Aug 18, 2016 | Control Systems, Distributed Video
The Street of Dreams is not only a showcase of the best that builders and their partners have to offer, but also an opportunity to try new things and take design ideas to a new level. With technology as deeply integrated into a home as La Dolce Vita, all electronics components from different manufacturers must work seamlessly and reliably with each other.
This was especially true when it comes to the home’s outside services such as internet, phone, and television, which are provided by Comcast. AV Awakenings decided to use brand-new Xfinity cable boxes, unique to this home’s installation, that will further enhance the homeowner’s television experience. Working with Comcast’s local technicians and national engineers to assure these new boxes worked seamlessly with the home’s Crestron system was an exceptional experience.
“Communication was essential for us in working with Comcast to assure the X1 platform performed as needed, and they were great to work with,” says Bill Reynolds, system designer for AV Awakenings. “They were thorough, responsive, and followed up with us to confirm that everything was working well in this show home.”
The feeling was mutual from Comcast’s perspective.
“We enjoyed an extremely collaborative and cooperative relationship with AV Awakenings at this year’s Street of Dreams,” said Amy Keiter, Comcast’s director of external communications. “We look forward to future partnerships on exciting projects like this.”
Apr 18, 2015 | Control Systems, Crestron
Added confidence that your Crestron system will work like it is supposed to.
Crestron Certified Designs are specified and quoted by the Crestron Sales Support Services engineers at the factory. Standing behind and validating every design, Crestron Certified Designs provide the maximum uptime, are easier to upgrade, expand, and manage, and are backed by the global True Blue Support team. A Crestron Certified Design is comprised entirely of Crestron products from the categories below, whenever possible:
- Control systems
- User interfaces
- AV distribution
- Audio distribution and processing
- Cables and wiring
- Enterprise management software
Five-year extended warranty
Crestron provides an additional two years above the 3-year standard warranty for their certified designs.
Ask us about a Crestron Certified Design and don’t forget, Brent our Certified Crestron Programmer, is one of a select few in the Northwest.
Mar 12, 2015 | Control Systems, Crestron, Home Automation
Ultimate Convenience
Worried about your kids losing house keys? Afraid you’ll get locked out of the house? Have neighbors or in-laws who you ask to watch over your house while you’re gone? Crestron now offers controllable electronic door locks from Yale, Schlage and Baldwin, most of which can match existing door lock and handle hardware that you already have in your home.
You can program in a code for you and the kids to use daily or neighbors that only works while you’re away, keeps you from giving copies of your house key. Or locking yourself out…
The locks can be operated by punching in a four-digit code. Not only does it unlock the door, but if you have a Crestron system in the house already, the door unlock code could also disarm your security system, turn lights on, roll up your window shades, start music or anything else you can think of!
Want to know more? Ask us…
Nov 1, 2014 | Control Systems, Tips
Fall is here! Rain, wind, downed trees and… power outages. We all have sensitive electronics in our homes and we have some good tips if you lose power.
We usually install backup batteries (UPS) to protect certain equipment in your system but they are designed to keep things running for only a short period without power.
Theater and Media Rooms with Projectors
If you are watching a game or a movie and the power goes out, you will want to shut down your projector immediately. We always install robust power protection for projectors to protect the expensive bulbs, and we prefer to have them on a battery backup, but they are not intended to allow you to keep watching your system. Besides, your audio would probably be without power and that will have ruined your fun anyway. If your processor and touch screens are up, you can use your regular power-off button but most of the time those will also have shut down. It’s now time to visit your remote bin included with your system, pull out the projector remote and power it off.
If your power is out for more than and hour
You’ll want to turn off things with hard drives including Kaleidescape systems. If you have a Kaleidescape server you will want to go to your equipment rack, flip down the door on the front and hit the power button.
If you have security cameras, your UPS should run those for a while and you shouldn’t need to worry much about them.
My Security System Keeps Beeping
For short power outages, your security system may be beeping. If your security pad is GE, pressing the * key will silence the beeping. If you have a DSC system, pressing * 2 on the keypad will likely silence the beeping. If you’re not sure, feel free to contact us and we will help. Your security system has a battery backup as well that will last between 12 and 24 hours without power.
We do not recommend that you attempt to unplug your security system from power. The system will keep running for a good amount of time, and will power itself back up and begin re-charging the battery when power is restored to your home.
If you have any questions about your system, feel free to give us a call.
May 5, 2014 | Control Systems, Crestron, Home Automation, Home Theater
It happens to us all the time – two must-watch games on at the same time, or sometimes three, or even four! There is a solution, a good solution.
A fully touchscreen controllable, high-definition, high-resolution, multi-window video processor that can handle up to 8 different source inputs: HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, HD-SDI and good-ole analog, with Crestron’s DVPHD. If your head didn’t explode with that one, you might be asking: What does it all mean? You can display 8 *different* feeds of anything your heart desires – satellite or cable TV, Blu-ray, computer screens and more – either all at once, a couple at a time or switch between them effortlessly through your handy touch panel. Add transition effects and customizable graphics to sweeten the delivery.
The DVPHD, when added to an existing or new Crestron system, can be connected to your big television in the great room or 2-piece projection system in the theater (anywhere, really). It is also perfectly suited for board room applications making presentations stand out with multi-media capabilities and real-time on-screen annotation at the touch of a button.
Mar 8, 2014 | Control Systems, Crestron, Home Automation
We all know that it is always better to take a test drive before you spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, whether it be that sweet new car, or on an automation and control system for your home. While our office showcases some of the technology available, it is only a taste of what you can truly do with a full Crestron system.
Crestron Experience Centers, located in several cities in the US, are a way to immerse yourself in what Crestron is capable of in elegant, real life settings.
Experience a Theo Kalomirakis Reference theater, play with touch-screens in the Interactive Design Lab or see how products can be tastefully incorporated into any decor style from traditional to contemporary.
Touring a Crestron Experience Center is by appointment only, so if you are interested, contact us for more information.
