A home theater can deliver a cinematic feature directly to your own home, complete with immersive surround sound, crystal-clear resolution, and movie-grade seating. If you’re interested in upgrading your home entertainment setup in time for the upcoming blockbuster or pro sports season, a brand-new home theater system could be the solution you’re looking for.
The truth is, every aspect of a home theater room, from the speakers to the furniture to the layout itself, can affect your entertainment experience. A premier entertainment experience is the goal of a home theater, so it stands to reason that your home theater setup is as optimal as it can be.
Here are a few reasons why you should rely on a proven home theater design and installation company like SCS Home Entertainment to craft the perfect entertainment space.
Lower Overall Costs
At first glance, it may seem both cost-effective and rewarding to tackle a DIY (do it yourself) budget home theater room. While a DIY project means foregoing consulting, installation, and labor costs, you’re potentially missing out on valuable input and experience from industry veterans.
Without professional input, you may run the risk of buying incompatible equipment, concealing wires poorly, calibrating your A/V equipment improperly, failing to meet the electrical requirements of your new setup – the list goes on. The end result? High costs, disrupted plans, and an unsatisfactory home theater room that you’re now stuck with.
On the flip side, getting in touch with a trusted home theater installer like SCS guarantees a smooth, efficient installation process. The peace of mind that SCS can bring you during home theater design and setup can save both time and money in the long term.
Access to High-End Equipment
Consumer-grade and professional-grade home theater equipment may not always be one and the same. Brands that sell home theater speakers, furniture, projectors, and other equipment may reserve their high-end products exclusively through certified distributors.
SCS carries Ultra-HD projectors, Blu-ray players, televisions, home theater projectors, and other high-end equipment. We network with trusted brands such as Sony, B&W, and Klipsch to deliver movie-grade A/V experiences right to your home. That’s an experience you might not achieve with a DIY setup.
Valuable Industry Experience
Home theater experts can provide insight, suggestions, and efficiency that you simply can’t get anywhere else. A proven installer like SCS Home Entertainment can snake wires, calibrate equipment, and automate your setup more effectively than a DIYer. You get what you pay for when you work with an installer: an efficient, detail-oriented home theater installation.
SCS can also assess and improve upon your home theater ideas from the beginning. With our help, we’ll settle on a home theater layout that fits your goals and budget. We can also optimize your new home theater setup to make the most out of your top-of-the-line equipment.
SCS can make your home movie theater ideas a reality. Schedule a visit to our showroom and see how we can craft an immersive, engaging home entertainment space for you.
Many of us have embraced at least a little bit of smart home technology in our lives. Maybe you like the convenience of one or two connected devices, like a single home assistant or an internet-powered security system.
In 2021, however, maybe it’s time to take things a step further through deeper smart technology integration and automation. The opportunities are endless to customize your home to perfectly match your desired levels of comfort, convenience, and connectivity.
Smart Home Automation
The biggest emerging trend in 2021 has to be smart home automation. While many of us use at least one smart device, we aren’t using them to their full potential. Automation can be as simple as setting up your devices to work on voice commands from your phone or hub or more complex.
For example, if your home has a smart thermostat, lights, and locks, profiles could be created to set your home to the ideal away temperature, ensure lights are off, and doors are locked when you leave home for work. When you return, your home could already be heated to the perfect temperature and lights will be on to greet you just as your door unlocks.
Another option is using your smart lighting system to create the ideal light environments for sleep and waking. Set your lights to slowly dim in the evening and wake you with a gentle sunrise in the morning.
The possibilities for smart home automation ideas are endless. With a tick of a clock or the touch of a button, your music, media, room temperature, and lights can all be switched to your preferred setting. Just imagine, if you can dream it up and have devices to support it, it can probably be automated.
Home Security
We spent a lot of time at home in 2020. As much of the workforce returns to their offices in the spring of 2021, it’s important to start thinking seriously about protecting your home and investments. Smart home security systems aren’t new, but there are important features beyond simple cameras and phone-activated doorbells that can enhance home safety.
In 2021, we expect to see more security systems featuring facial and voice recognition to allow the system to identify household members and dissuade intruders. Another major upgrade we expect to see in home security is updated cybersecurity. After all, our home automation and security systems are connected to our personal networks and record our comings and goings. This type of information could be highly desirable to certain criminals and must be kept safe.
Localized Home Zones
A home zone can be as small as a room or as large as the majority of the house. These zones define certain smart features that can be activated or deactivated in certain areas. An example of this would be if you have a smart thermostat with zone capabilities. In the winter, the majority of the house could be set to one zone, while bedrooms could be set to another. This would allow you to keep the house cold when not in use and the bedrooms comfortably toasty, then reverse it when you are up for the day.
