Tag Archives: home automation

Blog, Press Release

Southwest Audio Visual Is San Diego’s Leader in Home Automation

268302_SWAV

SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwired – Aug 12, 2014) – San Diego home and business owners can now experience added convenience to their fast-paced lifestyles with home automation fromSouthwest Audio Visual. Southwest Audio Visual specializes in delivering customized home theater and home automation services with reliable software and advanced smart technology to San Diego residents and businesses.

Home automation from Southwest Audio Visual delivers service based directly on San Diego clients’ needs. The company sets itself apart from other home theater installers by providing home automation for San Diego residents in a personable, professional manner. They are the number one choice for clients looking to get more from their home entertainment systems.

“As San Diego residents ourselves, we’ve noticed the need for added convenience to our daily lives,” says owner Jim Diez. “We’re looking to make our fellow San Diegans’ lives easier through smarter home technology and home automation packages.”

Southwest Audio Visual has a reputation for being an honest and approachable provider of home automation in San Diego. The company not only suggests what clients need but also takes clients’ ideas into consideration to get the job done. Their personalized and complete approach to home automation allows for their full, undivided attention to each job.

“Our home automation services are customized for all San Diego business and home owners’ needs,” Diez assures. “It seems futuristic, but home automation is built with accessibility in mind. It’s intuitive.”

Southwest Audio Visual’s home automation services allow homeowners access to the latest hi-tech entertainment and home conveniences straight from their smartphone or tablet. Their complete home automation systems come with many features, including:

  • Home theaters
  • Lighting control systems
  • Surveillance systems
  • High-speed, wireless Internet
  • Stereo systems (including speaker systems and iPod inputs)

The company provides support for their clients even after home installation, ensuring clients understand their newly installed system inside and out.

About SWAV

SWAV has built their name in San Diego home automation by exceeding customer expectations with their personal approach and professional work ethic. They bring high-end audio visual equipment, music and television installation, and home theater systems to home and business owners all over San Diego County. They combine their knowledge of the most advanced technology in their field to offer services in designing, consulting, and installing top-of-the-line automation systems wherever they’re needed.

Blog, Home Automation

5 Things You Won’t Miss Once You Have Home Automation

So you’ve finally outfitted your house with a complete home automation system. While home automation systems grant many conveniences, they have other, less obvious advantages as well. Southwest Audio Visual would like to share five things you won’t miss once you’ve got home automation system.

1. Wondering if you locked the front door.

Security isn’t something to take for granted. With your home automation system, you can rest easy knowing that you command total security at your fingertips. Secure your house with the best home automation software for remote locking and security monitoring. You’ll sleep in peace knowing your reliable home automation system is on the job.

2. Tripping over wires.

If wires infuriate you, turn to the best home automation systems. They’re anything if unobtrusive, and you won’t need to stumble through a mess of cables ever again when you’ve set your home automation system’s speakers in just the right place.

SWAV also provides wireless home network service to further eliminate messy wires, so all your devices have instant connectivity to your home automation system.

3. Rummaging drawers for extra blankets.

The weather can be fickle here in San Diego—no sooner have we stored away our winter wear than a sudden chill can send us scrambling to their warmth. Luckily, we can rely on the best home automation to warm us up. Home automation systems provide convenient temperature controls that you can access anywhere—as simple as getting your phone out of your pocket.

4. Wondering if you left the light on.

You know the feeling. That itch in the back of your mind that you know means you’ve left a light on—just as you’ve gotten comfy in the next room! Your smart home system can cover for you, so you won’t have to leave your snug spot. Your phone or tablet contains all you need to turn off lights left on from anywhere in the house, so you’re free to get as cozy as you like.

5. Finding the remote.

No more diving between the couch cushions! The best home automation systems allow you convenient TV control that’s easy, intuitive, and best of all—right in your pocket.

Put these inconveniences behind you. Check out home automation systems from SWAV—contact us today!

Blog, Home Automation

Narrowing the Decision between Cable or Satellite

Cable or satellite— both deliver television programming to your home, but which is ideal for your home theater installation? Southwest Audio Visual compares the two to help you decide which is best for your custom home theater.

How They Work

Cable receives signals via radio frequency transmitted through coaxial or fiber-optic cables, while satellite receives them via communications satellites by an outdoor antenna, usually in the form of a dish which home theater installers can set up.

