nick_l
Member
Thanks for all of your help and patience guys!!! I just ordered the above items (two of the switches), and I will be playing around with them this weekend
I will get the software listed when I get the items in the mail.
Ok, I don't mean this in a mean way, but you have NO idea what you are doing. You need to take a step back and spend a few more weeks (at minimum) reading forums like this one.
1. Figure out what software you want to use. Read the forums of the different software packages in depth. They all have pluses and minuses, but most are not "easy". Most are very powerful and will require a learning curve. Why play with and learn something that you don't ultimately intend to use. That will just tend to confuse and distract you. Make a list of goals for your home automation to achieve, then look for the software that will let you acheive those goals. once you narrow it down to those few, download the trials and see which you like best.
2. I think you are confused regarding protocals, etc. There is no one protocol that will allow you to do everything. Ie, switch off a light and support a wireless microphone. you will need to use multiple technologies like UPB or Z-wave for lighting control, possibly bluetooth for your wireless mic, and your home automation software package will be the thing doing the "listening" and "speaking" and telling the lights and appliances what to do.
3. with regard to interfaces, there is usually only one interface per protocol. For instance, if you decide to go UPB there will be one device that you will connect to your computer that will listen to the "talk" on your powerline from all the switches. This will also be the device that will issue the commands from the computer to turn on or off the lights.
A typical synario may go like this. You would pic up a microphone connected to your computer via bluetooth (or hardwired back to your sound card, or several other methods) and tell your home automation server to start "party mode". Previously you would have defined "party mode" in your HA software as Turning on lights 1, 3, and 5 to 50 percent, setting the a/c to 68° , closing the blinds and turning on your stereo. So now, your system sends commands out via the UPB module we talked about earlier to turn on lights 1, 3, and 5 to 50% percent (depending on the tech you choose and the switches you install, it will then listen for a confirmation that the switches did do what it told them to do). Your system also knows you have an Insteon thermostat so it uses the Insteon PLM that you have previously istalled and tells the thermostat to turn on the a/c and set the temp to 68°. The motorized blinds are connected to a UPB dry contact relay module so the computer tells that to do its thing. Then the computer sends ir commands to your stereo system via the whole house IR system you have installed. Lastly the system tells you via the audio speakers that you hve throughout your house connected to the computers sound card that it has done what you asked.
That's one simple scene and we used several different technologies. We could have used fewer or more, depending on your house, budget ,etc. My point is, to do the things you will want you are going to have to get alot more familiar with several technologies, so I suggest slowing down a little and reading alot more. If you want to see a light go on and off go flip the switch on the wall that's all you are going to be able to accomplish this weekend anyhow.
I hope I didn't offend. We were all noobs once. There is A LOT to take in and it can be as simple or as difficult as you want it to be, but it all takes new knowledge. Have fun and don't get frustrated.
Nick