Smarthome & Theater Systems in CT

Music Automation

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:11:11 -0400


This centralized touch pad allows the homeowner to control all inputs for all rooms from one automated touch screen. You can set a music theme throughout the house for a party, or quickly turn off the music before heading out.	This simple touch pad is located within each of the 9 rooms equipped with music. They are located in the living room, dining room, patio, bathroom, kitchen, hallway, pool area, laundry room, and garage.

The rack with all of the sources related to the touch pad is conveniently located on the lower level where it is out of sight.	This seemingly complicated system with various inputs becomes simplistic in nature and needs only the touch pad to control.

The music in these rooms can be controlled by both the central touch pad and individual controls.
With this home suffering from a recent fire, the homeowner took the opportunity to remodel and
updated all his technology. The picture on the right shows a flatscreen TV installation, simple
BayAudio speakers, and only DVD player encased in the unit below. All of the other components
are hidden in the rack in the basement.

Bring Movie Night to Your Home

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:43:45 -0400

This living space became a kid's Movie Room when Smarthome stepped in to help with this basement remodel. The entertainment system shown here is a custom-built enclosure that gives the depth to hold all equipment, while the TV and entertainment system remain flush with the wall, creating a true movie-room feel.

The Wii and Xbox systems are also contained within this entertainment system. The installation of the universal remote, shown here on this family's ottoman, makes the transfer from DVD player, to music, to game system and back a piece of cake.

What is this room hiding?

To create base without taking up space, Smarthome came up with the idea of enclosing the subwoofer within a compartment behind the couch. Voila! More room to have fun, while still having the highest quality sound!

The BayAudio speakers installed on the higher part of the wall in this home provide surround sound to enhance the movie watching experience.

Choose from a variety of decorative designs that meet your style.

Talk About Home Automation

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:45:28 -0400

Can you really control your lights, climate, cable, and DVD player from one place?

YES! With the iPad, home automation has become easier than ever before. We can program your iPad to control almost anything in your home. From as simple as controlling your cable and stereo system, to using the DVD player, thermostat, and lighting controls, this is truly customizable.

We are happy to teach anyone how to use the iPad or any other universal remote of your choice. It will turn the bulkiness of a ton of remotes into a piece of cake! If you want an easy way to control your favorite electronics, call Smarthome & Theater Systems at (203) 659-4734 or call Jared's direct line at (203) 676-9354.

What We Can Do In Your Home

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:10:36 -0400

With light shining into this living space, you could barely see what was on the screen.

We installed a 55" LED LCD to revamp this living area. The stand houses the cable box, DVD player, and Bose system and hides the Bose Acoustimass Modules behind it. What a difference this makes for the entire room!

The pictures below are an example of when a homeowner called us in for a quick installation.
We do that too! The speakers are evenly spaced and level, and the LCD TV is situated at the optimal viewing level. If you already have the equipment and need it installed by an experienced company who takes their time to make your home look good, call us!

Smarthome Provides Commercial Services to Many Trusted Companies

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:08:32 -0400

The variety of settings our products and services can be used in is evident by checking out the work we've done at these establishments. You can see first-hand the quality of our work and the strong reputation that has grown through our relationships with these trusted companies.

MidState Medical Center, Meriden, CT

Danbury Children's Hospital, Danbury, CT

Yale University, New Haven, CT

Connecticut Orthopedic Specialists

Merrill Lynch, Madison, CT

Howard K. Hill Funeral Home, New Haven, CT

Salka Office Furniture, Meriden, CT

Park Lane Deli, Milford CT

Calf Pen Meadow Elementary, Milford, CT

Orange Avenue Elementary School, Milford, CT

Milford Public Library, Milford, CT

Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

Milford Financial Center, Milford, CT

Ken-Mike Tower, Orange, CT

BAR, New Haven, CT

Center Street Lounge, New Haven, CT

Colonial Toyota, Milford, CT

Beechwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, New London, CT

Basement Systems, Seymour, CT

Libero Jewelers, North Haven, CT.

Pace Restaurant of Southport, Southport, CT.

Marcus Paper, West Haven, CT.

Total Fab, Wallingford, CT

We provide more than entertainment

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:10:06 -0400

It is known that a therapeutic treatment setting can improve patient comfort and enhance healing. In an unpredictable environment, Smarthome & Theater can provide a sense of relaxation.

The clip below includes a patient who has said that his time in treatment was more relaxing because of the alternative relaxation techniques used at MidState Medical Center. Hospital staff have said they are happy because they know they can provide something their patients will enjoy. With easy-to-use equipment, hospitals have a new type of relaxation technique.

Cancer Center Director Abbi Bruce says, "I think it would be a great system in many different areas of the hospital. You could use it in an operating room, you could use it in a radiology suite where they're doing diagnostic tests. Anywhere that your patient has to be still, and that might be under a stressful circumstance. Any patient in a hospital is going to be stressed. If that's the way to help them relax, I think it can benefit them. I'd like to have one in every patient's room."

"The facility is truly amazing, especially what they can do with this type of equipment."
-Cancer Patient Joseph Femia

This Linac treatment room is made more comfortable for its patients by engaging them with their favorite movies, music, or picture preferences.

The preview screen allows the technicians to see what the patient is seeing and hearing to ensure smooth entertainment. The touchscreen allows for control of the system without having to leave the station, making it as easy as possible on the technician. Start, stop, and mute the speakers to talk to the patient via the intercom.

Please contact Smarthome & Theater Systems at (203) 659-4734 (office) or
(203) 676-9354 (Owner Jared O'Mara's cell) for a free consultation.
We are happy to work with and accommodate your hospital's needs.

Two Popular Ways of Installing Audio / Video in Your Bath

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:42:04 -0400

Need bathroom remodel ideas? Here are two ways to bring entertainment into your bathroom. Why not treat yourself to some relaxation?



This sophisticated bathroom has a secret. There's a TV hiding. But where?



In the mirror? Yes! No space is used when turned off, and the mirror is used as usual. When being used it plays as clear and crisp as any other high-quality LCD TV. The picture to the right is the behind-the-scenes view during the installation process. It has since been finished, and no one would ever know there is a TV in the mirror!





