Tips From The Top

Good news for Savant home automation clients: Innovative enhancements to “Studio,” Savant’s quick configuration and design tool, make it easier than ever for you and your integrator to manage your smart home systems.

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The demand for smart home technology is exploding. Amazing technological advancements, options, and affordability all make things we once only saw in Jetsons cartoons accessible and enjoyable. Today, you can start small with smart light bulbs or Alexa voice control, or go for the complete, fully automated home, which you monitor and control from your mobile device.

An…

Hunting for the perfect sound? Learning to use your home audio system’s equalizer could be just the skill you need.

An equalizer uses frequencies to create the sound you want. It gives you the control to adjust aspects of sound to sculpt the music to your unique preferences. First used in recording studios, equalizers are now mainly digital, and available on all kinds of…

If you need evidence how the quality of light affects people’s well-being, just take a look around Jackson Hole these early spring days. It may still be cold, and there’s still snow, but we’re all walking a little lighter – because, well, there’s so much more light.

Lighting designers like …

Spring is here – which means home energy management is quickly shifting from saving on heating costs to cutting back on cooling costs. Ceiling fans can play a big part in reducing cooling costs. When used correctly, a fan can mean small adjustments to your thermostat which result in large savings. The average ceiling fan at high speed consumes about 75 watts. To compare, an air…

Are you looking to expand your smart home’s entire lighting system – in your main home, out buildings, and all exterior spaces?  

Your timing is perfect – because world lighting leader …

You know that scene in movies when the technology master brings up a screen with lots of tiles and chooses what they want? And then chooses something else? And controls the fate of the universe – or at least the next two hours of their entertainment – with unlimited tiles at their fingertips?

Now you can do the same thing: unlimited video tiling is available in Savant…

Audio pioneer Sonos has partnered with architectural audio innovator Sonance to create a new line of in-wall, in-ceiling, and outdoor speakers that will blow you away.

The result? Sonos Architectural by Sonance. Incredibly complex sound, easily controlled with a simple platform.

The unbelievable sound quality and the innovative design are not surprising, considering the two…

Good news for smart home theater enthusiasts: Samsung’s new line of TVs offers smart tech for everyone’s taste, from the smallest MicroLED TV with 4K resolution ever to the most gi-normous 8K resolution screen to fill your home theater.

First up: smaller can be better. …

Building a new home? This is a perfect time to lay the groundwork for smart home automation. But you’re not really thinking about smart home technology? All you want are some dimmer switches and a sweet home theater?

Well, for now.

With all the decisions to be made during new construction, it’s tempting to push aside the topic of smart home automation to think about…

Smart lights – you’ve heard about them, seen them, maybe you even have a bulb or two, but really, what are the advantages? Is it just about doing cool stuff with colored lighting, or do they actually save energy and money? Do you need to completely change your home’s lighting system to make it worthwhile? Where do you even begin?

Fortunately, smart lighting systems…

Oh, you audio aficionados, you connoisseurs of sound who know exceptional quality and only want the best for your home. Get ready – this one’s for you.

Trinnov Audio…

TV is great. TV is wonderful. We love our TVs with their amazingly clear images, sharp contrasts, and colors so vivid they’re more real than reality. 

But we’re not watching TV all the time. 

And when we’re not, there’s an enormous black hole dominating the living room. Or bedroom. Or kitchen. Or whatever room we have a TV in – which, for…

As more smart home devices flood the market, it’s increasingly important to integrate these devices into one unified, automated platform that is both easy for the homeowner to use and supports the technology.

A …

Our homes embody our design for living: they provide our families with the essentials, comfort, and an aesthetic unique to who we are and our values.

Securing our home is a key part of maintaining that sense of safety and protecting what – and who – we hold closest to us.

But the variety of smart home security devices flooding the market can seem overwhelming and…

In the United States, the senior population is now larger than the…

The high tech home market is inundated with smart devices: anybody can pick up a smart doorbell or motion detector or smoke alarm at their local home improvement big-box retailer. There are definitely advantages to these accessible, popular devices. But asking Alexa to play your favorite music of setting your coffee maker to go off fifteen minutes before you wake up do not create a truly…

One of the sleekest aspects of a smart home is integrated window treatment. 

