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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
June 17, 2016

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Control4 Home Automation Project: Installer Q&A and Smart-Home Video

This case study of a Control4 home automation project comprises an interview with the installer who made it happen and a video demonstrating the impressive results.

IFSEC Global spoke to Kyri Androu, managing director of Electricus, about the installation, which he recently completed in a London flat.

You can also check out the results in a video below. Watch as the homeowner controls his lights, audio-visual system and CCTV using kit from Control4, the US-based smart-home innovator.

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Visit the Home Automation House at IFSEC 2016

You can find a Home Automation House – an interactive exhibit with products integrated and demoed through a Control4 system from Lilin, Nest, Qmotion, 2N Telecommunications and Texecom at IFSEC 2016, 21-23 June, ExCeL London.  Register here to attend IFSEC.
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electricus logoIFSEC Global: What smart-home system did this installation include? 

Kyri Androu: It includes multi-room HD/4K distribution, multi-room audio, smart lighting and security.

IG: What brief did the customer give you?

KA: The client brief was to deliver a clean TV room with no boxes (Sky, Playstation, Apple TVs etc). Secondly, the client asked for a system to be installed so they could listen to music around their home.

Control4 kit 5

IG: What are the challenges of this installation — for example in terms of the dimensions and structural aspects of the flat?

KA: The main challenge was the running of cables for HD distribution and distribution of audio. We have to run cables from the central location – known as the head end – where all the equipment sits, to its destination – ie the living room.

To achieve this building works were required to make good the damage caused in running and hiding the cables in walls and ceiling etc.

However, we installed Control4 smart lighting, as this is retro fit.  So we could use existing cables in the home to give the client lighting control, or what we call ‘smart lighting’.

Control4 kit 3

IG: What advice/suggestions did you make to the customer in terms of brands and kit to install? And why?

KA: The customer listens to music on their computer, so we had to install a NAS drive for all of their music to be centrally located, so that it can be distributed around the home. And the client streams their music through Tidal, which meant Control 4 was the perfect option for them.

We suggested smart lighting, as it can be retrofitted with Control4 using existing electrical wiring within the property so as to not damage any walls to achieve lighting control and automated scenes.

IG: What is multi-room HD/4K distribution?

KA: It is when you have all your video sources — Sky box, Tivo box etc –all in one central location and then distribute HD signals around the home to relevant rooms, keeping those areas free from unsightly boxes, wires and multiple remote controls.

IG: What is multi-room audio distribution?

KA: Distributing your favourite songs, playlists and radio stations through speakers all over the home, fed from a central location.

Control4 kit 4IG: How would you define a ‘smart home’ or ‘home automation’?

It is when your lights, heating/cooling equipment, security and electronic devices all communicate from your smartphone, tablet, computer or remote control.

Imagine. One touch on your tablet and the movie starts, your shades close and the surround sound kicks in at the perfect volume. When the sun goes down, your porch light turns on. And the whole house locks at 11pm. Automatically.

You rush out with the kids to drop them off at school. By the time you get to the office you wonder: “Did I close the garage door?” Simply check from your smartphone and relax.

Imagine living in a home that obeys your every command, where virtually every device and system can be controlled remotely and fully automated. You can use your tablet to control your home theatre, dim the lights, lock the doors, turn up the heat, and arm the alarm.

Or use your smartphone to do the same from not just anywhere in your house – but anywhere in the world.

IG: Tell me a bit about your business and the kind of installations you do…

Our business has two divisions: electrical contracting and audio-visual. Electricus has been established for over 12 years and the business has been built on word-of-mouth recommendations, as we like to build relationships with our clients and have that personal approach.

Our clients include private members clubs in London, Mayfair hotels, care homes, residential properties, offices and restaurants.  We regularly install home cinema, lighting control, security, smart offices and network infrastructure and carry out electrical contracting.

IG: How does home automation differ to the commercial sector for the installer or integrator?

In the commercial sector home automation focuses more on energy efficiency. For example, if you left the office lights and heating on after finishing work on a Friday you could turn it off remotely without having to go back to the office.

Another way that automation can help in the commercial sector is through scheduled events. For example, at a golf driving range you could initiate the lights, the TVs on the correct channel and music to make staff ‘s jobs easier by reducing the number of tasks they have to do when they arrive. That could happen every day at different times dependent on their opening hours.

Read our Control4 Q&A: Why Security Installers Should Get into Home Automation

 

 

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