http://www.hometheaterspot.comForum RSS Feeden-usFri, 23 Sep 2011 21:15:01 GMTFri, 23 Sep 2011 21:15:01 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssFusionBB 3.1 Final (www.fusionbb.com)http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146847http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146847


Logitech is releasing a new product that will turn users' iPads into Harmony remotes by Halloween. The Logitech Harmony Link is the company's newest Harmony remote product, but it's not a device you hold and manipulate to control your home theater. It's a wireless device that can connect to your iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone to let it function as a universal remote.

The Harmony Link is a disc-shaped device you place near your home theater to control all your devices. It functions as an infrared blaster, sending remote commands to your HDTV, Blu-ray player, set-top box, or compatible game console. The device itself can send infrared commands, and it comes with an infrared blaster so you can keep it in a cabinet with your other home theater devices and still send commands to your HDTV. It then connects to your Wi-Fi network, and can be controlled by any iOS device or Android smartphone through the Harmony Link app.

The Harmony Link app provides a remarkable amount of flexibility, especially for iPad users. The iPad version of the app features a program guide with schedule grid, letting users browse what's on TV through the iPad, just like their cable box. The program information will be provided by data from Rovi, and will not rely on your cable box.

All versions of the app can handle basic device commands and programmable macros to automatic activities like watching movies and playing video games, but they won't use the program guide. Still, the smartphone will effectively work just like a Logitech Harmony Remote, with all the controls and activities accessible through the touchscreen.

The Logitech Harmony Link will hit stores in October, and will retail for $99.99.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,23932 11,00.as... ]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:18:47 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146836http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146836CAGR of 16.1% p/a when compared with the 2011 figure of $16,888.27 million. Advanced technologies have transformed the home automation and control systems industry and internet use has expanded its potential, according to a new report available on companiesandmarkets.com.

Numerous products and technologies fall under the heading ‘home automation and control systems’, including lighting, security, access, HVAC, entertainment and outdoor.

Enhanced standards of living and convenience are cited as key reasons behind the growth of the home automation and control system market, which is forecast to grow rapidly over the reporting period of this research piece.

Widespread internet adoption and advancements in wireless technologies have also encouraged growth in the control systems market, as they allow users to control systems remotely and from great distances. Increased adoption of smartphones has also helped push the market, as they can be used in collaboration with the internet for monitoring and signalling purposes.

Another notable benefit exhibited by some home automation and control systems is energy reduction, particularly in terms of lighting.

The largest segment of the home automation market is entertainment controls, which includes audio/volume control, home theatres, keypads, multi-media room controls and touch screens.

Nearly thirty leading players in the home automation market are profiled within the report, including: ABB Ltd; AMX; Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd.; Cytech Technology Pte Ltd; Daintree Networks Inc.; Honeywell International Inc; Johnson Controls Inc; Legrand S.A.; Lutron Electronics Co. Inc; Royal Philips Electronics N.V.; Siemens Building Technologies AG; Synapse Wireless Inc and VITY Technology.

The global home automation and control systems research report, published in September 2011, contains 285 pages of insight into the market, including historical and forecast data for 2009-2016. The market is examined at length, with discussion of important influencing factors, key players and their technologies, trends, barriers/drivers for growth and future opportunities.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110920006 5... ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:22:05 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146788http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146788 ]]>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:09:22 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146748http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146748
Either way - these applications bring Crestron much more down to earth for many users. Still expensive and programer intensive compared to say Harmony but much more powerful and flexible and you can use YOUR controller be it an Andriod phone, Android tablet, iPad, iPhone etc...

-----

New Crestron App for Android™ Now Brings Total Home Control to Any Mobile Device

Crestron Mobile Pro® Apps Turn Apple® and Android™ Mobile Devices into Powerful Crestron Touch Screens, Enabling Complete Home Control from Anywhere in the World

Indianapolis, IN, September 8, 2011 – Crestron today announced that the Mobile Pro® G Control App for Android™, the latest addition to its popular Mobile Pro™ line, is now available. The Crestron control app turns any Android™ device into a fully functional Crestron touch screen, allowing homeowners to control lighting, thermostats, entertainment, security systems, and other connected systems from virtually anywhere, anytime. With the addition of the new Android™ app, Crestron expands its open platform even further, giving end users the versatility to control their homes however they want.

"Whether you own an Apple® or Android™ smartphone or tablet, there's a Crestron mobile control solution to accommodate you," said Crestron VP of Technology, Fred Bargetzi. "We're committed to keeping our customers on the cutting edge by offering the solutions that bring the latest, most popular technology into their lives. Our new App for Android™ is just the latest example of that commitment."

Mobile Pro® G delivers the enhanced lifestyle of cutting-edge home technology, enabling convenient control of all home systems from anywhere. Crestron's family of Mobile Pro® apps transforms Apple® and Android™ mobile devices, into powerful portable remote controls for Crestron and Prodigy® whole home automation systems. Homeowners can control multiple locations, such as a primary residence, vacation home, and office, from the single application. The intuitive graphical interface provides real-time status of room temperatures, audio volume and metadata including album, song and artist, shade positions and lighting levels.

