Archive for September, 2009
Colorado vNet closes for “Restructuring”
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 28, 2009
It seems Colorado vNet has closed its doors (although their are no signs of it from their website). Although their voicemail says they are closed for restructuring, a forum over a CEPro has already been set up for dealers to help other dealers. Quite a few of the posts seem to be dealers trying to liquidate their stock. I’m a bit disappointed in this. When I saw them at EHX last year, I was actually impressed. I would consider it a product geared more towards builder grade applications, but I thought the in wall capacitive touchscreens with an integrated amp was pretty cool. The ability to also print custom designs for their lighting switches with ordinary photo paper was also unique, although a bit gimmicky. We’ll keep you updated in case we hear if they ever complete their “restructuring” but we’re not holding our breath.
Global Cache introduces iTach family of devices
Posted by Dave in Announcements, DIY, Hardware on September 9, 2009
Prior to CEDIA, Global Cache let us know they would have some exciting additions to the their product line, and now more details are coming in. For those who aren’t familiar, Global Cache is the maker of several IP enabled network adapters that include IR, serial, and sensor ports, allowing you to add control of a component anywhere on your home network. The problem until now is that you needed a hardwired connection to the device. With the new iTach series, Global Cache has brought WiFi into the mix. In addition, they have added an integrated IR learner, PoE support for those who already have a network drop at the location, and apparently the ability to control the connected devices from your iPhone or iTouch. Finally, the devices now allow up to 8 simultaneous connections (prior models only allowed 1), so they can be controlled from a variety of software solutions at the same time. Prices have also been reduced from previous models and range from $139 – $169. Click the image for the full press release.
ReQuest adds Internet Radio to F.Series Media Servers
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 8, 2009
With recent additions of YouTube, Hulu and Netflix streaming, ReQuest media servers already have an advantage over most of their competitors, but now they have added even more. ReQuest recently announced they would be adding access to over 50,000 Internet radio stations on their F.Series media servers. The new feature will be accessible through their slick on-screen interface, as well as through 3rd party systems such as Crestron and AMX via modules provided by ReQuest (always a nice touch for us programmers!). One of the other cool features I love about the ReQuest products is that they store their media with dual encodings. Music is stored as both a full fidelity WAV file for playing at home, while an mp3 version is also created for use when syncing with your iPod. Keep it coming ReQuest!
Logitech adds Squeezebox Touch
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA), Software on September 8, 2009
Logitech will shortly be releasing its latest addition to the Squeezebox line, the Squeezebox Touch. For those unfamiliar with the Squeezebox line, they are basically music streamers, that also have access to multiple online content providers such as Pandora, Last.fm, and other Internet radio sources. Connected to your stereo or a set of powered speakers, they offer a reasonably priced and attractive alternative to more costly multi room audio systems, or the popular Sonos system. This latest incarnation offers a 4.3″ color touchscreen interface, Ethernet and wireless b/g connections, and the ability to play from a local SD card. An optional wall mount will be available giving the device a bit more custom look when installed. Although I’ve never owned one of these devices, they have always intrigued me. Using SqueezeCenter(formerly SlimServer) 3rd party automation products such as Charmed Quark can control the individual players. Plus, I’ve just always liked products that allow developers such as myself to tinker and write our own apps.
Control4 Celebrates 5 years of success
Control4 is one of those companies that I’ve finally come to embrace. While I have never personally worked with the product line, their evolution over the past few years has been something that can not be ignored. Their affordability and usage of wireless technologies is something most installers can benefit from in the ailing economy. As I stated in an earlier post, with new home builders continuing to go under, a lot of CE companies have shifted to the retro market. Control4 has had this handled from the beginning since most of their products are Zigbee based, including lighting, thermostats, and even amplifiers for multi-room audio. This is not to say it is not well suited in a new home. Just because it is considered to be the “affordable” solution, does not mean it isn’t capable. Sure I still have my gripes about a locked down interface, but I’m starting to get over it, and to be honest, I’ve never really enjoyed designing interfaces anyway. Click the image to read more on their success over the years.
Vantage introduces new Energy Management Solution at CEDIA
Posted by Dave in Uncategorized on September 8, 2009
Going “Green” is all the new rage today, and why not, we could all spend a little less on our utility bills while at the same time try to save the planet. Vantage Controls has unveiled its Energy Management Solution to give the end user a window into their energy usage. The heart of the system is a touchscreen “Energy Dashboard” that shows real time usage, calculates energy cost, and shows you savings compared to a baseline value set by the installer. The system also touts that it is the “first system that calculates, in real time, the exact dollar amount you are saving on energy”. The system also helps the user develop energy strategies to continue to reduce their monthly consumption. The system is also a finalist for CEDIA’s Best New Product Award. No word on pricing, but sometimes you have to spend to save!
Feature: DIY Touchscreen Review
With all the news coming out in anticipation of CEDIA, I thought I’d spend a little time on a topic very near and dear to my heart. One of the toughest parts of creating a professional looking DIY home automation system is finding a great looking and functioning touch screen. High end vendors such as Crestron and AMX have their own proprietary hardware that really looks slick, but they are cost prohibitive for most of us. A lot of us in the DIY home automation hobby have turned to Ebay to find several older, as well as newer web clients and tablet PCs to repurpose as touch screens for our projects. Over the years I have accumulated a “museum” of various products. Hopefully this guide will help you decide which one is right for you.
URC keeps the products coming for CEDIA
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware on September 4, 2009
Image courtesy of CE PRO
Well here comes another one from the folks over at Universal Remote. The KP-4000 is similar in concept to the MX-5000 I previously mentioned, but rather than a remote, it marks URC’s first in-wall touchscreen. The device promises two-way feedback and control of rs-232 and IP enabled devices (rs-232 control requires the MRX-1 Hub). Not quite sure how I feel about this one. As I said before, touchscreens are sexy, but they are not ideal for everyday control of TVs, DVD players, etc. They do excel at lighting, security, etc, but I think if I’m going that route, I’d rather have a device from a company like AMX or Crestron. For some reason, I’m just not comfortable using a touchscreen from a company that doesn’t have a full blown automation controller to back it up. Sure it has a hub for managing device control via rs-232, but I can’t help but think at some point you’ll hit a wall with what it can do.
Nuvo Technologies pimps its Renovia retrofit MRA solution at CEDIA
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 4, 2009
With the new home buiding market in a slump, CE companies are exploring new areas in their product lines. One such product is the Renovia line from Nuvo Technologies. Basically its a mixture of Power Line Carrier technology streaming the sound, then a local wall mounted amp that runs to both the keypad and speakers. Power for the amp would presumably come from piggy backing off of a local wall recepticle. We caught a glimpse of it at EHX this past year, and it was probably one of our favorite products. It looks like they may have some new products to add to the line this year, so we’ll keep you posted.
Sanus introduces new low profile “VLTB-1″ tilting mount
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware on September 4, 2009
We all love the look of a nice flatpanel tv hanging on the wall. It looks great when looking at it head on, but walk to the side, and that wall mount has added another 4″ inches of the overall depth to wall. Low profile mounts are making their way and ussually only add an 1″, but until now I haven’t really seen a tilting mount. Enter Sanus. The newly announce VLTB-1 is only .86″ and offers full vertical tilt (although the degrees aren’t mentioned, will assume its the usual standard of about 15). The unit also has Sanus’s typically installer friendly features such as post install leveling, and Click Fit that props the TV away from the wall when working on cabling, eliminating the need to remove the entire TV. No word on pricing yet, and additional info is sparse (the product page is a dead link) but I’m sure we’ll find out more at CEDIA.