6 September 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODBURY, NY — Audioaccess, one of the founding companies of the custom-installation home-entertainment industry, is showcasing its W.H.E.N. (Whole-House Entertainment Network) system at
CEDIA Expo 2007 in an exhibit that demonstrates the ways in which the system can be installed and
used in the home.
Currently available at authorized dealers and custom-installation specialists, the W.H.E.N. system is an integrated home theater, multiroom-audio/video, and in-home-communications system for custom residential installations that is easy and fun to use, and provides exceptional performance and versatility.
At CEDIA 2007, Audioaccess will feature a preview of its upcoming DBM21 Doorbell Module, which enhances the functionality of a W.H.E.N. system by enabling two-way communication, and door locking and unlocking, between a compatible doorbell/intercom unit and W.H.E.N. control keypads that are located in remote zones. The W.H.E.N. system now also features two-way satellite radio connectivity that is available when used with a compatible XM Satellite Radio or SIRIUS Satellite Radio third-party tuner.
The W.H.E.N. system offers a unique approach to home-theater and multiroom-audio/video entertainment. It incorporates innovative technologies to deliver superlative sound and picture quality to both the home-theater and remote-room locations. The system also provides whole-house paging, intercom and control functions, with audio and video monitoring capabilities that are easy to implement using the W.H.E.N. on-screen programming system. No PC programming is needed to activate or utilize any feature. Thanks to its modular architecture, the W.H.E.N. system is expandable to as many as 20 remote-room locations.
W.H.E.N. system components include the AVR21EN Audio/Video Receiver/System Controller, the AVH21 Multiroom Hub with WPS21 Power Supply Hub, the KP21 Amplified Display Keypad, the upcoming DBM21 Doorbell Module, and a full range of in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers.
DBM21: Providing Indoor/Outdoor Communications and Remote Door Locking and Unlocking
The DBM21 Doorbell Module allows a compatible third-party doorbell/intercom unit to interface with a W.H.E.N. system to provide communications and door-entry capabilities. When a person outside the home rings a doorbell, a chime is sounded on an enabled KP21 keypad, and a user in a room where a KP21 is installed and the person outside can then talk to each other. Locking and unlocking doors can also be controlled by the keypad, and up to six doors can be controlled by KP21 keypads located throughout the home.
For added security, each KP21 keypad in the home can be selectively programmed to either control or not control a DBM21. In addition, the DBM21 is compatible with a number of third-party door-phone units that operate in conjunction with a home’s telephone system — both the W.H.E.N. system and the door-phone system can be used independently and simultaneously. For example, when someone rings a doorbell, selected KP21 keypads can be set to chime while selected phones can also be set to ring at the same time.
AVR21EN: Designed for Ultimate Performance and Multiroom Flexibility
The AVR21EN receiver/system controller combines a high-performance 7.1-channel A/V receiver with a multiroom system controller in a single chassis. It offers high-end audio and video performance, in addition to sophisticated source-control functions. This onboard source-control functionality provides IR and two-way control connectivity for sources used in both the home theater and multiroom system.
The AVR21EN offers extensive features in the home theater zone, including five HDTV-compatible component video inputs and an HDMI output; built-in DCDi by Faroudja video scaling and processing to 1080i; two AM/FM tuners; an Auto EQ function that automatically calibrates the loudspeakers in the main home-theater room; and three RS-232 ports that enable source control with available and compatible two-way hardware interfaces. The AVR21EN is also software/firmware updateable to accommodate possible future upgrades.
The system also features two-way iPod functionality when used with the Audioaccess aDock docking station for iPod, which allows a compatible iPod to connect to the AVR21EN and interface with the W.H.E.N. system. It enables the iPod to play music and video in any room in the system, and provides two-way operation of iPod audio-only functions from a KP21 keypad located in a remote zone, with data from the iPod translated and displayed on the keypad.
AVH21 Multiroom Audio/Video Hub: Advanced Signal-Distribution Capabilities
All A/V source components shared by the home theater and the remote locations are connected to the AVR21EN, which provides all source-control and power-management functions. Audio, video and control signals are distributed to the remote zones by the AVH21 Multiroom Hub, which connects to the AVR21EN. The WPS21 Power Supply Hub provides power for the KP21 Amplified Display Keypad. The Hub may be located anywhere within 100 meters of the AVR21EN.
