Friday, January 18, 2013

Custom Audio Video and Home Automation – The New Elements of Design

Today’s home designers are working with a whole new pallet and a new set of technologically advanced tools. These days, home décor and design goes far beyond the right color schemes, Italian tiles and European-inspired furnishings. The most inspired home designs encompass the full home experience and include lighting, audio/video schemes, security and networking and automation to bring it all to life. In short, custom audio video and home integration systems have taken their place among the elements of design and become an essential piece of modern home décor. Here’s a look at how the automated home revolution can change the way you live your life and enjoy your home.
Cutting Edge Audio/Video Systems
How much space does your movie and music collection take up in your home? Just a few short years ago, smart designers were integrating entertainment storage into their home designs. Today, when you can carry a year’s worth of music and movies on your smart phone, those shelves upon shelves of DVDs, CDs and vinyl are more than a little outdated. A custom audio/video home entertainment center can build your entire collection into your home networking system, providing automated functionality for all of your entertainment media. Talk to an experienced wiring/pre-wire specialist to find out how a flexible wiring and cabling scheme can lay the groundwork that allows you to automate and integrate all of your home’s electronic systems, including your entertainment systems.
Integrating Building or Environment Automation Into Your Home
Most homes already employ a certain level of building or environment automation. Programmable thermostats that kick in the heat when it gets cold or turn up the AC when the ambient temperature reaches a certain level are simple examples of how home automation can make your home more livable and more energy efficient. High end environment automation systems can also take into account season, home occupancy, lighting level and dozens of other factors to adjust the lighting, security and environmental systems to your needs without you lifting a finger.
Unexpected Integrations
The most inspired custom audio video and home automation systems are those that take advantage of unexpected integrations, like the homeowner who wired his home security system into his landscaping electronics so that the sprinklers turn on automatically if an intruder triggers the home alarm. More common integrations include remote control systems that allow you to turn appliances off and on or adjust them over a wireless connection so you can do things like preheat the oven while you’re on the way home from the supermarket with dinner.
Whether you’re designing a new home or considering upgrades to your existing home, talk to an expert in custom audio video and home integration to learn about the newest technologies and conveniences available. Home automation isn’t the wave of the future – it’s here and now, and you deserve to enjoy its benefits.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Enjoy Custom Audio Video and Home Automation in the New Year

Make this the year that you truly enjoy all the advantages of an automated home. Custom audio video and home automation systems are no longer the province of the very wealthy. New technology and advances in automation have brought the price for custom home automation devices and systems well within the reach of the average homeowner or business owner. With the capabilities of integrated networks and electronics, nearly every home can enjoy the benefits of automated security, lighting, audio/video and networking. These are just a few highlights of the systems being offered by high-end custom audio video and home networking companies.
Security Features
Your home security system can be integrated with your lighting, sprinklers and home networking systems to provide all around security and safety features that go beyond home alarms and surveillance. Your home automation provider can set up your security system to do things like turn on the garage light when the garage door is opened at night or notify your cell phone when something activates the exterior security system. With the right home security system, your smart phone can let you know when your kids get home from school, or allow you to let the plumber in to fix your toilet even if you’re at work. You can even set up surveillance cameras that you can access from your smart phone or tablet so that you can check in at home from anywhere in the world where you have an Internet connection.
Lighting Features
Lighting automation sounds futuristic but it’s been in use in commercial buildings for decades. These days, automated lighting systems go far beyond putting your lights on a timer. A custom audio video and home networking specialist can set up your home lighting to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient with features like lights that automatically turn off after the last person has left a room and outdoor lights that brighten when someone approaches your house. You can even design lighting zones and light schemes to accommodate your activities – task lighting in the kitchen that switches to meal lighting after you’re done with the cooking, mood lighting in the bedroom and special lighting schemes – including color changes if desired – for entertaining.
Environmental Automation
Save energy and money with customized environmental automation features that go far beyond timed thermostat settings. Temperature sensors can turn the heat or cooling systems off and on in specific rooms without involving the entire home system. Light sensors can open and close your blinds to let in the light and heat in the winter or block it out when you want your rooms to stay cool. The possibilities are practically endless.
These are just a few highlights of the new capabilities provided by custom audio video and home networking automation. Contact a specialist in creating custom home automation systems to learn more about the possibilities for your home.