How to Find a Home Technology Installer
31 December 2008
Welcome to our Home Technology Blog!We provide tech tips, trends, and resources to help you find and install quality Home Tech equipment.
Everyone wants the latest technology for their home - Plasmas, Smart Home gear, Home Security toys, DSL/Wifi & more!
But... many don't know how to install these things themselves.
Where do you turn?
So, we created ConstructionDeal.com several years ago to help you find any type of home technology installation expert!
On our site, you can:
- Submit your Home Technology installation project in just minutes!
- Receive 4 quotes from Home Tech Experts
- Talk to Installers or Repair Pros and make your decision
- Save time by not calling companies at random from an outdated phone book!
- Save money by getting multiple bids from home tech companies - you have the option to go with the best bid!
- You do all this -- for free -- on ConstructionDeal.com
What type of Home Technology Experts are in our network?
We've got thousands of tech installers and repair companies nationwide. Many are specialized to help you build a customized home theater, install a plasma TV lift, automate your house, install home security products, and many more options.
If you've got a home technology installation or repair project - find home theater and TV installers in your area! Post your request and update your home today!
Don't forget to bookmark our blog - or subscribe - and check back often for the latest trends and information in home technology products and services!
Labels: HDTV, Home Automation, Home Security, Home Technology Installers
Want a New iPhone? Stuck With Your Old Cellphone Contract?
29 June 2007
So, you'd like to get the new iPhone from Apple? The only problem is... you're stuck with your existing cell phone contract. And, when you cancel a phone contract early, you're going to have to pay a hefty termination fee, right?
Well, the folks over at The Consumerist have come up with several ways to get out of your current plan. Most are fairly silly -- like number six... "Die" - but the first one could be a great option for you.
From The Consumerist website, here are their 6 ideas:
1. Sell your cellphone contract.
2. Complain that service isn't up to par, file complaints with PUC, FTC, BBB, AG and cc them to the company.
3. Wait for the company to change its rates, then call to cancel based on the material change of contract. These are usually for the default rates and you won't be able to cancel if you have a package that takes care of it... (hint: so get rid of the package and call back.)
4. Move to an area outside the plan's coverage area.
5. Join the armed forces - you'll need to fax in a copy of your orders.
6. Die - someone will need to fax in your death certificate on your behalf. You'll be dead, but at least you're in heaven. iPhone heaven.
Okay, so the best choice in that bunch is to sell your contract. There are a number of online companies that help you sell your phone contract.
There is a company called Cellswapper and another called CelltradeUSA. They'll allow you to find someone to buy your contract for a small fee -- usually $15 to $20. Which is much less than your big early termination fee.
Well, the folks over at The Consumerist have come up with several ways to get out of your current plan. Most are fairly silly -- like number six... "Die" - but the first one could be a great option for you.
From The Consumerist website, here are their 6 ideas:
1. Sell your cellphone contract.
2. Complain that service isn't up to par, file complaints with PUC, FTC, BBB, AG and cc them to the company.
3. Wait for the company to change its rates, then call to cancel based on the material change of contract. These are usually for the default rates and you won't be able to cancel if you have a package that takes care of it... (hint: so get rid of the package and call back.)
4. Move to an area outside the plan's coverage area.
5. Join the armed forces - you'll need to fax in a copy of your orders.
6. Die - someone will need to fax in your death certificate on your behalf. You'll be dead, but at least you're in heaven. iPhone heaven.
Okay, so the best choice in that bunch is to sell your contract. There are a number of online companies that help you sell your phone contract.
There is a company called Cellswapper and another called CelltradeUSA. They'll allow you to find someone to buy your contract for a small fee -- usually $15 to $20. Which is much less than your big early termination fee.
Labels: Apple, iPhone, New Technology
What Will Spur the Home Automation Trend?
