Soundscape Information
|| General Features and Wiring Layouts|| Media Room / Home Theater ||
||Dolby, THX and AC-3 || Picture Size || Satellite and Antenna ||
|| Whole House Audio || Running Wire || Feedback and Your Contributions ||
Wiring Your Home
from
Home Theater to Automation
PLANNING AND BUILDING FOR TODAY'S ELECTRONIC LIFESTYLES
by Marc Silver
Reprinted from California Builder, December 1995
Over the last 50 years, the building industry has gone through tremendous change: changes in building materials and techniques, changes in home size and configuration, and changes in amenities. We've seen optional 'new fangled modern devices" like garbage disposals, built-in appliances, garage door openers, and microwave ovens become basic necessities in every new home project. But with the increase in user-friendly, cost-effective technology, and with the trend toward "cocooning" by today's families, builders must plan for a new feature that is rapidly becoming a "must-have" for any new home project: The Home Entertainment Center. This might include home theater, multi-room audio/video, computer workstations and home automation systems. These once futuristic buzz words are now today's reality.
This article is intended to present ideas, discuss potential problems, and generally assist those building or remodeling a house, with the intent on installing low voltage wiring for audio, video, home automation, phone, and data communications. This is only the first step in introducing the reader to the many complexities of design, prewire and completion of a home entertainment system. Unless you have experience in this area, you might want to consider sub-contracting to a professional home entertainment designer and installer. The design of the house wiring discussed in this article is based on installing a system into new home construction. The ideas discussed apply to remodel and retrofit, but will not be discussed directly. The design details should reflect the desires, budget, and priorities of your project.
The design of the house wiring discussed in this article is based on installing a system into new home construction. The ideas discussed do apply to remodel and retrofit, but will not be discussed directly. The design details should reflect the desires, budget, and priorities of your particular project.
The basic goal in designing the wiring plan for a house is to plan for the future. It is much easier to spend a small amount now and sell the upgradability to your potential buyer than to attempt a retrofit after the house is complete. Not all wiring will be used for existing components, and some may never be used, depending upon the ultimate home-owner's needs, but the ideas presented are intended to cover most contingencies. In any case, the whole-house audio system should be designed to offer more than just music. The use of personal computers for business in the home will be considered. If an advanced lighting system, like Lutron is not part of the project, you may want to consider an X-10 lighting option as part of your design.
|| General Features and Wiring Layouts|| Media Room / Home Theater ||
||Dolby, THX and AC-3 || Picture Size || Satellite and Antenna ||
|| Whole House Audio || Running Wire || Feedback and Your Contributions ||
EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION
Updated: January 1, 2001
CLEARANCE SALE
We now offer 90 Days Same As Cash (SAC) 365 days a year !
Come in and ask us about it.
1044 4th Street. Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone/707-578-4434 or 800-450-HIFI
marcs@sonic.net
