Launch Systems Offers Network Wiring Services in Orange County

Think about how many devices you have connected to your home network. The average American homeowner has ten devices, and that number increases with larger homes and larger families. From smart TVs to lighting control and automation systems, you want the best performance out of each technology you own. To do that, you need a robust internet connection supporting each device and triaging network traffic intelligently while keeping security in mind. Simply connecting a router to your ISP-provided modem will not suffice, though, if you want to maximize performance and security for several devices in your Laguna Beach home. Think of your Internet connection as a highway. The more devices, the more traffic and demand there is on your bandwidth. The experts at Launch Systems ensure every device stays in its appropriate lane safely, with faster-moving traffic in one lane and slower traffic in the other. Keep reading below to learn how professional network wiring services far exceed the do-it-yourself network setups many Californians settle for.

SEE ALSO: Leveraging Your Home Network In Your Entertainment Spaces  

Meets You Where You Are

Contacting a professional during a new home building project is the best forward-thinking approach to home networking. Before the drywall is installed, we can map out a technology and data plan that will support your devices now and for years to come. We’ll review architectural plans with builders and design a network that is customized to meet your needs. With the foresight to support future tech needs, you’ll experience superior connectivity for home automation, outdoor entertainment, and more. If the drywall is already installed, don’t worry. Our team can run data lines and wiring cleanly, respecting your home and valuables during the process. Wireless access points are placed in effective locations throughout your Laguna Beach-area property, expanding your network to the relevant places you need in order to stay connected when and where it matters most!  

More Than Networking

Our team does more than wiring services, and we can assist you with all of your smart home needs. Instead of having several disparate systems in your California home, approach your technology in a comprehensive way. We can streamline the network traffic in your home, so your automation system's needs don’t interrupt your remote work or entertainment. Imagine controlling your entire home – smart shades lower, the lighting dims, and Netflix cues up in seconds – with just a tap of your finger or with a voice command. Working with a networking wiring service professional like Launch Systems ensures your entire property stays connected with the latest technologies, with no buffering symbols or lag that bogs down your entire network.   If you’re planning to upgrade your network, call Launch Systems today. You can connect with us using our online form or chat with us at the bottom of your browser. We can’t wait to help you stay connected!

Partner With a Home Automation Company From the Start

Smart home technology has developed dramatically over the last few decades, with intelligent systems and devices becoming prevalent in many homes. These devices can make a home more comfortable and convenient, something every homeowner can enjoy. Unfortunately, many Oregonians fall victim to the pitfalls of DIY when they first embark on their smart home journey. Several visit the local big-box retailer to buy a “smart ____.” Fill in the blank with your choice of device; it likely exists, but it’s not nearly as smart as it lets on. Read below to learn three reasons why going the do-it-yourself route can become a nuisance and why you should instead work with Launch Systems, your local Portland-area home automation company.

SEE ALSO: 3 Reasons Why We Love Control4  

DIY Mistake #1: Incompatible Systems

Disparate devices do not communicate with one another. Each speaks a different language, so synchronizing them all together is a feat, if not impossible. That means you need to juggle multiple apps and cables in order to use every smart device you would find at a big-box retailer. Instead, Launch Systems can design a customized Control4 home automation system that incorporates every smart device in your entire Portland home. Control4 works with the leading technology companies – like Sonos, Amazon, Lutron and Sony, to name a few – plus the brand offers its own family of smart devices, too. These seemingly incongruent products are programmed to work together in unison with just a tap of your finger or with designated smart scenes.  

DIY Mistake #2: Not Scalable

The average U.S. household has 45 light bulbs. Think about your own home for a moment. If you have a larger home, then you could easily double that number. Now think of the other tech devices you have. DIY home automation cannot control all of the smart devices inside and outside of an expansive home. Even with a robust home network triaging device traffic for you, a poorly designed residential control system simply can’t support every motorized shade, audio/video component and tunable LED bulb. A professionally designed system with expert installation will not only incorporate every single device you currently have, but it will have room to grow when you add additional devices that demand extra power and bandwidth.  

DIY Mistake #3: An Eyesore

Though some homeowners may not care about this particular mistake, we consider it one of the most dreadful issues we encounter when coming in to fix DIY disasters. At the local retailer, color and finish options are skim. Color options are typically white or black, and finishes come in matte or glossy. Luckily, you don’t have to live with these drab options in your home. Custom-etched wall plates are available in satin, metallics, matte, or glossy finishes are available, so operating your smart home can be a stylish activity. Clunky black boxes don’t need to mar your interior design. We work alongside homeowners to find custom finishes and fabrics that complement your décor and meet your technology needs.   For more insight on what it takes to incorporate smart home technology into your Oregon or California home, be sure to follow us on Facebook. And if you’re ready to explore the possibilities of home automation, connect with us using our online form. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Don’t Forget These Small Yet Important Details When Designing Your High-End Audio System

A music playlist can change the feel of any situation. Relaxing, cool jazz sets the mood for a romantic dinner for two, while fast-paced metal beats keep your blood pumping during a cardio session in your home gym. To experience life with a stellar soundtrack in your Huntington Beach, CA, home, high-end speakers and an expertly designed home audio system are required. High-performance amplifiers, speakers, and cabling are all necessary to enjoy the best possible audio experience in your Orange County home, but there are three often-overlooked components of home audio that you shouldn’t ignore. Read on below to learn three small details you can incorporate into your whole-home audio system for a more enjoyable listening experience.

