Learn More About Lutron Serena and Triathlon Window Treatments!

If you’ve kept up with our blog for long, you know AV Design Consultants loves showing customers that motorized shades do more than most people give them credit for. Most people know that they raise and lower and sometimes block sunlight, but it might surprise them to learn that they can save clients substantially in energy bills, top off a room’s design, eliminate glare from screens and more.

While we’ve described their benefits at length, maybe you’ve moved past that stage. You’ve seen how Lutron works in stores or through our video tutorials and know that it’s the right solution for your Fort Smith, AR home’s lighting and shading needs. If this describes you, we venture to guess that you want to explore more details about popular offerings and assess their pros and cons. Today, we’ll discuss two popular Lutron shading options - Serena and Triathlon. Curious? Let’s dive in.

Curious to Learn Some of Its Most Useful Applications for Your Arkansas Business? Read On!

How many people who join your meetings sit there and listen in silence, without participating? Though managers are often seen as “ideas people,” they don’t want to be the only ones visualizing and sharing at their Fort Smith companies. But all too often, attendees don’t feel comfortable enough to participate, and one reason is that they don’t know how to use the technology well enough to share content with ease. 

How can you reverse this pattern? Just add one technology to your conference room design, and motivate everyone to chime in and share ideas by adding a content sharing system like one of our favorites, ClickShare. We’ll discuss some of its capabilities today and outline how to deliver insights more efficiently, so stay tuned. 

Learn How Qolsys and Alarm.com Devices Bolster Automated Safety Systems

Still haven’t made a New Year’s resolution? It’s not too late to jot down a few goals, no matter how big or small, that you have for the year. Many of us resolve to take better care of our bodies, while others prioritize spending more time with family, going on more vacations or redecorating their Springdale homes. 

Though it’s easy to get caught up in personal goals, like losing weight or increasing our income, some of the most important resolutions start at home. Does your Arkansas home security system truly protect your family from harm around the clock? And can you view notifications and respond to threats in real time? All of these features and more are available to you with the help of AV Design Consultants and a couple of our most trusted security tools - Alarm.com and Qolsys. Keep reading to learn more about both below. 

We’ll Show You How to Welcome Your Arkansas Business to the Next Decade!

Imagine you invited a prospect to your Fort Smith office - the one that you’ve been trying to capture for years. You’ve prepared your presentation and brought in the best catering; overall, the conversation went well. But the more you replay the event, you realize that they cracked a joke about your old AV equipment, and then you suddenly remember that uncomfortable network lag mid-videoconference. 

Conference room blunders can cost you money. In a business setting, too many communication breakdowns, AV issues or scheduling problems don’t just damage your reputation: They could also cause you to lose out on business partnerships.

Expert integrators like AV Design Consultants can usually walk into a conference room and point out the problematic or outdated setups right away. Unfortunately, so can some of your key contacts and clients. How can you mitigate this issue? We’ll walk through three telltale signs your conference room could use some updates and how we’d fix them.

A Closer Look at Battery-Operated and Hardwired Shades

Lutron has been innovating how we see home lighting since they patented the first dimmer switch in 1959. Since then, they have revolutionized lighting design with not only enhanced dimmer technology but also automated lighting and shading solutions that integrate with your changing lifestyle needs. 

Now, Lutron is slowly making the manual shades we all grew up with feel obsolete. In 1993, the company patented its first shading offering, the base-model Serena. With one button, Serena’s “smart” microprocessor-controlled system scrolled from shade to shade, and early users marveled at the Quiet Electronic Drive technology. You could choose from four fabric options.

Fast forward nearly two decades, and you’ll see that Lutron’s motorized shades have come a long way, giving us almost too many design and fabric options to choose from. Though picking automated draperies for your Fayetteville, AR, home feels daunting at first, selecting between wired and wireless shades is an excellent launchpad. Which offering suits your home and budget needs better? We think you’ll know by the time you’ve finished reading. 

See Why They’re Important and Which Brand We Recommend for Your Fayetteville Home

When you start a home security system installation process for your Arkansas home, we’re sure you think of the basics first. You know you need a surveillance system, alarms, smart locks, and maybe even some extras like video doorbells and HVAC, audio and lighting integration. 

You’ll learn today why you shouldn’t neglect one vital environmental sensor, especially as we head into the predicted rainy, snowy winter. Read on to see why you should include a water leak detector in your home security suite, as well as one innovative product we recommend.

