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Home Automation

Sony’s New Robotic Video Cameras

Home Automation
May 4, 2004 No Comments

Sony is demonstrating a family of robotic Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) video cameras at the Vision Show in Boston from this week and the latest addition to the line up of robotic cameras is the EVI-D70/W, which combines a high-quality 1/4 type, EXview HAD™ CCD with the flexibility of remote PTZ operation in a new white, compact body. It offers 340-degree pan and 120-degree tilt capabilities for exceptional latitude, and an integrated 18X optical zoom lens to capture nearly every scene. In addition, the EVI-D70/W features RS-232C / RS-422 interfaces for full remote control. A six-position preset allows for the rapid recapture of crucial viewing angles. These suckers retail for about $1,220... what price will you pay for security?
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And the Fastest Throughput for 802.11g is…

Home Automation
April 30, 2004 No Comments
In the May 18, 2004 issue of PC Magazine. D-Link Xtreme absolutely blew away all competition in both performance and distance tests, more than doubling the throughput speeds of all competing 802.11g solutions, posting an incredible 73.8 Megabits per second data throughput. The testing criteria for both 802.11g and 802.11ag products were measured in many categories, where D-Link hammered the competition in performance, distance and value. Below are test results excerpted from the PC Magazine review:

802.11g Performance @ 1 foot (throughput)*
D-Link 73.8Mbps
Apple N/A**
Belkin 25.3Mbps
Buffalo 28.5Mbps
Dell 21.1Mbps
Gateway 22.6Mbps
GigaFast 21.7Mbps
Hawking 21.7Mbps
IOGear 20.8Mbps
Linksys 33.5Mbps
Microsoft 21.2Mbps
Netgear 35.0Mbps
SMC 24.3Mbps
US Robotics 25.1Mbps
Zyxel23.1Mbps

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Weblink II Now Supports Ethernet Port

Home Automation
April 29, 2004 No Comments
weblink.jpgI don't know how this one slipped passed me... but a few weeks ago, Home Automation Inc (HAI), makers of the OmniPro home automation controllers, released an update to Weblink II which enables the built-in ethernet port. Weblink II is a software program that runs on any Windows machine and connects via RS232, RS485 and now ethernet to the OmniPro line of controllers, allowing you access to your home via any IP enabled device. Version 2.01.4082 also adds support for sending emails without specifying an SMTP server, Windows Server 2003, and enhanced SmartPhone pages. The update is free.
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Carnegie Mellon offers eSuds Service

Home Automation
April 21, 2004 No Comments
esuds.jpgThis confirms that we are living in a connected society... a society that feels the need to monitor the washing and drying of their clothing. I think this is a great service for the college student, gone are the days of arriving to the laundrymat and all machines are being used, or trying to find enough change to feed the machine. Carnegie Mellon will be the first university to go live with eSuds, giving its 4,000 campus residents the ability to use the eSuds online laundry services to do their laundry. Check out the eSuds.net website for realtime status on washer/dryer availablity and how much time is remaining. Very cool... I wonder if I can rig my washer/dry to do this.
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My Favorite Home Automation Controller

Home Automation
April 20, 2004 4 Comments
omniproii.jpg If you are looking for the ultimate home automation solution, you need to check out what HAI has to offer. I'm currently installing a OmniPro II in my new home and there is nothing my house won't be able to do. Imagine coming home at 10 o'clock at night, the system knows the time, when you open the garage door the system turns on certain lights to guide you to your bedroom. After the system notices no movement in the home, via motion sensors, the lights turn off. This is just one example of how a properly designed and integrated home automation system can work. The OmniPro can control your HVAC, Lighting, Security, and almost anything else you throw at it. If you are in the market for a home automation system, you need to look at HAI very seriously. Contact me directly if you have any questions, since I am a user and a big fan.
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HomePod

Home Automation
April 16, 2004 No Comments

Macsense HomePod is an ultra compact and portable digital stereo component that plays MP3 and Internet Radio streams from any wireless (802.11b) or wired network. Designed for use with iTunes, it also works with MusicMatch Jukebox, Nullsoft WinAmp, or any networked computer running OSX, Windows, Linux, BSC and Solaris. The HomePod includes a 2.5" back-lit LCD, IR remote, Jog-shuttle dial for quick content navigation, built-in stereo speakers, a headphone jack, RCA stereo and optical outputs and a FM tuner. Might be the perfect little gadget for a bathroom, kitchen area or even outside on the patio... Retail price for the HomePod is $249.
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