CE Pro May 2023 - 16

Networking+Home Control
SECURITY | ENERGY MANAGEMENT | AMENITIES
URC Extends Apple TV Compatibility
Across Main Controllers
Automation provider expands native
certified Apple TV 4K & Apple TV HD
integration to MRX-12 & MRX-5 system
controllers, including Siri voice control
& HomeKit support. By Arlen Schweiger
URC HAS ANNOUNCED
that its MRX-12 and MRX-5
premium system controllers
can now be used to control
Apple TV 4K and Apple TV
HD. The additions allow
system installers and users to
access the certified integrations
across all of URC's
primary system controllers.
Since July 2022, URC's
Total Control platform has
used its certified Apple TV
integration available in the
MRX-30 and MRX-15 system
controllers. Through this
native integration, owners
can natively control Apple TV
4K and Apple TV HD across
URC's portfolio of interfaces
including:
Tabletop Controllers with
7- to 10-touchscreens:
TDC-9100, TDC-7100
and soon-to-be-released
TDC-5100
In-Wall Controllers with
8- to 10-touchscreens:
TKP-9600 and TKP8600
Ergonomic
Handheld
Remote with 2.4-inch
capacitive touchscreen:
TRC-1480
With a press of a touch16
| CE Pro May 2023
screen or mic button on the
TKP-8600 and TRC-1480, for
instance, users can ask Siri to
control what is playing, search
for shows and movies, and
check the score of a game,
URC explains. Also, users
can ask Siri to control Apple
HomeKit-enabled accessories,
such as lights, door
locks, and thermostats, the
company notes.
" This next generation of
voice-enabled Apple TV
integration ensures that our
dealers can easily install smart
home systems with premium
streaming entertainment
quality across hardware and
streaming sources, " states
Lars Granoe, URC's VP product
development.
" This is the first true
integration among custom
electronics installation
brands. Now our dealers and
end-users can access this
integration across all of our
primary system controllers. "
With the integration, customers
can navigate favorite
shows and movies across
popular streaming video
apps, use the Apple TV app
to watch Apple TV+ originals,
The latest support adds to URC's previous Apple TV integration
with its MRX-30 and MRX-15 system controllers.
and buy or rent thousands of
newly released movies, classic
favorites, and TV shows, URC
says. Customers can also tap
into Apple Music, Apple Arcade,
and thousands of other
apps, including games, fitness,
and education - all through
one device built for the biggest
screen in the home.
Key benefits of the integration,
per URC, include:
Unified Operation - Use
the Total Control system
to ask Siri to answer personal
requests on your
Apple TV, minimizing the
number of controllers
Voice/Hands-Free
Control - URC's voice
commands allow twoway
communication
with simple homeowner
operation across URC
user interfaces
Simplified Integration
Programming - Fast, easy,
professional programming
through URC's
home automation dealer
community
Fast User Response -
URC's secure data base
enables quick response
to voice commands and
provides a superior user
experience when searching
or launching apps.
URC reports its dealer
community is highly anticipating
this launch.
Ryan Yeackley Lincoln,
Neb.-based Schaefer's TV,
says he is excited about
how the straightforward
Apple TV integration will
ease the sales process.
" Adding the capability to
use Siri with the TRC-1480
and TKP-8600 expands the
ability to not just navigate
to the Favorites app
faster, but can be used as
an alternative audio source.
The module is lightning fast
and has a clean UI. I believe
showing this in our showroom
will add more comfort
during the buying process.
Seamlessly connecting all of
their streaming devices is a
big benefit, " he says.
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CE Pro May 2023

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