[ Spotlight: Smart homes ]
number of homeowners have even gone as far as dedicating specific areas of their home to activities such as watching films, listening to music and gaming. While the size and scale of these installations vary,
individual client spend on a typical custom installation project can be considerable, and six figure contracts are not unusual. According to the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), the smart home sector is estimated to be worth around £500m annually in the UK alone. David Stefanowicz is ECA ITEC’s technical manager and
he is convinced of the importance of AV in the modern home. He comments: ‘The growth of AV technology is, to my mind, the main driver for the smart home, as we are all looking to maximise our leisure time.’ Consumers are embracing new technologies across all
demographics – including the more mature end users with disposable income. Gordon Fry, KNX technical specialist at the Wandsworth Group, states: ‘Where once there was a fear of new technologies, now they’re hotly anticipated, and consumers of all ages are looking for more and more functionality.’
Access all areas New multi-room AV systems are being developed at an increasing rate. However, for manufacturers the main issue is keeping pace with these innovations. Legrand’s marketing manager, Richard Hayward, comments: ‘It has been difficult for multi-room AV technologies to keep up due to the level of investment Microsoft, Apple, etc. have made in developing their technologies in recent years.’ Despite this, there is some highly impressive kit currently
available that covers the entire home entertainment spectrum – from in-bath and underwater sound systems to outside TVs and everything in between. For instance, Crestron’s Prodigy control solution has
been designed specifically for electrical contractors entering the home automation sector, and includes home cinema, audio distribution, lighting and climate control. It is also scalable, so the system can be easily expanded to include other functions. The capability of the modern multimedia system is
highlighted with the VidaBox Magnum, which has 2.0TB of standard storage and can archive more than 2,970 DVDs or 720 Blu-ray Discs. This multi-room system can instantly play one Blu-ray, DVD, or CD album in the living room, while the same or a different movie or song plays in the bedroom.
All for one Over the last 20 years KNX has emerged as the dominant home automation protocol and a growing number of equipment manufacturers are integrating it into their products. Contractors are now able to use a variety of off-the-shelf AV components that are truly interoperable. For example, Loewe has developed a TV that interfaces
with a KNX control system to enable users to switch the lights on and off using their TV remote control. Conversely, turning the TV off can be included in the ‘room off’ function of the home automation system. Rufus Greenway, chair of CEDIA marketing, believes that
January 2012 ECA Today 27
the impact of an AV installation can be further enhanced by thorough planning and neat design touches. He says: ‘By adding ceiling speakers and simple on-wall keypads or wireless touch-screen controllers, equipment such as a radio, iPod, computer or CD player can be stored out of sight. It is a good idea to discuss with the customer where they would like the equipment sited and don’t discount bathrooms and outdoor areas, as waterproof and outdoor speakers are available in a range of shapes and sizes.’
Opportunity knocks For electrical contractors, the installation of AV offers an additional revenue stream, which can run alongside their traditional activities. The skills developed through installing AV within homes can also be used to install larger-scale systems in hotels and commercial buildings.
The smart home sector is estimated to be worth around £500m annually in the UK alone
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