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		<title>Is 3-D Ready For Prime Time?</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/02/3d-television/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/02/3d-television/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:37:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Television]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3-D]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.acousticdesignsinc.com/blog/?p=97</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is quite a buzz in the consumer electronics industry around 3-D televisions. Just by looking at the commercials airing now, you would think that 3-D television is the new standard. Is buying a 3-D television now the right decision? Acoustic Designs wants to offer practical advice around this hot subject. There is no question... <a href="http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/02/3d-television/">Read More</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is quite a buzz in the consumer electronics industry around 3-D televisions.  Just by looking at the commercials airing now, you would think that 3-D television is the new standard.  Is buying a 3-D television now the right decision?  Acoustic Designs wants to offer practical advice around this hot subject.</p>
<p>There is no question that watching 3-D programming on a 3-D enabled television is a &#8216;cool&#8217; experience.  Playing 3-D games on a 3-D television perhaps is even &#8216;cooler&#8217;.  However, television manufactures are clearly ahead of the content curve and they are selling their premium 3-D televisions at an even more premium price.  It&#8217;s not uncommon to pay a 20% premium on a 3-D version of the same television model for the added feature.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s go back to the year 2005.  The big rage in the television industry was High-Definition (HD) technology.  And the best HD devices offered a resolution of 1080P (still, the highest level of resolution available).  However, there was very little 1080P content to speak of and the televisions and projectors offering 1080P were nearly 2X the price of a HD television only offering 1080i (or 720P) resolutions.  Fast forward to the present day, and now nearly all of the televisions available offer 1080P resolutions and there is much more content available at this resolution.</p>
<p>3-D technology is at a similar place to that of the 1080P resolution standard.  It&#8217;s still early days for 3-D in the home.  If you decide you must have a 3-D capable TV, just know that you will pay a higher premium and there is not that much available content offered in 3-D.  Other drawbacks to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<ul>
<li>3-D televisions require special and often proprietary glasses to view 3-D programming in 3-D.  Most of the time, these televisions come with a single pair of glasses and the additional pairs come at a price tag of up to $200.  You could be looking at an additional $800 if you have a family of four.</li>
<li>There could be health concerns related to watching 3-D programming.  There are scattered reports of dizziness and nausea and for those that suffer from epilepsy, there could be a concern when watching this level of programming.  Samsung is considering placing a health warning on their 3-D televisions that explain the potential dangers.</li>
<li>3-D television technology today is not a future-proof investment.  Recently unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January of 2011 were 3-D televisions that did not require glasses to watch 3-D programming, almost giving a holographic type of effect.  This technology however, is not yet available to the consumer.   Without knowing if 3-D content will actually occupy a significant portion of content in the near future (our bet is that it won&#8217;t), there could be dramatic changes in the 3-D television landscape yet to come.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The conservative approach is of course to be patient and wait to see how the 3-D technology plays out in the market-place.  However, if you are considered to be at the bleeding edge of high-tech, than go have fun with a brand-new 3-D television that can impress your friends and family!</p>
<p>If you are in the market for any HD television (3-D or not), Acoustic Designs would be happy to discuss the best options based on your budget and configuration.  Buying a TV is no longer just an exercise of going down to the store, buying it, and plugging it in.  Cable management, surround sound, wall mounting, control without adding yet another remote are all things to consider.</p>
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		<title>Characteristics of a good Custom Integrator</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/01/characteristics-of-a-good-custom-integrator/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/01/characteristics-of-a-good-custom-integrator/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:35:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Custom Integration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Automation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.acousticdesignsinc.com/blog/?p=109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Custom integration companies, you either love them or hate them. Often times you love them at the beginning and then their status fades as they disappear from view. Minor issues begin to appear but then your integrator is no where to be found. You try to reach them but they screen your call and don&#8217;t... <a href="http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2011/01/characteristics-of-a-good-custom-integrator/">Read More</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Custom integration companies, you either love them or hate them.  Often times you love them at the beginning and then their status fades as they disappear from view.  Minor issues begin to appear but then your integrator is no where to be found.  You try to reach them but they screen your call and don&#8217;t return your voicemail.  Similarly, your emails and text messages are ignored and likely end up in the trash bin.  Why?  What happened?  Well the typical custom integration company is likely to be at least somewhat familiar with Home Integration, Whole House Audio/Video Distribution, HVAC and Security Integration, but you need to ask, are they proficient?  How long have they been in business?  What is their reputation?  These are the questions that must be answered prior to entering a contract or signing the check for the initial order of product.</p>
