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through Sonos or similar and a separate lighting solution like Lutron, but beginning to wonder if that is now being superseded.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through Sonos or similar and a separate lighting solution like Lutron, but beginning to wonder if that is now being superseded.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.
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.
Thought I'd update on where I have got to with my new home 'project'. I decided to visit a few of HA/AV specialists to see what they would recommend as a solution and one stood out in terms of talking my language and understanding my caution. I am still awaiting a written quote so I'm working from my notes, but the upshot was Control 4 to manage the lighting and blinds in one big open plan area but to rely on switches and PIR elsewhere, this will also control the entrance gate.
Sonos ceiling speakers (angled behind covers) in most downstairs rooms and a Sony projector for the cinema room with other items yet to be confirmed. Stuff loads of Cat6 everywhere and some fibre optic (dormant) to the 4 rooms where we will have telly's to future proof, I will also have to invest in a decent router with some black market boosters (they won't supply because of broadcasting regs) around the place. I will provide more detail as and when (and an idea of cost) but the upshot was that if you can start from scratch Hue is a waste of money, with wet UFH heating control is less of an issue and Alexa (or equivalents) are all well and good but ultimately compromised.
The other people I visited wanted to sell me the earth and tried to prey on my ignorance, one actually suggested that I go fibre optic everywhere as it's the only viable future proof option (even I know that's prohibitively expensive). I hope this helps and will share more detail when I have it.
Sonos ceiling speakers (angled behind covers) in most downstairs rooms and a Sony projector for the cinema room with other items yet to be confirmed. Stuff loads of Cat6 everywhere and some fibre optic (dormant) to the 4 rooms where we will have telly's to future proof, I will also have to invest in a decent router with some black market boosters (they won't supply because of broadcasting regs) around the place. I will provide more detail as and when (and an idea of cost) but the upshot was that if you can start from scratch Hue is a waste of money, with wet UFH heating control is less of an issue and Alexa (or equivalents) are all well and good but ultimately compromised.
The other people I visited wanted to sell me the earth and tried to prey on my ignorance, one actually suggested that I go fibre optic everywhere as it's the only viable future proof option (even I know that's prohibitively expensive). I hope this helps and will share more detail when I have it.
Lols said:
Blue 62 - sounds like your project is similar to ours. Out of interest why do you need Fibre to the TVs? Will Cat cable not always be enough?
Sorry if I've not made it clear, all that has been suggested is that it may be worth running fibre optic to the four points where we will have cinema and TV's, the cable will not be live and it's just a hedge against what comes in the future (apparently 8k is on the way and who knows what thereafter) and for the cost of the cable it's been suggested that it's worth doing while we are building the house. The general advice is to run Cat 6 everywhere and to have points in bedrooms and elsewhere to give flexibility. When I have more detail I will be happy to share it and if you want to PM me you are most welcome. jimbouk said:
Blue62, i share your pain. Home has a couple of km of cat 5 (6 was not around then), speaker cables to every room from a central hub and cctv, all works fine, but none of it is joined up... as in no unified app or control. Seem to be lost in the divide between code writing geekery and snake oil bespoke system.
Had hoped that 10 years would have made a difference, but not really. Still a lack of standardisation, our roof lights have now added zwave control to the mix. As has a different system for the heating, to the mvhr. So lots of cat6 have gone into the new one. All the trades looked at the snake of purple cable everywhere and to a man said, wasting your your time mate, it’s all Wi-Fi now.
Interesting that owing to the level of insulation and use of reflective multi-foil membrane I seem to have built something approaching a faraday cell. Full strength 4g mobile signal outside, hardly able to get a signal inside. Wi-Fi also blocked from outside and does not spread between rooms very well inside either, rather glad about all that purple cable. Though will need to resolve mobile signal.
Oh and like the look of your steel works!
Ha! Thanks Jim, lost a little time this month with all the rain and a block wall blew over last week! If I really have stumbled across a decent AV/HA company I will happily pass on their details if you want them, I know a guy they did an install for last year who I approached in the pub, all positive but the proof of the pudding and all that.
Had hoped that 10 years would have made a difference, but not really. Still a lack of standardisation, our roof lights have now added zwave control to the mix. As has a different system for the heating, to the mvhr. So lots of cat6 have gone into the new one. All the trades looked at the snake of purple cable everywhere and to a man said, wasting your your time mate, it’s all Wi-Fi now.
Interesting that owing to the level of insulation and use of reflective multi-foil membrane I seem to have built something approaching a faraday cell. Full strength 4g mobile signal outside, hardly able to get a signal inside. Wi-Fi also blocked from outside and does not spread between rooms very well inside either, rather glad about all that purple cable. Though will need to resolve mobile signal.
Oh and like the look of your steel works!
Ha! Thanks Jim, lost a little time this month with all the rain and a block wall blew over last week! If I really have stumbled across a decent AV/HA company I will happily pass on their details if you want them, I know a guy they did an install for last year who I approached in the pub, all positive but the proof of the pudding and all that.
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