Josh Sommers is the easygoing, knowledgeable force behind Audio and Video Solutions in Ashland, Oregon, where he’s been helping clients simplify and enjoy their home technology for nearly two decades. With a calm, confident approach, Josh transforms tech stress into satisfaction—whether he’s setting up streaming systems, designing immersive sound experiences, or patiently guiding someone through a new remote. He believes technology should enhance life, not complicate it, and his work reflects that philosophy. When he’s not solving tech puzzles, Josh is out exploring Southern Oregon & Northern California’s most breathtaking hiking spots and camping destinations. His love for discovery and helping others shines through in everything he does—offering not just solutions, but a sense of ease, enjoyment, and trust. In today’s interview I sat down with Josh to catch up on life, work and upcoming adventures.
Hi Josh, great to talk with you again—and thank you for being a long-time advertiser in LocalsGuide.
Absolutely! It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with the community and share updates. LocalsGuide has been a great platform to stay visible, support local business, and talk directly to the people I enjoy working with.
Josh, how have you been? It’s been a beautiful spring and summer here in Southern Oregon, so I can imagine you’ve been out exploring.
Definitely! I’ve been squeezing in day hikes whenever I can, and I got an early start on backpacking this year.—Southern Oregon is just packed with hidden treasures, and I love finding new ones (and revisiting old favorites).
I love that you enjoy the outdoors so much. Tell us more about why this region is such a gem.
Well, living in this area we’re extremely blessed. From mountains to lakes and rivers, to remote trails with no one around—it’s like having a giant playground right in your backyard. There’s a peace out there that really helps reset and recharge.
I know you like to keep your favorite spots a secret, but how does someone discover these hidden places?
I find word of mouth is best. Also there’s a few great books and maps out there. I recommend the book “Top 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon and Northern California” by William Sullivan. A lot of my clients and I swap stories. It’s part of the fun—getting tips, trading spots, and then guarding them like buried treasure.
Your work is so tech-focused, but your lifestyle seems pretty unplugged. How do you balance high-tech with low-tech?
It’s all about harmony. I try to get outdoors and focus on the natural world as much as I can, which helps me clear my head so I can focus on tech solutions when I’m at work. I want technology to serve people—not the other way around. My goal is to help clients enjoy it without stress so they can get back to the things that really matter.
So the main idea is: call you before the frustration begins?
Exactly! Call me before you spend two hours wrestling with a cable box. I can usually simplify the problem fast—and save you the aggravation.
You’ve now been running Audio and Video Solutions for over 17 years. Can you give us a quick overview of your services?
Sure—I do a variety of things related to the home entertainment system. Setting up TVs, DVD players, sound bars & surround sound systems. I do a lot of streaming setups like Roku or Firestick, and I do home consultations and troubleshooting. Whether it’s a quick fix or a full upgrade, I’m here to help.
Let’s talk about soundbars—why do you recommend them, and how do they upgrade the TV experience?
Absolutely. Soundbars are a popular choice for a simple and effective sound system to complement a new TV. They’re much easier to connect than a traditional receiver and speakers, and provide a cleaner, less cluttered appearance. They’re flat and wide shaped so they generally fit nicely in front or under your TV. For people who have trouble hearing dialogue during shows and movies, a soundbar can make a big difference. For around $200–$300, you can get a nice system that sounds much better than your TV’s internal speakers. If you want rear surround sound and a subwoofer, spending a few hundred dollars more will give you that home theater feel.
Dolby Atmos seems to be the new standard—what is it, and how does it work at home?
Dolby Atmos is the latest in surround sound technology, and it’s very immersive. The sound comes from all directions—even overhead—to give you a theater-like experience. Some speakers bounce sound off the ceiling to simulate effects like a helicopter flying over you. It can be a bit pricey, and it requires the right equipment, but it’s definitely impressive, and it’s becoming more affordable. A lot of soundbars and receivers now support Atmos.
My remote control drives me crazy. What can I do to make it easier?
You’re not alone! A universal remote is one option, but sometimes those can be too complex. I often recommend Roku devices because they have the simplest remote controls—and they can also control your TV’s power and volume. It’s all about ease of use, and that’s why I suggest Roku so often. Less buttons, less problems!
Are you still working with the Sonos system?
