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  • © 2024 Digital Smart Homes | By Appointment: 999 W Broadway 7th Floor, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K5 | 604.670.7647 | Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Whistler, Surrey | Control4, Sonos, Lutron | Home Automation, Multi-Room Audio, Home Theater | Email 0

Smart Living Journal

Home Automation a Rising Trend at CES 2014

CES

In January the annual Consumer Electronics show will once be taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. From January 7th-10th 2014, all the latest products will be debuted, from televisions, to tablets, PCs to speakers.
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Control4 Richmond Project Video


Control4 Richmond - Another automated home by Digital Smart Homes from Digital Smart Homes on Vimeo.



Control4 equipped home in Richmond that integrates all the electronic systems onto one intuitive platform. The only technology that is visible in the gorgeous home is a Turntable, TV's and a couple of Touch screens throughout the home. Everything else is hidden away.

Sonos: Home Theater for Music Lovers

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Sonos is taking simple home theater to the next level by delivering a new solution designed specifically for custom installers that offers all of the benefits of the Sonos home theater experience along with the flexibility required to meet the needs of any customer.

SONOS CONNECT:AMP can power third-party speakers as rears in combination with PLAYBAR and SUB to create immersive 5.1 surround sound. This new functionality was built to serve as a simple solution for new home theater installations or for retrofitting existing systems with in-ceiling or in-wall speakers.

Episode Mini Amp! Mega Useful

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Episode 35 Watts per Channel Digital Mini-Amplifier (3 Channel with IR learning and subwoofer output)

Enhance the audio of even the thinnest TVs without having to use a bulky AV receiver. The Episode® 3-channel mini amplifier can power a soundbar or speakers while staying cleanly out of sight. It delivers outstanding sound quality and cool-running performance – in one convenient pint-sized package. Plus it has two inputs with selectable priority and IR control with learning, so it can be programmed with any remote or control system. And when used together with our Strong™ VersaBox, it gets tucked neatly behind the TV so customers don’t even know it’s there.
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Control4 Square Wired Keypad

Control4-Square Wired-Keypad
Control4 announces availability of the Control4® Square Wired Keypad, the newest addition to the Panelized Lighting family of products. Combining elegant Euro styling with flexible button configuration, the Square Wired Keypad provides a stunning user interface that controls any aspect of a Control4® system. The keypad can be configured with two to seven buttons, using four different button sizes, for a total of 37 possible configurations.
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Smart Homes Market Worth $51.77 Billion by 2020

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"Smart Homes Market - by Products (Security, Access, Lighting, Entertainment, Energy Management Systems, HVAC, and Ballast & Battery Pack), Services (Installation & Repair, Renovation & Customization) and Geography - Analysis & Forecast (2013 - 2020)'’, published by Markets and Markets, the total market for the Global Smart Homes Market will be worth $51.77 billion by 2020 at an estimated CAGR of 17.74%.

Read the full story
here

Introducing The Mini But Mighty Sonos Play:1

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No other wireless speaker packs so much deep, crystal clear HiFi sound into such a compact design.

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Two custom tuned drivers powered by two dedicated digital amplifiers deliver powerful, richly textured sound, with crystal clear highs and thundering lows, for pitch-perfect sound at any volume. 1 tweeter and 1 3.5" mid woofer

Humidity resistant to operate flawlessly in high-humidity environments, such as in a bathroom with a running shower

Enjoy rich listening right out of the box, or pair two PLAY:1s in the same room to create a wider sound stage with true stereo sound. Add a SUB for the ultimate music showroom, or combine the PLAYBAR, SUB and two PLAY:1s for an epic home cinema system.
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Meet the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm

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Nest is reinventing the smoke alarm.

The Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm quiets down when you wave, messages your phone when its batteries run low and tells you where danger is in a human voice. It also connects to the Nest Learning Thermostat which will automatically turn off a gas furnace to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Control4's New Media Distribution Family

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Introducing Control4’s new Media Distribution family of products, including the 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch, 100 Series Power Amplifiers and the enhanced Audio Matrix Switch. This new line delivers superior sound and video quality, simplified setup, and showcases a new, sleek industrial design for a polished, professional look in any installation.
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Pakedge Intelligent Power Distribution Units

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Cambridge Audio Azur 551R 7.1 HDMI AV Receiver - Control4 Certified

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An AV Receiver that sounds like a hifi!
As TVs become impossibly thin - and sound quality gets even leaner - there's never been a better time for a home theatre system that sounds sensational but is also simple to use.

