This is the beginning of one of the special issue sections dealing with technology.

1. Audio Video Architechs · (704) 821-7270 · www.ava-nc.com
Infinite Audio and Theater
Imagine never losing another CD; never having to search for the CD you want to listen to in your home
office, which has, of course, slid under the passenger seat of your car; or never having to put up with a DVD
for the future Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the assurance
that freezes on your favorite scene, just because your son used it as a Frisbee.
that no matter what new technology comes your way
Ty Coleman, President of Audio Video Architechs, has the perfect solution: the latest generation of media
in the future, your home will be equipped to handle it?
servers that deliver music and movies on demand. “These servers allow you to burn in a CD or DVD and then
That simple premise was the inspiration behind ATAP,
distribute them throughout the whole house. You can plug in an iPod, or the system can retrieve MP3 files from
a proprietary technology platform created by Infinite
your computer,” Coleman says.
Audio and Theater.
Unlike the older MEGA-CD changers that held
ATAP, which stands for Adaptable Technology
hundreds of discs but were far from user-friendly, these
Augmentation Platform, is a method of wiring a home
are intuitive. “You can control these systems with a
and adding additional information that goes beyond
simple remote or move up to a system with a touch
basic structured wiring. ATAP puts the infrastructure in
screen that allows you to drag and drop the song you
place and routes all the wiring to a central equipment location, so that when you’re ready to incorporate a new
want onto your play list,” he says. His firm offers systems
technology, you just plug it in. Since what you’re putting in place with ATAP is essentially the wiring, you’re also
from manufacturers like Escient®; Kaleidescape, Inc.;
not locking yourself into a particular type or brand of system, which makes it extremely adaptable.
and Qsonix in a range of options from simple iPod
“In homes we have wired with ATAP, it’s been so much easier for the owners to install new technology,”
systems to those that instantly provide music and movies
explains company President Ron Jones. Indeed, ATAP allows you to integrate virtually any system you can
on-demand.
envision - home automation, high-definition television, streaming audio, streaming video and security. “It’s a
guaranteed upgrade that allows the latest technology to be installed as the homeowner can afford it or as the
necessity arises,” Jones says.
Audio Video Architechs
Infinite Audio and Theater · (704) 841-7730 · www.infinitehouse.com
Carolina Time Equipment · (704) 536-2700 · www.carolinatime.net
Playback Audio & Video Creations
Who would have thought those annoying toll plazas that dot northeastern interstates would give rise
to technology to make your life easier? Believe it or not, they have. “AVI, or automated vehicle identification,
More homeowners are discovering new advantages
originally was designed for toll plazas. You place the device on your windshield, and your account is updated as
to installing home lighting control systems. Rather than
you drive through, so you don’t have to stop and throw in coins,” explains David Whortan, sales consultant with
having each standard light switch control a single light,
Carolina Time Equipment. Now, his company is using AVI to open residential gates as a car with the device
these systems allow individual panels to control multiple
approaches. “Before, you had to punch in a code or push a button to open a gate. This does it automatically.”
lights. “It simplifies things greatly,” explains Spencer
While AVI ensures that vehicles without the device can’t approach without your consent, there are other
Ackerman, a partner in Playback Audio & Video Creations.
access control options, including wireless units that
“The Crestron lighting control panels we install allow
call your home or cell phone when someone is at the
homeowners to turn on several lights or a whole series of
gate. “You can let them in simply by pressing 9 on your
lights at the touch of a button.” It also gives you peace of
phone. That technology has been in place for a while,
mind, allowing you to control lighting remotely over the
but there’s new software that can hold the gate open for
internet or from any room in your home. “If you were to
parties, give visitors one-time access, restrict their access
hear something in the middle of the night, you could hit the panic button in your bedroom, which would notify
to certain days or times, or allow you to lock everyone
emergency services and turn on every interior light and exterior light around the house.”
out when you don’t want to be disturbed.”
Another added advantage is energy efficiency. “Every time you turn on a standard light switch, the bulb it
controls comes on at 100 percent power. We program each bulb to come on at 90 percent power normally. The
naked eye can’t tell the difference, but that change prolongs bulb life by 50 percent,” Ackerman explains. That
efficiency, security and simplicity is why an ever-growing number of homeowners are investing in lighting control.
Carolina Time Equipment
Playback Audio & Video Creations · 1 (866) 687-7655 · playbackav.com