New To Home Automation - Where To Start ?

[3guk]

Hi Guys,

Brand new to home automation here, and looking to get into it, wondering which system to invest in, I'm looking to build it up over time.

I'm heavily into XBMC and everything media-ish, seems like a logical progression to get the rest of my house connected up.

I've read bits about X10 - Crestron and AMX, not sure if there is anything else out there, really like the idea of having lights, alarm, TVs et al all connected up and being able to control them from a wall panel or something similar.

Got lots of spare computers / bits that I can dedicate to the project if needby, the only requirement is that it is relatively expandable and also good for a few years to come.

Anyone got any useful links or ideas for a newbie !? I'd love to look at touchscreen interfaces if possible, got 2 x 10" VGA touchscreens kicking around that I'd like to use.

Cheers

[DJMALLZ]

hey buddy
how you doing? I think it's best to get a read on all products and it all depends on your budget.AMX and crestron are al beautiful but quite pricey. for what you describe and if you're a pc/htpc avid it might probably best looking into custom home automation software for pc. there are touch panels such as mpanel which can be integrate with your media servers etc..
Embedded Automation - Home Automation (mHome Products) - mControl
check that link aswell for the software they provide. it can also be used with x10s applications etc..

x10 is another way to go aswell if you're on a tight budget.. another alternative woudl be to have a pronto remote control by phillips which can be integrated with your home cinema etc so you will only have 1 remote control to control everything in the house. then again it all depends on your budget etc..

also if you want to make your own touchscreen it coud be quite complex however something like a tablet pc with plugin installer would be another way to go for your media..

anyhow do your search and let us know

[calibos]

I too am an XBMC afficienado. Have 4 Xboxes running it some over Cat 5 and some over homeplugs. I can't wait to junk them and replace with 6 Nvidia Ion based minipc's to take advantage of HD and the amazing new functionality and skins etc.

Now back a year or two ago when in the very early planning stages of a major renovation I had this idea that I was going to do the whole home automation lark, Touchscreens, lighting, heating, security etc etc. Once I started to research I realised that not only was it a lot more complicated than I thought should I go the DIY route, it was still very very expensive even going DIY. Getting installers to supply and fit is just silly money. Then I had a think about what it was I was talking about spending this money on. ie. Having a cool touchscreen sitting on a sideboard, Saving myself 'the hassle' of lifting my lard @ss off the couch to switch on a light or adjusting the thermostat :D

Well I just had to admit to myself that none of it was necessary and that it was all about the 'Cool factor'. Don't get me wrong, the other plans for the house in terms of AV have a significant element of Cool factor in my reasoning for wanting them but lets be fair, they deliver a lot more than Cool factor, they deliver real utility, be it the plasma TV's or the HC room or the Surround sound. What utility does automating the lights and the central heating etc have? Saving my getting up off my @ss for 20 seconds is all I can think of. I had to admit that the 1000's it would cost to implement was not worth it for cool factor and the glued to the couch factor. :D

So now I'll 'make do' with the cool factor from a Harmony 1100 touchscreen remote in a room or two. :D Now don't get me wrong. I am still pressing ahead with Matrix switching of Video sources, networking the whole house, having XBMC in every room, network enabled CCTV DVR (Am sure there is a plugin in XBMC to view live footage) but I am not going to significantly increase cost and system complexity just so I can turn on a light and turn down the heating with the same touchscreen. Sure a simple IR lightswitch on a main room light can be controlled by the harmony anyway. That'll do me. But screw all this 5 different room lighting themes with an AMX malarkey

Be really honest with yourself about whether this is all about the cool or whether you see actually real utility in what a full home automation system would give you. Only then can you decide whether its worth the price.