Pioneer introduces new AV Receivers and new Apple Apps

Pioneer introduces new AV Receivers and new Apple Apps 

Pioneer introduced four new audio video receivers today: the VSX-521 ($249), VSX-821 ($349), VSX-921 ($449) and VSX-1021 ($549). All of Pioneer's receivers come with a free USB/video cable for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that enables playback of audio, video and photos. The top of the line VSX-1021 though has new features like: Apple’s AirPlay, DLNA 1.5, Internet Radio, and compatibility with Pioneer's own custom apps: iControlAV2 and the Air Jam. AirPlay (which requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 4.2) allows users to listen to their iTunes music library through their home theater system and see the album art and song information on their TV. DLNA 1.5 enables streaming audio and control from compatible networked or portable devices. vTuner allows access to thousands of internet radio stations around the world. The new iControlAV2 App enables control of volume, bass, balance and room settings. When used with an iPad, all four controls are available on one screen. The app will also control any compatible Pioneer Blu-ray player. The Air Jam App when paired with the AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter, allows up to four devices to be paired with the receiver via Bluetooth. Each user can then cue songs to create a collective playlist. Each connected device will display the list of songs added by all users and the device each song will play from. The Air Jam App will also keep the list of songs from each session on each device for future purchase through the iTunes Store.

For more information:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer+Receivers 

To purchase Pioneer products:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Where-To-Buy

Keith Pereira

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AMX added to the GSA contract of Blue Tech

AMX has been just been added to the Government Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule 70 and NASA SEWP IV contract of systems integrator Blue Tech. This allows federal governments as well as the NASA SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement) GWAC (Government-Wide Acquisition Contract) to work closely with Blue Tech to obtain pre-approved IT and AV solutions from AMX. 

AMX was the first control manufacturer to pass the rigorous JITC Information Assurance (IA) Certification test administered by the DoD, which ensures that AMX control and switching equipment can operate to maximum benefit on the Defense Information Systems Networks (DISN) and remain secure. AMX has also earned the Certificate of Networthiness (CoN) from the U.S. Army for its Resource 

For more information about AMX’s government solutions: 

http://www.amx.com/markets/government/

Keith Pereira

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Apple announces iPad 2 and iOS 4.3

Apple announced the much anticipated iPad 2 today. The new tablet's design is 33 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the original version. The iPad 2 improves on the iPad by upgrading from the single core A4 processor running at 1Ghz to the new dual-core A5 processor. It also has a front-facing VGA camera for video chat and self portraits as well as a rear-facing camera that can shoot HD video at 720p. The iPad 2 will be available in black or white and 3G models will be compatible with both AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks. The iPad 2 will be available on March 11 in the US

To coincide with the announcement of the ipad 2 Apple has released iOS 4.3 which will include: faster Safari mobile browsing, iTunes Home Sharing, enhancements to AirPlay, and a personal hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone 4's cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.

For more information:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

http://www.apple.com/ios/

To purchase an Ipad 2:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/start?mco=OTY2ODA0NQ

Keith Pereira

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Crestron releases its new Core 3 OS controllers

Crestron releases its new Core 3 OS controllers.

Crestron has just released its new Core 3 OS controllers. These new controllers come in three variations, the MC3, PMC3, and the PMC3XP. The MC3 is Crestron’s new entry level controller. It is powered by a new IT based generation of processor architecture and operating system called Core 3 OS. Crestron describes Core OS 3 as: “real-time, preemptive multi-threaded/multitasking kernel; Transaction-Safe Extended FAT file system, which supports up to 10 simultaneously running programs”. This enables the new 3 series controllers to, among other things, process more information at a faster rate than the previous generation controllers. While 2 series controllers required an external gateway to communicate with infiNET EX wireless devices, the MC3 now has an integrated infiNET EX wireless gateway. This new controller is also fully compatible with Crestron’s extensive line of touch panels and handheld remotes. However, Crestron also offers a host of alternate ways to control the MC3. iPhones and iPads can be used as touch panels using the Crestron Mobile Pro control app (available from the iTunes store). Apple computers can control the MC3 using Crestron’s Xpanel. Web browsers can also be used to control the MC3 through the use of Crestron’s e-Control 2.  The MC3 can even be accessed outside of its home network by using the myCrestron Dynamic DNS service. The MC3 has a 128KB L2 cache,  256MB RAM, and 2GB Flash memory storage (expandable up to 1TB). Its connections include: one 10/100 Ethernet port, one Cresnet port, three USB 2.0 ports, two RS-232 ports, five infrared/serial output ports, one infrared/serial input port, one audio in port, one audio out port, one video out port (composite and component), two relay ports, and two contact/logic input sensing ports. It also has a built in IIS v.6.0 Web Server and is IPv6 ready. Best of all, despite all of the power of the MC3, it only consumes a very green 24 Volts of DC power.

