European Custom Installer

Middle Atlantic announces a solution for powering a high density of DC-powered components with similar voltage-- the addition of 200W and 300W models in the High Power DC Distribution family.

The models offer an "industry-leading" quantity of outputs, being able to power up to 24 device, maximising the same voltage in a single unit, 5V, 12V or 24V, or splitting between 12/24V. Such solutions allow installers to maximise the utility of every AC outlet available, remove wall warts from the design and increase system efficiency, saving energy and reducing heat generation.

Atlona announces the AT-HDVS-SC-RX-- a 4K HDBaseT receiver and scaler featuring CrystalScale Technology (ACT) for high-quality downscaling and upscaling, as well as advanced image optimisation capabilities.

The HDVS-SC-RX supports a local HDMI source as well as an HDBaseT input for receiving video, audio and ethernet over CAT cable. Automatic input selection allows the receiver/scaler to switch without manual intervention in case a new source is detection. Other features include audio de-embedding, TCP/IP and RS232 scaler and display control, contact closure ports for controlling a motorised screen or display lift, and the ability to power remote transmitters via PoE.

Amazon adds further capabilities to Echo devices with the introduction of 3 APIs-- Doorbell Event Source, Motion Sensor and Alexa.RTCSession Controller, allowing developers to connect the devices to security cameras and doorbells.

Initially available in the US as part of the Amazon Smart Home Skill API, such features allow 3rd party smart home apps to trigger Alexa actions through doorbell presses and motion alarms, among others. The Doorbell Event Source API plays announcement across all Echo devices, while Motion Sensor reports the state of an endpoint whenever motion is noticed within an area.

Nearly 50% of TVs shipped worldwide in 2018 are 4K UHD models, Futuresource reports-- meaning the TV format is set to hit the mainstream sooner, not later, reaching 37% global household penetration by 2022.

TV display purchases drive the 4K UHD segment, and although a content gap still exists, it is quickly being filled up. The amount of 4K UHD content has grown "significantly" during H1 2018, as is the number of broadcasts in the format. For instance, the February Winter Olympics were broadcast in 4K UHD thanks to the Olympic Broadcasting Services and Japanese broadcaster NHK. All FIFA World Cup matches were also shot in 4K UHD, before delivery via satellite, cable, IP and OTT.

The Wifi Alliance announces a shakeup of wireless networking name conventions as it announces Wifi 6-- the next generation of wifi connectivity bringing about further capacity and performance, with lower power consumption.

Wifi 6 is what what we formerly known as the 802.11ax standard. Essentially the alliance realised the current wifi naming convention only leads to user confusion, bringing the need for simpler system. Thus, Wifi 1 is the very first version of the standard, 1999's 802.11b. It was followed by 802.11a, now known as Wifi 2. Wifi 3 is 802.11g, Wifi 4 is 802.11n and Wifi 5 is the version currently in use, 2014's 802.11ac.

The alliance plans to push the branding even in software, with devices showing which version of wifi they are currently connected to. As a result users can choose the superior wifi network, since it is obvious the network with a "5" is better than the one with a "4."