Redmond, WA — Concurrent with sobering news that it is cutting 5,000 jobs, Microsoft Corp. has announced its platinum-level sponsorship for the New American Home 2009, as the house debuts at the 2009 International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas. A reflection of the luxury lifestyle, the New American Home incorporates visionary design that seamlessly integrates the outdoors into the home and state-of-the-art technology demonstrating the power of the connected home using Windows Media Center as the hub of entertainment and home management.
According to a source for Microsoft, none of its staffing cuts affected leadership in the division focused on the custom installation channel. It is that segment of Microsoft’s business that is most prominently displayed in the model home in Las Vegas.
“Microsoft is proud to have Windows Media Center at the core of the connected home technology in this house,” said Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division, at Microsoft. “With Windows Media Center, the owners of the home can enjoy high-definition (HD) TV, videos and photos throughout the 11 HD displays in the house; listen to music anywhere on the property; and control all the lighting and security from mobile control devices. This home allows anyone to see how truly integrated a connected home lifestyle can be with shipping products, and provides insight to builders on what they can easily integrate into their customers’ homes.”
Technology in the New American Home embraces the luxury digital home philosophy through high-end audio and video electronics and whole-home connectivity from some of the leading manufacturers in the industry. Equipment includes the following:
- Ten LCD 1080p flat panels from Toshiba America Consumer Products LLC
- 16-zone Grand Concerto multiroom audio system from NuVo Technologies Inc.
- 40 in-wall and in-ceiling speakers from Paradigm’s AMS and SA Series
- AVM 50 preamplifier/processor and MCA and PVA Series multichannel amplifiers from Anthem
- DLA-RS2 1080p HD projector from JVC Worldwide
- StudioTek 130 G3 projection screen from Stewart Filmscreen Corp.
- MX-980 and MX-880 remote controls and the MX-3000 color touch screen with the MRF-350 and MRF-260 radio frequency base stations from Universal Remote Control Inc.
- Life-ware automation software, four Life-point touch panels, one Life-controller automation controller, and two Life-media 450 media servers running Windows Media Center in Windows Vista
All integration, installation and programming of the technology in the New American Home was completed by Salt Lake City, Utah-based company Imperium Smart Systems and its team of professional installers who specialize in Windows Media Center installations. More information is available at www.imperiumsmartsystems.com.
Each year, the New American Home demonstrates use of innovative building materials, cutting-edge design, and the latest construction techniques, providing production homebuilders with an example for producing more energy-efficient, durable homes without sacrificing style. Sponsored by the National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) and built by Las Vegas-based luxury builder Blue Heron, the New American Home is not only the official showcase house of the annual International Builders Show, but is also a for-sale product. The majority of features and innovations in the home are accessible to both builders and consumers for integration into their own homes.
“The New American Home 2009 is the most technologically advanced home in the 26-year history of the series,” said Sandy Dunn, chairman of the board of NAHB and a builder from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. “The builder — Blue Heron — and the folks at NCHI have all worked very closely with Microsoft to design a home technology system that is truly on the leading edge. This isn’t technology for technology’s sake. This is technology that makes this home more energy-efficient, more user-friendly and more fun.”
Located 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and Visitors Authority, and just five minutes from the airport and the Las Vegas Strip, this year’s show home is on a half-acre lot in a neighborhood with an interesting slice of Las Vegas history. Over the years neighbors of the property have included Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, boxers Mike Tyson and Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, and the Sultan of Brunei.
“The New American Home will serve as the centerpiece to the ultraexclusive Marquis Las Vegas community. Catered toward homeowners who appreciate the bold intersection of architectural advancement and luxury living, these elegant custom homes provide ecologically smart designs and the latest in smart home technology,” said Tyler Jones, a principal of Blue Heron.
More information on the 2009 New American Home is available at www.tnah.com.
