Bulbrite 770610 LED/LI10T8/27K 10W 150W Equivalent LED Linestra Vanity Bulb with S14s Base Warm White - CNET

Bulbrite 770610 LED/LI10T8/27K 10W 150W Equivalent LED Linestra Vanity Bulb with S14s Base Warm White

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Star Citizen 2.6 Review

Is it fair to review something that’s still in beta (alpha, even?). Since anyone can play it, and they’re still accepting money if you want to give it, I’d say yeah.

But I’ll clarify now this isn’t a judgement. This is the simplest definition of “review.” Perhaps “checking it out so you don’t have to” would be a better description.

So how goes the biggest crowdfunded project ever? It goes quite well, actually.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/star-citizen-26-review

2016 Top Picks Of the Year

Peek back two years and read my intro for the 2014 Top Picks of the Year feature, and you’ll find me commenting on the advancement of LCD TVs and the growth of OLED; new competitors chasing after Sonos in the wireless multiroom arena; hi-res audio and vinyl continuing to surge; Atmos making its mark in the home theater market; and soundbars just getting generally better. Fast-forward to 2016, and my speech is about the same. But that hardly means we’ve stood still. OLED has indeed grown but gotten better and less expensive, while the best LCD sets compete favorably thanks to impressive new backlight advances; both were supported this year by the launch of Ultra HD Blu-ray and HDR content.

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Philips 454900 60 Watt Equivalent SlimStyle A19 LED Light Bulb Daylight Dimmable 2-Pack - CNET

Philips 454900 60 Watt Equivalent SlimStyle A19 LED Light Bulb Daylight Dimmable 2-Pack

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New year, new you, new fitness & health tech deals - CNET

From Home Deals: Looking to get healthy in the new year? We have a selection of deals that can help you shed the pounds while keeping the dollars.

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Amazon Reports “Best-Ever” Holiday Sales

The 2016 holiday was Amazon’s best ever led by sales of its Echo and Echo Dot speaker/personal assistant devices. Sales were so brisk, the company had trouble keeping them in stock.

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Alexandre Beaudoin Bonotto AV Services Montreal

LG teases a trio of robot helpers ahead of CES - CNET

Starting with a mobile Alexa that doubles as a hub, LG's making a strong play to smarten your connected home.

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CES 2017 Sneak Peek: UHD Blu-ray, VR Porn, More

With CES less than a week away, press releases and invites teasing products and technologies slated for introduction continue to overtake our inboxes. Here’s a look at some of the latest pre-show news.

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Use this trick to clean your blender with ease - CNET

Cleaning a blender is a chore no one enjoys. Fortunately, this trick makes cleanup a breeze.

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The Future of Fiber

15 Minutes with Cleerline President Robert D’Addario

Fiber optics has been around in audio gear for years. Verizon’s Fiber Optic Service, better known as FiOS, has 7 million Internet subscribers in nine states with plenty of expansion potential. Google, too, has been rolling out its Google fiber service in recent years, though on a much smaller scale with limited service in seven states. Meanwhile, copper is still far and away king of signal transmission both inside and outside of the home. But for how long? To get a sense of what role fiber will play in the future, we sat down with Robert D’ Addario, president of Montana-based Cleerline Technology Group, an innovator in optical cable.

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Looking for an AVR with Flexible Input Assignment

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I plan to upgrade my 2010 Pioneer AVR to one capable of switching 4K signals. I would also like the ability to watch one source while listening to the audio of another source in the same room—to, for example, play video games while listening to internet radio. I am not having any luck in my search, however. Do you have suggestions? —Darren Phillips / via email

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The Angry Birds Movie

Picture
3D-ness
Sound
Extras

I’d heard of Angry Birds but completely missed their first flight of fame in an immensely popular game for smartphones. Subsequently, they went bird-flu viral with follow-up games, an animated TV series, and more. A movie launch was inevitable. It features hotheaded Red and other (non-flighted!) feathered citizens of Bird Island. Sentenced to take an anger management course, Red meets a few similarly explosive (sometimes literally!) souls.

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Looking for an AVR with Flexible Input Assignment

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I plan to upgrade my 2010 Pioneer AVR to one capable of switching 4K signals. I would also like the ability to watch one source while listening to the audio of another source in the same room—to, for example, play video games while listening to internet radio. I am not having any luck in my search, however. Do you have suggestions? —Darren Phillips / via email

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USPS Christmas Ornament Tracks Holiday Package Shipments

If you’re an Amazon user who has ever wondered if your packages have reached loved ones during the holiday season can always ask Alexa if your shipments have been delivered. But what about those who ship directly via the U.S. Postal Service?

The USPS is hopping onboard the home gadget train this holiday season with a Christmas ornament that tracks packages from its festive spot on the tree.

Officially called “The Most Wonderful Ornament,” the bulb changes color as the status of a package is updated, reports Engadget. When the package is out for delivery the ornament lights up blue. When it’s been dropped off, it turns red. When the recipient has opened it, the ornament will turn green.

USPS users can already check online or on their phone to track a shipment, but The Most Wonderful Ornament is making what might have been a stressful activity easier and more festive. However, BGR reports that the ornament is not wireless, which may not look stellar on a Christmas tree, depending on how skilled you are at hiding wires.

The ornament uses cellular technology and a sensor that determines when the box is open. It’s integrated with the existing tracking system to fetch information and subsequently turn the corresponding color.

USPS is only doing a limited trial in 2016, but it plans to refine the product and perhaps release many more next year.

The post USPS Christmas Ornament Tracks Holiday Package Shipments appeared first on Electronic House.

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Streamline Your Morning Routine with Smart Home Technology

Rise and shine has taken on a whole new meaning at the lakeshore home of Drs. Carol Parlow and Joseph Fairbrother. Their luxury condominium on the northern shores of Lake Ontario awakens before they do, as the outdoor lights begin to dim, the kitchen lights activate and the window shades rise.

As busy as these two physicians are, they found a way to get their day started as simply and smoothly as possible: by using a Crestron home control system to orchestrate operation of various electronic devices in their home. And it’s not just the morning routine that the Crestron system has streamlined. The sophisticated home control system makes the home fun like a well-oiled machine all day long.

