Xantech Control Products Once Again Selected for FCCI Insurance Group Office Facilities

Largo, Florida-based Technical Resource Group (TRG) recently completed a major upgrade of the AV systems in the executive boardroom at the corporate headquarters and Florida regional office of FCCI Insurance Group in Sarasota, Florida, which includes control solutions from Xantech, a leader in the field of audio/video remote control and distribution for 40 years. The project also involved the reconfiguration of one of FCCI’s three training/conference rooms, which TRG upgraded two years ago with Xantech touch screen displays and control equipment.

Keith Gilliam, TRG System Design/Engineer, was pleased to make a return visit to FCCI in order to install more Xantech equipment. “This is their first upgrade in the executive boardroom; FCCI had grown out of the existing technology and replaced it with state-of-the-art digital audio, video and control technology,” he reveals. “It worked out very well to have Xantech’s WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller control everything. The Web Intelligent Controller was chosen to manage all of the digital A/V and the system controls, which included the contact closures for the screen and projector lift.”

There are 22 stations located around the conference table in FCCI’s executive boardroom, at which each participant can connect his or her laptop computer, according to Keith Gilliam. The existing VGA inputs at each station were retained and HDMI inputs were added. “This will maintain compatibility with current generation laptops and provide connectivity well into the future,” he explains. “Each of the 22 stations is configured with hi-def video inputs, and we’re controlling the video switcher’s HDMI, VGA and DVI inputs through the Xantech WIC1200.”

Each station is additionally equipped with a Shure MX Series podium microphone, and the room is fully outfitted with ceiling speakers. The microphones and speakers are processed through a Biamp Systems Audia FLEX DSP unit. “The Xantech WIC1200 is controlling the volumes of all of the inputs, where we govern the audio switching along with controlling volumes to the Biamp system,” says Keith Gilliam.

Keith Gilliam reports FCCI requested an easy-to-use system that required no more than one or two button pushes to operate or reconfigure the installed equipment. “We’re also using two Xantech 10.4-inch WiFi CWTC10 Commercial Wireless Touch Controllers as wireless interfaces, so they can have simple control to turn the room on and off. When they turn the system on it lowers the screen, turns on the projector, lowers the projector, and reconfigures the video inputs.”

The executives operating the board meetings can use the Xantech CWTC10 to configure the boardroom to any station or video input they need, he says. “They can call up a station and reconfigure it with a couple of button pushes.” This is made possible by employing Xantech’s recently introduced Web Designer 3.0 software, which provides a simple drag-and-drop programming solution for the easy creation of a customized graphic user interface on any web-based system’s remote control device.

For more information, please visit www.xantechcommercial.com.

New Stereo Earbud Headphones for Children Feature Built-In Volume Limit to Protect Hearing

For the millions of children who now have their own smartphone, iPhone®, iPod®, or MP3 music player, the iESSENTIALS® division of MIZCO International today introduced a new line of earbud headphones designed specifically to ensure the safety of their ears while enjoying their music.

Available for $9.99, the new comfortable in-ear RoboBuds™ line offers five fun, colorful “robot” characters: “Phantom”, “Streke”, “Electrika”, “PowerBot”, and “CrimsonRobo”. Each set of earbuds features a robot character on the cord that slides up and down and serves as the set’s cord management system. The RoboBuds are designed with a volume limiting output of 85 dB (decibels) to protect children’s ears.

“Children are embracing music at younger and younger ages than ever before, and that requires manufacturers to go further than ever before to design products that can help protect against unintended damage caused by sudden increases in music volume,” explained Mike Mizrahi, Creative Director at MIZCO International.

“Our new line of iESSENTIALS RoboBuds provides kids of all ages with a high performance audio accessory that is every bit as safe to use as they are fun to collect and use. Parents no longer need to worry about their children hurting their hearing because of unsafely loud music. Our RoboBud earbuds automatically limit output to 85 db, which means parents can let their children turn the music up as loud as they want but the volume will never rise to a level that hurts their children’s hearing!”

