The world of display technology is constantly evolving, and two of the most talked-about advancements in recent years are LED and MicroLED.
Both technologies offer unique benefits and drawbacks, making it essential for consumers and professionals to understand their differences.
LED, or Light-Emitting Diode, is a display technology that has been around for several decades. It’s used in many products, from televisions and monitors to smartphones and tablets. LED displays are known for their bright, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and energy efficiency. They use a small semiconductor chip to emit light, which is then directed through a series of lenses and filters to produce the final image.
MicroLED, on the other hand, is a newer technology that builds on the principles of LED. It uses even more minor semiconductor chips to produce light, densely packed together to create a display. This results in a display that is even brighter, more energy efficient and has a broader color gamut than conventional LED displays. Additionally, the small size of the MicroLEDs means that they can be used to create displays with much higher resolutions than what is possible with traditional LED technology.
Matter is a smart home technology platform that allows users to connect and control various home devices using a single, unified interface. With Matter, homeowners can easily manage and automate their home’s lighting, heating, cooling, security, and other systems using their smartphone or another smart device.
Some advantages of Matter
One of the critical benefits of Matter is its ability to connect and control a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. This means that homeowners can mix and match other smart home products and still have them all work seamlessly together. For example, you might have a smart thermostat from one company, a smart lock from another, and smart lighting from yet another, but with Matter, you can easily control all of these devices from a single app.
Another advantage of Matter is its use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to anticipate and respond to the needs of homeowners. For example, Matter can learn your daily routines and automatically adjust your home’s temperature or lighting to suit your preferences. It can also detect unusual activity in your home and alert you if something is amiss.
How Matter can also save you money
But Matter’s capabilities don’t stop there. In addition to automating and controlling various devices in your home, Matter also provides a range of features that can help you save energy and money. For example, the platform can track your energy usage and provide insights on reducing energy consumption. It can also integrate with smart appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, to ensure that they only use energy when necessary.
One of the critical features of Matter is its ability to connect with a range of smart home devices and sensors. These devices can monitor various aspects of your home, such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, and provide you with real-time updates on your smartphone. This can be especially useful for homeowners who are away from home for long periods and want to ensure that their home is safe and comfortable while they are away.
How Matter can keep you safe
In addition to its smart home capabilities, Matter also offers a range of security features to keep your home safe. For example, the platform can be integrated with smart security cameras and doorbells, allowing you to monitor your home and receive alerts for suspicious activity. It can also be connected to smart locks, allowing you to easily grant access to your home to guests or service providers without needing physical keys.
Created with real people in mind
Overall, Matter is a powerful and versatile smart home technology that makes it easy for homeowners to connect and control their home systems. Whether you want to automate your home’s lighting, security, or energy usage, Matter has you covered. Its features and integration with a wide range of devices make it a top choice for homeowners looking to take control of their home’s technology.
NFTs are very popular among affluent luxury homeowners. But unlike NFTs, which are created by a human and then restricted using blockchain technology, AI art is machine-generated. In this case, who owns the rights to that art and how do you display them?
“In order to use OpenAI’s platform, you must agree to its terms and conditions, which state that users assign any ownership they have in any images created on foot of their prompts by the system, and in turn, the users have an exclusive licence to use the images for any purpose. Other AI platforms which can generate works have similar contractual copyright and licensing arrangements.
What is interesting to consider, is who is the author of this image? Was it the person who input the text prompt? Was it the AI? Was it the developer of the AI or the company that owns the AI? The tricky aspect of AI authorship is that most jurisdictions require a human to be the author, and a work is only capable of being protected by copyright if it shows intellectual effort, creativity, and reflects the author’s personality.”
Barry Scannell, a consultant lawyer with Ireland-based law firm, William Fry LLP
For decades, interoperability and backward compatibility have served as pillars of the Z-Wave protocol. This has allowed the Z-Wave product ecosystem to flourish to nearly 4,000 devices that have been certified to work together.
Through this ecosystem, the professional channel has access to products from a wide variety of manufacturers that can be leveraged to create a cohesive, powerful, and functional starter smart home system. To help empower the channel, the categories below are an excellent starting point.
