Remotes
How many remotes do you have to control your equipment in your house? With the technology that we have today your answer should be one, but most people have multiple remotes still. There are a few awesome remotes to consider if you want a smart home.
The two major brands are Crestron and Control4. With both Crestron and Control4 remotes you can also use your cell phone or iPad. You could get an RTI, URC, or any other universal remote, but you won’t have the same smart features as you would with Crestron or Control4.
Some of the features are; control lighting, thermostats, av equipment, and more just from your couch.
LIGHTING CONTROL
With a Crestron or Control4 system you can control your lighting from your remote, smart phone or iPad. You wouldn’t need to get up from your couch or make sure Alexa could hear you.
AV EQUIPMENT
With a Crestron or Control4 system you can use one remote to control all of your av equipment for the living room. Meaning that your receiver, apple tv, cable box, and television will all work with one remote.
Remotes
Control4 has two different types of touchscreen remotes, the SR-260 and Neeo.
The SR-260 remote has an intuitive button layout perfect for one-handed operation and they are highly customizable. It has a big, bright, high resolution display screen that you can customize the color and the language. The only color it comes in is black.
The Neeo remote for Control4 is a handheld remote that gives you access to the things you use the most. It is Wi-Fi connected for a graphical experience that you can use throughout your home. With a big bright 3.2” high-resolution touchscreen that is customizable using favorites and the control4 mobile app. The Neeo is available in silver and black finishes.
Crestron has both non-touch screen and touchscreen remotes, the TSR-310, HR-310 and the HR-150.
The TSR-310 is an elegant, ergonomic and rugged handheld remote with a 3” color touchscreen, backlight, voice control capability and enhanced Wi-Fi communication. It also senses movement and wakes up the instant you pick it up.
The HR-310 is an elegant, ergonomic and rugged handheld remote with backlit buttons. It has nine buttons that could be custom labeled and assigned to any function. It also senses movement and wakes up the instant you pick it up.
The HR-150 provides a rugged and cost-effective handheld remote. It has 50 backlit buttons, eight of which are customizable.
As you can tell there are a lot of differences between the Crestron and Control4 remotes, but there are differences between the models of remotes as well. Give us a call and we can help you pick which remote will work best in your home.
About the Author
Experience Audio Video has been serving Orange County and Area since 1999 for residential and commercial audio, video and security camera installation services. 5 Star Yelp Ratings, Thousands of Referrals, there is not a better choice than Brian Chappell and the Experience Audio Video Team (License #804783). One phone call and you will know right away the difference in working with Experience Audio Video vs. others in the area. Contact us now at 714-744-4455 or info@eav-inc.com for a Free Consultation.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology comes in a comprehensive and diverse ecosystem and there are options for everyone. What do you need a smart home for? How do you know that is what you need? That is where a smart home professional like us comes into play.
Here are some questions to help you get to the bottom of what you want out of your smart home:
Is your smart home technology for function or fun?
FUN
- Amazon Alexa
- Control4 Home Audio
Amazon Alexa is a smart home/personal assistant. Alexa can turn on your favorite tv shows, play your favorite music, tell you a joke, control connected lights or other devices.
FUNCTION
- Crestron motorized shades
- Control4 System
With Crestron motorized shades you can have them programmed to gradually open in the morning or you can control the temperature in your home throughout the day. And with a Control4 system you can tie your smart devices together to make them even more convenient and functional.
Do you want smart home technology to enhance safety or entertainment?
SAFETY
- Yale, Baldwin and Kwikset smart locks
- Ring Alarm
- Hikvision IP Cameras
Smart locks allow you to unlock and lock your door remotely. You can give access to guests that you want when you aren’t home, and you can revoke that access. IP cameras can be accessed anywhere even when you aren’t at home. If your Ring alarm detects an issue it will send you a notification.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Apple TV
- Triad Multi-Room Audio
There are many options for smart home entertainment. For all of your streaming needs there is Apple TV. You can watch all of your favorite tv shows and movies in one place. If you want audio throughout your entire home, outside, or select rooms you can use Triad audio and Control4 and use one of your favorite music streaming services.
No matter what you would like to do we can help you decide.
About the Author
Experience Audio Video has been serving Orange County and Area since 1999 for residential and commercial audio, video and security camera installation services. 5 Star Yelp Ratings, Thousands of Referrals, there is not a better choice than Brian Chappell and the Experience Audio Video Team (License #804783). One phone call and you will know right away the difference in working with Experience Audio Video vs. others in the area. Contact us now at 714-744-4455 or info@eav-inc.com for a Free Consultation.
Smart Home OS
While you have been home these past few months, I am sure you have thought; Can I turn on my lights with my iPad? Can I turn on my lights and tv at the same time from a push of one button? Can I see what doors are unlocked at once? Well the answer to those questions is yes, if you had a smart home. With technology in your home the options are endless.
Some of the things you can do today with a smart home are:
- Control all the lights around your home
- Get notifications and video when someone is at your door. You can even unlock the door and communicate with the person there
- You can monitor your home security system when you go back to the office
SMART HOME WITHOUT AN OS
Unfortunately, most of the time you have a smart home you have multiple apps that you have to manage, but with a smart home OS you won’t have to change apps you can just one to manage all of your smart home needs. It really is more convenient.
