The bells and whistles: the latest for the executive home.

• Author: Prata, Kathleen
• Position: Technological amenities in modern homes

Most executives demand a lot. Among other things, they tend to demand a lot out of their homes, seeking the latest electronic equipment, kitchen appliances and home fitness equipment.

Bill Keith of Precision Construction in Highland finds that today's home buyers are well educated and discriminating about the details of their homes.

"Most people in high-end homes are interested in resale value, and the amenities they include are very high class," says Keith, whose company builds $350,000 to $1 million-plus homes.

In addition to the architectural details such as hardwood floors and master bedroom suites, Keith says whole-house vacuum cleaners, video intercom systems and media rooms with surround sound and big-screen TVs are popular in today's executive homes.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ken Beckley, executive vice president of h.h. Gregg in Indianapolis, says, "We're seeing more and more homes in the area being built with entertainment systems actually constructed into the home; it's part of the package." A typical setup would include a large-screen television ranging in size from 30 to 60 inches with surround sound, a laser disc player, VCR, compact disc player and perhaps a cassette player, along with an AM/FM stereo receiver. Investments run from as little as $2,000 to as high as $40,000. Many of these systems also are being integrated with security and intercom systems.

Mike Stella, president of Soundpro in Carmel, says that although he sees total home automation coming down the pike, his company isn't yet dealing with "smart house" technology, opting instead for simpler systems such as the Elan Home Electronics Network.

The Elan system is a multizone, multiroom, music-distribution system that allows music to be played by different sources simultaneously. "You can have Bolero in the bedroom, jazz in the Jacuzzi, and rock in the rec room, all at the same time," says Stella. "This system is so sophisticated that you can preprogram maximum loudness levels in each room, which means you can control the kids."

The entire system, which starts at $5,000, operates from a keypad, one for each zone of the house, as well as infrared remote control. An optional relay-control card will control six different dry-contact electrical relays, allowing devices such as the coffee pot and the front gate to be operated by remote.

It also interfaces with the telephone and the doorbell. When the doorbell rings, the music is muted and the ringing noise is transmitted throughout the house. Then, by dialing a special code from any telephone in the house, the resident may speak with the person at the door. A video interfacing system also can be added. High-quality television cameras strategically placed at the front door, overlooking the pool or just about anywhere allow the homeowner to survey the property on an unused television channel.

Similar capabilities are available with Aiphone, a product that operates either as an audio intercom system, a video intercom system or a combination of the two, says Alex Setian, sales manager for SecurityLink in Indianapolis. Gated driveways and front doors are usually where the speaker and/or cameras are located. When the doorbell is rung, the person in the home picks up...