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An Update to My Favorite Music for Evaluating a System

A while back I wrote a blog about my favorite music to listen to when evaluating a system. I decided that though many of those CD's are still so awesome to hear, I've felt that I had so much more to add to the list. As stated in the last article, being a professional AV installer is kind of cool. Everyone is always bringing in music and saying things like listen to this or that. Or, you need to hear what these sound like. Or, check these out and listen to the difference, or something along those lines. At trade shows people are always playing what they think really shows off their systems. From the various trade shows I've often heard and learned about some good music I didn't already know. Even including tracks from artists like Beck and Dianna Krall that I did know. One of the CD's that is on this list was brought in by my AudioQuest representative.

At AV Specialists we do audio video installation in the Clearwater, Tampa at St. Petersburg, Florida area. As the owner of an AV design and installation business, I am often surprised by the amount of really bad workmanship I see in my travels. Sometimes it amazes me that contractors actually get paid when I see what their jobs look like.

It's not uncommon to see cables hanging from the TV instead of being neatly zip tied together. I also often see TV's that are not hung straight and you can obviously see that they are mounted on a tilt. 

There are a few things to consider here. One is how far you are going to be sitting away from the display. That's pretty easy to figure with a simple formula. It's also important that the TV looks good, wherever you decide to have mounted. A large screen TV can be made to look very small on a long blank wall. The opposite of this is also true. A relatively small 32" TV can look monstrous and out of place on top of a small dresser or cabinet. If you have enough room and can sit a reasonable distance from the display, buy the largest screen size you can. I have never had a single customer want to switch to a smaller TV. I have had many that later wished they’d have gone larger. This rule does not apply the same when applied to projector.

When it comes to your business, your office workplace is a direct reflection of who you are and how you conduct business. To that end, you will always want to project the best possible appearance to current and prospective clients. This means giving your staff the tools they need to excel if you want your business to grow.

Learn about the ROI of Surveillance Cameras

A home surveillance system is something that few Clearwater, FL homeowners would object to having, but the main thing holding them back is usually cost. However, what you may not know is that it’s quite easy to recoup the cost of surveillance cameras. Unlike a traditional security system, surveillance cameras don’t have to come with recurring monthly costs, which means the benefits quickly outweigh the initial investment. So what are those benefits, and are they worth taking the leap and upgrading your home? Read on to find out.

It's not a Boardroom (too elaborate), it's not a Conference Room (too big), it's a Huddle Room. A huddle room is the name that's been given to a small meeting room where a lot of the "real" work at the job actually gets done.

An Outdoor Sound System is the Perfect Option for Florida Businesses

Last month on our residential blog, we talked about how to avoid common mistakes when setting up an outdoor sound system. Of course, homeowners aren’t the only ones who can benefit from outdoor sound. The residential guide is still applicable for business setups, but today, let’s go one step further to talk about the best ways that businesses throughout the Palm Harbor or Tampa, FL area can use outdoor audio to their advantage.

Gone are the days of the traditional dry erase board. Electronic whiteboards are increasingly making their way into boardrooms and conference centers. The touch screen technology found in most interactive whiteboards on the market today allows the meeting presenter to capture feedback and update meeting content with the touch of a finger. Today’s whiteboards are far more useful and allow you to enhance your conference room audiovisual experience.

The medical field demands the very best technology. While this need is most pronounced in diagnostic and treatment equipment, it is also crucial in the area of communication. The right cath lab and operating room AV can provide a host of specific benefits that will help ensure that the patients receive the very best of care. Here's how:

It’s been a long time since we’ve been this excited about a new product around here. However Control4 is one of those products, that the more you learn about the Control4 system the more you love it. I know you’re probably saying to yourself, what’s the big deal there certainly is no shortage of remote control products out there. Especially these days. And.. if you said that you would be correct. These days there are apps for smart phones, there are cheap poorly conceived products (ie ones that begin with an H or L), and then there are the big names that have been long established in the AV industry. However in many ways Contro4 is different and it’s different than each of those categories list above in different ways.

