Last week I attended the CEDIA + Connected conference in Broadbeach , Queensland and heard from some leading industry spokesmen from Australia and overseas.
It seems that TV and Entertainment are still the most important focus for families and the new generation of 4K and 8K TV’s are providing some amazing visual experiences . But behind the screen it is causing a lot of challenges for our integrator industry . Not the least of which is getting the 18 Gbps signal to the TV and then converting that signal to suit different systems . When they do it right the experience is so realistic , you the viewer are part of the movie
But over and over again the industry repeated that it was essential for the consumers to get the infrastructure built in so that a Smart system was possible . Wireless may be alright for simple voice commands , but completely useless for the more serious work around the house.
And increasingly the industry are talking about serious privacy and cyber-attacks on the home . Google and Amazon appear to be trying to barge into the industry and take over . But according the global CEO of Control 4 , Google may deal with 2 connected appliances whereas typically Control 4 are dealing with 43 appliances and up in a standard home . They have been building their system skills for decades and know that the layers of complexity far outweigh developing a simple voice command module
Also, installing Google and Alexa seem to be opening up your home system and compromising your personal security and privacy
So , if these new devices are in your house and connected to lights etc , they will watch you go to the bathroom at 2.00am and the next day send you buckets of Prostrate cancer testing kit material … Really ? You want that level of interference in your life?
But , you cannot deny how smart the new Google and Amazon voice systems are becoming so it is obvious this technology will feature large in the new Smart Connected home in years to come
But also as obvious , professionally installed wiring infrastructure in the connected home will grow and not go away
So , if you are building or renovating , save yourself the future hassle and just wire up!
Cheers
John