Consumer, Home Theater
Sony’s 2019 TV Lineup is Better Than Ever
The biggest news for most buyers in the custom installation segment of TV buyers is the expansion of the Master Series. This line includes TVs with the best picture and features including OLED. For those that demand the best possible presentation of movies, sports, and television programming, a Master Series TV is your best option. While prices are higher than the Non-Master Series, the features are more robust and image quality is higher.
There is no despair for those who are not quite ready for the Master Series. The mid-range line is robust and more affordable with exceptional image quality compared to other TVs in the category. Last year’s mid-range line won many awards. This year’s lineup should be no less.
Of course, Sony remains the leader in 4K home theater projection. The VPL-VW295ES and the VPL-VW695ES are standards in home theater. Both of these projectors bring true 4K UHD to the large screen in your house with exceptional performance.
Learn more about electronics Sony offers for the consumer who demands more at the Sony Premium Home site.
AV Simplified Solutions is proud to offer Sony products for custom installation. Sony fits nicely in our full range of services including lighting, automation, control, and audio.
Control Systems, Fresh News
New Builder Packages with Crestron Pyng
AV Simplified Solutions has introduced new Builder Packages featuring Crestron Pyng technology. These builder packages are designed for home builders to provide a sophisticated home automation system to home buyers without all the complication. These predesigned packages make it easy for the builder and a buyer to integrate sophisticated home technology such as environmental controls, entertainment and audio control. Most every new home buyer can bring some level of systems control into their new house. Traditionally, home automation solutions were cost prohibitive. Not anymore. These packages come in three variations meant to provide a solution based on expectation and budget. Of course, these packages can be expanded to custom solutions based on the level of control and automation the home buyer desires. Read More
Control Systems, Fresh News
Tour of Crestron Headquarters
In August we took a trip to New Jersey and New York to tour the Crestron headquarters, some of the manufacturing facilities, and the research and development building. It became clear that the name “Crestron” is not just a logo stamped on a piece of electronics equipment. It also became clear why Crestron is the leading manufacturer and largest brand when it comes to systems integration for both the residential and commercial markets.
With hundreds of engineers on staff, a fully dedicated R&D program, state of the art manufacturing, and rigorous quality control, Crestron will remain the most powerful force in the luxury and commercial systems integration markets for the foreseeable future.
New products like Pyng environmental controls, DM (Digital Media) and steadfast reliability will appeal to consumers. New design and development tools like Crestron Studio and Pyng reduce costs for integrators and installers that ultimately reduce installation costs. Crestron has a deep product line and something to suit everyone, whether you are just looking to control a few lights and a thermostat, a media room, or a stadium full of TVs.
Read More
Lighting
Crestron & Lutron Centralized Lighting Systems
We offer both Crestron and Lutron centralized lighting system to our clients. A centralized lighting system allows homeowners the maximum flexibility with programmed lighting control and access to lighting scenes throughout the home.
- Convenience and elegance converge with centralized lighting controls, enabling anyone to adjust lighting settings without unsightly banks of light switches encroaching on your space.
- Reduce energy consumption and costs by combining lighting and environmental technologies into an intelligent energy management solution.
- A centralized lighting system not only integrates seamlessly into your lifestyle but also into your décor. There are lighting control devices in a broad array of styles and finishes to suit any need and environment, from discreet keypad options to dazzling touchscreen displays. Engraved keypads and even our dimmers can perform many functions with easy-to-use labled buttons, replacing various unsightly switches with a single compact solution.
HiFi & Audio
A Platinum Finish: Monitor Audio PL100II Speaker Review
Recently, AVForums.com mounted a full review of Monitor Audio’s PL100II bookshelf speaker. This speaker is part of our luxury lineup of Platinum speakers which includes tower speakers, center channel speakers, and subwoofers perfect for the best in hi-fi audio and home theater for the most demanding listeners.
The Platinum lineup, since its introduction in 2016, has already stacked up major considerations from reviewers. In a year’s time, there are 11 positive reviews and the coveted “Product of the Year” from Absolute Sound for the PL500II floor standing speakers. We are confident in this line of product to meet the standard of our clients with demanding taste.
Ed Selley of AVForums.com had these high points of the PL100II bookshelf speaker:
- “…the PL100II is an altogether more luxurious object.”
- “… the more you listen to them, the more impressive they become.”
- “…the Monitor Audio has exceptional bass extension.”
- “…is packed with detail and texture.”
Selly sums up his review
This is an attractive, exquisitely assembled and very forgiving speaker that delivers a truly outstanding performance across a huge variety of music. This incredible set of abilities garners the PL100II a Highly Recommended badge.
The full review can be found at AVForums.com.
See the Platinum lineup at Monitor Audio.
Control Systems
Elan Integrates Voice Control w/ Amazon Echo
Some in the home automation space are calling the Amazon Echo with voice control one of the most exciting things to happen to home systems integration in a long while. Some consider it as big as the introduction of affordable touch screens. There is no question that reliable voice control has been long awaited. That’s where the Amazon Echo comes in.
Fresh News
New Service Van
We are excited to see a new service van hit the road to serve our integration and electrical customers. This 2016 Ford Transit van should be on the road for many years ensuring our technicians and electricians arrive at jobs around the Chattanooga area.
Home Theater
3D Sound with Dolby Atmos
Dolby Laboratories introduced Dolby Atmos, the object oriented surround sound technology, in mid 2012. This technology allows sound to be placed in a room three dimensionally (3D). Interestingly, this technology does not replace earlier versions of Dolby’s surround technology, which is channel based, but appends the 3D sound with additional “height” speakers. As with most new standards in the A/V business, it has taken some time for the product space to mature and be widely available to consumers. Now, many movies are being released with a native Dolby Atmos soundtrack and the hardware side has caught up as well with manufactures like Yamaha, Pioneer, and Speakercraft leading the way.
Dolby’s marketing tag line for Atmos is “Hear the Whole Picture”. That goes to say that with a good system setup, the object oriented surround is lush and compelling. Here are some of the benefits from Dolby: Read More
Fresh News, Outdoor
Video Wall & Outdoor Audio
We completed a “retro” installation in Ringgold with some unique features that should allow the homeowner many seasons of enjoyment. The new system included installation in the “man house” (pool house/garage), the main house, and outdoor area at the pool. Here’s a break down of the complete system installation. Read More
