Mizco International's "Tough Tested" Series Offers Consumers Rugged, Professional Grade Mobile Phone Accessory Products

Mizco International today announced the expansion of its award-winning “Tough Tested” series of heavy-duty, professional grade mobile technology accessories for general consumers. The expanded Tough Tested line now includes a new over-the-ear Tough Tested Bluetooth Earpiece, Tough Tested Smartphone Cases and Tough Tested Pro Car Charger, all designed, engineered, and manufactured to meet the exacting usage requirements and needs of professional drivers. These mobile accessories are perfect for all drivers and travelers and feature rugged, heavy-duty construction that can handle any abuse, such as drops and dings, that a wearer might throw at them.

 

According to Sam Mizrahi, “As we designed this line, we took into account the testimonials of professional drivers and contractors who spend long hours on the road, using their devices.  We made sure the products all had useful features that made their usage more simple, and more comfortable. Along the way, we realized, that these features are useful and desirable, to the everyday consumer, as well.”

Drawing on the success and features of the over-the-head Tough Tested LYTE COMM 737 and PRO BOOM 747 Bluetooth headsets, the line now features a miniature, over-the-ear Tough Tested Bluetooth Earpiece. Available for $49.99, the earpiece features a flexible and adjustable earclip for the user’s comfort, as well as a rubberized, heat-retardant finish. Perfect for life on the road, the earpiece also features 10x noise cancelling technology, which reduces background noise by producing frequencies opposite to any external sounds such as wind and passing traffic, making them silent. The earpiece features the latest 2.1 Bluetooth software, seven hours of talk-time, 200 hours of standby power, and includes Home, Car and USB charging solutions.

Available for immediate delivery, at a suggested retail price of $29.99, the new Tough Tested Pro Car Charger features a 12-foot-long, high-gauge cord, that allows drivers to charge and use their smartphones and USB devices from anywhere in their vehicle. The high-gauge cord has been tested for ten pounds of weight resistance, to ensure it’s strength and durability. Finished with a heat retardant, rubberized coating, the Pro Car Charger is available in models for the iPhone/iPod as well as micro-USB and mini-USB, allowing for easy on-the-go charging of all current phone models, GPS devices, and other mobile tech products. The Pro Car Charger features a 30-minute quick charge, and a 3-light charge indicator (power, charging and fully charged).

Tough Tested has also launched a complete range of Smartphone Cases, all made to endure the most heavy usage. Made of rugged and durable padded canvas, the Tough Tested Rugged Smartphone Cases feature multiple options for ensuring phones are secure in the case, including a Velcro-secured flap and snap buckle closure. Offered in Black, Digital Camouflage, Classic Camouflage or Khaki, the cases feature a steel belt buckle, complete with karabiner clip for securing cases to belts, pockets and more, the cases carry a suggested retail price of only $14.99. The Workman Holster Case features a leather case that mounts onto a workbelt. Available for immediate delivery, at a suggested retail price of $24.99, the Workman Holster Case fits all smartphones. The Tough Tested Rubberized Impact Case features extra-thick and durable black silicone, to absorb the impact for dropped phones. Available for immediate delivery, and carrying a $19.99 suggested retail price, the case fits iPhone4 and most popular smartphones on the market today. For the ultimate in smartphone protection, Tough Tested has introduced the Duro Protection Case, that features three layers of protection. The case features an inner protective hard plastic shell with screen protector, a rubber shock absorbing middle layer, and an outer hard, protective shell that has a rotating belt clip holster. The Duro Protection Case is available for immediate delivery, at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Tough Tested has also brought to market, a new Universal Gooseneck Mount windshield mount for smartphones, GPS devices, and satellite radio devices.  The mount, that steadies the devices against shocks and vibrations generated by the vehicle’s movement while on the road, is available for immediate delivery for $14.99.

The new products join the best-selling LYTE COMM 737 and PRO BOOM 747 Bluetooth headsets that feature 10X noise canceling technology, DSP dual mic technology, background noise reduction, and a 180-degree flex boom mic. Each model also delivers up to six hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby time. The headsets also incorporate a boom mic, adjustable mic stem, adjustable headband, call waiting, 3-way calling, voice activated dialing, one-touch call answer/end, as well as a USB Travel Charger and USB Cable.

