Find Home Technology Pros

How to Find a Home Technology Installer

2008-12-31T22:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Home Technology Blog!

We provide tech tips, trends, and resources to help you find and install quality Home Tech equipment.

Everyone wants the latest technology for their home - Plasmas, Smart Home gear, Home Security toys, DSL/Wifi & more!

But... many don't know how to install these things themselves.

Where do you turn?

Most home tech stores offer the latest products but rarely any decent installation options. More and more homeowners are going to the Internet to search for information. So, it made sense to offer an Online Tech Installation Referral Service.

So, we created ConstructionDeal.com several years ago to help you find any type of home technology installation expert!

On our site, you can:

Submit your Home Technology installation project in just minutes!

Receive 4 quotes from Home Tech Experts

Talk to Installers or Repair Pros and make your decision

Save time by not calling companies at random from an outdated phone book!

Save money by getting multiple bids from home tech companies - you have the option to go with the best bid!

You do all this -- for free -- on ConstructionDeal.com

What type of Home Technology Experts are in our network?
We've got thousands of tech installers and repair companies nationwide. Many are specialized to help you build a customized home theater, install a plasma TV lift, automate your house, install home security products, and many more options.

If you've got a home technology installation or repair project - find home theater and TV installers in your area! Post your request and update your home today!

Don't forget to bookmark our blog - or subscribe - and check back often for the latest trends and information in home technology products and services!

Want a New iPhone? Stuck With Your Old Cellphone Contract?

2007-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

So, you'd like to get the new iPhone from Apple? The only problem is... you're stuck with your existing cell phone contract. And, when you cancel a phone contract early, you're going to have to pay a hefty termination fee, right?

Well, the folks over at The Consumerist have come up with several ways to get out of your current plan. Most are fairly silly -- like number six... "Die" - but the first one could be a great option for you.

From The Consumerist website, here are their 6 ideas:

1. Sell your cellphone contract.

2. Complain that service isn't up to par, file complaints with PUC, FTC, BBB, AG and cc them to the company.

3. Wait for the company to change its rates, then call to cancel based on the material change of contract. These are usually for the default rates and you won't be able to cancel if you have a package that takes care of it... (hint: so get rid of the package and call back.)

4. Move to an area outside the plan's coverage area.

5. Join the armed forces - you'll need to fax in a copy of your orders.

6. Die - someone will need to fax in your death certificate on your behalf. You'll be dead, but at least you're in heaven. iPhone heaven.

Okay, so the best choice in that bunch is to sell your contract. There are a number of online companies that help you sell your phone contract.

There is a company called Cellswapper and another called CelltradeUSA. They'll allow you to find someone to buy your contract for a small fee -- usually $15 to $20. Which is much less than your big early termination fee.

What Will Spur the Home Automation Trend?

2007-03-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Many people are interested in owning a "smart home" and having home automation products in their house. For years, the idea of having remote or automatically controlled home systems - such as lighting, HVAC, video and audio, and security - has been too far out of reach.

The advent of lower prices, broadband connections, wifi, and a multitude of home automation products from various companies is pushing technology into homes.

Early adopters have been on the smart home bandwagon for a long time now, but many have stayed on the sidelines as they waited for a dominant company to lead the way. Microsoft has been working on various software systems for home automation there is still no clear winner.

What will spur the advance of home automation into many homes?

Many people had no concept of how to have wifi in their homes but companies made it very easy for people to install network systems by themselves. Automation systems and products could follow the same path. Once people see it working in a friend or family members house, they'll want to have the same technology.

For it to take off, though, it may need a greater push. The latest trends or whiz-bang gizmos sometimes need that extra push to have many people adopt the technology. Experts have argued that the time may be right -- more and more people are looking for "green" alternatives and products and ideas for their homes. People want to conserve the environment, conserve energy, and promote more sustainability.

Home automation can provide energy efficiency in your house. How? Automatically controlled temperature and lighting devices.

By allowing a smart device to adjust temperature settings based on pre-programmed information, a home can turn off heating & cooling when it's not needed and can push it up when people are home from work or vacation. Lights can be programmed to dim and turn on or off at predetermined times to avoid staying on when you're asleep or away. These controls can, along with energy-efficient lights and bulbs, save you a lot of money on the energy bill. They are also considered to be energy conscious products that will reduce the amount of your environmental "footprint". Add to this solar panels, ceiling or whole-house fans, and energy efficient windows and doors, and you could effectively go "off the grid" and leave no environmental impact at all.

