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Seamlessly Integrating Carrier Infinity/Bryant Evolution with Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2024-03-05T22:12:21-08:00

In the world of smart homes, the fusion of high-end HVAC systems with cutting-edge home automation is the pinnacle of modern living. Imagine the sophistication of Carrier Infinity and Bryant Evolution systems seamlessly coexisting with Control4, orchestrated by a sleek custom driver. developed by Epic Systems

We recently integrated this solution, providing our client with an unparalleled level of control and efficiency. This synergy between top-tier Carrier HVAC systems and Control4 ensures that homeowners have absolute command over their home climate, offering an exceptional blend of convenience and control.

Navigating the Seamless Transition: Certified Control4 Dealers and the Seamless Handover of Smart Homes

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2024-01-03T19:05:11-08:00

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern living, home automation systems have become an integral part of households, offering convenience, security, and energy efficiency. However, when it comes to selling a home equipped with sophisticated systems like Control4, the transition from one homeowner to another can sometimes be a challenging process. In this blog post, we'll explore the intricacies of this transition and emphasize how certified Control4 dealers like ourselves contribute to a smooth handover.

Elevate Your Music Journey with Control4: Experience the Enhanced Spotify Integration!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2023-11-08T20:51:00-08:00

We're thrilled to unveil an enhanced Spotify experience for all you music enthusiasts out there who are part of the Control4 family. Control4's latest improvements are designed to make your music exploration seamless and delightful, ensuring you never miss a beat.

Unleashing the Power of OS 3.2.4: Elevate Your A/V Control with MultiDisplay Manager!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2023-10-03T19:44:00-07:00

We're thrilled to introduce the latest upgrade to our operating system, OS 3.2.4, designed with you in mind. This update brings a host of fundamental platform enhancements, providing an even more seamless and versatile audio-visual experience for both retail and commercial deployments.

So, what's in store for you with OS 3.2.4? Let's dive into the exciting features that will redefine the way you interact with your audio-visual setup:

Empowering Control: Elevating User Experience with the Latest Access Features

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2023-10-01T19:33:00-07:00

In today's dynamic world, touch screens are omnipresent, enhancing interactions in various settings, from child bedrooms to sports bars and boardrooms. However, not all touch screens should provide the same level of access to everyone. Imagine being able to customize and define the access levels for individual touch screens and television interfaces. Well, with the latest enhancements in our Access agent, coupled with the Identity and UI Configuration agents, this level of control is now at your fingertips.

The Synergy of IT and AV in Digital Spaces

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2023-08-02T11:20:51-07:00

Cloud-based AV solutions are another factor that has driven the convergence of IT and AV. With cloud-based AV systems, users can access and control resources remotely, from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it easier to deploy new AV services without significant capital investment.

4 reasons why you should have a Movie Server

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-12-10T22:58:37-08:00

#1 VIDEO QUALITY

Blu-ray™ has a capacity of 40 Mb per second, Amazon® is around 12, Netflix® around 7. This compression will degrade video quality. Fusion does a bit-for-bit copy so you lose none of the picture quality. This is especially important, as video is upsampled to 4K for most of today’s TVs!

#2 SOUND QUALITY

Dolby Atmos™, DTS X™, Dolby TrueHD™, and DTS-HD™ are all available on Blu-ray. None are available via streaming services. You have amazing speakers and AV receivers—make the most of them.

#3 CHOICE

Of the top 20 movies of 2014 (as rated by IMDB), only three are available on streaming Netflix, but all 20 are available in either DVD or Blu-ray!

#4 CONTROL4 INTEGRATION

With the latest OS 2.8 software release, the user experience for movies now features:
• A new grid view that showcases high-resolution cover art for an improved browsing experience
• A new details view that displays rich metadata
• All-new search feature that's the perfect way to find the right album or movie

Apple Music is coming to Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-12-04T12:13:13-08:00

Handpicked songs. Delivered out loud.
We’re thrilled to announce that Apple Music is coming to Sonos in early 2016 – and Sonos customers can join the beta starting December 15. This is a real win for our customers – here are just a few reasons.

Personalized recommendations for everyone in the home.
Apple Music experts help you discover new songs based on what you already listen to and love. Sonos delivers each of those recommendations to your controller, so every listener under the same roof enjoys the kind of music they love most in any room of the house.

The jaw-dropping sound of more than 30 million songs.
With Apple Music, you get an instant, epic collection of more than 30 million tracks, including every song you’ve ever purchased from iTunes. With Sonos, you can hear every single one of those songs as loud as they like, in the places they like best.

Music with a human touch.
Apple Music brings you playlists handcrafted by music experts who eat, sleep, and breathe music and Beats 1 radio, broadcasting live from LA, New York, and London. Sonos uses Trueplay tuning to make sure customers hear every song just like the artist recorded it in the studio. No matter where they place their speakers.

D-Link Connected Home Wi-Fi Sensors & Outlets Control4 Driver Package Released

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-11-16T12:33:01-08:00

Integrate Control4 with D-Link Wireless Devices

Now the popular and inexpensive Wi-Fi enabled D-Link smart home products can augment your Control4 system. The mydlink Control4 driver pack includes support for the following devices.

Water Sensor (DCH-S160)
Smart Plug (DSP-W110)
Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (DSP-W215)
Siren (DCH-S220)
Motion Sensor (DCH-S150)

Downtown Vancouver Penthouse Control4 Home Automation System

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-11-13T13:05:06-08:00

Our starting point for this beautiful, modern and spacious private Penthouse in Downtown Vancouver was to design a robust network as the basis for a reliable private home automation system. A Control4 Home Automation system is seamlessly integrated with all the lighting, music, video, motorized shades, climate control and security, enabling control through a single intuitive interface. Access is provided through a combination of iPads, iPhones and Control4 wireless hand remote controls.

Cambridge Audio TVB2 Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-11-12T23:51:33-08:00

Cambridge Audio asked their engineers to produce a premium Soundbar that would be one of the most discreet available, but without giving anything away in terms of sound quality and power.

The result is the Cambridge Audio TVB2; a Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer capable of extracting massive detail from all your music and movies and the ultimate upgrade for your TV.

The 6.5 inch Subwoofer produces awesome bass, wirelessly, and the discreet, narrow profile Soundbar, equipped with our own patented BMR® speaker technology (found in our very best hi-fi speakers) distributes mid-tones and detail perfectly, wherever you are in the room.

What is Play-Fi

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-10-29T13:50:45-07:00

Play-Fi® is premium whole-home wireless audio. Stream your favorite content with astounding audio quality, from every mobile device or directly from this server. All Play-Fi products are seamlessly interoperable, so you can find the perfect speaker for every room, and know that they will all make beautiful music together. With many high quality speaker brands now using Play-Fi technology, it’s easy to set up a whole home wireless network.

Among the brands that are incorporating Play-Fi solutions into their speakers or amps include:
Definitive Technology, Martin Logan, Polk Audio, Paradigm, Anthem, Wren, Arcam & McIntosh

Learn more about Play-Fi here

OPPO BDT-101CI Blu-ray Disc Transport

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-10-28T16:22:35-07:00

Introducing the newest member of the OPPO Digital Blu-ray player lineup, created with the customer in mind. The BDT-101CI is a simpler, easier Blu-ray player and transport, designed specifically for custom integrations and home theater setups. OPPO distilled the best features of there award-winning BDP-103 & 105 series players, while removing the extra features that tend to bring in support calls from customers who are not so tech-savvy.

A look at how Control4 home automation can help those with autism live a fuller life

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-10-20T14:44:58-07:00

Sometimes Home Automation is more than just convenient. Take a look at how a Control4 system gave the Wildes family the freedom to leave their 20-year-old autistic son home alone without sacrificing their peace of mind. Get the tissues ready—this one tugs the heartstrings.

[VIDEO] http://www.control4.com/v/p7hw0yvd2v

Find out more about how Control4 has teamed up with Architectural Digest and ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment) to raise awareness and provide solutions to the challenges faced by ‪autism‬: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/technology-design-coordinating-for-a-cause-article

Announcing the DS2 Door Station from Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-10-15T16:22:04-07:00

With great new features like better low-light performance, motion detection and detection, the ability to see the camera independent of a call, and email snapshots, the new DS2 door station will be used to protect and connect even more homes.

The DS2 door station will be available in four models in a Satin Nickel finish, with or without a keypad, and as a flush mount or a surface mount.

The Control4® DS2 Door Station will be available later this year

Control4 OS 2.8 is now available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-10-15T15:42:32-07:00

Last night, Control4 announced t from CEDIA in Dallas, TX the release of OS 2.8, which features new native streaming music services like Pandora, TIDAL, and Deezer; improvements to the user experience with music and movies; and a simpler and more robust security experience for all Control4 customers. Additionally, Control4 announced a Limited Edition Red 7″ Tabletop Touch Screen!

The All-New PLAY:5 and Trueplay tuning

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-09-29T08:09:52-07:00

Sonos is 100% focused on the home listening experience. How to dial it up. How to get the purest, most exact version of your favourite music all the way from the studio to your own front door. With nothing lost along the way.

This fall, SONOS will be giving two great new reasons to love listening at home even more.

Coming this year, a revolutionary, no-holds-barred overhaul of our existing PLAY:5. This ultimate home audio powerhouse is designed to turn every song – from old favorites to new discoveries – into a richer listening experience. Subtle details emerge. Each specific voice and instrument shines through with more intense clarity as listeners connect with the music they love in a fresh and deeper way.

Rest assured, the launch of an all-new PLAY:5 isn’t going to affect our ongoing commitment to current systems. Look forward to regular updates and support for the original PLAY:5 for years to come.

Click here for the full PLAY:5 story

Debuting in a software release later this fall, Trueplay makes every PLAY:1, PLAY:3, and PLAY:5 even smarter. It uses an iPhone or iPad to measure how sound reflects off the walls and other surfaces in any given room. Then fine-tunes the speaker to make sure it sounds great, no matter where you put it.

Click here to learn more about Trueplay

Kwikset Introduces SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-08-19T11:05:14-07:00

Kwikset®, the leader in residential security, introduces the NEW SmartCode™ 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt with HomeConnect™ technology! Expanding your security system solution with a Kwikset SmartCode 916 Touchscreen deadbolt with Home Connect technology will allow the lock to communicate wirelessly with a Control4® system.

New Features:
- Capacitive touchscreen
- SecureScreen™ security feature – helps to ensure that user codes cannot be identified by examining fingerprints
- Sleek metal design for enhanced quality
- Tamper resistant interior cover

Available in:
Satin Nickel

Polished Brass

Venetian Bronze

Invisible RFID Access with Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-08-07T14:57:44-07:00

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and tracking tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information.

Now your Control4 system can be used for home and commercial access control. Using RFID tags, a Control4 system in conjunction with HouseLogix Access Control Database (HACD) driver we can give you a robust way to manage multiple users.

Check out the video below for more info.

Personalize your smart home with Invixium

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-07-26T14:16:44-07:00

Invixium brings the world’s first smart biometric solution to personalize your smart home. Invixium’s fingerprint based biometric products are designed to seamlessly integrate with Control4 for a “true personalized” experience.

By integrating an Invixium device into a smart home automation system, traditional keypad locks are replaced with fingerprint biometric access for security and convenience. Biometrics also allow households to create user profiles to customize the home environment to a person’s liking and mood with just a touch of a finger!

DIY Home Automation Systems

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-06-26T14:00:23-07:00

DIY yourself projects are fun at first, but gradually the fun can turn into frustration and maybe even destruction. Smarthome DIY projects aren't any different. It's pretty common nowadays for many people to start something but never finishing. It's not because people aren't capable of learning and executing, but what they do lack is time and effort.

Control4 receives top honors in CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-06-01T23:12:30-07:00

2015 CE Pro Brand Analysis reports Control4 is the leading brand in multiple categories for smart home solutions.

Salt Lake City, UT, June 1st, 2015 — Control4 Corporation (NASDAQ: CTRL), a leading global provider of smart home solutions, has been named as the top Whole-House Automation brand by the 2015 CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis report. CE Pro magazine is a leading trade publication for professionals involved in the custom electronics business. The report released today on CEPro.com includes a survey of the highest revenue-generating businesses in the custom installation industry which reveals that Control4 is viewed as a leading brand in seven unique categories, including recognition as the top brand in four of these categories as follows:

· Whole-House Automation – Top Brand
· Multi-Room Audio – Top Brand
· HVAC/Energy/Smart Grid Management – Top Brand
· Access Control – Top Brand
· Universal Remote Control – In the Top 2 Brands
· Lighting Control – In the Top 2 Brands
· Intercom Systems – In the Top 3 Brands

Control4 Occupancy Simulation Driver - Mockupancy

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-05-20T15:21:45-07:00

The driver will allow us a quick and simple way of providing our clients with realistic lighting occupancy simulation when they are away. It does this by continually 'recording' the day to day lighting activity over a seven day period. When the client is away the driver will 'playback' the lighting events.

It is is very simple to set up on a Control4 system. With the client we simply select which lights and blinds should be included in the playback from the list of all such devices in the home.

The driver will record the levels of all lights and blinds in the project every 15 minutes. During playback changes are randomized over 15 minute periods for best effect. We can even optionally reduce the intensity of lighting during playback to save energy.

Recording and Playback can be initiated in one of three ways.

Connect the driver to Control4 keypad buttons to start/stop recording or playback.
Use custom programming
Connect the driver in Composer any Security System driver. Then playback will commence when the system is armed, and recording will recommence when the system is disarmed.
Optionally the driver can also add entertainment to the occupancy simulation mix. The driver can monitor the activity of a cable or satellite receiver in a specified room. During playback the driver will then select a specific channel on the device. An empty house is no longer a quiet house.

Control4 Automated Modern Contemporary Home in Vancouver with a beautiful glass ceiling wine room

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-05-07T22:54:23-07:00

 Control4 Automated Modern Contemporary Home in Vancouver with a beautiful glass ceiling wine room from Digital Smart Homes on Vimeo.

Fully Automated Control4 home in Vancovuer. Clean, Modern, Contemporary design. Centralized light switches with only the most strategically located Keypads and Touch screen on the wall keeps this home looking clutter free and user friendly. With so many homes being designed with open spaces, walls become more valuable for hanging art pieces - not banks of light switches. Audio, Video, Network and Control systems are all located in an enclosed horizontal rack cabinet by Salamander Design. Security, Doors, Garage, Gate, Music Zones, TV Zones, Water Fountain, Heat Lamps, Nest Thermostats, CCTV, Intercom, lighting and more are all controlled from an intuitive Control4 interface on the clients iPhone, iPads, MAC's and built in Touch screen.

Control4 Announces New 4K Multi-Room Video Solution

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-24T23:16:54-07:00

We are excited to announce the all-new Control4 4K Ultra HD multi-room video solutions with new audio and video matrix switches. With the recent acquisition of Leaf, (by Control4) a leader in video and audio distribution, we built these switches to make it possible for you to distribute copy-protected 4K Ultra HD, and all of your favorite video content, to every room in your home with a clean and simple install.

We know you want the very best picture and sound from your entertainment, and 4K is the new standard for high-definition video. Delivering four-times the picture resolution of 1080p displays, it is redefining home entertainment. Movie studios, and other companies producing video content, have come together with manufacturers to define standards that result in both stunning video and audio.

Honeywell VAM Control4 Driver Now Available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-24T22:46:40-07:00

Honeywell’s VISTA Automation Module (VAM) provides an easy, affordable home and business light automation "starter" option for consumers. With the Honeywell VAM Control4 driver, you can now integrate your security system and ZWave lights into Control4 for extended functionality.

Driver features:

IP enabled - no serial cables needed!
Support for home, away and stay alarm modes
Arm and disarm
Multi-partition support (up to 4)
Z-wave dimmer control for up to 232 lighting loads
On/Off, dim, set level
Zone feedback status for up to 250 zones
Take complete control of your panel & VAM device through the Control4 system
Provides control and feedback from the security panel & associated ZWave light dimmers

Five things you need to know before you invest in home automation.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-13T13:50:29-07:00

Control4 offers the ultimate in home automation—and so much more—by making the products and systems you already have and use everyday, work together. Learn how home automation can benefit your life in ways you never imagined possible. Below are five things you need to know before you invest in home automation.

1. Do you have the right home for automation?
2. Determine what you want to automate
3. You’ll need the help of a professional—and that’s a good thing
4. Evaluate your home network
5. Expect the Unexpected

Download the Advanced Guide which investigates the 5 points in more detail.

Read More

Tidal Launches First Artist Owned Music Service – Available On Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-09T23:21:50-07:00

On March 30th, Tidal launched the first artist-owned high definition streaming music service. TIDALHiFi promises lossless FLAC streaming from over 25 million songs, expert-curated editorial, and most importantly, the perspective and input of A-List musicians from every genre. At a press conference Tidal majority owner Jay-Z announced his grand plans for the service. In addition to having the support of prominent musicians, Tidal presents a unique streaming experience with unique features like song credits, an integrated audio recognition feature, video support and editorial content from top artists.

“This is a platform that’s owned by artists. We are treating these people that really care about music with the utmost respect.
” – Jay –Z

To learn more read the article from IT Nerd here

TIDALHiFi is now available around the world for a $19.99 CAD monthly subscription. To listen on your Sonos Wireless HiFi System, go to ‘Add Music Services’ in the Sonos Controller App and follow the prompts.

Also: Access Your Favorite Indian Songs With Saavn

Previously in Beta on Sonos, Saavn Pro launched on Sonos on Friday, March 27th. Saavn brings listeners a library of their favorite Indian and international songs, with a catalog of 2 million songs across 11 different languages.

For $3.99/month, listen to the latest Bollywood hits, classics, regional music, and even a huge English catalog.

Vancouver West Side Automated Control4 Home Video

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-09T22:23:55-07:00

Control4 Vancouver West Side Fully Automated Home from Digital Smart Homes on Vimeo.

Designed by renowned architect Frits de Vries, built by Natural Balance and fully automated by yours truly, Digital Smart Homes. This Vancovuer home features state of the art Control4 smart home control. In this video we take a closer look at the lighting and audio features of Control4.

Savant vs. Control4 (Savant Smart Host vs. Control4 HC250)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-03T09:57:46-07:00

As an avid installer of smaller home systems and theaters for my clients, I’m finding little value in Savant’s new Smart Host. I have been working with Control4 for a number of years now, and it seems to me that Control4 is still continuing to dominate this space. For comparison purposes, I’ve gathered the below details that I could from the Savant and Control4 websites:

While the Smart Host is boasting more IR, I find that the more IR ports needs are becoming less needed. Control4’s Simple Device Discovery Protocol for IP connected devices has made the world of IP control of Smart TVs, Blu-Rays and media players such as AppleTV super easy to set-up, without the need for cumbersome IR Buds. Even when I do need IR, but don’t want the IR bud, the Control4 Blaster is there to help. For my customers, the On-Screen Display is used often for searching their movie database… often treated as a “coolio” factor with friends.

While Savant’s message about controlling up to 12 rooms is interesting, the HC250 can do the same thing for less money. Depending on the customers, needs, we leveraged keypads, remote controls and the Z2IR device to control multiple zones with a single HC-250.

The HC-250, plus Control4’s new SR-260, creates an awesome solution for entertainment centers and home theaters, at an MSRP that is less than the Smart Host itself. I’m struggling to see the real benefit of Savant’s system. I know they have a great app for use on tablets and smartphone, but I have yet to have a customer that runs their theater without a remote. Savant’s remote is twice as much as the SR-260.

I remember coming across an article last year that really highlighted the HC-250’s capabilities, a white paper by Dennis Burger. I think this article really speaks the unmatched capabilities of the HC-250, especially at a price point that speaks to customers.

Further expanding on this issue of pricing, from my personal experience, I’ve found that programming the Control4 system is way easier than any Savant system and the customer gets a solid, elegant experience with a ton of expandability.

Introducing the Cambridge Audio CX SERIES

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-04-02T22:21:51-07:00

Cambridge Audio’s CX Series of hi-end components is set to revolutionize entertainment in the digital age.

It’s the result of our tradition of hi-fi excellence and the culmination of more than 30 years of digital expertise. What does it offer? A precise, detailed audio performance that will take your breath away and effortless compatibility with the digital music you love.

Read More

Chowmain’s Advanced Announcements Driver for Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-27T17:36:45-07:00

The Control4 Home Automation system has the ability to play audio announcements through the audio outputs on its controllers and speaker points. These announcements can play back any file encoded in a wav format. Traditionally these announcements have been used for doorbells and pre-recorded messages.

Chowmain’s Advanced Announcements driver expands the announcement agent by providing integration with web based text to speech engines. This gives you futuristic dynamically generated voice notifications over your Control4 system without any additional hardware.

Driver features:

Dynamic text to speech generation
Ability to speak the date & time
Ability to inject variables
Currently supports 3 text to speech engines with multiple languages, voices, speed and pitch (SpeechUtil.com, VoiceRSS.org, iSpeech.org)
Ability to record your voice via a web browser for playback through Control4.

Control4 OS 2.7 is now available!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-24T14:55:22-07:00

The Control4 Operating System serves as the foundation upon which Control4 home automation is brought to life. And Control4 is raising the bar in smart home technology with our latest software release, OS 2.7. A new level of functionality and elegance will enhance the way you keep your home comfortable, communicate with everyone in the home, listen to music, control your pool and spa, and provide a slew of new features for added comfort and peace of mind in the home

Control4 Your Sprinkler System - Rachio Iro

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-20T11:56:40-07:00

Rachio is an exciting NEW company that is focused on managing water within the residential and light commercial market. Their first product, the Iro, is a Wi-FI based controller for underground sprinkler control. According to the EPA over 50% of residential irrigation water is wasted based on poor watering practices / systems. We also know in major US markets water is in tight supply or going up in price. This is surely a space where your customer is feeling some pain with their monthly watering bill. The Iro is a natural addition to a Control4 system.

Keeping Your Digital Home Safe and Smart

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-14T20:27:02-07:00

With the rise of the “Internet of Things” dominating recent headlines, many consumers have rushed to invest in smart home systems that offer unprecedented options for connectivity. While the IoT opens up numerous possibilities for energy savings, home security and personal convenience, it also has the potential to impinge on the privacy of homes. Read on for tips to keep your data from falling into the wrong hands.

Secure Your Wifi - If you’re like many homeowners, you ignore your WiFi router after checking to ensure the Internet is up and running. This could later prove to be a fatal flaw in your home’s overall privacy. Start by checking to see what type of encryption your router is using. If your router doesn’t support WPA2 networks (a more robust security standard), consider investing in a new wireless router. As with other consumer electronics, WiFi routers have become more powerful and less expensive over time. Additionally, WiFi speeds continue to accelerate, so if you’ve purchased a newer computer recently, a new router may make the difference in your safety.

Keep Cameras Away From Prying Eyes - In many instances, products such as webcams and “nanny cams” come automatically configured with inadequate security safeguards. This leaves these devices vulnerable to hacks from almost anyone, even those with a very limited knowledge of technology. For many cameras, the best thing you can do is create a strong password (‘12345’ and ‘password’ are off limits) that is unique and different from the default. Substituting numbers for words or letters is often a good strategy. If you don’t change your password from the default setting, you leave yourself (and your family) right in a stranger’s line of sight, as one babysitter in Houston found out the hard way.

Privacy Please - Companies hosting important personal and financial data, such as home security giants ADT and Nest, have a crucial responsibility to keep this information secure. But it’s also your responsibility not to recklessly over-share highly private information or leave your devices open for easy access. Never post your Social Security number, account numbers, address, phone numbers or even your full name in publicly accessible sites. Ensure that your smartphone — often the command center for security system and automated device control — is protected by a lock screen at the very minimum. It’s also wise to disable automatic login information or anything else that can be accessed while you’re away. Don’t share any information that could lead to compromising the security of your family and property.

If cyber criminals gain access to your interconnected home systems, they could potentially turn on thermostats or other appliances, increasing your utility bills. Then there’s the more dangerous risk of someone gaining access to your physical property, unlocking doors or breaking in to commit a robbery. And in the case of webcams and baby monitors, there’s the frightening possibility that someone could be gazing into your home without your awareness or consent. President Obama has proposed stronger anti-hacking legislation, which would make hacking-related crimes a felony carrying a minimum three year sentence. However, politicians and tech-experts alike are concerned that the law would do little to protect homeowners in the short term.

Ultimately, it is up to you to determine the security of your home and privacy. While automated home and security systems offer impressive new options for convenience and connectivity, it’s important to be safe and ask questions if you don’t understand how to install or maintain security features. Consider checking out this government website for further reading on the subject, and don’t forget to logout when you’re done!

By Guest Blogger Elizabeth Eckhart (Find her on twitter @elizeckhart)

Not every home on the block is a Smart Home... Yet!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-11T10:42:40-07:00

A survey done by the ERA Real Estate (ERARE) and HGTV is revealing the phenomenal potential of smart home technology--especially in terms of resale value.

Real estate has and will likely always be one of the best investment options for anyone that want to protect their wealth. With that in mind, the values of the properties themselves don’t grow without the proper add-ons as time passes by, and the recent survey done by ERARE and HGTV is proving just that.

Among some of the answers homeowners as well as potential buyers got from the surveys were:

What are new the new generations of home buyers looking for?
What type of additions and new technology should a property possess to make it more appealing to home buyers?
How has the Internet of Things changed people’s perspective on property management?

As the report shows, buyers are looking to purchase homes with smart technology pre-installed. This can only mean one thing: Sellers must meet the demand. The technology doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Rather, buyers are looking for some of the practical necessities that will help drive efficiency and comfort. Things such as automated climate control, energy management and remote monitoring should all be on the top of every homeowner’s priority list if they’re looking to put their homes on the market.

According to the survey, 7 in 10 millennials want homes that are equipped with technologies that will allow them to use their smartphones to remotely control various functions and features within the home.

Well, one would think that it’s only common sense to cater to millennials if they’re the ones that are in the market to buy homes, but the reality is everyone has a bit of techno-geek in them. Baby boomers, for instance, are looking to beef up their levels of security, which means sellers must add some sort of smart security system to the homes to make them appealing.

Smart home technology may have been considered just a trend in the past, but now--more so than ever--the trend has evolved into a demand that makes it a necessity for anyone who is buying or selling a home.

HouseLogix Access Control Solutions for Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-03-07T00:27:39-08:00

Now your Control4 system can be used for home and light commercial access control. Using RFID tags, these readers connect via RS232 or Wiegand to the Control4 system. Pairing these readers with our HouseLogix Access Control Database (HACD) driver gives you a robust way to manage up to 300 users.

All New GENEVA Model Cinema

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-02-18T15:51:50-08:00

The new Cinema is here! Cinema, Geneva's latest offering, has dbx-TVʼs TotalVolume, which automatically equalizes volume when changing channels and during commercial breaks and it can hold up to a 55 lb TV. The perfect system for any movie or music buff.

Control4 Introduces New Whole-Home High-Definition Video Intercom, Intuitively Smart Climate Control, and Elegant High-Performance Touch Screens

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-02-12T22:25:27-08:00

One of the qualities that made Apple so successful is that it has total control of the ecosystem that its vast line of product encompasses. Along that same line, it’s a no brainer that many companies are following that exact same model. The impact of such business model is even more apparent for emerging niche markets such as the Smart Home segment. Among the leaders in the emerging industry is a company by the name of Control4, which has just recently released some fresh products and updates that are sure to make everyone on the block envious.

First up on the list of Control4 products is a new line of HD Video Intercom products that promises blazing quick usability as well as universal compatibility with other platforms such as iOS and Android. All new Control4 Video Intercom products feature quad-core processors to drive mouth watering HD videos—be it for monitoring a baby room or checking for who’s at the front door. The displays themselves come as either 7 or 10-inch wall-mountable, and 7-inch tabletop for coffee tables, bed-stand and portable use. Control4 promises out-of-the-box (OTB) functionality, and all users have to do is add two video-enabled endpoints to get things rolling.

