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 IV: $330,000 - $355,000

IH18

Date design began: 01-05-06

Date installation was completed: 06-15-07

FEATURE ESSAY

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

This project started out as a spec home. The forward thinking builder wanted to include home automation elements into the home to help attract buyers and add value to the overall final product. The eventual homeowners were very interested in what we had to offer and upgraded all of the features across the full gambit of home automation elements, from camera integration to media server additions, as well as a dedicated theater. The goal of the project was to offer a fully automated home to include security, audio/video, HVAC, network, and lighting integration.

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.

The control system originated as an AMX system utilizing Nuvo as an audio switcher, with minimal control points and the intention to provide scalable upgradeability for the potential homeowner. In this particular case the products sold to the builder were installed before the home was sold. When the home was sold, the owner was very interested in upgrading all aspects of the project. Because of the upgrades, we had to re-engineer the system to allow for many more control points as well as more audio/video zones and three extra surround sound rooms.

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

We had an original design document that was created for the builder, using the architect plans. Using Visio we created our own lighting and low-voltage design. Unlike many other integrators, we offer full in house lighting design which interested the homeowner greatly. We worked with the builder and the homeowners to accent every single architectural feature of the home with lighting. The plan included placement of all decorative and architectural lighting as well as low-voltage elements (security, TVs, phones, speakers, touchscreens, etc.)

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

a. The lighting control system benefits the homeowner by allowing them to turn all of their lights off at night from the convenience of their bedroom. It also allows them to set scenes in the home for entertaining as well as scenes for their typical daily routines.

b. The system is equipped with a Kaleidescape media server which the homeowner uses very frequently. Having a vast collection of movies and music is made usable again for these homeowners who don’t have time in their busy schedules to worry about scouring their collections to find that one movie or CD. Now they can sit back and seamlessly pull up exactly what they are looking for without leaving the couch.

c. The home office has three TVs and a surround sound system. These TVs have the ability to access any source in the rack. The last TV accessed is the one that utilizes the surround sound. The computer in the office can also be brought up on the biggest of the three screens.

d. The security camera system with DVR gives the homeowner the ability to pull up all of the 14 cameras as well as play back activity that is recorded due to motion. This is beneficial to the homeowner for obvious safety reasons but also helps control entry through the gate when someone calls to be let in.

e. This home has over 13 viewing areas including the theater. The audio/video switching function is greatly beneficial to the homeowner for multiple reasons. All of the sources can be accessed at any TV location. The switching also cuts down on cable and satellite receivers as well as local DVD players.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: NI-3100

