At last month’s CEDIA Expo, we had the opportunity to meet Wilfried Van Baelen, the rather energetic, almost evangelistic, inventor of Auro-3D immersive surround sound technology. Van Baelen was quick to take credit for the concept of using speakers in the “z-axis” (height) to create a totally immersive surround experience. And he scoffed at the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X versions which miss the mark in several important ways, he tells us.
Industry Trends
CEDIA Expo Attendance Disappointingly Flat
This week, the Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) announced the attendance for this year’s just-completed Expo, which they say came in at 18,700 attendees with 510 exhibiting companies. This level of attendance means only 200 people more visited the 2015 Expo – or a paltry 1% over the Expo attendance last year of 18,500 – and is disappointingly flat in a year that many hoped would show growth.
See more of our analysis on Expo trends… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo Attendance Disappointingly Flat
CEDIA Starts with Some Interesting Stuff
We found some interesting stuff here at the start (and from the days leading up to the start) of CEDIA’s 2015 Expo. There was a lot to sift through, but what follows are some of the more interesting products and technologies we found at the start of the show – presented in no particular order.
See items of interest from the start of CEDIA Expo… [Read more…] about CEDIA Starts with Some Interesting Stuff
Needing Cash, Sharp Sells its Osaka Headquarters Building
Troubled Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp Corp. announced today that it will sell its headquarters building in Osaka, as well as an additional associated building, and the land they both stand on, in a bid to raise cash. The company says it sold the properties for ¥18.8 billion ($156.8 million) which will allow them to book a special gain of ¥14.8 billion in profit from the deal in their fiscal fourth quarter, the period ending March 2016.
See more on Sharp’s situation and this transaction… [Read more…] about Needing Cash, Sharp Sells its Osaka Headquarters Building
After 1-Year Delay, Artison Ships Pint-Sized Powerhouse
Artison announced last week the availability of a new freestanding subwoofer called the RCC Nano 1. This seemingly mighty miniature looked appealing on several fronts and we were curious to learn more. We read the release with interest…something about the Nano looked and sounded familiar to us. Then we remembered…we’ve seen it before!
See where we – and our loyal readers – saw the remarkable Artison Nano before… [Read more…] about After 1-Year Delay, Artison Ships Pint-Sized Powerhouse
Stressing the Industry, LCD Panel Prices Collapse 10% in 2015
In a sign of continuing struggles in the TV business, reports out of Japan indicate that LCD panel prices continue to decline. So far in 2015, the average price of LCD panels have dropped 10%…and show no sign of slowing down.
See what’s driving the decline in sales of LCD panels… [Read more…] about Stressing the Industry, LCD Panel Prices Collapse 10% in 2015
SpringDeck Appoints Staub Electronics as Rep for Canada
SpringDeck announced today that it has appointed Staub Electronics as its representative for the Canadian market. Staub is both a sales representative firm and a specialty distributor and covers the entirety of Canada in both the custom integration and mobile electronics markets.
Learn more about SpringDeck and Staub Electronics…
[Read more…] about SpringDeck Appoints Staub Electronics as Rep for Canada
Hi-Res Audio: On the Fast-Track or Stuck in the Mud?
As we mentioned in our CE Week overview, the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) held a panel discussion on the current status of the high-resolution audio market (Hi-Res Audio) much like they did last year. It was conducted in much the same way, with essentially the same panel (minus any supporting hardware manufacturers) and, with a couple of exceptions, covered pretty much the same ground.
So where is Hi-Res Audio at? Read on… [Read more…] about Hi-Res Audio: On the Fast-Track or Stuck in the Mud?
Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
New York City in June sees temperatures rise in response to the onset of summer and also, hopefully, in response to the launch of the hottest new technologies being shown at CE Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building exposition spaces in Manhattan. We awaited this year’s edition with great anticipation as it occurs in the wake of a major change in the show’s backers – and is the follow-up to the surprisingly meaningful show last year.
What were the changes, and how did the show go? You’ll have to read on… [Read more…] about Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
Instead of a Wave, Tidal Turns into a Tempest in a Teapot; Another CEO Exits
Tidal Music Service has, for the second time in only a matter of months, dismissed its CEO. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Tidal has dismissed interim chief executive Peter Tonstad who held the position for only about three months. In a statement, they thanked Tonstad for his service.
