According to Zohir Ramodiya, owner of Mumbai-based Boom AV, the Control4 system can convince even the most hesitant homeowner that automation is a must-have feature for their home.
That’s why, when Ramodiya was approached by a referral client renovating a fully-staffed, 4,500-square-foot penthouse in Mumbai, the client’s concerns about ease-of-use and reliability were familiar – but the finished project proved that those concerns were unfounded when dealing with Control4.
“Besides having to prove that the technology would work, this renovation involved an award-winning Mumbai architect and interior designer, so it was clear from the start that aesthetics were going to be a core component of my system design and installation,” Ramodiya said. “The other core request was a club-grade audio system that is simple to operate and performs reliably every day, as the client, like many others, had previous experience with poorly installed or designed automation products.”
With the help of a previous client who loves their system, Ramodiya showed the owners how the home’s audio, video, networking, HVAC, surveillance and motorized blinds could be controlled through Control4’s robust, easy-to-use home automation platform. After that, the clients’ concerns disappeared.
For the project, every effort was made to use products that could either be installed discreetly in walls or ceilings, or could be placed in such a way that they don’t intrude on a room’s aesthetic design. The main living room, with its 20-foot vaulted ceiling, is a prime example. The room features a full wall of four floor-to-ceiling windows with thin black dividers between them, which were used to limit the visibility of two small satellite speakers on thin stands.
Nearby, two hidden subwoofers sit behind flush-mounted grilles under a decorative display case that also houses a Control4-automated waterfall that flows down the wall behind the display. In all the other rooms, which have 10- to 11-foot ceilings, in-ceiling speakers were used to completely remove them from sight.
“The ultra-high-end audio system is managed through the Control4 interface just like the TVs, window shades and lighting,” Ramodiya continued. “This enabled the owners to easily create their own custom scenes, where a single button can activate actions in multiple subsystems to transform an entire space for a particular use, such as watching a movie on the balcony’s projector. In that case, the lights can be set to dim or shut off while the projector turns on, the video system automatically sets the pre-programmed source, and closes the window blinds to separate the space from inside lighting. That is exactly the type of functionality that can change minds.”
In addition to a wall-mounted 10-inch Control4 touch screen in the living room, the owners and their two children use their mobile devices and Control4’s touch screen Neo TV remotes to manage the home’s various subsystems. Connected systems include lighting, HVAC, surveillance cameras, multi-zone audio in every room, multi-zone video for one TV and two projectors, motorized window shades and the display case waterfall feature. While the adults have full access to the system, their children can only operate specific functions, including audio in each of their bedrooms and the TV in the living room.
“Seeing the final result of this project, and the delight it provides for the family, has proven that Control4’s ecosystem is delivering on the promises of home control in a way that most homeowners simply did not have access to in the past,” Ramodiya said.
That extends to his role as well, because Control4 provides integrators with remote access capabilities to diagnose problems and resolve minor troubleshooting issues without visiting the site in person. In India particularly, Ramodiya explains that satellite TV receivers are prone to freezing and often need to be manually cycled to regain functionality.
“Whether you are an integrator or a homeowner, having remote access is one of the biggest benefits of a home control system,” he noted. “These particular clients can use their Control4 app to view live camera footage inside their home to monitor their children’s activities while they are away, while I can respond immediately to any urgent concerns no matter where I am. The fact that every function is available to homeowners through a single app is pretty incredible as well, so they can change temperatures and lighting before they arrive home or after they leave, simplifying so many parts of daily life.”
For Ramodiya, the broad third-party compatibility and ease-of-use inherent in Control4’s solution has made it his go-to control system for projects of all sizes and needs. As part of the SnapAV family, Control4 is natively compatible with a host of superior-quality technology brands that include everything from speakers and outdoor TVs to power conditioners and professional networking equipment.
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