Technology

atticITThe technology section describes the hardware infrastructure that is installed to allow an effective Security, Computing and Entertainment platform.  Some cabling was installed when the bungalow was built, and higher specification cabling was retro-fitted.

In the attic there is a 24-port 10Gb switch with an 16-port POE switch for the CCTV cameras.  The solar panel additional feature is explained. There are separate amplifiers for satellite and UHF TV signals, and VHF radio.

Our network streams HD video and CCTV and a 10Gb LAN is necessary as a 1Gb LAN caused video buffering.  There is also a phenomenal speed increase when copying data across the LAN.  

Security

Pan Tilt Zoom CCTV CameraI am not going to write too much about the security at our bungalow.

The security cameras are the most obvious visible sign of security, together with other physical devices around our bungalow. 

The camera on the left is a 20x optical zoom HD camera with object tracking and with high-powered IR lighting.

The security cameras' history videos are held for a number of days, and various alarms and alerts are triggered when motion is detected.  All CCTV and other video is viewable from not just inside our property, but also away from our property via a VPN encrypted link.

Entertainment

sattvThe entertainment section will describe how the FreeSat TV, FreeView TV, VHF FM Radio, Internet Radio, DVD and Blu-ray ISO images, video files, and mp3 and FLAC audio files are played on devices. 

On the left is a photo of our 1 m satellite dish for FreeSat TV and radio channels.  The FreeSat TV as well as FreeView TV signals can be directed to any TV outlet in our property. 

Key to the entertainment system is the QNAP TS-h1290FX 60TB all-flash Networked Attached Storage (NAS) which holds video and audio files. 

 

Computing

QNAP TS-h1290FXFor computing components, quality is always more important than price.  Below is a photo of our QNAP TS-h1290FX NAS containing 60 TB of NVMe disk storage which is connected to its associated UPS.  We have recently signed up for SpaceX Starlink. The main "quality" hardware we use are:

Computers:  home built
Laptops:  Lenovo X1 Carbon and T series laptops
Network: QNAP NAS and Netgear switches
Audio: Creative Labs and Logitech
Phones and tablets - Apple
Router and WAPs - Draytek Vigor
Printers - HP