flow – some will even mist your favourite
essential oils while you wash.
Japanese-style smart toilets are
becoming more commonplace, offering
heated seats, night lights, bidet
functions and automated cleaning
cycles, increasing hygiene and efficiency
while reducing the domestic workload.BINGE-WATCH WHILE YOU BATHE
To meet growing demand for luxury
bathroom installations, waterproof
audio-visual solutions have been
developed which allow homeowners
to enjoy modern creature-comforts –
the latest must-watch series or a calming
playlist – while relaxing in a hot
bubble bath.
However, getting it right in terms of
technical specification is key. Home
automation systems and integrated AV
devices are a long-term investment. You
need to make sure any products you buy
are fit for purpose, future-proof, and
ideally incorporated into the bathroom
design from the outset.TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
For optimum performance in this
challenging environment, certain
technical features are essential. Water
resistance is clearly up there with the
most important features, so look for a
high IP rating on all appliances. This
stands for Ingress Protection and
indicates the degree of protection from
solid particles and moisture. For a
bathroom TV, a rating of IP65 will ensure
your TV is dust tight and able to
withstand water projected from a nozzle.
However, for a waterproof remote
control a higher rating of IP67 isnecessary, which will ensure protection
even when fully submerged.
Aside from safety issues, your
bathroom TV should have all the
capabilities of a regular top-of-the-range
TV: 4K Ultra HD and built-in amplifiers
are available on some models now for
the full cinematic experience. But even
if you’re planning a more discreet
installation, picture and sound quality
should still be a top priority.DESIGN FEATURE
When it comes to luxurious bathroom
design, less is definitely more.
Minimalism is the order of the day and a
professional AV installer will be able to
help you achieve this by running cables
though walls and behind tiling to ensure
a smooth finish.
In terms of product features, look for
ultra slim models that can be fitted flush
with the wall, heated LED screens to
prevent misting and a mirror finish; this
way, the TV is disguised and functional
when not in use.CONNECTIVITY & INTEGRATION
Even if you’re not planning a full home
automation system now, it might be
something you think about in the future.
If your bathroom TV is to stand the test
of time, it should feature extra
connectivity through IR and RS232 over
IP control. This allows the TV to be
integrated with leading home
automation systems, such as Crestron
and Control4, and when you’re not
watching, you can monitor your home
security or manage other devices around
the house. In addition to this, your TV
should have all the usual spec: smart TVcapabilities, built-in FreeView and a
range of ports, including HDMI, USB
and VGA.
Don’t overlook your bathroom – it has
huge potential when it comes to
introducing integrated smart
technologies into your home. With the
installation of a personalised network of
smart services, your trip to the bathroom
can be an ‘experience’ rather than a
necessity. Innovative AV technology
combining cutting-edge technical
specification with a water-resistant shell
adds the icing on the cake, bringing
an element of luxury to the comfort of
your own home.Will Uttley is managing director of
ProofVisionOnce a purely
functional space,
innovative
gadgets have
transformed the
bathroom into an
integrated hub of
connectivity,
comfort and
entertainment
SAFETY, SECURITY & SMART HOMES (SMART HOME SYSTEMS)
82www.sbhonline.co.uk september/october 2019