Zones allow smart home owners to lower their utility costs and reduce energy waste while creating comfortable environments tailored to the person in them.
Stylish Smart Home Accessories
Many smart home devices came onto the market prioritizing functionality over form. Most sported the same clean white aesthetic, which is somewhat appealing to minimalists but sticks out sorely in many home color schemes.
Smart devices are looking to blend into your home further, now coming in attractive colors, shapes, and patterns to best fit your personal style.
Smart shades and lighting
Smart lighting has gained a lot of traction in recent years and was one smart device that gained a lot of early adopters. When you include smart shades into the mix, however, you get a fully customizable ambiance. Raise shades and lower shades while simultaneously adjusting your overhead lights to the perfect level without ever leaving your seat using smart home hubs or automation. These combinations, especially when set up in home zones, can save utility money while providing a comfortable atmosphere for any situation.
In 2021, your smart house can integrate with your daily life even more. As you embrace automation, your connected devices will help make comfort, aesthetic, and safety nearly effortless.
A bigger focus on the IoT (Internet of Things)
On a base level, most of us understand what the internet is. If you think about it, until recently, it was only us using computers or mobile devices to access it. Well, as smart homes, cars, and devices have hit the market with WiFi connectivity, there are a lot more devices connected and sharing data on the internet.
This network of devices, from complicated ones like self-driving cars to a humble Wifi-enabled microwave, are all part of what is called the IoT.
As the Internet of Things matures, we’ll see more smart devices learning our daily routines without having to tell them through voice, button, or time commands. Instead, they’ll respond to other aspects, like the atmosphere and our daily life actions. Doors could potentially unlock when they recognize our faces, our blinds could lower when we queue up a movie, or our thermostat could make the room more comfortable while exercising.
Privacy from Big Tech
While the safety of your family from intruders is a real concern, there is also the issue of protecting your private data. Many smart hubs are currently manufactured by industry tech giants that profit off of advertising data. While this data creates an internet where advertising is finely tailored to you, many of us value our personal privacy and life data and don’t want it shared with advertisers.
At SCS Home Entertainment, we offer a unique smart home system that offers cutting edge AI and smart home automation without selling your data. Josh.ai is a powerful solution that can manage all aspects of your connected home through natural language and pattern learning, with your data only being used to improve your experience—never to be sold to advertisers.
If you’re ready to give your home a smart upgrade, we can help. At SCS Home Entertainment, our knowledgeable staff can help you every step of the way—from selecting the right smart devices for your home to expertly installing and automating your home zones.
It’s the future. We’re here to help you embrace it.
Some of us are well-prepared to be the Ultimate Technology Gift Giver. You know the type—the expert who fights crowds to grab the latest tech trend (and all of its various connectors or controllers) before they dive into installation like an old pro.
But for the rest of us in all the excitement of holiday gift-giving, we tend to forget just what an undertaking setting up our sound system or home theater can be. This year let’s avoid the hassle of untangling yourself from the mess left behind in an inexperienced installer’s wake (we’re looking at you, big box guys).
Make your holiday surprise easy by thinking local. Avoid the crowds and spend time working with actual product experts who can ensure your new toy will work with your setup and aesthetics, then dispatch expert installers out to get the job done right. No untangling required.
Still, looking for ideas on what tech gifts to give? Here’s a bit of inspiration to get you started.
Smart home setups for the homeowner
Control of your own space is surprisingly liberating. Smart home setups can give your loved one the safety and peace of mind of a security system, along with the convenience of a connected environment. Lights, thermostats, security cameras, appliances can all be controlled using the seemingly endless possibilities available with smart home systems. Nothing says holiday cheer like a home of the future.
Connectivity possibilities: The possibilities are endless. Control lights, media, appliances, smart shades, and more with the touch of a button. Smart homes seem effortless, but there is an extensive amount of setup involved. From installing the apps, setting up hubs, to finding the right connected equipment, a guide is best when giving your home an intelligence boost.
Big screen TV for the sports fan
As football season gets to the playoffs, you don’t want to miss a moment. The larger your TV, the closer you are to the action, provided your resolution is high enough. Shoot for 8K Ultra High Definition to maximize the beauty and longevity of your display. Some brave the bitter cold to be in the stands, but you can get the same experience at home without freezing your tail off. Grab a beer and kick back in your personal front row seat.
Connectivity possibilities: With newer TVs, the possibilities are limitless. You’ll of course want to connect it to any media devices and audio setup, but also consider connecting it to your smart home system, cell phone, or computer for extra fun.
