Why it's cool

Most homes have TV outlets in only a few rooms. With a whole-house video system, you can watch not only TV, but also movies from your Cable, satellite dish, DVD player, or closed circuit TV cameras on any TV in your home.

What it does for you

Lets you watch the program from a DVR (like Tivo), DVD, or satellite receiver in other rooms of your house.

Lets you watch the picture from closed circuit TV cameras on any TV in your house: see who's at the front door; keep an eye on the baby upstairs; or watch the kids in the pool.

Ensures that the video signal to every room is strong and clear.

How it works

There are two ways: modulated and switched. In a modulated system high quality cables run from a central panel in your garage or utility room to outlets in each room. At locations where a DVR, DVD, or satellite receiver will be located, two cables are installed. The signal from these devices can be sent back to the central panel where it's distributed to other rooms. These 'feeds' from closed circuit cameras, satellite receiver, DVD, etc. (inside sources) are turned into channels (modulated) viewable on any TV in your home.

Sharing video sources by switching is similar. The 'sources' (CCTV cameras, satellite receiver, DVD, etc.) are located in a central equipment rack that also contains a video switcher. The source 'feeds' go through the switcher and then to TVs through the home. Users in different rooms can select and control any of the sources. Switching is the modern way to go. With new digital cable systems modulation is not always practicable.