Remotely Possible

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Darryl Wilkinson  |  Dec 13, 2016  | 
It’s too easy to make things complicated, especially when it comes to gift giving—and, ironically, smart home automation systems. In my opinion, 2016 has already been way too complicated, so here are some simple smart home things for you to consider putting on your KISSH (Keep It Simple Smart Home) holiday gift list.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Nov 28, 2016  | 

The so-called “smart home” has had a sleepy, low-key year in 2016 as it recovered from several years of over promising and under delivering. The fact is, though, that there are plenty of stellar smart devices on the market. Many of these gadgets can be incorporated into a whole-house automation system or used solo as one of the many parts found in a “clever home”. Here are some of the devices that have “I Want” written all over them.

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Nov 14, 2016  |  First Published: Nov 15, 2016  | 
I wish smoke alarms were sexier. Most of them are dull, white pucks that try to look as unobtrusive as possible. Even the squarish Nest Protect with the swirling perforation pattern on the cover isn’t something that most people will want to highlight as it hangs on the wall or ceiling. But there’s no doubt that smoke/carbon monoxide alarms save lives. The American Red Cross says that the organization’s Home Fire Campaign, which has “a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in the US by 25% by 2020” by getting more smoke alarms installed in more homes, has already demonstrably saved 111 lives in the short time since the program began in 2014. And since it’s recommended that you should check the working status of the smoke alarms in your home on the days when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends every year, it’s a good time to take a brief look at Roost’s brand new and—at $80 MSRP—nicely affordable RSA-400 Smart Smoke Alarm...

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 26, 2016  | 
Voice integration and what it means for the future of home automation was a hot topic at CEDIA 2016, which attracted more than 500 exhibitors and almost 19,000 attendees.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 17, 2016  |  First Published: Sep 18, 2016  | 
Slovenian company, Qubino, says the Qubino Weather Station is “the world's first Z-Wave supported weather station to collect 10 essential values: indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, rainfall and wind direction, speed, gust, temperature and chill.” All measured data is then sent to the Z-Wave network for use by user’s control system in order to respond to changes in weather conditions as necessary.

The Qubino Weather Station’s sensors include...

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 17, 2016  | 
SunBriteTV is bringing out a new series of weatherproof televisions called Veranda. The new TVs will be available in three screen sizes (43, 55, and 65 inches), and each model incorporates a direct-lit 4K UHD screen plus built-in down-firing speakers.

The models in SunBriteTV’s Veranda series are designed to be used in...

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 17, 2016  | 
Amongst the many announcements concerning Amazon Alexa integration with higher-end control systems—including Control4, Crestron, Savant, and others—one of the more exciting reveals was the news that Lutron is adding Alexa integration to its HomeWorks QS and RadioRA2 lighting control systems, providing voice-activated control of lights, shades, and temperature setting via an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, or Amazon Fire TV.

Lutron, of course, is no stranger to the voice-activated world of Amazon Alexa having introduced integration...

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 16, 2016  | 
iPort’s new xPress Audio Keypad is a small, low-power Wi-Fi-equipped keypad that can be set up to control any Sonos device directly. The keypad offers some of the most commonly used functions, such as Play/Pause, Track Forward, Volume Control and toggling through Sonos Favorites.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 16, 2016  | 
GoControl’s new Smart Doorbell Camera joins the growing list of retrofit-engineered smart doorbells with built-in video cameras and wireless connectivity. This model from GoControl is Wi-Fi-enabled, includes a 720p HD video camera with a 180-degree wide-angle lens, and features two-way audio enabling homeowners to have a conversation with whomever (friend or foe) is at the door.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 15, 2016  | 
SurgeX always has the most non-shocking demos at CEDIA, and this year was no exception as the company once again demonstrated “the industry’s only surge elimination technology.” Called by SurgeX, Advanced Series Mode, the proprietary surge elimination technology stops surge energy up to 6,000 volts without introducing other unwanted problems, such as ground contamination or common-mode disturbances. In addition, the method SurgeX uses—unlike many competing surge protection technologies—is completely non-sacrificial, which means SurgeX devices don’t destroy themselves as part of the process of stopping an incoming electrical surge.

As any of us who’ve suffered some major losses due to lightning strikes or other surge-producing events know, having good surge protection can save...

Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 15, 2016  | 
You can always expect to find something you didn’t expect to find at CEDIA. This year, for me, it was a better mousetrap—a Z-Wave-enabled mousetrap, as a matter of fact. Dome took top honors in the unexpected category with the company’s announcement of the Mouser, “the first ever smart mouse trap…designed to humanely eliminate mice and other rodents with an electric jolt and send a notification that the trap is ready to be emptied.” No, I’m not joking. And no, it’s something that’ll actually be useful for people who suffer from an overabundance of mice...
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 15, 2016  | 
PRO Audio Technology brought things down a notch from their normal spectacularly over-the-top demos by showing off an all in-wall/in-ceiling (except for the subs) 9.2.4 Dolby Atmos system that’s slightly more affordable—but still “over the top”. The system consisted of three SCRS-26im “invisible mount loudspeakers”, with each one incorporating two 6-inch woofers and a one-inch compression driver mounted on an elliptical constant directivity horn. The side and rear channels used six SCRS-6im in-wall speakers with the same drivers as the front channels but with a single woofer instead of two. Pro Audio says the SCRS-26im loudspeakers are capable of 114 dB maximum output. The SCRS-6im loudspeakers are capable of a max output of 116 dB.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 14, 2016  | 
Moulus Media Systems announced a “revolutionary media hub” that’s almost too good to be true. Imagine putting a Kaleidescape server with a Roku 4, and then wrapping the combo in a TiVo DVR—and that description still doesn’t come close to describing the Modulus M1.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 14, 2016  | 
Smart home device maker, iDevices, is adding several new smart devices that include Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa integration. Unlike the other devices in the company’s lineup, the new gadgets require a more involved installation rather than being simple plug-and-play designs. The new smart devices are designed to physically replace electric outlets, light switches, and dimmers.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 12, 2016  | 
Sound & Vision's coverage of CEDIA 2016 kicks off on Wednesday. As usual, our hard-working, no-time-for-partying crew will be posting daily so be sure to check back here as often as you can so you don’t miss any of the excitement.

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