Ever wondered what automation can do for your home or business? I know I have wondered how a lighting system could change my space or how whole house audio would be perfect for my next get-together. Sometimes it's hard to envision things if you don't really know that much about them and exactly what they can do. That's why we decided to create a way to help you see what your space could be like with automation.
Headphones? Sure you may have a set of earbuds that came packaged along with your iPod or iPhone, but have you ever treated yourself to a nice set of noise isolating or noise- cancelling headphones?
I longed to upgrade my earbuds for quite a while. I would notice myself turning up my music way too loud at the gym just to drown out all the distracting noise around me. I would also catch myself wishing for a headphone upgrade while traveling, especially during my most recent Megabus adventure.
I don't know about you, but it seems like the older I get, the more excited I get about appliances and gadgets that can make my life easier. I got a Kitchen Aid mixer for Christmas last year and you would have thought I just hit the lotto. Now I've got my eye on some new smart appliances and gadgets that will be perfect for anyone left on your Christmas list.
iRobot Roomba
I was pretty apprehensive about these guys, but turns out they've made some major improvements over the years. Anything that does my least favorite cleaning task for me is a winner in my book. You just set it to CLEAN and the Roomba will take care of all your laminates, hardwoods, carpets, and tile. Once Roomba is done, it will go back to its charging dock to get ready for its next cleaning.
Breville Barista Express Expresso Machine
In the world of coffee, fresh is best. The build-in grinder allows users to get the freshest and best tasting brew without leaving the house. Whether you're a beginner barista or a pro, this machine is perfect for any coffee lover.
Cuisinart CSO-300 Combo Steam/Convection Oven
This steam oven makes a great edition to any kitchen. Tired of the same old dried out meals? This oven will keep meat moist and is perfect for cooking veggies. It even proofs bakery quality breads, rolls, and donuts. Sign me up!
LQ SmartThinQ Refrigerator
This is not your average refrigerator. The LQ Smart ThinQ features an 8"" WiFi enabled LCD screen and smartphone app so you can keep track of expiration dates and recipes. The LQ French door refrigerator style gives owners even more usable space and it's energy star qualified so you don't have to worry about it being an energy hog.
For several years, the talk in access control has focused primarily on smart cards. While the technology is great, it hasn't caught on quite as much as the security industry expected. Now there's a new technology trend in town and it's causing quite a bit of buzz.
Have you recently decided to install the home theater of your dreams? Before you get started, we have some design tips to ensure the final product is exactly what you hoped for.
Work together with installers and the interior designers. Installers want the room to function and sound great. Interior designers may focus more on the design of seats and furniture placement. By working together, everyone will be on the same page and reduce the risk of miscommunication about the design. What may look best to an interior designer may not be optimal for home theater sound to an installer. By working together, both sides can achieve a beautiful and fuctioning home theater.
There are many factors that go into a great restaurant or bar. Maybe it's a great happy hour or a fabulous hand-cut steak, but what about atmosphere? Restaurants and bars should be a welcoming place where people feel comfortable and relaxed. Harsh lighting, outdated audio video, or lack of privacy can turn an otherwise nice place into a place I can't wait to get out of.
November is a special time of the year. It's a time to all gather around with family and friends to give thanks alongside a beautiful meal. This November, however, it's about other things. Other things that have been the buzz for some time now. I've heard it in multiple conversations just in passing. It's usually something like this: "No man, PlayStation 4 blows Xbox One out of the water" or, "Xbox One has Halo AND Dead Rising 3!" Regardless on your stance (which I've encountered is like asking someone if they vote Democrat or Republican) I thought I would bring you the specs from a completely unbiased standpoint and let you decide.
Let's just get down to business from the get-go and talk price. PlayStation 4, which released November 15, comes in at $399.99. Xbox One, which hits shelves November 22, is yours for the price of $499.99. Now some of you may say the PlayStation 4 is a given because of the lower price, but let's dig into the specs before you make an drastic decisions and add it to your Christmas wish list.
As far as processors go, the PlayStation 4 features the 8-core x86-64 AMD "Jaguar" CPU and the Xbox one boasts the 8-core AMD custom Microsoft CPU. While it's hard to say with one is actually "faster" you can definitely bet that graphics will remain pretty neck and neck (and awesome).
