Mitsubishi’s NetCommand Control System Provides Remote Control Clutter Solution

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics introduced NetCommand, a new home theater control system, at its National Product Line Show in Long Beach, California May 5. It provides on-screen graphic control for analog components as
well as any other digital home theater devices. After a fairly simple
set-up (basically indicating what components you have hooked up
to your system and how you want them interacting with each other), an on-screen window appears with an icon for each device. Just click on
“DVD” and it automatically turns on your TV, DVD player and your speaker
system. Several configurations are possible.

NetCommand uses proprietary
software and hardware for incorporating IEEE 1394 digital device
control. While LCD-based graphical control systems for analog products have previously been available, they have not incorporated IEEE 1394 digital control, said MDE Sales and Marketing Vice-President Max Wasinger.

“NetCommand is a breakthrough in home theater system control, allowing very complex home theater products to be simply, intuitively and graphically controlled by the television,” Wasinger said. “Until now, high-performance collections of audio/video components were a nightmare for many customers. They needed multi-layer remote controls and individual remote controls for each device.”

Mitsubishi also unveiled 18 new projection and high-definition televisions in its silver,
gold, platinum and diamond series

The company’s new D-VHS VCR was also highlighted. It has full analog S-VHS
capability and has a $1,049 suggested retail price. The high-definition TV-grade digital VCR records digital TV and other digital sources through its IEEE 1394 digital interface, prompting Mitsubishi to declare, “D-VHS is the unquestioned digital recording solution for the digital broadcast market.”