Tell me about Systems.
For decades, homes have been wired for electrical power, telephones, TV outlets, and a doorbell. As the amount of controllable devices in the home rises, the ability of these to interconnect and communicate with each other becomes a useful and desirable feature.
A “system” is basically the consolidation of control or monitoring signals from a given set of appliances or basic services. Take your stereo as an example. Old-school, you’d have the main unit in one room, with speakers in the same room, and perhaps a second room. A Smarter Home can have remote speakers throughout the house, and outdoors too. You’re able to access your complete music collection from anywhere in the home, control the volume, and even have different tunes going in different rooms at the same time. House parties will never be the same again!
Tell me about Audio Zones.
Who doesn’t like music? It has the ability to set a mood, change an environment, or simply to entertain. Odds are, you have your preferences. So do the other members of your household. So what do you do when those preferences don’t match?
One solution is setting up audio zones throughout your home. With a Smarter Home, you can have remote speakers throughout the house. Outdoors too. You’re able to access your complete music collection from anywhere in the home, control the volume, and even have different tunes going in different rooms at the same time.
Own an iPod®? Docking systems turn your portable iPod into a home-based multi-room audio/video player. Simply place your iPod into the docking station and any content can be heard in any area that's a part of your audio zone system.
In summary:
- multi-room or distributed audio allows speakers in bedroom, ensuite, dining room, back deck, etc.
- no need for electronic equipment to be in each room
- share CDs, tuner, XM radio
- each room (or zone) selects source and volume
- a “Good Night” button can turn off all AV equipment
Tell me about Remote Access.
Remote access is the ability to control the electronics of your home, from a remote distance, via internet or your cell phone. You could operate and see certain functions of the system, control alarms and view cameras, unlock gates, close motorized blinds... let your imagination go to work! My Smarter Home can make it happen.
Tell me about Controlled Lighting.
A lighting system controls electric lighting, alone or as part of a daylight harvesting system, in any location. Daylight Harvesting is the term used for a control system that reduces the use of artificial lighting in building interiors when natural daylight is available, in order to reduce energy consumption. Control systems are used for work, aesthetic, and security illumination. Preset lighting scenes based on ‘Party’ or ‘ Vacation’ mode.
Lighting control systems provide the ability to automatically power a device based on time of day, sunrise/sunset, motion sensors, the presence of daylight, alarm conditions or pre-programed logic. Preset outdoor lights to be on at dusk and never come home to a dark house again!
Systems usually include one or more portable or mounted keypads. These allow you the ability to remotely control individual or groups of lights, ceiling fans and other devices, operate dimmers, and pre-program space lighting levels. A single “Good Night” button can turn off all the lights. And can include mobile phone operation.
A major advantage of a lighting control system over conventional individual switching is the ability to control any light, group of lights, or all lights in a home from a single control device. Any light can be controlled from any location. Another benefit includes reduced energy consumption and power costs. Newer, wireless lighting control systems provide reduced installation costs and increased flexibility in the placement of switches and sensors.
Tell me about Security.
Home security prevents or deters attackers from accessing your home. It can be as simple as a locked door or as elaborate as multiple layers of monitored security. The goal is to convince potential attackers that the cost of attack exceeds the value of making the attack.
My Smarter Home has identified the following elements to your security:
• Environmental design
• Mechanical, electronic and procedural access control
• Intrusion detection and monitoring
• Video monitoring
• Personnel identification
In a well designed system, these features must complement each other. At My Smarter Home, we offer Smarter Security. It’s intelligent. It’s customized. And it’s just plain better, because we provide you only with what you need.
Popular security features that we offer include: doors can be locked remotely or from upstairs; a “Good Night” button that can lock the doors and arm the alarm system and dim the outdoor lights all with one click; IP cameras that can be viewed on TVs or remotely.
Not all security needs to be high tech. Even something as simple as a thick or thorny bush can add a layer of physical security in a residential setting. Whatever asset you want to protect, we have the right solution for you. We’ll consult with you, in person, so you know you’re getting exactly what you need. Cairn Smarter Security has been providing custom solutions to homes and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area for nearly 30 years.
Tell me about Home Theatre.
Home theatre systems are entertainment set-ups that match the movie theatre-going experience in a private home.
DVD-video format, Blu-ray Disc, Dolby Digital 5.1, 7.1 or 9.1 -channel audio “surround sound” speaker systems, high-definition television (HDTV), 3D technology... the terms and options can be overwhelming. At My Smarter Home, we can help you sort through the techno-babble to find what will meet your needs.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a system that will have your friends say “Wow!” The basic home theatre set-up is a DVD player, a good-sized video display, and some digital surround sound. From that basic foundation, you can get as lavish as your budget will allow.
Some home cinema enthusiasts go so far as to build a dedicated room in their home. High-end set-ups starting at $100,000 have custom-built screening rooms which include cinema-style chairs, audiophile-grade sound equipment, digital projectors, and huge screens. “Room-in-a-room” construction that isolates sound is designed to mimic (or even exceed) commercial theatre quality. Rapid advances in digital audio and video technologies has spurred a rapid drop in prices, making home theatre set-ups more affordable than ever before. At any price level, My Smarter Home can offer complete solutions to fulfill your desires.
Tell me about Smarter Remotes.
A smarter remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices. Low-end smarter remotes can only control a set number of devices determined by their manufacturer. A high-end smarter remote allows you to program new controls to the remote.
Touch-screen remotes feature an LCD screen. The “buttons” are images on the screen which, when touched, will send signals to controlled devices. Some models have multiple screens that are accessed through virtual buttons on the touch-screen and other models have a combination of the touch-screen and physical buttons.
Because programming a smarter remote can be a fairly complex procedure, My Smarter Home will pre-program a remote to your needs. Naturally, we’ll make any adjustments necessary should you add new devices. Anyone can operate the remote after it has been programmed.