CEDIA 2016 – Starpower Wrap-Up
Want to know if your futuristic dreams will come true? Look no further that CEDIA. Once again the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association has taken over the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in our own backyard of Dallas, TX. In the past, the event has showcased some long-lasting industry trends such as 4K, Dolby Atmos, high-resolution audio and laser projection. This year CEDIA had over 435 exhibitors showing off their latest innovations. There were plenty of incredible demos, new technology, gadgets and, yes, free beer that CEDIA had to offer this year. Here are some of our favorite new products, services and innovations that are sure to show up in your future home.
LG Signature OLED TV
LG has yet again elevated the new category of television. LG has debuted its new flagship OLED TV: a 77-inch Signature OLED TV. This is LG’s biggest and best. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision in addition to 4K resolution. LG’s OLED technology provides among the best color and picture depth that we’ve ever seen. When you register your display, LG will send you a $200 American Express gift card and LG G-Pad tablet.
We were able to take a close look at LG’s double sided OLED display this year. This is a 55-inch 1080P display is mainly for commercial use but shows just how incredibly thin their displays can get. The picture is displayed bright and colorful thanks to LG’s vibrant OLED technology.
Available October 20, 2016 | $19,999
Screen Innovations Zero-G
Screen Innovations showed off their all-new Zero-G. What is the Zero-G? Think roll-able television. The screen suspends in midair with no black drop between the viewing surface and the case. It will roll itself up when not in use allowing for more space. That means, when you’re watching the game or your favorite movie, Zero-G drops out of the case and expands at a preset location giving you a “levitating” image, suspended by cables. You can get the Zero-G in a variety of sizes that will fit your living space.
Available now | Starting at $5,700
JVC 4K HDR Projector
JVC has unveiled the world’s first 4K home theater projector to be THX certified! Their native 4K HDR projector features a newly-developed “Blu-Escent” laser light source capable of 3,000 lumens. This new technology is focusing on producing a smooth picture, bringing depth to Ultra HD and HDR content and approximately 20,000 hours of operation. You can get your hands on it in time for the holidays with shipping begin by at the end of this November.
Available end of November 2016 | $3,500
Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player:
Sony debuted its first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player: the UBP-X1000ES! In addition to playing the Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, it will play HD Blu-rays, 3D Blu-rays, standard DVDs, CDs, and SA-CDs. The 4K player will also support high-resolution audio along with streaming 4K content from Netflix or Sony’s own Ultra 4K Movies & TV service. We saw the device in action and, yes, the picture quality is crystal clear with outstanding color and contrast as to be expected. Be aware: the new 4K Blu-ray player is a Sony ES (Sony Elevated Standard) model. These products are designed specifically for custom installations. Therefore, Sony’s 4K Ultra HD players are only available to integrators such as Starpower (which if you are reading this is good news for you). Sony is heavily focused on HDR technology which is being integrated into its new 4K TVs and projectors such as the VPL-VW5000ES.
Available Q1 2017
Epson Pro Cinema Model LS 10500 Projector
Epson showed us their new flagship projector: the Pro Cinema Model LS 10500 Reflective Laser Projector. This is Epson’s first projector with HDR support which allows you to hook-up a 4K Blu-ray player or stream HDR content from services like Netflix or Amazon Video. The projector uses a dual-laser light source capable of 1,500 lumens of color brightness and 1,500 lumens of white brightness. The laser light source is capable of providing 30,000 hours of operation, a wider color gamut and no warmup and cooldown waiting times.
Available Fall 2016 | $7,999.
New Products from Klipsch: Heritage Wireless System, RW-1 Wireless Speakers and Reference Series Soundbars
Congrats to Klipsch on 70 years! During CEDIA, Klipsch unveiled four new sound bars, two DSP amplifiers, and its new Stream series. Its Stream wireless multi-room system consists of six different products including a Heritage Wireless tabletop stereo system, the Three wireless speaker and RW-1 wireless speakers, and two sound bars in Klipsch’s Reference series. Klipsch aims to match the décor of your home using materials such as real wood, metal, copper, and leather.
The RW-1 Wireless speaker seemed to provide room filling sound. You can use a single speaker or pair two together wirelessly using the Klipsch Stream app.
Available October 2016 | RW-1 $249
Samsung 4K Ultra HD Premium Ecosystem with HDR
Samsung showcased its 4K Ultra HD Premium Ecosystem with HDR which is the industry’s first and only end-to-end 4K solution. It is comprised of Samsung’s 4K SUHD and UHD TVs, their 4K Ultra HD Blu0ray player (UBD-K8500) and their sound bar with Dolby Atmos technology (HW-K950 S). Samsung’s SUHD TVs feature Quantum Dot Color Drive which enhance light for more vibrant, realistic colors with over 1 billion more shades than HDTVs. Their Triple Black Technology makes it possible to see extreme blacks with visibly more shades to bring out unseen picture details.
CEDIA was extremely exciting this year and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next year! See you next year CEDIA!
Starpower offers home theater, media rooms, home automation, home security and all of the latest audio/video including 4K television and projectors. We proudly serve the Dallas, Fort Worth and Phoenix area metros.