2019

gaming room
4K, Acoustic Treatments, Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms

A Gaming Room with a Competitive Advantage

What does it take to create the ultimate in-home space for video gaming? Serious gamers are looking beyond a fast PC to help them compete in the gaming arena. They have come to realize their physical surroundings help them become more immersed in the game environment. Single screens or multiple screen arrays, coupled with acoustical treatments, backlit displays, powerful sound systems and specialized seating, all add to the experience that many gamers are finding enjoyable in an in-home gaming room.

Outdoor Living

Home Theater Under the Stars

Does your family enjoy gathering in your home theater for movie night? Do you like to host watch parties of your favorite sporting events with your friends gathered around the big screen in your media room? With spring ushering in warmer weather, why not take the entertainment outdoors? Imagine catching the game from the comfort of your covered patio or offering rafts for your kids and guests to enjoy a movie while afloat! The best seat in the house may not be in the house after all! You may already be streaming your music through outdoor speakers or watching your weatherproof LED while tending to your outdoor grill, but imagine upping the entertainment by creating an outdoor theater under the stars with a larger-than-life, jaw-dropping projection screen? Starry, Starry Night An outdoor theater adds elegance and entertainment value to your outdoor living space. It can boast an exceptional image as well as uncompromising sound. And the sound system can be multi-use, filling the space with music by day and heart-pounding theater audio at night.  You can stream from your favorite movie service or share content from your media room system or home theater. But unlike your indoor space, you won’t need to paint a constellation on the ceiling! Button Up Like other specialized outdoor AV gear, weather-resistant options are available for projectors and projection screens. Projectors can be housed in a climate-controlled mounting box or cleverly mounted for quick set-up on movie night. Screens can cleverly roll down from beneath your home’s eaves, pop-up from custom enclosures or occupy an outdoor wall. With limited to no “ceilings” to mount from however, determining where the projector can be installed can require some creativity. And added throw distance and lumens may be required to achieve exceptional picture quality. Fortunately, we excel at this! Always in Control For uninterrupted enjoyment you’ll want a robust network and remote control to access your home’s system. Several waterproof remotes are available, giving you the ability to control everything -even when you’re in the pool! Control of elegantly designed landscape and patio lighting completes the outdoor living space. Lighting can accent feature areas and walkways for drama and safety while allowing separate control of zones surrounding the screen area. Interested in exploring your choices in an outdoor theater? Warm weather is on its way! Now’s the time to get planning so give us a call us today!

wired and wireless networks
Network Infrastructure

The Question of Wired vs. Wireless

Whether a small huddle space or large conference room, enabling your team with the right collaboration tools and capabilities is essential for creating a productive space. Also critical to the space is the connectivity, providing a reliable network. But which is the better choice, wired or wireless? They each have advantages but to determine which is right for your business, we’ll need to understand who will be using the space, what collaborative tools you’ll be using, and what level of security your network has in place. Let’s start with three types of wireless solutions available:   A Business Wi-Fi network is a dedicated Wi-Fi network providing exceptional, reliable coverage to anyone on the business’s network. It allows seamless access to all server files to everyone on the network however, it restricts access to guests. This restricted access impacts collaboration. One benefit though is that the system can be located anywhere on premise, eliminating the need to locate it the equipment in the room. A local network is a device-specific wireless network. It creates its own WiFi network with direct connectivity. This method offers heightened security since the company’s network doesn’t need to be accessed in order to connect to a device. The local network is the popular choice among IT Administrators due to the secure nature of standalone devices not needing to access the network. The downside however, is that files outside of that network cannot be accessed and that the devices need to be located in the room. A Plug-n-Play Network uses wireless USB dongles to connect directly to a dedicated network. Once connected, the dongles automatically download a widget that allows the users to connect to the system. At the click of a button, many of these dongles include “show me” functionality which allows the user’s desktop to be shown on the display. The USB dongles can be a supplement to either of the two other types of wireless systems as described earlier, providing connectivity for users who either can’t connect to the WiFi network or who are unable to download or access the necessary software. One possible disadvantage is that dongles can inadvertently be packed up with guests’ laptops or otherwise misplaced.   Content streaming is available on many of the wireless presentation platforms. This is great for employees who work remotely or are traveling, as well as for sharing content across a corporate network to a satellite location. Additionally, many systems can also provide the ability to present multiple desktops simultaneously, providing an enhanced collaborative experience. Wired or wireless, but not wire-free Providing at least one “hardwired” connection is recommended for every meeting space as wireless access is not always available for all users. Some systems require an app or software suite which can be problematic for guest presenters who don’t have the ability or system rights to install software on their laptop, and others have severely locked down laptops where even the USB ports are not able to upload or download data which would include the widgets that the wireless USB dongles provide. Unforeseen network issues or outages can also render a wireless system inoperable if the system relies on the Client Wi-Fi, so the hardwired connection provides a reliable backup. So, which is the right solution for you? Give us a call and let’s explore the options. We’ll discover your wants, guide you through your choices and work with your IT pro to ensure safe connectivity. And keep in mind, wireless doesn’t mean wire free. There’s still equipment that needs to live either in the room or in an equipment rack elsewhere and there’s still a need to provide power to the tabletop connectivity. It all starts with the infrastructure. Let’s get started, shall we?

smart home gym
Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Automation, Lighting Control, Safety & Security, Tech Trends

