Marmitek, specialists in the field of X-10 home automation, has introduced the CM15Pro computer interface, which along with the supplied ActiveHomePro software enables you to control and operate affordable home automation on your computer.

Marmitek brings comfort and safety to your home in an innovative manner, using the very latest techniques in the field of multimedia, video surveillance, home automation and security:

Once your settings are programmed in your computer, you can save them in the memory of the CM15Pro and it can be turned off:

• Your lighting and appliances are easily switched on and off with the CM15Pro and appropriate receivers.

The choice of settings is limited only by your imagination – random switching of your lighting, create a home movie theatre, control your exterior lighting, or have your coffee ready when you wake.
 
Using macros you can programme your preferred environment e.g. the main lighting in the living room only switches on when someone enters the room, its dark outside and the atmospheric lighting is off.
 
Furthermore the CM15Pro has more extended programming possibilities and a memory for about 1400 macros/timers, with which you can expand your home automation almost without limitation.

• The mutual compatibility of Marmitek products is one of the main benefits, allowing you to construct your own ideal system, adding the latest user options at any time in the future.

The recommended retail price for the pioneering CM15Pro (Computer module + ActiveHomePro Software) is £59.95 incl. VAT.

Web: http:// www.marmitek.com
 

Meridian Audio Ltd, is a British award winning, high-end home audio-video systems manufacturer - from loudspeakers, complete music centres to home cinema.

Meridian is about to hit the big time; until now, its status has been a closely guarded secret amongst enthusiasts and specialists, but this is all about to change.

The company is now being supported by Richemont, part of an investment consortium, which provides the perfect platform to further reveal Meridian’s attributes, to a discerning class of customers who need the highest possible level of performance at home.

From CD players to bespoke home theatre installations and complete systems to additional individual components, Meridian systems can deliver both exquisite style and exceptional performance.
For example, the Iconic speaker in our picture:

The Iconic Meridian DSP8000 Loudspeaker, is designed to reproduce sounds at up to full natural level, while providing all the resolution required via sources of up to 24bit and 192kHz.

Created to deliver outstanding performance for decades, capable of reproducing the sound of a Steinway - well known as the supreme challenge for an audio system.

The speaker retails at around £28,750 and a complete music centre is priced at around £150,000; however, they do offer systems of equal sound and style quality but more compact, at an affordable price.

Meridian is a multi-award winning company gaining much critical and industry acclaim as a world-leader in digital and analogue audio reproduction; winning 135 awards for 156 products/innovations to date, including the coveted British Design Council Award for Outstanding British Products three times.

Meridian systems and components are available at selected stockists of luxury hi-fi equipment across the UK.

Web: http://www.meridian-audio.com.

The need for safety on the Internet has never been so high - with most homes taking up the excellent offer of an always-on broadband connection, their exposure to the threats of the Internet are often overlooked.

Imagine being able to turn on your computer without any concerns or worries about the threats the Internet presents to you and your family.

GSEC1’s XGate truly identifies and blocks threats before they even reach your computer.

Main Features include:

• Auto-configuration: Simple and easy installation, designed explicitly for non-technical users.
• Secure Banking enables XGate 2.0 users to conduct their online banking, without having to worry about being taken to fraudulent bank websites, or their online banking login details being stolen.
• The system will warn you if it finds any attempts to take you to a fraudulent bank website.
• Chatroom monitoring enables you to monitor and control your children’s chat room conversations and accessing of objectional web pages; thus preventing them from becoming victims of online predators and bullies.
• Desktop Live View gives you a Closed Circuit TV style screen, where you can remotely supervise all your children’s desktops in your home network and protect them, if they are visiting inappropriate websites or chat rooms.
• XGate’s Spam plug-in for Microsoft Outlook has comprehensive filters and user control for classifying and declassifying spam from your mail client and stops annoying spam email from overrunning your inbox.
• Advanced Antivirus and Spyware protection ensures that threats are stopped right at the Gateway and your computers are protected at all times.

XGate retails for around £89.

Web: http://www.gsec1.com

Tel: (0870) 1644011

A neat, easy to use, one-stop route to a smart home is demonstrated on the Morban and Cytech stand at The Smart Home Show at the National Exhibition Centre, from 10th-13th April, 2008.

Cytech Europe, UK distributor of Comfort Intelligent Home System and its system integrator Morban Intelligent Living, combine to provide demonstrations for householders and developers that explain how an integrated home control system links voice prompted security, with all aspects of smart home technology in one simple system.

Intelligent control of equipment within the home helps cut the amount of energy used by heating, lighting, TV and audio, domestic appliances and may help reduce escalating energy bills.

