Hi Everyone,
We are getting closer to when we have to determine low voltage and would like to solicit your help. We currently are in a two story home running the semi smart home system via WIFI usling routines via Alexa routines, etc. and and using the various apps for SoundTouch, iRobot, Wemo, Nest Door Bell, Ecobee, August Door Lock, MyQ, Bond, Leviton and harmondy Elite and remotes to manage our home. I am thinking of moving to SmartHub, Control4 for our new home. The existing equipment for our current home is.
For the most part we like this. However, voice control with Alexa is painful sometimes. Routines works well. Setting scenes with Logitech remote and equipment in family room rarely works properly for either tunr on or turn off. Logitech is pointing at Sony and Sony is pointing at Logitech. Bond controlling the ceiling fan and light is spotty. Other than that, things seem to work well.
The Low Voltage Audio Video image below shows the floor plan of our new home, which is a ranch and where I am currently planning to run Audio, TVs, 5.1.2 (atmos=2), Cat6 and RG6. We do not have any plans to run video cameras or security alarm. The equipment will be placed in the unfinished basement and is basically right under the Great Room and Kitchen divider.
Here is a breakdown of above image.
Yellow – 5.1.2 (2 atmos)
Orange – Audio, 11 runs, 6 zones (maybe 4 if we only pre-wire for Bedroom and Dining room)
Study, Kitchen, patio, primary bath, primary bedroom, dining room
Green – Cat6, 14 runs
Bedroom 2: 1, Kitchen Pantry AP:1, Study 4 (2 for TV locations and two for work and home pcs), Closet off of study AP:1, Great Room FP: 2 (for TV, Great Room FP control:1, Great room Entertainment Center 4k UHD Player: 1, Primary Bed: 1, Garage: 2 (1 each from Home Run zigzag above keypad, zigzag by opener and terminate in LB box by eye)
Pink RG6, 7 runs
Bedroom 2: 1, Study: 2, Great Room FP: 1, Great Room Bass:1, Primary Bed: 1, Demarc to Home Run:1
Basement to soffit for satellite: 1 RG6
Demarc to Home Run: 2 Cat6, 1 RG6, 1 18/2 Fiber
What are your thoughts on the low voltage runs? Adjustments, changes, etc.?
Audio Speakers: We will more than likely based on budget go with 4 zones to begin with, Primary Bath, Study, Kitchen and Patio. Then add bedroom and dining room to pre-existing prewire later.
Video (2 zones)
Study
Future: Adding light switches, battery powered blinds, etc.
Would it make sense to use Control 4 with 8x8 Matrix versus 8 port audio switch and amp? Would you go with two EA1, 1 EA3 or? Based on this, what are your thoughts, questions, concerns, ideas? What about using smarthub with zigbee support for future proof with wifi and use that for light switches, battery blinds, ceiling fans, etc., basically let Control4 or something other automate video and audio and smarthub with zigbee for everything else.
The builder has a low voltage guy that we will talk to and I am starting to reach out to Control4 dealers to get their thoughts but I know the knowledge on this forum is good and hope to get some guidance.
Thank you,
Tim
We are getting closer to when we have to determine low voltage and would like to solicit your help. We currently are in a two story home running the semi smart home system via WIFI usling routines via Alexa routines, etc. and and using the various apps for SoundTouch, iRobot, Wemo, Nest Door Bell, Ecobee, August Door Lock, MyQ, Bond, Leviton and harmondy Elite and remotes to manage our home. I am thinking of moving to SmartHub, Control4 for our new home. The existing equipment for our current home is.
For the most part we like this. However, voice control with Alexa is painful sometimes. Routines works well. Setting scenes with Logitech remote and equipment in family room rarely works properly for either tunr on or turn off. Logitech is pointing at Sony and Sony is pointing at Logitech. Bond controlling the ceiling fan and light is spotty. Other than that, things seem to work well.
The Low Voltage Audio Video image below shows the floor plan of our new home, which is a ranch and where I am currently planning to run Audio, TVs, 5.1.2 (atmos=2), Cat6 and RG6. We do not have any plans to run video cameras or security alarm. The equipment will be placed in the unfinished basement and is basically right under the Great Room and Kitchen divider.
Yellow – 5.1.2 (2 atmos)
Orange – Audio, 11 runs, 6 zones (maybe 4 if we only pre-wire for Bedroom and Dining room)
Study, Kitchen, patio, primary bath, primary bedroom, dining room
Green – Cat6, 14 runs
Bedroom 2: 1, Kitchen Pantry AP:1, Study 4 (2 for TV locations and two for work and home pcs), Closet off of study AP:1, Great Room FP: 2 (for TV, Great Room FP control:1, Great room Entertainment Center 4k UHD Player: 1, Primary Bed: 1, Garage: 2 (1 each from Home Run zigzag above keypad, zigzag by opener and terminate in LB box by eye)
Pink RG6, 7 runs
Bedroom 2: 1, Study: 2, Great Room FP: 1, Great Room Bass:1, Primary Bed: 1, Demarc to Home Run:1
Basement to soffit for satellite: 1 RG6
Demarc to Home Run: 2 Cat6, 1 RG6, 1 18/2 Fiber
- Basement add dedicated 20amp
What are your thoughts on the low voltage runs? Adjustments, changes, etc.?
Audio Speakers: We will more than likely based on budget go with 4 zones to begin with, Primary Bath, Study, Kitchen and Patio. Then add bedroom and dining room to pre-existing prewire later.
Video (2 zones)
Study
- Sony 40Bravio KDL-40V2500
- Roku Ultra
- Directv Genie in equipment Rack or TV stand if we go Control4
- Echo 4th Gen
- LG 65” OLED656P above fireplace
- Bass by entertainment rack in Great Room
- Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra in entertainment furniture
- If Control do we place the following in equipment rack in basement or if smart hub leave in entertainment furniture in great room
- Pioneer Elite Receiver – VSX-LX503
- Roku Ultra
- Directv Mini – 4K Coax model (or attached to back of TV)
- If Control do we place the following in equipment rack in basement or if smart hub leave in entertainment furniture in great room
- Sony XBR65-Z9F
- Roku Stick
- Bose Accoustmass 300 Soundbar
- Bose 300 Wireless Bass
- Echo 4th Gen
- Sony TV
- Roku Ultra
- Echo 4th Gen
- Kitchen Echo Show 8
- Master Bedroom Echo Plus 2nd Gen
- Great Room Echo 4th Gen
- August Smart Lock
- Nest Video Door bell, may switch to Control4 or if used with Smart Hub and Alexa, may go to Ring
- Bond controlling fan may move to control4 or wifi smart switch like Lutron
Future: Adding light switches, battery powered blinds, etc.
Would it make sense to use Control 4 with 8x8 Matrix versus 8 port audio switch and amp? Would you go with two EA1, 1 EA3 or? Based on this, what are your thoughts, questions, concerns, ideas? What about using smarthub with zigbee support for future proof with wifi and use that for light switches, battery blinds, ceiling fans, etc., basically let Control4 or something other automate video and audio and smarthub with zigbee for everything else.
The builder has a low voltage guy that we will talk to and I am starting to reach out to Control4 dealers to get their thoughts but I know the knowledge on this forum is good and hope to get some guidance.
Thank you,
Tim