Catering to a Busy Lifestyle

The “Morning” scene is just one of 10 programs designed to fit the doctors’ lifestyle, even when they aren’t home. Home systems integration company OneTouch Automation, of Oakville, Ontario, incorporated a Crestron control system that takes command of the home’s lighting, entertainment gear, thermostats, security system, and the gas fireplace.

“Now that we are in a modern place, we thought control should be modern as well,” says Dr. Parlow, who describes herself as a tech geek. “We just knew it should be easy to get everything automated, like the music, lighting, and shades.”

While the doctors go about their daily routines, so does the condo, but that doesn’t mean the homeowners can’t take cover when they want to. While some scenes like “Morning” are set to run automatically, others are triggered manually when the doctors interact with touchscreens, remotes, and keypads located in various places throughout the home.

Lighting Leads the Way

OneTouch Automation began its design and programming work with the scenes that impact the home’s lights. “Lighting is the most important system in the house,” says Naz Kawsar, OneTouch principal. “You always have to have lights.” Certain lights illuminate automatically in the morning and at dusk, and dim to five percent in the hallways during the night. “That’s enough light for someone to walk around safely, but not too much to disturb someone who is sleeping,” Kawsar explains. “The “Night” scene also keeps the outside lights on from dusk to dawn.”

Made in the Shade

With 23 floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors, the next order of business was automating the shading. “When you have a lot of blinds on the windows, the thought of opening every single one is a little overwhelming,” Dr. Parlow says. The OneTouch programmers configured the Crestron system to command the shades to open and close automatically throughout the day.

For example, the living room shades lower midday, just as the sun’s rays begin to stream through the living room window. This helps keep the room cool without taxing the home’s HVAC system. It also helps protect the furnishings and carpet from UV damage.

The time-of-day control is handled by the Crestron system’s built-in astronomical timeclock, which dispatches commands based on the daily sunrise and sunset. “Without the astronomical clock, it would be very hard to determine when sunset happens on, say, January 7 or October 5,” Kawsar says. “We just input the latitude and longitude of the home and the system automatically adjusts the time for the shades to lower or rise based on the position of the sun.” For on the spot control, a touch of the “Privacy” button on any Crestron touchscreen, remote, or keypad signals the shades in a given room to open or close.

Concert Quality Sound

Once Kawsar and his team felt comfortable with the design of the lighting and shading operation, they began working on the home’s audio and video systems, with audio taking priority. “Dr. Parlow has a huge collection of music and she wanted to hear all the music uncompressed, the way it was recorded,” says Kawsar. “We loaded all her music and movies onto Crestron’s digital media server and installed high-quality ceiling speakers to play it back at the best possible quality.”

Audio sources include the media server, AM, FM and satellite radio, plus a Crestron docking station for the iPod. Video sources include cable, Apple TV, and a Kaleidescape movie server for DVD and Blu-ray discs. Each room has a Crestron light switch and either a keypad or touchscreen for full room control. The doctors can select audio sources, browse through music libraries, play songs, and adjust volume from the touchscreen or keypad in the room. For addition convenience, the light switch also features buttons for volume control. “It’s like you are in a concert hall,” says Kawsar. “It’s an out of this world experience.”

Simply Stated

It was important to the doctors that operating this system would be simple, even though there are many components to a system of this size and scale. From the kitchen touchscreen, they can simply drag-and-drop an audio or video source icon onto the room or area they choose and instantly enjoy the content. They can call up any programmed scene, check the weather, control the lighting and shade position in any given room, adjust the heating or air conditioning, and even go online, all by simply touching an icon.

They can also watch TV on the same 24-inch touchscreen that presents home control options. “I like the fact that you can have different sources in different areas of the house,” says Dr. Parlow. “My husband might watch the Masters in the living room, while I have music on in the kitchen.” Dr. Parlow also has the ability to project her laptop contents onto any video display in the house, which allows her to easily review patient files at home. “I don’t have a specific office in the house. I want to look at my work on a big screen because I have trouble seeing it on the small screen. Instead of having an ugly computer monitor sitting on a desk in the middle of the room, I can just sit down in a chair and display it on a large screen TV.”

Don’t Panic

The doctors initially told Kawsar what they wanted the home to do on its own, but they added and subtracted things after living there for a few months and figuring out their routine. They have presets for just about every scenario, even ones they hope never to use. A push of the “Panic” button flashes all the lights in the home until help arrives, while going on vacation couldn’t be made any easier. “If you go on holiday, you press a “Vacation” button and it simulates your behavior when you’re home,” says Dr. Parlow. “So the lights go on and off and the shades go up and down, making it look like you’re home.

Welcome Home

It’s always good to arrive home after a long day’s work, but for the doctors, homecoming is as simple and welcoming as possible. A push of the garage door opener triggers the garage lights, the interior hallway lights that lead to the elevator, and several other lights, while soft music begins to play throughout the condo. Without a doubt, Crestron has given the doctors the kind of living experience they wanted. The most comprehensive technology offered today, combined with a luxurious living environment, makes home life simple, safe, and stress-free.

The post Streamline Your Morning Routine with Smart Home Technology appeared first on Electronic House.

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New Year’s Resolution: 5 Ways to Make Your House Smarter

By Justin Schwartz- CEO, SAGE AV

Smart home products are becoming increasingly popular. By the year 2020, smart home automation devices are expected to become a $57 billion dollar industry.  So, is now is the time to seriously consider investing in smart home technology, or should you wait? If you’re making a New Year’s resolution to live smarter, more economically, and more comfortably, 2017 is the year to give you house and your life a high-tech makeover.

1 Energy Savings

The average household spends almost $2,000 on energy costs per year. With just a few smart upgrades, it’s possible to make your home more efficient, as well as cost effective. Forty-five percent of smart home users report their smart home technologies saved them over $1,100 annually. Smart home products from lighting (automatic timers, dimmers, motion detectors) to thermostat (programmable thermostats) control and even irrigation systems (automatic irrigation systems) offer homeowners a way to begin saving on their energy costs immediately.  A connected smart home energy monitoring system makes it easy for you to not only view your energy costs, but respond to that usage and take control of the costs. Ultimately, a smart home helps minimize the use of energy around the home, and in turn makes your life easier by automating tasks you would otherwise do manually.

