SpaceCoast AV Case Study #MG17-268-004

Residential Client Profile

Our residential client lives in Cocoa, FL.

The Residence was built in 2005 and is a two story pool house situated on a local horse farm.

They host family on friends frequently for family gatherings and parties.

A whole house audio system, television, DVD’s and CD’s are the main sources for entertainment at family gatherings.

Current Situation

The whole house audio system was built with the home in 2005. Whole house entertainment was being provided through audio and visual equipment dated from the early 2000’s. They use a microphone in the main room to broadcast the voice of the hosts through out the home for large home gatherings.

As a result of the dated equipment, our client was not utilizing all of the resources available for home family entertainment. The system was too complicated for the home owner and was not using the over 300 music CD’s. In addition, the home owner would only use the music stations available on AT & T U-Verse channels.

 

 

Technical Situation

The client called in SpaceCoast AV Communications: The AV Experts to help her update and simplify the home entertainment systems. During our initial Site Survey, we discovered the many remote controls needed to operate the system. We also discovered the complexity of using the existing Audio Visual Receiver was a source of frustration for our client.

With two zones in the residence where music could be broadcast, the upstairs patio speakers were not working due to incorrect wiring.

They also had two HD displays that were not being used sitting in the living room, which the client wanted to use with minimal technical know how to program and turn on and off.

Solution

SpaceCoast AV Communications: The Audio Visual Experts, proposed the residence use updated routers and switches to update and solidify the home network and upgrade wireless network in order to increase strength of signal throughout the house.

 

For the audio system, we proposed the Yamaha Aventage Series A1070. It is a 7.2 channel AV WiFi Network Reciever providing 4K upscaling with Blutooth technology, AirPlay, Pandora, Rhapsody, Spitify, Sirius XM Internet Radio with an AV Controller App for android and IoS devices. With 2^nd zone capability, HDMI switching and a wirelss Sub-woofer module, we were able to consolidate and update many of the existing pieces of equipment in the home.

As part of the music sources, included were the Yamaha MusicCast, a 2 Terra bit Network storage device that holds the music from the 300+ CD’s, swhich we ripped digitaly, making them available on the home network.

 

A separate tuner was provided and two new outdoor  100 watts per channel speakers.

Control of the system and all components is provided with the next generation touch panel advanced network Controller. In addition, we proposed the use of a streaming network player, a network Multi-Zone amplifier, a 7” Graphical tabletop Color Touchscreen remote and base station; SpaceCoast AV also wrote the programming code and created the software drivers that allow for the simple one touch operation of the soution.

Additionally, we wall mounted three TV’s throughout the house, using client provided televisions already available.

Benefits

As a result, the client was able to eliminte four remote controls, and operate the entire home system, whether for watching television, listening to the radio, CD’s or streaming music, watching DVD’s or entertaining guests all over the property with the touch of a button on the touch screen tabletop remote.

Frustration with not knowing how to use her system has been eliminated. Strength of the client’s home wi-fi network is such that she does not have weak or “dead spots” around her home and is also able to control the solution from the comfort of her bedroom as well.

With the ability to expand the Total Control experience, the client has plans to add outdoor lighting  Control and other Home Automation and Home Control options to the new, simple to use, one touch solution.

We’ve been invited to Sunday dinner to share all of what we provided with her family too.

Products and Services Used

[List the products and services that your company used for the solution.

For this solution we used:

Luxul

Yamaha

Samsung

Sony

URC control

Polk speakers

LG

Cisco

About SpaceCoast AV Communications: The Audio Visual Experts

SpaceCoast AV is an Audio Visual Design and Integration Firm that designs, integrates and maintains  audio, video lighting and automation systems. AVE is your “go-to” experts when it comes to providing exceptional designs, equipment and installation for Best Home Theater/Cinema Systems, Home Network WiFi access points, Commercial Audio Visual and conference room design,  AV for Houses of  Worship and audio video furniture.  From the wireless to hardwired solution, we’ve experienced them all and we can help you every step of the way. No job is too small or too big for our knowledgeable staff. We’ve happily done it all for 10 years now!

