Xantech IR Systems Nominated for Best Product of CES 2011!

Xantech's new 95 and 85 series IR kits have been nominated for Best Product of CES 2011 by Hometoys.com.  Click here to vote for Xantech!  It's located midway down the page and is titled "New Xantech IR Systems at CES 2011" You do not have to give your information after voting, that is optional.

Marc Ecko & Mizco International Debut Headphone Line at CES 2011

During CES 2011, Marc Ecko visited the Mizco International booth to celebrate the debut of the first-ever line of Ecko-inspired headphones and mobile technology accessories. The new UNLTD.SOUND Series includes seven in-ear and over-the-ear high performance headphones, featuring designs and colors inspired by Ecko's fashion designs. Two additional product lines, UNLTD.POWER and UNLTD.ESSENTIALS, featuring power products and mobile tech accessories, are slated to be on retail shelves in Spring 2011!

From Left: Steve Kops, Issac Mizrahi, Albert Mizrahi (President, Mizco), Maurice Mizrahi (President, DIGIPOWER), Michael Mizrahi, Marc Ecko, Joe Mizrahi, Mike J. Mizrahi.

Marc Ecko Inspired *ecko unltd Product Line Debuts at CES 2011

The first wave of Marc Ecko inspired consumer electronics accessories from Mizco International’s DIGIPOWER division made their debut at CES 2011 with the formal introduction of the *ecko unltd brand and the UNLTD.SOUND series of high performance, innovatively designed and affordably priced in-ear and over-the-ear headphones. The entire product line is now shipping to dealers nationwide, according to DIGIPOWER President Maurice Mizrahi.

“Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of consumer electronics accessory marketing,” Mizrahi said today. “For the first time a leading force in contemporary art, design, fashion, and multi-media is putting his name and his design influence on a line of consumer electronics that is destined to create a retail sensation. Mizco is proud to join forces with Marc Ecko as he brings his unique vision and compelling style to our industry.”


Today’s introduction of the new UNLTD.SOUND product line is the first wave of products to be introduced over the next six months. By summer 2011, the UNLTD.SOUND series of headphones will be joined by the UNLTD.POWER series of portable power solutions for digital imaging products and the UNLTD.ESSENTIALS series of Ecko inspired smartphone accessories.

The UNLTD.SOUND product line is comprised of a total of seven in-ear and over-the-ear headphone models carrying suggested retail prices that range from $9.99 to $59.99. The entire product line is available for immediate delivery to dealers.

At the top of the line, the new FORCE collection of over-the-ear headphones carry an MSRP of $59.99 and are available in Gold, Graffiti White, and Camo Grey. The iPod/iPhone compatible stereo headphones feature noise reduction, mega bass, unlimited sound, reinforced construction and frame, and a satin carry bag. Performance specifications include a 38mm speaker diameter, impedance of 32 OHMS, maximum input power of 200mW, frequency response of 10Hz to 22kHz, 3.5mm gold plated plug, and a 1.2m cable. (Pictured at left)

Next in the line is the new RAGE series of iPod/iPhone compatible stereo headphones featuring built-in noise reduction. Available for a suggested retail price of $49.99 in Camo Green, Ecko Red, and Silver, these over-the-ear headphones also feature mega bass, unlimited sound, reinforced construction and frame, as well as a satin carry bag. RAGE performance specifications include a 38mm speaker diameter, 32 OHMS of impedance, maximum input power of 200mW, 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response, a 3.5mm gold plated plug, and a 1.2m cable.


Available at an MSRP of $39.99 is the new MOTION series of over-the-ear stereo headphones featuring noise reduction. Available in White, Red, or Gold, the MOTION headphones all feature motion bass and unlimited sound, compact foldable construction and a lightweight frame, and a satin carry bag. Performance specifications includes a 40mm speaker diameter, 32 OHMS of impedance, 300mW of maximum input power, a frequency response range of 20-20,000 Hz, a 3.5mm plug, and a 1.2m cable. (Pictured at right)

Available in Black, Red, Camo Green, and Gold, the new iPod and iPhone compatible over-the-ear PULSE stereo headphones, with built-in noise reduction, feature strong bass and unlimited sound, smooth construction and frame, and a satin carry bag. Performance specifications include a 40mm speaker diameter, 32 OHMS of impedance, 300mW of maximum input power, a 20-20,000 Hz frequency response range, a 3.5mm plug, and a 1.2m cable.

