News / Media

Home automation firm still ‘supports and loves’ iPad, but founder Will West says consumers still want dedicated devices for controlling audio, video, lighting, security, thermostats, more.

By Julie Jacobson, September 07, 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.cepro.com/article/why_control4_developed_new_999_handheld_touchscreen/

Control4 is launching a new 7-inch portable touchscreen for its home automation systems during CEDIA Expo 2011. At about $1,000 retail, the unit costs roughly twice as much as an iPad.

Who builds dedicated touchscreens anymore? Savant dropped theirs awhile ago to focus on Apple iOS devices. Crestron no longer cranks near as many touchscreens as they used to. And AMX has pared down their touchscreen development, except for the innovative new Modero X ultra-widescreen panel.

So what is Control4, the value-priced home automation brand, thinking?

“While we support and love iPads and other new [interface] devices, there just is a need and a demand for dedicated devices,” Control4 chairman Will West tells CE Pro. “Our volume indicates that dealers still want us to innovate on those.”

The new touchscreen is sleeker than Control4’s previous portable panel, says West. It offers capacitive touch and intercom capabilities (with additional $399 license).

Adding the cost of Control4 apps, a charging station, and whole-house intercom to the price of an iPad control solution, “you’re spending just as much” for the Control4 panel, officially called the 7” Portable Touch Screen.

Not to disparage or discount trends on tablets,” says West, “but there is still a role for dedicated devices.”

Click here to view the full article

http://www.cepro.com/article/why_control4_developed_new_999_handheld_touchscreen/

Click here to view the full article

http://exciteawards.customretailer.net/product/2011/AMX_Enova_DGX_16___AMX___AVS_ENOVADGX16_ENC-283.html

The HDCP installation nightmare is solved with the Enova DGX 16 modular, digital matrix switcher. With its built-in NetLinx controller it functions as a complete integrated solution that manages and distributes analog and digital audio and video including HDMI/HDCP, control, and Ethernet up to 100 meters over one standard twisted pair cable. With AMX’s exclusive InstaGate Pro” Technology, HDCP becomes a hassle-free plug-and-play operation; no tools, no delays, and no key constraints - it just works.

Click here to view the full article

http://exciteawards.customretailer.net/product/2011/AMX_Enova_DGX_16___AMX___AVS_ENOVADGX16_ENC-283.html

By Rachel Cericola, Aug 16th 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Optoma-HD8300-and-HD3300-1080p-3D-Projectors-for-the-Custom-Market.shtml

Optoma just announced that the HD33 1080p 3D Projector is shipping to consumers. Today, they have a little something for the custom installation market as well.

The company says that two home theater projectors in their custom installation line, the HD8300 and the HD3300, will start shipping later this month. These new models are the first two full 1080p 3D home theater projectors that Optoma has created for the custom installation market. Both boast the same DLP technology that’s being used in many professional digital cinemas.

As a follow-up to the company’s HD8200, the HD8300 is priced at $4499 (MSRP). Featuring PureMotion4D frame-interpolation processing, the unit includes Optoma’s own PureColor technology and a new color management system. Other features include a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, 1500 lumens of brightness, PureShift lens shift, and a 1.5x zoom ratio. Also, ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Custom Calibration Configuration) controls can be adjusted to tweak the picture for both day and night viewing.

The HD8300 supports all the HDMI 1.4a mandatory 3D formats. Also, Side-by-Side and Top & Bottom formats can be manually enabled to allow non-HDMI 1.4a compatible devices, such as older set-top boxes, the Xbox 360 or PCs, to display 3D via the VGA or HDMI ports. Speaking of ports, the HD8300 has two HDMI 1.4a inputs, one VGA port, connections for component and composite video, an RS-232 port, two +12V triggers, and a VESA 3D port.



Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Optoma-HD8300-and-HD3300-1080p-3D-Projectors-for-the-Custom-Market.shtml

Runco Press Release 8-9-2011

New LS-1 introduces Runco’s high-quality, affordable projection to value-conscious customers looking for the very best performance.

Beaverton, OR – Runco® is excited to announce the newest addition to its critically-acclaimed LightStyle™ Series DLP™ projectors, the LS-1. The LS-1 is a single-chip 1080p DLP projector that provides an unprecedented option to homeowners looking for the performance and flexibility of a Runco projector at a very attractive price point.

