From wearables to smart appliances, new frontiers in smart home technology are opening up everyday—all with the aim of helping your daily life go by a whole lot more smoothly. It's been said people spend a third of their lives in bed and that quality sleep is key to productivity and longevity. If so, why not make the bedroom a priority in the smart home craze? Here are some super smart ideas you can employ in your bedroom to improve your sleep, streamline waking up, and generally make bedrooms more convenient.

HELP YOURSELF RISE

Let’s face it, weekday mornings are a struggle, unless you’re an early bird. Smart home technology can help anyone rise each morning with the lark and a spring in their step—even those who usually hit snooze three times every morning. For example, with a Control4 Smart Home you can make sure your lights gradually turn on before finally ringing in the day with your favourite playlist. It can even automate routines around the rest of your home so you don’t need to bother with adjusting the thermostat, opening window shades, or waking up other sleepyheads. It can do all that for you! A home system that gradually wakes you up in a peaceful way is a happier and healthier way to start your day. You’ll feel more energised and more attuned to your circadian rhythms, which will lead to better performance no matter what you’re doing during the day.

GET SOME INSIGHT INTO YOUR SLEEP

A lot of modern smartphones have a built-in sleep tracker that will give you some insight on how you’re sleeping and for how long, but this data can be imprecise. Recent advances in technology mean that sleep trackers have got a whole lot more accurate. With products such as the Nokia Sleep currently able to track your heart rate, whether you’re in REM sleep (the most restful kind) and more.

All this data is sent to your phone so you can gain insight into your sleeping patterns, which will then lead to a better, more restful night’s sleep. Alongside this, you should invest in something that has enough storage space for various gadgets, such as an ottoman bed, which is a savvy combination of style and storage.

MAKE SURE TO TURN DOWN THE BLUE LIGHT

Limiting screen time around your bed is recommended by some doctors to increase the quality of your sleep, but sometimes you can’t avoid using your phone or laptop in the bedroom. That’s why you should always opt for a screen-tinting software that’ll reduce the amount of melatonin-suppressing blue light pumping into your eyes. Plugins such as Flux, alongside built-in options like Night Shift on Apple devices, are vital if your tech-focused bedroom is going to help you sleep well.

NEVER WALK IN THE DARK AGAIN

Another advantage of a completely orchestrated smart home solution, such as Control4, is that it can make your lights turn on automatically if you’re walking through the house in the dark, or automatically come on as the sun sets. Of course, if you work a night shift, you can inverse these settings and combine Control4 with automated window shades so your daytime sleep isn’t disturbed unnecessarily.

Ultimately, the tech in your bedroom should reflect your lifestyle. Whether you’re a night owl that loves a Netflix binge until the early hours or an early bird that needs a perfectly attuned morning routine, there’s tech out there that can help you.

Control4 is one of the best home automation systems because it is easy for dealers like us to plan systems for any home. Control4 has excellent customer education resources to help you choose the features you want in your home, and its systems are compatible with security equipment such as cameras and door sensors. Control4 has a unified software interface that makes it easy to control the devices in your home, which is one reason that makes it the best home automation systems/ Smart home system available.

Control4 EA Series controllers are the brains of the system and are also capable home theatre controllers by themselves. Every piece of Control4 equipment comes ready to install, so we can add to the system over time without the need to rebuild it from the ground up. This modularity is one of the best things about the Control4 home automation system and makes it popular.

As a Control4 dealer we are trained by the company and certified to install its home automation systems. Control4 offer us comprehensive set of tools to help us operate to a high standard of quality.

SECURITY

Control4 is compatible with over two dozen security brands, and many of these brands are compatible with professional home security monitoring services. While Control4 doesn’t directly offer security monitoring, you can sign up for a service called 4Sight, which lets you control the system remotely and view security camera feeds. Control4 also offers a unique feature called Mockupancy that controls your system in random fashion when you’re not home. This gives your home a lived-in look that can deter potential burglars. Control4 is also compatible with a variety of environmental hazard sensors such as smoke detectors.

CONTROL

Using the best home management systems, you can control your smart home with a mobile

app and touchscreen controllers. Control4 is one of few smart home systems that has a mobile app with a user interface that is identical to that on its touchscreen controllers. This is particularly helpful because you don’t have learn multiple ways to control your system – you might have to learn two or three different control schemes to use other systems properly.

In addition to the touch interfaces, you can use a computer to change settings logging into your customer account online or Control4 Composer Home Edition software to program scenes, control devices, manage your digital entertainment server and more.

Control4 systems are fully capable of controlling equipment for whole-house audio and home theatres, Lighting, Climate control, Pools Spas, and Blinds

CHOOSE CONTROL4 WITH HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Control4 is one of the best home automation systems for residential use. Among its top features are effective customer education resources, modular installation, a large network of hardware partners and a unified touchscreen interface. It’s a superb system that can hold its own against the other home automation systems and will leave you feeling safe, happy and satisfied with your home automation selection.