Projectors or outdoor TV for the backyard entertainer
In 2020, entertaining at home took a totally different turn. What used to be movie nights and Netflix binges in the comfort of your home theater turned into outdoor dinner parties in an instant. A great way to bring the movie magic with you no matter where you are—inside, outside, or even your Man Cave or She Shack—is through a short-throw projector. For a more permanent solution, consider making your patio or backyard into a staycation retreat with a watertight outdoor TV.
To really bring the magic to your outdoor entertainment system, outdoor speakers can bring premium sound while blending in beautifully with your landscaping vibes.
Connectivity possibilities: Since most projectors don’t come with built-in speakers and no one wants to use the built-in speakers on a TV, you’ll want a portable audio solution or an outdoor speaker setup for enriched sound.
Home networking for the young family
Between you and your family, how many devices do you have floating around? Cell phones, tablets, printers, computers, smart devices, security systems—there’s a lot to juggle. By giving your home a WiFi boost with access points and following it with a home networking system, we can create a secure network that utilizes and protects all of your gadgets seamlessly.
Connectivity possibilities: Relatively endless. If you have multiple devices on your network, connectivity can be the key to seamless functionality and fun.
Soundbars for the home audio minimalist
Wireless soundbars are often underestimated, but many offer a clean aesthetic in any room with enhanced sound capabilities. Soundbars are perfect for rooms with a chic design or to incorporate with an already robust sound system.
Connectivity possibilities: Wireless soundbars can work with your current sound setup or solo with your television, computer, or smart devices.
Pool and game tables for the not-so-tech-savvy
Some people prefer to be a little more analog, and that’s ok. Home entertainment doesn’t just include televisions or media centers. Consider a game room outfitted with premium foosball or pool tables. Fun for the whole family with nary a wire in sight.
Connectivity possibilities: While these gifts avoid the general issues of connectivity, a home entertainment expert can help you pick out the right style and look for you or your loved one’s game room setup.
At SCS Home Entertainment, our staff are experts in audio and visual technologies. We can help you select the perfect gift for your home. Our experienced installers are experts at what they do. They will install your new home entertainment system to its fullest potential, ensuring it looks great, sounds great, and lives up to its premium possibilities.
So, this year let’s skip the cramped aisles and disinterested sales folks of the bigger chains. We may not be elves, but our helpers are ready to make Christmas dreams come true.
With many movie theaters’ doors staying closed, home theaters are becoming an increasingly popular way to enjoy the luxuries of the movies from the comfort of your home.
As more people than ever invest in their entertainment spaces, new trends are also arising. Keep your home theater ahead of the curve as you update your entertainment room to provide a space for making lasting memories with your family and friends.
Home Theaters Used for Multiple Purposes
When home theaters first began to grow in popularity, they were typically made into miniature versions of actual movie theaters with stadium seating, dark lighting, and a big screen on the wall.
These are still common today, but many people opt to create a space that is more multi-functional. Instead of only being able to use the space to watch movies, new entertainment spaces are intentionally built to offer something for each member of the family.
They can be used for the original purpose to provide endless movie nights and host watch parties for the Superbowl or season premiere of The Bachelor. But they can also be used to play video games, listen to music, or even to follow home workouts and yoga videos.
Customized Screens for Your Space
Screens are bigger and brighter than ever before. There are a variety of types and sizes of screens to make your space unique.
Ultra-short-throw projectors can create a very large image on a screen or wall from a short distance. They are affordable options that offer the flexibility to easily be moved around for a variety of activities. These great for a multipurpose room because you can easily change the size and shape of the screen depending on its intended use.
Add even more flexibility to your setup with a combination of flat panel screens. These come in a variety of prices and sizes to customize your wall display or use it as a drop-down. You can also combine these displays to create a multi-functional space.
Combine your screens with control equipment to customize your entertainment experience at the touch of a button.
Updating to 8K Resolution
Along with the size and type of screen, another rising trend in home theaters is = full ultra-high definition resolution. 4K screens have recently become the industry standard, but 8k is now the most up to date version.
8K screens offer a higher level of PPI with a crisper and smoother display. 4K screens will quickly be switched out for 8K so as you update or install a home theater, look ahead to the digital future to stay up to date as streaming services quickly transfer over to this.
Instead of investing your money in older technology and updating later, you can save time and money in the long run. Investing in the most up to date technology will also provide you with premium resolution and elevate your viewing experience.
New Surround Sound Equipment
Sound helps create the immersive experience you expect from a movie theater, so many people are choosing to invest in soundbars and surround sound. New sound equipment can connect to devices, wi-fi, and voice control to make all of your technology work together as one cohesive unit.
