Affluent households spent more on home security in 2009 than in 2008, according to a new report called Home Luxury Report 2010, released in July.
“Spending on security went up from $1,562 on average [in 2008] (i.e. the amount spent by home owners buying in that category) to $4006 on average in 2009, up 156.5% overall,” said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of the report.
“[Home security’s] share of wallet more than doubled; that’s a significant increase at the luxury consumer level,” she added.
The report is based on 4,739 surveys of consumers with incomes above $100,000. The average respondent had an income of $220,000. The sample represents the top 20 percent of the U.S. income-bracket and roughly 22 million households, Danziger said.
The study looks at 22 different categories of luxury spending including: Art & Antiques; Kitchenware, Cookware, Cook’s Tools; and Furniture, Lamps and Rugs. Home Security falls within the Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products category, which was up 32 percent.
Danziger calculates the “share of wallet” for each category and for products within those categories. Home Security was among the “biggest winners” in the share of wallet.
Affluent consumers spent more on their homes in 2009 because they were not relocating, she said.
“What the data indicates is that a lot of spending was done on major remodeling and the big categories that grew were home infrastructure, including air conditioning systems and home security.
“This means that people were investing in infrastructure, not just decorating,” she added.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
New Marantz Home Theater Receiver iin 2010
As reported in about.com
Coming in with very unique front panel design, the new Marantz SR700 Home Theater Receiver will certainly attract double-takes one it reaches dealers. However, the new front panel design is just the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, the SR7005 offer a host of features that should please both audio and videophiles.
First off, the SR7005 is 3D-enabled, offers 7 channels of amplification and two subwoofer outputs, with both Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX speaker setup options, 2 HDMI outputs, and network connectivity via ethernet, including access to online content from Pandora, Rhapsody, and Internet Radio. The ethernet connection also allows for direct download of any needed firmware updates.
In addition, the SR7005 has a total of six HDMI ver1.4a inputs, including one mounted on the front panel, and 1080p video upscaling using the Anchor Bay Technology. To assist in speaker setup, the SR7005 also incorporates Audyssey MultEQ XT, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume, and, of course, the SR7005 can decode and process all Dolby and DTS audio formats. The SR7005 even includes a dedicated Phono input for connection of a standard vinyl record turntable. The power output for the SR7005 (125wpc) is enough for just about any size home theater room.
Callaway Home Theater based in Atlanta is proud to carry the Marantz line-up of Home Theater products. For information about custom home theater design, Home automation, whole house audio and home security please visit their Atlanta Home Theater website www.callawayhometheater.com
Coming in with very unique front panel design, the new Marantz SR700 Home Theater Receiver will certainly attract double-takes one it reaches dealers. However, the new front panel design is just the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, the SR7005 offer a host of features that should please both audio and videophiles.
First off, the SR7005 is 3D-enabled, offers 7 channels of amplification and two subwoofer outputs, with both Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX speaker setup options, 2 HDMI outputs, and network connectivity via ethernet, including access to online content from Pandora, Rhapsody, and Internet Radio. The ethernet connection also allows for direct download of any needed firmware updates.
In addition, the SR7005 has a total of six HDMI ver1.4a inputs, including one mounted on the front panel, and 1080p video upscaling using the Anchor Bay Technology. To assist in speaker setup, the SR7005 also incorporates Audyssey MultEQ XT, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume, and, of course, the SR7005 can decode and process all Dolby and DTS audio formats. The SR7005 even includes a dedicated Phono input for connection of a standard vinyl record turntable. The power output for the SR7005 (125wpc) is enough for just about any size home theater room.
Callaway Home Theater based in Atlanta is proud to carry the Marantz line-up of Home Theater products. For information about custom home theater design, Home automation, whole house audio and home security please visit their Atlanta Home Theater website www.callawayhometheater.com
Monday, July 19, 2010
Callaway Home Theater Offers Atlanta Home Owners Crestron Systems
Callaway Home Theater based in Alpharetta ,has been custom designing unique custom home theaters for almost 20 years. They are proud to represent the fine line of Crestron Products in Atlanta. They have designed numerous home theaters that are centered around the Crestron controllers and systems. Callaway Home Theater works very closely with their customers to develop a design and install not only a home theater but a complete home automation system.
