If you have a dedicated home theater, you’re looking to recreate the cinema experience without the headaches that come with a visit to the local multiplex. A big part of that experience comes from the quality of the video, and with the rise of 4K Ultra HD resolution, you can now view movies in crystal clear detail.

Kaleidescape is changing the game when it comes to easy access to 4K media. This home theater system features an expansive digital store filled with 4K films, but it also gives you the opportunity to import your DVDs and Blu-Rays so you can access them at any time without a disc.

Read on to learn about the benefits of adding a Kaleidescape server to your New York City home.

SEE ALSO: Are You Placing Price Ahead of Your Home Theater System Performance?

4K Video with the Touch of a Button

The most popular streaming services offer 4K Ultra HD resolution for certain films, but the selections on those services aren’t comprehensive and are constantly changing. Your favorite movie might be on Netflix one month but disappear the next, only to show up again a year later.

Here in New York City, we know that it might be difficult to find the space to build a dedicated home theater.

But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the movie-viewing experience in your home. In fact, you can still enjoy a high-end home theater system featuring state-of-the-art technology – just in a more hybrid environment.

In this post, we share three of the best technologies you can showcase in a custom media room design that will enhance the movie-watching experience for you and your guests.

Just scroll down below to find out more.

SEE ALSO: 4 Must-Haves to Create the Ultimate Home Media Room

Considering an upgrade to your home and not sure where to start? What about lighting control that enhances your home’s beauty and efficiency?

Maybe you’re not sure about what you’re even looking to upgrade or add when it comes to your lighting solution.

Enter Lutron programming.

We’ve all been there: we leave a room only to realize we forgot to turn the lights off. Or maybe you often waste energy leaving lights on when natural sunlight is available to illuminate your room.

It can be a hassle keeping up with your home’s lighting. Fortunately, a Lutron lighting control system allows easy control of all the lights in your New York City home. In this blog, we will outline some of the features and benefits of a Lutron lighting control system. Keep reading to learn more.

See Also: 3 Ways Home Lighting and Shade Control Enhance Your Well-Being

Customization

Adjust your lighting system throughout the day according to your specific needs, or change the mood of any room or area to accommodate for a certain occasion.

Whether you are having people over for a large party, an intimate dinner, or getting ready to call it a night, a lighting control system allows you create scenes to set the lighting just right to fit any occasion.

Many homeowners have different reasons for investing in smart shades: the luxurious look and feel, the customized control, the desire to stay on top of the latest technology, or all of the above.

Lutron shading control solutions have many benefits that can apply to any New York City homeowner, which is why we partner with them. In this blog, we’ll outline some of those benefits and what they mean for your home.

See Also: Smart Home Automation for Every New York Property

Convenient Control

Shading control from Lutron means full control from the device most convenient to you.

We can set up a customized keypad so that you can adjust all shades with a single touch. The seeTouch Designer wallstation is one option available with HomeWorks and Sivoia QED wired shading systems. It’s available in multiple colors and allows complete control with just the tap of a button.

When it comes to shading solutions, the right fit can make or break a room. This is why we’ve partnered with Lutron to provide the best in motorized shades for your New York City home. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the motorized shading options that Lutron has to offer, with an emphasis on one of our favorites: the Palladiom Shading System.

See Also: Motorized Window Treatments Enhance Every Space in Your Manhattan Apartment

Palladiom Shading System

Its intentional and innovative design is distinctly Lutron. The system maintains the standards of whisper-quiet technology, flawless function, and elegant style. Let’s break down a few of Palladiom’s features:

• Minimalist aesthetic: The system is sleek with a slender 3-inch total profile. This means that you avoid a clunky looking system that distracts from the rest of your room.

• Matching products: Uniformity among your hardware provides a more consistent and purposeful design in your home. Select the same tone and finish for your keypads as your shading hardware for a polished look.

• Exposed bracket: Rather than hiding the technology, Lutron has decided to show it off. The brackets hide the electronics that make the shades work but can be opened if needed. The exposed bracket is available in black, white or satin nickel, making it a strategic decorative move.

