DIGITALink

your

link

to

the

digital

world

Open fl oor plans, walk-in closets, upgraded kitchens

are nice, but certainly not unique.

A house that has been designed or remodeled with integrated technology to fi t today’s lifestyles offers added value.

Custom Features

In-wall and in-ceiling speakers deliver great entertainment options in a home theater, media room or the whole house, without taking up valuable square footage.

Networking solutions for whole-house internet access is becoming more popular. New home developments and condos such as the Aberdeen (page 3) are being pre-wired, ready for high-tech living.

Higher Return

A recent study by the CEA found

that up to 75% of homeowners are concerned about energy effi ciency, and more buyers are looking to home technology for greener living options.

Lighting and shade controls, whole house automation and integration are all in higher demand. Green technologies can reduce energy costs, saving money over time.

“High tech homes separate themselves from the pack as the current buyers in our market are much more technology savvy and appreciate those luxuries.,” adds Kevin McBride, Atlanta Fine Homes realtor with 12 years Atlanta real estate experience. q

Adding Value: Technology Sellsvolume

1

spring/summer

2009

Adding high-tech amenities such as whole house audio, integrated lighting, security and control for indoor and outdoor living, as in this open kitchen & family room, add value.

IN THIS ISSUE

Service Report............................2

News & Notes.............................2

Top 5 List..................................3

Partner Spotlight:.........Concierge....3

Calendar..................................4

“I have had many home sales benefi t from media rooms and whole house systems,” says

realtor Kevin McBride.

News & NotesDigital Interiors will be featured in the fall issue of Electronic Lifestyles magazine, produced by CEDIA.Atlanta Home Improvement magazine picked Digital Interiors for its Project of the Month feature, June 2009.HAI, leader in home automation systems, named Digital Interiors a 5-Star Dealer for 2009. Digital Interiors have been named a four-time CEA Mark of Excellence Finalist for 2009.

••••

Service Report: Lighting Control

Lighting the Way

DigitalInk2

Lighting is an essential part of any home design. Digital Interiors

provides Lutron® Lighting systems for superior function and control.

Homeowners can turn lights on and off throughout their home, from a central location using a keypad such as the Lutron RadioRA.

Through programmable scenes, lights can be timed to go on or off for specifi c events, such as pulling into the garage or movie night.

“You can even go online, change your lighting options while you’re away,” says Ron Rimawi, offering added security.

Lighting controls also deliver excellent green solutions. (See Top 5, right). According to a report by DigitalTips.org, just dimming lights 10% is barely noticeable to the eye, yet uses 10% less energy, and could potentially double the life of the bulb.

Going a step further, lighting systems that offer whole-house control can monitor and reduce energy consumption, keeping lights on only when needed.

“With a whole house system, you’ll never come home to a dark house again,” says George Ide. q

What’s the next big thing in home entertainment technology? Super skinny

TV screens.

“Flat panels are getting thinner,” observed Ron Rimawi at the 2009 EHX Electronic House Expo, noting that LED HDTV are slimming down to a svelte 1.5 inches, while offering a sharper picture and reducing energy consumption.

Leaders in structured wiring and surge protection, Digital Interiors will soon be providing automatic power backups and generators.

“Everything runs on electricity, so this is the next logical step,” adds George Ide. Digital Interiors delivers award-winning systems that push the limits of modern technology, from consulting and design, installation and support. q

Service Report:

Tech Expo

Whole house lighting integration offers great fl exibility and control. Just press the garage door opener, and the exterior entry lights come on while you need them.

Photos provided courtesy: © 2009 Lutron Electronics.

Samsung 8000 Series LED HDTV Photo: © 2009 Samsung.

Managing a home, a family and a career is a tough challenge. Luckily there are people who can help.

Karen St. John, president of St. John Executive Services, makes it her mission to provide services that increase success and prosperity.

St. John serves as household managers for families with working parents and busy schedules.

Karen also serves as a personal assistant to executives and professionals with demanding professional and social lives.

Providing these services to Atlantans for a number of years, Karen knows the value of time.

St. John Executive Services works with clients in Gwinnett, Forsyth and South Hall.

For more information, call 678-714-9581 or visit them online at www.stjohnes.com. q

Whole House Lighting Control and Automation Energy Savers

Automated DimmersRemote ControlsDaylight SensorsWireless ControlsOccupancy Sensors

Sources: BuildingGreen.com, (CEA) Consumer Electronics Association, (LCA) Lighting Control Association

1.2.3.4.5.

TOP 5ListTOP 5ListTOP 5PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:Karen St John: Personal Concierge

DigitalInk

Published by Digital Interiors, Inc.

Edited by 3Hats Communications.

Digital Interiors, Inc. 5935 Shiloh Road East, Suite 300

Alpharetta, GA 30005(770) 844-5800

www.diiatl.com

© 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Spring/Summer 2009

Running errands is just one of the many services offered by personal

concierge Karen St. John

What Is It?

Media Server: a device that shares and stores media. Movies, CDs, photos and more are stored on a central server, and available to multiple TV screens throughout the home.

3

working on The Aberdeen, a luxury Vinings condominium development scheduled to open this fall.

Digital Video and Data is handling the wiring of the entire building, as well as the security, CCTV, access systems, custom A/V and a golf simulator for the common areas.

As the project nears completion, Digital Interiors will be installing user systems such as media control and integration for the home owners for entertainment, lighting and shade control. q

Coming Attraction:

The Aberdeen

Digital Interiors and Digital Video and Data are currently

Most homes have more than one television, and delivering content to each set is done by media servers.

The Kaleidescape Server system uses proprietary technology to provide movie and music throughout the home.

A mini system holds 75 DVDs or 625 CDs. Servers, such as the 1U used in the 2008 Atlanta Magazine

Dream Home, can hold up to 450 DVDs or 5,000 CDs.

“What’s great about the Kaleidescape system is that it can grow with the homeowner,” says George Ide, noting that additional players and servers can be easily added to expand the system.

Earlier this year, Kaleidescape reduced the price of the servers. q

CALENDAR

Digital Interiors will be at the 2009 CEDIA EXPO at the GWCC this fall, searching for the latest and greatest to bring you the best in home technology .

DII hosts lunch and learns. For details, call Chuck Schlick at 770-844-5800.

Look for your next issue of DigitalInk. Home Theater Photo: The 2008 Atlanta

Magazine Dream Home. Photo by Lauren Rubinstein, courtesy of Atlanta Magazine.

(770) 844-5800

Media servers, like this 1U from Kaleides-cape, pack a big punch in a small space.

Find us online:

Product Review Corner

Kaleidescape Servers