Archive for category Hardware
Silicondust hints that a CableCARD HDHomeRun is in the works
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware on January 5, 2010
This is my favorite time of the year. Christmas presents, New Year’s hangovers, and hints of new products at CES. Well this one may be at the top of my list. Earlier this week Silicondust hinted on their forums that a CableCARD version of their very popular HDHomeRun network tuner is in the works. The HDHomeRun is one of the core pieces of my setup, accounting for 4 of my 9 tuners in my Windows 7 box. Details are very limited, no price or pictures, in fact the only picture we have is the screenshot featured above. Hopefully more details will follow soon! Click the read link to check out the forum post.
Sonos introduces S5 self contained zone player
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on October 15, 2009
Sonos has definitely become popular over the past few years, and their latest entry is sure to bring more people to their products. In the past, powered speakers were still needed for each zone of audio. The new S5 includes 5 powered speakers so this is no longer an issue. The unit also contains an iPod dock, but it is not needed for playback, the unit can also stream directly from iTunes. Visually the unit reminds of the BOSE Wave or SoundDock systems. The good news is all of this new functionality is offered at a price point of $399. We’ll be interested to see how this takes off, but with the retro market becoming more popular, and the increased interest of multi-room audio systems, it’s sure to be a hit!
Atlona introduces affordable 8×8 composite Audio/Video matrix switch
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on October 14, 2009
Atlona announced yesterday it has added the AT-AV0808N to their line of matrix switchers. Although it is technically listed as a composite audio/video switch, it can also be used as a video only HDTV switch. The device takes up only a single rack space and supports control via RS-232, so it is compatible with most automation systems. This may just make it into my setup since I was looking for a low cost way to switch audio coming out of the pass through of my existing MRA system to zones that are already powered by an A/V receiver. Best part is, it sports a MSRP of only $699. Click the read link for full details.
Cortexa slashes prices on hardware, attracts both DIY and Pro Integrator market
Today I had a chance to participate in a personal demo of the Cortexa automation system from Jesse Lind from the sales department at Cortexa Automation LLC. For those unfamiliar, Cortexa’s system centers around essentially a headless PC running their automation software. Both control and administration of the system are accessed through an internet browser, and iPhone app and Media Center add-in are available as well. The system is compatible with many common products covering all aspects of home automation including lighting, multi-room audio, security, and HVAC. Read the rest of this entry »
Do CE companies care about the Pre?
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Programming on October 11, 2009
Now that a list of over 100 top home automation applications are available for the iPhone, it has us wondering if CE companies will have the same interest in the Palm Pre? The ability to have multiple applications open at once is definitely a nice feature over the iPhone, but I have to admit as a Pre owner, the touchscreen, and overall speed and responsiveness is a bit disappointing when compared to an iPhone. In addition, the lack of a low cost counterpart like the iTouch is to the iPhone, means companies will be developing for only one device on one carrier. Although we’re sure there will be at least a few home brew applications that make their way to the app store, I doubt we’ll ever see even close to as many applications from big name companies as the iPhone in the near future.
Updating a DIY CableCARD PC from Windows 7 RCI to RTM via Upgrade
Posted by Dave in Announcements, DIY, Features, Hardware, Structured Wiring on October 9, 2009
This week I finally decided it was time to ditch the RC1 build of Windows 7 and move to the RTM build. I was a little hesitant because I was afraid all of my CableCARD recordings would not be watch-able because of DRM issues, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. As a backup plan, I did a manual backup via Windows Home Server. Read the rest of the story for screenshots of the process. Read the rest of this entry »
D-Link introduces DIR-685 Router, One asks, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it make any sound?
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Networking, Structured Wiring on October 9, 2009
CE Companies just love turning out new “All-in-One” devices and this one is no exception. I have to admit right from the start, I think this one is just way overdone and pointless. The latest addition from D-Link serves as a four port Gigabit router, 802.11 G and & N access point, NAS, and contains a 3.2″ LCD screen that can be used as a photo frame. Now I will admit, the idea it can accept up to a 1TB 2.5″ drive is pretty cool, but a photo frame? That’s pushing it. Let’s think about this. Do you really want your photo frame to have 4 Cat 5 cables coming out the back, and only have a 3″ screen? MSRP is $239 and can be ordered directly through D-Link’s site or other retailers. Hey, at least when I open my structured wiring cabinet a few times a year I will be reminded of that summer vacation on the beach.
Tripp-Lite offers a tidy solution for your structured wiring panel UPS
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Structured Wiring on October 8, 2009
This is in no way new news, but it is something that may be overlooked by many, and could possibly clean up your structured wiring panel. Everyone has an ac outlet in their structured wiring can, but there is one fatal flaw, no battery backup. The power goes out, you loose your router, sitches, and in my case phone . Sure you can use a standard UPS, but that usually means either having to take the cabinet door off because the UPS is too deep for it to close, or keeping the door cracked so you can run the power cords down to the UPS sitting on the floor. Last year Tripp-Lite introduced the AV550SC UPS designed to solve this exact problem. The UPS fits neatly into your panel, includes 4 AC outlets and surge suppression for coaxial, phone and network. The UPS outputs 550VA/300 watts, weighs a mere 8 lbs and only takes up 8.5″x7″. It all comes at a reasonable price too. The unit has an MSRP of $230, but we have found street prices to be considerably lower. Like I said, it’s not new, but definitely worth taking a look.
Smarthome adds SerialLinc for RS-232 Control over Insteon Network
Posted by Dave in DIY, Hardware, Programming on October 6, 2009
We have to hand it to SmartLabs and their Insteon products, they just keep pumping out new ideas. Recently the SerialLinc was introduced for 2 way control of RS-232 devices on your Insteon network. The device requires the user to create .csv files containing a listing of their serial commands, and use the SerialLinc Downloader software to load the commands onto the device. Once complete, you can unhook your computer and address each serial command as you would any other Insteon device. The manufacturer does warn that users should have “intimate knowledge of working with serial command protocols.” If anyone tries one of these out, we’d love to hear how it works out for you.
Marmitek EasyTouch panel gives touchscreen look for X-10 control
Holy Blast from the Past Batman! X-10! While this is the technology that first got me into home automation, I haven’t thought about it in years. While newer PLC technologies like UPB and Insteon are great, I think X-10’s days are past. But…..If you are still using any of their devices, Marmitek has introduced the EasyTouch control panel. While it may look like a touchscreen from the pic, it’s actually not. Instead, the backgrounds are generated by you printing your favorite image on photo paper and inserting behind the scree face. No pwer to the location you want the panel to hang? No problem, the unit runs on AAA batteries! Pricing starts at 179 GBP ($286 USD). So get out your double sided tape and stick this baby to the wall, then call your friends over to brag about your new “touchscreen” lighting control system!