Media Rooms

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

A Gaming Room with a Competitive Advantage

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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.

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

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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].

La Scala Custom Home Theater
Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms, Tech Trends

Advantages of a Dedicated Home Theater

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The quality of content these days is unprecedented, as are the vast number of options we have in accessing digital entertainment. Is your home theater or media room making the most of the high definition audio and video available? With summer blockbusters now available for streaming and the holidays just around the corner, now is a great time to add the home theater you’ve dreamed of or to upgrade your existing theater so that you may enjoy the very best audio and visual experience! Whether you’re a movie lover, serious gamer or avid sports fan, a dedicated home theater is an exceptional space for home entertainment. And with technologies like Dolby Atmos and 4K, enjoying the sights and sounds in a room specifically designed for hi-performance audio and video create the ultimate entertainment experience! What’s the right choice for you? Home Theater vs. Home Media Room Your home media room offers a great space for enjoying some family-time movie-watching and for hosting your friends on game day. It can boast stunning OLED or 4K display quality along with Smart TV streaming and social media features. A well-designed and outfitted media room can also take advantage of exceptional audio through a surround sound or Dolby Atmos system. One potential downside however, is its central location; today’s open floor plans often place the media room adjacent to the kitchen. While this is great for engaging conversation, it is not ideal for either sound or picture quality as the room is open to the back and likely flooded with natural light. These features distract viewers from enjoying a truly immersive movie-watching experience. Creating an immersive cinematic experience A dedicated home theater includes technologies specifically designed to perform in the controlled space. Acoustic issues have been addressed for optimal sound as well as for noise-control from adjacent spaces. Custom seating is ideally positioned for comfort and viewing enjoyment rather than based on window placement or conversation. Speaker systems, like Bowers & Wilkins flagship custom theater series, can be positioned and calibrated in the defined space as designed.  This space is generally free of glare as it will rarely feature windows. If there are any windows, they will have been treated with black-out shades to maintain the perfect environment to soak in an afternoon football game or to binge-watch your favorite streamed series. In a purpose-built space, décor doesn’t depend on the rest of the house, so the sky is the limit (actually, it’s not; you can add a custom fiber-optic constellation mural on the ceiling!). A home theater is also a place that reflects your personality and style– from mid-century modern to transitional or something all “you” like the Millennium Falcon, Batman’s lair or a wine cellar reminiscent of the south of France. Here’s a little inspiration: CinemaTech Gallery. The set up can be one or multiple screens, or a hybrid of multiple screens for watching sports with a large projection screen that drops down for serious movie watching. Integrated controls allow the user to choose from a variety of streamed or local content. The content may be exclusive to the theater or shared across the home’s systems from a movie server. Theater Trends Aside from mind-blowing imagery and sound, what’s trending in custom theaters now? Wearable home theater & virtual reality – experiencing virtual reality through wearable technology that transforms your movie-watching experience. Social Media integration – Superfans of sports, gaming and original network series want to connect in real-time Seamless connectivity across a robust network Integrated control throughout the home, with access to content sources, control of security features, whole-house lighting, HVAC and more Voice Control – Limitless searching, command and control of the theater and smart home’s multiple features including the ability to order your showtime pizza via a voice control interface such as Josh.ai! Where will you be hosting holiday game-watching and cozy mid-winter movie nights? Give us a call and let’s get started planning the best seat in the house! Oh yeah, Josh, please start the movie!

Modelo Steinway Lyngdorf
Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Automation, Media Rooms

The Sweet Sound of Whole-Home Audio

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Everyone enjoys music. Whether you’re a fan of classic jazz, old school R&B, heavy metal or like to keep up with today’s hits, listening to your favorite songs should be always be an experience. Why, then, is home audio not as much of a consideration in most home entertainment systems? A home theater – but for your music It seems like home theater systems have become a norm in most homes because of the entertainment value you can get out of your television or big screen projector. But just like speaker placement and configuration are crucial for creating an immersive surround sound experience for maximum entertainment value, your music library deserves the same respect! Speaker type, placement and system configuration are crucial to ensuring you can wrap yourself in the sound. Different media, different systems Another important factor to consider when implementing any sort of home audio system into your space is the media type of your entertainment. Have you gone completely digital where all your media is streamed, or do you like to keep it old school with physical media like classic vinyl and your record player from high school? Each form of media require different systems to ensure you’re listening to the music as it was intended, while also allowing you complete access to your favorite artists. For instance, do you need a high-tech touch panel display that gives you access to an unlimited library connected throughout your entire home? Or do you need a dedicated listening room? Integrate that sound throughout your home The key is to optimize all of your spaces for the best listening experience possible, which means carrying that sound system throughout your home, as well as potentially outside. Integrating a home audio system throughout your home is great for entertaining just as much as it is for everyday listening. With a whole-home audio system, there’s no reason why a regular dinner can’t be as fun as a holiday party.

