With Starling, parents can teach kids to speak earlier - CNET

The only problem is, this little gadget still needs to grow up.

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Pioneer Elite SC-95 A/V Receiver Review

Audio Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $1,600

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Latest-gen audio and video processing
Fine-performing nine-channel Class D power
Cooler-than-ever free phone/tablet apps
Extensive proprietary auto-setup/EQ
Minus
Uninspired supplied remote
Occasional streaming audio glitches

THE VERDICT
All the good stuff—including Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, 4K/HDR with upscaling, and HD-remote-room ability—in a nicely usable, fine-sounding, fairly priced package.

It has been more than two years since Onkyo bought—or merged with, depending on your financial-accounting philosophy—Pioneer’s home-audio unit, but so far there has been no sign of their brands melding into a single entity. (Piokyo? Onkioneer?) And in all seriousness, we’ve no such expectation. For its part, Pioneer still retains two more or less discrete A/V receiver lines, the more quotidian VSX range and the higher-end SC models. More or less: All of the SCs reside in the brand’s specialist-oriented Elite series, while most of the VSXs remain in the “regular” Pioneer lineup. Yet a few sub-$1,000 VSXs, including two new ones, nestle in among the SCs on the Elite side of the ledger.

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Smart Video Doorbell Features Advanced Video Streaming

A new video doorbell from Remocam will ensure that you’ll be able to clearly see what’s happening at the front door, thanks to its use of an HD camera and Wi-Fi technology. The integrated surveillance camera is particularly unique: It featuresan optical lens with a wide-angle lens instead of the commonly used fish-eye lens to display a crisper and more defined view of the front door. Wi-Fi enables you to access and answer the door by using a smartphone. The RemoBell, which will sell for $199 later this summer, only turns on when a visitor rings the bell or when motion is detected to maximize efficiency and extend battery life.

“The RemoBell is simple to set up and use, affordable, and perfectly blends in with your home,” says Paul Lee, Remocam co-founder. “Our app provides real-time access to your front door, with two-way communication that allows you to see and speak to your visitors using your smart phone. The product is a nice complement to our Remocam security camera, which provides HD live-streaming monitoring inside the home.”

Key Features

• Compatible with Android and iOS devices and features intuitive app
• Enjoy clear video feed with 720p HD video streaming
• Bank-level eprotects personal data.
• Advanced motion sensor detects body heat and alerts users when there is motion at the door
• See and answer calls day or night using the Infrared Night Vision
• Push notifications for rings and motion only when users want them
• Two-way audio lets homeowners speak and listen to visitors through the app
• Store videos to the cloud and access them from the app for $2.99 a month or $29 annually
• Utilize the Activity Log to watch recorded videos from answered rings, missed rings, motion, and answered rings
• Equipped with six easily replaceable batteries

The post Smart Video Doorbell Features Advanced Video Streaming appeared first on Electronic House.

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How to build a simple, smarter lawn sprinkler system for less - CNET

If an expensive and complex lawn irrigation system is out of reach, here's a setup that gets the job done for a fraction of the price.

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Nest's next project could be a smart baby crib - CNET

The smart home giant has filed a patent that could point to its first all-new product in years.

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Flashback 1972: Atari Is Born

Forty-four years ago this week the iconic video game company Atari was founded by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney.

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Are You Ready to Step into Our VR Future?

A scene from 1993’s virtual reality thriller Arcade

Working on our July/August print edition we had fun with some categories we don’t normally follow closely. Yours truly got curious enough about so-called pico projectors to call in a few for a test. Watch for our survey, which includes two remarkable projectors that actually slip into your breast pocket, and two “minibeamers” that resemble the big-boy home theater projectors we test year round, just shrunk way, way down.

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PlayStation VR, Set for October Launch, Promises Next Level of Immersion

Sony says gamers and developers are ready to embrace the highly anticipated PlayStation VR (PS VR) when it becomes goes on sale in the U.S. on October 13 for $399.

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Savant System Carves Out Quality Time for Family of High-Tech Home

Busy households with kids and pets are prime candidates for home automation systems. Families simply need help managing their homes when schedules are hectic and quality family time is in short supply. The owners of this award-winning project of the Electronic House Homes of the Year contest were no exception, and called on Elite Media Solutions, of Wellesley Hills, Mass., to engineer and design a home system that could simplify their lifestyle in a way that would enable them to carve out more free time. Additionally, the homeowners wanted a system that would afford them greater peace of mind and home protection—especially for their children.

Smooth Communicator

Elite Media Solutions tied the home’s lights, thermostats, audio equipment, and surveillance cameras to a Savant home control platform, and loaded the Savant mobile app onto the owners’ iPads, some of which are mounted to the walls, and smartphones. Several scenes were created to minimize the amount of work it would normally take to close up and lock down the house for the night. Tapping a single button on the app, for example, triggers a housewide “All Off” command. Lights turn off, the thermostats adjust, the audio system turns deactivates, and the surveillance cameras maintain their vigil over the home and property. The app also enables the iPads and smartphones to function as intercoms. When the doorbell of the Mobotix door station is pressed, an image captured by the nearest surveillance cameras is passed to the app (as well as to the screen of any TV that’s on), and the owners can converse with the guest directly from the app. Similarly, if any family member hears a noise in the middle of the night, he or she can turn on all the outdoor lights via that Savant app.

Entertainment Goes to the Dogs

The technology incorporated into the house isn’t just about making the house more manageable and free time more accessible; it also makes living there more enjoyable. From the same control device that’s used to set the lights, thermostats, and security devices for bedtime and other routines, the family can access its music library and direct songs to any of several independent music zones. Each member of the family has the ability to listen to something different—important for a family whose members each have their own distinct taste in music.

Even the family dog, Murphy, is privy to the entertainment, and finds comfort in it when he’s home alone. Per the request of the family, Elite Media Solutions created a special setting in the Savant system, called “Away” that on command from a Savant app on their smartphones turns on specific lights throughout the house and activates a musical playlist for Murphy while they are gone. The lights and music pair up for family event, too, adjusting at the tap of a button for waking up, going to sleep and having dinner with guests.

Kid-Friendly Video Access

Also family friendly are the favorite station presets Elite Media Solutions put together for each member of the family. For example, when one of the kids turns on a TV (there are six total), she is presented on the screen of an iPad a list of favorite stations available in the Kids TV preset. The setup reduces time spent searching for a specific program as well as confusion on how to control such a robust entertainment system. Thanks to conscientious programming and installation of the Savant system and its connected subsystems, and a thorough understanding of its clients’ needs by Elite Media Solutions, juggling busy schedules and a sophisticated home has never been easier for the family who lives in this award-winning home.

