Sept. 2000 — CEDIA 2000 in Indianapolis

CEDIA is a national show dedicated to the audio/video custom install business. Like last year, it took place in the Indianapolis downtown convention center adjacent to the RCA dome. From its rather modest beginnings, CEDIA has grown to become what, according to a candid Jonathan Scull of Stereophile spending some time with us could soon eclipse CES in terms of impact and importance for the industry. The show was exceedingly well organized, with round-the-clock seminars, real-time TV broadcasts and its own daily in-house newspaper. Products exhibited spanned the gamut from traditional two-channel to 7.1 surround sound, Smart-Home technologies that incorporate centralized control over lighting, motorized drapes/screens/projector-lifts, media storage, multi-room multi-zone schemes and A/V-Internet/PC convergence aspects as well as a host of high-tech accessories.

Attendance was terrific and so was the response to our speakers. True, our 10x 10' static display paled in size and sizzle next to some of the truly elaborate rigs on the main floor that were hosted by some of the biggest players in the industry. However, our tastefully assembled booth successfully showcased one each of our models and helped us get our message across. We talked to attendees about the product line, company philosophy and people behind the product and enjoyed meeting with so many professionals who have embraced the significant technical challenges and continuously expanding possibilities of the custom installation world.

To facilitate our forthcoming Soliloquy in-wall models, we took the opportunity to interview existing and prospective dealers about exactly what features we should offer and also investigated current offerings by other manufacturers to see how we might improve on what's already available.

While CEDIA is open to the trade only, the obvious excitement amongst showgoers generated from its resource-intensive displays and guest-speaker driven education indicated to us that the future of audio is inexorably linked to its successfully integration with regular living environments. Without doubt, convergence with the Internet and PC industries as well as its more mundane home aspects such as lighting, air conditioning, pool water temperature, remote toddler supervision, security and cellphone-based remote control over all these functions is not only on the horizon but, in many forms, already reality. The inherent complexity and technical challenges involved in assembling cost-effective solutions for individual needs mandates the selection of a well-trained professional. CEDIA seems strongly committed to provide the necessary training and certifications to ensure that CEDIA-certified technicians perform within strictly established codes and guidelines. This guarantees the end user the high-tech results paid for and also provides the mediation or arbitration ground in the unlikely event that the service provider and contractor don't see eye to eye.

As a member of CEDIA, we were deeply impressed with the organization's obvious skills and level of professionalism and look forward to attending the show again next year.