Xantech Introduces Web Designer 3.0 Software

Xantech, a leader in the field of audio/video remote control and distribution, today introduced its Web Designer 3.0 software. The new “drag and drop” software allows contractors and system integrators to design their own custom web control pages that can be stored and served up from within Xantech’s WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller and then exported remotely to any network/web-based control device, like Xantech’s CWTC10 10.4-inch Wireless Touch Controller. Additionally, because the WIC1200 is a network/web-based control device, the custom design web control pages can easily be used on any web-enabled device/tablet, including the popular Apple iPad®.

Last year Xantech introduced the CWTC10, which gave contractors and system integrators a Wi-Fi tablet interface that harnessed all the power within the WIC1200. The launch of the new Web Designer 3.0 software expands on the WIC1200’s functionality, as it easily allows the contractor or system integrator to create stunning web pages that can further tailor the clients’ tablet interface for their specific needs. “For the first time, the integrator can custom-design the display of the interface and add the additional functions the client is requesting,” stated Rick Seegull, Xantech Director of Business Development. “The best part is, because it is drag and drop, our Web Designer software is extremely easy to use, and once the web control page has been designed, it can then be uploaded to the customer’s location remotely.”

About the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller and CWTC10 Wireless Touch Controller
The WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller is a stand-alone room controller for networked/web-based control featuring two IR Ports, two Serial ports, two Contact Closure ports and two Digital I/O ports as well as two Ethernet ports (one with POE) for TCP/IP Telnet control with less intrusion into facility IP networks. On its own, the Web Intelligent Controller is an Event-driven component capable of Timed Events, Calendar Events, Telnet and Serial Events and features a full FTP site, Web server and email server. With its built-in Web server, the WIC1200 is totally iPad-ready without the need for purchasing, installing or setting-up an “app.” When interfaced with Xantech’s CWTC10 10.4” WiFi touchpanel or XTR39 Wireless RF Remote (or Apple’s iPad), the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller can send messages back to the touchpanel, allowing for text display, numeric display, volume and indicator bars, ON/OFF indicators and more, for full real-time data display.

Xantech’s CWTC10 10.4” WiFi touch panel is the logical addition to the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller. Rounding out the system, the CWTC10 provides a full 10.4” wireless control panel perfect for any Conference Room application. Running Windows CE in Kiosk mode, the CWTC10 provides full PC power with a large full-color vibrant control panel interface. When used with (but not limited to) Xantech’s WIC1200 Intelligent Controller, the CWTC10 is the perfect user interface for controlling A/V Teleconferencing systems with a large but not overbearing easy-to-use 10.4" display. Since it runs on Windows CE and is fully Web capable, the CWTC10 is an ideal platform for utilizing any Macromedia Flash Web-enabled control page, which can be served using the WIC1200 or any Web server on the network. Made of durable water-resistant plastic, the CWTC10 has a built-in kickstand.

Xantech Continues to Expand IR Line with Three New Products

Xantech, the company that invented the concept of extended IR control for audio/video systems, today expanded its line of IR products with the introduction of the new CIRP (Projector IR Control), CIRS (Conference Room/Classroom Control) and CIRV (Large Venue IR Control) kits. The announcement was made by Rick Seegull, Xantech Director of Business Development, and further enhances Xantech’s position as the leader in audio/video remote control and distribution.

Developed with direct input from leading contractors and system integrators, Xantech’s new IR systems are specifically designed to address typical challenges facing installers today, including IR operation with plasma or LCD TV’s; interference from CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) and sunlight; and distance limitations within a single kit. These kits are specifically geared for use in classrooms, conference rooms, houses of worship etc., and engineered for the utmost in reliability.

Two of the systems come with an amplified connecting block, which allows the connection of Xantech IR receivers and 10 emitter ports, thus interfacing IR control with the audio/video equipment. Having the amplified connecting block is key for reliable transmission of IR signals over great distances, making sure IR signals are delivered un-obscured to the intended devices. Additionally, each system includes the WallLink™ (WL) in-wall version of Xantech's Universal IR receiver, which is designed to reject interference from Plasma, LCD, LED Displays and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) from entering the IR signal line. The WL85 or WL95 mounts easily into a single-gang electrical J-Box, is supplied with mounting screws and comes with a Decorator-style insert, allowing the installer to use a Decorator-style wall cover plate. This provides an integrated look for control of A/V equipment behind closed doors or any IR Repeater System that is in close proximity to light sources described above.

The CIRP Projector IR Control kit allows control-accurate IR control of a single projector while giving the operator the flexibility to point the IR remote towards viewing area, rather than directly towards the projector. The WL85 version of the WallLink IR receiver easily installs into a single-gang electrical box, so it can be installed by any electrical contractor and allows for reliable projector control of the user up to 80 feet away from the IR target.

The CIRS Conference/Classroom IR Control kit is designed for control of several audio/video devices that might not necessarily be in one central location. The CIRS comes with the WL85 IR receiver and adds the 79144 amplified connecting block, allowing the installer to extend the emitters up to 100 feet to various locations, thus letting the user control multiple devices in different areas of the room.

