In an almost simultaneous news release with sister company RTI, Pro Control has announced a slew of new products that they’ll be showing at the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2014 in Denver, Colorado, this coming September.

Again, much like with RTI, these products have been seen before – namely in our Pro Control CEDIA Video. However, as far as I know this is the first time that some of them have been formally announced with product photography! Read more...

RTI is prepping for CEDIA 2014 this coming September in Denver, and in anticipation of that have announced a list of new products that they’ll be exhibiting.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult not to notice that this year’s new product lists look substantively the same as last year’s new product list. T3x, KX3, KX1, AD-16x, XP-4 – they were all on the 2013 news release, too. However, those products that were far from available back then, are hopefully now either already shipping, or will soon be. The WK2 water-resistant in-wall keypad hasn’t been officially announced before now, but was discreetly previewed at CEDIA 2013. Read more...

RTI has just announced that their next-generation RK1+ In-Wall Keypad, which is available in 2, 4 or 8 button versions, is now shipping to dealers. Each features customizable LED backlight colors for every button, an option for custom engraved keycaps, and an integrated IR output. Read more...

Anyone working with the Philips Hue lighting system will be pleased to hear that URC is now offering integration with their Total Control lineup of products (plus ccGEN2), via a module developed and marketed by Extra Vegetables.

The module offers the ability to create lighting scenes and groups, control the brightness and color of all Hue devices, and it doesn't block the standard Android or iOS apps from working. Read more...

Need a little extra reliability in your control system... like perhaps an extra year of reliability? URC has just announced that their Total Control products now include a full 2-year warranty. Now that’s good enough – but the real news here is that it doesn’t just apply to new purchases... it automatically extends to all Total Control products ever sold!

Now that’s called standing behind what you sell. Read more...

Dealing with a smaller system? Still want to use an RTI control system? Then the RP-4 may be perfect for you! This upgrade of the RP-1 offers simplified one-way RF control of a single system. It features 4 IR outs, 2 voltage sense inputs, 2 relay outs, and includes support for RTIPanel App. Read more...

Home Theater Master (now obsolete), Complete Control, Total Control... now Complete Control Generation 2. This week’s announcement of the future availability of the “second generation” of Complete Control products – one that’s incompatible with both first generation and Total Control products – does mean that some dealers will now be shuffling knowledge of three unique product lineups. And parts. And configuration software. Will the new system be worth it? Time will tell! Read more...

Okay, so these product announcements may not actually be new (the new hardware was originally announced before CEDIA 2013), but of greater importance is the news that they’re now available to buy. Well, almost – rumor is shipments are currently constrained, but that will be getting better soon! Read more...

We all know RTI for their nifty black “stick” controls – and perhaps even their sleek in-wall controls. But how about something bigger... that can stand all on its own? That’s where the new CX7 comes in – a wired user interface with a tiltable 7-inch touchscreen that can be set on a countertop, or mounted under a cabinet. But here’s the really good news: it’s shipping now... not in two weeks! Read more...

With the first day of 2014 now safely under our belts, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Remote Central during 2013.

From all the folks who participate in our forums and make this such a lively place to visit each and every day, to everyone who has submitted new content in the file areas – thanks for helping us grow! To our forum moderators, who gently keep the peace when needed – thanks for giving up your time to keep this a friendly place!

And thanks especially to our advertisers, without whom we wouldn’t be able to keep the lights on. Remember, folks: when you choose a company that you’ve seen advertising on Remote Central, you’re doing your part to suppose us too! Be sure to tell them where you saw their ad... and for everyone else, ask why you don’t see one!

Here’s to a successful 2014 for everyone!

Speaker Marketing 101... or is it 420?

As I was finishing up our exhaustive (and exhausting) series of fourteen CEDIA 2013 video reports, I happened upon some interesting footage from a prior Expo, and thought it would be an interesting way to start 2014. Especially if you’re still a little buzzed from partying! Read more...