06.06.2006 — June 6 seemed to be a day for customization in the world of consumer electronics.

Apple reintroduced its U2 Special Edition iPod that comes in jet black and features a red click wheel. Purchasers can redeem an iTunes Music Store coupon for a 30-minute video of U2 music and band interviews.

Also, super computer maker Alienware is releasing Superman, on its limited-edition Area-51 notebook and desktop models, just in time for "Superman Returns." It has a cool, comic-book flavor to its Web site too.

So when can I get my special edition tie-dyed Phish iPod, Apple? Or how about my retro "Raiders of the Lost Ark"-themed computer, Alienware? Probably never, of course, because if these companies were to custom-make thousands of products to suit individual requests the cost would be ridiculous.

But in the custom installation side of the electronics world, this is the kind of stuff consumers pay custom integrators for. Our "CE" pros can be as creative as the customer wants if the profit margin works OK. And even if it's not a bread-and-butter type of installation, the referral incentive alone would be worth it.

In this month's issue of CE Pro, I wrote about Portsmouth, N.H.-based installer DC Audio Video Systems, but I ran out of room to talk about one example of their work that really caught my eye. Check out this "Batcave" installation they did.

The client in the case of the Batcave was a retired naturalist who had an interesting house that DCAVS vice president Nick Mark thought would lend itself well to a themed home theater.

Before she retired, the client did a lot of work and research that involved visiting caves in upstate New York and even a real bat cave in Vermont.

She thought that, with her theater being located in her cellar, a good fit would be to incorporate a passion for animals. But the bats that are located in the home theater room are only props, so guests don't have to worry about them flying around while they're watching a movie in one of the theater's eight black, motorized leather recliners!

Now that's what I call putting the "custom" in custom electronics. I'm sure there are plenty of other wild installations out there. We'd love to know about them.

Product List

- Stewart Filmscreen 110" Electriscreen
- B&K Reference 50 Audio Processor
- B&K Reference 7270 Audio Amplifier
- Triad Silver THX Speakers
- Rane THX44 for Equalization
- Faroudja DVP5000 Video Processor
- Extron Matrix switching and distribution
- Sony G90 Projector
- Pioneer DV79 DVD Player
- Crestron STX-1700 Control System
- LiteTouch LC5000 System for Lighting Control
- Aprilaire Remote temp and humidty sensors for HVAC Control
- BTX Custom Manufactured drapes
- Active Thermal Management push-pull units for system cooling
- Monster Cable UPS and Surge Products for power management
- Monster Cable Custom Patch Cords with compression connectors