If you've been thinking about getting a smart automation system for your home, no doubt you have questions! And we have the answers — check it out!

<p>Have you considered smart home automation but don't know where to start? You're not alone! Many people have thousands of questions before they start, and rightly so! The more prepared and informed you are, the better your smart home will be!</p>
<p>Luckily for you, our experts have compiled this FAQ list to help you get started!</p>
<h2>What is a smart home?</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman talking to smart home control panel; futuristic concept" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_1.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>A smart home is a home that uses smart home technology to control aspects like the thermostat, lighting, security, home entertainment, shades, locks, cameras, and a whole bunch of other stuff. These systems are connected to a single hub which you can control through a single app!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Our team of custom integrators can help you develop the best smart home automation system that suits your needs!</p>
<h2>Is a smart home worth it?</h2>
<p>We certainly think so! But to answer the question more in-depth, a smart home is a good investment because it will help you save time and money the more you use it. By automating processes like adjusting the thermostat to the optimum temperature, keeping the lights off unless needed, and getting helpful reminders, you'll use less electricity (hooray, lower energy bill!) and have more time to yourself!</p>
<h2>What other smart home benefits are there?</h2>
<p><img alt="Smart home security in-home and outside surveillance" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_2.gif" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_2.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>There are several benefits to owning a smart home, but the best is the ease of use and increased security. With a few taps on a smart device, you can get your home to work for you! And you'll get real-time alerts that let you keep track of the comings and goings at the door, what your kids or pets are doing, and be alerted of any disasters, like the water main breaking!</p>
<h2>Can I use my smart home to control my kids?</h2>
<p>Haha &mdash; unfortunately, no, you can't use your smart home to control your kids. But you can use your smart home system to help your kids keep on their routine, like setting up bedtime automation that turns all the TVs off and reminds them to brush their teeth. Or, in contrast, you can have "wake up" settings that gently turn on the light to a dimmer setting, open the blinds, and plays their favorite track so they can start their day with a pep in their step!</p>
<h2>What smart home gadgets do I buy first?</h2>
<p>This is a trick question, and the answer is none &mdash; you shouldn't buy any gadgets first. This might seem counterintuitive, but buying the gadgets first can lead to compatibility problems. If you can't get your devices to communicate with each other, then you won't get the benefits of whole home automation.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Leave which gadgets to get up to our team! We'll come up with a compatible system that you can easily use!</p>
<h2>How does smart home automation work?</h2>
<p><img alt="Smart control panel activating the morning scene for the day" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_3.gif" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_3.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>Excellent question! Smart home automation connects each device, like your smart lights, thermostat, shades, etc., to a central control hub. From this hub, you can control and access each smart device on that network. And since they're connected, you can create "If this, then that" triggers for automated actions like the porch lights coming on automatically and the smart shades closing when it's sundown. Neat, huh?</p>
<h2>Can a smart home keep my pets from ruining my things?</h2>
<p><img alt="Guilty dog who just shredded something in the house" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_4.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_4.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Sadly, no. A smart home won't stop mischievous pets from ruining your things. But it can help you monitor your pets' actions when you're not home with in-home surveillance. You can set up alerts for when your pets enter an area they're not supposed to, and then you can tell them to stop through a two-speaker!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> You can also set up a geofence in your yard that lets you know if your pets have crossed the boundary line!</p>
<h2>Are smart homes secure?</h2>
<p>It depends, but if your whole home automation system is done by professionals (like us), your smart home will be more secure. We'll make sure that there aren't any data leaks in your system and keep your network protected. We can even create a network just for your smart devices that is also password protected!</p>
<p>But if you just buy a bunch of gadgets and put them together, then you and your data would be at risk!</p>
<h2>Can I upgrade existing and older homes with smart home technology?</h2>
<p><img alt="Professionally adding smart security surveillance cameras" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_5.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_5.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Upgrading older or existing homes with smart home technology is definitely possible. While there are plenty of retrofit smart home solutions that don't require opening up walls, you won't get the most of your smart home capabilities. But if you're planning on remodeling or adding on to your home anyways, that would be a perfect time to start upgrading your home!</p>
<h2>Are smart homes super expensive?</h2>
<p>You might think that a smart home is a luxury few can afford, but that was true of smart homes a decade ago. Now, you can integrate more and more affordable systems into your home. The trick is finding the right one &mdash; but that's our job!</p>
<p>Ultimately, we find that the investment is more than worth it!</p>
<h2>When should I contact the professionals?</h2>
<p><img alt="Plans for creating a smart home concept" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_6.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-FAQs_6.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Excellent question! The best time to contact your custom integrators (aka &mdash; us!) is the sooner the better! Even if you're only considering the benefits of a smart home, talking to our team can help you better understand the scope, cost, and outlook of adding smart devices to your home.</p>
<p>And if you're in the process of building or planning your dream home, don't waste a second &mdash; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">call our team</a></span> today!</p>
<h2>Time to Get Started!</h2>
<p>Do you feel better now that we've answered some of your questions? We hope these answers have been helpful! But if you still have questions we didn't answer, don't hesitate to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact us</a></span> at Audio Integrators! Once you've scheduled a consultation appointment, we'll answer all your questions and get started on a plan that works for you!</p>

Have Questions About Smart Home Automation? It Might Be One of these FAQs!

