Xantech Honors APA Music & Pictures With Two-Millionth Installation Acknowledgement

On June 15, 2011, at the InfoComm show in Orlando, Florida, Xantech presented Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based firm APA Music & Pictures, Inc. with a special plaque commemorating the two-millionth installation of Xantech products and thanking them for their years of Xantech use. The recent installation was performed at Mount Laurel, New Jersey’s Twelve Thousand Building Conference Center, housing training room and boardroom spaces for TD Bank. Xantech products, including the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller and CWTC10 10.4-inch Wireless Touch Controller, now form the foundation for the A/V distribution in several rooms in the building. APA has a long history as Xantech users, and they have been proud to push ahead with putting Xantech’s newest technologies to good use. The ceremony was attended by APA’s VP of Sales and Production Dave Pedemonti; Xantech President Graham Hallett; and Xantech Director of Business Development Rick Seegull.

Pedemonti stated, “We are very proud to have completed Xantech’s two-millionth installation, and we thank them for this honor. Xantech and our firm have a long relationship, and we use their products whenever we can, because what it really boils down to is value for dollar. It is great to be here with Xantech management celebrating our achievements together.”

Xantech President Graham Hallett stated, “We sincerely thank APA Music & Pictures, and all of our other valued integrator partners, for consistently choosing Xantech to build the systems that make things work. For 40 years Xantech has worked closely with custom installers and consultants to develop unique insights into the design, integration and control of a wide variety of A/V systems in every conceivable kind of commercial and residential installation. This is why so many designers and installers begin and end every project with Xantech. We are proud of our accomplishments, and we are proud to have great firms like APA Music & Pictures in our corner.”

For more information, please visit www.xantechcommercial.com.

Xantech Products Are Winners in Two Categories For The Commercial Integrator BEST Awards

Yesterday, at the InfoComm show in Orlando, Florida, Commercial Integrator magazine named its honorees for their annual BEST Awards. Xantech was chosen to be twice acknowledged: its MX88 Multi-Zone Audio/Video Controller won the Audio Distribution Systems category, and the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller tied for first place in the Remote Controls category.

The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts, integrators and the editors of Commercial Integrator to join an exclusive group of products deemed the most noteworthy. The products will be featured in the publication’s July/August issue and online.

Xantech President Graham Hallett stated, “Xantech has always been a leading choice for contractors and system integrators, and to be acknowledged by our peers is the highest honor. From IR to IP, Xantech continues to offer the most comprehensive and intuitive product line, providing solutions that make users’ lives easier. Whatever your system components, you turn it on. We make it work.”

About the MX88 Multi-Zone Audio/Video Controller
The MX88 allows a user to control an entire Xantech multi-zone audio/video system using an Apple iPad®. An integrated audio/video distribution and control tour-de-force, the network-ready MX88 combines a 50W x 16-channel/8-zone amplifier and highly efficient auto-sensing universal power supply with advanced automation control capable of up to 16 Serial ports with the use of Xantech’s RS232 1x8 serial routers, and 17 selectable IR ports, as well as IP communication and two-way interface with an iPhone®, iPod® touch or iPad. Xantech’s iPad integration approach uses an existing WiFi network to interface the MX-series controller to the iPad (or any networked web-browsing device), serving up a web application embedded in the MX88’s architecture. System control and status monitoring can all be accessed within a wired or wireless immediate LAN environment, or remotely over the Internet. Full metadata, menu navigation and even content graphics and album art are all transitioned from media source to the iPad through the Xantech audio/video controller itself. The unit’s Quick Configuration software mode allows the installer to instantly configure the MX88 for multiple zones and sources throughout a residence without the need of an external computer to program the system.

About the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller
Xantech’s WIC1200 Web-Intelligent Controller is a standalone 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 WIC1200 is an Event-driven component capable of Timed Events, Calendar Events, Telnet and Serial Events and features a full Web server, email server and FTP server for storage and backup of files. 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 any Xantech hardwired touchpanel, the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller can send messages back to the touch-panel allowing for text display, numeric display, volume and indicator bars, ON/OFF indicators and more, for full real-time data display. The IP port allows each room to be accessible on the facilities IP network for status display, remote centralized control and remote diagnostics.

For more information, please visit www.xantechcommercial.com.

Xantech Virtually Eliminates Programming: Xantech To Introduce QuickConfig Mode Function For Its MX88 Multi-Zone Audio/Video Controller at InfoComm 2011

Underscoring its commitment to developing meaningful innovations that provide simple solutions for installers and end users alike, Xantech, the company that invented the concept of extended IR control for audio/video systems, will introduce its Xantech QuickConfig™ installation/configuration mode for its MX88 IP-enabled multi-zone audio/video controller at INFOCOMM 2011 in Orlando, Florida, at Booth #1255.

