Home Security
CCD Cameras Provide Low-Light Images
With the introduction of the DCS-5300 Internet security camera and DCS-5300W wireless Internet security camera, D-Link is offering users a product line that is compatible with today's Web browsers. The cameras can be used for residential applications, and the cameras can be operated remotely to provide motorized pan and tilt functions. Driving the camera line's video technology is a CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor device that can deliver resolutions up to 320 x 240, and the ability to provide images in a low-light situation.
MSRP is $459. D-Link Systems Inc., Fountain View, Calif., 800-326-1688, www.dlink.com
Home Theater
Wood Fiber Makes Speakers Sound Better
Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Jamo has launched its new D 4 Series of components. The line is made up of five products: the D 400 shelf/on-wall, the D 430 shelf/stand-mounted model, the D 450 floorstanding speaker, the D 4 CEN shelf/on-wall center-channel speaker; and the D 4Sub floorstanding subwoofer. The new speakers feature a combination of wood and aluminum cabinetry, and a wood fiber cone with uneven fibers that are said to improve the performance of the loudspeaker.
Jamo US Inc., Buffalo Grove, Ill., 847-465-0005, www.jamo.com
Lighting Control
Light Up an Entire House or Single Room
Introduced at the International Builder's Show (IBS) this past winter was On-Q Technologies' new Advanced Light Control (ALC) engine, the Home Lighting Controller. On-Q's is a cost-effective lighting control device that enables homeowners to control and regulate their home's entire lighting system or a single room. The Home Controller can operate as a stand-alone unit or serve as a slave component to a host controller. On-Q has also released several other products in support of its new Home Controller lighting control device.
On-Q Technologies, Middletown, Pa., 800-321-2343, www.onqtech.com
Structured Wiring
System Is Versatile
HellermannTyton's Home Network Sciences structured-wiring system can be used for residential, small office/home office (SOHO) and multidwelling applications. The company designed the cabling by using its experience in the commercial networking industry. The new cabling meets TIA/EIA-570-A, Cat 5e and Cat 6 communications standards. The cabling will allow homeowners to distribute telephone, video, whole-house audio, and computer data by working with a cable or DSL modem. The system employs color-coded blocks to simplify the punch-down process.
HellermannTyton, Milwaukee, Wis., 800-822-4352, www.hellermann.tyton.com
Home Enhancements
Light My Fire
The new Silhouette electric fireplace kit from the Heatilator division of Home & Hearth Technologies is designed to allow home professionals to maximize their profit potential by offering a complete fireplace solution. The Silhouette fireplace kit includes the Silhouette 50E fireplace with refractory lining, a primed alpine MDF cabinet, bi-fold doors and a remote control. Heatilator says the fireplace can be used in rooms where space is an issue, and by homeowners who would like a second fireplace.
Home & Hearth Technologies, Lakeville, Minn., 888-427-3973, www.hearthnhome.com
Central Vacuuming
May the Force Be with You
With its Power3 technology that integrates a central vacuuming system into a home automation system, MD Manufacturing's AirForce central vacuuming system provides homeowners with the security of not having to worry about missing a visitor or phone call, thanks to its ability to shut off when the doorbell or telephone rings. MD also took a different approach in the AirForce's construction by building the vacuum's motor inside the vacuum housing, rather than bolting the motor to the outside. According to MD, this design allows the vacuum to run more quietly and remain cooler.
MD Manufacturing, Bakersfield, Calif., 800-525-2055, www.centralvacuum.com
Home Theater Accessories
Protect Your Investment
SurgeX has introduced two new stand-alone power conditioners, which improve upon the performance levels set by the company's previous power conditioning products. The SA1810 conditioner is rated at 15 amps, and it incorporates the company's new surge protection circuit that helps to filter out electrical line noise and other performance detracting elements, and 10 industrial-grade receptacles. The company's other new product introduction is the SA966, which is rated for 8 amps, and employs the company's SurgeXWVR technology. The smaller SA966 features six receptacles.
SurgeX, Pipersville, Pa, 215-766-1240, www.surgex.com
Outdoor Audio
Sub Is Solid as a Rock
The Dakota Rock subwoofer from OWi Incorporated features a 200-watt amplifier, an 8-inch woofer and a frequency response rating of 35 Hz to 200Hz. The subwoofer is designed to look as realistic as possible and is constructed of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (G.F.R.C.). The Dakota subwoofer carries a limited lifetime warranty, and it measures 28 inches by 19 inches by 15 inches, while weighing in at 85 pounds.
OWi Incorporated, Carson, Calif., 310-515-1900, www.owi-inc.com
Outdoor Audio
Take Your Music Outside
Back in 1997 Now Hear This (NHT) introduced its OutdoorOne outdoor loudspeaker. The company is back with its newest outdoor speaker, the moisture-resistant RS1. The RS1 allows homeowners to enjoy their music in the yard, deck or pool, and the speakers can be rotated 180 degrees once they are installed. The speaker incorporates a 5 1/4-inch coax driver assembly and a 5 1/4-inch woofer. The speaker is easy to power, and it can mate with a host of distributed-audio amplifiers.