Smart home technology is the gift that keeps on giving, and it’s come such a long way! Learn more about how smart home technology has evolved today!

<p>You might not think it, but a &ldquo;smart home&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t as new of an idea as you&rsquo;d think. Sure, there&rsquo;s always the example The Jetsons set, but the idea goes back even further than this beloved cartoon! In fact, the concept of consumer-oriented automation wasn&rsquo;t thought of until Nikola Tesla created a remote control for a toy in 1898!</p>
<p>But it would still take several years for the true concept of smart home automation to get off the ground and evolve as we know it today!</p>
<p><strong>Did You Know?</strong> At the Chicago World&rsquo;s Fair in 1933, there was an exhibit called the &ldquo;Home of the Future,&rdquo; where the creators included their idea of future home technology but didn&rsquo;t have the tech to show the ideas properly.</p>
<h2>1975 &amp; the X10 Revolution</h2>
<p><img alt="Retro room from the 70s" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_1.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>As we said, the idea of a &ldquo;smart home&rdquo; has been around for a long time, but it wasn&rsquo;t until the invention of X10 that smart homes started getting off the ground. X10 is a communication protocol that uses the home&rsquo;s AC wiring to enable communication between devices and control modules. It sends digital information through radio frequency bursts through the wiring, allowing people to control devices in their homes remotely.</p>
<p>While this invention was a breakthrough, it had several drawbacks. It was super expensive, slow, unencrypted, and unreliable because of the signal loss and interference. You could even accidentally turn off the lights in your neighbor&rsquo;s house with it &mdash; oops, sorry, Ted!</p>
<h2>Progress &amp; Hello, Internet (80s to 90s)</h2>
<p><img alt="IoT depiction" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_2.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>With the invention of X10, the world of &ldquo;smart homes&rdquo; started growing. By the 80s, motion-sensing lights, automatic garage door openers, programmable thermostats, and security systems were more affordable and prevalent. And in 1984, the term &ldquo;smart house,&rdquo; as we know it, was coined by the American Association of Home Builders!</p>
<p>During the 90s, the progression and evolution of the internet enabled more smart devices to become available, especially with the Internet of Things (IoT). In fact, IoT was born from a challenge during this time, which revolved around controlling a toaster from the internet! This got the ball rolling for remote access, but the then-current smart systems were still using X10 systems for wired devices and simple automations.</p>
<p><strong>Did You Know?</strong> During this time, Microsoft also predicted its version of what a smart home would have today, like security systems, environmental controls, smart locks, and lighting controls!</p>
<h2>Riding the Z-Wave (Early 2000s)</h2>
<p>In the early aughts, innovative technology came on the scene &mdash; Z-Wave &amp; Zigbee! Also known as the &ldquo;Z-Wave alliance), these two platforms opened up smart home capabilities because they didn&rsquo;t require routing cables through the walls to work. With these wireless systems, smart homes could use encrypted communication to keep everything more secure.</p>
<p>And the bonus benefit is that both these technologies can communicate and operate with each other, which means having more interoperability between your devices! It&rsquo;s no wonder this technology is still used today (although our team handles all compatibility issues!).</p>
<p><strong>Did You Know?</strong> The Z-Wave platform operates on a sub-1GHz band, which isn&rsquo;t affected by interference from Wi-Fi or other wireless technologies like Bluetooth!</p>
<h2>Going Wireless (2010)</h2>
<p><img alt="Smart panel allocating how much energy and gas usage" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_3.jpg" title="CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>By 2010, using at-home wireless Internet to run your systems became more prevalent &mdash; it just made everything more manageable, especially with smart home thermostats! And since technology was advancing, a new method of power data collection became available. This means smart homes could track how users operate the system and provide analytics.</p>
<p>These analytics made it much easier to make changes to your smart home automation so it can run smoother!</p>
<h2>Today &amp; Tomorrow</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman using smart control to turn on lights" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_4.gif" title="CI_Smart-Home-Evolution_4.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>It&rsquo;s amazing to see how much smart home automation has grown! Today, smart homes are more effective, with budget-friendly and extensive systems you can use to make all parts of your life convenient. Whether that means helping your kids stay on their routine, saving on your energy bill, maximizing your home entertainment, or improving your home&rsquo;s security, there&rsquo;s extraordinarily little your smart home can&rsquo;t do.</p>
<p>And the smart home systems of &ldquo;tomorrow&rdquo; will go even further yet! Experts suggest that virtual assistant technology will shift from passive to active so they can anticipate users&rsquo; needs, and AI fundamentals like video recognition and multi-language understanding will continue to improve!</p>
<h2>Do You Have the Smarts?</h2>
<p>Smart home technology has come a long way and will only continue to improve! So, why not get on the automation train at Audio Integrators today? Our team of experts has years of experience transforming regular homes into the homes of the future!</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">Call us today</a></span> to schedule your consultation appointment, and we&rsquo;ll review your ideas and what you want your smart home to do!</p>

How Smart Home Technology Has Evolved from the Beginning to Today!