The post Savant System Carves Out Quality Time for Family of High-Tech Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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Sonos Adds New User-Friendly Features to its Music System

Sonos has made a name for itself as offering one of the easiest to use and enjoy wireless whole-house music systems on the market. The company also never stops innovating, creating new products and technologies to keep its offerings relevant and fresh for music lovers. Now, Sonos has enhanced its music system through a significant software update. The new update will make getting to your music easier and faster and will improve the quality of the audio reproduction.

Here are some of the key highlights:

• Quick Control from iOS Lock Screen: See info about the track you’re listening to. Turn it up. Pause. Skip forward or back. All from your iPhone or iPad lock screen. No ‘unlock’ required.
• Richer Sound for Rhapsody and Napster: Rhapsody and Napster now stream at higher bitrates, which means more vibrantly detailed sound.
• Force Touch Nav: Got an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus? Use force touch and jump to any content in your Sonos app a lot faster than drilling down, screen by screen.
• Double Your Fun with Split View and Slide Over: You can now open other apps right alongside Sonos by using the iOS features Split View and Slide Over. Use Split View to check music blogs while building a playlist, or Slide Over to fire up some tunes then get back to your emails.
• Trueplay Tuning Simplified: We’ve simplified the tuning process to make it easier for Sonos owners to take full advantage of Trueplay. If you’ve already tuned your speaker with Trueplay and you haven’t moved it since, you won’t need to retune it after this update.

The post Sonos Adds New User-Friendly Features to its Music System appeared first on Electronic House.

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Smart Vanity Mirror Combines Brains and Beauty

The vanity mirror has finally received a much-needed makeover. A new line of Vanity Speakers from iHome fuses professional design and materials with state-of-the-art technology. While you primp you can listen to music or take phone calls through the high-quality speaker integrated in the base, while using the double-sided mirror with full color spectrum light to show every detail, regardless of setting.

The Vanity Speakers—available in a 9-inch model (the iCVBT7) and 6-inch model (either the white CVBT5W or the silver iCVBT5S) –come loaded Bluetooth technology  for music streaming tunes. A full control panel on the base lets you adjust the volume, skips tracks, or answer and terminate phone calls. A USB charging port is ready to keep a mobile device fully charged. The iCVBT7 also offers a rechargeable battery, so it can run for up to four hours while unplugged. Both models also feature a power saving timer, which automatically shuts the light off when not in use.

“This vanity is the perfect addition to any makeup lover’s stash and is an ideal gift for the woman – or man – who has everything,” says Evan Stein, director of marketing for SDI Technologies. “This new line of high-quality vanity mirrors further cements iHome’s dedication to creating innovative and in-demand products that appeal to the consumer that craves a fully connected life.”

The suggested retail price is $149.99 for the iCVBT7 and $99.99 for the iCVBT5W and iCVBT5S. Both models are available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohls, and other retailers.

The post Smart Vanity Mirror Combines Brains and Beauty appeared first on Electronic House.

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Summertime Sensors for Doors and Windows

Switchmate review - CNET

You can install the $40 Switchmate light controller in seconds flat, but Bluetooth limits its reach as a smart home device.

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VersaMe Starling review - CNET

Despite promising technology, the Starling is still its infancy.

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Virtual Reality Is Here

I’m standing atop the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona. I look up, and Gaudí’s organically ornate spires reach up toward the sky and sun above me. I look down, and the streets radiate out like spokes on a wheel. Suddenly, I want tapas.

Click

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Starling wants to teach your baby to speak earlier video - CNET

Despite its promising tech, this gadget still has a lot of room to grow.

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Amazon Upgrades Alexa Digital Assistant

Amazon has introduced new ways to discover and enable skills for Alexa, the digital assistant that made a name for itself as the voice interface for the popular Echo Bluetooth speaker.

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Martha Stewart has a Big Ass Fan - CNET

The domestic lifestyle guru gave the Haiku smart ceiling fan her stamp of approval after installing a pair of them in her upstate New York farm.

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Build an automatic lawn sprinkler system on the cheap video - CNET

Don't spend thousands on a professionally installed lawn irrigation system when this simple and affordable DIY solution will do the trick for a fraction of the price.

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Virtual Reality’s New Role in Home Renovation

Control4 Automation System Caters to Tech-Savvy Homeowner

Home automation systems often blend into their surroundings, and that’s a good thing. But sometimes, as was the case with the owner of this 13,000-square-foot Las Vegas abode, technology deserves to be shown off. And the best place for design and integration team from Lifetronic Systems, of Westport, Conn., to showcase the brawn, brains, and beauty of the Control4 system that manages the sights, sounds, lighting, shades, fountains, security, and other elements, was in a custom-designed racing simulator room. Created as a reflection of the owner’s passion for race car driving, the room features a high-tech simulator for track cars … as well as three full racks of automation gear. To complement the racing theme, each of the 42-space racks were designed to match the simulator and racing equipment: black, yellow labels, and red fans. When the owner starts his race, the lights dim and the shades lower for effect.

Technology In Disguise

This same level of customization is carried throughout the rest of the house, but in other rooms, the technology goes completely unnoticed, as flat-panel TVs masquerade as artwork (Vutec Artscreen) and mirrors (Seura). Elsewhere, underwater swimming pool speakers (Clark Synthesis), motorized doors that can only be open with a code, and 40 surveillance cameras pervade the property. A Lutron HomeWorks system teams up with the Control4 system to control the home’s lights, window treatments, and seven gas fireplaces.

Command from all Corners

Given the sheer number of devices placed under the supervision of the Control4 automation system, the owners would require plenty of ways to engage with the system’s control platform for on-the-spot command over anything and everything in and around the house. Lifetronic Systems appropriately outfitted the residence with a total of 30 Control4 touchscreens, which includes a combination of wall-mounted and portable units. The Control4 mobile app, found on smartphones and tablets, can handle the same tricks when the owner is on the go. Naturally, Lifetronic Systems designed the automation scenarios around the homeowner’s unique needs and comfortability with technology, but took the extra step by creating a step-by-step instructional video on how to use the system for guests to view on an iPad.