Energy conscious behavior could be the spark that creates a higher demand for home automation products.

If you'd like to talk to a custom smart home installation expert, now is the time. If you're concerned about the planet, and everyone is these days, then you could be doing your part today. Post your request, talk to a professional home automation company, and find out what can be done in your home. It's free to find a company on ConstructionDeal.com.

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Home Security Tips

2007-02-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

Did you know that less than 15% of criminals who burglarize a home are ever caught? You hear about the bank robberies and convenience store hold-ups, but many homes are robbed on a regular basis (over 5,000 per day.)

Most criminals will break in during the day, while you're away at work. However, for the "opportunity thief", they'll usually try to break in at night, from the rear of the home where it's darker and less chance to be seen.

A loud alarm might try to stop some inexperienced, drunk teenager but not a thief who does this for a living - most people are away during the day and won't call the police. And if the alarm goes to a security service, they know they'll be long gone by the time the cops arrive.

Most thieves are in an out in less than 10 minutes. They will scan bedrooms and bathrooms for money, jewelry, prescription drugs, guns and weapons, and high-end but small electronics like cell phones and laptops. A thief will avoid your basement and your second or third floor and your attic because there's too much chance they could get cornered and caught by police.

How Can You Protect Your Home?

Installing Security Cameras - as mentioned, an alarm system is virtually useless because thieves are in and out in no time. However, a security camera system can help you monitor your home while you're away (remotely, from a computer or even a cellphone) and, if you're recording on a digital video recorder or VCR, you'll be able to help identify the thief for police.
Put Up Signs - avoid the fake security signs and put up a "Beware of Dog" sign (even if you don't have a dog.) Fake security cameras are easy to spot by the career criminals, but neighborhood watch signs let them know that you're interested and paying attention. If you have a security camera system with "hidden" cameras it won't hurt to advertise that fact. Thieves won't mess with any property they consider difficult. Even a sign that lets the thief know that you've "marked" all your valuables could be a helpful discouragement.
Be Discrete - when you buy a new computer or plasma TV, don't put the box out with your regular trash. Fold it up and put it in the trash can. You don't want to let a thief know you've got money and big ticket items in the house. Don't give all your details to workers who come to your homes - only show them areas that will be worked on. Don't give them details about your work schedule or show where you keep valuables.
Install Lighting - sensor lights that are tripped when someone comes near the home are a great way to show how attentive you are to making sure your home is safe. This is a deterrent. Even when you're home, it's a good idea to have lights on timers. If they're casing your house, the light will go on and off at the same time whether you're in the house or away on vacation. Another deterrent. To keep things interesting, you can put your TV on a timer - it can act as a light source in a room while you're gone (as well as sound!)
Secure Doors & Windows - thieves will only come in this way so make sure you've got deadbolts on all exterior doors and windows locked. Don't depend on nails in the window frames or broomsticks on sliding glass doors. Consider using devices specifically to keep windows locked and installing motion and glass-breaking sensor alarms on all windows. If you're truly concerned it would be best to replace all or most windows with tempered glass or plastic or even wire-lined glass (aesthetically not pleasing, but will keep your home safe.)

If you need to find a local Home Security Expert to evaluate your home or to install security cameras, you can find one on ConstructionDeal.com. On our site, you can post your request in minutes and receive bids from multiple companies - for free.

HDTV Resolution Answered - 1080i or 720p?

2007-01-30T14:12:00.000-08:00

The folks at Sound and Vision magazine have a primer on How to Buy an HDTV. Here's a segment from their article that discusses the resolution, "A digital TV's vertical resolution is given as the number of horizontal scan lines, or rows of pixels, from top to bottom of the screen. Its horizontal resolution is the maximum number of discernible vertical lines, or columns of pixels, from left to right across a screen width equal to the height of the picture. (This keeps widescreen sets from having higher resolution than sets with the squarer 4:3 aspect ratio simply because of their shape.)

