Denon intros house-wide universal remote, base unit
updated 02:50 pm EDT, Wed July 25, 2007
Denon RC-7000CI Remote
As a complement to its Blu-Ray players, Denon today also launched a new remote control system it hopes will be truly useful for multi-room home theater setups. The RC-7000CI (shown) is said to have one of the largest electronics databases of any home theater device and can be programmed over a USB connection for most any AV hardware in a given room. The 7000CI also chooses RF over infrared to eliminate the line of sight issues that plague most other remotes; owners don't need to be in the same room, Denon claims. Newer gear from the company will also display digital track information, such as iPod track data or the current music on an XM satellite radio station.
More complex arrangements are possible with the RC-7001CI base station that serves as a companion, the company points out. The hub both amplifies the range of the remote beyond that of the immediate equipment and potentially creates a network of remote control around a house. Up to 16 remotes and stations can mix together without interference, the company claims. Each hub also offers six IR blasters to translate controls to legacy devices.
The remote is available as a solo unit for $299, as is the $199 base. Both should ship in August.
