High-Tech Magic
Cutting-edge techniques for enjoying all the functionality whilst keeping it invisible
Understandably most people want all the functionality of Smart-Home systems but do not want to see all the technology that is required to make the magic happen. One of the main concerns people have is how can systems be discrete so that they do not clash with the interior design of their space or simply not eat up all their floor space. Here are the solutions to the problems:
Audio Visual Sources (CD players, DVD players, Sky boxes etc.)
In any modern house there is a plethora of audio-visual sources which bring sound to the speakers and images to the screens. In some circumstances a homeowner may not want all these boxes of equipment ruining the look of their space in this instance all the AV sources can be held remotely in a cupboard far away from the room where the screen and speakers are installed, alternatively they could be stored in a specifically designed in-wall cabinet, behind some panels, so that they are not visible when hidden.
Cables
At the core of every Smart-Home systems is a wiring infrastructure enabling all the devices to interface with each other. From interconnects to speaker cable, from coaxial cable to CAT5 cable, the amount of wiring these systems require can be quite unpleasantly surprising. Thankfully all these cables are quite simply concealed in the walls just as power lines are, wiring infrastructures are put in place before plaster walls are made and in the case of a retro-fit project, cables are chased into the wall and then decorators make-good the disruption afterwards.
Flat Panel Screens
At least now that flat panel screens have become so much more affordable and are beginning to phase out traditional CRT screens the task of hiding the screens is easier than before. Hiding flat panel screens has become quite a coveted function and the range of solutions is reflective of this. At the most basic are screens that are built into mirror like frames so that when they are turned off the screen is a perfect mirror. Similarly, bespoke frames can be made for screens so that artwork scrolls down in front of the screen when not in use. Thirdly, there are cabinets that house the screen and at a touch of a button a panel at the top of the cabinet rolls out of the way allowing for the screen to rise up on a mechanised lift. Alternatively these mechanised lifts can be installed into ceilings so that the screen is lowered into place when necessary. Another method is for the screen to be housed in a false wall and when appropriate, a panel or panels mechanically drop back and slide out of sight inside the wall. The screen then extends perfectly into the opening.
Projectors and Projection Screens
As projectors don’t take up much space and are not very intrusive, there has not been as much need for specialist equipment to hide them. As they need to be focussed and calibrated depending on their position it is not an ideal situation to move them around when not in use. A ceiling drop is a very popular solution for the concealment conscious. Quite simply the projector is installed into a mechanised housing which when hidden away is flush with the ceiling. When required the lift drops down to position the projector in the correct place. Projection screens are even more straight forward, since they don’t take up very much space they can be hidden easily behind a beam or a curtain and then at the push of a button the motorised projection screen rolls down into place.
Speakers
Placement is key to enjoying the best acoustics speakers can provide however, where they sound the best may not necessarily be where they look the best in a room. For this reason, there is a range of speaker solutions to solve this conundrum. In-ceiling speakers and in-wall speakers are installed so that they sit flush with the ceiling or wall, furthermore they can be painted to match the colour of the surface. Alternatively, there has been a proliferation of flat-panel speakers, which can be hung on the wall like picture frames and allow for pictures or photographs to be printed onto the screens.
