Home Automation Equipment

[GasX]

I am curious about controlling my house's lighting while away as well as a number other home automation functionalities.

What brands of equipment are worth looking at and how hardcore is your system (assuming you have one...)?

 

[GasX]

I was just checking out X10's website.

If half of what they sell works half as well as they claim, you could integrate some really cool features into your home for a couple of hundred bucks!

PC based control
Remote PC Monitoring
motion detector activated lights
Central controlled lighting control
etc...

 

[MustISO]

http://www.remotecentral.com/

 

[AdamSnow]

I have always been interested in this as well... But like you Mwilding... I too wonder how well the X10 products work...

Also - I kind of refuse to order from them... because I remember seeing all of their silly pop-ups back in the day... that really pissed me off... I dont know if they deserve my money yet.

 

[Rallispec]

if you have money, crestron makes awesome stuff that will control every aspect of anything (i do mean anything) you can throw at it. Doesnt come cheap though.

X10 is very cool though, and thier are some neat things that can be done with it.

If you dont feel like messing with x10 wiring, their are wireless alternative's such as ATC's Zwave (link which is pretty cool, and pretty cheap. Pretty much limited to controlling lights and flipping switches though.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
I have always been interested in this as well... But like you Mwilding... I too wonder how well the X10 products work...

Also - I kind of refuse to order from them... because I remember seeing all of their silly pop-ups back in the day... that really pissed me off... I dont know if they deserve my money yet.

That's exactly how I feel, but I could get 5 of these for $100 and control them via a PC and monitor them for another $100 by buying this kit (which comes with a lot of extras!) and I could have a pretty excellent system with little or no effort.

 

[Rallispec]

you can also get a lutron dimmer that is controlled by an IR remote control, and then get a phillps pronto with universal remote functionality to control TV's, dvd's, and your lights and anything else that needs a remote.

 

[AdamSnow]

Yeah, they definatly have some cool stuff...

I also have a hard time spending that money just because it's "cool" ... my house is not near large enough to have to control it from a PC... I cant justify myself spending $200 on something I can do myself so easilly...

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
I have always been interested in this as well... But like you Mwilding... I too wonder how well the X10 products work...

Also - I kind of refuse to order from them... because I remember seeing all of their silly pop-ups back in the day... that really pissed me off... I dont know if they deserve my money yet.

the x10 products that i've used in the past work very well. If you're neighbor's also have x10 though, it can cause unexcpeted problems with interference on the power lines. (especially if your on the same circuit)

 

[MacBaine]

I have several x10 modules, motion detector, remote, and PC kit... I mostly use them so I can turn lights on and off with the remote... and so some lights come on when it gets dark (via the motion detector)

 

[GasX]

Does anyone have the ability to control their house over the internet?

 

[AdamSnow]

That would be pretty cool...

I always thought it would be neat to do that like that one house that's online... I forget the site address...

whenever someone rang the door bell it recorded the date/time and took a picture... last time the toilet was flushed, temperature of the fridge... haha

I'd love to do it just to learn how to do it... In my situation, I would use it to monitor the temp of my heated garage... lights come on when I open the door, etc...

Expensive toy and nothing more, but hey I want it !

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Does anyone have the ability to control their house over the internet?

I used to. I had a few X10 modules, and I created a simple web service with a VoiceXML interface that would allow me to call a toll-free phone number and get a list of what lights were on in my house; I could issue a simple command to turn them off. I had created a WAP interface as well so that I could do the same from my old Sprint cell phone, but I never finished it. I just did it for fun, and this was about 3 years ago. It didn't have any real practical purpose, but the cool-factor was there.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Does anyone have the ability to control their house over the internet?

I had a webcam set up so I could watch my dogs when I wasn't home. When they climbed up on the couch, I'd call the answering machine (it was next to the couch), and make them get off. Pretty funny to watch!

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Does anyone have the ability to control their house over the internet?

I used to. I had a few X10 modules, and I created a simple web service with a VoiceXML interface that would allow me to call a toll-free phone number and get a list of what lights were on in my house; I could issue a simple command to turn them off. I had created a WAP interface as well so that I could do the same from my old Sprint cell phone, but I never finished it. I just did it for fun, and this was about 3 years ago. It didn't have any real practical purpose, but the cool-factor was there.

Cool - I imagine if you could do it for yourself 3 years ago, that they have sleek user friendly out of the box modules now!

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Does anyone have the ability to control their house over the internet?

I used to. I had a few X10 modules, and I created a simple web service with a VoiceXML interface that would allow me to call a toll-free phone number and get a list of what lights were on in my house; I could issue a simple command to turn them off. I had created a WAP interface as well so that I could do the same from my old Sprint cell phone, but I never finished it. I just did it for fun, and this was about 3 years ago. It didn't have any real practical purpose, but the cool-factor was there.

Cool - I imagine if you could do it for yourself 3 years ago, that they have sleek user friendly out of the box modules now!

I don't know if they'd have them specifically for my application, but I know they at least have modules that can serve as a network device, and you can attach to them and perform the basic operations. You could build on top of that and provide a telephony interface, or whatever you wish. Good stuff.

