DENVER — Home-control company URC is launching during CEDIA Expo its first Android app to complement an iOS app, expanding its selection of Wi-Fi remotes, and enabling its home-control systems to control wireless Z-Wave devices for the first time.
The $250-suggested TRF-ZW1 Z-Wave Extender connects to the company’s Total Control home-control system to enable control of one-way and two-way Z-Wave devices from a wide variety of leading brand name companies.
For the Extender, URC also offers a $25 annual subscription enabling remote access to control Z-Wave-connected devices, view status and history, and receive email and SMS notifications when doors are opened.
The Android app enables smartphones and tablets to control IR-, RS232-, IP- and relay-controlled home-A/V systems and devices connected to MRX-1 and MRX-2 base stations in a URC Complete Control home-automation system. With the addition of an optional RFTX-1 component, users can also control a URC Lighting by Lutron lighting system. An installer is needed to integrate the control system with the app.
The Android app joins an iOS app for the company’s Complete Control and Total Control systems.
Complete Control is a one-way, RF- and IR-based system that uses “smart remotes and dumb base stations” to control home theaters, lighting and other systems, a spokesperson explained.
In contrast, URC’s Total Control system is an IP-based two-way system that uses “smart network controllers and dumb remotes” to control multiple systems throughout a home or business, the spokesperson added.
The new Wi-Fi remote is the $599-suggested TC-1080, which joins a higher and lower priced model. The new remote features 2-inch color screen, piano-black charging cradle, and controls cable company set-top boxes. Sensor technology enables the remote to wake up automatically when picked up.
The company is also showing an Extra Vegetables software module that enables control of current and previous-generation Sonos wireless multi-room audio music products with URC’s Total Control home-control system.
Full control of Sonos products, including Sonos’s PlayBar soundbar/wireless music system, is available with feedback through URC’s Total Control keypads, remotes, touchscreens and apps. Playlists and music-stream tracks can be recalled from URC’s TKP-100 touchscreen and TRC-780 wandstyle remote for commercial applications.
The software module is available for purchase from the Extra Vegetables web site.
Separately, URC is showing six sensors and a sensor extender, which triggers macros when the sensors detect ambient light or the status of various devices by sensing video, current, voltage or contact closure. The extender sends macros via Wi-Fi to a Total Control system’s MRX network controller.
The sensor extender retails for a suggested $199. Individual sensor prices range from $45 to $130.
