A BATON ROUGE-AREA CUSTOM AUDIO/VIDEO INTEGRATOR PROVIDES AN EASY GUIDE
What’s home automation? It’s not a silly question. When customers call Innovative Home Media (IHM) for advice on how to automate their homes, they’re often unsure what automation is exactly, let alone know the level of “intelligence” that they want in their home. Drawing from years of experience providing integration services throughout Gulf Coast Area, we assembled this brief guide to help you decide exactly how “automated” you want your home to be.
Home Control
The first step toward reaching the level of automation that works for you is to understand exactly what Home Automation is and what systems in your home are typically “automated.”
A Home Automation system and its automation features is to your home what your brain is to your body – the system that enables you to control all the technology in a room (or your entire home) from a touch panel, handheld remote or mobile device such as an iPhone or iPad.
A comprehensive home automation and control system makes it easy for you to control how a room reacts to your presence––whether it be to automatically turn on the lights and play music when you walk in, or turn off all the technology when you leave.
Distributed Audio
To really appreciate music, it needs to be easily accessible and available precisely where you want it. Music distribution associated with Home Automation systems couldn’t make it any easier! Dad can listen to Jazz in the Living Room while Mom is working out to the Oldies in the bedroom and the kids are listening to their iPod by the pool. All controlled from convenient wall-touch screens, handheld remotes or mobile devices.
Lighting & Motorized Shades
Folks who make movies know: everything depends on perfect lighting. Not only does natural light help reset your internal clock, it can also make a room feel cozier. By installing motorized shades on windows, you control the amount of light getting through (plus it doubles as a privacy screen). Motorized shades can be integrated into a home’s control and automation system and programmed to raise and lower depending on the setting you choose. Save money and lessen your carbon footprint in the warmer summer months by utilizing natural light and motorized shades.
Security & Surveillance
Forgot whether or not you locked the door on your way out? No need to turn the car around––all it takes is a press of a button on your smartphone to lock the door, or close the garage. Going on vacation? Many home control systems have a “vacation” mode that locks the house, closes the garage door and makes sure the installed CCTVs are up and running for you to check remotely at any time.
The options available when all the systems in your home are connected are virtually limitless. Imagine a system that turns on all the interior lights, locks out the switches, raises all the blinds and has all the exterior lights blink when the security system is tripped? You choose the level of security that makes your family feel the safest. Safeguard your family and valuables by incorporating a security and surveillance system into your custom home automation system.
Home Theaters & Media Rooms
The entertainment center of a fully automated home combines power and design in one package. Your private home theater or media room does not need to have wires tangled up, or even be visible at a passing glance.
IHM is an expert in hidden home technology and can customize your home theater/media room to your exact taste. Want a room that doubles as a play room? No problem––IHM can hide a TV behind a piece of art, or utilize a TV lift so it can drop down from a hidden compartment in the wall! Speakers can be recessed into the wall, ceiling or hidden behind acoustically transparent panels so you can enjoy premium sound without boxy speakers strewn around the room.
Outdoor Entertainment
Why limit the fun to indoors? Outdoor speakers and weatherproof TVs can be installed in your backyard for you to enjoy warm summer nights. Want a pool house cabana with exceptional sound for late-night swims? Not a problem. Lighting and media controls can be integrated in your home control systems so you can spend more time outside, and less time fiddling with controls. Imagine sitting in your backyard by the pool as the music mutes and the doorbell chimes through all the speakers in the home and yard. With a press of a button you’re viewing your guest on your smartphone. Control of the patio’s music, lighting, spa and pool control are at your fingertips through the use of your cellphone!
We design Home Automation systems with varying degrees of control. Most systems can start with basic control and grow as your needs do. If you have any questions about these or other components of home automation, feel free to contact us here at Innovative Home Media!
