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Sonos for the Holidays!

12/2/2015

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December is officially here and so is the winter weather! Nothing is more relaxing than spending the holiday season warm and cozy at home listening to your favorite music. With Sonos wireless speakers, this dream is easy to achieve. Sonos is offering an excellent deal on their PLAY:1 speakers. The two room Sonos starter kit is only $349. This incredible price is only available until December 31st. You don't want to let this deal pass you by.

Here at Carpender Design Audio we can deliver, install, and integrate this system into your home and your heart. Please call CDA today to order your Sonos PLAY:1 speakers and schedule your appointment. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Happy Holidays!

Carpender Design Audio
303-283-8100
info@carpender.com


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Comcast's Public WiFi Project: What You Need to Know

6/16/2014

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Last week, Comcast announced that it would be rolling out their public WiFi project throughout the Denver Metro Area in the coming weeks and months:
The new program from the cable giant aims to let other users log onto WiFi using the signal from your Comcast router. It means adding a second, public signal to the private one you use at home. So anyone from your babysitter to a total stranger can register their device and hop online if they're nearby.

Some customers are already experiencing the service at home, though the project has not officially launched here yet. Viewers wrote in saying they can see the second signal –called "Xfinity WiFi" - in their wireless options list.

This has raised some concern among clients and customers who worry their home WiFi networks could become vulnerable to hackers under the new plan: 
"By making so many WiFi signals out there more available, of course it's making it available to hackers, although of course Comcast would say no it's not," Graham said.

It's a fear echoed by University of Denver law professor John Soma. After studying privacy law for more than three decades, Soma says security is rarely certain.

"I'm very confident that at least a middle schooler or high school kid somewhere in the world will be able to [hack into your router]," Soma said.

Comcast said that the company has several layers of security in place in addition to free privacy programs. A spokesman suggested a strong password. They insist the system is secure.

Naturally, security concerns are valid, as are concerns over usage associated with your router, as Gizmodo points out:
But do you really want to share a connection with someone you don't know doing whatever they do on the internet through your connection? What if they're downloading Game of Thrones illegally? What if they're really into child porn? What if they're hacking into the Pentagon? The list goes on.
Comcast sent a clarification to Gizmodo, saying that content and data usage would be tracked to the end user, or the specific device, rather than the home owners, but even on a simplistic level, it's easy to see where this could be problematic. Additionally, Comcast has yet to address any protective measures or solutions for any data breaches resulting from access to the public WiFi networks.
While security and privacy are major concerns, there is also the issue of download speeds and whether speeds would be impacted due to increased traffic, as ExtremeTech notes:
Comcast might just be lying about public users not impacting your own download speeds. The other option is that Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot uses its own separate channel to the internet. This is entirely possible — DOCSIS 3.0 can accommodate around 1Gbps, so there’s plenty of free space. But how big is this separate channel? 50Mbps? 100Mbps? And if there’s lots of spare capacity, why is Comcast giving it to free WiFi users rather than the person who’s paying a lot of money for the connection? And isn’t Comcast usually complaining about its network being congested? At least, that’s the excuse it used to squeeze money from Netflix, and to lobby for paid internet fast lanes.
ExtremeTech also questions the legality of Comcast's public WiFi:
What is less clear is ownership of the connection between the modem and the wall socket (your cable) and between the wall socket and the junction box (fiber to the curb/cabinet).

You almost certainly own the cable from the modem to the wall, and Comcast is treading on shaky ground by using that cable, especially as the Xfinity residential WiFi rollout is opt-in by default. There have also been instances where FTTC providers pass the buck when there’s issues with the copper wire between your home and the junction box — suggesting that you might own that as well (it runs over your property, at the very least).

What are your options for opting out? Well, needless to say, Comcast is not making it easy, if even possible, according to 9News:
When a 9NEWS employee with Comcast service followed the online opt-out instructions, they led to a page that touted the benefits of the public hotspot idea but didn't offer any way to opt out.

The 9NEWS employee then tried Comcast's second opt-out method, by phone. After 42 minutes on the phone with various customer service representatives, we were told it's impossible to opt out.

So, the bottom line is, Comcast is going to make this service available through your equipment, whether you like it or not. However, there are options available to consumers who would rather not allow Comcast this level of possible access to their personal networks. 

1.  If you are using the Comcast Xfinity Gateway WiFi Router, it will likely arrive with the public WiFi already turned on. According to CDA's techs, there are options available to have this service disabled through Comcast, although it can be a painful process and will require persistence and a solid time commitment with Comcast's technical support.

