Essential Install | Home Automation Platforms
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Control4 has made a new friend in NuVo
reducing configuration time . The Nuvo line up of whole home audio systems offers wired and Wi-Fi distributed audio solutions streaming service compatibility and intuitive control . Now with SDDP , Nuvo system players will immediately show up in Control4 ’ s programming software , without guesswork or the need to search for drivers , says the company . In addition , the Control4 controller will automatically pair with the SDDP device as soon as it is discovered and added to the Control4 system .
In a busy ISE programme , Control4 highlighted two major announcements ahead of the show with additions to its BakPak remote monitoring capabilities , plus a new introduction to its lighting line up with a new square dual load wireless dimmer , switch and keypad .
Control4 continues to leverage the capabilities afforded to its platform by its purchase of Pakedge Device & Software , Inc . in February of last year . Pakedge built a strong reputation offering networking products and cloud network-management services for wireless and wired networking solutions for homes and business , in particular offering remote access , monitoring and troubleshooting via its BakPak feature .
Brad Hintze , director product marketing at Control4 , says : “ At the CEDIA show in the US last year , we added BakPak functionality at no extra charge into our platform which was well received . There are lots of options for remote monitoring now , but often with the need for additional hardware , we did not want to do that , so introduced built in BakPak with the Pakedge NK-1 wireless access-point controller .
For ISE 2017 the company went a step further , adding the functionality to the Pakedge RK1 routers . The company says it makes perfect sense to add BakPak to a router and this simple approach should help installers build up a critical mass of clients with remote monitoring to really make it pay off in terms of building up service contracts as well as improving the performance of the system overall . If installers have a project that is already covered in terms of Wi-Fi , then there is still the opportunity to use the
NK-1 . The new BakPak loaded routers can be ordered now and if clients already have the RK-1 , they too can get the functionality via a firmware upgrade .
BakPak can manage both the IP network and connected smart devices ( including those connected via ZigBee , Z-Wave , Ethernet , and WiFi ) delivering real-time visibility of network health in one interface allowing diagnostics and troubleshooting before problems happen , allowing installers to increase their support effectiveness and to cut costs by keeping physical visits to a minimum .
As well as the BakPak functionality , the RK-1 Router includes a dual-core processor and CPU to manage simultaneous streams of high bandwidth , low latency multimedia traffic including 4K and HD video , uncompressed audio , running Voice over IP ( VOIP ) telephone services , streaming video camera feeds as well as supporting Control4 system applications . The router has five LAN ports , two WAN ports for failover , plus two USB 3.0 ports .
Control4 has also revealed new BakPak features that the company says will enable dealers to bring a new customer network online quickly through a wizard-based approach . New troubleshooting and alert features include diagnostic information for ZigBee and Z-Wave signal strength and mobile alerts for diminished Internet speed tests .
The RK-1 Router with BakPak pre-configured is available now without any license or subscription fees for $ 750 US MSRP (£ 600 aprox ). Existing homes running an RK-1 Router and can be upgraded to BakPak without additional license fees . The BakPak enabled NK-1 comes in at $ 500 US MSRP (£ 400 aprox ) and homes already running an NK-1 WAP Controller can also be upgraded to the latest firmware with BakPak support without additional license fees .
A new Square Dual Load Wireless Dimmer and Square Dual Load Wireless Switch is the other big news from the company , enabling dealers to leverage the ZigBee wireless lighting solution for all projects , existing and new builds .
The new approach is designed to offer European installers a reliable intelligent lighting automation in a compact square form-factor .
The platform has been created to be a cost-effective and smart solution for split-load applications to independently control two lighting loads at a single location . The Square Dual Load Wireless Dimmer and Switch also function as a keypad and incorporate backlit engraving and status LEDs for two-way feedback . The fittings also offer colour options for faceplates and keypads .
Keypads offer flexible configurations and control of other functions such as music , video , shades , locks and thermostats . As far as lighting goes , the system can handle LED , incandescent , halogen and low voltage lighting , as well as motorised devices such as ceiling fans and bathroom ventilations . The Square Dual Load Wireless Dimmer costs £ 175.00 / € 255.00 MSRP and the Square
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58 | February 2017