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Smart Living Journal

Introducing Control4 OS 2.3

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control4, lightingcontrol4, mydevicecontrol4 access agentcontrol4 preformance and stabity
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Better performance. Elegant enhancements to the interface. New features that let you personalize your system and simplify your life. And more! Control4 OS 2.3 lets you control your home, your way.

This is the most substantial Control4 software releases to date! OS 2.3 delivers powerful new features including:
  • Software enhancements to optimize system performance
  • New tools to simplify system set up, programming and support
  • Improvements to the overall experience
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Sonos now plays music direct from iOS devices

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The latest software upgrade plays even more music in deep, richly textured HiFi sound. Sonos now plays iTunes music direct from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch anywhere there is a Sonos speaker or player. You no longer have to sync an Apple mobile device with their computer just to hear iTunes music on Sonos.

Reach your music with three easy steps:
  1. Update your Sonos system software and Sonos Controller Apps
  2. Ensure your iPhone is on the home wireless network and launch the Sonos Controller App
  3. Go to the main music menu

Now, as a music source, iTunes songs, playlists and podcasts are all available to play on Sonos under "Music on this iPhone".
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Project Spotlight: Control4 Home Automation system - Point Grey, Vancouver

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Here are some photos of a home we recently completed in Point Grey, West 11th Vancouver. The home design is classic and elegant and features home automation and control by Control4 to integrate lighting, heating, security, Audio and Video. The home can be controlled from an iPad, hand held remote control or a beautiful on wall intuitive touch screen. This high quality, energy efficient & environmentally friendly home features its own geothermal heating system and boasts an Energuide rating of 86!

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Chief has an iPad mounting solution for every need

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Our sleek and simple solutions make it easy to incorporate iPads anywhere you need them – homes, workplaces, digital display areas, control system applications and more. iPad flush mount solutions, tamper-resistant interfaces and iPad mounting solution kits. Download Flyer

Control4 compatible, Wirepath Surveillance System - There's a Mac for that

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With the Wirepath™ Surveillance Mac app for OSX, peace of mind comes standard. Now it’s easier than ever to view and control your DVR and cameras from anywhere in the world. Watch live video, search/playback recordings, even take a screen capture – right from your Mac. And while some other guys charge for the "privilege" of remote access, we give it to you... for free.
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Digital Smart Homes offers Control4 Home Automation Starter Kit for under $1000

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We are excited to announce Control4’s Home Automation Starter Kit promotion. The kit enables smart-home control in a single room with the ability to expand to a complete home system. The package enables homeowners to experience the benefits of automation for under $1,000. The Starter Kit includes the new Control4 HC-250 Controller, the brains of the system, plus a Control4 SR-250 remote, which can control all the devices in your entertainment system, plus can control movies and music, lighting, and more. Read More...

The Ultimate Gift of Music

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Just in time for the holiday season, music lovers can get started with Sonos and save. Now, for a limited time, when new customers buy a Play:3 or a Play:5 they’ll get a free Bridge and all the music on earth from Slacker, Songza, and TuneIn.

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Control4's Commitment to Driving Interoperability

Control4 leads the industry in device discovery and interoperability and with OS 2.3 new tools have been added to simplify installation and programming for dealers. The new Control4® Driver Editor enables dealers and developers to create and test new drivers without requiring a full, onsite Control4 system up and running, making it much easier and more efficient to quickly design and develop drivers for third-party products.

OS 2.3 also includes support for Control4® Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP), a groundbreaking new capability which will automatically identify and load the correct driver for Control4 devices, as well as an expanding roster of third-party devices. SDDP compatible devices will be automatically identified and configure themselves within Control4 installations and will remain connected with the Control4 system regardless of IP address changes.
"One of the unique capabilities and benefits Control4 introduced to the industry was the ability to easily and uniquely identify Control4 devices during a system installation by simply pressing a button on any Control4 device. Now, we are extending those benefits and simplicity to 3rd party products by providing them with open access to our SDDP software technology so they can embed it within their products to enable device discovery, model identification, and proper software driver association during Control4 installations - saving time and reducing the potential for errors" said Plaehn.

Control4 OS 2.3 will be available in Q4 2012.

HydraConnect LLC Releases 2nd Generation Control4 HDMI Proccessor

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The HSS-3 retains all of the features of the acclaimed HSS-2, with the added capability of integral HDBaseT outputs to run a 1080p signal up to 330' over a single CAT6. The HDBaseT receivers that operate with the HSS-3 retain the standard HydraConnect POE features that require no power supply at the receiver end. CEC support is provided for product control without IR flashers, though IR flashers are also fully supported. Finally, two of the eight outputs are configurable as HDMI outputs to support local AV Receivers. HSS-3 will is now available and is made in the USA.

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Mechoshades, Get the Hook Up

The new WhisperShade® IQ2 provides a quiet, powerful, and complete solution for motorized shading, 3rd-party integration, whole-home automation, and specialty shading needs. Its encoded motor boasts two-way communication and alignment intelligence built in via MechoNet, our own RS485 network.