Installation and Availability

Before you get too excited about choosing cable or satellite for your home theatre installation, you need to know which one your home can support. Unfortunately, cable is available only near its service providers, while satellite is available everywhere for a convenient home theater install—provided the dish is able to face the right direction.

Both require installation—a junction box for cable, a dish for satellite—that home theater installers can set up. For an easy home theater install you can count on, including your cable or satellite, contact SWAV today!

Cost and Contract

Most cable providers set up month-to-month subscription plans that generally cost more than satellite; however, cable providers such as Cox offer bundled subscriptions to TV, internet, and phone services, which can make for a more complete home theatre installation.

Satellite contracts often last up to one year, and some companies have begun offering bundled services for home theater installation as well.

Reception and Programming

Signal reception for cable home theatre installation is often more reliable than satellite, which may suffer due to obstructions such as trees, buildings, or heavy rain. However, basic satellite packages usually come with more channels than that of basic cable, offering a more complete home theater installation experience with fewer extra purchases.

Cable or satellite—the choice is yours! Southwest Audio Visual is here to deliver the best home theater install in San Diego. If you’re looking for a home theater installation to deliver everything you need for high-quality TV entertainment, let us help! A custom home theater installation is just a call away.

Home Automation, Home Installation

5 Classic Film Scores You Need to Hear through Home Theater Speakers

Film scores can serve many functions. They can amplify a certain mood or feeling, show foreshadowing, and move us emotionally—and they can do these things even better when they’re played through top rated home theater speaker systems from Southwest Audio Visual! Just one listen to these five classic film scores and you’ll be convinced you have the best home theater systems in San Diego!

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Fewer scores are more iconic than John Williams’s opening theme for the Star Wars saga, but Empire manages to beat the other films due to its introduction of the instantly-memorable “Imperial March.” This is Williams at his best—home theater systems only make that more apparent.

Dr. No (1962)

The best home theater sound systems deserve to be tested to their full potential, and Dr. No provides quite the test. What’s become known as the quintessential “James Bond theme” is among the most replicated (and parodied) pieces of music around. The theme is both seductive and explosive at times—just like the life of the professional spy.

A Summer Place (1959)

It’s likely you’ve heard the theme for A Summer Place even if you’ve never seen the film, and its romantic theme is even more effective on the best home theater sound systems. For an experience that’s just the best, home theater sound system’s speakers should be turned up and the lights turned low.

The Pink Panther (1963)

Henry Mancini’s expertly-crafted theme sneaks along in a jazzy, fun style with just the right mix of mystery and whimsical promise. You’ll feel quite the classy cat when you’re swinging to this theme playing from your top rated home theater system’s speakers.

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly (1966)

Possibly the most recognizable piece of film music ever created, composer Ennio Morricone perfectly captures the gritty, tension-filled world of The Man with No Name and his best pals. Play it loud and proud—the best Western of all time deserves the best home theater systems.

Blog, Home Automation, Home Installation, News

1080i vs 1080p: Which TV Should You Choose?

High-resolution picture quality heightens any custom home theater experience, from the Sunday Chargers game to a concert by the San Diego Symphony. But to truly make the most of your home theater in San Diego, you need to choose which TV works for you: 1080i or 1080p? Southwest Audio Visual has all the home theater questions and answers you need to take your custom home theater to the next level.

“Interlaced” vs. “Progressive”: What’s the difference?

These formats differ in how they display images on home theater systems in San Diego. While both 1080i and 1080p provide HD resolution for your custom home theater, a 1080i TV essentially shows an image twice, flashing once for the even pixels, then again for the odd ones. This process is called “interlacing,” and it occurs so fast you probably won’t detect it—unless you’re watching scenes with lots of motion.

1080p resolution—or “progressive”—shows an image by scanning each row of pixels line by line, providing a smoother, sharper image than 1080i.

Here’s an example: When you’re watching the Big Game on your home theater—San Diego Chargers running a final touchdown, of course—you’ll see a more fluid image on a 1080p TV.

Bottom line: 1080i vs 1080p?

Eventually, you’re going to have to commit to one of these for your custom home theater. If you watch a lot of local sports or action-packed movies, there’s no question that a 1080p TV is the best pick for a home theater installation in San Diego. However, if you favor dramas or other entertainment that doesn’t involve a lot of high-speed action, a 1080i TV can work just fine for your custom home theater.

