Product Announcements

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Control 4 OS 2.0

Control 4 who manufacturers a combined home control, automation, distributed audio/video and lighting control system has released its latest control interface. This does mean more to the customer than just slightly different graphics and on screen layout, its means more enhancements for both installer and consumer as well as more product support and flexibility.

4Store Application Marketplace

4Store apps can enhance the functionality of both Control4 and third-party devices and systems in the home. Customers set up a 4Store account online at www.4store.com and then purchase and download 4Store applications from a variety of categories. Take a look at the latest apps here

Flash-Based Navigator Interface and Access to Content

The Control4 Navigator Interface is now Adobe Flash-based and includes multiple new interface design choices from Control4, or customisation with the customer's own home page design, wallpaper, and screen savers.

A new feature allows customers to mark favourite pages for access to preferred content. We can now program page flips to set the display to a specific page with one touch. OS 2.0 also has an updated media database allowing users to schedule media library scanning to occur with improved convenience.

Available in Seven Languages

Control4 OS 2.0 ships with support for seven languages: French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Ukranian and English. New languages can be added to the OS using the Control4 Language Development Kit. Support for new languages does not require a software update and new languages will continue to be added.

ZigBee Pro Standard

Control4 OS 2.0 implements industry standard ZigBee Pro technology, which allows interoperable devices to be added to the Control4 system. Zigbee Pro products include anything from thermostats, sensors, door locks, security systems and other sub control systems.

Take a look at the Control 4 OS 2.0 information video

Take a look at the Control 4 websiteSonos has announced that it plans to launch a wireless iPod and iPhone dock next month, making it even easier to stream your tunes from anywhere in your house.

The new Sonos iPod Dock

Sonos' new WD100 Wireless Dock will require you to have a Sonos multi-room music system already installed in your home to begin with. But it is a scalable solution only requiring one Zone Player to get you started.

Multi-room music streaming

Sonos is probably the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the home consumer market today.

A press release form Sonos states

“With the Sonos Wireless Dock you can now play all of the music stored on an iPod or iPhone in every room of the house.

Phil Abram, President, Sonos, Inc. adds: "The Sonos Wireless Dock is the perfect accessory for our music loving customers who own an iPod or iPhone and want to enjoy the music stored on them in any or every room of the home.

"This new dock reinforces our mission to provide our customers with access to all of the music on the planet, including everything available on an iPod and iPhone in the home."

The dock sends your iPod/iPhone tunes to Sonos ZonePlayers dotted around your home before converting the music to analogue "guaranteeing the best possible audio quality."

The docks should be available from us around October/November.

Check out the Sonos website

Exciting new products from URC

Universal Remote Control – URC have always been well regarded for there excellent range of AV and home control products such as touch screens, remote controls and keypads. They have announced the future release in the UK of around 14 new products including a really cool network enabled multi room audio solution consisting of the DMS 1200 Network Amplifier, the DMS 100 Network Room Amplifier and the SNP-1 network music streaming device which ties all your digital music around the home in to your URC music system, it also provides access through your system to the vast online content from subscription music sites and online radio stations

The system now allows you to have URC control devices around the home that streamline and control your TV and AV systems plus lighting, window treatments and multi room systems, all on the one interface using wireless or in wall wired touch screens.

Read more on the following links

DMS 1200 Network Amplifier

DMS 100 Network Room Amplifier

SNP – 1 Streaming Network Player

PSX – 2 Personal iPod Server

New Control Products

MS - 1200 Touch Screen Controller

MS – 780 Remote Control

Philips new In Wall Touch Screen

Philips Pronto further expands its control system range with an in-wall control panel to discreetly integrate into your architecture. Maybe not important to you, it supports Prontoscript modules which integrate with a huge, and continuously expanding, range of equipment. The benefit of this is that you have peace of mind with Philips, that it will continue to grow and support the latest products out there you wish to control around your home. The 2 way feedback provides the user with real time information about the system - room temperature, audio volume, lighting levels etc. The Pronto can communicate with devices over IP, IR and RS232 and can be powered over Ethernet. The 3.5" colour touch screen is fully customisable graphically and if you have an existing Philips control system with TSU9600 / TSU9800 wireless touch screens, the configurations can be converted for the TSW9500 pretty much automatically. There are multiple fascia options (firm keys included) and each one is re-paintable, assuring seamless design integration.

A touch of Elegance

3.5" colour LCD touch screen

Un-intrusive, sleek design

Exchangeable and re-paintable front plates

Ultimate convenience

5 freely programmable firm keys – Great for lightingh control or quick access to something

Easy installation with dedicated wall box

Ethernet connection and IR out port

Supports power over Ethernet (PoE)

Full support with existing Philips Pronto control systems

Take a look at the Philips Pronto website