What is Dolby Atmos?

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Introduced in 2012 to commercial cinemas, Dolby Atmos incorporates height effects speakers to create special effects which emanate from above the viewer. This brings a new and thrilling dimension of realism to the movie theater experience.

According to Dolby Atmos this is the first audio format based on audio objects rather than channels. In Dolby Atmos, any sound such as a helicopter, a blaring car horn, a yelling child can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. Sounds can be placed and moved anywhere, including anywhere where they would occur naturally in a scene. Sounds move in three-dimensional space flowing above and around the listener in step with the visuals to bring a new sense of height and reality. The Atmos speakers bring out many different nuances and another dimension to the listening experience.

Dolby Labs has also partnered with many major consumer electronic audio brands to add Dolby Atmos decoding capability to home audio AV receivers and processors. Several Dolby Atmos capable AV processors and Atmos speakers are already available in the marketplace, and Atmos is generating a lot of excitement with home theater enthusiasts.

A nice bonus is that Atmos content does not require a new codec, and instead is an extension of the lossless Dolby True HD codec. This means new/recent Blu-ray players will support Atmos without requiring a firmware upgrade (older players may experience compatibility issues). An Atmos-capable AV receiver is also required.

Implementing Dolby Atmos in a home theater will involve either mounting speakers high on a wall and having them radiate sound directly down, installing them in the ceiling, or adding Atmos height effects speaker modules which fire upward at the ceiling, thus relying on boundary reflection to provide the illusion that the special effects are originating from overhead.

Dolby offers the following five speaker layout recommendations for an Atmos-capable home theater. Each of these configurations covers direct radiating, up-firing and ceiling-mounted applications.

Dolby refers to two-speaker configurations as essential or the minimum requirement and four-speaker configurations as premium. This means adding two or four speakers to your existing 5.1 or 7.1 speaker configuration.

The excitement and buzz about Atmos has continued to drive the demand for Atmos encoded Blu-ray discs. This collection of thrilling home theater content grows more and more with each new movie release. Currently titles are available on Blu-Ray, Ultra HD Blu-Ray and 4K players. VUDU a streaming content provider has many different titles to choose from.  Adding a new Dolby Atmos receiver and speakers to your Theater Room or Media Room will guarantee that you are listening to your movie choice the way the Director intended.

Is it time to upgrade to a 4K TV

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Have you gone to somebody’s home recently to watch a sporting event on their new 4K TV and thought to yourself, that picture isn’t much better than my LCD or Plasma TV.   The reason may be that the movie, cable programming or sporting event you were watched is only broadcast in 1080p vs 4k. When you view content that is broadcast with 1080P signal the 4K TV image will look very similar to that of an LCD or Plasma TV. The real advantages of purchasing a 4K TV is when you view 4K broadcasts from services such as Amazon, Netflix, Fandango Now, Sony Ultra, Vudu and You Tube. Matching 4K content to a 4K TV is the best way to experience your 4K TV. These streaming services will broadcast their imagery at 3,840. Multiplied by the 2,160 pixels on each vertical line, that makes for a total of 8.3 million pixels. By comparison, high-definition TVs display 1,920 horizontal and 1,080 vertical pixels, for a total of 2 million pixels. So 4K TVs display four times as many pixels—that is, they have four times as much detail and resolution—as HDTVs. Service providers know how many 4K TV’s have been sold in the last three years and are now providing more 4K content and will continue to grow their 4K content offerings.

4K Content:

If you look at your Netflix account, you will see that there are close to 400 movies and shows combined that are broadcast into 4K technology. As time goes on more and more content will be created in 4K. The good news is that our local service providers are starting to broadcast in 4K. DirecTV was the first service to provide 4K sports and Movies and now Cablevision’s Altice is providing 4K APP services and a 4K Channel (CH 200) which means that the new set top boxes can broadcast the 4k signal. The XBOX One X and Sony Play Station can play 4K disc’s as well as 4K video games.

Conclusion:

If you are thinking about upgrading to a 4K TV, now may be a great time to do it. With so much more content now available in 4K through service providers at streaming providers you TV experience will be greatly enhanced! Reach out to your Integrator that can help you to select the right 4K TV to meet your needs, as well as, making sure that you have the proper source components.

