To achieve the perfect home theater, there are two main technology components to consider: the television and the audio system. The perfect home television needs to be the perfect size for the space with a crystal-clear picture.
Options for televisions are numerous — so are those for audio systems. Audio systems include home theater speaker systems, soundbars, or a combination with a great subwoofer. Check out our guide for finding the perfect audio setup to get great theater-like sound.
Ask anyone what the number one frustration of trying to live, work, and play with technology is, and most people will tell you it’s the quality of their home internet. Network speed and reliability are vitally important factors in making the most of time spent at home. Several factors can inhibit your internet experience, including the number of devices connected, bandwidth caps and your router’s location.
If you feel like your internet connection has slowed or performance is compromised, the following are some steps you can take to improve the network’s speed and reliability.
It’s hard to believe, but there was supposedly a time when Steve Jobs was not keen on the idea of allowing third-party apps to run on the iPhone. Obviously, he ended up warming to the idea. These days, the phrase “there’s an app” for that — first coined in a 2009 Apple TV commercial — has become true for a myriad of things. One of those things is the control of smart devices.
While not yet as popular and as ubiquitous as mobile devices like iPhones and iPads, smart home technology is gaining ground and becoming more mainstream every day. Smart lights, thermostats, and cameras are no longer only seen in the homes of the rich and famous. You and your neighbors probably have a smart device or three in your house right now.
When designing a new home, it’s fairly common for technology to be an afterthought rather than a primary focus in the process. TVs, speakers, and electronics are often only thought about after all the design elements (paint colors, flooring, trim work, furniture, window treatments, etc.) have been carefully selected or even installed. The idea of ruining a room’s thoughtful aesthetic by introducing wires and a stack of black boxes can test even the best of marriages.
But technology and design can coexist without drastically compromising system performance or interior design. It simply takes a little creativity, careful planning and a partnership between your technology integrator and design professionals.
When people think of security cameras, they picture the grainy, almost unusable footage from a convenience store robbery. Today’s surveillance cameras have improved exponentially, with resolutions at high-definition or even 4K. Some high-tech security cameras can reach a resolution as high as 12 megapixels and offer multiple lenses with panoramic views from 180- to 360-degree coverage. Today's current crop of security cameras can capture the incredible detail of whatever is in their field of view. While we generally see cameras as a way to ward off or catch intruders, a well-planned security surveillance system can provide peace of mind in several other ways.
