HOME AUDIO - Electronic House

Transcription

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
NOVEMBER 2015
HOME
AUDIO
SPECIAL
· WHOLE-HOUSE
·
·
PLUS:
MUSIC SYSTEMS:
WIRED AND WIRELESS
HOME THEATER ACCOUSTICS
FOOTBALL LEGEND AHMAD
RASHAD'S LISTENING ROOM
· SMART LIGHTING TIPS FOR EVERY ROOM
· HOME MONITORING SOLUTIONS
· SMART TVS FOR GAMERS
CONTENTS
HOME AUDIO SPOTLIGHT
n Hardwired
HOME LIGHTING
Smart Lighting Tips: Transform the look of every room of
your house with these time-tested tricks
HOME THEATER
Acoustical Treatments: 9 ways they can make your
home theater sound its very best
vs. Wireless: Sonos and Autonomic
ontrols s uare o in a debate over hich solution
is best
n Shopping Advice: The features that matter most
when selecting a music system
n Directory of more than 20 wired and wireless
whole-house music systems: costs, features, installation requirements, and more
HOME SECURITY
The Best Home Protection: Should you
monitor your home yourself or leave it to a professional?
We break down the pros and cons of each security solution
SMART HOME GALLERY
n
Football Legend Ahmad Rashad’s Media Room:
Stellar sound system, a huge vinyl collection, plus dual
big-screen TVs
SMART TV
A Gamer’s Guide to Smart TVs: Features, technologies,
and innovation to look for
SMART HOME
Smart Home Hubs (the brains of your home’s operation): ips on finding the right one for your house
HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Whole-House Energy Monitors: Calculate your household energy consumption and
savings with these handy tools
NEW PRODUCTS & SYSTEMS
6 top products and systems for your smart home
IN EVERY ISSUE
n When
Steel & Smarts Collide: Enterprise-grade
networking system ensures reliable command over a
Breckenridge vacation home
n 8,000 Square Feet of Automation: 70+ speakers, 23 4K
TVs, 17 home control iPads, and more turn this country
home into a modern marvel of smart technology
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
Editor’s Note Music to Your Ears. Your stereo system
never had it so good, thanks to a wealth of great audio
innovations.
Expert Commentary Don’t be blinded by the automation possibilities.
Featured Installers Featured custom
electronics installers
Cover image courtesy of Erskine Group
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
EDITOR'S NOTE
Music to Your Ears
WE’RE RIGHT IN THE THICK of football season
and, for many people, there’s nothing better than the sound of
a solidly fought game on the gridiron. Oh, and getting a good
visual from the 50-yard-line helps, too. But let’s face it. Without
the awesome audio we’d lose the real impact of a good tackle.
Sportscaster and football superstar
Ahmad Rashad feels passionate about the importance of good
audio, as you’ll see in our inside look at his specially designed
sports “analysis” room. Great speakers and dual displays deliver the
game-day action, but its Rashad’s collection of vinyl that evokes
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some serious nostalgia. With records dating back to his college
days and a design reminiscent of his dorm room, the media space conjures football, audio, and video at its finest.
Good music—be it from a favorite album or a streaming music service—is even better when you can
share it with others, and in this issue we’ll show you how to do just that. Our comprehensive directory of
more than 20 whole-house music systems includes all the details you need to know—price, installation
requirements, capabilities—to choose a system that can share music from a single set of components with
speakers and listeners all over the house. Of particular importance is whether the system delivers music to
speakers over cabling or wirelessly. Each approach has its merits, which can make it difficult to choose which
route to take. Rather than get mired in the minutiae, we invited whole-house audio system manufacturers
Sonos and Autonomic to spar over which is best: wireless or hardwired. Be sure to read their standoff.
However, there’s only so far a great audio system can bring your music to perfection. As Krissy Rushing
explains in 9 Things You Need to Know About Acoustical Treatments, the room environment can throw a huge
monkey wrench into the audio reproduction. Thankfully, acoustical treatments can fix most environmental
ailments. They’re fairly easy to install, and can actually add decorative interest to a space, while rendering
clear, crisp audio—and that’s music to our ears.
—Lisa Montgomery
[email protected]
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November 2015
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NEW PRODUCTS
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November 2015
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Listen to Your Speakers
In A New Way
Don’t let your existing wired loudspeakers miss out
Wi-Fi Streaming Audioon high-resolution streaming audio. Paradigm’s
Makes a House a Home new PW AMP delivers 200-Watts of Ultra Class-D
power and lets you wirelessly stream high-resolution
Paradigm’s Premium Wireless Series
audio to existing loudspeakers over your home
streams high-resolution audio (up to
24-bit/192kHz) using advanced ParadigmWi-Fi network. Set-up is simple, app control is easy,
engineering and DTS Play-Fi® technology.and your options are unlimited. Go wireless, with
Paradigm-level performance.
Our exclusive Anthem Room Correction
(ARC™) technology uses a digital
Exclusive Anthem Room Correction (ARC*)
microphone with advanced DSP algorithms
technology uses a digital microphone with advanced
to quickly and easily optimize speaker
performance in any space. You’ll actually DSP algorithms to correct for room distortions in any
space. You’ll actually hear the difference ARC makes.
hear the difference ARC makes.
No other wireless audio system has ARC.No other wireless streaming amplifier has ARC.
Wireless Freedom. Paradigm Performance.
A Better Audio Experience.
PW600™
PW800™
PWLINK ™
PWAMP™
Stream music to any Paradigm Premium
Wireless Series product using your Android,
PC or iOS device. Only Paradigm delivers
wireless performance that is truly on par with
traditional non-streaming audio systems.
ARC ™ Digital
Microphone
Room Correction Technology
Visit paradigm.com for more info.
HOME LIGHTING
SMART
LIGHTING TIPS:
Room by
Room
Transform the look of every room of your house with these
time-tested lighting tricks. BY LISA MONTGOMERY
EVERY HOME NEEDS a good dose of lighting. You need it to see your way to the bathroom in the middle of
the night, to fix dinner in the kitchen, to pay bills at your desk—basically to live comfortably in your home.
However, you can take your home’s lighting to a whole new level by adding a few affordable pieces of tech-
nology. Controlled by smart dimmers and switches, the lights in your house can enhance the appearance and
functionality of each room—and all you have to do is touch a button. Not sure where to start? Pick a room
and follow these suggestions.
Kitchen
¡ Create lighting scenes for different activities that take place in the kitchen, like cooking, cleaning, eating,
and entertaining. For each setting, certain lights can be grouped together and programmed to illuminate at
specific intensity levels.
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HOME LIGHTING
¡ Set the lights to turn on and off automatically
at various times of the day. In the morning, you
can walk into a perfectly illuminated kitchen;
at night, go to bed knowing that the lights will
automatically turn off at 11 p.m.
¡ The kitchen may be the first place the kids hit
after school. Ditto for you and your spouse after
work. Touch a button on your smartphone as you
Cameo Express wireless in-wall dimmers from Crestron
stroll into the house, and the kitchen lights can
welcome you by illuminating the lights over the breakfast bar or wherever you like to hang out.
¡ Your need for lighting will change throughout the course of a day, so have the lights self-adjust according
to the amount of sunlight that’s available to the space.
Suggested System: Pyng Hub and Cameo Express wireless in-wall dimmer (CLW-DIMEX-E) from
Crestron
Cost: $599 for Pyng Hub and $180 for Cameo Express dimmer
Bedrooms
¡ A keypad by the nightstand can provide convenient
control over the bedroom lights—plus other lights in the
house. You can even shut off lights in the entire room or
the entire house by pressing a Good Night button.
¡ From the same keypad, a Midnight Snack button can
provide you with just enough light so that you can find
your way to the bedroom door.
¡ Have the lights slowly fade as you drift off to sleep and
gradually brighten as you wake up in the morning.
¡ Create lighting scenes for reading, romance, relaxing, and
Vivido Lighting System from URC
other activities that happen in your bedroom.
Suggested System: Vivido Lighting System and TKP-Series Keypad; Optional: TRF-ZW Z-Wave Gateway
and MRX-8 Advanced Network System Controller (to synch the lights with other electronic devices) from
URC
Cost: $699 for Vivido Lighting System, $199 for TKP-Series Keypad, $250 for Z-Wave Gateway, and $599
for MRX-8 Advanced Network System Controller
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HOME LIGHTING
Family Room
¡ If your family room doubles as a media room, use an appcontrollable dimmer switch to fade the lights to black
when you press a button on a mobile device.
¡ Use the lights to accentuate the room’s artwork and
architecture, and assign a button on a keypad to
illuminate each element individually, or have a button
that commands all the lighting to activate at once.
¡ Alter the mood of the room instantly by touching a
button on a keypad, a handheld remote, or a smartphone
or tablet: bright when the kids are playing board games;
soft and subtle when you’re hosting a cocktail party.
¡ Have the lights flash to notify you when someone has
Caseta Wireless system from Lutron
pulled a vehicle into the driveway, is standing at the front door, or that any door has been opened (the
latter is a great way to keep track of toddlers).
Suggested System: Caseta Wireless from Lutron
Cost: $229 for one Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge, two Caseta Wireless Dimmers, two handheld remote
controls, and two pedestal remote control stands
Bathrooms
¡ Dim lighting can evoke a spa-like vibe and is a lot easier on your eyes first thing in the morning.
¡ Forming groups, or zones, of lighting can illuminate each individual area to the most eye-pleasing level; for
example, soft around the whirlpool tub and bright by the vanity.
¡ Protect your privacy by setting the lights to a level that lets you see out the windows but prevents people
from seeing into the room.
Suggested System: ClareVue Lighting System from Clare Controls
Cost: $800 for a CLIQ Controller, a few dimmers, and a keypad
Closets & Other Storage Spaces
¡ Use occupancy sensors to trigger the lights to turn on when you enter
the closet and off when you leave (sensor-triggered lights are also good
for kids’ bedrooms).
¡ Or, put the lights on a timer. You turn them on manually; after a certain
amount of time the lights turn off automatically.
Suggested System: Compact Fluorescent Ceiling Lampholder with
Occupancy Sensor from Leviton
Cost: $28.59
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
Compact Fluorescent Ceiling
Lampholder with Occupancy
Sensor from Leviton
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
HOME LIGHTING
Hallways
¡ Motion sensors can activate the lights in a hallway so you don’t have to fiddle around for the wall switch.
¡ Even cooler, the lights can turn off automatically as you pass through.
¡ Have the intensity of the lights change according to the time of day: off during the day, bright in the
evening, dim in the middle of the night.
¡ Turn a hallway into an art gallery by using the lights to showcase paintings, photography, and other wall
art.
Suggested System: Maestro Motion Sensors from Lutron
Cost: $55 for Maestro C-L Dimmer Sensor; $29 for Maestro Sensing Switch
Exterior
¡ An astronomical timeclock can signal the landscape lighting to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise.
¡ Have a great looking garden, beautiful ornamental trees, or fantastic finishes on the exterior of your house?
Play up the positives of your yard with lighting that you can activate right from your smartphone.
¡ Establish individual lighting zones so you can illuminate one area, like around the swimming pool, while
the other areas remain dark.
¡ Have the exterior lights flash when triggered by your home’s security system. This will help emergency
responders find your home quickly and can deter vandals.
¡ Motion sensors can activate the exterior lights, creating a pathway from the back door to the outdoor
seating area, the driveway to the front door, and from the patio to the garden shed.
Suggested System: Vantage InFusion Controller (IC-DIN-LITE-II) with companion Equinox mobile app
(EQ-App-5), RadioLink Scenepoint dimmers for four zones (4 RD13TEAWAYA) with four faceplates, RF
Enabler (RFE1000), and three motion sensors (EM-Motionsensor40)
Cost: approximately $3,200 EH
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November 2015
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Happiness is…
A comfortable, energy-efficient home.
Peace of Mind
Maximize natural light control with Somfy-powered
motorized window coverings. Seamless integration
with a home automation system adds even more
convenience.
www.somfysystems.com/eh
© Copyright Somfy Systems, Inc. 8/2015 Images: Arnaud Childeric
Photos by Cordero Studios
HOME THEATER
Give Your Home Theater
a Sonic Edge
9 Things You Need to Know About Acoustical Treatments.
BY KRISSY RUSHING
YOU’VE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY on a handsome new home theater, complete with comfy the-
ater chairs, a bright, vivid video projector, huge screen, powerful surround-sound system, and all of the of the
complementary audio/video components. So when you touch Play, why doesn’t your system sound out-of-thisworld amazing? It could be because one of the biggest factors in a room’s audio performance is the room itself;
if it isn’t designed and treated for proper acoustics, it won’t perform like a champ no matter how much highperformance gear you buy.
When building the theater or media room of your dreams, you need to devote a percentage of your
budget to the acoustical design, treatment, and calibration. The design of the room is the first step on
the path to great sound. It’s much easier to create the ideal acoustic situation for your home theater if
you talk to an acoustician or professional home theater installer before the room is built. According to
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HOME THEATER
When Erskine Group designs an acoustical space, it creates a room-within-a-room structure to eliminate having to pierce the original structure for elements like keypads and light fixtures. This minimizes the amount of
sound that is able to leak out of the home theater.
