CE Pro February 2023 - 51

had the left shade covering
the left window and the
right shade covering the
right window.
The packaging could have
been marked better for us
to differentiate the left and
right shades, but it wasn't
a big deal. Installing the
shades without any sort of
training wasn't a problem either.
My wife and I concluded
that after performing the
installation once we could
streamline our efficiency
and become more proficient
performing the installation
the next time. With that
said, if someone wants
training, PowerShades offers
online videos and PDFs, and
those materials may help to
expedite the setup process.
With the shades physically
installed at the windows,
the last step was to program
the companion remote control,
including the shades'
operational limit parameters.
Going online I found a
video that explains how to
program the remote and set
those parameters and that
made things simple. The
remote functions took a few
minutes to finalize and we
were ready to go.
Integrators can also note
that PowerShades' products
integrate with many popular
third-party control companies
within the custom
industry as well as Google
Home and Amazon Alexa.
Performance &
Conclusions
With the shades installed
and running we have primarily
used them to help
control the amount of light
that enters our living room,
particularly when someone
is watching TV during the
weekends.
The sunlight washes out
the screen, and it creates
a lot of glare on the screen
too. Recently upgrading to a
Sony X85J series KD50X85J
2021 4K television from a
2014 Vizio has made some
difference due to its increased
brightness capabilities
and overall much better
image quality; however, the
new Sony did not completely
resolve the issue.
Having the PowerShades
Shades' operational
parameters can be set on
the companion remote.
blackout material products
did resolve the issue. During
peak daylight hours we are
able to grab the remote
control and eliminate the
sunlight that's hindering
our TV viewing experience.
Once day turns to night, we
grab the remote and bring
the shades up and go about
our business.
I also think my wife did
a good job of picking out
a fabric color that complements
our living room ... the
shades look very nice when
they are deployed.
Just to get an idea of how
loud the shades are when
they are operating, if anyone
cepro.com
is familiar with the Stewart
Filmscreen's older retractable
projection screens,
I'd say the PowerShades
are a little quieter than my
first-generation motorized
FireHawk screen. So, it is
pretty quiet and I think that
as the material breaks in, it
could get a bit quieter as it
moves up and down.
Having the shades really
does make a difference in
the quality of video, particularly
with a nice TV, and I am
sure in the summer months
they could also have an impact
on energy consumption
of my house and the amount
of air conditioning we use.
These could also work well
in a multipurpose room
using a projector that might
not have the brightness of a
laser light engine.
Other than the little bit
of the learning curve we endured
during the installation
as on-the-job training -
which I will underscore was
not that bad - the process
of implementing the PowerShades
products in my living
room was great. Putting in
another way, if we can figure
out the installation in a
reasonable timeframe, I am
sure professionals will have
no issue with the installation
of these products.
Additionally, as a solution
that brings style and
functionality to the home,
I think PowerShades has
hit a home run. Based on
my experience of choosing
the type of shade, material
and color; the quick order
turnaround, the install and
functionality of the products,
I am impressed with
PowerShades.
SPECS
PowerShades
Verona Twilight
Shades
Power options include
everything from manual
to PoE
Wealth of solar, light
blocking and light
filtering materials, as well
as colors are available
PowerShades customizes
the exact size of the
shades to complement a
range of windows
Open roll, cassette and
fascia are among the
housing styles offered
PowerShades also offers
outdoor shade solutions
Integrates with control
companies such as
Crestron, Control4, Elan,
RTI, Savant, URC
MSRPs vary
powershades.com
CE PRO
VERDICT
PROS:
The products install
reasonably quickly without
any training
PowerShades offers a
number of style and fabric
options
Remote control options
make the shades
convenient to use
CONS:
There was some
guesswork to piece
together the installation
of the shades
Support could be better
organized
February 2023 CE Pro | 51
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CE Pro February 2023

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