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User Interfaces—The Human Link to a Home Automation System Blog

Automation occurs when the state of a device, product or system changes without any human interaction. It happens when your home environment is able to adapt to your needs all by itself—no tap of a button or a flip of a switch is required. While home automation systems are perfectly capable of running a household in this hands-off fashion, many homeowners feel more comfortable being able to actively operate the various products and systems under the backing of an automation system. Rather than relying completely on a system to tell the lights, thermostats, A/V equipment and other devices how and when to adjust, they like having the power to make these changes, too, and the tool they use to do so is what the industry refers to as a “user interface.” A user interface is basically a device that enables a person to easily monitor the status of the every product that has been tied to a home automation system and to control these products on the fly.

Iowa State Basketball Practice Facility Project

The heartland takes its sports seriously, so when Iowa State University decided to build a new basketball practice facility, it approached Digital Residence for help consolidating and simplifying all audio, video and control systems. At 36,000 square feet, this $8 million facility required the combined expertise of the Digital Residence staff to design and install a custom Control4 solution. Home to Staff and Athletes Housing two practice gyms, one for each program (men's and women's), the ISU Basketball Practice Facility also includes the full-time offices for administration, training, and coaching staff.

Video Intercom Page

See who’s at the front door, check in on your sleeping baby, or call everyone to the table for dinner, simply and conveniently. Video intercom provides incredibly fast connection speed, high-definition clarity and high-quality audio. Replace your doorbell with an elegant door station to see who is at the door without getting off the couch. Unlock the front gate with one tap, right in the same interface.

Control for the Holidays Blog

Looking for a little control this holiday season? Jonathan Ping at DataSmart, a Control4 dealer, gives us a little insight on how your Control4 home automation system can handle the scheduling of your Christmas lighting each day of the season—and year over year—as well as some other fun things to add a little extra festive fun to your home. Check out the video below! Now be sure to visit our video page for more great tips and tricks from other cool projects.   

Apple Watch Favorites Blog

New updates from Control4!  We’re maximizing convenience and access with this latest update! Keep everything that matters at your fingertips with Control4.  Favorites on your Wrist  Apple Watch now supports the Control4 App with this new update! Your selected Favorites will now appear on the Apple Watch for easy access to the media and devices you use the most. Accessible, one-touch controls on your wrist make your home more convenient and easier to use than ever before.  If your iPhone, Apple Watch and the Control4 App for iOS are all updated to the latest version, you’re all set! Press the Digital Crown to theHome Screen and look for the Control4 App!  If you don't see it, you can: Check out our How Do I video here where we show you how to install the Control4 App on your Apple Watch Check out the Apple Watch Install Guide for the Control4 App  Or follow the troubleshooting steps listed below IF THE CONTROL4 APP DOES NOT APPEAR ON YOUR APPLE WATCH Using your iPhone, open the Watch App Scroll down to UNINSTALLED APPS Find the Control4 App and tap INSTALL Once installed, using your iPhone, open the Control4 App On the Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown Find the Control4 App and Tap to open IF THE CONTROL4 APP IS BLANK Using your iPhone, open the Control4 App On the Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown Find the Control4 App and Tap to open The app on the Apple Watch will sync your project from the Control4 App on your iPhone IF THE CONTROL4 APP SAYS 'NO ROOMS FAVORITED' Because of the size of the screen, the Apple Watch cannot display the pages that you see in the Control4 App for iPhone.

LAG Architects Project

Architects are rewarded for paying attention to detail, particularly when it comes to their own offices. LAG Architects knew they wanted automation to be a part of their office, so when they contacted CEG Contractors, a Control4 dealer, their requirements were clear. A key requirement was contributing to a clean look in the office and reinforcing a simple but elegant design by keeping devices and equipment hidden over the ceiling or in closets. Multi-phase Approach LAG had a list of things they wanted to do and worked with CEG to divide their requests into two phases. In the first phase, CEG integrated office lighting, AC, and video, configuring the Control4 system to support and integrate these key features.

The Coolest Products at CEDIA Blog

We had our Dealer Tools Product Manager, Miguel Perez, walking the floor of CEDIA so that he could share with us the coolest products he could find. Here is his summary: The Best of CEDIA. (At Least in My Mind) I love technology. I am a geek 100% of the time. You couple my love for technology and a show like CEDIA, and you get one happy guy, (basically a kid at Disney World). However, CEDIA is hard work. CEDIA = weeks of preparation, partner meetings, conversations with dealers, demos, and packing and unpacking the amazing Control4 booth (a story for another day). So, you might be asking, why do I like CEDIA? It sounds like a nightmare.

Sony X and W Series TV Lineup Now Control4 “Automation-Ready” Blog

This week, Sony announced their entire 2014 lineup of X and W Series HD and Ultra HD (4K) TVs will ship with Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) technology built-in. This integration means that Sony X and W Series TV’s will be automation-ready right out of the box.   Sony has always been a leader in television innovation, and recently has been one of the manufacturers leading the charge in Ultra HD adoption. This addition of Control4 SDDP technology shows that Sony is continuing the trend of innovation with a focus on the smart and connected home.   So what is SDDP technology and what does it mean to have a Control4 “automation-ready” TV?   SDDP is a powerful Internet-of-Things technology that resides in consumer electronic devices.

Apple Watch Accessory Install Guide Document

However, Favorited Media must execute an audio stream to display on the Apple Watch. For example, if you favorite an Album, a Track, or a Playlist, those buttons will appear on the Apple Watch. Favorites that take you to a page will not appear on the Apple Watch. For example, if you Favorited the Playlist Page or an Album Page, they will not appear on the Apple Watch.To learn about Favoriting devices and media, watch our videoAPPLE WATCH INSTALL GUIDE FOR THE CONTROL4 APPWhat if you don't see it? Follow the steps below or watch our quick video to learn how to install the !ȌȁɈȲȌǶׄ

The Tilted Kilt Project

With the goal of putting fun back into the traditional pub experience with an American twist, the Tilted Kilt located in Woodridge, Illinois, uses timeless design with a Celtic theme to give customers a memorable experience. To make the Tilted Kilt an entertainment knockout, owner Martin Bobak contacted local Control4© dealer Procom Enterprises. Traditional Décor + Cutting-edge Technology Guests entering the Tilted Kilt are greeted by beautiful stain-glass doors accented by traditional iron hardware. Other design touches include a bar and Captain's Table made of warm woods and designed for guest comfort.