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Category: Entertaining

Top Reasons to Upgrade to a Smart Home with SCS Home Entertainment

Are you tired of constantly getting up to adjust the thermostat or turning off lights in every room? Or do you wish you could control your home’s security system from your phone? It’s time to upgrade to a smart home with SCS Home Entertainment. With advanced automation technology and innovative solutions, SCS Home Entertainment can transform your ordinary house into a modern and efficient smart home. From controlling your home’s lighting, temperature, and security to enhancing your entertainment experience, there are countless reasons to make the switch. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top reasons why upgrading to a smart home with SCS Home Entertainment is a game-changer for your daily life.

Unmatched Convenience at Your Fingertips

Imagine controlling your entire home with just the touch of a button or a simple voice command. With SCS Home Entertainment’s smart home solutions, this level of convenience is not just possible; it’s within reach. No more running through the house to turn off lights or adjust the thermostat. Whether you’re cozy in bed or miles away, managing your home’s lighting, climate, and even appliances becomes effortless. This seamless integration into your daily life not only simplifies routine tasks but also allows you to focus on what truly matters, providing an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience.

Enhanced Security for Peace of Mind

Enhancing your home’s security with SCS Home Entertainment smart solutions offers unparalleled peace of mind. Smart locks allow for keyless entry and give you the power to grant or deny access remotely. Integrated cameras provide real-time surveillance viewable from your smartphone, anywhere in the world. Automated lighting can mimic your presence, deterring potential intruders. Plus, instant alerts to your phone about unusual activity ensure that you’re always informed and ready to react, keeping your home and loved ones protected at all times.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Smart homes equipped with SCS Home Entertainment systems can significantly lower energy bills through intelligent management of heating, cooling, and lighting. Programmable thermostats learn your schedule and preferences, adjusting temperatures for optimum comfort and efficiency. Smart lighting systems use energy-saving LEDs and turn off automatically when rooms are unoccupied, reducing unnecessary power consumption. Moreover, remote monitoring allows you to control your home’s energy use from anywhere, preventing wasteful spending on utilities. These smart features not only contribute to a more sustainable environment but also translate into considerable cost savings over time, making the investment in a smart home system a wise financial decision.

Personalized Living Experience

One of the standout advantages of upgrading to a smart home with SCS Home Entertainment is the ability to tailor your living environment to match your preferences and lifestyle perfectly. From waking up to your favorite music to having the lights dim as you settle in for the evening, a smart home adapts to your routines, enhancing your daily life. Smart scenes can automate tasks based on the time of day or your activities, ensuring your home always meets your needs in the most efficient and enjoyable way. This level of personalization not only adds convenience but also enriches your living experience, making your home truly your own.

Simplified Home Maintenance

Smart home technology from SCS Home Entertainment simplifies home maintenance by allowing for proactive monitoring of your home’s critical systems. From detecting leaks early with smart water sensors to ensuring your HVAC system is running efficiently with smart thermostats, these intelligent solutions help prevent minor issues from becoming costly repairs. Automated schedules for system checks and maintenance reminders keep your home in top condition, reducing the hassle and time involved in upkeeping your living space. This automation not only extends the lifespan of your home’s components but also provides a seamless way to manage home maintenance tasks effortlessly.

Integration with Entertainment Systems

Upgrading to a smart home with SCS Home Entertainment means elevating your entertainment experience to new heights. Seamlessly integrate your audio, video, and gaming systems into one easy-to-use platform. With smart control, you can orchestrate all your entertainment options from a single device—be it a smartphone, tablet, or voice command. Imagine streamlining your movie night preparations or setting the perfect ambiance for a gaming session with minimal effort. This integration not only simplifies access to your favorite leisure activities but also enhances the enjoyment of your home’s entertainment offerings, making every moment more engaging and fun.

Give us a call today to get started on your new Smart Home planning, 417-887-9558.

