Articles

Why a Smart Home Needs a Strong Wiring Backbone

Wireless connectivity is faster than ever, but your home still needs a solid network of wiring for higher bandwidth, better Internet security and a host of other benefits.

In a world that increasingly uses wireless communication, conversations about cabling / prewiring can seem a bit outdated and, frankly, unnecessary. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. Wiring is and will remain, an important component of any modern home. Why?

Budget Calculator

When embarking on a new home build or remodel project, the fuzziest budget item for most homeowners is typically for the home's technology systems. The Home Technology Association has created the first and only Home Technology Budget Calculator that will give you a high-level overview of what you should budget for the following technology systems:

5 Questions To Ask About Aftercare Service

Amongst the many factors you should consider when hiring a home technology professional for your project, their approach to ongoing service and maintenance of your technology systems is arguably one of the most important. Your home technology will likely require more upkeep and maintenance than any other system in the home. For all of the convenience, security, comfort, and entertainment these systems can provide, technology is imperfect and ever-evolving.

Deep learning video search engine with IC Realtime Ella

Surveillance Cameras - 12 Things You Need to Know

When looking for a surveillance camera system, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the huge number of products available and the confusing technical jargon that comes with them. Just walk into any big box retailer and there are numerous brands all seemingly selling the exact same camera. Every brand claims to offer high resolution and night vision, and sorting through the claims can be confusing.

New Media Digital Art is the hot trend in the art world

The Moving Canvas - 21st Century Digital Art Arrives In the Home

Art collecting has long been a passion for those who wish to own and display a piece of work to which they feel an emotional connection. There are many reasons why a person would want a piece of art in their home—perhaps the piece or artist evokes strong positive memories, they feel the piece speaks to the design, mood and aesthetic of their home or perhaps they purchased the piece as a financial investment.

Why an Enterprise-Grade Network is a MUST in every Luxury Home

The world we live in today has become increasingly connected. Not long ago, most people only had a desktop computer and maybe, a laptop computer that needed access to the Internet or maybe a network-connected printer. In just a few short years it seems that every device in our lives can now communicate with other devices, store data on some remote location, automate some process, or allow us to communicate with each other in new and exciting ways. In fact, it is estimated that the number of connected devices will exceed 50 billion by the year 2020.

Low voltage design and engineering documentation benefits

The Single Most Important Part of Your Home Technology System

Would you feel comfortable if a General Contractor told you he could build your dream home without a set of architectural plans? Of course not. As we all know, a house is very complex and is built from many different items: a foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, windows, doors, a roof, and the list goes on.

Architects, interior designers, and builders need to hire an HTA Certified technology designer for their project

How Home Design & Build Pros Partner with Home Tech Firms

Architect: ✓
Interior Designer: ✓
Landscape Designer: ✓
Lighting Designer: ✓
Technology Designer: ?

You do not have to be an audiophile to enjoy a great sound system

You Do Not Have to be an Audiophile to Enjoy Great Sound

Humanity’s love of music is timeless and universal. It sustains the soul, speaks to the imagination and shapes our perspective on the world.

In our view, everyone should respect the life-affirming spirit of music and value how it was explicitly meant to be heard and enjoyed by the artist who created it. In simple terms, the goal for the audio industry is to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. We recognize that the best musical experiences will trigger a deep emotional connection.

The Smart Home – What You Need to Know

It has taken a few years, though smart home systems have finally gained acceptance as a very desirable feature to integrate into a home of any size, shape, or style. It does not matter if you live in a 1,200-square foot bungalow on the beach, a condo on the 16th floor in the city, or a sprawling mansion in the country, a smart home system can afford a wealth of benefits that extend beyond being able to wow your friends and family with a suite of fancy new electronics.

Learn 4 vital tips to help create a realistic budget for AV, smart home, network, and more

Budget Advice - 4 Vital Tips

When embarking on a new home build or remodel project, the fuzziest budget item for most homeowners is typically the technology budget. Your builder, architect, and interior designer can quickly ballpark what a pool, a kitchen, or an electrical contract will cost. When it comes to technology, though, they often shrug their shoulders since there are so many variables.

Voice Control in the Smart Home - What you Need to Know

Voice control platforms offer a hands-free way to operate lights, thermostats, door locks and more, but is there a catch?

Learn what it means to be an HTA Certified home technology

HTA Certification Defined

Over 25 industry experts plus the Home Technology Association’s esteemed Board of Advisors have weighed in to create the rigorous standards of HTA Certification. Our goal is to empower consumers with the best information possible so that they may research and hire the best firms for their project.

How to Hire a Technology Pro

The first step of a successful home technology project is hiring the right company. This is also easily the most important ingredient in the recipe for success. At the HTA, we realize this is a difficult decision, and our mission is to make it easier for you to get this right.

Here are some helpful tips in choosing the right home technology firm:

Home Theater Design - 3 Essential Ingredients

Are you in the process of planning a home theater? Possibly you are well into the design or even already have some construction underway. Or, you may have only recently started to consider the possibility. In any case, you have likely been overwhelmed with copious, confusing and often misleading information on just exactly what creates a great home theater experience. To make sense of it all, it is a good idea to step back and consider what is possible, and what is essential to attain the results you desire. This article will consider three key ingredients of proper home theater design.