This bathroom was transformed into a center for relaxation with the installation of this TV above the bathtub. Going the traditional route, this wall hang is an easy way to bring your favorite TV shows, movies, or music into the bathroom so you don't miss a thing! It may even make the kids want to take a bath!

All the work you see here was completed by Smarthome & Theater Systems of Milford, CT. We specialize in customized home theaters, lighting, media rooms, universal remote installation, and just about every technological need you can think of!

We would be happy to answer any questions. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation:
Office: (203) 659-4734
Jared, Owner: (203) 676-9354
Chris, System Designer: (203) 767-7893

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Our Recent Residential Work

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:22 -0400

Our Recent Residential Work

Check out pictures of our recent customized residential installations by room: living area, outdoor patio, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. That's right, we will bring relaxation and sophistication to any room with a combination of entertainment, lighting, and music. The included projects are comprised of Flat-screen TV's, sound equipment, modern light fixtures, and of course the remote to control it all with one touch.

Our main goals are to bring fun into your home and make it easy to use. If you have any questions regarding pricing for your home, please contact us today and we'll be happy to help you! We offer a free in-home evaluation, as always.

Make your living area YOURS. While these rooms look simple and sophisticated, the flat-screen, music, and lighting are being controlled by just one remote. All the technological capabilities you
could think of with easy control, without all the wires and pile of remotes. We make it easy to use.

Like the idea of background music while hosting a get together? We brought the element of sound to this outdoor patio and customized it to meet specific needs. An easy to use system controlled by one central remote has brought together various inputs without all the bulk. Music to their ears can make all the difference when having guests this summer.

Have you been wanting to update your bathroom? This homeowner asked for a TV above the bathtub. Why not unwind in the most private room of your home? These customized lights along with the flat-screen are controlled with an easy to use remote.

The lighting in this kitchen is controlled by an iPad, thereby making this automation system easy to use by allowing the homeowner to control it with their own device.

An LED-LCD hangs from the ceiling of this master bedroom. In the first picture, the TV is no where to be seen. That's because it's motorized and hides in the ceiling when not being used. Easily go from watching the highlights of the game back to an elegant space with the touch of a button. The other bedroom shown includes a simple setup that can bring music into the bedroom or a higher-quality TV watching experience with more crisp speakers.

Who wants a techy system that takes an hour's worth of pressing buttons each time? Smarthome & Theater Systems specializes in creating custom designs that are easy to use. We offer a variety of products and services based on the needs of the individual customer. As seen above, we install LCD, LED, Plasma screens, lighting control and music throughout the home, and create full home theaters as well. With the newest technology, you can control your TV, music system, and lighting with one remote. You won't believe it until you see it.

We install primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the Greenwich, Darien, Westport, and Fairfield area up north to the Farmington, West Hartford, Glastonbury area. We have also installed in the shoreline areas of Branford, Guilford, Madison and Clinton. We have traveled as far as the Litchfield Hills, Marlborough and near the casino at Montville.

Check out reviews of our services on our Linked-In page (Owner: Jared O'Mara) or stay up to date with our recent projects by Liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Call us today for with any questions about your specialized project, free of charge for an in-home evaluation!

Office line: (203) 659-4734 or call Jared directly at (203) 676-9354

We are Techorators

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:22:56 -0500

Want to Become a Techorator?

Techorating 101

"Techorating" is a catchy term coined back in 2008 by interior designer, Doug Wilson, as a concept for the emergence of integrating home technology and home decor in balance with one another. The TLC's Trading Spaces host created the system as sort of feng shui for home tech, primarily outlining the importance of planning and placement of tech elements brought into the home with visual harmony in mind, something every Smarthome & Theater Systems designer keeps in mind when helping you put together the perfect home entertainment room.

The techorating philosophy was a departure from the previous era of "bigger is better", when homeowners would sometimes try to fit gargantuan projection screen televisions and furniture-sized home audio systems into living rooms without much consideration about the rest of their home decor. With so many designer-styled components readily available, there's no reason to decorate in yesterday's style with today's technologies. Here are some examples of how to techorate your own space.

Tips for Techorating the Home:

1. Measure for Viewing Pleasure! The center of any home entertainment and media setup will likely be your HDTV, the 21st century digital "hearth of the home". Hopefully you've upgraded to a flat screen HDTV model by now. But if not, or if you plan to upgrade, make sure you purchase the right size for the right space. Like those late informercials promote, size does matter. Too big of a set in a smaller space can tire the eyes and actually degrade the quality of the image (if seated too close, you can see individual pixels), while too small of a screen in a large space can detract from the immersive effects we all seek while watching movies, sports and television. Use the chart above to determine how far back your seating area should be in accordance to the size of your television set.

WOW - what does that graph say? It's more complicated than this but here's the short story for most homes. Since the common emergence of 1080p TV's and lots of 1080 content (cable broadcasts, blu-ray, etc) just about any home can comfortably watch a 65" TV. That doesnt mean we would specify one for every room, no that's not what we do. But draw a line up from 65" to the 1080 line. It reads 8 feet. Most living room viewing distances are 8 feet or more. Even in a small Cape Cod home. Again, it doesn't mean run out and get a 65, it means that every TV common in stores is probably open for discussion when considering a HDTV for your home theater install.

2. Maintain Eye Level: Wilson proposes finding the right space for the HDTV can include positioning it over your mantel, but we'd disagree with this assessment, not due to a difference of aesthetic assessment, but because of the ergonomic factors of long term viewing at a non-optimal angle. Consider how much easier on the neck and shoulders it is to use a computer monitor either at eye level or even slightly lower than one positioned above your eyes. The same effect applies to the larger television screens.

And anyway, the mantel and fireplace area often has competing design elements, like large mirrors, decorative elements and framed items that will create too much of a cluttered effect unless expertly handled. Consider finding an empty wall, free from too many distracting elements or using a swing arm wall mount to isolate your set. You want to focus on the screen, not decorations, while watching your favorite show.