What’s more, the colorful and varied line of RoboBud earbuds, complete with five characters to collect, ensures that children will never again have to settle for plain white, uncomfortable plastic earbuds, and parents will never have to worry about the safety of their childrens’ ears! The introduction of the five earbud models is only the first phase of the product line, with the addition of over-the-ear models to follow.

The City Of Key West, Florida Declares Week Of December 26, 2011 "Real Men Wear Pink Sneakers Week" In Support Of The American Cancer Society!

Real men may still not eat quiche, but this holiday season, from December 26-31, 2011, Key West men—and women—will definitely be wearing plenty of pink sneakers as part of the "Real Men Wear Pink Sneakers Week" breast cancer fundraising and awareness initiative announced today by Key West Mayor Craig Cates and IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort Owner Chris Holland.

The city and resort have teamed up to create a week-long public awareness program for which Converse® has donated 500 pairs of pink Chuck Taylor® Hi-Top sneakers to the Florida Keys Unit of the American Cancer Society. The sneakers can be purchased by the public for $50 per pair either by contacting the IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort Fun Desk by phone (305.296.0616) or in person.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Florida Keys Unit of the American Cancer Society to benefit several breast cancer patient support programs including:

• Reach To Recovery, a one-on-one support program in which a breast cancer survivor counsels and provides emotional support for a newly diagnosed patient at their home, over the phone, or in the hospital.
• Road To Recovery, a program that provides transport for patients to and from treatment appointments and doctor visits.
• Triple Touch, an educational program that teaches women how to do self-examinations and encourages all women over 40 years to schedule a doctor’s examination every year.
• Look Good, Feel Better, a program that provides makeovers and fine makeup for patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

According to Mayor Cates, he, along with Key West’s city managers and district commissioners, will wear the pink sneakers all week long.

According to Carrie Helliesen, Executive Director of the Florida Keys Unit of The American Cancer Society, “The ‘Real Men Wear Pink Sneakers Week” is an amazing fundraising and awareness initiative for the Florida Keys Unit of The American Cancer Society. The Mayor’s proclamation encouraging men to ensure the women in their lives receive annual mammograms exemplifies the truth that women don’t have to do it alone. Key West has a vast support community to help with everything from transportation to the doctor to educational programs for women young and old, and it means a lot that the city and Chris Holland have taken the lead in the fight against breast cancer.”

The weeklong fundraising program will culminate with a Pink Converse New Year’s Eve Party at IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort, Key West’s most original waterfront destination. All those who purchase a pair of the pink Converse sneakers are invited to wear them out and celebrate the New Year Key West style! The party will start at 8 p.m. on December 31 and will feature great live music performed by Key West’s own MuseGurus. There will be free Pink Key West shrimp, a cash bar, prizes for pink outfits and a special ‘pink’ movie that will be shown on the resort’s new 20-foot poolside movie screen.

“New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration, and this year we are using that joyful spirit for a good cause by raising money for the Florida Keys Unit of the American Cancer Society,” said Chris Holland, owner of IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort and one of the fundraiser’s main organizers. “As a cancer survivor myself and board member of the Florida Keys Unit of The American Cancer Society, this cause is near and dear to my heart. Mayor Cates and the city of Key West, along with Converse and all those who purchase a pair of sneakers and participate are helping in the fight against breast cancer with their involvement in ‘Real Men Wear Pink Sneakers Week’.”

To order your pink sneakers and show your support for the Florida Keys Unit of The American Cancer Society, please call IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort at 305-296-0616, or stop by in person and visit the resort’s Fun Desk to purchase your sneakers. The resort is located at 3101 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West.

The IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort embodies the very best of Key West and offers guests a vacation experience like no other. With a full deck of options for active adventure-seekers, Hemingway buffs, or travelers who want to fit in with the locals, there is something special for every guest. Featuring classic Key West architecture and design, 600 feet of beautiful private beach, a 20-foot poolside movie screen for outdoor movie nights and the Lighthouse Restaurant, IBIS BAY Waterfront Resort is more than a resort—it’s a destination.

About the American Cancer Society:
Together with our millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society (ACS) saves lives and creates a world with less cancer and more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has 12 chartered Divisions, more than 900 local offices nationwide, and a presence in more than 5,100 communities. To learn more, visit www.cancer.org.

