AUDIO
AudioControl’s Rialto 400
In this review, we look specifically at connectivity Sonos, but the Rialto 400 would work equally well with any quality device with a digital output...
Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson is a software consultant and home theater and home automation enthusiast who runs Anderson Integrations. He has written more than 50 articles for HomeToys.
21 articles
LIGHTING AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Siri Home Automation Integration With Raspberry PI
Part 1 – The Basics (using a Linux VM) Intro After trying and failing to get SiriProxy up and running last year, I was inspired to get it working on...
LIGHTING AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Siri Home Automation Integration from Start to Finish – Part 2 – Raspberry PI Installation
This is Part 2 of an article on Siri integration with a Home Automation system. Part 1 can be found here The instructions are similar to those in...
LIGHTING AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Siri Home Automation Integration from Start to Finish – Part 3 – Home Automation Integration
I run HomeSeer at home, so I’ll explain the steps for integrating with this. The same method could be used with any system that can receive messages...
HOMETOYS
Blowing Hot and Cold with Z-wave and Wi-Fi Thermostats
Disclosures My HVAC needs are simple. I live in 101 year old house that my wife and I bought 2 years ago. We don’t have central air (yet), and have...
HOME TECH
Taking the Guesswork out of HDMI switching with InstaPrevue
We’ve all been there: wanted to switch the TV or AV Receiver to the DVD or DVR, but can’t remember which input it’s connected to. Wouldn’t it be...
VIDEO
Improving Video Quality with ClearView
With services like Vudu, iTunes movies, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, UltraViolet, etc. streaming is growing at a dramatic rate. Fortunately, many movies...
HOMETOYS
Mobile Devices Wired for Sound and Video with MHL
What is MHL? Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is a standard for connecting mobile devices to a big screen TV or projector. It’s a 5-wire, single...
VIDEO
Mozaex Media Server Review
About the MOZAEX Solo 2 3D and CHROMA PLAYER BD We reviewed the Solo 2 3D and the Chroma Player BD. Solo 2 3D Chroma Player BD Chroma Blu-ray Video –...
HOMETOYS
Sanus CFR2136 AVRack
Before Sanus For the last few years, I’ve used a SunFire 6800 rack for my AV gear, primarily because I housed a few 29” deep, rack mount servers. The...
LIGHTING AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Absolute Zero Home Theater Curtains
Light Control Thousands of dollars’ worth of audio visual wizardry can be worthless without proper sound and light control. Any home theater with a...
HOMETOYS
Will the DLNA Premium Video Platform Change the Set Top Box Landscape?
What is DLNA? The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) was created by Sony in 2003 (originally called the Digital home Network Group) to enable...
HOMETOYS
Gefen Wireless HDMI Extender (GTV-WHD-1080P-LR) Review
About The GTV-WHD-1080P-LR The GefenTV Wireless for HDMI Extender LR (GTV-WHD-1080P-LR) is a wireless HDMI (WHDI) and IR extender solution comprising...
VIDEO
IOGEAR Wireless HD 3D Digital Kit Review (GW3DHDKIT)
The Wireless HD 3D Digital Kit (GW3DHDKIT) is a wireless HDMI (WHDI) and IR extender solution comprising a wireless audio / video transmitter and a...
HOMETOYS
Digital Signage Series – Video Walls
What is a Video Wall? A Video Wall is an array of 2 or more monitors behaving as a single display. The lowest level of video wall is 1×2 matrix (1...
VIDEO
Beyond Blu-ray
Let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with Blu-ray. Every time I insert a (well authored) Blu-ray movie into my player and watch it on my Pioneer...
HOMETOYS
Mirage MMS-2 Media Server Review
There’s a good chance you may not have heard of Autonomic Controls unless you’re in the custom installation business. Their Mirage Media Server could...
HOMETOYS
Proactive AV and Home Automation Monitoring
ihiji, a company based in Austin, TX produces a product, named “invision”, which could easily be described as a custom installer’s best friend. ihiji...
HOMETOYS
HTML 5 and Digital Signage
HTML 5 has come a long way in the last year and is getting close to being ready for prime time. Before delving into the reasons why it’s perfect for...
HOMETOYS
Using the Kindle Fire as a Home Automation Touchscreen
Ever since I saw the first homes with wall-mounted touchscreens, controlling everything from music to security systems, I’ve yearned for an...
HOMETOYS
Residential Power Monitoring
There’s been lots of talk of the Smart Grid for several years and many utility companies have rolled out Smart Meters and accompanying utility plans...