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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Englewood, Colorado-based BitWise Controls, manufacturer of IP-enabled control systems for commercial and home automation systems, has released Project Editor software version 1.8, along with corresponding updates for their BitWise Touch app for iOS and Android.

This release allows dealers to instantly adapt GUI programming to be used across devices with different screen sizes and resolutions, without the need to create and maintain separate GUIs for each device type.

Mark Buster, CTO of BitWise Controls, says, “This is a huge time saver for our dealers. Now any programming created for an iPad or iPhone can be scaled in seconds to work with any Android device the job may require.”

Combined with Project Editor’s remote update capabilities, dealers can now transfer programming to whatever new Android or iOS device the customer may bring home, without the need to re-do programming or roll a truck. The new functionality is compatible with all existing GUI Template packages and project files.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Bass Industries wants home theater owners to rest easy while watching movies. So the company has introduced the Original Lounger Head Pillow as an add on for any home theater lounger for extra comfort and support.

The pillow has a weighted extension allows for perfect individual placement, comfort and support. It is portable so homeowners can take it with them to the movies or when they travel. The pillow’s dimensions are 14 X 10-inches and come in leather or upholstered.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bass Industries has introduced an American made luxury lounger—ironically named Paris—that features bold design with fashionable lines that relays a hint of Old World flavor.

With its bolstered arms, headrest, and lumbar, wide seat pan and attention to detail, besides providing long-term comfort, the Paris exudes functional poise and timeless elegance as a luxurious chair in any room. And added feature is a motorized reclining mechanism.

Available in select signature leathers, C.O.M. or C.O.L. as a single chair. The chair’s dimensions: 44w x 38h x 39d inches.

Friday, October 19, 2012

When the HDMI format was introduced many years ago it was originally designed for the transmission of digital A/V signals over short distances. Through the years cable and connectivity product manufacturers have worked diligently to increase the capabilities of the HDMI format as the protocol has changed and matured.

The New York-based manufacturer Key Digital has been at the forefront of HDMI product technology development through its vast line of matrix switchers, cables, video processors and other solutions. Recently the company added to its selection of signal transmission solutions when it announced its KD-CATHD500 balun that it says is designed to transmit the latest audio and video signals hundreds of feet. The KD-CATHD500 is a copyright friendly, HDCP compliant device that works with 3D video content, as well as 4K video and commercial video resolutions such as 1900x1200. Bolstering the unit's safe and reliable operation is its ability to store 10 internal EDID configurations, including the native EDID information of any input and output product. Highlighting the product's signal transmission capabilities is the KD-CATHD500's ability to send and receive 1080p/60fps video as far as 400 feet, and its ability to transmit and receive 1080i/60fps from as far away as 600 feet.

Key Digital also explains the balun supports the transmission and reception of IR, RS-232 and CEC control signals, and other A/V HDMI protocols such as the 12-bit Deep Color property and the Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio surround sound formats.

Friday, September 28, 2012

With the HDMI format maturing and both the residential and commercial markets now using the technology more than ever the matrix switcher category has grown exponentially over the past couple of years.

HydraConnect recently introduced a new matrix switcher called the HSS-3 and this 8x8 solution is capable of distributing eight sources to eight zones, and it incorporates HDBaseT to transmit HDMI signals as far as 330 feet. HydraConnect also incorporates its Dynamic 2D/3D technology that is engineered to resolve EDID issues between 2D/3D sources and displays. The company also includes its FlashConnect switching technology that ensures the HSS-3 switches between sources instantaneously without picture loss. Through its inclusion of the CEC protocol the HSS-3 also eliminates the need for IR blasters and other external hardware, and because of its built-in Control4 Composer support, the unit easily integrates into Control4 installations.

Other features offered by the HSS-3 include HDMI 1.4a pass-thru, 36-, 30- and 24-bit Deep Color compatibility, and the matrix switch also works with the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio surround sound formats.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

It's relatively easy to rack mount A/V receivers, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, etc., but it's another thing to incorporate these devices into a rack and also provide provisions that protect these products from the inherit danger their surroundings could deliver without taking up too much space.

