AVS › AVS Forum › A/V Control & Automation › Home Automation › New Home Automation Project
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

New Home Automation Project

post #1 of 8
1/27/11 at 8:44pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

Looking to get my room connected with a universal remote here is what is important to me:

1)Totally DIY if possible.

2)Reasonably priced.

3)Control over all my devices and the ability to move entire rig to a new location. I have about 10 IR devices. Please let me know if you need a list of them.

4)Something that works well and I can add on new devices and change the ones i have if necessary.

5)Ability to make 'Activities' and/or 'macros' (i have a harmony right now and i want the same ability or something close)

6)Cloud control(control from anywhere) not an extreme necessity but would be nice.

I was looking into C4(very expensive and not DIY), and iRule(Using Global Cache hardware, Cheaper and DIY ) As of right now i feel like I want to go with iRule with Global Cache.

Any one use this service that likes it or doesn't like it?

Plus i haven't purchased anything yet so i am open to other suggestions.

Any comments are welcome for my first home automation.

As always thank you guys for the suggestions!!!
-Kevin
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 8
1/27/11 at 9:33pm
iRule rules! You may have seen the thread in this forum, if not check it out.
Personally, I've been using it for about a month now, being that I have direcTV, it integrated even better than I had expected (network control). I'm also fortunate that the GC itach I bought is compatible with my home automation controller as well, not to mention that iRule is compatible with this controller too (easily giving me lighting control w/ the remote GUI)
The more I read the forum, the more cool things I discover I can do, like adding a live DTV guide that allows you to select on the program you want and switches to that channel, I find this easier to use than dtv's on screen guide.
Being able to control a room that you're not in is also a big plus (I don't have to rely on the kids listening when I ask them to turn down the volume)
And I just love that you can use your own custom buttons and backgrounds. I have floor plans of my house as navigation pages, you select on the room you're in to get the applicable remote panel, or on the stairs to go to the other floor, don't know if there's anything else out there that lets you do that!

Think flood RedEye is also an option, though the initial cost is almost comparable to iRule + GC, it's only good for IR (iRule also enables network and serial control) and one room per unit, so really it's not comparable I almost went the redeye route before fortunately discovering iRule.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 8
1/28/11 at 9:34am
MainLobby from Cinemar, HomeSeer, Elve from CodeCore, and Girder/NetRemote from Promixis would be other DIY solutions.

http://www.cinemarsolutions.com/mainlobby.php

http://www.promixis.com/

http://www.homeseer.com/

http://www.codecoretechnologies.com/.../MainPage.ashx

Each has their own forum. Free trial period, try each for a month or so, one after the other, and then pick the one you like best.

Edit - CQC would be another option, if you have the time and energy, and want the best.

http://www.charmedquark.com/#/CQSLHome
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 8
1/28/11 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 
How do I try these options without the hardware to control my devices? Will these software options work with any hardware (ir blaster and rs232 to network) or can I try it with the network devices I have now?
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 8
1/28/11 at 12:40pm
Try The Harmony one or the harmony 900.. As much as I like iOS based solutions.. Having a remote with physical hard buttons just feels more natural
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 8
1/28/11 at 12:52pm
Yeah, you'll have to buy some hardware too - hopefully you can limit hardware purchases. I think most can use Global Cache devices, but you'll have to research.

Try to enjoy the process, you might have discovered a new hobby.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 8
1/28/11 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hadiesper View Post

Try The Harmony one or the harmony 900.. As much as I like iOS based solutions.. Having a remote with physical hard buttons just feels more natural

I already have a harmony I'm trying to move away from this I want more accurate control over devices plus cloud computing is pretty cool. Is there a hardware controller for a GC device like a physical controller?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 8
1/28/11 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neurorad View Post

Yeah, you'll have to buy some hardware too - hopefully you can limit hardware purchases. I think most can use Global Cache devices, but you'll have to research.

Try to enjoy the process, you might have discovered a new hobby.

I have already gone deep into this home theater hobby lol! I really am starting to love it! I've seen global cache to be a standard hardware thanks for the help
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Automation

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › A/V Control & Automation › Home Automation › New Home Automation Project