Besides improving your home’s overall design and aesthetic, motorized shades and blinds set the quality of light, control the climate, reduce energy use, and improve security. 

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An integrated home system can benefit your bottom line and the environment.

For the past weeks we’ve been looking at ways an integrated home can reduce your energy use – reducing your overall energy spending and your home’s carbon…

The future of intelligent home automation is offering some exciting solutions to lowering energy consumption.

According to the recent article “…

It’s a sweet luxury to have smart home technology: a hot tub warmed up and waiting when you get home from work, a lighting scheme and music playlist perfect for your dinner party. Smart home owners enjoy the ease and simplicity of being able to manage their home’s technology and energy systems from their smart phone. 

But there’s an even bigger, more important…

Is it time to take the leap into total home automation?

Your smart home has a great security system, but you’re out of the country and expecting a delivery. How do you know when the delivery person arrives? And how do you let them in once they’re there?

Well, now it’s possible to know exactly when the delivery arrives, communicate with the delivery person via video and two-way intercom, and let them in the house –…

Looking to enhance your smart home’s lighting?

This spring, global lighting innovator Lutron Electronics acquired Ketra, a Texas-based lighting company…

Is your TV ready for some smarter lights?

If you’re looking for some new lighting schemes to enhance the change of seasons, Philips Hue is releasing its newest smart lights to highlight your home theater.

Play and Signe are the two newest lights from the creators of the popular color-changing lights you manage via app. These new lights are designed to create a new level…

It’s no surprise that several product lines we work with at Jackson Hole AV were finalists for the Best New Product Award announced at the CEDIA Expo earlier this month.

CEDIA is the leading worldwide authority in the home technology industry. The organization represents 3,700 member companies globally and more than 30,000 professionals who manufacture, design, and integrate…

A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold.

According to the American Sleep…

We recently discussed how your TV can become a literal work of art with “The Frame,” Samsung’s high-end television which transforms into a frame displaying art when the TV is off.

There are even more innovative designs to conceal your TV when it’s not in use.

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Have you spent time and money designing your ideal living room, only to leave a big black hole on the wall whenever the TV is off?

Now your TV can also perform as a work of art, thanks to Samsung’s new innovation, “The Frame,” its high-end television which transforms into a frame displaying art when the TV is off.

The Frame accesses the Samsung Art Store, the…

Looking to upgrade your home theater audio experience?

This summer sound tech innovator Sonos revealed Sonos Beam, its new smart speaker for almost any…

Savant has taken its premium smart home integration platform and raised the level of customer service with its new capacity for remote diagnostics, time/date-stamped systems logs, remote maintenance, and configuration capabilities.

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You and your family are streaming movies on your mobile devices – is it time to switch to livestreaming for all movies and major networks in your smart home theater?

Millions of people are doing just that. …

According to a recent Digital Trends article, now is a great time to start looking for a new TV. The new…

Throw in a load of laundry, shower, flush the toilet – and generate energy you can store and use later.

Vortical Tech, a developer of alternative energy…

Smart home owners know: the ability to set just the right light, at just the right moment, takes an experience from good to exceptional. Whether it’s a dinner party or an evening relaxing with your kids, being able to control the lighting from your mobile device, exactly according to your specifications, is one of the peak benefits of an integrated home lighting system.

Besides…

Now that summer is in full swing, many of us move our indoor living experience to our backyards, patios, and gardens. The patio becomes the living room for the next three months, the space we use for everything from entertaining a dinner party to relaxing with our families in the evenings. 

Luckily, your smart home’s outdoor audio experience can be as satisfying as the…

One of the best parts of summer is the unending light. But when the sun finally does set, Philips – an international leader in smart lighting – now makes it possible to set the lighting tone in your outdoor space with its new line of Hue smart lights for outdoor settings.

