CE Pro Community

FIber to link sites 500m from each other - then back to Cat5e

2008-08-19T12:57:44-05:00

Hi all,

We are potentially involved with a job in which we have three separate houses in which to install structured cabling and AV/Data kit. These houses are separated by farmland from each other by 500-800m. There is no problem with trenching between them.

The project managers are keen to link them by fiber optic cable and then run standard structured cabling with Cat5e internally.

The issue is that we will have up to 300 Cat5e lines carrying data and telecoms - can we port these over fiber and then re-compile them at the other end with any degree of simplicity or have we gone to the dark side with these plans?

What is the maximum run length of Cat5e or Cat6 to link premises?

Thanks, Will

acosutic research flat cable

2008-08-01T17:41:29-05:00

Does any body has used the Acoustic Research speaker cable?
I bought it, but i’m not sure what connectors to use for it. Does any body has an idea?

Remote audio control for dance studio?

2008-08-01T11:47:52-05:00

We are working with a dance studio to make it a bit easier on the instructors.
Currently they have their various music burned onto cd’s and loaded
into a Sony 5 disk changer.

As you can imagine, while the class is there an instructor has to walk
over to the audio setup, cue up the song after locating it on the
desired cd and the desired track, and walk back and work with the
students. If necessary to pause or stop the music, it’s another trip
over to the audio gear, pause it, shout over to the students (or walk
back) then start the music again.

My desire is to convert their music over to mp3 and have a reasonably
sized touch panel at the edge of the dance floor.
They have computers in the office with the music on them which I can
wire to any point (the audio stack or the touch panel, or both).

So my question is a call for suggestions for the remote panel, and
what would deliver to it. Is it necessary to have Media Center on a
computer to deliver?

In a nut shell, here is what we have around the rectangular dance
floor. Audio gear in one corner, office with computers with music on
hard drive in diagonal corner, desired control point for instructor
half way between.

Thanks in advance
>

RS232 vs IP

2008-06-25T14:17:31-05:00

What is the benefit of still using serial commands instead of an IP connection? The major brands like AMX, Crestron and RTI are still using serial commands for their communication interfaces. Even RTI’s new flagship XP8 has 8x serial ports but no working IP! Why is that?

Good source for Video Calibration Tools/Software information

2008-07-20T04:36:33-05:00

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11436

Wired vs. Wireless

2008-03-27T14:40:10-05:00

Has a customer ever insisted to you that their entire system be wireless? How did you handle it?

I imagine that people in theory want wireless—like, they don’t want to see the wires—but could care otherwise how it’s actually done (as long as it looks good).

yacht installation - software based

2008-06-17T13:05:33-05:00

Hi, congratulations on the new forums!

Is there anyone with yacht a/v installation experience? I’m wondering if a software-based system (like Cinemar or CQC), can be the base of a decent system for a 84ft yacht with 8 zones of audio/video.

Opinions/ thoughts?

Is There A Market For Assisted Living Systems

2008-06-24T10:26:23-05:00

I have been dabbling with the idea of marketing for Assisted living Systems. I have installed a few at request, but never actively pursued it. Those not familiar with the idea, it is a simple home automation system that helps watch over an elderly person by working with their loved ones to keep everything as safe as possible. This is a good alternative to a nursing home for many people. I have found it especially beneficial in monitoring door and window states, temperature, water leaks, fire, and many other basic situations someone with Alzheimer’s may find difficult to keep track of. We once put a motion sensor in one person bedroom who is normally out of bed every morning by 6am. Programmed the controller to send an alert to the family member if no motion had been detected by 7am. We have installed IP Video in the main room so family members can check in on their loved in the middle of the day from afar. These types of systems are unlimited in design. What we are currently trying to do is get as many uses for home automation in these types of installations, and some peoples thoughts on how to market this. We believe the best tactic is to advertise to the the children of elderly and gain interest with geriatrics doctors to gain referrals. We would like to get the opinions of other CE Professionals.

Terry McCoy, President
Dynamic Home-Tech

HDMI and storms

2008-07-07T08:35:11-05:00

I have installed HDMI cables on most of my installs lately and when we have a storm roll through the HDMI balun or HDMI input on the TV go out. Does anybody else have this problem and do you have a fix??

Radio,Z-Wave, Zigbee or W-LAN?

2008-06-30T02:34:08-05:00

There is all this different wireless standards. Which is the most reliable?