OK, you have the home theater, now what?
The technological revolution is moving into our homes. It used to be a phone jack here, a cable outlet there and you were done. Not any more.
Q: What is structured wiring?
Q: What are IR and RF controls and what is the difference?
Q: What is the difference between a coax jack and a cable jack?
Q: What is the difference between a network jack and a data jack?
Q: Why is the picture on my HDTV not clear?
Q: What is distributed audio?
Q: What should I look for as a standard in a new home?
Q: What is the next system that will become a standard in our homes?
Q. How can I better protect my home and family; what home security system options are there?
Q: I already have an existing house; how can I add technology?
Q: What should I look for when choosing a contractor?
Q: What is structured wiring?
Q: What are IR and RF controls and what is the difference?
Q: What is the difference between a coax jack and a cable jack?
Q: What is the difference between a network jack and a data jack?
Q: Why is the picture on my HDTV not clear?
Q: What is distributed audio?
Q: What should I look for as a standard in a new home?
Q: What is the next system that will become a standard in our homes?
Q. How can I better protect my home and family; what home security system options are there?
Q: I already have an existing house; how can I add technology?
Q: What should I look for when choosing a contractor?
Q: What is structured wiring?
A: Structured wiring is the phone, network and cable/satellite wiring in your home. All of these cables run to a central panel where they are connected to your cable or satellite service, phone service, or network. Technocom uses cat5e wiring for all phone and network locations. Each wired room will have a wall plate that a phone and/or network device can be plugged into. At the panel, these cables are labeled and can be plugged into the provided phone module or your modem/router. Cable or satellite locations are wired with RG–6 coaxial cable. These locations are plugged into your cable or satellite service in the panel and run to a wall plate in pre–wired rooms. Your cable or satellite box then connects to the plate, providing it with the signal needed to produce the image that you see on your television.
A: Structured wiring is the phone, network and cable/satellite wiring in your home. All of these cables run to a central panel where they are connected to your cable or satellite service, phone service, or network. Technocom uses cat5e wiring for all phone and network locations. Each wired room will have a wall plate that a phone and/or network device can be plugged into. At the panel, these cables are labeled and can be plugged into the provided phone module or your modem/router. Cable or satellite locations are wired with RG–6 coaxial cable. These locations are plugged into your cable or satellite service in the panel and run to a wall plate in pre–wired rooms. Your cable or satellite box then connects to the plate, providing it with the signal needed to produce the image that you see on your television.
Q: What are IR and RF controls and what is the difference?
A: IR stands for infrared and uses light emitted from a remote to control a device such as a TV or cable box. RF stands for radio frequency and uses a transmitter to send a signal to a receiver that will control a device.
The main difference between IR and RF if that IR is line–of–sight, meaning that you have to point the remote at what you are controlling to affect the device. RF control is not line–of–sight. You can close the doors to your cabinet and still control the cable box inside or walk to a different room and continue controlling your stereo system.
There is a way of making IR more user–friendly. An IR repeater kit can be installed making it possible to control devices behind closed doors. The remote will simply need to be pointed at the installed IR receiver.
A: IR stands for infrared and uses light emitted from a remote to control a device such as a TV or cable box. RF stands for radio frequency and uses a transmitter to send a signal to a receiver that will control a device.
The main difference between IR and RF if that IR is line–of–sight, meaning that you have to point the remote at what you are controlling to affect the device. RF control is not line–of–sight. You can close the doors to your cabinet and still control the cable box inside or walk to a different room and continue controlling your stereo system.
There is a way of making IR more user–friendly. An IR repeater kit can be installed making it possible to control devices behind closed doors. The remote will simply need to be pointed at the installed IR receiver.
Q: What is the difference between a coax jack and a cable jack?
A: There is no difference between a coax jack and cable jack. A coax cable is a black cable with a round end that plugs into your cable box. Both coax and cable jacks are used for your TVs.
A: There is no difference between a coax jack and cable jack. A coax cable is a black cable with a round end that plugs into your cable box. Both coax and cable jacks are used for your TVs.
Q: What is the difference between a network jack and a data jack?
A: There is no difference between a network jack and data jack. You can use both for the internet or telephone.
A: There is no difference between a network jack and data jack. You can use both for the internet or telephone.
Q: Why is the picture on my HDTV not clear?
A: Just because you purchased a HDTV does not mean you will get HD clarity. You must be viewing High Definition TV. Most movies and TV shows are filmed in HD. In order for your picture to be High Definition, your DVD box has to be upgraded to HD (also called Blue Ray). Additionally you will need to have a HDMI cable installed from the TV to the cable box. You will also need to call your cable company to upgrade your cable box to HD.
A: Just because you purchased a HDTV does not mean you will get HD clarity. You must be viewing High Definition TV. Most movies and TV shows are filmed in HD. In order for your picture to be High Definition, your DVD box has to be upgraded to HD (also called Blue Ray). Additionally you will need to have a HDMI cable installed from the TV to the cable box. You will also need to call your cable company to upgrade your cable box to HD.
Q: What is distributed audio?
A: Distributed audio is a system that allows you to access audio in many rooms of your home from one set of equipment. Selected rooms with access to the system will have speakers and controller unit. The speakers are wired to an area that houses all of the equipment (CD/DVD player, cable/satellite box, AM/FM tuner, mp3 player, etc.) and the amplifiers that drive the speakers.
