Head Road Whole-Home AV – Crestron & UHD Video Distribution

THE BRIEF

A complete whole-home entertainment system for a six-bedroom Fresnaye residence, bringing nine televisions, three surround-sound lounges, dedicated gaming, reliable Wi-Fi and simple Crestron control together across five storeys.

Completed on 20 September 2020, the Head Road project shows what can be achieved in an existing home when the system is carefully designed around the property and the way the family lives. Mirror Edge Networks had already completed four projects for this client, so the brief was to carry the same familiar standard, specification and ease of use into the latest addition to their property portfolio.

The family needed genuine flexibility. Parents could entertain in one area while children watched their own programmes or used the gaming room elsewhere, without competing for sources or navigating a different control system in every room.

Working with an Existing Home

This was not a new-build installation with an empty shell and unrestricted cable routes. The technology had to be incorporated into an established five-storey residence while respecting its finished interiors, architecture and existing services.

Careful planning allowed the network, audiovisual distribution, surround-sound systems and room controls to be introduced without making the home feel dominated by equipment. The result is a useful reminder that a comprehensive system does not have to begin at the construction stage; a well-considered retrofit can still deliver a clean and consistent experience.

One System Across Five Storeys

The scale of the house made consistency essential. Nine televisions are distributed across bedrooms, lounges and family spaces, while audiovisual sources and control are coordinated as one system rather than a collection of unrelated installations.

Every room follows the same operating logic. Whether the family is watching television in a bedroom, enjoying surround sound in a lounge or selecting a source in the gaming area, the interaction remains familiar.

UHD Video Distribution to Nine Televisions

A central UHD video-distribution system carries high-quality content to all nine televisions. Six DStv decoders provide the flexibility for different channels to be enjoyed simultaneously, particularly when the adults are entertaining and the children want their own viewing choices.

Each television also has access to its own Apple TV, giving every room independent streaming without compromising the shared distributed-TV infrastructure. This combination provides both the convenience of central sources and the freedom of room-specific content.

Three Surround-Sound Lounges

All three lounges were equipped for surround sound, allowing each space to serve a different part of family life. Discreet in-ceiling speakers, carefully positioned displays and complementary hi-fi systems were integrated into the rooms without overwhelming the interiors.

The systems are equally suited to everyday television, films and music. Rather than reserving immersive sound for a single dedicated cinema, the home offers high-quality entertainment in several relaxed living environments.

A Dedicated Dual-Screen Gaming Setup

One of the most distinctive spaces is the dedicated PlayStation 4 racing setup. Two 65-inch televisions, two steering wheels and individual pedal sets allow side-by-side racing rather than taking turns on a single screen.

The gaming installation gives the younger members of the family their own entertainment destination while remaining part of the same wider infrastructure. It is a playful room, but it was planned with the same attention to signal distribution, mounting and usability as the principal lounges.

Crestron Control in Every Room

Despite the number of displays, decoders and audio systems, day-to-day operation remains straightforward. A Crestron handheld remote in each room provides one familiar way to choose a television source, change channel and manage volume.

An iPad interface provides an additional control option and a broader overview of the system. The aim was not to expose the complexity behind the installation, but to make a large multiroom system feel as natural to use as a single television.

Network and Wi-Fi Throughout

A dependable home network and Wi-Fi system supports the property across all five storeys. It provides the foundation for streaming, room control and the many connected devices used by a large family.

Coverage and capacity matter just as much as headline speed in a house of this scale. The network was therefore treated as core infrastructure, designed to keep entertainment and everyday connectivity dependable throughout the home.

Reliable, Serviceable Television Installation

Every television was installed using Vogel’s mounting hardware, selected for dependable support and long-term reliability. Where access behind a screen is required, a correctly specified bracket also makes servicing and cable management considerably easier.

The photography reveals the practical work that normally remains hidden: secure mounting, organised cabling and locally installed control hardware. These details protect both the equipment and the finished room.

A Fifth Project for the Same Client

Head Road was the fifth project completed for this client. That long-standing relationship meant the family already knew how they wanted their homes to operate, while Mirror Edge Networks understood the specification, priorities and level of support they expected.

Reproducing a consistent user experience across several properties is valuable in its own right. A familiar remote layout, common source structure and repeatable installation standard allow the family to move between homes without relearning the technology.

The Result

The completed installation gives a large six-bedroom home the entertainment flexibility expected of a purpose-designed new build, even though the work was carried out as a retrofit. Nine televisions, six DStv decoders, individual Apple TVs, three surround-sound lounges, hi-fi systems and a dedicated racing room all operate as parts of one considered whole.

Most importantly, the family experiences choice rather than complexity: different people can enjoy different content at the same time, while Crestron keeps every room familiar and easy to use.

Planning technology for an existing home?

Mirror Edge Networks designs and installs networks, distributed television, multiroom audio and home-control systems for both new and existing properties. Discuss your project with us.