Of all the technologies available for your home, one of the most established is a home security system. Security systems have been around for decades, keeping homes and families safe; however, like any good technology, they’ve evolved.

PROTECTION FROM A VARIETY OF DANGERS

In addition to controlling more obvious security-related devices such as electronic door locks, surveillance cameras, and motion sensors, smart security systems can also automate lights, control motorised windows and shades, and can even simulate occupancy by mimicking your home routine to ward off troublemakers. But modern security systems prevent more than break-ins—they can also keep your home safe from environmental dangers and infrastructure-related issues with sensors that report flooding, power shortages, and extreme swings in temperature. They can even monitor indoor pollutants. When integrated as part of a home automation platform, a smart security system can provide extraordinary peace of mind and help your home run like a well-oiled machine. Let’s review a few of the aforementioned examples and see how home security and automation systems can make your life easier, more convenient, and—of course—safer.

MOCKUPANCY, A.K.A. “OCCUPANCY SIMULATION”

People used to accomplish this effect by putting their home’s lights on timers. Simple, yes, but the predictability of timers backfired and became a clear sign to burglars that the house was, in fact, vacant. Today’s systems are much harder to crack because they are able to mimic your family’s behaviours and schedules by turning lights, TVs, and music on and off in a more realistic fashion. To an outside observer, it will look just like you’re home, watching your favourite shows and moving about the house.

MASTER YOUR DOMAIN WITH REAL-TIME UPDATES

No matter where you are—at work, on a business trip, running errands, or on vacation—you’ll be able to remotely check on your house via your mobile device. Naturally, you’ll be alerted if an alarm goes off or if a sensor is tripped, but you can also receive email or text alerts if moisture is detected in the basement or if an off-limits cabinet has been opened. With a more robust security and automation system, you’ll be able to confirm security settings, check if any doors and windows were left open, or see in real time who disarmed the alarm or opened the garage. Even if it’s someone you trust (like your dog walker or house sitter), it’s nice to know what’s going on in your home when you’re away.

KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE WITH VISUAL MONITORING

Newer surveillance cameras can detect and notify you when something goes missing. Perhaps it’s a family heirloom displayed on the mantle or your car in the driveway—either way, when the camera detects that something is moved and not replaced after a designated period of time, it will log the event and/or send out a message. Your security system stays alert, so you don’t have to. Security cameras are in demand, but did you know that you can also use cameras that are built into intercoms or touch screens to monitor and communicate with just about any room of your house? If you’re in the living room and want to know what your kids are up to, then you can check in from your network-connected TV or touchscreen. If you’re moving about you could always monitor their rooms from your phone. And best of all, with systems as smart as these, if something is amiss you can also take action whether you are home or away.

TAKE ACTION AND CONTROL YOUR HOME FROM NEAR OR AFAR

Just as a security system sends outgoing messages to you, it can receive incoming messages from you. Don’t like what you see on your security footage? Remotely turn on the porch lights and speak out over an intercom to scare off the intruder. Is your teenager getting home from a date? Make sure they get in safely and lock up as soon as they are inside without having to leave your bed. From your phone or tablet, you can also alter the settings of your home security system—like allowing a houseguest access to your home while you’re at work. It’s also enormously helpful if you find that someone forgot to close the garage or lock the front door. With a secure remote connection, you can lock up right from your smartphone.

AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE

Any security system could signal police or fire authorities if an alarm goes unresolved for more than a few minutes, but what if your security system could engage preventative measures all on its own? If your security system is connected to a home automation system, then it just might. Imagine if your system detected dangerous levels of carbon monoxide while you were fast asleep. Not only would you be alerted, but, with smart programming, your system could automatically trigger motorised windows to open, allowing fresh air to flow in and dilute the noxious gas.

UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL FOR FULL PROTECTION

There are so many ways to safeguard your home and family—from subtle methods like having the lights turn off and on to the more extreme like having an alarm wail whenever a sensor is breached. But why stop there? Integrating smart devices and features, like those mentioned above, that will complement your home security can take your home protection plan to a whole new level.

Home automation specialist, technology integrator, home technology professional, custom electronics dealers—these are just a few other names for what we like to call a smart home professional. From security systems and smart home automation to custom home theaters and intelligent lighting, smart home professionals are trained and experienced when it comes to designing electronic ecosystems that turn houses into dream homes.

WHAT MAKES THEM EXPERTS?

Smart home professionals are armed with tools, resources, and experience to create truly intelligent homes. They work with manufacturers to receive special training on how to best deploy devices and design orchestrated systems that seamlessly connect individual gadgets and appliances into one, easy-to-use smart home system. Smart home professionals have been certified as programmers, installers, and computer networking specialists and have years of experience when it comes to customizing electronic systems. In the U.S., many smart home professionals are members of business associations like the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA), the world’s largest association of smart home professionals, that helps with resources like educational programs and networking opportunities and connects them directly with manufacturers.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

Smart home professionals, especially ones who work with Control4, have access to incredible resources that make them a valuable asset to homeowners, home builders, and interior designers. As trained experts, they offer consultations to develop solutions that are customized to their clients’ needs and desires.

