SVC_Connected Home: Consumer Electronics Numbers Worse Than Predicted

Residential AV presents Connected Home

January 5, 2009 | A Penton Media Publication

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	Top Story: Residential AV

Consumer Electronics Numbers Worse Than Predicted
By Rebecca Day

With the International Consumer Electronics Show opening this week in Las Vegas, the electronics industry finds itself reeling from a punishing holiday sales season.
The numbers are in and they were worse than even the most pessimistic forecasts. Retail numbers released by MasterCard's SpendingPulse division show a 4 percent drop in holiday sales from last year, with electronics joining appliances, jewelry, and women's clothing among the holiday purchases faring the worst. Electronics sustained a 27 percent hit, with large-ticket items more than $1,000 suffering the most setbacks, according to the report. Even Internet sales took a dive, with e-retailers feeling the pain of their first negative returns following years of 15-20 percent holiday season sales gains. more>>

	Viewpoint: Connected Home

Coming Home to Windows Home Server, Part 13: Wake Up!
By Eric B. Rux

If you have used the remote access features of Windows Home Server (WHS), you know how handy it can be. Just a few months ago, I forgot an important file on my home PC that I needed for work. Before WHS, I would have had to drive all the way back home to copy it to a thumb drive. But with the super easy remote connectivity of Windows Home Server, I was able to copy my file securely over the Internet to my work PC in just a few minutes. However, this remote capability doesn’t do you any good if your home PC isn’t powered on! Until recently, your options were to call home in the hopes that someone could turn on your computer or drive back home. This month, I want to tell you about a free WHS Add-in that harnesses the power of Wake On Lan (WOL). more>>

	Installation News

An Opulent Family Theater

This theater was designed for the family to enjoy their time together watching movies and entertaining their friends at home. After our initial discussions with our client, we designed a room that would have an opulent feel while still enjoying high performance from their audio and video system. A 7.2 channel surround sound system was integrated into the front proscenium wall and rear ceiling paying special attention to accurate sound reproduction with discreet installation. Our company performed all design and theater fabrication including the finished carpentry trim work in the theater. Our design incorporated swivel seating for the front row and an inviting sofa with lounge for the rear. This design decision offers unobstructed movie viewing while still allowing casual face to face conversation during intermissions. more>>

	New Products

Projectiondesign To Amaze CES Visitors with Avielo DLP Home Cinema Projectors
projectiondesign invites discerning visitors at the upcoming International CES to experience mind-blowing performance by their new avielo home cinema DLP projector series in suite 31-133 at the Venetian Resort Hotel, Las Vegas.
At CES, projectiondesign will feature and demonstrate its top-of-the-line avielo optix single-chip projector with full HD 1080p resolution for screen sizes up to 180” diagonal. The optix features six lens options from the company’s premium hand-selected ‘Signature’ series for the best possible picture quality. The unit uses projectiondesign’s patented DuArch dual illumination architecture, ensuring optimum performance and extended lamp life. more>>

Salamander Designs Shows Stylish Black Graphite Finish For Premium Plasma and LCD TV Mounts

Salamander Designs has announced that its new premium flatpanel TV mounts will also be available in a sophisticated Black Graphite finish, at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show.
The new matte Black Graphite finish adds a designer-friendly and décor-friendly color to the company's TV mounts, and complements the Silver Aluminum finish initially offered and still available. It offers customers an expanded selection, and is available on models from all categories of Salamander Designs' new mounting products. more>>