Looks like someone else has entered the In-wall PC market. I am a little disappointed that the price is so high. I haven't found any mention of being UL approved yet either, and I can't tell how much current it really uses (It's only 12V, but maybe it uses 10A?). It would have been great if it just used 110V, and accepted romex like the Nobu unit does. The manufacture watches this board, so hopefully he will chime in soon.

SageTV HD extenders are back in stock. Get one while you can, considering how fast they run out of stock:

SageTV Store

Milford, MA - May 5, 2008 – interfaceGO, a division of MB DataSystems, Inc., announced the release of the NK8 touch screen / control application supporting the ISY series of home automation controllers from Universal Devices. Working in conjunction with the ISY, the interfaceGO NK8 allows full wireless control of your home's Insteon lighting & thermostats.

The NK8 converts Nokia's popular N800 and N810 touch panels into full-featured wireless controllers for your entire home. A Windows/PC version of the NK8, called the NK8-PC, is also available.

The NK8 software retails for $119.95 and is sold direct from interfaceGO. Also available in several bundles, users can add a complete wireless touch panel to their home for well under $400 (retail $389.90). The Windows/PC version of the NK8, called the NK8-PC, retails for a low $49.95.



Both the Nokia N800 and N810 feature a sharp 800 x 480 4.1" display and 802.11g wireless connectivity. By leveraging Nokia's versatile touch panels, interfaceGO's NK8 software provides a completely flexible end-user experience. Users can dedicate the touch panel to lighting / thermostat control, or simply exit the NK8 software to browse the web, check their email, or utilize one of the many other features of the Nokia touch panels.

Bundled with the interfaceGO NK8 and NK8-PC is a powerful but simple Config Utility, allowing users to build their own personalized interfaces by simply dragging and dropping scenes & devices stored in the ISY. Users decide where they want their control widgets displayed on-screen and define the folder structure containing them. Create one interface for the touch panel in the master bedroom, and another completely different interface for the touch panel located in the living room - and yet another interface for the touch panel in the kitchen.

The NK8 and NK8-PC communicate with the ISY in real-time, providing instant feedback and control - both to and from the ISY. The NK8's thumb-friendly interface allows easy use of the touch panel without a pen. The Nokia's modern looks paired with the NK8's clean and colorful interface provide a high-end appearance at a low cost.

About interfaceGO: interfaceGO was founded with the goal of creating practical, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing interfaces to popular home automation products.

Both the NK8 and NK8-PC are available today. Please check out www.interfacego.com for more information.

Perceptive Automation has just announced their new 3.0 release. In case you aren't familiar with this product yet, it happens to be one of the most popular home automation packages out there for the Mac platform. This is a free upgrade for all Indigo 2.0 customers, while existing 1.8 customers can receive a $90 discount towards their purchase of v3.0. Some of the new features include:

• Indigo 3.0 now includes native support for the INSTEON thermostat adapter, including thermostat-specific triggers, actions, and Control Page elements.
• Quickly and intuitively create Indigo controlled INSTEON scenes to command multiple modules at once.
• In addition to creating Indigo scenes, Indigo can also remotely create and edit scenes between other modules.
• Indigo 3.0 can now upload user defined basic logic and schedules to the INSTEON PowerLinc 2414U computer interface (as well as the PowerLinc 1132CU). Once uploaded, the Mac can be turned off and basic schedules and actions will continue to execute. See the online help and this forum thread for more information.
• Indigo's SQLite and PostgreSQL integration efficiently saves Indigo Device state changes, Variable value changes, and Event Log messages to either a SQLite database or a PostgreSQL database.
• Web server plug-in architecture
• Improved Web server performance
• User interface refinements
• iPhone display enhancements
• Support for INSTEON modules: OutletLinc, KeypadLinc Relay, EZIO6I Input Controller, EZX10RF Wireless Sensor Receiver, EZSwitch30, IRLinc Converter.

You can find more information on their website.

New York, NY – March 31, 2008 – ControlThink today announces its new Z-Wave® USB Adapter. Available immediately, it is the first USB adapter in the industry to deliver firmware-upgradability and 4x (40kbps) Z-Wave support for home computers.



The new Z-Wave USB Adapter requires no drivers and supports both Windows XP® and Windows Vista® (including 64-bit editions). Used in conjunction with ControlThink’s ThinkEssentials® or other third-party software, this product enables your home computer to communicate with Z-Wave enabled devices such as lighting, climate control, and entertainment products.
“The new ControlThink® Z-Wave USB Adapter allows us to deliver new Z-Wave protocol functionality to customers in conjunction with new features in our software products—and those of our OEM partners,” said Chris Walker, ControlThink CTO.