SEE ALSO: Are High-End Speakers Worth It?  

Room Correction

Sound waves can reflect off of surfaces or absorb into fabrics. Taking the room's physical makeup into consideration when designing your home audio system ensures music, TV, movies, podcasts, and your other favorite audio entertainment sounds clear with no distortion. To further combat possible echoes and audio issues, digital room correction technology can improve the listening experience. Many high-end speaker systems incorporate digital room correction functions that includes internal software and microphones. When a sound is emitted, the software then measures the response time for the sound to return. A digital filter is then placed over the audio waves to combat distortion and improve sound quality. If you were to change your room's layout, you would need to rerun digital room correction to combat sound absorption and reflection in the room adequately.  

Surge Protection

In California, homeowners are no stranger to electrical outages and planned power grid failures, especially during wildfire season. Even though some outages are planned, those that aren't can have catastrophic consequences on the electronics in your home. To protect your high-end equipment, you need surge protection. During an outage or power surge, a surge protector reroutes extra energy so that it does not harm your devices. Over time, multiple surges can wear down your equipment. Robust protection is required to protect your technology investments for years to come.  

Home Network

With the rise in audio and video streaming’s popularity, your home’s internet connection is increasingly important. Slow music downloads and buffering icons during movies are just two mild annoyances that can stem from a poorly designed or underpowered home network. The experts at Launch Systems can create a system that triages your internet traffic, dedicating bandwidth where and when it matters most. Your music and movies won’t lag when you’ve addressed your home network!   Home audio is more than high-end speakers, and it requires an attention to detail that only the professionals at Launch Systems can provide. Connect with us using this online form so we can help get you started!    

Learn Why This Home Automation Brand Is Our Favorite for Portlanders

Can you imagine walking into your Portland-area home and having it respond to your every need? Nothing is nicer than stepping into the foyer after a long day at work and pressing a button to initiate a sequence of smart device responses that help you wind down and ease into a relaxed state of mind. What we just described isn’t fiction – it’s possible with Control4 home automation! Your entire Oregon home is at your fingertips or operable with a simple voice command. Read on below to learn three reasons why Control4 is our favorite home control brand.

SEE ALSO: Incorporate Control4 OS 3 Into Your California Home

1.      Control4 is Simple to Control.

We’re not exaggerating when we say using a Control4 system is as easy as pressing a button. Custom-etched wall keypads that match your décor, sleek touchscreens mounted on the wall or on table stands, remotes in stylish finishes, and even your smartphone are all possible devices to use to control your home. The app’s user interface is intuitive and customizable, so you can program your favorite settings and customize scenes with just a few swipes.

2.      Control4 Improves Energy Efficiency.

Your window treatments communicate with temperature sensors via your Control4 system, automatically lowering in response to the room's temperature rising to prevent heat gain in your living spaces. A temperature rise will trigger your HVAC system to turn off or on depending on the time of year and your preferences. A smart home with climate control will save you money because it can learn your habits and adjust accordingly to reduce energy waste.

3.      Control4 Transforms Your Home.

With home automation, you can change the ambiance in mere seconds. Select the ‘Relax’ scene to dim tunable LED lighting, lower the shades, and start streaming your favorite jazz station on Spotify to help you wind down at the end of the day. Raise the blinds with a voice command to let natural sunlight shine brightly into your home at the beginning of the day. Dim the lights in the home theater whenever you queue up your AV system. It’s all possible with a home powered by Control4!   If you’re ready to explore the simple pleasures of a Control4 system in your Portland-area home, fill out our online form to get started! We can’t wait to hear from you.

Smart Lighting Supports You from Sunup to Sundown

We’re lucky to have great weather for most of the year in California, but with the winter months here, many of us are spending more time indoors than we are accustomed to. The decreased time spent in natural lighting may start to drag a bit on our moods. To combat the winter doldrums, consider tunable LED lighting. Tunable LED lighting puts you in control of simulated natural lighting. From sunrise to sundown, your natural circadian rhythm is supported with variable color temperature lighting. Keep reading below to learn more about this innovative lighting solution, and we’ll walk you through what a typical day in your Huntington Beach, CA, home would look like.

SEE ALSO: 3 of the Top Benefits to Tunable LED Lighting

Good Morning

Clocks fell back last month, and with the time change, early mornings are darker than they’ve been all year. That means it may be a bit more difficult to wake up feeling rejuvenated without any natural sunlight streaming through your windows. This is where tunable LED lighting shines, literally and figuratively. You can program your smart lighting to sync with a timer, turning on every day at the same time in sync with your alarm clock. Bluish white light with a color temperature around 7000K imitates daylight, so your lighting can support you more naturally as you get started on your day.  

Good Afternoon

Many of us tend to hit a productivity slump midday and find it difficult to concentrate on the tasks we need to complete. A bright, cool white light will keep you awake and alert so that you can focus more easily. This bluer tinged white light has a color temperature between 4000K-6000K. Throughout your day, tunable lighting will transition through the color temperature spectrum to support your needs. In the morning and early afternoon, lighting supports your productivity and alertness. As the afternoon turns to evening, lighting helps you and your entire family wind down.  

