If there is one thing worth leaving your home theater for, it's the IMAX experience. The stunning visuals and crystal-clear sound make this the one thing better experienced in a theater. However, IMAX might have a big competition coming from the company that has the authority in all things audio.

Dolby is to release new projection technology called Dolby Cinema to rival the coveted experience of IMAX and forever change what we see. 4K Ultra High Definition technology has been a game-changing front runner this year, especially when it comes to televisions. However, Dolby's plan to release an innovative theater projection system that utilizes High Dynamic Range will be altering the experience of what we see when we see a movie at the theater. High Dynamic Range or HDR will give viewers stark contrast and intense color by utilizing high-powered laser projectors. This technology will make the visual experience more intense than that of IMAX theaters. Dolby is calling their state of the art technology DolbyVision. According to Dolby, "It's beyond the number of pixels, it's about the quality of pixels." Dolby Cinema is slated to make its awaited debut in the Netherlands this December and will eventually expand further across the globe. When asked about this new, HDR technology, IMAX said they also have a new projection system in the development stages. Eventually, this unique experience could make it to your very own home as Dolby is working to expand HDR technology for television.

For more information on home theater installations in Atlanta and home theater technology industry-related updates. Be sure to stay up-to-date with our blog.     

Buying Christmas gifts can be tricky. You want to make sure you purchase something meaningful and useful for your friends and family. Being sure they'll like your gift is half the challenge, right? Have no fear, if you know someone who loves tech tools and home automation gadgets, these gifts are sure to please.

• Wireless video streaming: Your gadget-guru will love being able to stream any music or video from the internet on their TV. Options like Google Chrome or Amazon TV allow you to access internet-based streaming services such as Netflix and not have to worry about hooking up an HDMI cable or gathering around the laptop. These video streaming devices start at just $35!
• What's worse than cleaning your house? Seriously, we can automate just about everything, why not clean?! Well now, there is a solution. For the person in your life who hates getting their hands dirty, treat them to a high-powered, robotic vacuum. Check them out here.
• Do you know a not-so-morning person? Getting up in the morning can be tough for everyone, but think of how much easier it will be when they can smell their coffee brewing away before getting out of bed? Automated coffee makers can make waking up that much easier. Check out this awesome model by none other than the ever-reliable brand, Mr. Coffee. 

With home automation installations in Atlanta on the rise, why not treat that special someone in your life with a great, life-enhancing gift! They'll wonder how they got by without it!

Entertaining guests during the holidays can be tricky! You want everyone to be entertained at all times on top of ensuring everything throughout the home runs smoothly. To make sure everyone is enjoying their visit to your house, make your home theater the focal point for a good time! Here are a few tips for making the most of your home theater during the holiday season.

• What's better during a movie than popcorn? Not much! Fire up the popcorn machine and serve it up fresh and hot. Offer up different toppings and seasonings so your guests can create their own tub of delicious popcorn. For popcorn season recipes, click here.
• Make your theater the place to meet by hosting NFL or college viewing parties. Invite your favorite fans over for wings, beer, snacks, and football. Compare fantasy matchups and have fun cheering on your favorite team.
• It's time to dig out the blankets. Nothing is better than a warm fluffy blanket and a great movie. Fleece and chenille varieties are favorites for softness. You can also break out some comfy pillows if you're going for a slumber party vibe.
• We have two words-- holiday specials. Take advantage of the marathons and get everyone together for a great evening of holiday classics like Merry Christmas Charlie Brown and Home Alone.
• Nothing says holiday fun like hot chocolate and cider. Make a batch before movie time for a sweet treat.

By being prepared with ideas, you'll have more time to spend enjoying being with your guests during the holiday season!

The New Year is around the corner which means new budgets and improvement projects. If you are considering a project for a residential property, an important factor to consider in your decision will be how you will save in the long run. In this day and age, we're all busy and the mantra "time is money" has never been more true. Home automation may be the solution to all of the little money-saving woes when it comes to paying the bills each month.

Here's how home automation can help you save money:

Home automation is efficient when you aren't there to do things on your own. This means you will not only save money, but you'll also save energy and resources along the way. Lighting, HVAC, and appliance control can help conserve energy and not run when you aren't there to utilize them, saving you money. Lighting and HVAC systems can be synced to reactive certain lights and temperature settings just prior to your arrival home, it'll be like you never left.

Temperature adjustment is another huge facet of home automation. Temperature control allows you to make adjustments by barely lifting a finger. It also gives you the functionality to ensure that no energy is wasted while you and your family are away at work and school. Without automation, you may have to allow the heat or AC to run all day so your home isn't freezing when you return home each day. Additionally, the whole house usually has to be set to the same temperature. However, many systems allow for more zones which gives homeowners more options to help them save money and remain comfortable.

For more information on Home Automation projects and installation, contact us today.  

First of all, we want to thank everyone who attended the Atlanta Housing Summit. It was a great night with excellent turn out and participation. It's quite the honor to be able to host so many of Atlanta's top industry professionals. We look forward to seeing everyone next year! We would love to give a big thank you to those who donated items for the auction benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.   CoolScreens of GA., Genesis Elevators, Cason Photography, Aim High Audio, Bob August, Revel by Harman, ADI, Crazy Cakes  and BRAVAS Atlanta, Inc. We would also like to thank our guest panel members  Rick Hatch of Harrison Design, Bill Preston of Paradise Builders, Inc. and Troy Stowe of Beacham Realty. And, of course, a thank you to our sponsors, we couldn't have done it without you! Thanks go out to: AVI Marvin Windows, Arc Angel Electric, InsiDesign,  Control 4 and Lutron. We look forward seeing everyone next year for the next Atlanta Housing Summit. Stay connected and please inquire with Chuck Schlick for any future event inquiries.

