Choosing the Right Technology for Your Entertainment

Sunday afternoon presents the familiar dilemma: your friends want to watch the Bears game, but a crucial playoff matchup is happening out west at the same time. Someone's tracking fantasy scores, another wants to catch the highlights from the early games. Everyone crowds around phones and tablets, trying to follow everything at once while missing the camaraderie that makes game day special.

If you're considering a home theater—or thinking about upgrading the one you have—you're probably weighing the classic projector setup against the newer video wall technology. It's not just about picture quality or screen size. It's about creating a space where everyone actually wants to gather, where you become the go-to house for game day, movie night, or any occasion that calls for the big screen. Let's explore what each technology brings to the table.

Projector: The Classic Choice

Projectors have long been the gold standard for home theaters. There's something undeniably cinematic about that massive image filling your field of vision when the lights go down for movie night. A quality projector delivers stunning picture quality and that immersive theater feeling that makes you forget you're in your basement.

But projectors have their limitations. They perform best in controlled lighting, which means you must dim lights and close shades. That's perfect for a Friday night film but less ideal when you're hosting an afternoon game and people want to move around and grab food. You're also limited to one source at a time—if two games are on simultaneously, you're making a choice.

Video Walls: The New Choice

Video walls take a different approach. Multiple display panels join together to form one seamless canvas—or split apart to show various sources simultaneously. This modular nature opens possibilities that projectors can't match.

These Soundtracks Will Make You Happy About Your Investment in Superior Audio

There's a moment that happens to every serious film lover with a quality home theater system. You're settling in to watch a movie you've seen before, but this time something's different. The bass rumbles through your chest during an explosion. You hear instruments in the score you never noticed. Dialogue sits clearly above the music. That's when you realize: you weren't really hearing these films before.

Not every movie is created equal when it comes to audio engineering. Some soundtracks are mixed by artists who understood they weren't just making a film score—they were crafting an experience for people with systems capable of reproducing every nuance. Our home theater solutions are designed to reveal these details, and certain films prove exactly why that matters. Here are eight that will show you what your system can really do.

Bill Ekstrand (Production Manager), Susan Karoll (Controller), Brian Perreault (President), John Cook (VP of Operations)

Disciplined Management and Process Drives Consistent Results

Most technology integration companies react to problems as they arise, scrambling to keep projects on track and clients satisfied. Barrett's Technology Solutions takes a different approach; one that is methodical, disciplined, and proactive. After 58 years of evolution from electronics retailer to custom technology integration firm, we've discovered that exceptional client outcomes require more than technical expertise—they demand disciplined leadership and processes. We believe that what sets us apart isn't just technical mastery of home automation and entertainment technology, but our commitment to structured business management and processes that ensure that every project delivers predictable, high-quality results for clients. Because when that happens, our company is successful. 

Waste Less Time with Home Automation 

You received three security alerts on your smartphone this morning, but they're all false alarms—a squirrel on the deck, your neighbor's cat, and the mail carrier's routine delivery. Traditional security systems excel at recording what happened but are terrible at distinguishing between actual threats and everyday activity. 

That's where integrated security changes the model. When surveillance works alongside your home automation system, your house doesn't just watch—it can actually act. From deterring porch pirates during holiday deliveries to making your home look occupied while you're traveling, intelligent security anticipates problems and responds before they escalate.

Our Service Team Helps Existing Clients Prepare for Stressless Seasonal Entertaining

You've been hosting your siblings, their kids, your parents and the in-laws for almost a decade and now it is just expected of you. They probably don't know how much planning it takes to accommodate your niece’s allergy, your son's limited palette, and your dad's traditions. Let alone getting the house cleaned, decorated and shopping all while still running your day-to-day business. You literally transform a chilly month into a holiday for your whole tribe. That's a lot of work and can be a lot of stress.

The best holiday gatherings happen when technology works invisibly in the background—lights that set the perfect mood, audio that flows from room to room, and media systems that don’t glitch when family gathers for movie night. Right now might seem early to think about holiday entertaining, but experienced hosts know that preparation is everything. Barrett's Technology Solutions’ dedicated service team understands this well. For existing clients throughout Chicagoland, we offer the personalized attention and technical expertise that turns potential party problems into stressless celebrations. Our client-centric approach means working with technicians who already know your systems, your preferences, and exactly what it takes to keep your home entertainment running at its best.

