Learn about home automation and entertainment and what you can do with your living spaces when smart technology is installed and synchronized. Optimize the way you leave by creating the ultimate smart home. Overview You arrive home at dusk, and the exterior is perfectly lit. The garage door opens with a simple voice command, and the security system automatically disarms. After dinner, you dim … [Read more...] about Smart Home Technology & Lifestyle Guide
Technology
Home Theater Seating
The Right Choices Can Make or Break Your Viewing Experience Seating is an often overlooked—but critical—element of home theater design. Homeowners often spend hours researching the best AV solutions for their space, but audio video components aren’t the only factor in creating the ultimate media room experience. Like any other room in your home, a home theater only adds value if you want to spend … [Read more...] about Home Theater Seating
Best New TV Technology in 2019
2019: The Year of the Television? TV’s reigned supreme at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Today’s AV consumers have witnessed a remarkable television evolution in their lifetimes. When furniture-cased models and their massive projection descendants gave way to flat screen technology, we marveled at displays that seemed like science fiction made real. TV manufacturers are still … [Read more...] about Best New TV Technology in 2019
Get Ready for Autumn with Home Technology
Enjoying the last lazy, hazy days of summer? Before you know it, Autumn will be here with football, school and falling leaves. We want you to be ready for what’s ahead with these suggestions for home technology in lighting, window treatments, WiFi and speakers, and finally home networks for computers. … [Read more...] about Get Ready for Autumn with Home Technology
You Light Up My Life: Automated Lighting from AVD
Back in 1977 when Debby Boone sang "You Light Up My Life" few realized that automated lighting would revolutionize the home technology industry. The benefits of automated lighting include convenience, security and aesthetics that enhance the way we live in our homes today. And don't forget the bonus of energy savings! … [Read more...] about You Light Up My Life: Automated Lighting from AVD
New England Sport: Winter TV Binge-watching
Let’s face it – New England winters were made for TV binge-watching, from Netflix to the televised events we gather around: The Golden Globes, The Oscars, the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and March Madness. Our viewers guide is below, but first let’s talk TV. What do you view your favorite programs on? Then we’ll talk about where you watch and finally, all of the extras that … [Read more...] about New England Sport: Winter TV Binge-watching
Setting the Mood for Holiday Entertaining
The holidays will arrive in no time at all, and we’ll be entertaining family and friends. Is your home ready? We love the festive spirit of the season here at AVD, and recommend two ways to prepare your home and welcome guests: set the mood with music and lighting. … [Read more...] about Setting the Mood for Holiday Entertaining
Networking 101
Have you ever been frustrated at the poor reception your cell phone gets at home? Looking for the crispest resolution on your television while watching Netflix? Do you ever feel you have the slowest Wi-Fi in the world? Do you even understand how Wi-Fi works? When we talk about networking, we’re talking about: Wi-Fi – accessing the local wireless network for your computer, telecommunication, … [Read more...] about Networking 101
The Problem with Alexa…
It seems as though everyone has gone crazy for voice command devices and applications, but we are exercising caution. Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google's Assistant Allo all have flaws. That's what we are hearing from you. "Alexa won't turn on the lights in my kitchen." "Allo can't open the garage door for my plumber while I'm at work." "Siri can't find anything!" As home electronics, … [Read more...] about The Problem with Alexa…
Father’s Day Gift Ideas from our AVD Team
Father's Day is a couple of weeks away and if you're stumped for what to give Dad, we have some gift ideas from our team at AVD. Present the man in your life with a gift certificate for a fully-equipped "man cave"/media room. Or give him one of the items suggested here. And, as man does not live by home electronics, automation and integration alone, we're offering up some additional thoughts as a … [Read more...] about Father’s Day Gift Ideas from our AVD Team
Product Focus: Room Correction
Have you ever heard of room correction in reference to audio equipment? You might be surprised to learn that with most audio systems, more than half of the sound you hear doesn't come from your speakers alone. The shape and dynamics of the room, including your furnishings, play a big part of what you do hear in terms of echoes, reflections and absorption of sound. In the past that meant placing … [Read more...] about Product Focus: Room Correction
Flat Panel TV vs. Projector
When setting up the display system for a home theater, many video enthusiasts face the choice of using a flat panel TV or a projector. Here is a brief overview of flat panel TVs and projectors that can help you understand their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. Image size and resolution: A high-definition television has a constant image resolution and size that cannot be changed. … [Read more...] about Flat Panel TV vs. Projector
Create the Ultimate Sound in Any Space
Creating a perfect sound system for a home or office can seem like significant task for audiophiles at any level of expertise. Experts enjoy the challenge of assembling a system from scratch and balancing its many components, while beginners can be bewildered by the range and type of audio equipment available. The following overview of some of the most popular new high-tech sound equipment can … [Read more...] about Create the Ultimate Sound in Any Space