Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/jsecure/jsecure.php on line 19
Strict Standards: Non-static method JPlugin::loadLanguage() should not be called statically in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/jsecure/jsecure.php on line 23
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 377
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/cachecleaner/cachecleaner.php on line 39
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/jsecure/jsecure.php on line 40
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 516
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 524
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 1114
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 34
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/joomailermailchimpsignup/joomailermailchimpsignup.php on line 39
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/webfonts/helpers/utilities.php on line 11
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/webfonts/helpers/utilities.php on line 11
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/webfonts/handlers/google.php on line 48
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/webfonts/handlers/google.php on line 33
Strict Standards: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/controlo/public_html/plugins/system/webfonts/helpers/head.php on line 26 Orlando Florida Home Automation: BlogOrlando Florida Home Automation (407) 243-9440 - Control Designer, Inc. is a full-service residential and commercial custom electronics, design and integration company. We specialize in AMX and Crestron automation systems that control audio, video and lighting systems. Our primary goal is to make your home or business systems, safe, elegant, fun and easy to use. Our team is comprised of world-class experts in every field whose top priority is to provide the best products and services to our clients.http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/feed/atom/blog2024-04-28T22:52:39+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementMedia Rooms: The New Home Theater Trend2017-08-08T17:36:18+00:002017-08-08T17:36:18+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/media-rooms-the-new-home-theater-trendCDstaff<br />
<b>Strict Standards</b>: Declaration of ElementTextarea::_renderRepeatable() should be compatible with ElementRepeatable::_renderRepeatable($function, $params = Array) in <b>/home/controlo/public_html/media/zoo/elements/textarea/textarea.php</b> on line <b>19</b><br />
<br />
<b>Strict Standards</b>: Declaration of ElementTextarea::getControlName() should be compatible with ElementRepeatable::getControlName($name, $array = false) in <b>/home/controlo/public_html/media/zoo/elements/textarea/textarea.php</b> on line <b>19</b><br />
<div class="element element-text first">
The Evolution of the Home Theater</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">For years, dedicated home theaters were incredibly popular in the audio/video community. If you wanted a top-notch theater in your home in the Steamboat Springs, CO area, you installed a system in a dedicated space like a basement or extra bedroom. Today, however, media rooms are becoming the popular trend because you don’t need additional space to enjoy an at-home cinema experience. The home theater experience is evolving. In this blog we’ll cover the new trend of media rooms and some of the pros and cons of installing one in your Colorado home.</span></p></div><div><p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a media room?</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">A media room is a multi-purpose room in your home that is often used for watching TV, listening to music, playing games, and entertaining guests. It can easily transform from a home theater to a game room or a listening room. Imagine enjoying some craft cocktails with friends one moment and then revealing a hidden TV to watch a movie or sporting event the next.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pros and Cons</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">A media room would be the perfect choice for someone who either doesn’t have an extra room for a dedicated theater, or someone who likes open spaces that can be used for many different activities. Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages:</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pros:<br /> Socialization: A media room is a great option for families who want to include their home theater system in common areas. Many interior designers choose an open concept in homes so that rooms aren’t divided. Open areas give parents the ability to watch their kids as they cook or clean. They can glance from the kitchen to the living room easily. Open concepts are also beneficial for entertaining. Instead of sitting in a dark room and watching a film, your guests can converse with you, eat or drink, and watch a show or sporting event at the same time.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flexibility: By concealing your technology, you can easily transform the area from living room to home theater. For example, we could hide a TV behind a piece of art or in a mirror so that all you have to do is press a button on your tablet or smartphone to begin a movie. You can have a cocktail party one moment and then play a video game the next. Or create a cinema mode where the lights dim and your movie begins.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cons:<br /> Design and décor: Design compromises may have to be made to allow the system to blend in with the rest of the home’s décor. Some may like the way their home theater system blends into your home’s interior design, while others may have hard time incorporating the technology into their design preferences.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acoustics: Another con to installing a media room is the noise control. It’s more difficult to contain loud volumes when there aren’t surrounding walls. With no doors or soundproofing, enjoying a loud movie or football game may disturb the rest of your family members or even your next-door neighbors.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you want a media room or a dedicated theater, Control Designer can provide both to your family. Let us know which you prefer and we will customize your Colorado home based on your personal style and needs.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Get Started</span></a></p></div></div><br />
<b>Strict Standards</b>: Declaration of ElementTextarea::_renderRepeatable() should be compatible with ElementRepeatable::_renderRepeatable($function, $params = Array) in <b>/home/controlo/public_html/media/zoo/elements/textarea/textarea.php</b> on line <b>19</b><br />
<br />
<b>Strict Standards</b>: Declaration of ElementTextarea::getControlName() should be compatible with ElementRepeatable::getControlName($name, $array = false) in <b>/home/controlo/public_html/media/zoo/elements/textarea/textarea.php</b> on line <b>19</b><br />
<div class="element element-text first">
The Evolution of the Home Theater</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">For years, dedicated home theaters were incredibly popular in the audio/video community. If you wanted a top-notch theater in your home in the Steamboat Springs, CO area, you installed a system in a dedicated space like a basement or extra bedroom. Today, however, media rooms are becoming the popular trend because you don’t need additional space to enjoy an at-home cinema experience. The home theater experience is evolving. In this blog we’ll cover the new trend of media rooms and some of the pros and cons of installing one in your Colorado home.</span></p></div><div><p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a media room?</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">A media room is a multi-purpose room in your home that is often used for watching TV, listening to music, playing games, and entertaining guests. It can easily transform from a home theater to a game room or a listening room. Imagine enjoying some craft cocktails with friends one moment and then revealing a hidden TV to watch a movie or sporting event the next.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pros and Cons</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">A media room would be the perfect choice for someone who either doesn’t have an extra room for a dedicated theater, or someone who likes open spaces that can be used for many different activities. Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages:</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pros:<br /> Socialization: A media room is a great option for families who want to include their home theater system in common areas. Many interior designers choose an open concept in homes so that rooms aren’t divided. Open areas give parents the ability to watch their kids as they cook or clean. They can glance from the kitchen to the living room easily. Open concepts are also beneficial for entertaining. Instead of sitting in a dark room and watching a film, your guests can converse with you, eat or drink, and watch a show or sporting event at the same time.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flexibility: By concealing your technology, you can easily transform the area from living room to home theater. For example, we could hide a TV behind a piece of art or in a mirror so that all you have to do is press a button on your tablet or smartphone to begin a movie. You can have a cocktail party one moment and then play a video game the next. Or create a cinema mode where the lights dim and your movie begins.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cons:<br /> Design and décor: Design compromises may have to be made to allow the system to blend in with the rest of the home’s décor. Some may like the way their home theater system blends into your home’s interior design, while others may have hard time incorporating the technology into their design preferences.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acoustics: Another con to installing a media room is the noise control. It’s more difficult to contain loud volumes when there aren’t surrounding walls. With no doors or soundproofing, enjoying a loud movie or football game may disturb the rest of your family members or even your next-door neighbors.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you want a media room or a dedicated theater, Control Designer can provide both to your family. Let us know which you prefer and we will customize your Colorado home based on your personal style and needs.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Get Started</span></a></p></div></div>3 Perks of a Whole House Audio/Video System2017-05-30T21:59:49+00:002017-05-30T21:59:49+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/3-perks-of-a-whole-house-audiovideo-systemStephanie<div class="element element-text first">
