Home Theater Gear

Friday afternoon, Lighting control giant Lutron announced the latest generation of their RF based lighting control system Radio RA2, is now shipping. Named after the Egyptian sun god RA, the Radio RA product has been popular since it was introduced about a decade ago. It has gotten a bit long in the tooth however, so Lutron has brought it's considerable engineering resources to bear on giving their baby a complete makeover.

One long awaited feature that will sure to have installers dancing in the streets is that the programming can now be done and more importantly, stored on a PC. No more programming all system keypads manually. Now a programmer merely has to define the system in software, then tell the keypads  which loads to control. Scenes can be created for keypad buttons as well, an easy process to do with the PC.

Since the system can be programmed on a PC, should something catastrophic happen and the system need to be reprogrammed, it is a very simple matter to do so. It is also far easier and faster to make any changes the client may desire.

One of the limitations of the old Radio RA system was the system max of 32 dimmers and/or switches in the system, Two systems could be bridged to  control 64 dimmers or switches, but it was expensive top do it this way. Now the 32 limitation has been dome away with. The system comes with either a 100 or 200 dimmer /switch limitation, so it will work in all but the very largest projects.

The RA2 is much more capable than the previous iteration. If you or the client needs to have custom conditional programming done, it still requires a tep up to the RAs's bigger sibling, Homeworks, which also has a wireless version.

Contact your authorized Lutron dealer for more information on the new Radio RA2 wireless lighting control system.

Posted by 1touch at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Control systems manufacturer Crestron has announced that the new Apple iPAD can be used as a fully interactive, 2-way Crestron touchpanel. Crestron owners can enjoy complete control and feedback for various home systems such as lighting control, audio video, and HVAC, just as with traditional Crestron panels.

Since Apple's new touch panel retails for under $900 in its most expensive version, and considerably less than that for lower models, it gives users an unprecedented amount of control for very little investment.

The Crestron App to make all this happen is available now from the iTunes app store in two versions, regular and PRO.

Posted by 1touch at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Juniper Networks has released its top 10 wireless predictions for 2010:

Top Ten Wireless Predictions for 2010
Please see below for a full list of the top ten wireless predictions, with each prediction explained in more detail in the free report available to download from the Juniper Research website.

1. Mobile data traffic explosion to strain 3G Networks, spur data pricing overhaul
2. Mobile ecosystem starts to go green
3. Mobile heads for the cloud
4. New category of smartbooks to emerge
5. Apps stores all round
6. Mobile social networking to integrate with other applications including M-Commerce
7. NFC phones appear in the shops
8. At least 10 LTE networks to be launched into service
9. Smartphones to get augmented reality makeover
10. Christmas kindle sales expected to herald the rise of the connected embedded consumer devices

In addition, they note that the almost 34 million iPhones that have been sold to date look to put an increasing strain on the nation's 3G network (maybe AT&T needs to get a better map??) and that operators may use this as a way to charge premium rates for certain services.

Do think they'll count the Crestron mobile app as one of those?

Posted by 1touch at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Crestron, like several other companies in the custom installation space (Home Logic, Lutron, etc.), has experienced runaway success witht their iPhone / iPOD Touch control app. Crestron dubbs theirs Crestron Mobile. Released earlier in the summer, Crestron Mobile lets users use their iPHONE or iPOD touch just like a Crestron wireless touchpanel, to control various systems.

Users can control their A/V systems, or interact with any pother system controlled by their Crestron home control system, such as security, HVAC and lighting. Far from just allowing control within the residence, Crestron Mobile leverages the power of the 3G and edge networks to give users total control from anywhere in the world with a broadband Internet, 3G or edge network.

For all its power, Crestron Mobile has its limitations. It is those limitations which Crestron Mobile Pro aims to address, notably the inabilty of Crestron Mobile to go much beyond 15 pages. While that may be fnie for limited control, such as security and audio, some projects demand far greater control capability. Crestron Mobile Pro Delivers this in spades, with virtually unlimited control power (is that like horsepower?).

Another advantage of Crestron Mobile Pro is the ability to use dynamic graphics on the touch panel. This is a feature the standard version lacks. Another advantage to the Pro version of the app is that it can be used in SystemBuilder, Crestron's wizard based programming software. The standard version is not included in system builder, and must be programmed using SimplWindows, Crestron's more advanced programming environment.

Unlike the standard version, which is free, Mobile Pro will cost you $99 at the ITunes store (Which is a heck of a lot cheaper than a Crestron touch panel). This is reportedly good for up to 5 licenses at this time. See Crestron Mobile Pro at the iTunes store here.

Posted by 1touch at 07:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Monster cable, a company that has been broadening their product line for years recently added remote controls to their offerings. At the 2009 CEDIA Expo, they will add yet another remote control, the AV50, to their line of programmable remote controls. Monster announced this one a couple of months ago. It is touted as being equally at home as a hand held or table top remote.

