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| Volume 3 Issue 4 August 1998 |
Features
Interviews
Columns |
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| HTINews Interview - Aug98 - [HTI Home Page] |
HomeTech Hot Products Continuously Updated [Click Message To Learn More] |
Home Toys
Cabling Interview "Based on the fact that the average home consist of 3 bedrooms, Family or Great room, Den or Home Office the modern home should have cable and a service center to support the services that will address their needs, applications as well as family style. ie: internet (information), home entertainment and security." |
Lucent Technologies Customer Response Center http://www.lucent.com/netsys/homestar Telephone: 1-800-344-0223 |
QUESTION 1: (To give readers an idea of the scope of work involved.) What do you recommend as a standard cabling package for a modern home? Please list the components of the system and their uses. (i.e. Distribution Panel, Number of cables and types, outlets etc.)
ANSWER 1: Based on the fact that the average home consist of 3 bedrooms, Family or Great room, Den or Home Office the modern home should have cable and a service center to support the services that will address their needs, applications as well as family style. ie: internet (information), home entertainment and security. A recommended configuration for a 3 bedroom home may look like this:
HOMESTAR WIRING SYSTEM
| LOCATION | TYPE OF OUTLET | HS OUTLET | TYPE OF CABLE |
| Fam Rm | 2CX & 2 Cat.5 | FA312 | 2CX ca.1Bk/1Wht/2 Cat.5 |
| (Same Location) | . | FA310 | (HS 1512 HYBRID & 1 1510 Cat.5) |
| Den/Home Off. | 2CX & 2 Cat.5 | FA312 | 2CX ca. 1Bk/1Wht& 2 Cat.5 |
| (Same Location) | . | FA310 | (HS 1512 HYBRID & 1 1510 Cat.5) |
| Kitchen | 1 Cat.5 | FA310 | 1Cat.5 / HS 1510 Cat.5 |
| MBRm | 2CX & 2 Cat.5 | FA312 | 2CX ca. 1Bk/1Wht & 2Cat.5 |
| (Different Locations) | . | FA310 | (HS 1512 Hybrid & 1 1510 Cat.5) |
| BRm 2 Same as MBRm | . | . | . |
| BRm 3 Same as MB | . | . | . |
Total of 5 Universal Outlets and 6 additional Twisted Pair Cat.5 Outlets. To support the cabling, a service center is required. A HomeStar Center would be configured and equipped with the following:
- 1 SC 200 Cabinet
- 1 Cap 208 video Distribution Panel
- 1 PH21B Panel and blocks for the Cat.5
- 1 DAP20 Mounting Panel
- 1 DA20 Distribution Video Amplifier
- 1 AC04 AC outlets for power
Other considerations such as wiring for CCTV, DSS may change the basic configuration in order to support the Home owner needs.
QUESTION 2: (To educate readers on what can be expected) What systems would connect and interact via the cabling now and in the future?
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QUESTION 3: (To establish a baseline ballpark cost) Do you have rule of thumb installed costs for this standard (i.e. $/sq ft. or $/room etc.)? How much more does it cost for retrofit?
ANSWER 3: The Cost can vary based on the customer needs. The low end being about $700 to High end of $5000 +. The basic three bedroom home as in question 1 may cost $1400 including materials and labor.
QUESTION 4: How futureproof is an installation as described here? What could be added to the system (in order of priority) to extend it's life and scope?
ANSWER 4: As technology moves forward service providers will continue to upgrade their systems to provide the highest bandwith as possible. Example: Video on demand, faster internet, video conferencing, web TV, Digital CATV network, home automation. HomeStar Wiring System can support the services mentioned above. Bell Labs will continue providing the expertise in design so our customers can be assured that any upgrades will be the simplest in design and at a reasonable cost to the consumer. No major retrofit will be required with HomeStar Wiring System.
QUESTION 5: Can I just get the electrician to install your cabling and components? If not why not and who do I call?
ANSWER 5: Most electricians may not be qualified to design or install a system for the family lifestyle. If the company is willing to step up to proper training they could install the cabling and components. However they may have problems addressing the applications that the consumer may request. ie:LAN, Video Modulating.
We would recommend a contractor who is experienced in video, LAN, voice communications and security.
QUESTION 6: What makes your system unique in the marketplace?
ANSWER 6: Lucent Technologies has a long history in communications and with Bell Labs expertise in designing new technology for the future our product has a cutting edge to what services our product will support not just existing but in the future. We at Lucent put quality at the top of our list to provide total customer satisfaction.
