Blog | SoundVision

Staying Up To Date With The Latest Technologies

Technology today is growing at an exponential rate. New products are being released daily, and new ways to use technologies are never ending. As a tech company, few things can be more harmful to business than getting complacent. If companies are not constantly learning about the newest technologies, they will become outdated very quickly. It doesn’t take long for some state of the art technology to become outdated and ineffective. At SoundVision, we are sure to always stay up to date with all that is new in the industry. How do we do this? Constant training.At least once a month, we have onsite manufacturer training in our office. Representatives from a variety of tech companies will come in and hold training sessions for our entire team. They teach us about the newest products they offer. We learn how to use them, their capabilities, how to install them, and any questions customers may have about the product. By the end of these sessions, any member of our team could tell you anything you would like to know about the latest products.
Members of our team attend seminars put on by others in the industry on a regular basis. This is another way to ensure that we know about the latest technologies as soon as they are available. We also watch webinars whenever relevant to learn about technologies online without having to attend events in person.Our team is always present at trade shows when possible. This is a great way for us to view the products that are just coming out, or will be out in the near future. From here, we are able to see which of these products and services would be useful to our clients and would fit into our company’s standards.We try to have representatives present at any big industry event. For example, every year we attend Cedia, a residential technology trade show held down in San Diego. This is a huge opportunity for us to learn about the latest and greatest in residential technology and connect with other leaders in the industry.

We are also a member of the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA). This group consists of the top residential audio and video companies in the country. Twice a year, all members of HTSA and over 100 vendors get together for a spring and fall conference. At this event, we discuss new and old products, share experiences, and work together to see what products and systems work best for our clientele. This is a great opportunity to see how similar companies are performing and build relationships that will benefit us in the future.

In our industry, it is pivotal for us to remain up to date with every new technology. We always try to do an excellent job as a team of staying informed. To learn about the latest technologies or to see them in use in our showroom, give us a call or set up a meeting!

(415)456-7000

Our client was looking for an easy to operate conference room with video conferencing capabilities and an integrated system connecting all technologies. They also wanted an audio system throughout the building.

Motorized Window Treatments

In the conference room, we installed Lutron Triathlon Roller Shades. The shades are programmed to be easily controlled through the client’s conference room iPad. The system can be customized to fit the client’s preferences.

Our SoundVision team will work together with you to find the perfect solution for any job. To see the difference working with SoundVision can make, or to see all the technologies available, give us a call or set up a meeting! We would love to show you the latest systems in use in our new showroom.

(415)456-7000

Lossless Audio- Music Streaming Without Sacrificing Quality

With music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music taking over the audio world, music quality has taken a bit of a back seat. If you use these services exclusively, you may not notice the difference, as the quality you hear is what you have become accustomed to. However, if you listen to a song on Spotify or Apple Music, and then listen to the same song on a CD, you will notice dramatically more details and better sound quality from the CD. This is because, in order to store and stream such a large library of songs, these music streaming services compress their audio files. When compressing audio, certain parts of a track that are considered “less important” are removed in order to reduce the overall file size. The result is lower audio quality. However, with advances in listening capabilities on mobile devices, desktop computers, and high end speakers, the difference in music quality has become much more audible.This difference in quality has become a point of competition for some streaming services. The emerging Jay-Z owned service, Tidal, uses high-fidelity streaming as their main selling point. Boasting that they offer lossless audio across all devices, they charge $19.99/month for their service. This price is double the industry standard of $9.99/month for streaming services with lower audio quality. Tidal has not gained much popularity as its features are not as desirable as those of Spotify and the like, but its audio quality keeps it in the market and allows it to compete with the bigger services.

The leader in the music streaming industry to this point has been Spotify. It has recently been announced that Spotify is experimenting with a new tier, known as Spotify Hi-Fi, which will offer lossless streaming. The price for this service has not yet been set, but it is expected to cost between $5-$10 more than their standard $9.99/month price. A small number of Spotify users were offered this upgrade at a different range of prices, but an error occurred when users attempted to upgrade the service. Spotify was not ready to release the service, but simply wanted to test to see how much customers would be willing to pay. They are still in the testing phase and need to figure out if customers will pay for additional sound quality before releasing the service.