Music is at the heart of Cambridge Audio and this all new AV Receiver is designed to deliver sound that's in every way as epic as the picture quality from your movies, music and TV shows.

So, as well as all the latest processing features you'd expect, the 551R's ability to reproduce music with incredible richness and authority really separates it from the herd.

A staggering 110 Watts of power is achieved by combining Cambridge Audio's audio design expertise and the choicest selection of audiophile components.

From an all-metal and surprisingly compact design, the 551R features a multitude of connections and is guaranteed to revolutionize the audio potential of Blu-ray players, video streamers, satellite boxes, iPod docks, games consoles and of course hi-fi source components.

Like our entire range, the 551R was created at Cambridge Audio's Research and Development Centre on London's Southbank by a team with an uncontested passion for making music sound sensational!

Control4 Key Driver Features:
• 2-Way RS-232 Driver
• Supports Control4 OS versions 2.0 and above
• Control of AM/FM Tuner also available
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Control4 Wireless Music Bridge

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Introducing the all new Control4 Wireless Music Bridge. Featuring built-in AirPlay, Bluetooth and DLNA connectivity, the Bridge allows virtually any smart phone, tablet or other personal device to wirelessly stream music, audio books and podcasts to a Control4 system. With the Bridge, customers now have a simple way to enjoy any music available on a phone, tablet or computer around the home with amazing sound quality and no hassles. Whether it is music downloaded from iTunes or a favorite streaming service, such as Pandora or Spotify, the Bridge effortlessly connects these vast libraries of music to a Control4 system. As part of a Control4 system, or used in a stand-alone audio system, nothing is better at bringing various audio technologies together or is as simple to install or use.
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The Voicepod - The world's first dedicated wireless speech module for home automation

voicepod
VoicePod is an exciting new home automation device that speech-enables your home. VoicePod both listens and talks, which adds a whole new dimension to daily living and offers countless benefits. VoicePod offers unprecedented convenience, security, and flexibility and is a desirable new alternative to traditional keypads, remotes and touch screens.
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Control4 Panelized Lighting Controls

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Control4 announces availability of the full line of Panelized Lighting Controls. The Control4 Panelized Lighting solution enables comprehensive control over residential and commercial lighting systems using sophisticated keypads, rather than a collection of switches on every wall. All dimming, switching and load management is performed by smart lighting modules, tucked away in a panel and completely hidden from view.


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Control4 Next Generation Wireless Lighting Controls

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Control4 announces availability of the new family of Wireless Lighting controls, the most significant product line introduction since the company’s launch! Showcasing elegant industrial design in a wide range of colors and custom configurations, these new controls deliver the most comprehensive, innovative and time saving Control4® Wireless Lighting solutions for residential and commercial installs to date.
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Introducing the AquaTel Fluid Level Monitor

AquaTel Fluid Level Monitor
The AquaTel Fluid Level Monitor uses unique ultrasonic technology to monitor fluid levels in a wide range of tanks. This wireless sensor and receiver package offers superior performance over older technologies.

The sensor can be installed for use in a wide range of applications (see below). The battery in the sensor can last up to five years, depending on the configured data refresh rate.
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LILIN Video Surveillance Products Now Available

LILIN Video Surveillance
We are pleased to announce that LILIN products are now available at Digital Smart Homes! LILIN’s professional-grade IP (iMEGAPRO) and Analog video cameras feature industry-leading specifications and design that help to deliver astounding image quality as well as discreet surveillance. Offering over 10 camera model types, the iMEGAPRO and Analog lines provide pristine footage suitable for almost any residential or commercial application. We're excited to make these solutions available to our clients!
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Introducing Control4 OS 2.4

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Control4 OS 2.4 adds to a growing list of system features designed to enhanced user experience and customer satisfaction. Here’s a list of what’s new:


Expanded Listening Experience with TuneIn
TuneIn gives your customers the ability to access and enjoy a collection of global streaming radio stations, podcasts, music, sports and news through their Control4 systems.

