Home entertainment systems have suffered from a major drawback. Whilst people might invest a lot of money in a combination of satellite or cable TV, video, laser video disc or hi-fi equipment, they could only enjoy it fully in one room. They might have cable links to other parts of the house, but they still need to go to the equipment to control it. Now comprehensive, extended remote control is possible using a simple, affordable system from X10 called Powermid.

By adding radio control, Powermid overcomes the limitations of conventional infra red controls which have to be in line of sight of the equipment. Only two devices are involved. One is a small pyramid containing a transmitter/receiver, which is sited near to the equipment. The other is a powerful universal remote control which can be used anywhere in the house.

How does it work? Say, for example, you are watching satellite TV in the bedroom and want to change the channel. You press the appropriate button on the remote controller. It transmits the command by radio to the Powermid unit in the room where the satellite box is sited. The Powermid immediately turns that radio signal into an infra red code, which goes to the satellite box. Any piece of equipment which can be controlled by infra red can be controlled in this way.

The manufacturers X10 are world leaders in universal remote controls. They hold a massive library of codes for TVs, video recorders and satellite and cable boxes. As new models come on the market, their codes are included in the X10 library. The universal control in the Powermid package gives full control of TV, satellite and cable boxes, video recorders,laser video disc players, teletext and auxiliary devices such as hi-fi. Setting up is easy, involving a simple keying in sequence to add the code for a particular piece of equipment. Each function, such as video or satellite, is selected by pressing one dedicated button. The control can also be used with X10 home automation and security systems, making it a truly universal single solution to remote operation.

Conscious of the fact that a remote is now very much part of the home, X10 controls are designed to be attractive and pleasant to use with optional backlighting of the keypad. Equally the Powermid unit is inconspicuous but appealing. Just plug it in and you are in control! X10’s Powermid is a best-seller in the United States and is expected to have the same success across Europe.