Nyal Mellor, owner of Acoustic Frontiers, of Fairfax, Calif., a company that does residential acoustical
design and calibration work, a typical budget for acoustics might be 10 to 15 percent of your overall
home theater budget. The design portion of this would include creating a sound-isolated shell for the
theater, determining how many speakers and subwoofers will be necessary and where to put them, locating
acoustical treatments, specifying equipment, and even planning for things like heating and cooling ducts—
which can introduce unwanted noise into the home theater space.
After the room is properly laid out and constructed, the equipment will be installed along with acoustical
treatments, which are available in two basic types—diffusors and absorbers, usually made from fiberglass,
molded plastic, or wood. Like their names imply, diffusors diffuse sound and absorbers absorb sound. An overly
absorptive or “dead” room is one in which too much sound is absorbed, making the room feel uncomfortable
and overly quiet. An overly reflective or “live” room is one in which audio reflections bounce all over the
place, like on a basketball court or in a house without furniture. At a very basic level, an acoustician or a
knowledgeable home theater designer will employ a combination of diffusive and absorptive materials to create
the ideal acoustical environment that is comfortable and sounds fantastic. “It’s a bit like Goldilocks’s porridge:
You have to use a combination of treatments to create a room that is just right,” says Mellor.
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HOME THEATER
Acoustics can be incredibly complex, so instead of delving into complicated science that would make
most readers’ eyes glaze over, we geeked out for an hour or two with two acousticians to report back the
following nine things you need to know about home theater acoustics.
1. Your home theater is like an aquarium. The first issue addressed in acoustic design is the room
structure itself. “Imagine an
aquarium with a hole in it. It
doesn’t matter where the hole
is; all the water is still going to
leak out,” says Dennis Erskine,
an architectural acoustician and
owner of Erskine Group, of
Marietta, Ga. “Your theater is
the same. The sound isolation
is only as good as the weakest
leak. You can have isolation
clips, a HAT channel (also
called a resilient channel,
which is a thin metal channel
that isolates drywall from the
framing studwork), and two
Decorative panels can hide acoustical treatments or speakers, or both,
while adding to the room's overall visual appeal.
layers of drywall with damping
material, but cut a hole for a light switch with a drywall saw, and all the money you spent on sound isolation
is pretty well wasted.”
According to Erskine, a properly isolated room is completely sealed and mechanically isolated from the
structure of your home. This is accomplished via a combination of damping and mass to reduce the amount
of sound entering the room.
2. Your home is louder than you think. The average background noise level in a really quiet home is 33
to 35 decibels. However, the softest sound on a movie soundtrack is 22 decibels. This means that at normal
volume levels, you can’t hear those soft sounds. “Whispers, the rustle of grass, leaves in the wind…those
sounds disappear,” says Erskine. “Turn the volume up, and now the people on the screen are yelling at you.
When a train wreck occurs, everyone will get up and leave the room. This is the sort of thing that makes
theaters fall into disuse.” Sound isolation is imperative to keep sound out of the theater and the noise floor
low enough so that you can hear those quiet passages without having to adjust the volume.
3. It’s nearly impossible not to wake the baby. The common misconception about sound isolation in
home theaters is that it is used to prevent sound from leaving the room. “The public has been told that you
need sound isolation so that you don’t wake the baby, but to achieve this will cost you more than it will cost
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HOME THEATER
to build your home,” Erskine says. That’s because the loudest sounds from a home theater are up to 115
decibels, a massive amount of sound energy to prevent from leaving the room. “It’s nearly impossible to
achieve completely.” While sound isolation certainly helps, it’s primary objective is keeping sound out of the
room and not the other way around.
4. With the introduction of new spatial surround-sound formats like DTS:X and Dolby Atmos come
new acoustical considerations. Traditional surround "channel" speaker systems, like 5.1- or 7.2-channel
arrays are different than new "object-based" spatial surround-sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X,
and therefore require slightly different acoustical design considerations. “In my opinion, the acoustical
treatment design for reflection control is different for the new spatial audio formats. With a traditional 5- or
7-channel system we believe that the ceiling should not be overly absorptive. But when using discrete ceiling
speakers for Atmos and DTS.X we advise keeping the ceiling more absorptive so as to not corrupt the spatial
cues in the surround field,” says Mellor. Of course, some Atmos and DTS:X speakers are designed to reflect
off the ceiling, so it’s important to talk to your acoustician to determine the right treatments for your ceiling
based on the speakers you are using in your Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround setup.
5. Acoustics make expensive gear perform like it should. While some homeowners may not want
to devote money to acoustical treatments and design, it’s important to know that they essentially enable
your expensive speakers and components to operate to their maximum performance potential. “When you
consider that 80 percent of sound in a home theater is a reflection and not coming directly from the speakers,
you can understand why acoustics are so important. They will have a greater impact on the sound quality
in the room than a better surround-sound processor, cables, or speakers,” says Erskine. “With the proper
acoustics, $40,000 worth of gear will sound like $400,000 worth of gear.”
6. Acoustics make your bass sound tight. Bass energy from subwoofers can be especially tricky to
manage, with uneven bass response across a home theater noted as a very common problem. Bass traps are
super-thick absorbers designed to absorb longer low-frequency audio wavelengths. “Controlling the bass in
the room and having the bass decay at the same rate as the rest of the sound in the room is important,” says
Mellor. “Home theaters that have bass issues will have big bumps and dips in the frequency. Bass trapping
is always required, but should be complemented by multiple subwoofers to reduce seat-to-seat variability, as
well as DSP equalization.”
7. You can hide acoustical treatments or use them as design elements. If you are thinking an acoustically
treated theater will look unattractive, think again. Generally, you can hide absorptive products behind an
acoustically transparent fabric wall. Absorptive panels themselves are usually finished in fabric, so they can also
be designed to match the room and simply hung on the wall surface. There are also paintable panels that can
match the room’s shade exactly. Meanwhile, a ceiling can double as both a design element and an acoustical
element. Erskine’s breathtaking ceiling millwork diffuses sound, while a fabric-stretched star ceiling with
fiber optic lighting functions as a great façade behind which to hide acoustical absorption materials. Some
diffusors—those made from wood especially—are so beautiful, they can be left exposed like artwork.
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HOME THEATER
8. Acoustics aren’t just for theaters. Did you know that acoustical treatments can help with taming
noise in other areas of the home? For example, treatments can help reduce air-conditioning compressor noise
by directing sound away from the home. They can also help minimize the sound generated by equipment
inside a utility room from seeping into bedrooms above. “Look at what Frank Lloyd Wright does in his
homes. He puts carpets on the floor, uses soft furniture and decorative tapestries, and designs cantilevered
bookcases at strange angles to either absorb or diffuse sound,” says Erskine.
9. You need an expert. When you are embarking on a new home theater project, make sure that your
home theater design firm has acousticians on-staff or has the necessary experience to properly design your
room. Many companies outsource this part of the home theater design. “Acoustics are an engineering
problem; you can’t read a book or simply Google it. To get it right, it’s a four-year degree plus experience in
the field,” says Erskine.
To find a find a professional who specializes in acoustical design check out our list of home systems
integrators, the Acoustical Society of America website or the CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and
Installation Association) website. Your ears will thank you for it. EH
KRISSY RUSHING is an A/V publishing industry veteran whose experience spans more 15 years. From her early days as
executive editor of Home Theater magazine, Ultimate AV, and Audio Video Interiors, to her more recent work as a freelance writer,
Krissy specializes in making technology understandable to anyone.
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HOME SECURITY
THE BEST HOME PROTECTION:
Professional Monitoring
or Self-Monitoring?
The SwannOne hub from Swann allows you to monitor your home from a smartphone; you can also pay a
monthly service fee to have your home professionally monitored.
Remote monitoring technology brings (sometimes free) peace of
mind to busy homeowners, but is it worth the savings?
BY LISA MONTGOMERY
YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE BOUGHT A SECURITY SYSTEM for their home, a monthly service contract from a profes-
sional monitoring company was tacked onto the package price. For a fee, the trained personnel at the monitoring station would watch 24/7 for emergencies like break-ins and fire, and dispatch the appropriate emer-
gency responders, when necessary. While professional monitoring of a home security system is still important
today, more and more homeowners are augmenting it with technology that enables them to monitor their
homes themselves.
Built into numerous residential security systems, the remote monitoring technology allows homeowners
to keep tabs on all sorts of conditions in and around the home: inspect which doors are unlocked; review
a log of who entered the home and when; review the status of motion, water, and other sensors; and access
real-time video from surveillance cameras (see Popular Remote Monitoring Scenarios below). All a user
needs to do is log on to a smartphone app (usually a free add-on to the monitoring service) to get the
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HOME SECURITY
full scoop. And should an emergency happen—like a house fire or burglary—the security system is able
to immediately notify homeowners with a text message. It’s a widespread trend leveraged by the growing
availability of security systems intended to be installed by homeowners themselves.
Wake Up and Smell the Smoke
So does this shift to DIY security mean that professional monitoring is no longer necessary? Should you
save some money by monitoring your house yourself ? Absolutely not, says Duane Paulson, senior vice
president of product and market development at Nortek Security & Control. “Say you’re asleep or don’t
have your phone. You may not always be available to take care of a critical issue at home, but a professional
monitoring station is.” According to Paulson and other manufacturers of security systems, self-monitoring
should be thought of as an adjunct to professional monitoring, and to be used mainly as way to be aware of
what’s happening on your property. “Self-monitoring capabilities provide property awareness, but there’s no
substitute for professional monitoring when it comes to security,” adds Jay Kenny, senior vice president of
marketing at Alarm.com.
Straddling the Line
Still, there are no hard and fast rules about whether to invest in a
security system you can monitor yourself or one that’s professionally
monitored. “With only 25 percent of Americans owning a
traditional, professionally monitored security system, there’s a huge
market of people who’ve never embraced the return-on-investment
of the professional monitoring model,” says Jason Domangue,
vice president of Piper, a subsidiary of iControl Networks. That’s
why iControl Networks, which has supported the professionally
monitored security industry for more than a decade with its cloudbased operating platform, has recently developed a self-monitored,
self-installed security solution for consumers called Piper. With
the introduction of the affordable home security and video
surveillance system, iControl Networks is straddling both sides of
the monitoring field, and along with another home security system
manufacturer, Swann, hopes to blur the line between professional
and homeowner monitoring even more by giving consumers the
flexibility to pay for professional monitoring when they need it
and skip the expense when they don’t. Swann’s SwannOne system
is one of the first home monitoring solutions to offer on-demand
professional monitoring. For example, you can choose to monitor
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Piper is a self-installed, self-monitored home security solution that
lets you visually inspect what's
happening at home.
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HOME SECURITY
the system and its connected sensors, surveillance cameras, and other equipment yourself, and when you go
on a weekend getaway, pay $7.95 to have your house professionally monitored. There are also options to pay
for a week’s, a month’s, or a year’s worth of professional monitoring.
Capitalizing on Control & the Cloud
The ability to patrol a home from a mobile device is only part of the remote
monitoring equation. Connected security systems also enable homeowners
to respond conveniently and appropriately to alerts, data, and other
information. A common scenario: You receive an alert on your smartphone
when a motion sensor by the front door is triggered. By logging into the
system, you can access a surveillance camera to see that the motion sensor
was set off by the UPS delivery person. You can then respond by using the
security system’s smartphone app to unlock the electronic deadbolt on the
front door, wait for the package to be deposited in the foyer, then relock.
Setups like this utilize the automation capabilities common of most
of today’s security systems, which are relying more and more on the cloud
rather than their own internal processors to facilitate communication
between devices inside the home and with mobile devices outside the
home. Another big reason for the shift to the cloud: prevention against
hacking. As the number of remotely accessible, IP-enabled security
devices (and other types of smart home devices) continues to grow, so
does homeowners’ concerns over cyberhacking. It’s tough to set up VPNs
and firewalls in the home level to impede Internet threats; it’s much
easier and effective to do so in the cloud where providers like Alarm.
com and iControl Networks perform routine maintenance and upgrades
to maintain a safe, secure communications platform for professionally
monitored security systems. (Alarm.com uses a cellular connection into
the home for greater reliability and enhanced security.)
In addition to safeguarding the integrity of an Internet-connected
security system, the cloud simplifies remote monitoring features by
POPULAR REMOTE
MONITORING
SCENARIOS
Thanks to the proliferation of Internet-connected
devices, nearly every facet
of home security can be
monitored remotely from
a smartphone app. Here
are some of the most
popular scenarios, according to Jay Kenny, senior
vice president of marketing
at Alarm.com.
¡ Making sure all of the
doors are locked after
the security system has
been armed
¡ When a motion sensor is
triggered, viewing a video
clip of the action
¡ Receiving alerts when
doors and windows are
open
¡ Checking the status of
the door locks to see if
the kids have made it
safely home from school
enabling homeowners (and professional security installers) to easily set
up their own rules and routines from a smartphone app and store those rules, as well as other security related
data (such as video clips from surveillance cameras, entry and exit logs from electronic door locks) in safe,
accessible, virtual repositories. Changes to any stored rules can be easily made by a homeowner or installer
through that cloud. In addition to being a convenient way to keep a security system up to date, it’s a moneysaver, as no new hardware is necessary to add to the house.
