What size house absolutely needs a home theater?
No home absolutely has to have a home theater, but most very large custom homes with 10,000 square feet or more need more than just a basic entertainment system. Acoustics are different in more spacious houses, and larger systems are necessary for sound and video to have maximum impact.

What components are found in home theater systems?
Most Houston home theater systems have separate video processors and audio processors that allow them to render both sound and image in high definition quality. Amplifiers and high end speakers are a must, because home theater sound normally separates sound effects, voice, and background sounds to mimic real world action. Smaller home theater automation systems may use a flat-screen plasma television for video, but home theaters use a projector and projection screen to create a fully cinematic experience.

Why can’t people just go to a home theater store and buy what they need?
Because stores only provide equipment; they install the equipment. They will often refer a customer to an electrical contractor for installation, but these contractors often run into difficulties themselves. Tuning a system’s acoustics is not as easy as one would think. Without a sound working knowledge of architecture, and without details on the particular room the home theater is installed in, it is difficult for even an expert electrician to get the sound just right.

How are Houston home theaters by ILD installed differently?
We carefully examine the entire home before we even begin to recommend home theater design equipment. A very large house will often have several rooms that could make a good home theater room. However, there is always that one that is the best room in the home for entertainment. Our job is to locate that room, and then get with the architect or interior designer who designed it and gather specifics about the acoustical qualities of the materials used to build the interior.

This will tell us a great deal about which speakers, amplifiers, and controls to use, and how best to synchronize specification-grade home theater and automation equipment (not sold in retail stores) to the exact harmonics and structure of the room itself.

One thing that is something of an absolute rule to us is that we will not install wall or ceiling-mounted speakers. These mountings may appear highly sophisticated, but they do not amplify nor reflect sound waves correctly in relation to the seating of the audience.

What Other components of Houston home theater does ILD frequently install?
We use a number of projectors and screens for premium high-definition video, including DVD Servers that can hold up to 500 DVD’s and CD Servers than can record 12,000 CD’s. We also install home theater seats that electronically recline, and we specializing in integrating home automation and lighting controls with home theater that can rival the best of Houston’s public entertainment venues.

What services other than home theaters does ILD offer?
Illuminations Lighting Design is a full service design build firm specializing in residential and commercial indoor lighting and outdoor lighting, electrical service and maintenance as well as home automation, home theaters, emergency generators, surge protection systems, and phone systems.

How can I reach you to schedule an appointment?
Call us at 800-863-1184 today to talk about your next home theater project or lighting control system.

The latest hype in High Definition world seems to be about the new 1080p HDTV's. Lets a step back and see what 1080i and 1080p really means. On the surface there is no difference. They are identical in their resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The difference comes under the hood, even though they both display the same resolution, 1080i refreshes screen in an interlaced manner, odd horizontal lines first and then even horizontal lines. This is all done at the refresh rate of a particular TV, normally 1/30 of a second. 1080p on the other hand refreshes the screen all at once. Hence the "i" stands for interlaced and "p" stands for progressive.

1080p in theory is considered better then 1080i because of its ability to refresh in a progressive manner, thus having a name of "Ultra-HD" or "Full HD". The ability to refresh screens at once makes for a crisp clean image, which is preferred for images in motion, like sports and fast action movies.

Having said this, the next question that comes to mind is what content is available in true 1080p format. And the answer to that question is: None. All the programming provided by cable or satellite companies is either in 1080i or 720p format. HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and Sony Playstation 3 are capable of outputting 1080p.

So why get 1080p?

Given the size increases in LCD and Plasmas, ranging from 13" to 101" from quality manufacturer's like Samsung, LG, Sony, Runco and Marantz, the extra level of refresh rate will make a difference between a pixilated image and a clean smooth image once the 50" threshold is crossed. 1080p is currently the digital standard for filming digital motion pictures. Directors such as George Lucas shoot their digital films in this high definition mode to be shown in home theaters equipped with 1080p equipment.

Why not let the home automation experts at Illuminations Lighting Design assist you with your home theater, surround sound, or HDTV plasma needs. They can be reached toll free at 800-863-1184 or online at www.illuminationslighting.com.

Looking for your very own personalized Sony whole-house entertainment systems professionally installed throughout your home during construction? Something you can roll into the mortgage and start enjoying the day you move in? Let the CEDIA Certified audio video professionals at Illuminations Lighting Design and Sony show you the way!

Whether you are looking for a small whole home audio system like the Sony NHS-301, Sony NHS-710, Sony NHS-1000 or a larger more sophisticated whole house audio system such as the Sony NHS-2010, Illuminations Lighting Design is ready to help you configure just the right system for you! See how this integrated, multi-room solution gives you all-new ways to enjoy music, TV, and video throughout your home with advanced features and capabilities you won't find in typical home entertainment systems. An expandable solution for home entertainment. With the Sony NHS-2010 solution, you can fill your new home with a full array of music, TV and video entertainment - all customized for the way you live. You'll have a complete, full-featured home theater in your great room (or any room you choose), plus up to six additional rooms of music and video.