These speakers can also be custom catered to your desired experience. For example, surround sound levels are very different when you want to listen to music compared to when you’re watching a movie. New speakers can seamlessly be tailored to the media you’re enjoying, whether you’re enjoying a quiet documentary or rocking out to a streaming concert.
Innovative Lighting Solutions
In the past, home theater rooms were typically dark, cave rooms. While low light is ideal for watching movies, it makes it harder to use the space for other activities.
Now, the best of both worlds is available. You can have a bright and airy room and still block out the light and glare while watching movies with smart shades.
These are the perfect solution to any of your lighting struggles and allow you to change the brightness and ambiance with the touch of a button. Now, no one has to interrupt the movie to get up to adjust the lights.
Many people no longer want a dark movie room, so these shades combined with colorful LED lighting for added flare are a great way to make your entertainment room fun, stylish, and functional.
Reflect your style
Once the main aspects of an entertainment room are set up there are many other elements to consider adding to make the space your own.
You can consider adding clean and subtle design elements to make it a common area for all family members to enjoy a variety of activities. These spaces can cater to the interests of everyone in the household.
Also, consider investing in comfy, large-scale lounge furniture to provide a spot for all of your family and friends at your next get together. To keep the space open, many families opt for functional furniture that leaves plenty of room for other entertainment like a foosball or pool table.
Regardless of whether you’re looking to update your current home theater or start from scratch, we can help make home movie magic. Our technology can be catered specifically to your home and needs. If you want a home theater up to date with all of the current trends, contact us today.
In the past Climate control meant changing the temperature on your thermostat, but now climate control is more sophisticated.Today’s systems can heat or cool your space more efficiently and save energy utilizing more than just the thermostat.
This is done by using advanced thermostats, lighting, and shading solutions in tandem to achieve full control over your climate. Together these integrated technologies allow you to check and adjust your climate from your mobile device or a control panel, making climate control easier and more effective than ever before.
Businesses experience increased productivity, enhanced environments for customers, and simple control from a single touch panel. Smart technology will set you apart and allow your business to run more efficiently than any competitor.
Each commercial space has its own unique set of needs for integrated technology. Consequently, businesses also need a unique set of smart solutions to provide business owners with the most efficient use of climate control.
This technology can be streamlined throughoutboardrooms, offices, conference rooms, and the entire facility to control lights, drapes, and thermostats with the touch of a button. Not only do these provide benefits of comfort and convenience immediately after installation, but overtime they also create savings.
Programming products into residential spaces gives homeowners a fully integrated system to seamlessly monitor the entire household. Everything can be connected to the internet and controlled remotely.
Regardless of the season or weather, smart climate control allows you to set your home or business to the perfect temperature. Keep your space comfortable at all times by monitoring and controlling your thermostat from your mobile device to turn up the heat before getting out of bed in the morning or turning off your AC when no one is there to enjoy it.
Use programmed settings to control your home automation system to save you energy. The ability to control and maintain a steady temperature reduces your energy bills and allows you to make informed changes to your energy efficiency.
Lighting Control
Lighting control gives you the ability to adjust lighting to increase efficiency with the press of a button. It gives the user the ability to raise and dim light levels and turn the lights off or on from anywhere.
This allows you to change the mood of any area in your home or business to best suit any occasion and fit any atmosphere.
It can also add to the security of your environment by automatically turning on all lights if any unwelcome activity is detected. Engulfing the area in light creates an added layer of safety in any room.
Lighting control systems save energy by utilizing natural light during the day and automatically updating to a different setting at night. This gives you the flexibility to instantly change the lighting based on the activity, time of day, and current occupancy of the room.
Shading Control
Although not directly related to your heating and cooling system, curtain and window fixtures can have a big impact on your electric bill. With motorized window treatments, you can easily add to your control of both the climate and lighting.
It controls the light let in to increase comfort to allow just the right amount of light in. It also works to protect your interiors. Light let in through the windows can be damaging to your furniture and home furnishings due to harmful sunrays, but motorized window treatments ensure the longevity of your space.
Blinds and curtains don’t just control light, but also impact the climate due to the ability of heat to be both lost and gained through our windows. Controlled shading can act as a barrier to heat loss and an agent for solar heat gain.
Thermostat, Lighting, and Shading Working Together
Let SCS put you in control of your indoor climate. An automated Climate control system will allow you to control one room or multiple rooms from a push of a button. Raise and lower your shades to heat and cool your home naturally while reducing your energy consumption.
Scrolling through social media this summer you’ll probably see lots of pictures of your friends and family members enjoying a vacation. It is easy to grow envious and want to immediately begin planning your own vacation.
