Last Year’s Comparison

Compared to last year’s event in San Diego, Tim feels that this year’s location was more cohesive and had a better turn-out. Of the 5 days of the expo, our team attended 3; allotted to training and the show floor. Tim explained that many of the integrators only spend Friday and Saturday at CEDIA. He feels that having 3 days on-site plus travel is a great opportunity to maximize time with Vendors and our team.

How is CEDIA Unique?

CEDIA is unique in that the attendees are all very similar in their approach to technology. There is a comradery among the dealers that may be miles form each other in their day to day operations, but only get to meet up once a year 1000’s of miles from their home office. The manufacturers put on a real show; something you cannot get from an office visit or often from attending a training. They spend 6-9 months planning to cater to existing dealers and interest new dealers alike.

The Best Part of the Expo and Biggest Takeaway

The best part of CEDIA 2019 for Tim, was to have time with members of our team outside of day to day operations to focus on technology and project discussions. The first day of the show was spent discussing current projects, ideas for internal growth, advancement and sharing our goals for the next few days in Denver. Tim explained that the layout of CEDIA has changed multiple times and the current format offers the best structure and flexibility to meet with Vendors, take technical classes and spend time planning with team members.

Tim’s biggest takeaway from CEDIA 2019 is that the convergence between audio, video, networking, electrical and security is always tightening. Having a company positioned to assist in the design, installation and ongoing management and maintenance of all residential and commercial technologies, will be even more essential as we continue to depend on these systems to simplify our way of life.

The Overall Goal of CEDIA Each Year

Each year there is a new segment that tries to break out – such as outdoor audio, energy management, or health care in the home. This year, some new technologies that inspired Tim were the Micro Chrystal displays, Clear OLED and lighting control. Micro Chrystal displays will allow screens to become the size of walls with great resolution. Clear OLED from LG for digital signage allows for imaging to be applied to glass windows and doors. Lastly, lighting control in the form factor of circuit breakers from Savant has been introduced.

Overall, CEDIA 2019 highlighted many of the new-to-market brands and trending discussions within the industry. Tim continues to have a great experience every year that he attends.

The post Grand Home Automation’s CEDIA EXPO 2019 Experience appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

Grand Home Automation has the ability, speed & know-how to make sure the home is set up for that fantasy football party. Or maybe having friends over after the big high school game. Even the ultimate in February – that big SuperBowl party. No matter the game, the importance of being ready for the upcoming seasons is crucial.

Personal Home Theater Systems

Having the luxury of a personal home theater system, provides all of your guests the best quality sound and image from any spot in the room. Completely custom theaters can include a bar for socializing or even a kitchenette to maximize your experience. Additionally, you’ll never miss a detail on the big screen with 4k visuals and crystal clear audio – custom made for YOUR space. Revamp your home to be the hot spot of the season with all of the bells and whistles technology has to offer!

Home Entertainment For The New Season

The start to a new season can also be the start to your new home entertainment experience. Let the excitement of the first game stick around all season long as you await each kick-off from the big screen. Feel like you’re in the stadium with the powerful audio effects from Dolby Atmos. This full-bodied system brings a whole new level of realism and excitement to each viewer. The placement of the speakers throughout the room create the illusion that you are surrounded in the environment and immersed in the game yourself.

After the game?

There’s never been a better time to invest in your own personalized home theater. After the game, enjoy a relaxing family movie night that even your kids won’t want to miss. Enjoy your theater any season, all season long! Let Grand Home Automation craft your perfect home theater to the space of your dreams! Our goal is to turn your vison into a masterpiece far past your expectation.

Check out more of our services online at: https://www.grandhome.com

The post Football season is on the way appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

Control4 has just released their newest update: OS 3. The developers describe this update as, “the first operation system specifically designed for the modern home”. Their goal was to completely eliminate the complexity of the smart home and provide an evolved and refined experience. Not only did they eliminate complexity, but they made the customer experience more user friendly across any device. Enhanced personalization has made an impact on the music features, favorites, dashboard and many other features as well! This new update has completely changed the smart home experience to be more fast, intuitive and easy.

The new user interface creates a fresh and refined impression on every feature in OS 3. There are bigger buttons and text across your mobile device, touch screen panel and tv. This is a feature that Control4 is very excited about because it is what their customers have specifically been asking for in the systems to come. The user interface in OS 3 also delivers more control since it is so much easier for the customer to operate.

OS 3 Provides Enhanced Music Experience That Customers Will Love!