The W.H.E.N. proprietary digital-signal transfer bus allows all audio and two-way control signals from the AVR21EN receiver/system controller to be streamed onto a single Cat. 5e cable to an AVH21 Multiroom Hub, and then via a Cat. 5e cable to a KP21 keypad in each zone. The digital bus enables control and feedback of the system’s sources, including source-status information from the built-in AM/FM tuners, comprehensive iPod-library-management functions, and data from other two-way communicating sources, to the KP21 Amplified Display Keypads in the remote zones. All KP21 keypads in the home can access audio signals independently of one another from the system controller (the AVR21EN). Composite video signals are distributed via coaxial cable to the local display device.
Because W.H.E.N. multiroom hubs are easily placed in a utility closet or area away from the main installation, system wiring is centralized and simplified, eliminating the clutter of head-end wiring typical of conventional whole-house systems. By placing the remote-zone audio amplifiers in the KP21 keypads, wiring is further simplified, and amplifier power is located close to the speakers, eliminating long speaker runs.
Entertainment, Paging and Monitoring, Anywhere in the Home
The W.H.E.N. system offers three operating modes: Entertainment, Paging and Monitoring. In Entertainment mode, it can distribute, from the main home entertainment room to remote locations, uncompressed audio and composite video from up to eight audio/video source components simultaneously. The KP21 keypad provides easy, intuitive control of remote-zone power, source selection, source control, monitoring, paging, timer and door-entry functions. The KP21 features a built-in 50-watt-per-channel stereo amplifier — much more powerful than a typical keypad amplifier — to power remote-zone loudspeakers. Every keypad in the home can access any source component connected to the AVR21EN. Each keypad can also be connected to a high-power amplifier or powered subwoofer in its local zone, and audio from an additional local source can be fed through the keypad amplifier and played back in the local zone. The wall-mount keypads fit both preconstruction and retrofit Carlon two-gang J-boxes.
In Monitor mode, the W.H.E.N. system routes signals from video cameras throughout the home to connected video-display devices, and audio from the KP21 keypads’ built-in microphones. It can also operate electronically triggered door locks. Paging mode enables operation as a multiroom paging and whole-house intercom system.
The W.H.E.N. system is modular and expandable. A base system accommodates the main home theater and up to eight remote zones; additional hubs and power supplies can be added to expand signal distribution to up to 20 rooms.
Suggested retail pricing ranges from less than $4,000 for a system with a base home theater and two remote audio zones to more than $20,000 for a large-scale system comprising a main home theater and 20 remote room locations. The AVR21EN Audio/Video Receiver/System Controller is also available separately at a suggested retail price of $2,199.
Following is an outline of key features of the Audioaccess W.H.E.N. system:
• System components include AVR21EN Audio/Video Receiver/System Controller, AVH21 Multiroom Hub with WPS21 Power Supply Hub, KP21 Amplified Display Keypad, DBM21 Doorbell Module, a compact Door Keypad/Camera Module, and seven available in-wall and in-ceiling speaker models
• Offers three operating modes: Entertainment, Paging and Monitoring
• Easy to program without the need to connect a PC
• AVR21EN receiver’s onboard source-control functionality eliminates the need for IR routers, splitters and power supplies to control program sources in the main room
• AVR21EN connects to AVH21 Multiroom Hub via a single, proprietary Cat. 5e digital audio signal/control connection and coaxial video cable
• 7.1-Channel AVR21EN offers extensive home theater and multiroom functionality, including HDMI and component video outputs, connections to accommodate multiple audio/video source components, two built-in FM/AM tuners, a built-in Auto EQ automatic speaker calibration feature, and more
• Can accommodate up to seven audio and six video remote locations, and seven video security cameras
• Two-way iPod audio operation with multiroom audio and video playback is enabled via the Audioaccess aDock iPod docking station
• AVR21EN interfaces with compatible XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio tuners
• AVH21 distributes the signals from all the home theater’s main sources to other rooms throughout the home; multiple hubs can be connected to expand the system to up to 20 rooms
• KP21 Keypad/Amplifier Module includes an LCD and “hardwired” control buttons, built-in 50-watt stereo amplifier and local source input, and preamp/subwoofer outputs
• KP21 interfaces with iPod, popular DVD and CD changers, and third-party XM and SIRIUS tuners to display program information
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• DBM21 Doorbell Module enables two-way communication and door locking/unlocking via compatible door/intercom units and KP21 keypads
• Seven available in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, all designed for exceptional sound quality and ease of installation
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG), Inc., 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 Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
Audioaccess, JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel and Lexicon are registered trademarks, and W.H.E.N. and Audioaccess aDock are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Carlon is a registered trademark of Lamson & Sessions.
DCDi by Faroudja is a registered trademark of Genesis Microchip Inc.
HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
SIRIUS is a registered trademark of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc.
XM is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio.
© 2007 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