Vacations are a great way to take a break from your responsibilities, unwind with a delicious meal and fill your days with whatever you want to do whether it’s sleeping all day or exploring new things. But vacations aren’t always a feasible option.
If you can’t get out of Southwest Missouri this summer, staycations offer an alternative that is just as good, if not better than any vacation you’ll see on your social feed.
Consider adding some fun new features to your home here in the Ozarks to make it feel more like your dream resort. While this might seem like a bit of an investment, these new additional features will be there for you to enjoy long after the staycation ends.
At the end of the week, you won’t be leaving behind all your new favorite amenities at the resort, because you’ll have invested to have them in the comfort of your own home where you can enjoy them for years to come.
Outdoor speakers: Set the mood for your vacation with the perfect feel-good-vacation-vibes playlist. Consider adding speakers to your landscaping that blend in beautifully with your yard because they are designed to look like rocks.
Home theater: An in-home theater is just what you need to have your own film festival at home to watch all your favorites. You can have themed movie festivals to watch patriotic movies on the Fourth of July and movies with great summer vibes like Mamma Mia, Jaws, Dirty Dancing, Caddyshack, Weekend at Bernie’s and many other great options!
Outdoor TV: Designed to endure the great outdoors, these are a great addition to any patio. Combined with twinkle lights and landscaping, this can make any backyard feel like you’re relaxing on the patio at a resort.
Smart Shades: These keep the sun from shining in your eyes, making sleeping in and pressing the snooze button so much easier.
Furniture and game tables: Most resorts have arcades for the kids to escape to when the parents need a break. So why not install your own ping pong, billiard and shuffleboard table? The kids will be endlessly entertained and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your staycation how you want to. Or invite some friends over for some friendly competition.
What Is a Staycation?
To put it simply, a staycation is a vacation at home. Staying in your own house might sound boring but done right it can carry just as many new adventures and joyful memories with your loved ones.
Staycations are customizable in every way! You decide how long you want it to be, how much you want to spend and what activities to do. Get creative with how you want to spend your time and choose what is right for you.
The best part about a staycation is that you are still close to the friends and family in your hometown. This means that you can invite others over to enjoy parts of your staycation while still taking time alone for yourself.
No matter what stage of life you are in, staycations are a great option. For families, they provide a fun week of bonding, especially with the kid’s home for the summer. For singles, they provide time for self-care, relaxation and entertaining friends. For empty nesters, they provide an opportunity to rekindle romance and invite extended family members to catch up.
Why Do You Need a Staycation?
After all of the stress of planning and executing a vacation, you’ll often hear people say, “I need a vacation from my vacation!” A staycation keeps you from feeling this way by giving you all of the relaxed feelings of rejuvenation without any of the budgeting and preparation.
A staycation keeps you from having to deal with the stress of booking the right hotel room, trying to make sure you pack everything you’ll need, travel expenses and worrying over who’s going to water your plants back home.
Instead, you can place all your energy on deciding how you want to spend every moment of your time. You may do some research, meal plan and book a few fun activities, but you won’t have to spend hours searching for the best deals in an area you’re not familiar with because it will be right in your hometown, allowing you to support local businesses.
Another benefit of a staycation is that you don’t have to worry about the weather ruining your plans by canceling your flights and keeping you cooped up in a hotel room when all you packed was bathing suits and sunscreen. You can plan for all types of weather with game nights and movies during the rain and picnics and long walks when the sun is shining.
On staycation, you still have the comfort of home with your own food, your favorite spot on the couch and your pets.
This means your furry companions will be able to keep you company and youdon’t have to worry about trying to find a trusted kennel or pay a friend to take care of your pets.
You also have your own kitchen stocked with all of your favorite foods, allowing you to indulge without feeling guilty. On vacation, it is easy to get caught up in all of the temptations. You eat a week’s worth of sodium in one meal because you’re on vacation, so why not? A staycation offers you the best of both worlds. You can still have all of the indulgences while focusing on your health and wellbeing.
Steps For Planning Your Staycation
Cut out work and cleaning:
While planning the best rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t do it on vacation, you don’t do it on a staycation. It can be easy to get caught up doing household chores and catching up on work, but your kids will grow bored quite quickly and it won’t feel much like a vacation.
Leave work at the office by setting your work email to send an automatic out of office message. Hire a cleaning service to clean your house top to bottom so your mind can focus on things other than dusting and vacuuming. Have dinner delivered from local restaurants you haven’t tried before.
Shut out the world by keeping your phones put away and the news off. It may sound drastic, but the best vacations make you lose track of time, so take your focus off what is going on in the outside world and simply relax.
Have fun choosing vacation activities:
Whether you are someone who follows a strict itinerary or if you prefer to spend your vacations spontaneously deciding what to do in each moment, for a staycation it is important to have a few things scheduled and built into the routine.
