The Design Perspective

One of our clients was demonstrating the systems we installed to his colleague.  When they were looking at the heart of the system, the head-ends, his guest commented that the wires were not “all lined up” perfectly and tightly tie-wrapped.

In all my years designing control systems for pharmaceutical applications, I’ve always seen perfectly tidy wiring.   Each wire cut to exact length, heat-shrink tubing on the ends, and clearly labeled.  The bundles are then tie-wrapped together and attached to the backplane.

This is important in validated systems responsible for the production of medicines and foods, but is it a good thing in a home?

There’s a balance that needs to be stuck between tidy wiring, servicability, and expandability.

While tie-wraps help prevent connectors from being inadvertantly pulled out, they also make upgrades a nightmare as no two components are designed with the same connector layout.  Perfectly parallel Cat5e or Cat6 wires can actually induce noise into adjacent cables when run long distances together.  Current studies show a little randomness in the the wire bundles reduces noise.

Velcro straps are the proper tool for dressing rack wiring.  They do not pinch wires and make servicing the wires much easier.

For our out-of-state (outside Indiana) projects, we now specifiy and exclusively use modular punch-down blocks for all homerun wires–the wires heading out to the rooms.  This allows us to repurpose any wire simply by unpluging it and connecting both sides to another device.  It also allows a clear responsibility divide between the prewire contractor and our trim work.

I’m constantly asked the “Cable or Satellite?” question. “Which do you recommend Derek?”

Because we provide fully integrated home HD systems, many of our clients have multiple HD video sources available at all of their TVs. This includes Cable, Satellite, IPTV (ie AT&T U-verse), and OTA ATSC (Over-The-Air antenna).

I recently had an opportunity to view all the formats on the same TV model. This is important because the processors and internal components of every TV model vary widely and affect the picture quality. Even simple settings like the sharpness can have a big impact on the picture.  After comparing the different pushed sources, here’s a summary of my observations.

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When enough people tell you to do something, you have to at least consider it.  That was the case with the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI).

“What attracted me most about BAGI was their focus on maintaining quality in the industry.  DistinctAV does not cut any corners and is maintaining this focus even through our current growth cycle” said Derek Cowburn, President of DistinctAV.  “I wish we could accept every client but we currently only do 15-20 jobs per year.  Organizations like BAGI are focused on educating homeowners and builders.  The advanced features we regularly provide are way beyond what most people have experienced or even heard about and it takes a lot of demonstrations and referrals for people to adjust their paradigms.  We’re all about educating people so they can make informed decisions so I think BAGI is a great place to start.”

DistinctAV would like to thank Front Gate Builders for sponsoring us.  We were thrilled to hear the advanced low-voltage wiring capabilities had such a positive impact on the sale of their recent spec home.

Remodeling with DistinctAV

Come see us at the Indy Home & Remodeling Show!
Do you have remodeling plans in mind? Thinking about how nice it would be to convert or update your basement into a comfortable recreational space? Imagine a home theater with enough comfortable chairs for the whole family, and ambient lighting that adjusts to whether the movie is on or you’re behind your bar mixing drinks for your guests. Even if you are just in the “imagine if…” stage of your remodeling plans, you should know what actually needs to be done to your basement before making these ideas into a reality. 

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Security system “opportunities” for new and existing homes
My Father-in-law tells a funny story how his daughter dented his 3-yr old Audi and told him “but this is a great opportunity to get it repainted like new!”

The FCC changes the rules on the wireless spectrum to take advantage of new technologies. While almost everyone has heard about the television antenna (Over-Air NTSC vs ATSC) changes, few may have heard about a similar change affecting wireless security system monitoring.

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Five years ago when I got this crazy idea to throw away my 17+ years experience in pharmaceutical control systems and start DistinctAV, we did a lot of research into the industry. We were told we needed a big “lifestyle” showroom to compete with the big box stores on one side and what the industry calls “trunk slammers” on the other side.

