PLC Based Security Access Control Systems and Service
Key Benefits
- Robust, cost effective, facility wide access controller
- Usable with RF proximity, bar code, and magnetic stripe technologies
- Working replacement for existing systems
PLC Based Security Access Control Systems and Service
Building Automation/HVAC Control Services
Building Automation/HVAC Control Services
Key Benefits
- Proven control schemes for typical HVAC and process equipment
- Experience with many different commercial and industrial-grade controllers and HMI software
- Interfacing with or expanding an existing system, or design/build turnkey systems
HVAC control system
Direct digital control
Central controllers and most terminal unit controllers are programmable, meaning the direct digital control program code may be customized for the intended use. The program features include time schedules, setpoints, controllers, logic, timers, trend logs, and alarms. The unit controllers typically have analog and digital inputs that allow measurement of the variable (temperature, humidity, or pressure) and analog and digital outputs for control of the transport medium (hot/cold water and/or steam). Digital inputs are typically (dry) contacts from a control device, and analog inputs are typically a voltage or current measurement from a variable (temperature, humidity, velocity, or pressure) sensing device. Digital outputs are typically relay contacts used to start and stop equipment, and analog outputs are typically voltage or current signals to control the movement of the medium (air/water/steam) control devices such as valves, dampers, and motors.
Groups of DDC controllers, networked or not, form a layer of system themselves. This "subsystem" is vital to the performance and basic operation of the overall HVAC system. The DDC system is the "brain" of the HVAC system. It dictates the position of every damper and valve in a system. It determines which fans, pumps and chiller run and at what speed or capacity. With this configurable intelligency in this "brain", we are moving to the concept of building automation.
Building Automation System
More complex HVAC systems can interface to Building Automation System (BAS) to allow the building owners to have more control over the heating or cooling units. The building owner can monitor the system and respond to alarms generated by the system from local or remote locations. The system can be scheduled for occupancy or the configuration can be changed from the BAS. Sometimes the BAS is directly controlling the HVAC components. Depending on the BAS different interfaces can be used.
HVAC Testing, Adjusting and Balancing
HVAC Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) are the three major steps used to achieve proper operation of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. TAB usually refers to commercial building construction and the specialized contractors who employ personnel that perform this service. In general, the TAB specialist performs air and hydronic measurements on the HVAC systems and adjusts the flows as required to achieve optimum performance of the building environmental equipment. The balancing is usually based upon the design flow values required by the Mechanical Engineer for the project, and the TAB contractor submits a written report which summarizes the testing and balancing and notes any deficiencies found during the TAB work.
Testing
Testing is the use of specialized and calibrated instruments to measure temperatures, pressures, rotational speeds, electrical characteristics, velocities and air and water quantities for an evaluation of equipment and system performance.
Adjusting
Adjusting is the final setting of balancing devices such as dampers and valves, adjusting fan speeds and pump impeller sizes, in addition to automatic control devices such as thermostats and pressure controllers to achieve maximum specified system performance and efficiency during normal operation.
Balancing
Balancing is the methodical regulation of system fluid flows (air or water) through the use of acceptable procedures to achieve the desired or specified airflow or water flow.
Gps Forex Robot review
Gps Forex Robot review
★
★
★
GPS Forex Robot | GPSForexRobot.com reviews and ratings by Forex ...
Rating: No Rating Date of Post: 2010-12-23: Review: We haven't tried the forex trading robot from GPSForexRobot.com. If you've let this EA trade forex for ...
GPS Forex Robot – Real User Reviews : Reviews @ Forex Machines
GPS Forex Robot sounds like a good Forex product, but is it really that good? Submit your comments and reviews.
GPS Forex Robot
The new GPS Forex Robot 2 is twice as ... My name is Mark Larsen and you probably know me already by the hundreds of forex systems reviews I've written and forex ...
GPS Forex Robot – Real User Reviews : Reviews @ Forex Machines
GPS Forex Robot sounds like a good Forex product, but is it really that good? Submit your comments and reviews.
GPS Forex Robot | GPSForexRobot.com reviews and ratings by Forex ...
Reviews for GPSForexRobot.com. By traders for traders. ... Total Reviews: 34 Last Updated: 2013-02-15 Special Notes: John from GPS, please use the Contact Us link at ...
Review GPS Forex Robot Will You Make Money?
GPS Forex Robot from Mark Larsen. Is it going to make you rich? Check this review, before you even think of ordering GPS Forex Robot.
GPS Forex Robot | GPSForexRobot.com reviews and ratings by Forex ...
Rating: No Rating Date of Post: 2010-12-23: Review: We haven't tried the forex trading robot from GPSForexRobot.com. If you've let this EA trade forex for ...
GPS Forex Robot Review | Any Good? « ForexFBI's Best Forex Robot ...
Gps Forex Robot is developed by Mark Larsen, an avid Forex Robot reviewer with many videos and websites around the net. Vendor Results. Our Results
GPS Forex Robot Review | Any Good? « ForexFBI's Best Forex Robot ...
Gps Forex Robot is developed by Mark Larsen, an avid Forex Robot reviewer with many videos and websites around the net. Vendor Results. Our Results
GPS Forex Robot Expert Advisor test by ForexPeaceArmy
12.23.10 GPS Forex Robot installed on EURUSD, USDCHF and EURGBP H1 charts with default settings ... The FPA's reviews are never influenced by advertising.
GPS Forex Robot - Mark Larsen? : Official Review - Forex Robot Nation
GPS Forex Robot is Available and we have all the Details you need to know in our Exclusive Review, see if it can help your Trading account.