In conjunction with the release of the new hardware, Control4 has also revamped its Control4 OS to match. Control4 OS 2.7 has a completely redesigned user interface (UI) to deliver the most amazing climate control experience. Control4 has tweaked the UI as to enable users to be able to access all the climate control features with a simple flick of a finger. The new Comfort Control interface also has improved compatibility with the top HVAC systems.

Control4 isn’t letting its competitors get ahead in the world of smart thermostats either. The company also announced the launch a Control4 smart thermostat that it jointly developed with climate control specialist Aprilaire.

It takes a tremendous amount of resources to create a tech ecosystem that works harmoniously. Smart Home-based products are no exception, and Control4 is paving the road for others to follow by developing products that are simple and easy to use, not just on its own but also with each other. If you’re looking for Smart Home products that works flawlessly, look no further

For more information visit Control4 or contact us here.

Subwoofer Positioning and Crossover Adjustment

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-01-25T13:53:52-08:00

Article by Audioholics

I. Positioning

For this section, I'll assume: (1) You have nothing other than your two healthy ears to assess your listening room's acoustical signature; (2) unless otherwise noted, you are running signal through nothing other than your 2 subs; (3) you have a collection of applicable test signals sufficient for you to determine at various stages the nature of the sound you perceive at the listening position and how the room is affecting that sound; and (4) all appropriate, preceding tasks necessary for calibration of the rest of your audio system have already been accomplished.

Note: If you do have at hand appropriate gear capable of making accurate time or frequency domain measurements, feel free to use it as/when needed. I'll be treating the topic of subwoofer placement based on in-room response measurement techniques more in-depth in Part II of the Place For Bass.

Sub calibration can be divided into 5 steps:

1. Subwoofer position adjustment.
2. Listener's position adjustment.
3. Adjustment of phase between subs & mains.
4. Parametric equalization
5. Subwoofer gain matched to that of the rest of the system.

SONOS's new Brand Identity - The Moiré Effect

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2015-01-22T23:17:58-08:00

“Together with Sonos, we assessed our initial visual identity and determined that we needed to push harder to signal Sonos' leadership, relevance, and dedication to the music experience.

This new iteration of the Sonos visual identity advances the idea of the modern music experience – not singular or monolithic but a rich diversity of expressions. Performance imagery from Sonos Studio, new product photography and the introduction of three big graphic tools that can be mixed and remixed, deliver a creative and variable language while still providing the stability of a recognizable system.” - Bruce Mau Design

The One Device Challenge, by Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-21T16:32:48-08:00

How much can a homeowner control with a single automation device?

Whole-home automation can get complicated quickly. But just how much can a homeowner control with a single automation device? When that device is Control4's powerful HC-250 Home Controller, the short answer is, "A lot."

Over the past few years, a number of off-the-shelf, do-it-yourself smart hubs and subscription-based services from ISPs have begun to tantalize homeowners with the promise of complete home control. The truth of it, though, is that these DIY kits or subscription services rarely deliver on the promise they sell, at least not without the help of a number of add-on devices.

The same is true of many advanced home control platforms, as well. Rarely can you do much at all with just one box. Unless, of course, that box is the Control4 HC-250. With its powerful processor, unrivalled Control4 Operating System, and the ability to connect to and control all manner of third-party devices (over 7,000 of them) via wireless ZigBee and WiFi—as well as hard-wired Ethernet, infrared, relay, or two-way RS-232—the HC-250 delivers an incredibly versatile, flexible, customizable automation experience like no other.

Download the full article here > OneDeviceChallenge

Unleash the Automation Beast with OS 2.6 from Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-19T22:37:23-08:00

There’s virtually no limit to what can be automated in your home by upgrading to Control4’s new OS 2.6. It marks the next step in your journey toward making your house the best it can be—comfortable, convenient, and fun!

Control4 - The Ultimate Home Automation Hub

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-17T12:03:50-08:00

For a lot of homeowners, the next big home improvement project to tackle is home automation, but the process can be extremely daunting if they don’t even know where to begin. Like every thought process, a smart home project requires a core, or a hub, that is versatile enough to maintain and integrate new smart home features as they pop up. Control4 does just that, and more.

Whether you’re trying to implement a state of the art home entertainment or add smart integrated lighting, the Control4 hub offers the flexibility required integrate any current and future smart home products. While your smartphone is technically a capable hub, it was not designed specifically to handle home automation.

Technically speaking, you can use your smartphone to control just about any smart home functionality. However, a major drawback to this idea is that each functionality requires its own app, which often leads to confusion and a smartphone bloated with apps. Control4 solves this by letting homeowners connect all their functionalities to a single hub that lets you use your smartphone to control all features from a single user interface.

You may argue that there will be a single smartphone app that can control all smart home functions without a hub. However, the flaw in this perspective is that it doesn’t take into consideration that the mobile operating system (OS) is extremely fragmented. Essentially, what this means is that hardware vendors don’t want to put in the time and effort to optimize and update their software once it’s off the shelf. This in turn causes mayhem for developers who want to create apps that provide seamless user experiences across all platforms. Moreover, every smart home product makers have their own set of guidelines on how an app interacts with the product. If you put two and two together, you’ll see that using a smartphone as a hub becomes an un-navigable web for developers and homeowners alike.

So wouldn’t it just be easier for there to be a versatile hub that uses your smartphone as an extension to control your smarthome functionalities? The Control4 team dedicate themselves to constantly improving and tweaking their hub to meet the demands of their customers. Don’t pull out your hair over something as simple as a hub, because Control4 has developed an affordable, reliable, secure industry-leading core for all your home automation needs.

Now Playing on Sonos: SoundCloud

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-13T14:57:47-08:00

Even the greatest artists started somewhere. Which is why Sonos has added SoundCloud to their music services. SoundCloud connects music creators with music lovers and lets them share their latest sounds. With SoundCloud on Sonos you can enjoy immersive sound and explore the largest community of emerging and established artists throughout your home.

SONOS PLAYBAR performance enhancements and app update

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-04T13:45:40-08:00

Today Sonos is excited to launch a public beta for Android users and announce our upcoming software release with enhancements to both PLAYBAR and the Sonos app.

The soundbar for music lovers just got better

Our favorite artists never stop evolving, and neither do our products. Our upcoming software release will deliver on this promise by improving on PLAYBAR’s category-leading music sound performance.
PLAYBAR will play music the way it was meant to be heard. Using stereo imaging to improve the soundstage, along with updates to the EQ and volume balance, so that even the slightest nuances in the music are positioned more clearly, with a more immersive, natural sound.

Salamander Design's all new TC3 Theater Seating

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-11-04T13:21:49-08:00

Salamander expands it's AV Basics furniture line with a new style of theater seating, the model TC3. The model TC3's proper ergonomic design, generous padding, and quality materials ensure maximum comfort that will perform over time. A great value for entry level theaters.

The TC3 offers comfort, style, and value. This motorized recliner allows every member of the family to find their perfect spot to watch movies or sporting events for hours in total comfort. The cup holders add a convenient place for any hot or cold beverage.

Electric Motorized Recliner mechanism provides luxurious comfort. In-arm control on end arm seats and wired remote on center seats.
Wall-Away recliner needs just three inches of clearance behind it
Black Bonded Leather cover is beautiful, durable and easy care
Black steel cup holders in black finish keep your beverages at hand
Many popular solution based configurations – not modular. Ships in Multiple Boxes
Easy Installation chair connectors make assembly simple
Quality Frame and Foam materials backed by Salamander service and support

Download the brochure here

Why hire an Electronic Systems Professional?

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-31T15:53:44-07:00

Have you ever started something you couldn’t finish because you lacked the technical know-how to follow through with the project? We’ve all been there, and back—because human beings are stubborn creatures. Rather than accepting our limitations, we continue to dive head on into the unknown abyss. While admirable in some respect, starting a project and not following through is—for all intensive purpose—a waste of resources.

Time and money are two of the most valuable assets a person can possess. One cannot exist without the other, and so we must treasure both equally. We need time to generate money, and if we squander our precious time on projects that yield zero return it would be quite a shame.

So before you start your smart home projects, keep in mind that there are a lot of things you must educate yourself about before you get your hands dirty. Some things you should consider include:

1. Do you understand the concept?
The word “smart” is often tossed around easily by consumers, but what makes something smart? Are plain LCDs and shoddy control panels enough to deem something as smart? Or, does it have to connect to a customized infrastructure capable of handling the desired functionalities? Smart home technology has to be nurtured and taught to behave in a certain way (if this than that), and we all know technology can often be nerve wrecking and stressful if not executed correctly when instead it should be intuitive.

2. The latest and greatest
Technology evolves at a blistering rate, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Are you dedicated enough to keep up with the trends constantly? Everyday consumers have priorities, and smart home professionals are well aware of that. That is why they make it their priority to stay on top of what you don’t have time for.

3. Speaking the language
You’re a brilliant physicists and you can explain the workings of quantum mechanics like Dr. Seuss, but do you speak IT? In other words, can you quickly pull up a wealth of information about smart home technology without having to pull up articles? Smart home professionals are IT professionals and/or Audio-Video Professional, so they’re adept in the art of programming and deploying hardware and software for various purposes. Of course, they can do this just like how you can explain the laws of the universe in layman’s terms.

4. Professionals save you money by not screwing up
At this point, you’re probably aware of the logic behind specialists. Fixing your own roof, and then only to have it leaking is not the ideal situation. When you start a project that ends up in shamble, you need to either double the effort or hire a professional. Either way, you’ll be spending a lot more than what you could have if you hired a profession initially. People become specialists because they want to save you time and money, not drain you of your resources.

Control4 West Vancouver - Home Automation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-28T13:36:49-07:00

Control4 West Vancouver - Home Automation by Digital Smart Homes from Digital Smart Homes on Vimeo.

Complete Home Control, Control4 Home Automation system by Digital Smart Homes in West Vancouver.

This completely renovated home was originally built in 1973. It has transformed beautifully into a modern contemporary home. All the technology (including Amplifiers, Cable Boxes, Controllers and more) are completely hidden away from site and placed into centrally located media rack. Lighting, Media, Audio, Video, Security, HVAC and more are intuitively controlled by keypads and 3 built in touch screens throughout the house. The home owners iPad and iPhones also allow for complete control over the entire home and provides for remote access from anywhere in the world. All this keeps the walls clutter free and gives the home a very clean and user friendly feel.

Introduction to Dolby Atmos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-16T13:52:00-07:00

An immersive cinema experience is never too far away with Dolby’s new Atmos sound system. What sets Dolby Atmos apart from other premium sound systems is that it is built upon a brand new sound technology that reproduces the sound of individual objects instead of ‘mixing’ them in conventional channels.

Sound engineers have, for quite awhile, been restricted to just a few channels when putting together tracks. This means what we usually hear in a song or a movie scene isn’t exactly what the artists wanted to convey.

Dolby Atmos removes this constraint by producing a sound format that’s based on objects instead of channels. Sounds such as a helicopter hovering overhead is reproduced as its own ‘audio object.’ Meaning, the sound of a speeding car below won’t get mixed in, giving you the full experience of the scene as intended by the director.

When you think of sound, we think of it as a being multidimensional. That is, it moves around, above and below us. So it is crucial that sound artists and producers have means of painting a scene that we can all relate to, which they do now with Dolby Atmos.

Although the new object-based sound format is quite revolutionary, it does not mean that users will have to compromise if the entertainment mediums do not support it. The sound system is backward compatible with conventional stereo and 5.1/7.1-channel sounds.

Additionally, Dolby Atmos can scale down the object-based sound experience to fit the needs of headphone users. By combining Dolby Atmos with advance on-the-go technology that relies on things such as outer ear and shoulder cues, headphone users can, too, experience just as much magic as they would in a full-scale home cinema system.

ONE YEAR OF MUSIC INCLUDED WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PLAY:1, PLAY:3, PLAY:5 OR PLAYBAR

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-15T13:15:32-07:00

This Christmas, Sonos is changing the way people are searching for music they like. Indeed customers who buy a Sonos PLAY:1, PLAY:3, PLAY:5 or PLAYBAR before the end of the year, will receive twelve months of access to Deezer Premium+ worth over $119, for free. Deezer is the music service that finds music for you based on the tracks you love, so there’s always something on you like.

If you have questions about the Sonos Deezer promotion please contact us for more information.

The Smarthome is not the Deathstar

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-12T08:19:30-07:00

A Control4 smart-home, in truth, doesn’t have to look like the Death Star from the sci-fi series Star Wars. In fact, any well-wired home is capable of becoming a smart-home. This means that anything from a suburban home to your downtown loft is ready to be transformed with technologies that are readily available at Digital Smart Homes.

Right as you walk into most typical retailers, you will find flat screen televisions flashing left and right. It was only a few years ago that this same technology came in bulky packages—that is the bezel was extremely wide, and the rear encasement took up quite a bit of space.

However, TV manufacturers have greatly improved the designs of these sets, and these days most flat screen LCD/LED TVs have almost no bezel and takes up much less space, which is a welcoming thing when it comes to designing an aesthetically pleasing home. The last thing you want is a bunch of technology is a bulky cabinet underneath that very thin TV.

Smart home technology doesn’t all need to have a flashing screen or blinking lights. Often, smart-home shoppers will overlook things like window/blinds automation. Motorized shades and window coverings can add tremendous value to a home. This technology has been around for quite some time, so finding the right design is never the problem.

Additionally, the smartphone and tablets you’re using everyday are very capable machines, and they can be used as a hub for controlling various lightings and appliances. Some simple upgrades of the switches around the home can give you an incredible amount of automations.

As you gradually chip away at some of the outdated and unappealing aspects of your home, you will find that your home looks nothing like that Death Star but it does provide you with the beauty and comfort that you desire. Visit our Vancouver showroom for a demo on how a Control4 smart home (home automation system) can simplify technology throughout the home and hide electronics from view.

All new Totem BDI TV and Soundbar Pedestal

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-10T09:58:05-07:00

A great choice for a large flat panel TV and soundbar, the TOTEM pedestal includes a swivelling universal TV mount and a fixed soundbar mounting bracket, allowing you to place both at the optimal height. Cables are neatly concealed within the rigid steel support column and are easily accessed via removable back panels. A tempered glass shelf keeps a couple of components within easy access.

Introducing SONOS BOOST

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-10-09T15:41:03-07:00

Tiny accessory. Big wireless performance

Sonos’s latest product is another break-through innovation in wireless technology. Literally. BOOST delivers powerful wireless performance to overcome the thickest walls and greatest distances. BOOST will be available October 14 2014.

Planning for your First Home Automation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-09-30T12:21:47-07:00

So you’re thinking about home automation but don’t know where to begin. First off, let’s go over what home automation is and how it can benefit you. Home automation is merely the process of interlinking different electronic components of your home to an single intuitive operating system so that you can monitor and carry out various tasks at home or while being someplace else.

Before TV remotes were available, people had to actually get up to change the channel (and bang on the box while they’re at it). Nowadays, if you do get off the couch, it’s because you want to grab something from the fridge. Simply put, home automation is like having a TV remote that can access just about any type of component or components of your home from one interface.

Modern-day home automation technology leverages the Internet, and if you’re reading this blog it means you have access to some form of Internet. Put two and two together you’ll see that the home network is one of the key components of home automation today.

Home automation technologies come in a broad range of packages, so if you’re thinking about setting up your home with some of these technologies it will take some planning.

Some of the questions you may want to ask yourself are:

Do I entertain a lot?
Do I travel often or spend a lot of time away from my home?
Which areas of the home do I want to focus on automating?
What do I want to control? (Home theatre/entertainment, Whole house audio, Lighting, Comfort (heating and cooling), Security and monitoring and Communication)
What’s my estimated budget?

Above are just a few questions you need to ask yourself during the planning process. For instance, do you want to set up a yard sprinkler system that you can remotely control from your smartphone? If that’s the case, you might need to hire a contractor to install a sprinkler system, and then a home automation firm like ours (Digital Smart Homes) to program and connect your sprinkler control system to your phone.

The task of implementing home automation might seem daunting at first, but with the right amount of research and planning anything is possible. Best of all, silicon-based technology and network infrastructures have grown as such an astonishing pace that the price of home automation is much more affordable now than it was in the past. Take a few moments to explore the possibilities by watching this short 2 minute video or by visiting our fully automated smart home showroom in Vancouver.

OS 2.6 Now Available–Delivering The New Control4 Experience

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-09-10T13:22:47-07:00

Control4 rolls out OS 2.6, featuring new UI enhancements that elevate the Listen, Comfort and Security experiences, stunning consistency across all user interfaces, and time-saving tools for our technicians to deliver programming efficiency. Control4® OS 2.6 will be pre-loaded on all new controllers moving forward.

TruAudio SLIM Powered Soundbar w/ Bluetooth

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-09-02T13:15:32-07:00

SLIM-PWR-44’s clean design and less than 3” depth allows you to match the ﬂattest ﬂatscreens. The internal amp provides you with optical digital coax and analog inputs—get the audio source right from the TV with less wiring and hassle. Bluetooth capable, wireless, and sub output with receiver! (remote included)

TruAudio Slim H20 Weatherproof Soundbar

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-09-02T13:11:47-07:00

SLIM-H2O is designed specifically for outdoor environments. The SLIM-H2O sports 3 channels of 6 sealed and very active 3.5" drivers, impenetrable air chambers, and 2 zinc powder-coated grills. Every bit of hardware has been replaced with UV grade plastic and paint, galvanized or stainless steel; even the end caps and mounting brackets have been reworked to keep H2O away while great sound just keeps pouring out.

ICS-ONE irrigation controller by Brilliant Integrated Technologies now available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-07-22T12:52:40-07:00

A brilliant approach to watering the lawn. The ICS-ONE™ is a fully automatic, weather-based smart irrigation controller designed for residential and commercial applications that integrates with Control4. The ICS-ONE is unique in that it communicates nightly with a central server to receive water-saving commands, and then executes those commands in accordance with the customer’s preferred watering schedule. The central server determines the optimal watering time for each of the customer’s irrigation zones based on actual recent weather and its effects on the specific foliage, soil type and solar loading for that zone.

NEW - Episode Kameleon 12x16 Invisible Speaker

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-05-03T12:36:37-07:00

Discover a speaker that virtually disappears into the customer’s wall while producing room-filling audio. Once installed, the Episode Kameleon Invisible Speaker can be covered with any finish the customer wants (even wallpaper!) to blend right in with the room’s décor – making it a perfect solution for the most demanding applications. Plus it’s built like a traditional loudspeaker, so it doesn't vibrate the wall around it to create sound like mounted transducers do. And for the finishing touch, we included a mounting template and spring-loaded brackets to allow for step-by-step installation.

Introducing the All New Geneva Model XXL

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-04-30T14:31:15-07:00

Combining stunning looks with advanced acoustics, GENEVA's Model XXL is a powerful home theater and a high-fidelity music system.

Voted Digital Trends' Best of CES 2014 Finalist, the Geneva Sound System Model XXL is engineered to provide outstanding sound for both music and movie sound tracks. Whether you are watching the news, sports, a music video or an action movie, the Model XXL will provide you with an exceptional sound experience.

Discussing Home Automation Concerns

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-02-27T13:06:55-08:00

For the past decade, smart home technology has been viewed as something that only the incredibly wealthy, or incredibly technologically aware, possess. High prices, complicated installations, and intricate technology have contributed to the belief that a completely automated home was something reserved for movie superhero alter-egos of the Clark Kent variety, and millionaires. Recently, however, the rapid proliferation of mobile internet and smartphones, along with an increasing number of companies choosing to invest in more user intuitive home automation products, has made the idea of a “smart home” more attainable than ever.
So if a system is more affordable, and easily connects to products many homeowners already have, why isn’t everyone opting for a more intelligent, wireless home? We turned to social media to find the answers, and what we found, using data from Viral Heat, was that while over 50% of Twitter users discussing home automation were entirely positive about the idea, around 25% still had concerns regarding home automation systems. The top concerns are discussed below:

HLX, the Practical AV Solution for Sports Bars

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-02-18T12:45:11-08:00

Looking for a high-quality HD video solution for multiple sources? The HLX Modular Matrix System is an affordable, flexible solution that is ideal for bars, restaurants and casinos.

Interior Designers and Home Builders Increasingly Rely on Technology Integrators

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2014-01-10T12:53:07-08:00

The world of interior design and home building have entered an entirely new phase last year and will continue in 2014 and beyond. Not too long ago, it used to be that technology integrators would seek out partnerships with interior designers and builders to drum up additional business.

This trend has seen a massive shift, as home automation has become a necessity for most families (of most socioeconomic levels) rather than an overly expensive luxury. According to Yahoo! Finance, homeowners increasingly understand that home automation can add 10 percent and more to their property values, while being quite cost-effective.

Rather than coming with a price tag of $75,000 to $100,000+ (the common cost of home automation systems in the recent past), it is possible to spend a fraction of that amount for a full-blown solution that can link together everything from home security, environment/temperature control, home entertainment, and lighting to a Control4 system

Because of the demand, we are continually approached by interior designers and builders to install and program cutting-edge systems sure to make homeowners thrilled.

Home Automation a Rising Trend at CES 2014

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-12-27T11:19:04-08:00

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.

Control4 Richmond Project Video

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-11-22T12:16:50-08:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-11-07T01:58:08-08:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-11-03T12:56:41-08:00

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.

Control4 Square Wired Keypad

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-10-23T12:13:28-07:00

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.

Smart Homes Market Worth $51.77 Billion by 2020

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-10-15T12:43:57-07:00

"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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-10-14T11:39:48-07:00

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

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.

Meet the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-10-08T10:46:32-07:00

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.

Control4's New Media Distribution Family

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-09-04T10:03:41-07:00

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.

Pakedge Intelligent Power Distribution Units

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-17T07:58:40-07:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-15T23:24:34-07:00

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

Control4 Wireless Music Bridge

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-14T23:01:17-07:00

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.

The Voicepod - The world's first dedicated wireless speech module for home automation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-13T23:09:14-07:00

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.

Control4 Panelized Lighting Controls

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-07T22:48:54-07:00

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.

Control4 Next Generation Wireless Lighting Controls

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-05-07T22:18:23-07:00

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.

Introducing the AquaTel Fluid Level Monitor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-04-23T00:37:15-07:00

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.

LILIN Video Surveillance Products Now Available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-04-12T00:29:28-07:00

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!

Introducing Control4 OS 2.4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-04-10T23:57:46-07:00

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.

7 Reasons Why Home Automation is Made FOR the Technically Challenged

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-04-04T12:54:38-07:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T18:02:12-08:00

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.

Introducing the Sonos Playbar

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T17:25:51-08:00

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.

Introducing the New SilverStar SSX

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T17:12:08-08:00

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.

Limited Time: Up To $1000 Off Seura Outdoor TVs

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T17:02:54-08:00

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.

SnapAV WattBox Now Has The Power Of The Cloud!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T16:42:44-08:00

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.

DVDO AIR" 60 GHz Wireless HDMI

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T16:30:18-08:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-03-01T15:59:26-08:00

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!

Modern, Contemporary Control4 Smart Home with Lutron RadioRa2

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-02-04T21:29:51-08:00

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

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2013-01-23T14:47:14-08:00

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.

Introducing Control4 OS 2.3

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-12-12T22:09:58-08:00

Better performance. Elegant enhancements to the interface. New features that let you personalize your system and simplify your life. And more! Control4 OS 2.3 lets you control your home, your way.

This is the most substantial Control4 software releases to date! OS 2.3 delivers powerful new features including:

Software enhancements to optimize system performance
New tools to simplify system set up, programming and support
Improvements to the overall experience

Sonos now plays music direct from iOS devices

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-12-05T00:14:58-08:00

The latest software upgrade plays even more music in deep, richly textured HiFi sound. Sonos now plays iTunes music direct from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch anywhere there is a Sonos speaker or player. You no longer have to sync an Apple mobile device with their computer just to hear iTunes music on Sonos.

Reach your music with three easy steps:

Update your Sonos system software and Sonos Controller Apps
Ensure your iPhone is on the home wireless network and launch the Sonos Controller App
Go to the main music menu

Now, as a music source, iTunes songs, playlists and podcasts are all available to play on Sonos under "Music on this iPhone".

Project Spotlight: Control4 Home Automation system - Point Grey, Vancouver

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-12-04T14:44:27-08:00

Here are some photos of a home we recently completed in Point Grey, West 11th Vancouver. The home design is classic and elegant and features home automation and control by Control4 to integrate lighting, heating, security, Audio and Video. The home can be controlled from an iPad, hand held remote control or a beautiful on wall intuitive touch screen. This high quality, energy efficient & environmentally friendly home features its own geothermal heating system and boasts an Energuide rating of 86!

Chief has an iPad mounting solution for every need

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-12-03T13:57:58-08:00

Our sleek and simple solutions make it easy to incorporate iPads anywhere you need them – homes, workplaces, digital display areas, control system applications and more. iPad flush mount solutions, tamper-resistant interfaces and iPad mounting solution kits. Download Flyer

Control4 compatible, Wirepath Surveillance System - There's a Mac for that

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-29T00:38:08-08:00

With the Wirepath™ Surveillance Mac app for OSX, peace of mind comes standard. Now it’s easier than ever to view and control your DVR and cameras from anywhere in the world. Watch live video, search/playback recordings, even take a screen capture – right from your Mac. And while some other guys charge for the "privilege" of remote access, we give it to you... for free.

Digital Smart Homes offers Control4 Home Automation Starter Kit for under $1000

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-25T09:05:47-08:00

We are excited to announce Control4’s Home Automation Starter Kit promotion. The kit enables smart-home control in a single room with the ability to expand to a complete home system. The package enables homeowners to experience the benefits of automation for under $1,000. The Starter Kit includes the new Control4 HC-250 Controller, the brains of the system, plus a Control4 SR-250 remote, which can control all the devices in your entertainment system, plus can control movies and music, lighting, and more.

The Ultimate Gift of Music

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-21T13:04:53-08:00

Just in time for the holiday season, music lovers can get started with Sonos and save. Now, for a limited time, when new customers buy a Play:3 or a Play:5 they’ll get a free Bridge and all the music on earth from Slacker, Songza, and TuneIn.

Control4's Commitment to Driving Interoperability

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-15T14:17:06-08:00

Control4 leads the industry in device discovery and interoperability and with OS 2.3 new tools have been added to simplify installation and programming for dealers. The new Control4® Driver Editor enables dealers and developers to create and test new drivers without requiring a full, onsite Control4 system up and running, making it much easier and more efficient to quickly design and develop drivers for third-party products.

OS 2.3 also includes support for Control4® Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP), a groundbreaking new capability which will automatically identify and load the correct driver for Control4 devices, as well as an expanding roster of third-party devices. SDDP compatible devices will be automatically identified and configure themselves within Control4 installations and will remain connected with the Control4 system regardless of IP address changes.
"One of the unique capabilities and benefits Control4 introduced to the industry was the ability to easily and uniquely identify Control4 devices during a system installation by simply pressing a button on any Control4 device. Now, we are extending those benefits and simplicity to 3rd party products by providing them with open access to our SDDP software technology so they can embed it within their products to enable device discovery, model identification, and proper software driver association during Control4 installations - saving time and reducing the potential for errors" said Plaehn.

Control4 OS 2.3 will be available in Q4 2012.

HydraConnect LLC Releases 2nd Generation Control4 HDMI Proccessor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-14T10:01:49-08:00

The HSS-3 retains all of the features of the acclaimed HSS-2, with the added capability of integral HDBaseT outputs to run a 1080p signal up to 330' over a single CAT6. The HDBaseT receivers that operate with the HSS-3 retain the standard HydraConnect POE features that require no power supply at the receiver end. CEC support is provided for product control without IR flashers, though IR flashers are also fully supported. Finally, two of the eight outputs are configurable as HDMI outputs to support local AV Receivers. HSS-3 will is now available and is made in the USA.