Morban provide a single solution that can include whole house lighting and mood lighting design and control, audio/visual control with HD distribution, the use of a media server providing music and movies throughout the house, zone heating display and control, communications and home security.

Remote operation of the intelligent home systems can be by mobile phone, text message or remote computer.

Cytech’s Comfort system provides an integrated Intruder Alarm/Home Automation system with an interactive voice menu, dialler to eight different numbers and an answering machine; the Comfort door station rings the home phones or calls a mobile if no one is home.

The Comfort system can also answer the phone and when programmed, dial out to a care worker in case of emergency.

Web: http://www.morban.co.uk

Tel: (0870) 141 7042

The smart place to be this April is at the NEC in Birmingham - from 10th to 13th April 2008, where The Smart Home Show, (which is part of The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show), will be bringing together all the latest trends in smart home solutions.

Smart Home technology means controlling the home environment in a way that enhances the way you live; it makes life more enjoyable, more comfortable, easier and more secure.

Whether you are looking for a multi-room entertainment system, integrated lighting to control the mood of every room, state-of-the-art security to protect you and your family, or you just want to chill out watching a favourite movie from the comfort of your bath - The Smart Home Show will help you find the right solution.

There will be major brands to choose from, with leading industry experts on hand to share their knowledge; with practical demonstrations, advice clinics and a daily programme of free specialist seminars.

A visit to the Show could mean a home equipped for the 21st century is within your reach - don’t miss out!

Tickets are £10 in advance or £14 on the door.

For more information and tickets, visit:

Web: http://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Tel: (0871) 945 4547

Since 1968 Cambridge Audio has set new standards in the development/ manufacture of hi-fi and home cinema products.

In today’s digital world, being able to access audio and video entertainment through one centralized home system, offers huge advantages e.g. avoiding the ugly wires and clutter resulting from having hi-fi and video source equipment in each room.

To-date multi-room systems have had a reputation for being expensive, costly to install and often difficult to upgrade - until now…

Cambridge Audio, the pioneer of innovative, high performance audio systems, has developed Incognito, the ultimate discreet and easily installed way to share the benefits of your hi-fi and video, across your home at a surprisingly affordable price.

Incognito is designed around the user…

• A cost-effective, modular based system, compatible with virtually every brand and type of hi-fi source.
• Incognito is totally scaleable and normally fitted as a hub-based system for music across the home.
• Up to six pieces of hi-fi or video equipment can be connected to an Incognito audio or video hub for ultimate flexibility.
• A local input function enables connection of additional components in each zone e.g. a DVD player or games console located in that room.
• Incognito is easily installed in new-build properties or retro-fitted.
• A stylish learning remote control option means just one handset controls everything!

Incognito is controlled either by stylish wall or table-top keypads or, if preferred, a no-keypad option, which uses active in-ceiling speakers controlled by wireless remote handset.

Incognito active speakers can be connected directly from the hub. Just point your remote control at their infra red eye.

Web: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre is to host its second Self Build & Renovation Show at the Renovation Centre, just off Junction 16 of the M4 next month, (Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th March 2008).

The show is offering a unique practical learning experience for anyone interested in building their dream home.

With a shortage of the right kind of affordable homes and uncertainty in the existing property market, ‘doing it yourself’, whether self building or renovating, to create a home that is compatible with individual lifestyles’ is becoming more appealing and is a very realistic option for many people looking to get on, or move up, the property ladder.

• This year’s show offers visitors:
  Lots of instructive seminars; product demonstrations, and presentations.
• Visitors can get to grips with a selection of the newest technical gadgets, professional tools and accessories from leading suppliers, including Festool, ITW and Skil.
• Sample the latest in kitchen cooking ranges and appliances from AGA and Britannia.
• Learn about finding land, arranging finance and buying materials from self build and renovation experts.
• Book one-to-one sessions with CAD designers and take part in practical skills workshops in plastering, bricklaying and tiling, with Trade Skills 4U.
• There will also be an exclusive launch of ‘Tommy’s House by Potton Homes; a new eco-friendly timber frame package range, inspired by Tommy Walsh’s eco house, which he built for £60,000 in 60 days.

The Self Build & Renovation Show will run between Thursday 6th and Sunday 9th March, at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon. Entry cost £10 per adult, or £15 per couple.

Buildstore Ltd has kindly arranged a generous ½ price ticket discount for UK Home Ideas readers, who are invited to log on to the website to book their tickets and enter this code - SBMUKH005, for the discount, on any of the four days of the Show.

