Start From Scratch

[cdratz]

Hello Gents,

This is my first post, I have spent the last couple days reading the posts about this subject, but am in most respects a newbie to this subject. I am under contract for my first house, and I want to make it sick! Let me lay out my goals, and restrictions and my thoughts and then open it up to your more experienced opinions.

Goals:

Automate the following in my house, Major lights 12 rooms and yard, Music in 9 Rooms, Video in 3 rooms (Has anyone put a TV in the master bath? How did it work out? I don't know if I would actually use it), HVAC in 6 zones, 4 computers. Garage Door.

The number of rooms is larger than you would expect because there are two workshops in the back that I would each like to have a computer, Audio, Lights, and HVAC.

I would also like to control security and sprinklers. I don't know if this is possible, but the washer and dryer, and maybe the oven? Last, I don't know about how monitoring of the septic and well systems would work but if anyone has done anything in these areas I would really be interested.

Here is where I run into problems, I have an iPhone and would love to use it as my main remote, but I don't know if I will have enough flexibility with it. I am somewhat technically gifted but I don't think I could write my own code to match all of these systems together.

I have a nice computer with my media library music is in iTunes, movies are just in a folder. I would like to stay with iTunes as my library is large and cumbersome but is organized well in iTunes.

I am unfamiliar with technology that would let me use one computer (processor) in multiple rooms, like terminal access or something like that.

The HVAC is complicated as there are two swamp coolers and 1 AC unit, w/ two separate water heaters. Automation would allow me to use these units more efficiently, there are currently three separate thermostats in the house.

The project should be made easier, but the fact that the basement is unfinished at this point, soon to be home to a theater and weight room. There is attic access, and CATV cable in the bedrooms upstairs.

Restrictions:
I will be surviving on satellite internet and not have terrific bandwidth access. There are currently no speakers, or video infrastructure.

I am an audiophile and this seems to be a problem with some of the "out-of-the-box" systems, I want to use relatively high end audio speakers.

Money is always an issue, but for quality I would be willing to spend ~3,000$ on a central unit (server, whatever) and ~1,000$ per room.

Thoughts:
I have thought about separating my media from the rest of the automation. iTunes has a great remote app already for music, and I have seen my friends PS3 do great things with movies, but streaming blu-rays seems to be an issue. He bought a media PC and that is actually pretty impressive, but he only uses it for one room, so I don't know of any amps that can remotely (esp. from the iPhone) switch on and off zones.

I would like to have some control over my system so I think the software based systems to put on a central computer or server would be the way to go, but I don't know if the iPhone will work with those.

Please, any advice would be grand, I would like to start assembling parts in a couple weeks...

-Chris

[Earthworm Jim]

With regards to the Music and Video in each room I would suggest some thing like this

Opus 500 8 Main Zones + CD Server + iPod Dock

That price will get you 8 rooms and cover the 3k for the main system and 1k per room with some money to spare.

Lighting I would suggest something like Futronix lighting control and to top it all off controlled by a Philips Pronto.

Or you can look into an AMX solution as below

AMX.com - It's Your World Take Control®

Its up to you what you go for and also depending on your budget. The AMX can do pretty much everything you want it to from opening curtains to opening windows, controll lights and media. For what you want I would suggest getting a professional company around, tell them waht you want and they can then suggest from there what to go for since it sound like you want total automation, getting an automation installer company around to check out your diggs would be a wise choice.

Sounds like an awesome project though, dont forget to post the pics

[cdratz]

Thanks for the response. I am downloading the AMX catalog right now. Funny to see there is a charge from Opus for being more than 100 miles from Cambridgeshire, (I am 5,230 miles away, ) but I do hear you about a professional coming out to see the project. That hurts my ego a little as a determined DIYer but it may be a good idea. The only picture I have so far is just the exterior of the house, but it's a good starting place...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_y1IWleAXRFw/Sr...2/DSC_0018.jpg

[silver12]

What is your total budget for the whole system?

[cdratz]

I don't really have a budget, hoping to spend less then $15,000 total, and doing all the install and piecing together myself.

Speakers (amps, everything), a nice projector and full surround sound for the theater, and a flat screen in the master bed, need to all be bought out of that total budget to. As I currently don't own anything of the type.

I looked at AMX and was really impressed! They even have an office in Las Vegas, which is the closest big city. I would think all of their stuff would be pretty pricey, but I like that they offer a full line of all the stuff I need. But do I need to use their speakers, or just as long as they are hooked up to the network amp does it matter?

-Chris

[silver12]

Without being rude, you don't stand a chance in hell with that budget. I spent more than that on lighting alone for a much smaller property.

I would rethink your plans and decide what is most important.

A PJ, TV and surround sound would run you $10k on their own, nevermind all of the other items.

I'd guesstimate you'd want somewhere closer to $100k.

[cdratz]

Originally Posted by silver12

Without being rude, you don't stand a chance in hell with that budget. I spent more than that on lighting alone for a much smaller property.

I would rethink your plans and decide what is most important.

A PJ, TV and surround sound would run you $10k on their own, nevermind all of the other items.

I'd guesstimate you'd want somewhere closer to $100k.

For me the music and sound in the theater is the most important. I don't plan on more than 500 for a tv and more than 1000 for a projector (My buddy got a projector for that much that is all I really need)

As far as the surround sound for the theater, maybe $3k. I haven't picked it out yet...

I may be optimistic, or just uninformed (the reason why I am asking for help and opinions) but I could mine the metal, blow the glass, extrude the wire, build my own computer and write the code for all the lights in my house for less than 15k.

I guess my point is, if I can't buy anything for that price, then I would way rather construct and design a DIY system. Thats why I'm hear asking opinions so I know which way to go.

-Chris

[Earthworm Jim]

It is nice to put it all in yourself but when i comes to such a big project it is actually best to get a professional in just to give you some pointers even, they can give you pointers get you discount equipment maybe and then you can do it yourself.

$15k for everything though is abit pushing it, the multiroom audio for such a project will alone cost you most likey more than that. Good luck though looks like an awesome house