Embedded Automation Announces Commercial Release of mPanel

[electron]

Embedded Automation announced commercial availability of mPanel, the newest member of the mHome Product Family. mPanel will be available for pre-order on September 10, 2008, with shipments commencing on October 13, 2008.

• mPanel provides a integrated user interface for digital media and digital home control: mPanel’s Digital Media Interface, which implements UPnP AV Control Point technology, can select music, with rich meta data, from any computer or storage on your local area network and play it through the on-board amplifier. mPanel’s Digital Home Interface can connect to any mControl installation to allow live status and control of lighting, climate control, security system, surveillance cameras, audio/visual components and custom macros. When idle, mPanel, using a measly 6W of power, automatically converts into a digital photo frame for your favorite pictures.
• mPanel is simple and inexpensive to install: Unlike other whole-home audio systems which require control and audio cables to be wired to a central source and then distributed to each room, mPanel requires a single Ethernet cable to network hub. The Ethernet cable provides the access to digital media and, optionally, can act as the main source of power for the unit. In-room or ceiling speakers connect directly to the mPanel. Furthermore, mPanel’s quick and robust 4-point dog-leg mounting system and magnetic “iPod white” front-panel, make installation a snap.
• mPanel is easy to use and configure: mPanel features a large 7” (800x480) touch screen display, integrated networking and an on-board amplification system. Using a standard Ethernet cable and Power over Ethernet (PoE), mPanel’s on-board amplification system provides up to 20 Watts per channel at 4 Ohms - additional wattage is available with an add-on module. mPanel’s tiny wall footprint (5.5” x 7.75”) and low-profile faceplate allow it to be mounted in virtually any location within a home. While a single mPanel is a great addition to condos or small homes, multiple mPanels can be installed in larger homes.

“The mPanel represents a breakthrough in two respects: functionality and affordability. First, the mPanel integrates the capability of controlling both Digital Media and Digital Home devices. From a single mPanel screen, you can play music or view photos from any networked server but you can also control and view status for all of your digital home components,” said Ted Singh, C.E.O. of Embedded Automation.

“But perhaps more significantly, mPanel is a solution within the reach of all home owners. Now, being able to select the music of your choice for a zone, setting a lighting mood for a room, verifying if your home is operating within a power consumption range (using the mHome Power Management Module) or even checking an outdoor camera view are capabilities that can be added affordably to each room.”

Embedded Automation, for a limited time only, and exclusively from the company’s website, is bundling mPanel with a package of mControl for USD$999.99. This introductory price includes free software updates for mPanel software for one year.

For dealer enquiries, please contact [email protected].


About Embedded Automation
Founded in 1998, Embedded Automation designs, manufactures, and markets solutions for “Digital Home” under the mHome product family. mHome products allow consumers to easily and affordably add control and media management capabilities to their homes. mHome products are available from Embedded Automation and through the mHome Authorized Dealer Network.

Contact Information
http://www.embeddedautomation.com
[email protected]
(604) 596-4999

 

[upstatemike]

Combining a zone amp with a touch screen is an interesting idea but I can't find any reference to TTS anywhere in the mControl manuals. With all the built-in audio features I assume it can do HA announcements over the connected speakers?

I am also curious why mControl only supports the X-10 version of RCS thermostats and not the serial ones? Anybody with an advanced lighting system using another protocol isn't going to want to utilize X-10 for HVAC control (and not everybody likes Aprilaire or HAI stats).

And as always I have to make the case for surface mount versions of touch screens. Not everybody lives in a recently built track home with hollow sheet rock walls. Not everybody can commit to a room arrangement that will never change (and patching fancy wallpaper is expensive). If mounting over a simple gang box at least you have the option of using a blank plate over the old location.