Would this be worth $400 to you? Re: media/gameroom lighting

beachbum · 11-09-2005, 05:17 PM

I'm putting together my shopping list for the lighting portion of my basement remodel project, and I came across a really cool lighting product by Lutron. It's called the Spacer System. Basically, you gang 1-4 dimmer switches together in one box, along with a scene master control. Then, you can program "scenes" by setting each dimmer where you want it and telling the master control that's a scene. Just like programming a radio station in your car. The switches operate independently and communicate with each other via IR signals passed from the master control through the clear backs of the switches. You can buy one of their remotes or use any programmable remote to switch scenes, just like changing channels on a TV.

In my case, I'm going to have 4 lighting circuits. It's a large rectangular room divided in half (TV half and "games half), and there will be 4" cans along the perimeter of each half for a gentle wall wash and accent effect (small soffit on one side) and 4 or so 6" cans for main lighting on each side.

One scene could be "movies" where all main lights are off, and the soffit cans are on the lowest setting. Another scene could be "games" where the lights over the card table are up all the way, and the rest are dimmed. When you turn the system off or on or switch zones, the lights gently fade from one setting to the next. You can still use each lighting circuit independently, turn them all off/on with one press, etc... It just seems like a really cool and easy to set up system. Me want.

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Matt A · 11-09-2005, 05:21 PM

certainly would add some bling and impress all your friends. I say spend $400 more and upgrade the audio/video or seating.

monkeyfritters · 11-09-2005, 06:02 PM

DOOOEEEEET!

I have a Lutron 4 zone unit in my HT. It is GREAT. To not have to get up every time I wanted to do something in the room was worth the weight in gold.

My zones are for Movies, Gaming, Equipt. rack, and Low, low lighting for when I don't want room totally dark. The low lighting also doubles as my "pause" lighting setting for when I press pause on my remote, the lights come up a bit so that you can see where you are going.

Flake · 11-09-2005, 06:36 PM

we have those at work in the conference room. they are pricey, but cool. if you have the cash, imop, do it.

super-ru · 11-09-2005, 07:13 PM

my friend installs lutron systems, they are l33t. I really like your ideas, mature them and put it into action. I may steal your ideas too when I finish the basement.

dr_wheel · 11-09-2005, 07:19 PM

Too upscale for me.

35mm · 11-09-2005, 07:48 PM

I am using the same in my HT.

beachbum · 11-10-2005, 10:41 AM

I ran this by my wife last night, and she thought it was pretty cool. So I guess it's a go!

I just think it's awesome that stuff like this is available and relatively cheap, especially compared to what it would have cost 5-10 years ago. Home automation pushes my nerd-button big time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyfritters

The low lighting also doubles as my "pause" lighting setting for when I press pause on my remote, the lights come up a bit so that you can see where you are going.

That's cool... What remote do you have?

monkeyfritters · 11-10-2005, 01:15 PM

I use the Niles Intellicontrol. It is RF and EASY to navigate. It has the usual control buttons, but it also has a set of "preset" buttons.
I use these for
DVD
Satellite
Games
Movies (filters all movie channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV)
Sports (filters all sports channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV)
Radio
VHS
Lights
etc.
This remote has been used in the HT industry a long time and most everyone knows how to program it. I opted for this as opposed to others with elaborate LCD screens because I had no need for "whole house" control, and COST. You can prob. find a great deal on this unit, as pple are caught up in the "eye candy" remotes.
I do know that Logitech has a new remote, the 880, but I don't believe it is RF capable. I heard somewhere though, that there is a model that is RF capable, but I don't know for sure.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_se....php?catcdID=9
http://www.diginteriors.com/niles_intelli.htm bigger picture

SkirtBoy · 11-10-2005, 01:19 PM

[size=really****ingbig'cosIfindthisannoying]PUTING[/size]

tcs007 · 11-10-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyfritters

I use the Niles Intellicontrol. It is RF and EASY to navigate. It has the usual control buttons, but it also has a set of "preset" buttons.
I use these for
DVD
Satellite
Games
Movies (filters all movie channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV)
Sports (filters all sports channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV)
Radio
VHS
Lights
etc.
This remote has been used in the HT industry a long time and most everyone knows how to program it. I opted for this as opposed to others with elaborate LCD screens because I had no need for "whole house" control, and COST. You can prob. find a great deal on this unit, as pple are caught up in the "eye candy" remotes.
I do know that Logitech has a new remote, the 880, but I don't believe it is RF capable. I heard somewhere though, that there is a model that is RF capable, but I don't know for sure.

AHHHHHH! The Intellicontrol!

I was the very first person to install one of those things (Outside of factory guys). What a PIA that was. I must have spent as much time on the phone with Niles as I did installing the whole stupid system.

monkeyfritters · 11-10-2005, 01:28 PM

Well I didn't get mine the moment it was released. I put it in a couple years ago, and by then I am sure the inital growing pains and kinks were worked out. It went in flawlessly and has been awesome.

Were you a certified installer and you had problems, or just a DIY installer? I think it only took about 2 hours to get it tweaked to perfection.

Also, I am not saying it is the best out there. It just really works great for me and my needs. Add to that, the diversity of what it is capable of, and I think it is a great deal.

tcs007,
Do you install remotes systems? If so, what do you like that is sub $500

FaastLegacy · 11-10-2005, 01:29 PM

If you got money to burn, then hell, why not?

tcs007 · 11-10-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyfritters

Well I didn't get mine the moment it was released. I put it in a couple years ago, and by then I am sure the inital growing pains and kinks were worked out. It went in flawlessly and has been awesome.

Were you a certified installer and you had problems, or just a DIY installer? I think it only took about 2 hours to get it tweaked to perfection.

