So, What’s the big deal? It’s just a couple TV’s and speakers, right?
Here’s the deal. Every AV contractor has their way of doing AV integration. In today’s AV world, AV expands way past just speakers and televisions. It has expanded into networking, lighting, motorized shading, and HVAC controls. Not to say there is a specific right or wrong way of achieving a great end result. However, our technicians at Advanced Home Theater, led by Willy Blanco, have formulated a very specific plan of action over the past 20 years when installing a client’s system. When taking over for another contractor one of the hurdles is to learn what that contractor has done and why they did it.

We cross our fingers the basics are okay. What are the basics?
Well, it really depends how far along the contractor is in a project.
The wiring is the most crucial part. Once the walls go up, it’s difficult to turn back and start cutting holes all over the place to run new wire or correct already laid wiring. In a perfect world, all the wiring is labeled. If it is labeled, we check and double check to make sure of it’s accuracy.

Why did the contractor get fired anyway?
Contractors can be asked to leave a job for a number of reasons. The number one reason is ineptness or poor work ethic, so the chances of everything being in proper order are slim to none. If the project is not in working order, it’s okay. This is why we have been hired to take over the job and our guys will bring the integration up to Advanced Home Theater standards.

Recently, in Boca Raton, Florida we took over a project from a contractor who pre-wired before we took over the project. Lucky for us, the wiring was in the proper places; however, none of the wires were labeled, so they had to be toned from the rack room to the end location of the house. Even if they were labeled, our guys would have double checked the accuracy of the label, so in the end it didn’t affect the time, but it is always good practice to label all the wires. If an AV installer is not labeling, it is sure to become a nightmare sometime down the road when service may be needed.

Check out the before and after pictures below of the finished rack room from our most recent Boca Raton project. We had to tear down the piece left behind by the previous contractor and replace it with our custom rack and panel design. To be honest, we have never seen a termination piece like it before. It’s just an example of what you may run into when taking over a project mid-way through from another contractor. As you can see from the after photo’s, the rack was installed very clean, and the clients are thrilled with their system!

Here is a video excerpt from Paul Vander Vennet, a Coastal Construction Superintendent, on a couple of their projects we took over in mid stream.

Key Takeaway: As a result of taking over projects in mid stream, we have developed new relationships and future projects. We are now integrating the new projects from the beginning making the integration a lot smoother. That being said, if you have a project that is stalling and need a hand, feel free to give us a shout. We have a great team that is here to help.

Like most interiors, there were a multitude of different finishes the interior designer specced for the condo that included stone, wood, plaster, and drywall. TRUFIG had the solution for each surface.

We were able to take a few photos of the TRUFIG integration last week. We thought we would share them with you before the rest of the project is complete. As you can see in the photo’s below, TRUFIG integrated seamlessly with each finish.

The craftsmen involved in the TRUFIG installation process did a great job with the level 5 drywall and faux finishes to match all the different materials. As we say often, it is always a pleasure working along side skilled craftsman. The results always come out stunning when everyone communicates, works together, and takes pride in their craft.

In addition to TRUFIG, this Apogee project also features audio, video, lighting, and control integration. The integration is still in progress. We thought we would give you a quick glimpse into TRUFIG and leave the rest of the integrated technology for a later post.

Key Takeaway: Great craftsman, great products, great results!

We were very proud to be the first place anyone has been able to obtain a glimpse of Prima Cinema. First run movies in your home, Prima Cinema is sure to be a dynamic device to add a lot of value to the home theater experience.

Speaking of “the home theater experience” the combination of Sim2, Kaleidescape, and Meridian Audio created a one of a kind cinematic atmosphere. The 3D demo of the visually stunning movie Hugo using Sim2′s 3D projection technology was amazing!

A projection home theater is the way to go for the best cinematic experience, but for the ultimate media room, the Runco/Planar Video Matrix is the solution. The 2×2 video matrix was stationed in the common area of the event. The window wall is just the beginning of a new line of display experiences Planar is developing. Their artistic displays are sure to add a new dimension to any creative designer looking for a versatile eye catching design in a home or commercial space

Sometimes the best audio and video experiences are the ones that are hidden! With a combination of Seura mirror televisions, Sonance’s hidden speakers, and Trufig’s hidden technology protrusions, the core design of any home, business, or yacht stays true to form. These devices have become a handy tool in a designer’s toolbox. At the event, all design conscious attendees gravitated to the products and wanted to learn more.