Mechoshades, Get the Hook Up

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-11-11T07:15:56-08:00

The new WhisperShade® IQ2 provides a quiet, powerful, and complete solution for motorized shading, 3rd-party integration, whole-home automation, and specialty shading needs. Its encoded motor boasts two-way communication and alignment intelligence built in via MechoNet, our own RS485 network.

The motorized PanelTrac® System creates a moving wall of solar textiles perfect for sliders, room dividers, and large curtainwall installations. Operated with the ultra-quiet WhisperTrac® motor, it can integrate into existing AV- and lighting-automation systems via a wide range of wired and wireless network protocols.

Motorized PanelTrac System

WhisperTrac motor

New Control4 Device - Relay & Contact Sensor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-28T23:44:08-07:00

Axxess’s Relay & Contact Sensor shares the same form as the Multi Function Repeater. It also includes all the same functions (repeater, 3 contact sensor inputs, temperature sensor) with the addition of 3 Relay outputs. This allows you to wirelessly trigger motors to open/close garage doors and gates, raise/lower blinds or projector screens, and control many other devices that can be activated by relay output.

Lutron RadioRa2 Remote System Access

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-28T22:22:04-07:00

Now you can have the added convenience of controlling your RadioRA 2 system from anywhere internet access is available. Set up is easy and you don't need a VPN. Simply download the Lutron Home Control+ app, available on the App Store and in the Android Market, to get started.

New Elegant Control4 Lighting User Interface

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-23T11:42:19-07:00

Wait 'til You See The Advanced Scenes Lighting Agent

Released with Control4® OS 2.3, is our stunning, sleek, new User Interface for Lighting including at-a-glance intuitive navigation, with at-a-touch responsiveness, easy personalization, and the brand-new Control4 Advanced Lighting Scenes Agent to save you time in programming and integration.

The era of hands-free home control has arrived!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-07T22:21:09-07:00

HouseLogix is launching VoicePod®, a groundbreaking new device designed to speech-enable any home. Incorporating both speech recognition and speech output in a single wireless device, VoicePod is positioned as an exciting alternative to traditional keypads, remotes and touchpanels.

Each VoicePod provides both lightning-fast speech recognition and speech synthesis within a small tabletop unit that wirelessly communicates using Zigbee®. VoicePod’s patent-pending technology offers totally hands free control in any room. Users simply speak a wakeup phrase, such as “Hello VoicePod” and the unit comes to life. VoicePod’s dual processors instantly recognize and respond to commands such as “watch TV”, “make the lights bright”, “lower the temperature” and “lock the doors”. Users can also ask questions such as “what is the house status” and receive spoken responses from their homes.

Control4 and Sony Introduce New ES Receivers with Control4 Automation Built-In

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-05T23:51:08-07:00

Together Control4 and Sony launch the world’s first AV receivers with built-in home automation.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo Booth 4949 – September 5, 2012 at 5:00PM ET – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announced that Sony has integrated Control4® automation technology into its new ES receivers (introduced at CEDIA Expo) – delivering best-in-class AV performance and home automation within one easy-to-install and easy-to-use product. The ES receivers with Control4 automation are available for order now through authorized Control4 and Sony ES dealers.

This is a powerful partnership redefining the AVR category by delivering an unprecedented integrated AV and automation experience in a single device. Consumers will enjoy top AVR performance, unmatched 4K content and a stunning selection of streaming media services, plus the added lifestyle benefits of personalized automation that can transform a house into a smart home. With companies like Sony embracing and marketing the benefits of home automation, the custom installation industry benefits as a whole. Together, Sony and Control4 have created an exciting new avenue to drive consumer awareness for the category.

Introducing the Stealth Acoustics StingRay Weatherproof Speaker

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-03T00:06:27-07:00

Stealth Acoustics, a US manufacturer of invisible speakers, amplifiers and artistic AV solutions announces the debut of the Stealth StingRay™ environmental speaker at CEDIA Expo.

Creating a true environmental speaker that can take on nature’s toughest elements is no easy task. Nature is persistent and traditional speakers with open grills and exposed drivers can break down, corrode and fail over time.

Stealth Acoustics has taken on Mother Nature’s challenge and created the world’s first completely sealed, high-fidelity, wide dispersion outdoor speaker.

HX-0808HA/16 – 8×8 HDMI w/ 16×16 Analog & Digital Audio Matrix (Now Shipping)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-01T10:51:30-07:00

he HX-0808HA/16 gives you 8 HDMI I/O's, plus 16 independently routable analog & digital (coax) audio I/O's with volume control. This 3RU matrix solves many of the audio issues that present themselves when trying to distribute HDMI. This unit adheres to the strict quality standards AVocation has set forth, and thus ships with a 5-year advanced replacement warranty and a 100% money back guarantee.

New Chordette Index Network Music Player

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-01T10:28:10-07:00

The Index is a high-quality compact music streamer and internet radio source component that offers exceptional sound quality at a real-world price. The Index will find and play stored music, whether on NAS, a network computer or a USB drive and is compatible with almost any format.

Exceptional sound quality has been achieved by Chord's engineering team, thanks to their world-renowned expertise with D/A conversion and DAC production. The unit's internal DAC chipset has been optimized for sublime sound quality and benefits from its own highly accurate discrete crystal clock generator. Value priced at $1,795.

New Chordette QuteHD Ultra-High Resolution DAC

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-09-01T09:20:29-07:00

State-of-the-art DAC with 384kHz and DSD Capability The QuteHD is a 384kHz-capable, multiple-input, asynchronous USB DAC which offers a range of proprietary technologies taken from Chord's acclaimed reference DAC the QBD76. The QuteHD boasts a groundbreaking sonic performance, custom DA conversion technology and cutting-edge DSD-over-USB functionality.

"The Always At Home" Control4 Driver is now available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-08-17T07:15:33-07:00

Always@Home is most likely the greatest driver ever created for Control4®. This driver records the daily activity of your lights and/or TVs in your Control4 enabled home and can play back the exact light/TV usage to make it appear that someone is always at home even when you have been away for weeks. Admit it - you just realized how miserable your life has been before you knew about this driver.

Home Automation’s Power to Simplify Your Life, Reduce Expenses, and Increase Security

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-07-28T08:03:07-07:00

In today’s costly world, homeowners are fully aware of the expenses related to inflated energy costs and inefficient home security systems. There is nothing worse than receiving an electricity bill and being shocked by the amount owed at the end of a month or stolen possessions that could have been more strategically secured. Such realities have led homeowners to seek technologies that can help them beat the current system.
A growing number of homeowners are educating themselves on basic energy management and security devices, which often combine the use of innovate shade and control systems. For instance, Control4 offers a number of solutions that help homeowners monitor and control their home lighting from an iPad, iPhone, or wireless remote. With Control4, you can pre-program lighting levels and reduce energy output. It is also amazingly easy to set lighting to turn on and off at specific times. This significantly reduces the possibility of a light being left on throughout the night, or for several days while a homeowner is on vacation. Additionally, with Control4’s remote access service, no matter where in the world a homeowner travels he or she can turn lights on or off with a simple touchscreen command.

To make the management of lighting much easier to maintain, Control4 offers keypads with captions that can read “kitchen”, “hallway”, “master bedroom”, “patio”, and more. With a push of a single button, lighting is ignited in a desired location. The Control4 suite of products also offers dimmers that allow for lights to be set to a particular level.

Another ground breaking product for ultimate lighting, shading, security, and energy control is the Lutron RadioRA 2. The system is a holistic approach that combines total light and shade functionality. Radio RA 2 has the power to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light in a room throughout an entire home. Shades can also be lowered, electric powered curtains closed, and lighting ignited at pre-programed times. For instance, if particular rooms within a home are in direct sunlight in the afternoon, the lowering of window shades and closing of curtains can significantly reduce room temperatures. Or when the family is on vacation and dusk approaches, lowered shades, closed curtains, and automated lighting can offer higher levels of security. And for the family that has developed a high-tech home theatre, with the single push of a button window shades can be lowered and lights set to a particular level to create the perfect ambiance.

Many homeowners love the fact that both the Control4 and RadioRA 2 systems are fully scalable. This provides homeowners the power to start with a single room and expand when time and budget permits.

Seeking to automate your home for added simplicity, comfort, energy efficiency, and security? The beauty of 2012 is that homeowners have more control than ever before!

The secret to discovering and installing a solution that best fits your needs is to consult with a personalized home automation expert. At Digital Smart Homes of Vancouver BC, we would be honored to provide you a free consultation. Give us a call to set up an appointment at 604-375-3474 or visit our innovative showroom at 1385 West 6th Street Avenue in Vancouver. We live to automate, simplify, and secure your world!

Card Access Z2iR ZigBee-to-IR Module

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-06-28T23:17:29-07:00

Introducing the new Z2iR™ Module by Card Access. This module was designed specifically to integrate with Control4® systems and gives Control4 dealers additional IR (infrared) outputs to control any residential device with a Control4® driver – without ‘home running’ wires back to a Home Controller. One Z2iR controls up to 4 IR-enabled devices including: TVs, projectors, streaming media devices, set-top boxes, window coverings, and more.

Product Info:

Sleek, Small, Fast & USB-Powered
Wireless ZigBee-to-IR interface
Two (2) independent IR emitter ports
Adds IR ports and bindings to Composer
Works as a ZigBee routing node
Add every TV, set-top box or other IR-controlled device to every Control4 installation
No wire hassles and risks

Home Music Listening is Back…Thanks to Home Digital Music Solutions from Company's like Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-06-22T14:53:14-07:00

Remember the good ole’ days in which many homes were equipped with centralized music systems that pumped tunes into each room? The only problem was that such systems came with complex wiring systems and expensive built-in wall consoles, which were quite costly to maintain and nearly impossible to fix if broken.

Thanks to the digital age, technologies like Sonos have made it easy listen to music at home! Now music can be customized per room and controlled wirelessly via your MAC/PC, iPad, iPhone/iPod, or Android. Plus, your music listening options are unlimited as you can access it from Sirius, RDIO, Slacker, iTunes, Window media files, Wolfgang, and other sources.

Digital Smart Homes is now a member of "Interior Designers of Canada" (IDC)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-24T13:50:46-07:00

Digital Smart Homes team is excited to announce that we have become an official member of the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) board. Founded in 1972, IDC is the national advocacy association for the interior design profession. The beauty of our new association with the IDC is that we will now be able to connect with and education more than 3,500 interior designers, students, and educators on the latest home automation trends and technologies that have the power to increase the value of home and commercial properties.

Soul-shaking sound. Heart-pounding design. One-button setup, Introducing the Sonos Sub

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-22T11:41:53-07:00

The new SONOS SUB will take the whole Sonos system one seismic step closer to the spine-curling, jaw-dropping, full body experience music was meant to be.
At $749 CAD, the SUB delivers great value by filling the room with rich, deep resonant bass you will feel in your bones.

Easy to Install: Unlike third-party subwoofers, the Sonos SUB is specifically designed to work flawlessly with paired Sonos components right out of the box. No worries, no hassles. Like every Sonos product, the SUB is easy to install and the software automatically adjusts audio settings to perfectly balance with the \paired Sonos component.

Audio Authority 16 Channel Matrix Amplifier with FlexPort Inputs

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-20T19:06:23-07:00

Whether your looking for audio system to use in commercial facilities or in homes, the SF-16M has the features and capabilities to handle just about any application it may encounter. Its flexibility and musical power give end users so much more than traditional audio systems, while giving installers a streamlined installation process.

The SonaFlex SF-16M is a unique blend of multi-channel amplification, flexible input options, audio matrix switching, signal processing and open control capability. Built and designed in the U.S. with the custom applications in mind, the SF-16M brings a new approach to common residential and commercial distributed audio applications - one multi-purpose matrix amplifier that can be used in a variety of installations.

Nest Thermostat Control4 Driver Now Available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-18T16:26:26-07:00

The Nest Thermostat has become a very popular energy management tool with consumers. It's been featured in Wired magazine, The Wall Street Journal and Gizmodo to name just a few. Now you can integrate the Nest thermostat into Control4 systems

The World’s First & Only Analog DVRs with Native Live Streaming to Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-16T22:07:37-07:00

Wirepath™ Surveillance DVRs have been made even better with the addition of key features that make selling and installing them even easier. All DVRs now support:

Native live MJPEG video streaming directly to Control4 touch-panels and iOS apps
IP Control of DVR functions, including playback
Motion detection setup from Internet Explorer

Working Jams: What music to listen to on the job

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-05T08:37:10-07:00

Listening to music while you work might be the best thing since casual Fridays. The proper tunage can help you get motivated, stay productive, and stimulate your creative juices. And it’s just what the doctor ordered when it comes to de-stressing so you can move on to the next task without blowing a gasket.

So what music should you listen to maintain your working groove? Sonos has put together some suggestions for you in the graphic below.

In order to reveal music's power in the workplace, we at Digital Smart Homes are giving away a Sonos Play:3 and installation each month through June 2012. If you are in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland, BC, we welcome you to join in the fun! Enter to Win

Integra's new DTR30.4 7.2 Netwrok Home Theater Receiver.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-02T22:10:27-07:00

With the absolute latest in A/V processing and content convergence, the THX®-certified DTR-30.4 elevates you to an exhilarating new level of home entertainment performance.

More Women are seeking out Home Technology solutions today than ever before

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-05-02T21:57:41-07:00

At Digital Smart Homes, we are constantly working to better understand our client base. One of the most exciting trends that we are seeing is women increasingly seeking out digital technologies, often much more than men. There are a number of reasons as to why this is occurring.

To begin with, digital home technologies have the power to secure home and family. For instance, systems and outdoor lighting sensors can assure that lights go on at the proper time and that pathways are always lit. This not only protects homes from predators, but they greatly decrease the chance of personal injury.

Additionally, iPhone, Smartphone, and iPad apps can align with the latest technologies to indicate whether door locks are unlocked and/or the garage door is open. No matter where in the world a one is, she can close the garage door and/or lock doors. By having the power to assure the security of the home, it is possible to have peace of mind when traveling out of town or returning home.

Secondly, digital technologies can ease the frustrations of controlling numerous home media devices. There are few challenges that frustrate busy individuals more than hard to control/confusing media devices. Digital media technology offers universal remote controls that can control everything from the TV, to the wireless music system, and everything else in between. It is also possible to program a TV to turn off after a predetermined amount of time to assure kids are staying focused on their studies.

Thirdly, appliance control and monitoring makes home life much easier. In fact, kitchens will never be the same, as digital make oven monitoring possible at all times. This lessons the likelihood of the oven being left on for hours or the overcooking of a favorite dish. Also, all appliances can be constantly monitored to assure they are running efficiently and not wasting precious electricity.

Finally, home heating and air conditioning control both helps make the home more comfortable and less energy intensive. For example, the heater/furnace can be activated from the comfort of one’s bed via an iPad app and the air conditioner can be programed and coordinated with electronic blinds for effective temperature control throughout the day.

While the above technologies make a defined difference in the lives of both men and women, it appears that our female customer is increasingly becoming the key influencer. When questioned about the problems digital home technologies solve, our customers often point to security, efficiency, and simplicity.

Why do you personally seek out digital home technologies? Please share on our Facebook page!

The Smart Kitchen Revolution and How Control4 is Leading the Way

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-04-16T22:52:48-07:00

We spend hour upon hour in our kitchens working to create masterful meals, socializing with family and friends, completing homework assignments and work projects, and even watching our favourite shows. In all reality, for many the kitchen is the second family room…or maybe even the first for some!

This is why numerous homeowners around the world are working to make their kitchens as “smart” as possible. Many turn to Control4 for their needs, as the system can do everything from set lighting and window shades to activity specific levels; play just the right music to fit the mood; monitor and program appliances; access award winning recipes from a touch screen; and even set the ice-maker to produce more ice when a party is in full swing. Plus, Control 4 offers numerous apps that can be downloaded and used to simplify the home.

Control4 2012 Platnium Authorized Dealer

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-04-04T23:26:51-07:00

I am excited to announce that we have been awarded the Platinum Dealer designation by Control4 for the 3rd year in a row, .

At Digital Smart Homes, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized control and automation solutions for everyone and maintain the highest level of customer service and satisfaction for our customers.

As a Platinum Control4 Dealer, you can be rest assured that each of our technicians and sales associates have completed a comprehensive training program on how to install and support all Control4 products, so we’ll have everything we need to be your personal automation expert and make sure you’re making the most of your Control4 system. As a Premier Dealer, Digital Smart Homes has completed additional Control4 training, sales and experience requirements in home automation.

Does your office environment need an instant energy jolt and creativity boost?

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-03-27T11:52:00-07:00

You just may be amazed at what music can do to shake things up and motivate your team members!!

In order to reveal music's power in the workplace, we at Digital Smart Homes are giving away a Sonos Play:3 and installation each month through June 2012. If you are in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland, BC, we welcome you to join in the fun!

Qualifying for the contest is easy! All you have to do is:
1. "Like" our Digital Smart Homes Facebook page and/or "Follow" us on Twitter and/or follow us on “Pinterest”
2. Submit a picture of your office on either Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and a brief comment on why you should win.

The more creative your entry the better, and if you submit on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest your office will be entered twice for a chance to win!

According to a recent University of Illinois research study of 256 office workers, music did wonders for frayed nerves, reduced distracting office chatter, boosted morale, and even enhanced office performance. Plus, it was revealed that employees were often more satisfied with their employers and were less likely to switch jobs.

A number of leading organizations have discovered the positive effects that music has on morale. For example, the popular online magazine Cool Hunting keeps it fresh by cranking music through their offices daily. The team keeps a hard drive filled with numerous genres of music for everyone to enjoy and gain inspiration.

And if this isn't enough maybe the goods will impress your soul! The Sonos Play: 3 is a wireless music system that emits crystal clear sound and allows for you to control it via an iPhone, iPad, Android, or Sonos controller. Additionally, the system has the ability to play music that captures a desired mood, connects wirelessly to the office router and can be tucked away in the corner of your choice.

Visit our Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest page now to enter the Digital Smart Homes Sonos Play: 3 contest. If you win, we will personally deliver and install the system for you and your co-workers to enjoy!

We will be giving away our first Play:3 in the last week of April 2012 so get your submissions in now

We Don’t Just Sell Products, We Provide a Lifestyle

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-03-26T09:00:00-07:00

At Digital Smart Homes, we are committed to discovering revolutionary products that have the power to transform your home and improve the quality of your daily life. Not only are we committed, we actually love what we do!

Who wouldn’t be excited to let the cat out of the bag when a new gizmo comes to market that allows a homeowner to close his/her garage door while vacationing in Paris or instantaneously unlock a door to let the cat sitter in when away on a business trip? Or better yet, have the means to monitor all home appliances from their iPad and discover exactly how to dramatically cut down the electricity bill.

Not only do we sell groundbreaking products, we truly provide a lifestyle for the bold and courageous. Such a lifestyle is simplified in nature, yet amazingly thrilling!

Where simplicity is concerned, we work to reveal how the latest technologies can help you cut down on energy costs, maximize appliance functionality and effectiveness, eliminate unneeded remote controls, and empower you when you are on the road.

Thrill comes into the picture when you start considering how digital products can create the perfect home theater environment or that wireless music can magnificently pump crystal clear sound through hidden speakers. Additionally, it’s safe to say that it is thrilling to have the power to pull out your iPhone (no matter where you are on the planet) and push a couple buttons to turn your air conditioning on or off, activate the front porch lights, or cut the power on a computer that needs a break.

This lifestyle we sell is truly seamless and makes perfect sense in today’s ultra-hectic world. Plus, it looks amazing! Who couldn’t use a little wire de-cluttering and electronics hiding, while revolutionizing the home? Our customers often grin when their friends and family stand with their mouths open the moment they realize they are standing in a Digital Smart Home.

You don’t have to be an “early adopter” to understand the value of digitizing your home environment. While some of our clients definitely fall into that category, the majority are simply seeking a way to simplify their lives, secure those they love most, and cut down on energy usage (well…and then there are some who always dreamt of living like the Jetson’s…that’s ok too!).If you are currently considering “Digital Smart Homing” your living environment, you are in for a thrilling ride. Dare to dream big and you are sure to find a creative solution that will fit our lifestyle!

Card Access™ Sub-Zero/Wolf® Smart Appliance Module™ Now Available for Control4 Integration

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-03-15T13:31:53-07:00

It’s a long-held stereotype that beauty and brains don’t go together. Well, not anymore. Introducing the Card Access™ Sub-Zero® / Wolf® Smart Appliance Module™. This new product from Card Access gives the beautiful Sub-Zero BI-Series of refrigerators the needed brains for integration with the award-winning Control4® home control system.

Coming Next Week: New Sonos Controller apps for Mac & PC

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-03-15T11:54:20-07:00

PLUS EVEN MORE TO MAKE SONOS MUSIC LOVERS SMILE

Next week, Sonos will introduce brand new Sonos Controller apps for Mac and PC. Plus, improved wireless performance for Android devices and language support for Brazilian Portuguese. And, it will all be available with a simple one-click software update.

An Overview of My Favorite Online Music Services that Also Work with Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-03-01T09:00:00-08:00

In today’s world, there are so many options out there for online music that it can be difficult to know where to start! The great thing about homeowners that have installed the Sonos Wireless HiFi System is that now it is possible to listen to most artists, albums and/or songs in just moments. No more dusting off old vinyl records, pulling out old tapes, or trying to rub the scratches out of your favourite CDs. We hope the following online music service overview will educate you on what technologies are out there:

Rdio
Rdio is subscription-based online music service that allows for you to pay a small fee of just $4.99 per month and you are able to listen to unlimited amounts of music from any computer. If you are familiar with Spotify, it is quite similar. Back when Spotify wasn’t available in the United States (and soon to be available in Canada), Rdio held the exclusive on such a service.

Beyond being able to call up almost any artist, album, or song in less than a second, users are able to share music from friends, get music suggestions, and even write mini-reviews. This makes the utilization of your Sonos system quite dynamic.

For those who want to listen to music on their mobile devices and computers while offline or want to listen to music on demand, much like Netflix, members pay $9.99/month and have access to more than 8.5 million songs. Getting started with Rdio is quite easy and completely free for the first week. This allows for you to give it a try before diving into the paid subscription.

Aupeo
Aupeo is a completely free personalized online music service that you personalize by selecting the “Mood” (Happy, Energetic, Stressful, Relaxing, etc) and the “Genre” (HipHop, Country, World, Electronic, etc) .. The service is a competitor to Pandora, last.fm, and Spotify. As a user, you are allowed to stream more than 120 stations across all music genres, while provided the ability to pause or skip songs at any time. The free version has occasional commercials that play throughout your listening session and has a limit as to how many songs can be skipped at a time per station. In order to better customize music selections, you are able to designate the songs you like versus the ones you dislike.

In the case that you want to enjoy commercial free listening and have full control of how many songs are skipped, the premium service is available for €4.95 EUR/month or €49,95 EUR/ year.

Slacker Personal Radio
Slacker is quite similar to Aupeo, allowing for users to listen to customized music stations. To select a genre that is most appealing at any given time, you must designate a particular artist or song as a reference point. Music then begins to stream within that given genre and allows for users to pause and skip songs.

The free version allows for only a limited number of skips and includes commercials. If you desire the ability to listen to music without commercials, there is a monthly fee of either $3.99 or $9.99. The $3.99 version also allows for mobile station caching, enables ABC News, and includes complete song lyrics. On the other hand, the $9.99 version adds the ability for you to play song and albums on demand, play single artist stations, cash albums and playlists, and create personalized playlists. This makes Slacker quite similar in functionality to Rdio.

No matter which way you stack it, you can create a music listening experience of your dreams. The secret to discovering which online music services work best for you is to give them all a try!

The 4K Revolution and Its Impact

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-02-13T15:28:06-08:00

Just when the world thought that it couldn’t get any better than HDTV, there is a new technology that is about to change the way humanity experiences home entertainment. Introducing 4k -- the current digital cinema format that offers four times the image quality of HDTV. Soon you, your family and friends will experience the power of the latest digital cinema quality entertainment in the comfort of your own home.

A Short History of 4K
In 1999, digital cinema was thrust into the market with the help of George Lucas. His goal was to make the movie going experience more fascinating and enjoyable. Lucas worked with Sony and Panavision on Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in an effort to release the world’s first movie utilizing a 1080p/24-frame-per-second digital camera. While the technology was far from perfect at the time, moviegoers gave the film rave reviews.

In 2002, there arose an association of movie studios who developed the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI), LLC to assure the future of digital technologies and bring their costs down tremendously. This led to the release of the 2K format, which requires a 2048-horizontal x 1080-vertical pixel grid. This is slightly larger than the HDTV standard at 1920 x 1080.

The next step was the development of 4K for stadium seating movie venues. Sony Pictures was a major proponent of the technology, which provides a crystal-clear view no matter where one is sitting in the treater. Gone are the days in which certain seats within a treater offer less than perfect picture quality.
In case you’re wondering if you have experienced 4K, James Cameron’s Avatar utilized the format with great success in theatres. The technology played a huge part in making audiences feel as though they were sent into another world that could practically be experienced first-hand.

The next logical stop for 4K is the home, which brings us to 2012!

The 4K in the Home
It is slated for the future that a growing number of homes will take advantage of 4K, which boasts of resolution that is equal to 8.8 million pixels versus the just over 2 million pixels in the average 1080p HDTV image. Imagine enjoying four-times the detail of your current monitor or projector!

Home treater experts have shared openly that there is a definite set of challenges that must be overcome in getting 4K movies into the home. It is very possible that Blu-Ray Disks will be the bearers of 4K because they have the capability to house such large files. Some experts are purporting that streaming 4K through the Internet may not be workable in the foreseeable future; however, it isn’t completely out of the question. Time will tell on the streaming front.

As for monitors that can display 4K, LG and Toshiba are soon to release 4K displays. While there will be very little 4K media to watch when the monitors are released, they will definitely enhance 3D movies. It has been rumoured that the first monitor to enter the market will be the 55’ Toshiba featuring autostereoscopic 3D (i.e. “glasses-less 3D).

Additionally, we at Digital Smart Homes currently carry JVC’s Reference Series 3D Home Cinema 4K projector which offers a contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1. You can also look for Sony’s 4K home theatre projector (the VPL-VW100ES) to be released in September of this year.

If you have any questions surrounding 4K or other custom technologies and installation for your home, we invite you to call our offices at 604-375-3474. Stay tuned for more exciting news on current and future home automation technologies!

How the iPad is Revolutionizing Home Automation & Control

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-02-09T22:49:51-08:00

Just when Apple fans thought it couldn’t get any better, the iPad has become one of the most useful home management tools on the planet.

Imagine going on the road for a number of days and being able to control important home devices/appliances (from the air conditioner, to house lights, to door locks); waking early in the morning to a chilly home and turning the furnace on before hopping out of bed; and cutting down on energy costs by monitoring each of your major appliances for efficiency -- all from your trusty iPad.

How the Lutron RadioRA 2 Can Revolutionize Your Home

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-27T09:54:27-08:00

Are you looking for creative and cost-effective ways to save energy, reduce utility bills, upgrade your home’s technological framework? Lutron makes this more than possible with its RadioRA 2 -- also known as wireless total home control.

The system provides you the power to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light, room/home temperature, and energy utilized by all of the appliances and electronics room-by-room or throughout your entire home.

To help you better understand the Lutron RadioRA 2, we hope the following outline of its benefits will reveal the value it can hold within your household:

Saves Major Amounts of Energy. The system includes a combination of light, shade, temperature, and appliance control to significantly reduce the amount of energy you utilize each day.

Ease of Use. With the push of a single button, it is possible to create the perfect combination of energy saving elements that can include adjusting room lights, shades, and temperature to the exact level that you desire. This can either include room-by-room control or throughout the entire home.

