Tech Trends

Dolby Atmos Home theater Vancouver

Immerse Yourself in Sound

Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms, Tech Trends /

You’ve just stepped out of the movie theater having watched the summer’s blockbuster and are blown away. Your chest is pounding, your head is reeling. For the past 2+ hours you were completely immersed, enveloped in every sight and every sound of the film, all perfectly orchestrated to put you at the center of the action. So, aside from being a large-scale commercial theater and having the volume cranked up, how did they do it and, better yet, how can you replicate this immersive experience in your home theater? While you might have been drawn into the action through its stunning image quality, seeing details previously unseen, the same holds true for the audio. Whether DTS:X technology, Auro 3D or Dolby Atmos, 3D sound systems are bringing a new dimension to movies, gaming, television and music by adding a multi-dimensional level of realism. The evolution of immersive audio Listen for a moment to all the sounds surrounding you: a curtain blowing in the breeze of an open window, a car whizzing by, a text alert on your phone. You can visualize the exact location of each. For a movie or game to simulate this real-life experience, it must recreate the same 3D experience.  Having made a comeback in 1976 with the introduction of Dolby Stereo, surround sound systems ushered in a new era for audio. In 1977 popularity exploded with the release of Star Wars and its engaging rear-channel effects. The early ‘90’s brought us 5.1 surround systems and who can forget closing out the millennium with the famous Matrix Lobby shootout in 5.1 HDR? 7.1 surround brought audio to the rear of the room and by 2004 technology had gained such precision that we watched in awe as the blind dancer in House of Flying Daggers meticulously replicated the strike of each surrounding drum with her scarves. And do you remember the endless anticipation of watching the Star Ship Enterprise navigate to the space dock in 2009 or being charmed as Wall-E catapulted himself through space using a fire extinguisher? Audio places a dimension to the event. In the center of it all There are distinct differences between DTS and Dolby Atmos technologies, but each accomplishes an immersive audio experience by routing sounds to the exact spots from which they originate.  DTS:X adds a height element to a surround sound system which improves sound accuracy. Without the need for additional speakers, and regardless of the channel assignment or speaker placement, a compatible receiver can interpret and isolate an object’s location on-the-go and direct its movement and volume. With Dolby Atmos however, this is done using 64 speakers in a commercial movie theater! To replicate that experience in your home theater requires only 14. Essentially, Dolby Atmos avoids the constraints of sounds being routed to specific channels. Instead, they are routed to particular speakers.  Here’s how it works: Dlby Atmos Demo Sound Test. Legendary performance The sensational movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” took full advantage of the Atmos technology. In addition to a stunning 4K image, the film provides a number of scenes showcasing Dolby Atmos on its UltraHD Blu-ray. The clearly defined sounds take you in and out of a recording studio and have you immersed in the 1985 Live Aid concert singing “We are the Champions.” According to Dolby, manufacturers can embed Atmos in both hardware and software, so that your game console, laptop, soundbar and even your smartphone, can support the technology. Are you ready to make immersive audio part of your home theater? Call La Scala for a demo or in-home consultation and we’ll make your theater legendary! Additional Resources: Dolby Atmos Explained: What It Is, How It Works and Where to Get It Surround Sound – The Audio Side of Home Theater Top 10 Most Cliché Home Theater Demos What is Dolby Atmos? All you need to know The Immersive Audio You\’ve Never Heard that could Revolutionize Virtual Reality The History of Surround Sound

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smart home gym

Why You Need a Smart Home Gym

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

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.

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BUILDEX Vancouver

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 /

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].

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Building for tech-savvy buyers

Why You Should be Building Smart Homes

Automation, Tech Trends /

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!

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Smart Kitchen

Why You Need a Smart Kitchen for the Holidays

Automation, Sleek design, Tech Trends /

Whenever you think about the holidays, you probably think about presents or twinkle lights. Maybe you think about friends and family around the table, enjoying a meal and each other’s company – or maybe you just can’t wait for pie! The reality, though, is that you’re probably spending a lot more time in the kitchen. Thankfully, there’s new tech available to help you make sure you don’t miss out on any of the festivities. Make it personal Your kitchen is one of the most personal, necessary rooms in your entire home and it’s worth taking the extra time to personalize it with the right functionality to fit your lifestyle. Entertainment features like built-in audio or video screens, smart appliances and voice-controlled smart home automation like Josh.ai give you the opportunity to personalize your kitchen to suit your needs for not only everyday living, but for special entertaining, too.  Your kitchen can be your new sous-chef There are countless options currently available for smart appliances like refrigerators, ovens and “hubs” like Josh.ai, Google Home, or Amazon’s Echo. And while these might seem a little frivolous at first, it’s worth taking time to consider the added convenience of having them in your home. Having an app connected to your oven means you don’t have to miss the football game or your favorite holiday movie, and that smart refrigerator can text you a picture of your refrigerator’s contents and save you from a second trip to the store. Connect these smart appliances with a hub like Josh, and you’ve got an extra set of hands in the kitchen even when you’re not at home!  Smart appliance means safety With hectic schedules, guests on their way and a lot on your plate, you wouldn’t be the first to forget to turn off the stove, turn off the lights or feel like you need to be in two places at once. By incorporating the right smart technologies, you can maximize safety AND convenience in your kitchen. Your stove and oven can now warn you that they’ve been left on – instead of hearing the news from your smoke detector (or worse). You can also increase your energy efficiencies with smart appliances, which helps the planet and your wallet. If a smart kitchen sounds like the right solution for your family this holiday season, let us help! We’re here to guide you through the best smart technologies for you and your home. Additional reading: Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

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La Scala Custom Home Theater

Advantages of a Dedicated Home Theater

Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms, Tech Trends /

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!

