Basic Home Automation Advice

xrapidx

xrapidx

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As per my previous thread - I bought a Harmony 1000 for my media room - works great.... I'd like to get the thing to be able to dim the lights when watching a movie, and looking at http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/index.php?cPath=375

I have no clue what I need - I have the remote, it supports RF (I think) and Infrared - i'd prefer to go with RF though... anyone care to advise what I need from the above site... Only doing one light at the moment, but when I move I'd like to do the curtains as well :cool: And maybe turn the popcorn maker on... :cool::cool:
 
a wife?

Home automation - Ask the forumite formerly known as vodacom3g. ;)
 
bwana said:
a wife?

Home automation - Ask the forumite formerly known as vodacom3g. ;)
Click to expand...

I've seen his house on the interwebz (IIRC also on TV) - that sort of automation is out of my league (at the moment) - but maybe he'll stop by :p
 
Have a look at Crabtree's iTRONIC home automation system. I'm pretty sure it has a wap interface as well so you can control stuff via your cellphone while you're at work or whatnot.

For my one project I did a wap interface thingy to control stuff in your house via PC <-> cellphone. It worked, but wasn't overly practical...so just have a look at the "added features" on the latest home automation devices.
 
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xrapidx said:
As per my previous thread - I bought a Harmony 1000 for my media room - works great.... I'd like to get the thing to be able to dim the lights when watching a movie, and looking at http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/index.php?cPath=375

I have no clue what I need - I have the remote, it supports RF (I think) and Infrared - i'd prefer to go with RF though... anyone care to advise what I need from the above site... Only doing one light at the moment, but when I move I'd like to do the curtains as well :cool: And maybe turn the popcorn maker on... :cool::cool:
Click to expand...

That Harmony 1000 sounds like a monster unit. What has been your experience of it so far? In theory, with a little bit of work and research, the Harmony 1000 should be able to control Home Automation Units. To control Home units like the X-10, you will need

Harmony 1000 RF emitter -> Harmony IR blaster -> X10. If your Harmony does not support IR, you can have a look at Xantech IR. You can put the IR blaster in line of sight of your X10 and you good to go.

FYI, I have the X-10 Kit in my house and it works great. I bought this setup a few years ago with additional Bayonet or screw-in Lamp Modules to control inside and outside lights.

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=375_381&products_id=10731

It comes with:

1. Computer Interface Module. This connects to your PC. It comes with ActiveHome software which you can use to schedule times for lights, plugs, dimming etc. The software then stores the information into the module's memory. The module has a backup battery and does not need the PC once information is stored.

2. Remote Control. I’m wondering if your Harmony 1000 cannot learn the X-10 remote IR. Maybe worthwhile researching this.

3. Appliance modules for plugs. This will switch on/off your popcorn maker, electric blanket and heater. :p

4. Dimming lamp modules. They come in Bayonet or Screw-in.
 
The Harmony has IR - and can learn the commands, although I want to get it working using RF...

Tell you why (example) - you create a macro for watching DVDs - so on the screen you'd have "Watch DVD" button, when you push it the following happens:
1.) LCD Turns on
2.) AMP Turns on
3.) Media Center turns On (if necessary).
4.) LCD switches to HDMI2
5.) AMP switches to DVD.
6.) LCD changes to Cinema colour profile
7.) AMP switches to Cinema sound profile.
8.) Media Center starts DVD.

These are all next to each other, so line of site isn't a problem - but with the light switch on the wall behind me, and not line of site - I'd like to be able to control it using RF instead of infrared... so the process would continue from above.

9.) Light dims to 20%.
and later.
10.) Blinds close.

:)

I also want to switch all the media components above to RF - so I don't have to point the control.
 
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