HDHomes.tv

Video - The Future of Communications

NECN.com video interview with Cisco CEO John Chambers talking about how he uses his Flip video camera.  “Video is the future of communications.”

This candid conversation with the CEO of one of the leading technology companies in the world is very telling as he describes the ease and simplicity of communicating with video.  The barriers are truly coming down and literally EVERYBODY can capture, and post a video online.

As small and medium businesses navigate these economic times while attempting to remain competitive and still communicate effectively and consistenly with their prospects, customers, and constituents, the use of video must be strongly considered. 

Growth In Online Video

CEPro recently noted a study from ABI Research that the number of viewers of online videos will quadruple in the next 5 years to over 1 billion.  Pete also talks about it here at Storage Effects. This is an amazing number but it should not be surprising to any of us.  If you've been tempted to think that YouTube, Blip.tv, DailyMotion and so many others are just a passing fad then you may want to take another look at the market place. 

Online video is fundamentally changing the way that we communicate as humans.  20 years ago school age kids were expected to write a report on "What I did On My Summer Vacation".  Now they may still have to write the report, but in the report they can reference all the YouTube videos that they posted SHOWING the places they went and their activities once they got there. Corporations are launching Intrasites where employees can post training, sales, and corporate policy videos rather than just "sending out a memo". Now when an employee fails to follow procedure it is common place to ask, "didn't you get the memo"?.  Soon the question will be, "didn't you WATCH THE VIDEO"?.

Of course this is why HDHomes.tv exists.  To allow you to capitalize on trends of viewers to seek out information in video format on the web but not require that you build an online video solution from scratch. 

If you are still sitting on the fence with this issue consider CEPro's earlier article on why HDHomes.tv might make sense for your company, or Jeannette Howe's (from Specialty Electronics) article on progressive ways to market your company.  The evidence is abundantly, you need an online video solution.

Turn your pictures into VIDEO

Ever wanted to turn your pictures into a nice video.  Now you can at Animoto.  This new online service allows you to upload your picture gallery, choose the background music (from your library or theirs) and then hit submit.  They will turn your pictures into a video.  Here's a short one that I experimented with using photos taken from the Crescendo project.  This took about 5 minutes.

For all of you HDHomes.tv affiliates you should be excited to hear that with this service you can download the finished video in MPEG format.  From there you can upload it to your HDHomes.tv Player.

Ultimate Online Video Contest

Microsoft is running a contest for 'user generated' online video content.  Here's how it works....

Watch "ACT 1" of "THE CUBE".  This 5 minute short video created by director Kyle Newman is the beginning of the story.  A bored overlooked and under recognized office worker named 'Simon Garrett' receives a mystery package at his desk.  Inside the package he finds a CUBE and a business card.  A equally mysterious phone call from a woman compels Simon to protect the CUBE and deliver it as requested.  This task proves far more difficult than he originally imagined as men in black turtle necks attempt to accost him at every turn.

Act 2 and Act 3 will be made from winning submissions created by users who submitted the winning scripts.

It's an interesting way for Microsoft to promote Vista Ultimate.  We'll see how users decide to conclude the story line.

Check out Act 1 here.

Julie Jacobson Joins HDHomes.tv

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It's official.  We have welcomed Julie Jacobson to the HDHome.tv team.  Unfortunately we are not prestigious enough to really pull this off.  But we had a lot of fun bringing her on as our first "honorary member" anyway.  Thanks for the support and being such a fan Julie!!

New HDHomes.tv GAFFER

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This was a fun event at EH Expo last month.  We gave away some HDHome.tv "Web Crew" shirts to some honorary "Web Crew" members.  Oded Vardi of Superna becomes the teams "GAFFER".  Next time you see him you'll have to ask if he's figured out what a "GAFFER" does.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE TEAM ODED!!!!!

RollHD Goes Live

RollHD.tv did an awesome job shooting at EHX.  They will be producing some great content for the up and coming EH Online Video Network.  A test community has been launched at http://ehovn.hdhomes.tv .  Chris Purser and Nick Diaz are complete professionals.  I'm looking forward to see the results of their post production work.