High-performance home theater experience
Your whole-home entertainment solution begins with an elegant home theater system that is designed to blend in with the rest of your living space, not distract from it. It will entertain you with DVD video, VHS, CD, AM/FM music and optional cable/satellite programming - all delivered through built-in speakers and an advanced Sony TV. But that's only the beginning!

Entertainment at your fingertips
In your home theater, you'll have an intelligent color touch-screen RF remote that controls all elements of your home entertainment system automatically. Want to watch a movie on DVD? A typical home theater system often requires multiple remote controls and knowledge of how your system is connected. Sony's cutting-edge remote eliminates all the clutter and complexity. Just touch the DVD button, and all the necessary components, including your TV, will power up and set themselves automatically. No more confusing procedures to follow. All your entertainment needs are preprogrammed and pre integrated for you into a single button push.

Up to six additional zones of entertainment
With the Sony NHS-2010, you can extend your home theater experience to up to six additional zones: bedroom, living room, den, patio, home office, or any other rooms you choose. Not only can you share the same music and video throughout your home, but you can also watch or listen to different sources in different rooms. Just imagine the whole-house convenience this system will offer to you and your family.

Digital in-wall keypads

Sony's advanced digital in-wall keypads will act as the gateway to home entertainment in each room. Stylishly designed, the keypad will blend into any decor. Using the keypad's 4-line LCD display, you can view all the movies available in the 400-disc DVD player, browse the preset radio stations, and control any source in your system. The keypad even comes with an external remote control so you can control the keypad from your easy chair.

Installed professionally
Your solution is installed during the construction phase of your new home by Illuminations Lighting Design one of a select few Sony Authorized Installers in the Houston area. This ensures that the day you move in your entertainment solution will be ready for you to enjoy!

With your advanced home entertainment system, you can enjoy:

A fully integrated Sony Whole House Audio Video system from Illuminations Lighting Design such as the Sony NHS-2010 solution includes all the necessary components, along with an integration package, that will fill your entire home with audio and video from the very first day you move in.

Here are just some of the features on the Sony solution:

400-Disc DVD/ CD Changer
No more need to manually flip through discs in order to find the movie you want to watch. The Sony Mega DVD Changer allows you to store up to 400 of your favorite DVDs and access them from anywhere in the house. You will be able to easily browse and select movie titles through displays on the touch-screen remote and the in-wall keypads.

DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
Record and playback your favorite shows - onto VHS or DVD, from any room.

400-Disc CD Changer
Store up to 400 CDs and enjoy them with one touch throughout your home. Album titles can be easily viewed through the keypad and touch-screen remote.

5-Disc DVD/CD Player
Load your favorite DVDs and watch them with one touch throughout your home. The Advantages to having a separate DVD/CD player are three rooms can each watch a separate DVD. When you rent a movie, you can drop it into the 5-disc player without having to look for an available slot in your 400 disc DVD Changer and finally with the 400-disc DVD/CD player, 400-disc CD player, DVD Recorder/VCR Combo and this 5-disc player, you can listen to four CDs in four different rooms.

ES Receiver
This component provides all the intelligence for your home theater. From AM/FM tuning to A/V switching, the receiver is the heart of your system. You can quickly access all your favorite radio stations, which will be displayed on the touch-screen remote or the in-wall keypads.

Home Theater TV
Your Sony New Home Entertainment Solution includes a choice of television to complete your home theater viewing experience. Whether you choose a high-definition Plasma WEGA, Grand WEGA LCD Rear Projection TV, or the Trinitron Direct View WEGA model, you will enjoy incredibly rich and detailed images and the sound they provide. Your TV set will also be HDTV-compatible.

LCD Touch-Screen Remote
In your home theater, a touch-screen remote automatically controls all elements of your theater experience. Simply touch the LCD controller's color screen and it will give you simple one-touch control over your entire system. It also provides easy navigation of all your music and video. Best of all, everything's preprogrammed for you and ready to use on the day you move in.

In-wall Keypads and Remote
Easily watch DVDs, listen to CDs, and view cable/satellite programming from any room in your home. You'll be able to access all your home entertainment using the advanced wall-mounted keypads. Each keypad also comes with a remote control for added convenience.

Custom-Selected Speakers
Your Sony new home solution comes with an array of built-in speakers that are carefully selected by your Sony Authorized Installer to match the layout and decor of your home and the configuration of your customized Sony solution.

Wiring
All the specialized wiring needed for your Sony new home entertainment solution is installed during construction by Illuminations Lighting Design. This includes the connections between components as well as the wiring for each room in your system - completely separate from any structured wiring you have for telephone and data services.

