DENVER, CO, September 4, 2007– Building on a strategic marketing agreement first announced in Fall 2006, Russound, the #1 brand in multiroom audio, today announced a second agreement with Life|ware that will bring about availability of six Smart Media Console (SMC) models pre-loaded with Life|ware software as well as Life|ware software available in custom configured bundles for Russound.
“No company knows the custom installation space better than Russound, so the launch of our line of Smart Media Consoles is big news,” commented Jeff Kussard, Russound’s Vice President of Strategic Development. “Changes in the marketplace, combined with feedback from our dealers and installers, demonstrated the need for Media Center products that offer a variety of features and benefits. To assist us with our change in direction, we partnered with Life|ware, who we entered into a marketing agreement with last year.”
The SMC models are based upon the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Windows Vista Ultimate operating system. The SMC models are divided into three platforms, based upon processor speed, video cards, and storage space. Each platform is available with either an ATSC/NTSC tuner card, or a CableCARD slot. All six models feature DVD drives, RF keyboards and remotes, two front-mounted and six rear mounted USB 2.0/1.1 inputs, front-mounted composite A/V and S-Video outputs, front- and rear-mounted FireWire jacks, rear-mounted optical S/PDIF output, and 7.1 channel audio outputs. The first four models are equipped with DVI-I, HDMI (video only), S-Video, component video, and composite video connection. The two models at the higher end feature Dual DVI-I, component video, S-Video, and composite video accommodations.
Life|ware is home control software that seamlessly merges the best of digital entertainment with simple, intuitive whole-house control. Life|ware expands the power and flexibility of the Windows Media Center platform to manage live television, music, digital photos and videos to lighting, security, HVAC, and multiroom audio distribution. The Life|ware software bundles provide custom installers a simple turnkey solution for enabling advanced home automation and integration systems with Russound’s Smart Media Consoles, allowing faster installs and less programming for integrators.
“This partnership with Russound is part of Life|ware’s best-of-business mentality to bring smart solutions to dealers in the custom space,” said Steve Cashman, Life|ware’s Vice President of Sales. “We have seen more and more custom dealers specifying jobs with the Windows Media Center platform. By providing them with a host of Ready Smart Media Consoles and Life|ware software bundles we are simplifying the installation process and increasing their job profitability with one simple partnership.”
“Without a doubt, Life|ware is the clear-cut champion when it comes to simplifying home automation functions in the Media Center platform, so it’s only natural for the category leader in multiroom audio to join forces with the brand leader in home automation software,” said Kussard. “For Russound, this means we will enjoy a jumpstart in the Media Center Systems integration space while our dealers will benefit from being able to offer Russound Smart Media Consoles that are pre-loaded with Life|ware, so all they have to do is ‘turn the key’ to get it up and running.”
With US MAP prices range from $5499 to $10,999 for the six SMC models, and $1600 to $4150 for the Life|ware software , the products will be available Q4 of 2007.
About Russound
Since 1967, innovation, quality and reliability have been the pillars of the Russound product tradition. Located in Newmarket, N.H., Russound, the #1 brand in multiroom audio*, offers the products and expertise customers need to enjoy multiroom audio and video systems in the home. As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, Russound continues to cater to installation professionals and their customers by pairing powerful systems using the latest technologies with intuitive controls to give customers high-performance, easy-to-use solutions. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.russound.com.
*According to June 2005, 2006 and 2007 studies by EH Research
About Exceptional Innovation
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Exceptional Innovation produces Life|ware, home control software for lighting, thermostats, security systems, cameras and media management systems. Exceptional Innovation’s line of elegant, all-digital, high-definition touch panels and robust system controllers round out a complete Life|ware solution. Led by software industry professionals with extensive experience with distributed
computing based on open standards and open architecture, Exceptional Innovation combines Microsoft development expertise with years of home control experience to deliver simple, seamless, life-enhancing solutions for the digital home. For more information on Life|ware, please visit www.life-ware.com.
Life|ware is a trademark of Exceptional Innovation, llc in the United States and other countries.
Microsoft, Windows Media Center and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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