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4 port USB outlet simplifies your wall

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How to say goodbye to your wall charger with this 4 port outlet!

Seriously folks! Have you ever ran out of space in your conventional 2 outlet with that bulky iPad cube that hogs up both of the outlets? Not if you have this 4 port USB outlet from Leviton

What about trying to get 2 of those wall chargers in one outlet! Forget it man. Now lets get creative and improvise and use a conventional power strip?

Power strips eliminated with this 4 port outlet

If you are really into wall acne, trying to secure this strip on the wall, then lets give you some duct tape to secure it there.

Unless you have the skill to drill 2 small drywall screws that have the right diameter for them to fit inside the small slots behind the power strip, you are simply out of luck. Who you gonna call? Leviton’s 4 port USB to the rescue!

Let’s face it, less is more. And Leviton has delivered in Spades with this little beauty of having 4 individual ports that will charge your iPhone, mini, maxi, iPad, droid, kindle, or any kind of widget that uses a USB cable to super charge your device.

Here is a quick video that describes the outlet


Just check out this picture below of a clean installation that could be used just about anywhere you can think of. Like where you might ask?

The 4 port USB is ideal in these convenient locations listed below:

Great for the Kitchen

By the nightstand in the bedroomLeviton 4 port outlet

Practical in the office

Cozy in the Den

Fantastic in the garage.

Commercial applications can also benefit from the outlet

How about the restaurant tables?

Like right in the main lobby of the hotel

Commercial outlet example

Waiting rooms at the Doctors

While you’re getting your nails done at the beauty shop

Let’s not forget about those Airport terminals

I could go on t, and on about about this little 4 port USB outlet, but I know time is money.

So here is the bottom line. You and your family will never have to fight for that dreaded cube, power supply to charge your devices ever again with this simple, cost effective, and convenient, outlet that will simplify your lives.

And is this not the goal we are all trying to achieve? Simplicity and convenience does go hand in hand.

So take a moment out of your busy lives and give us a call, or shoot us a text message at 858-764-2648 to evaluate your home, or commercial location to see how we may bring a little simplicity and elegance to your establishment without breaking the bank.

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admin

Bored with your doorbell! Try the iChime doorbell.

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What is the iChime doorbell?

It is a simple, replacement doorbell that replaces you boring, single chime, run of the mill, factory preset, plain-jane, single play song. With the holidays approaching, wouldn’t it be nice for a change of tempo?

Now that you have lived in your home for the past 10 to 15 years, don’t you think its time to give it an inexpensive makeover with a new chime?

Believe it, or not you cannot make a better first impression that what happens at the front door. The door chime is a direct reflection of you personality Did I say this out loud? Yes! I did.

The door chime can actually enhance the inner child and playful adult in all of us. Why do you ask? Simple. Life is all about variety. As the seasons change throughout the year, why not change your tune along with it?

With the new iChime that we have discovered, now you can have a great variety changing the tune of what is behind the doorbell for just about any occasion.iChime doorbell

Here is a small smaple of the different choice that are pre-programmed in the iChime.

 

  • Halloween – Play scary music or make it scream!

  • Holiday – Greet your guests with music of the season

  • Special Occasions – Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, Graduation

  • Animals – Cow moo, Duck quack, Dog bark – anything you want

  • Sports – Play your college fight song or announce your favorite team

  • Chimes – Traditional Ding Dong or Westminster and a lot more

  • TV or Movie – Load your favorite theme song or catch phrase

  • Music – Download Abba to Zeppelin or anything in between

  • Talking, laughing, singing, snoring – it is all possible now!

Here is a short video demonstrating what the iChime is all about.

What if I want to personalize my own doorbell chime?

You can do ths as well. The iChime has a built in microphone so that you can record whatever you want, or upload a pre-recorded song, or catch-phrase.

As you know, we will install this unit and integrate it with you doorbell and much, much more.

I have a phone system, will the doorbell iChime work with it?

