Capitol, the distribution source for residential systems and light commercial contractors, as well as CE dealers, is featuring its latest smarthome line at CEDIA.
Home controls that fall under the IoT banner are a key component of Capitol’s display, with Nest products featured alongside Works with Nest components that give homeowners easy access to security, lighting, and more through the Nest app. A featured Works with Nest selection includes Ring’s line of advanced technology video doorbells, Capitol said, as well as Schlage and August locks.
“We see the [show] as a time to celebrate the age of the IoT,” said Curt Hayes, Capitol president and chief financial officer. “Trends and capabilities have grown at a near-exponential rate over the past year, and we’re keeping lock step with a mix that represents the most lucrative products that tap into the profit potential of the connected home, from entertainment to controls, security, and the accessories that keep a robust network functioning with maximum efficiency.”
Capitol’s CEDIA collection of home video products are highlighted by the latest, most in-demand models from LG and TCL, both of which are represented by new 4K consumer models. In addition, LG Commercial is exhibiting commercial displays that bring smart-TV benefits to commercial spaces.
Capitol is also highlighting its Ultra HD/4K Premium HDMI cables. The cable offers 18Gbps bandwidth, with simultaneous dual video streams and a variety of audio capabilities, including Dolby/True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and compressed audio. The Capitol-brand premium HDMI cables support refresh rates up to 240Hz, high dynamic range, and 32 audio channels, with 1,536 kHz audio sampling frequency.
Every show attendee who has a badge scanned at Capitol’s booth will be given a free 1-meter premium HDMI cable as a thank-you gift for stopping by.
The audio category will once again feature multiroom Heos by Denon, which brings audio to any room in the home by connecting via Bluetooth or an existing Wi-Fi network through the Heos app. Also on hand will be the latest entries from Pioneer, Onkyo and KEF.
Electrocompaniet Marna
Designed to offer the convenience of a streamer and loudspeaker in single product solutions for in-wall and in-ceiling installations, the Marna is positioned as part of a future-ready platform for audio and video distribution. The system, part of the company’s EC Living brand, handles one to 7.1 speakers, and supports HD streaming via Wi-Fi or LAN. It comes in six models with pricing ranging from $375 to $999, and is scalable up to an unlimited number of speakers and rooms. All have full offering of back boxes, anti-vibration technology, a 1-inch dome tweeter, and either a 5.25- or 6.5-inch midrange. Grille shape options include round, square and rectangle. They will be available November.
Tranformative Engineering UHX-1
Part of the company’s first devices in its 4K A/V-IP platform, the UHX-1 Professional HDMI2.0 extender and IP distribution solution features 4K over 10G IP, HDR support, video wall processing and video tiling. It also supports HDMI 2.0, DP1.2, USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, IR, RS232, Audio Take-off, ARC and optical path. The device also promises zero latency and fast switching. Pricing will be available at CEDIA.
Fortress Home-Theater Seating
Fortress Seating chairs, sofas and sectionals are geared toward luxury-minded consumers and are built to order in the United States. Every model can be customized and outfitted with a number of features, options and accessories, including motorized head and foot rests, height-adjusting seat backs, pocket arms, cup holders, USB ports and power outlets, and touchscreen mounts. Other options include beverage coolers, safes, lighted cup holders, tray tables, as well as custom fabrics, finishes, specialized hides and color matching. The company’s Smart Chair Technology is designed to seamlessly interact with home automation and control systems; for example, when a consumer sits in a specific seat, the lights will dim and the shades will lower as the screen drops into place. Pricing info will be available at CEDIA.
Emotiva RMC-1
The company, which is exhibiting at CEDIA for the first time, will demo its RMC-1 A/V processor. Able to support 4K Ultra HD video and Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio, the RMC-1 features 16 channels with an all-analog preamplifier section, 32-bit AD/DA conversion and a 4K UHD video-management system. It has eight HDMI inputs, and dual HDMI outputs support 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound (7.3.6 channels) is available, with a decoded audio signal for each channel that is processed by a separate AKM Verita 32-bit DAC. Support is also provided for native audio decoding of single- and double-rate DSD digital audio signals, said Emotiva, accepted from either HDMI or USB sources. Auro 3D is supported with an optional license. It has a $4,999 suggested retail.
