Inside CI Tech Talk - News, Reviews and Interviews

Home Cinema Alliance

The Inside CI podcast is dedicated to the custom installation (CI) industry, offering an insider’s perspective on the technologies, trends, and personalities driving the world of smart homes and professional AV. Through relaxed, in-depth conversations, the show connects listeners with industry experts, manufacturers, and installers to explore everything from cutting-edge home cinema and automation systems to business insights and real-world project experiences. Rather than surface-level news, the focus is on authentic discussions—unpacking challenges, innovations, and the thinking behind the products and projects shaping the market. Each episode gives listeners a chance to hear directly from the people at the heart of the industry, making it valuable for professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how modern connected homes come together. Whether you’re an installer, a tech brand, or simply passionate about high-end AV and smart living. The Inside CI Podcast delivers practical insight, industry knowledge, and genuine stories from inside the world of custom integration. Are you a CI Insider?  Get involved hello@insideci.com

  1. May 20

    Are We Throwing Away Perfectly Good AV Tech?

    Send us Fan Mail A surprising amount of perfectly usable AV equipment gets tossed every year, not because it’s broken, but because the industry moves fast. At the CEDIA Tech of Business Summit, we sit down with Ian Morrish to talk about two ways the AV world can reduce waste and accelerate impact: Together for Cinema and GivingBack.tech. Ian shares what it looks like when our day-to-day tools become something bigger. Together for Cinema works with manufacturers, distributors, integrators, and volunteers to install cinema rooms in children’s hospices and other deserving venues across the UK. The project has already delivered 61 rooms, with more on the way, representing roughly £1.7 million in donated products and services. We talk about the moment the lights go down, and the projector fires up, and why hospices, while heavy at times, can also be some of the most dynamic, joyful places you’ll ever visit. Then we dig into GivingBack.tech, a practical platform for repurposing surplus AV gear. Instead of dumping B-stock, discontinued stock, or second-hand equipment, companies can list it, and charities or community interest companies can request what they need, with donors shipping directly to the beneficiary. It’s a simple workflow with a big payoff: less landfill, more working tech in the community, and real stories of corporate social responsibility that don’t feel performative. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with that replaced projector, old display, or leftover audio kit, this conversation gives you a clear next step.  Subscribe for more interviews like this, share the episode with someone in AV, and leave a review telling us what piece of gear you’d repurpose first. Please sign up for the webinar on Friday, 22nd June - https://linkly.link/2iRcB Support the show

    13 min

  2. May 12 ·  Video

    Inside Weekly - From Garden Audio Fixes To Big-Screen World Cup Nights

    Send us Fan Mail Your outdoor speakers worked fine last year, so why do they suddenly fail the minute the sun comes out? We get honest about the unglamorous side of custom installation: springtime service calls, weather exposure, amps that finally die after years in an outbuilding, and the kind of “you cannot make this up” issues that show up in garden audio systems. If you are planning backyard entertainment for summer or the World Cup, you will hear what actually matters for reliability, brightness, and setup decisions. From there, we zoom out to the state of the AV and smart home trade. A recent industry poll shows the pain is spread across cash flow, margins, sourcing products, and marketing lead generation, with staffing and skilled engineers never far behind. We talk about what that mix means for integrators trying to stay busy, and why service, upgrades, and clearer outreach can keep work moving even when big projects slow down. We also share a behind-the-scenes look at a home cinema build, including a ceiling fabric solution that saved the install when access got tight. Then we hit the news: a new Denon AVR aimed at modern living rooms and gaming with a path to HEOS wireless surrounds, Lithe Audio expanding PoE speaker infrastructure to combine power and Ethernet, a fully hidden Dolby Atmos demo space at Harrods, and distribution moves like Waterfall Audio landing with Match Distribution. If you like practical installer lessons plus real product shifts in home cinema, AV networking, and immersive audio, hit subscribe, share this with a friend in the trade, and leave us a review. Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Start earning Microsoft points using the Bing app and get discounts on your Tech - https://linkly.link/2gVsi Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    1h 1m

  3. May 11 ·  Video

    Quick Cast - We Are Turning Inside CI Into A Global Home For Industry Stories

    Send us Fan Mail A studio build is fun, but the bigger idea is even better: we’re creating a place where the AV industry can actually talk like humans. We start with a quick walk-through of Studio One at our East Sussex head office, which will become part of a two-studio setup designed for unboxings, first looks, interviews, and reviews. It’s not finished yet, and we’re honest about that, but the direction is clear: make better, more useful content for systems integrators and AV professionals. Then we pivot to the real reason we jumped into your feed: InsideCI.co.uk has two must-read articles from Darren at Cinema Lux and Mike at DirectlyAV. They recently travelled to Mumbai and visited an expo, meeting new people, business partners, and brands along the way. Trade shows shape what happens next in professional AV, home cinema, and custom installation, and firsthand notes like these are often more valuable than a press release because they capture what it actually felt like on the ground. We also lay out what we want Inside CI to become: not just advertising and headline news, but a global industry platform where integrators, distributors, manufacturers, and anyone in the AV world can share stories, lessons, and lived experiences, whether they’re smooth wins or hard days. If you’ve ever read something and thought, “OK, it’s not just me,” that’s the feeling we want to create more of. Please visit insideci.co.uk, share your thoughts, and if you want to write or submit news, email hello@insideci.com. Then subscribe, share, and leave a review so more industry voices find the conversation. Read the Articles - https://linkly.link/2imfm Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Start earning Microsoft points using the Bing app and get discounts on your Tech - https://linkly.link/2gVsi Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    2 min
  4. We Walk Through The CAVD Showroom And Explain What Makes A Home Cinema Feel Finished

