A while ago, I was in the market for a universal remote control
that would satisfy my need to make my home cinema system more
accessible and easier to use for the members of my household.
I tried quite a few out, but none would give me the ultimate
flexibility I needed. I wanted something that had a nice,
large screen and that could be completely customised to look
exactly how I wanted.
I realised that such a system would run into many thousands
of pounds with products from the likes of Crestron and AMX.
Undettered, I thought that it must be possible to make such
a system myself, using an inexpensive PC and one of these
new touch-screen monitors that are being used in Car PC's.
What I needed to find was some software that would do it,
and an Infra Red emitter that would connect to the PC to transmit
the commands.
Eventually, I came across a fantastic piece of software called
PowerHome.
Priced at only $69.95 the software has an excellent support
system on their message board which has helped me and many
others like me to put my system together. Not only that, I
also discovered that with this software, I could build in
control for lighting and various power devices.
Whilst I do not offer this system commercially as such, I
have installed it for a couple of friends who are absolutely
delighted with it. If you are serious about such a setup,
contact us and we may be able to to something similar for
you.
Take a look at the video I produced to demonstrate the benefits
of the system:
MPEG1 Format - Most systems can play this - Average quality
- 17mb
DIVX Format - 14mb - Excellent quality but requires the
free DIVX codec.
Get it here
home cinema control system
More than just a remote, the Cinemote is a complete system
that does away with all your remotes and provides control
for all your equipment and will even set the right mood lighting
for you...all accessible from an 8” touchscreen panel that
looks fantastic in any living room.
A simple ‘cinema on’ button can power up all your equipment,
set the right inputs and dim the lights. Absolutely anyone
in the house can now enjoy your TV system
What you can do with the CineMote system:
Turn all your equipment on and set the lighting with the
touch of one button
Switch input sources on the TV, Surround Amplifier with
one button
Control all your AV equipment from a large touch screen
Have preset lighting states that you can recall
Log in from any computer and turn devices on/off
Recall SKY TV channels through a comprehensive genres menu
Some of the
control screens
Click images to enlarge
Main Control Screen
DVD Control Screen
Channels Menu
Example Channels Genre
Technology
The CineMote makes use of a micro PC with an extremely lean
version of the Windows operating system. It is the use of
a PC that allows such power and flexibility.
Infra Red Control The CineMote utilises a infra red emitter and receiver
to 'learn' and output infra red control commands. It is this
learning capability that allows compatibility with any infra
red controlled equipment
Lighting and mains device control The CineMote uses X10 control technology to control lighting
and any mains operated device. X10 is an extremely sophisticated
home automation control protocol that utilises the existing
house wiring for communication. Any form of lighting can be
controlled, dimmed to preset levels and switched. Additionally,
mains devices such as fans or heaters can be switched on and
off.
Advanced Features As the CineMote is a PC based system, those people with
broadband internet connections can benefit from the ability
to log in to their system remotely and perform various tasks
such as switching equipment and lighting on or off or even
switching the whole home cinema system on for when you return.
You can even log in from an internet enabled mobile phone.
home cinema control system
