The following information is courtesy of the 2008 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2008 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Integrated Home, Level II: $150,000 – $200,000

IH11

Date design began: 07-31-07
Date installation was completed: 04-15-08

FEATURE ESSAY

1. Please provide a short four to six sentence synopsis describing the project goals, special features, or nuances.

This project was part of a large scale renovation to an existing home. The goal was to update the functionality of the home along with the physical makeover. The homeowner wanted to have full integration of his audio, video, lighting, and security systems. He also wanted central distribution for his audio and video sources, so there would be virtually no electronic components visible throughout the house. Lastly, he wanted a custom media room with high performance audio and video.

2. Did you encounter any challenges or limitations that required special consideration in the design of the system or placement of equipment? Please describe the control system.

Due to the nature of the renovation, some areas had limited access for wiring, particularly on the second floor, and parts of the basement. The client wanted to keep most of the original electrical wiring intact, including the switches. The lighting control had to be user friendly and intuitive. Additionally, the client purchased a very high-end two channel audio system from us, and wanted to be able to switch from his smaller surround speakers to large electrostatic ones seamlessly, without any sound degradation introduced by switchers and excess wiring.

3. Discuss the overall plan you created to accomplish the clients’ requirements.

The plan was to house all control systems, audio and video distribution, audio and video sources, surround sound processor, and amplifiers in two racks stored in the basement. Existing light switches were replaced with wireless dimmers and keypads, which were ultimately controlled by the touchpanel interfaces. A great deal of planning went into the engraving of the lighting keypads. We consulted with the security contractor to ensure his panel would integrate with our control system. Wireless thermostats were installed to handle climate control. A special high quality/high power Audio Authority relay system was sourced to handle the switching of the media room playback systems from 7.1 surround to two channels.

4. Describe the five most used functions of the system and how they benefit the client.

a. Lighting control has enabled the homeowners to call up scenes for every purpose. A button push recreates complex lighting scenes that were developed through hours of programming and planning. Convenient pathway lighting is provided upon entry to the home, and during the night when moving about.

b. Eighteen zones of audio distribution gives the clients access to a massive CD hard drive library, two AM/FM tuners, one XM tuner, digital music from the cable TV provider, and personal iPod content in almost every area of the house. Party modes can be easily called up by the client to combine several zones and control them from one touchpanel.

c. Video distribution provides the client with the ability to select from three cable TV boxes, a satellite receiver, and a Kaleidescape DVD library in four different locations. The only equipment visible in each location is a flat panel TV and a wireless touchpanel remote control.

d. The customized media room features a very high-end Krell surround processor and Krell power amplifiers, all housed in one of the basement racks. Through his wireless touchpanel in the main floor family room, the client can turn on the local display, browse through his movie collection, watch a movie or TV program in full 7.1 surround with 150 watts per channel, or switch over to his Martin Logan Summits, powered by a larger 250 watt Krell amplifier, and listen to any music he chooses in ultra high fidelity two channel playback system.

e. Security integration allows the client to access his alarm system and CCTV cameras from several touchpanels throughout the house. The system can also be armed and disarmed from a remote computer with secure access by the client.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: AV Toolbox
Model#: AVT-4718
Product Description: 1 X 8 CV/Stereo Audio Distribution Amplifier

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: B&W
Model#: CCM80
Product Description: In-Ceiling Speakers

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Belkin
Model#: AVR
Product Description: Pure A/V Battery Back-Up System w/8 Outlets

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Channel Vision
Model#: P-1420
Product Description: 6 Component & Analog Audio Inputs, 4 Outputs

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: ChiefMounts
Model#: PRO-2000B
Product Description: Pro Series Tilt Mount

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: ChiefMounts
Model#: PRO-U
Product Description: Universal Pitch Adjustable Wall Mount

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: AAE
Product Description: Audio Distribution Processor w/Multi-Channel Amplifier

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: AV2
Product Description: Integrated Control System Processor

Qty: 10
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-DBF12
Product Description: Adagio 12-Button Keypad

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-HBLOCK
Product Description: Cresnet Network Distribution Block

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-MNETGW
Product Description: Infinet Gateway Transceiver

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-TAMWX
Product Description: AM/Weather Radio Tuner

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-TFM
Product Description: FM Radio Tuner

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: C2N-TXM
Product Description: XM Satellite Radio Tuner

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CEN-IDOC
Product Description: iPod Docking Station

