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I love my Google account. No matter where I am, I have access to my mail, calendar, documents, pictures and news. The free tools (Analytics, Webmaster, Places, Maps…) have been invaluable in my job as DC Home Systems webmaster. So, when I read a recent blog about ‘Google PowerMeter’ my curiosity was peaked.
Google offers a free web based energy monitoring tool.
Track Energy-Use Less-Save Energy & Money
The site displays your energy consumption and related costs and allows you to view the data in a day, week or monthly view. The program will calculate a projection of future consumption based on current trends. Armed with this information you can input your desired consumption and track your progress to your budget goals. And, as with all Google tools, you can communicate with others members of the PowerMeter community and utilize Google’s online help center.
Google PowerMeter interfaces with the meter data management systems of participating ‘Smart Grid’ utility companies (none in the North East unfortunately) as well as standalone energy tracking devices manufactured for in home use. Current Cost, a UK based company, has a number of devices which display energy data on a portable, docked device that looks similar to the iPod classic. TED (The Energy Detective) manufactures a similar line of displays (www.theenergydetective.com). One of the TED models allows you to monitor from both your electrical panel and your solar or wind inverter. These devices are small, easy to install and quite inexpensive, most under $300. With one of these devices combined with Google PowerMeter, you are one more step down the path of reduced energy consumption.
And though I love my Google, those of you with or contemplating Crestron home systems should be aware that Crestron Green Light offers a more sophisticated monitoring, display and control option which monitors the dollars, energy(WH), power(W) and Carbon(lbs) associated with your electricity, gas, water and solar consumption. With this system, your motorized shades, lighting control and thermostat will automatically adjust based on the thresholds programmed for your budget. Now that’s a giant step in the green direction.
CEDIA, the association for professionals in the home electronics integration industry is really on top of providing educational opportunities to our partners in the building and design industry. I wanted to pass on this invitation to a free webinar offered by CEDIA and the Home Technology Alliance. It looks like a really interesting topic, especially for those of us just a little over 45…
Opportunities in the Age-in-Place Market
With the aging of the baby boomers, there is a greater awareness of the need for residential spaces to adapt to changing needs. Evidence shows that people want to live in their homes for as long as possible, but can they? Learn why it is never too early to evaluate clients’ homes and learn about the pitfalls to avoid, view creative solutions to incorporate, and why it is a financially sound investment to make necessary changes that may save money in the long run. Finally, learn the value of teaming with professionals who are armed with the knowledge and resources necessary to meet this challenge and help create livable environments today that will endure the natural progression of a lifetime.
Click HERE for more information about the course and to register for this free webinar.
HDMI (High Definition Multi-Media Interface) is the newest method for hooking up your audio video systems. When properly implemented, you can get the best possible connectivity between your new Blu-Ray player and 1080P TV. It is also the cause of a great deal of confusion, misunderstanding and unfortunately, problems.
What is HDMI? It is a protocol for transporting pure digital audio/video signals between devices in a manner that optimizes quality and resolution while also keeping it copyright proof (thanks Hollywood).
In the “old” analog days, you would hook up your equipment with RCA jacks. If the connection was good, you got a nice picture and sound. If the connection was bad, you would get a snowy picture or poor sound. Even if you messed it up completely, you might at least have something. 
In the digital age, it either works or it doesn’t: No picture. No sound. No control. Nothing. To complicate matters, there are a number of variables which can contribute to the HDMI failure, making the cause difficult to isolate.
So why HDMI?
Well a couple of reasons:
- Picture & Sound Quality: All new TV’s, Blu-Ray discs and cable boxes are capable of increasing resolution and clarity. This increase in resolution dictates more bandwidth and ultimately a different type of cable and hook-up method that can handle the signals.