3. Complement and Collage: This doesn't mean you have to leave the HDTV as the only thing on the wall. You can add a few complementary elements in the surrounding space using symmetrical design and equal proportions which help accentuate and complement your set. The idea is to create a collage which incorporate the flat panel as a decor element, not an intrusive piece.

4. Design Considerations: Consider the color, finish, size and shape of your home technology components in relation to the decor of the rest of your home (can you believe those three little black dots in the photo above are speakers?). There are plenty of options for hiding away these elements with some careful organizational tools and component options. Because sometimes the best place for tech is hidden away, but accessible at the touch of a button. Giving everything a designated space will make techorating a lot easier.

Please take another look at the picture above. Home theater in a box, Bose 3-2-1 lifestyle, cube speakers, mini systems - all of these are probably not right for your home theater install. It looks awful and we can guarantee it sounds about as good as it looks.

5. Use the Space Below Your Screen: adding a credenza or other wide, low piece of furniture underneath the set will aid in anchoring the presence of your television into the decor while giving you place to hide away all your media and components (our favorites are vintage stereo cabinets, because of their design presence and storage).

6. Keep Lighting Indirect, Dimmable: Overhead lighting, like recessed or track lighting can affect picture quality. Using dimmable lamps and indirect lighting sources near/around the television can help reduce glare. LED backlighting is popular right now, but we prefer a neutral background and dimmable lighting away from the set, as shown with this minimal modern setup.

7. Dark and Lovely: Painting or wallpapering the wall behind the HDTV a darker shade than normal will help make the surrounding area disappear while viewing. Choosing the right color for your home entertainment setup's surrounding walls will help increase contrast and control reflected light.

8. Flatter is Better: Super flat televisions, wall mountable speakers, even flat A/V cables -- thin is in when it comes to techorating. And if all else fails, give the impression of slimming presence by using Wiremold or enclosing audio/video elements directly into the wall.

Smarthome & Theater Systems installs home theaters and media rooms primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Installs - Flatscreens on wall

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:39:00 -0400

Installs of Flatscreen HDTV's on wall

Pictures of our installations. Flatscreen LCD, LED and Plasma installed on wall in home theaters and living rooms. Most have 5.1 surround sound systems, universal remotes that make controlling the system easy and all the equipment out of sight hidden in built in cabinets or closets. It's easy with today's universal remote controls to hide your blu-ray player, cable box and surround receiver (along with game consoles like XBox, Wii and Playstation) behind cabinet doors and still have control of the equipment. We bring fun into your home and make it easy to use.



Above photos show a Panasonic 65" plasma mounted over a fireplace on a stone wall. This job took planning as outlet power and HDMI cable (along with speaker cable) had to be installed before the stone facade. There is a 2" PVC pipe attached to the wall and then the masons installed the stone. Now we can still upgrade by pulling cables through the pipe if needed.

	This set of 3 photos shows a Samsung 46" LED LCD HDTV mounted over a fireplace mantle. This is a condo installation only days after the customer purchased the home. Blu-ray player and cable box are hidden in a nearby closet. A universal remote MX-450 makes control of the hidden equipment fun and easy


Above 4 images show a Samsung 55" LED-LCD mounted in a unique position. On the ceiling of a master bedroom vault. A tilt mount allows for just enough tilt to position the screen exactly at the viewer while lying down. In-wall speakers add better sound than the small speakers in the TV. The cable box and DVD player are located next to the bed in a cabinet supplied by the client. A sleep timer on function of the cable box and TV allow you to fall asleep to your favorite show and then have the sound and light of the TV not interrupt your sleep. The units turn themselves off and allow for uninterrupted sleep through the night.


A Samsung 55" LED-LCD hangs on the wall in a bar known as BAR. The HDTV replaces a small LCD that was actually sitting on a wall mount for a tube television. With hidden wires and a cable box behind the bar the TV appears to float in the air. A swing arm mount allows for the screen to be tucked flat against the wall or swing out and allow a greater amount of the bar to see the big screen. Home theater installation in a CT bar? Sure we do that.

	Another 55" Samsung LED-LCD HDTV installed over fireplace. The stone mantle originally held a 40" Sony LCD but it appeared a little too small. The new 55 is just large enough to fill the space without being over bearing. Floor standing, thin silver speakers blend in nicely and add a bigger sound than the TV's small speakers could give. All A/V components are housed in a cabinet to the right of the TV (not shown as its along side the couch). Blu-ray, cable and surround receiver are out of sight but easily accessed if needed.

Smarthome & Theater Systems install LCD, LED, Plasma screens and full home theaters. We also design and install home automation, lighting control and music throughout the home. We install primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Installation at Calf Pen Meadow School, Milford CT

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 07:11:03 -0400

Old system outdated, not fulfilling needs of Gym, Music programs.

Calf Pen Meadow School's Gym teacher and Music teacher solicited the PTA to upgrade the PA system in the Gym. The old system was more than 20 years old. 3 companies got to bid
the system and little old Smarthome & Theater won the contract. Here's our story.

We do Pro?

It's not our usual gig to do professional audio gear. We also know that you can't say 'We do home theaters, we can do Pro Audio, right?' It's not that simple. We pride ourselves on getting the job done right the first time and having our customer love what we've done. So much so that if this was a nightclub or auditorium and we felt it was beyond our capabilities we would recommend a partner company that can get the job done.

While there was some call for professional audio; -the client wanted to mix a wireless headphone microphone with a CD or iPod playing workout tunes, this systems requirements did not push the limits. The first step in designing the system is the same for home or school or corporate installations. Get all the stakeholders present and ask enough questions to get a true picture of what everyone wants.

SIDEBAR - A lot of our customers ask us what WEW llc stands for. We go by Smarthome & Theater Systems but our legal name is WEW. Those last 3 words of the last paragraph - What Everyone Wants. Clever, Huh?

What can we get 'cha?

OK, back to the story, Our Gym teacher wants to be able to run around the gym and have his voice projected thru the sound system. He also wants to incorporate music through a CD or iPod into class to get the students to enjoy exercise even more. Dave tells me his Master's Thesis was on the effect of music on workout results. See I listen to my clients.

