Blog - Page 3 of 4 - Total Home Technologies

#TRENDING: Home Theatre Control

You’re ready to begin movie night but with a basket full of remote controls for your home theatre, one has gone missing…. again. With a control system, you’re able to fire up your system with a single press of a button or voice-activated control. “Alexa, watch Apple TV”. The room lighting starts to dim, the TV or projector turns on, all audio components are properly set, and Apple TV is selected and displayed on the screen. And just like that, it’s movie time!

Benefits of a Universal Control System:

Single remote or mobile app to control all your electronic components. No more juggling remotes.
Electronic components can be placed in cabinetry or in another room without any loss of signal. No more line of sight control is needed and it keeps the room simple and clean without any visible wires.
Integration with systems such as lighting, TV/projector lifts, motorized projection screens, motorized shades, and much more. Anything is possible!
Advanced automation customization options are available. Pausing a movie will bring up the lights to 15%, allowing people to move around. Pressing play will turn them back off while resuming the movie.
Handheld remotes can be customized based on the user. Grant access to certain services for children or guests. Rechargeable batteries are also a plus. No more searching for batteries.
Control systems can be expanded to other parts of the home. Such as security, HVAC, ceiling fan control, garage overhead door, door locks, and much more.

For even more home theatre and control possibilites, check out Savant and Elan.

https://elancontrolsystems.com/

https://www.savant.com/

#TRENDING: Converting Your Old CD’s to Digital

Do you still have old CDs lying around that you have no idea what to do with? Here’s a Pro Tip! Convert them into a digital format using CD ripping software. Total Home Technologies offers a CD digital conversion service where we take your CD collection and digitize them into a high-resolution audio format. These files can then be played through your favorite music system. Contact us for more information.

Advantages to Converting Your CDs to Digital Format

Protect your investment. You’ve already spent money on purchasing your CDs, why re-purchase digital music you already own?
Higher quality. CD’s have a much higher quality sound than most online streaming services or downloadable music. Audio CD bitrate is always 1,411 kilobits per second (Kbps). The MP3 format can range from around 96 to 320Kbps, and most streaming services range from around 96 to 256Kbps.
Ability to play your CDs through your favorite music system. Systems like Savant, Elan, Sonos, and many others have the capability of playing high-resolution audio tracks. You can even download them to your phone or portable device.
Frees up space. No more need for that old CD player, storage racks and cases with missing discs laying around.

Landscape Lighting in Bloom

Finally! It’s starting to look and feel a lot like springtime in Calgary!

This must mean it’s time to start planning your annual landscaping. Will it be roses or lilies, tulips or petunias? But once all the gardening is done and you are admiring all of your hard work, does it still feel like something is missing? Maybe you need to add the element of landscape lighting!

Why should you only be able to watch your beautiful creations bloom during the day? There is a magic that happens at night and with Inlite outdoor lighting, we can add a layer of beauty that can only be experienced in the dark.

Total Home Technologies is excited to add Inlite outdoor and landscape lighting to our automation family!

Lighting designs are limitless and can be tied into your current home automation system or run on their own schedule. From the front of the home, tree and garden features to everything back yard, patio, stairs and fences, Inlite has an option for you.

Not only does landscape lighting offer amazing night views of your home, garden and yard, but it also offers additional security in dark areas of your property. All wires are easily hidden and products are outdoor rated for our crazy Canadian winters.

From the initial design to the final installation, we can help you take the next step in a beautifully designed outdoor space for you to enjoy this spring and summer.

#Trending – Home Theatre Power Conditioning

Over the past few months, we’ve been diving into home theatres and media rooms. This month, we’re going to take a look at the most important area for any electronic device, power conditioning and management. Simply put… No Power = No System.

So… You’ve just purchased an entertainment system, home automation system or another electronic device.

What’s the first thing you do? You may make your connections to other devices, connection to your TV, speaker connections, etc. Eventually, you’re going to plug it into the wall for power. Whether it is an advanced and complete home theatre system, a single electronic component, an appliance or a computer, it’ll need the power to function. Of course, you are looking forward to powering up and having a great experience but first… what are you plugging into?

Most electronics get plugged directly into a wall outlet.

This leaves them completely defenceless against catastrophic power surges such as a lightning strike. But everyday power spikes and over and under-voltage occurrences from standard household devices such as vacuums, refrigerators, microwaves can noticeably degrade your electronics’ lifespan and performance over time. It’s not just the AC power line. Without protection on signal and data lines, the equipment is still susceptible to damage from an outside lightning strike.

Think of power conditioning and management as the secret service for the president. It’s there to ensure all your electronics are protected from catastrophic events.

Need more than two outlets?

Many of us turn to power strips or surge protectors but how much protection do these devices offer? Inexpensive strips often provide little to no protection against catastrophic voltage events, repeated over and under-voltages, or performance corrupting AC line noise. Be sure to check specifications and make sure you know what you are plugging into.

Protect your investment!

Having a proper power conditioning and management system in place can mean the difference between replacing electronic components every few years, or having them last for 10+ years or more. Before you plugin that electronic device, ask yourself… What am I plugging this into? If you don’t know, give us a call and we can help!