Sophisticated Design with Exceptional Tech 

The best lighting controls shouldn't just avoid disrupting your design—they should enhance it. Traditional light switches and basic dimmers force a compromise between form and function, but Lutron's keypad solutions prove this trade-off is unnecessary. With programmable keypads, Barrett’s Technology Solutions can help you actually gain superior functionality. Our system integration team can program one-touch scene control, automated scheduling, and integration with shades and climate systems. When these advanced capabilities are housed in hand-finished brass, precision-cut glass, or sculptural metal forms, your lighting controls become architectural jewelry that happens to deliver the most sophisticated illumination control available. With a plethora of styles and capabilities available, we can help you find the right  lighting control solution for your home. 

Technology with an Artistic Twist

The most sophisticated homes share a common trait: their technology feels intentional, not intrusive. While many homeowners think they need to choose between exceptional audio-visual performance and refined aesthetics, one of our suppliers, Leon, has spent twenty-five years proving this compromise unnecessary. Through custom American craftsmanship and innovative technology concealment solutions, they transform functional AV equipment into design elements that complement your interior vision. From handcrafted hardwood frames that make any TV look like built-in cabinetry to moving artwork that conceals displays entirely, these solutions demonstrate that the best technology is often the technology you don't see.

You Don't Have to Choose Between Sound Quality and Elegant Design

The age-old audio dilemma has plagued homeowners and designers for decades: exceptional sound quality or clean, uncluttered aesthetics? Traditional in-ceiling speakers could occupy more ceiling space than you desired with their eight to ten inch openings and grilles. But what if that compromise was no longer necessary? One of our trusted suppliers, James Loudspeaker, has a  Small Aperture solution to achieve full-range, high-performance sound through openings as small as three inches—openings so discreet they blend seamlessly with today's trend toward "quiet ceilings" featuring smaller downlights and minimal visual disruption. Why settle for less when you can have your sound and barely see it too? 

Behind Every Installation Is a Team That Makes It Look Effortless

Luxury home technology installations demand precision timing and careful coordination between multiple trades. When motorized shades, lighting control systems, and home audio needs to integrate with electrical work, millwork, and architectural details, the margin for error disappears. A single misstep—like scheduling drywall before invisible speakers are installed—can derail timelines and budgets. The project managers at Barrett's Technology Solutions serve as the central coordination point, bringing decades of experience to working with trades so that technology integration fits into the overall project plan and is not an afterthought. Through careful planning and communication, what could become chaotic becomes a carefully orchestrated process that runs smoothly.

Just Video Walls

From Movie Nights to Art, Modern Display Technology Brings Professional-Grade Experiences Home

Friday night arguments over who gets the best spot on the couch are a thing of the past. So are necks craned at awkward angles to catch the action during the big game. Video walls bring that theater-quality experience right into your living room, where everyone actually has a great view. Technology that used to cost a fortune and require a large, strong team to deliver now fits naturally into homes, changing how families watch, play, and spend time together.

Norman Sizemore

Creating Differentiated Experiences That Keep Customers Coming Back

Guests walk into a restaurant, and something immediately captures their attention—a stunning visual display that shifts the entire energy of the space. Conversations pause, heads turn, and suddenly the venue feels different. More engaging. More memorable. That's exactly what happened at Alter Brewing + Kitchen in Oak Brook. With the help of Barrett's Technology Solutions, they transformed their space with a dynamic video wall, turning a business challenge into a competitive advantage that now draws loyal sports fans and corporate clients alike.

The Experience Factor

Post-COVID, Alter Brewing enjoyed increased patronage, leading to the opening of a new location in Oak Brook. However, inflationary pressures cut into both customers' pocketbooks and operating margins, creating a more challenging business environment. Alter Brewing + Kitchen realized that outstanding beer and food were no longer enough. Customers had become more selective about where they spent their time and money. They already had TV screens for sports and entertainment, but they wanted to create a differentiated experience that would make people want to stay longer and return more often.

Their video wall installation behind the bar became a focal point visible throughout the restaurant, transforming standard TV placement into a destination-worthy viewing experience. The result speaks for itself: Alter Brewing + Kitchen now boasts a loyal Bears following and has successfully attracted corporate events. They've moved beyond simply serving customers to creating an environment where people genuinely want to spend their evenings, over and over again.

