Lighten Up! Introduction to Remote Controlled Lighting
Learn about the tech used in home theater lighting
Entry-level remote control dimmers
Remote controlled lighting doesn't have to be a high-end affair. Many entry-level dimmer switches simply replace your existing wall dimmers. Some of these dimmers are controlled either with a supplied remote control or with your TV's remote.
By pressing and holding any button on your TV's remote, the dimmer switch can automatically dim the lights until you release the button. Pressing and holding a remote control button will then turn the light off.
This may not be a very flexible option depending on lighting plan; some switches can't be programmed to respond to a specific remote and will respond to ANY remote button press. So if you install two dimmers, they'll both respond to the same button press.
Voice controlled modulesSince we're talking about home theaters, it only seems fitting that we should be able to add a touch of Hollywood to our lighting. Available for your enjoyment are voice controlled lighting controllers.
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| IntelaVoice Voice Operated Wall Switch |
These controllers replace your existing wall switches. They can double as standard switch plates and can also be programmed to respond to one or more people.
When selecting a voice controlled wall switch, be sure it can compensate for ambient noise levels or you could find yourself having to shouting at your lights.
Even cooler is the HAL 2000 from Home Automated Living. With this system, you could use actual phrases to control various devices throughout your home, including the lights.
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| Gotta Love Wes |
The idea of simply commanding the lights to turn on reminds me of the movie Demolition Man. In it, Simon Pheonix (Wesley Snipes) reprograms the lighting system to respond to "Illuminate" instead of just "Lights" because he thought it sounded nicer.
I tend to agree.
Programmable lighting modules
Other products, like the Lutron Graphik Eye, are completely programmable and let you change the entire lighting theme of your theater with the touch of a button. Some of the smaller systems can control 3 or 4 zones and are self-contained in a single module that replaces your wall-mounted dimmer switches. This is usually what most modest theater builders really need. If you have a lot of accent lighting, then a larger unit capable of controling around 6 zones would be useful.
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| Grafik Eye Control Panel |
Many programmable modules can connect to external dimming panels. These are larger control devices that can better handle the electrical load of several lights that a smaller, wall-mounted control module couldn't. The dimming panels are usually installed in your utility room next to your home's breaker panel. Control signals from the dimmer are routed to the dimming panel, which adjusts the lights in your theater.
There are several signaling methods used to control these lighting systems. Think of it as the language a remote uses to talk to the individual controllers. Two of the more popular signaling methods are Insteon and X10. Most standards are incompatible so if you're planning on buying a third-party remote control, be sure it's compatible with the right standard.
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| Grafik Eye Dimming Panel |
Other lighting systems can be controlled from a hand-held computer, even your Mac or PC. Instead of relying only on a wall-mounted controller panel, you can run software on your Mac or PC to program and control a series of small controllers strewn about your home theater or even your entire house. Once programmed, you can manage and control your lights, drapes, or any other plug-in appliance with a hand-held or table-top remote control. You can command lights and other appliances either wirelessly or through your home's existing wiring. Companies like Smart Labs (Insteon), Monster (ZWave), and X10 offer similar products.
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