A 1080p TV can bring out the best in your custom home theatre. San Diego specialists SWAV are here to help you achieve your dream! Contact us today for a consultation for a home theater installation in San Diego!

Blog, Home Automation

How Home Automation Can Enhance the World Series

Although the World Series isn‘t for another few months, you can start prepping for it right now with home automation products from Southwest Audio Visual! With a fully integrated home automation system, you can throw a World Series party like no other for you and your team of diehard baseball fans. If you’ve been looking for new, cutting-edge ways to enhance the World Series, look no further than home automation electronics from SWAV!

Crisp Sound

High-quality speakers are essential home automation electronics that can greatly enhance your World Series experience. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in your surround sound home automation products and revel in the crack of the bat and the thud of the ball landing in the catcher’s mitt.

It’s never been easier to listen in on dugout banter with these home automation products—our smart home systems sound so crystal clear, you’ll love the extra entertainment between plays.

Cool Atmosphere

Things can really start heating up around the seventh inning, and we mean that literally; October has been a surprisingly hot month in recent years. However, your house’s smart home products can easily regulate and administer much-needed air conditioning to cool off rising tempers and temperatures.

Seamless Screen Swapping

You and your friends can maximize your fun by swapping to a next-gen gaming system during commercial breaks. Home automation products make it a cinch to change from one video and audio output to the next, so you’re always connected to the action—whether you’re watching the game or playing one.

Come October, our home automation products will ensure you won’t miss any of the action. Contact us today to make sure you have everything you need for an unforgettable World Series with SWAV, the leaders in San Diego smart home products!

Blog, Home Automation, Media

5 Epic Movies to Show off Your Home Theater

These days, the word “epic” is a signifier of larger-than-life, sometimes grandiose forms of media. Despite the term’s oversaturation in popular culture, “epic” is the only way to describe the following five movies when seen on your custom home theater. So sit back, dim the lights with your home automation system, and enjoy this list of epic movies from home theater San Diego specialists Southwest Audio Visual!

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Regarded by many San Diego home theater enthusiasts as one of the best movies you can test on a new home theater, Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece was made with “epic” in mind. It features stunning cinematography as wide and vast as outer space, as well as a massive opening credits sequence that’s just begging to take advantage of your home theater installation. San Diego, trust us when we say you want to see this on your system!

Jurassic Park (1993)

Nothing says “epic” like dinosaurs come to life! This film based on the Michael Crichton novel of the same name captured the imaginations of moviegoers worldwide with its realistic CG effects. These special effects still hold up today, and are the perfect chance to show off the capabilities of your home theater. San Diego even plays a part in the film’s sequel, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”— a good opportunity for an epic double feature, maybe?

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Many consider LOTR as one of the progenitors of the modern usage of “epic,” and it’s easy to see why. Intense battle scenes, sweeping visuals, and a memorable film score all contribute to a fantastical experience for any home theater in San Diego.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Another favorite of San Diego home theater enthusiasts, particularly for the opening naval battle, Master and Commander is a great choice for showing off the bombastic qualities of your home theater. Crank those speakers up, and try not to get wet!

Forrest Gump (1994)

You were expecting Saving Private Ryan? While Gump doesn’t quite sit on the same lists as other American war epics, it sets itself apart from the crowd with its heart-wrenching drama. But there’s plenty for home theater San Diego enthusiasts to like: the film features a classic soundtrack that includes tunes by Elvis Presley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, and many more notable time period specific performers.

For peerless home theater installation, San Diego specialists SWAV can give you what you need for a movie experience that’s truly “epic!” Contact us today!

Blog, Home Automation

Seamless Solutions for Integrating Home Theater into Your Home

Even for audiophiles like us, we at Southwest Audio Visual understand that an excessive amount of A/V equipment out in the open can really ruin a room’s décor. But before you resign your house to its fate, there’s hope yet! We’d like to offer the following solutions for seamlessly integrating custom home theater into your home with wireless home automation.

TV and Speaker Wall Mounts

You need a lot of space to get the full experience from your custom home theater. Your TV, speakers, and various devices all require stands that serve no other purpose than to maintain your custom home theater; however, all that leaves less space for room essentials such as furniture. With complete wireless home automation, you can do away with unsightly stands and can begin saving floor space with TV and speaker wall mounts. Your equipment will look like it’s floating in midair, offering a smooth, uncluttered look to your entertainment room. You’ll never go back to a traditional TV stand again!