Now in our 3rd year, I can say that the showroom helped get us started, but really wasn’t necessary. What did grow the business was our uniquely integrated solutions and being a “one-stop-shop” resource for almost every Tech system installed in a home. Our client-centered approach to designing systems based on understanding the specific needs and desires of each homeowner, then selecting just the right combination of products necessary to make their dreams a reality, spoke for itself. 

Of course, the success of this process is based on two factors: education and trust. Not just our own education and intimate knowledge of the available components, but the education we provide to our clients as they travel down their exciting journey of discovery.

It may sound hokey, but how else do you describe it when our clients say “wow!”, “cool!”, “that’s really slick”, “very nice”, or simply grin and nod like a proud parent as they experience all the conveniences of their new systems.

Now that we’ve “hit the nail on the head” by the clever implementation of the features that homeowners desperately desire…it’s time to take this show on the road! (well, at least the Internet).

We’re developing a website that will educate and demonstrate. It allows new homeowners and renovators to quickly see through all the hype in the industry, and focus on the features that really matter most when designing and selecting all the electronics for a home.

Best of all, it provides budgeting estimates so we can pass on even more savings by keeping our sales overhead down. This tool also allows me to personally review projects with clients from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection and a phone.

We’re also taking the best of our designs and packaging them into complete solutions. These complete “DIY-kits-on-steroids” are great for builders, smaller custom installers, and homeowners building their own home. Complete with detailed instructions, project management tools, and access to our experts when you need advice. We even partner with local experts so you always have a friendly face to call in case on-site support is needed.

These advanced packages are anything but limited. They are still customized, built, tested, and delivered with complete documentation, change control tracking, and quality control procedures. The resulting systems are even remotely monitored to ensure they continue to operate 10 years from now just as they did when first commissioned.

I guess all those years working in the pharmaceutical industry weren’t wasted after all!

Please look for announcements of the new site in future issues of The Design Perspective. If you’re building soon or even in the middle of a construction project, give us a call! Adding these features after the walls and trim are up can be very costly.

Less than three weeks until Spring!

If you are anything like me, you are already enjoying the brief warmer temperatures, planting in the garden, or the thought of lounging on the deck. What could make your outdoor spaces even more enjoyable? How about listening to music through discreet garden speakers that blend in with their natural surroundings. Create an ambient mood for evening cocktail parties with rich music and some outdoor pathway lighting.

We can help your Spring outdoor projects with creative and beautiful integrated audio and lighting systems — but don’t leave them to the last minute! At Distinct AV, we are known for our thoughtful engineering and design process so call us early in the planning stages.

While you’re planning your landscaping projects, you should keep in mind which audio and lighting equipment you’d like to add to your front yard or back deck. It’s much more convenient to bury wires in conjunction with your landscaping projects and before everything is in full bloom.

Zoned volume controls can help balance the audio for multiple outdoor areas, such as your terrace, gazebo, and pool area. To get even better sound outside, add an outdoor subwoofer. They can discreetly resemble a rock or even be installed under decks for an invisible solution you and your guests will love. It’s a good investment to use heavier gage direct burial wire and don’t forget the lightning protection devices!

Once you can get to your music collection outside, you’ll want to control what you’re listening to. We have several wireless solutions for media management and even waterproof remotes. These can handle the elements while still providing that easy and intuitive control that DistinctAV is known for.

Look for more home renovation and design articles in The Design Perspective or check out the DistinctAV Gallery website.

Howzeedooit?

Our design team at DistinctAV publishes this monthly newsletter that is full of ideas that enhance your home and office.  If you’re remodelling, building, or just interested in the practical application of home electronics and controls, subscribe to The Design Perspective.

Energy saving options
Close the Door!
Do you feel like a broken record when it comes to reminding your children to do simple things around the house?. It seems like they never learn…
“Close the door–the air conditioning is on!”.
“Turn off the lights downstairs!”.
“Flush the toilet when you’re done!”.