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CIS : Charlotte, NC's Source For URC Controls!

Control pretty much anything on your IP network, including distributed audio with metadata, and subsystems throughout the house.

Accessing and selecting media stored on your home network is almost a must these days if you want a full entertainment system experience. More receivers and Blu-ray players are handing you access to PC files, but for whole-home command over everything—including other potentially networkable systems like lighting and energy management—you’ll need something more robust.

That’s where URC (the artist formerly known as Universal Remote Control) is coming into play with its new Network Keypad System, which includes the KP-4000 touchscreen and MRX-1 base station designed to facilitate control of “virtually anything on an IP home network—including A/V components like multizone A/V receivers, energy management devices, PCs, iPods and whole-house lighting—via preprogrammed, drag-and-drop 2-way modules,” according to URC.

For connections and two-way control of iTunes (Mac- or PC-based), for example, the KP-4000 will be able to display iPod-like metadata such as cover art, song title, artist and album info.

Other RSS feeds will be able to keep homeowners in tune throughout the house with the latest news, sports, weather and stock info, while URC plans on adding modules for climate, energy management, IP cameras and security panels.

For installers who program the touchpanel, the KP-4000 is sure to make controls simple on homeowners as one-touch macros can employ up to 255 steps. Plus, it won’t matter exactly where media such as music files are stored—a My Music module combines iTunes files with Windows Media Player content (which also enables you to play FLAC lossless tunes) for robust distributed audio and playlists.

With the MRX-1 base station, the KP-4000 can deliver commands to IR, RS-232 and relay components to enable controls over motorized projector mounts, TV lifts, and drapes and shades, for example.

The KP-4000 runs for $599 MSRP, available in white now and later black or light almond; the MRX-1 has an MSRP of $399.

by Arlen Schweiger

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/urc_kp-4000_touchscreen_taps_into_ip_network/

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Audio/Video Sales, Service and Installation in North Carolina and South Carolina

Report says company “contemplating a brick-and-mortar rebirth.”

The days of calling Circuit City a defunct big-box “store” might be coming to an end.

Systemax, which purchased the Circuit City brand in May 2009 and relaunched the company online, is “contemplating a brick-and-mortar rebirth,” according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Systemax bought and revived CompUSA, one of many failed electronics retailers, and now plans to open stores in Houston, Chicago and other major markets after successfully testing stores in Florida. There currently are 34 CompUSA stores.

Could Circuit City follow the same plan?

“Recession hurts, but it also creates opportunities that would not have existed otherwise,” said Systemax Chief Executive Richard Leeds.

“We have a tremendous amount of excitement around our company now because of these acquisitions. We picked up two iconic retail brands for well under $50 million. That to me is the bargain of the century.”

by Steve Crowe

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/poll_would_you_shop_at_circuit_city/

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Audio/Video Sales, Service and Installation in North Carolina and South Carolina