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SEE ALSO: Home Theater Design Guide: Choosing the Perfect Screen

What Is an Ultra-Short Throw Projector?

Unlike projectors that sit several feet away from the screen, ultra-short throw models sit only inches away from the wall to project a large screen image. While ceiling-mounted projectors can often put a picture up to 300 inches diagonally given the right space and installation, ultra-short throw models typically top out at 120 inches, which provides a great experience and makes them an excellent fit for flexible media room setups. 

Ultra-short throw projectors come in their own housing and can be placed atop an attractive media credenza in the front of your media room for an unobtrusive look. That also makes it easy to connect them to your audio and control equipment without long cable runs and complexity.

Compact Options from Epson and LG

Epson's LS500 is an affordable and high-quality way to get that immersive big-screen experience into a smaller space. Not only is it a projector, but it also contains a smart TV within for an all-inclusive solution. The LS500 offers both 100 and 120-inch screen sizes, and the special ambient light-rejecting screens produce a vivid and sharp 4K HDR picture even in well-lit rooms. 

Epson incorporates a smart TV into the package, powered by Android TV. The Android TV platform features most of the streaming apps you could want, including popular services like Netflix, HBO, YouTube, Hulu, ESPN, and a host of others. The LS500 also includes Google Assistant for voice search and TV control, making it simple for anyone to find something to enjoy on the big screen.

SEE ALSO: Why Residential Lighting Control Makes Sense for Your Projects

Do We Need Human-Centric Lighting?

Science tells us our bodies respond to the natural stimuli of light. Clearly, we sleep at night when it's dark. We also have an internal clock of sorts referred to as the circadian rhythm, and our bodies respond to different types of light during the day. Bright, intense, cooler-toned light, like that of the noonday sun, tends to awaken and energize us. Warmer, amber, and red tones, like those of the setting sun, signal our bodies to wind down and prepare us for sleep.

The wrong light can throw off our natural rhythms. Imagine if you were subjected to bright fluorescent lighting in your bedroom, like that in many offices at 11 PM – it's not likely you would feel relaxed or ready for sleep. With new technological solutions, we can now make artificial light follow natural patterns that are in tune with our bodies.

SEE ALSO: Hate Dealing with Comcast? Avidia Can Help

Keep Cable, But Cut Back Number of Boxes

If your main goal for cutting cable is to save money, be aware that streaming services are not always less expensive. The cost of a Comcast account with speedy internet and two cable boxes is very close to the cost of leading live TV streaming services. If you want to reduce your monthly bill, you should first consider eliminating add-on services. Premium channels and unnecessary high internet speeds can more than double your bill.

Reducing the number of boxes in your home will also significantly reduce your monthly bill. In rooms without cable, you can keep your displays but use services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu. You won’t be able to enjoy the latest episode of your current shows live, but your family will grow used to the idea that certain rooms are for live TV while others are streaming only. In many cases, you will discover a world of high-quality content that isn’t available on cable channels.

If you plan to move away from cable because you can’t wait to call your cable provider and tell them what you really think of them… well, let us show you how to make your ‘streams’ come true!

SEE ALSO: Want Great Audio Throughout Your House?

Neeo’s Unique Design & Features

Crafted by Swiss designers, the Neeo remote has a sleek and refined shape that incorporates a glass touch screen alongside hard buttons. While touch screens are currently all the rage, there’s still a valid demand for hard buttons that a user can intuitively operate via muscle memory. That way, you won’t have to take your eyes off the movie to pause, mute, or change the channel. You’ll know exactly where to press at the right moment. The lightweight remote can also withstand drops from several feet high and runs on a rechargeable battery that can stay powered for five days. When Neeo is not in use, it sleeps until instantly reawakening when you pick it up.

On the touch screen, you’ll save recognizable icons for your favorite programs, like ESPN, Netflix, or HBO. The remote offers one-touch access to the rest of your devices, too, like locks, smart lighting, speakers, and shades. Select any screen in the house or queue songs for your home’s speakers, all in one place. Neeo removes complexity, making it simple to switch between Roku, Apple TV, Blu-ray, and satellite on the TV and choose custom scenes for your home’s smart devices.

How to Get Neeo

SEE ALSO: 3 Signs You Might Need a Home Network Upgrade

The Comcast Assistance Service

What is the Comcast Assistance service, and why does it exist? We know that you lead busy lives, and you have better and more important things to do than deal with bureaucracy and tell multiple people what you need to be done. Avidia gives you one point of contact for dealing with Comcast.

Are you having a new internet or cable service installed? One call to us and we take care of it. Our technician will be at your house and supervise the installation, ensuring that your network and TV service works the way you want it.

If you are having internet or other connectivity issues, you don't call Comcast – you just call us instead. We will troubleshoot the problems with Comcast, and if it requires an onsite visit, we will schedule it and be there for that, too. No more waiting on the phone, going through troubleshooting scripts with Comcast support, or even taking time out of your day for the appointment; Avidia will handle it all for you.