http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=101365&stc=1&d=1202313702


I am very interested in opinions or any thoughts from anyone that has had experiences with any of the Z-Wave products.

My parents are over 60 now and we are remodeling our home with a new media room included and upgrades to the theater. I would like to integrate lighting control, media control, and other functions into a simple, and easy to use solution that will make life more simple for me, and my parents.

Here is what I think we may need.

Remote -

Must have buttons that are easy to see and none that I will accidentally miss-press. I was thinking possibly a Harmony 890 with the back-lighting. I was also interested in maybe getting two of those so I could just copy settings, use one for the theater, one for the media room, and we would not need to worry about carrying one around. The media room will have two zones where the second will be in the new kitchen. This will feature my current AVR so it must work for a Pioneer VSX1012. We have not picked out a Plasma but we have had are eye on Panasonic models at BB. Think I should be alright with the remote for a new Plasma and also the new AVR for the theater which is planned to be a Marantz SR7002.

RF extenders -

I think I need two of these. One goes in the equipment closet and one in the media room so that it sends IR commands away from each area.

Lighting -

Theater -

We want at least 3 dimmers for the riser lights, future track lighting, sconces, and possibly the equipment closet. I have not decided on what kind of track lighting low voltage or regular incandescent. We want lights that are black, and will not rattle with heavy bass or LFE. The ceiling is tile. The riser lights and sconces use regular incandescent bulbs and do not require high watts. Right now they are on very inexpensive round turning type of dimmers that cost less than 10 dollars I imagine. The thermostat is also inexpensive probably $10 and while it doesn't seem to know when it is time to turn off, it does work...sometimes.

Media room -

The media room will be by the front door so there switches will be located there most likely. We will not always be able get up to turn on/off switches so we want to be able to control, the kitchen, front doorway, fireplace, lamps, or whatever else we think of. It would also be nice to control some other areas of the home since some areas are very inconvenient in that switches are not wired next to doors, or not outside rooms upon entering. Good place to point a remote in other words.

Computer -

I saw that there is now software available for Apple that is Z-Wave compatible should we decide to get those. We are interested in a new computer as ours our very out dated and we would like gaming in the theater. Is there a Windows compatible version? Is the software really as simple to use as it sounds? What are the advantages of using the computer you might think of? We would like to be able to water the lawn but we already have a timer for that.

What is the difference of these different Z-Wave products or which would your recommend? Are there any issues using these that anyone has known of? Is anyone satisfied with their Z-Wave?

Okay where to start...

Remote:
I have 2 Logitech 890's (one pro and the other not) and I have two full rooms that are using switches that replace standard switches and also repeater switches (configured in a typical 3-way style). So these remotes are very good... Not the best, but very good. They work with just about anything when it comes to programming, and also has very good learning functionality.

RF Extenders:
You won't need them, why? Because the 890's come with them! But they are very good when hiding components in closests or cabinets...

Lighting:

- Theater: I have both my living room and basement theaters configured with in-wall switches with dimmer functionality that are hooked to on of the macro's... (i.e. when I want to watch a DVD, my blinds automatically close (IR-Remote controlled), all recessed lights dim to 10%, table lights dim to 10%, the volume turns up, DVD turns on, and all non-essential components turn off) So there are a range of devices that can help you do just about anything... Check out Homeseer (http://store.homeseer.com/store/Z-Wave-C52.aspx) For switches, remotes, etc...

-Media Room:
You can use whatever solution works the best, a remote mounted there works, as well as, using one of the 890's...

-Computer: The software I use and recommend is ThinkEssentials @ Controlthink (http://www.controlthink.com/)... It is Windows compat. I have seen, but never used the Mac software, but if it functions like the Windows version you should be fine... The only downside to this specific software is you need to have the 890 pro remote in order to create seconday remotes for the zone... It has to do with the fact that logitech did not fully implement the Z-wave standard into any of their products, but the upside is that it does more then just control the lighting! In reference to the watering the lawn, you would have to verify the solution that is currently implemented and whether it supports Z-wave. There is a new product that does just about anything you can imagine via Z-Wave and it can be seen here: http://actiontec.com/products/broadband/zcontrol/features.php

If you need any help or have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Keep us posted!

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=16982&minisite=10025&Filter=Y&jfn=ZG9FE93FE2C9620C88522BE7451AE00CB9B0EB4091BAFA7BF35A8A26 896E0DB028E101EFC899E3E6EA160E3B37F6DA00BA34&oas=yVi9G6rlILDHeN-xPhV7Kw..


Lighting option.

Thanks for the help so far. We do not currently have the option to have broadband and DSL is not available. If I use the 890 pro with it''s bundled software, will I require a computer to keep constant monitoring on the system? I can just use the 890 pro?

Are all these compatible with a dial-up internet connection for use not involving control away from home?

Thanks for the help so far. We do not currently have the option to have broadband and DSL is not available. If I use the 890 pro with it''s bundled software, will I require a computer to keep constant monitoring on the system? I can just use the 890 pro?

Are all these compatible with a dial-up internet connection for use not involving control away from home?

The software does not have to monitor the setup at all.... Basically once you program the remote you are set... But if you are looking into timers and additional components for your network, you would need a PC, no internet required, that has a Z-Wave dongle to allow you to interface with the local Z-Wave network. And in order to program the remote you will install Logitech's software and it will require a network connection, I am not sure if dial-up is an option though. So that would possibly be the only issue I see...

Keep us posted!

I did a search on a site called broadbandnational.com and it gave me one result for high speed access installation in my area.

They do not offer installations in my area currently because of high demand but I will sign up for the notice when it is available.

I have been looking at remotes. I like the KP-900 (http://www.cepro.com/article/universal_remote_control_intros_kp_900_wireless_keypad/K1) remote for the media room, and the MX-980 (http://www.cepro.com/article/universal_remote_control_introduces_mx_980_remote/) for the theater. Both are by URC. I would have to get the base stations also.

The 980 has animated gifs and back-lit controls and the KP 900 looks like it is very multi functional and easy to use.

I forwarded the broadband service sales email to my folks place to see if they were interested. No reply yet. This was in return for requesting me to download a trial version of design software which was with a four hour limit, and about a 700mb (this means days) download. That will at least get my point across without sounding rude if the service actually works here. Make since? :confused::)