Subject: From: Date:

Re: RE: RE: RE: [ECS] Alarm suggestions Steven Wegman Mon, 14 Sep 1998 20:24:30 -0400

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At 02:55 PM 9/9/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello Steven,
>
>I went to CEDIA last year and had a great time.  I'm jealous I'm not
>going this year.  Let us know some highlights.


CEDIA was great.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  Try to attend next
year in Indianapolis September 21-26, 1999.

However, will say that HDTV is worth waiting for.  Pictures take on a 3D
quality to them.  For example, sat in on a 10 min. demo which was showing
the Relic on a 7 foot screen.  Sound was AC3.  I was sitting near the rear
wall.  When the beast broke through the wall, it caused me to jump out of
my seat.  The picture quality was that realistic.  And I am syaing this as
a person that owns an NEC 10 pg projector with a Dwin transcanner and a 9
foot screen.  Even though I have approx. 1000 lines of resollution, the
(enhanced) NTSC picture still retains a 2D image.  Same is true with the
Snell & Wilcox interpreter.  However, true HD takes on a 3D quality.

	Plasma screens were everywhere.  Prices now are in the 10-15K range, but
are dropping fast.  They still don't display true black, but they are
getting better (it is now a black with a hint of gray, whereas before,
black had a green tint).  I bet that when the cost drops, people will go
for them.  Picture quality right now is probably good for at least 95
percent of the population.

	Smartlinc showed off they new 2 way switches.  They also had a dealer
training session.  They have also put together a "home theater" package
that includes their Touchlinc screen.  I have ordered one to see how it
compares to Creston, Phast and Lexicon.  They also showed an alpha version
of a color touch screen.  Looked real good displaying MTV and ESPN icons.
They hope to ship by the end of the year.  Price for the color version has
not yet been determined, but they are sending me one when it is released.

IBM demoed their system.  Unfortunately, the people did not know what they
had.  I asked them if the light controls operated using PLC commands or if
they were RS232.  The rep.  told me they use a propriety RS232 system.  I
then noticed that the light switches were Leviton 6400 switches.  When I
pointed this out, the guy said, oh yeah, the lights are controlled using X-10.

Digital Dolby was everywhere.  DTS was absent.  Word on the floor was that
DTS dvd's have been delayed again, and that the company layed off 10
percent of their work force.

Motorized drapes, light lifts, etc. were shown.  Brought back 2 (small)
suitcases of materials to review.

Steve

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