Practical Business Applications

The success at Alter Brewing + Kitchen illustrates how video walls serve different business needs throughout the day. During lunch, they might display menu specials and tap lists, news highlights, and sports recaps all on one video wall. Afternoons bring sports programming that keeps the bar busy between meal rushes. Evenings transform the space into an entertainment destination where friends gather for games and events.

Photo Courtesy of CE Pro, Mila Samokhina. 

Making Automated Shades an Integral Part of a Home

When most people think about automated shading, they picture motorized blinds that go up and down at the press of a button. Of course, this is what shades do. But walk through any Barrett's Technology Solutions installation, and you'll discover something more sophisticated. The shades are integrated so seamlessly into the architecture that guests often don't realize they're looking at something technology-related at all. This level of integration doesn't happen by accident—it's the result of our Design & Engineering Department, where specialists like Cody Cannon and Santiago Espinoza spend their days solving the complex puzzle of fitting complex technology smoothly into a home. 

Reliable Home Comfort that Works Even When the Teenagers Are in Charge

Ah, the long-awaited summer finally arrives in Chicago. Kids can ride their bikes to the Lincoln Park Zoo, teenagers meet friends at North Avenue Beach, and parents juggle work schedules that might include Monday morning Zoom calls from the home office or Friday afternoon flexibility. But when your family's lakefront lifestyle has everyone scattered across the city's 18-mile trail system, who's managing the house? Those elegant windows in your brownstone flood spaces with afternoon heat while you're downtown and the kids perfect their volleyball serves at the beach. Automated shading works like having a responsible adult at home—handling comfort and energy efficiency so you can focus on what matters most during Chicago's brief but glorious summer season.

Enjoy Spectacular Views Without The Glare, Heat, and Constant Adjustments

Living 40 floors above Chicago's streets comes with extraordinary rewards—Lake Michigan views stretching endlessly to the east, and the city's architectural marvels everywhere you look. But those floor-to-ceiling windows that sealed the deal on your high-rise home can become your biggest challenge when August’s relentless sun turns your living space into a greenhouse. By 2 PM, you're squinting at your laptop screen, ratcheting the temperature down on your thermostat, and contemplating keeping those blinds closed all summer. Automated shading offers an elegant solution, working in concert with your daily rhythm to maintain comfort while preserving those spectacular views that define high-rise living.

How Barrett's Partners with Coastal Source for the Perfect Outdoor Audio Experience

Standing in your backyard while crystal-clear music fills the air around your patio, pool, and garden paths creates an entirely different experience than listening to speakers in a showroom. The sound isn't coming from a sterile demo room—it's happening right in your own outdoor space, giving you the chance to hear exactly how premium audio will transform your property. This is the unique approach Barrett's Technology Solutions takes with their trusted partner Coastal Source, bringing their innovative demo van directly to your home. In a recent interview with Robert Bacci, Coastal Source's Technical Sales Specialist, you can learn how this hands-on experience makes all the difference when designing your outdoor entertainment space.

Lake Life, Simplified

The journey to your lake house should mark the beginning of relaxation, not the start of a weekend-long to-do list. As you navigate the final turns toward your waterfront retreat at the end of a long week, your lights automatically illuminate the driveway, a relaxing soundtrack plays through outdoor speakers, and the spa is already heated to your preferred temperature, just like at a resort. You didn’t have to employ a concierge service—it's the quiet efficiency of home automation working behind the scenes at your lake property. Today's technology transforms weekend getaways from maintenance-heavy obligations into true escapes where the focus remains exactly where it should be: on family, relaxation, and making memories on the water.

Ready for Your Arrival

Home automation brings the luxury of convenience, eliminating the traditional arrival routine of adjusting thermostats, turning on water features, and preparing outdoor spaces. Your property is ready for your arrival. Using your smartphone, you can activate "Weekend Mode" while still on the road, triggering a cascade of preparations: climate control adjusts to your preferred temperature, landscape lighting creates an inviting atmosphere, and outdoor entertainment systems are ready for use.

The pool and spa begin heating to perfect temperatures hours before you arrive. Motorized shades adjust based on the sun's position, protecting interiors while maximizing views. Water features like fountains activate, creating a welcoming ambiance. When you step from your car, you're greeted not by a list of tasks but by a home already in entertainment mode—music playing softly through landscape speakers, pathway lights guiding you to the dock, and comfort settings already dialed in to match the weather conditions.

