AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 7 February 2018 — Smart home control and automation leader Nice/ELAN®, from Nice North America (NSC), today announced that Chowmain, leading driver developer specializing in home automation, is bringing its talents to the Nice/ELAN platform. Eight new drivers are now available through the Nice/ELAN 8.2 software release. The new software is now on display at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam in the RAI Convention Center in Nice North America Stand 1-N50.

According to NSC Director of Software Product Management Tom McKeon, Chowmain Managing Director Alan Chow has teamed up with Nice/ELAN to build new drivers that expand the subsystem functionality custom installers can offer their clients. “We have been working closely with Alan to bring eight new drivers to the platform, and we are looking forward to introducing them to our dealers with the release of the 8.2 software,” he said.

“Over the past year, the Nice/ELAN team has helped us hone in on where to focus our energy, and which specific drivers to develop that will have an impact on dealers’ business,” Chow commented. “As a result, our new drivers extend Nice/ELAN’s platform into a new realm of online control and consumer-friendly devices.”

The new drivers, available in Nice/ELAN’s 8.2 software release, include:

• Oppo Blu-Ray Player: The Oppo Blu-Ray® driver for Nice/ELAN provides the most advanced 2-way feedback and control for any Blu-Ray player integrated into the system. Installers can now create the ideal automated media experience for their customers by providing automated control over projection modes, screen masking, room lighting, as well as the automated startup of a room based on video disc or audio disc detection.
• IFTTT Maker: IFTTT (an abbreviation of “If This, Then That”) is a free web-based service that now allows Nice/ELAN installers to seamlessly create chains of simple conditional statements, or “recipes,” that are triggered based on changes to other web services and products. IFTTT integration enables Nice/ELAN to control any of the products or services integrated into IFTTT. As such, Nice/ELAN will now integrate with Google Home and provide Geofencing support – among many other features.
• Nvidia Shield/Amazon Fire TV: The new irUSB driver for Nice/ELAN provides IP-based control over Android devices like the Amazon FireTV®, Nvidia Shield®, and more, with full transport control as well as the ability to launch applications programmatically. Users can now simply click on the Netflix®, Hulu®, or YouTube® icons on the Nice/ELAN interface and the respective apps will automatically launch.
• PJ Link Universal Projector: The PJ Link Universal Projector driver for Nice/ELAN provides two-way IP control over leading projectors from manufacturers including Benq®, Mitsubishi Electric, InFocus, NEC®, Casio®, Canon®, Sharp®, Sky®, Seiko Epson®, Sony®, Panasonic®, Hitachi®, Ricoh®, and others.
• British Sky+ HD/Sky Q Driver: The British Sky+ HD/Sky Q® driver for Nice/ELAN provides IP control over the British Sky+ HD & Sky Q/Sky Q mini set top boxes, along with the ability to view channels with artwork directly from the Nice/ELAN interface.
• IntesisBox: The IntesisBox driver for Nice/ELAN provides integration with various HVAC systems using either a universal IntesisBox (IR control, IR feedback and temperature sensor) or a specific IntesisBox (which connects directly to the system’s communication bus). Models can be retrofitted easily, as they are WiFi controlled, and most can be powered directly from the HVAC system or 5vdc. HVAC systems supported include Daikin®, Fujitsu®, LG®, Mitsubishi®, Panasonic®, Samsung®, Sanyo®, Toshiba®, and others.
• Belkin Wemo: The Belkin Wemo® driver for Nice/ELAN provides seamless on/off control of the popular WiFi-controlled power output, which is available for purchase worldwide.
• Command to Event Driver: The Command to Event driver for Nice/ELAN allows dealers to override existing remote-control buttons to launch event maps (multiple events from a single command). For example, installers can now configure a one-way IR Blu-Ray driver to the dim lights when played, or assign a hard button to execute a sequence of customized commands.

Chowmain is now offering a free dealer showroom license to all Nice/ELAN dealers to streamline the education process, and ultimately assist them in introducing new features to their customers. “We want Nice/ELAN dealers to understand our drivers inside and out, with no barrier to entry,” Chow commented. “Our dealer showroom licensing is 100% free, and it is something that all interested Nice/ELAN dealers can begin taking advantage of!”

“The introduction of these eight new drivers is just the beginning of what custom installers can expect from Nice/ELAN’s expanded API,” says McKeon. “We are working closely with Chowmain to further enhance our API, and enrich the Nice/ELAN experience for dealers and end-users alike. Our goal is to enable our installers to continue building customized automation systems that integrate with the industry’s most innovative devices and applications.”

For more information, visit Nice North America Stand 1-N50 at ISE 2018.

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