The PMC3 is a version of the MC3 that interfaces with all remotes, touch panels, dimmers, switches, and devices from the Prodigy line. The PMC3 improves on the previous PMC2 model with its new Core 3 OS, a built in infiNET EX gateway, an extra USB 2.0 port and a set of audio and video ports. The RS232 connections have also been improved, the PMC3 now uses standard DB-9 connectors instead of terminal block style connectors. While the PMC2 was limited to one controller per system, the PMC3 now has support for multiple controllers in a single system. Each PMC3 can handle a maximum of 18 user interfaces, 24 lighting zones, and 100 wireless devices. However, should a system ever become large enough to present a challenge to a single PMC3, additional controllers may be added to distribute the load. The PMC3 is available alone or as part of a PAK, which are kits that include a PMC3, a Prodigy handheld remote or touch panel, STIRP IR emitters, a USB cable, and a power supply.

The PMC3-XP is essentially the same controller as the PMC3, with however one major difference. While the PMC3 can only interface with Prodigy devices, the PMC3-XP provides a “seemless bridge” between Prodigy and the rest of Crestron’s line of products. This controller would be ideal for a someone who would like to start with a Prodigy system today, but would like to have the option to expand the system to include Crestron devices in the future.  It is also an excellent solution for someone who owns an existing Prodigy system and would like to integrate Crestron devices into the system. It would only require upgrading from the existing Prodigy controller to a PMC3-XP.

Look for a review of these processors as soon as one becomes available.

For more information click here:

http://bit.ly/fRgsFf

If you are interested in purchasing Crestron products: 

www.crestron.com/salesreps or 1-800-237-2041

Keith Pereira

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Audio Video Invasion Outfits The G-Unit Offices With New Equipment

ENTER TO WIN A FREE IPAD! Visit our YouTube channel, link below, subscribe to our channel, "Like" the 50Cent video and you will be entered to win a FREE iPad! Promotion ends October 30th, winner will be contacted through their YouTube account. http://www.youtube.com/user/AudioVideoInvasion

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Customers are going crazy over the IPad

Customers are going crazy over the IPad.

And custom integrators like AVI are getting excited at the prospect of selling these highly functional, affordable, and sleek touch panels to homeowners looking for a stable wireless control interface.

It's pretty much getting to the point that we are selling our last dedicated portable touchscreens. In the near future, all of our wireless touch pads should be IPads. They are much less expensive and much more stable. The Apple IPad integrates seamlessly with any Control4 project.

What's so cool about the IPad?
1- Screen, The high-resolution, 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS display on IPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. Which makes it perfect for web browsing, watching movies, or viewing photos. With IPad, there is no up or down. It’s designed to show off your content in portrait or landscape orientation with every turn. And because it uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide, 178° viewing angle. So you can hold it almost any way you want and still get a brilliant picture, with excellent color and contrast. Next is the multi-touch function. The Multi-Touch screen on IPad is based on the same revolutionary technology on IPhone. But the technology has been completely re engineered for the larger IPad surface, making it extremely precise and responsive. So whether you’re zooming in on a map, flicking through your photos, or deleting an email, IPad responds with incredible accuracy. And it does just what you want it to.

2- Size One of the first things you’ll notice about IPad is how thin and light it is. The screen is 9.7 inches measured diagonally. So overall, it’s slightly smaller than a magazine. At just 1.5 pounds and 0.5 inch thin, you can use it anywhere. And a slight curve to the back makes it easy to pick up and comfortable to hold. To maximize battery life, Apple engineers took the same lithium-polymer battery technology they developed for Mac notebook computers and applied it to the IPad. As a result, you can use IPad for up to 10 hours while surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos, or listening to music. While surfing the web on a 3G data network, you can get up to 9 hours of battery life. Lastly is the connectivity. With built-in 802.11n, IPad takes advantage of the fastest Wi-Fi networks. It automatically locates available Wi-Fi networks, which you can join with a few taps. iPad also comes with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, letting you connect to devices like wireless headphones or the Apple Wireless Keyboard.
The company Savant has followed up the hoopla with another big announcement: the first in-wall IPad dock. Savant's in-wall cradle aims to take IPad adoption to the next level as these amazing devices become part of a home's décor that will replace a more expensive dedicated in-wall touch panel.