Expand Your Home Audio Video Experience</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="color: black;">If you enjoy movies, music, games, and sports, placing a home entertainment system in each room of your Steamboat Springs, CO home can be time-consuming. Most homeowners put a Blu-ray player, cable box and TV along the wall, but what if we told you there was a better way? A whole house video system saves space and streamlines your viewing experience. When you connect your media system to your smart home, browsing content and organizing your movies and music becomes hassle free. Read this blog to learn more.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-entertain-family-and-friends-during-the-holidays-with-home-audio-and-video">How to Entertain Family and Friends during the Holidays with Home Audio Video</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-entertain-family-and-friends-during-the-holidays-with-home-audio-and-video"></a><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>1.</strong><strong>You’ll reduce the amount of equipment you own.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">When you work with Control Designer, you have the advantage of reducing clutter and organizing all of your audio/video components. We’ll place Blu-ray players, cable boxes, video game consoles, and other media devices in a storage area so that it’s out of sight and won’t affect your interior design. Our staff uses professional equipment racks, which are efficient and neatly organized, so your wires are never a mess. Instead of investing in four Blu-ray players for all the rooms with TVs, you can distribute one or more throughout your home and then easily switch sources between TVs. For example, you can play the same movie on all the screens, or play the football game on one, a movie on a second, and a TV show on another. The only thing you will see in your bedroom is the TV screen and speakers, which will be neatly installed in the wall to save space.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>2.</strong><strong>You can pick up where you left off in any room.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">One of the great features of having a whole house audio/video system is easily switching content from room to room. For example, you’ll be able to start a movie in the living room, pause it, and then pick up exactly where you left off upstairs. Play a different program in every room of your home – inside or outside – or the same show on all displays. We have different audio and high-definition video distribution switches and controllers to scale to the size of your Colorado property. So it doesn’t matter if you have 20 TV’s or four, we have the right equipment to meet your needs.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>3.</strong><strong>You can get rid of remote control clutter.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Do you like swiping or pressing buttons? Whether you prefer to select a show on a tablet or on a remote control, we have plenty of options that can be tailored to your personal preferences. Use a universal remote that not only places all of your favorite channels in one convenient location, but also allows you to control your shades, lights, thermostat and other main features of your home. Get rid of coffee table clutter, and iPhone app clutter too, with our handheld remotes. They are easy to use in the dark too since they have bright, high-resolution displays. You’ll be able to close the drapes, turn down the thermostat, and play the newest episode of <em>The Walking Dead</em> with the same intuitive device.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Need an audio/video upgrade?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact" style="color: #000000;">Contact Us</a></span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Expand Your Home Audio Video Experience</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="color: black;">If you enjoy movies, music, games, and sports, placing a home entertainment system in each room of your Steamboat Springs, CO home can be time-consuming. Most homeowners put a Blu-ray player, cable box and TV along the wall, but what if we told you there was a better way? A whole house video system saves space and streamlines your viewing experience. When you connect your media system to your smart home, browsing content and organizing your movies and music becomes hassle free. Read this blog to learn more.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-entertain-family-and-friends-during-the-holidays-with-home-audio-and-video">How to Entertain Family and Friends during the Holidays with Home Audio Video</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-entertain-family-and-friends-during-the-holidays-with-home-audio-and-video"></a><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>1.</strong><strong>You’ll reduce the amount of equipment you own.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">When you work with Control Designer, you have the advantage of reducing clutter and organizing all of your audio/video components. We’ll place Blu-ray players, cable boxes, video game consoles, and other media devices in a storage area so that it’s out of sight and won’t affect your interior design. Our staff uses professional equipment racks, which are efficient and neatly organized, so your wires are never a mess. Instead of investing in four Blu-ray players for all the rooms with TVs, you can distribute one or more throughout your home and then easily switch sources between TVs. For example, you can play the same movie on all the screens, or play the football game on one, a movie on a second, and a TV show on another. The only thing you will see in your bedroom is the TV screen and speakers, which will be neatly installed in the wall to save space.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>2.</strong><strong>You can pick up where you left off in any room.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">One of the great features of having a whole house audio/video system is easily switching content from room to room. For example, you’ll be able to start a movie in the living room, pause it, and then pick up exactly where you left off upstairs. Play a different program in every room of your home – inside or outside – or the same show on all displays. We have different audio and high-definition video distribution switches and controllers to scale to the size of your Colorado property. So it doesn’t matter if you have 20 TV’s or four, we have the right equipment to meet your needs.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>3.</strong><strong>You can get rid of remote control clutter.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Do you like swiping or pressing buttons? Whether you prefer to select a show on a tablet or on a remote control, we have plenty of options that can be tailored to your personal preferences. Use a universal remote that not only places all of your favorite channels in one convenient location, but also allows you to control your shades, lights, thermostat and other main features of your home. Get rid of coffee table clutter, and iPhone app clutter too, with our handheld remotes. They are easy to use in the dark too since they have bright, high-resolution displays. You’ll be able to close the drapes, turn down the thermostat, and play the newest episode of <em>The Walking Dead</em> with the same intuitive device.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Need an audio/video upgrade?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact" style="color: #000000;">Contact Us</a></span></p></div></div>Stay Comfortable with Lighting and Shading Control2017-04-28T18:31:52+00:002017-04-28T18:31:52+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/stay-comfortable-all-year-long-with-lighting-and-shading-controlCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Reap Amazing Benefits in Every Season with Automated Lighting and Motorized Shades</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s always exciting when the snow starts to melt in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. But in the spring, temperatures can go up and down sporadically as the season transitions from one to the next. How do you keep your home at the right temperature every day and also save energy throughout the year? In this blog we have some tips for you on how to use a <a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/category/lighting-and-shading-control-winter-park-fl">lighting and shading control</a> system to stay comfortable and save energy.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-customize-your-smart-home-with-special-scenes"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How to Customize Your Smart Home with Special Scenes</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Use an App to Control Lights and Shades Anywhere, Anytime</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">One of the best things about having a smart home is being able to customize it for your everyday needs and personal preferences. When spring or summer comes, you can set your smart home system to maintain a certain temperature and save energy at the same time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Adjust your home’s features at any time with an app installed on your phone or tablet. For example, program your motorized shades to lower every day at 11 a.m. when the sun is strong and then raise at dusk. Time your lights to turn on once those shades go down to give you more light.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">You could also set your thermostat to lower when it’s hottest, and then raise it once the sun goes down. Then, save the settings to a title of your choosing like “cool down” or “summer mode” so you don’t have to do all the work of putting in the settings again manually.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Create specific sequences or adjust your lights and shades remotely at any moment. You have full control in every weather.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Use Different Shade Fabrics for Varying Seasons</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">With our motorized shades, you get both performance and beauty. We have various types of fabrics, including ones that block UV rays at various levels, like sheer and blackout. The amount of light you want allowed into your home is up to you. Use super sheer shades in the winter to let daylight in and heat the room, and then blackout shades in the summer to give your AC a break.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">We can even install double roller applications that have both types of fabric on the same window. So when the weather fluctuates, your motorized shades will do the same. Get an unexpected snow on Easter morning? Since the sun isn’t out yet, keep your blackout shades down to help insulate the home. Turn your heat up to warm the house and brighten the lighting to liven your mood. As the sun gets higher in the sky and the snow stops falling, re-adjust the temperature and raise the shades to let the sun in. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Another benefit of working with a local automation expert like us is that you can coordinate your technology with interior design style. Our smart solutions never sacrifice beauty for functionality. Get the color and the fabric you want and still reap amazing benefits in the process. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our team can design a climate control and energy-saving system that keeps you cool in the summer, or warm in the winter too! Just fill out this </span><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">online form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> to get started!</span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Reap Amazing Benefits in Every Season with Automated Lighting and Motorized Shades</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s always exciting when the snow starts to melt in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. But in the spring, temperatures can go up and down sporadically as the season transitions from one to the next. How do you keep your home at the right temperature every day and also save energy throughout the year? In this blog we have some tips for you on how to use a <a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/category/lighting-and-shading-control-winter-park-fl">lighting and shading control</a> system to stay comfortable and save energy.