Recently I was interviewed about home automation for Century 21 Magazine. To be honest, I don’t know anything about the magazine – I can’t even provide a URL for it – but I do know that it goes to readers who are not necessarily tech-savvy. Here are my responses to the questions they posed to me: What are the most popular systems that consumers install in their homes? Statistically, alarm… View this story
Home Control • Home Control Systems • Info and Answers

Think you’re seeing more LED TVs today? You’ve seen nothing yet, according to the latest Quarterly LED Backlight Panel Shipment and Forecast Report by DisplaySearch. LCD TV panel makers are targeting aggressive growth for LED panels, with Samsung and Sharp aiming to ship more LED-based LCD TVs than CCFL panels in the fourth quarter of this year, states the report. And prices will continue to drop. Manufacturers of LED panels… View this story
Displays • LCD • Green Technology • Manufacturers • Info and Answers

Most of you probably already know, but Apple is hosting an event Wednesday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco at 10 a.m. PDT. September has typically been the month Apple releases new iPod hardware. The rumor mill, as it does with any Apple announcement, is running rampant. Some of the rumors include: An iPad with a smaller screen Adding iPhone 4’s “Retina” display and… View this story
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Over the last 30 years, I have seen many smart people invest much money and effort chasing an unrealized promise: explosive growth in home automation. The promise of a new category to be installed in the 100 million U.S. households is highly seductive, but it’s time to consider lessons learned from past failures. Analysis of the opportunities for home automation is a two-step process consisting of understanding the success criteria… View this story
Home Control Systems • Info and Answers

James Cameron is out pimping the re-release of “Avatar.” As part of the press tour, the acclaimed director stopped by G4’s “Attack of the Show” to display a little something that made him a boatload of money - the Fusion Camera System. The camera looks, well, kind of like a camera. Cameron explains it nicely and displays quite a bit of humor in the clip. Take a look below, get… View this story
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We featured the Lumenhaus, a project built by Virginia Tech students as part of the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C., in our March issue and online last November, but we just couldn’t resist pointing to it again. The experimental house recently won the Solar Decathlon Europe competition in Madrid, Spain. But what we love about it are: • Movable polycarbonate panels filled with aero gel insulation that automatically slide… View this story
Green Technology • Cool Homes • Info and Answers

As we all love to do, HD Guru Gary Merson recently took aim at HDMI cable manufacturers who mislead with their product labeling. The gist of his article is this: Have you seen HDMI cables online or in stores labeled “120 Hz,” “240Hz” and “480 Hz”? It’s easy enough to slap such labels on HDMI cables but it’s a sham. … The same HDTV signal flows through all HDMI cables,… View this story
HDMI • Info and Answers

During a recent visit to Polk Audio, the Baltimore, Md.-based manufacturer gave us a sneak peek at some of its upcoming products. The speakers were great, and some of the audio tracks were fantastic. As you know, playing the correct tracks during audio demos is essential. It can sometimes make or break a client’s decision. We recently shared the favorite audio demos and video demos of some CE pros. Now,… View this story
Miscellaneous • Movies and Music • Speakers • Audio • Info and Answers • Slideshows

Brody Buzzard is a playful 2-year-old with a mild case of autism. So it’s no surprise that his father Mark, principal of Liberty Bell Alarm & Home Theater in Sacramento, Calif., has taken an interest in home health technology. As a Control4 dealer, Mark Buzzard has rigged an automation system specifically for the needs of Brody and his care takers - mom and dad. “Autistic children are very visual,” says… View this story
Home Control Systems • Info and Answers

Legislation before the U.S. Congress could give homeowners incentives to purchase a wide-range of energy-efficiency products from insulation to appliances. However, home energy management systems like energy monitors and other energy-saving electronics may not be included in the program. The proposed program, called Home Star (also known as “Cash for Caulkers”), will fund $6 billion in rebates to encourage immediate investments in energy-efficient appliances, building mechanical systems and insulation, and… View this story
Power Management • Green Technology • Manufacturers • Info and Answers