Hisense is partnering with a company called Chowmainsoft as it looks to double down on smart home integration with its VIDAA-powered TVs.
The two companies have announced the new VIDAA Control4 driver, which makes it simple to integrate any Hisense TV that runs the company’s homegrown operating system software into smart home environments managed by Control4. The controller makes it possible for the Control4 interface to control core TV functions.
If you’re not aware of Control4, it’s one of the leading smart home automation systems that connects various devices like lighting, audio, security, and HVAC into a single platform, allowing for centralised control through a smartphone or touchscreen. It requires installation by certified dealers who customize the system to fit individual needs and preferences.
According to Hisense, the VIDAA Control4 driver was designed specifically for professional installers. It allows the Control4 interface to gain control of features including the TV’s power, input switching, channel selection, application launching, volume control, transport control and more. It also ensures real-time synchronisation between the Control4 interface and the TV’s current status. Supported streaming apps include Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+, the company said.
Hisense said the controller is compatible with almost all VIDAA TVs, which should make it relatively simple for European installers to set up a smart home-integrated, high-quality entertainment system. Meanwhile, homeowners can use the controller to build a more intuitive unified smart home and TV experience with centralised control.
It’s important to understand that it won’t work with every Hisense TV. While the VIDAA OS platform is fairly widespread in Europe, it’s not so common elsewhere. In fact, most Hisense TVs sold in the U.S. and other markets are powered by different operating systems, such as Roku or Google TV.
Hisense UK Head of Strategy and Go-To-Market Robert Andrews said the new controller shows how the company is constantly evolving its smart TV proposition.
“We’re upgrading smart home integration and making Hisense TVs even more accessible and attractive to the custom install market, providing homeowners with a premium, unified entertainment experience,” he said.
Citing Hisense’s dominance in the 100-inch-plus TV segment, it makes the company the most “logical choice for all large screen projects of the future,” Andrews added.
Chowmeinsoft Managing Director Alan Chow said the partnership makes sense because it’s seeing growing demand from systems integrators for more seamless TV integrations with smart home environments.
“This launch is just the beginning,” he added. “We’re actively working with Hisense on additional integrations across the other major automation platforms we support to deliver a truly connected smart home experience.”
