EHX Roundup

Zensys Introduces the 3G Z-Wave Chip
With its P300 chip - announced last week at Fall EHX in Long Beach, Calif. - Zensys opens up the Z-Wave capable market to a wider range of developers. "[The chip] provides developers more code space for their applications," says Mark Walters, vice president of the Z-Wave Alliance.

The key features of the new Z-Wave ZW0301 single chip include the first standard to support battery-to-battery networks. That opens up the possibility for more Z-Wave compatible devices including smoke detectors, window and door sensors, location sensors, battery powered window coverings, and any other devices that would benefit from battery-powered mesh-networked activities.

In addition to lower power consumption, the cost has also decreased - depending on volume. The ZW0301 has 15 to 30 percent lower cost than the 200 series chip. "It demonstrates the continued march forward from Z-Wave technology, decreased cost, decreased power consumption, decreased latency," says Walters. Developers will also find that pin-to-pin compatibility with the P200 ensures that the P300 will make it into products in a very short time, according to Walters.

ViewSonic Offers Stylish Home Control
The V212 Wireless Tablet Client from ViewSonic is a 10-inch, handheld device with a touchscreen display that lets users access files, data, and video remotely within a wireless network. Now available with integrated Z-Wave technology, it can be customized with a variety of home and audio visual software products.

"The V212 wireless tablet client further fuels the adoption of Z-Wave technology by offering installers and easy-to-use and cost-effective device to control home automation products," says Tony Shakib, president and CEO of Zensys, developer of Z-Wave.

The tablet retails for $1,499 and will be sold through authorized ViewSonic distributors and resellers. See http://www.ViewSonic.com for more information.

Wayne-Dalton Announces Ethernet Bridge and Offers a Sneak Peak at its New Control Server
Although Wayne-Dalton brought its Ethernet Bridge to display on the show floor - which offers remote monitoring for homeowners and can serve as the brain of a home control system - the company offered ZWaveWorld a sneak peek of its latest development. Described as a "home server," an all-in-one control system aimed at the home builder market and developed by Wayne-Dalton and ehomesys, the home system is a residential server with A/V clients and home control clients. It offers the promise of Z-Wave based home control with A/V capabilities in one interface, which can be used on your television. The premium package will start at around $10K, according to Yan Rodriguez, director of home networking and access systems at Wayne-Dalton, and will be sold through home builders. The package includes the server and one control box for each television. The company plans to introduce the full system at CES in January 2007.

Leviton Introduces Vizia RF Home Control System
The Vizia-RF system includes digital switches and dimmers as well as a full-function scene controller, zone controller, appliance and lamp modules and remote control. These devices can be installed as a single, stand-alone lighting control network or as part of a larger intelligent network of controls for HVAC, access control, intruder and fire detection, appliance control, and other home systems. Using Z-Wave technology, Vizia-RF controllers send command signals to the Vizia-RF network of switches, dimmers, lamp or appliance modules. Vizia-RF devices are interoperable with other Z-Wave enabled devices, making it easy for installers to expand the system's control functionality by adding products from other Z-Wave manufacturers.

Hawking Joins the Alliance
New Z-Wave Alliance member, Hawking Technologies, a developer of wireless networking solutions for the home, workgroup, and corporate users, plans to incorporate Z-Wave technology into its upcoming wireless offerings for home control. "Z-Wave is the standard that we see being predominately used in home control and we plan to release a Z-Wave enabled solution very soon," says Jason Owen, chief manager of Hawking Technologies. "The interoperability and current ecosystem of Z-Wave products in the market gives a good foundation to build on." For more about Hawking Technologies go to http://www.hawkingtech.com.

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November 3, 2006

Z-Troller Promises Easier Setup and Device Management
HomeSeer Technologies began shipping its latest entry into the Z-Wave market last week with the Z-Troller PC/Z-Wave Interface. Basically, the Z-Troller simplfies the process of adding and rearranging the Z-Wave devices in your home. The self-contained primary controller also operates as a Z-Wave computer interface. Rather than purchasing a separate controller and interface to manage devices on the Z-Wave network, consumers can install, add, and move devices with one push of a button.

The overriding goal was to make things easier for the consumer, says Mark Colegrove, director of sales and marketing at HomeSeer Technologies. The Z-Troller is designed to work with the HomeSeer Pro-100 home automation controller or with any PC running HomeSeer HSPRO or HS2 home automation software. What's more it's compatible with all Z-Wave products from major manufacturers including Intermatic, Leviton, Cooper, Monster Cable, and ACT, among others.

"Z-Wave is a reliable technology that doesn't require dependence on power lines," Colegrove says. "The more devices you add, the more reliable it is."

For more information visit HomeSeer Technology

September 22, 2006

Harmony Remote
Logitech's newest remote offering includes a color touch sensitive screen and controls any device with an infrared receiver, including VCRs, digital video recorders, high-definition televisions, and household appliances.

This universal remote lets users see on the screen the standard controls needed to for a particular activity like watching TV using a DVR, including forward, back, record, and pause. If you're listening to CDs, you only see the controls related to navigate the music. It has nine fixed buttons for volume, channel, and directional navigation and has built-in rechargeable batteries.

The Harmony 1000 Remote, which retails for $499.99, can control multi-room entertainment systems. If you add the Harmony Wireless Extender (for $149.99) you can control other high-end components hidden behind closed doors. The products will be available later this fall. For more information visit Logitech.com.

Central Controllers and IlluminEssence Lighting System
Monster's new Central Controllers and IlluminEssence Lighting System made its debut at CEDIA last week. The AVL 300 Controller and the IlluminEssence Lighting System let you control lighting throughout the entire house and integrate the lighting and home theater with a single touch, one-button scene solution.

Using built-in RF wireless technology, the multi-room AVL300 works through walls, ceilings, and floors, offering full house control with multi-zone systems. It's also a powerful lighting controller when used with Monster's IlluminEssence lighting modules. You can create customized lighting scenes that are integrated with home theater equipment, for example, setting the mood for a romantic dinner with dimmed lights and soft music.

Visit Monstercable.com for more information and where to buy.

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September 14, 2006

Lighting Controls
Leviton expands its Vizia collection with Z-Wave enabled wireless lighting and home control devices.

Leviton Manufacturing Company is unveiling Vizia-RF this week at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association's (CEDIA) annual expo in Denver. Vizia-RF is the latest addition to Leviton's Vizia collection. It offers a scalable wireless lighting control system. The advanced wireless Vizia-RF system includes digital dimmers and switches, as well as a full-function scene controller, zone controller, appliance and lamp modules and remote controls. You can install these devices as a stand-alone lighting control network or as part of Z-Wave "intelligent" network. For more information: http://www.leviton.com and www.viziarf.com

Universal Access
UEI extends wireless control capabilities to include two-way meta-data communication using Z-Wave technology and the SIRIUS controller.

Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) has announced a development relationship with SIRIUS Satellite Radio to offer a custom solution that allows SIRIUS subscribers to access radio programming from a handheld media controller. In addition, the media controller will also let you control other traditional home entertainment devices wirelessly from up to 50 feet. Under the agreement, UEI supplied SIRIUS with a customized solution that includes a SIRIUS Conductor Base, which integrates a SIRIUS tuner with a two-way RF adapter. It also includes a SIRIUS Conductor handheld controller - an eight-device universal display controller and UEI's connectivity software, Learning, Direct Set, and one-touch Macro capabilities to ensure compatibility. The product will be available in November. For more information: http://www.uei.com.