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Home Automation

Study: Revenue for Tech Support Industry to Hit $2B by 2013

Home Automation, Home Theater
April 30, 2009 No Comments

Use of In-Home or In-Store Tech Support Services

CEPRO.com has posted an article about how the tech support industry will grow to over $2 billion by 2013. This makes sense as more and more people start to use technologies that tend to be more complicated than that of the past.  An example, with the newly announced HULU and ABC deal, people no longer just turn on a TV and tune to a two or three digit channel number, but, require software, computer and network knowledge to figure out how to watch shows.

For the complete article visit CEPRO – Study: Revenue for Tech Support Industry to Hit $2B by 2013.

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Leviton Vizia RF+ (Z-WAVE) — Best Lighting Control System?

Home Automation
April 27, 2009 10 Comments

viziarfp_family

I get asked often what I recommend for lighting controls for home automation systems.  My answer, Z-WAVE.   I’ve been really happy with Leviton’s Vizia RF+ controls.  In my own home I went with Lightolier’s Compose PLC system which I’ve been happy with, however, the price of the controls are much higher than the Leviton Vizia RF+ equivalents.   The reliability hasn’t been an issue and the speed of the controls seems faster than traditional PLC systems.   I’d love to hear your thoughts or recommendations so post a comment or two.   

For more information check out Leviton’s Vizia RF+ site.

P.S.  Leviton Vizia RF+ is a great match with HAI’s OmniPro II

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Myro Control’s 8″ In-wall Touchscreen

Home Automation
April 24, 2009 5 Comments

myro control panel

I just received a demo 8″ touchscreen panel for Myro:Home. I’m creating a custom Windows XP Embedded version that will run Myro:Home. I’ll still be offering the software only version, which has been receiving great reviews, but for custom installers that want a complete system — this will be the solution.

More to come, stay tuned!

P.S. It still has the protection plastic on the bezel…

Update: XPe build is ready to move onto SSD

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Russound Collage – Powerline Media & Intercom!

Home Automation
April 24, 2009 5 Comments

collage_keypad

Russound has released their new line of whole-house audio/intercom system. What makes this special is that it doesn’t require anything more than a power cable to get it working.  The Collage system relies on HomePlug technology to stream the audio to each location from the Collage Media Manager.  Each zone features an capacitive touchpad, click wheel and quarter VGA display with  a 30-watt amp.  In addition each zone includes a built-in FM tuner and 6-month free subscription to Rhapsody with three independent streams of music.  There is also an optional iPod dock.  This is a pretty interesting play for retrofit/remodel jobs.

For more information check out: Russound Retroquick

This can be purchased via our parent company MAVROMEDIA which is a Russound Dealer.

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Square D Lighting Control Products

Home Automation
April 24, 2009 No Comments

squade_d_dlt

It’s great seeing traditional electrical companies supporting home automation. It just makes sense to bring a certain level of smarts to your home. Your car already has more technology than your home if you think about it — from climate control to entertainment to engine and tire pressure sensors.

Square D which it typically known for your electronic panel circuit breakers now has a new line of LCD lighting controls called the Clipsal Saturn Keypads. The keypad feature a “Dynamic Labeling Technology” (DLT) and combine a Saturn style cover plate, programmable keypad buttons, and easily customized labels on a backlit LCD screen. The five keypad buttons are lit with cool blue LEDs that complement the keypad’s sleek lines and show the status of controlled devices.

Square D Lighting Controls

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Sd-10 by Gilderfluke & Co.

DIY, Home Automation
April 23, 2009 No Comments

sd10

If you have been looking for a small stereo audio playback system for use in home automation or pretty much for anything you should check out the Sd-10 by Gilderfluke & Co.  This miniature stereo Mp3 and .wav AudioFile player holds up to 255 AudioFiles on MMC or SD flash cards and includes RCA line level outputs, two trigger inputs and TTL serial port. Five operating modes. It can be used in Store-Casting, Music-On-Hold, Museum, Haunted Attraction, Safety, Industrial or Entertainment applications. Anywhere you need a solid state, high quality audio system that will play for years. The Sd-10 can be dropped right into an audio system in place of a CD player.

You should also check out some of their other cool gadgets!

– Gilderfluke & Co.

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