Sentina LED Signage Completes High Tech Atmosphere of Innovative Wine Café

 The premier wine store and tasting room in Hope Mills, North Carolina isn’t just any old wine store. Featuring Sentina™ LED signage solutions for countertop and window advertising, several flat screen TVs, an automated wine dispensing system that can pour up to 12 different bottles of wine and free WiFi for customers, The Wine Café updates the classic fine wine experience into the 21st century and offers guests an experience unlike any other.

“I love modern technology, and I know it is a large part of everyday life for people today, so I want my stores to use the latest technologies to offer a different, more modern, and better experience than other wine stores,” said Angie Malave, Owner and CEO of The Wine Café. “From the wine pouring system to the touch screen register, every part of my store is up-to-date and meant to impress my guests. That extends to my advertising as well, which is why I use Sestina’s LED uSigns on my countertops and in the windows. I host events for the store and for local clubs throughout the year, and I need the uSign’s flexibility to be able to plug the sign in or use a battery pack to bring it outside when I host outdoor events. And I even hang one in the window to attract passersby.”

Malave started out using one Sentina LB-8 uSign digital signage display at The Wine Café to advertise specials, showcase new products and provide information during events or promote upcoming events, and quickly realized that she wanted to do more. She purchase two additional uSigns and has since had several customers remark about how “cool” the signs are, and how they like them better than plain poster advertisements.

“I recently held the grand opening of my second Wine Café location, and I will be using the Sentina uSigns there as well,” Malave continued. “I’m the first wine store in the area to bring these modern technologies to the wine tasting and buying experience, and my customers and guests have taken notice. Sales are up, people are happy, and my tasting events have all been very successful! Whether it’s promoting information about new varietals or an upcoming event, the digital signs and the TVs inside really set my store apart from my competition. What I really like is that it’s so easy to update and change the advertisements—all I have to do is print out a new flyer on a transparency and slip it into the Sentina uSign.”

Designed to replace wasteful fluorescent-based signage, Sentina™ uSign™ displays advance the state-of-the-art in energy-efficient LED lighting technology in a number of significant ways. First, the displays feature customized Super LED lights that are 20 percent brighter than conventional LED lights. Second, these Super LED lights are embedded behind a proprietary Shoji screen-based Optical Reflection Panel, OptiLight, that produces an ultra-bright, evenly dispersed edge-to-edge light that virtually eliminates heat emission. Third, the ultra-lightweight display frames are constructed entirely of recycled plastic. Fourth, each Sentina uSign frame consumes just six watts, translating to an operating cost of less than a penny per day in normal usage. Fifth, and perhaps most importantly of all, each 8.5” x 11” display costs just $80.00.

According to Datexx President Mei Noguchi, “The LB-8 uSign is the perfect solution for any business that wants to display information, advertising, promotions or large photos on a counter, or hang it on a wall or window. Because it is low-cost, consumes so little energy, uses LED lights that will work forever and is so simple to update with new transparencies that can be made on any printer, every customer-facing business can utilize the Sentina uSign to attract new customers and impress old customers alike. With options ranging from a single uSign to a tower consisting of 16 uSigns in a 360 degree display, there is a solution for every situation and any sized store.”

The Wine Café (www.thewinecafeus.com) is the first store in Cumberland County, North Carolina to offer an interactive wine tasting experience featuring automated wine dispensing units and family owned wines from around the world. It is a unique wine café that truly goes “beyond the bottle”, letting guests experience wine in an entirely new way. After visiting The Wine Café, wine will never be the same!

Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Datexx is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovatively designed, affordably priced products that help consumers manage their time and money. For more than 15 years, the company has proudly met the needs of smart consumers seeking smarter living solutions. To date, more than 20-million consumers have joined the Datexx family of satisfied customers.

BUILDERnews Names ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System A Best Product of 2011!

The ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System today was named a Best Product of 2011 by BUILDERnews magazine, the national residential and multifamily media brand for builders, developers, contractors and designers. Each year, BUILDERnews’ editorial staff undergoes a rigid and lengthy process to choose winners based on innovation and potential impact on the builder and remodeler for ease of use, competitiveness, upsell potential and product effectiveness.

