During this strange time, we’re understandably getting more questions about computer and network health than ever before. We wanted to provide you with some technology health elements and troubleshooting tips. These are points that may help to cut down on frustration and make you more productive. This is somewhat of a long read but please check it out as we’re confident this can help now and in the future. See below:

Got an important Zoom or video call tomorrow on your computer?

• PREPARE: If your meeting is at 8 AM, don’t start doing updates and tweaks at 7:50 AM. If you do, you’re not going to make that meeting. Do these updates the day before DURING TECH SUPPORT HOURS and go onto the needed web platform to ensure that you can connect. Updates can cause certain functions to stop working so you want to make sure that tech departments are open in the event that you need to call to get support.

• DON’T USE THE INTERNET FOR OTHER THINGS: While you’re on your call, tell your children to stop playing video games, no Facebook Live, etc. These types of activities can slow up your network drastically and can contribute to glitching, delays, etc.

• DON’T CALL THE CABLE COMPANY IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO: With everything that is currently going on, the cable companies are more taxed than they have ever been. This is not the time to raise your Internet speed (see our point below about the Gigabit lie/Internet speed and why it isn’t that important), attempt to change providers, get new services, etc. We would recommend waiting on any non-essential tweaks until things get back to normal. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

• CHECK YOUR BACKGROUND PROCESSES: If you have anything going on such as Carbonite back-ups, Dropbox syncing, iCloud uploads, etc. these services can all cut down on your Internet bandwidth and can cause issues with video conferencing. Turn these off if you have important video calls that need to be perfect. NOTE: If you do turn these off, make sure you turn them back on.

Want Healthy web browsing?

• RESTART YOUR MODEM AND ROUTER REGULARLY: This will help to prevent lock-ups and disruptions in your Internet service.

• RESTART YOUR LAPTOPS, TABLETS, PHONES, ETC: Restarting your devices regularly (turn off power, wait 30 seconds and then power them back up) will help to keep your electronics working properly.

• CLEAR YOUR BROWSER CACHE: Another phrase for this is “Don’t have 57 windows open on your laptop”. Close these unused browser windows and history for better surfing performance.

• MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BROWSER AND OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE UPDATED REGULARLY.

Random tips and opinions

• DON’T WORRY ABOUT INTERNET SPEED: The cable companies have been advertising their Gigabit service very frequently. Don’t believe the hype as you don’t need 1 Gbps for quality Internet connections. Here’s why Gigabit is good and bad:

• Most of our clients that have “gigabit” service are receiving 250-400 Mbps (25-40% of Gigabit speeds). Based on speed solely, ANYTHING in the house will run perfectly with this. Typically, most networks at 100 Mbps+ will allow household networked devices to run properly. Another point about this is that ALL of your devices, wallplates, connections and cables need to be Gigabit to theoretically get Gigabit speeds. Unfortunately, they almost never are. Our recommendation is not to get hung up on the idea of getting specifically Gigabit speed but just to know that having a Gigabit package will allow you to get GREAT speeds that should work with anything in your home.
• Throughput vs. speed: Throughput is how much network information (packets) gets to a location successfully. Elements such as using wired connections when possible, being in rooms/areas close to your WiFi routers and practicing good device health (see points above) will do more for your throughput than just concentrating on speed alone.

• ONE DEVICE WON’T CONNECT: If you have 1 device that won’t connect but 39 others that do, focus on the device that won’t connect as opposed to working on the other 39. If everything else works aside from one component, do the potential updates, resets, etc. on the device that won’t connect before you start resetting everything else.

• “IT AIN’T GOT NO GAS IN IT”: In the movie “Sling Blade”, this is one of Carl’s iconic lines. The point being made in this movie is that Carl looks for the simplest solution first. If your lawn mower doesn’t work, don’t take it completely apart and starting oiling the motor…check the gas first. Getting back to networks, if you have something that isn’t working, think about what might be the simplest thing first. This picture is of an Ethernet cable.

