| Systemline Modular is a great product for | | | | much as a few inches) to the mains wiring can |
| accessing and enjoying your audio-visual | | | | cause interference for audio and video |
| entertainment throughout the home, and | | | | transmissions later. |
| integrates well with Home Automation systems. | | | | Loop enough cable |
| More than this, Systemline Modular will blend into | | | | Make sure you loop enough cable for your |
| its environment by doing away with all those | | | | components. A couple of feet extra will allow for |
| unsightly cables and boxes, hiding everything | | | | an easier 2nd fix, and allow for any mishaps. |
| away from view, allowing you to enjoy your | | | | The Hub |
| beautiful home. Here, I provide insights into my | | | | The Systemline hub is the business end of the |
| own experience of the system; from installation | | | | product. Here, your inputs and outputs are |
| to the best part of all ... annoying the neighbours! | | | | married up and managed from a single point. The |
| Cabling | | | | hub also receives and acts upon all your IR and |
| Plan your run first Before you get started with | | | | other control commands. |
| cabling your home, allow me to teach you a | | | | Inputs |
| lesson for free; one which I wish I had learned | | | | You can use any of your audio-visual inputs with |
| before I began. Plan your cable runs! I cannot | | | | the Modular system. CD and DVD players, Media |
| emphasise enough, the importance of this step. | | | | servers, all get plugged into the hub and played |
| By this point, you should have decided where you | | | | out to your output components. |
| want your speakers and other outputs. The next | | | | Outputs |
| thing to do is draw out a plan of your home, and | | | | In-ceiling speakers compliment the system |
| add each cable you will need. Systemline Modular | | | | perfectly by blending into their surroundings. |
| provide some great documentation on how to do | | | | Simple to fit, just put a hole in the ceiling space |
| this, and their support staff are very helpful in | | | | (give adequate room, centred between joists), |
| answering your questions. | | | | and hook up to the CAT5 or CAT6 cable. A |
| Include all components | | | | number of "feet" drop into the void when a |
| Be sure to include all your components in your | | | | screw is turned, and are tightened against the |
| plan. It sounds like a no-brainer, but dependant on | | | | ceiling board until secure. These speakers look |
| the property type and size, there are varying | | | | great in any room. As well as sitting flush against |
| degrees of simplicity. It can be easy to forget | | | | the ceiling, the fascia and even the IR receiver, |
| where that last cable ran to, so mark everything | | | | give a discreet but contemporary look. The |
| with tags (at both ends) and document | | | | Systemline "ZAM" is a zone amplifier, which can |
| everything you do for future reference. | | | | be used to implement third party speakers, or |
| Include 2-way runs where needed | | | | your own existing speaker products. It is slim |
| Some components may need 2 runs from the | | | | enough to fit inside a cavity wall or ceiling space. |
| same direction. Make sure that you have a run | | | | Local Inputs |
| for each communication required. e.g. from | | | | As well as your main inputs, hidden away with |
| speaker to hub and from keypad to speaker. | | | | your hub, you can implement local inputs to plug |
| Cat5/6 | | | | your favourite portable or other items into. The |
| The wiring of choice for Systemline Modular is | | | | SIM module comprises a faceplate, which hooks |
| CAT5 (or more recently CAT6). There are a few | | | | up to your cable, and allows you to plug in any |
| things to consider here: | | | | device via a jack input. Switch the speaker to |
| New build | | | | local mode, and plug in your mp3 player or |
| If your property is a new build, you're one of the | | | | personal audio device, to play through your ceiling |
| lucky ones! The amount of work required is | | | | speakers or ZAM.iPod Docking StationSystemline |
| minimal, and I would encourage anyone to have a | | | | Modular offer an iPod docking station, which sits |
| go. Whilst CAT5 and CAT6 do carry power to | | | | flush in the wall, and can power your iPod whilst it |
| components, they are perfectly safe until hooked | | | | plays your music. A great device, and discreet to |
| up to the mains. | | | | boot! |
| 1st fix wiring | | | | Control |
| Channeling through stud walls, ceilings and floors is | | | | Control of the system couldn't be simpler. The |
| a great way to understand the workings of the | | | | Systemline remote controls are funky in their |
| system, as well as preparing you for any | | | | design, and interact with the ceiling speakers (or |
| maintenance later. | | | | via the wall mounted keypads) to send signals to |
| 2nd fix | | | | the hub. No additional items are required. Keypads |
| Adding faceplates and components happens at | | | | can be mounted on the wall, and used to control |
| the 2nd fix stage. This is fairly easy with the | | | | the system in the absence of, or in addition to, a |
| supplied instructions and the right tools, but if you | | | | remote controller. As with all Systemline Modular |
| have any doubts (or just want the job done right, | | | | components, they seem to blend into their |
| first time) get a registered installer in. | | | | surroundings, and do their job well. You don't need |
| Retro-fit | | | | a keypad, if you prefer to use the remote alone. |
| Retro-fit installations can be a nightmare. As well | | | | Other, 3rd party remotes can be used with |
| as disrupting the decor of the happy home, CAT5 | | | | Systemline Modular. One such product, which |
| cables will sometimes need to be channeled | | | | compliments the system well, is the Nevo SL |
| through places that simply weren't designed for | | | | remote. It's a substantial, touch screen, |
| them. Do your research, and again, if in any | | | | programmable remote control; with all the bells |
| doubt, get a man (or woman) in to do the job | | | | and whistles you could possible need. |
| right. CAT5 cable doesn't like being bent double. If | | | | Conclusion |
| your run is difficult, take it slowly, and ensure you | | | | I have had hours of fun, both installing, and using |
| cause no kinks in the cable. Any breakage in the | | | | my Systemline Modular system. The addition of |
| internal wires will make for poor or no sound | | | | music to a room really does change the |
| when it's all plugged in. | | | | ambience, and make it a more welcoming place to |
| Keep away from mains power | | | | be. The fact that every component is either |
| You want the very best audio and video quality | | | | hidden or blended in to the decor makes it |
| when the install is complete, so keep your runs | | | | perfect for even the fussiest homeowner. |
| away from mains cable. Getting too close (as | | | | |