Where do I start my research into RC lighting?

[music]

Hi,

I have a large studio room where I have all my AV equipment etc. I would like to install dimmable downlighters and wall lights etc.

I would like to be able to control these with a remote control, preferable a system that can be controlled by the same remote control that controls the AV equipment etc. I believe this may be possible?

Can anyone giver me any pointers as to where to start looking and learning about what sort of products are out there and the costs etc?

Many thanks

M

[mossym]

Originally Posted by music

Hi,

I have a large studio room where I have all my AV equipment etc. I would like to install dimmable downlighters and wall lights etc.

I would like to be able to control these with a remote control, preferable a system that can be controlled by the same remote control that controls the AV equipment etc. I believe this may be possible?

Can anyone giver me any pointers as to where to start looking and learning about what sort of products are out there and the costs etc?

Many thanks

M

i had standard downlighters in my cinema room, replaced the switch with a remote controllable switch from varilight i picked up at b&q. my harmony remote had the codes for it, so i can now switch on/off or dim my lights from the remote....

[JLA]

The issue with the varilight ones is that they are infrared?

The Homeeasy range is RF allowing better control through walls and ceilings. There are various threads about homeeasy here.

Home Easy range at B&Q

[music]

Originally Posted by JLA

The issue with the varilight ones is that they are infrared?

The Homeeasy range is RF allowing better control through walls and ceilings. There are various threads about homeeasy here.

Home Easy range at B&Q

thanks for that.

But - am I right in thinking that IR (rather than RF) is the sytem that all-in-one rc's like the Logitech Harmony range use, so I can use my hi-fi/home cinema rc to control them too - rather than having yet another rc to tangle with and lose?

[mossym]

Originally Posted by music

thanks for that.

But - am I right in thinking that IR (rather than RF) is the sytem that all-in-one rc's like the Logitech Harmony range use, so I can use my hi-fi/home cinema rc to control them too - rather than having yet another rc to tangle with and lose?

yup the harmony's use IR, i'm using a harmony to control my lights...

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Yep for a programmable remote to work it needs IR lighting. I would usually put Rako bits in (the various Rako parts communicate wirelessly) and then install a Rako-IR receiver in the rack or directly onto a wireless extender for the remote. You get discrete codes for each room and each light etc. Very easy retrofit with Rako too.

[mossym]

i guess the big question is do you need multiple rooms to e controlled and do you want to be able to switch them when you are not in that room?

[JimBobVFR400]

The NG series of Prontos (RU950, 960, 980 and 990) can directly control the Homeeasy kit. and also X10 with the X10 RF thingy