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Our Installation services include:
Visual:

- Flat Screen Televisions - wall or stand mounted.

- High Definition upgrades
- Satellite Systems
- Home Cinema – full reference
- Calibrated Surround Sound
- Video distribution - TV and Cat5e Networks
- Computers & wireless networks – surf the net from anywhere in the home.
stream movies, music and TV programs on demand!
- Game console set up - link to surround sound and play online.
Audio:
- Multi room audio - Use of MP3 and CDs throughout.
- Integrated speakers – Discrete In-wall or In-ceiling.
- Calibrated Surround Sound set up
- Hifi stereo equipment for use with both MP3 and CD' s
- Gardens and terraces
Control:
- TV Screens, all AV components, lighting, blind & climate control, internal telephone, video entry
and Security system networks.
Each installation is tailor made for each of our clients. Upon final calibration and programming of the equipment we offer a full demonstration of how to get the most from your new system. We provide a aftercare service second to none and can provide a maintenance contract to ensure your system always runs to its full potential.To book your free consultation call +34 902 107 227 or email us at info@futurelifestyle.es

 

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Control 4 Unleashes the music on your phone and tablet

Control4, have this week made whole-home music streaming easier for everyone  with the new Control4^® Wireless Music Bridge. The new product enables you to instantly and wirelessly connect smartphones, tablets or computers to your multiroom audio system and enjoy their personal music collection through the home’s audio system.
  
If you can listen to it from your smartphone, tablet or computer, you can listen to it in any audio zone in your home. In addition to stored music libraries you can connect to streaming music services such as Pandora, Spotify, or Rdio.

Just walk in the door, pull out your phone or tablet, and fire up your favorite playlist via AirPlay, and enjoy your favorite music.
 
 Control4 has also released their newest software Control4^® OS 2.5 to power the new Wireless Music Bridge, along with the company’s new next generation of Wireless and Panelized Lighting Control solutions. Contact the sales team at Future Lifestyle for more information and find out how a Control 4 Home automation system can enhance your home.

original content taken from the control4 website www.control4.com

 

Let the (OLED TV) battle commence

LG has launched a 55in (140cm) OLED TV – so the battle begins for the next-generation of high-quality screens.

OLED which means organic light-emitting diode is more energy efficient than LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma-based alternatives.

LG's model will go on sale in South Korea first with other markets, including Europe, to follow later this year.

LG and Samsung announced they would be producing OLEDs last year, but its LG that is first to the shops.

OLED screens were first showcased at last January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, but until now neither company had managed to get a product to market.

The 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) OLED television will sell for 11 million won (€7,800). Analysts said the technology was unlikely to become more affordable until at least 2015 - but that this latest release was more about cementing LG's position as a market leader.

OLED screens have been touted as the successor to the popular liquid crystal displays (LCD).

The technology allows for the display of darker and deeper blacks, and can be made thinner than competing display methods.

Smaller OLED screens are already part of our everyday lives. Samsung uses the technology in its smartphones, and Sony's PlayStation Vita handheld console also utilises the thin, light technology.

The prediction of many is OLED screens will allow for the development of a new generation of "bendy" gadgets, some of which we may even see this year.

 So what is 4K and do I need it?

Another technology, known as 4K, has also been given a lot of attention from manufacturers.

Dubbed "Ultra HD", 4K offers 8 million pixels per frame - four times the resolution of 1080p high-definition displays - making it particularly well suited for extra large screens. 110in (279cm) models.

Existing 4K TV sets are LCD-based. But according to some purists, OLED offers a richer quality display so might be the better option for 55in screens.

The CES show in Las Vegas will start shortly and this is where a lot of the big boys set out their stool for the year. Unfortunately Future Lifestyle are not attending this year (dam and blast!!....). But we will be bringing you the best bits and the things that we believe will make it into our lives in the coming years.

