Stampede Unveils New DemoPad Controller

Stampede Presentation Products, Inc., North America’s largest high value added Pro AV distributor, today unveiled the new CENTRO 8 control processor for the DemoPad control system. According to Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly, the introduction of the CENTRO 8 makes DemoPad an extremely attractive control solution for dealers and end-users by simplifying installation and providing highly customizable GUIs to satisfy the unique needs of each project.

“We’re excited to present the expanded DemoPad solution to installers seeking high-quality, high-margin control solutions in the constantly evolving control market,” Kelly said today. “Not only does DemoPad’s software solution offer flexible, customizable control GUIs, but it also allows installers to integrate all key AV elements into the control system, generating opportunities for additional sales of complimentary hardware, such as matrix switchers and IR controllers sourced from other vendors. As we enter the era of ‘The Internet of Things’, DemoPad is leading the way in simplified integration and is aggressively expanding its dealer network throughout North America.”

The CENTRO 8 control processor is a 19" rack mount unit designed to provide two way communication and control of a variety of equipment via an array of input and output ports. Primarily a network device, the CENTRO features a powerful processor board capable of communicating with Apple iOS and Android control interfaces and running complex custom macros and schedules across a network with remote access capability.

The IP-based DemoPad solution sends control signals to Wi-Fi connected devices, so it works equally well with TVs, amplifiers, projectors or blinds that are not IP enabled, which installers can integrate through alternative methods such as IR or RS-232 with affordable IP gateways. DemoPad works with literally 1000s of devices, allowing users to integrate existing products with new devices seamlessly.

The intuitive DemoPad custom design software, available exclusively to DemoPad Certified Installers, enables integrators to create a completely customized interface for the end-user. This programmed custom interface is then uploaded and paired to a DemoPad end-user app, which is purchased through the Apple store or Android Play market, allowing integrators to easily create bespoke systems for each customer and then upload complete control solutions to as many smartphones or tablets as required.

Operating on a network, the CENTRO 8 is the heart of an automation system. It monitors connected devices and listens to requests from Apple iOS and selected Android hand held devices. It provides feedback as to current status of all connected devices (subject to device compatibility) and can receive and store scheduled requests for a variety of tasks including lighting dusk until dawn controls, access control and security arm / disarm, to more simple 'turn TV on' at a set time.

The CENTRO 8 has a built in web server and can store a local copy of the DemoPad project for retrieval or upload to a new device.

The CENTRO 8 features 16 individually addressable IR ports, so using a suitable HD-BaseT Matrix with IR pass through, integrators can simply use jack to jack leads (supplied) from the first eight IR ports into the corresponding IR ports on the matrix. Then at the balun end, a jack to IR bud completes the control loop to enable IR control from iOS and Android devices in each zone, with no additional hardware required. The remaining eight IR ports on the CENTRO 8 are typically used in conjunction with the four RS232 ports to control source equipment located in the rack.

System specifications include:

- Control processor with 4GB internal program memory
- External 12v Power Supply
- 2 x USB general purpose connector ports
- 1 x RJ45 LAN 10/100 Ethernet port
- 1 x HDMI output 1 x Stereo audio out jack
- 4 x Bi-Directional RS232 communication ports
- 8 x Digital Input ports (volt free operation)
- 4 x Low Voltage- 16 x Infra Red output ports (individually addressable)
- Built in HTTP/HTTPS web server and timers for scheduling

ELAN Predicts 2014 Will Be The Year Control Comes Home

With new home sales surging and home control becoming an integral part of many homebuilders’ designs, ELAN Home Systems today predicted that 2014 will be the year that integrated entertainment and control becomes a staple of new home construction and remodeling. The forecast  by Core Brands Control Category Director Joe Lautner, who emphasized that there is finally a control solution perfect for every size home, from a one-bedroom apartment to a multi-million dollar estate.

“The goal of technology has always been to make people’s lives easier, and that guiding principle is finally coming home with simple integrated entertainment and control solutions from ELAN,” Lautner said. “The ELAN g! system is giving builders the chance to show new homebuyers that they understand their needs and can design homes with integrated systems that make daily life more convenient, whether it’s two rooms of audio and video in an 800 square foot apartment or connected lighting, climate, security, AV and irrigation systems in a 10,000 square foot home. By introducing a system that can be had for less than $2,000, we have created a value proposition that can win over even the most reluctant homebuyers.”