Imagine your outdoor patio with a newly outfitted system of Philips smart lights – 16 million…

Looking to upgrade your home theater? LG’s Smart TVs with ThinQ Artificial Intelligence are now even more impressive with Google Assistant voice controls.

At CES 2018 in January, LG introduced ThinQ AI and an advanced image processor in its newest OLED and SUPER UHD TVs. ThinQ allows the application of hundreds of voice requests using LG’s open smart platform and third-party…

At Jackson Hole AV, we’re very excited about a new partnership between our main integration platform, Savant, and …

Looking for ways to cut spending in your office?

The answer could be simpler than you think: lighting.

According to a 2008 report from the Energy Information Administration, 39% of annual electricity use in office buildings comes from – you…

Ever been on an important conference call and your computer glitches? Or the sound goes out? Or you can’t get the technology to work at all, meaning that important meeting with a client on another continent can’t happen? 

And have you ever had this happen with a board room full of clients?

If so – you know the result: scrambling, frustration, regret at…

Integrated smart homes bring the home owner a new level of ease and comfort through automated systems and greater control specifically tailored to the family’s needs and preferences. 

Why not bring that same level of facility and comfort into your business?

Imagine digital locks for all your business’s doors, so that you know exactly who can access the building…

Solar energy is now easier and less expensive to install in your smart home or business. But there are still some serious issues – like when the main power grid is down and your home cannot access its stored solar power. Fortunately, innovators like Robert Madonna and his team at Racepoint Energy are quickly developing solutions to allow smart home owners the flexibility and control they…

So you’ve secured your property with state-of-the-art surveillance cameras. But what happens when you actually need to review that surveillance video? While you were away for a two-week vacation, how do you find the moment when a mysterious man in a long black coat tried to break into your car? Do you really have to sit and scan through hours of video?

Meet…

This year marks the century anniversary of Daylight Savings Time in the U.S. Lighting is also a prime way to reduce our energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions. In honor of saving daylight and energy, let’s take a look at how integrated lighting systems like Lutron can help a smart home save energy while basking in the perfect light all year long.

One of the most basic…

Looking for the perfect new table for your entry hall? New sofa for your family room? New lamps for your bedside tables?

Amazon’s AR View app can help you explore interior design options right in the room you’re looking to upgrade. AR View brings the world of augmented reality to your fingertips, allowing you to view 15,000 objects in your space and purchase products…

If you’re a smart home owner, you’ve likely heard the term “Internet of Things” or more recently the “Internet of Intelligent Things.” 

What do these terms have to do with the way your home knows just what lighting scheme you like for dinner, what music you like to wake up to in the morning, and what time to lower the shades in the garden room?…

We have smart home devices to make our lives easier, right?

But with so many different smart home devices and brands, remembering which app raises the blinds and which one raises the temperature can make home life even more confusing and frustrating. Using a different app for every device can create more chaos and confusion than not having the device at all. 

Ideally, hubs…

It’s possibly the least exciting part of owning a smart home – network security. 

Nobody wants to think that their fabulous new television, refrigerator, or thermostat needs protection from possible hacker attacks. What would a hacker do if they could access the thermostat, anyway? 

Well, quite a lot, actually.

A hacker getting into your internet-co…

Are we in the world of the Jetsons' kitchen? Not quite, according to a recent…

Over the past few weeks we’ve looked at building your dream home theater for your smart home. This week, we look at the third and final piece to creating the ideal experience: the perfect audio system.

Your home theater can have the most advanced image technology available today, but without the audio, your viewing experience will be average, at best. Luckily, a home integrator…

Now that you’ve found the perfect…

This past week, the world’s largest tech expo convened in Las Vegas for the annual unveiling of thousands of new products and presentations from leading tech…

Are you ready to create the home theater of your dreams?

While HD TVs offer some incredible images, if you’re looking to bring the true theater experience to your own home, a projector and screen are just what you need to make an authentic, all-encompassing event for your next family movie night.

Let’s start with a brief introduction to home theater screens for your…

Looking for a new HD TV for your home theater? 

