January 2022 | Volume 30 | No. 1 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 28 COVER STORY State of the Industry: Unfinished Business 28 Integrators sustain 7.6% revenue growth in 2021 despite being unable to complete 13% of their projects due to labor and product shortages. by Jason Knott 36 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: VIEW POINTS Top 5 Technology Opportunities 36 Ultra-Short-Throw Projection Technologies Mature Video experts now enthusiastically embrace these versatile solutions. By Robert Archer 38 Using Cybersecurity as a Differentiator The hacking threat to the home will only grow. By CE Pro Editors 42 New Technologies Tackle Invisible Sound Latest transducers, unique speakers generate enticing ways to conceal audio. By Robert Archer 44 Virtual Reality Offers Exciting New Avenue Dealers are in prime position to enter a market waiting for a breakthrough beyond gaming. By Andrew Nichols 46 Energy Management Potential Comes into Focus As consumers and builders demand increased energy savings and reduced grid reliance, residential tech pros are armed with more power and tools to deliver. By Arlen Schweiger 48 Use Immersive Audio to Compete in Gaming Market Sonic enhancements can benefi t gamers and integrators alike in exploding market sector. By Andrew Nichols 2 | CE Pro January 2022 EDITOR'S NOTE 4 Start preparing for 2030 now. By Jason Knott HDMI CORNER 26 Asia factory steps up its testing. By DPL Labs FIELD TEST 56 Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar. By Robert Archer 8 8 NEAT-O! N.C. dealer collaborates with Auton on motorized lift for big outdoor display. 10 INDUSTRY PULSE Total Tech Summit highlights Nebraska Furniture Mart's Jim Lind Garners CTA Honor Leviton Names New CEO In-Person InfoComm staged 16 WELLSCAPES Spatial, Made Music Studio Collaborate Ariz. Dealer Upgrades Showroom Delos, Hospitality Group Debut Accreditation 18 AUDIO+VIDEO Meridian Intros Flagship Speaker Sonus faber Acquires Woodworking Factory Bowers & Wilkins Adds Signature Speakers Klipsch 75th Anniversary Klipschorn Bluesound Soundbar Upgrades Kaleidescape, Stewart Deliver Discount Sonos Updates 22 NETWORKING+ HOME CONTROL Crestron Battery-Powered Shades Lutron Next-Gen Radio RA 3 Platinum Tools Parent Purchases Fiber Provider URC, Allterco Integrate Products DMF Dealer Website New Hunter Douglas Fabrics Q&A: Dan Feldstein, Crestron Security Corner 52 CHANNEL Fla. Integrator Maximizes Modus VR Bluesalve Brings Adds Mike Fidler Snap One Opens Allnet Branch TTS SPOTLIGHT PEOPLE & PLACES 58 PRODUCTS 64 BY THE NUMBERS Large-Format/Venue Video cepro.com NUTHAWUT/STOCK.ADOBE.COMhttp://www.cepro.com