Award-winning builders Jim Blansfield of Danbury, Connecticut-based Blansfield Builders, Inc. and Josh Wynne of Sarasota, Florida-based Josh Wynne Construction agree with Lautner because they have both already found huge success by partnering with local integrators and using the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System to help close new home sales.

“I’m a believer in ‘the new normal’ way of thinking,” Blansfield said, “and with the affordable and expandable control solutions made possible by ELAN g!, home control is the new normal! In the past two years, I’ve closed several new homes by demoing the g! system for prospective clients. I have a g! system in my own home, so I’m the first person to say how easy it is to use, and my clients are consistently impressed that I include technology in my designs and recommendations, because many other builders minimize the importance of home technologies.

“Any builders who resist change and aren’t prepared to talk to clients about integrated home control solutions will hurt themselves in the long run. I even push owners doing remodels to install the ELAN g! system because it adds so much value to the home and brings it into the 21st century more so than new countertops or an open-concept floor plan could ever do.”


Since partnering with Danbury integration firm Structured Home Solutions, Blansfield has built 13 homes that include ELAN g! systems of varying size and complexity. Whether the new buyers were looking for enhanced security, HVAC scheduling, lighting, irrigation and pool controls, or super simple whole-home audio and video systems, every client received a custom solution tailored to their specific needs. From a business perspective, Blansfield knows that his knowledge, appreciation and passion for technology place him in an entirely different category from other builders.

Josh Wynne has had similar success integrating advanced home technologies with the ELAN g! system, and has teamed up with Sarasota integrator SmartHouse Integration to offer his new clients the best that modern home technology has to offer. Wynne is building four new LEED Platinum certified homes in 2013, each featuring the ELAN g! system to control core subsystems such as AV, HVAC, security, lighting, window shades, irrigation, garage doors, pool controls and surveillance cameras.

According to Wynne, “I’ve strived to make a basic home automation package standard for every new home I build. When smartphones came on the market a lot more people started to see how easily these advanced systems could integrate into their homes and help them live more simply and comfortably, and I’ve used that culture movement to benefit my business. Most of my projects are relatively big budget, around the $1 million mark, but there’s absolutely no reason that a $300,000 home shouldn’t include a multi-room audio system, an integrated HVAC or lighting system that saves money and energy, or a lighting system that saves money and energy, or a security and surveillance system that can be accessed remotely from any smartphone or tablet.”

Both builders agree that determining the buyers’ interests is key to selling advanced home control solutions, whether they love music and want multi-room audio or desire heightened peace of mind and would benefit from a mobile-accessible security and surveillance system. From there it’s a small leap to demo the entire ELAN g! system and highlight all the trappings that easy-to-use home control offers. Another thing they agree on is the need to use a reliable, qualified integrator to make the homeowner’s technological dreams a practical reality. That’s why they’ve each partnered with a top integration firm in their respective regions, and worked together to craft custom solutions that make every home the perfect living environment for the owners.

ELAN g! Home Control System Awarded 2011 Platinum Level Mark Of Excellence By CEA TechHome Division

Capping a three-month period that has seen record orders for its ELAN g! Series System, ELAN Home Systems today announced that its revolutionary IP-based home control system has received the Platinum Level 2011 Mark Of Excellence Award by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in the category of “Best Control System”. The announcement and presentation of the award was made at the Spring 2011 EHX Show in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center.


“The ELAN g! Home Control System changes everything, and for the better,” said Paul Starkey, President of ELAN Home Systems. “It is easy to sell, demonstrate, and install, and it’s equally easy for customers to enjoy, maintain and upgrade in the future. In our opinion, ELAN g! is the most intuitive, modular, and cost-effective way for customers to realize the full benefits of whole home automation.”

The Mark of Excellence Awards program, presented by CEA's TechHome Division, recognizes the best in home electronics products, services, and installed technology. Each year manufacturers, distributors, and systems integrators enter to compete in award categories for this coveted honor judged by independent experts within the industry.

The ELAN g! Series Home Control System provides users with the most uniform and intuitive icon-based control from their favorite devices, including TVs, touchscreens, touchpads, 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 touchscreens, 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 - or across the globe.

Individual "apps" for each subsystem allow the user to control security, climate, lighting, media, irrigation, pool/spa, messaging, video and photos with the flick of a finger. Access is fast and secure through any ELAN home interface or globally with mobile Internet enabled devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Netbooks, and PC Tablets. Since the intuitive interface empowers users with personalized scheduling and detailed history views, high consumption subsystems like lighting and climate can be closely monitored and managed for a greener lifestyle - and substantial energy savings.