2 Increase the Resale Value of Your Home

If you are looking to boost the resale value of your home, smart home technology is a good investment. A recent study by Coldwell Banker found that 64% of home buyers are interested in purchasing a smart home.  According to the study, homes with already installed devices could make a huge difference in how fast and how much the buyer might spend on their new home. In fact, 81% of current smart home device owners say they would be more willing to buy a home with connected technology in place. Not only are Americans more interested in smart home technology, but homeowners and builders have found that smart home automation drastically raises a property’s value and makes it sell faster. According to experts, adding the right smart home technology to your home or requesting those features in your next property is both worth the expense and the effort.

3 Life-Saving Features

Fires, flooding, and carbon monoxide are just a few examples that can destroy your home and threaten your life. With advances in smart home technology, you can now receive warnings that will protect you. Smart home technology can monitor fire or plumbing leaks and prevent thousands of dollars in damage when homeowners are away. Smart homes give homeowners the ability to know what’s happening with their homes even while they are not present by generating alerts to let you know there is a problem. For example, smart smoke alarms come in handy if there is a fire and you aren’t home. The alarms can send an alert through apps to your smartphone or device.  Additionally, alerts can be set if your smart devices are low on batteries, or if there is carbon monoxide in the home. Minor leaks which could potentially turn into devastating damage can now be prevented through the notification of smart home technology. In all these cases, knowing what’s happening in your home can give you peace of mind, and the ability to address problems before they escalate, all changing your life for the better.

4 Security

Personal and family security remain key drivers in the adoption of smart home devices. According to recent reports, 90% of consumers agree that security is one of the most important reasons to purchase a smart home system. With smart home security, you can arm and disarm your home even when you are not there. Smart surveillance gives you the ability to monitor live video from security cameras, as well as receive notifications if an intruder is on your property.

In addition, motion activated lights, motion and sound detectors, home entertainment systems, blinds, video doorbells and even door locks can be smart, all giving the appearance of a more lived-in feel, as well as added security measures. All in all, smart home systems present unlimited opportunities to keep you and your family safe.

5 Convenience

Convenience is one of the biggest reasons that people build or purchase smart homes. The ultimate convenience of a smart home is its ability to learn your preferences and daily routine and then act accordingly. According to studies, 87% say that technology makes their lives easier, while 57% agree that these devices save them time. Smart homes have systems such as heating and cooling, multimedia devices, lighting, electronics and appliances all communicating with each other in addition to giving its users remote access.  All of these smart home technologies streamline common household tasks.

The post New Year’s Resolution: 5 Ways to Make Your House Smarter appeared first on Electronic House.

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Holiday Light and Sound Show

Christmas may be over, but the holiday spirit lives on at John Krug’s home in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. The home systems integrator from Atlantic Marine Electronics employed the same products and systems he installs in his clients homes to create a dramatic holiday display that has passerby stopping in their tracks to admire. Here’s how and why he did it:
Here’s why: “I use Total Control from URC to handle all the scheduling of my holiday light and sound show.  I don’t usually make it home in time to get everything set for the light show each night. With Total Control, I don’t have to be there to mess with things.  It all happens on a set schedule automatically. And if we have bad weather, I can easily remote in with the URC Mobile app and cancel the show for that night. Next year, I want to create an interface for people walking by to select the song they want to hear.  I’m sure I will be using Total Control for that too.”

Here’s what happens: At 5 p.m. the outdoor lights turn off and the lights turn off in the upstairs bedroom, living room, and foyer. Then the Christmas tree in the living room turns on and my audio system’s outdoor zone turns on to a certain set volume. The Lightorama light controller is then triggered to begin playing the light show. At 7 p.m. the sound turns down a bit since it gets quieter in my neighborhood by then. At 8 p.m. the sound shuts off so my neighbors don’t go too insane from hearing the same 20 songs. (People can still listen to an FM station in their cars)  At 9 p.m. the light show shuts down, then my exterior lights come back on.

 YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks1Odx0O1i4

The post Holiday Light and Sound Show appeared first on Electronic House.

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Hands On: TV App on Apple TV Lists Titles From Other Streaming Apps

The TV App on Apple TV makes it easier to find what to watch. Movies and TV Shows from all apps are listed together for easy access. Apple is finally getting it right.

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TCP 40 Watt Equivalent 6-pack LED Deco Chandelier Light Bulbs Small Candelabra Base Dimmable Soft White LDCT40W27K6 - CNET

TCP 40 Watt Equivalent 6-pack LED Deco Chandelier Light Bulbs Small Candelabra Base Dimmable Soft White LDCT40W27K6

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Elac Uni-Fi UB5 Speaker System Review

Performance
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $2,047 as reviewed

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Concentric mid/tweeter
Pinpoint imaging
App-driven, room- correcting sub
Minus
Extra power required
App required for sub control

THE VERDICT
Speaker designer extraordinaire Andrew Jones continues his work for German manufacturer Elac with some of the best monitor-class speakers we’ve ever heard plus a provocative, app-driven sub.

There are a lot of ways to put together a home theater system. Small speakers—or, as I call them, monitors—are among the best foundations for a multipurpose room that isn’t cavernous in size. The audio industry used to pump out so many potentially interesting passive monitors (not to mention towers) that we could barely review a fraction of them. But with the increasing emphasis today on soundbars and powered lifestyle speakers at the lower end of the market, it’s becoming increasingly hard to put together small-speaker configurations for surround sound.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/elac-uni-fi-ub5-speaker-system-review

LG Adopts New HDR

LG has added a new HDR standard to the two it already supports. In addition to HDR10 and Dolby Vision, some sets introduced at the IFA 2016 show in Berlin included HLG, or hybrid log gamma, HDR technology. HLG springs from a team effort by the BBC and NHK, the Beeb’s counterpart in Japan. It enables broadcasters to send HDR via cable and streaming. The demo included BBC terrestrial broadcasts and ASTRA satellite broadcasts. LG is also working with the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union on a version of HLG with HFR (high frame rate) of up to 100 or 120 frames per second. Also at the IFA show, LG introduced three UltraWide monitors with 21:9 aspect ratios, billing the 38-inch 38UC99 as the world’s biggest UltraWide monitor. It supports the new USB-C interface and sells for $1,499.

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CES 2017 Sneak Peek: A Levitating Speaker, More

Press releases and invites teasing products and technologies slated for introduction at next week at CES shows no signs of abating...