 

5 Reasons Cinemas are losing the Lime Light

Despite the fact that the movie industry, in its entirety, is grossing more money now than ever before, box office sales are actually declining and movie theater profits are the lowest they’ve been thus far. In other words, people are still watching movies, but they aren’t going to the nearest theater to do it.

In a recent survey, a panel of movie-goers were asked as to why they haven’t been going to the movies as much as they used to. The top five reasons were:

1. Ticket prices don’t equal worth
2. Prefer movies “on my own schedule”
3. Can see movies at home shortly after theatrical release
4. Too many people causing distractions
5. Can’t eat my own food

Gone are the days…
In the past, when someone wanted to “experience” a movie, not just watch it, they had no choice but to go to the nearest theater in order to make that happen. After all, in order for someone to truly have an experience when they watch a movie, the following must be incorporated: Large TV or Screen, Surround Sound, acceptable Acoustics. Right?

So, what about the people who have chosen not to go to the movie theaters? True…they now wait for the release and pay less, they watch when they want and without distraction. Plus, they get to eat whatever they want when they do it. At first glance, it appears that the problem has been solved, but what about “the experience”? Just because someone doesn’t want to go to the movie theater anymore doesn’t mean that they have to sacrifice having the movie theater “experience”.

“I doubt I can afford a home theater.”
It’s more affordable than you think. There are a handful of key components that must be incorporated in order for something to be considered a home theater: Visual Source, Speakers, a Subwoofer, Acoustics Treatment, and Lighting. Custom Audio Video’s Sales Team will be happy to go into more detail with you.

“I don’t think I have the space for a home theater in my house.”
You would be surprised! If you have a living room with walls, then you have the space for a home theater. Your screen doesn’t have to be the same size as the ones found in movie theaters. In fact, one of the most critical components of any successful home theater setup is the proper location and configuration of the surround sound speakers…not the size of the screen or room.

“What makes the speakers so important?”
Speakers ignite a multiple of our senses, and because of that, they play a crucial role in the home theater. In order to properly experience a movie, one should have a minimum of five speakers set up in their home theater: left of TV, center, right of TV, left of viewer, and right of viewer.

Here’s an example:
You are watching a movie. In this particular scene, it is raining and the main character is standing on the sidewalk getting drenched. Suddenly, a car loudly passes from left to right and splashes her.

Now…if you have surround sound speakers, you will hear the rain pouring from behind you. When the car passes from left to right, the sound of it will move through the left speaker and to the right.

“Why do acoustics play a role in making a home theater?”
The word Acoustic is defined as “the way that sound is heard in a room, as a result of the room’s shape and size.”

Generally speaking, a house isn’t usually designed with acoustics in mind. Because sound naturally bounces, your home theater will have to be acoustically treated in order for your surround sound to work like it’s supposed to. We can strategically place acoustic panels within your theater which will eliminate the echoes that muddle music and speech. While doing so, the speakers will be calibrated accordingly, thus creating a miniature movie-theater for you to enjoy.

“Why is lighting a component if you are supposed to watch a movie in the dark?”
When we think of a home theater, we imagine a dark, quiet space where the screen is the only illuminated object in the room. While movies always look best in the dark, your home theater may not always be used for watching movies. If your fixtures are professionally installed and linked to your home automation system, you’ll be able to use the home theater as a multi-functioning space.

For instance, if you want to watch the big game, won’t you need a few lights on so you can see the snacks and exchange high-fives with your friends? Also, some nights you may want to use your home theater just for the speakers and lighting. Music playing within the background at your party will never sound better than coming from the surround sound speakers. Purposeful lighting will supply the ambiance in that scenario.

Now are the days…
You don’t have to go down the street to the movie theater if you don’t want to. You don’t have to forfeit the movie “experience” nor accept mediocrity because of it either. You deserve the best and you can have the best without even leaving home.

Having a home theater is one ticket price that’s definitely equal to its worth.

