Central Coast Audio Visual

While best-known for keyboards and mice, Logitech has bounced back by investing in video game equipment, earphones, speakers, smart car accessories and home security cameras. “We try to carve off areas where we feel we can be a leader, maybe not in the whole category, but in our slice of the category, and then we try to gain market share through innovation,” CEO Darrell said. Analyst Kirk Adams of Rosenblatt Securities credited Darrell with turning around the company by revamping engineering, manufacturing and marketing. Logitech also shed an unprofitable video-conferencing services unit and a low-profit business based on building keyboards for PC makers. Read more: http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Logitech-bounces-back-with-speakers-earbuds-9125725.php

While Nest smart thermostats are great, one of their main issues is that they are often simply mounted in the hallway and don't measure temperatures in various rooms.That's an issue that startup called Flair is trying to fix, having released a smart vent system that is designed to control temperatures across all rooms, rather than relying on settings from one thermostat. "It can figure out the differential, and if you want this room when you're in it to be more comfortable"... Read more: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/126163/20160120/flair-smart-vents-give-room-temperature-control.htm

Today, just about anyone can turn their home into a high-tech automated hub that not only keeps your family safe and secure, it also lets you monitor and control a slew of functions from anywhere using your phone, tablet or computer. For example, Cox Homelife, professionally monitored and remote home management system, provides advanced features in addition to what you get in a traditional alarm system with time-saving, cost-saving and worry-saving features to help customers protect, monitor and control their home and ensure their family’s safety. Here are seven ways a smart home can make your life more awesome than ever. Read more: http://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/businessplus/the-gig-life/la-7-ways-smart-homes-make-life-easier-20160810-story.html

A mother of five won the HGTV Smart Home 2016 sweepstakes, a prize including a fully furnished three-story home with “smart” technology, a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC and $100,000. The winner had entered HGTV contests before, said she virtually toured the house online and fell in love with the home's master bedroom and bathroom, the open kitchen and the screened-in porch. She entered the sweepstakes, and her name was selected. Smith said she was impressed with the home's tech components, including the lights and sound system that can be controlled with an electronic tablet. Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/bal-glenwood-resident-wins-hgtv-smart-home-2016-episode-to-air-next-month-20160720-story.html

Marantz has announced an addition to its 2016 AV receiver line. The SR6011 builds upon the previously announced SR5011 by adding two extra channels of amplification. The nine-channel SR6011 can support a 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos speaker setup; it also features 11.2-channel processing to add more Atmos channels with the use of an external amplifier. More features are listed in the press release below. Read more: http://hometheaterreview.com/marantz-introduces-nine-channel-sr6011-av-receiver/

At Crestron we see IoT as a holistic solution to make technology work to seamlessly enhance the family home lifestyle, and video is a big part of that. Maybe Dad likes to watch news after work but sport updates in the morning. When a child turns on the family TV we want to make sure they can only access cartoons, and not the more grown-up content that their parents watch after their bedtime. Maybe Mum is watching TV in the living room at night, but wants to duck into the kitchen to grab a snack and wants to keep watching her show on the TV in there. The system should automatically adjust to fit the current situation in every room. Switchers and extenders are the piece of the puzzle that allows the integrator to centrally manage all video content and distribution. Read more: http://www.hiddenwires.co.uk/features/article/the-role-of-switchers-and-extenders-in-the-connected-smart-home

Property developers and home builders have realised they must invest in smart technology to ensure new properties keep pace with digital living demands, particularly for homes at the top-end of the residential sector aimed at millennials and energy-conscious buyers. Keeping abreast of fast paced technological developments is proving a challenge for many housebuilders. In a bid to assist, a unique training facility has been opened to provide independent product advice, technical expertise, professional training and an opportunity for hands-on testing. Packed with the latest smart kit for efficient heating, ventilation, lighting, CCTV, air conditioning, home entertainment and AV systems, the suite also features a robust home automation system from Legrand, which is expected to appeal to a wide range of developers. Read more: http://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/smarthome-training-centre-opens-property-developers