At CES, Anthem, Autonomic, Control4 and OmniMount were all awarded with Electronic House TOP Awards. The EH TOPS awards (formerly the EH Product of the Year Awards) recognizes the best technology, products and services for the electronic house.

Anthem took home the top prize in the Audio Components category for their stellar Anthem Statement D2v with Anthem Room Correction. The Anthem Statement D2v is a multi-channel preamplifier, audio/video processor and tuner offering unmatched connectivity options and support for all of the latest HD formats. When used with Anthem Room Correction software, the Statement D2v will maximize the performance of any A/V system. For video processing, the D2v employs the latest Sigma Designs VXP broadcast-quality digital video processing with deep color support and adjustable block artifact and mosquito noise reductions.

Autonomic Apple TV Module

Autonomic’s Apple TV Module won for Best Media Extender Device. Autonomic’s Apple TV module allows control of multiple Apple TV media servers and AirTunes devices via Ethernet, enabling multi-zone control and media browsing from any touch panel in the home. Browsing capabilities support playlists, music, HD movies and TV shows, music videos, audiobooks and podcasts. While no computer is required, Apple TV devices can be configured to automatically synchronize or stream content from multiple iTunes libraries on the same network. The control module can also natively control iTunes on a Mac or PC without requiring any additional software.

Control4 Home Controller HC-200

Control4 was awarded a TOPS award for their Home Controller HC-200 in the Whole House Controls category. Sleek, compact and powerful, the HC-200 delivers affordable full home-automation capabilities for homes by controlling lights, temperature, security and connected entertainment. For approximately the same price as a universal remote, an HC-200 can replace all existing remote controls delivering easy navigation via an intuitive on-screen interface and streamlining home entertainment.

Great things do come in small packages, and OmniMount’s the omnimount proved theory. Pound for pound the omnimount is the strongest mount on the market. Combine that with its extremely low profile and incredible ease-of-use, there’s no denying this is one revolutionary product. In designing the omnimount, OmniMount’s engineers wanted to create an easy-to-use mount with a small profile and unmatched strength. Light weight materials, such as injection molded composites utilized for the wall bracket, a lightweight aluminum used for the panel spacers combined with Commercial Grade 5 hardware allowed OmniMount to produce a mount that is incredibly strong (UL rates this product holds up to 80 pounds – which means it’s tested at 4 times that weight without failing!) all the while boasting a low 1.5 inch profile and exceptionally small footprint (weighing only 1 pound). 

Posted by: Lauren

Control4, the leader in affordable IP-based home control and entertainment systems, introduced its second-generation operating system (“OS 2.0”)! Control4’s OS 2.0 has an elegant new user interface and enables greater levels of customization for the custom CE installer and personalization for the homeowner. It’s a win-win solution as Control4^® OS 2.0 offers:

• new levels of home-control functionality
• easy-to-access whole-home systems
• integration of third-party applications
• improved media management.

The result – Control4 integrators can now offer its most powerful automation and entertainment solution to date. 

Stop by Control4’s booth 161 at the show for a demo of the company’s new operating system and to see the company’s growing automation ecosystem.

Control4’s booth will serve as host to a number of new solutions from 16 technology partners and demonstrate its comprehensive suite of lifestyle solutions that provide Control4 dealers, and their clients, with: 1) Effortless Entertainment, 2) Comfort and Convenience, 3) Peace of Mind, including home security, elderly care, and communications solutions, 4) Solutions for Apple product integration, and 5) Green Living.

To see all of Control4’s CEDIA EXPO 2009 announcements, access their press page at www.castercomm.com/control4.

A congratulatory round of ‘ataboys goes to three Caster clients who were named winners of the prestigious 2009 Innovative Housing Technology Awards.

According to a release issued by the sponsor, “Now in its ninth year, the award program—owned by CE Pro, TecHome Builder and Electronic House—honors the most innovative products, builders and CE pros serving the homebuilding industry. The awards are presented every June in conjunction with the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco.”

A seasoned panel of tech building industry experts and journalists evaluated the 2009 finalists and made the tough choices, clearly using sound judgment in choosing the victors. The winners represent best practices by CE pros, builders, home technology makers and IT innovators.

Without further ado, Ringo, can we have a drum roll please…

Winner – Home Theater Category: Paradigm RVC-12SQ In-wall Subwoofer with X-800 Amplifier and Perfect Bass Kit

Even with IHTA abolishing the “Longest Product Name” category for 2009, Paradigm manufactured a winner here with a structurally sound, high-powered in-wall subwoofer that includes a bracketing system, room correction and amplification. You might ask how an in-wall subwoofer is beneficial to builders? I’m glad you asked:

The RVC-12SQ benefits builders because it solves the last major challenge of architectural audio. With floor space at a premium, the demand for unobtrusive A/V solutions will continue to grow, and builders who can offer a full home theater or entertainment solution will differentiate themselves. While the subwoofer is only part of the equation, its importance to audio performance cannot be understated. The RVC-12SQ is also the first subwoofer to offer freestanding performance from inside the wall with no risk of structural damage or weak audio playback.

Winner – Home Theater Category: OmniMount MotionPicture Series Power55

Power55 is a unique solution that tilts, pans or swivels the TV to achieve optimal viewing in multiple rooms. OmniMount provides builders with every tool necessary to install it, an installation template, level, and a labeled hardware kit, for a quick, easy and perfect installation every time and anywhere in the room regardless of construction challenges.

Winner – Integrated Home Control and Networking: Control4 Home Controller HC-200

With the HC-200, you are no longer tied to a coffee table cluttered with remotes. Instead, a single remote and easy-to-use on-screen interface allow you to enjoy the same intuitive Control4 navigation on every video display in your home. Adjust and control the lights either individually or collectively. Manage your home theater system. Free your digital music collection and easily stream it to any room throughout the home. Check the status of your doors and windows, and adjust the thermostat – through convenient, easy-to-use, powerful on-screen menus.

This is a proud day and we’d like to thank our mothers, the academy and all the journalists and tech experts who made these awards possible. We couldn’t have done it without your support and look forward to bigger thing in the years to come.

Posted by: Nick

@PRnick