Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category
Control4® MyHome Android App Release
Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 07:53 Written by Bryan Wednesday, 14 December 2011 07:00
It’s the app you’ve been waiting for! The Control4® MyHome Android app is now available for download! The Control4® MyHome Android app allows you to interact with their Control4 systems from the convenience of your Android smartphone or tablet. As with other MyHome apps, customers get the familiar Control4 user interface to control lighting, temperature, music, movies, security and more. Control4 MyHome requires a license that is available only from Control4 Dealers. Rave Reviews! The Control4 MyHome Android app has been through extensive Beta testing with over 250 Control4 Dealers! Product Info Control4® MyHome Device License: A device license provides authorization on one (1) device. Control4® MyHome Site License: A site license enables functionality on multiple devices at a single location. The licenses can be activated on any supported platform, including Android, iPhone, iPad, or on a PC or Mac.
System Requirements • Control4® MyHome – Site/Device License. • Control4 system running software OS 2.1.1 or later. • Android OS 2.1 – 3.2 and a device with 480 x 320 or greater screen size.
FAQ When will the app be available? The Contro4 MyHome Android app release is December 14, 2011.
What version of the Control4 OS software is required to support the MyHome Android app? The MyHome Android app requires Control4 OS 2.1.1 or later.
What Android operating systems are supported with the MyHome Android app? The minimum operating system is Android 2.1. The MyHome Android app has been tested on devices running Android operating systems 2.1 through 3.2.
Where do I download the MyHome Android app? The MyHome Android app is available as a free download from the Android Market. Alternatively, you can also find the app on the Amazon Appstore for Android (required location for download for Kindle Fire); however, at the time of this release, the app has been submitted to Amazon for testing and is awaiting approval so it may not be available immediately.
When will My Home Android app run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)? Numerous popular device manufacturers have announced the intention to upgrade to Android 4.0 but time frames vary greatly. To date, we have been unable to test the MyHome Android app on physical hardware running Android 4.0 due to a lack of availability, although the application does run under emulation on desktop development systems. Control4 will provide information and a date for our Android 4.0 upgrade as soon as the app has been tested and meets our quality standards. Currently, Android 2.2 and 2.3 account for over 85% of all devices in the marketplace today.
Will the MyHome Android app work on Amazon’s Kindle Fire or the Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet? We have tested the application on a Kindle Fire and the app provides the same support as on other Android devices and is supported with this release. The app will be published on the Amazon Appstore to simplify the installation. Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet is NOT supported at this time due to issues encountered during testing.
Is there a list of supported devices for MyHome Android? As of December 2011, Control4 has tested the app on the following Android devices. This is not a guarantee of support, but a short list of devices that have been used with the complete feature set in the app. Smartphones • Motorola Droid 1, 2, 3, X, Bionic • Samsung Infuse • HTC Evo, Inspire Tablets • Motorola Xoom • Samsung Galaxy 7” • Asus Transformer • Sony SGPT111US • Kindle Fire
What core features are supported in the MyHome apps? The table below highlights core features and functionality that are supported—or not supported—in each of the MyHome apps.
Are there experience differences in the MyHome apps compared to the Flash-based navigators? The core difference between the traditional Flash-based Navigator (in-wall, on-screen, portable) and the MyHome apps is customization. The Flash-based Navigators provide rich room-by-room customization and the ability to hide functionality. The MyHome apps do not provide this same level of customization, including removing icons for various features. As shown above, the MyHome apps for iPhone, iPad, or Android do not support 4Store apps.
Are there any features or functionality that won’t be available in the MyHome app for Android when it launches? Below are a few known issues in the launch version of the Android app that you should consider. All of these issues will be addressed in a future release(s). • Home> App does not start up in default room—room that the driver is placed in. After launching the app for the first time, change the room. Future app startups should remember the last room used. • Listen> Queue view: Can’t save current queue as Rhapsody playlist. • Listen> Android app does not support iPod proxy handling and third-party drivers using it. This might result display and sort inconsistencies in the information presented (e.g., Sonos, Roko, etc.). • Listen> Receiver does not display list of surround sound modes. • Lighting> Proper ordering of lights and lighting scenes is not supported at this time. With the initial release, lighting and lighting scenes are displayed alphabetically by room and by device name in each room. • Lighting> Lights and lighting scenes are visible in a room, even if they are hidden in other Navigators.
Does the MyHome Android app support any languages other than English? The initial release of the MyHome Android app is English only. It is anticipated that language support will be available in Q1 2012.
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Tags: 2.1.1, Android, Control4, ControlUI, Drivers, MyHome | Posted under 2.0, Announcements, Control4 Software, Featured | No Comments
You’ve Been Waiting. It’s Here. HDMI Distribution That Works….with a few bonuses! Oh did I mention “The Secret Location” of the 400.00 Dollar Off Exclusive Pre Sale?
