Getting ready to go automated... But How!?

[nfmmalice]

Okay, so I've been lurking around Forums and websites trying to find the best fit for me and my new house.

My house was built in 1976, and when I bought it, it need some renovations. So while they were doing the Renovation, I had them run Cat5 and Cable lines to each room, sine i absolutely didn't want to go wireless all around.

Fast forward a couple weeks after Drywall repairs and paint are done, and NOW I decide I want to go automated.

My wants are:

Security
Door Lock/Unlock
Garage Opener
Thermostat
lighting
Wireless Phone Control

Future Plans/wants:

Cameras
Landscaping
Ceiling Fans
Home Theater Integration

Now, Running all new lines for Window/Door Sensors for Security is going to be a PAIN, as well as future runs for Camera, but I think it's doable.

My biggest problem is which format to go with.

I am currently looking between HomeSeer (For Ease) Elk M1 Gold, and OmniPro II. Based on the security Integration I want, I'm assuming that it will have to be one of the latter two.

Are there any other options I am missing? Are there any CURRENT books on Home Automation that will include the likes of the OmniPro and elk? (All the old ones I have found are all about x10.

 

[Neurorad]

Good to see you here, welcome.

Your biggest obstacle will be frustration - there is a lot to learn, you must be patient.

Think of it as home automation projects. Put the time in, read what others say about each device/system. Read the install manuals.

Don't buy stuff for the next project until you finish the current (unless you need to run a few more cables, 'while you're there').

 

[beelzerob]

Don't buy stuff for the next project until you finish the current .

Oh wait...you were serious?? Does anyone really do that? I didn't think that was possible....

 

[sic0048]

You can always use wireless sensors for the alarm system. The benefits to doing this is obviously the ease in installation. They are also secure (use encrypted signals) and will generally notify you when a battery goes dead. The downside to using wireless sensors is the cost. They will easily run $30-50 each while a hardwired contact sensor is probably $3-5. So it will cost about 10x as much as wired. Plus you have the cost of the wireless receiver which can run several hundred dollars too.

As far as the equipment is concerned, many people will start out with a Elk M1Gold or HAI Omni Pro as their backbone. As you mentioned, it provides alarm capacity as well as a decent amount of automation capacity. That would really give you a great starting point to expand from. If you get to the point where the Elk/HAI system doesn't provide enough options, then you can always suppliment it with a software based automation system like Homeseer or CQC, Elvie, Premise, etc, etc, etc. Those software based systems would not replace the ELK/HAI hardware, but rather work with it and expand the automation possibilities.

Personally I would recommend that you start out with the ELK or HAI. Go as far as you can with that hardware and then buy a software system. By that time, hopefully you will have a better idea of your specific goals and priorities and you'll be better able to purchase the proper software system. If you jump into it too quickly, I think you'll be disappointed in the long run. Right now you really don't know what you want or what it will take to make it work (this is normal!!!). It takes quite a long time before people really begin to understand all the complexities of automation and the best route to make it all work given their situation.

Welcome and good luck! This is a great forum with lots of information and helpful people.

 

[Neurorad]

For posterity's sake, this is from my post at AVS

Spend 100 hours reading through cocoontech.com forum threads, before buying anything. IMO, it's by far the best resource to learn the basics, and find out what problems others have had with many devices. Far better than all the books. Lots of comparison discussions - Elk vs HAI, HomeSeer vs MainLobby vs CQC vs J9/Elve, NuVo vs Russound.

Instructional videos are available for NuVo, Russound, CQC, Elk, and HAI, at various locations online.

Don't rush into purchases, do the research. You don't want to have to replace stuff, it's really expensive and can take a lot of time. No rush, enjoy the learning.

A good first step is deciding if you need an alarm system or not. If you want to install or replace an alarm, the first decision is HAI vs Elk. Cocoontech.com has Elk and HAI subforums where users help each other troubleshoot. Elk and HAI employees/engineers also answer questions there.

 

[Neurorad]

Don't buy stuff for the next project until you finish the current .

Oh wait...you were serious?? Does anyone really do that? I didn't think that was possible....

I've done a pretty good job at this.

It will take me years to install everything. Technology I buy now may be obsolete by the time I am ready to use it.

 

[beelzerob]

Technology I buy now may be obsolete by the time I am ready to use it.

Nonsense. I'm finally hooking up the serial controlled VCR I got cheap on ebay 10 years ago, and boy my grandparents couldn't be happier! If they were still around.....

 

[Monk]

Spend 100 hours reading @ Cocoontech? Puhleeze -

That's only a few weeks worth - consider this your daily "newspaper" and in a couple of months - you could be "one" with HA.

 

[nfmmalice]

A thank you does go out to Neurorad for pointing me in this direction. Thank you VERY much!!

I'm still trying to sift through everything.

I wasn't aware (Until this morning) that a software based program like Homeseer could be used in conjunction with an HAI or Elk System.

SO it seems at this point I need to settle on a Core Panel between the Elk or the OmniPro then build off of that.

 

[jwilson56]

A thank you does go out to Neurorad for pointing me in this direction. Thank you VERY much!!

I'm still trying to sift through everything.

I wasn't aware (Until this morning) that a software based program like Homeseer could be used in conjunction with an HAI or Elk System.

SO it seems at this point I need to settle on a Core Panel between the Elk or the OmniPro then build off of that.

