A lot of products come out every year. Obviously, some are better than others. In case you are wondering exactly which products are the best, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has come out with a handy-dandy list for you.

The CEA just announced the finalists for the 2011 Mark of Excellence Awards. Designed to “honor outstanding achievement in custom home electronics,” an independent panel of industry experts has been given the task to choose both Platinum and Gold level winners. Here’s the list of finalists:

Audio Product of the Year

• Atlantic Technology: AT-1
• dreamGEAR, LLC: Cinema Sound
• iLuv Creative Technology: Audio Cube - iMM747
• NuVo Technologies, LLC: Music Port Elite
• Paradigm Electronics Inc.: Paradigm Reference MilleniaSub with PT-2 Wireless Transmitter
• PS Audio: PS Audio PerfectWave DAC with PerfectWave Network Bridge
• SmartHome UAE: Z-Audio MRM Distribution Pack    
• SRS Labs: SRS TheaterSound

Control System Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: PMC3-XP Prodigy Expander & Control System with Onscreen Display
• ELAN Home Systems, LLC: Elan g! System
• Jetlun Corporation: JIM Gateway Lite
• Remote Technologies, Inc.: T2-C+ Universal System Controller
• Savant Systems LLC: TrueControl
• Universal Remote Control, Inc.: URC Network Keypad Solution

Green Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Fusion Viridian
• Home Automation, Inc.: Omnistat2 with ZigBee Wireless and IHD Control
• Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.: Diva C.L Dimmer
• Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.: Mitsubishi’s 75-inch LaserVue TV

Human Interface Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Crestron Mobile Pro G
• Universal Remote Control, Inc.: URC Super Remote SR3

Installation Product of the Year

• Control4: Control4 InfinityEdge 7
• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Sonnex Tools
• Remote Technologies, Inc.: vIRsa Mouse

Media Server of the Year

• Autonomic Controls, Inc.: Autonomic Mirage Media Server MMS-2
• Home Automation, Inc.: Music Gateway
• Kaleidescape, Inc.: Kaleidescape Blu-ray Movie Server

Multi-Room Audio/Video Product of the Year

• Anthem: Anthem MRX 700 AV Receiver
• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Sonnex Multiroom Audio System
• NuVo Technologies, LLC: Freestanding Renovia

Security Product of the Year

• 2Gig Technologies, Inc.: Go!Control Panel
• Cernium Corporation: Archerfish Solo
• Home Automation, Inc.: Wireless Driveway Sensor

Software Application of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Crestron Mobile Pro G
• D-Tools, Inc.: System Integrator 5.5 (SI 5.5)
• Remote Technologies, Inc.: Virtual Panel

Speaker of the Year

• GoldenEar Technology: GoldenEar Triton Two
• KEF Audio Ltd.: T Series
• Meridian America, Inc.: DSP3200 Digital Active Loudspeaker
• Niles Audio Corporation: ICS Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers
• Paradigm Electronics, Inc.: Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne

Structured Wiring Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: DigitalMedia 8G Cable
• Home Automation, Inc.: Hi-Fi 2 by HAI Multi-Room Audio System
• Motorola-Broadband Communications Sector: Motorola SBG6580

Video Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: 32X32 DigitalMedia Switcher
• Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.: Mitsubishi 82-Inch 3D Home Cinema TV
• LG Electronics: LG INFINIA PX950
• Runco: Runco 3Dimension Series D-73d

Wireless Product of the Year

• Crestron Electronics, Inc.: PTX3 Prodigy Handheld Touchpanel
• Wilson Electronics: AG Pro 75
• ZuniDigital, Inc.: N/A

Custom Home of the Year (installed price between $50,000 - $150,000)

• Digital Interiors, Inc.: Tampa Beach House
• DSI Entertainment Systems: Forester Residence
• SmartHouse Integration LLC: San Remo

Home of the Year (installed price up to $50,000)

• Custom Home Theater Systems & Automation: Historic 1840 Colonial Salt Box
• Electronics Design Group: Fine Tuned

Home Theater/Media Room Project of the Year

• Audio Video Interiors, Inc.: Heller Home Theater
• DSI Entertainment Systems: Hidden Hills Home Theater
• Electronics Design Group: Golden Glow
• Electronics Design Group: Cinemawide Spread
• Electronics Design Group: Velvet Dream

Innovation Award

• Link Your House, Inc.: High Tech Project Room
• Futuristic Home, Inc.: Zinberg Project

Integrated Security Project of the Year

• Link Your House, Inc.: Dixon Estate

Luxury Home of the Year (installed price between $150,000- $300,000)

>Audio Video Interiors, Inc.: Norman Luxury Home

Multi-Room Audio Video Project of the Year

• Audio Video Interiors, Inc.: Norman Residence
• Custom Home Theater Systems & Automation: Historic 1840 Colonial Salt Box
• SmartHouse Integration LLC: San Remo

Retrofit Project of the Year over $100,000

• Audio Video Interiors, Inc.: Connelly
• DSI Entertainment Systems: Beverly Hills Home of the Year Project

Retrofit Project of the Year under $100,000

• Custom Home Theater Systems & Automation: Historic 1840 Colonial Salt Box

Specialty Project of the Year

• Home Entertainment, Inc.: Vegas Style Sports Bar/Game Room

Ultimate Home of the Year (installed price above $300,000)

• Audio Warehouse: Private Residence
• DSI Entertainment Systems: Malibu Beach House Private Residence
• DSI Entertainment Systems: Beverly Hills Home of the Year Project

Universal Design Project of the Year

• Futuristic Home, Inc.: Zinberg Project

TechHome Integrator of the Year

• FulTech Solutions, Inc.: FulTech Solutions, Inc.

Training and Support Program of the Year

• Audio Video Interiors, Inc.: Staff Professional Development and Industry Partner CEU Programs
• Universal Remote Control, Inc.: URC University

The winners will be announced on Friday, March 18, 2011, during a reception during the 12th annual Electronic House Expo (EHX) next month.

 

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.