In an effort to provide Niveus Media Server and Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition owners a higher end movie experience, Niveus Media has integrated the ability for people to download HD quality feature films from HDGIANTS’ movie collection directly through the company’s Niveus Movie Library application. The Niveus Movie Library, for those unfamiliar, is a proprietary movie management application that aggregates and displays stored — and now… available — movies along with high-res cover art and detailed metadata. According to the press release attached below, all movies downloaded from the service will be accessible from the system they were downloaded to as well as Media Center Extenders and other network PCs. Unfortunately, there’s no word on pricing for each HD title, but a preview of the selection can be viewed here.

CORRECTION: Just got an email from Niveus stating the following: “The movies are not downloaded via Niveus Movie Library (or any medium for that matter). The customer orders the movie package from the dealer and HDGIANTS sends the dealer a hard drive with the content. The dealer then loads the content onto the customer’s server and it is integrated into the Movie Library.” Sorry, folks. The press release gave me a different impression after reading it. However, now that we’re getting clarification on how the process works… too bad it’s not the case as previously thought (in regards to downloading HD movies directly through the Niveus Movie Library application).

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iPhone home automation apps have been all the rage of late, but INNOVUS Home Automation has found another compelling and fairly inexpensive platform to tie their service into… the Squeezebox Duet music system. With the MyHome Plugin and the accompanying INNOVUS House Control solution products, users can manage their music, control lights throughout the home, turn on/off electronic devices, open/close curtains, adjust room temperature, and more. Hat tip goes to Automated Home for posting the press details of the announcement (including the custom graphic presented above).

The holy grail of home automation and technology is to have every device in the home integrated together. Unfortunately, the cost to do that still remains too high for the average consumer, especially now. It is with those ideas in mind that Engadget has reviewed Embedded Automation’s mPanel; a seven-inch, in-wall, touch panel that can integrate the entire home, and retails for $999. While it is not the only device needed for full home automation, as the hub, it is the most important. MORE »

Automated Home is reporting that their contacts at AlertMe are getting ready to launch their new Energy Saving Range in the next few weeks. What currently stands out from the offering is a new device called the SmartPlug, which is a dual-purpose home automation device that helps the company’s AlertMe Hub track actual energy usage from whatever electrical product it has connected to it. In addition, the AlertMe Hub will also transmit its gathered data to the AlertMe servers so users can view their usage via a web browser. Also of interest… the company has launched a new iPhone / iPod Touch web app for system management at mobile.alertme.com.

I’ve got to hand it to Ecobee for “getting it” when it comes to creating a product that’s easy to operate and administer. I’m mean seriously… who doesn’t like a gadget that can be hooked up to your wireless network and give you remote access from any web browser? Even better, one that can save you money in the long run and help your home consume energy more responsibly? Well, that’s pretty much what you get with the Ecobee’s programmable Wi-Fi thermostat. Ecobee has designed their Smart Thermostat to replace your outdated manual setting thermostat for a 21st century smart device that’s programmable to a degree that would make even modern off-the-shelf products envious. The Ecobee Thermostat offers a large 3.5-inch touch screen, 7-day programming, a personalized management web portal, live weather forecasts, email / SMS alerts, diagnostic alerts, maintenance reminders, and even electricity consumption monitoring of your home devices using its optional Smart Energy Modules. Availability: Early 2009 | MSRP $385 [via]

Just when things were beginning to appear a little stale on the NAS (network-attached storage) front, Iomega has stepped up to the plate with a compact and powerful budget priced solution called the Iomega StorCenter ix2 [promo video | flickr gallery]. What make this device special is that it includes features of more expensive models and does so at a price that most of us can realistically afford. Some of the product’s highlights include: 4-click configuration software for easy setup, Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly download data and media from your cell phone and other portable devices, a foot print no bigger than a large dictionary, DLNA / UPnP support for serving streaming media to compatible devices, iTunes media server integration, compatibility with Axis video surveillance cameras for recording activity, print server capable, and network access support for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. MSRP $299 for 1TB and $479 for 2TB of storage. Amazing. MORE »

The average consumer makes their first entry into the integrated world through the remote control. It is no wonder then that the remote manufacturers are producing low cost universal remotes that will entice said average consumer. What is surprising is that Logitech has not made a big deal about their newest remote, the Harmony 510 Universal Remote. The 510 is a carbon copy of Logitech’s Harmony 550 with a different color scheme and a few button changes. The 510 also steps down from 15 controllable devices to 5. This leads to a more streamlined control and programming arc for those who are still new to universal remotes. Logitech does have an impressive control database of over 225,000 devices from over 5,000 manufacturers so the 510 should control most any device created in the last 10-15 years. The MSRP for the 510 is $99.99, but it can be found in many places on the net for under that amount. If you’re savvy enough to be reading this, the 510 is probably not the right remote for you due to the low number of devices it controls. It would however, be a perfect gift for the not-so-techie friend/relative that you want to drag into the new millennium. Remember, the holidays approach.

Consumer demand for intelligent control applications will push U.S. revenues for wireless and powerline controls from $740 million in 2008 to over $3 billion in 2012, according to Opportunities for Wireless & Powerline Controls. MORE »

Microsoft Corp. announced the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest at CEDIA EXPO 2008 in Denver. CEDIA EXPO 2008 is an annual show for the residential electronic systems industry put on by the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. The winning installation for the design contest was submitted by Gordon Van Zuiden, president of cyberManor and noted innovator in the custom installation channel. MORE »

Autonomic Controls, the leading provider of custom integration solutions for Microsoft Media Center has released Media Control Server 2.0. The new product adds iTunes integration, support for purchased music, multi-source audio output, Blu-ray playback and stylish new touch panel interfaces. MORE »