If you get a shot at affecting a decision maker you will only get but one so you had better get it right. I suppose you could argue that discretes would be better than nothing, but why not try to hit one out of the park? If your pervue is large than why not try to include all that you can see rather than truncate the image. If you ask for a bit you still might only obtain that which was asked. If you ask for everything, well as the Rolling Stones put it, " you don't always get what you want. But if you try, sometimes, you get what you need. " You are not getting any shots is the reality but as long as we are playing fantasy why not go for broke? Restricting the view runs the risk of a decision maker only hearing helf of the story. Since I don't believe you will get one shot hoping for a second opportunity seems like settling for a date with Devine when you wanted one with Adriana Lima.

Alan

Hey TSS

After you get those wings and beer send them my way....I am also way outa town.

That would qualify, except for the Expo, the first positive thing Cedia has done for me and my business.

I agree there are control systems and remote controls, my business plan focuses more on the latter, and Cedia has done NOTHING tangible to increase manufactuers awareness of the need for discretes. I still get a woody when I can easily access Video inputs on a set after years of.....ch up...delay....input...delay...input...delay....input...maybe video three.

If Cedia certified equipment would have this, maybe my impression of their worth would change.....but I agree, unless your outfit is in the seven figure earnings, Cedia is worthless. I have NEVER had a customer in ten years know or care about Cedia, and I do not see that changing in any significant enough manner to make me feel it is worth it to become a member....unless the wings were really, really good.

As far as CEDIA is concerned, it sounds like you guys really want some sort of marking for an integration friendly component.

I started a CI Friendly thread here a while back.
[Link: remotecentral.com]

What I want from CEDIA are appointed/elected ambassadors for each region who would be directed to increase the visibility of CEDIA as it's own entity among builders, architects, designers, and in the local media in the various mid-sized and large markets around the country.

The largest obstacle I see would be finding individuals to fill positions such as these, perhaps we could start with a pool of former board members and move out from there. I could also see participation here from industry vets on the manufacturer side...

Imagine a charismatic ambassador like Frank White, Paul Scarpelli, or Sam Runco speaking on behalf of all CEDIA members on your local TV morning program. I could see the ambassador promoting the selection and hiring of experienced pros (including a discussion of the Certification process) and demonstrating the CEDIA member search system.

Then the ambassador could back up the visit to the market with a AIA or HBA meeting/seminar on reducing the (perceived) pain of working with an electronics integrator... and then the last part of the three=pronged attack would be a polished CEDIA press release sent to each of the print outlets in the market that has been modified specifically for that market.

How about this kind of effort toward increasing awareness in the top 100 markets Nationwide??

THAT kind of representation would be worth $600 per company, per year...

This message was edited by 2nd rick on 08/28/05 18:57 ET.

no one is saying limit equipment to IR. All I was saying is make IR better. I would put RS-232 above IR and think all devices should include it and RS-232 and IR should be at the same levels (i.e. if there is a discrete code in IR for X, it should have an RS-232 code as well or the other way around), as to the other points I would rather use discrete codes then sensors or state variables any day of the week. I guess the question is can you get everyone that buys from you to go full out on Crestron or AMX? My guess is not.


Even though I agree as a general statement, I think you would be amazed at what can be done in the right environment. I have used Prontos to control a dual room VC system (the system was in a smaller room but A/V I/O was routed to a large auditorium for mega meetings), in one of our plants they decided to integrate the VC system into a crisis room, it had sat/cable/radio -for news, video from security cameras were routed to the room, it had two VCRs to be able to record or play at the same time, a TV and 2 projectors (where video could be routed to any of the three projectors) not to mention the VC unit and all the other stuff it needs.


what solution? and more expensive to whom? are you talking about going with Niles and stuff?

I disagree, did you read the post that started this


BIG ideas don't sell, everyone loves them but no one is ready to pay for them. And I have worked enough to know that when you start with a big and impossible idea Z they just get thrown out completely, no one will be there thinking, yes that idea might be insane, but we could just offer A that is more then reasonable. On the other hand if you say A and they implement it they will listen the next time you say B, and that way you can lead all the way to Z assuming Z is reachable and reasonable.

Alan,

Sorry for cutting your post apart. I wanted to address this statement since I am the one that started this thread.

That portion of your response is the reason for me starting the thread. I wanted to get ideas from all industry professionals as to what they would like from CEDIA. One of the resounding things has been a certification for manufacturers. I, too, see that we need more than discrete IR codes. I also hold your view that ALL equipment should have a working IR input jack. ALL equipment should have a working, with available protocol, COM port. I also believe that ALL equipment should also have a working TCP/IP port with the ability to control said equipment through the TCP/IP port and that the protocol should be obtainable from the manufacturer without having to jump through numerous hoops. I also believe that the control protocols for ALL equipment should allow the fullest control and feedback possible. You mentioned Integra as an example company. I wonder if you would agree that they are a supreme example of what the CI industry needs? Discrete IR codes, extensive control and feedback via rs232 ports, video up-coversion, internet radio, music server apps for customer supplied computers, etc. That is what I want from ALL manufacturers of consumer grade electronics. Is that enough? Doubtful. I am sure I have overlooked many other features that would make gear CI friendly. I want to get input from everyone here as to what they think would make the ULTIMATE CI friendly piece of equipment. I also want to know what else is felt to be needed of CEDIA. WE have made a good start here, I feel like, and I want to keep the ball rolling. Post up guys!!

Problem with taking the "hitting one out of the park" route, is that you get the deaf ear in a heartbeat.

The suits just figure you're another dipstick that doesn't really understand how their little world works, so they pay you no mind. Bear in mind that I've been privy to some of the conversations over on the "dark side". I've heard the way we in the CI business get talked about at "their" private little sessions.....And it's not nice.....

On the other hand, if you actually get that small consession of discrete commands, and they get an immediate, and large response (big sales numbers), they tend to begin asking what you want, while actually paying attention. to what you're saying.

Me? I do my part in my own little way. If it doesn't have at least discrete commands, I won't sell it.

Were we all to cease selling those da** toads, then the toads would go away.....

Sort of my own little TSS certification process......lol