I love the New Year. I mean, not 2011 specifically (although, I am quite optimistic and enthusiastic of what it will bring), but the idea of getting to start fresh on life; wiping the slate clean of all of the baggage from the year(s) prior and starting totally new. Some may focus on their health. Others may focus on their career. Still others may decide to travel more, or spend more time at home with their family. Or, if you are like me (despite my love of philosophy), you will embrace the less ideological aspects of the New Year and focus upon all of the new technology that comes to the foreground.

Home Remodeling Solana Beach

For me, the most fun technology is that related to audio/video and “AT Home Theater Systems.” An eternal lover of film and self-admitted audiophile, I am always looking for ways to bring better, more affordable technology to the everyday homeowner. In my quest for New-Year-Knowledge in the audio/video and home theater systems world, I called my good friend and cohort Steve Ambrogio, owner of At Home Theater Systems, Inc. to see what his take was on the hottest new items are for 2011 and to get his take on why it really pays to get such systems professionally installed:

“Without a doubt, I would say all of the new streaming video technology,” said Steve, “That is – Blu-Ray, Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, and of course, most Apple devices. It offers so much flexibility to our customers since the devices are multi-functional, and they are a fraction of the size of the older style components. Not to mention, with discs becoming more and more obsolete, I see these devises as a fantastic segueway to what I believe will be a future of hard drive and internet based shared data storage – basically, any movie, song or video game ‘on demand’ at your convenience. . .”

“...And these items should definitely be professionally installed in my opinion. They are all computers and increasingly more complexly networked with other devices. It is rare that any home older than even 5 years has walls that are prewired for all of the cabling that is needed for these new devices. While some will work on a wireless, wholehouse network, many do require multiple connections and signal strength is always better if hardwired. The other thing that most people do not realize is that every component requires its own set of cables running from the component storage location to the TV, and with flat screen TV’s taking over, this usually requires drywall work, painting, additional outlets, and sometimes conduit. And that is just for the really simple installs. The more complicated items – whole house stereo, movie theaters, Smart Home Technology, etc. – that stuff requires multiple trades, a lot of programming, and a support team that can keep such systems reliable. Like most DIY projects, I feel that they are still better left to the professionals for anyone who values quality, efficiency and their own time off work better spent on things that do not inevitably lead to frustration; often times more money long term as well.”

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So Happy New Year to all from Chad of All Trades, your Solana Beach Custom Home Remodeler and Professional Trade Service Provider (we also do Professional HandymanTM ). We look forward to building a strong relationship with you and your home this New Year.