Building blocks for the smart home

(continued from previous page)

Using 5E and RG6 coaxial cables good for broadband signals, the Smart Connection Center, which is a 20-inch or 37-inch box, connects all the data, voice and video services for a home and distributes them to separate rooms via media outlets. The system works with FM radio, XM radio, and CD, DVD and MP3 players.

GE also offers a whole-house intercom and security system, complete with a liquid crystal flat-panel display. Users can see who's at the front door by viewing the camera activity over the Internet or television. They can also tack on a whole-house vacuum system for, presumably, keeping dust mites at bay.

The full system is scheduled to be available in the fall.

Sony's version of the all-in-one system is similarly priced, but focuses mostly on integrating home entertainment.

The top-of-the-line model, the Sony New Home Solution 3020, incorporates a 400-disc DVD changer and player, a 400-disc CD changer and player, a combination DVD recorder and VCR, a five-disc DVD player and an AM/FM tuner. All of that allows separate movies or music to be played in any of up to 13 rooms.

Sony is emphasizing the system's prepackaged nature. Previously programmed and prewired into a rack, the NHS is meant to be installed in a wall right out of the box.

The system can also be customized by adding two additional high-definition sources, such as HD cable or satellite, and a Blu-ray Disc player. A security camera can also be added.

Targeted for semicustom and custom homes selling for $750,000 and above, NHS models can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000 for whole-house systems.

"Ten to 15 percent of homes come with audio/video included," said Neal Manowitz, director of marketing for Sony consumer systems and applications. "We want to expand on that."

USTec, a privately held company based in Victor, N.Y., also had an all-in-one digital media device at the show, this one using Apple Computer's FireWire to distribute up to 16 streams of data to flow simultaneously.

Requiring only a single high-speed, Category 5 cable, the TecStream allows one home to have an entire network built around the idea of streaming HD content. For a three-room setup, the TecStream costs between $3,500 and $5,000.

A cheaper option is Channel Vision's pop-out iPod wall dock, which can hold and charge all iPod models except the Shuffle. At $220 to $275 per station, the gadgets let one iPod distribute music to the whole house.

While the popularity of the flashy home electronics gear may be limited by its price, Landmark Communities' Peterson said the slowing housing market might be the most to blame.

"Builders won't throw this in as a standard in a soft market," Peterson said. "Everything needs to be perceived as an advantage--as what they need, not just what they want."

[oggdogg7]

Hmm...

So the Sony product has 2 different sets of 400 discs for DVD and CD, or are they combined as one? On top of that, it doesn't feed into the player directly?
=(



oh yeah
first :D

[mystereojones]

"without ever leaving the couch?"

Technology is great and all but folks need to be moving more not less.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/549/42/" target="_newWindow">http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/549/42/</a>

[El Kabong]

Would I?

"Would you spend up to $39,000..." Well, throw in remote control of the wife and kids and you've got a deal!

[squidbrain]

Obsolete already

If the Sony system is storing the CD/DVD media (which appears to be true) and not allowing you to rip them onto a hard drive then its already obsolete.

[juliejacobson]

all wrong

what on earth??? The GE Connection Center is a structured wiring system, not an automation system. Furthermore, it is hardly a prototype. It's been shipping for years. The single interface you mentioned is forthcoming, but GE Security already makes products to control lights, security and thermostats.

The worst offense in this story: "Home buyers can spend $1,200 to $1,800 per room for the GE gear, with a whole-house system running between $29,000 and $39,000." NOT EVEN CLOSE. You can spend as little as $1,800 PER HOME for the Connection Center. Add the security, lighting and tstat control for as little as $5,000.

[lesfilip]

Thank You

Thanks for clearing that up. Your numbers are more along the lines
of what I have seen. Someone would have to be either crazy or
stupid-rich to spend 30 or 40 thousands bucks on this stuff.