Product Description: Control Processor

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: NXD-CV10

Product Description: 10″ Touchscreen

Qty: 5

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: MVP-7500

Product Description: 7.5 Wireless Touchscreen

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: NXD-CV7

Product Description: 7″ In-Wall Touchscreen

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: NXD-CV5

Product Description: 5″ In-Wall Touchscreen

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: MVP-WDS

Product Description: Wall Docking Station

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: AMX

Model#: MVP-KS

Product Description: Kick Stand for Touchscreen

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Runco

Model#: VX-1000D

Product Description: Projector

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Runco

Model#: CW-50mc

Product Description: 50″ Plasma

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Runco

Model#: PL-43DHD

Product Description: 43″ Plasma

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Runco

Model#: CW-43mc

Product Description: 43″ Plasma

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Runco

Model#: CR-26HD

Product Description: 26″ LCD

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: Hitachi

Model#: CMP4211

Product Description: 42″ Plasma

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Hitachi

Model#: 55HDM71

Product Description: 55″ Plasma

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: LG

Model#: 17LX1R

Product Description: 17″ LCD

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: LG

Model#: 32LX1D

Product Description: 32″ LCD

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: LG

Model#: 23LC1RB

Product Description: 23″ LCD

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: B & K

Model#: HD6

Product Description: Component Video Switcher

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Autopatch

Model#: Optima 16×16

Product Description: Audio Switcher

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Kaleidescape

Model#: Kserver 1500

Product Description: Media Server

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Kaleidescape

Model#: Kplayer-5000

Product Description: Movie Player

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Kaleidescape

Model#: Kmusic-4000

Product Description: Music Player

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Specotechnologies

Model#: DVR-16NT

Product Description: 16-Channel Camera DVR

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: Integra

Model#: DTR-4.5

Product Description: 7.1 Surround Receiver

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Integra

Model#: DTR-5.5

Product Description: 7.1 Surround Receiver

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Integra

Model#: DTR-4.6

Product Description: 7.1 Surround Receiver

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Integra

Model#: DTR-7.4

Product Description: 7.1 Surround Receiver

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Toshiba

Model#: HD-XA1

Product Description: HD DVD Player

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Nuvo

Model#: Grand Concerto

Product Description: Distributed Audio System

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Nuvo

Model#: Grand Concerto Expander

Product Description: 8-Zone Expander

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Marantz

Model#: DV6600

Product Description: Local DVD Player

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Panamax

Model#: M5300

Product Description: Line Filter & Surge Suppression

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Panamax

Model#: M5400-EX

Product Description: Surge Protection

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Vantage

Model#: CW1000

Product Description: Wall Mounted Controller

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Vantage

Model#: DS12PG

Product Description: Single Gang Scene Point Dimmer

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Vantage

Model#: DS2BPG

Product Description: Double Gang Scene Point Dimmer

Qty: 17

Manufacturer: Vantage

Model#: DS4BPG

Product Description: Quad Gang Scene Point Dimmer

Qty: 24

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: CS60R

Product Description: 6.5 Speakers

Qty: 7

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: CS160

Product Description: 6.5 Speakers

Qty: 5

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: SM60R

Product Description: 6.5 Speakers

Qty: 20

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: SA60R

Product Description: 6.5 Speakers

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: Stylus 150

Product Description: Outdoor Speakers

Qty: 7

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: AMS-250

Product Description: In-Wall Speakers

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Bay Audio

Model#: 900 Subwoofer

Product Description: In-Wall Subwoofer

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Sonance

Model#: 800DR

Product Description: In-Ceiling Subwoofer

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Bay Audio

Model#: 150W Power Pack

Product Description: Sub Amp

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Sonance

Model#: Sonamp 275

Product Description: Sub Amp

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: PDR-8

Product Description: 8″ Subwoofer

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: Vista 128BP

Product Description: Security Panel

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 4208U

Product Description: 8-Zone Expander

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 6160

Product Description: Security Keypad

Qty: 5

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: Aurora

Product Description: Motion Detector

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 4100SM

Product Description: RS232 Module

Qty: 5

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: BK-2WB

Product Description: Smoke Detector

Qty: 5

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: CC-601

Product Description: Heat Detector

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 746F

Product Description: Sounder

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 5883

Product Description: Wireless Receiver

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: 5804BDV

Product Description: Voice Belt Clip

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Paradigm

Model#: Atom

Product Description: Book Shelf Speakers

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Channel Vision

Model#: DP-0252

Product Description: Door Station

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Channel Vision

Model#: C-0920

Product Description: TE110 Panel Mount

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Channel Vision

Model#: C-0150

Product Description: 50″ Panel

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic

Model#: ERK-4425LRD

Product Description: 44 Space Rack

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic

Model#: ERK-1825

Product Description: 18 Space Rack

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic

Model#: PFD-18

Product Description: Plexi Front Door

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen

Model#: SNDQ110HFH

Product Description: 110″ Screen

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Panamax

Model#: M1500

Product Description: UPS Back-Up

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Sentex

Model#: Crown Jewel

Product Description: Telephone Entry for Gate

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Sonance

Model#: 1250MKII

Product Description: Audio Amps

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Kenwood

Model#: DT-7000S

Product Description: Sirius Satellite Tuner

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: LG

Model#: 15LW1R

Product Description: 15″ Wireless LCD

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: Ademco

Model#: WB200

Product Description: Water Detector

Qty: 4

Manufacturer: Universal

Model#: MX-850

Product Description: Remote

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Universal

Model#: MX-350

Product Description: Remote

Qty: 3

Manufacturer: ESL

Model#: ESL40COE

Product Description: Carbon Monoxide Detector

Qty: 14

Manufacturer: Hunt

Model#: HTC-76N/3.6

Product Description: Color Cameras

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 10.5

Electronic Design and Engineering: 25.5

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 15.5

Project Management: 55

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 350

Trim-out: 200

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 40

Programming: 190

Final Installation and Calibration: 220

Client Instruction: 10

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 15

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 0

Project Management by Others: 0

Other time: 0

Describe Task:

Total Hours to Complete: 1131.5