The Corrie Connection...

So unless you live in a cave you must of heard by now that the so called “freeview” channels will be disappearing from the screens of expats in southern Spain. Yes we have heard it before and there was the big panic at Christmas in 2012 they came to nothing (although Ch5 and their related channels did become unavailable).

This time it is official and it is a matter of (short) time before we wake up one morning to find a blank screen where Susanna Reed and the BBC breakfast team once sat.

For some this will make little or no difference, the BBC news channel or other English speaking news broadcasts are available through the same satellite as the Spanish channels. Others are not that concerned with TV and / or can speak Spanish well enough for it not to upset their routine. But what about the rest of the expat community down here?

Let´s get things straight, Sky is not going to disappear Mr Murdock knows a good thing when he sees it . God know how many 100 of thousands of British living in Spain either full time or have second homes the demand for English speaking TV is high and people will pay.

But when I say Sky won´t disappear I refer to the channels you pay Mr Murdock a subscription for, so your Sky1, Sky Atlantic, Dave, the Movies and the Sports will all remain safe. The channels that will no longer be viewable are the ones considered Freeview in the UK, so the BBC´s, ITV´s and so on.

When will it all happen??

Well the satellite is moving into position as we speak check our post “Get ready for a change to the way we watch TV” to get the full picture. But the short answer is very soon......

Will you be ready?

There are a lot of companies offering services to fill the hole in your TV viewing that the BBC is going to leave and Future Lifestyle have looked at most of these to see how they stack up to each other.

We have been looking at each service and evaluating the following: -

• ·         Ease of use
• ·         Strain on your internet connection
• ·         Content
• ·         Extra features
• ·         Customer service
• ·         And of course price.

Fear not... we will not let you  miss out on Coronation Street or be left out of the loop of Celebrity Big Brother. We have put our name behind three different types of service that we believe will full fill everyone’s needs and budgets.

Call us today to find out what system suits you best or to book a site survey...
  
t: +34 952 830 936 
e: info@futurelifestyle.es

Why do some people insist that home automation just doesn´t work?

This attitude is becoming more common as our industry matures. The problem lies with peripheral tradesman trying to muscle in on the home automation explosion... electricians, satellite engineers and even computer technicians have all tried to get in on the act... people that do not have the appropriate skill set have been short changing the customer by installing a system poorly... 

you wouldn´t ask dentist to take a look at your feet now would you?? 


We have been to meet potential clients only to be put on the back foot because of the integrator of his previous installation hadn't properly designed and carried out the job. We explain that the home automation systems that he will be purchasing for this home are different and better than his last one. Manufacturers and integrators alike have learned from (and listened to) clients just like him to make the current products enhance his lifestyle effortlessly, rather than serve as a source of aggravation. We have met clients who felt the same way he does and now regrets his decision to not at least pre-wire for resale value. The pre-planning of the design, materials and installation of just the tubework alone for such a system is a worthwhile exercise. It can be used as an added feature of the house when it comes to sell it, even if you do not use the pre-installation yourself.

Systems continue to become more reliable and robust as each generation is refined.

Architects in Spain are slowly understanding that houses of a certain standard should at the very least have some kind of control. Whether is be for the lights, air conditioning or a complete entertainment system. So if you are about to build a new house or renovate your existing home now is the time to think about at least pre-installing for a home automation system.  And if you do want to move into the future, go with a company that has experience in such installations. True, the electrician or even your mate from the pub may be able to do it cheaper, but a well thought out design is the key to a good and secure system. 

 Installations that will grow & adapt to your wants and needs.

In truth 'you can´t win 'em all.....' Some people get their fingers burnt by inexperienced installation companies and understandably do not want to go down the same road again. We feel for these people, they have spent good money and have been sold short and now wonder what all the fuss is about with things such as, HD and 3D content, surround sound amps set ups and Blu-ray DVD. If you are one of those then maybe now is the time to give our industry another try. With the right installation company you will not be disappointed.

Words like simple, improved, dependable, enhanced, easier, stable, trouble-free, less complicated best describe a Future Lifestyle installation.

If you would like to know more about designing a home of the future or you need help with an underperforming installation, give the Future Lifestyle team a call and book a free consultation. Let us help you put your faith back in technology.......

email info@futurelifestyle.es or call +34 902 107 227

¡Mama Gina Goes Anglo!

The popularity of the premiership is now taking hold on Spanish businesses in key expat areas. La Pesquera group has now added English football to its Mama Gina restaurant in Benalmadena to cope with demand from local ex-pat residents which account for 95% of the restaurants clientele.

A SKY package has been installed with a 92” projector screen to the bar area to add to the 2 TV screens used for showing the Spanish games via Canal+ in the restaurant. This installation has gone in 12 months after a similar installation using a 102” screen went in at the Medium Rare in Old town Marbella, also one of the La Pesquera chain of bar/restaurants in Spain.