For more information on line up of Crestron products please view their video below
For more information on Callaway Home Theater, Home Automation, Lighting Controls and Home security please visit their website at www.callawayhometheater.com
For more information on line up of Crestron products please view their video below
For more information on Callaway Home Theater, Home Automation, Lighting Controls and Home security please visit their website at www.callawayhometheater.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
uly 16, 2010 | by Arlen Schweiger
Some upcoming Blu-ray release just deserve their own special mention.
Movie fans have been waiting for the Alien quadrilogy to hit Blu-ray probably since the format arrived. The waiting will be over come October 25, 2010, reports Big Picture Big Sound.
That’s when a six-disc Alien Anthology Blu-ray set will be released to give the sci-fi folks their fill of Alien, Aliens, Alien3 and Alien Resurrection as well as two more discs chock full of extras, commentaries, documentaries and much more.
Our friend Rachel Cericola also notes that the new tagline for the Blu-ray release is particularly outstanding: “On Blu-ray, everyone will hear you scream,” playing off one of the all-time best movie taglines from the original Ridley Scott-directed Alien.
The box set actually has two versions of each movie, plus goodies that come out with the original Laserdisc release, and lots of new features, of course, including “Enhancement Pods” that bring you deeper into all of the behind-the-scenes stuff.
Yes, expect to pay a pretty penny to add this monster box set to your collection—it’ll run $139.99 on MSRP. However, you can get a jump on the ordering (so you don’t forget when October arrives) and save $42 right now with a pre-order on Amazon—making the Alien Blu-ray all the more enticing. You’ll be drooling like the alien monster waiting three months for it to arrive.
Some upcoming Blu-ray release just deserve their own special mention.
Movie fans have been waiting for the Alien quadrilogy to hit Blu-ray probably since the format arrived. The waiting will be over come October 25, 2010, reports Big Picture Big Sound.
That’s when a six-disc Alien Anthology Blu-ray set will be released to give the sci-fi folks their fill of Alien, Aliens, Alien3 and Alien Resurrection as well as two more discs chock full of extras, commentaries, documentaries and much more.
Our friend Rachel Cericola also notes that the new tagline for the Blu-ray release is particularly outstanding: “On Blu-ray, everyone will hear you scream,” playing off one of the all-time best movie taglines from the original Ridley Scott-directed Alien.
The box set actually has two versions of each movie, plus goodies that come out with the original Laserdisc release, and lots of new features, of course, including “Enhancement Pods” that bring you deeper into all of the behind-the-scenes stuff.
Yes, expect to pay a pretty penny to add this monster box set to your collection—it’ll run $139.99 on MSRP. However, you can get a jump on the ordering (so you don’t forget when October arrives) and save $42 right now with a pre-order on Amazon—making the Alien Blu-ray all the more enticing. You’ll be drooling like the alien monster waiting three months for it to arrive.
Lighting Controls Crestron
by Arlen Schweiger
When is a lighting switch not merely a lighting switch?
When it’s part of a sophisticated lighting control solution that allows it to double as a wireless extender for other devices. That’s part of the attraction of Crestron’s Cameo wireless dimmers and switchers, which also happen to look very appealing to sit well amid any wall decor, too.
The Cameo products include Crestron’s proprietary Infinet EX wireless mesh network technology, which follows in the footsteps of its Infinet predecessor, and supports up to 100 devices connected to a single gateway, according to the company. Each one acts as a wireless extender, too, so it’s all part of a truly robust network of lighting and other control systems.
Like part of any good lighting solution, the dimmers and switches also act as keypads within the Crestron automation system, so they can integrate with single-room or whole-house lighting presets, including solutions programmed by custom electronics pros with tie-ins to a distributed audio system.
