Top Technology Myths Busted!

Today I’d like to cover some of the top myths in technology for homes.

Myth #1:  I need to be a Tech Wiz to use all of this stuff

If you can operate a smartphone, home automation gadgets were made for you! Years ago, the most advanced products were not quite as easy to use as they should have been. This left some people feeling as if they got in over their heads.  Today, technology has evolved and the interfaces for automation are as effortless to operate as the other items we use in our everyday lives.  Home automation is intuitive and simple to use, will save you time, and ultimately money!

Myth # 2 It’s just background music, speakers are not important.

Out of all the things that may change in your home over the years, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers tend to stay forever.  Selecting the best speaker for your application can make the difference in your home’s system and why choosing something you will be happy with is so important.

I have often heard “I can’t tell the difference” when making selections. Speaker technology is an area that has recently seen significant advancements in performance and aesthetics.  The sound improvement is notable, particularly when back boxes are installed.  Also, gone are the days of large bezels.  Today’s speakers now have bezeless designs that virtually disappear once installed.  The difference in cost between average speakers and excellent speakers is insignificant when considering these improvements.

With all the streaming options available, music is more accessible than ever and selecting the best possible speakers is important.

Myth #3:  Everything should be wireless.

As you begin your new construction or remodeling project, you will be deciding which aspects of your home should be wireless.  While wireless is perfect for certain applications and has certainly become more common in recent years, aspects of a modern home should still be wired.  Wiring provides reliability, better performance, security, and offers a path to future technologies.  Also, a simple network cable is usually sufficient to deliver all signals in native format.

What should be wired?  We recommend that speakers, televisions, high-performance audio, streaming media devices, and surveillance cameras be wired.

Wireless applications do have their benefits – do not require cables, are portable, and do not require traditional installation.

What should be wireless?  Certainly, the obvious portable items such as laptops, iPhones, and iPads are wireless.  But, even things like lighting control can now be wireless due to a proprietary technology that is secure and highly reliable.  However, in all cases, these items should be secured by a professional, essentially “locked down” to avoid being hacked or compromised.

Myth #4: Value engineering a project compromises performance.

Stretching to get the most value for the dollar is a sport we all love to play.  This certainly applies to home technology.  It’s not unusual for the homeowner’s vision to be out of sync with the budget.  Although this can be discouraging, Sound & Vision can suggest creative solutions that reduce costs while still delivering the vision of the completed system.

The ability to “value engineer” a project is one hallmark of an experienced integrator.  One of the differences between a competent integrator and a real pro is the understanding that value engineering is not a random cost-cutting exercise; instead, it’s a systematic and thoughtful approach to satisfying the homeowners’ most important needs while honoring the budget, not sacrificing ease of use or functionality.

Items that can be value engineered include the design of the system as well as the products that go into it.  Sound & Vision will analyze the homeowners’ concepts, plans, and specifications and then suggest alternatives that lower costs while maintaining quality.  The goal is to support the homeowners to make informed choices.

Real value engineering is subtle.  It’s not unusual to be able to shave thousands of dollars off the budget for a custom system by making several small adjustments that only minimally impact the system’s functionality – if you know how to do it correctly!  Sound & Vision will deliver on value engineering to optimize the budget by asking the right questions in the right way, identifying patterns in the answers, and reading between the lines.  With 25 years of experience, solid business processes, and very good people, Sound & Vision can uncover priorities and propose solutions.