Control4 announces the Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) program-- a training experience combining online coursework with hands-on learning using Pakedge networking gear.

The course, the company says, provides dealers and technicians with the networking knowledge required to design, install and manage wired and wireless IP networks. The curriculum offers interactive coursework, online instructional office hours and an online certification exam to ensure competency for the global Control4 and Pakedge dealer base.

Dealers can train technicians and complete the PCNA course work from home or office, during work hours or own time, without incurring travel costs required for traditional training. Enrollment in the 6-course PCNA curriculum also includes accompanying Pakedge networking equipment for hands on tutorials, including a RK-1 router with BakPak, SX-8P managed PoE switch, WK-1 802.11ac WAP, P2 power distribution kit and all necessary cables.

According to Aanandtech Intel is giving up on most of its 60GHz 802.11ad-- aka WiGig-- networking products, as it has plans to discontinue all current WiGig devices before focusing the technology on VR applications.

WiGig offers higher performance than 802.11ac, reaching up to 4.8 gigabits per second. However the use of the 60GHz band (as opposed to the 5 or 2.4GHz of regular wifi) limits the technology to a very short range. It also requires line of sight between device and base station, with essentially zero penetration through walls. As such, using WiGig as a wifi replacement requires putting a base station in every room of the house.

That said, despite such limitations WiGig makes for an excellent cable replacement-- such as in VR headsets, which is where Intel is going to use the technology. Back in May 2017 HTC showed off a Vive running on WiGig, the result of a collaboration with Chipzilla. Other companies are also interested in WiGig, including AMD (who acquired Nitero for millimeter wave radio technology) and the Facebook-owned Oculus.

SnapAV's Araknis brand launches the 700 Series Outdoor Wireless Access Point-- a WAP offering the same networking capabilities as the indoor 700 Series WAP, only in an element-resistant body.

Designed for use in outdoor spaces such as decks, pergolas, large yards and guest houses, the 700 Series Outdoor WAP features an IP55 rating for resistance to rain, wind or dust. It also includes the proprietary OvrC remote system monitoring platform to help with fast installation and eliminate truck rolls.

A 3x3 antenna configuration allows it to deliver up to 1750Mbps of throughput, together with network-friendly functions such as band-steering, beamforming and fast roaming. It handles the 802.11a/b/g/n/c wifi, together with 802.11r/k.

TechLogix Networx announces the TL-TP40-HDC2-- an extender set designed to transmit 18G 4K@60 4:4:4 HDMI and HDR video signals up to 40m using standard twisted pair cable.

To do so it uses HDBaseT technology. The input is HDMI and audio, while the audio is UTP. Power comes through external power supply.

Built-in bi-directional IR and RS232 control signal embedding allows the remote control of connected sources and displays, and replaces long distance HDMI cables with UTP cables.

WyreStorm launches the H2C modular HDBaseT matrix series with the MX-606 and 808-HDBT-H2C, both designed for multi-source, multi-zone distribution of HDCP 2.2 4K UHD video with HDR and multi-source audio matrix switching.

Ideal for medium-sized residential or commercial environments, the H2C series is available in a 6- or 8-way PoH-ready matrix chassis. Each card offers distinct video, audio and transmission capabilities (through HDBaseT) one can combine in any quantity or order to customise installation to specific applications.

Thus, the TX-H2-MIR offers HDBaseT Class A transmission with mirrored HDMI output (4K: 70m/1080p: 100m). It features a duplicate HDMI output mirroring the HDBaseT output for connection of an additional local screen, AVR or WyreStorm extender solution. Meanwhile the TX-H2-ARC features HDBaseT Class A transmission with S/PDIF ARC output (4K: 70m/1080p: 100m), with ARC supporting transmission of on-demand 5.1 audio content to make the most of smart TVs.

Just Add Power (J+P) will show off what it claims is the first 4K network video tiler at CEDIA 2017-- the 3G+4+ Tiling Transmitter-- and Switch Please, a web application allowing the matrix switching of J+P devices from any web browser.

The 3G+4+ Tiling Transmitter can be applied to any size residential application in need of multiview functionality. It offers video support for resolutions reaching up to 4K with HDR compatibiilty. Added to the J+P UHD over IP matrix switching system, it enables the simultaneous viewing of 4 video sources in multiple formats, including single-screen, video wall or tiled video. Once tiled, the video screen can be distributed to an unlimited number of screens, making it ideal for commercial spaces.

Installers can create up to 4 customisable windows with easy presents, picture-in-picture or picture-over-picture, and adjust image transparency for multi-layered, dynamic displays. Multiple tiling transmitters can be stacked together to add more sources and allow an infinite number of windows within windows.