Archive

AMX and Lutron have debuted a co-branded lighting control solution, the ALD-H48.

Do you know how much your software costs you? This is the software that you own, as well as the software that you write...

The custom electronics design and installation industry is growing at a rapid pace nationwide and in Canada, according to a new survey from CEDIA.

The worldwide value of consumer-oriented video subscription services delivered via the Internet will grow to more than $4.6 billion in 2008.

Home networking complexity reduces both satisfaction and brand loyalty.

47 percent of consumers planning to buy surround sound systems say they will spend $1,000 - $5,000 on home theater products over the next...

It is much easier to design systems starting with a blank canvas, but the challenges that retrofitting systems present can sometimes be even more...

An unmovable basement door was one of a few recent challenges faced by Broomall, Pennsylvania's Hi-Fi House in the design and installation of a...

Documentation and drawings are vital to complete the job quickly and accurately, yet our industry often proceeds without them; you add value with your...

With myriad power line conditioners available, which is the best?

Even as the number of video-on-demand users rises, consumer interest in VOD service remains lukewarm due to concerns about pricing and a continued lack...

Even as the number of video-on-demand users rises, consumer interest in the service remains lukewarm.

Use common sense. In the end, it all comes back to us and our respective companies.

We are at a time when both the number of different types of signals that we have to distribute throughout a house and the...

Even if you arent planning to sell your business today, its worth putting the effort in now.

Connectivity pioneers Mark Morgan, Eric Smith and Will West have returned to the custom systems industry with their new company Control4.

It was a short move, only three miles as the crow flies. But for Richard Ades, the opening of a spectacular new demo facility...

The DVR market should expect PC penetration.

Kaleidescape CEO, Michael Malcolm, describes the essential process of technology licensing.

Vonage is adding 20,000 new lines a month, while AT&T's CallVantage promises one million subscribers by end of '05.

Providing good quality audio, video and control for the exterior areas of homes poses some special challenges. With careful application of products and a...

The latest space being wired for stereo isn't inside, it's outdoors--in the garden, on the deck or patio, at poolside and amidst flower...

Have you seen the $4,000 Viking stove and the $6,000 Sub-Zero refrigerator in the homes of your clients? How about the wine storage cabinets...

According to In-Stat/MDR, the continued need for broadband sharing and a growing interest in entertainment networking will drive the total value of equipment with...

Working effectively with custom cabinetry.

There are two types of installers in our industry: those that are passionate about what we do, and those that have barely enough knowledge...

Who are the best salespeople? Owners. And what do owners like to do when their business grows? Hire salespeople. And thats where the problems...

Dealers need creativity and technique to sell the lighting control experience.

After years of hype and promises, high-definition television (HDTV) services have finally captured the imagination of a small, but growing, audience of TV viewers.

Just as important as being selected for projects by discerning clients, it's equally important that we choose our customers.

You should turn to subcontractors for as many day-to-day processes as you can.

For pristine aesthetics and rich surround sound, in-ceiling speakers are a great installation choice.

To be successful, a residential user interface must be attractive and aesthetically consistent with a reusable structure.

According the latest report by Quixel Research and Home Theater Research Group (HTRG), the dollar value for flat televisions surpassed the $3B mark in...

In this issue, I will attempt to outline one of the most vital daily communications in our industry: tracking order changes.

The day will come, sooner than you think, when the fat margins we’ve enjoyed in custom installation will melt away. Companies with strong financial...

This month I thought I'd share a story about a current project that has hardly been perfect. It is an example of how sometimes...

In the control system business you may be familiar with the typical finger-pointing scenario where the software programmer and the hardware installer argue that...

Thin connectivity products are making a big comeback in custom projects.

It's essential for subcontractors to feel more comfortable with your company.

It is critical for those of us who sell and install HD systems to not just experience HD, but to truly live with it.