Worried about storage on your gaming console? Both are equipped with 8 GB RAM and a 500 GB of hard drive space. If that's not enough, both have options to support USB 3.0 external storage. This is great news for users that want to install all their games directly onto the device without worrying about getting tight on space.
Loved the last model of the controllers on your system? Well both models are rolling out with minor changes. Xbox One controllers feature force feedback in its triggers. This is an added bonus for first-person shooters. The PlayStation 4 unveiled the Dualshock 4 which features a touchpad that adds a new way to control games. It also integrates a headset jack and speaker into the control. A share button allows users to record or stream their games.
If you're looking forward to the camera feature then you'll have to stay tuned for the PlayStation Eye, which won't be included with the PlayStation 4 console. The PlayStation Eye will offer motion control and video chat, but is an added accessory that costs $59.99. The Xbox One Kinect camera comes included with the initial purchase and features a 1080p camera with active infrared. Kinect also allows for upgraded voice control, Skype, and gesture control.
So what about games? To me that seems like a huge deciding factor. The PlayStation 4 selections include Driveclub, Knack, InFamous: Second Son, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Resogun, Shadow of the Beast, The Order: 1886, and Deep Down. Xbox One boasts Dead Rising 3, Halo 5, Titanfall, Killer Instinct, Quantaum Break, Project Spark, Forza Motorsport 5, Sunset Overdrive, and Ryse: Son of Rome. To PlayStation 4's 16 games at launch, Xbox One is countering with 23.
If you're looking for added media features rest assured both consoles have the ability to play Blu-ray discs, stream Netlix, and a library of movies to rent or buy. Xbox One goes even further, however, by allowing users to have their own program guide that works with existing cable providers. This allows the Xbox One to control your cable box, which means you can then change channels with voice commands or browse Xbox One's recommendations.
Odds are you already had an opinion as to which system reigns supreme, but if not hopefully this article helped you along the way of your decision making process. Not sold on either? Hey, no worries friends. PC gamming is still a great option if neither system appeals to you!
It's hard to believe, but the holidays have arrived! We know how busy this time of the year can be and how finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be more challenging than Frodo's quest in The Lord of the Rings. Lucky for you we've compiled the perfect gift guide with all of favorites that can accommodate anyone on your list.
TV: Samsung UN65F9000 65" Class LED 4K Ultra HD TV $7,499.99
Ok, who wouldn't want a new TV for Christmas? This one just so happens to be the crème de la crème currently on the market. Give the gift of breathtaking resolution and the industry's most capable Smart TV this holiday season.
Wireless Audio System: SONOS Play:1 Gift Pack $199
This little guy is small, but we promise it packs a punch. The Play:1 gift pack includes a free SONOS BRIDGE that allows the Play:1 to go anywhere and work wirelessly. Stream your entire music library or favorite online radio service. They are also really easy to set-up so you can be streaming music in no time.
Headphones: Denon AH-NC600 Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones
Great headphones are always a solid gift option, but we love that these are in-ear and noise cancelling. Their small design delivers the same great listening experience as larger over-ear styles, but without the bulk. Plus, they are great for traveling or the gym.
Tablet: Surface Pro 2 $899.99
We love this tablet and we think anyone on your list would too. It has the heart of a computer, but the body of a tablet making it the most functional tablet option on the market. The Surface Pro 2 brings the best of both worlds by combining a 2 in 1 PC. Plus, it works great with the new Xbox One!
Soundbar: Niles Cynema Soundfield Soundbar $1,599 to $1,999
This soundbar because it provides room-filling sound without all the clutter. It installs flush with the wall and the low profile grille can be painted to match the color of any room. Pick from 48", 55" or 65" to best fit the size of the existing TV.
Camcorder: GoPro $199 to $399
The GoPro would make anyone on your list completely stoked. Several different camera options allow you to get exactly what you need and a variety of accessories enable this camera to go on any adventure. Quickly share them with friends and family with the GoPro app.
