The world is advancing at a rapid pace so is the technology used in building homes and infrastructure used by homeowners. If you are a homeowner seeking new ways to enhance your home, you must consider smart home technology systems and solutions. This blog will...
When DIY Doesn’t Cut It: How an AV Expert Can Help
While many of us enjoy a good DIY project, when it comes to home AV projects and solutions, such as TVs, speakers, smart doorbells, thermostats, and everything in between, it’s almost always worth hiring an AV professional to help with the job. While there are...
The Best Audio Systems for Theater-Like Sound
To achieve the perfect home theater, there are two main technology components to consider: the television and the audio system. The perfect home television needs to be the perfect size for the space with a crystal-clear picture. Options for televisions are...
How Security Cameras Bring Peace of Mind
When people think of security cameras, they picture the grainy, almost unusable footage from a convenience store robbery. Today’s surveillance cameras have improved exponentially, with resolutions at high-definition or even 4K. Some high-tech security cameras can...
What are the Benefits of Smart Home Touch Control Panels and Remotes?
It’s hard to believe, but there was supposedly a time when Steve Jobs was not keen on the idea of allowing third-party apps to run on the iPhone. Obviously, he ended up warming to the idea. These days, the phrase “there’s an app” for that — first coined in a 2009...
3 Underrated Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are popular in WiFi-connected homes, allowing you to adjust the temperature of your home from your smartphone or other digital device and, more importantly, to save money on utility costs. The demand for smart thermostats is growing due to their WiFi...
Navigating the Many Options for Media Streaming
HDMI sticks, media players, Blu-ray players, and even TVs, are standard for streaming content. These powerful devices deliver a wide range of content on-demand, from the latest TV shows and movies to music to photos to YouTube videos — and more. Many companies have...
3 Ways to Make Your TV’s Black Boxes Disappear
TVs keep getting flatter and skinnier — some are almost as thin as wallpaper! But we still have devices that need to be plugged into them that must live somewhere. You don’t want to have the look of a clean and elegantly mounted TV ruined by exposed wires attached to...
What Is IoT, and How Can You Implement It Into Your Home?
The “internet of things” (IoT) is a catch-all term for devices that are connected to the internet and exchange or communicate information. Until fairly recently, IoT was primarily reserved to describe applications in commercial, industrial, or infrastructure sectors....
How Circadian Lighting Improves Sleep and Energy Levels
Circadian rhythm is our body’s internal clock that tells us when it is time to sleep or wake, depending on the light levels and the signals our eyes send to our brain. These days, most of our daily light exposure comes from artificial lighting, either in our homes or...
Don’t Settle for Slow Internet Speeds: Why a Quality Home Network is Important
Your smart home is only as good as its network. Having a fully functioning home network keeps day-to-day life running smoothly. It’s not just TVs, smartphones, and tablets that connect to a home network, it can be lights, audio systems, surveillance systems, outdoor...
Choosing the Best Projector and Screen for Your Outdoor Space
Outdoor projectors are a great choice for social gatherings, offering convenience and portability, not to mention a safer way to enjoy a movie with friends or family in an open-air environment. Paired with a good-sized screen and some comfortable chairs or loungers,...
Building a Home That’s Smart, Inside and Outside
Today’s home building and design processes tend to be more focused on the interior of the home. People often don’t give a lot of thought to the exterior until much later in the process. That is especially true when it comes to outdoor technology. If you want to add...
Adding Comfort to Outdoor Spaces with Motorized Shades
While it’s probably safe to say that most of us enjoy spending time in the backyard when the weather is nice, that can quickly turn miserable if you end up just baking in the sun. Motorized shades not only add shade to your outdoor environment, but also give you the...
Benefits of Smart Door Locks
Smart door locks are one of the new technological advancements smart homes are starting to utilize more often. If you’re tired of losing your house key, looking for added security, want your kids to be able to access the home when you’re not home or want to let guests...
Planning for a Dedicated Home Theater
Dedicated home theaters, designed for watching content on the big screen, bring the cinematic experience into the comfort of your own home. These rooms are becoming increasingly popular with new technologies, allowing you to personalize the lighting, seating, sound,...
What Is Preventive Maintenance, and Why Do I Need a Service Contract?
Technology solutions in your home or office can help you complete day-to-day tasks in many ways. If your systems stop working one day and you didn't know who to contact, you will end up spending time and money just to get your electronics functioning again. That's why...
How Advanced Home Lighting Control Can Set the Mood for Fall
Mood is everything. Mood can be the difference between a room that sparkles and shines and one that is too lit, or one that is just the perfect amount of aromatic atmosphere and one that is so dark everybody is tripping over themselves. A great way to control...
Benefits of a Lighting Control System
Lights are one of the main products we use in our homes every day and yet controlling them has evolved a lot since the invention of the light switch. Lighting control systems are networked systems of devices that allow you to control lights from a remote location or...