Control4 has completely enhanced the music experience to one that their customers will love! OS 3 allows users to easily choose what rooms they want music in and customize accordingly. Additionally, the larger buttons make it so controlling the volume and choosing favorite rooms are completely user friendly and easy to maneuver.

OS 3 Introduces: Personalization and Favorites

The biggest impact that OS 3 delivers to Control4 is the ability to personalize and create favorites. The new ‘at a glance dashboard’ makes it so you are quickly able to see the status of each component in your home that are specifically important to you. The dashboard can show you the status of your home security, lighting, shading, temperature and many more features as well!

Always in Your Control!

The overall experience clients receive from OS 3 is the unprecedented personalization and control. While home automation can seem complex to some, this system proves it was meant to make your home life simpler and more secured. Control4 has created a foundation for a lot of new features to come in this area. These features are made to ensure each client has their own customized system.

Grand Home Automation is proud to introduce OS3 to the Control4 system because it will continue to allow us to give our clients what is most important to them. The ability to personalize and control your environment on this new level is really exciting for us to provide. Let us serve your needs by integrating all of your devices into one fast, easy and controlled system!

Learn more about our newest systems and services at: https://www.grandhome.com/grand-home-automation-discusses-building-a-smart-and-connected-environment-ise-europe-conference-2019/

The post OS 3 Breakthrough for Control4 appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

Home Theater Experience in Action

Dolby Atmos provides the ultimate home theater experience that the Kommel family couldn’t live without. The dual-laser projection technology on their life-size screen assures everyone inside the theater has the same quality experience wherever they choose to be. For the Kommel’s, it was especially important to utilize their theater as an entertainment room for guests. Located inside the theater is a kitchenette as well as a bar for their convenience. It was specifically noticeable to Mr. Kommel that the clarity of the audio and video is perfect whether he chooses to sit at the bar for socializing or in the lower level comfort area.

As the lights dim down to complete darkness, the amount of sensitivity revealed to my ears provokes an eerie tone. The film begins with powerful surround sound that I can feel. The images are so clear that I’m beginning to question the realness of the action in front of me. Enhanced dimensionality of sound leaves me appreciating the talented placement of each of the 13 speakers and 8 sub-woofers as a bird flies swiftly across each panel around my body. The sound of its wings creates the illusion that it is strikingly close. I instantly feel deeply immersed in my surroundings.

Bringing The Art of Movie Making Back!

The goal of a home theater is to bring the art of movie making to the comfort and convenience of your own home. It provides a dedicated space for you and your family to escape into the ultimate cinematic experience at any time. The customization factor ensures the perfection of every detail to your liking. The best part: A unique layout tailored specifically to YOU!

Movies are intended to inspire, influence, and appreciate. The Kommel family allowed this luxury to transform their lives! They are now able to enjoy the most elite technology the market has to offer for their home theater.

Check out more of our Home Theater talk!https://www.grandhome.com/jaw-dropping-home-theaters/

The post Ultimate Home Theater Experience appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

ISE promotes technology solutions both for residential homes and commercial businesses. However, the residential focus of this event is responsible for about 12.1% of the show, while the commercial business focus accounts for about 70.5%. The remaining 17.5% of the event includes a combination of both residential and commercial products. Grand Home Automation’s Sean Hotchkiss gives us the run down on the latest technology and newest concepts that are trending in the industry.

Grand Home Automation Brings You Residential & Commercial Tech Solutions from an Inside View

by Sean Hotchkiss

One of the main components of the event that resonated with me was the comeback of home theaters and cinemas. The theater I experienced while there was one of the highest levels of art that humans can achieve.  It was uplifting to see that the art of movie-making is not dying and the experience it offers is coming back with better performance than the industry has ever seen!

The Evolution of 5G WiFi & Interaction With Technology

Another important feature this year was the introduction of 5G WiFi and its interaction with technology. Super high speed connections and low latency to various forms of entertainment will continue to advance over time, along with system processing speeds. This will dramatically change into a more fluid and enjoyable experience.

This four-day long event provided an adequate amount of time for me to preview the vendor booths on the floor and take classes. ISE is definitely an event that opens the mind and creates awareness of the many different cultural perspectives in technology. Furthermore, this awareness leads to better advancements in technology across the world. Everyone attending the event has the opportunity to connect, while sharing a common goal: How can we better serve our customers?

Advancements In Lighting Technology for Entertainment Environments

A key inspiration that has stuck with me throughout many of the advancements in technology, is the concept of lighting. Lighting plays a critical role in contributing to a well-done and powerful entertainment space.