Wireless soundbars, vintage revival, and more!

It seems as though just several years ago, a residence with a whole-home audio setup was pretty rare. Now we see more and more requests for them here in the Rogers, AR, area, but look and feel of the requests is changing rapidly.  We look forward to seeing where multiroom audio is headed in the next decade and can’t wait to share some of the trending concepts with you. 

If you’re just now in the market for your first whole-home audio system, this season provides the perfect time to have AV Design Consultants complete one from start to finish or upgrade an existing installation that could use a modern touch. After all, the holidays are right around the corner, and Thanksgiving is already close enough to plan your menu. What better way to impress family and friends than a home entertainment system? Read on for our recommendations. 

How to Connect All of Your Devices, Expand Reach and Improve User Experience

We know that your home network isn’t the most glamorous part of your Springdale, Arkansas, smart home, but you can’t deny it connects your most memorable audio-video experiences. Though networking tools aren’t as flashy as an 8K display or dazzling home theater, Wi-Fi’s newest iteration is nothing short of impressive when you see all of its features. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss why a speedy connection matters and dive into the new Wi-Fi standard that we’ll see in homes soon. Are you ready to stop settling for a slow internet speed? Keep reading to see what AV Design Consultants can do to help.  

Seeing Movies in Anamorphic Style Give Visuals New Life!

Whatever movie you view, from modern action flicks, dramas and comedies to sports events, it will most likely benefit from the superior image rendering of anamorphic style.  

What is anamorphic formatting? This setup automatically fills your screen with the aspect ratio intended by the film’s creator. Basically, if a film was meant to be seen in square aspect ratio (1.33:1), that’s how anamorphic will render it. If the movie is a widescreen and features a rectangular aspect ratio (1.85:1 or 2.35:1), it will fill the entire screen, automatically.

Prepare your home theater system for endless entertainment before the colder season settles in by revamping your screen setup. In this blog, we’ll let you know a few more details and benefits of this visual configuration so you’ll understand how to experience more immersive movies in your Fayetteville, Arkansas, home. 

Find out why you need ultra-bright TVs and weatherproof audio outside

Here in the South, fall presents one of the most beneficial seasons for outdoor entertainment. As you know, our summers can get so warm that sometimes we avoid anything that’s not air conditioned for a while. Just as football season approaches, however, we can relish the fresh breeze and a good drink from your patio. Watch your favorite team win while surrounded by your best friends, host BBQs or sip hot apple cider as Halloween approaches. 

Whatever your goals for the season, you’ll probably need some equipment to actualize them. You likely won’t achieve the full effect of outdoor entertainment without an outdoor A/V system, including a durable, weatherproof TV and audio setup. We’ll talk more about why it’s essential to find a specialized display and speaker system, so stay tuned! 

Don’t Overlook These Frequently Used Access Points!

Your doorways serve as the gatekeepers of your home. While we’re sure the first entry you think of when you consider bolstering your home security system is your front door, a well-protected home requires a little reinforcement of other entries, and that includes garage doors and gates. At AV Design Consultants, we believe every detail counts when considering your Fort Smith, Arkansas home’s safety, so let’s talk about a couple of areas that deserve a second look.  

We’ll show you how we design entryways that enforce safety to keep criminals out and provide additional access to help loved ones come in. Ready to learn how remote access and smart locks work together to give you a safe, convenient home? Keep reading. 

Upgrading Your Home? Here’s Why You Should Prioritize Motorized Window Treatments

It’s unfortunate but true: Sometimes motorized shades seem like an afterthought, even for integrated homes. Homeowners often choose to upgrade other smart home functions, like whole-home AV, security, media room and more before they consider replacing their manual shades with some automated varieties.

When you consider the possibilities inherent in one technology, however, you won’t want to miss motorized shades for your Bentonville, AR, home. They’re simultaneously some of the most design-focused and pragmatic equipment available for homes today.  

How? Few upgrades can impact your home’s aesthetic, protect your possessions and save energy like motorized shades do -- all while enhancing the function of your other integrated technology. Keep reading to better understand what we mean and why you’re missing out without them. 

Why an Outdoor Speaker System Is Versatile Enough for Nearly Every Season

When August approaches, many people start thinking of cooling temperatures, back-to-school activities and, consequently, the imminent end of many their favorite season -- summer. But given the balmy climate we enjoy here in Fayetteville, Arkansas, homeowners don’t have to worry about the warm-weather fun ending so soon. 