First homeowners, home builders, and/or interior designers outline their initial interests. Then the smart home professional assesses the existing infrastructure or plans to determine what’s possible and oftentimes suggests even better, or simpler, solutions for what the client is hoping to achieve. They then review solutions with the client and create a design that will work for the space and create a lasting solution that will wow the homeowners.

Consulting a smart home professional early is the key to creating truly seamless solutions that blend beautifully into the home. A good smart home professional can bring immeasurable value to a project when involved in the early planning stages, and work best when they can consult and work with any other contractors that have been hired for the same project. If you bring a smart home professional in early, they can discuss where things need to go and do what needs to be done for an installation to come together beautifully and effectively. Examples of what a smart home professional can do if brought in early on a project:

Pre-wire a house to hide wiring without having to tear into walls.Determine in advance where outlets need to go for effective coverage and interior decor can better hide them.Work with the general contractors to leave room for any speakers or electronics that you want to have built-in or hidden inside the walls.Advise homebuilders about using building materials that will not disrupt wireless signals.

Working side by side with qualified specialists can deliver far better experiences for all involved because most clients don’t know what to ask for and because designers are rarely technology experts. A consultation with an experienced smart home professional can provide opportunities to creatively solve other problems by using technology. For example:

Use motion detection, cameras, and intercoms to allow aging loved ones to maintain independence while making sure they are safe in their homes.Monitor your front porch and remotely control door locks and alarms with Intercom Anywhere.Leak detection and automated water systems can help prevent flooding and also help make homes environmentally friendly.

WHY CHOOSE A CONTROL4 SMART HOME PROFESSIONAL?

Smart home professionals who work with Control4 are held to high standards and have strict requirements regarding certifications and experience that they must achieve in order to become an authorized Control4 dealer. Control4 professionals are also given opportunities to get hands-on training in live testing environments with expertly crafted curriculum.

When designed and installed properly by a trained, knowledgeable technician, home automation systems are able to perform amazing feats. From the network foundation to the personalized touches that make your house a dream home, the smart home professionals that work with Control4 are experts in designing and installing whole-home automation systems that are matched perfectly to the lifestyle of any individual or family. When you choose a Control4 smart home professional, you know your home is in good hands.

Remember those clunky, knob-ridden intercom boxes that passed your voice from one room to another? Remember when they were considered high-tech? While intercom systems still play a part in a smart, connected lifestyle, they’ve grown so much more sophisticated in their capabilities. They’ve also slimmed down considerably, making them more of a sleek showpiece than an eyesore. Boasting built-in cameras, Internet connectivity, and cool cosmetics, cutting-edge intercoms provide peace of mind, seamless communication, and smarts to speak with other devices.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY’S INTERCOMS?

For starters, you no longer need to be at home—in front of a companion intercom station—to communicate with various rooms in your home or the front door. With web-based applications and IP-enabled door stations, you can now see and speak with family members and visitors whether you are in the kitchen, across town at work, or anywhere that has an Internet connection. More impressively, platforms like Control4 with Intercom Anywhere that are connected to a home automation systems allow you to control smart home functions in your home so that you can take action when you receive a call.

ALWAYS CONNECTED AND IN CONTROL OF YOUR HOME

Let’s say someone rings from the front door station. You then receive an alert on your phone or a touch screen that’s mounted as a smart home control panel on your wall. Before answering, you can use the built-in camera to see who it is, then choose to answer or ignore the call. You also have the option to choose an action like “Allow entry” which could disarm your alarm, unlock the door, and turn on the lights in the entry way. Alternatively, if the visitor is unwanted, you could choose an option like “Secure home” which could make sure front door is locked, the security system is on, and turn on the outdoor porch and floodlights. The ability to communicate and take action in real-time gives you added security by giving the impression of being occupied. The action buttons on apps like Intercom Anywhere are programmable scenes, so you can pre-determine what kind of scenarios you want to prepare for. If you get a lot of packages, but don’t want to open your front door for the delivery, you could have your system programmed to open the garage door just 25 percent (enough to slide the package through) while making sure the security cameras are recording. The system could then could automatically lock-up afterward.

DECREASE STRESS WITH BETTER COMMUNICATION TOOLS

Having a smart intercom doesn’t just help you deal with strangers or visitors at the door. It’s a good way to keep tabs on family members. Imagine you are finally relaxed, watching a movie, and the kids are upstairs working on their homework (supposedly). If connected to an entertainment and automation controller, you could open your smart intercom app on your TV and call into any connected device to check on them. Unlike a phone call, which they can simply ignore, you could set touch panels in the kids’ rooms to auto-answer so you can instantly see what they are up to and talk to them without ever leaving the couch. With well-placed touch screens and access from mobile devices, intercom applications are game changers when it comes to communication. Rather than yelling for everyone to come to the dinner table, be in the car ready to roll in 5 minutes, or go to bed, you can speak in a normal tone of voice and broadcast your request throughout your home. Safety, convenience, and smooth communication—once you’ve experienced all of the advantages offered by a smart intercom system, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without one.

