Home electronics Blog -

Homeowners Get Benefits Of Time, Money Savings With Home Automation

Friday, April 11th, 2014 at 10:49 am

Seagull0402 There’s a feeling among some people people that the “smart home” home automation trend is some sort of revolution; but while the designs in home automation in Miami. Smart home enthusiasts are enjoying are often innovative, there’s really nothing revolutionary about using technology to get more out of your life — to save time and money.

In fact, most home automation products are clever but short steps beyond products that were already on the market — already saving people time and money, but taking it a bit further. One of the great examples of this today is the Nest thermostat. Sure, the ability to control a thermostat over the internet is a relatively new idea, and a thermostat that “learns” about how long it takes a home to heat up (or cool off) is a great way to make your home more energy efficient.

But the first programmable thermostats erupted onto the market decades before anyone was talking about “smart homes” — and they saved homeowners a ton of money in energy costs. Even so-called “learning” thermostats — that adjusted their timing to get the home already at temperature at the programmed time, rather than just turning on then — are hardly new.

Smart homes simply take what are mostly existing technologies and intertwine them in creative ways. There’s nothing groundbreaking about a motorized sun shade, nor an electric timer, nor light sensors; but combine them with an electronic “brain” that figures out when to drop the blinds to save the most on cooling costs, and you’ve started putting the “smart” pieces together.

For more information or to meet the experts in home automation smart homeowners recommend more to their friends and family than any other, contact us today for a consultation!

Click here for the list of home automation services Seagull Electronics offers in Miami.

Security Electronics:Professionals Recommend Common Sense In Home Security Practices

Friday, April 4th, 2014 at 10:48 am

Seagull0401 Over the years we’ve helped install a lot of home security & video surveillance systems in Jupiter— our specialty has been finding ways to integrate security with the home electronics clients want in other aspects of their lives, such as their home automation systems. But no matter how elaborate a system is, it’s no match for homeowners who neglect a few simple security habits — and therefore is no real match for a determined criminal.

We were going to call this blog “The 7 Habits Of Highly Secure People,” but there really aren’t seven things you need to remember.

1. Lock the door. It might seem like it should go without saying, but the truth is an overwhelming majority of thefts occur because a homeowner simply forgot to lock a door — or worse still, was in the habit of not locking one of the doors or windows in a house regularly. Even the best systems can be compromised if a determined burglar can get to them easily; locking doors and windows goes a long way.

2. Arm your home security system. See “lock the door” above.

3. Light things up. There’s no substitute for throwing a little light on an area when it comes to deterring crime. Some security systems will take care of this end of things for you on a schedule, or can trigger lights when motion is sensed. But even without that, simply turning on a light or two deters a lot of break-in attempts.

4. Keep up appearances. If you’re going out of town, have the newspaper and mail delivery halted so things don’t pile up and make it obvious no one’s watching the house. And don’t tell everyone on Facebook you’re on a four week vacation, either — not all of them are your “friends.”

When you’re ready to discover the latest technologies that can improve your life and lifestyle, call the professionals in electronics and home security & video surveillance for your home or office Jupiter has counted on for years – call Seagull Electronics today at (561) 624-0220!

Paradigm Soundtrack 2 System Now Available!

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014 at 11:00 am

Paradigm is pleased to announce that the Soundtrack 2, a wireless subwoofer system and 6-driver soundbar is now available. This is a low-profile Paradigm-quality sound that offers to match all flat panels. It has bluetooth with aptX streaming technology and includes 2-channel Music Mode as well as multichannel Movie modes with Dolby Digital and Paradigm Virtual Surround. A great-sounding substitute for existing low-profile soundbars with sonic excellence based on Paradigm’s 30 years of award-winning sound innovation. Fully powered by way of the built-in amplifier, Paradigm Soundtrack 2 needs no other A/V components for power.

Soundtrack 2

The lack of existing high-fidelity options was one of the reasons Paradigm decided to tackle the powered soundbar market. The physical cone separation and deep, distinct bass from the sub makes it the ideal solution for those who don’t have a lot of room space or are craving a minimalist aesthetic. The Paradigm Soundtrack 2 has 2 x 25 watts RMS Sustained; 2 x 50 watts Peak Power. The sub offers 240 watts Peak Power. The onboard interface manages the Power, Volume and Syncing of the subwoofer with the Paradigm soundbar. The system can learn source select, power on/off, volume up/down and mute from the TV’s remote so that both the Paradigm Soundtrack 2 and the TV can be controlled with just one remote. Discrete HEX codes are also available if needed.