• Quiet performance: Why install a noisy piece of a technology? Especially when it comes to home technology like your smart shading system, you shouldn’t — and don’t — have to compromise.

The Palladiom’s design allows it to fit anywhere. You can use a ceiling or wall mount depending on your needs, preference or home layout.

Regardless of your home’s architectural style, the shades and its brackets will fit seamlessly into any window frame or recess.

Imagine waking up for your day, walking into your bathroom or dressing room to get ready, and seeing all the updates that you care about displayed on the mirror in front of you.

Sound like a dream?

With Séura’s SMART Mirror, that vision has become a reality. Take the next step in customizing your New York City area home with this luxurious upgrade that will change the way you interact with your technology.

In this blog, we will take a look at the defining features of the Séura SMART Mirror and what those features might mean for your daily routine.

See Also: Is a Loud Ceiling Ruining Your Interior Décor?

Chances are, you own a 4K Ultra HD TV.

Chances are, you love it.

And chances are, you don’t want to ditch it in favor of an old-fashioned movie projector.

But if you’re interested in a fully immersive video display in your New York City, NY property, you may just want to rethink that position.

In this blog, we’ll explore why projector and screen combinations are a cornerstone of home theater design.

With so many lighting control options available through Lutron, it can be easy to get a bit overwhelmed. We believe that selecting the right Lutron dimmer is essential to making your New York City home as luxurious as possible. Luxury in your home means convenience, ease of use, style and functionality. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few Lutron dimmers and what you need to know about each of them.

See Also: Unsurpassed Beauty and Style from Lutron and ACS

Palladiom QS Wallstations

The Palladiom QS Wallstations have a sleek, minimalist design for a subtle addition to your home. They incorporate settings for specific moments or moods, like “Dine,” “Entertain,” “Evening” and more. This means that you can program your lighting system to dim to a certain level for any occasion with a single touch.

The faceplates and buttons are flush to each other and use consistent material. This creates a smooth and minimalist aesthetic.

The buttons are large with simple, backlit text. This ensures an easy to use (and easy to find) solution to operating your lighting system and motorized shades. Why fumble around in the dark to find a remote when you can just search for that simple go-to wall plate? Don’t worry about the backlighting being too bright in the middle of the night; it automatically adjusts to the room’s light levels.

Now that the MP3 is officially dead and streaming services like Spotify and Tidal are offering lossless audio subscription tiers, it’s the perfect time to invest in a high-end audio upgrade for your New York City property. But if you think all you need to get optimized sound is a wireless speaker taking up space on your bookshelf, you’re in for a disappointment. Instead, top-quality audio is about choosing the right components and optimizing your space for the perfect listening experience. Interested in learning more? Keep reading.

See Also: What We Loved at CEDIA 2017

Understanding Speakers

While they’re not always the first place to start building your system, many homeowners believe speakers are the most important part of an audio chain. But instead of scouring online forums and blogs about which speaker sounds best, you have to consider how they’ll sound in your space.

No two speaker brands are the same, just like no two rooms are exactly the same. Taking an in-depth look at the cabinet crafting, the materials of the drivers and other details will help inform your decision on which speaker will sound best in your space. However, there’s never a substitute for actually listening to the units.

The Custom Electronics Design and Installation’s annual showcase of the coolest and newest tech products may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still drooling over some the great new smart home technology coming down the line. From awesome new touch-panel mirror TVs to the resurgence of vinyl that will bring you back to your record-collecting heyday, we got to take a look at all of the best stuff that will be available this holiday season and beyond. Want to sneak a peek? We’ve chosen some of our favorites below. Keep reading to find out more!

See Also: 3 Unique Stylistic Solutions for Your Home Entertainment

Seura Smart Mirror 

A smart TV in your bathroom mirror is a great idea. You can catch up on the morning news while shaving or brushing your teeth. But you know what’s better than a smart TV? A complete smart home hub in your bathroom mirror – and that’s exactly what Seura is offering with their latest product.

