Today, Crestron founder George Feldstein passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with brain cancer. By the time he was featured in Forbes magazine as a “Made-In-America” success story, everyone in the AV industry already knew who George Feldstein was. Even the word “icon” to describe George Feldstein doesn’t go far enough […]

For years, I have been touting the advantages of getting your AV equipment on the network. I think I was one of the first people to use RoomView, certainly one of the first amongst the colleagues I regularly speak with. Yet, all this time I was missing out on a huge benefit of RoomView and […]

Crestron’s TSR-302 handheld remote, which features a 2.8” capacitive touch screen, a matte finish and backlit buttons, is now shipping. Designed for the home, it uses 2.4 GHz RF wireless technology and Crestron’s Instant-Waking technology to ensure constant connectivity and instant, reliable performance from anywhere. The built-in mic and speakers enable RAVA intercom communications and customized […]

Crestron claims it just got easier for IT, AV and facilities managers to optimize workspaces and building operations. Crestron today announced the release of its new Crestron Fusion 10 enterprise building management software that features new room utilization statistics and energy reports, including peak energy consumed in the space/room and energy category level, that make […]

Although she is very much what we would all consider to be a seasoned AV veteran, Marla Suttenberg of Sapphire Marketing didn’t go to school with the notion that she’d eventually end up working in the AV industry. According to her, it was a total fluke. “I went to Clark University in Worcester, which is […]

Usually, the second day of a show is slightly less crowded for a plethora of reasons (e.g., training classes, meetings, people who pop into a show for only one day usually attend Day One, late night Day One parties, etc). But CEDIA 2014 enjoyed a busier second day than the first. No doubt. And, the […]

Crestron’s new Network Stream Player (CEN-NSP-1) provides both wired and wireless options for streaming music from an iPod, iPhone or iPad to a Crestron audio distribution system. It also gives listeners the freedom to enjoy SiriusXM Internet radio without a web-enabled device. Listeners can use AirPlay to wirelessly stream music from their Apple device to […]

Crestron unveiled its new 12-input, 6-Zone “Plus Two” Amplifier, specifically for mid-size audio systems, today at CEDIA Expo. Each room output on the C2N-AMP-6X100 is capable of 100 watts for each of the six amplified zones. That’s 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms or 75 watts per channel at 4 ohms. Outputs also may […]

Crestron is demonstrating at CEDIA Expo the new Digital QMT 3 Series shade motor (CSM-QMTDC-163-1), which expands its industry-first line of brushless motors with solid-state controls. The new motor features a smaller diameter than the 5 Series (CSM-QMTDC-256-2), enabling placement in narrower window jambs and shallower pockets. Crestron says it delivers tremendous torque with virtually […]

Crestron introduced its new family of handheld remotes at CEDIA EXPO 2014. The family includes the TSR-302 touch screen remote, the HR-150 50-button remote, and the HR-100 34-button remote. Each model is engineered for use in different types of rooms. Functional navigation is consistent across the family of remotes, so homeowners won’t get confused as […]

Crestron today unveiled Crestron Pyng, an app-based control system. As we all know, so far, all home automation apps have been add-ons to control systems that are programmed using computers. Setting up a new home is streamlined by pairing Crestron Pyng accessories with the app. Accessories include Crestron wireless lighting controls, shading solutions, thermostats, and […]

The recent success of the new MX Series from Cisco is driving Sharp Imaging, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, and its 80-inch (diagonal) AQUOS BOARD (PN-L802B) to partner with Crestron (for the RL) and the Polycom (for the CX8000) group collaboration solutions. The interactive display comes as part of Crestron and Polycom’s Lync Room […]

This admittedly took me a little longer to get around to writing. Most of what I write is stream of consciousness, so it takes little time and effort to crack my brain open like an egg and spill it onto the keyboard. This post however required a little more thought, reflection, and some research, and […]

I have seen a lot of discussion about the new acquisition of AMX by Harman. Many have tried to say that because of the large consumer division of Harman, that AMX will be marginalized in the commercial space going forward. I’m quite certain that won’t be the case given that AMX has been placed in […]

Crestron is now shipping its next generation V-Panel 20” HD Touch Screen Display (TSD-2020), a 1920×1080, ultra-thin display that can be used as a control touch screen, TV or computer monitor in a home or commercial setting. In addition to lectern, articulating arm and VESA mounting options, a flush-mount wall bracket for the TSD-2020 will […]

Extron Electronics announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Crestron Electronics, Inc. for infringement of Extron’s US Patent No. 8,740,127 entitled “Cable Retractor.” The Extron Cable Retractor patent relates to a cable retraction and management system designed to work with […]

