Doctor Decibel & Friends

ClearOne @ Infocomm10

ClearOne delivers added value with the launch of its new Tech Sales organization – offering system design, RFQ, and on-site services.

SALT LAKE CITY, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – NetStreams, the pioneer in digital media networks based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology, recently acquired by ClearOne (Nasdaq: CLRO), the leading global provider of audio conferencing solutions today announced the creation of its Technical Sales organization.

ClearOne is now offering pre-sales support through its new Tech Sales organization for NetStreams resellers, distributors, and other partners. The organization is staffed with industry AV and IT veterans, who combined, bring decades of experience.

“Technical sales is an essential part of the pre-sales process.  While many companies have either down sized or eliminated this level of support all together, ClearOne is taking the next step forward. We are delivering an invaluable sales service to our NetStreams partners to help with the simplest to the most complex system designs,” said Michael Braithwaite, Sr. Vice President of Technology, at ClearOne. “The new organization is the latest commitment from ClearOne designed to focus on a higher and more dedicated level of support for our fast-growing commercial and residential NetStreams reseller base.”

This new Technical Sales staff includes Cisco Certified Engineers, as well as CEDIA and ICIA trained AV professionals to assist with pre-sales activities including system design, system evaluation, configuration, training, and product education for both our commercial and residential resellers.

“Our role should go beyond simply assisting our partners with NetStreams product basics by providing them with the necessary support so that they become confident in their abilities to design and become experts with larger and more complex systems,” said Curtiss Singleton, Vice President of Americas AV Channel Sales.  ”As this sector of the AV market continues to grow at record pace, we want our partners ahead of the curve.”

About ClearOne

ClearOne is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and other related products for audio, video, and web conferencing applications.  The reliability, flexibility, and performance of ClearOne’s comprehensive solutions create a natural communications environment, which saves organizations time and money by enabling more effective and efficient communication.  For more information, visit ClearOne’s website atwww.clearone.com.

About NetStreams

NetStreams delivers the Ultimate IP A/V Experience by distributing high definition audio and video over TCP/IP networks.  NetStreams’ products, designed for commercial and residential use, offer unprecedented levels of performance, functionality, simplicity, reliability, and expandability.  By combining audio/video content, meta-data and control signals into one stream and incorporating industry standards, NetStreams solutions are a smart investment.  NetStreams is enabling the future of IP A/V – today.  For additional information on NetStreams and its innovative products, please visitwww.netstreams.com.

http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=509&to=ea&s=0

SOURCE ClearOne

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.clearone.com
http://www.netstreams.com

Nationwide Marketing dealer members have access to Atlantic Technology products.

February 22, 2010

Atlantic Technology, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of loudspeakers for home theater, music and in-wall applications, announced that the Nationwide Marketing Group and its Specialty Electronics Nationwide (SEN) division, has selected it as a new vendor partner.

The announcement comes a week before PrimeTime!, Nationwide’s buying show and conference which will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Feb. 28 to March 3, 2010.

The Nationwide Buying Group is an electronics industry organization that leverages the $12 billion combined buying power of more than 3,000 independent appliance, consumer electronics, outdoor and furniture retailers to obtain competitive pricing from a selected list of 150 manufacturers and vendor partners.

“Atlantic Technology is very honored to have been selected by the Nationwide Marketing Group,” says Lawrence Davis, vice president of sales, Atlantic Technology. “It speaks well to our product performance and selection, our reputation with dealers, and our commitment to quality in all aspects of the business. This will open the door to many new dealers and opportunities for growth.”

Jeannette Howe, executive director of SEN, adds that its members will benefit from the wide selection of products Atlantic Technology offers to professional installers and specialty electronics retailers.

“Specialty Electronics Nationwide is pleased to welcome Atlantic Technology to the group,” says Howe. “We love their products and the way they do business with their dealers. They have a great lineup for our dealer base, from top-of-the-line THX home theater speakers, to more affordable theater packages and in-wall speakers, to high end in-wall and IP-based systems designed to integrate with sophisticated multi-room systems.”

Company takes next step to enhance home entertainment and information delivery options for consumers

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 22, 2010 — Walmart announced today a definitive agreement to acquire VUDU, Inc., a leading provider of digital technologies and services that enable the delivery of entertainment content directly to broadband high-definition TVs and Blu-ray players. The deal is expected to close within the next few weeks.

VUDU is a revolutionary service, built into a growing number of broadband-ready TVs and Blu-ray players, that delivers instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows directly through the television. Customers with broadband Internet access and an Internet-ready TV or Blu-ray player can rent or purchase movies, typically in high-definition, without needing a connected computer or cable/satellite service. New movies and features will be added continually, enabling customers to enjoy a product that continues to become more robust long after they have left the store.