The Importance of a Strong Home Network
A home network is a group of devices such as phones, tablets, computers, smart home technology, and gaming systems that connect to the internet and each other. By interconnecting, the devices can communicate with each other while in the vicinity of the home. A home...
Things to Consider When Selecting an Integrator
With technology in the home becoming increasingly popular, it’s important to make sure your smart home and audiovisual technologies are integrated together with other sub-systems for maximum efficiency and simplicity. A custom integrator, otherwise known as a custom...
How Smart Shading Can Get You Ready for Fall
Vacation is over, back to school is getting closer and closer, and for some reason the world seems to expect a lot out of people come fall, even though most of us are still recovering from the long, fun-filled summer months. There’s one new thing everybody should put...
Why You Need to Upgrade to a Home Audio System
Sound is special. It’s the difference between watching somebody strum a weird wooden shape and listening to somebody perform Bach on bass guitar. The importance of sound isn’t just limited to concert performances or watching your kid’s school band play...
Open Up to Smart Shade Options
Summer is exciting for many reasons: No distance or in-person school, beach vacations, poolside staycations, and of course, the warm weather. But what about when you are inside and want to keep some of that sunlight out? That’s what smart shades are for! ...
Understanding the Difference Between Smart Homes and Home Automation
Technology is constantly looming in our lives. Smart thermostats regulate our household temperatures. Security devices keep our houses safe while we’re away. Our health is continuously monitored with wearable technology. A camera watches our pets at home. We can’t...
Multi-Room Audio: Turn Your Home into a Musical Adventure
It’s time to take music everywhere. Back in the day, listening to music used to be tethered to the physical realm: The vinyl goes on the platter or the disc goes into the player, you sit close by, and you listen through speakers or headphones connected to...
It’s Summer Movie Season: Prepare Your Home Theater!
It’s summer movie season, and that means it’s time to recline those seats, pop some popcorn, and figure out who gets to choose the first film for summer movie nights! The best part of having a home theater is that you don’t have to leave your house for amazing...
| Have You Explored These Garden-Transforming Smart Devices?
Technology nerds get a bad rap when it comes to going outdoors. But nerds like the outdoors and want to plant gardens, too! Whether or not you identify as a nerd, let us at ETC show you how the world of smart technology can augment the care you put into your...
Checklist: Is Your Backyard Tech Ready for Summer?
Summertime backyard barbecues are a blast, but tech-powered backyard entertainment centers are even more exciting. There’s no better way to celebrate the summer than by dedicating some time to revamping your outdoor area. Custom integration isn’t bound by the...
3 Questions to Guide You to Select the Right Projector
Different projectors are designed for different uses. Whether you’re hosting a moving night or leading a business meeting, a big-screen projector with vivid color output leaves a lasting impression. For movie aficionados and gamers, a projector offers a larger screen...
How Smart Shades Can Brighten Your Life
It’s time to stop living in the dark. Indoor dwellings have long given us the power to control how light enters our lives. And now, with the advent of smart shades, homeowners have more control over their shading and lighting than ever. All of us at ETC are...
5 Questions to Answer Before Buying Hi-Fi Speakers
After the dust has settled on the rest of your smart home installations, there’s probably still a spot left in your heart for something that really makes your home pop, your 4K home theater content sing, and your vinyl and hi-fi audio really rip. That’s what new...
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Outdoor TVs
It’s time to talk about outdoor TVs. Patios, porches, sunrooms, and even poolside, outdoor TVs let you bring the big game — or the latest blockbuster — to areas of your home that were previously TV-less. They can add a new element of entertainment to your...
8 Home Devices You Won’t Believe Work with Voice Control
From lighting to locks, and cameras to plugs, you can use voice control with many of your favorite home devices.
4 Benefits of a Smart Home Remote
Attain an otherworldly level of effortless home control with a smart home remote. Here are 4 benefits of taking your home automation to the next level.
4 Reasons Why Your Smart Home Needs Smart Shading
The benefits of smart shading are many; explore 4 reasons why smart shading is a great choice for your home.
What Are Smart Locks?
What are smart locks and how do they work? Read on to learn about the benefits and basics of smart locks for your home.
How to Take Your Smart Technology Beyond Amazon Alexa
It’s time for you to take your starter smart home tech like Amazon Alexa or Google Home to the next level.
Know Your Cables 101: The Importance of Using the Right Cables
Not sure which cables are which? Let our experts guide you through everything you need to know about cables!
Are Outdoor TVs Weatherproof? This and Other Outdoor TV Questions Answered!
Everything you need to know about outdoor TVs.
How to Choose a Quality Floor-Standing Speaker
In the market for floor-standing speakers? Our guide will help you get the best boom for your buck.
The Benefits of Smart Home Touch Screen Controllers and Remotes
Get smarter about your control options.