To expand a system beyond the confines of a single standalone solution, installers understand that a hub or gateway must be installed the serve as the center of the system.
The key component to look for here is a hub that supports the language of the smart home under construction.
To build a starter system powered by Z-Wave, all that is required to get started is a hub that supports the Z-Wave protocol.
In part one we talked about the latest offerings from Planar, LG, and Séura. In part two of this series, we’ll continue our view of advancements in displays being released into the Luxury Residential market in 2022. Products include Samsung’s NEO QLED, Hisense Certified WiSA, and Sony Cognitive Intelligence TVs.
Samsung’s Neo QLED QN90A 4K display will now be available in new 43″, 50″, and 98″ sizes. These new screens join the existing lineup of 55″, 65″, 75″, and 85″ models. Samsung’s Lifestyle portfolio is also expanding with an 85″ model of The Frame and a 65″ Terrace Full Sun for outdoor.
Samsung has further developed The Wall (IWA Series). Samsung says it’s “the industry’s first 8K resolution with a 120 Hz refresh rate and simple 8K playback.” The Wall can be configured to be over 1000 inches — or about a quarter of the length of a football field. That’s impressive!
Hisense Certified WiSA Ready
WiSA LLC has announced a global collaboration with TV brand Hisense. Their premier TV models have been certified WiSA Ready to connect to all WiSA USB transmitters and certified speakers to create immersive home cinema systems. Hisense joins LG, Skyworth, and Bang & Olufsen brands in integrating wireless technology into their product lines and launches.
“We are very excited to announce the WiSA Ready Certification of these amazing TVs from Hisense,” said Tony Ostrom, President of WiSA. “As the smart TV continues to solidify itself as the center of the home entertainment experience, it is critical for these multifunctional devices to own the front end of great audio performances. WiSA Ready TVs can be seamlessly connected to transmitters and speakers to create immersive sound with direct control from the TV. This is a huge step forward in simplifying the pursuit of bringing outstanding cinema quality entertainment into the home.”
Hisense is the fifth leading TV brand in the U.S. and the fastest-growing among the top five TV brands in the U.S. by units. Hisense is building on its products by bringing even more options to the market in 2021 for consumers to have a premium viewing experience.
Sony Cognitive Intelligence Displays
In 2021, Sony Electronics announced the new BRAVIA XR televisions, including MASTER Series Z9J 8K LED, MASTER Series A90J and A80J OLED, X95J, and X90J 4K LED. What it calls “the world’s first cognitive intelligence televisions.”
Powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, the brain of the new BRAVIA XR use a completely new processing strategy designed to replicate the ways humans see and hear. Cognitive Processor XR, powered by cognitive intelligence, divides the screen into numerous zones and detects the “focal point” in the picture. The new processor can cross-analyze various elements at once, just as our brains do. By doing so, each component adjusts to its best outcome, in conjunction with each other, so everything is synchronized and lifelike — something conventional AI cannot achieve.
Cognitive Processor XR can also analyze sound position in the signal, so the sound matches precisely with what’s on the screen. In addition, it upconverts any sound to 3D surround sound. It learns, analyzes data, and intelligently optimizes the most lifelike picture and sound Sony has ever delivered.
In this two-part series, we’ll go over advancements in displays being released into the Luxury Residential market in 2022. Products include 100″ 4K Direct-lit LED LCD to Cognitive Intelligence TVs, to budget-friendly yet WiSA certified models.
Planar Lifestyle Displays – 100-inch Model added in 2022
The Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100 is the latest in the Planar Lifestyle family. The Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100 features 700-nit brightness, a wide color gamut for HDR content, and advanced video processing capabilities.
Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100 installs simply with the ultra-thin Planar Profile Mounting System keeping the display close to the wall while remaining completely front-serviceable. In addition, picture-in-picture is available in dual, triple, or quad layouts using the built-in Planar MediaPlex Plus processing.
Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100 LCD displays include a three-year warranty and optional Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100 Service Plan, which includes on-site service performed by Planar’s Technical Services to add another level of assurance.
