Why Every Home Needs Home Automation

When it comes to automating your home, there are few systems that can match the advantages that a newer system is able to provide. Investing in all of the latest technology is a great step but installing a truly comprehensive system is even more crucial.

Why Every Home Needs Home Automation

Every home can benefit from home automation. Not only can these systems be fully customized to suit the needs of each homeowner but they are also reliable and easy to integrate. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other reason why homeowners will benefit from these systems.

A Lengthy Track Record

Investing in a system of this magnitude can take home automation to the next level. Once it is time to make these sorts of decisions, choosing the company with the longest track record of success is crucial.

Long Lasting Solutions

URC Total Control solutions are always built to last. As our home entertainment systems continue to grow, URC offers the solutions that allow for backward and forward compatibility. New additions can be added to the systems without much difficulty. The software is open-ended. This makes integrating new solutions easy.

Creative Freedom

Since the software is open-ended, it provides homeowners with a great deal of personal freedom as far as the installation process is concerned. They can come together with the professionals to develop a plan that allows for a maximum level of compatibility. Upgrades are also easy to come by with the assistance of professionals.

Finding everything that you need to know about home automation is important. If you have any further questions, be sure to contact Audio Video Solutions.

The Most Common Network Cabling Pitfalls To Avoid

Network cabling is the type of task that can seem deceptively simple. While it may look very easy on paper, those who are experienced in this regard certainly know better. There are a number of common pitfalls that can take place and they are all avoidable.  In order to steer clear of the extra costs and aggravation that are associated with network cabling pitfalls, read on to find out more…

The Most Common Network Cabling Pitfalls To Avoid

Lack of Management

This is where all of the problems tend to begin. If the cables are not being managed in the correct manner, it is very difficult to avoid the additional problems that are going to take place as a result. The cables need to be organized and labeled in the correct manner.

No Plan For The Future

Some find themselves excessively focused on the planning and installation process and they forget the importance of having a plan for the future. Decide how everything will be laid out before installation begins so that these types of issues do not take place.

No Prior Knowledge of the Law

Laying all of the groundwork is great but unless the installer knows the laws and ordinances that are associated with their project, a number of issues are bound to occur.

Failure To Test The Network Ahead of Time

So the layout has been set up and all parties involved seem happy. All that is left to do now is start it up, right? Wrong. The network must be tested before it can be activated. This allows the installer to catch any errors that are taking place and rectify them before any data transmissions are negatively affected.

For more information about network cabling and how to avoid the common pitfalls, Audio Video Solutions is here to help. Be sure to contact us if you have any further questions.

TV Mounting Guide for Beginners

If you are new to the world of TV mounting or just flat screen televisions in general and you want to mount your TV to the wall rather than having it take up a stupid amount of space on a stand because you don’t know how to do TV mounting then some help in figuring out how to mount a TV properly would probably be helpful to you.

TV Mounting Guide for Beginners

The first steps to the mounting process begin even before you choose a mount. You need to make sure that the wall area you wish to mount your TV on is large enough to fit the TV you are planning on putting there and has enough space behind it to properly install your connector cables so you can reasonably connect it to other devices without having to worry about connections coming undone at any point.

Once you have picked out the space you plan to install your TV in and ensured that it is large enough for the TV that you are going install, the next step is to acquire a mounting bracket of the appropriate size. Most mounts come in two separate pieces: the wall mount and the TV mounting plate. The first step is to ensure the wall mount is correctly installed onto the wall in the chosen area.

To install the wall mount, you first need a stud finder. Take it, locate the studs that will support your TV and mark their locations with a pencil. Next, mark in pencil where the corners of the TV are going to be located and use a level to make sure that the two mounting holes are even and level with each other.

Once you are sure that the holes are properly level, it is time to get out the power drill and start drilling. Use a power drill to drill the holes you will need for the wall bracket’s screws or bolts (depending on the particulars of your mount, which it is may vary) and follow any provided instructions to attach the bracket to the wall using the screws or bolts provided.

