Back in the early days of ELAN, the company was known primarily for its audio distribution systems. Over the years, ELAN progressed to offer video distribution products, but as the company rolled out the g! product line, the brand began focusing its R&D efforts more so on that of home control systems.
This year at CEDIA, ELAN gets back to its roots by showcasing its next generation UltraMatrix line of HDMI/Audio switchers — a new 4K-compliant matrix switcher.
In addition to 4K video, the new UHD UltraMatrix switchers support Dolby 5.1 Downmixing, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Atmos Pass Thru, as well as HDMI audio to digital and analog outputs. Despite extensive distribution capabilities, the switchers maintain the single-chassis design and installation simplicity of ELAN’s original UltraMatrix line.
Video distribution stands to also make an impact in ELAN’s touchpanel business, and the company will demonstrate how at the CEDIA Expo, with the release of its gXP12 touchpanel. Measuring 12-inches diagonally, it offers the real estate and the technology to function as a 16:9, 1,920 x 1080 resolution display of content from sources include satellite, cable TV, Blu-ray Disc players.
“With the Video Overlay feature available in the upcoming ELAN 8.0 software update (also demonstrated at the CEDIA Expo), the gXP12 gives installers the opportunity to not only sell a control touchpanel, but a video monitor as well,” says Eric Herdman, product manager, ELAN.
In addition to displaying video, the new ample-size touchpanel incorporates a 5 megapixel camera and noise cancelling microphone so that it can also function as an intercom station. The touchpanel utilizes Power over Ethernet (PoE) and a 24VDC power jack; it fits into a two-gang electrical box.
Despite the ability to function as a display, the new 12-inch touchpanel will maintain its key functionality as an interface for home control features, and thanks to an upcoming release of the 8.0 version of the ELAN g! software, there will be several new ways for users to engage with the ELAN g! system.
One of the most noteworthy is the integration of Amazon Echo.
“It’s been through alpha testing for four month and is ready to move on to beta testing,” says software product manager Tom McKeon. “The Amazon Echo capability should be ready for dealers to use by the end of October.”
Other integration partnerships to be demo'd by ELAN at the Expo include Denon HEOS and Dish. Another new way that users will be able to engage with Elan systems is by synching their personal calendars from outlook, gmail, and iCal, onto any ELAN user interface, including the new gXP12.
The interface automatically aggregates each user’s calendar information and displays it on the screen.
“Also a new dynamic grouping feature will enable end-users to use the touchpanel to create their own party directly,” McKeon notes.
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