Niles introduces a line of five Systems Integration Amplifiers that includes the re-tooled SI-1230 Series 2 Amplifier, the successor to the SI-1230 that was inducted to the CEDIA Hall of Fame in 2011.

According to Niles Chief Marketing Officer Paul Starkey, “…With a full line of Systems Integration Amplifiers, CI professionals now have a Niles amplifier for every installation, whether it’s a home theater, a whole-home multi-zone system, or a restaurant or office audio system.”

The three new 2-channel Niles Systems Integration Amplifiers, the SI-250, SI-2100, and SI2150, feature audio circuitry constructed, says the company, “using the finest materials available,” including 1% metal film resistors, high quality capacitors and oversized heat sinks that ensure proper cooling without the need for a noisy fan. In order to provide bass and dynamics to every speaker, the amplifiers deliver 50W, 100W, or 150W RMS per channel at 8 ohms and 100W, 220W, or 270W RMS per channel at 4 ohms respectively. For applications requiring high output, such as subwoofers or rock speakers, each of these amplifiers can also be operated in a bridged mono configuration, resulting in the delivery of 225W, 400W, or 550W respectively.

VidaBox launches the vPlayer and vStreamer-- the 4th generation Media Extenders with "the richest and most robust feature set to date."

The two devices have a compact, stackable design and handle 1080p video, 7.1 surround sound and 3D upgradability via a "dual-core processor."

The vPlayer carries a Blu-ray drive while the vStreamer lacks an optical drive-- but both can access Blu-ray, DVD and music content stored on VidaBox servers as well as online streaming content (sources include Netflix, Cinemanow and internet radio stations) through a single CAT5e/6 cable.

RS-232/Serial support allows 2-way integration with most home automation platforms (including Crestron and AMX) .

The vPlayer and vStreamer start shipping from September 2012.

Go VidaBox vPlayer and vStreamer

Sainsbury's pushes further into digital media-- after buying online media company Global Media Vault, it partners with Rovi for a digital video service.

The service should launch "later" in 2012 and will offer both video-on-demand and digital copies of "major" film and TV titles. The Rovi Entertainment Store powers the service.

Sainsbury's will first offer online video through Sainsbury's Entertainment website, before expanding access to Smart TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones and consoles.

No word if the service will be available outside the UK is as yet available.

Go Sainsbury's Partners with Rovi to Power New Digital Video Service

We all know the iPhone is already replacing most remotes. But a recent Apple patent application details extensive plans for a future iPhone acting as a controller for virtually all devices via Near Field Communications (NFC).

The 114 page "System and Method for Simplified Control of Electronic Devices" document shows an extensive variety of devices being controlled by an NFC-equipped iPhone-- from multiple Apple TVs, iMacs and a variety of iPods to 3rd party devices such as STBs, a Playstation console, security systems or home sprinkler systems.

The NFC-capable iPhone on the patent uses a radio frequency identification (RFID) app to search and pair up with nearby RFID-capable devices. Once it discovers a device, the iPhone automatically installs the appropriate controller plug-in.

An optional barcode-based pairing system (where the user scans a barcode using the iPhone camera) provides additional security.

The patent application also details how users can select and control any number of devices, with an NFC app allowing the sorting of devices by category ("Entertainment," "Home," Office") and proximity to the iPhone.

Other proposals include using a weather app to automatically adjust thermostat settings or previewing photos from a digital camera on the iPhone display.

For those following, rumours of an NFC-capable iPhone are not exactly news. This patent all but confirms such rumours-- should remote vendors start worrying on how the iPhone might oust them even further?

Go System and Method for Simplified Control of Electronic Devices

Starting in September in Europe, Extron Electronics will hold the The Extron Workshop: Designing Digital Systems That Work, a one-day event for system designers and integrators that focuses on the practical aspects of designing digital AV systems.

Instructors from the Extron Institute program provide a full day of training and real world demos on how to solve common digital AV challenges by integrating a wide range of products such as cables and equalizers, extenders, signal processors, switchers, matrix switchers, and XTP Systems into system designs.

"The Workshop concentrates on the practicalities of system design and integration, sharing all the valuable lessons we've learned in the lab and in the field during our long history with digital technologies,” says Andrew Edwards, President of Extron. "As I promised, we're reaching out to you, our customers, with more places and ways to learn about Extron digital technologies and products to grow your business."

VidaBox's vCharger draws constant voltage from a vPower station via CAT5 cable, and converts that voltage to charge a connected USB device, such as an Apple iPad, iPod, iPhone, Android device, Kindle Fire or Samsung Galaxy Tablet. The vCharger can be located as far as 100m (328 feet) away from the vPower, and still provide full charging power. Up to four vCharger units can be connected to a single vPower station by adding a vPower four-port adapter.

vCharger has no moving parts which promises long-term use. This mini 3"x2"x2" device can be easily hidden inside any in-wall/back boxes and function without ventilation; it is not rated for standalone, in-wall use. For added flexibility, the vCharger is backwards compatible and can be used with older Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches as power sources.

Go VidaBox's vCharger and vPower station