Ambiance Control. RadioRA 2 is an amazing tool for creating the exact ambiance you are looking for at any time. For instance, when you fire up the flat screen TV for one of your favourite movies, you can set the system to automatically dim the lights, close the window shades, and adjust the temperature to a comfortable level.

Appliance Control. It is possible to control all of the appliances in your home such as computers, monitors, televisions, and air purifiers by placing them on standby. By utilizing this functionality, you can save an estimated 10 percent of the energy you normally use on a monthly basis.

Custom Technology. The system can be built out to meet your specific needs. You can control settings via wall panels, tabletop controls, or handheld devices. It is also possible to access controls remotely when you are on the road or out of the country by utilizing your iPad or PC Tablet.

The opportunities are endless with Lutron’s RadioRA 2, thus the key to discovering the right mix within your home environment is to assess all of your lighting fixtures, lamps, electronics devices, and appliances and dreaming up the right solution for you.

Also, you should think about how you would like to control your system. Would you prefer wall panels, desktop and/or handheld controls, mobile device controls, or all of the above?

At Digital Smart Homes, we offer the entire Lutron RadioRA 2 system and can help you find the best solution that will best fit your needs. We can also visit your home and provide ideas for helping you create a cutting-edge and efficient home environment. For more information, we invite you to visit our certified showroom or call our team at 604-375-3474.

5 Reasons to Consider Video Conferencing

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-19T14:40:07-08:00

In today’s world, video conferencing is increasingly becoming a way of life for leading and emerging organizations as they work to compete in the global marketplace. There are numerous reasons business leaders, educators, and individuals are finding it essential to invest in revolutionary technologies capable of connecting multiple offices, making remote training/education possible, and allowing for instant connection with others.

If you have been considering investing in video conferencing technologies and are still not sure as to how they can help you streamline your business processes, we hope the following five points will guide your decision making process:

1. Cut Travel Costs. Gone are the days that you must invest heavily in travel expenses. Video conferencing allows for you to schedule numerous meetings and conduct them without having to budget for flights, hotels, meals, and entertainment.

2. Immediate Connection and Information Sharing. Video conferencing can be facilitated at any time. Throughout the conference you can utilize numerous tools for sharing key information including PowerPoint slides, documents, computer screens, whiteboards, video clips, and more. There is no need to schedule for travel time, which makes for more efficient use of time and resources.

3. The Power of Face-to-Face Communication. There is a definite power associated with being able to actually see the person to which you are speaking. This is why throughout history business leaders have spent numerous dollars on travel expenses for their employees as they work to connect with fellow employees, suppliers, and customers. E-mails and phone calls can only go so far where personal touch is concerned, as key messaging can be misconstrued without being able to read the other person’s expressions.

4. Custom Infrastructures Available. Today’s video conferencing technologies can be scaled out to fit the exact needs of an organization. For instance, in the case that you want to connect each of your office boardrooms that are spread throughout the country, there are technologies that will mirror your boardrooms with matching décor and furniture that provide the illusion that you are sitting across the table from remote participants via large screens. On the other hand, if you are looking for a simple one-on-one conversation, video conferencing can be done via laptop.

5. Reduce Office Expenses. Video conference has the power to save you numerous dollars on offices expenses and supplies including phone lines, fax lines, paper, industry sized copy machines, and more. The digital world makes the sharing of documents and information easier than ever!

We at Digital Smart Homes work with individuals and organizations build out their video conferencing setups utilizing LifeSize’s technologies. A division of Logitech, the company produces a vast selection of products used by small and large businesses, educators, health providers, entertainment companies, and non-profits.

The beauty of LifeSize’s innovations is that they have worked tirelessly to develop solutions that take every aspect of an organization’s needs into consideration. Utilizing the immense LifeSize product line, we work with our clients to develop a creative solution that will help them streamline their business processes and cut costs. For more information, we invite you to either visit our showroom or give us a call at 604-375-3474.

SIRIUS Canada now playing on Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-17T13:08:38-08:00

Sonos users in Canada are in for a real treat: listening to SIRIUS on Sonos in every room. We're talking over 100 premium channels of music and more blasting in the bedroom or the living room or both. And with a free 30-day trial, you can try before you buy! Plus, with SIRIUS now available on Sonos, there's 100 more reasons/channels for music fans to fall in love with the PLAY:3, PLAY:5, CONNECT and CONNECT:AMP.

Niles New Outdoor Speakers And In-Ground Subwoofer Offer High Fidelity Audio And Sleek Design

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-11T15:20:57-08:00

Niles’ new GS Garden Speakers line is constructed of rugged, long-lasting materials and features high-quality audio components for amazing outdoor audio systems.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, January 11, 2012—Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today introduced a new line of outdoor speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, which all feature rugged construction, long-lasting materials and deliver superior audio fidelity for all outdoor applications. The new GS Garden Speakers deliver Niles’ legendary high performance sound quality and the speakers’ rugged construction gives dealers an ideal, long-lasting outdoor audio solution.

According to Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles, “The introduction of our new GS Garden Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer allow dealers to offer the same level of audio quality and sleek, blend-in designs for outside applications as Niles in-ceiling speakers provide inside the home. Installers can now install powerful, high fidelity outdoor audio systems to fit any environment with minimal visibility.”

Niles Introduces First Designer-Friendly Compact Ceiling Mount Loudspeaker To Blend Into Any Décor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-11T12:28:25-08:00

Dealers can now provide Niles’® legendary high fidelity audio performance in virtually any location with a compact loudspeaker that has a mere four-inch footprint.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, January 10, 2012—Following the introduction of its new CM Series Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers at CEDIA 2011, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the introduction of the company’s first-ever compact ceiling mount loudspeaker with a mere four-inch footprint, the CM4PR. It is the first small, designer-friendly loudspeaker to deliver audiophile grade performance so speakers can be placed in aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive areas.

“The introduction of our new designer-friendly compact loudspeaker provides installers with an audiophile grade solution for any location where space or visibility are issues,” said Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles. “With a depth of less than four inches and a Rear Wave Enclosure that stops sound from bleeding into other rooms, the CM4PR brings superior quality audio to places that were once inaccessible and completes our full line of application-specific CM Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers.”

Kaleidescape Announces DV700 Disc Vault

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-10T14:42:39-08:00

The Kaleidescape System provides the world's best Blu-ray viewing experience in the home. The M700 Disc Vault is a key component of the system, and last year it won the coveted 2011 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Best New Product award.

Many clients have requested a version of the M700 Disc Vault that does not include an M-Class player. Kaleidescape is pleased to introduce the DV700 Disc Vault. It offers the same award-winning performance and capacity as that of its sister disc vault, but does not have an integrated player.

It has capacity for 320 discs, and imports DVDs and CDs as easily as it imports Blu-ray Discs. Control buttons and a front panel display make it easy to use, and it can be located anywhere on the home's Ethernet network.

Control4 Launches Video Intercom Solutions with New Touch Screens and Door Station

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-10T14:20:37-08:00

High-performance In-Wall and Portable Touch Screens with full-motion video intercom and wideband audio deliver dedicated control and crystal clear communications.
Las Vegas, NV– January 10, 2012 at 7:00 AM PT – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, introduces its new video intercom solutions, which include the Control4® 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera, the Control4® 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera, and the Control4® Door Station.

This new video intercom product family provides dedicated, always-on control functionality along with a convenient high-quality communications experience for homes and businesses. Each new product within the family features an integrated camera delivering H.264 full-motion video along with integrated speakers and dual microphones utilizing beam forming and wideband audio to deliver a high-fidelity experience. With activation of a Control4® Intercom License, consumers can enable whole-home or business communications and message broadcasting, as well as the ability to control auto-answer and “do not disturb” settings.

Control4 Announces New High-Performance Automation Controllers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-10T13:58:30-08:00

New one-room and whole-home controllers dramatically enhance consumer experiences with fluid on-screen control, blazingly fast media access, and instantaneous responsiveness.
Las Vegas, NV– January 9, 2012 at 9:30 AM PT – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announces two new models to its award-winning family of automation controllers: the flagship HC-800 and the versatile HC-250. Designed to harness the power of Control4’s award-winning operating system, the HC-800 and the HC-250 provide the ultimate Control4 experience for speed, performance and flexibility at an exceptional value for homeowners and businesses.

At the center of Control4’s updated line of controllers is the new HC-800, a powerful, flexible, multi-zone controller designed to serve as the cornerstone of any Control4 installation, no matter how large or demanding. The HC-800’s lightning-fast, next-generation 1.8GHz high-performance dual-core processor delivers instantaneous, interactive on-screen control and browsing of even the largest media libraries.

The Power of Energy Monitoring: Save Energy & Money

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-06T14:03:19-08:00

How would you like to have direct access to the amount of energy you are using in your home or business at any given moment? Finally, you won’t have to hold your breath every time your energy bill is delivered to your mailbox!

A growing number of businesses and families are utilizing energy monitoring technologies such as Eragy or Powerhouse Dynamics to monitor their energy output 24x7. Both technologies offer a host of cutting-edge features that are sure to give you invaluable insights on your energy usage.

Eragy Home Energy Monitoring with Control4
Eragy runs in conjunction with the Control4 home automation system and an energy sensor that is installed prior to usage. Throughout the day, Eragy monitors energy usage and then sends data to their secure website. The system then correlates your energy usage with utility provider’s rates and projects your current costs.

To view energy usage and cost statistics Eragy utilizes your Control4 touch panel, TV, computer, iPhone, Android, or iPad. After viewing the data, users you can then make needed adjustments to your home or business to decrease energy usage.

Powerhouse Dynamics
Powerhouse Dynamics is an amazing system that takes energy monitoring to new heights. The system breaks down energy usage circuit-by-circuit and pinpoints various items in your home or business that are contributing to high energy costs.

It also has the power to monitor each appliance within a home and sends out an alert when one isn’t performing well. You are also given the ability to control the temperature of your home from anywhere via a smartphone. Additionally, if you utilize renewable energy sources such as solar power, Powerhouse Dynamic’s eMonitor will reveal if they are producing the amount of which they are capable.

When the system finds it necessary to alert you to a particular problem or unnecessary energy output, the system can be programmed to send you a text message or e-mail. You can liken the system to a home assistant that is there to make your live 100 times easier!

Smart Meters Installed Across BC to Improve Energy Costs & Efficiency
The idea of energy efficiency is also being taken seriously throughout BC. In fact, there is a BC Hydro Smart Metering Program that will see the installation of 1.8 million meters in home and businesses by December 2012. The meters are expected to save BC residents more than $70 million over the next three years and $1.6 billion over the next 20 years.

At Digital Smart Homes, we can provide you monitoring technologies that are compatible with Smart Meters. Additionally, we can provide you a full demo of the above systems. We invite you to drop by our showroom or contact me at 604-375-3474 extension #700 for more information.

QBD76 the World's Most Technically Advanced DAC

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2012-01-06T13:20:04-08:00

Next generation DAC resolves more musical information than any DAC using conventional chips and includes USB and Bluetooth inputs.
Chord Electronics has once again produced the world's most technically advanced DAC. Building on the huge success of the award winning DAC64, the QBD76 now takes D/A conversion to a new level of performance not available in any other product. In addition USB and digital Bluetooth inputs allow you to enjoy very high quality audio playback from anywhere your music happens to be stored.

Instead of simply using the best off the shelf DAC chips, Chord actually designed their own using the newest Xilinx field programmable gate arrays. This state-of-the-art development platform provides Chord engineers with a staggering 1,250,000 logic gates with which to design their DAC.

Niles Introduces Two new Powerful High Fidelity Compact Subwoofer Ideal For Any Size Room

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-22T13:17:07-08:00

Powerful, stylish and compact 6.5” and 8” subwoofers, engineered with designers in mind, allow for virtually unlimited placement to fit any decor.

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, December 22, 2011—Expanding its line of powerful high-fidelity subwoofers, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the introduction of two new stylish compact subwoofers engineered with designers in mind, the SW6.5 and the SW8.

“With these new stylishly-designed compact subwoofers, installers can place a high-powered, highly attractive and easily concealed subwoofer virtually anywhere for a home theater or home audio system,” said Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, President of Niles. “These subwoofers outperform their larger rivals and offer superior sound quality and design for all residential and light commercial installations.”

Engineered with the designer in mind, the SW6.5’s and SW8’s ultra-compact sizes and fingerprint-resistant piano-black finishes present an aesthetically pleasing profile that is easy to blend into any décor. Pairing a long-throw front-firing woofer with dual long-throw side-mounted passive radiators, the compact subwoofers deliver the power of subwoofers four times their size, making them perfect for any setup requiring more bass in less space.

Control4 MyHome Android App Release

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-14T17:41:24-08:00

It’s the app you’ve been waiting for! The Control4® MyHome Android app is now available for download! The Control4® MyHome Android app allows customers to interact with their Control4 systems from the convenience of their Android smartphone or tablet. As with other MyHome apps, customers get the familiar Control4 user interface to control lighting, temperature, music, movies, security and more.

Digital Smart Home’s Three Promises

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-14T08:03:53-08:00

My friend @TeriConrad hosts a weekly twitter chat called #brandtribe and her topic a few weeks back was about “Company Values”. I listened closely and tweeted about my companies values. For me, my company’s promise is how I define our values and are proudly displayed on our company website. Another participant in the online chat made a comment that a company which lists there values should also define them. So thats what I did.

Digital Smart Home’s Three Promises that define our Values
At Digital Smart Homes, our team is dedicated to making sure that our customers receive top-quality service at all times. In order to guarantee best-in-class service, no matter how large or small in scope a project may be, we have made three promises…

Promise 1
To Listen Carefully: Because of our clients’ needs for custom solutions, we vow to listen closely in an effort to gain a full understanding of their technological needs, creative vision, and budgetary constraints. Rather than offering product and design suggestions from the beginning, we work to connect with each client and take in their inspired vision.

Promise 2
To Offer Thoughtfully: After listening carefully, we work to offer comprehensive solutions and clearly explain what all technologies are able to accomplish. Never will our customers be scratching their heads due to lack of information or clear explanation. Additionally, we go beyond the call of duty to present clients with detailed quotes and take ample time to review all line items. We live to educate and inform our client base!

Promise 3
To Execute Brilliantly: Once our clients have signed off on the overall concept, we “execute” the installation with perfection - all hands on deck! Home and work environments are handled with care as technologies and design elements are beautifully integrated. A key aspect of integration is full instruction on how to use all technologies, plus our team members are always available for support, even years down the road.

Bonus Promise
Full Warranty Commitment: Digital Smart Homes is the only technology provider in the industry that meets all manufacturers’ warranties. In other words, most organizations offer 90-day to 1-year labour warranties; however, we have made the commitment to match our labour warranties for the same length of the manufacturers warranty of a given product. Thus, if an item comes with a 4-year warranty and fails to work properly, our dedicated team will visit your home or office, remove it, and take it in for servicing. There are no added costs for home visits or servicing that falls within the manufacturer’s warranty.

We truly value our customers and strive to go the extra mile to make sure that all of our products and services make life easier and more manageable. This is our passion!!

Extend HDMI 1080p Full HD with Deep Color up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a single CAT-5 cable, along with 100Base-T Ethernet, RS-232, IR, and remote 5V DC Power

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-04T13:51:08-08:00

The GefenPRO Extender for HDMI ELR with PoL over CAT5 extends a Hi-Def source with multichannel digital audio at resolutions of up to 1080p Full HD to 330 feet (100 meters) using one CAT-5 cable. Also, it has the capability to power a separate 5V DC device from the Receiver unit, sharing the 5V DC power, transmitted over the CAT-5 cable, up to 2 Amps at the Receiver Unit. It supports DVI-D when used with an HDMI to DVI Adapter, providing greater flexibility and options when integrating several home theater components. This product extends Ethernet and provides an IR back channel to control AV sources using the same CAT-5 cable extension. With the built-in IR Blaster, simply point the IR remote(s) at the display to control the Hi-Def sources as if they were located in the same room as the display.

All New JVC Reference Series 3D Home Cinema 4K Projector

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-04T13:36:27-08:00

Featuring 4K precision and Industry leading performance, this JVC D-ILA 3D projector that 80,000:1 native contrast ratio. All the features you'd expect in a top-of-the-line model at a price that will surprise you.

Homeowners Are Turning to Smart Technology to Streamline Their Lives and Reduce Energy Use

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-03T22:01:11-08:00

Article by Amanda Ash, Contributor for eHow

Long gone are the days when we read by candlelight and cooked dinner on a wood-burning stove. And for many North American homes as of 2011, the acts of flipping light switches and manually controlling thermostats are going the way of the dinosaurs.

The Green Revolution, coupled with incredible technological advances, has spawned tech-savvy "smart homes": digitally outfitted dwellings that may be programmed to do just about anything you can think of, except maybe clean your room.

Harry Saini, who owns Digital Smart Homes of Canada and has wired his Vancouver condominium to the hilt, believes that automating your home not only simplifies your life but also reduces energy consumption. Home automation technology is becoming more accessible every day, allowing the average person to transform a home into something straight out of "Star Trek."

"If you were looking at home automation five years ago, you'd easily be looking at 10 times the cost compared to now," Saini said. "And the number of dealers and retailers that are able to support that technology compared to five, six years ago has doubled---tripled, even.

"People used to think home automation is for lazy people, but that's not what it is. Essentially, everything talks to one another. Your lights talk to your stereo. Your alarm knows what your garage is doing. All your devices know what's going on."

What is Home Automation or a Smart Home?

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-12-03T17:57:17-08:00

In today’s ultra-complicated and fast-paced world, home automation and smart home technologies were developed to simplify life! Thanks to revolutionary devices, you can now link and control all of the electronics and systems in your home from a single digital interface.

Digital Smart Homes links together onto one operating platform the following technologies and more:

Home theatre systems
Multi-room music & video
Smart lighting & shades
Advanced temperature control
Safety and security devices

With a system such as Control4, your life will be forever changed and simplified as you hide away multiple remotes and take advantage of an easy-to-use interface that can be accessed via a single remote, your computer, iPad, iPhone, or other Smartphones.

Transforming your living environment into a “smart home” not only makes life more manageable, it makes it more secure. For instance, let’s say that you head out of town for a weekend trip and you realize a few hours out of town that you forgot to arm the security system and program the porch lights to illuminate at dusk. All you have to do is pull out your iPhone, bring up the Control4 interface, and push a few buttons to secure your alarm & program your lights.

Is Home Automation Scalable? As you revolutionize and grow your home technologies, you may be wondering if home automation is scalable. This is actually the beauty of a system like Control4. You can begin with one or two technologies and then scale out to meet additional needs. For example, if you have an amazing home theatre setup and a security system, you can begin there and then add to your setup as time progresses.

What’s in a Smart Home Console? This is where the fun begins! Just to give you an idea, here are some of the things that Control4 can accomplish:

Control your home theatre
Dim the lights as the opening credits roll
Turn off all your TVs when your kids should be studying
Alert you when the garage door is open…and then close it
Manage your lights, window coverings, and thermostats
Monitor your locks, lighting, and security cameras
Allow you to play music in any room of the house

The sky is the limit! Your home can now be easily managed, and finally you don’t have to constantly provide lengthy instructions on how all of your devices work!

Visit our fully featured hi-tech showroom in Vancouver at 1385 West 6th Avenue.

Connect with your music like never before with Cambridge Audio's Network Music Player (NP30)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-11-23T23:37:19-08:00

Good things come in small packages. The Cambridge Audio NP30 all-in-one network audio player however isn't just good: it's an amazing sounding, brilliantly versatile, very compact and, of course, a perfect example of what contemporary music in the home is all about. Music downloads, high-resolution music files, internet radio, network music, UPnP servers, iPod/MP3 players, USB Music, Wi-Fi streaming - everything that the new era of music delivery can throw at it, the NP30 can play.

Network music players are fast replacing CD players at the heart of many hi-fi systems.

The Growing Trend of Hidden Electronics

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-11-21T15:53:50-08:00

It is quite common for our customers to search for ways to seamlessly integrate their entertainment systems and electronic devices with the décor of their homes. Their ultimate goal is to preserve the beauty of their interior design, while essentially hiding the ugly side of technology such as wiring, speakers, and bulky consoles. Thus, they challenge our team at Digital Smart Homes to develop an action plan for making their dreams a reality. This post is designated to help you make the best decisions possible on building your dream design/technology scenario.

Hidden, yet Frequently Used
Many homeowners who frequently enjoy the best audio, video, and control gear assume that they are stuck with having to constantly behold the many wires and ugly parts that come with their beloved electronics. They often dream of having a beautiful home environment, but since they often utilize their high-tech devices, they feel they need to settle for obvious and cluttered.

If you are in this boat, you may be thrilled to learn there are some great hidden installation techniques available today, including:

Hanging flat-panel video displays, minus the wires. Flat-panel mounts are getting better every day, and some even come with motorized features for ease-of-use. In an effort to hide cables, some systems come with in-arm cable channels for concealment, while others allow for small devices and cords to be stored behind the display. There are several types of mounts that should be considered depending on your particular need. They can include everything from flat mounts, to those that tilt or articulate for optimum viewing pleasure.

Seeking simplicity in the bedroom? You can implement an under-the-bed mount that pops out and up with the touch of a button. Once brought out into the open, these mounts can swivel up to 360 degrees for comfortable viewing.

TV mirrors for hiding LCDs. It is becoming increasingly popular to use TV mirrors to hide TVs that sit over fireplaces or in other strategic spots. When powered off, some LCD screen options vanish and appear as decorative mirrors. Others are motorized, descending and ascending with the push of a remote button.

Art screens for TVs like no other. Homeowners can have their favourite art reproduced or choose from other existing artwork to cover up their TVS. The artwork ascends or descends with the command of a remote.

Invisible installations utilizing wireless multimedia kits. For those looking to control all AV devices with a single remote or an iPad and keep all components hidden within a cupboard or closet, there are some great solutions from Control4 and Harmony Remotes.

Hidden speakers for amazing sound. Today’s most innovative speaker systems offer architectural models that are quite aesthetically pleasing. Some appear as shadows that are barely noticeable, others are actually built into the wall and blend in beautifully. The sound that is pumped out of these hidden speakers is quite amazing.

No matter what your needs, there is a hidden electronics solution for you. All it takes is a little imagination and knowledge of the current products on the market and you’re set!

The Value of Independent Smart Technology Providers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-11-10T08:19:26-08:00

A growing number of consumers are realizing the true value of employing independent providers of smart technologies over big box suppliers such as Best Buy, Future Shop, Wal-Mart, and Costco. Among Vancouver, British Columbia’s most innovative independent providers is my company Digital Smart Homes. Our rapidly growing customer base relies on its highly personalized and innovative approach to developing out-of-the-box solutions for making homes and businesses more comfortable, entertaining, secure, and manageable.

For instance with a single touch of a button, Digital Smart Home customers can transform their TV room into a home theatre. As a movie begins, room lights can automatically dim, window shades close, and the surround sound ignite. While engaged in the movie, all watchers can be rest assured that after sunset pre-programmed technology will bring the porch lights to life, and at 10pm (or any other designated time) all door locks are automatically secured. While most mass retailers can offer less expensive, installation-ready product options, independent providers are growing in popularity for a number of reasons including the following:

Fully Customized Product Offerings – For homeowners searching for a purely unique smart home or office technology setup, big box retailers many times can’t compete with the personalized touch of an independent provider. For example, Digital Smart Homes works with each customer individually to develop solutions with niche products that aren’t always available on a mass level. Most customers who invest in such solutions are more concerned with quality than they are with finding the least expensive wares.

Masters at Making Various Technologies Work Together for Best Results – Independent providers work to combine technologies so that they work in concert with one another. Digital Smart’s Control4 system combines home theatre, multi-room music, lighting, temperature, and safety & security systems into a single easy-to-use platform. No longer do families have to struggle with numerous controllers and devices that require hours of training and research, and pre-programming capabilities can meet their unique demands.

Unparalleled Expertise & Trouble Shooting – Mass retailers tend to know a little about numerous product categories, while independent shops are experts in everything “smart.” There have been many reports of leading mass merchants employing newbies to technology who have been responsible for lacklustre solutions and disastrous installations.

On the other hand, the average independent provider offers between 20-30 years of combined experience and immense knowledge of their product offerings. Additionally, their teams engage in customized installations, educate their customers on all employed technologies, and make house calls on short notice.

When searching for a provider, a homeowner should make a checklist of key technologies needed to be enhanced, linked together, and simplified. Additionally, it is recommended that consumers be aware of “out of trunk” businesses that offer products and services at discounted rates. Businesses with a storefront such as Digital Smart Homes offer legitimacy and guarantees that cannot be offered by online only or mobile businesses.

Today’s smart technologies are constantly evolving and forever changing the way home and business owners are conducting their daily lives. With a little imagination and unlimited innovation, the sky is the limit!

Chief Introduces Mounting Solutions for Floor Projections

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-11-10T07:53:51-08:00

Supporting projection equipment for interactive floor installations can be challenging without the right mount. Fortunately, Chief's industry-leading RPA projector mount is easily converted to a floor projection solution when combined with a few standard accessories.

Download the flyer at left to learn more.

NEW Ultimate Powerhouse Amplifier from Chord Electronics

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-11-10T07:41:51-08:00

The heart of any amplifier is the power supply. In the new SPM 5000 the power reserve has been doubled to include two of Chord's world renowned 4KW ultra high frequency power supplies.

The fully balanced SPM 5000 comfortably delivers 560 watts into 8 ohms and a heart-stopping 1,020 watts into 4 ohms with incredibly low distortion.

A large bank of energy storage capacitors are recharged by the power supply many thousands of times per second. This and Chord's innovative dynamic coupling design give the amplifier huge power reserves and the ability to respond effortlessly to the most demanding musical performances with instantaneous power.

Introducing The LaunchPort System. The first Inductive charging system for iPad

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-10-20T13:08:56-07:00

The LaunchPort system is a revolutionary way to mount and charge your iPad 2 anywhere. The system consists of a Station and PowerShuttle. Any PowerShuttle can work with any Station, LaunchPort uses the magic of magnets and induction charging (charging through the air), it's like magic.

Don’t just sit and watch your TV – get up and interact with it! Introducing ActionMount from OmniMount

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-10-20T07:38:16-07:00

The ActionMount PLAY series is an affordable interactive TV mount designed to accommodate most active TV positioning. Sit. Stand. Stretch. Play – all at the perfect angle. The ActionMount Series by OmniMount takes interactivity with your TV to the next level. With a full range of movement, the PLAY series allows you to interact with your TV when watching movies, gaming, exercising and more. The PLAY40 & PLAY70 is equipped with Ergotron's patented Constant Force technology, providing fluid, light-touch adjustments for effortless arm movement.

New RGPC (Richard Gray's Power Company) 200LD Power Delivery and Power Surge Protection System

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-10-06T14:17:58-07:00

The RGPC 200 LD is a compact Parallel Power Delivery Model designed to fit conveniently in tight spots, while delivering all the AV enhancements by utilizing the patented parallel technology. To receive the maximum performances install the RGPC 200 LD as close as possible to the AV equipment.

Articulating wall mount for iPad with 90 Degree Rotation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-29T14:50:09-07:00

The Strong™ SM-PAD-ART1 gives maximum flexibility for wall mounting an iPad or iPad2. Place it in a corner. Under cabinetry. Or both! Whether you're using it as a whole-home controller, multimedia station or commercial kiosk - the articulating mechanism lets you get creative to deliver the best looking solution, with the capability to position the screen at nearly any angle.

Control4's Inaugural Fall 2011 "Home Smart Magazine"

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-25T12:25:38-07:00

What does control mean to you? More organization? More power? More discipline? Whatever your answer, it’s no secret that we could ALL use more control in our lives. Now what does HOME control mean to you? Better lighting? The right music? Efficient use of energy? Well-behaved children? We’ve recently entered the era where all of this is possible. Well, almost all of it. Home Automation isn't about speeds and feeds. Its about people and places.
Read On

Seura Storm Outdoor TV

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-21T18:45:05-07:00

Complimentary to Seura’s amazing luxury mirror technology, SÉURA offers beautiful, innovative solutions for completing your audio / video experience.

