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The Problem with Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks are over-advertised as the Holy Grail for improving internet connections in the home. While they can be a passing solution for entry-level applications where wi-fi connection isn’t critical, homeowners who rely on an internet connection for their business need a solution they can trust around the clock.

In a mesh network, every hop between access points around the home decreases the bandwidth by half. The more hops, the worse the bandwidth becomes. Several hops also increase network latency, which results in buffering and dropouts in certain applications, such as streaming audio and video.

Plugging in mesh repeaters around the home simply won’t offer the same guarantee for reliability as professional solutions, and that matters when a few minutes of downtime while working from home means thousands of dollars lost.

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We’re with You from the Beginning

A comprehensive smart home starts with a strong foundation. By partnering with Avidia at the start of your builds, our team will be able to properly wire and install a robust smart home foundation that ensures reliability, scalability, and seamless integration of your clients’ home technology. This step also allows us to lay the necessary network infrastructure that will ensure your clients receive the best results from their smart home system.

From start to finish, our team follows a standardized design-build process that ensures your home builds are equipped with a high-quality, reliable solution that matches your clients’ performance expectations. You and your buyers will know exactly what to expect throughout all phases of the project and will have a clear understanding of how all technology goals are brought to life. Plus, we offer 24/7 service and support after the installation so your buyers can be confident that we’ll be there when they need us.

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Design and Installation

It’s easy enough to purchase a broadband modem and router and install them in a centralized location of your home. But how can you be sure the hardware you choose will support your needs? Especially now, more families are working and learning from home, which requires robust internet support for video conferencing. What if you experience weak spots and connectivity issues down the line? Should you install a second router, and if so, where should you place it?

When you work with a professional, you can put these questions behind you. After discussing your connectivity needs, our team will conduct a site survey using Wi-Fi visualization tools that allow us to identify potential dead zones and locate optimal locations for your access points. Your network will be custom-designed to provide exceptional performance and reliability in every corner of your home. 

Coverage and Speed

Dependable network performance shouldn’t be a luxury—especially for growing smart homes. Just like you rely on your car to start in the morning, you should be able to rely on your network to support your virtual work meetings, and your kids’ online learning, and all your internet-connected devices. It’s one thing to be faced with buffering video and slow download speeds, but it’s even worse when vital home devices, like your security system, lose connectivity. 

The ideal home network uses both wireless and wired networking methods for optimal coverage and speed. Our team installs CAT6 and fiber wiring to serve as a strong backbone for your home. Additionally, we use high-performance access points that extend reliable coverage to all corners of your home, including your outdoor living spaces.

SEE ALSO: Spend More Time Outside with an Outdoor Speaker System

Summer Won’t Be Here Forever

The Midwest summer is not known for its length. As we get into the height of summer, make the most of it with outdoor audio. Avidia has outdoor audio solutions to fit every backyard and budget. If you only want sound on your patio, we can install ceiling or surface-mount speakers for glorious stereo al fresco for outdoor dining or relaxing.

Have a pool? Add sound for more fun in the sun and water. Rock speakers blend into landscapes and look natural around pools. You can also surround landscape areas around your pool with spike mounted bullet-style speakers and buried subwoofers. You will hear your summer tunes and not notice the speakers.

SEE ALSO: Stream Music in Every Room of Your Home with Sonos

A Whole-Home Sonos System

Sonos makes excellent wireless speakers, but perhaps that's not your preference. You may have one or more existing audio systems with speakers you like, or you prefer your speakers to be heard and not seen. In those cases, Avidia can create a system that you will love, controllable with the Sonos app in the palm of your hand.

If you want built-in speakers, you’ll want the experience of a professional. Even if your home is already wired for in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, there are nuances to installation. First, even with existing wiring, it may not be up to par for an upgraded set of speakers. And if it is, our installers are experts in cutting carefully into existing walls to avoid damage. If you're remodeling or building, we are skilled in optimizing each built-in speaker's location for the best performance in each room or space. If you're adding outdoor audio, there are special considerations there too, as you may need more power and more speakers to get the desired level of volume and sound quality in an outdoor area.

