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Looking for A Stylish Home Audio Gift this Holiday?


The B&W
Formation Suite Has the Design and Performance to Wow Your Favorite Audiophile




When it comes to getting the perfect gift for an audiophile, sometimes it gets a little challenging. Audiophiles love excellent sound quality wherever they listen – in their car, from their headphones, from a portable speaker, and certainly from their home audio system.




Sometimes audiophile gear is not the most aesthetically pleasing. It can be imposing and bulky. There’s quite a bit of so-called lifestyle audio equipment available now, but much of it doesn’t meet audiophile performance standards.




One company set out to change that. Bowers and Wilkins is well known in audio circles for its superb speakers. Recently it introduced the Formation Suite, a fresh take on home audio, deftly blending the latest wireless technology, beautiful design, and high performance into one stylish line of audio equipment.




Is the Formation Suite the perfect home audio gift for your picky audiophile in Kailua Kona, Hawaii? Read on to find out.








SEE ALSO: Why Invest in High-End Audio?

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Del Dotto Winery and Vineyards: Full Smart Automation Installation


Check Out the Winning Project of CEDIA’s “Best Innovative System or Solution” Award




Here at Pacific Audio and Communications, we’re beyond proud to announce that a full automation project we brought to life for a Napa Valley winery has received the CEDIA award for “Best Innovative System or Solution.” Our goal for this installation was to ensure that every guest who visits the Del Dotto Winery and Vineyard will feel the detailed and luxurious atmosphere of the space, while now being able to benefit from the new smart features and solutions.




From integrated security and climate control to smart lighting and sound system installations, we brought every technology together under one centralized system – making it easy for employees to manage the place and to have it set for every guest and patron in every location.




We’ve brought these smart solutions to residences and buildings in Maui, HI and surrounding areas, and now all the way to the Napa Valley. Keep reading below to see how we incorporated these features into this full automation installation.








SEE ALSO: A Sound System for a Sound Business




Lighting and Climate Control




Lighting has a significant impact on both the appearance and feel of an entire space. So with the winery, we aimed to bring in both comfort and elegance. This was done by installing both interior and exterior lighting throughout the landscape, from paths and walkways to patio and tree lighting. Inside, tasting rooms, kitchens, touring caves, and event or dining rooms had fixtures put into place as well.

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Want to Implement Tunable Fixtures into Your Residential Lighting Design?

Want to Implement Tunable Fixtures into Your Residential Lighting Design?





Pacific Audio & Communications Is Well-Equipped to Help. Here’s How.




If you’re an architect working in the Kauai, HI, area, you know that today’s client has changing needs and sometimes an extensive list of demands. The modern customer consumes an influx of media every day, and chances are, they’ve heard of tunable lighting and its various perks.




Studies show that it offers significant benefits for a homeowner’s health, both physical and mental. It’s been cited to improve sleep, help people wind down after work and increase daytime productivity – even work performance. The industry usually calls it “human-centric lighting,” but “tunable” and “circadian” lighting were once common terms for it as well. Few would argue that restful sleep, productive days and a positive mindset are just a luxury, so you might not want to miss this opportunity to provide these residential lighting design features for your clients.




No matter what you call it, your homeowners are most likely looking for lighting that suits their design tastes and syncs effortlessly with the rest of their homes. By partnering with Pacific Audio & Communications, you’ll be just the resource valuable clients need. Keep reading below to see where we can bridge the gap!








SEE ALSO: Why Builders and Designers Need an Integrator for Lighting Projects




Why Tunable Lighting?




Our bodies were designed to rise and sleep according to a natural pattern determined by the sun. The sun emits more energetic light during the noon and early afternoon hours, which appears to us as a bright, cool white. This light, in turn, stimulates productivity and energy to tackle mid-afternoon tasks. During sunset hours, we notice a warmer, amber glow. This lower-energy lighting produces more melatonin, giving us a relaxed, sleepy feeling that encourages mellow evenings and better sleep.

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4 Benefits of Installing Motorized Shades

4 Benefits of Installing Motorized Shades





Why Automated Window Treatments Are Superior to Manual Ones




Are you considering bringing motorized shades to your Kauai, HI living space? You might not be certain of what makes this integrated solution so appealing to other homeowners. How much more beneficial could automated shades be, compared to manual ones?




We’re here to tell you that motorized window treatments are far superior to standard drapery and shading. There is so much more that automated shades bring to the table; in this blog, we’ll show you how this smart feature from Lutron can elevate your lifestyle and whole home.




Want to learn more? Just keep reading below.








SEE ALSO: Explore Our
Lighting and Shading Services Here!




Comfort & Convenience




With just a press of a button, you can have your shades raise or lower at your convenience. There won’t be any need to get out stools or chairs to stand on in order to reach high-up blinds or shades. If you have large, beautiful bay windows, you can simply use your device to adjust the shades with no hassle at all.

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Why Lutron Lighting and Shades Are a Smart Investment

Why Lutron Lighting and Shades Are a Smart Investment





Improve Your Home’s Style, Security and Efficiency with Solutions from Lutron




Few home automation systems offer as many benefits as quickly as automated lighting and shades. With these systems in place, you get one-touch control over all your home’s fixtures and shades, letting you customize your lighting in new, exciting ways while also improving your energy efficiency.