For example, if you have a Panasonic phone system, we can integrate it so that you can have find out who is at the door, without having to go to the door. That is a great security prevention when you are home alone.

Fore more information, please pick up the phone and give us a call, or text at 858-7664-2648 to schedule an appointment to see what will work with your lifestyle and sense of security.

 

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admin

Honey? How do I turn the pool speakers on?

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With Labor Day just around the corner. Wouldnt it be nice if you never had to ask someone else just how to turn on the swimming pool speakers.

Even more embarrassing is when you don’t hear anything after you try and try different buttons and knobs and still no sound?

The pool speakers are not working not what?

pool speaker selectorif you have a speaker selector like this one in the picture to the right, you know that the next thing you have to do is go to each area inside the living room, the bar, the office, the bedroom, the bathrooms and the outside pool area to adjust the volume.

Next, you will try to get one of your devices to play your music. Hopefully, if you press enough buttons then you might get some music playing around the house, then you have to go to each of the rooms to make sure the music is not too loud, or too soft.

Is there an easier way to play my music in my house?

Good question. The answer is there is. From our perspective, if you have to press more than two buttons to get your music playing where you want to, that is simply too complicated.

iPad music choicesWith our iPad system, you can control each of the rooms with the press of two buttons. The first button you press is where you want your music to play. On the picture to the right, you can clearly choose one, or more areas without having to walk around the house.

swimming pool music choicesThe second button you press is the choice of what device, or different devices you would like to play around the house.

It really does not get any easier than this. You can actually choose what you want to hear in each individual room and area, and adjust the volume with the slider located on the right hand side without having to walk into that room, or area. Now that’s simple.

How can I get my system simplified, so I can play my music everywhere?

With one phone call to us to schedule an appointment, we can assess what your needs are to simplify your life. So pick up the phone and give us a call today at 858-764-2648, or shoot us a text to have this completed in time for you next pool party, or special event.

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admin

How to create a restore point

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What happens when you get a virus? Hopefully you have created a restore point.

The old saying is that an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure. Well in this posting, we hope to give you more than just an ounce. We say this because creating a restore point is worth its weight in gold bullion.

A restore point is a snap shot in time that is captured when your computer is happy and working great doing what a laptop and computers do.

Viruses come in all shape, sizes and forms. The most common is through your email that have been hijacked from one of your friends and family. But you just don’t know it yet.

How can I get rid of this pesky virus?

This form of using your restore point is only useful if you have a PC using the windows 7 operating system. So if any of you are still using Windows XP the principle of getting to the root of the problem is the same.

Creating a restore point

Believe it, or not windows is smarter than the average bear. Whenever you install, or remove a program, windows creates a restore point, or a snapshot in time that remembers to freeze everything. Just in case something goes south and you have to go back.

A restore point is similar to a do over. This way, you have a second chance to recover whatever happened at this point in time. For those of you that are in the mac world, it is similar to time capsule.

So how do I get to the menu to restore it back?

Here are some instruction on how to create a restore point from our friends at dummies.com

  1. Choose Start→Control Panel→System and Security. Click the System link.You can also get to the System page by typing “System” in the Start menu’s Search box and selecting System from the results list.
  2. Click the System Protection link in the left panel.
  3. In the System Properties dialog box that appears, click the System Protection tab and then click the Create button.restore point window
    1. The Create a Restore Point dialog box appears.
    2. Name the restore point, and click Create.restore point dateChoose a name that you’ll be able to recognize again, such as the current date or the name of a program you’re about to install.
    3. Windows alerts you when the restore point is created. Click Close until each of the boxes is closed.restore point completed

What if I want a restore point to be automated?

Then you give us a call and we can have a technician write a custom script for your computer. this way it ensures that a restore point is executed, either on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. So if you would like to schedule an appointment, please pick up the phone and send us a text message, or call us at 858-764-2648 to assist you with your computer needs.

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admin

Is you cell service in the DEAD Zone?

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Have you ever walked into someones home and your cell service has disappeared?

