Audio Video News

One of the most difficult aspects of home entertainment systems is getting equipment from many different manufacturers to operate as one system. It's bad enough with a simple video-and-sound setup, but add projector, screen, drapes, lighting, and security, and you've got a technical nightmare.

To the rescue comes Madrigal Audio Laboratories. The Middletown, CT-based high-end manufacturer has just announced its new Audioaccess PX-700 Touchscreen Controller (ATC) for multi-room systems. The ATC not only integrates basic functions such as source selection and volume, but also allows direct control over every component in a system. An RS-232/422 computer interface allows further expansion beyond that capable with an ordinary learning remote---such as controlling lights and external security systems. A "librarian" function lets the ATC work as a sort of jukebox manager, selecting music by title, artist, or genre for any part of a multi-room system.

Madrigal has made the installation and integration of the ATC easy with the inclusion of a set of "pre-loaded templates" that are said to speed up the programming for the device. "The new Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller represents a significant advance in the technology of providing enhanced control functions within a multi-room system while maintaining the classic Audioaccess ease-of-use interface,'" says company CEO Phil Muzio of the PX-700. "We feel that the ATC will be an exciting addition to the expanding Audioaccess line."

Available in four colors---white, ivory, almond, and black---the ATC retails for $1200. Separate mounting brackets and in-wall electrical boxes are available for installations that require them. The PX-700 ATC should arrive at Audioaccess dealers this month.