Smart Home Blog

Using Nokia770 or its next generation N800 is limited just your imagination and a little bit of hardware issue. The new Maemo application Ir Remote Control can be a good confirmation of that. The application gives a easy way to use Internet Tablet as remote control for your A/V equipment and home appliance.

The first versions of the Ir Remote Control used a dedicated PC with running LIRC server there. The latest one has its own LIRC back-end and supports IR Trance Ethernet to send IR command via LAN.

Basically, the Ir Remote Control uses LIRC client library to send desired command:

netirsend --server 'localhost' --port '8765' 'SEND_ONCE' 'Yamaha_RAV16' 'Vol+'

where
- server - IP address or service name where LIRC is running;
- post - LIRC server port;
- SEND_ONCE - LIRC directive, can be also SEND_START and SEND_END;
- Yamaha_RAV16 - the name of remote supported by LIRC (the command LIST can be used to get the list of all remotes);
- Vol+ - desired command, in that case - increasing of volume.

So, using Nokia770 or N800 together with IT Trance Ethernet and Ir Remote Control gives you an elegant and efficient way to control your IR stuff.

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Recently INNOVUS have announced a complete home control product family based on the Z-Wave standard for Europe. As you may know Z-Wave is one of popular modern technology for wireless home automation.

The INNOVUS products include:

• MYHOME - GUI which can easily configure any of the Z-Wave devices and control of processes via PC or laptop;
• House Control - the heart of the smart home. Information is sent continuously from wall switches, light dimmers and sensors etc. to the INNOVUS House Control, which reacts according to your settings or if something out of the ordinary occurs;
• RAone Smart Dimmer - a dimmer which includes finger touch panel supporting many different light scenarios;
• SmoothRemote - remote control which offer easy control all INNOVUS devices as well as other Z-Wave devices offered by third-party vendors;
• Smart Switch - multi-functional controller offers a compact mini distribution center for the home;
• SmartPower - an on/off switch, designed to reduce consumption in devices consuming energy in standby mode and features a finger touch panel for local control.

The good advantage of Smart Switch and RAone Smart Dimmer is built-in a power meter, enabling measurement of energy consumption. So, you’ll see how many energy you use. All INNOVUS products look very attractive and can be part of your modern home design.

All INNOVUS devices are compatible with products of other companies within the Z-Wave Alliance including Merten, Danfoss, Logitech, or ACT who use the Z-Wave standard within their solutions. They will be available from September 2007 with price €199.

[via AutomatedHome]

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Sony announced a three new remote controls for Japanese market - RM-PZ1FD, RM-PZ1SD and RM-PZ1D. The raisin of those gadgets is their simplicity. You didn’t find there LCD display even monochrome! The remotes have three infrared LEDs for a wider angle of coverage. The RM-PZ1FD is designed to handle by two hands (is has square shapes). The rest look like ordinary remotes. All three are waterproof. So, you can use them in the pool or jacuzzi without fear beak them.

The new Sony’s remote controls are compatible with 15 different brands such as Matsushita, JVC, Sharp, Toshiba, Sony etc. They available in Japan at $21.50.

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Marantz, well-known producer of Hi-End audio receivers, announced its remote control RC9001. Generally, it looks like Philips Pronto. It sports color touchscreen display and will offer integration with Escient Fireball media servers and Lutron RadioRa lighting controls for full multi-room control. Optionally, the RC9001 can be extebded by RX9001 WiFi extender or RX8001 serial extender.

The Marantz RC9001 is expected in mid-September for right around $1000. The funny thing is that there are no any words on official Marantz site!

[via Multiroom]

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If you’re going to use Z-Wave devices in your home or already have them you might be interested in the Vizia RF Z-Wave Programmer/Controller. It is required for programming Leviton Vizia Z-Wave scenes and links, and it also functions as a handheld remote control that will turn on all light in the all rooms. The Vizia uses RF to send/receive commands. So, it may work even through walls and floor.

The devices sports 1.75-inch backlit display which can indicates areas and devices. You can name them for easy reference or use the pre-made templates to select names.

The Vizia RF Z-Wave Programmer/Controller is available on smarthome online store at $129.99.

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