The Official Smarthome Blog – All Things Home Automation

Entries from July 2009

Expandable Cat. 5 Intercom Starter Kit Provides Whole-Home Communications

July 31, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Product Title (In box)

Intercom systems are an excellent way to communicate throughout your home and property. However, they’ve long been reputed as costly to install and expand. The On-Q / Legrand Inquire 1000 Four Location Cat. 5 Intercom Kit is an expandable broadcast intercom system that will allow you to talk from any unit to all others in the home. The Kit includes the Cat. 5 Intercom Module serves as the central hub for the Main Console Unit and three Indoor Room Units. A Door Chime is also included so that every connected room in the house will receive a personal alert when a visitor arrives. The connections to each from the Intercom Module to each console made via a single cat. 5 cable (sold separately). Each console fits in the included Decora-style wall plate and has a built-in microphone and high performance speaker, with the option using the included door and gate release. The system isn’t limited to what’s included either, you can install additional indoor room or patio units for a total of 12 consoles; you can even integrate it with a lyriQ Audio System. This kit has everything you need to get started with a whole home intercom system.

  • Starter kit contains a main console intercom and three room intercom units
  • Efficient Cat 5 installation with convenient RJ45 connections
  • Separate microphone and high-performance speaker in each unit
  • Compatible with standard Decora-style 2-gang and 3-gang wall plates
  • Includes door and gate release support
  • Expandable up to 12 room or patio units per system and easily integrates with lyriQ Audio System
  • Price: $689.99
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    Categories: New Products · Smarthome
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    Switch Allows for Two PCs to Share up to Four USB Peripheral Devices

    July 31, 2009 · Leave a Comment

    Product Title (In box)

    Nearly all modern computer peripherals attach to your PC through a USB connection. However, not all computers have enough USB inputs to manage all of these devices, and even if they do, the locations of these inputs are often difficult to get to. With the 2-to-4 USB Share Switch and Data Transfer Station, you can make quick and convenient connections with up to four peripheral devices, and each of those devices can be connected to two computers. In the same fashion that you would add a power strip for additional outlets, simply connect the station to a computer (or two computers) with the included USB cable(s), add power by connecting the AC adapter and install the drivers with the included CD. Peripherals can be assigned to each computer manually or by using a unique advanced management is available through a Windows-based application that can limit or extend the sharing capabilities between multiple computers.

    Connecting a flash drive, camera, card reader, keyboard, mouse, memory stick, or MP3 player is accessible and easy, and because this unit is powered, higher end peripherals like external hard drives, printers, scanners or fax machines can be connected as well. The hub has a hi-speed USB 2.0 rating offering data transfer speeds up to 16MB/second while being backward compatible with older USB 1.1 devices. Adding a compact and lightweight USB hub is an inexpensive and handy solution that will allow two computers, even laptops, quick access to the same files and peripheral devices.

  • Connect two computers to a built-in 4-port USB Switch
  • Simple button operation
  • Build-in Data Transfer between two computers
  • Fast transfer rate of up to 16MB/second
  • Software and manual selectable connection
  • Price: $79.99
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    Categories: New Products · Smarthome
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    Programmable Outdoor Feeder Ensures and Regulate the Feeding Quantities and Times for your Pets

    July 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment

    Product Title (In box)

    Whether you’re the person with a busy schedule trying to reduce your daily amount of chores or the person who simply likes to automate everything, the Outdoor Automatic Pond or Pet Feeder is for you. It was designed for use in outdoor locations but may also be used indoors to feed all types of pets. A digital timer is included that will allow you to schedule up to eight different feeding times for each day of the week. This product is Veterinarian recommended as it releases small portions of food at different intervals, helping to maintain your pet’s health by preventing bloating. It also helps to keep food fresh within the storage bin through the use of the air tight lid. A self-lubricating nylon auger prevents jamming, providing a smooth and quiet performance. A safety interlock switch and safety basket disables the feeder in the event that the storage container is removed. Additionally, a water proofing cover prevents water from coming in contact with the pet food inside and damaging the working components of the appliance. This model can be used with pets such as cats, dogs, horses, birds, ferrets, and fish in an outdoor or indoor environment, dispensing a preset quantity of food at preset times.

  • Five pound storage bin capacity
  • Up to eight programs per day
  • Dispenses small portions of food at scheduled intervals
  • Airtight lid on storage container keeps food fresh
  • Water proof cover is provided for outdoor use
  • Price: $170.99
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    Also Available in Medium and Large sizes.

    Categories: New Products · Smarthome
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    Park your Car Perfectly Every Time

    July 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment

    Product Title (In box)

    Parking your vehicle in the garage can be a daunting task if you have lots of clutter or a tight space. With Park N Place, you take the guesswork out of parking. Just take it out of the box, snap it together, and place it wherever you want to stop your car, truck or SUV. A miniature stop sign sits atop a pole that is attached to a secure base. When you make contact with the pole, the sign will instantly move and the stop sign will begin flashing letting you know you are in the right spot. The Park N Place is unlike hanging a tennis ball from the ceiling that seems to always be in the way while you working, is easier to use than a laser guided parking system that requires mounting and running of a power cable, and is much more visible than a vehicle parking matt that can slide around if not securely fastened to the floor. You can quickly and easily pick up and move the Park N Place parking indicator wherever you like, depending on if you pull straight in, back in, or want to park a different vehicle. The Park N Place garage parking position flashing indicator light is the ideal solution for ensuring you park in the perfect spot every time. This product is powered by two AG13 (LR44) button cell batteries, included.

  • Reduce the possibility of hitting walls or objects with your vehicle while parking
  • When your bumper makes contact, the stop sign moves and flashes light
  • Sets up and breaks down in minutes
  • Move it out of the way when you need to do something in the garage
  • Price: $19.99
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    Categories: New Products · Smarthome
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    Instantly Add an Outdoor Light Wherever it is Needed Most

    July 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

    Product Title (In box)

    The Wunder Light is a fantastic solution for illuminating a small concentrated area outside your home or office. There are three long-lasting LED lights built-in to the ultra-compact housing. The lights are powered by a rechargeable battery that charges via sunlight through a built-in solar panel. A photocell sensor will automatically turn the LEDs on when the sun goes down at night and off when the sun comes up in the morning. A built-in On/Off switch allows you to manually turn the light on or off whenever you want. Simply place the solar light in an area where it can receive direct sunlight for at least eight hours a day to get a full charge. Mounting screws, a mounting clip, and adhesive tape have been included to make installing it on wood, glass, steel metal, or plastic surfaces a breeze. The Wunder Light can be installed almost anywhere, and because it is solar powered, there is no difficult wiring or connected power supply required. Add eco-friendly, energy saving light to a sign, mailbox, doorway, stairway or any place a little bit of light might help. The solar panel powers one Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) AAA Battery, included, which should last approximately three years.

    Please Note: This light is compact with enough output for a small area, other solar powered security and safety lights are available for larger coverage.

  • Light automatically turns on at dusk and off at dawn
  • Solar powered device is charged by the sun
  • No direct power, wiring or professional installation required
  • Easily adheres to wood, glass, steel metal, or plastic surfaces
  • Price: $11.99
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    Categories: New Products · Smarthome
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