LOUDSPEAKERS

• Architectural Speakers

  Less than $1,000 per pair / More than $1,000 per pair Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new transducer specifically designed to mount in a wall, for use in a home theater or multi-room audio system.

• Floor-standing/Book Shelf Speakers

  Less than $1,000 per pair / More than $1,000 per pair Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new transducer specifically designed for use in a 2-channel, home theater or multi-room audio system.

• Soundbars/On-Wall/Single-Chassis Surround Loudspeaker

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new single-unit LCR loudspeaker or soundbar designed for use in a home theater environment, as well as non-LCR on-wall mounted loudspeakers.

• Subwoofer

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new stand-alone or in-wall transducer with the sole purpose of reproducing audio frequencies below 35Hz.

HOME THEATER/MULTI-ROOM AUDIO/VIDEO

• A/V Switchers

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products that select between several different audio/video sources and distribute audio/video signals, including High-Res Audio, 3D, and Ultra HD, to various zones in a home.

• Flat Panel TV/Ultra HD

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new flat panel, LCD, OLED or LED video display, including smart TVs, 3D, 4K/Ultra HD.

• HDMI/HD-BaseT Extenders

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products designed to extend HDMI signals using HDBaseT or other technologies over Category cable.

• Home Theater A/V Receivers & Source Components

  Products in this category include Blu-ray disc players, streaming media devices, A/V receivers, computer-based devices, digital-to-analog converters (DAC), network media players, satellite radio products and portable device docking solutions. Category also includes analog turntables, phono stages (preamps), CD players, AM/FM tuners and other legacy solutions. These products must be compatible with solutions that are traditionally utilized in two-channel, home theaters and whole-house audio systems.

• Multi-room AV Components (Amplifiers, Receivers, Source Components and Preamplifiers)

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new multi-room audio sound package that provides control, amplification, and distribution capabilities to outfit a home or dwelling with a multi-zone system; the package should be devices such as keypads, preamplification, and amplification BUT NOT loudspeakers. Category also includes components designed to actively service two or more rooms or zones as an amplifier, receiver or source component. For amplifiers, the component should include provisions such as remote triggering and daisy chain capabilities. For receivers, the unit should incorporate amplification for at least two zones and at least one source such as AM/FM radio and satellite radio, as well as multiple inputs for other sources that include CD and DVD players, cable and satellite set-top boxes, digital-music players and turntables. Home theater receivers without any multi-zone capabilities are not considered in this category.

• Media Servers/Streaming Media/DVRs

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products that store, record and stream video signals from the cloud or from other storage devices.

• Mount/Lift/Media Concealment

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new a wall-mount or ceiling-mount devices designed for flat-panel televisions or projectors in residential environments; rack devices and innovations for home theater applications; new flat-panel or projector lifts, including in-cabinet solutions and ceiling drop-lift solutions; new media concealment devices, including mirrors or art.

• Power Management, Generation, Surge Suppression and Storage/Remote Services

  Recognizing development of power management/surge suppression systems or remote managed service devices designed to monitor and remotely service residential electronics, enabling the integration to take corrective action remotely or roll service vehicles preemptively. Category also includes back-up power generation and on-site power storage systems.

• Projection Screen

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new video display screen for viewing front-projection images in a home theater environment.

• Projector

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new front-projection device designed for home theater use, including 3D and 4K.

• Racks, Furniture, Seating and Acoustical Treatments

  Recognizing development of racks, furniture, seating and acoustical panels or treatments that enhance the listening as well as the aesthetic environment.

• Wireless A/V Solution (amps, source components, signal distribution solutions)

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new device that use wireless, powerline and MoCA technologies to distribute audio or video signals in the home.

CONTROL AND AUTOMATION

• Energy Management

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new smart thermostats with remote access programmability that are controllable by whole-house automation systems.

• Integrated Security System/Module/Device/Surveillance Cameras

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a component or system for new construction or retrofit that makes up a complete security control system or contributes to the expansion of control system options. This category can include hardwired or wireless systems, and CCTV surveillance cameras for residential use.

• Lighting Controls & Accessories

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a new construction or retrofittable system or component that makes up a complete lighting control system or contributes to the expansion of control system options. Items like wallplates that are not integral to the functions of a system are not applicable.

• Motorized Shade Controls & Accessories

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new construction or retrofittable system or component that makes up a motorized window treatment/shade/drape/blind control system. Items like wallplates that are not integral to the functions of a system are not applicable.

• User Interface Devices: Touchscreens, Keypads, Remotes, Voice Control

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a new graphical user interface (either dedicated or iPhone/iPad) that is either mounted in a wall, placed on a tabletop or hand held to provide a user with a visually driven, icon-based way to access and control their whole-house automation, home theater or multi-room audio/video system. Recognizing improvement in, or development of any new in-wall keypads or control for remote in-room control. Includes voice control.

• Whole House Control

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new device that enables the control of audio/video source components, lighting control, HVAC or security, and/or provides the signal routing of audio and/or video signals in a multi-room audio/video system without providing amplification.

HOUSEHOLD ENHANCEMENTS / INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES

• Cables and Cabling Products

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, audio/video cabling (copper-based or fiber optic), including HDMI cable, dedicated audio cable, baluns and extenders.

• Communications Products

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, digital phone systems or dedicated intercom systems for residential use that integrate with a home’s A/V, control/security or phone functions. Also, development of residential cellular phone signal boosters and video doorbells.

• Home Networking Device

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, residential routers, switches, modems, Networked Attached Storage (NAS) and wireless access points for home networking solutions.

• Outdoor A/V

  Recognizing improvement in, or development of, audio products designed for outdoor use, including displays, screens and remote controls, and speakers designed to withstand weather-related environmental conditions, including rain, wind and sunlight. Enclosures for these transducers must be at least weather resistant.

TOOLS, TESTING AND CALIBRATION

• Any new or upgrade device used by professional integrators to assist them in the installation or service of a system.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

• Business and Software Design Tools

  Recognizing business operations software of all types for integrators, including accounting, design, job and payroll tracking, general administration, etc. Category will also cover marketing software or programs for integrators. These can revolve around a particular product or class of products, or be focused on general service such as website SEO, video creation, social media marketing or CRM.

PERIPHERALS AND ENHANCEMENTS

• Any new or upgraded peripheral device or stand-alone system used as an add-on sale to a system. This includes sports simulators, headphones and power & thermal management devices.

OBJECT-BASED SURROUND COMPONENTS

• Loudspeakers and A/V electronics that have specific provisions to recreate today's new era of object-based surround formats, including Dolby Atmos approved/certified modules, A/V receivers and preamplifier/processors that include object-based surround sound processing options, and music and movie discs that include object-based surround sound formats.

MOST PROMISING

• This is the one Award that is judged across all categories. The cost for this category is an additional $97.

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