Nomenclature is a challenge when it comes to home technology. We struggle with terms that resonate with homeowners. From the “AV guy" to system integrators to custom installers to technology designers to low-voltage contractors, the home technology industry seems to have an identity crisis, even though all those terms mean essentially the same...
Able to simulate daylight and dusk and develop a deeper connection with the outdoors, Human-Centric Lighting offers an exciting new approach to home lighting.Of all the amenities in a home, lighting can have the most impact on design, ambiance and even your sense of well-being. Set at the appropriate brightness and color temperature,...
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Art collecting has long been a passion for those who wish to own and display a piece of work to which they feel an emotional connection. There are many reasons why a person would want a piece of art in their home—perhaps the piece or artist evokes strong positive memories, they feel the piece speaks to the design, mood and aesthetic of their...
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Wireless connectivity is faster than ever, but your home still needs a solid network of wiring for higher bandwidth, better Internet security and a host of other benefits.
In a world that increasingly uses wireless communication, conversations about cabling / prewiring can seem a bit outdated and, frankly, unnecessary. In reality, this could...
Voice control platforms offer a hands-free way to operate lights, thermostats, door locks and more, but is there a catch?
We have all been there — wet hands, full arms, juggling five things at once, or just in the middle of something else when the doorbell rings, you need more light, or you’d like to change the channel on the TV or switch to a...
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The world we live in today has become increasingly connected. Not long ago, most people only had a desktop computer and maybe, a laptop computer that needed access to the Internet or maybe a network-connected printer. In just a few short years it seems that every device in our lives can now communicate with other devices, store data on some...
When looking for a surveillance camera system, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the huge number of products available and the confusing technical jargon that comes with them. Just walk into any big box retailer and there are numerous brands all seemingly selling the exact same camera. Every brand claims to offer high resolution and night...
Are you in the process of planning a home theater? Possibly you are well into the design or even already have some construction underway. Or, you may have only recently started to consider the possibility. In any case, you have likely been overwhelmed with copious, confusing and often misleading information on just exactly what creates a great...
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Humanity’s love of music is timeless and universal. It sustains the soul, speaks to the imagination and shapes our perspective on the world.
In our view, everyone should respect the life-affirming spirit of music and value how it was explicitly meant to be heard and enjoyed by the artist who created it. In simple terms, the goal for the audio...
Over 25 industry experts plus the Home Technology Association’s esteemed Board of Advisors have weighed in to create the rigorous standards of HTA Certification. Our goal is to empower consumers with the best information possible so that they may research and hire the best firms for their project.
It has taken a few years, though smart home systems have finally gained acceptance as a very desirable feature to integrate into a home of any size, shape, or style. It does not matter if you live in a 1,200-square foot bungalow on the beach, a condo on the 16th floor in the city, or a sprawling mansion in the country, a smart home system can afford a wealth of benefits that extend beyond being able to wow your friends and family with a suite of fancy new electronics. We are talking real, practical value that can impact every facet of your life—from the moment you wake up until you hit the sack, and even while you are away at work, running errands, or miles away on vacation.
Amongst the many factors you should consider when hiring a home technology professional for your project, their approach to ongoing service and maintenance of your technology systems is arguably one of the most important. Your home technology will likely require more upkeep and maintenance than any other system in the home. For all of the convenience, security, comfort, and entertainment these systems can provide, technology is imperfect and ever-evolving. Occasional device reboots, advanced troubleshooting, system updates, and ongoing user-education should be understood as part of the deal.
Would you feel comfortable if a General Contractor told you he could build your dream home without a set of architectural plans? Of course not. As we all know, a house is very complex and is built from many different items: a foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, windows, doors, a roof, and the list goes on. How are all of these trades and systems going to come together successfully without a set of plans that these trades can collaborate from? The answer is obvious; it would be a disaster. Building the house without plans would take much longer to build, with many errors, a lot of change orders, would cause a lot of frustration, would cost more, and the end result would most likely not be what you expected.
Nomenclature is a challenge when it comes to home technology. We struggle with terms that resonate with homeowners. From the “AV guy" to system integrators to custom installers to technology designers to low-voltage contractors, the home technology industry seems to have an identity crisis, even though all those terms mean essentially the same thing to an insider. The same goes for the terms that we use to define rooms in the home, which brings us to the topic du jour: What is the difference between a media room and a home theater? Most homeowners do not know or even care about the difference.
Able to simulate daylight and dusk and develop a deeper connection with the outdoors, Human-Centric Lighting offers an exciting new approach to home lighting. Of all the amenities in a home, lighting can have the most impact on design, ambiance and even your sense of well-being. Set at the appropriate brightness and color temperature, lighting can accentuate the architectural features of your home while affecting your mood and well-being. Smart lighting has the ability to touch every part of our lives in some very positive ways, and the continual evolution of LED lighting technology is largely responsible.