With aesthetics in mind, there are plenty of colors to choose from, and buttons can be custom engraved so you’re never guessing what will be triggered when you press one. Variable-intensity LED indicators give you instant lighting feedback, and the brightness can be adjusted for your room environments.
New wireless lamp dimmers and switches are also available. Check with your local Crestron dealer for more info.
When is a lighting switch not merely a lighting switch?
When it’s part of a sophisticated lighting control solution that allows it to double as a wireless extender for other devices. That’s part of the attraction of Crestron’s Cameo wireless dimmers and switchers, which also happen to look very appealing to sit well amid any wall decor, too.
The Cameo products include Crestron’s proprietary Infinet EX wireless mesh network technology, which follows in the footsteps of its Infinet predecessor, and supports up to 100 devices connected to a single gateway, according to the company. Each one acts as a wireless extender, too, so it’s all part of a truly robust network of lighting and other control systems.
Like part of any good lighting solution, the dimmers and switches also act as keypads within the Crestron automation system, so they can integrate with single-room or whole-house lighting presets, including solutions programmed by custom electronics pros with tie-ins to a distributed audio system.
With aesthetics in mind, there are plenty of colors to choose from, and buttons can be custom engraved so you’re never guessing what will be triggered when you press one. Variable-intensity LED indicators give you instant lighting feedback, and the brightness can be adjusted for your room environments.
New wireless lamp dimmers and switches are also available. Check with your local Crestron dealer for more info.
Lighting Controls
When homebuilders were constructing 2.1 million homes per year, who cared about addressing existing homes? Now with just 300,000 predicted to be built in 2010, existing homes are the last bastion of revenue.
As the market continues to transition, both consumers and custom electronics pros sometimes face the choice of installing hardwired vs. wireless.
Here are five factors to consider when making that decision.
Product Cost: In general, hardwired lighting control systems tend to be about 20 percent to 30 percent less expensive than their wireless counterparts. That pricing difference also extends into the motorized shade control category, which is a form of natural light control.
One variable these days is the cost of copper wiring. It is a commodity that fluctuates. Right now, it is relatively low compared to some of the high spikes the market has seen in the past few years. A 3,500-square-foot home will require several thousand linear feet of wire, according to David Weinstein, vice president of residential sales for Lutron. Advantage: Hardwired
Reliability: Consumers, even more than CE pros, are becoming comfortable with wireless technology. The pervasiveness of wireless computer networks, iPhone, iPads, etc., have even made older homeowners less fearful of “invisible” technology. On the other hand, hardwired systems are 99.9 percent bulletproof.
It is interesting to note the increased penetration of wireless in the home security field. Many motion sensors, doors and window contacts and keypads are now wireless. Security, of course, is a field where reliability is the most important issue, so the increasing use of wireless is a signal to integrators of the increasing stability of the technology. Advantage: Hardwired
Project Size: In the past, wireless systems had a more limited scale. But new systems, such as Lutron’s RadioRa 2, can accommodate up to 200 devices in a home as large as 12,000 square feet. For perspective, a 3,000-square-foot home with lots of control might have 60 devices. So in general wireless is no longer limited in scale for most homes. Advantage: Tie
Labor Cost: The labor costs for installing a wireless system can be calculated in hours, while labor costs for wired systems can be calculated in days.
For example, a 60-device wireless lighting control system in a 3,000-square-foot home can be done by one technician in one day. A comparable hardwired system will take one man three to four days, depending on the number of obstacles faced when pulling wires. Advantage: Wireless
Consumer/customer Satisfaction: I am not talking about post-installation satisfaction, but the actual angst that can be created from a team of guys crawling in attics, drilling holes, creating dust, etc. from a hardwired installation. When an installer walks into a nicely appointed, spotless home, wireless should immediately be considered.
