Markets /markets Customer Profiles /markets/customerProfiles/default.asp Houston Home /markets/customerProfiles/HoustonHome/default.asp Houston Home Houston, Texas WholeHome /markets/customerProfiles/HoustonHome/imgs/image_HoustonMansionDMSinKitchen.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/HoustonHome/imgs/image_HoustonMansionMediaRoom.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/HoustonHome/imgs/image_houstonMansionVPinMediaRoom.jpg /markets/customerProfiles/HoustonHome/imgs/image_HoustonMansionVPonCouch.jpg Houston Home /assets/literature/Vertical.Markets-Houston.Home.pdf /assets/literature/thumbs/home_Houston.jpg PDF | 4.01 MB 2003 1 In the mind of Bill Maxey, President and CEO of Media Design, Inc. of Houston, Texas, a home's construction and control system integration present a single solution opportunity. Rather than tackle each at different times or treat them as separate jobs to accomplish, Maxey cooperates with Houston-based builder Ronald Logan Interest to offer prospective home buyers the advantages of AMX® automation. While other integrators are only discovering the profitable revenue stream of creating relationships with local architects and builders, Maxey already is several steps ahead of the game. "We use the AMX Touch Panels and Keypads all the time. They are extremely helpful and reliable. It didn't take too long to get comfortable using them." "I come in and explain the value of home integration and the client decides from there," Maxey said. "I work with Ronald Logan during the initial proposal process." It's a win-win situation a high percentage of the time. Affluent homeowners welcome the idea of whole home automation that can be installed as the construction blueprint takes physical shape. Waiting until later in the process to retrofit wires and cut holes in existing structures can be costly, time consuming and, worst of all, very inconvenient for the rest of the family. Maxey and Ronald Logan provide one-touch simplicity, convenience and luxury from day one. For example, Media Design outfitted a $4 million Houston residence with approximately $250,000 of consumer electronics and AMX control. It belongs to the the former president and CEO of a $4 billion worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware, also based in the Houston area. "We met with him about what we had planned for integrating his new home, and he let us go to work," Maxey said. Obviously a no nonsense, hands-off approach indicative of a successful business professional — not to mention the straight-shooter mentality of a big game hunter. Just take a stroll into the centrally located media room. Aside from the 60 inch plasma screen and discreetly placed wireless AMX ViewPoint® Touch Panel (shown above right), visitors are greeted by a stuffed leopard on one wall, a crocodile on another, and numerous big game trophies throughout. A great example of how AMX technology blends well with any interior decoration, even exotic animal heads from Africa. Simple System, Stunning Sound The homeowner did have two requests concerning the home's automation capabilities. The first: Keep everything simple to operate. "I had some idea (of home automation) from a previous home where I put in a sound system about 10 years ago," the homeowner explained. "I had a good idea of how using remote controls and having a central place for all equipment can be helpful. When Bill (Maxey) and I got together, we were able to build from that basic knowledge." In comparison to a vacation home located in Galveston, Texas, the amount of technology currently in place represents a significant leap forward. "This is so much more elaborate," the homeowner said. "We use the AMX Touch Panels and Keypads all the time. They are extremely helpful and reliable. It didn't take too long to get comfortable using them." The second: Create a whole home sound system worthy of the classical music that would flow through the speakers. "I have always been into sound since the early days of stereo," the homeowner said. "We are lovers of classical and opera. I'm always playing music." The primary listening area is the living room and media room/study, where the homeowner can experience one-touch control of speakers, subwoofers, surround sound, FM tuners and multi-disc CD players. In order to achieve whole home audio and video distribution as well as lighting control, 12 AMX Dynamic Menu Select (DMS) Keypads were strategically positioned at the entrance of every room — the living room, media room, two studies (his and hers), master bedroom, exercise room and kitchen, to name a few. At the press of a button, an easily visible menu can scroll through numerous options: Track selections from two multi-CD changers, volume output levels and lighting adjustments, as well as screen flips to control the VCR and DVD players, DSS satellite and TiVO systems. The homeowner can even scroll down a list of classical composers to cue favorite selections. "The DMS Keypads make things extremely easy to control," Maxey said. In the home's living room and media room, a total of three AMX ViewPoint Touch Panels provide wireless convenience. Although the handheld ViewPoints never leave either room, the homeowner and his wife enjoy the luxury of one-touch control from anywhere, at any time. One Touch, One Macro It is the thoughtful design of each user interface that provides complete confidence and trust in AMX control and automation. "No matter what age you happen to be, the user interface must be simple to navigate and take control," Maxey said. "In this case, we programmed several macros." With the touch of a single button, a series of events automatically takes place. "If I'm going to bed at night and I have music on in several parts of the house, I can walk up to the Keypad in my bedroom, hold down a button, and everything shuts down. That's a fine feature." There isn't any confusion or difficultly in finding the right on-screen icons to control the right equipment. "My favorite part of the installation was how quickly they took to the Touch Panels," Maxey said. "We spent very little time on user interface orientation. He was a dream client."