If you’re unfamiliar with the nuances of lighting control and motorized shades, it may be difficult to know where to start. As a Lutron dealer, Pacific Audio and Communications has the perfect system for the lights and shades in your Kailua-Kona, HI home. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of Lutron’s premier automation solutions.








SEE ALSO: Want to Enjoy the Summer Nights? Landscape Lighting Can Help




Lighting Control





Lutron lighting control systems offer many aesthetic and convenience benefits. For example, your system can automatically turn off all your lights when you leave for work every morning and then turn them back on once it detects you near your front door. You can also simplify your daily routines with automated schedules. Your lights will gradually get brighter in the morning when it’s time to wake up and then slowly dim in the evening when it’s time for bed. Finally, you can design lighting scenes for different occasions, using dimmers to create striking new combinations of color and shadow.




Lutron’s wireless solutions make centralized control over all your fixtures simple. Their RadioRA 2 system can support up to 200 devices, so you can start small and build out or jump right in if you’re feeling bold. For larger projects, the HomeWorksQS system supports up to 10,000 devices and gives you integrated control with Lutron smart thermostats.

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Why Builders & Designers Need an Integrator on Lighting Projects

Why Builders & Designers Need an Integrator on Lighting Projects





Work with PAC Hawaii on your next residential lighting design project in Maui for a better, cheaper, and faster installation






It’s no secret that homeowners increasingly view home automation systems as must-have features instead of nice extras. If you’re a developer or interior designer and you aren’t including smart security systems, whole home audio/video and similar elements in your work, you’re missing out on a substantial source of revenue.






One automation system many homeowners request is lighting control. It’s easy to see why: the convenience, aesthetic benefits and efficiency gains offered by lighting control systems make them extremely attractive. But these systems can be difficult to set up, as they often require specialized knowledge and a unique blend of skills your standard electrician doesn’t have.






That’s why you want an experienced technology integrator like Pacific Audio & Communications by your side on your next project. Today we’ll walk you through all the benefits of hiring PAC Hawaii for your upcoming residential lighting design projects in Maui, HI, whether you’re building a new home or doing a renovation.










SEE ALSO: Interior Designers’ New Best Friend: Home Lighting Control




SAVE MONEY






Time is money in any industry, and it’s particularly true in the home-building business. Whether you’re on a new construction project or a retrofit, you want to avoid costly last-minute changes. You don’t want to be ripping out drywall in a nearly finished home because a design element wasn’t accounted for, a fixture was installed incorrectly or something is off with the wiring.

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3 Summer Activities Made Better with Outdoor Audio


Have More Fun This Summer with a Home Outdoor Audio System






The warm, spectacular weather of the Hawaiian summer is the ideal environment for outdoor fun in your yard, from hanging by the pool to backyard barbecues. It’s even warm enough at night that you can enjoy many of those same activities without worrying about being uncomfortable.






But what if there was a way to get even more enjoyment from your favorite backyard activities? It’s easy with an outdoor audio system for your Kailua Kona, HI, home. Music makes almost everything better by helping to set the mood and keep you and your guests entertained. So why not bring your favorite tunes outside? Here are three summer activities that are improved with outdoor audio.








SEE ALSO:What Kind of Speakers Work for Your Outdoor Sound System?




POOL TIME






We have gorgeous beaches in Hawaii, but sometimes you want to avoid the crowds and the hassle, which makes your backyard pool an attractive option. The next time you, your family or your friends are hanging out poolside, create ambiance and keep everyone’s energy levels high by adding music to the mix.






If you want to relax or you’ve just finished swimming some laps, you can put on some light classical music or other mellow favorites and drift off as you enjoy the warm breeze. If you’re looking for something more upbeat or you have guests over for a party, get people moving with some rock ‘n’ roll or hip-hop classics.

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4 Hotel Spaces Made for Motorized Shades


From your lobby to your guests’ rooms, motorized shades can create a more comfortable and convenient environment






When it comes to the day-to-day operation of your hotel or resort, the shades you install throughout your space are likely not at the top of your priority list. However, this attitude is a mistake, because your shades play an important role in establishing an ideal atmosphere. Your shades are also important when it comes to protecting your guests’ privacy.




Still not convinced? That what today’s blog is all about. We’ll be going through the ways motorized shades can improve four different spaces in your Maui, HI hotel or resort. Read on to learn more.








SEE ALSO: How Building Automation Helps You Renovate Older Construction




COMMON AREAS




Places in your hotel with heavy foot traffic – the lobby, room corridors, the gym or pool area, etc. – are well suited to commercial automation systems such as motorized shades.




One factor that increases the utility of motorized shades in these spaces is the sheer number of windows and, therefore, shades. Adjusting the shades manually in these areas could take hours, whereas doing so with motorized shades is much more convenient and takes minutes, if not seconds. For even greater convenience, set your shades to automated schedules and watch as they adjust themselves without any effort from you or your staff.