Our Music Teacher Laurie wants a reliable system for school plays. One that has multiple microphones, both wired and wireless (and the wired mics are pre-existing our install). Laurie needs the ability to mix the different mics together and set different levels for each to match the loudness of each speaker. It would be great to mix in theme music from a CD and have a little bass and treble control without having a mixing board so complicated no one would be able to use it.

After one last phone conversation its decided it would be great to have a portable monitor speaker. One that could be placed in the middle of the gym floor facing the stage so the kids can hear themselves and other cues. But also this can be moved off the floor so the gym can be a gym.

This was one of the easiest systems to design because the clients knew exactly what they wanted. Maybe not what equipment would get the job done, but that's my job anyway.

Make the kids smile, but who are the kids here?

So the system was designed, presented and installed. The equipment total was within a budget the PTA could afford. Brand new PA speakers on the wall, a simple mixer and amp with tone controls and a pretty kickin' wireless mic that we can add many more to the system if they require.

There was one last item to help make the system affordable. I have to mention it here. I'm about to pat myself on my back, but hey I'm a business man and I'm trying to get more business. Smarthome & Theater Systems donated the labor for install! I wanted the job. I wanted to help out the kids in a great city and I wanted the parents of those kids to hear my company name.

On the day we demo'd the system, the teachers were like kids. All big smiles and 'wow listen to that' and 'hey it can do this'. That's pretty satisfying too. If your school needs help with a PA system for the gym or stage, please give us a call and we will do everything we can to help you out.

We install primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the Greenwich, Darien, Westport, Fairfield area up north to Farmington, west Hartford, Glastonbury area and up the shoreline to Branford, Guilford, Madison and Clinton.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Best ways to reduce energy usage in my home

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 02:22:59 -0400

Intel Sees Energy Management Ecosystems

HEMS, Home Dashboard and sensors will all work together to help save energy.

Intel has developed a home energy management system (HEMS), and a Home Dashboard energy monitor. And a Smart TV technology. And sensors that can be placed in the house to measure line voltage and detect problems.

And if Intel has its way, it will all be used together-or at least as a system for its embedded processing chips.

You may never see an Intel-branded energy management system. Intel said it designed the system with consumers in mind.

The "Home Dashboard" itself is a friendly looking, on-wall panel sporting a clock. Users can access their home's energy use information and perform other functions, such as video messaging with a built-in camera. The dashboard can also be set to enter a low-power "sleep" mode.

In addition, Intel has developed sensors that plug into outlets at each end of the house to measure line voltage and detect appliances and other heavy energy users by their electrical signatures-then infer if there is a problem.

According to Parker, Intel's sensors are unique and look for fluctuations in the line voltage. Temperature and humidity sensors, too, could detect if it's the dryer doing something, and that, says Parker, makes the energy data a user is receiving richer, better and more relevant.

"To do that, a home needs to have a couple of elements: sensing, and provide recommendations. and analytics-or how to translate that data into something people understand. And after you do there needs to be some kind of control," Parker adds.

Intel's HEMS will use ZigBee's Smart Energy Profile 2.0 IP-based protocol and will send signals over ZigBee, WiFi and Powerline.

Mary Murphy-Hoye, the senior principal Engineer of Intel's embedded computing group, recently installed sensors throughout her home, built a home-energy monitoring system, and demoed the data and interface to monitor temperature, humidity, light and energy sensors.

"She found out how energy inefficient her dryer was, and she could see how long her son plays Xbox. With temperature sensors in every room, she could tell that her son's room ran 8 degrees hotter with his computers and everything else running, and as a result he was cooling the house too much," says Parker. "There's a lot of interesting little things that people find out from monitoring their energy."

Intel will seek to sell its HEMS through utilities initiating smart grid trials or services, and to service providers such as ADT, Comcast and Verizon that plan to sell low-cost energy monitoring services to their customers. With a name like 'Smarthome', plan on seeing products like this and the PowerDynamics eMonitor mentioned in an earlier blog carried, installed and monitored by us too. For a long time 'Smarthome' meant music in every room and easy to use remotes. Now intelligent lighting controls and devices that can tell us how to save energy (and money) we are truely moving towards a smart home.

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a dealer for PowerDynamics eMonitor. As intel products become available we will carry those products too. We install primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

IBM, atomic reactions and computer memory - cool article

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:24:26 -0400

While this does not have a lot to do with home theaters or home automation, it's a real cool article I stumbled across and wanted to reproduce snipets of it here. Here is the original article.

International Business Machines Corp. is developing a process that may pack more music on Apple Inc.'s iPod Nanos or make solar panels more efficient.

IBM scientists are unveiling today a technique for observing atomic reactions in real-time. It may help manufacturers make smaller devices with greater memory, Spike Narayan, an IBM researcher, said in a phone interview.

"It's easy to make things on a small scale, but to understand how things behave going down to the smaller scale, that's really what's needed," said Narayan, who manages science and technology at IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California.

IBM, the world's largest computer-services provider, invested about $6 billion, or about 6 percent of its sales, in research projects last year. The company is aiming to design more efficient methods to process and store information as customers demand more computing power.

Atom Magnetism

Using a special microscope that images atoms, scientists moved an atom with voltage and measured its magnetism at various points, observing how it acted at a speed 1 million times faster than has been possible. The study enabled them to time how long an atom can hold 1 byte of data. For an iron atom on a copper surface, it was 200 nanoseconds, comparable to typical dynamic random access memory, which is used in personal computers, Narayan said.

Now scientists may use the technique to see how certain combinations hold data, and how few atoms are needed for various functions.

Observing atom's reactions in real-time also has implications outside the storage industry, Narayan said. Scientists could manipulate how atoms react to light, helping make solar panels more efficient, he said. The technique could help study how atoms in bodies consume energy, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story:Katie Hoffmann in New York at khoffmann4@bloomberg.net

To contact Smarthome & Theater Systems located in Milford CT and servicing all of Connecticut please call 203-659-4734 or email jared@iwantatheater.com

Is 3D possible with home theater projectors?