The good-old-fashioned handheld remote remains a major control device in the modern smart home.With all of the new technologies available to monitor and manage your home, it’s easy to discount the power of the handheld remote control. You can operate just about anything with the sound of your voice and keypads and touchscreens are so intuitive and engaging, it makes that remote by your couch seem so old-fashioned and too antiquated for a smart home. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are many reasons why you should not only hang on to your handheld but employ it as a mode of control in your smart home.

IT FEELS GOOD

For starters, it’s handheld. Ergonomically speaking, there’s no better way to command the lights, thermostat, AV gear and more from the comfort of the couch, kitchen bar-stool or patio lounger. No need to get up to stroll to a wall-mounted switch, no need to shout edicts and hope Alexa hears them. That trusty remote is right by your side ready to launch strings of instructions to anything you want. And, speaking of trusty, the tactile feel of a remote control’s buttons instills a sense of confidence that your commands are getting through to the right equipment.

IT COSTS LITTLE YET

CONTROLS A LOT

It’s not just AV gear that falls under the guidance of a remote control, anymore. Today’s remotes are able to control anything in a smart home when programmed accordingly. Plus, with built-in LCD screens, it’s like holding a miniature version of a portable home control touchscreen in the palm of your hand. No matter how sophisticated a remote is, however, it’s still one of the most affordable modes of home control available. Even better, a remote control is extremely flexible and scalable, which means you can start with basic functions, like controlling your home theatre gear, then update it gradually to control other parts of your home—lights, door locks, motorised blinds, thermostats, and more. Because a remote control is affordable, it offers a good way test the smart home waters before investing in something of a larger scale.

IT APPEALS TO EVERYONE

Kids and expensive technology are never a good combination, and seniors can often get frustrated by super technological controls. Both are good reasons to stick with a remote control. It can stand up to a good amount of wear and tear, and if the remote does break you aren’t out thousands of dollars. For older generations, the familiarity of a remote breeds comfort. Guests, too, may also feel more at ease picking up a remote than toying with a touchscreen.

IT CLEARS THE CLUTTER

The more tasks a remote is able to handle—and it can handle a lot—the less tech clutter you will have around the house. You won’t need a remote for the motorised blinds, another for the smart light switches, and yet another for the electronic lock on the front door. One remote can do it all, and it can do it all without having to be pointed directly at anything. Equipped with technology that enables signals to travel unobstructed throughout the house, you can be in bed upstairs and turn off lights on the front porch, for example. This also means that you can keep the microprocessors required of many smart products and systems hidden inside closets, cabinets—wherever—and still have commands from the remote reach them without a hitch. Consider all of the superb merits of a modern remote, like the Control4 SR-260. It’s versatile and powerful enough to control a wide variety ofsmart home products and systems, it’s affordable enough to make a mainstay in your home, and it’s easy enough for everyone in your family to master.

Being away from home doesn't mean you can't stay abreast of what’s happening while you’re gone. Thanks to innovative technology from Control4, you’ll know the second someone rings the doorbell, if there’s someone strolling across your backyard, or if your trusty neighbor remembered to water your plants. All you need to stay connected is a Control4 mobile app on your smartphone and an Internet-enabled monitoring device at your home. The monitoring device can be an intercom, like the new Control4 Intercom Anywhere feature, surveillance camera, electronic door lock, or a combination of all three. Linked to your smartphone via the Internet, these devices can be actively monitored and managed whether you’re at the ball field down the street or hundreds of miles away at another residence. You can see and hear what’s happening and even create the illusion that you’re home even when you’re not.

Intercom Anywhere, for example, resembles a standard intercom station, but rather than ring a special device installed inside your home, it rings your smartphone. When a visitor presses the button on the intercom door station, a built-in camera instantly sends a snapshot to your phone. After identifying the guest, you can speak with him or her via a two-way connection between the microphone in your phone and the door station. When paired with a Control4 home automation system, you can use the intercom to engage a home scene, like switching on the porch lights. Your guest will never guess that you’re miles away from home. And if you’d like to let the visitor inside—to drop off a package, for example, you can instruct the Intercom Anywhere to disengage the electronic door lock. When the visitor departs you can lock up the house once again.

Surveillance cameras from Control4 are equally as vigilant. Equipped with built-in motion sensors, they can send an alert to your smartphone whenever they detect that someone has entered your property. From the Control4 app you can then view the footage in real time, verifying what triggered the camera—at stray cat, the gardener, or an unwanted visitor. You can watch what happens, let the video record to view later, or take action like instructing your Control4 home automation system to flash an exterior light or activate a siren.