- Compatibility between devices: Picture and sound resolutions are not standardized and come in varying formats…480i, 480P, 1080i, 1080P, 1080/24, 1080/60, and on and on… And unfortunately not every device is capable of each resolution. To get around this, the HDMI protocol includes a “handshaking” system where the devices talk to each other and match their best resolution capabilities. Here’s a typical conversation between Mr. Blu-Ray and Mr. 60” Plasma:
Mr. Blu-Ray Player: Hi Mr. 60” Plasma, Mr. Blu-Ray player here and I want to play this disc in 1080/24. Is that cool with you?
Mr. 60” Plasma: Yeah hi Mr. Blu-Ray. No, I don’t like 1080/24. Only my bigger brother can do that. Can you send it to me in 1080i?
Mr. Blu-Ray: Ok I guess. Not as nice a picture, but here you go. Enjoy the show.
- Control: We all wish we had more control and HDMI is lucky enough to say that it does. Inside the communication link of HDMI is a provision for devices to talk to each other. For example, the simple act of turning on your Blu-Ray player could trigger your TV to automatically turn on and go the right input. Pretty cool.
- Copyright Protection. This is the biggie. Hollywood is terrified of having perfect copies of their movies reproduced and subsequently sold by street merchants on sidewalks atop an old blanket. Not good for their image or profits. So, they imposed a system on HDMI to prevent unauthorized reproduction. Basically it requires the two devices to establish and maintain a dialogue the ENTIRE time picture and sound are being played. Specifically, the receiving device (the TV) requests to see a “key” from the sending device (a Blu-Ray player). If the key looks good, the show goes on. If not, the curtains come crashing down. This dialogue happens many times per second. Remember the conversation between Mr. Blu-Ray and Mr. 60” Plasma? Well, here is what their continued chatter looks like:
Mr. 60” Plasma: Hi Mr. Blu-Ray, can I see your key please?
Mr. Blu-Ray: Sure thing dude, here it is.
Mr. 60” Plasma: Thanks, looks good.
Wait 100th of a second
Mr. 60” Plasma: Hi Mr. Blu-Ray, can I see your key please?
Mr. Blu-Ray: Sure thing dude, here it is.
Mr. 60” Plasma: Thanks, looks good.
Wait 100th of a second
Mr. 60” Plasma: Hi Mr. Blu-Ray, can I see your key please?
Mr. Blu-Ray: Sure thing dude, here it is.
Mr. 60” Plasma: Thanks, looks good.
And so on and so on. Really boring guys huh?
All of the above sound reasonable so why is there a problem? Let’s look at the pitfalls of each:
Picture & Sound Quality: Frankly this is the best part of HDMI and rarely is there a problem with how good the audio and video can be using this medium. Score 10 for HDMI! 
- Compatibility between devices: The whole idea of the two devices working together to give you the best resolution sounds great right? Most of the time it is. But the issues it can create are irritating. When you start up your system for example, you will have this black screen that says “no signal” even though you get sound. And forget fast channel surfing: each time you change channels, Mr. Blu-Ray and Mr. 60” Plasma have to re-introduce themselves and negotiate a resolution. This means that you could get a blank screen for 3-5 seconds between each channel change. Score -3 for HDMI.
- Control: A little is good but too much is overbearing. Imagine keeping your cable box on to record a show while changing over to Blu-ray to watch a movie and the TV won’t let you? Or how about using the cable box to listen to one of the music channels on your stereo but you can’t because when you turn off the TV, the cable box shuts down. And there are many other little maddening scenarios which will leave you thinking that your system is possessed. Score -2 for HDMI.
- Copyright Protection: Remember I said this was the biggie? Well it is. If any one of the hundreds of boring conversations between Mr. Blu-ray and Mr. 60” Plasma TV gets interrupted, even just one, your screen goes blank. Nada. Zero. Nothing. And it could take 5-10 seconds for it to come back during which you will likely switch channels etc. trying to “make it work” which unfortunately makes it worse. Score -5 for HDMI.
How do get around these issues?
