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How to Choose Outdoor Controls
Beyond what the customer wants to control, he needs to decide how and from where he wants to control it.
With lighting, audio and video out here, Conn.-based Natural Audio tied controls together using Crestron.
Selecting an outdoor control input device is tricky. First, the customer has to decide if he just wants to control A/V, or if he wants full integration of home and outdoor automation. Beyond what the customer wants to control, he needs to decide how and from where he wants to control it.
If simple A/V controls are all the customer is looking for, a simple weather-resistant controller like the RTI U1 is inexpensive and easy to integrate with either local or distributed sources. Its simple design and rugged weatherproofing make it perfect for simple pool-side A/V control.
When a customer becomes interested in controlling an entire home automation infrastructure from an outdoor environment, the RTI U2 (MSRP $499) can facilitate.
"We waited years for an outdoor controller combining the system flexibility and weather-resistance at the price point offered by the RTI U2," says JW Anderson, The Integrated Home, Charlotte, N.C. "It's our No. 1 recommendation for controlling large-scale integration and automation from the outdoors."
With a combination of hard buttons and LCD soft keys, the number of devices controlled is nearly limitless. Beyond control within smaller RTI-based systems, the U2 can also integrate with much larger Crestron systems for sophisticated control of A/V distribution, lighting or anything else electronic you might find on your porch, patio or by your pool.
Obstacle: Audio One's David Frangioni recalls installing a Runco Waterproof TV directly to the side of a client's home with no path for cabling, either A/V or control gateway, other than directly behind the TV, regardless of length.
Solution: "On the same interior wall as the exterior display's location was an informal dining room with buffet," Frangioni says. "We were able to place the A/V sources and Crestron gateway in the buffet table, out of sight, and maintain full functionality and integration with the exterior display."
Obstacle: "If you're going to do IR outdoors, keep in mind the sun interference issue as well as exposure to extremes of moisture and temperature when looking for an IR receiver location," says Carl Bevando of multiroom technology manufacturer Xantech.
Solution: Bevando suggests trying to locate it in a shady area for the best response. "Any ‘plasma TV friendly' receivers will work best, because of their on-board filtering circuitry."
Controlling swimming pool and hot tub systems, and especially integrating them with existing home automation systems like Crestron and Control4, seems to lie in a gray area between custom electronics integrators and pool installation professionals.
The Jandy Aqualink RS series of pool system controllers helps bridge this gap by providing stand-alone control and easy integration with Crestron control systems through RS-232 and a pre-programmed control module. "Jandy lets the pool installers manage their side of things, while the automation guys can easily tap into it for control once it's installed," says Anderson.
When more elaborate pool system control is needed independent of an existing automation system, many pool installers turn to the Pentair IntelliTouch system, offering valve control, chemical monitoring, security integration and other automation features. "The Pentair system can do so much more without the need to be tied into an automation system," says Andrew Jackson, Pentair engineer and pool automation consultant.
If simple A/V controls are all the customer is looking for, a simple weather-resistant controller like the RTI U1 is inexpensive and easy to integrate with either local or distributed sources. Its simple design and rugged weatherproofing make it perfect for simple pool-side A/V control.
When a customer becomes interested in controlling an entire home automation infrastructure from an outdoor environment, the RTI U2 (MSRP $499) can facilitate.
"We waited years for an outdoor controller combining the system flexibility and weather-resistance at the price point offered by the RTI U2," says JW Anderson, The Integrated Home, Charlotte, N.C. "It's our No. 1 recommendation for controlling large-scale integration and automation from the outdoors."
With a combination of hard buttons and LCD soft keys, the number of devices controlled is nearly limitless. Beyond control within smaller RTI-based systems, the U2 can also integrate with much larger Crestron systems for sophisticated control of A/V distribution, lighting or anything else electronic you might find on your porch, patio or by your pool.
Obstacles & Solutions
Obstacle: Audio One's David Frangioni recalls installing a Runco Waterproof TV directly to the side of a client's home with no path for cabling, either A/V or control gateway, other than directly behind the TV, regardless of length.
Solution: "On the same interior wall as the exterior display's location was an informal dining room with buffet," Frangioni says. "We were able to place the A/V sources and Crestron gateway in the buffet table, out of sight, and maintain full functionality and integration with the exterior display."
Obstacle: "If you're going to do IR outdoors, keep in mind the sun interference issue as well as exposure to extremes of moisture and temperature when looking for an IR receiver location," says Carl Bevando of multiroom technology manufacturer Xantech.
Solution: Bevando suggests trying to locate it in a shady area for the best response. "Any ‘plasma TV friendly' receivers will work best, because of their on-board filtering circuitry."
Can't Forget Pool Control
Controlling swimming pool and hot tub systems, and especially integrating them with existing home automation systems like Crestron and Control4, seems to lie in a gray area between custom electronics integrators and pool installation professionals.
The Jandy Aqualink RS series of pool system controllers helps bridge this gap by providing stand-alone control and easy integration with Crestron control systems through RS-232 and a pre-programmed control module. "Jandy lets the pool installers manage their side of things, while the automation guys can easily tap into it for control once it's installed," says Anderson.
When more elaborate pool system control is needed independent of an existing automation system, many pool installers turn to the Pentair IntelliTouch system, offering valve control, chemical monitoring, security integration and other automation features. "The Pentair system can do so much more without the need to be tied into an automation system," says Andrew Jackson, Pentair engineer and pool automation consultant.
Outdoor Technology
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About the Author
Stephen Hopkins is chief technology editor for EH Publishing. He writes product reviews, features, and focuses heavily on 3D TV, iPhone and iPad apps, and digital content.
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