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A look at Crestron's DVPHD-Pro in action
As if an eight input, 1080p HD video switch with RS-232 and USB control wasn't cool enough on its own, at Crestron's EHX 2008 booth this year we got to really see what makes the DVPHD-Pro so special. As you can see from the image, you can watch all eight 1080p sources on your display at the exact same time. We only wish the thing didn't cost $17k -- and that doesn't even include the $8k touch-screen.
HD TiVo Fall update, still no TiVoToGo or Multi-room Viewing
TiVo is starting to roll out their fall update for the TiVo lineup including the TiVo HD and Series3. This brings them to version 9.1 which includes some bug fixes and a few new features. The WishList feature gets enhanced and now allows more advanced searches, but they've also added Crestron integration for the Series3. The TiVo HD gets left in the cold as does the rest of HA market, as only Crestron is supported. The integration is via IP, so hopefully TiVo will release the protocol, or someone can reverse engineer it. We'd assume that the more anticipated features like TiVoToGo, Multi-Room viewing and eSATA support are included too, but not yet activated. Perhaps it's time to start trying to find new kickstart commands.[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Crestron's CEDIA booth tour
Crestron's booth was rivaled in size only by the likes of Sony and AMX, and while the bulk of the exhibit dealt with highly technical home automation, it was the programmable remotes, HD media distribution systems, digital video processors, and media server integration that tickled our fancy. Granted, a good deal of Crestron's booth wasn't exactly aimed at the consumer market, but if you categorize yourself as high-end, chances are you'd find a good bit of this stuff useful. You know the deal, click on into the gallery.%Gallery-7145%
DirecTV's CEDIA booth tour
There's just no way to followup a visit to Dish Network's booth than to hit up DirecTV directly afterwards, eh? Sadly, DirecTV's space was packed to the brim with individuals and an excessive amount of TVs, but we squeaked our way through the madness to get some shots of the company's HR21 Pro, which touts a sexy black chassis, a slew of ports in the rear, and interestingly enough, Viiv-certification. Oh, and the only murmurs we heard about the next big rollout of channels involved the phrase "between next week and next year."%Gallery-7069%
Crestron intros DVPHD-PRO HD digital video processor
Just in case you were waiting for something a bit more sophisticated to drive that LCD4620, Crestron's DVPHD-PRO should make complex ads a whole lot more attractive. The self-proclaimed "advanced multi-window digital video processor and touchpanel interface" enables up to eight simultaneous video windows to be outputted onto a single HD display, as users can utilize four DVI inputs and four BNC arrangements (shown after the jump) to create an on-screen graphical montage. Moreover, the unit can handle both NTSC and PAL signals, is HDCP compliant, and boasts Crestron's 24-bit Isys graphics engine, which enables the creation of high-resolution images / backgrounds, dynamic text, and full-motion animations. Notably, the RS-232 and USB ports allow the box to be controlled via an external touchscreen monitor or whiteboard, and while pricing details aren't listed, we can't envision this bad boy coming without a serious premium.
Crestron CEN-IDOC
Chances are if you have used a touch panel to interact with audio/visual components in a classroom or expensive home theater setup, Crestron made the panel. They are the industry leader in automation systems, and they just released the CEN-IDOC. This sweet little add-on to your Crestron system is an iPod dock. I know, you're thinking, 'Big deal.' However, this iPod dock allows you to control your iPod from any Crestron panel in the system, and play the music on the iPod through the speakers that are associated with that panel. The interface basically replicates the iPod screen on the panel, so it will be familiar to anyone who has used an iPod. This only works 4th gen or greater iPods that have a dock connector.[via Krunker]
Crestron TPMC-8X to command your home
CEDIA is just getting started, where there's a flurry of new products already hitting the show floor, and a few have caught our eye -- especially this one, the Crestron TPMC-8X. This tablet integrates Yahoo Widgets into a touch screen, making stock prices, weather or any other glanceable information accessible via a finger click. This magnesium-encased device is packed with Bluetooth as well, but better yet has biometric software, and will restore preferences based on each person's fingerprints. This $3,800 offering also has a pair of microphones and echo-cancelling built-in to improve your VoIP call. It also has a do-not-disturb option so you won't be interrupted by other applications a pesky Skype call when you're curled up catching up on your "Lost" DVDs. No word on when the TPMC-8X will be available, but while you're waiting you can peep the screen grabs on the flip side.
