Home Automation & Distributed Audio/Video

Whether you are building your dream home or retrofitting into your existing abode, smart home technology from Control4 will enable sharing music and video throughout the home as well as intelligent and automated lighting and temperature control. Together, these features allow you to conveniently and/or automatically adjust sound, light, and temperature levels for everyday events including waking up, leaving the home, arriving home, eating dinner, watching movies, going to bed, etc. Integrated safety and security features allow owners to monitor and react to home activities from virtually anywhere.

Here are a couple of examples of some recent systems we have done:

Steve’s Complete Home Makeover

The Challenge: Share the family's music and movie library in every room of the house.

Although the project started out as a basement renovation, Steve quickly saw the benefits of distributing audio and video throughout the home. Highlights of the system include:

  • 7 video zones
  • 11 audio zones
  • 2 home theatres
  • 1 video games room
  • 100% centralized media library, including:
    • 400 Blu-ray DVD changer
    • 4 Rogers PVRs
    • 500 GB MP3 library
    • AM/FM/XM tuner
    • Central iPod dock
  • Remote access from anywhere via Internet

Lock 17

The Challenge: Build a system flexible, automated set of systems for a bar/restaurant.

Lock 17 is a cozy little nautically-themed bistro on the Rideau River system at Burritts Rapids, but it has a cutting-edge automation and audio/video distribution system to entertain the boaters while docked. Highlights of the system include:

  • 2 video zones
  • 6 audio zones
  • Automated lights & HVAC
  • Integrated security & alarm systems
  • BEV satellite TV & radio
  • 1 TB MP3 library

Other systems LTI provided for Lock 17:

  • Lock 17's data network and subnets, including:
    • High-Speed Internet access including installation of a 70' tower for adequate reception
    • WiFi hotspot with access in the bar/restaurant and outside on the patio, as well as down at the locks across the road via external tower-mounted omni-directional antenna
    • Secure subnets for the POS system, Control4 automation system, CCTV system, and ATM
  • Established Phone & Satellite TV accounts
  • Installation of dual-band cellular repeater with external tower-mounted Yagi antenna
  • Installation of ATM on site
  • Coin-operated laundry facilities and shower
  • Full PA System for live bands, including:
    • Yorkville 2×400W 10-channel powered mixer
    • 2× Yorkville 200W 12″ passive speakers
    • Yorkville 200W 12″ powered speaker (monitor)
    • Yorkville 200W 10″ powered subwoofer
    • 3× Shure SM58 microphones
    • Furman power conditioner
    • 2× 4-can LED light bars w. chase and foot controllers
    • All stands, cables, and accessories

Gilles’ Farmhouse

The Challenge: Design a robust, easy-to-use home automation system with a modest budget.

Designed for easy-to-operate convenience, this system incorporates the following:

  • 3 video zones
  • 6 audio zones
  • Automated lights & HVAC
  • Integrated security & alarm systems
  • Shaw satellite TV, Apple TV, and 2 DVD players
  • AM/FM/XM tuner, MP3 library, and iPod dock

Calabogie Peaks Audio System

The Challenge: Design a system to distribute a centrally-controlled audio 'station' to the various areas, while allowing local freedoms where appropriate.

Calabogie Peaks Resort includes a 25-room hotel (with a fine-dining restaurant, pool, spa, and conference rooms), a lodge/activity center at the base of the mountain, apres-ski at a bar above the lodge, as well as a beach-front area and golf course for the summer months.

Highlights of the system include:

  • Central music control center collocated in secure data center open 24/7
  • IP audio encoder to create Calabogies' own local 'network radio station'
  • Selection of the following sources:
    • XM radio
    • iPod dock
    • CD player
  • Any content available via the network, including MP3s, Internet radio, subscription-based services, and shoutcast/icecast sources
  • IP audio decoders at each location serve as preferred inputs to local systems
  • Local system at Base Lodge includes 4 independent audio zones (three indoors plus outdoors) and has a microphone input for public address
  • Local system at the bar upstairs includes a 50″ plasma with satellite TV & DVD player
  • Local systems at each of two chairlifts broadcast over outdoor speakers