2008 Mark of Excellence Winners

The CEA TechHome Mark of Excellence Awards were announced at the annual banquet last week in Orlando, FL during the EH Expo.  It was another record setting year for this awards program.  It's a lot of fun to serve in a volunteer capacity with MOE.  Giving recognition to all the great products, projects, and system integrators is a real honor.  I'm sure that there are other people who could do a better job, but it's a privilege to serve none-the-less.Here's the complete list of winners:

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Supplier - Best Speaker - InCeiling/InWall Speakers
click to enlarge		Sunfire Corporation CRW-3 Sunfire CRW-3: the word's finest in-wall loudspeaker featuring the same award-winning technology and performance found in Sunfire's Cinema Ribbon line and groundbreaking small subwoofers. Perfect complement to Trio and SubRosa. http://www.sunfire.com support@sunfire.com
Supplier - Best Distributed Audio/Video Product
click to enlarge		NetStreams, L.L.C. DigiLinX Audio, Video & Control system These components for DigiLinX distribution systems are the first delivering uncompressed HD video over TCP/IP, providing true network solutions for uncompressed a/v distribution. Benefits: exceptional quality, reliability, scalability, web control. http://www.netstreams.com info@netstreams.com
Supplier - Best IP-based Product
click to enlarge		NetStreams, L.L.C. DigiLinX Audio, Video & Control system These components for DigiLinX distribution systems are the first delivering uncompressed HD video over TCP/IP, providing true network solutions for uncompressed a/v distribution. Benefits: exceptional quality, reliability, scalability, web control. http://www.netstreams.com info@netstreams.com
Supplier - Best Speaker - Freestanding Speakers
click to enlarge		KEF America, Inc. KEF MUON Loudspeaker State-of-the-art, limited production, high end super speaker created by KEF Research in partnership with industrial design visionary, Ross Lovegrove. http://www.kef.com sscola@kefamerica.com
Supplier - Best Video Component
click to enlarge		LG Electronics USA LG Electronics Super Blu™ Player Addressing challenges of the current high-definition disc format war, LG's Super Blu Player offers a single solution with Blu-ray and HD DVD playback and advanced BD-Java and HD DVD interactivity. http://us.lge.com customerservice@lge.com
Supplier - Best Media Server
click to enlarge		Exceptional Innovation Life|media LMS 754 Media Server The Life|media LMS-754, which includes integrated quad CableCARD™ tuners, is a fully-featured, premium Windows Media Center console for whole-home digital entertainment and comprehensive home automation. http://www.life-ware.com inquiry@exceptionalinnovation.com
Supplier - Best Control System
click to enlarge		Exceptional Innovation Life|ware 2.0.3 Software Suite Life|ware 2.0.3 is a ground-breaking software that allows users to seamlessly merge control of their home with their world of digital entertainment. http://www.life-ware.com inquiry@exceptionalinnovation.com
Supplier - Best Security Product
click to enlarge		HAI (Home Automation, Inc.) LuminaPro with DSC integration HAI's 2.15 controller firmware adds support for DSC PowerSeries alarm systems for the LuminaPro home control system. With the integration, DSC dealers can add lighting, energy management, audio, and Internet. http://www.homeauto.com allison.read@homeauto.com
Supplier - Best Installation Product
click to enlarge		Crestron Electronics, Inc. MediaManifold™ High-Definition CATV Distribution System The MediaManifold MM-DS-12 is a 12-zone bidirectional CATV distribution amplifier featuring individual gain and tilt adjustment on every output for distributing both analog and digital cable TV signals. http://www.crestron.com mbridle@crestron.com
Supplier - Best Speaker - Subwoofers
click to enlarge		Velodyne Acoustics MicroVee The MicroVee is an amazingly small (9" cube), 1000-watt self-powered subwoofer. The MicroVee fits into any decor, yet the output it provides is truly stunning. http://www.velodyne.com agargiulo@velodyne.com
Supplier - Best Environmentally Friendly Product, Service, or Corporate Policy