Séura’s exclusive LuminOptics™ technology delivers a remarkably clear picture even in direct sunlight.

Ultra-bright display offers vivid color and clarity in sunny environments.
Anti-reflective tempered safety glass reduces glare for a shine-free picture.

The Android App for Yamaha Network receivers is now available on the Android Market

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-21T18:10:54-07:00

This AV Controller application will turn your Android device into a Wi-Fi enabled remote control for your YAMAHA network products. This Android application provides you the flexibility to control the available inputs, volume, mute and power commands. It lets users change a song from Internet Radio, USB and command FM/AM tuners or any other internally available source. Using this application you can even control all AV receiver zones that are available such as powering on and changing input for each zone. This application not only controls AV receiver but also Yamaha blu-ray players. It supports various functions including Play, Stop, Forward. Available in English, French, German, Spanish and Russian. It’s great to have all this control at your fingertips - and best of all it’s FREE!

Introducing Stealth Image II Speakers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-21T16:05:45-07:00

The world doesn’t need just another plain-jane on-wall speaker, but it surely can use a new and completely unique “Art Speaker”. Stealth’s Image II speakers take their next generation of speaker design, places it into a fully sealed, simple to mount, flat-front enclosure measuring just 12”W x 28”H x 3.5”D, then allows you to easily customize it with virtually any paint, wallpaper or image you can imagine. The Image II is an internally bi-compartmental, 6” 2-way, 200W speaker with great Stealth sound, full bass response and ultra-wide dispersion. Perfect for flanking a flat screen or for anywhere you want a space-saving surface mount Hi-Fi speaker to mesh with the aesthetics of an environment. Offered in Satin White finish, ready to mount or custom paint in the field. Stealth can l also place select images from their gallery onto the speaker. The customer may also have custom images from any hi-resolution digital file placed onto the speaker. A truly customizable and impressive sounding on-wall artistic speaker, that has no grill or vents.

BlackWire Designs Introduces New Control Apps for Control4 Residential and Light Commercial Systems

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-08T09:21:07-07:00

Video Conferencing, Quick Control and Video Wall control apps bring enhanced features and capabilities to Control4 systems.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo 2011 – September 8-10, 2011 – Booth #2302 – BlackWire Designs, a Control4® Solution Provider, is pleased to announce the availability of a suite of new applications designed to give Control4 dealers more powerful tools to target high-end residential and light commercial opportunities. Available now in the Control4® 4Store, these new apps – Video Conferencing, Quick Control and Video Wall – offer superior control and increase the potential of a Control4® system, perfect for every setting from the small office to the restaurant or bar to the home or the boardroom.

The Video Conference app currently enables enhanced control of Polycom and Lifesize conferencing systems, and development is underway for additional brands. Designed for simple configuration within a standard Control4 system, the app allows customers to control camera movements right from a Control4® touch screen. Users can easily join conference calls, and dial a contact by simply selecting a name from the interface or by dialing the number from the keypad. The app pulls entries from the unit’s contact book ensuring easy migrations from systems that are already in place. The app also automatically disables and hides features that aren’t available on certain models, making it easy for customers to navigate the system.

Control4 Panelized Lighting—powerful lighting control for home and business

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-08T08:59:15-07:00

Home and business owners can direct complex lighting events from elegant user interfaces while the system is centralized “behind the scenes”
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo 2011 – September 8-10, 2011 – Booth #2302 – Control4, a leader in IP-based home control systems, today announced the new Control4® Panelized Lighting Solution. Panelized lighting systems enable complete control over whole-home and commercial lighting systems using sophisticated keypad and touch screen interfaces, rather than a collection of light switches on every wall.

The Control4 Panelized Lighting Solution is Ethernet-based, providing simple and robust communications from the home controller or Control4 Touch Screen to the light. The Control4 Panelized Lighting Solution is also one of the first centralized lighting systems to offer energy monitoring capability for each load, which allows energy management applications to monitor and control individual lights. This empowers high-end customers to enjoy the privileges of whole-home lighting control while still being energy conscious.

Control4 Announces New Addition: MyHome App for Android

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-08T08:49:30-07:00

Unveiled at CEDIA EXPO 2011, the new app provides whole home control from today’s popular Android devices.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo 2011 – September 8, 2011, 8:00 AM ET – Booth #2302 – Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announces their new Control4® MyHome - Android™ app for Android-enabled mobile devices. Developed by Clever Controls for Control4® systems, the app is currently in beta testing with select Control4 dealers and release is currently slated for Q4.

The Control4® MyHome family of software apps allows homeowners to access and control lighting, temperature, security, music, movies, and so much more from a wide range of devices in a Control4 enabled home. The new MyHome - Android app is a robust solution that will allow homeowners to access, manage and control their Control4 system from their Android-based devices built on Android OS 1.6 or higher.

Yale's First Locks Designed to Integrate Seamlessly Into the Digital Home Now Available

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-08T08:12:18-07:00

Designed to Interface With Control4 Home Control Systems, Giving Homeowners a New Level of Security and Convenience
Yale Locks & Hardware (www.yalelocks.com), an ASSA ABLOY Group company and a world leader in door hardware for residential and commercial applications, announces the availability of the company's first lock specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into the digital home.

These new deadbolt locks are the first products in the Yale Real Living™ portfolio of home control and home security solutions. Available with either a sleek touchscreen or pushbutton keypad, Yale's new platform of intelligent locks are designed to operate with a Control4® system, the premier integration platform for today’s digital home. Through the Control4 system, the homeowner can directly access and control all of the lock’s unique features, including activating personalized events or scenes with the push of a button from anywhere in the home or even remotely via the Internet.

Control4 Launches New Portable Touch Screen

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-07T13:29:48-07:00

Elegant tablet design and full Flash app support offer features and functionality for any Control4 project.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo 2011 – September 8-10, 2011 – Booth #2302 – Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems introduces a new portable touch screen to their award-winning touch screen family. The Control4® 7” Portable Touch Screen offers two-way intelligent control and navigation of a Control4® system. With a capacitive full-color LCD panel, the new touch screen has a sleek look and dedicated control functionality that homeowners are unable to get from other tablet devices.

The Control4 7” Portable Touch Screen expands the already incredibly successful line of Control4 in-wall touch screens by giving homeowners welcome flexibility. The Portable has a sleek tablet form-factor and comes with both a long-lasting rechargeable battery and a tabletop charging station. Out of the cradle, the Portable offers excellent wireless range so you can easily move about the house and outside while still enjoying complete control. When the tablet is affixed to the docking station, it functions as a tabletop touch screen, ideal for locations like nightstands, end tables and kitchen counters where anytime access is important but an in-wall or fully portable device doesn’t make sense.

Extra Vegetables Windows Media Center Control4 Driver

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-09-01T14:26:46-07:00

For Movie and Music Servers Windows Media Center is now present on virtually all Windows 7 computers and is at the heart of many lower cost Movie Servers available on the market. Window Media Center provides a very attractive on-screen display for choosing and controlling movies. Whilst for some time it has been possible to control some aspects of a Windows Media Center from Control4 this is the first solution which delivers a fully integrated solution for both movies AND music.

Extra Vegetables Windows Media Center driver provides IP control of the Windows Media Center interface, allows you to select movies to play from the Control4 Media database and provides selection and control of music from Windows Media Center. In addition you can also control Windows Media Center extenders such as the XBox 360 (note it does not control all aspects of the XBox 360 - only when it is in Windows Media Extender Mode).

Cool Motion Sensor Ideas for Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-31T14:36:19-07:00

Check out this CardAccess video for some cool motion sensor ideas to go from centralized control to true home automation.

Fusion Announces New iPad and iPhone App

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-31T13:52:56-07:00

We're proud to announce our new iPad app is now available in the iTunes store. This app features full two-way meta data exchange, filter & sorting and control with any Fusion Movie Server.

Introducing the all new OLA 8137 Contemporary TV Cabinet

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-25T13:18:41-07:00

The gently curved profile of the Ola cabinet creates a dramatic home theater. The cabinet features substantial top and bottom panels and curved glass doors that appear to wrap around the sides of the cabinet.

The Dream of Widespread Smart Houses is Becoming a Reality

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-22T13:48:45-07:00

by Kim Robertson of MAC Marketing Solutions

Perhaps you’re stuck in a snowstorm, yearning for a long soak in the bath the second you get home. Maybe you’re travelling abroad, and would love to check in on your home and personal belongs (since you left the teenagers home alone). Or, you need to schedule a virtual at-home doctor’s appointment and health statistics update.

What is Smart Home Control? Control4 Automation Systems Explained

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-10T08:57:43-07:00

What is home control and why the buzz?

Home control is pretty simple. It's taking the technology that already exists in the home and making it work simply and easily for the people who have to live with that technology, which is you the homeowner. Let's face it life has become complex. We bring this electronic gadgetry into our homes with the hope of enhancing our lifestyle and what it leads to is frustration. You're sitting there with the goal of watching a movie, you've got 5 remotes now sitting in front of you and now you have to figure out which sequence of events you need to do in order to just watch a simple movie.

Fusion Movie Server Overview - What is a Movie Server?

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-09T14:00:44-07:00

This simple non-narrated video covers the basics of what a movie server is for personal residential use. The video shows some of the basics of operations of the Fusion server including navigation of the system.

The video also covers search functions, filtering and sorting your videos using a simple hand held remote control. All functions on the Fusion Server can be accessed and used with a remote or a full control system.

Fusion is also releasing a new free two-way app for the iPad & iPhone and will also offer a Droid version of its two-way app the 1st quarter of 2012, please check back for updates on the availability of these products.

Yamaha Updates ‘AVENTAGE’ A/V Receivers; Extends High End Connectivity and Control Features Throughout Line

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-09T13:28:38-07:00

9.2 Channels, Expanded Networking, iPhone/iPod/Android Capabilities, CINEMA DSP HD3 Among Enhancements Being Brought to Critically-Acclaimed Line. Yamaha has updated the industry leading AVENTAGE family of A/V receivers, to include the first 9.2 channel receivers—the RX-3010 (150W x 9) and RX-A2010 (140W x 9)—along with the 7.2 channel RX-A1010 (110W x 7), RX-A810 (100W x 7) and RX-A710 (90W x 7). Like the original AVENTAGE receivers (pronounced Ah-Ven-Taj) unveiled last year to wide critical acclaim and success at retail, the new models continue to set the high bar for peak performance at affordable price points

Chief Kontour mounts create ergonomic workspaces

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-08-02T01:28:45-07:00

Create efficient, ergonomic workspaces with Chief’s new line of Kontour monitor mounts. Elegantly designed with the strength of a forged aluminum body, Kontour mounts offer innovative features, easy installation, and a stylish design at a great value. A variety of models are available to fit traditional workspaces, as well as sit-to-stand applications.

Complete Control! - Control4 Review by 'Home Theater Magazine'

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-31T09:44:08-07:00

Download the story
Check out "Home Theater Magazine's" two part piece on Control4

New Concept anti static record brushes

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-29T00:14:37-07:00

The only thing you should use to dry clean your records is a Carbon Fibre Record Brush.

Why is this? Well any cloths can catch grit then scratch records with the grit. Velvet pads clean the surface of the record so it looks clean, but they just shove the muck deeper into the grooves. A carbon fibre brush is strong and fine enough to get right into the grooves and lift dust out, most cleaning products superficially clean a record so it looks clean but in the process shove the dust down into the grooves where it causes annoying clicks and pops.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.LCR Left/Centre/Right Speaker Bar

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-28T23:46:27-07:00

Following the success of the Diamond 10 Series, Wharfedale unveils its most modern add-on to the series' extensive line-up of speakers, the Diamond 10 Style AV Cinema System. Designed specifically for the discerning audio enthusiast, for the system features a 3-Channel LCR column speaker capable of producing superb sound when used for either gaming or watching movies, regardless of its svelte size.

The Diamond 10 Style AV Cinema System bears many of the same enhancements as its regular-sized siblings, but with new combinations of 100mm Kevlar bass drivers and 25mm silk dome tweeters affixed inside the LCR column and the mini tower speakers. The LCR column speaker requires little power even when combined with the mini tower or surround satellite speakers. And on top of that, it elegantly accents your flat panel HDTV.

All new Sonos Play:3

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-20T17:07:21-07:00

Introducing the smaller, sexier, tuck in the corner and blow out the roof, all-in-one player.

Stream your entire music library, music services, and radio stations
Control wirelessly, easy to set up
Start with one, expand everywhere
Versatile enough to put anywhere -- horizontal or vertical
3 driver HiFi speaker system

Remotescape: Kaleidescape remote control app for iPad & iPhone

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-13T22:10:36-07:00

The world’s premier home entertainment system, Kaleidescape, is now even better with the Remotescape app for Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Browse your movie and music library, view cover art, and control what’s playing, all on your Apple iOS device!

Introducing Just Add Power ... a scalable, any size HDMI matrix over IP

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-13T13:54:06-07:00

Every source gets a transmitter/encoder and every display gets a receiver/decoder, they all plug into the network and, voila, you’ve got an HDMI matrix solution!

Highlights:

The original 1G version offers a cost-effective, high performance solution while the newer 2G gigabit version delivers lossless video.
Both versions require a managed network switch controlled via RS-232 or IP from any control system, PC, or smart device (e.g., Blackberry or iPad).
Need to expand? Simply add a transmitter or receiver (or both).
No more baluns and no distance limitations!
Projects range from small residential jobs to large commercial applications and everything in between.
New 2G firmware enables a video wall configuration up to 8x8 at a fraction of the price of competing systems.

Remote Control Finder App for Control4

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-08T15:07:50-07:00

Find your missing SR250 remote control. This app lets you search out for each remote control in your home. It will let you have the remote beep for 1,3 or 5 minutes. Once you select the time to beep you will get a status of when the remote checks in and when it starts to beep. It can take up to 60 seconds for a remote to check in. The designers of the app have made it easy by providing you feed back of this process.

120 Watt Rack Mountable 70 Volt Commercial Amp/Mixer

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-07-07T14:52:50-07:00

The Episode Amplifier/Mixer, EA-AMP-COMM-1A-120, is a high-power, 1-channel, Commercial Audio Amplifier that includes all the features needed for today's sophisticated light commercial entertainment and paging systems. This single-channel, commercial mixer/amplifier outputs 120 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms.

It includes the configurable outputs required for common speaker types used in commercial settings: 50V, 70V, 100V, or 4 Ohm. A total of eight inputs allow you to connect up to four microphones and four analog stereo sources for background music. An integrated mixer blends microphones with any one of the music audio sources - perfect for background music and paging applications.

All New Music Hall A35.2 Integrated Amplifier

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-28T15:40:40-07:00

The a35.2 is a big powerful sounding integrated amplifier built to fit neatly into the modern household. Geared primarily toward the music lover with a two channel audio system, we have included a Direct AV input (home theater bypass), for those that want to use the amplifier section of the a35.2 to power the front channels in a home theater set-up. Constructed using the finest parts and hand assembled, the a35.2 is sure to impress. It’s the heart around which a great sounding system can be built.

Introducing Wirepath Surveillance

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-23T19:23:11-07:00

With an initial offering of 8 cameras, 3 DVRs and 1 amazing iPhone app – we're confident this lineup will meet the requirements of your CCTV needs.

Deliver bullet-proof products with the latest technologies like Sens-Up, WDR and H.264
Create easy-to-specify solutions that remove system complexity
Provide best-in-class Apps for remote viewing

BDI New Home Theater Furniture "Cascadia" Collection

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-20T16:46:19-07:00

A clean, linear design, CASCADIA home theater cabinets are an elegant way to present a TV and components. The substantial top and side panels are complemented by refined reveal details. A grey tinted glass flip-down door keeps components neatly out of sight. The generously sized open shelf is ideal for a center speaker, soundbar or additional components.

UltraVue 80ft HDMI Long, Uninterrupted and it Works!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-20T16:31:50-07:00

UltraVue is the ultra-long, ultra-reliable, uninterrupted-run HDMI solution of the year! Most if not all HDMI failures occur in the connectors. The vast majority of extended runs are built up with baluns, repeaters, amplifier chips, EQ and external power supplies that multiply failure rates. UltraVue’s Digital Alloy -- silver-coated copper-clad steel -- delivers extremely high tensile strength. Other breakthrough techniques means UltraVue is the perfect if not the only cable for over 50-foot runs!

Introducing WiPNET from Wi3 - High Speed Ethernet Connections Over Existing Coax Cables

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-20T16:12:00-07:00

This revolutionary RetroFit product distributes Internet over existing coax, throughout a home. In its current release, WiPNET provides two wired network ports, at up to 16 CATV/Antenna TV locations.

Yamaha's New AV Receiver RX-A710

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-09T22:10:03-07:00

Premium Quality Audio Performance combines with the latest technological advances, including iPhone app compatibility, network functionality, front panel HDMI and USB digital connections, HD Audio decoding with CINEMA DSP 3D, and 6 in/1 out HDMI (3D and ARC compatibility).

USB Powered Portable UCube Speakers by UFi

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-09T16:26:11-07:00

At just three-inches square they’re personal and portable, ideal for home, on your desk or on the go! Available in brilliant fashion –forward colours – they look as fabulous as they sound on brushed aluminum stands. You’re gonna love their small sleek footprint, iconic design and big dynamic sound; they create a wide stereo image so everyone can enjoy music and video! Just plug the speaker with the USB connector into your computer’s USB port and your’re ready to roll!!!

Fine-tune your listening with the new Control4 Equalizer App

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-07T23:08:00-07:00

Control4 Software Release Announcement - OS 2.1

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-07T22:28:05-07:00

Control4 is pleased to announce that OS 2.1 is available for immediate download. This release improves the quality of the operating system. OS 2.1 includes enhancements to most areas of the system and user interface, brings back important features and capabilities, and provides significant new diagnostic and support features to make it easier to support clients without doing a truck roll.

The Two Source Blu-ray Movie Server Bundle is Here

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-07T17:15:30-07:00

Introducing the Fusion Summer Bundle Special

Two sources, 3TB of combined storage and the ability to add as much storage capacity as needed with Fusion's "Add Your Own Storage" licensing system.

Get two Studio blu-ray Movie Servers for only $5495. That's $2500 off the regular retail price!

Two new radio services on Sonos: AUPEO! & Stitcher

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-06-02T15:07:23-07:00

Sonos just amplified your radio power! Sonos is doubly excited to announce that AUPEO! Personal Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio™ are now part of the Sonos music service lineup. For radio and podcast fans, these free services are sure to amp up the excitement music lovers this spring and summer.

Control4 Home Automation System Demo of Smart Home Technology

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-25T12:40:59-07:00

Join us on a tour of a Control4 home automation system in McKinney, Texas. Control4 dealer Byron Baird of Diem Digital Interiors & homeowner Jeff Layn provide a home automation demo of Jeff's townhouse located on a golf resort called Craig Ranch.

Jeff's smart home technology controls multiple zones of audio, multiple televisions with DVRs for every family member, fireplaces, ceiling fans, thermostats, & IP cameras. He started small and has been adding on to the system over time.

What's great about this Dallas palace are the endless custom touches. When Jeff arrives home and opens the garage door, his home control system turns on the lights & the television turns on to his favourite channel (ESPN).

Jeff also has a personalized microchip key chain that has his personal settings programmed into it. He waves it over the 'wand' behind the door which then brings up his personal settings of how he wants to live his life when he comes in the house.

Want this for your home? Contact us for a personalized quote.

RedEye app for Android (beta)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-25T12:31:07-07:00

The popular Redeye Universal Remote Control products for iPod, iPhone and iPad, just got even better. We are glad to announce that a new RedEye app for Android phones and tablets is now available. This application is currently in beta release.

Introducing iRemote Reset by Technology on Demand

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-20T16:50:20-07:00

Have you ever had to go to your parents or friends home just to reboot a Cable/DSL Modem to fix "The Internet" going down or to just to cycle power on a device? Have you ever had to instruct your spouse where to find the power cord for a device inside a crazy-busy rack only to find you still have to go there or that it took longer to talk them through it than if you actually went there?

What is the Control4 MyHome app for iPad?

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-15T12:44:41-07:00

Enjoy control from your favorite devices. Now you can control your lights, temperature, music, movies, energy, security, and more from your iPhone, iPad, tablet or laptop. With the Control4® MyHome app, you can now turn your favorite screen into your favorite control system.

Want to enjoy Control4 MyHome App in the comfort of your home?

It's easy!

You must have a Control4 system to use MyHome. If you don't, just contact us here
If you already have a Control4 system, just download the free app for the device(s) you'd like to enable.
Contact us to get the license to activate your app and start controlling your home, your life, your world!

Vivitek Introduces Bright, Lightweight, LED-Based Projector with 3D Ready Capabilities

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-11T12:27:55-07:00

Vivitek Corporation, a leading manufacturer of innovative visual presentation products, enters the Pico projector category with the Qumi, the company’s new line of LED-based pocket projectors. To maximize the company’s strength in LED-based projectors, the new Qumi (pronounced Q-me) projectors enhance Vivitek’s family of projection devices for a wide range of applications. Weighing in at only 1.6 pounds, the Qumi is the first pocket projector to be 3D-ready via Texas Instruments’ DLP® Link™ technology.

Seura's Improved 1" Thin Premier Series TV Mirror

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-03T14:28:30-07:00

Séura's latest improvement to the Premier line of television mirrors features a sleek 1” profile. This new profile has been overwhelmingly embraced by Séura installers. The requirement of a rough opening to hide bulkier electronics has virtually disappeared!

All New Power-Over Ethernet 16 port switch by Pakedge

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-05-03T14:02:12-07:00

Pakedge introduces the SW16-16PB a Managed 16-Port Power-Over-Ethernet Switch with 2 Gigabit Uplink Ports

The SW16-16PB managed Enterprise Class Power-Over Ethernet switch offers a unique spectrum of features and convenience for PoE-enabled network audio/video devices - including touch panels, wireless access points, and IP cameras. SW16-16PB can be fully configured and managed using a Web browser. In the event a device needs to be rebooted, or becomes unresponsive, each individual port can be remotely power-cycled.

4 Reasons we like to specify Fusion Video Servers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-28T15:02:10-07:00

Fusion Research is the #2 video server manufacturer and we wanted to share 4 reasons why you should consider a Fusion Movie Server for your home or Theater System

New Music Hall Cruise Control

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-28T14:54:47-07:00

The music hall cruise control permits the electronic speed control of music hall and project turntables between 33.3 and 45 rpm at the simple touch of a button.

Control4 Partners With Sub-Zero and Wolf

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-26T22:19:58-07:00

Control4 can now connect to Sub-Zero and Wolf high-end kitchen appliances for convenience, energy savings and the perfect meal every time.

Apple AirPlay device support & Sonos Controller for Android

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-20T09:57:06-07:00

We have something new for both Apple and Android-loving music fans. Sonos’s latest software update makes it easy for Sonos to play Apple AirPlay music sources and stream even more music to every room. And with the official launch of the Sonos Controller for Android, even more music lovers can get started with Sonos by turning their favourite smartphone into a free Sonos Controller.

Lutron Home Control App for Android™ Now Available in the Android Market

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-20T08:05:43-07:00

Conveniently control your RadioRA 2 system over a Wi-Fi network with your Android device. Features include viewing/adjusting light and shade levels throughout the home, controlling system keypads including button feedback and raise/lower controls, and managing multiple RadioRA 2 systems in the same app.

Download the Lutron RadioRa2 Android app here

Now Available! Temperature Control from Lutron

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-20T07:32:01-07:00

Add temperature control to the RadioRA 2 system for increased convenience and energy savings. Control temperature from keypads, mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android and more), occupancy sensors, and an energy-saving schedule. The three-part design puts each component where it makes sense.

seeTemp can be mounted in locations which would not normally be appropriate for a thermostat, such as exterior walls and sunny spaces.
The wireless temperature sensor is easy to position and allows the temperature to be measured in the optimum location.
The HVAC controller installs out-of-sight

Download Lutron Thermostat Brochure

Enhanced Lutron Home Control+ App Version 3.0

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-20T07:30:32-07:00

Now available in the App Store, version 3.0 brings a wealth of added features to the popular total home control app, including full functionality on iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad® devices.

• Full functionality on iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad® devices
• Thermostat support including scheduling
• Support for Venetian blind control and editing
• Pico™ wireless control support
• Support for RadioRA 2, HomeWorks® QS, and HomeWorks systems

LifeSize Extends Video Calling to Skype Users Worldwide

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-20T07:25:36-07:00

(LifeSize) Becomes First Company to Deliver Room-based Video Conferencing Solution with Skype

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2011 - LifeSize, a division of Logitech (Nasdaq: LOGI) (SIX: LOGN), has qualified its LifeSize® Passport™ HD video conferencing product to be the first room-based, business-class video conferencing solution to be plugged into Skype™, adding the ability for LifeSize Passport users to now conduct video calls with Skype users around the world.

Purchase a Control4 System and get a free iPad2

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-15T11:47:27-07:00

’
That's right, you heard us - FREE iPad 2!

Between April 15th 2011 and June 30th, Digital Smart Homes is offering a free iPad 2 to any client who signs up for a Control4 home automation installation including the following system integration elements:

Home Theater
Distributed Music
Surveillance Camera(s)
Climate Control
Automated Door Locks
Lighting Control

These packages are more affordable than you may think. We have packages ranging anywhere between $5k - $100k+. Start simple, or automate your entire home. We are happy to work with every client!

If you haven't seen the iPad Control4 Home Automation app in action yet, please visit our custom showroom at 1385 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver for a demonstration.

Also, check out this video for a brief demonstration:

The zensational bzoo

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-14T12:30:14-07:00

If your looking for a modern home theater seating design, the Bzoo, offers a free-form ovular theater chair that is available in leather or faux leather.

At Last - Advanced DSP for Multi-Zone Audio

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-04-14T12:21:46-07:00

ADX matrix switchers provide 10-band equalization per zone. We are excited to present ADX switchers with advanced DSP options, cutting edge control, and compact design. ADX promises to bring audiophile enjoyment to every zone.

Digital Signage for Gym, Rec Clubs and Fitness Centers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-29T16:52:52-07:00

What have your in-house big screens done for you lately?

An Arbitron study found that 70% of health club members watch nearly 40 minutes of programming per visit. With Digital Signage Systems they could be watching 40 minutes of the information YOU want to promote, in high definition!

Promote retail products (energy drinks, fitness wear)
Publicize exercise/workout classes (Pilates, Yoga, Aquatics) and schedules
Highlight membership specials, new services and programs
Display vendor ads to earn advertising subsidies

An Affordable Digital Sigange Solution for Product & Services Showcasing

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-22T13:26:01-07:00

Many small retail stores want to showcase their products with dynamic content displayed at the point of sale, in the store window, or at expos and conventions. They would love to take advantage of the revenue-generating potential of high-tech digital signage for their own businesses.

Modular Matrix Switching for HDTV Signals

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-16T23:24:27-07:00

The HLX™ System distributes HDTV signals up to 1,000 feet away to convenient zone receivers mounted wherever televisions are to be located. Its robust back plane design allows up to 12 sources to distribute component video up to 1080p, along with analog stereo audio, digital coaxial audio, and digital optical audio. The new HLX offers a winning combination of performance, value, and unique features.

New Sharp 70" Aquos Quattron now available for orders

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-16T23:17:52-07:00

With the introduction of the 70-inch class (69.5” Diagonal) LC-70LE732U, Sharp once again reinforces its leadership in LCD and LED technology. Sharp’s proprietary quad pixel technology adds a fourth colour, yellow, to the traditional RGB pixel format, enabling many colours to be displayed for the first time. Featuring more colors than any other television, see never-before-seen colours like sparkling golds, Caribbean blues and sunflower yellows. On the LC-70LE732U, this technology is enhanced further with Quad Pixel Plus, which produces smoother lines by enabling the individual control of all 8-million sub-pixels on the screen. The LC-70LE732U is fully featured, including the industry’s leading online support system, AQUOS Advantagesm Live. And, with built-in WiFi, connecting is easier than ever.

New Apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch Now Available!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-15T00:04:04-07:00

It's a new look, a new feel, and a new level of control! New releases of the MyHome app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch include myriad performance improvements that make it even easier to access and control lighting, temperature, music, movies, energy, security and more-all using the glorious new OS 2.0 interface.

New Eras Retro TV Cabinet by BDI

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-14T17:40:32-07:00

While ERAS has a definite retro inspiration, this is not your mother’s TV cabinet. ERAS updates a mid-century modern design with sleek grey tinted glass doors for a look that is anything but dated. Features include adjustable shelves and removable back panels for simple setup and maintenance. With elegant construction details, ERAS is available in BDI’s beautifully modern Chocolate Stained Walnut finish.

Pakedge introduces the PDU-RM8 Modem/Router Boot Sequence Power Distribution Unit with Remote Power Cycling and Monitoring

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-07T15:13:12-08:00

The Pakedge PDU-RM8 modem/router power distribution unit gives you unprecedented convenience and control, including full remote control of on/off sequencing to power-up and shut down sensitive equipment in the proper sequence, and avoid power flooding at startup. Out of the box, the PDU-RM8 is pre-labeled for easy installation. Just plug in the modem, router and switches into the pre-labeled outlets, and you are ready to go.

Hydra Waterproof Television

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-07T14:46:00-08:00

What’s a great bubble bath without your favourite Soap? SÉURA’s waterproof LCD technology brings television to all-new environments. Hydra performs like no other television, allowing complete colour options unlike ever before. Excellent for wet environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, the flush-mounting Hydra can be customized to match any specified colour.

Digital Smart Homes Re-Opening New Location Party

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-03-01T19:44:11-08:00

Despite the snow dump we received on the day of our Re-Opening party on Feb 26th, the event was a huge success. For one day we converted our showroom to a night club and had our audio systems pumping music all night long while the Canucks game was on in our Theater Room. Branded min cupcakes were created by Cake Tease and appetizers where deliciously prepared by Drew Cooks Catering. Drews’ staff also served up wine and beer all night. The whole event couldn’t have been the success it was if it had not been for Flawless Events and my wife Kathleen Saini.

Check out some of the photos from our party here

Fraser Valley Twestival 2011

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-28T17:14:11-08:00

We are excited to announce our small involvement at this years Fraser Valley Twestival which will be in support for the “Canuck Place Children's Hospice” in Abbotsford . We will be setting up an 80” Screen and an Xbox with Kinect.

Twestival is a 100% sponsored event hosted in all major cities across the globe and is mostly organized by the local twitter community.

You can learn more about Twestival here
If you would like to attend and/or donate visit here

Digital Signage for Banks, Credit Unions & Financial Institutions

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-24T17:21:31-08:00

Time is Money and what better place to live this phrase than Banks and Credit Unions that are branching-out, far-and-wide across the globe. But with deluge of customers comes the necessity to streamline customer relationship and opt for efficient communication and promotional tools. Long queues at tellers, lack of clarity about services and rates, mismanagement of records can be major turn offs for customers that can lead to lost business.

Bank and credit union marketing directors are starting the appreciate the the flexibility of digital and visual communication systems because they can easily change the content and keep it fresh. We can show you Digital Signage solutions that allow facilities of all sizes to utilize this smart new technology.

Séura on HGTV: Saturday 7:30 pm

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-24T15:44:03-08:00

Séura on HGTV
Candice Olson shares design insight with help from a Séura TV Mirror

Séura's Television Mirror makes an all new appearance on Candice Olson's new show: Candice Tells All. Candice takes viewers through the ins-and-outs of her signature makeovers while exploring a major design principle in each episode. Watch the latest episode this Saturday on HGTV.

The Three C's of Guest-room Transformations
Feb. 26, 7:30 pm e/p

When approaching a makeover for a guest room there are three things to keep in mind: comfort, convenience and color. But how do you apply those ideas to a windowless basement room that is currently a catchall for the family's storage needs? Candice shares her unique tips and techniques for turning a neglected space into a luxurious, welcoming oasis.

Missed it? Catch the replay: March 12, 4:00 pm e/p

Introducing Rega's first DAC (Digital to Anlog Converter)

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-23T13:19:53-08:00

When it comes to new products, the folks at Rega are know to take their time! But when a new product come out, it is no slouch either. Two years in the making, Rega’s DAC promises to breather life back into your music. Its performance is way above its price or category.

The Rega DAC is a 16/20/24-bit at 32kHz to 192kHz digital to analogue converter incorporating an enhanced version of the Rega designed circuit. Developed to be simple to set up and use, the Rega DAC is designed to optimize performance from any two channel PCM digital audio source such as a CD player PC or streaming device.

With the PC/Laptop and MAC now widely accepted as creditable mediums for storing and streaming music. The use of high quality lossless files such as WAV, FLAC and ALAC offer performance through the DAC equal to and in some cases better than red book CD.

Introducing the Worlds Finest AC Power Regenerator - The PS PerfectWave P10

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-22T14:48:56-08:00

The PerfectWave Premier P10 Power Plant takes your incoming AC power and converts it to DC, and then with patented PS Audio technology, regenerates and amplifies new sine wave perfect, high current AC power. New high current, ultra low distortion AC Power created by Power Plant technology delivers stunning performance from your audio and video components. Unique heat sink design delivers a fan less design to ensure total silence for the most discriminating listening environments.

The PerfectWave Premier 10 is the highest performing, most powerful AC regenerator ever produced. Massive current capability redefines the performance of your gear.

PowerPlay technology on board provides unprecedented control and monitoring of all your connected devices. Automatically reboot routers, modems, and network devices when Internet dropouts occur. Schedule devices to power on and off automatically optimizing power consumption in your system. Receive emails automatically when power occurrences occur, as the PerfectWave Premier P10 is automatically reacting on it’s own. All made possible by PowerPlay technology and PS Audio’s unique Globalnet Server support.

LifeSize: True Video Collaboration Through New Interoperability With Microsoft UC Platforms

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-17T15:20:35-08:00

LifeSize today announces the expansion of its rich video collaboration offerings through interoperability with Microsoft UC platforms.

LifeSize HD video conferencing products will integrate with Microsoft unified communication (UC) platforms, enabling users across the enterprise to connect over video from LifeSize systems to the desktop, and vice versa. Organizations of all sizes will be able to scale video collaboration capabilities more cost-effectively to better accomplish their communication and productivity objectives.

Introducing the iD100 iPod, iPhone & iPad Digital Dock

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-16T16:51:49-08:00

Bit for Bit pure digital data recovery! The iD100 delivers the most sensational performance and results ever from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod for the most realistic and dynamic delivery imaginable. Taking a digital feed allows extraction of every last drop of performance possible from the worlds favourite portable music player. The pure digital data is then fed to an external DAC or AV Receiver using its digital input for best possible digital to analogue conversion.

Control4® MyHome App for MAC,PC, Linux & Tablet Now Available!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-15T22:34:27-08:00

The Control4® MyHome - PC/MAC/Tablet application announced at CES is now available for download so you can allow virtually any laptop, desktop or tablet device that is capable of running Flash* to be used as an interface for managing a Control4 system.

By turning existing smart phones, tablets and PCs into additional interfaces, Control4 MyHome offers homeowners an affordable way to access and manage their system, while offering dealers an additional platform to deliver greater flexibility and portability for home control to your customers.

Control4 and Cisco Sign Strategic Agreement to Deliver Network-enabled Automation Platforms for Smart+Connected Communities and Home Energy Management Solutions

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-15T08:35:50-08:00

Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today announced that it has signed a strategic agreement with Cisco to deliver network-enabled automation platforms for connected smart communities and home energy deployments around the world.

Announcing LifeSize Video Center v1.2

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-15T08:32:39-08:00

Anyone on the road or on the go can view live and on-demand HD video from any computer - and now on mobile devices: iPad®, iPhone® or iPod®. Your mobile device connects to LifeSize Video Center via Wi-Fi or cellular network with no apps to install.

New Driver Mates Crestron Lighting with Control4 Automation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-14T17:13:47-08:00

Just in time for Valentines, new driver mates Crestron Lighting with Control4 Automation. Especially valuable for retrofit jobs, Extra Vegetables® Control4® driver for Crestron® lighting allows you to integrate a Crestron lighting system with keypads into Control4. This provides the same features and customer experience as Control4's native lighting control. You can dim and switch loads and there is also the facility to represent Crestron relays as motorization devices within Control4. The driver is IP based.

Crestron keypads are fully supported by the driver. It is possible to add custom programming to key presses on the Crestron keypads within the Control4 system. So keys not used for lighting operations could be used for AV or other control purposes.

Wireless control via iPad or iPhone of your networked-enabled Onkyo or Integra receiver

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-14T13:08:19-08:00

With oRemote, an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch (iOS 4.2 required) and a wireless (Wi-Fi) network, you can control your network-enabled Onkyo or Integra AVR from anywhere in the house. oRemote enables full control over all inputs and zones with constant screen updates of the status of your AVR.

Sonos Controller for Android Coming Soon

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-10T16:30:04-08:00

Android loving music fans will soon have something to rock about. Sonos has just announced the Sonos Controller for Android, a free app that will transform most Android smartphones into a wireless music controller for Sonos. Get ready because its coming this spring and we expect it to rock the house.

Professional DVR CCTV System

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-02-08T15:03:51-08:00

Our biggest request from our clients with Smart Homes is to extend IP camera support within Control4. Well now we can provide DVR support for IP Cameras! It's not just for a few IP cameras that can now be DVR integrated, it's literally hundreds.

This is achieved through a great piece of CCTV DVR software that runs on a Mac Mini. So you can now specify a fully digital and professional CCTV system as part of your Control4 installations.

Guide to Consumer and Commercial LCDs

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-31T11:51:02-08:00

With so many types of displays flooding the market, finding the right LCD display can be an intimidating task – especially for those who research endlessly before making a decision. Digital signage has become an essential part of any growing business and the importance of choosing the right LCD is undeniable. Thankfully, DSH has put together this guide to help make your decision a little easier - whether you are just curious about the difference between consumer and commercial LCDs or a business looking to invest in a panel.

60" 3D Super Bowl Promotion with Bluray & HD - One PKG Left

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-27T16:23:38-08:00

We don’t have promotions that often but when we do there big! Here is a deal if you are in the market for a new flat screen.
You get:

Top end 60” 3D Quttron Aquos LED TV (LC60LE925)
3D Blu-Ray super slim DVD player (BP80)
Bell TV HDTV 3D ready set top Box (6131)
Installation of your TV, Blu-Ray, Bell Satellite, and the necessary cables.

All for
$4500 installed (plus tax)

rdio music service coming to Sonos

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-26T15:10:04-08:00

Sonos is adding a new social music service called Rdio (pronounced "ar-dee-o") to our music lineup. It can be found in the Music Menu starting January 27th, and best of all, your customers can try it for free.

Sharp Unveils Its First 3D Ready High-Definition Dlp® Home Theater Projector

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-24T20:59:05-08:00

Sharp has introduced its first 3D Ready High-Definition High-Quality DLP® Theater Projector with 30000:1 High Contrast Ratio and Full-HD Panel (1920x1080). it works with active shutter glasses using either DLP Link or IR syncing technology by bouncing an IR signal off the screen the picture is projected onto.

Eragy Announces Second Generation Home Energy Monitoring Application and Service

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-24T20:27:54-08:00

Eragy’s Energy Monitoring Plus application empowers homeowners to identify specific areas of energy savings.

Eragy, Inc., a leading provider of smart home software applications and services for home energy management and monitoring, today announced a second generation version of the company’s home energy monitoring application and service.

Eragy’s new energy monitoring software, Energy Monitoring Plus, coupled with a Control4® home automation system and eGauge home energy monitor, enables homeowners to save up to 20% or more off their monthly electric bills. Eragy’s latest application allows consumers to monitor the details of their energy consumption to best understand how they can reduce their energy bills.

All New Yamaha Aventage BD-A1000 High Performance, 3D Blu-Ray Player

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-24T19:30:36-08:00

High performance Blu-ray Disc Player designed for optimum matching with Yamaha AVENTAGE Line Receivers. The SCENE function integrates operation and the front panel has the same clean, graceful design. The BD-A1000 is designed for High End Audio and isn’t just a video device. For the complete home theatre experience it’s paramount that the Blu-ray player provides premium audio quality. This is why Yamaha’s BD-A1000 supports high end audio formats such as SACD and DVD-Audio; formats that are designed to take advantage of high end audio setups. It also incorporates high-grade components and terminals ensuring HD audio formats sound as originally intended by the studio master.

Binary™ Single Cat 5e/6 HDMI 1.4 Extender (130') Plus IR Receiver & Flasher Pass Through.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-21T16:39:30-08:00

The best way to run HDMI video and audio over long distances with out running expensive HDMI cable is over cat5. Why use cat5? Well, to begin with cat5 can withstand several bend radius’s that HDMI cables cannot. An HDMI cable shouldn’t be bent more than 3 times. Second, cat5 is a mute-purpose/multi-use cable so if one day a new HDMI version comes out, you simply change the baluns at the end of the cat5 run. Third, say you do successfully run an HDMi cable through your walls; what if that cable end get damaged? You can’t fix the end of an HDMi cable. Introducing The Binary™ 1CAT HDMI 1.4a Extender is fully 3D capable with 1080p resolution up to 36 bit. With pass-through for an IR receiver and flasher, this product provides a great solution for adding HD video, multi-channel audio and full control to any TV over a single CAT5e.

Learn more about Sharp's Quattron TV

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-21T14:57:02-08:00

Conventional TVs have been making 3-color pictures for half a century. Sharp introduces the world's first 4-color LCD TV, Quattron. Quattron delivers color never seen before on TV. Learn more about this amazing technology here

You have to see it, to see it. You really have to check it out in person. Book a demo by contacting us here

We are now a Control4 2011 Platnium Authorized Dealer

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-20T15:39:31-08:00

I am excited to announce that we have been awarded the Platinum Dealer designation by Control4.

At Digital Smart Homes, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized control and automation solutions for everyone and maintain the highest level of customer service and satisfaction for our customers.

As a Platinum Control4 Dealer, you can be rest assured that each of our technicians and sales associates have completed a comprehensive training program on how to install and support all Control4 products, so we’ll have everything we need to be your personal automation expert and make sure you’re making the most of your Control4 system. As a Premier Dealer, Digital Smart Homes has completed additional Control4 training, sales and experience requirements in home automation.

Control4 Announces Kwikset SmartCode, ZigBee Deadbolt Locks in a New Contemporary Style.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-20T14:37:07-08:00

The Kwikset SmartCode, ZigBee Deadbolt Locks add enhanced security and convenience to any Control4 system.Designed with a sleek contemporary style to complement home interiors and exteriors, these locks make it easy to secure entry doors and never again have to worry about carrying a key. View the status and lock or unlock the lock from any room in the home from any Control4 interface, or monitor and control the locks remotely through Web Navigator. ZigBee Pro provides 128-bit encryption for secure communication within the Control4 system.

Marantz, AirPlay. Your iTunes music in any room, unleashed

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-17T18:50:28-08:00

Unleash your iTunes music library with the world's first Airplay enabled AV components from Marantz. Now you can stream the sweet sound of your favourite songs directly from your iPod touch, iphone or iPad" or from your iTunes library on your PC or Mac using the “Remote App” on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and your wireless home network, you don't even need to be in the same room as the components or your computer to play, pause, skip, and stop the songs in your iTunes music library. You'll even see the iTunes music information, including your album art. track titles, and artist info on your Apple compatible device or your Marantz AV receiver with video output.

The Wadia 171 iPod/iPhone/iPad Transport is finally available!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-17T16:37:13-08:00

The 171 iTransport is the first certified “Works with iPhone” dock to offer pure, bit-perfect digital output allowing the revered smartphone and iPad to perform as high-end media servers. Wadia’s 171 iTransport builds on the award winning success of the original 170iTransport by adding “Works with iPhone” compatibility, and iPad connectivity. Significant refinements to the original design include high performance power supply components, advanced clocking circuitry, premium grade circuit boards, two digital outputs, and a feature rich remote control.

Card Access™ Ceiling-Mount Wireless Motion Sensor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-17T16:29:03-08:00

Card Access is pleased to announce the new Ceiling-Mount Wireless Motion Sensor. Using the same Control4 driver and providing all of the same functionality as our wall-mount Wireless Motion Sensor, the Ceiling-Mount Wireless Motion Sensor allows for convenient ceiling mount applications. This new product is a great way to add occupancy sensing capabilities to any room. We offer two versions of the Ceiling-Mount Wireless Motion Sensor: battery-powered and line-powered (9-24v AC/DC)

Virtual Cell Wireless Access Point and Controller

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-14T17:31:24-08:00

Pakedge introduces TRUE wireless roaming with the WAP-VKIT. This product utilizes Virtual Cell Wifi technology to provide seamless roaming for laptops, touch panels, wifi phones, etc.

The Security Sensor Bridge V2 is now shipping.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-14T17:19:22-08:00

Card Access is pleased to announce the new the Security Sensor Bridge V2. An update to the Sensor Bridge previously offered by Card Access, the “Security Sensor Bridge V2” is an easy way to utilize small security sensors for home automation purposes. Compared to its predecessor, this fully updated product is smaller, more rugged and comes at reduced pricing.

Pakedge introduces the RSB-K24C, a preconfigured VLAN router.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-14T17:15:43-08:00

Preconfigured Audio/Video Bridging System Gateway Security Appliance (Router) with 24 Port VLAN Configurable switch and Rack Mount Bracket.
Ideal for installations that have a variety of devices that require segmentation and prioritization which is essential for streamlining network traffic and ensuring a reliable network.

Primary features of the RSB-K24C are as follows:
- 24 Gigabit Ports
- 2 SFP Fiber Ports
- 4 Separate VLANs
- 1 Guest Network VLAN
- Easily Configurable VLAN ports
- Remote Access via VPN
- Firewall Protection

Yamaha Low Profile YSP220 Digital Sound Projector

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-14T17:05:10-08:00

This extremely convenient Digital Sound ProjectorTM is low profile enough to fit neatly in front of a TV and is 3D compatible (HDMI V.1.4a). Low profile soundbar allows positioning in front of most TVs for a neat and compact AV system and the subwoofer can be placed vertically or horizontally. The YSP2200’s Digital Sound Projector technology provides true surround sound for maximum enjoyment
Built-in 132W digital amplifier

Digital Smart Homes Re-Opening Party

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-11T17:10:20-08:00

Wine, Food, Canucks vs Bruins & Cool Prizes!!
Event: Official Grand Re-Opening - Digital Smart Homes
Date: Saturday, February 26th 2011
Time: 6:00PM to 10:00PM
Location: 1385 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver BC (map)
Come check out our new Hi-Tech showroom and enjoy some Wine, Beer, Appetizers & Hors d’Oeuvres while catching the Canucks vs Bruins game in High Definition. Oh! and we have some really cool prizes that we will be giving away between 2nd and 3rd period of the game plus the first 25 people at the event will receive a swag bag valued at over a $100 that includes:

T-Shirt
2-Meter Ultralink® CS1® HDMI® Cable
POWERSOURCE PS-103 Surge Protector
Ultralink® 2 oz. (60 ml) High Definition Screen Cleaner
Ultra-soft Microfiber Polishing Cloth

Prizes include:

Home Theatre Surround Sound System with 1080p 1.4 3D Ready Receiver, 5 Speakers and Subwoofer (more info)
Heart Pounding iPod Sound System (more info)
Under the Counter TV/DVD/Radio unit (more info)
All-In One Harmony Remote Control (more Info)
Pair of In-Wall Built In Speakers
iPhone Red-Eye Mini Remote Control System (more info)
Energy Saving UltraPower Green MultiMedia Surge Protectors (more info)

By RSVP only.
Online Ticketing for Digital Smart Homes Re-Opening Party powered by Eventbrite

Connect Any Device to Any Network Instantly with Global Caché iTach

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-10T16:04:45-08:00

Connect almost any electrical device to a network in a matter of minutes. Based on open systems and industry standards, the ultra-compact device fits almost anywhere (even the palm of your hand), and includes a choice of wireless (WiFi) or wired (TCP/IP) connectivity to infrared (IR), serial (RS232), and contact closure (relay) equipment. The Global Cache iTach is a simple wired or wireless conduit between you and your device over a network or the Internet. This is instant network-enabling at its best.

And Now You Know - Control4 iPad & Kwikset Door Lock

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-10T13:37:04-08:00

Watch Akash Sablok on TELUS TV’s MyVancouver Show, with host Simi Sara, talking about the latest tech for your home. In this segment Akash demonstrates how Control4 can operate your electronic devices using your iPad or iPhone.

New Control4 "MyHome" Extends Control Wherever You Want It

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-06T18:53:01-08:00

Software apps extend Control4 functionality to virtually every screen in the home.

Las Vegas, NV – CES 2011 – January 6-9, 2011 – LVCC South 21407 – Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today introduces Control4® MyHome, a family of software apps that allows consumers to access and control lighting, temperature, music, movies, energy, security and more from a wide range of devices in Control4® enabled homes. Consumers need only purchase a Control4 MyHome license and download the application to their iPhone®, iPad®, PC or Mac® laptop, desktop computer, or tablet to enjoy all the features of their Control4 system.

“Consumers expect choice and convenience, so by offering our customers the ability to access and control their home automation system from nearly any screen in the house, we make it easier for them to integrate Control4 into their everyday lives,” said Control4 CEO Will West. “Now, whether you turn on your TV, pull out your phone, turn to a touch screen in the kitchen, or power on your laptop in the office, you’ll always be in control of your connected home.”

Control4 InfinityEdge 5" In-Wall Touch Screen

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-06T18:48:25-08:00

Announcing affordable total system control in a sleek 5" in-wall design!
Edge-to-edge capacitive glass combined with the elegant Control4 user interface reveals the most visually stunning Control4 touch screen to date. With new optional intercom capability, a choice of AC power or Power Over Ethernet, wired or WiFi connectivity options, and four programmable buttons for customized commands, this flexible solution is perfect for every room in the house.

How home audio systems are reinventing the way we design our homes in the 21st century

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2011-01-02T10:51:05-08:00

Large. Heavy. Overbearing. The imagery of our original CD home audio systems is not a pleasant one. During a time when aesthetics were completely void of a stereo systems’ design, figuring out where to place them in our homes was often a daunting task. However, in the 21st century, the advanced technology of our hi-fi home audio systems is not only reinventing the way we listen to music, but also the way we approach interior design in our homes.

The Model M - Now With Sophisticated Controls

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-29T15:18:08-08:00

GENEVA Lab's award-winning TouchLight control system, dubbed "brilliant" and "sublime" by the media, is coming to the GENEVA Sound Model M. This touch-capacitive system, first introduced in 2010's new Model S, allows full control of an iPod/iPhone menu system, something unique to GENEVA Sound Systems.

GENEVA's TouchLight system of disappearing controls make hi-fi easier and more attractive. GENEVA is the only hi-fi maker using the kind of innovative touch technology that Apple pioneered with the iPhone.

LifeSize® Express 220

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-17T18:35:28-08:00

Feature-rich, Full HD Video is Here. Full High Definition video communications - Now more accessible than ever

Extending the capabilities of the award-winning LifeSize® Express ™ system, LifeSize® Express 220™ is an enhanced Full HD video communications system that is both affordable and scalable. Ideal for small working groups, teams or individual knowledge workers who want to take communication over distance to the next level, LifeSize Express 220 has it all.

Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Receiver RS700

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-16T17:04:36-08:00

Introducing an elite class stereo receiver for $649 that combines ToP-ART technology and ART Base chassis construction with gold–plated speaker terminals and dual aluminum heat sinks for crisp, clean sound. Advanced features include continuously variable loudness control, CD Direct Amplification, along with Yamaha iPod dock connection, SIRIUS Radio Ready, 40-station AM/FM and zone 2 control for endless music enjoyment options.

JVC Announces World’s First THX® 3D Certified Home Theater Projectors

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-16T16:46:05-08:00

Four new JVC home theater projectors are the world’s first to gain THX® 3D Display Certification. The four projectors, announced at CEDIA Expo in September while undergoing THX testing, will be available later this month.

The new THX 3D Certified projectors are the Reference Series DLA-RS60 and DLA-RS50, to be marketed by JVC’s Professional Products Company, and the Procision Series DLA-X9 and DLA-X7, to be available through JVC U.S.A.

During the THX 3D certification process, more than 400 laboratory tests are conducted, evaluating color accuracy, cross-talk, viewing angles and video processing to ensure the high quality 3D and 2D display performance that home theater enthusiasts demand. The JVC projectors have simple, one button solutions for optimized playback of 3D and 2D movies – THX Cinema Mode to ensure that color reproduction, luminance, blacks, gamma and video processing matches what the filmmaker intended, and THX 3D Cinema Mode, which extends this same level of accuracy for 3D broadcasts and Blu-ray Discs. THX 3D Cinema Mode is designed to deliver highly accurate color in 3D, while minimizing sources of cross-talk and flicker. For further fine-tuning, all THX Modes on JVC projectors can be accessed by THX Professional Calibrators.

uRay RGB Color Changing LED Lighting TAPE

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-15T21:29:00-08:00

iSky’s uRay RGB LED Lighting TAPE is a great way for allowing for a dynamic lighting effect in a home theater, kid's room, restaurant, hospital, casino, nightclub and other environments. It's a great way to enhance any star ceiling or other feature in a room because it adds depth and drama to an already incredible star ceiling. Each of our iSky Surface Mount Panels has a built in light shelf designed to seamlessly accept the uRay RGB LED Lighint TAPE. uRay can also be used to accent equipment racks, behind TV's (Bias Lighting), pathway lighting, under bars, cabinets, closets, etc. The RGB LEDs can be controlled with iSky's standard IR Remote & receiver or with the more advanced DMX RGB Module.

Kaleidescape Introduces Blu-ray Movie Server

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-12-13T13:00:00-08:00

Pristine Digital Storage of Blu-ray Discs for Instant Playback throughout the Home

SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 13, 2010 – Kaleidescape, Inc., creator of the movie server product category, today announced shipment of the industry's first Blu-ray movie server. The Kaleidescape System stores exact copies of your Blu-ray Discs on its hard drives, and transforms your collection of movies into a magical experience. Kaleidescape's simple and elegant user interface makes choosing something to watch part of the fun.

"Blu-ray offers the highest fidelity for my discerning clients, but if you thought watching a DVD was frustrating, just try a Blu-ray Disc," said Jeff Cherun, owner of Teatro Custom Installation, Inc. in Los Angeles, California. "With the Kaleidescape System you're enjoying any of your Blu-ray movies in seconds instead of minutes. My customers will never go back to an ordinary Blu-ray player."

How watching TV on an LCD, Plasma & Projectors effect your eyes.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-11-30T17:45:56-08:00

Watching TV on an LCD, LED, Plasma or a projection screen have different effect on your eyes. For example, when watching TV with the lights turned off there is a mis-conception that you can "damage" your eyes. This is not true. As the light intesity & contrast levels change on your TV from frame to frame, your eye's can get tired because the iris constantly contracts and dilates. The effect of fatigue is greater when watching TV on an LED or an LCD TV when compared to a Plasma TV. LCD's and LED TV's tend to be brighter and Plasma's traditionally emit a warmer light. There is also a difference in watching TV when compared to projectors. TV's are an active light source whereas projection screens reflect light which makes a projector a passive light source.

