GinnieLee Chalmers
Dear Sandy,
Too many times all we ever here about our work is when something goes wrong. Well, I wanted to write and commend your employees. I knew I needed an update in my TV and sound system. Everyone was telling me I needed a smart TV.
And that was the sum total of my knowledge. I did, however, know enough to come to
Custom Audio Video and not a Best Buy or Walmart. When I first entered your exquisite showroom, it showcased several different systems, beautifully. I then knew everything I had heard about Custom Audio Video was true.
My journey to an amazing system began when I asked for your help. You sent Jed out to look at my room and to make suggestions. I was truly impressed with his extensive knowledge. He made suggestions that I never would have considered. After he sent me the estimate for a whole new system, I was a little reticent about the need for a whole new overhaul of my audio visual system. I went into your store to discuss it, and look at the recommended components, and after speaking with you and several of your employees, I was reassured that what was recommended made 100% sense . I left feeling very confident and looked forward to the installation. Scott and Jonathan were scheduled to come out and they stayed for a full day, attending to every detail to make sure things were perfect and I was happy with the set-up. They were extremely patient, answering all all my questions, and made sure I understood how to
navigate through the remote and the components. So, VOILA, it was completed!!! I was blown away with the full and exquisite sound that came out of my new speakers. I was able to manage all the controls from ONE remote, instead of fumbling around with a remote for each component!!! I loved my SMART TV, and along with that I felt smart and in control of my incredible system. The whole experience was remarkable; I am very impressed with the total process. Everyone was professional and knowledgable, so it took that component of indecision and ignorance on my part, out of the equation. Well done Sandy!!! I commend you and your employees for an exceptional service and superlative experience.
With many thanks, I remain
Sincerely,
So Many Choices! Vinyl, CD or Download?
With a renewed interest in music on vinyl records, and with consumers having nearly fully embraced the convenience of music downloads and streaming, we have in recent years heard claims that the death knell of the CD has been all but rung. Some say vinyl reproduces a “warmer”, more authentic sound, while CDs compromise quality for the sake of portability and convenience. Just how accurate are these claims, and should they cause you trade in your CDs and CD player for “old school” records and a turntable?
Vinyl
Industry professionals such as recording engineers state that vinyl has inherent deficiencies digital recordings (CDs) do not, with problems in reproducing both low and high ends being the most significant. This is because the vinyl disc is a steadily collapsing medium – as the record plays and as the needle gets closer to the label, “information” becomes more and more compromised and high frequencies get lost. This particular failure of the medium is what many interpret as the “warmth” that vinyl delivers.
CD
CDs not only eliminate some of vinyl’s limitations by more accurately reproducing the sound spectrum, they also do away with other distortion like the clicks and pops familiar to anyone who has played a vinyl disc.
MP3
How about music downloads vs. CD? The most common format for downloaded music is the MP3. Classified a “lossy” format with compression which allows for more storage, MP3s deliver reduced audio fidelity that will not satisfy the individual looking for a superior listening experience.
High Definition/High Resolution music.
Also downloadable, the Hi Res format provides the most accurate audio reproduction available. Due to the amount of data required to reproduce music at this standard, it cannot be stored on devices like smartphones or tablets and must be stored on external hard drives, computers or music servers.
Conclusion
Each format provides a different experience and satisfy a particular niche. So, whether you’re looking for convenience or the ultimate listening experience, the only way to make the best choice is to get your ears involved. Visit our showroom to hear demos of the various formats and to pick the brains of experts at Custom Audio Video.
Top 5 Questions Custom Audio Video Gets Asked
One of the biggest part of what we do at CAV is provide answers to questions that range from the mundane to the bizarre. However, there does seem to be a few that are asked on a regular basis.
1. “Can I have one control for everything, and can it be easy to use?”
With manufacturers now including a remote control for nearly all electronic devices, this has become a very common inquiry. The answer is yes, with the stipulation that level of ease of use in a universal control system is contingent on the extent to which the user is willing to invest. Control solutions can range widely in both form and function, from the long used hand held style that some refer as a “wand” or “clicker”, controlling a few A/V components, to systems that can include controls for lighting, shades, and security, and for which tablet or wall panel interfaces are used. All remote solutions need programming, and any reliable system will require programming to be done by a trained technician.
2. “What Wireless Surround Sound system do you recommend?”
Short answer: None. While some surround systems do provide partial wireless options, these are never reliable with signal loss being common, and sound quality is well below audiophile standards.
3. “Do I need 4K?”
You need air. You need water. 4K? No, you don’t “need” it, but we do recommend it for TVs over 50 inches. Simply put, a larger TV requires more pixels to maintain picture quality. Regardless of whether your TV is 19″ or 79″, if it’s 1080P both have the same number of pixels. In a smaller TV, those pixels will be packed tighter, rendering a sharper picture than a larger TV with an equal number of pixels spread over a greater area, and this is why larger TVs require more pixels, which is what those number, 1080p and 4K, represent.