Jose of Mama Gina said, ‘We have added this system to encourage our expat clientele to stay after eating in the restaurant. The Premier league is popular in other establishments in the area and as our clientele is 95% English this seemed like an obvious upgrade for us to put in. We hope it will also bring people in just for drinks which should see us gain more business right through the season and into the summer with the World Cup in South Africa. Everyone welcome, thanks’.

There is now talk of the same installation going into the La Pesquera in La Linea, near Gibraltar. Exciting times…..

OLED Screens here to stay....

The rebirth of the OLED TV could be here. It was almost dropped because of the cost and complexity, despite combining low power consumption and super thin design with startling colour reproduction and superb contrast.

But fear not, both Samsung and LG now appear to be looking again at their plans to fast-track OLED production.

Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) the organic panel specialists (which is a joint venture of Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI) is reportedly considering a 1.5 trillion investment in a new OLED production line.

Samsung Mobile Display is the world’s largest supplier of Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM OLED) panels, producing some 20,000 a month, and can boast Sony, Samsung and Sharp as its clients.

LG meanwhile has introduced its 15in OLED TV into the Korean market, using panels produced by LG Display. LG Display is also looking at constructing a 5.5th-gen line, with a possible launch date of 2011. With industry predictions suggesting the OLED TV business could be worth $1.8 billion by 2015, could a race to dominate the market about to get underway?
So after a little faltering the OLED TV looks to take off. With style, great specification and functionality these TV are sure to make it a winner.

Why not contact the sales team at Future Lifestyle to get a quote on the latest OLED screens and the new super slim wall brackets.

Call +34 902 107 227 or email sales@futurelifestyle.net to speak to the sales team.

PlayStation 3 opens it´s movie store in Europe

PlayStation this month (19th Nov) have opened the new PlayStation Network movie download store for business in Spain and select European territories. Now you can save the trip to the shops and enjoy hundreds of films in the comfort of your own sofa on your PS3 or on the go with PSP.
Sony says users have a choice of 800 movie titles from a wide range of studios – both new releases and back catalogue titles. Unlike Xbox’s new 1080p streaming service, the PSN proposal involves downloading a DRM-laced file to the PS3 hard drive. While Sony concedes that this will take several hours on a good connection, it points out that viewers will be able to watch their movies only shortly after the download begins. With movie rentals, users have a 48-hour window to view their download, commencing with the first Play activation.

Interestingly, those who download a standard-def movie have the option of transferring the film to Sony’s PSP portable for additional viewings. However, if you opt for a 1080p movie, there is no provision for transferring a portable version of the file to a PSP.

Also with the latest firmware update (v3.10) will allow you to access your Facebook account through your PS3. By linking your PlayStation Network account to your Facebook account, you will have the option for the PS3 to automatically update your Facebook News Feed with Trophy and PlayStation Store activity. A spokesman for Sony says this is just the beginning of our integration with Facebook and we are looking forward to adding new features enhancing the experience in future updates.

Plan now for the Future....

Confusion and fear of new technology - aswell as cost, have all been mentioned to us when we have spoken to architects, builders and homeowners on the Costa del Sol about home automation or intelligent home installations.

Not surprisingly then that home automation and home entertainment systems tend to be down on the list when refurbishing or building a new home. Future Lifestyle have created a guide to consider when you’re thinking about upgrading or building a new home which hopefully will prove that planning is everything.

Tips for your future home

1.Tubing for the future – The way homes are constructed on in Spain lends itself to plan now for the future. A well thought-out tube network installed at the build stage of a project will pay for itself in the future. The cost of installing the tubing is minimal compared to the added advantages it can hold.

2.Wire for everything now...even wireless technology – If you are building or refurbishing your Spanish home, start with a plan for future wiring needs. Cable is necessary to support even wireless applications. No one can guarantee what the future brings, however Future Lifestyle make it their business to look at the technologies coming through and likely to become part of our lives in the future and take this into account when designing any integrated home system.

3. Ensure the experts work together for you – Maximise your home by having your architect, builder and interior designer team up with Future Lifestyle from the very beginning of the planning process. All parties will work to create the home of your dreams, at the price you have agreed and in the timescale you require. We provide all of our designs in an AutoCAD format that can be integrated with that of the architects’ for the project so all parties are able to work with us.

4. Insist on integrated systems – Make sure the electronic equipment you are buying can be interconnected and operated as one, if required. Some manufacturers use a closed communication system, meaning that their equipment will only communicate with other hardware by the same manufacturer. This will limit you to what components you can install and will usually come at a premium cost.

5. Integrate lighting and heating control – Going green meets convenience. Get the most out of your system with the least amount of energy consumption. System integration provides automatic energy-efficient adjustments saving you time and money.

6. Think with your wallet, but lead with your head – Quality and long-term dependability are the most cost effective attributes that you can build into a home.

7. Think "green" – By utilising green practices, you can save money by having a more energy efficient system and help save the planet. Ask Future Lifestyle about how you can "go green" in your home.

8. Simplify your life – Easy to use, all-in-one remote controls are available for any system. Future Lifestyle can even custom program them so they make perfect sense to you. New technologies offer control from other devices and even through Internet browsers anywhere in the world.

