All Products Filed in Home Automation and Control

Monday, March 15, 2010

Honeywell has added new video capabilities to its Total Connect Remote Services.

In addition to remote control capabilities and notifications, Total Connect now integrates with IP cameras that employ video analytics enabling customers to receive event-driven e-mails with video clips when something of interest has been triggered by cameras.

Video e-mails can be received on Web-enabled devices such as laptops, desktops and most new cell phones as well as BlackBerry, Apple iPhone and iPod touch products. The system allows consumers to use the Apple iPhone or iPod touch to look into their homes and businesses and view live video, remotely pan and tilt cameras, manually record video clips and take snapshots.

The IP cameras and built-in analytics let Total Connect monitor for specific events such as a person approaching a front door or a child returning home from school, and can alert consumers via e-mail or text messages.

End-users with multiple cameras can choose to view all cameras on a single screen or one at a time. Store owners with multiple locations or homeowners with more than one property can manage and view all locations over a secure network with a single login.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Now that home automation is widely recognized as an efficient means of energy conservation, consumers are requiring immediate feedback as to how much of their investment into a home automation solution is yielding in energy savings.

Vantage's Energy Management Solution (EMS) has been engineered to provide that exact information. According to the Utah-based company, some energy management dashboards simply estimate savings, its EMS product however, calculates in real time the exact dollar amount a homeowner is saving on energy.

Vantage adds that its EMS option is also based on a global platform, which makes it compatible with any utility company's smart grid solution.

The latest racking option for installers from Middle Atlantic is designed to provide a visual upgrade to a rack mounted electronics system.

Middle Atlantic's Series Residential Designer Rack (RDR) is the company's new aesthetic option for integrating small to medium-sized home entertainment systems, and the company says the single part number rack is factory-configured and ships loaded with the necessary accessories to install a fully loaded rack.

Included with each RDR Series rack are vented shelves and panels that facilitate airflow, built-in cable management to enable system performance and service calls, and a filtered, surge-protected power strip. In addition, the RDR ships with trim strips and hidden casters to enhance its aesthetic design, and four-point mounting shelves pre-installed for fast equipment integration.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

With revenue streams extremely tight for most custom installation businesses, the concept of adding the steady flow of recurring revenues is an appealing thought to most business owners.

Visonic says its new PowerMax Express security control panel makes the concept of recurring revenue streams through the sales of home security products a lot more appealing.

According to the company, its new panel installs in half the time of a traditional security panel, and it includes features such as standard built-in PSTN communications. Additionally, it offers the ability to add an internal, field-upgradeable GSM/GPRS communication module and CE Pros can expand the capabilities of the panel through a range of accessory options, including safety detectors, personal emergency transmitters, one-way or two-way keypads, keyfobs and wireless sirens.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The iKontrol app from Knoll Systems is designed to complement the Kommand Series communications products.

The app, which is available for download in the iTunes App Store, uses Wi-Fi to control Knoll's Kommand Series, as well as solutions from Control4, Vantage, Crestron, AMX and others.

Knoll says installers can customize the interface via its Kommand Center GUI Builder.

Knoll also recommends electronics professionals use the app in tandem with its Kommand Center Expert or Kommand Center Pro controller hubs to complete the end user interface experience.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Versatility and ease of use are at your fingertips with the Control4 7" Table Top Touch Screen. This brightly-lit, easy-to-read touch screen provides control over all aspects of your home-automation system. Control your lighting, listen to any music you want through the Rhapsody™ online music service, check your kid’s playroom through a remote camera, or start a movie in the home theater using this single, elegant interface. The touch screen can be used over Ethernet or WiFi to give you more communication choices, and includes a light sensor to control light in the room and a proximity motion sensor that enters “sleep mode” when the touch screen isn't used.

The 7" Table Top Touch Screen sits nicely on a coffee table, countertop, or nightstand. The touch screen sets a new standard in touch-screen technology, with rich color graphics, an easy-to-navigate interface and superior performance. This touch screen adapts well to any home or lifestyle.

Features

• Large viewing area – The wide-screen 16x9 format WVGA screen has over 3.5 times the viewing and touch screen area when compared to the Control4 Mini Touch Screen.
• Streamlined design – The sleek design includes easy-to-use navigation and 4 programmable hot keys.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Kwikset has expanded its portfolio of Home Connect products with the introduction of the SmartCode.

This keyless, electronic lock is developed for interoperability with home automation and security systems.

The SmartCode is ZigBee- and Z-Wave certified and allows homeowners to use Web-enabled cell phones, computer browsers or home automation/security touchpanels to check lock status, arm and disarm security systems and receive text notifications when someone has entered.

Monday, January 11, 2010

The V-Panel from Crestron Electronics serves as a user interface within a Crestron control system and a 1080p flat-panel television that includes VESA-compliant mounting provisions and desktop/tilt and flush placement options

Crestron separated the panel's graphic engine hardware from the displays and offers installers 12- (V12) and 15-inch (V15) models.

Installers can drive these displays with the DGE-1 or DGE-2 digital graphic engines to enable the use of independent applications.

Friday, January 08, 2010

Meridian has received a lot of praise for its Sooloos solution because of its combination of audio quality and user functionality and its latest updates to the product line should enhance these qualities.

The new 2.1 update debuted at CES 2010 improves on the system's ability to integrate with a Crestron control system, while adding Apple iPhone control capabilities, streamlined configuration options, zone-link synchronization, and the addition of the Rhapsody service and Internet radio.

Meridian has also increased the interoperability of its Sooloos media system by adding modular card options that enable installers to integrate a Sooloos system with the company's flagship 800 solutions. The new ID40 Sooloos integration card is standard with the company's new 808v3 CD player and an add-on option for its 861v6 A/V controller.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Russound's retrofit-friendly Collage system employs powerline technologies to transmit signals to the custom installation community. The scalable system is comprised of a powered keypad and its Media Manager, which connects to a home's network. The Collage system offers multizone audio and intercom functions and is compatible with PC and Apple-based networks.