Sony and Control4 have partnered up on a new audio video receiver encompassing a complete home automation system built in, the two companies announced at CEDIA EXPO.
Neal Manowitz (left), director, home division, home audio & video, Sony Electronics and Martin Plaehn, president and CEO, Control4.
The STR-DA5800ES and STR-DA2800ES both contain the full Control4 software suite and differ by their levels of AV performance. The 5800 is the “ultimate home theater,” said Neal Manowitz, Sony director, home division, with 180w per channel, 9.2 channels, wideband amplification, new circuit board grounding system, and new DSP technology that “virtually lifts the center channel,” Manowitz said.
“Whatever you throw at [the 5800], it can handle,” he continued.
Other features include three HDMI outputs and support for 4K upscaling and 4K pass through technology. The third HDMI out is for a second zone with 4K. “These things are top-notch,” Manowitz asserted.
An integrated media streamer renders a third-party box unnecessary; over 30 music and video streaming service providers are included. “Sony is the only one that does that,” in an AVR, according to Manowitz.
There are two levels of home automation available, including an out-of-the-box solution with a setup wizard consumers can use to set up an entire rack of gear and the receiver controls all automation control. The other option is for dealers to enable the Control4 automation functionality with an activation code for $300. Programming is conducted with Control4’s Composer software suite to fully control audio, video, lighting, thermostats, energy management, security, and mobile access.
All functions can be controlled from Sony’s free Apple iOS and Android ES apps. Additionally, the ES receivers include Control4 simple device discovery protocol (SDDP), Crestron Connected, and AMX Device Discovery to simplify integration regardless of the home control system.