Last week I was driving to the beach and streaming music from my phone as I always do in the car. Along the way I reached a dead zone and was forced to listen to a dusty old CD I bought years ago. As soon as the sound filled my ears, the difference in quality was shocking. I felt the bass with more power, heard the guitar with more clarity, and could hear the emotion in the singers voice like I hadn’t experienced in years. The sound was so much more full and vivid, it felt as though the band was in the car with me. As great as it is to be able to stream any song I want whenever I want, this experience made me realize how much quality we have been sacrificing for convenience. To some, lossless audio may not be a feature worth paying an additional monthly fee for. However, if you have a high quality AV system or enjoy the full, uncompressed sound of your music, lossless audio is a feature worth paying attention to. If you use an audio system installed by SoundVision, your system is high enough quality for you to notice the difference. Your system is capable of playing lossless, CD quality sound. If you are a true music fan with this quality of a system, you owe it to yourself to experience your music in this way. If Spotify releases this new tier with success, you can expect other services like Apple Music and Pandora to follow in their footsteps. Listening to music has evolved greatly in the last decade to give you access to virtually every song you want to hear for a low monthly price. We have sacrificed quality to allow this type of listening, but high quality sound is likely on its way back.

To learn more about lossless audio or to see the difference in a high quality AV system, give us a call or set up a meeting!

(415)456-7000

Behind The Scenes of a SoundVision Project

At SoundVision, we make a point to leave every project with a clean, finished look. Every wire is hidden, and you will only see what you want to see. Your system will never have a messy feel to it, and everything will be neat and organized. However, the wires are still there, hidden in the walls, in the cabinets, and behind our products. It takes careful work to give your home this finished look. I am going to take you behind the scenes of one of our recent projects to allow you to see the effort behind our work.

Family Room

In the family room, we installed a 55” 4K LED Smart TV. This was installed on an articulating wall mount, allowing the TV hang elegantly in the space, and the screen can pull out and rotate to allow the owners to view the screen from the dining area. In the cabinet, we installed six Sonos Connect Amps connected to speakers throughout the residence. Each of these amps controls a zone of music in the house. We also installed a surround sound receiver in the family room which is connected to one Sonos zone. Next we connected the customer’s Xbox, Apple TV, Sonos Zone Player, Sony Blu-Ray Player, and cable box. All components in the room are easily operated with a universal remote control, allowing the customer to switch between all devices effortlessly. All devices were neatly wired, labelled, and organized in two cabinets under the TV, and remain completely out of sight. You can also see that “service loops” are left in the wiring that will allow components to be pulled out and serviced without the wiring coming disconnected.

Office

In the office, we replaced the bulky and unsightly old wall mount with an ultra-thin Chief Articulating Wall Mount, allowing for a much cleaner look, along with more mobility and better rotation of the TV. Then we installed another ultra-thin 55” 4K LED Smart TV.

Pool House

In the Pool House we installed an 85” 4K LED TV. We also mounted a Sonos play bar under the TV for better sound quality. We then connected the customer’s PlayStation 4, Apple TV, Blu-Ray Player, and cable box. There is also a wireless access point under this cabinet for excellent pool house and patio Wi-Fi coverage. Next we added two more Sonos Connect Amps for the customer’s outdoor audio system. All of these devices and systems are hidden in the cabinet under the TV except for the PS4. The wires are still hidden under the cabinet, but the system is resting on top of the counter to allow the customer to plug in controllers and switch games.

Backyard Speakers

In the fire pit area next to the pool, we installed two Sonance Mariner Speakers in the trellis. At the Bocce Court, we installed two Episode Landscape Series Satellite Speakers with 8” woofers. There is one speaker on each end of the court to achieve full sound throughout the area. With the coverage of these four speakers, the customer is capable of playing music with a clean, clear sound throughout the yard. The fire pit and bocce court are two separate Sonos zones, all controlled from an app on the client’s phone or tablet.

When we finish a project, it will look simple and elegant. Nothing will be clustered, wires will be out of sight, and all systems will work together with no trouble. We do all the work so you can enjoy your systems with ease. If you have a project you would like our help with or are curious about the services we offer, give us a call or set up a meeting! We can show you some of the systems and products we offer in our brand new showroom!

