In today’s globalized economy, the workforce is made up of more remote and mobile employees, customers, partners and colleagues.  Thus the ability to collaborate at any time, in anyplace is vital to a company’s success.  Due to the changing workforce and the new economy in which we live, the demand for web and video conferencing has exploded.  The majority of business professionals agree that the best alternative to in-person meetings is video conferencing rather than phone calls.  Whether your headquarters are in located in New York, California or Florida, or if you have remote offices across the world, you’ll want to be sure your boardroom audio and video is up to the task for true collaboration. 

With a variety of dedicated video-conferencing and web based conferencing tools out there, how does one know which type of technology will best suit their needs?  We’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of both traditional video conferencing and web-based options.

Traditional Video Conferencing Services

If you’re looking to build a dedicated boardroom to host meetings with participants near and far and make everyone feel as though they are in the same room, then traditional conferencing – along with a properly engineered multiple microphone system - is best situated to meet your needs.  This system allows for the ultimate viewing experience by utilizing large screens and video walls.  Meeting hosts can slice up content on multiple screens, keeping everyone on the same page during presentations.

Because stand-alone video conferencing systems often utilize multiple cameras, your presentations and sales pitches become more impactful. Because the cameras can detect motion, they’ll seamlessly transition views when a different participant begins speaking.  Traditional video conferencing provides the same level of real-life interaction as watching a professional football game on TV; participants experience all the hard hitting action from multiple camera angles.

The emerging wearables industry promises to improve sleep, enhance communication, and motivate you to move more.  From smartwatches and heart monitors to pedometers and VR headsets, wearables are more than a tool.  They’re about a personalized experience and an expression of one’s tastes.  The same could be said about Audio Command Systems.  We’ve designed and installed thousands of custom systems for some of the most discerning clients across the country.  We’re excited to bring you technology that helps bring a human touch to your integrated systems.

The Apple Watch™ is by far the most ambitious and well-constructed smartwatch on the market. Interacting with the Apple Watch is as intuitive as using an iPhone or working on a Mac, and was designed to enhance the way you live.  Apple and lighting control leader Lutron Electronics have expanded their harmonious alliance, allowing you to get personally connected to your home – first from your smartphone and now your wrist.

Control your home from your wrist

Lutron’s QS Wireless system will connect people with their homes through the Apple Watch, allowing homeowners to conveniently control lights, shades, and temperature right from their wrist.  Whether you’re sitting by the pool, driving home from the office, or miles away on a vacation, you now have control anytime anywhere.  Turn lights on before the kids arrive home so they never have to enter a dark house, or easily transform the dining room into an ideal place to host a dinner party.

See your home at a glance

From smart TVs and refrigerators to laptops and tablets, nearly every device we own is connected to the Internet.  The quality of the network is the foundation for a great system be it a home theater or fully automated house.  Today’s fast paced lifestyle and need to access everything at our finger tips makes a reliable, robust, and secure home network a requirement for most families.  We’ve come to think of a reliable wired and wireless network as another utility within our homes.  We depend on it to conduct business, stream music and videos, download files, and play online games.  The networking staff at ACS is poised to build a rock solid network for your New York, Florida and California residence.  Read on to learn about the key features of a network designed and installed by ACS.

Quality equipment, superior configuration

Audiovisual technology of today has transformed our lives and require a reliable network to perform properly. Gone are the days when you could visit an electronics store, buy the necessary networking equipment and set it up using the default settings. We install networking components from partners like Ruckus, Dell, and Cisco to bring you the best quality network solution. But that’s just the first step. Having high quality equipment is not enough. The efficiency and strength of a professionally integrated network is what sets a home system from ACS apart. We’ll eliminate disruptions and interference from other networks; program your network to prioritize different activities like streaming movies and downloading music, so all of your favorite activities remain uninterrupted.

Secure, reliable and robust

A hard-wired network is more secure and we recommend that it be business grade. There’s invisible protection built into the way the network is designed. We can further protect your home network by building you a guest network that prohibits access to other devices. Your entire network is protected without undo interruption. The network is there when you need it and can deal with increased capacity during parties and holiday gatherings. Whether you’re streaming your favorite Netflix sitcom on a tablet or your kids are finishing homework on their laptops a robust network supports all these activities so everyone gets what they want no matter where in the house they are at. In addition, we’ll proactively monitor the system so we know when there’s an issue before the homeowner does. These alerts keep the equipment performing and in turn last longer.