The Seura Smart Mirror allows you to do a lot more than just watch TV; you can utilize apps, receive up-to-the-minute weather reports and yes, control your entire smart home before you’re done with your morning routine. It’s all completely customizable with access to the Google App store, so you can simplify the way you start your day. Plus, it’s fully equipped with voice control so you can enjoy hands-free access. 

Largely on the back of paid streaming subscriptions, the music industry is having a revival. According to the IFPI Global Music Report, 112 million users subscribed to paid streaming services in 2016 for a revenue growth of 60 percent that helped offset a decline in digital downloads and physical purchases. Both the recording and audio manufacturing industries are looking to capitalize on this growth by offering greater streaming catalogs and creating better music streaming solutions.

In this blog, we help you find the best way to join the streaming music bandwagon in your New York City or Long Island home. Keep reading to find out which streaming services offer the best quality and how you can upgrade to streaming music services. This way you’re not relegated to listening on your phone or computer.

SEE MORE: Elevate Your Music Listening Experience with Whole Home Audio

Best Music Streaming Services

Deciding on the right streaming service to use can depend greatly on what your priorities are. Below we highlight the ones we like to use most—though if you’re an avid fan of a specific band or artist, you should always make sure they don’t have exclusive deals with a particular service.

As the summer months approach, it’s almost impossible to deal with the fluctuating temperatures in the New York metropolitan area. In just the past week, the city has seen highs of 90 degrees and lows of 50. With a smart thermostat, you don’t have to play catch up. Your home is always at your ideal temperature and with a lending hand from some of your other technology—including your motorized window shades—you don’t have to expend ridiculous amounts of energy to stay cool. Below we highlight some of the best smart thermostat features that you can take advantage of this summer.

SEE MORE: Motorized Window Treatments Enhance Every Space in your Apartment

Make it Easy to Set the Temperature

Traditional thermostats can be a hassle to program as you try to figure out what all the buttons on the panel mean. One of the coolest aspects of a smart thermostat is that it’s easy to manage from a mobile app or even through voice commands if you have Amazon Alexa. The app comes with simple graphics that let you choose a room, set the temperature, and turn fans on and off.

Access Your System on the Go

Amazon Echo, the surprise tech hit of the 2016, is transforming the way homeowners and renters control nearly every aspect of the places they call home. Pair this new voice control technology with the endless custom automation possibilities of Crestron, and you get a highly personalized home, one that fits your unique needs.

The Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice. Since its launch in 2014, the speaker has rapidly evolved into a powerful digital assistant and smart home hub. The device, which is about the size of two soup cans stacked on top of one another, allows users to play music, control lights, shades and temperature, get news, sports scores, weather, and access other smart home features.

All you have to do is ask. The hub is controlled by simply speaking to it. Because the system integrates with Crestron, Audio Command Systems can offer the next generation in home automation to both new and existing customers.

Components of the System

Alexa is the voice-activated personal assistant technology that allows users to control the Amazon Echo, the speaker that resembles a Pringle can, and the Dot, its hockey puck-sized counterpart. Alexa is the brains behind the system, and since it is built in the cloud, it’s always getting smarter. With a few additional devices, you can control everything from your thermostat to your door locks. Or if you prefer, you can take a more leisurely approach, setting up a couple of lights, and adding more devices to your collection down the line. Additionally, Amazon Prime members can ask Alexa to order products much like they would order online from the website.

According to new data from Houzz, a leading home improvement website, outdoor lighting is one of the most popular exterior technologies among homeowners today. Of the 1,000 U.S. homeowners who participated in the survey, nearly 57 percent plan to upgrade their exterior lighting. The 2016 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey also found that 10 percent of homeowners report they are adding outdoor media.

Among the outdoor features that homeowners plan to illuminate are:

With an almost limitless number of options to transform your backyard, patio, deck or balcony, knowing where to start is often the most difficult part. As the popularity of outdoor living has grown so too has the focus on outdoor lighting. The right color temperature and quality of light are no longer design elements of only your interior spaces. Lighting is now being used to create inviting outdoor spaces that add more enjoyment to your property.