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-customize-your-smart-home-with-special-scenes"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How to Customize Your Smart Home with Special Scenes</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Use an App to Control Lights and Shades Anywhere, Anytime</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">One of the best things about having a smart home is being able to customize it for your everyday needs and personal preferences. When spring or summer comes, you can set your smart home system to maintain a certain temperature and save energy at the same time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Adjust your home’s features at any time with an app installed on your phone or tablet. For example, program your motorized shades to lower every day at 11 a.m. when the sun is strong and then raise at dusk. Time your lights to turn on once those shades go down to give you more light.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">You could also set your thermostat to lower when it’s hottest, and then raise it once the sun goes down. Then, save the settings to a title of your choosing like “cool down” or “summer mode” so you don’t have to do all the work of putting in the settings again manually.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Create specific sequences or adjust your lights and shades remotely at any moment. You have full control in every weather.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Use Different Shade Fabrics for Varying Seasons</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">With our motorized shades, you get both performance and beauty. We have various types of fabrics, including ones that block UV rays at various levels, like sheer and blackout. The amount of light you want allowed into your home is up to you. Use super sheer shades in the winter to let daylight in and heat the room, and then blackout shades in the summer to give your AC a break.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">We can even install double roller applications that have both types of fabric on the same window. So when the weather fluctuates, your motorized shades will do the same. Get an unexpected snow on Easter morning? Since the sun isn’t out yet, keep your blackout shades down to help insulate the home. Turn your heat up to warm the house and brighten the lighting to liven your mood. As the sun gets higher in the sky and the snow stops falling, re-adjust the temperature and raise the shades to let the sun in. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Another benefit of working with a local automation expert like us is that you can coordinate your technology with interior design style. Our smart solutions never sacrifice beauty for functionality. Get the color and the fabric you want and still reap amazing benefits in the process. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our team can design a climate control and energy-saving system that keeps you cool in the summer, or warm in the winter too! Just fill out this </span><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">online form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> to get started!</span></p></div></div>How to Improve Your Wi-Fi2017-03-23T20:57:26+00:002017-03-23T20:57:26+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-improve-your-wi-fiCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
The Benefits of a Professional Network Installation</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">According to Dave Evans, former chief futurist at Cisco, the number of connected devices will reach 50 billion in the next five years. In addition to your smartphone, tablet, and personal computer, many home devices have become Wi-Fi enabled—including refrigerators, washing machines, and door locks. Whether you want a coffee maker that connects to your phone or not, manufacturers are headed in that direction, so it’s crucial to be prepared. A high-quality </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/take-these-steps-for-a-better-internet-connection?category_id=18"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">home network</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> will ensure all of your devices run well. Keep reading this blog to learn about how a professional network solution can transform your smart home in Orlando, Florida.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/4-signs-you-may-need-a-home-network-installation?category_id=14"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">4 Signs You May Need a Home Network Installation</span></strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The Limitations of a Basic Router</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The basic router actually has two devices inside—the router which enables the connection to wireless devices—and the modem, which communicates with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Essentially, Wi-Fi is a radio signal, but instead of traveling over large distances it can only travel about 150 feet. Not only is a typical router limited by space, but if it’s especially weak it won’t be able to travel through certain structures like metal ductwork, and stonework. So your Wi-Fi signal may work perfect in your living room, but be unreliable in the bedroom. </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">How to Improve Your Signal</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The first thing you can do to improve the strength and performance of your Wi-Fi is adding a wireless access point which serves as an extended antenna. There are even outdoor WAPs that can extend the signal to your patio and pool areas. WAPs and high-quality routers are usually installed by integrators like us who specialize in audio video and automation technology. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In large homes, multiple WAPs can be spread throughout the house to cover every area. However, placing the WAPs in the precise locations can be tricky. The best solution is to hire a professional to design the layout. Control Designer not only places access points in the proper locations around your home, but we also provide top-notch equipment that you can’t access easily. As a dealer of quality brands, we have routers and modems that will deliver fast internet speeds and reliable performance. If your internet service ever goes down, we have support teams available to help solve the problem and get your smart home running again quickly. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s important to equip your home with the right technology for today and tomorrow. To improve your internet performance and support all your wireless devices, </span><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">contact us online</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">!</span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
The Benefits of a Professional Network Installation</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">According to Dave Evans, former chief futurist at Cisco, the number of connected devices will reach 50 billion in the next five years. In addition to your smartphone, tablet, and personal computer, many home devices have become Wi-Fi enabled—including refrigerators, washing machines, and door locks. Whether you want a coffee maker that connects to your phone or not, manufacturers are headed in that direction, so it’s crucial to be prepared. A high-quality </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/take-these-steps-for-a-better-internet-connection?category_id=18"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">home network</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> will ensure all of your devices run well. Keep reading this blog to learn about how a professional network solution can transform your smart home in Orlando, Florida.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/4-signs-you-may-need-a-home-network-installation?category_id=14"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">4 Signs You May Need a Home Network Installation</span></strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The Limitations of a Basic Router</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The basic router actually has two devices inside—the router which enables the connection to wireless devices—and the modem, which communicates with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Essentially, Wi-Fi is a radio signal, but instead of traveling over large distances it can only travel about 150 feet. Not only is a typical router limited by space, but if it’s especially weak it won’t be able to travel through certain structures like metal ductwork, and stonework. So your Wi-Fi signal may work perfect in your living room, but be unreliable in the bedroom. </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">How to Improve Your Signal</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The first thing you can do to improve the strength and performance of your Wi-Fi is adding a wireless access point which serves as an extended antenna. There are even outdoor WAPs that can extend the signal to your patio and pool areas. WAPs and high-quality routers are usually installed by integrators like us who specialize in audio video and automation technology. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In large homes, multiple WAPs can be spread throughout the house to cover every area. However, placing the WAPs in the precise locations can be tricky. The best solution is to hire a professional to design the layout. Control Designer not only places access points in the proper locations around your home, but we also provide top-notch equipment that you can’t access easily. As a dealer of quality brands, we have routers and modems that will deliver fast internet speeds and reliable performance. If your internet service ever goes down, we have support teams available to help solve the problem and get your smart home running again quickly. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s important to equip your home with the right technology for today and tomorrow. To improve your internet performance and support all your wireless devices, </span><a href="http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">contact us online</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">!</span></p></div></div>How to Customize Your Smart Home with Special Scenes2017-02-28T17:54:47+00:002017-02-28T17:54:47+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-customize-your-smart-home-with-special-scenesCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Celebrate Holidays or Everyday Gatherings with Smart Home Automation</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Living in a smart home isn’t just about turning the security alarm on and off with your smartphone. A professional system allows you to create what we call “scenes”—a set of actions that all work together to make a unique experience. You can unite different settings for lighting, shading, security, audio/video and more under one name and use it any time you like. To discover what it means to live in a connected home in Orlando, FL, keep reading. </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How to Control Your Smart Home with Your Voice</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Creating Scenes</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In Hollywood, a lot of work goes into creating a movie set. The lighting, fog machine, and music all have to work in sync at exactly the right time to make you feel as if you are in another time and place. Smart home scenes work in a similar way in that they help you set the mood for different activities, or simply to manage your day to day schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In the morning, you don’t have to worry about turning all the light switches to on, drawing the shades, or turning on the news. Your smart home can do it for you all at once. First, choose a time you want your scene to start, then pick a date or set it to occur every day. Select the settings for all the systems you want to activate and then save them under a unique name, like “Wake Up!” