Re: OT: Cedia EXPO

["David Buckley" <db@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Nick Tyson - The Edge" <nick@e...>
wrote:
> Seriously, the CEDIA Expo would be a great insight into the custom
> install industry.

I couldn't agree more.

I went to Cedia the last time (or maybe the only time) it was in
Croydon (2000 maybe?), did the full thing, took a bucketload of
courses, learned stuff, talked to lots of interesting people.
Especially Steve Hayes from Custom Electronics Inc, of Maine, from
whom I learned a load of business and managerial sense which has
been useful ever since.  And, it has to be said, some very non-
interesting and bigoted people.

There were names present that we all would recognise, X10 / Channel
Plus / Xantech had a big busy stand.  Hi end hifi and video was well
represented.  Linn also comes to mind.  And some less known names,
and some that are no longer in existence.

But my interest in home automation is the automation bit.  And there
was very little automation either displayed or talked about.  It was
all about making your lights dim when the projector rolled down from
the ceiling when you touched the touchscreen.  Or how big your
plasma is.  The nearest it got to automation was the Crestron talk
(to a very packed house), where integrating with heating systems was
talked about for a bit.

It has to be said I was buzzing for two and a half days.  But then I
left in a state of depression, such that the missus never let me
attend Cedia again.

I really dont know why I ended up with a black cloud over my head.

But with hindsight, I suspect its right down to Nick's point:

> From my experience of this forum, the 'hobbyist'
> (that's meant respectfully) and commercial markets are somewhat
> polarised. We've been providing custom install solutions for
> 15 years and yet we've never used (often never even heard of)
> 99% of the stuff that's talked about here.

In my opinion, (chosing words carefully, and also not wishing to
offend anyone) the non-mainstream HA community is lightyears ahead
of the "bog standard" custom installers in terms of doing
interesting things.

The custom installers are really very, very good at bunging in a
beautiful cinema, whole house audio and a lutron lighting rig, and
tying it together with an AMX or Crestron.  If you are lucky, you'll
get alarm integration and heating as well.

But its not intelligent, nor is it automation.  Its a posh remote
control with a few macros.  Nevertheless, it is really impressive
and has a great wow factor :-)  And also as Nick said, this stuff
ain't cheap!





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