The Benefits of Smart Home Solutions with SCS Home Entertainment

Transforming Your Living Space: The Benefits of Smart Home Solutions with SCS Home
Entertainment

In today’s fast-paced world, home automation has become a necessity for every homeowner.
With the rise of modern technology, your home can be transformed into a smart home where all
your equipment and devices can be easily managed with just a touch of a button. In this blog
post, we’ll tell you about the benefits of smart home solutions and how you can achieve this with
SCS Home Entertainment. Read on to learn more!

Convenience and flexibility

Smart home solutions give you the convenience and flexibility of controlling your home’s devices
from anywhere, anytime. Whether you are at home or away, smart home devices help you keep
a close eye on things and provide peace of mind. For example, you can turn on the lights,
control the temperature, or lock doors even if you are not at home.

Enhanced Security

Smart home devices come with state-of-the-art security features, which means you can be
assured that your home is safe and secure. From video surveillance systems to motion sensors,
smart home security will give you the peace of mind you deserve. You can even receive
real-time alerts when something is amiss, which allows you to take immediate action.

Energy efficient

Another benefit of smart home solutions is that they help you save money on your energy bills.
Smart devices such as thermostats, lighting systems, and motorized window shades
automatically adjust to your habits, so you’re not wasting energy on things you’re not even
using. This means you conserve energy, reduce waste, and ultimately save money.

Entertainment and Comfort

Smart home solutions provide an excellent platform for entertainment and comfort. For example,
with a well-designed home automation system from SCS Home Entertainment, you can easily
manage your music, TV, and other entertainment devices from the comfort of your couch.
Imagine being able to play your favorite tunes or stream movies from the comfort of your bed.

Increase Property Value
Last but not least, smart home solutions can enhance the value of your property. As more and
more people start to embrace home automation technology, smart home solutions are becoming
an essential selling point. Potential homebuyers recognize the perks of having a smart home,
and the investment you make today will pay dividends when it comes time to sell.
Smart Home solutions can transform your living space in ways you never thought possible. They
offer convenience, security, sustainability, entertainment, and increased property value. At SCS
Home Entertainment, we offer state-of-the-art solutions that help homeowners enjoy the benefits
of a smart home without the hassle. Contact us today, and let’s take the first step in transforming your living space.

Your Cinema: Creating the Ultimate Home Theater Experience with SCS

Imagine having your own cinema-like experience within the comforts of your own home. No
more driving to the movie theater, paying for tickets, and dealing with noisy crowds. Instead, you
can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows in the privacy of your own home. With SCS, you
can create your own cinema and have the ultimate home theater experience. In this blog post,
we will share some tips and tricks on how you can create the perfect setup for your home
theater.

Choose the right room: The first step in creating your home theater is selecting the right space.
Ideally, you should have a dedicated room with minimal windows and natural light. This will
allow you to have more control over the lighting and acoustics. If you don’t have a dedicated
room, you can still create a home theater by using a portion of a larger room, such as a
basement or a living room.

Pick the right screen: The next step is selecting the right screen. There are different types of
screens to choose from such as fixed-frame, motorized, and portable screens. You will also
need to consider the aspect ratio of your screen, which is the ratio of the width to the height of
the screen. The most common aspect ratios are 16:9 and 2.35:1. Lastly, you will need to choose
the right screen size based on the dimensions of your room and the seating layout.

Install the right sound system: The sound system is an essential part of your home theater
experience. You can choose between a simple soundbar or a more sophisticated surround
sound system. A surround sound system typically includes multiple speakers placed around
your room, such as in the front, back, and sides. You will also need to consider the quality of the
receiver and the amplifier to ensure that you get the best sound quality.

Control your lighting: The lighting in your home theater can significantly impact your viewing
experience. You want to make sure that you have complete control over the lighting in your
room. This can be achieved by installing dimmer switches, blackout curtains, or smart lighting
systems. You can also consider adding ambient lighting to enhance the aesthetics of your room.
Select the right seating: The final step is to select the right seating for your home theater. You
want to make sure that you have comfortable seating that is positioned at the right distance from
the screen. You can choose between traditional movie theater seating or more luxurious
reclining chairs. You will also need to consider the layout of your seating to ensure that
everyone has a clear view of the screen.