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The beauty of having one of our smart homes is that you can easily change these scenes at any time. You won’t be stuck using the same routine for years and can customize it day after day. Some of the most common scenes people use every day are “Morning”, “Goodnight” and “Away” for when they leave the house. But you can also use scenes for parties, home workouts, or any other activity. Here are a few suggestions:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Pool Party</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s sunny almost all year round in Orlando—there’s a good reason Walt Disney picked it as his prime location for the Disney theme parks. A pool party scene is perfect for your Florida home. First, create a music playlist that includes your favorite songs and distribute the music to your landscape speakers around the pool and hot tub. Turn on the outdoor TV and stream the baseball game or a fun movie. If it's a late-night rendezvous, you can add a lighting setting to the scene and brighten the pool, walkways, and bar area. Press one button, and it all turns on instantly! You'll have this scene at your fingertips all year long so you can work on that tan or party with your family and friends.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Movie Night</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Whether you have a dedicated home theater or a media room, setting up movie night can be a breeze with this smart home scene. Press a button on the keypad on the wall, or using your mobile device, and the shades will come down to prevent glare, the thermostat will lower to a cool degree, the lights will turn off so you can see the screen better (except for the backlights or walkways so no one trips) and the projector and screen or TV comes on. If you have a movie server, you can pick a flick ahead of time, purchase and download it so that it's ready when you are. That way if it's Friday or Sunday afternoon, you're one click away from a fantastic show.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Hit the Gym</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In-home gyms are super convenient—they are always ready to use when you need them. Use a smart scene to feel energized as you get in shape. Choose a bright lighting setting, peppy music, and a cool degree on the thermostat, and then all you have to do is press a button, and you’re on your way to burning calories. You could even add some colored lights in your gym to make it feel like you’re in a fun club. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Now that you can picture what it's like to live in a smart home, why not give us a call? We can install home automation that mirrors your daily lifestyle. Get started by filling out </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">this online form.</span></a></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Celebrate Holidays or Everyday Gatherings with Smart Home Automation</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Living in a smart home isn’t just about turning the security alarm on and off with your smartphone. A professional system allows you to create what we call “scenes”—a set of actions that all work together to make a unique experience. You can unite different settings for lighting, shading, security, audio/video and more under one name and use it any time you like. To discover what it means to live in a connected home in Orlando, FL, keep reading. </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How to Control Your Smart Home with Your Voice</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Creating Scenes</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In Hollywood, a lot of work goes into creating a movie set. The lighting, fog machine, and music all have to work in sync at exactly the right time to make you feel as if you are in another time and place. Smart home scenes work in a similar way in that they help you set the mood for different activities, or simply to manage your day to day schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In the morning, you don’t have to worry about turning all the light switches to on, drawing the shades, or turning on the news. Your smart home can do it for you all at once. First, choose a time you want your scene to start, then pick a date or set it to occur every day. Select the settings for all the systems you want to activate and then save them under a unique name, like “Wake Up!” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The beauty of having one of our smart homes is that you can easily change these scenes at any time. You won’t be stuck using the same routine for years and can customize it day after day. Some of the most common scenes people use every day are “Morning”, “Goodnight” and “Away” for when they leave the house. But you can also use scenes for parties, home workouts, or any other activity. Here are a few suggestions:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Pool Party</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">It’s sunny almost all year round in Orlando—there’s a good reason Walt Disney picked it as his prime location for the Disney theme parks. A pool party scene is perfect for your Florida home. First, create a music playlist that includes your favorite songs and distribute the music to your landscape speakers around the pool and hot tub. Turn on the outdoor TV and stream the baseball game or a fun movie. If it's a late-night rendezvous, you can add a lighting setting to the scene and brighten the pool, walkways, and bar area. Press one button, and it all turns on instantly! You'll have this scene at your fingertips all year long so you can work on that tan or party with your family and friends.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Movie Night</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Whether you have a dedicated home theater or a media room, setting up movie night can be a breeze with this smart home scene. Press a button on the keypad on the wall, or using your mobile device, and the shades will come down to prevent glare, the thermostat will lower to a cool degree, the lights will turn off so you can see the screen better (except for the backlights or walkways so no one trips) and the projector and screen or TV comes on. If you have a movie server, you can pick a flick ahead of time, purchase and download it so that it's ready when you are. That way if it's Friday or Sunday afternoon, you're one click away from a fantastic show.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Hit the Gym</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">In-home gyms are super convenient—they are always ready to use when you need them. Use a smart scene to feel energized as you get in shape. Choose a bright lighting setting, peppy music, and a cool degree on the thermostat, and then all you have to do is press a button, and you’re on your way to burning calories. You could even add some colored lights in your gym to make it feel like you’re in a fun club. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Now that you can picture what it's like to live in a smart home, why not give us a call? We can install home automation that mirrors your daily lifestyle. Get started by filling out </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">this online form.</span></a></p></div></div>Lighting and Shading Control: 4 Ways to Stylize Your Orlando Home2017-02-01T21:52:39+00:002017-02-01T21:52:39+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/lighting-and-shading-control-4-ways-to-stylize-your-orlando-homeCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Great Interior Design Tips for Your Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the wintertime, the daylight leaves us earlier, and we tend to spend more time inside. Even in sunny Orlando, Florida it can be easy to get off schedule and feel affected by the time change. One unique benefit of having lighting and shading control is that you can keep your family on a schedule and ensure your home looks beautiful all year round. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You could have stunning furnishings, lovely colors on the walls and artwork throughout your spaces, but the wrong lighting settings will affect the overall look and feel of your home. Control Designer not only meets Florida homeowners’ basic needs of lighting and shading installation, but we also incorporate lighting fixtures, designs, and automation into the overall look and feel of your home. Here are three ways we use </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/5-ways-lighting-and-shading-control-can-enhance-your-home?category_id=12"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">lighting and shading control</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> design to make your property look gorgeous.</span></p></div><div><ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Place Lights in the Right Locations</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When you hire Control Designer to install your lighting, we go above and beyond to make your home look as beautiful as possible. As professional lighting installers, we have the ability to strategically place your lights in the right spots to not only illuminate your spaces but also highlight and complement décor. Downlights for example can be placed in the kitchen under cabinets to brighten your beautiful marble countertops, or even near your hanging artwork to bring attention to your favorite pieces. We’ll also ensure each light is evenly spaced and distributed so that every area has coverage. If you enjoy spending time outside, outdoor lighting can help illuminate your driveway, gardens, pool, or patio.</span></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Schedule Your Shades to Operate at the Right Times</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Once you’ve invested in home furnishings, it’s equally important to protect them. Window treatments help preserve your chairs, couches, and artwork since they block harmful UV rays. Solar shades are made of a special material that is able to let in light, but prevent the sun’s rays from harming your home. Double roller applications allow you to use two different types of shades for various uses. We can install a blackout shade for when you want complete privacy or want to enjoy a movie, and also a solar shade for the daytime when you want to let some natural light in but also keep your furnishings in top condition. </span></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Set the Mood with Customizable Controls</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lighting levels are a big part of setting the mood in your home. Bright lighting can invigorate you while soft lighting can make you feel relaxed. Our dimmers make it easy to enhance your lighting and control your environment for every occasion. Reduce the lighting level for a romantic dinner with your partner, or turn them all the way up to full capacity for a high-energy workout in your home gym. Of course, you can always experience the magic of automation as well by integrating your lighting with other functions. Using your control system, save settings together – dim the chandelier in the dining room, turn on the jazz playlist, and set the thermostat to a cozy 74. Hit one button and you’re ready for a relaxing night in. All you need is a nice bottle of wine. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Your motorized shades can also play a part in making your home a cozy and inviting space. Sync your shades and lights together so that when the sun is bright, you get to enjoy the natural brilliance by opening the shades and dimming the artificial lights. Then as the sun sets, your shades will draw to give your family privacy and the lights will slowly get brighter until evening comes.</span></p>
