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Categories

LOUDSPEAKERS

  • Architectural Speakers

    Less than $1,000 per pair / More than $1,000 per pair Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new transducer specifically designed to mount in a wall, for use in a home theater or multi-room audio system.

  • Floor-standing/Book Shelf Speakers

    Less than $1,000 per pair / More than $1,000 per pair Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new transducer specifically designed for use in a 2-channel, home theater or multi-room audio system.

  • Soundbars/On-Wall/Single-Chassis Surround Loudspeaker

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new single-unit LCR loudspeaker or soundbar designed for use in a home theater environment, as well as non-LCR on-wall mounted loudspeakers.

HOME THEATER/MULTI-ROOM AUDIO/VIDEO

  • AV-Over-IP / AV Switchers

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products that select between several different audio/video sources and distribute audio/video signals, including AV-Over-IP systems used to transmit High-Res Audio, 3D, and Ultra HD, to various zones in a home.

  • TV Display/ Ultra HD/ MicroLED

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new LCD, OLED, or LED video display, including smart TVs, 3D, 4K/Ultra HD. The category also includes microLED video walls.

  • HDMI/HD-BaseT Extenders
    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products designed to extend HDMI signals using HDBaseT or other technologies over Category cable.

  • Home Theater A/V Receivers & Source Components

    Products in this category include Blu-ray disc players, streaming media devices, A/V receivers, computer-based devices, digital-to-analog converters (DAC), network media players, satellite radio products and portable device docking solutions. The category also includes analog turntables, phono stages (preamps), CD players, AM/FM tuners and other legacy solutions. These products must be compatible with solutions that are traditionally utilized in two-channel, home theaters, and whole-house audio systems.

  • Multi-room AV Components (Amplifiers, Receivers, Source Components, and Preamplifiers)

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new multi-room audio sound package that provides control, amplification, and distribution capabilities to outfit a home or dwelling with a multi-zone system; the package should be devices such as keypads, preamplification, and amplification BUT NOT loudspeakers. The category also includes components designed to actively service two or more rooms or zones as an amplifier, receiver or source component. For amplifiers, the component should include provisions such as remote triggering and daisy chain capabilities. For receivers, the unit should incorporate amplification for at least two zones and at least one source such as AM/FM radio and satellite radio, as well as multiple inputs for other sources that include CD and DVD players, cable and satellite set-top boxes, digital music players and turntables. Home theater receivers without any multi-zone capabilities are not considered in this category.

  • Media Servers/Streaming Media/DVRs

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products that store, record and stream video signals from the cloud or from other storage devices.

  • Mount/Lift/Media Concealment

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new a wall-mount or ceiling-mount devices designed for flat-panel televisions or projectors in residential environments; rack devices and innovations for home theater applications; new flat-panel or projector lifts, including in-cabinet solutions and ceiling drop-lift solutions; new media concealment devices, including mirrors or art.

  • Power Management, Generation, Surge Suppression and Storage/Remote Services

    Recognizing the development of power management/surge suppression systems or remotely managed service devices designed to monitor and remotely service residential electronics, enabling the integration to take corrective action remotely or roll service vehicles preemptively. The category also includes back-up power generation and on-site power storage systems.

  • Projection Screen

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new video display screen for viewing front-projection images in a home theater environment.

  • Projector

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new front-projection device designed for home theater use, including 3D and 4K.

  • Racks, Furniture, Seating, and Acoustical Treatments

    Recognizing the development of racks, furniture, seating and acoustical panels or treatments that enhance the listening as well as the aesthetic environment.

  • Wireless A/V Solution (amps, source components, signal distribution solutions)

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new device that use wireless, powerline and MoCA technologies to distribute audio or video signals in the home.

CONTROL AND AUTOMATION

  • Energy Management

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new smart thermostats with remote access programmability that are controllable by whole-house automation systems.

  • Integrated Security System/Module/Device/Surveillance Cameras/ Smart Locks

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a component or system for new construction or retrofit that makes up a complete security control system or contributes to the expansion of control system options. This category can include hardwired or wireless systems and CCTV surveillance cameras for residential use.

  • Lighting, Lighting Controls & Accessories

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a new construction or retrofittable system or component that makes up a complete lighting control system or contributes to the expansion of control system options. Items like wallplates that are not integral to the functions of a system are not applicable. This category also includes lighting fixtures, including low-voltage and high-voltage, landscape lighting, IP-controllable lighting, tunable white lighting and more.

  • Motorized Shade Controls & Accessories

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, new construction or retrofittable system or component that makes up a motorized window treatment/shade/drape/blind control system. Items like wallplates that are not integral to the functions of a system are not applicable.

  • User Interface Devices: Touchscreens, Keypads, Remotes, Voice Control

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, a new graphical user interface (either dedicated or iPhone/iPad) that is either mounted in a wall, placed on a tabletop or handheld to provide a user with a visually driven, icon-based way to access and control their whole-house automation, home theater or multi-room audio/video system. Recognizing improvement in, or development of any new in-wall keypads or control for remote in-room control. Includes voice control.

  • Whole House Control

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, any new device that enables the control of audio/video source components, lighting control, HVAC or security, and/or provides the signal routing of audio and/or video signals in a multi-room audio/video system without providing amplification.

HOUSEHOLD ENHANCEMENTS / INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES

  • Cables and Cabling Products

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, audio/video cabling (copper-based or fiber optic), including HDMI cable, dedicated audio cable, baluns and extenders.

  • Communications Products

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, digital phone systems or dedicated intercom systems for residential use that integrate with a home’s A/V, control/security or phone functions. Also, the development of residential cellular phone signal boosters and video doorbells.

  • Home Networking Device

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, residential routers, switches, modems, Networked Attached Storage (NAS) and wireless access points for home networking solutions.

  • Outdoor A/V

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, audio products designed for outdoor use, including displays, screens, and remote controls, and speakers designed to withstand weather-related environmental conditions, including rain, wind and sunlight. Enclosures for these transducers must be at least weather resistant.

  • Best Wellness Product

    Recognizing improvement in, or development of, products or services that enable integrators to offer a wellness-related solution to their clients. Entries in this category can include products related to providing or controlling human-centric lighting/circadian rhythm lighting, indoor air quality monitoring and filtration, water quality management, soundscaping/natural sound, digital art, scent diffusion and more.

TOOLS, TESTING, AND CALIBRATION

  • Any new or upgrade device used by professional integrators to assist them in the installation or service of a system.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

  • Business and Software Design Tools

    Recognizing business operations software of all types for integrators, including accounting, design, job and payroll tracking, general administration, software design tools, etc. The category will also cover marketing software or programs for integrators. These can revolve around a particular product or class of products, or be focused on general services such as website SEO, video creation, social media marketing or CRM.

PERIPHERALS AND ENHANCEMENTS

  • Any new or upgraded peripheral device or stand-alone system used as an add-on sale to a system. This includes sports simulators, headphones, water leak detection, and power & thermal management devices.

OBJECT-BASED SURROUND COMPONENTS/SOFTWARE

  • Loudspeakers and A/V electronics that have specific provisions and software to recreate today's new era of object-based surround formats, including Dolby Atmos approved/certified modules, A/V receivers and preamplifier/processors that include object-based surround sound processing options, and music and movie discs that include object-based surround sound formats.

MOST PROMISING

  • Any product that stands to revolutionize the category it is in and change the trend of product development and application. If you have an exciting new product that will not ship until 2022, consider entering the "Most Promising" award.

BEST SMART HOME APP

  • Recognizing the best app for single-purpose or multipurpose smart home control, including music, lighting, video, HVAC, and more.