Archive for March, 2010

A Light or a Speaker – Maybe Both !!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

MustAVit have been introduced to an innovative new product by Ebode Electronics, it states that it is a wireless speaker with integrated amplifier that replaces a recessed downlight. This is a product type we haven’t come across before and not sure if the market is ready for it yet.
I like the concept, it says it got a low energy LED lamp inside and the amplifier powers a wireless signal from say an iPod or other source. Read an extract from the datasheet below, we would love to hear comments from any of our loyal MustAVit customers or regular visitors saying what they think of the product and whether they think we should add it to our website.

The New Ebode Lightspeaker
“It is rare in our industry to be able to honestly use the word ‘unique’ for a new product – but with ebode’s new LightSpeakerTM it is absolutely true – simply because LightSpeakerTM is in a class of its own. ebode’s LightSpeaker™ (as the name suggests) combines low consumption LED lighting with wireless sound in one easy plug and play system. It saves money on electricity costs, delivers a wireless distributed audio system for up to four rooms and it can be installed, connected and enjoyed within minutes.”

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

logoofhomebuildingandrenovatingshowAre you thinking of building your own home,  taking on a major renovating project, extending or maybe you want to install the latest in innovative products and  technology into your existing home, then you will want to know that  from the 18th – 21st March the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show will be taking place at the NEC, Birmingham. What better way to achieve the home of your dreams by getting inspirational ideas, restoration tips and finding out about the latest products and services on offer.  It is the biggest self build and renovation consumer event in the UK!

Although MustAVit.co.uk are not exhibiting at the Homebuilding and Renovating show this year, you be able to visit over 450 local and national exhibitors, attend free seminars and The Eco Home Show, there will also be celebrity advice from TV’s Michael Holmes.

Remember that if you do find any products or solutions you are interested in don’t forget to check with MustAVit.co.uk to see if one our dedicated experts can help you with your enquiry.

Enjoy the show!

MustAVit Top 5 – March

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Back in the middle of 2009 we decided to increase MustAVit.co.uk’s product base so we could provide product for all types of customers and their particular AV requirements.

This month’s Top 5 shows that some of the products we added have been flying off the shelves. We also have the tried and tested products that people always want and have done since we introduced them some good few years back.

So, here we go: the countdown of March’s Top 5 Products.

5. Click Scolmore IP65 Walkway Kit

image of Click Scolmore LED710A lot of people have been using the beginning of this year as ‘project time’ for the garden, I’ve recently helped some friends tidy up the garden in thier new house, ready for the spring barbeques, what they did however miss the chance to do is add the Click Scolmore Walkway kits to their garden, it adds a nice touch to the house, when you look out the back window and see a classy landing strip effect from your back door! The kit provides you with everything you need for wasy installation of a 6 light walkway set. Up to six additional walkover lights can be added to the kit cable and powered by the transformer supplied. Each individual walkover light is fitted with a 0.8m lead allowing great flexibility in planning layouts.

4. Bluedelta Point to Point Link Kit

image of Bluedelta Point to Point Link KitOver the last few years Bluedelta have been providing us all with product that can so easily let you have your equipment where ever you want, in that hub location under the stairs or where ever you desire! The Point to Point link kit is another product from Bluedelta that simplifies the ability to do this. The Point to Point kit also has IR control so you can control your source with your original remote. The fantastic part of the Bluedelta range is that you can adapt it to your system, fully customisable with what you are trying to achieve. Why not have a look on our site for more information!

3. NuVo AP16C in Ceiling Speakers

image of NuVo AP16C in ceiling speakerNuVo have only very recently started to become a force in this country. The speakers they manufacture are of very high quality and have a selection of speakers from your simple set up for background music to the top end of the range where the speakers can meet the demands of a fully fledged Home Cinema room. The AP16C speakers are at the bottom of the end of the range but don’t be deceived by the small price tag, this is what you call “value for money”, the AP16C’s create a very decent noise for the price and that is why it is sat at Number 3 this Month. Why not find out what I mean for yourself and keep it there or higher for April!!

2. Bluedelta Hideaway IR Repeater System

image of Bluedelta Hideaway IR Repeater systemThis is still one of the more popular IR Repeater systems out on the market today. The ability to literally hide away your AV equipment in the home is becoming more and more desirable. The Bluedelta Hideaway systems let you do just that. Even though the sources will be in the same location as the TV/monitor you can totally hide your equipment away.