Good Evening

Studies have shown that different durations, intensities, and wavelengths of light affect the human body. The circadian rhythm, or natural biological clock, can be interrupted by bright, artificial lighting and potentially cause health issues. This disruption can also affect our sleeping patterns, causing insomnia and restless sleep. A warmer, white light will support your circadian rhythm, signaling to your brain that it’s time for tranquility and relaxation. This warm white light has an orange or yellow hue and a color temperature in the range of 2000K-3000K. You can program your lighting to transition automatically, or you can press a button on your wall keypad or smart device to change the lighting at your discretion. Once you’re ready for bed, simply press another button on your smart device or use a voice command to turn off all of your lighting. The tunable LED lighting cycle can start again in the morning, supporting you and your family throughout another day.   Your Huntington Beach, CA home deserves to be highlighted in beautiful LED lighting, and you deserve the wellness support that this innovative lighting offers. To setup a consultation, fill out our online form or call us today. We look forward to working with you!

3 Reasons Why Lutron Should Be Your Top Pick for Lighting Control

We often talk about the luxury and convenience that a lighting control system can bring to our California clients’ homes. Smart bulbs and motorized window treatments can work in tandem to create the perfect ambiance in your Huntington Beach home with just a few taps of your finger or with a voice command. Behind the scenes, the system that makes it all possible is just as important as the dimming capabilities, fabrics, and styles you select for your system. Lutron RadioRA 2 technology is the brains behind the functionality that you enjoy using daily in your home. Read on below to learn three reasons why the RadioRA 2 system should be your top pick for lighting control.

SEE ALSO: Motorized Window Treatments Bring Style & Convenience  

Easy to Control

There’s no need to walk throughout your home to flip on light switches or raise and lower shading in order to get the perfect atmosphere. With Lutron RadioRA 2, you have a variety of control options at your fingertips. Pico wireless remotes on desktop pedestals control lights, blinds, and audio from anywhere in your home with just a tap. You can also replace your boring outlet wall plates with smart switches in finishes and colors that complement your interior décor. The RadioRA 2 main repeater makes it possible to use the Lutron App to control your smart devices, but it enables systems integration with other brands as well. Managing your smart technology in Orange County has never been simpler.  

Personalized Scenes

Your custom-etched Pico keypads are customizable to match your needs, too. Besides on/off or open/closed settings, window shades can be partially drawn, and lights may be dimmed on demand or according to pre-programmed scenes. Once initiated, the ‘Dinner’ scene will begin a sequence of smart device responses: lights dimmed to the perfect setting, motorized shades lowered to provide privacy, and your audio system tuned to your favorite streaming station for the perfect evening dinner with your partner.  

A Scalable Smart Home Solution

With the Lutron Connect Bridge, you can link pair RadioRA 2 with your favorite apps using the cloud! You can then pair your keypads and remotes to work in partnership with your wireless thermostats, voice control, audio control and home automation. A truly smart home is achievable thanks to Lutron!   If you’re ready to explore the possibilities of automation made possible with Lutron RadioRA 2, contact us here today or chat with us at the bottom of your browser. We can’t wait to hear from you!  

Professional Installation Will Save You in the Long Run

Motorized shades are the first step to bringing luxurious comfort and convenience into your day-to-day life, so you’ve decided to install them in your Irvine, CA home. Now you’re debating whether you can do the installation on your own to save money or if you should hire a professional. Unless you have experience installing motorized roller shades, we recommend bringing in the experts. Without prior knowledge or experience, how can you know that you’re choosing the right shades for your home or know what mistakes to avoid during the installation? Keep on reading to learn the advantages of working with a professional that you would miss out on if you were to install automated shades yourself.

SEE ALSO: Selecting the Perfect Window Treatment for Your California Home

Save Time and Money

There are many advantages to working with a professional for your motorized roller shades installation. The most popular reason homeowners choose a DIY installation is because they think it will save them time and money. At Launch Systems, our trained technicians know exactly what they’re doing and will take measurements correctly the first time around. There won’t be any extra holes in your walls or windows due to a DIY snafu because our experts use the right tools for the job. Remember, we do this every single day—it’s our job to know the ins and outs of the installation process.  

Guaranteed Quality Products

You might save on the initial costs of hiring a professional when you turn your motorized roller shades installation into a DIY, but you aren’t guaranteed the high-quality installation or products that you would receive from an expert. When working with a professional installer, you can count on a seamless experience from the initial consultation to post-installation support. We stand behind our work because our reputation is on the line, and we want you to have the smart home of your dreams. Besides superior products and a seamless window treatment installation experience, the best part about working with a professional is the warranty that covers any technical mishaps that might occur—though, you’re much less likely to experience them when you choose to work with a professional!  

How Launch Systems Can Help

Are you ready to bring the value of motorized roller shades to your home without the messy DIY experience? Launch Systems is the partner to choose for your installation, whether you’re in Irvine, CA or another location in Orange County. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to get started. We look forward to working with you!

How to Stay ‘Smart’ & Connected in Your Huntington Beach Home

There’s no question that wireless networks are convenient. We love connecting our phones, laptops, and other devices to Wi-Fi so we can move them freely about the house. But sometimes, wireless networks can only take our technology so far. If you’re finding that your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach every area of the house, or if you’re expanding with a home automation system, you may benefit from a wired system, too.  Network wiring services can provide you the stable connection you need in your Huntington Beach, CA home, used in combination with an existing Wi-Fi system. Read on to discover the benefits and challenges in both wired and wireless systems, and how they can help your technology thrive.

