Home Theater Master (now obsolete), Complete Control, Total Control... now Complete Control Generation 2. This week’s announcement of the future availability of the “second generation” of Complete Control products – one that’s incompatible with both first generation and Total Control products – does mean that some dealers will now be shuffling knowledge of three unique product lineups. And parts. And configuration software. Will the new system be worth it? Time will tell!

Update! The product lineup appears to include the following:

• RM-2 Two-Way Wi-Fi Color Remote Control
• RM-1 RF Remote Control
• KP-2 In-Wall Keypad with Touchscreen
• KP-1 In-Wall Keypad
• CP-1 Central Processor
• AC-1 Auxiliary Controller
• WC-1 Wi-Fi Wireless Controller
• AZ-1 RF Antenna
• PSX-2 Personal A/V Server
• TRF-ZW1 Z-Wave Extender
• MRX-4SEN Sensor Extender
• ZR-2 RF Repeater
• ccGEN2 iOS Mobile App
• PIR-1 IR Code Learning Device
• Plus an array of surveillance cameras, sensors, emitters and cables.

URC Announces ccGEN2™ Whole-House Automation System

Harrison, N.Y. – February 10, 2014 – URC, the brand that’s been proven in millions of American homes, today announced ccGEN2, a complete two-way, IP-based product line that parlays years of experience and leadership in the one-way control and home entertainment arena with its Complete Control™ line, and builds upon the success of the multiple-award-winning Total Control® home automation system.

Sales of ccGEN2 are scheduled to begin soon through select distributors. Rollout to a limited number of distributors across the United States will be staggered over several weeks. The distributors that are handpicked to sell and support ccGEN2 will themselves be trained and certified, and will participate in the training and certification that’s required of installers who desire to become ccGEN2 dealers.

From the get-go, ccGEN2 (full name “Complete Control Generation Two”) will consist of twelve (12) products including two wand-style remotes, two in-wall keypads (one is touchscreen), mobile apps and main and subordinate network system controllers. [Editors: refer to ‘backgrounder’ for more details.]

“We’re proud to say that we’ve had thousands of dealers selling URC to control A/V successfully for years,” said Doug Cole, senior vice president and general manager of URC. “And we’re excited to offer ccGEN2 through our distribution partners as a newfound opportunity to make the most of the growing awareness and marketing for home automation in a simplified, yet powerful way. We expect this next generation line to take the Complete Control brand into the whole house and the future.”

Volutone, with seven distribution locations in California and Nevada, will be first-to-market with the new product line in early March. “URC has been an esteemed and supportive partner of ours for years,” said Trevor Hansen, vice president of Volutone. “We strongly believe that ccGEN2 will capitalize on the burgeoning home automation market. We’re delighted to be the first distributor to sell the full product line.”

Volutone has training certification events scheduled at all of their seven locations, beginning in March. Interested integrators should check the URC and Volutone websites for times, locations, and additional details.

To assure unfettered success and maximum end-user experience for every installation, dealers applying to sell ccGEN2 products must pass a thorough certification process and receive approved training. ccGEN2 products, with few exceptions, are not compatible with URC’s one-way, RF/IR Complete Control system or with Total Control products. A new dealer-oriented website, www.URC-ccGEN2.com, will soon be available to help integrators learn more specific information about the product line and compatibility.