Light in your home is not merely functional; it’s part of the décor, enhancing every experience within the space.  Whether it’s an evening curled up on the sofa with a favorite movie, a laughter-filled dinner party, or a serene afternoon in a quiet corner with a best-selling novel, Lutron offers an unrivalled range of lighting control solutions that can create and enhance a mood.  Strong and bright, soft and subtle, or dramatic and theatrical; see what light can do for your life.  ACS’ years of experience allow us to deliver a truly individual solution for your home. For decades ACS has partnered with Lutron for its continual advancement in redefining how you control light in a space. The latest innovation is the Palladiom™ keypad.

With Lutron’s Palladiom keypads pressing one button can lower light from table lamps and recessed fixtures, and adjust shades to create the right atmosphere for enjoying the latest movie.  Another button will adjust the lighting level to a brighter setting for shooting a round of pool.  Wall stations incorporate temperature along with lighting and shades, providing the optimal user experience.

The Palladiom keypads combine subtle elegance with architectural design. To give the keypads a consistent aesthetic, the buttons and faceplate are flush with each other and made from the same material; 10 architectural matte colors, 11 metal finishes, and clear glass, making it easy to complement any décor. Choose light almond to match a neutral color palette throughout your home or antique bronze to coordinate with your faucet, handles and knobs in your kitchen. Your wall and fixture coordination along with the ease of controlling lights, window treatments, and climate, will never be the same.

As part of the Lutron HomeWorks® QS system, wired Palladiom keypads and Wall Stations can control Lutron wireless QS dimmers and switches, making them an ideal choice for new construction or minor renovation. Lutron and ACS offer an unrivalled range of lighting solutions and installation expertise. Regardless of the size of your project or budget, from New York to California and Florida, call ACS to learn about “smart” solutions for your home.

One of the fastest growing companies in the luxury smart home market, Savant has become a recognized leader in home automation.  Today its systems are compatible with more than 5,000 products encompassing lighting, climate, entertainment, security as well as an in-home communication system that allows you to talk from your phone to the speakers in the house.  Are you in Metro New York?  Audio Command Systems can design a home automation system that will revolutionize the way in which you interact with your home.

Relationship with Apple®

Savant has formed a strong alliance with Apple and uses its hardware, in particular the Mac Mini, to run the software. Savant also uses Apple devices, including iPhones and wall-mounted iPods and iPads, to control and adjust the various subsystems within a home. Like most Apple products, the Savant System is easy to understand from the get-go and syncs automatically with all your Apple devices. Savant was also the first home automation company to develop an app for iOS, called TrueControl™. The app allows even the most discerning homeowner the ability to customize the way they interact with their home. Ease-of-use and attractiveness are two key features of the Savant system.

One example of how friendly the Savant experience can be involves taking pictures. Snap of photo of your living room using Savant’s TrueImage Control® and it becomes the touch screen to control your home. Press the lamp in your photo and it comes on. Turn on the TV, thermostat, and even your fireplace with a one touch. Using Apple’s iCloud service allows the Savant system to distribution audio throughout the entire home as well.

Total Control of Every Aspect of Your Home from Anywhere

Where should I have 4K in my home?

4K is ideal in the largest entertainment rooms in your home, such as a great room, family room, or, of course, a home theater. Your kids will be blown away by the immersive gaming experience with 4K. You don’t need 4K everywhere. Full HD is still perfectly fine for secondary rooms, such as bedrooms. If it’s your vacation home (perhaps in the Hamptons or Florida) consider how often you’re there and which room is used the most.

What about 4K content? Is there anything to watch?

Until recently, the answer was “not much.” But that’s rapidly changing. Online services are leading the charge. Netflix® already offers several TV series, including Breaking Bad and House of Cards, through their subscription on-demand service, and they’ve announced plans to produce more original 4K content starting this year. YouTube®, Hulu®, and Amazon® have likewise announced their plans to produce more original shows in 4K. 

There’s more. Within the next 18 months, Kaleidescape®, the leading manufacturer of movie servers for the home, plans to release a 4K player and provide access to 4K titles from major movie studios via digital downloads, and then streaming and discs. Sony® is also committed to 4K. They recently launched their Video Unlimited 4K download service, with access to an expanding library of 4K feature films and TV shows. And they’re shipping a 4K Blu-ray Disc™ Player that performs 4K upscaling of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.

The big buzz in consumer electronics is the new 4K, the common name for the Ultra HD TV format. So what is 4K, exactly, and how do you know when the time is right to get it for your home?

