Savant announces version 8.0 of the Pro home automation software-- one complete with firmware updates, new licensing plans, Sonos integration, Autonomic media streaming and a new Pro Remote.
Savant Pro 8.0 includes an enhanced Savant app UI featuring a "flattened" design allowing users to check everything in the house from the home screen. For instance, users can press a bulb icon to check all the light in the house, or press and hold to access the lighting menu. Meanwhile "room" pages provide an overlay with all the devices in the room, as well as one-touch access to any device.
Licensing plans also get a boost, with the basic Savant service allowing for up to 8 rooms of entertainment, plus 4 rooms of environmental control (12 total), 1 Savant Music stream, 64 lighting loads, 3rd party AV switching in up to 3 zones, 8 cameras, BacNET and KNX.
As mentioned earlier Savant Pro 8.0 has Sonos integration-- the result of collaboration with wireless audio maker adding Sonos to control system scenes. Users can access playlists, favourites and recently played songs, with a "now playing" screen showing album artwork and song information.
In further streaming support, the Savant Host with 8.0 can double as an Autonomic media player, providing customers with music from all Autonomic streaming partners, including Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, SiriusXM, Rhapsody, Slacker, Napster, Tunein and iTunes. Audio output comes through the previously unused TOSlink port.
When it comes to control Savant offers the Pro Remote. Not to be confused with the consumer-aimed Savant Remote, the Pro Remote is an extension of the Smart Host automation hub designed for the custom install market. It allows control of audio, video, lighting, thermostats and other subsystems through a a handful of hardware buttons, a high resolution touchscreen and voice recognition.
In final Savant announcements, the company will offer 4K video capability through the 4K (30Hz) Video Input Module with HDCP 2.2 support, audio down-mixing and video down-conversion for 1080p displays. The company also partnered with PureLink for new video switchers for the residential market. The first products from the parnership will be available in 2 versions (4x4 and 8x8) both supporting HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2, and PureLink HDBaseT 4K extenders will follow.
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