Building a new home? Talk to us before you start

Why talk to us before you start building?

Reason number one – it’s 2010, not 1910. Houses are not just bricks and mortar anymore; they’re technological hubs. The building practises used today have been used for the last 100 years but the technology used today is something that a builder cannot help you with. With building issues like green homes, wi-fi networks, Bluetooth networks, digital TV, iptv and media throughout having more of an impact on your day-to-day life than what colour splashback you have, it’s important to understand the value of where AV Design can make your life easier, cheaper and seamless.

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Today’s families have two working adults and time-management with kids, family etc is of the essence. Whether it’s your first home or your fifteenth home, integrating the largest purchase of your life WITH your life and the growth of your life, should be something to which you give primary consideration.

• Analogue to digital – in early 2011, Australia will disconnect the analogue signal. This hails a new era in TV but also creates some problems for existing homeowners and new home builders.
• Media distribution – it’s no longer about having the radio on in the shed or in the kitchen, it’s now about having all forms of media in all areas for all people to use.
• Energy efficiency – with energy prices increasing 60% per kilowatt in some states earlier this year, having an energy smart home, whether solar, gas or by intelligent use of existing electrical wiring, now becomes mandate in a new home.
• Design. With all of the AV and home integration technology available, design is a key factor, not only in looks and feel but in where communications are stored, how services are wired, and how products are chosen and used. AV and technology are no longer an afterthought – they need to be at the centre of all your design and planning.

What your builder probably won’t tell you about…analogue to digital

In the houses we grew up with, the analogue signal was split and sent to each TV. So, one analogue signal would come into the house via the antenna on the roof, and it would be split and sent to the TV in the living room and the one in Mum and Dad’s room. Of course, back then, they were usually the only two TVs in the house. Now, we might have five or six TVs in the house. The analogue signal can still be split, although it will result degradation of the signal (hence the fuzziness). From next year, two things will happen. The analogue signal will be cut off, and new home buyers will have a choice: digital, or optical fibre. Those lucky enough to have optic fibre to your house, we will get to later. For the majority of the country, the digital signal is what we will have. And unlike analogue, this signal cannot be split more than two times. Instead of fuzziness, you will get nothingness. As the signal coming into the home is split under the 68Db ratio, you will not receive a signal at all once the signal has been split more than twice. Therefore, you will need a solution to enable constant signal strength to all the TVs in the house – and as we know, modern living involves many TVs. There are various systems which provide the required outcome. Some involve RG6 cable, modulated and amplified. Others involve split HDMI signals over Category 5 cable. And there are even some wireless systems that will work with the right TV.

What your builder probably won’t tell you about…media distribution

First of all, I would like to discuss the difference between media distribution and multi-room audio. A lot of people don’t understand that multi-room audio has nothing to do with media distrubtion at all. Media distribution covers all forms of it. Media covers: music, video, photos, and internet. Being able to play all types of media in all areas in a house is a much more complex decision than just the radio out on the patio. Information on these two choices is critical when deciding what you want in your house. What you want (and what you need and can afford) can be at two different ends of the scale.

What your builder probably won’t tell you about…energy efficiency

Having an energy efficient home is not only important for you now, but will become increasingly important in the future. Whether it be increased resaleability, or the knowledge that you are doing a small part to be green, the ability to intelligently utilise and manage energy within your home is crucial. With government rebates for solar and gas, coupled with good design and home automation systems, this can be achieved not only effectively but also affordably.

What your builder probably won’t tell you about…design

Off-the-plan new homes are incredibly popular, and for good reason – they are cheap to buy and even cheaper to build. They usually don’t allow customers to customise anything! You’re the one paying the bills, and yet you are allowed to make very few design decisions beyond colour and tile selection – and sometimes not even that. Designing your own home can sometimes be daunting, but with the help of specialists who understand systems integration and how houses are used, you can participate in the design of your own home in a way that most builders never encourage. At the very least, we at AV Design can help you to consider your AV needs before you start to build. For a simple example, it’s no use having a lounge room and wanting your TV mounted on the wall if there has been no design structure to hold the TV on the wall. And there’s no point in allocating a room for your “theatre room” if you haven’t given proper consideration to built-in cupboards and racks which utilise proper ventilation and exhaust for housing your sensitive equipment. Having a specialist design a house with all AV requirements in mind allows functional use of all areas.

Here at AV Design, we are passionate about making sure that new home builders are informed and confident. If you’re thinking about building a new home – or even if you’re in the process already – bring in your ideas and plans to discover the world of possibilities available to you.