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Author: Bob Hetherington

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Article Title Author Company eMag Issue Article Synopsis
CES and ISE 2013 News Coverage and Product Reports Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Dec 2012

 It's 2013 and two of the most important tradeshows are already upon us. CES and ISE start the year for us by bringing the industry to the forefront of the news all over the world.
CABA Digital Home Forum Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Oct 2012

 CABA has always done a great service to the industy by organizing and hosting these forums and conferences where players in the industry can get together on neutral turf to share their experiences, concerns and expertise. As a great believer in sharing technical expertise, in fact it's what this publication is based on, I am always keen to hear what others are working on and where the industry is going.
What the heck happened? Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Aug 2010

Please designers and marketers, don't focus on mobile devices and therefore limit our future to having fairly good products that do everything. We still want really good products that do specific tasks perfectly. Broadcasters (soon to be renamed Streamers) need to stay with the program too.
Streaming Content - Why and How? Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2010

 Supposedly now --- life is better. I should be able to stream content including TV, movies, news, music and everything else --- from the internet directly to my entertainment system. I should also be able to do all the old stuff too including listen and watch the movies and music which I purchased and stored on my hard drive. So, since I are an engineer, I'm going to break everything down into point form and see if I can make sense of all of these options --- oh and by the way --- I know you can do all this internet stuff with a phone too but I'm not even going to go there at this point in time :-(
Paradigm Stylus 370 Oudoor Speakers Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2010

 Summer is on the way so it's time to start thinking about taking your entertainment outside. Outdoor speakers are a special case and of course can cause special problems when it comes to weathering the storm. They not only need to sound good up close, but they also need to project that sound into a void.
Paradigm CS-60R-30 Ceiling Speakers Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2010

 Ceiling speakers for home theaters and multi-room systems have caught on in ways I'm sure make hard core audiophiles cringe. Who would have thought that anyone would even consider getting theater quality sound from a drywall ceiling? After all, weren't they invented for airport PA systems --- and we all know that you can't make out anything that is said over those things.
Onkyo TX-NR3007 Home Theater Receiver Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2010

 I'm obviously into networking since we have our business at home and work continuously on the internet. Any my absolute favorite internet magic app is Pandora internet radio. But, I also have a fairly large music collection residing on a network storage device (NAS). I was eager to put the NR-3007 to the test so one of the first things I did was to plug it into our home network via the ethternet connection. I had to look up a few instructions in the manual but basically the receiver just connected to the network and looked around for devices.
Definitive Technology Home Theater Speakers Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2010

 When you set up a home theater system what is the most important component? This is one fact that has not changed since the days of old --- ITSS (It's The Speakers Stupid).
Avtrak Rotating Equipment Rack Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2010

 This rack was an absolute breeze to install --- even for me --- so professional installers will have no problem whatsoever.
What the heck is a Smart Grid? Bob Hetherington

Mar 2009

 Nowadays we have several issues to face that are causing concern to humanity in general and the western world specifically. I don't think I need to repeat them here but basically they are environmental as well as geopolitical in nature. Hence, the old coal or oil burning power plant needs to be phased out and we must become much more efficient at generating and delivering electricity to end users or the costs become extraordinary over time.
Highlights from Cedia Expo 2008 Bob Hetherington Hometoys

Sep 2008

 I was a bit worried that I would find an economically battered battle field full of horror stories and spilled blood. I was pleasantly surprised to find lots of optomism, some great success stories and the same old entepeneurial spirit that keeps me enthralled with this industry. Yes, there were a few sad faces and sad stories ... but not nearly as many as I had expected. In fact the general consensus for me was ... business as usual ... in many respects.
Z-Wave Lighting Control Systems Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Aug 2008

 I have had the opportunity to review some Z-Wave equipment and I must say I'm impressed with the simplicity of the system. After all ... lighting control and automation should not be rocket science ... and in it's simplest form I tend to think it should become standard in all new construction.
OutCast Wireless Outdoor Speaker System Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Aug 2008

 I pulled it out of the box and in about 10 minutes had a new and very full bodied speaker out on the patio playing music from my ipod.
KEF Five-Two Series Home Theater Speakers Bob Hetherington Kef

Feb 2008

 I fired up one of my favorite CD's (which I have listened to hundreds of times). These speakers took the music to another level altogether. I was blown away at how they added an unbelievable depth of sound. I expected a slight tinniness at a high volume but there was nothing of the sort to be heard. All in all I would definitely recommend these speakers to those of you like me who feel intimidated by most speaker technology out there. With these you get all the sound of a complete surround sound system in two very attractive towers. And setup is a breeze.
Maxtor Shared Storage II Bob Hetherington Maxtor

