Remote Shoppe is dedicated to Remote Controls

Our friends at GUIFX have a very informative e-mail newsletter that we're happy to share with you here at Remote Shoppe.

Ozone Icon Set
The Ozone Icon Set is a gorgeous photo-realistic set that provides you with a large variety of room and location icons for use in your projects. Great touchable targets for larger fingers and adds color and visual cues for ease of use.

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AMX 430/435 (Free Template)
Oasis for AMX's NXD-430/435 is now free, giving you a taste of what it's like to work with Guifx and Oasis. We've also updated the entire Oasis for AMX line (refined graphics, improved UI, 200 quick-key icons). These updates are available immediately to existing licensees from your Guifx account.

New Niles Audio IR Sensors are compatible with emerging high data rate IR code formats; Proprietary Universal Noise Suppression eliminates IR interference, providing reliable control in any environment

– Niles Audio Corporation, The First Name in Custom Installation®, has introduced the custom electronics industry’s first High Fidelity Wideband IR Sensor line. Niles’ new IR Sensors utilize high fidelity wideband amplification to ensure compatibility with virtually all current and emerging IR code formats, including the new Philips RCMM code structure. These new IR Sensors are designed to optimally amplify and carefully preserve IR signal integrity. This unique sensor design is able to pass the low duty-cycle, high data rate IR signals found in many new source components, such as HD cable boxes and satellite receivers. Paired with Niles’ patent-pending Universal Noise Suppression technology, which implements more than 10 different methodologies to ensure effective and reliable operation in a multitude of “noisy” environments, Niles IR Sensors offer professional systems integrators a universally capable IR sensor solution for any application.

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Advanced Software Application Enables Homeowners to Access Control4® Systems via Handheld Devices. Control4 Intros iPod Dock.

Control4, the leader in affordable IP-based home control and entertainment systems, has announced the release of two new products compatible with virtually any iPod or iPhone. Control4, in collaboration with Control UI, has developed a new iPhone or iPod Touch application to provide users with full access to the Control4® home automation system via these handheld devices. In addition, the company’s Control4® Dock for iPod now enables music and videos on the iPod to be integrated into the Control4® system.

Control4® iPhone and iPod Touch Software Application
The My House UI for Control4 application was developed by Control UI, an authorized Control4 development partner. By downloading the application to an iPhone or iPod, users will have the option to control the Control4 system from their iPhone or iPod Touch within the home. The hand-held interface is the same as on the Control4® family of touch panels and on-screen interfaces, making navigation simple and familiar. Users will have complete access to any aspect of the system including security, temperature control, multi-room music and home theater control, smart lighting and more.

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Home Entertainment Magazine takes a look at the Universal Remote Control MX-6000 touchscreen remote paired with the MX-350 RF extender and PSX-2 iPod dock. Needless to say, they were quite impressed with the capability of this top of the line remote from URC.

It should be said that the average consumer will not have the same access to training and programming software as the reviewer since the MX-6000 is part of the URC Complete Control System designed exclusively for professional installers. If you want to take advantage of the full power of the remote, and have support from the manufacturer, we suggest you contact a local installer in your area.

Click here to read the complete review from Home Entertainment magazine

The first remote control to utilize haptic technology, the MX-5000 confirms touch screen button presses with a click the user feels.

Universal Remote Control®, Inc. (URC), the pioneer in control technology, today unveiled the MX-5000, a wand-style two-way color touch screen remote control designed to serve as the primary user interface for a networked commercial or residential A/V installation.

URC, which has provided tens of millions of remote controls to consumers, residential custom installers and subscription cable customers, as well as consumer electronics manufacturers through its substantial OEM business, is officially entering the commercial market at InfoComm 09. Its solution-focused approach will address various installation scenarios in relatively inexpensive and more easily programmable ways than current solutions do.

The MX-5000 particularly excels as a solution for public speakers in boardrooms, auditoriums and other places where the speaker's attention should be focused on the audience as opposed to the A/V equipment. In addition to the keypads commonly found in boardrooms, the MX-5000 enables commercial pros to provide speakers with a fully portable, one-hand remote that can be used from a podium, conference table or other location. As the first remote control to offer haptic technology, the MX-5000 confirms each touch screen button-push with a tactile vibration that the user feels; users can confirm operation without looking at the remote, so they can more easily maintain eye contact with the audience. Every surface, contour and button of the MX-5000, as well as its screen size, has been designed to "feel right" when used with one hand.

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The MX-880z remote and the MRZ-260 base station comprise a complete system designed to eliminate RF collisions caused by simultaneous button presses in installations with many users in range of each other.