Creating your own cinema with SCS is a fun and exciting project. By following these tips and
tricks, you can create the ultimate home theater experience. Remember to choose the right
room, screen, sound system, lighting, and seating to create a comfortable and immersive
viewing experience. With SCS, you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows in the privacy
of your own home and create lasting memories with your family and friends. So what are you
waiting for? Start designing your personal cinema today!

SCS Sells & Installs TVs

PURCHASING & INSTALLING A NEW TV THROUGH SCS

If you are considering upgrading your home entertainment or workspace in the near future, a new TV set may be one of the first additions to your living room, home theater, or office. A new TV set can provide crystal-clear resolution, breathtaking landscapes, and high contrast for maximum visibility.

A few obstacles stand between you and your new TV set. First, you must sift through the wide variety of TV sizes, resolutions, and technologies available to you, before settling on exactly one that fits your specific needs.

Installing a TV can be a complex, difficult process, especially for DIYers without experience. An improper TV setup can damage your drywall and your new equipment, which can cost thousands of dollars to replace.

To avoid the hassle and risk of purchasing and installing your own TV, consider contacting SCS to guide you through the process. Here’s how SCS Home Entertainment can make TV upgrades seamless for you.

Choosing the Right TV For Your Space

SCS can help you form and detail your TV upgrade plans from the very beginning. An understanding of your room’s dimensions can help us decide which TV can be best for you. Large televisions in a small room can take up excessive space and prevent your audience from appreciating every detail. In the worst-case scenario, the television may not fit in the room at all. Conversely, small televisions in an expansive home theater space may require your audience to sit too close to the screen.

TV sizes are measured by their diagonal screen dimensions, and tend to sell in 55”, 65”, and 75+” models. 55” and 65” TVs can be suitable for most average-sized to large-sized rooms. SCS carries televisions in several sizes, which can help you determine which of our models fits your space.

After deciding on an appropriate TV size, consider a TV resolution that would fit your space and budget. SCS offers 4K Ultra HD TVs for crystal-clear resolution and stunning picture quality. We can help you find a 4K TV that fits your budget.

You may have existing TV accessories and equipment that require connections to your monitor. Make sure that your TV has the appropriate HDMI, auxiliary, and USB ports, as well as a suitable number of each. SCS carries models that provide these ports, as well as the latest Blu-ray players and projectors if you are looking for more upgrades. Alternatively, consider a television that integrates Smart technology, eliminating the need for external boxes and turning your TV into a web-connected, stream-ready hub.

Lastly, consider the lighting technology of your new TV. Internal lighting systems can affect the contrast of your screen, or how well it distinguishes between light and dark objects. SCS carries TV models with high-end OLED and Ultra-LED lighting, providing beautiful, clear contrast and brightness for any video you are watching.

If the luxury of choice concerning your ideal TV can be overwhelming, we’re here to guide you through the process, step-by-step.

Proper TV Installation

You’ve gotten your hands on the perfect TV for your home or commercial space. A DIY installation may require significant research, equipment, and manual labor, with a possibility of wear and tear down the road. Consider hiring SCS Home Entertainment’s TV installation service to save you time and money in the long term.

SCS’ certified installation team has years of collective experience in both home and commercial TV installation. Our installation process involves unpacking your new OLED or Ultra-LED TV  and mounting it on your wall of choice. We will connect your video components, conceal wires at your discretion, and assist you with setting up the Internet connection.

If you purchase a TV with Smart capabilities, we can integrate your new TV with the rest of your home and conduct a tutorial on its operation. We will also clean up and leave your home theater or commercial space spotless and ready for use. Our installation process does not end when our team leaves, either – we offer ongoing support if you have any questions or issues about your new TV.

