The Fultech Wire

Energy Efficiency and Technologies

2009-09-26T18:44:00.003-04:00

Today, we have so many solutions available to save energy most people don't know where to start, or how to figure out what to use or even what is available. Hiring a knowledgeable consultant in a variety of areas of expertise is key. Simply hiring someone who has a specific certification or accreditation, will not get you what you need. One needs to hire someone with real world experience in designing and implementing a variety of systems.

At our company, we believe there is a connection between all sub-systems in todays homes and buildings. Controlling just HVAC or even lights, does not give the best overall savings and use of the systems. If you can integrate not only the latest technologies, but also as many of a buildings systems as possible, it will lead to the most overall savings and most efficient use of your system.

Some notable technologies available today are;
LED lights - these are significantly better than even a a year ago. Better light output, longer life, more dimming range, and more retrofittable units.

Daylight Harvesting System - these allow photo or light sensors placed in naturally lit areas to control whether lights come on or not, based on how much light is in the room. You can even have lights raise slowly in dim level as the sun sets.

Smart/learning" motion sensors - these are more advanced than even the newest off the shelf motion sensors. A company called Crestron (full disclosure -we sell Crestron products) makes a new motion sensor that learns how a room is used over the first 2 weeks it is installed. It also is a dual technology sensor, meaning it uses 2 different methods of sensing motion in a room. Finally, they are very good at sensing even the slightest movement, such as pen-strokes and keyboard typing.

Advanced Building Management Systems - these are building management systems that ecompass more than just HVAC and lighting control and can integrate a variety of different sub-systems and sensors into one easy to use system.

Combining these new technologies into one system and integrating some existing building technologies such as access control, security and other systems can really add to the efficient use, real-time savings and ease of access to any buildings systems.

HDMI and Connectivity for Distributing Hi-Def Video

2008-02-23T01:08:00.005-05:00

Today I'd like talk about HMDI and HD connectivity. Without going into all the technical aspects, which we can all find by searching 1080p, 1080i, 720P, etc. and due to lots of comments and discussions on the subject lately, I'd like to discuss some issues.

The main issue we have with HDMI is many of the misnomers. Now again, without getting into too much technical detail, I'll simply reference some sites where you may find information or you can certainly search yourself and I am sure you will find and hear dissenting views. But for our purposes of audio/video, which is typically for dedicated theaters as well as distribution of audio and video to many rooms of the home, HDMI just doesn't offer all that you need.

First off, for the end user, there is little additional benefit to HDMI from DVI. Also, in real A/V applications, digital is not always better than analog when done properly.
See - http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html
The MI in HDMI refer to Multimedia Interface, which implies the addition of control (like and infra-red/IR remote for your TV) and audio signal to the video transmission that was available on DVI. The reality is, if you are going to spend the money on, and get the experience of a Hi-definition viewing screen (whether TV, Plasma, LCD, projector, whatever), you typically also want the surround sound that goes along with HD broadcast. Since most flat screens or projection systems, don't include speakers (or at least not surround speakers - front left, center and right), you aren't going to send the audio signal(s) over that HDMI cable, they are going to be broken out from the stereo into speaker wires, that go directly into real floor or in-wall speakers. Yes, it gets the audio and video from the source to the receiver, but the 1 HDMI cable is more costly than the component and optical or digital audio cables combined. To date, there is NO control aspect available in via HDMI, although I have read some is on the way, but it will take some time before that trickles down to dealers, installers and end-users being able to utilize it at this point. Again good old RS232, a tried and true technology is great for this, even offering 2 way control and any manufacturer can easily and inexpensively offer this in their products.

At our company, we actually still prefer Component video connections in many instances. We will use digital coaxial audio or optical audio connections, but often these must be broken out as well, again for distribution purposes. Most distribution products are only available in Component, Composite and S-video to date. There are HDMI switchers and such, but we'll get into the later. The only real world difference (user apparent) in Component and HDMI is that the latter is digital and is the only way to get true 1080p video. With component you get an excellent 720p/1080i image that only a select few can tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Additionally, HDMI has had issues with products hand-shaking and getting past various technologies (AACS copy-protection) designed to prevent duplication and theft of movies and videos. See http://gear.ign.com/articles/691/691408p1.html
This has been addressed more recently, but there are still a few issues out. One of which is that due to some of this encryption and other technology for this high-bandwidth video signal, many of the source devices (DVD players, BlueRay, etc,) take more time to "boot up" or restart than just simply clicking the power button. Some in excess of 1 minute. A long time when you press the Movie button and nothing happens. It seems much of the "benefit" of HDMI is for copy protection and movie studios rather than really for the consumer or end-user.