Sliding A/V Wall Panels

Sliding panels operated by wireless home automation can create a sleek hiding place for your A/V racks when they’re not in use. You can have a home theater installation that integrates your equipment right into the walls and seems to disappear—only reappearing when it’s needed thanks to the convenience of wireless home automation.

Unite Your Entertainment and Your Décor

Even with the previous solutions in mind, you may not want compromise your artistic style. Luckily, SWAV has a wireless home automation solution that’s sure to please both your tech-savvy and your artistically-conscious sides. With our professional home theater install, we can custom integrate your A/V equipment right into your art! You can cover your television screen with your favorite piece of artwork, and enable it to slide in and out of place at the push of a button in a way that won’t break up the room’s feng shui.

We also offer efficient cable management and equipment placement know-how to get you the best home theater installation possible. Seamless home theater solutions are at your disposal with Southwest Audio Visual!

Blog, Home Automation, Home Installation

Essential Elements of a Custom Concert Hall

Wouldn’t it be great to have your own concert hall? You don’t need a grand concert hall—a dedicated music-listening space is available to you with peerless wireless home automation and home automation products from Southwest Audio Visual! Whether you’re planning for intimate acoustic performances or just a place to kick back with your favorite tunes, SWAV recommends these essential elements for creating a custom concert hall:

Surround Sound Speakers

Obviously, the most important home automation products are going to be great speakers. Hardware that gives full sound and projects even the subtlest musical elements will change the way you experience music. With wireless home automation, your speakers can be both effective and non-obtrusive, adding to the stylish décor of your concert hall instead of hampering it.

With a home automation system from SWAV, you won’t even have to leave your seat to change volume or control the performance—all that and more home automation products are at your very fingertips. With your personal concert hall, YOU’RE in control!

High-Definition TVs

While sound is of course the main focus, your custom concert hall can also benefit from visual elements. Hi-def televisions are just perfect for accompanying great tunes with engaging graphics, or for reining in wandering eyes. A home automation system that makes use of both sight and sound makes your concert hall even more effective and unforgettable.

Plush Seating

Everyone would agree that it’s important to have somewhere to sit during the listening session—but plush seats can also give the concert room some much-needed acoustic dampening. Soft seats are not only comfortable—they will also enhance the already impressive sound quality to sound richer and lusher than ever before.

SWAV wants your home automation system and home automation products to provide the most incredible audio visual experience possible. Contact us to learn how we can add seamless wireless home automation to your home today!

Uncategorized

Making Your Room’s Acoustics Work for You

Nothing beats immersing yourself in your custom home theater. But to truly capture the majesty and magnificence of your favorite films, you need to make the most of your room’s acoustics. Staying conscious of how your room interacts with the sound from your home automation products can go a long way towards getting optimum custom home theater sound. Southwest Audio Visual is committed to ensuring the room you’ve chosen for home theater installation is working with you—not against you.

Balance Direct Sound and Reflected Sound

Custom home theater acoustics can be tricky. Therefore, it’s important to keep a balance between direct and reflected sound in home theater installation. While you may be satisfied with the direct sound waves that reach you from the speakers, you may be missing out on reflected sound waves helping them achieve a fuller sound. Therefore, the placement of your home automation system is of utmost importance.

What you need is a mix of diffusive materials and absorption materials.

Diffuse the Situation

It’s no use to completely rid your room of reverb—an overly dampened room can be just as ineffective as an under-dampened one. Many diffusive materials, such as wood, feature hard, uneven surfaces to help scatter sound around the room. Typically placed on walls and ceilings, diffusors can help make full use of your sound to truly immerse yourself in your films. If your theater is a multipurpose room, diffusing sound can be as simple as spacing out books on a bookcase so the sound has more space to move.

Absorb, Absorb, Absorb!

You should also add absorption elements that will catch those pesky sound waves bouncing around your room. This can be as involved as adding “egg crate” foam pads to your home theater installation, or as simple as hanging heavy curtains over your windows. Luckily, a wireless home automation system ensures the curtains won’t interfere with their function, and will leave you free to enjoy your film without worry of something catching.

These are just some of the basics. When you call SWAV, you can count on us to make sure your custom home theater is operating at its utmost efficiency. A proper home theater installation may take extra effort, but it’s well worth it!