How do you usually listen to music when you’re hanging out in your Austin, TX backyard spaces? If you answered that question by saying you take a Bluetooth speaker out to the pool or simply turn the volume up on your phone, then you’re in need of a landscape audio system. There’s no need to suffer through uneven, harsh, or tinny sound while enjoying your outdoor spaces throughout the year.
Read MoreAt Captive Audio, we love bringing unique technology designs to our clients in the Austin area, whether it’s hidden outlets from TRUFIG that blend into your wall or stylish motorized shading solutions that add a layer of luxury and convenience to your lifestyle.
Read MoreTexas summers are hot, but The Terrace is hotter. It’s not often that a superstar celebrity gives a TV a glowing recommendation, but Samsung’s The Terrace TV made Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2020. It’s built to last in your backyard entertaining areas for years to come, with exceptional 4K ultra-high-definition HDR picture quality that will look fantastic no matter the weather – sun, wind, rain, and snow.
Read MoreLutron has been a long-term player in lighting innovation solutions, starting with the introduction of the first solid-state dimmer in 1959. It was only then that lighting control integration became a realistic opportunity for homeowners.
Read MoreSome music listeners prefer to have their AV systems hidden away and out of sight to not detract from the interior décor they meticulously curated. However, others understand the unique beauty brands like McIntosh Audio and Bowers & Wilkins can offer to their Texas home’s aesthetic and sound setups.
Read MoreOne of the most exciting aspects of home technology is customizability. In 2021, technology no longer needs to serve as a focal point in your home. Instead, it can disappear into your Austin home’s décor, integrating into the original designs you worked tirelessly to achieve. From Samsung’s Frame TV that serves as tasteful art when not viewing TV and movies, to hidden away temperature sensors that inform your motorized shades and HVAC system to operate, technology can fully integrate into Texas homes.
Read MoreIt’s the best time of the year, even though 2020 has been atypical, to say the least. Enjoying cooler temperatures, great online shopping deals, and chilly strolls along the River Walk to view the holiday light displays are all winter highlights.
Read MoreAs soon as Halloween’s over, many Texans turn their attention to the upcoming holidays. And though it may not seem like it thanks to temperate weather along the I-35 corridor, the clock is already ticking to purchase those gifts for loved ones.
Read MoreThe modern integrated home might feel seamless and completely convenient, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot going on to keep all the pieces working together to create that luxurious feel. The trick is, you should never have to worry about what’s happening behind the curtain to run your home. Though arguably not as flashy as the latest TV or coolest CEDIA release, your network is the foundation of any customized, integrated home, just as important as any device we add on.
Partnering with the right Austin-area installer is critical if you want a system that just works for your Texas residence. While there are many integrators out there, few can match the level of quality you expect. You don’t need to be spending time even thinking about if your signal is strong enough for you to enjoy your technology investment—it should just work reliably whenever you need it.
Read MoreScience tells us that being outside is great for reducing stress and boosting our immune system, but not all of us can make it to a park or hit the trails on a regular basis, and under the hot San Antonio sun, who would want to?
Thankfully, cooler temperatures are just around the corner here in Texas, and if you’re tired of having to watch your favorite movies and shows indoors, then installing your own backyard entertainment venue might be just the thing.
The audiovisual experts at Captive Audio can help you design the perfect outdoor TV venue whether you want to relax on your own, with the family, or have a few friends over for an open-air movie screening.
Read MoreAre your window treatments making your life more luxurious or dull? When you look at the windows of your Austin, TX, home, what do you see - a beautiful view beyond your terrace or drab curtains blocking the view?
Automated shades can sophisticatedly transform your home from the inside. You can showcase your floor-to-ceiling windows, but you can also set the mood of any room with design, styling and fabric selections. And did we mention these window treatments are automated, so you can easily control them from anywhere?
Read on below to learn how working with professional design experts from the beginning of your home project can revolutionize your home's ambiance.
Read MoreThe sun is setting, the air is cooling, and you’re listening to a fun new playlist in the kitchen. You take your plates and a bottle of wine out to the patio, where music follows you, flowing from underneath the bushes and plants. Later you take a dip in the pool, and you can still hear high-quality tunes by the water from your outdoor speaker system.