The shift has gone from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting. However, the trend has shifted once again, into laser illumination in the newest models of projectors. This provides for better performance while also consuming less energy.

Ideas For Technological Growth Going Forward

As ISE continues to grow, I believe it will also expand into a similar event located in the United States. I envision this merge of technology occurring between five to ten years from now. One of the greatest benefits that ISE provides each year, is the opportunity to interact with and preview advancements in technology. ISE put on a great event and Grand Home Automation prides itself in ensuring that our team is invested in training to better serve our customers.

Sean Hotchkiss is the Technical Director at Grand Home Automation.

Email Sean:
shotchkiss@localhost

More of ISE Europe: Our first hand recap of the Integrated Systems Europe 2018 – The Show to Rule Them All »

The post Grand Home Automation Discusses Building a Smart and Connected Environment: ISE Europe Show 2019 appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

, the world´s largest AV systems integration show which ran February 6 – 9, 2018.

What Is Integrated Systems Events Europe?

Integrated Systems Events is a joint venture between AVIXA and CEDIA – the two leading industry associations for the global audiovisual industry. Since the first event in 2004, with 120 exhibitors and 3,500 attendees, the 2018 event has continued it’s crazy growth, with over 1200 exhibitors and more than 80,000 attendees.

Sean reports,“The best part for me was the all-encompassing perspective of the residential and commercial markets, on a global scale. Manufacturers were showing all of their offerings to this wide audience.Companies such as Crestron had their commercial and residential products and staff in the same booth (very large though it was), and any questions I had could be readily answered whether related to videoconferencing systems, or home theater processors.”

He felt that the ability to see companies and products from all corners of the electronics world allowed exposure to new ideas, methods, and products that just isn’t available anywhere else.

“Where else can you go to see video displays the size of a building, to management software, to cameras on flying drones, to audiophile stereo systems? It’s the best show to spend some of your time just wandering and brainstorming about possibilities and business ideas,” says Sean.

Significant Growth of Attendees at Integrated Systems Events

ISE added a fourth day to the show in an effort to give attendees more time to see everything at the show, although managing director Mike Blackman has acknowledged that’s an impossible feat even with proper advanced planning.

Overall, ISE included a full schedule of educational programs, trainings, networking events and product demonstrations in the exhibition hall. “All these events worked cooperatively to raise the standard of education and quality of the businesses that serve our clients,” Sean mentions.

Is it too big? Sean doesn’t think so. “I really appreciated the combination of the AVIXA (commercial) and CEDIA (residential) organizations working together under the same roof (roofs – the show was way too big for one building). There is even word that continuing education credits will be transferable between the organizations.” Talk about partnership!

Biggest Takeaways From Integrated Systems Europe 2018

“This year, audio/video and computer networking have converged so strongly, that it is difficult to separate the two. It is nearly impossible to have one without the other,” says Sean.

Products that take our satellite receivers, BluRay players, videoconference cameras, and computer graphics, and send them across a building to remote displays by means of IP converter boxes were everywhere.

The technology required to compress video in real-time and then decode it again without any perceivable delay was mind boggling. “We are no longer just ‘A/V guys’, but rather professionals that deliver a truly integrated experience as the new AVIXA organization name points out (Audio Video Integrated Experience Association),” Sean states.

Other important technologies we saw at the show were Mixed Reality – AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality), OLED and High Resolution and the use of robotics. Our team will be watching the developments of these technologies closely so we can remain on the cutting edge for our clients.

Sean’s final thoughts? “As someone who is working in the design and engineering of both corporate and residential electronics systems, this is indeed ‘the one show to rule them all’. I look forward to attending in the years to come.”

Are you interested in hearing more about what we saw at ISE 2018 and how it could benefit your project? We invite you to contact us today to start the conversation!

The post INTEGRATED SYSTEMS EVENTS EUROPE 2018 – Our First Hand Recap of “The One Show To Rule Them All” appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

We agree. Learning and development is particularly important for the Grand Home Automation team because we are always monitoring and implementing the latest technology trends to improve experience and make ‘The Fine Art of Living’ a reality for our clients.

To that end, our team recently spent the day participating in an EntreLeadership live stream event with Dave Ramsey and other business experts. Dave Ramsey is a New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated talk radio host who built a multimillion dollar company.

