Whole Home Automation Installation - Surrey
A complete luxury make-over for a residential property, built around pioneering home control technology from WyreStorm.
One of the major benefits of partnering with a number of the world’s leading home automation brands is that allows the freedom to choose the very best products for the task at hand. In the case of this residential automation project in Surrey, it was WyreStorm who enabled pro Install AV to carry out the brief provided by our private client.
Like all good briefs, this one was simple and to the point:
Integrate a whole home custom electronic system into a luxury property, which would enable the homeowner and their family to access media, security and lighting scenes anywhere in their home, and to manage the whole system at the click of a button via easy-to-use-control panels.
As straight-forward a brief as that might be, bringing the client’s ideas to life wasn’t without its challenges, especially in choosing technology which would work seamlessly with each individual part of the system.
Highlights
- WyreStorm MX-0808-HDBT 8×8 HDBaseT HDMI Matrix Switcher
- WyreStorm RX-100IR-HDBT HDBaseT Receivers
- JVC X30 3D projector on a lift
- Crestron intelligent lighting
- Sonos Connect wireless audio streaming.
WyreStorm HDBaseT
After in-depth discussions with the client to understand their exact needs and requirements, Pro Install AV opted to base the whole home automation installation on the WyreStorm HDBaseT MX-0808-HDBT 8×8 touchscreen Matrix, with the WyreStorm 100m HDBaseT
bidirectional display receivers used for AV switching and control.
These products were chosen as much for their seamless compatibility with other leading brands, as for their exceptional reliability and unrivalled performance.
Multi-Room Audio Visual Distribution
This latter point was particularly important as, in order to achieve the multi-room AV setup required by our client, our next big task was to distribute media to screens and speakers within 100m (328ft) of the matrix.
The WyreStorm 8×8 HDBaseT allowed us to do this, transmitting HD audio, 1080p HD video, Ethernet and bidirectional control via a combination of shielded and unshielded Cat5e/Cat6 cable.
Multiple Content Sources
Going back to our original brief, our ultimate goal with this installation was to enable our client to access whatever content they liked, wherever they were in the home.
To that end, Pro Install AV integrated several different content sources into the new system, including multiple PlayStation 3 consoles, a dedicated in-house media server, CCTV, and SKY HD television.
Switching and Distribution
These sources were sent to individual displays through the HDBaseT display receivers and 8×8 matrix. The client and their family could control all of these sources from any location on the property via a bidirectional IR control, and serial control built into a Crestron system.
Displays
Depending on the size, layout and purpose of a given room, display screens varying in manufacturer and size (from 40″ to 55″) were used throughout the property, including all of the following rooms:
- Bathroom
- Front Lounge
- Kitchen
- Loft space
- Main Lounge
- Master Bedroom
In the main living area, we combined a JVC x30 3D projector on a motorised lift with a Panasonic 55vt50 flat panel and a 3M recessed in ceiling screen (the latter two both with triggers). This allowed the homeowner to enjoy a home cinema experience without taking up valuable living space, as the entire setup could be hidden when not in use.
Of particular note was the bathroom, where a smart bathroom mirror TV could be used to access content from any source, all from the comfort of a warm, relaxing bath, something which really helped Pro Install Av go beyond client expectations.
Home Security
Chosen for their advanced features and compatibility with other home technology brands, Pro Install AV installed a Redcare monitored grade 2 security alarm and intercom into the property, with the on-site CCTV system fully integrated into the home entertainment system.
Intelligent Lighting Control
Smart lighting control plays an integral part in any whole home automation project, not only highlighting the new features, but allowing homeowners to create the perfect scene for any occasion.
With a number of options available, the client eventually opted for a Crestron lighting system, as this would allow them to create preconfigured scenes for different occasions and environments, such as automatically lowering the living room lights when the cinema screen was lowered, or illuminating the hallways when people returned home.