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:10:18 -0400

3D options in home theater projectors

Sony's $10,000 VPL-WV90ES, the company's first 3D projector, uses the same active glasses as its 3D LCD TVs.

JVC and Sony announced new 3D-compatible front projectors at the CEDIA show in Atlanta, while LG showed its 3D model that's been available since June. Here's a quick comparison of their specs and technologies, with some of my thoughts after the break.

JVC: Its three new 3D models, ranging in price from $5,000 to $12,000, all employ active shutter glasses technology to achieve the 3D effect--the same technology used by current3D TVs. That means they'll work with standard projection screens and require external IR emitters to send the 3D sync signal to the glasses, which are quite expensive ($179 list) and proprietary to JVC. The most-expensive version includes the glasses and the emitter for free.

JVC's DLA-X7 ($8,000) is the middle child among the three.

(Credit: JVC)

LG: The CF3D ($14,999) was announced at CES in January and started shipping in June. It's the only one in our comparison to employ passive glasses technology, similar to what's found in most commercial 3D theaters in the U.S. It actually has two separate light engines--requiring six total LCoS panels and two bulbs--that are combined inside the unit to shoot through a single lens.

It requires a special silver screen to handle the polarized light correctly, but one big advantage is that the glasses are cheap. LG includes six pairs with the unit, and compatible circular polarized versions are plentiful, selling for as little as $4/pair online.

Sony: The VPLVW90ES ($10,000) was first announced at the IFA show in Berlin, and seems largely unchanged for the U.S. market. It's similar to the JVC units in many ways, chiefly in its use of active glasses technology; it requires the same $150 glasses used by Sony's 3D LCD TVs, such as the HX909 series, and includes two pairs. Unlike on those TVs or the JVC projectors, the required IR emitter is built into the unit.

The LG CF3D ($14,000) uses 3D passive technology. Intriguing.

All five are capable of producing full HD 1080p to both eyes, as specified, meaning that the 3D on the huge screens they'll illuminate should look as sharp as any flat-panel TV. And size is definitely a good thing, especially with 3D. Judging from the specs, the LG can deliver a brighter image, and thus be capable of filling a bigger screen, than the others. The larger contrast ratios of the active models, for what they're worth, could imply that black levels might be an issue on the LG. I doubt a silver screen can help in that department.

The downsides of 3D include artifacts, especially crosstalk, and viewer discomfort that intensifies with poor content. All three makers' press releases say their technologies reduce crosstalk, aka ghosting, but since the active glasses are a major contributor to the problem, I'm curious how far passive glasses can go toward solving it. The same goes for discomfort: how much is caused by the rapid shuttering of the active glasses, and how much could be alleviated by going passive? Iin the theater viewing 3D via passive glasses, crosstalk and discomfort were not issues for most viewers.

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a systems integrator in Connecticut and has been for nearly 10 years. Smarthome & Theater Solutions of Milford, Connecticut are the local authorities for home theater and automation systems and continue to stay at the top with education and training of the most complicated products on the market. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Find out more about which box is right for you. Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Is AppleTV better than Roku?

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:56:05 -0400

This week, Roku, a company based in Saratoga, California, launched a new lineup of video players designed to stream high-definition content from Internet destinations such as Netflix, Amazon, and Pandora. The cost will be $60 for a basic player and $100 for one that offers a variety of ways to connect to other devices. Both are equipped for high-definition playback.

Roku was one of the first companies to stream Internet content to televisions; it released its first video player in May 2008. Since then, the market for Internet-connected set-top boxes for televisions has become much more crowded. Competition is intense because, along with free shows and clips, the Internet can be used to deliver premium, cable-like content. An Internet-connected set-top box can also be used to deliver ads that are closely tailored to viewing habits. "People are zeroing in on the same answer from multiple directions," says David Krall, Roku's president.

Many electronics companies sell televisions that can connect directly to the Internet, and last month Apple announced a new version of its set-top device, Apple TV, that will be considerably cheaper ($99 instead of $229) and sleeker, and will let viewers rent episodes of popular TV shows for 99 cents each. Boxee, a startup based in New York, is taking preorders for the new version of its Internet streaming device, which offers a wealth of free Internet content and a slick user interface. Even Google has decided it wants a slice of the television business, announcing a set-top box and service that is expected to launch later this year.

Roku has about 700,000 users--far fewer than the number of Apple iTunes users out there--but the company hopes to attract users by offering lower-cost hardware and high performance.

Networks have historically been reluctant to provide the most sought-after TV shows and movies to Internet-connected set-top boxes. They are worried that allowing consumers to watch content for free or pay low prices for individual shows will reduce other revenues. This sort of licensing problem is why the Internet TV site Hulu has attempted to block Boxee from pulling its content onto users' television screens. Roku only delivers content that's already been licensed for all screens, such as Netflix's streaming video.

What is the user going to choose in terms of the way they keep track of this or interact with it or discover this content?" Reddy says. "That's really what the battle is. It's thinking about what's the 'start' page, because that's how people decide where to go." Reddy believes that Internet-connected TV solutions haven't taken off so far because of the limited memory of set-top boxes. This is now changing, he says, because more data can be stored in the cloud rather than on the devices themselves. However, Reddy says, "it's going to take time" before it's commonplace for users to pull in content from the Internet.

Find out more about which box is right for you. Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734

iPort Adds In Wall Mounts for iPad

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:54:53 -0400

The iPad in wall mounting system. Now you can have a nearly 10" inwall control for the less than $1,000.

As Apple's iPad continues to emerge as a major device in the home control, automation and media server sectors, primarily because of it's low entry cost, wide selection of apps and ease of use. This product cannot be ignored when designing your home automation system.

Toward that end, iPort, which was a pioneer when it came to in-wall docking systems for the iPod, will start shipping similar products for the iPod touch and iPad this month.

The company has introduced its Control Mount Series for both products, which covers the devices in a wall-mounted chassis with a magnetically attached, rectangular fascia to turn them into in-wall touchscreens.

Depending on your apps you can use the iPod touch or iPad for audio, a video, lighting and climate controls.