Even when the owners are relaxing in their well-appointed back yard, control is never an issue, thanks to a commercial-grade Ruckus Wireless Wi-Fi System. Access points strategically positioned by Lifetronic Systems ensure that commands issued from mobile devices reach the Control4 home automation processors inside without a hitch. Whether they owners and their guests are lounging by the swimming pool, enjoying dinner on the patio, or relaxing by the outdoor fireplace in the evening, music is as their fingertips. They can cue up music from any audio component inside the house and have it delivered to Episode speakers planted within the landscape and/or Clark Synthesis underwater speakers in the swimming pool. Video can travel to the outdoors, too, and is presented by a 55-inch weatherproof Seura Storm TV with a matching Serua soundbar and surround-sound speakers mounted to the ceiling of the cabana. Two Episode subwoofers planted in the ground ensure that bass is never lacking during the action scenes of a movie.

The post Control4 Automation System Caters to Tech-Savvy Homeowner appeared first on Electronic House.

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Motorized Electronics: 6 Ways to Show off your Home Tech

Lighting Control Keypads for People with Big Hands

Cable Modems: Say Goodbye to Monthly Rental Fees

You can save up to $120 a year if you purchase your own cable modem instead of paying monthly rental fees, according to Linksys, a provider of networking solutions for the home and business. “With rental fees being on average $10 a month, consumers can have our CM3008 paid off in as little as six months and have the latest high performance modem that matches the broadband plan they have subscribed to,” continues Brian Nickell, cable modem product manager at Linksys.

The CM3008 is one of three new cable modems from Linksys – two available now and another coming later this summer. These two new high-speed cable modems, the CM3008 8X4 and the CM3024 24X8, are DOCSIS 3.0 certified, include Intel Puma chipsets and are compatible with major cable service providers including Charter, Comcast Xfinity, Cox and Time Warner Cable. The CM30016 is a 16X4 DOCSIS 3.0 certified cable modem and will be available later this summer. The CM3008 is ideal for subscribers who purchase cable broadband plans up to 100 Mbps, the CM3016 is for subscriptions up to 250Mpbs and the CM3024 is for subscriptions over 250Mbps.

Not sure what you speed is right for you? Linksys offers this advice:
Cable Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer internet packages by speeds. Users can purchase speeds ranging from 25 Mbps all the way up to 1 Gbps. Each of these services requires different modems to support the speed to which you are subscribing. The chart below provides an overview of modems and their features that support an Internet service package by speed. If you don’t know which service package you have, check your Internet service bill or call your service provider.

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 8×4 – CM3008
Ideal for Internet plans up to 100 Mbps

The Linksys CM3008 DOCSIS 3.0 8X4 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 343 Mbps and upload speeds up to 120 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures you can connect directly to your existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3008 has channel-bonding technology that allows users to get the most out of their existing cable broadband connection. This provides users with stable and high-speed internet connectivity which is ideal for media streaming, online gaming and web browsing.
$59.99

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 – CM3016
Ideal for Internet plans up to 250 Mbps

The Linksys CM3016 DOCSIS 3.0 16X4 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 686 Mbps and upload speeds up to 120 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures users can connect directly to their existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3016 provides a stable, high-speed internet connection for any home. It’s ideal for simultaneous High-Definition (HD) media streaming, online gaming, and web browsing and comes equipped with a variety of features that let users get the most out of their broadband speeds.
Pricing information is currently unavailable

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 – CM3024
Ideal for Internet plans over 250 Mbps

The Linksys CM3024 DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 960 Mbps and upload speeds up to 240 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures users can connect directly to their existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3024 provides a stable, high-speed connection for simultaneous 4K media streaming, online gaming, and web browsing. It comes equipped with an Intel Puma 6 chipset and a variety of features that let users get the most out of their broadband speeds.
$129.99

The Linksys CM3008 and CM3024 are available immediately at Linksys.com and at leading retail and online retailers including Amazon, Frys, MicroCenter, Newegg, and Staples. The CM3008 only will be available at HH Gregg and Walmart and the CM3024 only will be available at OD Max and Fred Meyer for MSRP of $59.99 and $129.99, respectively. The CM3016 is planned for availability later this summer.

The post Cable Modems: Say Goodbye to Monthly Rental Fees appeared first on Electronic House.

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Amazon Gets Aggressive with TV

Are you old enough to remember the days when electronics stores were everywhere? If you’re from the New York area you may recall Crazy Eddie’s “insane” radio and TV ads. If you’re on the West Coast you probably remember the one-time institution, Pacific Stereo. Today, the field is defined by Best Buy, which operates in every state, a handful of savvy regional players like hhgregg, and a smattering of veteran independents.

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Welcoming the 21st Century Baby

As I write this I’m sitting in a hospital room waiting for my wife, Dana, to be induced sometime around 5:00 this evening. My weekend plans had been to grab some craft beer and watch The Masters in 4K on DirecTV, but this was a late-in-life, bonus baby (I’m 46), and the pregnancy has been fraught with “excitement” as we’ve dealt with high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. If you get nothing else from this column, heed my advice to have kids sooner rather than later.

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Nomiku's Wi-Fi sous vide machine needs some fine tuning - CNET

The $249 WiFi Nomiku is an immersion circulator that connects wirelessly to an app called Tender. But the sous vide machine doesn't live up to its more streamlined predecessor.

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Technics EAH-T 700 Headphone Review

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value

PRICE $1,199

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Two-way design with super tweeter
High sensitivity makes it ideal for use with portable hi-res music players
Handcrafted in Japan
Minus
No padded storage case

THE VERDICT
The Technics EAH-T 700 sounds sweet at home, and its high sensitivity makes it ideal with high-resolution portable players.

Remember Technics? They made turntables, right? Yes, they did, and now they’re making them again. The brand’s history dates back to 1965 when it debuted the Technics 1 monitor speaker. The brand went on to create a wide range of components, including a tube amplifier in 1966, and in 1970 the world’s first direct-drive turntable, the SP-10. Many other products followed, but the Technics name faded from view a few years ago and then roared back to life in 2015 with a couple of stellar speakers and a new line of electronics. This year, Technics showed an all-new SL-1200 Series turntable and these remarkable headphones, the EAH-T700.

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Doppler Labs Launches Here One Smart Buds

Tech startup Doppler Labs today announced that it is taking pre-orders for its Here One wireless “smart bud” listening system, which is slated to ship in November.

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GigaMonster Looms Over ISPs

Look out, cable ISPs. You’ve got another competitor to worry about in addition to Google Fiber: GigaMonster.

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New Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs Coming Soon

Sony today announced availability and pricing for four of its new 4K Ultra HD models.