The motorized PanelTrac® System creates a moving wall of solar textiles perfect for sliders, room dividers, and large curtainwall installations. Operated with the ultra-quiet WhisperTrac® motor, it can integrate into existing AV- and lighting-automation systems via a wide range of wired and wireless network protocols.
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Motorized PanelTrac System

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WhisperTrac motor

New Control4 Device - Relay & Contact Sensor

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Axxess’s Relay & Contact Sensor shares the same form as the Multi Function Repeater. It also includes all the same functions (repeater, 3 contact sensor inputs, temperature sensor) with the addition of 3 Relay outputs. This allows you to wirelessly trigger motors to open/close garage doors and gates, raise/lower blinds or projector screens, and control many other devices that can be activated by relay output.
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Lutron RadioRa2 Remote System Access

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Now you can have the added convenience of controlling your RadioRA 2 system from anywhere internet access is available. Set up is easy and you don't need a VPN. Simply download the Lutron Home Control+ app, available on the App Store and in the Android Market, to get started.

New Elegant Control4 Lighting User Interface

Wait 'til You See The Advanced Scenes Lighting Agent

Released with Control4® OS 2.3, is our stunning, sleek, new User Interface for Lighting including at-a-glance intuitive navigation, with at-a-touch responsiveness, easy personalization, and the brand-new Control4 Advanced Lighting Scenes Agent to save you time in programming and integration.


The era of hands-free home control has arrived!

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HouseLogix is launching VoicePod®, a groundbreaking new device designed to speech-enable any home. Incorporating both speech recognition and speech output in a single wireless device, VoicePod is positioned as an exciting alternative to traditional keypads, remotes and touchpanels.

Each VoicePod provides both lightning-fast speech recognition and speech synthesis within a small tabletop unit that wirelessly communicates using Zigbee®. VoicePod’s patent-pending technology offers totally hands free control in any room. Users simply speak a wakeup phrase, such as “Hello VoicePod” and the unit comes to life. VoicePod’s dual processors instantly recognize and respond to commands such as “watch TV”, “make the lights bright”, “lower the temperature” and “lock the doors”. Users can also ask questions such as “what is the house status” and receive spoken responses from their homes.
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Control4 and Sony Introduce New ES Receivers with Control4 Automation Built-In

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Together Control4 and Sony launch the world’s first AV receivers with built-in home automation.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo Booth 4949 – September 5, 2012 at 5:00PM ET – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announced that Sony has integrated Control4® automation technology into its new ES receivers (introduced at CEDIA Expo) – delivering best-in-class AV performance and home automation within one easy-to-install and easy-to-use product. The ES receivers with Control4 automation are available for order now through authorized Control4 and Sony ES dealers.

This is a powerful partnership redefining the AVR category by delivering an unprecedented integrated AV and automation experience in a single device. Consumers will enjoy top AVR performance, unmatched 4K content and a stunning selection of streaming media services, plus the added lifestyle benefits of personalized automation that can transform a house into a smart home. With companies like Sony embracing and marketing the benefits of home automation, the custom installation industry benefits as a whole. Together, Sony and Control4 have created an exciting new avenue to drive consumer awareness for the category.
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Introducing the Stealth Acoustics StingRay Weatherproof Speaker

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Stealth Acoustics, a US manufacturer of invisible speakers, amplifiers and artistic AV solutions announces the debut of the Stealth StingRay™ environmental speaker at CEDIA Expo.

Creating a true environmental speaker that can take on nature’s toughest elements is no easy task. Nature is persistent and traditional speakers with open grills and exposed drivers can break down, corrode and fail over time.

Stealth Acoustics has taken on Mother Nature’s challenge and created the world’s first completely sealed, high-fidelity, wide dispersion outdoor speaker.
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HX-0808HA/16 – 8×8 HDMI w/ 16×16 Analog & Digital Audio Matrix (Now Shipping)

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he HX-0808HA/16 gives you 8 HDMI I/O's, plus 16 independently routable analog & digital (coax) audio I/O's with volume control. This 3RU matrix solves many of the audio issues that present themselves when trying to distribute HDMI. This unit adheres to the strict quality standards AVocation has set forth, and thus ships with a 5-year advanced replacement warranty and a 100% money back guarantee.
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New Chordette Index Network Music Player

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The Index is a high-quality compact music streamer and internet radio source component that offers exceptional sound quality at a real-world price. The Index will find and play stored music, whether on NAS, a network computer or a USB drive and is compatible with almost any format.

Exceptional sound quality has been achieved by Chord's engineering team, thanks to their world-renowned expertise with D/A conversion and DAC production. The unit's internal DAC chipset has been optimized for sublime sound quality and benefits from its own highly accurate discrete crystal clock generator. Value priced at $1,795.
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New Chordette QuteHD Ultra-High Resolution DAC

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State-of-the-art DAC with 384kHz and DSD Capability The QuteHD is a 384kHz-capable, multiple-input, asynchronous USB DAC which offers a range of proprietary technologies taken from Chord's acclaimed reference DAC the QBD76. The QuteHD boasts a groundbreaking sonic performance, custom DA conversion technology and cutting-edge DSD-over-USB functionality.
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"The Always At Home" Control4 Driver is now available

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Always@Home is most likely the greatest driver ever created for Control4®. This driver records the daily activity of your lights and/or TVs in your Control4 enabled home and can play back the exact light/TV usage to make it appear that someone is always at home even when you have been away for weeks. Admit it - you just realized how miserable your life has been before you knew about this driver.
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Home Automation’s Power to Simplify Your Life, Reduce Expenses, and Increase Security

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In today’s costly world, homeowners are fully aware of the expenses related to inflated energy costs and inefficient home security systems. There is nothing worse than receiving an electricity bill and being shocked by the amount owed at the end of a month or stolen possessions that could have been more strategically secured. Such realities have led homeowners to seek technologies that can help them beat the current system.
A growing number of homeowners are educating themselves on basic energy management and security devices, which often combine the use of innovate shade and control systems. For instance, Control4 offers a number of solutions that help homeowners monitor and control their home lighting from an iPad, iPhone, or wireless remote. With Control4, you can pre-program lighting levels and reduce energy output. It is also amazingly easy to set lighting to turn on and off at specific times. This significantly reduces the possibility of a light being left on throughout the night, or for several days while a homeowner is on vacation. Additionally, with Control4’s remote access service, no matter where in the world a homeowner travels he or she can turn lights on or off with a simple touchscreen command.

