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Home Theater | Family Room | Master Suite
KILLER SOUND BIG SCREEN HIP RETREAT

The Whole House

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EH M a y 0 6

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of Its

V I TA L S TAT S
SYSTEMS DESIGN & INSTALLATION
MediaWorks NW Sacramento, CA 916-498-8500 www.mediaworksnw.net
Its hard to believe that the only features the owners of this elaborate high-tech home had originally wanted were a safe, secure computer network and modest whole-house audio and video systems. Their exact words were balanced lighting, nice music and
The great room and the adjoining dining area share access to a 45-inch LCD TV that can display video from a variety of sources, including DVD players, high-denition satellite receivers and media servers. The smaller screen on the table can juggle many things as well. It presents controls for operating more than 120 lighting circuits, 12 thermostats, three surveillance cameras, more than 40 zones of security and a huge whole-house audio and video system.
The original plans called for just a couple of systems, but this house ended up getting it all. Photography by Ed Asmus

BUILDER

Meng Construction Truckee, CA

video,

recalls

ARCHITECTS

MWA Architecture Engineering Truckee, CA 530-587-6257 www.mwa-truckee.com
McAllister, president of MediaWorks NW, the Sacramento, CA, based home systems rm hired to integrate the handful of electronic systems into Thomas and Cathy Van Berkems mountain home.

CRESTRON PROGRAMMING

Rolling Thunder Software Henderson, NV 702-564-2968 www.rollingthundersoftware.com

ElectronicHouse.com

FACTOR
The 15-inch TV in the kitchen is attached to an arm that enables the homeowners to move the set so it is visible from anywhere in the room. The round in-ceiling speakers ll the area with music or TV audio. The speaker grilles were painted to complement the rooms recessed light xtures.
But that wish list soon grew to include much, much more, including such extraordinary amenities as an automated wine cellar, a huge back-up generator, two home theaters and terabytes worth of digital storage space to hold the owners massive collection of CDs. These features are impressive enough on their own. But the Van Berkems took the electronic design a step further by tying every system in the house to one central control system. What compelled the homeowners to take
such a giant leap into technology never-never land? A clear understanding of what was possible with technology really got them thinking about other items that would make sense for their home, says McAllister. For example, after learning that all of their music and movies could be stored on one device and accessed from any room, the intrepid couple knew they just had to have the sophisticated server and switching system that would make it work. Today, the homeowners can choose
CHICKEN LITTLE DISNEY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
from as many as 12 media sources to view on any of six at-panel TVs or to listen to on dozens of built-in speakers around the abode. Even the Dell Multimedia PC in the home ofce can tap into the entertainment sources, which include common components like DVD players and changers, high-denition satellite receivers and an XM satellite tuner, as well as more advanced equipment like media servers. He can keep his programs open and still use the PCs 24-inch monitor to watch a
ball game, for instance, says McAllister. Six wireless Crestron Isys touchpanels are also privy to lots of information. From any of the touchpanels, as well as from the PC monitor, the homeowners can peruse a list of the current inventory in their wine cellar thats continually tabulated by the eSommelier management system or view the weather readings compiled by the WeatherHawk weather station perched on the roof of their house. The touchpanels can also display the cover art and
The inventory of the homeowners well-stocked wine cellar is constantly tabulated by an eSommelier wine management system. A bar code scanner (not shown) reads the vintage information printed on any new bottles the homeowners bring home and adds wine to the inventory. The information is accessible from any touchpanel in the residence.