(415)456-7000

Managing Projects For Success

Home remodel and building projects never come without issues. You will run into unexpected problems, get frustrated at times, and may even want to give up. But when you work through your project, all the issues will be resolved and you will end up with the beautiful home of your dreams. Through all the stress, we want to help the process go as smoothly as possible for you. There are a few things you need to be sure to do to make sure this process is as hassle free as it can be.

To take away a lot of the stress of the project, it is important to plan out every detail beforehand. Before you dare to break ground on your project, it is vital to know exactly what you want. The best projects we have worked with, plan for months, or even years, and make sure every detail is planned out before starting construction. If you attempt to plan out your project as you go, you WILL run into issues. Without planning ahead, you won’t be able to spot problems ahead of time, and your project will be slowed considerably. Without good planning, the cost estimate you are given will be very loose. This means more change orders will come about as you go, and your project can end up being more expensive then necessary.

As a general rule, the more detailed your drawings are, the smoother the job will go. If you try to begin a project with drawings that are basic or lack detail, your project will take longer than necessary and most likely will not fit your vision (or budget). If your drawings are detailed, you can spot problems ahead of time, and you will only have to change your details instead of having to change the actual construction that has been done. The work will get done quicker and less expensively. Additionally, with good drawings you will be able to get a visual idea of how your finished product will look, and you can decide ahead of time if you like the way it will turn out. With well detailed drawings, you will be able to get a much more accurate cost estimate ahead of time, saving you from unexpected costs at the end of the project.It is imperative to your project that you have a solid channel of communication with the team or teams you are working with. After all the time and money you are putting into your project, it is not worth it to hold your tongue on any part of the job and end up disappointed in the end result. When working with a SoundVision team, we would much rather you tell us if you want something different in your design than to stay quiet about your vision. Do you have an idea for something you want in your house, but you’re unsure if we can make it happen? Let us know, we love the challenge! We would much rather you ask and get an answer than to complete the project and have you forever wonder if it was possible. Odds are, with the team of true professionals we have on staff, we will be able to make your idea a reality.

Building or remodeling a home is stressful enough without adding the unnecessary issues of poor drawings, poor planning or bad communication. Great projects only happen when a group works well together. Follow these steps, and make the process to your finished product as easy and stress free as possible.

For questions about your home improvements or if you would like to work with us on your project, give us a call or set up a meeting!

(415)456-7000

Wi-Fi Vs. Ethernet Network Connections

In today’s world, we feel the need to constantly be connected to the Internet. Whether we’re going on social media, checking emails, surfing websites, etc., we are constantly connected and looking for faster speeds. This has lead to great advances in wireless networks. Almost every building you enter has some sort of WiFi available, whether public or private. With the increasing power of these networks, we are asking the question: Do we need wires anymore? Can we go completely wireless? Although wireless networks have advanced greatly, wired connections are still better. Let’s talk about why.

Wired networks are faster. Although wireless speeds have increased substantially in the past years, they still do not compare to the speed of wired connections. The speed of wireless internet is usually enough for simple tasks and almost everything on a smartphone, but once you start using your computer for more complex tasks, such as transferring data or online gaming, you will notice the difference in speed by using a wired connection.

Wired networks are much more reliable than wireless. Wireless networks have to wait for a break in traffic before they can transmit, they have to deal with interference, and have the tendency to crash or become unavailable for a variety of different reasons. Their connection can be blocked by the floor or walls. Other devices can interfere with the signal. If you are in a part of the house far away from the router, there can even be black spots where WiFi does not reach. With a wired network, you are significantly less likely to face these issues.

Wired connections are much more secure than wireless networks. With an Ethernet cord, only those devices physically connected to the cord can access the information on the network. With WiFi, data is floating around in the air and can be intercepted by others using the network in the general area. Although most of the time there are security measures in place to protect your personal information on a wireless network, it is still not as safe as a wired connection.

Wireless networks have allowed us to make great advances in technology. Having access to the internet from nearly anywhere you wish has opened up the possibilities for what can be done on smartphones as well as other WiFi connected devices. As time goes on, we expect WiFi will continue to grow and advance.

To see the differences between wired and wireless network connections, or if you would like a network installed in your home, give us a call or set up a meeting!