Dec 2007

 So now when I go on a business trip all I do is grab this drive and throw it in the trunk of the car. I now have a backup of everything ... whether I need to use it or just to feel safe having it all with me. After the wildfires here in San Diego recently I think we can all relate to the need to have a backup of your stuff that is easy to grab and run with. Perhaps the manufacturer should consider putting this thing in a waterproof and fireproof box. Now that would be a nice bit of insurance that would make us all feel warm and fuzzy don't you think?
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Dec 2007

 Dec 2007 - Editorial Comments
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Oct 2007

 This is our CEDIA 2007 Issue with lots of news and product announcements plus some great articles to enjoy.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Aug 2007

 Bob gives a synopsis of this issue to help you find the articles that you want to read.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2007

 I hope you enjoy the issue. If you would like to participate by contributing an article for the next one please don't hesitate to let me know (news@hometoys.com). If you are not ready yet but want to be reminded of future opportunities then sign up for our Author List.
Simplifi 5075D Digital Amplifier Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2007

 The unit contains not only the amplifier but also the sound card and requires only a USB connection. It's a Creative Sound Blaster Live 24 bit external card. Once you plug it all in, the unit automatically senses that your Media Center is on and turns itself on too.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Apr 2007

 It's already daylight saving time where I live. Did your PVR / Media Server / Home Automation Controller know about the change? A minor headache if not ... but a headache none the less. The more spoiled we become ... the more spoiled we want to become and the more dependent we get on technology. I'll leave it to philosophers to decide whether that is a good thing or not.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Feb 2007

 Editorial Comments
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Dec 2006

 Editorial
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Oct 2006

 CEDIA Expo dominates this months issue ... and rightly so. It seems that this show is dominating when it come to new product launches and by watching what is going on there you get a glimpse of what the future holds for the industry and those of us who enjoy the resulting technology products and services.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Aug 2006

 I hope this discussion helps you find what you're looking for in this issue.
Editorial Comments Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2006

 With a world full of blogs, commentaries, forums and discussion groups it appears that everybody has something to say about everything. So ... I may as well join the throng and put forth some opinions about topics that are relevant to my two passions ... Technology (HomeToys) and Alternative Energy (Earthtoys).
IS China 2006 Bob Hetherington

Apr 2006

 All in all ... I can only say that we all need to open our eyes to the reality of the global marketplace and seek partnerships with Chinese business. I have never felt more welcome as a foreigner in any country that I have previously visited. China is undoubtedly becoming one of the most powerful economic forces on the globe. Do you want to be a partner or a competitor? It's your choice!
Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Mar 2006

 The remote itself is very nice to use ... the buttons are slick and the LCD screen is clear. Having a recharging station is terrific too. I never lose the remote any more, it's always ready to go and I never have to worry about changing batteries. The IR signals are stronger than any other unit I've tried so it never fails to do it's job. Just picking up or tilting the unit brings on the LCD screen ... no buttons to push for that ... nice!
Viewsonic N4050w 40" LCD Display Bob Hetherington Viewsonic

Feb 2006

 I am impressed with the brightness of this display ... even in daylight ... and viewing at an angle does not degrade the experience at all. ViewSonic has been in the display business for many years and this unit reflects the quality of their business.
Systems for Small Spaces Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Feb 2006

 It seems to me the criteria for a small space entertainment system is compact size, diversity in features and ease of operation (always). I don't feel the condo dwellers should have to sacrifice any of the awesome experiences that new technology is providing.
Soundations Home Theater Stand Bob Hetherington Soundations

Feb 2006

 As for looks ... simple and elegant is what I call it. As you can see by our layout, there is lots of room for everything that we need and more. The stand is made of cherry wood, 3/8" tempered glass and machined and brushed aluminum.
Logitech Z-5450 Digital Wireless 5.1 Surround System Bob Hetherington Logitech

Feb 2006

 Logitech, combining its expertise in wireless technology with its leadership in high-performance multimedia speakers, has delivered an original new surround-sound speaker design that solves the unsightly cord problem without adding any additional components.
Jamo 775 HCS 4 Speaker System Bob Hetherington Jamo