To make the management of lighting much easier to maintain, Control4 offers keypads with captions that can read “kitchen”, “hallway”, “master bedroom”, “patio”, and more. With a push of a single button, lighting is ignited in a desired location. The Control4 suite of products also offers dimmers that allow for lights to be set to a particular level.

Another ground breaking product for ultimate lighting, shading, security, and energy control is the Lutron RadioRA 2. The system is a holistic approach that combines total light and shade functionality. Radio RA 2 has the power to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light in a room throughout an entire home. Shades can also be lowered, electric powered curtains closed, and lighting ignited at pre-programed times. For instance, if particular rooms within a home are in direct sunlight in the afternoon, the lowering of window shades and closing of curtains can significantly reduce room temperatures. Or when the family is on vacation and dusk approaches, lowered shades, closed curtains, and automated lighting can offer higher levels of security. And for the family that has developed a high-tech home theatre, with the single push of a button window shades can be lowered and lights set to a particular level to create the perfect ambiance.

Many homeowners love the fact that both the Control4 and RadioRA 2 systems are fully scalable. This provides homeowners the power to start with a single room and expand when time and budget permits.

Seeking to automate your home for added simplicity, comfort, energy efficiency, and security? The beauty of 2012 is that homeowners have more control than ever before!

The secret to discovering and installing a solution that best fits your needs is to consult with a personalized home automation expert. At Digital Smart Homes of Vancouver BC, we would be honored to provide you a free consultation. Give us a call to set up an appointment at 604-375-3474 or visit our innovative showroom at 1385 West 6th Street Avenue in Vancouver. We live to automate, simplify, and secure your world!

Card Access Z2iR ZigBee-to-IR Module

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Introducing the new Z2iR™ Module by Card Access. This module was designed specifically to integrate with Control4® systems and gives Control4 dealers additional IR (infrared) outputs to control any residential device with a Control4® driver – without ‘home running’ wires back to a Home Controller. One Z2iR controls up to 4 IR-enabled devices including: TVs, projectors, streaming media devices, set-top boxes, window coverings, and more.

Product Info:
  • Sleek, Small, Fast & USB-Powered
  • Wireless ZigBee-to-IR interface
  • Two (2) independent IR emitter ports
  • Adds IR ports and bindings to Composer
  • Works as a ZigBee routing node
  • Add every TV, set-top box or other IR-controlled device to every Control4 installation
  • No wire hassles and risks
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Home Music Listening is Back…Thanks to Home Digital Music Solutions from Company's like Sonos

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Remember the good ole’ days in which many homes were equipped with centralized music systems that pumped tunes into each room? The only problem was that such systems came with complex wiring systems and expensive built-in wall consoles, which were quite costly to maintain and nearly impossible to fix if broken.

Thanks to the digital age, technologies like Sonos have made it easy listen to music at home! Now music can be customized per room and controlled wirelessly via your MAC/PC, iPad, iPhone/iPod, or Android. Plus, your music listening options are unlimited as you can access it from Sirius, RDIO, Slacker, iTunes, Window media files, Wolfgang, and other sources.
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Digital Smart Homes is now a member of "Interior Designers of Canada" (IDC)

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Digital Smart Homes team is excited to announce that we have become an official member of the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) board. Founded in 1972, IDC is the national advocacy association for the interior design profession. The beauty of our new association with the IDC is that we will now be able to connect with and education more than 3,500 interior designers, students, and educators on the latest home automation trends and technologies that have the power to increase the value of home and commercial properties.

Soul-shaking sound. Heart-pounding design. One-button setup, Introducing the Sonos Sub

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The new SONOS SUB will take the whole Sonos system one seismic step closer to the spine-curling, jaw-dropping, full body experience music was meant to be.
At $749 CAD, the SUB delivers great value by filling the room with rich, deep resonant bass you will feel in your bones.

Easy to Install: Unlike third-party subwoofers, the Sonos SUB is specifically designed to work flawlessly with paired Sonos components right out of the box. No worries, no hassles. Like every Sonos product, the SUB is easy to install and the software automatically adjusts audio settings to perfectly balance with the \paired Sonos component.
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Audio Authority 16 Channel Matrix Amplifier with FlexPort Inputs

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Whether your looking for audio system to use in commercial facilities or in homes, the SF-16M has the features and capabilities to handle just about any application it may encounter. Its flexibility and musical power give end users so much more than traditional audio systems, while giving installers a streamlined installation process.

The SonaFlex SF-16M is a unique blend of multi-channel amplification, flexible input options, audio matrix switching, signal processing and open control capability. Built and designed in the U.S. with the custom applications in mind, the SF-16M brings a new approach to common residential and commercial distributed audio applications - one multi-purpose matrix amplifier that can be used in a variety of installations.