Are you thinking about DIY-ing your smart home? Stop right there — it's harder than it looks! Learn more about the pitfalls of DIY-ing your smart home!

<p>There are tons of technology to make your home life easier, especially with smart home automation. While you might think you can cobble a few smart devices together, you'd miss out on a true "smart" home and what it can do.</p>
<p>Smart home integration requires several steps and a complex setup to create a smooth working system. When you have a few devices, all you have is the ability to control a few aspects of your home &mdash; not the whole thing. So, while DIY-ing your smart home seems like a great idea, there are several reasons why you shouldn't!</p>
<h2>1. Complex Home Installation</h2>
<p><img alt="Professional doing a complex installation through the walls" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_1.jpg" title="CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>You might think installing your smart home device by device is simpler, but it's quite the opposite. If your home has complex building materials like interior stone, radiant floor heating, or mirrored walls, getting those devices to connect wirelessly is challenging.</p>
<p>And some devices will require more wiring than anticipated, which means tearing up more walls. And if you mess up the first few times, you'll have an easier messier home installation, especially if you plan to install multiple devices.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Our team will work with you to review what you want your smart home to do, and we'll plan the installation down to each wire!</p>
<h2>2. Privacy and Security</h2>
<p>You've undoubtedly heard that a smart home system will upgrade your security, and that's true of a fully automated system. But when you DIY with individual devices, you leave yourself more vulnerable to privacy and security flaws. For instance, some off-brand devices will store and sell your personal data or have hidden settings that leave you more vulnerable.</p>
<p>And when you set it up yourself, there's no guarantee that your network is secure enough to handle every device. However, when a professional (like our team) sets up your fully automated smart home, they'll secure your home (and your information!).</p>
<h2>3. Programming Apps</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of woman using smart home control panel" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_2.jpg" title="CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>When you have multiple, singular smart devices, you have different apps for each. Each device will have its own system, which means there's a learning curve to figure out each one, and you'll have to program them individually. This makes it harder for all the devices to communicate; if they're incompatible, they might not speak to each other at all.</p>
<p>Not to mention, you'll also have to deal with separate remotes for each one!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Professionals like us will set up a fully automated smart home system that works and communicates seamlessly and connects to a singular control. This control can be a separate control panel or a single app on your preferred smart devices!</p>
<h2>4. Incomplete Systems</h2>
<p>Another drawback of DIY-ing your smart home is that your system won't be complete, even if you have devices for every aspect of your home you wish to control. Instead, you'll have essential control functions, but none of the automation features that truly make for a more convenient and luxurious lifestyle.</p>
<p>For instance, you won't be able to set scenes like an "Away" mode that turns off the lights, locks the door, and lowers the thermostat when the system senses no one is home. Or set a "Home" mode that senses when you're close to home, immediately sets the thermostat running to your preferred temp, and turns on the porch lights if it's dark.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> If you're interested in a system you can tailor to your needs, contact our team! The sooner we hear from you, the better we can plan what you want your smart home to do for you!</p>
<h2>5. Lack of Custom Options</h2>
<p><img alt="Fancy home theater" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_3.jpg" title="CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>The beauty of smart homes is that you can customize them to your needs &mdash; which isn't possible when you DIY. When you buy individual smart devices, you get the standard options from the manufacturer, so you can't customize them to your needs.</p>
<p>You can't get options like customized lifts to fit your TV, specify your outdoor audio setup, create a themed cinema room, or have a resort-worthy backyard complete with automated water features and screens.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> The earlier you contact our team, the more customized options we can give you, so always plan in advance!</p>
<h2>6. Lower Home Aesthetic</h2>
<p><img alt="Covered aperture speakers and smart window shades creating a unique home design" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_4.jpg" title="CI_Dont-DIY-Smart-Home_4.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>You might not think it, but DIY for your smart devices could ruin your home's aesthetic. With the individual devices, you'll have more difficulty hiding the wires and making the tech appear seamless. Instead, there'll be more obvious tech in your home d&eacute;cor that could ruin the vibes you want to go for. And if you don't install them right the first time, you'll have to deal with more holes in your walls and other installation damage.</p>
<p>When you hire professional custom integrators (like our team), we will wire everything discreetly and hide your tech when they're not in use so you can have the best of both tech and your home design.</p>
<h2>7. Network Challenges</h2>
<p>Did you know that smart devices work only as well as the network they're on? With a seamless network setup, you'll have minimal interruptions, which isn't likely if you try to connect everything yourself. And when you build out your smart system by device, it can put undue stress on your network and cause lagging, buffering, and network failures.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Avoid network failures by getting our team to set up your smart home system from the start &mdash; we'll handle all the connection issues!</p>
<h2>Bonus: The Labor</h2>
<p>After all those challenges of DIY, the biggest one is the labor &mdash; doing it yourself is more complicated than you might think! You have to spend hours researching which devices to buy, how they work together (if they will work together), how to configure each device, wire the sensors, and connect them to the router.</p>
<p>Not to mention that installation could also involve pulling wire through crawlspaces, attics, or climbing up on the roof. But if you leave it to the professionals (aka us), we'll handle all the heavy lifting and plan the ideal places to get it done!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> If you're building a new home or remodeling your current one and want an automated smart home, contact us as soon as you start planning &mdash; the earlier we're involved, the easier the installation will be!</p>
<h2>Leave it to Us!</h2>
<p>While DIY-ing your smart home is tempting, you'd miss out on the actual benefits of a real automated smart home! One that you can control every aspect and fit your needs! So, don't miss out &mdash; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact our team</a></span> at Audio Integrators today to get started!</p>
<p>All you have to do is let us know what you want, and we'll devise a plan to customize your smart home to your needs!</p>

