Smart Home Blog

I already wrote about close of free service which offered MythTV users electronic programming guides (EPG). Since MythTV is a part of LinuxMCE all its users need update the system to use a new service – SchedulesDirect. That update will be performed during a few coming days. LinuxMCE will notify you about it automatically. But if you’d like to participate to the project you can try to do update from the test server before it will be released to the production. Just add to the /etc/hosts file the line: updates.linuxmce.com 72.167.34.81
If you will face with some troubles during update, please, make a post to this forum thread. I’m going to add that like today in the my home installation.

If you want to save a space in TV area you might be interested to see a new NAD DVD player with integrated receiver. The NAD L54 combines a high-quality integrated stereo (playback CD, AM/FM tuner and two-channel 50-watt amplifier) with superior DVD and DivX playback. The NAD L54 features Component, Composite, and S-Video outputs and includes two digital inputs (one optical, one coaxial) to connect additional sources and optical digital output. It also has SRS 3D circuitry that emulates surround sound using only a pair of loudspeakers. All L54 features are easily accessed with the supplied learning remote, which can also operate almost any other IR remote controlled device.

The NAD L54 DVD/Receiver is already on sale with the price $699.00.

[via CePro]

ReQuest is going to introduce Freedom, new application software for the iQ Intelligent Music System. Freedom allows to use Nokia N800 as handheld controller with full command over a multiroom iQ system, using the familiar commands, graphics, and icons of the ReQuest TS35 in-wall touch panel controller. Since many Nokia770 applications work well on N800 I suppose that it might be possible to use it as well.

I already wrote a few posts about using Nokia770/N800 as control panel for music distribution or whole house automation systems. The iQ Intelligent Music System is another good example of success of Nokia’s Internet Tablet.

The Freedom will be available in September and carry a suggested retail price of $500.

[via CePro]

If you think that HTPC is too complicated and expensive the new product from Emtec might be interesting for you. Movie Cube -R actually an external storage (up to 500GB) but with amazing functionality. It allows to MPEG 4 playback and recording without PC! What you need to do is connect that media HDD to the TV using its video ouput and that’s it! You can record your favorite TV show or play video already stored on the Movie Cube -R. It has navigation buttons on the front panel and supports remote control.

The Movie Cube offers a simple way to connect your digital camera to download and store photos. It also can be connected to the PC via Ethernet or USB and used as ordinary external storage.

Emtec offers a several models of Movie Cube -R with different capacity: from 160GB to 500GB. The price is started from $300.00 which is quite reasonable for device with such features.

[via Engadget]

Vantage/Legrand added an Axolute family of keypads and faceplates its line of whole-home control solutions. Axolute combines the beautiful Italian designed faceplates from Vantage’s sister company, Bticino, with the robust and reliably engineered keypads from Vantage. Uniquely designed to mount horizontally to the wall, Axolute creates a fresh look to the traditionally mounted vertical faceplate as it is now available in wood, glass, slate, metal and many other styles.

Axolute features a six button keypad that is compatible with the Vantage InFusion system and integrates seamlessly into the InFusion system for total control of Lights, A/V, blinds, shades, security systems, and all other home control systems.

[via Smarthouse]