    Apr 15 ·  Video

    We Walk Through The CAVD Showroom And Explain What Makes A Home Cinema Feel Finished

    Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our weekly newsletter - https://linkly.link/2gPF0 You can tell a lot about an AV company by what they choose to demo and what they choose to hide. We’re back at CAVD Distribution in Marlow to see what’s changed since last time, and the answer is clear: they’ve rebuilt the showroom around systems that look and behave like real homes, not fantasy installs. Jamie and Mel walk us through how they think about momentum in a tough market, why “people buy from people” still holds, and what separates a good product from a dependable solution for integrators and homeowners. We get hands-on with the current lineup, including Origin Acoustics for discreet architectural audio and Leon Speakers for design-led home theater sound that actually complements the room. From lighting-friendly speakers to art-style acoustic panels, the conversation keeps circling one idea: leave nothing unfinished. We also talk about the growing shift toward single-room AV solutions, when a simple TV remote can be the right call, and when full control systems still make sense for premium projects. Then comes the big announcement: CAVD is the new UK distributor for Krix, the Australian cinema speaker brand built for serious home cinema performance behind the screen. We dig into why CAVD chose Krix, what dealers get in terms of testing, stock support, training, and design help, and how they’re streamlining their portfolio so integrators can spec faster with more confidence. If you’re a custom AV integrator, home cinema designer, or homeowner researching a home theater build, press play, share this with someone planning a project, and subscribe for more. After you listen, what matters more to you: invisible tech or statement design? Learn more about CAVD - https://linkly.link/2acM7 Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Start earning Microsoft points using the Bing app and get discounts on your Tech - https://linkly.link/2gVsi Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    40 min

  5. Apr 14

    CAVD Explains Why Great AV Systems Start With People

    Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our weekly newsletter - https://linkly.link/2gPF0 A home cinema can be the most exciting room in the house, or the most frustrating, and the difference often comes down to choices that nobody sees: the right speaker approach, the right support, and a system that matches how you actually use your home. We’re back at CAVD Distribution in Marlow with Jamie and Mel to hear what they’ve changed since last year, how they rebuilt parts of the showroom, and what they think matters most as the custom AV world moves through 2026. We talk through two complementary philosophies in home theater and home audio. On one side, Origin Acoustics brings architectural and invisible speaker options that keep rooms clean while still delivering real impact, from living rooms to outdoor audio to dedicated cinema. On the other, Leon Speakers leans into interior design, with solutions that can frame a TV, blend with finishes, or even present audio as functional art. If you’re thinking about upgrading an existing home, we also get into why retrofit-friendly ideas and “single-room” setups are becoming more common, especially as people accept app-based control and want fewer layers of complexity. Then comes the big news: CAVD is appointed as the new UK distributor for Crix, a cinema-focused speaker brand with a strong build-and-test culture. We unpack why Crix fills an important gap, how CAVD is streamlining its portfolio to stay sharp, and what integrators need most right now: reliable stock, responsive help, and design support that saves time on real projects. If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share it with an integrator or home cinema fan, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s your priority in a media room: invisible tech, design-forward hardware, or maximum performance? Learn more about CAVD - https://linkly.link/2acM7 Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Start earning Microsoft points using the Bing app and get discounts on your Tech - https://linkly.link/2gVsi Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    40 min
  6. When Installers Become Publishers - A new chapter for InsideCI

    Apr 7

    When Installers Become Publishers - A new chapter for InsideCI

    Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our weekly newsletter - https://linkly.link/2gPF0 A home cinema business announcement turns into a full tour of what’s changing across UK AV. I’m sharing the news that I’m joining InsideCI as owner director, working alongside founder David Slater, with Steve May continuing to steer the editorial direction. If you rely on InsideCI for weekly trade news, reviews, and real installer perspective, the goal is simple: keep what works, add more video, more factory and showroom access, and more conversations that help integrators and enthusiasts make better decisions.  From there, we get practical. We talk display tech in plain terms: LG’s push toward RGB backlights as a step up for LCD TVs, where it helps, and why OLED still sets the bar for consistency. We also dig into a training-first approach to better systems, including Monitor Audio’s new performance center and the Elevate Sound Performance Academy, built to sharpen system design, product knowledge, and support for integrators, retailers, and specifiers.  The industry isn’t only about shiny new products, either. We highlight givingback.tech, a UK platform that helps charities access professional AV equipment by letting manufacturers, distributors, consultants, and installers donate surplus or older kit responsibly. Add in distributor moves like Crix landing with CAVD, a busy run of demo events, and an Optoma projector showcase at AWE featuring a bright 4K UHD RGB triple-laser model with Dolby Vision, and you’ve got a snapshot of where home cinema and AV integration is heading.  We wrap with a quick but important calibration tip for Sony Bravia OLED owners: the Amazon Prime video setting can make content look painfully dark, so it’s worth checking before you blame the TV. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with one person who loves home theater, then tell us what topic you want us to chase next. Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    58 min
  7. Inside Meridian HQ And The Engineering Behind DSP Loudspeakers

