Home Automation Suggestions Please

[stackc]

Hi all,
Great forum. Learning loads every time I look in here.

I am currently building a new home and have some ideas regarding Home automation but was looking for some suggestions for the following.

I like the Sonos system for Audio around the house and am happy enough to go with this.

I was thinking of putting in some Cat 5 cabling. One of the main things I would like to be able to do is to watch any videos/view any pictures that are on my PC through my TV in the living room. I assume this can be acheived through the cat 5 cables but not sure what would be a good system for this.

In terms of automated lighting I'm thinking Z-wave products but again from what I have read on here and other forums, I beleive there is not a great selection of products available to me (Ireland).

Security is another thing and I think either Z-wave or the cat 5 system should accomodate this.

Basically would there be anyone on here with a similar setup and if so are you happy with what you have and would you recommend it. Is it readily available. I have not set aside a budget for this but I guess 5-10k is kind of what I expect to pay for what I want.

Thanks in advance to any replies.

[vex]

My thoughts would be:

Sonos for music

Macmini or Apple TV for the videos (watch for the correct video format), music and photos

Cat5e for all he distribution stuff including the security. If you've got the option to wire to each of the sonos boxes then do it, it will be far more reliable than wireless.

As for Z-Wave I would hold off if you can, as you say it really does not have the scope of functions at the moment.

As an alternative look at Rako for your lighting system and control.

V.

[hornydragon]

Xbox media centres are good alternative to the mac mini, apple TV's

[bobwylie]

I would agree with hornydragon, xbmc is the best thing I have ever done with my old xbox. Easy to set up and use.

[vex]

I keep re-looking at this and Sony's new, lower priced PS3 looks like the way I'll be going rather than Mac stuff.

[MoJo-chan]

Try the TIVX boxes. Full 1080p support.