2.  You can purchase your own, non-Comcast modem and/or router that is compatible with Comcast and their Xfinity product. It would be money up front, but would also save you Comcast's monthly leasing fee of  $8-$9 per month. There are several modem options available to Comcast consumers. You can read the available product list here.

And keep in mind that Carpender Design Audio is happy to help you with all of your networking needs! So give us a call and let us assist you!

Carpender Design Audio
303.283.8100
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Let CDA Help with Your Outdoor Entertainment!

4/8/2014

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Outdoor living and entertaining is one of the fastest growing trends in custom installation, as people move their Great Rooms into the Great Outdoors. And what better place to enjoy outdoor entertainment than in our beautiful state, Colorado?

A recent survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects revealed that outdoor entertainment will remain in high demand for 2014, with 60.7% of respondents placing outdoor speaker systems as one of their most desirable features, and 49.4% citing outdoor televisions and/or projection screens as a priority.  According to ASLA:
Landscape architects who specialize in residential design across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2014. The category of gardens and landscaped spaces received a 94.2 percent rating as somewhat or very popular. Outdoor living spaces, defined as kitchens and entertainment spaces, were second most popular at 92.0 percent. Outdoor recreation came in third at 75.8 percent. 

CDA can help you with all of your outdoor needs, with options for rock or planter speakers, outdoor mounted speakers or a full array for your outdoor living space.
Rock or Planter Speakers

CDA can provide a wide array of options for rock or planter speakers. If you're looking for a rock style speaker, consider the ROCK-on Granite-52 speakers from Earthquake Sound:
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Granite-52 is a pair of rock speakers with a 5¼ inch woofer and a ½ inch mylar tweeter. They serve as your left and right speakers and have an amazing frequency response that is unmatched by any other rock speaker. They produce a clean and accurate sound. 

ROCK-on outdoor speakers are the ideal choice for listening to music in the garden, by the pool, in the yard, or on the patio.   

Earthquake Sound also offers an impressive outdoor 10" subwoofer, if you'd really like to pump up volume!
But perhaps rocks are not your thing! Maybe you'd like something a little more functional. In that case, check out the planter series from Niles Audio:
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  • Artistically Crafted Cabinet With Shaped MicroPerf� Aluminum Grilles Look Natural And Realistic
  • 6.5" Dual Voice Coil Injection-molded TCC (talc, Carbon, And Ceramic) Filled Polypropylene Woofer With Butyl Rubber Surround
  • Dual 1" Fluid-cooled Tri-laminate Teteron Tweeters Mounted At A Custom Angle For Optimum Dispersion
  • Separate Left And Right Channel Inputs Provide Stereo Sound In A Single Loudspeaker
  • Weatherproof Design Ensures Performance Outdoors
  • Designed To Accommodate Live Plants
  • Dual 3-foot Burial-rated Connection Cables With Waterproof Wire-nuts To Insure Trouble Free Connection
  • Can Be Wired In One-speaker Stereo-input Mode Or Two-speaker Stereo Mode


Full System Speakers

Also available from CDA is the SonArray SR1 system from Sonance:
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At SONARRAY we believe everyone deserves a backyard oasis. The SONARRAY SR1 SYSTEM is a beautiful and simple way to bring high quality, evenly distributed audio to your outdoor space. Easily installed and powered, the system can transform your yard in an afternoon. Enjoy environment-altering sound for your friends and family with SONARRAY.  You deserve it.

In addition to SonArray, CDA had the pleasure of acquainting ourselves with Coastal Source at CEDIA 2013. Coastal Source offers several options for outdoor sound with rock and bullet speakers as well as their exciting and innovative Turtle Audio System. 
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Hiding inside The Turtle’s fiberglass shell is a high performance 10” marine-grade subwoofer, a 500W marine-grade amplifier with built in electronic crossover and an Apple® AirPort Express™. Within seconds, you can stream your favorite music directly to your Coastal Source outdoor audio system from any iOS device, Mac or PC. Play wirelessly from iTunes or iOS apps like Spotify and Pandora all without leaving your chaise lounge or firepit.

Add to that their stunning Coastal Source Starlight module, and your outdoor space will feel like a dream!
So Call CDA today! Let us help you turn your outdoor living space into something magical!

303.283.8100
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Dolby is at it again...but with visual help!!

2/24/2014

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Take a look at the article below to see what Dolby is cooking up to help out in the entertainment realm!!!

http://blog.dolby.com/2013/12/tv-missing-colors/

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4K is HERE!!!!

1/22/2014

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Check out the latest 4K display and order one today from CDA!

