Current Technology

Crestron announced recently that it has increased the warranty period on commercial lighting projects from three years to eight years. Backed by the strength and stability of Crestron, the new eight year factory warranty gives building owners greater insurance and protection of their commercial lighting investment.

The eight year protection plan increases the current three-year warranty coverage that was already one of the strongest offered. The average industry warranty is currently one to two years. The extended warranty covers all Crestron commercial lighting products used in any commercial lighting installation. Projects must be commissioned by a certified Crestron lighting dealer, CAIP (Crestron Authorized Independent Programmer) or Crestron field technician.

“We wouldn’t offer a guarantee of this magnitude if we weren’t completely confident that our commercial lighting systems were the most reliable available today,” explains Mike Malone, Crestron Director of Commercial Lighting. “Precision engineering and the highest quality of all our integrated lighting systems are the most important things to both our customers and for Crestron, and our new extended warranty completely supports that focus.”

“Knowing that Crestron is committed to supporting the lighting controls, software and associated equipment, not only at installation but for an extended period of time, gives the installer and end-user an unprecedented level of comfort,” says engineer Andy Maurin of Pensacola-based Dell Consulting LLC.

Adding to its stronger warranty offering, an expansive commercial lighting training initiative is underway at the Crestron Technical Institute. The professional certification program will build the industry’s largest network of certified field support technicians and integrators. This vast network of trained commercial lighting specialists provides further assurance to both dealers and end-user customers that any system issue will be resolved completely and promptly.

Certified Crestron lighting specialists possess the expertise and skills required to troubleshoot, program, replace and resolve any Crestron commercial lighting system or product on an integrated Crestron lighting platform.

“As a design professional, it’s critical to develop client confidence in the lighting controls utilized on their project,” adds Maurin. “The level of sophistication involved with today’s lighting control designs and the associated equipment intimidates the average installer and end user, and Crestron’s eight-year warranty alleviates that anxiety.”

For more information on Crestron Commercial Lighting solutions, please visit: Crestron Commercial Lighting

Lutron Electronics wants homeowners and business owners alike to better understand the energy-saving benefits of using its dimmers, sensors, appliance controls and automated shading systems. To that end, Lutron is pleased to announce the launch of a national, energy-saving awareness campaign with an aggressive goal: to get every home in the United States to replace two light switches with energy-saving dimmers.

Lutron is taking its message to millions of homes in America by way of four, 30-second TV commercials, which will air nationally on the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) and Do It Yourself (DIY) networks now through early 2011. The commercials feature Lutron’s new C·L (for use with dimmable CFLs and LEDs) and eco-dim® dimmer collections, which, when used in a home, can save up to $50* and $30**, respectively, in energy savings, per dimmer, per year.

Additionally, Lutron will unveil its new energy-saving website (www.LutronSavesEnergy.com) to coincide with the launch of the commercials. The site is full of educational tips, ideas and tools for incorporating energy-saving Lutron products throughout a home and office.

“Lutron has been committed to saving energy since 1961,” said Chris Murray, senior vice-president of Lutron’s residential solutions business. “In fact, we estimate the installed base of our products already saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. This latest campaign is our most coordinated effort yet to educate the public on the many energy-saving benefits of Lutron products.

”Lutron estimates that by installing two dimmers in place of two standard light switches in every home in the US, the potential annual savings could be $1.2 billion in electricity and close to 25 billion pounds of CO2—the equivalent to taking more than one million cars off the road.

“This is the kind of initiative in which everyone can play a part and make a difference,” said Murray. “Lutron dimmers start at $7 apiece, making them an affordable and stylish update to a home.”

In conjunction with the TV commercials and the new website, Lutron will be continuing its nationwide Mobile Experience Center (MXC) tour. Launched in the fall of 2009, the 43’ long MXC offer visitors a first-hand experience and education of Lutron’s energy-saving products, ranging from single-light dimmers, through whole-house systems and automated shades.

The MXC features dozens of Lutron products and solutions displayed in several residential vignettes, offering visitors a true, first-hand experience of using the products. In early 2011, the MXC will be making stops in Orlando, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Southern California, parts of New Mexico, Denver, Kansas City and St. Louis.

“Between the TV commercials, our print advertising, the new energy website and the MXC, we’ll be engaging tens of millions of homeowners and helping them make educated decisions about ways to save energy in their homes,” said Murray.

