Podcast #1070: Best of Show Awards Winners

This week we present the TWICE Best of show awards for the CEDIA show that took place last weekend. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• KEF Adds New Models to Extreme HT Architectural Speakers Line
• LG's New 120-Inch Laser Projector Blows Away Your Big-Screen TV
• Google steps into future with Home app update, Nest tech

Other:

• Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2022 || AWOL LTV-3500, FORMOVIE Theater, XGIMI AURA

TWICE Best of Show Awards Winners

• Crestron LED Light Fixtures - The modular design of Crestron LED light fixtures gives you unprecedented flexibility and control to complement any décor with the highest quality light. Options include adjustable, wall wash, fixed frame, pinhole fixtures, multiple enclosure possibilities, and square or round trims.
• Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 Pro UHD Laser Projector - Utilizing an all-new Laser Array Light Source, the Pro Cinema LS12000 is capable of displaying a 4K picture on screen up to an astonishing 2,700 lumens for both color and white brightness2. And, when driven by a proprietary Epson ZX Picture Processor for powerful picture processing, the Pro Cinema LS12000 produces incredible brightness, color accuracy, and image detail to faithfully display all your content the way it was meant to be seen. $5000
• Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema - The PX1-PRO features the award-winning TriChroma laser engine to achieve full coverage of the BT.2020 color space for a true-to-life picture. With its Digital Lens Focus the PX1-PRO delivers a razor-sharp 4K image in sizes from 90 to 130-inches. Add to that premium features eARC for lossless audio, Filmmaker Mode, and smart home integrations and you've got yourself an Ultra Short Throw brimming with entertainment potential. Support for Dolby Vision $3000
• Hisense U8H - Featuring a Mini LED upgrade paired with Hisense's ULED technology and Quantum Dot, the U8H delivers vibrant colors, impressive contrast, and its trademark bright picture for a fantastic HDR experience. For those looking for a stunning picture and a robust set of premium features, the U8H delivers. $1,500 for 75"
• Kaleidescape Compact Terra 22TB Movie Server - The compact Terra 22TB can store over 350 4K UHD movies or over 650 movies with a mix of 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD-quality titles, and serve up to 5 simultaneous 4K UHD playbacks. The compact Terra allows customers the flexibility to add playback zones and grow their movie collection over time. Up to four compact Terra servers can be combined in a single system for more storage. $11,000 plus you need Strato C players which are priced at $3,995 each.
• LG CineBeam HU915QB Premium 4K UHD Laser Projector - The LG CineBeam HU915QB Projector is the total premium package for integrators and customers alike, offering a suite of CI-centric features, astonishing immersion with a 3-channel laser, plus an ultra-short 0.19 throw ratio. Install it just inches from the wall to give your customers dazzling color and contrast—all at epic proportions. $6,500
• LG OLED Flex (Model LX3) - With LG OLED Flex, go from a flat display all the way to a spectacular 900R curve* until you find the ideal arc for total immersion. Simply press the curvature button on your remote control and explore 20 different levels of curve. LG hasn't released pricing for its new LG OLED Flex TV, nor a release date.
• Lutron Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System - The Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System offers both simple, wire-free installation and precise, automated control of daylight in our most refined aesthetic. Extend the ultimate in design flexibility to every room in every home - for both existing homes and new construction. This shade uses no more than six D-cell batteries, while still maintaining an industry-leading battery life of three to five years using fewer batteries.
• Samsung Neo QLED QN100B 4K TV - Get immersed in this virtually edgeless, all picture 98" Class Infinity Screen television. Our best AI-Neural Processor always displays glorious 4K, powers the latest Smart TV Apps and fills the room with sound, all in an ultra-sleek high end metal design. Brilliant details in any light with Quantum Matrix Technology. Powered by a huge grid of Samsung's ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs, it takes exact control of the individual zones of light in your picture for breathtaking color and contrast. No pricing yet. But the QN90A 98" is currently selling for $15,000. So probably close to that.
• Samsung The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV - The Frame transforms to art when you're not watching TV. Choose from the Samsung Collection or upload your own pieces to reflect your personality. $3000 for 75" Frame extra but right now Samsung is running a promotion where the frame is free.
• Sonus (NOT SONOS) faber Arena - Handmade in Italy by our experienced Artisans of Sound, Arena delivers the acoustic power and dynamics required for hi-performance home cinema with the Natural Sound signature, definition, and details for which Sonus faber has been long admired. Anchored by our patented subwoofer technology, ARENA is a step forward in your private home cinema innovation. Pricing… well if you have to ask…
• Sony A95K - Discover the next dimension in entertainment with our breakthrough QD-OLED panel and ingenious, multi-purpose Dual Style design. See the world come vividly to life with unprecedented color and pure black contrast, powered by Cognitive Processor XR™. $3500 for 65"
• Sony VPL-XW7000ES - The compact, beautifully styled VPL-XW7000ES blends effortlessly into today's living spaces. The native 4K HDR laser projector features a long-lasting laser light source delivers an impressive 3,200 lumens brightness – plenty for vibrant, punchy pictures even in brightly lit living rooms, home cinemas and media rooms. $28000
• Victrola Stream Carbon - Experience your vinyl like never before in rich, vivid sound via your Sonos system. The Victrola Stream Carbon has been certified by the Works with Sonos program, ensuring that the integration meets Sonos' highest standards. Made from premium materials, the Victrola Stream Carbon features a sleek modern design that will be a statement piece in any environment. Equipped with a carbon fiber tonearm, meticulously machined aluminum headshell, and a premium Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, the Victrola Stream Carbon delivers on both sound and aesthetics. The easy-to-adjust tonearm counterweight provides the perfect downforce for dynamic frequency response and increased clarity. $800

For reference. Here are the Residential Systems Best of Show Awards Winners

• Arlington Industries CH1
• Autonomic Advanced Music Bridge
• Crestron Home OS
• Crestron LED Light Fixtures
• DMF Lighting DMF Lighting iX Series
• DreamScreen UltraWeave screen fabric
• Hisense U8H
• Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3 Automation
• Integrated Fiber Platform IFP Connect
• Just Add Power 718KVM and 749KVM transmitters
• Kaleidescape, Inc. Compact Terra 22TB Movie Server
• Legrand Shading Systems Designer Series Decorative Brackets and Hembar Endcaps
• LG Electronics G2 OLED evo Gallery Edition TV
• Lithe Audio Pro Series Wi-Fi Multiroom Ceiling Speaker
• Lutron Electronics Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System
• MetraAV Big Dog Power – Smart Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
• Modulus Media systems Modulus M2
• Natufia One
• NETGEAR M4250 Desktop Models
• One Firefly, LLC Video Pioneer
• Orro Orro S
• Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100
• Portal.io 'Payments' by Portal.io
• Quantum Media Systems Cinematic XDR LED Video Wall
• Samsung The Wall All-in-One (IAB)
• Samsung The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV
• Savant Home backup & Restore
• Shade Pocket Bracket
• Sonus faber SPA Arena
• Sony Electronics X95K
• Sony Electronics HT-A7000
• Victrola Stream Carbon
• WALL-SMART for Savant Ascend Keypads