7 Striking Reasons Why You Shouldn't DIY Your Smart Home [+1 Bonus!]

Getting ready to redo the patio? Stop! Turn your backyard into a mini resort instead! Check out these luxury smart home ideas for your outdoor space!

<p>Are you thinking of redoing your backyard patio space? You already have several percolating ideas, but did you know you can upgrade your outdoor space to luxury status with smart technology? We're talking hidden audio, outdoor video screens, smart lighting, water features, and more!</p>
<p>We'll review what these luxury ideas look like, so you can turn your home into the ultimate STAYCATION!</p>
<h2>1. Outdoor Video Ideas</h2>
<p><img alt="Couple toasting to each other as they watch something on backyard projector" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_1.jpg" title="CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Having a TV or projector in your outdoor space is already luxurious, but what if you could expand on it? For instance, you could:</p>
<ul>
<li>Install a power lift TV by the pool so it's hidden underneath the floor when not in use.</li>
<li>Have a retractable projector screen by a hedge wall or near the pool (watch your favorites while floating in the pool with a drink!).</li>
<li>Hide your projector underneath your patio awning or pergola.</li>
<li>Add LED lights behind your projector screen to match your other strip and string lights!</li>
</ul>
<p>Any of these ideas are possible during your next outdoor remodel &mdash; you just have to contact our team first! We'll review your space, see what's possible, and procure the best tech to fit your ideas!</p>
<h2>2. Landscape Audio</h2>
<p>No outdoor space is complete without a powerful outdoor audio system, and with landscape audio, everything is hidden among your garden treatments, fire pits, landscape lights, rocks, and more. The buried subwoofer and "planted" satellite speakers keep the sound low and local, so you have the best audio even if you're surrounded by water or close-by neighbors.</p>
<p>But with automation and control, you can create independent audio zones, which lets you control the volume and source for each zone. For example, you can have speakers by your outdoor kitchen, next to the pool, or hidden in the tennis court, and have them all play the same thing at once, localize just one, or play different playlists in each zone.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Talk to our team about your audio needs, and we'll develop the best audio system!</p>
<h2>3. Smart Outdoor Lighting</h2>
<p><img alt="Luxurious back patio space with lots of landscape lighting, automated" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_2.jpg" title="CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Creating a cozy outdoor space also includes mood lighting, so why not make it extra luxurious? You could have:</p>
<ul>
<li>RGB landscape lighting that changes colors for each party, holiday, or in tandem with the music.</li>
<li>Install wall washes to highlight outdoor features like water treatments, architectural design, or your back door.</li>
<li>Have strip lighting with colors you can automate built around or inside the pool (or other water treatments). You can also add strip lighting to light up steps and bridges for safety!</li>
<li>Put downlights around pathways, stairs, bridges, fire pits, ponds, dining areas, etc., for a soft, cozy glow.</li>
<li>Use zone-dim-color to program different zones in your backyard and customize the brightness and color levels to create different moods for different spaces!</li>
<li>Automate string lights and low-volt plant lights to come on a schedule or when the sun goes down!</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, with these lighting ideas, you can always set schedules, dim or brighten as needed, and control with voice commands!</p>
<h2>4. Motorized Bug Shades and Screen</h2>
<p>Even the best parties can't always keep the bugs away unless you have motorized bug shades! You can integrate these shades into a pergola, so your dining or seating area is always protected against unwanted insects.</p>