LG DVLED Wall-Sized Display Line
The LG DVLED Extreme Home Cinema uses 2 million to 33 million individual diodes (depending on resolution) to deliver high performance, exceptional brightness, wide viewing angles, and very high color, even in rooms with high ambient light. Direct-View LED technology is visibly different from “LED TVs.” Direct-View LED technology images to provide high contrast ratio and exceptional brightness.
LG Extreme Home Cinema offers seamless 16:9 displays in sizes from 81 inches to 325 inches diagonal, as well as video wall-style installations that deliver a seamless 32:9. A great solution for multiple video feeds such as live sports.
LG DVLED displays are only available through a new custom installation dealer program. Consumers cannot purchase the Extreme Home Cinema line at stores.
Installations include integrator training and customer support from an LG field engineer during installation, twice-yearly LG on-site “health checks”, LG integrator remotely monitoring, and a five-year limited warranty on every display.
Séura 2000-Nit Full-Sun Televisions
Séura Full Sun Series televisions with narrow bezels and a sleek profile provide a striking addition to outdoor home décor. The Full Sun Series is built to bask in direct sunlight and is fully sealed to keep out rain, snow, ice, and dust. Designed with Extreme Temperature Protection, it automatically heats and cools for temperatures between –40 degrees F to 140 degrees F. Blackout and UV protection prevents the summer sun from frying the display. That’s impressive. The Full Sun Series outdoor televisions are ready to connect and store your devices within the roomy, weather-tight media box. Including one of Séura’s front-facing weatherproof soundbars will nicely complement the system. Séura also includes a 2-year warranty.
End part 1. Come back for part two where we discuss Samsung NEO QLED, Hisense Certified WiSA, and Sony Cognitive Intelligence TVs.
LG Display unveiled its first proprietary Transparent OLED back in 2019. Since then the company’s Transparent displays have been used in mixed spaces outside the home such as malls, museums, and subways.
“According to a recent study by leading global consulting firm the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the global transparent OLED display market is predicted to expand continuously at a compound annual growth rate of 116% over this decade, reaching a total value of around $2.7 billion by 2025 and $10 billion by 2030.”
I’ve been touting platform-agnostic systems since 2018. It seems Zachary Comeau at mytechdecisions.com feels the same way. Here’s a blurb from the full article.
Look for platform-agnostic systems
… Videoconferencing and collaboration markets are flooded with software from several providers like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Google Meet, Bluejeans, Slack, RingCentral and many more.
There have been calls for these companies to get along and provide more interoperability and integrations, but that has largely failed to materialize as the collaboration software industry suddenly became extremely lucrative and competitive.
According to collaboration industry experts, using multiple software vendors isn’t all that rare. Some companies use one app to communicate externally and another to communicate with their team. If organizations work in small teams, the software of choice can vary among groups.
“I don’t know about you, but my home system needs to be agnostic and open to the ability to be bouncing around from a Teams meeting to a Zoom meeting to a PowerPoint,” Corey says.
IT directors need to prepare for this as optimistic news about effective vaccines is getting people thinking about the return to the office.
“If you’re an IT director and planned to have a single platform in all of your offices and you have no concept of work-from-home in that platform, you’re in deep trouble,” Corey says. “At any given time, the agnostic part lets you ebb and flow with the business.”
The heart of a quality residential A/V system is the AVR (Audio Video Receiver). Residential Systems shows the top brands and most in demand units on the market today, and what coming in 2021.
As clients continue to upgrade their home systems there’s a rise in demand for AV receivers. Some of the latest features include 8K compatibility and all the current immersive formats. Head over to ResidentialSystems.com to get a look at some of the newest models on the market.
The new platform will feature co-branding with Google, integrated Google Maps products, Nest cameras and thermostats, and Google video analytics, according to Jim DeVries, president and CEO of ADT, and will leverage ADT’s existing Command & Control platform until the end of 2022.
“We’re looking not just to make our smart platform smarter, we’re looking to make it more helpful…”
