Showcase

Habitech's CI products for CI people

Habitech have strived hard to build a stable of the best brands available for CI Integrators. We are very stringent in our investigations and testing, as we are adamant that our brands are bullet proof. The last thing any CI company needs is to have to return to an unhappy customer because their system has gone wrong at a crucial time. So we spend a lot of analysing products to balance reliability and cutting edge technology as often they counteract each other. Over the last 2 years we are proud to have been appointed as the UK distributor for key brands such as Sonance, iPort, Epson, JVC, Yamaha along with existing brands WyreStorm (formerly Vision HD), NuVo Technologies and SCP. For the record it took 5 months to agree the deal with Sonance as both parties wanted to make sure that we were making the right decision as we intend to be partners for a long time.

A little bit of background on each brand we represent:

Sonance

In 1985 Geoff Spencer and Scott Struthers designed the world’s first in-wall speaker. It sounds old hat now but at the time it was revolutionary as we were all used to big box speakers cluttering up our living space. Since then they have pushed the boundaries on design and have challenged the status quo. Only a few years ago Scott challenged the board at Sonance as they were manufacturing a vast range of great audio speakers but they had strayed from his vision of design and architectural beauty, hence the Visual Performance and Architectural ranges. Both ground breaking technologies. However they have never strayed from their edite of great sounding speakers and we would challenge anyone to find better sounding speakers at a similar price point. The Landscape series of outdoor speakers are like nothing you have heard before, this is quality sounding music outdoors rather than just loud music. The surprising thing with Landscape installations is that the overall volume levels are normally reduced as the music sounds so good and the distribution so even, that it doesn’t have to be so loud. These guys have been making speakers for 25 years and there is no compromise for experience when it comes designing great sounding speakers. [more]

iPort LaunchPort

We have been looking for a great iPad dock for 2 years. iPads have been quite successful and make great control panels. At last with the iPort LaunchPort we found what we think is the perfect iPad dock. The clever people at Dana Innovations (Sonance and iPort’s parent company) have produced a beautiful looking product that looks like it came out of the Apple factory. As one very astute UK integrator told me last week, “an iPad is a thing of beauty and people will not want to enclose their desirable object in a case unless they think the case looks as good as the iPad itself.” Well Dana have achieved this with the LaunchPort, it could say Apple on the back. But as importantly they have made it so functional; the new LaunchPort is a two part product. Why is that so important? Technology is changing at an ever increasing pace and therefore it is nearly impossible to keep up with the likes of Apple and Samsung. By utilising a different case for each specific tablet and then a common dock, it enables a household to use 3 different tablets and dock them all on the same docks. It also enables Dana to respond to new tablet PCs very quickly, iPad3 is supposed to be out in February. The new LaunchPort employs inductive charging technology, as soon as the iPad2 is docked in Portrait or Landscape orientation utilising the magnets to hold it in place, it starts charging. Look no wires. There is convenient wall dock and a desktop base station for typing, coffee tables etc.

JVC - 3D Ready Projectors

The JVC X series projectors are the best-selling Home Theatre projectors over $10,000 in the USA this year. Why are they so much better than other brands? It’s simple really, Lycos technology. Lycos technology was developed by JVC over 15 years ago but it was too far ahead of its time. When it first launched the resolution of the chip was 1280 x 1024 pixels, PCs could not produce images at that resolution and as for domestic kit. It was folly to talk about 1080p but as High Definition has taken off JVC was perfectly placed to take advantage of the very high resolution capabilities of Lycos technology. The new range of projectors out this December even have the ability through e-shift technology to produce 4k resolution images (yes that is 4000 x 2000 pixels) and will upscale 1080p to 4k resolution. What does that really mean in the real world. It means that for the first time in domestic projectors the grid pattern is not visible even on a 200” screen viewed at 3 ft. Other common features are all improved from last year’s models including 3D mode which is now adjustable. There is a 2D to 3D conversion feature enabling standard 2D sources to be viewed in 3D, very cleaver. Contrast ratios have been improved again and the X90 now boasts 120,000:1. Lens memory function records up to three  separate adjustments for zoom, shift  and focus. This enables 16:9 and 2.35:1 anamorphic images to be projected at the touch of a button without the need to specialised expensive lenses. The X90R is THX 3D certified, THX Certified, isf Certified. It is difficult to understand why anyone would spend any more money than an X90 can buy. When we posed that question to JVC, they said they only reason for buying a more expensive unit was brightness, in scenarios where 200”+ images are required in  high ambient light, then brighter projectors are required. That is not the domestic market. To see an X series in all its glory, please pay a visit to the Habitech showroom where an X70 can be seen, accompanied by Sonance’s full LCR2 cinema series speakers. [more]

