Alice
Gaining its fair share of attention on the Core Brands booth at ISE was ELAN’s announcement that it has re-entered the residential video distribution space after a six-year hiatus.
Shipping late Q1 through to Q2, the new line of HDMI products debuting at ISE included matrix switchers, HDBaseT receivers and transmitters, a Video over IP receiver and transmitter and a Video over IP control module.
“ELAN may be known as the pioneer of smart home control, but the brand’s inception is deeply rooted in audio and video distribution,” explains ELAN product manager, Eric Herdman.
Eric told CE Pro Europe at ISE that as well as residential, the new products can be applied to light commercial applications as well. “Integrators and dealers are pleased that ELAN is back in video distribution,” he said. “We are making their jobs easier, more profitable and more efficient.
“With this introduction, we are configuring video distribution solutions that meet the specific needs of residential installations. ELAN’s new line of HDMI products provides custom installers with a complete range of state-of-the-art options for end-to-end home control and automation solutions.”
ELAN’s HDMI line includes:
The EL-4KPM-V88-A2416 – 4K 8×8 video matrix that is HDCP 2.2 compliant and transmits HDMI, Bi-directional IR and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 100m over a single CAT cable.
The EL-4KPM-V66-A1812 – 4K 6×6 video matrix that is HDCP 2.2 compliant and transmits HDMI, Bi-directional IR and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 100m over a single CAT cable.
The EL-4KM-V88 – 4K 8×8 matrix that is HDCP 2.2 compliant with a combination of 6 HDBaseT and 2 HDMI Outputs that delivers HDMI, Bi-directional IR and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 70m over a single CAT cable.
The EL-4KM-V44-KIT – 4K HDCP 2.2 matrix package that delivers HDMI, Bi-directional IR and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 70m over a single CAT cable that includes 4 HDBaseT receivers.
The EL-4KHDBT-RX-40-IR – HDBaseT receiver that receives HDMI, Bi-directional IR and Bi-directional PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 70m (4K up to 40m).
The EL-4KHDBT-RX-40-IRS – HDBaseT receiver that receives HDMI, RS-232, Bi-directional IR and Bi-directional PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 70m (4K up to 40m).
The EL-4KHDBT-RX-70-E-ARC-IRS – HDBaseT receiver that delivers HDMI, ARC (Audio Return Channel), Ethernet, Bi-directional IR and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 100m over a single CAT cable (4K up to 70m).
The EL-4KHDBT-KIT-40-IRS – HDBaseT Extender that extends HDMI, RS-232, Bi-directional IR & RS232 and Bi-directional PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 70m (4K up to 40m).
The EL-4KHDBT-KIT-70-E-ARC-IRS – HDBaseT Extender that delivers HDMI with HDCP 2.2 support, Bi-directional IR, RS232 and PoH (PoE) up to lengths of 100m (4K up to 70m) over a single CAT cable.
The EL-4KM-VW44 – 4×4 4K Seamless Switching HDMI/VGA Matrix with a video wall and Multi-viewer feature, and enables IR routing, RS-232, IR and TCP/IP Control.
The EL-4KPM-VIP-TX – IP Multicast UHD Video Transmitter that allows virtually latency free (1 frame) distribution of HDMI video over a 1GB Network switch.
The EL-4KPM-VIP-RX – IP Multicast UHD Video Receiver that allows virtually latency free (1 frame) distribution of HDMI video over a 1GB Network switch.
The EL-4KPM-VIP-CTRL – IP Multicast Control module that allows distribution of HDMI video over a 1GB Network switch and simple control of the VoIP system in ELAN projects.
ELAN was also using the exhibition to unveil its new software to the European market. Available now, ELAN 8 adds a new user interface, voice control of all event maps via Amazon Echo, a new integration with the Denon Heos wireless sound system, and new user-managed features.
The ELAN 8 software is now available worldwide, and last month at CES 2017 it was named the ‘Human Interface Product of the Year’ at the Consumer Technology Association’s Mark of Excellence Award Ceremony. With the new ELAN 8, custom installers can now integrate voice control through the Amazon Echo to access ELAN’s common control functions. Already established in the US market, Alexa is now rolling out across Europe.
“The ELAN 8 software update allows custom installers to integrate more devices into the system than ever before,” says Tom McKeon, Core Brands software product manager. “As the connected home market expands, so too does ELAN’s capability to control residential projects of all sizes and complexities. This new software reinforces the fact that ELAN is, and will continue to be, the most intuitive control hub for any smart home.
“Voice control through Alexa gives users one more intuitive way to interface with their ELAN system,” explained Tom. “And of course, this functionality can be used to update existing systems as well as new installations.”
The ELAN 8 software includes a new calendar feature that enables the integration of Microsoft Outlook, Google Gmail and Apple iCal into the ELAN calendar module, plus
enhanced security functionality with a new dynamic video transcoding feature that enables ELAN to pull high bitrate video from popular cameras and door stations, and transcode those videos in real-time.
“Security is an essential element in the connected home, so we’ve worked to make video monitoring even more comprehensive,” Tom adds. “In addition to the new high bitrate video transcoding, ELAN’s new virtual TV monitor feature enables the routing of encoded video directly to an ELAN gTP4, gTP7 or gXP12 touch panel. Additionally, a new ‘door control node’ feature allows homeowners to activate their garage door and receive the status directly on their devices.”
The update includes an all-new media tab and streaming interface (which includes a new ‘zone’ sleep timer function), new slider controls, hundreds of new sub-system icons as well as a new custom tabs option being built into the platform. It also allows installers – and even users – to quickly group zones ‘on the fly’ and toggle between standard zone view and grouping snapshot when needed. Integrators will also enjoy the all-new Auriel Streaming Access, which allows them to easily locate the embedded streaming services on an Auriel audio chassis connected to an ELAN system.
ELAN 8’s new channel guide and TV favourites interface, where end users can manage their own channel favourites, provide installers and end-users alike with more of the flexible elegance they have come to expect from ELAN.