9. Increase your expectations – Your home automation system is a big investment and you deserve to be satisfied with it. Future Lifestyle can provide you with comprehensive designs, a wide range of product options, a professional installation and especially, a full aftercare service for your system.

10. Consult a professional – Today's home automation systems grow, evolve and change over time, constantly adding entertainment, comfort and security features. Future Lifestyle will be with you every step of the way, from concept and design, through the build process and be on hand to help and advise well after the dust has settled.

Are you interested to find out more? Then why not give Future Lifestyle a call on +34 902 107 227 or contact them at info@futurelifestyle.net to arrange your free consultation.

The World Cup in 3D

It is rumoured that around half the games in next year’s FIFA World Cup competition will be broadcast in 3D!!!!

A report in TVB Europe states that FIFA officials are keen to see at least half of the South Africa-hosted tournament covered in 3D. One official FIFA sponsor is Sony, which along with other manufacturers such as Panasonic, LG and Samsung, have all invested in 3D displays which will be widely available ahead of the soccer festival.

FIFA, along with host broadcaster HBS, is considering a full range of transmission options including supplying broadcast feeds to cinemas or for outdoor speciality coverage. A formal announcement could come as soon as the end of the month (November 09).

Keep posted to hear more and to check out the new 3D screens as we get more information.

Sound Design

Future Lifestyle based on the Costa del Sol is happy to announce the installation of a small Video / Audio installation in the new Richard Lewis Interiors boutique shop in Guadalmina´s busy Commercial Centre. Richard Lewis Interiors, Marbella’s premier home design destination for over eight years, are specialists in bespoke handmade curtains, blinds, pelmets, valances and soft furnishings, all of which are made on site by an established team of curtain makers and soft furnishings.

This exciting new boutique is your chance to see the amazingly sleek PMC Wafer One´s super slim hang-on-the-wall speaker, that are designed to fit very discreetly into any room. There's no denying the effectiveness of its 'disappearing act' - although not exactly invisible, it's visually very easily overlooked.

The Wafer 1 sounds significantly bigger than one expects bass lines are quite clear and explicit, but with a definite thickening of upper bass textures. Finished in silky white, grey or black, both Wafer models come in two styles. One is intended to be flush mounted by being recessed into a wall, the other (the ones installed at Richard Lewis Interiors) fixes onto a solid wall, so that it stands proud by a modest 11cm.

Mounting the speakers alongside flat screens often forces them to be mounted in both portrait and landscape orientations. This would normally guarantee compromised imaging from one of these orientations, however the Wafers are fitted with two tweeters that allow them to be mounted in either orientation without compromise to the imaging.
The result is a hifi and monitor speaker that delivers the very best performance from an application that would deeply compromise the performance of any normal loudspeaker... read more

Why not drop into Richard Lewis Interiors new boutique shop and have a listen, or contact one of our sales team on +34 902 107 227 or click here to send us an email........

All in One remote controls

Does it take you about five minutes and the use of about half a dozen remote controls just to turn the TV???

Turn on the TV.... make sure it is on the correct channel...fire up the amplifier....selected the TV audio source.....now pick up the satellite remote control and enter the correct channel number........Today this is not unusual, we all have to perform this daily rituals just to watch the news. Wouldn´t it be nice to just pick up one remote control and with the press of one button you can get to watch your favourite program.

In the past all-in-one remotes were either too expensive for your average person, or were so complicated to use you needed a manual just to work it. However today there are a number of solutions for the overcrowded coffee table and not all of them will break the bank or require a degree to work them.

Many manufactures including Phillips Pronto, Logitech & Control 4 offer solutions that fill this gap in the market. With IR, RF and Wi-Fi solutions available let Future Lifestyle of Marbella help you decide which one is right for you as well as programming it to ensure you get the most for the control. And as your system grows or changes Future Lifestyle are on hand to update your control pad to bring all of your components under the control of the remote.

For as little as €99.99 we can offer all in one programmed solution, so get rid of your coffee table clutter and give us a call on +34 902 107 227 today and get one of our sales team to help decide the best solution for you.

So simple an adult can use it...

Intro to Future Lifestyle

Future Lifestyle is an installation company that specialise in the networking of all digital products in the home. We have worked with developers and private owners in the UK and the Costa del Sol.

With the rapid growth of internet and email the world of technology is taking over our lives. Future Lifestyle is able to offer the design, supply and installation of all types of home entertainment and lighting control in the home and work place. From the latest flat screen technology to IP networks for a fully integrated system contact us on how you can upgrade your lifestyle.

The past decade has seen the rapid growth of the internet and email. The use of mobile phones, computer games and the like, have changed the lifestyles of us all. Add to this high definition flatscreens and improving internet connection speeds, people are spending more time at home, many are even working from home.

Our homes now can be controlled by touchscreens or via the web, allowing simple interfaces to be designed to the user’s needs – in some cases using a single button.

No more visible wires nor the need for multiple boxes and remote controls in every room……!



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.net