The Official Smarthome Blog – All Things Home Automation

There is no longer a need to leave entertainment cabinet doors open simply to use your IR remote control. The Dinky Link Designer IR Kit makes it possible to control up to four different audio and video components behind solid doors or walls using your existing IR remote. The included Dinky Link compact, IR receiver was designed for mounting in very small spaces and has been engineered specifically to resist IR interference caused by LCD TVs, CFL’s and sunlight. The included connecting block supplies power to the IR receiver using the included power supply. The connecting block receives IR signals coming from the IR receiver and distributes the IR signals out to your audio and video components using the included designer IR emitters. The use of this kit will leave you with the clean lines of your entertainment center without looking at unsightly stacks of equipment and cables. You can continue using your existing IR remote with the confidence it will communicate with your AV equipment behind doors, walls and in the presence of your LCD TV, CFLs or sunlight.

This product is also available in a Plasma & CFL Proof IR Kit, sold separately.

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If you are still using a hot, cumbersome desk lamp that is running up your electric bill, it is time for a change. The Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp incorporates a modern look with a full range of motion that can direct your light where you need it most. There are six ultra-bright, daylight white LEDs designed to illuminate a large desk and/or workspace area, while giving off minimal heat and using only about 9 Watts of electricity at full brightness. The lamp has a built-in 4-step dimming function that will take the light down to save even more on electricity or it can be used to create softer lighting for the task at hand. The adjustable joints can be placed in almost any position without tightening or loosening knobs or screws, simply move the light to where you need it and the lamp will hold to form. You can use the weighted stand to place this LED lamp anywhere on your desk, or use the included desk clamp to take up almost no desk space at all. This next generation lamp offers incredible illumination and flexibility that is sure last you for years to come.

This Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp is also available with Warm White Illumination.

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Make every seat in your living room the best seat in the house. The X-Arm Remote Control Fully Articulating Motorized LCD / Plasma TV Mount sits tight against your wall, but when you use the included universal remote control, you’ll be able to extend, tilt and swivel your 40 to 63 inch plasma or LCD screen. Extend your TV up to 12 inches from the wall, tilt it 7° up and 20° down, and swivel it up to 28° to the left and right (56° total range of motion). Now you can have the best picture possible regardless of glare or viewing angle without needing to get tools or make tedious manual adjustments; you can do it all with a remote control. Simply press the buttons to eliminate irritating reflections. This ruggedly constructed wall-mount retracts to only 4.6 inches to the wall and will hold up to 180 pounds. It also incorporates bellows to conceal all of your cabling and has no visibility from the front of your TV. The X-Arm motorized mount reduces or eliminates glare and reflection at the touch of a button.

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Keeping your hands free from germs and bacteria requires you to consistently and thoroughly wash your hands, so why not use a liquid hand soap dispenser that not only works great but looks great too. The simplehuman® 10 Ounce Precision Soap Pump does just that. It uses a heavy-duty hinge lever with a smooth action pump that dispenses soap with ease, even with one-handed operation. A large, clear acrylic soap tank has a slide off lid that makes for simple refills and visual indication when your soap is getting low. Built of durable, sturdy materials, this pump won’t topple over, gunk up, rust, or become too difficult to press. You can even fill the soap pump with dish soap to aid you while clearing pots, pans, plates, and other kitchen utensils a breeze. Another option is to fill it with lotion to have a quick source for moisturizer. This versatile, precision pump is a great way to add hand soap, dish soap or lotion to your kitchen or bathroom with a stylish flair.

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This 4-pack of I/O Linc modules gives you the ability to control multiple zones of low voltage devices which can be turned on and off from any INSTEON device such as KeypadLinc or RemoteLinc. You can even schedule timed events using HouseLinc 2 – INSTEON Desktop Software. Zone control is ideal for managing low voltage devices such as sprinkler controllers, giving you the ability to turn your water on and off at anytime from anywhere in your house. You can also keep your heating and cooling expenses to a minimum by connecting HVAC dampers, sold separately, to your I/O Linc modules; this will allow you to shut off airflow to unoccupied or unused rooms, which directs the flow of heated or cooled air to the areas that really need it. Create an access-control door lock system for each door entry to your home using electronic door strikes or use a security sensors to turn INSTEON controlled lights on or off as an alert system. Other applications for this 4-Pack of I/O Lincs include use as a zone controller for whole house audio or as a drape control system. Using this I/O Linc kit to create a set of controlled zones around your home is just another way INSTEON can make life more convenient, safe, and energy efficient.

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