4. “Do I need Blu-ray instead of DVD?”
Like 4K, a Blu-ray player will provide a higher resolution experience from both Blu-ray discs and DVDs. In addition, most Blu-ray players allow for streaming from sources such as Netflix and YouTube.
5. “How can I make my TV less of a center piece?”
There are a number of different ways to disguise televisions. One option is an art lift. Here, a TV is covered with a painting or picture, and this is raised mechanically with the tap of a button. Other options like TVs hidden in mirrors or rising from a floor or counter top make excellent alternatives to the art lift.
At Custom Audio Video, our job is to make you dream come true. For a more detailed view of what A/V integrators can accomplish, call or visit a local showroom and let one of their expert team members discuss some smart solutions for your technology needs.
We Can Help Your Business in Ways You May Have Not Considered
When people think of audio and video solutions , what most frequently comes to mind is the mounting of TVs or the installation of a sound system in a family room or man cave. However, Custom Audio Video is engaged in far more areas than one might think. We provide services like structured wiring, and lighting control and shading, and control systems, with these solutions in no way being limited to residential environments. In fact, commercial applications of these same technologies create effective and inviting surrounding.
One technology available through A/V providers that is used primarily in commercial or institutional settings is digital signage.
Used in venues such as restaurants, retail stores, hotels and in public spaces like stadiums, museums, and transportation systems, digital signage consists of the use of LED and LCD panels ranging in size from that of small TVs to full blown roadside billboards.
These can be utilized in delivering various types of content, whether it be a menu with vibrant and eye-catching images, a short “live” commercial, or maps and directions for navigation.
With Ultra Hi-Def significantly improving the quality of video, especially on larger screens such as Video Walls, retailers are increasingly turning to digital signage as a low cost way of presenting their brand as well as entertaining customers, with businesses finding an unexpected fringe benefit of this investment being that digital signage reduces perceived wait times at checkout.
Adding an upswing in overall sales volume and people reporting that digital signage catches their attention, it’s difficult to dispute the effectiveness of this technology.
Contact Custom Audio Video and take the first steps in exploring the technologies that will enhance your space, and help grow your business’ reputation and profitability.
Monty Jett
“The expert team at CAV installed a new TV above my mantle expertly. And was able to get surround sound wired through the walls. It was a difficult install as it was a middle floor. It looks perfect and of course, as I would expect, sounds superb. Everyone comments on the realistic sound of the Bowers and Wilkins speakers!!”
Bill Breunsbach
“When we designed our house in the Lowcounty 16 years ago, we knew we wanted a cutting edge home that included many “smart house” features and a movie theater. We wanted to be able to control the many features of our home with touch screens, keypads, and computers. Now we just needed someone to design and install all these entertainment and home integration features, many of which were just coming on the market. Custom Audio Video was recommended to us as the company that could provide that design and installation and they were located just down the street. We met with the owner Sandy Benson and her staff and laid out our wish list. They convinced us they could handle the project, even though it would be the largest home integration installation in the Lowcounty so far. The project was completed on time and was everything we had dreamed about on our wish list. We have continued to work together over the years, improving and upgrading the electronic features, always completed in a truly professional manner. In fact, CAV just completed a major upgrade to our movie theater projector and the house wi-fi, so 16 years later we are still working closely together. It has been a great relationship!
I would highly recommend Custom Audio Video for your entertainment and home integration needs.”
Mark Cooke
“Dear Sandy and Staff of Custom Audio Video in Bluffton, SC:
Over the past 15 years, I have built two homes in the Lowcounty of South Carolina.
With hundreds of decisions to be made, on both occasions, I chose Custom Audio Video to provide the whole-house wiring, phenomenal surround-sound speakers, stereo components, Blu-ray, televisions and WIFI boosters.
The choice I made was the best one I could have ever had the opportunity to make. Custom Audio Video designed, installed and managed all of these intricate details from top-to-bottom and provided me with remarkable state-of-the-art functionality for all of my entertainment and business needs related to audio and video. Sandy’s experience and knowledge combined with that of her exceptional expert staff have continued to provide advice, updating and technical support over these past 15 years. High-end technology, expert talent and timely service at every turn have left me with no regrets in choosing Custom Audio Video. Thank you for all of the time, effort, care and attention to detail. My kind of company!”
Sincerely,
Anthony Battaglia and Fabien Pampaloni
“We have been Custom Audio Video’s customers for more than a year now and have been very satisfied and impressed by the service quality and customer attention provided by their staff. Charlie Dray and his crew always make sure that our problems are addressed in a timely manner and will go the extra mile in order to ensure our satisfaction. We are highly recommending Custom Audio Video and are looking forward to working with them again in the near future.”
All the best of success,
Glen
“Thanks Sandy. Your staff always do a great job and you have a terrific business you should be very proud of.”
Dan
“Sandy, I cannot thank you enough for your help. Scott Elliot was great. He was very neat and willing to explain what he was doing for us. What a credit to your organization to have a tech like Scott.”