Bob meets Tim Woods from the Internet Home Alliance at the Home Director network connection center in the basement. It's where all the structured wiring comes in and where the main controls happen: 2 +2 (cat-5 and RJ), cable broadband, security link-up, telephone, etc. Because the homeowners are a dual career couple they need to be connected to each other (home office to the studio) and to the outside world in a broadband environment. In the kitchen Larry Hicks of Home Director is installing some cable for a universal 2 + 2 outlet for TV, telephone or data near the breakfast nook providing flexibility for use of a phone, screen, etc. Looking at the Alliance's wiring plan, Tim points out the security camera at the front door and the ADT iCenter security system. The study/screening room will be a real media center with speakers for dolby stereo running through the ceiling, cable broadband, and a Panasonic high definition TV. There willl be speakers throughout the house allowing different music to play in diffferent rooms all controlled from the audio center in the kitchen. The Cisco Aironet system is a wireless network for the home allowing the homeowner to put a wireless card into his laptop and wirelessly port the web anywhere in the house. Because this is an old house in which they are trying to preserve the original plaster and lath walls, the installation of the structured wiring has required different tools and is a much slower process than in new construction, but it can be done.

Bob meets up with Tim Woods from the Internet Home Alliance in the living room to check out the Panasonic home entertainment center. The Panasonic wide screen projection HDTV features digital light processing ensuring high definition picture quality from any angle. The TV is tied into the DVD player and also into the surround sound stereo system. The TV signal comes digitally from the Hughes Network System DirecTV which comes in off the satellite. Next Tim shows Bob the Panasonic E-Cam. The camera can be set up anywhere in the house as used as a nanny cam or to keep an eye out for intruders. Tim has a home page set up for the camera on the Panasonic Toughbook. Utilizing the web page, the camera can be accessed through the web at any time and from any place. The Toughbook is totally wireless thanks to the home's Cisco Aironet System. Next they look at the Panasonic LCD screen with a DVD player in it. The screen is very flat and has the same aspect ratio as the large HDTV in the living room.

Bob talks with family friend Andrew Gillis, an expert in the latest audio/visual equipment. The unit installed in the Melrose home is a Bose Lifestyle Whole Home Audio system, which features surround sound for the room. Speakers that connect to the system were also installed in different zones throughout the house and yard. Using this system, different music selections can be played in different parts of the home. One of the zones was connected to the stereo wirelessly. Fixed zones were also put in the kitchen and garden. These different zones can be controlled via remote. Up to 340 CDs can be stored in the central player. Music libraries can be set up for each member of the family. Based on that person's past musical selections, the system can adapt accordingly and help the user find preferred songs more easily. The Bose system has multiple components and is connected using a Bose interconnect cable. In the garden, Bose outdoor-rated speakers were installed. These speakers can be partially buried into the ground, making them less visible. The base system costs about $5,000. The remotes can control the base unit from anywhere within the house. A product called Adapt IQ allows homeowners to tune the system's surround sound automatically. The space in the basement is an unusual space and the tuner should be used when all the furniture is in place to detetermine the settings for the speakers.

For the final visit to the new family room and master bedroom suite addition in Newton, Bob checks out the family room with the homeowners and the interior designer and talks about the final budget.

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Always attach the windowsill and the header first. It is much easier to cut the individual vertical pieces (mullions) to length with the sill and header in place. Dry fit each piece of wood before fastening it in place.

Bob installs some interesting finishing touches in the coach house kitchen, including some galvanized steel features. We go outside to plant a tree and landscape the little garden outside our entryway, and Bob checks out the painting of the brick facade.