1. Click Scolmore Adjustable Down lighters

image of Click Scolmore GZ515 Adjustable DownlighterConsumers are now more inclined to put lights up that are discreet providing a good source of light, not from a massive chandelier or bulky wall lights but from  a down lighter! Elegance nowadays is more discreet than walking into a grand hallway and seeing the big features that you sometimes do see. You also don’t have to worry about the workmen/electricians recreating the famous Only Fools and Horses episode “A Touch of Glass!” The Professional Adjustable Down lighters are similar in appearance to a conventional low voltage halogen reflector lamp, available in 8 different finishes to fit in with your décor or preference.

You’ve seen all our latest Top 5 now so why not have a look at the products themselves and like I said before, make sure these or some new products are in the top 5 next month!

image of chandelier

Lisa Lloyd

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Lisa Lloyd

Marketing Director/Co Founder

After working for 10 years within a very lively European Digital Imaging, Sales and Marketing Department at Kodak Ltd, undertaking various roles, including new product launches, designing exhibition stands and producing product literature, and at that time was expecting our second baby, Andy (my husband) and I decided to start up our own business Webstract Ltd, custom installers of smart home technology, which became a great success.  We then decided there was a market for selling direct to consumers who like DIY and electricians who could install many of the products themselves, thus we then set up MustAVit.co.uk so these customers could buy directly from the website.

My role within the company used to change on a daily basis, as we had to multi-task, sales one minute, accounts the next, business management the next, and not forgetting mum the next, to my two gorgeous children Rosie and Bobby, every day was different, but now I focus almost all of my time to marketing (and being mum of course).

When I’m away from the office I enjoy, walking, running, cooking for friends and family, and going out for lovely meals, taking the children out to the farm or swimming, and definitely having a well deserved glass of wine with my husband!

My wish list to do before I get too old is: to do a parachute jump, swim with dolphins, drive a racing car, and go in a hot air balloon.

Philip Fisher

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Philip Fisher

Sales & Marketing Consultant

After leaving Sixth Form with qualifications in Music and Media, the natural progression was into the Music Industry, but as I’m now with MustAVit, someone obviously had other ideas! You may not see the link but believe me, there is one!

My life is based round music; if you were to see me in my spare time (if that’s what you call it) you will see me rushing north, south, east and west of the country to attend music rehearsals and perform in relevant Concert venues. When I do have time to myself I enjoy listening to mainly smooth Jazz and the rest of my eclectic music taste on the Sonos Wireless Audio System that I have in the house! I also live with a house full of gadgets, with the iPhone and other smart phones being my lifeline which is the same, I’m sure for lots people who are reading this in the world we live in today.

I understand and appreciate the need for music in the home situation, to keep you chilled, to get you up in the morning, to get you ready to go out; most of our products on MustAVit.co.uk provide a way to send music around your home in high quality so you don’t miss a note or a word in the lyrics.

MustAVit has evolved over the last year with the new website going live, which looks great and new features on there that have changed how people like yourselves can use the site. For example the Comparison features. We also have lots to look forward to, you may have noticed our presence on Social sites such as Facebook and Twitter do come and look for us on there as we will provide little bits of information which you may find useful. Make sure you do not miss out!!

Andy Lloyd

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Andy Lloyd

Co-founder and Technical Director

Having spent 10 years as a sparky and 7 years in IT, in 2004 I felt the need to become my own boss again and put my love of gadgets and AV to use & decided to setup Webstract Ltd as a custom installer of Smart Home technology.  It was a natural step as I understood cabling and how they should be installed from my sparky days and with my experience in IT the thought of installing technology to control the type of systems that were becoming available was a challenge I had to take.

Webstract was an immediate success and I instantly knew was the right industry for me to work in. I found the systems we installed challenging but also exciting and loved the fact that many of the homes we worked in were absolutely fabulous with indoor swimming pools and home cinemas that sounded better than the local Odeon

After Webstract had been up and running for a while I began to see a demand for this type of technology for the DIY’er and occasional installer ie Electricians, TV aerial fitters etc, who wanted this type of technology for either themselves or their customers. MustAVit was setup and has grown to be one of the most respected places to buy smart home technology today

As you might have noticed, technology and business make me tick, however outside work I try to relax with my wife (and business partner) Lisa and our 2 young children Rosie and Bobby.  Time is always very precious as most business people would probably agree and the time with our kids is mostly spent in the park or out with our friends around where we live. I’ve never been great at sport but have just started to hack my way round a golf course and convincing myself this is also exercise, although the bacon butties and a few pints at the 19th soon put way to any calories burnt off. At the end of a hard day the one thing that I truly enjoy is a nice chilled glass of wine with Lisa and a bit of mellow Jazz on the radio, naturally through the multiroom entertainment system in our home.