When watching TV on an LCD, LED or a Plasma it is a good idea to have the lighting in the room dimmer than the light being emitted from the the screen. It is also recommended to sit about 3 to 5 times the width of your Plasma screen away or 4 to 6 times the width of your LCD/LED screen away. If you have children and are concerned about them sitting to close the screen, we can install an automation system that will turn the screen off if they happen to be too close and than turn back on when they are far enough from the screen. This help develop a habit early on in there age to not sit too close to the TV screen.

Seura: From zero to hero

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-11-06T22:08:12-07:00

By Seura: Séura technology opens project opportunity for Osbee Industries, Inc.

It is rare that a homeowner comes to an integrator for help with a room that they never use — an integrator’s blank canvas. That’s exactly what happened to the team at Osbee Industries, Inc. in New York.
Several years ago, the renovation of a 12,000 square foot residence was a wild success and included lighting design and control. But the homeowners had a formal living room left untouched. They recently looked to Osbee Industries, Inc. to transform it into a space they could use.

The Challenge
The customer wanted a television but needed to maintain the formal design of the space.

Sonos WD100 Wireless Dock

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-11-06T21:59:14-07:00

Key features of the Sonos Wireless Dock

Works with iPod and iPhone
Simply dock any supported iPod or iPhone (see below) and enjoy your tunes all over the house on your Sonos system.

Wireless music playback on Sonos
Wirelessly play what's stored or playing on an iPod or iPhone, including many streaming music apps, on any or all the Sonos ZonePlayers at home. Play the same song from a docked iPod or iPhone in every room – perfectly synchronized.

Flexible music control
Browse and select the music from either your docked iPod or any Sonos Controller.

Best-in-class wireless technology
SonosNet 2.0 wireless mesh network functionality allows you to dock your iPod or iPhone wherever you want and play back the music on any or all the Sonos ZonePlayers in the house.

High-fidelity digital sound
The Sonos Wireless Dock sends your digital music files wirelessly to ZonePlayers throughout your home—without ever converting to analog like most conventional docks. This preserves the sound quality from the iPod to the speaker, ensuring you get the highest fidelity sound.

Quick charging dock
The Sonos Wireless Dock supports Apple's 1Amp charging specification so your iPod or iPhone are ready to go when you are.

LifeSize Bridge - The Foundation for Your Intelligent Video Network

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-21T20:16:41-07:00

LifeSize Bridge redefines HD video conferencing for large multiparty calling. Unlike other systems on the market today, LifeSize Bridge scales intelligently with your organization’s communication needs while providing unmatched quality and groundbreaking price/performance for multiparty HD video communications. With the industry’s lowest price per port at 720p30, 720p60 and 1080p30, LifeSize Bridge offers a low-risk, cost-effective platform to modularly extend HD video conferencing to an entire organization.

Interoperable and standards-based, the easy-to-set-up and easy-to-use LifeSize Bridge can be deployed where you need it most. Enhance collaboration in your organization with unrivalled end user experience and uncompromised HD quality. LifeSize Bridge supports any codec, frame rate, call speed or resolution without loss of capacity or capability.

10x optical zoom high definition video conferencing camera from LifeSize

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-21T20:13:27-07:00

LifeSize Camera 10x, with 10x Optical zoom capability, 1080p30 support and better low light handling, is now available. This camera gives you more integration options to enhance their HD video conferencing experience.

LifeSize® Camera 10x™ offers the highest quality zoom capability for any size offices, conference room, meeting center or auditorium where full HD quality video must be captured over a distance. To further advance image clarity and flexibility of use, the Camera10x delivers immersive image quality in a wide range of light conditions, including low-light environments such as an executive boardroom or a large university lecture hall.

Camera 10x is designed to support and enhance HD video communication by providing lifelike video quality through 10x optical zoom, better low-light handling in medium and large spaces, and support for Full 1080p HD at 30 frames per second. LifeSize Camera 10x, bundled with any of the LifeSize® 220™ series offerings perfectly captures every gesture and facial expression – so detailed and true to life, it’s as if you are there.

Introducing our Less Clutter, More Control Contest.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-15T23:25:06-07:00

The RedEye Mini has landed and we are giving away 1 to 2 lucky winners!

What is the RedEye Mini?
RedEye mini is the portable way to turn your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a full-featured universal, activity based remote, so you can take control to new places. Control your TV, stereo, cable box, DVD player, and many other devices that receive standard (infrared) signals. Plug RedEye mini into your headphone jack, open the RedEye application and you are ready to go — no batteries required.

Enter to win one with 3 simple steps.

Become a fan by “Liking” our Facebook page. You can visit our Facebook page here
Upload a picture of your “Coffee Table of Cluttered Remote Controls” to our Wall
In the status of your photo type “Less Clutter, More Control Contest”

How do you win?
Invite your friends & family to join our Facebook Page and than get them to vote on your contest submission. The 2 photo’s with the most likes wins. Its that simple!

Artcoustic Introduces the MODULAR Line of Satellite and L+C+R Loudspeakers

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-15T20:56:14-07:00

Artcoustic Loudspeakers, known worldwide for high performance loudspeakers with a designer signature – speaker grilles that double as works of art and design – has introduced the Modular line of speakers. The Modular line includes three completely new speakers with interchangeable baffles that are designed to match the width and height of most flat panel displays or TVs. The design concept behind the new Modular Loudspeaker Series is to create the minimum number of models to address the maximum number of sizes of new ultra thin flat panel video displays.

Why is THX important

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-12T16:52:27-07:00

THX® Certified Program
THX product certification categories are based ondelivering the best cinematic experience to specific room sizes.

THX Ultra2 Certified - larger home theaters, 3,000 cubic feet in size, with a viewing distance of 12 feet or greater from the screen
THX Select2 Certified - medium home theater, up to 2,000 cubic feet in size, with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen
THX I/S Plus System - Certified Systems (AV Receiver + Speaker Bundle): powered to fill a small home theater or dorm room where the viewing distance from the screen is 6-8 feet

Accurately translating the cinema experience to the home is not easy. Movies are created in large mixing studios for playback in large, powerful cinema auditoriums. When played back in the home, however, movie soundtracks don’t always deliver the same impact.

With a THX Certified AV receiver, cinema volume and fidelity is recreated in the living room. This performance is achieved through strict laboratory testing, a THX Reference Level design and THX DSP technology.

Card Access Wireless Smart Pressure Sensor

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-12T16:44:01-07:00

Card Access is pleased to announce the new Wireless Smart Pressure Sensor Package. A replacement for Bed and Chair Sensors previously offered by Card Access, the Smart Pressure Sensor is an easy-to-use occupancy sensing solution for chairs, beds, and sofas. This next generation sensor provides better results through customizable sensitivity making it more suitable for a variety of home automation applications.

The sensor works by measuring the change in distributed pressure when a chair, a bed, or a sofa is occupied. Proprietary “learning” technology allows dealers to calibrate the response of the sensor to suit a wide range of furniture and occupants – with just the push of a button.

By using this technology, the sensor delivers superior control and flexibility when compared to other similar sensors on the market, which are not adjustable and are only reliable in limited applications.

Chief’s New Automated Swing Arm Mount

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-10-07T08:33:43-07:00

Change your view with Chief’s new automated swing arm mount. No automated mount can match the PXR’s fluid range of motion. With an unprecedented 27” (686 mm) of extension, 90 degree’s of swivel and up to 12” tilt, watching a TV from the perfect viewing angle has never been easier

Sonos Introduces The Sonos Wireless Dock

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-23T20:32:05-07:00

Sonos, the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the home introduced the Sonos Wireless Dock (WD100), an accessory to the award-winning Sonos Multi-Room Music System. With the Sonos Wireless Dock you can now play all of the music from an iPod or iPhone in every room of the house. The Sonos Wireless Dock will be available by the end of October.

"The Sonos Wireless Dock is the perfect accessory for our music loving customers who own an iPod or iPhone and want to enjoy the music stored on them in any or every room of the home," said Phil Abram, President, Sonos, Inc. "This new dock reinforces our mission to provide our customers with access to all of the music on the planet, including everything available on an iPod and iPhone in the home."

The Sonos Wireless Dock accesses all of the music stored or playing on an iPhone or iPod and sends it wirelessly to Sonos ZonePlayers all throughout your home – before converting the music to analog – guaranteeing the best possible audio quality. The Sonos Wireless Dock is compatible with the following devices: iPod touch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), iPod classic, iPod nano (3rd, 4th, and 5th generation), iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPhone, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.

Contact us for more information about Sonos

The ultimate mini-system that plays your music your way.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-23T17:30:15-07:00

Whether you play your music from a music server, PC, MAC, iPhone, iPod, laptop, cell phone, PDA, or stream it from the Internet, Chordette has an affordable system which will allow you to enjoy your music with astonishingly high fidelity.

The new Chordette series from England's Chord Electronics offers you a completely flexible, modular system so you can enjoy your music your way. The system begins with the Chordette Gem, a high quality USB / Bluetooth DAC which lets you easily take music from any digital source directly into your stereo.

Kaleidescape Introduces First User Interface for Young Children

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-23T09:10:00-07:00

Even Toddlers Can Find and Play Their Own Movies, and Parents Have Complete Control over Available Content.

Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today introduced the industry's first user interface designed specifically for young children. With a Kaleidescape System and a Kaleidescape Child Remote, a young child can find and play any of his or her movies without help from an adult. The way it works—different user interface behavior when using a particular remote—is an industry first.

The Anywhere Button

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-23T09:00:00-07:00

Have you ever said to yourself, “If only there was a simple button that could….” Well, now you can have that button. We have a limited supply of Card Access "Anywhere Buttons." It is a button that you can put virtually anywhere in your house to make anything happen through Control4 programming. Wish there was a button to call the kids to dinner? Wish there was a goodnight button you could hide behind the headboard of your bed? Wish there was a romance button hidden away in your sock drawer? Make that age old “if only there was a button…” dream come true today. Talk to us to order one and for more "Anywhere Button" ideas.

All New Kef Q Series

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-15T11:49:36-07:00

The multiple award-winning Q Series has always exemplified KEF’s conviction that new materials and technologies can, when applied with intelligence and imagination, reproduce recordings so perfectly that they sound indistinguishable from the live event. This is more true now than ever before. As the latest expression of this design philosophy, the new range immerses you in three-dimensional imagery of a richness and clarity that until now has been the exclusive preserve of speakers costing many times more.

Lutron Releases New Apple iPhone and iPod Touch App

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-09T19:17:47-07:00

Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics is pleased to introduce the Lutron Home Application, which provides control of lights and shades, including the new RadioRA 2 total light control system, via an Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. The Lutron Home Application provides control of a RadioRA 2 system over a Wi-Fi network and requires RadioRA 2 Software version 3.1.14 or higher. RadioRA 2 Software is available only to qualified installers. The application is available now, free of charge, on iTunes®.

Also new to RadioRA 2 is an Away Mode feature that lets users simulate occupancy while away from home by automatically turning lights on and off and controlling shades.

HQV Vida VHD1900 Video Chip

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-09-08T09:00:00-07:00

IDT® (Integrated Device Technology), a leading provider of essential mixed signal semiconductor solutions that enrich the digital media experience, today premiers the latest offering from its Hollywood Quality Video™ (HQV®) video processing line. The all new Yamaha Avetage RXA2000 and RXA3000 will incorporate the new chip. The IDT HQV® Vida™ processor , takes the industry-leading Hollywood Quality Video processing technology to a new level of performance, significantly improving the viewing experience for the consumer.

Sequel Technologies Security Systems

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-26T13:28:55-07:00

We are excited to announce that Digital Smart Homes now offers security systems by Sequel Technologies for residential and commercial applications. When integrated with Control4 Automation, the security system can be tied in with lighting, motorized blinds and shades, whole home audio/video systems, door bell and much more. Imagine being able to activate your security system or trigger a panic alarm from any light switch in your home or office by simply tapping the light switch a given number of times. Arm and disarm your security system from anywhere in the world and even unlock or lock your front door at the same time from a single interface. Lighting scenes can automatically be initiated when the home is armed and in “away mode” making it seem like someone is at home. It can even turn on audio zones automatically during the day. If the alarm gets tripped, have all the lights turn on to maximum, sound the alarm through the siren and the home audio system at full blast, trigger the outside lights to flash on and off, have a text or email broadcasted to your neighbours and yourself and have your shades open up. The possibilities are endless.

Yamaha Introduces 'AVENTAGE' A/V Series; Defined by Obsession with Details to Achieve Peak Performance

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-25T12:35:50-07:00

Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced a line of A/V receivers that embody obsessive attention to detail combined with a multitude of engineering refinements made to achieve peak performance at affordable price points.
The new AVENTAGE (pronounced Ah-Ven-Taj) A/V Receiver Series is the result of Yamaha‘s meticulous design process to refine and re-engineer the receiver from the ground up, and to make subtle changes that mean the difference between good and great sound. The new series is a complement to Yamaha‘s award-winning RX-V line, which will continue to carry attractive feature sets in the opening to mid-level price points.

Benefits of Using Digital Signage in Restaurants, Bars and Fast Food Locations

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-25T12:11:33-07:00

Digital Signage has become the most important and cost effective tool in order to address the bottom-line of any restaurant business and that is "Customer satisfaction" and "Increase in sales". Thousands of restaurants understand its importance and have deployed digital signage throughout their establishments over the last few years. They understood the importance of DOOH (Digital-Out-Of-Home) advertising and the advantages that it brings with it. Those who are left are swiftly adapting to this transition.

1:1 HDMI over One Coax Distribution System

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-24T13:18:45-07:00

The HXE-11 enables long distance extension of HDMI signals over a singe coaxial cable. The kit includes the Model 1341T transmitter and the 1341R receiver, featuring locking BNC connectors. The 1341R also features a loop-out connector, allowing a a second run of coax to feed another receiver along a continuous chain. Capable of distributing today's latest video and audio formats, including 1080p video with 36-bit deep color and lossless audio, the system is fully HDMI compliant.

Introducing the all new Control4 InfinityEdge In-Wall Touch Screen

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-11T19:22:03-07:00

New InfinityEdge In-Wall Touch Screens replace the current 7" In-Wall Touch Screen and feature sleek design, and new functionality at cutting-edge price points. Key features include capacitive touch glass, Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity, power via AC or Power Over Ethernet and four programmable buttons.

Lutron: Dominating Eco-Lighting Control

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-10T16:19:28-07:00

According to Lutron, lighting can account for up to 20 percent of a household’s yearly electricity usage, and up to 40 percent a year commercially.

Its a fact that all dimmers save energy and that’s just the beginning of “green” lighting design. Lutron has also developed an extensive collection of eco-friendly light controls, systems and window solutions for any project, big or small. We guarantee at least a 15% cost savings in the first year!

Music Hall Introduces USB & DJ Turntable

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-05T20:37:03-07:00

Music Hall’s new USB-1 is a convenient, easy to use, and fun turntable. It’s a snap to set-up and comes with everything you need to start spinning vinyl. Whether you’re looking to digitize and download your record collection, release your inner DJ, or simply discover the joy of spinning vinyl, the USB-1 is your answer. It has a built-in phono preamp, cartridge, dust cover, and includes all necessary cables and software required for simple plug and play operation.

The Sonos Single Room Package is Back

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-05T09:00:00-07:00

Music lovers are in luck with the return of the successful Single Room Promotion. Now, for a limited time, you can save up to $149 CAD when they buy a Sonos ZonePlayer (ZP90 or ZP120) together with a Sonos Controller 200. This lower-priced entry point is sure to give music lovers an added incentive to get started with Sonos. And for our existing customers looking to fill another room with music, there's no better time to do it.

Bell TV launches 3D HD barker channel

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-08-01T14:08:00-07:00

Bell TV is launching a 3D HD barker channel presenting a full-time 3D HD short loop of Bell produced 3D HD content. Over the coming months, the 3D HD barker channel will continue to evolve, extending in length and content.

This new 3D HD barker channel provides Bell TV HD subscribers with an excellent opportunity to experience 3D HDTV.

Channel location:
The barker channel will be broadcast nationally on channel 1933.
Channel 1933 will be available to all subscribers with an MPEG-4 HD set top box (STB): HD 6131/41, HD PVR 9241/42 and all future MPEG-4 HD STBs.

Build Innovative Rack Solutions with Chief’s All-New RackBuilder

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-29T16:10:31-07:00

Try the custom Rack builder here and than contact us with your custom configuration for a price.

Get Your Priority Straight with Video Streaming

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-28T14:40:37-07:00

Video streaming allows immediate access to over 50,000 movie titles, an obvious sign of its huge popularity. It’s clear that movie distributors see a future in ‘digital distribution’ and are investing in it quickly. Home Media Magazine, for an example, reported that Walmart’s $100m acquisition of Vudu is a solid indication that ‘digital distribution’ is here and is becoming more viable option every day. Some of us may miss the higher quality picture of DVD and Blu-ray technology, but streaming has come a long way and the picture quality is already catching up. Plus, the irresistible convenience of digital streaming from the home is a phenomenal experience when set up properly.

Top 4 Streaming Essentials:

Use a high quality router: A top quality router will prevent many of the hazards that cause jitter, freezing, and delay.
Check your connection speed: Ensure throughput connection is at least 1.5Mbps/ stream for SD quality and 3.0Mbps/stream for HD (or 6.0Mbps for Vudu HDX) not to mention standard internet use, VOIP and audio overhead. (http:// www.speakeasy.net/ speedtest)
Establish Quality of Service/Experience: Group devices with similar bandwidth needs on VLANs with designated priority to maximize experience.
Use wired network: Wifi is highly subjective in certain environments, especially during high use times like after work or on the weekends. Always use wired connections to ensure reliable data streaming.

All-weather TVs are gaining in popularity

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-22T17:19:52-07:00

Entertaining in the outdoors is a huge trend in the west coast. I have seen an increase year over year outdoor Audio and Video systems. Clients like the option to be able to watch movies, TV shows, sporting events and listening to their favourite music while lounging outside, barbecuing or relaxing in the hut tub. Products from Pantel and SunbriteTV can stand up to the elements of rain, bugs, humidity and temperature swings and allow for the possibilities of outdoor entertainment. Outdoor audio video systems offers homeowners one more spot to catch a hockey game or a movie. Contact us to find out more.

Extend the Power of HD Communications

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-20T15:36:52-07:00

AVAILABLE JULY 27
LifeSize® Software Version 4.7. Easily share content wirelessly from your computer during HD video calls.
Collaborate more effectively and increase productivity with our 4.7 software release. New features include data sharing for LifeSize® Passport™ and LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize®, via LifeSize® Virtual Link™, a free software download.

Version 4.7 also extends live HD video streaming and recording on LifeSize® Video Center to LifeSize Passport and LGExecutive.

Premium-class AV Receiver with support for 3D , 6 in/2 out HDMI and tons more!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-19T16:06:51-07:00

Premium-class AV Receiver with support for 3D and Audio Return channel over 6 in/2 out HDMI, CINEMA DSP 3D surround sound with or without front presence speakers, RS-232C interface for custom installation and multi-point tuning for high quality sound under $900! Introducing the RXA800 Yamaha Receiver.

SÉURA sets sail on the Luxury yacht "Remeber When"

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-14T14:23:53-07:00

Television mirrors bring space-saving luxury to yacht

[by SÉURA]
Christensen Shipyards, Ltd. of Vancouver, Washington recently completed the 162’ luxury yacht, “Remember When”. Slated to debut at the Fort Lauderdale Show in October, the ship features six spacious cabins, including the Owners Cabin, VIP cabin, and four guest cabins which allow for up to 12 guests. The interior was designed by Carol Williamson and Associates and showcases custom woodwork and stonework by Christensen’s own craftsmen.

Introducing RedEye. Remote control via iPhone or iTouch

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-13T17:59:01-07:00

Available later this month at Digital Smart Homes, RedEye by ThinkFlood is a universal remote for an iPhone or iTouch. There are 3 products in the line up that start at $50 to a rack mountable pro unit that is $600. The App, now available on iTunes is free and can be downloaded here.

HDMI over Single Coaxial Extender

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-13T15:20:15-07:00

Vanco's HDMI Coax Extender supports HDMI protocols like HDCP, and the signal transmission system can be used to feed as many as 45 displays.

iPort to offer in-wall docking for the iPad, iPod Touch

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-09T14:17:09-07:00

The Control Mount Series by iPort lets your iTouch or ipad become in-wall touchscreen. It can be mounted either horizontally or vertically.

Onkyo rolls out 2 HTIBs with 3-D capabilities

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-08T11:31:07-07:00

Onkyo has introduced two home-theater-in-a-box systems with 3-D capabilities: the HT-S6300 and the HT-S7300. The HT-S6300 -- which features four HDMI 1.4a inputs, 1080p analog up-conversion and a 290-watt subwoofer

The ultimate mini-system that plays your music your way.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-06T16:24:57-07:00

Introducing Chordette

Whether you play your music from a music server, PC, MAC, iPhone, iPod, laptop, cell phone, PDA, or stream it from the Internet, Chordette has an affordable system which will allow you to enjoy your music with astonishingly high fidelity.

The new Chordette series from England’s Chord Electronics offers you a completely flexible modular system so you can enjoy your music your way. The system begins with the Chordette Gem, a high quality USB / Bluetooth DAC allowing you to easily take music from your digital sources directly into your stereo. If you don't have a stereo, Chordette offers a broad range of components and you can select just the ones you need. Finally, a flexible modular stand is available so you can display this stunning system at it's best.

Though the size of each component is small nothing has been compromised. The audio response is still state of the art with exceptional performance and low noise levels. Encased in Chord's trademark solid aluminum billet metalwork chassis, the Chordette looks as terrific as it sounds and shows off its industry leading engineering both inside and out.

APT-X Bluetooth is now the new Apple standard.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-07-06T15:42:38-07:00

Apple's new MacBook Pro and new Mac mini now come standard with APT-X and by the autumn of 2010 all new Apple products and all Apple o/s upgrades will include APT-X. This means that now everyone will be able to wirelessly transmit high quality uncompressed music files from any iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac Book Pro or Mac mini.

Control4 2.0 is Here!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-30T16:21:24-07:00

We are excited to to announce the release of Control4® OS 2.0. This next-generation OS offers new home-control functionality, updated SDKs, support for additional hardware products, integration of third-party applications, and improved media management. Featuring an elegant Flash-based user interface, Control4® OS 2.0 will provide Control4 integrators with the most powerful Control4® solution to date.

We now carry Denon

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-30T16:12:38-07:00

We are excited to announce that Digital Smart Homes no carry’s Denon products. Denon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment products, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010. In 100 years of significant and innovative “firsts,” Denon has continuously brought passion, artistry and the best of technologies to discriminating customers around the world, always providing them with a superior home entertainment experience. Learn More

Sonos Launches iPad App

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-24T13:59:15-07:00

Although Sonos launched an iPad interface for their wireless whole-house music system earlier this week, it won’t be available until August. However, it is a very sleek use of the iPad technology integrated into a HomeAV application. If you want to see the demo, go here: Sonos iPad App

We now carry RTI & Crestron

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-24T12:51:23-07:00

We are excited to announce the addition of RTI (Remote Technologies Inc.) and Crestron Automation and Control products to our impressive line-up of products and services.

Addendum to ESABC

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-24T12:35:38-07:00

Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC) is an End-of-Life electronics program approved by the BC government. ESABC is a BC not for profit society established by manufacturers, retailers, and other stakeholders to ensure materials are processed and recycled in a responsible manner that safeguards the environment and worker health & safety as well as preventing illegal export to developing countries. Effective July 1st, all electronics will now carry an additional “recycling” fee. We have attached the complete list of the associated fee’s and the electronics effected by this expanded program here

Yamaha's NeoHD is here!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-11T13:36:25-07:00

Enjoy all your AV sources plus music streaming from your computer, Internet Radio and Rhapsody content. Easily control all of your sources with a simple graphical user interface (GUI) and simplified remote control. One remote gives you total media control.

Control4 Launches Commercial Systems Product Line at InfoComm 2010

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-09T13:39:18-07:00

Bringing a proven IP-based control platform to the pro AV market, Control4 introduces a full line of commercial hardware and software solutions.

Social networking comes to the world of home-control systems

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-06-08T13:23:02-07:00

Home Automation companies like the one we carry, Control4, are increasingly building social-networking functions into their product lines. Control4 is developing a system that will allow users to tap into websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube right from their home-control interfaces.

Philips Pronto Launches Lutron’s RadioRa® 2 Module

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-27T12:19:13-07:00

New module offers easy two-way integration with Lutron lighting and shading control systems.

Philips Pronto, the value leader in two-way control solutions, in collaboration with lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics, has announced the availability of a new RadioRA 2 module for Pronto’s line of controllers, including the TSU9300 (limited), TSU9400, TSU9600 and TSU9800. This new module offers integrators a convenient integration between a Pronto touch panel and the RadioRA 2 wireless lighting control system.

Now you can pick a room, pick a song, and pick a colour.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-26T12:13:24-07:00

The all-in-one Sonos S5 is about to get even more popular. On June 2nd, 2010, in response to overwhelming demand, the S5 will debut in black. And the timing couldn't be better with Father's Day just around the corner.

Samung previews 19" transparent AMOLED panel

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-25T12:10:04-07:00

Samsung is currently demonstrating a 19-inch transparent AMOLED display. The technology preview has been scheduled for the annual Society for Information Display (SID) International Symposium. The panel is claimed to be the largest in the industry, an improvement over Samsung's 14-inch component shown at CES, while still maintaining a transparency above 30 percent.

The company has continued to develop transparent AMOLED technology for a variety of potential applications such as notebook computers, vehicle windshields, or new types of advertising at retail locations.

Samsung has yet to announce official plans to integrate its largest transparent AMOLED panels in upcoming devices. [via OLED-Display.net]

Viper SmartStart is now available in Canada!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-20T15:30:00-07:00

What is Viper SmartStart?
Are you tired of carrying around another clunky remote control on your keyring, or finding yourself out of range when you really need to warm up or cool down your car before getting in? Now you can remote start or lock and unlock your car just by pushing a button on your iPhone or iPod Touch; using the exciting new Viper SmartStart app

The simple graphical interface gives you control over the following features of your installed Viper remote start or security/remote start system:

Lock/arm
Unlock/disarm
Remote car starter
Trunk release
Panic or car finder
2-Way confirmation of commands received at vehicle
Error messages if command not received successfully
Vehicle personalization
App pass code protection
Password management utilities
Button confirmation sounds

You can also control multiple vehicles – great for families! – and assign more than one user to control a vehicle.

The emergence of Internet-enabled devices and how it is changing the landscape of home entertainment

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-20T15:00:00-07:00

by Agautam

In the past few years, TVs and computers have become highly commoditized items and technology companies, retailers, and content providers are increasingly shifting to a service-oriented model to increase their revenues. Selling a portable media player with a music subscription or a DVD player with movies adds value to a purchase.

Panasonic launches Skype for 2010 VIERA Cast TVs

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-19T12:06:42-07:00

One of the coolest things I saw at CES 2010 was the Skype app installed on the Panasonic VieraCast TVs. All thats required is a Skype account, a Panasonic Skype enabled camera which is sold separately for about $200 and a VieraCast enabled Panasonic Plasma TV (VT25, VT20, G25 and the G20 series). The Panasonic TY-CC10W webcam supports 30fps VGA or 720p/22fps h.264 encoded streams and has 4 unidirectional microphones, an echo cancelling system . Check out the video below to get a glimpse on how the VieraCast Skype system works.

Contact us here for additional information

New Sonos software update

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-18T11:25:44-07:00

Sonos Press Release

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – May 18, 2010 – Sonos®, Inc., the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the home, today released Sonos System Software v3.2, a one-button free software update for Sonos customers that features a variety of new audio features.

