Xantech Makes First iPod Dock with 480p Component Video Out

Xantech Makes First iPod Dock with 480p Component Video Out

Category

Personal Technology

Xantech Corp. has released information on four new A/V products that will officially debut at CEDIA 2008 this September, including an iPod docking station with an HD component video output.

The XAN-XIS100 comes equipped with a “high-resolution” component video output so that users can view content stored on a video-equipped iPod on the big-screen at 480p resolution. Most iPod docking stations, says SF Marketing, Canadian distributor for Xantech products, use composite outputs. (Only the iPod Classic, nano 3Gm, and Touch support 480p output). The European-designed dock, which also comes with a chrome-designed remote, will retail for $499.99.�

A new multi-room web controller, the XAN-MRWC ($679.99) acts as a plug-and-play web server that essentially serves as the hub of one’s home A/V system, allowing whole-house control of Xantech A/V devices via Web/Ethernet connection. The device works by connecting one end to the MRC88 serial port and the other to an existing home network; no PC programming or network configuration is required. Xantech says that the MRWC was developed to be “as easy as possible for both the installer and the homeowner. Having networked web control from any PC wired or wireless (or even a Wi-Fi cell phone) allows the homeowner to control any room from anywhere in (or around) the house.”

In the custom A/V world, an installer typically sets up a system for the clients, than trains him on how to use the equipment. Once the installation staff leaves the home, the propensity for human error is high, no matter how much training or how easy the system has been made to operate. Given this, Xantech has developed an Intelligent Systems Manager that it says is designed to “outsmart human error”. The gadget, called the ISM4, will sell for $349.99, and will work by automatically controlling the power of all IR emitters to prevent system confusion when a home-owner pushes the wrong button, or series of buttons. The unit can sense the master source device, and turn on all required devices if it is on or, likewise, power them down if it is off. The ISM4 also automatically checks the power status of all connected devices every 30 seconds, thus helping to conserve energy.��

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