~ Innovative Custom-Printed Artistic Acoustic Panels Make Industry Debut ~

ANAHEIM, CA – Auralex Acoustics, the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions, is breaking new ground by launching a gallery of custom-printed acoustical panels at this year’s Winter NAMM show (Booth 6794, Hall A). Auralex Acoustics is exclusively the first to market SonicPrint, its custom-printed, artistic ProPanels featuring “The Art of Sound� theme which blends unlimited design and style options for any room with the company’s acoustically proven technology of its ProPanel product line.

SonicPrint custom-printed, artistic ProPanels are fabric-covered acoustic absorptive panels designed as artwork. For the home theater enthusiast, this exclusive offering opens the door to numerous home theater décor options, as the acoustical panels are camouflaged under the design of the customer’s choice. Users are no longer limited to single color fabric choices, and can now outfit any space with paintings and drawings of any kind. SonicPrint is also available for Auralex’s ELiTE Custom Fabric System (CFS), a full-room treatment approach that blends an engineered acoustical environment with an elegant finished appearance. more

- Scott Coffee Joins Hitachi As Southwest Regional Sales Manager, While Kristin Ford Has Been Named Northwest Regional Sales Manager –

CHULA VISTA, Calif., January 5, 2009 — Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., Business Group today strengthened its expert sales force with the appointments of Scott Coffee and Kristin Ford. Mr. Coffee has been appointed Southwest regional sales manager, while Ms. Ford joins Hitachi as Northwest regional sales manager. more

Tour hits 20 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada; Offers Business Workshops, New Product Demos, Access to Manufacturers and Special Pricing for Local Dealers

AVAD LLC, North America’s leading distributor of custom home electronics, has announced dates for 20 scheduled Vend-O-Paloozas in 2009.

Held at local AVAD branches, Vend-O-Palooza helps connect area dealers with leading manufacturers in an interactive forum by offering attendees an opportunity to meet directly with manufacturers, demo new products, participate in raffles and giveaways, and purchase products at special pricing. At Vend-O-Palooza, dealers are able to attend workshops designed to help them successfully manage and grow their businesses. more

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 5, 2009 — Phoenix Gold® (phoenixgold.com), a brand of Rodin, is proud to announce that it is taking part in the next NextGen Home Experience “First to the Future� national showcase home, which will first be debuted during the at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas, Nev. from Jan 8-11, 2009. The “First to the Future� home will be located a short distance from the Las Vegas and Sands Convention Centers. Phoenix Gold has supplied numerous speakers, video cable, and accessories for the showcase. more

The following information is courtesy of the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Large Home Theater, Level I: $56,000 – $85,000

Synopsis describing the project goals, special features, or nuances.
This theater was designed for the family to enjoy their time together watching movies and entertaining their friends at home. After our initial discussions with our client, we designed a room that would have an opulent feel while still enjoying high performance from their audio and video system. A 7.2 channel surround sound system was integrated into the front proscenium wall and rear ceiling paying special attention to accurate sound reproduction with discreet installation. Our company performed all design and theater fabrication including the finished carpentry trim work in the theater. Our design incorporated swivel seating for the front row and an inviting sofa with lounge for the rear. This design decision offers unobstructed movie viewing while still allowing casual face to face conversation during intermissions. more

First Program on Tap for 2009 is with Aspire RF Wireless Lighting Control Systems

Seattle, WA – January 5, 2009 – The EDGE Distributors Group — a rapidly growing service-oriented group of 13 independently owned regional distributors catering primarily to custom install and residential systems integrators – is slated to launch a dealer certification training program that begins early 2009.

According to The EDGE Distributors Group Director Katye McGregor, equipping dealers with a full understanding of today’s emerging technologies is a key initiative for the group. EDGE’s focus is to enable dealers to benefit from selling homeowners a broader range of services. more

Palatine, IL – January 5, 2009 – Revenew Systems, a leading consumer electronics channel management and marketing systems provider, announced today that the company is introducing a cost-sharing program wherein it will substantially reduce the cost of its Online Marketing Toolbox for new dealers that enroll between January 1 and March 31, 2009.

The Revenew Online Marketing Toolbox is a turn-key platform that provides dealers online access to a database of high potential consumer prospects, the ability to learn what and when the prospects plan to buy, and the capability of launching custom marketing campaigns instantly with the click of a mouse. Customizable direct mail and email campaigns include automated fulfillment, an integrated campaign landing page, real-time lead notification and results tracking. more

Nothing else matters! Wherever they may roam, Coemar Infinity Wash XL lights carry the banner of performance pride, and the glowering Metallica 2008-2009 Tour is the latest notch-post to wave.

The show theme, echoing the coffin motif of the the 25-year-career heavy metal wizards’ latest release, Death Magnetic, boasts 8 2-ton lighting structures, courtesy of lighting designer John Broderick. “There are 56 Coemar Infinity Wash XL lights on these giant aluminum coffin structures,” he says. more

Christie, a global leader in visual solutions for business, entertainment and industry, will light up the City of Cambridge for the one-of-a-kind, global event, Unsilent Night. Celebrated in at least 35 cities around the world, Unsilent Night will be a first for the province of Ontario and by far, the most unique to ever take place anywhere. Christie will partner with University of Waterloo Architecture Cambridge students to create a complete multi-media immersion of the senses, elevating the city’s visual landscape to new heights. Unsilent Night will feature still and interactive images, videos and light installations that are sure to put everyone in the holiday mood and enhance the musical experience that makes Unsilent Night a celebrated, world class event. more

Teterboro, NJ (January 3, 2009) – projectiondesign invites discerning visitors at the upcoming International CES to experience mind-blowing performance by their new avielo home cinema DLP projector series in suite 31-133 at the Venetian Resort Hotel, Las Vegas.

At CES, projectiondesign will feature and demonstrate its top-of-the-line avielo optix single-chip projector with full HD 1080p resolution for screen sizes up to 180� diagonal. The optix features six lens options from the company’s premium hand-selected ‘Signature’ series for the best possible picture quality. The unit uses projectiondesign’s patented DuArch™ dual illumination architecture, ensuring optimum performance and extended lamp life. more