NuVo Technologies and Exceptional Innovation have apparently found it within their hearts to team up in order to provide better integration between wares; after all, there's at least a decent chance that anyone with a remarkable home automation system is using kit from both of these firms. Starting now, NuVo Grand Concerto multi-room audio Control Pads now can also control Life|ware home automation scenes, meaning that Control Pads can now dictate Life|ware-connected lighting, shades, climate, security, etc. What's it take to bring the couple together? A $399 NuVoNet Adapter (NV-NNA) and Life|ware's Visual Project configuration tool, both of which are available now. Full release is after the break.

Wondering what kind of multiple CableCard-equipped machinations were necessary to be dubbed this year's Windows Media Center Ultimate Install? Check out cyberManor's winning entry, with Niveus n9 media server, Niveus Ice Vault full of DVDs, plus Niveus EDGE and Xbox 360 media extenders deployed throughout the house. Not content to stop there, Life|Ware total home control was included, tying in distributed audio and other home automation features with the overall Media Center implementation. cyberManor beat out Wireless Home and Simple Digital Home, check out a few more pics of the winning install beyond the read link.

Earlier this month, we gave you a glance at Exceptional Innovation's (producer of Life|Ware) quad-CableCARD media server, and now the outfit is finally making things (extra) official. Two machines will initially be offered up with (count 'em) four CableCARD tuners within, and neither are likely to run ya cheap. Up first is the flagship LMS-754, which packs a quad-core Intel Core 2 Extreme processor, 4GB of RAM, 4TB of hard drive space in a RAID 5 array, Ethernet, a slew of USB 2.0 ports, audio in / out, and a FireWire connector to boot. The slightly more affordable LMS-654 will probably ratchet things down a bit in the storage and CPU department, and while no specific prices are given, we are told that the Life|Media line now ranges from $3,500 to $15,000. Additionally, the firm introduced 8.9-inch and 12.1-inch widescreen Life|point touch panels with the new Life|slide function, both of which offer up 720p resolution and enable the user to "gesture right or left to quickly navigate the Life|ware gallery." Click on through for a shot of the front.

Exceptional Innovation; the company to first bring us home automation features for Windows Media Center Edition, is moving into the hardware business. The automated home has been a reality for those who can afford it for some time now, with companies like AMX and Crestron leading the way, but these systems are very high end and as far from DIY as you can get. At the same time smaller companies have brought us do it yourselfer type software like MainLobby and CQC. EI is the new kid in town and they are trying to bridge the gab between the two, but not by being a DIY application, but by supporting any Windows Media Center computer, but with companies like HP getting out of the Media Center business, EI has decided to introduce it's own hardware to fit the bill. What makes these difference from the other high end media centers like Niveus, is the concentration on home automation, with software to control your entire home, and hardware like 12-volt triggers, RS-232 and discrete IR ports. Before you run out and get too excited, be warned, the Lifemedia line starts at $4000 and their in wall touch screen sells for about $7000.

Rear shot after the jump.