Using the new DMC-STRO Streaming Output Card for DigitalMedia switchers in tandem with the DMC-STR Streaming Input Card, Crestron DM switchers can send and receive H.264 streaming video. The DMC-STR Streaming Input Card enables you to receive H.264 streaming video input and then output it via any output card in the DM switcher or the […]

Crestron’s new FlipTop Touch Screen Control System (FT-TSC600) works with a 3-Series control system and includes an integrated 5-inch TSW touch screen. In addition, the FT-TSC600 provides connectivity, cable management, and control in a tabletop design. Recessed when not in use, the FT-TSC600 provides a hidden solution for accessing cables, connectors, power outlets, and room […]

Crestron’s new HDBaseT compliant DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G is a signal interface and control solution for a single HD or 4K display device in a DM system. A single cable connects the DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G to a DM switcher or transmitter, or to an HDBaseT source, transporting video, audio, control, networking and power signals all through one category cable. Crestron […]

Crestron announced its new Network Stream Player (CEN-NSP-1), designed to provide both wired and wireless options for streaming music from iPod, iPhone or iPad to a Crestron audio distribution system. Anyone in the home can access all her iTunes music. Basically, this is a fancy version of an Airport Express — integrating Apple Airplay (for […]

The upside of adding Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi to audio, video and lighting gear is both the convenience and scalability of managing technology, but the more IP-addressable the A/V/L industry becomes, the more managing the vast amount of unique data becomes problematic for the end users. Churches are no different than many other venues when it […]

Crestron announced today that it’s started shipping the TSW touch screens in the form of the TSW-552, TSW-752 and TSW-1052. The TSW family is integrated with what Crestron is calling Smart Graphics technology — basically saying that it’s bright, offers capacitive touch and can handle H.264 streaming. One unique feature is that instead of navigating […]

Hello to the rAVe World! I am told that many of the readers of this publication are manufacturers reps and integrators. That is good, because I am calling all of you out right here, right now. You may want to do some homework before reading any further. I wrote a blog about this in April, […]

In September, I wrote about the struggle I sometimes feel when thinking about whether to develop a strong relationship with a vendor/manufacturer or to play the field. I decided to revisit that topic after some recent experiences, and some recent news. One of the major reasons I questioned whether we would stay with a certain […]

At the end of every week, we give you some of the top stories you won’t want to miss. This week we’ve included the latest blog post from Mark Coxon, an episode of Gary Kayye’s Rants and rAVes Podcast on Sony’s Laser Projector Technology and Epson now holds 39% of the projector market share in […]

Located at GE Digital Energy’s new Canadian Headquarters in Markham, Ontario, Canada, the Customer Experience Center (CEC) is a facility promoting GE’s energy grid solutions. The CEC features a 175-tile, 60-foot curved Prysm LPD video wall, Extron Quantum Elite Processor, control by the presenter’s iPad/wall-mounted Crestron, powerful multi-zoned audio system and touch panels. Background GE […]

Crestron’s VP of International Robin Van Meeuwen spoke with rAVe founder Gary Kayye yesterday at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show about what he thinks of Crestron’s position in the AV market in the EMEA, as well as the company’s new 4K strategy. You can watch the entire video interview here:

4K Ultra HD TV is here and Crestron says the DigitalMedia is ready for it. At ISE in Amsterdam, the company demonstrated its complete range of 4K DigitalMedia switching and video distribution devices. These include: The DMC-4K-HD input card enables 4K HDMI input to 8X8, 16X16, and 32X32 DM switchers, and the DMB-4K-I-HD input blade […]

Crestron TSW touch screens all just got upgraded. The new TSW-552, TSW-752 and TSW-1052 replace the TSW-550, TSW-750 and TSW-1050 models with support for voice command recognition and on-screen web browsing. TSW touch screens feature capacitive touch technology, H.264 streaming video, and edge-to-edge glass as well as single-wire PoE (Power over Ethernet) connectivity and standard […]

Extron hasn’t had a complete answer to either Crestron’s DMPS-300 Series or AMX’s Enova line — until today! Extron hasn’t officially announced it, but I found the DTP CrossPoint 84 Series on the company’s website and immediately called Casey Hall, Extron’s vice president of sales and marketing. Although the official announcement isn’t until Thursday, it’s real. […]

Mersive announced this week the availability of the Solstice Open Control Communication Protocol, which allows integration between Solstice Display Software with in-room AV control panels from vendors such as Crestron and AMX. With this integration interface, users can control their Solstice displays from their room control panel. Introduced in March 2013, Mersive’s Solstice software enables […]

Crestron announced this week the launch of its new “intelligent power supply” (CSA-PWS10S-HUB), which can power up to ten Crestron shade motors of any kind, each with its own replaceable fuse. The built-in integrated five-segment Cresnet hub provides an isolated control network for each pair of shades, therefore limiting the impact of any wiring faults. […]