Julie Jacobson · December 31, 2016

1. Geek Out Over This $1.5 Million Star Trek Home Theater
This is one home theater that Trekkies of the world won’t want to miss, complete with a JBL Synthesis sound system, Kaleidescape media server, Prima Cinema system, Turbolift door and hydraulic floor. And that’s nothing compared to the $1 million worth of ‘Star Trek’ merchandise.

2. Kaleidescape is Shutting Down: Interview with CEO Cheena Srinivasan
‘My prayer is there comes a buyer out of this,’ says Kaleidescape CEO Cheena Srinivasan, as iconic maker of home automation-friendly movie players runs out of money
[Note the follow-up: Kaleidescape is Back: Interview with CEO]

3. Understanding the Differences Between Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches
Technologists, step up your technical knowledge to diversify and grow your business.

4. Control4 Launches Three Home Automation Controllers with Hi-Res Audio, Starting at $600
Control4 announces EA Series of smart-home controllers with more powerful processors, high-resolution audio (HRA), built-in Ethernet switches, more I/Os; goes another year without an IoT solution for DIYs.

5. Why Crestron Withdrew from CEDIA Expo 2016, Plus Photos from CEDIAs Past
Crestron isn’t exhibiting at CEDIA 2016, but the high-end home automation giant swears it is still committed to residential. Has CEDIA strayed from the luxury market?

6. DoorBird May be Best DIY/Pro Doorbell Camera for Home Automation Integration
ISC West 2016: With rich API and ONVIF support, DoorBird currently beats Ring, SkyBell and August for integrating with home automation. RTI, Control4 and URC are the first partners.

7. Logitech to Sell New $400 Harmony Pro Remote Only Through Pro Installers, not DIY
Available through ADI and Dow Electronics, new Harmony Pro remote control and home automation system mimics Harmony Elite, but not available to DIYs.

8. 5 Crucial Tips for Dolby Atmos Setups; 5 Best Demo Scenes
Speaking at the Pacific Northwest Consumer Electronic Expo, Dolby director tells dealers that an all in-ceiling Dolby Atmos system is ‘not the right experience,’ why 5.1.4 is better than 7.1.2, and offers up the five best demo Blu-rays.

NEXT: Top 2016 Mergers & Acquisitions in Home Automation, A/V, IoT, Security, Networking

9. Google Home, Assistant, Nest and Cast Present One Unified Smart Home Ecosystem
With the new Google Home hub and Google Assistant speech-recognition engine, plus integration with Nest IoT devices and audio/video via Cast, Google will rival Apple (Homekit) and Amazon (Alexa) in voice-controlled home automation.

10. Sonos Now Integrates for Real; iPort, Lutron, Crestron Launch New Controls
After years of shunning integration with third-party home automation systems, Sonos has created an API for integration and named its first partners: Control4, Crestron, Deutsche Telekom’s QIVICON, iPort, Lutron, and Savant. Plus: How Crestron does it differently.

11. Savant Announces 8.0 Home Automation Software, Pro Remote, Improved UI, Autonomic Inside
With 8.0 release, home automation leader Savant integrates with Sonos, improves UI, builds in Autonomic streaming media software, launches Pro Remote for dealers. See them at ISC West 2016.

12. Debunking ‘High Speed’ 4K HDMI 2.0 Data Rate Claims
Industry veteran Joe Perfito of Tributaries Cable goes on a fact-checking journey on how a “High Speed” 10.2Gbps HDMI cable can somehow now claim to send at a 18Gbps data rate for 4K video. New Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs will require at least 11Gbps data rate. Integrators are the last layer of protection for consumers.

13. Control4 Works with Google Home, Google Assistant for IoT Voice Control via IFTTT
Developer Chowmain updates IFTTT driver for Control4 home automation, adding support for Google Home IoT hub and Google Assistant voice control. CEO compares Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration platforms.

14. ISC West 2016: The Latest in Smart Doorbell Cameras and How they Integrate with Home Automation
Vivint sets records for video doorbell, Nortek unveils first doorbell cam, August and Ring work with ADT Canopy, Honeywell teams with Skybell, DoorBird integrates with Control4 home automation … and more smart-doorbell news for ISC West 2016.

15. Control4 OS 2.9 is all About Integration: Amazon Alexa, Sonos, Z-Wave, Motorized Shades
Home automation leader Control4 (CTRL) is releasing OS 2.9 at CEDIA 2016, featuring voice control through Amazon Alexa, support for Z-Wave, deep integration with motorized shades. Plus, more personalization for the customer.

16. Nerd Alert: New Crestron IP Control for Apple TV Gen 4, and the Magic of SIMPL#
UK-based Ultamation is releasing an Apple TV driver (through Gen 4) for Crestron home automation systems. Managing Director explains the magic of SIMPL# programming language.

17. This Wine Country Hillside Cave Features 120 Hidden Sources of Light
Lighting design by Pasolumination includes LED fixtures tucked within stonework, ceiling coves and other structural elements to illuminate this 5-acre cave on the coast of California.

18. I’ve Seen the Future of Home Automation and it Starts with Google Now
AI is here: Google Assistant voice-control, coupled with Google Now, mixed with oodles of analytics, is a revelation for this smart-home reporter.

19. Interview: B&W Acquired by Owner of San Francisco 49ers, a Super-Geeky Audiophile
Silicon Valley start-up Eva Automation, co-founded by 49ers president Gideon Yu, acquires leading audio firm Bowers & Wilkins. Leadership packed with Harvard MBAs, venture capitalists, digital gurus and audiophiles.

20. Yale’s Super-Smart Doorbell Cam: ‘Look’ Viewer with Video, Intercom, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi
CEDIA Expo 2015: Yale to launch Look Digital Door Viewer, replacing standard peephole with IoT camera, video display, two-way audio, Wi-Fi and home automation via Z-Wave and ZigBee.

  About the Author

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Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration. Julie majored in Economics at the University of Michigan, spent a year abroad at Cambridge University, earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and has never taken a journalism class in her life. She’s a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player currently residing in Carlsbad, Calif. Email Julie at jjacobson@ehpub.com