SoundVision Showroom – All The Systems On Display – All In One Place

At SoundVision, we offer the highest quality and most innovative products available on the market. Most customers are not aware of some of the options available to them. Even more have never seen these products in use. We can’t expect anyone to choose a solution without seeing and understanding how it works. For this reason, we have turned our office into a showroom. While we enjoy the benefits of these products ourselves, we love to show them off even more. Whether you are looking to install a system in your home or are just curious about how some of these products work, we enjoy showing them off and letting our customers see our difference in quality first hand. Here are some examples of products we have installed in our showroom.

Motorized Shades and Window Treatments

You will not see any dangling cords or pulleys on any of the shades in our showroom. Instead, they are all motorized. We can open and close our shades by pressing a button on the wall, an app on our phones, or by telling Alexa (the voice control service by Amazon) to do it for us. We use Lutron and Q-Motion wired and battery powered roller shades, roman shades with natural fabrics, and motorized drapery tracks. We offer a wide variety of motorized window treatment products from roller shades, roman shades, motorized drapes, skylight shades, outdoor shades, bottom-up shades and more.

Lighting Control

All of the lights in our office are controlled by keypads as well as an app that allows us to control individual lights or areas very easily. If the last person to leave the office happens to leave the lights on, we can check from home and turn them off from there. From this app we can turn all the lights in the office on and off at once, individually, or by room. Additionally, we have set scenes that will connect our lighting to other automated parts of the office. For example, if we tell Alexa to “Turn Conference Room TV On,” the shades will close, the lights will dim, and our projector or TV will turn on.

Audio and Speakers

We have a large number of overhead, in-ceiling and in-wall speakers, and invisible speakers and subwoofers throughout our office. We also have a 15.2 (17 speaker) Dolby Atmos Theater. Regardless of where you are, you will hear our music with crystal clear sound that seems to surround you from every angle. Our audio system is all automated as well. From a phone or wall mounted iPad, you can turn the music on and off in the whole office or by individual room.

Hidden TV’s and Wallpaper TV

If you were to walk around our office, you would be under the impression that there is one TV in the whole place. This is our 1/8 of an inch thick wallpaper TV. This is mounted on the wall and lays virtually flat against the surface. When turned on, you would be amazed that such a thin product could produce such a bold and vivid picture quality.

After the awe of this incredible product wears off, you will be even more shocked to hear that there are six more TV’s hidden throughout the office. The first is in our conference room inside a framed painting of the Golden Gate bridge and the bay around it. When turned on, the painting raises up and a TV appears in the frame. The second is also in the conference room, in the form of a screen and projector that both drop down from the ceiling. Our third is behind the large mirror in the front of the office. When turned on, the TV shines brightly through the mirror. There is another TV in the mirror in our bathroom. The fifth is hidden in the cabinet in our showroom, and pops out of the top when turned on. The last one is similar to the first in that it is hidden behind a framed painting, but when we turn it on the frame itself lifts up and the TV is revealed behind.

Outdoor Speakers

Outside of our office, we have a number of speakers installed. They are nearly undetectable, as they are all well hidden and fit into the elements. These outdoor speakers are weatherproof, and can survive harsh winter weather and scorching summer heat. They can be hidden in a bush, shaped like a rock, hidden in the ground, and more. The goal is to have great sound with even coverage, without compromising aesthetics.

Automation

With all of the different products we have installed, we want them to be as simple to operate as possible. Our automation system connects all of our products and devices together, making it easy to control all parts of the office. Our shades, lights, music, TV’s, heater and air conditioning can all be turned on and off from the same place. We have an iPad mounted on the wall that controls all of our connected products. We also have a universal remote control and smartphone app with the same capabilities.

If any of these products caught your attention and you would like to see them for yourself, let us know. We enjoy showing off all of our great products and systems. Give us a call or set up a demo, we’d love to show you around!

(415)456-7000

Wireless Networks- Don’t Cut The Cords

The world of wireless internet has evolved over time to adapt to our increasing needs. The wireless networks we used ten years ago are no longer sufficient for the usage we need from them now. In my family of five, it is not uncommon for up to nine devices to be in use on our network at once. Between laptops, phones, Apple TV, and more, there is a lot of traffic for our network to attempt to deal with. For this reason, there is a greater need for a powerful wireless system to accommodate everyone’s devices.