Electronic door locks are another way to keep tabs on your home while you’re away. In this case, the visitor is typically expected, as they are able to gain access to your home by entering a special code into the keypad of the lock. These codes can be given to family members, trusted friends, babysitters, your handyman … whoever. When a code is entered, the lock adds it to a log that’s accessible via your smartphone. You can see who entered you home and when, as well as what time they left and locked your house back up. Connected to a Control4 system, the lock can also trigger a custom scene, like turning on the lights when the kids enter their code or opening the motorized drapes when your housekeeper pays a visit.

With remote monitoring devices like these, and tied to aControl4 home automationsystem, you’ll never wonder about the well-being of your home ever again. You’ll be able to track the comings and goings of guests, visually inspect important areas of your property and communicate with visitors from anywhere in the world. All it takes is the right equipment, and Internet connection and a smartphone app to keep you connected to your home at all times.

WHEN IT COMES TO BOOSTING RESALE VALUE, NOT EVERY SMART HOME DEVICE IS CREATED EQUAL.

It’s likely no surprise that most Millennials believe technology enhances daily life. You may be more surprised, however, to hear that Millennials and Gen Y are growing into the larger group of homebuyers in the Australia The dominance of these rising generations in the housing market is reflected in a recently heightened demand for smart homes. A recent survey of Local Realtors has found, 42% of real estate professionals note that their clients have expressed interest in smart home devices. This interest is only bound to increase as smart technology becomes more universal among consumers. If you are looking to sell your home in 2018, or in the coming years, you should consider investing in at least a few smart home features to entice prospective buyers. But it’s not as simple as buying up every flashy new gadget imaginable; you should aim to recoup any dollar you spend on smart technology when you sell your house. These guidelines will help you choose devices that actually appeal to buyers and could potentially increase your home’s value:

PRIORITIZE SECURITY & PRIVACY OVER COMFORT

That same survey found that homebuyers value security functions above all else when it comes to smart home technology. Other top concerns include privacy, cost savings, and energy savings. Though important to many, only 38% of homebuyers ranked comfort as an essential function of smart home devices. Take your cues from these statistics, and prioritize your purchases based on what homebuyers want to see. Invest first in products that protect a family’s safety. That can include more obvious solutions, such as security systems with smart locks, as well as other types of devices that protect against more subtle dangers. For instance, carbon monoxide detectors keep homeowners safe by preventing environmental poisoning. Once you’ve installed smart security devices, you can decide whether you want to invest in other products as well. Smart thermostats that help homeowners save money and energy might also be a worthwhile investment.

PRIORITIZE INTEROPERABILITY & EASE OF USE

More and more consumers are buying their own smart home products every day. For example, 39 million Americans own a smart speaker. As that number rises, it will be increasingly important to install devices that are compatible with other products. Potential buyers will be less inclined to pay more if they cannot integrate their current smart technology with their new home. What’s more, you will encounter some buyers who are not yet comfortable operating smart home devices. To avoid putting off these less tech-savvy buyers you should opt for intuitive products that come with a lower learning curve, and little need for user interference after installation. You can even choose a professionally installed system by us, accompanied by trained specialist support, to ensure that your home’s future owners never have to struggle to control their smart technology. The guiding rule to follow is to put yourself in the shoes of potential homebuyers, rather than thinking primarily about your own desires or needs. If you install smart home devices that appeal to universal concerns like security, ease of use, and integration, you will be much more likely to see an increase in your home’s value.

Smart, convenient, secure, and brimming with "wow"-factor entertainment solutions—these are some of the most desirable features that homeowners look for when upgrading their home or shopping for a new one. Whether you are looking for a solution that meets some (or all) of those desires, look no further than Control4.

Control4 is a the smart home brand you can trust. In an analysis conducted by CEPro, based on feedback from industry professionals, Control4 has been ranked as the leading whole-home automation brand for the last four years. Our platform integrates with nearly 12,000 devices and is capable of robust programming that can orchestrate any home to suit the needs and wants of the homeowner.

We work closely with certified smart home integrators who work tirelessly to design smart homes that elevate comfort, convenience, security, and entertainment for Control4 homeowners. When designed and installed properly by a trained, knowledgeable technician, an automation system is able to perform amazing and highly-personalized feats.

Every new Control4 system comes with the best of both worlds; the ability for you, the homeowner, to further personalize your smart home after the installation, along with the confidence in knowing that it has been professionally installed, is supported on a robust network, and can be adapted to your needs far into the future.