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PAC Hawai’i announces expanded resources on the Big Island of Hawai’i

PAC Hawai’i announces expanded resources on the Big Island of Hawai’i

Hawai’i based electronics systems integration firm Pacific Audio & Communications Inc.(PAC Hawai’i)  is proud to announce that King Integration and its employees have joined the PAC Hawai’i team. This provides additional capacity required for anticipated business growth for the Big Island and Hawai’i Nui.

In late 2018, King Integration owners Ryan and Lorela King contacted Phil Mulligan CEO and Pat Mulligan VP of PAC to form a more unified and cohesive approach in the commercial and residential electronics integration market on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

Phil Mulligan Chief Executive, says, “This is a rare opportunity to have a high-quality firm like King Integration, whom has been in service for over a decade, want to unify and expand its offering. With the King Integration team coming on board with us we will be able to offer their clients and building trades expanded support and long-term services needed to elevate the Big Island market.”

To secure this unification, PAC has signed hiring contracts with Ryan King and his team (Mark, Keoni and Brandon) and has leased new office and warehouse locations in Kona at.73-5563 Olowalu St. Unit A-5, Kailua Kona Hi 96740

Ryan King adds, “We are excited to join a well established Hawai’i based company with more resources and sophisticated processes. Our client base on the Big Island will enjoy an improved service and maintenance experience while we continue to develop our new construction projects. I’ve known many peers on the Pacific Audio team over the years and am thrilled to be collaborating with them.”

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Don’t Worry, King Integration Customers; We’re Here For You

Former King customers will get the same level of care and professionalism from Pacific Audio & Communications, and there will be no disruption in your service

First off, all of us at Pacific Audio & Communications want to extend a warm welcome to the King Integration customers who’ve recently joined our community. We understand how a transition like this can be a challenge, and we know you have questions about us, what we do and how this change impacts your existing home automation systems.

These questions are perfectly understandable, and we want to hear from you. But we also thought it would be helpful to give you a brief overview of our company, the services we provide and what you can expect in the days and months ahead as this changeover occurs. While we have locations all over Hawaii, we want to reassure the new members of our family in the Kailua-Kona region that we’re here for all your home automation needs.



SEE ALSO: Pacific Audio & Communications Earns Coveted HTA Luxury Certification

WHO WE ARE

Since our founding in 1991, PAC has worked tirelessly to establish ourselves as the premier electronics systems integrators not only in Hawaii, but other states such as California and Nevada. In Hawaii, we have officers in Maui, Kauai, Oahu and The Big Island. Our team has completed more than 1,000 installations and been recognized for our work in major industry publications. We’ve earned other awards as well, including a Best Overall award in the Large Home Theater category during the 2008 CEDIA Expo.

WHAT WE OFFER

Our approach is to work with homeowners as well as building professionals – architects, designers, contractors, electricians, etc. – to provide complete, easy-to-use solutions that blend well with your home’s interior aesthetic. We design and install a wide range of home automation systems, including custom home theaters and media rooms, home networking, automated security, distributed audio and video systems, lighting control and energy management.

Our service doesn’t end once your system is installed, however; through our Client Care Program, we provide ongoing technical support after your system is up and running. We monitor system performance and take care of routine maintenance to keep everything working smoothly. We can even put your home into vacation mode when you’re away on long trips to save energy and prolong the life of your equipment.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Now that we’ve acquired King Integration, we want to reassure their former clients that they can expect the same level of care, service and excellence we provide for our own clients. If you were a King Integration customer, your current systems and services shouldn’t see any change.

Should any issues arise, feel free to let us know and we’ll take care of you. We’ve even brought on the King team to work out of our Kona location, where they’ll lend their experience and expertise to help us serve our new customers. We’re committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Have more questions about PAC and how the King acquisition will impact you? Please contact us with any concerns you may have. You can call our office on the Big Island at 808-938-1321, fill out our online contact sheet or click on the chat box in the corner of your browser.

The Essential Elements of a High-Performance Home Theater in 2019

Everything You Need to Enjoy Your Favorite Video Content in Style

If you’re going to invest the time and money required for a custom home theater, you want to know you’ve created the best possible experience possible. But creating an ideal home theater environment requires more than just a big screen. The type of TV or projection matters, as does your choice of sound system, even your choice of décor.

Trying to sort through all the available options for your home theater can be overwhelming, which is why Pacific Audio & Communications is here to help. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the essential elements of a high-end home theater installation for Maui homeowners. Read on to see what you really need for your home theater.

SEE ALSO: Getting the Most from Your Home Audio-Video System

YOUR DISPLAY

While there’s some room for debate as to which manufacturers have the best TVs and projectors around, in broad strokes there’s a simple answer to what you should want for your home theater: A 4K home theater system. While 8K TVs are available for purchase, there’s almost nothing in terms of native 8K video content.

However, not all 4K TVs or projectors are created equal. You also want to look for a TV or projector that has includes High-Dynamic Range imaging, or HDR. HDR allows for a broader, more intense range of colors than regular 4K displays, giving you greater contrast to make those images really pop off the screen.

