ENTERTAINMENT Smart Home
June 2022
ertonline.co.uk
22 Samsung’s QN900B TV
This new edition builds on the original award- winning LSX range, created by industrial designer Michael Young, by adding HDMI and USB-C connectivity options. The Bluetooth LSX II (pictured here) uses a bespoke version of the brand’s 11th generation Uni-Q driver array (so there’s no sweet spot, just a really wide soundstage), and has a total power output rated at 200 Watts. Using
the
accompanying KEF Connect app, users can stream Amazon Music, Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, Internet Radio stations and podcasts. There’s also compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast. The system is Roon Ready, too.
The LSX II will stream from a compatible NAS drive or music server, with file support up to 24bit/384kHz (PCM), DSD, and full MQA rendering.
Smart living, made simple
When it comes to smart TVs, the market leaders are largely sticking to their smart platforms of choice. We’ve seen some slight revisions from Samsung and LG when it comes to Tizen and webOS, while rivals stick with Google’s Android TV. Samsung’s new premium TV and AV range all
enjoy smart functionality, with products such as the Neo QLED 8K TV QN900B and HW-Q990B
soundbar offering an impressive experience for those looking for smart living, made simple. The Q990B can be controlled by the integrated Alexa; users can play music, check the weather and get questions answered completely hands-free. And with the nifty tap sound feature, you can use one simple tap to transfer music from a smartphone – so no need for manual pairing.
“Consumers seek solutions that are rooted in simplicity and that work seamlessly to make their lives easier,” comments Dan Hastings, VP TV/ AV at Samsung Electronics. “Since 2020, most new Samsung home electrical products are connected to the SmartThings platform and we are committed to delivering our vision of automated smart home devices and technology.” Mr Hastings adds the brand’s SmartThings app is the key to keeping its entire product portfolio connected into the future. But elsewhere, Amazon is fast becoming a viable
competitor,
with screen newcomer Xiaomi entering the 4K flatscreen fray with its F2 series (right) built upon the Amazon Fire TV smart platform. Xiaomi
has launched with
three screen sizes (43-, 50-, and 55-inches), with prices starting at £399. All come with an Alexa Voice remote and have Apple AirPlay support.
For many electrical retailers, the shift to IoT has allowed them offer custom install services – which this has to be a good development. According to the results of CEDIA’s 2021 UK Integrated Home Market Analysis,
the
custom installation market in the UK is now worth £1.2 billion.
The growth areas for the UK smart home market are integration and control, home cinema and network security, and significantly, there’s a move away from distributed video and matrix set ups. The CI space is also increasingly shifting to mainstream consumer brands. Denon is now the most widely specified audio maker for installed amplifiers and processors, followed by Anthem, Marantz, Arcam and Yamaha, CEDIA’s research.
according to
Sony is the most widely specified TV brand, followed by Samsung and LG.
The report also identifies a growing divide
between bespoke/luxury projects and the wider mainstream. Significantly, voice control hasn’t been widely adopted by the traditional UK integrator market, with less than a quarter of projects reportedly
utilising voice-
enabled speakers. Almost half of UK integrators say they rarely or never install them. Could
this for fleet footed electrical retailers? corner of
the
smart home market translate into an even bigger opportunity
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