Home Automation
Crestron Prodigy (apx. $3,200)
Trying to expand beyond its intricate custom-installed whole home automation roots, Crestron has created a simplified DIY system based on the ZigBee wireless specification. For the price indicated, the Prodigy can control up to six rooms’ AV, lighting and climate conditions.
Savant Protégé (apx. $5000)
Also answering the call for a simpler to use/easier to afford complete home control (A/V, lighting, climate, security, etc.) solution, Savant unveiled its wireless Protégé system. Instead of, or supplementary to, touch panels and RF remotes, you can happily use an iPhone in conjunction with it to control your house.
Control4 EC-100 ($TBA)
You’ve heard of LAN and WAN. Well, now there’s the HAN (Home Area Network), referring to wireless control of your home’s energy usage. To make a long story short: The Control4 EC-100 will the first system-based HAN touch control pad to monitor, control and automate new smart meters that are, in turn, connected to the growing number of two-way smart grid energy systems being rolled out by local power companies. As such, it can save you a considerable amount of cash, and help your home operate a little greener.
Kwikset Smartcode ($100-$110)
In a clever touch for home security, when someone punches their code into this electronic combination door lock, designed to be integrated with a Control4 system, you receive a notification email. More interesting still, the lock can be programmed for up to 30 codes, allowing you to monitor a number of individuals’ comings and goings.
Pioneer ETap (TBD)
Pioneer is still developing this total entertainment control media hub network concept. Equipped with Control4 wireless control protocols and a 1TB drive onto which you can rip Blu-ray discs and all your other multimedia content, ETap lets you pull, push and control all your multimedia content throughout a variety of devices.
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