A Growing Network of Independent Design Houses Now Builds Lutron's Control Intelligence Directly into Their Work

If you have considered a Lutron control system for your home's lighting and shading, you might be concerned that you are limited by the company’s style options, even though they are quite broad. If so, you might be interested in Lutron’s Native by Design program, which adds their automation intelligence directly into products from independent design houses. This broadens the designer lighting and shading options you might want for your Bountiful luxury home, not limited by Lutron's catalog. Launched at CEDIA Expo 2025 and still expanding, Native by Design makes an investment in Lutron control that much more valuable.

RGB Is the Next Great TV Tech Upgrade

Every few years, a TV technology comes along that actually changes what's possible instead of just adding a marketing label. Sony's new True RGB TVs are one of those moments. For Bountiful, UT, clients weighing their next display upgrade, it's worth understanding what makes this technology different from the ordinary Mini LED, and why Sony's version carries some real pedigree behind it. In fact, two decades of Sony innovation came before it. 

Future Automation Has the Right Mount for Any Need

Show & Tell installs plenty of TVs, and the wall mount is the part nobody thinks about, until it's wrong. A shaky bargain bracket fails at the worst moment. A poorly chosen mount over a fireplace leaves everyone straining their neck. Future Automation, one of our trusted brands for Bountiful, UT, installations, builds mounts that solve nearly every one of those headaches, starting with an ultra-slim wall mount that barely leaves the wall, and the lineup only gets more interesting from there. You might not know these options existed, but now you will.

Sony's Flagship True RGB Television Was Built to Match What the Studio Intended 

The BRAVIA 7 II is a genuinely great television. But the Bravia 9 II builds on that foundation and asks: what does absolutely no compromise look like?

The BRAVIA 9 II is Sony’s flagship True RGB television, engineered to reproduce what filmmakers and colorists see on their professional studio monitors when they sign off on a film. For anyone building a dedicated media room, renovating a great room around a statement display, or simply refusing to settle, this is the only viable option. Show & Tell AV carries both the standard 9 II and the exclusive PRO model.

97-Inch Screens & RGB LED Technology Are Coming to a Living Room Near You 

There was a time when a 65-inch TV felt enormous. Then 75 inches became the benchmark for a “big” screen. Now? Homeowners are designing media rooms around displays that measure 97 inches and beyond. And once you see one installed properly, it’s hard to go back.

2026 is shaping up to be the year of truly oversized LED TVs. Sony, Samsung, and other premium manufacturers are leaning hard into ultra-large displays, with new 83-inch, 97-inch, and even 100-inch models here already or arriving soon. But size is only half the story. The bigger shift is what’s happening behind the screen.

Micro RGB LED technology is quietly becoming one of the most exciting developments in display quality we’ve seen in years. Let’s take a (massive) look. 

The Joint Venture with TCL Is a Turning Point in Sony’s Celebrated TV History

Sony's Bravia 8 II recently won Value Electronics' annual TV Shootout for the seventh consecutive year, besting Samsung, Panasonic, and LG in a head-to-head picture quality showdown that's been the industry's most respected benchmark for two decades. Now, nine months later, Sony has signed over the majority control of its entire TV business to TCL. Wait, what? Officially announced on March 31, 2026, the new company is called BRAVIA Inc. If you're a Sony fan, you might have questions. We’re going to do our best to tell you what we know thus far. 

This is the Perfect Time to Upgrade to a New McIntosh Amplifier

McIntosh doesn't run this program every year. When it does, it's worth paying attention. Through March 31, 2026, Show and Tell is participating in McIntosh's TradeUP program—a limited-time offer where qualifying McIntosh amplifiers, preamplifiers, integrated amps, and receivers can be traded in for up to 75% of their original MSRP toward a new model. Gear from as far back as the 1960s qualifies! If you've been sitting on older McIntosh amplifier equipment in your Bountiful home and eyeing an upgrade, this is the window. Maybe we can give you a few ideas to nudge you along here. After all, there’s not that much time left. 

