WHOLE-HOUSE AUDIO

Distributed audio remains the driving force behind custom installations, and there was no shortage of new gear on display. Standouts include Audio Access's Whole-House Entertainment Network (W.H.E.N). Its AVR21EN system controller ($2,199) not only handles audio distribution but is also a full-blown 7.1-channel A/V receiver, including Faroudja video processing. Crestron showed a similar upgrade to its excellent Adagio system (see our review). The Adagio Media System combines all the original's great audio-distribution features with a full-blown theater receiver that includes HDMI switching.

• Both NuVo and Elan incorporate Organic LED (OLED) technology in their next-gen audio controllers. OLED is great for controllers because it offers bright graphics that are easy to read from extreme angles. NuVo's Grand Concerto system ($3,499) provides two-way interactive control, while customization is the theme of Elan's new Olé ($390), the first Film Interactive Touchpad (FIT). The 4-inch controller features 108 different slide-in films to ensure that it - wait for it - fits with any décor.

CONTROL

Philips revamped its esteemed Pronto line with the new, sexy-as-hell TSU9600 ($1,299). Beyond full system control and Wi-Fi capabilities, the TSU9600 supports Escient servers and Lutron Radio RA lighting systems out of the box. Being able to browse music collections with full metadata, including cover art, without having to turn on your TV is a huge plus.

• Not to be out-remoted, Harmony joins the touchpanel crowd with its new, aggressively priced Harmony 1000 ($500). Universal Electronics teamed with Sirius to produce the Sirius Conductor (November, $150), which includes a Sirius home tuner, an antenna, and a nifty universal remote that displays channel/artist metadata.

• One of the hallmarks of control systems in the past - I'm looking at you, Crestron and AMX - has been proprietary system architecture. But open-architecture systems allow for more integration and easier programming, saving tons of dough in install costs. Savant used this Expo as its launch site, showing some preliminary products that hold the promise of fast integration. Think giant, interactive touchpanel screens - on the fronts of your A/V components!

• Monster Cable demoed its "home of the future" control system, "Einstein" (due in March). Monster has incredibly ambitious plans for Einstein, using all manner of communication: Wi-Fi, IP, infrared, serial, Bluetooth, contact closures, and telephony.