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Home Automation Showroom Leverages Stardraw Control
Indeed, it is the control element of the installation that sets it apart from other showrooms, as it enables hands-on control of all devices within the system, as well as demonstrating the power and convenience of autonomous functions. Representative of a real-life installation, the open plan showroom contains a living area, kitchen and dining area where visitors are able to experience firsthand the seamless integration of the technology within the home environment. A customized graphical user interface (GUI) offers full control of the high specification audio/visual system, lighting, window blinds and heating, and visitors are readily invited to try it out for themselves. "The integration of such a variety of appliances and services into a single user-friendly control system requires an extremely powerful and versatile control platform", said David Birchall, technical director at Automation 4. "We've chosen to use Stardraw Control, just as we would in a real-life installation unless otherwise specified. Its open architecture enables us to control pretty much any device, and if a device driver does not exist for the product, we can easily create one within the software. Also, the ability to create professional-looking customised user interfaces ensures that every installation is easily managed by the user, as you choose exactly what you want to see. If you don't want confusing or excessive functionality cluttering up your GUI, you don't have to have it!" Unique to the showroom is a four-minute narrated tour, created using sequencing features within Stardraw Control. During the tour the visitor experiences automatic activation of appliances such as the television, DVD and multi-room audio system, as well as the implementation of different environment ‘scenes', whereby blinds and lighting are automatically adjusted. The showroom employs industry standard KNX wiring system to control the heating, lighting, blind and security systems. Stardraw Control's open architecture approach means that all of these features can be controlled directly by the user via the GUI. The tour also demonstrates the convenience offered by the automated sequence functionality available within Stardraw Control. "A user can text home on the way home from work, activating a sequence that turns the heating on, boils the kettle, sets the lighting and runs the bath ready for when they return," explains Birchall. "There are also advanced security features such as simulated occupancy, whereby preset sequences of the lighting and A/V systems are deployed when the house is vacant, creating an impression that the owner is at home." In line with the state-of-the-art control technology are the high specification audio-visual systems, specified by the A/V architects at Digital Connexions Ltd. This includes a discrete 5.1 surround sound solution in the living area, linked to a FreeSat high definition television. Integrated ceiling speakers in the different zones represent the increasingly popular multi-room audio systems, which can be accessed via the touchscreen GUIs as well as using dedicated wall-mounted audio switches. Mark Garrett, Managing Director at Digital Connexions, "Our approach is to design and build solutions that have tangible benefits to peoples' lives: at the showroom we are able to demonstrate this to a customer who may never have considered Home Automation was something relevant to them" Notes to Editor Since 1995 Stardraw.com has been a leading provider of software solutions to the entertainment technology sector, offering a range of award-winning system design, documentation and control applications as well as providing OEM software solutions for corporate customers. With offices in London and New York, regional partners and an installed customer base of almost 30,000 users spanning 82 countries, Stardraw.com is focussed on serving the international marketplace, and delivers leading-edge solutions that exploit the very latest in software technologies.
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Leading installer,
Automation 4 Ltd., has teamed up with premier UK electronics retailer, Digital Connexions Ltd., to open a brand new fully
interactive home automation showroom in Harrogate. The first of its kind outside London, the showroom is testament to both
companies' pioneering approach to domestic automation technology. At the heart of the installation is Stardraw Control, the
award-winning control application from software providers Stardraw.com.