06 March 2007
Many people are interested in owning a "smart home" and having home automation products in their house. For years, the idea of having remote or automatically controlled home systems - such as lighting, HVAC, video and audio, and security - has been too far out of reach.The advent of lower prices, broadband connections, wifi, and a multitude of home automation products from various companies is pushing technology into homes.
Early adopters have been on the smart home bandwagon for a long time now, but many have stayed on the sidelines as they waited for a dominant company to lead the way. Microsoft has been working on various software systems for home automation there is still no clear winner.
What will spur the advance of home automation into many homes?
Many people had no concept of how to have wifi in their homes but companies made it very easy for people to install network systems by themselves. Automation systems and products could follow the same path. Once people see it working in a friend or family members house, they'll want to have the same technology.
For it to take off, though, it may need a greater push. The latest trends or whiz-bang gizmos sometimes need that extra push to have many people adopt the technology. Experts have argued that the time may be right -- more and more people are looking for "green" alternatives and products and ideas for their homes. People want to conserve the environment, conserve energy, and promote more sustainability.
Home automation can provide energy efficiency in your house. How? Automatically controlled temperature and lighting devices.
By allowing a smart device to adjust temperature settings based on pre-programmed information, a home can turn off heating & cooling when it's not needed and can push it up when people are home from work or vacation. Lights can be programmed to dim and turn on or off at predetermined times to avoid staying on when you're asleep or away. These controls can, along with energy-efficient lights and bulbs, save you a lot of money on the energy bill. They are also considered to be energy conscious products that will reduce the amount of your environmental "footprint". Add to this solar panels, ceiling or whole-house fans, and energy efficient windows and doors, and you could effectively go "off the grid" and leave no environmental impact at all.
Energy conscious behavior could be the spark that creates a higher demand for home automation products.
If you'd like to talk to a custom smart home installation expert, now is the time. If you're concerned about the planet, and everyone is these days, then you could be doing your part today. Post your request, talk to a professional home automation company, and find out what can be done in your home. It's free to find a company on ConstructionDeal.com.
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Home Automation
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Labels: Energy Efficiency, Green Remodeling, Home Automation, Smart Homes
Home Security Tips
06 February 2007
Did you know that less than 15% of criminals who burglarize a home are ever caught? You hear about the bank robberies and convenience store hold-ups, but many homes are robbed on a regular basis (over 5,000 per day.)
Most criminals will break in during the day, while you're away at work. However, for the "opportunity thief", they'll usually try to break in at night, from the rear of the home where it's darker and less chance to be seen.
A loud alarm might try to stop some inexperienced, drunk teenager but not a thief who does this for a living - most people are away during the day and won't call the police. And if the alarm goes to a security service, they know they'll be long gone by the time the cops arrive.
Most thieves are in an out in less than 10 minutes. They will scan bedrooms and bathrooms for money, jewelry, prescription drugs, guns and weapons, and high-end but small electronics like cell phones and laptops. A thief will avoid your basement and your second or third floor and your attic because there's too much chance they could get cornered and caught by police.
How Can You Protect Your Home?
Most criminals will break in during the day, while you're away at work. However, for the "opportunity thief", they'll usually try to break in at night, from the rear of the home where it's darker and less chance to be seen.
A loud alarm might try to stop some inexperienced, drunk teenager but not a thief who does this for a living - most people are away during the day and won't call the police. And if the alarm goes to a security service, they know they'll be long gone by the time the cops arrive.Most thieves are in an out in less than 10 minutes. They will scan bedrooms and bathrooms for money, jewelry, prescription drugs, guns and weapons, and high-end but small electronics like cell phones and laptops. A thief will avoid your basement and your second or third floor and your attic because there's too much chance they could get cornered and caught by police.
How Can You Protect Your Home?
- Installing Security Cameras - as mentioned, an alarm system is virtually useless because thieves are in and out in no time. However, a security camera system can help you monitor your home while you're away (remotely, from a computer or even a cellphone) and, if you're recording on a digital video recorder or VCR, you'll be able to help identify the thief for police.