What’s the Point of HDMI?

With HDMI, it’s about copy protection. But let’s first address that coax jack. The coaxial cable input on a TV’s back panel is provided to connect an antenna designed to pull in digital TV broadcasts. A tuner inside the TV then demodulates the signal, stripping audio/video from the radio frequency carrier. Next, the MPEG-compressed A/V stream is decoded so that your TV can display it.

With digital cable, the process is similar, except a different modulation method is used to convey signals over the cable TV system’s wired network to your cable box.

Once HD signals are decoded by your cable, satellite, or other-type receiver, the uncompressed video and audio gets routed to an HDMI output. Those signals are then encrypted using a DRM (Digital Rights Management) scheme called HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). For the source device to pass the signals, a handshake must occur with he receiving device. This process creates a secure digital connection that prevents any content from being copied.

 

 

Got a tech question for SpaceCoast Audio Visual? Email us at  ask_the_AV_Pros@scavcom.com

SpaceCoast AV: Feeding Children Everywhere

SpaceCoast AV Communications spent time this weekend taking part in Feed the Children Everywhere.

This was an incredibly fun way to work with others in our local community and provide prepackaged, vacuum sealed meals for hungry children right here in Brevard. All together all who participated packaged something like 40,000 delicious Red Lentil Jambalaya meals.

Pictured above, SpaceCoast AV President, Chris Lacuesta and Abby, from Acts II ministries in between packaging sessions.

This is an all-natural, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan meal ensuring highest levels of nutrition.

Getting Ready for the Big Game: A 3-Step Plan Are

Are you ready for the Big Game? Ready to take in all its glory as if you were in the stands sitting on the edge of your seat immersed in the action? Ready to impress family and friends with a jaw-dropping experience that leaves them, well…jealous?

And, no, we’re not talking about your awesome Kegerator or those hot, tangy, succulent wings everyone loves. We’re talking about a killer audio/video setup that not only “transports” you to the stadium but puts you on the field. A setup that let’s you feel the action – the bone-crunching thuds of a goal-to-go pileup, the brutal kidney-punch of a sideline takedown, the roar of the crowd when the announcer shouts “touchdown!”

The best of today’s home entertainment technology can get you closer to the game than ever before. And in some ways, a topnotch AV system can deliver an experience that’s better than being there. So if you’re tired of the small screen and tinny sound, it’s time to time to take things to the next level with an AV setup that will serve not only sports but also movies, music, and TV.

Here’s our three-step plan for upping your AV game.

1. TAKE A TOUR OF AV-LAND.

If it’s been a while since you’ve bought a TV or sound system, you might want to talk with one of our experts or pick up a magazine like Sound & Vision to get a feel for what’s new in AV. You’ll quickly see that a lot is going on.

If you’re serious about taking your AV game to the next level, find a home technology professional in your area and have him walk you through options in your price range. A pro will guide you through the maze of AV gear and present ideas on how to integrate it into your room – or hide it away.

2. GO FOR A BIG SCREEN.

And not just any screen but the biggest screen you can afford (as long as it’s not too big for the room you have in mind). Take a close look at the new 4K/Ultra HD sets, the best of which deliver stunning pictures at prices that are getting lower every day. OLED TVs – known for their vibrant, lifelike color – are also worth a serious look, but there are fewer options and they tend to be quite a bit more expensive.

If you have the physical space and budget to go bigger than, say, 70 inches, consider a theater-like projection setup where screen sizes start at 100 inches. There’s no better way to get in the game.

3. DON’T SKIMP ON THE SOUND.

Forget soundbars and cheap home-theater-in-a-box systems. Go for a bona fide surround-sound audio system with a full complement of speakers and a real subwoofer. For the best experience, you’ll want a 5.1 system, which means three front speakers – left, center, right – two rear surround speakers and a standalone subwoofer.

Speakers come in a wide variety of types and sizes, including models that can be mounted in (or on) the walls and ceiling for a stealth look. Professional guidance will go a long way here.