About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures lighting controls and automated window treatments for residential and commercial applications. Lutron products save energy and make light bulbs last longer, making them an eco-friendly addition to the home and office. Lutron estimates that each year, the installed base of its products saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs. That’s the equivalent output of several large coal or nuclear-fired power plants.

*$50 savings based on replacing a switch with a Lutron C•L dimmer and replacing your incandescent bulbs with dimmable CFLs. Actual savings may vary depending on use and application. A high percentage of the savings derive from switching from the incandescent to the CFL. Typical residential savings are estimated to be $22 per year. Stated savings of $50 based on replacing (5) 65 W incandescent reflector lamps (rated at 1,500 hours each, costing $1.75 per lamp or (5) 3,000 hour halogen bulbs costing $3.35 per lamp) with (5) 16 W CFL reflector lamps (rated at 8,000 hours each, costing $11.49 per lamp) and dimming for 5 hrs per day with electricity cost of $0.1176/kWh. $50 savings further assumes lamps are dimmed to 50% perceived light level, corresponding to 40% reduction in power level.

**$30 savings based on replacing a switch with a Lutron dimmer. Actual savings may vary depending on use and application. Typical residential savings are estimated to be $8 per year. Stated savings of $30 based on dimming (5) 65 W incandescent reflector lamps (rated at 1,500 hours each, costing $1.75 per lamp or (5) 3,000 hour halogen bulbs costing $3.35 per lamp) for 5 hours per day with electricity cost of $0.1176/kWh. $30 savings further assumes lamps are dimmed to 50% perceived light level, corresponding to 40% reduction in power level.

Integra has introduced two mid-priced, 7.2-channel, THX Select 2 Plus certified, network audio-video receivers, the DTR-50.2 and DTR-40.2. As the premier manufacturer of a/v receivers for custom installers and systems integrators, Integra has designed each of these to function as the control center and audio powerhouse of a sophisticated home theater and home audio entertainment system.

The Integra DTR-50.2 and DTR-40.2 each have seven 3D-Ready HDMI 1.4a inputs and dual simultaneously active outputs. They can support a wide range of AV sources and delivering those signals to state of the art video displays, including 3D systems. HDMI 1.4a also supports the ultimate in lossless digital audio via Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, plus Audio Return Channel and HDMI Thru.

These receivers are well equipped with the latest audio processing from Audyssey, Dolby, DTS, and THX. Both receivers also support the added height dimension of Dolby Pro Logic IIz and height or width expansion provided by Audyssey DSX. They provide automated room-set-up using Audyssey MultEQ advanced room equalizer, and for those who sometimes play their systems low volume levels, there is Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ.

The Integra DTR-50.2 and DTR-40.2 support legacy audio and video technologies with a wide array of digital audio, analog component video, analog audio, and even phonograph inputs. The two receivers both upscale HDMI sources to 1080p using Faroudja DCDi Cinema processing. The DTR-50.2 also has ISFccc Certified Calibration Controls to support individual color calibration for all video inputs.

These receivers include extensive audio networking and Internet radio capabilities using built-in Ethernet and USB interfaces. These connections are also used for firmware updates, and the USB interface ensures these models are ‘Made for iPod/iPhone.’ Both systems are certified for Windows 7 and DLNA Version 1.5. Internet Radio connectivity is configured for the popular commercial portals, Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, Napster, Mediafly, Slacker, and vTuner.

Like all Integra products, these include extensive custom integration features, with bi-directional Ethernet and RS232 interfaces, powered Zone 2, Zone 2/3 preouts for the DTR-50.2 and Zone 2 lineout on the DTR-40.2. Both receivers have three programmable triggers, two IR inputs and one output, and lockable dealer settings. Both systems are Sirius Satellite and HD Radio Ready, and have 40 AM/FM/Sirius radio presets.

The Integra DTR-50.2 and DTR-40.2 are now available with suggested retail prices of $1,400 and $1,000 respectively.

Integra designs and manufactures premium Home Theater receivers, processors, amplifiers, and DVD players that are specifically designed to meet the needs of custom audio/video systems installers. Systems integration and convergence technology protocols include RS-232, IR and on-board Ethernet for network connectivity and TCP/IP control. Integra has access to vast technical resources and bears a proud heritage of over 60 years of audio engineering excellence. For more information about Integra and its many fine products, visit www.integrahometheater.com or call 800 225-1946.