GPS Forex Robot
The new GPS Forex Robot 2 is twice as ... My name is Mark Larsen and you probably know me already by the hundreds of forex systems reviews I've written and forex ...
GPS Forex Robot - Mark Larsen? : Official Review - Forex Robot Nation
GPS Forex Robot is Available and we have all the Details you need to know in our Exclusive Review, see if it can help your Trading account.
GPS Forex Robot 2 Review - Is It SOOO Bad ?
GPS Forex Robot 2 is a program that is targeted for the individual that wants to earn a passive or even full time income from trading on the forex market. Although ...
GPS Forex Robot Review - Forex EA | Forex Robot | Auto FX
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GPS Forex Robot | GPSForexRobot.com reviews and ratings by Forex ...
Reviews for GPSForexRobot.com. By traders for traders. ... Total Reviews: 34 Last Updated: 2013-02-15 Special Notes: John from GPS, please use the Contact Us link at ...
GPS Forex Robot Expert Advisor
12.23.10 GPS Forex Robot installed on EURUSD, USDCHF and EURGBP H1 charts with default settings ... The FPA's reviews are never influenced by advertising.
Review GPS Forex Robot Will You Make Money?
GPS Forex Robot from Mark Larsen. Is it going to make you rich? Check this review, before you even think of ordering GPS Forex Robot.
GPS Forex Robot 2 Review - Is It SOOO Bad ?
GPS Forex Robot 2 is a program that is targeted for the individual that wants to earn a passive or even full time income from trading on the forex market. Although ...
GPS Forex Robot Review - Forex EA | Forex Robot | Auto FX
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automated forex robot
Forex Robots – Good Idea?
Any trader would find it tempting to send an infallible Forex robot out into the market to do their own work for them. But is it really a good idea to do so? If you read enough reviews you’ll always find some trader telling tragic tells of how he lost all his money because of an automated trading robot. No FX robot review is complete without this tale of woe, and these should serve as a warning to all traders thinking about getting an automatic trading system – even though these may work most of the time it only takes one miss to lose all your money.
We’ve scoured the internet looking for such stories to bring you these cautionary tales.
We’ve scoured the internet looking for such stories to bring you these cautionary tales.
Robot Betrayal
We found this story in a forum discussion about automatic trading robots. This trader had purchased an auto trading system that guaranteed winning trades and no loss on his investment. We won’t mention the name of the software but we will say that it was one of the top 10 rated currency trading robot online according to numerous robots reviews. The trader had set the robot’s systems on independent trade mode and for about a week or so the robot was indeed making profits though they weren’t much to speak of. Then one morning the trader woke up to find that his entire investment had evaporated overnight. What had happened was that the robot’s currency rate update system had begun to lag behind due to technical reasons and the automatic trader continued trading with the wrong rates, and losing all of the trader’s money in the process. The Forex robot company admitted the fault but the trader was not reimbursed due to the company’s policy.
Robot Misunderstanding
A lot of times the automatic trading robots can be very complicated to set up. These systems are customized by the traders and if they don’t exactly understand the way the software works they end up losing a lot of money. The trader in this story bought top rated championship winning robot trading software with custom trading strategy. Not willing to take any risks, the trader customized the settings of the robot to very conservative strategy and left it to trade for a day while he was at work. When he came back home to check his trading balance he saw that he had half the amount he started with. Once he had checked the robot’s trading history he realized that because he did not bother to customize the robot’s take profit orders, the program had closed all trades as soon as they were opened, losing his money on spreads little by little. Let this be a warning to you that if you do decide to trade with a robot you should read the instructions extremely carefully and not leave your robot to make independent trades without monitoring its trading activity and flow charts at least for the first few days.
The Social Trading Alternative
All in all, one should be wary of robots and automated trading systems. They are usually quite costly and as we’ve shown above can end up costing you even more in Forex losses. Since no machine can outwit the human mind, the eToro OpenBook presents you with the opportunity to replace the robotic automated trading system with one based on human made trading decision. Through the use of OpenBook’s groundbreaking CopyTrader feature, you can have real live expert traders trading for you, and unlike automatic Forex robots, it won’t cost you a cent. All you have to do is use the Guru Finder feature to find profitable traders whose style suits your own, decide on the portion of your account you want to dedicate on copying them, and you’re off. What’s more, unlike FX robots, copy trading enables you to retain full control and transparency over your account. You can always change the parameters of a copied trade, close a trade you don’t like, or stop copying a trader all together. With all the power of expert trading skill and control over your own funds, copy trading really is the best of both worlds.
Click here to start copying top performing traders now!a
automated forex robot
"5 Pips a Day is All You Need to Make a Ton of Money Trading Forex! This Forex Robot Will Make You Those 5 Pips!"
You cannot make 5 pips every day without this forex robot, if you could you would not be here! Do not miss out!
Welcome to the 5 pips a day automated forex trading system...
If you are looking for an automated forex trading solution that will consistently increase your forex account to set you up for a wealthy future then you have come to the right place. The 5 pips a day forex robot has made an average of 5 pips per day for over 10 years! Use it if you want to gain an average of 5 pips per day and increase your account to huge amounts on autopilot!Are you fed up of trying different forex robots and still not making any profit? The 5 pips a day automated forex trading system guarantees to make you an average of at least 5 pips per day or your money back!
The robot takes an average of 2 trades per day on the EURUSD, with trades ranging from a couple of pips profit to 10 or more pips profit. There has only been 1 losing trade in over 10 years of testing!
The 5 pips a day forex robot will increase lot sizes as your account grows. Before you know it your account will be huge and you will be trading with big lots making thousands every single day.