One of the two commonly used high-def signal formats is 720p (progressive-scan), which has 720 lines of vertical resolution. There are 1,280 dots, or pixels, in each widescreen line, giving it a horizontal resolution of 720 pixels when the width is limited to the height. The other is 1080i (interlaced), which has 1,080 lines with 1,920 pixels per widescreen line, or 1,080 pixels horizontally when similarly limited. By contrast, traditional 480i TV signals have 480 lines of vertical resolution and up to 720 pixels per line, for a maximum horizontal resolution of 540 lines.

It would be nice if all HDTVs had resolutions of 1080i or 720p, but unfortunately the specs can vary a lot — especially among two kinds of fixed-pixel displays, plasma and LCD. Some screens might match up perfectly with one of the high-def formats, but many have native resolutions like 1,024 x 1,024 pixels, so the TVs convert incoming video to match. These models are still considered HDTVs, which have come to be defined as any sets that can display at least 720 lines of vertical resolution."

However, 1080i and 720p have been surpassed by 1080p. Sounds confusing, I know, but here's some more current info on 1080p, from CNET.com, "Another format is also becoming more well-known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts."

If you're looking for the best of the best, you might look to pay a little more for the 1080p set - that way, when the networks and cable or satellite providers catch up... you'll be ready!

If you'd like to talk to a professional home theater installer about putting together the right package for your home - you can post your request with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a quality installation pro to make sure you get your moneys worth!

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Expand Home Internet: Powerline Adapters

2007-01-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

From the Wall Street Journal Online: "There's a simple alternative to deliver a fast Internet signal to the farthest corners of your home that's often overlooked: using small gadgets called Powerline adapters, you can route your Internet connection around your house over your regular electrical power lines, the ones already in your walls. It really works, it's fast and it doesn't disrupt your electrical system. Even better, it requires zero technical skill.

You just plug one of the adapters into a standard electrical outlet near the place where your Internet connection enters your home. Then, you connect the adapter to your wired or wireless router. Next, you plug a second, identical adapter into an electrical outlet in a distant room where you lack an Internet connection. Finally, you plug a computer (or even a wireless access point) into that second adapter. There's no setup, no required software and no technicians or tools are needed.

When you plug in a computer into the second Powerline adapter, it's as if that computer was right next to your cable or DSL modem and router. You are on the Internet at full speed. If you plug a Wi-Fi wireless access point into the second Powerline adapter, it will create a wireless network in and around the distant room, which multiple computers can use.

I've been testing one of Netgear's newest models, the XE104, which costs $100 per adapter, and I can heartily recommend it. It couldn't be simpler or more effective. In my tests, the XE104 gave me wicked-fast connections. I tried plugging Windows and Macintosh laptops directly into the adapters in rooms where my wireless signal was weakest. I also tried plugging a Wi-Fi wireless access point into an XE104 adapter and picking up the connection wirelessly on the laptops. (An access point is a wireless gadget that takes a wired Internet connection and propagates it through the air.)

The XE104 can handle speeds up to 85 mbps, far faster than any common connection.

You can use up to four Netgear adapters at once, and the company claims they will cover a 5,000-square-foot home. Netgear includes optional software to encrypt your Powerline connection, but this is needed only if you share an electrical system with other families.

The XE104 is a small, white rectangular gadget about 4 inches high, 3 inches wide and 1.5 inches thick. It carries a standard two-pronged electrical plug and mounts right into the wall outlet.

On the side, there are four standard Ethernet network ports, like the kind on your router and laptop. Netgear includes a short Ethernet cable so you can connect the first adapter to your router and the second one to a PC or a wireless access point.

The four Ethernet ports are what make the XE104 a 'switch.' They allow you to connect each adapter to multiple devices. For instance, the first adapter can be connected both to your router and to a PC. The second might be connected to a PC, a wireless access point and a device like a game console.

These adapters are a terrific way to clear up Internet dead spots."

How High Should You Install a Plasma or LCD TV?

2007-01-22T12:36:00.001-08:00

The simple answer to how high should you be placing your new plasma or LCD display is -- hang it as high as you'd like. Everyone has a personal preference to how they want to view television. Some like it way up high; others watch it down near the floor.

Here are some things to consider about TV placement. With the lighter, thinner plasma and LCD displays, it's possible to install them on the wall or set them on a mantle over the fireplace.

They can be inside cabinets or entertainment centers. And many people watch TV for long periods of time or they play video games for hours. If you spend a good length of time looking up from your seated position, or even looking down, even if it's just a matter of a few degrees of tilt, you can put a lot of strain on your neck muscles.

