by KMB Communications | Oct 25, 2023 | News
Designed to pair with short- and ultra-short-throw projectors, SI’s new Short Throw Lift is a functional solution for rooms lacking space for traditional projection systems.
AUSTIN, TX (October 25, 2023) — Fresh off the heels of numerous product introductions at CEDIA Expo 2023, Screen Innovations adds yet another motorized screen solution to its wide range of innovative assemblies and materials. The new Short Throw Lift addresses the growing need for large but discreet displays in smaller media rooms and corporate boardrooms.
Unlike traditional projection systems that require ample distance from the projector to the screen or work best in dark rooms, the pop-up laser TV sits just inches from a short-throw projector. SI has paired the Short Throw Lift with its award-winning 120-inch ambient light-rejecting screen (a 110-inch ALR screen is also available) for a complete turnkey laser TV system that combats glare from artificial and natural lighting to deliver a bright, crisp, well-defined image. Viewers can sit wherever they like—a 12-foot seating distance is recommended—without casting shadows on the screen. This makes the Short Throw Lift particularly useful for gaming, business presentations, and videoconferencing.
The Short Throw Lift also blends in with the room design. The laser TV rolls quietly and smoothly into the base of the unit and is concealed by a trap door when it’s not in use. The base can stand alone, be integrated into cabinetry, mounted to the wall, or tucked beneath the floor. Control options include a 12-volt trigger, infrared or SI’s new wireless Sub-Gig 485 RF transceiver, Pegasus.
“The big-screen experience has evolved dramatically over the past few years, transforming from a dark room where only movies are enjoyed to a multimedia experience that invites us to gather as a family and with friends to play video games, connect with others via Zoom, or simply watch TV together. People still want a big screen experience but may not have the room design for a long-throw projector,” says SI screen evangelist Blake Vackar. “Our Short Throw Lift gives integrators a great alternative to this common installation challenge. The lift is easy to integrate into any viewing environment, features our best ALR screen, and delivers stunning images up to 8K resolution.”
Integrators can pair the Short Throw Lift with an SI ALR screen their favorite short-throw or ultra-short-throw laser projector. Hidden handles enable the unit to be easily positioned according to the projector, viewing, and space requirements.
To learn more about SI’s Short Throw Lift and laser TV system, please visit https://www.screeninnovations.com/screen/short-throw-lift/
About Screen Innovations
Innovative shades & projection screens, making life beautiful, convenient & fun
Dedicated to developing the most innovative and design-forward projection screens, window coverings, and outdoor shading and screen solutions for home and corporate environments, Screen Innovations engineers and hand-builds every product it sells in its 75,000-square-foot factory in Austin, Texas. Always putting the customer first, SI listens, learns, and delivers a wide variety of design-forward products, services, and online tools. Committed to doing its part to limit the company’s impact on the environment, SI follows LEAN manufacturing principles and monitors production processes closely to minimize waste wherever possible. For more information about SI please visit screeninnovations.com and follow the company on social media platforms Facebook @screen innovations, Twitter @SIScreens, Instagram @siscreens, and LinkedIn screen-innovations.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, or more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
by KMB Communications | Oct 25, 2023 | Leon Speakers, News
With options for both the TrLS50 and TrLS Bollard, the Terra All-Weather Cover offers extreme protection and convenience in the harshest of environments.
[Ann Arbor, MI] – October 25, 2023 – Leon announces the release of a new optional accessory for its popular Terra LuminSound line of outdoor audio and lighting solutions. Created from recycled, ultra-durable synthetic sailcloth, the new Terra LuminSound All-Weather Cover helps protect and maintain Terra LuminSound products in even the harshest of environments, adding a new dimension of convenience, durability, and eco-consciousness to any outdoor audio setup.
Available in two sizes for both the Terra LuminSound TrLS50 and taller LuminSound Bollard, the Terra All-Weather Cover offers unparalleled protection during times when outdoor speakers and lighting may not be in active use. Featuring a convenient drawstring and added weighting at the bottom, the discreet cover ensures a secure fit, effectively shielding the speakers’ aluminum powder-coat finish from extended exposure to the elements.
While Leon’s ultra-durable and weatherproof Terra series is engineered to withstand diverse weather conditions for many years, this innovative cover provides an extra layer of defense, keeping an end user’s investment clean and pristine without sacrificing visual aesthetics. During periods of prolonged non-use, the cover will keep TrLS products in prime condition—eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Three Key Benefits:
Ensures any Terra LuminSound product remains in top-notch condition with minimal cleaning required, providing peace-of-mind during even the harshest of winters.
Protects speakers’ premium powder-coat finish while showcasing a commitment to sustainability with eco-conscious material.
Effortlessly integrates with Terra LuminSound’s discreet, elevated branding to provide end users with a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing audio setup.
About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to the AV industry by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For over 25 years, they have been a leader in the conversation on merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more on their website.