CEDIA award-winning residence
Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Automation, Lighting Control, Media Rooms, Motorized Window Shades, News, Sleek design

La Scala Earns 3 Prestigious 2018 CEDIA Awards Recognizing Exceptional Home Technology Installations

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This stunning waterfront residence earned three of the custom electronic design industry\’s most prestigious awards: Best Integrated Home, Technology Meets Design and Life Lived Best at Home. The “Technology Meets Design” award celebrates the best integration of technology that complements the design scheme for the room or home. The judges, drawn from the  architecture and interior design community, were looking for a project that showed a successful working partnership with the integrator and design and build industry partners and our relationship with Vancouver\’s Aaron MacKenzie-Moore Design was nothing short of exemplary. \”La Scala’s ability to incorporate technology into the home’s aesthetics are in full evidence here, as the team says: The homeowners love to entertain but made it clear that the interior look and quality of finish must not be compromised with the introduction of technology. Sound was expected in all rooms of the home but not seen. Invisible speakers were used in 16 zones which included all three guest suites, hallways, closets, laundry room, and invisible subwoofers rounding out the sound in the family room. The media room is a non-traditional room that is also used as a reading lounge that overlooks the beach. Soft furniture, motorized roller shades, and heavy fabric curtains were included to soften the hard surfaces and increase the acoustic opportunities, as well as to block out the ambient light coming from the beach-front windows. Life Lived Best at Home, a CEDIA Cornerstone Having won in the \”Best Integrated Home\” and \”Technology Meets Design\” categories, the judges sought a winner for the \”Life Lived Best at Home\” designation. Beyond the technology and aesthetic design considerations, the judges now were looking for a \”residence that used technology to maximize and enhance the client’s lifestyle, providing functionality, safety, entertainment, convenience, aesthetics, and efficiency.\” Not only did this project incorporate the technology beautifully into the home\’s design, but the judges agreed that it encompassed the homeowner\’s desires, considerable enhancing their lifestyles. A scene called “Movie Night” on the control system, which softens the media room by dimming the lights, rolling down the shades, and drawing the curtains while turning on the media room components. A single button solution puts the home into “Entertain” mode. The system needed to be flexible, so the homeowner could make minor scene adjustments without the need of a programmer or site visit. We offer a few control solutions, but the feature of using real pictures of the home to navigate the control system was very appealing for our clients. The Savant system provided this option. The team at La Scala is extremely pleased with the project outcome and proud of the recognition received. Please contact us to learn more and visit the links below to view the project gallery and read about the additional accolades yet to be won for this gorgeous waterfront home. See the Gallery of Photos International Design Award Excellence Finalist SBID 2018 IDIBC 2018 Shine Awards of Excellence

Automation, Luxury Vacation Homes, Media Rooms

Is Your Home Ready for Guests?

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Summer is in full-swing and the holidays inevitably are approaching. Before you know it you’ll likely be hosting an out-of-town guest or two. You might be ready for visitors – but is your home? Whether it’s a party that requires a reliable system to impress and keep your guests entertained or some in-laws visiting that could benefit from more intuitive controls, there’s a lot to consider! If you haven’t thought about your home’s technology in a while, now might be a good time.  Upgrades to your home automation can ensure your systems are working seamlessly in time for your guests. Home Automation Simplifies Control You might have mastered your control panel, but will your guests be able to figure out how to turn the lights on and off and adjust the thermostat before they go to bed? Is your lighting control is a bank of switches at the front door or are your shades on a separate remote? Talk to us about integrating your systems and simplifying control. It’s crucial to make sure your controls are easy enough for your guests to understand. Service Plan add Peace-of-Mind Maybe you already have all the right home automation tech in place. However, when was the last time you checked your service plan? Having a proactive service plan for your home automation system from a knowledgeable integrator like La Scala helps ensure you’ll always be up and running.  We\’ll be alerted before any potential problems arise. While you’re at it, don’t forget to check your network and make sure it’s robust enough to handle streaming on all your guests’ devices. Regardless of whether you’re entertaining a few or dozens, for a night or a week, make sure you have the right smart home technology and the best service plan in place. Both you and your guests will be comfortable and thoroughly entertained.