Big changes a foot

With all the projects Future Lifestyle has completed over the past 18 months and the press coverage we have been receiving both locally and internationally we thought what better time to highlight it on a new look website.

The forthcoming website will incorporate a larger portfolio, a section of press releases and articles involving our installations as well as general updates showcasing our work and development of our work as a direct result of our market growth as our industry goes from strength to strength.

And as part of the new website launch there will be offers on various services and product releases. 

We´ll keep you posted - so watch this space → www.futurelifestyle.es

Smart Home Article

One of Future Lifestyle's installations has been officially recognised by Control4 by having one of its installations feature in their own international home technology magazine - 'Home Smart Home'. 

The article is in the autumn issue and available on the Home Smart Home' app or on the Control4 home page of their website.

Control4 had heard that we were pushing the boundaries of what is considered conventional home automation systems here in Spain and the American based company were keen to let the world know about our work. 

Having been installing the Control4 system for a number of years in southern Spain; from one room solutions to whole house control systems, the Future Lifestyle team are proud to be given this recognition from the manufacturer themselves..

Click here to read the article about Future Lifestyle or go to www.control4.com to look at the whole magazine.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water!!!

...Jaws is back and this time in HD quality... Universal have chosen Jaws as one of 13 classic films to be digitally remastered and fully restored from 35mm original film as part of Universal’s 100th Anniversary celebration. I´m just glad they waited to the end of the summer before releasing it as I don´t think I would of gone to the beach at all this summer.

The Jaws restoration began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements to determine the best means to restore the film. Over the course of several months, skilled technicians at Universal Studios Digital Services meticulously balanced colour, removed dirt and scratches, and repaired any damage to the film elements shot by shot and frame by frame. Following the picture restoration, Universal Studios Sound team up-mixed the iconic Jaws soundtrack to DTS-HD Master 7.1. The entire restoration process was conducted in conjunction with Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment’s post-production team to ensure the integrity of Spielberg’s original vision remained intact.
 

There is a short documentary about the restoration is available on the disc and on youtube. It shows how the remastering process corrected drastic timing and colour differences from the original negative. 

The 2012 version of the film has a crisp resolution (especially the actors’ faces) and the improved contrast in the underwater sequences (shots of the nude swimmer during the opening scene were especially, um, revealing). The yellowed, Polaroid picture “gauze” familiar from frequent TV screening of the movie were replaced by colour-accurate, bright images, but the actors’ clothing was still distinctly “early ’70s”. And there’s nothing quite like the “buh dum, buh dum,” of John Williams’ famous score to set you on edge.

Look out for the release of Jaws in HD throughout the month of August. And to really enjoy the experience why not contact the guys down at Future Lifestyle to see how to create the perfect home cinema... 

Welcome to the kitchen of the future

If you are of a certain age like some of the (older) members of the Future Lifestyle team you´ll remember the Jetsons. The futuristic family living in Orbit City, a floating apartment, with jet cars and robot housemaids.

Well we´re not quite there yet, but slowly parts of the Jetsons life are creeping into our everyday life. 

Most of us carry a small communication device that not only means we can talk to anyone anywhere in the world, but also listen to music on the go, watch TV and take photos. Flat screens able to connect to the internet and centralized music systems all controlled via wireless touch screens all are part of our normal day routine.

Now technology is making inroads to the kitchen allowing it to connect it with the rest of the home. Appliances that save energy or give you feedback on the status and make the whole kitchen experience a lot more pleasurable  

Have a read of the latest white paper from Control 4 here to see what the future holds for your kitchen. And for more information about how technology can change the way we live, work and play contact the team at Future Lifestyle and see what the future holds for you.

Addition to the fleet...

To cope with the increasing demand for Future Lifestyle installations it has be necessary to increase our fleet of vehicles... And with our new design you will be able to spot them easily in a crowd...