Torrance, CA – Stewart Filmscreen Corporation®, industry leader in precision projection screen technologies for the residential and commercial markets, announces Silver 5D (3D + 2D), an innovative fabric that offers industry leading passive 3D polarization while maintaining outstanding performance for 2D sources. It preserves the performance of Stewart’s leading Silver 3D fabric while improving uniformity, reducing hot spotting and offers a significantly wider viewing cone than previously available or competitive fabrics. Available in seamless sizes up to 40″ x 90″, Stewart plans to roll out this new hybrid 5D fabric over the next quarter with fixed frame units available the fourth quarter of 2010. MicroPerforated Silver 5D products are planned for the first quarter of 2011.

Stewart has applied a huge effort in R&D in developing an improved polarization preserving screen technology with reduced artifacts that allows a single screen material to function more adequately with non-polarized 2D projected source material. Stewart is now bringing the fruits of the effort to market in the Silver 5D.

The Silver 5D material has been designed to be compatible with Stewart’s CineCurve, Directors Choice masking systems and all other premium Stewart fixed mounting systems. Suggested retail of a typical application of the Silver 5D that includes a ten-foot wide 2.4:1 CineCurve with 2-way AcoustiMask system with MicroPerfing will be $19,799.00.

About Stewart Filmscreen
Stewart Filmscreen is the world’s premier projection-screen manufacturer for both the commercial and residential markets. A family-owned business, Stewart Filmscreen maintains the highest standards in screen design and craftsmanship offering the widest selection of application specific materials in seamless sizes up to 90″. In fact, each screen is handmade. Founded in 1947, Stewart Filmscreen has grown from a small business to an international one, with offices in Denmark and Singapore, in addition to two in the United States, including a manufacturing facility in Ohio and their headquarters in So. California. More information on Stewart Filmscreen Corporation is available at www.stewartfilmscreen.com.

SUNNYVALE, CA – December 2, 2010 - Kaleidescape, Inc., creator of the movie server product category, today announced the availability of Cinema One, an out-of-the-box DVD movie server that provides hassle-free, instant viewing and management of an entire movie collection. As the company’s first system priced below $5,000 US MSRP, Cinema One brings the award-winning Kaleidescape experience to a broader set of customers. It also meets the needs of young children by automatically switching to a simplified user interface when the Child Remote is used.

“Our dealers and customers have been asking for a simple-to-install Kaleidescape System,” said Michael Malcolm, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Kaleidescape. “The Cinema One makes it possible for many more customers to enjoy the richness of the Kaleidescape experience.”

“The Cinema One is the perfect system for families because DVDs offer the broadest selection of children’s content,” said Leonard Bellezza, President of Lyric HiFi & Video, a leading high-end audio video custom integrator in New York City for over 51 years. “With the Child Remote, even a toddler can find his own programs, and when he presses play, it starts instantly without trailers, advertisements, and menus.”

Offered at $4,995 US MSRP, Cinema One is a single component movie server capable of storing 225 DVDS or 2,500 CDs – yet installs as easily as an ordinary DVD player. Cinema One is based on and replaces the Kaleidescape Mini System, and is ideal for the retail market because it eliminates the need for storage configuration.

Key Benefits

• Instant Viewing – Press play and any movie, concert, or television episode starts instantly, without the frustration of having to physically locate the disc, navigate confusing menus, or sit through advertisements. Easily browse and sort an entire collection by title, actor, director, genre, year-of-release, or running time.
• Kid Friendly – Even toddlers can find and play their own movies, and parents have complete control over available content.
• Simple Installation – Installs easily by connecting power, the Internet, and a television display. With the included Kaleidescape Remote and Child Remote, Cinema One is ready for immediate use.
• Independent Music Zones – Includes two independent music zones, enabling a movie to be watched in one room while music is enjoyed in other parts of the home.
• Effortless Expansion – For more storage or to share movies with another TV, simply add another Cinema One or a Kaleidescape player to the home network. In fact, any Kaleidescape component works seamlessly with the Cinema One.

About Kaleidescape
Kaleidescape designs and manufactures the world’s leading movie servers, bringing lifestyle convenience to families with young children and movie enthusiasts. The Kaleidescape System, renowned for its intuitive user interface, presents your entire collection of movies on any TV in your home, and provides a rich, cinematic experience for the entire family. Kaleidescape’s innovative products and services are protected by over 50 patents issued and pending. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Kaleidescape sells its movie servers through custom installation dealers and distributors throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.kaleidescape.com.