My computer stopped connecting to the Internet the other day. All of my other wired devices were working as well as my WiFi devices. Therefore, the simplest thing was to replace my Ethernet cable. TA-DA! My computer was working again! There was no reason that the cable should have gone defective…but it did. The point is that most problems are fixed by doing the simple stuff first.

We hope that this information helps you to become more Internet-savvy and that your devices behave. Need further help in San Diego with WiFi, computer troubleshooting or electronics...give us a call! NOTE: LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube page below for future tips, reviews and information.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9T427K3ZMta3YAa6um_rsg/featured

Eero won't work with your new device? We've solved that one before.

Does Eero not work with your new:

Smart Bulb?

Solar system?

Security system?

Baby monitor or pet cameras?

Smart home technology?

Here's why it doesn't work and how to fix it.

UPDATE as of 2/3/2022: See our latest video HERE that illustrates this process.

Eero is great product and we love it. See the article HERE why it's one of our favorite offerings. HOWEVER, there are some limitations to Eero and it's why we also have better WiFi offerings for certain applications. Eero emits both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless networks and the way their product works is that your device will "see" 5Ghz until you get out-of-range. At that point, connected devices "see" the 2.4Ghz WiFi network. As a refresher, 5Ghz is faster than 2.4Ghz but it doesn't propagate as far in space.

Here's the problem, many of today's inexpensive DIY devices are cheaply constructed or engineered and as a result, the initial set-up app (or sometimes the device itself) only operates on the 2.4Ghz band. In most cases when you are trying to set these devices up with Eero, you are in range of the 5Ghz network and not the 2.4Ghz network that the device can attach to. As a result, the app from your smart device may display "no network", "set-up failed", etc. You can fix this in one of two methods:

• Move far enough away from the device so you are in "2.4Ghz land" instead of "5Ghz land". As 2.4Ghz travels farther in space than 5Ghz, moving away from your Eero system will allow the app and device to communicate to the 2.4Ghz band.

• You can call Eero and have them turn off your 5Ghz band for a short period of time. Once you set the app up, you can then call them to turn the 5Ghz band back on. As long as your device can see 5Ghz, you will then be back-in-business. Sometimes just the APP won't work with 5Ghz but the device will. NOTE: If you have a device that only works on 2.4Ghz, you may be out of luck.

This is an issue that has perplexed MANY people. However, this is a simple one for us. Want help from network professionals? Call San Diego's WiFi and Eero experts!

Having problems with AppleTV?

Having issues with AppleTV? You're not alone? We've experienced a number of problems over the last 12-15 months with clients reporting that it takes some time to get picture and sound from their AppleTV devices. Here's some brainstorming, thoughts and a possible fix.

We are only getting these calls with the older AppleTV units (generation 3). The newer units are generation 4 and we haven't seen the same problems with these. If you bought your unit 2+ years ago, you may have a generation 3 model. If you have one of these, read on as these ideas may be pertinent to you.

DISCLAIMER: This is my own theorizing and isn't based on any fact or anything I've read...Apple, please don't sue me. BEGIN: I noticed problems started on my older Gen 3 AppleTV unit about 18 months ago. When I would turn on the system as I always did, instead of the Apple menus and icons for Netflix, Prime Video, etc. coming up after 5-10 seconds, I regularly had just a black screen. My TV and all other components, including the AppleTV were on...I just had no picture or sound. After doing some testing, I experienced that the picture and sound would normally come back on after I would repeat the TV input commands. This is normally indicative of an HDMI "handshake" issue where the components don't recognize each other and you have to do the equivalent of reaching out your hand again (in this case, the TV's hand) so the TV can communicate with the AppleTV. Once I would choose the correct input on the TV again, I almost always get picture and sound and my AppleTV is functional.

