Harman KardonÆ Releases New Software For Take Controlô Touchscreen System Control
Harman Kardon announced today that is has released a major system upgrade to its highly acclaimed Take Control touchscreen system controller, the worldís most advanced all-in-one system remote control. The Version 1.5 upgrade includes a new operating system for the remote unit itself, as well as a new version of the Take Control Editor software. Together, these two software upgrades add faster performance and a host of new features. Version 1.5 is available at no charge to current Take Control owners, who can download it from Harman Kardonís Web site, www.harmankardon.com. The Version 1.5 upgrade will also be available on CD-ROM for a nominal charge for those without Internet access. Take Control units with the new Version 1.5 upgrade will ship to dealers this fall. With Version 1.5, Take Control is even easier to use than before, making it possible to operate even the most complex home-entertainment systems with just the press of a virtual touchscreen ""button."" Developed in conjunction with Microsoft® Corporation, Take Control puts an end to remote control clutter and confusion, eliminating the need for multiple remotes by providing total, effortless control of virtually any component in an audio, video or home-theater system from a single device. The new Take Control Version 1.5 upgrade includes a number of significant improvements, including the following: Faster overall performance and responsiveness to commands. Improved IR range. Additional built-in product control codes to its already extensive library for compatibility with more models and brands of home-entertainment products and Lutron custom-lighting systems. Enhanced navigation shortcuts, available on more menu screens. User-selectable icons for activities, macros and devices. Additional functionality for Take Controlís exclusive scroll wheel, including fast forward and fast reverse when a VCR or DVD player is in use. A Settings Lock-Out feature to prevent accidental programming changes from being made on the remote. More precise timing increments when using macros, for example, Take Control may be programmed to turn on a cable box, pause a half second, and then turn on a TV and VCR at one second increments. The ability to run the Take Control Editor software directly from a computerís hard drive without requiring the CD-ROM, for faster performance. Installation of the new software is simple once the program is downloaded from the Harman Kardon Web site. The new software is completely compatible with usersí existing set up configurations and remote-code settings, and there is no loss of previously entered data or need for file conversion. Harman Kardonís Take Control is ideal for every home-entertainment system - from the simplest to the most sophisticated. Take Control can operate any component that responds to IR control, including TVs, VCRs, cable boxes, DVD-video players, satellite systems, A/V receivers, stereo components and more. It can even control remote-controlled blinds or lighting! Although itís the most versatile remote ever created, Take Control is also the easiest to program and use - guiding users through every step of the setup process in simple, plain English. In fact, Take Control is actually fun to program and operate - and makes conventional remotes and even other all-in-one remotes seem clunky and awkward by comparison. Take Control is the first remote designed to operate the way people think, organizing the operation of the various components in a home-entertainment system into personalized ""activity screens"" that correspond to what the user wants to do with their system - such as ""Watch TV"" or ""Listen to a CD."" During the setup process, Take Controlís Setup Wizard software ""asks"" a series of questions about the components in the system and automatically assigns them to the desired activities. The setup process is simple and intuitive. Because Take Control comes already programmed with the codes for hundreds of popular audio and home-theater components, users can program devices into Take Control using their brand names, without having to look up and manually enter code numbers. To accommodate products not in its memory, Take Control also offers full IR-learning capability. When setup is completed, each activity can be controlled from just a single touchscreen that works in combination with a unique scroll wheel and a few buttons. The touchscreens feature ""virtual"" buttons that automatically reconfigure themselves according to the activity selected, displaying only the controls needed for that activity and eliminating the ""button clutter"" and switching between menus of conventional remotes. For example, if ""Watch TV"" is selected as an activity, a single touchscreen can display the audio controls from an A/V receiver, video controls from a TV set, channel selection from a cable box and transport controls from a VCR or DVD-video player. Take Controlís feature-packed Version 1.5 upgrade makes it one of the worldís most versatile and flexible system controller. Using the Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT-compatible Take Control Editor Version 1.5 upgrade and a compatible personal computer, users may customize its operation and enhance its capabilities even further. When Take Control is connected to a PC, its touchscreen buttons may be arranged, reprogrammed or custom-named to reflect personal preferences. Activities and menu screens can also be named according to preference, such as ""Watch Living Room TV,"" ""Listen to Music in Den,"" ""Dadís Football Channel"" and so on. The software also permits creation of macro commands that allow a number of commands to be sent at a single touch. The ""drag-and-drop"" interface makes it a breeze to customize activity screens and control panels, even for a novice. Take Control can be tailored to meet virtually every user and system requirement, whether a simple TV/VCR combination or the most sophisticated home-theater installation. In fact, all family members can store their own custom preferences to best accommodate their needs. For example, Take Control can be programmed to enable even a child to turn on a TV, VCR, cable box and A/V receiver already set to a desired channel and volume - all at the touch of a single button. Take Control also includes a number of convenience features that enhance its ease of use, such as a built-in clock, a speaker that beeps when a command is entered, adjustable display contrast, and more. Itís truly one of the most useful and versatile remote control ever created. The complete Version 1.5 upgrade is available free of charge to current Take Control owners when it is downloaded from www.harmankardon.com. A CD-ROM version of the upgrade will be available in August for a nominal charge of $9.95, including shipping and handling. Consumers can place an order for the CD-ROM by calling 800-645-7484 x6115. Take Control is available from Harman Kardon dealers worldwide at a suggested retail price of $349, including the remote unit, batteries, a serial cable to connect to a PC and CD-ROM software. Harman Kardon is part of the Harman Consumer Group (HCG), which includes the worldwide operations of Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, Citation, Audio Access, Mark Levinson, Proceed and Revel. HCG is part of Harman International Industries, Inc., worldwide manufacturers and marketers of professional, OEM and consumer audio/video products. (NYSE: HAR). For more information, contact 516 496 3400 or visit the Web site at www.harmankardon.com.