SEE ALSO: Learn How Security Camera Installations Can Keep You Safe

The Benefits of Wireless

Wireless networks are undoubtedly convenient and flexible. You may use several types of wireless connections in your home: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or wireless platforms like Z-Wave for smart home control. These wireless systems are generally simpler to assemble than wired, and you can easily add a new device at any time.  

Wireless Challenges

The downside? Wireless systems can be unpredictable, and connections are much slower the further away you are from the router. So, if your home office needs the internet just as much as the living room, they’re both competing for that connection from across the house. Houses built with metal, concrete, brick, or glass may find Wi-Fi can’t reach certain areas of the house. Wireless speeds are generally slower than wired ones, and wireless networks are often less secure and easier to hack into.  

The Benefits of Wired Systems

You can expect faster upload and download speeds in a wired network, plus you’re safe from potential cyber threats. Your connection won’t drop as it does with Wi-Fi, and you can enjoy a home automation system with all your devices wired into one group. If you use smart security devices, multi-room audio, or intelligent thermostats, you can rest assured knowing they’re connected and working together.  

The Difference in High-Quality Audio

Humans have enjoyed music for thousands of years—it’s an inherent part of life. So, it makes sense to crave the best-sounding audio for your home. If you’re looking for a new or expanded music setup in your Newport Beach, CA house, you may be wondering: is high-end audio worth it? There’s quite a range of speakers out there, from cheap Bluetooth devices to high-end speakers like Triad and James Loudspeaker. Is it worth it? We’ll share the advantages of premium audio below.

SEE ALSO: Incorporate High-End Speakers in These 3 Areas of Your Home

High-Fidelity Sound

Want to feel like your favorite band is in your living room? That’s what high-end audio can do far better than budget audio. The materials in your speakers’ cones and tweeter make all the difference. Lightweight but rigid materials like glass, Kevlar, diamond or beryllium will sound much better than paper or fabric. If you’re just getting started in audio, ‘frequency response’ is a term you need to know. It means how well a speaker can reproduce musical tones. The best speakers have a ‘flat’ frequency response to deliver all sound frequencies at the same sound level. When frequency responses are uneven, that’s when you experience distortion. The sound of the bass might disappear while drums overpower the track, for instance.

Rich Bass Notes

Since bass notes have a much lower sound frequency than high and mid-range frequencies, it can be challenging to reproduce in the same device. That’s why a subwoofer is essential to your system. Whether it’s built into your loudspeakers or in a separate enclosure, a subwoofer delivers powerful sounds that you can feel. It’s the heartbeat of your audio setup or home theater and should not be skipped.

Quality to Last Decades

Cheap speakers’ sound quality will degrade over time. But trusted speakers like Triad or James Loudspeaker can be expected to last from twenty to fifty years. If you take good care of your speakers and don’t blast them too loud, you could keep them for the rest of your life! The same cannot be said for a cheap speaker off of Amazon.

How We’re Living Green in Newport Beach with Smart Lighting

Many folks in Orange County are passionate about helping the environment. Maybe you also recycle diligently and bring reusable bags to the store. But what if a local technology installer could make your house more sustainable, saving substantial amounts of electricity each year? Smart lighting systems by Lutron incorporate automated dimming, motion sensors, timers, and motorized shades to reduce the amount of electricity you rely on. Not only will you help the environment, but you’ll save significantly on energy bills each year, too. How does it work? Read on to see why households in Newport Beach, CA, have already adopted Lutron lighting systems into their eco-friendly lifestyles.

SEE ALSO: Elevate Your Interior Décor with Motorized Window Treatments  

Save 20% Energy with Dimming

When you integrate smart LED bulbs into one Lutron system, you can fine-tune the brightness level right from the Lutron app or wall switches. Set all your lights to be slightly dimmer than the highest setting—and you’ll find that will be more comfortable and livable, too. LED light bulbs are roughly 80% more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lights, consuming less energy, especially while dimmed. “Dimming your lights even 20% saves nearly 20% in energy,” says Dr. Ian Rowbottom, Lutron’s principal application engineer. “Dimming them more saves even more.” One of Lutron’s biggest clients, The New York Times, implemented light level ‘tuning’ and occupancy sensors in their downtown Manhattan building. The result? The New York Times Building saved 70% of its lighting electricity, saving $600,000 annually. That’s the equivalent of 3,300 tons of carbon emissions each year!  

Daylight Harvesting

You can always enjoy ample light in each room of your house with smart ‘daylight harvesting’ scenes. If the sun is beaming into your home office, for example, sensors will signal to your lights to turn off or dim. As the sun moves and the room grows darker, only then will lights gradually start to brighten again. Lights will only be on while you need them, and your shades will play with lights to ensure you’re making the most of the day.  

Occupancy Sensors

We all make the mistake of leaving lights on in empty rooms. If you walk to the kitchen for a mug of coffee, occupancy sensors can instantly brighten the room to a comfortable atmosphere. You’ll leave the room, and a few minutes later, lights will turn off. If everyone steps outside for a night at the beach, your empty house’s lights will turn off. But once someone walks inside, your LEDs will automatically turn on, so you won’t have to endure a pitch-black house. Coupled with lighting control on your phone, you’ll always be a step ahead.  

