Converted 19th Century Barn Becomes a 21st Century Marvel with the Elan g! Entertainment and Control System

This now-converted stable barn was built in 1892, the same year Thomas Edison received his patent for the world’s first two-way telegraph. As much an innovator as he was, Edison would have had no idea what the terms HDMI, multi-room audio, HVAC and home automation meant, but that’s exactly the kind of 21st century technology that the property’s newest owner has incorporated into his new dream home.  Complete with the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System, this home has turned a historic piece of Americana into a truly modern marvel!

For integrator Larry Scott of Artistic Video & Sound, bringing this historic barn up to date was both a challenge and a delight, because the homeowner just happened to know a bit about home automation himself.  He spent two years researching home control systems, and Scott recommended the ELAN g! system, so the homeowner asked him to present g! and compare it against the other systems out there including Crestron, AMX, Savant and Control4.   When the comparisons were done and the votes were tallied, the homeowner said, “Larry, you’re right. I want ELAN g!” 

According to Larry Scott, “This job was kind of unique because the homeowner was so involved in choosing the system, and he had learned all about home control before he even came to talk to me.  After hearing what he wanted to be able to do, I knew the new ELAN g! system was the perfect solution and would give him all the functionality he could ever need as well as the ability to expand the system later, all at a price that was reasonable.  One of the most important things was that it needed to be simple enough for the kids’ nanny and visiting relatives to use, with no training. And it is!  So people don’t walk into the house and say ‘how do we do this, how do we do that?’, they just do it!  In my mind, the g! system was the only option, and luckily for the homeowner, I was able to make him agree!”

Rather than jumping right into home automation and being stuck with a less-than-ideal system, the homeowner took his time learning about the newest trends and technologies and evaluating the industry’s top brands, which helped him determine the ELAN g! system was his ideal solution.

“I started to research home automation five years ago when I was living abroad, and I made sure to learn as much as I could about the capabilities of today’s systems and hear what both the users and the installers were saying about each system,” said the homeowner.  “I subscribed to consumer-facing and trade magazines about custom installation and home technology, and I realized that today’s systems can do a whole lot more than I thought.

“When it came time to upgrade my new home I contacted Larry Scott from Artistic Video & Sound because he had done some a/v work for the home’s previous owners, and he really convinced me that the ELAN g! system would give me everything I wanted in a home entertainment and control system.  Basically, the most important things to me were consolidating control of the HVAC so I didn’t have to keep walking around and checking the house’s 11 thermostats, and having one-touch access to all of my media, especially all my movies. 

“I have a huge DVD and Blu-Ray collection, as well as a bunch of digital movie files, and with the ELAN g! system and their awesome HR2 remote, it’s super simple to pull up my favorite movie from the Sony Blu-Ray Changer, or any of my three cable boxes or three Apple TVs.  I don’t have to leave the room, and I think maybe the best thing is that there are no wires lying around. Everything is done in the wall, and the only thing anyone sees is the remote and the TV. All the discs, boxes, and wires are behind the scenes.

“Every piece of the ELAN g! system looks sleek and subtle, and it’s easy for everyone to use because it’s intuitive and all of the control interfaces work the same. Some of the other brands had different layouts for different devices, and who wants that?  I love that I can take out my iPhone and check the thermostats when I’m away, and it’s exactly the same as using the system at home.  The bottom line is this system delivers everything I could ask for, makes it easy to use, and was a lot more affordable than some of the other brands.”

In addition to controlling the home’s irrigation and 12-zone audio system with 15 pairs of speakers, the g! system also consolidates control for the home’s six HVAC zones, the security system, and the Lutron Radio RA-2 lighting system with 102 dimmers, 15 keypads and 6 energy-saving occupancy sensors that turn the lights on and off automatically when people enter or leave a room.  And the family can control the system from anywhere thanks to the four ELAN TS7 in-wall touch screens, four ELAN HR2 remote controls, and a dedicated wall-mounted iPad running the g!mobile app.

The HVAC and lighting systems have been programmed to perform optimally to save energy and provide the most comfortable living environment.  The outdoor lighting is even synced with the astronomical clock so all the lights turn on just after dusk and turn off right before dawn.  With all of this taken care of automatically, the homeowner has a lot more time to spend with his family and watch some of those movies he loves!

