| As a former home automation installer and a | | | | tickets approaching $10, it makes it quite |
| former manufactures rep, I have observed many | | | | expensive for families to enjoy movies and |
| trends. The following items are certainly the | | | | snacks at the theater. There are new techniques |
| hotest trends this year in home technology. | | | | and processes to install a home theater in your |
| VoIP (pronounced Voice over IP) refers to | | | | existing home. Many of the processes are for |
| making telephone calls using your high-speed | | | | noise reduction, so you don't have harmonic |
| internet connection. This technology is gaining | | | | vibrations in the home, or annoy your neighbors. |
| ground very fast, as new users are discovering it | | | | Living in a townhouse, row house, or other |
| is 50-75% cheaper the comparable standard | | | | multiplex homes, you can now "pump up the |
| telephone service and congress is standing behind | | | | volume" with bothering others! |
| the technology for now, no taxes or legislation to | | | | Security Cameras. Many cities now require visual |
| mess it up - yet... The a catch? Several more | | | | verification prior to dispatching emergency |
| variables in losing your dial tone: Power outages, | | | | services. Approximately 9 out of 10 alarms are |
| internet downtime, and equipment failures are just | | | | false. Cameras in the home can quickly verify that |
| a few problems you may encounter using VoIP. | | | | the alarm is actually triggered by a burglary. In |
| Also, If you are dropping the standard phone line, | | | | addition, many new parents are now installing |
| and you have a security system you will need a | | | | cameras to check in on their children while they |
| cellular or radio back up for safety reasons. | | | | are away to ensure safety. |
| Retrofit home theaters. With the cost of movie | | | | |