For the last few years, Samsung, the most popular TV maker in the world, has been branding its TVs "QLED." Its 2021 QLED lineup is massive, with Neo QLED models in 4K and 8K resolution, The Frame art TV, Serif and the Sero rotating TV all bearing the Q. Meanwhile, LG's 2021 OLED TVs include six series, from the relatively affordable A1 to the 8K Z1 to a model that rolls up like a poster. Picture quality comparison: QLED TV picture quality varies more than OLED. Samsung and TCL each have multiple QLED series and the most expensive perform a…

Likely driven by the work from home and distance learning trends, the PowerHouse Alliance distribution group recently created a white paper discussing the emerging trend in consumer networking. This white paper was based on a survey of over 55 distributors analyzing sales data from the start of 2020 through the end of 2020. Using these distributor interviews and sales data pulled from 2020, they anticipate a 54% increase in home networking in 2021. In addition, they project a 15% increase in home control/automation and 4K displays. Manufacturers have done a great job at keeping up with spikes in demand, in…

The average home network wasn’t built to handle the number of connected devices that consumers have needed to use during the pandemic, especially when multiple family members are taking advantage of multiple services — streaming media, e-learning, videoconferencing — all at the same time. As you know if you’ve read previous e-newsletters or even been to our website, we have seen an increased demand for commercial-grade networks in the home. Generally, this need doesn’t come from someone asking for more hard wiring or additional access points, it comes from people simply wanting the spinning wheel to go away when they’re trying to…

While Home & Office Network Solutions does not recommend or install Clean Air Technology we thought the topic might be of interest to our readers so we start with a basic question. Will it control the spread of Covid? The pandemic has brought heightened awareness of just how filthy the world can be, and marketers are taking advantage of it. Air filtration is a tricky, complicated business, but it’s one of the main ways that experts say the spread of Covid could be controlled. Even a cheap, homemade air purifier might help limit the spread of viruses in a room, if…

Deloitte Global recently released its 2021 TMT Predictions report, which examines trends likely to change the way we work and live. Below are five that may particularly affect the consumer landscape. 5G Myths Although data shows that consumer health will not be adversely affected by 5G radio waves, Deloitte predicts that up to a third of people around the world will worry about it anyway. To assuage consumer concerns, the telecom industry should communicate with legislators, be proactive on social media, and reach out to vertical sectors to explain how 5G works. For more on 5G, don’t miss the CES®…

If you think that you just heard about Wi-Fi 6 you are correct, but the standard is already undergoing changes. Wi-Fi 6 will evolve into Wi-Fi 6E in the near future. Here is the catch. If your device (phone, laptop, TV, etc.) is NOT a Wi-Fi 6 device you will not be able to take advantage of the performance increases described below without buying new devices. The Wi-Fi Alliance has launched its Wi-Fi 6E certification program for devices equipped to transmit signals on the newly opened 6GHz band. This will set the stage for a flood of new, next-gen devices…

Due to the high volume of requests for support; all email, phone, and virtual (Zoom) support not covered by a warranty will be billed at our current hourly rate (prorated in 15 minute increments). Credit card payment* is required for email and phone/virtual support, while credit cards or checks are acceptable for on-site support. To receive support, please identify the type of contact method that you would like to receive support through and contact Bonnie via phone at (703) 444-1733 or email at Bonnie.Little@HNS-ONS.com to establish a support ticket. Depending on the type of support required the following process will…

We started 2020 off on a very high note for the Little family. In January, our daughter, Rachel graduated from the LA Film School and our son, Ian got engaged (wedding planned for June 2021). The whole family flew to Los Angeles to spend a week celebrating, only to come home to Covid. On Saint Patrick’s Day, our daughter was on a plane home, terrified of being quarantined alone in her small apartment in LA, a hot center already for Covid. We backed off performing installations as we quarantined with her for a few weeks, but our business was considered…

In addition to improving your WiFi at home to strengthen your Internet signal, you may find a need to strengthen your cell phone signal. While your cell phone provider will tell you that you can tap into your WiFi, it doesn’t always give you enough or any additional cell phone coverage. If you are struggling with being able to talk on your cellphone, you may need a cell phone signal booster. The basic principle behind signal boosters is to create an additional antenna within your home for your cell phone to attach to before capturing the signal from your carrier.…

8K TVs Several manufacturers now have 8K TVs; Samsung, Sony, LG, etc. Most are selling for more than $2700. Is it worth getting an 8K? Until content is available in 8K, you are fine with a 4K or OLED TV. That said, there really isn’t much new in TVs, so we recommend you look for deals in 2020 models, even most 2019 models have the latest technology and capabilities. Audio If you are looking to buy new speakers this holiday season, look first at the purpose. Sound to enhance a TV, we recommend either surround sound (which will require installation…