One recommendation is to pair a 4K HDR projector with an ambient light-rejecting screen or a screen that can reflect ambient light and instead display the truly stunning image your projector delivers. Similarly, look for OLED 4K TVs. In contrast to other 4K TV models, OLED TVs light pixels on screen individually instead of with bigger backlighting panels behind the screen. While that may not sound like a big deal, it’s crucial to separating brighter and darker tones on screen and gives you that true black color for a sharper image.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re going the 4K route: Every part of your video system must be 4K compatible. That means you need a 4K receiver, the right kind of cabling and a sufficiently fast network to handle 4K streaming.

YOUR SOUND SYSTEM

If you want the best in class when it comes to home theater sound, there’s only one answer: Dolby Atmos. While other home audio and surround sound systems deliver impressive sound in their own right, Dolby Atmos is the most immersive system currently available.

Surround sound systems typically work by channeling sound through different speakers spread out around the room. These are the center, left, right, and rear channels you’re likely familiar with. Dolby Atmos works differently by featuring two or four overhead speakers, as well, and rendering each sound as an individual object that can be placed in a 3-D soundscape created by a network of speakers throughout your home theater.

This allows for an incredible sense of immersion, though it only works if the content you’re watching or listening to has been mastered for Dolby Atmos. Even if it’s not strictly Dolby Atmos compatible, however, you’ll still get powerful, quality sound from your speakers while enjoying other content.

ALL THE REST

Your video and audio systems are your primary concerns when it comes to home theaters, but there are other aspects to consider as well. For instance, there’s your choice of furniture and décor.

As far as furniture goes, you actually should spend a lot of time making sure that you find the right seating for your home theater installation. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home theater, you want comfortable seating that will remain in top condition after several months or years of usage.

When it comes to your décor, don’t be afraid to add your own sense of style. Give your theater a theme based around your favorite movie genre or genres, throw up some theater-style posters, add a popcorn machine or even stylish acoustic treatments.

Your home theater represents a significant investment on your part, so don’t be afraid to make it your own. To see what Pacific Audio & Communications can bring to your home theater installation, call our Maui office at (808) 870-1619 or contact us here to get in touch with our team today.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Introducing a New Smart Home Automation Tool, Josh AI!

Learn About a Brilliant, Voice-Controlled System and Its Many Benefits

To provide the best services for your Honolulu, HI home, Pacific Audio and Communications constantly looks for cutting-edge products. As soon as we heard of a new smart home tool that uses the most intuitive, AI-learning based software, we had to look closer.

What can this revolutionary product, which won CEDIA 2017’s Best Product and Res Tech Editor’s Choice in 2018, do for you? Josh AI is a new player in the smart home automation game that we can’t wait to introduce to our Hawaii customers. Keep reading to see why we love Josh.ai!



SEE MORE: Our Company Wins Coveted HTA Luxury Distinction
 
What Does Josh Do?
Josh.ai is a full-service home automation tool that you can control with your voice. It can operate lighting, security, A/V systems and anything else you’ve added to your smart home. Just like similar devices, you can remotely access every room in your house from your mobile phone -- and even pan the room to double-check that devices have turned off after your command.

Worried about integrating something shiny and new with your existing systems? Josh.ai collaborates seamlessly with almost any brand used in smart home automation, including Control4, Crestron, Sonos, Savant, Lutron and countless others. Chances are, if we’ve installed something for you, some of this hardware lives in your house, but Josh complements all those functionalities to create one, integrated smart home. Pacific Audio and Communications can add it to both older and newer homes.

Place on Wall and Play
The device mounts to your wall and looks flawless with virtually any decor style. Pacific Audio and Communications can flush-mount your device so that only the screen shows if you prefer. The screen lights up with different colors, depending on the nature of the command.

Josh Micro’s far-flung microphone capabilities mean you can speak from far away, and the device picks up your voice and accurately interprets your request. Because its programmers enabled Josh to understand commands contextually, you’ll hardly ever need to repeat yourself to get the device to comprehend you. Its intuitive technology even grasp phrases like, “It’s too bright in here!” and respond by lowering the shades. Similarly, you can say “Turn it off!” If the last device Josh activated were the lights, he’d know to turn them back off.

How Is Josh Different?
If you have an Alexa or Siri device or are familiar with their capabilities, operating a Josh.ai Micro won’t seem vastly different at first. What you’ll notice as you explore the device, though, is that it becomes more responsive to commands the longer you use it.

According to Josh’s website, “Josh is a home’s best friend. And like a dog, Josh is intelligent, responsive, and learns his owner’s commands. While other smart home control systems only know one trick, Josh combines all aspects of smart homes into one friendly, well-trained responder. Josh is your companion, and always happy to see you come home.”

Josh.ai makes privacy a priority by storing all commands locally. Founders Tim Gill and Alex Capecelatro aimed to make Josh.ai one of the most secure and data-conscious inventions of its time: The devices don’t sell ads or use any of your personal data, like the competitors.

Exclusive, Dealer-Only Device
Josh.ai products are currently only sold to select dealers, such as Pacific Audio and Communications. We can install the device, integrate it with your other smart home automation devices and provide ongoing support. Contact Pacific Audio and Communications to see this exciting new product in your home!

