STYLE Media and Design

Today we have technology that “we could never have imagined just a few years ago,” says Stroh. In fact, Stroh says the world has now caught up with “The Jetsons” cartoon, “except for the hovercrafts.”

Stroh, son-in-law of owner Marlin Cowser, says he is amazed at the technological advances that have been made in just the three years he has been in the family business. Stroh’s enthusiasm for technology is exactly why Cowser brought the next generation of his family on board. “We brought Tim in because we wanted to stay on top of the industry technology and continue to offer the latest and best in phone, security, climate control and audio/video equipment.”

That is just what Stroh is doing. He says the old way of thinking, having the television and all the components such as cable boxes, DVD and Blu-Ray players hooked into the television in one central area, will soon be a thing of the past.

“With the new technology in multi-zone audio/video systems, we can wire new and older homes to have a television above the fireplace in one room and have all the other components in another room or closet where they are out of sight, but accessible with the click of a remote.”

He says most people are used to the old infrared technology where you must sit in front of a component to be able to control the volume or channel. But infrared technology is being replaced with wireless radio wave technology where you do not have to point to the device to control it. “This wireless technology is one of the reasons we can design and install custom systems for older homes almost as easily as we can hardwire them into new ones,” adds Stroh.

He says all this, plus security and climate control systems, can be done through a one-source multi-zone audio/video system. “You can now watch YouTube videos or news streams from your computer and have them displayed on your television screen,” Stroh says.

With the security system, you can be watching George Jetson running on his treadmill on the TV while running on your own treadmill and, in the instance of a visitor, have a doorbell tone and a picture of the visitor displayed on your television. As part of the system, cameras can be installed at various locations outside the home andthe images can be displayed on televisions wherever necessary.

With the climate control part of the system, you could be sitting on a beach in Mexico and get a message on your cell phone that the temperature has dropped below the desired level in your home in Colorado and reset the thermostat as needed.

The Security and Sound Design Inc. family: Tim Stroh, Kathy Lamb and Marlin Cowser

“The key to being able to own and use this kind of technology efficiently is to have it installed by a professional, certified installer to fit the needs of your family,” Stroh says. The systems necessary to run this kind of equipment vary greatly in price from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on the size of system the customer wants, adds Cowser.

“That’s the great thing about these custom systems,” Cowser says. “We can build them to meet each customer’s specific needs so they aren’t spending money on things they don’t want or need in their home or office space.”

He says the amount of space required for the equipment can also vary greatly depending on the equipment needed. “You could use just a small shelf mounted on the wall or one or more 2 ft. by 6 ft. units that can be placed in a small closet-sized room.”

Security and Sound Design has been working in the industry and staying on top of advances in technology for 25 years. Cowser is amazed at the changes he has seen over the years and happy to still be part of moving forward. “I have always been a dreamer, driven to the next step or next technological advance. But the success of the business is due to the people I have had beside me along the way to make those dreams a reality.”

Cowser started the business in his garage in their home in Windsor after trying to make a living on their 2,000 acre farm in Ontario, Canada. “I had the disease called agriculture, and the only way to cure it was to go broke, so I did,” he jokes.

He then started his small telecommunication business that eventually led to the thriving business he operates in Windsor today. “I have been in business long enough to have a new generation of family working with me. My son-in-law Tim and stepdaughter Kathy are bringing in a new generation of ideas and innovations.”

He believes this is the key to keeping the business running in the future should he ever decide to retire. “I am 73 years old and still love going to work every day. I live by the simple motto, ‘Take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself.’”

Security and Sound Design has yet to celebrate their 25th anniversary of business because the 2008 Windsor tornado destroyed their building. They have constructed a bigger and better facility and are hoping to have a celebration this spring to thank all the patrons, employees and contractors who have worked to make the business a success.