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HOME SECURITY
The Final Word
Despite the financial appeal of being able
to sidestep a professional monitoring
service by watching over your home
security system from your own smartphone,
for many households, it’s an unwise
approach. Think of self-monitoring as
a feature that enriches your lifestyle—
one that brings awareness, efficiency,
and convenience to everyday activities
that happen in your house. Professional
THE CAR-TO-HOME CONNECTION
Now, even the condition and whereabouts of your car
are no secret, thanks to monitoring innovation by security manufacturers. Honeywell, for example, recently
added a vehicle location tracking system to its Total
Connect line of products and services. A GPS dongle
provided by a Honeywell security dealer plugs into the
OBD port of a car (like your teenager’s car) to communicate with smartphones assigned to the system. Should
the car travel beyond a certain predefined boundary,
a rule, which is set up in the phone app, directs a text
message to be sent to specified smartphones.
monitoring, combined with the cloud,
continues to provide the ultimate in home protection. EH
FALSE ALARM CRACKDOWNS: ONE MORE REASON TO KEEP YOUR
PROFESSIONAL MONITORING CONTRACT
DIY-installed and -monitored security systems are on the rise, but the trend doesn’t seem to be hurting professional security dealers and monitoring companies.
Besides the fact that self-monitoring through a smartphone app provides spotty home protection
at best (what happens when you’re on a plane and can’t use your smartphone?), your local emergency
responders may not be as quick to react to a call from a homeowner as they would from a professional monitoring station. Certain jurisdictions in North America are cracking down on emergency
calls received by private homeowners. In Canada, Toronto police are considering not responding to
such calls, arguing that the overwhelming number of alarm calls are resource-draining false alerts,
according to the Toronto Star. In 2012, just 300 o the 20,000 private alarm calls fielded by Toronto
emergency services turned out to be legitimate.
Elsewhere, jurisdictions are re uiring video verification or witness verification be ore dispatching
emergency personnel, which has dramatically reduced wasted resources.
Security industry analyst Jeff Kessler o Imperial Capital cites places like Salt Lake City, where police
responses to alarms went from 10,500 in 1998 to 323 last year, due to the city’s crackdown on false
alarms. The result: improved response times for actual emergencies.
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CALL FOR ENTRIES
2016
PRODUCTS
of
the YEAR
Electronic House magazine is now
accepting entries in its
2016 Products of the Year Awards,
which recognize the best
technologies, products and services
for today’s Electronic House.
Submit your entry today at
ehawards.ehpub.com
Audio Home Control/Automation Home Theater
Lighting Security Video
Hardwired vs Wireless
Whole-House Music Systems
Autonomic Controls and Sonos s uare off in a debate
over which solution is best for homeowners.
THERE ARE TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT when it comes to installing a whole-house music system into a home: you
can run no wire at all, relying on your home’s wireless network to deliver music from audio components to
speakers, or you can utilize low-voltage cabling as the mode of transportation for your music. Both have their
merits, which can make it difficult to decide which route to take. That’s why we asked Michael de Nigris, CEO
at Autonomic Controls, and Kostas Reissis, Director of AV and Specialty Sales at Sonos, to battle out the finer
points of wireless vs. hardwired whole-house music systems. — From the Editor
HARDWIRED WHOLE-HOUSE MUSIC SYSTEMS RULE
By Michael de Nigris, CEO, Autonomic Controls
HOME SYSTEMS INTEGRATION FIRMS
predominantly use wired solutions as the foundation
for whole-home audio systems. By in large, they are not
transporting audio wirelessly to loudspeakers as part of their
primary solution set. They do, however, rely on music sources
(such as an Autonomic MMS music server) to give consumers
access to and control over their music wirelessly from a
handheld iOS and/or Android device. These sources, although
accessed and controlled wirelessly, operate most reliably when
they are wired and integrated into whole-home audio systems
or larger global home automation systems that include multi-zone amplifiers and loudspeakers. And, just
because a whole-house audio system requires wiring, does not mean that it will be an eyesore to look at.
Most consumers want everything neat and hidden away, and are often misinformed that wireless technology
is the only way to achieve this outcome.
The drawback of using wireless hardware to transport the audio signal is a potential sacrifice in both
sound quality and reliability, despite the growing number of wireless solutions that support higher resolution
digital formats. A wired solution serves all brands of hardware equally, while a wireless solution often relies
on signal compression and is at the mercy of the home network, as well as external RF factors that could
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impact performance. Although Wi-Fi networks have evolved, their reliability and performance is not equal
to that of a structured wiring solution. An additional benefit of going with a wired whole-house audio system
is that most can be easily integrated with a variety of home control systems. This means, for example, that
from one system you can access and control music, operate the lights and thermostats, and monitor a security
system. It’s usually more difficult to fuse a wireless whole-house audio system with a home control system.
And you can’t talk about whole-house audio systems without commenting on loudspeakers. Wireless
speakers provide the benefit of easy, flexible installation, but when compared cosmetically to hardwired
speakers, they simply don’t stack up. Hardwired, architectural speakers are visually stunning, offering
consumers beautiful options for their homes. Architectural loudspeakers serve as the eye candy of a wholehouse audio system and give consumers the opportunity to make their whole-house audio systems unique
while leveraging the power and reliability of a hardwired solution.
Systems like the Autonomic Mirage Audio System and Mirage Media Server address a different market
than wireless systems that are designed to be sold to DIY consumers. While do-it-yourselfers may find
self-installation and configuration appealing, nothing beats having a professional handle the set-up. With
a professionally installed hardwired whole-house music system, you’ll reap the rewards of audio that’s been
calibrated for listening perfection in each room, controls that are tailored specifically to your family’s needs,
and components and speakers that are integrated beautifully into a your home’s design and architecture.
WIRELESS WHOLE-HOUSE MUSIC SYSTEMS
ARE THE BEST SOLUTION
By Kostas Reissis, Director of AV and Specialty Sales, Sonos
A SILENT HOME IS YOUR FOE. This is true for wired and
wireless solutions alike. We see a wireless solution as the way
out of silence with its flexibility, future expandability and most
importantly, superior music experience.
Today’s music lover needs the flexibility wherever they want
to listen to music: family room, bedroom, media room, bathroom,
even the garage. They have to be able to place a speaker where
they want it to live.
But not everyone is building a new home nor is able to
afford cabled solutions. Nor does anyone want to have contractors pulling wires and cutting holes in the walls
and ceilings of their homes. This does not mean that they won’t do so in future, but their current needs are
the ones that must be solved. A wireless solution allows for the music fan to play music in more rooms based
on the same budget as a wired solution. We know from years of experience that a customer with more than
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one room of music is far more satisfied than a customer with only one room of music.
One of the other key advantages of connected wireless smart speakers is future expandability. At Sonos,
our speakers are built to stand the test of time (we want them to be in customers’ homes for 10+ years) and
are purposefully designed to improve over time. Regular software updates ensure that our speakers get better
and better with each new version we provide our customers. Wired products generally do not allow for
simple and regular software updates. We know that the product you buy today will bring pure musical joy
now and in the future.
Flexibility and expandability are very important in creating a music-filled home; also key is having an
enjoyable music listening experience. This means that every single person in a home must be able to quickly,
simply, and routinely play the music they need at the moment they want it to play. This music has to keep
playing without dropouts, and today’s routers and powerful wireless mesh networks are up for the task,
providing music fans with a skip-free music listening experience.
Wireless speakers must also be controlled by a simple app that is on a phone, iPad, tablet, or desktop,
which allows any listener to effortlessly manage any music. If Miles Davis is needed in the kitchen and
the living room while The Bare Naked Ladies blast in the kid’s room, anyone should be able to make this
happen. If the whole house needs to bump Macklemore for a dance party, then it should only be a couple of
clicks away. And once it starts playing, the music needs to be rich in tone and detailed in clarity. The sound
quality of the music must draw the listener in, not push them away. Wi-Fi based speakers offer the robust
connection needed to allow for lossless streaming of a family’s favorite music.
The future of music enjoyment in the home is clearly rooted in a wireless solution and its superior
flexibility, expandability, and experience opportunities by everyone in a home. Wireless speakers are the only
growing category in home audio and is why wireless speaker customers are the happiest music fans around.
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Whole-House Audio:
Features that Matter Most
BY BRETT STOKKE, Director of Communications, RTI
AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS: Specifications used to differentiate whole-house audio systems, such as the ones de-
scribed below, provide a baseline to compare the sound quality of the various products on the market. These
specs only tell part of the story, however. It is the system in its entirety—the sound quality, as well as convenience, ease of use, and reliability—that will ultimately determine the level of your satisfaction. Still, these
specs provide a good starting point when shopping:
POWER OUTPUT (WATTS) Measured in watts, this is the amount of power an audio component’s
amplifier will output. This may be one o the most important yet most misunderstood o the
specifications to consider. Although the power output o a component is important, more power does
not mean higher uality, even though in many cases you will pay more or that extra power. There are
certainly high- uality components that output only 20 watts conversely there are low- uality products
that output 120 watts. There ore, it may be less expensive to have a system that has lower power in
most rooms, but the exibility to add an amplifier in rooms that need it, such as the great room or
outdoor area.
EASE OF USE The exibility provided by open-
INTEGRATION
plat orm engineering is a big separation
audio system provides some conveniences,
actor or multi-zone audio systems, as they
hile an all-in-one or wireless
a pro essionally installed multi-zone audio
can be integrated with and operated rom
system offers the ability to choose the
a pro essionally installed home control
components that best suit the needs o each
system. ou can control every aspect o their
installation. In act, many home systems
environment
integrators are finding great success blending
rom audio and video, to lighting,
heating and cooling, security, and more rom
the streaming audio capabilities o popular
one control device.
wireless audio systems with pro essionally
installed hard-wired distributed audio
systems.
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AMPLIFICATION In addition to powered
FREQUENCY RESPONSE This measures
outputs for speaker connections, does
how uni ormly a device reproduces sounds,
the system have preamp outputs
typically across the range o
or a
re uencies
connection to an external amplifier Again,
that most humans can hear 20 z to 20K z .
your expectations and the scope o the project
A lower decibel dB is better, indicating a
will determine how much sound needs to
smaller variation in the volume level rom the
be delivered to each zone.
lowest tone to the highest.
aving a system
that allows or additional amplification where
needed is beneficial.
CROSSTALK Measured in dB decibels , this is
TRIGGER OUTPUTS AND INPUTS This allows
the amount o audio signal that is leaked across
the integration o external audio devices and
the le t and right channels o an amplifier. The
can help keep the control system aware o
larger the negative number urther rom 0 the
the status o the audio devices at all times.
better.
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO Measured in dB
decibels , this is the amount o background
SPEAKERS Room types and sizes, such as
bathrooms, great rooms, playrooms, and
noise generated by the component compared
outdoor areas, determine the speaker
to the level o audio output. Most audio
re uirements. A traditional hard-wired multi-
components will produce some background
zone audio system has the advantage by
noise due to power supplies, electrical
offering a tremendous amount o
uctuations, heat, and wiring. Look or a higher
in speaker types, placement, and uantity in
number.
each zone.
QUANTITY OF INPUTS Consider not only how
STREAMING SERVICES
many inputs are needed today but also in the
uture to determine the number o inputs your
exibility
hile sound uality
via a higher bitrate may be a selling point
or some streaming services, you may be
system needs. The ability to add music sources
willing to compromise some uality or
essentially utureproo s the system.
greater selection o songs.
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DOORBELL/PAGING INPUT Separate inputs for
AUDIO SOURCES The type o components
the integration o paging systems, doorbells,
you use to listen to music will determine the
and phones allow external systems to mute the
type o whole-house audio system that ll work
audio system. This lets the listener know when
best or you. It is important to actor in both
other events in the home may re uire their
current and uture needs when determining
attention.
the ideal system.
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION Measured
EQUALIZER ADJUSTMENTS This gives a home
as a percentage, this is the amount o
systems integrator the ability to customize
sound degradation or distortion caused by a
the sound to fit the acoustic space. These
component. Look or lower percentages usually
settings will be different or every room.
less than 1
.
QUANTITY OF OUTPUTS For hard-wired multi-
THE “SAVVY FACTOR”
zone audio systems, the number o zones rooms
you Most networked wireless systems
determines the number o outputs needed in the
re uire users to set up devices within their
system.
home network.
CONVENIENCE
ill an app su ce or would
ow tech-savvy are
“PARTY MODE”/SCENE CONTROL I using the
you benefit rom having a control system that
system or entertaining is key, distribution
also provides dedicated control using in-wall
o music to different areas needs to be easy,
touchpanels, keypads, and wireless remote
intuitive, and on-the- y, especially during a
controls in one cohesive system
party.
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Whole-House
Audio System Showcase
Wireless, hardwired, DIY, or professionally installed? All of the
options for spreading music housewide are highlighted here.
IF YOU LIKE MUSIC, and who doesn’t, there’s no better smart home technology to add to your house than a
whole-house audio system. It’s probably one of the most affordable upgrades you can make, and with many
wireless systems available, even old homes can be blessed with beautiful music. With options galore, your
only challenge will be choosing which system to buy. You really can’t go wrong with any of the systems
in our showcase, but you’ll be able to pick out a few favorites after reading about the features, installation
guidelines, and streaming capabilities.