QuickConfig eliminates the tedious programming process that can literally take days with other supplier’s products, and reduces it down to as little as 10 minutes. By employing QuickConfig, the installer can instantly configure the MX88 for multiple zones and sources throughout a residence without the need of an external computer to program the system. The MX88 can be used to control every aspect of the home theater including audio/video, lighting and drapes. Additionally, it can be programmed to control the air conditioning/heating system, home security and video surveillance cameras.

Xantech President Graham Hallett stated, “For the past 40 years, Xantech has been and continues to be at the forefront of control technology and how it shapes, and is shaped by, industry trends. We are now seeing increasingly complex A/V and IT systems in a growing number of places, and simpler, more intuitive control solutions and setup protocols are an absolute necessity. As A/V control systems evolve, Xantech continues to give users products that make their lives easier. Whatever your system components, you turn it on; we make it work.”

QuickConfig mode lets installers do all programming of sources and zones directly via the MX88’s keypad or Xantech’s new SmartPanel™ LCD touchpanels. For the home theater, sources can include Xantech audio/video components or those from other manufacturers. QuickConfig also easily configures sources that have metadata, so information such as song title, artist and genre is clearly displayed.

Unlike other installation/configuration software of this caliber, absolutely no separate PC is required. It is extremely intuitive and straightforward, guiding the installer one-by-one through the system components and manufacturer codes, much like programming a universal remote control device. With QuickConfig, the MX88 is usable out of the box, as it requires far less setup and configuration time than other protocols, and no additional time needs to be spent mastering the software. QuickConfig also configures the MX88’s iPad interface, further enhancing the unit’s capability.

About the Xantech MX88 Multi-zone Audio/Video Controller
The MX88 allows a user to control an entire Xantech multi-zone audio/video system using an Apple iPad®. An integrated audio/video distribution and control tour-de-force, the network-ready MX88 combines a 50W x 16-channel/8-zone amplifier and highly efficient auto-sensing universal power supply with advanced automation control capable of up to 16 Serial ports with the use of Xantech’s RS232 1x8 serial routers, and 17 selectable IR ports, as well as IP communication and two-way interface with an iPhone®, iPod® touch or iPad.

Xantech’s iPad integration approach uses an existing WiFi network to interface the MX-series controller to the iPad (or any networked web-browsing device), serving up a web application embedded in the MX88’s architecture. System control and status monitoring can all be accessed within a wired or wireless immediate LAN environment, or remotely over the Internet. Full metadata, menu navigation and even content graphics and album art are all transitioned from media source to the iPad through the Xantech audio/video controller itself. The MX88 is perfect for residential or commercial multi-zone control applications.

As impressive as the MX88’s audio and video performance is, the controller excels in another performance parameter so vital today: environmental friendliness. The MX88's engineering and design incorporate a wide range of technical improvements to make it a leader in the area of a more eco-friendly, ideal power consumption-versus-output ratio. The unit is built around an exceptionally intelligent and highly-efficient “greener” power supply with 100V-240V automatic voltage selection and advanced low-power consumption mode. On-board Intelligent Power Management circuitry provides positive external device control (through video and current sensing) over all 8 source input components connected to the unit, enabling the MX controller to manage the status of any of them — turning them OFF when not needed, for example. The controller’s all-digital amplifier section is a model of conservation, operating at nearly three times the power and heat efficiency of conventional audiophile amplifier circuits while maintaining full fidelity.

Xantech To Mark 40 Years of Innovation And Two Millionth Installation Milestone at InfoComm 2011

Underscoring its commitment to provide commercial and residential dealers and installers with the broadest array of the critically important ‘hidden electronics’ that make other electronics work, Xantech will mark 40 years of innovation, and its two millionth installation milestone, at INFOCOMM 2011 next month with the introduction of a new generation of AV control system solutions at Booth #1255 in the Orlando Convention Center.

“From IR to IP, no other company even comes close to offering the range and depth of control solutions that we do,” asserted Xantech President Graham Hallett. “For 40 years Xantech has worked closely with custom installers and consultants to develop unique insights into the design, integration, and control of a wide variety of AV systems in every conceivable kind of commercial and residential installation. This is why so many designers and installers begin and end every project with Xantech. Put simply, we make everything they need to make everything else work! That’s why, to date, Xantech solutions are featured in more than two million installations worldwide.”

