What is everyone using for home automation?

[calypsocowboy]

CQC, very powerful, more so than I know how to use.

[wado1971]

CQC was almost open source a couple months ago - Looks like the owner is currently re-evaluating options. Anyone have an update? - that might make your choice easier.

[SomeWhatLost]

I also use CQC, pretty good sage tie in... and Iphone/pad and android I think too... and that cool vidabox remote:




CQC wont be going FOSS anytime soon... I think dean was just having a mid life crises thing going on...
and well that may suck for some, just think how bad it would suck for the other 'paid' HA apps if the Cadillac of HA went free open source?
who would pay for girder, Main Lobby, or Homeseer, etc when they could get CQC for free?

[SomeWhatLost]

ohh.... I just thought of something...

PLUCKYHD, I am sorry to inform you of this, but there are no good HA options... you will just have to sit at your computer writing plugins 24/7... no reason to be distracted by any silly HA thoughts...

[PLUCKYHD]

Yeah CQC is the winner here open api is the sealer, but I remember reading it was going open source as well guess directions have changed since then. Ps that remote is part of vidabox package and not really for sage but more their whole integration WMC deal.

[batwater]

I'm running CQC, no longer going open source. Looking at going to a tiered pricing model but if you jump in now you get everything, no practical limits on clients or drivers. I came from another package, CQC had drivers (over 200) for everything but my alarm system, that came a bit later. SageTV control is what drew me to CQC.

Highly recommend! CQC offers a 30 day trial.

I have Android phone and ipod Touch clients running, using the same templates on both.

++1 on the SageTV interface to CQC!

[SomeWhatLost]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

Yeah CQC is the winner here open api is the sealer, but I remember reading it was going open source as well guess directions have changed since then.

yea.. no more OS... that pretty much isn't going to happen anytime soon...

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

Ps that remote is part of vidabox package and not really for sage but more their whole integration WMC deal.

yes and no...
its technically part of their vAutomation package and take a wild guess what the controlling software package is for vAutomation (at least v1, not sure about v2, the whole dean oss crises may have scared them away... although in the pictures it still looks like cqc... I just don't know... )
and CQC has a very nice sage driver... so that remote will control sage (and or extenders or sage on HTPC's connected to sage server) (and anything else that CQC has a driver for) quite nicely...
but none of this matters because none of this exists.... the only thing that exists are Sage plugins... how they going btw?

[Email68]

Plucky

I have a pretty intense Homeseer system. I'm also using the Sage Plugin with some nice results.

The homeseer PC has a good number of plugins for purchase that will allow it to control devices from many different manufacturers. Most of my switches are UPB and are controlled via homeseer. I have motion detectors that turn the lights on when you enter my office or bedroom for example. It also works hand in hand with my Caddx alarm system via another plugin.

They have a hstouch system that lets you build your own screens for iphones, ipads and I think they are working on a android version. They also have windows ce and windows clients as well.

I'm several hundred miles from home right now, but I was able to check in on the house from my iPhone to see that someone was in the master bedroom with the light on at 90% and the master bedroom HD300 was turn on. The alarm was off, and the HVAC was not running. I have it turning off when the outside temps are down. It announces through the house speakers to open the windows. The system also emailed my my phone messages while I'm away.

Let me know if you have any questions about hs or automation. One thing for sure, like sagetv, home automation is an expensive hobby!

-Tim

[George M]

Using CQC here.
It can do all you ask and more.
Also, I am able to control Sage through CQC, so you would have to code for that.

There is also an newer one called Elve.

I would suggest you start to visit some of these sites.

http://www.charmedquark.com/vb_forum/index.php
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=162
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showforum=7

George M

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by George M

I would suggest you start to visit some of these sites.

http://www.charmedquark.com/vb_forum/index.php
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=162
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showforum=7

George M

More credit than that I have frequent avsforum

[seaverd]

PluckyHD,

Check out Elve it was formerly known as J9Automation Engine or J9AE. It looks like he is developing a rather open system that includes a device driver SDK for developing new/additional drivers. There is also a touch screen builder for developing screens. I haven't seen a lot of screen shots but from the forums people are developing ipad interfaces. They also have an app on the itunes store. Check out the user forums and at the top is a notice that indicates if you develop a driver and/or touch screen interface the developer will provide a free license of the software. I really think it is worth looking at. I am at the same stage as you and am not currently using this software...but it looks like it might be worth investigating. Click the link to the online manual as there is a lot of information about the device driver SDK

Dan

http://codecoretechnologies.com/cont...ookieSupport=1

[George M]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

More credit than that I have frequent avsforum

Sorry. Didn't intend to insult. Didn't know what your starting point was.

GM

[matt91]

Originally Posted by George M

Sorry. Didn't intend to insult. Didn't know what your starting point was.

GM

the links were helpful to me, so thanks! :-)

[spike5884]

I use HouseBot. Relatively cheap ($70). Controls lots of different things: x10, z-wave, Insteon, etc.
Software Remotes that you design run on most Windows platforms. You can even build a web interface if so inclined. A while back I had it controlling SageTv.

[CollinR]

I would look at some hardware too, integrating directly to an HAI Omni or Elk M1 would provide a realtime ladder logic background and you by default could control all that it could. The systems are both UL listed residential fire controls so stability/reliability is going to be unmatched.


Me personally I use SageTV as my frontend so whatever I do placeshifter or client will be installed. I'm personally just not really a touchscreen kinda guy. I prefer more TVs and the 10' interface, placeshifter though is definately workable.

I use X10 and an Applied Digital Ocelot, up until v7 HAL. Now with v7 I'm strongly looking at Homeseer.

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by CollinR

I would look at some hardware too, integrating directly to an HAI Omni or Elk M1 would provide a realtime ladder logic background and you by default could control all that it could. The systems are both UL listed residential fire controls so stability/reliability is going to be unmatched.


Me personally I use SageTV as my frontend so whatever I do placeshifter or client will be installed. I'm personally just not really a touchscreen kinda guy. I prefer more TVs and the 10' interface, placeshifter though is definately workable.

I use X10 and an Applied Digital Ocelot, up until v7 HAL. Now with v7 I'm strongly looking at Homeseer.

Yeah I want control through sage but I don't want to have to turn sage on to contol other things

[CollinR]

Honestly, if you do it right...

You need to interface beyond development.

It's nice in thought anyway but a manual override is often required. Still I have several completely autonomous systems now, it's bliss!

[crusing]

I use Z-Wave equipment from a few different manufacturers. I have been very happy with it. There are several different API's or development kits out there. Some are open and and some for $'s for the various master controllers. It also well supported by almost all of the home automation software. It has been completely bulletproof in my home. Never misses a command. I mostly control lighting and appliances but I have about 30 controlled devices and couldn't be happier.

[Helheim]

I use CQC as well.

[bulaman]

I use insteon and girder\netremote. I use inforpop-up to display messages from sensors; front gate open, sprinklers activated, temperature etc.

I was hoping to take some time to learn the sage plugin system and make a menu that will send commands to girder to turn on lights, ceiling fan, etc. Girder has a built in web server to send commands to it, might be easier to view a webpage with sage.

I have controlled the lights with my iphone via girder...very cool. Just want to customize it to look the way I want it to.