The Sonos Amp is an amplifier and digital streaming device all rolled into one, and makes an excellent solution for smaller multiroom audio systems by using several Amps. You can also pipe additional audio sources like your turntable into it and hear vinyl all over your home, or even TV audio. It does even more, but we also want to tell you about other options.

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Blocking Wind

Chicago isn't known as the Windy City for nothing. Our proximity to Lake Michigan and relatively flat geography can make for windy conditions even on lovely days. With outdoor motorized shades, one touch of a button can lower shades and help minimize the wind. So enjoy that meal outside on a sunny and crisp day. Add a patio heater, and even cool spring and fall days are fair game for outdoor entertainment.

Temperature Control

Even though we mentioned three seasons, you could go further and take advantage of sunny winter days too. If you opt for thicker screen fabrics that have more insulation properties, when you add a patio heater or fire pit (or both) you could be sipping a warming hot chocolate in cozy comfort on your patio. It might feel a little bit like camping outside, only much more comfortable.  

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

It’s a Wireless World

We all depend on wireless devices in our daily lives. The smartphone is the main one, always by our sides. But modern homes have so many more. Your laptop, wireless router, home wireless phones, smart lights, thermostats, TVs, sensors, and more often use some wireless frequencies. We are exposed to more low-level EMR than ever from the plethora of devices around us.

If you are concerned about radiation or feel that you may have a sensitivity to it, there is a partial solution – go back to wires.

SEE ALSO: Why You Should Hire a Professional to Install Your Smart Technology

A Fresh Look and a Fresh Start

In 2018, we started undergoing massive changes here at Avidia. After eight years in business, we realized our look needed a makeover. We completely rebranded and upgraded our website and logo in September 2019.

Why? Because we wanted our digital presence to reflect our company vision and mission. We are a premier custom integration company, and we provide the highest quality design process, installation process and customer experience. Our customers can always expect our best on every project. When you visit our website, now you can see our work for yourself.  

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It’s All About Design

Crestron Horizon keypads are a cut above any other smart controls on the market. Horizon keypads are offered in a wide range of luxurious materials and colors, including wood, marble, and leather looks. The custom etched buttons are LED-backlit with a choice of programmable colors. When you press a button, it can even light up more so you know it’s working. The buttons' tactile feel and operation are carefully engineered to give you a feeling of quality. In keeping with Crestron’s unique custom approach, the company offers a service to complement the keypads with your décor, matching colors and trims like wood, metal, marble, and engineered stone - no other home automation manufacturer does that.

Is each room in your home unique? Your control keypads can be too – no need to choose from only three basic colors and materials. With Crestron Horizon, you can personalize the controls in each room for a perfect complement to your décor. What's more, the Crestron Horizon EX models work wirelessly, allowing even more flexibility in installation locations.

Technology integrators have been labeled an essential business by the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in large part because we're vital to homeowners setting up home offices and learning environments. Integrators are also recognized for their role in keeping a robust networking infrastructure throughout the country as other essential organizations also need support during this challenging time.

During this critical period, we are committed to helping our clients stay connected, support remote learning for the nation’s children, and protect our clients’ properties and families.

Though networking and communications infrastructure are the primary reasons for our essential business designation, we will also be available for any service, support, and installation of vital home technology systems, including security, surveillance, lighting control, entertainment, and more. A strong network is essential for much of the country right now, and we are here to support your needs.

While the DHS has provided these general recommendations, it is still up to the states to set their own regulations and restrictions. Governor Pritzker has declared a statewide stay-at-home order in Illinois, forcing all non-essential businesses to close until at least April 30. As an essential business, Avidia will remain open with some restrictions.

Please feel free to reach out to us here or call us at (847) 868-9200 if we can be of service, and please stay safe!