SEE ALSO: Seven Ways to Save Energy with Home Lighting Control

Our friends at Coastal Source offer a wide variety of outdoor lighting fixtures and are among the finest available. Designed to withstand the elements and outlast any other product, Coastal Source provides excellent value. Whether you want to showcase your home's landscape, illuminate stairs and pathways, or highlight your dock with waterfront lighting, Coastal Source's LED fixtures are the right solution. According to the same Houzz survey, while outdoor lighting may serve many purposes, it is first and foremost about the design and comfort of the outdoor space. Some of the top reasons for updating outdoor lighting include the following:

When homeowners consider what smart technology to add to their homes, they often contemplate automated HVAC and lighting control or media rooms with high-performance speakers and stunning visuals.  Yet one of the most overlooked pieces of home technology, designed for your windows, are motorized shades.  This elegant addition to any sun drenched room adds comfort, convenience, and beauty.  Let’s explore further how motorized window treatments can augment various rooms in your home.

Living room
Sun exposure throughout the day can damage room interiors.  Faded floors, sun bleached upholstery, and cracked wood finishes are just some of the results of too much sun.  With automated shades, homeowners can easily protect furniture, fine art, rugs, and wood surfaces from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  And the best part, you don’t need to be home to open or close the blinds.  Motorized window treatments can be programmed to respond to temperature fluctuations inside the room, scheduled for time of day or season, and compensate for sunrise and sunset changes throughout the year with their astronomic clock.  

SEE ALSO:  3 Ways Shade Automation Improves Your Outlook

Dining room
Motorized shades and draperies not only add style and elegance to your dining room, but can easily transition the space to create the right amount of light for a dinner party or add privacy for a late-night family snack.  Perfectly aligning the shades within a bank of windows is nearly impossible.  But with motorized window treatments, every shade can move in perfect synchronization, and without those unsightly pull cords.  A motorized shading system can also incorporate lighting controls for ultimate ambiance control.

Media room
Enjoy more movies and television without harsh glare or a washed-out picture due to sunlight streaming through the windows.  Press the play button on your remote and watch as the shades respond appropriately by lowering to block out sunlight.  Want to see just how simple, yet elegant this kind of control can be?  Take control of a media room including the lights, music, shades, and the television using our interactive demo.

A home theater system is one of the most exciting entertainment options that provides you and your family years of continued enjoyment. The thought of selecting components for a home theater might seem a daunting task, so we've put together this guide on essential home theater elements to assure an excellent private theater experience in your New York home.

Essential Element #1 Distraction-free, high quality acoustical environment
A home theater starts with a space that incorporates acoustic qualities and treatments that enhance the user’s listening experience, while also isolating the space to minimize residual sound that “leaks" into other areas of the home.  Proper acoustical treatment in a theater is a science that involves the proper use of acoustic element and materials, as well as construction techniques that will: diffuse, reflect and absorb different frequencies of the audio program to enhance sound quality. Getting your home theater acoustics right greatly improves the emotional effect and overall enjoyment of the theater space - and your entire home.

SEE ALSO: Why do Acoustics Matter in a Home Theater?

Essential Element #2: Video Display Device
Within a home theater, the visual experience is certainly an important one to consider. After all, isn't the idea to bring the movie theater experience home? The size and layout of the room will determine the size of the screen that the space can accommodate. Whether you want to hide the projection screen in the ceiling or have it rise from the floor, ACS will make the design process easy so you get the best view from every seat in the room.  

Video projectors have come down in price dramatically in recent years, allowing homeowners to achieve excellent results for far less then it cost even five years ago.  Among the features to look for in a video projector are:

Savant Systems, a leader in luxury home automation, will change the way you enjoy your home. Control the lights, climate, entertainment, and security with ease.  Whether you’re new to the world of smart homes, an old pro, or somewhere in between, ACS can design and install a system that fits your lifestyle, personal taste, and your pocketbook.  Read on to learn more about experiencing your New York home in a completely different way.