The Monster AV50 features an ergonomic control layout reminiscent of a game console remote control. The unique, horizontal layout is designed to ensure the average person can use the remote with a single hand, although it can easily be help with two also. The AV50 has no display, although the buttons are back lit for easy viewing in the dim light common to many viewing environments. You can see the $50 remote control in Monster's CEDIA Booth, #609.

Posted by 1touch at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Universal Electronics Inc. (not to be confused with Universal Remote, although many have), makers of the well regarded Nevo remote controls, announced they will be introducing a new line of remote controls, the Custom Series.

Models include the Nevo C2 and Nevo C3. The new remotes  will be formally introduced at the upcoming CEDIA Expo in Atlanta. They will also be introducing a new 433 MHz remote extender at The Show. The new remotes are reported at lower price points that the existing Nevo remotes. In addition, the C3 looks to be a finalist for the a Resi, the award given by custom installation trade mag Residential Systems.

Posted by 1touch at 05:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If there's one knock against Crestron systems is that you have had to be a technical wizard to program one. Sure, they have unparalleled capabilities, but until recently, the question hasn't been "What can it do?", it's been "What can you afford to make it do?" Crestron made a breakthrough a few years back with the introduction of their Adagio line and a simpler programming interface; SystemBuilder. It was more value oriented, and an integrator didn't have to have a full on Crestron programmer on staff in order to get their customer's systems up and running.

Now, with the Prodigy, Crestron is aiming to change that even more with the introduction of their Prodigy system. The Prodigy is entirely plug and play, and configured with an easy, check box / radio button interface. In short, with Crestron's Prodigy, even companies that have no programmers on staff at all can feel comfortable installing a Crestron system.

What Crestron is really trying to do here is play in the market currently occupied by Control 4, while still retaining their advanced system capabilities. The Prodigy system gives a user a whole house audio system and needs no special wiring, programming, or expensive custom installation. Based on the ZigBee 802.15.4 wireless mesh network technology, homeowners can have color touch screen controllers throughout their home without running a lick of wire.

One note here: Although the Prodigy system is relatively inexpensive, the lighting controllers are really inexpensive, at $131 per dimmer. That is a fantastic value for a wireless dimmers that are part of a comprehensive control solution.

On a related note, the PLX-2 remote control is an absolute bargain as well, and the system's multi zone audio preamp/amplifier combo, the  PAMP-4X100 looks to be a great value too, retailing for only $920. That includes six source inputs and 4 powered zones of audio output, and is expandable to 12 zones by adding two addition PAMP-4X100s. The PLT-4 4" color wall mounted touch screen is another high value component, hitting integrators shelves at the unheard of price for a 4" color touch screen of only $670.

The Proidigy can be the basis for a full on home automation and control system encompassing lighting control, HVAC, and audio /  video. The Prodigy's main processor is the PMC2, replete with Ethernet connectivity, 2ea RS-232 ports, 2ea relay outputs, 2ea control sensing inputs, and 5 IR outputs that can support dual emitters, allowing the control of 10 pieces of IR controllable gear. The price ofr all this is only $700, sans configuration and set up (Crestron insists there is no "programming").

One of the coolest features is the PLX-2 remote control, that includes full 2-way feedback from an iPOD, lighting controls, security system or audio system. Unlike all other remotes of this ilk, this one is extremely affordable, at only $170 retail, before configuration. It does need the aforementioned PMC-2 control processor to operate.

Crestron is bringing its' considerable engineering and marketing resources to bear on an affordable home automation and music system that virtually any compentent custom installation company can install. That will let many more people enjoy the benefits of such a system without choking on the high prices these systems can command, especially in existing homes where retrofitting wiring can be cost prohibitive.

Posted by 1touch at 05:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Crestron has announced they are introducing a new touch panel remote control, the TPMC-4SM. This new touch panel is very thin, and iks targete3d at the retrofit market, where running large or multiple cables can be difficult or impossible. The new control features full color, high resolution graphics and these features as well:

• Compact, ultra-thin, stylish design
• High-speed Ethernet and PoE single-wire connectivity
• Tabletop, glass mount, flush mount and tilt mount options
• Direct network connectivity to RoomView™ software
• Direct connectivity to GLS-Series occupancy sensors
• Green and red back lit LEDs indicate room availability
• Crestron IP intercom
• Streaming video
• WAV file feedback
• Built-in proximity sensor

Although the unit is whown with illuminated side buttons, it is also availab le without buttons.

Crestron is betting the market for thin, stylish control interfaces is still going strong, despite the sour economy. No word on pricing and availability, but watch this space for further updates.

Posted by 1touch at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)