"$90,537,267.63 in NET Profit during the Last 10 Years verified by Myfxbook- This Can Be Your Forex Trading Account"
"$90,537,267.63 in NET Profit during the Last 10 Years verified by Myfxbook- This Can Be Your Forex Trading Account"
The results will be just as impressive in the future as this forex robot takes an entry that has always been reliable - and always will be! It is not affected by changing market conditions or by common broker tricks such as slippage and stop hunting. If they like it or not, brokers can do nothing stop it taking money out the market!
"It Can Be Used On Any Account Size - Big or Small.
These Results Show $10,000 Turned Into $73,892,920.55!"
"It Can Be Used On Any Account Size - Big or Small.
These Results Show $10,000 Turned Into $73,892,920.55!"
These Results Show $10,000 Turned Into $73,892,920.55!"
"Summary Of Trading Results"
"Summary Of Trading Results"
"The table below shows how quickly this forex robot can grow your trading account. 5 pips a day is all you need to make a lot of money trading forex."
"The table below shows how quickly this forex robot can grow your trading account. 5 pips a day is all you need to make a lot of money trading forex."
"Do you want to see real time forex trading results?"
We use the MyFxBook publishing service to keep people informed about the performance of the 5 pips a day robot, updated frequently and with the "peace of mind" that comes from knowing that the accounts are verified. Statements on other websites can be just fancy smoke and mirrors while in MyFXBook verified accounts you know you are getting the real deal. Their system takes our investor access information and checks it against a statement downloaded directly from the MT4 server, effectively checking that the forex trading results published by us are REAL and not doctored in any way.
"Do you want to see real time forex trading results?"
"This Forex Robot Is Guaranteed To Make You Profit or Your Money Back"
The sooner you start using the 5 pips a day forex robot, the sooner you will start making money fully automated from trading the forex.If it does not make you money then you can use the 100% no questions asked guarantee and ask for a full refund. There is no risk involved with your purchase so you have nothing to lose but financial freedom to gain!
"Install the 5 pips a day forex robot In 5 Minutes and Enjoy Your Freedom Whilst You Collect Your Cash! No Trading Knowledge or Experience Required"
5 pips a day is suitable for beginners, experts and those who know absolutely nothing about trading. It includes detailed setup instructions, 24/7 support and a members forum for all your questions and suggestions. You just need to know that a forex robot automatically trades the market for you using Meta Trader which is a free and downloadable trading platform. As long as you have an internet connection you can use Meta Trader to run the 5 pips a day robot. We even offer a VPS (Virtual Private Server) which you can use to run the robot so you do not even need to have your computer running.
"Install the 5 pips a day forex robot In 5 Minutes and Enjoy Your Freedom Whilst You Collect Your Cash! No Trading Knowledge or Experience Required"
You can setup the 5 pips a day forex robot in 5 minutes (free setup service included) and watch the money roll in! It is as simple as (1) Purchase (2) Setup (3) Profit!
If You Want To Take Advantage of This ONCE IN A LIFETIME Opportunity at The Special Launch Price of Just $199 $99 (You Will Never Be Billed Again) I Suggest You Act Fast before We Raise The Price
5 pips a day forex robot:
Jason says:
This is the most profitable automated forex trading system I have ever come across. Thank you for sharing!
Answer:
It's a pleasure Jason.
Hanna says:
Since I have had this forex robot it has made 2 trades everyday and they have all been winners. I am slowly increasing my lot sizes. Thank you.
Answer:
Anytime Hanna.
Ian says:
Good system you have here. I did have my doubts at first after some of the crap I have bought in the past, but very glad that I bought this one. Best forex robot I have used so far.
Answer:
Thanks Ian! We agree, there are many rubbish systems floating about so be careful!
Pierre says:
I like the idea behind this forex robot and I can see it making automated trading profits for years to come. The entry is very consistent and I like that.
Answer:
Correct, Pierre! Testing shows the entry has been accurate for 10+ years and still is today.
Brian says:
Just wanted to say what a great job you guys have done and thank you for the excellent support.
Answer:
Thanks Brian!
Steve says:
The 5 pips a day forex robot took its first trade buying the EUR @ 1.4309. That is awesome and I am up about 30 pips currently.
Answer:
Nice result Steve! Long may they continue.
Tony says:
The more I look at the EA, the more I like the automated strategy.
Answer:
Glad you like it!
May says:
Checked my account today. Brilliant results so far. I am really excited with the results so far! Cheers.
Answer:
Glad it is performing well for you May.
Do you have your doubts? Do you think the forex robot will not work for you? It is normal to have doubts, but those who spend all their time doubting are not the ones who are making things happen and they should not stop the ones who are making things happen.
The longer you spend doubting the 5 pips a day forex robot, the longer you are not making money on autopilot. This automated forex trading system does work! It has worked for over 10 years. If you don't believe it works then you will never make the huge amounts of money this forex robot does. Just go back to your day job and dream about all the things that you could have. If you make the right decision to purchase then congratulations! You are on your way to making your first million (that is unless you have already!). If for some bizarre reason it does not make you money then you will be granted a refund.
So, are you ready for huge profits? Do you want this forex robot to make you rich whilst you enjoy your life? Well make sure you purchase the 5 pips a day forex robot today, before it is too late!
Forex Robot
Forex Robot Reviews
To succeed with forex (foreign currency) trading, you really do have to make well-informed and carefully timed trades. Even if you have a great deal of experience with currency trading, you will realize this is most definitely not easy to do on your own. Thankfully, you do not have to execute your trades alone. A reliable forex robot platform can help you execute your trades in a reliable effective manner. With the right Forex Robots, currency trading is more accessible and, hopefully, much more profitable.
