New Build House - Control4 Integration
Control4 Ties Many Systems Together In This Large Property, A 5.1 Media Room, Audio/ Visual, Data/ WiFi, CCTV, Alarm, Door Access.
This large new build property has a forward thinking owner that wanted to ensure that it has a suitable infrastructure for their needs now and into the future.
Our initial client visit was to discuss a suitable WiFi network as the property is large, Sky Q Multi-Room, a dedicated Media Room, Security Alarm System, CCTV and Door & Gate Access which we were happy to discuss.
With so many ‘Sub Systems’, it made sense to offer the client a Smart Home solution to make the entire property extremely easy to operate, a Control4 system was suggested and after a short demonstration the client was very impressed and decided to add this to their project.
Media Room
Fully Fledged Media Room - 65” 4K UHD TV, 5.1 Surround Sound, Control4, Sky Q, Plex Movie Server, Netflix Amazon Prime, Spotify
The client was keen on using the 2nd floor room, with amazing views of local landmarks, as a relaxing space for listening to Music and also watching Movies & Sport. We suggested making it into a 'Media Room', which is a marriage of 'Smart Home Audio Visual Solutions' along with 'Contemporary Interior Design Principles' that result in technically accurate and visually enjoyable spaces that are extremely easy to use.
A Floating Feature Wall was suggested to flush mount the Large 65” TV, Speakers, Hidden RGBW LED Lighting and also all of the Audio Visual, IT and CCTV Equipment for the rest of the property. The client loved the idea as it gave a real focus to the room and also made a feature of the equipment while also giving it a clean and tidy appearance within the room.
All of the Audio & Visual Sources (Sky Q, Plex Media Server, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify) are viewable on the 65” Panasonic 4K HDR TV including all of the Lilin CCTV Cameras. There is a fully fledged 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System featuring KEF C14100QL THX Certified In Wall Speakers for the Left, Centre & Right Speakers and Also Amina Mobius 7 Hidden Plaster In Speakers for the Left & Right Surrounds.
There is only one remote control, a dedicated Control4 Remote Control to use, which makes using the Media Room very easy. As well as this, full control using the clients Smart Phones and Tablets is provided with the Control4 App, offering very easy and intuitive access and control of everything from TV, Music & Lighting to CCTV from anywhere in the world.
Further to this there is LED RGBW Hidden Lighting surrounding the TV Wall which automatically comes on and off with the Television. A Control4 Lighting Keypad on the wall also gives control of the lighting and also quick access to the types of Visual Sources, for example pressing the ‘Movie’ button once turns on the TV, Selects the Plex Movie Server and sets the LED lights to Movie Mode.
Audio/ Visual Sources include:
Sky Q Multi-Room
Roku Media Player for Plex Movie Server, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Catchup Services.
Apple TV
Control4 Native Streaming for Music, Tidal, Spotify and TuneIn DAB Radio.
Lilin CCTV System
RGBW LED Lighting System
If you are thinking of upgrading your Audio Visual system or would like a complete Smart Home solution please Contact Us.
Hiding Technology
Hidden Speakers - Amina Mobius 7 ‘Plaster In Speakers’ ensure the Interior Design is left in tact while providing Surround Speakers for Films and Music.
Yes, there are speakers in the wall with plaster and paint on top! They sound fantastic also!
Back-lit Engraved Switches make Lighting Scenes & Advanced Media Scenes happen with one click of a button. Pressing the ‘Movie’ button once switches on the lighting to preset levels, switches on the TV, Audio Visual Amplifier and selects the Plex Movie Server, making the system easy to operate. A Double Tap creates the same scene but loads Netflix instead.
This is one of three hidden AV Racks with the door open. It contains the Audio Visual Equipment - Sky Q, Roku, Apple TV Players, AV Amplifier & Control4 EA-3 Controller. All of this is controlled easily from a single Control4 Hand Held Remote controller which operates the same way for all sources making it easy to use for the whole family.
CAD Plans
Media Room - Elevation
To enable the client to visualise the idea and also to enable the build team to work from, an elevation was provided, once approved, the technical dimensions were carried out.
