CES ’07, LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2007 — Universal Remote Control, Inc., the leader in control system design and manufacturing for home and professional entertainment systems, introduces the MSC-400 Master System Controller at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, beginning here today. The versatile MSC-400 brings an affordable component-style controller to the custom-automation of advanced home entertainment systems.
The MSC-400 Controller seamlessly harnesses the power of sophisticated home entertainment systems and tames their complexity. It delivers exceptional ease-of-use and maximum enjoyment to the whole family. At the same time, it provides unmatched levels of flexibility, automation power, installation speed, and superior programming and diagnostic capabilities — providing installers with options and advantages not otherwise available. For example, using the Controller, installers can:
– Exploit diverse connection technologies — including Radio Frequency, Infrared, RS232, Relay and USB.
– Improve the ability of hand-held remotes to command components from multiple manufacturers, while taking full advantage of the MSC-400’s vast memory capacity.
– Completely customize the system for each room or user, and easily update individual automation routines to accommodate system changes.
– Add additional MSC-400 Controllers and remotes to cover multiple rooms and entertainment systems, even a whole house or estate.
The MSC-400 controller has the brains to handle even the most elaborate systems. It can be expanded to cover multiple rooms and A/V systems, and incorporate several controllers and varying user interfaces — customized as needed for each room, even each user.
The MSC-400 is designed to operate with any of four powerful, compatible URC remotes — new system versions of the MX-3000 and MX-950, and the new MX-900 and TX-1000. The remotes trigger command sequences that are programmed into the MSC-400. Once triggered, the commands execute without interruption or further interaction with the remote. No pointing is necessary.
“As a result,” said Eric Johnson, URC Vice President of Technology, “the system responds perfectly to the user, as if an invisible engineer was concealed in the system cabinet, operating the system for them.”
Today’s sophisticated components require system controllers to do more than merely repeat signals. The MSC-400 also tests the status of devices it controls, and issues commands accordingly. It’s the difference between shouting at someone as you drive past his or her house, and simply calling on the telephone to make sure they’re home.
The operative word for the MSC-400 is interoperability — the ability to communicate with hardware from multiple vendors. The MSC-400 possesses the ability to control a wide range of disparate devices, including those activated by infrared (IR), RS-232 (serial), Relay (contact/voltage trigger), and USB keyboard commands. This enables the MSC-400 to operate sophisticated home theater equipment, audio components, lighting, Media Center PCs — even motorized screens, drapes and lifts. It also gives owners complete assurance that it can control any components added to their systems in the future — the MSC-400 never becomes obsolete.
Powers to Spare
The MSC-400 can control up to 12 components using IR commands, detect the on/off status of six devices, control six devices using the RS-232 ports, operate projection screens, drapes and lifts, and allow a connected remote to serve as a PC keyboard on any WinPC with a USB port. Not enough? Unique Master/Slave programming options enable installers to combine two MSC-400 Controllers into a single system that can automate up to 22 components.
The MSC-400 comes with an RFX-250 RF Receiver, which allows professional installers to completely conceal all of a system’s hardware and still maintain flawless connectivity even at distances approaching 100 feet.
The MSC-400 is optimized for installation in an equipment rack or cabinet. There are no controls for users to set, and no buttons to push. Softly glowing blue and green LEDs on the front panel indicate connections, sensor status and the RF environment, so that a professional installer can diagnose the system at a glance. When programming is required, the installer simply connects a laptop via a USB cable to the front-panel programming port.
The MSC-400 Master System Controller is available now from authorized Universal Remote Control dealers at a suggested price of $799. Individual remotes controls are additional. It can be seen with URC’s other outstanding products in Booth 21244, South Hall 1, Las Vegas Convention Center, during the show.
About Universal Remote Control, Inc.
Headquartered in Harrison, New York, Universal Remote Control, Inc. is a world leader in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of high-quality remote control devices. Since its establishment in 1991, the company has become highly regarded by consumers and professionals alike, and won numerous industry awards. It supplies millions of remote controls each year to consumers around the world through four primary distribution channels: consumer retail, custom professional, subscription broadcast and OEM.
Over the years, clients have included many leading high-end audio and video manufacturers, and consumer electronics and subscription broadcast companies, including Adcom, B&K, Bright House, Cablevision Systems Corp., Charter Communications, Comcast, Crestron, Denon, Faroudja, Harman/Kardon, Klipsch, Krell, Lexicon, McIntosh, Motorola, NCTC, Rotel, Parasound, Polk Audio, Time Warner Cable, Toshiba, Xantech and Zenith.
Universal Remote Control products are manufactured in Asia and North America in factories that meet rigorous CE, ISO 9001, ETTS, IQNET and TQM certification requirements. For additional technical information, please visit www.universalremote.com.