Last Updated on Tuesday, 6 December 2011 07:10 Written by Joe Whitaker Tuesday, 6 December 2011 07:10
This year at Cedia I was Lucky enough to meet the founders of Hydra Connect Llc. David Schanin and Tony Anzelmo. While usually every year I am bombarded by companies who want meet to check out their distribution solution “You know who you are” this small booth hidden in the corner caught my eye and made stop. As I strolled into the booth I scoped a strange looking 2u blue box with 2 large fan vents on the front. I thought to myself a box that ugly has got to have some good stuff inside! “Note the production model is not as ugly and is black.” Me being myself strolled right passed the booth guys and though the maze of wire to see what the back looked like. To my surprise I witnessed 8 HDMI inputs, 8 HDMI outputs, 8 analog audio inputs, 8 analog audio outputs, and a single ethernet connection. Even more curious was the fact that on top of this box was an HC300. After the conversation that followed to this day David, Tony and I have shared a dream. True HDMI distribution for all. After getting the opportunity to get into the nuts and bolts of this device here are the things you need to know.
Here is the Overview (Detailed Description Follows)
such as a commercial DVD or BluRay disc, All cable and satellite boxes should be tuned to pay-per-view channels (you do not have to purchase a
movie, just tune to the channel displaying the purchase screen), All A/V receivers should be configured so that the HDMI input which connects to the HSS-1 is shown on its front panel as the selected input, All displays that have multiple inputs have the input selected which has the HDMI cable connection.
So set up is pretty simple. But now onto the part where Control4 users can rejoice. The points where the magic happens.
The first piece of the magic is the analog audio matrix side. The guys at Hydra listened and noted a major request of most Control4 users. This independant 8×8 audio matrix also provides the 1:1 ratio volume control. This has become pretty common for full analog switches but not so in HDMI switches. Those of us that have been using HDMI switching have been forced to use a 3rd party switch or an amp with built in switching at high price. Finally a company that understands flexibility.
The next trick is the use of CEC in a control system. Most of us integrators make sure CEC is turned off on EVERY device in an HDMI distribution system because of the havoc it can create. Well not so much now. The use of CEC will in a distibution/control system will allow integrators the ability to scrap ugly IR emitters, toss cumbersome RS232, and save a few ports on their network switch by controlling devices with CEC.
Hydra accomplished this by creating some “genric drivers” for Tv, dvd, and Avr. Inside the Switch driver is the ability to create a number of “virtual ir” ports. So the Control4 system thinks it it using IR. All the CEC logic is actually contained in the Hydra switch. Here are my thoughts on each driver type.
Tv Control: Tv Control is a no brainer. In most case we only need on and off. If this is your scenario you are in luck…. go ahead and yack the emitter now. However if you need volume control and mute be care. Currently tested Toshiba sets are one of the few that support volume control and mute over CEC. I have found that the new Sharp 70″ and 80″ also support these functions. So check out the compatibility chart.
DVD /BluRay players: Another good one. Who hates to see those ugly emitters in your high end finished rack? All standard commands are present in most of todays BluRay players. One less connection, One less wire, One cleaner looking rack!
AVR’s: Now here’s where I have a personal opinion. While Some if not most of today’s Avr’s support CEC I do not think it is a viable solution if RS232 or IP control is available. If either of these are available for 2way control there is just to much to lose going the CEC route. Direct commands to specific surround modes is lost, direct jumps to specific types of streaming media as in the new Sony 5700es will be lost, and well true volume feed back to navigation is gone also. So on the Avr side I would have to say CEC is just not ready for the big show. This is not the switched fault, just a limitation of CEC in it’s current state.
So to introduce this awesome new product to the masses has been a privilidge and an honor. This is definately one of the few products I was excited about at Cedia this year. I am also happy to announce that while this product won’t ship till Christmas time an Exculsive Pre-Order can be found at store.thesohoshop.com. This Preorder will run until Christmas and will come with a special holiday 400.00 off!
Posted under Announcements, HDMI | No Comments
Driver News: Virtual 6 Button Keypad
Last Updated on Friday, 14 October 2011 04:33 Written by Alan Chow Tuesday, 4 October 2011 11:52
UPDATE : Recluse AV have integrated iPhone and iPad to their Virtual 6 Button keypad driver. Works over the internet with two way feedback! No price increase for the same site licence!!
Recluse AV’s is proud to announce the release of their Virtual 6 Button Keypad driver and java application for Control4 OS 2.1. This driver/application bundle provides a simple user interface that the Control4 consumer is familiar with around his or her home. This application is designed to simulate Control4′s keypads both visually and functionally which offers control over any device in the control4 system with simulated LED feedback. It is important to note that this driver/application bundle is not designed to replace Control4′s my home pc software but it is designed for those who want quick and simple buttons that take up minimum realestate.
Features Include
- Definable Press and Release colours.
- Ability to label each keypad via the driver including support for HTML tags and ascii codes (for easy remote reprogramming).
- Ability to connect Control4 lights and lighting scenes for push, release and click functions.
- Ability to connect multiple keypads to the same server (offering the same keypad functionality across multiple computers).
- Ability to connect multiple keypads to different servers on the same Director (offering differing keypad functionality across multiple computers).
- Ability to program each button’s press and release events for anything you want.
To sign up as a Recluse AV dealer click here.
Tags: Control4, Drivers, Recluse AV | Posted under 2.0, 3rd Party Press Releases, Announcements, Drivers, Editor's Pick, Featured | No Comments