How can you be sure that you are selecting the best forex robot? You could play the game of trial and error, but those forex trading errors could be enormously costly. Instead, it would be a much wiser plan to select the best forex robot for your needs. Our forex review site can definitely help you make a better and more informed decision on which robot to purchase.
Why Forex and Why Acquire a Forex Robot?
Forex has become incredible popular among traders in recent years. Actually, a number of people that never had an interest in trading or foreign currency are now showing a lot of interest in the forex market. Why is this so? One reason is that there are many tales of people having earned huge sums of money in the currency market. That may be true, but in order to trade in currency, you have to have easier access to the market. This is where a forex robot can prove to be a great help.
Can any forex robot really contribute to your success in trading? The answer depends on the type of forex robot you are working with. Honestly, you do not want to select any run of the mill forex robots. You need the very best forex robot on the market. Once you peruse our forex robot reviews, you may very well be able to make the best determinations on which forex robot to actually acquire.
The Top Forex Robots
The top forex robots will be determined based on their ease of use, their ability to deliver excellent signals, their ability to track trends, volatility and market movement, whether or not the forex robot can enter or exit the market smoothly and on command, and other factors. Each and every forex robot will be examined individually and fairly. The only criteria that will be applied to the robots will be those items that directly relate to how well a particular forex robot works. If the robot is truly capable of delivering on its promises, we will be sure to point that fact out.
Live and Demo Testing
There will be both live and demo testing of the forex robots. The live testing refers to testing a forex robot through making actual trades on the market. There is no better way to arrive at accurate forex robot reviews than to actually make real trades with real money. Such an approach will certainly offer the insight required to determine whether a forex robot really does live up to its hype.
Demo testing refers to trying out a forex robot platform’s ability to make virtual trades. Real money is not exchanged and demos allow someone to get a feel for how a particular robot works. Many foreign currency traders will try out the demo version to gain an insight into whether or not it is the best forex robot to eventually work it. Through our forex robot reviews of demos, we can offer solid insight on how viable the demo version is and what to expect from the forex robot when you use it.
Failed Tests
It is necessary to give readers the most accurate picture of a forex robot as possible. That means when a robot fails our tests, we will be quick to point out the results.
Clear and Detailed Reviews
The forex robot reviews presented will be clear, detailed and highly readable. If you are looking for the best forex robot, then you will need to read the best possible forex robot reviews. The reviews on this site will be among the best of the best. Once you read these reviews, you will find it becomes a lot easier to select the most appropriate forex robot for your needs.
automated forex
Forex autotrading originates at the emergence of online retail
trading, since about 1999 when internet-based
companies created retail forex platforms that provide a quick way for individuals to buy and sell on the
forex spot market. Nevertheless, larger retail traders could autotrade Forex
contracts at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as early as in the 1970s.
Types
There are two major types of Forex autotrading:
·
Fully automated or robotic Forex trading: This is very similar to algorithmic
trading or black-box trading, where acomputer algorithm decides on aspects of the order such as the
timing, price or quantity and initiates the order automatically. Users can only
interfere by tweaking the technical parameters of the program; all other
control is handed over to the program.
·
Signal-based Forex autotrading: This autotrading mode is based on manually executing orders
generated by a trading system. For example a typical approach is to use a
service where traders all over the world making their strategies available to
anyone interested in the form of signals. Traders may choose to manually
execute any of these signals in their own broker accounts.
Advantages
An automated trading environment can generate more trades per
market than a human trader can handle and can replicate its actions across
multiple markets and timeframes. An automated system is also unaffected by the
psychological swings that human traders are prey to. This is particularly
relevant when trading with a mechanical model, which is typically developed on
the assumption that all the trade entries flagged will actually be taken in
real time trading.[2]
Forex
Signal Provider based models
offer traders the opportunity to follow previously successful signal providers
or strategies with the hope that the advice they offer will continue to be
accurate and lead to profitable future trades. Traders do not need to have
expert knowledge or ability to define their own strategies and instead can
select a system based on its performance to date, making Forex trading accessible to a large number of people.
Disadvantages
As a decentralized and relatively unregulated market, it is
extremely attractive to a number of Forex
scams. Forex autotrading, as it brings Forex trading to the masses
makes even more people susceptible to frauds. Bodies such as theNational Futures Association and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have issued warnings and rules to avoid
fraudulent Forex trading behavior.
Review: ‘Awesome’ New HDMI/Audio Switcher for Control4
Review: ‘Awesome’ New HDMI/Audio Switcher for Control4
Built for Control4 home automation systems, HydraConnect has high-end HDMI switching features offered by the “other guys” but provides unique twist with audio and CEC control.
HydraConnect HSS-1 HDMI/audio switcher with Control4 home automation processor and HDBaseT Cat 5 extenders
We have been blessed lately with a plethora of HDMI switchers that solve some of the worst deficiencies of HDMI: key limitations, switching lags, EDID support, and so many others. Indeed, I’ve written glowing reviews of some of them.
But for the most part they don’t solve a big problem that plagues home entertainment systems in general: pesky IR emitters and RS-232 contraptions on the A/V components themselves.
Start-up HydraConnect solves all of these problems with the new HSS-1 HDMI switcher ($9,000), shipping this year (specs below).
I discovered this awesome gem at CEDIA Expo 2011 in September. I almost passed it up – it was a strange-looking 2u blue box with two large fan vents on the front -- but I thought to myself that a box that ugly has got to have some good stuff inside! (Thankfully, the shipping model has a black case.)
Scoping out the rear side of the rack, I witnessed 8 HDMI inputs, 8 HDMI outputs, 8 analog audio inputs, 8 analog audio outputs, and a single Ethernet connection.