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Nest Thermostat Control4 Driver Now Available

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The Nest Thermostat has become a very popular energy management tool with consumers. It's been featured in Wired magazine, The Wall Street Journal and Gizmodo to name just a few. Now you can integrate the Nest thermostat into Control4 systems
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The World’s First & Only Analog DVRs with Native Live Streaming to Control4

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Wirepath™ Surveillance DVRs have been made even better with the addition of key features that make selling and installing them even easier. All DVRs now support:

mjpegNative live MJPEG video streaming directly to Control4 touch-panels and iOS apps
mjpegIP Control of DVR functions, including playback
motionDetectMotion detection setup from Internet Explorer
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Working Jams: What music to listen to on the job

Listening to music while you work might be the best thing since casual Fridays. The proper tunage can help you get motivated, stay productive, and stimulate your creative juices. And it’s just what the doctor ordered when it comes to de-stressing so you can move on to the next task without blowing a gasket.

So what music should you listen to maintain your working groove? Sonos has put together some suggestions for you in the graphic below.

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In order to reveal music's power in the workplace, we at Digital Smart Homes are giving away a Sonos Play:3 and installation each month through June 2012. If you are in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland, BC, we welcome you to join in the fun! Enter to Win

Integra's new DTR30.4 7.2 Netwrok Home Theater Receiver.

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With the absolute latest in A/V processing and content convergence, the THX®-certified DTR-30.4 elevates you to an exhilarating new level of home entertainment performance.

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More Women are seeking out Home Technology solutions today than ever before

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At Digital Smart Homes, we are constantly working to better understand our client base. One of the most exciting trends that we are seeing is women increasingly seeking out digital technologies, often much more than men. There are a number of reasons as to why this is occurring.

To begin with, digital home technologies have the power to secure home and family. For instance, systems and outdoor lighting sensors can assure that lights go on at the proper time and that pathways are always lit. This not only protects homes from predators, but they greatly decrease the chance of personal injury.

Additionally, iPhone, Smartphone, and iPad apps can align with the latest technologies to indicate whether door locks are unlocked and/or the garage door is open. No matter where in the world a one is, she can close the garage door and/or lock doors. By having the power to assure the security of the home, it is possible to have peace of mind when traveling out of town or returning home.

Secondly, digital technologies can ease the frustrations of controlling numerous home media devices. There are few challenges that frustrate busy individuals more than hard to control/confusing media devices. Digital media technology offers universal remote controls that can control everything from the TV, to the wireless music system, and everything else in between. It is also possible to program a TV to turn off after a predetermined amount of time to assure kids are staying focused on their studies.

Thirdly, appliance control and monitoring makes home life much easier. In fact, kitchens will never be the same, as digital make oven monitoring possible at all times. This lessons the likelihood of the oven being left on for hours or the overcooking of a favorite dish. Also, all appliances can be constantly monitored to assure they are running efficiently and not wasting precious electricity.

Finally, home heating and air conditioning control both helps make the home more comfortable and less energy intensive. For example, the heater/furnace can be activated from the comfort of one’s bed via an iPad app and the air conditioner can be programed and coordinated with electronic blinds for effective temperature control throughout the day.

While the above technologies make a defined difference in the lives of both men and women, it appears that our female customer is increasingly becoming the key influencer. When questioned about the problems digital home technologies solve, our customers often point to security, efficiency, and simplicity.

Why do you personally seek out digital home technologies? Please share on our Facebook page!

The Smart Kitchen Revolution and How Control4 is Leading the Way

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We spend hour upon hour in our kitchens working to create masterful meals, socializing with family and friends, completing homework assignments and work projects, and even watching our favourite shows. In all reality, for many the kitchen is the second family room…or maybe even the first for some!

This is why numerous homeowners around the world are working to make their kitchens as “smart” as possible. Many turn to Control4 for their needs, as the system can do everything from set lighting and window shades to activity specific levels; play just the right music to fit the mood; monitor and program appliances; access award winning recipes from a touch screen; and even set the ice-maker to produce more ice when a party is in full swing. Plus, Control 4 offers numerous apps that can be downloaded and used to simplify the home.
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Control4 2012 Platnium Authorized Dealer

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I am excited to announce that we have been awarded the Platinum Dealer designation by Control4 for the 3rd year in a row, .

At Digital Smart Homes, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized control and automation solutions for everyone and maintain the highest level of customer service and satisfaction for our customers.

As a Platinum Control4 Dealer, you can be rest assured that each of our technicians and sales associates have completed a comprehensive training program on how to install and support all Control4 products, so we’ll have everything we need to be your personal automation expert and make sure you’re making the most of your Control4 system. As a Premier Dealer, Digital Smart Homes has completed additional Control4 training, sales and experience requirements in home automation.

Does your office environment need an instant energy jolt and creativity boost?

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You just may be amazed at what music can do to shake things up and motivate your team members!!

In order to reveal music's power in the workplace, we at Digital Smart Homes are giving away a Sonos Play:3 and installation each month through June 2012. If you are in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland, BC, we welcome you to join in the fun!

Qualifying for the contest is easy! All you have to do is:
1. "Like" our Digital Smart Homes Facebook page and/or "Follow" us on Twitter and/or follow us onPinterest
2.
Submit a picture of your office on either Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and a brief comment on why you should win.

The more creative your entry the better, and if you submit on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest your office will be entered twice for a chance to win!

According to a recent University of Illinois research study of 256 office workers, music did wonders for frayed nerves, reduced distracting office chatter, boosted morale, and even enhanced office performance. Plus, it was revealed that employees were often more satisfied with their employers and were less likely to switch jobs.

