Welcome! What's On Your Mind?

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HIDING COMPONENTS

The most prominent components that exist in any living space are your speakers. If you want to hear clear audio, your space will likely feature multiple speakers throughout your rooms and hallways. In some cases, they’re designed to look aesthetically pleasing and can become the cornerstone of your interior design. But while that may be appropriate for one room, it probably won’t do for an entire house.

Instead, recessed speakers exist within walls and can be placed in the ceiling. They're set back, with apertures similar to lighting recesses. When a homeowner walks into a room, these speakers are virtually invisible, and they won't draw the eye.

RUNNING WIRES

You may think that popular wireless technology like Sonos will solve many of the issues regarding loose wires throughout the space. That’s only half true. Wireless systems connect to each other wirelessly but still have to plug into a wall. Additionally, wireless systems are less reliable and can’t offer quite the same level of sound quality as a hardwired system.

An integrator can run wires and other cables throughout the walls in easy-to-access structures. That means your clients will never have to see ugly wiring, while still connecting the entire property to a single whole home audio system.

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WHAT ARE SCENES?

Scenes are a way to perform multiple functions within your lighting system with one button. You can brighten or dim different fixtures, and manage your connected shades, with a single command wherever a Lutron keypad is present. If you have a keypad installed in your home theater, living room, bedrooms, and kitchen, those are the rooms you can include in your scene.

For instance, if you want to prepare for family time in the living room, you can tap a button that shuts down the lights in your bedrooms, kitchen, and home theater. A scene can also adjust the lights in the living room based on zones. So, the lights in front of the TV may dim while the ones behind the couch remain bright, and accent lights under stairs and behind artwork shine. You can work with your integrator to adjust the settings for style and function.

HOW TO SET A FAVORITE SCENE

Your integrator can set a scene anywhere there’s a Lutron keypad present in your home. Once set, you can select which scenes will appear on the home menu of the Lutron app under “Favorite Scenes.”

To set a scene as a favorite, first open the Lutron app. Tap the settings button at the top of the screen. Find and press the “Favorites” button. You’ll then see a menu with all available rooms.

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PREVENTING CRIME

While it’s impossible to know just how many crimes don’t occur because of surveillance systems, studies have shown that properties with visible cameras installed are far less likely to be victimized.

The reason is simple: criminals target the easiest marks. If you have a system that lets them know you’re watching, they won’t want to approach.

But you don’t have to worry about big, ugly cameras cluttering up your exterior walls. Modern cameras are discreet and easy to hide. However, you may benefit from one visible camera or a sign that lets the world know you can see them.

AFTER A CRIME

The bad news is that crime happens. It can happen to anyone, even if they have a surveillance system. The good news is that a quality system can help catch the bad guys and act quickly and efficiently.

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BEFORE THE DRYWALL GOES UP

The key benefit of working with a smart home installer while working on a build is that you can minimize re-work time. As the house goes up, your technology partner can map out electrical systems, install wiring structures, and ensure network reach throughout the home.

That’s true for motorized blinds as well. Technology professionals have a much easier time installing recessed shade motors before the drywall goes up. They can ensure the appropriate wires reach the system for reliable control.

Additionally, before the project is complete, a technology installer can determine if there’s any need for customized shapes or sizes for the shades, which can alter the price and duration of a project.

GET CREATIVE

Of course, while motorized blinds are typically used on windows, they can be installed anywhere in the home. Given the popularity of open-concept spaces, shades can even be used to create temporary room separations for additional privacy and light control.

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SEATING

Traditional theater seating is a great way to enjoy any movie. Chairs are designed for comfort, support, and to absorb excess sound. Users can lounge without feeling too relaxed -- which could lead to a nap before the movie is done.

But theater design isn’t limited to tradition. And theater seating has evolved. Today’s manufacturers offer a variety of seating options, including couches, recliners, and loveseats. Each is made with non-reflective material, plush upholstery, and offer the level of support necessary for enjoying great entertainment.