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Virtual Reality’s New Role in Home Renovation

By Michael Cannell, Houzz

Architecture, in spite of its great power to enhance our lives, has its share of communication issues. Designers may present homeowners with drawings that they can’t grasp, or renderings that provide an incomplete sense of how to navigate a finished room. Terms like “fenestration,” “articulation” and “massing” rarely help matters. As a result, homeowners may write checks with only a murky sense of what their new rooms will look like. Architects, for their part, are no less wary of contractors’ miscues, and vice versa.

What if homeowners, architects and builders could walk through a new house before it’s built? What if they could see how the bedroom windows frame the view in the morning light, and appraise the sightlines from the kitchen island to the living room? How many unwelcome surprises could everyone avoid?

original photo on Houzz

Those are the questions behind the design field’s flirtation with virtual reality. “VR removes one big barrier: It allows people to understand what’s being built,” says Shane Scranton, co-founder and CEO of IrisVR, which has released a beta version of virtual reality software designed specifically for architects. It has a likely launch date this summer.

For years, architects have used SketchUp, Rhino and other software to create three-dimensional renderings viewed on a two-dimensional monitor. These renderings usually look upon a space from a fixed position, and the scale can be hard to interpret. Now, IrisVR software translates working design images into an immersive 3-D world experienced visually through goggle-like headsets such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Google Cardboard.

An Immersive, Dreamlike Experience

I donned headsets at the IrisVR office last month and walked through a computer-generated mock-up of a symphony hall. It was a dreamlike excursion, both lifelike and unreal. I swiveled my head left and right to travel across the stage. I navigated my way up the aisle, and about-faced to view the stage from the back of the auditorium. I had the kind of convincing sense of the room — what VR companies call “scale” and “presence” — that I would never get from a conventional rendering.

If I were building a home, I would want to experience its rooms in just this manner before committing myself to layout, materials or paint color. “VR creates a level of comfort,” says Ailyn Mendoza, director of architecture at IrisVR. “If you’re the client, you’re the boss. But you probably don’t have the skills to know what the architect or contractor is doing wrong.”

 

original photo on Houzz

VR headsets display “stereoscopic images,” which are pairs of images captured approximately eye-width apart. When viewed together, these image pairs replicate how our brain perceives depth, creating a crisp, single image with a 3-D effect.

 

original photo on Houzz

 

Architects, contractors and subcontractors can review one another’s work and efficiently identify problems before construction — even if the various players are working in different cities. And they can mark those problems by embedding notes in the virtual surroundings, as they would on paper: Please check the width of this counter. Can we move this sconce 2 feet to the right? The brick wall in this room should be painted China Blue, not Cabbage White.

“It’s the ultimate communication tool,” says Richard Embers, a principal of Pulse Design Group. “We can now put our clients in the space, and show all the furniture and lights. We can show it at different times of the day or night, so they see the shadows and lights. It’s so close to the final reality that change orders can be reduced.”

The new technology may be more expensive than the labor-intensive practices most design firms now rely on, but not by much. Designers adopting VR must invest at least $4,000 for the computer hardware and software, and another $600 or so for goggles. (A less immersive version of VR is available using cardboard goggles and a smartphone.) Inevitably, hours of work are required to build the virtual rooms.

These costs will, of course, pass along to clients. However, VR saves clients the expense of conventional renderings and models, which can be considerable. A photorealistic rendering of a residence costs at least $1,000, and a model can easily cost twice as much.

original photo on Houzz

Help for Builders and Buyers

Architects aren’t the only ones in the building industry testing VR. In April, a Seattle developer opened a showroom where prospective buyers can take a virtual tour of Luma, a 24-story condo building in the First Hill neighborhood.

The building isn’t due to be completed until June, but prospective tenants can already walk through one- and two-bedroom apartments, shown here, with views of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound. They can check out the oak finishes and granite countertops, and visit a roof terrace and fireplace lounge.

“It allows people to get a better feel for the building and whether it’s a good fit for them,” says Stephen Fina, a partner in Red Propeller, a real estate marketing firm. Home goods stores may be on the verge of adopting VR too.

Will it Work for Everyone?

Let’s not assume that VR is ready to become a standard tool for design and remodeling. For one thing, it can make you temporarily queasy. The condition, known as “simulator sickness,” results when your brain registers motion, but your body is stationary. It is rare and lasts only a short time, but it’s common enough to put off some users.

Simulator sickness notwithstanding, this may be the year of VR, as a wave of new hardware leads to sharper, cheaper optics. The day may be coming when most architects design in VR, manipulating walls and window dimensions with goggles and gloves.

original photo on Houzz

In the meantime, there continues to be value in the traditional methods. VR may allow us to walk among the rooms, but for many architects today, there’s still no replacement for the old-fashioned two-dimensional drawings.

“I still want to see the house in elevation,” says Daniel Garber, a partner in Fergus Garber Young Architects, which began using VR last year. “I still want to see the house in plan.”

 

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Design Tips for Your Master Bedroom

When most people think of a bedroom, the first things that pop into their minds are a big bed, a cozy blanket, and lots of pillows. Obviously, you’ll want a comfortable place to sleep. However, choosing a bed and its accouterments is only one small part of creating the perfect space to relax. It’s time to think beyond the bed and add a little technology, for the bedroom of your dreams.

 TV. To capitalize on the privacy and comfort a bedroom can afford, you’ll need a large, state-of-the-art TV. There are several 4K Ultra HD TV options that will deliver an eye-popping 3840 × 2160 resolution—even when those eyes are ready for the sandman. If you’re looking for a smaller size for this smaller space, consider going for an HDTV. While 4K is definitely the best of the best and it does come in smaller sizes, you may not get the effect you want in those smaller rooms. That means that a nice 1080p LED TV should do the trick and won’t be as expensive.

Whether you opt for 4K or 1080p, your bedroom TV should be a smart TV. Most newer TVs are smart TVs, so you can stream all sorts of movies, TV shows, music, and games straight to the TV, without an add-on box. If you’re opting to put an older TV into the bedroom, there are several add-on media players and streaming sticks, which can easily add smart TV features to any set with the appropriate port available.

Audio. Just because you’re horizontal doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t rock out. A whole-house audio system is the best way to bring music to the bedroom. This allows you to experience music, traffic, weather, and whatever else you like to, all by touching a keypad on the wall or even a button on your smartphone. This type of setup also means you can experience sound without having the components cluttering the dresser. That’s because a whole-house music system can access sources that are safety tucked into another part of the house.

