Case studies

A Multiroom and Lighting Solution for a Five-Bedroomed Property (2/3/2009)

By James Cameron, Cameron & Noyes

The brief

The project involved the creation of a new five-bed roomed property, and the client was a returning private customer, for whom we had installed a plasma-based home cinema system in a previous property. From the start, the client expressed the need for a family-friendly and simple-to-use multi-room system that could be used by anyone, but would be powerful and reliable enough to control DVDs, Sky HD, iPods, and lights.

Having been given an initial budget that fell into the entry-level to mid-range price bracket, we set about the task of designing, installing and commissioning the system over the next 11 months.

We decided to suggest the SpeakerCraft MZC 88C system, which we felt would be ideal for the client, since it would allow for audio and video distribution to 8 zones, but also would communicate with the Rako lighting system and give the client wired or wireless control of the hub sources from the respective MODE or MODE Free control pads.

SpeakerCraft MODE keypad.

We began prewiring the property in February 2008, and completed our second fix and commsioning in December 2008.

Planning

Cameron & Noyes worked closely with the on-site electricians, and even suggested and supplied a dedicated Unistrut cable tray management system for correct separation of the AV cables and electrical cables. We also worked alongside the client's interior designer to help design the lighting schemes and mood settings for our Rako control system.

Installation

Our initial prewiring phase was completed in just over three weeks and this included a full 'test and termination' process to make sure all of the Cat5e data cables, speaker cables and HDMI/component cables were fully functioning before the property was sealed. We wired for 8 zones, including the large garden and decking area in which we installed four SpeakerCraft Rox speakers. The client was also keen to include a dedicated cinema room, in which it was agreed that a 60" Pioneer Kuro plasma would be the best choice to view family movies on.

Plasma screen in living room.

Installed around the property is a combination of Cat5 wired SpeakerCraft MODE 3.1 control pads, and the dockable and wireless MODE Free control pads. The MODE Free control pad allows the client to walk around the property and control each or all of his respective zones. Communication to the hub is transmitted back via a wireless connection, and when the MODE Free battery begins to run down, it can be docked into its in-wall station and recharged.

SpeakerCraft MODE Free control pad.

The client required a dynamic sound from his cinema system, but did not want to see any speakers. After offering advice, we agreed on only having the Audio Pro centre speaker in view, as we felt it was paramount that the centre speaker should be at head height in such a large room. The task of surround effects fell to the SpeakerCraft AIM 7 Five in-ceiling speakers, which possess an independent pivoting bass and tweeter unit, thus enabling us to direct the sound down to the listener.

Our client felt that the cinema room was really only going to be used for dedicated film viewing with the family, and also wanted an area in which his children could play regularly with friends. We suggested that for the family room, in conjunction with the SpeakerCraft MODE system that is providing iPod and CD audio to the in-ceiling speakers, we would install a Bose Lifestyle 28 system for a powerful, yet smaller cinema system. The Bose was a perfect solution for the room because it kept it uncluttered and discreet - particularly since we liaised with the on-site joinery company to hide the Bose head unit and subwoofer in a cupboard behind the sofa.

Family room with Bose speakers.

Experience from the project

Cameron & Noyes have a healthy relationship with their distributors. At the time of the project's planning phase, the SpeakerCraft MODE system was still relatively new, but we were assured that it was going to be the perfect solution for the client's requests. All of the appropriate training was undertaken and we also took the opportunity to learn how it would communicate and control the additional Rako lighting system. The project also gave us invaluable experience in working alongside a client who was not only going to be the end user, but was also the property's project manager.

Equipment list

Hub
1 x SpeakerCraft MZC-88C - 8 Zone audio visual distribution controller.
1 x SpeakerCraft MODE Coordinator.
1 x SpeakerCraft iPod kit.
1 x iPod Classic 120GB model.
1 x Onkyo TX-SR806 THX 7.1 home cinema receiver.
1 x Onkyo DV SP405 1080p DVD player.
1 x Onkyo DXC390 6-disc CD changer.
1 x Denon DAB TU1800 tuner.
1 x Sky HD satellite receiver.
2 x Sky+ satellite receivers.
10 x Rako Rak4 digital dimming units.

Cinema Room
1 x SpeakerCraft MODE Free control pad.
1 x Pioneer PDPLX6090 plasma screen.
6 x SpeakerCraft AIM 7 Fives.
1 x Audio Pro Precision centre speaker.
1 x Audio Pro ACE Bass subwoofer.
1 x Sony PS3 games machine/Blu-ray player.

Other Zones (Kitchen, Gymnasium, Master Bedroom, Garden, Family Room, Second Bedroom, Study)
SpeakerCraft MODE 3.1 or MODE Free control pads and SpeakerCraft CRS Threes.

Cameron & Noyes Ltd provides home automation and security systems.

www.cameron-noyes.com