Crestron Does Shading

Users of high-end Crestron automation systems can now add energy-saving motorized shades to their whole-house A/V, lighting and automation systems. Crestron offers Architectural, Decor (contempo look where you see the roller), and Designer Cassette (shading built into a housing) series, in roller and Roman shades and drapery tracks. The motors use Crestron’s low-voltage Quiet Motor Technology. Users can reprogram the levels the shades descend to.

image via Crestron

Smart Plugs for BlueBolt

Panamax’s BlueBolt system that allows remote monitoring and control of products plugged into IP-addressable power conditioners will expand to plug-level monitoring throughout the house with the addition of smart plug-in modules and a gateway. The MD2-ZB plug-in module has two outlets and status lights so electronics not mounted in a central rack can be monitored via ZigBee wireless RF technology. The $100 module works with a BB-ZB1 gateway (also $100) that transmits and receives signals from the modules and is connected to a home’s networked router.

Energy Savings through Power Protection

When power conditioners and power protection devices that stabilize electricity for your electronics are combined with Internet connectivity or IP (Internet Protocol), you can have a powerful energy management and control system. SurgeX’s new line of Axess products do just that. The Axess Elite ($1,829) features outlet-level energy management and control, with two-way communication that monitors and manages energy usage. You can schedule components to shut down if they’re using too much energy. Remote rebooting of components is also possible. For more basic needs, Axess and Axess Ready products including the XF-2AR surge protector/power conditioner ($599) are available.

Networked Amps

Energy management in high-performance amps? It’s possible. The Acurus 2-channel A2002 ($2,500), 5-channel A2005 ($3,500) and 7-channel A2007 ($4,000) amps pump out 200 watts per channel and have Ethernet ports for Internet connectivity. The IP (Internet Protocol) networking compatibility enables remote monitoring and shutting down the amps if they get too hot. Maker Indy Audio Labs says with a new preamp next year, individual channels can be disabled when not in use.

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