CREATE AN EXERCISE ROUTINE THAT’S LESS “ROUTINE”:  ADDING AUDIO-VISUAL ELEMENTS KEEPS YOU INSPIRED.

Your health and long, vibrant life is the ultimate luxury, and your smart home can include the tools to keep you fit. The CDC indicates that fitness improves brain health, strengthens your bones and muscles, and keeps you flexible throughout your life. In addition, regular exercise has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many cancers.

While the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are obvious, a home gym can become repetitive and, well, frankly, boring. Your daily requirement can fade away to other temptations without the energy and excitement pushing yourself to get in.

The recent rise of interactive equipment with classes and online competitions has proved to increase engagement. Our home audio consultant and installation technicians create an audio-visual experience that inspires and invigorates for a truly immersive gym. Continue reading to explore the possibilities in your Oahu, HI home.

 

The Newest Addition to Our Team Elevates Your Listening Experience to a Whole New Level

Sound is all around us; it is a critical component of our senses that provides an awareness of space and time. The process of listening is so integral that the simple act of listening to music involves nearly every region of the brain. In short, audio matters a lot.

Whether it is a home theater, dedicated listening room, or whole-home audio, we design our system with a healthy respect for its importance. Your investment in the highest quality audio for your home deserves the assurance that it is working at peak performance.  At Pacific Audio & Communications, we offer the services of a home audio consultant to take your smart home system from stunning to astounding.

Are you intrigued by the possibilities a finely tuned sound system can offer your Hawaii home listening experience? Read below to find out more. 

 

PACIFIC AUDIO & COMMUNICATIONS HIRES ANDREW KISSINGER AS SENIOR SALES MANAGER, KAUA’I & NATIONAL ACCOUNTS, HAWAI’I.

Lihue, Kaua’i, Hawaii. – March 30th, 2021 – Pacific Audio & Communications Hawai’i, has expanded their executive team with the hiring of Andrew Kissinger as Senior Sales Manager for the Kaua’i Office, while managing National Accounts for all islands.

Andrew brings a solution-oriented mindset with a partnership approach and wealth of knowledge to go with it! He leads an accomplished career engaged in the distribution of premium electronics, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in the performance audio and custom integration fields. Andrew has held positions with The Good Guys retail stores selling audio/video products at multiple Southern California retail locations, AudioQuest as Regional Sales Manager for the Southwestern US and Mexico, and most recently Bowers & Wilkins as Strategic Account Manager for the Western US.

He has received numerous industry accolades including Dealerscope Magazine’s 40 Under 40, and has earned a reputation for excellent customer service, developing high-caliber client relationships, a passion for the luxury electronics channels, and a proven track record of strong sales growth across multiple companies.

In his new role, Andrew will oversee the sales effort for the Kaua’i Sales Office, and lead Pacific Audio in developing and maintaining national relationships with key builders, architects, and clientele.

Philip Mulligan, CEO Pacific Audio & Communications Hawai’i, said “We’re extremely excited to have Andrew join the Pacific Audio team. His depth of industry experience, knowledge of the premium audio and custom integration channels, and territory management capabilities will complement our ability to serve our clients and partners in Hawai’i.”

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!

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.

 

For Immediate Release

Continuing Education Courses Available for Design and Build Professionals in Maui, Kauai and Big Island

Local electronic systems professionals deliver training; members of participating organizations earn continuing education units

 
Kihei, Hawaii (10/21/2015) — Educating architects, building designers, builders, interior designers, and remodelers on ways to increase their business through home technology is top priority for Pacific Audio & Communications Hawaii. Recently, Patrick Mulligan, of Pacific Audio & Communications Hawaii, received the CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) designation from the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) enabling him to deliver multiple courses approved for continuing education credit by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC)-governed interior designer associations (ASID, IIDA, and IDC), and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

 
These COI courses are part of CEDIA’s industry outreach efforts, designed to strengthen collaboration between home technology professionals and the design and build industry. As technology continues to grow and change at a rapid pace, the courses that Patrick Mulligan offers help design and build professionals better understand the capabilities of residential electronic systems. The courses are provided at no charge by Pacific Audio & Communications.
 
“We work in unison with builders, architects, interior designers, and related professionals to combine grace and elegance with high-tech wizardry” Patrick Mulligan COI
 
Local chapters of industry partner associations, such as AIA, AIBD, NARI, and ASID are encouraged to contact Pacific Audio & Communications to take advantage of this free education.  Courses cover such topics as hiding technology, planning for residential electronics systems, and home theater design.

 
About Pacific Audio & Communications Hawaii.
Pacific Audio & Communications (PAC) is one of the nation's premier Electronic Systems Integration Company specializing in design, integration, and installation of electronic systems in residential environments. Since 1991, we have completed over a thousand quality installations in Hawaii, California, and Nevada. Our installations have received national attention in several consumer and trade publications. More info can be found on our website www.pachawaii.com

• Increase Resale Value for Your Kauai, Hawaii Property • Let Your Smart Home Automation System Get the Most out of Energy-Saving Technology• Enable mobile control, monitoring with better system integration • Save money, time, and grief when it comes to upgrades, maintenance or additions.
   

Who’s Wiring Your Home and Do They Know What They’re Doing?

Check out some frequently asked questions about smart home automation and home technology integration and find out why you should work with Pacific Audio and Communications Inc.