Building in activities will help grow the excitement for your upcoming staycation. While it can be a great time to catch up on all your favorite shows and movies, especially because most streaming services offer a free week trial, you’ll still want to ensure that you don’t look back on the week and realize all you did was binge-watch Netflix.
Allow each member of your family or participant of your staycation to select things they want to do so that everyone can make the most of their staycation. Some fun examples can include camping in your backyard, hosting a cooking night with friends, playing water games in the backyard, relaxing with a good book, trying an art or dance class, exploring your city/town or booking a new exercise or yoga session.
If you want to make some of these activities even more special than your average movie nights, consider investing in a home theatre or new game table. These provide endless fun that makes it a year-long vacation.
Set up a spa at home:
Create your own aromatherapy spa by investing your favorite scrubs, nail polish, face masks and whatever else you need to make it your personalized perfect spa day. While you may have to put the face mask on yourself, you will be able to keep and reuse all of your products instead of leaving them at the spa at the end of the day.
If you would rather have someone there to help pamper you, you can also go to your local spa for a day or relaxing indulgence or even hire a massage therapist who makes house calls.
Smart shades add to the relaxation and set the tone by allowing you to carefully control how much light comes into your home. Smart shades help meet all of your relaxation needs. They’re open wide for your morning coffee at sunrise and can give you a quiet, relaxing afternoon indoors, away from powerful UV rays.
Take little steps to achieve the hotel-feeling:
It’s the little things that make the hotel and vacation experience, so be sure to focus on details like buying a fluffy white robe, little soaps and sheets with a high thread count. It may seem silly, but if it adds to your staycation experience then it’s a win.
Add welcoming music with an automated sound system. Having a great playlist can really help set the mood; whether that be relaxing spa music, your favorite songs to sing and dance around the house to or Frank Sinatra in the background for a romantic dinner. For each change in scenery, simply change the music and dim the lights.
To get the full experience, have family members trade off on doing the turndown service each night by tucking in the sheets, folding back the covers and placing a chocolate treat on the pillow.
Following these steps and upgrading your home to make it the vacation resort of your dreams makes for endless fun, bonding and new memories. You’ll have all summer to enjoy your new amenities and be able to create a personalized space for a vacation that never ends. Call us for a consultation on how you can turn your home into the perfect resort for your staycation!
Why limit your patio and deck activities to grilling when you could add a fantastic outdoor entertainment system?
There’s a new generation of all-weather outdoor TVs and speakers that will turn your backyard, deck or patio into an unforgettable entertainment destination.
Bring Indoor Style Outdoors
Instead of getting limited use from a deck or patio, you can bring all your indoor comforts outside. It’s easy to create an outdoor living room that has it all: furniture, seating, lighting, rugs, grill and a fabulous weatherproof entertainment system.
Some outdoor havens even include amenities like an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, sophisticated lighting, a hot tub and more.
Plan Your Outdoor Space
You can find hundreds of idea-starters on Pinterest and Better Homes & Gardens. Some of the most popular outdoor arrangements are all-inclusive spaces that let you grill, watch sporting events, listen to music and much more.
If you have a backyard garden, you can add landscape speakers that blend with the natural surroundings. Some people even create “show sheds” in the backyard that let them enjoy music and movies in distinctive sheds that can be customized to honor a favorite sports team or rock band.
Some tips and FAQs about preparing your outdoor entertainment space:
If you have an enclosed deck or patio, will you be entertaining year-round?
Spruce up your backyard before beginning. Trim your trees and bushes to improve sight lines.
Assess the current condition of your patio or deck. Are there repairs that need to be made before installing an elaborate outdoor entertainment system?
Do you have enough space to consider creating an outdoor living room – or is your available space too limited for that?
Do you want an overall theme for the outdoor entertainment space? (e.g., sports, rock & roll)
If you have a backyard garden, will it complement the outdoor entertainment system? Should you add landscape speakers in the garden?
To minimize glare, install the flat-screen TV facing north if possible.
Determine whether the TV will be viewed on the deck or patio only – or whether it should be large enough to be seen throughout the backyard.
Similarly, determine whether the audio will be enjoyed primarily on the deck or patio – or whether you want immersive sound across the entire backyard.
Have you considered special lighting for the patio, deck or backyard? (e.g., landscape lighting, accent lighting for the patio, lanterns, etc.)
Choose Products That Stand Up To Sun and Rain
Ten years ago, it would have been difficult to create an outdoor entertainment system to rival what was possible indoors. But thanks to the latest advances in weatherproofing and component camouflage, you can enjoy an extraordinary outdoor system.
