smokey11106
New Member
Hi. New to the Forum. I just renovated my house and had some grand ideas about home automation, but think I need a little help in figuring out what would be best for our house. I would like something that is upgradable over time, that provides most if not all of the features I am looking for, and that I dont only have to rely on a tech to make additions to or change/fix something to the system. I have already pre-wired my house for security and with enough Cat5e/Cat6 and speaker wire to each room than I really know what to do with. Everything terminates in a 7x3 closet. My idea was to have security, climate control, lighting control, and multi-room audio. I had hoped to have a single system that would cover everything. My idea of security was a reliable solid system with multiple key pads, hardwire trips, motions, smokes/co's. Future postential for security cameras or compatible with an existing DVR company that uses hardwire cameras and comunicates with HA system and provide video to each tv. Climate controls for 4 zones that I monitor for temp/humidity/external temps and humidities. Multi-room audio for backround music that can be controlled from each room for 8 or more zones 12 preferable. I would like to have all my cable boxes (4) in the equipment closet and have some sort of repeater system maybe built into the audio keypads if audio key pads come with the system to control equipment in the equipment room. I would like the ability to control lighting and fans, and lighting through the motions of the security system. I think having a gui that I can control the functions through my TV would be great, similar to the Control4. I was told by more than one installer that I should get a separate security system that is RS-232 compatible with the HA system rather than use one that is incorperated with HA as a precaution. I was also told to go with a separate multi-room audio system, like Russound for example, for the very same reason instead of like the HAI HI-FI module. Am I asking too much so far? Would love to hear some feedback on systems that are out there that are solid and whos companies are reliable and support friendly, please.