Let’s explore how you can take your outdoor audio entertaining from summer to fall without a hitch, and why now’s the perfect time to install a new sound system! 

Spice up your next backyard party or make it easier to relax with these devices for your Springdale, AR, home

The summer heat is still going strong in Arkansas, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up inside with the air conditioning at full blast. There’s always your backyard or neighborhood pool, but that’s hardly the only way to have fun outside. There are several technologies for your yard to make your summer more exciting or help you relax, whatever your mood. Here are three ways Springdale, AR, residents can add new dimensions of outdoor entertainment to their home.

Motorized shades are the ideal solution for Fort Smith, AR, homeowners overwhelmed by summer heat

It can be a challenge to keep yourself and your home at a reasonable temperature during the Arkansas summer. There’s nothing worse than coming home from work to an uncomfortably warm home, and seeing higher utility bills isn’t exactly pleasant, either.

What can you do to make your home more bearable in the summer and save some money? One option: Motorized shades. You may not believe something as innocuous as your shades could have an impact on the temperature in your way, but we’re here to show you otherwise. Here’s how motorized shades help Fort Smith, AR, homeowners cope with summer heatwaves.

Keep Your Technology Running Smoothly with Our Client Service Plans

In our role as smart home installers, our job is not done when we finish working on a project. Making sure your system functions at its best for years to come is our top priority. That's why we've partnered with Parasol to provide stellar customer support to all our clients. Enjoy ongoing maintenance and support for the ultimate performance by signing up for one of our brand-new client service plans.  

In this blog, we'll highlight the two monthly subscription services we offer, both providing 24/7/365 support, so you get help as soon as needed if your smart home technology isn’t functioning as expected. If you’re not sure which plan is the right fit after you’re done reading, reach out, and we'll help you find the perfect option for your Fort Smith, AR home. 

Liven Up the Warmer Months with High-Performance Audio and Video 

Summer brings beautiful weather to Bentonville, AR. How can you take full advantage of it in your home’s outdoor spaces? AV Design Consultants brings high-quality audio and video solutions to your patio, pool, and backyard. Hide subtle Origin Acoustic satellite and bollard speakers for immersive sound and enjoy movies, TV shows and sports on anti-glare televisions from SunBriteTV. 

Our outdoor entertainment solutions are easy to manage from a mobile app, touchpad, or remote. Make changes to the volume or what you want to hear or watch with just one button press. Are you wondering how you could take advantage of these outdoor AV solutions in your home? Below are just some examples on how to entertain friends and family this summer with outdoor entertainment. 

Put More Money Back into Your Company with Smart Technology

Often in a business startup, the old adage still applies: If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. But as your business grows, it’s crucial that you find efficient solutions to help with daily operations so you can keep your eyes on the bigger picture.

Hiring staff, expanding your office space, and investing in smart technology may sound like a big pinch from your wallet, but choosing the right solutions for your business will contrarily help you put some of that money right back into the bank—or into the company you’re working so hard to grow.

One of the best ways your business in Fayetteville, Arkansas can save big is by implementing a building automation system. Explore the cost benefits below.

The Gear and Sources You Need for Top-Quality Viewing

It’s no secret that major electronics brands, studios, media outlets, and streaming services are ditching 1080p for 4K as the resolution standard. In fact, more than half of U.S. homes are expected to adopt 4K TVs by next year, which is a much faster adoption rate than 1080p saw in its prime.

If you’ve decided to upgrade your home theater for 4K viewing, then our Fayetteville, Arkansas team is here to help. Below, we’ll walk you through a few necessary product upgrades you’ll need to transform your viewing experience to today’s standard of crystal-clear entertainment. Read on for more!

As Your Smart Home Grows, Make Sure Your Network Can Keep Up

We’re living in a digital revolution—one that’s giving rise to wholly interconnected, easy-to-control smart homes thanks to IoT. Of course, this shouldn’t be news to anyone as consumer technology becomes more accessible than ever, transforming the way we live our lives.

From home security and lighting control to your audio/video system, whole-home automation system and more, the technologies that help run your Bentonville, Arkansas property are only as reliable as the foundation on which they run: your home network. 

Don’t risk a slow, unreliable, and insecure smart home with a network system that can’t keep up. Instead, learn what to expect when you upgrade to a strong networking infrastructure that can support your growing technology. We lay out the details below.