At Home, Work, and Play: Arkansas Professional Couple Keeps It All Running Smoothly With Their ELAN Control System

When you’re the founder and president of multiple successful companies – including one involved in industrial manufacturing – you understand the importance of control. That’s why, when it came time to outfit their 10,000 square foot main home, surrounding property, and 2,000 square foot pool house with an integrated whole-home AV and control system, this Jonesboro, Arkansas, couple turned to Ryan Heringer of Sound Concepts and the ELAN entertainment and control system.

However, what started as a standalone whole-home AV and control installation, quickly expanded to include their son’s house, their retail business, and eventually, their airplane hangar.  “We often see this with clients who own multiple properties,” said Heringer. “They experience the seamless whole-home control offered by ELAN in one property and decide to extend the system to every part of their lives. This installation is a classic example of the smart home trend.”

The couple’s first priority was the main home’s AV upgrade – clearly geared towards the entertainment enthusiast – which now includes six Samsung TVs ranging from 46” to 65”; 30 speakers and subwoofers embedded in the ceilings of every room in the house; a M700 Kaleidoscape Disc Vault that can store 48 terabytes of DVD and Blu-Ray videos on a central server; a top-of-the-line Quad Window HD Digital Video Processor that allows the couple to watch up to four programs on one screen on any TV in the house; and a downstairs media room outfitted with a JVC 3D projector, a 100” Dragonfly screen with a stylish black velvet frame, an Integra 9.2 Receiver, seven flush-mounted speakers, and one Sunfire subwoofer. 

“From the home office to an enclosed patio, breakfast room and art gallery, each room in this home is highly tailored to the design preferences of the couple– it’s no cookie-cutter McMansion,” said Heringer. “However, while the themed rooms make the home a design success, it’s the seamless integration of ELAN-controlled AV technology throughout every one of these themed rooms that makes the home a functional success. The his and her master bathrooms, closets, breakfast room, art gallery and sun room, to name a few, are all outfitted with in-ceiling speakers, while the laundry room and enclosed patio feature Samsung LED TVs and in-ceiling speakers.” 

To easily control it all, including the home’s HVAC, lighting, and security, the couple uses both the ELAN g! mobile device app and an arsenal of ELAN remotes and control panels, which includes thirteen HR2 handheld remotes, twelve wall-mounted ELAN touch panels and one tabletop touchscreen controller.

According to the homeowners, the idea that the pool house’s AV technology could be controlled by the same system as the main house was a substantial selling point for ELAN. “When Ryan explained that, with ELAN, the same app used to control our main home could also be used to control not just the outdoor lighting, pool settings, and speakers but also all technology within our pool house, we knew we found our control system,” the homeowner explained. “If I’m in my office late at night, and I see out the window that the pool house’s lights were left on, I can turn them off using my ELAN app; prior to going to bed, I scan my ELAN app to ensure all lights are off, the security system is engaged, the saltwater fish tank’s settings are stable, the garage doors are closed, and the thermostats are set at my desired temperatures. ELAN provides me with the control I need to ensure my home is in order both while I’m home and while on the road.”

The next step in this evolving ELAN installation was the son’s home. “After experiencing all that ELAN offers in our home, our son decided to install an ELAN system in his recently purchased home,” continued the homeowner. “The ease-of-installation, the complete control over his entertainment system, and its affordability, all made an ELAN installation an easy decision.”

Once the homeowner launched a downtown retail business, the decision to equip the space with an AV system controlled by ELAN was, once again, another easy decision. “While at the store, I’m able to control the lighting, audio, and televisions with my ELAN mobile app or wall-mounted control panel. While away from the store – at home, at my other businesses, or traveling – I’m able use the ELAN security platform to monitor the store.”

The last piece of the control puzzle is still being put into place — the installation of an ELAN system in the couple’s airplane hangar. When complete, the ELAN system will control the hangar’s four-camera security, DVR, and alarm system, its television, indoor and outdoor surround sound, garage doors, automated door locks, HVAC, and lighting. “By outfitting their hangar with an AV system controlled by ELAN, the couple now has both a secure location to store their planes and a place to host parties and events,” emphasized Heringer. “Whether it be their main house, pool house, son’s house, retail storefront, or airplane hangar, this Jonesboro couple appreciates all that’s offered by an ELAN-controlled smart home. And while my recommendation guided their initial decision to choose ELAN, its expansion to their other properties is a true testament to the performance of the ELAN system itself.”

