CEDIA 2019 Show Report: Residential Integration in the Age of the Connected Home

While I visited the exhibits at the excellent Colorado Convention Center during the 2019 CEDIA Expo in Denver, I was frequently asked about my impressions of the show - but often it was as if people were asking me to validate their own negative impressions - because "this industry has seen better days...", and "the show is smaller than ever." I saw the show in a different perspective, which I will address in this report.

Luxul, the IP networking solutions brand, part of Legrand's portfolio for AV integrators, announced a strong technology lineup at CEDIA Expo 2019 (September 12-14). With residential integration increasingly relying in wired and wireless networking solutions, Luxul provides a complete range of equipment that bridges the needs of home entertainment systems and the wider range of smart home technologies. At CEDIA 2019, Luxul introduced next-generation wireless solutions, a cloud remote management system, user control apps and dealer tools.

Audinate’s Dante – the audio-over-IP and now also AV-over-IP solution that already dominates the world of professional audio – is seeing rapid adoption by manufacturers of residential audio equipment. Now, Dante is also seeing adoption in the residential market, with new products from leading residential brands including JBL Synthesis, ELAN, and Powersoft introduced at CEDIA 2019. At the Denver event, Audinate is promoting the availability of Dante Virtual Soundcard for installation in virtual Windows environments.

The first two models of PMC’s all new custom installation loudspeakers will be unveiled at the CEDIA Expo 2019, aiming to bring the British company’s technology and Hollywood studio audio quality to the custom installation and residential home theater sector. The first two models, the ci140 and ci140sub will be launched at CEDIA 2019 but PMC intends to reinforce the range with the ci30, ci45, ci90slim and ci65 models already in Q1 2020.

Theory Audio Design is a new loudspeaker and electronics manufacturer from Lake Forest, California, dedicated to combine acoustic performance and aesthetics in new audio products for the modern home. Founded by Paul Hales, 30-year loudspeaker engineer, AV industry veteran, and owner of highly-regarded audio manufacturer Pro Audio Technology (PRO), Theory products marry PRO’s acoustic performance and professional features with sophisticated contemporary design at a much lower cost.