I'm building a new house (3200 Sq Ft), the walls are open for another two weeks, and I've got two weeks of vacation. I'm doing the electrical and low voltage work myself.
I played with X-10 5 years ago and used Homeseer then (great software) but eventually something changed in my environment and the X-10 got completely flakey (lights coming on a going off), plus constant frustration with trying to get the computer to know what was actually going on in the house (no message integrity or ability to get status).
So, new house, new chance to have fun with Home Automation. The HAI panel looks kind of interesting, because it would seem to have the ability to deliver the status of all the alarm sensors to the computer (through the HAI RS232 Interface).
I'm looking for tiered control. I want the alarm system to work even if the HA Computer has crashed, and of course I want the basic light switches to work as well. When the HA computer (which I assume would be running Homeseer) is fully functional, it would add new levels of functionality (timers, seens, and integration of sensors and environmental situations).
I have a wiring closet, and all CAT5e, RG6, alarm sensor and audio wires are star wired to the closet. That's where the HAI panel, Whole House Audio components and HA computer will reside.
So here are the newbee questions...
1. Is the HAI panel a good base to build around. If not, what is?
2. Wall switches. There are ALC (expensive), ZWave and Leviton X-10. What's a good standard dimmer switch to purchase? Can I use a mix of all three?
3. Should I string microphone drops around the house for future voice control options?
4. Anyone doing video (property monitoring) applications integrated into Homeseer?
5. Whole house audio - I have all my CDs ripped into MP3s, and I would like an easy selection and play interface. Suggestions?
6. Anything else I should do in the two weeks while the walls are open?
I played with X-10 5 years ago and used Homeseer then (great software) but eventually something changed in my environment and the X-10 got completely flakey (lights coming on a going off), plus constant frustration with trying to get the computer to know what was actually going on in the house (no message integrity or ability to get status).
So, new house, new chance to have fun with Home Automation. The HAI panel looks kind of interesting, because it would seem to have the ability to deliver the status of all the alarm sensors to the computer (through the HAI RS232 Interface).
I'm looking for tiered control. I want the alarm system to work even if the HA Computer has crashed, and of course I want the basic light switches to work as well. When the HA computer (which I assume would be running Homeseer) is fully functional, it would add new levels of functionality (timers, seens, and integration of sensors and environmental situations).
I have a wiring closet, and all CAT5e, RG6, alarm sensor and audio wires are star wired to the closet. That's where the HAI panel, Whole House Audio components and HA computer will reside.
So here are the newbee questions...
1. Is the HAI panel a good base to build around. If not, what is?
2. Wall switches. There are ALC (expensive), ZWave and Leviton X-10. What's a good standard dimmer switch to purchase? Can I use a mix of all three?
3. Should I string microphone drops around the house for future voice control options?
4. Anyone doing video (property monitoring) applications integrated into Homeseer?
5. Whole house audio - I have all my CDs ripped into MP3s, and I would like an easy selection and play interface. Suggestions?
6. Anything else I should do in the two weeks while the walls are open?
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