Following these few simple steps will put you on the path to an at-home game experience that you might not have imagined possible.

To learn more about home entertainment technology and options, consult a SpaceCoast AV professional today.

Two ways to Identify an “Expert”

What is an expert? How do you define who an expert is and who is not? Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines an expert as, “having or showing special skill or knowledge because of what you have been taught or what you have experienced.”

With so many self-proclaimed experts advertising themselves as such, it could save you money and headache understanding exactly what an expert is… or is not. Keeping with our definition above, an expert should be able to show that a particular governing body has recognized a particular expertise. Secondly, many like to use the term specialize or specialization when advertising their services. In the case of “specializations” the question should be are the “experts” certified or do they carry a certification? Why is this important, you might ask? The answer to this question is simply that when someone is representing themselves or their business as a bonafide expert, there is usually a Code of Professional Conduct to which the person or group must adhere.

For example, SpaceCoast AV Communications engineering staff holds a CTS certification…Certified Technology Specialist. Not only that; but our AV technicians are continually expanding their industry and technical knowledge through specialized training on the latest AV equipment through our manufacture and vendor relationships. Infocomm and CEDIA are two of the governing bodies for the Audio Visual Technology Integration Industry. Infocomm defines the CTS certification as one who performs general technology solution tasks by creating, operating and servicing AV solutions, while conducting AV management activities which provide for the best audiovisual resolutions of the client’s needs, both on time and within budget.

So the next time you are faced with an expert, either in AV or any other field, you might want to double check if they are a self-proclaimed expert or an expert in their field that has been recognized by a governing body and if indeed they are specialized in their specializations!

Behind the Curtain of Wireless Speakers

Wireless Home Theater Speaker Requirements

In a traditional wired speaker setup, both the soundtrack impulses and the power needed to make the loudspeaker work are passed through speaker wire connections from an amplifier.

 
However, in a wireless speaker setup, a transmitter is typically required to transmit the needed audio signals, and a receiver needs to be used to receive the wirelessly transmitted audio signals.
In this type of setup, the transmitter will need to be physically connected to preamp outputs on a receiver, or, in the case where you have a packaged home theater system that incorporates a built-in or plug-in wireless transmitter. This transmitter then sends the music/movie soundtrack information to a speaker or secondary amplifier that has a built-in wireless receiver.
However, another connection is needed to complete the process—power. Since power cannot be transmitted wirelessly, in order to produce the audio signal that is wirelessly transmitted so you can actually hear it, the speaker needs additional power in order to work.
What this means that the speaker still has to be physically attached to a power source and an amplifier. The amplifier may be built right into the speaker housing or, in some cases, the speakers are physically attached with speaker wire to an external amplifier that is powered by batteries or plugged into the house AC power source. Obviously, the battery option severely limits the ability of a wireless speaker to output adequate power over a long period of time.
When Wireless Is Not Really Wireless
One way that so-called wireless speakers are applied in some Home-Theater-in-a-Box Systems that tout wireless surround speakers is they simply have a separate amplifier module for the surround speakers.
In other words, the main receiver unit has a built-in amplifier that physically connects to the left, center, and right front speakers, but has a transmitter that sends the surround sound signals to another amplifier module that is placed in the back of the room. The surround speakers are then connected by wire to the second amplifier module in the back of the room. In other words, you have not eliminated any wires, you have just relocated where they go. Of course, the second amplifier still needs to be connected to an AC power outlet, so you have actually added that.
So, in a wireless speaker setup, you may have eliminated the long wires that typically go from the signal source, such as a stereo or home theater receiver, but you still need to connect the so-called wireless speaker to its own power source, and, in most cases, a secondary amplifier module, in order for it to actually produce sound.
This can also limit speaker placement as the distance from an available AC power outlet then becomes a major concern. You may still need a rather long AC power cord if a convenient AC outlet is not nearby.

 

September News

SpaceCoast AV invites you to Embrace and Share the Power of AV as we continue to partner with you, our friends, working together as we:

1. Continue to be your “go-to” experts when it comes to providing exceptional designs, equipment and installation for Home Theater/Cinema Systems, Commercial Audio Visual and conference room design,  AV for Houses of  Worship and audio video furniture.