The final bug in my .. well you know, is that HDMI cannot go further than about 50' without amplification or other modification. Furthermore, we are beginning to hear that soon, products without HDMI will no longer work with products WITH HDMI. There is no need for this. People who purchased products a few years ago, with both component and HDMI will have to re-tweak thier systems with the same end-result.

We actually sell a high-end video distribution system, which in it's next generation, in order to basically meet forced AACS copy-protection requirements, is going with HDMI for it's distribution. This literally means that we need an access port (some way to get to cables and connections, etc), every 50' behind walls and in dry-wall. This is a nearly impossible and ridiculous task. It is really hard to determine exactly how much cable is run in wall, and most homes don't want some access portal every 50' around the house. Even when using amps and boosters with HDMI over 50' it gets tricky and cumbersome. It's never as easy as the technical manual or help states in the real world. So, my opinion component is the better vehicle at this time to "DISTRIBUTE" video signals up to 1080i, throughout a home or home system. Keep this in mind when thinking about wiring your house, and most things can do Component, while only some do HDMI and most can convert either way.

VISTA, UAC, new software and more

2008-02-14T22:03:00.003-05:00

Well, after weeks, actually 2 months, of messing around with VISTA, scouring the internet for information, e-mailing MS several times, with no responses, I am almost totally back up and running. Not without some major issues still though. I have had to purchase tons of new software that is compatible with VISTA, but did learn a few lessons along the way.

First, try your software before calling it quits. Sometimes there is a bug, but it's something you can live with. Second, VISTA's UAC, or User Account Control, causes problems for much of the software I use. You can turn this off, but then several key things in VISTA don't work anymore, or are difficult to deal with. For instance, some of my software won't run or cannot be installed while UAC is active. If you activate it for your existing software, then the new software won't run, let you login or otherwise not function correctly. Now, if UAC is off, things like the VISTA networking don't operate properly. In fact, I have manually go in and select (6 clicks or steps) for the network to use WINDOWS LOCATER for the RPC. What does this mean, well if there is nothing in this box, it won't find anything on the network when you connect. The internet connection still works, but you won't be able to share files, printers, drives, etc nor access them, until you manually select this. Each time you reboot, or startup, it will lose this setting and you have to manually do this again. I haven't found a workaround for this yet. If you know one, please let me know.

To be clear, some things did work, but most didn't. Now, this is not indicative of everyone I suppose, as I am somewhat of a power user and use lots of what Microsoft now calls LEGACY software or equipment. Some of that includes Quickbooks Premier 2004, USB to Rs232/DB9 adapters from Keyspan (some work, some don't), Choicemail (a very good anti-spam software), much of which I paid for and don't want to buy again. In addition to that, most of my programming software, design software, estimating and proposing software, which we pay thousands for literally, were NOT compatible. Now some of these had free updates or new software to download and install that would work with VISTA. This seems OK, until 70-90% of your software is in this category, then you are talking about a LOT of time reinstalling software, researching what to do, etc. I really didn't have this time, nor want to spend it. I have pretty much given up beyond what I have running now. I program using Crestron SIMPLE software, we use D-Tools for our system design and estimating and some other stuff that I have had to make extensive upgrades and changes to get it to work in VISTA.

Regardless, getting VISTA working for me, and the way I work, was no easy task. In fact, I was so incensed with the process I upgraded to VISTA ULTIMATE for the sole purpose of using MS VIRTUAL PC. VIRTUAL PC is supposed to allow you to run any MS OS (Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP), inside of VISTA. This is not a dual boot, but runs while you are in VISTA. This is the answer I thought. I'll just run VIRTUAL PC with XP on it and I can run all my "LEGACY" stuff on that. However, after using Microsoft's Virtual PC tester, it told me I needed VISTA ULTIMATE. S0, another $150 to get the upgrade and from the upgrade from VISTA HOME PREMIUM, which came with my laptop, to ULTIMATE, VISTA can no longer see my DVD/CD-ROM. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

This presents a problem since I cannot load XP on the VIRTUAL PC, which is the whole reason I got VISTA ULTIMATE. After looking around, I basically see, try downloading new drivers from the DVD ROM manufacturer (just finding out who makes it is not easy), or try removing a ton of stuff from your registry (not something for the lighthearted), or just re-loading your drivers. None of which have worked for me.