The head tends to want to stay level. Look up or looking down requires muscles and tendons to push and pull the neck to move it to that position and keep it there. It's important to consider how far away you'll be sitting from the display. A set that is up high, on the fireplace, might not work if you're only 7 to 8 feet away. If you're back 12 to 13 feet, it might be less difficult to view for longer periods.

If you're unsure as to your personal preference, start out with the center of the screen at eye level from where you'll be sitting. Watch the display for a while and determine what works best. Adjust higher or lower to test it out before finally settling on a more permanent location (especially if this involves wall hanging or any invasive mounting plans.)

No matter what height you decide on, make sure you TV mounting system comes with some sort of tilt mechanism. This way, if you go high, you'll be able to tilt the screen down so the display is perpendicular to your line of sight.

If you'd like to talk to an expert plasma or LCD installer for more advice and help putting it up, you can post your project on the ConstructionDeal.com site. It's a free service to find a local TV installation pro. We've got a network of companies in your area and it's much easier than searching for someone at random from the yellow pages.

Home Tech Trend: Content to Television

2007-01-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

The world is abuzz over online video content. For every online video outlet, like YouTube, there are a hundred thousand stories talking about what it all means for viral video in 2007. The fact is... if the video content can eventually move from your cell phone or computer screen to your television, it might all fade back into the background.

The convergence between the Web and TV is coming to solve that problem, hopefully in the near future. With the hyper-popularity of high-def plasma and LCD TVs, more people are going to want to align their online wants with their in-home technology.

At the recent MacWorld, the huge announcement was for the iPhone, but many might have missed talk of Apple's upcoming new iTV product (or Apple TV.) iTV is a new piece of hardware that you'll have in your living room that's connected to your home network via wifi and to your HDTV. It basically brings iTunes, and all of the music and movie content that can come with it, to your TV. The best news is that it works with PCs or Macs.

iTunes now has over 250 movie and 350 TV titles available. The iTV device is scheduled to ship out in February and will cost about $299.

According to the Apple site, "Apple TV automatically grabs the digital media on your computer and makes it available for you to enjoy on your TV. Now you can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts in your iTunes library, plus photos and movie trailers, on your widescreen TV."

It's something to think about adding to your burgeoning Home Technology package!

Trends in Home Security

2007-01-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Home automation and home security installations have always been about adding convenience for the homeowner - an easy way to monitor your home, turn on and off various devices, and to handle mundane tasks. Everyone wants a "smart home."

The next wave in automation and security will not only allow more convenience but also allow remote connection. As fast as cell phones, PDAs, and Internet connections are evolving, the new trend is going to be wireless applications.

Imagine that you receive a message on your cell while you're in a meeting in another state - your house is notifying you that someone has broken in. You check a live video feed on a computer to see what has happened. It turns out your dog has knocked something over into a window. It's a false alarm. No need to notify the police of a burglary.

Our ability to communicate wirelessly - and cheaply - is allowing us to plug in to our homes without a cord. Instead of hiding expensive video cameras around the room to monitor your babysitter and then coming home to review them after the fact, you can watch live feeds on your PDA. Or, if you've left home and you forgot to turn off the oven or turn on the security lights, you can do it all from your cell phone.

The best part is that a lot of the home security and automation products can be used with a wireless router, which means you won't need to run a lot of expensive wiring throughout the house.

Home security and automation requires hardware installation and possibly some software may be required but you've already got the tools to talk to your house with phones and Blackberry's and a remote high-speed computer. Talk with home security installer find out what can be done to add a whole new level of convenience - and safety - to your life and the lives of your family. The home tech expert should be able to put a package together, at your budget, that will give you the tools to be able to communicate with appliances, lighting, temperature, and security equipment from nearly anywhere in the country or the world.

ConstructionDeal.com can get you 4 quotes from security and automation installers in the same day - sometimes within minutes - at no cost.

HDTV - How Big is Too Big?

2007-01-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

A lot of people have rushed out and purchased a Plasma or LCD TV for their homes. Believe it or not, many people are having buyer's remorse - not that they purchased a plasma TV but that they didn't get a big enough one!

