Fusion Research has launched a new IP control for Amazon Fire TV and produced two-way IP drivers for Control4, RTI, and URC automation systems.
Amazon’s Fire TV & Fire TV Stick are two of the fastest growing products in the video streaming category. Amazon Prime users get free access to original Amazon programming as well as many other choices including Hulu, Netflix, and HBO programming. The Fire TV claims the prize as the most powerful streaming box on the market with quad core processing and stunning graphics as well as Dolby Digital Plus and 7.1 channel audio available.
“One challenge up to this point, has been how to incorporate the Fire TV into a control job,” shared Ingo Schmoldt VP of Sales for Fusion Research. “As dealers may know, the Fire TV’s remote uses Bluetooth technology and has no IR control capability. This makes it difficult to incorporate into a home automation solution. There are some workarounds using a MCE external IR dongle, but it’s certainly not an ideal solution. Now, with IP control, dealers will be able to fully incorporate an Amazon Fire TV into their client’s projects.”
The new drivers are available directly from Fusion’s newly launched website for $49.95 per project. (One driver can be used for multiple Fire TV’s in a single installation.) The driver features two-way feedback between the Amazon unit and the automation controller, including knowing when the Fire TV is in Awake, Sleep or Hibernate mode and responding accordingly. There is no voice control on this driver since there’s no way to capture voice on the various controllers from the automation companies. The company plans on developing a Savant driver and others in the near future.