Our Company Earns Coveted HTA Luxury Certification

As Your Smart Home Installer, We Provide Unparalleled, Certified Service for Your Maui, HI Home!

Certified for Luxury
The Pacific Audio and Communications team is pleased to announce that the HTA, or Home Technology Association, has distinguished our company within the high-end space by awarding us an HTA Luxury certification. HTA Certification elevates standards of professional excellence for smart home installer smart home installer firms, and we’re proud to have obtained this level of certification. We feel this accomplishment proves our ability to provide a higher standard of service for our Maui, Hawaii customers.

It’s Your Home: Choose Wisely
When you trust a company to enhance your home, the installation firm you choose directly impacts your quality of life. The Home Technology Association, an objective, third-party organization, guides homeowners to the most trustworthy, technically capable, and customer-focused integrators. When you hire a company who has been evaluated and certified to meet the HTA’s stringent standards in luxury living, you are guaranteed to get home technology that you will enjoy for years to come. Keep reading to find out how this certification benefits our customers.



SEE MORE: 3 Elements to Look for in a Smart Home Company
Distinct Advantages
Currently, the HTA standardizes excellence in the industry: they set the bar and only certify companies who meet all requirements. We’re not trying to brag, but only about 10% of smart home installer companies receive an HTA distinction. The three criteria necessary for achieving this honor include 1) Technical Ability, 2) Customer Service and 3) Industry Expertise. We are proud to provide exemplary service in all three of these categories.

More specifically, certified companies have a few competitive edges on other companies of their kind. For example, you’ll find strong business rankings; solid financial history; reputable, enterprise-quality network installations; background-checked technicians; ongoing support plans; and multiple endorsements within other companies of this caliber. Curious about what the “Luxury” part of our certification means for you? Read on!

What Luxury Certification Means
Specifically, meeting HTA’s “Luxury” criteria means that we’ve proven ourselves to homeowners who appreciate the finer things in life. Pacific Audio and Communications customers typically own large, high-value homes that they continue to improve and innovate with home automation systems. They probably have scrupulous design tastes in decor and architecture that they don’t want to compromise with conspicuous wiring. There’s also a good chance our clients have demonstrated their interest in superior audio and video technology by adding a media room or home theater.

Installations with this many details to consider take time. Usually, the updates in the luxury home category are expansive projects that can take several months to complete and involve meticulous, design-oriented requests. We’re prepared for anything and always ready to put our most painstaking effort forward for clients.

The Best for Your Investment
In short, our customers expect and deserve a boutique, bespoke experience when creating their dream homes, and we can’t wait to show you how certifiably excellent business practices, service and expertise can transform your Hawaii home. Ready to explore the possibilities? You can start by contacting us here or send us a chat below.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Honolulu Home Safe Over the Holidays

Gain Peace of Mind with a Smart Home Security System

It’s that time of year for festive parties, holiday lights, and memory making. This season is very special, but it can also put us into a frenzy of stress with the long to-do lists, family visits, and traveling.

For your peace of mind, we’ve put together a list of handy tips that will help you with one item we know is on your to-do list: keeping a safe home. From automated lighting and a smart home security system to a staged home, these tips will help you feel safer whether you’re staying in Honolulu, Hawaii or traveling.



SEE ALSO: Why Invest in a Smart Home Security System?
  1. Sync Smart Lighting with Your Surveillance System

If you’re traveling this holiday and leaving an empty home, you’ll feel comforted knowing your house is working to fend off intruders with a smart surveillance system synced with lighting control.

Install motion sensors around your house that automatically turn on lights when movement is detected on your property. The lights will create the sense that someone is home and typically drive unwanted guests away. When movement is detected, your security system sends alerts to your phone to notify you of potential intruders and even sets off an alarm for you. 

  1. Monitor Packages with a Smart Intercom

An increase in delivered packages is a guarantee this time of year, and keeping up with each delivery can be a lot to remember. Make the process easier and safer with a web-configurable outdoor intercom that works in tandem with a monitor.

Use two-way audio and video to both hear and see your visitor coming to drop off a delivery. As soon as the delivery is dropped off and you’re not home to receive it, we suggest you contact a neighbor or friend to pick it up for you until you can get home. 

  1. Replace Your Doors with Smart Locks

You won’t ever have to worry if you left a door unlocked when you leave for vacation with smart locks. Remote door locks controlled from your smartphone not only keep your home safer but allow you to unlock your home for a guest if you’re not there to let them in. Integrate your smart locks with smart video surveillance to remotely see who you’re letting into your home for even more peace of mind.

  1. Keep a Clear Path to Your Entryways

Even with a smart home security system where you can monitor every inch of your property in real time from a remote location, intruders may sneak behind large bushes or bulky holiday decorations to stay out of view from your cameras.

Keep a clear path to possible entryways of your home, including windows and doors, avoiding large objects that could be used to hide intruders. We also suggest you test your surveillance cameras to make sure you can zoom, pan, and tilt in order to see every nook and cranny of your property.