During our session on entreleadership, we covered many topics that we can use immediately, including how to:

• Become a leader who others will follow
• Lead for loyalty and unity
• Create unstoppable momentum
• Build a culture of communication—and why
• Recognize your team and show them you care
• Identify and engage ideal team players
• Get rid of team dysfunction for good

Our team discussed these topics together and recognized how to incorporate some new ideas into better serving our clients, especially when it comes to creating the momentum needed to stay at the forefront of our industry.

Have you attended an EntreLeadership session? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback as we work to integrate what we’ve learned into our day-to-day operations here at Grand Home Automation.

The post ENTRELEADERSHIP-Always Be Learning – Training Day for GHA Team appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

”This is not good for the millions of parents who use Moana, Zootopia or Finding Dory as negotiation tactics with their toddlers.”

Disney plans to introduce their own streaming service, subscription cost yet undetermined, which many fear will be the first step of several additional services to add in order to watch a variety of content.

Disney owns ESPN, which will likewise introduce its own streaming service in 2019. Sports Illustrated says that it’s a similar model to that of HBO NOW, which is an online-only subscription that comes with access to all of HBO’s content but is not part of a cable package.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said that he envisions a more customizable user experience where consumers can select specific games, packages and even parts of games they want to purchase.

Both Disney and EPSN services will be similar to what the Netflix or Amazon Prime platforms offer: paying a fee for the specific content offered through those services. Which is very different from how many people still purchase content through cable or satellite providers. Companies are more motivated than ever to keep up with streaming content updates with the extreme movement to cord-cutting for millions of potential viewers.

So does that mean cable and traditional satellite tv providers are dead? Not so fast. Both satellite and cable companies are innovating quickly to keep up with consumer entertainment trends.

DirecTV recently launched DirecTVNow, which Tom’s Guide explains as “DirecTV is a satellite-TV subscription service, while DirecTV Now is an online streaming service that delivers live TV channels.” Both are owned by telecom giant AT&T. Priced much less than traditional packages, DirecTVNow offers a more flexible, portable service that delivers 50+ channels to any connected device.

Meanwhile, Comcast is expected to unveil  XFinity Instant TV later this year, which will be a similar content subscription service available either as an add-on or stand alone.

The home entertainment landscape is changing rapidly. With all the choices available for today’s consumer, it’s more important than ever to partner with an experienced consultant to help you make the best home theatre decisions. Our team at Grand Home Automation can help! Contact us today to start the conversation.

The post Keeping Up with Streaming Content Updates appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

Talk about one more thing to worry about!

So, what is being done to alleviate consumer fears about cybersecurity related to their connected devices?

The United States Department of Homeland Security draws on its vast expertise in cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and preparedness efforts to address the challenge in securing the IoT (Internet of Things). It has published fact sheets and guidelines for industry to use when designing and developing technology for consumers.

Beyond developing guidelines, the government also penalizes companies that violate security. The Federal Trade Commission recently fined TV maker Vizio $2.2 million for collecting and selling consumer viewing data to third parties.

At Grand Home Automation, Inc. we are working to apply the standards that are currently being championed by various trade groups to alleviate consumer fears (such as the Cybersecurity Checklist Tool developed by the Consumer Technology Association). Our standards are designed to alleviate as many spying tech fears as possible.

Do you want the convenience of a connected home but are nervous about cyber security? Our team is making every effort to ensure that your smart home technology is not only secure but easy to use. Contact us today to start the conversation.

The post SPYING TECH FEARS – Always Watching? appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.

It’s no secret: The housing market is HOT in West Michigan. MLive.com

In 2017, with housing inventory continuing to drop to record lows as eager buyers continue to enter the market, the local housing market had only 1.6 months of inventory available this year, down from 2.5 months in 2015, according to GRAR.

Local builders should then continue to be pleased indeed throughout 2017, as there continues to be a strong demand for housing and new home construction. There were 1,088 single family housing starts in 2016 in Kent County, and 933 in Ottawa County, with higher numbers expected in 2017.

Here at Grand Home Automation, we are proud to have been selected to partner with one of the largest and most experienced home building teams in the area, Jim Tibbe Homes.

The Jim Tibbe Homes team has more than 80 years of combined experience in building new homes and building relationships, with a special focus on quality and excellence.

Please join us in congratulating them on their new design center, opening this week at 1793 RW Berends SW in Wyoming!

When you visit the Design center, you’ll see examples of Grand Home Automation’s latest new home audio, video, and lighting controls technology.

Interested in how to make your new or existing home smarter, more comfortable and efficient? Contact us today to start the conversation!

The post Jim Tibbe Homes Team Opens New Design Center! appeared first on Grand Home Automation - West Michigan's Smart Home Technology Designers.