The Fairfield, N.J.-based manufacturer Middle Atlantic is now making that process easier thanks to the release of its new PowerCool Series of integrated power distribution and thermal management products. Middle Atlantic says the PowerCool Series provides custom electronics professionals with a convenient way to save space, time and money by combining power distribution and thermal protection all within a product that takes up just a single rack unit of space. Middle Atlantic adds the products use its multi-purpose quiet blowers with each blower capable of removing 50 CFM of heated air while maintaining airflow in a crowded rack environment.

The product line's power capabilities include multi-stage surge protection with surge status notification, and the company offers the products in a choice of 15- and 20-amp versions, as well as a choice between 10- and 11-outlet models.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Soundbar category has quickly risen to become one of the most popular product choices in the consumer audio market. Adding to its array of soundbar choices is the Midwestern audio manufacturer Klipsch which is set to introduce its latest product the HD Theater SB 3 Soundbar.

The HD Theater SB 3 Soundbar is a 2.1 speaker system that includes a wireless subwoofer and a driver array that features a pair of aluminum-dome compression drivers mated to a set of the company's Tractrix horns. The speaker system also incorporates four of the company's 3.5-inch long-throw IMG midrange drivers, and the subwoofer features a 10-inch driver. Internally the HD Theater SB 3 offers Dolby Digital surround sound processing, a choice of analog and digital inputs, and a 3.5mm input to allow homeowners to connect their portable electronics to the speaker.

Klipsch adds the HD Theater SB 3 Soundbar ships with a remote and the system includes provisions for wall mounting.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

With all of the publicity that Apple gets for its iPad and iPhone products, it's almost easy to forget that before the advent of smart devices the home control and automation category used keypads and touchpanels as user interface devices.

The Utah-based manufacturer Vantage has released what is says is the first of several new interface products that are designed to give electronics professionals a full selection of interface solutions that don't run Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating systems. The first of these new keypads is the competitively priced Equinox 4 LCD keypad, and according to Vantage, the Equinox 4 is designed to provide the benefits of a full-sized touchpanel with the physical advantages of a single-gang keypad. Aesthetically Vantage says the keypad employs a minimalist design to help it complement a variety of home interiors, and once it is installed it offers homeowners full access to their lighting, HVAC and audio systems.

Vantage adds the Equinox 4 is the first of its new generation of products to employ its User Experience Platform which it says will unify the look and physical appearance of its interface products, including its graphics.

Monday, September 24, 2012

As one of the early adopters to the "Apple lifestyle," Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has introduced an array of products that are Apple friendly, including its P3 headphones, MM-1 multimedia speakers and Zeppelin all-in-one speaker systems. Following the footsteps of the company's Zeppelin Air product, B&W has introduced its latest products to incorporate active amplification and Apple AirPlay: the A5 and A7 all-in-one speaker systems.

B&W says the A5 and the A7 allows electronics professionals to set up retrofittable wireless audio systems that incorporate Apple's increasingly popular AirPlay technology. With AirPlay users can wirelessly stream content from their iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches or computers that are running iTunes to these self-contained speaker systems. The flagship A7 incorporates 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog convertors (DACs) and a 6-inch woofer that helps the speaker system fill large spaces with sound.

The A5 is a smaller version of the A7 and its smaller footprint allows installers to place the unit in bedrooms, studies and kitchens without taking up too much space within a living space.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Computer audio is without question one of the hottest categories within the residential audio market. Monitor Audio, a British loudspeaker company well known for its good and affordable line of products is now addressing the computer audio category with the release of its WS100 wireless audio system.

The WS100 system is designed to allow homeowners to play the music that's stored on their computers regardless of whether it's a Mac or PC. The system includes a pair of active, two-way loudspeakers that incorporate on-board amplification and wireless receivers, as well as a USB powered transmitter that distribute the system's wireless audio signals. Monitor says The transmitter works with as many as four pairs of speakers within a 10 meter range to enable authorized Monitor Audio dealers to setup a retrofittable four zone system, and the company also notes that dealers can add another three USB transmitter units to outfit a wireless system with a total of four sources.

Internally the speakers utilize discrete amplifiers for each driver, and the company says that the drivers were developed using technologies and designs from its high-performance traditional speaker products.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Ever since the movie industry rebooted the 3D format the electronics industry has been working hard to make sure that consumers can combine their 2D and 3D viewing experiences within a single system. The latest screen solution from the Mesa, Ariz.-based screen company Severtson Screens is the newest product introduced onto the market that is engineered to ensure that residential and business owners can enjoy the best 2D and 3D viewing experience.

