Home automation
Discussion
I am looking for a reliable solution on my new build, primarily want to control sound, lighting, security and heating. I have a healthy scepticism based a wealthy friends experience a few years ago, he spent a fortune and has now ripped most of the system out because of reliability issues.
I am going to run miles of Cat6 into the ceiling voids but have noticed that the new Sonos speakers incorporate Amazon Alexa and I was thinking that it could provide an affordable solution to cover most of what I want, provided (I assume) I run it alongside Hue/Hive etc. Initially I was thinking about ceiling/wall speakers through Sonos or similar and a separate lighting solution like Lutron, but beginning to wonder if that is now being superseded. Any advice out there appreciated.
I am going to run miles of Cat6 into the ceiling voids but have noticed that the new Sonos speakers incorporate Amazon Alexa and I was thinking that it could provide an affordable solution to cover most of what I want, provided (I assume) I run it alongside Hue/Hive etc. Initially I was thinking about ceiling/wall speakers through Sonos or similar and a separate lighting solution like Lutron, but beginning to wonder if that is now being superseded. Any advice out there appreciated.
Every time I look at this stuff it never seems joined up enough
Personally I can't bring myself to put all my eggs in one basket
I like the idea of it all, but my alarm has different apps to the heating, which is different to the lighting so I end up just using the alarm panel manually like the old days as the app updates and becomes too clunky etc
Personally I can't bring myself to put all my eggs in one basket
I like the idea of it all, but my alarm has different apps to the heating, which is different to the lighting so I end up just using the alarm panel manually like the old days as the app updates and becomes too clunky etc
tIf you are looking at Lutron, they you really need to be thinking of Crestron or Control4. Pick a good dealer that knows what you want, doesn't oversell.
I am happy to help but frankly Loxone is a very budget system that Screwfix are trying to sell on. If you have mind of Lutron, there is RAKO which is cheaper but not as nicely finished. I can assist with most of these systems as VEX. Get in touch with either of us as we specialise in this market.
Often it is not the kit that is no good its the way it was installed. Get someone appointed to talk to about the cables you run, this is as critical as the equipment you spec.
I am happy to help but frankly Loxone is a very budget system that Screwfix are trying to sell on. If you have mind of Lutron, there is RAKO which is cheaper but not as nicely finished. I can assist with most of these systems as VEX. Get in touch with either of us as we specialise in this market.
Often it is not the kit that is no good its the way it was installed. Get someone appointed to talk to about the cables you run, this is as critical as the equipment you spec.
Having done a lot of research on lighting Control Lutron is the way to go. Sure its expensive kit (but very nice quality) but works very well, has been totally reliable for me thus far 10mths in including the app.
Most importantly it’s been around since 1961 so you’d have a reasonable expectation they are going to be around to support you with parts & service as opposed to a new pretender that’s here today gone tomorrow.
I’ve got enardo control for automation that also does the lighting control & video matrix distribution of SKY Apple TV etc & Cctv within the Home, but I tend to use each services dedicated app to be honest as they are more comprehensive & easier to use in my experience thus far, to that end there maybe better integration from other providers. The remote off site lighting control is done via Enardo.
I’ve installed Yamaha music cast running 9 rooms with tunes which again I’ve been very pleased with sounds good enough & easy to use.
Heating control via Heatmiser Neo using its own internal mesh wireless linking & it’s own app, but of course this is by a separate app outside of automation.
16 Camera CCTV system by concept pro again by separate app including remote log in again very reliable so far.
Most importantly it’s been around since 1961 so you’d have a reasonable expectation they are going to be around to support you with parts & service as opposed to a new pretender that’s here today gone tomorrow.
I’ve got enardo control for automation that also does the lighting control & video matrix distribution of SKY Apple TV etc & Cctv within the Home, but I tend to use each services dedicated app to be honest as they are more comprehensive & easier to use in my experience thus far, to that end there maybe better integration from other providers. The remote off site lighting control is done via Enardo.
I’ve installed Yamaha music cast running 9 rooms with tunes which again I’ve been very pleased with sounds good enough & easy to use.
Heating control via Heatmiser Neo using its own internal mesh wireless linking & it’s own app, but of course this is by a separate app outside of automation.
16 Camera CCTV system by concept pro again by separate app including remote log in again very reliable so far.
chasingracecars said:
If you are looking at Lutron, they you really need to be thinking of Crestron or Control4. Pick a good dealer that knows what you want, doesn't oversell.
I am happy to help but frankly Loxone is a very budget system that Screwfix are trying to sell on. If you have mind of Lutron, there is RAKO which is cheaper but not as nicely finished. I can assist with most of these systems as VEX. Get in touch with either of us as we specialise in this market.
