European Custom Installer

Yamaha announces a smaller version of the flagship NS-5000 bookshelf speakers-- the NS3000, a more affordable pair sharing some technology with the bigger sibling, such as the 3cm Zylon dome tweeter.

The NS-3000 also includes a 16cm mid/bass driver with a Zylon cone to enhance integration. A Resonance Suppression (RS) chamber behind the tweeter cancels unwanted tube resonance, while an acoustic absorber limits the impact of internal vibrations while reducing the need for sound absorbing material. Yamaha adds the crossover circuit features the "highest-quality" components, including a Mundorf MCapSUPREME EVO audio capacitor.

Chinese firm TCl announces a pair of TV ranges for the UK market-- the EC78 and EP65, both featuring Android TV and built-in Freeview Play while offering customers an improved image and sound experience.

Being Android TVs the EC78 and EP65 models include integrated Google Home and Google Assistant, providing customers with multiple options for TV control. These include select Google devices, such as the Google Home Mini, Nest, Android smartphones and TCL Google-enabled remote controls. Meanwhile the Google Play store provides access for thousands of apps. Other features include Picture in Picture (PIP), easy task switching, multi-user accounts, side settings and Alexa compatibility.

Severtson Screens announces an additional option for ambient light rejection (ALR) projection screens-- HCNC, a high-quality yet lower-cost screen material compared to standard ALR screens, at least according to the company.

“Our high contrast grey projection screen material, known as HCNC, is an innovative front projection screen surface designed to increase contrast levels in medium-to-high ambient light situations and for high output projectors,” Severtson says. “The high contrast grey screen’s exceptional uniformity dramatically increases black levels, shadow detail, and overall color saturation. With support for 4K and better resolutions, High Contrast Grey provides the viewer with the ultimate projected image quality at a more affordable cost versus other ALR screens.”

Peerless-AV announces an addition to an expanded line of all-seasons outdoor TVs for entertainment and living-- the 86-inch UltraView UHD Outdoor TV (UV862).

The TV delivers native 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) and, the company claims, three times the brightness of an average indoor TV. It operates at temperatures ranging from -30 to 50 degrees Celsius, with aluminiuim construction providing providing against various climates, corrosion and discoloration. Like other models in the lineup, the 86-inch UltraView outdoor TV carries a High TNI panel, allowing for direct sunlight readability without the risk of isotropic blackout, as well as internal speakers with "excellent" sound quality.

The Legrand Building Control Systems (BCS) division announces the Vantage EasyTouch Glass modular keypad station-- a keypad featuring up to five buttons within a design with a tactile surface aesthetic.

The five buttons are programmable for different scenes, such as "welcome," "away" or "party," allowing users to set the lighting in a space with one touch. EasyTouch Glass is the pre-programmed default keypad station within Vantage Design Centre software for standard lighting scenes and pre-configured Lighting for Life scenes. The keypad mutton matrix is the same as wired or wireless wall-box dimmers, allowing installers to select the best technologies for the application in question while maintaining a consistent aesthetic.