No matter which room you were in, Meridian Audio was there to greet you. In the Prima Cinema room, a pair of Meridian white classy 7200′s were connected for the audio enjoyment. In the theater room, a complete Meridian 5.1 surround sound was set up for the best audio experience. In the common area, a pair of Meridian’s latest speaker, the M6′s were playing from Meridian’s modern day digital juke-box device called a Control 15 also known as Sooloos.

The event could not be complete without Crestron. Crestron is the fundamental control solution that ties all electronics together. From handheld devices to large touch screens, Crestron had a variety of their control devices showcased.

Key Takeaway:  It was a great day of technology learning and experiencing from today’s leading manufacturers. A lot of work, but worth it!

There has been a last minute addition to the line up that already includes Trufig, Meridian Audio, Runco, Sim2, Kaleidescape, Prima Cinema, and Crestron. The eighth and final addition to the event is Seura.

Seura is a manufacturer leader in mirror televisions. Combining a television with a mirror gives designers a way to hide technology. Everyone enjoys modern day technology, but the aesthetics around technology can be lack luster. Companies like Trufig, Seura, and Sonance are paving the way for aesthetically conscious clients.

When incorporating great products with a great technology integration company, the possibilities to merge design and technology are endless. The Digital Living Event is sure to showcase both.

If you plan on attending, here is a quick fact sheet.

Address and Time:
Trump Tower III
15811 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

March 29th
Come by anytime between 12-9PM

Parking:
Valet will be provided in front of Trump Tower III

Food:
There will be plenty of snacks and drinks to enjoy.

Giveaway:
There will be a raffle for a Pioneer Music Tap that features Apple Airplay and FM radio.

Key Takeaway: We hope to see you this Thursday March 29th at Trump Tower III for the Digital Living Event!

• If you like pure sounding audio, the best audio experience available in Meridian Audio will playing music as if a musician was right in front of you.
• If you like the ultimate video experience for sports, entertainment and art, the Runco Video Wall in a 2×2 format will be displayed.
• If you like an easy way to control all your home’s technology, Crestron has been providing solutions for the past 40 years. They will be in attendances to answer any questions and demonstrate their lines of automated technology.
• If you like to keep your spaces clean and free of clutter, Trufig and Sonance’s hidden technology solutions will be featured.
• If you like an in home cinematic experience, Sim2′s elite line of projectors will be demonstrated in a dedicated theater room.
• If you are a movie buff with tons of DVD’s, Kaleidescape has the solution.
• If you like to stay in rather then venture out to the movies, Prima Cinema delivers just released movies in the comfort of your home.

All the manufacturers listed above will be on hand in one place to demonstrate and answer all questions. It’s a great opportunity for the design and construction communities to come and learn the latest in technology applications.

Here is a quick video introduction into each manufacturer who will be at the event. Seeing is truly believing. We hope to see you there!

Please Note:  Prima Cinema is not featured in the video, but we are very excited about their participation in the event. Their product of streaming just released movies in a home theater is revolutionary. It’s a great opportunity to see it first hand on March 29th from 12-9PM.

Key Takeaway: Advanced Home Theater’s Digital Living Event  will demonstrate  the best experience in audio, video, control, and technology design.

We are pleased to announce their involvement in the Digital Living Event on March 29th at Trump Tower III in Sunny Isles, Florida. They will be joining our other stellar lineup of top-notch manufacturers that include Crestron, Meridian, Runco, Sim2, Prima Cinema, and Kaleidescape.  All manufacturers will have a representative on hand to answer and demonstrate technology.

Below are samples of Trufig’s hidden flush mounted technology.

If you plan on attending the Digital Living event, please RSVP by clicking on the image below.


Key Takeaway: Advanced Home Theater’s Digital Living Event  will demonstrate  the best experience in audio, video, control, and technology design.

If you have yet to experience Meridian Audio, please feel free to join us on March 29th from 12-9PM for the Advanced Home Theater Digital Living Event at Trump Tower III in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The Meridian audio line will be  heavily showcased as part of the event. Meridian will be providing a surround sound system for a theater set up; their award winning loudspeakers will be playing during the event in the common areas; and the Meridian  modern day  jukebox called Sooloos will be available for people to experience its versatility and selection process when choosing music. You can read more about  the Meridian Sooloos System by clicking here.

The event is sure to be a great opportunity to learn and experience  why Meridian is considered one of the best audio engineered manufacturers on the planet. Our good friend and collegue from Meridian America Ryan Donaher will be on hand to lend his vast experience and expertise  to all who attend.