We’re proud to be a full-service Crestron dealer because of the superb quality of their products and innovative approach to control systems.  However, we’re also proud to partner with a company that generously gives back to those soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much in service to their country.  Below is an article detailing the home theater Crestron donated to the Wounded Warrior Detachment in Hawaii, servicing injured Marines and their families as they recover from injuries sustained in overseas combat.

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Crestron hosted the fifth Eagles Program dedication ceremony last month at the Wounded Warrior Detachment Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. A new home theater was unveiled in the building lounge and recreation room to provide comfort and entertainment for America’s heroes recovering from injuries sustained during combat overseas. The Crestron Eagles Program was conceived by Crestron President George Feldstein to honor the service and sacrifice of our wounded warriors returning home from battle.

The Wounded Warrior Detachment Hawaii provides and facilitates assistance to WII Marines, Sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members, throughout the phases of care. The facility provides family support, assistance with individual Comprehensive Transition Plans (CTP), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outreach education and job transition plans. Last month’s ceremony was an uplifting experience for all who participated.

Attending the ceremonial ribbon cutting were Colonel James Bierman Jr., Sergeant Major Paul McKenna, Colonel Robert Rice, Sergeant Major James Sutton, Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Price, Master Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Carrillo, Pete Baca, Jr., USMC Ret., Crestron National Government Sales Manager and Jerry Wagner, Crestron Director of Government Strategic Accounts.

“Crestron is honored and privileged to give America’s heroes a token of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” said Pete Baca, Jr., Crestron National Government Sales Manager. “We hope that our donation will make their time here more comfortable.”

Baca presented Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Price with a gold engraved plaque dedicating the theater. Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Price cut the ceremonial red, white and blue ribbon to officially open the new “Home Away From Home Theater.”

“We want to thank Crestron for giving us this very generous gift,” said Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Price. “The generous donation from Crestron will help improve morale among the Marines, assist recreation therapy events and serve as a media source for presentations from staff and other visiting guests.”

The installation would not have been possible without the donations and efforts of industry partners. AVI-SPL installed the system and handled all the programming, and other vendor partners who kindly gave the necessary equipment: Marshall Furniture (custom entertainment center), Triad (speakers and stands) and Velodyne (sub-woofer). Crestron donated an Adagio® home theater system, CEN-HPRFGW (2-way RF wireless transceiver/gateway), CEN-IDOCV-PWE-W (Interface for iPod®), TPS-6X touchpanel, 52″ HD LCD display and Blu-ray player. AVI-SPL’s Tom Corzine, John Sublett and John Miles attended the event, along with Pete Baca, Jr. and Jerry Wagner from Crestron. The young men and women receiving treatment and recovering at the Wounded Warrior Detachment Hawaii- and their families – have to adjust to injuries, therapy and living without the familiarity of home and old friends. The new theater provides hours of fun and entertainment, and are a source of motivation to gather and socialize.

Photo Caption: (Left to Right) Master Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Carrillo, Gunnery Sgt. Gene Collins, Cpl. Bradley Herold and Lt. Col. Gregory Price and Jerry Wagner from Crestron officially open the new “Home Away From Home Theater” at the Wounded Warrior Detachment Hawaii on October 29th.

We remain saddened by the profound loss being experienced throughout our region due to the recent flooding here in Tennessee.  We encourage everyone who is able to help to do so.  Here is a great link on the Nashvillest blog with information about how to help.  It provides information about donating money, food, supplies, and time.  We have also provided a link to the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross on our website.  Here it is again:

PLEASE HELP TENNESSEE’S FLOOD VICTIMS.
Make a donation directly to the Middle TN Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Despite the devastation and loss, we remain encouraged by the strength, resilience, and spirit of our community.  Please join us in doing whatever you can to help our community in this time of need.

We are very pleased to announce that Current Technology is now carrying a full line of Integra home theater components.  As experienced home theater enthusiasts know, Integra makes some of the most powerful, reliable, and intelligently designed products in our industry.  The company speaks to their values better than we ever could:

“We’re out to design and create components that set new standards for system integration, upgrade capability and multi-zone expansion. So to say that Integra is a premium audio video line is an understatement-world-class components are our lives.”