  1. Stage an Occupied Home

To keep your home looking occupied even if your entire family is away, schedule light scenes to turn on at desired times and mimic your family’s daily routines. With a smart security system coupled with your scheduled lighting, you can remotely monitor your home to make sure your outdoor holiday lights and indoor lamps are on when they’re supposed to be.

Feel more at peace this holiday season knowing your Honolulu home is safe and secure! We can help you get started with a smart home security system today. Just contact us here or send a chat below to start talking with a professional security system installer today.

 

3 Ways a Stronger Network Improves Home Technology

Get faster, more reliable performance for your devices

 As more devices in your home come equipped with the ability to connect to the Internet, the strain on your home network is ever-increasing. You may have already noticed some issues already; slow browser speeds, spotty wireless coverage, and issues with streaming content are all signs of an overworked home network. If you’ve noticed any of these problems, it’s time for a home networking upgrade. Here’s a list of ways a stronger home network can improve the lives of homeowners in Maui.



 SEE ALSO: Solutions to 3 of the Most Common Home Networking Problems
 

THE NEED FOR SPEED

When you fire up your internet browser, you want an instantaneous response. But if you’re relying on a single wireless router to cover every area of your home and you don’t have a reliable connection, you’re going to be frustrated by long load times and even the occasional crash.

This is even more true of streaming content. To get the most from your home theater, you want to be able to stream your favorite movie or show in 4K UHD. Without a sufficiently powerful network, you’ll be dealing with pixelated images, buffering issues and lengthy load times.

The solution? Beef up your home network. A professional network installation will ensure you get the maximum bandwidth possible in every area of your house, allowing you to browse and stream without fear of any hiccups or glitches.

 

DO MORE WITH YOUR DEVICES

Getting the most from smart home automation involves more than simply installing the individual systems. To really unlock the value of these devices, you need them to work together, and that can’t happen if your network isn’t up to the task.

For example, smart security systems and lighting control both do a lot by themselves, but they can do more together. If your lighting control talks to your security system, you can lock all the doors in your house and turn off all the lights from your phone, all with one push of a button. If you’re going on vacation, program your lights to turn on and off at different points throughout the day to make it look like someone’s home, all the while knowing you’ll receive an alert on your phone if anything should happen.

The greater number of interconnected systems in your home, the more valuable they are to you. But without a sufficiently powerful network as the backbone, your options are much more limited.

 

KEEP YOUR DATA AND DEVICES SECURE

A strong network is important not only for the physical security of your home, but also your digital security. Hackers, malware and other forms of cyber attack have only been increasing in recent years, making network security more vital than ever.

To best protect the data on your devices, you’ll want to make sure your network is properly protected and encrypted. Your software or other components may be out of date if you haven’t taken a look at your network’s security in a while, leaving you at greater risk of attack and intrusion.

 

BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

If you’re interested in learning more about Pacific Audio and Communications’ networking services for your Maui home, give us a call at 808-870-1619 or visit us online.

 

Getting the Most from Your Home Audio-Video System

Make Your Devices Work Flawlessly Throughout Your Home

With the number of devices and entertainment options available to homeowners increasing rapidly in recent years, the need for a quality audio-video system to manage everything has only grown. If your devices aren’t linked and don’t let you enjoy the content of your choice in any room, you’re not getting everything you could out of your home audio-video system. Luckily, Pacific Audio and Communications is ready to meet the needs of the Honolulu area, and we’d be happy to help you with your audio and video solutions. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your home A/V setup:



 
SEE ALSO: What Kind of Speakers Work for Your Outdoor Sound System?
 

DISTRIBUTION                         

It’s fairly common for most homes to have multiple TVs these days, which means finding a way to get audio and video to each screen. In the past that might mean having individual cable or satellite boxes for each TV, but distributed audio and video makes that issue nonexistent. Distributed A/V systems transmit the feed from a central source to wherever you want it, meaning one central cable or satellite connection can be viewed in multiple locations throughout your home. This approach not only centralizes and simplifies your system, it can save you money by reducing the number of cable or satellite boxes you need for your home. Of course, not all components are created equal, and Pacific Audio and Communications will make sure you have the right parts for your installation.

 

CENTRALIZATION

Now you have audio and video in every room, but how easy is it to manage? Are you still fumbling with multiple devices to change the channel or music? No need; use home automation to bring all your equipment together under one interface. This can be a universal remote, an app for your smartphone or tablet, or a panel on a wall.

Automation lets you expand the capabilities of your A/V system in exciting ways, such as having your music or whatever you’re watching follow you from room to room seamlessly. You can tie your A/V system to the lights, air conditioning, and other elements in your home to give you greater control and make life simpler and more comfortable. Gain even more convenience by incorporating a smart speaker such as Amazon’s Echo or the Google Home to allow for voice control over your devices.

 
SEE ALSO: Is Your Audio Video System Prepared for the Analog Sunset?
 

