Smart Home IO

CES 2017 brought many updates and new products into the consumer electronics sphere for this coming year and Sony announced a few notable and key products to be aware of. Sony AE1 4K TV Model Series This line of TV is Sony's entry into the 4K OLED TV market. Sony X930E TV Model Series This TV has the flagship X1 extreme TV processor which was previously only available to the top end Z series TV line. Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player The new player allows HDR to SDR conversion and also supports the largest variety of audio and video content Sony VPL-VZ1000ES 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector The new projector is designed to be installed in a furniture cabinet to blend into any living room with motorized lens shift and easily-adjustable feet for maximum flexibility. See the below link to view a PDF of all the new features and specs for the above 2017 CES Sony new product announcements. Sony CES 2017 Key Custom Integration Announcements

Sonos 7.0 software and app update is now available for your Sonos system which will enable new services and features to your music system. The new software features the ability to now control your Sonos system with the Spotify app sending music to any Sonos speaker within your system. A Sonos account is required to pair and linked your Sonos and Spotify services together but once completed you will enable the new Sonos Spotify software integration.  The Sonos 7.0 update will also now allow you to calibrate and tune your Sonos Playbar, Sub and Surround Speakers with the Tuneplay app software feature. The Tuneplay service will allow the user to balance and EQ the full Sonos 5.1 surround sound music system previously only available for the Play 1, Play 3 and Play 5 stand alone speakers.

Control 4 and Google Home can now integrate with the help of the HouseLogix Chowmain IFTTT control driver. The new driver can now enable a homeowner to control their house with Google's Smart Home Hub or with Google's Pixel phone. The Control 4 driver that can enable Google's voice commands to come alive at your house is available at HouseLogix's website for $90 USD. Once the driver has been downloaded a configuration and install process is needed to activate the various voice control features. See the attached link below to view the configuration PDF with instructions to walk through the process. Control 4 Google Home IFTTT Control Driver Instructions PDF

Savant has now released their updated 8.2 Pro software release with many enhancements, additions and bug fixes to further the Savant experience. See the link below for the full list of what the 8.2 update has in store for us. Savant daVinci 8.2 Software Update Information PDF

1.  Download the Alexa App. You can also go to  www.amazon.com/echodotsetup   which can help in getting the best app experience to enrich your Echo Dot.   2. Open the Alexa app and once open you will be guided through the setup and Wi-Fi connection process.   3. Setup your others connected devices within the settings of the Alexa app such as Lutron Caseta or Google Nest. A list of connected devices or "skills" as Amazon terms can be seen here Smart Home Skills 4. Talk to Echo Dot by using the word "Alexa" as your voice trigger command. When the trigger voice command is activated you can visually see the Echo light up blue around the top ring and the device is ready for a voice command. After a recognizable voice command is issued to the Echo Dot the unit will give you an audible "OK" acknowledgement. The voice trigger word can also be changed in the app settings menu to "Amazon" or "Echo" depending