Here are some buying tips to make sure you get the right HDTV for you:

Size - How big do you go? It's a good idea to have a set of measurements in hand when you go to purchase your display. First, you want to make sure how much room you have. Are you using an existing entertainment center? Will it fit on your wall or fireplace mantle? Take measurements not only of where it will go but from where you'll be watching the TV. Determine how far away your chairs or sofa will be -- that matters in how big the HDTV should be. If you're sitting less than 9 feet away, any size under 40 inches should be fine. From 9 feet to 10 feet, you can get a 4o to 42 inch display. Over 10 feet, you'll want to look at 55 to 60 inches or more.

Equipment - Many don't know this but not all HDTVs come with the receiver used to pick up Hi-Def signals. You may need to purchase an HD receiver to get in the right channels. Also, consider that many satellite companies require a completely different receiver for their channels - for example, with DirecTV you need a new receiver and satellite dish. Schedule ahead to make sure these components are installed, otherwise you might have to sit and stare at a very expensive paper weight for a few days.

As prices come down, people are moving over to the high definition arena. But there is so much new equipment and so much information floating about that it's wise to do as much research as you can. The more you know about what type of TV to buy, what size to get, and what you'll be doing with it, the less chance you'll have of any buyer's remorse.

If you need help creating a home theater to go around your new High Definition display, or just need help hanging a plasma or LCD TV, you can post your project request with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll help you find a local home theater or plasma installation pro - for free.

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Plasma vs. LCD TVs

2006-12-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

The debate has been raging for some time over which HDTV television technology is the best. Oddly enough, a new voice is speaking up on the differences - Panasonic. Which is odd, because they make both LCD TVs and Plasma display TVs. Supposedly, they wanted to clear up any misconceptions and myths surrounding plasma.

From their website, "Panasonic makes both LCD and Plasma, so we have no ax to grind. We just want you to know the facts.

Today's small screen LCDs are fine for kitchens, bedrooms and home offices. But the larger the LCD screen size (like 37" and above), the worse their problems become.

So if it's big earth-shattering sports and movie experiences you want, with breathtaking natural color, then buy any of our new plasma TVs."

The site goes on to describe the advantages of a plasma TV over the LCD:

Plasma vs. LCD:

Plasma has darker blacks, better contrast, and great image quality. On the LCDs, blacks look more gray. There is less detail in the image. Plasma looks better on a larger screen, such as a TV in the living room.

Plasma has smooth, crisp motion during scenes with high speed or fast motion. Quick motions do tend to look more blurry on an LCD screen.

Plasma screens can reproduce the full range of colors specified in HDTV broadcast standards while LCD displays cannot hit those color ranges completely.

LCD screens can fade when viewed from more extreme angles while a Plasma screen can be viewed without distortion or color fade from any angle.

A Plasma TV is more environmentally friendly than an LCD screen because it contains no mercury or lead while the LCD does have mercury in it.

The Plasma screen is more durable. The LCD screen is apparently more delicate while the Plasma can stand up to use and abuse in the typical family or living room.

So, according to Panasonic, a maker of LCD screens and Plasma TVs, if you're looking for a large screen HDTV for your living room -- it's best to go with Plasma. For smaller screens, the LCD is perfectly acceptable for video games or viewing in the kitchen or bedroom.

If you're looking to turn your HDTV into a home theater and need to find someone to help hang your TV over a fireplace, on the wall, or to create an actual home theater experience - consider ConstructionDeal.com. We can match you - for free - with a local HDTV installer (either plasma or LCD!) and it will save you time and money in the process.

Front Projection TVs

2006-12-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

So, you say you want High Definition Television? And you want to get the biggest screen and not spend a fortune to get it? Well, then your best bet would be to consider a Front Projection HDTV.

Everybody is craving the plasma or LCD screens, but you get get a high quality high def picture - on a very large screen - for a lot less. And the screen can be as big as you want it. Because a projector is sending the picture across your room and onto a screen, just like they do at the movie theater, you can go as big as you want to.

Your basically limited by the size of the room and the brightness of the picture. A picture that is being broadcast across a room needs to be brighter than a normal rear projection TV or plasma display. The farther back you go with your projector, the brighter the projector needs to be.

The system is composed of two separate pieces - the HDTV projector and the fabric screen to display the picture on. In most cases, the front projection system doesn't include the ability to show regular television - but you'll have inputs to hook up your cable or satellite TV connection. Front Projection systems are capable of the same new technologies as the rear projector units - CRT, LCD, DLP, and LCoS. Because of the brightness factor and to make sure you have proper distance, color, and calibration for your room, it's suggested you have a professional tv installer hook up your front projection system.

