More Pronto News - Crestron

["Mark McCall" <mark@xxxxxxx>]

http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=504

Philips And Crestron Team To Create Cutting-Edge Home Control Solutions

September 23, 2002

Crestron Introduces MT-500C MiniTouch Based on Philips’
Award-winning Pronto
Platform and Integrates Crestron Technologies into Philips’ Control
Products

SUNNYVALE, Calif., September 23, 2002—Royal Philips Electronics
(AEX: PHI,
NYSE: PHG) today announced it has entered into a strategic relationship
with
Crestron Electronics, Inc., a recognized leader in the control and
integration of audio, video and home control devices.  As part of this
effort, Crestron will unveil the first advanced control device stemming
from
this collaboration—the MT-500C MiniTouch—and demonstrate the
integration of
Crestron Technologies into the Philips’ home control products.
At the CEDIA Expo in Minneapolis, Minn., to be held September 27-29, 2002,
Crestron will introduce the MT-500C MiniTouch, which features a 3.8-inch
color touch screen display with eight programmable push buttons.  Its
100-foot radio frequency (RF) wireless range makes the MiniTouch an ideal
control device for Crestron’s CNRFGWA-418 RF Gateway and Crestron
2-Series
control systems.  MiniTouch is programmed with Crestron’s VT-Pro-e
software
for home control.
“Crestron has established a strong market position in the home
entertainment
market and is a leading brand among the installer community,” said
Xavier
Delmeiren, vice president, Philips Components’ Remote Control
Systems group.
“The Philips technologies (Pronto and Pronto ++) are unique in their
ability
to accelerate the development of products that provide an ‘easy to
use’ user
experience within a connected home.  As the connected home market grows
quickly around the world, both companies will be well positioned to
capitalize on the new opportunities in home entertainment.”
During CEDIA Expo, Philips will be introducing its new Pronto family
member,
leveraging its recently announced Pronto ++ Software & Systems
platform,
which will be seamlessly integrated into Crestron’s home control
system
solution thanks, in part, to a fully customized user interface (UI).
“After many requests from customers and dealers to integrate our
range of
control systems with the Philips Pronto, we’re very excited about
this
partnership,” says Crestron Executive Vice President Randy Klein. 
“The
first result of this partnership, the new MiniTouch, is an outstanding
combination of our technologies and answers those many requests in the best
possible way.”
Both Philips and Crestron will showcase products at CEDIA Expo, which will
be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  During this 3-day
exhibition,
Philips will demonstrate its advanced suite of remote control technology at
booth #109, while Crestron will showcase the MiniTouch MT-500C and other
new
devices within its product portfolio at booth #171.