The basic NHS-2010 new home Sony system comes ready to provide entertainment in three rooms, with the ability to expand out to seven. Please talk with Illuminations Lighting Design about expansion options, pricing or availability in your area.

The Sony NHS-2010 comes with three rooms of entertainment and is upgradeable to seven rooms. And since each room is a separate zone, A/V source selection and volume controls are discrete. Plus, all rooms can receive audio and video signals, which mean you can watch and listen to any source from any room.

Sony Whole House Audio Video Systems from Illuminations Lighting Design come with one of the following quality video products. Select from any of these HDTV-capable Sony TVs to match the way you prefer to watch movies, sports, and TV. All of these WEGA televisions deliver outstanding television entertainment and complete your Sony New Home Solution with style.

Direct View Hi-Scan FD Trinitron Wega TV
The best picture quality and High-Definition Television (HDTV) connectivity, with four times the picture resolution compared to conventional TVs. The FD Trinitron flat picture tube diminishes glare, while the Digital Reality Creation circuitry delivers a picture that rivals hi-def without a hi-def signal. The Memory Stick media slot allows for instant access to digital photos and video.

Grand WEGA LCD Rear Projection TV
The thrilling Grand WEGA Television features Sony's exclusive optical engine, which provides crisp and consistent resolution of 3.28 million dots, for both conventional and High-Definition TV programming. The Fixed Pixel Display and constant light eliminate any trace of flicker, and the slim, lightweight design enhances any decor. Plus, both images and audio come alive with Enhanced Memory Stick media. Allows playback of both JPEG and MPEG1 files on screen.

Plasma WEGA Integrated Plasma TV
The original ultra-slim all-in-one design with floating glass panel will have them in awe before you turn it on. The Digital Pixel Generator technology displays a natural, rich image, while the pixel-by-pixel I/P conversion creates fluid motion with remarkable detail - for the purest reproduction of film, video, and broadcast sources. The Sony WEGA Engine System and Direct Digital Circuitry provide a consistently crisp picture, and the DRC feature allows for amazing resolution. It's HDTV-ready, too.

BRAVIA XBR LCD Flat Panel HDTV
Packed with the latest technology, Sony's BRAVIA XBR LCD Flat Panel HDTV features the WEGA Engine system, which delivers superb picture quality from any video source minimizing signal deterioration. Other features such as WEGA GATE guide allow the user to easily navigate television functions: favorite channels, television channel lists and external input list of settings. Watch your living room come to life with Sony's BRAVIA XBR LCD Flat Panel HDTV.

Illuminations Lighting Design a full service design build firm specializing in residential and commercial indoor lighting and outdoor lighting installation, service and maintenance as well as home automation, home theaters and lighting control systems. Please visit http://www.illuminationslighting.com/ for more information regarding Sony new house systems, HOME AUTOMATION or LIGHTING DESIGN for your new home. We can be reached toll free at 800-863-1184 Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 CST.

*Sony, Trinitron, Wega, Bravia, XBR, memory stick, DRC and Grand Wega are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation of America.

AN OASIS OF ARTISTRY IN A MARKETPLACE OF MASS-PRODUCTION AND PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE

SUMIKO SPEAKERS

Vienna is famous the world over for its unique musical heritage. No other city can lay claim to being the birthplace of western classical music. Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Schonberg, the list goes on. Virtually every composer of significance has been drawn to Vienna for its rich musical backdrop. It is from this rigorous background Vienna Acoustics loudspeakers are created and manufactured with a Viennese heritage of musical excellence that blends technology to the service of music.

While music serves as inspiration, the sonic results present in all Vienna Acoustics loudspeakers is the result of painstaking technical research. No area of improvement has gone unexamined, no refinements have gone unexplored. Ongoing research results in improved cone materials, damping techniques, cabinet bracing and crossover design results in the finest sound possible and products that reach the market both fully mature and highly refined. Additionally, each speaker is individually performance matched against a reference ensuring unprecedented consistency of quality from unit to unit.

More than any other element in a stereo music or film sound system, the loudspeaker becomes a part of your lifestyle. All Vienna Acoustics speakers are purposefully designed to add to the quality of your domestic landscape by employing true furniture grade materials and assembly techniques. All cabinets are finished to perfection in a wide variety of real wood veneers, one sure to best compliment your listening or living room.

For more information on Vienna Acoustics or our HOME AUTOMATION SERVICES, please contact us at 713.863.1133 or toll free at 800.863.1184 or visit us online at http://www.illuminationslighting.com/.

Illuminations Lighting Design is a full service design build firm specializing in residential and commercial indoor lighting and outdoor lighting installation, service and maintenance as well as home automation, home theaters and lighting control systems.