Why You Need a Smart Home Gym

Gyms are great for your fitness goals, but they’re one-size-fits-all. Why pay for a pricey membership at a crowded gym when you could have a smart home gym of your very own? The right fit for your fitness goals Gym hours (not to mention group classes) almost never seem to fit your schedule perfectly. If you’re a working adult or a parent, you know how hard it is to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise each day, let alone find childcare. A home gym gives you the flexibility to work out when you find the time – without worrying about childcare, busy schedules, or missing a delivery at home. And when you add in smart technology that enables you to answer the doorbell, adjust your thermostat, preheat the oven or change your workout mood with just your voice – you’ll never have to worry about interrupting your workout.  A gym designed with you in mind Whether you want a dedicated home gym or only have room for designated space to roll out your yoga mat, there are endless audio, lighting, climate control and even voice control solutions to help you create the ultimate, immersive experience required to motivate you through your workouts. Whether you’re a yogi looking for natural light and calming audio, or need blackout shades, streaming capability and your favorite high-powered playlist for your early-morning spinning class, you can have the gym that inspires you to reach your fitness goals. We’re here to help If you’ve been dreaming of your own smart home gym for, we’re here to help. Whether you want a decked-out, dedicated space or need just a few pieces to get you started, we have the pros and the resources to help you create an immersive workout experience.

Acoustic Treatments, Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Automation, Lighting Control, Luxury Vacation Homes, Media Rooms, Motorized Window Shades, Multi-Dwelling Units (MDU), Outdoor Living, Power Management, Safety & Security, Sleek design, Tech Trends

BUILDEX Vancouver

Join us at BUILDEX this week! You\’ll find us in the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association Pavilion (HAVAN 431). We\’ll share the latest in smart home automation, outdoor audio and video solutions, home theater design and the art of technology! See you at the show! For more on the show, visit BUILDEXVancouver. Like to schedule a time to meet? Please call or contact Mike Chorney at [email protected].

Building for tech-savvy buyers
Automation, Tech Trends

Why You Should be Building Smart Homes

Builders: we’re sure you’ve seen your fair share of home design trends come and go – whether it’s a popcorn ceiling or granite overload, there’s always something new. Our latest trend, though, is something that’s probably more the new norm – building smart homes. Building for buyers who want custom and convenient Increasingly, new home buyers are looking for the convenience, functionality and accessibility of smart home technology – whether that’s an all-encompassing high-end system or a few key pieces. Having the ability to integrate smart tech throughout the home with professional systems like Crestron, Savant and Elan or more a-la-carte versions like Amazon or Google, will definitely appeal to your buyers. These buyers want voice control, customizable settings and the ability to set “moods” for climate control, lighting and more; they want technology that is functional but can also easily blend into their decor – whether that’s having a centerpiece like a television that doubles as artwork or a statement mirror, or a system that blends seamlessly into the background, like built-in speakers and hidden wires. By incorporating this tech early in the building process, you can provide a home designed with the necessary infrastructure to add on to as technology and needs change throughout the life of the home. A security system is a ‘must-have’ Whether at home or on vacation, every homeowner wants to be sure their home, family and belongings are safe. With ample technology available to keep your home safe, including cameras, smart door locks, window sensors and other features, you’ll want the infrastructure in place. These features aren’t “add-ons” anymore – they’re part of the standard package. You’ll keep the installers and your buyers happy if you’re able to plan ahead in the design for this highly-desired and necessary feature. Make your model the showroom Your buyers probably know how an Echo works and might even already have a DIY system in place at home. But when building their dream home, there’s so much more to consider! Make sure your model is outfitted with your standard smart home package – and then some. In using your model as a smart tech showroom, you’ll be opening them up to a world of design possibilities that add even more customization and personal touch to their home. Consider an all-encompassing security system, a whole-home audio system, as well as lighting and shade control that can be customized based on the time of day, their mood, and so on. Having an impressive smart home as your “base model” means you’ll be setting yourself apart from the competition – and that’s sure to get any buyer’s attention. Give us a call We have the resources and the pros to help you implement smart technology into your build – whether you’re the builder or in the market to buy a home for yourself. We can help with everything from design, to training staff and your buyers, to connecting you with other tech-savvy home builders. Give us a call today!

kid-friendly smart home technology
Automation, Safety & Security

How to Make Your Smart Home Kid-Friendly

Smart technology and children are often synonymous with smartphones, tablets, and other ways to keep them entertained. What some people don’t realize are the safety and everyday living benefits of having smart homes designed with kids in mind. Protect your kids – even when you’re not there Your priority is protecting your kids, especially when any technology is concerned. It’s no longer uncommon for kids to come home from school to an empty house, but now you have the capability to keep an eye on them and make sure they’ve gotten home safely even when you’re at work or running errands. Give yourself some peace of mind by equipping your home with door and window sensors that let you know when your child has arrived home safely, or a smart lock that gives you the ability to let them in when they’ve misplaced their key. If you’d like even more functionality, consider integrating cameras with two-way communication abilities to greet your family as they get home, or even keep intruders away. For added security and accessibility, consider keeping this control in the palm of your hand on your smartphone so that you can always let in the babysitter, make sure your oldest made it in for curfew, or discourage unwanted visitors from trying to enter your home. Control the lighting, control your schedule We all know blackout shades and lighting control help with everyday things like movie-watching and energy-saving, and it’s no secret that lighting and shade control can help keep intruders away, but have you considered the impact light has on your daily routine? Imagine integrating lighting and shade control into your home that will help with signaling that it’s time to get in bed or wind down with a book. You can even set custom settings for the smallest members of your family to help ease that fear of the dark or for a little extra help in the morning when they can’t get up with an alarm. Optimize your technology for the best experience We can help you optimize your home and network capability for gaming, family gatherings, and personalized settings for everyone in your home. By setting up a VPN, firewalls, and parental controls, you can keep them safe, while also giving them the ability to stream their favorite music or watch a movie while their friends are over. We’re here to help, and we\’re kid-friendly! We have the expertise to help you integrate the right kid-friendly smart technology into your home. Let us help you configure your home with the best technology for your family’s needs.