Feb 2006

 I selected these speakers for our demo because of the looks and size of them. Once I set them up with the AVR-793, the quality of the sound blew me away. This system brought my DVD concerts and music collection to life.
CannonPC LX Series Media Center PC Bob Hetherington Cannon PC

Feb 2006

 With one simple remote control and a wireless keyboard (if I need it), I have access to Live and recorded TV and HDTV, DVD's, My Movie and Concert Collection, My Music Collection, My Photo Collection, Radio, Internet browsing, internet services such as Napster. movielink, xm radio online, msn music. reuters news services, fox sports online, gaming on demand and many others.
Panasonic KX-TG6502B Phone System Bob Hetherington Panasonic

Feb 2006

 A major advantage of these phones is that you only need one phone jack for the main unit. The rest of the handsets just need an AC outlet for the charger. This makes it easy to use with VOIP since both lines are connected via one Router and there is no need to wire the house or condo for multiple lines.
NetDisk Network Storage Device Bob Hetherington

Feb 2005

 Within a few minutes I had access to 160 gigabytes of storage designated as Drive E. Simple as that. And it's available to all computers on that network.
Vonage IP Phone System Bob Hetherington

Oct 2004

 Plug in the adapter and sit back while it powers up, configures itself and registers. That's it ... as soon as the lights stop blinking you're ready to start making calls. And in my case ... everything went as advertised ... amazing.
HTI+ and CEDIA Exam Guide Bob Hetherington

Oct 2004

 870 pages of well organized, comprehensive information that I'm sure will become the industry standard for those who wish to pursue a career in Home Technology ... whether it be to design, install or commission systems and equipment.
Philips iPronto Bob Hetherington

Oct 2003

 All in all ... this is a fascinating device and only the future will tell whether or not the world will embrace it. It combines 3 devices into one ... a remote control, a program guide and a web browser. A future implementation called NetX will have it play a key control role in Philips vision of controlling devices in the home via the wireless home network.
Touchscreen Wireless Weather Station Bob Hetherington

Aug 2003

 The system keeps track of indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, wind direction and velocity, solar intensity and rainfall. All of these variables are displayed on a very elegant touchscreen panel that can be wall mounted or set on a table. The display also shows the time and date and has a graphing feature that lets you view the history (last 24 hours or last 8 days) of any of the variables at the touch of a finger.
Part 6 - Weather Station Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Aug 2003

 Covered in this article: - Powerline Networking - Wireless Network Hubs - New Multi-room Sources .. An old VCR and a PC streaming internet audio. - A wireless weather station with touchscreen display
TVscreenART Bob Hetherington

Jun 2003

 TVScreenART is an exiting new way to present visual art on a regular TV screen in excellent quality. It’s a “virtual painting” on TV. Typically, TVscreenART is shown when entertaining at parties, dinners, social events or simply for relaxation.
Part 5 - The Lab Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Jun 2003

 In many cases the hub may be located in a closet or utility room. Planning is extremely important for this location. Bigger is much better. As your system expands and changes ... more room will be required at the hub. Depending on the types of systems and equipment you install ... you may need to provide for working space, ventilation etc.
HomePlug Powerline Networking Devices Bob Hetherington

Apr 2003

 Once you have a powerline network operating in your home it's simple to add computers ... no matter what network plugs they have in them. These manufactures and others make USB adapters, Wireless adapters and Ethernet adapters. They also make Powerline DSL/Cable Routers to connect your powerline network to a broadband internet service.
Part 4 - Multi-Room Audio System Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Apr 2003

 The system that we are working with is the Elan Z-Series. We have 6 zones (rooms) and can select from up to 6 music sources. Five of the zones have keypads for control and the 6th has a VIA! TouchPanel. Initially the sources we are using are an Imerge Soundserver, a Parasound Tuner and an old RCA VCR.
Runco CinemaWall™ CW-42 Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 Once the unit was mounted and connected all we had to do was turn it on (have a DVD ready for this step) and WOW ... middle of the day ... bright sunny room ... amazingly bright and clear picture ... right out of the box. This is how new technology should work!
Part 3 - Installing Home Theater Equipment Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Feb 2003

