WALL-SMART Introduces Custom Solution for Lutron Pico Keypad

WALL-SMART recently introduced a custom solution for Lutron’s Pico keypad. Intended for installation during home construction, the design-friendly mount can be recessed into any wall material, including drywall and solid surfaces like concrete, wood, metal and marble. Once the mount has been installed into the wall, the Lutron Pico keypad inserts into it, where it […]

WALL-SMART Introduces Custom Solution for Lutron Pico Keypad

RTI Control Platform Now Works with Orro

RTI announced this week that the RTI control platform now works with Orro, integrating Orro’s lighting control into any home automated with RTI. With light, motion and sound sensing, along with smart switches, Orro’s adaptive lighting automatically adjusts based on homeowner presence and preferences. RTI also enables control and automation of Orro switches from within […]

RTI Control Platform Now Works with Orro

Crestron Intros Fully Tunable LED Light Fixtures to 
Support Improved Health and Wellness in the Home

Crestron has introduced new LED Light Fixtures created to meet the design, intelligence, elegance and customization that homeowners demand; the new fully tunable light fixtures add real-time personalized lighting control fit into the Crestron Home operating system.  Through the Crestron Home platform, users have full control of the color of their lights including hue, saturation, […]

Crestron Intros Fully Tunable LED Light Fixtures to 
Support Improved Health and Wellness in the Home

Legrand’s Building Control Systems Vantage EasyTouch Glass Keypad Station Ships

Legrand’s Building Control Systems (BCS) division has announced that the Vantage EasyTouch Glass modular keypad station is now shipping. EasyTouch Glass is a highly reflective, mirrored look with a tactile surface aesthetic. The keypad is available with up to five programmable buttons for different scenes — such as “welcome,” “away” or “party” — allowing users […]

Legrand’s Building Control Systems Vantage EasyTouch Glass Keypad Station Ships

Savant Partners With USAI Lighting for Daylight Mode

Savant has partnered with USAI Lighting to debut a feature called Daylight Mode, which can align lighting schemes to match the natural circadian progression based on time-of-day. Designed to promote healthy living, Daylight Mode can be personalized by each user to suit individual lifestyle and situational changes. Savant Daylight Mode is available now. Daylight Mode […]

Savant Partners With USAI Lighting for Daylight Mode

Comparing Wired and Wireless Lighting Control

By Andrew Jimenez Vice President of Technology, Anixter The commercial building lighting controls market is experiencing a period of rapid transformation. With commercial lighting technology making the shift from traditional fluorescent to LED lighting fixtures, legacy analog lighting controls are being replaced by more scalable and reliable digital controls that can operate over a wired […]

Comparing Wired and Wireless Lighting Control

Crestron Shipping Wireless Horizon EX Keypads and Dimmers

Crestron is shipping its wireless Horizon EX keypads and dimmers. Featuring matching dimmers and keypads, the new line of wall-box controllers provides a custom control solution as part of a complete Crestron smart home. Horizon EX universal dimmers have no minimum load requirement and can do LED dimming. Featuring what Crestron calls a “designer aesthetic,” […]

Crestron Shipping Wireless Horizon EX Keypads and Dimmers

URC Adds DMX Lighting Control for Up to 512 Channels and 255 Scenes

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 […]

URC Adds DMX Lighting Control for Up to 512 Channels and 255 Scenes

New Luxor Controller Offers Total App-Based Configuration and Calendar-Based Programming

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 […]

New Luxor Controller Offers Total App-Based Configuration and Calendar-Based Programming

CEDIA’s Keynote Speaker Has Plenty of Irony to Go Around

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 […]

CEDIA’s Keynote Speaker Has Plenty of Irony to Go Around

Legrand On-Q Lighting Control Adds Google Assistant Control

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,” […]

Legrand On-Q Lighting Control Adds Google Assistant Control

Pro Control Now Offers Z-Wave Control and Lighting Solutions

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 […]

Pro Control Now Offers Z-Wave Control and Lighting Solutions

New Crestron Zūm Is Aimed at App-Based Control Systems  

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 […]

New Crestron Zūm Is Aimed at App-Based Control Systems  

Control4 Expands Smart Lighting Line to Drive Retrofit Installs

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 […]

Control4 Expands Smart Lighting Line to Drive Retrofit Installs

ENTTEC Adds New Pixel Link to the Family

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 […]

ENTTEC Adds New Pixel Link to the Family

Lutron Ships Apple HomeKit Lighting and Shades in Serena and Sivoia QS Triathlon

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 […]

Lutron Ships Apple HomeKit Lighting and Shades in Serena and Sivoia QS Triathlon

FIBARO Adds Dimmer 2 Smart Lighting Device to Connected Home Ecosystem

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 […]

FIBARO Adds Dimmer 2 Smart Lighting Device to Connected Home Ecosystem

AMX Updates Massio Firmware to Add Switching

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 […]

AMX Updates Massio Firmware to Add Switching

A Story About Breadmakers — and Lutron’s Joel Spira

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). […]

A Story About Breadmakers — and Lutron’s Joel Spira

Crossing The Rimikon

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 […]

Crossing The Rimikon

GLP’s Scenex Lighting Launch New All in One Pixel LED Tape Driver Solutions

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 […]

GLP’s Scenex Lighting Launch New All in One Pixel LED Tape Driver Solutions

Lutron Extends its Family of Keypads, Dimmers and Accessories

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. […]

Lutron Extends its Family of Keypads, Dimmers and Accessories

Basalte’s Sentido Might be the Best Looking Light Switch, Ever

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 […]

Basalte’s Sentido Might be the Best Looking Light Switch, Ever

Lutron Intros Cloud Connected Device for RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS Systems

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 […]

Lutron Intros Cloud Connected Device for RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS Systems

Orvito Ships World’s First Wi-Fi Enabled Touch Smart Switch Panel

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 […]

Orvito Ships World’s First Wi-Fi Enabled Touch Smart Switch Panel

Misfit Bolt And The Shift In Lighting Control

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 […]

Misfit Bolt And The Shift In Lighting Control

Pro Control Announces New Z-Wave Lighting Control Solutions

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 […]

Pro Control Announces New Z-Wave Lighting Control Solutions

FX Luminaire Introduces the Luxor CUBE

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 […]

FX Luminaire Introduces the Luxor CUBE

Crestron Now Shipping Wireless, Battery-powered Photosensor

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 Now Shipping Wireless, Battery-powered Photosensor

Crestron’s New Commercial Lighting Control Plan

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 […]

Crestron’s New Commercial Lighting Control Plan

Building Automation 201: Campus Control in Three Steps

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 […]

Building Automation 201: Campus Control in Three Steps

Lighting Control and Automation — A Boon for AV Pros

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 […]

Lighting Control and Automation — A Boon for AV Pros