<p>Of course there are many resources available to pursue when you want to &#8220;qualify&#8221; a company to interview for home automation.  To name a few, there are the &#8220;Better Business Bureau&#8221; and DNB (Dun and Bradstreet), but let me suggest a few that might be of more value.  First, I would go on the web to visit the &#8220;Registrar of Contractors&#8221; office in your municipality.  The Registrar will tell you whether the integrator is licensed, whether there are any current or prior complaints, and if their license is or has been revoked or suspended for any reason.  This information is of more value than say the BBB or DNB because many times those entities are never engaged.  Why?  Good question!  In short, those organizations typically require a subscription or an annual fee to be listed on their website which simply enables you to call yourself a member.  Spending valuable resources on those types of subscription services is unlikely to occur, especially in these hard economic times.</p>
<p>So where else can you go for information?  There are two additional criteria I would suggest you use to make the right decision.  First, consider where you heard about this company &#8212; friends, co-workers, Google?  It is best to take a referral from someone who has firsthand experience with the company.  Google can be useful in finding possible integrators but, let’s face it, usually the people at the top of the search results paid for their positioning rather than earned the spot.  Once you have found someone who has used the integrator’s services, ask to see their system and pay special attention to the back of their AV Rack.  This is where you can see the company&#8217;s attention to detail and professionalism.  If it looks like a rat&#8217;s nest where chaos and disorder reign, thank your referral source and keep looking for another company.  However, if the rack looks professionally organized and terminated then you are likely on the right track.  Then, and only then, you should ask follow-up questions like have you had any issues since the completion of your installation?  What is the response time when you have had an issue?  Is the owner easy to reach via phone or email?  Did you see the same technicians who did the original installation or were the technicians new?  If you like the answers to these questions then you are making significant progress.</p>
<p>Next, if available to you, ask other trades such as interior designers, builders and custom cabinet makers who are likely to have interacted with the custom integration company for feedback.  They would be able to comment on their workmanship, professionalism, cleanliness and reputation.  Sometimes these trades are not always available but if you are building a new house or remodeling an existing residence, you will likely have the opportunity to poke around and ask pertinent questions to these and other professionals.</p>
<p>Finally, and arguably most importantly, don&#8217;t choose your custom integrator because they offer the lowest price.  I tell my prospective clients up front that I won&#8217;t be the cheapest but I won&#8217;t be the most expensive either.  The cheapest guy is at that price point for a reason.  He is selling gear that likely won&#8217;t last and is vastly inferior to other products on the market.  The adage &#8220;you get what you pay for&#8221; is more meaningful than ever when it comes to custom integration.  I have seen jobs that cost in excess of $100,000 that have to be scrapped because components are not worth the metal they are housed in and no reputable integrator will risk their reputation trying to resurrect a system that never had a chance of working properly since the day it was conceptually designed.  By contrast, a properly designed, value-engineered system that costs $30,000 could provide years of trouble-free enjoyment.  One more thing, do your research on the internet but don&#8217;t be fooled.  If you want &#8220;Internet&#8221; pricing you will have to do the work yourself.  Talented and service-oriented custom integrators are worth paying as they create an experience for their clients that makes every penny spent worthwhile!</p>
<p>So whether you choose Crestron, Savant or some other home automation control system, you will be thankful you did your homework and chose wisely.</p>
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		<title>De-Mystifying Home Automation &amp; Control</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/de-mystifying-home-automation-control/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/de-mystifying-home-automation-control/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:49:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Custom Integration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distributed Audio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Automation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.acousticdesignsinc.com/blog/?p=100</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The term home automation conjures up a broad array of thoughts and images for people.  Perhaps the &#8216;future&#8217; house something akin to the Jetsons?  Or maybe the image of the super-star athlete in their mega-mansion that has the latest NASA technology in their home?  In reality, home automation is surprisingly affordable and even more simple... <a href="http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/de-mystifying-home-automation-control/">Read More</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The term home automation conjures up a broad array of thoughts and images for people.  Perhaps the &#8216;future&#8217; house something akin to the Jetsons?  Or maybe the image of the super-star athlete in their mega-mansion that has the latest NASA technology in their home?  In reality, home automation is surprisingly affordable and even more simple than you might think.</p>
