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Multi-Room Audio Helps Ease the Stress of Alzheimer’s Patients 09/01/2010 | Leave a Comment
Music has tremendous power, probably more than we even realize. Music has the ability to move us and capture our emotions. As we all know: “Sad songs say so much.” Certain types of music have been shown to help students retain more information when they are studying. All of which makes whole home audio systems so attractive. A recent story in Electronic House highlights how a multi-room audio system actually helps Alzheimer’s patients live more comfortably at an Alzheimer’s care facility in Oklahoma.
The director of the facility explains that planners insisted that the system be included in the facility because for many of the residents, music was a large part of their lives and it can be used to help stimulate pleasant memories of the past. The music comes from Internet radio and a special satellite channel created for the facility. And because the caregivers know their patients so well, they are able to customize the musical experience for each resident based on their likes and dislikes. The system provides music throughout the facility, including the 66 residents’ bedrooms.
According to the article, “Research shows that recalling sounds evokes memories of youth, increases self esteem, and puts dementia patients in a better mood.” It just plain makes them happier.
For all the talk about how home automation technologies can make our lives simpler, more efficient, safer, and of course more fun, here is just one example of how these technologies can help people.
Certified Connection Project Spotlighted 08/18/2010 | Leave a Comment
Certified Connection frequently relies on the automation products of Control4 when designing custom systems for both homes and offices. Certified Connection recently had the honor of having a project highlighted on Control4’s project gallery website.
Certified Connection was engaged by Jackrabbit Design, a Massachusetts-based marketing firm, to design an office automation solution. Jackrabbit’s offices are in an interesting architectural space, and the company wanted a solution that would not only reflect the modern space, but emphasize the company’s cutting-edge reputation. Jackrabbit sought a solution that would streamline the technical aspects of the space by incorporating high-tech audio/visual systems and building automation equipment.
Certified Connection designed a solution that met all of Jackrabbit’s requirements. The system is easy to use, inconspicuously integrated, and allows for automated control of all audio/visual systems, lighting systems, climate control systems, the alarm system, and security cameras from multiple access points, including iPhone control.
Certified Connection’s technicians transformed complex technical components and systems into a simple and elegant customized solution for Jackrabbit’s unique physical environment, and even the most non-tech-savvy employees at Jackrabbit are able to use the most complicated of systems.
Some of the Control4 components used for this project were the Portable 7-inch Touch Screen, the Home Controller HC-200, and the SR-250 Remote Control. Click here to see photos of this project: http://certifiedconnection.com/portfolio/.
Restaurant Automation Makes Pizza Place Hum 08/05/2010 | Leave a Comment
The owner of a pizza place in Cincinnati was very sure about two things: he wanted to automate multiple systems within his restaurant, and he wanted an extremely easy-to-use system. He got both.
The solution was the installation of a Control4 automation system to manage the audio and video systems. There are 10 TVs that are on a set program coordinated with opening, closing, and shift changes. The TVs can be preset to tune to a specific source, such as one of the three DirecTV receivers. In addition to managing video, the Control4 system also handles the restaurant’s audio.
There are a total of 34 speakers throughout the interior and exterior of the restaurant that are run through the Control4 system and are connected to an iPod dock. Through these speakers, the restaurant can run audio of a big game, a terrestrial or satellite radio station, or even an iPod playlist. The owner can easily switch between audio options and choose the one that best matches the time of day and the dining crowd.
The main system management is handled through a series of seven-inch touchscreens, and the owner even has mobile access through his iPhone. For parties or business meetings, two touchscreens were installed in private rooms so guests can customize their audio and video during a private event. Automation has allowed this pizza place to step boldly into the future!
Do you own a business that could benefit from this type of automation? Contact the professionals at Certified Connection today and let us hook you up!
Control Your Home from Your iPad 07/23/2010 | Leave a Comment
Not surprisingly, the iPad has taken the world by storm. Apple just announced that they have sold two million iPads in two months. And, home automation companies have quickly jumped on the “i” bandwagon. A recent article in Residential Systems discusses how the iPad has quickly become a favorite of home automation systems companies. According to the article, “Crestron, AMX, Control4, and Savant Systems (whose products were established on Apple’s operating system from the very beginning) have all created applications (apps) specifically geared for integration with the iPad.”
Home automation professionals are now able to easily integrate multiple home automation systems with the iPad. “’Benefits are that the iPad is a multi-purpose device that can also be used to control your house,’ said Dick Rozic, president of Aveon Inc., an integration company in Houston, Texas. ‘Just like the Control4 remote can get rid of lots of traditional remote controls, the iPad can morph and fulfill many different functions in one convenient device.’”
Some of the main reasons that industry experts believe the iPad is a perfect match with home automation technologies are:
- Its very user-friendly interface is less intimidating than many remotes
- It has a larger screen, which is helpful for older users and makes it easier to monitor cameras
- It’s lightweight at around 1.5 pounds
- It’s relatively inexpensive, starting at around $499, which is less expensive than many touch screen remotes
- It’s capable of performing many different functions, tying together large numbers of systems
- It’s really cool
Now if only we could control our children via the iPad. It could happen. At the very least we can keep tabs on them with security cameras and iPad home automation integration.
Getting the Most Out of Your Audio/Video System 07/08/2010 | Leave a Comment
You might think that if you put a Blu-ray disc into a Blu-ray player hooked up to a 1080p HD TV, you’re getting the best of the best. But simply purchasing a 1080p television doesn’t guarantee you 1,080 lines’ worth of definition. Just about every Blu-ray player has output settings that have to be configured properly to display full 1080p resolution. And if your player is hooked to an A/V receiver, it may also have output settings that will have to be set. Some sophisticated home theaters will then send the signal to an outboard video processor, which needs the same type of fine-tuning.
But even if your Blu-ray player, your A/V receiver, and your video processor are all configured in the right way, you might still not get exactly what you want out of your system. For example, if the display mode on your television isn’t set up properly, you won’t enjoy all 1,080 lines of detail that you paid for. With all of the menus and all of the options available on HD TVs – or any piece of electronic equipment – there are countless permutations. Every customization is different, based on anything from the room you choose for your set-up to the distance between your couch and the TV, and you may not even know what you want until you see the type of customization available.
Face it: You need help. You may be a computer whiz or remember fondly your time spent as president of the A/V club, but technology moves fast and you might not know what you don’t know. Not only that, the industry focuses on customizability and the user experience, so there are tons of options on every piece of equipment, whether it be part of a security system, a home theater, a lighting system, or a home computer network. And I think your baby just re-set your system to factory settings while she was chewing on the remote. So c’mon – call a professional. It’ll be our little secret.