That chill that runs down your spine when you notice no cell service. That means you cannot be in contact with your kids. What if something happens and they can’t reach you, then what?

You just bought your dream home and you close escrow, and you find out that you have to go outside your dream home just to get a call out because you have no cell service inside? You have just entered the DEAD ZONE!

Believe it, or not. This is an all too common scenario we see each day. To make matters worse, this is almost like a dirty little secret. You have no cell service, unless you go outside, or you have to hang your cell phone close to a certain window, just to get a single bar of cell service.

Is there a solution to poor cell service?

single story cell service coverageYou are in luck. We at Rancho Santa Fe Home Theater are one of Southern California’s top experts in the field of restoring your cell service inside your home.

Our field technicians can asses, and pinpoint where to boost your cell service bars, and actually enhance your 3g, and 4g Data internet service on your iPhone, Blackberry, and Android cell phones.

In addition with more cell service bars, it will reduce you battery usage on your electronic devices.

What kind of coverage does it have?

2 story cell service coverageWe have several models that cover from a single story application from a 1000 square feet to multiple story homes and offices up to 40,000 square feet.

Using a dual band technology of 800 and 1900MHZ, it does not interfere with your existing WiFi internet of 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ.

Schedule an appointment TODAY!

So pick up the phone, send us a text at 858-764-2648 or if your cell service does not work at your home, then send us an email at support@ranchosantafehometheater.com to schedule an appointment to solve this dirty little secret, once and for all.

 

 

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admin

How to improve your cooking.

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How to improve your cooking.

family cooking

Are you tired of the same old meals that you serve your family when you are cooking and would like to put a little pizazz into the your routine?

Being raised with 4 older sisters and a father who was the Chef of the U.S. Grant hotel, in our household there was never a dull moment. Cooking was part of our daily routine where we gathered to share stories about what happened that day. We shared the good the bad and the ugly.

Each of us was taught about cooking with feeling. Our father said it was one of his secret ingredients that united a family, as well as a staff of sous chefs, assistants and dishwashers in the kitchen.

This secret ingredient that created the unity in the kitchen when cooking was a special concoction that has been taught from generation, to generation.

So what is this secret ingredient to improve my cooking?

Unfortunately, this ingredient is something that has been lost in translation for a number of years. I feel very fortunate to pass this on to you and your family so that it may bring your family closer as it has in our household.

A number of years ago, I happened to be at a training seminar. And the guest speaker had a personal cook. As a curious individual that I am, I ventured into the kitchen. There was this little man cooking a meal in this huge kitchen at this hotel. At the time, I was not a fan of Indian food. But what caught my curiosity was that, as he was cooking, he was singing these wonderful songs. Keep in mind, I could not understand a stitch of what he was singing. But when he came up to me and offered me a taste, I said no, no, no, I don’t like Indian food.

It was the most delicious taste I ever had.

He insisted, and I wanted to be polite, so I took a bite and tried it. WOW! I loved it. Then it hit me like a lightning bolt. I am convinced. That the quality of food was great and he knew how to spice it up. But the most important “secret” ingredient was the singing that I forgot about that occurred in my own home growing up.

How does this apply in my kitchen?

Cooking with music affects our body, our mind and our emotions. The quality of his emotion, and the quality of feeling, was the secret ingredient that made that meal from, let’s say a bronze medal, to a gold medal if we were to use this analogy.

For most us, we can’t carry a tune to save our skin. Fortunately, Apple has created an iPhone, iTunes, and iPad that can help us with this dilemma. Then the final ingredient to improve your cooking is to have the joy of music in the kitchen at your fingertips.

This is possible with the installation of a pair of speaker in the kitchen. If for some reason, we cannot get the wiring to the kitchen, we have our wireless speakers from Sonos that will do a great job as well.

It beats the alternative of having to crank up the family room stereo, just to be able to hear it in the kitchen. then you end up yelling at each other. That is just wrong on so many levels.

With Memorial Day just around the corner, let Rancho Santa Fe Home Theater give you that richness, that connection, the gift of music to bring you and your family closer than before.