We’re glad to say that Integra lives up to their own self description.  Check out their website for more information about the company.  Or, better yet, feel free to call or email us to find out more about Integra’s world-class DVD players (including Blu-Ray), CD players, receivers, amplifiers, tuners, and other components.

We are very proud to announce that one of our favorite projects from 2008 was awarded a “Best Home Theater Finalist” designation by Electronic House magazine.  Below is an excerpt from an article written by Electronic House.  You can also click here for the full article.

Home of the Year Awards 2009

24-Terabyte Theater Showcases Massive Video Library

Mega storage lets this movie buff keep growing his huge DVD collection, with 2.35:1 video and high-performance Monitor Audio surround system.

July 14, 2009 | by Lisa Montgomery

Measuring just 15 feet wide and 19 feet long, this home theater may be on the small side, but the size of the owners’ movie collection is anything but tiny. More than 2,000 movies are already stored digitally in the 24-terabyte Kaleidescape media server, some of which are films with scores written for, or produced by the owner’s two sons.

Still, with so much available space on the server, the owner can’t help but add at least a dozen more weekly—just one of the benefits of being a member of two mail-order DVD stores, says Steve Hooper, president of Audio Video Design Consultants, the Nashville-based firm hired to transform a spare upper-level guest room into a theater worth more than $250,000.

Films aren’t the only type of video stored on the server, however. There’s plenty of room for the owners’ extensive array home movies as well as trailers that he created himself. It’s a quick trip to the theater from his video editing station, which sits just behind the theater in a home office closed off by a door.

Bedrooms reside on the other side of the hall, so Audio Video Design Consultants covered the walls and ceiling entirely with two-inch-thick acoustical paneling to prevent the sound from seeping out—quite an accomplishment given the theater’s audio prowess. Seven Monitor Audio speakers and two subwoofers, driven by Lexicon processors and amps can really shake the room, says Hooper.

Proud of their son’s accomplishments, it only seemed fitting that the owners would present them on the biggest screen the room could hold (illuminated movie posters also pay tribute to their Hollywood projects). The 106-inch Stewart Filmscreen screen is not only big; it can also alter its shape based on the type of video being presented by a top-of-the-line Runco VX-550 projector.

When the owners watch a movie shot in CinemaScope format, the screen stays in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The films cover the entire screen in that setting. Not so with sporting events, however. Because sports and other programming aren’t shot in CinemaScope, the video would occupy only a portion of the super-wide screen. To make the screen more suitable for these programs, Audio Video Design Consultants added a system that rolls black fabric over the unused areas of the screen. The owner activates the motors of the masking system are activated by pressing the appropriate button on a portable Crestron touchpanel.

To view the rest of this story, click here.

We’re very proud to announce that John Lupear, our general manager, recently completed his training to become a Certified Green Professional.  The training and certification were offered through the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, where we are also a member of their Green Council.

We have long designed and installed many of the systems inherent to green building, but we are really trying to go the extra mile in further developing and promoting green build technologies.  We couldn’t be happier to see “green” become the new buzzword in the industry and the culture at large.  There has never been a better time to implement these services in your home or office.  The good news is that they pay for themselves over time with reduced energy bills.  That’s the beauty of green technology, it’s good for the wallet, good for the earth, and often good for your health.

Here are just a few of the services we provide which are inherent to green building and green technology integration:

• Lighting Control – allows you to dim and adjust your lights according to time of day, time of year, or for specific events like a dinner party or movie night.
• Natural Lighting Control – allows you to control the natural sunlight through the use of automated window treatments such as shades and blinds.  This is especially beneficial for homes or offices with difficult to reach windows.
• HVAC Control – allows you to adjust the temperature in your home or office according to time of day and/or time of year.
• Irrigation Control Systems – we can control your irrigation and sprinkler systems so that they maximize energy savings and reduce unnecessary consumption.  We can also integrate sensors into your system so that you will never be watering lawns or plants during a rainfall.

Again, green building and green technology are a rapidly growing part of our industry.  Green certified properties are also becoming more common, and we can design systems which help maximize your points towards LEED, Earth Craft House, and NAHB Green Building certifications.

As far as we know, John’s training makes us the first audio/video & systems integration company in middle Tennessee with a Certified Green Professional on staff.  We’re very proud of that and look forward to continuing our commitment to energy conservation and green building.