Fiber optic | home technology market | wireless speakers | entertainment networks
Techno-home
by
Ben Hewitt
Hetherington: Wireless, especially for entertainment networks, is
not there yet. My experience with wireless speakers and other
components is less than stellar. The future may be wireless, but we
have to live in the present.
American Way: I'm not sure which technologies I want, but I know
I want to be ready for them when I do decide. How should I
prepare?
Hetherington: When building a new home, the main thing to do is
install wire, and then more wire, and then some more wire still.
Yes, some of it will be irrelevant in the future, but it's not
expensive to do. And if it's not there when you want it, you'll be
dealing with a big headache and big bills.
American Way: When you say "wire," what do you mean? Fiber
optic?
Hetherington: Fiber optic is not necessary in my opinion. You
want Cat5 wire for communications and data networks, RG6 wire for
video distribution, and good quality speaker wire for multiroom
audio, and some Cat5 wire may be required for control of the
multiroom system.
American Way: What trends are you seeing in home technology?
Hetherington: We're moving from wild technology development to
solid product availability. More and more new homes are being
fitted with some sort of wiring network, and manufacturers are
developing products that take advantage of this infrastructure.
American Way: What's the next big thing in the home technology
market?
Hetherington: I'm not sure that there is a next big thing.
There are already more big things than we need; now, we just need
to implement them in the real marketplace.
American Way: What's your favorite example of recent home
technology?
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