“With the introduction of the LS-1, we are able to bring the renowned Runco performance to a broader group of video enthusiasts,” said Jennifer Davis, VP of Marketing at Runco. “Being able to hit this competitive price point enables our integrators more opportunities to sell to a large, previously-untapped market and for homeowners to enjoy the benefits owning a Runco brings.”

The Runco LS-1 is an ideal alternative for homeowners who want a high performance video option for watching TV or movies, but also want the color depth and picture quality for console gaming (i.e., PlayStation, Wii or Kinect), internet browsing or streaming video and movies via a set-top box. The Runco LightStyle product line offers the greatest range of brightness and image performance for different rooms and needs.

“Runco’s LightStyle Series allows us to deliver Runco performance to a new group of clients,” said Brian Hudkins, president of Gramophone LTD. “The beauty of the LightStyle Series is that we have been able reach a larger customer base due to its affordability, without sacrificing performance OR reliability as these projectors meet the high quality standards of Runco.”

The LS-1 uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology to deliver the best color and crisp detail available in this product class and combines Runco’s SuperOnyx™ technology with ConstantContrast™ and ViVix™ proprietary digital video processing to achieve deep black levels and significant contrast, well above 10:000:1. The LS-1 also incorporates the ISF™ (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration suite for optimal performance in various rooms and lighting conditions. These calibration tools feature day and night calibration memory settings, individual sharpness and noise reduction controls, programmable image memory selection keys, built-in test patterns and a dark room-optimized remote.

Its sleek, glamorous design and customization options make the Runco LightStyle Series projectors the perfect solution to pair with a design-conscious homeowner. The LS-1 can be customized with Runco’s FinishPalette™ which enables complete projector customization for the homeowner. FinishPalette adds full-color design options, including exact PMS color matching for any college or pro-sports teams, a gallery of artist impressions and the option to custom-print your own artwork. Complementing the FinishPalette offering are 25 hand-finished signature paint colors to compliment any décor.

The LS-1 is also available with Runco’s CineGlide™ lens solution that enables a motorized, mechanical 2.35:1 anamorphic lens to move in front of the standard lens for perfect Scope reproduction. Runco CineGlide enables the viewer to switch from 16:9 content to 2.35:1 content, without black bars on the top or side of the image, with the touch of a button.

by John Sciacca on Jul 19, 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.hometechtell.com/technologytell/article/kaleidescape-m700-320-blu-ray-disc-vault-exclusive-review/

New Kaleidescape Vault Automatically Imports your CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs and Stores them for Easy Retrieval

World’s Best-Engineered Robotic Disc Loader Now Available

SUNNYVALE, CA, July 19, 2011 - Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today announced availability of the M700 Disc Vault, designed from the ground up to simplify and accelerate the process of adding movies and music to a Kaleidescape System. Up to 320 discs can be loaded into the M700 Disc Vault’s precision carousel, where their contents are quickly copied onto the Kaleidescape System. This process is fully automated and requires no additional work on the part of the user. Once copied, a Blu-ray Disc must remain in the disc vault to enable playback of the digital copy from the server. DVDs and CDs may either be ejected or left in the M700 Disc Vault for safe storage and easy accessibility. The M700 Disc Vault makes it easier than ever to build and enjoy a personal movie collection.

“I’ve always loved my Kaleidescape System, but the recent addition of the M700 Disc Vault has taken the experience to a new level,” said Jeff, a Kaleidescape owner from Seattle. “I love that I can import any type of disc very quickly and easily. Later, I use the front panel buttons to eject the CDs and DVDs from the vault in seconds, freeing up slots for more Blu-ray Discs.”

The M700 Disc Vault also simplifies system installation. “With the M700 Disc Vault we are able to streamline the installation and loading of our customers’ Kaleidescape Systems like never before. We can now quickly load the customers’ Blu-ray Discs and DVDs onsite, or preload a Kaleidescape Movie Collection in our facility and ship the finished rack ready to roll,” said Craig Abplanalp of Definitive Audio in Bellevue, Washington. “All that’s left to do is power up the system when it arrives.”

“Delivering instant access to Hollywood’s best movies at the highest quality – anywhere in your home – has always been our passion at Kaleidescape,” said Michael Malcolm, Founder, Chairman, and CEO. “We have spent the past ten years designing and building a family of products that solve real usability problems while providing the highest levels of performance and reliability. The M700 Disc Vault is an elegant addition to our product family that makes it easy to import your content, provides a safe place to store your discs, and makes it quick and easy to retrieve any disc when you need it.”