“The real winner here is the customer,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman for Walmart. “Combining VUDU’s unique digital technology and service with Walmart’s retail expertise and scale will provide customers with unprecedented access to home entertainment options as they migrate to a digital environment.”

VUDU has licensing agreements with almost every major movie studio and dozens of independent and international distributors to offer approximately 16,000 movies, including the largest 1080p library of video on-demand movies available anywhere. Via their broadband Internet connection, users have the ability to rent or buy titles and begin viewing them instantly.

VUDU will continue developing entertainment and information delivery solutions such as VUDU Apps, a platform that delivers hundreds of streaming Internet applications and services to TVs and Blu-ray players with built-in Internet connectivity. VUDU has partnered with some of the leading names in Internet and media entertainment to offer applications on its platform including Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, The New York Times and The Associated Press.

“We are excited about the opportunity to take our company’s vision to the next level,” said Edward Lichty, VUDU executive vice president. “VUDU’s services and Apps platform will give Walmart a powerful new vehicle to offer customers the content they want in a way that expands the frontier of quality, value and convenience.”

VUDU, based in Santa Clara, Calif., will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart. The company is not disclosing financial terms of the agreement as the acquisition is not material to its first quarter earnings for fiscal year 2011.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visitingwww.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available atwww.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

Clarity AV will represent NetStreams line of residential products

in the Southern California region

Salt Lake City, UT – February 22, 2010 – NetStreams, the pioneer in digital media networks based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology, recently acquired by ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO), the leading global provider of audio conferencing solutions today announced their new partnership with Clarity AV.

“We have created several new initiatives to provide an exceptional level of support to our customers,” said Buzz Goddard, Vice President – Worldwide Residential Sales at ClearOne. “One of the initiatives is to provide our Residential product dealers with access to local strategic partners to help them achieve success with NetStreams’ product lines. Clarity is an extremely well regarded firm with veteran managers who know how to help integrators succeed in today’s challenging business environment,” said Goddard. “I am delighted to be working with them.”

“Netstreams and their IP technology based DigiLinX™ system is the future, AND the now,” said Mark Cichowski, CEO of Clarity AV. “For years, dealers talked about “future-proofing” installs with proper wiring and such. With Netstreams you get a robust line, an easy to program back-end that works great, products that are easy to operate by the end user, and an entire system that is easily upgradeable,” said Cichowski. “The added benefit that is really worth mentioning is that you future-proof the entire home as well. CLARITY is excited to partner with Netstreams and help dealers build their business with this impressive product line.”

About ClearOne

ClearOne is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and other related products for audio, video, and web conferencing applications.  The reliability, flexibility, and performance of ClearOne’s comprehensive solutions create a natural communications environment, which saves organizations time and money by enabling more effective and efficient communication.  For more information, visit ClearOne’s website at www.clearone.com.

About NetStreams

Founded in 2002, NetStreams delivers the Ultimate IP A/V Experience by distributing high definition audio and video over TCP/IP networks.  NetStreams’ products, designed for commercial and residential use, offer unprecedented levels of performance, functionality, simplicity, reliability, and expandability.  By combining audio/video content, meta-data and control signals into one stream and incorporating industry standards, NetStreams solutions are a smart investment.  NetStreams is enabling the future of IP A/V – today.  For additional information on NetStreams and its innovative products, please visit www.netstreams.com.

ClearOne Contact:

Mary Evans

801-303-3582

mary.evans@clearone.com

###

http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=509&to=ea&s=0

Salt Lake City - Mozaex, a startup manufacturer of home-based digital entertainment server products, this week introduced at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Amsterdam, new Blu-ray Disc server systems designed for “set-and-forget” reliability.

The Mozaex system, according to the company, allows instant playback of media stored on its server, including Blu-ray and DVD movies, CD and MP3 music, photos and on-demand NetFlix movies and Pandora music via the Mozaex NetPlay online media service.

Any media can be easily played simultaneously in any room.

Unlike Media Center Edition PC-based media servers, Mozaex is a dedicated, proprietary media server appliance, the company said.

Mozaex is now offering two types of expandable systems: the first are player/server systems that support up to 30 Blu-ray playback zones and are based on individual players and a centralized storage server. Three player models are available with varying chassis, pricing, and audio and video features.

The second are all-in-one systems based on a single, fully integrated unit, combining one or several players with an integrated storage server. The Solo series includes both a Blu-ray player and storage, while the Bravo and Quartet are four music player-based servers with and without an integrated Blu-ray player, respectively.