The basics

4K represents the next giant leap in image resolution. How big a leap? 4K creates images composed of nearly 8.3 million pixels, compared to about 2 million in a 1080p image, the full HD resolution produced by Blu-ray®. In other words, FOUR TIMES the resolution of the TVs that you’re likely watching now. These pixels are usually arranged in a 3,840 x 2,160 configuration, compared with the 1,920 x 1,080 for full HD TV, also known as “1080p.”

Is 4K different from Ultra HD?

Though not the same, the two terms have become interchangeable, thereby creating some confusion. “4K” is the most commonly used term. However, some consumer electronics manufacturers prefer “Ultra HD” because it distinguishes between the 3,840 x 2,160 resolution inherent to 16:9 ratio TVs and the 4,096 x 2,160 resolution most commonly used in digital cinemas. For our purposes, we’ll refer to it as 4K.

Would you like to take advantage of the latest lighting control conveniences, shade automation elegance, and energy management advancements without making holes in your walls and disrupting your life?

That’s where ACS and Lutron’s Wireless QS system comes in!  Lutron QS is a wireless, energy-saving lighting control, automated window treatment, and HVAC home control system that gives you the ability to tailor the environment throughout your entire home from simple intuitive devices.

Because QS utilizes Lutron’s patented Clear Connect® RF wireless technology, the system installs easily into existing homes without running any new wires removing the need to make “Swiss cheese” of your walls. It’s perfect for retrofit projects as well as new construction homes.

Standard switches and dimmers are replaced with “smart” lighting controls, old pull cord shades are replaced with battery powered shades, and all without running a single wire. Your new smart devices “talk” to each other to work in perfect combination. Lutron QS is also scalable, meaning you can start with a single room or a few rooms, and expand the system to cover your entire home when you’re ready.

With Wireless QS, you can:

If you are getting ready to construct a new home, putting in major renovations, or creating an addition, NOW is the time to partner with ACS to assist in the design of a centralized lighting control system from Lutron. Why? Besides having complete flexibility with switching, dimming, energy management and shade control in one system, consider this…

Aesthetics- ACS can work with you, your architect or interior designer to minimize clutter on your walls with a well-designed Lutron centralized lighting system. Instead of wiring local switches for each different zone of light in a room which results in an unsightly bank of switches and dimmers, you can have a single, elegant keypad that comes in a variety of finishes to match your décor.

Flexibility- You have the ability to control any one light, shade, and temperature zone from any single button on a keypad, touch screen or smart device. You maximize convenience and can accommodate a multitude of lifestyle applications for you and your family. When your needs or preferences change it’s easy to make adjustments to your settings.

Scalability – Centralized lighting systems offer maximum scalability. Everything from a Manhattan apartment to a sprawling Beverly Hills estate can be accommodated. Get ACS involved during the design phase of your large residence to collaborate with architects, designers and general contractors and ensure appropriate wiring infrastructures is implemented.

Reliability – ACS works with Lutron because their design, quality control and performance are unsurpassed in the industry. Wireless lighting control has proven to be effective, yet nothing can replace the tried and true results of a centralized system using dimming panels hard wired to local keypads via low voltage. In an emergency, multiple redundant systems further ensure uninterrupted operation.

Is there any part of the home you can’t make “smart?” More and more homes (and apartments and resorts, etc.) are being constructed with advanced technologies built in. Viking ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators are being delivered with WiFi, apps and touchscreens. Whether designing a new home, remodeling or a retrofit application ACS has solutions for introducing basic home automation. A great place to start is with something you interact with everyday… window shades!

Controlled window shades are convenient and cool to have, but are there any other benefits? Glad you asked! There are actually several reasons why programmed, responsive window treatments are both a great investment and a “smart” decision for your property and family.

Stop the Sun Damage

Many of the items in your home (such as art, photographs, upholstery, rugs, and more) contain dyes and inks that will fade when exposed to too much sunlight. One of our New York clients was shocked when redecorating and saw the discoloration on her living room wood floors and realized what kind of damage must have also been done to her Stark rug and heirloom Matisse. Controlled shades can be programmed to prevent the harshest direct light from damaging your valuables, and can even be scheduled to alter the operations due to Daylight Savings and seasonal changes. ACS shading system designer, Cody Derby, has found that since you’re putting some kind of treatments on your windows anyway it’s an easy next step to automate them. Otherwise they usually stay raised when you’re not home and UV damage occurs.