<p>You can also have automated sun shades to limit the amount of sunlight without blocking out the sunny day completely. But you're not limited to areas with an awning or pergola; you can also get solar parasols you can automate to open at the sunniest parts of the day!</p>
<h2>5. Fire Pits</h2>
<p><img alt="Back patio with multiple fire pits lit at the same time" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_3.jpg" title="CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Any fire pit can enhance your outdoor space, but you can do more with automation! This means automating it so that each fire pit comes on at the same time of day, flawlessly &mdash; no more struggling to light each pit! You can also specify the heat level, turn it on or off remotely, and sync multiple pits (yup, multiple satellite fire pits!).</p>
<p>And if you want to include a landscape fire strip next to the pool plus a see-through gas fireplace in a covered cabana, patio space, or outdoor bar, you got it!</p>
<h2>6. Water Treatments</h2>
<p><img alt="Grid of different pool ideas" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_4.jpg" title="CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_4.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Lounging by your own pool during those hot summer days is the life, but you don't have to be restricted to just one regular in-ground pool &mdash; you can do more! You could have:</p>
<ul>
<li>A pool bar with automated fountains.</li>
<li>A spa spilling over into the pool.</li>
<li>A pool with elegant fountains to highlight your design taste.</li>
<li>A shallow water-covered walkway with several fountain spouts (great for kiddos to play in!)</li>
<li>A pool with automated spa jets.</li>
<li>A pool with a built-in waterfall over rock features.</li>
</ul>
<p>With any of these water treatments, you can control the water temperature, jet strength, bubble production, and pump control. And you can also add built-in LED lights you can automate for extra oomph!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> You can also include hot tubs, koi ponds, separate fountains, and rain showers in the mix!</p>
<h2>7. Other Automation Ideas</h2>
<p>The best thing about all these ideas is the endless room for automation; whatever you want to happen happens effortlessly! You can set up actions for different times of day, specific triggers for certain parties ad get-togethers, and more!</p>
<ul>
<li>You could make it so that when the sun goes down, the lighting turns on to a specific color, the outdoor heater turns on, the pool temperature gets warmer, and the bug screens lower!</li>
<li>You could trigger your system so the pool video lifts and sets to a specific channel at noon, have the sun shades come up, and automate the audio to your favorite playlist in just the pool zone!</li>
<li>You could automate the roof of your motorized louvered pergola to let in more light or close when needed (excellent for outdoor dining spaces!).</li>
<li>You could install a retractable awning to control the amount of sunlight in your eating or lounging space.</li>
<li>You have a smart gazebo with sensors to detect someone's presence and adjust the lighting and temperature around the space!</li>
</ul>
<h2>Party Mode: On!</h2>
<p><img alt="Group of friends hanging out by the pool at a nice house" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_5.jpg" title="CI_Luxury-Ideas-Outdoor-Remodel_5.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>There you have it &mdash; luxury smart home ideas perfect for your next outdoor remodel! Why have an ordinary backyard when you can have an at-home resort all to yourself? Exactly! So, don't wait to get started; the sooner you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact us</a></span> at Audio Integrators, the more options we can give you!</p>

7 Luxury Smart Home Ideas You Should Use for Your Next Outdoor Remodel!

Did you know there's a way to make your smart home security system safer? You can with video analytics! Learn more about video analytics today!