- Use great cables! HDMI cables will not only get you better picture and sound quality, they will help to make sure Mr. 60” Plasma and Mr. Blu-ray keep talking. Think of the cable as a marriage therapist.
- Install the cable correctly: Any little crimp or extra pressure on a cable will cause a breakdown in communications. You know what that means.
- Use compatible equipment: If you are insistent on building the system yourself use devices from the same manufacturer.
- Stabilize your power using a UPS: Any slight variations in power will impact the conversations between Mr. Plasma and Mr. Blu-Ray.
- Do NOT attempt to run HDMI long distances (beyond 18’), regardless of what the specs say. Unless you are lucky, it will not work right.
Adjusting the lights in your home through programmed controls is becoming more and more desirable, not only for the convenience but also for reducing energy consumption and costs. This technology is more widely available than ever before. Thanks to recent product innovations, retrofitting your current lighting to controllable lighting is as easy as replacing a light switch. You can choose to replace one switch or have as many as 200 switches programmed on to the system. Start with just a single room or area and expand the system to the most logical spaces. The right dimmers, switches and keypads talk wirelessly to a central control point, enabling control of all of the lighting in your home with simple, intuitive keypads, both in-wall and table-top. And as an added benefit, the controls are elegant and available in many colors and styles.
From This....
to this!
As switches are added, groups of lights are programmed to come on to preset levels based on the ambiance you want for the occasion. Now, as you enter the den, you press a button on a keypad near the entry and your over head lights come on to a dimmed setting, your desk lamp turns on and the art light illuminates your favorite painting. Lights can be programmed to turn on, off or dim according to the time of day or occupancy patterns, saving energy and bulb life. Further, with a built in astronomical clock, your system can be programmed to turn lights on automatically at sunrise, whatever the time of year. You can even turn off all the lights in the house from a keypad beside your bed with the push of a single button.
Your system can include progammed sensors which automatically turn the lights on when movement is detected in a room. Conversely, when you leave the room and the sensor doesn’t detect movement for a few minutes, the lights will turn off to save energy.
Car visor controls provide an additional level of safety and security. When you leave your home, you simply press one button to turn off all the lights, except the lights that provide security in your absence. Similarly, when you return, a button on the visor control illuminates a safe path to your entrance and task lighting inside the home.
Sophisticated systems aim to optimize not only electric light but also natural day light. Motorized shades are an important part of light and energy management. The shades/drapes can be programmed to rise with sun. The shades lower with the mid day sun, to protect upholstery, flooring and minimize energy spent on cooling. You adjust the shades to any level you choose using simple keypad buttons. The shades are whisper quiet in operation, offer a variety of privacy levels and come in a beautiful array of fabrics.
Visit these sites to learn more about these well engineered solutions for total optimization of both electric and natural light.
http://www.lutron.com/
http://www.crestron.com/
Automated and motorized window treatments will enhance your control of energy costs both in winter and summer. In winter, shades that automatically lower at dark will block heat from leaving your home. Conversely, in the summertime, shades that automatically lower during peak sunshine will prevent heat from coming in your home and straining your air conditioner. Fabrics come in an excellent variety of styles and colors. You need a certified professional to properly design, measure and install the ideal treatment for your home. Additionally, if you have a lutron or litetouch lighting control system, you can most likely be able to adjust your programming to minimize lighting consumption-little changes can make a big difference.
Safe At Home
I am excited to report that today I have seen an application of our home automation technology being put to use in caring for our elderly. I have have been noodling the concept for a few years and was pleased to find a company that has developed an engineered and scalable solution.
The core concept is to install sensors that can monitor the key activities of a loved one like: movement in the home, opening and closing of doors and medicine cabinets, flushing of toilets, use of a vehicle, etc.. These sensors are tied to a processor that will present real time information via the web, email or smart phone. Triggers can be set up so that certain events, or lack of events, can send an emergency email or phone call.