(Editor’s Note: Some of the manufacturers contacted to participate in the showcase chose to not provide details about
their systems; in these cases, only basic information is published. Also, most systems can be easily expanded to support
additional listening zones, audio components, and music streams. The figures provided in the showcase are a baseline.)
AUTONOMIC CONTROLS
www.autonomic-controls.com
System: Mirage Audio System (comprised of Mirage Media
Server-MMS-2A or MMS- A and Mirage Media AmplifierM-400 or M-800)
Network: Hardwired from a central location to speakers throughout
the house; wireless control from Apple or Android phones and tablets
Cabling Needed: Category 5 Ethernet cabling, traditional speaker
wire
Communications: Wi-Fi-based control of the system from Apple or
Android phones and tablets, as well as from in-wall keypads (KP-1)
MSRP: $3,795 for a 4-room system
System Includes: Server, mplifier, and eypads
Installation: Requires a Professional
Number of Listening Zones Supported: 4 to 96 (the latter will
re uire additional amplifiers
Number of Audio Components Supported: 2 components if
using the MMS-2A; 5 components if using the MMS-5A
Number of Music Streams Supported: 2 streams if using the
MMS-2A; 5 streams if using the MMS-5A. Additional third (for the
MMS-2A) and sixth (for the MMS-5A) simultaneous streams are
available via USB
Streaming Services Supported: iTunes, Windows Media,
Pandora, Internet Radio, Rhapsody, TuneIn Radio, SiriusXM, Slacker,
apster, idal, Murfie, eezer, Spotify, and iHeartRadio
Controlled by: Wi-Fi-based wireless control from Apple or Android
phones and tablets, as well as from in-wall keypads (KP-1 provides
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
basic control; KP-iOS provides control and displays full metadata
about songs)
Special Features:
he Mirage udio System o ers an e clusive feature called uneBridge, a complete music discovery and exploration tool that is
dependent on what's playing at the moment. Users can quickly
jump sources to search for artists’ complete discographies or
ic o a Pandora station based on artist or trac .
The Mirage Audio Systems also supports high-resolution audio
playback, so users can enjoy everything from MP3 and streaming
services to the highest resolution digital music formats.
f a homeo ner ants to start o
ith a standalone hole house
music system but is interested in full home automation at a later
date, the Mirage Audio System will easily integrate with popular
home automation platforms.
BOSE
www.bose.com
System: SoundTouch
Network: Hardwired or Wireless
wire
Communications: i i
. b g n dual band . Hz and
Hz
MSRP: Starts at $349.95
System Includes: Speakers and infrared remote control
Installation: Can be installed by a professional and do-it-yourselfers
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
Number of Listening Zones Supported: N/A
Number of Audio Components Supported: N/A
Number of Music Streams Supported: Unlimited over wiring; 6
typically via Wi-Fi
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify,
eezer, stored music on a computer or
S
Controlled by: smartphone, tablet, computer, or included remote
control
Special Features: The SoundTouch series of products lets you
preset as many as six playlists or stations, so you can access them
quickly at the touch of a button.
CASATUNES
www.casatunes.com
System: CT-3
Network: Hardwired or Wireless, or a combination of the two
Cabling Needed: Category 5 Ethernet cabling (if keypads are
used), traditional speaker wire
Communications: Wi-Fi via Airplay. Plus, a homeowner can play
music wirelessly from any music app on his or her iOS device through
CasaTunes to any combination of wired and wireless speakers
MSRP: $1,295
System Includes: Preamp outputs for every listening room,
irPlay capability for up to five rooms e pandable , and storage for
local music (up to 50,000 high-quality lossless songs)
Number of Listening Zones Supported: 3 wired rooms and 5
wireless rooms
Number of Audio Components Supported: 3
Number of Music Streams Supported: 3
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, TuneIn Radio, Sirius M, idal, eezer, Spotify, SHO cast, and many others
Controlled by: iOS or Android phone or tablet, keypads, and
various other types of control devices when integrated with a home
automation system
Special Features: Users can stream any music service to any
room or room groups in the home from the native app on their iOS
devices. There is no need for users to learn a new application. The
system supports separate (and multiple) wake-to-music schedules
in each room.
CLARE CONTROLS
www.clarecontrols.com
System: Clare Controls Whole-House Audio System
Network: Hardwired
Cabling Needed: Ethernet cabling, traditional speaker wire
Communications: Wi-Fi (for the user to control the system via the
ClareHome mobile app)
MSRP: Starts at
per listening zone
System Includes:
.e press controller and a or zone
Streams iMR amplifier. ach piece can be purchased separately and
can include any combination of Omni 10 and Omni 20 loudspeakers
Number of Listening Zones Supported: 4 to 36
Number of Audio Components Supported: Two local sources
plus 3 streaming sources per iMR
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, SiriELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
usXM, iTunes, Slacker, plus any other service through Apple AirPlay
(through Apple TV) or Bluetooth plug-in device
Controlled by: ClareHome app running on iPhones, iPads, and
Android phones. The system also integrates with select RTI and URC
remote controls
Special Features: obra et uncompressed audio, preamplifier
outputs, and a single unit that houses the audio matrix switch, three
streaming nternet sources, and amplifier all of this fits easily into a
single-bay wall enclosure.
CONTROL4
www.control4.com
The System: Control4 Multi-Room Audio
Network: Hardwired and Wireless
Cabling Needed: Speaker wire
Communications: irplay,
, Bluetooth, i i
MSRP: Starts at $2,200
System Includes: Control4 HC250 Home Automation Hub (with 2
zones of audio output , zone udio Matri mplifier, and ontrol
Wireless Bridge
Number of Listening Zones Supported: 6
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Radio,
Rhapsody, Rdio, Beats Music, eezer, idal, Songza, iHeartRadio,
oogle Play Music, mazon loud Player
Controlled by: Control4 in-wall and tabletop touchscreens, handheld remotes, mobile devices running iOS and Android operating
systems, and Control4 wireless keypads and switches
Special Features: The Multi-Room Audio System doesn’t stop at
delivering a great music experience to all of your rooms; it is the
building block of an entire smart home that will scale with your
needs. Once you get used to your new system you may want to
integrate a smart doorbell/door station so that an audio message
plays through the speakers when someone arrives on your porch.
Or, you may want to integrate your smart security system to play an
alarm over your audio system if a break-in is detected.
DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY
www.definitivetechnology.com
System Definitive Technology
Wireless Collection
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
Communications: S Play i technology hich connects over a
Wi-Fi network
MSRP: $399 to $1,299
System Includes: W Amp, W Adapt Music Streamer, and a variety
of speakers (components are sold a la carte)
Installation: o it ourselfers
Number of Listening Zones Supported: depends on the number of speakers purchased
Number of Audio Components Supported: varies
Number of Music Streams Supported: varies
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify Connect, Songza, as ell as nternet radio stations and personal music
libraries, such as iTunes
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Special Features: efinitive echnology is no n for a high
standard of quality engineering in each and every speaker it
manufactures. From the W Studio soundbar, which supports 5.1
channel surround sound, to the
agship loudspea er that has
a tri-polar speaker array, each product in this wireless line supports
high uality materials and audio. dditionally, S Play i allo s the
products to work on an open ecosystem versus a closed platform as
is the case with some wireless, multi-room loudspeakers. This allows
users to mix and match speakers within the home and still stream
over Play-Fi.
Number of Audio Components Supported: 6 streaming services embedded in the Omni app
Streaming Services Supported: Supports
bit,
Hz Studio
uality H audio streaming of Mi Radio, eezer, idal, obuz, Rdio,
u e, Rhapsody, une n, oogle Play, i unes Radio, Spotify, ou ube
Controlled by: smartphone or tablet
Special Features: The Omni’s BT re-streaming feature allows you
to access all of your favorite music from any music account. Any
incoming Bluetooth signal can be redistributed to three other Omni
speakers wirelessly.
DENON
www.denon.com
System: HEOS by Denon
Cabling Needed: Ethernet
Communications: Wi-Fi
MSRP: $199 to $2,499
System Includes: Products are sold a la carte
Installation: Can be installed by a professional or do-it-yourselfer,
depending on the components selected
Number of Listening Zones Supported: as many as 32
Number of Audio Components Supported: N/A
Number of Music Streams Supported: N/A
Streaming Services Supported: Various (see website)
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets, Kindle Fire
FUSION RESEARCH
www.fusionrd.com
System: Ovation Wireless System
Cabling Needed: Standard networking cabling
MSRP:
per listening zone
System Includes: Single standalone zone player, hich functions
as a complete audio streaming source
Number of Audio Components Supported: as many as 20
Streaming Services Supported: all major services, including
Pandora, Spotify, Sirius M, oogle Play, Slac er, and eezer
Controlled by: smartphones, tablets, web browsers, and major
control systems
HARMAN KARDON
www.harmankardon.com
System: Omni
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
MSRP: $129.95 - $299.95
System Includes: Each piece can be purchased separately and
can include any combination of Omni 10 and Omni 20 loudspeakers
Installation: o t ourselfers
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November 2015
KORUS
www.korussound.com
System: Korus Wireless Speakers
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
Communications: SKAA, a standard used by pro musicians for
wireless mics and guitars
MSRP: Speakers range from $199 to $449
System Includes: Korus speakers and three transmitter Batons to
create the SKAA wireless network
Installation: o t ourselfers
Streaming Services Supported: Any streaming service
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets, plus Windows
and Mac computers
Special Features: Korus is the portable wireless speaker that
expands to a four-speaker wireless system. Korus does not need
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It uses SKAA, a standard used by pro musicians’ wireless mics and guitars to deliver the best possible wireless
stream. Works up to nearly 60 feet within a home even around
walls, and over 200 feet line-of-site outside.
LENBROOK
www.bluesound.com
System: Bluesound
Cabling Needed: Category 5 Ethernet cabling
Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX
MSRP: verage price of
per listening zone
System Includes: ach zone has a choice of digital, line level, or
spea er level amplification, as ell as spea er combinations in small,
medium, and large sizes
Installation: Professional installation recommended
Number of Audio Components Supported: igital and analog
local sources, along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi that extend to a broad
array of local and cloud-based sources
Streaming Services Supported: TuneIn, Slacker, iHeart, Spotify,
Rdio, idal, H trac s, Murfie, HighRes udio
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets, Kindle,
MacOSX, and Windows desktop apps, as well as any Control4 (home
automation) control device
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
Special Features: High-res audio streaming up to 24/192, along
ith audiophile grade
s, amplifiers, and spea ers co developed
by sister companies
and PSB. Bluesound uses a uni ue, proprietary operating system called BluOS that has been specially designed
for music, and gives Bluesound complete autonomy to integrate new
features.
Special Features: The Nuvo Player Portfolio can stream audio at
up to
bps near
uality to up to
zones simultaneously
with no additional compression (this is dependent on the bit rate of
the original source content).
LEVITON
www.nilesaudio.com
System: Niles Auriel
Network: Hardwired
wire
Communications: Over cabling
MSRP: ,
. for source, zone system
System Includes: MRC-6430 Controller and support for mobile
device-based control
Number of Audio Components Supported: 6, including wireless streaming
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, Spotify, eezer, SiriusXM, and TuneIn—all through a Sonos interface
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets, Windows and
Mac computers, Niles Auriel 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreens, and
Niles nHR200 handheld remote
Special Features: The Niles Auriel system delivers seamless
one-chassis integration of home theaters with whole-house audio
while accepting streaming sources through its Sonos integration.
Auriel enables an easy “one touch to music” for homeowners, and
its izard based configurator cuts installation time to a fraction of
other systems.
www.leviton.com
System: Leviton Hi-Fi 2 Distributed Audio System
Network: Hardwired with Bluetooth inputs
wire
Communications: Bluetooth wireless from devices such as tablets
and smartphones, to audio source input modules
MSRP: ,
for source, zone system
System Includes: mplifier, istribution Hub, remote audio
input modules, 4 volume controls, handheld remote
Installation: Requires a Professional; also can be installed by doit-yourselfers
Streaming Services Supported: Any streaming or stored music
can be shared with the system
Controlled by: Smartphone, in-wall keypads, handheld remote,
optional in-wall touchscreens
Special Features: The main processor of the Hi-Fi 2 is mounted
in a structured media center (typically between two studs in a wall)
and the speakers are designed to be recessed into a ceiling or wall,
o ering an incredibly clean appearance. han s to the system s
wiring backbone, homeowners can plug in whatever audio components they wish or may already own. Also, free standalone apps are
available for Android and iOS devices, or the system can be tied into
a larger automation system.