According to the homeowner, “One of the things that put me over the top for the g! system was the HR2 remote.  I tried out the iPhone and iPad interfaces for controlling my TVs and all my movies, but every time I wanted to do anything there were several steps to get to the controls I needed.  With the HR2, all my media controls require only a single button push, just like the remotes I grew up with.  There’s no lag, no screens to sift through, and it has a touch screen right on the remote that also lets me change the temperature or lighting scene from the couch without even taking out my iPhone.”

The home’s HVAC changes automatically throughout the day based on the pre-programmed schedule, and it’s a breeze to adjust and monitor with six g! thermostats that are quickly controllable from anywhere in the world. And the owners can check in on the house from anywhere, anytime, thanks to seven surveillance cameras located throughout the interior and exterior of the house. The house has eight flat screen HDTVs, including a media center with a 60” Samsung LED LCD TV and 7.1 surround sound system including a powerful Sunfire HRS-12 subwoofer.

Available starting at $2,000 for a single-room, four sub-system control solution, the ELAN g! Series Control System can be expanded quickly and cost-effectively to enable whole-home control of every system.  ELAN g! provides users with the most uniform and intuitive icon-based control from their favorite devices, including TVs, touch screens, touchpads, PCs, iPhones, and iPads. And the system's IP backbone makes it just as easy to control the system from across the room—or across the globe.

The ELAN g! System has been awarded a 2011 Residential Systems Magazine RESI Award, a 2011 Custom Retailer Magazine EXCITE! Award, a 2011 CE Pro Magazine BEST Award, a Platinum Level 2011 CEA Mark of Excellence Award by the Consumer Electronics Association and a 2011 Gold Level Electronic House Magazine Product of the Year Award.

About ELAN Home Systems:

Since 1990 ELAN® Home Systems has been an industry leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video systems. ELAN systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use "whole-house" solution. ELAN systems and products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select Dealers and Distributors throughout the United States, Canada and more than 58 countries worldwide. ELAN Home Systems is part of The AVC Group. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.

About The AVC Group, LLC:

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, The AVC Group, LLC is a portfolio of pre-eminent manufacturers and marketers of state-of-the-art consumer and commercial audio, video, and control system solutions. The AVC Group is comprised of the following industry leading brands: Niles®, ELAN® Home Systems, Xantech®, ATON® and Sunfire®. The AVC Group, LLC is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc.’s Home Technology Group.

Xantech Brings High Technology to The Ricketts Hall Weight Room at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis

Xantech, a leader in the field of audio/video remote control and distribution, provided the core technology systems that enabled the “strength and conditioning” training room at United States Naval Academy’s Ricketts Hall to become an advanced state-of-the-art facility. As part of a technology upgrade, AV systems integrator DSL Sound of Hagerstown, Maryland, installed a Xantech control system consisting of the WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller, two CWTC10 Wireless Touch Controllers, CSPLCD64G in-wall touch panels and a host of IPRS232 XtraLink IP modules.

The network-based Xantech components provide full control over the weight rooms’ new AV systems, which include an HD Video Matrix system by FSR^®, 16 55-inch LG^® plasma monitors that make up five zones of video, and an extensive audio system throughout the facility, featuring the BiAmp^® Nexia networked digital audio processor. Xantech’s IPRS232 units enable network control of the RS232-based LG monitors; user control is totally accessible via the Xantech CWTC10 10.4-inch WiFi tablets located in the weight room itself and in a control rack. Additionally, users can access the system remotely via iPad or remotely via a dedicated VPN network installed as part of the AV upgrade. This is all made possible through the rich feature set of the WIC1200.

 

Ricketts Hall is home to U.S.N.A.’s basketball, football and lacrosse team training offices, the locker room for the varsity football team, and the "strength and conditioning facility,” one of three on campus. The new Xantech-controlled audio and video system plays back content including customized weight training video programs, room and conditioning schedules, football and other sports videos, and other related content, stored on a custom computer system with RAID drives and six HDMI video outputs. Multiple screens over five video zones allow for multiple streams of content simultaneously, all controlled and distributed by the Xantech equipment.