Bring back the fun, engaging and enjoyable experience that you have been missing. So pick up the phone and give us a call at 858-764-2648 to schedule a complimentary assessment to get that secret ingredient into your cooking lifestyle.

Because at the end of the day, creating that bond of love within the family is what its all about.

 

 

 

 

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admin

How to create a text emoticon

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Got next generation text messaging?

For most of us 160 characters is plenty to get your message across. But one day someone decided that words are just not enough. That is where the text emoticon came to life.

Now your text can express yourself in such a way like no other way to get your point across. Your message now has your own personality with a certain jen ne sais qua, that your message could not express itself in any other way.

So without further a due here is how to create these little beauties.

Text messaging emoticon dictionarytext message emoticon

 What if 160 characters is not enough for my text?

We live in a multi generational society where enough just does not work for everyone. That is where a new type of text messaging service comes in. Apple rolled out iMessage to give us the ability to include pictures and expand our horizons. but now there is new kid on the block and his name is WhatsApp.

Who is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a new platform of text messaging where you are not limited by 160 characters. With this service you can include pictures and videos as well. Now you can send the most elaborate messages to your friends and family without using any of your text messaging data plan. This is because this app uses the internet data network, not the cellular data network.

Can you hook me up?

We sure can! To learn more about how we can assist you in setting up your smartphone with this App or other useful tools that will simplify your life, pick up the phone and give us a call, or shoot us a text message to (858) 764-2648 to make life a little bit simpler.

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admin

Is your art lit correctly?

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Is your art buried treasure?

Over the years we have toured a number of fine homes here in Southern California and the one theme that stands out, is our clients passion for fine art and photography.

Art if very much like buried treasure and the moment you find it, you can’t wait to show it off. Let’s be frank, the whole point of acquiring a piece is for our enjoyment to have it stop us in our tracks! And give us that opportunity to re-tell the story of how you found it.

How to re-kindle the magic in your art.

So you have a guest over and as they are walking around your home and might ask you about a piece, and you just can’t wait to tell the story. But for some reason they just don’t get the point. You turn on the lights for that piece and you explain to them about the magic behind it, but you don’t get any response. Now What?

Have your framed your art lately?

framing art projector

Fortunately, we are introducing a new technology that can re-create that magic for you with just a throw of a switch. It literally gives you the control of how much light illuminates just the canvas, or photograph. So the surrounding frame that is not part of the artwork ever gets any light.

This creates a 3D illusion and sex appeal to the artwork that you have never seen before. Here is an example from Nora Lighting.

Now your artwork from your journey in africa, or a Peter Lik photograph can really come t life, like never before.

Where can I get this magic in a can?

You pick up the phone today and give us a call or send us a text message to (858) 764-2648 to have one of our art appreciation aficionados show you the way to sexier way share that magic with your guests.

 

 

 

 

 

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admin

You need this kitchen remote

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Got a kitchen? You need this waterproof kitchen remote control.waterproof kitchen remote control

If you have ever experienced this scenario, where you are busy being creative with those wonderful recipes you just download and your right in the thick of it and you need to change the channel on the TV, or change the music to something else that will inspire you, what are you going to do? You’re gonna get this kitchen remote!

Washing your hands, then drying them off is just too distracting, time consuming and you end up losing your rhythm .

We live in a world of sufficient distractions and as a cook me-self, I love living in the moment. I don’t want something that is going to get in the way when my hands are gooey. The spices are flying everywhere, and I want change now!

That is why you really should give this waterproof kitchen remote control a try. Check out this cute video created by the Universal Remote team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16NJcUs4fs

Does it really float?

Of course silly billy, it just won’t come with the kitchen sink. But if you really, really want it to come with the kitchen sink, all you have to do is ask and we will deliver….. The kitchen sink.

If you are thinking of making room for those bigger pots to cook those Lobster that just flew in the East Coast, or you just want to make a good clam bake, then we really should talk.

We can swap recipes and ideas on how to create those wishes in the kitchen to become reality. I think I am getting off topic.