In many cases, a homeowner –- from a neat freak Felix Unger to an Oscar Madison slob—will choose not to have an installation done simply because they do not want to have the disruption in the home. Clearly, a wireless system can be installed much quicker with very little disruption. Most of the labor cost is programming, not pulling wires or drilling holes.
The overall time of the job also plays into client satisfaction. As noted above, a wireless installation is routinely one-third the time of a hardwired installation. Advantage: Wireless
Final Rank: The bottom line: installing a wireless lighting control system is less expensive for CE pros, with a bigger satisfaction potential among homeowner clients. According to Weinstein, it’s about 3X to 4X less expensive.
“When you analyze the cost of wireless vs. hardwired, the aggregate cost of wireless is clearly less for the integrator but also it is better for the client,” he says, adding that he believes wireless installations also help entice more homeowners into buying lighting control that otherwise may not. Advantage: Wireless
As the market continues to transition, both consumers and custom electronics pros sometimes face the choice of installing hardwired vs. wireless.
Here are five factors to consider when making that decision.
Product Cost: In general, hardwired lighting control systems tend to be about 20 percent to 30 percent less expensive than their wireless counterparts. That pricing difference also extends into the motorized shade control category, which is a form of natural light control.
One variable these days is the cost of copper wiring. It is a commodity that fluctuates. Right now, it is relatively low compared to some of the high spikes the market has seen in the past few years. A 3,500-square-foot home will require several thousand linear feet of wire, according to David Weinstein, vice president of residential sales for Lutron. Advantage: Hardwired
Reliability: Consumers, even more than CE pros, are becoming comfortable with wireless technology. The pervasiveness of wireless computer networks, iPhone, iPads, etc., have even made older homeowners less fearful of “invisible” technology. On the other hand, hardwired systems are 99.9 percent bulletproof.
It is interesting to note the increased penetration of wireless in the home security field. Many motion sensors, doors and window contacts and keypads are now wireless. Security, of course, is a field where reliability is the most important issue, so the increasing use of wireless is a signal to integrators of the increasing stability of the technology. Advantage: Hardwired
Project Size: In the past, wireless systems had a more limited scale. But new systems, such as Lutron’s RadioRa 2, can accommodate up to 200 devices in a home as large as 12,000 square feet. For perspective, a 3,000-square-foot home with lots of control might have 60 devices. So in general wireless is no longer limited in scale for most homes. Advantage: Tie
Labor Cost: The labor costs for installing a wireless system can be calculated in hours, while labor costs for wired systems can be calculated in days.
For example, a 60-device wireless lighting control system in a 3,000-square-foot home can be done by one technician in one day. A comparable hardwired system will take one man three to four days, depending on the number of obstacles faced when pulling wires. Advantage: Wireless
Consumer/customer Satisfaction: I am not talking about post-installation satisfaction, but the actual angst that can be created from a team of guys crawling in attics, drilling holes, creating dust, etc. from a hardwired installation. When an installer walks into a nicely appointed, spotless home, wireless should immediately be considered.
In many cases, a homeowner –- from a neat freak Felix Unger to an Oscar Madison slob—will choose not to have an installation done simply because they do not want to have the disruption in the home. Clearly, a wireless system can be installed much quicker with very little disruption. Most of the labor cost is programming, not pulling wires or drilling holes.
The overall time of the job also plays into client satisfaction. As noted above, a wireless installation is routinely one-third the time of a hardwired installation. Advantage: Wireless
Final Rank: The bottom line: installing a wireless lighting control system is less expensive for CE pros, with a bigger satisfaction potential among homeowner clients. According to Weinstein, it’s about 3X to 4X less expensive.
“When you analyze the cost of wireless vs. hardwired, the aggregate cost of wireless is clearly less for the integrator but also it is better for the client,” he says, adding that he believes wireless installations also help entice more homeowners into buying lighting control that otherwise may not. Advantage: Wireless
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Home Automation Saves Energy and the Environment
The claim has been that Smart Homes save energy - but where do these energy savings come from and how much can you expect to save? Callaway Home Theater and Control4 have the answers. The truth is that much of the energy we use is actually wasted energy. For example studies have shown that 50% of the electricity used for lighting is wasted due to inefficient lighting or careless consumers. We also know that not running your air conditioner when you are not even home is wasteful and costly.
