HAI Launches Hi-Fi by HAI Whole Home Audio System

[electron]

Home Automation, Inc. (HAI), a leading manufacturer of home control products since 1985, will be demonstrating its new Hi-Fi by HAI Whole Home Audio system in Booth 785 at the CEDIA show being held September 14 - 17 in Denver, Colorado.

Hi-Fi by HAI is an affordable high fidelity digital Whole Home Audio distribution system that has 4 zones and 4 sources, expandable to 8 zones and 6 sources. It is a notable new entry in Whole Home Audio because it has three times more power than "amplified keypad" systems at similar cost and is the first built-in unit with remote input modules, so music can be enjoyed in any room regardless of where the music source is located.

Hi-Fi by HAI's highly efficient digital design means there is no need to run wires to a central audio rack. Instead, the main unit is mounted on a closet wall or in a structured wiring enclosure, so the wiring is hidden. Volume and Source Controls (VSC) with a routed IR repeater then communicate with the main unit. The result is music from an office PC or bedroom iPod can be enjoyed and controlled from any other room in the house.

Additionally, Hi-Fi by HAI is plug and play with HAI's Omni and Lumina automation controllers. The controller can set each zone's source and volume for parties, watching TV, morning news and goodnight, for example, to coordinate the audio system with daily activities. HAI's many user interfaces will also control the Hi-Fi, including the OmniTouch touchscreen, consoles and keypads, Snap-Link, Home Control for Windows Media Center and Web-Link II.

Read the rest of this press release

 

[electron]

"This is a very exciting new product that HAI developed in conjunction with NuVo Technologies," explains HAI President Jay McLellan. "Our dealers can now offer an affordable high fidelity Whole Home Audio distribution system that is modular, easy to install and use, has seamless integration with HAI's home control systems, and allows users to enjoy their music in a flexible and convenient way."

All products in the Hi-Fi by HAI line will be shipping by end of year and sold through HAI's worldwide distribution channels. For more information please visit www.homeauto.com or call 800-229-7256.

For a high resolution picture of Hi-Fi by HAI, please follow this link http://www.homeauto.com/mediacenter/HaiPRI...Fi_KitForSW.tif

About HAI: HAI is a privately held manufacturer of integrated automation and security products for residential and commercial use based in New Orleans, LA. Incorporated in 1985, HAI has developed a full line of award-winning automation products, including automation controllers, communicating programmable thermostats, smart light switches, and software that allows access and control of an automation system over the Internet. All products are sold through HAI's worldwide network of Distribution Partners and installed by over 1000 trained dealers.

 

[Rupp]

Dan,
Any clues on how much the system will cost?

 

[electron]

No idea, I didn't get any pricing info, probably will have to wait until CEDIA I g uess.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Pricing info hasn't yet been released. I hope to get it soon.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Well, looks like it just came in. We'll get it up on the site in the next day or so.

 

[mbreeden]

Is this like a Abus system on roids? I assume it will fall between the Abus and CAV like systems?

- Mike

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Is this like a Abus system on roids? I assume it will fall between the Abus and CAV like systems?

No, it's more like a Nuvo system......

 

[gregking]

Here's a short review

gk

 

[electron]

Sounds extremely similar to the CAS44 and even more similar to the Nuvo (which is digital as well). The only main differences seem to be the size and remote inputs (eventho that isn't a problem in most cases). Looks very nice tho.

 

[upstatemike]

The cool thing is the remote sources. Anybody know what color the 7-segment LED readouts on the keypads are? Standard HAI blue?

 

[markthomas]

Doggone it! I just wired my house for amplified keypads!

Rupp, the article says $1000, which I assume is the 4-source 4-zone kit.

upstatemike, does this answer your question?

Feature-wise, it's about the same as NuVo Simplese. Looks like price will be similar too.

 

[upstatemike]

Doggone it! I just wired my house for amplified keypads!

Rupp, the article says $1000, which I assume is the 4-source 4-zone kit.

upstatemike, does this answer your question?

Feature-wise, it's about the same as NuVo Simplese. Looks like price will be similar too.

Blue it is! The Simplese requires the source components at the amp and doesn't have the remote source.

So now I am taking another look at HAI as perhaps the most plug-and-play automation system available.

It has security/wired inputs, lighting, thermostats, relays, web access, camera support, touch screens, and a whole house music system.

It has a cool access control keypad for folks who don't want to mess with proximity readers.

Unlike more expensive systems, you can easily display a door camera on the touch screens automatically in response to a doorbell press.

It has very good integration with HAL for VR and more complex scripting.

The only real weak spots I can see with this combination would be IR (But you can splice in an Ocelot and get IR that way), and dialing out to a paging system or outside number and making a TTS announcement (neither OmniPro nor HAL2000 can do this).

In general though, this combo can cover all the basic areas of Home Automation without running a dozen computers and juggling a similiar number of plug-ins or individual software apps.

 

[markthomas]

The knob control has high WAF.... that's the reason I wired for amplified speakers... I set my sights on the Zon system:

But HAI is certainly a lot cheaper...

EDIT: Not that much! I just saw this:
http://www.electronichouse.com/poty/14692.html

Now I'm excited again!!! (sorry to hijack this thread)

 

[Steve]

So now I am taking another look at HAI as perhaps the most plug-and-play automation system available.

Maybe until next month when the other guys come out with their new leapfrog feature. All systems will have their pros and cons and things that appeal to some and not others. To me, while this is certainly nice, it is nothing you can't do with other panels and standard Nuvo or Russound equipt.

Also, while I am not a big audiophile and I do not have a whole house system yet, I would think one of my requirments would be to have metadata info available at the keypad. Especially when listening to radio - I'd like to know what channel I'm listening to at a glance - not guess blindly about presets.