You can have the Control Mounts be installed vertically or horizontally, naturally, as the Apple devices work either way. We can help you decide which way is best depending on how you will use it to control your home.

The CM-IW2000 allows an Apple iPad to be used as an in-wall touch panel providing continuous charging of the iPad and allowing a connection to a locally available Wi-Fi network. Supporting a variety of downloadable applications for home automation control and common applications such as weather, stocks and news; the CM-IW2000 provides the user with control of audio, video, lighting and climate on the mounted iPad when the control application is connected to a compatible control system.

The CM-IW2000 securely mounts the iPad into the wall with an attractive and discreet frame which is magnetically secured to the in-wall mounting assembly.

Installed in a portrait or landscape orientation, the
CM-IW2000 presents the iPad in a convenient and stylish manner.

Allows Wi-Fi connection of the mounted iPad for downloads of Apps, audio content and certain upgrades.
Connects to compatible control systems via Wi-Fi for operating home automation systems
Rigidly supports the iPad and provides a modern elegant appearance
Charges the iPad while it is mounted.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734

Mitsubishi 2010 TV lineup introduced in July

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:45:22 -0400

Its flat panels and rear projectors represent a significant departure from any other vendors' product lines. All 2010 Mitsubishi HDTVs are 1080p, and all are big screens with sizes from 40″ -55″ for LED flat panels and 60″ and above for DLP Cinema rear projeciton HDTVs.

LaserVue TV

The L75-A91 features a 75″ screen with a depth of 15″ and an available wall mounting bracket. It is the only TV available using three (red, blue, green) lasers. Mitsubishi increased efficiency over the previous generation, lowering power consumption to just 128 watts.

The L75-A75 features include: Cinema Color for a color gamut similar to color seen in digital projector equipped commercial movie theaters; StreamTV Internet Media (including VUDU movies, Pandora music and Flickr and Picasa photo);12-bit signal processing, 4 HDMI inputs; USB media input, 3D (Blu-ray, cable and satellite) capability with its optional ($399) 3D starter pack consisting of the 3DA-1 3D adapter, two pairs of Mitsubishi 3D glasses, an IR emitter and a Disney 3D Blu-ray demo disc.

The 3D Capabilities of DLP

Every Mitsubishi DLP can play 3D content with the use of the optional 3D Starter pack. The result, is a very bright image that is virtually free from crosstalk artifacts often seen with LED and LCD 3D displays. This is due to the very high switching speeds of the DLP chip. They are far faster than any LED lit LCD HDTV. The Mitsubishi reproduces 3D at the same resolution as broadcast over cable or satellite at 960 x 1080 resolution per eye.

Later this summer, Mitsubishi will be providing a free firmware upgrade that will eliminate the need for the 3DA-1 converter

3D DLP Home Cinema TV

The rear projection line-up features screen sizes from 60″ to 82″. Mitsubishi is the only remaining rear projection TV manufacturer. For a consumer seeking a really big screen at a very reasonable price (see chart below), consider a Mitsubishi DLP. Yes, they are deeper than a flat panel. the majority of flat panels end up on stands or in wall units anyway and this eliminates any advantage to a thinner design.

Unisen Immersive Sound LED TVs - I have personally heard this and its really amazing.

Mitsubishi line of LED LCD HDTVs offers features not found in any line other flat panel HDTV. All models include Mitsubishi unique built-in surround sound bar which reproduces movie and TV soundtracks in surround sound without rear speakers! All the Mitsubishi Unisen LED TVs sound far clearer and can play much louder without audible distortion than any other HDTV on the market today.

All models are LED edge lit, providing superior color and lower power consumption than the old fashioned CCFL lamps found in many other LCD TVs.

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a dealer for Mitsubishi and has been for nearly 10 years. Smarthome & Theater Solutions of Milford, Connecticut are the local authorities for home theater and automation systems and continue to stay at the top with education and training of the most complicated products on the market. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734

Crestron Releases 24 Port Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switch

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:27:38 -0400

Crestron is now shipping the CEN-SWPOE-24, a 24-port managed 10/100 Ethernet switch with PoE (Power over Ethernet) and dual Gigabit uplink ports. Extremely installer-friendly, the CEN-SWPOE-24 is configured via a simple-to-use Web browser interface, and Crestron Toolbox� enables device auto-discovery. The CEN-SWPOE-24 offers control system networking made easy, providing Crestron guaranteed performance and reliability for a complete Ethernet network of touchpanels, keypads, control processors, and other devices in a 2-space rack mount package.

A significant advance in control system networking, the 24 ports are uniquely rear-mounted for convenient use in a typical AV equipment rack. But this product works well in commercial installations also. Full IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) is furnished simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional power supplies and wiring while providing a centralized power source for numerous PoE devices, such as the TPMC-4SM touchpanel, MPC-M5 controller and CEN-IDOCV Interface for Apple iPod�. Dual Gigabit Ethernet uplink/stacking ports assure ample bandwidth for the 24 high-speed 10/100 Base-T ports.

A front panel management port enables mirroring of any rear port for easy monitoring and troubleshooting. Customizable front panel labeling makes it easy to designate each port with clear, descriptive names. This means installation is as easy as plug it in, plug your computer into the front panel port, bring up the web browser and configure and test every port on the switch.

Crestron provides an entire series of network connected, Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices with single-cable connectivity, eliminating the need for additional electrical and control wiring and resulting in clean, simplified installations and significantly reduced installation costs.

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a dealer for Crestron and has been for nearly 10 years. Smarthome & Theater Solutions of Milford, Connecticut are the local authorities for home theater and automation systems and continue to stay at the top with education and training of the most complicated products on the market. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734

Kaleidescape Introduces First User Interface for Young Children

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:15:59 -0400

Even Toddlers Can Find and Play Their Own Movies,
and Parents Have Complete Control over Available Content

Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today introduced the industry's first user interface designed specifically for young children. With a Kaleidescape System and a Kaleidescape Child Remote, a young child can find and play any of his or her movies without help from an adult. The way it works-different user interface behavior when using a particular remote-is an industry first.

