I realize this is a pros only forum and I am horning in, but I have a bit of a dilema. We just purchased a house with some Intellipad controls and an IRP-6 in a media center. I am contemplating whether to upgrade and add additional intellipad controls and the appropriate amplifiers for a whole house audio system or tear it out in favor of an Abus system. My problem is that I am not particularly interested in individually teaching each intellipad with a pile of remotes, then doing it again when the intellipads loose their memory. Unfortunately, it appears that the Niles software to allow archiving and programming of the intallipad controls from a PC is not readily available. Does anybody know if any software to program or archive these things is readily available or if a reasonable way to duplicate programming on these things exists? Also, are these intellipad controls still a current product? I don't know who installed this system or if they are still around. Thanks. George.

Current as in still being produced, yes. Current as in up-to-date? No.

InteliPads are a little old school, however, when programmed correctly, they are very powerful and simple. They are still a current product - pricing about $300. They don't loose they're memory.

We still have one installed in the kitchen area where my wife can press "Radio", "CD", "PC" and 3 Satellite music stations. Because it's all macro driven, Radio selects her favorite station, CD begins CD play and the specific satellite stations come right up.

The software for the IntelliPad goes for about $450 new. Not a great value. You can program by hand - takes a little time. Once one is programmed you can copy them to all the rest in the home.

If we were to upgrade, I would settle for the B&K keypad. It's tactile (not touchscreen) but would include ALL of our favorite music stations (FM, AM, Satellite etc) instead of just 3. It would easily include firing up the home theater system (from the kitchen) as well which is situated in the basement. The InteliPad does this as well with a Press & Hold. Sometimes we like the entire house to blow up all at once, you know.

The A-Bus... cool looking but last time I researched last fall it is not macro driven or global for the most part. You can't necessarily turn on the whole house with any given pad. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong?

The same guy that had a big hand developing the InteliPad is a guy many of us know that frequent this site (Eric Johnson). He has been an integral part in making the HTM MX-700, 800 & 850 the bulletproof remotes that they are. I assume this includes the B&K keypad because it sports the same layout and software.

You might consider looking into a few MX-850's if you want to roam with a remote instead. Many of our whole home installations just use these guys instead of keypads now.

By the way, there is no charge for the software and the remotes come with the serial cord to program them.

The only way to get the hardware part of the Intellifile II is to become a dealer and pass a test... or ebay...

As Steve said above, you teach one, and it clones to the others (with a little help). I agree that they simply do not forget... I've pulled one from the basement that hadn't been plugged in for more than 4 years and had it still remember its programming!!

Was state-of-the-art when it first came out... They were talking about replacing it when the Gloria came out, but couldn't make something work, and left well enough alone. Rumor has it there are new things coming, but as of yet they are still rumors...