The IPad can add an exciting element to your integrated home. For more information on how you can add an IPad to your system call AVI 516-345-2636
Written by Dustin Traina Senior Programmer @ AVI

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Difference between Crestron and Control4

History of the Industry
The industry started evolving rapidly back in the eighties. Two Control companies (Crestron and AMX) were the dominant players in the control industry back then. I say control because this what its all about. The reason that we are talking today and companies like ours exist is because of one primary industry feature. That is control or in other words feedback. Being able to see information that relates to what the components are doing whether they are an FM Tuner, a dimmer, a thermostat, an alarm system etc. and be able to manipulate the state of those devices based on the information that we are receiving on an interface (Touch-screen or remote) is what this industry was built on. Granted, audio distribution throughout the house also evolved and remote technologies in general but without control there would simply not be any reason for you to have speakers throughout your home if you could not access the music and send it to those locations independently with independent control within those areas.

So back in the day Crestron and AMX developed an interface. A touch-screen that via a graphic user interface (GUI) was able to relate information to a main controller that had on board relays and IR ports and Serial ports etc. the foundation of control. Since windows were not around back then, the programming was performed via a programming language called C++. Multiple pages of code had to be written for people to lower a projector in a board room back then but you can imagine the impact this had in the industry.

Other companies followed and developed their own interfaces but none of them was based on C++ and were much less expensive and complicated in comparison to those two primary companies. The industry moved forward with Crestron and AMX catering to the very affluent people that could afford that unique system design and interface and they got much more involved in Lighting Control and climate control and shade control etc. The ability that the programmers had to create their own unique interfaces moved these two companies to an area that they were all alone with no real competition. Of course I also want to mention that this was a very costly system that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in a lot of cases. In the 90s a company called Elan became a lot more active in this field. Elan was an audio company that used to make amplifiers, tuners, volume controls etc. and that developed a windows based program for their interface which was a touch screen called Via!. A revolutionary interface that was able to do almost everything a Crestron or AMX interface could. The main exception was that the graphics on this touch-screen were not as customizable as the other two companies. But because Elan was primarily an audio company they developed in house their own amplifiers, switchers, controllers, FM Tuners etc. which gave them an edge and enabled people to own Crestron/AMX similar systems for a lot less.

If you ask me personally, I say that this was the beginning of it all. Value came in to play in this industry. Elan could do lighting control, climate control, shade control anything pretty much that a Crestron system or AMX system could do with the only exception… Custom graphics. And of course people still spent a lot more money to have Crestron or AMX two products that because they happened to begin their evolution early and in the right field they were sold by the companies that sold them as the Best.

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History of Control 4

In 2004 a company was being developed. Their mission was to utilize the IP revolution which had started pretty much right after the year 2002 and make this product affordable and simple to use. Their goal was to have a product that runs on its own IP network. A product that its platform would be so open and un-restrictive that it could be scaled. A product that would not be utilizing external devices made by other companies for anything from lighting to climate to AV. That company is Control 4.

You have to remember that companies such as Crestron, Amx and Elan used external company components to achieve a complete system. For example Crestron built their own touch-screens and controllers but installers had to sell Lutron for lighting, Sonance or Niles for amplification, Key Digital or Autopatch for audio video switchers and Aprilaire smart thermostats for climate control. As a matter of fact up until last year Crestron remote controls were not made by Crestron themselves but by a company called URC. The same remote that you could buy from a URC dealer for $500 you had to spend $1000 for that remote control to carry the Crestron Logo and it still did not provide the user with Feedback on it (feedback is to be able to see what preset station the tuner is at or which mp3 you are listening to). What I am saying is that Crestron basically subbed out everything except the one thing that they were best at. Which is Interfaces (Touch-screens). Pretty similar path had AMX with the main exception that AMX purchased companies and further developed their product lines to match their systems. Elan even though it had all the AV and control equipment designed and built they were lacking in the feed back aspect of the their systems because they could not fully control internal or external components with a “pretty” interface (primitive looking graphics).

Control 4 in the other hand, designed and developed their own lighting devices, their own thermostats and their own complete line of audio visual components. Everything from audio switchers to 3 revolutionary IP based digital amplifiers to remote controls, touch-screens etc. But the most important thing that Control 4 did from the start in my opinion is the Graphic user interface on the TV's themselves. No other company had ever thought of the simplicity that this brings to the homeowner, their wife, children, parents etc. Control 4 aimed for simplicity. The same intuitive interface to follow you around the house whether you are holding a hand held remote control or a touch-screen, or an I-PAD or simply look at your TV set and navigate through its simple menu.

I am sure that I am boring you at this point but what I am explaining is that just like Crestron and AMX paved the way in our industry and carried it forward for 20 years, the same exact way Control 4 re-invented our industry and is now paving the way for the next 30. There is nothing that this system cannot perform within a very reasonable scalable budget and with the simplicity that enables the user to not have to worry about what to press and which sub-menu to enter but it just lets them enjoy it every day easy.

BY: Panos Anassis

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