<p>SEE ALSO: <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice">How to Control Your Home with Your Voice</a></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Automate Your Home with Lighting</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;">Lights can be automated with local weather and time of day to brighten or lower at needed times. With occupancy sensors, lights can turn on and off automatically once you walk in or leave a room. With time of day, lights can turn on at low levels to create pathways in the middle of the night or turn on high levels when you want to clean. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Would you like us to install a lighting and shading control system in your home? Simply fill out this </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">contact form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> online. </span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Great Interior Design Tips for Your Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the wintertime, the daylight leaves us earlier, and we tend to spend more time inside. Even in sunny Orlando, Florida it can be easy to get off schedule and feel affected by the time change. One unique benefit of having lighting and shading control is that you can keep your family on a schedule and ensure your home looks beautiful all year round. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You could have stunning furnishings, lovely colors on the walls and artwork throughout your spaces, but the wrong lighting settings will affect the overall look and feel of your home. Control Designer not only meets Florida homeowners’ basic needs of lighting and shading installation, but we also incorporate lighting fixtures, designs, and automation into the overall look and feel of your home. Here are three ways we use </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/5-ways-lighting-and-shading-control-can-enhance-your-home?category_id=12"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">lighting and shading control</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> design to make your property look gorgeous.</span></p></div><div><ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Place Lights in the Right Locations</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When you hire Control Designer to install your lighting, we go above and beyond to make your home look as beautiful as possible. As professional lighting installers, we have the ability to strategically place your lights in the right spots to not only illuminate your spaces but also highlight and complement décor. Downlights for example can be placed in the kitchen under cabinets to brighten your beautiful marble countertops, or even near your hanging artwork to bring attention to your favorite pieces. We’ll also ensure each light is evenly spaced and distributed so that every area has coverage. If you enjoy spending time outside, outdoor lighting can help illuminate your driveway, gardens, pool, or patio.</span></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Schedule Your Shades to Operate at the Right Times</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Once you’ve invested in home furnishings, it’s equally important to protect them. Window treatments help preserve your chairs, couches, and artwork since they block harmful UV rays. Solar shades are made of a special material that is able to let in light, but prevent the sun’s rays from harming your home. Double roller applications allow you to use two different types of shades for various uses. We can install a blackout shade for when you want complete privacy or want to enjoy a movie, and also a solar shade for the daytime when you want to let some natural light in but also keep your furnishings in top condition. </span></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Set the Mood with Customizable Controls</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lighting levels are a big part of setting the mood in your home. Bright lighting can invigorate you while soft lighting can make you feel relaxed. Our dimmers make it easy to enhance your lighting and control your environment for every occasion. Reduce the lighting level for a romantic dinner with your partner, or turn them all the way up to full capacity for a high-energy workout in your home gym. Of course, you can always experience the magic of automation as well by integrating your lighting with other functions. Using your control system, save settings together – dim the chandelier in the dining room, turn on the jazz playlist, and set the thermostat to a cozy 74. Hit one button and you’re ready for a relaxing night in. All you need is a nice bottle of wine. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Your motorized shades can also play a part in making your home a cozy and inviting space. Sync your shades and lights together so that when the sun is bright, you get to enjoy the natural brilliance by opening the shades and dimming the artificial lights. Then as the sun sets, your shades will draw to give your family privacy and the lights will slowly get brighter until evening comes.</span></p>
<p>SEE ALSO: <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice">How to Control Your Home with Your Voice</a></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Automate Your Home with Lighting</span></strong></li>
</ol>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;">Lights can be automated with local weather and time of day to brighten or lower at needed times. With occupancy sensors, lights can turn on and off automatically once you walk in or leave a room. With time of day, lights can turn on at low levels to create pathways in the middle of the night or turn on high levels when you want to clean. </span></p>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Would you like us to install a lighting and shading control system in your home? Simply fill out this </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">contact form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> online. </span></p></div></div>Take These Steps for a Better Internet Connection2016-12-09T18:04:14+00:002016-12-09T18:04:14+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/take-these-steps-for-a-better-internet-connectionCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Invest in Network Installation Services for a Better Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">You may wonder, 'what makes a smart home run perfectly?’ While there are many factors to installing a fully integrated smart home, there is one key factor that is often overlooked – the network. It may seem obvious, but many times the problem lies with the Internet connection, not with the device, design, or the installation company.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The true secret to an effective smart home is the </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services#networking"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">network installation</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">. In order to live an electronic lifestyle, you need strong internet connections established in your Winter Park, Florida home. Without it, every other aspect fails. Your wireless Internet connection is the backbone of the smart home. Continue reading this article to discover why a home network is so important and what services we offer to guarantee a perfect smart home operation.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/4-signs-you-may-need-a-home-network-installation"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">4 Signs You May Need a Home Network Installation</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our Smart Secret</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The reality is that you can purchase a quality smart home system and the performance of the devices will still only be as good as the network it runs on. You can’t expect perfect performance using the modem and router supplied by your local Internet Service Provider or electronic store. You need professional equipment and a professional install.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The network is the 'secret ingredient' – the foundation – of your smart home. So it’s best to invest in networking solutions that can support all of the connected devices you own. A bad network will produce poor quality video streaming, slow download speeds, and interruptions in your smart home performance. Oftentimes, people wrongly blame the integration system or device for the problem when in reality all they have to do is fix their network. Here’s a run-down of our networking services:</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our Networking Services</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Control Designer uses quality, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi technology to support the smart homes we install throughout the Winter Park, Florida area. Here is an in-depth summary of the steps we take to ensure your connection is strong and reliable.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Assessment</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">: Maybe you have a custom home theater and want to download 4K content or hi-fi music. Or perhaps you have an integrated home system and you need to be connected constantly and consistently. Either way, we match the size of your home with our network packages. Our team will assess your home to acquire the specifications of the technology in order to recommend the right networking equipment. The Control Designer team will take your specific applications, usage patterns, devices, and conditions of the home into consideration so that we can customize your home network. We'll make sure it's powerful enough to transmit all the connections you want – from lighting and shading to security and home theater control.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Planning:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> After the assessment phase, our staff designs a plan to get your smart home up and running with premier performance. We'll give you an estimate price on a networking service and package. We can move forward with the installation after we go over those details with you and you sign off on the proposal.