Key Features

Unattended, Automatic Import – Copies large numbers of Blu-ray Discs, DVDs and CDs onto a Kaleidescape System. You simply insert the discs and walk away.

Easy Expandability – Multiple M700 Disc Vaults can be added to a Kaleidescape System to house thousands of Blu-ray Discs, DVDs and CDs.

Front Panel Display – Indicates import progress, number of discs stored, and number of available slots. Buttons provide ability to eject all Blu-ray Discs, all DVDs, all CDs or all discs.

Efficient Organization – Clutter-free storage of up to 320 discs in just five rack units of space. The M700 Disc Vault also makes it easy to find a disc when you need it: simply locate the title in the onscreen display and select Eject Disc.

Integrated Kaleidescape M-Class Player – Provides pristine playback of movies stored on a Kaleidescape movie server.

Kaleidescape Design – Designed from the ground up for years of trouble-free operation. Kaleidescape engineers specified precision stepper motors, a high-strength belt, and an internal disc-retention shell.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.hometechtell.com/technologytell/article/kaleidescape-m700-320-blu-ray-disc-vault-exclusive-review/

The new app can provide control over XP Series processors and connected devices.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/rti_releases_rtipanel_app_for_the_iphone_and_ipad/

August 09, 2011 by Rachel Cericola

RTI is the latest home control company to offer up an app. The newly announced RTiPanel is now available for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Featuring two-way feedback and a customizable user interface, the app can provide control over any RTI control system that has an XP series control processor in the mix. Other perks include album cover art, weather graphics, dynamic image lists, and much more.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/rti_releases_rtipanel_app_for_the_iphone_and_ipad/

By Edwin Kee 07/06/2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/07/d-link-boxee-remote-control/

D-Link has announced their Boxee Remote Control that will offer both PC and Mac owners of Boxee better control. After all, the Boxee Remote Control itself is a sight to behold, coming in a sleek, two-sided design complete with a full QWERTY keypad which ought to make typing a snap, since you’re probably so used to a virtual QWERTY keyboard by now (except for most BlackBerry users, of course). This translates to a seamless transition for computer users to take advantage of the Internet on their TV.

The Boxee Remote Control will communicate with your computer using RF signals courtesy of an included nano-sized USB adapter, so that alone eliminates the need for line of sight. Interested? The Boxee Remote will retail for $49.99 a pop.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/07/d-link-boxee-remote-control/

11 Jul 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.whathifi.com/news/yamaha-develops-android-app-for-2011-av-receivers-and-bd-players

Yamaha is the latest manufacturer to develop a smartphone control app for its 2011 range of home cinema receivers and Blu-ray players. The free app will be available for Android devices from October.

It will be compatible with the following Yamaha receivers: RX-V2065, RX-V3900, DSP-Z7, RX-V1067, RX-V2067, RX-V3067, RX-V671 and RX-V771.

Users will also find it works with the Yamaha BD-S671 and BD-S1067 Blu-ray players.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.whathifi.com/news/yamaha-develops-android-app-for-2011-av-receivers-and-bd-players

Stream music wirelessly to any room in your house.

August 04, 2011 by Grant Clauser

Click here to view the full article

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hands_on_sonos_play3_multiroom_audio_player/

It’s amazing what a bugaboo multiroom audio can be, especially when products like Sonos have existed now for several years. If you don’t already know, Sonos sells a system which uses your home’s IP network (wired or wireless) to distribute music around to any room in your house. This system has proved itself reliable and easy to use, and now, Sonos has made it even easier.

A few weeks ago Sonos launched the PLAY:3, a single cabinet speaker that can function as a stand-alone stereo unit or as part of a left/right pair. At $299, it’s relatively cheap too, at least in terms of adding a multiroom option to your house.

The PLAY:3 itself looks and feels like a fairly robust bookshelf speaker. Inside are two midrange drivers, a tweeter and a bass radiator, all powered by three class D amplifiers. On the back you get a power cord and an Ethernet cable port (which most people won’t use). To turn the speaker from a stereo unit to half of a two-speaker system, just stand it up vertically and an internal sensor makes the switch. Pretty simple huh?