Enhance Your Privacy

When you stop to think about it, we all have a somewhat intimate relationship with our lights. One of the first things you do when you wake up is turn on the lights and usually the last thing you do before going to sleep is turn them off. When you enter your home or walk into a room, what do you usually reach for? Yep, controls for the lights. You might like a bright room while your spouse prefers a more dimly lit space. Lighting is more personal than we realize. 

If you get the annual “telephone book” stack of Restoration Hardware catalogs you’ll notice one was dedicated specifically to lighting. Fixtures and table lamps have personality and there’s tons of options to suit any individual taste. With lighting being a personal matter, ACS has noticed in working with thousands of homeowners and hundreds of designers and architects that personalized control of lighting is often overlooked. If you’ve never thought about expressing your individuality with controlled lighting options, a technology integrator can make that happen. The process is fun too! 

An expert lighting control system allows you to get creative in all sorts of ways (from which light sources react to your commands to the design of the controllers themselves, and much more) that will uniquely express your personality and style. Whether you’re in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester or just about anywhere from New York to Florida to California, your personalized lighting system will feel like a natural extension of your house when you partner with ACS; easily relatable and providing genuine value and enjoyment.

Customizable Interfaces

Controllers can be designed with a particular theme in mind; be it coastal, traditional, contemporary.. The many personalities of your household can be reflected in the lighting scenes you choose and the aesthetics of the device used to activate those scenes. Keypads can be color matched, architecturally finished, custom engraved, and the icons on smartphones, tablets and touchscreens can be labeled however you prefer, including different languages.

With most businesses operating across multiple time zones and national boarders, the right technology is key to staying relevant in today’s global economy. Telecommunications increase productivity and collaboration while reducing travel costs and employee relocation expenses.

Whether you have associates who work remotely or business partners in multiple markets, video-conferencing systems from ACS can give your business the necessary capabilities to execute major projects and priorities, allowing you to effectively communicate with anyone anywhere.

Important Considerations when Designing a Video Conference System

Whatever the venue – boardroom, conference room, classroom and auditorium – ACS has the in-person video experience solution. With video conferencing systems, additional factors must be considered besides those accompanying traditional presentation environments.  Sharing your screen with team members in your local office and remotely requires a variety of solutions such as:

Camera Positioning - Sight lines and angles of participant interaction must be planned into the design of any system.  In many installations, multiple cameras are used to create a balanced view to the room. A camera should be located at the front of the room near the display to mimic the in-person experience for a remote presenter, while a wide angle might also be placed in the back of the room to include a view of a local presenter. In smaller rooms a voice-activated camera can be installed to automatically focus on the speaker.

Audio Command is a leading provider of complete turnkey solutions for audio/visual integration, including Security & Surveillance options. We take pride in offering cost-effective, user-friendly security services to ^the New York area that directly address your needs. 

You install a security and surveillance system so you don’t have to worry about your property, possessions and loved ones. But the greatest peace of mind comes when you don’t have to worry about the operation of your system either. That’s why ACS offers home security.

Audio Command designs, installs and provides ongoing support for all your security needs, including camera systems with integrated access control, CCTV integration, entry systems support, remote system monitoring and more.

Video Surveillance

We provide centrally managed Closed Circuit Television Systems as well as Internet Protocol Camera Systems so that you can monitor various points from anywhere in the globe from a computer or smartphone. With cameras in and around your home or office you can monitor your residence while at work, or your business while on vacation … or the nursery while in the other room!

Room acoustics indicate how sound waves interact within a room. Every room reacts differently to the variety of sound frequencies, primarily because of the objects in it, and every speaker sounds different when in a different room. When you partner with ACS for a home theater build, acoustics are a vital component considered as we design and engineer your space…and for good reason.

The next time you sit down to watch a movie or listen to music, think about the ways – good and bad – that your room may be affecting the overall sound of your system. A basic understanding of room acoustics (and speaker placement) can help you maximize the performance of any audio or home theater playback.

Imagine that room empty, with hardwood floors and bare drywall. That’s going to have a lot of echoes, right? Now imagine the same room with carpets, thick drapes, plush seating and bookcases or a private concession counter. Suddenly the room has a quieter, more intimate feel. The fact is, these are the extremes of room acoustics, and the perfect-sounding home theater exists somewhere between the extremes.

Every room a puzzle

Last time, we discussed the importance of finalizing your audio and component choices before making any commitment to building a home theatre. This time we focus on the finishing touches.

