By Larry Epperson, Sam Guarino & Tim Balvanz
Since you are reading this magazine you are probably contemplating building a new home. You may also be considering a remodel of your current home and are likely thinking about a home theater, or entertainment system and possibly whole-house audio. This will be the first in a series of articles to assist in determining when is the right time to involve your System Designer to optimize and assist you with achieving your goals.
When you started to think about building a new home, you probably first thought about hiring an architect to develop a set of blueprints. That’s good thinking. Now apply that same thinking to all the subsystems in your home. That is where the Electronic Systems Designer (ESD) comes into play. The role of the ESD is to apply scientific and engineering knowledge to develop a set of A/V (Audio/Video) blueprints similar to the blueprints done by your architect. He/she will design the systems, specify the equipment, formulate system set-up, direct the installation, define system operation, and more. They will have an integral role as an interface with the client, performing needs assessment, addressing lifestyle issues, and optimizing user interfaces for primary and secondary users. They will have the knowledge and ability to design and integrate residential electronic systems, including whole-house audio/video, home theater, and the virtually unlimited world of sub-system integration (security, HVAC, lighting, motorization, environmental system, and more).
A qualified ESD should have extensive training and some sort of certification. In many cases they will get this training annually through services like CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association - www.cedia.net ). In addition to certification and on-going training, your ESD should have ample field experience in designing and implementing progressing technologies in electronics. A good ESD will not necessarily specify the latest/greatest in technology, but will specify systems based on equipment that is know to be reliable and proven in thousands of existing installations. You can find an ESD at the web link listed earlier in the paragraph. You should try to involve your ESD in your plans as early as possible, presumably concurrent with discussions with your architect. Your architect may even offer a suggestion of an ESD.
Why is it important to involve your ESD so early in the project? The ESD will likely affect the work involved with all the following trades… architect, interior designer, builder, electrician, HVAC, cabinetry, cable/satellite provider, phone and internet provider, pool and spa company, and more. It is their job to make sure that all your needs and desires are integrated seamlessly and cost effectively.
Most ESDs will want to start the consultation process as early as possible, preferably before the architect finalizes your house plans. Before you sit down with your ESD, get a notebook and take notes of all your wants and needs pertaining to your home entertainment system. Be specific about which rooms will need speakers, a TV, and what type of sources you will want access to (i.e. – CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, iPod™*, HD-Radio, cable TV or satellite, etc.). You will also want to determine which rooms you will require maximum performance for any serious movie watching and music listening. This will allow your ESD to make suggestions on room shape and design that will help improve both sound and picture in ways that your architect may not have considered. Be prepared to bring along a set of rough plans and your notebook filled with all your ideas.
Homes today are far more sophisticated with regard to electronic controls than those built just 10 years ago. Green compliance and consideration are important to today’s homebuyer, so, involving a qualified ESD at the outset of your project is not only important, but can be a great cost saver in both time and resources. Be prepared to spend time with your ESD communicating frankly and openly about your lifestyle, needs and budget.
In our next article we will discuss in more detail, the various electronic subsystems and processes you may want to incorporate into your home project.
iPod™ is a trademark of Apple Inc.
"This article will be in Omaha Living Magazine's August 2009 issue"