The Official Smarthome Blog – All Things Home Automation

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Until now, most zoned stereo amplifiers run at full power whether on or off, regardless of the number of zones being used; so you are consuming the same amount of power for the use of only 2 speakers as you would for the use of 8 speakers. The Knoll Systems Eco-System™ 8 Channel 50 Watt Energy Saving Distribution Amplifier has patent-pending circuitry that can recognize which of the eight stereo channels (four pairs) of speakers are in use and delivers powered audio to only that zone of speakers. To do this, the amplifier sends audio output to the speakers through a volume control or a local source input device. The amplifier can detect whether or not these devices are “requesting” audio by being turned on, and channels that are “off” are truly off, not in “standby” or “mute” mode. This means active channels share voltage and less overall power is being consumed by the amplifier. This product offers up to eight channels (or zones) of amplified audio at 50 Watts per channel. It even has channel resetting for protection of low impedance, overheating, overloading, over voltage and under voltage, with individual gain control for each channel. A quiet, energy saving thermostatically controlled fan is also built-in to keep the amplifier cool. A comparable amplifier uses about 14 times (65 watts) as much power idling in standby, while the Eco-System amplifier uses under 5 watts while idling. The typical homeowner will see a savings of about a hundred dollars or more per year in actual electrical costs and possibly more when taking into account the use of air conditioning to extract unwanted heat produced by a typical multi-channel amplifier.

• Eco-System™ Circuitry saves energy (and money) and increases power
• 8 channels x 50 watts RMS at 8 Ohms (over 100W peak)
• Individual and automatic channel resetting
• Individual gain controls for all channels
• Side-mounted thermostatically controlled fan for internal cooling
• Price: $1178.00

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Using an input or output controller such as an I/O Linc – INSTEON Low Voltage / Contact Closure Interface is a great way to monitor and control low voltage devices on your INSTEON home automation newtork or a security system. This 20 Foot 2-Conductor/AWG 22-Gauge Interconnect Wire is ideal for connecting sensors, pool valves, electric door strikes, garage door openers and other hard wired devices or sensors to your controller. The wire is split-able and stranded with each wire has been conveniently been stripped back 1/4″ on one and 1/2″ on the other end.

• Wire provides a hard wired interconnection between sensors and input/output controllers
• Price: $5.99

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High Definition Television (HDTV) is great, but for the optimal audio and visual experience it requires the use of HDMI cables to connect your high definition devices like your HDTV receiver, XBox 360, Playstation 3, Blue-ray players, computers and audio/video receivers to your LCD, DLP or plasma screen HDTV. Unfortunately most HDTV’s weren’t built to accommodate multiple HDMI connections. If you have one more HDMI device than you have available inputs on your TV, there is a solution, the Knoll Systems HDMI v1.3 Four In, One Out 1080p Switcher with Remote. The switch has a compact design that will allow you to connect four HDMI components to one HDMI port on your HDTV. You can manually switch between components locally or by using the included infrared (IR) remote. This switch is an all digital device that works with HDCP-compliant components, maintaining the highest HDMI 1.3 video resolution (from 480i to 1080p).

• Switches between four HDMI components with a single HDMI connection to your HDTV
• Supports high definition HD resolutions up to 1080p
• Maintains pure digital connections between each HDMI component
• Manual or remote control switching between components
• Price: $199.00

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If you are currently using or plan to purchase a Wireless Thermostat Receiver with one or more Wireless Thermostat Senders, each sold separately, you can use this Wireless Thermostat Two-Wire Heat-Only Kit to start or expand a wireless system to allow for control of most two-wire heat-only devices. The idea behind this product is to allow for remote control of your furnace, with the convenience of being able to place the receiver near it; so there isn’t a need to run wires throughout your home. The package includes a 24V plug-in transformer and a two-wire relay.

• Allow for wireless remote control of two-wire heat-only systems
• For use with a Venstar wireless receiver (sold separately)
• Easy installation
• Price: $39.99

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