What's New: Residential Technology

Sep 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Laura Dixon and Charissa Young

AV CONTROLLERS

Elan Home Systems' new System8 multi-room AV controllers feature eight audio source inputs, eight composite video source inputs, and six listening and viewing zones. Up to four controllers can be linked together to allow users to create customized systems. The System8 platform includes two models, the S8.6AV and S8.6AVP. Both models incorporate features such as bass, treble, loudness EQ, and programmable turn-on levels for each zone; whole-house music; and AV source-sensing for system feedback at keypads and touchpanels. The S8.6AV includes an integrated 12-channelx40W PC amplifier, while the S8.6AVP features preamps only.
▪ Elan Home Systems
www.elanhomesystems.com

WEATHERPROOF LOUDSPEAKERS

The StereoStone Omni Planter outdoor loudspeaker system is ideal for patios, porches, and other areas subject to restricted space that still require a high-performance, aesthetically concealed audio system. The exclusive loudspeaker design uses ferrofluid-cooling technology, as well as Santoprene weather-resistant surround suspension and the latest polymica cone materials. This permits greater power handling with lower distortion.
▪ StereoStone | www.stereostone.com

TOUCHPANELS

Three new models in the Elan Home Systems Via! line of standalone touchpanels — Via!4.0-EM, Via!7.0-EM, and Via!10.0-EM — offer two new sizes, 7in. and 10in., with widescreen landscape formats that combine elegance with the traditional Via! features of ultra-fast response, reliable execution, live video monitoring capabilities, and ease of programming. The Via!10.0-EM's large, widescreen viewing area also makes it an ideal in-wall TV monitor. The new Via!4.0-EM takes the success of the current Via! 4in. panel and matches the low-profile, décor-matching frame to the other new models in the line.
▪ Elan Home Systems
www.elanhomesystems.com

DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER

The 9-channel Kramer Electronics VM-92 distribution amplifier features looping inputs and two outputs per channel. The high-performance, multimode device can be configured as a 9×1:2 composite, 4×1:2 S-Video (Y/C), 3×1:2 component (YUV), 3×1:2 RGsB, or 2×1:2 RGBS DA. The amplifier is HDTV-compatible, and it offers an ultra-wide bandwidth of 500MHz, which ensures transparent performance with no signal degradation. The amplifier features selectable-input signal termination and EQ peaking control for each channel, allowing the user to adjust each channel for quality and sharpness in applications that require distribution over long distances.
▪ Kramer Electronics
www.kramer-us.com