<p>Smart home security systems are more popular than ever &mdash; everyone wants the ease and convenience of real-time surveillance, alerts, and triggered automation. But what if we told you these systems could get even better? It's possible with video analytics!</p>
<p>With the evolution of smart home security, the need for cool tech like facial recognition and intelligent motion detection rose &mdash; and delivered! Now, not only can you keep track of your home, but it'll keep track of itself too. But how? We'll go over just how much video analytics are a home security game-changer!</p>
<h2>What Are Video Analytics</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of someone talking to delivery person through home security app" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_1.gif" title="CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_1.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>Video analytics goes beyond traditional surveillance, with cameras monitoring and recording at specific locations. Instead, video analytics uses software-based technology to distinguish between animals, humans, and cars. And it also includes advanced features like virtual tripwires and activity zones that you can use to trigger specific actions and alerts!</p>
<h2>Benefits of Video Analytics</h2>
<p><img alt="Security video snapshot of burglar entering the home" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_2.jpg" title="CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Video analytics change the landscape of home security and provides multiple benefits. For instance, video analytics are intelligent enough to detect specific object movements like delivery trucks in the front driveway, family pets, and potential intruders.</p>
<p>These analytics can also detect false alarms from noise-triggering movements like car alarms or leaf blowers while detecting the direction and duration of these movements. But the best benefits are that they save memory because they only record necessary footage, which negates the need to comb through hours and hours of surveillance!</p>
<h2>Types of Video Analytics</h2>
<p><img alt="Video capture of a potential intruder" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_3.jpg" title="CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>How you'll benefit from video analytics depends on the type of your security system features!</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Fixed Algorithm</strong> searches for identifiable behavior and sends alerts when said behavior is detected, like someone lingering around the front door or the fence too long.</li>
<li><strong>Motion Detection</strong> is more than your average motion sensor &mdash; only activates and reconds when actual movement occurs, learns what typical activity looks like in the area, and flags unusual motion without prompting &mdash; no more false alarms caused by animals!</li>
<li><strong>Artificial Intelligence Learning Algorithms</strong> connect with your home's cameras, learn the environment surrounding each one, know what typical activity is normal for the area, and send alerts when it sees anomalies.</li>
<li><strong>Facial Recognition</strong> identifies anyone who's in your database and alerts you when it detects someone who isn't in the database is at your house.</li>
<li><strong>License Plate Recognition</strong> can detect a license plate even in bad lighting and poor weather!</li>
<li><strong>Camera Tamper Detection</strong> will instantly alert you if it senses someone tampering with any surveillance equipment.</li>
</ul>
<p>With these features, you'll instantly be alerted when strange cars are present if an object has been removed or moved, and even detect breaking glass!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> If you're interested in any particular feature, contact our team, and we'll review your video analytic options!</p>
<h2>Video Storage &amp; Data Processing</h2>
<p>The advantage of video analytics can't be ignored, but you might think it involves processing and saving a ton of data &mdash; and you'd be right. But thankfully, video analytics can work with more than just the cloud; it also works with Edge AI computing!</p>
<p>This distributed method stores and processes data at the edge of a given network, typically on the device itself, which is more cost-efficient, time-saving, and better ensures your data privacy! It even creates high-speed response times that are essential for IoT devices!</p>
<h2>How to Use Video Analytics</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman receives alert for delivery to her front door in real time as she works from home" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_4.gif" title="CI_Video-Analytics-and-Home-Security_4.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>All this great tech can only benefit you and your home, but what does using it look like? We'll tell you! You can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Get an alert whenever a strange car that doesn't belong on your block is close to your home.</li>
<li>Heighten trigger alerts during the daytime when no one is home for extra security.</li>
<li>Trigger alerts complete with a video showing when each person gets home to see they're safely home.</li>
<li>Create virtual tripwires in your driveway, pathway, sidewalk, or gate, and receive instant notifications and a video clip of who or what crosses the boundary.</li>
<li>Set up a geofence in the backyard and get alerts with video for whenever your pets leave the designated area &mdash; no more Houdini attempts from the dog!</li>
<li>After dark, trigger the lights to turn on and either loud music or the sound of dogs barking once the system detects a stranger.</li>
<li>Receive alerts if an object or person lingers too long on the porch (avoid porch pirates!).</li>
<li>Instantly send more advanced data and video to first responders in case of an emergency like a burglary or fire!</li>
</ul>
<h2>Safe &amp; Sound!</h2>
<p>As you can see, video analytics will only strengthen your smart home security system, so why wait? Come <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">talk to our team</a></span> at Audio Integrators! We'll go over your security concerns and set up the system that best serves your home security and home automation needs!</p>
<p>The sooner we can get your consultation appointment set up, the sooner we can help you get started!</p>

How Video Analytics Improve Your Smart Home Security System

Want to make your home smarter? You can with retrofit smart home solutions! See which smart technologies you should add during your next home remodel!

