The Integration Conversation

Mitchell Klein (Z-Wave Alliance), Rich Green (Rich Green Design), and Gordon van Zuiden (cyberManor) were all at this year's TecHomeX event — as presenters. What did they learn from the design and build pros in attendance? What new ideas did they encounter? Give a listen.

"TecHomeX unites residential design/build and tech integration/contracting companies in the nation's most lucrative regional markets to catalyze powerful sell-through of home technology." —techomex.com

"Are we inducing 'gadget fatigue' amongst our clients?" -- Michael Heiss, M Heiss Consulting

From big-picture cultural questions to the latest video tech (HDR, 8K), it was all covered at the HPA Tech Retreat (and no, the "end of projection" is not upon us). Here's an overview.

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"Cloud computing can have latency … when you're local you don't have access to a lot of devices and processing … and fog is that in-between." -Alex Capecelatro

Cloud, mist, fog — nope, this isn't about the weather, it's about these terms as they apply to computing. Alex Capecelatro (Josh.ai) and Mike Maniscalco join CEDIA's Dave Pedigo, Walt Zerbe and Ed Wenck to discuss the concepts. Plus, CEDIA's David Meyer calls in from Down Under to clue us in on the White Papers on HDMI he's just finished for our members.

"Go listen to live music. I think it will really help you when you're installing and calibrating your systems." – Geoff Meads

CEDIA companies seem to include a pretty high percentage of people who've been involved in music and/or live sound. How does this inform one's career as an integrator? What perspectives do those experiences bring to the gig? Our guests include accomplished guitarist/recording engineer and ESPA Executive Director Jeff Gardner, and Geoff Meads, who's a singer/songwriter/gigging guitarist and web developer (Presto AV) who's extremely active in the CEDIA universe. (NOTE: We want to hear from YOU about this one, so please take our super-quick survey HERE.)

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Simply put, blockchain technology is going to be a major disruptor -- but the possibilities for its use in the home tech universe are incredible. Our guest this week is at the leading edge of this development: John Fitch from Animal Ventures.

"We have a connected toothbrush that tells you how long you've been brushing your teeth. To quote one of our comedians here in the UK: 'I know! I was there!'" -- David Mudd, BSI Group

David Mudd of the BSI Group joins CEDIA's Dave Pedigo, Ed Wenck and Walt Zerbe to speak on the Internet of Things -- namely, the risks and rewards of the IoT.

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"What do I look for in an integrator? I look for people that will take care of my client, that will communicate well, that will understand we're all working toward the same goal and none of us is the most important person at the table." – Christopher Wright, WrightWorks LLC (building and remodeling)

In this episode, we chat with builder/remodeler Christopher Wright and designer Adam Gibson (a kitchen/bath specialist) about working with integrators – and the importance of technology to their clients.

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The roundtable from Integrated Systems Europe speaks on the importance of experience over equipment, and the aesthetics of control interfaces — especially "retro" ones. ("Did you know the global market for candle wax was 8.5 billion dollars last year?" – Sam Woodward)

CEDIA's Walt Zerbe and Dave Pedigo are joined by Sam Woodward (Lutron), Peter Aylett (Archimedia), Ken Erdmann (Erdmann Electric) Michael Heiss (M Heiss Consulting), and Rich Green (Rich Green Design).

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Today's topics in this podcast from Integrated Systems Europe include: Design Thinking (what we'll be covering at CEDIA Business Xchange), GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) Compliance, and the challenges of digital marketing ("Stop speaking in Klingon." – Geoff Meads).

Walt Zerbe's guests include Geoff Meads (Presto AV Ltd), Julie Jacobson (CE Pro), Michael Heiss (M Heiss Consulting), Mike Maniscalco (Ihiji), and Rich Green (Rich Green Design).

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DC micro grids. The maturation of voice control. The future of video content. POWER VAMPIRES. All of that's covered in this podcast from Integrated Systems Europe.

Walt Zerbe hosts a great roundtable in this one: CEDIA's Dave Pedigo, David Weinstein and Sam Woodward from Lutron, and Ken Erdmann of Erdmann Electric who all attended Day Two of ISE.

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