control4

Control4 has launched a new family of power control devices for the Control4 smart home. The Pakedge PowerPak Power Distribution Units (PDU) help to protect your connected home appliances against surge protection, and with networking capabilities your dealer can monitor and manage the PowerPak PDUs remotely.  The new PDUs also leverage SafeStart boot sequencing to power on devices such as modems, routers, and switches in the appropriate order – ensuring proper reset and optimal functionality.

Sony is making it easier to integrate its home entertainment systems with the Control4 home automation solution.  They have adapted the Control4's Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) technology as part of its W and X series 2014 TVs.  The integration makes it easier for installer to setup Sony's HD and 4K ultra HDTVs as part of a Control4 home automation solution.

QNAP the makers of NAS (Networked Attached Storage) has become the first of such companies to be certified by Control4 to work with its home automation solution. The certification of QNAP storage systems has made easier for users and integrators to add storage to Control4 as part of their home network.

TiVo has joined the list of hardware manufactures to partner with Control4 to allow users central management of their home’s automation and entertainment systems.  Starting with the Roamio range of TiVo’s set-top box (with DVR, multiscreen and streaming services) customers will be able to manage their TiVo system from within Control4, along with their lighting and other connected services.

From a hobbyist activity, home automation has gone mainstream creating a market worth billions of dollars. To prove it and to fly the flag for the sector, this month Control4 was list on the Nasdaq stock exchange (CTRL) as a purely home automation solution company.  Today the company is worth $500 million and with its stock trading around the $20 mark, but looking back how did a company selling geeky solutions got this far.

Control4 has made some enhancements to its 4Sight service to include added services for the connected home. The new Control4 Anywhere Access enables homeowners to securely access, manage and control their home remotely.  The upgraded 4Sight Service now sends out configured alerts to inform you about your home, giving you the peace of that your home is being monitored.

With new innovative lighting technology, such as the ability to communicate and control your light bulb wirelessly using Ethernet technology, Control4 has adopted the new wireless technology to manage its lighting solution and is offering it to its customers.  With a fresh, sophisticated design, wider customization options and a myriad of innovative capabilities, this cutting edge solution lighting solution offers an enhanced lighting experience.

Sony is known for their ability to create great home entertainment systems and Control4 is known for their home management and automation products. Now both companies have merged their technologies to create the world’s first range of AV Receivers with built-in home automation capabilities. The new models of Sony ES receivers (STR-DA5800ES and STR-DA2800ES) will work seamlessly with Control4’s systems and at the same time offers full 4K resolution viewing experience with 9.2 channel surround sound.

Pioneer has added two new SC AV Receivers (SC-1222 and SC1522) to its range of in-home entertainment systems.  The receivers offer the latest in connectivity with support for Windows7, DLNA and Apple’s Airplayer. Another feature is their ability to offer increase customization to end users and system integrators.  Both models are compatible with home automation systems such as Savant, Crestron and Control4.

Like the Dune HD Media Player, Sharp has collaborated with Control4 to get the XV-Z30000 home theatre Control4 certified. Originally launched at this year’s CES, the XV-Z30000 is part of Sharp’s high-definition DLP home projectors.  Custom installers can now integrate the XV-Z3000 with control4’s home automation systems with less hassle knowing that it has past compatibility testing.