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, Travelocity, and Ecko Unltd. 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.

Niles' New Outdoor Speakers And In-Ground Subwoofer Offer High Fidelity Audio And Sleek Design

 Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today introduced a new line of outdoor speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, which all feature rugged construction, long-lasting materials and deliver superior audio fidelity for all outdoor applications. The new GS Garden Speakers deliver Niles’ legendary high performance sound quality and the speakers’ rugged construction gives dealers an ideal, long-lasting outdoor audio solution.

According to Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles, “The introduction of our new GS Garden Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer allow dealers to offer the same level of audio quality and sleek, blend-in designs for outside applications as Niles in-ceiling speakers provide inside the home. Installers can now install powerful, high fidelity outdoor audio systems to fit any environment with minimal visibility.”

Housed in UV-stabilized, long-lasting ABS plastic, the Niles GS4 4” Satellite Loudspeaker ensures years of trouble-free performance that can withstand Mother Nature’s toughest extremes, even surviving temperature extremes of -50 degrees to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Precision tuned and voiced to provide the high fidelity audio that Niles is famous for, the GS4 loudspeakers impress immediately, and their wide dispersion characteristics allow users to enjoy the best outdoor audio experience with the ultimate flexibility in speaker placement. Installers can utilize the pre-installed wall-mount brackets or use Niles Twist & Lock® connection to easily change to the included stake mount.

The GS4 loudspeakers feature a 4” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer for long-lasting performance with rich, deep sound and a 1” Teteron® tweeter with ultra-wide dispersion to maximize the sound quality in outdoor environments. With the included UV-resistant cables and waterproof wire-nuts, owners can enjoy trouble free, reliable connections.

The Niles GSS10 10” In-Ground Subwoofer is designed to bring deep, rich bass to the outdoors from a subwoofer that disappears into the landscaping. Constructed from industrial strength PVC, the GSS10 will provide years of listening pleasure when installed properly. Featuring a completely paintable port tube that rises out of the ground to disperse the sound, the GSS10 can remain totally hidden from view, all while providing the powerful bass of a 10” Niles subwoofer.

The GSS10 features a 10” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer and can output frequencies from 25Hz to 110Hz at up to 110dB. With a recommended burial depth of just 16”-18” and dimensions of 14” x 30”, installation is simple and installers can place the subwoofer almost anywhere.

The GS Garden Speakers will be showcased January 10–13, 2012 at International CES 2012 at The AVC Group’s Hospitality Suite 2876 in the East Tower of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, as well as January 31–February 2, 2012 at ISE Stand 1N73 at The Amsterdam RAI in The Netherlands.

All GS Garden Speakers are backed by Niles’ Limited Lifetime Warranty. For more information on Niles’ GS Garden Speakers, please visit nilesaudio.com.

Marc Ecko Fuses Fashion, Function And Features In New "Spray" Bluetooth Speaker

Bringing an unprecedented new level of fashion, function and features to a Bluetooth speaker, Marc Ecko today introduced the Spray ™, the newest addition to the Ecko UNLTD.SOUND line of powerful, stylish mobile audio products distributed worldwide by MIZCO International. The announcement was made at 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, Nevada at Booth #31240 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“One year after introducing the world’s first designer-inspired consumer electronics brand, we’re proud to unveil an award-winning Bluetooth speaker that looks like no other speaker consumers have ever seen,” said Steve Kops, Executive Vice President of Sales for the Ecko UNLTD. line at MIZCO. “The powerful new Ecko Spray truly stands out from the crowd and lets consumers hear the colors sound can make with a uniquely stylish Bluetooth speaker that goes anywhere they want to listen, from their bedroom to the park.”

Graffiti has played an important role in Marc’s creative vision ever since he first glimpsed the vibrantly painted subway trains rumbling through New York City.  In designing a Bluetooth speaker that looks and feels like a Spray paint can, he is sharing a part of his history and paying homage to those artists who first inspired him.

Available for delivery in March, at an MSRP of $159.99, the Spray is the ultimate Bluetooth speaker for use with iPods, iPhones, iPads, laptops and PCs, and all Android, BlackBerry and Windows smartphones. With two full-range high-output 40mm drivers delivering 3W each and two 45mm bass radiators, it can fill a room with high-fidelity audio or bring music to the outdoors thanks to the high-capacity Li-Ion battery that provides up to 10 hours of play time. 