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Installation:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> Control Designer uses both wired and wireless networking solutions to ensure that your Internet connection remains steady. We'll place wireless access points in key areas of your home and check all of the connections to avoid any pitfalls and ensure no loss of Internet coverage throughout your home. If we discover that additional work or equipment is needed, we'll let you know before we proceed any further. All of the equipment won't affect your decor, and we'll install components out of the way so that it won't create clutter – out of sight, out of mind.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Service & Support:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> One of the greatest benefits of working with a local smart home company is that you get more personalized service and support. You won't have to wait on the phone for long periods of time or talk to a scripted robot on the phone. Our team will respond personally and fix your problem quickly. Since we already know the ins and outs of your system, it will be easy to come up with a solution. It doesn't matter if we installed the system two or 20 years ago—we'll take your service call and install updates as needed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Do you need a better Internet connection? Or perhaps you are interested in a new smart home install. To get started with us, fill out this </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">online form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> and we'll schedule a discovery meeting with you.</span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Invest in Network Installation Services for a Better Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">You may wonder, 'what makes a smart home run perfectly?’ While there are many factors to installing a fully integrated smart home, there is one key factor that is often overlooked – the network. It may seem obvious, but many times the problem lies with the Internet connection, not with the device, design, or the installation company.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The true secret to an effective smart home is the </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services#networking"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">network installation</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">. In order to live an electronic lifestyle, you need strong internet connections established in your Winter Park, Florida home. Without it, every other aspect fails. Your wireless Internet connection is the backbone of the smart home. Continue reading this article to discover why a home network is so important and what services we offer to guarantee a perfect smart home operation.</span></p></div><div><p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">SEE ALSO: </span></strong><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/4-signs-you-may-need-a-home-network-installation"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">4 Signs You May Need a Home Network Installation</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our Smart Secret</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The reality is that you can purchase a quality smart home system and the performance of the devices will still only be as good as the network it runs on. You can’t expect perfect performance using the modem and router supplied by your local Internet Service Provider or electronic store. You need professional equipment and a professional install.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">The network is the 'secret ingredient' – the foundation – of your smart home. So it’s best to invest in networking solutions that can support all of the connected devices you own. A bad network will produce poor quality video streaming, slow download speeds, and interruptions in your smart home performance. Oftentimes, people wrongly blame the integration system or device for the problem when in reality all they have to do is fix their network. Here’s a run-down of our networking services:</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Our Networking Services</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Control Designer uses quality, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi technology to support the smart homes we install throughout the Winter Park, Florida area. Here is an in-depth summary of the steps we take to ensure your connection is strong and reliable.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Assessment</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">: Maybe you have a custom home theater and want to download 4K content or hi-fi music. Or perhaps you have an integrated home system and you need to be connected constantly and consistently. Either way, we match the size of your home with our network packages. Our team will assess your home to acquire the specifications of the technology in order to recommend the right networking equipment. The Control Designer team will take your specific applications, usage patterns, devices, and conditions of the home into consideration so that we can customize your home network. We'll make sure it's powerful enough to transmit all the connections you want – from lighting and shading to security and home theater control.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Planning:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> After the assessment phase, our staff designs a plan to get your smart home up and running with premier performance. We'll give you an estimate price on a networking service and package. We can move forward with the installation after we go over those details with you and you sign off on the proposal.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Installation:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> Control Designer uses both wired and wireless networking solutions to ensure that your Internet connection remains steady. We'll place wireless access points in key areas of your home and check all of the connections to avoid any pitfalls and ensure no loss of Internet coverage throughout your home. If we discover that additional work or equipment is needed, we'll let you know before we proceed any further. All of the equipment won't affect your decor, and we'll install components out of the way so that it won't create clutter – out of sight, out of mind.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Service & Support:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> One of the greatest benefits of working with a local smart home company is that you get more personalized service and support. You won't have to wait on the phone for long periods of time or talk to a scripted robot on the phone. Our team will respond personally and fix your problem quickly. Since we already know the ins and outs of your system, it will be easy to come up with a solution. It doesn't matter if we installed the system two or 20 years ago—we'll take your service call and install updates as needed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Do you need a better Internet connection? Or perhaps you are interested in a new smart home install. To get started with us, fill out this </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">online form</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"> and we'll schedule a discovery meeting with you.</span></p></div></div>How to Entertain Family and Friends During the Holidays with Home Audio and Video2016-11-28T18:07:29+00:002016-11-28T18:07:29+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-entertain-family-and-friends-during-the-holidays-with-home-audio-and-videoCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Enjoy Thanksgiving with Quality Audiovisuals in Your Colorado Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Usually people associate Thanksgiving with food, and lots of it. It’s also one of the best times of the year to reconnect with family and friends over a delicious meal. But when you’re not catching up with your relatives, you want to enjoy a football game or holiday program this time of year. After all, quality time isn’t just about great conversations; it’s also about making memories together during fun activities. A lot of work goes into preparing your home for the holidays, so we have a few ideas for you on how to get your Steamboat Springs, CO home ready with </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">home audio and video</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> and without the hassle. Keep reading this blog to learn more. </span></p></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">SEE ALSO:</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice">How to Control Your Smart Home with Your Voice</a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Projectors, Screens and TVs: Which model do I choose?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Confused about the best choice for sound and video to satisfy friends and family in your home? When you hire Control Designer, we assist you with choosing from the many options for home entertainment.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Projectors:</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Epson is known for developing some of the best projectors in the home theater industry. They are the number-one selling projector manufacturer worldwide. Depending on your budget, you could go all out and get a 4K model, or a high-quality HD projector which will also produce incredible images. Projectors produce bigger images and are more suitable for large rooms or basements. You’ll want to invest in a good projector over a TV when you want a huge image for a big space or secluded room.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">TVs:</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TVs are a good choice when you want to watch sports games or shows in a lot of different places, like outside on the deck, in the kitchen, in your bedroom, or the living room. We could also install multiple TVs alongside each other to create a video wall that allows you to watch different channels at the same time, play video games in a multi-player mode, or watch one giant image on all of them.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Screens:</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you choose a projector, then you need a screen to go along with it. We have certain screens that can be viewed in direct sunlight without massive color distortion. You can keep the windows open and still enjoy Sunday afternoon football games, or sip a beer out on the deck and watch baseball games in the Spring. Our team can also hide your screen and projector when they are not in use so it doesn’t disrupt your home’s décor. Hit a button, and the projector and screen appears in seconds.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Surround Yourself with Music</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One way to create a festive ambiance during the holidays is to play music. In order to stream themed playlists, you’ll need a whole house audio system and a control device to manage all your radio stations, personal music collections, and streaming subscriptions. Control Designer will first install speakers in the ceiling throughout your home so you can play music in every area. Then we will setup your control system so you can easily select songs, albums and playlists from popular sources like Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, and XM Sirius Radio. If your home theater is in a separate room, then we can install a surround sound system to go along with it. That way some guests will be able to watch the football game in the home theater, and others can enjoy holiday tunes in the kitchen while the turkey is cooking. No matter what your aim is for Thanksgiving Day, our team can create a customized solution to fit your exact needs and personal preferences for home entertainment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Are you ready for Thanksgiving?