The slim design also allows the adapter to fit into most USB ports, a welcome feature for notebook users.
The ControlThink Z-Wave USB Adapter is available immediately for $39.95 USD and can be ordered online at www.controlthink.com/accessories/.
About ControlThink

ControlThink creates reliable, affordable and easy-to-use home and building control solutions. ControlThink is making home control simpler and more affordable for all homeowners. For more information about ControlThink, visit www.controlthink.com or call 888.90.THINK.
ControlThink and ThinkEssentials are registered trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Company. Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Z-Wave is a registered trademark of Zensys A/S.

Grayson Peddie was kind enough to write a how-to explaining how to connect your wireless doorbell to your M1. Eventho he used the Elk M1 in this how-to, the concept will work with other devices supporting analog inputs such as the ADI Ocelot. Visit the link below for more details.

How To Wire A Wireless Doorbell to Elk M1 Gold

HAI's new Surveillance product line will be demonstrated at HAI's Booth 18120 at the ISC Show in Las Vegas, NV April 2 - 4, 2008

New Orleans, LA - HAI (Home Automation, Inc.), leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, is now shipping a new line of Surveillance products, including a Network Digital Video Recorder (NDVR) and two high resolution cameras, along with various accessories.
HAI's NDVR has 4-channels and can be installed stand-alone to view video via its embedded web server or used in conjunction with an HAI home control system where cameras can be viewed on HAI's family of Touchscreens, over the Internet, or Smartphone.
HAI's NDVR records video based on motion or any other chosen event. Recordings may be viewed on or offsite using a standard web browser. Included client software allows you to view live and recorded video for up to 16 cameras at the same time on a split screen. You may implement multiple NDVR's in one installation. Two optional parts allow it to be securely mounted in a structured wiring can.
"What's really unique about this NDVR is the form factor," explains Thomas Pickral Jr., HAI Business Development Manager. "It mounts directly on a wall or securely locked away in a structured wiring enclosure eliminating the need for a costly rack or unsightly shelf. It makes for a much cleaner, easier and secure installation."

Also included in the Surveillance product family are two high resolution cameras. The cameras are available in a dome-style or bullet-style.
All products in HAI's Surveillance line are now shipping and are available through a worldwide network of Distributors and installing dealers in over 80 countries. For more information please visit www.homeauto.com or call 800-229-7256.

To download a high res picture of HAI's Network Digital Video Recorder on the Universal Mounting Plate, please click here: http://www.homeauto.com/mediacenter/HaiPRI...age=68A04-2.tif

About HAI (www.homeauto.com): HAI (Home Automation, Inc.) is a privately held manufacturer of integrated automation and security products for residential and commercial use based in New Orleans, LA. Incorporated in 1985, HAI has developed a full line of award-winning automation products, including home control systems, programmable communicating thermostats, smart light switches, Whole Home Audio systems, video surveillance equipment, Touchscreen interfaces, and software that allows access and control of an automation system over the Internet. All products are sold through HAI's worldwide network of Distribution Partners and installed by trained dealers in over 80 countries.

Embedded Automation Announces mPanel

Integrated Touch Screen is a Portal for Accessing Digital Music and Home Control



Surrey, BC - March 12, 2008

Today, Embedded Automation, launched mPanel, the newest member of the mHome product family. mPanel is a wall-mountable touch screen, which acts as a unified control portal for your "digital home". With mPanel, homeowners can control digital music within the room, manage the home's lighting and climate settings, or view and adjust security and surveillance systems.

Embedded Automation will be providing live demonstrations of the mPanel in the Demo Alley (Room 240A) at Electronic House Expo (EHX), running from March 13-15, 2008 in Orlando, Florida.

mPanel's breakthrough design fits seamlessly in homes with an IP infrastructure. mPanel integrates easily in to homes using or considering Microsoft Windows Media Center or Windows Home Server technologies.

• mPanel provides a single user interface for digital media and home control - mPanel's Digital Media Interface allows it to stream music from any computer or storage on your local area network and plays it through the on-board amplifier to attached speakers. mPanel's Digital Home Interface can connect to any mControl installation to allow live status and control of lighting, climate control, security system, surveillance cameras, audio/visual components and custom macros.
• mPanel is simple and inexpensive to install- unlike other whole-home audio systems which require control and audio cables to be wired to a central source and then distributed to each room, mPanel requires a single Ethernet cable to network hub. The Ethernet cable provides the access to digital media and, optionally, can act as the main source of power for the unit. In-room or ceiling speakers connect directly to the mPanel. Furthermore, mPanel's quick and robust 4-point dog-leg mounting system and magnetic front-panel, make installation a snap.
• mPanel is easy to use and configure - mPanel features a large 7" (800x480) touch screen display, integrated networking and an on-board amplification system. Using a standard Ethernet cable and Power over Ethernet (PoE), mPanel's on-board amplification system provides up to 20 Watts per channel at 4 Ohms - additional wattage is available with an add-on module. mPanel's tiny wall footprint (5.5" x 7.75") and low-profile faceplate allow it to be mounted in virtually any location within a home. While a single mPanel is a great addition to condos or small homes, multiple mPanels can be installed in larger homes.

