Habitech TechFest showcases new demo and training spaces

Habitech used its TechFest trade show this week to unveil a significant investment in its service-led, value-added trade ethos. Over four days, the distributor showcased a new suite of demo spaces, designed to show Habitech’s integration partners and their clients the best possible experience when it comes to custom installed AV systems in home settings.

Attendees became the first to encounter a complete CinemaTech-designed theatre room, as well as premium cinema and acoustically-optimised media space.

Designed by CinemaTech in the US, and built by Habitech contractors, the Sonance Reference Theatre is a bespoke cinema environment comprising AV, acoustics and interior design. CinemaTech’s reflecting, absorbing and diffusing panels are arranged on a sub-frame to generate optimal acoustics, and then decorated with a custom mix of design features and finishes.

Audio comes via a discreet 7.2.2 Sonance Cinema Reference speaker system, driven by Arcam processing and Sonance amplifiers. The Projecta HD Progressive 1.1 Contrast Perf acoustically transparent vinyl projection screen, which has been developed with microscopically smooth surface consistency for resolutions up to 16K, is ideal for JVC’s 8K e-shift DLA-NX9 projector, making its debut for the first time at a UK CI trade event.

The result is a completely immersive combination of ultra-high definition video and audio in a precision-tuned acoustic environment. As an aside, Habitech revealed that it’s working with a London integrator to create a showcase cinema in the capital.

Stepping up in scale, Habitech has also refurbished its 14-seat flagship theatre with CinemaTech treatment and recalibrated the systems, including the Wisdom 9.4.4 sound system. And for those with designs on media room conversions, Habitech’s TechFest unveiled yet another custom demo space, featuring CinemaTech’s custom wall panels surrounding Sonance VP 46/66/86 in-walls.

Around the TV, the LCR channels of a Sonance Soundbar, soon to be available in 55- , 65-, 75- and 80-inch widths, were accompanied by rear in-ceilings. And with absolutely no profile at all, the IS4 3-way Invisible speakers were used to generate awesome full-range audio detail from behind a thin layer of plaster on the back wall. Completing the media room options, Wisdom’s new P2M and P4M point-source on-wall speakers were joined by the S10 sub design, which at only 116mm deep can be used in freestanding upright, down-firing or up-firing positions, sliding discreetly under sofas for instance.

TechFest attendee were also given a chance to get hands on with Legrand’s MyHome_Up plug-and-play automation system. Aimed at MDU developers, it delivers control over lights, heating, security, AV and blinds without specialist AV programming and installs using standard wiring techniques and DIN-rail modules.

Although MyHome_Up is designed with app control in mind, there was also a selection of complementary wired fittings and styles, to help customise control around the home and buildings.

The show also offered a huge range of 10G-and-up networking technologies on the WyreStorm wall, created as a walk-through step-up guide, starting at HDBT (via Wyrestorm’s latest H2X matrix), through AVoIP via WyreStorm’s NHD400/600 tech, to its CAB HAOC-10 18Gbps Active Optical HDMI links. And on the wall opposite, all the bass options from Sonance in the form of discreet in-wall and in-room models.

The Yamaha MusicCast wall showcased the design and integration versatility of the platform.

Security was also a big focus. Dahua’s new facial recognition software for its 5000 series NVRs was being trained on the TechFest reception area. Designed to bring exceptional new capability to the current range of Dahua cameras, the new algorithms not only distinguish between known individuals (VIPs) and strangers, but log their facial expression as well!

And adding to the latest network tech on offer, Habitech introduced the next-gen Ruckus R730 802.11ax Wi-Fi Access Point together with the ICX 7150 range of switches. Available in 12, 24 and 48 port 10/100/1000 Mbps models with 1/10 GbE dual-purpose uplink/stacking ports, and full PoE/PoE+ support, the new switch line-up will unite all wired and wireless network infrastructure under the proven Ruckus name to deliver the fastest and most reliable networks to UK integrators. Teased for 2019, the Ruckus Cloud and Virtual Smartzone services allowing fully-remote network management.

In manageable groups and during an energetic day of product displays and demonstrations, TechFest guests and were also invited to join Habitech and CinemaTech specialists in the flagship theatre and in the two new seminar rooms upstairs for all the latest intel on HDR, the IoT and from Cinematech, how to sell luxury cinema.

Commenting on TechFest, Habitech’s Jonathan Pengilley said “with the new training and demo rooms revealed at Techfest we aim to maximise the value of the time you spend with us. I’m proud of everyone who has worked so hard to create a brilliant new platform for our value-added service to CI and I’m absolutely delighted with the turnout at Techfest: we’ve seen the right people and given all their feedback, created the best impression.”