All Products Filed in Home Automation and Control

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Channel Vision is a long-time manufacturer of security products and the Costa Mesa, California company's latest product introductions address the PTZ camera category.

The newly announced 6710 and 6721 Outdoor PTZ cameras are designed for a variety of uses, and they incorporate standard features such as pan, tilt and zoom, as well as a 27x (f=3.5 to 94.5) optical zoom built into the 6721 and a 12x (f=3.94 to 46.05mm) optical zoom built into the 6710 model. Both products also include 10x digital zoom features; the ability to resolve 560 lines of resolution; 300-degrees per second panning speed and 120-degrees per second tilt speed to enable users to quickly zoom in on an item or event.

In addition, both products incorporate Channel Vision's on-screen display technologies to facilitate the products' customization, which includes the ability to use as many as 128 presets, and the products can be controlled from a Channel Vision 3G Series Surveillance DVR or by any advice that utilizes Pelco D or Pelco P protocols.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) recently expanded its array of problem solving devices when it announced that its latest product solution, the new ESC-2 Ethernet to Serial Converter is now shipping.

The Minnesota-based company says the ESC-2 works seamlessly within its Integration Designer programming software to quickly enable electronics professionals to set up a single or multiple ESC-2 modules within a control system. The unit installs through its two RJ-45 jacks and Cat-5 cable to provide a fast way to utilize the connectivity power of Ethernet. RTI points out the ESC-2 is designed as a simple, cost-effective means to use the power and versatility of Ethernet.

In addition, because of its small size the ESC-2 can be placed nearly anywhere, and RTI backs the product with a one-year warranty.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Honeywell is one of the most popular security equipment manufacturers in the world of residential electronics and recently the Melville, N.Y.-based company introduced its latest home security product the LYNX Touch 5100 control interface.

The LYNX Touch 5100 is an interface solution that incorporates Wi-Fi and an alarm radio that communicates with 2G, 3G and 4G networks to ensure reliability. With the 5100 interface as part of a complete LYNX Touch security system homeowners will have at their disposal an array of convenience and security features that provide energy efficiency and safety to their lives. Honeywell builds in compatibility with Z-Wave thermostats, door locks and lighting systems to enable homeowners to own a complete home automation/security system at a reasonable cost.

Honeywell adds the LYNX Touch 5100 also includes the company's Total Connect technologies that allows homeowners to access options such as remote camera viewing, weather, news and traffic information from their smart phones.

Friday, April 06, 2012

Unless it's a week or two in Cabo heat and warmth isn't necessarily a good thing. In the case of electronics heat is normally a bad thing that can negatively affect the performance and life of a component or system.

Fairfield, N.J.-based Middle Atlantic understands the negative effects that heat can have on electronic components and with its latest new product releases it is providing electronics professionals with a choice of solutions to combat the problem of heat. The first of the two new products is the 50 CFM Cabinet Cooler, and according to Middle Atlantic, the product is one of the first blower-style solutions to offer a free-air rating as high as 50 CFM. The product incorporates the company's intelligent proportional speed control technologies that activate the blower at times when cooling is needed.

The second of the two new product releases is the 50 CFM Component Cooler. Middle Atlantic says this product is designed to pull hot air out of a component and direct it to a desired location. The 50 CFM Component Cooler can be used on an open shelf or in a rack, and the product is available in a choice of stand along model to directly cool a single component or as a platform model that is capable of cooling multiple components.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Home Automation, Inc. (HAI) is one of the most diverse and aggressive manufacturers in the custom installation market. Adding to its line of convenience products the New Orleans-based company recently introduced its new MicroControl (part #81A00-2WHZB) stand alone remote control that can be used by property owners to lock and unlock ZigBee enabled door locks and to control other wireless devices.

HAI says that it has verified the MicroControl's operation with Black & Decker's Kwikset SmartCode locks, but it adds that the remote should work with other brands of ZigBee enabled locks. In addition to its ZigBee lock capabilities, HAI points out that property owners can also use the remote to coordinate their wireless energy management products that include thermostats, load-control modules that regulate compressors, generators, water heaters, pumps, fountains and chillers.