Traditional smart lighting might sound like it would be useful and they would be, but what if you don’t have your phone or Alexa. Well then you would have to get up and manually turn on the lights, now you have disrupted the connection between the lights and the app. The disruption could also mess with your default settings.
SMART HOME WITH AN OS
Thankfully there are home automation specialist like us that have the knowledge to help you get your smart home OS. You may still be wondering what a smart home OS (operating system) is. It is a system that is designed to join hundreds of connectable devices around your home and control them with one platform. One popular operating system is Control4 Smart Home OS 3.
Some of the smart home products from Control4 you can get are:
- Smart thermostat
- Universal remote
- Multi-room music and video
- Home theater audio and control
The best part of having a smart home with an OS is that you can set up scenes. Like:
VACATION
You can set up your lights to come on and turn off at certain times, so it looks like you are at home. By doing that you can help prevent a burglary while you are not home. You would also get notifications on your cameras if you had them.
KIDS
You probably have to work and worry about your kids when they come home. Well with a smart home OS there is less to worry about. You can have your front door lock behind the kids when they come in.
When you are ready for a connected home give us a call and we will set up a meeting for you!
About the Author
Experience Audio Video has been serving Orange County and Area since 1999 for residential and commercial audio, video and security camera installation services. 5 Star Yelp Ratings, Thousands of Referrals, there is not a better choice than Brian Chappell and the Experience Audio Video Team (License #804783). One phone call and you will know right away the difference in working with Experience Audio Video vs. others in the area. Contact us now at 714-744-4455 or info@eav-inc.com for a Free Consultation.
Make Your Outdoor Space an Oasis
A lot of us have been forced to stay home in this trying time. Staying home doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or go outside. Do you have a backyard? Well you can turn your backyard into your outdoor oasis. Home Theater Installation Orange County is here to help!
Get Your Dance On
Outside might be the best place to dance. There is a lot more room outside than inside and you don’t have to worry about breaking grandma’s antiques. You might be thinking that you don’t have anyway to get music outside, but we have a few solutions for you.
- Triad Garden Array
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- Satellite and subwoofer speakers that are placed strategically throughout your yard. Each satellite speaker offers a 150-degree listening area.
- Sonance Mariners
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- Sonance Mariners come in different sizes, the smallest being 10-inches tall. Each mariner has precision mounting brackets that simplifies installation and provides up to 180-degree of pivot and securely locks the speaker into place
Outdoor Living Room
You have the perfect outdoor area. You have your outdoor furniture, you have an outdoor fireplace or firepit (maybe both), and you have your speakers set up what is next? You might not have thought about it, but an outdoor television could make your outdoor area complete. A SunBrite Television is built to be outside so there is no stressing about the rain, snow, dust, insects, salt air, humidity or extreme temperatures.
Get Some Vitamin D
You have been working from home for a few days and are getting restless, your kids are driving you crazy and not getting their homework done. It’s time to head outside, have your kids play their favorite sport, make an outside bowling alley, listen to music, or just enjoy the sun.
Check out Control4’s blog, Tech that Takes Your Outdoor Spaces to the Next-Level, and then give us a call to set up your new outdoor speakers.
About the Author
Experience Audio Video has been serving Orange County and Area since 1999 for residential and commercial audio, video and security camera installation services. 5 Star Yelp Ratings, Thousands of Referrals, there is not a better choice than Brian Chappell and the Experience Audio Video Team (License #804783). One phone call and you will know right away the difference in working with Experience Audio Video vs. others in the area. Contact us now at 714-744-4455 or info@eav-inc.com for a Free Consultation.
How to Have a Successful Home Remodel
As everyone is sitting at home in quarantine they are looking around their houses for projects to do. Are you one of those people? The best way to make sure you have a successful home remodel is to plan ahead and do your research.
One thing to think about while you are doing your home remodel is if you would like to make your home a smart home. Home Theater Installation Orange County can help you figure out your smart home options, whether you want surround sound throughout, an automated projector screen, use your phone to control all of your electronics, etc.
A Control4 blog called, “Steps to a Successful Home Remodel” that gives the steps and a little description of each step.
1. PLAN AHEAD
Think about the big picture. You want the remodel to make sense to your families needs and be functional. Make sure you let your designer or contractor know what you are envisioning.
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH
By doing your research, you’ll find an understanding of return on investments, potential costs, your choice of materials, and what upgrade options you have, like a smart home.
3. SET A BUDGET
When you finish your research, you will have an idea of what type of material you want and you’ll be able to establish a budget. You will also be able to figure out what is a must, what you would like and what you don’t want to do during your remodel. Make sure that when you speak to your smart home professional that you give them your budget so they can make an accurate proposal for you.
4. HIRE A PRO
Once you have your plan and budget set you need to bring in the professionals. Depending on what you have decided to do for your remodel is who you have to call.
5. FINALLY! ENJOY YOUR NEW SPACE
Now your remodel is done, sit back and enjoy your newly renovated home!
Check out Control4’s blog and then give us a call to schedule your meeting with Brian!
About the Author
Experience Audio Video has been serving Orange County and Area since 1999 for residential and commercial audio, video and security camera installation services. 5 Star Yelp Ratings, Thousands of Referrals, there is not a better choice than Brian Chappell and the Experience Audio Video Team (License #804783). One phone call and you will know right away the difference in working with Experience Audio Video vs. others in the area. Contact us now at 714-744-4455 or info@eav-inc.com for a Free Consultation.