Carefree Family Weekends

Lake homes should center around creating moments rather than managing systems. As your children race down to the water, motion sensors automatically illuminate their path. Instead of worrying about whether someone left lights on, automated scheduling ensures exterior lighting adjusts with sunset, brightening gradually as evening approaches. During the afternoon heat, motorized patio shades lower without prompting, creating comfortable shade over the outdoor kitchen.

For families, the advantages multiply. While the kids enjoy swimming, networked audio zones let you adjust volume levels specifically around the pool area without affecting conversations on the deck. As evening approaches, a single voice command or button press transforms the environment again: landscape lighting shifts to a warmer hue, the fire feature ignites, and the outdoor TV powers on for a movie night under the stars—all without interrupting the flow of your day. And if you do need to answer some work messages, your outdoor Wi-Fi is up to the task wherever you sit. 

How to Design Outdoor Spaces That Friends and Family Never Want to Leave

The warm nights and golden evenings of summer invite us to step beyond our walls and reimagine our backyards as true living spaces. Modern outdoor areas have evolved far beyond the basic patio and grill setup of yesteryear. Today's outdoor sanctuaries blend architecture, amenities, and discreet technology to create environments where every sense is engaged. When your lighting shifts with the sunset, music follows your conversation from the kitchen to the fire pit, and even the water features respond to your preferences, you've created a magnetic space that draws people in and keeps them there long into the evening. Let's explore how to create an outdoor retreat so compelling that checking your watch becomes an afterthought.

Preserve the View While Having Your Technology Too

There's something magical about Midwest evenings at the lake—watching the sunset paint colors across the water while a gentle breeze rustles through the trees. You bought your lake house for these moments. Nature is the focal point of this vista, and we want to keep it that way while still adding conveniences like outdoor televisions. This gives you the opportunity to host the big game viewing party in your backyard, where people naturally gather at your lakehouse.

Modern hidden technology solutions can give you the best of both worlds—magically appearing on cue when you need them, and vanishing the rest of the time. With the right outdoor technology and design, you'll never have to compromise on the views or the experience.

TV Solutions that Preserve the Views

Outdoor TVs can be quite large—often 75 inches or more. Many outdoor TV cabinets now have weatherproof designs that protect your equipment while blending with your deck or patio aesthetic. With the press of a button, your TV emerges for the big game or movie night, then disappears back into its housing when not needed.

For even greater flexibility, explore the innovative mounting options that are available. TV lifts can descend from pergola ceilings or rise from custom cabinetry built to match your landscape elements. Swivel mechanisms allow screens to rotate 360 degrees, ensuring you can enjoy the perfect viewing angle while you're in the hot tub or dining on your deck. These systems can be custom-built using materials that complement your existing outdoor features, whether that's natural stone, stucco, or weather-resistant wood. Some homeowners have even incorporated TVs into dock seating areas or fire pit surrounds, allowing entertainment to appear precisely where and when you want it.

Invisible Audio That Blankets Your Outdoor Space

Quality sound doesn't need to come with visual clutter. Modern audio solutions can deliver immersive experiences while remaining virtually invisible to the eye. Weather-resistant speakers can be tucked under the eaves of covered patios or mounted on walls with paintable covers that blend with your home's exterior.

How Barrett’s Technology Solutions Has Expanded to Serve Clients in Lake Geneva

When Joe Barrett spent childhood summers along the shores of Williams Bay, Wisconsin, he couldn't have known those experiences would one day influence Barrett’s Technology Solutions. Today, the company has established a significant presence in Lake Geneva, bringing our expertise in home automation and outdoor living technology to this scenic lakeside community. With the leadership of Senior Technology Consultant Rob Lubas, who recently celebrated his 23rd year with the company, Barrett's Technology Solutions has become the go-to resource for homeowners looking to enhance their lake living experience with sophisticated outdoor entertainment systems.

Extend Your Luxury Living Space Beyond Walls

Spring is finally in the air, and if you're like most homeowners, you're eagerly anticipating those perfect evenings spent outdoors. Whether it's hosting friends for cocktails under the stars or enjoying your morning coffee with a gentle breeze, your outdoor spaces can become the most cherished "rooms" in your home. With the right technology solutions, you can extend your outdoor living experience well beyond the typical season, creating a seamless transition between indoor luxury and outdoor enjoyment.