<p>When Acoustic Designs consults a client specific to home automation, we categorize the technology into two parts:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Room Automation</strong></li>
<li><strong>Whole-Home Automation</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Room Automation often entails getting rid of the myriad of remote controls you use to control your T.V., receiver, DVD player, and other media devices to a single, easy-to-use remote control.  Beyond a universal remote that is difficult to program and requires line-of-sight to the equipment, our solutions provide a simple and intuitive interface for getting you to what you want faster, which is content.  Controlling your media devices in this manner also allows us to hide the equipment such that your equipment controlling the sights and sounds of your media room do not have to be in plain sight.</p>
<p>Whole-Home automation entails the control of lights, security, thermostats, and distributed audio/video throughout the entire house.  Much like room automation, whole-home automation consolidates all of the interfaces that control each aspect of your home&#8217;s technology to a single interface.  This can be done using anything from a traditional looking remote control, or to something like an Apple iPad or iPhone to control the systems throughout the house.  Practical examples include producing a lighting path from the bedroom to the kitchen with the touch of one button or putting music on throughout the entire house which is as easy as selecting your favorite radio station in your car.  There are numerous benefits to consolidating the control of these diverse systems to a single interface and you don&#8217;t have to have a mansion or huge budget to accomplish an automated home.</p>
<p>If you have questions or would like to learn more about how Acoustic Designs can simplify the technology in your home, please consult with us!</p>
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		<title>The Value of a Custom Integrator</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/value/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/value/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Custom Integration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[value]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.acousticdesignsinc.com/blog/?p=87</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As experts in audio, video and home automation, we are often asked to play the trusted advisor role in everything electronics in the home.  However, not everyone understands the value that we bring to a project.  Whether you want to update your media room, or are building/remodeling your home, we offer a full-service, turn-key solution.... <a href="http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/08/value/">Read More</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As experts in audio, video and home automation, we are often asked to play the trusted advisor role in everything electronics in the home.  However, not everyone understands the value that we bring to a project.  Whether you want to update your media room, or are building/remodeling your home, we offer a full-service, turn-key solution.  We can accomodate everything from a modest budget and small scale update to a cutting edge home automation project controlling lights, temperature and all of the audio and video throughout the home.</p>
<p>A common misconception is that we are thought to be a very expensive option when in comes time to integrate technology into your home.  The best analogy that I can provide here is that we work much like an interior designer works.  An interior designer will work with you to determine budget, style and offer their trained eye to put together a compelling room or area, from paint to furniture and other design features.  Often, the discount that you receive from their sources more than make up for the cost of their service.  We operate much the same way in the area of electronics and especially when used for whole projects such as distributed audio and video.  If you are price shopping a specific TV, than we might not be the best option.  However, if you are looking for expert advice, procurement and  professional installation of a TV with surround sound being controlled by a single, easy to use remote, than we provide a tremendous amount of value.</p>
<p>Unlike that of installation services of big box retailers, we are creating lasting relationships with our clients to earn the label of trusted advisor.  As the pace of technology changes, we are constantly communicating with our clients on the best options available to suit their needs.</p>
<p>Have a question?  Feel free to call us and we will let you know how we can help.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Gallery Image 4</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-4/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:36:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<title>Gallery Image 3</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-3/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:33:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<title>Gallery Image 2</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-2/</link>
		<comments>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:32:17 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Gallery Image 1</title>
		<link>http://acousticdesignsinc.com/2010/02/gallery-image-1/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:30:16 +0000</pubDate>
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