Even more curious was the Control4 HC300 home automation controller sitting atop the unit.
Being the huge Control4 fan that I am, who could I pass that up? I have tried many excellent switchers with Control4 and couldn’t image what another matrix could bring to the party. Now I know.
First off, let me say that this product is not integrated with HDBaseT, the one-wire Cat 5 technology found in some of today’s top switches. HydraConnect wanted to give integrators the flexibility to use existing HDMI cables, traditional HDMI extender baluns or HDBaseT extenders. The company does make its own HDBaseT extenders starting at $450 for the transmitter/receiver pair.
HydraConnect HDBaseT extenders
Having said that, not only does the HSS-1 appear to handle HDMI switching better than some of the others, it offers a couple of innovative, if not downright unique, features.
First is the built-in analog audio matrix. HydraConnect addressed a major request of most Control4 users with this its independent 8x8 audio matrix that provides 1:1 ratio volume control. This feature has become pretty common for full analog switches but not so much in HDMI switches. Generally, we’re forced to use a third-party switch or an amp with built-in switching at a high price.
Second, and most interesting, the HSS-1 takes advantage of the much-maligned (and rightfully so) HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) protocol, which enables A/V control via the HDMI cable.
HDMI CEC is built into virtually all HDMI-enabled devices, but it seems no one uses it and most integrators despite it … for good reason. Many CEC functions are not supported by the HDMI components and/or the controllers; there may be little interoperability between components and controllers; and it can generally confuse the system.
For those reasons, most of us integrators make sure CEC is turned off on every device in an HDMI distribution system. In this case, however, CEC actually works and it works well.
The effective use of CEC in a distribution/control system allows integrators to scrap ugly IR emitters, toss out cumbersome RS-232, and save a few ports on their network switch by controlling devices with CEC.
HydraConnect accomplished this by creating some "generic drivers" for TVs, DVDs, and AVRs. Inside the switch driver is the ability to create a number of virtual IR ports, so the Control4 system thinks it is using IR.
Here are my thoughts on each driver type:
TV Control
TV control is a no brainer. In most cases we only need ON and OFF. If this is your scenario you are in luck. Go ahead and yank the IR emitter now. However, if you need volume control and MUTE be careful. Toshiba seems to have some of the few TV sets that support these functions over CEC, although I have found that the new Sharp 70- and 80-inch displays also support these functions. Check out HydraConnect's HDMI CEC Compatibility Chart.
DVD/Blu-ray
Who hates to see those ugly emitters on a nice finished rack? All standard CEC commands are supported in most of today’s Blu-ray players -- one less connection, one less wire, one cleaner-looking rack!
A/V Receiver
Here’s what it gets tricky. While some if not most of today's AVRs support CEC I do not think it is a viable solution if RS-232 or IP control is available. If either is available for two-way control, there is just too much to lose going the CEC route.
Direct commands to specific surround modes is lost, direct jumps to specific types of streaming media as in the new Sony 5700es will be lost, and true volume feedback to navigation is gone also.
So on the AVR side I would have to say CEC is just not ready for the big show. This is not the switcher’s fault, just a limitation of CEC in its current state.
The first thing to note about the HSS-1 is there are no front panel or buttons. Who needs ‘em? This switch is set up with an easy-to-use admin menu that is accessed from any Web browser. Set-up is fairly easy if you follow the directions.
But definitely do follow them. A few things to note:
Here is an overview, which probably sounds very familiar to those who currently enjoy the high-end HDMI switching features (instantaneous video switching, unlimited keys, etc.) offered by some leading CE brands.
HydraConnect was founded by David Schanin and Tony Anzelmo, two microprocessor engineers that have Control4systems in there house. They thought there had to be a better way to handle switching, so they came up with this product.
Even so, the company will be coming out with drivers for other popular home control systems.
The HydraConnect HSS-1 will ship later this year. Units can be pre-ordered (with a $400 holiday savings) at store.thesohoshop.com, starting Dec. 3.
But for the most part they don’t solve a big problem that plagues home entertainment systems in general: pesky IR emitters and RS-232 contraptions on the A/V components themselves.
Start-up HydraConnect solves all of these problems with the new HSS-1 HDMI switcher ($9,000), shipping this year (specs below).
I discovered this awesome gem at CEDIA Expo 2011 in September. I almost passed it up – it was a strange-looking 2u blue box with two large fan vents on the front -- but I thought to myself that a box that ugly has got to have some good stuff inside! (Thankfully, the shipping model has a black case.)
Scoping out the rear side of the rack, I witnessed 8 HDMI inputs, 8 HDMI outputs, 8 analog audio inputs, 8 analog audio outputs, and a single Ethernet connection.
Even more curious was the Control4 HC300 home automation controller sitting atop the unit.
Being the huge Control4 fan that I am, who could I pass that up? I have tried many excellent switchers with Control4 and couldn’t image what another matrix could bring to the party. Now I know.
What I like about HydraConnect HSS-1: Audio & CEC
First off, let me say that this product is not integrated with HDBaseT, the one-wire Cat 5 technology found in some of today’s top switches. HydraConnect wanted to give integrators the flexibility to use existing HDMI cables, traditional HDMI extender baluns or HDBaseT extenders. The company does make its own HDBaseT extenders starting at $450 for the transmitter/receiver pair.
HydraConnect HDBaseT extenders
First is the built-in analog audio matrix. HydraConnect addressed a major request of most Control4 users with this its independent 8x8 audio matrix that provides 1:1 ratio volume control. This feature has become pretty common for full analog switches but not so much in HDMI switches. Generally, we’re forced to use a third-party switch or an amp with built-in switching at a high price.
