B.C. Neville Tech

The Sight & Sound Experts

Archives for February 12, 2024

Exterior Home Theater Concrete Coring: Waukesha, WI

Existing Residential System Update and Exterior Home Theater

We had the pleasure of updating another new client’s existing Great Room Home Theater as well as completing concrete coring and conduit installation to accommodate an outdoor home theater in the clients pool and outdoor living Space.

Since we were already updating the clients Great Room Home Theater, we added a conduit and professionally bored a concrete hole, which terminated to an exterior rated box. This conduit and exterior box will allow us access next spring to pull all the required cabling to the new outdoor a/v system.

Back to the Great Room Update: the client had an older (about 15 years) Yamaha receiver with no Smart Control, and several other features were not working. In this case the client updated his older Yamaha with a new RX-A2A smart receiver with app control.

Very easily upgrading his old system to a current smart system with smart phone control. The client could not be happier with the updates we made and is looking forward to next spring when we design and install the families nes outdoor entertainment space!

Please take a look at the project photos for another great installation in the books. Make sure you read the clients testimonial!

Outdoor audio-visual systems have a unique charm that can transform any outdoor space into an entertainment haven, blending the joy of being outside with the pleasures of high-quality entertainment. Here’s why they’re so much fun:

Natural Ambiance: There’s something inherently relaxing and enjoyable about being outdoors, whether it’s the warmth of the sun, the cool evening breeze, or the starlit sky. Pairing this natural ambiance with your favorite tunes or movies amplifies the enjoyment, creating a perfect backdrop for relaxation and entertainment.

Social Gatherings: Outdoor AV systems are fantastic for hosting events, be it a backyard movie night, a pool party with music, or watching a big game under the stars with friends and family. They create a focal point for gatherings, encouraging social interaction and shared experiences in a way that indoor systems might not.

Expansive Sound and Visual Experience: Without the confines of walls, sound can fill your outdoor space more freely, creating an immersive listening experience. Similarly, watching a movie on a large outdoor screen under the stars can be a magical experience that feels grander and more special than watching the same movie indoors.

Versatility and Creativity: Outdoor systems allow for a lot of creativity in how and where they’re set up. From hidden rock speakers that blend into your garden to inflatable movie screens that can be set up and taken down easily, the possibilities for customizing your outdoor entertainment space are endless.

Enhances Outdoor Living: Investing in an outdoor AV system encourages more outdoor time, effectively extending your living space. It can make outdoor dining, lounging, or even a nightcap more enjoyable, encouraging you and your family to spend more time in the fresh air.

Fitness and Wellness: Outdoor AV systems can also be used for fitness and wellness activities, such as outdoor yoga sessions with calming music or workout videos in the privacy of your backyard. The combination of being outdoors and engaging in physical activity can be incredibly beneficial for mental and physical health.

Adds Value to Your Home: Beyond the immediate fun and entertainment, having a well-designed outdoor AV system can add value to your home, making it more appealing to potential buyers who envision themselves enjoying the space just as much as you do.

Adaptability to Different Events: Whether it’s a chill-out music session, an intense action movie, or a live sports event, outdoor AV systems can be adapted to suit various types of entertainment, making them versatile additions to any home.

Outdoor audio-visual systems blend the best of both worlds—the pleasure of being outdoors with the entertainment we love. They provide a unique way to enjoy movies, music, sports, and video games, offering an unrivaled atmosphere that indoor environments simply can’t match. This combination of factors makes outdoor AV systems not just fun but an integral part of creating memorable experiences at home.

We are contacted all the time to assist clients with outdoor a/v systems and outdoor home theaters because BC Neville Tech’s unique ability to provide custom metal and wood fabrication of awnings, tv lifts, really any custom enclosure or mounting point a client or landscape architect may need. Check out our blog posts for some of these super fun and challenging past outdoor systems!

Call (262) 844-1535‬ or email bryan@bcnevilletech.com BC Neville Tech for a free quote.  

Whole House System Upgrade: Gennessee, WI

Residential Existing Home Theater/Network/Whole House System Update/Upgrade

We just wrapped up this project for a new client in Gennessee, WI. Unfortunately, this client has a non-functioning system when we were brought in. BC Neville Tech’s staff came out for a free onsite consultation; where our experienced staff listened to the client’s needs for a home entertainment system, as well as the current aspects of the system which were not working.

BC Neville Tech’s industry leading design staff utilized this information in tandem with our expertise in design, audio visual equipment, sales, and operation to develop a thoughtful system design, intended to meet the operation needs of the client, while sounding and looking as good as it possibly can!

“Do it right the first time,” is our motto around the shop and on projects, both with design and implantation. As a service company we owe it to our client to hold ourselves to the highest standards possible both on the design side and on the implementation or installation side.

At BC Neville Tech, whether a new construction home, an existing home, or a business it makes no difference. As a client you can expect the highest level of design and installation services available in Wisconsin.

This project happened to be an existing residential home theater with a pair of outdoor patio speakers. We were able to fix features which were not functioning properly by updating key components, such as a Yamaha Aventsge RX-A4A smart receiver with MusicCast App control. Allowing for the customer to utilize their existing tv and speaker package to stream music directly from their phones or tablets.

Additionally, we strategically added cat6 network cabling to tv and other equipment locations. To deliver more reliable, higher speed hardwired internet to the client streaming devices. We also upgraded the client old non-functioning Universal Remote Control MX-890 wand style remote and MRF-350 RF base station to deliver complete control of the clients home theater equipment.