Your music collection is a long standing thing - you curate it, it defines you. Because you aim to keep your music collection a long time, it's worth investing in making it more usable, maintainable and secure.

A couple of us here at AV Specialists, were recently were given the opportunity to take a trip to Binghamton NY and tour the McIntosh Audio factory. Being able to see how this product is made as well as formal training on how the circuits work was eye opening indeed. Also valuable was the explanation on why they have so many different models.

The home network has come a long way from it's simple beginnings. From even as recently as a year or two ago, the AV related data we move over the network has increased significantly. At first, the home network was used mostly for accessing the internet or downloading music files. Then as time moved on and technology progressed we started seeing streaming music and video services such as Pandora and Netflix.

There are as many opinions about what constitutes a good audio speaker as there are music listeners in the world. Still, some audio technology companies have significantly differentiated themselves from the rest of the industry with their dedication to providing the very best speaker lines. Here are just two of our favorite brands and a few of their products:

Home theater technology keeps improving whether you are ready for it or not. TV technology is no different, with the latest innovations coming in the form of OLED TVs. With new models becoming available on a regular basis now, it's safe to say that OLED display technology is here to stay.

5 Steps to Superior Sound in Your Belleair Home

There’s a lot more to producing high-quality audio than simply plugging in some speakers. A great many factors can affect how music sounds, and each one of these things needs to be considered during the installation process. If you’re considering adding a sound system to your Florida home, then keep reading. We’ll go over our process as audio video installers for ensuring that your system is set up for success.

Private theaters are a wonderful addition to any home in the Belleair, FL area. As much as we wish home theater installations happened at the snap of a finger, the process of creating truly exceptional theaters is a complex one. Fortunately, we’ve honed that process over the years to get a high-quality result without any hiccups along the way. Keep reading to learn our approach.

SEE ALSO: Get the Full Cinematic Experience at Home with a Private Theater

Step One: Goal Assessment

There are a lot of different types of home theaters out there. While some people may want the traditional look and feel of a dedicated home theater, others may want a multipurpose theater with a pool table and virtual golf setup. That’s why we start every home theater installation by discussing your goals for the room.

Will you be using it to watch TV with your family? Immersing yourself in the latest Oscar Best Picture? Cheering on your favorite sports team? The answers to all of these questions will influence the type of theater that is best for you.

Step Two: Room Assessment

Before we can start picking out projectors or theater seating, we need to understand the size, shape, acoustics, structured wiring, and other variables of the room. We’ll base our recommendations on the unique aspects of the space. For example, some rooms may need acoustic treatments or soundproofing. For rooms with windows, we’ll explore blocking out the window or adding motorized window shades.

Embrace Outdoor Audio at Your Florida Property

Spring is right around the corner, and Tampa is already experiencing gorgeous weather that makes us all want to head outside. What better way to enhance your patio or backyard than with an outdoor sound system? Before we get into all the ways that outdoor audio can improve your life, let’s talk about the importance of setting it up the right way. Below, we cover three common mistakes that people tend to make when adding an audio system to their outdoor spaces.

Put Your Smart Home Automation System to Work

Smart home automation technology is amazing. It’s fully customizable and can do so many different things. But the big question is this: are you taking advantage of your system’s full capabilities? If you’re ready to go past simply turning off the lights using your phone, then read on. Below, we cover some fun ideas for going beyond the basics with the automation system in your Palm Harbor, FL home.

Explore the Possibilities for a Home Theater Installation

If you’ve been looking for a way to make your home stand out, there’s no better upgrade than adding a dedicated home theater. A home theater installation gives residents in the Tampa, Florida area the opportunity to enjoy movies and shows in the highest quality possible without ever having to leave home. To learn about the possibilities for creating that perfect environment for movie-watching, read on.