Ship to shore

Home isn't always defined by four walls and a letterbox. For the owners of the new super yacht Red Dragon, home is often very far removed from suburbia.

But this doesn't mean they wanted to compromise on home automation. Quite the opposite in fact, says Stephan Goodhue of Liquid Automation, a specialist in marine audiovisual technology.

"The 52m-long yacht has been equipped with the most advanced audiovisual technology available no expense has been spared," he says. "When it came to the audiovisual equipment, space was the only restriction."

Goodhue says that although the technology is highly sophisticated, ease of use was a key requirement.

"The system needed to be extremely user friendly. Crew and passengers had to be able to use the remote controls without any instruction, which meant it had to be very intuitive and simple."

At the heart of the operation are five Crestron control processors four control cabin audio and video functions, and one is for switching the navigation screens in the pilot house and fly bridge. All the processors talk to each other via the boat's data network. This allows the temperatures of all equipment racks to be recorded and emailed back to Liquid Automation.

Movies and music are distributed via an 8 terabyte (8000GB) Kaleidescape system from the US, which Goodhue describes as the Rolls Royce of video and music servers.

"The server is laden with movies and videos, which can be streamed to 14 different areas in the boat, including every passenger and crew cabin. Another six locations, including the galley, have access to the audio only."

The aftdeck features a Runco projector and custom-made Stewart screen. An extra-silent Lutron motor allows the screen to be raised and lowered automatically.

The audiovisual system also features Crestron amplifiers and tuners, Marantz DVD players and surround-sound receivers, Speakercraft in-ceiling speakers and Velodyne sub-woofers.

Goodhue says the system is set up for self-diagnosis if any part fails, an automatic email alerts the designers on shore long before problems may have shown up on the boat.

Fibreoptics, installed by Alloy Yachts, connect the server to each area, as well as distributing RF the cabling utilises light to transmit signals. This is more lightweight than standard cabling systems, and is not subject to interference.

The system is controlled by touch screens in every room, which can also be used to search music on iPods.

Aquavision televisions with high-definition screens were specified to fit within the shallow walls. As the designers wanted the screens to sit flush in the walls, there are no gaps for ventilation heat is dissipated through the glass screen.

In order to provide the best image quality possible, every television incorporates Lumagen video scalers that upscale the video content to a high-definition signal. This provides a very clear, crisp picture, says Goodhue.

"Every television also has the ability to select multiple tuners, two for digital television and two for analog signals. At a single touch of a button, every television can be switched to the correct tuner for the yacht's location."

In addition, passengers and crew can access radio stations in any country with worldwide radio tuners. A full radio data system provides text feedback from radio stations, such as the names of songs and artists.

All the television monitors can also access navigation sources, including radars, chart plotters, depth sounder, the ship's management system and cameras.

"The yacht has a very advanced closed-circuit TV system, including a pan-tilt masthead camera.

Not surprisingly, the yacht has a fully automated Lutron lighting system, which is controlled by wall keypads and touch screens in certain areas. Designed for ease of use, lighting levels can be altered at a single touch. Themed lighting settings can also be programmed into the system.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes