Advice please

[sifuhall]

I would like to take the plunge into home automation but after much research on the web I think I now have more questions than answers.

I would like to add home automation into my existing home with as minimal fuss as necessary.

I would like to be able to control:
thermostat
lights (interior and exterior)
lamps
exterior door locks (the quickset and schlage ones look good)
home stereo
home theater (maybe? not sure)
video cameras (maybe in the future)
home security (maybe in the future)

I already have a wireless computer network running at my home and have a server that runs 24 x 7 so I prefer a software solution that I can control with:
Windows PC
web
Android phone
Android tablet

I would also like to be able to monitor things like smoke detectors, etc and receive alerts (either text messages or emails).

So far I've reviewed HomeSeer and Vera2 and I don't see a clear winner.

So after much research I've decided to ask the experts here.

What should I select for my home automation software?

 

[Neurorad]

Also research MainLobby and CQC.

All have their own forums, and offer a free trial. Don't overlap the free trials, you'll need the whole 30 days (with some more than others).

CQC is the most robust/powerful/flexible, but has the steepest learning curve.

Elve, from CodeCore, is another to check out.

Premise is a free one; Premise subforum here on Cocoontech.

 

[Dean Roddey]

We have a nice set of tutorial videos you can watch to get a feel for the product. You can watch some of those before you even start the trial if you want, though they are designed to take you through the installation and evaluation of the product ultimately. Go to the web site then Learn (or Support I think if you go to the old HTML site) and under there will be a section for Tutorial Videos.

I think that the new forum look is not maintaining the aspect ratio of user avatar images. Mine looks like like the logo for a ghost movie or something

 

[standon]

I would try to assess what you would what in the future as well, then decide what software gives you the options you think you might choose in the future. That sentence is confusing, but what I'm saying is that you should consider the future additions as well as the current. My automation journey all started with alarm and whole house audio... it spiraled from there. I use CQC because the drivers fit what I would add to my system over time.

I would say, try to decide on a lighting technology, thermostat and security panel. Then see what options there are for you and what you might have to compromise to get the functionality you want in the end.