A number of leading organizations have discovered the positive effects that music has on morale. For example, the popular online magazine Cool Hunting keeps it fresh by cranking music through their offices daily. The team keeps a hard drive filled with numerous genres of music for everyone to enjoy and gain inspiration.

And if this isn't enough maybe the goods will impress your soul! The Sonos Play: 3 is a wireless music system that emits crystal clear sound and allows for you to control it via an iPhone, iPad, Android, or Sonos controller. Additionally, the system has the ability to play music that captures a desired mood, connects wirelessly to the office router and can be tucked away in the corner of your choice.

Visit our Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest page now to enter the Digital Smart Homes Sonos Play: 3 contest. If you win, we will personally deliver and install the system for you and your co-workers to enjoy!


We will be giving away our first Play:3 in the last week of April 2012 so get your submissions in now

We Don’t Just Sell Products, We Provide a Lifestyle

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At Digital Smart Homes, we are committed to discovering revolutionary products that have the power to transform your home and improve the quality of your daily life. Not only are we committed, we actually love what we do!

Who wouldn’t be excited to let the cat out of the bag when a new gizmo comes to market that allows a homeowner to close his/her garage door while vacationing in Paris or instantaneously unlock a door to let the cat sitter in when away on a business trip? Or better yet, have the means to monitor all home appliances from their iPad and discover exactly how to dramatically cut down the electricity bill.

Not only do we sell groundbreaking products, we truly provide a lifestyle for the bold and courageous. Such a lifestyle is simplified in nature, yet amazingly thrilling!

Where simplicity is concerned, we work to reveal how the latest technologies can help you cut down on energy costs, maximize appliance functionality and effectiveness, eliminate unneeded remote controls, and empower you when you are on the road.

Thrill comes into the picture when you start considering how digital products can create the perfect home theater environment or that wireless music can magnificently pump crystal clear sound through hidden speakers. Additionally, it’s safe to say that it is thrilling to have the power to pull out your iPhone (no matter where you are on the planet) and push a couple buttons to turn your air conditioning on or off, activate the front porch lights, or cut the power on a computer that needs a break.

This lifestyle we sell is truly seamless and makes perfect sense in today’s ultra-hectic world. Plus, it looks amazing! Who couldn’t use a little wire de-cluttering and electronics hiding, while revolutionizing the home? Our customers often grin when their friends and family stand with their mouths open the moment they realize they are standing in a Digital Smart Home.

You don’t have to be an “early adopter” to understand the value of digitizing your home environment. While some of our clients definitely fall into that category, the majority are simply seeking a way to simplify their lives, secure those they love most, and cut down on energy usage (well…and then there are some who always dreamt of living like the Jetson’s…that’s ok too!).If you are currently considering “Digital Smart Homing” your living environment, you are in for a thrilling ride. Dare to dream big and you are sure to find a creative solution that will fit our lifestyle!

Card Access™ Sub-Zero/Wolf® Smart Appliance Module™ Now Available for Control4 Integration

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It’s a long-held stereotype that beauty and brains don’t go together. Well, not anymore. Introducing the Card Access™ Sub-Zero® / Wolf® Smart Appliance Module™. This new product from Card Access gives the beautiful Sub-Zero BI-Series of refrigerators the needed brains for integration with the award-winning Control4® home control system.

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Coming Next Week: New Sonos Controller apps for Mac & PC

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PLUS EVEN MORE TO MAKE SONOS MUSIC LOVERS SMILE

Next week, Sonos will introduce brand new Sonos Controller apps for Mac and PC. Plus, improved wireless performance for Android devices and language support for Brazilian Portuguese. And, it will all be available with a simple one-click software update.

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An Overview of My Favorite Online Music Services that Also Work with Sonos

In today’s world, there are so many options out there for online music that it can be difficult to know where to start! The great thing about homeowners that have installed the Sonos Wireless HiFi System is that now it is possible to listen to most artists, albums and/or songs in just moments. No more dusting off old vinyl records, pulling out old tapes, or trying to rub the scratches out of your favourite CDs. We hope the following online music service overview will educate you on what technologies are out there:

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Rdio
Rdio is subscription-based online music service that allows for you to pay a small fee of just $4.99 per month and you are able to listen to unlimited amounts of music from any computer. If you are familiar with Spotify, it is quite similar. Back when Spotify wasn’t available in the United States (and soon to be available in Canada), Rdio held the exclusive on such a service.

Beyond being able to call up almost any artist, album, or song in less than a second, users are able to share music from friends, get music suggestions, and even write mini-reviews. This makes the utilization of your Sonos system quite dynamic.

For those who want to listen to music on their mobile devices and computers while offline or want to listen to music on demand, much like Netflix, members pay $9.99/month and have access to more than 8.5 million songs. Getting started with Rdio is quite easy and completely free for the first week. This allows for you to give it a try before diving into the paid subscription.

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Aupeo
Aupeo is a completely free personalized online music service that you personalize by selecting the “Mood” (Happy, Energetic, Stressful, Relaxing, etc) and the “Genre” (HipHop, Country, World, Electronic, etc) .. The service is a competitor to Pandora, last.fm, and Spotify. As a user, you are allowed to stream more than 120 stations across all music genres, while provided the ability to pause or skip songs at any time. The free version has occasional commercials that play throughout your listening session and has a limit as to how many songs can be skipped at a time per station. In order to better customize music selections, you are able to designate the songs you like versus the ones you dislike.

In the case that you want to enjoy commercial free listening and have full control of how many songs are skipped, the premium service is available for €4.95 EUR/month or €49,95 EUR/ year.

