All Products Filed in Control Systems

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

With the introduction of its CEN-SWPOE-24 24-port managed 10/100 Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and dual Gigabit uplink ports, Crestron is providing its dealers with a device that simplifies the installation process.

The switch configures through the use of a web browser and Crestron's Toolbox dealer program, and with it installers can implement a system that integrates a variety of networkable components like touchpanels and keypads without having to add power supplies.

In addition, Crestron includes a front panel management port that enables the mirroring of any rear port to facilitate system monitoring and troubleshooting. Installers can also customize the front panel with unique names to make it easy to identify each port.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Right now Apple's iPad is certainly a hot product for installers to integrate into their home control systems solutions, but there are other touchpanel products on the market that installers can use.

Home Automation, Inc.'s (HAI) new OmniTouchPro home control software is designed to be versatile whole-house control/automation solution that enables CE Pros to use third-party touchpanels in their home automation system installations.

HAI says the software (part number 1131) is the same interface that it runs on its Omnitouch 5.7e, 10p and 10pe touchpanels, and that it will run on most third-party touchpanels that employ Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and Win7.

Once installed and setup as part of a system, the software can be used by homeowners to access and control their security, lighting, HVAC, audio/video and other electronics sub-systems. Installers can also customize the appearance of the interface through the use of color choices, icons, floorplans, room-specific pages and other elements.

Friday, August 20, 2010

iPort is shipping its CM-IW2000 (CM2000) Control Mount for iPad, which has received a "Made For iPad" designation from Apple. The CM2000 allows an Apple iPad to be used as an in-wall touch panel, providing continuous charging of the iPad and connection via Wi-Fi.

Ari Supran, CEO of Dana Innovations, parent company of iPort, Sonance and TRUFIG, says the company is "extremely proud to be licensed by Apple for Made For iPad."

The iPort CM2000 secures the iPad into the wall with a discreet bezel and mounting frame, which is held magnetically to the metal wall box. The iPad home button remains accessible while its power button is replicated on the outer edge of the CM2000 frame. Power connection is made via Cat 5 cable running from the CM2000 through the wall to a single-gang power connection wall plate, which supports connection to the included power supply.

The CM2000 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $499.

Monday, August 09, 2010

With Apple, Inc. continuing to innovate on the mainstream level of consumer electronics, its products are finding ways into the specialty custom electronics market through the industry's acceptance of its hardware and software solutions.

The latest company adopting Apple's technologies to drive the use of its custom-oriented product line is Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI). RTI's new RTiPanel App for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad enables users to control their RTI XP series of remote processor components, including the Minn.-based company's flagship XP-8 processor and its XP-6 and XP-3 products.

RTI says installers can configure the customizable user interface by using its Integration Designer programming software to facilitate the control of their clients' A/V, HVAC, security and home automation devices.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Over the years Extron has built a reputation as a premium manufacturer of commercial audio/video equipment.

The company's new SSP 7.1 Surround Sound Processor should continue to reinforce its reputation through its inclusion of many installer-friendly features.

Highlighting some of the processor's features are a seven-channel, nine-band parametric equalizer, operating modes like "Live" and "Emulate" with file saving capabilities, 100ms of lip sync correction, a full choice of Dolby and DTS surround processing modes, RS-232 and the company's 2.0 setup software.

Extron designed the rack-mountable processor for use in commercial and corporate environments, and it's included a full selection of inputs to provide installation flexibility.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It sounds like science fiction, but the technology is real and New Orleans-based Home Automation Inc. (HAI) is using it for its latest product: the HAI wireless Driveway Sensor (63A00-1).

The technology is of course the earth's magnetic field and in the case of this new driveway sensor the company is utilizing it as a means to detect metal objects like cars to help alert homeowners when a visitor has driven onto their property.

Installers can set the sensor up to turn on outdoor lighting or it can be used as part of a home security system when it's combined with a video surveillance system.

HAI says that because the unit is wireless, installers won't have to dig a channel to run underground cable, and through its industrial design, the company has provided installation options for post or wall mounting applications.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

It's no longer debatable how greatly the huge company Apple Inc has impacted the relatively small custom electronics market.

The company's iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad touch products are revolutionizing how the electronics industry approaches component and system control.

Traditional custom installation equipment manufacturers like BitWise are taking advantage of Apple's technologies to offer installers market competitive solutions that leverage these Apple products.

BitWise's new iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad app can be used in tandem with its Project Editor software and BC4X1 Pro Automation Controller to control an end user's A/V equipment, home theater, business conference room system and automation system.

The free app is available for download on Apple's iTunes Web site and it can be used to address retrofit and new construction system installations.

Apple TV has always been viewed as a niche product for do-it-yourselfer (DIY'er) A/V enthusiasts, computer geeks and custom installers.

Now as rumors swirl about a new cloud-based Apple TV product announcement from the Cupertino, Calif. electronics company, specialty electronics manufacturers like Autonomic Controls are producing Apple enhancement products that enable installers to integrate Apple products into their system solutions.