Key features of Sonos v3.2 include:

Crossfading - Customers can create smooth transitions between songs just like the DJs do. You can select the crossfading playback mode from the Now Playing screen for any tracks in your music library, plus select music services including Napster.
S5 Stereo Pair setting – This innovative audio feature allows customers to use two Sonos S5s in the same room with one S5 serving as the left channel and the other as the right channel.
Japanese and Simplified Chinese language support – Customers using the Sonos Controller for iPhone*, the Sonos Controller 200 and the Sonos Controller for Mac or PC can now control Sonos in 9 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Swedish.
New alarm settings – Sonos customers can now customize alarms for different days of the week. Wake up to your favorite radio station on one day and a Napster playlist on another. Set the room, the time and the music for any or every day of the week.

More free music: iheartradio from Clear Channel - Tune in to more than 750 of America’s favorite radio stations, including. Exclusive digital stations like Christina Aguilera Radio, CBGB Radio, Radio Weezer, AT40 with Ryan Seacrest, and more. Top talk stations from Rush Limbaugh to Dr. Laura Traffic reports from 12 major metro areas

Tips for greening your home

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-18T11:16:13-07:00

Whether you are looking to build a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly home or to make simple adjustments to lower your utility bills, there are effective ways to go green and save money at the same time. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) presents tips that range from no-cost habits to larger, green investments and show you how to green your home and still enjoy the latest technologies and entertainment.

Integra's latest A/V receivers offer 3-D functionality

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-17T13:32:37-07:00

Integra has introduced a pair of new A/V receivers, the 100-watt-per-channel DTR-30.2 and the 90-watt-per-channel DTR-20.2, that offer 3-D functionality. Both machines feature HDMI 1.4a ports that enable 3-D video signals to pass from a Blu-ray player to a TV's display screen.

Kaleidescape Introduces Next Generation Movie Players

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-13T14:50:43-07:00

New Movie Server Architecture, New User Interface, Blu-ray Support

SUNNYVALE, CA - Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today announced its new M500 and M300 Players. Built on the company's proprietary M-Class architecture, this next generation of players delivers a new and improved onscreen user interface and Blu-ray support. The M500 Player copies Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs onto a server. The imported content can then be played back instantly by M500 and M300 Players, creating the world's first multi-zone movie server for Blu-ray.
To address the concerns of the studios, Kaleidescape requires the disc to be present when playing Blu-ray content from the server. Today this means the Blu-ray Disc must be in the tray of an M500 Player. To enable the full Kaleidescape experience for Blu-ray, the company is developing a disc loader which will keep a large number of discs present within the Kaleidescape system. It will also provide bulk import, and make it easy to find and retrieve a disc.

Surround Sound 101

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-11T14:21:26-07:00

Why is surround sound important in a home-theater setup?
Surround sound is one of the two crucial components of a home theater, the other being HDTV. Surround sound makes it easier to catch the dialogue in your favorite prime-time TV show and experience the action while watching a movie.

For some audiophiles, sound quality takes a back seat in an iPod era

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-10T11:42:13-07:00

From The New York Times
Thanks to the iPod and all of its progeny -- as well as other non-Apple mobile music players -- it's now possible to put your entire music collection in your pocket and go anywhere. But for some audiophiles, all that mobility and its attendant digital-compression technology have led to a loss in pristine sound quality. Read More: New York Times

Al Jazeera English coming to Bell TV

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-05-07T11:54:10-07:00

Al Jazeera English, the 24-hour English-language news and current affairs channel from the capital of Qatar will be available on Bell TV for $3 per month as part of the “International News 2” package. From this unique position, Al Jazeera English is destined to be the English-language channel of reference for Middle Eastern events, balancing the current typical information flow by reporting from the developing world back to the West and from the southern to the northern hemisphere. The channel aims to give voice to untold stories, promote debate, and challenge established perceptions. With broadcasting centres in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC and supporting bureaux worldwide, the channel will set the news agenda, bridging cultures and providing a unique grassroots perspective from under-reported regions around the world to a potential global audience of over one billion English speakers. The station broadcasts news, current affairs, features, analysis, documentaries, live debates, entertainment, business and sport.

Building on Al Jazeera Arabic channel's ground breaking developments in the Arab and Muslim world that have changed the face of news within the Middle East, Al Jazeera English is part of a growing network that is now extending this fresh perspective from regional to global through accurate, impartial and objective reporting.

“AJE increases customer choice and the diversity of voices for international news services offered to Canadians,” said Chris Frank, VP Programming. “It provides a valuable source of world news from a Middle Eastern perspective and is yet another example of how Bell TV continues to bring new and exciting content to our customers.”

It will be offered on channel 516 and bundled with ichannel as part of our new International News 2 specialty package*.

AJE joins the best selection and variety from Canadian and foreign broadcasting news services including CTV, CBC, Global, CNN, NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC. For more information on Bell TV and Bell TV theme packs, please contact us here

Onkyo first to introduce a THX-Certified 3D AV Receiver

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-25T13:53:44-07:00

The TX-SR608 Home Theater receiver by Onkyo is now available and comes with six HDMI inputs. It’s very well specked for its price at $699

All six HDMI 1.4 inputs are capable of passing 3D video, and upscale to 1080p if needed—with one of the inputs conveniently located on the front. All HD audio formats are able to be decoded, and it uses 192kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DACs. Dual subwoofer outputs and 7 x 100W output is a definite upgrade over the previous TX-SR607 model, which had just 90 watts per channel.

Take a look at the press release below for the full line-up of products.
“The new TX-SR608 7.2-channel THX-Select2 Plus certified receiver has new power amplifier section that uses three-stage inverted Darlington output topology, and a power boost from 90 to 100 watts. Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processing has been added to its predecessor's Dolby PLIIz capabilities. Additionally, all video sources, including those using the new PC input, and regardless of source resolution, can be upscaled to big and beautiful 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema™. The TX-SR608 will also include a front HDMI input, a feature first introduced by Onkyo in 2009.”

Cables To Go Offers WirelessHD Kit

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-25T13:38:35-07:00

Cables To Go has launched a 60 GHz WirelessHD Kit that the company says wirelessly transmits a true 1080p HDMI signal to a television from HDMI components such as a Blu-ray player, set-top box, computer, or gaming console up to 33 feet, line of sight.

“WirelessHD is on the cusp of huge growth, and the Cables To Go kit with its quality, features and price point is well positioned to be a strong player in the market,” said Gary Hess, vice president of innovation for Lastar, parent company of Cables To Go. “This is true not only for the consumer market, but our relationships and experience in additional vertical markets will help us lead adoption and growth.”
Contact us for more information.

The Kaleidescape Experience

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-19T16:40:25-07:00

We are excited to announce that Digital Smart Homes is now an authorized Kaleidescape dealer.
The Kaleidescape System simplifies the way you collect, manage and enjoy movies and music. Once your personal entertainment collection is stored on the Kaleidescape System, you can say goodbye to DVD and CD clutter and the frustration of storing and organizing your movies and music. And, since your Kaleidescape System uses high-speed networking to deliver your favourite movies and music throughout your home, you can instantly access and enjoy them when and where it's convenient for you, your family or your guests. Simply click PLAY, lean back and immediately enjoy the show with your closest friends and family. Learn More

Pioneer Transfered Display Patents to Panasonic

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-17T17:32:48-07:00

Many videophiles were disappointed when Pioneer withdrew from the Plasma display business last year. The Pioneer Kuro was the standard to beat on all levels of performance. What happen to all that amazing technology and those brilliant engineers that made the Kuro such an elite television? I recently came across Pioneer’s Annual report for 2009, and in it I came across some interesting piece of information. On page 50 of the report it states:

“Transfer of Patents for Plasma Display Panels to
Panasonic Corporation
The Company resolved to transfer its patents for plasma display
panels and modules to Panasonic Corporation at the Board of
Directors’ meeting held on April 28, 2009. The two companies
had executed the agreement on May 15, 2009. This constitutes
part of the business restructuring effort in accordance with plans
for a full withdrawal from the display business.”

I also contacted a representative at Panasonic and was told that many of the engineers where hired by Panasonic and the new 2010 line up of Panasonic plasma displays incorporated many of the patents that were acquired from Pioneer. So does this make Panasonic the new standard? We’ll so far many of the reviews are sure pointing in that direction.

Italy's Public Libary installs "Room Euphony"

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-14T23:43:46-07:00

Europeans have always had a greater appreciation for Hi Fidelity, constantly obsessing to reproduce the most accurate audio and video as they can to its original recording. Italy’s public library just recently installed a Hi-Fi Audio Video system they call “Room Euphony” to promote awareness of high quality sound and video. A goal that I am a great advocate of. To often music goes unappreciated and so much detail goes unheard by being played back on “Home Theater in a Box” type systems. The library installed audio/video equipment that would educate and raise awareness of high quality reproduction. This particular system consists of:

Klein+Hummel speakers and amplifiers
Panasonic PT AE 4000 projector
Onkyo PR SC 5507 preamp
OPPO BD 83 Blu-ray player
Thorens TD 295 MK IV turntable
and more (the complete list of components can be found here, in Italian)

Room Euphony has been very popular and is often visited by students, small groups and individuals. Being that it is a library, the room is also acoustically treated. I would love to see a similar setup here at the Vancouver downtown public library. You can check out some more pictures of Room Euphony here. Stop by our showroom or the may other Hi-Fi independent dealer with your favourite CD, DVD or even your iPod and experience Hi-Fi for yourself.

New MacBook Pro's DisplayPort outputs Audio & HDMI

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-14T22:47:13-07:00

The updated specs on the New MacBook Pro mini DisplayPort is capable of sending both HDMI and digital audio over one cable giving it multi streaming capabilities and eliminating the need to have two separate cables. This greatly enhances the new MBP’s Front Row application as a media computer that could be incorporated into a Home Theater system. Technically labeled as DisplayPort 1.2, it has double the data rate, now at 21.6 Gps and can handle 3D, colour depths higher than 24-bit and faster frame rates.

Sharp to launch Quattron 3D TV's

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-12T17:05:30-07:00

Sharp will begin selling 3D capable TV’s by December. It will the worlds only 3D TV’s that use RGBY, Red, Green, Blue and Yellow as the four primary colours vs the standard RGB used by Panasonic, Samsung & Sony. RGBY takes the number of colours that can be displayed into the trillions and will also be significantly brighter than ints competitors. Sharp's 3D LCD will also feature a side-mount scanning LED backlight technology, which reduces crosstalk--an effect in 3D TV’s that can sometimes cause a ghost image to appear onscreen (even when wearing glasses) similar to a double exposure photograph.

Yamaha 3D Receivers are on there way

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-12T16:20:42-07:00

Yamaha 3D home theatre receivers are expected to be available in mid May. They will support high speed HDMI, also known as 1.4. The RXV567 supports 3D and Audio Return Channel over HDMI while the RXV467 will only support 3D with no Audio Return Channel. It is also capable of bluetooth audio streaming with an optional bluetooth dock. HD Audio format decoding include Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Yamaha’s amazing YPAO automatic system calibration is standard on all receivers. Contact us for more information on the new 67 series of Yamaha 3D receivers.

Broadcast HD Video Over Coax Cabling

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-09T17:58:46-07:00

Broadcast HDTV source to every TV in your establishment or home all over your existing RG6 coax cable. “ZeeVee has shattered the cost and deployment barriers for HD video distribution within hotels, airports, restaurants, bars, homes, and everywhere else digital signage or high quality video is shown” The technology is based on the same platform that cable companies rely on to deliver rich HDTV to millions of users and now is available on a more localized level within your establishment. This saves the cost of rewiring or purchasing an HDTV satellite or cable box for each TV saving thousands of dollars and time.

ZvBox

Basically the “ZvBox®” turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, simply tune in the “Zv” channel at any HD TV.

Key Benefits of Coax:

Proven method: cable companies light up entire cities with it
Handles up to 135 simultaneous channels
Already in place in vast majority of buildings
Easy to deploy and expand coax systems using simple hand tools
System parts (splitters, amps, etc.) inexpensive and widely available
Connects to off-the-shelf HDTVs without additional decoder boxes at each TV

If your thinking of upgrading your viewing to HDTV at the most cost effective and quickest deployment for your restaurant, bar, hotel, airport, home or anywhere else you may want to broadcast Satellite or Cable HDTV, Bluray, DVD or Digital Signage over your coax, contact us to find out if the ZvBoz will work in your environment.

3D is “On” across Canada with Bell TV

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-09T14:10:11-07:00

Bell clients will have the opportunity to enjoy The Masters Tournament with the new immersive 3D HD technology.

Photo Credit: Reuters/Hans Deryk

Bell TV is pleased to announce that their clients will have an opportunity to enjoy The Masters Tournament with the new immersive 3D HD technology. Bell will broadcast rounds three and four of the 2010 Masters Tournament in 3D HD on April 10th and 11th from 5-7pm EST on Channel 1000.

All of Bell’s HD receivers are capable of managing 3D HD broadcast content. However, clients must also have a 3D HDTV and 3D glasses specified by their TV manufacturer to view 3D HD content. As 3D HD is in its early days, and the reality is that few clients have yet invested in the hardware required in their home for a quality 3D experience, Bell will monitor what 3D HD content is available from our content providers, and will continue to bring 3D coverage to our clients as quality content becomes available.

Contact us today if you are interested in becoming a Bell TV customer.

Control4 My Home app for iPad

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-03T23:07:16-07:00

Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announced today the Control4® My Home application for iPad, which was developed in collaboration with Control UI. In a Control4®-enabled smart home, users will be able to access lighting, temperature, music, video, security systems, web cameras and more from an Apple iPad. Available now on the iTunes App Store, the Control4 My Home app has been selected as an Apple staff favourite for iPad apps.

Control4 provides home automation through an extensible operating system that integrates energy using devices and systems in the home, including, audio and video equipment, lighting systems, motorized shades, and security systems. With the new, specially designed Control4 My Home app for iPad, homeowners can use their iPad as an interface to their Control4® system to create personalized experiences such as custom lighting scenes; to conveniently control entertainment systems; or to take advantage of energy savings with programmable thermostats and other ‘green’ settings. Later in the year, homeowners will be able to use Control4 My Home in conjunction with a Control4® 4Sight remote monitoring subscription to turn lights on and off, lock or unlock doors, or access IP video cameras and security systems from the Internet, providing increased home security and peace of mind.

“Consumers want the devices in their home to be integrated and easy to use. The Control4® Operating System is designed to do just that. Many of our customers use touch screens to access their Control4 system and the iPad is a great platform that meets the needs of many homeowners for exactly this task.” said Will West, Chief Executive Officer of Control4. “We think the iPad is an important platform for homeowners looking for a smarter home and believe that when combined with Control4 My Home we will continue to push forward the mainstream adoption of affordable home control technologies that make our lives easier.”

Control4 homeowners can immediately download Control4 My Home for iPad here and authenticate to their Control4 system with a Mobile Navigator license which you can obtain from us at Digital Smart Homes.
For more information on Control4 feel free to contact us or click here

Control4 iPad Screen Shots

Bell TV Confirms 3D Content Before Years End

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-04-03T00:31:09-07:00

A Bell TV spokesperson has announced that if you have a Bell 9141 or a 9242 HD PVR, your setup box is 3D ready! Bell TV will be launching 3D channels as early as years end, starting with PPV Movies and more 3D channels will follow in 2011. BellTV also has the most HD channels in Canada. Of course you will still require a 3D TV and 3D active shutter glasses in order to enjoy the full experience. If you are not a Bell TV subscriber, a 9141/9242 HD PVR is available for as little as $299 NET until July 22nd 2010, installed! Call us for full details.

Sharp Aquos Quattron LED TV

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-30T15:02:09-07:00

With the introduction of the LE820 Series, Sharp once again establishes its leadership in LCD and LED technology. In a monumental engineering breakthrough, Sharp’s proprietary Quattron Technology, a 4-colour filter that adds yellow to the traditional RGB, enables more than a trillion colours to be displayed for the first time. A stunning new contemporary edge-light design with full-front glass proudly announces a new AQUOS direction for 2010. The proprietary AQUOS LED system comprised of the X-Gen LCD panel and UltraBrilliant LEDs enables an incredible dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1 and picture quality that is second to none. The LE820 series is very fully featured, including the addition of Netflix™ streaming video capability through the AQUOS Net™ service, along with the industry’s leading online support system, AQUOS Advantage Live. A built in media player allows for playback of music and photos via USB port.

You really do have to see it, to see it.

The Future is Internet Video Streaming.

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-30T14:52:17-07:00

From where we sit at Digital Smart Homes, the future of movie watching arrives through the internet. Steaming movies over the internet is now so accessible that many predict that streaming will displace DVD technology entirely within three years. That doesn't worry us, because our line of priority switches and routers by Pakedge are designed specifically for video and audio streaming to ensure an optimal, uninterrupted experience.

RSB-KIT

The popularity and affordability of IP networking has driven audio/video and controls networks to share the same physical wire with computer networks. However, unlike computer data that can tolerate a certain degree of unpredictable latency, video streaming, audio streaming, and control systems cannot. These sophisticated networks require the same robustness as an enterprise network to ensure the packets that carry audio and video arrive in time and that IP-based controls do not lose critical command packets.

Our line of Pakedge Audio-Video Bridging (AVB) products is designed to solve these issues with minimum configuration. The Pakedge solution pre-configures the Security Appliance (Router) and switch, dividing the network into 4 separate subnets (VLANS) to manage traffic, broadcast, and priority for all devices based on color coded ports. The simplicity of Pakedge’s solution allows our installers or DIY clients to focus on quick, quality installations without enterprise configuration worries.

The 10 Most Common Misconceptions About 3D

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-25T22:52:32-07:00

From Marketnews

Here are the 10 most common misconceptions and myths, along with a few clarifications, about 3D in the home:

You can only watch 3D with a 3D TV: This is wrong. 3D-ready TVs are the top-of-the-line models for most manufacturers, but they are first and foremost, regular 2D TVs. You can watch everything you would with any other LCD or plasma display, in standard 2D fashion. There's just the added benefit of being able to also watch 3D content should you wish to do so, and when it becomes available. Even if you never watch 3D content, the latest models represent the best of the best in current lineups.

The price is high: True, 3D-ready displays are slightly higher in price than other TVs on the market. But note that you're not just paying for 3D capability, and the ability for the displays to communicate with 3D glasses. You're also paying for advanced features like, in many cases, LED backlighting, which affords a better picture, thinner design, and less energy consumption. There are also features like Internet connectivity, and faster refresh rates for better producing fast action scenes without the issue of motion blur. Bottom line: you're paying for a premium TV, not just for a 3D TV.

You can watch anything in 3D: While some companies, like Toshiba, are claiming to offer technologies that will allow you to convert any 2D program to 3D for viewing (by splitting the image in two, essentially), the 3D technology you're hearing about most requires active shutter glasses that are somewhat pricy, but that offer better separation between the image you see in the left and right eyes, flickering it rapidly and in alternating fashion to avoid seeing double. These run on batteries and can communicate with a separate transmitter you connect to the TV (or with technology built into the TV itself.) Passive glasses are the cheaper version you are likely more familiar with that require double images on the screen, where you see one in each eye to create the perception of depth. They result in an image that isn't as realistic and enticing, and can also lead to some motion sickness, so to speak. If you caught the Michael Jackson tribute at the Grammy Awards this year that was offered in 3D, or you watched Avatar at the theatre, you'll note that you were using passive glasses. Most manufacturers are supporting the active format, although some, like LG, say they will offer TVs that support a passive system as well.

You need to buy all new equipment: This is true. Watching 3D content requires, of course, a flat-panel TV that's capable of playing back 3D content, and communicating with partner glasses. Thus, you also need 3D glasses; some manufacturers, like Samsung, will be bundling a few pairs (for a limited time, at least) with the purchase of a 3D-ready LCD or plasma and Blu-ray player. But for the most part, you'll need to buy them separately. Pricing is still up in the air, but they could run anywhere from $100-$250 per pair. Speaking of Blu-ray, you'll also need a source device. While companies like DirecTV and Discovery Channel plan to offer 3D broadcasts later this year and into 2011, initially, you'll need a 3D-capable Blu-ray player to enjoy content. Following from this is of course the 3D Blu-ray disc to insert into the player. Monsters vs. Aliens will be the first title to be released on 3D Blu-ray, but we can expect more to become available, like Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and, of course, Avatar.

Finally, the last part of the equation is an HDMI 1.4 cable. There has been some confusion regarding cables and whether an HDMI 1.4 cable is required to watch 3D content. I have confirmed with HDMI Licensing, LLC that only a "high-speed" HDMI cable is required, regardless of which specification. According to the organization, HDMI cable manufacturers are no longer permitted to use the numbers to market their products. HDMI cables should fall under only two categories: standard and high-speed. That means that as long as a cable is "high speed", it should be able to carry the full 1080p 3D signal. Bottom line: if you have a cable labeled "HDMI 1.3", it can indeed be used to transmit a 3D signal, as long as it's "high speed". HDMI Licensing claims that an A/V receiver based on HDMI 1.3 "may or may not" be able to pass a 3D signal, but would require a firmware upgrade. Bottom line: you won't know for sure until you try.

3D is pie in the sky and isn't ready yet: 3D is very much ready. I've seen it for myself! And we will see products at retail as early as the end of this month and into the summer of this year. Content is also abundant and coming. I mentioned Monsters vs. Aliens and Avatar already. Disney may be releasing The Lion King in 3D next year;. ESPN will launch a 3D version by June, kicking off with a World Cup soccer match between South Africa and Mexico. Discovery is going to launch a 3D channel in 2011, and that includes Canada. DirecTV in the U.S. will carry three 3D channels this summer that require only a free software upgrade from consumers. One will include the Baseball All Stars Game. It'll include movies and documentaries.

You can watch any 3D TV with any pair of glasses: This is not true. With active shutter glasses, each is specific to the TV manufacturer, so not every pair will work with every 3D TV.) It's similar to video game systems: you can't use a Wii controller with the PlayStation 3, for example. It is possible, however, that third-party companies could make glasses that work with a variety of 3DTVs.

You have to wear the glasses to watch regular TV: It sounds silly, but plenty of people believe that the glasses need to be worn to watch anything on a 3D TV. Remember: 3D TVs are just regular 2D TVs that can also play back 3D content when you want to watch it. When you don't, they function just like standard TVs; they just look much nicer! However, if you want to watch 3D content then yes, you do need to wear the glasses.

3D is cheesy: If you think back to the fun amusement park rides and 3D content of yesteryear, you're bound to view 3D as just a cheesy way of watching movies that looks artificial and in-your-face. 3D has come a long way, and many of the demos I've seen look spectacular. 3D adds depth to the picture and, in some cases, like with sports or action movies, you feel like you're right in the action. With animation, it adds a fun element to the viewing experience. It has a realistic quality to it that really draws you in, much like high-definition does with a hockey game or frightening scene in a horror movie. It represents another level; a step above HD.

3D is easy to integrate for broadcasters: You might think it's a simple process, so why aren't broadcasters on the ball? 3D uses about twice the amount of spectrum that a regular TV channel uses, which poses obvious issues for broadcasters. But they are indeed actively looking into offering content. In Canada, Rogers has said that it may even launch a 3D demo channel this year.

You'll be able to watch 3D content through a PlayStation 3: This is true. Sony has confirmed that all that will be required is a firmware upgrade for the popular gaming console to be able to support 3D Blu-ray discs. In fact, the company is already demonstrating 3D gaming through a PS3 at select Sony Style locations in Canada.

Read the full article at: www.marketnews.ca

Lutron Lighting and Shades

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-11T13:25:21-08:00

I am very excited to welcome Lutron Electronics into our line card. Lutron offers a complete line of lighting control solutions for residences as well as for commercial projects.

What is light control?
Light control is the ability to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light in a room or throughout your whole home or business. With Lutron, you can adjust the amount of daylight with electronically controlled shades and drapes, and electric lights with dimmers and switches. And you can conveniently control it all with keypads, sensors, and other light control devices to create the perfect balance of daylight and electric light to suit your lifestyle.

So whether you are a homeowner seeking to enhance the appearance or atmosphere of a single room, or a facilities manager looking to enhance employee productivity and comfort while reducing energy-related costs throughout an entire corporate campus, Lutron can offer you the best value lighting control solutions that will meet or exceed your expectations while staying within your budget.

Contact me today and I’ll help you see your world in a different light!
(Download the Lutron RadioRa2 Brochure)

Control4 Premium Gold 2010 Dealer

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-11T13:05:36-08:00

In a third year in a row, we have once again been awarded the honour of being a Premium Control 4 Gold Dealer. This highlights us as a custom integration dealer who specialize in automation and have achieved key training, sales and experience requirements in Control4 products. “Control4 Premier Gold Dealers are uniquely qualified to make your life Everyday Easy.” We could not have achieved this designation without the support of our clients.

Finally. An iPod dock that does it all!

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-03-03T18:46:25-08:00

Introducing the all new iPort FS-23 free-standing iPod/iPhone dock. This dock transforms your iPod or iPhone into a Digital Media System with On-Screen Navigation. Besides standing out as dock that connects to your TV with a full GUI (Graphical User Interface), the dock connects to your local network! This virtually allows you to sync you iPod or iPhone over your network without having to dock it directly to your computer. The advantages of a network connection can be quickly realized. You basically have a very inexpensive Media Server and fully unlocks your media even if they are DRM protected. It also has a remote zone IR control input so that the FS-23 Dock can be controlled from any room with several different control devices including Control4 or a Harmony Remote. Connects to your TV via component cables to give you the most optimized video playback of your Movies, TV Shows or Photos. Audio can be connected to your Hi-Fi system or directly to the TV for rich sound.

Other features include:
• View and navigate content from the iPod/iPod touch directly on your TV
• Charge the iPod/iPod touch while docked
• Select music, video, song, artist, album, and playlist
• View an elegant Now Playing screen that indicates title, artist, and album with cover art provided by the iPod/ iPod touch.
• iPort standard IR remote
• Control iPod/iPod touch settings such as equalizer,
• repeat, and shuffle
• Built-in pre-amplifier for variable volume control
• Stop-motion screen saver with time adjustment

Contact me for pricing and availability

Cambridge Audio's one

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-02-10T16:02:56-08:00

Cambridge Audio’s “ONE” micro system has all the features a music lover would want wrapped in to a smart package. This fully integrated system comes with a built in CD Player that also plays WMA and MP3 CD’s. It also has a built in SD and USB reader that is accessible from the front, dedicated MP3 player input via a 3mm front jack, DAB/FM RDS radio tuner and a full function iPod Dock that can be all operated by a sleek remote control.

Along with all the multitude of mediums the ONE is able to play, the unit also come with an alarm clock, 2 additional inputs and a subwoofer output for those that want extra bass and want 2.1 performance. The built in Alarm will wake up to either the DAB or FM radio. The alarm feature would have been better if it was able to wake up to any source, like a playlist on your iPod. The chassis of the “ONE” is a full 215mm metal body and available in either black or silver. It has plenty of punch with a 60 watt amplifier and even had a headphone jacket to personal listening. The front LED display has a two line text feed back and can be dimmed for bedside placement. The “ONE” truly achieves so much from just one stylish neat box.

iPad for Control4 Integration & Automation

Harry Saini | Digital Smart Homes — 2010-02-06T12:39:15-08:00

The introduction of Apple’s iPad has made it much more affordable to add a touch screen panel to your home automation system. A touch screen from a Home Automation vendor can be as much 10 times higher than an iPad loaded with Home Automation software. When the iPad is released in late March, the cost of owning a touch screen panel to operate a Control4 Automation system will become under $900. Not only will the iPad give you “Door to your Drape” control, but with additional apps from iTunes you will be able to start you car, stream media and much more all from one powerful interface. The iPad will also act as a mobile controller out side of your “Home Zone” whereas proprietary controllers only work within the homes wireless coverage.

So if you can imagine.., your on the couch reading an eBook on your iPad and listening to music, the door bell rings and the music automatically pauses. You simply switch to your Control4 app to see who’s at the front door before you unlock the door...all from your iPad anywhere in your home or anywhere in the world. The iPad will not only bring new and exciting innovations but will effect electronics that already exist in your car, at businesses, in schools and at home today.