Where do you look for the finest examples of home cinemas and smart home installations? We regularly feature some of Australia’s finest in the pages of Sound+Image, of course, but once a year there’s a flood of superb systems revealed through the winners and finalists of the annual CEDIA Awards.
These awards are global, and were delighted to bring you right here, right now, all the finalists from the Asia-Pacific entries for 2022. And for a little more insight, we turn to CEDIA Australia’s Paul Skelton, to explain CEDIA’s role.
CEDIA is the industry association that represents everybody who designs, manufactures and/or installs smart-home technology,” Paul tells is. “We’re a global group that represents more than 4000 members, in more than 70 countries. We have a long history in Australia — almost 30 years — and we have some members who have been around since the very beginning.”
CEDIA, which stands for the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association, brings benefits to its members in terms of industry knowledge, recognition and education. But why should consumers take note of CEDIA, and of integrators that are CEDIA members?
“One word — credibility,” says Paul Skelton. “CEDIA members have to show they are appropriately insured, while they have access to education and resources that have been created by global leaders to ensure they are at the top of their game. Beyond CEDIA membership, using a CEDIA Certified integrator means that that person was willing and able to prove they have the skills to deliver on the projects that they have been contracted for.
“Let me put this another way, you wouldn’t ask a gardener to fix your car, so why would you ask someone who is not qualified to install the technology systems in your home? We’ve all seen and in many cases experienced what can go wrong with incorrectly installed/commissioned systems, so why would you risk it?”
How do the annual awards operate? “Each year, members can submit projects for our CEDIA Awards programme. A panel of technical judges assesses the projects to determine winners in three regions — Asia Pacific, EMEA and Americas. The projects are also judged by a local panel of architecture and interior design experts, who look at how the technology installed complements the lifestyles of home owners.”
More generally, what exciting things are you seeing as current trends in smart homes and home cinemas?
“Personally, I’m quite proud to see the number of integrators expanding beyond the ultra-high-end luxury market and developing systems and solutions for people living with disabilities. This has been a very big focus of CEDIA in Australia for the past 18 months and it’s quite rewarding to see the role of smart-home technologies evolving in this sector. Some of our members now work exclusively in this space, which really shows how integrated technology is now more of a utility than luxury item.
“That said,
