OpimO Smart Homes Ltd - what is a smart home?

Balance
The audio level between a pair of matched stereo speakers. This can be adjusted to allow control where speakers have been
fitted in an unusually shaped room.

Broadband
A high-bandwidth and therefore high-speed internet service.

Bass
Low frequency audio such as made by bass guitars and drums etc

Cable-run
The length of a piece of cable. Cable-runs have a maximum recommended length when fitting a system otherwise the system will not perform or may not even work. This must be taken into account when designing your system.

Cat5e cable
Short for Category 5 cabling. A commonly available and standardised cable which has four twisted copper pairs within a
coloured jacket. Cat5 cabling supports frequencies up to 100 MHz and speeds up to 1000 Mbps

Cat6 cable
Short for Category 6 cabling. A commonly available and standardised cable which has four twisted copper pairs within a
coloured jacket. Cat6 cabling supports frequencies up to 200 MHz

CCTV
Closed Circuit Television. Usually a security system using cameras that transmits visual information over a closed circuit through electrically conducting cable or wireless transmitter and receiver.

Co-axial cable
A standardised and commonly available cable which is used for transmitting television and video signals. RG6 and CT100 are common high quality variants.

Commissioning
The process of fitting a hub or master control unit and completing any programming which is required. Master control unit is fitted, remote controls provided and programmed and system handed over.

CT100
See co-axial cable

Distributed Audio
Another way of describing a multi-room entertainment system where audio is 'distributed' around a home from a central source.

Distribution
A description for the way audio and video content is sent around a home over cables

Drop Ceiling
Where there is a void above the ceiling board. This means that it is practical to fit ceiling speakers

First Fix
Cable is installed into your walls by an installer or electrician based on wiring diagramsprovided by your retailer. Standard electrical back boxes for keypads are
sunk into walls. Speaker cable is installed to where speakers will be located.

Home Automation
A term which describes a range of technology solutions for the home, these can be anything from a multi-room entertainment system to motorised blinds; security systems to mood lighting

Home-run
A wiring pattern where a house has Cat5e cable and speaker cables are 'star-wired' back from multiple rooms to a central hub

Hub
The central point in the system where the MCU and audio and video sources are connected for distribution to multiple rooms

IR
Infra-red. A means of controlling audio, video and multi-room entertainment using remote controls

Learning remote control
A remote control which is designed to store the signals from other remote controls and thus acts a single unit for controlling your source equipment and multi-room system

Main zone
A room with a keypad and speakers which is a master and other zones connected to it must use the same source.
See also sub-zone

Multi-room entertainment
Multi-Room Entertainment allows your audio and video system to be plumbed into the house. Your audio equipment (CD, tape, mp3 player) and/or video equipment (DVD player, satellite, etc) are plugged into the hub unit. The signals are then distributed round the house via hidden cable to each room. A keypad and speakers in each room allows full control over the function of each source. Either one source or multiple sources can be used simultaneously.

We offer options of audio only or the addition of video and simple or more advanced functionality depending on customer
needs. All options offer you whole house entertainment in a discreet manner.

Multi-source
An MCU or hub unit which allows you to use different audio and video sources in different rooms at the same time.
See also single source

Network(ing)
A means of connecting computers together so that printers and information can be shared by terminals that are located in
different locations/rooms.

Pre-wire
A situation where a property has had the cables and back boxes installed for a system but no system or components have been fitted. Pre-wiring is particularly useful for home owners wish to start with a small 2 or 3 room system and extend this in the future when budget is available. As long as rooms are pre-wired this is possible with minimal disruption

RF
Radio Frequency. Signals received from an outdoor aerial or connection that provide radio and television content.

RG6
See co-axial cable

Second Fix
The point in a system installation where keypads, amplifiers and speakers are fitted. Keypads and amplifiers are fitted. Speakers holes are cut into suspended ceiling voids and speakers fitted or surface speakers are fitted where drop ceilings are not available.

Single-source
A system which allows you to use the same audio and video source in each room at the same time. See also Multi-Source

Smart-home
A home which has some form of home automation technology fitted

Source / Source equipment
A piece of audio or video entertainment equipment that can be connected to and controlled by a multi-room entertainment system e.g. CD player, radio tuner, DVD player, set-top box etc

Specification
The components and design of a multi-room entertainment system for a property

Standard installation
Where a system is fitted in a property by a developer as a part of the property and packaged purchased by a home buyer

Star-wired
See home-run

Structured Wiring
A means to distributing services and technologies around a home over a network of built-in cables.

Sub-zone
A room with a keypad and speakers which is a 'slave' to the main zone, i.e. the sub zone and main zone must listen to the same source at the same time. They can usually be turned on and off independently however. See also main-zone

Suspended Ceiling
See drop ceiling

Third-party control system
A home automation (link to home automation) system which can control a number of other systems such as lighting, security,
multi-room entertainment etc. typically using a touch-screen control panel

Treble
High frequency audio as made by cymbals etc

Tuner
Radio receiver

Zone
A room or designated area which has a wall control keypad and speakers to provide entertainment.
See also main zone and sub-zone