The Inherent Pitfalls in a DIY Smart Home

Walk into nearly any big-box store and you’ll find smart devices scattered throughout the aisles and in various departments. You might discover smart speakers in electronics, smart appliances in the kitchen aisles, and smart thermostats in the electrical department. 

How hard could it be to pick them up, install them yourself, and, voilà, you have a smart home for a fraction of the cost of a professional installation. Of course, you also have a mere fraction of a smart home. 

Here, we’ll explore the difference between DIY and professionally designed and installed smart homes—and why you should consider a professional installation. 

How Travelers Can Keep Their Homes Safe in Their Absence

It’s that time of year when many people find themselves packing their bags and heading out of town to visit family and friends as they celebrate the season of giving. Unfortunately, criminals are keenly aware of this activity and use it to their advantage by targeting unoccupied homes. The National Crime Victimization Survey found that larceny and robbery increase by about 20% every December. 

A standard precaution is setting lights on timers. However, because this act has become so common, thieves use the regularity of lights turning off and on as a sign that no one is home. 

There is a better way. It’s called smart lighting control. Here, we’ll explore the benefits it brings and how to ensure a home that appears occupied through the holidays and beyond. 

Discover the Power of Just Video Walls

There was a time when 4K HDR laser projectors and large handcrafted movie screens defined the luxury home theater. That, however, was before 2022. 

It was at this time, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that a company bent on revolutionizing the home theater display began emerging. Their official announcement came in a press release on August 13, 2023, which declared, “Just Video Walls on a Mission to Disrupt the MicroLED Category with Non-Disruption.” Interesting.

As integrators, they had directly experienced the challenges inherent in MicroLED displays for home theaters. They also knew that there must be a better way to share this incredible technology with the world and knew it would one day play a significant role in the luxury home theater market. 

That day is here. 

At Prodigy AV, we partner with Just Video Walls to offer unparalleled visuals and a captivating atmosphere. 

Make Your Outdoor Space Work Year-Round

The Nashville heat won't last forever. Soon enough, Middle Tennessee's crisp fall air will arrive, and most homeowners will retreat indoors until spring, but you don't have to.

The right technology and planning lets you extend your patio season well into the cooler months. Smart outdoor heating paired with automated shading creates microclimates by blocking cold winds, capturing warming sunlight, and providing consistent heat when temperatures drop. 

Your outdoor space becomes as comfortable as your living room, no matter what the thermometer says.

Ensuring the Perfect Fit & Functionality for Every Room

Motorized shades effortlessly manage sunlight and privacy, connecting you to the outdoors in ways that are unattainable with manual window coverings. In many homes, when the midday sun causes excessive heat gain and glare, the shades are lowered and remain lowered for the rest of the day. Automated shades change that, controlling natural light and privacy in a finely tuned manner from morning until night. 

However, many people think that roller shades are their only option for automated window treatments. You might be assuming that automated shades are a one-size-fits-all solution, forcing you to install the same roller shades on every single window whether or not this matches your preferences and window design. The truth is, roller shades are just one style that suits a specific aesthetic and window type—but they are not your only option. So, what happens to the rest of your windows and rooms? 

At Prodigy, we partner with Lutron, the global leader in managing natural and artificial lighting. Their automated window coverings extend far beyond traditional roller shades. 

Here, we’ll explore how tailoring shades to unique spaces ensures intuitive control, elevated design, and the perfect fit for every room.

Stunning Illumination, Impactful Design

Light has a profound impact on a home’s design in ways few other elements can. In the right hands, it creates a unique sensory experience, changing moods and highlighting surfaces and textures we may have never noticed. It sets the stage for all of life’s activities, creating functional environments that speak to the heart of the matter. 

In the wrong hands, light is nothing more than illumination to perform our many tasks. There may be a pendant light over the kitchen island and a lamp in the reading nook, but it does nothing to transform those who view it. 

Light should be so much more. 

At Prodigy, we partner with Lutron’s Ketra, one of the most advanced lighting systems in the world. With its customizable technology, our lighting designers can create spaces of intrigue and beauty, as changeable as the weather and as breathtaking as storm clouds building up on the horizon. 