Now Hear This, Benicia, Calif., 707-748-5940, www.nhthifi.com
HDTV
HD Tuner Saves Subscription Fees
The HD10 high-definition television (HDTV) tuner from ViewSonic Corp. allows homeowners to receive over-the-air digital television (DTV) programming without having to pay additional subscription fees. The tuner receives today's current generation of UHF and VHF signals, and it supports digital TV resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i) in both widescreen (16:9) and standard (4:3) aspect ratios. Moreover, the HD10 includes an electronic programming guide with the HD channel spectrum, which further adds to the unit's user convenience features.
MSRP is $399. ViewSonic Corp., Walnut, Calif., 909-444-8888, www.viewsonic.com
Home Theater
Receiver Recreates the Sound of Concert Halls
Yamaha's RX-V740 home theater receiver provides home theater users with 6.1 channels, and all of today's processing formats, including Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, and DTS Neo:6. The receiver also includes the company's proprietary digital Top-ART technology, and it upconverts composite video to S-Video to improve video image quality. Yamaha rates the receivers at 90-watts per channel, and the receiver offers Yamaha's DSP processing, which gives users a choice of 24 different DSP audio modes that recreates the sound of their favorite theaters and concert venues. The receiver is compatible with DVD-A and SACD players.
MSRP is $599. Yamaha Electronics Corp., Buena Park, Calif., 800-492-6242, www.yamaha.com
HDTV
Hip to Be Square
The SquareShooter urban/metropolitan HDTV antenna from Winegard is specifically designed to receive and demodulate digital television (DTV) transmissions from reflected broadcast signals. The antenna can receive analog signals from up to 45 miles away and DTV signals from up to 50 miles away. The 15-inch antenna can be located almost anywhere, including roofs, patios, attics and railings, and by adding the company's DS-1000 pole mount, it can meet the wind load standards set by both DirecTV and the Dish Network.
Winegard Company, Burlington, Iowa, 319-754-9992, www.winegard.com
Home Networking
Server Improves Network Speed
The latest home networking device from Belkin Corporation is the company's 802.11g Wireless Print Server. The Wireless Print Server allows home network users to add two USB printers to a hardwired or wireless network. Belkin says that because the device supports two USB printers, there isn't a need to buy separate print servers for each printer in the network. The company adds that because the company employs 802.11g technology, it is up to five times faster than 802.11b networks, and because the server includes a memory buffer, Belkin says the device performs reliably.
MSRP is $129. Belkin Corporation, Compton, Calif., 310-898-1111, www.belkin.com
Whole-House Audio
Mighty Mite Amplifier
Sherbourn's new 2/150 two-channel amplifier is ideal for a space-conscious client. It's a small, single-unit-high, half-rack-width product that is capable of pumping out up to 130-watts per channel. To protect a user's investment into the amplifier, the 2/150 incorporates an embedded "CPU" that measures the stain on the amplifier and will permit the amplifier to power the connected speakers as long as it doesn't damage the amplifier. The unit also features a 12-volt trigger, two sets of line-level inputs, two sets of speaker-level inputs and a set of buffered outputs, which allows the amp to integrate into a variety of distributed-audio systems.
MSRP is $400. Sherbourn Technologies, North Billerica, Mass., 978-663-7385, www.sherbourn.com
Central Vacuuming
Central Vac Eliminates Filters
The Aqua-Air Wet/Dry Built-in Cleaning System from Aqua-Air is capable of performing all the regular duties of a normal central vacuuming system. The Wet/Dry system also incorporates the company's water filtration system that wets down dust and dirt particles with water and automatically sends them down the drain. The system is installed with the same in-wall vacuum piping that traditional vacuum systems use, and because the system uses water and a home's drainage system, the system can clean up just about anything.
Aqua-Air Wet/Dry, Salt Lake City, Utah, 800-916-5777, www.aquaair-wetdry.com
Hot Water Control
No More Cold Showers
Rinnai's Tankless Hot Water system can supply homeowners with a vast supply of hot water and reduce a home's energy consumption. The system allows hot-water users to get heated water from three separate sources while retaining a constant water temperature. The system can feed a home up to 8.5 gallons of hot water per minute continuously without having to use cold water as a replacement. Rinnai says that a homeowner can save up to $250 annually by employing its hot-water system. It's 50 percent more energy efficient than a gas heater and 70 percent more efficient than an electric water heater. The system features an easy-to-use keypad that indicates water temperature and controls to raise and lower the temperature.
Rinnai, Peachtree City, Ga., 866-746-6241, www.foreverhotwater.com