New to me old House, Want to do it right.

[OceanStateTuning]

My current house I have a night owl 16 channel camera system and some motion sensor lights, that is my "smart home" or lack of lol. Anyway im buying my parents house and want to do it right. Ive seen the stuff at lowes and hd then did research and found all the x10 stuff anyway im sure there are toms of different optons so please help me get started. Here is what I want to do,

Multiple cameras that record on a server
Thermostats
Light switches

I want to be able to control them all from my phone/tablets and maybe do something somehow where a moton sensor detects motion and turns on multiple lights in a zone. I want to start with a system that will allow me to grow that I wont regret in the future. Also my current camera system sends me an email when it detects motion on certain cameras and if I could keep a similar feature it would be nice. I would like everything to be wireless if possible, I can hardwire some stuff on a couple of the walls I will have apart but trying not to rip too much into the house as it is pretty nice. I just want a system I can add things in the future like maybe weather stations and other features we all end up wanting once we get stated.
 
Anyway if you guys could either point me in a direction of a system I should buy to get me going or give me some some good material to read that would be very much helpful, Seems like everything I find after doing research people end up calling it entry level. I just want to make sure I have a good solid starting point for something I can have for years to come.
 

KYLE

 

[tmbrown97]

You're in the right place for good reading!  It really depends on how far you'd like to go... Many of us around here use HAI or Elk Automation/Security systems - or software like CQC or HomeSeer - or both... once you have things like that in place, it's pretty easy to do just about anything.  
 
For lighting, look into UPB, Z-Wave and Insteon.
 
Also - take a look at MiCasaVerde Vera as well - if you decide Z-Wave is the way you want to go, that will do lights, thermostats and locks.
 
You don't mention security so you may not care much - if security is important then that's a good place to have your motion sensors tied into - but if not, Z-Wave ones work well too for automation, just not security.
 
Cams are a bit different - you can use IP cams and software - and there are ways to tie them into your other systems, but there aren't really any that are particularly integrated that I know about.

 

[Madcodger]

Agree with Work2Play. Personally I think a good security system is the foundation, followed by lighting. I am a proponent of dedicated devices for each to improve reliability. Video via IP is next in my mind (but not before) as it so often just gives you a record of the bad thing that happened rather than helping to prevent it, although he sight of a camera can be a deterrent. Final on list is software that ties it all together, a nice to have but not essential.

My personal system is Elk + ISY (Insteon, but they are just introducing ZWave), no video, and may go back to HomeSeer if they transition to their version 3 and it's better than version 2, which I turned off after loving version 1.

Good luck with your system, and welcome.

 

[oberkc]

I am with the others...cameras are not integrated well with the automation unless you want to make it a science project and get into some coding.  For me, this is not a problem.  I use wifi cams and can use a windows (probably available in OSX, as well) program, or android or iOS apps to record.  Some cameras have on-board storage for recording, and there are dedicated networked recorders available for this, as well.  I see little relationship to the other parts of automations, so pick what works for you without regard to lighting or thermostats.
 
Like Madodger, I use insteon and the ISY-994 controller.  I am quite happy with this setup.  I have used X-10 in the past, but would have a hard time recommending this now.  I still use a little bit for some holiday lighting (the ISY-994 can also control X-10).  I have not used Z-wave or UPB, but have no reason to suggest avoiding those options.
 
Thermostats may be the driving factor here.  If you wish to integrate thermostats into your automation system, perhaps you should start here.  My perception is that the number of thermostats that speak Z-wave is larger than those that speak insteon or UPB.  Perhaps you should look around at insteon/z-wave/upb thermostats to see if any particular one is best for you.  You could run into limitations regarding compatibility with your HVAC system (dual fuel, for example). 
 
If you are happy keeping your lighting and thermostat control separate, then disregard this concern and pick any of the web-enabled units out there that appeal to you.
 
One factor you did not mention, but I believe important, is your willingness to keep a computer running 24/7, and your comfort in relying on this for your automated tasks.  If not, then you need to look at controllers (like the Micaseverde, or the ISY-994 or UPB equivalent).  If relying on a computer is an acceptable option for you, then I am sure the suggestions by Work2play are good ones.
 
It is also worth checking your favorite app store for your phone.  Search on UPB, or Z-wave, or Insteon, and compare the apps out there and which works with your controller-of-choice.  I use mobilinc on android for control of my insteon system, along with an app called tasker to trigger a few events.  I am currently satisfied with this approach, but have no experience with others as a point of comparison. 
 
One last factor I offer for your consideration is whether you are willing to rely on cloud-based services for your automation needs.  At this point, I would rather avoid this approach, out of concern that my system would become useless should the service cease for any reason.  I would rather have a system that works without the need for servers and software I don't own or control.

 

[OceanStateTuning]

Hey guys thanks for your responses. As for security, I mean yeah it would be great to have an alarm go off and probably a good idea, I have never had an alarm though so if it is a easy thing to add in for maybe a couple extra hundred then might as well, I don't want a remote monitoring service though maybe just a local alarm that sends me a e-mail with a camera picture like my current system does.
 
I don't care if a computer is running 24/7 so if there is a PC based system it almost might be a good thing (assuming wonderful windows doesnt crash) if they are USB based and not PCI slot so you can use a laptop and essentially have a built in UPS (Battery).
 
I really want to be able to have fewer, high quality cameras, my current night owl 16 channel system they say it is D1 but it only records in CIF so it makes it impossible to identify people if something happens unless they are 3 foot from the camera when playing back. Where the new house is I shouldn't need cameras but I love being in Vegas and being able to look over my property so after being spoiled with this I want to keep it with better recording. I would like to only have one app on my phone to open to show me everything that is going on (cameras, thermostat, lights, and I forgot about locks, I would like atleast one of the 3 exterior doors to have this so I can get in when I forget my keys)

 

[oberkc]

I would like to only have one app on my phone to open to show me everything that is going on

I understand mobilinc for IOS does this (but not the android version).  I suspect a lot of the automation apps don't include camera.  I have never found having everything under a single app to be important, but others will disagree.
 

and I forgot about locks, I would like atleast one of the 3 exterior doors to have this so I can get in when I forget my keys

 
This tends to suggest Z-wave.  I believe Z-wave has the largest choice of lock sets.
 

I don't care if a computer is running 24/7 so if there is a PC based system it almost might be a good thing

If this does not matter to you, then I think I would focus in on one of the software-based solutions.  Many of these speak multiple HA languages, so this would allow you to incorporate the best of each world, whether UPB, Z-wave, insteon, or one of the other systems.  Of course, I understand that for each HA protocol one uses, it requires a specific, and unique, hardware interface (with Insteon, I believe this is the "PLM"), so the flexibility comes at a cost in dollars that increases for each capability that you add.  With these software solutions, I have always been unclear on how robust is the support for these various HA protocols, and whether device support was limited.  Others would be better able to address this concern, and also correct me if I have been misleading or incorrect. 
 
If, however, you choose to go with a single HA protocol, I would not be surprised to find that one of the dedicated controllers is a better option still.  A device dedicated to Z-wave, for example, tends to live and die by how well it supports Z-wave.  This may not be true for a more universal software controller.