Enhanced 4Sight with Anywhere Access Mobile
The new and improved 4Sight service now delivers Anywhere Access to a Control4 system from a smart phone or tablet over a 3G/4G or remote WiFi connection.

Remote Recharging Station
The new Remote Recharging Station keeps SR-150 and SR-250 System Remote Controls fully charged and ready for control.

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7 Reasons Why Home Automation is Made FOR the Technically Challenged

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As home automation specialists working to educate the public on the benefits of new technologies, we are often told, “I am too technically challenged to use a home automation system.” To be honest, we love to reveal why this statement is one of the biggest myths of the 21st century.
The truth is that home automation systems have the power to simplify everything within your home and life. For example, homeowners often struggle with technologies that don’t work together. They hate the numerous remote controls cluttering coffee tables, and the wires tangled throughout rooms, but they don't know they have any other options. Today’s home automation technologies eliminate the confusion. Completely.

In fact, home automation is made especially for the technologically frustrated. Here are a handful of reasons why:

1. Home automation systems, such as Control4, give homeowners the power to fuse together their entertainment, lighting, temperature control, and security into a single console. One way to manage everything, not lots of ways to manage lots of things.

2. A home automation system can be controlled via a remote and/or with home computers, iPads, iPhones, and smart phones. It can’t get any easier.

3. Picture this. The kids are playing their PS3 in the theater room and Mom and Dad want to start family movie night. Without changing sources or input cables, and with just one remote control, the room can be primed for movie watching by a simple press of a button. The lighting dims, the shades close, and the TV powers on via Control4.

4. Perhaps Mom and Dad are listening to their favorite Jazz station on Rhapsody in the kitchen as they cook. The children are in their respective rooms listening to their own choices of music. Mom presses the “DINNER” button on the Control4 keypad next to the stove and it automatically shuts off the music in their rooms and announces dinner time.

5. The technically challenged can even be at ease while on the road. Let’s assume you take a trip to Paris and leave your home in the care of a house sitter. You don’t have to fret about unlocked doors, the garage door being left open, lights being left on, and more. All you need is your iPad to see which doors are locked or unlocked, which lights need to be turned off or on, and whether or not you need to shut the garage door. You have the power to control them all via a touch screen.

6. Another convenience that home automation provides is the ability to remotely access and adjust your temperature settings. Most people don’t use the programming options on their thermostats, whether because it takes too long or their heating and cooling habits are inconsistent. Home automation provides you the ability to log in from your mobile device or PC and change the temperature to your desired setting. This is especially important while on vacation. Setting your home temperature back to a comfortable setting right from the airport allows you to come home to a comfortable, warm house.

7. One of the biggest concerns for the technically challenged is system setup and maintenance. This makes our team smile for a couple of reasons. Because each household has its own unique needs, we help to customize individualized solutions to meet those needs, and we ensure that all technologies are installed and working properly. If for any reason there is a problem, we are a phone call away and can fix most issues remotely.

In short, home automation systems are a complete relief for the technologically challenged. We dare you to visit a showroom for a demo and see for yourself!

Cool new products from Control4

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New product releases and the 2.4 software is coming in march and it has some serious enhancements! Here are some of the highlights.

· Panelized lighting. Way too much information here to simplify how awesome this is! Get hooked up with all the training details asap.

· Anywhere access with any remote portable device. 4G and 3G support. No switching… it’s all automatic. And the functionality comes with the service for new 4-Sight Customers and existing 4-Sight Customers. The utility of the 4-Sight Service significantly expanded with this new functionality.

· Please look into all the great things going on with Tunein. http://tunein.com/

· Wireless Audio Bridge. An internet connected device, the Wireless Audio Bridge allows a customer to stream their favorite music from their personal device, be it an computer, iPhone or an iPad or an Android Tablet. Utilizing AirPlay and Bluetooth, also with DLNA, the Wireless Music Bridge promotes personal or sharing music experiences in the home.

· Recharge Station. Easy up-sell and simple way to get back into existing customers homes and pitch all the enhancements with 2.4 etc. Read More...