"We've seen a tremendous need from our customer base for an integrated digital home user interface platform. This demand is being fueled by customers centralizing both their digital media and their home control functions, but looking for a straight-forward and inexpensive way of accessing this infrastructure," said Ted S. Singh, CEO of Embedded Automation. "mPanel solves this problem by integrating a control interface (for communicating to the digital media and automation servers) with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) backbone and an audio amplification system. With these items together in one convenient platform, mPanel becomes a perfect solution for main entrances, kitchens, recreation rooms and covered outdoor decks needing a method to access digital music and home control."

"As part of this solution, we've now ported mControl to run on Windows CE platforms," said Ted S. Singh. "This now lets us extend mControl to other embedded touch panels."

mPanel will be available in limited quantities in Q2 2008, with full availability in Q3 2008. Customized front-panels are available under OEM agreements.

About Embedded Automation
Founded in 1998, Embedded Automation designs, manufactures, and markets solutions for "Digital Home" under the mHome product family. mHome products allow consumers to easily and affordably add control and media management capabilities to their homes. mHome products are available from Embedded Automation and through the mHome Authorized Dealer Network.


Press Contact:

Ted S. Singh, CEO

Telephone: 1-604-596-4999

ted.singh@embeddedautomation.com

http://www.embeddedautomation.com

IRLinc - INSTEON IR Receiver
http://www.smarthome.com/2411r.html?src=HML07RC52


Some key features

• Compatible with most programmable remote controls
• Talk-back LED confirms compatible IR commnds
• Wide-angle IR receiver gives you maximum flexibility
• Sleek black finish blends with your A/V equipment
• IRLinc is fully INSTEON compatible and X10 ready

INSTEON Remote Control Thermostat
http://www.smarthome.com/2491t1.html?src=HML07RC52


features:

• Save energy and money on bills by remotely controlling your thermostat
• Everything you need: Includes Venstar T1700 Thermostat plus INSTEON Thermostat Adapter
• Works with heat/cool and heat pump systems
• Use software to remotely check the current temperature and set point

Johnnynine has written a really nice Z-wave network management application using the .NET 2 platform. It definitely has some cool features:

• Auto-discovers your Z-Wave network.
• Displays levels of all devices (such as light brightness)
• Displays names and types of devices.
• Allows editing of node names.
• Change levels of selected nodes.
• Change levels of nodes grouped in RZC0P.
• Define groups in the RZC0P.
• Export metadata to Elk Products ElkRP application. (support pending)

The best part? It's free! Go check it out it here.

For comments, visit this thread.

I just got word that Elk launched a self contained security system. Looks pretty neat!

Las Vegas, Nevada (January 8, 2008) – At the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, nationwide alarm monitoring provider NextAlarm.com® , The Broadband Alarm Company® , today announced two major new security features for its VoIPAlarm 2 IP alarm signal transmission platform.

VoIPAlarm 2 is centered around the VoIPAlarm ABN adapter, an IP communicator which connects to any Contact ID compatible alarm system. Signals from the alarm system are received by VoIPAlarm over broadband Internet, and retransmitted over PSTN phone lines or IP to the central station of the alarm installer's choice. VoIPAlarm 2 is intended as a low-cost, high-reliability alternative to cellular dialers, proprietary IP communicators, and other solutions to the growing number of end users who do not have the traditional phone service required by most alarm systems.

One new feature, called Redial Supervision, allows central stations and alarm dealers to be notified if the retransmission of an alarm signal fails for any reason, such as a malfunction of the central station's alarm receiver. The alerts take the form of an e-mail or text message, and are sent instantaneously. The other new feature, called Split Reporting, allows signals to be sent to multiple alarm receivers. For example, alarm signals can be sent to a central station, while maintenance and supervisory signals can be sent to a receiver in the alarm installer's office. Although this feature is already built into some specially configured alarm systems when monitored over standard telephone lines, the VoIPAlarm.com implementation works even if the alarm system has not been programmed in this way, or does not normally support the feature at all. It is also the only broadband monitoring solution to support it.