The bonus room was designed for a multimedia experience. The computer monitor can be used for traditional computing tasks, for playing games or for viewing data compiled by a weather station mounted to the roof of the home. The wall-mounted LCD TV can display TV programs or movies. The room is tted with a Dolby surround-sound system so no matter which screen is used, the action sounds realistic.
song titles of the music stored on the ReQuest Multimedia ARQ Tera Zone media server, as well as give access to web sites and email, the temperature reading of each of the homes 12 independent radiant heating zones, and a slew of controls that enable the homeowners to monitor and manage everything in their house from any of several portable touchpanels. More than 120 lighting circuits, 12 thermostats, three surveillance cameras, more than 40 zones of security, and the huge wholehouse audio and video system are all controllable from any of the wireless touchpanels. This extreme level of control could have left
the homeowners completely and utterly confused, but thanks to some sensational software engineering, the portable controllers couldnt be easier to understand and operate. All the commands are neatly organized by system. For example, all of the commands used to engage lighting scenes are grouped together on a single page on the touchpanels. From there, the homeowners can select a scene that sets the lights for watching a movie in a particular room or a scene that turns off all but a few night-lights when the couple is ready for bed. Popping onto the music page, they can select an audio source, pick out a piece
of music and tell the tune exactly where to play, be it in the kitchen, out on the deck, in the living room or throughout the entire house. Speakers occupy nearly every space, so theres no area that misses out. Considering the vast number of electronic devices occupying the 5,700-square-foot home, you might expect it to look like the Starship Enterprise. But the systems have been so seamlessly integrated that the rooms look surprisingly low tech. Aesthetics were a huge consideration, McAllister relates. Cathy made it clear that she didnt want to see anything except the TVs. And even the TVs blend in nicely with the decor. Theres no big, bulky set in this residence. Flat-panel plasma and LCD TVs are used throughout, recessed into the walls so that they look like a natural part of the home. With the exception of several small Vantage keypads, which the homeowners use to ne-tune the lighting levels, the walls carry no signs of technology. The wireless Crestron touchpanels are largely responsible for the clean, uncluttered appearance. Because they control the homes temperature, music and

The master bathroom is no stranger to technology, either. A dual-tweeter speaker in the ceiling provides music from media servers and an XM satellite receiver located in a special equipment room elsewhere in the house, while a 15-inch LCD TV in a cabinet offers access to DVD changers, satellite receivers and cable TV.
other systems, there was no need to mar the walls with music control keypads and traditional lights switches. Of course, it takes a lot of processing power to fuel this house with music, video, information and one-touch control. And that means lots and lots of black boxes. Most of that equipment is stashed inside a room in the basement built specially for this purpose. All of the music and video sources, as well as several ampliers and surround-sound receivers, are also hidden there, making even rooms like the two home theaters virtually void of technology. The great room, which doubles as a listening room, features a 45inch Sharp Aquos LCD TV and two premium Bohlender Graebener loudspeakers. Although the speakers stand 84 inches tall, they are
Crestron AV2 control processor Crestron TPMC-10 Isys I/O 10.4-inch WiFi wirelesss touchpanels (6) Crestron TPS-2000L Isys 5-inch wall-mounted touchpanels (3) Crestron WPR-48 remote controls (2) Runco CW-61 61-inch high-def plasma TV Sharp Aquos 45-inch LCD HDTVs (2) Sharp LC-15S4U-S 15-inch LCD TVs (2) Sharp LC-37D5U Aquos 37-inch LCD HDTV Lumagen Vision Pro HDP video processor Antex XM-3000 Triple Play XM satellite tuner Audio Control line audio transmitter Audio Control BLR-16 audio receiver B&K Reference 200.w Series 2 stereo power amplier B&K AVR-505 Series 2 5.1 receivers (2) Crestron CNX-PVID8x4 video switcher Crestron audio distribution processor Crestron 16x60 1000-watt amplier DirectTV HR-1025 high-def satellite receivers with DVR (4) Request Multimedia ARQ Tera Zone 750 digital audio server Request Multimedia S777 Sony 400-disc DVD changers (2) Request Multimedia VRQ Video Request DVD information management systems (2) OWI Ovalesque outdoor speakers (2) Parasound Zamp stereo amplier Triad rack-mount sub ampliers (5) Triad IC Omni Round in-ceiling speakers (2) Triad IW Bronze/10 subwoofers (3) Triad IW Bronze/6 in-wall subwoofer Triad OW Bronze home theater speaker Triad IW Bronze surround in-wall and inceiling speakers (2) Triad IW Bronze in-wall home theater speakers (2) Triad IC Omni Round in-ceiling speakers (2) Triad in-ceiling Gold/6 Omni speakers (2) Triad IW Gold Surround Premium in-wall or in-ceiling dipole speakers (2) Bohlender Graebener R75 speakers (2) Bohlender Graebener R400C center-channel speaker Bohlender Graebener R40i speakers (2) SpeakerCraft 6.1 DT speaker SpeakerCraft outdoor speakers (4) Vantage Controls controllers (2) Vantage BriteTouch keypads (50+) Vantage remote light sensors (6) Crestron thermostats (12) HAI Omni Pro II home automation/ security system Speco CVC-860DN/24 color surveillance cameras (2)