Web: http://www.mykindofhome.co.uk/show

Tel: (01506) 409 616

X10 has been used since the 1960’s and is now a world wide standard for sending a signal over your existing mains circuitry to enable home automation.

Domia Ten is the latest incarnation of the original X10 system; no messy wiring is required, you simply plug your lamp or appliance into a Domia Ten module, which then plugs into your wall outlet.

Each Domia Ten module can have its own unique address to control individual devices so that multiple devices can be used.

Whilst Domia Ten retains full backward compatibility with the original X10 systems, it now offers a much improved range and greatly increased reliability; in particular it has better filtering capabilities, which makes it more robust in ‘noisy’ environments.

There is a variety of Domia Ten products available catering for many of your home automation needs. They are ergonomically designed, easy to program and offer visible feedback of activity through LED lights.

There are 13 individual modules - not all are necessary for the system to function – but are available only to expand the system capabilities.

Should you wish to control the appliances or lights in the home from your PC, just obtain and install the Harmony software plus the X10 interface and you’re ready to go.

Also the Harmony Media Center software will enable you to control your home through your TV, PC or remotely via the Internet.

With Harmony and Domia extensions, you can integrate your CCTV, use remote controls to dim your lights, include motion sensors to turn appliances or lights on when you walk into a room; set up a chain of commands triggered by an event, such as a security alert - the possibilities are almost endless!

Web: http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk

Tel: (08450) 644 3330

The Bose new WAVE® music system adds to the achievements of its acclaimed predecessor, to set a whole new standard in audio performance, simplicity and elegant design.

This innovative music system provides lush, room-filling sound from a system so small and simple to use, it fits almost anywhere; it reproduces one-half octave lower musical notes and delivers even greater clarity and definition than the original WAVE® radio/CD; with its deeper tones and more lifelike sound.

Inside, the new waveguide speaker technology combines with other BOSE® technologies to deliver enhanced performance - at all listening levels; you’ll hear the same clear musical nuances, whether you turn the volume up or keep it soft.

It delivers the full depth and range of every vocal or instrument on MP3 CDs, CD-R/RWs, and conventional CDs; you can listen to CDs created on your computer and take advantage of the digital MP3 format to enjoy hours of uninterrupted quality sound.

The WAVE® music system was designed to be delightfully easy to use:

There are no visible buttons - the entire system is completely and conveniently controlled by a credit card-sized remote control and set-up couldn’t be easier.

The CD player, AM/FM tuner, amplifiers and speakers are all built-in to provide quality sound right out of the box.

The large, bright display panel is easy to read and understand; prominently displaying the artist, title and album names of your suitably encoded MP3 CDs.

It’s also easy to enjoy the system’s full, rich sound with your TV, VCR, DVD player, or computer, thanks to an auxiliary input jack.

The speakers are magnetically shielded to prevent interference from TVs or computer monitors.

To enjoy the music by yourself, you can simply plug your headphones into the headphone jack.

This music system can also become part of an expanded home entertainment experience to multiple rooms, as with BOSE® link, the system is now compatible with selected LIFESTYLE® systems

The WAVE® music system may look familiar, but it takes the original award-winning design of the WAVE® radio/CD to new levels; the slim, sleek profile shines through to complement most rooms. Priced at 399.00.

Web: http:// www.bose.co.uk

Tel: 07966 485889

Linksys has launched its new Media Center Extender with DVD Player (DMA2200) and (DMA2100).

These new products will team with existing Linksys offerings, such as Dual-Band Wireless-N Routers, NAS200 Network Storage System and WVC54GC Home Monitoring Camera, to offer customers a complete home entertainment and a security solution.

The new extenders allow support for popular video and audio codecs such as Xvid, as well as Windows Media® Video HD files; also have the ability to send protected HD content to additional rooms, including recorded TV from over-the-air ATSC or Cable Card tuners along with movies and music available from providers.

Both new Media Center Extenders are designed to leverage Dual-Band Wireless-N technology, to receive content contained on a Media Center PC.

Dual-band capabilities enable consumers to use the less-crowded 5 GHz wireless spectrum, to separate the network streams that contain their entertainment content from those that contain traditional data content; thus enabling greater network reliability when streaming latency sensitive video or audio.

Media Center Extenders are designed to enable Plug-Ins that are designed for Media Center PCs to be used; e.g. recipe depositories, alarm clocks, weather reports, comic strips, lottery results and Home Monitoring Cameras.

The DMA2200 and DMA2100 will be available through Linksys e-commerce resellers at around £229.99 and £199.99 respectively; the WVC54GC Camera is available for an ESP of £69.99.

Web: http://www-uk.linksys.com

Tel: (0800) 068 0327