Even if you don’t have a whole-house music system hardwired, there are a few ways to get music into the bedroom. The most obvious way is by using wireless speakers. While there are several stand-alone wireless speakers, a wireless whole-house music system can deliver web services and stored music all over the house. Typically, these systems have a main server or hub, which can feed speakers (also known as “clients”) that are sprinkled throughout the house.

If you want theater-type sound in this space, consider a soundbar. These one-box solutions have come a long way over the years. While having one speaker will never replace a full speaker complement, there are many soundbar options worth having in your home—especially in the bedroom. The soundbar is also easy to mount and many do come with a wireless subwoofer, which can boost the overall experience without being limited to a specific spot in the room.

Networking. Like every other room in the house, you’re going to want web access in the bedroom. This is where you’ll binge-watch Netflix and stream one-hit wonders. It’s also the place where you’ll want access to electronic systems, such as shades, lighting, and even security. Unless you have all of your systems hardwired, you will need a good Wi-Fi connection in the bedroom. Since most people don’t install the router right outside of the bedroom, consider adding a Wi-Fi extender. For many, the bedroom is often an out-of-the-way space, so you’ll want to get the signal to that room—and want it to be good.

 Lighting. Even if you don’t spend most of your time in the bedroom, this space still needs some type of lighting control for what might be the most relaxing time of the day. A system that can arrange more than a dozen individual lighting scenes might be a little over the top for sleeping spaces, but you’ll still want a system that can adjust the lights appropriately for reading, sleeping, clean up, romance, and possibly to light a path to the bathroom.

Whether you have a few smart bulbs or a full-blown home control system, it’s a good idea to keep a touchpanel, smartphone, or other type of controller on the nightstand in your bedroom. That way, you can adjust the lighting, as well as the thermostats, ceiling fans, security, and other connected subsystems, all before closing your eyes.

Motorized Shades. Some people have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning, especially when the bedroom blinds are keeping the room dark. Motorized blinds can be programmed to automatically open when your alarm goes off. If you don’t need to wake at a specific time, they can be synced with a smart home system that triggers the shades to open at sunrise (based on an astronomical clock). If you wake before the sun comes up, use your lighting control system to slowly bring the light level up to full brightness at a predetermined time.

Conversely, if you need the blinds closed when you’re getting dressed, you can program them to automatically give you privacy when you exit the shower. A professional integrator can come up with several ways to achieve this.

Control. Every piece of audio and video equipment seems to come with its own remote control. To minimize confusion and tabletop clutter, consider consolidating those devices and commands into a universal remote or a tablet. Just know that most remotes use infrared (IR) signals, so if you plan to tuck equipment inside a closet or cabinet, you may need to upgrade to a remote that operates using radio-frequency (RF) airwaves. Because RF signals travel through walls, floors, and furniture, you don’t need to point the remote directly at the equipment for the commands to be received. In fact, the remote can even work from underneath the blankets!

Many devices and universal remotes also have apps these days, so you can operate the same equipment using your trusty smartphone or tablet. Consider a universal app, so you can combine audio, video, lights, and other smart devices. Just make sure your corresponding equipment works with your portable’s platform.

 

 

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Smart Video Doorbell Features Advanced Video Streaming

A new video doorbell from Remocam will ensure that you’ll be able to clearly see what’s happening at the front door, thanks to its use of an HD camera and Wi-Fi technology. The integrated surveillance camera is particulary unique: It featuresan optical lens with a wide-angle lens instead of the commonly used fish-eye lens to display a crisper and more defined view of the front door. Wi-Fi enables you to access and answer the door by using a smartphone. The RemoBell, which will sell for $199 later this summer, only turns on when a visitor rings the bell or when motion is detected to maximize efficiency and extend battery life.
“The RemoBell is simple to set up and use, affordable, and perfectly blends in with your home,” says Paul Lee, Remocam co-founder. “Our app provides real-time access to your front door, with two-way communication that allows you to see and speak to your visitors using your smart phone. The product is a nice complement to our Remocam security camera, which provides HD live-streaming monitoring inside the home.”

Key Features

• Compatible with Android and iOS devices and features intuitive app
• Enjoy clear video feed with 720p HD video streaming
• Bank-level eprotects personal data.
• Advanced motion sensor detects body heat and alerts users when there is motion at the door
• See and answer calls day or night using the Infrared Night Vision
• Push notifications for rings and motion only when users want them
• Two-way audio lets homeowners speak and listen to visitors through the app
• Store videos to the cloud and access them from the app for $2.99 a month or $29 annually
• Utilize the Activity Log to watch recorded videos from answered rings, missed rings, motion, and answered rings
• Equipped with six easily replaceable

 

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Epson Launches New 4K Projectors

Epson has introduced two new premium video projectors, the Pro Cinema 6040UB and Pro Cinema 4040, the first in Epson’s line of projectors to feature 4K Enhancement Technologyand high dynamic range (HDR) support. These newly designed Pro Cinema projectors deliver up to 2,500 lumens of color brightness and 2,500 lumens of white brightness and an expansive color gamut to display the entire sRGB and DCI color spaces. The projectors are engineered with up to 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and display high dynamic range content, with eye-popping bright colors and Ultra Blacks for a fully immersive large-screen experience.

 

“With mesmerizing resolution, up to a million-to-one dynamic contrast ratio and a full range of premium cinema features, the new Pro Cinema projectors are nothing short of amazing,” says Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager, Projectors, Epson America. “Moreover, the flagship Pro Cinema 6040UB offers a level of performance that challenges any 4K projector currently available on the market. Viewers will enjoy stunning quality 4K UHD movies whether delivered from a UHD Blu-ray disk or streaming services.”

 

Designed to deliver brilliant, color-rich performance, the Epson Pro Cinema projectors’ expansive color gamut is capable of displaying the full sRGB color space, even in the brightest mode, as well as the entire DCI color gamut – the digital cinema standard — in Digital Cinema Mode. Both projectors include an enhanced optical engiHine and a new, all-glass cinema lens engineered to deliver excellent sharpness and color uniformity with remarkable clarity across the entire screen. Installers and customers can also take advantage of the projectors’ powered lens position memory, which enables users to preset up to 10 positions for motorized zoom, focus and lens shift for both standard projection and wide cinema ratios. In addition, a wide lens shift range offers exceptional installation flexibility, with both projectors delivering a super-wide range of up to ± 96.3 percent on the vertical axis and ± 47 percent on the horizontal axis. The projectors also include a new, non-inverting optical engine design, which utilizes an additional high-quality relay lens for Epson’s best color field uniformity to date.