Here, we’ll explore the true meaning of architectural lighting design and how it’s transforming homes and those who live in them.

Extend the Outdoor Season with Comfort and Ambiance

Living outdoors in Middle Tennessee means enjoying warm summer nights and mild fall evenings. But when the sun beats down, or a surprise shower rolls in, all that outdoor enjoyment can come to a halt. That's where modern shading solutions change the game. At Prodigy, we're installing motorized outdoor shading and screens that transform ordinary patios and porches in Nashville into year-round living spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, protection, and entertainment. Let’s explore how automated shading can help you make the most of your outdoor living investment. 

Enhance Your Outdoor Experience with Great Sound

Creating your dream outdoor space is about more than just beautiful landscaping and cozy furniture. A fantastic outdoor audio system brings your gatherings to life, helps you unwind on warm spring evenings, and makes sunny days even more enjoyable. For homeowners around Nashville and Middle Tennessee, knowing how to boost your outdoor audio systems’ performance is key. 

At Prodigy, we’re your go-to for customized AV integration. We help you craft sound experiences that suit your unique backyard or patio—with evenly distributed speakers that envelop you in music. This post digs into how omnidirectional speakers, smart positioning, and professional installation come together to create that perfect audio setup.

Keeping Up with Your Smart Home Tech in Nashville

A strong home network is the backbone of your home. It supports everything from smart devices to your favorite streaming shows. But with technology changing at lightning speed, staying current can feel daunting for our clients in Nashville and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area. Figuring out when to upgrade your home network can mean the difference between a seamless smart home experience and dealing with annoying lags or dropouts. This post dives into how long your network hardware usually lasts, the signs it might be time to change, and how our residential IT support keeps your setup ahead of the curve.

Today’s Smart Home Security Systems Provide the Ultimate Protection

It’s that time of year when we get our calendars and the phone number of our travel agent and start planning summer vacations. For some, the decision is easy and stress-free. For others, it’s laced with some hesitation. Will their home be safe and secure while they're away, or will it become another summer vacation statistic?

With summer being the prime season that thieves case out homes, now is the time to evaluate your home security systems. Experience the peace of mind that comes from knowing your Nashville and Middle Tennessee home is protected while you're away. 

Why 2025’s the Perfect Time to Brighten Up Your Tennessee Home

With the warm weather beckoning us in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, it’s the perfect time to enhance those spring and summer gatherings under the stars. 

Outdoor lighting isn’t just about making things visible; it adds a special charm to your home, boosts safety, and creates a cozy atmosphere. And the innovations available in 2025 make it an even smarter investment.

If you’re still relying on that old porch light or string lights, here’s why it’s finally time to upgrade with an outdoor lighting installation.

Brilliant Illumination with Advanced High-Tech Features

How often do you look in your bathroom or dressing room mirror? According to a Statista study by Niall McCarthy, the average time people spend in front of the mirror in the U.S. ranges from 4.3 hours for men to 6.2 hours for women every week. You brush your teeth, shave, get dressed, fix your hair, and put on your make-up before heading into the world. 

Then, when you get into your vehicle, do you double-check? How did you miss that spot above your lip or the smudged eyeshadow beneath your brow? 

The good news is that it’s probably not your eyesight or lack of coffee. In many instances, it’s the lighting that fails to adequately illuminate your face and body. 

That’s where Séura luxury lighted mirrors come in. Available in nearly limitless styles, they significantly influence how we feel about ourselves as we prepare for the day or an event.

In addition to perfect lighting, you can also watch the news, check the time, and turn the lights to a warm, soft glow as you prepare to relax in the tub.

Let’s explore what these elegant additions add to your bathrooms, bedrooms, and closets in Nashville and Middle Tennessee homes. 

Why Sonance Landscape Speakers Are the Best Choice for Your Backyard in 2025

Outdoor AV installations are most popular this time of year when everyone is yearning to get back outdoors for the fresh spring weather. Generally, in February and March, we get a lot of questions about the best way to create entertainment environments outdoors in Nashville, TN. How can you bring the quality of indoor audio and video to your patio, pool, and backyard?