If you need to find a professional front projection HDTV installer, you can post your request with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you with a local company who can provide you with professional advice and install services. It's free to find a pro in your area!

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Advantages of Plasma

2006-12-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that they want a plasma TV installed in their home, but here's a little background on why you want Plasma TV:

The Advantages of Plasma Television

Picture Perfect - Plasma TVs have a higher resolution picture with no scan lines that you might find in your regular TV. The plasma screen can give you the full high definition picture in 1080i resolution. Scan lines are present when you watch a conventional TV but your plasma display does not operate the same way. Similar to your computer monitor, the pixels within the screen light up in various color shades to that there is no "refreshing" of the screen.

Theater Wide Screens - Televisions normally give you a picture in a nearly square box, called a 4:3 aspect ratio. Whenever you go to the movies, the theater has a much wider screen, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Since most films were shot in wide screen, if you have a plasma TV you'll be watching the film as it was shot with the full and complete picture on your screen. It won't be chopped off in what's called a Pan & Scan mode that cuts off the sides of the picture frame.

Color Me Beautiful - the plasma picture display has the ability to give you sharper, cleaner, and more brilliant color, contrast, shades, and focus than any conventional television. The image is created digitally and enhanced with high definition technology. The range of color is nearly limitless. The blacks in a plasma display are darker than nearly any other tv, including most rear and front projection HDTVs. Of course, the higher the quality of plasma screen you get, the better your results will be. Plasma does really well when the image on the film or TV show is very dark. It gives an excellent contrast between the darkest blacks and subtle changes to lighter gray tones.

Size Matters - the plasma TV is a flat screen with very little depth required in the case. Rear projection TVs are getting smaller but are still taking up much more room in home theaters. This enables the TV to be placed on the wall, inside TV lift furniture, or from the ceiling. The plasma display is usually only 3 to 5 inches thick so it will fit perfectly on your fireplace mantle. If you need to find a quality plasma TV installation pro, we've got you covered.

Sit Anywhere You Like - the flat screen of plasma allows viewing from nearly every position in the room. A regular TV, even front and rear projection HDTVs, gives picture and brightness distortion when viewed closer to the sides of the screen. Plasma also offers a smooth, even picture all the way across the screen and eliminates the bright spots of regular large screen TVs.

There are plenty of great reasons to go with a new plasma HDTV. Do your homework on what you need, the size of screen you need, and reviews of the sets options and picture quality. Then, it's just a matter of shopping around to find the best price. When doing research on quality, google a search for "plasma tv reviews" or "plasma hdtv reviews." When looking for best prices, do a search under "plasma tv price comparison" or "plasma tv best prices" - this should give you websites that compare current prices. If you've got the model of plasma tv already in mind, do the same thing - google, "Sony 42" plasma tv price comparison", etc.

Once you've got your perfect plasma TV, you might need some help installing it. Consider ConstructionDeal.com when looking for plasma installation - we've got a network of installers and you can post your request for free! This will save you from having to look someone up at random from your phone book.

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How to Connect to the Internet

2006-12-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

These days, there are many ways to connect your home computer to the Internet. There are advantages, disadvantages, and varying costs to these methods. We wanted to give you a primer on your computer connection choices. As new technology is introduced, you'll want to make sure you know the basics so that you can keep up with your options as well as the new products available to you.

Today, here are your options to get on the 'Net:

Dial-up modem - Was considered the most common, and many are still connected this way, but prices have fallen on DSL and Cable connections, but the number is dropping rapidly. It has been around the longest of all the Internet connection technologies, but it is the slowest.

Cost:
Dial-up modems used to come free with most computers. They can be purchased for $10 to $15
Dial-up subscriptions are $10 to $25 a month

DSL Connections - A fast and inexpensive way to connect your computer. You can download files and open up sites/pages faster than dial-up. The connection is always there - there is no need to request or dial into a network. DSL modems can transmit around 10 Mbps.