Once you have planned out your purchase and install process, it’s time to make your new TV a reality. Whether you are planning your dream home entertainment setup, looking to upgrade a commercial space, searching for a TV technician, or planning a DIY TV install, contact SCS Home Entertainment for a showroom visit. See for yourself how we can bring your ideal home entertainment and commercial spaces to life.

So long to cinemas? Our watching habits after COVID-19

When you think about it, the entertainment industry as we know it isn’t very old. The first movie theater only went into business in 1905. From there, technology has rapidly changed to bring about a stunning evolution in home entertainment and theater experiences.

Throughout the film and television industry timeline, the way we’ve watched our favorite shows has changed time and time again. In under a century, families have gone from gathering around large black and white TVs at scheduled times for limited programming to seemingly limitless options spread among countless streaming platforms.

The way we watch is constantly changing, but once COVID-19 came into the picture, the entire industry had to evolve at a lightning pace.

Simultaneous Movie Releases

Before COVID-19, the movie theater was a regular part of many film lovers’ social lives. Movie fans would flock to theaters in droves for the latest blockbusters, packed together shoulder-to-shoulder to enjoy a shared experience with their friends and other audience members.

While many of these cinema buffs also sported impressive home theatre setups at home to indulge in the classics, a night at the movie theater was still a regular part of life.

Before COVID-19, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ had already hit the market. However, their catalogs only featured older films and television shows.

In March of 2020, movie theaters and film production studios nationwide were forced to close due to the pandemic. In fact, here in Springfield, MO, we saw famous chains like Alamo Drafthouse and AMC Theaters shutter auditoriums for months at a time. At first, these closures were thought to be short-term, but they extended intermittently for almost a year as the pandemic raged on.

For the majority of 2020, movies simply weren’t released. However, this wasn’t a viable long-term solution.

Back in the before times, in the mid-2010s, Netflix had set a precedent by releasing their self-produced feature films in theaters and on their streaming site simultaneously. While this was never done for large blockbusters, it set an interesting precedent for how studios and streaming platforms could pivot their content releases in a pandemic-plagued world.

So, Disney+ and HBOMax, owned by Disney and Warner Bros. respectively, decided to try something similar on their streaming services. For a premium fee, they allowed their subscribers to watch blockbuster movies at home on release day.

This led to a far more cost-effective way for home viewers to watch their films, with families only paying a single premium price instead of costly tickets and concessions in a theater. Additionally, for those with a premium home setup, utilizing large displays in 4k video and audio setups with cinema-style surround sound, the theater experience is almost entirely recreated at home.

The Future of Movies After COVID-19

Once you give people a feature they like, it’s hard to take it away. Unfortunately, this does prove to be a complex problem to solve for movie theater owners. For example, Disney+ released the Marvel movie Black Widow on both streaming and theaters in July 2021. This movie netted about $131 million in its first week in movie theater box offices. An additional $60 million of revenue came from Disney’s opening weekend streaming sales.

However, the National Association of Theater Owners has expressed their frustrations that sales in box offices could be higher if they weren’t competing with home streaming.

With movie theaters struggling to recover from a year-long shutdown, followed by low ticket sales as they reopen, it will be interesting to see how film distribution changes in the future.

In the end, it’s unlikely that large media corporations like Disney or Warner Bros. will take new movie streaming away entirely. However, with so many families enjoying movies at home, it’s more likely that we’ll see films better optimized for a home viewing experience first in the future, instead of the opposite way around.

As long as movie theaters exist, we’re sure there will still be film fans who partake in movie theaters. However, many in the industry anticipate that theater runs will become more limited.  With streaming media in the future made the priority, it looks like the home theater will be king. After all, in the comfort of your own media room, the snacks are plentiful, you can rewatch whatever you desire, and you’re free of the sticky floors of cinema aisles.