LEGRAND
PEERLESS-AV
NILES AUDIO
www.legrand.us./nuvo
System: Nuvo Player Portfolio
Network: Hardwired and Wireless
wire
Communications: ual band i i the system also employs
MIMO (Multiple-In-Multiple-Out) transmission technology to ensure
the integrity of the signal for optimal performance
MSRP: $479 to $1,295 for Portfolio Player; speakers are sold separately starting at $275
System Includes: Portfolio Player and speakers
Installation: Requires a Professional; the wireless version can be
installed by do-it-yourselfers
Streaming Services Supported: iTunes, Windows Media, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn, Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody, as well as any
music that can be transmitted via Bluetooth from a portable device
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets; can also be
integrated with and controlled by a variety of home automation
systems
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
www.peerless-av.com
System: PeerSound™ Wireless Audio System
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
Communications: . Hz Spread Spectrum i i et or
MSRP: $699 to $2,854
System Includes: Hub, Transmitter, Antenna, Rack Ears, Receiver,
mplifier and Mounting Hard are
(4 stereo or 8 mono)
Streaming Services Supported: N/A
Controlled by: The audio source that’s connected to the system
Special Features: The PeerSound Wireless Audio System supports uncompressed audio at a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample
rate of
Hz. he amplifiers are
Plenum Rated and can be
mounted in-wall or on-wall, creating a clean look. The system boasts
a wireless range of 140 feet. Plus, unlike many other solutions, the
PeerSound Wireless Audio System interfaces with any audio component or speaker, giving homeowners the freedom to use the brands
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
and equipment they like. Additionally, the PeerSound Wireless Audio
System creates its o n independent .
Hz i i net or ith
adaptive frequency hopping and error correction so it does not affect any existing wireless data network service.
POLK AUDIO
www.polkaudio.com
System: Polk Audio Omni Collection
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
Communications: S Play i technology, hich connects over a
Wi-Fi network
MSRP: $179 to $699
System Includes: Omni S2 speaker, Omni S2R portable speaker,
Omni SB1 soundbar, Omni P1 preamp, and Omni A1 amp (all sold
a la carte)
Installation: Can be installed by do-it-yourselfers
Number of Listening Zones Supported: Varies
Number of Audio Components Supported: Varies
Number of Music Streams Supported: Varies
Streaming Services Supported: Spotify Connect, Pandora,
Sirius M, Songza, eezer, as ell as nternet radio stations and
personal music libraries like iTunes
Controlled by: Smartphones, tablets, and PCs that are running the
Polk Audio Omni app
Special Features: Polk Audio combines its heritage and traditional
speaker engineering into a new evolution of wireless speakers.
Between carefully crafted drivers, tweeters, and passive radiators,
homeowners get a great sounding system at the best values in wireless, multi-room loudspeakers.
dditionally, S Play i allo s the products to or on an open
ecosystem versus a closed platform like other wireless, multi-room
loudspeakers. This allows users to mix and match speakers within
the home and still stream over Play-Fi.
RTI
www.rticorp.com
System: AD-4x and AD-8x
Network: Hardwired
Cabling Needed: Category 5 Ethernet cabling, traditional speaker wire
MSRP: $899 and $1,799, respectively
System Includes: The audio hub handles audio switching, amplification, and distribution R processors and user interfaces handle
the control and feedback of the system
Number of Listening Zones Supported: 4 and 8
Number of Audio Components Supported: 4 and 8
Streaming Services Supported: A standalone music streamer
can be connected
Controlled by: iOS and Android phones and tablets, in-wall touchpanels, keypads, and handheld remotes
Special Features: he
provide the audio s itching,
amplification, and distribution functions, hile R central processors and user interfaces manage the audio source control, user
input, and status feedback. This allows a handheld controller, wall-
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
mounted touchpanel, or smart device to activate music anywhere
in a home. For even more convenience, control can be extended to
lighting, heating and cooling, home security, and more. Accessories
are also available to further e pand the capabilities of the
audio distribution systems.
RUSSOUND
www.russound.com
System: Russound XStream X5
Network: Wireless
Cabling Needed: N/A
MSRP: $599
System Includes: The XStream X5 hub and a power supply
Installation: Profession installation recommended
Number of Audio Components Supported: 2 digital inputs, 1
Bluetooth, 1 internal music streamer
Streaming Services Supported: Spotify, iTunes, and others
Controlled by: Touchpad, MyRussound app on iOS and Android
devices, and third-party remote controls
Special Features: The XStream X5 is a small but powerful device
that is app or keypad controlled. The X5 includes built-in popular
streaming services, including Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio,
and vTuner. (Additional services will be added over the course of
the year.) With the X5, users can stream their iTunes library and
other audio content from any Airplay-enabled device and enjoy it
throughout their home. The external Bluetooth option—Russound’s
BTC-1X—makes it easy for the installer to situate the receiver for the
best Bluetooth reception in every room.
SIMPFONY LLC
www.simpfony.com
The System: Simpfony
Network: Hardwired
Cabling Needed: Category 5 or 6 Ethernet cabling, traditional
speaker wire
Communications: Over wiring
MSRP: Starts at ,
for an zone system
System Includes: Streaming sources,
audio, built in music
library, 1 input, 1 output
Number of Audio Components Supported: No limit
Number of Music Streams Supported: for every zone
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, Spotify, vTuner Internet Radio, AirPlay
Controlled by: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Windows desktop, Android
devices (coming soon)
Special Features:
tilizes standard hard are spea ers, amplifiers, etc. for e ibility in design.
ble to add a ne zone as simply as plugging in an additional
USB sound device.
Can select from hundreds of sound devices, from economy to
studio-quality options.
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SONOS
www.sonos.com
System: Sonos
Network: Primarily wireless, but can be hardwired
Cabling Needed: Ethernet cabling
Communications: edicated i i Mesh net or and a home s
Wi-Fi network
MSRP: Starts at $199
System Includes: A variety of speakers and components
Installation: Professional installation or installation by do-ityourselfers
Streaming Services Supported: More than 60 music services
orld ide also supports lossless
and
files, as ell as
most lossless files stored on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or
network storage device
Controlled by: Free Sonos app on iOS and Android devices, plus
Mac and PC
Special Features: Sonos has long been noted as the wireless
home audio category creator and leader. Its great sound, simplicity,
robust playback, regular software updates, and versatile expansion
options are often cited as reasons for its continued advocacy by
music fans around the globe.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
SPEAKERCRAFT
www.speakercraft.com
System: SpeakerCraft MRA-664
Network: Hardwired
wire
MSRP: Starts at ,
for source, zone system
System Includes: MRA-664 controller
Installation: Professional installation required
Number of Audio Components Supported: 6, including wireless streaming
Streaming Services Supported: Pandora, Spotify, eezer, uneIn, SiriusXM—all through the MRA-664’s Sonos interface
Controlled by: SpeakerCraft 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreens,
sHR200 handheld remote, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, and Windows and Mac computers
Special Features: The award-winning SpeakerCraft MRA-664
ecosystem integrates multi-room audio and home theater with a
izard based configurator that s as easy to install as it is for homeowners to enjoy. Easy access to streaming sources through its
Sonos interface means there’s more to enjoy than ever before.
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
Ahmad Rashad
Reconnects with Vinyl
Football legend creates a sports viewing room full
of audio nostalgia and dual video displays.
BY LISA MONTGOMERY
FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER and notable sportscaster, Ahmad Rashad, can’t help but analyze and critique
every play on the field. It’s in his blood—so much so that he created a special spot in his home for just that purpose.
Two 46-inch Samsung TVs mounted side by side, and a slick RTI control system let Rashad scour multiple
matchups at once. He just grabs the iPad that rests on a table next to one of the two chairs, taps a few buttons to
access a sportscast from any of several DirecTV receivers, and lets the RTI processor and amplifier do the rest.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
The overall aesthetic of the room was as important to Rashad as the dual-screen setup . “He requested that
the room evoke the same feel as his college dorm room had,” says Anthony Petrone, whose Wellington, Fla.-based
company, Petrone Technology Group, was hired to recreate this vibe with a decidedly high-tech twist. Cinder
blocks would support simple wood shelving to hold Rashad’s impressive collection of vinyl—exactly as Rashad
had done in his college dorm room, except for a slight difference. Petrone shored up the shelving arrangement by
fastening it to the wall and incorporated Rashad’s existing turntable into its design. Another big improvement
over the dorm-room audio delivery: Today, Rashad’s audio system pipes through high-end, reference-grade
Martin-Logan ESL speakers, which are manufactured specifically for two-channel music listening. In addition
to vinyl albums, most of which date back to—you guessed it—Rashad’s college days, Sirius XM, Pandora, and
other music services can be streamed through the system. With such a wide variety of formats and genres, music
pervades even while Rashad is engrossed in a game on the two TVs, and can be shared with other speakers in his
home at the touch of a button in the iPad.
And those two old-fashioned rattan chairs? Although fairly basic, they were purchased by Rashad with his
first paycheck as a professional football player. They’re just part of the nostalgia that makes this outwardly simple
space so special to the gridiron legend. EH
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
When Steel & Smarts Collide
Enterprise-grade networking ensures reliable command
over Breckenridge vacation home.
BY LISA MONTGOMERY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE ARNOLD
IF THERE’S ONE THING that can compromise the reliability of a smart home system, it’s steel. So when the home
systems integrators at ListenUp, of Denver, Colo., were hired by the owners of a 7,000-square-foot Breckenridge
getaway to design and install a soup-to-nuts Savant home automation system, their first order of business was
dealing with the steel beams that stretched across the ceilings. “Otherwise, wireless Wi-Fi signals from the
homeowner’s mobile devices and computers would literally be hitting a brick wall,” says ListenUp senior project
manager Evan Stinson. “Since the owners would be controlling music, video, and other aspects of the Savant
system from their iPhones and iPads, we decided to install an enterprise-grade wireless networking system from
Ruckus to ensure that every command would get to where it needed to go.”
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
The Ruckus system is comprised of three indoor wireless access points
and a zone controller that manages and directs the busy Wi-Fi traffic in the
house so there are no dropouts, dead spots, or finicky connections. Bottom
line: Managing the Savant whole-house audio and video distribution
systems, as well as the home’s Lutron Radio RA lighting system, Honeywell
Vista security system, Kwikset electronic door locks, and Chamberlain MyQ
garage door opener would happen for the homeowners without a hitch.
A solid Wi-Fi network afforded by the Ruckus system is complemented
Placing all of the essential smart
home components in a rack
inside a closet was crucial to
keeping the home uncluttered
by technology.
by a high-speed wiring infrastructure installed by ListenUp during the
construction of the home. This internal highway of Category6 Ethernet
cabling would enable any smart home device that’s plugged into an Ethernet
jack to also be monitored and managed by the Savant home control system.
The consolidation of dozens of wireless and hardwired electronic
systems under a single, unified home control system appeals to the
homeowners for a number of reasons. They can easily monitor the status of
the systems remotely from a smartphone or tablet and make adjustments if
necessary. “From their full-time residence in Denver they can check on the
temperature, and even unlock the door for service people, like our ListenUp
crew, who may need to come into the home,” says Stinson. “If there’s a
problem, like the possibility of frozen pipes, the Savant system is notified by
a FloLogic detector and responds by texting the homeowners a message and
MAKING A SCENE
Although ListenUp configured numerous lighting scenes or the amily,
the Savant app allows
them to create their own
scenes on a whim. They
simply set the lights the
way they want them,
capture those settings,
and press one button to
save it as a scene that can
be enacted via a mobile
app or keypad.
immediately shutting off the main water valve to prevent flooding.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
Unified control through the Savant system is just as helpful to the homeowners when they’re relaxing at their
smart vacation getaway. As they pull into the driveway after the three-hour drive from Denver, they can “wake
up” the house by tapping a single Welcome Home button on the Savant mobile phone app. In perfect order, the
garage door opens, lights in the foyer and kitchen activate to preset intensity levels, the temperature in the main
living areas adjusts (the home has 15 independent heating and cooling zones), and the security system and door
locks disarm and unlock. The same series of events unfolds when the homeowners press a button on a controller
that’s hooked onto the car visor. From there on out, they can use the Savant mobile app to tweak the settings and
summon as many as five different streams of music from a Savant SMS005A music server to any or all in-ceiling
Bowers & Wilkins speakers in 15 independent listening areas. If they’d rather unwind with a movie, the same
Savant smartphone app lets them choose video from six cable boxes and six Apple TVs to watch on any of nine
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
WHAT'S ALL THE
RUCKUS ABOUT?
Samsung TVs. All of the audio and video components are tucked
away in a rack inside a utility room, leaving every room uncluttered
by black boxes.
Clean lines continue to the walls of the home, where stylish
Lutron keypads are used in lieu of traditional light switches. In this
home a single keypad can do the work of several light switches,
ou can t hear it or see it, but
the Ruckus wireless networking
system in this 7,000-s uare- oot
home plays a crucial role in its
unctionality. ome systems
integrator Evan Stinson o Listen p, Denver, Colo., explains,
The Ruckus one Director allows
the home s three wireless access
points APs to act as one, so
commands issued rom wireless
control devices, like the homeowners iPhones and iPads don t have
to hand off rom one access point
to another, as is the case with
other APs. These access points
also acilitate better signal range
and per ormance through the use
o BeamFlex technology, which directs signals to the intended smart
home devices.
and in a much more elegant manner. Programmed into the Lutron
RadioRA lighting control processor by ListenUp, and engaged by
the Savant system and Lutron keypads are special lighting scenes
that illuminate each area of the house with precision and elegance.