Using the home Wi-Fi network locally or powerful cellular networks remotely, a virtual Crestron touch screen is always in the palm of your hand whether you're at home, in the office or traveling. Simply tap the screen on your iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ device to select movies, music and TV in any room, or adjust volume, light levels and room temperature. While enjoying the same look and feel on your mobile device, the graphical interface works just like a Crestron touch screen and delivers the same user experience. Crestron's open-standards platform also includes integration with MAC OSX®, iOS, Windows®, Adobe® Flash®, H.264 video and more.

"We continue to develop technology and provide convenience and flexibility to homeowners," added Bargetzi. "Our open platform supports a variety of standard operating systems so homeowners are familiar and get the same control from various devices such as a PC, MAC®, iPad®, Android™ and Crestron touch screens."

Available from the iTunes® App Store, Mobile Pro® G recently ranked #1 Top Grossing iPad Lifestyle App. and was the only industry iPad App to achieve Top 100 status in iTunes App Store "Top Grossing iPad Apps" category. The Mobile Pro® App for Android™ is available for easy download from the Google Apps Marketplace.

]]>Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:53:46 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146596http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146596http://www.logitech.com/en-us/349/7077?WT.ac=ps|37...

Its not just limited to Remotes. You Can trade in other stuff like Camcorders, keyboards and other "e-waste"

Here's what their site says...

Looking to upgrade your webcam to HD? Craving the latest gaming mouse to advance your game? Now you can trade in your old Logitech gear and save on a new mouse, keyboard or any other item from Logitech.com. Simply follow the instructions below and we'll send you a coupon code that will save you 20% off most items at Logitech.com and 25% off gaming keyboards, gaming mice and gaming headsets.*



How it works:
1. Click here or the icon below and select the item(s) you want to trade in
2. Enter your shipping information and print out your postage-paid return label from CeXchange
3. Receive your discount code for 20% - 25% off immediately - you can use it towards new products on Logitech.com*
4. Pack your old product and send it in.

------

Do you care to do a trade in or will you just dump the old stuff right in the trash?

Or do your old remotes just live on in infamy in your "remote drawer"

What say you?

j ]]>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:21:20 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146595http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146595
----


Here is some copy from the HomeTheaterReview.com Harmony 890 review...

The Harmony 890 is the workhorse of the Harmony line. While it's not the cheapest at $350, it's not the most expensive, either. It offers the best of everything with its numerous hard buttons and large color LCD display. Capable of controlling up to 15 different components and sporting a large LCD display that can have eight macros or accessory functions shown at once, this is the remote for bigger systems. The 890 uses the simple Harmony software, which is Mac and PC compatible, allowing anyone to quickly program the remote to control even the most complicated system. The included RF relay allows it to control components without a line of sight between them - they can even be in a different room - while the rechargeable lithium ion battery and charging dock keep the remote at the ready. Should you forget to dock the remote, don't worry. The battery keeps its charge for days when left out.

Additional Resources
• Read more remotes and system control reviews on HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Find an AV receiver to program into the Harmony 890.

Read more here...
http://hometheaterreview.com/harmony-890-universal ... ]]>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:18:37 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146594http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146594
----
Home theaters are becoming more and more complicated, and with each new component comes another remote. Trying to teach the less tech-savvy of the family to use all those black and silver bars properly is just not practical any more. A good universal remote is necessary. Harmony has been one of the companies at the forefront of consumer-level universal remotes for years now, for good reason. Harmony has built a solid following thanks to their wonderfully simple and flexible software that makes programming their remotes easy for even the least techno-savvy user.

http://hometheaterreview.com/harmony-one-universal ...
]]>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:11:36 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146592http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146592http://hometheaterreview.com/remotes-system-contro ...

Guys,

Check out the list of reviews over at HomeTheaterReview.com (the mothership) as we have a pretty comprehensive list of universal remotes reviewed.

This includes remote reviews from:
- Harmony
- RTI
- Pronto
- Crestron
- UEI
- And others

]]>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:07:36 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146250http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/146250Designer Handbags on the web coming from different on the web sites and also additionally they will don′t must head out everywhere regarding purchasing and so they will get the most effective package by simply sitting down with right now there very own properties simply in which also with very affordable costs. Hence they could acquire these kinds of Designer Handbags coming from right now there stored pants pocket funds simply and be accepted as the fashion diva inside the school. ]]>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:31:30 GMThttp://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/145696http://www.hometheaterspot.com/showtopic.php?tid/145696
http://www.amazon.com/RFS200-PowerPak-Bundl e-Maste...

Doesn't have PC programming capabilities, nor does it have preprogrammed codes for the latest bluray players. But I'm really enjoying the ease of use it provides and RF capability given the cost.

Mind you, I have an MRX-500 for my main system downstairs which I am having a hard time parting with, so I'm quite fond of how these work.

Bit of a pain in that you can't do workarounds for components that do not have discrete on and off commands (like pretty much all bluray players save the Oppos, all cable set top boxes).

But $77 for a very capable remote with RF base is a steal in my opinion. Had mine programmed in about 10 minutes and loving it.

STeve ]]>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:05:41 GMT