Home Automation project at The St Regis Residences in Atlanta. Sometimes homeowners have special requests and needs that need to be met. Often times, those requests are ones that are extremely important to the family as well as the historical integrity of the home. This awe-inspiring home was built in the 1900s and had a period-inspired aesthetic that needed to be preserved in every visible detail. The integration involved many features including 12 TV installations, a home theater, HVAC, iPad/iPhone integration, pool/spa, interior/exterior lighting plans, security and surveillance and much more. So, how was the home kept looking like the 1900s but running like it's 2020? Here's how they did make it all happen:

• Attention to detail: No corner of the home was left unturned. Even the light switch boards for the integrated lighting system was made to match the aesthetics of the home.
• Involvement: The company that installed the extensive automation system was involved in meetings with contractors and architects to ensure that their work was one that would work in tandem with everyone involved in repurposing the home.
• Trust: The installation company had developed a great relationship with the client, allowing them to work very closely to make the appropriate suggestions to best suit the needs of the homeowners.
• Timing: All of the involvement leading up to the deployment was to ensure that all systems launched smoothly and right on time. This was done by planning out specific stages for every detail from HVAC to golf simulation.

Do you want to check out the full story? You can check it out here.  

At BRAVAS Atlanta, we believe our relationship with our clients goes beyond the installation date. We strive to continue to be confidants and advisors in automation and technology far beyond the start of their project. Additionally, we are proud to have specialists that are reliable and hardworking to deliver the best experience to our clients.

That said, we are thrilled to receive sterling testimonials like the one we received from Senior Pastors, Mirek and Linda Hufton of World Harvest Church.

We want to thank you for the two workers who came and fixed the large television that was on a special lift in the ceiling. It broke just before we had a major conference in our church and was sticking out of the ceiling and definitely in the way. Don Pios and Cameron Holowell showed exemplary attitudes and hard work to enable us to get the conference room TV repaired.   Thank you for working with us...we won't forget your kindness to help us and the excellence of your servicemen.

We want to thank our customers for helping BRAVAS Atlanta remain the best in automation services in Atlanta. We couldn't do it without you! Are you interested in learning more about our services? You can contact us here.

Home automation is a huge investment in the resale value of your home. That said, it's a good idea to look ahead and see what's going to be the next best thing in home technology so you can be ahead of the game when it comes time to get started on your project. To date,  90 percent of American adults have a cellphone, 58 percent have a smartphone and 42 percent own a tablet computer, according to the Pew Research Internet Project.  Homeowner's desire to be able to control their homes while they're away is bigger than ever. Here are some of the anticipated trends in home automation for 2015. 

Heating and Cooling

In an effort to save money and the environment, having remote control of the heating and air technology in the home is very popular. From smart thermostats that allow you to adjust the temperature from a smartphone or tablet to zoned heating and cooling systems, which allow you to time certain parts of your home to be heated and cooled.

Security

Security systems go beyond unwanted visitors. Many smart security systems also feature integrated blind automation and/or lighting automation to make it appear that someone is home. In addition, many systems can let you know if the kids are home from school as well as keeping tabs on your fire and carbon monoxide detection.

Choosing which home automation elements are best for your family and resale value of your home is just the beginning. For more information on home automation in Atlanta, contact us here.   

When you invest in fine furniture, it is critical to make sure your pieces are protected. Beyond the standard polishing and treating of wood furniture and leather, it's important to recognize how other factors may affect the longevity of your pieces. Of those all-important factors that could cause potential damage is natural light. Natural light is a beautiful and coveted quality in all homes, however, if it isn't carefully monitored it can damage furniture that is frequently exposed.

Did you know that wood is affected by sunlight in similar ways that your skin is? If hardwood furniture is in the direct path of sunlight, you might want to be mindful of the pieces you dress the table with. Especially in high-heat temperatures, it is possible for your furniture to develop sun rings, these sun rings are most like tan lines that people get. Depending on the type of wood, your pieces may become lighter or darker in the exposed areas.   If you have leather furniture, you need to mindful of the amount of light exposure your pieces get. Over exposing leather furniture to the sun can cause the fabric to dry and fade. A good way to protect it for the long term is to move the furniture every six months and to make sure that the leather is treated and cleaned at least once a year.

While there are many UV treatments out there for leather and wood, another great way to further protect your furniture is to invest in motorized blinds for your home. Motorized blinds can be controlled remotely and even timed to close when the sun is at its peak. With this level of home automation, you can even control your blinds when you're away. This could be a beneficial feature when you're out of town or just forget to close the blinds while you're at home.  

By investing in motorized blinds, you're further investing in the protection and longevity of your furniture too.  

It goes without saying that the Recession in 2008 hit homeowners and business owners equally hard. People were unsure and luxuries like technology advancements in the home were not on the radar of most people, especially when the housing market began performing so poorly. Luckily, there is new research to show that things are finally in an upswing.

A soon-to-be-released study conducted by CEDIA called The Size and Scope of the Residential Electronic Systems Market© observed that the number of installations and sales in the home technology industry is going up. Participants in both the United States and Canada reported promising numbers that directly coincide with the results of the CEDIA’s Benchmarking Survey which is great news for industry professionals. Preliminary findings from the study show that  Systems/ AV Installation companies saw a 15 percent spike in gross revenue in 2013 and expect that to increase 20 percent by the close of 2014. Cloud-based technology is helping drive labor-based sales, while installations are on the decline. For more information on these findings, check out the full article here. The full report on the study is due to be out at the start of October 2014.

With the economy and consumer confidence on the rise, there has never been a better time to consider making an investment in advanced home technology for your home. For more information about home automation for your Atlanta- area home, contact us today.