Upgrading your home audio-visual system can significantly enhance your entertainment experience, turning your living space into a personal theater, concert hall, or immersive gaming environment. Here are some of the key advantages of making such an upgrade:

Improved Picture Quality: Upgrading to a newer TV or projector can dramatically improve the picture quality of your home cinema. Technologies like 4K, OLED, and HDR offer sharper images, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and a better overall viewing experience.

Enhanced Sound Experience: Modern audio systems, such as soundbars, surround sound speakers, and Dolby Atmos setups, provide clearer, more immersive sound. This can make movies, music, and games feel more engaging, as you’re surrounded by high-quality audio that can capture subtle nuances you might have missed before.

Smart Home Integration: Many newer AV systems come with smart technology that allows you to integrate them with other smart home devices. This means you can control your entertainment setup with voice commands, automate certain functions, and even sync your lights and shades to create the perfect ambiance for movie night.

Increased Content Accessibility: Upgrading your AV system often means incorporating devices that can connect to the internet, such as smart TVs or streaming devices. This opens up a world of entertainment options, from streaming platforms and online gaming to accessing content from all over the globe.

Better Gaming Experience: If you’re into gaming, an upgraded AV system can significantly improve your experience. Faster refresh rates, higher resolution displays, and superior sound systems can make gaming more immersive and responsive, enhancing both competitive play and casual gaming sessions.

Energy Efficiency: Newer electronics are often more energy-efficient than older models. Upgrading your system could lead to lower electricity bills, thanks to more efficient power use and features like automatic standby and LED backlighting.

Enhanced Connectivity Options: Modern AV systems offer a variety of connectivity options, including HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and more. This makes it easier to connect all your devices seamlessly, from smartphones and tablets to gaming consoles and Blu-ray players.

Customization and Personalization: Upgraded systems usually come with a range of settings that allow for greater customization. Whether it’s adjusting the sound profile to match your room’s acoustics or calibrating your TV’s picture to suit your viewing preferences, you can personalize your setup to get the most out of your entertainment.

Future-proofing: Investing in a modern AV system can future-proof your home entertainment setup, ensuring it remains compatible with new technologies and content formats that emerge, reducing the need for further upgrades down the line.

This client was overjoyed with the entire process as and the end result. Please see photos of this and all of our past projects. Do not hesitate to contact BC Neville Tech If you have a residential home technology or smart home project coming up.

Call (262) 844-1535‬ or email bryan@bcnevilletech.com BC Neville Tech for a free quote.  

River Rock Fireplce TV Mount: Mukwonago, WI

Existing Residential Home: River Rock Fireplace TV Mount

Today’s client found us from the many Fireplace TV mounts we have worked on, and specifically hired us becasue of our experience and expertise working on all types of stone and finishes. When the stone around a fireplace is non-uniform and protrudes from the wall at varying depths, the best installation method is as pictured to create a custom plate which is mounted directly to the stone or grout.

Then the Kanto Heavy Duty Articulating Arm Plate mounts directly to the custom plate. This offers a better quality and better looking installation for all Firplace TV mounts. If you are considering Mounting your TV above your fireplace, call BC Neville Tech first! 

Mounting a Kanto Heavy Duty Articulating Arm to a custom plate on an uneven stone fireplace can be a bit of a challenge, but totally doable with the right approach. Here’s a breakdown of how it can be done, keeping in mind the need for both stability and flexibility due to the uneven surface of the stone:

Assessment: First off, take a good look at your fireplace’s stone surface to identify the flattest area possible where the mount can go. Uneven surfaces require a bit more planning to ensure the mount can be securely attached without risking damage to the stone or the mount itself.

Custom Plate Design: Since we’re talking about a custom plate, this plate acts as an intermediary between the uneven stone surface and the Kanto mount. The design of this plate is crucial. It needs to be large enough to spread the weight of the TV and the mount evenly across the stones, and it should have a flat backside that can be modified or padded to match the contours of the stone as closely as possible. Some people use a flexible material like rubber or felt pads on the back of the plate to help achieve this.

Anchoring Points: For the uneven stone, drilling into the mortar (the space between the stones) is usually the safest bet since it’s less likely to cause damage than drilling directly into the stone. Your custom plate will need holes that align with the chosen mortar spots. It’s super important to use the right anchors for stone – something like sleeve anchors or heavy-duty concrete anchors that can handle both the weight and the outdoor elements if your fireplace is exposed.

Mounting the Plate: With your anchors chosen, drill into the mortar at the marked points. Clean the holes of any debris to ensure a snug fit for the anchors. Attach the custom plate by lining up the drilled holes with the anchors and fastening securely. The goal is to have the plate as flush against the stone as possible, but given the unevenness, there might be some gaps. That’s where your padding or flexible material comes into play, filling in those gaps to prevent wobble and provide additional support.

Attaching the Kanto Mount: Now that your custom plate is securely attached to the fireplace, mounting the Kanto articulating arm should be straightforward. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching the mount to the plate, ensuring that any screws or bolts used are compatible with the material of your custom plate.

Final Adjustments: With the arm attached, make any necessary adjustments to the articulating arm to ensure your TV is level and positioned how you want it. The great thing about articulating arms is their flexibility, so take your time adjusting the angles and swivel for the perfect view.

Remember, when working with heavy items and uneven surfaces, safety is key. Ensure everything is securely fastened, and don’t hesitate to consult or hire a professional if you’re unsure about any step in the process. Getting that blend of aesthetics and functionality just right, especially on a unique feature like a stone fireplace, can really elevate a space.

We can help you through the entire process from selecting the right equipment for your project, to implantation. BC Neville Tech’s staff of experienced professionals are here to help.

Call (262) 844-1535‬ or email bryan@bcnevilletech.com BC Neville Tech for a free quote.