Launch Systems Is Your Local Security Camera Installation Company

Being able to monitor your Huntington Beach, CA, property, whether you’re at home or far away, brings a renewed peace of mind. As your local security camera installation company, Launch Systems provides that peace of mind with state-of-the-art security components that keep you and your family safe. We know every homeowner has different desires when it comes to keeping an eye on things. From alarm systems to video doorbells to motion sensors and more, we assess your needs before ever offering a one-size-fits-all solution. Keep reading below to learn a few exciting ways you can use a security system that you probably hadn’t thought of yet.

SEE ALSO: Choose Local for Your Security Camera Installation Company  

Knock-Knock. Who’s There?

Did someone ring the doorbell? Instead of fumbling for the remote to pause your favorite show, you can create a smart home scene that lets you see, hear, and speak to whomever is at the door in a snap. We can program your front porch security camera to rotate toward the front door, pause your TV show, and brighten the outdoor patio light to illuminate whoever rang your doorbell. You can even have your video doorbell footage pop up on your TV screen for easy viewing. There’s no need to interrupt your evening for a solicitor knocking at your door.  

Devices Work in Sync

If your alarm system activates due to a breach, you can create a security scene that turns your entire home’s lighting to 100% brightness. A dark home immediately transforms into an illuminated home, and the ringing alarm will frighten burglars and deter them from staying in your home for very long. You can even incorporate your whole-home audio system to begin playing loud music and set your motorized shades to rise automatically. While your home is well lit and blaring, your neighbors will come out of their homes to see potential thieves running away from your home. The more witnesses, the better!  

Go on Vacation

Going on vacation may not seem like an innovative way to use your alarm system or security cameras, but it can be. While you’re away from your home, you can always view security footage from the convenience of your smart device and utilize remote monitoring services to keep an eye on your California home for you. But you can also incorporate smart locks and security cameras to your advantage. You can lounge by the beach, pull out your smartphone, and grant access to your house sitter, dog walker, or delivery people by issuing a temporary user code that is active only for a specified amount of time. You can program access to your dog sitter for limited times of day or days of the week, and you can grant immediate access to a delivery driver dropping off an important package.   All of the above and more are possible when you contact Launch Systems, your local security camera installation company. Connect with us now to get started on a new or upgraded security system.

Is Tunable LED Lighting Worth It? We Dive Into the Answer Below.

At Launch Systems, we’ve always strived to offer our clients state-of-the-art smart technologies that serve them well at installation but will also serve their needs for years to come. That’s why we work with cutting-edge brand partners that build components that will withstand the test of time – with functionality, design, and style. We’ve written before about the exciting benefits of tunable LED lighting from Lutron. Not only can you reduce your energy costs with these innovative bulbs, but you can also support your natural circadian rhythms. Read on below to learn more about how incorporating this new technology into your Irvine, CA, home can elevate your lifestyle with new consideration for comfort and convenience.

SEE ALSO: Customizing Your Home with a Lutron Lighting System  

Protect Your Home

Tunable LED lighting allows you to showcase your smart home in its best light. You likely spent arduous hours working with an interior designer to make your Irvine-area home look perfect, so why would you want to layer your stunning furniture, fabrics, and art collections in drab lighting? Traditional fluorescent lighting and ample sunlight will fade and distort rich and bold color selections. With LED lighting, you can select the perfect warm or cool white light to amplify your art, design, and home architecture without giving off too much UV radiation or heat.

Shown in Your Best Light

With more of us making the transition to working from home or going out less often, it’s important to utilize our smart homes to support our wellness. Lighting is essential. All day, every day, your lighting can respond to a variety of cues to help support your family in feeling their best. You can adjust lights with a tap of your finger or voice command, program your lighting to respond to the time of day, or hack your lighting to support your circadian rhythms.

Wind Down on Your Terms

Imagine utilizing your tunable lighting to help you wind down in the evenings. You can leave the stresses of a busy workday behind you with natural, dim light as you read your favorite book before bed. This warm, soft glow not only supports your body’s internal biological clock but also eases eye strain after a long day. You can also use a cool, bright light to shift yourself into a highly productive mode during the midday slump without the aid of caffeine.   If you’re ready to explore the exciting features tunable LED lighting can bring to your California home, contact us today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Launch Systems Offers Network Wiring Services That Support Your Entire Home

A reliable and secure home network makes your Newport Beach, CA home run smoothly. There’s no lag, no buffering symbols, no dreaded dead spots where your Wi-Fi doesn’t connect – it just works. Unfortunately, homeowners usually only think about their networks when it isn’t working properly. To avoid the headache of a poorly designed home network, working with a network wiring services expert is crucial. Partnering with a professional like Launch Systems when you move into your home ensures all of your smart devices work seamlessly and without any hiccups from the moment you step into your home. In this blog, we’ll explain how a properly wired network can support your California home's entertainment systems. Keep reading to learn more.

SEE ALSO: 3 Ways Network Wiring Services Can Improve Your Home’s Network

Home Theater and Media Rooms

Gone are the days of only watching your favorite TV shows and films on cable, DVDs or Blu-rays. While those are still viable options, and many homeowners use these daily, it’s no longer the only option for tech-savvy entertainment fiends. Many smart TVs have an inherent streaming capability, but most TV shows and movies are streamed through a TV or projector using an additional device like Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV. Many satellite and cable providers have also introduced smart apps that let you screencast exclusive content straight to your TV. There’s nothing like reaching the climax of a storyline, only for the stream to skip ahead or freeze suddenly – this always leads to a loud exclamation or groan from every viewer in the room! A wired home network connection allows you to stream directly to your connected smart TV and a Wi-Fi connection would allow you to screencast directly from your tablet or smartphone. Whichever way you end up streaming your entertainment for the next movie night, a professional network wiring service makes it happen.

