Audio Briefs

Staff -- TWICE, 4/6/2009

Home-Control iPhone Apps Launched

New York — HomeLogic and Crestron have launched free iPhone and iPod Touch applications to control their home-control systems from afar via Wi-Fi and cellular.

HomeLogic’s application controls HomeLogic’s IP-based home-control systems out of the box to monitor and manage security, cameras, climate control systems, lighting, multiroom A/V, and pool and spa settings. Consumers can also view home security cameras through the iPhone and Touch.

The Crestron Mobile application controls and manages climate, lighting, shades and security systems, and it enables users to view room and device status and adjust control features. A control module must be installed in the home system via an upload from a Crestron dealer.

Crestron Ships Custom

Rockleigh, N.J. — New products shipped by Crestron include the iServer networked audio server, which uses a docked iPod as its source and automatically synchronizes with a networked PC’s iTunes library.

Other new products include audio and video matrix switchers, repeaters and receivers in the DigitalMedia (DM) series.

The iServer uses an iPod as its hard drive. Unlike traditional hard-drive music servers, however, the iServer is compatible with iTunes content, including music, audio books, and videos. Proprietary Crestron technology transmits USB communication over Ethernet, enabling iServer to connect to the homenetwork to automatically synchronize with a PC’s iTunes library whenever new content or playlists are added.

The DigitalMedia product line analog audio and video, uncompressed digital signals, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, HD-SDI, Ethernet and USB keyboard/mouse control. DM also manages HDCP content protection, EDID resolution management and CEC device control.

ADA Gets Controlling

White Plains. N.Y. — Audio Design Associates (ADA) plans second-quarter shipments of its first product, the Suite 7.1 HD, with HDMI repeater connections and decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats.

The $5,499 7.1 HD preamp/processor is one rack-unit high (1.75 inches) and features eight HDMI 1.3 inputs, mirror HDMI outputs, and decoding of the following audio formats: Dolby True HD and Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master and High Resolution, and multichannel 96/24 PCM. It also features Dolby Volume and THX Ultra2 Plus and the more traditional Dolby EX, DTS ES, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoding.

Speakers Click From SnapAV

Charlotte, N.C. — Manufacturer SnapAV shipped the Episode-brand Cub Sub subwoofer at a suggested $349 and the HT-525 surround speaker, a switchable bipole/dipole model at a suggested $1,599/pair.

The Cub Sub is a 100-watt powered subwoofer with 8-inch driver and compact 10.5x9-7/8x12-inch enclosure.

The surround speaker features dual carbon fiber woofers, bipole/dipole switch, planar magnetic ribbon tweeters, and 200-watt peak power handling per pair. They’re voiced to complement Episode HT-650 LCR speakers. They’re available in black.

SnapAV brands include Dragonfly film screens; Strong mounts and racks; Binary cables; and Wirepath structured wiring.