Control Systems, Fresh News
Tour of Crestron Headquarters
In August we took a trip to New Jersey and New York to tour the Crestron headquarters, some of the manufacturing facilities, and the research and development building. It became clear that the name “Crestron” is not just a logo stamped on a piece of electronics equipment. It also became clear why Crestron is the leading manufacturer and largest brand when it comes to systems integration for both the residential and commercial markets.
With hundreds of engineers on staff, a fully dedicated R&D program, state of the art manufacturing, and rigorous quality control, Crestron will remain the most powerful force in the luxury and commercial systems integration markets for the foreseeable future.
New products like Pyng environmental controls, DM (Digital Media) and steadfast reliability will appeal to consumers. New design and development tools like Crestron Studio and Pyng reduce costs for integrators and installers that ultimately reduce installation costs. Crestron has a deep product line and something to suit everyone, whether you are just looking to control a few lights and a thermostat, a media room, or a stadium full of TVs.
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Control Systems
Elan Integrates Voice Control w/ Amazon Echo
Some in the home automation space are calling the Amazon Echo with voice control one of the most exciting things to happen to home systems integration in a long while. Some consider it as big as the introduction of affordable touch screens. There is no question that reliable voice control has been long awaited. That’s where the Amazon Echo comes in.
Control Systems
Home Builders Benefit from Home Technology
Technology Integrator recently ran an article that confirms what we have long suspected, Home builders are seeing larger profits with homes that feature home technology integrated at the construction of the home. As technology fuses with our everyday lives more and more, home owners are demanding more and more from their homes. Builders and system integrators are stepping up to make sure they get it.
The most popular features for new construction are home theater, monitored security, and structured wiring. A key technology that is seeing more gains is home automation. With smart phones and tablets becoming ubiquitous, it only makes sense that home buyers want to control their electronics, lighting, comfort with those devices. We are seeing higher demand for more powerful control systems that more than ever.
One-third of U.S. home builders say they have experienced revenue increases due to home technology installations, according to the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) 14th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study.
According to the study, since 2009, the number of builders reporting revenue increases has risen more than 10 percentage points, proving that installed home technology has helped the home builder industry bounce back from the recession.
…“This is an area of opportunity where builders, suppliers and sub-contractors can partner to promote smart home technologies to consumers before construction starts.”
Other key findings from the study include:
— Among new homes, structured wiring, monitored security and home theater systems remain the most popular installed home technologies in new home construction. In addition, several key technologies saw gains in new home installations last year, including: stand-alone video surveillance system home automation and energy management systems.
Given the widespread ownership of smartphones and tablets, builders report more than two-thirds of homeowners want to control their smart home remotely; either with a touchscreen or an app on a mobile device.
— Builders increasingly cite buyer/architect specifications and the need to remain competitive as top reasons to install home technologies. Profit potential is also a key factor.
— The number one way builders find installation contractors is through referrals such as architects, real estate agents and other builders.The 14th Annual State of Builder Technology Market Study was designed and formulated by CTA Market Research.
Read the complete article at Technology Integrator.
Control Systems
Case Studies: Elan g! Automation
First Elan g! Installation in New Orleans
Dynamic Audio Video of New Orleans did their first installation of g! in a 6000 sq. ft. home shortly after the product came to market. The system installer had this to say: ““I installed the system on a Monday and came back that Wednesday to ask the customer if he was ready for a demo,” Gannon said. “And he said, ‘No, I already figured it out.’ In a day he already knew what he was doing — I literally had nothing to show him. The fact that he was able to figure everything out for himself speaks a thousand words.”
Control Systems, Home Theater
“g!” The New Face of Home Automation
How would you like to be able to pick up your Iphone or Ipad and browse the net, look at photos, watch movies, and turn your lights in your house on or off? That’s right, lighting control on your Iphone or Ipad, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg! Read More
Control Systems
“Remote Control” or “Control System”?
If you have a control system or have ever had one you will know the difference. If you have never had one I will shed some light on that issue for you. A remote control is simple. It issues commands one at a time to your entertainment sources, be it a TV, DVD, BluRay, Cable box, or Sattelite box. It may be IR (direct line of sight) or RF (issues commands through walls or cabinent doors) or it could be a combination of the two. In essence you combine several remotes into one remote but you still have to issue commands manually by memory. For example, you would normally change the remote control to TV, turn on your TV, then change the remote control to DVD, turn on your DVD player, then change your remote control to surround receiver, turn on your surround receiver, then you would change your surround receiver to the correct input. Now if you remembered all those steps you would have to Read More