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JVC's Reference Series RS-840UD is equipped with a high-performance 84-inch class LCD panel. It produces vibrant, natural images from a wide range of HD and 4K input sources. With a native screen resolution of 3840 X 2160 (four times the resolution of full HD) your images are sharper and crisper with higher contrast and incredible detail. The RS-840UD is designed for custom installation into a wide range of applications.
  • Native 84-inch class 3840 x 2160 LCD Panel (IPS type)
  • 120Hz panel refresh rate
  • Upconverts HD to stunning 4K!
  • Slim bezel (20 mm)
  • 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle
  • 10 bit color depth (panel)
  • Connectivity:
    • HDMI 1.4a (x3) —4K2K @30P
    • HDMI-UHD60 —4K2K @60p
    • Component analog (HD)
    • 15-pin D-sub (computer)
    • USB (media playback)
    • RS-232C (control)
    • Ethernet (RJ-45)
    • ISF Certified*
    • Audio I/O (for built-in 15W speaker)
  • Compatible with JVC's GY-HMQ10 4K 60p Camcorder
  • Includes table stand
  • 3-year on-site warranty

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Meet Revel by Harman: CDA's Newest Product Line!

12/17/2013

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Carpender Design Audio is proud to announce a new addition to our product line-up: Introducing Revel by Harman!

Revel offers a full line of impressive free-standing and bookshelf speakers as well as architectural speakers that can meet the needs of any whole-house audio design:
Revel designs and produces innovative, no-compromise loudspeakers that expand the art of home sound reproduction. With a complete focus on maximum performance and unparalleled quality, Revel delivers an experience with all of the passion and emotion intended by the artist. 

It benefits from the vast resources of its parent, Harman International Industries, but remains an independent company completely focused on maximum performance and quality above all other issues. The technical resources, testing facilities, and decades of experience in transducer and speaker system design encompassed by the Harman companies are enormous assets available to Revel. The Revel staff includes the professional skills of a complete complement of relevant disciplines, including engineers skilled and experienced in transducer and system design, industrial design, manufacturing engineering, quality control, marketing, and customer service.

Starting with a clean slate, Revel products are conceived to fulfill real functions in the very finest home entertainment environments. A Revel loudspeaker is only “finished” when it delivers enhanced beauty and performance in your home. To help ensure these results, all franchised Revel dealers are carefully selected and trained.


Call Carpender Design Audio today for more information on the Revel products!

303.283.8100
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The Sonos Playbar: A Versatile Addition

12/11/2013

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Here at CDA, we’ve seen an increase in client requests for sound bars, which can provide exceptional sound for smaller spaces. While some brands have proven better than others, the definitive leader of the pack is the Playbar from Sonos, which offers unparalleled versatility when compared to the average sound bar.

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As Home Theater Review points out:
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"The Playbar is a three-channel active soundbar that can be expanded to a 3.1, 5.0, or 5.1 system with the addition of other Sonos items. While the channel options are pretty commonplace, the Sonos Playbar's streaming and network capabilities and the way Sonos implements the additional channels puts it in its own class. The ability for the Playbar to play any music you have stored on a network computer or from a large number of compatible streaming services via the Sonos system gives the Playbar unparalleled flexibility and ease of use."

The Playbar can be used as a stand-alone component, or it can be easily and seamlessly mounted beneath a TV location and integrated into your current Sonos system for expanded home sound. Couple the Playbar with a Sonos subwoofer, and perhaps sprinkle in two of the new Play:1 wireless speakers and/or two of the Play:3 or Play:5 bookshelf speakers, and your entertainment area will be rockin' and rollin'!  

As with all other Sonos components, the installation and setup of the Playbar is fast and effortless. Call or email Carpender Design Audio today for more information!

303.283.8100
info@carpender.com

We look forward to hearing from you!
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Belkin stepping into the Home Automation World

11/26/2013

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Check out the the video link below to see how simple Belkin has made home automation!

Give us a call here at CDA to see how we can help update your home into the next great generation of technology!!

Office: 303-283-8100

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwaFDm3yS0M&feature=em-share_video_user

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It's a New & Improved Carpender.com!

10/28/2013

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Welcome to the new and improved Carpender.com!

We here at CDA are very excited to introduce our new website, and now that we've got our brand-spankin'-new digs, you can bet your bottom dollar that we're going to be rampin' up the action, so stay tuned!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

~Beth
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    Brought to you by the CDA Denver Staff!

    Check back for periodic updates from the staff of CDA Denver! We'll bring you the latest on the fast-moving world of home entertainment, integration and technology!

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