New: NuVo Color Touch Pad

The new Color Touch Pad — in stock and ready to ship! — provides the most user-friendly full system control, from a sleek, easy-to-navigate touch screen. Now manage an entire house of music from one central location.

Plus, for superior performance pair with NuVo’s Music Port Server to enjoy great additional functions. Give thumbs-up to the current Pandora song. Search your entire library of personal music. Enjoy access to over 100,000 Internet Radio Stations with metadata from RadioTime.

• 3.6″ Full color display
• Source-specific control options
• Full display for the Music Port Server, including album art and personal channel build
• IR pass through
• Zone to zone control
• Four hard buttons for commonly used functions
• No programming necessary
• More info …

NuVo products are sold exclusively to Home Controls Dealers. Call for Dealer Referral in Your Area, 1-800-CONTROLS.

One of my Favorite Things

I have to admit that after 5 years of selling and recommending automation solutions, lighting controls, security et al., I have compiled a list of a few products (out of the thousands that Home Controls distribute) that offer unique solutions or features. Many of these are products that “fly under the radar” and until the need arises may never be noticed or get the attention they deserve. The following is just one of those unique products… What is it?

It’s the Dual Channel Lamp Module Dimmer (PCLM28) by Powerline Control Systems (PCS/PulseWorx). What makes this rather unique is the dual channel control feature.

The PCLM28 Dual Channel Lamp Module is a high quality plug-in home automation lamp dimmer that is capable of transmitting and receiving digital commands and status over the existing powerlines using UPS technology.

The LM2 is perfect for master bedrooms and living rooms where two lamps need to be remotely controlled. Simply plug the LM2 into any standard wall outlet and plug the lamp(s) into the LM2’s two bottom controlled outlets.

The LM2 is designed for controlling incandescent, fluorescent, or magnetic low voltage loads. It can provide as much as 800W of power at any one time split between the two channels. The dimmer function can also be disabled, turning the outlets into a switch, to allow the LM2 to turn on and off non-dimmable loads such as fans or radios.

For more details just click the link to the Home Controls webpage: PCLM28

Home Controls Offers Cell Phone Accessories

Technology is not just limited to your home. Everyone has a cell phone nowadays. Home Controls offers a collection of cellular accessories, including the popular cellular amplifiers and antennas from Wilson Electronics. Also, choose from specialty products, including chargers, power adapters and converters. Cell phones sold separately!

• Check out the new Home Controls Cellular Phone Accessories Online Catalog!

Extending the Channel Vision IR Repeating System

The Channel Vision CVIR5000 is by far one of the most popular IR repeating system kits that we carry (see it here). It has everything you need to control up to four devices, the IR receiver is plasma-proof, and it can be hole or surface mounted.  The only drawback with the CVIR5000 is that the IR receiver comes with a hardwired 36 inch lead.  Yes, it’s possible to cut the 3-wire ribbon cable and solder in an extension, but the wires are small (I’m guessing 28-30 AWG) and depending on your soldering skills, you could be fiddling with that hot iron for awhile.

If you need that extension, and for a little bit more money, I recommend the following components in place of the CVIR5000:

• CVIR1203, Amplified IR Hub
• CVIR2400, IR Receiver (pictured above)
• CVIR3002, Dual IR Emitters

Click here for a system diagram.  The neat thing here is that by using Cat5 cable, you can easily extend the distance between the hub and receiver up to 1000 feet. Both hub and receiver have wire screw terminals so installation is a snap, and you’re left with a very neat and professional looking installation.

GrandCare Recognized As Industry Leader

GrandCare Systems, provided through Home Controls, was recently featured in a story on Maturity Matters as one of the fore-front providers of exciting technologies being developed to help seniors to stay independent and aging in place. Here is an excerpt from that story, written by Doris Bersing, PhD.

How will the long-term care system provide care to a growing number of seniors living in increasingly scattered locations? And more importantly, how can that system continue to provide quality care in the face of workforce shortages, rising care costs and decreasing resources? Technology has the potential to play a critical role in launching a new model of geriatric care that allows older people to live independently for as long as possible, supports family caregivers in the important work they do and gives health care providers the tools they need to deliver high-quality care at a reasonable cost.