WyreStorm

WyreStorm were one of the originators for HDMI distribution systems, the company was originated in 2008 and has now firmly positioned itself as one of the key suppliers of HDMI distribution technology. 4 years is an age in HDMI technology with the advancement of standards from HDMI 1.1 to HDMI 1.4 and HDBaseT technology.
WyreStorm’s products are manufactured to ISO9001 standards by an HDMI Adopter organisation and HDBaseT Alliance member. Why is it so important to have the right pedigree when it comes to HDMI? Well it’s because HDMI is so complex, that it requires a lot of knowledge to enable a company to manufacture products that work every time. It also takes a lot of resource to stay at the forefront of this rapidly changing technology.
HDMI is a standard that has a set number of criteria that may be adhered to but does not stipulate all criteria are mandatory. Therefore not all products will communicate and it is not a given that all brands are interoperable. For that reason WyreStorm have developed a range of products to deliver solutions in a myriad of applications. The range includes; HDBaseT and Professional matrix switchers, UTP and standard splitters (capable of driving 100s of screens), point to point UTP extenders, switchers and scalers, format converters and test equipment.
The range utilises UTP cable predominantly as it ideally suited to large bandwidth data delivery, however there are coax and fibre options where longer distances are required. The fibre solutions will deliver HD 1080p images up to 5km. Finally, there are a range of control solutions including simple IR pass-through, RS232 and IP control. There are control modules already written for all the main control systems including Crestron, Control 4, AMX. RTI, Savant, Bitwise, Control FX and nevo.

NuVo Technologies whole-home audio

Whole-home audio specialist NuVo has a commitment to bring the most innovative, highest quality music experience into as many homes as possible at an affordable price. Products include the Simplese multisource, multizone system; the Essentia multiroom audio system that was the first to earn the Energy Star logo; the 6-source 8-zone Grand Concerto; and the Renovia powerline-based multiroom audio system that is ideal for retrofit. NuVo also manufactures a range of source equipment including music servers, tuners, and iPod docks; as well as speakers, amplifiers and remotes. [more]

SCP cable and accessory solutions

With over 15 years of manufacturing and distribution experience of quality cable and accessories, SCP can provide all of your cable and accessory solutions at an affordable price. SCP manufactures high-quality structured wiring products, security, HDMI, fire alarm, direct burial, CCTV, specialised control, audio, HDTV, coaxial and LAN cables. SCP also manufactures accessory products to complement its cabled goods: structured wiring panels; structured wiring modules; Cat5e and Cat6 patch panels; HDMI splitters and HDMI distribution hub; F, BNC and RCA compression connectors; Keystone and Decorator style wall plates; miniature video balun; cable organisers; installation accessories and installation tools. [more]

Techniq mounts, lifts and brackets

A new range of brackets, lifts and mounts exclusive to Habitech. We have stock of all the brackets and lifts for next day delivery. [more]

Tripp Lite power protection and connectivity products

Established in 1922, Tripp Lite originally manufactured automotive accessories, including a line of inverters. While inverters are still part of Tripp Lite's offering, Tripp Lite, driven over the decades by the evolving needs of its customers, has shifted the focus of its offering onto power protection and connectivity products. As an early innovator in the power protection industry, Tripp Lite introduced the first UPS system designed for personal computers and the world's most trusted premium surge suppressor, the Isobar®. Today, Tripp Lite is an ISO 9001 company that is committed to increasing the business availability and profitability of its customers. [more]

Weis projection screens

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AV Racks smart racks for smart homes

AV Rollarak Designed specifically for the AV industry, the Rollarak comprises a heavy-duty, fully mobile cage for all round access for rigging during installation and maintenance.

AV Classic A stylish heavy-duty cabinet designed to give maximum access and quality at a price. With reversible door for left or right hanging and a full range of accessories, the Classic is the ideal solution for the professional AV installer. [more]

Epson - world leader in projectors

Watch the latest films in high definition on the big screen at home. Epson projects the magic of the movies. [more]

Salamander Seating - elegant design…innovative engineering… ultimate enjoyment

Salamander Seating collection reflects a love of modern design, with simple, refined lines and functional forms. Attractive, soundly built foundation elements and accessories fit together in a myriad of ways—and reconfigure to meet changing needs. [more]

Yamaha AV receivers

It has been 25 years since Yamaha first introduced its extraordinary CINEMA DSP technology, opening thrilling new dimensions of audio entertainment to people around the world. Now the RX-Vx71 Series of AV Receivers use the latest version to provide even more lifelike musical performances and dramatically realistic cinema sound. With 3D and HD Audio compatibility, as well as an advanced new interface, these receivers are ready to enchant a new generation of home cinema enthusiasts. [more]

Telephone 01420 540054
sales@habitech.co.uk
www.habitech.co.uk