What if I have a restaurant, will it work there?

You betcha! This kitchen remote will work all of your televisions without having to point it at flat screens, or having to do those special yoga poses just to get the remote to cooperate. Let me repeat myself, just for emphasis. You do not need to point it at the Television to get it to work.

Getting back to the topic at hand, the kitchen remote is washable so you don’t have to worry about getting it greasy, slimy, or dirty. Just remember to use good sanitation practices and wash regularly and promise to exchange recipes with us.

We have a great crawfish boil recipe and also some excellent gluten-free dishes that will knock your socks off. Don’t forget to ask us for the Beer-in-the-Rear chicken recipe (My Favorite)

To get these recipes and a demo on how the kitchen remote control can fit in your kitchen, all you have to do is pick up the phone and send us a text message at 858-764-2648 to get together.

If you are looking for a great Mothers day surprise, why not take her to sample some good creole and take her out on the dance floor with some down home Zydeco music. The event is called Gator by the bay.

 

 

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admin

Is Crestron really worth it?

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 Crestron does it again!

Crestron cheat sheet

So this client calls us up and she begins to explain, how the only way to watch television is by following this Crestron cheat sheet.

Really? after spending thousands of dollars on a sophisticated Crestron system this is as good as it gets?

Now I don’t know about you, but I would not put up with this kind of programming that requires a cheat sheet. That is just plain wrong on so many levels.

Nor is this fair to this housewife that if she gets one thing out of sync all you see is snow on the TV.

I mean really? Can you imagine the humiliation that one has to go through each day with this monkey on your back that you are rolling the dice each and every-time you pick the remote.

I gotta say that if your spending $250.00 an hour for a crestron system and some so called programmer, and he hands you this cheat sheet?

I don’t think there would be a whole lot of nice things to do except rip that system out and start from scratch.

And that is exactly what we are going to do to simplify the system.

Is there an alternative to Crestron?

With the introduction of Google home, now being called Nest home, your voice is in control of all your devices as illustrated in this picture. As you can see there are limitless possibilities, but like with any project, we like to take small steps to create a solid foundation for all the devices to play well with each other.

Now that the construction of Race communication that has installed their fiber optic lines in Rancho Santa Fe, gigabit speed is a reality. Some areas in the Time Warner now Spectrum area, and Cox are providing a new wifi service of 1.3 Gigabits not Megabits per second in your area. AT&T has also jumped on the bandwagon of installing their Fiber optic wiring offering faster speeds as well.

Since you are here for the first time we thank you for taking a moment of your time to see if we are a good fit to assist you in the installation of the best Crestron alternative home automation system for your home network without breaking the bank.

What we do is replace that clunky remote control touch screen with their iPad, kindle fire HD, iPad mini and iPhones to be their remote control. Now everyone has a remote control in their pocket using the Leviton bitwise system, that keeps track of what is on, what off and what you want to do. Simple as that.

Leviton Bitwise iPadsThe layout will be simplified with large icons and legible size text so that you don’t need a pair of 3.0 reading glasses.

In addition, you don’t even need to be in the same room, or point it at the television.

But the best part about your new alternative to crestron is that it requires very little to no instructions at all.

apple tv remoteOh! by the way, we also include a great little gadget called Apple TV from the makers of Apple.

This little gem replaces the bulky 300 CD carousel. So no more cataloging and trying to remember what slot the cd belongs in. No more yelling at anyone about who took the CD out of the tray.

Lets face it, we all have a certain way to accomplish what we want to hear and watch. So why is it too much to ask for having it your way!

If Burger King can, then guess what? We can too. We promise to let you have it your way! In a language that you understand and simple to use.

How can I get rid of my Crestron system?


For more information on how we can simplify your life. Rid yourself of ever having to make that dreaded phone call to your husband on what input is the TV supposed to be. And have the best home automation system that we will cover in a different article in the palm of your hand then….

What are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and give us a call at 858-764-2648 to resolve these issues once and for all.

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