Utilizing Bluetooth 2.1 technology the Spray pairs with any Bluetooth device up to a maximum range of 30 feet, includes a built-in microphone that enables hands-free calling with any Bluetooth cell phone and has a 3.5mm line input for direct connection to any music player or smartphone. The Spray’s dome twists to control volume and skip to the next or previous song, and the Spray’s nozzle is a button that controls the play/pause and call functions.

Designed in the United States, the Spray has a high gloss black finish and includes a high-density metal grille. The high capacity Li-Ion rechargeable battery is user-replaceable, so owners can carry spare batteries to provide virtually unlimited playtime.

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; 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 (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 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.

New Elan 16-Channel Multi-Zone Amplifier/Controller Simplifies Installation With Built-In Multi-Room Controller Technology

ELAN® Home Systems today announced the introduction of a powerful new 16-channel multi-zone amplifier/controller that combines the functionality of the ELAN D16 amplifier and S128P multi-zone controller into one new component that simplifies and lowers the total cost of a system installation for dealers and their clients. The new ELAN S1616A Amplifier/Controller, which is designed to integrate exclusively with the ELAN g! System, will be available for delivery in the United States in January 2012.

According to ELAN Product Manager Robert Ridenour, “With the S1616A, we’ve taken our popular D16 amplifier and upgraded it to include the multi-zone controller capabilities previously available in our S128P controller, giving our dealers the simplest, most profitable solution for distributing whole-house audio with the ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System. The S1616A is a 16-channel multi-zone amplifier with nearly unlimited configuration options—supporting eight stereo or 16 mono inputs and outputs, or any combination thereof. 

“With the ability to use the dual chassis model as a 16x16 matrix, this amplifier is perfect for any size residential installation, from small homes to mega-mansions. And because dealers can stack up to 15 chassis to provide up to 120 stereo or 240 mono outputs and it seamlessly integrates with the ELAN C2 Communications Controller, it is an ideal solution for any installation that requires high quality sound and ultimate flexibility in configuration no matter how large the project. The S1616A’s unique combination of a high power, high quality digital amplifier and up to sixteen stereo inputs takes ELAN multi-room audio systems to a whole new level.”

 

The new ELAN S1616A is available in single- and dual-chassis versions, both of which include high-pass and low-pass crossovers, RCA inputs, speaker level and banana plug outputs, and feature level, bass and treble adjustment for each output channel.

The ELAN g! 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.

The ELAN S1616A Amplifier/Controller will be showcased January 10–13, 2012 at International CES 2012 at The AVC Group’s Hospitality Suite 2876 in the East Tower of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, as well as January 31–February 2, 2012 at ISE Stand 1N73 at The Amsterdam RAI in The Netherlands.

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 (www.nortek-inc.com) Home Technology Group.

Niles Introduces First Designer-Friendly Compact Ceiling Mount Loudspeaker to Blend Into Any Decor

Following the introduction of its new CM Series Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers at CEDIA 2011, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the introduction of the company’s first-ever compact ceiling mount loudspeaker with a mere four-inch footprint, the CM4PR. It is the first small, designer-friendly loudspeaker to deliver audiophile grade performance so speakers can be placed in aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive areas.

“The introduction of our new designer-friendly compact loudspeaker provides installers with an audiophile grade solution for any location where space or visibility are issues,” said Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles. “With a depth of less than four inches and a Rear Wave Enclosure that stops sound from bleeding into other rooms, the CM4PR brings superior quality audio to places that were once inaccessible and completes our full line of application-specific CM Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers.”

The CM4PR is a 4" compact ceiling mount loudspeaker was designed with computer optimized Linkwitz Riley crossover components and includes Niles Rear Wave Control that inhibits sound transfer to adjacent rooms. The speaker’s magnetically attached MicroThin™ speaker grilles ensure a clean, virtually invisible appearance that blends with the aesthetics of any room, and can even be painted to match any decor. Optional square grilles provide added design flexibility. The grilles are rust-resistant, permitting loudspeakers to be installed in moisture-prone areas such as saunas, bathrooms and even outdoors under eaves. The Niles Limited Lifetime Warranty provides the ultimate guarantee to both dealers and homeowners, promising that Niles loudspeakers offer the ideal solution for their audio needs.