Second, and most interesting, the HSS-1 takes advantage of the much-maligned (and rightfully so) HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) protocol, which enables A/V control via the HDMI cable.
HDMI CEC is built into virtually all HDMI-enabled devices, but it seems no one uses it and most integrators despite it … for good reason. Many CEC functions are not supported by the HDMI components and/or the controllers; there may be little interoperability between components and controllers; and it can generally confuse the system.
For those reasons, most of us integrators make sure CEC is turned off on every device in an HDMI distribution system. In this case, however, CEC actually works and it works well.
The Virtues of CEC
The effective use of CEC in a distribution/control system allows integrators to scrap ugly IR emitters, toss out cumbersome RS-232, and save a few ports on their network switch by controlling devices with CEC.
HydraConnect accomplished this by creating some "generic drivers" for TVs, DVDs, and AVRs. Inside the switch driver is the ability to create a number of virtual IR ports, so the Control4 system thinks it is using IR.
Here are my thoughts on each driver type:
TV Control
TV control is a no brainer. In most cases we only need ON and OFF. If this is your scenario you are in luck. Go ahead and yank the IR emitter now. However, if you need volume control and MUTE be careful. Toshiba seems to have some of the few TV sets that support these functions over CEC, although I have found that the new Sharp 70- and 80-inch displays also support these functions. Check out HydraConnect's HDMI CEC Compatibility Chart.
DVD/Blu-ray
Who hates to see those ugly emitters on a nice finished rack? All standard CEC commands are supported in most of today’s Blu-ray players -- one less connection, one less wire, one cleaner-looking rack!
A/V Receiver
Here’s what it gets tricky. While some if not most of today's AVRs support CEC I do not think it is a viable solution if RS-232 or IP control is available. If either is available for two-way control, there is just too much to lose going the CEC route.
Direct commands to specific surround modes is lost, direct jumps to specific types of streaming media as in the new Sony 5700es will be lost, and true volume feedback to navigation is gone also.
So on the AVR side I would have to say CEC is just not ready for the big show. This is not the switcher’s fault, just a limitation of CEC in its current state.
Easy set-up but follow directions
The first thing to note about the HSS-1 is there are no front panel or buttons. Who needs ‘em? This switch is set up with an easy-to-use admin menu that is accessed from any Web browser. Set-up is fairly easy if you follow the directions.
But definitely do follow them. A few things to note:
- It’s very important to configure all devices as indicated in the HydraConnect CEC Compatibility Document.
- Ensure that all sources are displaying HDCP-protected content during the configuration process and that they are in PLAY mode.
- All cable and satellite boxes should be tuned to pay-per-view channels (you do not have to purchase a movie, just tune to the channel displaying the purchase screen).
- All A/V receivers should be configured so that the HDMI input which connects to the HSS-1 is shown on its front panel as the selected input
- All displays that have multiple inputs should have the input selected which has the HDMI cable connection.
HSS-1 Features
Here is an overview, which probably sounds very familiar to those who currently enjoy the high-end HDMI switching features (instantaneous video switching, unlimited keys, etc.) offered by some leading CE brands.
- True 8X8 video and audio matrix with no HDCP key limitations on number of simultaneous displays
- Automatic EDID management ensures maximum video resolution and all audio format support
- Integrated CEC control for nearly all sources and displays eliminates most IR blasters and controllers
- Integrated IP support for DirecTV receivers to eliminate IR blasters
- FlashConnect ensures near instantaneous video switching and no picture loss when adding or removing displays to or from a video stream
- Supports HDMI 1.4a - 36/30/24 bit deep color (225 GHz), and EDID and CEC processing
- Supports all HDMI 1.4a pass through 3D formats; HDCP 1.4 compliant
- HDTV formats supported: 1080p/1080i/720p/576p/480p/576i/480i resolutions
- Supports all the latest HDMI audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD
- On screen display shows users the shared status of any source
- Integrated stereo matrix switch and volume controls require only a low cost amp for whole house audio
- Full support for separate audio systems -- a theater can support 7.1 while other rooms support 5.1 or stereo
- A/V remix allows the viewing of one video source while listening to a separate audio source
- Reclocking for both inputs and outputs supports the use of up to 10+ meter HDMI cables (depending on cable quality and the mating equipment in the system)
- Fully integrated Control4 Composer support
Availability and Future Products
HydraConnect was founded by David Schanin and Tony Anzelmo, two microprocessor engineers that have Control4systems in there house. They thought there had to be a better way to handle switching, so they came up with this product.
Even so, the company will be coming out with drivers for other popular home control systems.
The HydraConnect HSS-1 will ship later this year. Units can be pre-ordered (with a $400 holiday savings) at store.thesohoshop.com, starting Dec. 3.
About Home Automation System Project Options
About Home Automation System Project Options
Are you familiar with the top Home automation system project benefits? These projects can include many specifications to meet with current cutting edge techniques. Facilities are developed and enhanced with top of the line remote controls and innovative items. You can plan a grandiose home improvement project to transform your home style. The best automation systems are part of our new era.
Smart homes are built with a unique approach. For instance, most automation systems include water level controllers and innovative night lamps. Appliances are part of a new dimension. The best part is, they can provide total security. For this, experts recommend using a Peripheral Interface Controller.
Make Your Own
Believe it or not, many individuals are trying to build their own systems. Apart of geeks, all sorts of professionals are looking onto these automated solutions. It is a way to shuffle money around every month- it is a method to pay bills and saving. You can begin to look after your pocket by investing wisely. Consider backing up your laptop automatically.