The mix of caring people, technology, and expertise in gerontology is the key to being able to keep people living and aging within their own homes regardless of whether they are healthy and engaged or dealing with chronic physical illness or dementia.

Recently showcased at the Silver Summit at the CES in Las Vegas, there are many exciting technologies being developed to help seniors to stay independent and aging in place. Some of them are:

• Home Monitoring Systems – connect monitoring devices, deploying in ASP model with web interface including: emergency response, fall detection, passive motion monitoring (for persons with Dementia/wander risks), bed monitoring (for fall risks and incontinence). Intel, GE, and GrandCare are three of the providers at the fore-front of these technologies.
• Tele-medicine Devices: Blood pressure, weight scale, pulse oximeter, all blue-tooth devices connected to a main platform that communicates information to the caregivers or medical centers. These can be combined with the home monitoring technologies. (Note: All these are part of GrandCare as well.)
• Read the entire story here…

To find out more about GrandCare Systems, contact Home Controls at 800-266-8765 and we’ll connect you with a local authorized GrandCare dealer.

Home Controls Launches New Intercom Section

Home Controls features a wide variety of intercom systems, intercom master stations, intercom door speakers and intercom accessories by top manufacturers such as On-Q/Legrand, DoorBell Fon, NuTone, Channel Vision, M&S Systems, Westinghouse, Leviton and more.We offer so many system that is was confusing to navigate our online catalog. So, of course, we made it easier.

• Check out the new Home Controls Intercoms and Other Door Answer Systems Online Catalog!

Some of the best-selling systems include …

On-Q Selective Call Intercom System: Seamlessly blending leading edge technology with stunning design, Selective Call is the most advanced intercom in the industry. The system allows broadcast or room-to-room communication at the touch of a button, and enables up to three simultaneous, private conversations – the only intercom in the industry to do so. And it’s all based on efficient Cat5 wiring, just what you’d expect from the industry leader.

Channel Vision Telephone Entry System: The Channel Vision Telephone Entry System allows intercom features through your existing telephone. The easy-to-install front door intercoms allow you to talk to the visitor at the front door from any telephone in the house. Add a front door intercom with a built-in camera for a safe and secure home; speak to the person and see the person before allowing them into your home. These high-quality door stations give home communications a new high class appeal!

DoorBell Fon: American Communications manufactures the popular and versatile DoorBell Fon. The DoorBell Fon replaces the traditional doorbell to let you answer the door from any telephone, even cordless phones. Also open the door with one simple keystroke (requires Electronic Doorstrike). Start with one of DoorBell Fon kits, and expand your system with extra doorboxes! The DoorBell Fon connects to 2 doorboxes and allows you to flash between the 2 doors.

Westinghouse Wireless Intercoms: Home Controls offers the complete line of Westinghouse Wireless Intercoms and Doorbell Intercoms. There are models for every size family and house with a variety of different feature sets, including one that’s sure to meet your needs. Whether you have to call everyone to the dinner table, monitor a napping infant, take room service requests from a sick child, see who’s at the front door, or conference with your spouse in the home office, you can do it all with Westinghouse wireless intercoms.

If you need help designing your system or can’t find the part to match your specifications, feel free to call our Technical Support Team at 1-800-266-8765 for free product advice! Great selection, great savings, and great service.

Modern Door Station for Nutone Intercom Systems

For as long as I can remember, Nutone has always been known for their intercom systems with built-in music distribution.  Through the years, their music sources has rarely varied (AM/FM radio, CD or external audio source). Just as their audio sources remained the same, the look and finish of their intercom stations (indoor and outdoor) had the original design and electronics (!) as when they first came out 20 some years ago. It is no wonder that most home remodels end up yanking out the Nutone stations in favor of more modern intercoms.

What do you do then, when all you’re replacing is the front door station ? Well, ACNC, the manufacturer of the popular Doorbell Fon has introduced an anodized aluminum version of their door station that will work with all Nutone Intercom/ Music Systems. The ACDP28NSN mounts onto a Nutone IR-6 or IA-70 box. Connection to the main intercom hub requires a pair of wires. The non-mechanical sensor (piezo) button completes the installation with a  tech innovation.

Now, if they (ACNC or someone else)  could also come up with a more modern indoor station, they can make a killing in retrofits!