FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 January 2006
— Versatile Component Enables Multiroom System Control From Computers and Web-Based Devices —
WOODBURY, NY — Audioaccess, a division of JBL that provides advanced whole-house audio/video solutions, today announced that its CS-IP Control Server has received a 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Award from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
The CS-IP is a two-way interface module that connects to an Audioaccess whole-house audio system and provides an IP (Internet protocol) address and a user control display to a PC or other Web-enabled device. This connectivity allows an Audioaccess audio system and the components connected to it to be recognized and controlled by a desktop or notebook computer, or other compatible wireless products such as a PDA or Internet tablet.
Sponsored by the CEA and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the Innovations Awards program is the industry’s most recognized, highlighting product advancements in technology design and engineering. The CS-IP is being showcased at CES in the Audioaccess suite in the North Tower of the Las Vegas Hilton, January 5 — 8, 2006.
Chris Robinson, Audioaccess director of sales and marketing, noted: “We are extremely proud that our CS-IP has won a prestigious Innovations 2006 award. Our CS-IP control server is one of the most significant products the company has introduced, as it provides an entirely new level of control capabilities for our multiroom audio systems. Thanks to the CS-IP, an Audioaccess whole-house system is no longer limited to being controlled by dedicated hardware — it now has the capability of being operated from a vast range of wired or wireless computers and outboard devices.”
Remote-System-Operation Capabilities From a Variety of Web-Enabled Devices
The CS-IP connects between the Audioaccess PX-700 Multiroom Audio Controller — a component that offers flexible whole-house music-distribution capabilities — and a home device or subsystem to be controlled, such as a ReQuest Multimedia audio server, an Escient FireBall hard-disk music server or a Lutron HomeWorks lighting system. The CS-IP connects to the home device either directly or through a standard Ethernet router.
The CS-IP can also be linked to a Color Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller (CATC) — a wall-mountable controller that provides operation of the Audioaccess PX-700-based multiroom audio system from a remote zone — and an iPod, when the iPod is used in conjunction with the new Audioaccess iPod docking station.
The CS-IP is configured to interface with the system in which it is installed using the proprietary Audioaccess Installation Manager software. This Windows-based application uses a series of preprogrammed template screens to simplify programming and facilitate the installation of a wide range of currently available home entertainment components, and subsystems such as lighting control systems.
Once installed, the software residing in the CS-IP interprets the operational commands and menus from the Audioaccess PX-700 and the home devices in the whole-house system, and displays a user control interface on the computer or other Web-enabled product that is used to operate the system. Control feedback, via text and icon messages, is also displayed on a Color Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller installed in a remote zone. Any computer or device using a Web browser running Macromedia Flash can be used to operate the audio system through the CS-IP.
The CS-IP also enables independent, simultaneous operation of multiple connected home devices and subsystems from multiple Web-enabled products and CATC units located throughout the home. For example, a PDA could be used to control an iPod for music listening in one room, while a CATC could operate a hard-disk music server at the same time to play back audio in another room in the home. Thanks to this advanced functionality, users can enjoy the best of both worlds — the convenience of operating the system from many locations using a variety of devices, along with the exceptional sound quality provided by the Audioaccess PX-700 and the company’s complete lineup of high-performance amplifiers and loudspeakers for custom-installation home entertainment.
The open-ended architecture of the CS-IP also allows it to accommodate future products as they are introduced. Currently, software is being developed to enable control of Imerge products, and a Russound AM/FM tuner that features optional XM Satellite Radio reception capability. As additional subsystem software interfaces become available, they can be programmed into a CS-IP by connecting the CS-IP to a PC and loading the appropriate programs, which will be posted in a dedicated area on the Audioaccess Web site. This capacity makes the CS-IP easily upgradeable in the field.
The Audioaccess CS-IP Control Server will be available in early 2006 with suggested retail pricing to be announced.
The Audioaccess CATC (Color Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller)
The Audioaccess CATC is a versatile, wall-mountable touchscreen controller that provides a rich user interface for advanced control of an Audioaccess PX-700-based multiroom audio system. The CATC offers a wide range of control features combined with ease of programming and operation, and makes even complex multiroom custom installations simple to operate and enjoy.
The Audioaccess PX-700 Multiroom Audio Controller
The Audioaccess PX-700 is an easy-to-use multiroom audio system that offers superior sound quality, along with flexible whole-house music-distribution capabilities. Together with Audioaccess wall-mounted keypads, touchscreens and handheld remotes, the PX-700 allows direct access and control of eight different audio sources in six different zones. Up to six PX-700s can be connected to create a 36-zone system.
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com)
is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
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For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Group Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
Audioaccess, JBL and Harman International are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
CEA and CES are registered trademarks of the Consumer Electronics Association.
Escient is a registered trademark, and Fireball is a trademark, of Digital Networks North America, Inc.
Russound is a registered trademark of Russound F.M.P.
HomeWorks is a registered trademark of Lutron Electronics, Inc.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Macromedia and Flash are registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc.
ReQuest is a trademark of ReQuest, Inc.
XM is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio.