THE PLAYERS
Systems Design & Installation
ListenUp, Denver, Colo., listenup.com
An Entertain button on a keypad in the family room, for example,
Architect
Michael F. Gallagher, Breckenridge, Colo.,
michaelgallagher.com
speakers in the main listening zones. The scenes that get the most
Builder
Arnie Surdyk of Double
Diamond Property & Construction Services, Frisco,
Colo., doublediamondproperty.com/home
adjusts the lighting to the perfect level and pipes music to all of the
use for the on-the-go family, however, are All On and All Off. Press
either, and the Savant system sweeps through the house either
prepping the place for their arrival or departure. And no matter
where they are—in Denver, in their car, or settled on the couch
in their smart house, the ability to control the myriad electronic
devices is never more than a smartphone app away. EH
THE SCOREBOARD Innovation
77777
Aesthetics 77777 Customization 77777
Cool Factor 77777 Affordability 77777
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
Lighting Designer
Denise Robert of Lilli’s Lighting & Décor, Frisco, Colo.,
lillislightinganddecor.com
EQUIPMENT
Automation & Control Savant
Media Server Fusion Research
Speakers Bowers & Wilkins, Canton and Sonance
Displays Samsung
Networking Linksys and Ruckus
Shading & Lighting Control Lutron
Surveillance Cameras ICRealtime
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
8,000 Square Feet of Automation
Sprawling country home transforms
into the ultimate smart house with 70+ speakers,
23 4K TVs, 17 home control iPads, and more.
BY KRISSY RUSHING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX KANE
THERE ARE HOME REMODELS and renovations that involve simply taking a home and updating its aesthetic, but for this
home renovation absolutely nothing about the original 8,000-square-foot country home was retained. “Everything
on the inside and the outside was completely changed,” says Amer Dim, general manager of home systems
integration company Casaplex, of Kensington, Md. “Everything was torn out and rebuilt, giving new meaning to
the term gut renovation.”
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
Top: A 75-inch
Samsung 4K
TV can pull
content from
multiple media
servers, cable
boxes, and other
components
hidden away in
the basement.
Bottom: Control
over everything
electronic in the
home is possible
even from the
master bathroom, thanks to
an in-wall Crestron touchpanel.
In addition to the expert construction by Howard Kandel and interior redo by Skip Sroka, the home was
updated to a technological masterpiece, with a Crestron automation solution at the heart of it. Casaplex, a
company recommended for the project by Crestron, likes to give its customers a variety of ways to control their
home’s electronic systems, and on this massive project, this became even more important. “It would not do for our
clients to be running around the grounds, searching for a lone iPad to turn the lights on,” says Dim.
To make sure control was always at the ready, the Casaplex team outfitted this home with a collection of
handheld and in-wall Apple iPads (17 total; four of which are mounted to the wall) along with four in-wall 10-
inch Crestron TSW touchpanels. Through the unique and totally custom Casaplex floorplan-based user interface,
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
which depicts the layout of the house and
landscape, the homeowners have the ability
to view the status of the electronic devices
in those areas and control those devices if
necessary; for example, instantly turning off
a light in a bedroom that might have been
left on. They can also use the touchpanels
and iPads to view the property in real time
from six Axis IP surveillance cameras, which
can be panned, tilted, and zoomed from the
iPads and touchpanels for a better look. The
camera views can also pop onto the screen
of a touchpanel or iPad automatically when
the button on the intercom station at the
front gate is pressed. “Our goal for every user
interface is for anyone to be able to control
the system without any training. That’s
why we test our programs in-house before
we install them. That’s why this particular
system is extremely intuitive,” says Dim.
Given how easily it is to manage their
estate through the Crestron system, the
homeowners find that they have more time
to relax, and much of this happens in their
well-appointed master bedroom. Here,
Top: These two TVs
are just two of several
in the sport's viewers media room (see
the rest of the media
room pictured above).
Right: A Crestron matrix switcher (tucked
into an equipment
rack with other smart
home components)
gives each TV access
to several different
components, allowing
the homeowners to
watch four different
sporting events at the
same time.
they can use the Crestron control app on
an iPad to access video from a variety of
different components (stored elsewhere
in a equipment rack) to play on a 75-inch
Samsung 4K TV and Sonance in-ceiling
stereo speakers. This could be anything
from an Audrey Hepburn movie stored on
two Kaleidescape M-class media servers,
programs from two Apple TVs, sports from
six cable boxes, or live video streams from
the half-dozen surveillance cameras.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
Another favorite spot of the homeowners’ to settle in for a
show is their 15-by-25-foot media room. Here, a multi-display
video wall comprised of four 55-inch TVs and a Crestron matrix
switcher, caters to the homeowners’ love of sports by enabling
each of the four TVs to display a different broadcast. “He can
watch four different sporting events in this room, and there
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART HOME GALLERY
are two more displays in the adjacent bar area. The biggest challenge isn’t controlling it. It’s figuring out what to
watch,” says Dim.
And it’s not just the bedroom and home theater that are blessed with outstanding entertainment options.
Thanks to a Crestron multi-room A/V system, sources from a hidden centralized rack in the basement can go to
any of 23 Samsung 4K TVs or more than 70 speakers throughout the home. When the speakers aren’t playing the
audio to complement the chosen video, they are usually pumping out music from an Autonomic Controls MMS5A music server (a Crestron Sonnex digital audio distribution system directs the audio traffic). The tunes extend
into the yard, where 10 Sonance landscape speakers and two in-ground subwoofers leave no area untouched.
Complementing both the indoor and outdoor music are elegant lighting effects. To make it a cinch for the
homeowners to set the lights—both indoors and outdoors—for any mood, situation, or occasion, the Casaplex
team integrated a Lutron HomeWorks QS lighting control system with the Crestron PRO3 home automation
system. The tie between the two systems means that from any Crestron interface the homeowners can control over
280 lighting loads. And thanks to the custom programming of the HomeWorks
QS system by Casaplex, the homeowners can activate special lighting scenes,
sweep through the entire house to turn off the lights before bedtime, or operate
lights individually. While they’re at it, they can monitor and adjust the temperature
in four heating/cooling zones, operate the swimming pool and spa, unlock and
lock a gate at the entrance to the property (when the gate intercom button is
pressed, a nearby IP camera view pops up on the screen), and manage a 150-
zone GE Concord alarm system. For even greater peace of mind that their home
is secure, Crestron RavaSIP technology lets them access and manage all of the
electronic systems in the home remotely.
Of course, with a system this massive and all-encompassing, there are bound
to be a few homeowner questions. For these clients, Casaplex customized a
support portal ticketing system within the interface to allow them to enter tickets
or simply communicate 24/7 with the support team in case there are any issues.
“In the end, this might seem like a pretty standard home automation system. It’s
the type of system that integrators do every day,” says Dim. “However, the fact that
the property is totally manageable despite grand-scale electronics is what makes
it unique. Now the clients can enjoy their large estate to its fullest, thanks to the
THE PLAYERS
Systems Design & Installation
Casaplex, Kensington, Md.,
casaplex.com
Interior Designer Sroka Design
Incorporated, Washington, D.C.,
srokadesign.com
Builder Kandel Construction
Group, Potomac, Md.,
www.kandelconstruction.com
EQUIPMENT
Home Automation: Crestron
Lighting Control: Lutron
Multi-room Audio/Video System:
Crestron
Flat Panel TVs: Samsung
Loudspeakers: Sonance
A/V Sources: Autonomic Controls,
Kaleidescape, Apple TV
Smart Thermostats: Crestron
Security System: GE
Surveillance Cameras: Axis
Networking: Cisco, Ubiquiti
Intercom: Holovision
conveniences and entertainment that the smart home provides.” EH
THE SCOREBOARD
Innovation
77777
Customization 77777 Cool Factor 77777
Aesthetics
77777
77777
Affordability
KRISSY RUSHING is an A/V publishing industry veteran whose experience spans more 15 years. From her early days as
executive editor of Home Theater magazine, Ultimate AV, and Audio Video Interiors, to her more recent work as a freelance writer,
Krissy specializes in making technology understandable to anyone.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART TV
Get in the
GAME!
A Gamer’s Guide to Smart TVs: features, technologies, and
innovation to look for. BY DENNIS BURGER
THINGS WERE SIMPLER 30 years ago. Back then, any article that included the words “gaming” and “television” in its
headline would most likely have been a two paragraph blurb about which was better: your Nintendo Entertain-
ment System’s RF adapter output or those fancy looking new RCA video connections. And the question of how
to choose the best display for video gaming was easy to answer: Go for the big color TV in the den.
Needless to say, things are a bit more complicated for today’s gamers. While the denizens of the PC
Master Race have their pick of all sorts of specialized monitors—professional models, models designed
specifically for photo editing and, yes, monitors aimed squarely at the hair-trigger needs of hardcore
gamers—big-screen console video gamers don’t have it quite so easy. The quest for the perfect gaming TV
can be downright epic, and as perilous as any of the dankest dungeons in Dark Souls II.
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
November 2015
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
SMART TV
Lag Kills
If you ask most hardcore gamers, the one TV specification they care about most is input lag. What, exactly,
is input lag? Simply put, it’s the amount of time it takes for an incoming digital video signal to pass through
all of a television’s video processing and actually appear on the screen. Of course, there are all sorts of other
delays that fall under the heading of "input lag": the amount of time that passes between pressing a button
on a wireless controller and the acknowledgment of that signal by the gaming console; the time it takes for
the game to respond to that button press; and the time it takes for the outgoing A/V signal to pass from the
console through a surround-sound receiver and onto the HDMI input of your TV.
But the TV itself can often be the worst offender in the signal chain these days. While many TVs boast
input lag as little as 10 to 30 milliseconds (which is imperceptible to even the most competitive gamer),
others create a video traffic jam of 110 milliseconds or more, which is enough lag to slow up even your
father’s Frogger flow.
So, the solution is simple, right? If you’re serious about gaming, just shop for the TV with the lowest
input lag. Not so fast, though. Scour the specification sheets of the TVs at your local big box store for input
lag ratings, and you won’t find it. Amazing as it may seem, this is one aspect of a television’s performance that
manufacturers simply don’t put in big bold stickers on the side of the box, leaving gamers at the mercy of
reviewers or online databases to find the most lag-free TVs.
Less Is More, but Also Less
Even those numbers, though, don’t always paint a complete picture. Measuring and reporting the input lag
of a TV isn’t always straightforward. If you find a TV with less than 30 milliseconds of input lag, chances
are good that the measurement was done with the display in Game Mode, which isn’t the same as the Game
picture preset you find on many displays (along with Movie, Dynamic, Sports, and Standard, etc.). Game
Mode is generally a wholly separate setting that turns off all, or almost all, of the TV’s picture processing. So
in Game Mode, you won’t get Motion-Compensated Frame Interpolation (aka MotionFlow, Auto Motion
Plus, Clear Scan, or TruMotion), which is good, because these settings usually don’t play well with video
games. But you’ll also lose a lot of the other video processing that makes modern TVs look so great: color
processing, video scaling, and noise reduction, as well as advanced features like depth enhancement.
The other aspect to consider is that Game Mode tends to be buried deep in the menus of many new TVs,
so if you use your display for movie- and TV-watching as much as you do for gaming, you’ll probably want to
invest in a display that makes switching into and out of Game Mode quick and straightforward.
The good news is, with this year’s slate of Ultra HD displays, input lag is starting to trend in the
downward direction, thanks to the higher frame rate capabilities afforded by HDMI 2.0. So, even if this
generation of video game consoles doesn’t support 4K gaming, it may still make sense to save up your pennies
for a UHD TV.
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November 2015
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SMART TV
Does Any of This Matter for Casual Gamers?
Granted, most of the above advice is targeted at the hardcore gamer looking for every competitive advantage
he or she can afford. But what if you’re a more casual player? What if you haven’t even snagged one of the
latest-generation video game consoles yet? This doesn’t mean video games shouldn’t play any part in your TV
purchasing decisions. In fact, with some of this year’s models, you don’t need a game console at all to enjoy a
huge library of on-demand games. For example, Sony recently launched its PlayStation Now service, which
is effectively Netflix for video games. It’s available on select 2014 and 2015 Sony TVs, as well as—oddly
enough—select 2014 and 2015 Samsung Smart TVs. All you need is a subscription to the service and a
DualShock 4 controller to tap into an ever-expanding catalog of the best PlayStation 3 games. And since the
games are rendered inside the TVs themselves, you won’t have to worry about input lag. The only lag you’ll
have to worry about is that of your Internet and local home network. And that’s a subject of another article
altogether. EH
DENNIS BURGER is editor in chief of HDLiving.com. He also contributes regularly to The Wirecutter, Home Theater Review, and
Residential Systems.
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November 2015
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SMART HOME
1. Insteon Hub
2. On Controls Hub
3. Staples Connect
D-Link Hub
4. Lowe's Iris
Smart Hub
2
1
SMART HOME HUBS:
The brains
of your
home’s operation
4
3
Tips on finding the right hub for your house.