The remote can also be integrated into the company's Omni or Lumina control systems and HAI says the remote also provides users lock statuses for each lock to support improved property security.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

There is no question that wireless communication technologies have gotten a lot better over the past several years. Today wireless technologies show up in everything from wireless data networks, to Apple's line of computing and iOS products, to security and control products such as Elk Products' M1 Cross Platform of control and security devices.

Recently Elk updated the power and versatility of the M1 series by introducing a new line of wireless two-way products that are engineered to enhance the functionality of the M1 Cross Platform. According to the North Carolina-based company, the newly introduced wireless products increase the reliability of the M1 line of products to ensure better performance in home and commercial business environments.

Elk says the products are designed to operate with minimum levels of power and through their integrated LED indicators, the products will communicate to system technicians that they are receiving a signal. The product line includes the M1XRFTW Wireless Transceiver, the 6020 Slim-Line Door/Window Sensor, the 6021 Mini Door/Window Sensor and the 6022 Universal Three Zone Sensor. Elk adds that it will release more products to the line that include a PIR and smoke detector.

Monday, April 02, 2012

Typically when the word retrofit is used to describe an electronics installation property owners cringe. The word suggests a lot of hidden installation costs that sometimes can make an upgrade in technology cost prohibitive.

Channel Vision's new B-204 IP Camera Balun Over Coax Cable Converter Kit however helps to redefine this stereotypical sales presentation scenario. According to the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based company, the converter kit can actually save up to 40 percent of the costs of a typical retrofit surveillance system upgrade. The kit is designed to allow electronics professionals to utilize a building's existing coax cabling infrastructure to help save labor expenses and additional materials, and once installed it facilitates the use of state-of-the-art IP surveillance cameras such as Channel Vision's HD Dome (6521), Bullet (6522), and flush-mount (6524) IP cameras.

The kit enables video from IP surveillance cameras to transmit as far as 300 feet over standard RG-59/6 cable and it supports up to 10Mbps of bandwidth.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

This past fall during the annual CEDIA trade show in Indianapolis, Remote Technologies Inc (RTI) introduced its new Pro Control line of products.

Recently Pro Control started to ship its Pro24.r and Pro24.z touchscreen controllers and ProLink.r and ProLink.z central control processors to provide electronics professionals with a choice of powerful and easy to use control solutions. The new touchscreen controllers incorporate 2.4-inch TFT LCD touchscreens, programmable five-way joysticks and backlit hard buttons to allow users to execute specific commands in dimly lit rooms.

The ProLink.z and ProLink.r processors store incorporate the ability to store macro commands, as well as a full array of control options, including routable IR ports with adjustable output levels, voltage-sensing inputs and Ethernet ports for networked control. The ProLink.z also includes the bi-directional ZigBee 2.4GHz wireless communication technology and RS-232 ports. Pro Control also says that it will be adding Apple iOS and Android apps to provide more control options through the use of these popular device platforms.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Normally the topic of security is never talked about unless of course a property is robbed or vandalized. CheckVideo's newest addition to its Ruggedized Outdoor Mobile Sentry line of products is engineered to eliminate the problems of robbery and property desecration.

The newly announced CMS4000 is a self-contained, cloud-based wireless video surveillance solution that is designed to "watch" 24 hours, seven days a week, and in the case of an event the system will automatically notify property owners with a real-time alert that facilitates fast law enforcement response times.

CheckVideo says the product can be used for everything from parking lots to schools, and through the use of wireless technologies the only connections the system needs is power.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The category of lighting control has been gaining momentum for the past several years for reasons that include convenience, energy efficiency and most importantly for consumers: cost savings.

Vantage Controls is a Orem, Utah-based company that has been a leading manufacturer of lighting control systems and recently it announced its new line of InFusion enclosure panels that are designed to provide electronics professionals with a choice of flexible solutions that facilitate the installation of a lighting control system and the future growth and change of a lighting control system. Vantage says the line of enclosures includes main and secondary two- and four-module enclosures, as well as auxiliary enclosures.