A Control4 Home Automation system from Callaway Home Theater helps control all the energy hogging systems in your home. You can now control lighting, home theater, temperature control even security with one system. How much can you save through this home automation? Each home is unique and will generate different level of savings. Control4 uses dimmers, timers and sensors to reduce energy waste. For a typical three bedroom house over 850 pounds of CO2 emissions could be eliminated each year. That would be equivalent to not driving your car for a month. Dimming your lights by 25% saves 20% electricity and allows your light bulbs to last four times as long.
For more information on home automation, lighting controls,whole house audio and custom home theater design please visit the Callaway Home Theater website
A Control4 Home Automation system from Callaway Home Theater helps control all the energy hogging systems in your home. You can now control lighting, home theater, temperature control even security with one system. How much can you save through this home automation? Each home is unique and will generate different level of savings. Control4 uses dimmers, timers and sensors to reduce energy waste. For a typical three bedroom house over 850 pounds of CO2 emissions could be eliminated each year. That would be equivalent to not driving your car for a month. Dimming your lights by 25% saves 20% electricity and allows your light bulbs to last four times as long.
For more information on home automation, lighting controls,whole house audio and custom home theater design please visit the Callaway Home Theater website
Monday, July 12, 2010
What Is Home Automation?
There has been a lot of press coverage and interest in the "Smart Home of the Future and Home Automation. What do these terms mean and how can homeowners build a Smart Home or retrofit their existing home?
Home automation or “Smart Home” technology is the next revolution in home building. With more and more new homes featuring structured wiring as a base option, the digital home is catching on across the globe because of what it offers the homeowner. Callaway Home Theater has been designing home theaters and home automation systems for Atlanta homeowners for almost 20 years. They encourage their customers to incorporate home automation to improve their enjoyment of their home.
Remember that technology is changing rapidly and the more opportunity to "Future Proof" the home the more upgradeability you will have for the life of the home. Callaway Home Theater works with your builder and other contractors to make sure that all elements of your home automation systems are installed correctly and that all sub systems communicate properly. If you choose Callaway Home Theater to be your Home Solutions provider, you can be rest assured that your home will be capable of giving you decades of comfort and reliability. Contact us today so we can get your project started. info@callawayhometheater.com
Lighting control used to mean the use of simple dimmers. We used to have to set the temperature at the thermostat and adjust every time someone was cold or hot. We used to have to walk to the TV set to change the channel for heaven’s sake. Well times have changed and there are new innovations that allow the homeowner to take control.
It is not only about comfort and ease.Callaway Home Theater can install a Programmable thermostats that allow the homeowner to set back settings to maximize energy savings when the family is away or not using a part of the house. This can substantially reduce your utility bills.Your home can know when you need more hot water or needs the lighting to be adjusted. You can call your home on your cell phone and tell it to cool down and heat up the oven on your way home from work. It’s all possible with a Callaway Theater home solution.
Home automation or “Smart Home” technology is the next revolution in home building. With more and more new homes featuring structured wiring as a base option, the digital home is catching on across the globe because of what it offers the homeowner. Callaway Home Theater has been designing home theaters and home automation systems for Atlanta homeowners for almost 20 years. They encourage their customers to incorporate home automation to improve their enjoyment of their home.
Remember that technology is changing rapidly and the more opportunity to "Future Proof" the home the more upgradeability you will have for the life of the home. Callaway Home Theater works with your builder and other contractors to make sure that all elements of your home automation systems are installed correctly and that all sub systems communicate properly. If you choose Callaway Home Theater to be your Home Solutions provider, you can be rest assured that your home will be capable of giving you decades of comfort and reliability. Contact us today so we can get your project started. info@callawayhometheater.com
Lighting control used to mean the use of simple dimmers. We used to have to set the temperature at the thermostat and adjust every time someone was cold or hot. We used to have to walk to the TV set to change the channel for heaven’s sake. Well times have changed and there are new innovations that allow the homeowner to take control.