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Audio from Amazon Echo Sought in Murder Case

In a blog he posted in October 2015, Ken Pohlmann expressed privacy concerns about the always-on microphones in Amazon’s Internet-connected Echo speaker/personal assistant. Could it be hacked? What are the ramifications of having an Internet-connected device in your home that is always listening?

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audio-amazon-echo-sought-murder-case

LIGHTSTORY G14 3W LED Filament Bulb 40W Equivalent, Global Bulb, E26 Base, 2700K, Dimmable - CNET

LIGHTSTORY G14 3W LED Filament Bulb 40W Equivalent, Global Bulb, E26 Base, 2700K, Dimmable

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Sharp Aquos LC-75N8000U LCD Ultra HDTV Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $3,200

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Inexpensive (with discounting) for a 75-incher
HDR compatible
Accurate and extended color
Minus
Limited contrast
Backlight artifacts
Highlights in HDR programs lack detail

THE VERDICT
Sharp’s heavily discounted 75-inch TV offers accurate color and decent HDR performance, but its best feature is its big screen at an affordable price.

The arrival of a hulking 75-inch Ultra HDTV on your doorstep would be something you’d ideally want to coincide with a worthy media spectacle—the Super Bowl, for instance. In my case, however, the delivery of the Sharp Aquos LC-75N8000U synced up perfectly with the broadcast of the first Presidential debate. Lucky me: I got to witness what perhaps were the two most unpopular candidates in history assail each other’s character at near-life-size.

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CES 2017: Audio/Video Dreamin'

In just a bit over a week Sound & Vision contributors will be traveling en masse to sleepy, laid-back Las Vegas for CES 2017, hoping to be wowed by all the new audio and video products headed our way in the coming year. Our show blogs will begin on Wednesday January 4th, the most significant (for us) of two days of formal press conferences before the show floor opens on January 5th.

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CES 2017: Audio/Video Dreamin'

In just a bit over a week Sound & Vision contributors will be traveling en masse to sleepy, laid-back Las Vegas for CES 2017, hoping to be wowed by all the new audio and video products headed our way in the coming year. Our show blogs will begin on Wednesday January 4th, the most significant (for us) of two days of formal press conferences before the show floor opens on January 5th.

What do we expect to see? The video side is always the most active, not only because TV models turn over every year but also because video is currently in a state of technological one-upmanship, with manufacturers competing fiercely for the top of the pile in Ultra HD and high dynamic range (HDR). Early in the UHD revolution, 2-3 years ago, prices were high with HDR virtually unheard of. Now UHD sets dominate the market.

When I was a lad an uncle declared that he wouldn’t buy a color TV until they were “perfected.” ...

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Flood Sensor Works with Apple HomeKit

Fibaro is bringing the first flood and leak sensing device to Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, along with two other HomeKit-enabled devices: a motion sensor and door/window sensor.

All three devices are designed to subtly blend in to home décor and be placed around the home to monitor changes in their surroundings.

The sensors run on wireless Bluetooth LE (low energy, so as not to drain the battery) and can be controlled remotely via the new Fibaro app or the Apple Home app, available in iOS 10.

Fibaro Flood Sensor

The Fibaro Flood Sensor is the first water and leak detection device in the Apple HomeKit ecosystem. The Flood Sensor is equipped with gold telescopic probes that detect water as soon as it appears.

An LED indicator and an alarm both alert homeowners of flooding, and also of any tampering with the device. The sensor can trigger a smart home scene and notify a user of a problem through the Fibaro app or Apple’s Home app.

Homeowners can also use the Fibaro Flood Sensor as a temperature sensor. If the sensor is placed in the garage or basement in cold weather months, users can ask Siri to check the temperature where the sensor is placed and stay ahead of burst pipes, drafts or other problems.

Fibaro Motion Sensor

The Motion Sensor is a CES (Consumer Electronics Show) Innovations honoree, able to measure movement, ambient temperature, and light intensity.

Battery-powered and communicating via Bluetooth, the device looks like an eye, with an LED indicator that changes colors to signal motion, temperature level, or light. The Motion Sensor is equipped with tamper protection through a built-in accelerometer. Any unauthorized attempt to relocate or change the sensor’s view angle should trigger an alarm.

Fibaro Door/Window Sensor

The Door/Window Sensor is a dual contact and temperature sensor that can be placed on any door or window. It comes in seven colors to match the home décor. Any movement of a door or window will alert the homeowner, making the sensor an easy add-on to home security as part of the HomeKit ecosystem.

Fibaro App

Fibaro designed a new app exclusively for use with its Apple HomeKit product line. Fibaro’s HomeKit devices can be controlled with voice using Siri directly from an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch. With an Apple TV, the app also allows for remote access and management outside the smart home. The Fibaro app gives users extended functionality including device status checks.

Retail pricing:

• Fibaro Flood Sensor $69.99/ea
• Motion Sensor $69.99/ea
• Door/Window Sensor $59.99/ea

All three products are expected to be available by the end of 2016.

The post Flood Sensor Works with Apple HomeKit appeared first on Electronic House.

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GUESS Watches Connect with Amazon Alexa

Style and smarts combine forces, thanks to a partnership between GUESS Watches and Amazon. Watches with GUESS Connect technology are able to integrate Amazon Alexa cloud-based voice service, enabling you to access dynamic Amazon Alexa skills on the go via your wrist. Using nothing but the sound of your voice and a push of a button, you can shop online, create a workout, learn a new recipe, order a car service, and control popular smart home products among other skills, in real time.

By downloading the GUESS Connect app enabled with Amazon Alexa, the GUESS Connect timepiece becomes the interface to voice-controlled products and services.

By uniquely housing a fully-contained Martian module that sports a microphone and clear audio speaker, the GUESS Connect allows users to connect to their smartphone’s resident voice command app, so wearers can give voice commands, talk and listen, and respond to texts and emails directly from the watch. In addition, using the free iOS and Android App, users can customize which notifications are received on the watch, create unique vibration patterns to distinguish between alert types, and recall the most recent notifications with just a tap of the watch glass.

