GimpMaster
Member
Hey guys,
I know I'm new here but I've been search these forums for a little while and have always wanted to do a DIY home automation. Well the time has come for me to start making decisions fast as my framing goes up on monday, and I'm looking for advice. Let me just start with listing my goals:
Home automation present goals:
- Control lighting (rope, sconces, ceiling star field) in dedicated theater room
- Control AVR, projector, future anamorphic lens, etc
- Everything controlled by multiple IPADs
- AVR will have multizoned audio, so ability to music via ipad
- I plan on placing a couple IP camera systems on exterior of house (upgrade to more IP cameras eventually)
- Ability to control wireless switches/dimmers
Home automation future goals:
- More IP cameras (DVR capability?)
- Weather station
- HVAC
- Garage door/locks (maybe)
- Motorized curtains for home theater
I need to make decision on wireless switches, dimmers, outlets. I plan on running Cat6 to essentially every room in the house, as well as to soffits on exterior. I also need to make decisions on the home automation controller. Originally I had seen demos of Control4 and thought it looked really neat. Then I found out that its not entirely DIY friendly.
I'm looking for advice on:
1. Home automation control systems based on my goal (CQC, Elve, RedEye, ???).
2. Things to make sure I get done before sheetrock goes up.
3. Suggestions of wireless switches that work well with suggestion in #1. (Lutron, Insteon, X10, ???)
4. Do I need a HTPC to serve up my media or does home automation control do that?
4. Anything I should also research ???
I am a newbie to this subject but I am technically competant. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, I have lots of familiarity in Linux/networking/programming/circuit design etc.
Sorry if this isn't the correct forum to post in.
Thanks!, Josh
I know I'm new here but I've been search these forums for a little while and have always wanted to do a DIY home automation. Well the time has come for me to start making decisions fast as my framing goes up on monday, and I'm looking for advice. Let me just start with listing my goals:
Home automation present goals:
- Control lighting (rope, sconces, ceiling star field) in dedicated theater room
- Control AVR, projector, future anamorphic lens, etc
- Everything controlled by multiple IPADs
- AVR will have multizoned audio, so ability to music via ipad
- I plan on placing a couple IP camera systems on exterior of house (upgrade to more IP cameras eventually)
- Ability to control wireless switches/dimmers
Home automation future goals:
- More IP cameras (DVR capability?)
- Weather station
- HVAC
- Garage door/locks (maybe)
- Motorized curtains for home theater
I need to make decision on wireless switches, dimmers, outlets. I plan on running Cat6 to essentially every room in the house, as well as to soffits on exterior. I also need to make decisions on the home automation controller. Originally I had seen demos of Control4 and thought it looked really neat. Then I found out that its not entirely DIY friendly.
I'm looking for advice on:
1. Home automation control systems based on my goal (CQC, Elve, RedEye, ???).
2. Things to make sure I get done before sheetrock goes up.
3. Suggestions of wireless switches that work well with suggestion in #1. (Lutron, Insteon, X10, ???)
4. Do I need a HTPC to serve up my media or does home automation control do that?
4. Anything I should also research ???
I am a newbie to this subject but I am technically competant. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, I have lots of familiarity in Linux/networking/programming/circuit design etc.
Sorry if this isn't the correct forum to post in.
Thanks!, Josh