Traditionally, all wireless networks have had a similar setup. They start with a modem, which connects your network to the internet through telephone or cable lines. Next you need a router, which essentially directs traffic for your network. Next you have a switch, which connects the wired devices on the network together. From here, you need to connect to a wireless access point. This is the central spot from which Wi-Fi is transmitted. If you buy a basic level modem/router, it comes with a modem, router, switch, and access point built into one piece of hardware. If you have a home that is 1500 square feet or less, one access point is often sufficient for Wi-Fi coverage throughout the house. However, if your house is bigger, or you would like Wi-Fi available outside as well, you will need to add more access points. These access points should all be wired back to the router.

A new type of wireless network is becoming marketed as an inexpensive solution to get better coverage throughout the house. This is known as a mesh network. This system consists of a number of radio nodes (essentially small access points) that wirelessly communicate with each other to give you a wider range of Wi-Fi coverage. These nodes are plugged into the wall in different spots around the house and communicate with each other wirelessly. This type of network is great in theory. It does fix the problem of dead spots in the house, and is cheaper than a traditional system. However, it is NOT the best solution to poor Wi-Fi. It solves the coverage problem, but does not deliver consistent download speeds.
With mesh networks, a user’s device connects to one of the wireless nodes, which then retransmits the data through one or more wireless repeaters to the router. Each wireless “hop” from one device to another is subject to interference, data loss and latency. For this reason, even though it appears that you have full bars on your device, this is not an accurate representation of your connection. Although you are close in proximity to a node, your network speed will be considerably lower than it would be if the access point was wired back to the router. Most of the time, there is too much noise and interference for a wireless network to work at its top speed. With the traditional system, your device communicates directly to your nearest access point, which communicates uninterrupted through a wired connection with the router. This is a much faster and more effective way to send and receive information.

In addition to poor internet speed, mesh networks severely lack in security. With each computer acting as a router in this type of network, a stolen computer or device can grant access to the network and can allow the thief to easily enter the network and install malicious software. Without added security, hackers can also create zombie computers in the networks, which can passively collect website passwords, bank information, and more from other computers in the network. Additionally, if a computer becomes infected, it can pretend to be a trusted member of the network, but can block information from passing through to other nodes or steal the information as it is being transmitted. Additional security measures and software can be installed in a mesh network to try to dilute the security issues, but you are still at a much higher risk than with a traditional system.

Wireless Mesh Networks are inexpensive band-aids for fixing wireless dead spots, but they are no substitute for a properly designed network solution. If you are having problems with your Wi-Fi and are seeing dead spots in your home, the ideal, fastest, and most reliable solution is additional access points connected in your wired system. A mesh network is not the best solution.

For a professionally installed home network or to see all the products we offer, give us a call or set up a meeting!

(415)456-7000

Our Scope- Why a High Quality Automation and AV System is the Most Important Part of your Home Improvement Project

You’ve made the decision to build or remodel your home. Congratulations! You have taken the biggest step toward turning your house into the home of your dreams. As soon as you commit to this decision, you know you have a lot of work ahead of you. You will need to work with a number of experts on a myriad of different specialties. You need all the various design elements to come together in order to make your vision into a reality.

Here at SoundVision we wholeheartedly believe that the installation of your automation and AV system is the most important part of your home improvement project. Don’t believe us? Here’s our reasoning:

Every night, the majority of people get home from work and want to relax and unwind. After a long day, the most common way to do this is to kick off your shoes, sit down on your comfortable chair or couch, and either watch TV, listen to music, or surf online. This should be an easy and enjoyable experience every time. If you go to the store, buy a TV, and install it yourself, you will not give yourself the viewing experience you deserve. Your experience will most likely be one with poor sound coming straight from the TV, complete with visible wires and a mediocre setup.

After the time and money you put into your home remodel, you deserve better. If you have your system installed correctly, you can sit down to watch TV with a system you will love to use every time. Your TV will be installed in an aesthetically pleasing way to allow you to keep your room looking clean and presentable. You will not see a single wire, and we will mount your TV so that it is visible from every viewing angle in the room. We will work with you to make sure you will see only what you want, even if this means keeping your screen completely out of sight until you are ready to use it (view our hidden TV models here). The audio from your TV will not just come directly from the TV. Instead, we will install a surround sound system allowing you to hear sounds from their intended direction. Whether it’s a jet flying overhead, a villain sneaking up from behind, or a door slamming from the side of the screen, a surround sound system can greatly intensify your experience.