No matter what happens in the future of film, there’s no doubt that streaming services and their endless content libraries are here to stay. If you’d like to make your home watching experience more comfortable and immersive, we can help. Our experts at SCS Home Entertainment can help you design the perfect movie-watching experience. Call us at (417) 720-8282 or visit our showroom today to get started on your next project.

5 Tips to Perfect Your Spring Entertaining

Spring is in the air. It seems like after the winter holidays, the long isolating winter really turns into a grind. By this time of year, most of us are gearing up for sunny days, vacations and dreaming of summer fun. With COVID-19 vaccinations underway, some of our friends and loved ones are ready to meet up after a long time apart. As the vaccines continue, you may be ready to throw your first small party indoors but don’t forget those who aren’t yet eligible for their shots may be safer in outdoor settings.

With all that in mind, let’s get your spaces prepped and parties planned for your first exciting foray into entertaining for the year.

Tip 1: Start with a little spring maintenance

It’s easy to get complacent with a little more mess and a little less maintenance in winter. Your home automation system is a great resource to encourage you to keep up on occasional and annual tasks. Set an automated schedule to remind you of important chores like cleaning your central vacuum system, clearing out the gutters, or scrubbing the grill.

With extended daylight, you’ll also want to adjust your lighting to fit the new season. One great way to do this is to set up your automated lighting system is to adjust your light scenes to fade in and out with the sunrise and sunset.

Tip 2: Give your spaces some color

Once your living spaces are ready to go, why not give them a little upgrade? Your home theater, living room, or centralized kitchen can benefit from splashes of blossom shades. Use peel-and-stick temporary wallpaper to give your entertaining space a seasonally appropriate or floral hue. Match it with some vibrant throw pillow colors and rainbow drinkware for a fun space fit for celebrating spring.

To kick it up a notch, many automated lighting systems feature colored lights. Have fun creating a unique lighting mood and color palette for your next party or just a night at home.

Tip 3: Light up the grill for an early-season BBQ

No matter what anyone tells you if it’s warm out, it’s grilling time. Give your grill an annual scrub and break it out for a much-needed early spring BBQ. Invite your guests to join you on your patio for afternoon drinks and eats.

Outdoor speakers are the perfect addition to any outdoor entertaining setting. Use your speakers to kick up the jams or play some lively, spring-themed ambient noise with soft lo-fi for a more relaxing approach.

Tip 4: Delight the kids with an outdoor Easter party

Easter is near and with it comes colorful candy, Easter dresses, and hunts for treat-filled plastic eggs. Host your neighbors or family for a festive Easter egg hunt in your backyard.

Make the day extra special by using your short-throw projector to show fun Easter favorites like Peter Rabbit or It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown on an outdoor screen. Lay out picnic blankets and let the kiddos enjoy the show and their candy while the parents kick back and relax.

Tip 5: Throw a spring movie party with popcorn that makes a statement

Spring isn’t always beautiful sunny days. When there is a surprise burst of winter weather or rain drowns your plans, don’t dismay. Take the party indoors with a spring movie party.

Let your guests enjoy your home entertainment system with fun and uplifting spring movies like Eat Pray Love or The Secret Garden. With a front-row seat and a large screen, the beautiful spring blooms will come to life for you and your guests.

With your guests nestled in, you can wow them with bowls of easy salty and sweet popcorn that are sure to make a statement.

 

Sweet and Salty Candy Popcorn Recipe

8 Cups of Fresh Popcorn, salted and buttered

1 Cup chocolate covered peanuts

1 Cup of mini pretzels

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups minis

After salting and buttering your fresh popcorn, place it in a large mixing bowl. Combine the chocolate covered peanuts, mini pretzels, white chocolate chips, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis into the bowl with the popcorn. Gently mix and serve.

 

Spring is an exciting time of year when the weather is mild, the flowers are in bloom and now that vaccinations are underway, your friends and family will soon be ready to socialize. After a long time apart, fun small gatherings with family and close friends are quickly becoming reality. While the projected openness of summer is a bit away, you can still have fun this spring with the right company.