CE Pro Community

Home Security

2008-11-03T21:38:50-06:00

We opened two years ago as a two-person, part-time CE installer. We have been successful in the home audio and home theater markets and have also done a limited amount of CCTV. Because we have targeted middle income housing and have not pushed the high-end market, we have not done any home security systems. We realize there is a lot of opportunity with home security and we are starting to get interest from builders of high-end homes. We want to start slow and cover our bases before doing an installation. Are there any resources that anyone would recommend for learning more about home security?

Thanks

Reactions to California TV Ban

2009-11-18T14:09:18-06:00

California just passed a ban on inefficient TVs starting in 2011. Has government intervention gone too far or is this something our country needs?

Here are the two sides: the CEA says the ban will hurt the economy and eliminate about 4,000 jobs in California; the CEC says the ban will save California residents money and save enough energy to power 864,000 single-family homes.

If you’re a California-based CE pro, how will this impact your business? If you’re a non-California-based CE pro, do you care?

Motorized Shades

2008-06-02T07:52:33-06:00

How many of you guys are offering motorized shade control? If so, who are you specing and what are some of your issues?

Nomos

2009-10-27T09:04:11-06:00

Hello,

anybody know this system ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WufdKiXCQRE

regards

Mike

Controlling Velux skylights w/ URC remotes?

2009-07-16T11:26:02-06:00

Has anyone been able to control Velux skylights with URC remotes, or any other programmable remote for that matter?

These skylights have their own remotes, which are IR based, but also have settings of their own through dip switches.

If anyone has dealt with Velux skylights, I would appreciate your input.

Thanks!

Trying to get opinions and maybe some help

2009-09-12T20:32:16-06:00

Ok. I’m working on a probably the most interesting setup I’ve done since starting in the A/V industry. We have a customer who has a 65” Pioneer Elite Plasma. He also has a Sony Projector in the same room as the plasma with a drop down screen that covers the plasma. We installed an Anthem D2V rcvr because of the dual display over HDMI capabilities and because of the upscaling capabilities. We’ve gone through 3 different Anthem D2Vs and even installed a new video board in the most recent Anthem and have done all the most recent firmware updates.

Hook up to displays:
Pioneer Elite (HDMI)
Sony Projector (HDMI using Key Digital Balans over Cat5)

Sources:
2 Comcast cable boxes (Component)
Oppo Bluray (HDMI)
PS3 (HDMI)
XBOX 360 (HDMI)

The problem we are having is that every source works fine on the Projector but when we switch to the Plasma we get everything until the Projector turns off and then we don’t get the PS3 on the plasma. If you unplug the Projector HDMI from the Anthem the PS3 starts working on the Plasma so we figure it’s a HDMI handshake issue.

We just recently installed a Gefen HDMI 1-in 2-out splitter. Everything works fine on both sources including the PS3 on the plasma even when the Projector is off. So we shut down the system and did some other work in the house and then left. about 30 min later the customer calls us saying he’s how not getting anything on either display. We go back, turn on the system, no video. my partner unplugs the Gefen and then plugs it back in and once again everything works. So now we have to go back and install a switched outlet so the Gefen is only on when the system turns on and hope fully that works.

Questions I have is has anyone had anything like this happen to them? Does anyone have any suggestions for other solutions if the Gefen doesn’t work (this job is turning into a losing battle cause we keep having to go back)?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post just wanted to get as much info out there as I could to get everyone who reads this on the same page.

CATV signal meter

2008-12-03T12:46:09-06:00

Does anyone have a recommendation for a CATV signal meter? We are looking for a meter reading 5-approx 900 mhz. If you have a recommended source, please include that, too. Thanks.

Crestron Mobile Pro - Application Setup

2009-10-13T14:50:53-06:00

Just wanted to give you guys a link to a recent article we put up regarding setup of Crestron’s Mobile Pro iPhone application. It can be difficult when you first try to use these things, so we put together a comprehensive setup procedure to help you get started. There will be a few articles within the upcoming days regarding tips and tricks for the application as well.

http://www.xsdesignstudios.com/articles/article103/

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post here or on our site and we will get back to you. Thanks and hope this helps some of you.

ASCAP Issues for commercial installs - Pandora?

2009-05-07T19:35:30-06:00

Can I install a device in a commercial installation that receives Pandora music? (i.e. the Samsung 1600 Blu Ray player or something similar)

Are there issues with ASCAP licensing with a device like this?

Thanks a lot everyone.

Weirdest Places You’ve Installed A/V

2009-07-09T08:09:33-06:00

I went to InfoComm at it got me to thinking about the commercial settings in which CE pros install products. Sometimes it must be pretty surreal.

For instance, apparently prisons are big market for video installations (including teleconferencing) with a high ceiling for growth. But installing products in prisons must be extremely nerve-racking and weird.

What about “adult” clubs? Somebody must be installing the audio/video in those places.

There must be plenty of other strange installation settings. Please share your amusing (or disturbing) stories .... keeping them clean, of course.