From Whole-Home Automation to Multi-room Audio and Video and Intercom solutions, Control4 has shown consistent industry leadership. The CEPro Brand Analysis finds Control4 leads in:

Whole-House AutomationAccess ControlsHVAC/Thermostat/Energy ManagementVideo Distribution Switchers/ExtendersAudio AmplifiersMultiroom A/V SystemsHome Networking

Additionally, Control4 ranked second in the Lighting Control, Universal Remotes/Tablets, IR Distribution Systems, Phone Systems/Intercoms, and Remote Managed Services categories. Having been consistently recognized in these categories, we hope our current and future customers feel confident that Control4 delivers a world-class connected home experience.

In the past few years, we’ve seen a growing divide in the smart home market, centered around the fundamental differences between mass-market smart devices and professionally installed home automation systems. And as one-off smart devices grow smarter and more feature rich, not to mention more popular, that gulf has only gotten deeper. In short, homeowners have been forced to choose between the autonomy provided by standalone smart devices on the one hand, and the robustness, sophistication, and extensive device support of professional automation systems on the other. Until now, that is. When >> Then, a new feature of Control4’s 4Sight subscription services, bridges the gap and gives homeowners the best of both worlds: the freedom to enhance, edit, and add to the automated events in and around their home, combined with the reliability, extensive device support, and unparalleled customer service that only a professionally installed automation system like Control4 can deliver. So, what is When >> Then, exactly? Simply put, it’s a slick and intuitive browser-based interface that asks homeowners a very simple question: “When X happens, how would you like your smart home to respond?” For example, by navigating just a few simple screens, a homeowner can set straightforward commands like “When I press the top button on the keypad in the kitchen >> Then play my favorite Spotify playlist,” or “Whenthe sun rises >> Then turn on the kitchen lights.” Schedules and triggers can also be set to activate multiple automated events, for example; “When it is 6:00 p.m. >> Then turn on living room lights, lock the front door, and tune the television to channel 246.” With nearly 11,000 supported third-party consumer electronic devices in the Control4 ecosystem, the options for customization are nearly limitless.

And the personalization options aren’t merely limited to devices in and around the home; homeowners can also quickly and easily set up triggers that send push notifications to their smart phones as well. Parents might choose to receive a pop-up alert when their kids unlock the front door at the end of the school day, for example, or when the living room TV is turned on. It’s exactly the sort of personalization that Control4 homeowners and dealers alike have been requesting for quite some time. But getting it right was no easy task. It required a very intuitive, yet flexible interface: one that allowed for rich customization without the need for the homeowner to have any experience or expertise in programming. Getting it right also meant designing a personalization environment that allows homeowners to see what sort of programming their dealers have already done, but in such a way that they don’t have to worry about undoing, breaking, or interfering with professionally programmed, automated events.

In short, Control4’s new “When >> Then” functionality gives homeowners the ability to tweak their homes to fit their lifestyles and needs, secure in the knowledge that they can fall back on the support and expertise that a Control4 dealer-managed system offers. It represents freedom, but also a safety net. It unlocks personal customization capabilities for one of the most advanced control solutions on the market, in a way that virtually anyone can comprehend. And best of all, it allows homeowners to tinker and experiment, without fear that they’ll do any lasting harm to their advanced home control and entertainment solution.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PERSONALIZING YOUR CONTROL4 SMART HOME WITH CHANGING LIGHTING SCHEDULES, NEW STREAMING MUSIC, LOCK ALERTS, AND SO MUCH MORE? CONTACT US NOW 1300-893-874

There are so many different ways to listen to music around the modern home. You could get a massive boombox, turn it up to maximum, and stand in your foyer all John Cusack Say Anything style. You could grab a few cheap clock radios on Ebay, carefully tune them all to the same station and volume, and then enjoy some sweet (and nostalgic!) FM as you move about the house. You could carefully place a couple of Bluetooth speakers in different rooms and then play a fun little technology game called “How far is 14 meters away?” Or you could go with a professionally designed and installed Control4 audio system carefully designed to maximize the performance for each listening area. If the last option sounds like the way you like to roll, then read on to learn what kinds of great audio experiences you can create in different areas of your home!

DEDICATED HOME THEATERIf you love movies—and I mean you really, really love movies—then a dedicated home theater should be on the cards. The benefits of a dedicated theater are numerous, but mostly it offers a great space to optimally recreate the commercial cinematic experience, i.e., getting you as close to what the director intended when he made the film.

From an audio standpoint, the current reference surround sound standard is 3D audio playback in the form of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D. These systems all use multiple speakers—up to a mind-numbing 48 channels—positioned in a circular configuration around the listeners with additional speakers placed overhead to create a true, hemispherical surround experience. With all of these speakers, audio designers can aurally “position” objects around the room with pinpoint accuracy, creating sounds like rain that is truly pelting down on you from overhead, or a helicopter swirling all around the room. The result is truly immersive sound that will have you ducking for cover when the bullets start flying or planes go ripping right past your head! High-performance speakers are available in a variety of styles, from massive, freestanding towers to bookshelf speakers concealed inside fabric-wrapped columns, to invisible in-wall speakers hidden behind a projection screen. Coupled with a large, Ultra HD image, these theater systems can rival the experience of any movie theater…but with way better snacks!