 

The Pro Cinema 6040UB meets the ISF Certification standard. It features independent image calibration tools, plus lockable memory modes that prevent mis-adjustments that may inadvertently happen following installation and calibration. Installers will benefit from other features, including the ability to electronically lock calibration settings. Additionally, Red and Green pixels can be turned off for making adjustments without using a special filter.

 

The Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and 4040 ($2,699) will be available in August through authorized CEDIA dealers.

 

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Devialet's Gold Phantom: The Finer Thing in Life

Your daily driver is a Bugatti. Your "casual" wristwatch is an Audemars Piguet. (Note: Rolexes are for tourists.) Your third home is in Jackson Hole. I hate to break the news to you, but you are a 1 percenter. Fortunately, now you can drown out the cries of the masses with a superb new loudspeaker from Devialet.

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Now you can enable Alexa's extra Skills just by asking for them - CNET

One year after the launch of the Alexa Skills Kit, users of Amazon's virtual assistant will now be able to turn on third-party Skills using voice commands.

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The Wink Relay smart switch adds support for Uber, Fitbit and IFTTT - CNET

Wink seeks to reignite its push into the smart home, starting with new features for its $99 touchscreen smart switch.

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Save leftover herbs by freezing them in ice cube trays - CNET

Stop throwing away your unused fresh herbs. Before they start to wilt, use this tip to preserve them for months.

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Nest Learning 3rd Generation Alexa-Enabled Thermostat - $199 - CNET

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Best Buy launches pilot program to give your home a tech makeover - CNET

The electronics retailer is testing out a new ​in-home consultation service in Atlanta, San Antonio, and Austin.

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Bulky WiFi Nomiku sous vide machine falls short of the original video - CNET

The WiFi Nomiku heats and circulates a water bath so you can cook food via a method called sous vide. But the model, an updated version of a device we first reviewed in 2014, is much clunkier than its predecessor, and the connected app isn't as robust as app from competitors.

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Is That a DISH HopperGO in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See TV?

DISH’s new HopperGO doesn’t fit neatly into a single product category. Unlike the Hopper 3—or any of DISH’s satellite DVRs—the HopperGO costs real money—$99—to purchase (rather than being part of your satellite service subscription). On the other hand, it doesn’t require any monthly fees. Nor does it have a built-in satellite tuner (nor any other kind of tuner, for that matter). No matter how hard you search, you won’t find an HDMI jack on the HopperGO. (Don’t look for an LCD or OLED screen, either. There isn’t one.) It’s small enough to get lost in a shirt pocket. So just what the hell is the HopperGO?

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Amazon Starts Streaming in Dolby Vision Today

Starting today, Amazon Video is streaming TV shows and movies encoded in the Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) format, according to Dolby Labs and Amazon.

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At the Trailing Edge: Trading Glamour for Value

And the last shall be first....

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Z4 Aurora Projector Offered on Amazon

Chinese startup XGIMI, which recently shipped its crowd-funded Z4 Aurora Smart LED Projector to backers, is now offering the mini projector on Amazon.

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Remove rust stains from kitchen knives with vinegar - CNET

If your kitchen knives have started to gather rust spots, giving them a soak in vinegar will help restore them to their original shine.

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LG's OLED Wins 2016 Value Electronics TV Shootout

ISF's Joel Silver presenting at the 12th annual Value Electronics TV Shootout.

For the third consecutive year, LG's OLED technology has found itself atop the heap at the annual TV shootout held by Scarsdale, NY-based retailer Value Electronics.

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Crimson Peak

Picture
Sound
Extras

Set in the late 19th century, Crimson Peak is a Gothic romance, a mystery mixture of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, with a dollop of Young Frankenstein. After the death of her mother from cholera when Edith is 12, the hideously deformed ghost comes back to warn of Crimson Peak. Fourteen years later in bustling, modern Buffalo, New York, the child, daughter of a self-made American building magnate, has become a beautiful aspiring author. She’s swept off her feet by a mysterious, darkly handsome English aristocrat who’s come to America seeking financing for his steam-powered digger of the clay his house is built upon.

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K.I.S.S. AV Launches On-Wall TV Speaker System

Orlando-based startup K.I.S.S. AV has launched a $125,000 Kickstarter campaign to fund a patented 2.1-channel on-wall TV speaker system said to “fill any room with 3D sound, from any audio source, with no special electronics or multi-channel audio content required.”

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HTC Vive Review: Part 3, Final Thoughts and Future Hopes

Check out Part 1 about setup, and Part 2 about some games.

After two weeks with the HTC Vive I have some overall thoughts about it and hopes about the once and future of gaming: VR.

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Netflix Traffic Drops Due to New Encoding Scheme

Netflix represented 35% of traffic on North American fixed networks, down slightly from 37% six months ago, according to Sandvine’s 2016 Global Internet Phenomena study.

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Baby tech buying guide - CNET

Good investments, bad investments, and knowing the difference.

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3 ways to estimate how much propane you have left - CNET

There are few things worse than running out of propane in the middle of grilling. Use these three methods of estimating how much propane is left to avoid a cookout faux pas.

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Zmodo's 360-degree Pivot camera banishes blind spots video - CNET

The Zmodo Pivot security camera can auto-pan to capture 360 degrees of motion events.

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Parrot Zik 3 Headphones

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $400

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent ANC
Decent Bluetooth sound (with ANC off)
Wireless charging
Minus
Inconsistent sound quality
App mandatory for major functions

THE VERDICT
While the Zik 3 has allure with fun features, it falls short on core functionality, especially against its price competition.

Since their first version, Parrot Zik headphones have been consistently beautiful to look at and have featured technology that is a nose ahead of the competition. It’s the combo of pretty and new that has made the Ziks the darlings of the tech-enthusiast set. Now in its third iteration, the new Zik 3 is packed with all sorts of bells and whistles. Some will be familiar to users of the Zik 2.0: touch-sensitive controls on a sleek-looking earcup, deeply customizable noise cancellation and EQ via an app, sensors that trigger a pause in the music when the headphones are removed. And some are new: wireless charging, USB audio, Apple Watch, and Android Wear compatibility.

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Tiny Module Brings 3D Sound to Any Headphone

Paris-based tech startup 3D Sound Labs has announced the availability of a $99 accessory that transforms any headphone into a “smart 3D headphone” suitable for music, movies, and gaming.

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Comcast and Alarm.com to purchase smart home company Icontrol - CNET

Comcast and Alarm.com are awaiting governmental approval to acquire Internet of Things company Icontrol Networks.

