Method #1: In-Wall Storage Box

Occasionally, with smaller video sources like Apple TV or Roku media players, people might choose to attach these on the back of their TV or on the wall behind the TV. While this effectively hides devices from the front, it pushes the TV off the wall by a couple of inches, ruining the look from the side. An easy solution is to simply put them inside the wall!

Today’s in-wall enclosures are designed to fit between the wall studs. These come in different sizes (14” x 14” is most common) and give you a place to install one or more small components. These enclosures can easily accommodate small network switches or surge protectors. With your sources recessed into the wall, your TV can now mount right up against your wall surface for a true low-profile installation.

Method #2: HDMI Extenders

Standard HDMI cables are not intended for, or sometimes even capable of, sending 4K video and high-resolution audio signals very far. They are usually limited to about 20 to 30 feet before things get more complicated. That makes it difficult to hide a game system or Blu-ray player inside a cabinet or a closet that isn’t close by. HDMI Extenders give you the extra distance needed to make this happen.

HDMI Extenders, sometimes called “baluns,” are actually two boxes. One is a transmitter, and the other is a receiver. They are connected by a category cable like Cat5e or Cat6. A shielded category cable works best and is preferred when possible. The video source (Xbox, PS5, cable box, Blu-ray, etc.) plugs into the transmitter and sends the HDMI signal over the cable to the receiver where your TV is located. From there, the HDMI cable connects the receiver to your TV’s HDMI input, and you’re set! This inexpensive method allows you to achieve distances as far as 330 feet!

Method #3: Video Distribution

This option not only lets you hide all your video sources, but it also allows you to share them amongst every TV in the house. It’s like Method #2 but with multiple sources in a single location distributed to every TV in your home. You gain several benefits with a video distribution system:

With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is a decent chance that your mind is primarily focused on how you plan to decorate your home for the festive weeks that lie ahead. We agree that holiday decorating is much more jolly than most tasks around your home this time of year; however, we can’t stress enough the importance of keeping your place ultimately safe and secure. Not to mention thwarting off the thoughtless porch pirates attempting to swipe packages right in front of your doorstep. This holiday season (and for the remainder of the year), it’s time to take your home’s safety seriously and consider investing in a reliable home security system to give you the ultimate peace of mind. If you’re looking where to start for some security ideas for your modern home, we’ve put together a guide on how to secure your home with some of the latest and greatest home security solutions.

At a Glance:

How to Secure Your Home

Smart Locks

Optimize Your Lighting

Video Surveillance

At a Glance:

What is a Smart Home?

What to Consider Before Building Your Smart Home

Making Your Home Smart

Smart Home Installation

Find a Certified Smart Home Installer Near You

Amazon Fire TV (Stick Lite, Stick, Stick 4K, and Cube)

All versions of the Amazon Fire TV Stick are some of the most affordable streaming devices out there, retailing for less than $40. They come with an HDMI connector, an Alexa voice remote, and the Stick 4K is capable of 4K Ultra HD with support for HDR. The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a set-top-box setup and retails for $120. It has all the capabilities of the sticks but also has double the storage, and ethernet connectivity native. One of Fire TV’s most popular features is its Alexa voice control. You can prompt Alexa to find your favorite shows, browse the app store or even ask about the weather. Fire TV’s app store features streaming services such as Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu, and live TV apps such as Sling TV or YouTube TV. There are also music apps and games available for download. Amazon Prime Video and other Amazon features are heavily integrated into the Fire TV platform, so if you’re already an Amazon customer this may be a good fit for you.

Chromecast with Google TV

Chromecast with Google TV is an affordable and popular streaming option, with a retail price of around $50. It plugs into the HDMI port of your TV much like a stick; however, its HMDI connection is on a short pigtail cable, allowing it to connect a bit easier in tight spaces. It boasts 4K abilities and has a voice-controlled Google Assistant remote to help search and answer questions. It also has access to the Google Play Store and its hundreds of apps to choose from, along with its own streaming service, Google TV. Chromecast with Google TV has Dolby vision compatibility, gaming with Stadia, and Google Photos integration, which makes for a personalized touch to your streaming experience. Much like Amazon, Google TV and other Google services are heavily integrated into the Google platform, so if your home is already full of Google devices, including Nest devices, this may be the right solution for you.

Note: A “Chromecast”, unlike a “Chromecast with Google TV”, is simply a device that allows you to “cast” or “mirror” your smartphone, tablet, or computer, to a TV.

Apple TV 4K

Apple TV is a set-top-box setup with a Siri remote and retails for $179 and $199, depending on how much storage you prefer (32GB and 64GB respectively). In addition to the hundreds of apps for download from the Apple app store, you can also enjoy games from the Apple Arcade. Apple TV offers its own live TV streaming service, as well as flexible HDR and a TV calibration feature. This is the only media streaming option without a kid’s mode, but it does have password restrictions for certain content or apps that you can add. With Apple TV, you have access to things you have stored in iCloud, such as saved music or photos. You can also connect your Apple Airpods to the TV for private listening. Once again like Amazon and Google, if your other electronic products are Apple, this may be the route for you so you can streamline your devices and enjoy all of Apple TV’s features.

Roku (Express, Express 4K+, Streaming Stick+, Ultra, Streambar, and Streambar Pro)

Roku has the most versatile selection of devices including stick-like devices with cable pigtails, a stick, a set-top-box device, and even (2) soundbar solutions, all ranging from $30 to $150. Roku has 4K capabilities and has the most streaming app options in its app store. Unlike other streaming services, Roku is impartial to any one streaming service and does not try to promote one streaming app over another. It also has a screen mirroring feature, where you can easily project content from your phone or tablet to the TV screen. Another perk of Roku is that while it does offer a physical voice remote, you can also control it from your phone by downloading the Roku app. Rokus are also compatible with Amazon, Google, and Apple voice assistants. The remote also has a 3.5 stereo jack that you can plug wired headphones into, allowing for private listening. Roku Streambars add cinematic sound into the environment by having the media player built into a four-speaker soundbar, which is unlike any other product on the market. If you’re brand agnostic, or maybe just want a little more flexibility when it comes to brands, a Roku device might be the way to go.