Home automation: X10 or something mid-range?
Discussion
Don't want to go the whole hog with AMX / Crestron et al, but X10 seems fraught with issues, DIY-ness and all around a bit cheapie. Is there anything worthwhile?
Am thinking of multiple sources to multiple rooms, then lights, blinds, and future expansion capabilities for god knows what...
Am thinking of multiple sources to multiple rooms, then lights, blinds, and future expansion capabilities for god knows what...
Your right, X10 is not the way to go. I guess we were hoping Z-Wave and Zigbee would be here by now, but it really is not in the public domain yet.
You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
If it is future expansion you want I would bite the bullet and go for Crestron. The new Adagio range (and the Prodigy range) aren't that badly priced but you can easily upgrade in the future.
Better to spend wisely now than have to upgrade in the future.
These guys seem to come up a lot in searches. www.customcontrols.co.uk - Crestron Home Automatio...
Better to spend wisely now than have to upgrade in the future.
These guys seem to come up a lot in searches. www.customcontrols.co.uk - Crestron Home Automatio...
VEX said:
Your right, X10 is not the way to go. I guess we were hoping Z-Wave and Zigbee would be here by now, but it really is not in the public domain yet.
You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
Z-wave did look promising, and certainly I have been wondering about Control4 - will put Netstreams on the list to have a peek at.You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
What are you meaning specifically in terms of installaiton and integration? I can bung a few cables around the place....
.... or is this in terms of software configuration?RedLeicester said:
VEX said:
Your right, X10 is not the way to go. I guess we were hoping Z-Wave and Zigbee would be here by now, but it really is not in the public domain yet.
You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
Z-wave did look promising, and certainly I have been wondering about Control4 - will put Netstreams on the list to have a peek at.You could look at Netstreams or Control4 as a slightly cheaper system than Crestron / AMX or alternatively pick the best of each area in your budget, audio, video, control, lighting and then bring them together using a Pronto / RTI type wireless remote or even an iPhone / iPad App.
Oh and use a specialist install like Plotloss, myself and others here to integrate it for you as the DIY route could involve you banging your head against a brick wall, alot!
V.
What are you meaning specifically in terms of installaiton and integration? I can bung a few cables around the place....
.... or is this in terms of software configuration?
It can be (.... sorry, IT IS) an absolute minefield when it comes to designing and installing ... you might have the best kit in the world but it need the correct design from day 1.
With regards to Control4, I can highly recommend it as a control system. It's user friendly with the on-screen interface providing easy navigation through each area of control which can be viewed on a TV or on an iPod touch/iPhone/iPad I've been involved on C4 since there early days and they have come a long way ... their system integrates far better with third party products than before.
We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the v2 software, interface shown on the link along with the mobile app for the iPad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLOOR0Hdd3I
Plotloss said:
Easy.
And as for considering X10, when does your SsangYong Musso arrive?
About bloody time you turned up you hapless loon. Gerroff my Musso.And as for considering X10, when does your SsangYong Musso arrive?
Now where did I put it?
>calmly sidesteps, holding still spinning chainsaw<
Are you well my boy?
Edited by RedLeicester on Tuesday 8th June 16:55
Alright 'ere.
Got some new solutions which may be of interest, clever HDMI gubbins, iPad control (as much as it pains me).
Echo what Vex and Oola have said. For reliability you're going to want to look at RS232 to control the sources and matricies, it could be done DIY I guess but you're going to have to resort to programming at least something, somewhere at some point.
Got some new solutions which may be of interest, clever HDMI gubbins, iPad control (as much as it pains me).
Echo what Vex and Oola have said. For reliability you're going to want to look at RS232 to control the sources and matricies, it could be done DIY I guess but you're going to have to resort to programming at least something, somewhere at some point.
RedLeiceste said:
Z-wave did look promising, and certainly I have been wondering about Control4 - will put Netstreams on the list to have a peek at.
What are you meaning specifically in terms of installaiton and integration? I can bung a few cables around the place.... .... or is this in terms of software configuration?
My old man has netstreams doing quite a bit. He's been very pleased with it after a few teething problems.What are you meaning specifically in terms of installaiton and integration? I can bung a few cables around the place....
.... or is this in terms of software configuration?I've seen a few control4 setups, while the control units seem a touch slicker, they dont seem to ahve the reliability or versatility of netstreams.
Plotloss said:
Alright 'ere.
Got some new solutions which may be of interest, clever HDMI gubbins, iPad control (as much as it pains me).
Echo what Vex and Oola have said. For reliability you're going to want to look at RS232 to control the sources and matricies, it could be done DIY I guess but you're going to have to resort to programming at least something, somewhere at some point.
Keep talking my boy....Got some new solutions which may be of interest, clever HDMI gubbins, iPad control (as much as it pains me).
Echo what Vex and Oola have said. For reliability you're going to want to look at RS232 to control the sources and matricies, it could be done DIY I guess but you're going to have to resort to programming at least something, somewhere at some point.
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