EVERY SO OFTEN A TECHNOLOGY COMES ALONG that’s poised to change history, to alter the home landscape in ways that, on the surface, seem simple and basic, but are actually profound and powerful. In 2015, this shake-up stems from the proliferation of the light emitting diode, or LED, as it is more commonly called.
To kick off the new year and Electronic House’s inaugural digital issue, it seems only appropriate to discuss the impact this technology will have on the home environment. First and foremost, its affect will be felt in the way you illuminate your house. That staid incandescent bulb you’ve relied on all your life to light your home and property has run its course, and is set, per federal legislation, to be replaced by LED bulbs. Although change can be difficult to accept, LED bulbs are a blessing to anyone who wants to save, as these new bulbs are not only significantly more energy efficient but last decades longer than incandescent bulbs before they burn out and need to be replaced. Be sure to read our comprehensive Light Bulb Buyer’s Guide for all the facts and guidance on making this important transition.
And if you’re in the market for a home theater system—and who isn’t—check out how LED technology is making a difference in the way home video projectors operate and perform. As a super-efficient light source, LED is singlehandedly extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of several new video projectors on the market. Our resident video expert, Grant Clauser, introduces you to some of the best and brightest LED (and laser) projectors available today.
If you’d rather invest in an LED TV instead of a projector, those are a good choice for a high-performing media rooms, too. Combined with other compelling features like a higher image resolution and better color rendering, the aesthetic and energy-efficiency benefits of a Smart LED TV are hard to ignore. Again, Grant covers all the finer points of picking out an LED TV for your home in 4K Ultra HD TV: Everything you Need to Know about the Best Smart TVs on the Market.
You’ll see LED peppered throughout many other stories in this issue—as a way to curb energy costs in Steve Castle’s article, Energy Saving Technology: 7 Simple Gadgets for Home Energy Management, and as colorful additions to a some of most innovative, cutting-edge homes in the nation, as honored recently by CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association). Go to our Smart Home Gallery for an inside look at these amazing high-tech residences.
From bulbs to big screens, it truly is time to “get the LED out.” It’s a technology that’s here and ready to drastically transform the functionality and aesthetics of every room of your house. And this issue of Electronic House will point you in the right direction, no matter what your LED plans may be.
—Lisa Montgomery
lmontgomery@ehpub.com
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