When you think about installing an outdoor sound system in your property, you’re probably concerned with how it sounds and how it looks. But one of the most important considerations you can make is how long it will last. Choosing the right materials, placement and construction for your outdoor audio components can mean the difference between enjoying it for years and replacing the whole thing next summer. You want a system that will last, and this blog will show you how to achieve that. Read on for more.

See Also: A Quick Guide to Outdoor Sound Systems

Durable Materials

The speakers you have in your house wouldn’t work for your outdoor spaces, right? The sleek wooden cabinets that make up the free standing units in your listening room would quickly sustain damage and eventually rot if you put them in your backyards. That’s why you need to invest in speakers specifically designed to handle just about any kind of weather with the most durable materials that still offer great sound.

Outdoor speaker units can be made of any kind of plastic or metals, but often brass is one of the best choices. Not only is brass rust-proof – meaning the unit still remains serviceable for long periods of time – but it usually looks great and blends in with your backyard landscaping perfectly.

In the world of smart home control and automation, you probably know that there are two routes you can take: DIY or professional installation. For some homeowners, DIY may seem like the better choice. After all, aren’t smart devices easy to install? Won’t you save time and money by turning your home upgrade into a weekend project? The answers to those questions may not be as simple as you think. In this blog, we’ll show you why it may just be in your best interest to seek professional help, even when you think you can do it yourself. Read on to learn more.

See Also: Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Home Automation

Plug-and-Play?

Many smart devices tout their simplicity. Not just the way you interact with them, but their easy set up. And if you just want the very basic functions of your system, you can enjoy them with minimal effort. However, if you’re interested in integrating those devices as part of a complete smart home system, one that offers more functionality of each device while also simplifying the controls of all of them, you’ll need help.

Put it simply, smart devices are easy, smart homes are complex. At the end of the day, your integrator will take many complicated functions, including lights, shades, AV, security and more and give you one controller for everything. You won’t have to worry about useless buttons, or complicated layouts – your integrator will show you how to use everything on the user-friendly interface.

So you’ve decided to upgrade the media room in your Dallas, TX home. Instead of the standard 1080p HD you’ve become accustomed to, you want a video display that truly pops. You want to upgrade to 4K. But now that you’ve chosen to make the move, there are some questions you need answered, like: what exactly is 4K? How do you achieve full 4K picture? In this blog, we’ll answer your questions. Read on to learn more.

See Also: 4 Unique Uses for Your Brand New Media Room

What Is 4K?

By now you’ve probably heard the term 4K so much you might think it’s a standard feature on most TV displays. But actually, 4K has only become popular over the past couple of years. But do you really know what it means?

Also known as UHD, 4K is an image standard that’s four times the picture resolution of 1080p HD. Think of picture resolution like thread count on bedsheets: if 1080p equals 400 thread count, then 4K equals 1600. And, typically speaking, the higher the thread count, the better the quality.

If you’re just now diving into the possibilities for smart home automation in your Fort Worth, Texas area property, you probably have questions. Fortunately, we have answers. Below, we’ve put together a list of the most common questions we’ve heard over the years in the automation business. Check out the questions and answers below, and definitely, don’t hesitate to call us at (817) 980-0347 if you want to learn more.

What is Smart Home Automation?

Smart home automation refers to the technology that upgrades “dumb” components of your home, such as the window shades or light bulbs, and connects them to a central system that can work automatically to keep your home safer, more comfortable, energy-efficient, etc. This system can control all of the technologies throughout your home, from high-end audio to your surveillance cameras.

What All Can I Automate in My Home?

You’d be surprised how many things in your home can benefit from automation. Realistically, there are too many to list, but here are some of the most popular options:

• Thermostats
• Window Shades and Blinds
• Door Locks
• Lighting Fixtures
• Audio and Video Equipment
• Pools and Water Features

Can I DIY My Own Smart Home?

There are DIY smart home automation solutions available that you can install on your property. If you’re particularly tech-savvy and looking for a budget-friendly system, this is probably the right choice for you. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all aspects of building and setting up the system, and while DIY brands do try to make the process easy, we’ve had many homeowners call us up to do a system installation after they realized how complex everything was. There are also a lot of limitations to DIY systems—you won’t be able to take advantage of the full features and possibilities available with a professional installation.

SEE ALSO: How to Get Started with Smart Home Technology

High-end audio is constantly evolving – both on the speaker side and on the music side. If you haven’t kept up with the latest news in high-end audio, then keep reading! We’ve summed up the latest innovations and happenings in the world of hi-fi audio for homeowners throughout the Dallas, Texas area.

The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's' Album Like You’ve Never Heard It Before

In honor of the 50^th anniversary of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,” the famous album is getting new stereo and 5.1 surround mixes. This project was overseen by Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin, and engineer Sam Okell. They used the original tapes to remix the album and produce a fresh new sound for each song. If you’re a fan of the Beatles, be on the lookout for the new stereo mix. The release date for the remix is May 26, 2017.

High-End Headphones?

While we don’t see dedicated listening rooms disappearing in favor of headphones anytime soon, recent advances in technology have made high-fidelity music much more easily attainable in headphone format. For true audiophiles, this is fantastic news. After all, you’re going to want to be able to listen to music while you’re on the go. If you’re unsure which headphone brand is a good fit, give Denon a try. Their headphones are crafted with the same quality workmanship as their speakers.

SEE ALSO: What You Need to Know When Buying High-End Audio Speakers

Start Streaming Master Quality Audio

The days of MP3-quality audio are long past. You’re probably familiar with high-fidelity music streaming services like Tidal and Deezer. But did you know that as of this year, anyone subscribed to Tidal’s HiFi package can stream Master Quality Authenticated audio at no extra cost? It really is the best of both worlds: high-resolution audio with the instant gratification of streaming services.