Ensure the Projects You Build Will Stand the Test of Time
More and more frequently, builders and other tradesmen are collaborating with custom electronics professionals to help make their projects smart home ready. As the market for integrated technology continues to grow, smart home prewiring is becoming essential in areas like Oahu, HI and beyond. But now that the analog sunset has happened, there are some big changes happening. In this blog, we’ll explain why builders should be concerned with smart digital prewiring solutions. Read on below.



See Also: Is Your Audio Video System Prepared for the Analog Sunset?
The Importance of Prewiring
Prewiring is the act of laying the network foundation for future electronic devices as the property is being built. The benefits of this are obvious: if the wires are installed before the walls are fully built, it’s easier to avoid costly rework time down the line. By collaborating with an established professional custom electronics installer from the beginning, you can make sure the end user gets exactly what they want the first time around.

Understanding the Analog Sunset
At the start of the decade, the analog sunset began to take effect. Essentially, it meant that devices would no longer include analog inputs and outputs, like RCA connectors, and would solely include digital input and outputs, like HDMI. That has slowly taken effect over the past few years. Now that no new audio video components offer analog connections, properties throughout Hawaii have been rendered unprepared for easily installing many modern smart home features.

So that means today’s wiring is different from what it was 10 years ago. Whether you’re building a room to be a dedicated home theater, or simply a versatile living room, there are new requirements that you’ll need to meet if you want to avoid coming back to rework the same project.

How to Avoid Analog Sunset Rework
Here are some helpful tips any builder can take to make sure the project is completed to customers’ satisfaction the first time around:

• Ensure that digitally-capable cables are being used throughout the house. HDMI cables are perfect for a home theater system, but AV signals have to travel across great distances. Your partner integrator can define a wiring scheme with fiber optic and other appropriate cables to ensure the best signal over any distance.
• Find out if the homeowner is looking to automate any satellite houses or garage spaces. Often homeowners don’t realize that a hardwired connection is possible between the main house and the pool house. Integrators can lay down long range digital cables throughout the entire property before the build is complete.
• Don’t neglect rooms that aren’t typically AV ready. Modern technology means homeowners can enjoy streaming music in the kitchen and TV in the bathroom. Collaborate closely with your integration partner to find out exactly what they can do to make sure the property is ready.

Looking for an established AV partner in the Oahu, HI area? Contact Pacific Audio and Communications today!

• Have Access to Your Favorite Music in Every Corner of Your Home• Optimize the Audio Signals Within Your Kauai, Hawaii Space• Work With a Professional for a Discreet Wiring Installation

What is a Home Audio Distribution System?

A home audio distribution system lets you transfer audio signals from source components –a turntable, media library or CD player – to speakers throughout your house. When installing your system in Kauai, Hawaii, it’s not enough to find the best speakers and A/V receivers. You need to make sure your audio signals travel efficiently through the right cable solution.



What Kind of Cables Should You Use?
In most cases, your audio signals will go through one of the following cables: analog, HDMI or Ethernet. Below we take a look at features from all three to see what the best fit is for you.

• Why Use Analog Cables?
  • Analog cables provide the purest sound from a turntable or CD player since the signal is never translated into digital form when it goes from the source to your receiver.
  • How to judge the quality of an analog cable
    • While all cables may look the same, slight variations in material and craftsmanship can make a huge difference.
      
      • Usually you want a copper conductor, double shielding and high-pressure connectors for the least signal interference.
    • Why Use HDMI Cables?
      • An HDMI cable can carry audio, video, and even internet signals.
      • When it comes to a home theater system, HDMI is the best way to get full surround sound, offering up to eight different soundtrack channels to create three-dimensional audio within the room.
      • A challenge for HDMI is that it is always evolving. This means the latest HDMI technology may not be compatible with older gear.
    • Why Use Ethernet Cables?
      • Ethernet cables can transmit signals in a multi-room system with limited interference. The CAT-6 line also lets you send signals back, meaning it can take a signal from your television receiver and transfer it back to your A/V receiver or speaker. This way any audio generated within your TV can be played on another system.
      • Ethernet connections are also common for wireless speaker systems like SONOS. We also connect your sources –music library or laptop—to a network router to boost the signal.
    • What is the best cable for a multi-room system?
      • Picking the right gauge: The longer your cable needs to travel within your home audio distribution system, the thicker you want it to be. The thicker a wire, the lower its gauge. Most installations will require a gauge between 12 and 14.
      • Wiring behind walls: To reduce the risk of overheating, fire or interference, you want to use CL2 or CL3 wires for in-wall installations.
    • Why should I work with a professional for my home audio distribution?
      • Figuring out what cables are right for you is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your solution may require a variety of cables depending on your source components, type of speakers and the size of your home.
        
        • Will you also need to transmit video signals?
        • Will you want all wiring hidden behind walls?
        • Are you incorporating wireless speakers?
      • We ensure cables are compatible with your technology. Choosing incompatible cables will not only result in lower-quality audio, but it can also damage your system.
      • As licensed low-voltage contractors, we can find the perfect path from your A/V receivers or matrix switchers all the way to the speaker of your choice. All wiring remains hidden behind walls to reduce clutter.

Want to get the most out of your home audio distribution? Contact Pacific Audio and Communications Inc. for a professional installation.