“Even in a challenging economy, there are still hundreds of products released and bought to the market every year. This year’s honorees represent some of the nation’s most innovative products in the industry and ones that our editorial team felt readers would find most useful to build better and stay competitive in 2012,” said D.C. Curry-Rothwell, CEO and publisher of BUILDERnews.

“We were impressed by the latest generation of the ELAN g! entertainment and control system, one of the most innovative products we’ve seen in years, because it lets architects and builders add in the latest in home entertainment and control technology in a whole new way,” he said. “Besides sleek good looks and the “wow” technology factor, these systems can be set up and configured by professional installers in a few hours, instead of days, via interface templates.”

According to the magazine’s editorial review staff, “ELAN promises eye-popping user interfaces that deliver unparalleled ease-of-use and control of the entire home. An intuitive and uniform navigation scheme makes using the system ultra-user-friendly, from across the room or across the globe. Individual "apps" allow for seamless control of each subsystem - such as security, climate, lighting, media and more – even while on the go from an iPhone or PC. This product delivers.”

Products were nominated for innovation, their potential for competitive differentiation in the builder marketplace, and margin potential. More than 200 products were nominated, and editors then narrowed the nominees to six products in each of 12 categories. Those products went to an independent editorial advisory panel that chose two winners for each category.

According to Joe Lautner, ELAN Product Manager and Business Development, “Builders all over the world have begun to incorporate home technology systems into their designs, and now BUILDERnews has recognized ELAN g! as an innovative Smart Home solution that is also profitable for builders to install in their projects. It has become a favorite of builders and homeowners because it is scalable for any budget and any sized home. Every homebuilder can now offer whole-home entertainment and automation to his clients with a simple, intuitive user interface that is as easy to use as an iPhone or iPad. The ELAN g! system helps builders to differentiate their homes from competitors and lets homeowners simply control every aspect of their home.”

The Niles IntelliControl ICS System Now Features iPad/iPhone Control Through The ELAN g! System

Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced that it is now possible to immediately provide its Niles IntelliControl® ICS System customers with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch control capability with the market introduction of the new ELAN® g! 5.3 software upgrade for the ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System.

The free software upgrade that was released today by ELAN Home Systems is available to all qualified dealers, according to Niles President Mike “Sparky” Detmer. What’s more, the ELAN g!Mobile 5.3 app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch now offers complete control of both the ELAN g! system and the Niles ICS System, and is available from the iTunes store.

According to Detmer, “Today the Niles ICS System, the industry’s most powerful and versatile whole-home audio solution, gained immeasurable new value with the addition of iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch control capability. Accessing all of the most popular music sources including iTunes® libraries, Pandora® Internet Radio, Rhapsody® and Sirius|XM® Internet Radio is now easier and more convenient than ever.

“The introduction of the g!Mobile 5.3 app comes at an amazing time and refreshes the entire Niles ICS System just as we surpass 15,000 ICS installations. And what’s more, with the integration with ELAN home controllers, Niles dealers gain an incredibly simple entryway for educating their clients about whole-home automation.”

The Niles IntelliControl ICS System is a unique whole-house audio distribution system that incorporates any music and metadata from iPods, Sirius|XM Satellite and Internet Radio, Pandora Internet Radio, Rhapsody, local music files on home computers or NAS drives, AM/FM radio, HD Radio™ and any other analog audio source. Users can access their personal music libraries and terrestrial, satellite and Internet radio sources through intuitive, easy-to-use in-wall touch screens and touchpads, handheld remotes and portable touch screens that provide full source, song, station and playlist information.

The backbone of ICS is the GXR2 Modular MultiZone Receiver, which was designed and engineered to be 'future-proof' and adaptable to meet the constantly changing demands of custom installers and their clients. The newest option for the GXR2 is the IM-NET streaming media module, which offers custom installation professionals a high-performance solution for providing their clients easy access to all of their favorite Internet-based music content including Pandora Radio, Rhapsody and SIRIUS|XM. Metadata for all digital music is can be displayed on connected control devices and user interfaces including the Niles Contact, a full-color wall-mount touch screen.