A SMART HOME SYSTEM TYPICALLY CONSISTS of several devices, including sensors, light switches, surveillance
cameras, and more, which all speak to a central controller, or hub. To understand the role of a smart home
hub, consider what happens with simpler, single-function approaches to smart home technology: For exam-
ple, you might install an electronic lock on the front door and a smart thermostat on the wall in the hallway,
each with its own complementary app that lets you control each device from a smartphone or tablet. Later,
you might add a smart light switch, which is also able to be controlled from an app. As you add more smart
devices to your home, jumping from one app to another can become a tedious exercise and affords none of
the conveniences you’d expect from a smart home.
By tying all of these individual products to a central controller, though, you can automate the process so
that unlocking the door signals the lights to turn on and the thermostat to adjust. A smart home hub also
offers the benefit of managing the operation of all your smart devices all on its own. You can put down your
smartphone and let the hub do the work. Based on parameters you (or your professional installer) specify,
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SMART HOME
schedules and settings can be programmed into the hub from a phone or computer. The hub then dispatches
commands to the appropriate devices. A hub can also receive signals from connected smart devices (either
wireless technology or physical cabling) and can react to these signals in a meaningful way. For example,
when it receives a signal from a motion sensor, a smart home hub can respond by switching on a light and
sending your smartphone a text message.
Wireless technology is a big trend in the smart home hub category. By employing any number of
different wireless communications protocols, a smart home hub is able to send and receive signals to and
from individual devices without needing to be physically connected to them. It all happens wirelessly, which
makes these types of hubs easy to install and appealing to the DIY contingent of homeowners.
There are a number of wireless communications protocols, each with certain advantages and
disadvantages (see the chart below). A smart home hub can employ one type of protocol or several. The more
languages it can speak, the more versatile (and usually expensive) a hub becomes, as you’ll be able to mix and
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOLS
NAME
PROS
CONS
Z-Wave
¡ Very low power; batteries can last a year or
more
¡ Mesh networking
¡ Over 1,000 devices available
¡ ses different re uencies in different
countries
¡ Can't handle video
ZigBee
¡ Low power; battery power is possible
¡ Mesh networking
¡ Many different avors make
compatibility challenging
¡ Not as many devices as Z-Wave
¡ Can't handle video
Bluetooth
¡ Communicates directly with
a smartphone without a controller
¡ Low power with Bluetooth Low energy
¡ More limited range
¡ Lacks the advantages o mesh
networking
433-Mhz
¡ Biggest signal range up to 600 eet
indoors)
¡ Limited device availability
networking
Wi-Fi
¡ igh bandwidth suitable or use with video
cameras and audio
¡ Communicates directly with a smartphone
or tablet without a controller
¡ Power hog and re uires AC adapters or
other power schemes or devices
Cannot use batteries
networking
The Technicalities of Smart Home Tech: The Wireless Protocols
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SMART HOME
match devices from various manufacturers, choosing the products you like best.
However, there is a benefit, beside lower cost, to using a hub that speaks a single language: mesh
networking. Mesh networking is a feature of Z-Wave and ZigBee communications protocols, both of which
were created specifically for smart home applications. In a mesh network, some devices (usually those that
plug into an AC outlet) act as repeaters for the signals from other devices, creating better overall signal
coverage and longer signal range. It’s important to know that a repeater only works for its own signal type.
For example, a Z-Wave repeater cannot extend ZigBee signals or vice-versa. So even if your smart home hub
is capable of communicating via Z-Wave and ZigBee, there’s an advantage of sticking to a single wireless
protocol for all of the sensors, switches, and other devices you add to your house. EH
DIY SMART HOME HUB MANUFACTURERS
There are a number o companies that offer DI smart home hubs, and the list keeps growing. Check
these out be ore you invest, ensuring that the hub can support all the different types o products
you d like to automate in your home.
iRule Automation System
On Controls Hub
Belkin WeMo
www.iruleathome.com
www.oncontrols.com
www. eMo.com
JDS Technologies
Resolution Products Helix
Fibaro Home Center2
resolutionproducts.com
HomeRunner RBI
www.fibaro.com
www.jdstechnologies.com
SmartThings Hub
Icontrol Networks Piper
Lowe’s Iris
www.smartthings.com
www.getpiper.com
www.lowes.com iris
Zonoff Staples Connect
Insteon Hub
Nexia Home Intelligence
www.zonoff.com
www.insteon.com
www.nexiahome.com
www.staplesconnect.com
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November 2015
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The Energy
Detective system
WHOLE-HOUSE ENERGY MONITORS:
Calculating the Cost Savings
BY LINDSAY BULL
KNOWING HOW MUCH ENERGY you’re using in your home can be difficult. Often, you don’t have any idea how
much juice your house is consuming until you get your utility bill at the end of the month, and the best thing
you can do to improve is to make little adjustments to see if the next bill is lower. Obviously, conserving our
planet’s resources is a top priority, but so is saving your hard-earned money, and there are plenty of variables
to be tested when you’re trying to find the most efficient method for energy conservation and savings. This is
why a whole-house energy monitor can be a good investment for carefully monitoring and maximizing the
efficiency of your home’s energy usage.
Many whole-house energy monitors are capable of converting your energy usage directly into dollar
amounts and some can even show you how much each of your appliances is costing you to run. Adjustments
are easier to make when you know exactly where you can make them, and this type of technology can provide
the information you need to do so. A whole-house energy monitor will provide you with feedback almost
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November 2015
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instantly, allowing you to maximize your energy usage. Granted, you will still have to manually adjust your
appliances in order to change their energy consumption, but at least you will know where to focus your
attention.
There are a variety of different products on the market that offer the ability to track energy usage. Many
are capable of telling you how many kilowatt hours an individual appliance is using, but this information
is often hard to analyze, and can only be applied to one appliance at a time. Whole-house energy monitors
typically attach to your home’s energy meter and can provide a much more dynamic form of information
than can a simple monitor that’s plugged into an AC outlet.
So how much money can you expect to save? It’s hard to say exactly, but many companies boast a 15
percent savings within the first month. Depending on how closely you monitor the device, you could save
even more. Depending on the size of your electric bill, a whole-house energy monitor that costs between
$200 and $1,000 could easily pay for itself within a year.
If you’re considering a whole-house energy monitor for your home, these options offer exceptional
technology and advanced capabilities:
Energy Joule by Ambient Devices
Energy Joule by Ambient Devices
The concept behind the Energy Joule is simple—if you, as a homeowner, knew how much it cost to run
certain appliances throughout the day, you’d know where and when to cut back. Each month, energy
companies provide homeowners with information about kilowatt hours and usage. This information can
be hard to understand, making it virtually useless to the average homeowner. The Energy Joule translates
this data into meaningful, understandable metrics so homeowners are able to make an informed decision
when it comes to energy usage. In fact, Ambient Devices has taken an extra step to simplify the data with
a color indicator on the back of the display, which shows green or red to reflect when energy costs are at a
low or high, making it easy to identify the best times to consume power. The ultimate goal of the Energy
Joule is to inspire homeowners to run their appliances at the optimal energy-wise times.
www.ambientdevices.com
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November 2015
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The TED Commander calendar
The Energy Detective (TED)
The Energy Detective is the oldest energy monitoring company around, having been established in 2001, and
experience definitely shows. With the ability to collect information about each of your home’s appliances and
deliver it in terms that are easy to understand, The Energy Detective is worth the
investment. For example, the refrigerator compressor has just turned on. Using
a TED device, you can quickly see how much money it’s costing to run in real-
time and compare it to how much money it cost to run the refrigerator yesterday,
last week, or even last month. With TED, making a better-informed decision on
energy savings becomes possible and simple. www.theenergydetective.com
Power Wise Systems
Geared more toward the energy management of commercial buildings, Power
Wise Systems offers a great solution for tracking energy consumption. The
system’s user interface delivers comprehensive feedback about energy usage
that is organized in charts and graphs. Power Wise products are also capable of
metering the use of water, oil, and natural gas/propane.
www.powerwisesystems.com
PowerCost Monitor by Blue Line Innovations Inc.
Blue Line Innovations Inc.’s PowerCost Monitor provides real-time data about
energy usage in homes and businesses. Access to the information is securely
available from an iPhone, where you can view real-time as well has historical
energy-usage data. Charts and graphs display all the information, providing
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November 2015
PowerCost Monitor by
Blue Line Innovations
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com
hints on how to minimize your household energy consumption. DIYers will love the fact that Blue Line
Innovations series of energy management products are designed to be installed by homeowners.
www.bluelineinnovations.com
When it comes to smart energy usage, there’s really no better way to accomplish it than by having a
whole-house energy monitor installed. While electric companies continue to jack up the prices on utilities,
many homeowners don’t know just how much they’re using until it’s too late. Information is power, and
whole-house energy monitors are the best way to stay informed. Whether you’re trying to save money or
the environment, or just want to know how much your electric bill is going to be before it shows up in
your mailbox, a whole-house energy monitor is definitely the type of investment homeowners should be
considering. EH
LINDSAY BULL is the marketing coordinator at Vantage Controls, where she writes SEO web content, blog posts, and print
copy. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Utah Valley University.
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NEW ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS & SYSTEMS
6
TOP PRODUCTS FOR
YOUR SMART HOUSE
SONOS PLAY:5 WIRELESS SPEAKER
The newest in the lineup of speakers from Sonos is the wireless
Play:5. These speakers crank mids and lows via three mid-woofers
with six synchronized, custom-designed drivers, while another three
tweeters handle the highs. Promising a wide soundstage, the Play:5
can be used alone in a horizontal orientation or can be paired to
produce true stereo sound.
Available in matte white and black, the Play:5 will be one of the
first Sonos speakers to eature a new speaker-tuning so tware
called Trueplay. This allows you to tweak the sound based on your room and whatever is in it.
Trueplay uses the Sonos app, the microphone on an iPhone or iPad, and a special tone emitted by your
Sonos speakers. The app analyzes how the sound re ects off walls, urniture, glass, and other sur aces
and adjusts the sound of the speakers accordingly.
The Play 5 also boasts better wireless per ormance and new touch controls or ipping through tracks, as
well as playing, pausing, and cranking up (or down) the volume. And like all Sonos speakers, the Play:5 will work
with other speakers in the company’s lineup.
In addition to the Play:5, Trueplay will be also be available on Play:1 and Play:3 Sonos speakers, as
well as iOS controllers. The company plans to add it to other Sonos speakers in the near future.
MSRP: $499
NYRIUS SMART LED LIGHT BULBS
A few months ago, Nyrius introduced a Smart Outlet that uses wireless Bluetooth technology. Now, the company has another bright
idea: Smart LED Light Bulbs. Like the Smart Outlet, Nyrius Smart LED
Light Bulbs use Bluetooth 4.0 technology. This means you can control
the bulbs wirelessly, but only bulbs in the same room as you.
Designed to screw into most existing light sockets, a bulb can
be paired with any smartphone or tablet in seconds via Bluetooth.
However, Nyrius also has iOS and Android apps, so you can tweak
color options, set daily lighting schedules, sync bulbs with music,
set the lights to deliver a wake-up call, and much more. The app
can even group up to eight Nyrius Smart LED Light Bulbs so you can
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November 2015
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NEW PRODUCTS
control multiple lights with one click. There s even an option to have the lights ash green when there s an
incoming phone call.
Being able to set schedules doesn’t just mean that you’ll never have to walk into a dark house. It can also
save you a few bucks on your energy bill, if you have someone at home who is constantly leaving the lights on.
Also, scheduling lights to go on and off at certain times o the day can deter the t, because it always looks as i
someone is home even when you re out o town.
MSRP: $39.99 each
LENNOX WI-FI THERMOSTAT
If you love your tablet, the Lennox iComfort S30 may be the perfect
smart thermostat for you. This Wi-Fi thermostat looks a lot like a tablet, combining temperature tweaks with a beautiful, big screen that
displays all sorts of things, including the current temperature of the
house, as well as your local 7-day weather forecast. It even has animated screensavers that are designed to match outdoor conditions.
Besides looking pretty, the iComfort S30 is a smart thermostat,
so it should be able to save you a few bucks on your monthly
bills. For instance, it has a Smart Away mode that can detect when
you’re home or away, based on the GPS on your smartphone. If the iComfort S30 senses you’re away, it will
go into an energy-saving mode and ip back to your avorite set temperature when you re almost home.
It even has a Feels Like temperature setting that takes indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity
into account to make the home feel its most comfortable. In other words, you can set the desired temperature to 72 degrees and the iComfort S30 will make it feel like that year-round.
Of course, because this is a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can monitor and adjust temperature settings from
inside or outside the house via most iOS and Android devices. Other features include scheduling, pollen
and air quality monitoring, moisture control, diagnostics to predict potential problems, and a 7-inch highdefinition color touchscreen.
MSRP: Contact a Lennox dealer
GENIE SMART GARAGE DOOR OPENER
Instead of worrying about whether or not you left the garage
door opened for unwelcome guests, Genie wants to make all of
your high-tech wishes come true with the new Aladdin Connect.
Designed for smart houses in need of smart garages, the Aladdin Connect allows you to check the status of the garage door
from anywhere in the world. Even better, it can provide access
to that door so you can open or close it from almost any smart
device.
