12.28.2007 — PS Audio has a new line of IP-enabled power management products that allows users (and especially installers) to monitor and control connected devices remotely via the Internet.

Company co-founder Paul McGowan says the new PowerPlay systems are “the world’s only plug-and-play Web controllable power conditioners.”

Communications with the PowerPlay products go through PS Audio’s own secure Web server, accessible via any Web browser in the world. Other similar products may enable remote access, says McGowan, “but they make you put an application on your computer. … This is the first one that doesn’t require any kind of computer. We’ll be demo’ing it with an iPhone at CES.”

It may seem trivial that PowerPlay does not require a special PC application loaded onto a computer to access a customer’s system, but it’s no small thing. McGowan describes the realistic scenario of a dealer’s getting that emergency call while rushing to catch plane at the airport.

“You can just go to an Internet terminal,” he says.

Furthermore, notes McGowan, no static IP address is required to access the Web features.

There are four products in the PowerPlay line—Pro, Elite, Standard and Basic—that differ only in their number of switchable and isolated zones. (The Pro features 10 switched and 10 isolated zones; the Basic has 2 switched and 4 isolated zones. All back panels otherwise look alike.)

They all are rated at 1750 watts, with more than 80db noise rejection, and surge, spike and over/under-voltage protection. The units feature 10 AC receptacles plus protection for telephone lines and multiple CATV/satellite feeds.

The control interface is self-configurable. Just plug the PowerPlay into the network, and it automatically registers itself with the PS Global Net Server. From there, installers can name each zone and set delays for reboots, even control devices real-time directly from the interface, say, to reboot TiVo when it locks up.

The PowerPlay units report to the server with information on power quality, including distortion on the line, spikes and surges. “It gives a complete history of voltage level,” McGowan says.

Interesting Twists

In addition to the Web-based control and configuration tools, PS Audio has added a few particularly useful features to PowerPlay.

First, there is an IR blaster port on the units for products that require a “soft start” on reboot. Dealers can design the system to blast POWER ON signals to individual or multiple devices after power is restored.

McGowan says the company added the IR ports “specifically to turn something on, but theoretically you could do anything with it.” He’s holding out to see if dealers will find creative reasons to control IR devices over the Internet via the PowerPlay.

For customers who do not have Web-controllable home automation systems, it might make sense to trigger temperature setbacks or complex macros via IR.

Similarly, the PowerPlay products have two inputs and one output for activating and being activated by hardwired devices.

An RS-232 port can be found on each unit for integration with home control systems. It’s a popular mechanism on power conditioning products but McGowan reminds us, “If the controller gets locked up, you’re hosed.”

Finally, the PowerPlay pings the server constantly. “If it doesn’t see our server, it assumes that your modem and router have frozen and it will automatically reboot them if you program it to do so,” McGowan says.

The PowerPlay will retail for $600 to $1,995 when the products are released in Spring 2008.

At CES, PS Audio will demonstrate the products in Suite 29-235 (29th floor) Venetian Towers.