"Essentially, Redial Supervision is a way to work out any kinks between a central station's receiver and our redialers," said NextAlarm.com CTO Bryan Field-Elliot. "Although alarm signals are received and retransmitted with effectively a 100% success rate, line noise and receiver problems can sometimes cause the signals to be rejected by a central station's receivers, just like they might any alarm signal. With Redial Supervision, the central station and alarm installer are immediately notified of a potential problem, and can solve it before it causes the end user any harm. Our new Split Reporting feature can act as an additional security measure in case of receiver failure, as well as the traditional application of having non-emergency signals sent to a secondary receiver. "

Redial Supervision and Split Reporting will soon be available to all current and future VoIPAlarm dealers at no additional cost. Interested parties are encouraged to visit http://www.voipalarm.com for more information or to sign up for service.

About NextAlarm.com®

NextAlarm.com® , The Broadband Alarm Company® , was established in 2000 by a team of alarm industry experts with more than 50 years of collective experience. The company provides service to thousands of homes and businesses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, including those who have switched to VoIP over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service. For more information about NextAlarm.com® , visit http://www.NextAlarm.com.

Little Neck, NY – January 3, 2008 – Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc., North America's leading producer of electrical and electronic wiring devices, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ControlThink LC, a leading home and building control software and services company. The acquisition will join Leviton’s strengths in product manufacturing and distribution with ControlThink’s PC-, CE- and mobile phone-based solutions for intelligent home control. Both Leviton and ControlThink utilize standards-based technologies such as the Z-Wave® open wireless home control architecture. As a Leviton company, ControlThink will develop new products that offer superior software design, high quality and interoperability with products from allied industry partners.

"As we advance through our second century as an industry leader, Leviton is committed to offering innovative, market-sensitive products and services to the home-technology segment of our business. ControlThink's extensive software and services capabilities will uniquely position Leviton as the premier industry partner for residential control solutions," said Bob Becker, Leviton’s Vice President and General Manager - Residential Business.

Leviton plans for ControlThink to operate as a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary. ControlThink will continue to offer market-leading solutions to its existing OEM partners and customers while aligning with Leviton to expand the market for intelligent home control solutions, products and services.

"Leviton made residential structured wiring a mass-market reality, and we intend to do the same for home control. This acquisition creates many new opportunities for manufacturers and integrators to strategically join in providing best-in-class, end-to-end interoperable home control solutions," added Ian Hendler, Leviton’s Director of Business Development.

"Four years ago, we set out to bring the benefits of home control technology to every homeowner. We look forward to turning this vision into a reality through our combined resources and growing network of industry partners We are very excited to become part of the Leviton family of companies. Leviton is one of the most recognized and established brands in the industry” said Chris Walker, ControlThink President.

About ControlThink
ControlThink is a leading provider of home and building control solutions. ControlThink creates enduser products and services and provides middleware and white-label solutions for industry partners. ControlThink is dedicated to making home control simpler and more affordable for all homeowners. For more information about ControlThink, visit www.controlthink.com. Consumer electronics, computer, software and residential products manufacturers are invited to contact ControlThink to discuss potential partnership opportunities. Please call 888.90.THINK (extension 1) or e-mail partners@controlthink.com for more information.

About Leviton
Founded in 1906 at the dawn of the electrical era, Leviton manufactures over 25,000 different products and is North America’s leading electrical and electronic wiring device producer. Leviton products are used in nine out of ten homes in the US and Canada, commercial facilities, industrial plants and OEM operations. A third generation family owned and operated business, Leviton sets the pace of progress in the industry. For more information about Leviton, visit www.leviton.com.

HomeSeer Releases Windows® Media Center Interface for Vista

Bedford, NH – HomeSeer Technologies announces the release of its Windows Media Center interface for Vista. The new interface is designed to allow users to monitor and control their HomeSeer-automated homes through Media Center. The new interface takes full advantage of the improved graphics and animation features supported by Vista.

“We were the first home automation company to support Windows Media Center four years ago and it’s been a very successful effort”, states Richard Helmke, HomeSeer’s president. “The new version builds on that success and takes full advantage of the new Vista graphics and animation effects. We expect our users to be very happy with the improvements “.

HomeSeer’s Media Center interface is designed to work with all of HomeSeer’s automation systems to integrate and automate hundreds of products from leading manufacturers such as Cooper Wiring Devices, Lutron, Leviton, Intermatic, Russound, Centralite and DSC (to name just a few). As with other HomeSeer products the new interface is fully compatible with the latest automation technologies such as Z-Wave® and Insteon®.

The Vista Media Center interface is slated to begin shipping in January, 2008.

As you might have noticed, the chat server has been down for a few hours now. I experienced some power fluctuations again, taking out my UPS, and the HD for the chat server. I am working on a replacement, but it probably will be down until tomorrow, since I have to rebuild the OS and recompile some stuff.