The CM4PR features an extremely rigid mineral-filled polypropylene cone that reduces breakup, lowers distortion and provides enhanced bass response. The butyl rubber surround damps resonance and provides exceptional durability while the 1” fluid-cooled Teteron® dome tweeter offers ultra wide dispersion and silky-smooth high frequency response.

This compact ceiling mount speaker has a frequency response of 70Hz-21kHz and Niles recommends using an amplifier that provides 25-100 Watts.

Additionally, the loudspeakers have been voiced specifically to handle dynamic content from Blu-ray discs as well as compressed music from sources such as iPods, Pandora and Rhapsody to ensure the best in audiophile performance from virtually any source.

The CM4PR will be showcased January 10–13, 2012 at International CES 2012 at The AVC Group’s Hospitality Suite 2876 in the East Tower of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, as well as January 31–February 2, 2012 at ISE Stand 1N73 at The Amsterdam RAI in The Netherlands.

For more information on Niles’ CM Architectural Loudspeakers, please visit http://www.nilesaudio.com.

About Niles®:

California-based Niles® is a 33-year-old brand recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world’s leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, Internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.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 (www.nortek-inc.com) Home Technology Group.

DigiPower Unveils The World's First In-Car Wireless Smartphone Charging Solution At CES 2012

Aiming to revolutionize the way drivers charge their smartphones in the car, Mizco International’s DIGIPOWER division today announced the world’s first in-car wireless smartphone charging station, the DrivePad™, at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the same time, the leading manufacturer and marketer of portable power solutions for the mobile lifestyle enthusiast will debut the DeskPad, DIGIPOWER’s at-home wireless smartphone charger. 

“Drivers no longer have to worry about snagging a tangled power cord or plugging in every time they have to charge their phone,” DIGIPOWER President Maurice Mizrahi emphasized today. “With an innovative, sliding “SweetSpot” charging pad for optimal charging performance, a flexible grip that holds smartphones of all sizes, a convenient FlexArm design and an auxiliary USB power port, the DrivePad truly is the ultimate in-car wireless charging solution.”

According to Mizrahi, “Today’s introduction of the DrivePad underscores our commitment to constantly redefine the standards of portable power products, and this new product line’s debut is certain to strengthen our position as the industry’s number one selling line of portable power solutions.”

The DrivePad introduces an innovative sliding charge base that allows for perfect alignment between the charge sweet spot of the base station and of the phone.  Proper alignment is key to obtain the fastest charging times for a consumer’s QI enabled device.

“We studied the market to determine the perceptions associated with wireless charging and found the longer charging time to be a problem. So we set out to develop a faster-charging solution, and did so with the DrivePad’s sliding “SweetSpot” optimized charging pad,” said Mizrahi. “Whether on the road or in the home, users no longer have to be shackled to the wall to quickly charge their devices. Now they can simply place their smartphone on the DrivePad, then pick it up and go.”

Available for shipment in March 2012, the in-car DrivePad features a FlexArm design, allowing drivers to position the smartphone exactly where they like it. The DrivePad also features a pivoting head to accommodate either portrait or landscape view, flexible grip tabs to securely hold smartphones of any size and a 1A USB port for charging a second device.

Also available in March 2012, the in-home DeskPad will include a unique perimeter lighting system to make it easy to check the charge status no matter how the pad is positioned on a desk or nightstand. The perimeter lighting system provides a soft downward projected glow around the product base without the harsh light affects of typical Status LEDs. The DeskPad also includes a 1A USB port for charging a second device and an on/off switch for simple operation.

Suggested retail pricing for both the DrivePad and DeskPad will be announced when deliveries begin, according to Mizrahi.

The DIGIPOWER DrivePad and DeskPad comply with the Wireless Power Consortium’s Qi standard, so it is compatible with all existing inductive charging receivers. As a member of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), DIGIPOWER is committed to providing consumers with the widest range of today’s most innovative mobile power products. The WPC, which includes more than 100 major mobile technology manufacturers, introduced the Qi standard in July 2010 defining the operating frequency, operating voltages and basic coil configurations for a wireless power system. Qi is the first global standard that enables interoperability between compliant transmitters and receivers at power levels up to 5W.

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.

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.