click to enlarge		NuVo Technologies, LLC NuVo Technologies NuVo Technologies has committed to a number of energy-conscious, environmentally-friendly pravpolicies, represented most strongly by its new Essentia E6G multi-room audio system. http://www.nuvotechnologies.com tluebberst@nuvotechnologies.com
Supplier - Best Human Interface Product
click to enlarge		ELAN Home Systems Olé XL Film Interactive Touchpad Olé XL is a breakthrough in-wall UI that marries the beauty of touchscreen technology, the simplicity/affordability of keypads, and the interaction of an OLED to provide a new way of easily controlling multi-room A/V and whole-house. http://www.elanhomesystems.com elan@elanhomesystems.com
Supplier - Best Wireless Product
click to enlarge		Xantech Corporation RF2IR Base Station for XTR39 Color LCD remote control The RF2IR base station makes it simple to set up a reliable and sophisticated multi-room control system that is easily controlled by the intuitive LCD touchscreen control XTR39 remote. http://www.xantech.com tle@xantech.com
Supplier - Best Video Display
click to enlarge		Runco Runco Climate Portfolio Runco introduces its new Climate Portfolio and weather-proof WP-42HD LCD display; delivering a no-compromise, high-performance solution to the outdoor home video display category. http://www.runco.com kshort@castercomm.com
Supplier - Best Lighting Control Product
click to enlarge		Schneider Electric Square D®  Clipsal® Saturn™  Dynamic Labeling Technology (DLT) Keypads Square D® Clipsa® Saturn™ DLT Keypads combine a Saturn style glass cover plate, programmable keypad buttons, and easily customizable labels on a backlit LCD screen. http://www.squaredlightingcontrol.com lauren.henslee@us.schneider-electric.com
Supplier - Best Speaker - Speaker Systems
click to enlarge		Niles Audio Corporation StageFront Home Theater Solutions Loudspeaker line designed specifically for home theater applications; includes both in-wall and cabinet models that are voice-matched to deliver consistent, uniform sound quality and timbre, regardless of loudspeaker type http://www.nilesaudio.com kwelty@nilesaudio.com
Supplier - Best Structured Wiring Product
click to enlarge		Tripp Lite Tripp Lite AV550SC Backup Power Block The AV550SC is the only UPS system on the market designed to provide protection for structured cabling installations with reliable battery backup, surge protection and EMI/RFI line noise filtering. http://www.tripplite.com Gloria_Wong@tripplite.com
Best Training and Support Program
click to enlarge		Russound All Wired Up University Road Show Russound's All Wired Up University Road Show is a comprehensive three-day training designed for both sales and design/installation professionals from the custom installation A/V and low-voltage markets. http://www.russound.com sales@russound.com
Systems Integrator - Innovation Award
click to enlarge		LouisClark Ltd. Control of a Home from an IP Phone Advanced Entertainment Control of the Home and Office(ECHO) using a Cisco IP phone as the user control interface. http://www.Louis-Clark.com bpost@louis-clark.com
Systems Integrator - Luxury Home of the Year
click to enlarge		Home Systems Folsom Two dedicated theaters and touch screen Home wide automation system include music system, Lutron lighting control, Security system, CCTV camera system, Kaleidescape DVD distribution system, and computer network http://www.homesystemsusa.com ron@homesystemsusa.com
Systems Integrator - Best Home Theater/Media Room
click to enlarge		Home Systems Folsom The homeowners wanted this to be a special Theater where they wouldn't be disturbed by outside distractions as they are movie buffs with a substantial DVD collection. http://www.homesystemsusa.com ron@homesystemsusa.com
Systems Integrator - Best Lighting Control Project
click to enlarge		iLuxe Innovation,LLC Joseph Borkey Residence Complete design & installation of unique exterior & interior lighting including convenience controls for scenes, times & media room. http://www.iLuxeInnovation.com mario@iluxeinnovation.com
Systems Integrator - Best Digital Convergence Project
click to enlarge		LouisClark Ltd. Lahey Residence Control of the home using a Cisco IP phone as the user control interface as well as the integration of an AMX control system and RF remotes. http://www.Louis-Clark.com Bpost@louis-clark.com
