LG Electronics and Control4 to Co-Develop HDTV Automation Solution for Hotels

[AVRevForum.com]

Control4 Corporation and LG Electronics today announced plans to co-develop an integrated automation system for HDTV sets that will allow hotel guests to control lighting, room temperature, draperies and entertainment systems through the television with a single remote control.

The companies are collaborating on a card, based on the proven Control4 Operating System, which will be integrated with LG Electronics’ hospitality HDTVs via their unique interface port – eliminating the need for a separate controller box.

“Integrating our automation operating platform with LG hospitality TVs represents a new chapter for Control4 and the industry,” said Will West, chief executive officer at Control4. “We couldn't be more pleased to work closely with LG, the leading provider of HDTVs to the lodging industry, to tap the powerful processing power of their TVs with our control software. There is no better screen of choice than your TV for managing all the automation features and functionality that Control4 enables.”

Richard Lewis, senior vice president of technology for LG’s U.S. R&D subsidiary, said, “With the inroads Control4 has made in the lodging industry, we believe this is the right time to collaborate on an integrated solution that will deliver a superior guest experience, with more features and convenience than a set-top box approach. We look forward to working with Control4 to extend the use and functionality of flat-panel HDTVs beyond entertainment into control and automation for hotel guests.”

[deacongreg]

This, I believe is a very smart move. People while traveling for business, or vacation, who may not have been exposed to Control4, or how home theater integrates into a home, can get an idea in a none pressure, non sales environment.
Plus, its obviously great exposure for Control4 and LG.

[JerryDelColliano]

Control 4 is supposedly so easy to use and understand vs. Crestron and AMX - it has a lot of mainstream appeal.

[deacongreg]

That is very good Jerry. I would think then, the next step would be for control4 to consider going into a BestBuy, or Circuit City, and see how the masses take to them there. That could be huge for them.