 Most of us already have some entertainment equipment and some of us have a bit of home automation and networking equipment as well. So ... how do we connect it all together and make it work simply and smoothly ... a challenge for sure ... but not as difficult as you may think.
Panasonic KX-TG2740S Cordless Phone System Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 At $199 for the main unit and $99 each for extra handsets this is a no brainer for those needing the convenience of wireless phones with the flexibility of 2 incoming lines and a digital answering system. We're featuring this system in our Home Technology Demonstration Project and in fact it is currently our primary phone system.
Omni LT Security and Home Automation System Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 In addition to it's security functions, this is a full blown home automation controller that can make your life a lot easier and more convenient. It will control your powerline lighting and appliance components, thermostats, hard wired devices and more. It is also expandable if you find there is a need to add to the system ... which you probably will once you get hooked on automation :-)
Leviton Stuctured Media Center and QuickPort Snap-In Modules Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 Leviton makes everything you need for a structured wiring installation and the equipment is available almost everywhere ... including Home Depot. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to install and how reasonably priced it can be.
Integra DPS-8.3 Progressive Scan SACD & DVD Player Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 It's a new world of sound and vision when you get into this level of equipment ... and although I'm sure there are "better" or "more expensive" units on the market I'm just not sure if the human senses can tell the difference.
HALO T3 Tuner Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 The new line of components from Parasound ... HALO ... are very nicely designed with silver faceplates and violet glowing lights behind each button giving the units a modern elegant look as well as clear visual control functionality.
Elan Z-Series Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 The Elan Z-Series is a serious system and has many more features and options than mentioned here. Sound quality and control functions are excellent. The keypads buttons are small but tactile feedback is good. The VIA! touchpanel is clear and dependable ... and just a fun thing to play with. Programming the system is fairly straight forward and the functionality of the system allows for a high level of customization.
ECAV Audio and Video on Twisted Pair Bob Hetherington

Feb 2003

 ECAV consists of 2 little black boxes (just a few inches long ... correct word for it is a balun) with RCA Left and Right Audio, Video and CAT5 plugs. One ECAV at the sending end plugs into the ISoundServer outputs and into the CAT5 wire. The receiving end in the lab connects to the other end of the CAT5 and from there to our multi room preamplifier.
Xantech Infra Red Control Equipment Bob Hetherington

Dec 2002

 Xantech has been in this business for years and their products are high quality and reliable. If you have any wiring skills at all there is no problem setting this stuff up. If you're not comfortable with that ... just call in a home systems dealer / installer and get them to do it for you.
PSB CustomSound M6.1R In-Ceiling Speakers Bob Hetherington

Dec 2002

 With digital sound reproduced through quality speakers it makes a room come to life. If you like music ... then why not have it everywhere? Multi-room audio systems are here to stay and while you can spend a fortune on speakers for a home theater ... that's not necessary with multi room systems. In-ceiling speakers located throughout the house add a new dimension to your environment.
Part 2 - The Construction Process Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Dec 2002

 So ... here we are with a bunch of plans, a bit of equipment, a few miles of wire to run and a mess to make. In this article we discuss the installation of the wiring, the cabinet design and installation, the lab layout and some other considerations to take into account.
Somfy Awning Control System Bob Hetherington

Oct 2002

 LED's (one line for sun one for wind) on the right keypad indicate the intensity as signaled from the sensors. Both setpoints are adjustable on the keypad. When the sun intensity is above setpoint for a preset length of time ... the awning comes down (to the physical limit as set on the motor). When the sun intensity drops below the setpoint or the wind velocity rises above it's setpoint ... then the awning goes up.
Snell Home Theater In-Wall Speakers Bob Hetherington

Oct 2002

 Overall I'm very impressed with the sound quality and performance from the Snell Acoustics home theater speaker system. We wanted to build a system that sounds great but doesn't fill the room with cubes of cloth covered wood. It worked.
Part 1 - Design and Preparation Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Oct 2002

 To recap ... we are building a Demonstration Lab and Home Theater Showroom in an existing building to learn and pass on some of the experiences to those of you who want to enhance your lifestyle by networking your home entertainment, control, data and communication systems. In the introduction I covered some of the concepts and outlined the project. In this article I will cover some of the design considerations and preliminary construction processes.
Marantz SR9200 Home Theater Receiver Bob Hetherington

Oct 2002

 Has the latest THX features as well as most if not all predecessor home theater arrangements including THX Ultra®, THX Surround EX®, Dolby Digital®, DTS ES®,Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1, Neo: 6, Dolby Pro Logic II ®, (Movie, Music), Circle Surround 5.1 ®(Movie, Music). Power enough to blow the doors off of most living rooms (140 W X 7 Channels) and much more.
Howell Technologies - Cinema Fan Bob Hetherington