I think the Apple changed their protocol via a firmware update and this changed the way that the AppleTV communicates via HDMI. In turn, this made it so the AppleTV doesn't behave the way it used to. The reason I think this is that prior to 18 months ago, we didn't come across this problem. Now we see it very regularly with older AppleTV units and it happens with different brands of TVs and audio/video receivers. So what's the fix?

If you turn on your older AppleTV and you don't get picture or sound, give it about 10 seconds and then repeat the TV input command. This will reinitialize the handshake and you should be in business. If it still doesn't work, this could be a common power-cycle issue and this is typically fixed by unplugging the power from the AppleTV, wait 30 seconds and then plug it back in. Add one of our BOBs to make this simple.

Simple system resets

Still have questions? Let San Diego's technology experts help you with your stereo, television and streaming device needs!

Netflix not working on Roku? See below

Roku and Netflix are 2 great products...until they stop working together. Did Netflix just stop working on your Roku device? They just did an update that screwed things up. If you're not getting Netflix anymore:

1) Try going to another service such as Amazon, Hulu, etc. This will let you know if there is a global Roku issue or if it is limited to Netflix. If you can get picture and sound with these other apps, go to Step 2.

2) Go to the "Home" screen, "Settings", "Display Type" and then take your Roku off of "Auto Detect" and choose another resolution. You should see options such as 1080p, 1080i, etc.

3) Once you make this change you should be back in business! NOTE: Some Roku units may have slightly different terminology. If you don't see the exact terms in #2, use the closest variant (ex: "Display Type" might be "Resolution").

Still need help getting Netflix working with Roku? Call us and let San Diego's technology experts help you with streaming, WiFI networks and today's technology.

San Diego technology troubleshooting, remote control programming and finding out which wire above goes where

Did your old audio/video company go out of business? Maybe you just moved into a new house and you don’t know what those 5,000 wires are doing? Need a remote control programmed and don’t know where to go? Got bad WiFi and are tired of Netflix continually stopping? Read on!

Today’s technology can be complicated and for many people, they don’t know where to turn when the above issues and other technology problems raise their head. This is why we offer what we call our “Discovery Visit”.

Our “Discovery” service allows us to arrive on site, decipher the various products and design of your set-up and to come up with a solution to make sense of your system. This also allows us to document your set-up so we can support you with service and troubleshooting in the future. Some of the elements typically uncovered during a Discovery include:

• Type of audio/video/smart home/WiFi components and the way they are being used in your particular design
• WiFi speeds in crucial areas
• Remote control programming and remote control troubleshooting
• Whole-house music or Sonos not working
• Troubleshooting products that are possibly defective
• Presenting solutions for future service and EASE OF USE
• Best practices and implementation of existing components and design going forward
• On-site tutorials of how your system operates

The cost for a Discovery visit is determined by the length of time and complexity of your system. Interested in a technology consultation? If so, give us a call and let us make sense of your TV, stereo, WiFi or home automation system.

Need a technology expert? Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County which includes Del Cerro, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, El Cajon, Blossom Valley, La Mesa, Lake Murray, Friars, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Alta Del Mar, Carmel Mountain, Carmel Valley, Coronado, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo. Need help in Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, Fallbrook or Bonsall...we're there too. House by Pardee, Shea, Lennar or other builders? We can help!

Got audio/video problems? Maybe you have one of the issues below? If so, we can help!

• Picture but no sound on cable TV
• No sound from Netflix
• WiFi keeps dropping out
• Music won’t play through surround sound
• Need a universal remote programmed
• Netflix won’t load
• I get a wheel that keeps spinning on screen when using Netflix
• Hum coming through subwoofer
• Can’t hear the vocals on TV
• Guide won’t work on cable box
• DVD player won’t open
• TV won’t respond to commands
• Universal remote not going to correct inputs
• Don’t know what wire goes where
• Sound won’t play through whole-house audio system

We deal with and fix these kinds of technology problems every day! With over 4000 jobs completed in the last 13 years, we’ve come across an issue or two. Let our audio/video professionals make sense of your misbehaving audio, video, WiFi or home technology. Sometimes we can fix these probkems right over the phone! Call and let us make your home technology the last thing you need to worry about.

