I got into the custom business explicitly of this trend. Here are some very random observations.
Clearly, convergence is happening, and fast. I have done a large number of media server installations (both things like ReQuest, and traditional computers used with things like the Audiotron) and have had great success. For example, I just finished a dedicated media room for a client (front PJ) who wanted a Mac PowerBook integrated into the system - he's a big iTunes fan. The PowerBook is both a video and audio source in the system.
There's a new wireless standard forthcoming (802.16.3a - it's a subset of ultra-wideband, A.K.A. Wi-Max), that will eventually eliminate most/all interconnects between components, by creating essentially a wireless 'personal area network' among things like receivers, DVD players, DVR's, displays, etc. Wireless flat panels were shown at CES. Goodbye to the nice markups on interconnects, but also goodbye to those silly rat's nest of wires behind all of our installations (yes, I use cable management, but I think we all know what I mean), and good riddance to fishing wires to install that plasma.
Be on the lookout for IP-addressable speakers w/digital amplifiers built-in. Polk Audio is getting ready to roll these out. Add a WiFi or 802.16.3a chip to that speaker box, and we'll finally have high fidelity wireless speakers.
I just attended a preview of NetStreams Digilinx product - this essentially overlays an IP control layer over traditional whole-house audio. I'm attending another preview next week from a company with a similar product, called DestinyIP.
Clearly, it is a thing to move away from the ridiculous lack of standards and from proprietary control systems. Am I the only one who feels that we can do much better than infrared or RS-232 as a control mechanism? As an example: I have two clients using WiFi-enabled PDA's to control their ReQuest music servers. This allows the selection of music from anywhere in the house, wirelessly.
The future is digital and network connected devices - it's that simple.
And predicting the responses: please spare me the "WiFi isn't reliable enough" or "I'm not having my clients rely upon Windows" stuff". Or those that say digital "will just never equal analog". Please remove your head from the sand! Is everything perfect with this stuff yet? Absolutely not! Will it be eventually? You bet - and those that say otherwise are really fooling themselves. I'm pretty sure there were plenty out there who dismissed compact discs as too 'sterile sounding'. How many turntables are installing nowadays?
Obviously, I'm on my soapbox - but I think there are many out there in this business who are ill-equipped for what is nothing less than a revolution in our industry. Ignore/dismiss at your own peril.