Systems Integrator - Convergence Integrator of the Year
click to enlarge		LouisClark Ltd. LouisClark, Ltd. LouisClark, Ltd. is committed to custom design, personal solutions and the continued discovery of pioneering products and systems. Offering design, installation and ongoing support for the modern technology lifestyle, we help clients explore the world of technology and determine the best fit for their home and lifestyle. http://www.Louis-Clark.com frank@linkyourhouse.com
Systems Integrator - Builder Home of the Year
click to enlarge		S&S Electric M/I Homes Easton Park Bordeaux Model S&S Electric introduced uniquely diverse technology upgrade options into the production environment to appeal to the mass consumer's lifestyle demands, simultaneously increasing per home revenue for the builder. http://www.ss-electric.com info@ss-electric.com
Systems Integrator - Best Retrofit Project
click to enlarge		Custom Home Theater Systems & Automation Maine Nautical Theater Client wanted to create a fun theater which looked and felt like the inside of a ship. This presented many chalenges- for example originally he wanted wood floors. http://www.customhometheater.biz info@customhometheater.biz
Systems Integrator - Ultimate Home of the Year
click to enlarge		eLifespaces South Adgers Wharf Preserving the integrity of this historic Charleston, SC home, eLifespaces designed, installed and integrated a collection of advanced technologies utilizing system components from specialized manufacturers in varying disciplines. http://www.elifespaces.com info@elifespaces.com
Systems Integrator - Best Distributed Audio/Video Project
click to enlarge		eLifespaces South Adgers Wharf Boxes containing over one thousand DVDs matched by an even greater number of music CDs along with iPods, and the homeowner's desire for radio sources were tackled in this project. http://www.elifespaces.com info@elifespaces.com
Systems Integrator - Best Integrated Security Project
click to enlarge		eLifespaces South Adgers Wharf Burglary, life safety and CCTV security systems were designed and installed addressing requirements ranging from building codes to the homeowner's desire to utilize IP based cameras on their Web site. http://www.elifespaces.com info@elifespaces.com
TechHome Integrator of the Year
click to enlarge		Audio Video Interiors Audio Video Interiors Established in 1990, Audio Video Interiors, with 16 employees and sales approaching $3 million in 2007, is considered by most to be the premier custom electronics installation company in northern Ohio. In our community, we are recognized for such contributions as hosting an "Elf Room of Magic" Fundraiser for the Akron Children's Hospital; providing a Home Theater for a local returning soldier as part of NBC's Three Wishes television program; and in lieu of an employee gift exchange, sponsoring Christmas presents for local families and children in need. http://www.audiovideointeriors.net michaelp@audiovideointeriors.net

CEPro Covers HDHomes.tv

HDHomes.tv received some nice coverage this month in CEPro magazine.  Jason Knott wrote a nice article about our online video platform and how it can be used by Integrators and manufacturers alike to establish a comprehensive online video presence.  You can checkout the online version of the article on the CEPro Blog

CEPro Covers our RIS class

Jason Knott, editor of CEPro magazine just released a very nice article at CEPro.com about the RIS classes that we have been conducting with Home Controls over the past 7 years.  Jason attended this past class on February 25-28.  Jason, I was honored that you would take a full 2 days and sit through my class.  Especially when the weather was so awesome and the beach was so close.  Its really speaks to your thoroughness as a journalist and to your passion for this industry that you would sit through 16 hours of my teaching so you could report to CEPro readers.  You could have sat there for 4 hours and then taken the class materials to the beach to write your article.  I'm glad you didn't.  You were a lot of fun to have in the class and your graciously submitted comments added real value to all of us there.