Russound and Home automation integration

[torgrimj]

I am currently building a new home, and have followed this forum for a while.  I am looking at what I may purchase for whole house audio.  I am looking at a couple of different options.  The first is the HTD lync system.  I am looking at 12 zones (over time), and this provides a reasonable priced option.  I like the paging feature, and the input jack on the keypad for a local source.  I am also looking at the Russsound CM5 series as well.  I like the integration into the ELK system that I will be installing. 
 
My question is about the integration into the elk system, and if I decide to use the HTD system, what am I really forgoing by not having the integration into the ELK with the Russound system?   Is the integration into the elk beneficial?  What have some people done with their integrations?
 
Thanks in advance for your comments!
 
JT
 

 

[tmbrown97]

I think it comes down to what's going to be controlling your home.  If you are using CQC or HomeSeer or something like that, then you can accomplish whatever you want even if the Elk doesn't do it.  Also, if the patterns align well enough, you can probably get some basic control of the Elk directly via sending ascii text over the serial port - but since Elk doesn't support dynamic text you're limited to a few functions such as turning off the system as the house arms, or things like that.
 
With any control system, there are no HTD drivers that I'm aware of - so if you want integration of any sort, you'll be rolling your own.
 
As for what types of integration are possible... just some I've considered:
1) When putting the kids to bed, a single button on the wall could trigger their hue light to come on in a sunset color and set it to fade over the next hour; at the same time, their favorite night-time radio station could kick on - a bit louder at first because they think they want that - then fade the volume down a bit more as they fall asleep.
2) As the house is armed away, automatically turn off the stereo. I already do this with my lights; why not turn off everything else too.
3) I have a Downstairs Off button - might as well kill the music down there too - that way as we head up for bath time, all the music shuts off.  Similarly, I have scene buttons that turn off downstairs and light the way to the upstairs rooms - I could kill the downstairs music and lights while turning on something up in the bathroom.
4) When you come home perhaps you have a disarm code just for when you come home and the wife is gone - that automatically sets a mellow mood (I rarely get time home with the wife or kids so I try to enjoy it).
 
Just some thoughts - of course it's different for everyone.
 
The single biggest thing that the HTD system has that I want is the integrated intercom.  However, IIRC, the HTD had no viable way of doing whole-home announcements so it's a tradeoff.

 

[signal15]

The Vera can control a Russound system.  I'm planning on writing a plugin for it to control the Monoprice Multizone audio system also, since I bought 2 of them and chained them, and they were WAY cheaper than anything else out there.
 
I'm pretty happy with them, I use them probably 10 hours a day.  For paging, I hooked up an old android phone and installed Zello on it.  Then I just hit the PTT button on my phone and it pages over all of the speakers.  It's pretty slick.

 

[drvnbysound]

Does anyone know what capability is possible with a Russound system and a KPNAV?
 
I've been wondering if the KPNAV could be used in place of a dedicated Russound wall controller for a particular zone.

 

[tmbrown97]

There's definitely something hugely lacking in the DIY market for control.  I don't know why it's so ______ hard to get a single control station for our rooms that can have intercom, lighting, security and audio control!  I swear I'm going to become a Crestron or Control4 dealer just so I can get access to their nicely integrated control points.  Sure there are ways we can kludge together something close - but does anyone know how to get all 4 of those functions into a single plate that's DIY accessible?  And seamless, code-compliant for install, etc?   I think I could get close if I dumped Elk and went HAI but I'd have to take a really hard look at that again to make sure it meets the needs.
 
Sorry - OT... but to drvnbysound's comment - no offense to Elk, but I can't imagine anything they've integrated into the KPNav for audio control to be even remotely viable.  This has been driving me crazy lately trying to find the right solution to put more control with less clutter in each of the rooms without having to take out a home equity loan.

 

[picta]

There's definitely something hugely lacking in the DIY market for control.  I don't know why it's so ______ hard to get a single control station for our rooms that can have intercom, lighting, security and audio control!  I swear I'm going to become a Crestron or Control4 dealer just so I can get access to their nicely integrated control points.  Sure there are ways we can kludge together something close - but does anyone know how to get all 4 of those functions into a single plate that's DIY accessible?  And seamless, code-compliant for install, etc?   I think I could get close if I dumped Elk and went HAI but I'd have to take a really hard look at that again to make sure it meets the needs.

The Omnitouch station has a built in intercom and allows control of all other functions, including audio with meta data, lighting, HVAC, security, cameras, energy consumption and automation. If you add Haiku to the mix, you'll also get mobile control on iPads/phones and ability to integrate with a lot of other equipment, like HTD. Although Haiku runs on Mac only, if you think about it as an automation server and not a PC, the cost is comparable or way better than alternatives, and it can also double as a media server. IMO, a much better alternative to non-DIY offerings.

 

[tmbrown97]

Yeah - I may jump ship when I build the next house and go HAI instead - I thought about it a lot before I installed the Elk here.
 
In the meantime, I'm about to order a Kindle Fire and see what I can make happen with that and HomeSeer.

 

[ano]

An HAI Omni Pro II can control the ACA-E5, MCA-C5, CAV6.6, CAM6.6, CAA66, and CAS44

 

[AgileHumor]

You can used Russound + MyroBridge to provide music control point.
 
Won't provide intercom, you'll just need an extra gang for that, completely doable.