"With a complicated touch panel controller and more than 1,000 movies loaded on our system, my four-year-old daughter used to always ask for help when she wanted to watch a movie," said Michael Malcolm, Kaleidescape's founder, chairman and CEO. "The day she got her own remote and her own collection of movies, she was thrilled. Now, she won't let us start a movie for her; she insists on doing it herself."

"Most of my clients are families where the children use the Kaleidescape System the most," said Brandon Hoishik, owner of Hoishik in Spring City, Pennsylvania. "The new child user interface gives parents a way to add educational programs into the mix and encourage young children to discover good content independently within their personal collection."

The child user interface is a feature of the Kaleidescape Entertainment Appliance Operating System (KEAOS) version 4.0, and Kaleidescape Systems connected to the Internet will automatically receive this software update by October 2010. The Kaleidescape Child Remote is available immediately

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a dealer for Kaleidescape. Smarthome & Theater Solutions of Milford, Connecticut are the local authorities for home theater and automation systems. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or give us a call to see what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Maytag Dishwasher Fire Danger

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:59:05 -0400

WASHINGTON - Maytag Corp. is recalling about 1.7 million dishwashers because of a fire hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall Thursday, says the company has received 12 reports of electrical failures in the dishwasher heating element that led to fires and damage.

One kitchen fire caused extensive damage, the agency said. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand dishwashers with plastic tubs. The recalled dishwashers were made with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels and sold at department and appliance stores nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010. They cost between $250 and $900.

CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it.

Consumers can schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate of $150 or $250 toward the purchase of select new Maytag dishwashers. The amount of the rebate depends on the type of model to be purchased.

More information on the numerous serial numbers involved in the recall can be found at the company's website or the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Cablevision Service Changes - Newsletter

Sun, 09 May 2010 09:25:38 -0400

Dear Jared,

** IMPORTANT INFO regarding Cablevision Service **

Starting May 6, 2010

Cablevision will require all TV's to have a cable box. If you have a TV in your home without a cable box IT WILL STOP WORKING by June 22, 2010.

Cablevision Update

We can install your cable box for you BEFORE the cut off date May 6th so that you can enjoy your TV without interruption. Simple or complex installations, Smarthome and Theater can make this transition easy for you.

We are already booking appointments in advance. Call us today to schedule an appointment. Feel free to forward this warning to any of your friends that have Cablevision service.

Click HERE to schedule your update

Thank you for taking the time to read our emails. We appreciate this opportunity and the chance to serve you in the future.

Sincerely,

Jared O'Mara

97 Buckingham Ave

Milford, Connecticut 06460

Smarthome & Theaters Systems

203-659-4734

Crestron iServer Network Audio Server Using Apple iPod

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:45:37 -0500

Our 3rd article about Crestron control of Apple Products. Check out our News and Events page to see the other articles (plus articles on other subjects).

The iServer from Crestron(R) provides a very practical and cost-effective network audio server solution utilizing the popular Apple(R) iPod(R) as its engine. Designed for shelf or rack mount installation, the Crestron iServer provides a permanent housing for the iPod, adding high-speed Ethernet connectivity to enable full integration with a Crestron control system while still allowing syncing with iTunes(R) software.

The Crestron iServer uses the latest Apple authentication chip, enabling high speed music library browsing and compatibility with the latest Apple products and features. The chip supports 6th generation (and later) iPod classic(R), and late model iPod nano(R), iPhone(R), and iPod touch(R).

Touchpanel Control
Integrating the iPod with your Crestron system enables full control and navigation using touchpanels, APADs, keypads, computers, and handheld remotes anywhere throughout a residence or office. From any touchpanel, you can search the entire iPod library by genre, artist, album and track, and even view album cover art.

Sync to iTunes(R) over Ethernet
Using USB-over-IP technology and Crestron Sync, the Crestron iServer allows the iPod to connect with any networked computer running Apple iTunes software without ever having to undock it from the iServer. Syncing the iPod to iTunes works the same as if it were hooked up with a USB cable, affording full capabilities for organizing and transferring your music and video files, podcasts, audio books, and playlists anytime you want.

Simple Setup
Mounting the iPod device into the iServer is as simple as placing it in the front panel docking bay and connecting the docking cable. Once mounted in the iServer, the iPod becomes a permanent component of your entertainment system, although it is easily swapped out at any time to allow for upgrade or repair.

Adagio(R) Plug-and-Play
The Crestron iServer affords easy plug-and-play setup as part of a complete Adagio system. Without any programming, Adagio delivers full access and control of the iServer from every room.

Audio and Video Distribution
Buffered outputs on the rear of the iServer enable audio and video signals to be fed from the iPod to your home theater or multiroom distribution system. Discrete composite and component video outputs are included. Both unbalanced and Crestron "CH" CAT5 balanced connections are provided for total compatibility with Adagio(R) and Crestron Home(R) systems, as well as with conventional equipment.

Smarthome & Theater Systems is a dealer for PowerDynamics eMonitor. We install primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Whole Home Energy Management w/ Internet Dashboard

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:34:25 -0500

How Can I Reduce My Energy Usage? How Can I Stop Wasting Energy? Check out the very latest in Energy Monitoring.

PowerHouse Dynamics has created the ultimate in affordable home energy management. PowerHouse's eMonitor(tm) requires no wiring and can be installed and configured so that you are up and running in under an hour. It's highly graphical and intuitive web-based interface will begin providing valuable information almost instantly. And, with the eMonitor doing the monitoring and delivering proactive alerts, you stay on top of critical events without having to continuously log into the system.

Did we mention, with the eMonitor you will stop wasting money on your energy bills?

With The eMonitor by Powerhouse Dynamics you will know - in real time - how much energy every appliance in your house is using, how much electricity is being produced by the solar panels on your roof, and how much power it took to charge your electric car last night.

With this system you'll receive a text alert when your power goes off at home, or your iron was left on. And even when you are away from home you can turn it off with your smart phone, or adjust your heating or air conditioning.

Imagine a day when you have Total Home Energy Management. You'll not only save money on energy, but you'll have peace of mind about your home.

And, just as important, you'll be doing your part to create a greener planet.