“The GUESS Watches brand constantly evolves to encompass the latest designs, materials, and technology. Our GUESS Connect smartwatch fuses fashion with technology in a simple yet sophisticated way”, says Elizabeth Thompson, senior vice president, Global Product and Marketing, GUESS Watches. “Our lifestyle driven consumer is embracing new ways to receive incoming information and to handle outgoing communication with style and ease. The collaboration with Amazon Alexa allows this consumer to manage all of their information activity in a more natural way through use of voice. This is a definitely a marriage of beauty and brains.”

GUESS Connect is available on Guess.com, Amazon, and select retailers in the USA priced at $249.

 

The post GUESS Watches Connect with Amazon Alexa appeared first on Electronic House.

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https://www.electronichouse.com/smart-home/guess-watches-connect-amazon-alexa/

The Ultimate Game Room: Control the Arcade with Your Voice

You have to give the consumer electronics industry props for innovating and creating systems with whatever technology it can get its hands on. Nothing is off limits, out of bounds, too big or too small.

Liberty Games, the game room specialist based in the UK that sells pool tables, arcade machines, pinball machines, and other gaming favorites, thought way outside automation box by syncing an entire game room with Amazon Echo.

The luxury game room is a demo project where users can control all the equipment in the room with voice control via Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa. With a simple voice command, players can start up any game without any fumbling around for buttons or coins. The game room features include:

• Pool table
• Jukebox
• Arcade machine
• Pinball machine

Liberty Games adapted these four most popular game room products to make them smarter and more interactive, with the help of a Raspberry Pi, a tiny computer that facilitates easy programming, and a Logitech Harmony Hub.

There were two big parts of the setup, says the company. Creating the skill and executing the result. The first task was to teach Alexa a new skill. Amazon documents how to build a skill by creating a list of phrases people would use to ask Alexa to perform the action as well as what Alexa would say back to the user. Liberty Games also created cards to display in the Alexa app on iPhone or Android.

This is all done on a server that talks to Alexa. The same server talks to the Raspberry Pi, which is what makes the magic happen.

For any coders/programmers out there, this communication with Alexa is done via JSON, making it platform independent (although you can host your skills on Amazon Web Services).

The execution is done a little different depending on the equipment. The CD Jukebox is controlled using an infrared remote, which provided an easy process to hook up the Logitech Harmony Hub to Alexa and program in a CD-playing command.

The pool table, arcade machine, and pinball machine are coin-operated using a mechanical coin drawer. All three use Raspberry Pi and PiFace Digital, an add-on to the Raspberry Pi. Liberty Games wired the outputs of PiFace Digital to the coin mechanism and ran a small piece of code on the Pi to trigger the mechanism to release the pool balls.

The server, which was already communicating with Alexa, just needed to sync to the Pi to pass on the command, which it did pretty quickly.

The post The Ultimate Game Room: Control the Arcade with Your Voice appeared first on Electronic House.

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New Homeowner’s Insurance: Look for Discounted “Smart Home” Policies

IoT (Internet of Things) has taken the home front by storm. Products like smart connected thermostats, lights switches, and security sensors are becoming increasingly more commonplace in all types of residences, as the price of smart home devices continues to decline consumers’ familiarity of and appetite for the technology grows.

Research firm Gartner forecasts that 20.8 billion connected things will be in use worldwide by 2020—and it’s a movement that has industries, even those outside of the tech world, taking serious note. Insurance companies, in particular, are in a unique position to offer customers who add certain IoT devices to their homes special discounted rates on homeowner’s insurance.

Smart Products Provide Better Safety

Why? When devices within a home are able to communicate potential problems like flood, fire, and burglary to a homeowner’s smartphone, appropriate measures can be taken to protect the home, property, and belongings from theft and damage. The notification feature can save the homeowner, and the insurance company, thousands of dollars. Furthermore, IoT also can help insurance companies glean a clearer understanding of the steps you as a homeowner are taking to better protect your residence.

“Today, insurers calculate your risk and policy pricing by knowing your credit, your claims history, the type of house you live in and your location,” says Kevin Meagher, vice president of business development for ROC-Connect, a company that has developed a smart home solution specifically for insurers. “In the near future they are going to recognize that data delivered by IoT devices could paint a potentially different risk picture. If an insurer knows that you are able to respond more quickly, they equate that to mitigation of loss.”

IoT: A Game Changer for Insurance Companies

IoT stands to be a real game-changer for the insurance industry, yet few insurance companies have chosen to exploit the opportunity to attract new customers, reduce claims, improve customer engagement, and generate new revenues. One reason might stem from the fact that smart home technology is unfamiliar territory to an industry that has followed the same basic business model for dozens of years. According to an FC Business Intelligence survey, IoT has the potential to seriously disrupt the insurance industry, yet 50 percent of more than 300 companies say they lack a clear strategy for IoT implementation.

To help insurance companies ease into IoT, ROC-Connect has developed a home safety solution for insurers. Included in the kit are fire and water sensors and a hub which enables customers to monitor their homes remotely, and provide insurance companies with data that can help them recognize risk and reduce potential loses. According to Meagher the basic kit will cost less than $150, and customers will be able to add sensors depending on their needs and size of house. He expects insurance companies to bundle the kit with their homeowner’s insurance policies, although it’s still too early to tell how the distribution part of the puzzle will flush out. “We have only pulled the wrappers off the kit in mid-November, and are currently testing it in pilot programs with a few insurance companies,” Meagher says.

Insurers Embracing Technology

State Farm blazed the trail in 2013, when it announced that it would offer its insurance customers special promotions on the Lowe’s Iris Safe and Secure kit and the Iris Smart home kit, in addition to providing qualifying customers with discounts on their home insurance.

The Hartford insurance company appears to be moving in this direction, too. The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence and the MIT AgeLab recently interviewed a panel of experts on housing, aging, and technology from the fields of occupational therapy, interior design, computer science, gerontology and engineering, and a survey of homeowners to identify the top 10 smart home technologies that can make life easier, help with home maintenance, and enhance safety and security for homeowners over the age of 50.

The top 10 products are

1. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
2. Wireless doorbell cameras
3. Keyless entry
4. Automatic lighting
5. Smart water shutoff valves
6. Smart home security systems
7. Smart outlets/plugs
8. Smart thermostats
9. Water and/or mold monitoring sensors
10. Smart window blinds

Although The Hartford has no specific plans currently to offer smart home technology to its customers, according to Jodi Olshevski, executive director for The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence, the information will be used to educate consumers and offer guidance on the types of technologies that could provide them with many practical benefits. “We are excited about the technologies available today that can help homeowners be safer,” Olshevski says.  “We are exploring a number of opportunities to impact insurance policies.”

