Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is a Whole House System?
Answer: A Whole House Audio and Video System is an integrated system that allows the homeowner to control and view AV components from multiple locations throughout the home. Have you ever recorded a program on your Living Room DVR and then wanted to watch that program while laying in bed? Have you ever had the football game playing on several TVs in the house and wondered why the sound didn't sync up? Do you wish you could fill the whole house with music? A Whole House system would solve all these problems.
Question: Can we use my existing equipment?
Answer: While there are some AV designers will demand that you buy all new equipment from them, at Cave & Castle Home Systems we realize that most homeowners already have Thousands of Dollars of existing TVs and Components. While we can't guarantee that all your equipment will be compatible, in most cases we can integrate your existing equipment into an AV system.
Question: Why can't I get the "Universal Remote" that I bought at a big box store to run my system?
Answer: While there are some "good" consumer remotes available, most remotes available to the public have significant limitations and when you run into one of those limitations, there is no way around them. A professional quality remote has far fewer limitations and we can generally work through any problems we encounter.
Question: Doesn't more Speakers mean my house will be Louder?
Answer: This is a common misconception. When you have multiple speakers in a room or throughout the home, you actually can keep the volume lower in the room than you can if you are just using the speakers in the TV. So more speakers can actually mean a quieter home.
Question: What is "Surround Sound"?
Answer: Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in which the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees. Surround sound systems use three or more channels (speakers) in front of and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound. The term surround sound has become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the advent of home theater systems. The most common surround sound format is a 5.1 system. This means 5 channels (speakers) and 1 Subwoofer. Other surround sound formats are 3.1, 6.1 and 7.1.
Question: I'm building a new house, when should I start thinking about an audio/video system?
Answer: With all the technologies available today, you really should talk with us as early as possible. Let us help you determine the type of system you need, the type of equipment that will need to be purchased, the amount of prewiring that needs to be done, etc. These decisions need to be made early to ease installation and provide you with the capabilities you desire.
Question: What is Home Automation and why do I need it?
Answer: Home automation encompasses a whole host of technologies designed to make your home run smoother and more efficiently. Home automation encompasses Audio/Video Systems, Lighting Control, Energy Management, Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) and Security.
Examples of what can be done with Home Automation are:
1. When you arm your security system, the system turns all your lights off.
2. When someone rings your doorbell, you get an email with a photo on your smartphone.
3. When you press PLAY on your BluRay player, the lights dim to an appropriate level.
4. While you're away from home, you can monitor your thermostats, view all your cameras or even remotely unlock the front door for a maid or contractor.
Give us a call @ (214) 675-5154 or email us: info1@caveandcastle.net
Answer: A Whole House Audio and Video System is an integrated system that allows the homeowner to control and view AV components from multiple locations throughout the home. Have you ever recorded a program on your Living Room DVR and then wanted to watch that program while laying in bed? Have you ever had the football game playing on several TVs in the house and wondered why the sound didn't sync up? Do you wish you could fill the whole house with music? A Whole House system would solve all these problems.
Question: Can we use my existing equipment?
Answer: While there are some AV designers will demand that you buy all new equipment from them, at Cave & Castle Home Systems we realize that most homeowners already have Thousands of Dollars of existing TVs and Components. While we can't guarantee that all your equipment will be compatible, in most cases we can integrate your existing equipment into an AV system.
Question: Why can't I get the "Universal Remote" that I bought at a big box store to run my system?
Answer: While there are some "good" consumer remotes available, most remotes available to the public have significant limitations and when you run into one of those limitations, there is no way around them. A professional quality remote has far fewer limitations and we can generally work through any problems we encounter.
Question: Doesn't more Speakers mean my house will be Louder?
Answer: This is a common misconception. When you have multiple speakers in a room or throughout the home, you actually can keep the volume lower in the room than you can if you are just using the speakers in the TV. So more speakers can actually mean a quieter home.
Question: What is "Surround Sound"?
Answer: Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in which the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees. Surround sound systems use three or more channels (speakers) in front of and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound. The term surround sound has become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the advent of home theater systems. The most common surround sound format is a 5.1 system. This means 5 channels (speakers) and 1 Subwoofer. Other surround sound formats are 3.1, 6.1 and 7.1.
Question: I'm building a new house, when should I start thinking about an audio/video system?
Answer: With all the technologies available today, you really should talk with us as early as possible. Let us help you determine the type of system you need, the type of equipment that will need to be purchased, the amount of prewiring that needs to be done, etc. These decisions need to be made early to ease installation and provide you with the capabilities you desire.
Question: What is Home Automation and why do I need it?
Answer: Home automation encompasses a whole host of technologies designed to make your home run smoother and more efficiently. Home automation encompasses Audio/Video Systems, Lighting Control, Energy Management, Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) and Security.
Examples of what can be done with Home Automation are:
1. When you arm your security system, the system turns all your lights off.
2. When someone rings your doorbell, you get an email with a photo on your smartphone.
3. When you press PLAY on your BluRay player, the lights dim to an appropriate level.
4. While you're away from home, you can monitor your thermostats, view all your cameras or even remotely unlock the front door for a maid or contractor.
Give us a call @ (214) 675-5154 or email us: info1@caveandcastle.net