 

[GasX]

WOW! This is a huge deal! :Q

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
WOW! This is a huge deal! :Q

$149 gets you the ActiveHome Pro Software and Computer Interface

PLUS

Choose 1 Entertainment Remote:
Platinum 5-in-1 Remote (UR73A) info $39.99 ea.
5-in-1 Learning Remote (UR74A) info $49.99 ea.

Choose Any 3 of these Remote Controllers:
Palm Pad Remote Control (HR12A) info $19.99 ea.
Keychain Remote (KR19A) info $19.99 ea.
Credit Card Sized Controller (KR22A) info $19.99 ea.
Slimline Switch - Standard White (SS13A) info $19.99 ea.
Slimline Switch - Architect Gold (SS15A) info $24.99 ea.

Choose Any 8 of the following Modules:
Lamp Module (LM465) info $12.99 ea.
Socket-Rocket Screw In Lamp Module (LM15A) info $19.99 ea.
2-Pin Appliance Module (AM486) info $12.99 ea.
3-Pin Appliance Module (AM466) info $13.99 ea.
Dimmable Wall Switch (WS467) info $12.99 ea.
3-Way Dimmable Wall Switch Combo (WS4777) info $15.99 ea.
Decorator Dimmer Switch (WS12A) info $19.99 ea.
SuperSocket - Wall Receptacle Module (SR227) info $15.99 ea.

Choose Any 2 of the Following Motion Sensors:
HawkEye II Motion Sensor (MS13A) info $19.99 ea.
EagleEye Motion Sensor (MS14A) info $24.99 ea.
ActiveEye Motion Sensor (MS16A) info $29.99 ea.


It's like a Chinese Menu of cool gadgets!

 

[rahvin]

If you are just fooling around X10 is fine, if you want real control you need to look beyond just the X10 protocol.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: rahvin
If you are just fooling around X10 is fine, if you want real control you need to look beyond just the X10 protocol.

Well, the house already has a full security system (detectors on EVERY door and window plus motion detectors and CO/smoke detectors) with central monitoring, so this is purely for the coolness factor of having remote control over the lighting. I might play around and add internet monitoring, but that would be like a ghetto security system redundancy (and gadget toy.. duh)

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I am curious about controlling my house's lighting while away as well as a number other home automation functionalities.

What brands of equipment are worth looking at and how hardcore is your system (assuming you have one...)?

Frien dof mine started his own company installing home automation stuff. He does a lot of the whole hous audio, lights, mp3s, etc. Could find the website if you want...

He's in WI.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: rahvin
If you are just fooling around X10 is fine, if you want real control you need to look beyond just the X10 protocol.

Well, the house already has a full security system (detectors on EVERY door and window plus motion detectors and CO/smoke detectors) with central monitoring, so this is purely for the coolness factor of having remote control over the lighting. I might play around and add internet monitoring, but that would be like a ghetto security system redundancy (and gadget toy.. duh)

Security and automation are very mildly related, the ideal system integrates both but to say that having a security system means that you don't need more than X10 is just silly. As someone else mentioned the good systems are Crestron, Lutron and AMC. In an ideal system you integrate home security with whole house audio, lighting scene control and other automation. X10 can be part of the system but you need something more reliable for the backbone of the system.

Once I have the $2000 it will cost I'm going to buy an HAI Omni II system which integrates security, lighting control (Leviton Lightolier and Lutron RadioRA), and has whole house audio control capabilities and home automation (X10) and is itself controlable via RS232. Because I'm in a retrofit situation I'm not going to go all out with full theater scene control ala Crestron.

Again if you are just looking for the ability to turn a light on or off with a remote X10 is fine but don't expect whole home control.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: rahvinSecurity and automation are very mildly related, the ideal system integrates both but to say that having a security system means that you don't need more than X10 is just silly. As someone else mentioned the good systems are Crestron, Lutron and AMC. In an ideal system you integrate home security with whole house audio, lighting scene control and other automation. X10 can be part of the system but you need something more reliable for the backbone of the system.

Once I have the $2000 it will cost I'm going to buy an HAI Omni II system which integrates security, lighting control (Leviton Lightolier and Lutron RadioRA), and has whole house audio control capabilities and home automation (X10) and is itself controlable via RS232. Because I'm in a retrofit situation I'm not going to go all out with full theater scene control ala Crestron.

Again if you are just looking for the ability to turn a light on or off with a remote X10 is fine but don't expect whole home control.

Points well taken, but $149 for a pretty friggin cool system is the deal of the century.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Points well taken, but $149 for a pretty friggin cool system is the deal of the century.

If you think those items are that cool you are going to be severely underwhelmed. I have half a dozen of those things and X10 stuff is cheaply made and depending on what your local power is like can be highly unreliable.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Points well taken, but $149 for a pretty friggin cool system is the deal of the century.

If you think those items are that cool you are going to be severely underwhelmed. I have half a dozen of those things and X10 stuff is cheaply made and depending on what your local power is like can be highly unreliable.

Really?