ELAN® Home Systems, a leading manufacturer of award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home control systems, announced today that the newest addition to its VIA!® Touch Panel family, the VIA!®Valet10.0-EM, is now shipping to Dealers. The announcement was made by Bob Farinelli, ELAN’s President and Chief Technical Officer.

VIA!Valet10.0-EM combines widescreen elegance with the traditional VIA! Touch Panel strengths of ultra-fast response, reliable execution, incredible live video and ease of programming. Offering over 60% more viewing area than the original VIA!Valet plus next generation esthetics, right out of the gate the new VIA!Valet model has been named as a 2008 Electronic House Magazine Product of the Year and is a finalist for Residential Systems Magazine’s Resi Awards in the Touchscreen Control Panel Category.

This slim, sleek and beautifully finished controller features a 10.2” diagonal color LCD with enough resolution to clearly display ELAN’s signature VIA! whole-home control interface while also doubling as a 15:9 widescreen video monitor. This brings added convenience and functionality to areas of the home without displays like kitchens and patios, so users can easily check security cameras, answer the door, or even watch video programming in a larger format.

Ideal for any home installation, the new panel is also a great option for the senior market, due to the larger format and bigger, easier-than-ever to view function buttons. The panel controls a multitude of audio/video components, as well as lighting, security and temperature, and is compatible with all ELAN multi-room controllers. Like the VIA!Valet6.4 ELAN panel, when this model is placed under cabinet, it can fold up completely flat and hidden when not in use.

The new VIA!Valet Touch Panel is easy to program with ELAN’s latest version of VIA!®TOOLS programming software. This setup software includes new in 2008 pre-written two-way serial drivers for the VIA!Valet10.0-EM, Lutron’s HomeWorks®, Jandy Aqualink®, and Lutron RadioRA lighting in addition to a large number of other two-way and one-way serial drivers, as well as all of the other time-tested, robust ELAN VIA! features.

The VIA!Valet10.0-EM features ports for local RJ-45, power and Sense Input Triggers located on the back of the unit which not only provide added capability but also make the installers’ job easier, saving time and cost for all. In addition to compatibility with every ELAN multi-room controller, any VIA! panel model can also be used with most any home system, even ones offered by other audio/video manufacturers, with seamless integration.

“ELAN Dealers now have an even broader and more exciting range of control choices for their clients across three price points,” said Mr. Farinelli. “We have designed the VIA!Valet10.0-EM to be simple to program, blend in with almost any environment, and to offer more control options and surface as well as a larger viewing area than any other touch panel on the market at the same price point.”

ELAN’s VIA!Valet10.0-EM is now shipping at the remarkable MSRP of $2,000. Now with MSRPs ranging from $380 to $2000, ELAN’s VIA! and Olé® product lines offer outstanding touch interface solutions for every application which makes having one in every room a reality for more people and offers great flexibility for ELAN Dealers.

About ELAN Home Systems:
ELAN Home Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems. Based in Lexington, KY, the company’s systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use “whole house” experience. The company’s unique products provide complete lifestyle, feature-rich solutions, yet can be configured to fit the specific needs of every homeowner. ELAN products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.

ELAN is a trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC, Lexington, KY. VIA! and Olé are registered trademarks of ELAN Home Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

ATTENTION EDITORS: Hi-res photography of ELAN's new VIA!Valet10-EM is available for use at:
http://www.stylegroup.com/VIAVALET10EM.JPG

PLEASE NOTE -- ELAN’s President and Chief Technology Officer, Bob Farinelli, is available for interviews and desk side briefings regarding VIA!Valet10-EM. He is also available to provide expert quotes and bylined articles upon request. To schedule an interview or discuss article options contact Steven Style at 212-465-1290 or stevens@stylegroup.com
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