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GE Energy Star Connected Air Conditioner Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

GE's new app-enabled AC units offer connected comfort for the hottest months of the year.

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An Electrifying Flashback: Franklin Flies a Kite

Electricity. The force behind everything readers of this magazine cherish. Try to imagine a world without it. Impossible. 264 years ago this month Benjamin Franklin—inventor, entrepreneur, and one of America’s founding fathers—hypothesized that lightning was an electrical phenomenon that could be transferred to another object and set out to prove it by flying a kite during a thunderstorm.

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Choosing Overhead Speakers for an Atmos Setup

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q It’s my understanding that the overhead speakers in a Dolby Atmos system are meant to create diffused sound. I have a pair of dipole surround speakers with a front-facing woofer and side-facing drivers. Could these be used in a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system if I hung them from my cathedral ceiling with the woofer facing down and the side drivers firing to the front and back of the room? — Al Erdelyi / via email

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Control4 Automation System Caters to Tech-Savvy Homeowner

Home automation systems often blend into their surroundings, and that’s a good thing. But sometimes, as was the case with the owner of this 13,000-square-foot Las Vegas abode, technology deserves to be shown off. And the best place for design and integration team from Lifetronic Systems, of Westport, Conn., to showcase the brawn, brains, and beauty of the Control4 system that manages the sights, sounds, lighting, shades, fountains, security, and other elements, was in a custom-designed racing simulator room. Created as a reflection of the owner’s passion for race car driving, the room features a high-tech simulator for track cars … as well as three full racks of automation gear. To complement the racing theme, each of the 42-space racks were designed to match the simulator and racing equipment: black, yellow labels, and red fans. When the owner starts his race, the lights dim and the shades lower for effect.

Technology In Disguise
This same level of customization is carried throughout the rest of the house, but in other rooms, the technology goes completely unnoticed, as flat-panel TVs masquerade as artwork (Vutec Artscreen) and mirrors (Seura). Elsewhere, underwater swimming pool speakers (Clark Synthesis), motorized doors that can only be open with a code, and 40 surveillance cameras pervade the property. A Lutron HomeWorks system teams up with the Control4 system to control the home’s lights, window treatments, and seven gas fireplaces.

Command from all Corners
Given the sheer number of devices placed under the supervision of the Control4 automation system, the owners would require plenty of ways to engage with the system’s control platform for on-the-spot command over anything and everything in and around the house. Lifetronic Systems appropriately outfitted the residence with a total of 30 Control4 touchscreens, which includes a combination of wall-mounted and portable units. The Control4 mobile app, found on smartphones and tablets, can handle the same tricks when the owner is on the go. Naturally, Lifetronic Systems designed the automation scenarios around the homeowner’s unique needs and comfortability with technology, but took the extra step by creating a step-by-step instructional video on how to use the system for guests to view on an iPad.

Even when the owners are relaxing in their well-appointed back yard, control is never an issue, thanks to a commercial-grade Ruckus Wireless Wi-Fi System. Access points strategically positioned by Lifetronic Systems ensure that commands issued from mobile devices reach the Control4 home automation processors inside without a hitch. Whether they owners and their guests are lounging by the swimming pool, enjoying dinner on the patio, or relaxing by the outdoor fireplace in the evening, music is as their fingertips. They can cue up music from any audio component inside the house and have it delivered to Episode speakers planted within the landscape and/or Clark Synthesis underwater speakers in the swimming pool. Video can travel to the outdoors, too, and is presented by a 55-inch weatherproof Seura Storm TV with a matching Serua soundbar and surround-sound speakers mounted to the ceiling of the cabana. Two Episode subwoofers planted in the ground ensure that bass is never lacking during the action scenes of a movie.

Systems & Equipment
Control: Control4
Whole-House Audio: Control4
Lighting & Shading Control: Lutron
TVs: Samsung, Seura,
Motorized Doors: Doors in Motion
Surround-Sound Speakers: Triad
Whole-House Speakers: Episode
Underwater Speakers: Clark Synthesis
Surveillance Cameras: Honeywell
Networking: Cisco, Ruckus

The Professionals
Systems Design & Installation
Lifetronic Systems
Westport, Conn.
www.lifetronic.net

Builder
Canyon Creek Custom Homes
Las Vegas, Nev.
www.canyoncreekcustomhome.com

Architect
The Cearnal Collective LLP
Santa Barbara, Calif.
www.cearnal.com

Interior Designer
S.B. Long Interiors
Dallas, Texas
www.sblonginteriors.com

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Motorized Electronics: 6 Ways to Show off your Home Tech

Motorization has taken home technology mainstream. By this, I mean that technologies that you might have never considered adding to your house can suddenly make sense when they can be motorized to hide away when they aren’t in use and reveal themselves only when you need them. Items like video projectors can really clash with a traditional family room decor, so motorized lifts offer a way (as long as there is enough room above the ceiling), to hide it so your family room can function as a family room then press a button to command the lift to lower the projector into position when you’d like to watch a movie. However, as shown in this video from Nexus21, the sky is the limit when it comes to motorization. Many manufacturers offer prefabricated lifts for projectors and TV, but lifts can also be customized for unique applications. Be sure to also check out the websites of Future Automation, Auton, Chief, and Inca for other ideas, and consider these popular motorization setups when designing technology into your home.

1. A TV mount equipped with an arm that moves. You’d love to be able to see the TV in the family room more easily while you whip up a snack in the kitchen, but it’s twisted just a little too far to the right. By placing it on a motorized arm that attaches to the wall, you can swivel the TV on command from a remote to face your direction. Similarly, the arm can extend the TV from the wall for a better view then retract it back into place when you’re finished watching it.

2. A credenza fitted with a lift that raises a TV up into view. Nothing beats watching TV in bed, but if you’re not a fan of clutter up your master suite with technology, a bedroom-based display probably clashes with your aesthetic preferences. By having a motorized lift installed inside a credenza at the foot of your bed—or anywhere else for that matter—the TV stays hidden inside until you hit the Play button to signal the lift to raise the TV to the perfect viewing height.

Keep a TV under wraps in a master bedroom by placing it on a motorized lift inside a credenza. Photo courtesy of Nexus21.

3. A motorized cabinet in the kitchen. Would you like to be able to wipe away the coffee maker, the toaster, and other small appliances so your kitchen countertop looks tidier? If you’re willing to sacrifice some cupboard space, a motorized storage area for your countertop clutter can be designed to lower the items completely out of sight then ascend them back onto the countertop when you need them.