Today’s HD TVs offer a wide range of options for your best viewing and home design. With today’s technology, you can get an optimal picture in a device that’s fully able to integrate into your existing smart home platform, with an aesthetic to complement your home's architecture and your personal design preferences.…

Guests in town? Introduce them to your smart home 

When you have guests visiting your smart home, one of the most fun parts of your welcome can be introducing them to your unique family member – your integrated smart home.

It could be a bit like Iron Man introducing his friends to his integrated home computer, Jarvis. 

You want to make sure your guests…

Some of the best features of a smart home happen when nobody’s home.

While you’re away enjoying your vacation, your smart home is taking care of business. It will update you on any unusual activity. It will make sure the environment is just as you want it to be. It will keep the lights on as if you and your family are still home. And you can monitor security and…

The family refrigerator: is it any wonder it’s become the center of modern family activity? It’s the one place around which everyone revolves at least three times a day. This one appliance not only holds our provisions, it’s also the major communication hub, often holding the family calendar, lists, notes, mail, photos, reminders, and on and on. 

Visionary…

Are you looking to bring together all your home systems into one seamless, automated, easy-to-manage platform?

Savant – the elite system in home automation – offers you an elegant, integrated platform that you control from a single, intuitive app. Savant unifies and simplifies your home – and your life. 

With varying levels of systems to fit any home,…

If you’re looking for the Rolls-Royce of home automation systems, Lutron HomeWorks QS may be the perfect fit for your home.

This premium home automation system elegantly integrates the control of daylight, electric light, audio/visual systems, security, and HVAC systems with beautiful design options and energy-saving technology. HomeWorks QS can integrate with existing…

Does your home have one system for lighting, another for your home theater, and another for security? Are you juggling too many automated systems? Ready to streamline and simplify?

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At Jackson Hole AV, we believe true peace of mind lies in simplicity. Finding the right control unit for your smart home or business can simplify your management of automation systems, greatly improving the quality of lfe for you and your family. 

Just as a home automation system can integrate all your technology in a simple platform, finding the right control unit can optimize…

Getting enough sleep is crucial for living a healthy life. Current research shows how stress and environmental factors – like looking at a blue screen before bed – interrupt our natural circadian rhythms and prevent us from getting a good night’s rest. Integrating optimal lighting into your smart home can help you…

New home theater options abound for everyone from the sophisticated viewer to the newcomer to integrated home cinema. An array of recently-released products offer outstanding opportunities to enhance the home viewing experience while integrating with the home owner’s current technology and architectural design.

Stewart Filmscreen has released a new borderless screen to meet the…

North America represents the most advanced, largest market for smarthome, or home automation, technology. According to a CNBC report, 80 million smarthome devices were delivered worldwide in 2016, a 64 percent increase from 2015. Experts predict that number will be at least 130 million smarthome devices delivered in 2017.[1] So, what does that mean? Well, if you&rs…

*Image courtesy of Engadget

Each January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the place to track the newest trends in tech, and this year, one trend was clear: voice controls. As tech manufacturers introduced their newest and…

If you’ve ever considered adding solar to your home or office, now might be the time. According to a study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, solar is about to become the cheapest form of new energy available—cheaper than wind and, in some places, cheaper than coal or natural gas.[1] You could potentially install a solar system on your home at half the…

Jackson Hole is town with many high-design homes, so it’s no surprise that many of those homes also have advanced technology such as home automation and lighting controls. One of the most popular lighting control systems for many years was LiteTouch, and it’s what you’ll find in the vast majority of Jackson Hole homes. But now there’s a problem: LiteTouch, the company,…

If you’ve looked into adding technology to your home, you’ve probably learned that some tachnoligies, such as home automation, can add ease, convenience and cost savings to your life, but did you also know that a high-tech home can actually be worth more as well? If you’re considering selling your home, adding some strategic features can actually draw more buyers and…

Tech To Know: Rheem EcoNet

Each summer, we talk a lot about your options for lowering heating and cooling costs by controlling the amount of sun that comes through your windows. But what about the rest of the year? Did you know that 65 percent of your home utility costs come from heating, cooling, and water heating? What if you…