Direct Your Home from Your Favorite Seat
Savant recently announced the launch of its newest product, the Savant Remote that promises a smart home setup in minutes. The slick home automation system is not only wonderfully simple, but it’s significantly less costly. It’s a hub, a high-resolution touchscreen remote, and a control device for a lamp, all of which communicate over WiFi. The remote works via Bluetooth so there’s no need to point it in any particular direction. Its capabilities are somewhat limited, focusing on entertainment and lighting. However, there are some standout features that make the system shine. They include the ability to work the remote using voice control, a mobile app that gives you all the same features as the remote, and the ability to create scenes so you can easily turn on the TV to a specific channel and dim the lights at the press of a button. The system works with Sonos, Roku, and most modern televisions. Savant plans to add more devices like shades, locks, and connected light bulbs.

SEE ALSO: Crestron, the Leader in Luxury Home Automation, Enhances their Pyng Platform

Arrange Everything in Your Home Just the Way You Like It
If you desire a whole-home system customized for the way you live, Savant Pro offers a more expansive array of features, functions, and solutions to meet your every need. A single app offers unparalleled convenience to control lights, climate, entertainment, and security from an intuitive interface. Schedule outdoor lights to turn on just before you arrive home from work or save energy by setting the system to turn off lights in empty rooms. Use your Apple Watch to adjust the thermostat remotely so you'll be comfortable when you get home; schedule shades to close in the middle of the day to increase energy efficiency, plus keep an eye on your vacation home with alerts about extreme cold or humidity.

Entertain with ease and gain peace of mind
Whether you’re dining with friends or spending time with family, Savant is one touch away. Steam HD video from Netflix, Apple TV, or Hulu and watch up to nine things at once on the big screen using the TrueControl App. Rest easy with Savant home security solutions, whether you are home or away. Easily create different settings for a “lived-in” look to keep your home safe when you are gone. Tap the “Away” scene to effortlessly close the shades, lock the doors, and arm the alarm. Savant Pro also delivers solutions for even the most unique homes, with controls for amenities such as pools and home theaters.

For now, gone are the days spent outside enjoying the late summer sun.  But the arrival of fall signals the beginning of the long-awaited football season.  Whether you’re a “J-E-T-S!” fan, cheer for Big Blue, or spend your Saturdays watching college football, ACS can design a media room the whole family will enjoy.  Read on to learn more about how smart technology can enhance your home entertainment.

Enjoy more entertainment in more spaces

As families start to spend more time indoors, sharing the remote and agreeing on which movie or sporting event to watch becomes a challenge.  At ACS, we can expand your entertainment options and design a system that lets you enjoy movies and games in any room of your home.  In the living room relive past Super Bowls with NFL Game Pass, let the kids watch their favorite Pixar movie in the family room, while your spouse streams episodes of his or her favorite cooking show in the kitchen.  

SEE ALSO: Let Us Create the Perfect Sounding and Perfect Looking Solution

Regardless of how many televisions are located throughout your home, ACS can install a system that reduces the number of electronic components while maintaining full access to your music, streaming video, and television shows.  ACS will also integrate audio and video control with the other systems in your home for effortless control at your fingertips.  Easily adjust the lights, shades, climate, and security system along with audio and video using your Savant app.

There are a number of ways to save energy in your home. By conducting a simple audit, homeowners can identify where energy is being used and where it’s being wasted. With a home lighting control system, you can reduce energy consumption, cut costs, and improve your lifestyle.  We’ve put together a short list of eco-friendly facts and the benefits of installing lighting solutions in your New York home.  Some are often overlooked and a few might even surprise you. 

1. Lutron dimmers extend the life of your light bulbs

Typical light controls consist of a simple on/off switch, rather than a dimmer. Whether it is the middle of the day or late in the evening, each fixture emits the same amount of light. With dimming, you can reduce the amount of power to a lighting source, thus saving energy and extending the life of the bulb. All types of bulbs can be dimmed including halogens, CFLs and LEDs. Halogen bulbs can last up to 20 times longer when used with a dimmer, and dimming them 35 percent reduces energy use by 28 percent.

2. Lutron lighting control improves productivity and increases comfort

Through dimming, homeowners can easily control the quantity of light in a room to fit a specific task or create a special mood. This in turn not only improves ambiance, but also saves energy in the process. Plus, increased comfort levels lead to increased productivity.