WALL PANELS

Sound systems are based on the balance between audio reflection and sound absorption. One of the ways integrators make sure there won’t be too much of an echo is by installing wall panels. Wall panels help dampen the sound so it won’t overwhelm the room.

Of course, they can also be ugly. Thankfully, modern wall panels can work within the confines of a stylish design. Component pieces work to add texture to the room, accenting the walls while still providing the level of audio precision necessary for optimal audio.

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FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RETROFIT

Motorized shades are perfect for just about any project. It doesn’t matter if you’re adding them to your existing home or including them as part of new construction, install and integrate them as part of a smart home system or a standalone component.

For new builds, enjoy the reliability and durability of a hardwired system. For instance, Lutron’s Sivoia QS can operate with low voltage electrical wiring and uses common communication language that makes it compatible with most smart home systems. Users enjoy a variety of appealing roller options, including drapes and blinds, while mechanical components like motors and wires remain hidden from view.

If you’re adding shades to an existing room, you can use Sivoia QS wireless, which offers the same level of compatibility but operates on a radio frequency that won’t interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.

CONTROL OPTIONS

Finding the right control option for your home can be daunting, but Lutron makes it simple. From on-wall keypads to in-app controls, you can take advantage of your hardwired or wireless system with ease.

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SMART LIGHTING FOR BEAUTY

If you want your decor to stand out, you need to bathe it in bright, white light. That's precisely what you get from integrated LED fixtures. LED, unlike fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, offers natural-looking light for any room. LED fixtures can be installed within the ceiling, so you don't have to clutter rooms with lamps and other light fixtures. 

Additionally, LED accent lights can help craft an elegant looking space by highlighting some of the room’s best features.

Once everything’s installed, a single, easy-to-use system controls all of the lights in the room. Dimming, adjusting the color temperature, hue, and more happens with just a few swipes on a tablet or smartphone.

 Your clients can even set scenes that you help them define, by raising and dimming the lights throughout the room to emphasize its best parts. Once you’ve found a look that works, you can save the scenes so they can return to it instantly, any time.

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UNDERSTANDING THE RISK

While staying vigilant in the face of a potential threat is important, it's also important to know how a cyber attack could potentially affect you and your lifestyle. As we've mentioned above, attacks on homes are rare, but it's essential to protect yourself anyway.

Recently, two men, from the US and UK respectively, were charged with committing a series of denial of service (DDoS) attacks on parts of Los Angeles and London. Their crimes ended up shutting down schools and businesses in both major cities, as well as impacting LAX.

According to Cyberscoop:

“Threats allegedly made by the men closed hundreds of schools in the United States and United Kingdom, according to the indictment, using email addresses that spoofed other entities, including the Mayor of London, to lend legitimacy to the threats.”

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MUSIC EVERYWHERE

Though Ozzie may have decried having to play the same song a million times, you could do exactly that in every corner of your property with a whole home audio system. Of course, you don’t have to -- thanks to millions of songs available from a variety of streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music.

As part of an expert multi-room audio system design, speakers are placed throughout each room of your home, as well as outside, for a complete listening experience. You’ll never deal with hot spots or peak audio. Speakers are set up for full coverage, with multiple units firing at once and providing even sound.

INVISIBLE COMPONENTS

With so much technology in your home, you may think your rooms are going to clutter up with AV components. Actually, the opposite is true. When you integrate a whole home audio system, you only see the components you want to see. The receivers, amplifiers, and sources are tucked away neatly in an unused basement or closet. You retain full control through a smart system. From your smartphone, dedicated controller, or even your Amazon Echo, you can select songs, playlists, and more. Stream to a single room or many, and even choose a different playlist for different parts of the house.

Plus, you won’t have to look at the speakers. Instead, in-ceiling units are recessed overhead. Roughly the size and shape of LED canned lights, they’re virtually invisible when you walk into a room.