Updated Software, Controllers, and Remotes Bring New Performance and Capability

Technology moves relentlessly forward, and Control4 systems installed just three to five years ago are missing significant performance gains and compatibility breakthroughs that newer hardware delivers. If you've been thinking about smart home upgrades, 2026 hits a sweet spot: the X4 software platform has launched, Matter support is coming to current controllers, and Control4's upgrade discount program makes modernization more accessible. Whether you're in Bountiful or anywhere across the Wasatch Front, three upgrade paths deserve serious consideration—controllers that handle more and run faster, remotes that feel more modern, and software that transforms daily interaction with your system.

What to Know About Planning New Home Technology

Most builders treat technology like plumbing—a functional necessity handled by whoever pulls the cables. The problem? Their "low-voltage wiring plan" sounds comprehensive until you discover speakers terminated in ceiling centers instead of optimal listening positions, network jacks placed where furniture will block them, and that thermostat wired directly to your HVAC, sitting dead-center on the wall you envisioned for artwork. New home technology requires the same thoughtful planning as your kitchen layout or lighting design. Whether building in Bountiful's growing neighborhoods or undertaking major renovation, early tech planning separates exceptional Utah homes from merely functional ones.

Professional Monitoring Without Monthly Fees or Foreign Security Risks

Many home surveillance systems create more problems than they solve. Constant false alerts train you to ignore notifications. Monthly cloud fees add up forever. Worse, many popular cameras pose genuine security risks that most homeowners never consider. After installing Luma systems across Bountiful, we've taken an approach that transforms surveillance from frustrating to functional. Luma solves the core problems through AI-powered intelligence that distinguishes actual threats from passing shadows, NDAA-compliant hardware that keeps your data secure, and network video recorders that eliminate cloud dependency.

Lutron Lumaris Brings Tunable White Light to Your Existing Home

Most accent lighting advice assumes you're starting with bare studs and open ceilings. That's great if you're building new, but your Bountiful home is already finished, and you're not about to tear up drywall just to add some under-cabinet glow or highlight your floating shelves. 

Lutron engineered Lumaris specifically for this reality—wireless tunable white lighting that installs in existing homes without the construction mess. Two complementary products make it work: flexible tape lights for linear applications and retrofit downlights for ceilings that are already closed up.

What It Is, What It Does, and If You Need It

You're already paying annual fees for various technologies—Apple iCloud storage, Google services, Netflix, and Spotify. So it shouldn't surprise you that home automation has joined the subscription economy. Control4 previously offered connectivity plans under names like 4Sight, and recently transitioned everything to a new service called Control4 Connect. If you've heard these terms floating around and aren't quite sure what changed or whether you need to do anything, this is the explanation without the sales pitch. Show and Tell will review your Control4 system and recommend the subscription—if any—that makes the most sense for your system's usage.

Why Smart Home Upgrades Require More Than Clicking "Update"

Your iPhone prompts you to update iOS; you tap "Install," and fifteen minutes later (or so), you're running the latest software. A Control4 upgrade doesn't quite work that way. Smart home systems are fundamentally different—they manage hardware across multiple rooms, communicate with dozens of devices, and rely on network infrastructure that can vary widely from home to home in Utah. Now that Control4 has released OS 4, many homeowners might assume that it’s a “click” to update. The reality is more nuanced. Hardware compatibility, network capacity, and even timing all factor into whether upgrading makes sense for your specific system. Show and Tell approaches these transitions methodically, because a successful upgrade isn't about just having the latest version in your Bountiful home—it's about ensuring your system actually works better afterward.

A Look at Lutron’s Triathlon, Sivoia QS, and Palladiom Lines

When you start exploring motorized shading for your Bountiful home, the questions pile up quickly. Can you wire them, or do you need wireless power? Do you want shades hidden in architectural pockets or showcased as design elements? What control system makes sense for both your lighting and shading? Lutron offers three distinct motorized shading solutions—Sivoia QS, Triathlon, and Palladiom—each engineered for different scenarios. With deep experience in Lutron lighting and shading solutions in Utah homes, we've learned a few things about how to match the right system to your specific situation.

