Phone Systems on IP
IP Intercoms
IPTV
IP Security
IP Surveillance
Multiroom over IP
IP Theatre
IP Lighitng Control
IP Automation
IP HVAC
IP Energy Management

Phone Systems on IP
The traditional POTS (plain old telephone system) or Analogue PABX (private phone exchange) is being superseded by VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems. The key benefit is in the elimination of a monthly phone line rental and reduced calling costs. 

IP Intercoms
Having installed a VOIP system, if you have a gate you will need an IP intercom.  Several models are available. This unit from bellon will store the photos of missed calls on the screen if you are away from home.

IPTV
Free to Air TV, Free to Air Digital (Freeview) and Pay per View Satellite TV can all be reticulated over a network via IP encoders.  Basic ones will allow the user to stream a particular channel to any client pc on the network, more advanced IP encoders will permit channel changing on the set top box and may incorporate Recording (PVR) functions.

IP Security
IP Motion detectors are available to replace standard PIR's for a completely IP based system, however until this technology is developed to cover smoke and fire, choose an insurance company rated alarm panel with IP interface such as the DSC TL250.  Where standard alarm panels sned out test signals every 24 hours to test the phone line, the IP Interface allows the panel to be constantly checked by an IP enabled monitoring station. 

IP Surveillance
There are three methods of getting your camera pictures onto the network:

Webcameras
Web cameras such as the Axis or Mobotix cameras connect directly to the ethernet and via the use of an onboard webserver can serve up pictures to viewers. These cameras usually come with software that allows them to perform a recording function or send emails on motion detection.

Video Encoders 
Video Encoders work with standard analogue cameras and convert the composite video into IP so it can be viewed from a PC on or off the network.

Digital Video Recorders
Modern DVR's connect to analogue video cameras, and record the images down to a local harddrive.  Most have an onboard webservice which allows the user to log on from inside or outside the local network to view the images.

The latest Fusion DVR from Honeywell will permit the connection and recording of both Analogue cameras and web cameras or IP streams.  This is particularly useful on a site with both technologies.

Multiroom Audio over IP
The provision of music to many rooms in a house from one central location is known as multiroom audio. 

One of the challenges with a traditional system is that the amplification is typically done at the hub and the audio signals sent a long way to the speakers. 

In an IP MRA system the amplification is done locally, the signals are streamed as data to the room amp and there is no loss of fidelity on the way from source to amp.

Several companies make an IP MRA system, Barix do an entry level one and Crestron do a very highly specced system that includes HDMI Distribution.

IP Theatre
Several manufacturers have developed IP AV receivers like this one from Integra. Network ports will permit control of the device much like the RS232 ports have done traditionally, but they also allow for feedback to control systems of the devices status and may permit streaming content from either Network Attached Storage (NAS drives) Media Servers or the Web.

Many projector manufacturers already offer LAN or WLAN ports on their devices for communicating lamp life and air filter status - especially useful in institutional settings.  These ports can also be used to setup the projector from any web enabled device.

Sharp are soon to release a High Definition LCD screen with network port with much the same functionality.

IP Lighting Control
Lighting loads are wired back to a Vantage Infusion lighting system.  From here the loads can be controlled from any web enabled device, phone, web tablet, or pc on or off site. 

IP Automation
There are many vendors of IP Automation systems, From AMX and Crestron to Vantage and Global Cache, selection of system will comes down to price and features.  The IP automation system is often the heart of an IP based control system, it is usually here where interfaces are written to link the various IP systems together.  Crestron has an advantage over many where their dual ethernet card allows the simple creation of both a production (device) network and a user network.  Segregation of services is a good idea especially in large sites or in marine work. 

Crestron also allows the creation of a fully (fully) configurable user interface, you can create it from scratch and make it look as horrible as you like.  Unlike many other "customisable" user interfaces, you can select your own backgrounds, buttons styles, text and navigation methods. Many other vendors allow you to label the loads and that's about it!

For more information on Vantage visit www.vantagecontrols.com 
For more information on Crestron visit www.crestron.com

IP HVAC
IP Enabled thermostats can talk to the buildings home automation system to control the HVAC system.  Adding some logic in the form of "the "the alarm is set, so adjust to the setback position" helps with reduction of energy consumption.

IP Energy Monitoring
there are many IP based KwHour meters available.  The data from these can be logged to a graph, displayed on a touchscreen or used to send an email if consumption exceeds a certain point (or falls to far in the case of protection of refrigeration plant).

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