- Put Up Signs - avoid the fake security signs and put up a "Beware of Dog" sign (even if you don't have a dog.) Fake security cameras are easy to spot by the career criminals, but neighborhood watch signs let them know that you're interested and paying attention. If you have a security camera system with "hidden" cameras it won't hurt to advertise that fact. Thieves won't mess with any property they consider difficult. Even a sign that lets the thief know that you've "marked" all your valuables could be a helpful discouragement.
- Be Discrete - when you buy a new computer or plasma TV, don't put the box out with your regular trash. Fold it up and put it in the trash can. You don't want to let a thief know you've got money and big ticket items in the house. Don't give all your details to workers who come to your homes - only show them areas that will be worked on. Don't give them details about your work schedule or show where you keep valuables.
- Install Lighting - sensor lights that are tripped when someone comes near the home are a great way to show how attentive you are to making sure your home is safe. This is a deterrent. Even when you're home, it's a good idea to have lights on timers. If they're casing your house, the light will go on and off at the same time whether you're in the house or away on vacation. Another deterrent. To keep things interesting, you can put your TV on a timer - it can act as a light source in a room while you're gone (as well as sound!)
- Secure Doors & Windows - thieves will only come in this way so make sure you've got deadbolts on all exterior doors and windows locked. Don't depend on nails in the window frames or broomsticks on sliding glass doors. Consider using devices specifically to keep windows locked and installing motion and glass-breaking sensor alarms on all windows. If you're truly concerned it would be best to replace all or most windows with tempered glass or plastic or even wire-lined glass (aesthetically not pleasing, but will keep your home safe.)
If you need to find a local Home Security Expert to evaluate your home or to install security cameras, you can find one on ConstructionDeal.com. On our site, you can post your request in minutes and receive bids from multiple companies - for free.
Labels: Home Security, Security Cameras
HDTV Resolution Answered - 1080i or 720p?
30 January 2007
The folks at Sound and Vision magazine have a primer on How to Buy an HDTV. Here's a segment from their article that discusses the resolution, "A digital TV's vertical resolution is given as the number of horizontal scan lines, or rows of pixels, from top to bottom of the screen. Its horizontal resolution is the maximum number of discernible vertical lines, or columns of pixels, from left to right across a screen width equal to the height of the picture. (This keeps widescreen sets from having higher resolution than sets with the squarer 4:3 aspect ratio simply because of their shape.)One of the two commonly used high-def signal formats is 720p (progressive-scan), which has 720 lines of vertical resolution. There are 1,280 dots, or pixels, in each widescreen line, giving it a horizontal resolution of 720 pixels when the width is limited to the height. The other is 1080i (interlaced), which has 1,080 lines with 1,920 pixels per widescreen line, or 1,080 pixels horizontally when similarly limited. By contrast, traditional 480i TV signals have 480 lines of vertical resolution and up to 720 pixels per line, for a maximum horizontal resolution of 540 lines.
It would be nice if all HDTVs had resolutions of 1080i or 720p, but unfortunately the specs can vary a lot — especially among two kinds of fixed-pixel displays, plasma and LCD. Some screens might match up perfectly with one of the high-def formats, but many have native resolutions like 1,024 x 1,024 pixels, so the TVs convert incoming video to match. These models are still considered HDTVs, which have come to be defined as any sets that can display at least 720 lines of vertical resolution."
However, 1080i and 720p have been surpassed by 1080p. Sounds confusing, I know, but here's some more current info on 1080p, from CNET.com, "Another format is also becoming more well-known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts."
If you're looking for the best of the best, you might look to pay a little more for the 1080p set - that way, when the networks and cable or satellite providers catch up... you'll be ready!
If you'd like to talk to a professional home theater installer about putting together the right package for your home - you can post your request with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a quality installation pro to make sure you get your moneys worth!
Plasma vs. LCD
Plasma TV Installation
Labels: HDTV, HDTV Specs, plasma tv
