Pushing further into ProAV control, URC has announced the integration of Total Control 2.0 with automated lighting systems using the DMX protocol. The new DMX module, available to all authorized Total Control dealers on URC’s dealer portal, allows for two-way control of DMX-based lighting systems from a URC Total Control user interface. Additionally, authorized URC […]
In addition to including zoning, dimming and color into a single controller, Luxor can now create up to 40 distinct themes and includes calendar-based programming, timed sunrise and sunset offsets and dual 15V outputs. The new Luxor app provides total cloud-based remote system control as well as the ability to set schedules directly from a […]
There’s no doubt that Amazon’s Sarah Zenz will be one of the best keynote speakers CEDIA has ever heard. She’s one of the smartest people at AMAZON, she’s an amazing speaker and she was a kick-ass product manager. But, in a doubly-irony, she’s been asked, by the ALL-MALE CEDIA board to address the attendees who […]
Legrand announced that its radiant RF (radio frequency) Lighting Control and adorn Wi-Fi Ready Lighting systems now work with the Google Assistant for seamless voice control. Owners of these systems can now power and dim lights through devices enabled by the Google Assistant, such as Google Home, simply by saying phrases like, “OK Google, turn on the porch light,” […]
Pro Control today announced it is now shipping its all-new Z-Wave solutions. The Pro.zwi Z-Wave interface module utilizes Z-Wave RF technology to enable what the company says is simple and cost-effective monitoring and control of Z-Wave-enabled systems and devices via a Pro Control system. The new solutions include a line of switches and modules to enable users to manage lighting elements both […]
Crestron announced today it is now shipping Zūm (pronounced “ZOOM”), an app-based (uses a network bridge, instead of a controller) lighting controller. Crestron says the “building block” devices (wireless dimmers, switches, sensors, etc.) needed for dimming and automation work together wirelessly and you set it up on the keypad, dimmer, or mobile app itself. Scaling from standalone systems […]
Control4 has added new a Square Dual Load Wireless Dimmer and Square Dual Load Wireless Switch to expand its award-winning smart lighting line, enabling dealers to leverage the ZigBee wireless lighting solution for all projects, existing and new construction. Control4 Square Dual Load Wireless Lighting is a cost-effective and smart solution for split-load applications to […]
The newest product in the ENTTEC LED driver line is the PLink CVC3; this compact unit gives designers the option of working with both pixel controlled LEDs and standard LEDs, particularly LED tape. The CVC3 can be used to control three dimmable channels of RGB LED tape, or three individual single color LED strips. The […]
The affordably priced Caséta Wireless smart home system from Lutron Electronics provides control of lights, shades and temperature anytime, anywhere. This month, the company announced the ability to control Lutron shades using its HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge. In 2015, Lutron released one of the world’s first Apple HomeKit-enabled products – its Caséta Wireless Smart […]
FIBARO has introduced the Dimmer 2, a light module able to control, switch and dim lights. Dimmer 2 gives consumers the ability to add enhanced smart features with a behind the scenes module to any light switch without sacrificing aesthetic or design. A Z-Wave Plus certified device, Dimmer 2’s specially designed algorithm allows it to automatically recognize the […]
HARMAN’s AMX Massio ControlPads now have new NetLinx programming capability that include the ability to integrate any controllable switching product. Combining a wall- or lectern-mounted keypad, with the device and room control capabilities of a central controller, Massio is a control interface for meeting room and classrooms that’s available in six-button and eight-button configurations and Massio ControlPads each […]
LUTRON is the defacto-standard lighting control company in the AV market. Think lighting control, you think LUTRON. LUTRON lost its leader of 54 years when Joel Spira passed away on April 8, 2015. I had the pleasure of consulting for LUTRON and not only meeting Joel, but also working with him (indirectly, I will admit). […]
Slowly but surely, we’re moving towards the future of lighting. In January of 2014, Canada legislated to ban 75- and 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. Then in January of 2015 40- and 60-watt incandescent bulbs were outlawed. Businesses are still allowed to sell through their existing inventory, which is why 40- and 60-watt bulbs are still […]
Scenex Lighting from GLP US has launched two new combined driver/PSU solutions for controlling the wide variety of LED pixel tape on the market. The PP4 and PP16 boxes are all in one solutions for controlling LED pixel tape and pixel strings. The PP4 LED driver box features a rugged low profile 1U case with […]
Lutron Electronics today announced several expansions to its lighting control systems. Palladium keypad: The design of the Palladiom keypad ties into the HomeWorks QS system, bringing total lighting control of the HomeWorks QS system. The Palladiom keypad is the first of its kind to feature buttons and faceplates made of the same material – plastic, glass or metal – for a coordinated aesthetic. […]
Sentido is an elegant keypad with a European design that we think is the best looking light switch ever. This touch-sensitive light switch integrates with Lutron Homeworks QS and uses metal finishes in combination with the advanced touch technology offer a haptic experience. The square-shaped light switch is divided into two or four equal surfaces, each […]
