HOMETOYS
iPhone Control of your Home Systems
Where did the idea for iRule come from? The idea for iRule came when I wanted to upgrade my control system due to constant upgrades. The costs of the...
Uncategorized, page 4
HOMETOYS
Video Conferencing Backgrounds
The key to effective video conferencing is to ensure that the intended message is delivered while eliminating or minimizing anything that distracts...
HOMETOYS
Applications for Transparent Displays
Transparent Display Technology The technology for making a transparent display is not secret. Basically, TFT electrons and TFT pixels are...
HOMETOYS
Crestron Ultimate Home Automation Solution Demonstrated in Las Vegas Show House
Challenges Located in the Marquis Seven Hills development outside of Las Vegas, The New American Home 2013 blends desertcontemporary design with high...
HOMETOYS
Defining Audio Fidelity
Every audiophile and home theater owner understands how video quality is defined using parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, black level...
HOMETOYS
Digital Signage Expo 2013 Tradeshow Report
Digital Signage Expo is the world’s largest international tradeshow dedicated to interactive display technology, digital signage, and digital...
HOMETOYS
4K UHD – How high can we go?
Next to the pretty girls, the 4K Ultra High definition (UHD) television had the guys salivating at CES, but is UHD a little too much just now? High...
HOMETOYS
Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2013 Tradeshow Report
ISE 2013 was the biggest yet. With 894 exhibitors occupying 33,000 net square meters of floor spaces. Thousands flocked to Amsterdam to catch up on...
HOMETOYS
Laser Phosphor Displays
“The Future of Visual Marketing Rests with Laser Phosphor Displays” How did the idea for LPD (Laser Phosphor Displays) come about? When I was younger...
HOMETOYS
Why is ABUS Audio Still Going Strong?
We started offering ABUS whole house audio at the beginning of 2005. ABUS is a licensed technology that must be followed to the exact specifications...
HOMETOYS
A Dynamic ‘Convertible’ Home Theater on a Shoe-String Budget
For the wealthy few, `the sky’s the limit’ in terms of what can be accomplished in a dedicated home theater. For the rest of us, the challenge is to...
HOMETOYS
A Shower TV? Hey, Why Not…It’s What the Cool People Do
Updated by Brian Locker on September 1, 2019 Back in 1999, we installed a very small “bathtub TV” at a Design House project in Los Angeles. Even...
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...
HOMETOYS
IAV Light Speaker
What is LightSpeaker? LightSpeaker is a basic self contained wireless audio and lighting control system. First and foremost the LightSpeaker is a...
HOMETOYS
Laser Phosphor Display Screens
It seems that no sooner do we become comfortable with new technology; some start-up company comes along with new advancements. Prysm, a San Jose...
HOMETOYS
Petabytes are the New Terabytes
Digital storage plays an enormous role in the creation, distribution and use of rich media content. In addition, higher resolution content places...
HOMETOYS
Review – IAV LightSpeakers – Wireless Multi Room Audio System
Since HomeToys.com began over 15 years ago we have always had a passion for products we feel are innovative, creative and are helping move this AV...
HOMETOYS
Using Audio Visual In The Courtroom
The modern courtroom is apt to have either installed or portable technology for information and evidence display; media feeds; teleconferencing...
HOMETOYS
4K TV is Here For Your Home Theater! But Should You Care?
Well we saw the cool new 84″ LED 4K displays at the recent CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis (“4K” is the new buzzword referring roughly to the amount of...
HOMETOYS
Audio Visual Technology in Medicine
A patient is admitted to a small town ER. An X-ray of an injury is taken by the hospital staff, only the hospital does not have a radiologist on...
HOMETOYS
HDMI = High Performance
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was invented in 2002 by several major electronics manufacturers. HDMI is the first uncompressed...
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...
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...
HOMETOYS
Understanding the Technical Specifications of Outdoor Digital Displays for QSR
Outdoor digital signage is becoming increasingly important in Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) operations. With 60-70% of QSR revenue typically coming...