Mike Riley:  Using the word "ultimate" is very difficult because ultimate is actually in the eye or mind of the beholder.  As an example, how much does the ultimate yacht cost?  The vast majority of our customers desire upscale home theaters, but I have read in our trade publications about jobs where the home theaters alone cost over $1 million.  We have never done anything quite that elaborate.

B/A:  How about Internet video surveillance--what does that encompass?

Mike Riley:  It is very simple:  the system is made up of a group of mounted cameras that are programmed and integrated so that you can go to any computer in the world and be able to see the images that the camera is capturing.  You can move the cameras over the Internet, focus it, pan it, or activate a zoom function.  These units are also capable of digitally recording the video that the camera is capturing and replaying it on demand.  This area of our services really serves as a great example of what integration actually means.  Through integration we can combine separate systems, consumer electronic appliances, computers and the Internet, getting all areas to function together, side-by-side.  Camera control can be done through a website area within the homeowner's existing home network, or they can use website's offered by many manufacturers.  For a homeowner that only occupies their special Sea Island home three or four months a year, this can be an important feature.  Recently, in a 6,500 square-foot home on Kiawah Island, our clients spent approximately $15,000 for all the cameras, the recording system, our time spent in programming and integration, and a minimal amount of additional structured wiring that was required.

B/A:  You mentioned home networks and Internet access; your high-end clients must expect the very best in this area?

Mike Riley:  Yes, and this is an area that is not that expensive compared to other areas of electronic integration.  It just requires a great deal of planning to make sure that the networking systems are adequate for their needs today and are also future ready.  For the average-sized home, an inexpensive four-port wireless system is adequate.  However, for these high-end jobs, we are installing fort to five times that capability in available ports with the highest speed equipment available.  Internet speed is always determined by the weakest link in the chain, and it is our job to make sure that their equipment is compatible with the fastest available internet source.  More and more audio and video equipment, and soon even home appliances, like refrigerators, will require direct Ethernet connections so that you can create automation.  Most of this equipment can be best described as small, little, specialized computers, and it is our job to make sure that the special little computers can function efficiently, both independently and alongside one another.  Connecting them to the Internet makes it possible to download the constantly changing upgrades and new software manufacturer's websites directly to the appliance.  We always point out the necessity of being future-ready to our clients, for their benefit as well as ours!  Unlike the roofer, brick mason or subcontractor that installs hardwood flooring, our relationship with the client does not end with occupancy or when the punch list is completed.  Progressive Integrations, Inc., will have a long-term relationship with the current homeowner or future owners.  This is because we will be maintaining the systems, changing them as the client's needs are changing and upgrading systems as new technology becomes available.

B/A:  I know from your background that you are most passionate about whole-house audio.  Please describe some of the installations that your company has made in this area for electronically correct homes.

Mike Riley:  You are right; I love to set up these homes with great sound in every area of the house.   We really enjoyed working with clients that feel that great audio has an important impact on the quality of their environment.  Once again, the quality of the components is directly proportional to the cost of the installation.  The real driving force to the cost is the speakers and their quality.  In the ultimate installation, we would be using wall speakers that cost up to $400 each and standing speakers that might run as much as $15,000.  Keep in mind that these high-quality speakers must be matched with higher-quality amplifiers that also cost more.  We recently worked with a client in creating a special audio room where they could listen to music in two-channel audio, which produces sound quality hard to believe.  These great whole-house audio systems include multizone distribution linked to several touch pad controllers throughout the house.  We have recently installed a system that cost between $150,000 and $200,000.

B/A:  You have not talked about all areas of a "great home electronic integration," except home automation.  What does that encompass?

Mike Riley:  Actually "home automation" and "electronic integration" are almost synonymous, and most of the elements that we have discussed are part of "home automation," especially lighting control systems, whole-house audio and video, and distribution of Internet access.  Although literally all of the appliances used in these systems are designed to be automatically controlled, each system or category is made up many components from several different manufacturers, and each of these suppliers has designed their own control system.  This can make for some very complicated work to get several different units of a system working together and talking to one another in separate languages.  Then we have to further consolidate all of these systems, sound, video and lighting, onto a single touch-screen control format for the several touch screens distributed around the house.  So, home automation is not the hardware itself, but rather the intellectual property of our business.  In these luxury homes, it becomes vital to have a central place to serve as a control center, not for the hardware like TV's or speakers, but for the storage of media and the control units and panels.  We call this an ER, or electronic room, and it is best if it is a room devoted only to the function of the "home automation."  In a new home on Kiawah that we are currently working on, we have an ER that is 8 feet by 8 feet, well insulated, with temperature and humidity controls.  We feel like that extra-specialized space is the ultimate situation for us to work and service our clients' electronic needs and expectations.

Individual clients will want other additions to their total electronic plan and control system.  Examples would be automation of the HVAC system, integration of the swimming pool control units, lawn sprinkler systems, security systems and landscape lighting.  We have had clients that could be categorized as "cell phone junkies," and for them we install a specialized rooftop antenna with a transceiver that will pick up cellular activity both coming and going, so that their cell phone works well anywhere in the house.  This antenna alone costs $400 and there are the extra costs in the installation and wiring for the transceiver.

This is the eighth in a series of articles featuring the knowledge of Mike Riley, who has more than 30-years of experience in home electronics.  Progressive Integrations, Inc., is owned by Mike and Yvonne Riley, and is located at 3424 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC  29455.  Contact them for a consultation today.