Smart Home Automation | Tanworth-in-arden
We were contacted by a client who had moved into a bespoke house in Tanworth-in-arden, a brand new build in the scenic countryside. He had expressed interest in a smart-home automation system, explaining the need for security systems, 4k resolution video to every display and complete voice control. Warwick Audio Visual was ready to take on the challenge!
We started with six Hikvision cameras to cover the property. Security is a huge concern for homeowners today so both the client and us wanted to ensure maximum coverage. With it being a new build after exploring options, we decided to feed all the data cables for the cameras into a Hikvision switch in the loft, that would then run down to the comms room.
We integrated an eight channel NVR with an eight TB Hard drive, we were able to configure them and name the cameras. Both we and the client were impressed with the clean installation and the hidden cables, providing a neat and effective security solution.
Next we began constructing the AV rack. With a long list of equipment and a small space to work with, we started assembling the rack including the 4K video distribution system. This would send video and audio signals through the pre-existing network paths in the house to receivers neatly and expertly installed on the back of the displays. Using HDAnywhere technology, our client was thrilled to see the clear crisp nature of the video.
We then focused on his smart lighting scenes. The client was a huge fan of Phillips Hue. Who can blame him? A fantastic product applicable for houses of any size! We added the system into Control4 and set lighting scenes in the program, with dimmed calm dining scenes to set the mood for any meal and bright, vibrant, colourful lighting for the evening for when the family were gathered around. With configurable keypads, custom buttons and a whole host of control features, we turned the house into a home.
Being a huge fan of Alexa’s inbuilt smart home capabilities, we were excited to demonstrate Control4’s integration to the client. With some clever programming we were able to input custom commands into Control4 that would respond to Alexa ‘Voice scenes’. We could make Alexa trigger the lights, the cinema screen and the heating all in one. We designed multiple ‘house modes’ for our client such as;
Morning Mode: Sets the lights to 25% in the kitchen and living room, turns on BBC Radio 4 in the bedroom and living room.
Day Mode: With our client working during the day, we made this feature turn off most of the lights apart from the feature ‘media wall lights’ that went to 10% and the main hall lights that went to 10% as well. This also automatically turned off all displays and audio.
Evening Mode: Our client loves bright, colourful lighting! So for evening mode, his hanging hallway lights turned orange, purple, yellow and blue respectively. The family room TV would turn on and play the audio through his Control4 integrated Sonos sound system.
But no smart home is ever truly finished. We added QR codes on his T4 Touch Panel to access his guest Wifi for when visitors are abound and the cherry on top, our very own Warwick Audio Visual tech support button; for support whenever it’s needed.
We’re excited to work on more projects like this and continue to support and maintain our current projects. So enquire today for your new Smart Home System!