Crestron formally announced today (Wednesday) the details on the 2021 iteration of its famous Crestron Masters training event, a highly popular deep-dive training initiative offered to “the AV industry’s premier programmers, designers, and salespeople.” All the cool kids will be there, and you should be too. See more below…
Integrators
Savant Integrator Summit Celebrates 2020 & Kicks Off 2021 with Big Ideas
At the end of January, Savant held their popular annual Integrator Summit – its 15th summit ever…but its first such summit held online as a virtual one. In a Zoom meeting with industry media following the summit, President J.C. Murphy recapped the event which is held privately with only Savant integrators in the room.
Savant had a lot to talk about.
See more on the Savant 2021 Integrator Summit…
[Read more…] about Savant Integrator Summit Celebrates 2020 & Kicks Off 2021 with Big IdeasVanco Expands Evolution Line with New Matrix Switchers & 4K Receivers
Vanco International, a brand historically known largely for cables and accessories, continues their recent-history expansion of mission-critical integration solutions and overall A/V products. The company is displaying an uncommon level of savvy in design and in solution targeting, as management clearly has designs on expanding their impact in the industry.
See more on these new Vanco solutions…
[Read more…] about Vanco Expands Evolution Line with New Matrix Switchers & 4K ReceiversJudge Approves Reorg Plan by AVDG Parent Guitar Center
Company to Exit Bankruptcy Soon
The judge hearing the matter of the bankruptcy filing of Guitar Center, Inc., parent company of custom integration company Audio Visual Design Group (AVDG), has accepted the organization’s plan to reorganize operations in order to emerge from bankruptcy. With this move by the court, the stage has been set for Guitar Center to exit from bankruptcy proceedings soon, perhaps any day now.
See what the court’s action means for Guitar Center & AVDG…
[Read more…] about Judge Approves Reorg Plan by AVDG Parent Guitar CenterAnnual CEDIA State of the Association Report Includes Some Drama
Nearly 600 Members Leave the Association in 2020
CEDIA held their annual State of the Association report for members today and, as usual, it was a well produced, glitzy affair more bent on selling the organization to all who choose to watch and listen. The Master of Ceremonies was Giles Sutton – no surprise for anyone aware of some of the inside actions taking place at the highly political organization. Sutton is the interim co-CEO of the trade group. But is it a trade group? Or is it something else altogether?
Learn more about what CEDIA said in their Annual Report to members…
[Read more…] about Annual CEDIA State of the Association Report Includes Some Drama2020 Intros Continue w/Crestron Home Audio Conferencing & Control Solution
An Optimal Mix of Quality, Utility & Ease-of-Use for the Residential User
Just about seven weeks ago, Strata-gee told you about Crestron’s cool new TS-70R touch screen which was solidly built, exceptionally attractive for either a residential or small office setting, and provided a great control solution for the Crestron Home operating system. Now, Crestron continues their Crestron Home-specific product launches with another new product – the MM30-R Crestron Home Audio Conferencing and Control Solution.
You’re going to want to know about this new Crestron solution…
[Read more…] about 2020 Intros Continue w/Crestron Home Audio Conferencing & Control SolutionRega Appoints The Sound Organisation as Its Canadian Distributor
High end audio manufacturer Rega Research has appointed The Sound Organisation as its authorized distributor for Canada. Based in Arlington, Texas, The Sound Organisation is a well-known distributor of fine high-end, high-performance specialty audio brands and has been Rega’s U.S. distributor for two decades.
Learn more about Rega’s appointment of The Sound Organisation for Canada…
[Read more…] about Rega Appoints The Sound Organisation as Its Canadian DistributorEVA Automation Escapes Forced Bankruptcy; But Shuts Down Anyway
EVA Admits ‘Financial Distress’ & A Business ‘Wind Down’
EVA Automation, the now former owner of Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) dodged a bullet when late last month U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, the Honorable Hannah L. Blumenstiel, entered an order dismissing the involuntary petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy brought against them by Top Victory Investments Limited (whose attorneys use the acronym TPV). With that decision, a forced bankruptcy was avoided. However, as court records clearly demonstrate, the company did feel some pain as a result of this filing, and according to their attorneys were in the process of conducting an orderly shut down of the business.
Not only that, but we learn much more about EVA Automation‘s relationship with Bowers & Wilkins – and their degraded circumstances based largely on the failure of their Formation wireless speaker line marketed under the B&W brand.
Learn more about EVA Automation’s situation…
[Read more…] about EVA Automation Escapes Forced Bankruptcy; But Shuts Down AnywayJosh.ai Offers Glitzy Launch of Interesting New Products
On Tuesday, specialty voice control supplier Josh.ai held an event they called their “keynote” which turned out to be a very professionally produced video presentation of a significant product launch for the company. In this presentation, the company Founder and CEO Alex Capecelatro shared his thoughts on smart home technologies, including the thought that smaller is better when it comes to smart home devices.
And with that, Capecelatro introduced their new Nano and Core products.
Learn more about Josh.ai Nano and Core…
[Read more…] about Josh.ai Offers Glitzy Launch of Interesting New ProductsCEDIA Propel: Member Benefit? Or Quasi-Buying Group?
Last week, CEDIA announced their CEDIA Propel initiative, said to be a new “Affinity Program” designed to offer members a new kind of benefit. The announcement caught my eye almost immediately because this program is unlike other other affinity program with which I’m familiar. Typically such programs offer members benefits such as special pricing on health insurance or discounts on UPS shipping and the like. In this case, CEDIA is recommending technology brands who offer discount programs to CEDIA members on their products.
To me, this sounded at least a little bit like the kind of service provided by a buying group.