So, I no longer have a DVD/CD-ROM. Blew off the whole VIRTUAL PC thing and just worked on getting things to work. Some things I worked so long and hard on, that I don't even know what I did to fix them.
What a PAIN!!!

Am I totally DOWN on VISTA, no, there are some improvements (mostly visual appeal), but not many which were worth the hassles I have gone through. It seems either VISTA wasn't ready, or the world isn't ready to support VISTA at this time. If I am FORCED to BUY new software from a variety of vendors, new hardware in some cases (Keyspan adapter), and spend tons of time (more than just the normal time to install and upgraded OS) getting things working, it's just not worth the effort, unless it (the "improvements" to the OS) is something I want and ask for.

Otherwise, VISTA has still removed, renamed or made harder to find many things I use on a daily basis. For example it is about 3 more steps to get to see what your network connection properties are, some of the functions that were in the right-click menu are not there anymore, windows explorer is a little harder to figure out, the folders setup is just plain strange (there are many pre-named "public" and non-public folders now, to which VISTA places various info. I am sure there is a reason for these changes, but they are such a huge departure from what has been the norm for most OS's for the past decade or more, since GUI was the deal, it just seems to complicate things unneccessarily. It also takes a great deal more in the way of computer power and resources, just to run, so that's a downside, for little or no noticeable improvements.

What's happened since upgrading to VISTA ULTIMATE from HOME PREMIUM? I've lost my DVD-ROM Drive capabilities, I no longer can connect to my Bluetooth Blackberry Phone, my network adapter has become disabled and unusable until I reboot 2 times thus far (I didn't do it), while I was actively working on projects and using a network.

My suggestion, re-tool VISTA (FAST) with more drivers, especially for video, networking, DVD-ROM's (ehem) and mission critical devices. Then make it so VIRTUAL PC can run on any version of VISTA and install it on every VISTA machine, and PROMOTE it. So people can simply install XP on their VISTA machine, and run thier LEGACY software/equipment from within the VIRTUAL PC. Had this worked, this would have saved me 80 hours of work and tons of money trying to get everything to work. Had it worked?!?!?!

VISTA and our Future

2008-01-28T00:48:00.001-05:00

OK. My fault, but who would have known.
My 4 year old daughter poured "bubbles" on my running laptop the day after Christmas, totally cooking it. After having 3 PC guys look at it and tell me not only is the laptop a loss (I believed that, since I could literally smell that is was done), but all of my data is gone too. Long story short, I pulled the HD out of laptop, connected as a slave to a desktop and was able to access all of my data.

Now, here comes the fun part and I am not going to detail how to fix everything, as I don't even remember where I found half the info I found on this. Which by the way, is entirely a million percent more than I ever wanted to learn about VISTA and XP. First, off, to get certain data (mostly anything associated with a User Account in XP) to be accessible on any other PC is tougher than I ever thought, well, if you don't know how to do it. Which I had to search and search for, and then search with the exact search term I needed to find the info. So that's done. I recover my data and it is all thier for me to access and use. I buy a new laptop with VISTA, as that is all I am told you can get, even the DELL Laptops with XP deal was over. So no choice, have to go with VISTA. (I am since told you CAN get a Dell with XP).

So, first thing I figure out is basically nothing I use or own software-wise, will work in Vista. I am a programmer by education and profession, so I obviously use my laptop for a lot of different things. On top of this, I integrate all kinds of systems from Residential HVAC systems, to pools, to lighting control systems, music servers, even septic systems and generators, so I have to use some legacy stuff and connections as well. No way this stuff is going to work in Vista. I checked , and tried anyway, even though "it" said it wouldn't work. It doesn't.

What would any computer "professional" do, setup a dual boot system to use both VISTA and XP or just install XP on the new laptop. I own it, why not. After multiple attempts, about 1 day each, I just cannot get it to work. Finally after checking the HP website, and calling HP, manufacturer of my new laptop, I find out they are using new hardware that there are no drivers for XP. No way to get them, XP is just not going to work on this laptop. Wow. What a dilemma. I have software from Quickbooks, to DTools and other specialized business software I have purchased over the years to the tune of $1000s, and most of it I am finding does not work with VISTA. Just figuring this out in itself, took about 2 weeks to totally figure out.