“This is the first time we’ve deployed the Xantech systems, and they are working wonderfully, especially considering that no one’s ever put this advanced level of AV systems control into a weight room before,” comments Robert Musser, Sales & Engineering Specialist for DSL Sound. “We were looking for a control solution that was reliable, scalable and affordable, and the WIC1200 succeeded on all counts. It can be controlled via RS-232 wired connections using the IPRS232 XtraLink IP and via iPads remotely on the VPN and it can expand as the system needs to grow. The graphical user interface is especially good, and we were able to create a practical and intuitive control surface that’s easy to use. We definitely plan to use the Xantech equipment again in the future. It’s that good.”

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

Growing And Expanding Mizco International To Debut Over One Hundred New Products At CES 2012

MIZCO International will open its 2012 marketing program next week at CES 2012 with the introduction of more than 100 new mobile technology accessory products, and a prediction by MIZCO President and CEO Albert Mizrahi that the year ahead offers nothing but unlimited opportunity for increased sales and profits, both for the company and for its retail partners.  “Our fortunes, and those of our partners are directly tied to the fortunes of the mobile device manufacturers,” Mizrahi said today, “and their fortunes have never ever looked better or brighter.”

Indeed, after growing by more than 40% over the last two years, MIZCO International expects to double its sales by 2017 by pursuing a carefully honed strategy of designing truly innovative, high value added tech accessory products that are distributed through five strong and clearly differentiated brands: DIGIPOWER®, Cellular Innovations®, iESSENTIALS®, ecko unltd.®, and Travelocity®.  In fact, the company is now one of the fastest growing accessory manufacturers in the industry and its DIGIPOWER line of portable power solutions remains the number one selling line, according to NPD.

“Accessories are precisely the thing that allows consumers to individualize their mobile device to reflect their own unique personality,” Mizrahi stressed today.  “We believe in the integrity of individual brands when it comes to meeting our customers’ needs and our success in solidifying the power and appeal of each of our five brands is what is our annual revenue growth with a multiple that our competitors cannot match.”

Most other accessory manufacturers are committed to pursuing a single brand marketing strategy and therein lies the missed opportunity, according to Mizrahi.  “An ecko unltd. consumer is very, very different from a Travelocity consumer.  To be sure, they share a love for and a need for mobile technology products, but their brand personalities require accessory offerings that feature designs, colors, and material features. 

The company’s iESSENTIALS brand appeals the millions and millions of Apple enthusiasts looking to fully dress up their Apple computers, iPhones, and iPads.  The Cellular Innovations brand appeals to working professionals seeking to expand and enhance the functionality of their technology products at home and at the office.  DIGIPOWER, which remains the number one selling retail line of portable power solutions, appeals to true power fanatics who demand more and more juice to stay connected to their devices.  Travelocity is the brand for an enormous and slightly older audience of travel enthusiasts who wear their adventures like a badge of honor.  Finally, ecko unltd.  speaks to young urban-minded creative consumers who always want to make an edgy statement about every part of their lifestyle. 

“Our competitors design products as if they are selling to one type of consumer,” Mizrahi stressed.  “We tell our retail partners that we sell to at least five different types of consumers and our five brands allow them to effectively and profitably sell to each and every one of them.  When you carry MIZCO’s brands, you effectively have the potential to quintuple your base of sales and no other accessory manufacturer can make this promise and live up to it.”

At CES 2012, MIZCO’s commitment to innovation and brand differentiation is evident everywhere.  For starters, recognizing the uniquely distinct character of its ecko unltd. brand, the company is spinning the brand off into its own booth.  “From start to finish, the ecko unltd. booth is a complete reflection and expression of the unique vision of Marc Ecko and Marc was very, very involved in the design of every part of the exhibit,” Mizrahi emphasized.  “And for good reason.  At this CES, ecko unltd. is unveiling a whole new line of speakers and ear bud headphones that bring fashion and function to a whole new level.”

At the same time, DIGIPOWER is unleashing an entirely new generation of portable power solutions — including the world’s first in-car wireless charging station, the DrivePad™, and a completely revamped line-up of universal SLR chargers for Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras.  Travelocity is debuting a sensational multi SKU retail merchandising concept called ‘Power to Go.’  The iESSENTIALS brand is debuting a whole new series of colorful accessories for the iPad 2 and iPhone. Cellular Innovations is expanding its extremely successful line of ToughTested™ accessories with the introduction of new professional grade in-vehicle chargers, over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones, mobile phone cases, silicone cases, and a universal goose-neck in-vehicle mount for GPS devices and smartphones.