    Mar 31

    Inside Meridian HQ And The Engineering Behind DSP Loudspeakers

    Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our weekly newsletter - https://linkly.link/2gPF0 A lot of home cinema builds fail for one boring reason: they start with a shopping list instead of a design. From Meridian HQ in Huntingdon, we sit down with Barry to get into what actually makes a system feel cinematic, and why the “made in Britain, built-to-order” mindset still matters when you’re spending real money on audio. We go deep on Meridian’s DSP loudspeakers, where digital signal processing is not a buzzword but the foundation. Barry explains group delay and why timing coherence can beat raw frequency specs when you’re chasing realism, space, and that you-are-there feeling. We also unpack the practical engineering behind high-power arrays that get louder without the nasty side effects of comb filtering, plus how in-wall and floor-standing designs share the same core principles of inert enclosures and controlled performance. Then we zoom out to system building: when a living room is better served by two exceptional speakers instead of a compromised surround setup, how to wire for upgrades, and what a modern all-digital cinema chain can look like with Trinnov processing. On the video side, Distributed by Meridian (DBM) and Barco projection come up as part of a balanced approach where brightness, viewing angles, and calibration matter as much as the audio. We also touch Meridian’s licensing and consultancy work, from Jaguar Land Rover systems to headphones and airline cabins, and why the brand promise has to sound like Meridian everywhere it appears. Subscribe for more real-world home theater and hi-fi conversations, share this with a friend planning a cinema room, and leave a review with the one upgrade you’d prioritise first: speakers, processing, or projection. Learn more about Meridian - https://linkly.link/2enZO Learn more about DBM - https://linkly.link/2enZP Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    1h 6m

  8. Mar 24

    Lutron's Circadian Lighting, UniFi Networks, And High-End Install Realities

    Send us Fan Mail Sony is partnering with TCL for Bravia manufacturing. Panasonic is handing European TV production to Skyworth. Barco is moving to acquire Focal and Naim. If those headlines made you stop scrolling, you’re not alone, and we wanted to talk through what they could actually mean for premium home cinema, custom installation, and the screens and sound systems we put in real homes.  We’re recording in a new remote format, so you get more frequent “what we’re seeing right now” updates from the field. Simon and I recap the highlights of ISE Barcelona, including demos that genuinely pushed the experience forward, plus the gear and ideas that feel practical for homeowners. We also get into lighting and control, especially Lutron’s impressive circadian-style approach, and why smarter distributed hardware can matter in high-end apartments and tight plant-room layouts.  From there, we switch to real project work: a new-build dedicated cinema that’s behind schedule, seating lead times, calibration and OLED installs, and even the kind of curveball every integrator knows too well, like a pool wave machine that suddenly requires Wi-Fi to function. We also talk networking upgrades with UniFi, because a fast, stable network is the foundation for streaming, multi-room audio, control systems, and app-driven living.  Finally, we unpack the bigger industry shifts: how TV partnerships might affect quality, model ranges, and long-term support, plus what Barco’s move into luxury audio could signal for integrated AV ecosystems. If you care about home theater design, AV installation, high-end audio, and where the market is heading next, there’s a lot here to chew on. Subscribe, share this with an AV-obsessed friend, and leave us a review with your take: which headline changes the industry most? Get the latest News, Reviews and Opinions: HCA Tech Talk - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Inside CI - https://linkly.link/2cM2p Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links: Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx  An award-winning VPN deal from Surfshark - https://linkly.link/2cM3B Start your own podcast and receive $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    56 min
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About

The Inside CI podcast is dedicated to the custom installation (CI) industry, offering an insider’s perspective on the technologies, trends, and personalities driving the world of smart homes and professional AV. Through relaxed, in-depth conversations, the show connects listeners with industry experts, manufacturers, and installers to explore everything from cutting-edge home cinema and automation systems to business insights and real-world project experiences. Rather than surface-level news, the focus is on authentic discussions—unpacking challenges, innovations, and the thinking behind the products and projects shaping the market. Each episode gives listeners a chance to hear directly from the people at the heart of the industry, making it valuable for professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how modern connected homes come together. Whether you’re an installer, a tech brand, or simply passionate about high-end AV and smart living. The Inside CI Podcast delivers practical insight, industry knowledge, and genuine stories from inside the world of custom integration. Are you a CI Insider?  Get involved hello@insideci.com

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