Outdoor audio has a way of making any summer day feel special. With a professionally installed sound system, your outdoor speakers can discreetly slip into greenery or stand stylishly in the open. Read on to see how an outdoor speaker system will fit into your Texas lifestyle.
Read MoreTo many homeowners, lighting is an afterthought. Moving into a new house, some folks are fine with keeping the existing bulbs and fixtures, even if they’re too bright or dim. But lighting is essential to your home’s mood and atmosphere, influencing how you work and feel. With home lighting automation, you’re in control of how your lights appear and behave throughout the day.
But automated lighting means much more than turning lights on and off from a remote. Read on to learn how home lighting automation works and how it will enhance your Austin, TX, lifestyle.
Read MoreThey say, “variety is the spice of life.” The people and places we experience make the world so thrilling. So more often than not, staying home can feel like a drag. We frequently take our homes for granted, complacent with the familiar walls we see day to day. But what if you could transform your home’s sensations and atmosphere in one press of a button?
With a smart home system by Crestron, you control your house’s appearance and functionality through synced smart devices. From one app, you can access your lighting, audio, thermostats, security, and more to create custom scenes. As a home automation company based in San Antonio, TX, we’ll share the possibilities of smart scenes below.
Read MoreWhole house audio makes any home come alive with music floating through every room and hall. From a smart system app, you’ll select playlists and albums right from your phone, and adjust the volume for the entire house in one tap. But if you take pride in your home’s appearance and décor, you may be hesitant to add speakers to every corner. Luckily, there are high-end speakers that audiophiles love, and they are just as attractive as they sound.
If you have yet to experience the magic of speakers by Bowers & Wilkins or McIntosh, they’re whole house audio favorites of ours in San Antonio, TX. We’ll share what makes both their audio quality and appearance exceptional, below.
Read MoreSometimes, a small change dramatically improves the overall aesthetic of a room. This is certainly true when Captive Audio in San Antonio, TX, installs motorized window treatments by Lutron in your home. Elegant, whisper-quiet, and exquisitely designed, the Lutron Palladiom Shading System sets itself apart as the premier choice for residential window shades.
Whereas other window treatments serve their purpose – providing basic light control - the Lutron systems are fully programmable, automated, and most importantly, beautiful. Read more to discover the many features and benefits of the Lutron Palladiom Shading System.
Read MoreEveryone knows fresh air and vitamin D go a long way for our happiness. But between a day at the office, driving in the car, squeezing in a workout at the gym, and then relaxing with our favorite TV shows at night, we spend most of our days indoors. Living in Austin, we’re lucky to have more warm nights in the year than other states. So why not make the most of your backyard this year with outdoor entertainment?
Weatherproof screens and speakers make it possible to take your living room outdoors all year long. But how will you landscape and wire your yard for outdoor AV, and who should you work with to get the job done? Continue reading to learn how an outdoor installation works in Austin, TX.
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In September, the 2019 CEDIA Expo in Denver, Colorado, showcased the latest innovative technologies from brands like Sony, Epson, Vivint, and more. Now that it’s 2020, let’s have a look at what we saw on the showroom floor and how it will influence our home automation systems this year. The world of home automation and technology is always evolving, but we can be a few steps ahead.
Continue reading for our trend predictions and new ways to enhance your Austin, TX home.
Read MoreYou've likely heard of Lutron lighting control due to their retail solutions found at your local Best Buy or Home Depot in Austin. Easy to install and affordable, they're usually a go-to entry point for Texas residents who want to easily manage lights through mobile apps, handheld remotes or voice commands.
Although Lutron's solutions are undoubtedly the best retail options available, they may still not be the best fit for your family. An entry-level Lutron Caseta system comes with many limitations you may not realize. Not only are there restrictions on the number of devices you can integrate, but also on how you control them. Read this blog to find out when a professional lighting control installation may be the better choice.
Read MoreTechnology should improve our lives, not distract from our day-to-day. The best home automation systems feel like they are hardly there—invisible assistants to our busy schedules. New features of Crestron home automation are making it possible to improve our mental health and relieve stress through smart technology. How? Discover how to enhance your Austin, TX lifestyle below!
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