HomeTechNewbie
Member
Hi guys,
I am interested in all of your expert feedback. I am in the process of building a good size home (5000 sq ft) and want to have the ultimate smart home experience. Im banking my wife will love it after its complete. As a way of background, I have worked in technology for 20 years or so, however more on the data storage and software application side vs. audio/video/security side.
I am also a DIYer. So here is the plan:
1) Electrician pull the wire (Rough in)
2) Trim out team will be handled by separate team.
3) I will do all the connections, acquisition of product and programming
Attached is the PDF illustrating what I want to do. As you’ll see I have the different aspects of the solution highlighted with the product im leading towards and the price (Internet prices). Some components I already own (mostly the data zone). Some are incomplete, but I have put estimates below.
The cost breakdown is roughly the following:
Components
Core Infrastructure
So I have lots of questions that I need help on.
1)Interfaces:
5) Cost: Where would you strip out costs? Or add?
6) Lighting: It appears that UPB is the easiest way to manage lighting. The forums illustrate that wireless is good but expensive and has some electrical interference challenges. UPB seems to have much more positive vib around it, albeit they haven’t updated it in a while. Zigbee/Zwave would be nice, however, why risk it?
7)Video (Goal: no technology clutter in the rooms):
I am interested in all of your expert feedback. I am in the process of building a good size home (5000 sq ft) and want to have the ultimate smart home experience. Im banking my wife will love it after its complete. As a way of background, I have worked in technology for 20 years or so, however more on the data storage and software application side vs. audio/video/security side.
I am also a DIYer. So here is the plan:
1) Electrician pull the wire (Rough in)
2) Trim out team will be handled by separate team.
3) I will do all the connections, acquisition of product and programming
Attached is the PDF illustrating what I want to do. As you’ll see I have the different aspects of the solution highlighted with the product im leading towards and the price (Internet prices). Some components I already own (mostly the data zone). Some are incomplete, but I have put estimates below.
The cost breakdown is roughly the following:
Components
Core Infrastructure
1,500
HVAC 2,100
Audio 4,750
A/V Rack 640
Video 6,000
Data Zone 2,100
Interfaces 900
Security 2,500
Telephone 200
Wire 1,000
Lighting 1,500
SubTotal 23,190
10% Contigency 2,319
SubTotal 25,509
Trim Out 6,000
Rough In 12,000
Total 43,509
So I have lots of questions that I need help on.
1)Interfaces:
a. I intend on using Haiku for Ipad/Iphone connection to all components (security/audio, etc). How good is it? How simple is Haiku to register and acknowledge the components?
b. PC Access looks to be the only way to interface with the controller? True? If so, HAI needs to update it…
c. An option is to get HAI Automation Software and program the interfaces of the touchscreens for my own liking. Anybody use this successfully?
2) Audio/Video:a. It appears that instead of using audio faceplates to control music, I could stick ipad mini’s in the wall and have the same control and provide a dual use capability. True? Granted 3” vs. 7” is a bit more revealing.
b. HAI says Grand Concerto with Nuvo interface well. True?
3) Electrical:a. All of this equipment will be running in an A/V storage closet. Do I run any electrical / static issues?
b. What connection points do I need if any, between the electrical circuit breaker box to the Structured Wiring control?
4) Wiring: I have decided to go Cat6 550 mhz Shielded wherever I can (except for the security side) to future proof. Right call?5) Cost: Where would you strip out costs? Or add?
6) Lighting: It appears that UPB is the easiest way to manage lighting. The forums illustrate that wireless is good but expensive and has some electrical interference challenges. UPB seems to have much more positive vib around it, albeit they haven’t updated it in a while. Zigbee/Zwave would be nice, however, why risk it?
7)Video (Goal: no technology clutter in the rooms):
a.I plan on distributing the HDMI signal to all the TV’s in the house. What things do I need to worry about? How does the IR work? Is this technology there today?
b.Will my kids be able to play the Wii while the main box is in A/V equipment room?
8) Am I nuts? J Don’t answer that one….