Yes, I am. I use Sonos speakers in my home, and I really like them. I have a Sonos soundbar with two small speakers for my living room, and a medium-size speaker in each bedroom for music. They’re high quality and wireless (other than the power cord) so they’re great for a clean setup. You can start with one or two and expand over time. It’s very smart technology, and I recommend it often. I will say that Sonos has been prone to some glitches with their app, especially in the past year, and it can cause some temporary issues. The company acknowledged a major mistake with the app overhaul and is working to fix it. But overall it’s still my go-to sound system. The convenience of it is hard to beat. I love being able to walk in the room, press one button on the speaker, and my music playlist starts from wherever I left off.
If someone is shopping for a new smart TV, what’s the difference between a $400 and a $1,200 model?
Great question. You can think of it in three tiers—low, mid, and high-end. Most TVs now are 4K, so the difference really comes down to brand quality and extra features. Samsung, Sony, and LG are solid choices. A $400 TV will get the job done with a good picture. Spend a few hundred more, and you get better contrast, richer color, and more A/V inputs. The higher-end models are also more compatible with future upgrades and tend to last longer.
Where do you recommend people buy their equipment?
Best Buy, Costco, and Amazon are the top choices. They’re convenient, and they usually have a good selection.
What are the most common calls you get from customers?
A lot of people call after buying a new TV and need help hooking everything up—especially getting their older devices to work with it. I also get calls about improving sound quality, since most TVs have weak internal speakers. And there’s been a steady flow of calls from people needing help transitioning from Cable TV to various streaming options like Hulu Live or YouTube TV. I install a lot of Roku devices for people, since they’re the simplest and most user-friendly way to watch Netflix, Prime, etc.
What kind of problems are people typically running into—and why is it better to call you?
One common issue is trying to connect older equipment to a new TV. Older devices use different cables, and sometimes you need a special adapter. Without the right information, it can be frustrating. My years at Radio Shack taught me a lot about cables and connectors. If you’re getting frustrated—just call me. I can help.
Do you offer phone support?
Absolutely. If I can help over the phone, I’m happy to. Especially for follow-ups to previous jobs. I may be able to offer a recommendation or solution over the phone, and save the customer some valuable time.
What products are you currently recommending?
I really like the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for an easy, affordable way to stream Netflix, Prime, etc. For TVs, I still suggest Samsung, Sony, or LG.
I’ve been impressed by soundbars from Bose, Samsung, and LG. And of course, Sonos speakers are still one of my top picks for home audio—they’re pricey, but worth it.
What would you say are your key skills?
I would say my communication skills. I’m good with people and have been told I’m a good teacher. I enjoy working with seniors and always try to be kind and patient. I’m a good troubleshooter and problem solver. I will pursue a problem until it’s solved.
Can you share a recent success story?
Sure. I recently helped a previous customer solve a pesky issue where his TV would shut off and turn back on by itself. I thought I had solved it the first time, but the problem came back. It took some real investigation, and a couple phone calls to Samsung to figure out what was causing it, but eventually I solved it. It was satisfying to unravel the mystery.
Josh, what is the “Soap Opera Effect” and how do you fix it?
Yes, thanks for the question. The so-called “soap opera effect” is a visual distortion of the content on your new TV, that many people won’t notice. It’s caused by a motion-smoothing setting that’s turned on by default on most newer TVs. It’s supposed to smooth out the motion for sports and gaming content, but some people are very sensitive to it, and it can be disorienting. I barely notice it most of the time, but if you ever watch an old show, like “Friends” or “Seinfeld”, you might notice that something just looks off. The camera angles seem weird and too close to the actors, kind of like a soap opera. It makes it look almost like a home video, which is not how it’s supposed to look. Luckily there’s a simple fix for this problem. It’s found in the advanced picture settings on most TVs. Each brand calls it something slightly different. On Samsung it’s called “Auto Motion Plus.” On LG it’s called “TruMotion,” and on Sony it’s called “Motion Flow.” Once you find the setting, you just toggle it to Off, and things return to normal. I don’t feel like you’re missing anything with the setting turned off.
So, what’s the next adventure?
The next adventure is a weekend in the Trinity Alps with my good friend Sean. I was there back in May, and it was spectacular. There was a lot of snow then. This time we’ll be swimming and soaking up the sun. I’m excited for some local adventures in the Sky Lakes Wilderness, as soon as the mosquitoes clear up a bit!
Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us today.
My pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with the community.