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Seura Smart Mirror

Smart Bathrooms of the Future are Here

Automation, Luxury Vacation Homes, Sleek design, Tech Trends /

What comes to mind when you think about a smart home? You probably didn’t imagine a sleek, high-tech smart bathroom. The smart space you’ll REALLY live in It’s easy to want the best and newest technology and design for all your living and entertaining spaces, but what about the rooms you actually live in? Most homeowners place such an emphasis on their living spaces – only considering those in which they entertain guests – that they forget about just how much time they spend living in their bathrooms. So why haven’t you made your bathroom just as smart as the rest of your home? It’s probably the first place you go when you wake up and the last place you go before crawling into bed. You pamper yourself here, you prepare for the day here – not to mention the necessary nature of it in the first place. And if you’re at all concerned about resale value down the road, all signs point to futuristic bathrooms making their way into everyday homes. From high-tech toilets to functional fixtures Technology exists for every purpose and place in your home – including your bathroom. Whether you want a television mounted by the bathtub so you can watch your favorite movies, piped-in audio so you can perform a concert in your shower, or a smart mirror to keep your life at your fingertips, consider turning your bathroom into the place you love to live in most. Consider the added comfort of connecting the smart home control you already have in the rest of your home to your bathroom. Control your thermostat, dim the lights and still have access to your security system so that winding down from the day is just as relaxing as it is necessary. By incorporating the right features into your bathroom, you can create an oasis out of something that used to be seen as utility. Consult a professional integrator Regardless of how futuristic or minimalistic you’d like your bathroom to be, the pros are here to make sure it’s just as smart as the rest of your home. Need more inspiration for bathroom tech and design before you start? Check out this handy guide to some of 2018’s trends.

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Samsung The Frame at LaScala

Smart Home Meets Smart Style

Automation, Sleek design, Tech Trends /

So you want a smart home, but you’re not sure how to integrate all of the technology you want into the design style you have. Lucky for you, technology doesn’t have to be a hindrance to your style anymore. Instead, choose technology that stands out and doubles as artwork or has the ability to blend seamlessly in so that you won’t even realize it’s there. Design That Changes with Your Mood Think about the way your living spaces are currently configured. There’s a good chance your furniture centers around the television. But what about that space when your television is off? You’re left with a black, blank rectangle on the wall – and that’s a missed opportunity. Consider adding a television that easily doubles as your own personal art gallery, with paintings or photography you can change as you wish, that matches your style and mood perfectly. You can even use your own photographs to add a personal touch to your living space to make your technology work for you, even when it’s off. What’s more, these televisions can be fitted into the wall for a seamless look or come beautifully framed, ensuring your television fits the design, and not the other way around. A Reflection of Your Design Style And it doesn’t stop with just television screens. Adding a smart mirror (or a few) to your home is an excellent way to add connectivity to your smart home without compromising style or practicality. Imagine a customizable dashboard complete with weather, social media updates, your calendar – even voice-control of your home’s systems – all from your bathroom mirror. Smart mirrors allow the perfect mix of entertainment, organization and functionality, while also coming in designs that are sure to enhance your space. Whether you’d like to start from scratch and include a technology integrator from the beginning of your design plan, or need help updating your current living spaces but aren’t sure how to do it without compromising design, consult La Scala Integrated Media to make sure you’re getting the best tech for your lifestyle and interior design.

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Samsung The Frame at LaScala

Smart Home Meets Smart Style

Automation, Sleek design, Tech Trends /

So you want a smart home, but you’re not sure how to integrate all of the technology you want into the design style you have. Lucky for you, technology doesn’t have to be a hindrance to your style anymore. Instead, choose technology that stands out and doubles as artwork or has the ability to blend seamlessly in so that you won’t even realize it’s there. Design That Changes with Your Mood Think about the way your living spaces are currently configured. There’s a good chance your furniture centers around the television. But what about that space when your television is off? You’re left with a black, blank rectangle on the wall – and that’s a missed opportunity. Consider adding a television that easily doubles as your own personal art gallery, with paintings or photography you can change as you wish, that matches your style and mood perfectly. You can even use your own photographs to add a personal touch to your living space to make your technology work for you, even when it’s off. What’s more, these televisions can be fitted into the wall for a seamless look or come beautifully framed, ensuring your television fits the design, and not the other way around. A Reflection of Your Design Style And it doesn’t stop with just television screens. Adding a smart mirror (or a few) to your home is an excellent way to add connectivity to your smart home without compromising style or practicality. Imagine a customizable dashboard complete with weather, social media updates, your calendar – even voice-control of your home’s systems – all from your bathroom mirror. Smart mirrors allow the perfect mix of entertainment, organization and functionality, while also coming in designs that are sure to enhance your space. Whether you’d like to start from scratch and include a technology integrator from the beginning of your design plan, or need help updating your current living spaces but aren’t sure how to do it without compromising design, consult La Scala Integrated Media to make sure you’re getting the best tech for your lifestyle and interior design.

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home media room sports fan experience

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

Audio Systems/Hi-end Audio, Media Rooms, Outdoor Living, Tech Trends /

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.  

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