Oct 2002

 Overall I must say that the system is working very well for us. There is virtually no noise from the fan at all (if you open the cabinet door you can hear a slight air flow sound from the outlet). The sensor controls to setpoint without a problem. 32 watts is less that a light bulb in power consumption so that's not an issue either.
Avträk Rotating A/V Equipment Rack Bob Hetherington

Oct 2002

 One of the nicest features is the cable management system which consists of velcro strips across the complete width of each shelf. This allows you to get everything wired and functioning and then zipped up tight so you can see through the quagmire and show off your wiring skills to your friends and neighbors.
Introduction Bob Hetherington HomeToys.com

Aug 2002

 The time has come to build a demonstration room and lab where we will be able to illustrate not only the equipment and what it can do but also some of the installation and set-up processes. I'm sure there are many readers out there who ... like me ... want to be part of the process but need some or a lot of help along the way. The HomeToys Home Technology Demonstration Project is designed to demystify the processes and products for those who want the technology but need to take part in the process to save money, satisfy their curiosity or just have fun.
Imerge S1000 SoundServer Bob Hetherington

Aug 2002

 In my humble opinion the arrival of products like the Imerge SoundServer marks the beginning of the next generation of home music and entertainment system solutions that will revolutionize the industry and the home. If you believe in "Killer Apps" ... then this could be the next one. Why? Here's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Compaq iPAQ CP-2W Bob Hetherington

Aug 2002

 Your internet browser is used to access the various settings etc. of the CP-2W. From this simple interface you can set up your internet connection (multiple options), wireless SSID and WEP Encryption security setting etc. There is a built in NAT firewall that when tested using "Shields Up" http://grc.com/ came through with flying colors.
Compaq iPAQ 3835 Pocket PC Bob Hetherington

Jun 2002

 So ... we're off on a new journey into the future of technology with a new tool to help us mark the way. I don't think everyone needs a Pocket PC ... but if you work or play in a busy information packed world then you will probably use one in the future. I like the iPAQ because it's functionality is totally familiar to me (as a windows user) and the learning curve was short. The unit is well made and easy to use ... that's all it takes to convince an old dog to try some new tricks :-)
Leviton DHC Switches Bob Hetherington

Apr 2002

 These units are designed to control incandescent and low-voltage lighting loads in any DHC-equipped home in single-pole (one location) or 3-way (multi-location) applications when used with the Multi-Remote Unit. They offer manual and remote ON/OFF switching and full range dimming for larger incandescent and magnetic low-voltage lighting loads. They feature Leviton’s new Intellisense(tm) advanced circuitry for increased reliability, even where electrical "noise" exists on the power line.
HAL Deluxe Bob Hetherington

Dec 2001

 I was most impressed with the quick and easy setup and the fact that I didn't need to train the voice recognition system at all. This is a fun ... fun ... fun product that can pretty much become your sidekick in operating your home automation system, answering, dialing and taking messages as well as getting your favorite sports scores, stock prices and weather reports from the internet. What else do you need? And the very best part ... just say "Goodbye" or "Thank-you" and HAL goes to sleep until you awaken it with your next desire.
HomeVision Home Controller Bob Hetherington

Oct 2001

 I'm not going to redo the in depth review of HomeVision here. My original review is still relevant so click here if you want to get into the nitty gritty of this controller. Suffice it to say that when I got my new HomeVision it only took a few minutes to change over all of my schedules and devices from the Enerlogic system that I have used for the past 10 years. I did not lose one day of control and in fact added scenes and modes that I had been thinking about for some time. Not having to write and debug control code has made this experience a pleasure.
Proxim SymphonyHRF Cordless Network Bob Hetherington

Sep 2001

 For a simple home network focusing on internet sharing and a bit of device and file sharing this is a great solution. Installation was simple and the engineers made sure most things are intuitive ... not too much network jargon. Support is only a phone call away and I had a pleasant experience with them too.
Nike psa[play 120 Digital Audio Player Bob Hetherington

Aug 2001

 To get another opinion about this device I asked my better half to give it a try. She's a fitness buff and I thought she would be a good test subject. Well ... I haven't seen it since ... nor have I talked to her much.
Marrick Lynx-X10PLC Bob Hetherington

Aug 2001

 The unit ships with a copy of Home Control Assistant (HCA) software (see HomeToys review) and set-up took only a few minutes. Just plug it into the wall and serial port ... install the software ... and test the operation. HCA has a menu option that lets you test and configure the PLC. A very nice feature allows you to adjust the transmission power and receiver sensitivity.
Smart Homes For Dummies Bob Hetherington