Autonomic Controls' new Apple TV module for Crestron is SystemBuilder compatible, which the company says increases installers' ability to utilize Apple TV in their Crestron-based home control, home theater and whole-house A/V designs.

The module also enables installers to implement multiple Apple TV units running PC and Mac versions of iTunes, and it also recognizes Apple AirTunes via Ethernet to facilitate multi-zone control and media browsing from any touchpanel in the system.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Hunter Douglas is one of the most popular home building, home decor product manufacturers in the entire U.S. and the company's Duette and Applause lines of window covering treatments are the latest products from the company to utilize its PowerRise 2.0 technology.

The lines, which are designed to address a variety of homeowner window covering needs, offer users the option to raise and lower their window coverings from the press of a button, and the ability to integrate into an advanced home control and automation system.

The products are built on Hunter Douglas' Platinum Technology platform, which the company says raises and lowers window coverings with precision, while also controlling vane tilt for many Hunter Douglas window fashions.

Friday, April 09, 2010

The LiteTouch 5000LC is quite simply the most powerful lighting control CCU available on the market today. There’s virtually nothing this top-of-the-line LiteTouch CCU can’t control. The 5000LC can control up to 256 Keypads, 256 Control Modules and 2,048 independent loads.

The 5000LC comes with non-volatile flash memory to store all programs. It also offers extended power outage bat- tery backup. The system is "live" during job uploading which provides the ability for lights and switches to function without interruption during system changes. LiteWare software allows users to incorporate utilities to plan, design and program any 5000LC project and is operational with Windows 32-bit operating systems.

5000LC Features

• Built-in redundant processor provides additional micro processor backup for basic lighting control.
• Non-volatile flash memory stores all programs. Also features extended current status powered by battery backup.
• Rack-mount design accommodates future expansion. Seven card slots make it easy to upgrade or add future cards.
• Programmable combination locks are an exclusive 5000LC feature.
• Entering your code at the keypad allows access to entryways or other devices within home or office.

Learn more about LiteTouch 5000LC Lighting Control CCU.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

The LiteTouch system is based around the Central Control Unit (CCU) which receives all switch information, processes the commands, and transmits control data to the control modules. One CCU is required per LiteTouch system. The CCUs use non-volatile memory for retaining programming information indefinitely and retain the current load on/off status and clock status information for at least two days.

The Standard is perfect for the many residential and commercial installations that require timing, random vacation mode, scene pre-sets, plus motor control, security, HVAC and A/V integration. It can control up to 256 Keypads, 100 Control Modulesand 800 independent loads. It is the only LiteTouch CCU that can be programmed without a computer using a self-contained user interface.

Learn more about the LiteTouch Standard CCU.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

LiteTouch offers three Central Control Units: Compact, Standard, and 5000LC CCUs. All three CCUs include an RS-232 computer interface port which allows easy system backup, alternate system configurations, and system operation via an external computer.

The Compact Central Control Unit offers system control of smaller LiteTouch systems. The Compact CCU has two Control Module ports and two keypad ports. The CCU is programmed via the R-232 Serial port.

Learn more about LiteTouch Lighting Control CCUs.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Elan Home Systems has always had a diverse line of products. With the addition of its new lighting control the company now moves one step closer to being a complete solution provider for custom installers.

The new lighting control system employs Powerline Control Systems' (PCS) PulseWorx Gen II Universal Powerline Bus (UPB) technologies. The lighting control solutions can be configured as part of a complete system or as stand-alone products in a new construction or retrofit project, and Elan also offers integration options to enable installers to incorporate the solution into a Home Logic automation system to provide homeowners with additional features such as remote access and scheduling.

Elan includes in its lighting control line a selection of keypad controllers, combination keypad dimmers, powerline interface modules (PIMs), control Modules, active split phase repeaters (SPRs) and dimmers. The line can be ordered as individual pieces or CE Pros can simplify the ordering process by requesting pre-configured four- or six-zone kits.

Monday, March 22, 2010

For years installers have offered Home Automation Inc.'s (HAI) line of home control and automation solutions as an affordable, reliable control solution for cost-conscious homeowners.

The company is now finalizing its new Apple iPhone/iPod Touch application and it is set to demonstrate the control solution at the upcoming EHX Show in Orlando (March 25-27).

The app can be used to operate an HAI control system and it uses color graphics and icons to help users navigate their control options to set the parameters for features like lighting, HVAC and A/V system volume. The app is compatible with the company's Omni and Lumina control systems, and it says the interface looks similar to its Snap-Link Mobile and WL3 products.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The iKontrol app from Knoll Systems is designed to complement the Kommand Series communications products.

The app, which is available for download in the iTunes App Store, uses Wi-Fi to control Knoll's Kommand Series, as well as solutions from Control4, Vantage, Crestron, AMX and others.

Knoll says installers can customize the interface via its Kommand Center GUI Builder.

Knoll also recommends electronics professionals use the app in tandem with its Kommand Center Expert or Kommand Center Pro controller hubs to complete the end user interface experience.