Often it is not the kit that is no good its the way it was installed. Get someone appointed to talk to about the cables you run, this is as critical as the equipment you spec.
Thanks mate but I was not thinking Loxone but considering the latest Sonos/Alexa set up to manage lighting/AV/heating and security. I know Vex is home counties, you anywhere near East devon?I am happy to help but frankly Loxone is a very budget system that Screwfix are trying to sell on. If you have mind of Lutron, there is RAKO which is cheaper but not as nicely finished. I can assist with most of these systems as VEX. Get in touch with either of us as we specialise in this market.
Often it is not the kit that is no good its the way it was installed. Get someone appointed to talk to about the cables you run, this is as critical as the equipment you spec.
Im in South East Wales, about 20mins from the M5.
If you are going down the route of the Lutron Lighting I would seriously consider a proper home automation processor. Alexa is better as an interface then a controller. Crestron and Control4 both are leading the home automation markets in their own sectors. There are other makes around but these two seem to stay ahead of the rest.
Last year I tried to get a meeting set up with the UK sales person for Loxone when at ISE in Amsterdam, I found out that despite its the biggest show in Europe possibly the world he only day tripped it. I was there for a week meeting people, seeing products, training.
If you are going down the route of the Lutron Lighting I would seriously consider a proper home automation processor. Alexa is better as an interface then a controller. Crestron and Control4 both are leading the home automation markets in their own sectors. There are other makes around but these two seem to stay ahead of the rest.
Last year I tried to get a meeting set up with the UK sales person for Loxone when at ISE in Amsterdam, I found out that despite its the biggest show in Europe possibly the world he only day tripped it. I was there for a week meeting people, seeing products, training.
I've always been wary of this stuff; even working on the assumption that it all goes in and works perfectly what exactly is the supported lifespan - will I be able to replace or extend the kit in 12/18/36/60 months?
Certainly any time apps and iPads and so on creep in I get jumpy as you can see obsolescence rushing towards you and that's even assuming the app(s) get much of an update past the first release.
I don't much care if I know that my shiny iPhone X is going to be landfill in 3 years time as it comes with the territory but I feel slightly differently about a much more expensive pile of kit actually built into the house. Feels better to stay simple & not bother?
Or otherwise take a step back, forget about even the grade of cabling for infrastructure and concentrate on the ducting & access so you can completely replace with whatever you need as and when.
Certainly any time apps and iPads and so on creep in I get jumpy as you can see obsolescence rushing towards you and that's even assuming the app(s) get much of an update past the first release.
I don't much care if I know that my shiny iPhone X is going to be landfill in 3 years time as it comes with the territory but I feel slightly differently about a much more expensive pile of kit actually built into the house. Feels better to stay simple & not bother?
Or otherwise take a step back, forget about even the grade of cabling for infrastructure and concentrate on the ducting & access so you can completely replace with whatever you need as and when.
Many of my customers have 8 year old processors or older. Because the code is written for the customer we are not reliant on skills etc. If something comes along we can usually make it work with the control system.
For example I have Control4 at home, it switches tv audio lights, blinds. Runs schedules and macros. Learns modes and more.
Whereas Alexa turns on and off lights and does a kitchen timer!
For example I have Control4 at home, it switches tv audio lights, blinds. Runs schedules and macros. Learns modes and more.
Whereas Alexa turns on and off lights and does a kitchen timer!
I have a mix of LightwaveRF, Heatmiser Neo, Sonos and Logitech Harmony Hub, all linked to Amazon Echos around the house.
1st get LightwaveRF is good but limited by single-way comms. The new 2nd gen stuff goes two-way and should be virtually flawless once they have rolled out more products.
Retrofitting conventional lighting to activate via LightwaveRF isn't possible though because their relays are too simple, so I've been looking at another expensive solution in Fibaro. Forget the radio transmission protocol (Fibaro uses z-wave) and focus on the activators - Fibaro allows for conventional switched live inputs, and then offers the additional automated input as a specific on/off command so you can alter the light state (on or off) with your conventional switches OR call for "on" or "off" from your voice activation. It "knows" what state the lights are at despite the conventional switches being set at random states.
Then there's Heatmiser which I reckon is virtually flawless, easy to install into any system with 3-wire thermostats, and doesn't rely on the Heatmiser servers being up or your internet connection to be active. If you're not sure why this is important Google for Revolv thermostats or the Ring Go doorbell.