Then there’s the new over-the-ear IMPACT collection, available in Graffiti, Black, and Camo Blue. These $24.99 MSRP iPod/iPhone compatible stereo headphones with built-in noise reduction deliver impact bass and crisp sound and feature a durably constructed frame and satin carry bag. Performance specifications include a 40mm speaker diameter, impedance of 32 OHMS, 300mW of maximum input power, a frequency response range of 20Hz to 22kHz, a 3.5mm plug, and a 1.2m cable.

For in-ear headphone enthusiasts, the line includes two models: BOLT and CHAOS (pictured). Both are available in White, Red, or Black and are iPod and iPhone compatible. For its suggested retail price of $19.99, BOLT headphones come with a strong durable nylon cord, a satin carry bag and three silicone gel caps. They deliver mega bass and volume control, are stereo with noise reduction, and feature a 3.5mm gold plated stereo connector. The $9.99 retail priced CHAOS line deliver deep bass and a clear sound.

About Marc Ecko Enterprises

Marc Ecko Enterprises is a full-scale global fashion and lifestyle company with reported sales of over $1.5 billion in 2009 and approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. Over the past 17 years, the group of companies that comprise Marc Ecko Enterprises (MEE) has grown to include: Ecko Unltd., the largest young men’s brand in better department stores today; Eckored, a young women’s brand both identified by the ‘World Famous Rhino’ logo; Marc Ecko Cut & Sew, a contemporary menswear line; Zoo York, the first and largest east coast action sport brand; Marc Ecko Entertainment, an interactive entertainment and videogame unit; and Complex Media LLC, a publishing and new media division.

About Mizco International

Headquartered in Avenel, New Jersey, Mizco International 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 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.

Digipower Boosts iPhone's Life in 2011 With New Line of iPhone 4 "Boost" Auxiliary Battery Pack Cases

You no longer have to worry about your iPhone’s battery running dry thanks to Mizco International’s DIGIPOWER Division’s new line of high power, innovatively designed auxiliary battery pack cases for the iPhone 4. Called “Boost,” the new three-model series is part of the DIGIPOWER “Made for iPhone” product line and offers a range of performance features at attractive prices.

The new Boost Elite is unlike any other iPhone 4 battery case on the market. It seamlessly combines the protection and grip benefits of a silicone “skin” case with a high capacity rechargeable backup battery. The Boost Elite is available in a variety of fashion colors and also includes a screen protector appliqué. For an MSRP of just $59.99, the Boost Elite can provide up to an additional 11 hours of talk time, eight hours of video playback or eight hours of WiFi time. A 4-LED charge status indicator, power button and ultra slim design round out the features of this exceptional form-fitting iPhone 4 battery case. Style, power and protection make the Boost Elite stand out from the crowd.

Double your fun with the new Boost Max battery case! Also with an MSRP of only $59.99, the Boost Max doubles the regular battery life of the iPhone 4 for more talk, video and music time. The ergonomic full protection case with smooth tactile finish is ideal for extended use. Add in the dual function power button and easy-view 4-LED charge level indicator and it’s clear that the Boost Max offers the protection, power and comfort that the most demanding iPhone 4 users require.

If you need more juice but crave the slim profile of a standard iPhone case, the new Boost Slim is the answer. The Boost Slim will add up to 10 hours of talk time or seven hours of video playback or Wi-Fi time to the iPhone 4 without the bulk of typical power cases. Small case, small price: the Boost Slim has an MSRP of just $49.99. The design provides excellent protection and backup battery power in a slim, lightweight package. The included Micro USB cable allows the iPhone 4 to charge or sync to a computer while in the case. The Boost Slim also features a power button and 4-LED charge status indicator.

Jim Hardiman Joins The AVC Group as Vice President of Engineering

Moving strategically to strengthen the long-term R&D and product development programs for its ELAN®, NILES®, Xantech®, Sunfire®, and ATON® brands, The AVC Group today announced the appointment of Jim Hardiman to the position of Vice President of Engineering, effective January 3, 2011. Hardiman will report directly to Mark Terry, President of The AVC Group, and will be based at the company’s Carlsbad, California corporate headquarters.

