Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation Re: Home Automation 3Apr 10, 2009 7:28 pm My fiance says cbus is the way to go. Our last place had cbus throughout (that he installed himself during the building stage), and when we get around to building again, we'll definately install cbus again. It can be expensive, but he can install it himself so it cuts the cost down a little for us. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Home Automation 5Apr 13, 2009 8:32 am mheloy2, Personally I think X10 and C-Bus is big waste of money... that is of course unless you have deep pockets and an unlimited budget to build your home! Sure there are some funky effects and programmable features but are you really prepared to shell out so much hard earned just to see your lights fade in and out? The people who I know who have installed C-Bus have never re-programmed them after installation so hardly a great investment. My advice is put your money toward things that are going to make a real difference to your living experience such as Ethernet cabling for your devices (Computers, PVR's, Gaming Box, etc), WiFi, video and telephone distribution. There are some great threads coving this topic, check out: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=13929 http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=12907 Re: Home Automation 6Apr 13, 2009 9:08 am Mr Ed My advice is put your money toward things that are going to make a real difference to your living experience such as Ethernet cabling for your devices (Computers, PVR's, Gaming Box, etc), WiFi, video and telephone distribution. I agree to a certain extent. I wouldn't bother with cbus usually, but seeings as we can get it cheap (ie, trade price materials, no installation cost) I'd like to do it for some areas of the house. I wouldn't run other cabling through the house unneccessarily as most things can be run via WiFi with no need for cabling. You can stream music, videos etc from your computer (or other server) to any room of the house without the need for cabling. There are some well priced media servers/receivers out there which eliminate the need for cabling. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Home Automation 7Apr 13, 2009 9:19 am HomeAngels I wouldn't run other cabling through the house unneccessarily as most things can be run via WiFi with no need for cabling. You can stream music, videos etc from your computer (or other server) to any room of the house without the need for cabling. There are some well priced media servers/receivers out there which eliminate the need for cabling. Interesting perception, I've streamed audio via WiFi with good results, but not had much luck with quality video, let alone HiDef via WiFi. Since you can get C-Bus installed cheap, why not get Ethernet cables run throughout the house? The only items I run via WiFi at home are the laptop computers and iPhone, everything else is connected via cable. Re: Home Automation 8Apr 13, 2009 9:40 am I'd definately be running ethernet cables through your house if you want stream anything other than music. Re: Home Automation 9Apr 13, 2009 9:45 am I too would definitely go with hard-wired where ever possible, whatever the signal you want to transport. It will eliminate the chance of outside interferences having any impact on these signals, and 'free up' your wireless signal range(s) for the things that have no other option. P.S. For me this definitely includes audio - I still prefer hard-wired connections from the source all the way to the speakers... Re: Home Automation 10Apr 13, 2009 10:14 am Hmmm....we don't seem to have any problems with our video streaming. I don't know exactly how FH has set it all up, but it includes a couple PS3's & the computer as the server. We had to hard wire his son's room as his room has an old xbox that doesn't support wifi. We stream our audio through an ipod with fm transmitter if we want to listen on the stereo outside (obviously not wifi!). Or we can stream direct from the computer to the PS3, which then plays the audio through the hifi sytem. I haven't noticed any lack in quality. We use our PS3's for everything - bluray, dvds, music etc. I know there's a program that he's installed on the computer to run this, including the streaming of video. We then control it with the PS3 remote. It's difficult to cable our current house as we purchased it after it was built. Well, not 'difficult', but it's a lot of mucking around, so he's found ways to get around it! When we build in the near future he wants to cable the house, but I'm happy with the quality we're getting now with it all being streamed. He does assure me that the quality is better though if it's cabeled Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Home Automation 13Apr 16, 2009 4:46 pm With Wireless the entire bandwith is shared. Streaming wireless G between two wireless networks means a speed of 27Mbps (as its 54/2 at PERFECT reception, which NEVER happens). Make it 4 devices and half it again... For our new place Im networking to the kitchen bench where a phone socket will be, and to two points where TVs are likely (lounge and HT room). They will use that to run my HTPC setup and avoid all wireless problems. outside Ill have a wireless music player at some point Id say, and that will be wireless (or run a cable from the kitchen when needed) as music streams much easier. Re: Home Automation 14Apr 16, 2009 4:55 pm I'd agree with cabled also to your major areas. hellman, are you running any to the bedrooms? Built 36sq Plantation "Retreat" on 4460m2 at Spring Mountain, Qld In Living and landscaping.. >>> ... http://retreatspring.blogspot.com Re: Home Automation 15Apr 16, 2009 5:05 pm wired ftw..... full home autmation is over kill unless you have the money and the need for it... Cat6 for cabling, RG6 quad shireld for TV outlets, central spot for all wiring to end up. Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Home Automation 16Apr 17, 2009 10:35 am ozzroo hellman, are you running any to the bedrooms? No there is no plans too ATM. Maybe in a few years, but I cant see the need for them ATM. The cabling is all going back to one bedroom so it will be the study, but otherwise no. Re: Home Automation 17Apr 17, 2009 12:04 pm I was looking into the X10 about 6 mths ago. Looks okay as a hobby home automation kit and you can build on it. Much of the system you could integrate yourself. But like many things I think it would be fun for the first few months then the noveltly wears off and it will be another money waster. If you are really into wanting it go buy the X10 CM15 Pro kit for about $200 with the PC controller and one bayonet/one device fitting. Then you can load the software and play around turning on a lamp or toaster via macros in the software. For some of these tasks, the delay on the powerline is not really noticed if you are using it for security "all lights on" before you get home etc. Built 36sq Plantation "Retreat" on 4460m2 at Spring Mountain, Qld In Living and landscaping.. >>> ... http://retreatspring.blogspot.com Re: Home Automation 18Apr 17, 2009 1:13 pm Hellman109 ozzroo hellman, are you running any to the bedrooms? No there is no plans too ATM. Maybe in a few years, but I cant see the need for them ATM. The cabling is all going back to one bedroom so it will be the study, but otherwise no. at least get the holes pre drilled at frame stage, and a pull wires/ string installed and or ridged conduit installed... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board 2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it… 1 28814 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16282 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10637 |