“The purchase of a mobile device is just the beginning of a long term sales relationship with the consumer,” Mizrahi concluded.  “By offering consumers multiple brands that feature highly individualized accessory offerings we are literally providing our retailers with the opportunity to sell multiple solutions to their consumers — to the benefit of all of us.”

The entire line of MIZCO International brands will be exhibited at CES 2012 in Booth #31240, South Hall 3.

About Mizco International

Headquartered in Avenel, New Jersey, Mizco International (www.mizco.com) is one of the world's fastest growing suppliers of mobile phone headsets and accessories, as well as imaging and iPhone power solutions.  Founded in 1990, Mizco markets products under the Cellular Innovations, DIGIPOWER, iEssentials, Ecko Unlimited and Travelocity brands.  The company currently offers more than 1,000 products through a global dealer network.  For more information on Mizco and its product offerings call 1.800.266.4026 or visit www.mizco.com. 

NanoLumens And Eddie Vedder Bring Nighttime Performance Feel To A Daytime Backyard Fundraising Event!

When Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder agrees to perform at a fundraising event at a private residence, you can be certain that the event’s organizers will do everything possible to make sure everyone has a center stage view of the performance.  That’s exactly what Artists for Peace and Justice did when they hung a NanoLumens® 112” NanoFlex™ display from this home’s balcony — they turned a daytime backyard event into a state-of-the-art concert venue in just under one hour!

Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), a celebrity-backed fundraising organization, recently utilized a NanoLumens 112” NanoFlex display at their large backyard fundraising event in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival.  As an outdoor fundraiser, there was certain to be bright sunlight, wind, and possibly even rain—all of which made the ultra-bright, flexible, waterproof NanoFlex display the perfect display solution!

With more than 250 guests, including actors and musicians in town for the film festival, the event was a hit and raised more than $600,000! The proceeds helped APJ to open a new building at the Academy for Peace and Justice, the first free secondary school serving the very poor in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

According to APG Displays Vice President David Weatherhead, “There’s a reason most concerts take place at night—the stage lights and video displays are easiest to see in the dark.  For a midday concert or event where a video is shown in direct sunlight, the display has to be exceptionally bright in order for people to view the video, and the NanoFlex display excels in this regard because it is made to extremely high standards and is capable of incredible brightness.  When Artists for Peace and Justice told us what they wanted to do and what the fundraiser was for, we decided to lend a hand to the cause and provide them the NanoLumens 112” NanoFlex display for the four-hour event. We also provided a cameraman who shot video throughout the fundraiser and live performance.  The NanoLumens screen worked out perfectly because we were able to hang it right on the back porch of the house in less than an hour, because it’s so light! I wouldn’t be comfortable doing that with any other display.”

First introduced in 2010, NanoFlex™ digital displays remain the only solution of their kind.  They conform to fit any surface, are thin, lightweight and energy efficient, and can be mounted as easily as a work of art. NanoLumens is the only company in the world able to reliably manufacture ultra-thin and lightweight, easy-to-install and maintain, seamless 6mm pixel pitch flexible LED displays in virtually any shape or size to meet each customer’s unique requirements. 

“The NanoFlex is the most versatile digital display in the world, thanks to its light weight, flexible design, super-bright LED technology, and reduced installation requirements,” said NanoLumens President Rick Cope.  “Outdoor concerts, fundraisers, rallies and sporting events have been waiting for a display tailored to their specific needs for bright sunlight viewing, while also being protected from rain and wind.  A flexible, bright waterproof display is exactly what the digital signage and display industry needed, and it’s exactly what we are producing every day.”

Artists for Peace and Justice, established in early 2009, is a fundraising effort founded by Paul Haggis and friends that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty and enfranchisement in communities around the world. The organization’s immediate goal is to build schools to serve the poorest areas of Haiti, providing an education, hot meals, clean drinking water and regular medical treatments to the children living in the slums.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, NanoLumens, Inc. (www.nanolumens.com) is a privately held corporation engaged in the research, product development and component design for unique flexible displays that address a yawning technology gap in the $14 billion digital display industry. NanoLumens has built a portfolio of more than 20 international families of issued and filed patents on its flexible display technology that effectively address the commercial market void between relatively small flat-panel displays and huge, limited application LED boards. NanoLumens technology is not constrained by standard sizes and shapes, or by the size, noise and cost issues associated with commercial LED products.