Yamaha R-N303 network Hi-Fi stereo receiver
It has been 63 years since the Yamaha Hi-Fi Player, the world’s first audio component bearing the “Hi-Fi” name, was released in 1954, and Yamaha has leveraged those six decades of experience into its new Yamaha R-N303 network Hi-Fi stereo receiver. The R-N303 connects to a wide array of legacy and modern music sources ranging from networked computers, online music-streaming services, mobile devices as well as legacy components such as turntables and CD players. The R-N303 also features Yamaha MusicCast wireless multi-room technology that distributes music throughout a house to other MusicCast-enabled products controlled wirelessly from a mobile app. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, DLNA and Ethernet. Through Wi-Fi and Ethernet, the receiver also connects to a broad selection of music-streaming services, including Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, TIDAL, and thousands of free internet radio stations. DLNA provides the ability to access music on networked PCs, network attached storage devices and DLNA-enabled mobile devices. AirPlay allows Wi-Fi connections to Apple mobile devices and iTunes music libraries on computers. High-resolution formats supported include 192kHz/24-bit FLAC, WAV and AIFF and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD. For legacy sources, a dedicated phono input is available for a turntable. An optical input and a coaxial input deliver digital connections to CD players, Blu-ray Disc players, and TVs. The receiver also includes an FM/AM tuner and an amplifier with maximum output of 140 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
Samsung UBD-M9700 4K UHD Blu-ray Player
Samsung Electronics is incorporating Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) software into its technology to simplify integration with Control4 automation systems. The integration, coupled with Control4 Certified driver support for the entire 2017 4K UHD TV lineup and the new UBD-M9700 4K UHD Blu-ray player, is integral to Samsung’s position in the connected home. The Control4 Certified drivers produce lightning-fast response times for consumers with little to no lag and full access to the Samsung Smart Hub Command List. Customers no longer need a separate digital media device for access to leading streaming services. Additionally, SDDP makes it simple for installers to add devices to Control4 projects by automatically identifying and downloading the latest Control4 Certified driver. These functionalities will be presented with an over-the-network firmware update to activate them on QLED Series, MU Series, The Frame TV and the new player. The new player will have a similat from factor to its predecessor, the BD-M9500, pictured here.
Onkyo TX-8260 Network Stereo Receiver
Onkyo’s TX-8260 combines Wide Range Amplification Technology with universal network streaming and multi-room audio over 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, along with Hi-Res Audio playback, digital inputs for TV/BD/CD, USB Audio, and a discrete MM phono equalizer. Digital connectivity is joined by six gold-plated line-level inputs, Zone 2 pre-/line output, and Bluetooth wireless technology. Network and multi-room audio support includes Chromecast built-in, FireConnect powered by Blackfire, and DTS Play-Fi technology; Spotify, TIDAL, Pandora, Deezer, and TuneIn music streaming services; and house-wide playback management via the Onkyo Controller app for iOS and Android devices. Chromecast built-in allows users to stream any music effortlessly. Playback is controlled with popular Chromecast-enabled apps from an iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop, or Chromebook. TX-8260 also works with the Google Assistant. Multi-room capability goes further with FireConnect to mirror network and analog sources connected to the receiver, such as vinyl records playing in the main listening space, on FireConnect-ready speakers in other rooms. DTS Play-Fi technology enables streaming from online services, media server, or device library over Wi-Fi to any number of compatible products via the Onkyo Music Control App for iPad, iPhone, and Android phone/tablet. DTS Play-Fi connects systems for synchronized music in every room, and can stream different music to different rooms from the same device.
Josh Micro
Josh.ai’s Josh Micro is a new hardware platform combining a home control processor, far-field microphone array, and streamlined user interface — all in a package that fits in the palm of your hand. Built specifically for the custom integration channel, Josh Micro uses far-field voice detection and artificial intelligence to unify home technology and redefine how users interact with their home. The goal of system redundancy in mind, each Josh Micro is a full control system creating a network of multiple devices throughout the home. By changing the design model from one processor in the home to one processor per room, Josh Micro offers what its believes is a highly scalable business model for dealers. Each Josh Micro ships preloaded with Josh automation software, instantly connecting to the home’s network and automatically discovering connected devices. Integrators can configure a Josh system without custom programming, making installs among the fastest in the industry, according to the company. Josh integrates with Crestron, Control4, Lutron, Sonos, Autonomic, Nest, Chamberlain, Aprilaire, and Sony, and Josh voice commands are natural, utilizing technologies such as anaphora (memory), compound commands, and audio and video deep-linking.