Another option with these systems is to add a video camera for remote monitoring and a “message” board that would permit you to type or even draw messages to a screen. You can even post photo’s, videos or music for them as well.
Finally, lights and heat control can be automated with occupancy sensors so that the person does not need to fumble in the dark or try and read a thermostat with small print.
I am particulalry excited about this application of technology as it takes the core elements of systems that we have installing for years and makes them available in a focussed way for our elderly and those in need.
New technologies allow you to use your iPhone as a house wide remote control. Simply tap the screen to select movies, music and TV in any room or adjust volume, light levels and room temperature with just a touch. Using the home Wi-Fi network locally or the powerful 3G and EDGE networks remotely, total control is always at your fingertips. What apps would you like to have for your home audio, video, lighting control or other home systems?
Hollywood has done it to us once more. All of our widescreens now have black bars on them again because Hollywood is filming with even wider formats. No worries-New screen, projector and lens technologies allow for building your system so that you can take full advantage of these new wide formats and see the movie as it was intended. A specialized screen with motorized masking bars and an outboard “anamorphic” lens will bring you the best in widescreen entertainment known as 2.35:1
Now you can get a bigger, better Bruce!
The capabilities of audio and video source gear have exploded in just the past year. Someone with a sweet home A/V system used to have a VCR, DVD player, cable or satellite receiver (or both), Tivo, reel-to-reel, CD changer, cassette player, and phonograph. This took up a lot of space, had a mess of wires, and required extreme dexterity to operate all the remotes, or one really well programmed universal remote.
Today, the consumer can get a Blu-Ray player with Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Pandora, weather information, and access to local computer files. TV’s are available with similar capabilities. The ability to stream music and movies over the web is making source gear less necessary.
However, video quality is still a bit of an issue. Services that stream video in real time typically can’t give you the high quality picture of cable or Satellite. Services such as Amazon.com and VUDU allow you to download movies for purchase or rental in higher resolutions.
It won’t be long before you will be able to satisfy all of your audio and video desires by simply purchasing a TV, connecting it to the internet, and using the TV remote to watch TV, download and stream movies, and listen to music.
This likelihood leaves me wondering how this will affect the movie and music industry, video gaming capabilities, power consumption (no more cable and satellite boxes hogging power when you aren’t using them).
How do you think the landscape will change? What issues might this cause or solve? Let us know!
Posted February 26th, 2010. 2 comments
The Bat Cave home theater has been featured in trade and shelter magazines, contests, blogs and reviews over the years, most notably, the trade source CEPro. Their website is currently featuring “Spot Light on Home Theater” and the Bat Cave Theater appears once again as a ‘Favorite Themed Home Theater’. First of all, we offer many, many thanks to CEPro and writer, Arlen Schweiger for recognizing this very special project. Next, we thought you would enjoy learning about the recent upgrades which updated the theater to 2010 audio video standards.
The legacy 3 gun sony CRT projector andFaroudja line quadrupler have been replaced with a state of the art 3 chip Digital Light Processing projector by Sim2. Check out that sexy Italian beast! The projector is now mounted with a Chief ceiling mount system. B&K Reference Audio Processor and Amplifier were upgraded to 7 channel digital amplification and THX Ultra2 Plus Preamp/processor by Integra.
We used Audyssey MultEQ Pro Calibration to achieve perfect sound in this decidedly challenging space. Viewers can now enjoy the latest video format with the addition of a Sony Blu-Ray player complete with new HDMI topology using SnapAV B7 series cables.
And lastly, we reprogrammed the Crestron control systems to incorporate these upgrades and make the system easier than ever to operate. With the touch of a button, the movie is cued up, the lights dim, the screen drops, the curtain rises,the volume adjusts and the drama begins, better than ever!
Oh-and by the way-we changed our name from DC Audio Video to DC Home Systems!
Posted February 5th, 2010. 1 comment
