDIA Expo 2024 Impressions: Exhibitors Validate Big Screens in Modern Smart Homes
Another CEDIA Expo is in the books and the 2024 edition served as the perfect showcase for the latest smart-home technologies, including video walls, immersive audio and lighting.
Admittedly, my focus was on AV, along with the CE Pro Band, which supported the annual CEDIA awards ceremony, but after spending a couple of days on the show floor a few trends were quite apparent that we can briefly discuss.
I Got to Experience L-Acoustic’s Exclusive Home Theater Demo at CEDIA Expo and It Was Incredible
According to QAV and L-Acoustics, the system featured L-Acoustics’ Syva 2-way passive colinear speakers and Syva Low 12-inch subwoofers for the LCR channels, while compact X4i speakers, paired with SB6i subwoofers, were installed for the wide surround and rear positions. Six additional X4i speakers were used for height channels. To ensure even LFE coverage, four Syva Sub units were positioned throughout the nine-seat theater. The entire system was powered by two LA7.16i multi-channel amplified controllers, with connectivity managed by an LS10 network switch linked to a Storm Audio ISP MK3 processor.
CEDIA Reveals Winners of the 2024 CEDIA Smart Home Awards Americas
After announcing the finalists in late August, CEDIA has revealed the winners of the 2024 CEDIA Smart Home Awards Americas. The awards honor integrators, manufacturers, and influential individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry over the past year, delivering stunning projects, launching market-leading products, and providing invaluable volunteer efforts.
JVC Debuts ‘World’s Smallest’ Native 4K Projectors for the Home
According to JVC, the new NZ700/RS2200 and DLA-NZ500/RS1200 projectors are the world’s smallest native 4K projectors. Internally, the new 4K projectors feature new internal circuit design improvements, along with a redesign of the projectors’ optical unit, and lens. The new projectors also utilize the company’s third-generation 0.69-inch native 4K D-ILA chipset, which the company says achieves high levels of resolution and high brightness levels.
The Renaissance of Russound is Well Underway
Entering 2024 rather than being content with keeping pace with the market, company executives have made the decision to be more aggressive in providing integrators with more options to meet their clients’ entertainment requirements, and after stopping by to see the company while at CEDIA Expo 2024, I would say the renaissance is well underway.
Natural Light Optimization Lets Lutron Roller Shades Automatically Track the Journey of the Sun
Lutron has unveiled a new feature for its shading systems aimed at making so shades are able to move automatically throughout the day in accordance with the natural progression of the sun called Natural Light Optimization (NLO).
According to Lutron, NLO uses information based on a property’s latitude, longitude, and window orientation to adjust shade positions automatically. These positions cycle through Direct Sun, No Direct Sun, and Night Positions for easy setup of lighting automations.
EVO is Perhaps Coastal Source’s Most Customizable Outdoor Light to Date
Coastal Source’s EVO lights are finally being made available to the CEDIA channel. After being showcased at Lightapalooza 2024, as well as an exclusive event Coastal Source held earlier this year at the Kennedy Space Center, dealers across the CEDIA channel are now able to get their hands on what Coastal Source is calling the next step forward in outdoor lighting.
Sunbrite’s Solis Is a Complete Revamp of the Signature Series Outdoor Smart TVs
Snap One has unveiled the all-new SunBrite Solis Outdoor Smart TV at CEDIA Expo 2024, Booth #1512. Engineered for durability, the IP55-rated SunBrite Solis is the latest addition to the SunBrite line of outdoor TVs and, according Rob Brunett, Director, Product Management for Video Solutions at Snap One, is a total redesign of the company’s Signature partial-sun series.
Snap One Just Made the Control4 Platform a Lot More Self-Sufficient
Snap One, now a part of ADI, has introduced a completely re-imagined user interface while at CEDIA Expo 2024. The new interface, called Control4 X4, is meant to help end-users fine tune their smart home systems through continued use, taking the job of programming small updates out of the hands of integrators and making it simple and easy enough for homeowners to do it themselves.