Many all-weather flat-screen TVs are triple-sealed so they can operate safely right next to your hot tub or pool. The components are both waterproof and freeze-proof. Plus there are many landscape speakers designed to look like rocks so they blend in beautifully in any backyard.
Hidden Outdoor Speakers Around a Pond
How To Choose An Outdoor-Rated TV
It’s important to remember that you can void the warranty of a standard indoor TV if you install it outside. Outdoor-rated TVs have all-weather exteriors that protect internal components from rain and sun. You’ll want to choose a model that features non-glare LED technology for excellent outdoor viewing, even on sunny days.
We Offer The Latest From These High-End Brands:
Séura makes high-end flat-screen TVs for both shady and sunny outdoor environments. The Shade Series is designed for covered decks and patios, while the Ultra Bright Series provides an impressively clear picture even in bright sunlight.
Martin Logan landscape speakers have a faux-stone finish that your guests could easily mistake for a backyard rock. They feature stainless steel grills to protect against water and UV rays.
Klipsch high-performance rock speakers also blend with backyard surroundings – and feature a woofer and tweeter rivaling any indoor speaker today.
Sonance Patio Series all-weather speakers offer a subtle, immersive sound experience. Sonance also makes “mariner” speakers that are specially waterproofed for either boats or backyards.
Bowers & Wilkins makes a rugged line of rainproof/sunproof outdoor speakers.
Get Expert Help From SCS
Creating an amazing outdoor entertainment system is more complicated than installing an indoor one. You’ll need professional help – and SCS has been Southwest Missouri’s #1 resource in home entertainment for more than 25 years.
Call us today or drop by our showroom to discover how you can bring the finest indoor technologies to your outdoor space this year!
Productivity starts with design, and many companies are missing out on simple and relatively inexpensive technological upgrades for their business. Keep reading to learn about 4 easy ways you can improve productivity with modern technology:
Smart Lighting is a Smart Business
Lighting is incredibly important for well-being in your office. In a recent study, the American Society of Interior Design found that 68% of American employees complain about the lighting situation in their office. Some complain that lights are too dim, while others complain that lights are too harsh, and most would prefer they have a source of natural light.
Thanks to modern technology, offices can maximize natural light while supplementing it with perfectly calibrated man-made lighting. There are systems available that will raise and lower motorized window coverings, blinds and shades while dimming and brightening light fixtures to create the perfect lighting throughout the day. These systems can also be easily customized from a smart device to avoid all that time you have spent trying to figure out which light switches does what!
Proper Climate Control is Essential for Employee Comfort
A study found that one-third of workers surveyed considered temperature as a primary workplace issue. Temperatures that are too cold can cause employees to make mistakes as they struggle to stay warm. Warmer temperatures can cause employees to feel fatigued and struggle to concentrate.
An improperly programmed thermostat doesn’t just make your staff uncomfortable, but also costs you money in the form of energy bills. Smart climate control makes it easy to keep your employees productive and your energy usage efficient. Our modern systems allow you to control temperatures, from anywhere in the world or run completely autonomously. Along with control via an app, you’ll have a simple and intuitive touch screen on the wall to control this and all of your other systems.
A Modern Audio/Video Control System Improves Productivity
Professionally installed and configured video conference solutions improve productivity and teamwork. Modern systems allow for instant collaboration with any part of the world. Remote presentations come to life, communication becomes easy, and your business shows off the look cutting edge look it has earned.
Presentation Matters
The right presentation solutions can keep your clients and employees engaged from the moment they enter your place of business.
Imagine this: A client walks into your business for a meeting. They see their name, company, and meeting time on the digital sign behind the reception desk. After they are lead into your conference room, you walk in and press the presentation button. Instantly, the lights dim, motorized shades lower, a projection screens lowers, and your presentation is displayed. That will keep their attention.
We realize when it comes to commercial spaces, one size does not fit all for integrated technology. When you work with SCS, we first seek to understand your unique business needs and create a solution that provides you with the most efficient use of the technology you need.
Let SCS simplify and streamline technology in your boardroom, conference room and throughout your facilities. SCS is the definitive source for centrally and globally controlling, managing and presenting information in the greater Springfield, Missouri area. You can now control and automate the lights, blinds, screens, thermostats and AV equipment-all from an intuitive easy-to-use touch panel, remote or keypad. Let SCS help you take control of the technology so you can focus on your business.
Face it, life is a competition where the person with the best home entertainment setup wins. You have to stay ahead of the competition if you want to be the one who hosts the big game. Let’s go over 6 things you need to make sure everyone on the block is begging to watch the play-offs at your house. With this guide you will have the best game day party in the lower 48.