Media Room - Plan
The Plan View ensures the correct layout of the TV Screen, Speakers and Furniture within the room.
Ground Floor AV Cable Schedule
Sky-Q Multi-Room
Sky Q Multi-Room TV in the Kitchen and Bedrooms, thanks to an HDMI Distribution System, allows the Sky Q Players to be hidden out of site ensuring a much cleaner look and feel.
IT Networking & WiFi
One of the clients most important requirements was for a good Internet and WiFi experience. There were technical difficulties to overcome, the property is large, has 3 floors and is widely spread out, due to this and modern building materials, a properly designed IT & WiFi solution was necessary.
Intelligent Installations rely on enterprise grade networking equipment from manufacturers such as Pakedge, Draytek and Ruckus and we are used to difficult networking requirements. To overcome these issues and also create a solid ‘Back Bone IT Infrastructure’ to connect all of the different Sub Systems, we ran Cat6a cabling to all floors, TVs, Office and anywhere we thought we would need a solid wired and wireless infrastructure now or in the future.
A Pakedge RK-1 Router and two SX-24P Gigabit Ethernet Switches were used to create a secure and high bandwidth wired network. Ruckus WiFi Access points were positioned on each floor with secure access for the clients and a Guest Network for their guests which helps ensures security is maintained while allowing guest access to the Internet.
BT Fibre Internet - Pakedge RK-1 Gigabit Router, Two Pakedge SX-24P Switches, Cat6a Patch Panel & Cabling and 4 Ruckus R510 WiFi Access Points Enable a fast, reliable and very secure IT infrastructure that covers the entire property with ease. The entire Smart Home, Audio Visual, CCTV, Door Access & WiFi rely on this IT backbone to operate quickly and without issue.
Ruckus R510 WiFi Access Points are discreetly located around the property to ensure blazing fast WiFi for the homeowner and a separated Guest network for visitors.
CCTV
CCTV
A High Definition CCTV system was requested to aid in the security of the property. Due to the quality of the images and the good compatibility with Control4, we chose a Merit Lilin IP CCTV system.
Lilin Turret Cameras
Many Lilin Turret Cameras were deployed around the property ensuring 100% external coverage, they are discreet while providing a good presence to aid in the security offering. Lilins’ advanced Integration with Control4 also allows us a high level of configurability within the system.
CCTV On Your TV
One of the benefits of having the Control4 System installed is the ability to quickly view your CCTV Cameras on your TVs.
The Cameras are available to view on the clients Smart Phones and Tablets via the Control4 App and are also available to view on the large 65” TV in the Media Room.
Control4 reacts to ‘Events’ from the cameras and can alert the home owner via the App, or trigger any automation events to happen ensuring a higher level of security than your average CCTV system.
Security Alarm System
Security Alarm System
To add to the security aspect of the property, the client requested a pre-wire for a Grade 2 Security Alarm. We carried out an extensive wiring scheme and have specified A Satel Security Alarm system, not only for its quality and robustness, but also as it has direct communication modules for the Control4 System, allowing us to configure advanced programming should the alarm be activated. Examples of such programming would be to have all lights come on in the property, warning messages played on the internal sound systems and also notifications to the client and any other stakeholders.
Door Access
Due to the size of the property and the future need of Automated Gate Access, we have put in the required cabling for a Video Door Access System. There will be an HD Door Station at the front Gate and another at the Front Door, when activated the Video & Audio Feed will be shown on Touch Screens, Smart Phones/ Tablets and TVs around the property allowing the homeowner to grant access to friends and family wherever they are in the property or even the world!
Hiding The Audio/ Video Equipment
We always strive to make sure the look and feel of the property isn’t hindered by the technology, this is one of our main aims in a project. We chose to use the floating TV Wall on the 2nd floor to hide the Control4, IT & Audio Visual Systems for the entire property which worked well, it is hidden but easily accessed for maintenance and upgrades.
This project has been fantastic to work on and shows the breadth of our skillset at Intelligent Installations, should you have a project that requires any of these technologies then please Contact Us for more information.
All images by @Danny.armstrong2
