Control Issues

The price/functionality equation for home electronics has shifted rapidly during the past several years. Shrinking memory costs, improved wireless capabilities and growing importance of Internet protocol-based solutions are contributing to a profusion of individual home audio, video, security and climate-control options — many available after-market at your local home-improvement or big-box electronics store.

Sophisticated home buyers, though, are looking at ways to bring these disparate systems together, under the control of a single remote or touch screen. A number of manufacturers now offer such designs to builders marketing to tech-savvy clients, with both wired and wireless options designed to scale to changing needs and future innovations — following are a few examples of these products.

Crestron

Historically known as a luxury brand, Crestron has broadened its marketing appeal in recent years. The company also is known for robust commercial and institutional installations, so it offers capabilities to meet just about any need, says Jeff Singer, marketing director. Rather than offering distinct packages, the company relies on its dealer/integrator network to craft custom solutions tailored to individual homeowner needs.

“One of our dealers or integrators would sit down with a homeowner and ask lots of questions,” Singer says, describing how an initial conference with an owner and builder might take place. Similarly, spec builders might approach an integrator with a price point and owner profile in mind. Builders could have an installer simply incorporate the infrastructure required for future customization (using the company's proprietary cable), or include a fully built-out design.

“The real power comes in because our control system is the brain of the house,” Singer says. “Any and all systems can be connected to it.”

“The real power comes in because our control system is the brain of the house. Any and all systems can be connected to it.”
Jeff Singer, marketing director, Crestron

As an example of the highest end of control, Singer cites one customer's Gulf Coast vacation home that incorporates a Crestron-controlled weather system. When wind speeds top 50 mph, storm shutters automatically close and e-mail notifications are sent to the homeowner. Web-accessible IP cameras provide visual confirmation that all hatches have, indeed, been battened.

Homeowners can access installed capabilities through a choice of touch screens, remotes or even their smart phones — yes, there's an app for Crestron. Scenario-based controls bring together multiple operations into intuitively labeled groupings, such as “Welcome Home,” which might brighten lighting and adjust temperature settings, or “Movie,” which could darken lights, close window coverings and fire up an entertainment system.

“The whole idea behind it is to take all that technology and make it fun, easy and brainless,” Singer says.

Colorado vNet

Colorado vNet systems are built around a decentralized architecture, with no central control processor. Instead, each component carries its own intelligence, an approach offering several advantages. First, new controls, whether wired or wireless, can be added easily, without need for reprogramming. Secondly, the larger system remains intact if a failure occurs at any single point — only the failed processor needs to be replaced.

Simplifying programming requirements has been a key goal of the company's developers, according to Petro Shimonishi, Colorado vNet's marketing and sales vice president. Thanks to TCP/IP-based communications, much of the programming can be done remotely by the dealer, including fine-tuning light levels. Similarly, firmware updates can be installed over the web, without need for house calls.

Network wiring infrastructure can be installed using non-proprietary Cat5 ethernet cable, and control capability can extend down to table lamps, wall fountains and other plug loads via wall-plug modules that can be mounted behind sofas or tucked under end tables. Dimming is possible with some compatible CFL lamps, and the company now is working on options for LED-based fixtures.