San Diego TV audio troubleshooting and stereo servicers Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County, CA including Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Blossom Valley, Lake Murray, Friars, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Pt Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Alta Del Mar, Del Mar, Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo. Blossom Valley, Alpine, La Mesa and El Cajon...we;re here too.

Minimize being this guy...choose Aire Theater Designs for your home theater install!

Reason #7 why we offer the best home theater installation in San Diego: Remote monitoring and troubleshooting.

This home theater stuff has changed a LOT over the last 20 years. It used to be that when we were setting up a home stereo system, we would get your tape deck, turntable and receiver in place and the maintenance consisted of dusting your components every couple years. Now, it is a totally different world with firmware updates, software updates, voice control, power-cycling, Wi-Fi compatibility and 50 other things that can make your audio/video system get out-of-whack. Here's what we do to keep your smart home and stereo components working and to keep you smiling.

Remote visibility: We install Wi-Fi systems from Eero, Luxul and others that allow us to "see" what is going on from afar. This lets us troubleshoot remotely when you are having issues and allows us to fix most issues right over the phone. See link below about a recent fix we performed for one of our clients.

Costa Rica Remote WiFi Fix

Power resets and our friend BOB: Power-Cycling.

Q: How do you become an IT professional? A: Learn how to pick up the phone and say "Did you unplug it from the power?" Almost every one of our troubleshooting calls are fixed by some form of unplug-it-and-plug-it-back-in-again. However, how do you know what to unplug with all of those cables? Our remote IP-controllable power pieces and our BOBs make this EASY. See link below.

EASY audio/video troubleshooting

This surround sound and smart home stuff should be fun. If it has been frustrating for you in the past, give us a call and find out the many reasons that we provide the best home theater installations in San Diego. Better audio, video and smart homes start here.

The best Home Theater in San Diego experts are here! Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County, CA including Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Blossom Valley, Lake Murray, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, CA, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Torrey Pines, Carmel Mountain, Coronado, Solana Beach, Alta Del Mar, Del Mar, Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo. Blossom Valley, Alpine, La Mesa and El Cajon...we're here too. 

Netflix won't work, AppleTV issues, cable TV problems and more...here is the fix!

Here’s a smattering of the calls we get on a daily basis:

“The guide isn’t coming up on my cable box”

“Netflix stopped working…there aren’t any images”

“My Roku won’t do anything and it is frozen”

“I can’t get WiFi to work…the wheel keeps spinning”

“I’ve got no sound from my DirecTV box”

If you’re making this call, we know that audio/video troubleshooting can be frustrating and complicated. However, it doesn’t have to be!

If you’ve had a system installed with us over the last few years, you have a BIG, ORANGE BUTTON (see picture above). We liken it to magic. You push the orange button, wait 30 seconds and then push it again. Once you perform these three steps, your problems are solved!

We love the big, orange button so much we’ve thought about changing our company name to “BOB”. Don’t have a BIG, ORANGE BUTTON? Call us and let us simplify your technology with a BOB for your audio/video system or WiFi network.

NOTE: Is your system a little more complicated with racks of surround sound equipment, whole-house audio or smart home technology? We have a BOB we can install that allows us to reset things AUTOMATICALLY from anywhere in the world! We recently performed this for a client in La Jolla while we were in Costa Rica.

Call us to determine the level of BOB you need in your life.

WiFi issues, Netflix won't work or AppleTV problems San Diego? We've got you covered. Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County which includes Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, El Cajon, Blossom Valley, La Mesa, Lake Murray, Friars, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Pt Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo. Need help in Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, Fallbrook or Bonsall...we're there too.