The Paradigm soundbar features two bass/midrange drivers, two high-frequency drivers and two passive radiators. 4-1/2˝ bass midrange drivers and 4˝ passive radiators are a mineral filled polypropylene which delivers a low-mass, high-stiffness cone. High-frequency drivers feature 1˝ satin-anodized aluminum dome tweeters for superior high-frequency performance, which is a rarity at this price point. Passive radiators boost extended lower frequencies and driver complements are physically separated inside the cabinet providing sonic clarity and distinct channel separation. Snap-in feet can be put on the Paradigm soundbar to place it on a flat surface.

The Paradigm soundbar’s rear panel provides either digital optical and analog stereo inputs for hook-up of Blu-ray/DVD/CD players, satellite receivers, gaming consoles or other external sources. Analog outputs are also included for wired subwoofer connection. Connections can be made via the Paradigm soundbar or the TV, increasing the amount of inputs as well as improving the user experience. Users can choose between a wireless and a wired sub. The dual-ported subwoofer has an 8˝ laminated composite cone driver with a 1-1/2˝ high-temperature aluminum-wire voice coil. Oversized ports and driver are displayed in a perpendicular pattern to achieve the low-profile design with the dual ports providing deep, even bass response. The Digital Signal Processing signal-processing engine uses sophisticated mathematical algorithms to frame frequency response so that even at loud levels, bass is accurate and musical. The DSP platform is also behind the mathematical algorithms needed for Paradigm Virtual Surround sound processing. This surround sound is so realistic that it makes this product stand out in the category. If desired, the Paradigm sub can fit into a standard A/V cabinet.

Paradigm’s Soundtrack 2 is a winner when it comes to an all-in-one value-oriented powered audio solutions. With today’s living spaces being smaller, its high level of performance mixed with a non-technical setup is perfect in a placement-friendly format. The Paradigm Soundtrack 2 experience is made large due to the Music and Movie modes with the Paradigm Virtual Surround, Bluetooth with aptX streaming and Dolby Digital decoding. Customers are going to experience a music and movie experience that’s very higher caliber, whether the Paradigm system is used as their primary system or a secondary system in a bedroom, dorm, den, etc. The built-in Paradigm amplifier make it virtually a plug’n play system.

The Black Gloss Soundtrack 2 is available from participating Paradigm Dealers throughout North America. Contact us today to find out more information or to schedule a Free Consultation!

Home Automation Jupiter Brings Control To Homeowners

Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 1:57 pm

No longer just for wealthy tech-sector billionaires, home automation Jupiter has entered the mainstream and become an affordable, effective way to keep your home running at its best with the least amount of moment-to-moment attention.

Home automatio home-automation-jupiter n Jupiter makes your house more efficient, more secure, and more adaptable to a family’s changing needs, and whether you’re a hands-on tinkerer or a “plug it in and forget it” homeowner, these days there’s something for just about everyone.

One of the biggest benefits is the ability to be able to monitor what’s going on in your home, even when you’re not there; obvious examples of this would be security systems that offer remote viewing of camera images, or can notify you whether (and which) windows and doors are locked or unlocked. But modern home automation takes things a step further, allowing you to know what your furnace and air conditioner are up to, know which lights are on or off, and even monitor the performance and effectiveness of your sprinkler or irrigation system.

Not simply an eye-in-the-sky, home automation Jupiter also offers the ability to change what’s going on in your home from afar; imagine knowing when your doorbell is rung, recognizing a worker who’s scheduled to be there, and letting them into your garage to fix a furnace problem you were alerted to by your home automation Jupiter system — all while on vacation. What’s more, imagine monitoring the work, knowing when they were done, and even locking them out once they were finished. Home automation Jupiter offers the opportunity to do all this and much, much more — whatever uses you can imagine for the technology, we can help you realize.

If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities for home automation Jupiter in your house or business, contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Home Automation North Palm Beach is where the tech is

Thursday, March 20th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

Home Automation

From refrigerators and thermostats to washing machines and light bulbs, Smart Home utilities are progressively replacing their ordinary predecessors.

The home of the future is finally here.

The vision of Home Automation has been popular at world fairs and sci-fi cityscapes for decades. This vision is being turned into reality by enthusiasts and vendors who recognize a growing market for smart appliances.

Even the simple light bulb has been given a tech modification, with added features such as Wi-Fi.

Home Automation products should be on the radar of retailers looking to interest future consumers. Home Automation is becoming one of the fastest-growing new market sections.

We all believe that tomorrow should be better than today and Home Automation companies are compelled to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary for everyone’s benefit. The key to the market’s success is convenience and affordability.