So, what is one to do. Buy a MAC BOOK some might say. I checked into it, which by the way, I think is a GREAT alternative to a new laptop with VISTA, and you can run XP native on the MAC BOOK, however;
the MAC is about 2X as much as the laptop I have, feature for feature, screen size, memory, chipsets, RAM, etc.
Second, some of the specialty software I use, that cost the most of all the software we own, ofcourse, is MS Certified/Partner product and is not supported in a MAC, even if running on XP. Some of this software is tricky anyway, so not worth the hassle, when dealing with lots of data.

So, finally I find out that Microsoft makes something just for this migration issue called Virtual PC, that is designed to run in VISTA, and run a Virtual XP or other MS OS on the same laptop. Pretty nice, except I find out that the Virtual PC software only runs on VISTA Ultimate, which ofcourse is not what is installed on most laptops for sale. So I am having to upgrade from VISTA Home Premium to VISTA Ultimate. I'll let you know what happens, AFTER I get the VISTA CD , which you have to order to install Virtual PC, since no one gives you the VISTA CD when you purchase a new laptop. More brilliant hassles. Hmmm.

My advice. Wait for Windows 7, or get a MAC and run XP on it.

HD DVD on it's way out!

2008-01-24T20:28:00.000-05:00

I've said for sometime this Beta vs VHS war would come to an end. In the HD-DVD vs Blueray wars, it's coming to a head. Fortunately, for my record, I've been predicting that BlueRay would win out for some time now. Well, the news is looking grim for HD DVD as of today.

As reported in Residential A/V Magazine with a headline that reads "Dark Clouds ahead for HD-DVD". While at CES last week, Warner Home Video announced they were abandoning the HD-DVD format. This means a huge loss for HD-DVD in the form of quantity of movies available. Regardless, there is an existing solution. An excellent HD-DVD/BlueRay combo DVD player that also plays standard DVDs is and has been available from LG for sometime now. Going for between $600-$1,000 depending on when, where and how you purchase, it is actually a pretty good bargain to be able to play all the formats on a single player.

2008 Consumer Electronics Show - Day 1

2008-01-24T00:17:00.001-05:00

Attended the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to see the latest in new toys and electronics.

Saw only a few new "breakthroughs" during the show. A Few of the cooler products I saw related to wireless technologies, which I am NOT a big fan of, due to failure rates, security issues and complexities in setting up. I have said for years we won't have wireless video for a decade, ofcourse it's been almost that long since I first started saying that, but I may yet eat my words there.

I saw LG and others had Wireless HDTVs that included the wireless transmitter that sends the video to the Plasma or LCD up to 65 feet away. I saw first hand 3 different sized TVs in each Plasma and LCD receiving a 1080P signal wirelessly. There are some caviats. The boxes are designed to only work within a room and they are linked/married to one TV. So you cannot steal your neighbors signal (see what he's watching) and there is some setup involved and I imagine risk of lockup or signal failure as with most wireless products these days. These are really designed for hiding the wires in the room, not necessarily for sending wireless video, albeit a first step.

This still doesn't solve the problem of the electrical wire. Our view is that if you buy a plasma, figure out how to, or hire a reputable systems integrator or installation company to install it correctly and you won't see any wires, since a pro will hide them in the wall and properly route them. If you are building a house, of course prewire it so the electrical and A/V cables come out where you want your TV(s) hung.

Another cool new wireless device is a new bluetooth headset that works up to 300' from the source with built in noise cancellation and great quality sound. The product is an CEA Innovations Award winner and was featured on the show floor. Called the Dragon, it's from a company called CallPod (uhuh), and they make a few other cool products that allow for charging multiple devices of a single power source. One device uniquely called the ChargePod, kind of looks like an octopus with connectors for most cell phones, MP3s, PDAs, and other personal electronics. Cool concept, especially since using a single power source is also a GREEN way to go. I suggested the CallPod guys hookup with another exhibitor down the hall, V-Dimension who makes several version of solar backpacks, briefcases and other devices designed to charge laptops, MP3 players and more from a solar panel built into the case. The CallPod guys said they had spoken and would talk more. Pretty cool. Could be great together. Battery technology is advancing, but not quite as fast as our consumption rates and electronics propagation, so small solar case embedded chargers could be a great asset to today's "man/woman on the street".

I'll report in on what I see on Day 2 and 3 later in the week.