You can learn more about the Advanced Home Theater Digital Living  Event by clicking here or click on the image below to RSVP.

 Key Takeaway: If you are interested to learn and experience Meridian Audio, March 29th is your chance!

Here is a quick who, what, where, why, and when. (5 W’s)

Who:
Advanced Home Theater and  selected partners. Click on image for complete company overview.

What:
The Latest in Audio/Video Technology, Control, and Design.

Where:
Trump Tower III
15811 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

When:
March 29th
Come by anytime between 12-9PM

Why:
The Advanced Home Theater Digital Living Event was planned for the design community and the home and yacht owner to experience the very best in audio/video technology and design. There will be representatives from each of our partners mentioned above to give demonstrations, field questions, and give more insights into their products and brand.

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by clicking on the link below. We will be announcing more information about this exciting event over the coming weeks. We hope to see you in Sunny Isles!

The 9 different 46inch screens can also be configured to feature one source across all displays creating a very large viewing area. When watching a movie or something that requires your full attention, this configuration is best. If you are not into watching TV, the video displays can also function as a piece of multimedia art, much like Planar’s Architectural Display.

In the end, what the Runco Window Wall offers is flexibility and customizability. The screens are expandable, you can customize any size video wall you want 2×2, 3×3 (as featured in this project), 5×5, 10×10, or even 100×100! It’s limitless.

The Runco Window Wall was the centerpiece of this project, but it’s also important to note the high-end Crestron controlled Genelec and Meridian audio system, motorized shades, lighting, HVAC, DJ Booth, and camera system.

Here is a video we published recently that illustrates the project. We called it “The Ultimate Man Cave”. Advanced Home Theater’s Nicolas Del Corral does his best Morgan Freeman impersonation narrating the video.

Being able to construct such an amazing room, wouldn’t be possible without having a client that allowed us to stretch the limits of electronic design and integration, so a big thanks to our client for the opportunity.

When taking on such a transformation, it truly is a complete team effort. From the partners we work with on the project such as Crestron, Runco, Meridian, Genelec, and Lutron to all Advanced Home Theater’s electronical engineers, technicians, installers, and programers, we all had to come together to make sure the integration results were flawless. Working as a team is what makes the end result so much more rewarding.

Here are a few shots of the AHT team hard at work during the installation. Click on thumbnail(s) to expand photo.

If you have have any questions about this media room or a project you have coming up, feel free to drop us a line. We can give some friendly advice. You can also download our “Six Must Know Technology Tips When Building Your Luxury Home” It will give you a quick overview of a few considerations.

Key Takeaway: If you are looking to add flexibility and customizability to a home theater or media room, the Runco Window Wall might be the solution.

Smarter
Washers, dryers, refrigerators, cameras and fitness devices were some of the more popular “smart devices” featured at CES 2012. Smart tablets and phones were undoubtably at the forefront.

What caught my curiosity was the Android-powered “smart watch”. The Android smart watch features the ability to email, play music, place phone calls and connect to the internet. With the advent of Siri and the possibilities it holds for  home automation, a smart watch device might be a more practical solution  when controlling audio/video, lighting, shading, hvac, security, or any other function. The smart watch is due out in March and it retails for $300-$15,000 depending on how much bling you desire (gold and diamonds). We’ll see if this product picks up any steam, and how functional it is once the world has a chance to play with it.

Thinner – What’s an Ultrabook anyway?
They are super lightweight laptops that want to be like a tablet but are not ready to give up some of their laptop features. One of the more buzz worthy Ultrabooks was the The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga. With its 360-degree flip-and-fold design, it dazzled with its versatility.

As far as ultra-thin TV’s, the LG 55-inch OLED TV won CNET’s “Best of Show.” At 4-millimeters-thick, this display has features such as internet and passive 3-D capabilities. Release is scheduled for the second half of 2012.

Hide and Sleek
We are big fans of hiding technology and keeping interiors the way designers and architects had planned. We have featured the hidden technology of Trufig and Sonance several times on this blog, and for good reason. Their products help merge technology and design together. We see this hidden technology trend continuing on the rise.

Apparently ,so does Samsung. They announced their transparent smart window screen. It’s a giant transparent display that can replace an entire window. When the display is off, it looks like your regular window. When the display is on, it acts like a display. There has been a lot of chit-chatter of this technology for the past decade. One of our first post was of Corning’s “All Glass Future”. This product is another step towards their vision.

Key Takeaway: CES 2012 was as expected, smarter, thinner, and out of sight!