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Sponsor Spotlight – The DaVinci Group

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Sponsor Spotlight graphicThe DaVinci Group – Delivering World Class Products Today

SponsorSpotlight_AdvThe DaVinci Group, a Strata-gee & SYNCH sponsor, is home to innovative brands such as TDG Audio, Vanguard Dynamics, and Blue Aura. It is a dynamic growing organization with a World-Class product line-up, installer-savvy support systems and industry-leading warranties. Started by a seasoned group of custom installation industry professionals – you can rely on The DaVinci Group to bring you the best quality products that are: easier to install, better sounding, perform for the long haul – and are backed with one of the industry’s best warranty programs.

And now, the company is launching 35+ new products at the 2014 CEDIA Expo that you’re going to want to see…and hear. See more on their blockbuster new line-up below… [Read more…] about Sponsor Spotlight – The DaVinci Group

Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models

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OnkyoAtmos2This past June at CE Week in New York City, Onkyo was one of two manufacturers (the other being Pioneer…now part of Onkyo) who were the first in the industry to announce new Atmos-enabled AV receivers. Atmos, Dolby Labs’ latest surround sound technology that adds innovations such as “height” speakers and sound “objects,” promises to deliver to consumers an all-new, in-home entertainment experience.

But not only did Onkyo succeed in being one of the first manufacturers to introduce the technology to the market in yet-to-be-delivered new products – it went one step further and announced that it would offer owners of certain existing Onkyo A/V receiver models the ability to upgrade to Atmos (Atmos-upgradable models) through a firmware upgrade by the end of the third quarter.

Today, Onkyo announced that they will deliver on their Atmos upgrade promise… [Read more…] about Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models

Bain Capital Fails in Its Bid to Restructure D&M Holdings Buyout Financing

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Bain Capital logoIn February, we told you about a report from Reuters that Bain Capital was seeking to restructure their financing package originally constructed when they purchased  D&M Holdings (now known as the D+M Group) back in 2008. The original package was said to total ¥74.1 billion ($725.2 million), the senior debt portion of which is maturing this month. Reuters suggested at the time that Bain may experience difficulties getting a new deal, despite their financial prowess.

Now we learn that Reuters was right – Bain Capital has failed in its attempt to restructure the D&M Holdings debt.

See more on just what happened when Bain went back to the well on D&M… [Read more…] about Bain Capital Fails in Its Bid to Restructure D&M Holdings Buyout Financing

Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’

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DEVICE COULD HAVE APPLICATIONS FOR INSTALLERS

Photo of Panasonc camerasPanasonic Corp. announced last week that it is launching a new product that it believes will capture major market share in the market for what they call a “wearable assist robot.” Starting in 2015, the company will field this “wearable” that – for lack of a better description – is like a lightweight, backpack-style partial exoskeleton.

See this new product with potential applications for any job requiring heavy lifting… [Read more…] about Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’

Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation

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Savant logoThe Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday that private equity powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) has invested $90 million for a 35% stake in Savant Systems, LLC (Savant). While this is a minority stake, KKR is obviously bullish on the home automation supplier making what the WSJ says is an “eight-figure bet” that places a $215 million valuation on the home automation supplier.

See more on this news on a rapidly rising home automation supplier… [Read more…] about Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation

Atmos Atmosphere Expands with New Speakers from Triad Speakers & Atlantic Technology

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Dolby Atmos logoOne of the bigger stories in our industry is Dolby Labs introduction of a new surround sound system they call Dolby Atmos. Launched at CE Week in New York City this past June, Atmos has already attracted a number of predominantly electronics manufacturers supporting the system in their latest models. Now the selection of Atmos products expands with new product introductions by both Triad Speakers and Atlantic Technology.

See the new Atmos speakers from Triad and Atlantic Technology, two specialty companies… [Read more…] about Atmos Atmosphere Expands with New Speakers from Triad Speakers & Atlantic Technology

Wi3 Makes the Connection with HTSA

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HTSAlogoWi3 MoCA Network Solutions and the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) have come together to offer members the Wi3 line of MoCA networking solutions. The new relationship will add HTSA’s national footprint to Wi3’s distribution.

See more about this new partnership… [Read more…] about Wi3 Makes the Connection with HTSA

CEDIA Says Their EXPO is the Industry’s Launch Pad for New Technology

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Photo from 2013 EXPOThe Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) said today that their annual tradeshow – the EXPO, taking place next month in Denver – will have over 150 exhibitors launching new products or introducing their businesses to the industry for the first time. Saying these companies “choose CEDIA EXPO as their launch point,” the trade group says that new product launches have already been announced in wireless audio, motion sensors, lighting solutions, TV & control mounts, and keyless entry.

See more on the custom integration industry’s big event just around the corner… [Read more…] about CEDIA Says Their EXPO is the Industry’s Launch Pad for New Technology

Dolby Atmos – Take Two

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GUEST POST

My Take After a Dolby-Controlled Demo of
Both Commercial and Home Atmos Versions

Pioneer slide showing Atmos logoSomeone (even Google can’t tell me who) once said “Nothing is new, only rediscovered.”

Case in point: Dolby Atmos, now being touted as the Next Big Thing in surround sound technology. [See A Deeper Dive into Dolby Atmos and Atmos Attacks at CE Week] The two most definable points that are said to differentiate Atmos from earlier surround formats (height information and “sound objects”) are, in reality, surprisingly mature approaches to multi-dimensional sound reproduction.

But height may not be as important as you (or Dolby) may think… [Read more…] about Dolby Atmos – Take Two

If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?

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Photo of money falling from the skyImagine for a moment that you won the lottery, or gained an inheritance, of a substantial amount of money…say, $100,000. How would you spend it? That was the intriguing question pollster Harris Interactive asked an online panel of U.S. Internet users. Would they buy a new car? Would they remodel their home to add a home theater? Would they buy a nice present for their spouse? Would they donate some or all of it to charity?

Think you know YOUR customer? Then you better check out this survey – the answers to the above scenario may surprise you. [Read more…] about If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?