High-Tech in Santa Luz
Santa Luz, California

A software business owner's home is filled with filled with high performance audio and video equipment, but designed in such a way as to never intrude on actually living in the home.

You may wish to click on the thumbnail pictures for a larger view:

Media Room - Side View

The media room features a Runco VX-5000 high-definition DLP projector. The image is displayed on a massive 11’ wide Stewart multi-aspect ratio film screen. The screen has masking at the top, bottom and sides that allow the screen to fit the image being projected on to it. The end result is a huge image with amazing quality. By using higher-end video projectors with high levels of light output, we can create images of virtually any size with an incredible level of detail.

Media Room - Rear View

The video projector is located behind the media room in a space that was originally a shower stall. The latest generation of video projectors allows various lenses to be used to allow the projector to be located almost anywhere. The correct lens is chosen based on the size and distance to the screen. Theater glass, like that found in a commercial movie theater, is installed in front of the lens to allow light to pass through while blocking any heat and noise generated by the projector.

Media Room - Front View

The screen and Revel loudspeakers are housed in an elegant wall unit. The owner of this home wanted audiophile quality audio performance with the stipulation that the large cabinet speakers could not be seen. The wall unit was designed to provide optimal placement for the screen and the speakers. Each speaker bay is internally treated with acoustical materials to prevent cabinet resonances that may color the sound of the speakers. The cabinet houses a pair of reference quality Revel Salons, Revel Voice center channel, and two Revel 15” powered subwoofers.

Acoustical treatments were also applied to all of the interior walls of the room. Bass traps, diffuser panels, and absorptive materials were applied to the drywall. A wooden framework was built to suspend acoustically transparent fabric over the acoustical materials. This fabric provides an attractive, finished surface for the room while hiding the materials applied behind it.

Equipment Rack

A dedicated room in the house held three rolling Middle Atlantic equipment racks. The racks held the theater room equipment, the house audio equipment, the home automation system equipment, the office AV equipment, and also the home networking equipment. The racks provide an elegant solution for housing and servicing equipment necessary for an installation of this magnitude. The rack on the right hand side shows the video sources, the Runco projector controller, the Lexicon reference DVD player and surround processor, and the reference quality power amplifiers.

Office Projection Screen

The home office was outfitted with a very nice quality audio and video system. The owner’s business is software oriented, and he often needs to display information from the computer on a large screen. A Runco DLP projector was built into a custom designed compartment in the cabinetry. The lens of the projector allows the light to shine through a small aperture in the face of the cabinet. A soffit was designed over the French doors that open out into the courtyard to house a custom electric film screen. This screen lowers automatically when the system is turned on and a video source is selected. The screen was custom fit to cabinetry on both sides of the doorway. The screen was made with a full blackout shade material on the reverse side of the image to completely block out ambient light from the doorway behind it.

Family Room

The family room AV system was set into a custom designed entertainment center. A 50” Runco plasma video display is the centerpiece. This two-piece display and video processor provides the best picture quality available in this size of plasma. A very high quality audio system was also installed. The Revel Performa speakers were hidden in the cabinet behind acoustically transparent grille cloth. The hidden speakers include two Revel Performa M22 bookshelf speakers, a Revel Performa C32 center channel speaker, and two 12” powered subwoofers. Surround sound information was provided via two pair of Sonance Cinema THX surround speakers located in the ceiling of the room. The speakers were faux painted to match the custom paint color.

The family room equipment was installed to the right and left sides of the plasma screen. Two Middle Atlantic AXS pullout equipment racks were installed. These racks allow the gear to be moved out of the cabinet when necessary by the installation of two stands and rails that extend out into the room. The equipment rolls out on the rails to allow servicing. The surround system in this room included a DVD, VCR, video game, HD cable box and a high-quality surround receiver.

Breakfast Room

The kitchen and breakfast room in this home were one large, open living space. A large fireplace sits on one wall opening into the rooms. We installed a 42” Runco plasma above the fireplace. The plasma and video processor provide an amazing picture on the display. To finish the plasma, a custom heavy picture frame was constructed to surround the unit. The music speakers, located in the ceiling, are switched between the sound from the music system and the sound from the television automatically. The end result is a very functional and beautiful display located in this heavily used living area.

Home Automation System

The residence is fully automated via Crestron color in-wall and portable touchpanels. Operation of thermostats, the security system, lights, music, televisions and control of the pool/spa can all be carried out from touchpanels in the main areas of the house. There are large color touchpanels that can display video in the kitchen/breakfast room and the master suite. The security cameras located around the property can be displayed and controlled from these large in-wall panels. Wireless touchpanels are located in the family room, master bedroom, and theater room and office areas.

House Music System

Music is available in all the main living areas of the home. Very high quality 8” three-way speakers are concealed in the ceilings. The music is controlled via very simple to use 12-button keypads located next to the light switches in each area. For the BBQ patio, weather resistant surface-mount speakers are mounted up under the eves. Speakers are concealed in rock enclosures around the pool and spa patio and in the main courtyard. They blend invisibly into the landscaping. The end result is a home where the occupants are immersed in beautiful music regardless of where they choose to spend time.

Showroom:

7007 Carroll Road
San Diego, CA 92121

Phone: 858-554-0404

Fax: 858-554-0707

E-mail: Click Here