E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite 3G $189.00
Tis the season! Before you pack up the kids and head over the river and through the woods it's important to make sure you're leaving your home secure and out of the eyes of thieves. Almost 400,000 break-ins occur in the US during November and December, according to the FBI. The last thing you want to worry about during the holidays are burglars. Fortunately, home automation is a great tool to keep your home safe and sound while you're away enjoying the holiday season.
Whether you use a projector for work presentations or in a home theater to unwind and watch movies, you can agree that a burnt out projection bulb never happens at a good time. Not only can replacing a projector bulb be an inconvenience, it can also be expensive.
You may be a fan of home automation because you love technology and the idea of being able to control your entire home with the touch of a button, but did you know that it can actually save you lots of money? Many of us rush out the door in the morning and forget to adjust the thermostat or turn off all the lights. What if you could control aspects such as lighting or thermostats right from your smart phone? Or even better yet, what if your devices could learn from you? You may have heard of thermostats that learn your patterns such as when you go to work or when you're home on weekends. These are great options to save money and these types of thermostats can pay for themselves in a year.
This week I am so excited about the new software update from Sonos. Just when I thought the Sonos Playbar Soundbar couldn’t get any better, now the update can turn it into a 5.1 surround system by allowing the Connect Amp to drive two rear channels turning the Soundbar into a 5.1 DTS surround sound system. Before, users would be limited to using the Play:3 speakers, but now you can use other options. I used my existing Sonance Invisible Series speakers for the rear channel and it worked out perfectly. I love that this update gives you complete control on rear channel type and placement. Now the options are truly endless. The software update, which released this month, is quick and only takes about two minutes. Other features with the update allow the mute button to function as play, pause, or skip.
Our latest upgrade project featured a five-year-old manual pull down basic grey HD outdoor screen. It was great when it was first installed in 2008, but its age was really starting to show. The screen housing was rusting and the bottom of the screen was beginning to unravel. With so many advancements in outdoor projection screens, it was time for an upgrade and we had the perfect solution: The Stewart Oasis outdoor screen with Firehawk G3 material.
October is here and it's officially Fire Safety Month. Falling temperatures also mean the risk of fire increases so now is the perfect time to safeguard your home against a potentially devastating fire. Don't brush off safety checks that could be lifesaving!
I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for ways to add more protection to my home. After I came home to an attempted break-in, I decided my alarm system wasn't going to be enough. Better safe than sorry, right? I explored several options, but eventually settled on the 2GIG Image-Sensor. I loved that it had wireless connectivity because seriously, who likes a bunch of wires all over the place? Plus, this bad boy features PIR motion detection that captures pictures in color or with IR illumination night vision so I don't have to worry about missing out on anything late at night.
Want to simplify your life, but not sure how with a house full of electronic devices and countless remotes lying around? You don't have to get rid of your devices, but instead just take control of them. The RTI T2X remote control allows you to take charge of all your A/V devices, lighting, security, and more with one sleek universal remote control. The T2X remote features a flush edge-to-edge LCD touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Lithium-Ion battery, and its own personal docking station.
iSS is thrilled to now offer Stewart Filmscreen. You may have not heard of Stewart Filmscreen before, but we guarantee you’ve probably seen one. Used widely in Hollywood for movie screenings and at the Sundance Film Festival, Stewart Projection Screens are a crowd favorite. They are also used on set by many leading television networks such as CNN, ABC, and CBS.
With so many different companies offering security systems, home automation, sound, lighting control, and custom home theaters, it can be a little overwhelming when you begin your search for an installer. You may have found someone to do the audio, but you still need someone to do security cameras. Or maybe you found a company that does media rooms, but you still need to get a fire protection system. You will probably feel like you’re getting pulled in so many directions that you’ll want to abandon your projects altogether. Fortunately, by selecting one company that is licensed and trained to do all of the above home upgrades, you’ll be saving yourself time, money, and lots of headaches for several reasons.
With kickoff only 9 days away, it's time to start getting all your big orange gear ready for another season. Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of all our favorite stuff to get you game day ready.
For those of you that saw our ad in the most recent edition of Cityview Magazine, you may have noticed we referred to our custom theaters as Home Entertainment 10.1. We finally decided to give our practice a name after 25 years of specialized service in East Tennessee.
