Smart systems
Latest Interiors looks at the brave new world that is high-definition and whole-home automation
Music and video that follows you from room to room, integrated IT and entertainment systems, and whole-home automation: all sound a little far-fetched? Well, this isn’t the future of home technology – it’s the here and now. Latest Interiors has done our homework, and this week we’re going to ease your home (gently, mind) into a glorious new age.
Pioneer KRL32V LCD Television This 32” HD Ready LCD (1920 x 1080p) features an upscale design and come with a high-contrast front filter, 3 HDMI ports and 100Hz processing to offer an unparalleled fastmoving picture performance. £1399 (37” also available £1599) only at Hills Sound and Vision 01273 418006. Hills Sound & Vision
New developments
One of the best-known – and most popular – developments is high-definition television (HDTV). Feared by celebrities everywhere for its unforgiving clarity, it takes TV to a new level. Combine a high-definition projector and surround sound, and you get the ultimate in stay-at-home cinema.
Geneva – Integrated Stereo system inc. CD, FM Radio and Ipod dock in Piano Lacquer Red, White or Black – Proper Hi-Fi in one box – From £499 to £1499 (Model L £799.00 shown here) – Powerplant 44 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FN, Sales: 01273 775978, Installation: 01273 775542
Hard-disc stored music and film systems (and there are several on the market) are another fast-selling technology. More and more people are taking advantage of improved broadband speeds, and investing in systems that allow you to stream music and films directly from the internet, or store them on to a central hard drive.
Xavier Wilcox, director of Hove-based home entertainment experts Powerplant, thinks that our viewing and listening habits are about to change for ever: “With the advent of online services like Napster, we now have the ability to listen to hundreds of thousands of albums without ever owning a CD, and it won’t be long before we will be able to do the same with highdefinition films,” he says. “Soon, physically owning CDs, DVDs or even Blu-ray discs will be as old-fashioned as LPs.”
Bose Soundock – The biggest selling and best sounding iPod dock available – a Classic, now available as a portable unit with rechargeable battery. Bose Soundock Classic £149.00, Bose Soundock 2 £219, Bose Soundock Portable £299 (Model Shown Soundock 2) from Powerplant, Hove
System addicts
The ability to have sound and video in every room from a shared central system is increasingly popular. Waking up to music in the bedroom, and having it follow you as you move around the house is simple. Multi-room high-definition satellite TV and DVD can also be combined – wirelessly – into this wholehome experience.
Those in the know are combining TV and music technology with lighting control or even home-automation systems. Lighting control allows you to preset or orchestrate different light settings and arrangements for different rooms or even different times of the day or week. These systems can also help you to save money (and resources) by using only the exact amount of light and power required.
Pioneer LX01 Home Cinema system This thing really is the business. On top of its 1080p upscaling, DVD recording home cinema claims, it also carries a 250GB hard drive and Freeview tuner! £1699 available from Hills Sound and Vision 40-41 Station Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1AG Tel: 01273 418006
Lighting control can be expanded to include audio-visual systems, electric blinds and curtains, gates and heating: More and more of us will be living in – and experiencing – the ultimate high-definition, automated home. After all, the 21st century is when everything changes – and you’ve got to be ready.
