home entertainment

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.

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

The Home-Field Advantage

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Why go out to the sports bar, when you could build one in your own home?   What comes to mind when you think of college football in Canada? Does the image of a crowded sports bar, or your friends and family struggling to view the same television screen come to mind? What about the ultimate in-home sports bar? Now, finding the best seat for the University of British Columbia game means never leaving the comfort of your own home. When it comes to designing the ultimate in-home experience for game day viewing, a personal sports bar, with comfy furniture and lots of space to entertain, is highly sought-after. But what really matters is creating an immersive experience, complete with a large projection screen and high-definition projector or a huge flat screen television, and a complete surround sound system to bring the sights and sounds of the stadium into your home. With your own in-home football zone, you never have to worry if the bar will be playing the right game, or if you’ll be entering into enemy territory. Your space can be designed around your team’s colors and memorabilia. Just think: acoustic paneling, comfy theater seating and wall art tailored for the ultimate UBC fan. Integrating your memorabilia and colors with the best audio and video can transform game day into an ultra-engaging sports experience. Are fantasy sports more than just a hobby for you? Consider opting for multiple screens and watch multiple games at once, so you never have to miss a play. The ability to view multiple games and toggle between audio at the touch of a button gives any fantasy player an advantage on tracking stats. And the options aren’t just limited to your home. Consider taking your dedication on the road with you, and deck out a mobile home like these Auburn football fans did, so that you always have the home-team advantage. Regardless of where you wish to create your personal “home team advantage,” give us a call and we’ll get your project kicked-off!

Media Rooms

Mad About Your Media Room!

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Content is king!  From subscription streaming to satellite, sources for content seem endless, and so are your options for viewing!  Whether you’re hosting a Sunday afternoon of sports, a night of gaming, or any other excuse to have friends over, here’s some tips to treat all your guests to their favorite team, game or conversation. Multi-screen or Multiple Screens? The popularity of picture-in-picture viewing has exploded with the recent, feature-rich 4K options available.  And video walls comprised of multiple displays are seeing a spike, taking full advantage of available content.  Configurations include a mix of flatscreens and projection, offering an endless range of size choices.  Some prefer one large, main viewing canvas, flanked by smaller screens, either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed.  Others prefer a massive video wall comprised of a grid of narrow-bezel displays that can be configured to toggle content across the entire grid or in a multi-screen matrix. Another option is offering multiple screens throughout a space, providing viewing from several seating or entertainment areas.  This works well when incorporating spaces such a billiards table, bar area, casual seating nook, etc.  Mounting solutions for a video matrix is somewhat complex however.  Aside from a seamless installation, panels must be accessible for maintenance, allow for heat dispersion and more. And keep in mind that any security feed, such as your front door camera or baby monitor, are sources that can be fed onto the screens as well. This is ideal when your media room is in the basement and you’re watching for the pizza guy! Design  As an Electronics System Contractor, we will help with space planning and AV design and work alongside your interior design professional to ensure the best possible outcome, the perfect blend of aesthetics and technology.  Once you’ve decided on entertaining and viewing areas, there are a number of things to consider. Optimize your room’s viewing by creating multiple layers of seating.  Take the tiered home theater seating approach and apply it across your space to take advantage of line of sight from anywhere in the room.  A first tier could be a mix of sleek gaming chairs, multi-purpose seating/storage ottomans and kid-friendly bean bags that could be stowed away when not needed. For your main seating tier, modular sectionals offer terrific flexibility while some well-placed  swivel chairs keep viewers engaged and comfortable.  Hi-top tables and bar seating provide guests a clear shot across the room while offering spaces for intimate conversation or a competitive hand of poker. And don’t ignore design conveniences like installing drink rails and providing side tables for your guests. Sound Audio does not take a back seat to video!  Designing the room’s acoustics is essential for comfortable listening and conversation.  Thoughtful acoustic design and noise control reduces fatigue and allows guests in each area to enjoy content and conversation. Seamless Audio Switching is also essential to content enjoyment.  As content is chosen or swapped across screens, the sound must follow without a distracting stutter.  We can program flawless source switching across your devices – no fumbling with multiple devices and no missed moments of the game!  No time here for amateurs! Ready to host a party in your in-home sports bar? Great! Call us!  We’ll walk you through your choices, then design the system of your dreams that’s robust but fun and simple to use. Better get stocked up on beer! For more ideas, visit us on houzz. And check out our website gallery.  

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