It’s difficult to escape the ubiquity of smart home devices and technology. From Nest thermostats prominently displayed at Best Buy or Home Depot to Amazon Alexa smart speakers, we’re all aware of the promise of smart home automation. If you are building a new home or embarking on a significant remodel, chances are smart home technology is high on your priority list.

You may be tempted by DIY (do it yourself) solutions. Still, GHT Group knows from three decades of experience serving homeowners in Georgia that an integrated approach – like that offered by Control4 home automation solutions – is far more likely to satisfy your Atlanta smart home’s needs and accommodate your lifestyle better than disparate systems cobbled together.

There is no better time to consider home automation than when you are early in the planning process so that you can integrate all the infrastructure that your smart home will need. Read on to view all the possibilities.

Crestron is a company that is unique in the technology business, doing things just a little differently. Founded by George Feldstein in 1969, it has always stayed close to the founder's vision and character. Feldstein was an engineer, tinkerer, and stickler for quality and detail, and his presence is still felt at the company.

Crestron has always been known for high-end automation solutions. In the commercial space, Crestron automates scores of Fortune 500 corporate meeting and boardrooms, including high technology companies like Microsoft. In the residential market, their automation solutions can be found in the largest and most extensive properties, controlling a wide array of functions from climate to sophisticated audio and video distribution systems.

But there’s more to Crestron control systems that are core tenets of how the company operates. Read on to learn more about Crestron automation and why it could be the right choice for your Buckhead, GA home.

We know what you're thinking. We're barely through the holidays, and we are already talking about the Super Bowl. But the NFL showdown for the coveted Lombardi Trophy comes along in early February, so it's not too early to start thinking about it – especially if you want to have the best audio and video setup for the game.

Did you know that up to 7% of consumers buy a TV expressly for the Super Bowl? That’s an impressive number driven by one event. Of course, the large screen TV or projector purchase will be a pleasure to own far beyond the upcoming Super Bowl game.

While a big screen is a must for football, don’t forget about the sound. A surround sound system can really make you feel like you’re at the game while in the comfort of your Smyrna, GA home.

In this blog, let’s explore some sight and sound upgrades to make your next Super Bowl party the best ever. 

SEE ALSO: Big Surround Sound, Even Bigger Screens

On these pages in the recent past, we’ve enthusiastically extolled the virtues of motorized shades in residential settings. There's no denying the comfort and convenience factors, the compounded benefits from integration with other smart automation, and the real energy savings they can bring. 

You may not know that all the benefits above can be applied to commercial settings, as well. We could even argue that the business case for motorized shades in your Marietta, GA enterprise is easier to make.

How? Keep reading to learn some smart shading solutions for business.

SEE ALSO: What Makes Lutron Motorized Shades Among the Industry’s Best?

Does your home theater suffer from the “black bar syndrome?” Fortunately, it’s a curable video malady. We are joking here a little, but let us explain.

Without a doubt, if you watch movies at all, you have noticed the black bars that often appear on the top and bottom of the screen. The reason for this is that the majority of flat panel and most projector screens are in 16:9 format, which refers to the ratio of the screen width to its height. Over 70% of Hollywood films made for theatrical release are shot in widescreen format, which is a 2.4:1 aspect ratio. This format, sometimes referred to as anamorphic, is wider than it is high. To fit the film on your screen without skewing it (distorting the image by making it taller), you get the black bars to fill the unused space on your screen. 

What is the problem with that? If you have a 120-inch screen, for example, in your Atlanta theater or media room, you are not getting 120 inches of picture. And if you’ve recently invested in a superb Sony projector with native 4K resolution, you are effectively getting 3K instead of 4K.

3K is not what you bargained for, especially if you like to watch cinematic films. Fortunately, as we mentioned, there is a cure. Special lenses from Panamorph, compatible with Sony projectors and all of the best theater screen brands, can cure the black bar syndrome.

Read on to see how Panamorph lenses help get the most from your Sony 4K projector image.

Just recently, we underwent a name change and rebranding from Georgia Home Theater to GHT Group. The new name reflects a widened focus and expansion of the company’s scope that’s been underway for a long time, and having “home theater” in our name did not accurately portray everything that we were doing in home technology.

Our broad footprint across audiovisual and home technologies also led us to becoming part of HTSA. HTSA stands for Home Technology Specialists of America, and our membership in the organization also reflects the evolution from Georgia Home Theater to GHT Group.

What is HTSA, and why is it important that GHT Group become part of it? As a leading smart home company serving Buckhead, Atlanta, and beyond, it reflects our commitment to delivering the best home technology products, solutions, and service to our client.

Read on to learn more about how our involvement with HTSA benefits you.

Remote controls can be valuable tools, but sometimes they’re frustrating to use. There’s nothing worse than a powerful and capable new AV device with a poorly designed remote control – it detracts from the experience, whether you’re trying to control your home theater, operate automated lights, or listen to music. 

Control4 is a leading home automation company, and they've made control systems for AV devices and practically anything else with an on/off switch for over 15 years. The company recently took everything they've learned about controlling devices and packaged it into a brand new remote control experience that is sure to please everyone in your Smyrna home.

The new Control4 remote is called the Neeo, and it is a marvel of design and ergonomics. Is this the remote you’ve been seeking for the Control4 home automation system in your home? Read on to find out!

SEE ALSO: How You Can Personalize Your Home Automation with Control4

It's that time of year again. Everyone looks forward to the holidays, but holidays can bring about stress. Part of the pressure might be from shopping for the perfect gift for that special someone who seems to have everything. 

