OTHER TECH

That leads us to the custom-installation Shangri-La: a house under construction. If this applies to you, then think of your architect's plans as a blank canvas waiting for the modern art that is your plasma TV, speakers, and other cool components.

Feed Your Dream Machine Since you're already snaking wires behind walls, why not ride 'em hard? Rather than just setting up surround sound in your home theater, how about bringing other rooms into your audio matrix? And have you considered getting your home's lighting system jacked in, too? Oh, how about wireless Web access from anywhere in the house? There are plenty of ideas waiting to be had. For inspiration, you could thumb through magazines like this one or architectural and design publications. And if you're lucky enough to have tech-savvy friends, visit their houses and get a handle on their systems.

Look Ahead to Getting Free Cable - er - Cable-Free Maybe you're thinking there's some wireless way to avoid choking your house's frame with all that cable. Well, there isn't one, really. Sure, there are wireless speakers, but the sound quality isn't there yet (besides, you still have to plug them into a power source). And the bandwidth demands of those über-high-end DVD servers would easily choke any wireless network. But, hey, maybe someday. For now, at least you can have the installer add some Wi-Fi hot spots.

Find the Right Man for the Job True, it's pretty easy to find a custom installer. But before you sign a contract, make sure you get a reading on what kind of resources the guy has. Some installers can't do much more than plant a satellite dish on the roof, while others do sophisticated system programming that includes linking in heating and cooling controls. While most installation work is still done by "boutique" shops made up of a few highly trained people, large retail chains like Tweeter (see "What's in Store") are getting into the game.

So how do you select an installer qualified to do your job? Start by talking to friends who've had similar work done. Or, if you're doing construction, ask your builder for a recommendation since he's probably had experience working with installers on other jobs. Also check out the Web sites of the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (cedia.org) and the National Systems Contractors Association (nsca.org), which have directories to help you find accredited installers in your area.

When you're interviewing potential hires, ask to see a portfolio of their work and request references from clients who've had similar jobs done. And this is worth saying again: Be extra wary of electricians who claim they can do the job. If they don't have any idea what RG-6 or Cat-5 cabling is, keep looking.

Collaborate Now paint your vision to your installer in broad strokes. Rather than get into the nitty gritty - that's his job - say things like, "I want to have music everywhere in the house" or "I want every appliance on a grid I can control from anywhere." Next, entertain every option your installer throws at you. Don't think of them as ploys to score more money. They might take your system to an exciting new level.