Cutting-edge technology is commonly seen as exceedingly complex and expensive. To be truly innovative, Home Automation technology should be reliable, easy to understand, simple to use, and regulated with today’s pricing expectations.

To create a unified Smart Home, homeowners might consider using Network Attached Storage (NAS) as a central hub for each device. In the future all you’ll need is a managed server to open an app that can turn on your coffee in the morning.

Home Automation will become more popular once the technology is better developed and prices will become more acceptable.

A major selling point for many Smart Home devices is their capability to someday pay for themselves. There are thermostats that learn when to turn down the heating to save on energy bills, which can save a lot of money on a relatively cheap investment. Smart refrigerators can also tempt buyers into a more pricey initial cost, by presenting the capability to reduce the amount of food being left to perish.

Selling Home Automation products isn’t the only gain the market holds for retailers – companies could boost business by utilizing smart devices themselves. Retailers could use smart bulbs to accent their products and gain control over how customers feel and experience their stores.

Despite the increasing ease, the Home Automation market still needs to grow and work together. Many devices only talk to their manufacturer’s base and don’t communicate with anything else.

This will change, as open standards are becoming more common. It won’t be long before the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher will decide amongst themselves which gets to run first, after the appliances consult with the energy company through the central hub to get a good deal on the electricity they need. At that point, some portion of home automation will become customary and just taken for granted.

For more information about the installers of home theater and home automation Jupiter residents have come to trust most with their entertainment and smart home needs, please give us a call today!

Leveraging Light In Your Home Theater Palm Beach Gardens

Friday, December 20th, 2013 at 1:15 pm

When it comes to home theater Palm Beach Gardens clients we’ve worked with over the years all agree it’s the finishing touches that tend to make all the difference; every good home theater Palm Beach Gardens will have a fantastic screen, high-powered speakers, and the best in source material choices, but a truly great home theater Palm Beach Gardens takes the experience to the next level by ensuring the proper “mood”.

And when it comes to setting a “mood”, it’s hard to beat lighting. Indeed, one of the biggest reasons for getting into home automation Palm Beach Gardens clients cite is the desire to control their lighting environment. Pairing that ability with your home theater Palm Beach Gardens is the natural progression from that desire, and we’ve found ways over the years to really leverage lighting to its full potential when you go to watch a film at home.

We’ve talked in this space about using home automation to lower lights as a film begins — and raise them again when the credits roll — and we’ve shown you ideas on using automated shade control to optimize the ambient light. But another great idea we’ve seen is to use small, focused lights to accent great-looking speakers, memorabilia mounted on the walls or sitting on pedestals, or even to highlight architectural elements in the home theater space itself — such as a particular ledge, old-style molding or ceiling accents. Lighting can also be used for safety; there’s nothing more treacherous in the dark than an unfamiliar step or two, and well-positioned lights can make all the difference.

When you’re ready to work with the experts in automation, home theater Palm Beach Gardens and home electronics Palm Beach Gardens clients recommend to their friends more often than any other, give us a call! We look forward to hearing from you.

With Big Screens And Home Electronics, Jupiter Home Theater Enthusiasts Come Out Ahead

Friday, December 6th, 2013 at 11:18 am

SEAGULL1201 If you have a family, and you’re considering whether it might be a financial hardship to install a home theater, Jupiter movie buffs, you’d better be sitting down. You might be saving money with your home theater setup.

If this sounds like a tough argument to make, you might not have paid attention last time you hit the cineplex; between the price of gas getting there, parking paid once you do, the price of tickets — which only escalates as the type of screen changes and the hour becomes later — and price of popcorn, drinks and snacks, you’re getting up around $100 very quickly. Now consider you’re already out, so the family is going to want to eat out — add another $100.

You can see where this is going. After a few months, even several thousand dollars invested in a home theater system begins to seem like small potatoes compared to hitting the theaters and the appurtenant events. Now think beyond movies: think about those basketball, football and hockey games you can enjoy in your own home (and, thanks to Tivo and related technologies, at your own pace) compared to the price of tickets to see them in person.

Now consider the possibilities of family movie nights that begin with a home-cooked meal and quiet conversation around the dinner table, then culminate in all the excitement you expect with a big, powerful home theater system — all the booms and crashes, with none of the associated stress of getting there and getting back. Home theater starts to look like a pretty good deal.

For more information about the installers of home theater and home automation Jupiter residents have come to trust most with their entertainment and smart home needs, please give us a call today!

