Markets /markets Customer Profiles /markets/customerProfiles/default.asp Former All Star Dee Brown's Integrated Home /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/default.asp Former All Star Dee Brown's Integrated Home Orlando, Florida WholeHome /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownArcadesInUGR.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownBarArea.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownBlindDunk.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownPlasmaViewPoint.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownRackNearBar.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownUGREnlargedImage.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownUGRPlasma1.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_DeeBrownWithArcades.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/DeeBrownHome/imgs/image_MarkElbleandDeeBrown.jpg Former All Star Dee Brown's Integrated Home /assets/literature/Vertical.Markets-WholeHome.pdf /assets/literature/thumbs/home_Windemere.jpg PDF | 1.53 MB 2003 1 Dee Brown's rookie year in the NBA defined the word "excitement." A first round draft choice in 1990, he joined the Boston Celtics to man the floor with legends Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Midway through the season, he would perform the infamous "arm-over-eyes" no-look dunk to secure the coveted title of 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Champion. So when he compares these once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the thrill of using AMX control in his spacious 6-year-old home, you discover quickly that Brown truly embraces leading technology. "This is what it is coming down to: Home automation," said Brown, who lives with his wife Tammy and their three daughters (ages 8, 6 and 1) in a home near Orlando, Fla. "I love it when everything is right at my fingertips instead of having to deal with different remotes. I wanted the best Touch Panels. I wanted the best control system. I wanted AMX. I'm in a position to anticipate what future technology will bring. AMX is the next generation, and I already have it in my house." MVP Performance Known as "Professor Gadget" to teammates during a successful 12-year NBA career, Brown immediately grasped the capabilities and potential of home integration. (Of course, it helps to have a college degree in math and science.) Brown readily points out a visit to a neighbor's AMX-integrated home theater (belonging to an active Major League Baseball all-star player). "I was instantly attracted to the look of it," Brown explained. "It was so clean and organized. I liked being able to program the macros on the panel and the variety of equipment you could control." Brown now had a strong desire to experience the convenience, simplicity and luxury of AMX control. He would "team up" with Mark Elble and Tim Gasquez of Interface Systems Integration (St. Pete, Fla.), an AMX Dealer familiar with tackling high-profile projects for high-profile athletes and celebrities. Their collective vision demanded the "hard-core" features of the AMX NetLinx Control System for Brown's existing home theater and exercise room, as well as the brand new 900-square foot addition affectionately referred to as the UGR —Ultimate Game Room. "Prior to us, Dee was frustrated with the inconsistent nature of how his home would operate," said Elble, General Manager at Interface Systems Integration. This sizeable UGR expansion, which included a significant amount of construction work, also required the skills of an interior decorator to achieve the right look and feel. After the wall colors were selected and the furniture set into place, Brown brought in his favorite gadgets and gizmos. "The UGR was originally meant for the guys, but now I have to kick everyone out," Brown joked. "Everyone is migrating over here. I was already kicked out of the home theater." With a wealth of electronics, including multiple computers, video game consoles, plasma screens, DVDs and VCRs, Brown contacted Elble in order to tie it all together through one-touch AMX control. Six months later, Brown had invested more than $130,000 in the UGR, plus automation upgrades to the home theater and exercise room. "Dee is at a point in his career and life where he can afford to have a control system like this done right, and he's more than happy to do whatever it takes," Elble said. Winning Team Effort For Elble, the installation process was unique in that Brown immediately understood and could visualize the functionality and benefits of home automation. "He's extremely computer literate; a techno freak," Elble remarked. Brown's appetite for learning and using cutting edge technology like AMX established a strong client-dealer relationship. Rather than wait for the finished product as a proverbial spectactor, Brown made a concerted effort to communicate daily with Elble and Gasquez on suggested modifications and customizations. "I loved it," Elble said. "He never had a 'deer-in-the-headlights' look. All we ever did from the original contract is add to it. I went to town on a fantasy system. He sat down, started going over stuff, and that's when he began coming up with additional ideas. I wish every one of my clients were like Dee." Consider the 61-inch plasma screen, which is the centerpiece of the "tricked out" UGR. The original specifications called for a 50-inch model. (Hey, an extra 11 inches makes a big difference.) With his wireless AMX ViewPoint Touch Panel in hand, Brown can effortlessly select any number of personal computers, game consoles and audio/video equipment sources to display on this sizeable screen. "I put my TiVo, DVD and VCR players all on the screen at one time," said Brown, who likes being able to manage his collection of more than 5,000 CDs with the touch of a button. "I have it down to where I can take control with extreme ease. I can do a number of different things all at once with different equipment, all on my AMX panel. It's really nice." Directly in front of the wall-mounted 61-inch plasma rests the couch — Brown's pilot seat for playing favorite computer games using a wireless joystick. Opting for a wireless computer keyboard instead of a laptop, he has the ability to type emails and surf the Internet without remaining anchored by a cable plugged into the wall. The PC itself is mounted to the equipment rack completely out-of-sight. For further convenience, a prewired floor box was installed in the floor, beneath the couch. This hidden high-speed network location allows Brown to connect and switch out any one of several game consoles (i.e. PlayStation and XBox) and even a Karaoke machine, at will. "If I had this room when I was a player (in the NBA), it would have gotten ugly," Brown joked. "I would be kicking people out left and right. That's why I waited until I retired. I'm not into jewelry. I'm not a clothes or cars person. But when it comes to technology, if I like it, I buy it. I have an AMX controlled room that everyone enjoys and that's value to me." The Wow Factor Does "value" translate into having a Touch Panel with more on-screen real estate, stunning video quality and clear, crisp sound? With the mass appeal of the Modero Touch Panels from AMX, including the successful debut of the 17" Modero Widescreen only a month ago, Brown is already interested in these state-of-the-art, feature intensive panels. "I have yet to see the Moderos, but Mark (Elble) will show me soon enough," Brown said. "I'm always looking for something new to enhance my game room's 'wow' factor." That begs the question: What's more thrilling: Using AMX technology or winning the NBA Slam Dunk Competition? "That's a tough one," Brown said. "I am a tech guy, that's my love. I'd have to say winning the slam dunk competition because I love the competition and having an NBA career has allowed me to have a home with this kind of technology." At least AMX is a close second, and that's fine with us.