The CIRV Large Venue IR Control kit is designed for the installer who needs IR control of the audio/video system, with the IR remote to be operated a great distance from the components and the IR receiver. The CIRV comes with the WL95 and amplified connecting block, which safely allows use of the remote up to 120 feet from the IR target, plus an extra 600 feet of overall distance from the target to the connecting block and 100 feet thereon after, for a total of 700 feet coverage for all of these components. For control of multiple components that are located throughout a very large room, the CIRV provides flawless IR control of the audio/video components.

“Our new IR systems are designed to cover any type of job the installer may be working on,” stated Rick Seegull. “Additionally, because the new CIR IR Control kits are so easy to install and cost effective, integrators and consultants will have no problem making sure some form of Control System can be specified and installed on any A/V conference/classroom system. And most importantly, like all Xantech audio/video control systems, they perform flawlessly.”

Buffalo Wild Wings Franchisee Uses ELAN g! To Master 62 TVs With The Touch Of A Button

Brett Babick, David and Mike Gianascoli, and Chris Paphites, the partners of Desert Wings, LLC, can turn on, set up and change the channel on all 62 TVs at once at each of their three Southern California Buffalo Wild Wings locations, and all from an iPod touch with the ELAN g! Control System.  With this innovative system, it doesn’t take a whole team of employees to manage and constantly change the channel on 62 TVs, which was precisely the problem they had in a restaurant they previously owned.

“In the old restaurant, we used a system that we thought gave us top-of-the-line video distribution and control,” recalled Babick.  “All the TVs were physically controlled from a central point, where we had to walk over and manually switch to control a specific TV set, then change the channel for just that set.  In an establishment like Buffalo Wild Wings, we can have up to 70 TVs showing almost a dozen different sporting events, so any time a customer asks us to change the channel it was incredibly inconvenient and time consuming to manually identify and adjust each TV.”

So when they decided to open three new Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Southern California, they turned to Craig Curran at Smart Systems Technologies (SST) to design a fluid, simple-to-operate audio/video system, based on the ELAN g! Control System.  With an innovative interface that is uniform across all platforms, including iPhones, iPads, PCs and even retail POS (point-of-sale) terminals, ELAN g! provides users with incredibly simple control over the entire audio/video system, and can even expand to control lighting and monitor surveillance cameras.

“I came into Brett’s previous restaurant and showed him how we could improve the system and make it much simpler to use and manage,” Curran said. “We agreed that embracing new, better technology in the three new locations would be the best thing for him and his customers, and would remove some of the hassle and headaches.”

“As soon as Craig changed the channel from a handheld device he had, I was sold,” said Babick.  “Now, we have select employees who can access the A/V control system through 10 or more POS terminals and the manager can even control the TVs with an iPod touch we bought for each restaurant! Thanks to the POS integration, we can control the system from more than a dozen spots.  We used to literally use hand signals to relay customer requests, and a manager or I would have to leave the floor.  Now with our new system, the instant a customer asks us to change a TV, it’s done.   Some customers have actually said ‘Wow, how did you do that?’ when they saw us use the iPod.  Now there’s no leaving the restaurant floor, no time wasted.”

Thanks in part to the ELAN g! system, Babick believes that they’ve “got the best Buffalo Wild Wings in the country.”  In fact, one of their locations is ranked one of the company’s top 10 franchises.  In addition to seamless, instant control, they set up the ELAN g! Control System to automatically turn on and set the channel on every TV at 10:30 a.m. before they open, and automatically turn off at midnight when they close. 

One of his favorite features is the ability to display personal marketing messages right on the TVs. “Now we can run a ‘ticker’ on the bottom of any TV we want, just like ESPN does. We use it to promote specials and let customers know what games are coming up, and it really adds a sense of professionalism whenever you see that on the screen,” Babick remarked.

Desert Wings’ Buffalo Wild Wings locations have up to 62 TVs, including up to a dozen 11-foot and one 13-foot HD projection screens and up to 49 HD LCD TVs, most of which are 55” LG sets.  He can show 16 different video feeds at once, combining 10 DirecTVÒ receivers and a DVD player as well as internal marketing programming. The ELAN g! Control System also controls the restaurants’ audio systems, which have up to 30 speakers in six discrete zones, allowing customers to listen to music in one section and the big game’s play-by-play in another.

Curran sees the ELAN g! Control System as one of the best new tools for business owners as well as installers.  “The price point and ability to duplicate installations are making media integration and distribution more available for the mass market,” he remarked.  “And it’s the same with automation.  Not having to custom program subsystems and graphical user interfaces makes it much more attractive and infinitely simpler to use.  You can control everything – security, surveillance, lighting, heating and air conditioning, audio/video systems – right from your PC, iPhone or iPod.  Automation has never been easier, or as affordable.”

The ELAN g! Series Home Control System provides users with the most uniform and intuitive icon-based control from their favorite devices, including TVs, touch screens, touch pads, PCs, iPhones, and iPads. The standardized interface works across platforms, so that the trendy g!Mobile app users love on the iPhone appears and works similarly on ELAN touch screens, valets and handheld remotes as well as users' televisions and mobile devices. And the system's IP backbone makes it just as easy to control the system from across the room as across the globe.