Simplifying Your Home Systems with Two-Way Remotes 05/13/2009
We are all aware of universal remotes that can be programmed to operate home theater equipment – TV, DVD and Blu-Ray players, speakers and other stereo equipment. Now, imagine being able to control all of the everyday functions of your home from your fingertips in the same way that you control your home theater system.
Consumers increasingly are becoming aware of the benefits of using traditional handheld remotes to seamlessly integrate all of their home automation components. Two-way handheld remotes – such as those offered by RTI and Control4 – now are being used to operate security systems, lighting systems, thermostats, multi-room audio, and media servers. Two-way remotes offer two-way communications for metadata and control without costly processors at the back end.
Some of them have touch screen functionality, others have web browsers built into the remote itself, and others have TV GUIs (graphical user interface). Two-way communications for the remotes are based on one or more of the following standards – ZigBee, IR, Z-Wave, or WiFi – which are important to take into consideration when you are deciding what you want to do with the remote. Depending on the remote and the functionality a consumer is looking for, two-way remotes can cost between $600 and $3,000-plus.
Despite all of the technical lingo and various options among the numerous two-way remote products out there, the bottom line is that two-way remote technology can help to simplify your life in the long run.
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