It is not only about comfort and ease.Callaway Home Theater can install a Programmable thermostats that allow the homeowner to set back settings to maximize energy savings when the family is away or not using a part of the house. This can substantially reduce your utility bills.Your home can know when you need more hot water or needs the lighting to be adjusted. You can call your home on your cell phone and tell it to cool down and heat up the oven on your way home from work. It’s all possible with a Callaway Theater home solution.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Whole House Audio Popular In Atlanta
Most home owners and ther families have many sources and types of music in their homes. Music can be found on numerous IPods, IPads, IPhones and even products not made by Apple. Think of all the recorded music you have on CDs, DVDs and AM/FM radios. Callaway Home Theater, a leading home theater design and installation firm in Atlanta, has a number of whole house audio solutions to offer. The Callaway Home Theater solutions allow you to distribute music throughout every room in the house.
With a Whole House Audio system from Callaway Home Theaters you can have different music playing in each room of your home. Now your daughter does not have to listen to your music- even if you still think you are hip. Whole House Audio systems hide all those audio receivers and components, tangles wires and even the speakers. You can design a system so that each room has a touch panel for sound and video signals.
For a demonstration of the advantages of Whole House Audio please visit the Callaway Home Theater Website or call President Robert Simpson at 770-569-9897
With a Whole House Audio system from Callaway Home Theaters you can have different music playing in each room of your home. Now your daughter does not have to listen to your music- even if you still think you are hip. Whole House Audio systems hide all those audio receivers and components, tangles wires and even the speakers. You can design a system so that each room has a touch panel for sound and video signals.
For a demonstration of the advantages of Whole House Audio please visit the Callaway Home Theater Website or call President Robert Simpson at 770-569-9897
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Callaway Home Theater Launches New Website
Callaway Home Theater has been serving the home theater, home security and home automation needs of Atlanta homeowners and builders for almost 20 years.They recently launched a new website, Callaway Home Theaters, for Atlanta homeowners who want to learn about home theater design, home automation and home security.The website provides custom design ideas, new products and technologies and Frequently asked questions.
Callaway Home Theater enhances their customers audio and video experience with state of the art technologies and ideal customized design solutions that exceed expectations. These ideals are implemented into every project through a detailed process. Every project starts with a thorough assessment of the client's needs and desires. This careful attention to the details ensures that a clients project is delivered on time, within budget, and with full satisfaction.
Callaway Home Theater is a family run company that Because Callaway Home Theater is a full service diversified company, they provide a client with one stop shopping for all their home technology needs; these include Home Automation Systems, Home Theater Systems, Whole House Audio & Video Systems, Lighting Control Systems, Security Systems and Structured Wiring. Their goal is to provide customers with an outstanding level of service using the finest quality products.
For more information please call President Robert Simpson at (770) 569-9897 or visit Callaway Home Theater.
Callaway Home Theater enhances their customers audio and video experience with state of the art technologies and ideal customized design solutions that exceed expectations. These ideals are implemented into every project through a detailed process. Every project starts with a thorough assessment of the client's needs and desires. This careful attention to the details ensures that a clients project is delivered on time, within budget, and with full satisfaction.
Callaway Home Theater is a family run company that Because Callaway Home Theater is a full service diversified company, they provide a client with one stop shopping for all their home technology needs; these include Home Automation Systems, Home Theater Systems, Whole House Audio & Video Systems, Lighting Control Systems, Security Systems and Structured Wiring. Their goal is to provide customers with an outstanding level of service using the finest quality products.
For more information please call President Robert Simpson at (770) 569-9897 or visit Callaway Home Theater.
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