Home Automation

[jaminben]

Hi,

I currently use an x10 system to automate the switching of various lights throughout my home.

I've had it for quite a few years now and thought about upgrading to something more advanced. Does anyone here have any suggestions about what is now the prefered method for home automation? Has there been any advancements in this area? Know of any good websites that sell and support home automation software/hardware?

I've lost touch with whats going on in this area and fancy trying something new but not really sure what to go for.

Cheers

Ben

[starfire]

Hi,

I use X10 myself but only in a limited way, I find it doesn't work reliably all around the house.

I think the current trend is Z-Wave but like a lot of things there are a limited number of UK components I think.

I tend to look at:-
http://www.letsautomate.com
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/

Cheers.

[MitchSchaft]

Insteon is where it's at nowadays. Like zwave, it will send signals via radio waves. But, like x10, it also sends signals over your powerline at the same time. Each device acts as a repeater, also. I've had a small automation setup the past couple years using the Insteon 2414U controll with mControl software by Embedded Automation. I buy my hardware from Smarthome.com.

[sic0048]

Ben,

I really just depends on the scope of what you want to automate. If you basically want to stick with lighting only, then that is easy enough. If you want to start tieing other control systems together (like HVAC, SageTV, other A/V distribution, Security, Lighting, CCTV, Pool Control, etc, etc, etc), then you need to step up to some sort automation control system.

There are two major types of automation control systems - hardware and software. The hardware systems are generally going to be installed and service by custom integrators. These systems include Crestron, AMX, Control4 (C4 for short) and others. While it is possible to install a system like this yourself, it isn't generally recommended and the tide is against you because the companies generally don't want people doing this.

The second type of system is the software system. This is where you use a normal computer to run the automation control system. Systems like this include Charmed Quark (CQC for short), Homeseer, mControl, Girder, and others.

I use CQC personally and can even control my SageTV system with it. (I use a normal remote while sitting watching it, but I can also control it via my touchscreen located around the house - very helpful when the kids come and ask to watch something specific on the downstairs TV. I also have severe weather alerts popup on the screen while watching TV since we never watch live TV and would miss the normal weather alerts. I also have the system turn off all A/V equipment including the sage extenders and make sure everything is stopped when the alarm is armed away, etc. Those are just a couple of examples of what I do with the system that is SageTV related).

I suggest you look at the various systems and see what you like. You'll also need to come up with a wish list of functions so you make sure the system can handle everything you want.

Good luck. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. There is also a very good automation related forum at Cocoontech.com. Check that out as well as the CQC Forum as well.

[sic0048]

PS - while I've never used Insteon, there have been lots of people that report problems using it. Smarthomes seems to release buggy/defective hardware and does little to respond in support. The advantage to Insteon is that it is related to X10 and in some ways works with your existing equipment. Again, I'm not sure of the specifics since I haven't used it before. Not all people have problems using Insteon, so it isn't without merit. But just make sure you research it before jumping in.

Personally, I think the newer wireless technology is far better than Insteon's which is getting a little long in the tooth. There are three major technologies that I would look at before Insteon: Lutron's RadioRa2, ZWave and Zigbee (like Centralite's Jetstream line). While all three are going to be more expensive than Instean (with RadioRa2 being the most expensive), all three have far better reliability and satisfaction reports from actual users.

[MitchSchaft]

I've used Insteon for 2 years with no troubles. Not to mention CQC is ridiculously expensive :P.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by MitchSchaft

Not to mention CQC is ridiculously expensive :P.

For someone just doing lighting or other "basic" automation stuff, then I would completely agree. There certainly are cheaper options out there. But for a full featured, "Professional Grade" product with nearly unlimited flexibility, the DIY license for CQC is extremely attractive for those of us that want to DIY our own system.

CQC is available through professional integrators as well, but that license is much more expensive due to the nature of the immediate and personal support given by the CQC Principals to those integrators. The DIYers out there get their support through the very active and knowledgable user forum (on which the CQC Principals actively participate as well).

[jaminben]

Ok, Thanks guys. Plenty of info there for me to sort through and decide what I want to do. ZWave looks to be the answer so far as I think Insteon is US only if I remember correctly (doesn't work on 230V systems). Anyway I'll have a read and see what I can do.

Many Thanks

Ben

[al_uk]

I use HomeSeer with RFXCOM, HomeEasy, & byebye standby wireless switching, dimming, and PIR devices from B&Q.

Works reasonably well. Devices are cheap.

I have IP controlled relays connected into HomeSeer used to switch the boiler on for the hot water and heating.

I have wireless actuators (TRV replacements) on the radiators, with wireless room thermostats all settable from HomeSeer.

I've also integrated Squeezecenter to Homeseer. one example of usage is when the doorbell rings, HomeSeer picks this up, and tells Squeezecenter to play a doorbell noise through all squeezeboxes.

Hope this gives you food for thought. :-)

[damage]

not sure what you guys have over in the UK, but it looks like most people in this survey would go for UPB, not insteon or zwave. http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/ind...howtopic=12814

[deanm]

+1 for HomeEasy products.

I have built my own USB controller and run scripts via Other Programs of SageMC and works very well. Keep meaning it post some Videos on the Homeeasy forums page. Only use it to switch TVs, extenders, lights On/Off.

Only problem with HomeEasy is there is no two way communication. So there is no way to know if a device is On or Off, but don’t find it a problem for my needs.

Dean

[Whitey]

Originally Posted by al_uk

I use HomeSeer with RFXCOM, HomeEasy, & byebye standby wireless switching, dimming, and PIR devices from B&Q.

Works reasonably well. Devices are cheap.

I have IP controlled relays connected into HomeSeer used to switch the boiler on for the hot water and heating.

I have wireless actuators (TRV replacements) on the radiators, with wireless room thermostats all settable from HomeSeer.

I've also integrated Squeezecenter to Homeseer. one example of usage is when the doorbell rings, HomeSeer picks this up, and tells Squeezecenter to play a doorbell noise through all squeezeboxes.

Hope this gives you food for thought. :-)

Which wireless actuators on the radiators do you use? I have a control4 system and this is something I would like to add at home

Thanks

Whitey

[al_uk]

From Conrad.

Here's a thread with the background.

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbull...ead.php?t=2050

[Humanzee]

http://www.vcrib.com Free home automation software..

I use Insteon and X10 together, 3 years now, 1 failed switch out of 25 or so. Replaced under warranty. Most of the early problems I read about were with the actual buttons inside the unit, with my lights automated, I don't often touch the wall switch, so no wear and tear issue there.

vCrib also supports zwave and has a command line interface so you can link it up to eventghost or what ever. As far as UK, the aside from being 240v the x10 wireless stuff there works on a different frequency, so you'd be hard pressed to find US sourced interface hardware that will work correctly. Dunno about on the zwave side as like with x10 sometimes the radio spectrum licensing for such technology can be different, country to country.

If you find a control technology that has documented protocols, vcrib also has an API so many different technologies can be integrated and combined.

[CollinR]

I use X-10 and HAL (www.homeautomatedliving.com) together, works fine and love being able to control my devices on screen.

I do wish HAL configured more like SageTV but I got it on sale and no regrets.


I use an applied digital ocelot as my primary controller.

[Bacon2002]

Hi,

I use X10, Homeseer and RFXCOM.

Cheap, easy to fit and reliable, used it for about about 7 years now.

Not perfect but work recomend.

Ta,