</span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Contact us today</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">to upgrade your Colorado home theater or media room so you can enjoy every season in luxury.</span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Enjoy Thanksgiving with Quality Audiovisuals in Your Colorado Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Usually people associate Thanksgiving with food, and lots of it. It’s also one of the best times of the year to reconnect with family and friends over a delicious meal. But when you’re not catching up with your relatives, you want to enjoy a football game or holiday program this time of year. After all, quality time isn’t just about great conversations; it’s also about making memories together during fun activities. A lot of work goes into preparing your home for the holidays, so we have a few ideas for you on how to get your Steamboat Springs, CO home ready with </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">home audio and video</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> and without the hassle. Keep reading this blog to learn more. </span></p></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">SEE ALSO:</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voice">How to Control Your Smart Home with Your Voice</a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Projectors, Screens and TVs: Which model do I choose?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Confused about the best choice for sound and video to satisfy friends and family in your home? When you hire Control Designer, we assist you with choosing from the many options for home entertainment.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Projectors:</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Epson is known for developing some of the best projectors in the home theater industry. They are the number-one selling projector manufacturer worldwide. Depending on your budget, you could go all out and get a 4K model, or a high-quality HD projector which will also produce incredible images. Projectors produce bigger images and are more suitable for large rooms or basements. You’ll want to invest in a good projector over a TV when you want a huge image for a big space or secluded room.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">TVs:</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TVs are a good choice when you want to watch sports games or shows in a lot of different places, like outside on the deck, in the kitchen, in your bedroom, or the living room. We could also install multiple TVs alongside each other to create a video wall that allows you to watch different channels at the same time, play video games in a multi-player mode, or watch one giant image on all of them.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Screens:</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you choose a projector, then you need a screen to go along with it. We have certain screens that can be viewed in direct sunlight without massive color distortion. You can keep the windows open and still enjoy Sunday afternoon football games, or sip a beer out on the deck and watch baseball games in the Spring. Our team can also hide your screen and projector when they are not in use so it doesn’t disrupt your home’s décor. Hit a button, and the projector and screen appears in seconds.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Surround Yourself with Music</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One way to create a festive ambiance during the holidays is to play music. In order to stream themed playlists, you’ll need a whole house audio system and a control device to manage all your radio stations, personal music collections, and streaming subscriptions. Control Designer will first install speakers in the ceiling throughout your home so you can play music in every area. Then we will setup your control system so you can easily select songs, albums and playlists from popular sources like Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, and XM Sirius Radio. If your home theater is in a separate room, then we can install a surround sound system to go along with it. That way some guests will be able to watch the football game in the home theater, and others can enjoy holiday tunes in the kitchen while the turkey is cooking. No matter what your aim is for Thanksgiving Day, our team can create a customized solution to fit your exact needs and personal preferences for home entertainment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Are you ready for Thanksgiving?</span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Contact us today</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">to upgrade your Colorado home theater or media room so you can enjoy every season in luxury.</span></p></div></div>How to Control Your Smart Home with Your Voice2016-11-28T17:42:42+00:002016-11-28T17:42:42+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/how-to-control-your-smart-home-with-your-voiceCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
Amazon’s Alexa Brings Voice Control to Winter Park Homes</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="color: black;">When was the first time you ever saw or heard about voice control? Perhaps it was when you watched Scotty on <em>Star Trek</em> talk to the brain of the Enterprise by calling out “Computer!” Or maybe it was in <em>Back to the Future 2</em> when Marty McFly heard his smart home system say, “Welcome home, Marty!”<em> </em>Up until recent years, voice control had been a fantasy or imaginary idea in pop culture. Then we witnessed the creation of Apple’s <em>Siri</em> in 2011, allowing you to ask your smartphone all kinds of different questions, and even make commands. And today we have the newest voice control technology, Amazon’s <em>Alexa</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;">Developed by Amazon, <em>Alexa</em> is the </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/products/mobile-control">smart home automation</a><span style="color: black;"> software that allows you to perform all kinds of tasks with your voice. As the newest trend and biggest buzz in the smart home world, we want to inform you all about what <em>Alexa</em> can do and how you can benefit from it in your own Winter Park, Florida home. Keep reading to learn more.</span></p></div><div><p>SEE ALSO: What Really Makes a Home Smart?</p>
<p>Amazon’s Alexa</p>
<p>This year at CEDIA – the largest home technology event in the country – Alexa was the hottest topic. Alexa is the “intelligent personal assistant” software that runs on the Echo and the newly released Echo Dot - a smart speaker that can perform tasks with voice commands. Previously seen as a standalone product for DIY-type home automation products, now Alexa can be integrated into a number of different sophisticated systems, like Control4, Crestron, Lutron, and Savant.</p>
<p>Amazon’s smart home director, Charlie Kindel, said, “The original inspiration for the Echo was the Star Trek computer. We wanted to create a computer in the cloud that’s controlled entirely by your voice — you could ask it things, ask it to do things for you, find things for you, and it’s easy to converse with in a natural way. We’re a ways off from that, but that was, and is, our vision.”</p>
<p>Up until now, smart home companies have focused on developing apps homeowners can use to manage their homes. Wireless devices like smartphones, tablets, and touch screens have been the primary vehicles for control. But Kindel believes the tide is turning.</p>
<p>He said, "At Amazon, we think we're on the cusp of the next major disruption in computing. We think that disruption is around voice."</p>
<p>With Alexa, you can simply ask for the lights to turn off, your music to play, or give you the weather report, and it will perform your request instantly. Alexa even gives you a confirmation response of “OK” to re-affirm she heard your command.</p>
<p>Taking this concept a step further, you can even ask Alexa to perform your smart home scenes, such as “Good Morning,” “Welcome Home,” or “Movie.” All you have to do is say, “Alexa, turn on Welcome” and right when you step through the front door, your house lights will turn on, the shades will rise, your favorite music album will start to play, and the HVAC system will begin cooling the room.</p>
<p>Recently Google announced pre-orders for their soon-to-be-released Google Home. It, too, will provide voice control and communications to the home. With Google’s large search engine and partners with Nest and other Internet of Things (IOT) companies, it will be interesting to see where they take Voice User Interface (VUI). We await our chance to test it out and see how the two compare.</p>
<p>This hands-free solution is both convenient and enjoyable to use at home. And if feeling like Captain Kirk on the Enterprise is a motivator, we wouldn’t be all that surprised. After all, that’s how Alexa was born.</p>
<p>If you would like to add Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home to your smart home so you can start controlling features with your voice, contact us today by filling out our online form.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
Amazon’s Alexa Brings Voice Control to Winter Park Homes</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="color: black;">When was the first time you ever saw or heard about voice control? Perhaps it was when you watched Scotty on <em>Star Trek</em> talk to the brain of the Enterprise by calling out “Computer!” Or maybe it was in <em>Back to the Future 2</em> when Marty McFly heard his smart home system say, “Welcome home, Marty!”<em> </em>Up until recent years, voice control had been a fantasy or imaginary idea in pop culture. Then we witnessed the creation of Apple’s <em>Siri</em> in 2011, allowing you to ask your smartphone all kinds of different questions, and even make commands. And today we have the newest voice control technology, Amazon’s <em>Alexa</em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;">Developed by Amazon, <em>Alexa</em> is the </span><a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/products/mobile-control">smart home automation</a><span style="color: black;"> software that allows you to perform all kinds of tasks with your voice. As the newest trend and biggest buzz in the smart home world, we want to inform you all about what <em>Alexa</em> can do and how you can benefit from it in your own Winter Park, Florida home. Keep reading to learn more.</span></p></div><div><p>SEE ALSO: What Really Makes a Home Smart?</p>
<p>Amazon’s Alexa</p>
<p>This year at CEDIA – the largest home technology event in the country – Alexa was the hottest topic. Alexa is the “intelligent personal assistant” software that runs on the Echo and the newly released Echo Dot - a smart speaker that can perform tasks with voice commands. Previously seen as a standalone product for DIY-type home automation products, now Alexa can be integrated into a number of different sophisticated systems, like Control4, Crestron, Lutron, and Savant.</p>
<p>Amazon’s smart home director, Charlie Kindel, said, “The original inspiration for the Echo was the Star Trek computer. We wanted to create a computer in the cloud that’s controlled entirely by your voice — you could ask it things, ask it to do things for you, find things for you, and it’s easy to converse with in a natural way. We’re a ways off from that, but that was, and is, our vision.”</p>
