HTINews - What We Need Is ...!

A new column for the HTINews ... What We Need Is ...! Send your needs to bobh@hometoys.com and we'll see what we can find or at least use this column to let those manufacturers and software engineers know what it is that we the consumers want to buy and use. I'll start it off with a few of my own needs and ideas. Please let me know if these things are available, coming soon, good idea or just plain crazy. I'll keep the threads going as long as the feedback keeps coming in.

By the way, I was inspired to start this column by Tony Stewart's article entitled When Will Automation Get Easy?

How about an X10 multiple speaker selector. I'd like to be able to use X10 to turn on or off different sets of speakers throughtout the house (stereo of course). X10 dim commands should be used to control the volume as well. I would think 6 pairs of stereo speakers would suffice. Needless to say impedance matching is required.

More 220 volt X10 components and information is a must. I can't tell you how often I'm asked where this stuff os available and will it work in different countries. If some of you out there will help me out I'd be happy to set up a 220 volt information library at HTI.

After reviewing some of the new Voice Recognition systems this one comes to mind. How about a OneForAll style remote control with a small microphone built in. I'd like to be able to talk to my entertainment system and home automation system while being disguised as a standard couch potato.

And of course, no wish list would be complete without a cry for some CEBus devices for retrofit applications (ie powerline, RC and IR control). A controller that can be programmed via the PC with easy to use software, light switches, appliance modules, thermostats, sensors, remote controls etc. etc. etc.

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