SAFETY, SECURITY & SMART HOMES (SMART HOME SYSTEMS)
flow – some will even mist your favourite essential oils while you wash. Japanese-style smart toilets are becoming more commonplace, offering heated seats, night lights, bidet functions and automated cleaning cycles, increasing hygiene and efficiency while reducing the domestic workload.
BINGE-WATCH WHILE YOU BATHE To meet growing demand for luxury bathroom installations, waterproof audio-visual solutions have been developed which allow homeowners to enjoy modern creature-comforts – the latest must-watch series or a calming playlist – while relaxing in a hot bubble bath.
However, getting it right in terms of technical specification is key. Home automation systems and integrated AV devices are a long-term investment. You need to make sure any products you buy are fit for purpose, future-proof, and ideally incorporated into the bathroom design from the outset.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS For optimum performance in this challenging environment, certain technical features are essential. Water resistance is clearly up there with the most important features, so look for a high IP rating on all appliances. This stands for Ingress Protection and indicates the degree of protection from solid particles and moisture. For a bathroom TV, a rating of IP65 will ensure your TV is dust tight and able to withstand water projected from a nozzle. However, for a waterproof remote control a higher rating of IP67 is
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necessary, which will ensure protection even when fully submerged. Aside from safety issues, your bathroom TV should have all the capabilities of a regular top-of-the-range TV: 4K Ultra HD and built-in amplifiers are available on some models now for the full cinematic experience. But even if you’re planning a more discreet installation, picture and sound quality should still be a top priority.
DESIGN FEATURE
When it comes to luxurious bathroom design, less is definitely more. Minimalism is the order of the day and a professional AV installer will be able to help you achieve this by running cables though walls and behind tiling to ensure a smooth finish.
In terms of product features, look for ultra slim models that can be fitted flush with the wall, heated LED screens to prevent misting and a mirror finish; this way, the TV is disguised and functional when not in use.
CONNECTIVITY & INTEGRATION
Even if you’re not planning a full home automation system now, it might be something you think about in the future. If your bathroom TV is to stand the test of time, it should feature extra connectivity through IR and RS232 over IP control. This allows the TV to be integrated with leading home automation systems, such as Crestron and Control4, and when you’re not watching, you can monitor your home security or manage other devices around the house. In addition to this, your TV should have all the usual spec: smart TV
Once a purely functional space, innovative gadgets have transformed the bathroom into an integrated hub of connectivity, comfort and entertainment
capabilities, built-in FreeView and a range of ports, including HDMI, USB and VGA.
Don’t overlook your bathroom – it has huge potential when it comes to introducing integrated smart technologies into your home. With the installation of a personalised network of smart services, your trip to the bathroom can be an ‘experience’ rather than a necessity. Innovative AV technology combining cutting-edge technical specification with a water-resistant shell adds the icing on the cake, bringing an element of luxury to the comfort of your own home.
Will Uttley is managing director of ProofVision
september/october 2019
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