MEDIA ROOM If you Don’t have an area in the house you can commit to your own personal theatre but still want to enjoy a great movie watching and music listening experience? Then a media room is perfect for you Firstly the term media room “has evolved into a generic definition for a multipurpose space that is outfitted with a large, flat-screen television, surround sound, and cozy seating.” What that means to you: It’s the perfect space to watch the footy with friends, enjoy a cozy family movie night, chill out for a sweet gaming sesh, or just relax with a nice adult beverage and stream some great high-resolution audio.

Since media rooms are generally in family or living rooms, your decorating style is going to play the largest part in how it looks. If you want something sleek and modern, low-profile, svelte speakers bordering your large flat panel TV creates a chic and minimalist-cool look. If you have a large wall unit or built-ins flanking a fireplace, some nice bookshelf speakers can deliver big sound in a small form factor. As an added bonus, some speaker companies like Triad offer custom paint matching options to make sure your speakers are the perfect color. Can’t stand the idea of taking up any wall or floor space with speakers? Specially constructed in-ceiling speakers can direct the sound towards you instead of firing straight into the floor, giving you surround sound that is out of sight but definitely not out of mind.

TVs Arent Made For Amazing Audio If you’ve purchased a flat-panel TV in the past five years, you’ve probably experienced “Terrible TV Audio” syndrome. Firstly you should know that no matter how good your TV is, you are almost always buying it for its picture performance and not for its audio quality. Yes, I know you paid a lot for your TV, and I know it is has a giant screen, but I’m sorry to tell you that your TV’s speakers suck. (There are some exceptions to this, such as some new LG OLED or Bang & Olufsen models.) Further exacerbating the TV audio problem is that flat-panel designs continue to get even flatter, meaning there is no depth to install a speaker of any size. The final design straw was the goal of an all-screen, bezel-less design which literally eliminated the oneplace for a speaker to be installed. Now most TVs place the speaker behind the screen, literally firing away from you and into a wall! If this sounds like a recipe for producing terrible audio, give yourself two points! Fortunately, a whole new product category has been born to address this issue: the soundbar. Like any speaker, soundbars come in a range of price and performance levels, and you typically get what you pay for, i.e., don’t expect that $99 bar you saw at K-Mart to sound much better than your TV’s speakers. While a high-end bar not only improves your ability to understand dialog while watching TV, it can use multiple drivers to create pseudo-surround that can turn a bedroom into a mini-theater, can incorporate with a wireless subwoofer to create real cinematic stomp, and also be terrific for music playback, letting you enjoy your favorite Spotify or Tune-In station. Soundbars can sit on a shelf, cabinet, or wall mount below the TV. Many also require only a single digital audio cable connection to the TV and can be controlled by your television’s remote control for totally simple, no-fuss operation.

DISTRIBUTED AUDIO Whether your home is under construction, just built, or has been around for thirty or more years, there are tons of options for filling it with music! The most common type of speaker used for distributing audio inside a home is a recessed in-wall or in-ceiling model. While there is no hard and fast rule, typically round speakers go in the ceiling and square speakers in the wall. Many new architectural speakers feature a micro-thin bezel design that blends in beautifully with the wall or ceiling. To make it practically invisible, the speaker can be painted to match your room color! Creating listening zones in the house and letting each family member personalize their own listening are key to getting the most out of your distributed audio system. With zoned audio, dad can enjoy some cerebral jazz in the study, mom can get her sweat on to some workout grunge in the exercise room, your tween can enjoy a wicked Taylor Swift/boyband mash-up in her room, and Bob Marley can make it all irie out by the pool. With a Control4 audio system you can use the power of streamed audio sources like Spotify, R, TuneIn, or Deezer, you can have literally millions of songs right at your fingertips! And don’t think “streaming” means poor quality, Using Control4 its ever so simple to add audio into your automation system and makes it easy to switch from entertaining to relaxing. Imagine sitting at the dinner table and just saying, “Hey, Alexa, turn on dinner time,” and watch as lights automatically set to your perfect levels throughout the home and the music magically switches over to a dinner-suitable station or playlist. Or press a “Good Morning” button on a bedroom keypad and have the kitchen lights come on, the window shades raise, and the thermostat set to your preferred level, while some restful classical music starts playing until you’ve had your second cup of coffee. A smart home gives you more control over all of your devices while letting you hide all the clutter. With the right design, your smart home takes all the hassle out of doing and lets you jump straight into enjoying. Automatic? More like automagic!

Every year during the CEDIA show, we launch a handful of new products and services to enthrall our dealers and customers. And this year we’re doing it like never before, announcing a slew of stuff that undoubtedly makes up our biggest launch to date. We’ve hand-picked a few of the most noteworthy to share with you here.