STRONG NETWORK

You can have the best equipment in the world and the most intuitive control system available, but it won’t make a difference if the network connecting all your devices isn’t up to the task. As the number of linked devices in your home grows, so does the strain on your home network. You need the right gear and the right network setup to ensure everything in your A/V system operates smoothly. Luckily, Pacific Audio and Communications specializes in home network solutions, so we can make sure your devices keep humming along no matter the network strain.

 

NEED AN UPGRADE?

Feeling like your home audio-video system isn’t meeting your needs? There’s no need to delay; contact Pacific Audio and Communications today. We have offices in Maui, Kauai, Oahu and on the Big Island, or you can fill out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Guide to Choosing a Smart Home Security System in Hawaii

The Features You Should Look for with Smart Security Technology

High-end homes in the Honolulu area are often the target of break-ins, making a smart home security system an excellent investment. But deciding on which features you would like in your security system can be difficult. With so many factors to consider, you may find yourself getting overwhelmed.

Below, we cover the top features that will take your security system to the next level, giving you the confidence that you’ve chosen a robust and user-friendly system that will protect your home and family.



SEE ALSO: Make Your Home Energy Efficient With These 3 Smart Upgrades
 

Features

A traditional security system might include little more than an alarm that trips when a window or door is broken, but smart technology enables security to go far beyond that. Within a smart home, all of the following features can be combined into one easy-to-use system you can control at the touch of a button.
  1. Door Sensors: Beyond the front door (but certainly including that too), door sensors can keep track of whether any door on your property is open or closed. These sensors can be installed on medicine cabinets, wine cellar doors, and more.
  2. Motion Sensors: Install motion sensors that identify if any unauthorized movement happens in key areas of your property, such as a person moving around in your backyard in the middle of the night.
  3. Smoke/Heat Sensors: Get notified immediately if there is a health or fire hazard on your property. With a home monitoring service, the smoke and heat sensors can automatically contact emergency services to get assistance to your property as soon as possible.
  4. Garage Door Sensors: Ever wondered if you left the garage door open? Simply pull out your smartphone and check the status of the sensor!
  5. Water/Flood Sensors: Protect your property from flooding with water sensors that notify you as soon as water is detected somewhere it shouldn’t be.
  6. Surveillance Cameras: Real-time, high-resolution cameras are installed around your property, giving you instant access to the camera views via a smartphone or tablet.
  7. Smart Door Locks: Remotely lock or unlock doors throughout your property via your smartphone, allowing you to let someone into your home without you having to greet them at the front door.
  8. Gate Interface Systems: The same cameras and door locks that protect your home can be extended to a gatehouse. Using a video intercom, you can converse with whoever is at the gate and remotely give them access, if you so choose.
  9. Alarm System: Last but not least, your smart home security system can use a state-of-the-art alarm system to notify you of any issues however you see fit – audible alarm, flashing lights, notifications on the television screens, text message notifications, phone calls, and more.
  10. Integration with Other Smart Technologies: Imagine having a security system that automatically lights up the pathway from the driveway to the front door whenever your front gate authorizes entry. Or how about a system that automatically locks all of the entryways on your property whenever you select a “Goodnight” smart scene that also turns out the lights, adjusts the thermostat, and powers down electronics? There’s no need to settle for just security or just lighting control or multi-room music. With smart home automation, you can have one system that does it all.
 
Don’t be afraid to go beyond the basics with smart home security. Today’s technologies are not only assisting in keeping Hawaii properties secure – they’re also assisting in making daily life more comfortable, convenient, and luxurious.

If you would like to learn more about which smart home security system features would make sense for your property, please contact us by calling 808-386-5963 or filling out this quick inquiry form.

 

How Building Automation Helps You Renovate Older Construction

Modern Convenience and Classic Style

Oahu is full of beautiful construction. It’s the perfect place to start building, but it’s also a place that should be preserved.

There’s no need to tear everything down and start again when you can renovate a classic building and bring it into the 21st century.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the smart ways you can revive old buildings with modern technology – from wireless solutions to whole building automation!

Want to learn more? Just click below.



See Also: We Have Moved To Our New Kauai Offices And Showroom!

Building Network

The first step in any building revival is integrating a network. The network is like the backbone of all automation, so you can get the most out of anything you add later.

In most cases, a hardwired fiber-optic network will ensure the greatest success. Fiber-optics are high-bandwidth cables, which allow for high speeds and large signal transfer, which makes moving information like 4K video easy.

Other times, you can’t drill through a wall or otherwise modify the space, so a wireless network is essential. If that’s the case, building a mesh network will help give you the coverage you need.

Mesh networks don’t work like traditional wireless networks. In a normal network, one device – the router – broadcasts the signal throughout the space, potentially leading to dead spots.

A mesh network, on the other hand, consists of nodes placed throughout the space that generate their own signal, and strengthen the ones nearby.

That way, users won’t have any issue enjoying Wi-Fi access.

Essential Building Automation

In a renovated space, including essential pieces of technology will help the building manager keep costs low and run efficiently.

One major way to do that is through lighting. LED helps you enjoy energy-efficient lights that don’t need frequent replacing, LED use up to 80 percent of the energy used to light them – unlike incandescent bulbs that burn off most energy as heat.

That means they run cooler and last longer.