Pricing starts at a $2,495 suggested retail for a single Blu-ray zone player; the all-in-one, 1TB Solo 1 model has a suggested retail price of $4,195.

Servers are available with up to 15TBs of RAID 6 protected storage and start at $5,995 for the 4TB Server 2U non-RAID model.

Systems are said to offer interoperability with a broad base of control systems, including touch panel controllers from companies including Crestron, AMX and Control4.

The company also just released new interfaces for the new Philips’ Pronto and NetStreams’ touch panels.

Mozaex employs SurePlay, an online remote-access system maintenance program that allows either the dealer or Mozaex to update and maintain the system anywhere in the world. Also offered is EasyUp single-click user software updating utility, enabling off-site maintenance.

Mozaex was started by Axonix founder Douglas Kihm with the goal of redefining personal multi-room, multi-media Blu-ray entertainment, the company said. Now fully funded and operating, key members of the Axonix team are now part of Mozaex.

“After developing MediaMax and listening closely to the needs of leading custom home electronics dealers, I decided to form a company that addresses the un-served need for a premier Blu-ray media server with never-fail reliability, online system service, and unmatched quality,” stated Kihm, who is Mozaex’ CEO. “There really is only one other competitor left in the media server market and they don’t support Blu-ray, photos, or online media, nor do they provide full online system maintenance or a no charge three-year warranty service program. Mozaex uniquely fills this demand.”

Kihm explained that while the Mozaex systems are is designed to allow playback of content stored on its servers, Mozaex does not make use of or install illegal decrypting software that would break AACS copy protection in loading that content onto server memory. Discs must be in clear to copy.

“We do not make, sell, ship or provide any product with any unlicensed decrypting, so like a PC it is 100 percent legal,” Kihm said. “We do ship with a licensed tool to play back physical movie discs. Mozaex is a multi-purpose, multimedia device that can play all types of media and dozens of online media “channels” (ie: Pandora, NetFlix etc.).  As it is the case with millions of PCs shipped every year with similar media “center” server, movie playback software, if the user wants to load and play loaded movies it is the sole responsibility of the user to configure the product to do so and obey all copyright laws.”

As for future compatibility with discs that may be produced to support the Managed Copy system, which is included in the completed AACS spec issued last June, Kihm said, “We do not currently support managed copy. We are studying the Managed Copy (MC) specification and we expect that we will someday support MC when it is fully released hopefully later this summer.  It appears that MC will only allow the one viewer to locally watch the movie stored locally on the unit and not allow multiple users to view the centrally stored movie.”

Kihm said Mozaex is using eight domestic rep firms and 10 international distributors to support and carry its products to its network of dealers and installers.

Mozaex products are covered by a limited three-year warranty and free product lifetime telephone support. Mozaex is also currently offering service and support for the no longer manufactured Axonix MediaMax product line, the company said.

Feb 04, 2010 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) –

NetStreams, a developer of digital media networks based on Internet Protocoltechnology recently acquired by ClearOne, announced it will be showcasing DigiLinX IP-Based and IP-Controlled systems, designed for commercial and residential use at this week’s Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show.

According to NetStreams, the DigiLinX products use StreamNet technology to handle virtually any number of digital or analog sources and deliver HD video and audio content to virtually an unlimited number of zones. NetStreams will exhibit its products, along with dealer application suite tools at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam RAI, NL.

NetStreams’ digital media network products based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology are used in a variety of applications, including digital signage, corporate video distribution, network operations centers and government facilities, and large venues in such industries as hospitality, entertainment and casinos. NetStreams’ digital streaming media and control systems support virtually any number of digital or analog sources, including high definition audio and video content to nearly an unlimited number of networked endpoints.

“With our recent acquisition of NetStreams, we look forward to showcasing the NetStreams products to our customers and channel partners at this year’s ISE show in the combined ClearOne and NetStreams booth,” said Zee Hakimoglu, President and CEO at ClearOne. “As the global market increasingly embraces the benefits of distributing audio, video and data content through Internet Protocol technology, the products offered by NetStreams and ClearOne will be even more industry solutions for the benefit of our global customer and channel partners.”

ClearOne is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and other related products for audio, video, and web conferencing applications.

ClearOne (News - Alert), a company that sells audio conferencing products, is scheduled toshowcase several new conferencing products at the upcoming Integrated Systems Europe show through Thursday.

http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/hd-conference/articles/74282-hd-conference-feature-clearone-showcase-new-conferencing-tools.htm

Full featured wireless control is now a click-away for any NetStreams dealer

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –NetStreams, the pioneer in AV over IP networking, recently acquired by ClearOne (http://www.clearone.com) (Nasdaq: CLRO), the leading global provider of audio conferencing solutions, today announced a FREE NetSteams App is available to download on the URC Toolbox at www.urccontrolroom.com.