Odds are you are not an avid listener when people claim computers tend to fail. You can plan a weekend project to begin by enhancing your computer performance. You can set up your friend’s computers to work just as yours, too. Share your perception. You can free yourself from concerns. Opt for innovative automated solutions that will bring ease.
Benefits
Today, Home automation system project ideas can bring plenty of benefits. Our modern society is evolving at an extremely fast speed. This is the ultimate convenience since it can help busy people with the most hectic shifts. In this sense, it is not imperative to spend plenty of time shopping for the best home appliances. Automation solutions have enough provisions to control each condition. A good example may be an air conditioning system that can work through a quality iron box. This device can be turned off after a specific period. The same applies to a TV with signal cuts, etc.
In addition, you can skip unnecessary local store runs with the top automation systems. You do not need to have paper towels delivered on a daily basis, but you can set up a specific schedule. This will allow you to save time and money. Unbelievably but true, even a cleaning sponge can bring you headaches! Subscription programs provide customers with the most innovative solutions. A smart schedule is at your hands. This will allow top organization without missing any detail. A proper focus will increase overall productivity levels. You can take your home systems to a different dimension. Follow steps and guidelines and get prepared for a new era.
A good home automation idea can help prevent frustration. For example, having a computer that backup’s important data and folders can help you avoid plenty of problems. Most automated systems allow people to opt for effortless solutions. If you do not want to spend time watering your plants, preparing food for dinner, within some other tasks, the best home automation system project will easily help you.
The Secret of BMW's Success
By Gail Edmondson At 4:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, when most German workers have long departed for the weekend, the mini-caf?s sprinkled throughout BMW's sprawling R&D center in Munich are jammed with engineers, designers, and marketing managers deliberating so intently it's hard to hear above the din. Even the cappuccino machine is running on empty. It's an atmosphere far more Silicon Valley than Detroit.
"At lunch and breaks everyone is discussing ideas and projects all the time. It's somewhat manic. But it makes things move faster," says BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk.
The intense employee buzz at BMW is hot management theory in action. Top consultants and academics say the kind of informal networks that flourish at BMW and the noise and borderline chaos they engender in big organizations are vital for innovation—especially in companies where knowledge sits in the brains of tens of thousands of workers and not in a computer server. Melding that brain power, they say, is essential to unleashing the best ideas.
HANDS ACROSS DIVISIONS. "Cross-functional teams look messy and inefficient, but they are more effective at problem solving," says James M. Manyika, a partner at McKinsey & Co. in San Francisco who has studied the effectiveness of such networks. Companies such as BMW that leverage workers' tacit knowledge through such networks "are widely ahead of their competitors," Manyika adds.
BMW is one of a handful of global companies including Nokia (NOK
) and Raytheon (RTN
) that have turned to networks to manage day-to-day operations, superseding classic hierarchies. Those pioneering companies still turn to management hierarchies to set strategic goals, but workers have the freedom to forge teams across divisions and achieve targets in the best way possible—even if that way is unconventional.
And they are encouraged to build ties across divisions to speed change. "Good companies have this lateral ability to communicate across divisions and silos, not just up and down the hierarchy. That's what makes BMW tick," says chief financial officer Stefan Krause.
LIGHTNING-FAST CHANGES. Speed and organizational agility is increasingly vital to the auto industry, since electronics now make up some 20% of a car's value—and that level is rising. BMW figures some 90% of the innovations in its new models are electronics-driven. That requires once-slow-moving automakers to adapt to the lightning pace of innovation and change driving the semiconductor and software industries. Gone is the era of the 10-year model cycle.
Now automakers must ram innovation into high gear to avoid being overtaken by the competition. That's especially true in the luxury-auto leagues, where market leaders must pulse new innovations constantly onto the market, from podcasting for cars to infrared night vision systems.
By shifting effective management of day-to-day operations to such human networks, which speed knowledge laterally through companies faster and better than old hierarchies can, BMW has become as entrepreneurial as a tech startup, consultants say. "Not many large companies take on lateral communications the way BMW does. It's a knocking down of barriers, like Jack Welch did at General Electric (GE
) to make a boundaryless corporation," says Jay Galbraith, a Breckenridge (Colo.)-based management consultant.
MOBILE-PHONE MESSAGES. BMW's ability to drive innovation even pervades its marketing division. "People talk about innovation in products, but what's underestimated is innovation in processes and organization," says Ernst Baumann, head of personnel at BMW, which has its share of radical new ideas.
To reach a younger crowd of potential buyers for its new 1 Series launch in 2004, BMW used mobile-phone messages as the main source of buzz, directing interested people to signups on BMW's Web site for pre-launch test drives in August that year—something unheard of in the industry at the time. The experimental tactic worked: BMW sparked responses from 150,000 potential customers—and sales of the 1 Series took off when it was launched in September, 2004.
In 2001, BMW stunned the advertising world by investing ad spending normally set aside for Super Bowl spots in short films that had nothing to do with telling consumers about its cars. The slick, professionally made films were pure entertainment, like its series of short films, The Hire, starring Clive Owens, and they cost a bundle: $25 million.
BALANCING ACT. The risky bet triggered serious consternation at BMW's Munich headquarters. "You have to worry when your marketing team goes into the business of making films," says Krause, who noted that Internet-driven businesses were imploding left and right in 2001. Given those conditions, "Who cares how many clicks you get."
Few large companies are willing to embrace the lack of organizational clarity and nebulous structures that drive innovative ideas. At most companies, headquarters would have put the kibosh on the short-film idea, which has since been widely imitated. Researchers say most experiment with networks on a small scale and very few use the practice to full effect since doing so means an uncomfortable balancing act between hierarchy and discipline on one hand, and free-wheeling networks that can veer toward near-chaos.