Also, I am not saying it is the best out there. It just really works great for me and my needs. Add to that, the diversity of what it is capable of, and I think it is a great deal.

tcs007,
Do you install remotes systems? If so, what do you like that is sub $500

Certified installer (Not that that meant much back then).

Don't do it anymore. And no one can make me go back into that feild again

I play with real toys now

View Poll Results: Would this be worth $400 to you?
Yeah, sounds cool.	7	58.33%
Nah, what a waste of money.	5	41.67%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

11-09-2005, 05:17 PM	#1
beachbum NASIOC Supporter Member#: 457 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC	Would this be worth $400 to you? Re: media/gameroom lighting I'm putting together my shopping list for the lighting portion of my basement remodel project, and I came across a really cool lighting product by Lutron. It's called the Spacer System. Basically, you gang 1-4 dimmer switches together in one box, along with a scene master control. Then, you can program "scenes" by setting each dimmer where you want it and telling the master control that's a scene. Just like programming a radio station in your car. The switches operate independently and communicate with each other via IR signals passed from the master control through the clear backs of the switches. You can buy one of their remotes or use any programmable remote to switch scenes, just like changing channels on a TV. In my case, I'm going to have 4 lighting circuits. It's a large rectangular room divided in half (TV half and "games half), and there will be 4" cans along the perimeter of each half for a gentle wall wash and accent effect (small soffit on one side) and 4 or so 6" cans for main lighting on each side. One scene could be "movies" where all main lights are off, and the soffit cans are on the lowest setting. Another scene could be "games" where the lights over the card table are up all the way, and the rest are dimmed. When you turn the system off or on or switch zones, the lights gently fade from one setting to the next. You can still use each lighting circuit independently, turn them all off/on with one press, etc... It just seems like a really cool and easy to set up system. Me want. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-10-2005, 01:15 PM	#9
monkeyfritters Scooby Newbie Member#: 9865 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Ahhhhh, yeah... Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon PSM	I use the Niles Intellicontrol. It is RF and EASY to navigate. It has the usual control buttons, but it also has a set of "preset" buttons. I use these for DVD Satellite Games Movies (filters all movie channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV) Sports (filters all sports channels in the "Guide" view of DirecTV) Radio VHS Lights etc. This remote has been used in the HT industry a long time and most everyone knows how to program it. I opted for this as opposed to others with elaborate LCD screens because I had no need for "whole house" control, and COST. You can prob. find a great deal on this unit, as pple are caught up in the "eye candy" remotes. I do know that Logitech has a new remote, the 880, but I don't believe it is RF capable. I heard somewhere though, that there is a model that is RF capable, but I don't know for sure. http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_se....php?catcdID=9 http://www.diginteriors.com/niles_intelli.htm bigger picture Last edited by monkeyfritters; 11-10-2005 at 01:22 PM.

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11-09-2005, 05:21 PM	#2
Matt A NASIOC Vendor Manager Member#: 15382 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Cambridge, MA Vehicle: . 2005 OBXT LTD 2002 WRX (for sale!)	certainly would add some bling and impress all your friends. I say spend $400 more and upgrade the audio/video or seating.

11-09-2005, 06:02 PM	#3
monkeyfritters Scooby Newbie Member#: 9865 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Ahhhhh, yeah... Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon PSM	DOOOEEEEET! I have a Lutron 4 zone unit in my HT. It is GREAT. To not have to get up every time I wanted to do something in the room was worth the weight in gold. My zones are for Movies, Gaming, Equipt. rack, and Low, low lighting for when I don't want room totally dark. The low lighting also doubles as my "pause" lighting setting for when I press pause on my remote, the lights come up a bit so that you can see where you are going.

11-09-2005, 06:36 PM	#4
Flake Scooby Newbie Member#: 84657 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fort Riley, KS	we have those at work in the conference room. they are pricey, but cool. if you have the cash, imop, do it.

11-09-2005, 07:13 PM	#5
super-ru Scooby Specialist Member#: 90094 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salt Lake City, UT Vehicle: 2002 Pathfinder Merlot Perl	my friend installs lutron systems, they are l33t. I really like your ideas, mature them and put it into action. I may steal your ideas too when I finish the basement.

11-09-2005, 07:19 PM	#6
dr_wheel Scooby Specialist Member#: 60106 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Pennsyltucky Vehicle: I eat pieces of ** like you for breakfast	Too upscale for me.

11-09-2005, 07:48 PM	#7
35mm Scooby Newbie Member#: 97001 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbus, OH	I am using the same in my HT.

11-10-2005, 01:19 PM	#10
SkirtBoy Scooby Specialist Member#: 11056 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Sugar Land, TX Vehicle: 2009 MB CLK 350 CPO Black on Tan	[size=really****ingbig'cosIfindthisannoying]PUTING[/size]

11-10-2005, 01:28 PM	#12
monkeyfritters Scooby Newbie Member#: 9865 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Ahhhhh, yeah... Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon PSM	Well I didn't get mine the moment it was released. I put it in a couple years ago, and by then I am sure the inital growing pains and kinks were worked out. It went in flawlessly and has been awesome. Were you a certified installer and you had problems, or just a DIY installer? I think it only took about 2 hours to get it tweaked to perfection. Also, I am not saying it is the best out there. It just really works great for me and my needs. Add to that, the diversity of what it is capable of, and I think it is a great deal. tcs007, Do you install remotes systems? If so, what do you like that is sub $500

11-10-2005, 01:29 PM	#13
FaastLegacy Scooby Specialist Member#: 11671 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: STL Vehicle: '11 Mustang GT Kona Blue	If you got money to burn, then hell, why not?