Customer service is high on the agenda for the FutureLifestyle team and our fleet of vehicles enable to ensure that our customers are never left in the dark. Providing service calls, advice and upgrades, our vans can be seen up and down the coast.

If you see one of our vans and are interested in any of the services that we can provide just ask the driver for more details or call the office on +34 902 107 227

Return of the Blog!!!...

Hello again... yes it´s been a while since we have updated our blog, but things have been all go at the Future Lifestyle offices...

We have completed installations of some of the most tech pack houses on the Costa del Sol (images and case studies to follow), signed agreements with distributors to become the installers of some of the best audiophile speakers in the world (check who here!) and worked on providing solutions for a whole apartment complex for a forward thinking developer.

There is still more to come!!... over the coming weeks we will be tweaking the website and updating portfolio with some of our latest installations...

So keep an eye on the website so see why we´ve been gone so long...... 

Philips Pronto winds down.....

Philips Pronto, which has been a major competitor in the home cinema market for years has announced that it is to shut down production. Insiders would know that Philips has actually been struggling to find a buyer for the Pronto remote line since 2009. They haven't been successful in the search, so they're simply shutting it down and saying that Pronto "no longer fits with the Philips strategy." Here's the official line:

“In December 2009, Philips announced the intention to relocate some of its existing remote control activities in Leuven, Belgium to Asia. At the same time, the intention was communicated to investigate alternative strategic options for the Pronto business, as this activity no longer fits with the Philips strategy. Following thorough research, no suitable partner was found for the acquisition of these activities. As such, Philips confirms today that it will discontinue the Pronto product line and related activities.”

Future Lifestyle had no prior knowledge of this decision and is both surprised and disappointed by Philips decision to close such a successful division. It is clear from the statement that the decision was taken at a senior board level outside of the Pronto team, and is related to a wider divisional restructure rather than a reflection on the Pronto range itself.

It is not yet clear if this is the end of Pronto, as there is apparently new interest from various parties regarding a possible buyout. If anything confirmed comes to light we will be sure to inform you, but in the meantime we would like to do is clarify that: 

Future Lifestyle will continue to support all of the Pronto remote controls it has installed over the years. We have also found a replacement for all-in-one remote control installations to fit all size and complexity of set ups.
For more information contact a member of the sales team on +34 902 107 227 or at sales@futurelifestyle.es

Still watching standard TV?

The BBC have stated recently that around 91% of households in the UK are still watching standard-definition television and video and this despite 56% of households have an HDTV. It says that some people are not using HD not because of added costs but because of a lack of technical understanding. In some cases, the article mentions, people may just not understand how to properly connect their sets.

The thing is people think they are happy with standard definition in the same way people were happy with their 28” CRT TV or their old VHS video players.. A lot of this revolves around what you grow accustomed to. I now find it hard to watch any kind of TV unless it is played through a amp of some kind, to me it just sounds flat.

There of course economic factors influencing the decision to embrace HDTV. I agree that the Sky HD service does cost that little extra and to be honest the shows we want to watch aren´t always in HD. But this doesn´t stop you getting on the Blu-ray wagon....movies on Bly-ray come with loads more extra features and watched on HD plasma or LCD with a surround sound system will enhance your movie experience no end.....

Do you want to know more, then call the Future Lifestyle team on +34 902 107 227 and ender 2010 in HD!!!!

Watch out for that new TV, it could be the death of you!

 Well that is what the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned that flat-screen televisions could cause a rise in accidents at home this Christmas.

Injury risk warning from TV topple

The safety watchdog said the hi-tech models pose a much higher risk of toppling over on children than older versions. RoSPA warned that a spike in sales in the build-up to Christmas, the digital switchover and the Word Cup could see similar results in the UK & Spain.

About 7,500 youngsters are taken to hospital in the US each year after televisions tip over, evidence showed.
"With flat-screen televisions becoming increasingly popular and many families likely to have a new set for Christmas, now is a crucial time to talk about safety. We urge people to ensure that free-standing television sets cannot be easily pulled over by children and that wall-mounted sets are securely fixed to walls which are strong enough to hold them."

