Have you cut your cable cord yet? While many families still pay for a monthly cable service, many are opting out for video streaming subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and more. Each one has its own unique content and different options for streaming quality. So how do you choose which video streaming device you use to play all the content you love on your home theater system? Read this guide to get a sense of what each one has to offer. We have Kaleidescape, Roku and VUDU for you to choose from.

SEE ALSO: How to Get the Most out of Your Home Theater

 1. Kaleidescape

Kaleidescape is a movie server that houses 4K and HD content for you to rent or purchase. However, instead of streaming the movie (which involves playing content over an Internet connection) you download it first and then play it. Streaming content will never be as good as playing a digital file or disc because it relies on the stability of the Internet connection to perform well, and the truth is that isn’t always up to par. Plus, when you play content locally, your TV or projector already has all of the information it needs to produce the picture so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t show you everything it should. Another benefit of using Kaleidescape is that you can keep your movie collection on a digital platform instead of using up precious space in your house. That way you can browse through you most beloved films as well as new ones all on the same platform.

2. Roku

Spring and summer are great times to catch up on your favorite TV shows, sports games and movies. We have spring break to look forward to, as well as summer vacations and parties. A great way to entertain friends and family in your Charlotte, NC home as well as enjoy your outdoor spaces is to add a TV or home theater system to your backyard. Initially, outdoor audio video may sound more involved and complicated than it is, but you can trust us to install the right system that works for your family and lasts years into the future. Keep reading to learn more.

SEE ALSO: Light Up Your Porch, Pool, or Patio with Professional Landscape Lighting

Outdoor TVs

A typical TV would never survive outside. The sun, wind and rain would destroy the device. However, audio video installation companies have exclusive relationships with dealers that provide weather-resistant audio/video. Our partners Seura and Sunbrite have TVs that can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, moisture and an ultra-bright sun. Take for example Seura’s Storm Ultra Bright Television. Created for super sunny areas on your deck or by the pool, this TV plays crystal clear images in vivid color in the brightest sun. It has a triple lock seal to protect the device from all kinds of contaminants and rain, and can also operate in negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. We know it never gets that cold in Charlotte, but it does show how these TVs can survive abnormal temperatures. Since it comes in a variety of sizes and can be mounted onto virtually any surface, you get to decide how big you want this incredible TV to be and where you want it to go. Imagine yourself catching a football game while you’re in the hot tub or enjoying a cocktail on your outdoor patio while watching a movie.

Outdoor Projectors and Screens

We have covered a lot of details about how to use automation in your Charlotte, NC home, but what about your car? How does your vehicle fit into your electronic lifestyle? Many auto manufacturers are adding the newest automation technology to their cars, which is great for smart home owners—especially if you use Control4. Here are a few things you can do by integrating your ride into your smart home system. 

SEE ALSO: Update Your Charlotte Home with These Three Trends

Push to Start

You’ve seen the option to use a push button to start your vehicle, but what if you could take this to the next level and start your car from inside your house? With Control4, we can integrate your smart car into your system so all you have to do is touch a button on your mobile device and start the car early before you step foot out the door. This is especially helpful on those extra cold days when you want to warm up the car before you venture outside. It may not get below zero in Charlotte, but there are those times when you tend to run to your car to avoid the chills.

You can even set a daily schedule for the car to start 10 minutes before you leave for work. But if you don’t want to use up the extra gas, you could set the task to occur only when the temperature drops below 30 degrees. So you get to decide how cold is just too cold for you!

It can be fairly time-consuming and difficult to install lighting in your backyard. It’s not as easy as plugging in a light inside your Charlotte, NC home. Outdoor lighting needs to withstand different types of weather and also blend in to your foliage so that cords don’t become an eyesore. A professional will ensure your landscape lighting is top quality and safe to use throughout the year. Working with an expert like The Integrated Home ensures your home stays nice and bright for outdoor soirees, pool parties, and relaxing evenings by the lake. 

SEE ALSO: How a Control4 Lighting Installation Adds Color to Your Charlotte Home

Lighting Ideas

To create outdoor lighting that is both stylish and functional, install lights on the house and in the yard to provide ample light for you to see at night, and then pick a few decorative light fixtures to hang under a pergola as feature pieces. Sconces installed on the house walls could provide functional light, while stringing mason jars with lights inside give a whimsical feel to the patio.

Place path lights along your walkways so you and your guests can safely and easily navigate the backyard. You can also add these path lights to your driveway so people can drive up easily as well. Entrance lights at the front door provide safety and security as they let the neighborhood know someone is home. We can also tie in motion sensors to the lighting system so that flood lights alert you to any movement around the house.

Accent lighting will highlight special areas of your property, like a fountain or garden. It can be installed on the ground level and pointed up, or installed up high and directed down to imitate moonlight.

The term “music source” isn’t commonly used among the average homeowner, but what it refers to is the location your music is coming from—such as an iPod, radio station, or CD. Most people today use iTunes to download music, however there are many different ways to buy and stream quality audio. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of streaming music services, especially when there are many names you are not familiar with. If you have a Sonos speaker, you can choose from more than 50 different stations and services. So how do you navigate the music landscape? Whether you are an audiophile or not, this blog will be a helpful guide to choosing the best music sources for your whole house audio system in the Charlotte, NC area. 

CDs

Do you have a CD collection? The truth is that CDs are actually high-quality music sources. CDs have about 1,411 kbps (kilobits per second). Compare that to mp3 files, which are only 320 kbps and you can see there’s a big difference. CDs transfer data faster per second, so you end up hearing more detail in the soundtrack. The downside to CDs are that they are becoming obsolete. Most stores don’t carry blank CDs anymore; people are sharing music via USBs now. Take a couple new cars for test drives and you’ll notice many of them don’t have a CD player in the car radio. But even though CDs may be turning into a relic of the past, you can still keep your CD collection and enjoy your albums. Connect a player to your whole house music system and you can enjoy quality sound.

SEE ALSO:  Three Whole House Music Scenes for the New Year

Digital Files

The convenience of transferring music to digital files has led to the increase in digital downloads. Most people access their music in the form of MP3s from iTunes or Amazon Music. While you get to carry your music around with you and save physical storage space, MP3s are just about the lowest quality source. When an original recording is compressed into an MP3 file, a lot of information is lost.  A lower bitrate could translate to a softer bass response or weak-sounding drum cymbals. However, you do have another option, which is to buy high-resolution audio files. This type of audio format is compressed in such a way that no audio data is lost. But where can you purchase or stream high-resolution music?

Currently, music streaming sources like Pandora and Spotify use a bitrate of 160 kbps, which is even lower than a typical MP3 file. Tidal is one of the only ones that plays songs in CD quality at 1,411 kbps. High-resolution song files are seven times higher than that! According to Sony, there are several companies that cater to audiophiles and music lovers by selling high-resolution files for download--including, HDtracks, Super HiRez, and Qobuz. You’ll need a strong and reliable internet connection, a subscription with the music source if they require a monthly fee, and a receiver to play the source.