This relentless commitment to innovation will be evident everywhere at Xantech’s INFOCOMM 2011 booth, where the company will showcase, among other solutions, additions to its WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller (pictured right) that integrates numerous Xantech technologies into one versatile system with multiple RS232 ports, IR ports, relays, digital I/Os and two discrete LAN ports. “It’s designed from beginning to end to keep any conference room, classroom, or corporate AV system in full control either on its own or through any web-enabled device,” explained Xantech Director of Business Development Rick Seegull. “And now, with our new Xantech Web Designer Software, integrators can easily create web control pages to be served by the WIC1200 onto iPads, tablets, or any web enabled appliance for seamless control.”

When interfaced with Xantech’s CWTC10 10.4” WiFi touchpanel or their new line of SmartPanel LCD Controllers (or Apple’s new 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.

Equally innovative is the Xantech ISM4 Intelligent System Manager, which automatically monitors and controls the power states of up to four IR components. “Customers simply have to turn on their display device and the ISM4 does the rest,” Seegull explained. “It powers up each individual component and makes sure they all stay in sync. It features full IR and RS232 for control, monitoring, and sensing audio, video, current, light, voltage, or any heartbeat of any type in a single unit.”

For the residential market, Xantech is also introducing a number of new products. “Xantech has a solution for every level of home control, from the single room home theater, to multi-room flexible control, to whole home automation” Hallett emphasized.

The BDX TT Bluetooth Interface (pictured left) provides a full-fidelity, reliable wireless connection between an A/V system and any handheld Bluetooth A2DP-enabled device such as a smartphone, iPad, PC or tablet — wherever consumers store and manage their music and media.

The DinkyLink DL85K is our most versatile IR control kit and works with all TV’s and lighting up to 80 feet. Unlike other IR repeater systems, it works with plasma, LCD or LED TVs; with compact fluorescent lighting (CFL); with all satellite and digital cable boxes.

The MX88 Multi-Zone Audio/Video Controller (pictured right) is engineered for iPad®, Xantech keypad and Xantech SmartPanel™ LCD touch-screen control. It features a highly efficient 50W x 16-channel/8-zone digital amplifier; a smart auto-sensing universal (100V to 240V) power supply with advanced automation control, and up to 16-Serial ports and 17 selectable IR ports. No dedicated apps needed.

Xantech’s history of innovation is second to none in the industry. Its long list of industry-firsts include the first in-wall infrared receiver module, the first peephole infrared receiver module, the first infrared sender amplifier, the first infrared receiver using surface-mount technology and the first learning in-wall keypad.

Take 1 Offers Infocomm Members Up To 25% Off On Their Inland Marine And General Liability Insurance Policies

Take 1, U.S. Risk Insurance Group’s entertainment division, today announced that all INFOCOMM members can now earn up to 25% off on their inland marine and general liability insurance policies, subject to meeting certain terms and conditions.

“Take 1 has served as the endorsed insurance provider of INFOCOMM for the last 15 years and this is a partnership that we take to heart,” explained Scott Carroll, Vice President and Program Director, of the Take 1 Program. “In recognition of this partnership, Take 1 is now implementing a two-step discount program that can save INFOCOMM members as much as 25% off on their inland marine and general liability policies. This is an offer that is only being made to INFOCOMM members and we are the only company offering this program to the membership.”

According to Carroll, any INFOCOMM member who purchases a Take 1 inland marine and/or general liability policy will automatically receive a 5% discount off the normal policy rates. Members can then earn an additional 20% discount upon receiving their CTS Certification from INFOCOMM.

“The Take 1 membership discount program is a very solid example of the unique benefits that only INFOCOMM members can receive,” noted INFOCOMM Senior Vice President of Membership Duffy Wilbert. “Insurance is a critically important and necessary cost of doing business and we applaud Take 1 for taking this leadership role in helping our members to better contain their cost of doing business. This is one more reason why Take 1 is our preferred insurance partner.”

INFOCOMM members who wish to take advantage of the Take 1 insurance discount program can do so by having their insurance agents inquire directly with Take1 Insurance about this savings, which will be applied at their next insurance renewal.

Since it’s founding in 1995 to meet the needs of film and television production companies, Take 1 has expanded significantly to meet the needs of audio-video and communications industry clients, as well. The company’s experience includes underwriting film and television production, companies, DICE (Documentary, Infommercial, Commercial, Educational) producers, touring entertainers, concert/playhouse venues, concert promoters, video game developers, and specialty rental operations focused on audio, visual, lighting, sound, grip, and production.