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.

Stay Safer the Smarter Way


Whether you’re headed out on vacation or you’re just around the corner getting some chores done, you never want to leave your home unprotected. That’s why many Honolulu, HI homeowners consider investing in a smart home security system. But for some, the time and expense of installation seems like too much to be worthwhile. On the contrary! Smart security is an investment that keeps on giving. In this blog, we’ll show you why installing integrated security features is one of the best choices you can make for your property. Read on for more.

See Also: 3 Things to Look for in a Smart Home Company
Smarter Family Protection
If there’s one obvious reason to invest in smart security features, it’s that you can protect your family and property with ease. Whether you want to keep an eye on things or know who is coming and going from your home at all times, you can do it simply, quickly and without hassle. Here are a few of the most common security upgrades:

• Surveillance Cameras: Unlike the big, clunky gray boxes you see at the bank, modern surveillance cameras can look discreet so they don’t ruin your home’s aesthetic. Offering 4K resolution, 360-degree viewing angles and modern software like facial recognition, keeping an eye on your property has never been easier.
• Alarm Systems: If someone tries to break in, there are few better deterrents than an alarm system. Not only will it blast a loud sound, alerting the whole neighborhood, but it can also automatically contact the appropriate authorities.
• Smart Locks: Ensure each door is locked with the touch of a button. Smart locks offer unique authorized-access capabilities so you’ll know who is entering or leaving your home at any time.

Environmental Protection
If you think home security is all about keeping bad guys out, you could be sorely mistaken. Most property damage is caused by environmental factors, like weather, water pipe leakage or fire. Here’s a few smart solutions:

• Smoke and Carbon Detectors: One of the most common issues homeowners face is the potential for fire. Smoke detectors can alert you before anything serious happens so you can get to a safe place, and they can also notify the fire department if necessary. Carbon is potentially even more dangerous, because you won’t know when it’s around. A carbon detector can alert you and activate an integrated HVAC system to flush out harmful gasses.
• Flood and Leak Detectors: A leaking pipe is no laughing matter. It can lead to serious repair costs. Stay in-the-know with real time alerts that monitor the moisture in a given space, so you can head off any potential damage.

Lower Insurance Costs
If you’re of the mind that the installation of these devices could end up costing you more than they’re worth, you may want to consider that smart security can help lower insurance costs as well. By ensuring the safety of your property, you can get more back in the long run.

 
Are you ready to enjoy a smarter, safer property with a smart home security system? Contact Pacific Audio and Communications today!

We've recently moved to a new building and we're excited to announce all of the features you can enjoy for your integrated electronic needs.

Our new 3000 sqft facility will have dedicated offices for admin, design and engineering, programming, staging, rack building, project management and of course a full showroom and conference/meeting space. All better to support our clientsIf you'd like to schedule a visit, give us a call at our new phone number: (808)3 20-8463And visit us at our new location: 1587 Haleukana St. Ste. 101 lihue Hi 96766

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.

 

How Smart Home Automation Helps Sell Homes

Honolulu has a very hot real estate market. Whether you’re selling new homes or previously owned properties, it’s always a good idea to explore new ways to appeal to home buyers. And the trend that is hitting it big in Hawaii is definitely smart home automation. Historically, smart home technology has been limited to custom installations by individual homeowners, but real estate companies are starting to realize the advantages of upgrading homes with automation in order to sell properties fast for top dollar.

3 Reasons to Invest in Smart Home Automation

1.    It’s Growing More Popular (and It’s Here to Stay)

According to a recent study by Houzz, almost half of homeowners prioritize adding smart technology when renovating homes. It’s clear that smart devices are part of everyday life, so why not make it easy for buyers by giving them the technology right from the start?

2.    It Gives You an Edge on the Competition

Imagine how different the experience is for buyers when they walk into a fully automated home. The windows shades rise, the lights brighten, and the audio system starts playing music at the touch of a button or single spoken command.

When given the choice between that and a home without smart technology, it’s not difficult to guess which option is going to win.

3.    It’s Easy to Get Started

You don’t have to integrate all of this technology yourself. By partnering with Pacific Audio & Communications, you can gain all the benefits of having technology-infused homes without any of the time or effort. You do the real estate work, and leave the rest to us.

Possible Technologies to Add to Homes (and Their Top Selling Points)

Once you decide to embrace the smart home automation movement, it’s time to explore the possibilities! There are a lot of smart technologies out there, but not all of them are an ideal fit for new home buyers.

Here are the options we recommend that real estate companies consider:

1.    Lighting Control

We can connect all of the lights throughout the home to one central management system. With this technology, you can adjust a single light, a certain area, or the entire home with one tap on your smartphone or tablet. It’s convenient, it can help keep energy bills low, and it’s great for enhancing a home’s décor.

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

2.    Motorized Shades

Motorized shades give a “wow factor” to each room. With zero manual effort, the shades can raise or lower upon command. The biggest selling point for motorized shades is their energy-efficiency—we can add smart sensors to the windows that automatically adjust the shades to avoid solar heat gain, which keeps energy bills low.

3.    Climate Control

There’s a reason why Nest Learning Thermostats are so popular. Homeowners love how easy it is to set the temperature from their smartphone. We can go beyond just a smart thermostat though. Ask us about our full climate and energy management solutions.

4.    Smart Security

Security is usually top of mind for home buyers. Make it easy for them with an already integrated security solution that includes surveillance cameras, smart door locks, window sensors, and more.

5.    Professional Networking

The last thing you want is to be showing a home and have the potential home buyers discover that they have no cell service or Wi-Fi access in certain areas. Ensure reliable coverage in every room with a professional networking installation. Cellular boosters and wireless access points are strategically placed throughout the home for top-notch performance.

Whether you’re in Honolulu, Kauai, or another area of Hawaii, Pacific Audio & Communications is your smart home automation expert. We work with builders, interior designers, real estate agents, homeowners, and more to develop high-quality, easy-to-use technology.

Contact us today for more information.