Custom Installer May09

touch screens and controllers // feature
fascia to be ﬂ ush mounted with the wall. It measures 94mm capability and can control devices that are behind closed doors,
wide, 192mm high and 36mm deep. in a cabinet, or even in another room from up to 30m/100 feet.
“We developed this modiﬁ cation in response to feedback The Harmony 1100, says Logitech, delivers an entirely new
on the Comfort forums and because our end customers were level of functionality and powerful one-touch, activity-based
looking for a ﬂ ush mounted solution for a keypad. We can control for up to 15 separate components. Unlike other universal
customise keypads to meet special requirements”, said Oliver remotes, there are no complicated
Barker, systems engineer at B & S Group. macros to programme and it is
www.cytech-europe.co.uk reportedly easy to update.
Logitech contends that the
Crestron goes mobile Harmony 1100 is designed with
A newly released Crestron App, available from the ever-popular the custom installer in mind and
Apple iTunes App store, is set to give consumers fully integrated powered by the world’s largest AV-
control from an Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPod Touch. control database of entertainment
Available as a free download, Crestron says its Mobile for equipment. Logitech says its
iPhone keeps a consumer Crestron-connected - no matter the internet-based interface makes
location. getting the Harmony 1100 up and
An intuitive graphical interface enables seamless control and running quick and easy, and its
management of HVAC, lighting, blinds and security systems. intuitive set-up wizard automatically
View room and device status and adjust control features at matches the components’ make
home, in your holiday home, and ofﬁ ce in real time. The App and model numbers with the
allows a user to talk directly to the control system without any characteristics, discrete codes
third-party software or external servers. On the road, iPhone and infrared commands of more
communicates with the Crestron control system over the 3G than 225,000 devices from over
network. Home or away, both the iPhone and iPod touch can 5,000 manufacturers contained
connect via Wi-Fi. in Logitech’s online database. Any
Fully integrated into Crestron design tools, the company devices that aren’t in the database
says its control App enables integrators and can be expediently added, so installers can be
programmers to create control pages with conﬁ dent that the Harmony 1100 remote will
customised buttons, graphics and dynamic be compatible with devices their client owns
text. today or may purchase in the future.
A control module is required for Mark Taylor, product manager at Invision
communication and must be uploaded to the UK, said, “The new Harmony 1100 won
Crestron control system by an authorised the Best Innovation Award in the Home
dealer. Any updates or changes Entertainment category
to the control programme at the CES show. It
are automatically sent offers all the beneﬁ ts
to the iPhone when the of the Harmony
app is launched, and 1000 and more, with
new locations are easily improved performance
added by opening the and stability. With its
‘Connections’ page on the brushed-black aluminium
iPhone. top case and soft-
For the installer, Crestron touch bottom case, the
says its mobile connectivity rechargeable Harmony
device is fully integrated with 1100 will complement any
its programming software custom installation.”
including SystemBuilder™, VT www.logitech.com
Pro-e and SIMPL™. The app
appears as a symbol in the Crestron data library, installer comment
which can be dragged and dropped into the control programme
and uploaded to a Crestron 2-Series control system. Custom
Michael Barker of Yorkshire based home automation expert Automize thinks
GUI designs and programme settings are implemented exactly
that the colour touch screen market is currently extremely competitive
the same as any other control module at no extra cost.
with many manufacturers producing high quality products. He said, “As
The SW-MOB-AI Control App is available for download now.
an installer of home automation, home cinema and multi-room audio
visual systems I feel that there are products available to meet almost all
www.crestron.co.uk
requirements within a custom installation.
www.apple.com/iphone/appstore
“Integration is still the major factor though, and some touch screens are
more easily integrated than others.”
Invision UK in Harmony with Logitech
“In the lower end market there are many alternatives and the same level of
Logitech, through its exclusive UK dealer Invision UK has functionality can be achieved, however, the installation of a touch screen to
recently launched its new Harmony 1100 touch screen remote
control multiple devices is always an advantage and gives the user a much
- the successor to the critically acclaimed Harmony 1000
more intuitive interface.”
remote.
Asked about the advantages of having an integrated home system,
Like its predecessor, the Logitech Harmony 1100 is a 3.5
Michael replied, “I think the most important aspect is control, being able to
have complete control of your home or business either locally or remotely is
inch, QVGA full-colour, touch sensitive remote. However, the
the main reason our customers choose to install an integrated system.
1100 boasts a host of new features, including a new Flash-
“There are many systems available that are simple to set up and offer
based OS, an enhanced IR emitter and a customisable icon
good functionality. Opus and Systemline
and control interface. Using the new fully redesigned Harmony
are good quality systems that are easily
software, installers can select common commands and put integrated and for a large scale project
those features on the screen. If a client favours watching ﬁ lms,
the KNX colour touch panel by Jung also
for example, and is always using the ‘play’ and ‘pause’ buttons,
offers integration and control on the
the Harmony 1100 can make those commands available on the
highest level.
screen once the ﬁ lm begins.
01302 563622
www.automize.co.uk
Together with the optional Logitech Harmony RF Extender,
sold separately, the Harmony 1100 is equipped with RF
www.custominstaller.co.uk May 2009 27
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