Navicomm Marine Systems has installed a fully integrated entertainment system in a 105-foot Azimut Motor Yacht. The centerpiece of the elaborate installation is a 55-inch LG LED display and TV lift located in the yacht's saloon, complimented by a Denon home theater receiver and amplifier, and a myriad of A/V sources — from multiple satellite receivers to an RTiDock iPod^® docking station. In addition to providing the yacht owner and his guests with an unmatched A/V experience, one of the primary goals of the installation was exceptionally reliable and simple control. To meet this requirement, Navicomm utilized RTI's XP-6 control processor and three iPads^® running the RTiPanel app: one in the yacht’s saloon, aft deck, and flybridge.

To bring the yacht's numerous A/V components together in one seamless control interface, Navicomm took full advantage of the XP-6's multiple communication options. The LG display, a Sky HD satellite receiver, and SeaTel marine satellite TV antenna are all controlled via RS-232, while the processor's relay output allows the TV lift to be raised and lowered, and IR provides control over the Denon amplifier, a Humax satellite receiver, Panasonic Blu-ray™ player, and Apple^® TV. Two-way IP drivers for the Denon receiver and RTiDock allow the yacht’s owner to view two-way feedback — such as volume level or track information — on all three of the yacht's iPads.

The iPads in the aft deck, flybridge, and saloon can all be used to select A/V activities for the entire yacht or for each zone independently. The saloon iPad provides the owner with full system control, while functionality is more limited on the other two devices. Making it simple to keep track of the yacht owner's favorite channels across four different satellites, the interface displays the satellite in use and a list of favorite channels on it. Switching to another satellite is as simple as pushing a button.

"The owner of the yacht and I have both been very pleased with the onboard entertainment system and its ease of use," said yacht manager P. Gardner. "The iPad controllers have greatly simplified what would otherwise be a very complicated system requiring a trained crew member and various remote controls. In fact, the owner is so impressed that there are plans to install a similar system in his home."