OTHER TECH

I had infrared (IR) targets installed in several rooms so I can just aim a universal remote at the wall and operate the system from anywhere. We also have these terrific devices called channel modulators from Elan and Channel Plus that take a component's A/V signal and turn it into a TV channel that can be watched on any set in the house. [See the next page for a complete list of Carl's gear.] This lets my grandchildren watch Disney VHS tapes in their bedroom while their father watches a sports channel in the living room and I listen to music up in my office.

Making the Net Work Each room has jacks for multiple phone lines, a computer network, and both cable and satellite TV. All of the structured wiring - that is, wiring runs that support the house's entertainment, computing, and communications systems - comes to an Open House panel for distribution. Wireless networking wasn't that hot when I built the house. When it finally came along, I thought I wasted my money by doing that extra wiring. But having all those hard-wired jacks has helped me find the best places to plug in wireless access points. Today, the entire house is wireless with no dead spots.

I do a lot of consulting work in New York City. But I can also work from home thanks to network wiring and high-speed Internet access. With all of this technology, there are times when the people I work with don't know if I'm sitting in my New York office or the one at home.

To stay in touch when I travel, I use a PC program called Laplink. Leaving it running on my home computer when I'm gone lets me retrieve files from wherever I am. I can actually get my entire desktop on a remote screen and then work directly from that.

Management Muscle Probably the best return on my investment came from the Escient DVDM-100 DVD/CD manager. I had completely lost track of my CDs and I was getting in the same habit with DVDs. But with the Escient linked to a Sony 400-disc changer that's loaded with all of my discs, I just bring up the guide on the TV screen and then point and click to play whatever I want to see or hear. The Escient is a dynamite piece of equipment that has us watching more movies than ever before.

My B&W home theater speakers are absolutely fantastic with either music or movies. And my Pioneer Elite 64-inch rear-projection TV is incredible on high-def - the screen size is perfect for the room. But I've already set the timer for when I'm going to replace it with a plasma model. Some of the best surround sound is now coming from the Dolby Digital soundtracks on high-def shows over my satellite receiver - the separation is great. I really feel immersed in football games when I hear the roar of the crowd coming from all around me. But I wish the HD channels would get together and agree to show everything in 16:9 instead of different aspect ratios.