Cost:
The equipment is usually free these days. You may be able to rent the equipment if the service provider does charge for it. Professional installation has a fee associated with it
DSL subscription is normally $20 - 30 per month, sometimes up to $50 (if you're paying for more Mbps), and you may be able to get deals as low as $12 to $15 a month with year or longer contracts

Cable Modems - Similar to DSL, cable modems are also faster broadband connections than dial-up and are always connected. The cable modems are slightly faster than DSL. It is also an affordable option for the home. Cable modems can transmit 30 Mbps. However, cable modems can slow down considerably if a lot of people in your neighborhood are online at the same time.

Cost:

The cable modem runs around $50 to $100, depending on the ISP. There may be a rental option

The cable subscriptions are $40 to $75 per month

Satellite or Wi-Fi - If you do not have cable modems or DSL connections, you can have satellite broadband installed. You're already likely to have a satellite service in place for your cable TV subscription if you're in a remote area, so added broadband service is easy. Others may use satellite broadband because they already use it for television use and want to condense their bill. Some areas in some cities have a free wi-fi service and it can be purchased in time allotments at airports and other business areas.

Cost:
Professional installation is normally required. The equipment can be rented as part of the subscription, but many charge from $100 to $600 to buy it and it can be more if it is not part of a one or two year commitment
Subscriptions for satellite service run $40 to $60 a month
For wifi, equipment varies - you usually need a wifi card to allow your computer to receive local signals. Receivers and attennas can range from $75 to $1000. Subscriptions are more, around $100 a month

T1 Connections - A standard among middle to large-sized businesses, a T1 line is the most expensive. The line is the fastest connection of all the others and it is dedicated to only you and not other subscribers. But the cost prevents it from being a realistic residential application.

Cost:
You must purchase a T1 line from the provider as well as a loop charge to use this line with the Internet. The line costs $300 to $1100 a month. The loop charge is $200 to $300 a month.

If you're looking for a professional installation company to install any Internet connection, you can use ConstructionDeal.com. Our service matches you up with 4 local Internet installation pros. And it's free to post your job. You'll also receive multiple bids which means you can get the best price for the installation or repair job.

Plasma & LCD TV Installation

2006-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Everyone has been joining the plasma and LCD TV craze and updating to the latest technology as the prices continue to drop down to Earth. The biggest problem that many homeowners have is they can purchase the new TV monitor on their own, but don't know how to install it on their own.

Do you need professional tv installation? The short answer - no. It depends on many factors. If you buy a TV stand, it's simply a matter of lining up the holes on the TV and placing it on the stand. If you've got reasonable carpentry skills, you may be able to wall mount your TV on your own. This will mean that you have the ability to find the wall studs and attach the wall mount with the appropriate hardware for your studs (whether they are made of wood or metal.)

Where most people need the help of a professional is when they are mounting their new plasma television and need extras or attributes that most people cannot handle themselves.

If you don't want to have your power cord hanging down the wall from your TV, you may need to hire a local electrician to install an outlet behind your monitor. It is not advisable and is, more than likely, against electrical codes for you to run the power cord through the wall and down to an outlet closer to the floor. You may also try to have the electrician make the outlet recessed so that you have plenty of room for the cord and plug to fit. Try to find a surge protector that be placed on a single power cord plug - if you cannot find protection at that outlet, it would be a good idea to have a whole house surge protector installed at your main electrical box.

If you're looking for a movable or adjustable LCD or plasma display, it would be a good idea to have an installer put in an articulating arm for your monitor - it allows you to pull the TV out and turn it in various directions to be able to view it from different parts of the room or house.

If you're looking to hide most of your cables and wire, hiring a home theater installer would be a good idea. They know how to run cables and have the right tools to make sure the fewest amount of holes need to be made in your walls and ceilings. They can help make sure you use the right cables for your system and make sure you have the correct lengths of cables and wires for ultimate performance.

If you're installing your plasma TV over the fireplace, many do not have the ability to install directly to the fireplace stone or brickwork around the area. A professional installer can help get the monitor up on your fireplace and can make sure it stays there. You're spending a lot of money for a plasma display and you want to make sure nothing happens to it.

To find a quality A/V installer or home theater professional, you can use ConstructionDeal.com -- all you need to do is post your request on our website and it will go out to our network of experts in your area. For a small investment in your system, you'll be rewarded with years of quality plasma TV viewing. And it's a free service to find an installer in your area.

If you only go with the installers where you bought your TV, you won't have any other bids to choose from. This means you could end up paying more for the installation. Save time and money and choose ConstructionDeal.com!

