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In The News |
In The News
November 2005 When today’s homeowners settle down in front of the TV for a relaxing evening, they’ve got an incredible array of media choices: satellite and cable services for HDTV and standard definition programming; an ever-growing catalog of new and vintage DVD titles; just-recorded programs stored on digital recorders like TiVo; and probably even a few old VHS tapes made years ago, with early episodes of shows like “ER” and “Friends.” But here’s the rub: to get to the programs that people want, they’ve first got to navigate their way successfully through the buttons (and the confusion) of multiple remote-controls—which also clutter up their living space. In many cases, the pile of remotes will even include a third-party, “all-in-one” remote that was purchased with the idea that it would be able to run every component of the home-entertainment system—except that nobody could ever manage to program the thing. With some recent advances in wireless device-control technologies, it’s finally becoming easy and affordable to integrate all the individual components of a home-entertainment system into a seamlessly coordinated unit. The system can then be controlled at the push of a single button on a remote control, or by tapping the icons on a touchscreen interface. The home theaters in custom-built mansions have long offered amenities like one-button system operation and the ability to control and dim the room’s lighting—but innovative manufacturers like Control4 are now making these capabilities available and affordable for middle-class homeowners. The Control4 Home Theater Controller makes it easy to add intelligent control to just about any home-theater system—and get rid of the remote controls that are cluttering up your coffee table. The Control4 unit offers easy navigation and control of the entire entertainment system through its vivid on-screen display and a user-friendly remote control. While an easy-to-use, all-in-one remote control is the dream of many home-theater aficionados, the system can also be run through a touchscreen unit with a 10.5 inch color LCD screen. Besides being incredibly cool, the touchscreen is ideal for technology novices, since its friendly on-screen icons offer one-touch access to all the media types on the system. Tapping icon choices like “Watch TV” or “Watch DVD” will turn on and run all of the system components that are needed—and it can even dim the room lamps and overhead lights. The Control4 system also includes multi-zone audio capabilities, allowing it to send multiple streams of music to rooms throughout your home—and even outdoors. But it doesn’t stop there. The Home Theater Controller is the basis for a complete home-automation system. It’s a sophisticated yet simple-to-use platform that can coordinate and control systems throughout your property, including indoor and outdoor lighting, security systems, thermostats, motorized blinds, sprinklers and other home electronics. The installation process is a simple one, and the system is designed for easy integration and control of additional components, since new home-entertainment technologies are constantly hitting the market. As you make your holiday shopping list this year, think about adding home-theater control, to simplify your lifestyle—and make it even easier to enjoy a great evening of entertainment, right in the comfort of your home.### Dwight Branco is a founder and principal of Hood Branco Innovations, which has a design center in Grass Valley and is opening a showroom in Rocklin this fall. For more information, email Dwight@hb-innovations.com, or contact HBI by phone at 530.273.2600 or 916.601.9189. Reprinted with permission from "House to Home," November 2005. News ArchiveSelecting The Perfect Flat-Panel Displays For Your Home
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