February 2023 | Volume 31 | No. 2 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 24 COVER STORY CE PROFILE: National Aspirations 24 Hi Solutions is acquiring integrators to build a coast-to-coast network of integrators using a proprietary AI-driven solution with solid recurring monthly revenue base. by Jason Knott 28 34 40 48 28 Wages Spike 11.2% in 2022; Labor Rates Jump 11% over 2 Years Installation technician pay rises to average $22.10 per hour, while average national labor rates charged jumps to $106.67 per hour, per CE Pro's 2023 Wage, Salary & Labor Rates Study. by Jason Knott Water-Based Possibilities Extend Inside & Outside In the second of two installments examining how integrators can expand their portfolios to address smart water solutions, we cover exterior irrigation & pool/spa tech then go inside to kitchens & bathrooms. by Orrin Charm Dealer Audio Events Deliver Unique Experiences for Music Fans How Audio Advice in N.C. and AV Therapy in N.H. fed into increased consumer appetite for today's wide-ranging listening possibilities. What do you have on top for 2023? by Arlen Schweiger & Robert Archer CE Pro 100 Qualification Form Here's your chance to submit for the annual CE Pro 100 recognition. Get your financials ready and enter; participating companies are eligible to attend the CE Pro Summit in Las Vegas, Nov. 13-15, 2023. 2 | CE Pro February 2023 34 VIEW POINTS FROM THE EDITOR 4 The inside scoop from designers By Arlen Schweiger HDMI CORNER 22 Internal interference is a tricky culprit By DPL Labs FIELD TEST 50 PowerShades' Verona Twilight shades By Robert Archer 6 NEAT-O! Pacific paradise views include huge Planar LED wall. 8 INDUSTRY PULSE Smart Home Stocks Battered in 2022 CEDIA Meeting Outlines Initiatives Smart Home Device Spending Up 12 WELLSCAPES Prime Your Business for Living-in-Place Market Masimo Expands HEOS into Healthcare 14 AUDIO+VIDEO Value Electronics Crowns Kings of Projection Parasound Sold, Schram Retiring MetraAV Rebrands as Ethereal Victrola Stream Onyx Plays Vinyl via Sonos Q&A: Brad Bramy, HDMI Licensing 18 NETWORKING+ HOME CONTROL Savant SOHO Opens in NYC URC Gains Nest Certification Google Updates Devices to Support Matter Z-Wave Publishes Source Code Project Draper Bolsters Resi Team Hunter Douglas Intros Silhouette Halo Shades Security Corner 44 CHANNEL HTSA Puts Dealers into 'Focus' WiCT Group Honors Legacy Awards Winners Pair of Leading Indianapolis Integrators Merge 52 PRODUCTS 56 BY THE NUMBERS Home Theater & Immersive Audio cepro.comhttp://www.cepro.com