To download additional photography, click here. All photography is courtesy of Jennifer Barakat.

High-End Housing Community Creates Ultimate Living Experience With Upscale Amenities Powered by ELAN

Luxury housing communities throughout the nation are making a concerted effort to up their amenity game, and in Little Rock, Arkansas, the goal is no different. Professional management company Richardson Properties crafted the ultra-lux Pointe Brodie Creek housing complex on 40-acres, and connected more than 25 services through one ELAN Entertainment and Control System. 

Nestled among the serene outdoors, The Pointe Brodie Creek offers the best of luxury living in Little Rock. “We traveled to several Class-A multifamily communities in Texas to get ideas for this luxury property,” Steve Tracy, Vice President of Real Estate at Richardson Properties explained. “The goal was to craft a community with amazing amenities that weren’t available at other properties in the area.” The community boasts an array of services and facilities including a 78-seat theater, virtual fitness room, poker lounge and climate controlled wine lockers, 24/7 Precor fitness center, late night concierge, Las Vegas-style pool, and much more. 

After developing the overall design, Richardson Properties sought expert advice from Jonesboro-based design and integration firm, Sound Concepts. “In terms of square-footage, this is one of the largest jobs we’ve completed to date,” Sound Concepts Owner Ryan Heringer stated. “We showed Keith Richardson and Steve Tracy a variety of automation systems in our showroom, and they ultimately selected ELAN for the job.” 

According to Tracy, the main factor in choosing the ELAN system was its usability. “We needed a system that was user-friendly and easy to operate, and the ELAN system has definitely exceeded our expectations.”

The Pointe Brodie Creek has become its own community within Little Rock. Residence can enjoy Thirsty Thursdays, Wine Club meetings, and other special events in the main Club House weekly. However, with most amenities available to residents until 10PM, Richardson Properties needed a way close down the facilities after hours. “Most of the systems are on a schedule,” Tracy explained. “Our irrigation system, pool pumps, music, TVs, fountains, and fireplaces are all scheduled to turn on and off at certain hours with ELAN.”

With more than 500 multi-family units situated around the Club House, residents can enjoy a variety of amenities right outside of their door. Among them is a fully loaded 78-seat movie theater situated on the entire third floor of the main building. Built with state-of-the-art acoustics, the room comes equipped with a Draper 16:9 screen, Epson projector recessed in the back wall, and an ELAN System Controller to keep everything running smoothly. What’s more, the theater is completely operated by the ELAN g! App from an iPad built into the wall.

Throughout the rest of the Club House, The Point Brodie Creek residence are entertained by more than 10 Samsung 3D Smart LED TVs ranging from 46” to 55”. An 80” SHARP 3D Smart LED TV is also available in the communal Conference Room, which is utilized by not only residence but Little Rock-based organizations as well.

For audio, an ELAN S1616A Mulit-Room Audio Controller is used to operate more than 30 zones throughout the facility. The three-story building can receive audio inputs from up to 16 sources, creating full-bodied sound through 78 in-ceiling speakers. The MRA system allows The Pointe Brodie Creek’s Community Manager, Shelley Ellis, to create the perfect atmosphere in each room, so residence using the Library won’t be subjected to the same music as those attending “Thirsty Thursday” down the hall. Furthermore, custom Lutron LED Lighting systems were installed throughout the Club House, making the ambiance of each room unique to its purpose. Through the ELAN g! App, Ellis can not only turn the lights on and off, but also change the colors of the lights to set the exact mood desired for a sports game or other special event.

“The ELAN system is basically a time saving device,” Ellis explained. “Running around the property to turn everything on and off manually would take hours. With ELAN, I am able to operate and monitor everything straight from my phone which makes my job a lot easier.” 