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CHV-TSTATRF
Product Description: Infinet Thermostat
Qty: 16
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CLW-DIM1RF
Product Description: 1-Button Dimmer

Qty: 38
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CLW-DIM4RF
Product Description: 4-Button Dimmer

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CLW-SW1RFW
Product Description: 1-Buttom Switch
Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CNPWS-75
Product Description: External Power Supply

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: CNRFGWA-418
Product Description: 1-Way RF Gateway

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: ML-600
Product Description: Mini LCD Remote Control

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: PAC2-MINI
Product Description: Lighting Control Processor

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: TPMC-8X
Product Description: WiFi Axys 8

Qty: 6
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: TPS-2000L
Product Description: In-Wall Touchpanel

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: TPS-4L
Product Description: Isys Active Matrix 3.6

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Crestron
Model#: WPR-48
Product Description: Waterproof Hand-Held Remote

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Denon
Model#: DVD-1930CI
Product Description: DVD Player w/1080p HDMI Scaling

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Generic
Model#: EDA FT08100
Product Description: 8-Port RF Signal Amplifier for Digital Cable Boxes

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Model#: ELITE PRO-1540HD
Product Description: 60

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: KSERVER-1500
Product Description: 1U Server

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: KPLAYER5000
Product Description: Mover Player 2

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: KMUSIC-4000
Product Description: Music Player

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: KDISC-750-L
Product Description: Disk Cartridge

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: KUPGR-250-TO-750
Product Description: 250GB to 750GB Disk Cartridge

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Krell
Model#: KAV-2250
Product Description: 2 X 250 Watt Amplifier

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Krell
Model#: S-1000 Processor
Product Description: 7.1 Processor w/HDMI Pass Through

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Krell
Model#: S-1500
Product Description: 5 X 150 Watt Amplifier

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Linksys
Model#: Switch
Product Description: 8-Port Auto Sensing Switch

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Linksys
Model#: Router
Product Description: Wired 4-Port Router

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Linksys
Model#: Router
Product Description: Wireless-G Broadband Router w/Built-in Switch

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Martin Logan
Model#: Decent
Product Description: Subwoofer

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Martin Logan
Model#: Summit
Product Description: Electrostatic Speaker

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#: Custom Rack
Product Description: 2 Fully Outfitted Custom Racks

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sony
Model#: S300
Product Description: Blu-Ray DVD Player

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Artisan
Model#: LCR
Product Description: On-Wall LCR Speakers

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Motorola
Model#: DCT6412 III
Product Description: High Definition Cable Box

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Audio Authority
Model#: Custom
Product Description: High Powered Speaker Relay

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Monster
Model#: HDMI400-50
Product Description: 50′ Quad Shield HDMI Cable

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Monster
Model#: MP HTS 2600MKII
Product Description: Stage 2 Power Center, 10 Outlets, 3 Coax & 1 Phone

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Omnimount
Model#: FPCL
Product Description: Cantilever Wall Mount for LCD TVs

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Omnimount
Model#: U2 Fixed
Product Description: Universal Fixed Mount for Plasma & LCD

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sharp
Model#: LC32D64U
Product Description: 32

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sharp
Model#: LC52D92U
Product Description: 52

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: A800DR
Product Description: In-Ceiling Powered Subwoofer

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: AL-2
Product Description: Automatic Line Level Source Selector

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: AL2/S
Product Description: 12 Volt Triggered Line Level Source Selector

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: CRK20
Product Description: Outdoor Garden Rock Styled Speaker

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: HI-LO
Product Description: HI to Level Audio Converter

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: Mariner 52
Product Description: Outdoor Architectural Speaker – 5 1/4

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: Mariner 82
Product Description: Outdoor Architectural Speaker – 8

Qty: 16
Manufacturer: Sonance
Model#: V831DR
Product Description: Virtuoso Ceiling Speakers

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sony
Model#: KDL 37M3000
Product Description: 37

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Terk
Model#: FM-PRO
Product Description: Attic Mount FM Antenna

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Terk
Model#: XM-6
Product Description: XM Antenna

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 35

Electronic Design and Engineering: 20

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 8

Project Management: 25

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 78

Trim-out: 56

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 18

Programming: 90

Final Installation and Calibration: 135

Client Instruction: 9

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 0

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 0

Project Management by Others: 0

Other time: 0
Describe Task:

Total Hours to Complete: 474