mControl

[jimmyb]

For those of us looking for the all-in-one Home Entertainment / Automation look, there is http://www.embeddedautomation.com/EAHAmControl.htm AND it works with the infamous CM15a!!!!

Would look nice embedded / included in Sage! Maybe a dynamic link? I will probably DL ove rthe weekend a play a little without Sage. If works then we can try with Sage.

Anyone wanting to join the challenge, please do.

[JUC]

I literally just did a search 10 minutes ago for home automation. I am thinking of getting into it--start with something simple like lighting and security....gas fireplace would be nice too! Looks like a slick interface for use on a TV. Keep us posted.
JUC

[Crashless]

How wierd. I was just thinking about this too.

I was searching around trying to figure out which program would be the most cost effective and easy to implement with SageTV. Right now, something with a web interface would probably be easiest.

Unfortunatly, all my stuff is Z-Wave, which limits my options slightly. I've been looking into Homeseer the most seriously right now: http://www.homeseer.com/

Problem, $200....pretty steep if you ask me. Does anyone have any reccomendations? What are people using currently?

[JUC]

what would you guys recommend for someone looking to get into the basics...somewhat inexpensive but with room to expand? Ultimately, i woul like to do lighting, garage doors, gas fireplace and possible irrigation. Can't think of anything else i would want.

[Crashless]

I started with z-wave because I live in an apartment building, and I read people have issues implementing x-10 due to interferance. It's really cool, and you don't even need a computer interface at first. We have a couple of remotes that can control most the house now.

The problem with z-wave is that it's fairly new, and there aren't nearly the number of modules that support it as x-10. There are a few companies working on it though.

Keep in mind that most software that supports z-wave also supports x-10, so if you eventually want to create a hybrid system, you can certainly do so.

Go here: http://www.smarthome.com/

it's a great store with lots of gadgets. I use it as a refrence when I'm thinking about expanding things. Just seeing what's available often gets my creative juices flowing and I think up all sorts of fantastical automation schematics. Then the wife sees it and says "how much?" and then I go back to my corner and weep.

edit: be sure to do LOTS of research before you buy. I found lots of hidden limitations of the technologies as I was planning. Pay special attention to dimming abilities. I ultimately chose z-wave because it can dim directly to a set brightness. Many x-10 devices can only step their dim - IE; Full on THEN step down 10 dims. Slower and not as slick as a direct fading dim.

[JUC]

crashless, thanks for the info...will check it out.
JUC

[lovingHDTV]

mcontrol says it supports z-wave, or did I read it wrong?

[jimmyb]

InsteoOn is also a viable new system now. The mControl works with X10, Zwave and Insta. Unfortunately I DL'ed it and cannot get it to open. Waiting for forums support.

I am using the X10 ActiveHome Pro system since it was cheap. Have lights working, sprinkler and will soon have Fireplace.

On patio I control water fountain and speakers. All in all it has been fun. Saw the mControl on one of the forums I hang at (accessx10.com)

[Jesse]

Hi,

I am doing research in this area too. This is the first time I have seen a television used as the primary interface. Most of the stuff I have come across uses touchscreen or Pocket Pc as the interface. Here are some good places to look:

Cocoontech: http://www.cocoontech.com/. Basically an HA forum/info resource. Great site with lots of activity. If it is info you want this is the place to start.

Cinemar's MainLobby: http://www.cinemaronline.com/. A very slick and powerful flash based front end. Tight integration with Homeseer and some other HA packages. A major upgrage/re-write is "coming soon" that will help move them towards being both a frontend and a backend. Very very nice Hometheater automation/control capabilities. Extremely active forums.

Charmed Quark Controller: http://www.charmedquark.com/ Very powerful front and backend. Out of the box it is not as visually appealing as MainLobby. But because it is not flash based it gives you more freedom in designing your interfaces. Could look as good as MainLobby if you have the necessary talent. It looks to me to be more of an HA controller than a media controller, but that is rapidly changing. I dont use it at this time, but I am watching its development very closely and I may yet move to it. It's forums seem to be getting more and more active.

I am wondering why one would would want to go for a tv based interface. If I was the only person in my home it might be good. But why would you want to have to interrupt someone watching tv to perform some HA function?

HTH

Jesse

[Bohica]

I am actually fairly deep in writing a sage plugin for HAL -- www.automatedliving.com. Should be somewhat test ready in a few days if I can spend the time I need to on it... Just took a look at mcontrol... gives me some ideas. The basic premise will be the same -- although I will rely on HAL rather than the mControl hardware.... what we will be able to do is execute / control all HAL devices, macros, groups, sensors -- view HAL contact lists, view calls in and out, and eventually have integrated HAL CallerID popup, and even voicemail all integrated into sage.

[Bohica]

Originally Posted by Jesse

I am wondering why one would would want to go for a tv based interface. If I was the only person in my home it might be good. But why would you want to have to interrupt someone watching tv to perform some HA function?

Shouldnt have to interupt anything -- but I have sage clients all over the house - and often want to dim the lights in the room I am in... or when it is time for bed -- it would be nice to simply hit the "GoodNight" macro on hal and turn off all lights and enable the alarm... etc.

Hal has built in Caller ID that I could integrate with Sage ala CallerID popup, and even does the home voicemail (all saved in WAV files) so eventually...

you get the idea....

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by Crashless

How wierd. I was just thinking about this too.

I was searching around trying to figure out which program would be the most cost effective and easy to implement with SageTV. Right now, something with a web interface would probably be easiest.

Unfortunatly, all my stuff is Z-Wave, which limits my options slightly. I've been looking into Homeseer the most seriously right now: http://www.homeseer.com/

Problem, $200....pretty steep if you ask me. Does anyone have any reccomendations? What are people using currently?

Hi Crashless,

IMHO, one would be crazy to spend $200 on Homeseer. It's decent, but really not as powerful or as stable as it should be for that price.

A MUCH better solution is CQC which is about as powerful and robust as a multi-thousand dollar AMX or Crestron system for a fraction of the cost (it IS $200). The support is easily on par with that of SageTV if not better. Well worth looking into, and they have a downloadable 30 demo.

-PGPfan

[Bohica]

I am fairly far along in this process...

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16979