“Jim Hardiman brings more than 35 years of proven innovation and standards-setting thinking to his new position at The AVC Group,” Terry said today. “A world-renowned technologist, Jim’s work over the years has advanced the state-of-the-art in countless product categories. As our new Vice President of Engineering, he will play a critical role in developing and deploying new technologies throughout each of our brands, resulting in a new generation of system solutions that offer clearly defined value propositions to our dealers and consumers.”

Jim Hardiman comes to The AVC Group from Harman International, where he served as Vice President of Engineering for the Harman Specialty Group from 2005 until 2008 and then as Vice President, Consumer Global Engineering for Harman International — Consumer Group. Prior to this, from 2000 until 2005, he served as Vice President of Hardware Engineering at ThinkEngine Networks, a leading manufacturer of cost-effective, highly scalable carrier-class NEBS3 compliant Network Media Servers with intelligent switching and speech recognition.

Prior to this he served as Director of Advanced Development from 1992 until 2000 at Media 100, based in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Previous to this he held engineering and product development positions at Data Translation, Digital Television Imagery, Integral Data Systems, and Data General.

An active member of AES, AVB, China Professionals, and the HDTV Group, among others, Jim Hardiman is the recipient of three United States patents in the area of video compression and decompression and a 2000 Emmy® for Television Sciences awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the pioneering development of full motion broadcast quality PC video and compression plug-in cards utilized in the manufacture of non-linear editing systems or video servers.

Bob Farinelli, who had served as Chief Technology Officer of The AVC Group and, previously, as President of ELAN Home Systems is retiring but will remain with the Group as a consultant.

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 a group of companies with the following industry leading brands: ATON®, ELAN® Home Systems, Niles® Audio, Sunfire®, and Xantech®.

The AVC Group, LLC is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc. and is part of Nortek’s Home Technology Group, an over-arching designation for a segment of home electronics companies that includes manufacturers producing nationally-recognized brands in categories such as stereo and home theater speakers, distributed audio and video systems, lighting controls, structured wiring systems, residential and commercial security and access control equipment, and Internet connected media products. Nortek is headquartered in Providence, RI and is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of innovative, branded residential and commercial ventilation, HVAC, and home technology convenience and security products.

Residential Systems Discusses ELAN Home Systems' Past, Present and Future With ELAN President Paul Starkey

Jeremy Glowacki of Residential Systems interviewed ELAN Home Systems' President Paul Starkey about ELAN's business, the move from Kentucky to California, and the future of home control. Check out the interview here.

Invest In Eco-Friendly Household LED Lighting That Can Immediately Reduce Energy Use and Energy Costs

Just as Americans prepare to hunker down for another long winter of freezing temperatures and rising energy costs, a new generation of high quality, affordably priced, eco-friendly household lighting solutions are now readily available that can immediately help them conserve energy and cut energy costs, according to Mei Noguchi, president of Sentina, the industry leading manufacturer and marketer of eco-friendly consumer lighting solutions.

Every time a consumer walks into a darkened room and turns on the lights, they are expending a surge of energy and money to turn on a number of traditional bulb lights. The Sentina PM-316B ZenLight, available for $40.00, combines the best of ancient Japanese lighting methods with the latest in LED lighting technology and motion sensor technology. The built-in authentic Japanese Shoji Paper takes the energy-saving LED lights and gives it a soothing and peaceful glow. The built-in motion sensor provides light only when needed, turning on automatically when the consumer enters the room and shutting off when the consumer leaves the room. The sensor can be adjusted to shut off after 1, 5 or 10 minutes.

The Sentina LED-92M four-way emergency light is just that: four lights in one unit for a retail price of $30.00. Fully charged to support motion, darkness, and power outage sensors, the Sentina LED-92M light simply plugs into a wall socket and performs for pennies per day. The light activates only when approached, in darkness, or in a power outage. In all other times, the light remains off. When disconnected from the socket, the light will also perform as an emergency flash light for up to eight hours.

Available for $30.00, the Sentina PM-302 U-Timer is the ultimate LED lamp controller and safety light. Plug this unit in and consumers will never again have to leave expensive, energy consuming bulb lighting on in their house when they’re not home for extended periods. Thanks to its built-in light sensor, the Sentina U-Timer turns on a household lamp at dusk and automatically shuts off in 4, 8, or 12 hours, as programmed by the consumer. These elements all combine to provide homeowners with peace of mind and lower energy costs when away from home.

A little bit of planning today can make all the difference for consumers throughout the upcoming winter. For a complete range of Sentina’s energy saving options, visit www.SentinaSmart.com.