How to secure our Schools

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While politicians engage in lively debate about gun control and solutions to an epidemic wave of violence in schools across the country, the discussion about how to harden our schools has become the top priority for parents and educators. When we think of hardening of schools, we generally think in terms of big hardware and armor, but there are 3 critical ways integrated technology can be implemented to make our schools safer immediately:

Access Control:

Access control is a way of limiting access to a system or to physical or virtual resources. In schools, access control is a process by which users are granted access to the building or specific areas. It can also be used to restrict access to equipment or information systems.

With access control systems, users must present credentials before they can be granted access. In physical systems, these credentials may come in many forms, but credentials that can’t be transferred provide the most security.

For example, a key card may act as an access control and grant the bearer access to a specific building or multiple buildings. Because this credential can be transferred or even stolen, it is not a secure way of handling access control.

A more secure method for access control involves two-factor authentication. The person who desires access must show credentials and a second factor to corroborate identity. The second factor could be an access code, a PIN, or even a biometric reading, such as a fingerprint, palm print or facial recognition.

Communication Systems:

Unlike most public-school systems, many private schools do not have direct communication systems between the classroom, administration and security. Modern two-way communications systems provide the ability to initiate instant emergency notifications & alerts during duress situations. Using a compact personal panic button device, a school-wide alert can be sent within seconds simultaneously to the main office and security staff members using visual alerts and playback of pre-recorded voice messages with specific instructions.

Video Surveillance:

It should go without saying that a current video surveillance system should be part of any school’s security. The ability to visually monitor all access points to a building and common areas within the building, coupled with a robust storage system to review details of an incident are vital to on-site security and response teams. This data can also be used to make key changes to the emergency planning process to aid in the recurrence of and event.

At AV Design Integration, our representatives are available to answer any questions you might have about improving the security of your school by utilizing our affordable integrated technology solutions.

Five Compelling Arguments for Home Automation

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Design strategies for new construction and renovations in the residential market are evolving at an accelerated pace and for good reason. All eyes are on bettering ease of living while protecting the planet we live on at the same time. Smart-products and fully automated homes are at the forefront of our minds when it comes to designing our homes.

With innovative smart-technology so readily available, what are the five most compelling reasons to go automated with your next custom build, remodel or existing home purchase?

Let me En-Lighten you

“Turn off the lights!” Isn’t that what grandma always said? And by the time the early 2000’s rolled around the catchphrase was, “Save the Polar Bears.” With an automated home, the last thing you need to think of is running about the house turning off lights and other electronics before leaving. Most smart-homes are outfitted with central hubs, where wires terminate in a hidden space that you never have to think about. They don’t need separate switches or outlets, therefore eliminating wall acne and so-called vampiric energy from being sucked while electronics are not in use. Companies like Lutron and Sonance offer technologies that interface with smart-phone apps, voice command services, and wall-mount panels to control everything from lighting to stereo equipment. Shutting everything down is as easy as tapping the phone screen or talking to Alexa.

Getting a bit shady

Being an eco-friendly advocate can be as simple as covering those floor to ceiling windows that provide your striking scenic view. The climate of a home is less likely to fluctuate when the windows can’t influence heat and cold exchange. With voice or touch command, shades effortlessly glide across the windows providing not only privacy and lighting control, but also an energy saving barrier between the interior climate of the home, and the elements outside.

And speaking of temperature control

Automated control of your home’s interior climate is a great way to conserve energy. Smart-thermostats allow you to schedule the settings for the hours of your day. As the morning gets underway, the temperature adjusts for comfort without you ever having to touch the controls. At the time of the day when everyone is out of the house, the air conditioner or heating will go into away mode, and slowly readjust before you arrive back home. Your smart-home is comfortable when you are there, and eco-savvy when you aren’t.

A wealth of renewable materials

Companies that build automated structures are quickly getting on the non-toxic, green bandwagon when it comes to materials. “Garbett and Vivint…a production home-builder in Salt Lake City specializes in highly sustainable residences.” Their product, “…the Zero House, is modeled after the ‘passive house’ or ‘net zero’ style of home construction….using tight insulation, renewable energy sources, and strategic design, these houses can keep carbon impact to a minimum while virtually eliminating utility bills.” Many automated structures also use renewable energy sources to have a smooth, constant supply of power. Solar and battery power provide the bulk of energy, while the residences depend on electricity from the grid far less frequently. This strategy protects against outages during storms and reduces monthly expenses.

With automation now the norm for the housing market, it has become easier to gather data and compile research on the outcomes of smart-home living. The verdict is in. It reduces the burden on residential energy consumption, helps to provide consistent energy, and simplifies your unique lifestyle.