Check out my Showcase blog on Cocoontech and you will see that I use the Elk myself and have a PC based home automation setup that features a six zone whole house audio system as well. Been with Cocoontech for a long time myself. Much can be learned from searching here. There are many solutions to use. Elk or HAI then Homeseer, CQC, Netremote/Girder (which I use), Mainlobby, Premise, and some others. Have fun because it truly is a hobby and will be a on going project.

 

[sic0048]

SO it seems at this point I need to settle on a Core Panel between the Elk or the OmniPro then build off of that.

That's what I would do. As far as the Elk vs HAI debate.....

Elk has been more popular on this site going back for years. But this goes into a time where HAI didn't seem to be very DIY friendly. In the last year or so, they have had a much greater presence on this forum (and probably others) and that arguement isn't really valid any more.

HAI will cost more up front, but will also have more built in capacity than the ELK. The ELK costs less, but needs several add-on components to make it more of an apples to apples comparison with the HAI. Once you add the cost of those add-ins, the total price is similar to the HAI.

The HAI seems to be more "cutting edge" right now and they are releasing new features regularly. Just a couple of years ago, it was ELK that was "cutting edge" and releasing new features. This is a cyclical battle that will continue into the future. I fully expect ELK to come out with a new wave of devices at some point that will make it "cutting edge" and then for HAI to respond, etc, etc, etc, etc.

In other words, there really isn't a wrong choice between the two. That being said, look at their feature list because there are some differences between the two devices. But I think either is a fine choice.

 

[nfmmalice]

Thank you all for all the input so far.

I think I'm going to take a page out of HomeSeer's "How to choose your Home Automation System" handbook.

When I get a secone, I'm going to go in and sit down in each room and ask myself what I want automated, then compile an Automation list.

From there, I think I can better fit the system to my needs.

I already have a dedicated HTPC that I can use as a software controller if needed, and since I outsourced all my Media to my MediaSmart home server, there's a lot of room/expandibility left in the PC (Which is housed on a Moneul TOuchscreen HTPC case).

The biggest concern I have starting is whether or not a Software Based System can offer the Same Security output as say an Elk or HAI Box. If I can't run SECURE Home Security through my PC, then that cuts down the initial Platform significantly.

This has been a fun few days (if not a tad frustrating). I love Tech, and I can see me becoming an avid HA Hobbyist.

 

[Monk]

Thank you all for all the input so far.

I think I'm going to take a page out of HomeSeer's "How to choose your Home Automation System" handbook.

When I get a secone, I'm going to go in and sit down in each room and ask myself what I want automated, then compile an Automation list.

From there, I think I can better fit the system to my needs.

I already have a dedicated HTPC that I can use as a software controller if needed, and since I outsourced all my Media to my MediaSmart home server, there's a lot of room/expandibility left in the PC (Which is housed on a Moneul TOuchscreen HTPC case).

The biggest concern I have starting is whether or not a Software Based System can offer the Same Security output as say an Elk or HAI Box. If I can't run SECURE Home Security through my PC, then that cuts down the initial Platform significantly.

This has been a fun few days (if not a tad frustrating). I love Tech, and I can see me becoming an avid HA Hobbyist.

Don't forget to check the "Big Spreadsheet" (google doc)

 

[pete_c]

What's great is that being here on CocoonTech you can see various options relating to both hardware and software and home automation.

Many times if it doesn't exists you'll see the creation of a way to utilize HA for something which you didn't even think possible.

Personally and because its a hobby I play. So I've been running X10 now since the 70's. Not sure on what powerline to utilize so I'm "playing" with Insteon, UPB and Z-Wave concurrently and probably somewhat phasing out some X10.

I currently utilize an HAI panel...but considering making room on my HA wall of "stuff" for an Elk panel to play with. Meanwhile keep adding to HW (its a hobby u know).

On the software side I use Homeseer (since version 1.X - long time now). I push the software some with over 16 serial connections and a few touchscreens.

Enjoy your journey into the world of home automation; I have for years now.

 

[Neurorad]

A thank you does go out to Neurorad for pointing me in this direction. Thank you VERY much!!

You're very welcome. I'm still a noob here myself. Thanks goes to everyone else.

I'm still on stage 1 of my home automation - distributed audio. In the middle of my Nuvo Grand Concerto installation, ~12 zones.

[Stage 1.5 will be doorbell replacement. Currently, it sounds through the ancient intercom system, which is being slowly ripped out. Kitchen remodel will remove the master intercom controller.]

Stage 2 will be lighting - starting with the kitchen remodel this summer. I'll add lighting control to various rooms over the next few years. Most probably Lutron Radio RA2.

Stage 3 - replace alarm system. I'll decide between Elk and HAI when I go to place the order.

Stage 4 - add water sensors to the alarm. One location (MBa) already wired, behind toilet (during the MBa remodel).

Stage 5 - distributed video.

Stage 6 - basement media room. It will remain a kids' playroom for the next 6 years, I have lots of time to plan it out.

I'm delighted that I found a used Compaq server rack cabinet today, at work. Will bring it home next week. It will hold the distributed audio components, a PC, a UPS, and maybe patch panels. Tall rack, perfect for future expansion.

Somewhere in there I'll probably add a whole-house 'overlord' controller - CQC vs. Elve/J9, with 2 touchscreens.

Edit - adding security cameras is also somewhere in that list.