HDHomes.tv

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.

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:

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