Smart Home Blog

SmartUnity announced its new product – AudioMultiRoom application which will help you to create PC-based multiroom system with up to 12 independent zones. It offers following functionality:

• Supports up to 12 USB sound cards
• Auto detects sound card and creates an independent stereo-zone
• Supports Windows Media Player library (playlists, artists, covers etc.)
• API to work via TCP/IP interface (volume control, navigation, lists, status etc.)
• You can create your own Windows user interface using Microsoft Blend and AudioMultiRoom dll for Microsoft Blend
• Apple iPhone client (in development)

HomeLogic offers an unique possibility to play with its iPhone/iPod Touch application. It provides a full control of HomeLogic home automation system from any place in the world where WiFi or 3G connection exists. More over you shouldn’t spend money to buy and install the system (at least know). In opposition to that HomeLogic grants an access to the demo system. So, you’ll see how it works in practice.

By the way, after reading an information about HomeLogic home control system and viewing its screenshots, personally I like it. It’d be nice to hear opinion about it from people who own the system or at least test it.

[via Unplggd]

Belkin claims that its new Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit adapters can outpace the current 200Mbps standard speed of most other powerline devices by five fold! Sure you’ll able to get 1000Mbps under ideal settings only. But even half of gigabit will be nice. Especially that the price of pair of Belkin’s Gigabit Powerline Adapters is just $150 in US. The European version will be released at the begining of August and it isn’t priced yet.

[via Engadget]

Building distribution A/V system it’s easy to face with problem when one type of the video signal should be converted to another or it should be split, join or extend. Chines company Lenkeng offers a huge range devices which can do that work. The focus is done on the HDMI stuff – converters, splitters, extenders, switches and wallplate can bring to your home HDTV. On a par with it the Lenkeng has a bunch of AV, VGA and YPbPr converters as well as a number of different cable and adaptors.

Recently discovered that popular series of Logitech’s remote controls Harmony has IR codes to control Video Disk Recorder (VDR) box. To get them to your device just download new remote using Logitech software choosing type PVR, producer KLS and model VDR. Also you can use this config file for LIRCd. Have fun!

[via VDR Wiki]