When you're building a network for a connected home, you need more than just an Ethernet cable connected to the wall. If you want to use your home networking system for smart control, smartphones, computers, and media streaming, you're going to need a lot more than that. You're going to need a comprehensive solution that offers strong, reliable coverage in every corner of your space.

How can you build that type of network? By finding the best equipment possible and installing it in a strategic way. Below we take a look at the components you should include in your system and how they affect your network's performance.

See More: Is Your Network Equipped to Handle a Connected Home?

Modems

In most instances, the first piece of hardware you need is a modem to convert analog signals to digital so your router can read the signals. It communicates directly to your internet service provider (ISP) to receive both your internet and cable signals. As opposed to their dial-up or DSL predecessors, most modems today are cable modems with coaxial connections. These modern variations can also serve as routers, which we will discuss in the following section.

As the home automation industry continues to evolve with product advancements and integration technologies, Relative Home Systems is ready to bring our expertise to you! Our new blog is here as a resource to spotlight products and services that will have the most impact on your projects.

Our first spotlight, however, is actually on RHS(or Relative Home Systems, being…us). More specifically, we wanted to take this opportunity to present the advantages of working with an experienced Crestron Integrator.

Why Crestron?

The new home automation systems are sometimes called “Smart Home” systems or “Systems Integration.” Whatever the title, they are all referring to intuitive control of your home's subsystems, including audio/video, lighting, security, CCTV, motorized shades & drapes, pool/spa and more. Besides a consistent system-to-system look and feel which makes controlling your home easier, combining these subsystems into a unified control also greatly eliminates wall clutter. Thermostats are hidden in closets or a mechanical room and backup security keypads and pool/spa controllers can likewise be hidden.

Crestron is a world-wide leader in this home automation control, and RHS is one of a few audio-visual firms that can boast nearly a century of combined Crestron experience. This means that our staff has earned its stripes! Through intensive training and real-world experience, we offer the highest level of expertise and quality in programming our client's integration systems.

A number of research firms have predicted varying growth rates for the smart home automation industry. But regardless of the exact figures, the experts agree it’s growing, and rapidly. So what are the key features of home automation, beyond convenience? Here we’ll cover five features of smart home automation for your Memorial, Texas home.

1. Manage your home from near or far

How often do your plans change with little to no notice? With home automation, you have the ability to adjust settings quickly and easily from nearly anywhere using your smart device. Not going to be home in time to take the dog for a walk? You can unlock the door for a neighbor or friend who can take your four-legged friend out for you. Once they leave, easily lock the door arm the alarm, and turn off lights from your office PC or tablet. With remote access, you can monitor your home’s environment both inside and out and turn lights on or off, adjust the thermostat, close the garage door and so much more.

2. Control your home with sleek and stylish options

You and your family are unique and the way in which you interact and control your home can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Press a button on a portable touchscreen, use a handheld remote or a wall-mounted keypad to adjust the music, thermostat or turn on the hot tub.

As a parent of a special needs child, I understand the challenges that come in trying to understand their world. From communicating to keeping a watchful eye, home automation technology is helping families care and provide for kids with special needs in more ways than ever before.ch 16, 2012. Now, who thinks Apple is still working on a TV?

With the help of a home automation Control 4 system, one family better communicates and cares for their son with Autism. As shown in the video below, home automation systems offer so much more than just lighting and climate control.

We give our thanks to Control 4 for providing such great products to help families unlock, understand and offer better quality of life for our children.

Detailed attention is given to every aspect of your décor- so why not your lighting? Customized lighting is important for overall design, enhancing star pieces and flattering other furniture. With the variety of customized lighting and shading options available today, lighting that complements your décor is easier than ever.

Relative Home Systems knows that custom lighting can be used to enhance the natural beauty of your home rather than detract. Great lighting is the icing on the cake of a well-designed interior and can be created for any and every room, not just one location.  Want to know how automated lighting can not only reduce energy costs but spotlight your interior design skills? You’re in the right place.

Enhance Your Décor

A professional integrator such as RHS can construct your scenes of light in “layers” allowing you to assemble the perfect atmosphere with the touch of a button.  A room of featured artwork can be put on display when a guest arrives, simply by engaging a “showcase” setting.   Lighting control can help create a consistent design style throughout a home, replacing clusters of switches in various locations with simple control panels, set to pre-programmed settings, such as “high and low.”  With dimmers and motorized shades throughout your home, natural light can also be included as a complementary layer to an overall lighting control system for the best possible results.

Reduce Solar Gain

We have all watched movies over the decades showcasing what homes of the future will be like. Who can forget the scene in “Back to the Future Part II” when they jump into 2015? Back in the ’80′s, we thought all of that technology was so cool. Now we fast forward to 2012, recall the scene and think of  how today’s technology has transformed our lives.

You have to check out this video on You Tube. It takes us through a futuristic day, showing us how technology will assist us and connect us to the world. While we will all see different aspects in the video that make us scratch our heads, there is no denying that this type of technology will someday be commonplace within our world.

The transformation and forward thinking of home automation technology is moving quickly. In working closely with several manufacturers at the top of  home automation industry, we offer many home automation solutions to put the power to control your home in the palm of your hand.

Oh, and we made it easier for you to travel back to 1989. Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BWCEaowC4

Control4 has released more apps to be used with their systems to control your home even easier. With apps that help you find the remote that your couch swallowed to playing a game of movie trivia with your friends and family before the show begins, these Control4 apps allow to you to control this, control that…Shoot! Control it all with their seamless integration.

Click here to check out Control4′s 4Store: http://www.4store.com/?q=node/37

If you do not currently have a Control4 automation system but are interested in learning more, give us a call, 281-537-7373, to set up a demonstration at our Champions Experience Center.

Not sure what apps will work best for your life and system or how to download the apps, call our office more information, 281-537-7373.

As a Control4 Gold Dealer, we want improve your life with easy-to-use home automation the Control4 way.

When you're building a network for a connected home, you need more than just an Ethernet cable connected to the wall. If you want to use your home networking system for smart control, smartphones, computers, and media streaming, you're going to need a lot more than that. You're going to need a comprehensive solution that offers strong, reliable coverage in every corner of your space.

How can you build that type of network? By finding the best equipment possible and installing it in a strategic way. Below we take a look at the components you should include in your system and how they affect your network's performance.

See More: Is Your Network Equipped to Handle a Connected Home?

Modems

In most instances, the first piece of hardware you need is a modem to convert analog signals to digital so your router can read the signals. It communicates directly to your internet service provider (ISP) to receive both your internet and cable signals. As opposed to their dial-up or DSL predecessors, most modems today are cable modems with coaxial connections. These modern variations can also serve as routers, which we will discuss in the following section.