Some brackets may be somewhat difficult for a single person to effectively line up on their own. If you have difficulties lining up the bracket then you should seek help. Two people can often align a wall bracket much more effectively than one. Once that is done, make sure to further attach the mount using any relevant screws before moving on to the TV mounting plate.

If your TV has a stand then have it unbolted and removed ASAP. Once that is done, lay the TV face-down on a soft surface (preferably a bed or large couch) and begin installing the mounting plate to the rear of your television. Locate the mounting holes on the back of your TV and remove any plastic coverings over places where screws will be needed.

Once you have located everything, line up the mounting plate with the back of your TV (preferably with help as this can be tricky if you attempt it as a one-person job) and screw the plates and mounting arm to the back of the TV MANUALLY. This is really important. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to attach the TV half of the mounting kit using a power screw as this will likely result in damage to your television.

With everything screwed into place, it is now time to lock the TV to the wall mounting bracket. Follow any provided instructions to securely connect the TV to its mount and test its connections and various functions to ensure they work properly.

Now, your TV is properly mounted and you can enjoy having a flat screen TV mounted on your wall and the space saving this provides you with.

If you have any further questions about TV mounting or are looking for an installation service to take care of the whole process for you, Audio Video Solutions of Denton, TX, is your best bet. Contact us today for more information.

5 Ways Touchscreen Home Automation Makes Your Life Easier

Having a touchscreen smart home system is a great way to enhance your day-to-day living experience and make your life easier. Here are five benefits of installing an automated home system.

5 Ways Touchscreen Home Automation Makes Your Life Easier

Protect Your Pets

Having an automated home system lets you protect your pets from harm. You can watch them through your monitors to make sure they are not getting into any trouble. Another great benefit is the ability to provide your pets with comfort even when you are not home. You can easily regulate the temperature and lighting in your home so that your pet does not have to suffer in the cold, heat, or dark just because you were held up at work.

Increase Home Value

Having an automated home system will increase the value of your home. If and when you sell or rent your home in the future, you will get a better price.

Save on Homeowner’s Insurance

If you have an automated home system with security features, you can save sometimes up to 10 percent on your homeowner’s insurance since your home is more protected that way.

Improve Physical and Emotional Comfort

Having an automated home system will increase both your physical and your emotional comfort. It will let you control the lighting and temperature in your home easily from wherever you are. It will also give you peace of mind when you are not home, knowing that your home is safe and secure.

The Ability to Customize It

You can customize your automated home system to fit your needs exactly. Whether you want to be able to have the same music or podcast playing in every room of your home at the same time or you simply want the lights to turn off at a specific time every day, we can help you out. Contact us today for more information.

Heat and Weight Concerns When Mounting Your TV

Mounting your television above your fireplace mantle is a popular design choice. It’s a clear area that is usually on the opposite side of the room from the furniture because of the fireplace. But a lot of design experts disagree with the choice, either because they don’t like the look of the finished product or because it places the television too high on the wall. Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you do decide to mount your television above your fireplace because it’s the best spot for it, here are two common questions to help you start the process.

Heat and Weight Concerns When Mounting Your TV

Is it safe to mount a television near my fireplace?

If you use your fireplace often, it’s going to generate a lot of heat and smoke. That can be bad for televisions, which are vulnerable to excess heat. Touch the wall above your mantle after you have a fire going for a while and test if it’s warm to the touch. If it is, but you still want to mount your television there, look for mounting kits that hold the television away from the wall. Even a bit of separation can protect the internal hardware. Another option is a projector screen that is suspended from your ceiling. This screen will be even further from sources of potential heat damage. It also has fewer fragile components and opportunities for damage.

What if there aren’t studs?