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Slacker Personal Radio
Slacker is quite similar to Aupeo, allowing for users to listen to customized music stations. To select a genre that is most appealing at any given time, you must designate a particular artist or song as a reference point. Music then begins to stream within that given genre and allows for users to pause and skip songs.

The free version allows for only a limited number of skips and includes commercials. If you desire the ability to listen to music without commercials, there is a monthly fee of either $3.99 or $9.99. The $3.99 version also allows for mobile station caching, enables ABC News, and includes complete song lyrics. On the other hand, the $9.99 version adds the ability for you to play song and albums on demand, play single artist stations, cash albums and playlists, and create personalized playlists. This makes Slacker quite similar in functionality to Rdio.

No matter which way you stack it, you can create a music listening experience of your dreams. The secret to discovering which online music services work best for you is to give them all a try!

The 4K Revolution and Its Impact

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Just when the world thought that it couldn’t get any better than HDTV, there is a new technology that is about to change the way humanity experiences home entertainment. Introducing 4k -- the current digital cinema format that offers four times the image quality of HDTV. Soon you, your family and friends will experience the power of the latest digital cinema quality entertainment in the comfort of your own home.

A Short History of 4K
In 1999, digital cinema was thrust into the market with the help of George Lucas. His goal was to make the movie going experience more fascinating and enjoyable. Lucas worked with Sony and Panavision on Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in an effort to release the world’s first movie utilizing a 1080p/24-frame-per-second digital camera. While the technology was far from perfect at the time, moviegoers gave the film rave reviews.

In 2002, there arose an association of movie studios who developed the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI), LLC to assure the future of digital technologies and bring their costs down tremendously. This led to the release of the 2K format, which requires a 2048-horizontal x 1080-vertical pixel grid. This is slightly larger than the HDTV standard at 1920 x 1080.

The next step was the development of 4K for stadium seating movie venues. Sony Pictures was a major proponent of the technology, which provides a crystal-clear view no matter where one is sitting in the treater. Gone are the days in which certain seats within a treater offer less than perfect picture quality.
In case you’re wondering if you have experienced 4K, James Cameron’s Avatar utilized the format with great success in theatres. The technology played a huge part in making audiences feel as though they were sent into another world that could practically be experienced first-hand.

The next logical stop for 4K is the home, which brings us to 2012!

The 4K in the Home
It is slated for the future that a growing number of homes will take advantage of 4K, which boasts of resolution that is equal to 8.8 million pixels versus the just over 2 million pixels in the average 1080p HDTV image. Imagine enjoying four-times the detail of your current monitor or projector!

Home treater experts have shared openly that there is a definite set of challenges that must be overcome in getting 4K movies into the home. It is very possible that Blu-Ray Disks will be the bearers of 4K because they have the capability to house such large files. Some experts are purporting that streaming 4K through the Internet may not be workable in the foreseeable future; however, it isn’t completely out of the question. Time will tell on the streaming front.

As for monitors that can display 4K, LG and Toshiba are soon to release 4K displays. While there will be very little 4K media to watch when the monitors are released, they will definitely enhance 3D movies. It has been rumoured that the first monitor to enter the market will be the 55’ Toshiba featuring autostereoscopic 3D (i.e. “glasses-less 3D).

Additionally, we at Digital Smart Homes currently carry JVC’s Reference Series 3D Home Cinema 4K projector which offers a contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1. You can also look for Sony’s 4K home theatre projector (the VPL-VW100ES) to be released in September of this year.

If you have any questions surrounding 4K or other custom technologies and installation for your home, we invite you to call our offices at 604-375-3474. Stay tuned for more exciting news on current and future home automation technologies!

How the iPad is Revolutionizing Home Automation & Control

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Just when Apple fans thought it couldn’t get any better, the iPad has become one of the most useful home management tools on the planet.

Imagine going on the road for a number of days and being able to control important home devices/appliances (from the air conditioner, to house lights, to door locks); waking early in the morning to a chilly home and turning the furnace on before hopping out of bed; and cutting down on energy costs by monitoring each of your major appliances for efficiency -- all from your trusty iPad.
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How the Lutron RadioRA 2 Can Revolutionize Your Home

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Are you looking for creative and cost-effective ways to save energy, reduce utility bills, upgrade your home’s technological framework? Lutron makes this more than possible with its RadioRA 2 -- also known as wireless total home control.

The system provides you the power to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light, room/home temperature, and energy utilized by all of the appliances and electronics room-by-room or throughout your entire home.

To help you better understand the Lutron RadioRA 2, we hope the following outline of its benefits will reveal the value it can hold within your household:

Saves Major Amounts of Energy. The system includes a combination of light, shade, temperature, and appliance control to significantly reduce the amount of energy you utilize each day.

Ease of Use. With the push of a single button, it is possible to create the perfect combination of energy saving elements that can include adjusting room lights, shades, and temperature to the exact level that you desire. This can either include room-by-room control or throughout the entire home.

Ambiance Control. RadioRA 2 is an amazing tool for creating the exact ambiance you are looking for at any time. For instance, when you fire up the flat screen TV for one of your favourite movies, you can set the system to automatically dim the lights, close the window shades, and adjust the temperature to a comfortable level.

Appliance Control. It is possible to control all of the appliances in your home such as computers, monitors, televisions, and air purifiers by placing them on standby. By utilizing this functionality, you can save an estimated 10 percent of the energy you normally use on a monthly basis.