If you’re looking to create a home theater that provides a true theater experience, a TV just might not be enough for you: it could be time to consider a home theater projector. In our last post, we discussed some of the top home theater projector screens,…

Today’s TV technology, particularly with 4K and HDR, offers some pretty mind-blowing viewing experiences. But for some home theater aficionados, nothing quite compares to the…

Tech to Know: WyreStorm Enado AV Control System

AV control systems aren’t the flashiest, most stylish choice you’ll make when designing your home AV or home theater system. But they might just be the component that makes you happiest. That’s because a robust AV control system can ensure that your AV system actually does the things you want it to…

You can design your home with handmade works of art, beautiful fabrics and rugs, and custom-made furniture, but if that’s all you do, you’re missing a whole dimension of design: light. With Lutron Homeworks, you can use the full spectrum of…

If you’ve always wanted to enjoy the beauty of giant windows, but dreaded the sun-baked, overheated rooms, high energy bills, and total lack of privacy that would come with them, you might have considered motorized shades. That’s an excellent option, and motorized shades have never been more stylish and technologically advanced. But if shades aren’t your style, you have…

When you live in a beautiful place, and the weather is just right, why would you want to go inside, even to watch the big game? And what could be better than inviting everyone over to float in the pool and watch that can’t-miss summer TV show? If you can’t get enough of the beautiful outdoors but you still need your screen time, an outdoor entertainment space might be the perfect…

Savant is in the top ranks of home automation and audio/visual technology providers, so when they release new software, it’s always worth a close look. This spring, Savant released Savant 8.0, a new software version. It includes the usual suspects, things like firmware, but here’s what most people will really care about:

• Improved licensing plans
• Sonos…

Smarthome technology offers major benefits for all home owners, many of which we’ve discussed quite a bit—things like increased efficiency, lower utility costs, and…

Summer is here, and smarthome technology can make your coolest, most efficient and cost-effective summer yet. Here are a few of the latest ways to make your home smarter for the summer season.

But first, a note: a lot of free-standing smarthome technologies exist, and they can provide some great functionality, but to get the best results from your smarthome, work with a home automation…

Until the early 19the century, we were in many ways prisoners of the dark. Our daily lives and our work were dictated by the rising and setting of the sun. Sure, there were oil lamps and later gaslights, but they were costly and limited. Then, with the advent of the electric light, everything changed. For the next century or so, electric lighting would reign supreme, but today, thanks to…

Summer is upon us, and those hot days will inevitably bring skyrocketing electric bills. But who’s home all day to adjust the shades during the hottest parts of the afternoon? Motorized, battery-powered shades provide a simple solution, and if you choose the right ones—such as Lutron’s Sivoia QS Triathlon line—you’ll get a lots more…

Light is transformative. It makes everything seem happier, easier, more doable. Everything, that is, except a few crucial things like seeing images on a screen or, say, sleeping. What’s more, light coming through windows also brings heat, and while a home with enormous windows might be exactly what you want at some points in the day, at others it’s more economical and private to…

There was a time when home theater speakers were made to be heard and not seen. They were unobtrusive, sleek, most always black or custom-made to fade right into your home theater décor. But, home theater friends, those days are behind us. Some of the newest, cutting edge quality speakers are coming out in bold new designs and colors that are meant for showcasing. Here are a few of your…

We’ve all asked ourselves this question: Why is my Internet so slow? Everything seems to be connected, online and working … it’s just slow. Painfully so. These days, when so many of our everyday tasks depend on the Internet, a slow connection can be more than just frustrating. But a slow Internet connection isn’t a problem you have to just accept. Here are the three…

If you’re a home theater buff, then you are lucky: there has never been an era of more exciting home theater technology developments. You’ve got 4K/UDH and HDR delivering the richest, most vibrant pictures ever, Dolby Atmos bringing home the most realistic sound to date, streaming services to deliver content that works with all these advanced systems and new technology coming out…

As 4K/UHD, HDR and Dolby Atmos have the home theater world all abuzz, many enthusiasts are asking…

We’ve been talking a lot about lately about the visual side of your home theater system, specifically your newest and greatest TV options like UHD and HDR, but every home theater…

Last week, we talked about whether the time is right to upgrade your home theater to 4K, but a discussion of exactly what kind of 4K technology to invest in could never be complete without getting into one of the buzziest tech topics: High Dynamic Range, or HDR.