So, what do you get for the person who has everything? If they are a home audio enthusiast, we’ve got you covered. In previous blogs, we’ve mentioned that this is a golden age for audio, with an incredible array of products in the market to serve any audio need. That means that excellent gift choices abound!

We’ve lined up five great gift ideas for your Sandy Springs audio lover. Some are plug and play, and some might require a home audio installation. Either way, GHT Group is here to help, as we support our products with world-class service. 

Read on for our 2019 holiday gift guide for audio lovers. If they happen to be video lovers too, you'll find our home theater gift guide helpful also!

McIntosh Audio has a long history, celebrating 70 years of innovation in high-end audio. Like Klipsch, this is an American audio brand that has always stayed true to its roots. In McIntosh’s case, they focus on building impeccable products for the most discerning customers. 

Some McIntosh products are more affordable than others, and in the past few years, the company has branched out into headphones and other lifestyle products. But with McIntosh, there’s no “low end.” Every product offered is designed to compete at the highest echelons of audio performance.

While McIntosh is well known for hi-fi two-channel audio, the company has long made stellar home theater components, too. In this blog, we'll tell you about the latest iterations of their AV processor line, the MX170 and MX123. If you're looking for the ultimate in home theater or media room audio and video performance, look no further.

Keep reading to see why!

We know what you're thinking. A holiday gift guide, is it that time already? Yes, it is, but it shouldn't be cause for concern.

If you have a film and home theater buff in your life, then you’re in luck, because we have put together one doozy of a holiday gift guide for you. Any of these gifts would make an impression in any home theater installation in Atlanta.

So how do you choose the right one? We can’t tell you here, but you can visit us at our Marietta showroom to check these out, and we will be happy to help. Of course, if the person is a truly special one, perhaps you'll want to get them all?

Read on for your 2019 holiday gift guide for the media lovers in your life.

High-end audio brands rarely go on sale. Maybe it’s because the best products don’t need price reductions to move off the shelf. People know what high-performance products can do and appreciate the value; when they’re ready to buy, they don’t wait for a sale.

That said, occasionally high-quality brands go on sale. This past year we were proud to bring British speaker brand Monitor Audio to GHT Group. We’ve prominently featured them in our Marietta showroom, including the architectural Controlled Performance Series. And now, we’re running a sale on the most affordable Monitor Audio line, the Bronze Series.

If you’re looking for new speakers for either a two-channel or multichannel surround setup in Marietta that won’t break the bank, you won’t have to travel far. But to take advantage of the special savings – 25% off of MSRP – you need to hustle, because the offer is good only through January 31^st, 2019.

Without further ado, let’s recap why the Monitor Audio Bronze line is such a great entry point into the world of hi-fi audio.

Georgia Home Theater, a leader in custom technology solutions throughout the Metro Atlanta area and beyond, is proud to announce it has rebranded into GHT Group.

The new branding highlights the fact that GHT Group is regarded for far more than just its home theater design and installation capabilities; in fact, GHT is Metro Atlanta’s premier source for all things technology, both in residential and commercial environments.

The holidays are coming around, and we always look forward to that time to refresh, recharge, and celebrate with family and friends. But as we all know, the holidays can be stressful, too. Shopping, traffic, cooking, and rushing to get the house ready for entertaining guests can take a toll.

GHT Group would like to suggest that you let home technology take a bit of the stress out of the holidays. A Crestron control system can automate routine tasks and even add some flair to this holiday season in Dunwoody.

If thinking about the holidays is already elevating your blood pressure, we invite you to take a few minutes and read the rest of this blog. If it sparks a few ideas for a calmer, happier holiday, we’re here to help with the tech side.

We adapt to technology quickly, perhaps more than we realize. In the past 25 years, life has changed markedly with the onslaught of the Internet, which continues to connect not just people but almost every facet of our lives.

Sometimes, people rue the effect of technology on their lives and long for the "good old days" before it came along. They complain about the impact of technology, that all our "interconnectedness" makes too much of a 24/7 world.

However, technology can also enhance our lives in ways far better than the “good old days.” One of the latest features of LED lighting and lighting control is color-tuned lighting, and it promises to make your home’s lighting more natural and attuned to your daily rhythms.

It’s called human-centric lighting, and it’s brought to your Roswell home by Lutron, a pioneer in lighting control since the good old days. Read on to see how Lutron lighting control can enhance your wellness at home.

It’s a funny thing about remote controls. They’ve been around for decades, yet many of them still are needlessly complicated – especially AV remotes. For many of our clients, they are a source of frustration.

As a home technology company in the business for 30 years, you might surmise that we've seen our share of remotes. You’re right: We’ve lost count! Some are better than others. Of course, as a professional integrator, we strive for ease of use in all our installations by specifying and customizing control solutions that fit what our clients want. And we're always looking for a better, faster, more straightforward control solution for our customers.

Some might not get too excited over a new remote, but we are thrilled to announce a new one from our smart home control brand partner Control4. It’s called the Neeo, and it’s much more than an AV remote - it fuses together the best part of touchscreens and button remotes with the power of Control4’s new OS 3 smart home system.

We're so excited about it, in fact, that we're planning an event on November 21st from 4-8 PM at our Marietta showroom to introduce it. Not only will you get to experience the Control4 Neeo, but we will also have representatives on hand from top brand partners Sony, Monitor Audio, and Lutron lighting for demos, free giveaways, and special offers. 

Is this the dream remote you’ve been wanting for your Control4 system in Dunwoody? Read on to get the early scoop - and don’t forget to come to the event!