• Do I need a lot of wiring in my home? Couldn’t I just go with wireless solutions?
  • You don’t need a lot of wiring, but you need to ensure what you install is the right kind of wire and is installed correctly. Using the right kind of wire makes a huge difference in performance and future upgrades. A smart installer primes your system for growth by installing conduit points in specific locations to create access for future wiring. Just one conduit install can save you thousands in future upgrades and avoids having to cut into walls, ceilings or floors if you want to incorporate new components, services or upgrades in your smart home automation system.
  • A wireless network relies on strategically placed Access Points which have to be wired to your home network. Cable, phone, alarm and security locations will also need a wiring foundation. The best quality when it comes to internet speed and audio video signals comes from wired systems. By relying on wireless solutions, you also risk interference from neighbors. Wireless is good and will get better, but in some areas wiring will always be the better option. And that wiring needs to be of the best quality and properly installed.
• What are some considerations when preparing a smart home’s infrastructure?
  • Work with your contractor when finding a low-voltage subcontractor for your project and make sure to ask the following questions:
    
    • Can they install the systems you want to incorporate in your smart home automation system?
    • Can they provide service and maintenance afterwards? Many low-voltage subcontracts will only take part in the installation and leave users stranded when they face problems.
    • Do they have a reputation for reliable work and systems?
    • Are they licensed?
  • Once you have found the low-voltage contractor you want to work with, make sure you discuss which systems you want to include in your home. When discussing this take both aesthetics and functionality into account:
    
    • Where do you want to place your main system control panels and equipment?
    • How do you want to interact with your system?
      
      • Control it from your smartphone with mobile control and monitoring.
      • Find the right user interface for ease-of-use of the system.
      • Will the access be designed for a rental market with multiple users?
    • Don’t fast track through this initial process. Taking the time to communicate with your low voltage contractor will result in a spectacular end product that operates just the way you want and expect it to.
• Why Should I Trust Pacific Audio & Communications Inc. With my Home Technology Needs?
• We have over 25 years of experience in the industry and we just keep getting better. Through our experience we know the best products in the market and when to use them. All our smart home automation solutions are tried and true—fully tested for optimal results.
• Something that makes us stand out is our commitment to customer support. Our past customers love us because we service everything we install with labor and equipment warranties included.
• We do it all to offer comprehensive smart services including home theaters, whole house audio, wired and wireless networking, lighting systems, security and surveillance, motorized shades, power protection systems and smart home control integration.

Looking for a low-voltage contractor to take care of your home technology needs? We specialize in the outer island market (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) and we’re here to take care of you. Contact us to set up a consultation!

• Have Access to Your Favorite Music in Every Corner of Your Home• Optimize the Audio Signals Within Your Kauai, Hawaii Space• Work With a Professional for a Discreet Wiring Installation

What is a Home Audio Distribution System?

A home audio distribution system lets you transfer audio signals from source components –a turntable, media library or CD player – to speakers throughout your house. When installing your system in Kauai, Hawaii, it’s not enough to find the best speakers and A/V receivers. You need to make sure your audio signals travel efficiently through the right cable solution.



What Kind of Cables Should You Use?
In most cases, your audio signals will go through one of the following cables: analog, HDMI or Ethernet. Below we take a look at features from all three to see what the best fit is for you.

• Why Use Analog Cables?
  • Analog cables provide the purest sound from a turntable or CD player since the signal is never translated into digital form when it goes from the source to your receiver.
  • How to judge the quality of an analog cable
    • While all cables may look the same, slight variations in material and craftsmanship can make a huge difference.
      
      • Usually you want a copper conductor, double shielding and high-pressure connectors for the least signal interference.
    • Why Use HDMI Cables?
      • An HDMI cable can carry audio, video, and even internet signals.
      • When it comes to a home theater system, HDMI is the best way to get full surround sound, offering up to eight different soundtrack channels to create three-dimensional audio within the room.
      • A challenge for HDMI is that it is always evolving. This means the latest HDMI technology may not be compatible with older gear.
    • Why Use Ethernet Cables?
      • Ethernet cables can transmit signals in a multi-room system with limited interference. The CAT-6 line also lets you send signals back, meaning it can take a signal from your television receiver and transfer it back to your A/V receiver or speaker. This way any audio generated within your TV can be played on another system.
      • Ethernet connections are also common for wireless speaker systems like SONOS. We also connect your sources –music library or laptop—to a network router to boost the signal.
    • What is the best cable for a multi-room system?
      • Picking the right gauge: The longer your cable needs to travel within your home audio distribution system, the thicker you want it to be. The thicker a wire, the lower its gauge. Most installations will require a gauge between 12 and 14.
      • Wiring behind walls: To reduce the risk of overheating, fire or interference, you want to use CL2 or CL3 wires for in-wall installations.
    • Why should I work with a professional for my home audio distribution?
      • Figuring out what cables are right for you is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your solution may require a variety of cables depending on your source components, type of speakers and the size of your home.
        
        • Will you also need to transmit video signals?
        • Will you want all wiring hidden behind walls?
        • Are you incorporating wireless speakers?
      • We ensure cables are compatible with your technology. Choosing incompatible cables will not only result in lower-quality audio, but it can also damage your system.
      • As licensed low-voltage contractors, we can find the perfect path from your A/V receivers or matrix switchers all the way to the speaker of your choice. All wiring remains hidden behind walls to reduce clutter.

Want to get the most out of your home audio distribution? Contact Pacific Audio and Communications Inc. for a professional installation.