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK 2000 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

EQUIPMENT LIST

the country and city homes. Cross-country networking, hundreds of electronic devices, specialty systems that track the wine and the weather, succinct control of multiple systems and seamless integration with the decor: They all add up to one extremely smart, stylish and sensational home. EH
Continued from p.100 UStec multimedia outlets UStec cable TV and HDTV distribution modules UStec residential network server Ixos high-speed network wiring Crestron Cresnet wiring Linksys wireless access points (4) Panasonic KXTAW848 digital PBX/KSU phone system Panasonic voice mail system APC UPC AC line conditioner and back up systems (4) ETA Systems power-conditioning system WeatherHawk 240 weather station eSommelier wine management system HoloSound Holovision Model 200 entry system Dirt Devil 1099 Platinum Force central vacuum system Middle Atlantic equipment racks
completely invisible, having been built into cabinetry. Oh, and what about the simple computer networking system the homeowners wanted from the start? They not only have a system that gives every computer in the house simultaneous access to a single Internet connection and the ability to access hard drives in other rooms, they also have one that lets them monitor and control their home from anywhere in the world. From a computer in their other home in Los Angeles, the couple can visually monitor and control everything remotely, McAllister says. [The homeowners] can check the weather conditions, view realtime images of both the inside and outside of the house and, of course, transfer les between
Premium Bohlender Graebener in-wall speakers set the tone for the media room, which features one of the biggest plasma TVs on the planet: a 61 incher from Runco. A wireless Crestron touchpanel can be used to set up the entertainment systems as well as to view web sites and email correspondence.

shrp_10_4480_1.pke

IP Link De vice Interface Communication Sheet

Revision: 8/19/2010

This document provides additional assistance with wiring your Extron IP Link enabled product to your device. Different components may require a different wiring scheme than those listed below. For complete operating instructions, refer to the user's manual for the specific Extron IP Link enabled product or the controlled device manufacturer supplied documentation.
Device Specifications: Device Type: Manufacturer: Firmware Version: Model(s): Display Sharp N/A LC-26D5U, LC-32D5U, LC-37D5U

Version History:

Driver Version IP Link Compiler GC Version

8/16/2010

Initial version.

Driver Notes:

Page 1 of 4
Control Commands & States: Aspe ct Ratio Side Bar Stretch Stretch 2 Channel TV (Ste p) Close d Caption Input Up Toggle TV Input 1 Video Input 2 Video Input 5 Analog PC Mute Powe r Control Volume (Discre te) Status Available: Aspe ct Ratio Side Bar Stretch Stretch 2 Connection Status Input Connected Input 1 Auto Input 2 Video Input 5 Digital PC Input 5 Analog PC Mute Powe r Control Volume (Discre te) On On 0 to 60 in steps of 1 Off Off S. Stretch Normal Dot by Dot Disconnected Input 1 Video Input 2 Component Input 5 Analog AV Input 1 Component Input 2 Auto Input 5 Digital AV Zoom Zoom 2 On On 0 to 60 in steps of 1 i.LINK Input 1 Component Input 2 Component Input 5 Digital AV Off Off Input 1 Auto Input 2 Auto Input 5 Digital PC Input 5 Analog AV S. Stretch Normal Dot by Dot Down Zoom Zoom 2

Page 2 of 4

MLC62 Supported Commands: Aspe ct Ratio Side Bar Stretch Stretch 2 Channel TV (Ste p) Close d Caption Input Up Toggle TV Input 1 Video Input 2 Video Input 5 Analog PC Mute Powe r Control Volume (Discre te) On On 0 to 60 in steps of 1 i.LINK Input 1 Component Input 2 Component Input 5 Digital AV Off Off Input 1 Auto Input 2 Auto Input 5 Digital PC Input 5 Analog AV S. Stretch Normal Dot by Dot Down Zoom Zoom 2

Page 3 of 4

Cable and Adapter Requirements: F/F RS-232 Null Modem Serial Cable

Notes for the Device:

Serial communication: Port Type : RS-232 Baud Rate: 9600 Data Bits: 8 Pin Assignments Diagram: Parity: None Stop Bits: 1 Flow Control: None
Note: Captive screw connector may also be used as a serial connection.

General Notes:

Page 4 of 4