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When it comes to creating the perfect entertainment system Knowledge is Power

Most of us fondly remember weekend dates at the old movie theater in our home towns. People like Sean Connery and Harrison Ford ruled the silver screen and the smell of buttered popcorn was so thick it stuck to your clothes. Those were the days when you actually got in your car and drove somewhere to experience entertainment.

Today, Americans spend billions of dollars each year on entertainment, but it is not all spent outside of the home. Rapid advancements in technology have made specialized audiovisual equipment commonplace in American homes. The theater is now down the hall on the left, and the buttered popcorn comes from the kitchen microwave.

Home theater technology allows for a system as simple as a DVD player and surround sound speakers to a total home automation system in which one preset button closes the blinds, dims the lights and starts the movie. Depending on how far you take it, the technology can quickly get complex and confusing. Most homeowners want to know exactly what they are purchasing and how it all works, but realize that ultimately understanding and implementing the technology is best left to experts.

A knowledgeable and qualified installer can give you the video or surround system you desire while making the process hassle free. As the purchaser, you will still have to make some decisions regarding the details, but a professional can guide you to the right decisions. To help you with your audio/video planning process, we have cut through the tech jargon and provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Should I pre-wire rooms in my home even if I don’t currently plan on locating a television, computer, phone, fax or music speakers in those rooms?

Surprisingly, ensuring a proper wiring infrastructure is in place for current and future needs is more important than selecting the type and brands of equipment you want. Equipment can be easily changed, but re-wiring a home gets complicated and expensive. Most people don’t think about technology until they have it, and then wonder how they ever survived without it. Since no one can predict the future of technology, pre-wiring is a basic common sense step.

What should I consider when designing a home theater?

Foremost, consider how you plan to use the room. Some homeowners want a dedicated theater room with comfortable theater chairs, lighting controls and even a concession stand. Others prefer a multi-purpose room for entertaining whether the television is turned on or not. The latter allows for more usage, but restricts the type of system you can install.

A major concern for a dedicated theater is the shape of the room. A square room provides less than ideal acoustics, while a room with odd angles encourages movement of sound, thereby providing better sound quality. A dedicated theater setup also allows equipment to be selectively placed for optimum sound and visual quality without having to consider sound interference caused by multiple door openings, fixtures, or window spaces.

A multi-use entertainment room, like a recreation or living room, has to balance equipment with aesthetics. Speakers and electronic components will need to be discreetly stored which may require some motorized equipment, built-ins, or closet space. Walls and floor coverings should encourage good acoustics as much as possible. Comfortable seating and adjustable lighting are also important considerations.

Audio/Video and Integration are great things to have, but how can technology improve my safety?

A traditional security system including contact sensors on doors and windows, glass break detectors, and motion detectors would be the first order of business in securing life safety. Additionally to this modern close circuit television systems are commonly connected to a networked hard drive server that will both record images from the camera system as well as make the video viewable from the internet; perfect for someone who wants to keep an eye on things while away on business or vacation. Other useful security technologies include gate access for vehicle control and biometric access control for entry.

I want my home to be “green,” how can home integration help?

The term home integration or automation refers to the ability to connect and control the various sub-systems of a home through a centrally controlled network. Most consumers may think of their audio video system, lights, HVAC, security system, irrigation and pool controls as stand alone systems. Although they operate independently, by using custom-designed control systems the homeowner gains the convenience and cost-saving benefits of controlling the systems from a centrally located in-wall touch panel or portable remote control. It is even possible with the addition of an internet connection to log in to your home to control or check status of the systems from anywhere in the world. Consumers are now demanding the benefits of connectivity - convenience, safety, and lifestyle enhancement.

The National Green Building Council developed LEED which stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. This is a set of design practices that give builders and custom integrators guidance in area’s such as energy efficiency, water consumption and indoor environmental quality. A well designed home automation system aims to observe the guide by reducing heating, cooling and lighting loads through climate responsive design and conservation practices; employing energy sources such as natural daylight and passive solar heating; optimize system control using occupancy sensors resulting in lower life cycle costs.

The system can be tailored to the needs of the homeowner. A small integration system may only be required for control of the HVAC system. For example when arming the security system from the central control station, the HVAC system automatically adjusts to an ‘away’ mode hence reducing the heating or cooling demand for the home when not occupied. More elaborate systems connect further sub systems and sensors to monitor such things as temperature, humidity, heat, water and light. The system programmer can use conditional logic to respond to sensors and control sub systems in efficient manner with the appearance of one system responding to the other. It may be more efficient and cost effective to kick the ceiling fans into action in a room instead of the HVAC system, or if the windows are open then turn the HVAC system off. Maybe the automated window shades or drapes could open or close to increase natural light in a room or decrease passive heating. Perhaps the lights could turn on automatically based on occupancy or ambient light, or even better switch off when the room is not in use. Events may also be triggered from the control processors clock such as landscape and other exterior lighting. Using the astronomical clock allows on and off times to be varied as sunset and sunrise times vary throughout the year.

With home integration systems the possibilities are endless and with continuing improvements in technology soon home appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers will have communication ports to allow even more efficient energy management. Home automation certainly has the potential to conserve energy, save money and improve living environments.

Ask For Help

The difference between shopping for your home entertainment needs at a large discounter and using the services of a qualified custom installer is as profound as the difference between a trip to the drive-through and a five-star restaurant. Both visits will ultimately get rid of your hunger pains, but the latter will better satisfy your desire for a great dining experience. Here are a few things to check when hiring an installer:

• Verify that the installer is fully insured and licensed (in states where it’s required). Do they have CEDIA certified employees on staff?
• Get quotes in writing. Make sure it is an all-inclusive, closed end, firm bid. Be clear on all charges.
• Make sure you fully understand what each system is designed to do, how it will function and how it will perform. No two systems are ever exactly alike.
• Never tell one installer what another installer has bid because if they lower their bid, you can bet that you’ll pay for it somewhere – either in equipment, time or service. Be cautious about the lowest quote. You’re buying a complete package of products, service and performance. The lowest price is not necessarily the best option.
• Make sure you understand exactly which responsibilities the installer is accountable for. Does the quote include system pre-wiring? Documentation? Elevations? Wiring diagrams? Project meetings and management?
• Procure a written inventory of all equipment: exact brand, make and model numbers of every product you are buying. Accept no unauthorized substitutions.