With the release of the g! Mobile5.3 app for control of the ICS system, in addition to being able to access all of a client’s favorite sources, the ICS system now provides access from the client’s favorite control devices: their iPads and iPhones.

About Niles®:
California-based Niles® is a 33-year-old brand recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world’s leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, Internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com.

About The AVC Group, LLC:
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, The AVC Group, LLC is a portfolio of pre-eminent manufacturers and marketers of state-of-the-art consumer and commercial audio, video, and control system solutions. The AVC Group is comprised of the following industry leading brands: Niles®, ELAN® Home Systems, Xantech®, ATON® and Sunfire®. The AVC Group, LLC is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc.’s (www.nortek-inc.com) Home Technology Group.

Stampede Announces Plans To Bring Its 2012 Big Book Of AV Tour To 13 Cities In The U.S. And Canada

Seeking to make its 2012 Big Book of AV Tour (BBOAV) even bigger and more successful than its just completed 2011 tour, Stampede, the leading value-added distributor of professional audio video solutions, today announced plans to bring its phenomenally popular Big Book of AV Tour to 13 cities in the United States and Canada in 2012. What’s more, Stampede said it will double the length of each day’s exhibit hours and increase the number of on-site training programs.

“Our 2011 Big Book of AV Tour was the biggest, most successful tour in the three year history of the program,” Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly said today. “Frankly, given the fact that we hit nine cities and educated several thousand attendees during the 2011 tour, it’s going to be a challenge to make the 2012 tour even bigger and better — but we have the programs underway that will do just that.”

According to Kelly, increasing the number of cities visited, doubling the length of each day’s exhibit hours, increasing the number and variety of on-site training programs, opening up the tour to more end users, and making affordable video conferencing a centerpiece of every tour stop will help strengthen the BBOAV Tour as the largest event of its kind in North America.

“We’re thrilled that the Big Book of AV Tour continues to grow and reach more dealers each year,” Kelly said. “This tour provides dealers across the country a chance to experience the latest AV technologies and equipment and learn not only how to use them, but also which ones to use for each unique job. When coupled with our Stampede University live training events on topics such as 3D technology, touch technology and digital signage, The Big Book of AV Tour is a dealer’s one-stop event for staying up-to-date on everything AV.”

The Big Book of AV Tour supports and extends the reach of the company’s The Big Book of AV, The Ultimate Audio/Video Resource Book. The 2011 tour offered a chance for dealers to see live projector and display demonstrations and take part in Stampede University live training events on topics such as 3D technology, touch technology and digital signage. In addition, dealers in attendance had the opportunity to become CTS and DSCE certified.

Published each year by Stampede, The Big Book of AV contains more than 800 pages and features thousands of products that are ideal for home theaters, schools, houses of worship and just about any venue. The book offers buyer tips for selecting the right AV equipment and recommends products to enhance the performance of displays and projectors. The book also includes a Manufacturer Resource Section with contact info for every featured brand and a glossary of commonly used AV industry terms to help dealers understand the latest technology language. The Big Book of AV is also available for free online at www.bigbookofav.com and is now compatible with iPhones, iPads and Android mobile devices.

Attendees of the 2011 tour saw the latest solutions from a variety of vendors including Atlas Sound, Avteq, BenQ, Casio, Chief, Epson, Gefen, Hall Research, Hitachi Solutions, Kramer, Lumens, Mitsubishi, Mustang, NEC, Optoma, Peerless, Perfect Path, ProSales, TechGlobal, Samsung, Severtson Screens, Sharp and Sony.

About Stampede
Known for its value-added distribution, Amherst, New York-based Stampede is the leading distributor of presentation equipment including LCD/DLP projectors and flat panel displays. Stampede provides a complete range of brand name presentation equipment to a variety of audio/video, computer, and home theater resellers and integrators in the United States, Canada and Latin America. These resellers rely on Stampede for value-added services in distribution, marketing and solution- based sales. Stampede annually produces the “Big Book of AV,” an 816-page catalog and companion website (www.BigBookofAV.com) providing hundreds of sales, installation and spec tips for Stampede’s dealers in addition to product details on more than 5,000 SKUs. For more information on Stampede, log onto www.stampedeglobal.com.