The company's new SeVision 3D GX "Micro Perf" screen is a made-in-the-U.S.A. product that incorporates its PristiVue technology that Severtson says enables users to see what a movie's director originally intended them to see in the theater. The 2.4-gain, curved, perforated silver screen can be used for traditional 2D content, as well as passive 3D content, and according to Severtson, the SeVision 3D GX "Micro Perf" screen is also a green friendly product because of its water-based, lacquer-free optical coating.

Severtson says that electronics professionals can order the screen in a variety of configurations, and it adds the screen material can used for consumer and commercial applications.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Soundbars have quickly become one of the most important product categories for loudspeaker manufacturers as speaker companies rush to develop products that serve modern consumers. Joining the rapidly expanding fraternity of soundbar manufacturers is the Kan.-based company MartinLogan.

MartinLogan's new Motion Vision soundbar is an all-in-one, multichannel speaker solution that incorporates three of the company's Folded Motion tweeters and four 4-inch woofers that are reinforced by a pair of rear-firing bass ports that can be adjusted plus or minus 10dB. The company adds the multichannel speaker's bass can be augmented with the addition of one of its wireless subwoofers, and that the speaker has provisions to expedite the integration of one of its wireless subwoofers to make the process of adding a subwoofer easy for CE Pros. Internally the Motion Vision soundbar utilizes 100 watts of total amplification and advanced digital signal processing (DSP) that are designed to replicate the immersion of a traditional home theater system.

The Motion Vision soundbar also includes a choice digital optical and coaxial inputs, as well as analog RCA inputs. Martin also points out the speaker's dimmable LED display can be setup to disappear when the speaker is in use. MartinLogan wraps the speaker in a HDTV friendly gloss black trimmed with aluminum accents to help the speaker cosmetically match a variety of flat-panel TVs.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Crestron easily has one of the most diverse and broad line of products in the entire world of custom installation.

Adding to its diversity, the company announced the release of its TSW line of touchscreens. The Rockleigh, N.J.-based manufacturer has designed its latest touchscreens to compete with the aesthetics of today's mobile computing devices from companies like Apple, and it says the touchscreens in addition to their emphasis on industrial design incorporate Core 3 IU processors to ensure the interfaces can execute a variety of complex commands with the speed that homeowners expect from a modern piece of electronics. The capacitive touch-based screen products also incorporate five soft keys that are designed to provide users quick access to commonly used functions, and with their icon graphics homeowners will be able to easily identify options like "power," "light," "home," "up" and "down."

Crestron also includes its Rava SIP Intercom technology that is said to support hands-free VoIP between any two Rava-equipped products. Crestron says the line includes a 5-inch model, a 7-inch model and a 10-inch model.

Monday, September 17, 2012

JVC Professional is one of the most popular and most aggressive manufacturers in the entire projector category. During the just completed CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis the company did what it always does: it updated its line of home theater projectors.

At the annual trade event JVC Professional announced its new line of projectors which features five new products, including the DLA-RS56 which falls in just below the company's flagship DLA-RS66 projector. The DLA-RS56 features an updated version of the company's e-shift technology which upscales 2K video content to 4K resolutions, and in addition to its Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) certification, the projector, along with the other models is pending THX 3D certification. JVC Professional has also improved the projector's contrast ratio and says the unit is able to produce a native contrast level of 90,000:1.

JVC has also addressed the product line's 3D video capabilities by adding RF-based active-shutter technologies, and it says the projectors also includes new circuit designs and optical engines that eliminate 3D crosstalk.

Friday, September 14, 2012

The latest television mount from Sanus is the company's new VMT35 tilting mount. Sanus says the mount is engineered to accommodate HDTVs ranging from 26 inches to 40 inches in screen size and weighing up to 80 pounds.

From the installer perspective, some of the mount's key features include the VMT35's ability to mount into a single or dual stud wall environment, and the company's ProSet Technology which enables installers to adjust the mount's height and level once it is hung on a wall.

The popular mount company adds that homeowners will appreciate the mount's ability to let them laterally slide their mounted TV left or right to improve their viewing angles, as well as its ability to easily tilt their TVs through the its inclusion of the company's Virtual Axis technology.