Additionally, HVAC control will help ensure the building manager isn’t cooling spaces they don’t need to. That will help keep energy costs down.

Energy management software helps keep track of all real-time energy expenditures, so it’s easy to make real-time adjustments to your system.

 
Want to learn more about the essential technology necessary for renovating old Oahu buildings?

If you’re looking for an automation partner, or you have any questions regarding updating an old building with smart technology, just click here.

What Kind of Speakers Work for Your Outdoor Sound System?

Find the Components that Work for You

 
If you’re a fan of music, you know there’s nothing better than the sound of a resonant, high-performance speaker in your Honolulu home.

But during the summer, you don’t want to stay cooped up inside, letting the sunshine go to waste.

The perfect solution is an outdoor sound system. You can enjoy your favorite tunes while basking in the warm air – without missing a beat.

Obviously, the components for an outdoor system aren’t going to be the same in an indoor system. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the differences between indoor and outdoor speakers.

Just keep reading for more.



 
See Also: Get Ready for Summer with an Outdoor Sound System
 

Bullet Speakers

In an indoor system, speakers are usually configured in pairs. A two-channel system is the perfect way to listen to music staged as if it were performed live.

But outside, there are other considerations: Ambient sound and lack of reflecting surfaces means you can’t count on the environment to help you out. And wood would likely rot when left too long in the elements.

Instead, bullet speakers are made from durable materials like brass or plastic. Their cabinets are long and slim, and they point in the direction you want to listen. Plus, they’re usually configured with four or more units throughout your yard, facing in toward the listening zone, so you can listen at a comfortable volume without disturbing the neighbors.

 

360-Degree Speakers

On the other hand, there are also semi-buried 360-degree posts. These components play loud and reach every corner of your space.

Most common in commercial applications, these are large units that are designed to draw attention. However, some manufacturers disguise them as elegant art pieces or as art of the stonework layout, so you can get the most out of the sound without looking at clunky components.

 

Wall-Mounted Speakers

Wall-mounted speakers are perfect for a deck or patio space. As the name implies, they hang off a wall and offer great sound for movies and music around a sitting space.

They typically offer bigger cabinets than bullet speakers. Otherwise, they look very similar to indoor bookshelf units.

 

Underground Sub

Perhaps the single most important speaker you can find is an underground subwoofer. Subs help deep bass notes resonate, giving your music a much higher impact.

Of course, on the island, you probably aren’t going to bury anything too deeply. In those cases, the sub can be placed below your deck to hide it.

If that’s not an option, you can select a semi-buried style that will help protect the device but won’t completely cover it. The above-ground part is designed to be aesthetically pleasing, so you won’t have to worry about it disrupting your landscaping.

 
Want to learn more about what you can get out of your outdoor sound system? Just click here for more info!

 

Want to Enjoy the Summer Nights? Landscape Lighting Can Help

Enhance the Beauty of Your Oahu Property with Smart Lighting

 
While the islands aren’t known for their big seasonal climate shifts, summer is still the perfect time to get out and enjoy all the natural beauty Hawaii has to offer.

Getting out and spending some time in the sun is a blast – but the fun doesn’t have to end when it sets.

Instead, why not make your summer nights special with outdoor cookouts, movies under the stars, and quality time with your property’s backyard and pool areas.

To make it all possible, it may be time to invest in advanced landscape lighting technology. Want to find out more? Keep reading.



See Also: Want a 4K Home Theater System?
 

Types of Fixtures

Landscape lighting is designed to work within a space, not dominate it with clunky components. That’s why many outdoor lighting fixtures are discreet and easily hidden within the natural foliage.

Many systems feature simple, directional lighting that help highlight the areas that you want to showcase. Some can be installed under stairs or along walkways to accent the existing look of your perfectly maintained backyard.

You can also install fixtures within your pool for added safety and beauty.

 

Connecting to Your System

Landscape lighting may exist in the backyard, but that doesn’t mean you have to re-learn how to control everything.

Most systems integrate seamlessly into your current smart home control ecosystem, allowing one-touch commands for every fixture – indoor and out.

Plus, when you integrate with a smart home system, you can set timers, combine controls, install sensors and other smart features that make using your lights a breeze.

 

Environmentally Friendly

Most modern outdoor lighting fixtures feature LED illumination. Those are beneficial for many reasons.

First LED are much more energy-efficient than their incandescent or fluorescent counterparts. They use up to 80 percent of the energy used to light them – unlike the other two which burn off most of the energy as heat.

Due to this, LED can last up to 11 years under normal use. Plus, LED lamps’ less frequent replacement  and recyclable materials means you won’t have to worry about your system’s environmental friendliness.

Exploring the Capabilities

When you add landscape lighting, you don’t just enjoy more lights. You can get the most out of your property and craft a uniquely beautiful look.

From arranging the lights in a beautiful, layered way that accentuates the parts of your yard you love, to adjusting the hue of your LED fixtures for a simple splash of color, there’s plenty to love about learning to use your system.

 
Want to learn more about landscape lighting? Reach out to us here, or just click the button at the bottom of your screen to chat with a real person right now!

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