Even though each project will vary, it all comes down to having the right equipment and design. Not only does your equipment need to be able to brave the elements, but it needs to be installed properly to get its full benefits. Almost all of our outdoor AV projects use Sonance landscape speakers, since they make it so easy to design high-performance outdoor soundscapes. 

Want to learn more about how this brand transforms the way you enjoy music in your outdoor spaces? Keep reading to find out!

SEE MORE: Why a Whole-Home Audio Installation Is Ideal for Luxury Homes

INVEST IN DEDICATED OUTDOOR AV EQUIPMENT

The biggest mistake you can make during an outdoor AV installation is to try and use indoor equipment outside. Any indoor speakers will wear down quickly when dealing with the elements and won’t have the power necessary to fill out large open spaces. Sonance designs speakers and subwoofers specifically for outdoor use, which makes it a top choice for outdoor audio. 

How Intelligent Lighting Enhances Your Living Spaces

Lighting serves an essential purpose in every home, but there's a world of difference between basic illumination and thoughtfully designed lighting that transforms your space. Just as dining at Mere Bulles elevates a simple meal into a memorable experience, sophisticated lighting design can turn everyday moments in your Brentwood home into something extraordinary. Ketra, a premium offering from Lutron's smart lighting family, helps create spaces that inspire, energize, and enhance your daily life. Let's explore how Ketra lighting design can transform your Tennessee home.

Create Dynamic Experiences in Your Commercial Space 

LED video walls have revolutionized how businesses communicate, enhance their brand image, and elevate that all-important first impression. Vibrant and dynamic, looking away is nearly impossible once one catches your eye. 

Like most modern technology, video walls are not standing still. They continue to evolve, getting better, clearer, and more engaging. From higher resolutions to interactive screens, today’s LED video walls are seamless at any angle. 

Here, we’ll explore how businesses in Nashville and Middle Tennessee are integrating this jaw-dropping technology and the benefits it brings. 

You Can Do Much More Than Adjust with a Remote! 

At Prodigy, we specialize in integrating smart home technology into Nashville and Middle Tennessee homes. Motorized window treatments are one of the most popular modern solutions today that elevate your home's functionality and beauty.

If you’ve been considering adding them to your home, here are five things you may not know about motorized shades.

Why Trusting Experts with Your Smart Home Setup Makes a Difference

When you’re considering how to implement a smart home design, it’s important to focus on creating a space that suits your lifestyle, from automated lighting to temperature control. While there are many ways to make your home smarter, one crucial factor is how your smart technology gets installed. 

The installation process can make all the difference, and it’s worth trusting professional smart home integrators like Prodigy to craft a personalized design that offers seamless control and automated systems that work with your daily schedule. Read on to learn why partnering with professionals is a smart move for your home in Nashville or Middle Tennessee.

Experience Convenience and Premium Sound with Whole-Home Audio 

From the finest materials in the kitchen to the custom cabinetry in the bedrooms, every detail matters in Nashville, TN, luxury homes. Modern homeowners desire an elevated experience that blends comfort, convenience, and cutting-edge technology. If you’re looking to complement this vision, you’ll want to consider a whole-home audio installation. 

Whole-home audio is the perfect addition to transform your home into a sound-filled retreat. Here's why it's ideal for luxury homes.

Tips for Crafting a Comprehensive Security Solution

We’ve all experienced the panic of wondering whether or not we secured our home before going on vacation. Fortunately, smart home platforms allow you to remotely check on your property and lock up while you’re away. However, fully safeguarding your home goes beyond just locking doors. 

Your property deserves an advanced security solution that’s both effective and tailored to your needs. With a wide range of technologies available, there’s no room for compromise. Here’s a guide to the key considerations for designing the perfect security system for your home in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. 

Manage Home Security with Remote Security Solutions

Secure your home in Brentwood or Middle Tennessee with a modern access control system that delivers safety, convenience, and peace of mind. With today’s advanced technology, an access control system helps homeowners monitor and control who enters their property with ease. 

Whether you want to eliminate traditional keys or manage your complete home security remotely,  our access control systems provide a variety of customizable options to meet your needs. If you think access control might be right for your home, read this short guide to help you make a more informed decision.