1. A gigantic screen to put you on the field
You might be the coolest dude in the office, but if your TV isn’t up to snuff, nobody is going to want to come to your party. The most important thing by far is a proper home video setup. You want the best TV, and bigger is always better. You also want to make sure it can handle the latest video technology. 4K HDR is a must. You also have to make sure it is mounted properly. If you can swing it, the best option is a complete home cinema system with a projector and screen. We’ve got the options for you to make this happen, from the best TV for your budget to elaborate full home theatre installs.
2. A sound system that makes you feel every bone-shattering hit
You don’t just want to hear the sound, you want to FEEL it. Those speakers on your TV aren’t going to cut the mustard. Five speakers and a subwoofer is the MINIMUM to make sure you can drown out Brian from next door when he starts talking about his favorite anime hairstyles during 4th and goal. Ideally, you should to be able to give your guests a heart murmur with the unbridled power of your audio setup.
3. Make sure every seat is the comfy seat
You might have a nice recliner for yourself, but if your guests are forced to sit in camping chairs that you just knocked the spiders off of, you’re going to lose some points. You need the best furniture for serious game watching, and that doesn’t mean the cheapest couch you can find at the thrift store. It means high-end seating that is completely adjustable for every person in the room. It doesn’t matter how good your A/V setup is if your guest has a spring poking into their back. We’ve got the furniture that makes your mancave into THE mancave.
4. Gaming tables to occupy the kids.
Your friends are awesome and their kids are adorable. Most of the time. They are straight-up annoying when they are running around in circles in front of the TV while you are trying to use your force-powers to will the field goal attempt between the posts. This is where the gaming tables come in. Put a ping pong & shuffleboard table a couple rooms away and let them occupy themselves. It will be worth every penny to keep them out of your hair.
5. A second TV for the non-fans
We’ve got an even better option than continually cranking up the volume when your neighbor Brian won’t stop asking simple questions like, “What does first down mean?” Send him to a different room with a TV showing something he’ll understand, or maybe a YouTube video that explains the basics of football. You can even set up a “Basics of Football” training module for him on your Smart TV so that he can come back in a few minutes humbled and happy in his new knowledge.
6. My grandma’s chili recipe.
Just kidding, you can’t have it. I guess you’re stuck with the 2nd best game day party in the country. We’ll still help you with everything else.
You just found out that the entire extended family invited themselves to your house for Christmas again. Normally, your anxiety level would skyrocket as you worry about how you will entertain them and keep them happy. Not this year, this year you’ve been preparing with the help of SCS Home Entertainment. Here are just 5 of the many ways that SCS helps make Christmas more pleasant for everyone!
1. A Shuffleboard Table to keep Great Aunt Doris and her new boyfriend occupied.
Great aunt Doris showed up with her new boyfriend Roy, and he won’t stop giving you advice on how to cook the turkey. He even brought his own deep fryer, “Just in case.” Good thing you have the new gaming tables in the rec room. It reminds them of the shuffleboard they played on the cruise ship where they met, and they spend every hour of the day reliving those memories.
2. The home cinema room for all 7 of the kids.
Your cousin Jeff shows up with his five kids for an entire week each December. Between them and your two little ones, the house is non-stop chaos. Luckily, this year you had a home theatre installed. Between that and your subscription to Disney+, they stay as calm and cute as Baby Yoda.
3. The central vacuum for your brother Kyle that brought his 4 dogs.
You love your brother Kyle, and you love his dogs, but they each shed about a cubic-foot of fur each day. They are also horribly afraid of a standard vacuum and won’t settle down for an hour after you run it. Luckily, you installed a central vacuum with a sweep inlet. A few swipes of the broom into your automatic dustpan each day and you can enjoy the pups without wearing them for the next month.
4. The outdoor stereo system for the teenagers.
Your sister Stephanie’s teenagers are cool. Way too cool for you. So cool, in fact, that they chill outside in the middle of winter so they don’t have to be with the boring old people. You show them your outdoor stereo system that they can connect their own Spotify account. Suddenly, you are also kind of cool.
5. The automated lighting system for your electric bill.
Your house was originally wired by a crazy person. No one can ever figure out which light switch controls which light. The entire house used to get lit up like the Christmas tree every time one of your guests got up use the restroom. Not anymore, now lights only go on when they are needed with your automated lighting system. You save a few dollars on your electric bill and don’t have to hear everyone complain about their stubbed toes.
This years Christmas will be a success thanks to the products and services you received from SCS Home Entertainment. Didn’t get everything you need yet? Let us know! We’ll do everything we can to help before the big week, or at the very least help you prepare for next year.