The A/V doesn’t stop with the Club House. “We installed just as much audio and video equipment outside than we did inside,” Heringer added. “The green space is filled with speakers and 40 Wirepath™ surveillance cameras to keep residence not only entertained, but also make them feel safe.”

Twenty landscape speakers line the entire outdoor area, so residence can enjoy music at the Pet Park, Playground, Volleyball Court, Putting Green, Garden, or while barbecuing with friends by the Las Vegas-style pool. Surrounding the pool, residence can receive a resort-like experience with cabanas, fire pits, and an additional 30 outdoor speakers hidden in the greenery. Residence can also be entertained from every angle in the lush pool house. The inside bar boasts a Samsung 80” Smart 3D LED TV, while the outside bar comes equipped with a 55” 3D LED TV and the patio hosts a 65” Smart LED TV. Best of all, the entire outdoor A/V system is connected to an ELAN HC4 systems manager, allowing The Pointe Brodie Creek’s operations team to keep everything running smoothly without second thought.

“We recently broke ground on a similar facility right across the street,” Tracy concluded. “We’re working through the details now, but with the success of The Pointe Brodie Creek, we know it will be another fully automated community.” 

To download additional hi-res images, click here. All photography is courtesy of Jennifer Barakat.

Valley View Agri-Systems Personalizes Office With Custom Table, Lighting Fixture, and ELAN g! System

Logos are one of the most important advertising tools that exist, helping us recognize and remember world famous brands regardless of language or location. Valley View Agri-Systems, a leader in grain storage and material handling solutions, took their logo to heart when redesigning their Arkansas office to impress visitors and potential clients. Using the logo throughout their design and incorporating an intelligent control system made by ELAN, the company created a meeting and working space truly unique to their brand.

In a new conference room dubbed “the war room,” a custom-designed conference table and lighting fixture in the shape of their logo accentuate the space and reinforce the idea that Valley View Agri-Systems is in control of the meeting environment. That control is further highlighted by the advanced ELAN g! control system, which allows meeting leaders to easily manage and use the war room’s audio and video systems from an iPad docked on the conference table or an ELAN HR2 handheld remote.

According to installer Ryan Heringer, owner of Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Sound Concepts, the consolidated control of A/V in the conference room and eight separate offices gives the Valley View staff another means of impressing potential clients and visitors.

“With a few taps they can pull up presentations and videos without any complications, every time,” Heringer said. “Anyone who has frequented board rooms for presentations using technology can likely tell you how frustrating it is when things don’t work perfectly, or that it is a nuisance for someone to require advanced knowledge to simply operate the TV and audio system. What we are able to provide through the ELAN g! system is a dead-simple interface that turns everything on and presents the video options and computer connections in a truly easy format so even a first-time user can dive into operating it with ease.”

In addition to the requirement that the system be basically foolproof, keeping everything hidden was a top priority. Using in-ceiling adjustable direction speakers and the wireless ELAN g! system, the only things visible in the room are an iPad for control and the TVs on the walls. Infrared signaling and IP connectivity allows for all the processing equipment, video players and amplifiers to remain behind the scenes in a rack located in small closet in the war room.

The war room consists of a 14-seat conference table in the shape of Valley View’s bulging-rectangle logo, situated directly beneath a matching lighting fixture designed in precisely the same shape. Beyond the head of the table is a wall-mounted 80” Sharp 1080p TV, with two 65” Samsung 1080p adjustable-angle TVs flanking the table’s long sides, providing easy presentation and video viewing for every person in the room. Eight in-ceiling speakers provide clear audio without cluttering the room.

Outside the conference room the integration extends into eight offices, each featuring a wall-mounted 40” Samsung TV and a single in-ceiling speaker. An ELAN S1616A amplifier/multi-room audio controller provides power for all 16 speakers throughout the conference room and offices, and can send separate signals to each room. This way the war room conference does not affect a smaller office meeting, while everything runs through the same reliable system. The equipment rack includes nine cable boxes, one for each separate room, in addition to two Apple TVs and an Integra Blu-ray player with access to Netflix and Vudu. A Binary 16x16 HDMI matrix switch routes all video from the equipment closet to the 11 TVs.

To download additional hi-res photography, click here.