<p>There's no denying the benefits of planning a smart home from scratch, with each part of your home tailored to your preferences. But even if you don't plan it out while building, there are plenty of opportunities to get "smart" with retrofit solutions!</p>
<p>With retrofit smart home automation, you have several options to upgrade your home, including ones that don't require opening up your walls. That said, if you're thinking of remodeling, renovating, or adding to your home, you have a prime chance to add integrated smart home tech!</p>
<p>What does this look like? We'll show you!</p>
<h2>Lighting</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of someone remotely turning off all the lights from control pad" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_1.gif" title="CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_1.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>A massive benefit of any smart home is automating your lights! While you could always add only smart bulbs, you'd miss out on the full benefits of what smart lighting can do, like setting scenes or adding motion sensors. With retrofit lighting, especially during a remodel, you can add intelligence to your existing lighting system.</p>
<p>This means working with occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, dimming controls, and splitting your lighting network. Ultimately, you'll have a sleek panel to control your lights and additional control through a centralized app! Once we set everything up for you, you can create seasonal schedules, create morning or evening "scenes" to adjust your lights and use voice commands automatically!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> If you want the full benefits of smart lighting control, contact our team as soon as you start planning your remodel to review your options!</p>
<h2>Smart Blinds</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of smart panel as smart blinds go up to shield against harsh light" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_2.gif" title="CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_2.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>Automating your window treatments is a must for any home, but it's beneficial for homes with several windows. Thankfully, there are several retrofit options, including battery-powered, DC power adaptor, and solar-powered!</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Battery-Powered Smart Blinds</strong> feature easily concealed battery packs and are the simplest to install, but the batteries require replacing.</li>
<li><strong>DC Power Adaptor Smart Blinds</strong> need an electrical outlet close to the window to operate, so there are more wires to contend with (but our experts will conceal them to the best of our ability!).</li>
<li><strong>Solar-Powered Smart Blinds</strong> need lots of sun exposure to work properly (ideal for sunny climates!). We'll assess your windows to see if this option is viable!</li>
</ul>
<p>If you're doing a remodel anyway, you'll have the chance to hardwire your smart blinds, which lets you customize the light and privacy levels without worrying about batteries or concealing more wires. Hardwired smart blinds will bring you more scheduling and scene options, so if you need to help get your teen up for school, you can set it so that the blinds open and the lights come on during their "wake-up" time!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> The sooner you involve our team, the more options you'll have!</p>
<h2>Thermostat</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of man adjusting smart thermostat from tablet" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_3.jpg" title="CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>One of the best smart home technologies to benefit your home is including a smart thermostat. These use predictive algorithms, occupancy sensors, weather data, and other information, so you save on your monthly utility bill and always stay comfortable! And with the centralized app, you can set up "Away" and "Vacation Settings" so you never waste more energy!</p>
<p>To retrofit smart thermostats, these can be installed using existing common wires, an adaptor for older homes, or with batter-operated options. However, your home must be already set up for central heating and air; otherwise, you won't get the most out of your smart thermostat.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Don't forget to talk to our team about adding smart smoke and CO2 detectors to keep your home environment safe!</p>
<h2>Smart Locks</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman uses control panel to close and lock all the doors at bedtime" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_4.gif" title="CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_4.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>Locking your front door should be simple, but dealing with many keys can be stressful, especially when you lose them. But adding smart door locks streamlines it so you can lock and unlock using a code, an app, or geofence triggers!</p>
<p>Some retrofit smart locks let you keep the deadbolt you have, where it clamps in place over the existing hardware, which is all good. And how the smart lock connects to your system will depend on if the smart lock is Bluetooth-enabled, Z-wave enabled or has built-in Wi-Fi. Regardless, our team will assess available options and connect everything for you!</p>
<h2>Smart Security System</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman uses control panel to close and lock all the doors at bedtime" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_5.gif" title="CI_Retrofit-Smart-Technologies_5.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>If you already have a wired security system, you might think you don't need to upgrade to a smart security system &mdash; but you'd be wrong! A smart security system works with video surveillance, window, and door sensors, glass break sensors, leak sensors, smart video doorbells, smart locks, and more to help monitor and secure your home! This means checking in on things at home from wherever you are, seeing when the kiddos come home, and setting up a geofence perimeter!</p>
<p>Retrofitting your smart security system will require removing your current wired system, which you should always leave to the provider. But once your smart security system is in place, adding more security equipment down the line (like more cameras) is easy!</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Most smart security systems come with a 24/7 monitoring service that will directly contact authorities in an emergency, so you'll have similar protection to your old alarm system!</p>
<h2>Smart Remodeling!</h2>
<p>There are plenty of ways to achieve the powerful home automation you want - you just need to know who to talk to! *Hint* It&rsquo;s us! If you&rsquo;re thinking of planning a remodel, then <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact us</a></span> at Audio Integrators as soon as you can. We'll work with your contractor and architect to install the wiring and integrate each smart device into a connected system.</p>
<p>We'll assemble everything under one easy-to-manage app, so you'll be the master of your home! So don't delay &mdash; your consultation appointment awaits you!</p>

Which Retrofit Smart Technologies Should You Add During Your Next Remodel

Did you know that having a smart home brings surprising advantages like improved security? And there's more than that — check out these benefits today!