Your Backyard

Your entertainment – and network – don’t need to end at your back door. With the addition of expertly placed wireless access points, your entire backyard becomes a haven for smart technologies. You can stream your favorite music stations on your outdoor speaker system using your smartphone, sit next to the firepit scrolling through your favorite social media channels, or watch your favorite shows and sports on your weatherproof outdoor TV. With wired and wireless access points placed in key locations, no one will deal with lag or get kicked off your home network.   Contact Launch Systems today to get started on a new or upgraded network for your Newport Beach-area home. We can’t wait to help you stay connected – indoors and out!

Your Laguna Beach Home Has Never Sounded This Good

Sound makes the world go ‘round. It can change the mood of any situation, whether it’s provoking memories of days gone by, pulling on your heartstrings, or encouraging party festivities along into the wee hours of the morning. You can bring the powerful influence of music into your Laguna Beach, CA home with the help of high-end speakers. From the patio to the listening room, high-performance speakers and components provide a truly lifelike music experience. You can immerse yourself into your favorite lawn concert performance or the roaring car chase of your favorite film with a high-end audio system. Read on to learn which three areas of your home you probably hadn’t considered for a new speaker system.

SEE ALSO: The Beauty of Multi-Room Music in Your Clients’ Homes

Listening Room

Everyone loves to listen to music, but are they listening to music as the original artist intended? That’s the beauty of a dedicated listening room outfitted with high-end speakers – you can enjoy the optimum listening experience while focusing solely on the music itself. Large tower speakers are perfect for visual appeal and high-fidelity audio from your favorite source – be it a streaming music app on your smartphone, an old favorite CD, or a turntable. Custom finishes and exemplary engineering can match or blend into your interior décor, too. For example, one of our favorite brands, James Loudspeaker, comes in a variety of options from freestanding loudspeakers that make a statement to in-wall and in-ceiling speakers that practically disappear.

Game Room

A media or gaming room brings the high-performance sound many are accustomed to in a home theater into a multipurpose space of your California home. If you or the kids love to play Xbox with friends, then speakers can take you deep into the action of your favorite video game. If you have limited space or simply want a one-speaker solution for media, then a soundbar would be a nice addition to your game room. Sonos recently released the premium Arc designed for TV, gaming, music, and movies; It can deliver crisp dialogue and booming bass without the need for a complex setup or heavy space allocations.

Outdoor Patio

Many people don’t consider their outdoor entertainment as an extension of their inside entertainment system, but it is! You can make it simple by taking your Sonos Move outside to enjoy Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability to stream your favorite songs, or you can enjoy a comprehensive outdoor speaker system incorporated into your landscaping with bullet speakers, in-ground subwoofers, and more.   Listening flexibility is the best part of incorporating high-end speakers into every room of your home, and not just those rooms listed above. Contact Launch Systems today to get started on your new or upgraded speaker system. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Tunable LED Lighting Completely Transforms Your California Home

Early LED lighting technology was initially inadequate due to limited blue LEDs and yellow phosphors, but modern LEDs have new phosphor compounds that yield higher color tuning capabilities. So, what does that mean for your Newport Beach, CA home? It means that tunable LED light lets you adjust the color temperature and intensity of an LED bulb with a color temperature range between 1,600K to 6,500K, depending on the product. Lutron lighting provides a range that covers both warm and cool temperatures, which can lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle in your home. LED lighting is known to be 80% more efficient than traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting. LEDs convert 95% of their energy into light with little heat loss, which means incorporating LED bulbs into your home can help you reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy costs. Keep reading to learn more about the possibilities of tunable LED lighting when incorporated into your home.

SEE ALSO: Customizing Your Home with a Lutron Lighting System  

Warm and Cool Colors

In their simplest form, tunable white LEDs have two sets of phosphor-coated LEDs, with a warm-white around 2700K and a cool-white around 5000K. By tuning these LEDs, a homeowner can raise or lower the output, thus changing the color of the white light. These different white outputs can have a psychological effect, too. Cool-colored light can make people feel cool on a hot summer day, and blue-white hues in the morning can encourage productivity. Interestingly, you can support the human circadian system with tunable LED lighting, too! The circadian system is the body’s internal biological clock. The intensity and color of lighting can suppress or stimulate the secretion of hormones and melatonin, which effects our moods, alertness, and overall wellness.

Energy Efficiency

As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, LED lighting helps you reduce your energy costs. LED lighting costs have also dropped drastically in recent years thanks to innovative lighting manufacturers like Lutron. Pair this lower product cost with the lower energy costs associated with lighting solutions, and your home transforms into a green and efficient powerhouse. Incorporating dimmers, occupancy sensors, and motorized shades in your home can further increase your efficiency.   This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tunable LED lighting. For a free personal consultation for incorporating this innovative solution into your Newport Beach-area home, call us today at (949) 515-7030 or connect with us online. We can’t wait to shine light on the possibilities together!

