Simplify My Home

Simplifying your home | 4 easy steps to Simplification | Profiles | FAQ | How to Buy

       1. Consulting/Planning
       2. System Design
       3. Installation Process
       4. Upgrade/Support

	From automated lighting systems to a killer multimedia room, it takes careful planning to design and install an automated system that complements your home and lifestyle. Take the time to find the right integrator to work closely with your architect, builder or interior designer in the initial planning stages. They'll help you determine the proper mix of automated systems and controls, and then go to work designing your custom system. > Tell me more The Basics and What You Really Need to Know Home Control Why should I consider home control? Home control, do you really need it? Homeowners tell how they decided Will my home look like a high-tech laboratory? Common misconceptions Video and Audio Systems What type of video display is best for you? DLP, LCD, Plasma, Huh? What should I know about HDTV? Can you tell me about surround sound? Watts the deal? What is a multiroom audio/video system? Wiring and Cabling Can you demystify wiring and cabling? Why is my integrator suggesting I prewire my home? Choosing and Working With an Integration Professional What should I look for when hiring a pro? How can your home systems installer help you stay within a particular budget? What are the most important pieces of information homeowners can share with their home systems installer? Doing Your Part to Think Green Thinking green when you plug in? Recycle your old electronics Technology That Makes a Difference in Audio/Video Systems High-Definition Cutting through the confusion of HDMI Why HD DVD? Why Blue-ray? Another high-def DVD format?! SACD, DVD—Ever hear of 'em? Seeing the Big Picture What is video processing? What's anamorphic? What is CinemaScope? What is timbre? Audio Bipole, dipole, North Pole: What's the difference and why do you need them? What affect will digital music have on my listening experience? Powering Your System How much power management does my system need? What is power conditioning and why do I need it? Don't Understand the Jargon? Here are Glossaries to Help An audio glossary of terms A home control glossary of terms A quick guide to relevant cables and connection types Glossary terms for networking > Hide this content.

	Start by discussing with your integrator everything you want an automated system to do. Then a system designer begins working with your architect or builder to establish wiring specs, equipment housing, room aesthetics, lighting and sound components, control panel placement, and more. They also assess all existing components and decide what new equipment is needed. Finally, component integration is planned and touch panels are programmed with the graphical interface of your choice. > Tell me more Planning Your Home Control What is the most important feature of a home control system? Have I thought of everything I need in home control? Can you explain new options available in wireless RF-based communications? What's the benefits with having home control with internet access? What are some of the key differentiating features between home control systems? How can you protect your home control system from becoming technologically obsolete? What devices are best for operating my home control? Do I really want to automate feeding my fish? Advice from a homeowner A guide to remote controls Planning Your Video System To 1080p, or not to 1080p? Which display is right for your space? How can I wire a DVD player stored in my media center so I can watch it in my bedroom? Can I conceal my flat-panel TV? What should I consider with media room design? Is your A/V system hitting the ceiling? How much will my home theater cost? Planning Your Audio System Speakers What are my options with speaker types? Do I have enough power to my speakers? What's all the hubbub about subs? What are the parts of a speaker? What am I paying for when the price range goes from four to five to six figures? Can I pipe my music outside? Acoustics What can I do to optimize my room's acoustics? What is soundstage and imaging with regards to audio? To EQ or not to EQ? Planning Your Lighting How can I go green with my lighting? Is there more to lighting than a fixture and light bulb? What are the major benefits available from a lighting control system? Planning Your Home Computer Network What are the steps to setting up a wireless home network? What are the basic costs involved in setting up a home network? What are the differences between the 802.11 wireless technologies? Shop Like a Pro 10 budgeting tips Where do I shop? Can I believe what I see when shopping for TVs? What should I look for when purchasing a flat-panel display? Whatever happened to plain old contrast? Contrasting specs What should I know when shopping for video projectors? How do I find the best projection screen for my home entertainment haven? What about the other video components? Separate or combined components? What should I do when comparison shopping speakers? Will speaker materials and construction really make a difference? Square speakers? What do I shop for when looking at speaker wire? > Hide this content.

	After the planning and design have been finalized, it's time for installation. As your home is being constructed or retro-fit, any special electrical work, wiring, fixtures or cabinets to house electrical equipment can be installed. When your home is ready for move-in or your improvements have been finished, your systems integrator will complete the control system integration, program and test the system and ensure everything is working correctly. > Tell me more Installation Tips Got that fancy new flat panel and ready to hang it on a wall? What's the best place for your speakers in a two-channel setup? How can make my home theater look like the real thing? Tip of the day: Install your own lighting dimmers The little details of home theater installation What are some ways a homeowner can easily and affordably fine-tune his or her home control system after it's been installed ? Everything Else You Need to Know About Creating and Enhancing Your Electronic Lifestyle Video and Audio Systems What seating will work best in my media room? Want to feel like your in the action? How do I get the most of out my video system? How do I listen? What is HD Radio? Biometric for your home? What are my content storage options? Home Amenities More fine furnishings The dirt on central vac Video surveillance systems > Hide this content.

	The decision to automate your environment represents a significant investment in your home and in technology. To protect your investment's long-term value, you'll want to be sure that your home and system will easily accommodate new innovations in multimedia, networking and communications formats, as well as your family's changing needs. Be sure to discuss with your integrator future equipment and programming upgrades, as well as capabilities add-ons.