2. Create Exception AV Experiences to you and those who matter most in your lives... 

We hope you enjoy the AV news stories and find them entertaining, educational and informative.

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Some Audio Video Basics

Home audio and video equipment are available in a wide variety, such as stereo, home theater systems, music systems, surround systems, DVD and blue ray disk players. These appliances are manufactured by various manufactures such as Sony, LG, Phillips, Samsung and creative among others.

Regardless of the manufacturer you choose, most of the features are pretty much the same and the appliances will serve you well. The choice of a home audio and video appliance depends on personal taste and preferences as well as financial status. Most of the entries level electronics are very cheap, while high end powerful home audio equipment are very expensive.

Most first time buyers choose entry level product that cost less, although such items are priced reasonably, they will serve you well and can last for a very long time. Some of the cutting edge technology in the recent past includes the release of light weight TVs, the plasma TVs, and the LED TV sets. These television sets are known to offer high quality video and a good quality sound output. Most of the entry level buyers opt for smaller screens such as 32 inches or 42 inches, while the other shoppers opt for high end TV sets that are expensive and have a huge screen.

Some of the most popular features in most of the TVs released in the recent past include:

– Internet browsing capability via Wi-Fi connection

– USB port

– HDMI port

– AV in AV out port

– 3.5mm Audio jack

– Remote control

– Plasma or LED screens

The ability of a TV to connect to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection means that you can stream movies from the internet right into your TV and enjoy the movie on a big screen. In addition, you can connect the TV to your home theater system to boost the sound systems and enjoy a high quality sound output.

About SpaceCoast AV

SpaceCoast AV is an all-in-one solution for your audio video, theater, telecom, automation, and home networking needs. We handle all size jobs at all levels. Whether you are building a new home, remodeling, or just want to add a new flat-panel television in the living room, our experienced staff has a solution for you. SpaceCoast AV is a full service company providing design consultation, full installation, programming, and sales of equipment at competitive prices.

 

Trust–Don’t let it cost you.

Remember that big home project you were doing that turned out to be a disaster? Remember, the always faithful and trust worthy, “trusted advisor”? Was it the friend…mom…dad…or maybe the neighbor? It’s OK we’ve all done it and experienced the result.  If you don’t know much about cars, you ask a friend who does know a lot what his opinion is after you hear from the mechanic. It’s smart to get second opinions from people you trust, and it happens to us all of the time.

Miscommunication between you and the contractor can spell disaster for your home AV project. It usually surfaces late in the project where the client gets an idea or input from their “trusted advisor” and then presents it to the contractor. While a client may ask for a second opinion from a trusted advisor, SpaceCoast AV knows the products and processes better than anyone else and so, we assert and leverage our knowledge and expertise on your behalf.

A few great examples might look something like this:

You might insist on using some Amazon deal speaker your brother-in-law insists in the best thing since sliced bread, but when paired with the amp you’ve carefully selected and calibrated, it sounds like crap (maybe because it’s a crap speaker or maybe because it doesn’t pair well with the rest of the equipment). or you could purchase your own AVR, but it doesn’t play well with the HDBaseT extender you plan to use and a reliable signal becomes an issue. Maybe the neighbor has a Harmony remote and is ridiculing you for spending thousands on a universal remote, so now you’re insisting on a Harmony, with all of the risks of reliability and lack of discrete control that entails. Or the client is adamant about using an Apple Airport Extreme as their router. There goes the managed network and  remote access to troubleshoot. In the short term any of these things could save you a lot of money, but in the long run, it will cost you in service calls that didn’t need to happen.

SpaceCoast AV has been a trusted, knowledgeable and professional Audio Visual for residents, businesses and houses of worship in Brevard since 2008. When it comes to your money and time, turn to the AV integration company who knows the products and processes better than anyone else and leverage our knowledge and expertise for your next AV project.