Lutron Offers a Wide Selection for Motorized Roller Shades Installations

Making the switch from manual to motorized window treatments is the first step to bringing increased comfort, luxury, and convenience to your Huntington Beach home. Once you’ve decided to take the leap, though, what’s the next step? Selecting your style options, of course. Styling options include fabrics, shading styles, and a wide variety of control methods. The possibilities may seem overwhelming, but with the help of a reputable motorized roller shades installation expert like Launch Systems, you’ll be able to review the options in a streamlined and relaxed manner. Keep reading to learn the details you can consider for your California home when you’re ready to leap into a new world of luxury.

SEE ALSO: Consider a Lutron Lighting System for Your California Home

Fabric Options

Styling goes beyond simply picking out your favorite fabric colors. Fabric options abound with options that include sheers, translucent, or blackout fabrics. Sheer fabrics have an open weave that filters sunlight while allowing for less privacy and the preservation of ocean views. Translucent fabrics have tighter weaves that shift harsh sunlight into a filtered lighting experience while also providing privacy. Blackout fabrics are opaque, block light from entering your home, and are perfect for media rooms or bedrooms for complete privacy and light blockage.  

Roller Shades

Shading solutions from Lutron include roller shades, drapes, wood blinds, tensioned shades, and horizontal sheer blinds, to name a few. A motorized roller shades installation gives your California home a contemporary and stylish look. Functionality and an elegant aesthetic are the end result of this window treatment. Roller shades from our lighting and shading partner, Lutron, are available with or without fascia, pockets, and side channels. Including fascia offers a more finished look, and you can fabric-wrap the fascia to match the roller shade fabric you selected. If you’d prefer a custom top-of-window treatment, then a roller shade without fascia but perhaps a pocket would be perfect, because it offers you flexibility and the option to add cornices, valances, or drapery.  

Control Options

One of the best benefits of motorized window treatments includes not needing to walk throughout your Huntington Beach-area home to open or close each window treatment – talk about a time saver! Contemporary and architectural keypads are available in fashionable options that include finishes in metals, mattes, glosses, and satins. Launch Systems can always request color samples for you to see selections for yourself in your home. Beyond keypads, there are remotes, smart device apps, and voice command control options available. Go a step further and program home automation scenes that incorporate multiple smart technologies at the tap of a button. Tap the Evening Scene button, and the shades in every window can roll down to add privacy, the smart lighting can dim to a relaxing hue, and your multi-room audio system can begin playing relaxing wind-down music.     If you’d like to bring the value of motorized roller shades to your California home, call us today at (949) 515-7030 or reach out using our contact form. We can’t wait to work with you.

Support the Community While Receiving Best-In-Class Service from Launch Systems

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Shop Local.” This phrase encourages people to buy locally produced goods and services instead of those originating outside of the community. Supporting local businesses helps boost the economy and reduces carbon emissions when we avoid shopping online. The mentality is often showcased with acts such as purchasing food from local farmers and shopping at local retail stores. But the “Shop Local” concept can apply to hiring local security companies, as well. There are several national security companies out there, but how do they compare to your local security expert? Keep reading to learn why hiring a local security camera installation company is the best decision you can make for your Irvine, CA property.

SEE ALSO: Learn How Security Camera Installations Can Keep You Safe  

One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

While national brand names are easy to recall due to large marketing budgets and commercials, these companies aren’t able to look out for your best interest. Big businesses serve customers nationwide, meaning their solutions are not custom-designed and installed specially for your needs in the Irvine area. Individual preferences you have for your property are overlooked for the sake of providing homeowners with a one-size-fits-all go-to security solution.

Customized Solutions

A local company will provide you a custom security and surveillance installation experience. During the initial personal consultation, Launch Systems will review your wants and compare them to products available on the market. A local company stays abreast of the latest industry trends and takes the time to provide you with the newest and greatest technology solutions. A local company has more to lose than a national chain, so they’ll do their best to support your home. This means you will have the latest high-definition surveillance cameras and software upgrades available to you. The national chain may offer a great deal on a camera bundle package nationwide, but if you have an expansive property, that blanket solution simply will not work for you.

Support Your Community

By supporting local small businesses, you are supporting the community where you live. Local companies create local jobs, hire, and help their neighbors. Shopping locally also reduces your personal carbon footprint, because you don’t have to commute very far to enter their front door.   If you’re ready to make your Irvine, CA home safer and more secure, shop local with Launch Systems. Chat with us below, call (949) 515-7030, or connect with us using this form. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Whether a New Installation or an Upgrade, Launch Systems Can Set Your Network Up for Success

A strong network helps you stay connected to work, entertainment, friends, and family. It’s the backbone of any modern California home and supports all of your high-tech gadgets and innovative smart technologies. The network wiring process looks a bit different between building a brand-new home and upgrading an existing home. New buildings’ networks can be designed from the ground up before the drywall is installed. Existing homes’ networks need a bit more finesse, working with existing walls and fixtures. Luckily, professional network wiring services are one of the many solutions Launch Systems provides for Irvine-area residents — we can do both! Read on to learn why network wiring services are such an integral piece of supporting your modern home.

