Audio Systems | Structured Wiring | Home Theater | Lighting Control | Video Distribution | Home Integration
The first considerations for television and video systems should be where would one want to watch TV in the home, what kind of programs does one want to have in the home, and what kind of installation or treatment is desired for each of the locations.
At the time of this writing, most televisions being sold are LCD flat panel models. Standard sizes range from 15″ (diagonal screen measurement) to 65″. Most of these TVs have a depth of a few inches. These displays can be set on a piece of furniture, mounted onto a wall, built into custom cabinetry, or designed into a custom motor lift for complete concealment.
Like audio systems, video systems can be designed in either a locally or centrally configured arrangement. Similarly to audio systems, this means that a TV can have associated source components such as Bluray Players and Satellite TV receivers either in the same room as the TV or located remotely in a central equipment rack. In cases where a centrally distributed video system has been designed, but the physical location of the racked equipment cannot be located in a convenient place, a hybrid local – central video system is recommended. An example of this type of system might place a Bluray disc player in cabinetry in a room conveniently accessible from many rooms in the home, while the non-interactive electronics components such as HD cable boxes and satellite receivers would be placed out of sight and out of mind in the central equipment rack. The advantages of a locally configured video system are typically cost, as video switching systems can be expensive, and convenience, if you are going to load a disc into a DVD or Bluray Disc player, it is more convenient for the disc player to be near at hand. The disadvantages of the local configuration are the same as with a locally configured audio system: it increases the number of electronic components necessary for a system, increases electricity usage, and creates additional needs for electronics housing or cabinetry in each room.
The advantages of a centralized system are less electronic boxes in the various rooms of the home and being able to share sources with different TVs. A practical example of this would be if for example there were in a locally configured system five TVs each with its own HD cable DVR (Digital Video Recorder) box, a movie or TV show recorded to be watched later on one TV could not be viewed on a different TV unless the owner had also set up that other HD DVR box to record the same show. This is neither convenient nor easy. In a centrally configured system there might be the same five TVs, but only two HD cable DVR boxes. One of these DVR boxes might be “assigned” to the husband while the other was “assigned” to the wife. If the husband were to record a show for viewing later he would, with a centrally configured system, be able to watch that show on any one of the five TVs, or even begin to watch the recorded show on one TV, stop the program, and pick up viewing on a different TV.
In the last few years video transmission to TVs has been in the process of switching over from analog video to digital video. The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) has become the residential standard for connecting high definition video sources to TVs and projection systems.
To be compatible going forward any centralized video switching system to be used should be HDMI based with HDCP support and self manage EDID. At present the only manufacturers of reliable systems for this technology are Extron Electronics, a world leader in video products for commercial installations, and Crestron Electronics, Inc., the first company to perfect HDMI video switching for residential use.
A source in a video system is the device which produces or translates content that is fed into the system and comes out of the video display as images and the associated sound. Video systems usually have a limit to the number of sources available. Centralized video switching systems can be designed to have all sources available in all rooms, or designed to restrict certain sources from being accessed in certain areas.
Examples of video sources:
DVD players
The current standard of video disc.
Bluray Disc players
Bluray discs offer a higher video resolution than standard DVD discs. At present, this is the only HD disc media available.
HD Cable Boxes
In the Hilton Head area Cable TV service providers require the use of a cable box in order to receive High Definition video broadcasts through the cable TV system. These cable boxes have an option for DVR functionality.
Satellite TV Receiver
Direct TV or Dish network satellite TV service offer an alternative to local cable TV providers. The content offered is typically higher quality in terms of options such as on-demand movies and sports packages and also available HD content.
Over the Air HD Antenna
Digital broadcasting of local TV stations can be received over the air by erecting an antenna. The few available channels and discouragement on the part of home owners associations yield a minimal desire for this technology.
Media Computer
Using a PC or Mac computer as a source of streaming online media can be a good way to view alternative videos and other content. Systems using a media computer typically require more attention from an end user for operation, updates, and maintenance due to the fact that computers themselves require such periodic attention.
Television Concealment
Many clients request that some or all video displays in a system be concealed from view when not in use. Typically concealment falls into one of three categories:
Manual covers
This can be something as simple as placing the TV into a cabinet designed with a set of doors to cover the TV when not in use. Obviously, any manually operated system requires the end user to open and close the system prior to and after use. This is typically discouraging for guests who may not know there is a TV present behind the cabinet doors.
Motorized concealment
Carefully designed motorized systems can allow TVs to be automatically concealed when the TV is turned off. A motorized system can bring a TV up out of a cabinet, drop one out of a ceiling, raise one out of the floor, or move an object such as a milled cabinet panel or framed artwork from in front of the TV. There are many creative ways to conceal TVs and other devices using motorized means.
Mirror systems
TVs can be hidden behind mirrors in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms. A special type of mirror glass is required so that the picture will be viewable through the mirror without the image being washed out or tinted with color.
