Case studies

Integrated Whole-Home Entertainment in Dublin, Ireland (6/12/2011)

By Maguire Technical

In October 2009 we were introduced to our client through a partner company who were commissioned to provide security services for this extensive renovation project. The client had a long and trusted relationship with this installer and so trust was transferred to us by way of the referral.

The project was based in Drumcondra, Dublin, and the brief was to provide a whole-home entertainment system with integration of CCTV, audio, video, TV distribution, games console, surround sound, data network, phone system, blinds, curtain and lighting control, and allow access to the whole system via a single user interface. The installation covered the whole 5000sq ft detached home which includes five bedrooms, gym, reception room, games room, large kitchen/dining/living area and rear garden.

Remote control in the gym.

Planning

After gathering information from our client we decided that Control4 was the only control system option for us. Coupled with Kramer audio and video distribution and support from our suppliers Control4 in Ireland and RGB in the UK, we were able to get the best distribution equipment solution for the job. To roll out a project such as this, we needed several personnel involved from the design stage through to commissioning.

Before any decision was made we had six meetings and four design drafts. These meetings were essential in order to figure out what our client needed. Without extensive consultation with the client it is impossible to give them a system that they will love to use. Too many clients in our experience dismiss this critical element and end up with something that doesn't work for them. You must get inside the client's head and feel what it is they want in order to deliver what they need.

The solution

Using Control4, we provided the client with entertainment at their fingertips. They can access any three of their Sky boxes and any of the other five video sources from any of the eight TV viewing areas, and they have integration of Xbox and PlayStation from three locations around the home. With the Control4 din-rail lighting system they can control their lighting in any number of combinations, and have many more advantages that a non-integrated home can provide.

The Control4 user interface displayed on the living room TV screen.

Installation

With an installation such as this and indeed with installations of any size, we insist on providing the complete solution from design right through to final commissioning. This includes the cable design and installation which we see as the most critical element in any system. Many custom installers allow installation of the cable system by a third party, possibly the electrical contractor already on site, but we think that control and management of every element of a project should be kept in-house, and if it must be farmed out, then it must be to a tried and trusted partner.

Modern building techniques such as stud partitioning were employed by the principle contractor which allowed easy cable installation. With our guys on site and with our experience as qualified electricians, labelling, wiring methods and cable identification was not an issue and A/V and control cabling was completed in about three days.

Middle Atlantic rack holding control and distribution units.

As with any project there were afterthoughts which presented some problems such as wiring of the lighting power (as opposed to lighting control wiring), which was not within our remit. This was largely underway when we were introduced, so we needed to work very closely with the electricians on site. Sometimes this caused difficulties due to progress being made before critical decisions were made. Although some rewiring was required, we dealt with these and achieved a great result on the lighting.

Lighting can be switched simply on and off, or different moods can be selected.

Experience form the project

Every client and project is different and after going through the process of completing this project we gained enormous benefit, for example; the installation was originally designed and installed running Control4's Composer version 1.8. We ran into some difficulties when our client requested additional functionality such as the iPad application and other additions. These additions dragged the processor capabilities down and ultimately caused under performance of the system. This, coupled with ZigBee wireless range issues due to existing thick block walls and extensive sound insulation between the ground floor and first floor, meant that we needed to find answers quickly.

The iPad and other additions posed a challenge to the control processor.

With support from Control4 we quickly identified the issues and rectified them by adding additional processing power, widening the ZigBee mesh and upgrading our client's system to version 2.0 which had been launched during our project. A simple fix when teased out, but when faced with performance issues on site with a complex system, it can sometimes be the elephant in the room that only discussion can identify.

Conclusion

When a client has a budget to carry out an installation of their dreams then many things are possible. We were entrusted to take their vision of a state-of-the-art entertainment system and produce it, and we like to believe we did exactly this.

CCTV images shown on TV in one of the bedrooms.

We are engaged with the client on a regular basis and continue to support the system, providing upgrades and minor adjustments. Access to digital media such as Apple TV and web content is a significant source of entertainment, and the system with adjustments now provides this facility. In addition, the client is often abroad and operation and access to CCTV and lighting while away is a practical feature that they find invaluable.

Equipment list

Control 4
HC1000 home controller
HC500 home controller
4 x HC200 home controller.
Dual tuner.
4-zone amp.
7 x SR250 remote.
1 x iPad Licence.
3 x C4 iPod Dock.

Rack
Middle Atlantic ERK.
Kramer 8 x 8 Video Matrix.
Kramer 8 x 8 Audio Matrix.

IT and data
Netgear switch and routers.
APC 2200VA rack-mounted UPS.
Krone data distribution (patches and outlets).

Satellite
3 x Sky HD box.

Lighting
Control 4/Mode 16-channel din rail lighting system.

Cinema
2 x Marantz SR5003 Receivers.
3 x Marantz BD7003 BD Player.
B&W FPM surround speakers

TVs
2 s Hantarex 52GSM 52" Mirror.
1 x Hantarex 40" Stripes.
4 x Hantarex 32" Liquid.

Speakers
Earthquake CM600 in-ceiling.
Earthquake AWS outdoor.

Phone System
Panasonic KXT phone system.

Components & Signal Converters
Keene Electronics UK.

Maguire Technical designs and installs smart technology systems for homes and businesses. It is based in Ireland, and has recently opened an office in the UK C/O Moss, 5 Maidstone Buildings Mews, 72-76 Borough High Street, London SE1 1GN Tel +44(0)20 3239 8438.

www.maguiretechnical.ie
www.maguiretechnical.co.uk