(6 of 10) The Components

ACS knows that there are few things in life more exciting than the mere prospect of having your own private movie theater at home, as well as the potential pitfalls of starting a home theater build without proper planning. Last blog, we discussed the importance of determining your (1) space and (2) display options before making any commitment to building a home theater. This time we focus on sound. 

(3 of 10) The Sound Reproduction

Many would argue that the quality of your theater’s audio capability is even more important than how clear the images are on the screen. Your options include either an AV Receiver or a Preamplifier/Amplifier combination.

An AV Receiver combines the functions of three components:

     a) A Radio Tuner for AM/FM and, in some cases, HD (Hi-Def), Internet or Satellite Radio

Welcome back to the ACS Blog!

After almost 40 years of providing audio and video solutions throughout the U.S., ACS understands that there are few things in life more exciting than the mere prospect of having your own private movie theater at home. Whether you are building a new home from the foundation up or converting an existing space into the home theater you’ve always imagined, ACS will walk you through the entire process. As anxious as you may be to get started, however, there is a lot to consider before beginning the build.

In this and future blogs, we want to offer 10 specific considerations; things you will want to have determined (or at least considered) to minimize your frustration throughout the process.

1. Your Space Options

Where do you plan to put it? Keep in mind, the size of the room will determine how large your video display can be, what projection system will work best, how many guests you can assemble, etc. The specifics of the room you choose are going to dictate quite a bit of the work. Such as:

In our last blog edition, we discussed the challenges we faced, as well as the solutions we provided for a project that was recently given the “Biggest, Baddest Home” Integration Award at the CEDIA Expo ’13 in Denver. The most important part of the story, of course, is the results…

Overall this is an incredible, must-see project. Everyone who has stepped foot in this amazing home leaves with their jaw dragging on the floor. 

Firstly, the dedicated A/V room saves a tremendous amount of time when an issue arises. In most cases the problem is resolved within minutes. Also, ACS is monitoring the CCTV Cameras on the Crestron touch panels and iPads. From the touch panels or any TV in the home you can select your own source so that all recordings are easily accessible. As a result, the children, staff, and home owners are able to easily use the system.

The indoor pool’s 25' barreled ceiling utilizes Sonnex amplifiers and the room sounds incredible. In addition there are 3 large outdoor zones (the main Great Lawn able to hit 94db without clipping). Over 60 outdoor speakers were installed in coordination with the landscape designer, GC, electrician and landscaper.

Home Theater – the theater features a high-end Meridian 4k projector, full surround sound with multiple subwoofers and high-end audiophile speakers. Viewers can sit in the custom leather seating or in the balcony area to enjoy the featured presentation. 8 zones of lighting in this room (including a star burst ceiling) are controlled by our system.

At ACS, we’re committed to providing the level of professional service that makes a home or business owner a client for life. For example, we were given the opportunity to work with a particular client again after proving our abilities on their previous home, which ACS integrated more than a decade ago. Even after so much time had passed, our relationship included a comfort and confidence that was invaluable with all the unique challenges and requests which were brought to the new project.

The Challenges: The new home is 42,000 sq ft in beautiful Greenwich, CT. There were considerable differences in the two projects. At the first home we integrated for the client, our racks were shoe-horned into a small room along with the alarm vendor, pool controls, thermostats, and an existing (and not very-well designed) infrastructure. While in the previous home the client perceived that, when a piece of electronic equipment wasn’t working, a simple “power cycle” could fix the problem 99% of the time. He requested that we design the system so that anyone could easily access the backs of all the equipment. (In the previous home this was not possible due to equipment being housed inside custom cabinetry).

Additional challenges included:

•  Ensuring multiple people could use the control system in a home this large

•  Client requested the large V15 touch panel to be utilized as a TV monitor in a number of areas

It's our experience here at ACS that the most successful projects are engineered and documented well in advance of actual construction. Early documentation of your audio/video distribution, home automation, network, lighting, motorized shades, and security needs in the design phase ensures accurate coordination between your architect, interior designer, builder and all subcontractors involved. Initial plans specify all the build requirements your team of professionals need to know.

Before you begin a project, whether partnering with ACS or working with another integrator, it will help to be familiar with the documentation involved.

Prewire Drawing Set

“Prewire” refers to the installation of cables and wires during a new home’s construction, including the AC electrical wiring and low voltage, home systems cabling. Remember, many wireless devices still use proprietary communication protocols, making them incompatible with other manufacturer’s products. Also, prewiring is a permanent upgrade to your home, increasing its value at sale time.