YOUR HOME, IN YOUR HANDS Home control like never before

You know what they say; the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes. A job changes with a new schedule, your tastes in music evolve, and the seasons come and go. Your smart home should keep up and adapt right along with you. Hands-on personalization has long been a top request from Control4 homeowners, so we are enthusiastic to introduce When >> Then automation programming for homeowners. It’s a simple way for you to personalize your home.* Now, you can easily change the brightness of a light or schedule a series of lights. Update the playlist that kicks on when you tap a certain keypad button. Even change the door chime to play a holiday jingle. It’s the convenience of do-it-yourself, but with the stability of a professionally installed smart home system. You’ll need a dealer to get your system updated, but then you’ll experience all of the fun of this phenomenal new capability—all on your own.

TRIAD: CHANGING THE RULES OF AUDIO The beauty in the unseen

What’s that you hear? That’s the collision of art, science, and precision. And boy, does it sound goooood! From streaming sources to speakers, and now everything in between, it’s time to get immersed in the all-new Triad Entertainment Experience. With killer new amps and audio matrix switches, a vast collection of unobtrusive, high-quality indoor and outdoor speakers, and the absolute easiest way possible to access and play your high-resolution, streaming content, Triad is literally changing the way you consume sound in your home. When you can enjoy all of your favorite audio in any (or every) room of the house with unsurpassed quality—and all at the touch of a button—you’ll never again sacrifice quality for portability.

GET INFORMATION ON TRIAD AUDIO SOLUTIONS

NEW STREAMING SERVICES INCLUDED Music to your ears

iHeartRadio and Spotify join the Control4 native streaming service roster that includes Deezer, Napster, Pandora, TIDAL, and TuneIn. This new implementation enables Control4 customers to select a favorite playlist, album, or station within the Control4 App and stream it throughout their home using their EA Series controller without any additional media players. As always, homeowners can begin streaming music from all available services for which they have accounts—all through a Control4 Touchscreen, handheld remote, by voice, a programmable keypad, and the Control4 mobile app.* *Requires Control4 OS 2.10 and a 4Sight annual subscription

CE Pro have again created a great graph of all the system comparisons for you to compare.

Control4 once again domination the home automation market.

So what is the best home automation system in Australia?

Read Further and we will leave that one up to you.

Set Two Different Speeds for Kitchen Lighting

More often than not, modern kitchens serve several purposes at once. They’re not only the place for focused culinary endeavors, they’re the place we gather with loved ones to enjoy that hard work, too. That means you need to show off two different types of kitchen lighting—ample, bright light for cooking and subtle, gentler light for mealtimes. Get the first with brilliant overhead lights and under-the-counter task lighting. Then, when you’re ready to switch modes, use a “Dining” scene to opt for lowlights over the dining area.

Highlight the Versatility of Living Areas

Living rooms also have to play different roles. A stunning hearth space, hand-carved bookshelf, or unique and alluring portrait deserves some directed up-lighting to draw attention to such a statement piece. However, if this room is also used for watching TV, reading, or entertaining, intense accent lights can really detract from the mood. Here again, cycle through two automated scenes to display your interiors’ dual functionality. Let potential home buyers envision themselves living in these four walls, giving visitors their own tour down the line, or snuggling up for their next Netflix binge.

Use Accent Lights to Add Drama to Hallways

You can achieve a very dramatic effect in a hallway using two-way lighting with wall sconces, which is perfect for an after-work tour. Just have your realtor utter the magic words, and let homebuyers enjoy the dazzling light show on the walls. Or use an action—like motion detection—to switch on hallway lights for you, ensuring that your tours go as smoothly as possible.

Switch Between Eye-level and Overhead Lights for Bedrooms

A workspace, a sleep area, a place for romance—bedrooms probably do some of the heaviest lifting in our homes. When you’re showing your master bedroom, allow potential homebuyers to witness the flexibility of an automated lighting schedule in their homes. Create a scene with low overhead light and directed task lighting using recessed can lights installed over the bed, perfect for reading. Program another with gentle, dim light from bedside lamps for more mellow times. And lastly, plot a new scene with bright overhead light for more general work. Then, when it’s time for bed, show them how easy it is to switch off every light in the house, right from bed with a “Goodnight” button—of which also locks the doors, turns down the thermostat, and arms the alarm.

Automate Outdoor Lights to Prepare for Drive-bys

As soon as you list your home for sale, the eyes of the world are upon you. Your home could be subject at any time to buyer drive-bys—so it needs to look just as cheerful at night as it does throughout the day. Use timed settings to switch on lights on porches, walkways, and over doors, offering a visual welcome to anyone scoping you out. I hope you’re ready to start packing your things—with a few deftly-programmed scenarios, it won’t be long before the offers start rolling in.

You know what they say, “Always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman, then always be Batman.” So as the February 10th release date for the much anticipated “The LEGO Batman Movie” approaches, we’ve come up with some ways you can have an automated home, similar to Batman’s automated bat cave. (Check it out in this video!)