Most residential walls are made with wooden frames that are covered with sheets of drywall. The wooden beams hidden behind the wall, or the studs, are the ideal points to mount a television. The wood can handle the weight much better than drywall so you don’t have to worry about the bracket falling down. But it might be impossible to find those studs above a fireplace, especially because there will be a large gap for the fireplace itself.

Mounting a TV without studs doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Instead of a standard mounting kit, there are other other options that we can help with. Give us a call and we can evaluate the mounting location to provide you with the best solution. Call Audio Video Solutions for expert advice on the best position and equipment to mount your television.

Why You Should Choose A TV Projector

As more and more people trade their traditional television setup for a projector, the old style of watching television is slowly becoming obsolete. These devices offer the sort of value that cannot be duplicated and homeowners will benefit immensely from making the switch. The following guide provides those who are still on the fence with all of the information that they need. Find out why a TV projector is a top choice for your media room.

Why You Should Choose A TV Projector

Improved Picture Quality

This is one of the primary benefits that a TV projector has to offer. While some might compare the picture quality to that of a flat screen, this ignores the projector’s ability to provide homeowners with the chance to enjoy their favorite movies from a variety of angles. The high definition that is enjoyed with traditional televisions is paired with an impressive resolution.

Size Customization

A homeowner does not have to choose a projector that is too big or too small for the room that it is in. While the homeowner is certainly free to choose the largest TV projector possible, there is a wide range of options available. Projectors provide homeowners with the chance to zoom in and zoom out as needed.

Easy on the Eyes

A common misconception when it comes to a TV projector is that it is not going to be easy on the eyes. Having a sizable screen will not place any added strain on the viewer. The more space that is filled up, the easier it becomes to enjoy your viewing experience. Most TV projector owners report that the experience is rather relaxing and they do not wish to switch back to their traditional TV set.

Those who have further questions about a TV projector and how they can benefit from making the switch in their media room should contact Audio Video Solutions as soon as possible.

Why A Quality Surround System is Important for Your Home Theater

Every home theater system is never complete without a quality sound system. You want clean, crisp audio to match the visuals of your television system, and this is where having a good, quality surround sound system is a must. However, not all sound systems provide the same results, so it is important to pay attention to quality when making your decision.

Why A Quality Surround System is Important for Your Home Theater

A surround sound system will not only provide you with quality sound control, but will also fill out your home theater space. A lower-end system, whether surround or not, will not fill out the room in the same way. In other words, it will leave some “dead spaces” in certain areas farther away from the speakers. With a good surround sound system you will never have this issue and no matter where you sit in your home theater space you will be provided with excellent sound coverage.

A surround sound system is a good choice if you want your entire room to be filled with crisp, clear sound with good volume control. It is also a good option if you watch a lot of movies or T.V. shows because the sound will add depth to the programs you enjoy and will add that “movie theater quality” we all strive to recreate at home. You will be able to hear every detail of the sound layout of whatever you are watching.

A surround sound system is also a great option if you listen to a lot of music. Many home theater systems now have music players and music stations to use, and playing your favorite music through a surround system will enhance the listening experience to the next level.

Installing a quality surround sound system does not have to involve stress. We are here to help you on your journey to creating the perfect home theater, and sound is no exception. We will communicate with you your options and install the perfect sound system for your home. One of our top priorities is delivering attentive customer service, so you can count on us to get the job done right the first time. If you would like more information about our services, and to see how we can help you, please contact us.

Be Prepared Before Installing a Television Mount Into a Brick Wall

Walls are surprisingly fragile things. Even though the majority of television mounting brackets are designed to take the surface constraints into consideration, it can still be a risky chore finding precisely the right way to secure your television in place. Bigger screens and pivoting mount arms seem like even bigger risks. But with the right equipment, any setup can be installed without surface damage or breaking the television. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re installing a television on a brick accent wall:

Be Prepared Before Installing a Television Mount Into a Brick Wall

Not all brick walls are built from brick.

