05.06.2009 — A lot can be done in a day.

Just ask Universal Remote Control (URC), whose Control the Universe Tour is racing across the country.

Glenn Gentilin, URC national training manager, covers a lot in the one-day classes, tackling everything from the company's Lutron-manufactured RF lighting control solutions to its new two-way MX-6000 top-of-the-line remote.

A large portion of the training sessions are also devoted to familiarizing installers with the Complete Control Program (CCP) software, which URC says will consolidate its programming packages.

"[The CCP program] will cover every remote we develop from here on out," says Gentilin, during the recent training session in Woburn, Mass.

URC Diversifies with Lighting

Gentilin opens the class by discussing URC's partnership with Lutron. He emphasizes that URC is happy working with Lutron, but that it is also important for installers to remember that these are URC products.

"These are not Lutron products. They are URC products manufactured for us by Lutron," Gentilin says. "You cannot get this stuff from Lutron. They put their name on the equipment and that's good because they are so well known for lighting."

Gentilin stresses that lighting control is a simple line item that can be added to a bid, which may provide a significant revenue boost to a job.

"In economic downturns in order to survive, what you got to do is go deeper into existing jobs," says Gentilin. "You already know the check clears, so why not add lighting control. [It adds] about $1,000 dollars on average for a single job, and it's not just for home theater, add it to a master bedroom and kitchen."

Networking is the Future

Gentilin, recalling his days as an installer, points out that networking is today's equivalent to refitting a home's RG59 coax cabling with RG6 back when cable TV was gaining acceptance.

"Back in early days, we learned how to own the cable network, replacing RG59 with RG6, [replacing cheap cable company hardware with] good compression fittings and [subsequently] we learned how to make real money doing it," asserts Gentilin. "We are kind of at the same point with the home network because we are responsible for it."

He also quickly touches upon the differences between the various wireless networking technologies that are available:

• IP addresses
• VPN technologies
• Wireless network security options

Gentilin also discussed the importance of MAC addresses when installing the MX-6000 and PSX-2 networkable iPod dock.

Finishing up with CCP

The class concludes with an an in-depth look at the CCP software and programming of the MX-6000 remote, which Gentilin says will eventually replace the MX-3000 as the top remote choice for many installers.

"The software covers the MX-6000, MRF-350, MSC-400 and 260 and 880, 980," Gentilin says. "Later 900 will be added. The MX-3000 won't be included in the CCP software because many [future remote] sales the company believes will migrate to the slightly more expensive 6000."

Gentilin says the MX-6000 remote can help installers differentiate themselves from mainstream retailers by offering users:

• RSS feeds for news, weather, sports
• Metadata feedback from a variety of servers

"If you don't show it, they'll never buy it," stresses Gentilin. "Control is not an add-on accessory anymore."