Audio Authority announced an app for mobile devices that controls the SonaFlex SF-16M Matrix Amplifier. It uses SonaFlex’s zone control feature for quick source selection and volume control over a Wi-Fi network. Users can also adjust bass and treble, turn on loudness, and mute each zone. Right now the beta version for Android phones and […]

In Part 1 I explained that I’ve previously written blogs capturing Twitter and Facebook moments at InfoComm 2015, InfoComm Connections in NYC and other trade shows. This time I decided to do a “4000 mile” social media view of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Amsterdam – the AV industry’s largest trade show event which takes place […]

Today, Control4 announced the acquisition of Pakedge Device & Software, Inc., a network switch and routing company that was like the Cisco of AV networking as they’ve focused on HomeAV and ProAV IT infrastructure. Why Pakedge? Market Dynamics:  Networks are the foundation of everything connected, but most home networks today are not fully ready for […]

Greenlight Control is now offering Control4 integration with Greenlight — a cloud-based service that allows integrators to remotely monitor and support their clients AV control systems from anywhere in the world. The Control4 driver, developed by Australia-based software solutions provider My Device, enables dealers to easily add Greenlight to any Control4 project. Dealers with Greenlight-enabled […]

Control4 Corporation today announced that Pandora, Deezer and TIDAL are now automatically available as part of Control4 HC-250 and HC-800 systems, without requiring additional streaming devices or software. With Control4’s latest software release, OS 2.8, Control4 natively integrates Pandora. Control4 also welcomed two more audio-streaming services to its lineup: Deezer, a worldwide digital music streaming service available in over 180 countries; […]

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. The new Google OnHub looks, well, almost identical to the Amazon Echo — both are cylindrical towers. Google’s is a Wi-Fi hub that’s designed to be a central controller for everything Google-owned or “approved” that can keep you entertained through your TV (or Android phone […]

Control4 Corporation has introduced a line of 4K Ultra HD matrix switchers (designed by leaf) that they are specifying as fully HDCP 2.2 compliant. Available for order today, the new line of Control4 4K UHD Matrix Switches claims to provide the ability to distribute 4K content, including copy-protected content, to every room in the Control4 […]

Control4 this month introduced a new Associate Installer online training program to certify entry-level technicians as a first step in their career development in automation installation, programming and design. Control4’s network of independent authorized dealers can leverage this free online Associate Installer Certification curriculum to train employees on basic installation skills utilizing Control4 Composer Express, […]

Fusion Research announced that it has developed a method for Amazon Fire TV IP control and produced two-way IP drivers for Control4, RTI and URC automation systems. Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are two of the fastest growing products in the video streaming category. Amazon Prime users get free access to original Amazon […]

Fusion Research has announced the release of a new driver for its Ovation products. This driver takes advantage of the new Listen features available in the Control4 OS 2.6 software including the ability to place streaming apps directly on the ‘Listen’ home page of a Control4 system. Search, favorites (stations, playlists, etc.) and Pandora thumbs […]

Control4 is shipping its new Composer Express, a mobile configuration tool that enables Control4 dealers to supposedly simplify and accelerate the set-up process for home automation systems. According to Control4, a technician should be able to configure most one-room home theaters quicker, or set up hundreds of devices in the most complex whole-home installations in […]

Control4 Hospitality OS 2.5.3 adds support for the company’s Wireless Music Bridge, which allows guests to stream music from their smartphones, tablets, or other portable devices via Bluetooth. Wireless Music Bridge gives listeners access to their private music libraries as well as streaming music from services like Pandora, Spotify, and Rdio. This seamless solution does […]

Control4’s long-time Chairman (10 years) and co-founder, Will West, resigned last Monday — two days before Christmas. Will, who was the company’s chairman of the board of directors and its chief strategy officer, made a ton of money with Control4. No other company in our industry has been so perfectly groomed for an IPO — […]

Add Crestron, Vantage, Savant, AMX and Control4 to the list of control companies who’ve adopted Middle Atlantic’s RackLink power management modules. These and other partners such as RTI, Aurora, URC, Key Digital and ihiji have already chosen RackLink because the system’s open architecture facilitates integration into virtually any control system or management platform. The RackLink […]