Universal Remote Control®, Inc. (URC), the pioneer in control technology, today introduced its first ZigBee products. The MX-880z is a wand-style ZigBee RF (radio frequency) and IR (infrared) hard-button remote control with a two-inch color LCD screen, while its companion piece, the MRZ-260, is a ZigBee RF-to-IR base station. To further reinforce its commitment to ZigBee technology, URC also announced today that it has joined the ZigBee Alliance, an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked monitoring and control products based on an open global standard.

URC, which has provided tens of millions of remote controls to consumers, residential custom installers and subscription cable customers, as well as consumer electronics manufacturers through its substantial OEM business, is officially entering the commercial market at InfoComm 09. Its solution-focused approach will address various installation scenarios in relatively inexpensive and more easily programmable ways than current solutions do. When used in tandem, the MX-880z and MRZ-260 epitomize this problem-solving philosophy by eliminating RF collision, which is a troublesome issue in hotels, apartments, condominiums and other urban environments where multiple RF remotes are used in close proximity.

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RemoteShoppe.com was invited to attend an RTI Press Webinar “Introduction to Two-Way Communications.” Pete Baker, RTI Vice President of Sales & Marketing, lead the presentation discussing a new level of control offered in RTI’s products.

Two-way communications allows for metadata to be displayed on compatible RTI In-wall and Handheld contol products and allows the control system to display instant feedback such as realtime status from music servers, audio receivers, lighting systems, thermostats and more.

All RTI In-Wall products are equipped with an RS-485 port which can be used as a communication path for two way control. Firmware updates will be available in stages for RTI’s in-wall controllers to support the 2 way communication. These firmware updates will be released for the color In-wall controllers first and then the other devices will follow. Ethernet-enabled In-wall controllers like the K4 and RK3 will also support IP-control.

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According to PC Magazine, Monster will be releasing a new Monster Central Controller dubbed the AV50 next month.

The MCC AV50 Home Theater Controller [is] a tabletop universal remote control. The device includes a portable game console-like design, Web-based setup, and simple touch commands like "Play a DVD" or "Listen to Satellite Radio." It will retail for $49.95.

Our friends at GUIFX have a very informative e-mail newsletter that we're happy to share with you here at Remote Shoppe.

Labeled Transports Font
Based on Guifx v2 Transports, this version has labeled icons which improves usability. Give GUIFX your suggestions before the final release scheduled for July 1, 2009.
Download it now.

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DVR Remote Skin
While DVR Remote won’t replace your regular remote, Morgan at GUIFX finds it useful when he steps away. "My remote just isn’t something I’d grab on my way off the couch — especially since it’s a tabletop touchscreen. But my iPhone is always on me." Learn more about DVR Remote and how to apply the GUIFX skin.

If you are considering an IR repeater system to control hidden AV components or multi-room audio systems than this article on the Audioholics Online AV Magazine is a must read. In their explanation of how IR Repeater Systems work they describe each of the components required to distribute IR signals and their specific tasks. They even outline potential problems that you may experience and how to prevent these common problems.

Click here to read the complete article on Audioholics.com

Robert Silva, the About.com Guide to Home Theater, posted his suggestions for the "Top 10 Home Theater Gifts For Dad." The Logitech Harmony ONE was the only universal remote to make the Top 10 List.

Click here to read the complete list on About.com as well as the full review of the Logitech Harmony ONE

Logitech Harmony ONE is available now in the Remote Shoppe Store

Home Theater Reviews.com posted a quick review of the Universal Remote Control MX-450 which is at the entry level of URC's Complete Control Series of universal remote controls designed for custom installers. The MX-450 is similar to the URC Digital R50 consumer remote but adds RF capability and compatibility with URC Complete Control products including the MSC-400 Master System Controller.

Home Theater Reviews' conclusion was:

A universal remote should allow someone unfamiliar with your system to accomplish basic user tasks with ease, while also letting you delve deeper to make system adjustments when needed. The MX-450 does this. I have handed the remote to others who had no problems controlling the system. No fuss, no questions, and more importantly, no frustrated users.

Click here for the complete review on hometheaterreviews.com

Click here to learn more about the MX-450

One of the advantages of the Philips Pronto Professional control systems is that you may create an advanced Pronto Script to control many applications. According to Click here for more information on Cytech

Home Automation, Inc. (HAI), leading manufacturer of integrated security and home automation products since 1985, announced that their new IP-based product suite is now shipping. These products include the OmniTouch 10p Touchscreen, Automation Studio design software, and the Home Theater Extender (HTX). Additionally, a new product has been announced and will be shipping soon, the HAI Camera Server.

HAI's OmniTouch 10p (67A00-1) portable Touchscreen has built in Wi-Fi and a 10.4" viewable screen to facilitate control of lights, temperature, security, audio/video, and more. Two noteworthy features include the ability to browse the Internet and view supported IP surveillance cameras. The Touchscreens ship ready to use with HAI's new interface design, or can be fully customized. The units have a built-in stand, and an optional Docking Cradle (67A01-1) is also available. These products are now shipping.

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