This garage door controller features a Wi-Fi-enabled control
module with the SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3200 wireless MCU from
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November 2015
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NEW PRODUCTS
Texas Instruments (TI). It can be used with or in place of the opener’s standard wall console. In addition to
the door control module, the setup includes a door position sensor that attaches to the garage door. The
sensor can detect the position of the door and relay that message to the module.
The Genie Aladdin Connect, which works with a wide range of garage door openers, comes with one
sensor, but you can purchase additional sensors to monitor up to three doors.
In addition to audible and visual notifications, the L 325-compliant system can deliver alerts when
there’s a change in the garage door’s status. Genie plans to add a scheduling option in the near future.
MSRP: N/A
APPLE SIRI VOICE CONTROL FOR NEW APPLE TV
As i you needed another reason to yell at the TV Siri is going to
be part of the new Apple TV.
The all-new Apple TV will include all of the apps you enjoyed
on the old Apple TV. However, the new model allows you to
navigate through those selections by using your voice and the
Siri Remote. This system uses Apple’s popular voice assistant to
search TV shows and movies across iTunes and popular apps, by
title, genre, cast, crew, rating, or popularity. All you have to say is
“Show me Game of Thrones” or “Find me movies with Brad Pitt.”
Siri can even put sports, stock, and weather information right on
the screen.
In addition to the voice capabilities, the remote includes a glass touch surface, a built-in accelerometer,
and a gyroscope, so you can select, scroll, and navigate through content with ease. The compact set-top
box also features the new tvOS operating system, which is based on Apple’s iOS. Most likely, this means
that at some point, we should expect to see tons o new apps and games specifically designed or the
Apple TV. Each one of those will be available through the new Apple TV App Store.
Other features include the new Apple-designed A8 chip, Metal technology for more detailed graphics,
and a new Game Center.
MSRP: $149 for 32GB model; $199 for 64GB model
KWIKSET SMART Z-WAVE-ENABLED DOOR LOCKS
Looking to add a little extra security to your front door? Consider
something like a deadbolt. Of course, you may not want to add
another key to that already crowded pocket. Thankfully, Kwikset
just started shipping its Signature Series smart locks.
The Signature Series is a new lineup of deadbolt locks embedded with Home Connect technology. This enables you to access
and control these smart locks via Z-Wave communications from
almost anywhere by using a smartphone or tablet.
Just know that to use the Z-Wave and other high-tech perks,
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November 2015
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NEW PRODUCTS
you will need to pair this lock with a third-party Z-Wave hub or controller. This connection will also allow
you to sync the lock with other smart devices in the home. Once connected, you can check in on the door
status and even receive alerts via email or text.
Other features include SmartKey re-key technology so you can re-key the lock without having to remove
it from the door, BumpGuard technology to prevent lock bumping, and full 128-bit encryption security.
The Signature Series smart locks are also easy to install. Designed to replace existing door hardware,
all you need is a screwdriver and four AA batteries. No wiring is required and the batteries should last for
about one year.
The locks are available in a traditional round style and a contemporary square model in brass (traditional only , nickel, and bronze finishes.
MSRP: Starting at $149
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EXPERT BY KEVIN LOTTO
COMMENTARY
Don’t be Blinded
by the Possibilities
With all the advances in home automation, it’s tempting to take
them too far. Here’s why restraint is a far more useful tool.
REMEMBER THE SCENE from Back to the Future where Doc Brown has set up an automated breakfast maker that
consists of clocks, robotic arms, and typical household appliances? What a way to simplify life: wake up in the
morning and breakfast is already made, even for the dog! But then we see the downside: Doc was away, but the
timer on the system didn’t know that, so it ran through its routine like it was programmed to do. We see toast
burning, coffee being poured out of the maker, and dog food piling up. What a mess. Seems like things were a
bit too automated.
It’s easy to get caught in the automation trap. Our clients (homeowners) regularly ask us if an
action-based object (like lighting or shades) can be triggered by a clock or motion. They might ask, for
example, to have the shades lower every time they turn on the TV, and rise back up when they turn it
off. They’d like a sound to be played through the home’s audio system when a delivery truck arrives, and
a different sound to be played when it leaves. Each of these ideas can be implemented, but evaluation of
each possible scenario is key.
As an integrator of technology, the temptation is constantly there: If you have two devices that
can “talk” to each other, why not hear what they have to say? If the system has a motion sensor, why
not have it trigger the system to turn on the home theater equipment? If a weather app predicts warm
weather, why not have the thermostats adjust accordingly? This all sounds convenient and cool, but it’s
important to take a step back and think about the potential consequences of “over automation.” Such as:
¡ Is having the feature more important than having a robust and serviceable system?
¡ Will the environment be dynamic? Temperatures fluctuate, pets move around, and light
conditions change. These variables could cause unexpected results.
¡ Should the automation routines happen every time?
¡ Will people unfamiliar with the system—such as visitors and guests—be unpleasantly surprised
by the action?
Even having control over certain actions when away from home can cause undesired results. It may
seem like a good idea to be able to turn on the fireplace when you aren’t home so that you can impress
your house sitter. But if you aren’t there in person, can you be sure that the flue is open? Or that Fluffy
the cat didn’t decide to take a nap in the fireplace? These are potentially hazardous consequences and
significant liabilities.
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November 2015
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EXPERT COMMENTARY
In other words, just because you can accomplish something, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good idea. To
paraphrase the brilliant Dr. Ian Malcom in Jurassic Park: Your integrators were so preoccupied with whether
or not they could do something that they didn’t stop to think if they should.
As integrators, we must be consultative, consider the request, and evaluate the possibilities and
consequences. It’s in everyone’s best interest to let homeowners know that their requests have the potential to
cause harm or unreliable results, and to have an alternative plan at the ready.
It’s also very important to provide a method for the homeowner to turn a feature off. For instance, if an
outdoor motion detector is used to turn on some lights, make sure that the homeowner has the ability to
override that feature when it’s raining or windy outside. Otherwise, the lights may turn on and off constantly,
keeping the whole family awake.
Still, it’s nearly impossible to anticipate every scenario. That’s why the best integrators will allow extra
time in the project to verify their implementation even after the homeowners have started using the system.
This ensures that homeowners learn how they live and interact with the systems, allowing home systems
integrators to create the best possible experience.
The bottom line? Automated systems can be transformational, certainly, but only when done
thoughtfully, reliably, and with as much foresight as possible. EH
KEVIN LOTTO is director of Smart Home Projects at OneVision Resources, a consumer services firm based in Boston, Mass.,
that specializes in designing, installing, and servicing technology for the modern family.
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November 2015
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FEATURED INSTALLERS
Featured custom electronics installers who provide infrastructure wiring, lighting systems, security, home
automation, a/v systems and more. For more professional installers in your area, go to the Find Installers website.
ALABAMA
Interscapes
4740 Woodmere Blvd.
Montgomery, AL 36106
334-395-6555
[email protected]
www.Interscapesonline.com
ARIZONA
LMC Home Entertainment
15507 N Scottsdale Rd., #135
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-616-2043
[email protected]
www.lmche.com
Sound Advice
4008 N. Federal Hwy
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-526-8458
[email protected]
www.soundadvice.com
GEORGIA
NEW YORK
PENNSYLVANIA
Premier Audio Video Designs
16 McDougal Dr.
N. White Plains, NY 10603
914-509-5360
[email protected]
www.premieravdesigns.com
Current Concepts—
Home Automation Specialists
4610 Pleasant View Dr.
Coopersburg, PA 18036
610-791-4458, Fax: 610-791-6539
[email protected]
www.currentconceptshas.com
Atlanta Audio & Automation
631 Miami Circle STE 15
Atlanta, GA 30324
770-977-9110
[email protected]
www.atlantaaudio.com
Rowe Photo Video and Audio
1737 Mt. Hope
Rochester, NY 14620
347-915-7821
[email protected]
www.rowephoto.com
ILLINOIS
Stereo Exchange
627 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
347-915-7821
[email protected]
www.stereoexchange.com
Audio Video Interiors of Chicago
1 S 550 Route 83 Unit C
Modern Home Systems
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
7007 Carroll Rd.
630-425-4893
San Diego, CA 92121
[email protected]
858-554-0404
[email protected] www.myavsource.com
www.modernhomesystems.com
CALIFORNIA
MASSACHUSETTS
NORTH CAROLINA
Audio Advice
8621 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27617
919-351-2931
[email protected]
www.audioadvice.com
Monaco Audio Video
350 S Lake Ave #112
Pasedena, CA 91101
626-460-1842
[email protected]
www.monacoav.com
Creative Entertainment
Systems, Inc.
Berkley, MA 02779
508-824-0212, Fax: 508-824-0212
[email protected]
www.cesberkley.com
Music Lovers Audio & Video
2116 Blake St.
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-671-1293
[email protected]
www.musicloversaudio.com
Q Audio
5 Brookline St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-702-4256
[email protected]
www.qaudio.com
Convergence Technologies
207-A West Hanover Rd.
Graham, NC 27302
919-568-8095, Fax: 919-869-2160
[email protected]
www.convergence-technologies.
com
Shelley's Stereo Video Center
22102 Clarendon Street
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-798-3469
[email protected]
www.shelleysstereo.com
MISSOURI
OHIO
The Sound Room
18167 Edison Ace. Unit G&H
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636-875-7869
[email protected]
www.thesoundroom.com
Jamiesons' Audio/Video
5421 Monroe St.
Toledo, OH 43623
419-491-4929
[email protected]
www.jamiesonsaudiovideo.com
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sound & Vision
750 Howe Ave.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
330-790-5335
[email protected]
www.soundandvisionohio.com
FLORIDA
Behrens Audio-Video
6711 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-721-1860, Fax: 904-724-6287
[email protected]
www.behrensav.com
Crown Consulting Firm
7025 CR 46A Ste. 1021
Lake Mary, FL 32776
407-333-4621
[email protected]
www.crownaudio.net
Audio Video Therapy
216 Daniel Webster Highway
Nashua, NH 03060
978-226-1760
[email protected]
www.avtherapy.net
NEW JERSEY
Sawyers Control Systems
133 County Rd. 513
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908-996-6903, Fax: 908-996-6958
[email protected]
www.sawyerscontrols.com
OREGON
Fred's Sound of Music
3760 Se Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
503-912-8648
[email protected]
www.fredsoundofmusic.com
Kozi Media Design, Inc.
201 Penn Center Blvd. Ste. 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
877-746-5694, Fax: 724-334-4696
[email protected]
www.kozimediadesign.com
TENNESSEE
Phoenix Unequaled Home
Entertainment
6949 Appling Farms Parkway,
Ste. #101
Memphis, TN 38133
901-624-0940
[email protected]
www.pccmem.com
TEXAS
Home Theater Technologies
6100 Colleyville Blvd. Ste. 140
Colleyville, TX 76034
817-631-3819
[email protected]
www.homewiresolutions.com
Signature Home Theater
6911 FM 1960 W
Houston, TX 77069
281-720-7531
[email protected]
www.sigtheater.com
UTAH
AVWORX
1090 Cambridge Circle
Layton, UT 84040
801-317-8832
[email protected]
www.avworx.net
VIRGINIA
IQ Home Entertainment
10890 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-543-9736
[email protected]
www.iq-av.com
WISCONSIN
Suess Electronics
2520 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Appleton, WI 54914
920-215-1399
[email protected]
www.suesselectronics.com
Volume 30 No. 11 n November 2015 n electronichouse.com
PUBLISHER
David MacLean x308
[email protected]
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Lisa Montgomery 269.465.5230
[email protected]
AD PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Manuela Rosengard x226
AD PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jason Litchfield x252
JUNIOR PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Rachel Felson x478
SENIOR EDITOR
Rachel Cericola
[email protected]
CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER
Jeffrey Miller x253
CONTRIBUTORS Steven Castle, Rebecca Day,
Chris Heinonen, Tim McInerney, Krissy
Rushing, Art Sesnovich
ELECTRONICHOUSE.COM
SENIOR INTERNET PRODUCT MANAGER
Guy Caiola x232
ART DIRECTOR
Dorian Gittlitz x288
WEB ART DIRECTOR John Brillon x263
DIGITAL & PRINT MEDIA DESIGNER
Jocelin Damien x487
ADVERTISING SALES
HEAD OF SALES
Ray Lyons x297
[email protected]
Shawn Tobin x324, [email protected]
Lindsay Gonsiorowski x289, [email protected]
Marty Cohn 508.932.5981, [email protected]
Jackie Erb x480, [email protected]
WEB DEVELOPER Peter Smith x325
SENIOR ONLINE MARKETING MANAGER Mary
McIntire x230
PRESIDENT Kenneth D. Moyes x222
VP FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Steve Martini x328
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jane Jenkins x238
MARKETING ASSOCIATE Jessie Steinberg x490
REPRINTS Wrights Reprints
[email protected], 877.652.5295
SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES 800.305.0633
www.electronichouse.com/customerservice
PROUD MEMBER OF
ELECTRONIC HOUSE
October 2015
EH Publishing, Inc.
111 Speen Street, Suite 200, P.O. Box 989
Framingham, MA 01701-2000
508.663.1500 n Fax 508.663.1599
electronichouse.com
ELECTRONICHOUSE.com

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