How Can You Get Your Installation on Two Cable TV Shows? Install the Largest ELAN g! System Ever!

How do you get your home or technology installation featured on national television? Make it enormous, make it impressive and create an original house that blows people away. Having recently appeared on both Discovery Channel’s “Clash of the Ozarks” and Sportsman Channel’s “Amazing America with Sarah Palin,” this Arkansas residence has many unique and luxurious features, including the largest ELAN g! system ever installed, according to installer Ryan Heringer of Sound Concepts. 

“Working on a project of this magnitude can attract a lot of attention,” Heringer said, “and now that pop culture has caught up with control technology to the point where everyone knows what it is, there are real media opportunities with a project like this. The home itself is truly astounding. The windows, the floors, the walkways, the immense space inside; it’s all pretty incredible to walk through. A 43,000 square foot house tends to create an impression, and when the whole house can be operated from an iPhone through ELAN g!, it’s something people are excited to hear about.”

When Heringer says ‘the whole house’, he really means it. There are a lot of rooms, and there are a lot of TVs and speakers, video zones and audio zones to accompany those rooms. There are nearly 30 TVs from Samsung and Sharp models, three surround systems including a 7.2 home theater with an Epson 3D projector and Dragonfly screen, 26 distinct video zones with 14 available video sources, more than 30 audio zones with 12 available sources including an incredible pool audio system with six Episode subwoofers, more than 300 fully controllable lighting loads, an HAI security system, 24 surveillance cameras, an HAI HVAC system with 12 zones and nine controlled garage doors. Beyond the AV, the ELAN system integrates the driveway gate that is more than 1,000 feet away from the house, the waterfalls and lighting control for the Playboy Mansion-like pool, and commercial-grade Wi-Fi throughout the entire property.

“The system reaches into every nook and cranny of the house, from the gym to the gun storage vault to the landscaping, where there are 25 speakers alone,” Heringer continued. “When your home is this vast it’s necessary to have a way to manage it all, and simply walking around on foot to make sure all the lights and TVs are off just isn’t feasible. With ELAN g! the owners can see everything at a glance on any iPhone, iPad or one the more than 40 ELAN touchscreen interfaces installed throughout the house. We provided a combination of large in-wall touchscreen, small in-wall touchscreens, tabletop touchscreens and ELAN HR2 media remotes to ensure every family member can adjust whichever room they are in to their liking. The remotes are especially important for TV and theater control, as they are the fastest and easiest way to control TVs and the theater thanks to hard buttons combined with a 2.4-inch touchscreen. To facilitate true go-anywhere access inside and outside of the house, each family member also has the ELAN g! mobile app on their smartphone and tablet, which gives full control of the system with the exact same interface that’s on the in-wall touch screens.”

To get an idea just how enormous this house and installation is, you have to think about how many rooms there are. To start there are eight bedrooms, six of which are occupied by the family. Then there is the theater, the great room, the living room, the kitchen, dining room laundry room, barber shop, billiard room, gym, tanning room, poker room, conference room, putting green, golf simulation room, archery range, kids’ shuffleboard room, rock wall room, a deer processing plant, the gun storage vault, a 12 car garage and a separate RV garage, plus the outdoor audio, video, lighting and surveillance. Every room has its own audio zone and most have their own video zone.

“The family has complete control over every room in the home, so each person can listen to or watch what they want, where they want, when they want,” Heringer said. “And then when they call for lights out or go on vacation, all it takes is a few swipes and taps to set the home to ‘Away’ mode and turn everything off. Not only does the system make it easy to manage the large house, it also gives the parents easy access to see what their kids are watching and listening to, as well as to see who is coming and going through the surveillance cameras.”

Because every family member has different tastes, the owners filled the system to the brim with entertainment options including eight DirecTV receivers, a Kaleidescape media server, three Blu-ray players, two ELAN ViaDJ music servers, an iPod dock, a Squeezebox, two Sirius|XM receivers and an AM/FM receiver.

“I’m proud to showcase the power and flexibility of the ELAN g! system with such a tremendous home entertainment and automation system,” Heringer added. “It’s truly incredible that today a single system can control a luxurious home like this and also be a great affordable option for a small apartment.”