Synopsis: The proliferation of personal computers, high speed Internet, the SOHO market, digital satellite and cable plus home theatre and security systems coupled with home automation is quickly becoming the norm in mid to upscale single family houses and condominiums.

Lack of proper distribution often relegates these appliances to an inconvenient single location.

When common distribution methods are used it's often done with a jumble of single gang boxes that provide individual services in an unaesthetic, unpleasing manner. It may be operable, but certainly not of good form and function.The recent arrival of Integrated Networking and Automation solutions for the home has created a need to provide a method to consolidate these functions in a concise, serviceable and upgradeable "point of use" area that looks great and functions efficiently.

Need: In the late 1800's the old "knob and post" method of electrical distribution in our homes at point of use was not safe or convenient. The methodology was primitive. It basically involved unscrewing terminals on metallic posts and applying a bare wire or spade terminal and rethreading the screw on the post to mount it down, similar to connecting speaker wire on stereo systems.

Today we have receptacles and plug cord ends to conveniently and safely interface electrical devices. We would never contemplate going down to our basement to run an extension cord off of our electrical panel in order to operate our appliances and electrical devices. Power distribution in our homes is taken for granted, but until recently the concept hadn't migrated to include multi-media services.

The simple days of power and phone are gone. We can no longer ignore the benefits of high speed Internet, home entertainment, LANs and other automations that enrich our lives. Unfortunately, many of us still accept that if we want to use our laptop to connect to our high-speed service we have to trudge down to the basement or a bedroom or home office to hook up. If we want to listen to music we do the same thing in our recreation rooms. Those not willing to accept this situation half-heartedly string data cables through our heating ducts and run coax in the oddest places. Companies are finally starting to address the validity of providing Home Integrated Networks and Automation. Enterprising new home construction firms are also in tune with this wide range of services and it's multitude of offerings.

Reliable and exciting technologies to distribute multi-media services are finally being developed. In addition to power panels we now have multi-media/data distribution panels that deliver alternate service alongside conventional power. The challenge is putting it all together in an attractive and orderly fashion at a point of use that allows flexibility, expansion and consolidation throughout the modern home.

Multi-Connect: Out of necessity, commercial environments have addressed the requirements of their surroundings by specifying a method that provides the consolidation of these services in a clean single interface. These environments are far removed from the days of the "desk lamp and phone" of the 70's or 80's. Modern offices require a methodology to interface employees and their work areas whether it's for LAN, FAX, Printers, Inter/Intranet systems etc. It can be accomplished through a variety of delivery systems created for commercial markets, but primarily it's done with either a modular furniture system or via a multi-service wall box, which provides numerous applications for voice, power, copper and fiber optic data systems. This non-proprietary system supports numerous data configurations from a select group of manufacturers who provide an open-ended solution. It's the perfect answer for modern homes.

These elegant multi-service boxes co-ordinate perfectly with the current offering of Home Automation Solutions that unfortunately for the most part today depend on a series of unsightly single gang boxes as the 'point of use'.

Your recreation room in a newly finished home in all likelihood will be the hub for entertainment. This may include a TV, satellite/cable, home theatre system, PC and high-speed data and phone. As shown above, choices are numerous but the best solution is clear. These Multi-Service Boxes provide a full range of options to replace numerous single gang boxes required to move signals and power to and from your entertainment room in one clean interface.
Multi-Connect Systems are comprised of a series of single boxes of varying gang configurations of 1, 2, 4, and 6.

Why no 3 and 5 gang you say? The answer is simple. It allows full flexibility and encourages endusers and installers to "blank" off unneeded gangs for future use. In fact, you should always install with one blank in mind for the future. Why fall victim to a dreaded expansion that requires the use of a drywall cutout tool, installation of a power/data box and then an eyesore collection of single gang boxes on your wainscoting when all you have to do is remove the blank on your existing 4 gang Multi-Connect box and install a new device for a clean "point of use." A data barrier between gangs allows for certification of low voltage/power separation in the box while maintaining the integrity of the signal or data passing through it. Whether it's a video source through an S-video connector, audio through the house, high-speed Cable/DSL Internet access or simple phone, it's all contained at one centre. The true aesthetic beauty is that there are no visible mounting screws or hardware. The plates 'snap' over the device followed by the trim ring for clean mounting.

This is the only solution for the Smart Home owner
who embraces technology and demands the best.

Conclusion: New home construction for condominiums and single-family dwellings offer a variety of options for mid-sized to upscale square footages. The advent of "through the house" Internet/LAN connectivity, home theatre and security systems, home automation and satellite/DVD have made "only phone and power installations" a thing of the past. Growth will certainly continue as multi-media services trickle down to new construction and it will soon no longer be considered a luxury. Instead, it'll be accepted as a minimum requirement the same way that power and the phone are today. This evolving trend has necessitated the creation of active distribution equipment for a wide variety of services throughout the home. The application of a multi-media 'point of use' multi-connect box provides an elegant yet pragmatic solution for the sophisticated homeowner.