CAVE had carried out projects for the client’s son over many years and had consequently been recommended for this project. We were invited over to the client’s estate in Jersey to carry out a site survey so that we could design an AV system that would suit the client and their property.
Project brief
Our client had a very large formal Living room with only a small wall mounted TV.
To watch Sky, Blu-ray or streaming services, they needed to watch in their adjoining study.
Our client’s main concern was not wanting to see any TV or tech when it was not in use, detracting from the look of the very impressive living room décor.
With this at the forefront of the design, CAVE set about the challenge.
In addition to the Living room AV system, we were tasked with updating the existing multi room audio system, using existing cabling within the house, which would mean replacing the wall mounted speakers and amplifiers to all be controlled via an app.
Design
Our client was very keen on using the LG 65” OLEDTV as the TV, & having installed many, CAVE was fully in agreement with this choice. The big challenge was the location. It had been agreed to use one of the customers’ existing sofas as the natural shield to hide the TV when not in use. This was a fixed height which was only just 13mm more than the LG TV overall size.
After some research we found an Italian manufacturer, MAIOR, who made a TV lift which added just 10mm to the overall height to the TV.
All of the other AV equipment would be housed in a small rack in a cupboard under the stairs appox 16m away.
Installation
The only route was under the floor. So, with the help of the client’s team & local trades, all the furniture was removed, the very large carpet rolled back & floor lifted.
Ducting & AV cables were installed from the TV location to the rack and other points to create a wired network.
Before attending site, the whole system was pre built, programmed and tested at CAVE offices to make sure every part of the system was correct. Much time and programming went into the RTi Apex program to ensure the TV lift lowered and raised at exactly the right height.
The whole AV system was controlled by the RTi App on the client’s iPad, which was designed to be as user friendly as possible.
We had a very limited and exact timescale for the install as travel arrangements could not be moved and were booked for the end of the week.
Very kindly the clients offered accommodation on the estate which helped tremendously. After three long days, the system was tested and ready for the local Sky Q engineer to install a Sky Q main box in the rack and a player in the study. Once this was done & another quick test and slight tweaks on the RTi Apex program, the system was completed.
The carpet was refitted and furniture put back in place. Our client, who had been absent throughout, flew back a few hours before we were due to leave and we had time to sit down with them to do a handover and training session.
On the trip back we produced a one page user guide to be printed off for reference if required.
Summary
This was a very nice project to do as the clients were lovely people and couldn’t do enough for us.
We really had to be confident on the design, equipment & programming for the project as it was not a site that was just around the corner.
The only part of the system that was a new manufacture to CAVE was the Maior Levante TV lift. The team at Maior were really helpful and so confident in the product, that they agreed a sale & return if the very slight tolerance did not match.
Finally and most important of all, we have very happy clients, who I understand use the system most evenings, whilst TV out of sight during the day.