Introducing the Sonos Playbar

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High-definition televisions offer an amazing picture but often lack the powerful, realistic sound that movie, music and game enthusiasts enjoy. The new SONOS PLAYBAR delivers sophisticated home theater acoustics and wirelessly streams all the music on earth. And it all comes from one easy-to-use player that brings HiFi sound to HDTVs.

The nine-speaker design of SONOS PLAYBAR complements cinematic HD screens with richly-textured HiFi sound for TV, web, movies or video games.

Like other Sonos all-in-one wireless music players, the PLAYBAR allows you to wirelessly stream all the music on earth.

It connects using a single optical cable and plays everything that’s connected to the TV, including cable boxes and game consoles.

For an easy and secure wall-mounting solution either horizontally above or below the TV, use the PLAYBAR Wall Mount Kit (sold separately).

While perfect on its own, add a SUB for big bass sound and then add a stereo pair of PLAY:3s for a more immersive home theatre experience.
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Introducing the New SilverStar SSX

New SilverStar SSX

SilverStar™ SSX a sleek rigid screen with an ultra slim frame formulated from Vutec's award winning patented SilverStar technology. Delivering the ultimate in picture quality, vivid colors, high contrast, and a wide viewing area. SilverStar™ SSX gives the perception of a modern appearance for today's theater enthusiast. By setting the industry standard and maximizing the projected image, SilverStar SSX is offered in all screen.
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Limited Time: Up To $1000 Off Seura Outdoor TVs

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RELIABLE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
A Television You Can Count on From a Manufacturer You Trust
Available in three sizes and two beautiful finishes, the Storm Outdoor TV by Séura brings high-performance indoor entertainment to the great outdoors. Ideal for the modern lifestyle, this Outdoor TV offers unsurpassed picture quality and superior reliability in any weather.
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SnapAV WattBox Now Has The Power Of The Cloud!

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Self-Healing Auto Reboot
There's nothing more frustrating than wasting time and money to roll a truck to a customer's site for a simple reset. That problem is solved with Wattbox IP+. Thanks to its self-healing auto reboot, if a router, satellite receiver or other device loses connectivity to the Internet, our smart detection technology will uncover the problem and automatically cycle the power.

Remote Access and IP Control
For those times when a manual reset is required, Wattbox IP+ Remote Access enables you to cycle power from anywhere in the world. Turn off a single outlet - or all outlets – right from your PC or Mac's web browser. And thanks to IP control, you can download popular control system drivers to get simple network-based device management at your fingertips. Visit each product’s Support Tab for more information.
See the interface

Managing Customer Accounts
When you need to remotely access a customer’s Wattbox, don’t waste time searching through your records to find the location and IP address. Instead, set up a web-based document to house and organize all important information – Wattbox types, locations and addresses – so it’s simple to find. We recommend using Google Drive, and have created a sample spreadsheet to get you started (see the product Support Tabs). See how it’s done

Sophisticated Programming & Scheduling
Advanced doesn't even begin to cover it. With Wattbox IP+ Programming & Scheduling you can create custom events, like power sequencing, and automate commonly performed functions. Does the wireless router act up over time? Automatically reboot it once a week to clear out any gremlins.

Email Alerts
Stay informed by setting up customized email alerts for key events that occur, like an auto reboot. This feature makes it easy to spot failure patterns, or just stay on top of what's happening with each system. With the ability to support multiple email addresses, alerts are sent wherever you need them to go.

Fast Setup
The supplied Wattbox Utility program takes the guesswork out of initial setup. Once your Wattbox conditioners are connected to the network, the Utility automatically detects them and provides a fast, intuitive way to configure IP addresses and launch the browser interface.
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DVDO AIR" 60 GHz Wireless HDMI

DVDO AIR
DVDO Air is the only high definition wireless transmission system that works reliably across a large room with fully compliant HDMI (including CEC remote control, HDCP & 3D) and costs barely more than a high performance HDMI cable. DVDO Air's 60 GHz wireless technology uses radio wave frequencies more than 10x higher than other wireless devices, such as cordless phones, cell phones & Wi-Fi. 60 GHz transmission provides enough bandwidth to carry uncompressed 1080p video & 7.1 surround sound audio & without interference from other wireless devices. DVDO Air is easy to install too. Just connect the transmitter to the source device & the receiver to the LCD/LED/Plasma display for a quick, reliable, error-free installation that will be suitable for even the most demanding high performance home theatres.

