| active media design transforms mass media into | | | | As increasing numbers of homeowners of all |
| home-based personalized communications, audio, | | | | income levels install security cameras around their |
| video, and information systems. Media historically | | | | property, interactive media design takes this new |
| has been divergent and worldwide, creating a leap | | | | technology one step further. Security cameras |
| of human thought differentiating our current time | | | | monitor the front of the house and feed video |
| from the previous “industrial era,” | | | | back through the automation network to |
| that ended only a few decades ago. Interactive | | | | television screens and computer monitors. How is |
| media design makes global communications | | | | this accomplished? By the skillful blend of electrical |
| technology private and confines it to personal | | | | design and sophisticated computer programming |
| space, giving all the advantages of instant access | | | | we have spent many years instilling in our finest |
| to information without the interference of the | | | | technicians. Homeowners now can see who is |
| outside world. The key to this transformation has | | | | coming onto their property without having to look |
| been home automation and networking | | | | out of windows or go to the door. If a person |
| technology, which serves as the hub of all | | | | inside recognizes the visitor, he or she can |
| home-based home theater, lighting design, and | | | | activate the gate through the system and let the |
| media and gives the user direct control over | | | | person enter. |
| video, audio, communications, and remote Internet | | | | Interactive media design by automation experts |
| access via virtual private networks (VPN.) | | | | such as Houston’s ILD further adds |
| There are many elements to interactive media | | | | additional control options for home access by |
| design that fall into four main categories. They | | | | installing Panasonic phone systems that link to |
| constitute a true synthesis of command and | | | | both the video feeds and the gate controls. If the |
| functionality combined with one-touch convenience. | | | | person does not look familiar, the homeowner can |
| Each of these categories utilizes some form of | | | | pick up the phone and speak to the visitor |
| media that enable homeowners to send | | | | through an intercom before granting access |
| commands to any number of automated | | | | through a magnetic gate control activated by the |
| subsystems with remotes or touch panel controls. | | | | phone buttons. |
| These categories breakdown as follows: | | | | Decorum is of utmost importance when |
| Comfort through in house and remote climate | | | | configuring a high-end, interactive media system. |
| control unties the environment with entertainment. | | | | Most home automation clients invest as well in |
| Interactive media design automates climate | | | | lighting design, so to make interactive media |
| control by tying HVAC systems directly into the | | | | design truly impeccable and complete consultants |
| home automation network. Many people travel | | | | should always include a decorative element in |
| frequently, and as such are not always home to | | | | every project. By blending automation and |
| turn the AC down while away. While most lighting | | | | interactive media design skills, security systems |
| controls are very simple to use, pets and small | | | | can be linked to the VPN so travelers can turn on |
| children cannot use them. During summer months, | | | | the lights at random times to make it appear as |
| when the heat becomes almost unbearable at | | | | though they are home. VPN access can also give |
| times, homeowners can now log onto a virtual | | | | homeowners remote lighting control over home |
| private network that connects their home | | | | theater rooms, and “panic” lighting |
| automation central computer to the Internet | | | | features can be added to the phone system so a |
| through a secure location, and they can make any | | | | person can call the police and turn on outdoor |
| adjustments to the AC necessary to provide | | | | floodlights simultaneously. |
| maximum comfort for all living things in the home. | | | | |