When a Scotch Plains, NJ homeowner wanted the most cutting-edge technology to automate his home theater, his AV installer offered K-Touch.
Challenge
This high-tech home theater room showcases five displays: one 60-inch projector screen surrounded by four 40-inch flat screen TVs. Behind the scenes, video and audio sources include a Wii gaming system, four DirecTV receivers, a cable box, CD player, DVD player, and Apple TV — all routed through an 8x8 matrix switcher.
Solution
The system was fully customized using the Kramer K-Touch control solution. K-Touch is a cloud-based solution for designing user-friendly room control systems over IP. K-Touch systems can be operated using any iOS or Android touch device. There is no need for dedicated touch panels or other hardware. All data is stored in a cloud-based platform and can run on any web browser. K-Touch control systems are designed using the K-Touch Builder. The free K-Touch app is available in the App Store and Google Play.
Kramer’s SL-10 and SL-12 controllers provide necessary inputs and outputs for the current system and allow room for future sources. These controllers support Ethernet, bi-directional RS-232, IR, and a number of other inputs and outputs.
“The Kramer controllers give a broad range of options and allow for full customizability,” said pro AV systems integrator Steve Rescigno of Roma Technology. “Add the K-Touch App and you have some really, really cool stuff — great for home owners as well as businesses who might utilize the equipment in conference rooms or interactive offices,” added Rescigno.
The controllers and the user-friendly K-Touch app enable any combination of source material on any one display or all displays at the same time. “If you’re a football fan, imagine having your own ‘game zone.’ Instead of a bunch of little images on one screen, I can comfortably follow multiple games with the ability to move games around onto the bigger screen,” Rescigno said.
During the installation of the home theater system in Scotch Plains, Rescigno wired the sources and switchers, but experienced some challenges. He credits the Kramer team for helping him develop the RS-232 syntax for some of the home’s equipment that was not already compatible with the controllers.
Results
Rescigno says the system has met the homeowner’s goals of having everything controlled by a single app. Not only does the app control the electronic equipment, but it also dims the lights on command. Nice touch. That’s K-Touch.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