Simpler systems allow access to one source for the entire house and the only control that you have in the room is a volume control to turn the unit on, off, up or down. More complex systems use control panels in the rooms (either mounted on the wall or handheld) to allow access to different sources in different rooms. Using a control panel you would be able to select the source, change the volume and in some cases control the source from the room.
A: Distributed audio is a system that allows you to access audio in many rooms of your home from one set of equipment. Selected rooms with access to the system will have speakers and controller unit. The speakers are wired to an area that houses all of the equipment (CD/DVD player, cable/satellite box, AM/FM tuner, mp3 player, etc.) and the amplifiers that drive the speakers.
Simpler systems allow access to one source for the entire house and the only control that you have in the room is a volume control to turn the unit on, off, up or down. More complex systems use control panels in the rooms (either mounted on the wall or handheld) to allow access to different sources in different rooms. Using a control panel you would be able to select the source, change the volume and in some cases control the source from the room.
Q: What should I look for as a standard in a new home?
A: Structured Wiring
This is a system using a flexible distribution panel as the center where all of the wiring for telephones, computer networks and television converge. Instead of calling the cable or satellite company when you want to relocate a TV, you simply connect a different cable to the distribution hub in the panel. This panel can also house an alarm system and a computer modem.
A: Structured Wiring
This is a system using a flexible distribution panel as the center where all of the wiring for telephones, computer networks and television converge. Instead of calling the cable or satellite company when you want to relocate a TV, you simply connect a different cable to the distribution hub in the panel. This panel can also house an alarm system and a computer modem.
Q: What is the next system that will become a standard in our homes?
A: Lighting Control Systems
Think about how you use lighting in your home. There are infinite variations in how light is used to set a mood, to guide you from one place to another, to add a highlight or low light to any part of your day. A light control system can set these scenes with the push of a single button. The bank of light switches in the kitchen can be replaced with a single keypad. The sun is another light source, often the primary one and deserves a role in any lighting control scheme. By adding shade control you can enhance the aesthetics and functionality of any space.
A: Lighting Control Systems
Think about how you use lighting in your home. There are infinite variations in how light is used to set a mood, to guide you from one place to another, to add a highlight or low light to any part of your day. A light control system can set these scenes with the push of a single button. The bank of light switches in the kitchen can be replaced with a single keypad. The sun is another light source, often the primary one and deserves a role in any lighting control scheme. By adding shade control you can enhance the aesthetics and functionality of any space.
Q. I would like to better protect my home and family; what home security system options do I have?
A. Basic home security systems have been available for years; a better way to protect your home and family is with the integration of other systems into the security system. You now have the option to add cameras that can be viewed through the Internet and by a monitoring company. An intercom and camera at the front door can take the uneasiness out of a late night knock on the door. When you are not home, a lighting control system can be a major part of your home security system by automatically replaying your normal light routine. These are just a few examples of how integrated systems can better protect your home and family.
A. Basic home security systems have been available for years; a better way to protect your home and family is with the integration of other systems into the security system. You now have the option to add cameras that can be viewed through the Internet and by a monitoring company. An intercom and camera at the front door can take the uneasiness out of a late night knock on the door. When you are not home, a lighting control system can be a major part of your home security system by automatically replaying your normal light routine. These are just a few examples of how integrated systems can better protect your home and family.
Q: I already have an existing house; how can I add technology?
A: Wireless Technology
Wireless computer networks are fairly common these days, but did you know that music could be sent from one room to the next on a wireless system? In fact, we can now send signals from security sensors and cameras without having to cut holes in the walls to add wiring. Even a lighting control system can be added to your house without additional wiring.
A: Wireless Technology
Wireless computer networks are fairly common these days, but did you know that music could be sent from one room to the next on a wireless system? In fact, we can now send signals from security sensors and cameras without having to cut holes in the walls to add wiring. Even a lighting control system can be added to your house without additional wiring.
Q: What should I look for when choosing a contractor?
A: Here is a checklist:
1) Licensing
Is the company a licensed contractor with licensed low voltage technicians on staff?
2) Certifications
Do they hold any specific certifications from manufacturer training or trade organizations such as CEDIA, who offers certifications in both installation and design?
3) Showroom
Do they have a showroom and are they able to demonstrate the products they represent?
4) Products
Do they represent familiar product lines? Are they authorized dealers, buying products directly from the manufacturers? The most desirable product lines control their distribution and are only available to qualified installation companies.
5) References
What builders or homeowners have they done business with in the past? Many installation companies are involved in home show programs like the Street of Dreams; do they have any awards from these events?
A: Here is a checklist:
1) Licensing
Is the company a licensed contractor with licensed low voltage technicians on staff?
2) Certifications
Do they hold any specific certifications from manufacturer training or trade organizations such as CEDIA, who offers certifications in both installation and design?
3) Showroom
Do they have a showroom and are they able to demonstrate the products they represent?
4) Products
Do they represent familiar product lines? Are they authorized dealers, buying products directly from the manufacturers? The most desirable product lines control their distribution and are only available to qualified installation companies.
5) References
What builders or homeowners have they done business with in the past? Many installation companies are involved in home show programs like the Street of Dreams; do they have any awards from these events?
