The Continuing POWER of the Remote
Thinking beyond the TV and Stereo
David Mink gatehouse plus

Technological advancements are generally brought about by a need for greater control. For instance, computers throughout the years have significantly dropped in size. What was once a three-room behemoth is now a lap-top notebook, no heavier than a 32-ounce fountain drink. While dropping in size, however, their power and usability has increased 100-fold - the aforementioned three-room computer completed one menial task, while our home PCs complete thousands of functions and provide us with scores of programs to micromanage our lives.

In the spirit of increased control now comes the RCS CommStar CS30 Network Control Unit. This bad boy, in conjunction with your home computer and the 256 lighting/ appliance/heating units it is compatible with, can consolidate nearly every function of your daily life.

Imagine setting a lighting mood with the touch of a button. Or being alerted that you accidentally left the garage door open. Or going on vacation and programming your heating system to keep the temperature at 73 degrees for four days, 71 degrees for the next two days and 75 degrees the day you plan to arrive home.

The CommStar system works in conjunction with your PC to automate your household. You simply open up the correlating software and create a schedule for your heating system, sprinkler system, lighting system, automated drape system, home theater system and any other system incorporated in your home. You then upload the data into the CommStar unit and let it do the work.

A real-time clock inside the CommStar unit allows you to program up to 1,000 timed events. When you go away for the weekend, CommStar will water your lawn. During long trips, CommStar will switch on the lights late at night to bolster your home security system.

Not only that, but the unit also has eight analog inputs and 16 digital inputs for monitoring magnetic contacts and motion sensors. So creating a schedule in which the CommStar only heats rooms in your home that are currently occupied is also an option, among many others.

Control has reached the 21st century. Visit smarthome. com and smarthomeusa.com for more details and the latest advances in home technology.

Did you know?

The application of automated technology to the home is called "domotics." Domotics research is making large advancements in today's society and has significantly outjumped the automated homes of the 1950s, which had dishwashers popping up out of counter tops. Scientists now envision a home with several computers fitted into the walls for larger control. Smart sensors now can also recognize family members by their body heat and style of motion.