This past week was my second CEDIA Expo, and this iteration of the professional smart home trade show came after my first full year of working as an editor on CE Pro, so I was a lot more prepared, informed and energized to see you all this time around.
Last year, I was a fish out of water, having joined the residential side of the market after a few years of covering the commercial space for CE Pro’s sister brand Commercial Integrator. Since then, I’ve learned a lot more about the technology, the important manufacturers, the well-known installers, and the emerging industry trends. So, I think it’s safe to say that this year, my thoughts hold a bit more weight after one year of learning under my belt.
That said, here are some trends–or at least themes–I noticed from CEDIA Expo 2024.
One of the first things that caught my attention walking into the show floor was just how beautiful these systems are getting. Yes, these devices are technological marvels that entertain, immerse and automate, but the actual visuals are stunning.
This may be due in part to booths like Planar, Samsung, LG, Sony and Seura being front and center as soon as you walked into the main entrance. What a better way to kick off a home entertainment trade show than with huge video walls in stunning resolution or some futuristic-looking smart TV mirrors.
Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.
Skyworth’s C1 Canvas Art TV doubles as a work of art when it’s not in use, like the Frame from Samsung.
Leading up to the show, three different TV manufacturers released what is essentially their version of The Frame from Samsung – a TV designed to look like a framed piece of art when it’s not being used to watch television or movies. TV manufactures like Sony and LG without specific models directly competing with The Frame do either partner with a third-party for TV frames or offer their own art gallery mode.
The devices and hardware themselves are also increasingly beautiful, being designed to blend in with a home’s architecture. Integrators report customers consistently asking for technology without technology taking away from their home’s aesthetic, and I think manufacturers are meeting that demand.
Is it just me, or did the home theater trend take over CEDIA Expo 2024? How many great home theater demos were on the floor? So many manufacturers were adding to their repertoire of home theater solutions, and some were even making their entry into the space for the first time, like Origin Acoustics.
CE Pro had the opportunity to visit the showroom of Denver-area integrator QAV, where the integrator recently had a makeover of their home theater demo featuring an 11.1.6 L-Acoustics audio system and a Kaleidescape system. That was Wednesday evening, and it sure was a great way to start my CEDIA Expo 2024 experience. The system was obviously impressive, with the subwoofers accomplishing what they were set out to do – make you feel each explosions and car crash in your chest. However, the system carried those lows without drowning out everything else, such as voices and the crisp clanging of metal.
L-Acoustics partnered with Denver-area integrator QAV on this home theater demostration in the integrator’s showroom. Courtesy/L-Acoustics & QAV
It seemed like the majority of audio companies were showing a home theater demo, and there were very long lines for manufactures like Trinnov Audio and Sony, both of whom showcased impressive audio systems.
Home theater systems aren’t anything without large-format displays and projectors, though, so of course there were of course no shortage of those. It’s CEDIA Expo, for goodness sake.
I think it’s encouraging that networking companies are stepping up their game with solutions designed for complex home networks as more and more connected devices are being installed in homes. Manufacturers and service providers are responding to market trends and the advanced networking demands of their customers, and that was certainly reflected at CEDIA Expo 2024.
SpecOps Secure, a networking and cybersecurity services company, made their debut at CEDIA Expo, promising to help integrators level up their advanced networking chops and introduce them to cybersecurity services for both themselves and their customers. The company also aims to help integrators solve the challenging recurring monthly revenue puzzle.
Several manufacturers, including Sonos and Somfy were also bringing Power-over-Ethernet [PoE] products, historically a commercial technology, to the residential market, in solutions like speakers and motorized shades.
Major manufacturers in the market continue to innovate in the outdoor entertainment market, creating immersive visual and audio experiences that replicate what is already being done indoors and expand the parameters of any home automation project.
Manufacturers like Snap One, Samsung, Coastal Source, Planar, Origin Acoustics, Stealth Acoustics, and of course most of the major lighting and shading companies are doubling down on outdoor technology and innovating on their existing solutions.
Landscape speakers continue to impress with their ability to blend into their environment while producing home theater-like sound, and outdoor displays are getting even better, brighter and more weatherproof.
Although not exhibiting or otherwise noticeably in attendance, tech behemoth Apple was everywhere on the show floor. Savant, which runs on Apple software, was touting its advanced integration with Siri for home control, the new Control4 X4 platform from Snap One also integrates with Apple’s HomeKit, and Wall-Smart debuted a wall mount for the iPad.
Savant was showcasing its advanced integration with Apple’s intelligent assistant Siri.
These new products and features come as Apple is rumored to be working on several new smart home initiatives, including a new smart home operating system and an iPad-like home control pad.
These are just snippets of one editor’s experience at the largest U.S. custom home integration trade show. Stay with CE Pro for a lot more news, insights, trends and other content from CEDIA Expo 2024.
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