home media room sports fan experience
Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms, Outdoor Living, Tech Trends

Here’s How to Get the Most Out of Watching Sports this Summer!

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This summer is the stuff of dreams for sports fans, with the FIFA World Cup, the US Open and the College World Series all taking over our televisions. But before huddling in your living room around your old TV to cheer on your favorite team, make sure you’re hooked up with the correct audio-video setup for the most immersive, bright and connected viewing experience for you and your guests this season. Regardless of your setup, a few things are clear: for the ultimate viewing experience, you’ll need a large screen with the most clear, bright picture possible, complete with fluid motion displays, a setup with no clunky speakers or wires to distract you from the on-screen action, and strong network capability along with the technical support you need to make sure you don’t miss a play. Should you opt for LED or OLED technology? Or maybe a big-screen 4K projector is more your speed? And which audio setup will deliver that immersive audio experience? What’s more, it’s important to consider which cable or streaming service to use. The options are endless. If you’re ready for the ultimate experience, a home theater with custom seating, a large screen projector and surround sound will help you feel as if you’ve been thrown into the game. If a TV-based setup is more of what you’re looking for, some key features to look for are motion-smoothing technology and color accuracy, as well as a bright picture, since most of the matches are during the daytime. But if you’d rather be outside by the pool, maybe an outdoor setup, equipped with weatherproof speakers and televisions, is your solution. Whether you’re a dedicated sports fan looking for the most immersive and elaborate experience possible or you’re simply hosting your first watch party among friends, you need an experienced team of professionals to help ensure your home is equipped with the best technology and support to make you feel like you and your guests have been transported into the stadium.  

Media Rooms, Power Management

Beyond the Lighting Strike: Why Power Management is So Important

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Protect your systems from everyday power spikes for improved performance and longevity We’ve all heard the catastrophic tales of lightning strikes critically disabling a home’s electronic systems. To add to the frustration and expense, these overwhelming losses are seldom covered under your warranty as the failure was not the fault of the equipment and because additional damage caused to circuits is nearly impossible to detect. And the issues with power extend beyond the occasional lightning strike. “Dirty” power, power abnormalities that include voltage or frequency variations, low power factors and surges, critically impacts your system’s performance and longevity. Digital Performance Dirty power creates “noise” across your sensitive audio and video equipment. While the external power source may be partially to blame, so is every appliance, motor-driven and “connected” (Internet of Things) device throughout your home as each are drawing power as they cycle on and off. These drops and spikes across a shared circuit result in poor quality and performance. It’s what you don’t see Damage is sometime instantaneous and obvious, but often slight damage can occur and go undetected, weakening the equipment and impacting its performance. Over a period of time, this drain will shorten the unit’s lifespan. The use of inexpensive power strips can lead to this type of failure. Not commonly known, many of these devices are “once and done,” meaning that it may be able to protect the connected equipment against one surge, but not against subsequent spikes. So, what if the homeowner were unaware that the power strip had been “hit”, rendering it useless thereafter? Back it up! Control processors and other sensitive equipment will experience an immediate shutdown during power outages. As power restoration is attempted, perhaps repeatedly, the system will attempt to reboot. This can affect the software and firmware, potentially losing stored content. By providing a battery backup, the processor can power down on its own and successfully reboot. Lamp displays and cooling fans can continue to run, preventing lamp burnout and overheating. And for the gamer, unsaved “levels” will not be lost! So, how do we achieve “clean”, constant power? Starting with a robust network, we follow best practices, installing power filters, professional-grade surge suppression and battery back-up. The results are reliable, safe power that improves your system’s longevity and performance while protecting your investment.

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