SEE ALSO: Expand Your Home Network to Improve Your Outdoor Spaces  

Connectivity Where You Need It

Ensuring proper wired connections and adding wireless access points in critical locations of your property is imperative. A home’s construction materials or interior furnishings can significantly influence the efficacy of a network. Too much metal, such as around stairwells or utility boxes, hinder signal while wood, plaster, and glass materials interfere less. The most important steps in any network wiring service are pre- and post-installation site surveys and consultations. A site survey allows the technician to not only evaluate a homeowner’s network needs but will enable them to walk your property and determine potential interference spots as well as locations to house wiring, modems, and routers. Beyond the site survey, technicians will select the products best suited for your network to provide the utmost efficiency and reliability. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions; each service is custom-created for you.  

Works Behind the Scenes

A proper network setup will work in the background of your Irvine-area home without you realizing it’s there — it will simply work as you need it to! Wiring can be hidden away with enclosure cables and cable troughs to rack accessories and cabling cabinets that protect your components from dust and dirt. The best network and cabling services leave your home running smoothly, so all of your devices can connect without a hitch.  

Support When You Need It

Network wiring services from Launch Systems include troubleshooting existing wiring and supporting any installations we’ve done in your California home. If something just isn’t working for you, we’re happy to make the requested tweaks as you need and provide support for any questions or issues that arise after installation.   Call Launch Systems today at (949) 515-7030 or connect using this form to improve your home network today! We can’t wait to hear from you.

4 Camera Locations to Consider to Deter Thieves

Everyone in the country is spending less time doing typical activities such as going into the office, shopping, or taking the kids to school. Instead, Californians are spending more time in their homes working, cooking, and conducting e-learning with their kids. Likely, online shopping habits have picked up, along with home deliveries, which is a side effect of staying at home and avoiding crowded spaces. Since everyone in your home is busier than ever before for the sake of social distancing, it’s likely that you may not notice packages left on the doorstep before nefarious porch pirates see them or if a car is broken into. Smart home security will help you keep your Newport Beach, CA, property safe and secure while you’re at home on a video conference call or away on a vacation in the future. Read on to learn how a security camera installation by Launch Systems can bring you peace of mind.

SEE ALSO: Confused on Where to Start with Your Security Camera Installation?

Doorbell Camera

We’ve mentioned before that security cameras installed on the first floor of your home are useful since over 80% of burglars enter homes through the first floor. A doorbell camera gives you a view not only on your front porch but usually into your front yard as well, depending on the orientation of your home and doorbell. Video doorbells give you an up-close and personal view of whomever – or whatever – steps on your front porch. From delivery person to the kids coming in from their afternoon walk, the footage is captured, and you’re able to watch, rewind, and replay footage as needed.

Interior Entryway

When you receive the notification and live video feed on your smart device of the delivery person with a package, you can communicate with them. If you’re enjoying music on the back porch with the family yet want to maintain social distance while keeping your package safe, you can remotely unlock your smart locks and ask the delivery person (through an intercom) to drop off the package inside the front door. This ensures the package is kept safe from potential thieves. Security cameras that are installed in the interior entryway of your home will capture this footage. Once the delivery person is done with their delivery, you can remotely lock the front door, then come indoors to safely retrieve the package when you are ready.

Perimeter Cameras

When school is out or people find themselves with more time on their hands than usual, crime rates increase. Installing security cameras on the perimeter of your Newport Beach-area home can do two things – deter potential thieves and provide footage if anyone tries to trespass. Any motion detected by these expertly installed cameras trigger your security system. You are then notified via text or push notification and can view the live footage immediately on your smart device. If the incident occurs at night, remote security monitoring services can notify law enforcement for you.

The Design of Your California Home Theater Can Encourage Relationships from Afar

Like much of the rest of the country, Californians are abiding by shelter-in-place orders for the sake of social distancing. Many of us in Huntington Beach, CA, miss spending time with our friends and family members outdoors, going shopping, attending concerts, and more. If you’re missing out on all of the usual friends and family gatherings, why not make the best of the situation by using your home theater design in new, exciting – and social – ways? Read on to learn three ways to stay social in your home theater or media room while sheltering-in-place.

SEE ALSO: 2 Top Home Theater Design Trends from CEDIA 2019

Video Games

If you’re a big PlayStation or Xbox fan, then you know just how fun it can be playing your games on a sizeable ultra-high definition screen. Even better, your surround sound speakers can fully immerse you in the action of a shoot-em-up style game. With the tap of a button on a smart remote, you can also dim the lighting and lower the motorized shades for a truly riveting experience. If you add a headset, then you’ll be able to play with your friends, too!

Netflix Party

You’re staying at home, your friends are staying at home, and your family is staying at home, only in separate locations. Bring everyone together by something you all are already doing – watching Netflix. You can screencast whatever show or movie you’re watching from your browser to your high-definition TV and chat live with the rest of your friends while you all watch the same thing! You can take the Netflix party a step further by using a video conferencing tool like Zoom to see your family as they watch along.

Family Zoom and Google Hangouts Visits

Once you’re done watching Netflix with the gang, you can use your large TV display to have a conference call in your very own home theater. You can use an app like Zoom or Google Hangouts to have a live video chat with your friends while maintaining a state-mandated social distance of six feet. Keeping in touch with friends and family can help you keep your spirits up during a stressful time that many of us are experiencing.   While you’re spending more time indoors, be sure to make the most of your home theater design. Launch Systems can help – call us today at (949) 515-7030 or connect with us online. We look forward to working with you.