A Massachusetts couple enjoys TVs, music and convenience from room to room.

When Arthur Remillard and Betty Seraphin purchased a model home in a Sutton, MA, development, they knew they were getting some extra bang for their mortgage. After all, the model featured a home theater and a whole-house audio system. So what did Arthur and Betty do? They added even more amenities, in the form of several flat-panel plasma and LCD (liquid crystal display) screens.

"Arthur is big on TVs," Betty says. "So we added three big-screens. He likes all the news and financial shows." There are 42-inch high-definition Toshiba plasma TVs in the family room, the exercise room and the master bedroom. In addition, Arthur and Betty added 20-inch Sharp Aquos LCDs in the kitchen and master bathroom. "The one in the family room is used the most," Betty says. "That's where we are most of the time -- right next to the kitchen. The only problem is hearing if a different channel is on the smaller TV in the kitchen."

Placing flat-panel TVs around a house is never as easy as it sounds, as installation company ImageTech HTS (Home Theater Systems) in Worcester, MA, knows well. "Arthur's expectation was high that the house be kept spotless and nothing would show," says installer John Brusa. "Our biggest challenge was [ensuring that] when the plasmas were done, no wires or anything else were visible. He needed a very clean installation." To meet those requirements, video cables were wired through the walls, and power outlets were installed behind the flat-panel TVs.

Music and More

When the couple wants to enjoy music, they can serve up some tunes from the Elan audio system in six different areas: the kitchen, family room, exercise room, office, guest bedroom and master bedroom and bath. CDs, radio or music stored on the Elan VIA!dj music server can be called up from in-wall keypads or on two VIA! touchpanels located in the exercise room and kitchen.

"We can put on the music on any of the three floors," Betty says. "I like listening to CDs. I've got some country, some oldies. On the radio, I usually listen to light classical." The couple also likes to play music for parties and other gatherings. "It took me a little while to get used to it, but now I find it easier," adds Betty. An array of Elan in-ceiling and in-wall speakers deliver sound to the various areas while remaining hidden, satisfying the need to keep electronics enjoyed and not seen.

Not only does the Elan system distribute music throughout the house, but a big benefit is its ability to mute the tunes when the doorbell or telephone rings. In addition, an intercom alerts the couple when someone is at the door, and a camera lets them see who is there. "I was downstairs exercising [recently] when someone came to the door, and I could see that person right on the touchscreen," Betty says.

"I'm spoiled on the Elan system," says installer Brusa. "When the phone rings and music is blasting through the house, it automatically mutes the tunes so you can hear the phone. Then when you pick up the phone, the music comes back on. If you want to mute it, you just hit #6 on the telephone (6 is the button for "M," or "mute"). One thing our clients like is that when it's late at night and someone's at the door, they can hit #3 (or "D" for "door") and can talk to the person through the phone. [That's] the genius of Elan: You don't need a big instruction manual. There's "M" for "mute," "P" for "page," "D" for "door." Keep that straight, an you'll know how to use the system in a minute. I think all houses should have the door-paging system. Elan does that feature better than anyone else."

Model Consumers

For approximately $40,000, Arthur and Betty got an array of flat-panel TVs to go with their model home, which was already equipped with whole-house audio and a home theater. These amenities provide them with a lot of different home entertainment and convenience options. And Betty's grown-up children, who don't live in the house, also like coming over to use the dedicated home theater room.

It's even changed the way Arthur and Betty enjoy their home, which is different from the condos in which they have lived. "When we're home, we'll watch a movie almost every night," Betty says. Though that's also because more movies are available via their cable company, Charter.

"We got the DVR from Charter as well, and that's fun to play with," Betty says. And this from someone who took a while to learn how to operate the music system. It seems that Arthur and Betty have gone from model-home buyers to model home electronics users.

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Equipment List

Central Audio/Intercom/Paging System
Elan S6 Multi-Zone controller with 12 channel amp
Elan Z-661 6-channel amp
Elan Zpower Power Protection
Elan Z601 Communication controller, for page, door answering and intercom
Elan VIA!dj music server
Marantz ST 6000 FM tuner
Marantz CC-4300 CD changer
DSC-2000 Front door camera

Kitchen
Elan VIA! Touch Panel
Elan MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)
Sharp AQUOS LC20B4US
20-inch LCD TV

Master Bedroom
Elan Z-200 keypad
Elan MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)
Toshiba 42HP83P 42-inch 720p
HD plasma TV
PSW TS-42 wall mount

Master Bathroom
Elan VSE volume control
MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)
Sharp AQUOS LC20B4US
20-inch LCD TV
Peerless Full Swing arm mount

Living Room
Elan Z-100 KP control
Elan MP800W in-wall speakers (2)

Family Room
Toshiba 4ZHP83P 42-inch 720p
HD plasma TV
PSW TS-42 wall mount

Study
Elan Z-100 KP control
Elan MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)

Guest Bedroom
Elan Z-100 KP
Elan MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)

Bar/Exercise Area
Elan VIA! Touchpanel
Elan MP800C in-ceiling speakers (2)
Elan ES650 in-wall speakers (2)
Toshiba 42HP83P 42-inch 7ZPMd plasma TV
Peerless PLA-1 articulating swivel wall mount
Salamander equipment rack (black walnut)

Electronics Design & Installation by
ImageTech HTS
508-756-2000
www.hometheatersystems.com

Steven Castle is a Senior Editor and the resident wit of Electronic House magazine. Email Steve at scastle@ehpub.com.

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