Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 3Aug 07, 2008 10:15 am I dont even know what a home automation system is Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 4Aug 08, 2008 3:16 am Hi Duminda - The question you have to be asking yourself is how far do you want to go?
There's no limit to what you can do, but what you want will determine the system you choose and how much it costs. You can go from just lighting, security, garden automation etc. to climate control as well to piped music throughout the house or maybe one or two zones playing different audio, to multiple independent high-definition video sources, or integrating the whole lot controlled by touch screens etc. A fully integrated multiple zone independent system can cost at least 20 or 30 thousand dollars. I'm (hopefully) going to be rolling my own... After 2 false starts, a year living overseas, two more world trips and 3 years of uncertainty we are now starting the build process again - hopefully for real this time! Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 5Aug 08, 2008 8:21 am Lorraine44 I dont even know what a home automation system is Hi Lorraine, I am basically talking about something similar to what muzzman mentioned above ... a system that will distribute video, music, data & telephone in the house and/ or control things like lighting, security etc. muzzman A fully integrated multiple zone independent system can cost at least 20 or 30 thousand dollars. Hi Muzzman, Yes, I know branded systems like C-Bus are in that price range, but what about generic/ software based systems such as X-10 or Homeseer ... do they cost the same? Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 6Aug 08, 2008 8:33 am Hi Lorraine,
I am basically talking about something similar to what muzzman mentioned above ... a system that will distribute video, music, data & telephone in the house and/ or control things like lighting, security etc. Ah, I thought that was a husband?? sorry am only joking , sounds great but out of our price range, can always dream though! Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 7Aug 08, 2008 8:46 am Lorraine44 Duminda Hi Lorraine, I am basically talking about something similar to what muzzman mentioned above ... a system that will distribute video, music, data & telephone in the house and/ or control things like lighting, security etc. Ah, I thought that was a husband?? sorry am only joking , sounds great but out of our price range, can always dream though! Or kids....! mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 8Aug 08, 2008 11:51 am Not sure how much X10 is - I haven't really looked into it because it's wireless. Call me old fashioned but I prefer being 'plugged in'.
Something you need to consider also is whether they will handle high definition (i.e. blu-ray quality) video. If you are happy with standard DVD definition then I know that X10 and most other systems will handle that easily, but the high-def stuff is a different kettle of fish. After 2 false starts, a year living overseas, two more world trips and 3 years of uncertainty we are now starting the build process again - hopefully for real this time! Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 9Aug 08, 2008 4:21 pm Have you considered this mob?
http://www.mediahub.com.au/ Much cheaper than C-bus and much more expandable also. Alot easier to add-on later as well as it uses UPB technology meaning everything runs through existing powerlines so no need to run new dedicated cables. We're gonna be using these guys for our build and will have lighting control, security, audio distribution as well as the ability to control irrigation etc down the track amongst other things. The best part is it can all be controlled via phoneline and internet so when away, you can check on the status and control the house remotely. Nearly half the cost of C-bus too! Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 10Aug 08, 2008 8:16 pm Hi guys,
Just moved this to the Home theatre forum! Matt Re: Poll: Which Home Automation/ Networking System? 13Aug 10, 2008 10:03 pm I have an iControl system for my lights, to be honest i dont think there is one be all and end all system that does 100% of everything you will want out of the box.
I was set on a C-Bus system but the quote was way more than I thought it would be and after a bit of investiagation it appears the C-Bus system has brilliant switches and a great marketing department but i felt it had a few draw backs. At the moment i have the icontrol more like a fancy set of light switches and timers i haven't really begun to strech its legs. It cost about 6k for the power supply, battery backup unit, main control pannel, light switches and relays/dimmers. This is for a 3 bed, 1 bath home but allot of extra relays to use for **** down the track. To give you an idea on extra costs its around $200 for a unit which does 2 x dimmable units, $200 for 4 channel relay, $200 for a unit which can monitor 4 sensors like door, etc..., $150 for sensors to turn on lights/sense light. In the end i will have spent about 10k. But thats for full alarm, all lights automated, keyless entry, heating control, web control, touch screen, garage door control, everything like that. It will turn on amps for distributed audio but the actual content and volume are controled by the HTPC. As for 'networking' we have about 30 odds runs of cat5 cable back to a central point, in a perfect world i would like it all to all digital over IP, at the moment i am just going to run RCA over it for audio and we don't have TVs in the bedroom. I would really appreciate if if you can complete the poll about windows, if you have a story I would love to hear it. Please share… 0 6706 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 45921 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 43213 |