Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Sep 17, 2015 10:35 pm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Apple's Homekit home automation standard or 'simplification' offers Siri to control things in your home, and apple's ethos of making things simple sounds promising... even moreso now in IOS 9 with iCloud and more maturity a year later. - Elgato EVE platform - Lutron Bridges and Lighting - Insteon Hub Nothing being really reviewed in AU yet, but i'm sure some of these product are just as much at home here as well as in the US. Z-wave is also interesting, but much larger and exhausting with massive choice on controllers and controls/modules. But one interesting contender is Samsung with the acquisition of SmartThings. It also boasts simplicity like Apple's Homekit using Z-wave standards and Zigbee which sounds alot more open than apple's ecosystem is ever likely to be. Key areas that may be useful in everyday life; - sensor based activation of lighting and alerts - lighting control from your smartdevice - proximity detection to open a garage door or switch on an entry light - automated schedules and routines for power outlets 'sunset' or 'goodnight' to switch off inefficient appliances like TVs, Hifi equipment and such Of course there are complex interactions that use temperature and humidity/moisture sensors that can 'monitor' your garden and switch irrigation (or) regulate pool pumps/solar loop relays to maintain water temperature and top up water levels due to evaporation but what is really the mainstay of automation that gets the best return for the investment? is C-Bus and x10 dead? or will these still be prevalent in unique environments? I'd like to hear everyones view on the maturing market of z-wave and homekit based control actually delivering on the promise of easy home automation. Also, any homeowners that have invested in c-bus or x10 that still see a future in these systems? Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 2Sep 18, 2015 1:20 pm I have installed C-Bus in my house. The two main benefits I see are: 1. Rock solid reliability. It uses cat5 cable to connect everything so you never have problems with lag or losses radio transmissions 2. Lots of choice in switch plates. I could get Clipsal slimline plates to match everything else in my house. Z-wave does have an advantage in retro fit where it is harder to run cable Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 3Sep 20, 2015 5:19 pm Hi Paul. What are you doing with the c-bus now? Lights, dimmers, sensors, ac? Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 4Sep 20, 2015 9:22 pm I have lighting, mostly on relays but 8 channels of dimming. There are quite a few movement sensors for various purposes:
A number of switches are programmed as timers (bathroom heaters, for example). C-Bus makes it simple to do multi-way switching too. There are 6 switches that control the lights in the hallway. This is complex to wire with traditional switches but trivial to program with C-Bus. I have a "goodnight" scene that turns everything off. The alarm panel is linked to the C-Bus so that:
I also have iPhone control of the lights from anywhere. Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 5Sep 21, 2015 12:32 pm paulw11 I have lighting, mostly on relays but 8 channels of dimming. There are quite a few movement sensors for various purposes:
A number of switches are programmed as timers (bathroom heaters, for example). C-Bus makes it simple to do multi-way switching too. There are 6 switches that control the lights in the hallway. This is complex to wire with traditional switches but trivial to program with C-Bus. I have a "goodnight" scene that turns everything off. The alarm panel is linked to the C-Bus so that:
I also have iPhone control of the lights from anywhere. Wow, sounds amazing. I have looked further into z-wave and the Insteon hub seems to provide similar wired or 'dual-path' services using PLC...and other tech (homekit, X10 not sure how simple that is though. I'm kind of leaning toward a simple group of systems that control important items. 1) AC unit via Daikin SkiFi or Nest Thermostat retrofitted on Daikin (if its supported) 2) Video surveillance / Motion via Insteon Hub control for use in scenes 3) One in-wall switch control for entry lighting 4) Some door sensors Garage and Front door I'm not convinced that dimming a light from the couch is really warranted but it is certainly a nice convenience. I just cant justify the expense for that task. Still very early on my design, but integrating the c-bus lines into the electrical fitout is a bit late for me now ;( Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 6Sep 28, 2015 1:46 pm I am also currently planning my home automation lay out. Frankly - There are a lot of alternative from cheap(Remote/Multi App), Medium (Limited Integration) or Expensive (Integrates with majority). Control4 seem to be the one of the known names but I have decided to focus my plan on ELAN. Re: Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave technology etc - Discussion 7Dec 01, 2015 7:07 am There is a complete new HomeKit app that lets you control HomeKit devices really smart: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/devices/id966877433?mt=8 I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 10136 The HIA contract, in the term & conditions section states that "Commencment" is deemed when the drainage is started or the piers are dug or the slab is formed up (incase… 2 6198 Hi there, We've just build a new hardwood (Greybox) deck and am wondering whether firepit protective mats/surfaces are sufficient? I'm not sure that they're heat… 0 2118 |