Brea, CA – February 2010… Altinex, a leading manufacturer of Modular AV Solutions™, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new offering in the company’s Neutron Series controller line: the CP500-100 Controller. Designed to extend the capabilities of the company’s highly regarded MultiTouch line of touch panels, the Neutron CP500-100 is a rackmountable, 1RU controller that is ideal for use in installations where a sizeable number of components must interact , including large boardrooms and presentation spaces, lecture halls, residential control systems, and operations centers.
Providing multi-point device control and the ability to reside in any standard 19-inch equipment rack, the Ethernet-based, Neutron CP500-100 Controller supports multiple Altinex MultiTouch touch panels and provides control of up to eight RS-232 bi-directional devices, eight IR (infrared) devices, eight Relay-based devices, and eight Sensor devices—making it the ideal large system controller for managing projectors and LCD/Plasma display panels, lighting, motorized equipment such as drapes or drop-down screens, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
The Altinex Neutron CP500-100 Controller offers a 12V DC power terminal block, an RJ-45 Ethernet port and multiple 5-pin terminal blocks—four each for the Sensor inputs, the Relay-based devices, RS-232 devices, and IR control. The Neutron Controller is designed to work with a wide variety of sensors, including motion sensors, IR detectors, AC Power sensors, Video Signal detectors, and RF detectors. The four Sensor inputs accept sensor output voltages up to 24 VDC and each sensor input has an independent trigger level setting that can be used to determine if a sensor has been “tripped” or “activated” based on movement, occupancy, etc.—depending on the sensor type.
The Neutron Controller’s eight relays can be used to control external devices such as a projector screen and can also be used to route power to low power DC devices. The Neutron Controller’s eight bi-directional RS-232 COM ports are able to communicate with virtually any serial device such as computers and control systems. Each port can be individually set with different baud rates, parity, stop bits, and data bits—enabling a control application to operate different devices from a single remote location through the TCP connection via Ethernet. LED indicators on the rear of the controller show Ethernet activity and verify that the RS-232 has been wired properly.
Supporting three distinct methods for IP control, the Neutron CP500-100 Controller’s IR capabilities are extensive. Using an IR receiver such as the Altinex AC301-103, an AV system can be created that enables a user to aim a remote control at a wall mount or other receiver and then automatically redirect the remote control's signal to the IR emitters connected to the two output pins of the controller. Alternately, a computer, controller, or other device can send IR command strings from the Altinex IR library directly to the Neutron Controller using an Altinex MultiTouch panel. Further, IR commands can be stored in the Neutron's internal memory for the purpose of controlling external devices.
Phil Hale, Altinex Vice President of Sales and Marketing, commented on the company’s new Neutron CP500-100 Controller. “The CP500-100 Controller builds upon the capabilities of its smaller sibling, the CP500-110 Mini-Controller, and extends the level of control and connectivity exponentially,” explained Hale. “Compared to the Neutron CP500-110 Mini-Controller, the new CP-500-100 Controller offers four times the number of ports at three times the price—making this unit an exceptional value for large AV systems while delivering excellent return on investment (ROI). This new unit takes our company’s already powerful MultiTouch panels and makes them even more capable by facilitating control over more devices—and this includes remote operation utilizing the existing architecture of an Ethernet network. With its ability to control a wide range of display devices, lighting controls, motorized shades, drapes, and screens, plus HVAC systems, I’m confident system designers and integrators will find the CP500-100 Controller to be a great choice for a wide range of AV projects.”
The new Altinex Neutron PR CP500-100 Controller carries a MSRP of $2,100. The unit is expected to be available in April 2010.
About Altinex
Founded in 1993, Altinex, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of Modular AV Solutions™. The company offers a comprehensive line of matrix switchers, connectivity products, and color touch panel and control products. Altinex is an ISO 9001:2008 certified corporation that conducts all R&D, design, manufacturing, marketing, and sales from its corporate headquarters in Brea, California, USA. For additional information, visit the company online at www.altinex.com or contact them directly at 1.800.ALTINEX or 714.990.2300.
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