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MOTORIZED SHADES REGULATE TEMPERATURE

Smart TVs are fun to have in your home and integrated security helps keep you and your family safe but the most versatile technology in your home may be motorized shades.

Not only do they look great, but they can help enhance your privacy, protect your furnishings from harmful UV rays, and help regulate the temperature in your rooms.

Because most heat escapes from your windows, covering them just makes sense. When you do it with automated shading solutions, you can combine the controls with your smart thermostat’s built-in temperature sensor. That way, when the room gets too cool, your system can start warming it efficiently as the thermostat kicks in and the shades automatically lower.

AV GETS YOU READY FOR GAMEDAY

During the cooler months, you’re more likely to spend time inside. That means putting your home AV system to good use! And with the Super Bowl quickly approaching, you’re going to want a simple system that works every time you use it.

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LED REPLACING PROJECTORS?

For decades business owners have used projectors for conference rooms and auditoriums. Not only were they convenient, space-saving devices; they also generated giant displays that anyone in the room could see.

Today, there’s been a shift. LED flat-panels are growing in size, shrinking in depth, and offering features not thought possible with projectors. Appreciated for their bright backlighting, LEDs don’t need specific light conditions to operate. With modern technology like 4K and HDR, LED displays are popping up throughout workspaces for easy viewing anywhere.

INTERACTIVITY

Whether you choose to upgrade with a traditional projector or a modern LED display, one thing is certain: interactivity is key. Businesses have been experimenting with interactive video content, and the demand for capacitive touch technology is growing.

Capacitive touch means the interactive image isn’t affected by the pressure of a user’s finger, but rather the ability of your finger to disrupt the flow of electricity. What that means is that you can directly modify images on a screen -- or even a projected image -- with the touch of your finger.

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ROLLERS

Much of the technology in your motorized shading system is housed in the roller. They’re one of the most important parts of your system. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available. From curtain rods to hidden, in-wall motors for blinds, to exposed, industrial-style components, there is a roller that will help you create the look you want for your space.

The electronic motors are hidden within the rod or roller, and you can combine multiple rollers for different functions -- heavier treatments for cold nights, and lighter ones for warm days.

OPACITY

Opacity is a measure of how much light can get through each shade, and it will make a big difference when you use other technology in your smart home.

Opacity is measured in percentages -- one percent lets the least about of light through, ten percent the most. During bright days, sunshades with moderate opacity can allow an appropriate amount of light through without heating up the room or allowing UV rays to damage your furnishings.

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IN THE MEDIA ROOM

The holidays are a time when everyone enjoys gifts of their favorite electronics. From the latest video game consoles, to the coolest new 4K TVs to fully immersive surround sound systems, there’s a good chance your home will see at least a few new pieces of technology this year.

That means learning how to use it all can be difficult, which turns into a hassle that results in under-used technologies.

But there’s a simple solution. Savant home automation combines all of your controls, so you don’t have to learn how to use them. From a single tablet or remote, you can adjust volume, select content, and choose media inputs in any room without any problem.

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

Of course, smart automation does a lot more than just make it easier to control your new systems. You can combine controls to create easy one-touch adjustments of all your technology.

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FOR THE MOVIE LOVER

If someone in your family loves to watch movies and TV, they’re probably all too familiar with one of the most common audio struggles of the modern era: 4K HDR TVs look great, but they sound terrible.

Not great if you are trying to enjoy the audio as well as the video. The reason they don’t sound top notch is because flat-panel TV units sacrifice speaker quality for nearly razor-thin depth. But it’s ok, there’s a great solution -- the Sonos Beam.

Released earlier this year, the Beam is Sonos’ latest foray into the world of home theater audio. Featuring most of the same great, wireless audio qualities as the nearly decade-old Playbar, the Beam upgrades your experience with native Alexa and Airplay integration, and is controlled directly from the Sonos app. Plus, the audio video components integrate seamlessly into your design.

Plus, you can upgrade to surround sound by adding more Sonos speakers down the line.

