Feb
Configure Dahua and other brands to send emails using Office 365.
Sep
Instead of installing Cat 7 or Cat 8 to future proof your network drops, I am recommending that you instead install Cat 6A with a supplemental duplex multimode fiber. This is because after steps up in category cable from 6A to higher classifications offer less standardization and diminishing returns. The difficulty of the installation becomes […]
Nov
Radio RA3 is now in stock: Upgrade to RA3 today! Lutron RadioRA3 devices will become available sometime in the first quarter of 2022. If you are on the cusp of completing a RadioRA2 installation, but have not yet ordered a Main Repeater, should you wait? The answer is yes. The new RadioRA3 processor will […]
Feb
This is the first part of a series on setting up business security camera systems. Later this month, we’ll be discussing how to choose a network video recorder (NVR), when to use edge storage, and how to use a central management server to aggregate business security cameras across multiple locations into a single management pane. […]
Feb
We will be focusing on how to select the best outdoor speakers for your pool area, patio, or backyard. There’s thousands of options to choose from, but we have a process to narrow it down and hone in on just a few model numbers. Step 1: Decide on which outdoor speaker type is most appropriate.Step […]
Apr
A wireless light switch can be mounted on the wall to operate fan lights, pull chain lights, and even lamps. You can add a wireless light switch for as little as $35 depending on how many bulbs are part of the light group. The best part is that it takes less than 5 minutes to […]
Apr
An in floor subwoofer is a great way to provide serious bass levels to your audio system without compromising the aesthetic of the room. Floor standing subwoofers are great, but interior designers and homeowners alike commonly ask, “Do I really need a subwoofer? I’d rather not have such a large speaker just sitting in the […]
Mar
A true smart home will invoke events both manually and automatically. Manually invoked events are typically front of mind, as these are commonly linked with device control. Some examples would include adjusting thermostats with an app, setting a lighting scene, or even a one touch button to watch TV. These are all very easy to […]
Mar
Elan has newly released the HR10 remote control and will be releasing the HR30 later this year. This marks the first time that Elan Home Systems is offering more than one choice in remote controls for the Elan g! system. The HR10 remote control will retail for $399 in comparison to it’s predecessor the HR200 […]
Mar
As your needs or the underlying technology changes, wires that were once unneccasry become needed. This could be years down the line, so it’s important that they are easily identified and easily connected. AV equipment racks and structured cabling enclosures can often times become very messy after years of changes, but if they are done […]
Audio, Control, DIY Prewire, Elan g!, Lighting, Network, Niles, Peripherals
Structured Cabling Wiring Guide – Low Voltage Wiring for Smart Home
Mar
This is a guide on how to prewire a house for smart home systems including distributed video, whole home audio, surround sound, ethernet network, and other smart home devices including lighting controllers. We’ll focus on the required low voltage wiring needed to build a structured cabling scheme that will keep you flexible enough to install […]
Mar
This is the third post in a series on low voltage wiring and structure cabling, and this one will cover prewiring your smart home devices. This will include in wall touch panels, lighting system repeaters, z-wave controllers, surveillance cameras, wireless access points, network, and phone jacks. Purchase customized plans for a DIY Home Automation prewire. […]
Mar
This is the second post in a comprehensive series on low voltage wiring and structured cabling. We will address how to prewire your home for whole home audio and surround sound systems. Purchase customized plans for a DIY Home Automation prewire. Rooms Without Volume Controls In a whole home audio system, all of the speaker […]
Feb
This is the first post in a comprehensive series on low voltage wiring and structured cabling. We’ll be discussing how to wire your home for TV during construction or renovation in such a manner that leaves you flexible to either use an HDMI video matrix or local sources behind each display. There are essentially 3 […]
Feb
Ever get halfway down the block just to question if you’ve closed the garage door? It’s a frustrating moment deciding whether or not to turn around and check. With a little bit of hardware and this simple app, never be in doubt again. The Vera platform consists of a small hub that can be bought […]
Feb
The Elan Home Systems media control interface is expansive, but we’ll try to do it some justice with a few screenshots that are fairly self explanatory. From our more general overview on using Elan Home Systems we know that from the main media screen we can select sources, control volume, and even see some basic […]
Feb
From our general walk through of Elan Home Systems we see this main climate screen and that we can view and edit current temperatures. When you drill down further into the tab the detail is expanded greatly and you can edit heat cool set points, humidity, schedules, and even see a history of your climate […]
Feb
As part of our Elan Home Systems overview, we’ll take a deeper dive into the security sub system of the Elan g! home automation system interface. To recap the discussion from the more general walk through, on the main page you see three devices available. The first is the home security system, which is communication […]
Feb
This post has been replaced by an updated version for 2020 and the 8.4 core module. Click the link to follow. This is a long overdue update to the previous Elan G overview published in late 2016. Since then, Elan Home Systems has released the 8.0 core module update, which completely overhauled the user interface […]
Dec
This post is the first of a series offering commentary and recommendation on implementing designer lighting. The series is focused on getting the most out of your lighting system by ensuring proper usage, more specifically on how to simplify control of dimness levels per individual switch legs. Certainly in the kitchen you’ll want full brightness […]
Jan
With a staggeringly low entry price of $299, MX HomePro packs a powerful punch. MX HomePro is a collection of products and software that comprises a multi-room home control solution with integration into other smart home devices. In this post, we will focus on using MX HomePro as a single room universal remote control. Follow […]
Jan
The Elan g1 was released as an economical entry point into the Elan g! home automation platform. Historically, the minimum entry level to achieve control from mobile devices and a handheld remote control was upwards of $2200 just for the base hardware, but the Elan g1 now lowered that price tag to just $800. This […]
Oct
I have setup a live Elan g! system in my office for the purpose of demonstration. I have included step by step instructions to be able to use your phone or computer to interact with the system. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to use the web chat in the lower […]
Sep
It was a great weekend for me at the CEDIA Expo in Dallas, TX this year. This product is the biggest game changer that I saw, and it will sure be implemented on as option on all of my consultations and local jobs. This is the only way to get the full HDMI 2.0 specification […]
Sep
This is a follow up article to suggest a Sonos alternative to fill the gaps when the Sonos system begins to break down. The Mirage Audio System by Autonomic Controls is a turnkey, whole home audio system that allows you to enjoy streaming music content from nearly every service as well as your own music library. Play music […]
Aug
The RTI T2X remote control by Remote Technologies Inc is the one of the flagship remotes in the RTI home automation ecosystem. It features a 2.8″ touch screen display with two-way feedback via WiFi and Zigbee along with one-way communication via 433 MHz. This device is capable of RF & IR control. It has a host of […]
Jul
The Niles Auriel, Niles Audio MRC-6430, is a whole home audio controller that integrates with automated lighting and thermostats. It is a DIY home automation solution that fits the niche of home a/v enthusiasts that want to program their own systems, but still want an elegant two-way interface with nTP7 touchpanels, remote controls, and Apple/Android app. At […]
Jun
Simple • Reliable • ScalableWe value repeatable, predictable results regardless of system size or complexity. Click here for instructions how to see a live system demo. This article is is outdated. The most recent Elan Home Systems Review can be found here. Backbone We exclusively use Elan g! controllers as the backbone of all systems […]
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