Redefining What Light Can Be

Most smart lighting focuses on dimming and scheduling—turning lights on and off, and perhaps fading them during movie night. Ketra lighting by Lutron goes miles beyond those basics. It's the lighting system that finally makes artificial light feel genuinely natural, the kind that shifts and breathes like sunlight streaming through your windows. After installing scores of lighting systems in Utah homes, we know when a product deserves the "gold standard" label. Ketra earns it through technology that even lighting skeptics notice the moment they walk into a room. There's something unmistakably different about the quality of light it brings to Bountiful homes—though most people can't quite put their finger on what’s different. 

From Simplified Streaming To Audiophile Performance—Here Are Our Favorite Wireless Systems

Can wireless audio satisfy a real music enthusiast? While we’ll always still advocate for traditional good quality cabling for audio, whether in a two-channel rig or a whole-home setup, wireless audio has come a long, long way. You can have the convenience of an app to stream a wide variety of sources to wireless speakers that sound amazingly good, with no wires required. OK, you do have to plug all of these in, because power has to come from somewhere. 

Continuing our series on Show and Tell's favorite brands, we're covering three wireless audio solutions that consistently deliver for our Bountiful, UT, clients. Sonos makes multi-room audio simple and expandable. Bluesound brings audiophile-grade streaming to serious music lovers. And KEF focuses on single-room hi-fi excellence that rivals traditional stereo systems. Each tackles different challenges, but they all prove that wireless doesn't mean compromising on sound quality.

Our Go-To Brands, from Simple Whole-Home Audio to Video Matrices

Getting music and video to every corner of your South Salt Lake home sounds straightforward enough. But anyone who's tried to set up a serious AV distribution system knows the real challenge isn't just moving signals from point A to point B—it's making complex technology disappear so you can actually enjoy it.

As part of our series on Show and Tell's favorite brands, we're diving into three AV distribution solutions that consistently deliver for our clients. There's Sonos, which keeps things beautifully simple with sophisticated app control. Control4 embeds distribution into complete home automation, so your entertainment works seamlessly with lighting, climate, and more. And AVPro Edge delivers the kind of sophisticated video distribution for those that want superb audio and video quality, as in "everything, everywhere, all at once."

Each solution tackles different challenges, and understanding what makes them special can help you choose the right system for your Utah lifestyle.

How, Why, and When Speaker Sensitivity Is Important

What is speaker sensitivity? Does it mean your speakers get upset when you snipe at them? Of course, we jest. But speaker sensitivity is an important spec and sometimes overlooked when audio enthusiasts obsess over watts, component brands, cables, and other foibles of the incredibly fun hobby that is hi-fi audio. Okay, so what does it mean, assuming you don't already know? The number denotes how efficiently your speakers can convert electrical power from amplifiers into actual sound. Choose wisely (to match your amplifier), and your system sings effortlessly with stunning dynamics. Choose poorly, and you could find yourself with an expensive collection of mismatched components that never quite deliver the musical experience you've been chasing. Let's demystify this important but frequently misunderstood aspect of hi-fi audio that can make or break your listening experience.

Cables Are the Often Overlooked Foundation of Superior Audio and Video

You've invested in premium speakers, a top-tier receiver, and that stunning 4K display—but are high-quality cables completing your system? In many Bountiful homes, cables become an afterthought, yet they form the critical pathways carrying every note of music and frame of video. Like water pipes in a luxury home, their quality directly impacts what flows through them. The difference between adequate and exceptional is often perceived as just marketing, but the reality is more nuanced. With premium cables, science, construction, and materials work together to preserve signal integrity. Let's explore why these unsung (and sometimes maligned) heroes deserve more attention in your audio-visual setup.

Three Options to Get Your Imagination Going

Once upon a time, maybe as short as 20 years ago, a big-screen TV in the family room  (remember 50-inch rear projection?) was enough to create a media room. If you had the sound hooked up to a stereo or surround system, you were ahead of most people. Today’s media rooms are much easier to create as there are a myriad of options in sight and sound for an elevated entertainment experience. You can build a media room at virtually any budget level, but we thought it would be good to give you three ideas that can help you think about what you can do in your Bountiful home. Let’s explore three options from lowish to high-end below, but bear in mind that the possibilities are endless.