Performance

Like the Autonomic music server I reviewed recently, the ability to browse through a nearly unlimited music library is a thrill, and Sonos makes the process easy. With either the iPhone app or the desktop software, I could quickly move between various music services, individual channels and even create new ones on the fly. Browsing my personal music collection on the app wasn’t quite as friendly, due mostly to the fact that sorting through 10,000 tracks on a tiny screen is kind of a pain.

You can control the volume (or mute) with buttons on the top of each PLAY:3 or through the control app. I found there was a slight delay when using the volume control on the app, but most people will probably rely on that ninety percent of the time unless they’re sitting right next to the unit.

Each PLAY:3 speaker can play independently or you can group them to play the same music at the same time.

Playing streaming music was easy and very responsive. I did notice that music played from my computer was a little buggier—sometimes with delays or hiccups. Music streaming stations come straight from the router to the Bridge, while my local music had to come first off my computer, then to the router and then the Bridge.

The sound quality was surprisingly rich for such small speakers. Even when using just a single speaker, you can still easily fill a room with dynamic sound. When blasted the bass got a bit cloudy, but remember, this is a speaker the size of a loaf of bread.

That said, the PLAY:3 is a small speaker with built-in digital amplifiers. It’s on par with a quality iPod speaker dock (not quite as good as the B & W Zeppelin), but not a dedicated hi-fi system. On the other hand, if you want to incorporate Sonos into your existing audio gear, you can use a Zoneplayer 90 to stream all the music to your home theater setup, and then a couple of PLAY:3s to add music to additional rooms.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hands_on_sonos_play3_multiroom_audio_player/

By Ian White

Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Toshiba-s-2011-HDTV-and-Blu-ray-3D-Showcase.shtml

Toshiba may have taken it on the chin when the dust settled from the HD disc format war, but the company stormed right back with an impressive line-up of HDTVs and Blu-ray players that garnered solid reviews. The company embraced Blu-ray 3D and recently unleashed its 2011 line-up of Blu-ray 3D players and passive 3D HDTVs, joing the company’s active 3D TV sets already available.

Toshiba had one of the larger (and busier) booths at the CEA Line Shows in New York last month; which included a new line-up of laptops and the new Thrive tablet. The Thrive looks like a very solid alternative to the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab, not to mention Apple’s category leading iPad. It’s clear that Toshiba isn’t remotely intimidated by the competition.

On the 3D TV front, the flagship 55TL515U 55” LED 3D HDTV ($2,399) was on display in New York and its passive 3D performance seemed impressive in our admittedly brief observations. Toshiba used Tangled on Blu-ray 3D for its demonstration material and the Disney adventure showed off the set’s capabilities; fairly deep black levels, lack of crosstalk, and bright image. As with competitors’ passive 3D TV sets, the Toshiba passive 3D set does not reproduce a full 3D HD image in 3D mode due to its Pattern Retarder filter (missing all of those lines of resolution), but it was not as obvious as some other passive flat-panels that we’ve seen of late. We had just visited another booth where passive was on full-display and the Toshiba reproduced a better looking image. The 240Hz refresh rate certainly didn’t hurt.

Toshiba also introduced the 47TL515U 47” LED 3D HDTV ($1,899) which looks like an ideal 3D-capable HDTV for the bedroom or smaller den. The set exhibited the same strong image capabilities as its larger sibling. The set offers a 1080p 2D image and passive 3D performance with a 240Hz refresh rate. All of the new TL-series sets have 4 HDMI inputs and built-in Wi-Fi.

But what about the kids or that guest room/kitchen that is crying out for an inexpensive DVD/HDTV combination? Toshiba has been strong in this category for years and the 32-inch 32SLV411U LED combo HDTV at $649 looks like a winner to us. Amazon has some great deals on this set already.

Toshiba also offers 3 Blu-ray players including two Blu-ray 3D units; the flagship BDX5200 ($199.99) offers all of the usual bells and whistles including wireless streaming of Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow, and Pandora. There has been some grumbling on the internet about some Toshiba Blu-ray players requiring frequent resets, although nobody has complained about the picture quality which has generally earned a “thumbs up.” Also, it’s important to note that we have not observed these issues with our own review samples of the BDX2700, BDX2500 and BDX3000.



Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Toshiba-s-2011-HDTV-and-Blu-ray-3D-Showcase.shtml