What is HDR?

As we discussed last week, 4K or Ultra High Definition (UHD) TV is about getting a…

New technology can be thrilling, especially when it results in a home theater or media room viewing experience that is truly next level. But as each new home theater technology—3D, HD, OLED, plasma and so on—has emerged, big questions came along with it. Does it provide a performance boost that’s truly worth the extra cost? That’s a big one. But even those technologies…

In part one, we looked at how home voltage might be poised to take a more efficient—and safer—downturn, thanks to new smarthome technologies like the Tesla Powerwall. This isn’t the first time that the low voltage home has been considered, however.

In the 1980s, the …

Unless construction is a hobby of yours (or your career), chances are pretty good you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the voltage built into your home’s electricity system. But chances are even better that—no matter who you are—you’ve spent some time looking at your electricity bill thinking, Why does it have to be so high? For decades,…

Smart home technologies get more intelligent and plentiful every day, so it’s no surprise that a wealth of smart tech exists to enhance your enjoyment of one of your home’s most relaxing rooms: the bathroom. Here are just a few of the smart ways you can make your bathroom both more enjoyable and efficient.

• EvaDrop shower.…

We’re all familiar with Wi-Fi and its capabilities for allowing our devices to connect wirelessly, but even though wires weren’t required, until recently an Internet connection of some kind was necessary. Soon, however, your devices might be able to communicate with one another even when no Internet connection is available…

As much as we’re all looking forward to the Jetsons’ style smart home, those days are still many years into the future. Smart homes are a reality—and they can deliver huge benefits and significant conveniences—but they don’t just happen at the push of a button. If you’re ready for your smart home now, check out these tips to help you design and create the…

The article below is a great discussion about where smart home technology stands. Exciting technological advances debut constantly, but if you’re waiting for one device that connects your entire home, you’re going to be waiting for a while, particularly if you have a large home. Some devices exist that attempt to achieve that, but even those are only suited for small homes.

You might not realize it—most people don’t—but there are certain places in your home where your money essentially just … disappears. Those places are your windows. According to the U.S. Department of energy, 25 percent of your utility costs could be going right out the window. Luckily, there’s a simple solution that will not just save you money, but also add…

Whether you’re a person who waited in line for your newest iPhone or someone who resists technology as long as possible, chances are, once you got used to having these handy devices around, you loved them. That’s why, when they suddenly slow down or freeze altogether, it can throw a big wrench in your life. But have no fear: by following just a few monthly maintenance tips and…

Having trouble with a certain device in your media cabinet? Try rebooting it. You can do this by holding the power button until it shuts down. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging it from the wall, or if you have a power strip, flip the switch and wait about 10 seconds.

Everything has a computer in it in this day and age. DVD players can run applications that only PC used to run.…

When you invest in the best technology for your home theater experience, you want to do everything you can to maintain and protect that investment. Here are the top ten things to remember to ensure that your home theater is always ready to perform.

1. Do use the right cleaners. The highly specialized materials found in your home theater, such as your screen…

Jackson Hole AV is Excited to introduce our Jackson Hole Home Theater tip. It’s inevitable, DVD’s get dirty, scratched and stop playing. And while wiping it down on your shirt might work, here are some other options that’ll work even better.

Rubbing Alcohol and Water

Mixing one part water and one part rubbing alcohol makes a very effective cleaning solution.…

How to Make Your Home Theater Audio/Video Equipment Last as Long as it Possibly can

You just finished putting a lot of money into your new home electronics. It’s all installed beautifully in an A/V rack and tucked into a cabinet out of sight. You’ve put a lot of work into that new system and you are of course going to take care of it, if you didn’t, it’d be…