But for innovation-driven companies, networks that enable entrepreneurial risk-taking are a silver bullet. "The ideas are richer, they implement more effectively, and there is less resistance to change," says Rob Cross, assistant professor of management at the University of Virginia.
IDEAS FIRST. How does BMW manage discipline with creativity and keep the anarchy of networks from careening out of control? Workers at the Bavarian automaker are encouraged from their first day on the job to build a network or web of personal ties to speed problem-solving and innovation, be it in R&D, design, production, or marketing. Those ties run across divisions and up and down the chain of command.
When it comes to driving innovation, forget formal meetings, hierarchy, and stamps of approval. Each worker learns quickly that pushing fresh ideas is paramount. "It's easier to ask forgiveness for breaking the rules than to seek permission," says Richard Gaul, a 33-year veteran at BMW and former head of communications at the $60 billion automaker.
BMW's complex customized production system, the polar opposite of Toyota's (TM
) standardized lines, is easier to manage if workers feel empowered to drive change. Like Dell Computer (DELL
), BMW configures its cars to customers' orders, so each auto moving down the production line is different.
FORGET OLD-SCHOOL RIGIDITY. Making sure the system works without a hitch requires savvy workers who continually suggest how to optimize processes. "Networks can do things that hierarchies cannot, because hierarchies lack the freedom. With a network you get the powerful ability to leverage knowledge quickly to bear on solving problems," says Karen Stephenson, management consultant and Harvard professor. "A network is the only way to effectively manage BMW's kind of complexity."
By contrast, companies that don't have lateral nimbleness are crippled in fast-moving technology-driven industries. Rigid hierarchies that stifle fresh ideas and slow reaction times are one problem facing General Motors (GM
) and Ford Motor (F
).
Once giants like GM were king, dominating the market with their huge volume and purchasing muscle. Big is no longer the ticket to success, and the slow-moving bureaucracies that big companies are saddled with are now a major handicap. "Lean is passé. What is in is lean and agile: the ability to shift and adjust as circumstances in the market change," says David Cole, partner at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.
KNOW THY CONSUMER. BMW managers, by contrast, even talk about the "physics of chaos" and how to constantly nurture innovation and creativity by operating on the very edge of chaos without getting out of control. "Discipline and creativity are not a paradox, there is a borderline case of self-controlling systems," says Gaul. "Where you break rules you have to be very disciplined." That's the industry's next kaizen—the art automakers will be forced to master in the 21st century.
The novel advertising scheme developed back in 2001 is a good example. Jim McDowell, then U.S. vice-president of marketing, was confident the project, dubbed "Big Idea," and kept under tight security in "War Room" No. 6 at BMW USA's Woodlake (N.J.) headquarters, would create just the kind of consumer buzz that BMW wanted—and would ultimately be more cost-effective for BMW than Super Bowl advertising. The idea was to give film directors a BMW car around which a compelling short film was to be made. Many of the tales centered on life-and-death chase scenes, but several were humorous or even melancholy.
McDowell figured if The Hire, took off and the films were downloaded from BMW's Web site by 1 million to 2 million viewers, BMW would chalk up the same number of eyeballs as a snappy advertising campaign aired during the Super Bowl, but would reach a higher percentage of BMW-type customers, progressives with a nose for cinema, technology, and high bandwidth. "If you really understand your consumer, you can be very clever about how to communicate. You can change the whole paradigm," says McDowell, who is now executive vice-president at Mini.
SNOWBALL EFFECT. McDowell didn't take any half-measures. He went after talented directors such as John Frankenheimer (The French Connection) and Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and signed up stars such as Madonna, Clive Owens, and Gary Oldman—giving them complete artistic freedom, aside from the BMW model that starred in each film. No advance advertising heralded the Internet launch of the films.
The buzz started slowly with the first film but grew to avalanche proportions by the time Madonna's short comedy film about a cranky diva was released, overwhelming BMW's expectations and forcing the automaker to add servers as fast as it could.
But it didn't stop there. As the short-film gambit rocketed around the blogosphere, national TV broadcasters flooded McDowell's office with requests for interviews on CBS, Entertainment Tonight, and Fox News. The novelty of an automaker producing films fanned public interest and stoked downloads.
"EXPERIMENTAL ENVIRONMENT". After one year, the number of viewers who had visited BMW's Web site to download The Hire shot to over 21 million, and with three more films added in 2002, it rocketed to 100 million, sparking a Harvard Business School case study. One million enthusiasts ordered a DVD with all eight films.
McKinsey's Manyika, who has studied networks extensively, says knowledge forced through a company top-down drives "conformity, consistency, and efficiency." That's better suited to companies that make a standardized widget than a complex, electronics-driven product that requires constant innovation.
Companies such as BMW have to tap into tacit knowledge to spark fresh ideas. "It's more of a learning and experimental environment. It's building on what people know. It's learning instead of instruction," says Manyike.
HOW IDEAS TRAVEL. For academics and consultants studying the phenomenon of corporate networks, the most fascinating element is the "node" or the broker individual who can join two separate clusters with different pools of knowledge. Such a broker may have once worked in purchasing but now sits in R&D. As such, he or she can bridge the two worlds by "reaching across the white space of disconnected people," says Ronald S. Burt, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, who is studying the impact corporate networks have on performance.
That linkage speeds learning throughout companies—a vital tool to industries that should continually innovate. "People exposed to a diversity of information are at higher risk of seeing a new angle, a better way to frame ideas," says Burt. And companies that recognize and tap such social capital "have better growth rates and better patent rates. Formal structures decide who to blame. Informal structures decide how to get things done
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