The line of enclosures also feature custom-hinged doors for recessed or surfaced installations to enable installers to get easier access to the panels. In addition, the products are UL and CE rated to ensure homeowner safety.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

In a pretty short amount of time Control4 has grown quickly within the professional electronics community because of its advanced technologies, affordable prices and growing array of products.

Adding to its product family, the Salt Lake City-based manufacturer recently rolled out two new automation controllers: the single room HC-250 and the flagship HC-800 whole-house solution. Control4 says the HC-800 provides electronics professionals with a powerful control device that can serve as the cornerstone for any multiroom control system and it's powered by a 1.8GHz dual-core processor that drives the product's ability to instantly react to onscreen control and media browsing commands. The unit is 1U high and it offers installations features such as two RS-232 ports, six IR ports, four contact relays, analog audio/video provisions and HDMI connectivity.

The single-room HC-250 is designed as a step-up solution from typical remote control devices. Control4 says the HC-250 supports HDMI and it includes 802.11n Wi-Fi and Power over Ethernet (PoE) for single Cat-5 runs that facilitate simple connectivity.

Monday, February 20, 2012

For several years electronics professionals have offered homeowners lighting control systems as a convenient way to manage their homes' energy consumption.

About the same time installers started to offer lighting control solutions the lighting industry began to push compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), and to a lesser extent LED lighting solutions. The only problem with CFL and LED lighting products however during this period was that they generally weren't compatible with the advanced lighting control systems installers were offering. Home Automation, Inc.'s (HAI) new Omni-Bus Lighting Control Network series of products enable electronics professionals to combine a state-of-the-art HAI lighting control system with energy efficient CFL and LED lighting products to provide their clients with the best of both worlds.

The HAI products incorporate the DIN-Rail standard for mounting equipment, and the products are CE, FCC, UL (ETL) certified to meet the latest safety standards. HAI says the line includes a choice of dimmers, control modules, switch interfaces and support accessories.

Friday, February 10, 2012

In the world of equipment racks and accessories no company offers residential and commercial electronics professionals more products and support than Middle Atlantic.

The Fairfield, N.J.-based company's latest product series taps into the growing trend of space-conscious electronics installations by offering installers a choice of products that fit into small locations. Middle Atlantic's new HRF Series Half Rack Systems are engineered to provide electronics professionals with a line of products that comply to the Electronic Components Industry Association's (ECIA) increasingly relevant half rack size standards.

Middle Atlantic says the racks utilize the standard's proposed dimensions, as well as an offset cable tie area that keep the products' overall width under 11 inches. The HRF Series products are constructed with welded frames, and they are manufactured in a choice of eight or 12 rack space options with companion mounting holes and slots.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Over the past several months the momentum behind the HDBaseT transmission technology has grown with several manufacturers adopting the format and releasing new products into the marketplace.

The latest company to launch a new HDBaseT product into the professional electronics market is Audio Authority. The Lexington, Kentucky-based manufacturer's new HBT200KIT is a HDBaseT solution that electronics professionals can use to address long-range signal transmission issues in commercial and residential system environments.

Audio Authority says the HBT200KIT is capable of sending uncompressed HD video, lossless audio, IR and RS-232 control signals distances as far as 330 feet with a single Cat-5e/Cat-6 cable. The company says the kit includes a transmitter and receiver and the components are compliant with HDCP/EDID protocols to ensure the system's compatibility with a variety of displays and source components.

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

In the world of networking it's not too often that a custom installer can say that there's a networking component specifically for the custom electronics industry.

In the case of the newly released Pakedge S8W 8-port gigabit switch however, electronics professionals will find a networking device with home theater, security and traditional networking in its DNA. Pakedge says the switch is equipped with eight auto-sensing 10/100/1000Mbps ports and it can be implemented without any preconfiguration. The Foster City, California-based company also says the high-speed, compact switch is compliant with all of the latest networking protocols to ensure its compatibility with all of the latest networking technologies.

Pakedge ships the 8-port gigabit switch with a wall-mounting bracket and it incorporates custom installation features such as the ability to automatically negotiate network speed and duplex mode with connected devices. The company adds the switch is made with a metal enclosure that can be placed on a table, in a rack or hung on a wall.