Custom Technology. The system can be built out to meet your specific needs. You can control settings via wall panels, tabletop controls, or handheld devices. It is also possible to access controls remotely when you are on the road or out of the country by utilizing your iPad or PC Tablet.

The opportunities are endless with Lutron’s RadioRA 2, thus the key to discovering the right mix within your home environment is to assess all of your lighting fixtures, lamps, electronics devices, and appliances and dreaming up the right solution for you.

Also, you should think about how you would like to control your system. Would you prefer wall panels, desktop and/or handheld controls, mobile device controls, or all of the above?

At Digital Smart Homes, we offer the entire Lutron RadioRA 2 system and can help you find the best solution that will best fit your needs. We can also visit your home and provide ideas for helping you create a cutting-edge and efficient home environment. For more information, we invite you to visit our certified showroom or call our team at 604-375-3474.

5 Reasons to Consider Video Conferencing

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In today’s world, video conferencing is increasingly becoming a way of life for leading and emerging organizations as they work to compete in the global marketplace. There are numerous reasons business leaders, educators, and individuals are finding it essential to invest in revolutionary technologies capable of connecting multiple offices, making remote training/education possible, and allowing for instant connection with others.

If you have been considering investing in video conferencing technologies and are still not sure as to how they can help you streamline your business processes, we hope the following five points will guide your decision making process:

1. Cut Travel Costs. Gone are the days that you must invest heavily in travel expenses. Video conferencing allows for you to schedule numerous meetings and conduct them without having to budget for flights, hotels, meals, and entertainment.

2. Immediate Connection and Information Sharing. Video conferencing can be facilitated at any time. Throughout the conference you can utilize numerous tools for sharing key information including PowerPoint slides, documents, computer screens, whiteboards, video clips, and more. There is no need to schedule for travel time, which makes for more efficient use of time and resources.

3. The Power of Face-to-Face Communication. There is a definite power associated with being able to actually see the person to which you are speaking. This is why throughout history business leaders have spent numerous dollars on travel expenses for their employees as they work to connect with fellow employees, suppliers, and customers. E-mails and phone calls can only go so far where personal touch is concerned, as key messaging can be misconstrued without being able to read the other person’s expressions.

4. Custom Infrastructures Available. Today’s video conferencing technologies can be scaled out to fit the exact needs of an organization. For instance, in the case that you want to connect each of your office boardrooms that are spread throughout the country, there are technologies that will mirror your boardrooms with matching décor and furniture that provide the illusion that you are sitting across the table from remote participants via large screens. On the other hand, if you are looking for a simple one-on-one conversation, video conferencing can be done via laptop.

5. Reduce Office Expenses. Video conference has the power to save you numerous dollars on offices expenses and supplies including phone lines, fax lines, paper, industry sized copy machines, and more. The digital world makes the sharing of documents and information easier than ever!

We at Digital Smart Homes work with individuals and organizations build out their video conferencing setups utilizing LifeSize’s technologies. A division of Logitech, the company produces a vast selection of products used by small and large businesses, educators, health providers, entertainment companies, and non-profits.

The beauty of LifeSize’s innovations is that they have worked tirelessly to develop solutions that take every aspect of an organization’s needs into consideration. Utilizing the immense LifeSize product line, we work with our clients to develop a creative solution that will help them streamline their business processes and cut costs. For more information, we invite you to either visit our showroom or give us a call at 604-375-3474.

SIRIUS Canada now playing on Sonos

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Sonos users in Canada are in for a real treat: listening to SIRIUS on Sonos in every room. We're talking over 100 premium channels of music and more blasting in the bedroom or the living room or both. And with a free 30-day trial, you can try before you buy! Plus, with SIRIUS now available on Sonos, there's 100 more reasons/channels for music fans to fall in love with the PLAY:3, PLAY:5, CONNECT and CONNECT:AMP.
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Niles New Outdoor Speakers And In-Ground Subwoofer Offer High Fidelity Audio And Sleek Design

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Niles’ new GS Garden Speakers line is constructed of rugged, long-lasting materials and features high-quality audio components for amazing outdoor audio systems.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, January 11, 2012—Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today introduced a new line of outdoor speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, which all feature rugged construction, long-lasting materials and deliver superior audio fidelity for all outdoor applications. The new GS Garden Speakers deliver Niles’ legendary high performance sound quality and the speakers’ rugged construction gives dealers an ideal, long-lasting outdoor audio solution.

According to Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles, “The introduction of our new GS Garden Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer allow dealers to offer the same level of audio quality and sleek, blend-in designs for outside applications as Niles in-ceiling speakers provide inside the home. Installers can now install powerful, high fidelity outdoor audio systems to fit any environment with minimal visibility.”
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Niles Introduces First Designer-Friendly Compact Ceiling Mount Loudspeaker To Blend Into Any Décor

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Dealers can now provide Niles’® legendary high fidelity audio performance in virtually any location with a compact loudspeaker that has a mere four-inch footprint.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, January 10, 2012—Following the introduction of its new CM Series Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers at CEDIA 2011, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the introduction of the company’s first-ever compact ceiling mount loudspeaker with a mere four-inch footprint, the CM4PR. It is the first small, designer-friendly loudspeaker to deliver audiophile grade performance so speakers can be placed in aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive areas.