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Media Contact
Company Contact
Carolyn Ceccoli
Sales & Marketing Director at Leon Speakers
(734) 926-4092
[email protected]
by KMB Communications | Oct 12, 2023 | Kordz, News
In the next installment of Kordz’ popular Technology Demystified series, Kordz kicks off a four-part exploration of the evolution of HDMI technology, delving into the significance of each version of the ubiquitous yet easily misunderstood backbone of AV connectivity.
October 12, 2023– Since the first version of HDMI was introduced in the early 2000s, this technology has become ubiquitous in modern AV device connections. Seamlessly transmitting high-definition audio and video signals and supporting foundational technologies like ARC, HDCP, and CEC, it has played a pivotal role in the progression of the AV industry. Still, with each new iteration, HDMI becomes increasingly complex to comprehend.
To help AV integrators make sense of it all and better understand the progression of this ever-evolving connectivity solution, Kordz has authored a comprehensive, insightful guide to HDMI. The next article, ‘Demystifying HDMI: Understanding the Numbers’, delves into the significance of each version, starting by looking back at HDMI 1.0 and how it laid the groundwork for future versions including HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1.
This free guide covers the key features and capabilities supported by each version of HDMI. The thorough yet easily digestible resource leads readers through HDMI’s journey from the introduction of HDCP and 1080p enabled by HDMI 1.0 to 4K from HDMI 2.0 and 8K and beyond via HDMI 2.1. AV integrators can see where HDMI has been and where it’s heading to make better-informed choices.
“HDMI has undergone a remarkable transformation since its debut in 2002 thanks to the dedicated work of many pioneering leaders in our industry. With nearly 12 billion devices equipped with HDMI technology now shipped since the release of the first HDMI specification, its impact and prevalence has been nothing short of extraordinary,” says James Chen, Kordz Managing Director.
“Yet, more than twenty years later, many integrators can still be bamboozled by the terminology and technicalities of the different versions and have problems identifying which devices are correct for which job. As one of the brands that helped solve HDMI’s early connectivity woes, at Kordz we want to ensure AV integrators have all the facts to understand HDMI’s evolution and the significance of the HDMI version numbers they deal with today. This next chapter of our HDMI Demystified series provides a solid, detailed overview.”
In future chapters of the series, Kordz will cover additional aspects of HDMI, including the differences between HDMI cables, the endless alphabet soup of HDMI features, and HDMI certifications, so stay tuned.
To subscribe for the next installments, or for more information about Kordz, its comprehensive range of professional-grade connectivity products, and free integrator resources, please visit www.kordz.com.
About Kordz
Kordz’ professional-grade products are designed, engineered, and constructed to enable industry partners to focus on the big picture, not the little hurdles. The company’s extensive line of robust, fast, and effective cabling and networking components deliver the seamless interoperability and digital experiences today’s tech-savvy end-users expect and dramatically simplify deployment for systems integrators. By offering a wide range of professional cabling solutions backed by expert technical support, Kordz helps systems integrators around the globe meet the evolving cabling requirements of a wide range of residential and commercial environments. For more information about Kordz, please visit kordz.com and follow the company @kordzglobal on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications at +1-425-328-8640 or [email protected]
by KMB Communications | Oct 10, 2023 | Leon Speakers, News
The Leon Studio Frame’s contemporary profile, Sony-developed TV app, and integrated motion-and-light-sensor transform BRAVIA XR’s Ultra-HD display into a work of art.
[Ann Arbor, MI] – October 10, 2023 – Leon Speakers announced today the official release of the highly anticipated new Leon Studio Frame™ for BRAVIA XR. Pre-orders for this innovative new framing solution are now open to Leon dealers, with shipping expected to begin November 2023.
In an era where design-conscious individuals seek creative ways to elevate their living spaces, the demand for integrating TVs seamlessly into home aesthetics continues to rise. The Leon Studio Frame and exclusive Sony Art Frame Gallery app come together to transform the Sony BRAVIA XR TV’s breathtaking 4K HDR display into a beautifully framed work of art.
This newly unveiled Studio Frame is designed exclusively to work with the BRAVIA XR X93L Mini LED 4K Google TV in 65” and 75” class sizes, and attaches easily to the TV, presenting it as a modern piece of art. Each Studio Frame includes exclusive access to the Sony Art Frame Gallery app. Developed by Sony, the app includes a selection of 70 works of art from Sony’s Alpha photography collection and The National Gallery Collection of Paintings—along with an exclusive piece by Detroit-based artist Mike Han. Users are also able to upload additional images to the app for a more personalized touch.
The BRAVIA XR’s exceptional Ultra-HD resolution breathes life into each artwork, displaying them with impressive color, precision, and dimensionality, akin to a museum-quality experience. Its creative design not only discreetly conceals mounting and wiring behind the display but also incorporates passive ventilation.
