Whole house audio solutions are becoming increasingly popular as technology is advancing and becoming more affordable. Designing one, however, can be quite a challenge.

If you sit down and plan out what you want and how you want to accomplish it, you’ll be much happier with the finished product. Here are four main factors to consider when designing your whole house audio system.

The world and everything in it is ever-changing, but technology arguably changes faster than ever. Even if you’re a tech guru or an AV professional, it can be difficult to keep up with the rate of change. Popular technology from 20 years ago is most likely obsolete at this point (VCR, anyone?).

So, if you’re feeling lost in the whirlwind, here are four popular AV trends that you will be seeing a lot more of in the coming year.

If you walk into a business meeting and the guy in charge of AV comes in pushing a cart with an oversized and outdated overhead projector, you’ll probably want to turn and walk back out (as you should).

A company’s approach to technology and innovation is a huge part of their overall image.

The appearance of your conference room and the AV capabilities it has are what will either draw people in or make them run to the next competitor.

Automation used to be something that only businesses could benefit from, but now it’s become attainable for homeowners too. It has also expanded from merely controlling lights and air conditioning remotely to accessing anything electronic in your home. (Even your electrical outlets can be “smart”!)