Lutron Electronics today announced that its RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS systems will use the cloud-based Lutron Connect Bridge hardware and the new a Lutron Connect App. This will add features to any RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS home like AppleWatch notification, Geofencing, HomeGlance dashboard for mobile devices, support for Apple and Android Widgets, Nest and Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat support and free remote access to the […]
Orvito is shipping its first Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Switch Panel. The Orvito Smart Switch Panel allows control of all electrical home appliances from anywhere. And, like any control system, it allows for triggering presets, sensing motion and optimizing energy consumption. The Orvito Smart Switch Panel uses Wi-Fi and is retrofittable into existing electrical switch outlets. Orbit says its products require no additional […]
Everything changes. That’s neither a good thing, nor a bad thing; it just is. Mostly I think of it as a good thing. Sure, old, reliable, profitable categories are superseded by strange new ones, but those scenarios have upsides too. Don’t forget how often new product appear that are exactly what you needed on a […]
Pro Control recently introduced an all-new line of Z-Wave lighting control solutions. The new Pro Control lighting control solutions utilize Z-Wave RF technology, creating a wireless network that integrates with Pro Control’s home automation systems via the Pro.zwi Z-Wave interface module. Designed for both new construction and retrofit installations, the product line consists of light […]
FX Luminaire just launched its new new Luxor CUBE, a hardwired module that allows the Luxor controller to zone and dim other brands of low voltage and line voltage light fixtures. In addition to controlling carriage, entry pillar, and holiday or bistro lights, the CUBE even allows control of water feature pumps, automatic gates, and […]
Crestron announced today it is now shipping a new battery-powered photosensor with infiNET EX wireless technology (GLS-LDL-EX-BATT). This dual-loop photosensor provides superior natural light sensing and indoor light control for daylight harvesting applications. Two internal photocells — one for open-loop daylight sensing and one for closed-loop ambient light sensing — effectively cut costs in residential, […]
Crestron is changing the way lighting control systems are designed, specified, and installed with the new SpaceBuilder design-based solutions. Crestron says its SpaceBuilder is the fastest way to design, install and start up commercial lighting controls for any size building or system. According to Crestron, the advantages of a SpaceBuilder system include: Faster quotes Faster […]
Campus environments are a special animal when it comes to automation. While they sometimes behave like one large building, that is where the similarities end and automation becomes a challenge to all but the most skilled in the automation trade. An educational campus, office park or any other gathering of buildings under single administration creates […]
When people think of automation, they tend to still think in terms of AV control: TV on, volume up, channel selected, etc. Oddly, despite the fact that control of shades and lighting is, in my opinion, the essence of automation, it remains semi-forgotten. It’s probably a disservice to say that. Plenty of vendors have offered […]
Parking Decks are likely one of the last buildings you think of when considering building automation, but they are a prime opportunity for Iintelligent use of automation for enhanced safety, energy conservation and light harvesting. This is what you should be considering when you build your next parking deck: Green – Light Harvesting Lamp Dimming Solar […]
Crestron’s new universal dimmer modules (CLX-1DIMU4 and CLX-2DIMU8) that are designed to provide 4 or 8 channels of universal dimming for LED, electronic and magnetic low-voltage, incandescent, and 2-wire dimmable fluorescent lighting loads are now shipping. They include forward and reverse phase dimming as well. The universal dimmer modules eliminate the need to spec different […]
Very few buildings even today are intelligently automated, and the few that do are the large showcase projects. Are you building new office space, or perhaps refreshing a couple floors at a time of your current space? If yes, take two minutes to let me share experiences of 30+ years in automation and I will […]
At ISE, Visual Productions will be exhibiting their range of lighting control software for Mac, PC and Linux and solid-state hardware controllers including the CueCore and Cuety iPad lighting control system. According to Visual Productions, Cuety is a new generation lighting controller that turns an iPad into a lighting console. The Cuety LPU-1 controller is […]
A customer with a large aquatic center asked us to look into a better way to manage lighting, and offer a solution for reducing damage from rambunctious children to the existing low voltage light switches. The building already had an existing high end Crestron Lighting Control System, but in this case it was not being […]
Wikipedia: The light-emitting diode (LED) began appearing as practical electronic components in 1962 in IR and Red. The first high-brightness blue LED was demonstrated in 1994 and within a couple years the first White LED (combined Red, Green and Blue LEDs) was demonstrated. The use of LED lamps in commercial applications continues to grow with every project […]
Foreword: My youngest daughter attends a new public charter where I volunteer more time than I can afford as the “Technology Guy.” The students were issued on day one Chromebooks and Kindles, and they do very limited work with paper of any sort. I worried would all the technology and apps come together, but recently she commented […]