There’s no need to clutter the kitchen countertop with small appliances when you can hide them in a pop up storage space the rises from the cabinet below. Photo courtesy of Nexus21

4. Doors and windows that open and close on command. Skylights and huge banks of sliding glass doors
can be a real pain to deal with, making motorized openers extremely appealing as a mode of operation. Instead of having to manually crank open a hard-to-reach skylight, you can press a button on a wall-mounted keypad or remote to do the job in a fraction of the time. And, rather than struggle to push open heavy doors, you can do the same button-press trick without spilling an ounce of your drink.

5. Window treatments that adjust automatically. There are a couple reasons why attaching drapes, shades, and blinds to motorized rollers and tracks is a good idea: One, it makes moving them a cinch, and two, it precludes the need for unsightly pull cords. Manufacturers including Lutron, Crestron, QMotion, Hunter Douglas, and MechoSystems, offer a variety of options (motorized hardware and fabrics) that can fit nearly any size or shape of window.

6. Projectors and screens that roll up into the ceiling. You may not have a spare room available to turn into a home theater, but doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. Available are motorized assemblies that can roll a video projector and projection screen above the ceiling when they aren’t being used, allowing you to maintain the look and feel of your family room, den, or wherever else you want to put the gear. Only at the touch of a button will the screen and projector descend. Bam! You’ve created a room with dual functions.

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Lighting Control Keypads for People with Big Hands

Keypads offered by manufacturers of lighting control systems have historically been some of the prettiest around. Part of the aesthetic appeal can be attributed to the elegant, intricately engraved buttons they brandish. There’s no doubt, the design affords a sleek, streamlined appearance that blends in nicely with the wall surface, but for some people, those tiny buttons can be a real struggle to deal with. Those with big hands or dexterity problems may find it difficult to land a finger on the correct button, especially if they are in a hurry. For this reason, manufacturers including Vantage and Lutron have developed keypads with larger buttons.

One of the first big-button keypad to hit the market was the Palladiom from Lutron. Intended for use with its HomeWorks QS lighting control system, it features buttons and faceplates made of the same material – plastic, glass or metal – for a coordinated aesthetic. Its customizable button layout and programming accommodates virtually any function. Additionally, it has large, tactile buttons with backlit, engraved text that are simple to operate and easy to find in a darkened room. Its variable backlight intensity controlled through Lutron’s Dynamic Backlight Management provides the right brightness for any ambient lighting conditions.

The Vantage wireless RadioLink EasyTouch II keypad, meanwhile, features two programmable buttons for full lighting scene control. It is ideally suited for transition areas such as corridors and hallways, where you are typically passing through quickly.

The new keypad provides seamless scalability and is designed for quick installation without the need to run new wires. RadioLink EasyTouch II can be used in retrofit projects to replace standard 3- or 4-way switches; it can also be used in homes under construction.

RadioLink EasyTouch II keypads feature:
• Laser engraved button text with full range, RGB, adjustable backlighting
• Multi-event programming and control of discreet loads or scenes on a single button
• Hidden, ambient light and IR sensors
• Instant response to button press, regardless of system size
• Consistent look and feel with other EasyTouch II keypad stations
• Custom color options to mix or match finishes for trims, buttons, and faceplates

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Cable Modems: Say Goodbye to Monthly Rental Fees

You can save up to $120 a year if you purchase your own cable modem instead of paying monthly rental fees, according to Linksys, a provider of networking solutions for the home and business. “With rental fees being on average $10 a month, consumers can have our CM3008 paid off in as little as six months and have the latest high performance modem that matches the broadband plan they have subscribed to,” continues Brian Nickell, cable modem product manager at Linksys.

The CM3008 is one of three new cable modems from Linksys – two available now and another coming later this summer. These two new high-speed cable modems, the CM3008 8X4 and the CM3024 24X8, are DOCSIS 3.0 certified, include Intel Puma chipsets and are compatible with major cable service providers including Charter, Comcast Xfinity, Cox and Time Warner Cable. The CM30016 is a 16X4 DOCSIS 3.0 certified cable modem and will be available later this summer. The CM3008 is ideal for subscribers who purchase cable broadband plans up to 100 Mbps, the CM3016 is for subscriptions up to 250Mpbs and the CM3024 is for subscriptions over 250Mbps.

Not sure what you speed is right for you? Linksys offers this advice:
Cable Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer internet packages by speeds. Users can purchase speeds ranging from 25 Mbps all the way up to 1 Gbps. Each of these services requires different modems to support the speed to which you are subscribing. The chart below provides an overview of modems and their features that support an Internet service package by speed. If you don’t know which service package you have, check your Internet service bill or call your service provider.

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 8×4 – CM3008 
Ideal for Internet plans up to 100 Mbps

The Linksys CM3008 DOCSIS 3.0 8X4 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 343 Mbps and upload speeds up to 120 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures you can connect directly to your existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3008 has channel-bonding technology that allows users to get the most out of their existing cable broadband connection. This provides users with stable and high-speed internet connectivity which is ideal for media streaming, online gaming and web browsing.
$59.99

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 – CM3016
Ideal for Internet plans up to 250 Mbps

The Linksys CM3016 DOCSIS 3.0 16X4 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 686 Mbps and upload speeds up to 120 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures users can connect directly to their existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3016 provides a stable, high-speed internet connection for any home. It’s ideal for simultaneous High-Definition (HD) media streaming, online gaming, and web browsing and comes equipped with a variety of features that let users get the most out of their broadband speeds.
Pricing information is currently unavailable

Linksys High Speed Cable Modem, DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 – CM3024
Ideal for Internet plans over 250 Mbps

The Linksys CM3024 DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 Cable Modem delivers high-speed broadband connectivity to your home and office with download speeds up to 960 Mbps and upload speeds up to 240 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed network performance, while DOCSIS 3.0 support ensures users can connect directly to their existing cable broadband service. The Linksys CM3024 provides a stable, high-speed connection for simultaneous 4K media streaming, online gaming, and web browsing. It comes equipped with an Intel Puma 6 chipset and a variety of features that let users get the most out of their broadband speeds.
$129.99

The Linksys CM3008 and CM3024 are available immediately at Linksys.com and at leading retail and online retailers including Amazon, Frys, MicroCenter, Newegg, and Staples. The CM3008 only will be available at HH Gregg and Walmart and the CM3024 only will be available at OD Max and Fred Meyer for MSRP of $59.99 and $129.99, respectively. The CM3016 is planned for availability later this summer.

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