The new Studio Frame is available to order in four premium designer finishes and can be effortlessly added to new Sony BRAVIA XR X93L 65” and 75” class TV installations or retrofitted onto existing ones of the same class without the need to remove the display from the wall.
“Our team has been designing and crafting simple, stylish ways to integrate technology into the design of a room for over 25 years,” says Leon founder and president Noah Kaplan. “The Studio Frame represents a new way for us to fulfill our mission of merging art with audio, and the Sony BRAVIA XR series provides the ultimate picture-perfect display to match our high-end craftsmanship and premium finish options.”
Programmable through the Sony Art Frame Gallery app, the TV will automatically display the user’s choice of art when powered off. In addition, Studio Frame’s built-in motion-and-light sensor can power the TV down when a room is vacated and back on again upon reentry—saving energy and creating a responsive, welcoming environment.
Together, the Leon Studio Frame and Sony BRAVIA XR series offer the perfect solution for users who value art, aesthetics, top-tier display quality, and a high-end fit and finish. The Leon Studio Frame pre-order is currently available exclusively to Leon dealers. To complement the Studio Frame’s artistic aesthetic, Leon will offer a soundbar with matching finish options as a part of its FrameBar series.
About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to the AV industry by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For over 25 years, they have been a leader in the conversation on merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more on their website.
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts
Agency Contact:
Katye McGregor Bennett
KMB Communications
(406) 446-1283
[email protected]
Company Contact:
Carolyn Ceccoli
Sales & Marketing Director at Leon Speakers
(734) 926-4092
[email protected]
by KMB Communications | Sep 20, 2023 | D-Tools, News
The first-ever D-Tools Market Health Report based on nearly 100,000 project proposals reveals an average 5.2% drop in revenues for integrators in first six months of 2023.
CONCORD, CA — September 20, 2023 — D-Tools, the leading provider of business management software for electronic systems contractors, today announced the publication of its first-ever industry health report titled the D-Tools 2023 Midyear Market Health Report. Going forward, Data by D-Tools’ reports will deliver timely, accurate, and actionable business intelligence to stakeholders in the residential systems, commercial AV, and commercial security industries on a regular basis.
The D-Tools 2023 Midyear Market Health Report examines several key metrics from the residential custom electronics industry for the first six months of 2023 versus the first half of last year. The data analyzed was extracted from nearly 100,000 project proposals created by integrators using D-Tools Cloud, the company’s comprehensive Software as a Service (SaaS) business management software. The research reveals that the average residential custom integration firm had revenues fall by an average of 5.2% in the first half of the year, with month-by-month tracking showing that the market is following a similar pattern to the overall U.S. economy.
“The D-Tools 2023 Midyear Market Health Report offers the industry a valuable snapshot of how the year is progressing to date in 2023 for both suppliers and integrators,” says Jason Knott, Data Solutions Architect & Evangelist, Data by D-Tools. “There are several interesting and somewhat surprising data points in the report.”
Among the other important metrics tracked in the report include average number of proposals, closing rate, and project size. Other data examines the product-versus-labor mix, the amount of value engineering taking place, and the top equipment categories installed.
“The industry’s rapid adoption of D-Tools Cloud enables D-Tools to deliver valuable insights that stakeholders – integrators, manufacturers, distributors, buying groups, etc. – can use to track key industry health markers and critical trends within the custom installation market,” says Randy Stearns, D-Tools CEO. “This 2023 D-Tools Midyear Market Health Report is the first installment of what will become a series of studies aimed at helping industry players adapt to changing market dynamics and plan for the future.”
Every report from Data by D-Tools will not only report findings, but also offer recommended actions that custom integrators can take based on the research. The 2023 Midyear Market Health Report is available as a free download in the Resource Center here.
About Data by D-Tools
Data by D-Tools extracts and analyzes aggregated anonymized data drawn from over 1,000 active integration companies using the award-winning D-Tools Cloud software. D-Tools Cloud tracks real project data in aggregate across multiple phases, including quoted, proposed, sold, ordered, and installed. Data by D-Tools aims to be the preeminent provider of objective, actionable industry information and insights for the electronic systems industry to foster critical decision-making that fuels market growth.
About D-Tools
D-Tools, Inc. is a leading provider of business management software for electronics systems contractors worldwide. For more than 25 years, D-Tools’ award-winning solutions have empowered thousands of low-voltage systems integrators to streamline their business operations for greater efficiency and improved profitability. Boasting an integrated product library complete with up-to-date specifications and unique dealer-specific pricing, the D-Tools Cloud and System Integrator™ (SI) platforms enable end-to-end management of the systems integration project lifecycle. From sales and system design through installation and ongoing service, D-Tools’ purpose-built software products ensure accurate detail that directly benefits the bottom line. For more information, visit www.d-tools.com.
Find product updates and related information by following D-Tools on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Company contact: Tim Bigoness, D-Tools, (925) 270-4102, [email protected]
Agency contact: Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications, (425) 328-8640, [email protected]
