Hi, y’all! It’s me again, here to remind you that if you missed out on LAVNCH WEEK X’s HomeAV Day, you can still watch it on demand. Although you can only get your CTS credits if you watched the event live, I assure you it’s still worth the watch! I’ll give you a few bits and pieces of what you missed, but for all the juicy details, you’ll have to click here and see them for yourself.

We had a packed schedule today, and trust me, you don’t want to miss a thing. This is your final warning: watch LAVNCH WEEK X’s HomeAV Day. Here. On demand.

After a warm welcome and rundown of the day’s agenda from Steph Beckett and Megan A. Dutta, we dove into the first talk of the day with Modern Atomics’ Chief Biological Officer Michael Braithwaite and Chief Power Officer Tim Marshall. They introduced us to Modern Atomics’ new Reaktor, a power distribution unit (PDU) that’s changing the HomeAV space. With features like shade-focused PDUs, 22 motor ports, six device ports and a compact design that saves up to 80% on rack or wall space, the Reaktor is practical for both CIs and homeowners. Its extra-large capacity supports up to 72 new meters simultaneously, versus the standard 8-10 in other models. “A little package with a lot of output,” as Michael Braithwaite put it.

Next up was the first panel, moderated by Megan A. Dutta. She was joined by Lee Distad, territory manager at HitFar Concepts Ltd., Chris Oram, service department manager at Eagle Sentry, and Steve Smith, solutions engineering manager at Bravas. They discussed the challenges that come with taking over DIY AV installations, how to address these issues, and how to educate DIY clients on the benefits of upgrading without overwhelming them with technical jargon.

“The biggest reason that we influence a decision to replace or upgrade something is centered around the function, the experience, and the inherent value it brings,” said Steve Smith. “What we do as system integrators is make sure things work smoothly together and are simple to operate, that drives more selection than the dollar value at the end of the day.”

Megan then returned for a conversation about AI’s impact on HomeAV with Jenn Mallett, CEDIA board member and CEO and founder of Level Up Automation. When asked how AI-powered voice assistants are transforming user interaction with AV systems, Jenn responded, “We’re just starting.” She highlighted two areas where AI voice assistants are most helpful in HomeAV: accessibility to content and accessibility for humans. To find out exactly what she means, go check out the panel on demand here.

Finally, Steph returned for the HomeAV Update with John Sciacca, partner at Custom Theater and Audio, and JoAnn Arcenal, director of business development at Crestron. They discussed key trends shaping the HomeAV industry and how these trends are influencing the market. A big trend they explored was the merging of technology with aesthetics. In the past, the design and tech communities often clashed — beautiful environments weren’t always tech-friendly — but now, these two are coming together. Customers no longer have to choose between technology and aesthetics, as gear is becoming more visually appealing as a standard.

Sustainability is also playing a bigger role in HomeAV, with manufacturers adapting to the growing demand for eco-friendly options. A great example is the use of automated shades that reduce passive heat, saving energy by minimizing the need for air conditioning.

So, that’s a wrap on HomeAV Day at LAVNCH WEEK X! I’ve given you just enough to pique your interest, but there’s so much more to discover. Want to see all the innovations and insights for yourself? Go ahead and watch it on demand, and stay tuned for more recaps every day this week!