<p>Up until now, smart home companies have focused on developing apps homeowners can use to manage their homes. Wireless devices like smartphones, tablets, and touch screens have been the primary vehicles for control. But Kindel believes the tide is turning.</p>
<p>He said, "At Amazon, we think we're on the cusp of the next major disruption in computing. We think that disruption is around voice."</p>
<p>With Alexa, you can simply ask for the lights to turn off, your music to play, or give you the weather report, and it will perform your request instantly. Alexa even gives you a confirmation response of “OK” to re-affirm she heard your command.</p>
<p>Taking this concept a step further, you can even ask Alexa to perform your smart home scenes, such as “Good Morning,” “Welcome Home,” or “Movie.” All you have to do is say, “Alexa, turn on Welcome” and right when you step through the front door, your house lights will turn on, the shades will rise, your favorite music album will start to play, and the HVAC system will begin cooling the room.</p>
<p>Recently Google announced pre-orders for their soon-to-be-released Google Home. It, too, will provide voice control and communications to the home. With Google’s large search engine and partners with Nest and other Internet of Things (IOT) companies, it will be interesting to see where they take Voice User Interface (VUI). We await our chance to test it out and see how the two compare.</p>
<p>This hands-free solution is both convenient and enjoyable to use at home. And if feeling like Captain Kirk on the Enterprise is a motivator, we wouldn’t be all that surprised. After all, that’s how Alexa was born.</p>
<p>If you would like to add Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home to your smart home so you can start controlling features with your voice, contact us today by filling out our online form.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></p></div></div>4 Signs You May Need a Home Network Installation2016-09-02T15:50:46+00:002016-09-02T15:50:46+00:00http://amxdesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/4-signs-you-may-need-a-home-network-installationCompany Administrator<div class="element element-text first">
The Importance of a Strong Internet Connection in a Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We all definitely live in a connected society. Internet service is no longer a luxury; it has become an essential utility service for the home just like water and power. We need Internet to communicate, work and manage our schedules. Our kids need Internet to learn and complete their schoolwork. Our world of connected devices – such as computers, tablets and cell phones -- increasingly require a robust home network and a strong Internet service in order to reliably operate. Our team can help you identify the best options for Internet service, as well as design a network solution, so your devices can easily connect and control features like lights, audio, video and more.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Here are the main signs you may need a professional to do a <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services">network installation</a> in your Steamboat Springs, Colorado home. </span></p></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SEE ALSO: <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/what-really-makes-a-home-smart">What Really Makes a Home Smart?</a></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">1. You use many audio and video streaming services.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Spotify put a lot of demand on your home network, which can slow down the Internet speed for everyone in your house. Without a quality network, your movie, TV show or music will lag or freeze. It could also affect the quality of your content. These issues can be super frustrating when all you want to do is relax after a long day. We can ensure your signal will be reliable and strong so that you can listen to Pandora all day long, or binge watch shows on Netflix without experiencing any interruptions.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">2. You have a lot of connected--or wireless--devices.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you have a smart home automation system, or even just a lot of wireless devices, a strong network is not an option — it’s required. High-bandwidth content like HD and/or 4K movies put a lot of pressure on home networks, and many times paying for a faster speed through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) won’t do the job. By hiring us to install a strong network, you won’t have to pay extra for a faster speed or get frustrated when the connection dies. We’ll make sure you can access all the technology you need to, like arming the security system with your phone, playing music in every room wirelessly, and enjoying a good show on Hulu in your home theater.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">3. Your Internet does not cover your whole house.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today, our phones go everywhere we go. And with mobile devices and laptops, we venture out further in our residences–from the edge of the driveway to the end of the backyard—pushing our Internet coverage to its limits. We are often frustrated by the size or </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">distance</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> of our wireless bubble. We can evaluate your residence, determine coverage gaps, and install additional repeaters to extend your wireless flexibility. We can also install wireless controllers to provide smooth </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">roaming</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> between wireless antennas in your home and make your network seamless.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">4. You live in a remote location.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Colorado has plenty of natural beauty which is why we love living here. But our rugged natural surroundings also pose many challenges for delivering reliable Internet to some locations. The Control Designer team works with all local Internet Service Providers and can help you identify the best solution for getting reliable and fast service to your home. Regardless of where you live in the Steamboat Springs area, we will provide professional service that works within your budget.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do your smart home devices just not work the way you want them to? Is your Internet always giving you problems? Give us a call or <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact">fill out our online form.</a> Tell us your issue and we can work to give you a solution.</span></p></div></div><div class="element element-text first">
The Importance of a Strong Internet Connection in a Smart Home</div>
<div class="element element-textarea last">
<div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We all definitely live in a connected society. Internet service is no longer a luxury; it has become an essential utility service for the home just like water and power. We need Internet to communicate, work and manage our schedules. Our kids need Internet to learn and complete their schoolwork. Our world of connected devices – such as computers, tablets and cell phones -- increasingly require a robust home network and a strong Internet service in order to reliably operate. Our team can help you identify the best options for Internet service, as well as design a network solution, so your devices can easily connect and control features like lights, audio, video and more.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Here are the main signs you may need a professional to do a <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/about-us/services">network installation</a> in your Steamboat Springs, Colorado home. </span></p></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SEE ALSO: <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/blog/item/what-really-makes-a-home-smart">What Really Makes a Home Smart?</a></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">1. You use many audio and video streaming services.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Spotify put a lot of demand on your home network, which can slow down the Internet speed for everyone in your house. Without a quality network, your movie, TV show or music will lag or freeze. It could also affect the quality of your content. These issues can be super frustrating when all you want to do is relax after a long day. We can ensure your signal will be reliable and strong so that you can listen to Pandora all day long, or binge watch shows on Netflix without experiencing any interruptions.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">2. You have a lot of connected--or wireless--devices.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you have a smart home automation system, or even just a lot of wireless devices, a strong network is not an option — it’s required. High-bandwidth content like HD and/or 4K movies put a lot of pressure on home networks, and many times paying for a faster speed through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) won’t do the job. By hiring us to install a strong network, you won’t have to pay extra for a faster speed or get frustrated when the connection dies. We’ll make sure you can access all the technology you need to, like arming the security system with your phone, playing music in every room wirelessly, and enjoying a good show on Hulu in your home theater.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">3. Your Internet does not cover your whole house.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today, our phones go everywhere we go. And with mobile devices and laptops, we venture out further in our residences–from the edge of the driveway to the end of the backyard—pushing our Internet coverage to its limits. We are often frustrated by the size or </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">distance</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> of our wireless bubble. We can evaluate your residence, determine coverage gaps, and install additional repeaters to extend your wireless flexibility. We can also install wireless controllers to provide smooth </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">roaming</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> between wireless antennas in your home and make your network seamless.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">4. You live in a remote location.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Colorado has plenty of natural beauty which is why we love living here. But our rugged natural surroundings also pose many challenges for delivering reliable Internet to some locations. The Control Designer team works with all local Internet Service Providers and can help you identify the best solution for getting reliable and fast service to your home. Regardless of where you live in the Steamboat Springs area, we will provide professional service that works within your budget.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do your smart home devices just not work the way you want them to? Is your Internet always giving you problems? Give us a call or <a href="http://www.controldesigner.com/index.php/contact">fill out our online form.</a> Tell us your issue and we can work to give you a solution.</span></p></div></div>