With the release of the DigiLinX control app for the URC MX-6000, dealers can simply log onto the Universal Remote Control ToolBox site and download the DigiLinX app for the URC MX-6000 controller for free. The addition of the DigiLinX new application for the MX-6000 controller gives users a powerful whole house controller in the palm of their hands that is easy and quick to configure. All of the NetStreams functions are built-into the MX-6000 controller including the tactical buttons on the remote such as volume up and down, mute, channel up and down. The simple scroll wheel allows quick and precise selections through even the largest media library and playlists.

“The two-way module NetStreams has developed for the MX-6000 provides a new level of WiFi control for a DigiLinX project,” said Scott Woolley, Director Product Management Multimedia and Networking Products, at ClearOne. “Controls include: lighting, HVAC, security and of course all the audio and video controls.”

“We are excited to have NetStreams as one of our Platinum members in our Complete Control Partner Program (CCPP),” said Mitchell Klein, URC’s director of business development. Klein adds, “Our network remotes are a natural accompaniment to the NetStreams systems and we are delighted to have this offering for mutual dealers.”

“The DigiLinX application on the URC Toolbox works very well,” said Bradley Elliott, Vice President of Electronic Lifestyle Associates. “We have three NetStreams / URC systems in our demo house and we are now getting 3 referrals a week from the URC website.”

About ClearOne

ClearOne is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and other related products for audio, video, and web conferencing applications. The reliability, flexibility, and performance of ClearOne’s comprehensive solutions create a natural communications environment, which saves organizations time and money by enabling more effective and efficient communication. For more information, visit ClearOne’s website at www.clearone.com.

About NetStreams

Founded in 2002, NetStreams delivers the Ultimate IP A/V Experience by distributing high definition audio and video over TCP/IP networks. NetStreams’ products, designed for commercial and residential use, offer unprecedented levels of performance, functionality, simplicity, reliability, and expandability. By combining audio/video content, meta-data and control signals into one stream and incorporating industry standards, NetStreams solutions are a smart investment. NetStreams is enabling the future of IP A/V – today. For additional information on NetStreams and its innovative products, please visitwww.netstreams.com.

    ClearOne Contact:
    Scott Woolley
    801-303-3513
    scott.woolley@clearone.com

http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=509&to=ea&s=0

SOURCE ClearOne

Atlantic Technology Ships Low-Cost, High-Sound-Quality In-Ceiling Loudspeaker for IP or Conventional Wired Hookup

NORWOOD, MA, Feb 1, 2010 — Atlantic Technology, one of the industry’s most respected loudspeaker manufacturers, today announced immediate deliveries of a modestly-priced in-ceiling loudspeaker that delivers excellent sound quality for a wide variety of music and home theater applications. Like all of the company’s dual-mode Internet Protocol (IP) speakers, the Atlantic Technology ICTS-6.1-IP is fully compatible with IP-based whole-house systems like NetSteams, or it can be connected using conventional speaker wires.

“We have built some really good ceiling speakers over the years,” said Steve Feinstein, Atlantic Technology’s Director of Marketing and Product Development, “but never one that sounds this good for such a modest price—and it has full IP capabilities. Whether it’s used for music in the kitchen or home theater in the bedroom, installers are going to love this speaker. It’s easy to install, it sounds great and it’s priced right for today’s marketplace.”

The Atlantic Technology ICTS-6.1-IP uses a 6-1/2-inch long-excursion Polypropylene woofer and a pivoting 1-inch silk dome tweeter. These are driven through a multi-element crossover built to a level of sophistication usually found only in much more expensive speakers. The speakers include both conventional speaker terminals and an IP connector for NetStreams or other whole-house distribution technologies.

This speaker’s grille and frame are white, but they can be painted to match their surroundings. Available accessories include a new construction bracket and a back box to provide a sealed enclosure.

The Atlantic Technology ICTS-6.1-IP is available now with a suggested retail price of $125 each.

From its inception in 1989, Atlantic Technology’s mission has been to produce home entertainment products that exemplify the very best in both performance and value. The company specializes in complete high-performance multi-channel speaker systems, state-of-the-art home theater electronics components, and products for custom audio/video installation. For more information on Atlantic Technology and its many fine products for home theater and custom audio/video installation, visit www.atlantictechnology.com or call 781-762-6300.