Here are some possible problems and fixes. IR relay receiver/emitter moved or fell off. IR Relays Systems retransmit the IR (Infrared Light) signal from your remote to the TV or another component such as a hidden cable box. The picture shows an IR relay receiver attached to a TV. The receiver/emitter of the system could come loose with age or be knocked off when cleaning or moving the electronic device they are connected too. Look around your components, TV first, and see if there is an IR relay receiver hanging behind or beside it. Affix it back to the same…

Covid-19 has forced us all to spend most of our time at home. Whether working, going to school or entertaining ourselves, chances are that you will be doing all or most of these at home for some time to come. We have already heard on the news the disparities of broadband coverage in some areas of the country and while we do live in a strong broadband area in the DMV, that doesn’t mean you are not subject to networking problems. While your Internet may have been fast before, it may now be slowing down due to all the people…

We all face frustration with technology. We hate it when something stops working for no apparent reason. Sometimes with electronics it can be a simple power reset to make the problem go away. But sometimes there are actual major problems that need to be fixed. Here are a few items we run into on a regular basis. Poor installation practices. Sometimes people just don’t care. This customer was experiencing intermittent outages. The cause was buried in this rat’s nest of cables. Stability returned to the network once corrected.   This is what happens when something does not fit quite right.…

Ring now has a Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus, as well as a Pre-Roll feature, which captures the 4 seconds before motion is detected to help users see what triggered a motion alert. The new “near zone” detects motion within 5-15 feet of the front door. You can also exclude areas that you consider to be privacy zones. As the others did, you can still turn off video or audio recording for an extra layer of privacy at any time. Plus users can utilize Alexa to communicate through Ring with whomever is at the door. Ring can be integrated…

If you struggled with your Internet back when schools were starting to go online in the Spring and you were also teleworking, it is going to get worse in another month or so, when the requirements to be online and in virtual classrooms increase for the new school year. This is not a local issue. This is a national issue for all homeowners that are now going to need far more bandwidth than ever before. Don’t even think that living in Northern VA and having data centers in your backyard is going to provide you with plenty of bandwidth. You…

A single router will not handle the requirements of today’s household. There are far too many devices contending for the “airtime” that a legacy single router provides. To add insult to injury, the wireless signal is usually not strong enough to provide a stable signal throughout a sizable house. The fix is typically a combination of 2 things. One: Using an Ethernet connection to hardwiring devices that do not move, i.e. Smart TVs, game consoles, PCs and Laptop docking stations that are used at a desk. Two: deploying multiple access points (the radio transmitter/receiver for Wi-Fi) around the house to…

As the weather starts to warm up, we will be spending more time outdoors. Sitting back and listening to some tunes is relaxing as well as fun. Take a look at some of your options. Mounted speakers: There are a variety of speakers that can be attached to the house or porch. These speakers are weatherproof and come on a swivel mount to direct the sound down. Our preference on the high end is Bose 251 Wall Mount Outdoor Environmental Speakers and for a mid-range speaker the Polk Atrium 5 series. Rock speakers: For those who want to hide their…

Last summer we implemented a new service that might work for you if you have a problem with your electronics/networking that you can’t resolve by using our troubleshooting guide (https://www.hns-ons.com/category/archives/page/4/). To determine if the problem is something that can potentially be corrected virtually we ask that you email us at info@hns-ons.com. If we feel it is something that can be resolved via a virtual service call, we will then schedule a mutually convenient time. A couple things to take note of: if we did not install the equipment or the equipment was installed many years ago, we most likely cannot…

The coronavirus is sparking anxieties among electronics manufacturers. Not only do issues with retailers reducing hours and potential shipping bottlenecks cause delays, but manufacturing plants worldwide have or may be closing due to the virus. This will impact when new electronics get into the market. Many of the electronics manufacturers work across different industries and domains. These firms typically operate by acquiring necessary electronics components from different suppliers. Suppliers receive orders and ship the requested parts to the manufacturers. The components are assembled, and then the finished product is shipped on to the ultimate client, often a consumer-facing brand. It’s…

If you are temporarily teleworking due to the Coronavirus, here are some suggestions to help make your life easier. Set up a place to work that has strong Internet access. If you have a home office, your office should have the ability to hardwire your laptop vs. using wireless technology. If you don’t have a home office, try to find any other room that allows you to hardwire it and set up your temporary office there. If you don’t have hardwiring, then look for the strongest WiFi access for your temporary office. Limit other usage of the Internet if possible.…