As a way to demonstrate the impact of technology on the safety, convenience, and maintenance of a home, The Hartford created a digital smart home that consumers can access and view at their leisure. http://extramile.thehartford.com/home/smart-home

The post New Homeowner’s Insurance: Look for Discounted “Smart Home” Policies appeared first on Electronic House.

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CES 2017 Sneak Peek

Press releases and invites flood our inboxes in the weeks and days leading up to CES, which kicks off next week in Las Vegas. This show is special as it marks 50 years since CES opened its doors in the summer of 1967 in New York City. Here’s a preview of some of the products and technologies that will be introduced.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/sneak-peek-ces-2017

Some Favorite Musical Moments of 2016

2016 is wrapping up and it was a tough year for music. We lost so many influential musicians: David Bowie, Prince, Glenn Frey, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell, Merle Haggard and most recently, George Michael. Throughout the year, though, we’ve also had some wonderful musical moments that remind us of why we love music. It makes us laugh, it inspires us, it brings us together. Thankfully, most of my favorite musical moments of the year were captured on YouTube videos, so continuing in the spirit of Christmas, I give you my Top 4 Musical Moments of 2016. Enjoy!

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/some-favorite-musical-moments-2016

Is the Google Home growing up fast enough? - CNET

As we head toward CES, we check on the progress of Google's Echo competitor. Does it have any chance of catching up to Amazon's Alexa?

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https://www.cnet.com/news/ces-2017-google-home-preview-progress-report/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Hyperikon T8 4FT 18W, Single-Ended, 3000-6000K, Frosted - CNET

Hyperikon T8 4FT 18W, Single-Ended, 3000-6000K, Frosted

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Google Home: 11 tips and tricks to get started - CNET

Want to get the most out of your new assistant? Read this.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/google-home-tips-and-tricks/#ftag=CADa08b18a

CNET's 10 favorite Alexa tips of 2016 - CNET

This year has been amazing for Amazon's digital assistant. She's grown, matured and learned a bunch of new tricks. Here are 10 of the best she learned in 2016.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/cnets-10-favorite-alexa-tips-of-2016/#ftag=CADa08b18a

The Angry Birds Movie

Picture
3D-ness
Sound
Extras

I’d heard of Angry Birds but completely missed their first flight of fame in an immensely popular game for smartphones. Subsequently, they went bird-flu viral with follow-up games, an animated TV series, and more. A movie launch was inevitable. It features hotheaded Red and other (non-flighted!) feathered citizens of Bird Island. Sentenced to take an anger management course, Red meets a few similarly explosive (sometimes literally!) souls.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/angry-birds-movie

Criminal

Picture
Sound
Extras

When a CIA operative is killed by a team of anarchists, invaluable information is lost—or is it? Not now that a scientist has developed an experimental procedure for transferring memories from a dead man into another man’s brain. The scientist’s name, of course, is Doctor Franks. Not Frankenstein or Frahnkensteeen, but close. The concept’s made all the more unlikely by the choice of recipient—an imprisoned psychopathic murderer called Jericho.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/criminal

Particle Fleet: Emergence Review

A few weeks ago I waxed ecstatic about Creeper World 3, one of the most clever and addicting games I’ve ever played.

Particle Fleet: Emergence is a similar game set in the same universe. The big difference is instead of being on the ground building a base, you’re in space with a fleet. Even cooler, you can build your own ships.

Here’s how it is.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/particle-fleet-emergence-review

The Kwikset Premis is a smart lock that's built for Siri - CNET

The Apple HomeKit-compatible Kwikset Premis is a deadbolt you can control and automate on your phone -- and you can ask Siri to let you in.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-kwikset-premis-is-a-smart-lock-thats-built-for-siri/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Como Audio Solo & Duetto Wireless Music Systems

Duetto
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

Solo
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $299 (Solo), $399 (Duetto)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Versatile
Solid build quality
Streaming via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Impressive sound
Intuitive app plus traditional remote
Minus
Wish it was battery-powered

THE VERDICT
Como Audio's Solo and Duetto look good, sound great, and are loaded with features.

Don’t be fooled by the clock-radio appearance of the Solo or Duetto. Yes, there is a clock with dual alarms and, yes, there is an FM radio—but these extras barely scratch the surface of what these mini marvels can do. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a compact music system that’s as versatile or sounds as good as the Duetto or Solo from Como Audio.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/como-audio-solo-duetto-wireless-music-systems

JVC Unveils First THX-Certified 4K Projector

JVC has announced that its new flagship 4K/Ultra HD D-ILA projector is the first 4K projector to receive THX certification.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/jvc-unveils-first-thx-certified-4k-projector

This might be Alexa's coolest trick yet - CNET

We're testing out a custom-installed Control4 home automation setup in the CNET Smart Home -- and it's already teaching Alexa some new tricks.

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Marantz SR7011 9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver Sweepstakes

Register to win a Marantz SR7011 9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver ($2,199.00 Retail Value) we are giving away.

According to the company:

"Experience the top of the line Marantz AV Receiver range with the new SR7011. Surround yourself in thrilling 3D surround sound with the most complete immersive format including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro 3D (via paid upgrade January 5th 2017). All three codecs are able to drive overhead speakers for a true 3D sound experience."

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. Click on the picture above for details on how to enter.