Unless you know what materials went into building the accent wall, you can’t be sure you’re dealing with real brick. For interior accent walls, it’s much more likely that the underlying sheetrock was covered with brick veneer, or thin layers of brick that can be adhered in place like tiles. In many ways, this makes your job easier: real brick can be difficult to drill through and work with. But, at the same time, it means the wall is already carrying a lot of weight and you need to be even more careful supporting your television.

Universal mounting screws might not be enough.

Most television mounting kits come with the mounting screws and supports you need. But the majority of these tools are designed for regular sheetrock, or drywall. That means you need to augment the standard kit with concrete sleeve anchors and specific screws for the hard material. Unfortunately, this introduces a bit of guesswork unless you’re working with a company that can give you good advice and specific recommendations.

When in doubt, ask an installation expert to mount your television.

There are a lot of different reasons to have a professional install your television mount and the television itself. They can find the best height and angle to reduce glare and increase visibility. They can insert the cables through the wall if possible for a clean finish. They also have enough experience installing mounts to get the job done the first time. With brick walls, the stakes are even higher because you can’t use drywall filler to repair holes.

Whether you want a professional to install your television mount or you just want some good advice about the specific hardware for your brand of mount, go to Audio Video Solutions.

4 Great Reasons to Install a Media Room

Looking for a way to enhance your living experience? Start building a media room! A media room makes a great addition to any home and provides your whole family with fun and enjoyment. Here are a few great benefits of having a media room.

4 Great Reasons to Install a Media Room

A Place to Bond

A media room is a great place to hang out and bond. Remember, you are not limited to installing a simple home theater where you watch movies. A media room can be a room where you can enjoy a variety of activities. You can install various other games, such as arcade games or video games. You can install a popcorn machine, a slush machine, or a vending machine. You can install a small library and a desk so that your kids can go there to do some quiet reading and studying. It’s a great way to have a fun go-to place where your kids can hang out after school and where your whole family can have fun and bond together.

Enhance Your Viewing Experience

Watching a movie on Netflix is enjoyable, but not nearly as enjoyable as watching it in your own special home theater. You can greatly enhance your viewing experience through so many ways. You can install speakers for surround sound or install just the right lighting for viewing a horror film, as examples.

Increase Your Home Value

A media room will also increase your home’s value. If you ever want to sell or rent your home, it will be worth a lot more if you have a media room. It’s a great investment that pays itself off.

Entertainment On Demand

Want to watch a good movie but too lazy to go out to the theater? Having your own theater room solves this problem.

For more information on media room design &  installation, contact us today!

Hire Professionals to Set Up Your New Home Theater

Having a home theater put into your house can be a great way to enjoy movies and television more, along with having a great place to gather with friends and family at home. If you want a television installed at home by mounting it to the wall, it can be a great idea to get a professional to help. Instead of tackling the installation of your television on your own, consider the quality job that a professional can provide and the difference it will make for your home.

Hire Professionals to Set Up Your New Home Theater

Make Sure the Television is Stable

One of the most important things to keep in mind when getting a home theater built is that the television needs to be stable. Depending on the size and weight of the television, there is always the risk that the TV could fall from the wall if it’s not installed properly. By relying on a professional to help install the TV on the wall, you don’t need to worry about it falling loose due to a poorly done installation.

Keep Any Cords Hidden

When you want the home theater to look professionally done, is important that you don’t leave any cords exposed. Having electrical cords exposed can be dangerous if you have children or pets, but can also look unsightly when you want the home theater look as nice as possible. During the TV installation, you can have the cords hidden behind the walls so that you have a much cleaner look in your home theater.

Get Audio Taken Care Of As Well

When having a television installed by professional, you also get the benefit of getting the audio taken care of. Getting speakers installed can be a great idea and can make using your home theater much more enjoyable. Relying on a professional to help with getting the audio improved can help a lot in getting quality work done.

Taking your time exploring the different choices for having a home theater built can help a lot in getting you a seamless look that will be enjoyable to use. Contact us if you have any questions about installing your new TV.