When your vacation home sits on an island 22 miles off the California coast, every upgrade becomes an adventure. For one discerning homeowner in Avalon, Catalina Island, their beloved 6,500-square-foot retreat was ready for a major audio-video overhaul. The challenge? Replacing a control system from 2009 that had served faithfully but was showing its age. The solution? A comprehensive RTI upgrade that would transform how the family experiences their island getaway.

Mark Schafer, president of Custom LA Inc, had originally installed the home’s control system over a decade ago. When the client reached out for an upgrade, Schafer knew exactly what needed to happen. “The Project consisted of a large amount of gear from 2009. The AV Matrix was from the ‘Land of The Lost’ and the RTI XP-8 had far outlived its service period,” Schafer explained. The project presented unique challenges beyond typical residential installations. Working on Catalina Island means everything must be transported by ferry, weather permitting. During the installation, Schafer found himself temporarily stranded when high winds prevented ferry service for two days. Additionally, years of other contractors working in the home had compromised some of the original cabling, requiring creative solutions to maintain reliable communications throughout the system.

The heart of the new system revolves around music distribution to an impressive 22 pairs of speakers spread throughout the property. “The client’s priority was to play music throughout the entire property. This house has music EVERYWHERE!” Schafer noted. The new RTI system needed to seamlessly control 10 TV zones, each with its own Apple TV for streaming services and routing both digital and analog audio back to the RTI AD-1616 audio matrix in the main equipment rack, through one of two Sonance 12-channel amps, and back to the in-ceiling speakers in the room. “Every TV deserves to be surrounded by great sound,” said Schafer. An older and ‘still-working-great’ RTI AD-4x audio distribution matrix powers audio in the four outdoor zones.

With an RTI XP-8v control processor as the central hub, the system integrates with Lutron Homeworks lighting, Jandy pool and spa controls, multiple Marantz receivers, and a BluOS music player loaded with 25 favorite presets. Ten WiFi access points ensure robust connectivity throughout the property for both control and streaming.

What sets this installation apart is Schafer’s custom RTiPanel interface design. The home page features four favorite music startup buttons: Primary Suite, All Indoor, All Outdoor, and All On. “If they push the All On button, the entire property lights up. Every zone in the house comes to life with music,” Schafer explained. The system includes creative programming touches, such as adding scheduling to the 20+ year old Lutron Homeworks Illumination systems to create a daily event that automatically turns on exterior lights 10 minutes before sunset.

The transformation was immediately apparent during the client’s first visit after completion. After being delayed two days in Hawaii due to weather, the homeowner arrived to find Schafer had prepared a special welcome. “I welcomed them with a house, FULL of 70’s music, thoughtfully balanced throughout. This house has music in the stairways, phone closet, game table, pool table, spa, pool, etc, etc, etc... He was thrilled!!!”

The client’s enthusiasm was contagious as he proudly showed off the new system to his guests. “I could tell he was PROUD of his house, and I was GLAD to be a part!” Schafer recalled. The system’s capabilities extend beyond entertainment, providing remote monitoring of pool and spa systems through RTI integration with Jandy controls - a feature that became especially valuable after a previous incident where accidentally leaving the spa heater on for months resulted in astronomical utility bills.

With eight RTI T3v remotes from the original installation, two new RTI T4x remotes, and iPhone control with the RTiPanel app, family and guests can easily manage their preferred zones without complexity. Each handheld remote controls room TV, Apple TV, lighting, and even pool and spa functions. The RTiPanel’s offsite capability allows the family to monitor and control their island retreat from anywhere. “RTI is built to last and the T3v’s we’re all working perfectly,” continued Schafer, “so the client said ‘let’s keep them’.”

Reflecting on his long relationship with the brand Schafer concluded “I’ve been with RTI forever. You kiddin’?” For this Catalina Island paradise, RTI reliability and flexibility proved essential in creating a control system worthy of such a special destination.