Vision - September/October 2008 - (Page 26)

newsline By Lesley Boyd association news & views Connecting the Dots T he shortest distance between two points is a straight line. However, when applied to the CE industry, the shortest distance between a builder, a certified installer and an informed and prequalified consumer is a variety of strategic “roads” built by CEA. Through its programs, the association strives to educate builders, integrators and consumers about the benefits of consumer technology in the home. CEA TechHome The apex of the home technology arm of CEA, TechHome represents the entire channel for home control, entertainment and networking products. With membership comprised of manufacturers, professional integrators and distributors, TechHome keeps its hand on the pulse of the entire CE industry. Every year, CEA develops comprehensive “state of the consumer electronics market” studies to detail industry trends. Especially helpful to builders is the recently released 6th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study, which gives a clear view of the national trends in building practices as they relate to the market, including tracking builders offering CE products and builders using integrators to install those products. to the growth of installed digital technology. “Together, CEA and CompTIA help prepare technicians for installing and maximizing the performance available from today’s sophisticated digital home systems, while ensuring consumers receive the best inhome technology integration,” said Kerry Moyer, senior director for CEA TechHome. Online Tools The TechHome.com website gives consumers an overview of home technology options available in new residential construction as well as remodel and retrofit possibilities. Its searchable database of TechHome Professionals connects consumers to integrators in their area. CEA’s newest online platform is called DigitalTips.org. Its tagline, “Your Ultimate Guide to Consumer Electronics,” reflects its detailed industry information. Both interactive and inclusive, this site was designed with the consumer in mind, offering digital tips in laymen’s terms. Chad Baker/Getty Images Each subject from audio to video is divided into two columns—“Want It” and “Own It”— to explain what the technology is, how to get it, whether you need help to install it and how to use it once it’s installed. TechHome Rating System The TechHome Rating System was developed by CEA to demonstrate value for technology installed in the home. It gives builders and home sellers a visual tool to communicate to prospective home buyers the value of installed technology, as well as help the buyer understand the possibilities offered by in-home technology. The TechHome Rating System is based upon five categories: home entertainment, communication, PC networking, home security and home comfort and convenience. A scaled point system is used to measure the home’s technology infrastructure. CEA is dedicated to the convergence of the builder, installer and consumer relationship. Through detailed market studies, installer-based certifications, consumerfocused websites, installer databases and technology rating systems, CEA manages to directly connect all points on the home technology line. • www.ce.org Installer Certification In 2007, CEA’s TechHome joined forces with the Computing Technologies Industry Association (CompTIA) to create a new certification to validate expertise in configuration, integration, troubleshooting and maintenance of digital home networks. This is an advanced skills certification for those working in today’s digital home. Certified Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+) requires that an applicant obtain 18–24 months of experience in related systems integration field work, culminating in a rigorous exam. To date, there are several hundred DHTI+ certified installers worldwide, and that number is growing as demand for these skills increases in response CEA Technology & Standards has two documents related to TechHome. CEA-CEB17, “A Floor-to-Ceiling Guide for Residential Speaker Systems: Planning, Selection and Installation for Optimum Performance”, when used in conjunction with ANSI/CEA2030, Multi-Room Audio Cabling Standard, provides installers and integrators with a straightforward way to select and install speaker systems throughout a home to create a more enjoyable listening experience for consumers. These standards can be purchased by visiting www.CE.org/Standards/ browseByCommittee_5469.asp. 26 September/October 2008 http://TechHome.com http://DigitalTips.org http://www.CE.org/Standards/browseByCommittee_5469.asp http://www.CE.org/Standards/browseByCommittee_5469.asp http://www.ce.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vision - September/October 2008

Vision - September/October 2008 Contents Shapiro's Spectrum In this Issue The Economist Visionary C4 Trends Coming to a Neighborhood Near You IPv6: Connecting People and Things Israelis Spend Big on the Latest CE Devices Tech Speak Tech Policy CEA Newsline Going Global Eye on Business Market Insider Just the Stats

Vision - September/October 2008

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