European Custom Installer

Screen Innovations announces Fontus, a means for installers to utilise wire already existing inside a home or commercial building to connect screens and shades to a modern control systems.

As large as a pack of gum and easily mounted to a DIN rail, Fontus can make a two-conductor wire perform 485 communications as if it were an 8-conductor wire, significantly simplifying the installation. Essentially a dongle plugging into the SI Janus power and control hub, Fontus converts low-voltage communications signals and power from a five-conductor system for distribution over two-conductor wire. A second Fontus dongle decodes the signal for reception at the screen or shade with no signal loss.

Gira launches a pair of surface-mounted solutions for the E2 and Standard 55 design line, compatible with 300 functional inserts via the System 55, allowing installers to expand and adapt each Gira switch system as required.

Installers get the additional option to interchange between different design lines, as well as the choice between either a flat or surface-mounted installation. The range, the company adds, is the answer to a rising needs for systematic light fittings, power points and switches devoid of cables and wiring.

According to Futuresource Consulting, the current social distancing and lockdown measures are leading to less home renovations, in turn negatively impacting smart home device sales.

The findings come from a research study carried out in the UK, France, Germany and the US involving a nationally representative sample of over 4000 consumers.

“Over half of advanced users-- people with at least five smart home devices-- told us they first began to explore smart home devices during DIY and renovation projects,” the analyst says. “As the home renovation market is impacted by ongoing lockdowns in major markets, we are likely to witness a significant dip in smart home devices sales across all major markets in Q2 2020.”

CEDIA announces multiple changes to key events and timelines-- including the CEDIA Awards and Leadership Conferences-- the result of continued global disruption brought about by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The deadline for CEDIA Awards entries has been moved to 1 June 2020, including entries for both installers and manufacturers/trade suppliers. The organisation is still to finalise the location and date for the 2020 CEDIA EMEA Awards Celebration. The awards were originally set to take place in London in autumn 2020.

AudioControl soldiers through the coronavirus pandemic with the release of the RS 500, a mono subwoofer amplifier designed for home cinemas, multi-zoon audio systems or dedicated music systems.

The RS 500 delivers 500W from a 1U chassis into a 4- or 8-Ohm subwoofer, adding bass response to any system thanks to high power and solid stability, even in to 2 ohms. Installers get IP and IR control, as well as loop outputs with an optional high-pass filter along with balanced, unbalanced and speaker level inputs. Such features combine with the adjustability of the AudioControl DSP engine. It provides graphic and parametric EQs, and an electronic crossover along with delay and phase controls installers can easily access for precision calibration and tuning.