Harmony Hub seems more like a toy in this company but I've been surprised how much connectivity it offers although as I have Samsung TVs I kinda wish I'd bought the Samsung Smartthings hub instead. I might still get one to try out.
1st get LightwaveRF is good but limited by single-way comms. The new 2nd gen stuff goes two-way and should be virtually flawless once they have rolled out more products.
Retrofitting conventional lighting to activate via LightwaveRF isn't possible though because their relays are too simple, so I've been looking at another expensive solution in Fibaro. Forget the radio transmission protocol (Fibaro uses z-wave) and focus on the activators - Fibaro allows for conventional switched live inputs, and then offers the additional automated input as a specific on/off command so you can alter the light state (on or off) with your conventional switches OR call for "on" or "off" from your voice activation. It "knows" what state the lights are at despite the conventional switches being set at random states.
Then there's Heatmiser which I reckon is virtually flawless, easy to install into any system with 3-wire thermostats, and doesn't rely on the Heatmiser servers being up or your internet connection to be active. If you're not sure why this is important Google for Revolv thermostats or the Ring Go doorbell.
Harmony Hub seems more like a toy in this company but I've been surprised how much connectivity it offers although as I have Samsung TVs I kinda wish I'd bought the Samsung Smartthings hub instead. I might still get one to try out.
+1 for Lutron. I am States based, and I want to remain agnostic on the google/amazon/apple control front. Lutron kit is fantastic (over here it is called Caseta). Their hub (and the company which has been around in home automation for a while) will track and follow the voice control thing.
Dear God I sound like a sales rep, no affiliation at all - I have just done the home automation thing, I have Wemo, Lutron, TPlink and Harmony stuff all over here. The Lutron stuff is the most mature (they have been producing dimmers et al ever since I moved here 20 years ago) and I think they are a banker as they will adapt to match the latest voice recognition systems.
Dear God I sound like a sales rep, no affiliation at all - I have just done the home automation thing, I have Wemo, Lutron, TPlink and Harmony stuff all over here. The Lutron stuff is the most mature (they have been producing dimmers et al ever since I moved here 20 years ago) and I think they are a banker as they will adapt to match the latest voice recognition systems.
chasingracecars said:
Many of my customers have 8 year old processors or older. . . . .
Whereas Alexa turns on and off lights and does a kitchen timer!
A bit disingenuous, amazon echo is a massive international success and does much more than those things. Whereas Alexa turns on and off lights and does a kitchen timer!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
El stovey said:
A bit amazon echo is international and those things.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Should really quote the whole thing!! See you can change the subject by taking out the core!https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Echo/Alexa is a smart home device, like Hue/ like Somfy/Nest/Heatmieser/Etc. Lots of devices that a smart devices that’s can be controlled by an app. Sometimes by on another.
A home automation processor is not smart, it’s actually dumb. It can’t control anything or do anything until it is programmed to do that. Alexa out the box will tell you the weather, albeit for somewhere else.
Alexa is the closest thing to a home automation processor but is soo far away it’s like a pedal car and a Chiron.
Home automation processors are not expensive either it’s the understanding of the equipment to work together seamlessly that we charge for. I know what works well with what. Some heating controllers don’t have a two way API So while you can use their app, any third party controller can’t see what the temp is.
It’s not the cost of the equipment but the service and planning in a project you pay for. I could probably make Alexa do all everything but there are better devices out there for doing it.
For the record in my house Alexa commands are not direct to the lights etc, it’s via the processor. It can call scenes and audio etc at the same time and these are normal light bulbs.
Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon, first used in the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot devices developed by Amazon Lab126. It is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, and other real-time information, such as news.[2] Alexa can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation system.
Control4 develops smart home automation systems to control lighting, entertainment, security, energy, and other connected devices.[1] The company's 2013 initial public offering was considered to be the 'first pure-play home automation IPO ever.
Note that Alexa's last use is home automation system.
I would like all those who think they know better to have my job! Go one then, if you can do better.
Control4 develops smart home automation systems to control lighting, entertainment, security, energy, and other connected devices.[1] The company's 2013 initial public offering was considered to be the 'first pure-play home automation IPO ever.
Note that Alexa's last use is home automation system.
I would like all those who think they know better to have my job! Go one then, if you can do better.
I'm just about to move into a property that has a Vantage Infusion system fitted to control all the lights, heating, cctv, electric gates, apple tv, sky, ceiling speakers etc. The little touch screens dotted around look nice enough.
No idea how its going to integrate with my Sonos gear, probably end up running the audio separate via ipads/alexa.
No idea how its going to integrate with my Sonos gear, probably end up running the audio separate via ipads/alexa.
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