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Home Theater Installations

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Technology Update - Home Automation

2006-11-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

What is home automation? What are smart homes? Home automation is the installation of modern technology that allows for added comfort, security, and convenience in a residential house.

It used to be that movies and TV shows would give people demonstrations of what life would be like in the future, with all the gizmos and gadgets that would make life easier.

Well, technology has not only caught up with the future, but the prices have also come down from the stratosphere to be more affordable to the average homeowner.

Imagine if your house could call or email you to let you know of a break-in.

Think about a house that would turn on the heat, turn on your lights, and turn on your favorite TV show as you're pulling into the driveway.

You could have a home that would remind you to pick up your dry cleaning and your child from band practice.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a surround sound stereo that would lower the volume, or automatically mute completely, when the phone rings?

These are some of the possibilities that home automation can bring about. It's not just about adding new devices to your home, either. It's about bringing systems into your home that work with other systems to create a unified and controllable house that works for you.

Smart Homes can be installed behind the drywall when you're building a new house or you can upgrade your existing homes with wired or wireless technology. There are already a number of companies that offer home automation systems, including X-10, Insteon, mControl, and Z-Wave, to name a few.

Below is a list of just some of the features that can be integrated in to your home:
- Automatic Lighting Control
- Automatic Climate Control
- Closed Circuit TV Cameras & Security
- Automatic Blinds & Curtains
- Whole House Music & TV Networks
- Computer Networks
- Refrigerators that Order Food
- Ovens & Microwaves that Automatically Cook Food
- Remote and Mobile Phone System Activation

You can choose the level of integration and the levels of automation. You'll be able to decide of if you want the controls to be manual, to automatically turn on/off everyday at a specific time, to change when you enter/leave the room, or even to turn on/off when you call your house.

Some systems can be controlled with hardware installed within your house, or controlled by software set up in your computer that will talk to the hardware in the home. There are even more ways that these systems will control and activate themselves - - through "hard" wires, over power lines, through infra-red technology, via wireless, and more.

With the right system for your house and for your needs, you can truly own a home of the future today. Because these systems are so complex, it's smart to also talk to a professional home automation pro. You can sit down and talk about your desires, limitations, and budget and plan out how you can make your house work for you. And there are various budget levels possible, so a consultation with a smart home expert could save you a lot of time, money, and energy.

Submit your project at no cost with ConstructionDeal.com and we'll match you with 4 Home Automation experts in your area.

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What is Home Theater?

2006-10-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

From the About.com website, here are some basic definitions for a home theater application:

"A Working Definition Of Home Theater

Home theater refers to a setup of audio and video equipment in your home that tries to duplicate the movie theater experience.

Application Of Home Theater

The application of this definition can vary widely, however. Many consumers are intimidated by the term "Home Theater" as they think this means a lot of money, equipment, and cables running all over the place.

Custom Home Theater

At its most complex, you can indeed have a custom built home theater that costs tens of thousands of dollars with a high end video projector, high end DVD player(s), separate amplifiers for each channel controlled by a master preamp or controller, in-wall speakers, and a couple of sub woofers that can just about shake down the entire neighborhood.

Practical Home Theater For Everyone

However, in reality, home theater as actually applied in most homes, does not consist of an expensive custom installation, nor a lot of money.

A home theater can be something as simple as a 27-inch TV, a basic DVD player and/or HiFi VCR, inexpensive stereo or AV receiver, and speakers. Whatever type of system you end up with, as long as it provides the entertainment options you need and like, then it is your "Home Theater". You can have a home theater in just about any room of the house, a small apartment, office, dorm, or even outside. The option(s) you choose are up to you.

Home Theater As An Entertainment Option

In the final analysis, the application of home theater is intended to provide the consumer with an entertainment option that is suitable for watching television and movies at home with a little extra excitement than you normally get just watching a plain-old TV by itself.

By borrowing from both the image and sound technology of the movie theater and adapting it to the home environment, the consumer can actually approximate the movie theater experience at home, based on the options he/she choose."

If you're looking to install a home theater system in your house, no matter what your budget, you can find one for free on our website - ConstructionDeal.com! We'll match you with a home theater expert in your area and you won't have to waste time searching at random in your phone book. Buying the components to any home theater can be a major investment -- make sure you buy what you need for your home. Our experts can help.

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