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Orbit LightMaster 83700 Landscape LED Lighting Controller - CNET

Orbit LightMaster 83700 Landscape LED Lighting Controller

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Sunlite 80149 Yellow LED A19 3 Watt Medium Base 120 Volt UL Listed LED Light Bulb last 25 000 Hours (Bug Light) - CNET

Sunlite 80149 Yellow LED A19 3 Watt Medium Base 120 Volt UL Listed LED Light Bulb last 25 000 Hours (Bug Light)

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For better or worse, these smart kitchen appliances caught our eye - CNET

These gadgets want to use smart-home technology to make all aspects of the kitchen easier, from making your coffee to roasting a turkey.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/for-better-or-worse-these-smart-kitchen-appliances-caught-our-eye/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Here's what works with the Amazon Echo - CNET

Alexa is like Siri-in-a-speaker, and Amazon wants her to quarterback your smart-home setup.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/heres-what-works-and-will-work-with-amazon-echo-pictures/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Kwikset Premis HomeKit-enabled Smart Lock review - CNET

It doesn't break the mold, but Kwikset's newest touchpad deadbolt manages multiple users exceptionally well -- and you can tell Siri to lock it.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/kwikset-premis/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Use this hack to "vacuum seal" any freezer bag video - CNET

If you don't have access to a vacuum sealer, this quick hack is the next best thing. All you need is a container of water.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/use-this-hack-to-vacuum-seal-any-freezer-bag/#ftag=CADa08b18a

LG 65UH8500 LCD Ultra HDTV Review

2D Performance
3D Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $1,700

AT A GLANCE
Plus
HDR10 plus Dolby Vision HDR
Great color
Wide viewing window
Minus
Middling black levels
Backlight artifacts

THE VERDICT
LG’s midpriced 65UH8500 delivers good image quality with a super-wide viewing window, and it’s one of the few sets around that plays both predominant types of HDR content.

A year ago, I tested the LG 65UF9500, an LCD Ultra HDTV that retailed for $2,999, and I criticized it for offering no future-readiness for soon-to-emerge high dynamic range (HDR) content. Since then, Ultra HD Blu-ray has come to market, bringing HDR along with it, and there’s a growing library of HDR movies available for streaming. To LG’s credit, their line of so-called Super UHD LCD TVs for this holiday season, including the midline 65-inch 65UH8500 tested here ($1,700), recognizes both predominant types of HDR—namely, HDR10 (used currently on Ultra HD Blu-rays) and Dolby Vision (still only available via web streams). LG is one of only two TV makers to support both formats on a single chassis (in both their LCD and OLED models), the other being Vizio, which updated their Dolby Vision sets for HDR10 in mid-2016. So how does this wellfeatured, attractively priced set perform? Let’s have a look.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg-65uh8500-lcd-ultra-hdtv-review

Class Act: Amplifier Classes Explained

From time to time, in these pages—err, screens—and elsewhere, you’ll see references to amplifier “class”: Class A, Class D, and so on. What’s it mean?

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/class-act-amplifier-classes-explained

Here's everything the Amazon Echo can do - CNET

The online mega-retailer's smart speaker seems to get smarter every day. Here's a rundown of the many tricks up "Alexa's" sleeve.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/what-can-amazon-echo-and-alexa-do-pictures/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Flashback 1998: AOL Goes Hollywood

When the romantic comedy You’ve Got Mail opened in theaters 18 years ago this week, the Internet was crossing over into the mainstream—as evidenced by the movie’s title, borrowed from AOL’s iconic email notification “voice.”

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/flashback-1998-aol-goes-hollywood

Can I Use Wireless Ceiling Speakers for Dolby Atmos?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m ready to upgrade my surround sound system to a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration. My current 5.1 system uses GoldenEar Technology speakers, which I want to keep. Here’s my problem: I have no way to run wires through the ceiling to mount in-ceiling speakers, and I don’t want to deal with the unsightly wires that an on-ceiling speaker installation would require. Here’s my question: Are there any wireless speakers I could use for my Atmos upgrade? —Michael Henn

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/can-i-use-wireless-ceiling-speakers-dolby-atmos

Water Damage Prevention System Shuts Off Hot Water Main

More than 14,000 water damage claims are filed every day, costing insurance companies over $5 billion annually. Guardian by Dome aims to change this by developing a smart water damage prevention system that not only detects leaks but responds by shutting off the water main.

“What Nest did for climate control, Guardian will do for water damage prevention. This standalone system not only provides convenience but also peace of mind for a very real and often financially devastating problem: water damage,” says Matthew Cwiokowski, director of home automation at Elexa Consumer Products.

The Guardian, promoted as being able to install in less than five minutes, includes the following:

• Smart Water Valve Controller:The controller installs on an existing water main with no plumber or tools required. It has an optional battery backup to ensure your home is protected even without power.
• Water Detector:The sensors connect to the Valve right out of the box automatically with no configuration required, can be placed virtually anywhere across hundreds of feet, and have a 10-year battery life.
• Smart Siren:The siren notifies users of detected water leaks via beeps or verbal warnings – perfect for homeowners or apartment residents without access to a water main shut-off valve.

The post Water Damage Prevention System Shuts Off Hot Water Main appeared first on Electronic House.

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Comcast Xfinity Home Now Offers Smart Lighting and Voice Control Features

Comcast continues to enhance and refine its Xfinity Home home control platform by enabling new home security and automation commands on its voice controlled X1 television remote.  Customers can now control General Electric branded plug-in and in-wall smart switches, as well as Sengled’s Element Touch connected LED lightbulbs from theirXfinity Home app and touchscreen.  Additionally, customers can say “Xfinity Home lights turn on/off” into the Xfinity X1 voice remote to manage these new devices through the X1 operating system.

“Xfinity Home is redefining what customers should expect from their traditional home security service,” says Daniel Herscovici, senior vice president and general manager of Xfinity Home.  “By adding General Electric and Sengled to our growing list of curated smart home devices that we integrate with Xfinity Home, our customers will be able to create unique experiences that connect the devices that are important to them such as streaming security cameras, door locks, thermostats, and lights.  We’re the only company that can integrate all these devices into a unified experience on an easy-to-use platform.”

Other devices currently able to be integrated with Xfinity Home include August Smart Locks, Chamberlain MyQ garage controllers, Lutron Caséta wireless controllers and dimmers, and Nest Learning Thermostats.

Xfinity Home customers can also create “rules” or automated commands that trigger different functions and experiences.  For instance, customers can set a rule to turn a light on every day at sunset or every time the front door opens.  They can also set a lighting schedule so their home appears occupied while they are not at home or to save energy.

Xfinity Home functions are managed with the Xfinity Home mobile app, online portal, and in-home Touchscreen Controller.  In addition, X1 customers with Xfinity Home service can use their X1 voice remote to say things like “Xfinity Home Cameras” to see their camera feeds; “Xfinity Home Arm,” “Xfinity Home Arm Night,” “and Xfinity Home Disarm” to arm and disarm their security system; and “Xfinity Home” to easily and quickly pull up the main menu of commands.