<p>Technology has revolutionized how we interact with our living spaces and routines, and smart home automation is no different! Having total control over almost every aspect of your home is a different way of life, and it also comes with some unexpected benefits!</p>
<p>With your thermostat, lights, speakers, TVs, security cameras, locks, and more all connected to one interface, you have endless possibilities to make your life more convenient. And with these other benefits, you won't believe you've lived without them!</p>
<h2>1. Manageability and Flexibility</h2>
<p><img alt="Woman managing smart home with centralized control" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_1.jpg" title="CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>As we said before, connecting all your smart devices to one interface offers many benefits, including easier management and flexibility! Typically, the connected interface is a smart app you can use on your phone, tablet, or central control, so you only have to learn how to work one set of controls &mdash; no learning curve needed! And the best part is we'll be doing the initial setup, so we can walk you through how these controls work.</p>
<p>And if you want to add or upgrade your devices later, integrating them with your current devices is a breeze. But don't worry; our team of experts will do that for you, too!</p>
<h2>2. Convenience &amp; Peace of Mind</h2>
<p>Since all your devices are connected to one interface, you can control and monitor your system from anywhere &mdash; you don't even have to be home to make adjustments! Whether you're at work, on vacation, or just don't want to get up from the couch, you can easily keep up to date with your small children or elderly relatives living at home.</p>
<p>You also gain peace of mind when dealing with everyday tasks, like setting up geofence automation to close your garage door, secure the locks on the doors, and turn off the lights once it senses your phone is a certain distance away. No more feeling like you forgot to lock the door on your way out!</p>
<h2>3. Data &amp; Control</h2>
<p><img alt="Closeup of energy use report on smart device" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_2.jpg" title="CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>With smart technology comes loads of data, and the data your smart home collects can only benefit you. The more you use your smart home system, the more in-depth the data reports will be. So, it makes analyzing your daily habits and making adjustments much more straightforward. The information you can get is endless!</p>
<ul>
<li>Get instant notifications for when each kid gets home from school whenever they use their smart lock code to come inside.</li>
<li>See your monthly energy consumption report and discover where and when you use the most energy.</li>
<li>Check if any windows are left open before you leave the house or go to bed.</li>
<li>See if someone has opened a secured cabinet (like a medicine cabinet) as soon as it's opened.</li>
<li>Monitor how often you or your children watch TV and see what content they watch!</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> You can make controls easier with voice-assistant technology so you don&rsquo;t have to be nearby your smart device!</p>
<h2>4. Save Energy</h2>
<p><img alt="Smart shades opening to let in natural light with closeup of smart control panel" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_3.gif" title="CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_3.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>Keeping your smart devices on a schedule or automated based on environmental factors limits your energy usage, which means significant savings on your monthly utility bill (not to mention living green!). For instance, you can have your porch lights instantly come on at dusk using UV sensors, and turn them off in the morning, so you don't have to waste energy leaving them on all day.</p>
<p>Another way to save energy is through your smart thermostat, which uses occupancy and temperature sensors to keep your energy use to a minimum. So, if the thermostat senses a room or zone is empty, it'll automatically go into energy-saving mode. Or you can automate your thermostat and smart shades to work together and use natural sunlight or shade to heat or cool your home.</p>
<h2>5. Increased Safety &amp; Security</h2>
<p>Another substantial benefit of smart home automation is increased safety and security. With your smart home automation, you can connect motion detectors, surveillance cameras, automated door locks, window sensors, glass break sensors, and geofencing to create chain events that keep you safe. For instance, you can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Set it so that whenever someone walks up to the door when you're not home, your smart video doorbell activates and starts recording while the lights in the living room and hallway come on to make it seem like your home.</li>
<li>Scare off porch pirates by having smart speakers play barking dog sounds.</li>
<li>Integrate smart smoke &amp; CO2 detectors with your system, and automate them so that when triggered, it automatically unlocks all your doors and lights up a safe path out the door.</li>
<li>Have instant access to real-life monitoring, like monitoring your children after they get home from school.</li>
<li>Know instantly when a water leak happens and stop it before it worsens.</li>
<li>Make it seem like your home when on vacation by setting your lights and shades to come on at random intervals.</li>
</ul>
<p>However you want to keep your home secure, we'll set it up for you, so you'll always have peace of mind!</p>
<h2>Bonus: Luxury Life</h2>
<p><img alt="Man uses smart command in front of smart mirror to start a pot of coffee" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2023/CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_4.gif" title="CI_Unexpected-Smart-Home-Benefits_4.gif" width="700" /></p>
<p>An unexpected but delightful benefit to smart home automation is the increased luxury &mdash; you don't have to lift a finger to enjoy your creature comforts! This means anything from using intelligent adaptive lighting to imitate sunlight and help with your circadian rhythm to playing music as soon as you pull up into your garage.</p>
<p>You can even set up multiple routines for any mood, like having bright lighting and energetic wake-up music in the morning as soon as your shades open to start your day. Or you can have automatic dim lighting and soothing music during your wind-down hours before bed.</p>
<p><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> The possibilities of smart home automation are endless, but don't worry; simply tell us what you want your home to do, and we'll set it up for you!</p>
<h2>The Smart Life</h2>
<p>Now that you know the benefits of having a smart home, what are you waiting for? Our team at Audio Integrators is waiting for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.audiointegrators.com/contacts/" target="_blank">your call</a></span>! We have the expertise to smarten your home and upgrade your way of life, so don't wait &mdash; set up your consultation appointment today!</p>

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How Video Analytics Improve Your Smart Home Security System

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