Total Home Energy Management(tm)

PowerHouse dynamics is building a Total Home Energy Management solution that lets you manage all uses - and sources - of energy in your home. Total Home Energy Management:

Starts with real-time monitoring at the right level: every circuit in the home plus
selected individual outlets.
Continues with targeted suggestions for reducing energy use and
leveraging renewable energy.
Enables you to control your thermostat and other devices to maximize
comfort while reducing costs.
Adds ongoing alerts about appliance or PV problems, unusual usage,
overloaded circuits, energy bills to-date and more.
Provides you the ability to see how your actions impact your carbon footprint -
and how you compare with others.

Easy to Install, Easy to Use, Easy on The Wallet

Check out this video where the eMonitor was featured on Ask This Old House. The eMonitor section starts around 2:30 if you want to jump ahead to the good stuff.

What new rules take effect from CARD act?

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:50:59 -0500

The changes due to the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD) are aimed at protecting cardholders from "any time any reason" punitive rate increases on existing balances and changing the formula for calculating monthly interest payments.

Here are a few of CARD's new regulations and how they protect consumers:

Overpayments Go Toward Highest Interest Balances: If the card holder has varied interest rates for different services or accounts, any overpayments must be applied to the account that is incurring the highest interest rate.

Cardholder Opt-Out: If there are significant changes made to the terms of the account, card holders can choose to reject those changes and will have five years to pay off the balance under the original terms.
More Notice for New Interest Rate Changes: Card issuers must give card holders 45-days advance notice in the event of an interest rate increase. Additionally, promotional rates must apply for at least six months and, unless disclosed up front, card holders cannot have their rate increased in the first year.

Older Age Restrictions Added: Card issuers are no longer allowed to issue a credit card to anyone under 21 unless they can prove they have the means to repay debt or if an adult over 21 co-signs on the account. Credit card companies also face new restrictions on how they can promote cards to college students and can no longer offer free gifts as enticements on campuses.

New Rules for Monthly Statements: In response to complaints that bill due dates were being moved up-and leading to increased late fees-monthly statements must now be mailed or delivered 21 days prior to the due date. Additionally, card issuers can no longer set a payment deadline before 5 p.m. and cannot charge card holders if they pay online, over the phone or by mail-unless the payment is made over the phone either on the due date or the previous day.

Smarthome & Theater Systems works primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734. We Offer Consumer Financing Thru GE Money

Can Apple iPad be used as a Crestron Touchpanel?

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:56:01 -0500

Crestron eNews Extra - February 18, 2010

The Apple iPad will revolutionize the home control industry. Experience the Web, check email, view photos and video, iTunes, iPod and all those apps. Now you can add 'Control Your Home' to that list. The iPad becomes the least expensive wireless touchscreen control for Crestron systems.

The hot new Apple (R) iPad is a full 2-way Crestron (R) touchpanel - available the same day it ships from Apple. Immediately take advantage of the free Crestron Mobile� app (currently available from iTunes (R)) to transform your iPad into a complete home automation touchpanel, or use the Crestron Mobile Pro� app to turn the iPad into a entirely customized user interface while enjoying the sleek, stylish Apple look, right from day one.

The iPad connects to the Crestron controller via WiFi or 3G network the same way the iPhone (R) or iPod touch (R) does today. Simply add complete Crestron control to any room in the home, or take advantage of the 3G iPad for control anywhere, whether in the car, on vacation or at the office.

Use existing Crestron software tools to create GUI designs and seamlessly integrate with any Crestron control system, including Prodigy�. Use the vast library of free Crestron graphics or produce custom images desired. Browse, select and play songs and movies; control lights and adjust temperature, all from the iPad.

Crestron is committed to offering great solutions for integrating Apple products into the home. Create touchpanel interfaces with XPanel for Mac� to take full Crestron control from any iMac (R) or MacBook (R). Convert your iPod (R) into a Crestron controlled media server using the Crestron Interface for Apple iPod (CEN-IDOCV), Crestron iServer (TM) (CEN-ISERVER) or the Prodigy (R) Interface for Apple iPod (P-IDOCV). Crestron Mobile (TM) lets you use the iPad, as well as iPhone and iPod touch, to take complete control of any system, anywhere.

Crestron Integrates with many Apple Products. Come back often to read more articles about the way Crestron and Apple make you entire home easier to use.

Smarthome & Theater Systems works primarily in the state of Connecticut. We cover the entire state from the greenwich, darien, westport, fairfield area up north to farmington, west hartford, glastonbury area and up the shoreline to branford, guilford, madison and clinton. We have traveled as far as the litchfield hills, marlborough and near the casino at montville.

Email us jared@iwantatheater.com or check out what we can do for you. Contact us: 203-659-4734.

Smarthome & Theater Systems in CT

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Installation at Calf Pen Meadow School, Milford CT

Old system outdated, not fulfilling needs of Gym, Music programs.

We do Pro?

What can we get 'cha?

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Best ways to reduce energy usage in my home

Intel Sees Energy Management Ecosystems

IBM, atomic reactions and computer memory - cool article

Is 3D possible with home theater projectors?

3D options in home theater projectors

Is AppleTV better than Roku?

iPort Adds In Wall Mounts for iPad

Mitsubishi 2010 TV lineup introduced in July

Crestron Releases 24 Port Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switch

Kaleidescape Introduces First User Interface for Young Children

Even Toddlers Can Find and Play Their Own Movies, and Parents Have Complete Control over Available Content

Maytag Dishwasher Fire Danger

Cablevision Service Changes - Newsletter

Crestron iServer Network Audio Server Using Apple iPod

Whole Home Energy Management w/ Internet Dashboard

How Can I Reduce My Energy Usage? How Can I Stop Wasting Energy? Check out the very latest in Energy Monitoring.

And, just as important, you'll be doing your part to create a greener planet.

Total Home Energy Management(tm)

Easy to Install, Easy to Use, Easy on The Wallet

What new rules take effect from CARD act?

Can Apple iPad be used as a Crestron Touchpanel?

Even Toddlers Can Find and Play Their Own Movies,
and Parents Have Complete Control over Available Content