Jun 2001

 Smart Homes for Dummies is a great book for those who are interested in moving into the future of home automation and networking and are willing to spend a few evenings learning about what it is and how to go about the process.
ORiNOCO USB Client Bob Hetherington

Jun 2001

 The access point or residential gateway, RG-1000 or any other 802.11b (Wi-Fi) compliant access point simply sends the radio signals to the USB Client. The USB Client receives them and transmits the signals to the desktop PC via the USB connector.
Dolphin Pocket Digital Camera Bob Hetherington

Apr 2001

 For $100 this is a great little toy ... with many uses. For example ... it took me about 15 minutes to take photos of every nook and cranny of our home for insurance purposes. I burned them onto a CD and now have a record in case of theft or fire.
Connections 2001 Bob Hetherington

Apr 2001

 Market studies still point to huge growth over the next few years but I feel that the honeymoon is over and it's time to offer some real value to consumers in order to bring them onboard. Once you experience a broadband connection you can never go back. If ever there was a "hook" to grab consumers and hold their attention ... this is it.
Nomad Jukebox MP3 player Bob Hetherington

Feb 2001

 You can organize play lists, change modes and adjust sound effects etc. without the need of a PC. The LCD window and menu are easy to follow and give you lots of options and control. There are jacks for external inputs and outputs so the Nomad can become a component of your entertainment system. EAX special effects are also available and provide some cool sound enhancements to the system.
Orinoco RG-1000 Residential Gateway Bob Hetherington

Dec 2000

 I must admit this is my first good experience with wireless networking so I'm pretty hyped about the convenience. There may be better or cheaper systems out there that I haven't tried yet but as far as I'm concerned the RG 1000 does the job that I need to get my work done every day ... and that's what is most important to me at this point. It's definitely a keeper.
CyberGenie Phones Bob Hetherington

Aug 2000

 System features are extensive and the voice recognition is very handy. You can set up all of your contacts so that they can be accessed by voice command. Most features can be accessed by voice or menu or keystrokes.
Connections 2000 Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2000

 "many presenters are looking beyond the technological breakthroughs, problems with standards etc. and have moved forward with plans for content. This will draw consumers across the market "Chasm" and into the mass market frenzy ..."
HomeAPI Group Interview Bob Hetherington

Feb 1999

 Home API allows a software developer an easy way to discover controllable devices in the home, the control attributes of the devices (on/off, volume up/down, channel, time, temperature, status, etc.), and the current state of the device, and it provides the ability to modify or change the state of the device.
CES '99 in Las Vegas Bob Hetherington

Feb 1999

 Many large corporations including Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, Philips, Panasonic etc. have entered the fray. Some have seen that the future of the PC is limited unless it expands into the home networking environment. Others note that each home in America now has 2 TV's and one PC (soon to be 2 PC's) as well as umpteen other electronic devices. Why not capitalize on this fact and network all this stuff together. CES99 demonstrated to me that these players and many others are serious about Home Networking.
CES '99 in Las Vegas Bob Hetherington

Feb 1999

 Many large corporations including Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, Philips, Panasonic etc. have entered the fray. Some have seen that the future of the PC is limited unless it expands into the home networking environment. Others note that each home in America now has 2 TV's and one PC (soon to be 2 PC's) as well as umpteen other electronic devices. Why not capitalize on this fact and network all this stuff together. CES99 demonstrated to me that these players and many others are serious about Home Networking.
HOME AUTOMATION AND X-10 Bob Hetherington

Oct 1996

 Let me try to clear up some confusion about home automation. It doesn't have to be complicated and expensive to get started automating some of your existing home's systems. X-10 has been around for many years and provides an inexpensive way to get started. If you're worried about obsolescence then consider this. Compare X-10 for home automation to DOS for computing. X-10 is established as the standard and is widely used and supported in the industry. As new technology arrives (i.e. CEBUS / WINDOWS) it will create new markets for products which can interface with X-10 and just as DOS has remained as the backbone of computing so will X-10 remain as the simplest form of home automation. The beauty of X-10 is that you can start with the basics and expand at your own pace by adding equipment without having to backtrack and replace what you've already installed. Re-wiring isn't necessary since you don't have to wire in the first place (X-10 operates via your existing house wiring). Let's break down a home automation system into it's components to better understand how it works and how an X-10 system can be built up using basic skills.

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