“The introduction of our new designer-friendly compact loudspeaker provides installers with an audiophile grade solution for any location where space or visibility are issues,” said Mike ‘Sparky’ Detmer, president of Niles. “With a depth of less than four inches and a Rear Wave Enclosure that stops sound from bleeding into other rooms, the CM4PR brings superior quality audio to places that were once inaccessible and completes our full line of application-specific CM Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers.”
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Kaleidescape Announces DV700 Disc Vault

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The Kaleidescape System provides the world's best Blu-ray viewing experience in the home. The M700 Disc Vault is a key component of the system, and last year it won the coveted 2011 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Best New Product award.

Many clients have requested a version of the M700 Disc Vault that does not include an M-Class player. Kaleidescape is pleased to introduce the DV700 Disc Vault. It offers the same award-winning performance and capacity as that of its sister disc vault, but does not have an integrated player.

It has capacity for 320 discs, and imports DVDs and CDs as easily as it imports Blu-ray Discs. Control buttons and a front panel display make it easy to use, and it can be located anywhere on the home's Ethernet network.
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Control4 Launches Video Intercom Solutions with New Touch Screens and Door Station

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High-performance In-Wall and Portable Touch Screens with full-motion video intercom and wideband audio deliver dedicated control and crystal clear communications.
Las Vegas, NV– January 10, 2012 at 7:00 AM PT – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, introduces its new video intercom solutions, which include the Control4® 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera, the Control4® 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera, and the Control4® Door Station.

This new video intercom product family provides dedicated, always-on control functionality along with a convenient high-quality communications experience for homes and businesses. Each new product within the family features an integrated camera delivering H.264 full-motion video along with integrated speakers and dual microphones utilizing beam forming and wideband audio to deliver a high-fidelity experience. With activation of a Control4® Intercom License, consumers can enable whole-home or business communications and message broadcasting, as well as the ability to control auto-answer and “do not disturb” settings.
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Control4 Announces New High-Performance Automation Controllers

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New one-room and whole-home controllers dramatically enhance consumer experiences with fluid on-screen control, blazingly fast media access, and instantaneous responsiveness.
Las Vegas, NV– January 9, 2012 at 9:30 AM PT – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announces two new models to its award-winning family of automation controllers: the flagship HC-800 and the versatile HC-250. Designed to harness the power of Control4’s award-winning operating system, the HC-800 and the HC-250 provide the ultimate Control4 experience for speed, performance and flexibility at an exceptional value for homeowners and businesses.

At the center of Control4’s updated line of controllers is the new HC-800, a powerful, flexible, multi-zone controller designed to serve as the cornerstone of any Control4 installation, no matter how large or demanding. The HC-800’s lightning-fast, next-generation 1.8GHz high-performance dual-core processor delivers instantaneous, interactive on-screen control and browsing of even the largest media libraries.
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The Power of Energy Monitoring: Save Energy & Money

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How would you like to have direct access to the amount of energy you are using in your home or business at any given moment? Finally, you won’t have to hold your breath every time your energy bill is delivered to your mailbox!

A growing number of businesses and families are utilizing energy monitoring technologies such as Eragy or Powerhouse Dynamics to monitor their energy output 24x7. Both technologies offer a host of cutting-edge features that are sure to give you invaluable insights on your energy usage.

Eragy Home Energy Monitoring with Control4
Eragy runs in conjunction with the Control4 home automation system and an energy sensor that is installed prior to usage. Throughout the day, Eragy monitors energy usage and then sends data to their secure website. The system then correlates your energy usage with utility provider’s rates and projects your current costs.

To view energy usage and cost statistics Eragy utilizes your Control4 touch panel, TV, computer, iPhone, Android, or iPad. After viewing the data, users you can then make needed adjustments to your home or business to decrease energy usage.

Powerhouse Dynamics
Powerhouse Dynamics is an amazing system that takes energy monitoring to new heights. The system breaks down energy usage circuit-by-circuit and pinpoints various items in your home or business that are contributing to high energy costs.

It also has the power to monitor each appliance within a home and sends out an alert when one isn’t performing well. You are also given the ability to control the temperature of your home from anywhere via a smartphone. Additionally, if you utilize renewable energy sources such as solar power, Powerhouse Dynamic’s eMonitor will reveal if they are producing the amount of which they are capable.

When the system finds it necessary to alert you to a particular problem or unnecessary energy output, the system can be programmed to send you a text message or e-mail. You can liken the system to a home assistant that is there to make your live 100 times easier!


Smart Meters Installed Across BC to Improve Energy Costs & Efficiency
The idea of energy efficiency is also being taken seriously throughout BC. In fact, there is a BC Hydro Smart Metering Program that will see the installation of 1.8 million meters in home and businesses by December 2012. The meters are expected to save BC residents more than $70 million over the next three years and $1.6 billion over the next 20 years.

At Digital Smart Homes, we can provide you monitoring technologies that are compatible with Smart Meters. Additionally, we can provide you a full demo of the above systems. We invite you to drop by our showroom or contact me at 604-375-3474 extension #700 for more information.

QBD76 the World's Most Technically Advanced DAC


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Next generation DAC resolves more musical information than any DAC using conventional chips and includes USB and Bluetooth inputs.
Chord Electronics has once again produced the world's most technically advanced DAC. Building on the huge success of the award winning DAC64, the QBD76 now takes D/A conversion to a new level of performance not available in any other product. In addition USB and digital Bluetooth inputs allow you to enjoy very high quality audio playback from anywhere your music happens to be stored.

Instead of simply using the best off the shelf DAC chips, Chord actually designed their own using the newest Xilinx field programmable gate arrays. This state-of-the-art development platform provides Chord engineers with a staggering 1,250,000 logic gates with which to design their DAC.
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