Contact us here for more information

Binary Single CAT5e/6 HDBaseT Extender (230 ft.), Bi-directional IR, RS 232, and POC

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Now when you extend audio and video signals over long distances you won’t sacrifice resolution quality – and you’ll gain control system capabilities – with the HDBaseT™ technology of the Binary™ Single CAT 5e/6 HDMI Extender. This product goes the distance, transmitting up to 4K video and 7.1 channels of lossless audio – up to 230 ft. over a single Cat 5e/6 cable. It saves valuable install time, thanks to Power over Cable (POC), which eliminates the need to fit a bulky power supply behind the TV, and “plug and play” technology that bypasses frustrating EQ and EDID settings. And for the icing on the cake, you get robust control system integration that includes bi-directional IR and RS-232. Now that’s a product that packs a lot of punch!
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Modern, Contemporary Control4 Smart Home with Lutron RadioRa2

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This is one of my favourite homes and most of all, one of my favourite clients that Digital Smart Homes has had the pleasure to work with. This modern contemporary Vancouver home features a Control4 Home Control and Automation system that is integrated with Lutron's RadioRa2 smart lighting system. All equipment, including all Video sources, Wirepath CCTV, Media and more are all located together into two racks freeing up space at all the TV locations so that only a flat screen is visible and no other electronics. Control4 allows for easy access to any video source, audio device from anywhere in the home from an iPad, touch screens, keypads, computers, and smart phones.

Visit our Vancouver showroom to learn and experience what Control4 and Home Automation and Control can do for you. Contact Us

Control4 and Savant: A Simple Home Automation System Comparison

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THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY - Harry Saini

In your effort to create a comfortable and secure home, it is essential to find the ideal home automation solution to meet your unique needs. Two of the most popular and robust systems are Control4 and Savant. Without a doubt, both systems offer a plethora of options for revolutionizing your home – yet there are inherent differences between them that we will attempt to outline.

Beginning with Savant, the system has the ability to intelligently light your home, deck out your media room, improve your audio set up, and seamlessly control climate. The system is run by a dedicated Mac server that connects the various appliances within the home for ease of use and offers lightning-fast processes.

On the other hand, Control4 is a powerful system that is intelligently priced with value as a focus vs. high-end luxury pricing with Savant. Control4 allows for you to control everything from lighting, to your home theatre and audio, to home climate.

Plus, the technology interfaces nicely with security and keyless door entry systems. When all is taken into consideration, the home automation industry at large considers Control4 the best value for a home automation system on the market, while Savant is luxurious first choice for Apple fanatics.

The following is a breakdown of the main differences between the two systems:

  • Control4 is considerably more cost-effective than Savant.

  • Savant is Mac-based and Apple reliant, while Control4 builds their product independently and is compatible with iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and Computers supporting Adobe Air (both Apple and Microsoft).

  • Control4 offers a wide variety of native interfaces from standard remotes, keypads, and in-wall touch panels. Savant works with a handheld remote and/or iPad touch screen.

  • Savant supports iTunes. Control4 supports iTunes as well and can also pulls media via a robust database service to play MP3s, Apple audio and miscellaneous digital formats.

  • Savant offers completely customizable graphics and requires a custom program for almost every installation. Control4 has developed a simplified user interface which assists in saving on programming time.

  • Control4 is extremely easy to program and offers direct integration with several vendors in the AV/Security/Automation industry.

  • Savant offers lighting solutions through Light Touch, a company they purchased while Control4 has consistently developed their own lighting and many more products to fill the majority of your integration needs.

While both Savant and Control4 offer virtually an unlimited number of options, we at Digital Smart Homes are of the opinion that Control4 offers the perfect blend of cost-effectiveness, intuitive controls, speed and versatility. Plus, rather than relying on a Mac-only platform, it is possible to utilize the system on a number of devices. Of course, if you are an Apple enthusiast seeking a posh solution to your home automation needs, Savant may do the trick.

When considering the purchase of either a Control4 or Savant system, the secret to your success is outlining your exact needs and making a functionality wish list. It is then possible to select the solution that transforms your home into a more secure and functional environment.


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