HDHomes.tv

Digital Storage in the Home

Seagate and CMP just produced an online panel discussion on the topic of 'Storage in the Digital Home'.  All the content is good and well worth a close look.  Joe Martin is one of the great panelists in this session.  He works in the Global Marketing group at Seagate and specifically heads up the Digital Home and Gaming divisions.  I've been privileged to work closely with Joe over the last year in doing some of the "Case Study" work that he references in this presentation. 

The truth that continues to amaze me the most about storage in the digital home is that its quickly becoming one of the most necessary components in everybody's home technology package.  Even if you don't have distributed audio, video, or a dedicated home theater room, chances are you do have a DVR, a digital camera, or some type of digital camcorder.  All of these systems and devices utilize storage......  BUT......DESPITE the apparent necessity, there continues to be a general lack of interest on the part of consumers ABOUT their storage.  Even though it is the repository for some of their most cherished pictures, their favorite TV shows, their favorite music, and/or their videos of the last family vacation, they STILL SPEND LITTLE TO NO ENERGY on thinking about the quality of their storage solutions.

So I think there is an opportunity here for integrators to differentiate their products and their services by helping their clients understand the value of quality storage solutions.  And helping their clients maximize how the storage is used and how their content is stored and backed-up for safe keeping.

For years the A/V integrators have theorized about creating a RECURRING REVENUE model for their businesses.  When I ran my company for 8 years I did the same thing without ever really being successful at it.  But I think this subject of Digital Storage is one that holds a lot of promise for a recurring revenue.  Several of the system integrators that I interviewed during this case study are already doing it.  By providing services that help people manage all their digital content, back it up securely, and get access to it in ways that are intuitive all around the house, these integrators are finding tangible ways to sell recurring services.

Training Class Praise

Thomas just posted some very kind words at the HAI blog about the RIS classes we've been teaching for so many years now.  Thomas runs Business Development at HAI and although I had not met him in the industry prior to his attendance at the sales class last Monday, I was very impressed with him.  He's been around the block, knows the industry well, supports his dealers and distributors incredibly well, and certainly contributed very nicely to the class.  Thanks for the kind words Thomas.  We look forward to seeing you and the HAI team out in Orlando at EHX in 10 days.

HDHomes.tv Launches New Video Community

HDHomes.tv is providing the new video community for the Electronics Security Expo coming up in Nashville, TN in June.  It's a fun new community for exhibitors to post content to, for the tradeshow organizers to use for building excitement about the show, and for attendees to spend time on learn more about the event and the venue in Nashville.

We're very excited to be partnered with ESX in this effort.  Tradeshows like this can really make good use out of a comprehensive online video platform like what we are providing.  Not only can the event organizer post all their content about the show to help prospective attendees learn more about what to expect when they arrive.  But the even organizer can also allow registered attendees and exhibitors to post video to the community.  ESX is definitely taking advantage of this aspect of our platform.  I'm sure they will see a ton of great content start showing up on the video player as a result.  We'll enjoy watching this new community grow and for ESX to see tremendous ROI  in this aspect of their event.

This event is co-owned by the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association - NBFAA and the Central Station Alarm Association - CSAA.  The event is produced by EH Events who is owned by EH Publishing.  The same folks that produce Electronic House Expo,  Worship Facilities Expo,  & RoboDevelopment Conference & Expo.

Companies Migrate to Web 2.0

I've been encouraged recently to start discovering some companies jumping into blogging and online videos.  Both these technologies offer a lot of advantages in communication via the web that I've been surprised that more companies haven't done it sooner in our Home Technology industry. 

Last month I learned that Seagate's Pete Steege started blogging at http://storageeffect.com/ talking about all things storage.  He's got some great content and even covers Digital Home respectfully well.  I especially like his January 29 post on HD DVD vs Blu Ray vs. HD Downloads.  Especially given the recent developments of Toshiba ending the war.  And after seeing todays article on Macworld about Blu Ray's new battle with downloads, I'm seeing this theme pick-up some momentum. 

But this is clearly dependent on consumer bandwidth and with Motorola reporting that they are having trouble fulfilling orders for customers getting Verizon's FIOS fiber-to-the-home solution I'm thinking that consumers are clearly demanding more bandwidth.  Now if the orders can just get fulfilled.  Jason Knott, editor of CEPro magazine told me today that he knows several integrators who have been engaged by Verizon to bring in-home technologies to new FIOS customers.  This is a really positive sign....but I'm getting way off topic.

The other blog I recently found is HAI's.  Thomas Pickral told me about it and I checked it out.  This is awesome stuff.  They have a number of HAI employees contributing to the blog and even though is just launched, they already have some good stuff there.

Recent video discoveries that I've found related to our industry include the Consumer Electronics Association who now has videos posted from the recent 2008 CES tradeshow in Vegas.  So if you missed Bill Gates, or Paul Otellini's keynote addresses they are now available for you to watch along with a bunch of other video episodes from events at the show.

Finally, I recently did a YouTube search for Klipsch and found 114 videos.  Several of them were posted by Klipschgirl who appears to be "Amy Unger" from Klipsch marketing who also keeps a pretty active blog.  This video of Dr. Brad Cochlear is pretty goofy but fun enough and still effective in getting its message across.  Nice work Amy.  Post more and let us know when you do.

If you see more home technology videos or blogs show up online let us know.