The post Comcast Xfinity Home Now Offers Smart Lighting and Voice Control Features appeared first on Electronic House.

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A Media Room Full of Mystery and Moody Details

Napa Valley Home Earns Region’s First Residential LEED Platinum Status

The owners of this beautiful three-bedroom, three full and two half-bath, 4,600-square-foot home wanted it to be the first residence in Napa Valley, Calif., to achieve LEED Platinum status. To accomplish this, it would take some serious focus on sustainability and energy efficiency — so that’s just what they did.

“To my knowledge, no other custom home in Napa is LEED Platinum certified,” says Ellyn Elson, who lives in the home with her husband, Larry. “I’ve come to realize how important it is to build with sustainability in mind.”

LEED Status Through Automation

One of the keys to achieving LEED Platinum was the installation of a complete integrated lighting, climate, and shade control system based on the InFusion control platform from Vantage. The home systems integrators at San Francisco-based Artistic Lighting & Electric worked with Vantage to design and install the system, which was customized to meet the unique needs of the Ellyn and Larry. Included in the system were a host of sensors, keypads, dimmers, and touchscreen controls to provide the homeowners with a way to easily manage their energy use without compromising the home’s decorative appeal.

“It’s a system that really integrated a lot of distinct functionalities throughout the entire home,” says Artistic Lighting & Electric’s Eastman Webber, who designed the system for the Elsons’ home. “And it was all done in a very user-friendly way.”

Simple Setup of Lights, Temperature and More

The Vantage system allows the Elsons to control everything from lighting and temperature settings to audio/video systems through sleek touchpanels with a graphical user interface. Various zones throughout the home can be programmed for different temperatures, and different lighting modes automatically set the stage for entertaining, dining, navigating outdoor pathways, and other needs.

“There’s also a vacation mode and a mode to set a specific scene for the sconces if I just want some quiet light,” the homeowners say. “The touch panels are really nice and simple to use.”

Engaging Energy Saving Strategies

The Vantage system also provides the homeowners with a dashboard that allows them to employ other energy-reducing strategies and see, in real time, the how much they are actually saving. Ellyn says heating and cooling bills for a similar-sized home would run close to $25,000 a year. But because her home is so efficient — a cool roof, sprayed-in insulation, double-pained windows, and a rarely-used heat exchanger that keep it a comfortable 68 to 72 degrees all year long — she pays next to nothing for heating and cooling. An 18.5 kilowatt solar panel system on the roof also renders the home “zero net” energy, meaning that the amount of energy the home uses is equal to that produced on site.

Contributors to Platinum Status

The Elsons’ home achieved LEED Platinum status through many other measures in addition to the energy saving featurs of the Vantage system. Rather than demolish the original 1956 ranch home, crews deconstructed it and reused or recycled 93 percent of the materials. Locally produced materials included recycled quartz countertops, tile, garden boxes, woodwork and cabinetry made from reclaimed cherry trees. Other sustainable features, such as a recirculation hot water pump, Energy Star appliances, insulated floors and native landscaping with drip irrigation, also helped the home earn its LEED Platinum status.

The status is a nice acknowledgement of the sustainability and efficiency of the Elsons’ home. But, for Ellyn, the motivation behind it all is much bigger than that.

“It’s important to me to be kind to Mother Earth,” she says. “I have eight grandkids, and I’d like to leave the world a better place for them. We could make a real difference if more people would do the same.”

The post Napa Valley Home Earns Region’s First Residential LEED Platinum Status appeared first on Electronic House.

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https://www.electronichouse.com/home-energy-management/napa-valley-home-earns-regions-first-residential-leed-platinum-status/

Review: LifePrint

Print is not dead. At least, LifePrint is banking on it remaining alive for some time to come. The post Review: LifePrint appeared first on WIRED.

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https://www.wired.com/2016/12/review-lifeprint/

Sunlite CFC/LED/AQ/4W/E12/D/CL/27K 4W 40W Equivalent LED Vintage Antique Style Chandelier Flame Light Bulb Candelabra E12 Base Dimmable 2700K Warm White 6 Pack - CNET

Sunlite CFC/LED/AQ/4W/E12/D/CL/27K 4W 40W Equivalent LED Vintage Antique Style Chandelier Flame Light Bulb Candelabra E12 Base Dimmable 2700K Warm White 6 Pack

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Rainbow “Since You Been Gone” Vocalist Graham Bonnet Opens a New Book

Rainbow was looking for a hit, as bandleader/guitarist Richie Blackmore wanted to hear his songs on the radio. After scores of vocal auditions in 1979, they finally hit upon Graham Bonnet, who sang lead on Rainbow's breakout track, “Since You Been Gone.” Bonnet got on the horn to discuss his new solo album The Book, where he likes to hear his vocals in a mix, how he transformed “Since You Been Gone” from a pop song into a rock hit, and coming to grips with living in the streaming universe.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/rainbow-%E2%80%9C-you-been-gone%E2%80%9D-vocalist-graham-bonnet-opens-new-book

Ditch That HDMI Dongle

Phones, tablets, computers, and cameras using the up-and-coming USB Type-C port won’t need a dongle or dock to convert the new standard’s DisplayPort video signals to HDMI. HDMI Licensing, the arbiter of all things HDMI, has decreed that an HDMI Alternate Mode (or Alt Mode) for USB-C will allow HDMI video signals to travel through a USB-C cable with no muss or fuss. However, Alt Mode is not backward compatible and applies only up to HDMI 1.4b—as opposed to the more video-hip 2.0a—so Ultra HD content would be limited to 30 frames per second and HDR would not be supported at all. But HDCP 2.2 DRM, ARC, HEC, CEC, Deep Color, and x.v.Color are supported.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/ditch-hdmi-dongle

How To Buy An Ultra HDTV

If you’re considering buying a new TV, you can be forgiven for having questions, possibly many of them. Several big-screen TV technologies—Ultra HDTV, high dynamic range (HDR), OLED—have been introduced over the past few years. At the same time, some older ones, including 3D and plasma, have faded from prominence. There have also been changes on the connectivity front, with new versions of the HDMI standard added to sets to accommodate new, higher-bandwidth signal formats.

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http://www.soundandvision.com/content/how-buy-ultra-hdtv