Genelec Adds G Two Models to Its Active Speaker Lineup

Friday, November 22nd, 2013 at 3:08 pm

SEAGULL1102 Genelec is popular for its active, or powered, speakers that can distribute a good home theater kick.

This Massachusetts-based company’s new G Two Active speaker models might not be great in size, but they can surely pack a punch from their condensed dimensions.

This Genelec speaker is available in black or white, and features a four-inch woofer and 3/4-inch tweeter. This places it relatively in the middle of Genelec’s G Series lineup that includes the marginally smaller woofers in its G One and slightly bigger woofers in its G Three. Genelec’s G Four models also contain 3/4-inch tweeters.

For bigger thump you can add Genelec’s F Series active subwoofers that can accompany the G Series products.

The G Two models deviate from your typical bookshelf speaker design in their curvy cabinet structure that was a product of Genelec’s engineers teaming with award-winning designer Harri Koskinen.

Genelec says the design not only provides striking looks, but also helps the speaker’s acoustical features by reducing the acoustic reflections sometimes caused by sharp edges on a speaker. The company says that, combined with its Directivity Control Waveguide, this allows the G Two to deliver a smooth frequency response both on and off axis. Genelec’s 8.1-pound speaker frequency response is rated between 65 to 21000 Hz.

What Will Your Next Home Theater Projector Be?

Friday, November 15th, 2013 at 3:47 pm

SEAGULL1104 Home theater shoppers are going to have a hard time choosing the perfect projector for their new project. Why? Because there are so many projectors that are so good that it’s going to be hard to decide what technology and features you’re going to want in your home theater.

Over the past few years, the trend has been toward making home theater projectors brighter without forfeiting black level. That continues this year as well. Each model is brighter and exhibits better contrast ratios than the model it replaces. There is also more prominence on flexible installation features and enhanced image processing.

4K, or Ultra HD, has also showed its head, though not in great numbers. Sony has introduced two new true 4K projectors and JVC presented a full line of e-Shift3 projectors that accept 4K signals and show 4K resolution on your home theater screen.

Even though 4K is a buzz word among HDTVs right now, that doesn’t mean it’s the most substantial feature when picking out a home theater projector. Contrast ratio, light output, and color fidelity are equally important. The new 1080p projectors have shown important advancements in all those categories, making them worthy of the most remarkable home theater cinema.

Home Theater Screens Meet All Your Needs

Friday, November 8th, 2013 at 3:33 pm

SEAGULL1103 There are two misunderstandings about projection-based home theaters. The first one is that they are only appropriate for dark, dedicated rooms. The second one is that all home theater screens are substantially the same. This year’s CEDIA Expo proved both of those ideas are sincerely flawed.

The reason why is because home theater screen manufacturers now have a wide assortment of new materials and applications that make projection video systems possible for nearly anywhere.

When Home Theater projection screens are installed correctly and matched with the right components, they are better than flat panel TVs in almost every way. They’re bigger (with a few exclusions flat panel TVs max out at 90 inches.), are easier to disguise, can present a better picture, take no wires (unless they are motorized) and can be less expensive per square inch than good flat panel TVs. They also supply a much greater emotional encounter and immersion for the viewer.

But if you want to watch a video in a non-dark room, there are ambient light rejecting home theater screens for just that. If you want to watch a video outside, weather-proof and wind-proof home theater screens are available. You can also get an acoustically transparent home theater screen and put the speakers behind it if you do not want the speakers to stand out in the room. If you want to hide your home theater screen, there are retractable screens with different price options.

This means that picking a screen for your home theater or media room is a lot more complex than it used to be years ago. A few years ago you either went with a matte white screen or a gray screen. White screens were used in dark caves and gray screens helped a little with ambient light and helped boost contrast on weaker projectors.

Then there were different variations of gray in different gains, which is the amount of light the screen reflects back and better acoustically transparent materials, which are used for hiding the speakers behind the home theater screen. There were also angular reflection screens that reject light coming from anywhere except from the direction of the projector.

All those differences are designed mostly for matching the projector’s capabilities to the home theater screen and the room lighting conditions. Once that’s decided you need to contemplate the installation and aesthetic needs of the home theater room. Fixed, wall-mounted screens are still the most typical in dedicated home theaters, but dedicated home theater rooms are now being dominated by multipurpose media rooms. For situations where watching a big picture isn’t the only, or even the primary, purpose of the room, motorized screens that lower from the ceiling or raise from a cabinet are now typical for hiding a home theater screen when it’s not in use.

But, fixed screens that look more like flat panel TVs are the present rage. Now most major screen companies offer a minimal bezel around the edge.

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