Which home automation / music / video / smart system to buy?

[foliedouce]

Just wondering what peoples experience is of home automation / central music / video etc?

I've got Sonos for music but for some reason it doesn't like my house nad frequently drops out so thinking ahead and wanting to put a wired home automation system in - something that can control blinds / curtains / heating, as well as pipe music / video into chosen rooms

Any experiences people can share?

Thanks

[MuffDaddy]

I am working with SmartThings kit at the moment and it's going ok. I think they key is to make sure whatever you go for will work to some form of standard rather than buying in to one manufacturers system.

[VEX]

And where abouts are you?

Sonos is pretty robust so shouldnt be dropping in and out. There are a couple of tricks available to us installers, so depending on where you are, I might be able to have a look for you.

Otherwise, back to Toxic's comment, what is your budget.

I am currently playing with some new hardware that will be sub 5k for the automation of a 4 bed house (without AV stuff), I am also playing with a proposal for a £70k project into a house! (with HD systems and 9 zones of audio)

V.

[foliedouce]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I don't have a budget as such, subject to the fallout from the General Election I intend to rebuild my house in the next 2 years (currently interviewing architects), however in the next 2 months I want to start building my man cave / games room and want to future proof it for a central media / automation system to be connected to the main house later.

I'm prepared to invest to get the right infrastructure in place now. A few years ago I bought a Pronto and DF solutions base box so my judgment on these kinds of systems is ste!

I'm not a cheapscape, but don't want to pay £70k for a games room. Would £5-10k get me a starter kit?

Vex- I think we have met before, you did my business partners Sonos in Beenhams Heath.

[VEX]

Yes, I think we did

Your local so I am happy to meet for a beer / coffee discussion.

Also you Sonos shoundnt be causing you that much grief.

V.

[foliedouce]

VEX said:

Yes, I think we did

Your local so I am happy to meet for a beer / coffee discussion.

Also you Sonos shoundnt be causing you that much grief.

V.

Give me a nudge if you're interested, HDL looks ok?

[VEX]

HDL does look interesting as does Fibaro which I have £1000 of demo gear to play with.

HDL have quite a large stand at Grand Designs this week.

Thinking of visiting them for a chat.

V.

[VEX]

HDL does look interesting as does Fibaro which I have £1000 of demo gear to play with.

HDL have quite a large stand at Grand Designs this week.

Thinking of visiting them for a chat.

V.

[foliedouce]

VEX said:

HDL does look interesting as does Fibaro which I have £1000 of demo gear to play with.

HDL have quite a large stand at Grand Designs this week.

Thinking of visiting them for a chat.

V.

Hi Vex

What are your thoughts?

HDL presentationally looks better to me, but that is purely from looking around the website rather than testing / understanding tech specs.

How much would you charge to design a system for an outbuilding / outdoor living area?

[VEX]

I'm really liking the Fibaro system that I am slowly retro fitting at home, but for new build stuff the likes of HDL.

Busy for the next few weeks with half term and projects but happy to meet for a beer /coffee / chat.

No expectations, just a friendly chat.

V.