SurgeX has announced that the Axess SX-AX15, Axess Elite SX-AX15E and Axess Ready SA-82-AR are now Control4 Certified. The Axess line is an IP-addressable, surge eliminating, power conditioning and management system that allows monitoring and control of power distribution platforms via the Internet 24/7. Integrators can remotely customize, synthesize and monitor individual outlets and power […]

Control4 launched a new line of wireless lighting control products today that are controllable from the Control4 MyHome app on a mobile device. Control4 integrates lighting control with other automation functions to create “scenes” which enhance convenience and safety for customers. Some of the more popular uses include: a “Home” scene that creates a lighting path from the entry […]

Control4 announced this week a new update to its operating system, along with enhancements to the company’s HC-800 and HC-250 Controllers. With the launch of the new Control4 OS 2.4, Control4 delivers enhanced functionality for Control4 4Sight Service, enabling 3G/4G connectivity to the customer’s system via their iOS or Android mobile device. Control4 OS 2.4 […]

ihiji announced this month that its products are now available through Control4 Online Ordering. Online Ordering allows Control4 dealers to put Control4, ihiji and other third-party partner products on the same purchase order, which simplifies sourcing, shipment and back-end accounting processes. ihiji offers 24/7/365 remote network monitoring and support services to AV integrators. Through a […]

Eragy has introduced a new suite of energy monitoring and management Apps specifically aimed at Control4 integrators because they offer energy monitoring of any of their control systems. These include: Eragy Energy LITE: A new $49 App that works in tandem with a TED 5000, eGauge, or BLI power sensor and requires the Eragy Energy […]

Control4 just started shipping its HC-250 Controller, a small one-room-only control system. Using a 1GHz processor, the HC-250 uses Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity and fits easily behind a TV, on a shelf or in a rack. It allows users to browse very large media libraries, activate lighting control, and control an entire home from […]

Control4 has announced that the Control4 HC-800 controller, which the company is calling its new flagship controller, and Control4 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera are now shipping. The HC-800 has a multi-zone design that uses a 1.8GHz dual-core processor for what Control4 says is instantaneous, interactive on-screen control and browsing of even the largest […]

Control4 showed new video intercom solutions at CES today, which include the Control4 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera, the Control4 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera and the Control4 Door Station. This new video intercom product family provides an integrated camera (H.264) with integrated speakers and dual microphones utilizing beam forming and wideband audio […]

Control4 added two new models to its family of automation controllers: the new flagship HC-800 and the versatile HC-250 aimed at small business and home applications. The new HC-800 includes a 1.8GHz high-performance dual-core processor, has interactive on-screen control, is housed in a 1RU enclosure, plus has two RS232 ports, six IR ports and four […]

You probably sensed this was coming: a successful home automation specialist that positions itself as “affordable IP-based control and entertainment systems,” Control4 is now introducing a full line of ProAV hardware and software solutions via a new company called Control4 Commercial Systems. With its standards-based open platform, Control4 wants to provide ProAV installers with what […]

Control4 and APOGEE Interactive announced a strategic relationship at CES to incorporate Apogee’s energy analysis software into the Control4 home area network solution, the Energy Management System 100. By analyzing and presenting the data gathered by the Energy Management System 100 in an easy-to-understand interface and linking that with control over home devices, consumers can […]

A full two-way Control4 driver for AppleTV is now available from little known firm Extra Vegetables.  iTunes is the leading computer-based music server client and by providing a two-way interface with an Apple TV connected to an iTunes account (via Control4), this is now possible. Music stored in iTunes can now be selected directly on […]

In an interesting product teaming, Control4 and a company called GridPoint have joined forces to allow for energy management and monitoring in the home via Control4’s Home Energy Manager software.   The recently announced Control4 Home Energy Manager will provide consumers with the ability to easily control their lighting, thermostat, sprinklers, electronic shut-offs and other features […]