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VIDEO DISPLAY

You’ve heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, the right video display in your conference room is worth more than just words. By communicating effectively through visual means, you can reduce the amount of time spent in meetings while providing information in an impactful, memorable way.

A 4K projector and screen combination is one of the easiest ways to showcase training videos, graphs and charts, and video conferences while also saving space.

The touch of a button will drop your integrated projector and screen from the ceiling, turn them on, and begin displaying the information you need. High-lumen projection will ensure everyone can see what they need to even in high ambient-light conditions. High-contrast screen options will also prevent washed-out looking images.

LIGHTING CONTROL

Tired of raising and lowering your shades day in and day out? The easiest way to control the look of your video projector is through integrated lighting and shading control.

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HALLOWEEN

Halloween is a lot of downright spooky fun. Whether you’re designing the most terrifying haunted house on the block or you just love to buy big bags of candy corn, there’s always something to enjoy in October.

But the holiday also presents a unique dilemma – it’s the one time of year you welcome masked strangers at your front door.

Sure, those strangers may be small and adorable, but the added activity around your property increases a need for safety.

Smart surveillance cameras and integrated lighting control can help. Receive instant notifications to your smartphone or tablet every time someone approaches your door. Pull up clear, real-time footage of trick-or-treaters as they approach. Maintain safety with well-lit walkways that show the neighborhood kids exactly where to go. And be the first to know if anyone deviates from the path.

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SETTING UP FOR GAME DAY

A perfect example of the difference between automation and control happens every Sunday. Getting ready for kickoff is a time when you interact with a lot of technology.

Each device you use may have smart features. You can simply request that the Houston Texans game play via voice control, choose the right volume with the touch of a button, and remotely dim your lights from your smart phone. When your friends come over, you can easily unlock your front door with another tap.

It’s easy and fun to control each smart device in your home without ever getting up from the couch.

But Savant automation system works a little differently. Different controls are grouped under single commands, so your system ends up doing the heavy lifting for you.

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IN-ROOM INSTALLATION

When you think of a home entertainment system, you probably think of the devices that exist in your living room or home theater. From TV displays to speaker systems, there’s a lot of AV choices to consider.

That means a lot of clutter, too. TVs and speakers take up a lot of space, and if you’re not careful they can detract from the interior design. 

Wall-mounting your flat-panel and recessing your speakers takes a bit of work, but it’s easily done by a professional installer. What may take them a few hours could be a weekend project for an inexperienced DIY-er, so it’s important to take in time considerations as well as financial cost when considering an upgrade.

CABLES AND WIRES

You’ve probably seen systems like this: TV propped up in a home entertainment cabinet and a mess of wires in the back.

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DIY

If you’re handy with technology, you may consider upgrading your network by yourself. That means installing your router, running cables, and ensuring each device connects properly with the system.

In a small apartment, a wireless router may suffice to connect each of your devices to the internet. But in a large house – where you need coverage downstairs, upstairs, and around the backyard, it’s going to take a bit more work.

A wireless mesh network may be the easiest DIY option, because it will offer full coverage throughout your entire property. A mesh network consists of nodes strategically placed throughout your property that generate a web of connections. When you’re within the web, you won’t suffer any dead spots.

If you’re looking for simple connections between each device, you’ll probably end up quite happy with a wireless mesh network. But if you want to establish smart-home quality networking, you’re likely going to want a hardwired solution.

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SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

Among your best bets for loss prevention is installing surveillance cameras throughout your store. Cameras can help ward off potential theft by simply being visible. And if something is stolen, you’ll have a visual record of the event.

Today’s cameras offer 4K resolution, 360 degree viewing angles and more to help keep your business safe.

Plus, artificial intelligence is changing the game. Not only can predictive analytics notify you if a crime is about to happen, but facial recognition technology can alert you to troublemakers before they even enter your store.

Moreover, AI can also help with things beyond security, like queue management and more.