Philips Pronto Adds Lutron Support to Control Systems
Philips Pronto, which makes two-way control solutions, in collaboration with lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics, plans to announce at InfoComm 2010 the availability of a new RadioRA 2 module for Pronto’s line of controllers.
Philips Pronto, which makes two-way control solutions, in collaboration with lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics, plans to announce at InfoComm 2010 the availability of a new RadioRA 2 module for Pronto’s line of controllers. The new module gives integrators a convenient integration between a Pronto touch panel and the RadioRA 2 wireless lighting control system, company officials say.
Launched in 2009, RadioRA 2 is the next generation of Lutron’s RadioRA wireless whole-home lighting control system, introduced in 1997. RadioRA 2 controls lights, shades, HVAC and more via radio frequency system (RF) communication.
Working with Lutron, Pronto developed a ProntoScript module that allows Pronto users to activate any RadioRA 2 scene on any Pronto control panel. This enables users to seamlessly control their lights and shades from the same Pronto controller used to control their entertainment system.
All Pronto control panels have the ability to communicate directly over Wi-Fi with the RadioRA 2 system’s main repeater. By using Pronto’s ProntoEdit Professional software (PEP 2.4), installers can drag and drop the new RadioRA 2 module into their Pronto project then enter a minimal set of parameters to get the system working.
“We are pleased to offer this RadioRA 2 module in conjunction with Pronto,” said Lutron’s Chris Murray, in a statement. “Utilitzing all of the system’s features and benefits, this new module will allow integrators to offer a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use solution for their customers.”
The RadioRA 2 module specification opens the door to integration possibilities for the Pronto TSU9400, TSU9600, and TSU9800 controllers. Through easy button duplication, integrators can create a wide variety of scenes. Using libraries in the PEP 2.4 software, the RadioRA 2 functionality can be used throughout a Pronto project. On any page, in any activity, a button can be added to enable adjustments of lights and shades from within a page controlling different activities. For example, according to the company, an installer can add lighting control buttons on a “Watch TV” page so users can manually dim lights or change the scene to their preference. In addition, the same button used to control the RadioRA 2 lighting control system can be programmed to execute a regular macro activity, such a scene in which the user turns on the TV and the shades and lights automatically drop to a preset position.
Philips Pronto officials say the when used with the TSU9300, the new RadioRA 2 module for Pronto is the equivalent of a 15-button tabletop keypad. All modules and applications notes can be downloaded from the Pronto website.
