Project Spotlight: Tailgating Taken to the Next Level
Merlin Home Technologies has taken the American tradition of tailgating to the next level. It started when Merlin installed a Control4 system in a private home to manage lighting, audio, and video. The owner approached Merlin about creating the ultimate tailgate setup, a solution that would work at both charity events and Buccaneers’ games alike.
Tailgating for Experts
He wanted to take something to events that would be over the top, a tailgate entertainment cube. The original setup included four TVs, two satellite receivers, a satellite dish, a Blu-ray player, Wii, and xBox. Originally, Merlin tried a universal remote to handle all the different equipment. Performance wasn’t matching expectations, so Merlin suggested installing a Control4 system and using the Control4 remote, even though it’s not designed for a mobile environment. A commercial-grade portable generator powers the unit, or it can be plugged into a regular outlet if power is available. Commercial-grade battery back-ups keep the system running if power fails.
The first step was to hook up a router and add an HC-300 Controller. Tailgaters can manage the system via the remote or six-button keypad. After powering up for five minutes, the push of one button brings the whole cube to life. Merlin also added a Control4 dock for iPod. Merlin programmed the cube as four separate rooms with a TV in each room. From any TV, you can watch any of the connected sources or play video games. Merlin also set up the Control4 screensaver to rotate different pictures to promote the owner’s existing business.
More Than Entertainment
Despite being placed in an untraditional environment, Control4 proved it can work and be reliable in a variety of environments, delivering unsurpassed product performance.
