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The Red House, a Fully-Integrated Home in North Leeds (2/11/2009) By iHomes The project was for the Managing Director of a successful national IT company, whose home has undergone a major redevelopment, including the addition of a 2000sq ft entertainment wing. Having been referred by a previous client, York-based iHomes was successfully awarded the contract, which had a value of GBP120,000.
The brief The home control system had to be simple to use and accessible to family and friends. Top of the list was a dedicated home cinema with a 100-inch screen. The client also wanted to distribute his iTunes music library and DVD collection around the property as well as be able to view and control any one of the three connected SkyHD boxes. The video should be distributed at HD quality.
Several security cameras were to be placed externally around the home with viewing via TV, touchscreen or remote access. Lighting was to be integrated, with special lighting features in the cinema, games room and master bedroom. A radio tuner and Blu-ray player were to be integrated within the system so that they could also be accessed throughout the property.
System control Due to the complexity of the installation, we chose Elan for the main system control. We chose Elan because of its quality and solid performance, which has impressed us over a number of years. Its flagship model, the S12, is used for the audio switching and IR routing of the connected sources. The 8-inch in-ceiling speakers are powered by Elan D1200 and D400 digital amplifiers.
The home cinema, games room, kitchen and master bedroom use Elan 10-inch touchscreens to control the equipment. The controllers are in-wall in the kitchen and games room, and are table-top in the home cinema and master bedroom. The 10-inch size makes navigation easy, and also allows the GUI from the SkyHD boxes to be displayed for Sky navigation. The CCTV, cameras are also viewable from the touchscreens, along with control of the Rako lighting system.
For hand-held control we opted for the Philips Pronto TSU9200 with the RFX9200 RF extender. As with the touchscreens, these remotes offer full control of the system within each room, while the RF extenders provide a truly non-point-and-shoot operation, which is ideal when the remote controls are required to execute complex macros.
Video distribution High-definition video is distributed to nine TVs throughout the home via the Elan HD video switcher. Connected to the matrix are three SkyHD boxes, one Escient media server, one Escient media client and one Pioneer Blu-ray player. All of the property's cameras, including the gate, can be viewed on these TVs. The Escient media server contains the client's extensive DVD collection. The VS200 model was chosen due to its storage capabilities, and with the connected Escient client, two independent movies can be played at any time throughout the property.
Audio distribution Our client has a large iTunes music library and his iPod travels everywhere with him. Initially he wanted several iPod docking stations throughout the property, but we persuaded him to opt for the ReQuest F4-1200 music server. This allows him to play four independent streams of music throughout the property whilst synchronising with the iTunes music library to keep the iPod, iTunes and Request Server up to date. CDs are now loaded uncompressed onto the server for maximum audio quality, and then automatically sent to iTunes in MP3 format for the iPod.
Lighting We have used Rako extensively throughout the property for lighting control, allowing for four different scene settings within each room, controlled via stylish wallplates. External lighting, room lighting and LED lighting are all controlled from the Rako system, while the Elan touchscreens and handheld remote controls also interface with Rako for lighting control.
We installed a Rako MB1 lighting processor to perform daily automated lighting events, such as turning certain lights on at dusk. The processor is also used to control complex lighting macros in the home cinema and games room. When the property is left unattended, the lighting system can be set to holiday mode, which activates random patterns of lighting throughout the property during the evening. Security Four wide-angled security cameras with Sony lenses have been placed around the property, and are connected to a Genie EDVR digital video recorder which is set to record on motion activity. Apart from viewing the cameras on the touchscreens or TVs, the client can also login remotely from anywhere in the world.
To keep an eye on the kids in the rear garden, we have placed a PTZ dome camera in a central position. This can then be used to pan and zoom anywhere in the garden.
Gate security is provided by the Videx 4300 series. Video is automatically displayed on the touchscreens when the bell is pressed. The gates can be opened via the touchscreen or any telephone within the property. Installation iHomes always undertakes every part of the installation, including the first fix cabling, as we have had issues in the past where electrical contractors have laid our cables incorrectly. Fortunately, we spot any such problems before the walls are boarded over, since all cables are tested once the first fix is complete. Cables are not just tested for continuity but for bandwidth as well. We certainly do not want any problems once the walls have been plastered! Once the project has been given the green light and deposits have been paid, we get started on detailed planning. The Red House project used every aspect of our expertise in creating a fully-integrated home. There were no interior designers employed, so we were also responsible for creating the overall look of the rooms.
All but two of the televisions have been recessed into the walls, and speakers have been installed discretely into the ceilings with their covers sprayed to match the ceiling colour. Several ceiling lighting features were also constructed throughout the property to give rooms an extra impact. Thanks to detailed planning, the project went fairly smoothly, although as often happens, the client changes their ideas along the way, and small amendments have to be made.
The only issue we had was that our client has a two year old daughter and his wife was concerned that they would not be able to hear the baby if she awoke. The distance from the home cinema to the daughter's room was too far for a baby monitor. Our solution was to design a special microphone that integrated with the Elan system to act as a baby monitor. We also placed a discrete camera in the child's room. Should the child wake and make a noise, the touchscreen will automatically display the camera video and the audio will be heard over the rear speakers. Client feedback Our client is fully satisfied with the completed project and has since commissioned us to fully integrate his new offices and warehouse. He is also already looking to expand his system at home with even more gadgets and technology. As he puts it, 'The iHomes team are truly experts in their field. They have interpreted my brief exactly and even added a few extra sparkles along the way. On party nights the system is pushed to the limit, all my family use it constantly, and it has been faultless.'
Equipment List Rack Cinema Room Games Room Outdoor Living Room Family Room Kitchen/Dining Master bedroom Master bedroom ensuite Childs bedroom one Childs bedroom two Gym Security Lighting iHomes provides home cinema, multiroom audio and video, mood lighting, home automation and CCTV and security installations. It has a show home just south of York, UK. www.ihomesuk.com
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