We also believe that the most at risk are the people who have got into the Christmas spirits all day!! We´ve all been there....a few glasses of sherry “just because it’s Christmas” next thing you know you´re up and showing the rest of the family your best dance moves....... Disasters are bound to happen, you´re not a nimble on your feet as you used to be!!!!

Why not get that new screen put up by the professionals? Future Lifestyle are happy to install your new screen for you, we will ensure it is securely fixed to the wall, tidy all the cables, hiding them where possible and calibrate the screen to give you the best performance.

Give us a call on +34 902 107 277

Future Lifestyle go East...

Future Lifestyle headed up the coast to Nerja this month to bring another home into the 21st century. This luxury 3 bed villa with its own 2 bed guest apartment in Frigiliana near Nerja is being built by an English businessman who is looking to the future. Although this will initially be a holiday home the client has every intention of moving over here on a more permanent basis in the future. So this is how Future Lifestyle approached the project, we wanted to give the client a system that would keep him entertained whilst he is on holiday, but with enough scope to upgrade the system as he spent more time in Spain.

More tubes than the London underground...

We have learnt from our experiences in Spain that there is no such thing as over tubing, although we did get looks of disbelieve from the Spanish workers on site when we started installing the tubes back in the summer. However, as the cable is installed they begin to understand the need for such a tube network.

In our 1st phase of cabling we are installing the cables for a Cat5 network, these points can be used for a number of things including a stable internet connection, networking of PC´s & printers, telephones (internal phone network with extensions), Wi-Fi boosters and a host of other IP based technologies. Also going in at this stage is the cabling for a Multiroom Audio System. We have used high grade speaker cable installed from a central location to points in the ceiling and walls where discreet speakers will be installed. We have specified the Nuvo system to provide the audio, control of which will be done using the Nuvo keypads placed at the entrance of each room, each of which needed a Cat5 cable for connection. The Nuvo system was chosen for its ease of integration with Control 4 home automation system which will be installed to provide control of all elements via touch pads in key areas, which also requires Cat5 cables for communication.

Although a coaxial network has been installed for the TV distribution thanks to the Future Lifestyle design it will be possible to install a satellite receiver in any of the 8 rooms with a TV or a PVR satellite system with dual input for recording (Sky +/Sky HD/ Canal+ HD) in 3 of the rooms and shared around the house.

Alternatively all systems can be installed in a central location (Head End) and distributed around the home, with control done via an IR repeater or Wi-Fi remote. But if that wasn´t enough to cover anybody’s TV addiction we have installed a Cat6 network to the rear of every screen. This is to allow the streaming of HD programs or films from a central location or via the internet with IPTV when it finally comes of age.

Surround sound set ups have been installed into two locations in the main house, one in the lounge and the other in the dedicated studio which should stop any arguments during next year’s world cup.

Also to be added is a lighting system by Rako that will give him full control of his lighting from anywhere in the house as well mimicking a presence when he is not in Spain, whilst saving him money on electrical bills and extending the lamp life of his lights.

Yet to be installed is the CCTV network and video entry system which would allow the client to check on any visitors - wanted or otherwise, from any TV screen in the house or anywhere in the world via the internet.

And that´s not all.......

The client has appreciated the approach that we took with his installation. Not only has he got all the elements that he wanted in his original brief but he has room to grow as he spends more time in his new home. Space left in the tubes means that extra cables can be added in the future if need be and the comprehensive paper work handed to the client at the end of the job means that he knows what his house has hiding behind the walls. And as with every Future Lifestyle system that is installed a member of the team is never more that a phone call away to answer any questions the client might have, be it now or in the future.

If you would like to know more about benefits of installing a Future Lifestyle system in your property or you would like to know more about any of the things mention here give a member of the team a call on +34 902 107 227