Crestron’s Partnership Universe Expands Creating New Experiences for Users

Launches HomeTime Integrated Home Conferencing WFH Solution

No doubt about it, Crestron is on a roll. They have recently had a series of announcements – not of the ho-hum type, but of the more meaningful, perhaps industry-changing type. Now we learn about another new partnership being announced – Crestron is working with Logitech and Zoom to deliver HomeTime, an upgraded home video conferencing solution perfect for this strange new work-from-home (WFH) world in which we all find ourselves.

See more about Crestron HomeTime…

You may have noticed that I’m writing more and more about Crestron lately – such as their new partnership with Lutron and their return to the mecca of residential custom integration, the CEDIA Expo (if it happens). That is because Crestron is on the move. Thanks to the success of their Crestron Home control solution…platform, really…the company has hit overdrive in building really productive technology partnerships that open up new experiences for users…and making integrator’s lives a little easier.

Today’s announcement falls right into line with that concept. The company is partnering with top consumer tech provider Logitech and cloud video conferencing solution Zoom, to bring a whole new upgraded video conferencing solution to Crestron Home homes (is that redundant?)

“Crestron is a leader in AV and residential systems for high end homes, so this partnership is ideal for providing quality videoconferencing experiences and Logitech solutions people need right now as they continue to connect from home.”

Scott Wharton, General Manager & Vice President. Logitech Video Collaboration

3-Way Partnership Plays to Each Partners Expertise

Many Strata-gee readers are likely aware of the fact that Crestron is a power player in the corporate channel with an extensive line of bullet-proof unified communications (UC) solutions. When earlier this year the coronavirus hit the U.S. upending all of our lives, sending us all home, and fueling the reality of literally millions of WFH workers (is that redundant again?), the company recognized a need for which they possessed proprietary expertise.

The company says that Crestron HomeTime is “a unification of the Logitech MeetUp conference camera with the Crestron UC Engine that seamlessly integrates with Crestron control to deliver the optimal Zoom Rooms experience.” It is a complete HD video and audio conferencing solution with the size and scale to handle UC in any room in the home.

“It’s time to end the awkward conversations. No more crowding around a laptop and talking over each other because you can’t follow who is speaking. The idea for HomeTime was created from the challenges experienced by families trying to socialize, learn, and work from home. We, at Crestron, knew we had a convenient solution that every living room deserved. By integrating Logitech MeetUp and Zoom Rooms software with the Crestron platform, we can help homeowners prepare for anything, whether that is working in the home office, remote learning in the playroom , or virtual happy hours in the family room.”

John Clancy, VP Residential, Crestron Electronics

This Looks Like a Pretty Slick Solution

HomeTime looks like a slick solution. The company says that users can host or join a Zoom meeting without using a laptop and with full one-touch control via a Crestron remote or through the Crestron app.

Think about it…instead of crowding everyone around your small 15″ laptop screen, you can look at large-sized images of all the Zoom meeting participants on your 75-inch flat-panel TV in the living room…easy! The MeetUp camera is 4K with a wide angle lens, so you and your family can sit just about anywhere comfortably and be fully visible to the other participants in the cloud.

Superior Audio as Well as Video

There is a robust full-range speaker and full-duplex, advanced beamforming microphone system to ensure not just intelligible, but good-sounding audio. The company says conversations will be more natural and less jumbled, without people talking over people.

“Crestron shares our commitment to seamless collaboration with high-quality technology. Crestron HomeTime raises the bar, bringing the conference room into the living room.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms, Zoom Video Collaboration

HomeTime Availability

Crestron says that HomeTime will be available June 1, 2020 exclusively through Crestron residential integrators.

Learn more about Crestron HomeTime by following this link…