Interactive Home Theater Integration
May 21, 2007 12:00 PM
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The following information is courtesy of the 2006 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers' Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.
2006 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Winner
Designers' Awards: Best Intergrated Home
Bronze Technical Design, Level V (Over $800,000)
The client’s home is a 43-room, 16,000-square-foot residence. The homeowners’ vision was for a totally interactive house that integrated the following systems: audio/video distribution, HVAC, lighting, security, access control, pool/spa control, telephone, and Internet/networking.
The overall goal was to provide an interface to all these disparate systems that allowed all members of the family to use them. Additionally, the system would simplify the burden of managing a large home including secure access to the home control system over the Internet.
A network of eight Crestron processors is the hub that ties together all other components. The installation is housed in five racks in a dedicated room with its own air conditioning system. Adjacent is a second room for the Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system and the Bosch security system. System control is via eighteen touch panels, two keypads, ten wireless remote controls, Crestron e-control web interface, and a voice-prompted telephone dial-in menu.
There were many challenges on a project of this size and scope and with working very creative homeowners. Challenges included: designing a system and wiring a house that was “future proof” and wouldn’t restrain the customer’s creativity down the road; fulfilling the homeowners’ philosophy of “any source, anywhere” (in addition to a Kaleidescape video server, the homeowners wanted the ability to view DVD players located throughout the house to be viewable in any other room with a TV); and making such an extensive system easy to use for the homeowners and their three children.
The Gramophone team uses a highly structured approach to all its projects, including this one. The process begins with their sales executive gathering requirements from the homeowner. These requirements are formulated by their engineering staff into a design that is “signed off” by the customer. Their installation department then coordinates with the builder to wire the home and install all equipment in several phases during the home’s construction. In parallel, software for the control systems is developed and the user interface is reviewed with the customer. Ongoing reviews with the customer, extensive testing, and tight coordination with the builder and design engineer help to discover problems early and resolve issues quickly.
The five most used functions of the system and how they benefit the client:
1. Audio/video distribution: This family of five makes extensive use of the music distribution system throughout the 43-room house, and video distribution was installed in the seven rooms with TVs, two rooms with projectors, and a dedicated theater.
2. Security system: With 12 cameras, three driveway sensors, and electronically controlled, exterior door locks, the system provides peace of mind and convenience. For example, the security system can be armed and all doors to the house locked from any touchpanel. Additionally, when a car approaches the house, the event is announced over the intercom and the appropriate camera is displayed on all touchpanels.
3. Centralized control: All lights, thermostats, and the A/V system can be controlled from touchpanels throughout the house. Turning off a TV or light left on in a far room of the house can be conveniently accomplished from any touchpanel. This is of great value to the homeowners when trying to keep up with their three children.
4. Caller ID: Telephone caller-ID information of all incoming calls is displayed in a large, easy-to-read font on each touchpanel, which eliminates the homeowners running to the phone for unwanted calls.
5. Intercom: The Crestron intercom system, integrated into the touchscreens, is essential for the family to communicate in this large home. For example, calling the family together for dinner is a simple task compared to running throughout the home to track everyone down.
Equipment list
| Time and Expertise Worksheet | |
| Task | Hours |
| Client Interviews | 135 |
| Electronic Design and Engineering: | 120 |
| Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: | 80 |
| Project Management: | 179 |
| Pre-wire/Rough-in: | 386 |
| Trim-out: | 519 |
| Shop Time for Racking and Testing: | 246 |
| Programming: | 1355 |
| Final Installation and Calibration: | 420 |
| Client Instruction: | 16 |
| Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: | 0 |
| Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: | 1500 |
| Project Management by Others: | 5400 |
| Other time: builder's interior designs, drawings done on paper: | 0 |
| Total Hours to Complete: | 10356 |
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