You don’t want a big, bulky audio system sitting on a table that takes up half of your room. You also don’t want a small speaker taking up counterspace with terrible audio quality. Instead of these subpar setups, you can trust the professionals that have spent a lifetime working with high quality systems. A professionally installed system will make your remodel much more complete.

You can finish your remodel with a whole home audio system. Now you can come home, press one button, and play your music over the whole house speakers in whichever room or rooms you desire. Your speakers will be mounted and will not ruin the look of your room. Your music will fill the house with the quality the artist intended their work to sound.

There is no better way to bring your project together than with a home automation system. Along with connecting your TV and audio systems together with one remote/app, you can connect your lighting, security system, and more. Now you can turn all the lights in your house off with one button. If you leave the house and leave a light on, you can turn it off with your phone from anywhere in the world. If you leave and forget to set your alarm, you can now do it from your phone. If you forgot whether or not you let your pet outside before you left, you can check on your cameras from the same app. We will also ensure that the network running all of your systems will be quick and reliable. No longer will you have to deal with rooms with spotty wifi or unreliable service.

If you are remodeling your home, you are making a large commitment of time and money to see your desired result. Why spend so much energy on your project just to end up disappointed with the parts of your home you will be using the most? It’s time to take your AV and automation system seriously, and install a system you will be happy with every day.

To see the difference a high quality AV system can make in your home, give us a call! We can set up a meeting for you to come witness the latest technologies in use in our showroom. We look forward to hearing from you!

(415)456-7000

Crestron Vs. Savant Vs. Control 4- Choosing your Home Automation System

When looking into a whole home automation system, three products typically come to mind. These are Crestron, Savant, and Control 4. At SoundVision, we work with and can install any of these systems into your home. All of these products can have amazing benefits, and can make control of your technologies much easier. But which system should you choose? Here you will learn the differences between the three, and will find out which system will work better for your home.

Crestron has been around since before most people thought home automation was possible. The company was established in 1969, and originally sold wireless remotes for slide projectors. They have consistently stayed ahead of the curve, offering the newest technologies as they become available. For decades, Crestron has been a leader in control system technology. Savant is a fairly new company. Established in 2005, the company quickly jumped to the top of the home automation business. Their goal from the start has been to offer an easy to use home automation product to a new wave of customers. Control 4 was founded in 2003 and found their market niche in being the least expensive of the main home automation options. These companies are now the top competitors in the industry, and all offer reliable and useful products.

Crestron

Crestron’s systems have open ended software. This allows for much more flexibility in their setup. Their products can be looked at as a blank canvas. If your installation company’s programmer is a great artist, they can do incredible things with this canvas. However, this is their blessing and curse, as this type of system leaves the largest room for error. You need to have true experts set up this type of system to ensure that the program will run smoothly. Their programming allows for the integration of systems anywhere from home entertainment and lighting to saunas and irrigation systems. When programmed well, this system can be very easy to use and can do almost anything.

Savant

Savant systems have an incredibly user friendly interface. Their home automation products work seamlessly with Apple products, and they have recently expanded to include an Android version of their app. Savant’s interface cannot be customized to the degree Crestron’s can, but it allows users to create their own scenes and add them to their home screen. Savant’s integration of home entertainment, lighting, security, and climate control work flawlessly together, and their installation is typically less expensive than Crestron’s. This has become our solution of choice for most applications.

Control 4

Control 4 has tried to be the low-price-leader in the automation category. We were a Control 4 dealer briefly, but we found that their system does not quite match our standards for quality and reliability. The system has great features and a relatively low price point. We are hopeful they can raise the bar for quality and become a great resource sometime in the future.

To read more about the advantages of home automation, click here. All of the systems we install will give you reliable home automation straight from your smartphone/tablet or connected remote. Regardless of which system you choose, SoundVision will install it and train you to effortlessly use the system the way it was intended for your home.

To see these services in use in our showroom, give us a call or set up a meeting!

(415)456-7000

Office Music System

Conference Room System

Motorized Shades and Window Treatments

Lighting Control

Audio and Speakers

Hidden TV’s and Wallpaper TV

Outdoor Speakers

Automation