Calrad is currently working on various new prototypes for the next xLobby hardware platform named (Noir) expected out early January 2010 to compliment existing hardware. These new pieces of hardware will fearture full passive cooling with no fans, optional built-in wi-fi, optional optical drives, optional solid state hard drives with hardware to support standard mpeg video playback or standard mpeg + blu-ray playback. Operates from either from 110Vac or 12Vdc, optional 19″ Rack mounting kits. Support options for component, DVI, HDMI, VGA video. Lots of exciting things are planned for 2010. Detailed specifications and more images available soon, stay tunned.

95-2010BR Noir xLobby Bluray Client Brochure: http://www.xlobby.com/pdf/xLobby%20Noir%20Series%20Brochure.pdf

Front of xLobby-Noir Series

Rear of xLobby-Noir Series

Sitting up View of xLobby-Noir Series

xLobby-Noir Series with optical drive

Inside view of the most rescent xLobby-Noir prototype Hardware.

Wes Black \ Calrad

xLobby V3 – 3.0.9317.89
=======================
– 0000719: [plugin] xweather not downloading weather information correctly (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000723: [setup] new update system built into F2 setup, stable and bleeding edge releases available (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000722: [skin editor] skin editor closes after 30 min of being open (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000716: [triggers] keyboard trigers on left/right etc still call the default handlers (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000721: [generic] external web browser does not respond to browser commands (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000720: [setup] check box under client setup to always send com port and ir command to server (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000724: [skin editor] when changing screen set event editor to null (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000718: [animation] Gifs don’t work properly – they appear to “reload after each loop” (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000717: [generic] if i use setvariable to update a value on the playlist, it does not show the new value (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000707: [triggers] allow keyboard for all keys (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000726: [skin editor] add usbuirt zone description to drop down box (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000725: [skin editor] some server commands disabled when skin editor is open on server (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

Wes Black

L.E.D lighting provides many benefits to conventional lighting, 1. No heat, 2. Low operating costs, 3. Flexibility of changing lighting brightness with  various color combinations to suit different environments, 4. The ease of bending and creating different lighting elements, 5. Indoor/outdoor use, 6. Low voltage DC power.  xLobby can control L.E.D. style lighting in several different ways,  manual controller, IR or IR+RS232 controllers. Calrad now carries L.E.D lighting products, below are two brochures. White L.E.D strip lighting, Part No. 92-300, RGB L.E.D strip lighting,  Part No. 92-301.

92-341 IR RGB lighting controller Brochure PDF File: Calrad-xLobby L.E.D lighting, IR Remote RGB Controller

 92-340 Manual RGB lighting controller Brochure PDF File: Calrad-xLobby L.E.D lighting, Manual RGB Controller

Floor, Ceiling, Touchscreen L.E.D strip lighting

Ceiling L.E.D strip lighting

Information on L.E.D’s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode

Wes Black

Using xLobbys xcontroller service you can control any RS232 device with full 2 way communication, any xLobby hard wired clients or wireless xLobby webtablets that are connected to the network has access to the resources of Xantech hardware. One way communication is also available directly from the core resource events (RS232) in xLobby without using the xLobby xcontroller service. We will be adding basic control menus for Xantech to be included in future releases of xlobby this will assist users in setting up Xantech hardware quickly for xLobby to control.

xLobby Basic Xantech control  menu

The settings below mut be properly setup in order for the xLobby xController service to communicate with the Xantech MRC88M Controller/Amplifier.

xantech rs232 project settings, com port settings

1. xantech’s rs232 router enable, checked
2. router’s default port enabled, checked
3. default router port 1
4. router port 1
5. 9600-8-N-1
6. Process RS232 Input, checked

Xantech Dragon Drop RS232 Setup Screenshot

xLobby xController Sevice Screenshot communicating with the Xantech MRC88M

Xantech MRC88M Eight Zone/Source Audio/Video Controller/Amplifier

Front

Back

The MRC88M is an eight-source, eight-zone A/V distribution amplifier that allows the control and distribution of eight separate source components to eight different zones, with the capacity to expand to up to sixteen zones of control and distribution. It allows control of source components through both RS232 and IR.

Features:

• Eight Audio inputs
• Eight Video inputs
• Eight zone-specific outputs
• Expandable to 16 zones
• Six Zone built-in amplification
• Controllable through SPLCD SmartPad LCD™ as well as dedicated MRC88 keypads
• Easily programmed through Universal Dragon-Drop IR™ software
• Programmable macros allows simplified device control
• Intelligent Power Management for positive device control through video and current sense on _all 8 source      inputs
• 16 routable IR ports
• Two routable bi-directional RS232 ports
• Also available in 230 VAC / 50 Hz.

RS232 Codes: http://www.xantech.com/products/av_distribution/MRC2%20RS232%20Comm.pdf

Using the expansion port from the MRC88M  provides communicaion to connect either Xantech HD44C (4 x 4) or HD88C (8 x 8) component video matrix switchers.

Front

Source Loop-Through Connection
The source inputs are buffered to provide an output at the same level as the input; i.e. Unity Gain (assuming a 75-ohm termination is on the output). Use these connections for HD88 expansion systems. The buffers are an active circuit. The HD88 must be powered on for an active connection. The jacks are color-coordinated to match the HD source component output color scheme.

Source Inputs
These are Gold-plated RCA jacks providing a connection from the output of a source component to the video matrix switcher. The jacks are color-coordinated to match the HD source component output color scheme.

RS232 (Serial) Commands and Expansion
The RS232 Port is bi-directional. The communication parameters are set to 9600 Baud 8-N-1. The 8-Source, 8-Zone HD Video Matrix Switcher can be expanded into larger systems. By using any using multiple (up to four) units, a larger High-Definition distribution system can be created for up to 32 Zones of Component Video and Digital Audio Distribution. The expanded units must have their own unique address. The included RS232 expansion cable allows the units to be daisy-chained via the RS232 control ports. This is done by connecting the SERIAL LINK port of the master to the XANTECH COM PORT of the other unit. The XANTECH COM PORT of the master is utilized to provide control of the entire system. Note that the Master is the main controlling unit. This unit is in charge of coordinating the communications between all expanded units. It is identified as the master by the unit address assigned to it.

IR Bus
The IR-IN port utilizes a 3.5mm mono jack. Use this port to connect to an IR emitter output port of a Xantech connecting block.

Xantech website: http://www.xantech.com/

Wes Black